The Power of Man
Disclaimers: High School DxD belongs to Ichiei Ishibumi and all Fate Series related media belongs to Type-Moon Kinoko Nasu.
I own the plot but not the source.
AN: Ok not as much voting as I thought there was which is fine considering I was gone for nearly 9 years with only incomplete fanfics, so I understand if many are sceptical.
I will try to write longer chapters, will be difficult at least in the beginning since I was on a 9-year hiatus (Or 9-year constipation).
Also feel free to play Guess-The-Servant.
Ok serious now on with the story.
Chapter 2 – Opening Hand
"I accept your proposition!"
Four words. Four words that Rias uttered. Never she regretted such choice especially now.
She felt cheated, scammed, conned and various other synonyms words.
The seven cards are kept contained in a simple cardholder hidden in her pocket unresponsive despite her many attempts to activate the cards and use their power. Even when pouring large amount of magic into them they remained inert.
And now, right now her fight with Raiser Phoenix is moments away and several days of effort were wasted and all she could do now is wait until the Rating Game starts with her peerage.
Raiser Phoenix was vain, he carries himself with arrogance that it covers him like a cloak so thick that one can say that his flames are the physical embodiment of his pride would not be incorrect.
The battlefield agreed upon was rather mundane in compare to most battlefields especially by devil standards. It was largely a replica of Kuoh Academy surrounded by a forest with some small changes like a few more buildings and forest coverage in between them, granting cover for the combatants. There were also a few open areas allowing opponents who prefer open fields to fight though there some areas vulnerable to ranged attacks.
the two peerages first converse in one of these areas staring at the opposition gauging the other strength (or in the case of a certain pawn ogling their breasts) while their respective master's parley, thought in this case it was it was Raiser boasting.
Rias looked at Raiser's peerage with consist of entirely females, most notably two sets of twins and his own sister Ravel Phoenix. Debauchery was not uncommon among devils are it was in there nature to follow at least one of the seven cardinal sins one way or another but even Rias has her limits; the way Raiser show his women was as non-chalent as a merchant showing his stock for the world to see.
This was one of the key reasons why Rias is so adamant in getting away from marrying Raiser that she was willing to grasp straws to avoid being his trophy wife and breeding sow.
"A shame you have such a weak group for a peerage especially that weak pawn of yours. You must truly be desperate to have pick sure lowly trash off the ground."
"I would not underestimate my peerage if I were you Raiser" Rias replied calmly not giving into her anger at the insult. "You will be surprise what power my peerage holds."
Raiser merely laughed, amused as if he heard her retort as a mere joke.
"Power?" Asked Raiser, he raised his arms wide as he also reveals his faming wings, "Power radiates in our blood, Rias. We are gifted with it from our ancestors the 72 Pillars, the trueborn devils. Humans and those reincarnated ilk are mere insects to us. History and traditions have always we are the superior beings and rightful rulers of the Underworld and they beneath our feet. You might not see the value of such traditions Rias, but don't worry after the battle you will be my wife and we will have plenty of time of discussing such matters, on our bed, naked."
Rias shivered at the thought, wisely thinking is best to quickly start the Rating Game if only to distance herself from Raiser's lecherous gaze.
"SHUT UP YOU STUPID YAKITORI!" Issei has reached his limited with Raiser and begun to more to strike Raiser before being stopped by Rias.
"Now is not the time Issei." Rias could hear Issei's teeth grinding under pressure and frustration but relented. "Hai Buchou, Sorry."
Let the Rating Game begin. (AN: the fight is the same as canon, so I am just gonna give a brief summary till where the fight starts to diverge.)
Firstly, Rias orders told Yuuto, Koneko and Akeno to scout forward to place traps in preparation for Raiser's assault. Afterwards Issei and Koneko entered the gymnasium where they encounter four of Raiser's peerage; a rook: Xuelan and 3 pawns: Mira, Ile and Nel. Koneko battles Xuelan while Issei deals with the 3 pawns. Issei successfully immobilized the 3 pawn with his outrageous new move: Dress Breaker which destroys all the girl's clothing, the Koneko incapacitates Xuelan then retreats with Issei and Akeno then destroys the gym forcing the Raiser's 4 pieces to retire.
3 more of Raiser's pawn: Shuriya, Burent and Marion attempts to move to Rias' HQ before they were intercepted with Yuuto.
After the beating Raiser's pieces at the gym Issei and Koneko were about to proceed before they were ambushed by Raiser's Queen Yubelluna in a surprised attack forcing Koneko to retire. Issei wants to challenge Yubelluna but Akeno told Issei to return to Rias and fights Yubelluna instead.
Issei regroups with Yuuto as Rias was forced to revise her plan with the lost of Koneko and the fact Akeno is occupied against Raiser's own queen and decides to face Raiser herself. Both Yuuto and Issei both protesting this course of action, but Rias would not be swayed.
Both men reluctantly agreed, force a challenge to all remanding pieces from Raiser's side to give Rias a clear path. Issei and Yuuto was able to defeat all the pieces save Ravel, when Issei unlocks to Boosted Gear Gift which allows him to transfer his power to Yuuto which allows him to overcharge his Sword Birth defeating the opposition save Ravel who decided not to fight.
The Victory was short-lived as Akeno was forced to retire when Yubelluna revealed to have a hidden trump card – a phoenix tear which fully restored Yubelluna so she could outlast Akeno and overpower her.
Issei rushes to Raiser's HQ despite a friendly waring from Ravel and heads to the rooftop to assist Rias and Asia.
(Summary over)
Rias and Asia both standing on the roof, opposite of the building stand Raiser and his queen, "Rias, resign. It's already checkmate. Everyone in the underworld has already foreseen this outcome."
Rias was most annoyed at how Raiser says it as if a parent telling a child he's bored of playing around. She gathers her mana into her hands and prepares to blast the smirk of Raiser's face.
And nothing came out.
Rias was stunned, why did her power didn't come?
She tried again. Nothing
And again. Nothing.
Raiser just stood there bored at what looks to him, Rias posing but more like playing a bluff "Spare your father and Lord Sirzechs the humiliation of your defeat, it will be worse the longer you draw this out."
"Buchooooooooou! Hyoudou Issei, here at your seeeervice!" shouted her pawn as he burst though the doorway to the roof.
Asia and Rias both cried out.
"Ise-san!"
"Ise."
BOOM
However, in their moment of distraction Yubelluna took the opportunity to attack Rias and her peerage and manage to take Asia out.
[Rias Gremory' Bishop retires]
Asia was supposed to be Rias' trump card but was taken out before she could be used.
"Damn you." Cried Issei and immediately charged at Raiser before an unwanted sound reach both Issei and Rias' ears. [Burst] Suddenly Issei collapsed and begun puking blood.
"So, you reach your limit pawn. The Boosted Gear is no doubt a powerful Sacred Gear but doubling your power especially several times over will burden your body severely, even so after running around battling many of my servants. Even now your reincarnate body is still weak due you your weak human origins."
Rias looks down defeated, tears began flowing out of her eyes. With her loss of her Power of Destruction what can she do now? Issei on the brink of death Asia retired unable to heal his would, Yubelluna using a restriction spell preventing, Rias outnumbered and outmatched could only do one thing. "I, Rias Gremory hereby for…"
Suddenly a large burst of light emanating out from her pocket, her cardholder forgotten throughout the match as the Assassin card flew into her hand.
"What? Rias, What trickery is this?" demanded Raiser.
Despite being confused at the situation two word instinctively flew into her mind.
"INSTALL ASSASSIN!"
Immediately a wave of bluish-black flame burst out obscuring everything from view, oddly the flames were not searing hot (not that it matters to a Phoenix like Raiser) but deathly cold. As the flame subsided Raiser looked and what he saw something was not right. "Rias?"
First gone was the defeated young heiress who was crying moments from surrender, now stands a woman standing tall against adversity, a large great sword stained with blood on its edges planted in front of her. Her Kuoh school outfit gone completely covered by a mantle that is worn like a shroud covering her from head to toe hiding her body from the world only showing her face. A jawless skull covers the left half of her face with a dark veil covering her mouth, noticeably her left eye under the mask changed from blue-green to glowing blue.
Rias with physical strength never shown before lift the great sword and swung the blade twice before once again planting the sword on the roof beneath her.
Raiser wants to taunt, laughing as if the display was a mere parlour trick to entertain children but was not able to as a sense of wrongness radiates from Rias, no not wrongness, something else something that makes him … fear? Him? One from the House of the Immortal Phoenix was afraid?
Thou Contract been Undertaken.
Hath has Revealed in Answer to thy Call.
The chilling voice pierce through all in the area. Raiser just stood staring into Rias in shock, gone was her normal voice; speaking in a deep cold contralto.
Thou merely a Wraith in the Dark.
Thy hath Descended.
Yubelluna and his sister Ravel both arrived after defeating Rias' knight, but they too only just stood paralyse under the piercing gaze from Rias' eyes.
But Dost thou hear thy Tolling of the Bell?
If hath aye.
HAND OVER THY HEAD!
(Scene cut)
Rias once again appeared in the darkness where in front of her Shin saw sitting sipping on a cup of tea.
"YOU!" roar Rias.
"Me." Calmly replied Shin "Would you like the same tea as last time?"
Rias slam both of her hands on the table ignoring the request "You cheated me! You gave me nothing and robbed me of my power of destruction. Give it back NOW!"
Shin mere kept his head straight "Your power of destruction was the price as was agreed on our proposition for the power I grant you to defeat Raiser..."
"But you didn't. I stand defeated, your cards did nothing for me. NOTHING. And now I will be forced to marry Raiser and what use do I have to my family when you took my birth right? Even if Raiser threw me away for being worthless as a devil who lost her power, my family will also disown me." Rias collapse into her chair weeping at her situation.
Shin sighed "Which is why I called you here."
Rias lift her head, tears still flowing "What?"
"I understand that was not able to give the full benefit on my end of the bargain." Stated Shin. "Admittedly was failed to account you lack time that I left you the gift but didn't leave the instructions to use it. Admittedly it is possible without instruction it would have taken you months or years without instructions not the handful of days you have for that, I apologize."
"Well it too late. I have losted everything."
"No Rias, not yet. I was going to help you earlier, but I was confronted by a really powerful vampire would didn't take it well when someone is copying his Schick."
Rias was confused who was he talking about. "But I surrendered."
"Like I said before, Not yet. I have pulled a Deus Ex Machina on your situation. Literally. Since I was pressed for time, I had to kick-start your power and right now and I suspect that Raiser is in for quiet a dance.
So now I can give you all the explanations you need so ask away."
Rias could only stare at Shin uncertain which question to ask or even sure whether it was another trick. "Why did you take my Power of Destruction? Wasn't the agreement my pride as a Bael?"
"Your Power of Destruction is your pride as a Bael." Shin simply stated. "A devil's pride has always been their power past or present. Even your forefathers the original 72 Pillars pride themselves at their powers beyond their physical forms. Hence your pride as a Bael is the power gifted to you from your Bael blood."
Rias began to comprehend the explanation to given to her, it was her naivety and desperation that resulted in this, true she was tricked by Shin, but such loopholes and vagueness are common when dealing among devils especially with some of the more diabolical houses. Shin provided as promised to the deal and even returned to keep his end of the bargain, nothing he did was against what was agreed on even if he was cutting it close. But still her very source of her power was traded away, carelessly and now she must suffer the consequences of her action.
"And you would help me freely even when I have nothing to offer you? Without my power, I am weak and helpless as a human being."
Shin merely scoffed "Don't sell yourself short or humanity either Rias. You still have much value in yourself, you simply rely on just one aspect too much.
Humanity is weak, and I won't deny that, but even so the question remains: if humanity is weak why are they still here?
But for now, our time is limited, so let us return to our main task at hand, Please Rias place the cards on the table and place your hands above the cards."
Rias placed the cards from card holder on to the table and places her hands on the cards, Shin then summons a magic circle that fills the table. Rias froze as Shin begun chanting unable to hear the chant as her mind began to be bombarded with images.
She stood centre stage, the roar of the crowd and thunderous applause matching the rhythm of her heart. Rose petals showered over her covering her in praise and staining the ground of the theatre. She dances on the stage with artistic perfection on the lithe hands is a scarlet sword, large and mighty forge with perfection of an artist. Then fires ignite everywhere, the inferno consumes all in their path, people screaming burning, dying but calmly she performs even when everything around her is burning.
Maniacal laughter cries out in as temples and buildings became ruins. Standing tall, on a high roof arms crossed, observing the fools that stood against her perished in the flames, they thought they could stop her, manipulate her, kill her. The fools. When they failed, they grovelled at her feet, claiming ancient alliances between their clans, or claiming it was the heavens mandate and the gods are at their side and they cannot be harmed. A simple tanegashima made quick work of such 'divine defences. Then a cry of treachery pierced the air as now she was standing in a building surround by flames and ruin. "Oh well, it something that couldn't be helped." She grabbed a rifle and pointed it to her foe.
Thrust, Thrust Thrust…, Such is training every day, thrust, thrust, thrust, Day by day honing all his skill into a single technique, whether by his hand or by his spear, he thrust forward with polished proficiency as "a second strike is needless, so long as there is one it will suffice." A foe appeared and attack, the assassin was skilled but blow after blow, it was dodged, a thousand different swings was useless as it strikes were all flawed, so a palm closed to a fist and the stance is made, the enemy too close to dodge and THRUST.
Fist meets hard shell as the beast faltered under her blow. Blow after blow she stuck the beast. While the beast did bring harm, she knew the fault was not it own, fear from travellers and nearby natural disasters demonized the creature cause lords and king to send armies to slay the beast. Instead they fuel its anger causing it to lash out. Nonetheless here she stands, holding her ground exchanging blows to allow the beast to vent its fury. The battle last till nightfall when the beast yield under her. She too was exhausted from the duel and accepted the beast's submission and settled herself on the beast hard shell.
And she rode though the desert. A figure of unnatural beauty riding thought the desert, she brings a caravan of valuable spice, jewel, scrolls and other gifts. A king was name and she when to she he was found wanting. She continues north to the new king; the winds protect her and her caravan. She pasted farmers ploughing the field, children playing but most of all she saw merchants. Merchants from every corner of the known world bring wares far and wide; silk cloth from the far east, exotic animals from the west, metal from the north. Many ventures and opportunities for profit. She soon reaches her destination, a wonder built that it will stand through the test of time for three thousand years and beyond. She entered with her gifts and approach the throne room.
From his seat he watches as his successors of his fedayeen strike in silent, his time was over but still he stands watch testing whether his successors are worthy to lead. Thousands of enemy known of their name but none can stop them. They hide from us, they hide behind there walls, behind their armies, in their bed shivering like a worm, but none matters as an assassin slips past their defences and approaches for the shadow un opposed. But the assassin failed foil but foolishness and arrogance. Normally he is lazy preferring to leave the task to others. But "Laa shay'a waqui'n moutlaq bale kouloun moumkine." So, he walked slowly but surly towards the target, unopposed by the guards not drunk from victory of the defeat of the previous assassin but the lack of understanding the concept of death. Silently he approaches the targe, he sword raised high and then the sword fell.
A head saw sent flying from the body as it was decapitated by great force. Then another body was sent flying. Enemies stood frozen in fear of the might displayed. Weaklings, only number is their advantage, but they stand worthless to his might. Why is he fighting? Why are they fighting? It matters not cause in the end not can stand to his savage strength, He fight and fight because he loves fighting, always seeking for a stronger opponent and all stood in his way was annihilated. He pleasures himself with the most beautiful women, tasted the finest food and wine but it was never enough, then 3 figures stand before him, 'Different' he felt, they were different. Maybe just they could offer what he desires, Maybe they could change…
Rias then took a deep breath as if she was drowning when the overwhelming images subsided.
"Now you have a glimpse of the power I bestowed upon you. With it you are now able to at least understand some modicum of how to reach the potential of these cards." He then reaches into his pocket and drew 4 blank cards. "Consider these 4 as an … apology compensation for your troubles."
Rias look at the 4-blank card with great suspicion, "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me, what is the catch?"
"No catch." Stated Shin.
"…"
"Well I suppose there is some form of catch." Shin admitted. "The catch is that you will have no hint or direction on how to unlock these 4. You will have to find out the hard way, though I believe that's for the better. Because before you ask these 4 'Types' are quite dangerous to use even by devil standards."
Rias hesitantly accepted the cards.
"Good now then off you go... one more important thing." Then Shin head sudden fell to the table with a dull thunk.
Rias could only open her mouth in silence, too many various emotions in such a short time does tend to hamper one's emotion.
Fortunately, the body still moved and reattach the head to body alike a Dullahan. "Sorry about that, I need to tell you be very careful when using assassin. He will be your strongest asset for a long while, but he does so at quiet a high price, as you can see even with me helping you is enough to warrant decapitation. Bye Bye."
Before Rias could say anything, her vision is once again clouded by darkness, when her sight returned to her, she felt strength unknown coursing throughout her body.
So, Contractor. Thou hath return from the void. Now show thy strength.
A voice called out in her mind she knew this was Assassin. But before she could even think anymore, she instinctively covered herself with her shroud as a large wave of flames.
"Impressive Rias. Your little trick not only defeated my queen, but you manage to protect yourself from my flames. Quiet a trump card you have Rias." Praised Raiser.
Rias then blasted Raiser with blue flames cause Raiser to cry out in pain. It is an odd feeling to use something you never have but sudden able to do so as if it was second nature. A feeling of when your body is put on auto pilot yet able to manually control your body.
But none of that matters because somehow Rias knows that her time is short, and she needs to finish this quickly.
Slowly she begun to approach Raiser and he slowly began to recover from her attack.
Raiser manage to recover but was still in shock at what was happening, firstly he was winning, Rias was beaten on her knees and he was kind enough to let her gracefully forfeit then match. But then Rias latest trick flipped the whole situation on reversed. Then before ether he or his queen could react Rias vanished right in front of then and then out of nowhere was behind Yubelluna and slashed her with the great sword which force her to retire. Then as he was praising Rias her newly shown abilities, she blasted him with fire. Fire to a Phoenix which would usually akin to throwing gasoline on to an inferno but inconceivably they actually hurt.
Now Rias begun to approach him, and the world began to change. Gone was the battered school and forest but now he was in a dark void.
The Young Phoenix began to back up as he felt sweat forming and running down his back as he heard what sounds like bells toll in the background.
DONG! DONG! DONG!
Fear began to freeze him in place as Rias has begun to consume herself in a dark shadow slowly disappearing from view.
Hear me. The evening bell ringeth thy name.
DONG! DONG! DONG!
I am going die, I'm gonna die, I'mgonnadie. Frantically thought Raiser, he felt death approaches and somehow know that not even his Phoenix lineage can save him.
Wings Which announce death-Thou take thy head?
DONG! DONG! DONG!
Like a candle being lit in a dark room Rias appeared from the darkness right in front of him. And it was that moment Raiser knew. She never vanished, he simply was not able perceive Rias out of sheer terror. And the bells were the sound of his heart.
AZRAEL!
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AN:Gonna end it right there.
Sorry to all viewers I promised a week updated but I took 2 weeks instead. My excuse was 2 days of illness and sudden need of info dumping. So in the end there's no excuse that I was really asking myself how am I writing this fic.
Initially I was planning to reveal each servant per chapter but a sneak peek got the better of me.
Also a guest told me to try and write longer chapters. Well I can say I'm honestly trying.
Truth be told I had a lot of trouble deciding assassin, rider, saber and caster but all is good now.
Now to aim for quality that it can end up to Tvtropes. Onwards.
Read and Review and enjoy fanfiction
Date of completion 2/3/19