Surprise! Here's another chapter for you guy to enjoy :) It took me a while but I finally got this chapter done. Previously, Rias and her allies discovered they walked into a trap. Now we shall see who set it.
Chapter 6 The last Vepar
A trap; that's what the sorcerer said. But that couldn't be right. It was said a Stray had fled from Tokyo to Kuoh. Had that been a lie? Was the information given to her wrong? Or had someone send false information to her so she and her peerage were lure here under the assumption that it was only one stray? If it was the latter, then who would do such a thing? Rias wondered.
"Welcome, Rias Gremory and her lapdogs!" An arrogant female voice echoed through the mansion's entrance. "And welcome to your doom!"
The Devils and human tensed at the threat and menacing voice. Gerard summoned his magic, while noticing Kiba drew a two-handed sword with Koneko raising her fists. 'So, they're both close ranged-fighters with one using swords and the other using fists.' Gerard noted to himself.
"Come forth Stray Devil and we will deliver a swift and painless death!" Rias shouted flaring her magic to intimidate the foe who'd dare say she had come to her doom.
"No, no, no. It is youwho will be given a swift death, Gremory." The female answered and from out of the shadows came a tall slender woman with shoulder length white hair and a voluptuous body clayed in a white pinstripe suit. The top nearly unbuttoned ending just above her waist to allow all to see her cleavage. In her right hand was a cane which she leaned upon casually. Her silver eyes staring at the redhead. She stood at the edge of the staircase looking down on Rias and her peerage as if they were insects to her. "I am Crystal and I welcome you all to the house that shall be your grave. The information my master planted was foolproof. You foolishly believed the details and walked right in." Crystal sneered with a mocking grin.
"So, this isa trap!" Rias yelled, her eyes sharpening that she had been played a fool. She also heard Crystal saying her master so this woman wasn't a Stray, she was a regular Devil!
"Oh, man look at those milk pillow!" Drool fell from Issei's mouth as he stared at Crystals bust. "Those are so huge! I wanna-"
"Wanna what?" Growled Gerard in a threatening tone to the pervert. Even in a deadly situation he was an idiotic pervert thinking about woman and their breasts. Oh, how he wished to punch him right now.
"Issei, focus!" Commanded Rias, also wishing he'd focus on the situation and not boobs. "Where is your master!? I will not allow his actions to go unpunished!" She demanded.
The white-haired woman shook her head in amusement. "Oh, ho ho did I hit a nerve? It seems your tempers has bad as your filthy mother!" The beauty insulted the former Bael member.
"Why you!" Without a second thought of hesitation Rias summoned her power, which looked like to Gerard fire colored black with a red outer glow to it, and released a blast of it at the Devil! This woman was wishing for a death sentence for her insults!
Crystal clicked her cane on the ground and in doing so formed a giant wall of ice, which halted Rias attack. The fancy dressed Devil laughed, her bust jiggling in the processes. "That's it? This is what Rias Gremory is capable of!? What a joke! That was pathetic! Compared to your brother he'd have obliterated my Ice Wall with ease! You're just like the rest of higher ups, arrogant and overconfident!"
"Hold your tongue, villain! Speak ill of my friends once more and you shall feel my wrath!" Gerard yelled, even though he agreed with the Devil about her being overconfident and a little arrogant.
Crystal narrowed her eyes at the speaker, a rather handsome black-haired youth. For some reason, he felt different from the others. She didn't sense any Devil powers from him. "And you are who that would say that?" She asked, not taking her eyes off Gerard.
"I am Gerard Price; sorcerer and ally to Rias Gremory!" The human announced. He wasn't about to let the woman think he was a Devil as he was proud to be a human being.
"Sorcerer? I think you mean magician handsome." No one noticed the slight growl that came from Akeno. "But, since you're an ally of hers, she must have made a pact with you. What did she offer you; her virginity?" Crystal assumed.
"Hey! The only one who'll be taking Buchou's virginity is me, lady!" Issei shouted in anger.
Gerard pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance. "Will you shut up and focus, pervert!? We are in the middle of a battle! In fact," He yelled before thrusting his hand at Crystal. "I call upon the Flames of the Faltine to incinerate this villain!" Like before fire spewed from his palms at Crystal. The fire clashed against the ice shield she had made and very slowly, it started to melt. "It looks like someone didn't take science class. Ice is weak against fire." Gerard taunted over the roar of the fire spell.
"Of course I know it is you twit!" Crystal yelled. "But even the hottest flame can be frozen." She raised her cane, causing a bluish white magic symbol to appear at the tip of it shooting more ice at the wall to keep the fire at bay. That sorcerer was powerful but even he was no match for her. She smirked upon seeing the flames stopping by her continuous supply of ice to the wall. It was quickly replaced with a frown when Rias and Akeno joined in the assault to breach the wall. Ice shattered and forced Crystal to cover her face. "Servants, protect your masters!" She called before turning tail and running down the corridor she came.
"She's escaping!" Akeno declared preparing to give chase after the Devil. Before she could, another barrier of ice prevented the ravenette from following.
"…We'll catch her later, Akeno-sempai…We've got bigger problems to deal with." Koneko called from her positon, tightening her first. The moment she finished her sentence, something large came smashing through a left door on the second landing. It was soon revealed to be a massive Minotaur clayed in red armor and wielding a giant battle axe.
Riding upon its shoulders was a girl the same age as Koneko with two horns sticking out of its head and four arms. She was wearing a sailor suite, the shirt replaced by a small bikini top, and in each hand were magic wands with stars on them. "Oh, what fun, Devils to kill. Devils to rip apart. Devils to eat! Stomp them into the ground Mini!" She yelled with delight as she blasted a yellow beam at Asia who had dived out of the way in time while the Minotaur now dubbed as 'Min' charged toward Rias with its axe raised high to slice her in two. Rias didn't look disturbed at all.
There was the sound of steal met steal. Kiba had intercepted the attack just in time. The blonde was struggling to hold him off but made sure to keep his King safe.
Gerard was taken aback by the speed displayed by the boy. He was on the opposite side of the room and now he stood before Rias, his tiny swords holding out against the giant axe! He wanted to ask but stopped when he heard something approaching him quickly. Summoning Zhu-Chang's blade nonverbally, he spun around and quickly blocked that attack that met his steel. The Chinese Dao scrapped against giant claws belonging to a woman, a harpy to be exact! Gerard pushing the clawed hand away and tried landing a hit on his foe which was in vain as the harpy woman used her wings to back off into the air.
Throwing his free hand out he fired a lightning bolt at the harpy who dodged with easy. 'Tch, always hated fighting foes who could fly!' Gerard grumbled in his head as the harpy dived at him, forcing the sorcerer to block another swing of her talons.
When she was pushed back, he chanted. "Watoomb, I call forth your winds to clip this birds wings!" A powerful gust of wing came swooshing through the mansion and just like that the harpy's wing were severed from her body causing her to scream. Now having an opening, he swung his weapon with precision and grace, severing the head of the creature with blood coating the floor and his blade. Flinging his sword down, wiping the blood off, he looked at the others.
"Dragon Shot!" Issei's voice was heard.
"Dragon what!?" Gerard was tackled by the tiny white-haired Rook. Before he could ask why she did that, a large green beam flew overhead and struck a giant spider bodied Stray that was about to eat him alive. Gerard watched as the attack was powerful enough to destroy the creatures' upper half with ease. Its blood and gore rained onto the floor. "Uha! That's nasty!" The ravenette groaned out.
"Fucking hell, I was aiming for the spider part! Now I'll never get to see those bouncy boobies ever again!" Issei complained with comical tears.
"…Shut it, pervert. Less whining more ass kicking." Koneko reprimanded the Pawn before helping Gerard to his feet. "…I got your back, Sempai." She said.
Gerard smiled at the girl. "Thanks for the save, Koneko. How many more are there?" He asked, his eyes scanned the room for more.
A cry was heard and they saw Kiba dislodge his sword from the Minotaur's waist and speed away as a blast of lighting came down upon the beast and its rider. The two screamed/roared in pain from the electricity frying them.
"Ara, ara. Ufufuf. It's so delightful to hear your screams! I think I'm getting a little wet from it." Akeno, who was up in the air, said with a sadistic blush.
Gerard was taken aback by what he heard Akeno say. He looked to her and saw she was wearing her shrine maiden outfit and had a veryhappy smile upon her face. By the look on her face and what he heard her say a twinge of fear crossed his mind. "You're a sadist!?" He couldn't help but asked aloud. Gerard had met a few sadists back in his world and they were people he didn't like fighting.
"Only the enemies of my master." She replied cheerfully as a faint blush appeared on her cheeks. She continued to rain lighting down upon the Minotaur and loli till the monster crashed to the floor with a thud, its rider rolling off. The loli was rising to her feet panting heavily and glaring at the sadist. "Ara, ara, I never expected you to still be alive." Akeno pouted as her fun ended much sooner than she would have liked.
"You bitch!" Yelled the loli, burnt marks appear on her body. "I'll kill you! You fucking cunt! You little shit of a whore! You-!" Her words were silenced by the actions of Gerard. His sword going through her stomach making her collapse on all four. Kneeling, his eyes staring into the shocked loli.
"Nobody speaks to my friends like that." He said. Before the stray could send of any more curses he silenced her forever with a swift beheading. He looked around at the carnage that filled the room. It did little effect on magic wielder, he had seen worse in his universe.
Akeno approached the human, a faint blush on her face. "I-I hope my sadist doesn't make you think differently of me." She hoped with some fear that she might have scared him off with her sadistic tendencies.
"Not in the slightest, Akeno. We are entitled beings of the universe to like and dislike what we wish." He said quickly answered, while glaring at a weeping Issei over the dead spider woman he blew to pieces. 'First perverts, then sex addicted girls, now a sadist…is there no one normal within this universe?' He thought.
"…Hey, we should get moving…From what I can smell, including the ice bitch, there are still many more strays in the building." Koneko answered.
"Then let's waste no time exterminating the strays. No one shall escape tonight. Will split up to hunt them down. Issei go with Asia, Kiba you're with Koneko, Gerard, Akeno and I will deal with Crystal, she may lead us to the mastermind behind this trap." Rias ordered.
"No. Asia should go with Koneko. Kiba you can accompany the fool." The black-haired interdimensional human advised.
Issei glared at Gerard, unhappy that he was being sent with the pretty boy. "Hey why are you giving orders so suddenly!? You're not even part of the peerage, let alone a Devil."
Gerard glare right back at the pervert. "Your right I'm not but it's better than having you staring at Asia's ass." Asia blushed at what he said and Issei grumbled at the sorcerers reply. "However, the decision is up to Rias, she is your king." Gerard said, turning his attention to the redhead.
Rias cupped her chin in thought thinking of sorcerer's idea. Issei and Asia had training but they were still new and need more training to bolster their strength. Kiba and Koneko had more experience in hunting strays and poor Asia was no fighter. At last she spoke up, they were wasting time with this planning and need to get the job done. "Koneko will go with Issei and Kiba will accompany Asia. Now no more wasting time, we got some Strays to slay." With that they split off into their groups, Gerard hid a sly smirk at the Rook's threat to smash the pervert's sacred jewels to pieces before going out of ear shot.
Even a gentleman like him felt the pervert deserved a threat like that. Threaten the sacred place of every men and they submit like a dog. "I've tried to look past his perverted ways, Akeno, he was fighting for his life and he had the audacity to stare at a woman's breasts, in the middle of a fight! Why did God have to bless a Dragon with a pervert?" He asked with a shake of his head. Gerard couldn't even understand the thought process of the Biblical God with his decision of giving Issei a powerful gear that could slay Gods.
"It was his decision, Gerard-san." Rias answered. "God chose for Issei to wield the power of the Red Dragon Emperor. He truly is a nice guy, Gerard, and his determination to never give up is inspiring. It was he who saved me from marrying Raiser Phenex. He crashed the wedding declaring I was his." She explained with a small blush at how hard and bravely he fought for her freedom.
"You mean that your virginity was his." Akeno corrected with a giggle at remembering the event like it was yesterday
Gerard facepalmed and sighed. Why did God from the Bible put one of those Sacred Gears into a fool like that? He's a pervert with no real goals expect peeping on naked girls. That boy needed serious help to change his ways and realize becoming a harem king isn't worth striving for. Not wanting to think on that the human decided to ask something important. "You know, I recall each of your peerage members saying what chess piece they were. From what I saw in our battle against those Strays, Kiba used speed and Koneko has super strength."
Rias smiled. "You are correct. Each Evil Piece has their own special ability. Knight has super speed and Rooks have super strength and tough defense. Bishops, on the other hand, solely use magic, you could say their like magicians. Queens have the traits of all three the previous pieces mentioned, Akeno uses the bishop trait due to her powerful skills in magic. That along with her usage of lighting has earned her the title Priestess of Thunder. Lastly are Pawns. There trait is unique because they can be granted promotion to any pieces such as Queen or even King, just like in the board game. I've already told you why Issei is my only Pawn so there's no reason to explain it again. I would never trade Issei or any of my darling servants ever." The princess ended her long explanation.
"Because there your friends and friends stick together." Gerard replied with a smile. "Are Asia and Issei your only Sacred Gear possessors?" The human asked.
"No, actually." Akeno answered for her master. "Kiba also has a Sacred Gear called Sword Birth. It allows him to summon different types of swords. Me and Koneko don't have Sacred Gears thought, we have something that makes us…special." She said with some anger slipping through her voice.
Gerard noticed something about the way she said special left a bad taste in her mouth. As if she wished to not say what exactly these abilities were and not special at all. Still though these special abilities the Queen and Rook had sounded interesting to see. What exactly where they, reality warping, time stopping, unlimited power? If they ever were in a dire situation perhaps he'd see them show their hidden talents.
His mind then drifted back to the pieces Rias had used, and from what he gathered she still had the other bishop, rook, and knight to use. If he had joined her peerage…"What piece would you have used on me?" Gerard wondered.
"Either my second Rook or Knight. Your power in magic is incredible, it's on pair with Akeno and mine." Rias complemented the human.
"So, that means you already have two bishops." Replied the human, knowing there were only two Bishops in the game. "Where is your second bishop, I've never him or her around the peerage?" He asked as he hadn't seen the person with the magic-using piece.
Rias remained silent at his question wondering if she should tell him about her…special piece. Should she really say so? That poor boy had been sealed away within that room for a long long time. Could she trust him with information like that? Everyone within her peerage, minus Issei and Asia, knew about him. "My second bishops…is a special case. He has trouble controlling his power and that forced me seal him away to keep him safe should that power get out of control." Rias explained with a sad expression.
"I assume he too has a Sacred Gear?" When he received a nod from Rias she piqued his curiosity about the second bishop. The power of his Sacred Gear must be immeasurable if he can't control it and force his master to seal him away. If that power was magic, then maybe he and Akeno could teach him to control it. It wouldn't hurt to try. When that would happen, he wouldn't know. Would Rias even unseal the Bishop? He didn't like the thought of someone being sealed away when they could be set free and live a normal life.
"Rias, should I call Sona for assistance? Having back up would be beneficial if things go south." Akeno asked ready to contact the Sitri Devil should her master command it.
"Not yet. I want to see what else is-" She paused when the symbol to her house appeared beside her ear like a telephone. "Yes?" She answered.
"…Buchou. We've dealt with one of the Strays and are perusing another." Came Koneko's voice.
"Excellent work, Koneko, keep going but watch yourself." Rias replied then ended the connection. "We need to find Crystal." She told the two.
"No need for that, Gremory! I'm right here!" Before the three could turn, they were blasted by a gust of wind and ice that made them throw up their arms.
"Looks like Christmas came early!" Gerard joked as he shielded his vision from the intense blizzard.
"And old Saint Nick sent me in his stead to give you your gift." Crystal replied. "Which is death!" She swung her cane and from the blizzard appeared icy tendrils that rushed the three.
Gerard threw his hands out casting a large clear bubble around himself and the Devils. "The Shield of the Seraphim will protect us!" He declared as the tendrils impacted against barrier and threatened to shatter the protective bubble. He knew the spell wouldn't be able to hold this forever, but for the time being he had to keep himself and his friends safe. "Any ideas, Rias?" He asked with a grunt as Crystal began to beat the ice whips on and off his shield multiple times.
"Take that bitch down." She ordered coating her hands in her Destruction magic, readying to fire once the barrier dropped. The bubble shattered after a few more powerful slashes at the cracks it had created and when it did, the princess released her charged up attack but, like before, it was countered by an ice barrier.
Waving her cane once more, the winds she commanded increased in power blinding her enemy's vison and making ice appear on the walls. Using that to her advantage she rushed forward grabbing the arms of the sorcerer. She grinned devilishly when she watched his eyes widened in horror as ice began to cover his hands. "I can't have you doing more spells, handsome." Crystal said with a smug look.
"Get your hands off him!" Akeno ordered and sent a ball of fire at her. It soared to its target but was not to be as another gust of wind blew through the hall and, to the Queen and King's surprise, literally turned the fireball into a snowball and sent flying right back at her at double the speed. She dodged the snowball and countered with a blast of lightning but that too was blocked by an ice wall.
Crystal smirked at the futile attempts by the black-haired girl. "Futile, like your master." She squeezed Gerard's hand harder and the ice began to creep up his forearms slowly. "Don't worry, I'm not going to kill you sorcerer. Just turn you into a decoration for-" Her sentence was cut off by the black-haired human slamming his head into hers causing her grip to loosen.
Seeing the ice Devil disoriented, Gerard took the chance and ripped his frozen hands away before slamming them against the Devil's head, causing the ice to shatter and Crystal to be sent through the air. Hands now free from their icy coffin, the human send a magic imbued punch to her face.
Crystal got her bearings back after having her head smashed in. She could feel some blood leak from her head and the side of her lips. Angry at the human for hurting her, she was about to strike back when Gerard beat her to the punch; literally.
The fist connected with a resounding smack, and knocked her down the hall. Not letting up, he launched a fire spell at Crystal but it never reached its target. The ice powered Devil, getting her eyes to focus once again, cast for what was possibly the fourth ice wall tonight. While the wall stalled the attack, Crystal tapped her cane forming a teleportation circle beneath her and disappeared in a swirl of snow just as the ice shattered. "Tch, the bitch got away. Next time she won't be so lucky." He scowled at the spot where she had just been.
"You'll get that chance if we see her again so we can end this." Rias said continuing down the hall with Akeno in tow. "How are your hands?" She asked the human when he caught up to them.
"Better now that they're free." Gerard replied as he flexed his fingers. The teen was glad they hadn't shattered with the ice. He did not wish to be handless, he needed his fingers.
He and the Devil's continued down the hall, the sorcerer taking the lead. Soon they reached a pair of doors and before they could go through they heard footsteps approaching them.
"Buchou, Akeno-san, Gerard-kun!" Approaching was Kiba followed by Asia. The Knights clothes were torn in some areas while Asia looked a little bruised but was otherwise okay. "Found more Strays in the left living room. They won't be giving us anymore trouble. What happened to you?" The blonde wondered.
"Encountered that ice bitch and she tried to freeze my hands. She unfortunately escaped." Gerard replied with some anger that the woman escaped again. "Where are the others?" He asked noticing Koneko and Issei not among them.
Just then there came a great crash beyond the door and a yell that sounded like something or someone getting punched very hard. Wasting no time the Devils rushed inside and saw another Stray Devil, this one having the body of some four-legged demon creature with a long neck, go flying after a brutal axe drop curtesy of Koneko. On the opposite side of the room, trading blows with a half man half monkey Stray, was Issei but he was beginning to lose ground as the monkey Devil was very agile and used his smaller stature to his advantage to block and go around Issei's poor fighting style.
"Hm…Not bad but not good." Gerard said as he watched the pervert get sent flying before landing on the ground in a loud thud.
The sorcerer was about to help Issei but was shocked to see the pervert stand back up and launch another one of his Dragon Shots that disintegrated the Stay. "Wow! That was actually good. Didn't know he had a brain in that head of his to let the Devil get close before ending it." Gerard was honestly impressed.
"Yes Gerard-san, that is the power Ise has that makes him powerful. You should see him in his armor. He's much more powerful when using that." Rias said with great pride of her crush beating another Stray.
"So, Gerard-senpai, what do you think of me now?" Issei boasted between heavy breathing to the sorcerer with a smug grin on his face.
"Impressive." Gerard replied. It made Issei's head grow a little big. "But you're still a pervert and very sloppy." He added with a frown which the pervert slumped in comical depression. "So, what now? We've cut their numbers so leaves Crystal." The teen said.
"Does it?" A voice asked; this time it was a male's voice. There was a defining bang and a pair of doors on the left were blasted off their hinges followed by icy winds and icicles.
The black-haired duo reacting the same time, Gerard casting a barrier, while Akeno released a fire spell to intercept the enemies attack. They collided in a great explosion clouding the doorway which the ice came through. All was quiet until their came the sound of clapping. "Bravo. Well done in countering my Queen's attack."
Everyone tensed at his words, did he say Queen? That meant this was Crystal's master. Out of the smoke came two people, one was Crystal, the other was a man looking in his mid-thirties wearing aristocrat attire from the Victorian era.
His shirt and pants were black, while the vest was red. On his feet where black riding boots. Strands of auburn hair hung in front of his face while the rest fell behind and over his shoulders in a wavy pattered. His eyes shined like emeralds and his nose was very pointy. Atop his head was a tall hat, and covering his hands were white gloves. Like Crystal he held a cane in his right hand.
"So, you're Crystal's master huh? Care to tell me who you are?" Rias demanded rather than asked, eyeing both Devils as she sensed something familiar about the auburn-haired man.
"Why Ms. Gremory how could you forget me?" The male asked in mock surprise. "I would have thought the stories of Red Death Lucius wouldn't be forgotten? Even thought it had been a couple of years." The man said with a tilt of the head and mocking smile.
"Lucius!?" Rias gasped, recalling the name she heard. Studying his features the red haired princesses doubled back in surprise as realizing dawned on her. "Are you really Red Death Lucius!? Former heir to the Vepar family?" The princess asked with some fear dripping through her voice.
"I am." Lucius replied calmly, thought a hint of anger was in his tone. "The Vepar family is not extinct! It still lives on, through me, Lucius Vepar!" Lucius said showing more anger at the redhead, peerage, and human before him.
"Someone want to tell us what the hell's going on?" Isse asked confused at what exactly was going on while trying to keep his eyes off Crystals exposed cleavage.
"The Vepar family was part of the 72 pillars. They fought in the Great War and later in the Civil War, on the side of the Old Satan Faction. The one who stands before was is Lucius Vepar, first born son to Aubrey Vepar, and heir to that family. I thought you had died with your family in the Civil War…" Rias answered trailing off at the end with her eyes locked on the enemy Devils. She was excepting to meet someone powerful, but was unprepared to discover it was a survivor of an extinct pureblood family.
Her eyes flickered to Crystal. With the power she displayed and learning that Lucius was her master, indicated she was his Queen. A Queen who was the loyal servant to the last Vepar, Lucius. Why did Lucius come to Kuoh? Did anyone know he was still alive?
"Die? No - become stronger, yes." Retorted Lucius with a snort.
"Why are you here?" Rias demanded, wanting answers.
"What else my dear, but for you. I've come for you…to extract revenge!" His good-natured expression changed to anger. "Revenge for what your brother did! I saw it! I saw him murdermy father and brothers and I could do nothing to help! I was force to escape with my Queen through a secret door you fools didn't know of and for years I have planned my revenge on Sirzechs. Once it is done, your father, mother, and murder of a brother will know the pain I felt when they find your corpse on their doorstep! As for your servants…" His eyes lingered on Akeno and Asia.
"They can find a new master or die with you." His eyes landed on the black-haired man who wore a neutral expression on his face. His Queen had told him who that was which caused an amused smirk to creep onto his pale face. "Ah the sorcerer, Gerard Price. You are not part of her peerage which makes you no enemy of mine. What say you on this matter?" He asked the human.
Gerard stepped forward staring down the Devil. The things he said were cruel and villainous but his family…his brothers…murdered by Rias brother! Was that true, or was he lying? Either way, he wasn't about to let this man hurt his friends, but he too did not wish to eradicate the last Vepar. If he went then they would be extinct. "Must it end in bloodshed? The path to revenge will not achieve you anything, Lord Vepar. You can turn away from it and surrender peacefully." He offered.
"Gerard what are you saying!? He's an enemy to Devil society! He must be exterminated!" Rias yelled in surprise. Trying to talk him out of his quest for revenge was futile. He had threatened to kill Satan Lucifer's sister and heir to the Gremory household. This fiend had no place in world of the living.
But Gerard ignored her, he stretched his hand out, a pleading expression on his face. He wanted to tell her to shut up, but this was a delicate situation to not let his anger seep through. Lie or not, Gerard felt pity for the Devil. "You can end this here and now. There's another way, a peaceful way. I can help you start a new life, a happier life." The human added on.
Lucius glanced at his Queen, then back at the human after a moment of thought. "Your offer is generous, Price-san." He admitted.
"Then…will you submit?" Gerard asked, hope filling him as the man seemed like he was about to make the right decision.
He was wrong as Lucius's expression turned into one with sadness and a little regret. "No. I am sorry, Price-san, but it's too late for that. Revenge is all I have left to avenge my clan." His brows furrowed as he glared at Rias. The woman reminded him too much of Sirzechs and it was making his blood boil.
Gerard could only feel pity for the Devil. He had walked to long down the path of revenge, thus leaving the sorcerer no choice. "So be it…" He replied calling on his magic.
"Crystal, my Queen, let us end this." Lucius declared as he and his Queen raised their canes each fired their magic, fire and ice their opponent.
Nonverbally the sorcerer cast the Seven Rings of Raggadorr against the fire and ice spells which collided and bounced off toward the ceiling. "I summon the Bolts of Bedevilment!" He declared unleashing the lightning bolts at the Devils. The attack missed it targets, for they split up and began bombard him from two sides. While he managed to block Crystal's ice, he could not stop the flames. Before he could get roasted, the blast was intercepted by a blast of red with black outlined magic.
"You are not alone, Gerard-san!" Rias declared firing Destruction spells at the last Vepar member.
"How touching but do you think I didn't forget about you?" Lucius grinned madly as he clicked his cane twice on the ground. All around the room magical circles appeared and of each one came a Stay Devil of different shape and size. "Enjoy your dinner, my Strays." He cackled, as his Strays moved in to engage Rias' Peerage while he himself faced off against the ruin princesses herself with his Queen battling Gerard.
Gerard meanwhile was exchanging spells with the ice woman. Ice against lightning. Their powers evenly matched. Neither could harm the other. He glanced over his shoulder to see how his friend were faring.
Koneko trading blows with a four-armed gorilla brute, while Kiba dueling a skinny woman wielding a double-bladed scythe. Issei protecting Asia against what looked like a Gollum, and Akeno was dueling three harpies at once while assisting everyone when she had a chance. She zoomed through the air like a helicopter provided air support for the foot soldiers while engaging the enemies air forces. Her attacks rained down on the Strays and Lucius who she tried to land a hit on whenever she could but the High-Class Devil managed to dodge them while keeping his attention on the redhead.
'She's one hell of a fighter!' He thought with amazement, watching Akeno weave through a barrage of spells before counterattack. Remembering he was in a duel of his own, he turned his focus back to Crystal doubled his efforts, hoping to overpower her with his strength and skill that she seemed to share. Looking for an entrance into her guard, he finally found it and rammed his shoulder into her, throwing her back a bit.
Just as he was about to claim victory, he felt someone body slam against his side. Grunting in pain, he looked down to see what was attacking him. Gerard growled when discovering it was a werewolf who was trying to sink its teeth into him. "Get off you fucking beast!" He ordered before kneeing it in the stomach and punching it in the snout, forcing it to roll off him. Refusing to let this thing turn him or his friends into werewolf's, he tackled the monster and punched it in the snout again, kicking its side, and launching a double axe hammer on its noggin, cracking its skull. Wasting no time, he picked up the dead werewolf and tossed it at the Gollum who was overpowering Issei. "Dodge!" He ordered the pervert just before the werewolf collided with the Gollum sending them both crashing to the ground.
Seeing that Issei was out of the way, the sorcerer fired a powerful blast of magic which erased both creatures from existence. Smirking a little, he didn't sense the presence from behind.
"Gerard-kun, behind you!" He heard Akeno cry causing him to spun on his heels and cast a quick barrier spell. Crystal had tried to pierce him with her cane, which now was a sword. She was about to try again, aiming for the crack in the shield but had to dodge a blast of lightning by Akeno who swooped down above. Sighing in relief at the aid his fellow magic wielder, he looked at the battle ragging between Rias and Lucius and from the looks of it Lucius was starting to gain the upper hand.
"Think you and Rias can handle the ice bitch?" Receiving a nod, Gerard turned his full attention to the auburn-haired male. Magic was the skill both Lucius and Crystal excelled in, swordsmanship he was unsure of, and he was about to see by engaging the last Vepar. 'Not the best situation to be in but oh well.' Brushing those thoughts away, the teen moved.
Enhancing his speed with wind magic he zoomed toward Lucius and, with the skill of an acrobat, launched himself through the air while summoning the Blades of Zhu-Chang. He gave a loud war cry which caught the two noble Devil's attention. He landed on his feet but instead of flesh, his sword meet air. His new opponent had quickly retreated and with one fluid motion transformed his cane into a sabre. "Rias, switch!" He ordered before charging the auburn-haired Devil, leaving Rias to look on in shock at Gerard moving so quickly at Lucius.
The two combatants closed the distances in minutes and began a deadly duel of swordplay, east vs. west, Chinese Broadsword vs. British Sabre Gerard; slashing and spinning. Lucius thrusted and parried Gerard's well placed strikes and countered with his own which Gerard also dodged. The Devil retreated two steps before lunging, his blade cutting his opponents cheek, drawing blood. Twisting his wrist, Lucius raised his blade to block an overhead strike that was turned into a stab that he sidestepped.
Gerard rolled away from the Devil before his enemy could drive his sword into his back. Rising to one knee he fired a spell at him. Instead of hitting the Devil it hit a shield the auburn-haired man cast and Lucius wasn't harmed but the power behind the spell was beginning to make him grit his teeth. Ending the blast, the black-haired human wasted no time to charge his opponent grasping the rest of the hilt with his free hand and infusing magic into the blade. If Lucius were to live, then he would harm his friends which the extradimensional human wouldn't allow no matter how much he felt bad for the Devil.
Tightening his hold on the Dao he chanted. "Omnipotent Oshtur empower my sword! Encase the blade of Zhu-Cheng with you light to vanquish this Devil!" The chant caused the blade to be coated in a white light before launching himself into a somersaulted at the barrier putting all his strength into the swing. The moment his blade hit the barrier it cut right thought like a hot knife through butter. Lucius, however, was not a High-Class Devil for nothing as he retreated out of range, but this time the tip of sword cut the buttons off his vest.
Lucius growled in anger that he had almost been hit by a light infused blade the human created. Seeing that he almost landed a hit, the sorcerer launched a flurry of slashes that kept the Devil backpedaling. Their blades meet once more, both combatants trying overpower the other "You don't need to do this. Stop this senseless act of revenge. If you don't, then the rest of your family will be erased forever! Your peerage might still be alive so you can get them and get out!" Gerard told the man as they struggled to gain the upper hand and he really hoped what he said was true but he didn't have much hope as he didn't sense as much power as he did before stepping inside.
"I already told you revenge is all I have left now, human and I won't let you or anyone else stand in the way of it!" Lucius retorted, ignoring the pain the light was inflicting him.
'He's either really determined or really crazy, or both.' Gerard said to himself.
Suddenly, he felt something impact against his stomach sending him flying backwards. He caught sight of a magic circle on the Devils other hand. 'Cheeky bastard!' He yelled in his mind before crashing into a roll on the floor. Quickly jumping to his feet, he swiftly charged the enemy dodging the spells fired at him.
Once the distance was closed the sorcerer sent a stab toward Lucius, grazing his side but finally managing to land another hit. Pulling his weapon back, dodging the elbow that would have met his head, he spun on his heels and sent a fast swing which broke Lucius's defense and allowed him to send a magic infused punch to the enemies' face, sending him staggering backwards.
Gerard could see two options of attack; either he could close the distance and strike Lucius down with his sword, or keep his distance and use magic which he was more proficient at. Deciding on the latter, he transferred the light covering his sword into his free hand and fire it at the last Vepar, hitting him square in the chest, sending him flying against across the room into a wall yelling in utter pain all the way. Smoke was coming from his body with blood dripping down his moth and his shirt shredded to show his bloodied chest.
The impact against said wall caused the last Vepar to cough up blood. Lucius could feel a burning sensation on his chest, light had that effect on him since he was a creature of the Underworld. Still, he was in disbelief he had been beaten by a human and not a fellow Devil! What an embarrassment! He glared at the human who advanced forward.
Suddenly, a scream of fury caught Gerard and Lucius's attention, forcing them to glance at where it emanated from. They saw Crystal blasted Rias and Akeno, who he noticed had an icicle in her left shoulder, and both thighs, flying away. He watched the girls go crashing to the floor, writhing in pain as blood flowed from their wounds. His eyes flickered to Gerard who he saw stare in horror at the busty Gremory Queen being in pain.
Gerard looked back at Lucius then to the girl again, then back to him before looking back to the girl. Seeing his brow furrow he charged his Queen which prompted a wicked smirk to form on the auburn-haired man's face. The sorcerer blew his chance to finish the job in order to save the girl, which would give him the chance to escape.
A stupid deciding on his part.
Still, Lucius couldn't stop a frown from forming. This wasn't supposed happen. Rias was supposed to be killed, granting him the revenge he waited to have for years. Instead the trap had fallen apart and now the whole Underworld would know he was still alive. He looked around the battlefield seeing the enemy was busy either fighting or unconscious leaving the last Vepar unnoticeable. His eyes fell upon Crystal, watching her engage the sorcerer and Rias in a fierce battle of magic. Being a war veteran, it was clear this fight was lost. Continuing to fight would see Crystal and the Strays he collected be exterminated, but not him as he would be interrogated by the Devils in the Underworld.
'You've been a good and faithful servant, Crystal. I promise your death will not be in vain.' He thought using the last of his magic to teleported away. He let a single tear roll down his face as he knew he wouldn't ever see his beautiful Queen after tonight.
Gerard glared at Crystal as he fired spell after spell at her while standing over Akeno while Asia tended to her injuries. He had Lucius right where he wanted him, defeated and defenseless, and could have killed or capture him, Gerard chose the latter and mentally scolded himself for not making sure he was unconscious, but instead let him escape. Letting Lucius escape would allow him to continue his schemes to take revenge and while it wouldn't please Rias, he didn't care. The safety of his friends, of Akeno, came first.
"It's over Crystal! Your master has abandoned you! Surrender and your life will be spared." He demanded, wanting this battle to end without any more deaths.
Looking around, the white-haired woman saw no sign of her master, only the corpses of the Strays. He was gone. He really did leave her! Left her to die all alone! Anger began to fill her, her power increasing as well. "NO!" She yelled defiantly releasing an enormous blast of magic outwards knocking everyone who was standing off their feet. "If he has abandoned me to this fate then you shall join me in death! I will achieve my master's revenge! I'll-"
"By the Chains of Krakkan and Sapphire Bands of Storaan I restrain you!" Gerard interrupted, calling forth chains to appear out of thin around to wrap around Crystal like a snake constricting its prey. A second after the chains appeared bands colored sapphire collide around her. At last, the Devil was defeated and captured. "You've lost." Gerard said, sighing in relief.
"Lost?" Crystal repeated, her face scrunched so much it looked like it was gonna morph together. "This is just the beginning! These won't hold me!" She continued to defy her defeat.
"Right. They won't." Rias agreed, brow furrowed with destruction in her outstretched hand. "You've caused enough harm to my servants, traitor, be gone!" And just like that she released her attack on the Devil, obliterating Crystal from existence. The destroyed room was silent at last, the sounds of battle were heard no more. Rias panted lightly but felt relief wash over her exhausted body. She looked around at her peerage smiling to see everyone was alive. When they fell on Gerard her smile dropped instantaneously, the frown and glare he was giving her was something she did not wish to see right now. Not after the fight they went through.
"Why did you do that!? Why did you kill Crystal, she was restrained and unharmed!? You should have captured and send her to the Underworld. Then maybe we've have gotten some vital information on Lucius, such as where he got those Strays from and where he's hiding now." Gerard ranted, completely angry at the red heads hotheaded decision that had cost them.
"If we captured her, she would have been put to death. She and her master threatened the next heir to the Gremory House and the sister of Satan Lucifer." Rias said, not caring for what he was saying.
"But now you have no evidence to prove Lucius is still alive! What proof do we have he still existed? There's no corpse to examine, nor clothing, nothing!" He didn't mean to raise his voice but a situation like this was serious which the red head seem to take lightly. "Do you think words will be enough to make them believe you?" The answer was something he expected from someone of noble class.
"My wordis proof enough." Rias replied, not liking the argument one bit. "And so is my power."
Gerard's anger couldn't be held back anymore. All power has weaknesses and it made him furious to think this woman thought herself invincible. "With great power comes great responsibility!" He quoted the line one of his friends had told him a while back.
"Enough!" Rias said with a sharp tone and raise of her hand. "There's no point in talking about it anymore. You're over analyzing the situation. She's dead and that's that. I will inform my brother of this news as soon as can. For now, we shall return home." She opened a teleportation circle to take them all home, unaware of the glared Gerard sent toward her or the concerned expression Akeno wore.
End
A new antagonist has made his debut and yes the Vepar family is cannon to DXD. It is one of the extinct 72 pillars so I chose to make Lucius the last of that family. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
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