HM & DF Chapter 3 The Dream of Dragons and Men

Italy. Rome Fiumicino Airport – Late Night

The air inside the Airport was thick with the scent of coffee and countless voices echoing over the polished marble floors. Announcements blared from overhead speakers in Italian and English, blending into a constant hum of movement and life. Travelers hurried past with rolling luggage, families embraced near the departure gates, and flight attendants glided gracefully through the crowds in crisp uniforms.

Among them, unnoticed and hooded, walked Asia Argento.

Her heart beat in her throat as she clutched the strap of her small satchel — the same one that now carried everything she owned in this world: her rosary, her Bible, and a few treasured keepsakes. The silver cross around her neck gleamed faintly under the fluorescent lights, a quiet symbol of faith in a place that no longer felt sacred.

She had spent many days hiding, moving between abandoned buildings, sleeping under bridges, and slipping through alleyways, always fearing that an exorcist or anyone from the church may find and capture her. But at last, after all the running, she had reached her only chance of escape and the fastest way to reach Japan.

The airport. Now all she needed now was a plane where she could carefully board without anyone noticing.

—----------------------------------------

Asia stood near the large glass windows overlooking the runways, her green eyes scanning the parked aircrafts under the night sky. Above her, she could see the blinking lights of distant planes taking off, each one soaring away.

She swallowed hard, her heart fluttering in her chest. “I just have to find one that’s going east…” She murmured softly, more to herself than to anyone else.

Her reflection in the glass looked pale and fragile — a young woman wrapped in a hooded cloak too big for her small frame, eyes shadowed by fatigue and fear. But just as despair began to weigh on her shoulders, soft light began to bloom beside her.

Three small feathery orbs flickered into view, her cherubs, her tiny, faithful companions.

Each hovered close, glowing gently like lanterns. Their wings fluttered soundlessly, scattering faint motes of light that faded before they reached the ground. Asia’s lips curved into a tired but genuine smile. “Ikaros, Tia, Luke…” She whispered their names tenderly.

The orbs chirped in response, their light pulsing in gentle rhythm, like the beat of small, happy hearts.

Ikaros, the smallest of the trio, glowed with a soft pink hue. She always lingered close to Asia, timid and easily startled, often hiding in her cloak when crowds became too large. And then she always followed her siblings.

Tia, bright yellow and radiant as sunlight, spun in excited loops through the air, her curiosity boundless. Every new sight drew her attention, the glint of glass, the reflection of light, the distant gleam of an airplane wing.

And Luke, shining blue and bold, circled them both protectively. His glow pulsed brighter than the others, not out of pride, but out of a childlike need to prove himself. He was the boldest and most mischievous, the self-proclaimed leader of the trio. He loved testing Asia’s patience almost as much as he loved protecting her.

Asia giggled softly as the three twirled around her, their faint chimes ringing like wind-bells in a summer breeze. For a moment, the noise and her troubles seemed far away.

“I’m glad you’re here,” She murmured, touching her hand lightly over her heart. “Without you three, I don’t think I’d have made it this far.”

The cherubs answered with three soft pii~! chirps, bobbing up and down in excitement.

Their innocence made her heart ache. Even now, surrounded by strangers and hunted by those she once called allies, they made her feel safe. She had no idea where they had come from, or why they had chosen to follow her, but their presence felt like a small miracle in a world that had turned its back on her.

She reached out, her fingers brushing faint trails of light as she looked at them lovingly. “Listen, I need to ask you something important,” She said, her voice quiet but firm. “Can you go in there?” She nodded toward the terminal gates ahead. “I need you to look around and see which plane is heading to Japan.”

The three orbs tilted slightly, as if confused.

Asia smiled sheepishly, kneeling a little so she could speak to them like children. “I know it’s… a lot to ask,” She said softly. “You might not even understand what I’m saying. But if I go out there myself, someone might notice me.”

Her eyes flicked toward the crowd, to the occasional figure in uniform, to the way the security guards occasionally glanced at passengers’ documents. She had learned to see danger in every gesture, every face that lingered too long.

“I don’t want to risk it,” She whispered, looking back at her tiny companions. “You three are small enough to slip by unseen. Just… look for signs, or papers, or anything that says ‘Tokyo’ or ‘Japan,’ alright?”

Ikaros fluttered forward and gave a quiet, determined chirp, her pink light pulsing once.

Tia twirled in midair, saluting with her little wing. “Pii~!”

Luke crossed his tiny blue wings in front of his chest and nodded once, his glow sharpening with confidence, the little leader of their group, ready for his mission.

Asia couldn’t help but giggle softly, tears stinging her eyes. “You’re all so brave,” she said. “Alright then… good luck.” She pressed her palms together and bowed her head slightly. “May the Lord watch over you, little ones.”

The three cherubs spun around her once, their chiming tones blending in harmony — like a tiny choir’s farewell — and then, with a sound like the flicker of a candle, they vanished.

The light dimmed, the air grew still and Asia was alone again.

She moved to sit on a nearby bench, lowering her hood slightly as she pretended to walk like any ordinary traveler. Every second felt longer than the last. The sound of footsteps and rolling luggage became a heartbeat in her ears.

Her fingers tightened around the strap of her satchel. ‘Please be safe, all of you…’

Outside the window, she saw the soft glint of wings for only an instant, Tia darting between the landing lights before vanishing again.

They were busy searching and helping. 

Asia exhaled shakily and allowed herself to close her eyes for a moment. In the darkness, flashes of memories appeared, Issei’s smiling face, the warmth of his arms, his clumsy laugh. Her chest ached with longing. ‘Ise-san… I’m coming. Just a little longer. I’ll find you.’

The faintest ripple of divine energy brushed against her senses, the connection between her and the cherubs pulsing softly, like a heartbeat shared between them. They were still out there, searching diligently, and through that mysterious bond she could feel their excitement.

But her brief comfort faded as a chill ran down her spine, the faint echo of intuition. A premonition shimmered behind her eyes.

It came in flashes, three figures in priestly robes walking in formation, crosses glinting under their coats. Holy weapons glinting under the terminal lights. Exorcists had entered the airport and they were here searching for her.

Asia froze, her pulse racing. “No…” she whispered. “Not now…” She could feel their intent, calm, disciplined, merciless.

Her breath trembled, but she didn’t panic. Not anymore. She had lived like this for weeks — hunted, praying, running, surviving.

She whispered under her breath, “Tia, Ikaros, Luke — come back to me. Now.”

The air shimmered around her, and within seconds, the three cherubs reappeared, flickering with urgency. Their halos flickered in alarm, and Luke flew forward as if ready to fight, his tiny body glowing brighter.

“No.” Asia whispered firmly, forcing herself to calm. “We run.” Asia didn’t waste a second. “Did you find the right one?”

The trio chirped rapidly, spinning in excited loops. Though they spoke only in musical tones, Asia somehow understood. It wasn’t words, but meaning, carried through the warmth that connected their souls.

Asia smiled faintly, though her hands trembled. “Thank you. All of you.” There was no time. “Then let’s go. Quickly, before they find us.”

Gathering her courage, she slipped into the nearest crowd of departing passengers, her small frame disappearing among the tide of bodies.

Behind her, three lights blinked faintly once and vanished, following their mother unseen.

And as she walked toward the gate marked Tokyo, Flight 842, Asia whispered a final prayer under her breath. “Please, Lord… just let this one miracle come true.”

—----------------------------

Minutes crawled by like hours.

Every second felt like an eternity as Asia Argento’s pulse thundered in her chest as she moved carefully through the terminal. Her steps were light, her hood drawn low to hide her face. The world around her felt too loud, the clattering wheels of suitcases, the constant hum of conversation, the sharp tones of departure announcements echoing from the ceiling speakers.

Every noise made her flinch. Every reflection in the polished floor seemed like a shadow moving toward her.

Her hands trembled around the strap of her satchel as she whispered a desperate prayer under her breath. “Lord… please, just a little longer. Please…” Her voice was swallowed by the noise of the crowd, but she hoped someone, anyone was listening. She quickened her pace, weaving between groups of travelers, slipping through lines.

Her vision had not lied.

Through the corner of her eye, she saw them, three men in dark coats moving with practiced precision through security.

Asia’s heart seized. She turned sharply, eyes darting toward the nearest gate. ‘I have to move… now!’ And then she ran.

Her cloak billowed behind her like a ghost’s shadow as she sprinted down the terminal walkway. The polished floor reflected the frantic movement of her boots; the rolling of luggage, the click of boots, even the mechanical voice announcing departures all seemed to blend into one overwhelming heartbeat.

The crowd gasped as she brushed past, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t.

Behind her, unseen by human eyes, three small streaks of light flitted through the air, darting between people and security scanners. Ikaros, Tia, and Luke followed closely, their halos faint glimmers against the artificial lights.

“Stay close!” She whispered breathlessly, not even realizing she was speaking aloud. “Please, just a little further!”

Then something happened — something she didn’t notice at first.

The cherubs chirped in soft harmony, their tiny voices blending into a note that vibrated faintly in the air. Their halos expanded, shimmering like ripples on water, and suddenly a faint wave of divine light rippled across Asia’s cloak.

The people around her blinked, confused, as if something had just passed before them and yet nothing was there.

Her footsteps still echoed, but no one turned to look. Asia Argento had become invisible to the human eye.

She reached the boarding area, panting hard. The last passengers were already stepping onto the jet bridge, and the attendant at the gate was lowering the retractable belt.

Asia froze for half a heartbeat, her breath ragged. ‘This is it.’

Her stomach twisted. She hated what she was about to do — lying, sneaking, breaking the rules — but there was no other choice.

She bowed her head slightly. “Forgive me…” She whispered. And then she slipped under the belt and bolted forward.

She darted past a luggage cart, her cloak brushing against its metal side, and pushed open a maintenance door just as a nearby alarm gave a warning beep. Her heart leapt into her throat, but she didn’t dare look back.

The hallway ahead was narrow, dimly lit by flickering fluorescent lights. She could hear the faint shouts behind her now — the attendant calling security, footsteps echoing distantly. Asia ran faster.

“Almost there…” she gasped. “Please… let this work…” 

Asia emerged into the cargo area of the runway. The open hatch of a plane loomed before her — a silver giant with its belly open to receive luggage. The night air whipped her hair as engines groaned to life somewhere nearby.

Her lungs burned. The cherubs circled her head excitedly, their little wings fluttering faster now.

“Good job,” she breathed, her voice trembling. “Good job, everyone.”

She climbed up the narrow ramp into the luggage compartment, ducking low behind stacked crates. The metal floor was cold against her knees as she crouched, trying to make herself small.

Her hands shook violently. “Please… please don’t let them find me…”

One by one, the cherubs dimmed their lights and darted into her satchel — Ikaros first, then Tia, and finally Luke, who gave a mischievous chirp before vanishing last.

Asia exhaled shakily. “Thank you,” she whispered to them, her voice barely audible over the rising hum of the engines.

The plane began to move.

Through a small circular window near the cargo door, she saw the runway lights stretching out into the darkness.

The engines thundered, the ground trembled, and the world outside began to slide away.

Tears welled in Asia’s eyes as she pressed a trembling hand to her heart. “Ise-san…” she whispered through her tears. “I’m coming. Please wait for me.”

The vibration of the plane deepened as it lifted from the earth. The gravity of her old life fell away with it, her home, the church became nothing more than a blur of gold and shadow beneath the clouds.

She held her satchel close, feeling the faint warmth of the cherubs inside.

Above the clouds, the night stretched endless and starry, the world below fading into silence. The engines hummed steadily, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, Asia’s breath came slowly, peacefully.

The cherubs peeked out of the satchel, three tiny lights glowing faintly like stars.

Asia smiled, small and tired but sincere. “We did it…”

She leaned her head against the cool metal wall, eyes growing heavy as the adrenaline faded. “Just a little longer… then we’ll be safe.”

Her eyelids fluttered, exhaustion taking her. The last thing she saw before slipping into uneasy sleep was the endless sea of stars above.

But destiny, as always, was never so kind. As the plane soared through the night, carrying her further from everything she thought she knew. For the first time in days, Asia Argento dared to sleep peacefully.

Unfortunately unaware that in her haste, she had boarded the wrong plane.

—--------------------------------

A dream.

In a world surrounded by endless fire, a roar shook the world itself.

The sound was ancient, deep, thunderous, and filled with anguish so profound that even the flames trembled. Lava rivers boiled beneath blackened skies, mountains crumbled under the force of that cry, and the air itself seemed to scream in sympathy.

There, chained among the burning ruins, a great red dragon writhed in agony. His scales, once radiant as molten ruby, now cracked and bled light. Each breath he took caused the ground to quake, each heartbeat split the fabric of the infernal realm around him.

Ddraig. The Red Dragon Emperor.

For centuries he had slumbered within this artifact forged from his remains, enduring silence, solitude, and the weight of his sins. But now, something has changed. Something had gone horribly wrong.

His body convulsed as light tore through him, disintegrating his very essence. The chains that bound him didn’t just restrain — they drained, siphoning his power, his identity, his existence.

He bellowed into the firestorm, voice hoarse from his constant screaming. (WHAT… IS… HAPPENING!?)

The flames surged around him, consuming the very air. He felt his consciousness splinter, fragments of himself scattering through the void. The sensation was unbearable. The very feeling of being erased.

Pain became panic. Panic turned to fury.

(So this is how it ends?!) He roared, his voice cracking into the inferno. (After everything I endured… after all the battles, my hatred, my imprisonment… I am to die alone in the dark!?)

No one answered. Only the sound of fire and the chains that continued to tighten around him.

And as he struggled, something changed. The flames warped, pulsing in unnatural rhythm. For the first time in eternity, Ddraig felt fear.

A power, colder than the void, pressed down upon him, not to destroy, but to overwrite. His soul trembled.

The world flickered. His roar became distant. His voice, once mighty enough to shake realms, faded into a broken whisper.

(No… not yet… not like this…) The great dragon screamed and the world of fire shattered like glass.

—-------------------------------

Meanwhile…

Far away from that burning dreamscape, Issei Hyoudou stirred in his sleep.

His face twitched, his breathing unsteady. Sweat beaded along his forehead as he tossed under his blanket, caught between a nightmare and a vision.

In his dream, he saw it all, that world of fire, the chains, the dragon’s tortured voice echoing in his mind. He didn’t know how or why, but he felt that pain. 

(Someone… help me…) The voice wasn’t in words, but emotions, full of sorrow and impossibly vast.

Issei clenched his hands in his sleep. He wanted to move, to reach into the flames, to do something. But every time he tried, the image flickered and pulled away, like sand slipping through his fingers.

Then, suddenly — the fire was gone. The world around him shifted.

Issei then found himself standing in countless locations at once. Memories not his own flooded his mind, battlefields soaked in blood and glory, men and women with eyes full of determination, each wearing a red gauntlet that pulsed with red energy.

He saw them fight, some against angels, others against devils, dragons, and gods. He saw them triumph. He saw them fall.

Each life was different. Each story, unique. But all of them carried the same fire, the same red light burning against impossible odds.

Issei could feel it, the rhythm of battle, the flow of energy through their veins, the surge of strength when a word was shouted.

“BOOST!!”

The sound reverberated through his soul.

He watched the red gauntlet glow brighter, devouring the aura of every enemy it faced. He watched men become legends. And at the end of each vision, he saw a single opponent.

One with White translucent wings and armor.

A flash of radiance, so beautiful and terrible that even the dreams around him trembled. Red clashed with white, dragon against dragon.

He couldn’t see the outcome. Only the feeling, a burning rivalry that stretched across eternity.

And then the visions faded. The dragons, the warriors, all vanished into smoke.

Issei was left standing in an empty void, his heart pounding, his mind echoing with the roar of the red dragon.

“Why am I dreaming this?” He muttered in the dark, his voice echoing faintly in the empty space. “My dreams are usually so different. Full of cute girls with big oppai… maybe in a swimsuit or two. Definitely not flaming dragons screaming at me.”

He let out a nervous laugh, trying to make sense of it. But deep down, part of him knew this wasn’t just a dream.

—--------------------------------

Japan, Kouh, Hyoudou residence.

Morning

The alarm clock blared.

“Urgh…”

Issei Hyoudou groaned, rolling over in bed and slapping the snooze button so hard that the old thing gave a pitiful click before shutting up completely. He blinked blearily at the ceiling, trying to remember what he’d been dreaming about.

It was strange, his heart was pounding like he’d just finished running laps, and his whole body felt… warm. Heavy and light at the same time, like his veins were full of fire and air together.

“What was that?” He muttered, pressing a hand to his chest.

The details of the dream were gone. He could only recall flashes, heat, a sound that might have been a roar, and a feeling that had left him both terrified and oddly inspired. But as he sat there longer, even that faded away, leaving only the dull comfort of morning sunlight spilling through his curtains.

“Probably just one of those weird dreams from eating too much.” He told himself, yawning.

Still, he felt different. His body hummed with energy he couldn’t explain. He swung his legs off the bed and stood up, stretching until his spine popped. There was a strange ease in every movement, his muscles felt loose, powerful, almost weightless.

“Man, I feel great today,” he said with a grin. “Like I could sprint a marathon.” The thought made him laugh.

He shuffled toward his closet, still half asleep, and grabbed his uniform jacket. As he turned to head for the bathroom, he reached for the doorknob—

The metal crumpled under his fingers with a soft crack, the knob falling apart in his palm like tinfoil.

—and crushed it.

“…Huh?” Issei stared at the ruined handle, his brain taking a solid five seconds to process what had just happened. He turned his hand over, expecting to see cuts or bruises, but his skin was unmarked. Not even red.

“What the—? I didn’t grab it that hard!” He said, baffled.

He flexed his fingers, then tried squeezing the broken knob experimentally. It bent again, even easier this time, until he dropped it on the floor with a metallic clink.

For a moment he just stood there, staring, completely blank.

“…Must’ve been cheap metal,” He finally muttered, shrugging it off. “Yeah. Definitely cheap metal.”

He could practically hear his mom yelling at him for breaking things again, so he quickly stuffed the remains into the nearby trash bin before she noticed.

By the time he got to the bathroom, he’d already forgotten the oddity.

As he brushed his teeth, humming to himself. His reflection smiled back, his normal brown hair, normal face, normal slightly-perverted grin. If anything, he thought he looked healthier. His skin was clearer, his eyes brighter.

“Guess all that walking to school is paying off,” He said around his toothbrush.

He rinsed, fixed his uniform collar, and gave the mirror a wink. “You’re looking good, Hyoudou. Today’s gonna be a great day.”

—---------------------------------

Outside, the morning sunlight bathed Kouh Town in gold. The faint chill of spring still lingered in the air as Issei walked to school, whistling. The streets were full of students in matching uniforms, and he caught himself grinning at the sight of a few passing girls in skirts a little shorter than regulation.

It had been a week since he’d started at Kouh Academy, and he still couldn’t believe his luck. An ex-all-girls school now open to boys? It was like a dream come true.

A dream filled with angelic classmates and skirted miracles.

He sighed happily. “Truly, the gods have blessed me.”

School itself passed in a pleasant blur. Between staring out windows, chatting with Matsuda and Motohama about “strategic girl-watching techniques,” and avoiding detention, Issei couldn’t have been happier.

But what made each day special wasn’t just the new scenery. 

It was her. Melusine du Lac. The silver-haired foreign girl with eyes of gold. Even thinking her name made his pulse quicken.

They’d met by chance, and somehow, against all laws of probability, she’d chosen to keep spending time with him. Every afternoon they met, sometimes stopping for crepes, other times just talking through messages long into the night.

For someone so reserved, she’d opened up little by little, small smiles, gentle teasing, quiet moments that lingered far too long.

Issei couldn’t believe how lucky he was.

“I honestly don’t get it,” he mumbled as he packed his books after class. “A girl like her… hanging out with a guy like me? There’s no way this isn’t a dream.”

Motohama, hearing his muttering and knowing who he was talking about, smirked. “Maybe she likes losers.”

“Shut up!” Issei shot back, laughing despite himself.

But deep down, he worried. Their friendship was perfect—comfortable, easy, even peaceful. And the thought of ruining it made his stomach twist.

He wanted to ask her out, to say something, anything. But every time he thought about it, his courage shriveled fast.

Still, tomorrow will be different. Tomorrow he has a date. Not just any hangout—an actual, honest-to-God date with Melusine. The words still didn’t feel real.

He could already see it: the park, her soft smile as they talked. Maybe he’d finally tell her how he felt.

“Tomorrow’s the day,” He whispered to himself, grinning as he walked home. “No backing out.”

—-----------------------------------

As Asia slept through the endless hum of the plane’s engines faded into something softer and gentler as she dreamed.

The cold metal walls of the cargo hold melted away, replaced by sunlight pouring through the open window of a small, rustic home. Wooden beams glowed honey-gold in the light of morning. Outside, the wind danced through tall fields of wheat that stretched endlessly toward a horizon of green hills.

She could hear laughter, children’s laughter. Asia turned toward the sound, and her heart trembled.

Through the doorway, Issei stood in the fields, shirt sleeves rolled up, sweat glistening on his skin as he worked the soil. He waved cheerfully toward the house before bending down again, his movements full of strength and peace.

Inside, Asia stood barefoot on a simple wooden floor, wearing a white apron over a summer dress. The smell of freshly baked bread filled the air. In her arms, she carried a small, warm bundle, a child. Another tiny figure tugged at her skirt, giggling, holding a toy shaped like a little dragon.

For a moment, everything was perfect.

She felt a strange warmth rise in her chest, a tingling, unfamiliar sensation that made her feel happiness. The kind of happiness she had only ever imagined in prayer.

Her vision blurred. She wanted to move closer, to see their faces, to call out to them—

But before she could, the world shimmered. The sound of wind became a deep metallic rumble. The smell of bread turned to oil and steel.

And then—darkness.

—---------------------------------

Asia’s eyes fluttered open.

The dream shattered like glass. The faint roar of engines replaced the gentle hum of the countryside. The warm sunlight was gone, replaced by the dim flicker of the storage compartment lights.

Her heart still ached with that strange, lingering emotion. She pressed a hand over her chest, whispering softly, “Was that another vision?”

Her voice barely carried over the low mechanical hum of the cargo hold.

Reality returned slowly—the cold floor beneath her knees, the rhythmic shaking of the plane, the faint scent of oil and metal. She sat up, careful not to bump her head on the ceiling, and looked around. The three small cherubs slept inside her open satchel, their tiny bodies glowing faintly with warm, pastel light.

For a moment, the sight made her smile.

Ikaros, the smallest, snuggled against a folded piece of cloth, her pink light flickering in soft rhythm. Tia had one tiny wing draped over Luke, who, being the biggest of the three, still floated protectively near the satchel’s edge as if guarding his sisters even in sleep.

Asia brushed a strand of blonde hair from her face and whispered fondly, “You three really are little angels…”

The plane jolted suddenly.

The shift sent a tremor through the floor, knocking a few loose bolts against the metal walls. The three cherubs stirred instantly. Ikaros let out a small, startled cry, her light pulsing erratically.

“Shh, it’s alright,” Asia cooed quickly, scooping the pink cherub into her palms. She began to rock her gently, humming a soft hymn under her breath. The melody was faint, cracked from exhaustion, but filled with love.

Tia blinked groggily awake, chirping in confusion, while Luke darted up, spinning protectively around Asia as if ready to fight whatever had shaken the world.

“It’s okay, Luke,” She reassured him softly, still cradling Ikaros. “We’ve just… landed, I think.”

The cherubs quieted at her tone.

Asia shifted carefully, trying to peer out through the small maintenance window beside her. Outside, she saw strips of bright light cutting across the glass—runway lamps and the reflection of distant airport terminals. The sky beyond was gray, heavy with early morning clouds.

“So we have landed…” She murmured in relief. “Then we must have reached Japan…”

Her words trailed off, the echo of uncertainty slipping through her voice.

Something felt strange. The markings on the runway were in English, the surroundings didn’t look anything like Japanese architecture. Still, she didn’t want to doubt—hope was fragile, and she clung to it.

She looked back at her little companions, who hovered near her hands again, now calm. “We made it,” she said softly, smiling at them. “We’re safe… for now.”

The three responded with small, happy chirps.

Asia exhaled, pressing her back against a crate, her exhaustion finally catching up to her. “Thank you… truly. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Outside, the plane slowed to a crawl. The hum of the engines softened into silence, replaced by the distant clatter of machinery and muffled voices in English.

—--------------------------------------

The soft hiss of hydraulics echoed through the cargo hold as the hatch began to open. Sunlight spilled in, sharp and blinding after hours of darkness. Asia flinched, pulling her hood tighter and shrinking behind a stack of crates.

Voices followed, men shouting in another language, laughing as they worked, the sound of metal trolleys and heavy footsteps filling the space.

“Alright, let’s unload these quick!” One of them called out.

Asia froze, her heart hammering. She pressed herself lower, whispering a prayer under her breath. ‘Please… please don’t see me.’

As the first of the crates was lifted out, she took her chance. Quiet as a breath, she crawled along the floor, keeping her body as small as possible. The little cherubs hovered invisibly above her head, their soft light dimmed to the faintest flicker.

Every sound, every scrape of her shoes, every shift of her cloak, felt deafening.

She waited until one of the workers turned away, then darted behind a luggage cart. Another few seconds, another movement, until finally, trembling and breathless, she slipped through the narrow opening at the back of the hold and dropped lightly to the ground.

She landed in a crouch, knees aching, and waited. No one shouted. No one noticed.

For the first time in what felt like forever, luck was with her.

—-----------------------------

She pulled her hood lower and began walking, blending into the flow of workers and passengers making their way toward the main terminal. The morning air was cool and smelled faintly of jet fuel and coffee.

Her heart still raced, but she forced herself to stay calm. Panic drew attention, she’d learned that much.

The moment she stepped inside the main building, however, her calm started to crack.

People bustled past her, but their faces, their voices, their accents, all wrong. They weren’t Japanese. Their skin tones, hair colors, even the rhythm of their speech was completely different.

Confusion flickered across her face. “This… doesn’t look like Japan…” She whispered softly, clutching her satchel close while she had never been there personally but from her many memories, none of this looked like those dreams.

Around her, signs hung from the ceiling. Baggage Claim A, Arrivals, Customs. The lettering was in English. Even the announcements blaring through the speakers were unfamiliar.

She looked down the corridor, trying to find something, anything, that said Tokyo or Japan.

But instead, her eyes caught a large sign near the exit doors.

Welcome to John Wayne Airport

Asia blinked, rereading it several times. “John… Wayne?” She murmured, tilting her head. “Who’s… that?”

Tia, still invisible, chirped a curious note near her ear.

“I don’t know either,” Asia whispered back, her voice trembling slightly.

She tried to keep walking, pretending to belong like the rest, but her pace quickened as worry started to sink in. Maybe there was a mistake, maybe there was another airport with that name in Japan? She had to be wrong.

But when she stepped outside and the bright Californian sunlight hit her, all her hopes fell apart.

Instead of the crowded skyline of Tokyo, there were palm trees swaying gently in the wind, wide highways filled with unfamiliar cars, and a horizon that stretched out endlessly toward the ocean. The air was warm, dry, and salty.

She stood there frozen, staring in disbelief. “This… isn’t Japan,” she said softly. Her voice was barely a whisper, almost lost beneath the distant roar of planes taking off.

Her mind raced as she turned to the first passerby she saw a middle-aged man in a baseball cap carrying a cup of coffee. She tugged gently at his sleeve.

“E-Excuse me,” She asked in halting English, “what… what country is this?”

The man looked at her with mild confusion. “Uh… you’re in California, miss. The United States.”

Asia’s breath caught. “C-California…? The USA…?”

He nodded, already walking away. “Yeah. Welcome to America.”

She stood there, stunned, her lips trembling.

Her legs felt weak, and she slowly sank to sit on a nearby bench, her satchel clutched tightly against her chest. The three cherubs peeked out one by one — tiny, concerned faces glowing faintly with soft light.

Luke chirped a question.

Asia forced a shaky smile, though her eyes brimmed with tears. “I think…” she said quietly, voice breaking, “I took the wrong plane.”

The cherubs chirped sadly, their wings drooping in sympathy.

Asia looked up at the clear Californian sky, its blue stretching forever. She wanted to cry, to scream, to laugh but she wasn’t sure which.

“…Ise-san,” She whispered, her voice trembling like glass. “I’m sorry… I was supposed to find you.”

She closed her eyes, her tears falling softly into her hands.

The three cherubs huddled close, their tiny lights glowing like small, loyal stars.

—----------------------------------

The air felt so dry and bright, so different from the damp chill of Rome. Asia walked slowly along the edge of the airport grounds, clutching her satchel tightly against her chest. Each step felt heavier than the last, not from exhaustion, but from the sinking realization that she was truly lost.

“California…” She murmured softly to herself, the word foreign and strange on her tongue. 

A gentle chirp answered from her bag.

She peeked down to see Ikaros, the small pink cherub, poking her head out, blinking up at Asia with innocent, sleepy eyes.

Asia smiled weakly, brushing her fingertips against Ikaros’s tiny head. “I’m okay, don’t worry… just a little lost.”

A few moments later, Tia and Luke floated out as well, their faint glow catching the sunlight. The trio of little cherubs hovered close, like tiny guardian lights, their wings flapping in soft, rhythmic patterns that almost sounded like a comforting hum.

“I’m sorry,” Asia whispered, “I didn’t mean for us to end up here.”

Luke chirped something that made Tia giggle and spin around him, and despite her worry, Asia found herself smiling again. “You’re right… maybe we can still fix this.”

The group wandered down the wide streets outside the airport. The sounds of cars, distant conversations, and airplane engines filled the air. The streets here were strange, huge roads, sprawling parking lots, tall palm trees swaying gently in the wind. Everything felt very open.

Asia tried to stay calm, even as she passed sign after sign written entirely in English.

‘Rental Cars, Parking, Departures, Welcome Center…’

She wished she could read them all easily. Her English wasn’t bad, but she still struggled with the accents and the flood of new words.

Her current plan was simple: find another airport, one with flights heading west, back across the ocean. But the longer she walked, the clearer it became that she had no idea where she was going.

She sighed softly. “Maybe I can return and sneak onto another plane…”

Luke, ever the little leader, chirped sharply as if scolding her.

“I know, I know,” She said, smiling faintly. “But if none of the planes go to Japan, I’ll have to find one that does, right?”

Tia zipped ahead, her golden glow brightening as she pointed toward a small row of buildings in the distance. From where they stood, Asia could make out a bus stop and a few people waiting there.

“That’s a good idea, Tia,” Asia said softly. “Maybe they can help me find where to go next.”

—----------------------

When they reached the stop, Asia sat quietly on the bench, keeping her bag close while the cherubs hid inside it once more.

Cars passed by, their loud engines startling her at first. The people here seemed relaxed, unconcerned — a man reading a newspaper, a woman drinking coffee, a group of students chatting and laughing.

No one gave her a second glance. For the first time in a long while, she didn’t feel like a hunted fugitive. She lowered her hood, letting the sunlight touch her hair. The warmth felt heavenly.

A little sigh escaped her lips. “So this is what it’s like… to be free.”

After a short wait, a bus arrived with a hiss of air brakes. The driver opened the door and greeted her cheerfully, though she barely understood the fast words. She nodded politely, paid with the few crumpled bills that Tia had found, and took a seat near the back.

The ride was smooth but disorienting, wide highways stretching endlessly between glittering billboards, beaches, and hills. Asia pressed her hand to the window, watching the world rush by.

Her thoughts drifted to Issei. ‘He’d probably know exactly what to do… he’d probably smile and say, “Don’t worry, Asia-chan, I’ll handle it!”’ She smiled faintly at the thought.

Finally done. Sorry this took so long, I had life problems yesterday. Tell me what you think and if I made any mistakes. This new story was commissioned by Dayfox, so do remember to thank him.