Chapter 3 revelations
Students of Kuoh Academy, previously an all-girls private school now co-ed, stared at the two students walking through the front gate. One being one of the great ladies of Kuoh, Akeno Himejima, the other a new kid. Walking with her, carrying her bag!
At once whispers started to spread about this new kid. He was loved by the woman and hated by the guys.
"Who's that?"
"He's cute!"
"He's carrying Himejima-sama's bag!"
"Lucky bastard!"
"HEY!"
Everyone stopped there whispers and looking to the American. "I'm can hear what you're saying. Best you keep your words out of ear reach next time or I will make sure, you boys, are given a good education on why you shouldn't talk behind my back." His eyes glared daggers into the boys who shivered in fear. "Buona giornata" (Good day) and he turned and continued walking to catch up to Akeno.
"Ara ara, you sure have put a good first impression with the students here." Akeno smiled enjoying the fear within the boy's eyes.
"That's not important. What is important is giving you a full explanation about last night." Again a sheepish grim came over his face.
"And I so do I but that will be later when you meet with Rias."
Gerard nodded and followed his fellow senior up a flight of stairs and found none other than Rias Gremory talking to another woman, she wore glasses and had short black hair in bob style and, just like Akeno, violet eyes. What the hell was with all these strange hair and eye colors!? Her figure wasn't as buxom as Rias or Akeno but her posture and face expression said she was one for authority. "Rias-san."
The two woman turned at the caller and Rias nodded at him with a smile. The black haired girl stepped forward with an outstretched hand.
"Gerard Price I assume. I'm Souna Shitori, President of the Student Council. Welcome to Kuoh Academy. I trust you find everything to your liking?" The woman with glasses greeted.
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Shitori-san and yes it is. I could get use to this school." Gerard replied with a bow. "I apologize for just meeting you but I be off to class. Hopefully we can meet again later."
School went by very quickly for the magician. His first day had its ups and down though. The ups being that he gave a good first impression to his class, which surprisingly was the same as Akeno's, and the downs being the hateful glares by the boy. That problem was quickly taken care of by confronting the students and talked them into giving him a chance. When lunch had occurred he was given a tour through the school by Souna. He noted to never get on her bad side or he invoke a wrath unimaginable.
By the end of school he had all his belongings with him and readied himself to depart. That however was stopped by Akeno.
"Remember we have some explaining to do and Rias said she'd give you your new house address."
So now here he was walking beside Akeno toward the old school building, which Souna had said was the ORC's headquarters. When entering the building he immediate took notice of its gothic Victorian style. Charming…it appeared Rias was so rich that her family renewed the building inside and out. How rich was this woman? Could she be a billionaire like his tech genius friend back in American? He'd get his answers soon enough. He reached a pair of doors and when entering he found it was already occupied by the members of the club.
Sitting upon one of the couches was a young girl with white hair munching on a candy bar. On the opposite was a handsome blonde, probably that Kiba guy he heard about in class. A girl with long blonde hair and green eyes had just been in conversation with a brown haired boy the same age as her. Only one person was missing, Rias. He was about to ask when he finally heard the sound of water running. His eyes flickered to where it was coming from and he rose a brow at what he was looking at. "You have a shower in here?" He voiced causing everyone to look at him.
"Of course, Buchou always takes showers." Akeno replied with a smile.
Gerard hummed and proceeded into the room amused that the red haired woman installed a shower in the building. He took a seat beside the white haired girl and looked around observing the room and its strange symbols. "What a cozy place to stay in. You sure Rias can't let me sleep here?"
"No. Not your home" Answered the white haired girl.
"What Koneko means," Kiba said when seeing the confused look on Gerard's face. "Is that this building is only used for club activates." He then held out his hand. "I'm Yuuto Kiba, second year. The girl beside you is Koneko Toujou, she's a first year."
"I've heard your name mentioned during class. Gerard Price. Greetings, Koneko."
"Hey." Was the first years reply.
"Huh…and who are they?" he asked motioning toward the blonde and brunette.
"They are part of my peerage." Rias answered stepping out of the shower fully dressed, her hair still wet from the shower. "Now that we are all here. We can get down to business." Rias sat on her desk eyeing her club members and Gerard who sat patiently. Minutes \passed but neither said anything until at last Rias spoke. "If your waiting for me to start then I will, First answer me this; you clearly know about the supernatural world from your usage of magic. Yes, Akeno told me. So what do you know about Devils?"
Gerard narrowed his eyes slightly eyeing everyone with suspicion. "Their villainous beings that seek to control the world and they have tried it many times."
"That's not true at all actually," Rias replied shaking her head, "devils are not what are depicted within books. We are what real Devil's look like." And just like that six pairs of small thin back wings appeared before Gerard. The look he had was of curiosity and confusion.
"This can't be right. The devil's I fought were large red skinned beings with crazy powers. Hell, I know some people who fought a devil named Azazel."
At that Rias narrowed her eyes. "Did you say Azazel?"
"Yes. Azazel who looks like the devil."
"Azazel's no devil he's the leader of the Fallen Angels."
Gerard's eyes narrowed more. Azazel was a Fallen Angel? That didn't make any sense! Unless…
"Rias, can we put this conversation on hold for now? I need you to help me. Do you know were New York City is? If so then I need someone, anyone who can take me there so I can find the Tower."
The high schoolers stared at him with owlish looks confused at what he was saying.
"The Tower. The one in New York with a giant A on it?"
Rias exchanged looks with her peerage all confused. What in the Underworld was he talking about? "Gerard." She treated carefully on her next words fearing how he'd react to them. "I've been to New York last year and I never saw this building you speak of."
"What about 177A Bleecker Street, Greenwich Village, New York City, New York?"
"Yes but-"
"Rias, please! Take me to it. I must know if it there."
Rias stared into his green eyes seeing fear and hope within them. What was he talking about? Whatever it was she wouldn't deny his request. "Akeno."
"Of course, Buchou." She stepped away from the gathered devils to stand beside Gerard. Calling forth her demonic power the Queen of Rias summoned a large red magic circle which surprised Gerard greatly. "Remain still." She ordered. There was a blinding flash of light and the two disappeared from the room.
"His he ok, Buchou?" Asia asked nervously.
"I don't know. Whatever reason he has for acting this way is something he should tell us."
Meanwhile on other side of the Earth in the dead of night a red circle with a rose symbol appeared on a building and when the light faded two black haired people appeared. Akeno looked around for no humans. The coast was clear. Now she need to get to the address Gerard asked for. She took hold of him and sprouted her back wings. "Hang on." Then she took off her eyes looking all about for this Tower with an A on it. There were many buildings with A's but they were part of words not letter. At last she found the street and descended toward it.
"Come on this way!" Gerard took off down the street looking at each building he pasted not recognized any of them. "There Akeno, when we turn this you'll….see….it?" Upon turning the corner his face paled. Were a large mansion was supposed to be were nothing but simple apartments. "Where is it?" Dread started to fill him. "This isn't right…The tower…the mansion…there gone…" he dropped to his knees staring at the buildings. "It should be here…his mansion…and-and the Tower! Where did they go!?"
"Gerard?" Akeno slowly approached the magician cautiously. The way he was acting wasn't right and it was scaring her. As soon as her hand touched his shoulder he flinched and looked at her tears rolling down his cheeks. "Gerard, what's going on? What are you talking about?"
"What I'm talking about is…is that I'm…"
"You're what?" Akeno cupped his chin to get a better look at him.
The magician stayed silent as he stared into her violet eyes. Those strange colored eyes were so beautiful to look at but they weren't normal for humans, which he thought she was. Instead he discovers she's a Devils, but not the kind he knew. Devils, Fallen Angels, no Tower, or Mansion…strange hair and eye colors? He began to piece together what happened back in his apartment. He did something. Something he so stupidly shouldn't have done without his master's permission…because of his stupidity to learn without aid from his master he had brought this upon himself. He brought himself into…
"From another dimension!" He declared as his tone cracked and more tears spilled from his eyes. He wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his face into and continued to cry.
Akeno was speechless at this revelation. This man was from another dimension, was that even possible? From what he was talking about it could be possible. The Dimensional Gap was a massive void of endlessness connection the three worlds together, or was it just those three? Could there be more worlds out there that they couldn't reach? World where theirs were no wars? This dimension Gerard was from sounded interesting to visit, if it was possible. This truly was a surprise for the Devil. She wanted to ask more, but right now the young man needed comfort.
"Shhh. Don't cry, Gerard-kun." She cooed stroking the back of his head gently. It was obvious this revelation hurt him greatly. He probably had many friends back where he came from, all who must be looking for him, worried for his safety. Speaking of safety she needed to return to the ORC. She called for her magic and teleported them back.
Rias smiled when she saw the seal appear on the floor but it soon disappeared and a look of shock came to her face at what she saw. Gerard was on his knees, holding her Queen and….crying. Crying while Akeno rubbed his head saying soothing things.
"This can't be…" She heard the black haired boy say in a cracked tone. "This…it can't be."
"Shhh its ok. I'm here, Gerard-kun."
"Akeno-san, what happened?" Kiba asked stepping forward.
Akeno looked to her friend with a sad expression. "He says from another dimension. It sounds crazy but…it's true. I believe him." There was no doubt within her voice only sadness.
The Devil's expression morphed into shock as her words. Asia however broke down in tears at scene displayed before her. Her heart was too pure and couldn't stay strong when seeing someone in so much pain. This leading to Issei to comforting her, he too having an expression of sadness upon his face.
"It's my fault…." He whispered over and over again holding onto Akeno like a child and its favorite teddy bear. He looked like he had either lost a family member or was close to death, pale faced and heavy breathing. It was quite sad to see him in pain.
"Gerard-kun, please calm down. It's ok." She soothed rocking him back and forth like a child waking from a nightmare. Although she just met him he had shown her so much kindness, kindness only Rias had shown when giving her a new life.
"Akeno…" Gerard tightened his hold on her. After another full minute passed he pulled away and dried the tears from his eyes. "I…I just can't believe this. I mean, I knew there were other universes but to think there's a dimension such as this and the way I got here…"
"Why don't you start over, Gerard. Tell how exactly you got here." Rias offered a box of tissues for him to use while Akeno departed to make some tea for everyone. By the time she returned everyone had calmed themselves and were ready for the whole story of who Gerard was and how he got here. "Before we hear your story, I think reintroductions are needed. As I said before we are all Devil's here."
"I'd like to talk about that first, Rias-san. I feel rude that the spotlight has been stolen from you."
Rias crossed her arms under her bust, cleared throat and spoke. "I, and my peerage are all Devils. We are part of one of the Three Great Factions, the Devils. The others are the Angels and Fallen Angel and our societies have been at war fighting each other for thousands of years. Only after so much fighting and death a peace treaty was created it has worked, barely, we still have fights with Fallen Angels but they are never too serious. Anyway, during the Great War the leaders the Underworld, the Four Great Satan's, Lucifer, Beelzebub, Leviathan, and Asmodeus died in the war. Our numbers continued to dwindle when a civil war split the Underworld, one side being the ancestors of the original Satan's wanted to restart the war. Their plan was thwarted however, by an anti-war faction who wished for peace. What remains of the Old Satan Faction is now in hiding after their crushing defeat. Anyway, after the civil war we were left to near extinction. Ajuka Beelzebub however, one of the current Satan's, found a way to reproduce our population without the need for Devil's to breed."
Rias smirked as she outstretched her hand and summoned forth a red chess piece, a Bishop to be exact.
"This is how it is done. It is called an Evil Piece and with these chess pieces, depending on how many are needed, we can reincarnate anyone into a Devil, humans and non-humans. Now I think it is time to reintroduce ourselves as who we really are. My name is Rias Gremory, I am the King of my peerage."
"You already know me, Gerard-kun. Akeno Himejima, her Queen." The ponytail girl said with a kind smile happy to know he would stick around and be their ally and most importantly, her friend.
"Yuuto Kiba, I'm Rias Gremory's, Knight." The blonde bowed with politeness.
"Koneko Toujou, Rook."
The blonde nun blushed with embarrassment. "I huh, I'm Asia Argento and-
"Asia Argento?" Gerard repeated her name in surprise. "You were named after the famous Italian actress?" Everyone stared at him with confusion. "You know that Italian actress…she doesn't exist in this world dose she?"
"Only this Asia Argento." Replied Rias giggling.
"R-right. Anyway, what is your piece?"
Asia was a little surprise to hear someone had her name in his universe, let along she was an actress. She must have been a very beautiful too. Regaining her composure the former nun spoke again. "I'm Rias, Bishop."
Gerard's eyes flickered to brunette in the room. His magic sense told him there was something powerful within him. Something that rival the strength of-
"A Pawn."
Gerard blinked. "I'm sorry can you say that again?"
Issei frowned at Gerard. I said I'm Issei Hyoudou and I'm Buchou's only Pawn."
"Only?"
"I had to use all my Pawn's to reincarnate him. Isse-kun has something very special within him." Rias answered with a prideful smile. "That power was what helped me win my freedom from my engagement."
"It's also gonna help me build my harem!"
Gerard's brow rose at the word "harem" he never heard it before. "What's a harem?"
Before Koneko or Akeno could stop Issei he blurted it out. "I'm not surprise since your American. It means that I love boobies! Big round soft ones like Buchou's and Akeno-san!"
Suddenly the temperature in the room seem to drop and a buildup of power was starting to emanate from Gerard whose hands were opening and closing slowly. "What...did you say?"
"He's saying he's a pervert." Koneko answered bluntly secretly hoping to see the pervert get his face punched in.
Gerard's fist started to shake and magic started to build up around them. "You….you!" He flared his nostrils like a bull ready to charge. "Let me make something clear to all of you here." He stuck a hand out with a blue circular seal around it. "I am Gerard Prince, sorcerer of California, and I HATE perverts!" Before he could let loose a blast of magic upon the pervert Rias stepped between them a mix of annoyance and apology on her face.
"Gerard, I understand you hate perverts but Isse is a part of my peerage and since I'm his king. It's my duty to protect him from harm, even if it's you."
"Ara ara, Buchou, can't you let him punish Issei a little?" Teased Akeno with an amused smile.
"Pervert should get fired."
"You traitors!" Issei whined.
"Their no need for violence." Rias call clapping her hands to get everyone's attention. "If you're to be part of this club then you must treat Issei as an ally too."
Gerard scowled at Issei as he lowered his arm and dispelled his magic power. "Fine, but mark my words pervertito (pervert), if I see or hear you touched these woman's breasts or peep on woman WITHOUT their permission… Toglierò tua virilità e ti verrà pipì con un vagina! (I will remove your manhood and you'll be peeing with a vagina)
Issei swallowed the lump in his throat while sweat ran down his face at the threat given to him. He had no idea what he said but from the sigh of his master, the giggle of Akeno, and the shocked look of Asia, they clearly knew what he said. His head nodding so fast it looked as if it would pop off like an action figure.
Rias coughed to get their attention. "Right now that that fiasco is out of the way. I think it is time to tell us who you are, sorcerer Price."
"You want my whole life story or just the magic part?"
"Magic please."
With a nod Gerard took a sweat and cleared his throat. "After my grandfather passed away I moved to New York City and in that magnificent city I meat a wise man and powerful man who said I have a strength within me and he could help me tap into it. He took him under his wing and trained me in the art of magic, and martial arts. He said my skills were growing quickly and I would become a great sorcerer. After many years I chose to move to the West Coast to live my own life and battle the forces of evil there as well entertain the folks." With a wave of his hand a shower of golden sparks flew from his finger times like fireworks. His new friends were in awe at the display. "Anyway, it wasn't easy. I had to protect West Coast, while attending High School, and going back to New York to keep training with my master. I am not arrogant, only curious. I asked to try and study from one of my master's book to see what I could learn. He said only if I am aided. For two weeks he helped my study until Saturday that is." He paused taking a deep breathing reading himself to explain how he got here. "There was a spell that caught my eye called Dimensional Rift. Through my curiosity and stupidity I tried to perform the spell without my master's aid and in doing so was sent to your world. Blinded by a flash of light and then I'm standing in the rain outside Kuoh town."
"Akeno-san, I apologize for lying to you. I thought you were human and wished to not get you involved in the supernatural world. I was wrong." He dropped to his knees and bowed to the floor waiting to hear what the Devil's reply was.
"There's no need to bow or apologize, Gerard-kun. I understand your reasons for doing so. To be honest I planned keep my devilry a secret to keep you safe. Your master, who was he?"
"A man with incredible powers. He watches over my world and protects it from spiritual foes." Gerard smiled at the priestess remembering his master. He rose to his feet and stared at them. "There is something else I wish to know before I depart to my new home. The Fallen Angel, Hextin, what's his purpose for chasing after Akeno? Dose he just wanna get into her pants?"
At that question everyone frowned, minus Issei, who had a perverted look on his face thinking about Akeno pulling her skirt and panties off. They were all quite before Kiba spoke up to answer the question.
"Hextin, is a rouge Fallen Angel. We encountered him two days after Buchou's wedding and fought many times. He hires thugs to do his bidding too. His reasons for Akeno-san, whatever it is can't be something as silly as that. It must be something else and whatever that maybe, we mustn't let him achieve it. However, Hextin's a slippery bastard. Somehow he seems to always find a way to get in and out of town without us detecting him. It's as if he's using some sort of technique to cloak himself or he's just that good with stealth."
"And nobodies been able to caught him? Not even the Fallen Angels?"
"Grigori has its own problems to deal with and I doubt Azazel would care about one more Fallen going rouge and causing havoc." Rias replied her frown still on her face.
Suddenly a growl was heard and all looked to the nun who hide her blushing face.
"Woah is it already dinner time?" Gerard exclaimed in surprise. He looked to the clock and- "Mio dio che è! (My God it is!) I apologize for not having any food in my home so how about we all go out to dinner my treat."
"Well aren't you the gentleman. I know a great Italian restaurant downtown." Rias smiled as her peerage gathered around to head to the place. "Aren't you coming Gerard?"
The sorcerer stared at them then turned to fall the opposite direction. He stuck out his hand and began channeling magic into it. The magic seal flew away from his hand and grew bigger till it was larger than him and soon he, and the Gremory peerage were looking at the restaurant. "This is how will travel."
"Why didn't you use that instead of having Akeno-san take you? Koneko questioned in her monotone voice her eyes half lidded with annoyance.
"I was in a panic, Koneko-san. Would have done the same thing?" Gerard looked at her for a long time and when getting no reply from the white haired girl he stepped through the portal then glanced over his shoulder motioning them to follow which they did.
It was quite an experience, one second they were in the ORC club room next they were out in downtown in an instant. Truly, this sorcerer had incredible magic.
The six Devil's and Sorcerer entered the restaurant and were swiftly taken to their seats.
"So Gerard, what exactly is it like in your world?" Issei asked, although he was scared about the treat, he nevertheless wished to know more about the otherworldly human.
Gerard glanced around the table and then spoke. "Well, it's sorta like this world but more…stranger is the best way to put it. The Three Great Factions aren't the only ones within this world are they, Gods, vampires, werewolf's, and other such supernatural beings yes?" When he received a nod from Rias he continued. "Where I come from there more than just Gods, and devils. There are beings who have incredible talent, humans who have super strength, brilliant geniuses, able to create enterprise empires and technology that's not even possible in this world, even aliens from other galaxies!"
"Did you say aliens from other galaxies!?" Issei squeaked in excitement.
"Shush!" Gerard ordered with a wave of his hand already knowing what the pervert was thinking about. "The power of good and evil is never ending their. Both sides have geniuses, super beings, gods, magic, science, and so many other things. Honestly, I think you won't like going to my world. Things are so much simpler here. No super soldiers, no aliens, no immortals, not even an evil organization threatening to take over the world or an interdimensional being trying to eat it."
"A what?" Everyone asked just as the food arrived.
"It's complicated. Basically my world is infinite and there's still so much more I don't know about it. Let us not speak of it anymore. Now we eat."
And eat they did but all the while the Devils could not stop thinking about Gerard's world. All they had was magic but in the world were the sorcerer came from was insane. They just couldn't fathom what Gerard had to fight in his world. Indeed they were thankful that no interdimensional beings were in there world. After their wonderful dinner the peerage returned to the old school building.
"Why go back here? Shouldn't we get going for home?" Gerard questioned.
"To answer your question, Gerard-Kun, we normally have contract to fulfill with humans who have connections with us. Which reminds me, Isse, Asia, here are your contract." The black haired Queen handed both a flyer of information on it.
"Just a second, Akeno. Before we start doing contracts theirs something I'd like for everyone to hear what I have to say to Gerard-san." Rias stepped toward the black haired man eyeing her suspiciously. Gerard-san, from what you've displayed today and what Akeno saw when you fought Hextin you show incredible power and-"
"I won't join." The sorcerer cut her off already knowing where the conversation was going. "Even in this world Devils are greedy for power. I will not join your peerage to make you stronger, Rias-san. If you already forgotten I already have ties to the supernatural world through the mystic arts. I will not give up my humanity for power which I already possess. Besides, I doubt my magic would mix well with yours. Our worlds have two different types of magic. It would be unwise to try and test this only to discover it doesn't work and I die in the process. Furthermore, since Devil's are also ambitious, I know for a fact you wish to see what I can do. So in short, I cannot and will not join your peerage for you to gain power the easy way. If you wish for power you must train yourself to obtain it and I do not wish to life the live of a servant, Rias. My service is to the universe itself not to one person."
Rias was shocked by his words but who wouldn't be? He just turned down her offer to be a Devil. Upsetting as it was the sorcerer was right, his magic was unknown to her world and if she were to try reincarnating him, it might backfire and kill him. She always thought that gaining special people could she become stronger. That however was proven wrong when fighting Riser, they were crushed easily because of her presages lack of training, her pride and overconfidence to win, and Risers experiences in previous battles. Gerard was right, if she was to gain power she had to train to obtain it…maybe…maybe that was what they all must do.
"However," Gerard continued. "As greedy and ambition for power as you are, you've shown me much kindness and your hearts in the right place. Although I may not wish to be a Devil, I am however, your ally and will continue to be so if, you'll let me?" Gerard smiled and extended his hand
Rias returned the smile and shook hands with the American. "Then let me welcome you to the Occults Research Club, Gerard Price."
End.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!
Hope your all enjoying yourself and the story as well. As i said Gerard won't be a devil. The explanation for why he can't join sounds plausible. Also from all the hints I've written in this chapter its obvious were he came from and who trained him, you can take a guess if you like. Read and Review and have a very Happy Thanksgiving!