A/n
I have changed my mind and gone back on my decision from before, chapters 4 and 5 originally were separate and now they're not. So pipe down about it and read the chapter.
Chapter 4: My New life as a Devil
-Part 1-
[Text] = Ddraig talking to Issei
[Text] = Ddraig talking out loud
'Text' = Issei talking to Ddraig
Chapter 4: My New life as a Devil
-Issei-
My head was hurting me and I was clueless why at the moment. Pieces of memory were swimming around my brain and the fragments that were there, didn't make sense as they didn't connect together in a sensible way. Images of something red were in a few of the fragments, but I don't know what the crimson color was. After mulling over the memories for a bit, I got my body began to stir after whatever had got me into this state. I opened my eyes and found myself looking up at the ceiling of my bedroom. Sitting up slowly and glancing around to take in the current situation I was in. I was in my bedroom, on the floor and not my bed; seeing the clock displaying 6:37… meaning I couldn't have been out for all that long as I wake up a little before six a.m. on a normal day.
"Um… are you okay?"
Turning to the source of the voice, I find myself looking at the woman wearing a Kuoh academy girl's uniform. I had seen those types of uniforms since the day before yesterday at the academy as all the girls are required to wear some kind of variation of them. Then there was the fact that I have seen and heard of this woman; I believe her name is Rias Gremory. She is a third year student at school and is… admired and is considered the great Onee-sama of the academy by most of the student body. However, the question of, why would she be here… in my room of all places, comes to mind.
"Yes, I think so."
It was then I realized that I was wearing clothes that I don't remember putting on, it felt strange; but I put the feeling aside to address later. Facing the girl and took a deep breath and began the question and answer session that would answer what she was doing here. … Great it's only Wednesday, the middle of the week; second day as a devil. At the start of this week I didn't think I was going to be attacked, killed, brought back to life and then attacked a day later. I believe I already have more than I think I can deal with at the moment… and I still have to go to school today to top things off. My life is really starting to suck with it getting so complicated! I'll give Kira a call later and tell him what's been going on; that's going to be interesting conversation.
[Partner, you shouldn't complain. You have a hot girl in front of you; what's your problem?]
'… Ddraig… you're not helping me; you have spelled out my current dilemma. So, put away those overactive balls of yours and shut up!'
"So um… Miss Gremory isn't it?"
I may have heard her name, still I wasn't completely sure if it was her name as I have never actually met her formally. Manners are something that has been drilled into me by Kira; he has a bit thing about them. So, my cousin has made sure I know and use proper manners and am a gentleman to others especially the opposite gender. The woman smiled at me before she replied.
"Actually I would prefer that you call me Rias or Buchou."
I was caught off guard by Miss Gremory wanting me to call her by the title of President or her first name. Shaking off the awkwardness and tightening my hold on the reins of my mental control so that my condition hopefully doesn't strike me down; I nodded and continued.
"Okay… Buchou, what are you doing here in my room… and more specifically my bed?"
"Well when you mentioned that you had met and taken care of a fallen angel last night; I was a tad worried about you. So, I wanted to check on you and make certain you were all right."
Ah, I see; though why she would come here personally to check on me still kind of confuses me. I mean I could tell that Miss Gremory was a devil like myself now by her demonic power that was faintly coming off her. This meant she was here as maybe my master as a devil or… well there is always him setting me up for a prank.
'Ddraig, I want you to be completely honest with me for a moment with the question I'm about to ask.'
[Okay, why you would even say that to me; I don't know, but shoot.]
'You wouldn't somehow contrive to get this devil to be here to get me into something I wouldn't normally, now would you?'
[Partner, would I do something like…]
'Yes you would Ddraig, without a second thought! It is one of the reasons that Kira calls you a boob addict.'
[…]
'Ddraig, I ask you again; do you have anything to do with this girl being here right now?'
[… Okay partner, let me put it to you a different way; if I planned this out and knew this was coming, you really think I could keep quiet about it?! So, as much as I would love to take credit for this current situation; I can't partner.]
… Well he does have a point; if he was planning this; he would unlikely keep silent about it. He would be laughing about it and enjoying every second of the trouble I would be thrusted in. Then if, Ddraig isn't responsible, then how did this come to happen?! I was about to ask for a further explanation when I heard another voice.
"Issei! Are you up yet? You have school today!"
Oh my, when was the last time my mom came to wake me up? … Not the time for that! If my mom comes into my room right now and sees Miss Gremory here… there are bound to be misunderstandings! As if my panicked thoughts were a signal for the chaos to start; the door to my room opened without a single knock and in the doorway was my mother. There was a very awkward silence for a few minutes in which the gaze of my mother swept from me to Miss Gremory.
In response, Miss Gremory smiled and waved at my mother. I could come up with no words to attempt to explain this scene to my mother. Oh, she wondered many times when I got back home from days at one of the previous schools I have gone to with the various marks of the fights I would get into. And she did ask what Kira and I did during the summers I went to his place to which I had to placate her. I may be a part of the supernatural, yet my parents are not; they know nothing of it. So, I have told them nothing of the truth of what I do during the times the supernatural finds me. However, I haven't a clue how I could explain this incident!
While that was happening, it didn't help me that it was at that moment; which my memories were restored completely and clearly as to what had happened earlier. … HOLY… Thank goodness Miss Gremory is wearing clothes right now; if my mom had come in when she wasn't… my standing would be much worse than it already is! My mother, after getting a good look at both of us, promptly turned around closed the door and I heard her hurrying down the stairs. I strained my hearing to hear what my mother was going to say to my father as that's where I assumed my mother was going.
"Dear, Dear!"
There was a slight pause before I heard my father's voice.
"What is it Hanna my dear?!"
"I went to make sure Issei was up as I hadn't seen him yet and I saw…"
… With that panicked tone in my mom's voice; I'm worried! Oh no, what will my mother say next?!
"Wait what?! Issei isn't up yet? But how can that be? Ever since he started to spend time with Kira during the summers; Issei has been up earlier then both of us and has been nothing short of a wonderful boy. … Wait, what did you see in his room? Did he have dirty magazines?!"
… Really dad? You ask if mom saw dirty magazines in my room and I would bet with a straight face?! As I recall, wasn't it you, oh father dearest; who offered me your personal collection of dirty magazines last year when mom was out with some of her friends. You made me swear to keep it a secret from mom; I only agreed to get you to leave me alone. A traditional rite, of passage of manhood, I believe he said. I suspect dad was really at risk of having the collection discovered… mom wouldn't have taken that well; more like given dad a good smack at the very least. Who is to say if I'm right? I buried that filth in the backyard that night when I knew dad was in his bed sleeping, and got rid of them to just buried the hatchet, ending the problem once and for all. What nice parents I have, do I not? I shook my head and shift my attention back to Miss Gremory; at the moment was looking at the door then to me with slight pity and interest.
"That's nice of you Buchou to be concerned for me, but I can defend myself as I need to."
She smiled at my answer.
"You need not worry, I will explain things to your parents and smooth things over with them."
I nodded and then asked Miss Gremory to step out while I changed into my uniform for school; she did so and when I was done I found that she had gone down to breakfast ahead of me. I came down I saw my parents had calmed down… in fact… they were acting like all was right with the world, which was a far cry from what I had expected. We had lived in this particular house for about six years now. We had lived in Tokyo before coming here and a few other places before that, due to my dad's work and so I have traveled… not as much as Kira has, but I haven't stayed in one place for the majority of my life.
"Um… good morning mom, dad; sorry for not being down here earlier."
My parents nodded and everything that had happened this morning just blew over. I would guess that Miss Gremory did something with her demonic powers to get my parents to dismiss the chaos of this morning. I won't complain about it as that saves me from the explanation that I couldn't think of. Rias stayed for breakfast; weirdly enough, my parents seemed rather happy about Rias being here. Sure my mom overreacted earlier; but now… I don't know. It was almost like they were thinking that Rias was my girlfriend or something… yet that's just ridiculous. Isn't it?
Anyway, after breakfast; Rias and I headed off to school. It was a little awkward walking side by side with Rias. It felt kind of like how I would walk to class at some of my previous schools with those I was friends with to an extent. As Rias is a member of the supernatural, I was already used to being around others who weren't normal. This should go smoothly… until we reach the academy; then I haven't the faintest idea how things will go. For all I know, all hell could break loose and the male students attempt to kill me for even being next to Rias Gremory.
Just before we reached the academy grounds, I gulped and forced myself to breathe evenly as I steel myself for the swarm of insults I would nearly guaranteed to get soon and throughout the rest of the day from other students. When Rias and I passed through the school gate, the majority of the students' eyes were locked on the both of us. Immediately the whispering started; within minutes the whispers evolved into audible lines that I could hear, first the girls…
"Is that the Shy Knight walking beside Rias Onee-sama?"
"Please say that doesn't mean that the Shy Knight is spoken for!"
"Can't blame Onee-sama; the Shy Knight is the example of a gentleman."
It's not the worst things I have gotten from the girls. There have already been girls that have tried making passes at me, which I have escaped thus far. I don't really like the nickname of 'Shy Knight' the girls just started yesterday; but I just smile and ignore it. It wasn't worth correcting or arguing with the female population. Then there were the guys; and expected insults they hissed and said to me.
"It's that new guy again! And now he's with Miss Gremory!"
"Out of all girls for the pretty boy to go for; he has to go for the hottest one in this school?!"
"Why can't he just drop dead?!"
I have never been popular with the male population here… it's been like that from day one and that was last week. To think within a week, things have degraded to this state… Ah, the downside to being the host of a dragon; abounding jealousy directed at you. In other schools, it had just ended out in me getting into a scuffle with some and after that most male students left me alone and didn't fight me much. At least those how didn't become friends that's what would happen.
The day passed agonizingly slowly, classes dragged on for what seemed like two to three times the normal time. I had to endure insults, threats and jealous rants aimed at me from other students… even ones that I have never even seen or even passed! Ignoring what was being said about me, I continued through my day like it was normal.
When classes end finally, I packed up my school bag and was about to get up and head home when suddenly a good number of the girls started screaming in… joy, I think? Around ten seconds later a second year male student entered the classroom. The guy was, what girls would call handsome; I wouldn't really know. He had medium length blonde hair and green eyes; he reminded me of a friend of Kira's I met a couple of years ago. The said friend of Kira's, was from England and was an example of the classic English gentleman and this guy put out much the same vibe as my cousin's friend. He was wearing the standard Kuoh Academy Boys' uniform; and it was this guy that most of the girls were fussing over.
"AAH! It's the Prince of Kuoh!"
"The Prince has come to our classroom!"
"Kiba! Are you still single?!"
The second year boy smiled at the girls.
"Actually ladies, I'm here to pick up Issei Hyoudou as he is the newest member of the Occult Research Club."
All eyes in the room shifted to me at Kiba's statement; the guys' gazes were filled with murderous intent and the girls with a mixture of jealousy and awe.
"The Shy Knight is a part of the Occult Research Club? That's so cool!"
I managed not to put my head down at hearing my nickname once again. The shy part of the nickname came from the fact that I wouldn't interact with the girls… really, I kept to myself. I wasn't mean or anything, I was polite and cordial to any who approached me. The males in the room other than Kiba were glaring at me and muttering under their breath and I could hear them as they muttered.
"Him again?! Why is it always him?!"
"Da** pretty boy vying for the girls' attention!"
"Why doesn't he get hit by a car… or better yet a bus and just die already?!"
Yeah, not nice mutterings from them at all; the most vicious comments came from the two boys I met the first day that had been trying to lead me wrong. I later found out the two had a ridiculously bad reputation; they were known as the 'Perverted Duo' and were for good reason. I had caught them yesterday staking out a spot to peak on the girls in the kendo club when they would come back to change. I tried to tell them of the wrongness of what they were doing, though they didn't listen. So, on my way to gather my things from my homeroom; I made a detour and went to where the kendo club practices. I talked to the captain and warned her of what my two perverted classmates were planning to do and where they were. The girls had thanked me and had given those two ignorant boy a lesson in the form of a beating when the girls caught them. Some of the members of the kendo club thanked me earlier today for helping them yesterday. That's why Matsuda and Motohama, my said classmates; dislike me with such a passion as I curtailed their activity. That is where the Knight portion of my nickname comes in. The girls see my actions to help others and doing what's right as being chivalrous. Back to the situation at hand, Kiba made his way over to my desk. He smiled at me and it was kind of awkward to me.
"Hello, what can I do for you?"
"You're Issei Hyoudou correct?"
I nodded in reply. Kiba bowed to me.
"The president asked me to come show you the way to the clubroom; if you would follow me then."
The girls in the classroom began whispering to one another as Kiba and I left the room. Some of the things I heard the girls whispering worried me for they inferred demining implications.
"So are the prince and the knight together?"
"That's fine, actually that's kind of hot!"
"Wait then Kiba and Hyoudou are seeing each other?!"
… Are they accusing me of being gay?! I'll deny that; and am disgusted by such an idea! Once in the hallway we made our way through the school Kiba formally introduced himself to me.
"Well Issei, perhaps you heard in the classroom that my name is Kiba; my full name is Yuuto Kiba. It is nice to meet you Issei Hyoudou."
Kiba held out his hand and I shook it. Both Kiba and I walked to an older part of the school; I really didn't know where Miss Gremory's club was located here at the academy to begin with. So it was nice to have someone to guide me there. Probably would have taken me a little while to find the place on my own. We ended out at one of the old school buildings.
When I entered the clubroom and I observed that the room's décor and furniture were of a Victorian style. There were two sofas facing each other; a desk was at the opposite side of the room from the door. On the sofa that was facing in the direction of the large window; sat a first year girl. She had a petite figure overall; her hair was white and her eyes were hazel. The front of her hair had two long bangs that went past her shoulders and there were several loose bangs hanging over her forehead; yet if I was seeing correctly she had more a bob cut in the back. She also had two hair clips that were shaped like black cats on either side of the top of her head. The girl was wearing the academy's girl's uniform but the variation without the shoulder cape like most of the girls wore. Currently she was eating what looked like pudding or something like it.
So, as Kiba and I entered the room, the girl glanced over at us stopping on me. Her face was expressionless… it was a tad uncomfortable, her staring like she is; but I kept my peace. I knew her name, more by her reputation than anything else; she's Koneko Toujou and she is known as Kuoh Academy's unofficial mascot. She just nodded in greeting to me rather than greet me vocally… hmm, I wonder if she just doesn't like to talk to others?
"Ara ara, our newest member has arrived then has he?"
I looked to a door on the right of the desk at the end of the room and saw another girl that was coming out into the room. She was the other girl that had been with Rias last night when they appeared after I dealt with the fallen Angel. The girl, if her appearance was anything to judge by, is a third year student in the academy. Her black hair was long and when beyond her knees I believe and her hair was tied in a ponytail by an orange ribbon at the back of her head. The girl had a buxom figure and HOW! I think the only female I've ever seen that could maybe beat out this girl… was Lycorise as her chest was, something else! It seriously took a lot of will for me to keep from not bursting a couple of blood vessels in my nose and be mistaken as a pervert. I would faint and hit the floor before the accusation was heard out, true; but that's beside the point. Back to the third year standing in front of me, her eyes were violet and with the smile she had right now; she looked like a nice person. She was also wearing the usual normal girls' academy uniform with shoulder cape and had added black knee-high socks.
After I had taken in the second girl, my ears picked up the sound of running water in the form of a shower. … Wait, this clubroom has a shower built-in it?! Why would anyone build one in a non-sports clubroom anyway? In a few minutes the sound of running water stopped and shortly after that, Rias Gremory walked out of the same door as the black haired girl had… thank goodness she's dressed! The blood vessels in my nose are volatile enough state right now with the females in the room; no need to add to the difficulty. Rias quickly spotted me and smiled.
"Ah good, you're here Issei."
Nodded in answer; Rias took my silence as me being nervous. I'm not afraid of those who are a part of the supernatural; I'm wary of them as there have and will be some out to kill me just because I'm with Ddraig having the boosted gear. I have met one such person and that was just awful! I would rather not remember that person anytime soon again… dang silver haired guy!
"There is no need to be nervous Issei."
"Well, I'm not nervous exactly; I'm just wondering why I'm here."
That was the real reason I was quiet. Yes, I know I'm a reincarnated devil now and Rias is very likely the one who did that to save my life and so is my master. If she is, I'm grateful that she did bring me back to life as I don't want to die yet or anytime in the near future. However, by what I comprehended from what Lycorise has told me; devils rarely do actions for another just to be nice and kind. I've been inclined to take what Lycorise says as the truth, as it is more than likely as she says. So, what does Rias want from me?
"Issei… actually is it okay if I call you Ise sometimes?"
I stared blankly for a moment and then slowly nodded.
"So then Issei, you are here so that I can inform you of a few things that have changed for you. Yet, first introductions of everyone here; I'm Rias Gremory the president of the Occult Research Club."
The black haired girl was the next to speak up.
"My name is Akeno Himejima, I'm the vice president."
Feeling a touch on my shoulder, I turned and saw Kiba.
"You already know my name is Kiba Yuuto, still; it's nice to meet you once again and officially."
Glancing over to the white haired girl on the sofa who was the only one who hadn't introduced herself to me. Wondering if she could speak or if she's a mute.
"Koneko Toujou."
Her voice was flat, toneless… it was a little unnerving. I mentally slapped myself for my lack of manners and then bow to those in the room.
"I'm Issei Hyoudou; please take care of me."
Rias Gremory kept smiling when I had introduced myself.
"Now to the business at hand Issei; do you remember your girlfriend from earlier this week?"
The pain in my chest that came at the memory of Yuma flared up sharply. There was no way I could forget her! She had seemed nice and I had tried my best to curb the effects of my condition which girls cause with me, which is extremely difficult and I wouldn't normally have wasted the time. However, it had all been for not! I had thought that maybe she could be different than most girls I have met are like and could see me and accept me for who I really was. Yeah, I was proven absolutely wrong and taught a valuable lesson; a hard lesson, but those are the ones we remember most. Deception can come from anywhere and anyone… now that I recall, Serras did mention something about someone that would deceive me… I guess Yuma would fit that idea. My voice was low and controlled when I answered Rias as I was controlling my feelings of betrayal and anger.
"Yeah, I remember her; after all, who can forget the girl that kills you. So, it's rather hard to forget someone that does that. Why do you bring up the subject?"
Rias frowned at my tone and answer. Clearly Rias found something wrong with my tone that I spoke in when the subject is on Yuma.
"Well, she is a fallen angel and she killed you for a reason…"
I interrupted Rias as I knew the reason why Yuma killed me.
"Would be because I have a sacred gear, yes I figured that out from what she said to me before leaving me to die."
Rias along with everyone else gained shocked expressions at my statement. I guess they didn't think I would know anything about the supernatural. Akeno was the first to find use of her voice out of the group.
"So, you're aware that you possess a sacred gear then?"
Nodding in response; Rias regained use of her mind and voice at that time.
"Well yes, that's the reason fallen angel Yuma killed you. However, I brought you back as a reincarnated devil in my household."
There was silence in the room. I was nonplused about being told that I was now a devil; reincarnated or otherwise, I knew that fact already. The only thing that Rias saying what she had helped me with, was confirming that she was my 'king' or 'master'. Rias then broke the silence by going into the explanation of how devil society worked and the system it was built upon. As I listened; I started to understand to an extent, why Lycorise dislikes it like she does. The devil governmental system was based upon nobility being in charge period; where family and bloodline plays a huge part. In fact, it sounded like one's family honor and prestige was everything for devils and the individual's view and opinion didn't matter. I would disagree with that mentality; how one is seen shouldn't be upon what one is born into, but rather on what one does with what they have.
Rias's lecture of what had happened with the Great War between the factions was interesting as I have only heard bits and pieces of the conflict. Having the full timeline of the events, helped make the big picture easier to understand. For instance, the idea the devils had come up with to replenish their numbers; I think was quite a stroke of genius. The 'Evil Piece System' using the game of chess as a basis to bring people back to life; I'm good with that. Nevertheless, I see problems and issues with it; I mean, what if someone doesn't want to be reincarnated as a devil? Then are they forced into it and then have to be miserable for however long they live? The pieces themselves, according to Rias; make the person obedient to their master to an extent. If you have a king that treats you like you're lower than the dust of the earth, then are you just stuck serving them for as long as you live?! I don't think Rias would do anything like that to me; but the question still stands.
So, to cut a long explanation short; I was a devil and as such I get to fulfill requests from people in order to gain income for Rias as well as get points that go towards increasing my standing as a devil. My first contract came the very next day in the evening. I was sent via magical circle to the client's place. I appeared in a normal looking room as I glanced around the place; wondering what kind of person my first contract will be with.
"Welcome Nyo."
I turned around and saw… a sight that was burned into my brain. At first I thought I was looking at a bodybuilder, but that couldn't be right! The man I think… he was wearing a kind of sailor suit that one would expect with a "magical girl"… and it looked just wrong in so many ways!
-Scene change-
-The next morning-
Thank goodness it is Saturday! It had been a long night last night with my first contract and all. I sat on a bench a couple blocks from my house contemplating my situation. *Sigh* to say that my first… contract was a failure… would be an understatement. Not to say I didn't try to help and explain to the guy; I never found out his real name, just called himself Mil-tan. In the end we ended out watching the anime that the outfit he was wearing came from. I have seen the anime and like it and so it was fun to watch it with another fan. The problem with the contract is when I left with a survey form of how the contract went… it wouldn't improve my standing with Rias; so, I wasn't in a great mood. The survey said that the service was excellent and that was great for me, yet I got no form of payment and that's the problem and why the contract would be seen as a failure. Being a devil is not easy; I get that, but does it have to be this difficult?!
"HAWAUH!"
My head shot up at the audible cry of a girl and had to immediately exert control to prevent my condition from overtaking me. I was staring at white panties that were clearly visible. In front of me was a girl that was slightly younger than me. She had waist length straight golden blonde hair. The girl was wearing a European variation of the outfit that nuns wear… I think it is called a 'habit' and she had been wearing a veil which was now on the ground in front of her. The veil was mostly white with a black outline all the way around the veil. She also had two belts one on her waist and the other being from her right hip going diagonal to her waist. At the crossing of the belts on her right hip was a medium sized pouch. I noticed there was a cross on a necklace around her neck and it sent a chill through me; however, I couldn't explain why. It had never happened before now.
"Oww… why did I trip like that?"
Me, being the gentleman that I am; the second that I had processed what I was seeing, I was on my feet and went over to the girl. The manners that I were taught wouldn't allow me to stand by and ignore a girl that was possibly injured or hurt.
"Are you okay?"
Reaching out a hand, I offer her help to get her feet. Nonetheless, I realized that my condition wasn't at risk of going off; which was very rare for me!
"Thank you very much!"
Helping her get to her feet; as the girl straightened her dress-like habit, I bent down and picked up her veil. I straitened back up and faced the girl once more, giving her a smile.
"Everything all right? By the way you dropped this."
I handed her the white veil and she took it with a bow and a smile.
"Thank you very much again!"
Was only stare at her for a moment… she was very cute.
"Um… is something the matter?"
No there isn't anything wrong… and that's what is confusing me! Normally my condition would be going and gaining momentum to strike me down with a girl this close and yet… nothing with this one. I turned my head away and found myself looking over to the area that the girl had fallen down and saw that there was a suitcase that was open somewhat with clothes strewn around the case. The girl followed my gaze and squealed at the scene.
"AH! My luggage… s-sorry!"
She rushed over to the suitcase and started gathering up the clothing. I made my way over to where she was and began to pick up clothes and handing them to her.
"Oh! I can take care of it myself."
Ignoring her insistence on cleaning up the clothing and kept just picking up and handing clothes to her. Forcing myself to hand the girl her clothes without looking at them so I didn't risk my glitch going off badly. Yet, for whatever reason this girl doesn't set it off by being this close to me like many do. I didn't want risk the glitch by looking at this girl's clothes and that has been a factor in setting my condition flaring up and doing what it does to me. Well, within a little more than five minutes we had put the girl's suitcase back together and closed.
I had been wondering why a girl like this was in Kuoh since not too long after meeting her. I mean, as far as I know; there is only one church-like building around here and it hasn't really been used by anyone for a long while that I know of. So, why would a nun… if that's what she is and not just dressed like one, be doing around here? It is possible that she is just dressed as a nun and isn't really a nun; but this girl doesn't seem like one who is acting like something she isn't. She seems too innocent to do that kind of thing. Secondly, why a nun would be traveling alone without anyone offering her help is beyond my ability to fathom.
"Are you on a trip around here then Miss?"
The girl shook her head from side to side quickly in response to my inquiry.
"No, I'm to start working in this town's church today, but I got lost on my way there…"
There was a pause after the girl admitted getting lost on her journey. By the expression I was seeing, her getting lost could possibly be a common occurrence. She looked downward to the ground as she continued.
"I've also been having trouble because nobody understands me, until I bumped into you."
'Not understand her? But I understand her just fine. She isn't speaking Japanese?'
[No she isn't partner. I believe it's Italian if I were give a guess, but I haven't heard the language for a while. The reason you can understand her is the devil's ability to understand most if not all languages.]
That's interesting… don't remember President mentioning anything like that being one of the abilities of devils. Makes me wonder what other abilities devils have that I don't know about yet. However, that's a question that can be answered later; this girl needs a helping hand and I can and will give it to her.
"If you're looking for the church, I think I know where it is. Want me to take you there?"
As soon as I offered to show her the way to the church; her entire aura changed in an instant. The girl had been kind of gloomy and sad I would assume due to her circumstances; she was now bright and happy. It was much like looking at a child that has been offered their favorite treat.
"Do you really mean it?! This is surely guidance from the Lord!"
At hearing that name she had ended with, I instantly felt a horrible pain coursing through my head; managing to only wince rather than grab my head and shake from the immense pain. Feeling this pain, reminded me of something Rias had said when she was explaining what it meant to be a devil. Things of holiness like that big name that this girl just said, do damage to devils and will hurt them. I really was never the religious type, but even I knew some of the basics of how it kind of worked. It's just now I get an example of how 'holy ideas' affect devils.
"What's wrong?"
Glancing up at my recent acquired female companion who was looking at me with concern; I waved a hand and forced a smile.
"N-never mind! It's nothing!"
The pain dulled and passed in a few minutes and I felt okay. I faced the girl again and motioned to her to come with me.
"Well, let's get going!"
As we were about to set off to the church, there was a cry. We both looked in the direction from which the cry came from and saw a boy of what I would guess was 7 years old, crying and holding his knee. My companion moved forward to the boy with worry evident.
"Are you all right?"
I came up behind her and watched her. The boy had a scraped knee which was bleeding a bit; however, it was nothing serious or life threatening. … Now that I think about… she's speaking a different language… doubt this boy understands it. My companion smiled at the boy.
"Boys shouldn't cry over little scrapes like this."
Then this girl I had just met a little while ago, put her hands over the boy's scraped knee. Curious as to what she was going to do I stared at the scene; what I saw was a sight I never thought I would see though. The girl's hands glowed with a green light and to my astonishment, the boy's scraped knee closed up and disappeared like it had never happened.
"There! Your boo-boo is all better now. You'll be just fine."
I gaped dumbfounded at what I had just witnessed. My female companion had somehow just healed this boy with some kind of power that I have never seen before! As far as I could tell, she wasn't a part of the supernatural; she was a regular human, at least that's what I had thought.
"Yoshi-kun, what happened?"
The three of us turned to see a woman coming to where we were; very likely this boy… Yoshi-kun's mother, judging by the worried look the woman had. I felt the feeling of nausea wash over me as the woman approached us.
"Ah! Mommy! That lady, She…! She made her hand all glowy!"
Yoshi-kun pointed at my female companion as he mentioned 'lady', to which she smiled slightly in response. She nodded to the woman nicely as she spoke.
"He took a little spill, so I just gave him some first aid."
Close enough to the truth of what she did; but the woman's reaction completely threw me. At first she appeared confused, probably because of the girl speaking Italian; to be about to thank us; but the second she saw the girl next to me, her whole persona changed. The woman held the boy in a protective embrace as she looked from my female companion to myself and then back to the girl. The woman's expression was that of fear and apprehension… which didn't make sense to me at all.
"You shouldn't talk to strange people. Come on, we're going."
What the?! Why would she say… This girl helped her son and that's how she shows thanks!? The boy, after his mother had said that, began to wriggle and talking with a conflicting tone.
"No! See this lady…"
Deciding that it was only right of me to speak up and clear up this obvious misunderstand that had developed, I opened my mouth.
"Hey, wait just a second, you don't understand…"
I was about to explain to this woman that her boy had been injured and my companion had helped him, but I was interrupted by my companion.
"No, it's fine."
It was at that point, which I remembered that she has trouble understanding the Japanese language; so, did she even understand what the woman was saying? How she was mistaking her for someone who could mean harm to the boy? I asked her the question outright to get it out.
"Did you understand what she was saying?"
She frowned at me, which was answer enough for me; to say she hadn't understood much if any of it. Yet she continued, and vocalized her answer to add to her nonverbal reaction.
"Not the words, no… but I understood."
By this point the boy had partly gotten out of his mother's grasp and waved to my companion.
"Thanks Lady for helping me!"
What a nice kid… if only his mother would do that too… oh well. I turned to the girl and spoke to her again.
"He is saying thank you for what you did."
The girl smiled and waved back to the boy; before she turned back to me and bowed.
"Sorry for being such a bother."
Ignoring the attempted and unneeded apology, I glancing over to see the kid and his mother were leaving the park. That scene that had just occurred was totally unnecessary and just plain rude on the part of that woman. And then I had been forced to put forth the effort to keep my condition in check to a degree… I couldn't stop the sigh that escaped me as I turned to my female companion.
"What's with that lady's reaction?! You heal her kid and she just says for him not to talk to strangers. What a horrible way to show gratitude!"
I couldn't understand why that woman would have acted the way she did. It made little sense to me; more so because she seemed to changed completely when she saw this girl who had helped her son. There's nothing wrong with my female companion so the reaction doesn't add up at all to me! Perhaps there is something I'm somehow missing? My said female companion smiled at me, but it wasn't a smile of happiness. No, it was one of sad and pained acceptance.
"It's normal for people to be uncomfortable around me. Besides, I'm used to things like this…"
Excuse me! How can this be considered normal?! It shouldn't be normal for anyone to be treated like this when all they do is help! This girl was treated more like some kind of freak or something along the same lines. I was beginning to feel a tad angry at what she was saying.
"You shouldn't have to get used to this! And just because you have the power you do…"
"It's a healing power."
I blinked at what the girl had said. Yes, I had seen her power and what it could do, but by the sound of it she knew about her power for some period of time. The girl continued.
"Truly a wonderful gift from God."
I felt pain shoot through my head at the uttering of the name she had said her gift was from. … Apparently, all variations of the name hurt something fierce… it felt like someone was plunging a dagger into my brain hard over and over!
"Well, let's go and get you to the… church you are going to."
I paused before saying church, yet my companion didn't seem to notice. We set off finally to the destination that this girl had been heading for. It took us around twenty minutes before we caught sight of the chapel. It was still in need of repair and didn't look like it was being used. There were alarm bells going off in my head; there was something off with this place!
'I get that the church is the enemy of devils; but why am I feeling such an awful chill going through me?'
[That would be what happens when you go close to enemy territory partner and you are pretty much in enemy territory right now. Have you forgotten what the redhead with the bodacious bust line said about shrines and churches?]
'Um… it may have slipped my mind until a couple seconds ago. Nonetheless, there is something about this place that just feels wrong and I don't think it has to do with me being a devil. … And do you have to focus on Rias like that Ddraig?!'
[I agree with you partner; this place feels unholy, there is still some holy energy here, but it is tainted… likely fallen's work. And how can you not look at the redhead's chest?! What I wouldn't give to… oh how do you humans put it… cup a feel of those melons. Come on Partner, you're a male; how can you not want to give that bust a healthy squeeze?!]
I ignored everything after Ddraig had said that the taint was the work of fallen angels. In any event, it would be in my best interest to leave this place for the time being and quickly. I turned to the girl and forced a smile.
"Well Miss, now that you're here; I'll be on my way. It was nice meeting you…"
My female companion frowned and panicked a bit at me saying I was leaving right that minute. She moved forward, waving her arms to get and keep my attention.
"Eh?! Please wait a minute!"
I stopped for a moment, looking at her.
"Please! You must let me thank you for bringing me here! Maybe a cup of tea or something…"
This girl is really nice; I give her that. I haven't met anyone as innocent as this girl was before; and for some reason I felt the need to protect this girl… it was like it was instinctual. But this place is giving me serious chills… the likes of which I haven't had in years! Still, I can't say that out loud without having to give an explanation as to why I felt that way. And I couldn't do that with this girl. So, I tried to be nice and kindly refuse her offer.
"Sorry, I'm in a bit of a hurry here…"
The girl's expression changed to one of sadness. She clasped her hands together and pleaded with me in such a way that it was extremely hard to refuse! However, I really needed to get out of this place!
"No, seriously I have somewhere else to be, I'm in a rush… yet now that I think about it; I never told you my name. I'm Issei Hyoudou, but just call me Issei. And your name would be Miss?"
Suddenly the girl's face burst into a smile at the question.
"I'm Sister Asia Argento! Please call me Asia."
I smiled back and this one was a real smile, not forced at all.
"Well then, Sister Asia, until we meet again."
"Yes! Let's most certainly meet again Issei-san."
As I left, Asia looked very happy… it hurt a lot to leave; but there was just something about this place that was dangerous to me!
Well, with a good portion of the daylight hours still to go; I probably should go and… report how the contract went to Rias. I was supposed to go to the clubroom this morning and tell her how things went with the contract last night; that was before I had bumped into Asia. … She isn't going to be pleased with it; I can already see that. Returning to the clubroom things were as I suspected… the president wasn't happy with me coming back with no payment from the contract. She didn't yell at me, yet she might as well have done so for all the reprimand I got from her. Yes, the survey was great! I satisfied the client… Still, as the contract is judged upon two criteria; those are customer satisfaction AND received payment. Both are weighted together for the judge score on how a contract went. … I got no payment… so I failed. Without payment, the best grade I could get would be 50% or less… so as I said, a big fat F for Failure!
"It was your first contract, so it's okay that things didn't go perfectly; take it as a learning experience. Still, what took you so long to come back and report the contract anyway Issei? You were done late last night and so you should have come in this morning to talk about it."
"Well, Buchou…"
I began telling her about my meeting Asia and helping her find the church. It was simple thing and I was being the nice person by helping another; I'm a nice guy, which won't change with me becoming a devil. Nevertheless, by the look on Rias's face; you would think I had just committed possible treason or a crime like unto it!
"Don't ever go near a church again."
Is that what she's so worried about? I'm fine so, no harm, no foul right?
"Buchou… I was just helping…"
Rias wasn't listening to me, which was made clear by her interrupting me.
"By simply setting foot there, you could create a conflict between those on the side of heaven and us devils. Another one of those spears of light could come flying at you at any time, you know?"
Create a conflict with angels? The feeling around that building made it obvious that the building no long belonged to… G… *sigh* I think I will go with my cousin's term for him; the one upstairs… hey no pain! Thank God-OWOWOWOW… Da** it! I need to watch my thoughts now it seems. I decided to reply to Rias about what she had said.
"Um… really? I didn't think it would be that big of a thing; I mean…"
I highly doubt angels would attack just because I'm a devil. Having met two angels before now and they were both nice, sensible people and that fact is easy to understand that when you talk to one of them. Yes, they had been acquaintances of Kira, but still I had gotten to talk to them a bit and they were nice. By what they had said, attacking and eliminating devils is a low priority for them, they had other worries of their own, which they didn't mention in detail. Really, the only way they would go against devils were if they were to be attacked by devils themselves. I looked back to Rias's face and said that my question and following opinion hadn't been wise to state vocally.
"Yes it is. You should also avoid anyone associated with the church!"
… It is far too late for that. I have met a number of people the work for the church; at my previous schools and other places. Some even became friends after we met; still keep in contact with some of them as best as I can, by writing letters. Dearie me, I think she includes Asia in that avoid associating with; yet, Asia wouldn't hurt me. I know that, I can tell; she isn't like that! Rias just kept going in this… verbal slapping she was giving me.
"Exorcists in particular are dangerous and probably one of our worst enemies. They are blessed by heaven; they wield enough power from there to destroy even us."
My attention was snapped back to my peerage king. I swallowed hard at hearing about exorcists. I'm not scared of them, I have been around a few and they seemed like normal people… yes more religiously devoted but other than that, they are normal everyday people. Granted, I'm worried and now will be wary at what they could do to me, yes; but I'm not scared of them. Rias didn't stop in her explanation.
"An exorcised devil is completely annihilated! It ceases to exist!"
Okay, got it; exorcists can kill devils completely and utterly. I already kind of guessed that since talking to a good friend named Duo Maxwell while living in Europe. He's a nice guy, cheerful too, though he's serious about his job as an exorcist or said so in the last letter that I received from him just before the summer break began. He says it's his life's calling and won't accept anyone telling him anything different. I'll be sure to watch myself around those kind of people. Once again, I tried again to get in a word.
"Well, I…"
"Issei, can you even grasp the gravity of something like this or how close you got to possibly dying!"
If Rias expects an answer, then why does she interrupt me? Does she think I can't take care of myself in a tough situation or any kind of situation for that matter? Granted, I haven't told her anything about my training; Kira had asked me not to say anything, but still I'm not completely dumb and go around obliviously ignorant of the supernatural waiting to be killed. Okay, one more time, with feeling; answering her questions.
"But Buchou…"
Rias came over to me and hugged me. This made me unable to finish my explanation. Why… why won't she even take a second to listen to me?!
"(Sigh) sorry, I got too worked up in this. In any case, I want you to be more careful next time."
At this point it just isn't worth it for me to try to explain to Rias by this point about how I have experience with the supernatural already. Perhaps, she might listen to me later… I hope she listens to me later is probably better to say. It was as this scene was happening that the door to the clubroom opened and Akeno entered. She stood where she was and just stared at Rias hugging me; then she put a hand to her mouth and chuckled a bit.
"Oh my, my. Is the lecture finished?"
… That was a lecture?! It felt more like a poignant reprimand and figurative beat down and I didn't even deserve it in the first place as I was just helping someone else! Rias looked to Akeno and spoke.
"What is it Akeno?"
"We have received a request form the Arch Duke for a task to be handled."
Huh? So devils ask other devils to deal with problems they can't handle... or is it more that the problems that they would rather not handle themselves or think it beneath themselves. Oh the things you learn and wonder when you listen to what others say.
Apparently, this Arch Duke… whoever he is; asked Rias and her peerage to take care of a stray devil. Per Rias's stated definition of what stray devils are; they were once devils that served a master, who have betrayed said masters and have begun operating independently for whatever their reason. In simple terms as she said, a wild dog of sorts in comparison. According to devil rules and laws, strays need to be taken down as soon as they're located. Yet… that sounds rather cut and dry; what about regards to mitigating circumstances? Say that the 'stray devil' was treated lower than dirt by their master and were just outright abused and got to the point that they had enough and left. I wouldn't blame a devil if they left for a reason like that… I would seriously think about leaving if my master treated me worse than garbage.
As I remember Kira mentioning the term stray devil in a bit of a different way and he gave the impression that it wasn't good. … How did he put it…? 'I can promise you, said title isn't one you want; it pretty much means anyone can kill you without consequences attached… no matter to which faction the killer belongs' I believe he said. So, being a stray devil pretty much is akin to having a bounty or price on your head. My question then would be, if you know that going stray is going to eventually get you killed; then how bad can one's situation get for them to do this to themselves?! Other than, being treated lower than dirt that is; that I can completely understand. This all seems to be somewhat unfair and very judgmental without knowing all the facts, which was just wrong. The more I learn about devils… the more I have to wonder if they are not all that different than how they are pictured in the bible.
Our group arrived at a dilapidated building that assumedly the stray devil we were out to take care of was currently living. Now when I say dilapidated, I meant that this building had long ago seen better days… like decades ago; now this place was crumbling and falling apart. … Really it was a miracle that this place was still standing or hadn't been demolished by someone yet. Even with the state of this building, we all entered the place. The place had a rank stench about it and there was the dampness that mold thrives in.
Rias had us travel in a loose group, searching room by room. With the views I got from the rooms; I was getting curious as to what the function of this building had been. It kind looked like this place could have been a school, yet there were other things I saw in some of the rooms that would contradict that view of a school building. It was around fifteen minutes in to our search that something happened and the change came from Koneko, she stiffened for a moment and then covered her nose and mouth. Rias looked at Koneko.
"What is it Koneko?"
"I smell blood… it is here."
Upon Koneko saying that I sniffed the air and could tell that she was right. The scent of blood hung in the air like a foul odor… this is one of those times I wish my enhanced senses weren't as good as they were. My senses had gotten much better over the years of training I have done with Kira. I had developed them out of necessity as Kira had begun given me tasks and challenges that were specifically meant to give my senses work to do. With Koneko's detection of blood, it means that we were likely getting very close to the one we were here to find and deal with. It was Rias talking to me that redirected my attention back to the present and onto her.
"Issei this is a good chance for you to learn about devil battles, so watch carefully."
I wanted to again tell Rias that I know about battles in the supernatural already, but I kept my piece. Rias would no doubt figure out soon enough that I was more aware of the goings on in the supernatural world than most would think. We kept going deeper into the structure. Rias, as we did this; continued the conversation with me.
"While we're at it; I can explain the traits of each piece that members of a peerage have."
Pieces? Oh right, the system that devils use to reincarnate people and boost their numbers back up… or something like that. If I remember right, a devil named Ajuka Beelzebub, one of the four current leaders of the devils was the one who created the system for the evil pieces; according to Lycorise. Supposedly, he is different than most devils in the fact of he isn't very interested or active in his position; spending more time on his hobby and passion of inventing things, or so I hear.
"The evil pieces… the system that devils used to replenish their numbers that dropped due to the Great War, isn't it?"
I just wanted to confirm that what I knew and have been told is correct. Having some of the fact and then the gaps fill in with hearsay and rumor isn't something I like; so I like to confirm what is true and what is not so that I can eliminate the gaps the best I can. Rias paused and did a slight double take, before she nodded and answered me.
"Yes, that's correct. There is the queen, two bishops, two knights, two rooks and eight pawns; each as their own traits and specialty."
So, all the pieces that make up on side's piece set in the game of Chess, makes perfect sense to me. Every room we looked into to search for the stray, it became clear that something had been through here and had been doing things of a dark nature. These rooms were getting messier the farther we went; I was starting to wonder what this stray had been doing here in this structure and yet at the same time, I don't want to know. Rias's voice caught my attention back as she continued in her explanation.
"And through this system, devil servants can display similar power as their master. Nowadays, 'Rating games' pit the strength of evil pieces against each other have become popular between households and pillars. These games can play a part in one's influence, status and ranking."
Gain similar powers as their master? Wonder what that entails. And then 'Rating games'? That's another term I have heard about, but it sounds more like a fight to see whose has the better peerage and then flaunt the fact afterward. That just sounds like grounds that can brew problems between different parties, or a nice way to say fighting one another for just the heck of it. I mean, Rias isn't what I would consider arrogant or one with an ego; but there are those who are. These rating games sound more like a way to preen and inflate their own ego and pride. Not to say I'm totally and utterly against a fight to test one's skills and abilities; I enjoy such activities myself. Just wouldn't look forward to someone blustering on about how good they are and that they can't be beat; when in reality they are just putting out hot air.
"Don't worry Issei; we haven't participated in rating games yet and Rias isn't at the age just yet to officially be in one."
Turning around to see that the line had come from Kiba. I wasn't aware that there was an age limit or expectation for participation in rating games. Yet, that would mean that my fellow peerage members haven't gotten a chance to be in one of the games. However, that begs the question; what piece am I then?
"So then, what piece am I?"
"Issei, you're…"
There was a loud creak of wood somewhere ahead of us. All of us stopped and glanced in front of us to track the source that the creak had come from. Half a minute later there was a sliding sound followed by a slightly louder creak of wooden floorboards. It would seem we have found the one we're hunting then. Moving into a defensive fighting stance due to habit; I noticed that the Koneko and Kiba were doing the same as me. Rias on the other hand, took a step forward.
"Stray Devil Visor, we've come to destroy you!"
… Rias… are you trying to give opportunity to the one we are here to literally kill to do us in first?! Kira always made sure to tell me, that announcing yourself like one of those action heroes you find in fiction; is stupid. You give away your position and let down your guard even if it is just a little, but that's enough for an opponent to get a strike in and if placed right… your dead. I glanced to the side after shaking my head in pity; and focused forward when I saw the top half of a human body, the lower half was just gone… probably eaten were I to give a guess by the jagged rip markings with where the lower body had been. Then from the corridor in front of us came a dark horrible feminine voice.
"Such a good smell."
We entered a large room… maybe the cafeteria or something like that. Out of the shadows of this room on the other end came a figure. The figure was that of a young woman in their early to mid-twenties; with a voluptuous figure along with short white hair. I instantly was hit by a familiar sick feeling that I get when I'm around girls… especially when they're naked. It is the first warning signs of my glitch starting up.
"I wonder if you flesh will be as fresh a red as that hair of yours. Let's find out."
Moments later this stray devil came out fully from the darkness that it had been hidden in. Where the upper body was that of a woman; the lower body wasn't. The woman was attached to what appeared to be the body similar to a lion with the tail of a snake. The front legs had sharp claws as a lion would and the tail had fangs in the snake mouth, meaning it was likely poisonous. The sick nauseating feeling disappear seconds after seeing the rest of the stray's body. … I'll be fine with this; part may look like a human female but the rest doesn't and that won't set off my condition… that was a little close for reasonable comfort. Rias spoke up at this time after all of us got some time to take in the appearance of this devil.
"A form utterly lacking in class… it suits you as you are now."
… Is there going to be banter now?! Rias… this isn't like things you read! The stray devil Visor didn't take Rias's comment well at all. Its face contorted as it screeched its fury.
"YOU'RE DEAD!"
Visor rushed forward. I looked to Rias and seeing she wasn't worried about the stray devil that was about to attack her; I stayed where I was.
"Yuuto!"
I flicked my gaze from Rias to Kiba who she had shouted for.
"Got it!"
I watched Kiba as he moved at a quick pace that surprised me; he wasn't as fast as some I knew, but Kiba certainly not slow. Following his movements as he went forward and pulling a sword out of nowhere and struck Visor. Rias's voice snapped me back to her as she spoke.
"Yuuto's piece is a knight and a knight's trait is speed. Knights are known to have superior in the area of speed."
Rias kept going in explaining that knights were had the equivalent value of three pawns. However, like all things in life where there is a plus there will also be a minus. Knights according to Rias had speed and mobility, allowing them to do fast attacks and evade better than others tend to; they do have a flaw. That flaw is their defense is rather low and so powerful attacks if it lands, can do a heavy amount of damage to them. The other problem that knights have is if something happens to their legs; then they are in trouble as their speed and mobility take a huge hit in exchange.
After Kiba had landed a couple of slashes; he was forced back. I had to admit that Kiba was fairly good with the swords that he uses; I have never had much talent with weapons, so I have stuck to hand to hand combat and martial arts. Koneko moved forward towards Visor. When Visor noticed her it bared down on her and for a moment it looked like Koneko had been crushed under Visor's front feet. Rias was quick to reassure that Koneko would be fine.
"Koneko will be fine; she is a rook. The rook's trait is that of extreme strength and high defense. So moving a rook is not something that just any can do."
I watched as the floor beneath Visor's front legs shook and then exploded. Koneko was where the floorboards had exploded up from and though her uniform was in rather a derogating state; Koneko herself seemed fine. Rias went on explaining that rooks were worth five pawns. Where knights got speed increase, rooks got strength, which translated into better offense and defense. And the flaw for the rook was that those with high speed could beat them. So rooks and knights are pretty much on the opposite ends of the spectrum in strengths and weaknesses.
"And then there is Akeno; she is…"
I blinked and stared at Rias; however, she didn't finish as Akeno interrupted her.
"Ufu fu, it's my turn then."
There was a flash and then I saw Akeno was wearing… a shrine priestess outfit?! … I'm getting a strong feeling of foreboding right now, and I don't like it at all!
"Akeno is my queen and the queen has the traits of all the pieces."
Okay... that makes a bit of sense. With Rias's explanation, Queens were worth nine pawns, so more than a chess set has normally. The traits they have make them the most balanced piece other than the king who is the determining piece of the game. I respected Akeno, but as I watched her, my view of her changed.
It all started with Akeno getting a smile on her face. The following second a magic seal that was the same as the one Rias used, then there was the flash of thunder which came from the magic circle and struck down on the stray devil. Visor screamed while she was being electrocuted with the thunder and it looked very painful. After thirty seconds of constant shocking from the thunder; Akeno stopped the electricity's flow. The stray devil was still somehow moving after taking that amount of volts, which for whatever strange reason spurred Akeno to laugh and keep going! And so, another shot of thunder came down upon Visor. The shots of thunder kept coming one after another and Visor screamed with every shock of Thunder. Through this all, Akeno looked like she was having the time of her life… it was freaky! After the eight thunder strike I couldn't keep quiet and voiced my opinion.
"Buchou… Akeno is really starting to scare me with how she is acting right now."
Rias looked to me and smiled a little.
"Queen Akeno is, but more than anything else, Akeno is the ultimate Sadist."
If Rias said that as an attempt to comfort me, then you blew it Rias… completely. I'm no stranger to seeing others find enjoyment in causing pain to others. For a time, I thought Kira was a sadist; he isn't as that's just his teaching method. Apparently, his father, which he doesn't talk about often; anyway Kira's father had begun teaching him in much the same manner Kira does with me before he died. The said teaching method is brutal, yet it can be effective… it is where the saying, 'what doesn't kill you, will only make you stronger' comes from; cause that's my cousin's teaching method in a nutshell. Kiba came up behind me and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Don't worry Issei, the vice president is very kind to her allies."
'You can say that all you want… but after watching the display Akeno put on… I'm still extremely scared and worried about what Akeno could do to me, especially if she finds out the amounts of stamina I have! She's like Kira was in the first two years of training… *shudder* those were horrible times!'
[No kidding or joke about that partner. I swear that he and the old one were actually trying to kill us back then!]
'I wouldn't say they were trying to kill us, exactly… that's not the right way of putting it; more like getting as close as possible without actually killing us is correct.'
By now, Akeno had ceased deep fat frying the devil in its own fat and oils. Visor was not looking good at this point, yet after the things that Akeno had done to her. Rias stepped to the forefront of our group and looked down at Visor.
"Any last words?"
"K-kill me."
Rias raised a hand and pointed it at Visor.
"Right, well then vanish."
Right in front of Rias's hand, red and black energy formed and after it had increased to being about two feet in diameter. Then Buchou shot the orb at the stray and it enveloped the devil appearing to melt it into nothing. With Visor as good as gone I turned to Rias.
"Um Buchou… back to my first question; what piece am I?"
"Hmm? Oh, Issei, you're a pawn."
'… I'm an ordinary foot soldier?!'
[A pawn… BAW-HAHAHAHAH!]
The expression of disappointment and contained frustration would make those watching me thing that I was feeling self-deprecation. That wasn't the case; I was having to tolerate Ddraig's laughing at me for what position I was in and it was very degrading!
[BAW-HAHAHAHA!]
'Thanks Ddraig… you know just how to make me feel good about myself. But lest you forget boob addict, you're considered to be in the same lowly position as I am; so, how the mighty have fallen to you!'
[… Da** it, you're right! … can we agree not to say anything about this to your cousin or the old one?]
'Yes, we can agree to say nothing about it.'
Well, after the stray devil was handled we parted for the night; life for whatever reason, returned to a semblance of normalcy, which it doesn't do often. Still, I think it is nice to have some uneventful time that the supernatural doesn't make my life busy. For the next two days, the routine was going to school; when classes ended, go to the clubroom and receive the pile of flyers that I would hand out to people. When all that was said and done, I got to go home and do homework before heading to bed. The life of an average high school student at it usual… and I was appreciating it, let me tell you! It was on Friday when that nice quiet routine changed; in a big way.
So Friday… the school day went much like the two day before this one. It started when I came back to report on my flyer distribution, yet it was as I came back to get my school bag and head home that Rias informed me that she had a contract for me. Apparently Koneko, had been doubled booked in contract summon requests… again; and so Rias was giving me the one that Koneko wasn't going to, again. That's how I got my second contract; not the way I saw or wanted to get it but I won't complain for the moment; that just makes things worse and more time consuming. I appeared on the doorstep of the apartment. Raising a hand to knock, but never got a chance as the door creaked and cracked open a bit. A chill ran up my spine at the sight of the door being unlocked and opening on its own. Pausing for a moment before, I took a step inside the apartment and the scent of blood and something foul hit me. I covered my mouth to try to filter out the nauseating smell. Most of my sense told me to get out of this place, post-haste; and I was about to do so as my instincts have always signaled the best actions for me.
However, I needed this contract… Rias had been clear on that… wonder why she's so insistent. Nonetheless, this place felt wrong and dangerous; since I'll likely be accused of running away were I to leave, best to be on guard and alert! I kept quiet and moved deeper into the apartment trying to find out what had happened. I enter the main room of this place and it was there I stopped dead at the sight that was before me. There was a… well, what had been a person earlier that was now upside down and seemingly attached to the wall. I inched closer to confirm what I was seeing. On closer inspection, I saw to my horror that the person was held to the wall with large stake-like nails; two in both their wrists, palms and close to their shoulders. More nails lined his legs; the nails started mid-thigh and then knees and ankles. The final nail went through his feet, which had been crossed over one another so the nail went through both feet. The scent that was in the air with the smell of blood, was now clear as I keep staring; this person was disemboweled and still had some of their internal organs hanging out of the cavity that once had been the person's gut. To top it all off, the person was covered… nearly head to toe, in blood… likely their own, which just makes it worse!
I looked away from the gruesome sight of the disfigured body and noticed something else on the wall. On the wall next to what had once been a person was writing… and the writing was the crimson color of blood. The two lines of words read as follows;
'Everyone Who Sins
is a Slave to Sin'.
My eyes were glued to the two lines written on the wall next to the dead person. Whoever had done this act had a very sick and twisted sense of right and wrong, if they knew the difference at all. I'm leaning towards the not knowing the difference at all. This goes beyond ritualistic type of killing and just is plain wrong! … right, screw staying for the contract like I was thinking before, I'm getting out of here and will take whatever Rias has in store for me instead.
"Well, well! Welcome honored guest to this abode that has been freshly cleansed of a false worshiper. You must have been the devil this heathen called upon."
I spun around to see a young man… who couldn't be many years older than me, for he looked younger than Kira. He was dressed in white pants and white dress shirt and over that wore a black coat with a grey stripe in the center and gold buttons on the grey stripe. His hair was almost white… not as white as Koneko's hair is, but more like a dirty grey white mix. In contrast to his hair color, his eyes were a dark red and looked… well best just to say I don't want to get to know this guy any more than I unfortunately do! By the way he was dressed, it was highly likely he was an exorcist and that was trouble for me!
"Ah what luck this is for me that you have come!"
The guy took a few steps that looked rather choreographed… Please tell me that he isn't going to do what I think he is. The exorcist began to… dance… and sing… Oh no…
" I am a priest! I'm a boy priest~ !"
" I love to chop up devil folk, whether there or here "
" I'm a nihilist who cuts them down, and I do it with a sneer "
" I'll slice off your vile little devil heads~ And thereby earning my daily bread! "
What have I done to be forced to endure this torture?! This priest's voice was awful; he couldn't care a tune in a bucket to save his life! His dancing was… I'll need time to work on getting the images out of my brain! And… I would rather not get into the wrongness of the subject matter this poor excuse for a priest was singing about!
'Okay… is it just me, or is this guy an escapee of a mental institution?!'
[Partner… it ain't just you, this is one of the nuttiest humans I have been forced to be in the presence of… and I have been around some real lunatics and mad nuts… and that's saying something coming from me!]
'So… who do you think let him out of the nut house and roam free?'
[Not the faintest clue! But they need to be publically executed for releasing someone like this screwball out to wreak havoc on society!]
'I agree with you there.'
Snapping back to the present matter as this priest moved forward; I jumped back and away from this guy. I wanted to keep my distance for the time being; for my own safety more than anything else!
"You're a quick one; I'm Feed Sellzen and I'm a priest!"
I glared at Freed.
"Shouldn't you say former priest? I can't see the church letting you be a priest without lowering its standards and lower them really far at that."
Freed smiled at me… and it was creepy. It felt more like a serial killer was smiling at his victim before they kill them!
"I don't need to hear that from you sh*** devil!"
So, Mr. Priest has a foul mouth to boot… great mixture… not really though.
"So then, Mr. Priest; I assume you're responsible for what happened to this person?"
Freed laughed at my question.
"Oh, yes indeed! And what wonderful screams he made!"
'… I take back what I thought about Mr. Priest earlier; he's evil, sick and twisted!'
[Not, going to argue with you there, partner. Just be careful around this one; he'll likely be unpredictable.]
"Why would you kill him? He was human like you."
Freed laughter continued.
"Why, you ask? Because he made a pact with a devil. Humans that make pacts with devils are nothing but filth and they have no reason to live!"
I was getting angry at this guy's reasoning and justification of killing someone. Mr. Priest's laughing stopped abruptly and he took a few steps closer to me.
"Now listen here, you sh**y devil."
Freed turned and walked over to the body nailed to the wall and placed his foot against the man's face.
"You guys live off the desires of humans, right? Those who provide you with sustenance have ceased to be human!"
Freed pushed his foot into the dead man's face as he kept talking.
"So I did this guy a favor and killed him before he got any more corrupt."
Mr. Priest started kicking the man's body and did so with a smile all the while.
"Compassion! I'm all about compassion! AMEN!"
That was enough! The next thing Freed knew I was in front of him with my left hand covered in the simpler red gauntlet form holding Mr. Priest's face in a steel vise-like grip and holding him slightly off the ground. At least Freed's feet weren't touching the ground right now. I was livid; this guy had killed someone, for a stupid reason and he, was saying it was an act of mercy!
"That's enough, little boy Priest! Give me one good reason why I shouldn't turn your face into something less recognizable then the man you killed!"
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a movement at waist level; I released Mr. Priest and moved backward. The bang of a gun sounded; if I hadn't moved from where I had been holding the murdering psychopath, I would have a hole in my upper right leg just above my knee. The boosted gear changed back to the armguard form and I shifted into a defensive fighting stance.
"Oh! So you can put up a fight then sh**y devil! That will make it much more fun to kill you!"
Freed brought out a hilt and became a blade of light… great a gun that has bullets with light elemental qualities and a blade of light. This is going to get risky for me! Freed charged forward at me and I dodged the wild swings of the light blade with relative ease; evading the bullets was a bit more difficult. My original assumption was on the money; this guy was a nut case and that meant that he was going to be unpredictable in his attack strategy and patterns. Over the next five minutes our skirmish can to a sort of standstill; Freed hadn't hit me, though it had been close on some shots and I hadn't landed a hit on him. That was kind of surprising to me that Mr. Priest was able to dodge my strikes; I wasn't sending the hits slow… a normal human shouldn't be able to react that quickly. Yet with Freed and his mental state… who knows what's happening in there or how it affects him.
Freed was staring at me with annoyance and I was still keeping calm and waiting for him to make the next move. However, when the tense atmosphere was broken, it wasn't Mr. Priest or myself; but it came from the doorway to the next room inside the apartment.
"Father Freed… what's going on here?"
I turned on the spot and saw to my shock and horror… standing there was the nun I had met earlier, Asia Argento. My mind felt numb or frozen at seeing her again and here of all places… could Rias have been right about her?
"Ah Asia, did you finish setting up the barrier?"
"Well it is almost done, but then I heard a commotion and came to see what it was…"
Then Asia shifted her gaze onto me and her eyes widened.
"Issei-san?"
Crap… this isn't how I imagined we would see each other again nor is it what I would have wanted it to play out! Freed looked from Asia, then to me and then back to Asia.
"Hold on, you two know each other?"
I ignored Mr. Priest but still kept alert of where he was and what he was doing before facing Asia.
"Hi… Asia."
She kept staring at me with a shocked and confused expression.
"Issei, what are you doing here?"
I would have answered her… yet I was beaten to it by the nut case.
"Asia, didn't you know that this boy is a f**king devil? He is one of those who we are called to destroy, not get friendly with!"
Then Freed rushed forward and raised the light sword to strike me. I raised my left arm with the boosted gear to block or parry the oncoming blow. However, to my astonishment and to Mr. Priest as well; Asia stood in front of me and prevented me from being hit by the light blade. There was silence in the room for a full minute after Asia did this.
"Please Father Freed, even if Issei-san is a devil; he is a good person. Please don't kill him."
As I thought, Asia is a very nice and innocent girl; I wasn't wrong in wishing to be her friend. Freed didn't take Asia's plea well… more like an insult.
"Don't kill him?! Asia, he is a devil! The enemy that we kill in the service of God!"
Freed grabbed Asia and pulled her over to him. Asia's outfit had been ripped open by the light sword and so there was a large portion of her front that was exposed. This ticked me off and thoughts of making this guy suffer came to mind with more frequency. Mr. Priest, once he had pulled her to where he stood; began to molest her as he continued his monolog.
"Devil's aren't nice! They are going to trick you so that they can lead you astray!"
… This guy! I was so mad at the lies he is spouting! The urge to say a line with the way that Freed says we devils are. It goes something like this; 'hello kettle, my name is pot. You look blacker than I' comes to mind strongly. Freed's molestation didn't stop or end as he proceeded to tell Asia how evil devils are; in fact, his motions got more vigorous! Asia's cries of pain made that clear to me!
'Ddraig… there are times I didn't imagine it possible, yet here we are forced to see an example. I know I have called you a pervert; but this guy is worse than you!'
[… I admit I have an interest in females, but I have a minimum level of respect of them. This guy is just low to do this to this nun partner. Please say we aren't going to stand here any longer and watch this nut get away with this horrible act!]
'Hell no Ddraig!'
Freed had become completely involved in his… explanation and molestation; that he wasn't paying attention to me at all. Moving forward, my right arm cocked back and when I got close enough I punched Freed hard! Oh, did it ever feel good to nail the sick nut case, square in his arrogant face! Sending Mr. Priest flying into the wall next to the body that he nailed to the wall with a solid haymaker, brought satisfaction to my heart. After giving Mr. Priest what he deserved, I turned to Asia; who had fallen to her knees after Freed got to know the wall up close and personal.
"Hey Asia, are you okay? I mean after what… that guy did to you and everything…"
"Issei… is it true?"
I did a double take, what was Asia referring to?
"Is what true Asia?"
"You, being a devil."
Not answer right away; were I to deny the statement then I would be lying. I suppose I should just be upfront and tell her the truth. I'm her friend after all, lying wouldn't be right.
"Yes, I'm a devil as of earlier this week; however, it wasn't exactly by choice, though I'm okay with being a devil. It's… complicated. But I'm not evil; I'm just me and that will not change because of what I am."
I took off my school jacket and put it over Asia's front to help her keep decant and smiled in hopes that it would put her at ease and show that I was being honest with her. Then hearing movement from the side, I pushed Asia forward and then shooting to my feet. Making sure that I was between Asia and the nut that was no doubt getting up right now. The clang of the light sword meeting the gauntlet on my left arm signaled that the nutty exorcist was up again after taking my haymaker to his face. I turned my head so that I had to unfortunately face his ugly mug and gave him a deadpanned look.
"It would've been easier for you if you hadn't got back up, you sick nut job."
Freed cackled at what I had said. … Did my hit to his face unhinged him further?! Great, just what I don't need!
"What the hell is this?! Suddenly you're all tough and cold; you think you can intimidate me you sh**y devil!"
While Freed was talking I balanced myself and pulled back my knee and then just as he finished calling me a foul name I sent my knee into his gut. Mr. Priest let out a grunt before he sunk to the floor. I took a few steps back from Freed for my own safety.
"Anyone ever tell you of your nasty habit of rambling… along with use of foul language? Anyway, it would be in your best interest to stay down this time Freed."
Having Freed where he was at a disadvantage; suddenly there came red light that filled the entire room. I took a quick glance around to locate the source of the light and saw that it was a magic circle and it was the same one that Rias uses. And speaking of Buchou… she came out of the magic circle along with everyone else in the occult research club. I had little time to take their presence in, before Freed somehow got back to his feet. It was kind of surprising, after the punishment I have given him in the last few minutes in mind, most wouldn't being getting up. I may not hit as hard as my cousin does and I can attest just how hard he punches; still I didn't hit Mr. Priest gently. So, I'm a bit impressed by Freed's physical endurance; it ain't natural I tell ya!
Turning to face him for the… you know what; I have lost count of how many times that I have faced the nut case to either dodge his attack of to serve a richly deserved blow to this guy. Still the expression on Mr. Priest's face had degraded from a creepy nut case trying to kill me, to a look I would expect from a crazed serial killer that's obsessed!
"KEE! THAT F**KING HURT! YOU WILL PAY FOR THAT SH**Y DEVIL!"
Freed suddenly appeared in front of me as if out of thin air… how did he do that?! He raised his light blade above his head and started bringing it down to cut me in half.
"NOW DIE, YOU PIECE OF SH*TTTTT!"
I saw the sword of light coming at me and I was about to move when the poisonous weapon came to a halt. I blinked at the sight in front of me; Kiba was standing before me with a black medium length blade. The blade had no visible hilt and… was somehow disrupting the light sword Mr. Priest had? That's neat; haven't seen something that can do such a thing before.
"WHAT THE F**K IS THIS?!"
Kiba didn't move, just smiled slightly at Freed.
"You have quite a mouth for a priest you know."
Then a bolt of thunder shot past Kiba and myself; Freed barely dodged the electricity aimed at him. It was the thunder that got the nut to look around and take in the others that were here. I took the time to have Ddraig change the boosted gear gauntlet back to the armguard; would have to do a lot of explaining were Rias to see how good I'm with my sacred gear.
"Well well, so the whole crew of devils are here. Normally I would say I'll have the time of my life cutting you into pieces; but I'm not supposed to fight you right now. It saddens me to have to refuse the opportunity to kill you devils, yet that's how it go-"
He didn't finish as I once more, nailed the nutty priest straight in the face and sent him flying into the next room and crashing into stuff. Didn't think that hitting this nut with my bare fist would feel this good; but this guy had really got on my nerves! I turned to Rias, who was currently looking at Koneko for some reason.
"Buchou, fallen angels are heading this way!"
That came from Koneko. … Fallen eh? It would probably be best to avoid confronting them as the last one I crossed… well, I made sure there was nothing left of him. So, I doubt I'll be very popular with them. Maybe Kira could help in that if I ask… with all of his connections, I've learned there is little my cousin can't do. Rias however, looked worried.
"Okay everyone, we're leaving now."
I hesitated a moment; before looking to Asia who was confused at this situation. She was looking at me with an expression of fright to an extent, but also a plea for help. That tugged at my heart, and as her friend I wanted to help Asia and would do so to the best of my abilities! Shifting my attention back to Rias I decided to convince her to take Asia with us. The sweet girl shouldn't be around these kind of people. Freed abused and molested her for goodness sakes! And by the look of it, the fallen angels don't see her as a person… she would be better off with us then those she is with right now!
"Buchou please, take Asia with us."
I pointed to Asia to make sure that Rias knew who I was referring to. She looked at Asia and then to me with an express that made me think she was thinking I might be crazy.
"Issei we can't! Besides she's with the church or more likely the fallen; we need to go now!"
"CURSE YOU DEVILS!"
I turned in time to see Freed charging at me again, but before he closed half of the distance… a couch plowed into him?! I glanced over to my right to see it had been Koneko that had sent the piece of furniture at Freed. Nodding in thanks to her for her quick action… kind of wish I had thought about chucking a couch at the nut case seeing how he took it. I looked back at Asia and was about to run over to retrieve her when Kiba grabbed me, dragging me towards the others that were in the magic circle already. I struggled against Kiba's hold on me; trying to get to Asia!
"Kiba, let me go! I can still make it in time! I will not leave her behind!"
Kiba didn't listen to my bellows, just kept pulling me. Once he and I were in the magic circle I heard Rias tell Akeno to get us out of here. I was only able to watch in growing horror that I was about to leave Asia behind and managed to scream before we disappeared.
"ASIA!"
The next sight in my vision was that of the ORC. I slumped to the floor, feeling terrible at how I had left such an innocent girl in the company of that sick priest. The feeling quickly turned into the emotion of sorrow and feeling hollow to the world around me. However, I didn't remain on the floor for long as Rias came over to me grabbed my shirt, pulled me up and slapped me hard across the face, which temporarily brought me out of my sorrow. After slapping me she hugged me; leaving me rather confused as to which action I should take as what she thought of my conduct. It was my master's voice that more answer my question as to intent.
"I'm so sorry Issei. I had no idea that the client you had gone to see had been killed by an exorcist. I'm just glad you're safe and alive."
Rias then pull me out of the hug and gave me a serious expression.
"Nevertheless Issei, that girl was a nun and our enemy. You need to stay away from her, for your own safety and wellbeing! Promise me Issei, that you won't go out looking for her. She is dangerous to you! Promise me!"
I swallowed hard at what Rias was asking… no, rather demanding me to swear to her that I wouldn't go looking for Asia. I couldn't… hold it; I have an idea! With the time I have spent around Kira, I've picked up some things from him. His way of thinking is, 'if there is a loophole that needs to be exploited to get you closer to your goal… then don't hesitate on exploiting. Of course, Kira is of the mentality, 'it is better to ask for forgiveness than permission'; so he has gotten into problems, but manages just fine somehow. Nonetheless, there is a risk, this could easily come back to shoot me in the a** and burn me bad. Oh well, the benefit and out coming reward outweighs the risk in my way of seeing things! Now, I need to word this just right…
"Okay… I promise not to go looking for her Buchou…"
Rias smiled and resumed hugging me, and that should cover me for the time being… we'll see how long that coverage lasts. It was at this time my condition with girls, decided to flare up and I started shaking. Within the next ten seconds I miraculously managed to extricate myself from Rias's grasp and was at the door. Don't ask me how I did that; I haven't the faintest clue! This condition with girls that I have somehow, unexplainably gives me the abilities to do seemingly impossible actions in the heat of the moment. Has helped and assisted me out of some really tight jams, I can say!
"Sorry everyone, I need to head home. See you all later!"
Not waiting for a reply, I sprinted out of the ORC fast as to not let things get worse and got to my house at inhuman speeds. Thankfully no one saw me moving at those speeds; that would raise a lot of awkward questions. Arriving home after my encounter with Freed and seeing Asia again; I was sore and aching from the fast paced fight with that nutty priest. What I need is a shower and a night of sleep… I'll face this in the morning. My parents greeted me when I got through the door and asked why I had been out so late. I told them club activities had run a bit long, which was true in a way. They accepted it without argument and I went to my room and fetched clothes and went to the shower. When I got under the hot water I stood thinking on how things were currently, which was difficult as the feeling of sorrow had returned and was gnawing at my heart.
"What do I do about Asia? She's in trouble and I want to help her."
Yes, I may have promised Rias that I wouldn't go out looking for her, BUT if I just happen to be where she is, then I can see her and not break my promise as I hadn't gone out specifically looking for her. This is the loophole that I had seen and exploited. The problem is, if I'm caught by any of my fellow peerage members, I'm in trouble. If Rias catches me doing this; then she'll make me swear to not see Asia again in such a way that I can't go against and I can't do that! I shifted my weight and felt pain shoot through me.
"Ow my muscles are sore from that fight with that nut case priest from earlier."
That priest had been unpredictable to a ridiculous extent! And so I had nearly taken a few hits, no scratches, still my body didn't appreciate what I put it through. I sighed at how circumstances had turned out. I was in a fine position to get into lots of things I would rather not… suddenly I felt a presence appear out of freaking nowhere. I felt a pair of arms wrap around me and I jumped a bit.
"You look like you went through an ordeal … does it hurt anywhere?"
I spun around and found myself inches away from my master Rias Gremory. The blood in my body changed whatever direction it was going and surged to my head and centered on my nose and was seriously threatening to burst out my nostrils in great streams like the water behind a dam were the dam to burst open! The sick feeling that was the first sign of my condition made itself known, like a car plowing into me at highway speeds!
"P-P-PRESIDENT, W-W-WHAT ARE YOU DOINE HERE?! AND WHY ARE YOU NAKED?!"
[Welcome to paradise partner! Ah, isn't it wonderful?!]
Of course Ddraig would choose to comment when I'm in no good state to get back at him. My condition went to the next level and took effect immediately! I heard Rias speaking, but my brain was going into overload and was having trouble functioning.
"Do you know anyone who bathes clothed?"
That wasn't helping my fast worsening condition due to Rias being around me. The blood throbbed dangerously and I was forced to cover my nose in the effort to prevent the stream from gushing out!
[Partner, I'm begging you… Please, don't faint on me right now! Not when we have this view of Paradise!]
For my peace of mind and not for Ddraig's satisfaction and fulfillment of his perverseness; I dug deep within myself and put forth as much effort as I could muster to fight my bodily reaction to females and managed to delay it for a time. I have no idea how long I have until I likely hits me and with harder force, so I need to use this time to the best of my abilities! I ignored Ddraig and focused on Rias and answering her question.
"N-no I don't, but that's not the point here! Why are you in my bath?!"
Rias got closer and began looking me over.
"Let me see your injury and help them mend."
It felt like a very long time as Rias examined my body for evidence of dancing from the priest. It was taking almost everything I had in me; not to rupture every single blood vessel in my nose and drop to the floor right then and there in a pool of my blood. Finally, when the time of bodily torture ended once Rias had finished her examination, she hugged me.
"I'm sorry… for causing you this pain."
I don't know how long Rias talked, all I know is it was WAY too long for my peace of mind and my body's set responses. She did explain to me that Mr. Priest wasn't an exorcist for the church but most likely a stray exorcist that was allied with the fallen angels. I did not much care about the subject at the time as I was trying to get away from my kings naked form that was doing horrible things to my body and she was preventing me from doing so! Nevertheless, eventually I managed to escape the bathroom and get to my room, and only a slow blood dripping nose in exchange. Thankfully the weekend starts tomorrow and so I should be able to get time away from Rias… hopefully that is!
-Scene Change-
I woke up the next morning bright and early just after dawn. The first thing I did of course was my martial arts routines that I do everyday that I can, to keep fit and ready should I need to defend myself or someone else. When I got back from my morning jog, I noted that I had I had been out for almost two hours. Finally, the weekend has arrived! Sweet Freedom has come to me! No flyers to deliver, no contracts to fulfill, no Rias hovering and spoiling me… Though admittedly, being spoiled by her isn't bad exactly; just want time to myself so I can use it for things I wish to do. If there is one thing I can state for certain, it was that wasn't going to spend the morning or the day in the house, Rias could find me and have something for me to do that she hadn't thought of last night before I managed to liberate my person. Not to say I'm against doing jobs as a devil; I would just like to have a break from them for now… and perhaps come across Asia. Yet I'll not admit that to anyone else!
Saying my farewells to my parents before leaving the house; I set out into the center of town as that was the likely place after the abandoned church and going to that place would be too risky for me. Besides the fact of hopefully running into Asia; I needed to go and buy a few things for myself. Some of my more comfortable clothes I tend to wear on the weekend were starting to be a tad embarrassing to wear, not indecent… yet. Plus, I need to replace some of my clothes that I use for practice the fighting arts. It is a necessity after the summer, with the workouts that Kira provides us with are not soft or clean, clothes just aren't made to take that kind of abuse!
Anyways, I was walking around shopping district for no more than fifteen minutes; when I spotted the one I had wanted to see. In the center of the shopping district on one of the benches surrounding the fountain that acted as the district center piece, sat Asia. Instantly foregoing the plan of clothes shopping; I came up to the bench from behind and leaned up against it. After all, finding Asia was the first priority in my mind and so I had found her.
"Hello again Asia, good to see you're okay."
Asia squealed at hearing me speak, before she twisted around to look at me.
"Issei-san!"
I came around from leaning on the back of the bench to sit next to Asia and smiled at her.
"Issei-san, are you okay?"
I nodded.
"I'm fine, that priest didn't hit me."
Asia smiled a little at hearing that I wasn't harmed. Then she took out a bundle and handed it to me; unfolding it I realized it was my school jacket. Well, that was a mercy; I was beginning to wonder what I would say to the member of the student council that would call me out on not having my uniform coat. I was about to ask Asia a question when I heard a growl. Looking at Asia from whom the sound originated; she was blushing slightly and not meeting my gaze.
"Asia, how about we get some lunch and then we can catch up?"
Asia was stuttering up a storm before I took her hand and gently pulled her behind me. I took Asia to a restaurant while she was protesting weakly all the way. Yet once I had sat her down and had order for both of us food, since Asia still was having trouble with Japanese language. When the food was delivered, Asia just stared at the food like she had never seen it before. Apparently she hadn't ever had a hamburger before now.
After lunch, I showed her around the shopping district. For hours, I did my utmost to help Asia experience the good and fun things that life has to offer. I got to see a true and genuine smile from this innocent girl and it was amazing to see the change in her continence. We ended out at an arcade in the end and Asia was interested in the crane games. I managed to win a cat plush animal for her and the simple toy, you would think it was a great treasure by how Asia took the toy and hugged it to herself.
We had headed back to the fountain where we had come across each other and sat on a bench together and started the day. Asia once again thanked me for what I had done for her today. When I asked her if she hadn't had fun where she had been before coming here to Japan. She got a downcast expression when I had inquired. And as she began to tell me her story, I understood why she was so desperate to have a friend.
Asia was abandoned by her parents shortly after being born, then ending out at an orphanage that was run by the church. There her basic needs had been met by the church and had she had grown to love the sisterhood of nuns that took care of her and the other children. Her healing power had shown itself shortly after she had turned eight; when a young boy had brought a hurt animal and she had healed the creature. After that had happened, it hadn't taken long for the priest that the nuns reported the status of the orphanage to come and take Asia away for the only place she had ever knew.
Those in the church had quickly declared that Asia was a 'saint' and so had been sent from… the one from above, to show his power, or something like that. When she had been declared a saint, people would come and be healed by her; word of these events spread, and so believers flocked to the church. Due to this turn of events, leaders of the church treated her kindly and care for her basic needs. Asia said that she was grateful for the power she has to heal others, but as a 'saint'; she was view as different from everyone else around her. No one was able to get to know her for who she is or… I think was even permitted to do so at all. As a 'saint of… him' she only would need his love and would be able to live and be happy. Asia had been isolated and was seen more like an object than a person and so had been lonely for a long time.
However, one day that had all changed drastically. Asia had been walking around the church she lived in and had come across an injured person. Being the kind girl that she is; she had immediately wished to heal him and had saved their life. The fact that she didn't unfortunately know at the time, was the person she had just saved had been a devil that exorcist had been hunting down. When she had healed him, the devil had killed the exorcist, which had just caught up to where he was and the devil ran away after killing the men. The problem only had worsened when the fact of Asia unknowingly healing a devil came to light. She had only been kind and wished to help others. Those who had once revered her as a saint; then called her a witch, simple because she had healed a devil. Soon afterward she had been cast out of the church.
Upon hearing Asia's story, I felt several emotions. I felt sad at what Asia had been through, with none of it being her fault at all. Anger at those who contributed to where Asia was now, the devil included. For all I know he could have been using her… or now that I think about it, perhaps trying to 'put her into their peerage'. As I stated before, Rias is nice; but I doubt that all devils are like that. I could only think of one thing I could do for Asia; I hugged her.
"Say Asia, I'll be your friend, if you would have me as one."
Asia was in tears as she just nodded in reply to me.
"How sweet of you… a devil trying to appear to be nice, but I don't think so."
Swinging around in my view came… the girl that had forced my life in a totally different direction from what it was before. The one I later found out had been tricking and deceiving me, the fallen angel, Yuma. However, this time I was on guard and she was alone! I readied myself to summon the armguard form of the boosted gear, but the first thing I did was to get Asia behind me in order to protect her. I wouldn't fall for the cheap trick that Yuma used the last time that had killed me.
"Lady Raynare…"
Yuma or as Asia had called her Raynare, turned to Asia and crack a smile; but it was easy for me to tell that the smile was fake. I held my position between Asia and Raynare, not moving an inch. Past experience, says that Raynare means to hurt Asia like she did me and I wouldn't let that happen! This time I was going to use what I had to make sure of that, much like the fallen angel that I vaporized earlier this week!
"Come Asia, you are needed for the work and so I have come to get you and bring you back."
Asia didn't move from behind me. She likely knows that this Raynare will hurt her if she goes with her and so is staying with me as it seems she feels safe around me. Glaring at the disguised fallen angel, I didn't even attempt to hide how I felt about Yuma.
"Clearly Yuma or apparently your real name is Raynare, Asia doesn't want to go with you. So, be on your way and bother Asia no more."
The smile on Raynare's face vanished and was replaced with a glower that was directed at me. Me, 'her boyfriend' being alive wasn't what she wanted at all.
"I'll admit Issei, I am kind of surprised that you are still alive, let alone walking and breathing. However, this is a chance to kill you cleanly again and improve on that."
I turned and motioned for Asia to run. Still out of the corner of my vision I caught a glimpse of Raynare forming a light spear. Adrenaline raced through my veins; everything seemed to slow down. Asia was beginning to move away from me; the boosted gear came into existence in the armguard over my left arm. Raynare threw the light spear, plainly aiming for my gut… what is it with her aiming at my stomach. Is there some sort of invisible target over my gut that all who want to kill me can see that I can't?!
The spear was on course, yet I blocked the spear with the armguard; the clang of metal sounded as the spear disappeared. All the people in the park were completely oblivious to the battle going on; likely Raynare doing something to make sure no one disturbed us. The fallen angel created another light spear, yet this time instead of throwing it at me… she threw it at Asia. I sped towards Asia who was still running as I had silent told her to do. I managed to intercept the spear, but not in the way I would have preferred to. I felt burning pain as I took the light spear in my abdomen, having been unable to raise my armguard up to take it instead of my gut being turned into a large spear holding rack. … That's a low blow! For Raynare to aim at Asia in order to get me to take a light spear… very low!
Asia turned and squealed at seeing me pierced by the light spear, just before it dissipated leaving the gaping hole it made. I was going to tell Asia to keep running and not to worry about me; however, Raynare beat me to speaking.
"Now Asia, if you want this boy to have a chance at living to tomorrow; come with me."
I thought there was little way for this fallen angel to sink any lower… I stand corrected! Asia looked at me sadly and then nodded and followed Raynare. It hurt to see Asia go with Raynare far more than the pain of the light spear running me through. I had failed my newest friend at a time she needed my help the most. I sunk to my knees. I heard worried cries for behind my current position before I felt another body come into contact to my own. The next moment, I was surrounded by red light and then I found I was back in the Occult Research Clubroom.
The next two hours was spent with Rias and Akeno healing my injury that was a hole in my stomach. I was of course, very displeased with the current state I was in; I mean I have a freaking hole in my gut! I have heard of having a bottomless pit for a stomach, but this is not what comes to mind and it is ridiculous!
Once I was patched up; I thought I might be able to duck out and work on a way to help Asia… I was so very sadly wrong. For yet another hour that I could have used for better purposes; I got a lecture from Rias about how foolish I had been spending time with Asia. She also reprimanded me for 'going against my promise', not that I was given a chance to correct her or even speak in my defense. I was told and I quote, 'as a member of my peerage, you had to keep in mind that your actions reflected back to me.' In short whatever I do, she then is responsible for and will have to answer for as well. Oh but it didn't end there, for I was once again I was forcibly reminded of my 'near blunder' from a few days ago when I took Asia to the abandoned church. In all honesty, I felt like I was being treated like a disobedient child that didn't know any better about the world around me. I'm starting to agree more and more with the less nice points I have heard on devils during and throughout this lecture. One point in particular that I remember Lycorise saying, devils think of themselves first and foremost, along with that don't trust any outside their own… even if it ends out killing them.
"Issei, do you even understand what could have happened to you?! What that Fallen Angel could have done to you?!"
It was hard to keep from shaking with fury at being seen as a weak and dumb new devil; even more to keep quiet. The thought came to mind… the light spear was enough, Rias? You see fit to give me a lecture about what happened to me and make me relive my failure all over again?! It's not like I haven't been beating myself up about this already! And you still don't ask why I do what I do! You just go on about the wrongness of my actions; it's like you don't care what I feel, as long as it doesn't reflect poorly on you.
"For your own safety, you need to forget about that nun! She'll only get you killed Issei!"
I was angry, at what had happened and at myself for being unable to help Asia. What I do is, when it comes down to it, my decision! With all the power I have obtained with training with Kira in using the boosted gear; I should have been able to save Asia and I didn't. Shame was in the back part of my mind and that kept the failure fresh in my brain. Then, I was mad that Rias seemed to think that I can't handle myself for what comes at me. That my king keeps telling me to forget about my new friend and leaving her to her fate when I could change it for her! I will go against fate in this!
"I can't do that President! You tell me to just leave a friend? I will not! You may fine with letting someone die just because they are deemed an enemy due to the people they are around. I will not accept that! I can't accept that! I can and will save Asia even if I'm just a pawn! Even if that means I become a stray devil to do it! Then so be it, stray I shall be!"
[Well say partner! You have my full support in however this goes.]
Not backing down after saying my declaration I waited for the reply from my master. Rias appeared shocked at my declaration. However, she recovered and gave me a look that was a mix of pity and indignation.
"Issei… do you really think that a pawn is the weak piece?"
I didn't answer immediately; for the way Rias said what she did caused me to reconsider my previous notion of Pawns. In the game of chess, speaking from a tactical standpoint; the pawn was the frontline soldier and so was the first to die as they were in front. They had some tactical value to their king and there was no denying that, but pawns are expendable soldiers that are usually used to gain the advantage over your opponent. It was the plain and simple truth; I mean, why else would there be the idea of a 'sacrificial pawn' come to be used if that wasn't the truth. My head sunk slightly as I went through my thoughts on being a pawn. It hadn't to do with being strong or weak… it was the use that pawns tended to have that made me feel useless.
"No, pawns aren't exactly weak; just usually the first of the pieces in chess sent to be sacrificed; that's the foot soldier in a nutshell. There is no need to remind me of it."
I steeled myself for what was to come; whether it was me getting smacked or just told that I was right and to never forget my place. However, Rias came over and put her arms around me, embracing me as she answered me.
"You're wrong Issei. Pawns are not just to sacrifice. They have promotion and that power alone has a great deal of value."
Rias gave me a short explanation on how promotion worked. Gaining the powers and attributes of one of the other pieces, would be useful in most situation. Yet the limitation of this, I have to be in enemy territory or my master's express permission to be able to use promotion. Still I felt angry, Rias was making the assumption that I wasn't able to take care of myself! My king said one final line that made me set on my goal.
"Still, why go this far for this nun? To threaten to become a stray… do you even know what that would do to your life?!"
And before I was able to stop my mouth; it had begun spouting my current feelings.
"… I'm sick and tired of being seen as a weak and dumb new reincarnated devil! I have known about the supernatural for years and you all keep treating me like I haven't a clue about anything and that I just found out about it less than a week ago! I am strong and will use my strength to protect those close to me. I won't just leave Asia to be with fallen angels; I will save her and that's final president!"
Feeling a hand on my shoulder before I got to the door of the clubroom; I turned to find the hand belonged to Kiba, who looked concerned about me.
"I doubt stopping you is something any of us can stop you; however, that doesn't mean you have to go alone Issei. I would go with you, for backup should you need it."
Thinking about the offer as I kept walking, yet I continued forward out of the door, not answering. I left the clubroom after saying that; though I still caught the shocked expression on Rias's face at my statement. I headed back towards my house; I had only gotten my clothes ripped from the incident of Asia getting taken. Other than the initial hole in my gut, I hadn't actual physical injuries from the encounter with… Yuma or as her real name apparently was Raynare again and her taking Asia. Now that Rias and Akeno had healed the gut problem I should be okay going ahead for the time being.
I know that Buchou told me to stay away from Asia and never to see her again, but Asia didn't mean harm to me or anyone around her. However, my time with Kira had taught me that no matter the faction; you can't automatically judge someone on what kind of person they are. In Asia's case, she just wanted to have a friend. Is that too much for anyone to ask?! No, it is not! I have to try to help Asia; time to put what I have learned from Kira to use!
It is unlikely that I would get help from Buchou; so, best to plan on getting no help from her and merely hope that I might get it from her. I'll have to be as serious as I am when I'm going against Kira in this. I know where their base is so, location is not much of an issue. Only have to really worry about those light spears, best that I dodge them entirely rather than blocking them. … You know I better just call Kira and see if he couldn't give me some advice. I pulled out my phone and dialed Kira's private line and waited. After five rings, I heard the line get picked up.
"Kira, thank goodness you picked up…"
"… *Grumble* Issei… do you have any idea what time it is for me right now…?!"
"Um…"
Stopping to think for a moment about the time difference that I had forgotten to take into account before calling my cousin. I heard another grumble from Kira on the other end as I begun to quickly calculate what the time was for Kira. However, he saved me the trouble and beat me to it by telling me.
"It's 4 freaking a.m. in the morning! Please tell me that this call is being made for good sensible reason; cause if not, it can wait a couple more hours when it is a decant hour to accurately called morning."
Oh yeah, I guess it would be that time for him… wouldn't it. That's why my cousin sounds rather grumpy right now… I woke him up… not the best way to start this conversation.
"Sorry Kira, I wasn't thinking about the time difference at the moment. I have a… situation that is occupying me and can't wait. I need a bit of tactical advice and you have as long as I have known you, that's been your forte."
There was a pause before Kira answered me.
"It's fine Issei, if it's important; then calling at an early time is okay. Just please; don't tell me this is about girls or you coming across a fallen angel again. It would be rather troublesome to have to make arrangements to have… things ignored. I would like not to have to go to my contacts in the fallen angel leadership at the moment."
"Uh, yes but not exactly, you see…"
Going through the events of the last few days, I told Kira about Asia and my desire to help and save her. Saying that she had been taken by the same fallen angel that had killed me. I told Kira I didn't know why the fallen angel wanted her, but that her strange healing ability may have something to do with it. Mentioning that I already knew where the fallen angels' base was and that I planned to go to do the best to help my new friend. Then I waited for my cousin to speak for he hadn't said anything during my explanation, as he just listened to me.
"… Okay, I think I have the basic facts of your conundrum. A few points I would like to clarify though…"
I figured Kira would ask about some stuff; just don't know what.
"Sure what?"
"You said this Asia girl could heal others and that when she did there was a green light with it?"
Wasn't expecting him to ask that. Wonder why he is interested in that detail?
"Yes, that's right."
"And that the same fallen angel that did you in took her?"
This line of questions doesn't make sense to me.
"Uh huh… Why?"
"Well, I believe your friend has a sacred gear known as 'Twilight Healing'. It's one of the sacred gears I have heard about over the years from some of my contacts. The reason that the fallen angels are interested in her would be to get her sacred gear. And that would be rather bad for your friend if they succeed."
Okay so, Asia has a sacred gear like I do; that's neat. But what does Kira mean that Asia's sacred gear could be removed and it would be bad?
"What do you mean that it would be bad if they get her sacred gear?!"
Kira paused again and I held my breath until I heard his answer.
"Um… you see Issei, there is a method to take a sacred gear out of a human being…"
Is that so? Then why hasn't Kira said anything about this before now?! I mean, I don't hate Ddraig, yet I wouldn't mind some time apart from him for peace of mind occasionally.
"Why haven't you mentioned this before?!"
"I didn't see a need to say anything about it, plus there is a down side to the idea."
… Such as? I know that Kira doesn't say things for usually two reasons; those two being either I haven't asked about the subject really or that it is a subject he thinks I shouldn't know about it.
"Like what?"
"The survival rate… it is zero."
… Then this one is one Kira thinks I shouldn't know about. So, if Asia goes through this method, then would she…?
"Zero… wait, but that would mean…"
"Yes indeed Issei, if those fallen angels succeed; your friend will die."
I was silent as I couldn't think of words to say my fury of the fallen angels or the pain I would feel if Asia were to die.
"So comes the final question Issei; do you think you can take those fallen?"
Could I take the fallen angels? I had a few days ago, destroyed one of them; there were at least two more including Raynare, there might be another. Still, if it's for Asia; then I believe I can fight and win.
"Yes, I can!"
I was resolute in this.
"That's what I was hoping to hear cousin! Go for it and I'll take care of things so that you don't get into trouble later! That's a valid reason to go bug people I've been bugging for a bit about other things. Bye!"
Kira hung up after saying that. I took a moment to gather my thoughts, then ran back home. Once I was in the door I rushed up the stairs to my room and I grabbed my black school blazer, slipped it on and sneaked out of my house without waking my parents. When I was out in the night I started to the abandoned church that I took Asia a few days ago. It was very likely that I would find her and… Raynare there. I had the thought to call Kiba as he had offered to come with me, yet he might tell Rias and then she wouldn't let me go and help Asia. There wasn't the time to waste to explain to Rias why I had to do this and she would unlikely listen to me anyways.
When the old church came into sight, I stopped for a minute just looking at the building. I sensed that there were three fallen angels in the area and… a lot of people… can't say much better than that from here. I had a cold feeling in my gut as I looked on the quiet and humble looking building. The feeling came from the knowledge that there would soon be a number of dead that would have this church serve as their grave and I would be the one to put them there. Like Kira, I'm disgusted by killing… but I'll do it when it has to be done to defend and save a friend.
I made my way to the building itself; to my surprise, none of the fallen angels approached me yet. There were two of the fallen angels outside of the church and one somewhere inside; yet they don't seem to think that I, the reincarnated devil that's waltzing up, is anything to worry about. Not that I'm going to say no to a free uninterrupted walk, but come on; me, an enemy is boldly come into their territory and there is no reaction. I was able to stand right in front of the doors of the church; and still nothing whatsoever had stopped me or gotten in my way. This is starting to feel a tad insulted at this, as my way hadn't barred at all. Do these people really think so little of me?! Or is this their way of laying out the welcome mat and inviting me inside?
'Well… I guess we should take this as we are welcome and likely an honored guest then?'
[Hey if they don't stop us, then might as well make ourselves completely and comfortably at home. So, show them how we do things our way when we own the place partner!]
Agreeing with Ddraig, since if they weren't going to stop me then I was going to take that as they don't care and I can do whatever I da** feel like and not have to worry about any consequences. I drew back my right leg and then kick the double doors with great force. The doors swung open, banged against their stops; before their hinges screeched and then snapped, followed by the doors crashing to the ground. A large cloud of dust hung in the large room that the doors had stirred up. I casually made my way inside the place glancing from side to side, searching for signs of anyone there.
"Well, well; if it isn't the sh*** devil from a last night. I must say, I had a perfect record; every devil I came across died by my hands."
Looking ahead to the other end of the chapel where the voice had come from and saw to my annoyance… the crazy priest I had encountered during my second contract, Freed Sellzen. I had thought him insane before; now he was just beating a dead horse in proving the well-established fact of the instability of his metal state! The way he was acting, it was like he was giving a speech or doing a play narrative of some sort. Made him look like a complete idiot more than anything else, in all honesty.
"But then you came along and shattered that wonderful record that I was proud of! Oh the F*** well, I'll kill you and all will be made right!"
I sighed audibly at the priest.
"You done you complete nut case? If not, give me a moment to plug my ears so I don't have to listen to the crap you're spouting."
I wasn't really in the mood to deal with the speeching of this insane murderous priest.
"Why you… Fine then, time for you to die you sh*** devil!"
This time, I was ready and so wasn't caught off-guard by the nutty priest when he rushed straight at me. Freed swung his light sword vertically downward; I turned sideways and watched as the blade came past, but not connecting to me in any way. Once again, the motion of the weapon and Freed appeared to move slower than he was before; granted it was perception and in reality I was just moving fast than those around me. I took a step towards Freed and swung my other leg and sent it into Freed's gut; pushing him backward a little more than five feet before he slid to a stop.
"What the f*** is this?!"
Does the nut have to question what is happening? It should be clear that I'm landing blows on him and he isn't doing the same to me. Freed reached into his exorcist coat and pulled out his pistol, pointed it at me and started firing. I kept moving, weaving and dodging the bullets that were being shot at me. … Oh what is that film that does something like this… oh right, the Matrix. I would be making that look subpar with how I was weaving and evading. The more shots that Freed shot at me, the more frustrated he became as I just kept evading the bullets. It was getting easier with each shot as Freed's aim kept getting worse. Within a minute and a half, the light bullets stopped and the sound of clicking was heard. Both Freed and I stopped our movements; Freed looked down at his pistol and pulled the trigger and the clicking, which was his pistol's firing pin hitting its stop and not hitting a bullet as there wasn't any in the firing chamber. … Could fate really be this whimsical right now?!
"What?! I'm out of bullets already?! And I didn't hit the Sh*** devil even once?!"
Well… if opportunity is going to present itself like this right in front of me, I'm certainly not going to be rude and refuse it. Rushing forward towards Freed as he kept screaming, preparing to strike.
"I, Freed have killed many devils and now I can't manage to kill this one low-class devil?!"
When I got to being in front of Freed and I had pulled my right arm back and curled my hand into a fist. Sending my fist thrusting forward with sizable force and with a satisfactory grunt from Freed; I nailed the nutty priest directly and hard in the face once again. The connection to Freed's face by my fist pushed him further and sent the priest flying into the corner of the chapel with a crash and stirred up another cloud of dust. When the cloud of dust settled I saw a messy pile of broken and splintered wood where Freed landed and was likely buried under at the current moment.
Well, with the nutty priest dealt with, now I could find and rescue Asia! I stood where I was and focused all my senses to try to find something, anything that could provide a clue to where Asia was. I could feel that there were people below… must mean that there is a basement; that would be the best place to start looking for Asia. I strode up the center aisle of pews to the altar, grabbed it and pulled upward. The altar creaked and whined as I ripped it from its mounts in the floor. When I had separated the altar, I tossed it over in the direction of the wood splinter and pieces that were pile in the corner to my right that the crazy priest had landed in. I head a crash and grunt of pain assumedly from the said priest who had tried to kill me made amidst the crash of breaking wood. Where the altar had been, there was a stairway downward; likely to the basement that I was wanting to get to.
Without hesitation, I raced down the stairs; the feeling of time slipping away at a disturbing rate of speed grew stronger as seconds ticked by. With what Kira had said, I was worried about Asia. I had to make it in time to make sure she didn't die! When I had reached the bottom of the stairway; I found myself in a hallway and at the end of the hallway was a door. Sprinting down the corridor, I reaching the door; I didn't 'knock', I just busted the door frame with my right fist. I heard a cracking, signaling that the doorframe had cracked and broken. The door, no longer held in place by the door frame; it swung open with a bit of forced from the momentum from the impact. Once the door wasn't in the way, I walked in confidently and took a deep breath.
"Honey, I'm back; what have you been doing while we were apart?"
I bellowed the line to make sure the recipient it was intended for couldn't miss it, namely Raynare! The room I was in; was about half the size of the chapel above, and a little less dusty. In front of me was fifteen or sixteen exorcists, who were looking at me with dumbfounded looks on their faces. Raynare was at the opposite end of the room slightly off center of the wall. The reason she wasn't at the center was there was something else occupying that space, a large cross. The said cross was between six and seven feet tall… closer to seven feet by a small margin and the horizontal part was four feet in length. However, I had barely taken the dimensions in when I was able to recognize what was on the cross. Asia was bound by chains that were connected to the cross at the end of the room! Asia was in a simple sleeveless white dress currently and looked to be in pain; however, when I came into the room, Asia looked at me and managed a smile.
"Issei-san…"
Raynare like the exorcists had been gaping at my sudden appearance, yet she quickly had a smirk on her face.
"Well, I guess you being here means Freed failed; still, that doesn't change much in this. Although I have to admit, I'm surprised you made it this far Issei; you're tenacious, I'll give you that."
… Either Raynare is blind and stupid, or her pride and ego has done horrible and irreversible things to her mind. I don't know which is sadder really. I controlled my rage and fury at the female in front of me. Normally, I wouldn't hold a grudge against a girl; but even I have limitation as to how much I will tolerate. There just comes a point where my girl condition is overridden and doesn't come into effect. Raynare… had blown past that point when she took Asia and there is no turning back anymore. The fallen angel had gone farther past the point of no return when Kira had told me what Raynare was very likely going to do to Asia, for her own selfish benefit even though Asia would die as a result! But, to show that I'm above the level that she presents herself to be, I'll give one last chance to do the right thing and get out of this.
"Yeah about that, you really should take a look at those you spend your time around with, they will get you killed. Now, let… Asia go Raynare. I'll only ask nicely once. You do let her go and you can leave here with what you have right now."
[… Partner, you can't be serious! You would let this crow go after all she done!?]
'If she lets Asia go… then yes, I would. If she doesn't… then there will be no place for her to hide that I won't find her! I would bet Kira would be more than willing to assist with that.'
[That sound perfectly reasonable, though rather generous of you to even give that fallen the option. Most dragons would just kill her as a matter of principle and be done with this mess; you are showing some good character!]
The reply I got to my generous offer however, was Raynare breaking out laughing at my statement.
"You think you could harm me?! That's hysterical! I concede that you getting this far is something I didn't expect of you, but don't let that go to your head."
Raynare then looked to the exorcists in the room.
"What are you all waiting for? Kill him!"
Fine, Raynare wants to underestimate me again, she is welcome; the results are already clear and it's her loss. I settled into a defensive fighting stance I often used against Kira and had served me well and would I believe, do so again in this situation. The exorcists hesitated for a moment before they all rushed forward, their light swords and guns ready. The first unfortunate man that reached me had just enough time to raise his light blade; before I sent a left jab hard into his gut and sent him flying backward smashing into some of his fellow exorcists. I drew my fist back and as I did the Boosted Gear armguard came into being. Keeping calm and collected, I used it to block an exorcist's incoming swing from my left and countered with grabbing his wrist with my right and bending his arm upward and back. The man screamed in pain and I let go of the wrist and the exorcist drop to the ground and backed away from me.
After deftly dealing with the first two of the men who were trying to kill me; the others that had the same task, weren't looking so confident. It was like they were having an internal battle where they were reconsider which was the best choice to keep them alive; obey Raynare and fight me, or abandon the fallen angel and run away from me and hope that I would let them escape. Perhaps if I give them that offer they will be smart and take it; thereby making it so I don't have to kill them. I would like to avoid ending their lives if I can.
"If you exorcists want to keep your lives; then there's the door behind me. You leave now, then this need not get messy… your choice."
The remaining exorcists, which was fourteen; looked at one another for about fifteen seconds and then dropped their weapons and ran past me through the door. I smiled at the ease by which the fight had ended. Facing the fallen angel Raynare once more; I narrowed my gaze at her as a sign that she was now my target.
"For the sake of the chance that our… relationship wasn't a complete lie; I'll give you just one more chance. So, final chance Raynare; let Asia go, then you can leave like those exorcists did. This doesn't have to turn into a fight; you will lose."
Raynare laughed at my offer once more.
"You're a fool!"
Asia began to scream in pain, which interrupted the conversation. I could only stare at the sight of the cross beginning to glow. Asia was struggling and writhing as this was happening and to my horror I recognized the motions. I had seen the struggling that Asia was currently in a few times and had been haunted by the memories of what I had seen. My friend was in the throws and battle of her very life… and she was losing! The cross's glow got brighter and now arcs of energy were running along the cross as the volume of Asia's screams got louder. Then Asia stiffened for a moment and the arcing energy and glowing of the cross ceased and Asia went limp in the chains and I saw a light come from her and go to Raynare. Nevertheless, I didn't think about that at the time as I used my enhanced speed and ran forward seeing the chains binding Asia beginning to disappear. She fell downward, yet I managed to catch her before she hit the ground.
I looked over Asia after catching her; she wasn't looking good at all! Asia was pale and I was sensing her life getting weaker by the second. I felt so helpless, as my newest friend was dying right in my arms. Asia opened her eyes and looked at my face; then smiled at me.
"Issei-san… you came… for me?"
I forced a smile as I answered.
"Of course I did; you're my friend, what else would I do? I said I would protect you didn't I?"
The presence that was Raynare disappeared from the room but was still somewhere in the vicinity. Asia breathing was slowing down as she replied to my question.
"Thank you Issei… I'm happy that you… were my first friend…"
The girl's head lowered and dropped to one side. I felt tears begin to flow out of my eyes as I felt the last of Asia's life fade away… my friend life was over. A cold numbness flooded through me as I held Asia and made my way out of the basement. I came out of the stairway under where the altar had been back into the chapel. I set her down on one of the pews that were still in the place they were before the fight I had been in with that nutty priest Freed. I simply stared at Asia as she laid on the pew; it looked like she could just be sleeping, but I knew she wasn't. I had failed to save Asia… I had failed to save my friend in her time of need… again. Hearing a whooshing sound behind me along with the returning presence of my curse of a fake girlfriend, I tensed up in fury and rage that replaced the cold numbness I had.
"The more I see you, the more you seem to surprise me. You really are something else Issei Hyoudou."
Shaking slightly at her words, I had once trusted her and she had betrayed me. Still, I had actually thought she had been different and that just made the pain of betrayal hurt even more. The fallen angel's voice took on a cynical tone as she continued. My wish to not kill her vanished and now I wanted her to suffer!
"You say you're a protector, so what will you protect? You already failed!"
The sound and tone of Raynare's voice increased my feelings of rage. I wanted her to pay… I wanted her to feel what Asia did before she died!
"You couldn't protect her and you never will. What a strange boy! You're too funny!"
The female fallen angel's laughter incensed me more than anything else had. My next movement appeared to be a strike at nearly the speed of lightning; I had been standing in front of the pew where Asia lay, seconds later I was to the side of Raynare, my left fist about to strike the blacked winged crow. Raynare barely dodged and that was dumb luck of her laughing and holding her stomach. If she hadn't been doing so; then I would have nailed her in the right side of her ribcage. Instead, my blow ripped through a support pillar in the structure. I dropped a little more than five feet to the floor after my strike at Raynare and found the fallen angel staring at me with slight shock.
"What the… How did you do that?!"
Raynare first looked to the side and stared at the pillar that currently had a section missing that was there seconds ago and then her gaze came back to me. The crow's tone of contempt gone and now she was screeching with a bit of fear in her voice. I didn't answer her question, merely just returned to the same stance I used to fight the exorcists. Thus the fight between my fake girlfriend and myself began in earnest. As the battle flowed forward, I started to see some of the benefits from the training I have been doing with Kira for nine years as of this last summer. I could win this fight as long as I keep a cool head, think about my movements and avoid getting hit with the light spears that Raynare was now throwing without much regard as to where they were landing.
Things were going well and looking good for me and bad for Raynare… that's until one of the light spears that Raynare had thrown sailed towards Asia. I jumped on top of the pew nearest to me and sprinted along the top of the pews in the attempt to get to Asia before that spear got to her. Asia may be dead, but I wouldn't let her be disfigured further by the one who had killed her! I managed to reach Asia and took the spear in my right mid-thigh. The injury the spear made burned and it took effort to not fall to my knees right where I was. And the burning sensation didn't stop, but only got worse as time went on; I had to get it out even if it hurt. It would stop the painful burning to stop getting worse as it was with time. I grabbed the light spear and it was like grabbing a red-hot iron bar; yet I ignored the feeling and yanked the spear out of my thigh. The spear came out with blood trailing with it; the pain didn't go away, but at least it stopped getting worse for the moment. I looked up and glared at Raynare with determination and took a step towards her.
"No way! Are you kidding me?! How are you still moving?!"
Apparently Raynare didn't understand that pain means little to me at the moment. I snorted at my fake girlfriend and spoke for the first time since this battle had started.
"Don't get me wrong Raynare; this stab hurts like hell likely does. But… I'll never let you get away with what you did to Asia… and live a life of happiness for the rest of it!"
I steeled myself and shut out the pain and focused on the one and now only goal of the fight; put Raynare down… by whatever means necessary!
"An amusing bit of bravado…"
While my fake girlfriend was making my ears feel pain at what she was saying; I went to the pew behind the one Asia was on, picked it up and chucked the bench at the fallen angel.
"… Yet that's all (crash)!"
The sound of cracking and splintering wood was very gratifying to hear as it meant that I had hit the intended target with the pew I tossed. I didn't wait to see the damage that had been done to the crow, still I was curious. No, I picked up the next bench in row behind the one I already threw.
"You little brat! You dare attack me?! I have the supreme power! (crash) Why you! I will be loved and adored! You're… what the heck?!"
I sent the third bench I picked up from the row upward towards my fake girlfriend once again as I did the last two. However, I missed this time as she saw it coming and so dodged before the projectile reached her.
"You little foolish brat! Even if you somehow manage to harm me; you will be hunted down and made to pay for doing so! Your death is your only way out of this!"
I ignored her banter completely as I really didn't care right now. Me being hunted down was likely in any event as me being here is disobeying an order from Rias… so I'm doomed no matter what I do; so, might as well go the whole way and do what I wish to. Silence settled as we stared each other down in a match that just screamed for one of us to make the first move to try to kill the other. Nonetheless, the silence wasn't shattered by either Raynare or myself, but by a very unexpected sound.
*Ask yourself, do I feel lucky? Well, do ya punks?!*
neko tossed something and with a crash Raynare landed in front of my nose!s came up to me and s m.
Both Raynare and I froze at the sound. That ringtone… was that…?
*Ask yourself, do I feel lucky? Well, do ya punks?!*
Yes, it is his. The sound was coming from my pocket. I reached into it and pulled my cellphone. The ring tone that had sounded was specifically set to one person… and that was Kira... but, why would he call now of all times?! Can't say I really liked the ringtone that was set for him, but it was Kira's idea. He thought it would be funny, so ha ha, especially in this particular situation. I held up a finger at Raynare, who unexpectedly shut up, before I took the call.
"Hey, Kira… now isn't a very good time for you to call me…"
"Oh, sorry about that; but I thought you should know a bit of information I managed to arrange and get for you. I have gotten the leaders of the fallen angels to agree to look the other way on the fallen angels that are involved with the incident you said you were going to be getting into. So have fun giving them what they deserve; no help, reprieve or consequence will be coming. As far as the leaders of the fallen angels are concerned, they're rogue and they will be handled by an outside party who they have thanked. Again sorry to interrupted whatever you're doing; give them a whipping for me Issei, bye."
I hung up the phone and gave Raynare an evil smile, to which she flinched a little.
"So Raynare, you were saying that if I do anything to you that I will be hunted down and killed?"
She nodded slowly.
"That's right brat!"
"Well, I was just told otherwise by a source that is far more informed than you. He told me that your faction leaders pretty much consider you have gone rogue and that you're going to either be dead or will soon be. They won't do anything to help you and even would thank me for taking care of an unforeseen mess that they would have had to clean up later. So then, where were we?!"
'Ddraig, she needs to pay for what she did to Asia!'
[I couldn't agree with you more! Let's get her!]
"You stupid brat, you think you can beat me?! I'm superior to you! You're nothing!"
I didn't really listen to Raynare as she screeched with bravado; about her being superior when she is a crow. Boosted gear, which was already equipped to my left arm as an armguard; glowed red and shifted from the red armguard to the simpler gauntlet that was the second level of boosted gear. Raynare had kept going off on inflating her superiority complex as the change occurred. As I took my first step forward towards Raynare, pain surged through me, but with the well-practiced skills I had acquired from the training with Kira; my mind set on making her pay for the pain she put Asia through and nothing else! The green gem in the gauntlet set over the top of the hand started glowing and power began to flow in me.
[Boost]
Step by step I drew closer to Raynare, and the closer I came to her the stronger my fury grew as did my ability to disregard the pain from the light spear wound. Asia had done nothing wrong at all; she had been kind to everyone she met, even those who despised her, which had been many after she had helped that random devil. She was innocent as a lamb! I won't let such injustice go unpunished while I'm still alive! As my feeling grew ever stronger, the Boosted Gear was enveloped by red light once again and when it had died down the gauntlet had assumed the full gauntlet that covered my arm to the elbow. However, there was a slight difference from when I used this level of Boosted Gear to destroy the male fallen angel. The shield plate wasn't the 4 feet that it had been the last time, but a little over two feet in size, but the rest of it was pretty much the same.
[Boost]
"… For you to even think you have a chance of beating me... with a twin critical, it's laughable! You're as a fly to me!"
Raynare wasn't even looking at me as she insulted me. I didn't reply with a retort; I was shaking with silent, contained fury as I kept walking, step by step closing the distance between myself and the crow whose life is quickly ticking to its end. Raynare kept going in her rant; while she did this a red aura formed around me. Apparently Raynare was so confident in her own abilities that she had stopped using her sense to take in what was happening around her and so didn't notice any of these changes that occurred. When I was more than halfway across the room; I raised my left arm, pointed it at Raynare.
'Dragon shot!'
The orb of green energy that was sitting just in front of my left hand launched at the fallen angel.
[Explosion]
The energy orb hit Raynare dead on, stopped her rant as the shot vaporized her whole right arm. It was probably the best attention getter that I have ever used as very few had driven me this far.
"Well hey there spider whench, this fly says it's your day to die."
[Reset]
Raynare stared at me and she was scared now; even with her right arm beginning to regenerate and heal due to the gear she stole from Asia. Her previous confidence has evaporated like water on a blazing hot day and she was shaking in fear as she looked at me. My face was cold and expressionless, which was increasing the fallen angel's fear. I think my fake girlfriend finally has been enlightened as to the graveness of her situation that was happening right now. Raynare was extremely likely about to die and would be guaranteed should I have a say in it! I raised my left arm so that the full gauntlet was visible to Raynare.
"I have the ultimate power! You can't defeat me! That sacred gear is just a twin critical!"
'She really is blind, isn't she? Ddraig, if you would be so kind to give me a helping hand to make this pigeon disappear for good.'
[I was starting to think you'd never ask!]
[Boost, boost, boost, boost, boost!]
The gem over my palm glowed with each boost that Ddraig called out, getting brighter with each boost as well. I made my way forward and broke into a run with my left arm shifting in preparation to strike Raynare hard.
"For what you did to Asia… RRREPENT! AND GIVE HER BACK B***H!"
I leapt into the air using debris to boost my leap, still moving towards Raynare, who seem to have frozen where she was; though she was attempting to defend herself from my impending attack.
[Impact]
I slammed my gauntlet covered fist firmly into Raynare's chest area and even with her arms crossed over her chest; she felt the impact of my hit. With Ddraig employing the 'impact' ability that we discovered this last summer, the force of the hit was focused on a single point and so the hit was much more effective. It was similar to Ddraig's 'penetrate' ability but 'impact' is much more sheer focused force and it hurts bad… if you survive it… surprised that Raynare did. I half expected my fist to go through her with the force I used! I listened to her scream as she flew through the wall of the church and landed outside somewhere I couldn't see.
[Reset]
Landing down on the floor from my leaping punch, I steadied myself somewhat. … That felt good, really good to give that whench what she deserves! My landing felt anything but good as it was then that the pain I had been ignoring made their presence known once more. I sunk to my knees as the burning pain from the light spear along with the other cuts and bruises I had apparently gotten from the fight with the exorcists vying for my attention. Even with as tired as I was and the pain; I managed to rise and make my way over to Asia and when I knelt down in front of the bench she was laying on.
"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you... Asia. Even with all that I have learned and the power I have obtained… I couldn't save you…"
My muttered apology was said in tears at how my failure had cost another's life and I was still alive somehow through this all. It was as I was breathing hard that I heard footsteps behind me; I looked up to find Rias, Akeno and Kiba standing just inside the doorway of the church. That acted as a reality check for me.
'Ddraig, make the Boosted Gear back down to the simpler gauntlet quick.'
[You got it.]
The gauntlet on my left arm glowed for a moment and then it changed back to the second level of the Boosted Gear. I didn't know how they would react should they know just how powerful I really am with the boosted gear. Rias was walking over to me; her face was unreadable. I tensed up, fully expecting my master to yell at me or smack me and call me stupid or something along those lines. After all, I had done exactly what she said for me not to for the last few days and I would admit that fact without regret. I was ready to accept whatever punishment that Rias had in mind for me and I would take it, like a Badge or Medal of Honor!
"Rias… I know you said for me not to do this… I couldn't just stand by and do nothing… I know that I'm pathetic right now as I failed in this… but I…"
I wasn't able to think of a good defense of my action. I had failed to save Asia, so my action didn't amount for what I had intended them to. So, what could I say in my defense in this? What actually happened, was Rias came up and hugged me and that confused me greatly. I had blatantly gone against the orders of the one who had given me a second chance at life; shouldn't she be mad at me and be giving me a rightly deserved consequence?! Although with Rias's proximity, that in itself can be considered a punishment when it involves me and my condition. If I wasn't on an adrenaline high right this moment; I would be close to fainting from blood loss due to the blood that would be pouring out of both nostrils of my nose in streams!
"Issei… I'm so glad you're okay."
… Okay, I'm so confused right now by how Rias is acting.
"But Rias… shouldn't you be mad at me?! I did exactly what you said for me not to…"
"Someone order a beaten crow?"
Looking over to the doors I kicked in earlier, Koneko came through them dragging something and tossed whatever she had drug and with a crash Raynare landed in front of us. It was easy to see that she was still out cold from the beating I had given her. Rias whispered something to Akeno and she nodded; Akeno summoned a small amount of water and let it drop onto Raynare's face. The fallen angel spluttered and got up slowly looking around. She flinched at seeing me as I was glaring at her; I wanted her to die right now as Asia was forced to. I however, stayed where I was as Rias took a step forward towards her.
"Hello Raynare, it's nice to finally meet you. My name is Rias Gremory."
"Gremory?! You have got to be kidding!"
Yet it was plain that Raynare knew that Rias was who she said she was. Raynare stared at Rias scared for a moment before she smirked a little.
"You might have beaten me, but my backup will arrive soon enough."
… Backup… well let them come! I'm still fine to do in some more pigeons! Rias's smile lessened a bit; she then pulled out what appeared to be two dark feathers that varied in the shade of black from one another. Rias showed the two feathers to Raynare.
"Do these look familiar?"
Oh my, so Rias already took care of the said backup… nice for her. Raynare looked really scared now as she looked at the two feathers as Rias continued.
"Your two colleagues were rather rude to me and you lot have cause a lot of trouble in my territory so…"
Raynare was silent as Rias caught sight of the red gauntlet on my left hand and the president's smile brightened. She came over to me and took the gauntlet in her hands looking at it more closely.
"Well look at you; I must say I'm very surprised that you have this, however it explains a fact that has mystified me until now."
I was kind of confused at the last bit that Rias said but stayed quiet as she then turned to face Raynare.
"You think you were beaten by a simple 'twin critical'? Well, the truth of the matter is that you were actually beaten by the 'Boosted Gear'; it's one of the thirteen variations of Longinus. It has the ability to double its wielder's power every ten seconds, therefore allowing them to surpass Satan and the leader of Heaven. The drawback is it takes a decant amount of time to charge up, but I think your talking helped in that, wouldn't you say Raynare?"
The information that Rias had said concerning the Boosted Gear was pretty much things I already knew other than that name… 'Longinus'… never heard it before. I wonder if Kira has. Anyway, I was more surprised that she knew those facts about the Boosted Gear; I mean yes apparently Ddraig had a previous host that had become a devil… though that host didn't last long after that, yet Ddraig won't tell me why. I managed to hear my fake girlfriend muttering something and so I strained a bit to listen.
"… The power to surpass God and Satan is in the hands of a child?!"
Then Raynare's head, which had been pointing down at the ground, came up and she looked at me. My glare faded and I got a sick feeling of foreboding at her looking at me; and I didn't like it at all. I have a feeling that this situation is about to go badly… scratch that, this is about to become a crapshoot!
"Issei! Save me!"
I froze where I was… And there is my confirmation of this going to hell in a hand basket. Still, I wasn't prepared for the emotions that washed over me. I thought I had already accepted that Raynare had tricked me and moved on. Raynare had been acting, she was a fake and that's all there is to it. My mind knew that; however, … my heart still hurt at hearing her plea.
"The devil is trying to kill me! I really like you; let's beat her together and then we can go back to how it was before!"
My mind knew with absolute certainty that Raynare was acting and lying like she had before and harder to save herself; but my heart wasn't listening to my mind anymore and was starting to pine for Yuma again. For the feelings of warmth and comfort I had felt with her before… yes, they had been fake, but still… The determination I had before, to kill her for what she had done to Asia weakened in her cry for help. There was only one option left in this… I shut my eyes and turned away from where Raynare was yelling her pleas to me and walked towards Rias.
"President… I can't… please, I can't do it."
Rias walked past where I was and towards Raynare.
"You have tricked and used my servant enough! Now vanish!"
I heard a last scream from Raynare that was cut off as she was blasted into oblivion. Turning towards Rias, I saw that she had a familiar small ball of light… the same ball of light that had come out of Asia while she had been on the cross. I strolled over to where I had laid Asia and knelt down again.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry Asia. I failed you when you needed me the most… I'm so pathetic."
Rias came up behind me and was looking over my shoulder.
"I see; so this is the nun you met then?"
I couldn't vocalize my answer as my throat had shut up from the pain from my emotions, so I just nodded in reply. Rias put a hand on my shoulder in a comforting manner. She then took the ball of light and put it over Asia and the ball went back into Asia.
"I think she would be an excellent addition to my peerage and family; wouldn't you agree Issei?"
I stared at the woman that was my master in the world of Devils; had she just said that…? She would do that! I could hardly believe what I had just heard, but I nodded on the chance that I had heard correctly. Backing up, I watched as Rias took out a red chess piece and stood in front of Asia. The piece was, if my sight was working right, a bishop piece… what did Rias say was the specialty of that piece; I don't remember.
"Since death has come to you, I will gladly take you in. From this moment forward, you will live your life for my sake. I, Rias Gremory give you the gift of rebirth. Rejoice Asia Argento, rejoice in your new life."
When the red light that came from Rias's magic died down; I glanced over to where Asia lay and saw her starting to move. Feelings of relief and joy flooded me at seeing that Asia would be okay. Asia, herself sat up and looked around, looking confused.
"Hmm… what's going on?"
Asia focused on me once she spotted me.
"Issei-san? What happened?"
Feeling joy, I moved forward and embraced my friend Asia. Whereas she was surprised by my actions and was trying to ask what was going on.
"I-I-Issei-san, w-w-what are you d-d-doing?!"
I didn't let her go even with shifting in confusion.
"It's nothing Asia; I'm just happy that you're okay."
Everything was falling into place… maybe life as a devil, won't be as bad as I had thought it was going to be after all. I don't doubt it will be trying, difficult and at times sheer torture with this many females in close proximity, but… I'll find a way to deal with that… somehow.
Chapter end
A/n
Please take the time to write a review; I do appreciate the comments and those who bring up points that I miss. Now I have one final thing to bring forth; some questions for you readers that can help with how this story will play out. These questions are still up to be answered.
When Issei meets Riser, how should he react?
When Rias comes to him in the night to attempt to get out of her engagement, should he somehow keep his wits or should his glitch run its course?
In the rating game of Riser vs Rias, at what point should Issei get to before the fight ends (Issei doesn't get to beat Riser in this fight)?
Should Kira provide info (dirt in truth) on Riser and his Peerage?
What should Kira's reaction be to events in Issei's life as a devil so far?
