Fate To Fake: Loved by the Fallen; Fated to Kill the Divine

Leo looked at a sleek… long, glinting katana, the blade arcing with impossible elegance, its curve as sharp and graceful.

The sword's steel flickered with hints of blue and crimson, as if veins of magic pulsed inside. Its hilt was wrapped in blood-red thread, the pattern both regal and ancient, and gold ornaments rested beneath the wrappings, swirling with runes he did not recognise.

Such a gorgeous sword… it seemed more suited for a king's treasure vault than a battlefield.

His fingers traced its sharp tip.

"Careful, it's very sharp," Essa warned, her voice suddenly serious. She watched Leo with intent eyes, her gaze never leaving his awestruck face.

Raphael blinked, "Was this the reason you trained him on a wooden sword?"

Essa nodded, "When he fought before, the reason he lost was that his old sword was only capable of fighting against normal humans. Not monsters. Not magical creatures."

Azrael frowned, "So you're telling me this one… could handle them?"

Essa nodded again, "It's more resistant to mana. More durable. Stronger than anything you've seen so far"

Ophis frowned, "But weren't your mythical weapons stronger? They would shatter these without resistance, right?"

Essa's lips curved up, "Actually… since we carried blessed weapons from the old times—blades that are a part of us, that answer only our call—those weapons don't break, not even against each other. To create weapons like ours again… It's impossible.

"But this sword can withstand the force of our strikes. That's what makes it special, and you know the cost for this? It's a freaking… 9—" Suddenly, her voice cut off for a second, she lost in thoughts and "Nothing."

"Huh? You were about to say something, right?" Azrael frowned. She glanced from Essa to the sword, "Was it 9000, or something even crazier?"

Essa shrugged, indifferent, "Don't worry about the cost… for now, this will be enough to handle them. Just don't lose it."

Leo nodded, his understanding deepening as he looked at Essa and bowed his head in genuine gratitude.

"I owe you too much, Essa. Is there anything you need—anything at all?"

Essa smiled beneath her hood, "First, we need to survive tomorrow. Then, we'll talk about the rest. Don't thank me yet."

Leo hummed. He gently set the sword back into its lacquered case, fingers lingering on the hilt for a moment... he would definitely test it later, perhaps even tonight.

With a final, longing look at the sword, he turned to Raphael, who was waiting with a grin that seemed almost mischievous, hands hidden behind her back.

"Here, for my one and only dearest nephew," Raphael declared, her voice loud enough to draw everyone's attention.

She thrust out a carefully wrapped parcel... crimson ribbon tied in a lopsided bow, paper faintly sparkling.

"A book?" Azrael snorted, the corner of her mouth twitching upward as she eyed the obvious shape. She shot Raphael a deadpan look, "He just officially turned eighteen, and the first thing you give him is… a book? You could have given him anything... A game console? Or a Phone? least a robot? And... you went with this?"

Raphael frowned, flustered by the criticism, "What's… It's good! This book could save his life."

"Hah… that's only for you, idiot! I should have known when you said you'd brought it already," Azrael muttered, rolling her eyes as she turned away.

Seeing that, Raphael's face fell. She looked at Leo, her expression suddenly anxious, voice shaky. "M-Maybe I should change it—" but before she could snatch it back, Leo smiled and quickly tore away the paper, revealing a familiar cover beneath his fingers.

"Leo, wait… I'll change it! I promise, I'll get you something else, something more—"

"It's fine," Leo interrupted softly, "You selected this for me… nothing would make me happier." He lifted the cover, the title catching the light: What Colour Is Your Parachute?

"Huh? Rainbow color. The heck was that?" Azrael snorted, bemused, as she read the title over his shoulder.

Raphael's face turned crimson, embarrassment and worry mingling as she looked at her nephew, "Leo… is that not to your liking?" She wrung her hands.

She'd spent nights agonising over this... her first gift to the man he was becoming.

However,

Leo's smile grew softer, "There is nothing that makes me happier, Raphael," he murmured, clutching the book to his chest. "You picked this for me… thinking about my future. That means more than anything else."

He hugged her, squeezing tightly—the book pressed between them—a silent thanks. For a moment, it didn't matter what the gift was.

It was the thought, the love!

He got a gift from his family... That was all he had ever wanted.

Raphael flinched in surprise, then broke into a sheepish smile, shooting a quick glance at Azrael, who snorted but didn't quite hide her approval.

Leo let go, still grinning, "Thank you."

Raphael smiled warmly, and Leo noticed that Essa was watching him from beneath her hood, her posture tense.

Leo gulped, his heart skipping a beat. Gathering his courage, he moved to her side and, after a hesitant pause, reached out and hugged her, his arms awkward.

Essa flinched in horror!!

"Thank you," Leo said before turning to Azrael.

Meanwhile, Essa's mind was short-circuited by his action, 'W-What the fuck just happened?' she screamed in her head, heat rushing to her cheeks beneath the hood.

Was that really a hug?

Meanwhile, Azrael handed him… a cheque book?

Leo frowned, hesitating for a second before opening the cover. His eyes widened at the contents—then he snapped it shut, fingers tight, not letting anyone glimpse what lay inside.

Raphael turned curious, her eyes narrowing, "What is it?"

Leo gulped, sweat prickling at his temples.

How could he even explain?

Wrapped in a plain cheque book cover, but inside was something much more… personal? Valuable? N-No! It couldn't possibly be that valuable, right? Leo shook his head, trying to dispel the wild thoughts.

Raphael, not one to be put off easily, leaned in, stretching her arm out as she tried to snatch the book. "Show me what it is!"

Thank the gods, Azrael intervened, stepping between them with a smug look. "It's his gift. Why are you prying into his gifts? He is officially 18, and He is a MAN now... Give him a little privacy, will you?" she pressed the main word deeper for some reason.

Raphael stared at her, then finally snorted and stepped back. From the outside, it looked just like a cheque book—maybe Azrael gave him enormous money?

That had to be the obvious answer, right?

But wouldn't spoil him too much? She worried about that!

Leo tried to compose himself, glancing at Azrael, who was now grinning with that mischievous glint in her eyes. She spread her arms wide and leaned closer, "Where's my hug?~"

Leo hesitated, then awkwardly stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her. Azrael wasted no time... she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer, her breath tickling his ear as she leaned in and whispered,

"There are five tokens in that 'cheque book.' You can ask me for anything… I mean literally anything, Leo. Whatever you want—no matter how naughty, no matter how wild." Her sultry voice and warm breath sent shivers down his spine. Leo's heart raced as he pulled back, cheeks burning, "T-Thank you," he stammered, stuffing the 'cheque book' deep into his pocket as if it might explode.

He took a shaky breath... Ophis stood nearby, fidgeting, her hands twisting the hem of her sleeve.

"I… I really don't have anything to give you," she admitted in a quiet and sheepish voice.

Leo smiled, gentle and honest, shaking his head, "It's fine. I'm happy just having you here."

Ophis gave a small, bashful hum. She hadn't prepared a physical gift like the others, but her eyes sparkled with a secret. After a heartbeat, she looked up with a hint of determination.

"Actually, I do have something else," she mumbled, the blush blooming across her pale cheeks.

Leo raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"Now… close your eyes," Ophis said softly, a nervous but excited blush making her cheeks almost glow.

Leo couldn't help but chuckle, already suspecting what was coming. He crouched to her level, closing his eyes, and leaned in with his cheek presented.

A heartbeat passed, then Ophis leaned forward, her lips barely brushing his cheek. The kiss was soft and fleeting.... Ophis's face turned crimson, her pale skin now the colour of a ripe tomato.

"What is she? A tomato?" Azrael teased from the side, amused by how red Ophis had turned from a simple cheek kiss.

'If she knew what I gave Leo, she'd pass out for sure!' Azrael thought with amusement.

Leo grinned, unable to resist this level of cutness. He leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to Ophis's cheek, catching her off guard.

"Y-You!! How dare you!!!" Ophis squeaked, hands covering her face as she blushed even deeper, if that was even possible.

Everyone burst out laughing at Ophis, their laughter filling the room with warmth and joy.

As the party went on, the air was thick with the sweet scent of cake and the lingering glow of celebration.

Ophis sat cross-legged, eating her cake piece by piece, her eyes sparkling with happiness at every bite.

Leo lounged on the old velvet sofa, gazing at the cake with a peaceful expression, the memory of the moment carving itself into his heart.

Soon, Azrael and Ophis were locked in a playful tug-of-war over the last slice, their voices rising in mock battle, while Raphael struggled valiantly to divide it with the knife, hoping to end the chaos.

That last piece… somehow, it was always the real source of trouble.

Leo watched with a soft smile, eyes following the plate as it slid left and right between the squabbling girls. His thoughts drifted, quiet and deep, the noise fading as a memory pulled him inward.

The first birthday he ever celebrated…

He remembered, years ago, asking his caretaker, the kind woman who had found him on the orphanage steps, what a birthday was. He had noticed, in a worn diary, that every child seemed to have a special date… except for him.

After all, he had been abandoned... left by his parents without even a name, while other children had simply been surrendered by families too poor to keep them.

The caretaker, whom he called Mother, had secretly arranged a private celebration just for him, spending her own money to buy a single small cake. She hid it from the other children, knowing they would be jealous, and told him,

"This is your day, Leo."

He had never been sure if this day was truly the day he was born, but for him, it was the first and only birthday he had ever known.

That memory glowed in his heart, tender and bright.

His lips curled gently as he remembered feeding his mother a piece of cake and boasting to the other children, due to his idocity, even though she told him not to tell others. Only later, the Temple Father had scolded her for favouring him, and after that, he never dared ask for another birthday.

Now, watching this scene.... laughter, arguing, cake, and family—he felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes.

'Are you seeing this, Mother?' Leo thought, his eyes turned heavy, 'This family… even if it's a borrowed one, I really like it. Forgive me, Mother… and Leo… I wish… I wish I could stay with them—forever… zzzzzz…'

"It's mine, you little brat! You already ate half the cake!" Azrael shouted, her voice loud and dramatic as she tried to wrestle the last slice away.

"You bitch! Leo, give it to me!" Ophis shrieked back, just as fierce, snatching at the plate.

Raphael, trembling with exasperation, tried to cut between them but then noticed something that made her face suddenly go stern.

"Okay, that's enough. Game over."

The sudden edge in her tone brought both of them to a halt. They looked up, puzzled, as Raphael stared past them at Leo. who had quietly fallen asleep on the sofa, a faint smile on his lips.

The trio's bickering melted into soft smiles.

"He must be tired," Azrael said, voice gentler now. She walked to his side, careful not to disturb him, and sat down. She looked at his peaceful face, then, without a second thought, slipped in under his arm, nestling close and closing her eyes, content to sleep beside him.

Raphael flinched, eyes wide. "What are you doing?"

"Of course I'm sleeping with him~" Azrael replied, her tone teasing and shameless as she snuggled deeper into his side, eyes fluttering shut.

Raphael's cheeks flared red. "H-How dare you, witch!"

"Oh please. I'm just sleeping beside him. Is that wrong?" Azrael purred, barely opening her eyes. Raphael's lips twitched, then, with a huff, she hurried to claim the other side, wrapping her arms around Leo's other arm as she settled in to sleep.

Ophis, still holding the last piece of cake, glanced at the three of them cuddled together. With a little sigh, she set the cake aside, tiptoed to Leo's side, and gently—so gently—climbed onto his lap, careful not to wake him, curling up with her head resting on his chest.

One by one, the group surrendered to sleep. For a moment, they looked like a real family.

Essa stood back, watching the pile of sleeping friends with an amused, almost fond smile.

They really did look like one big family, tangled together in their dreams.

Quietly, Essa slipped behind the sofa. She leaned in over Leo, brushing a stray lock of hair from his brow. With a tenderness she rarely showed, she bent down and whispered softly against his skin, "This is from me."

Then, with the gentlest touch, she kissed his forehead before quietly vanishing into the shadows.