Black
Once again I wake up feeling both sore and stiff, but I suppose that happens when you sleep on the ground. Wish I could've continued to sleep on one of the benches but after nearly getting caught by the cops that one time I think I have a better chance out here then doing that.
"My back is killing' me." I grumble as I limp my way out of the treeline and into the park to pick up some breakfast.
I kept an eye out for any food benders or stands that were open, a part of me hopes that I can get lucky and get a hot dog today it's been a few weeks since I last had one. Oh? Looks like I'm in luck.
As it would happen one such bender is selling the aforementioned foodstuff, and the person running it is busy. Should be easy enough to snag one or two in the commotion.
I flip the collar of my jacket up and walk amongst the crowd using a little sleight of hand to nab a hot dog from an unknowing donator. However I still have to get into a nice secluded spot away from here before I can enjoy what is likely to be my only meal of the day.
The aroma of the hot dog makes itself familiar to my sense of smell and causes me to start salivating.
"I think this spot is just fine." I say sitting down and lick my lips only to feel the wiry texture of my overgrown beard.
How long has it been since I woke up here? It's had to been well over a few months maybe even closer to a year now. I haven't been able to keep a proper track of time. Speaking of which, what time is it? It looks to be midday but I doubt I slept that long, hell I'd argue that I didn't even sleep, it was more akin to just phasing in and out of consciousness. What I wouldn't do for a proper night of sleep, to embrace that which has been fleeting from me for so long now.
My stomach rumbles loudly despite having just eaten. Pangs of hunger forced me into a curled position if only to stop me from yelling out from the pains that racked my body. My already foggy vision began to blur making it impossible to see what was in front of me.
"Oka-san, ano otoko no nanika ga warui no?"
"Ano otoko o minaide kudasai."
I heard two voices that where outside my field of vision. God damn it, I can't understand a damn thing they're saying. From what I could it was a child asking their mother about me. In response the mother said something that I couldn't understand and she led the kid away from me, no doubt warning them about the homeless foreigner.
I crawled my way to the bushes that rested just in front of the park fountain. I squirmed underneath the brush for what felt like minutes before finally being able to regain some semblance of control over my body.
"The hell?" I muttered to myself when I saw a couple in front of the fountain.
It wasn't an uncommon occurrence for young couples to come here on dates from what I had observed, however there was something very familiar about these two. It was eating away at the back of my head but I can't place my finger on it. I listened in on their conversation, the girl was the first to speak.
"I had a wonderful date today." Why do I feel like I've seen this before? And why is she the only person I've come across that speaks english? Which is even stranger since the boy responded in Japanese.
"Would you die for me?" The hell gives with this deja vu?
The boy looks confused as if he wasn't sure what he heard was right or not, I only guess this because the girl repeats herself.
And then things get weird, err,well weirder than they were before I guess I should say. The girl sprouted black feathery wings, she also seemed to have grown taller and looked far more mature than before, like instead of looking like a teenager she now looks to be in her early twenties.
Wait! I remember where I've seen them from before! That boy is Issei Hyoudou which means that girl is...oh shit…
I dove from the bushes and pushed Issei out of the way of the fallen's light spear surprising both individuals with my sudden appearance. Issei looked shell shocked as he gaped at the spear that was meant for his chest, Raynare on the other hand looked annoyed as if she had been told to work overtime but with no extra pay...which is illegal...okay bad analogy...maybe.
"Run! Get out of here!" I yell at the shell shocked teen.
Maybe it was because of the language barrier that he didn't start running or maybe he was just too stunned at what was happening around him. Either way due to his lack of action Raynare was able to freely throw another spear at him, which once again I managed to shove him out of the way and then throw a large handful of dirt in her face.
"You worm! You would attack a superior being such as myself?" She screeched rubbing the dirt from her eyes.
I know if my mom could see what I did next she'd probably give me hell, but this was a dire situation so I have no regret punching the fallen angel in the gut. Well that's not true, you see I understand that humans are lower on the food chain and I'm one who isn't even close to being in peak performance so not only did my punch do basically nothing, I ended up hurting myself more than I did her. To top it off I really don't know what I'm doing, I'm quite literally just acting on my purest of instincts.
Well, regardless I'm sure I bought him enough time to…
"You're still here?" Sure enough frozen in place was Issei who looked mortified at what was going on.
The next thing I know I feel pain from my stomach only to see the sneering face of Raynare as she drives the spear deeper and deeper into me. Seeing the psychobitch killing me made Issei finally stand up and attempt to flee but she just formed another spear of light and threw it at him hitting him dead on in the chest.
Seeing as she finally hit her target she decided to send off the boy with a few parting words.
"If you're looking for someone to blame then blame god. He's the one that gave you the sacred gear." Raynare said to the dying teen before going back to me.
"As for you, I would've made it as painless as possible but you really pissed me off." Her voice as venomous as she spoke, her eyes showing nothing but the uttermost loathing I've ever seen someone direct at me before.
"Well, can't say that I didn't try to leave a good first impression." I stumbled onto my feet fighting throw the pain.
"Wait? How are you still moving?" Disbelief, it was written all over face and clear in her voice.
I chuckled a little before replying.
"Oh, this? Pain and I are old pals. As a matter of fact this isn't the first time I've been at death door, but I don't you'd enjoy that story." I lumbered in her direction but it was near impossible to stay on my own two feet.
Raynare clearly saw this as she laughed at me before flying off without even giving a single goodbye. The nerve of some people. Seeing as I'm likely to die soon I make my way over to Issei and sit next to him. It'll only be a few moments before Rias comes to resurrect him just like in cannon...which makes me wonder why did I do any of this?
It was so out of character for me to try and play hero. On top of that what did I even hope to achieve? What was the point of trying to save someone that I already knew was going to be saved?
Most would call me an idiot, I'd agree. But there was some compulsion that pushed me to try and save Issei, maybe it was just the plot? Okay, joking aside I guess there's not a whole lot I can do at this moment. Sitting next to the brunette that was bleeding out I looked at him and sure enough the lights where fading.
"This is the third time I've watch somebody die." I say before putting my hand on my own wound.
"Sorry that I'm not very good at conversation. Hell even when it came to my mother I have no idea what to say to someone that is you know, dying…" Geeze, I'm glad that there's that language barrier, cause I sound so awkward.
"I think I'll just shut up before I say something even more stupid." I turn my gaze to the flyer lying just a few inches away from his fingertips and just on que the thing starts to glow red.
"I have come, you are the one that has summoned me are you not?" The heiress of the Gremory family announced as she appeared from the magic circle of the flyer.
"As death is upon you I will gladly take you in." She then noticed me.
I think she turned in my direction with a very surprised expression, I could be wrong. She said something but I didn't catch it. God, I'm tired and everything is so hazy. I think I'll embrace sleep now. Yeah that sounds nice.
I feel something stur next to me something breathing, soft and with a pleasant scent. I think it was actually the aroma that woke me up more then the other factors. Wait how did I even get here?
It takes me a minute before my mind catches up with the rest of me and I remember what happened. Does this mean I was reincarnated? It has to right? So then who is that's besides me? I doubt it's Rias since she's supposed to sleeps with Issei back at his place or does that happen later?
Okay let's work on the assumption that that is the case. The person is too big to be Koneko, which would leave Akeno, however I if that was the case then why can I hear the half fallen humming in the next room over? So it has to be Rias.
"Oh looks like you're up already." I look to the origin of the voice which is the entrance to the room and see that it's the red haired devil herself.
So who the hell is sleeping next to me?
"What is going on?" I ask and she gives me a wry smile.
"I'll be glad to explain that but first I need to give Yumi her orders for today." Yumi? Who is Yumi?
Before I could ponder that any further the girl next to me woke up. She had long flowing blond hair and grey eyes with a mole under her left eye. So I guess this is Yumi then.
"Good morning buchou." The girl said before turning to me with a smile on her face.
"Hi, I'm Yumi Kiba. A second year at Kuoh Academy, I hope we can get along." She greeted.
"Uh, yeah me to." I responde awkwardly.
Yumi Kiba? As in Yuuto Kiba, so he's a girl now. Guess we're playing with those rules.
Anyway it didn't take long to get dressed, unfortunately my old clothes were ruined so right now I was wearing a black t-shirt and sweatpants. I'm glad I can now wear clothes that actually fit, I had managed to lose a lot of weight since coming here, so much so that I'm nearly skeletal in appearance.
"You must have a lot of questions." Rias started.
"You have no idea." I said acting dumb, after all I don't intend to tell people that I'm from a world where their entire existence is just a story for other's amusement.
I was given the whole introduction into the world of the supernatural. Angels, devils, fallen angels and how all gods are real. Boy this is going to be a fun ride.
"So what now?" I ask and and she looked at me a bit oddly.
"You seem to be rather calm about all of this." Her eyes were now on me as if trying to see if I would slip up.
"Is that so? I would disagree, just yesterday I was killed by someone I'd never met before, on top of that they happened to be a fallen angel and now I'm a devil. Calm is not how I'd describe myself, I'm far from it I'm just good at hiding it." I wasn't really lying, I was shaken up at the revelation of the situation I'm in, I mean I'm in the world of High School DxD, it's taking everything I have to keep myself from laughing like a madman at the absurdity of it.
"I'm now thrust into a world I was never meant to be apart of, with demon, gods, and a whole assortment of things that could kill me in worse ways then the death I've already experienced. I don't know if this is a tragedy or a comedy." I roll my head back so I'm looking up at the ceiling.
"So, I'll ask again. What now? I have nothing of value nor do I have any skills or talents to speak of, so what do you want from me?" My voice was low, I honestly don't know why she brought me back, it makes no sense.
"Your right. You have no talent, no skills. You have potential. When I find you I sensed something inside of you, something unique. That's why I reincarnated you into a devil. As for what happened now that'll be up to you really. I'd like for you to stay and serve me, but only if you chose to." This was not what I was expecting.
"You'd let me go?" I raised an eyebrow and she nodded.
"That's right. However if you stay I promise to not abuse you in anyway. You'd be treated and taken care of like family, you'd have my word on that." The offer was good.
If I agree, I'd be given food and shelter both things that I lack. On top of that being a servant to the little sister of Lucifer would give me something I'd lack even if I managed to obtain those first two things. Resources. It's not a hard choice really.
"Very well, I accept. I will serve you to the best of my abilities." And so I pledged my fealty to a devil, all in all not a bad way to start off the week.
"Excellent! By the way what is your name?" She asked rubbing the back of her head.
My name huh? Should I even keep it? I mean this isn't my world and I did die. So it's becoming a devil like a rebirth for me? A new name for a new life I guess. I smiled at Rias before answering.
"You can call me Black."