A/N: Hey there, readers. It took longer than I thought, but here it is another chapter, and I'm sorry for the delay. Few answers to those of you I couldn't reach through PMs.
-Yoga pratama: Still undecided who will be main, maybe I'll make a pool about it in the future.
- Password: High likely yes but still maybe no, depending on how the story go.
- Guest: No chance for her here, sorry to disappoint.
When Sirzechs' message reached his family and Gremory Clan's troops finally arrived, it's been over an hour and both teenagers had time to better get to know each other. At least as much as it was possible when one of them knew next to nothing about himself. After Sirzechs explained roughly the basics to Issei, he then asked him to say anything he remembered, no matter how insignificant he thought it was.
Not wanting to lie right after meeting him, brunet confessed that there were some things he could not tell in what little he knew. He spoke about a weird cat without letting anything about it, saying only that there was someone who helped him, and that thanks to him Issei was able to help in that fight. Respecting his new companion's wish, Sirzechs promised to not probe as long as it wasn't going to cause problems for his family or others Devils. Following with telling everything else he knew, what consisted mostly of short flashbacks and mismatched images, it was then Issei's turn to listen.
Sirzechs explained that he was High-class Devil, heir to one of the main families in Underworld, called 72 Pillars. He was thought as too important and inexperienced to be put on the frontline, so even if he participated in the War it was mostly on low-risk missions, training with soldiers and meetings with other families. That was until one day hooded messenger with orange eyes and clad in black came to his house when he the only member of his family present there. Panting and bleeding, the man showed the seal of the Gremory servant and said that some of their people were ambushed by larger Fallen Angel unit, requesting immediate help.
With lives of his family servants on the line, young heir without hesitating assembled a small but strong force and headed to save them. When they arrived, there indeed was battle between a group of Devils and the much bigger one of Fallen Angels. Leading rescue party, Sirzechs and others managed to drive them off with much lower losses on their side compared to the enemy. However, on their way back they run across another group, one that would've killed crimson haired Devil if not for the sacrifice of the messenger, who shielded him with his own body. As servant's dedication saved him, it also split him from the rest of fighters and left him with injury, leading to the events in the crater.
After that Issei asked about his family, which led Sirzechs to share some stories about them and his life. That was also how searching party found them, sitting on the ground with their injuries, chatting like old friends and laughing about something one of them said.
With quick inspection, both of them were put under a sleeping spell and transported to a hospital in Gremory territory, where their injuries were treated. That was also where Sirzechs woke up the next day, with bandaged tors and both of his parents in their formal clothes, standing over his bed. Few steps behind them stood other Devil who teenager was not familiar with, searching through something in papers he had with him. He had long grey hair with a matching beard and set of scholar white robes reaching to the floor with gold runes sewn all over it.
Involuntarily gulping, the son knew well enough what was waiting for him from his parents. " Hello Mother, Father. You both look well." He said respectfully, preparing himself for a lecture about what he has done.
Zeoticus and Venelana Gremory just stood without a word or any reaction, watching their son. Finally, after an uncomfortably long while passed, Zeoticus spoke while trying to keep a serious face. "Yes, and you look far from it. Now, before your mother loses her control and goes out there to annihilate every Fallen Angel that crosses her way, tell us how it all happened. We've heard fragments, but we want to hear the whole story from you."
When he ended, his wife painfully pinched his cheek. Her previously neutral face was now slightly shadowed with anger, sending shivers down her husband's and son's spines. "Dear, we established that it's not the time for jokes and that we have to be strict. Or did you already forgot?" She scolded her husband and releasing him, turned from father to son. "Explain, why exactly you've ignored your duties as heir and carelessly endangered yourself in some skirmish?"
And so, barely after regaining consciousness, Sirzechs again repeated everything that led to his fight in the forest. His parents listened to everything, nodding from time to time. When he got to the point where Issei appeared, an old man with papers started to scribe something with a quill and compare it with other notes. Not sure about man's role there, Sirzechs continued, telling them the story that other young Devil told him and about his promise.
When he finished, his mother calmed down again and his father smiled warmly. "I'm proud of you, but you have to understand how important you are. Hostage of clan's heir caliber is something both Fallen and God's Angels would like to get. Them, or some outside force after the money. No matter how strong you are, as a future leader you have to weight your decisions." Zeoticus then turned to silent Devil. "Do you have everything you need?"
As he raised his head, Sirzechs couldn't help but compare old man to a lizard, with his dried skin and cold, almost unblinking eyes. He also had this knowledgeable aura around himself, one that someone could gain only through dedicating his whole life to studying.
"I think so, Lord Gremory. With what your son said and reading we got from the boy himself I can come up with possible theory who he is." White-robed Devil answered respectfully.
"That's good. Sirzechs, this is Treon Zelvon. He's in charge of this facility and at my request was personally watching over you and your friend." As both Devils exchanged polite nods Zeoticus turned back to the grey-haired man. "What do you have to tell us?"
Fixing his robes and beard, old Devil coughed into his hand. "Of course, my Lord. About your son's condition, he should be able to walk properly by now and be back in his full capacity within two days, as long as he doesn't overstrain himself. What is truly interesting, is that brunet boy with the pierced leg."
"What do you mean by that?" Lady Gremory cut in.
"I did the examination on him with some of my best students, my Lady. I never saw anything like him. Readings we got from our tests show things we thought were absolutely impossible."
"Please, specify."
"As your son said, his name is Issei and he's a Devil without any memory of himself. As we treated him he was positively reacting to energy transfer, what makes me indicates that he's part of the Gremory Clan or maybe serving one. Magical analysis showed that his magic reserves are almost comparable to that of newborn and his physical strength is also very low." Old scholar raised his hands and in his eyes appeared glint of interest. "However, we found in his chest some... Objects emanating energy. We have no idea what they could be, but it looks like they have Devil traits in them, like they're made of demonic energy. And most miraculously, he has a Sacred Gear inside of him, something that I've never heard of any other Devil to have!"
Gremory family thought over what Zelvon said. None of them knew what to do with what they've heard. Sirzechs saw red gauntlet that Issei had and the teen told him it's a Sacred Gear, not knowing what it is, so that wasn't new. Still, information of unknown objects and his friend's deficiency made him worried.
After a few minutes, Lord Gremory raised his head and asked in a concerned tone. "And what do you think about it? If he's this weak, does that mean he's dying?"
Sage shook his grey head energetically in denial. "That's the thing! He doesn't! It's like his powers only started to grow as if they were blocked since the young age or he just got them. The second option is impossible and we think that he's one of the war's orphans. Abducted at a young age by Fallen Angels if his flashbacks are any indication and used as a test subject, taking into account their Governor General's love for experiments. That'd explain his memory loss, poor condition, and that Sacred Gear. Even gauntlet itself prompts toward this theory! There are no records of any Sacred Gear like that. It is similar to common 'Twice Critical', but much more powerful and something inside disrupt closer inspection like it's been tampered with."
Exchanging worried looks, they again fell silent. Unfortunately, orphaned children were not a rare sight, frequent skirmishes killed many families. And even though they were sure this one wasn't the son of any of their close relatives, it was highly possible with their servants, therefore making him their responsibility. There was also a matter of their debt for saving Sirzechs' life.
"Summing up, what does that make of him?" Sirzechs Gremory finally joined the discussion about his new friend.
"Aberration with unmeasured potential. Valuable... And dangerous."
DxD
Purple light among rain of black feathers, followed by the searing pain in his stomach. Raising gloom around him, and then light and feathers running away from a pair of burning, orange eyes. Slowly, eyes turned at him, beaming through blackness covering almost everything and growing in intensity with every second. When they were almost white, shadows around lashed at them, swallowing all the light and leaving him in the darkness, with his body going completely numb.
"Gah!" Issei vaulted up with a gasp. Drenched in cold sweat, remnants of the dream were still playing before his eyes. After taking deep breaths to calm himself, he quickly checked up his body. He was only in short pants going down to his knee, and down it, one of his legs was wrapped in bloodied fabric. His stomach was perfectly fine, instead, there was pulsing pain coming from his bandaged leg. Seeing this, memories of the previous day came back to him. "Where am I?"
Issei looked around the place he was in. Everywhere were different flasks, tubes, crystals, and other things, that teen had no idea what could be, most of them pointing at him. Right when he reached out to one of them before his face appeared green magic circle. Over it levitated image of someone with slicked back hair the same color as the circle and blue eyes, by the look around his age.
"If I were you, I wouldn't do that. That is if you don't want to be fried by magic energy flowing through those devices." Hearing that brunet retracted his hand from tubes as if they changed into a bunch of living snakes. The new guy laughed dryly at that and waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry, they're safe as long as you don't touch them. Wait for a second, I'll be there in a moment."
After that image disappeared and Issei was again left alone. Careful not to touch anything, he sat up on his bed. He tried to stand, but his leg was so numb that he almost fell on his face, instead of landing back on the back. Deciding to stay there, for now, he thought about what to do while waiting. However, barely Issei sat back, bigger version of the previous circle appeared on the floor next to the bed.
Seeing the same green-haired Devil, Issei could finally take a more careful look at him. He was somewhere his height, wearing a green novice tunic with gold trims. His demeanor from the first glance screamed 'mysterious', as he stared with an unreadable look at Issei. Combined with his face, that even Issei had to unwillingly admit was handsome. Best way to describe him was 'devilishly attractive'. With a wave of his hand green light emanated from equipment around the bed.
"Sorry for the scare. My teacher is truly a genius and his inventions work great, but in his creative frenzy, he often forgets about the safety of others. Good thing that I was actually doing a scan over you, or else we'd have another unpleasant accident. As for your question, you're in the medical wing of the Old Academy residing in the Gremory Clan's territory."
"Another accident?" Issei repeated.
"Just one of the students who touched it despite the warnings. On the good note, he is alive and well, just with a set of scars on his arms. But according to him, women like them a lot, so he's happy. Idiots are always lucky." The student explained with a small smile, as he walked to the machinery and started reading what appeared on one of the crystal balls.
Issei stared at apparently highly dangerous... Things next to his bed. How could someone leave them around other people without even warning sign? He felt grateful towards the green-haired guy for saving him. While the thought of women liking him more with scars was a nice one, that of being fried wasn't as much.
"Thanks. By the way, I'm-"
"Issei, I know. You don't have to thank me. If anything, I should thank you for helping Sirzechs." He interrupted, without turning his head. "Readings show that everything's alright, no signs of light poisoning or anything like that, so you'll be fine without Phoenix Tears." Suddenly he facepalmed. "Oh, right! I forgot to introduce myself. Sorry. I'm Ajuka Astaroth, Zechs' friend and heir of the Astaroth Clan." He put back crystal ball and turned to Issei, holding his hand out.
"You're that best friend he spoke of. I didn't know you were also another heir." Brunet shook his hand, recalling that redhead Devil talked about his friend, and according to him also rival. "Sorry, I'm new to this all, but shouldn't you be in your own clan's territory, learning how to rule in the future and all? From what Sirzechs told me heirs are highly valuable. Something to do with Devil's low birthrate."
Ajuka snorted at his question, seemingly finding it amusing. "You're right, if I'd be the son to another clan, I should. Fortunately for me, my family is a rare example of those, that are little more open and less paranoid than others, just Zechs'. It also helps that Gremory and Astaroth Clans are close friends, and I'm here to study under one of the greatest experts in magic in Underworld." Green Devil glanced again at the crystal ball. "About Gremories, because you woke up they should head here with my teacher right now. There's not much we can do with your lower half because of your wound, but to your right should be spare shirt left for you."
Issei looked there and indeed, there were a grey shirt and pair black trousers. "Lord and Lady Gremory... What do you think of them? Sirzechs spoke about them, but I'd want to hear what you have to say." He asked as he put on the shirt.
Looking at brunet, Ajuka nodded approvingly. "That'll do. So... About Zechs' parents? They're like uncle and aunt for me, with Lord Zeoticus being the kind and playful one, and Lady Venelana strict but loving. But you don't have to worry, you've saved their only son. I won't be surprised if they'll treat you as one of their own."
At those words Issei thought back to the fight and smiled awkwardly, pointing at the bandage. "That's not true. All I did was fighting a single Fallen Angel and loosing. It was Sirzechs who did everything, even saving me in the end."
"Ajuka's right. You've risked your life for my son when no one asked that of you. Thanks to your fight the enemy couldn't overwhelm him with numbers. Even if you've lost, both of you are alive. I'd say that's enough of a win for someone's first fight."
Hearing kind voice behind them, both teenagers turned towards its source. In now open doors stood a smiling, older version of Sirzechs, only with short beard and ponytail instead of freely falling hair. He was dressed in black cloak over snow-white shirt, both ornamented with gold motives of roses, violet overcoat over black britches with gold lines and white boots. Next to him stood woman with flaxen hair and warm violet eyes, that Issei couldn't help but stare at. Even though he could not remember almost anything before waking up in the forest, he was sure that he'd not seen much women who could rival her looks, if any. With elegant white dress and gloves further enhancing her beauty, she was truly a sight to behold. Issei's eyes quickly wandered down to her impressive cleavage, thinking how lucky man her husband must be.
"Lord Gremory. Lady Gremory." Ajuka respectfully bowing down to newcomers brought Issei out of his thoughts, before he could follow them further down his fantasies. Doing his best to follow other Devil lead, he bowed his head.
"Hello Ajuka, we told you to call us aunt and uncle unless this is official matter. Sirzechs will be happy that you're here, he's wanted to talk with you. I hope you took good care of our guest here." Lady Gremory greeted warmly Astaroth heir.
"Of course, Aunt Venelana. In fact, I managed to save him from carelessly touching one of Master Treon's devices." He corrected himself.
His answer caused Zeoticus to laugh. "We wouldn't want that, thank you." Head of the Gremory Clan walked to Issei. "I am Zeoticus Gremory, Sirzechs' father. What I said before was true, we're deeply grateful for what you did. You can ask for anything and I'll do anything in my power to grant it."
"I didn't do it for rewards. I just saw someone in need and acted. Not very successfully." Issei again unsuccessfully tried to shrug it off. "And I tell you, it was Sirzechs who did most of this."
"But I wouldn't if it was three on one for the whole time. Greed is part of Devils' nature, so stop denying and accept both our gratitude and reward." Speak of the Devil and he shall appear. The Gremory heir followed after his parents with a wide smile, dressed in a loose red shirt and similar trousers. "So wish for something quickly and better make it expensive. I don't want to think that my life ain't worth much, so if for nothing else do it for my pride."
As men in the room laughed at the joke, Venelana frowned at her son. "This poor child lost his memory and just regained. He's probably confused and doesn't even know what he truly wants, so stop-"
"I want a harem!" Lady Gremory's lecture was stopped by Issei's passionate exclamation. "I want the biggest harem, full of the most beautiful women with the greatest boobs in the world!" If most of his memory was void, his desires were one shining thing among it that he was absolutely sure.
Silence reigned over them, as everyone stared at the Devil with a Sacred Gear. "... Buahahaa!" Both father and son burst in laughter at the same time followed chuckling Ajuka and giggling Venelana. "And that's the wish worthy of a Devil! But I'm afraid I cannot grant it, as the most beautiful woman in the world is my wife here and I'm not going to share her with anyone." Zeoticus stated playfully through laughter, as he walked to his wife and hugged her closely, emphasizing his point.
Sirzechs slowly toned down his laugh, watching his parents starting to be all lovey-dovey before them. Smiling happily Gremory turned his eyes at Issei. His expression at once turned sour, words the old Devil said after their initial talk repeating in his head. Mulling over the problem they brought, he didn't notice his best friend walking up to him until Ajuka put a hand on his arm.
"Judging by your face I guess that Master Zelvon told you his predictions about that guy's situation. Am I right?" Astaroth whispered that only two of them knew what they were talking about.
"If you mean that Sage thinks, that as soon as society hears about him they'll want to cut him up to find how he can have a Sacred Gear, with Four Great Satans being first in line, then yes, he told us." He mumbled angrily in response.
"That's a shame, he looks like a fine guy. Unfortunately, our leaders won't think even a second about sacrificing some insignificant person without a clan, or at least worthy achievements in the War if that'd give them better chances for winning it."
His friend's words gave him the seed of an idea. The more Sirzechs thought about the problem, the simpler solution appeared for him. In one swipe they could repay Issei for saving his life, as much as teen kept saying he didn't do much, compensate for most likely failing to protect him from Fallen Angels, save him from spending rest of his life as a lab rat and gain a potentially strong ally and friend. Weighing pros and cons, heir of the Gremory Clan made up his mind.
"How about you adopt him?" Sirzechs asked his parents out of blue. Exploiting that everyone looked at him he explained it further. "As a reward for what he's done, you could adopt him. Without the right to inherit the clan of course, but he could make his own if he'd make himself a name on a battlefield. Tests showed that he's already one of ours, so it'd be like making this official and promoting him."
Thoughts of everyone in the room except for Issei quickly followed the same path as redhead heir's. When Venelana and Zeoticus considered consequences of this action, Ajuka grinned at his friend's cunning and for the first time laughed loudly.
"I said that they'll treat you as one of their own, but who'd have guessed they'd literally offer to adopt you."
Both heads of clan felt sorry for lone teen, especially when they thought about what was going to happen with him. Exchanging understanding look with his wife, Lord Gremory nodded. "You're right. I think it would be a fitting reward and our clan would only benefit from such a fine boy like Issei joining our family. We'll be more than happy to adopt him if he agrees of course."
The mentioned teenager sat on the bed awestruck. Issei was prepared that he'd have to accept some sort of reward, sure. However, he'd never imagined them offering a place in their family to him, a complete stranger without a thing. He didn't have time to think about his future, but now he realized that he didn't know what he was going to do. Issei wanted to thank them, but with emotions squeezing his throat he couldn't mutter a single word. Seeing as everyone waited for his reaction, coughed embarrassedly.
"It'd be an honor my lord, but-."
"Great!" Zeoticus boomed happily, grabbing younger Devil in a tight hug and not letting him end his sentence. His serious 'clan head' demeanor vanishing without a trace, swiftly replaced with more of a 'merry father' one. "It'll take some paperwork to make it official, but from now on your our son, so none of this 'my lord' thing. I don't expect you to call me 'Dad' so soon, but nothing more formal than 'Father' won't do."
"You don't have to worry about anything. For now, focus on healing up and we'll take care of everything." Venelana hugged her new son after her husband released boy from his grasp, although much more softly. "I'm sure that you will great brother for Sirzechs and help to keep him safe just like you've already done."
"O-of c-course Father, Mother." Issei stuttered, tasting those words and trying hard not to think about breasts of a woman that from now would be his mother pressing onto him.
Releasing him with a pleased expression, Lady Gremory grabbed her husband. "Come, Dear, you have a work to do." While subtly dragging her husband out of the room, Venelana gave the rest one last look. "Rest well, Issei Gremory."
Three left teenagers stared at the now closed door, then looked at each other. Finally, redhead Devil was the one to break the silence. "I knew they'd be pleased with the prospect of a new son, but not to that extent. But, can't say that I'm not happy about having a brother now. For Devils, it rare to have children and I'd have to wait for a quite a long time for a sibling. Anyway, Issei Gremory sounds nice, don't you think?"
"Yeah," Issei replied, not sure if all of this really happened.
"Congratulations, I'm cheerful for both of you, truly. But as I still have my work here and you are patients, so go rest and recover, while I check if there is no one trying to die by one of Master's devices." Ajuka nagged at them and summoned his circle, disappearing in green light.
A/N: And that's it. I didn't expect this story to be so popular, in one chapter it beat my older one. And that's great. Now, if I had anything more to say, I forgot, most likely wasn't worth to add here.
Thanks to everyone faving, following and reviewing, the more of you the better. So don't be shy and just do it. Hope to hear from you soon, see ya.
