Hopefully, I'm able to update soon. Beware, lemon scene incoming for chapter 3, most likely.

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Of Demons and Angels

Solace in the Afterlife

I awoke, craving for air. I felt as though I had been holding down my breath for as long as possible, until I passed out and came back to consciousness on my bed. I sucked in a large lungful of air and looked around my bedroom. Nothing had changed. It had been just a dream. Never knew dreams could be so painful.

"Goodness, not only did it hurt like hell, that was the longest dream I've ever had," I said under my breath, slipping out of bed to go dress in my school uniform.

Little did I know that I was already dressed in it, until my groggy senses fully kicked in. It took me aback, but I merely shrugged it off without a second thought.

As I went to grab my backpack resting against the wall, the glint of a silvery chain lying next to my desktop computer caught my eye. I took it in my hands. It was a necklace, a yin-yang amulet dangling from the silver chain-links.

A series of images flashed wildly in the back of my mind. It snatched the air out of me, and I staggered backward, bumping against the wall of my room. Was it possible? The dream in its entirety was coming back to me… or rather, reality was beckoning me to realize the obvious that I so badly wanted to negate.

"Ryukaza…" I remembered. It hit me hard in the stomach, like a godly punch, a lump forming in my throat, twisting my windpipe. But how the hell was I still alive? If I was alive, could she possibly be alive as well? I hung the necklace around my neck.

I skipped breakfast and raced past Mother down in the hall, completely ignoring her protests to have me eat something. I burst out the front door and ran untiringly toward Kuoh Academy, as fast as my legs would take me, as if someone's life dangled upon it… Ryukaza.

As I ran, I gradually began to take notice. I really wasn't getting tired. I could go on miles, one after another, and my legs would not falter or ache. I took advantage of this and raced toward the Academy.

As I drew nearer, I didn't bother to slow down. Girls glanced my way, and others ogled after me as I dashed past them and into the school grounds. Before, I would've minded what they thought of me, of my appearance, of them judging my every move or word. I couldn't give two shits at a moment like this.

Class would not start until after fifteen more minutes. I came to a halt in the middle of the school grounds, before the building entrance, the baseball field to my right. I felt not only overwhelmed with emotion, but with despair. I didn't know where to look for her, or where she lived. It pained me not to know whether she would show up to class… or not, because she really was dead.

Crimson like a rose, bright like running blood, there she stood, observing me, looking out of the window on the second floor of the old school building.

"You…" I said softly. "Rias Gremory… what did you do to me? How are you involved in this? Why?" She shut the window and vanished from sight.

At that moment, it dawned on me that I could hear, plain and clear, everyone having a conversation around me, even those far away from me: guys discussing manga or talking about someone's breasts; girls chatting about clothes, or school homework, or 'Kiba-kun', whoever that was. And here I was, not remotely giving a crap about such shallow lives, when my girlfriend was most likely dead. Yet, I couldn't ignore the fact that I now possessed seemingly unlimited physical stamina, and that my hearing had improved to an inhuman level. Just what the hell was going on?

Once in class, I took my seat in front of Motohama and Matsuda, completely ignoring their greetings and smirks. I glanced to Ryukaza's empty seat, right next to me, and turned back to the window to peer outside, hopefully to see her running to class, since it had just started.

People were still filing in. I stared at the doorway, my hopes to see Ryukaza walking in still high, but receding every second. Issei walked in, followed by Asia and Xenovia. Any other day, I would've gawked at their beauty and their finely sculpted bodies. When Asia and Xenovia spotted me, I could see pity in their eyes. Asia's eyes glinted with sadness. Issei barely acknowledged me and turned his back to me at once. I turned away from them, wanting them to disappear. How were they involved in all of this mess?

I clutched at Ryukaza's yin-yang necklace. Hers was the only empty seat in the class.

The teacher began calling for attendance. Names were called and erased from my memory as soon as they were uttered. He pronounced my name correctly this time. I barely raised my hand to eye level and he acknowledged me. But he never called Ryukaza's name. When he got to the end of the list, he said:

"It is my extreme pain to announce to you that your new peer, Ishida, Ryukaza, was reported missing to the police when she never came back home yesterday. Our thoughts be with her and her family," he went to his desk at the front.

I caught Xenovia eyeing me sideways, but turned away when she saw me notice. Asia, on the other hand, stared at me with sorrow and worry. They knew what was going on. It was all I could do to keep from screaming, to keep from cursing everyone, dead or alive, to keep from rooting out my hair from my scalp.

I bolted from my seat and ran for the classroom exit, everyone's eyes trained on me. The teacher called after me. "Gygas-kun, where do you think you're going, boy?"

I didn't answer. I rushed down the hall, just as the first tears escaped my eyes. The teacher must have noticed, because he didn't give pursuit or call after me anymore.

I just wanted to keep running, and never stop, but the hallways came to a sudden halt with their walls. I ran into a restroom stall and bolted the door. For a very brief moment, I wanted to greet death yet again. At this moment, I didn't want anything but to be left alone and mourn until my eyes were dry as raisins.

Overcome with emotion, my body shuddering, my teeth gritting, I felt I was going to throw up.

"Gygas-kun?" It was Asia, outside, in the hallway.

I wanted to yell at her to leave me alone, but the words wouldn't come out. In truth, I didn't want her to leave me at all.

I wiped my puffy, red eyes. The sight of the necklace threatened to give me another round of tears, so I hid it under my shirt, cold like death against my skin.

I unlatched the door and found Asia waiting for me outside in the hallway, her fingers laced together over her short skirt. I approached her.

Suddenly, she embraced me, her firm breasts pressed against my chest, the top of her golden head reaching to my chin. She smelled of lavender.

"I'm so sorry for everything you went through, Gygas-kun," she said, looking up at me with doe eyes. "We're all very sorry for your loss. I'm sorry we couldn't help you in time." I didn't respond. I looked into her eyes and beyond them. The winged woman and the lightning spears flashed before my mind. Then I saw a tear come out of Asia's eyes. "You were dying on my lap…" she said, her voice trailing off. It was definitive. Ryukaza died and it had all been real…

"Come with me," Asia said, grabbing my hand and gently tugging as we started to walk back down the hall. I felt numb all over my body. My mind went blank. I simply followed after Asia, like drudge and master, as she led me outside the building and toward the old one.

Once on the second floor, she pushed the door open, shut it behind us and made me sit on the black leather couch in front of the main desk, facing toward another identical couch. Asia sat next to me, her hand resting on mine, upon my thigh. We spent the next thirty minutes waiting in forlorn silence.

In what felt like seconds afterward, the door opened and in came possibly the most exquisite girl ever to be born on this planet. Crimson like a rose, bright like running blood, her overflowing hair framed her stunning face and tumbled down all the way to her thighs. Her enormous breasts were gifts sent from heaven and her nipples almost poked out of her uniform.

I didn't know what to do. What was she going to do to me now? Was she dangerous?

"What's… what's going on?" I asked, daring to look into her piercing blue eyes.

Rias Gremory sat on my left side, opposite to Asia, and held my hand in both of hers.

"Gygas-kun," she said, her voice as sweet as anything that had to do with her. "I hope you can forgive us for not coming to your aid in time." Her eyes showed me empathy. "Please, forgive me." Her voice exuded genuine sadness and guilt.

I looked up from her breasts and to her eyes. "I- I forgive you…"

"I'm deeply grateful." Her arms went around my back and she pulled me forward, burying my face in her ample bosom, soft, round and supple. I knew it was artificial, but I felt at peace, for as long as it lasted. "My little angel, my sweet pawn," she crooned in my ear. "We'll make that evil bitch pay. Hush, it'll be okay. You are strong, very strong…"

I lay there, on her breasts for several minutes, the grief and despair receding gradually, as though they were sponges created for that very reason. My head swarmed with questions, but I would have been a fool to kill the moment.

The door opened again. A thin and short girl, with a developing chest, big yellow eyes and shoulder-length white hair, appeared within the edge of my sight that wasn't covered by Rias' boobs.

"Say hello, Koneko-chan," said Rias. "He doesn't feel well."

"You sacrificed your life to try to save her," Koneko said, her voice calm and low, though with a hint of respect. "You're a good person, Gygas-senpai." She sat on the opposite couch.

"Where are the others?" I heard Asia ask right next to me.

"Almost here," Koneko said.

The door opened and closed again. This time, the second most stunning girl ever to be born on this planet arrived before my sight. Her long, black ponytail billowed as she moved, all the way down under her skirt.

"Finally you're here, Akeno," said Rias. "Meet Zephon, Gygas, our newest member."

With a buxom shape like Rias and enthralling violet eyes, Akeno stooped above me, caressing my hair, and said in a sweet voice:

"Oh my, poor little thing. I hope we can help you feel better." I was starting to feel like a big, overgrown baby, but I let it slide for now, just for the occasion. I never thought I'd be pampered by outlandishly beautiful ladies this way.

But, of course, he had to show up and sour my shitty day even more.

The door opened one last time, and the first thing Issei did was shout with obvious outrage, jealousy and astonishment.

"PREZ! What is he doing to you?!" he stood next to Akeno, pointing accusingly at me. "Hey, you, what do you think you're doing to President's boobs?!"

"Healing my wounds," I said, finally raising my head from Rias' bosom. Issei looked as angry as he sounded. Xenovia and a tall blond guy stood right behind him.

"Now, now, boys don't fight," said Rias.

"Oh my, Ise-kun sounds jealous," said Akeno, stating the obvious.

"Don't be so jealous, you've had more than your fair share, Issei-senpai," said Koneko with a cold voice.

"I feel much better now," I said, turning to Rias, managing a sincere smile. "Thank you, that really worked."

"Of course it worked! We're talking about Prez's heavenly breasts!" Issei yelled.

"You must have a lot of questions," said Rias.

I looked at each and every one of them. First at Asia, holding my hand, her smile gentle and warm, then at Koneko, Akeno, Issei, Xenovia and the blond guy.

"Yes, I do," I began slowly, treading with care, though not for long anymore, blurting out: "Who the hell are you, people? And what is this insane world you've dragged me off to?"

"It's as I feared," said Rias, grabbing my left hand. "You really know nothing. Does your father still live?"

"Why, no…"

"Was he called Zephon?"

"Yes, Zephon, Genga."

"Genga is a made-up name," said Rias. I stared at her with suspicion. How does she know all this? "Your father was Zephon, one of the great angels of old, deceased during the Great War."

That's when the memory hit me. When Ryukaza was about to die, I literally flew, risen from the ground, carried aloft by the wind, with white eagle wings. But where were they now, and where had they been all this time?

"Who do you live with?" Rias went on.

"My mother… she's human. I'm sure of that."

"That makes you a nephilim, or made you, more like."

I titled my head to the side, utterly confused.

"I say it in past tense because you died. You have been reincarnated as a Devil, and you are now bound to me in servitude for the rest of your life, as master and slave."

"You should be grateful," Issei snapped. "Those breasts should be all mine…" he said, drool coming out of his mouth as he seemed to go into some kind of rave.

"Why, I am truly grateful, Rias-senpai," I said, squeezing Rias' hand tenderly. "My savior."

"Eruka, the Fallen Angel that took your girlfriend's life, must pay," she held me close in a half embrace. "For the sole reason that she dared hurt my precious Gygas-kun, she must be put to death. And you'll have the honors of taking her head."

"But, how am I supposed to do that?" I asked. I didn't feel like dying again. But my desire for revenge kept on growing deep inside me; the more the odds stacked in my favor, the greater my desire to hunt Eruka down.

"With our help," said the blond guy, stepping forward and offering me his hand. I shook it. "Kiba, Yuuto, pleased to meet you, Gygas-kun. I once sought to fulfill my desires for revenge, and I perfectly know what you're going through. I vow to support you till the end."

"You can always count on us," Asia said, with a shy smile.

"As we are sure we should be able to count on you, too," said Koneko. For her size, she was the most intimidating one.

"Oh my, that bitch will know my fury as well," said Akeno in a flirty voice, giving me a mellow smile that simply didn't fit with the words coming out of her mouth.

"Yes, of course, I offer my sword, Durandal, for the task," said Xenovia, grinning wide. She nudged Issei on the side.

"Yeah, sure, whatever," he said, his arms crossed, just looking at the wall.

"From now on, we are your family, and you are ours," said Rias. "You will train, along with Issei, to become the strongest pawns there ever were. We will find and unlock the powers hidden inside you, and Eruka will wish she hadn't laid a finger on you two."

I took a glance at each member of my new family, with a hopeful smile, before looking down at my uniform's shirt and pulling out Ryukaza's yin-yang necklace for everyone to see.

I felt the power stirring within me…

Gygas commences his training as Rias' pawn to avenge Ryukaza and recover the Sacred Gear, Heaven Rend. Soon.