Author's Note - Story idea I've been thinking of but I think the execution might be a bit poor. Any form of criticism would be greatly appreciated and if you like the story, please stick around as I try to be a better writer. Anyways, it's my first story so I hope you enjoy :)
1Rias always loved spending the morning to herself, at least before everyone came in for the day. However today she wasn't alone. The crimson haired ruined princess sat with her legs crossed, across from the Student Body President Sona Sitri. The two had agreed to play a game of chess before school started, a rare occasion for the two childhood friends to catch up now that everything's changed.
"Akeno, can you prepare us some tea?" Rias asked, moving her pieces. "I have a feeling Issei and the others will be here soon."
Sona smirked. "You know, I still can't believe you wasted all of your Pawns on that child." She moved her bishop. "Your peerage is quite the collection, every one of them is unique, but this new pawn of yours…"
"As you said," Rias smirked. "Unique. I see an unimaginable amount of potential in him. Who knows Sona, he might surprise the both of us."
Sona scoffed. "We'll see Rias."
"So why did you decide to pay me a visit today? I'm sure hoping that it was just to spend some time with an old friend, but something tells me differently."
Akeno returned with a tea kettle and two cups. "Whatever the reason," Akeno said. "It sure is nice to have you around again."
"There's been a rumor going around the Underworld lately," Sona started. "The Holy Church had a recent…incident. Apparently there was a coup, against the current Paladin."
Rias raised an eyebrow. "The Paladin? Why would the church want to overthrow the highest ranked exorcist in their ranks?"
"Your guess is as good as mine but," Sona took a sip of her tea. "He has followers, anyone with that much authority and influence is bound to amass followers. Someone with his skills and abilities, he was able to get away unscathed. He fled from the Church's capture and they've put out an alert to all factions for his arrest and captured alive. I'm sure you'll hear about it soon enough."
Rias couldn't believe what she was hearing. She knew how powerful and influential the Holy Church was. Their Paladin is their most powerful asset, an exorcist risen through the ranks to become the most influential figure in the Vatican. He can easily stand on the same ground as the Four Satans or the Archangels. Rias didn't know who the current Paladin was, seeing as they were just appointed just a year ago, but she knew he had to be someone special because they were recommended by the Archangels and several high ranking angels in Heaven.
"Anything on his whereabouts?" Akeno asked.
"Currently completely unknown," Sona stood up at just the right time, as the doors of the club room opened and Issei, Asia, and Koneko walked in. "Don't forget, your brother will probably notify your soon about the current situation, either that or my sister."
"Good morning, President." Issei said. "Were you and the Prez having a meeting? I hope we didn't interrupt."
"Oh no," Rias said. "We were just having a little game of chess, which she lost." Rias smirked.
"If you say so," Sona said. "I look forward to how this plays out Rias. See you later everyone."
Sona walked away from everyone to their confusion. "Is everything okay, Prez?" Asia asked.
"Oh nothing Asia," Akeno smiled and reassured her. "Are you three hungry? I can cook us up something good."
…
Issei, having absolutely no plans after school and having no club meeting, walked with Asia home. Ever since the battle against Raynare, it feels like Issei was a new man. He's been discovering new powers because of his Boosted Gear. Akeno's been helping him learn to control magic, Kiba's been teaching he and Asia about the history of Devils and their relations with other Factions.
"Hey Asia," Issei asked. "Are you hungry?"
"Huh? Yeah, a little bit I suppose." Asia raised an eyebrow. "Why? Are you, Issei-San?"
"Yeah," Issei said. "Do you wanna go get a bite to eat? Maybe some ramen? I'll pay."
Asia lit up like a Christmas tree. "Y-You mean like a…like a…a date?"
Issei smiled. "Yeah, I suppose."
The two of them walked into the city and to find a ramen shop. The inner city of Kuoh was crowded, almost always. Kuoh is a big tourist city, being in the middle of both Tokyo and Kyoto, so they had millions in the city at a time. Issei grew up in Kuoh, but he never liked going so far into the city because of the people. He knew he'd get lost, but at least this time he has Asia.
They had arrived at Issei's favorite ramen shop. It was on the way to the center of the city. There plenty of people around the shop, but it wasn't as many as Issei feared. However there was someone standing in front of the shop that caught Issei's eye.
"Um, excuse me," Asia beat him to the punch. "Are you okay? Is there anything we can help you with?"
Issei finally got a clearer look at the person. He was a man in his early twenties, maybe late teens? He had medium length white hair with a single braid over his shoulder. He wore a long white cloak over a teal dress shirt and black combat pants. He looked like a foreigner much like Asia, but he was different. He was much more…mysterious.
He turned to face them, his sky blue eyes full of worry. "Oh, hello. Sorry, I just arrived in the city and seem to have lost my wallet. I haven't eaten anything all day…" He rubbed his stomach as it growled.
Issei smiled awkwardly. "Would you care to join us? We were just about to head in."
"Are you sure?" He asked, with a trace of an English accent. "I wouldn't dare to be such a burden on you."
"No it's okay," Issei smiled. "You look like you need help."
The foreigner ate ferociously like a a rapid animal. He easily went through five bowls of char siu ramen like it was nothing, and he was still going. Issei and Asia sat across from him. "Um…" Asia said.
"Hmm? Oh, I'm sorry, I never introduced myself. How rude of me." He placed the sixth bowl down and smiled. "I am Seijuro. Hibiki Seijuro. I'm very sorry about all of this, hopefully I can pay you back one day…" He began to search his pockets and body for something. "Ah! Here we go." He reached out and placed an object in front of Issei and Asia. "Here you go. Consider it a little gift, for your generosity. I would have starved out there if it wasn't for you."
"A pocket watch?" Issei picked up the pocket watch. It was a silver pocket watch with a chain attached to it. The face of the watch had a cross on it, designed rather weirdly. The horizontal line was actual a picture of a snake or dragon eating it's own tail…what was it called again? An Ouroboros? And the vertical line was of a sword pointing down. He'd never seen such a cross design before. Strangely, it didn't hurt to touch. He'd learned that Devils can't get near anything holy, crosses included. Why didn't this hurt?
"To tell you the truth," Seijuro said. "I can't seem to remember anything other then my name. I don't know how I wounded up in this city or what I was doing prior. Luckily you two were there. I don't really know what that pocket watch really is, but it seems to be one of the few possessions I have on hand so, please accept it as a sign of my gratitude."
"Oh no," Issei pleaded. "We can't accept this, not when you don't remember anything."
"Please," The man bowed his head. "I cannot thank you enough for your generosity."
Issei looked nervously at Asia. If he really did lose his memory, maybe they should get him to a hospital? He looked perfectly fine, even if his clothing was a bit strange.
"Um, I've been meaning to ask," Asia said. "Are you from the church? I recognize that pendant on your cloak. It's the Saint's emblem, a Fleur-de-lis. It's worn by high ranking members of the Holy Church."
"Asia, how do you know this?" Issei asked her.
"They taught us all of this at the church where I stayed at as a child," Asia smiled. "You must be important if you're wearing it."
Seijuro examined the emblem. "Is it now…I can't remember anything at all. It's like a thick fog that I can't break through, and when I try…it's like I end up exactly where I started."
Issei caved. "Would you like us to help you around town? Help you find a hotel maybe?"
"Oh no, I can't impose on you like that after letting you pay for my meal." Seijuro replied.
"It's really no bother," Asia smiled. "If you are a man of the church, it's only our obligation to help."
Issei realized that this could be a horrible idea. The last time he reached out to a stranger, he got killed and Reincarnated into a Devil. Rias had explicitly warned him not to go near the Church or be associated with any of their members, but he had intentionally disobeyed her and got involved with Asia. As a result Rias gained a new member to her peerage and Issei made a close friend, but it could have been so much worse.
Issei paid for the ramen and the three of them exited the store. They ventured deeper into the city to look for hotels, which Issei didn't like but he had already made a commitment to help Seijuro.
"Hibiki-San," Asia said. "You really don't remember anything?"
Issei thought it was weird. Asia seemed really interested in Seijuro. It didn't bother Issei, at least not that much, but it made Issei feel like she missed her old life. Asia was a nun, a member of the Holy Church before Raynare killed her and she was reincarnated into a Devil like Issei. Maybe she did miss her old life, she was just plucked away from everything.
"It's all a blur," Seijuro said, smiling. "I wish I could remember. Maybe I had family waiting for me, or friends looking for me."
"Do you think they'll come to Kuoh looking for you?" Issei asked.
"Maybe," Seijuro said. "I hope so, maybe then I'll remember more about myself."
Issei got a better look at Seijuro now that he was out and walking. He was of average height, around 5'9". He had an aura about him. Even with amnesia he seemed carefree, smiling and laughing as he saw new things around him. Yet despite his carefree attitude, he seemed confident in himself. This confidence exuded in his eyes, it was almost contagious because Issei could feel it in his body. Like a shot of adrenaline to his heart, he felt like he could do anything.
They finally stopped in the commercial district of the city, where there were hotels left and right. "It's getting late," Seijuro said. "Maybe you two should get home. I'll be find from here on out."
"Are you sure?" Issei asked. "It won't be much of a hassle."
"No it's okay, really," Seijuro smiled, then bowed. "I cannot thank you enough for your generosity. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart."
Issei blushed, but Asia smiled and nudged him. The two of them bowed in return. "Hopefully we see you around sometime, Hibiki-San." Issei smiled.
"See you again Hibiki-San," Asia bowed.
The two of them walked away as Seijuro waved goodbye.
…
Issei had a weird dream that night. Storm clouds covering the city of Kuoh, darkening the skies and the blotting out the sun. Flashes of light glittered in the sky that caught Issei's attention. At first he thought that they were fireworks, but it was soon clear to see that they were sparks created from clashes from two weapons…and there were a lot of them.
Issei saw a flash image of a sword. It was a long medieval looking sword with a sharp point at the bottom of the handle. There were several overlays on the actual blade, painted blue and silver with a golden gem at the center of the hilt. It was a beautiful looking sword that mesmerized Issei, but it looked dangerous at the same time. He had the same feeling in the pit of his stomach, like the time he was standing in front of the church before he met Asia.
Flashes of light filled the sky, arrows rained from the heavens. Suddenly it hit Issei like a brick to the face. There were Devils, everywhere. He was eager to see more from this dream, but then a ringing became apparent and snapped him awake.
Issei shot up in his bed with a jolt of energy. His left forearm was throbbing in pain. Ever since his Boosted Gear was awakened, everything felt different. He felt a much more powerful burst of energy every morning, in addition to his already enhanced abilities as a Devil, this additional burst from the Boosted Gear felt like he was on steroids and on a high.
He looked at his alarm clock. It was 3 in the morning. Why did his alarm clock go off at 3 in the morning. Issei scratched the back of his head as his door crept open and Asia came through, yawning and rubbing her eyes. "Issei-San? Is everything okay?"
Before he could answer, his phone began to vibrate. Issei checked his phone to see a text message from Kiba. He sighed and got out of bed. "Get dressed Asia. We have a Stray Devil to take care of."
"Right now?" She asked. "It's so early."
"Yeah, sorry," Issei smiled.
Asia turned around and hit her head on the door frame. "Ow!" She rubbed her head as she closed the door and returned to her room. Issei got dressed met up with Asia downstairs.
Kiba had texted him the address of where they were supposed to meet up. It was an old abandoned church in the downtown district of Kuoh, right near the border of the town and the forest. It was 3 in the morning so it must have been an important Stray Devil.
The streets of Kuoh were creepy at night. The normally busy and crowded streets of the commercial city were now empty. It was like a ghost town in here. Asia was behind Issei the entire time, scared and holding onto Issei as they walked through the streets.
They turned the corner and arrived at the abandoned church. Standing in front of the church were Rias, Akeno, Kiba, Koneko, and a new person Issei didn't recognize. She was around Asia's height, with long black velvet hair tied into twin tails. She was wearing a dark suit with a skirt and turned to look at Issei and Asia with violet eyes.
"Issei, Asia, you're here," Rias smiled. "Sorry to call you out so late. I wouldn't if it was important."
"What's going on Prez?" Issei asked.
"Before that," Rias said. "I'd like you to meet Serafall Leviathan, Satan of the Underworld and a friend of mine. Lady Leviathan, this is my pawn, Hyoudou Issei, and my bishop, Asia Argento. They're newly reincarnated."
Lady Leviathan smiled and walked towards Issei and Asia. "Hello you two. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Issei blushed. She was cute, seriously cute. "L-Likewise."
Asia pinched his elbow and he winced. She had a pouty face and pinched harder.
Rias smiled. "Allow me to explain the situation. We've recently gotten word from the Holy Church that there a few Stray Devils staying in the city. They've had a recent…incident, so we're doing this as a sign of good faith for them."
"This Devil is nothing to mess around with," Lady Leviathan added. "We don't know much about it, it's practically a complete unknown. We know almost nothing about it besides it's completely unstable and dangerous."
In the darkness of the shadows, from within the church, Issei heard a growl. "What…the hell, was that?" Issei gulped.
"Let's find out, shall we?" Rias smirked.
The group ventured inside and opened the doors. There wasn't any sign of light inside. The darkness was unrelenting. Issei thought that his night vision as a Devil could be able to break through the darkness, but he couldn't see a thing.
"Akeno, light it up." Rias ordered.
Akeno held out her hand as several magic circles opened up. They expanded outwards and landed in every corner of the room, then lit up with flames like a makeshift torch. Issei finally saw the layout of the room, and almost dropped on his butt when he saw the "Devil".
Sitting in the far wall of the church was a lion, a large (very large) lion with a long tail and a heavy mane. It let out a menacing, very intimidating roar that created a shockwave that pushed the group back, save for Lady Leviathan.
"Is that what I think it is," Rias gulped.
"The Nemean Lion," Lady Leviathan smirked. "I thought Hercules killed it ages ago, who would have thought it was still alive."
"Kiba-Kun, Koneko-Chan," Lady Leviathan ordered. "circle it to keep a perimeter. Rias-Chan and Akeno-Chan block the exit. Asia stay with Akeno and Issei-Kun, you and I are gonna take this thing in a fight."
"Uh…what?" Issei wanted to turn tail and run. He read about the Nemean Lion. It's hide is as thick as steel, nothing could pierce it's skin. How was he going to be able to do anything to it.
Lady Leviathan swiftly launched a magic attack. She opened a magic circle and shot multiple projectiles of ice shards at the lion, but they just shattered on contact. "Heh…interesting."
Suddenly, an explosion propelled Issei forward. Smoke entered the building from the front door where they had entered from. "Everybody on your feet!" Lady Leviathan shouted.
Something flew through the smoke and passed everybody, and appeared in front of the lion. Lady Leviathan released an enormous amount of magic pressure and all the smoke dissipated. Issei got to his feet, getting a clear look at who had entered the fight. It was someone in a large white cloak, with a hood covering their head. That cloak…why did it seem so familiar.
"Who are you?" Rias demanded.
The figure removed their hood, revealing the face of a beautiful girl. She had long pale blonde hair tied into a pony tail. She had sky blue eyes and stared at the group with a smirk of arrogance. Her cloak was long but when she removed her hood, she revealed what she was wearing underneath. It was a skin tight battle wear, black with a sword strapped to her side.
"Sorry friends," She smirked. "Nemea is ours. I'm afraid I can't let you kill her."
"Take a look," Lady Leviathan glared at the new arrival. "You're outnumbered. What can you do?"
A flash of light heralded a volley of arrows. Lady Leviathan jumped back to avoid it and arrived next to Issei. Issei realized that someone must have gotten through in that smokescreen.
"Those arrows," Akeno noted. "Hard light. But that's…"
"The Epirus Bow." Lady Leviathan said. "So you're Exorcists. Seeing as you would defy me, I'm guessing you're rogues."
The girl showed her hands and opened them. A handle appeared from thin air as overlays made from hard light materialized, combining into a two daggers, each about the size of Issei's forearms.
"Wait a minute," Rias got to her feet and joined Issei and Lady Leviathan. "I know those daggers…So you're the Harbinger of Light. And your friend in the shadows, wielding the Eprius Bow, the Archer of Aurora I'm guessing? Two of the Holy Church's most powerful and well established Exorcists, gone rogue."
The Harbinger of Light prepared for battle. "Sorry but we're actually looking for someone. We don't have time to get involved with the Devils right now."
Issei was about to step forward, when an arrow shot from the darkness right where his foot was. "You're not getting out of here without a fight." Rias said. "We have questions for you."
"Good luck with that," The Harbinger smirked. "Tsu-Kun, if you'd please."
A figure landed from behind her and in front of the lion. In a blinding speed, the figure shot an arrow that flew past everybody and landed outside. The figure and the Nemean Lion disappeared, right before their eyes. The Harbinger of Light crossed her arms and propelled forward, knocking Lady Leviathan down and landed beside Issei. "The Red Dragon Emperor, interesting." She smirked as she disappeared, leaving the House of Gremory and Lady Leviathan in the empty church, with more questions then answers.