Vash
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Chapter 47
🕑 Added 2025-06-09 15:54:06 +0000 UTCIndra stood on the observation deck of Tokyo Tower, the city sprawling beneath him like a circuit board made of light. The mortal realm always fascinated him - the way humans built their towers of glass and steel, reaching toward the heavens with stubborn determination.
But tonight, his thoughts weren't on mortal ambition. They were on Leon Mishima.
"Arrogant little brat," he muttered with dark amusement, though his tone held grudging respect. "Throwing gods out of windows like they're common trash."
That had been... unexpected. Most mortals - even those touched by supernatural power - showed some instinctive deference when confronted with true divinity. Fear, awe, the primal recognition that they stood before something far beyond their understanding.
Leon Mishima had shown none of that.
The boy had looked at those minor gods with nothing but cold irritation, then proceeded to dismantle them with the casual efficiency of someone dealing with particularly annoying insects. No hesitation. No doubt. Just brutal, overwhelming force applied with surgical precision.
"He looked at me like he was deciding whether I was worth his time," Indra said, and found himself genuinely impressed despite his annoyance. "Presumptuous little dragon."
Dragon. Yes, that's what the boy was becoming, wasn't it? The essence was there, woven through his being like golden thread through silk. But it wasn't natural dragon heritage - this was something else. Something crafted. Deliberate.
And the Kavacha and Kundala... seeing them manifest around the boy had been like watching ghosts from the past return to life. Divine armor didn't just accept any wielder. It chose those worthy of its protection, those who embodied the principles it was created to serve.
Karna had been such a warrior. Noble despite his circumstances, loyal despite betrayal, powerful despite the odds stacked against him. The armor had loved him, protected him, made him nearly invincible until his own honor became his downfall.
And now it served a teenage boy who had the audacity to threaten gods in their own faces.
"What would you think of your successor, old friend?" Indra asked the stars, his mind reading the surface thoughts of every being within a ten-mile radius - a habit that had grown stronger over the millennia. The city below teemed with desires, fears, ambitions, but none as interesting as the memories of that cold-eyed boy.
The wind didn't answer, but something in its whisper suggested amusement.
Indra's phone - a concession to modern mortal communication that he'd grown surprisingly fond of - buzzed with an incoming message. He glanced at the screen and his expression shifted to something more calculating.
Lord Shiva requests immediate audience. The matter concerns the Mishima heir and his... potential. - Parvati
Ah. So word had already reached the Destroyer. That was... predictable. Shiva had always been interested in those who could bring about proper destruction, and young Leon certainly qualified.
This could complicate his own plans. Indra had been gathering forces for decades, preparing for the inevitable confrontation with Shiva. The God of Destruction was too powerful, too unpredictable to leave unchecked. But if Shiva took an interest in the Mishima boy...
"Interesting," Indra murmured, his tactical mind already working through possibilities. "Very interesting indeed."
With a thought, he dissolved into lightning and electricity, his consciousness racing through power lines and satellite networks toward Mount Kailash. Some conversations required careful handling, especially when they involved beings who could unmake reality with a thought.
But as he traveled, Indra found himself smiling with genuine anticipation. Leon Mishima had just become a much more valuable piece on the board. And in the grand game between gods, valuable pieces were worth fighting for.
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Alessia finished cleaning up the office with supernatural efficiency, her divine nature making short work of rubble and broken glass. By the time she was done, only the missing window remained as evidence of the morning's violence.
"I'll have the glass company here within the hour," she told Leon, who was reviewing damage reports on his tablet. "And building maintenance will reinforce the remaining windows against... future incidents."
"Thanks." He glanced up, that small smile playing at his lips again. The same one that had been appearing more frequently since his dinner with Sona Sitri. "Sorry about the mess."
"Occupational hazard," she replied, though privately she'd found the display of power... impressive. "Will there be anything else?"
"Actually, yeah." Leon set down his tablet, those striking blue eyes focusing on her with the kind of attention that made her pulse quicken. "I keep meaning to ask - you're not really just an executive secretary, are you?"
Alessia felt her breath catch. Had she been that obvious? "I'm not sure what you mean, sir."
"Come on, Alessia." His voice was gentle but knowing. "Normal secretaries don't clean up after battles with minor gods like they're tidying up after a coffee spill. Normal secretaries don't have the kind of connections that get things done with a single phone call."
She studied his face, looking for suspicion or anger, but found only curiosity. Patient, understanding curiosity that somehow made lying to him feel impossible.
"I'm very good at my job," she said carefully.
"The best." He leaned back in his chair, and the way the afternoon light caught his features made something flutter in her chest. Strong jaw, those impossibly blue eyes, the way his hair fell just slightly across his forehead... "Which is why I'm not asking you to leave or explain yourself. I'm just saying I know you're more than you pretend to be."
The flutter became a full-on swarm of butterflies. When had she started noticing things like the way he moved with unconscious grace? Or how his voice got softer when he was being kind?
"And I appreciate you being here," he continued, completely unaware of the effect his words were having. "Whatever your real reasons."
Because I was ordered to protect you, she thought. Because the All-Father owes your family a debt. Because Lady Frigg asked me personally to keep you safe.
"You're welcome," she managed, hoping her voice sounded steadier than she felt.
Leon's phone buzzed, and he glanced at it with that soft smile again. Another message from Sona, probably. The way his entire expression lightened whenever the devil heiress contacted him was... well, it was sweet. And completely unfair to Alessia's increasingly complicated feelings.
"I should let you get back to work," she said, gathering her tablet and the last of the debris. "The afternoon schedule is relatively light - just the quarterly review with the European division."
"Sounds thrilling." Leon's smile turned wry. "Thanks again, Alessia. For everything."
The warmth in his voice did terrible things to her composure. She nodded and escaped to her own office, closing the door and leaning against it with a soft sigh.
"This is ridiculous," she whispered to herself. "You're Rossweisse. Former Valkyrie. Guardian of Odin himself. You don't get crushes on mortal boys."
Except Leon Mishima wasn't exactly mortal, was he? The power he'd displayed, the way he'd faced down Indra without flinching - that was something far beyond human capability.
And the way he'd just accepted her obvious secrecy without demanding explanations... Most powerful beings wanted to know everything about everyone around them. Leon seemed content to let people keep their mysteries as long as they didn't threaten what he cared about.
Her phone rang, jarring her from increasingly inappropriate thoughts. She glanced at the caller ID and felt her stomach drop.
"All-Father," she answered, switching to Old Norse automatically.
"Rossweisse!" Odin's voice boomed across dimensions with perverted glee. "My dear bodyguard! Tell me, how's that boy treating you? Any romantic developments I should know about?"
Heat flooded her cheeks. "All-Father, this is about business—"
"Bah! Business is boring!" Odin's laughter rumbled like thunder. "I heard our young dragon threw some minor gods around like toys. Quite impressive! Almost makes me want to test him myself... after I finish checking out these delightful 'maid cafes' the humans have invented."
"You're supposed to be focusing on pantheon relations," Rossweisse said through gritted teeth, "not... whatever perverted activities you're engaging in."
"Details, details! Now, about this Leon boy - handsome fellow, isn't he? Rich, powerful, mysteriously attractive..." Odin's tone turned slyly amused. "Perfect boyfriend material for a certain Valkyrie who's been single for far too long."
"I am NOT—" Rossweisse caught herself before she could shout. "My relationship status is not relevant to my mission."
"Oh, but it is! A happy Valkyrie is an efficient Valkyrie!" Odin chuckled. "Besides, the boy clearly has good taste. I've seen how he looks at you through my ravens. That appreciation for both beauty and competence? Very wise."
"You've been spying on me through Huginn and Muninn?" Rossweisse's voice pitched higher with indignation.
"Spying is such an ugly word. I prefer 'concerned oversight.' And I must say, watching you fumble around with romantic feelings has been quite entertaining. Almost as good as those human soap operas!"
Rossweisse buried her face in her free hand. "Why did Lady Frigg assign me to this?"
"Because you're perfect for the job, my dear. Competent, loyal, and in desperate need of a boyfriend." His tone shifted slightly, becoming more serious despite retaining its perverted edge. "The Mishima family has always been important allies. Young Leon especially so. Keep him safe, Rossweisse. And if you happen to find personal happiness in the process... well, that's just good planning."
"My duties come first," she said firmly.
"Of course they do! But there's no rule saying you can't enjoy yourself while being dutiful." Odin's grin was audible. "Now, I must go. There's a 'cat girl cafe' I simply must investigate for... diplomatic purposes. Give my regards to your handsome young charge!"
The line went dead, leaving Rossweisse staring at her phone in a mixture of mortification and exasperation. Odin knew. Of course he knew. The All-Father saw everything - and apparently found her romantic struggles hilarious.
But between his perverted teasing, he'd also given her implicit permission to pursue her feelings while maintaining her duties. Even if his methods were absolutely infuriating.
Through her office window, she could see Leon in his ruined office, sunlight streaming through the missing glass as he worked. His concentration was absolute, completely focused on whatever document he was reviewing.
Beautiful and brilliant and far more dangerous than he let most people see.
"Secondary," she whispered to herself, watching the way afternoon light turned his hair to spun gold. "Right. Everything else is secondary."
But as she watched him work, completely unaware of her observation, Rossweisse had to admit that some things were becoming harder and harder to categorize as "secondary."
Especially when they involved piercing amber eyes and rare, genuine smiles that made even former Valkyries forget their divine composure.
