Epiphany. [Guren Ichinose x Reader] ➥ Book 2. [Semi-hiatus]

Epiphany ~ Chapter 20.

-Y/N's POV-
I increasingly became worried. Now that I think about it rationally, with the way Guren guarded the truth so vigilantly, was I really prepared for what he was about to reveal?

"After my dad was executed our main objective was to kill Mahiru at all cost." He continued, "A war had broken out between the Thousand nights and the Imperial Demons, and on December 25th we finally got to Mahiru she was too far gone though." He seemed to hesitate, "Our current squad went to finally put an end to all this." He stopped, shaking his head,

"Y/N, it's my fault."

"What's your fault?" My eyes widened,

"I was naive, weak, I thought I could reason with a demon. Possibly convince Mahiru to change, help her change." He started, his jaw visibly tightening, "But the others...I couldn't protect them. Mahiru killed them all and turned herself into a full demon."

Fuck.

The room was silent, but the main thing that confused me was how we're they still alive,

"Seraph of the end." He stated, and I looked at him in confusion, "You're wondering how they're alive right now."

I nodded slowly,

"Mahiru had also been working on another project, the seraph of the end. It was an experiment to revive the dead."

I tried connecting the dots, "Is that how they're-"

He nodded, "Yes, but I ended up triggering the apocalypse because it is a taboo and Mahiru knew it would happen before it did."

"Do the others know?"

"They can't know, if they find out they'll die."

That's why he was so secretive with these things, I sighed, "I've been so selfish," I chuckled in disbelief, "I can't even imagine what you've been through."

He shook his head,

"I'm sorry, Guren. You've had to suffer all alone. I promise I won't tell them."

"Even so, they only have 2 years left."

"Oh. I see." I couldn't help but feel devastated, Shinya, Mito and the others aren't going to be alive after two years and there was nothing we could do about it, Guren must've sensed how dejected I was feeling, he placed his hand on the crown of my head,

"You know that I've been involved in experimentation, I want to bring back the people I've killed; maybe I'll also find a way to extend their lives."

"Let me help you!" I suddenly offered and his eyes widened for a moment before he spat out a laugh,

"Not even a chance."

"Oh come on, I can learn about the seraph of the end and help you," I suggested,

"No way, it's too dangerous and even if you did, you don't have the facilities for research." He strongly denied,

"Please~"

"Nope."

I eventually sighed in defeat, "I know you're trying to pay for your sins but I can't help but think someone is using you to do all the dirty work."

"Even so, it's something I must do. Which is why I'm working with the likes of Ferid Bathory."

"You really are telling me everything, I'd forgotten about that." It only seemed to confirm my suspicion about him being used, Ferid Bathory was the last person to be trusted, I sighed, standing up, "Well, it's not as if I can stop you, but just be careful." I moved his bangs and planted a soft peck on his forehead,