Chapter 30: Bonds in the Phenex Family Growing Strong!
Author: KAIOSHIN
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(Lavinia Reni Pov.)
Lavinia opened her eyes, blinking against the golden light streaming through the bedroom window. She was still getting used to her new home in the Phenex castle. Everything seemed like a dream after the darkness of the past few days.
"Good morning, dear!" Lady Phenex said with a gentle smile, entering the room. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, Lady Phenex," Lavinia replied shyly. She could hardly believe she had a family again.
After breakfast, Lavinia went out to explore the surroundings. The castle sat atop a hill, overlooking forests and meadows. The sun shone, birds sang, and leaves rustled in the wind.
Lavinia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. There was a sense of peace and hope that she hadn't felt in a long time.
Suddenly, a fireball whizzed over her head. Lavinia screamed and ducked just in time.
"Watch out there!" A blond boy came running, laughing. "Sorry, I was practicing my fire powers."
It was Riser Phenex. He reached out to help Lavinia up.
"It's... alright," she said, blushing. She couldn't deny that Riser was handsome, his golden hair shining in the sun.
"Wanna take a walk?" Riser invited with a charming smile.
Lavinia agreed, following him downhill amidst laughter and conversation. She felt comfortable with Riser, as if they were old friends.
Under the shade of a large tree, they stopped to rest. Lavinia fell silent for a moment, lost in thought.
"What's wrong?" Riser asked.
"It's just that... I still can't believe all of this is happening," Lavinia admitted. "After losing my parents, I thought I would be alone forever."
Riser gently took her hand. "You'll never be alone again. Now you have a family."
Lavinia felt her eyes welling up. For the first time in a long while, she felt that her future could be as bright as the stars.
(Valerie Tepes Pov.)
Valerie stepped out into the garden, savoring the warmth of the sun on her face. As a vampire, she rarely had the chance to enjoy daylight. But here, under Riser's protection, she could finally be a normal child.
She saw Lavinia and Riser coming down the hill, laughing together. A strange feeling stirred in her chest at seeing them so close. Could it be... jealousy?
"Hi Valerie!" Riser waved. "Join us!"
Valerie hesitated. Why did she feel so uncomfortable around Lavinia? The other girl had been nothing but kind to her since she arrived.
"Is everything okay, Valerie?" Lavinia asked, noticing her unease.
"Yeah, just a bit tired," Valerie lied.
Riser playfully tousled her hair. "Don't worry, we have all the time in the world to play. How about a snack?"
Valerie smiled despite herself. It was silly to feel jealous; after all, they were all part of the same family now.
She ran after Riser and Lavinia to the kitchen, where they filled their plates with treats. At least here, she would never go hungry again.
In the afternoon, as the sun set on the horizon, Riser gathered everyone in the garden to admire the sunset. Valerie nestled against him, watching the sky blaze in shades of orange and gold.
For the first time in her life, she felt complete. She had friends, a family, a home. Her future seemed as bright and full of possibilities as that setting sun.
"Thank you," she whispered to Riser.
He squeezed her shoulder affectionately. Together, they contemplated the beauty of a new beginning.
(Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck Pov.)
Nelliel strolled peacefully through the Phenex castle garden, enjoying the cool breeze of the afternoon. Her long emerald hair fluttered gently behind her.
She had joined the Phenex household not long ago, after centuries of wandering alone as an Arrancar. Riser had given her a new purpose, a place to call home.
She saw Riser gathering Valerie and Lavinia to watch the sunset. She smiled tenderly at the scene.
Despite her innocent and childlike appearance, Nelliel carried centuries of experience and wisdom. She could sense the bonds forming among the young Phenex, like threads weaving a fabric.
Riser was the golden thread, radiant as the sun, uniting everyone around his warmth and light. Valerie and Lavinia were silver and copper threads, still finding their place in the grand design.
Nelliel felt that her role was to protect this forming fabric, guiding the younger ones with her insight. Her knowledge of the pains of loneliness would help Riser avoid mistakes of the past.
The Phenex future seemed as bright and full of potential as the fiery sky. Nelliel had faith that, together, they would create a magnificent tapestry.
For now, she contented herself with being a wise observer, learning the contours of this new home. With patience, she would also find her place in this family.
(Tsunade Senju Pov.)
Tsunade watched from a castle window as Riser gathered the children to witness the sunset. A feeling of satisfaction warmed her chest.
She had devoted years of unwavering loyalty to the Phenex, but Riser was the first to treat the servants as family. He forged bonds beyond blood or duty, uniting everyone in a tapestry of compassion.
Valerie, Lavinia, Nelliel... Riser had welcomed them when they were lost and alone, giving them a home. He saw potential in people the world had discarded.
Tsunade appreciated Riser's honest and humane approach. It showed a maturity and empathy rare in someone so young. She had faith that he would become a wise and just leader.
Riser also made her feel like a woman again, awakening passions long dormant. His touch was like lightning, shaking her to the soul.
Watching the sun set behind the hills, Tsunade thought of the light Riser had brought into their lives. Their future seemed boundless and filled with sparkling possibilities.
She would stand by him, guiding when needed, but also learning lessons only someone so unique could teach. Together, they would create something extraordinary.
**
(Zekram Bael Pov.)
In the Underworld, in Bael territory, Zekram had just finished reading a report on the young Phenex.
The powerful and honorable ancestor, the first demon created by Lucifer through Lilith's flesh and Lucifer's blood from the Book of Lucifer, the one who witnessed the origin of the demonic race and had lived since then. He originated from a power that, in his analysis, was the most potent among the demonic race. The power of "Destruction."
He had spies all over the Underworld, and from his informants in the Phenex household, he already knew that the young Phenex was powerful. Powerful to the point that, at the age of 7 turning 8, he had already reached the Low-Class Satan rank.
Zekram Bael sighed deeply as he read the reports about young Riser Phenex. The boy showed promising abilities, no doubt, but there was something about him that unsettled the veteran demon.
The flutter of wings announced the arrival of his butler. "Lord B
ael, afternoon tea is served in the garden. And I brought the ginger cookies you enjoy."
"Berith. I'll join you in a moment," Zekram dismissed the servant with a wave.
He returned to flipping through the report, furrowing his brow. Riser was gathering powerful allies impressively quickly for someone so young. His limitless ambition reminded Zekram of the early days of the demonic race, when anarchy and betrayal were abundant.
Sighing again, he stood up, stretching his stiff back. Perhaps he was being excessively suspicious. Youth had always been avid for glory and conquest.
As he walked to the terrace, his thoughts wandered back many millennia. To the bloody battles against angels and dragons, the rise of demon clans. And to the terrible sacrifice of Lilith, the mother of all, which gave birth to the power that still flowed in his veins...
"Sir, the tea will get cold," Berith's voice interrupted his nostalgia.
"Ah yes," Zekram smiled at the servant. "Sometimes I get lost in memories." Perhaps they were overthinking it; after all, it wasn't really something important or anything, just a suspicion about young Phenex.
He sat at the table on the terrace, enjoying the gentle breeze and the singing of birds. Maybe it was time to pass his legacy on. Undoubtedly, Riser Phenex deserved close observation. Maybe a union of his blood and the Phenex lineage would resolve this. But, as we all know, power attracts attention. Maybe he should not only include the Gremory Heiress but also the Agares and Sitri Heiresses, as well as the Astaroth girl.
Of course, he didn't have the authority to order these houses to give their daughters in marriage, but he controlled something that would pressure the marriage. Yes, the Diabolic Council of the 32 Diabolic Houses. All for the greater good. (A/N: all for the greater good. XD.)
Pouring the steaming tea into his cup, Zekram decided to write a letter to the members of the Great King's faction. There was much that only a veteran like him could teach the new generations.
And if Riser proved worthy, perhaps Zekram had finally found someone to share the burdens of power, someone to call an heir... maybe a child with Bael and Phenex blood would be the solution.
The future seemed once again full of sparkling possibilities.
(A/N: In many fanfics, we see old Zekram causing trouble, and even being unnecessarily accused of things that haven't been confirmed in canon. For example, the devil's disease, etc.... here we will see Zekram as Lucifer's first creation, being one of the orchestrators for the creation of "Super devils," or we can say, doing things for the greater good of devil society. I'm sure Zekram must have thought about letting his descendant, like Venelana, go to the Gremory house, as he knew about the Gremory's ability to have greater reserves of demonic energy as well as greater control over them. It would make sense, honestly. If a child inherited both characteristics of their respective devil clans, their power would shake devil society, as we can see with the current Lucifer. We even have Rias, after being constantly exposed to dangers. She killed a dragon, she was able to fight against Grayfia for a while... if she trained or was constantly put under stress, she would have evolved more. But we also can't be blind; in the case of the assassination of Cléria Belial, he probably killed her because she would expose the King's piece, so he leaked information that led to her death. Just as the diabolic council considered her getting pregnant by an exorcist a crime. Because he didn't do it with Issei, and one simple thing, devil society is only interested in strength. If you are weak, you will never have a harem or anything, if yes, you will become the harem king. It's as simple as that. And Issei's children would be half-dragon then...)