"Why do I feel so tired Hikaru-kun?"
"Devils are weaker during the day. You'll get used to the sunlight though. I wasn't sure if you two would even have that weakness. When you get into the club room after school and everyone arrives, say God. See what happens afterwards. Or better yet, when Issei seems to be looking at you the wrong way tell him God Bless. Should put him down."
"Good to know."
"So what's your first class Katase, Murayama?"
"We have PE. Ugh."
"That should actually help you get used to the sun."
"I've never cared for the sun, now I hate it even more."
"When you visit the underworld you'll miss it. It'll look like it's there, but it just feels…..different."
"How so?"
"Well, you don't miss something you get every day until you no longer have it."
"We're here. We have to part ways don't we?" Katase looked a little anxious.
"Unfortunately we do. But I can promise you there is nothing to fear on this campus. There are three High-Class Devils and their peerages. In addition to that, these Devils are all personally connected with at least one Devil Ruler. There are very few safer places to be." Looking at the girls to my side I turned to face them. "Hey, no one will ever hurt either of you again. Not while I breathe. Okay? I will protect you two. Now come here." I pulled the duo into a three person hug.
"Thank you, Hikaru-kun."
"Yes, thank you."
Pulling back a bit I looked at both girls. "Something you should both know and always remember; neither of you will ever have to thank me for anything I do. Ever."
The girls looked at each other. "We'll always thank you for everything you do for us and others!"
I sighed, "Why am I not surprised? Now go to class!" I parted ways with the ladies and headed to class. Passing by Issei I stopped him. "Hey, you better treat her right understood? I'm sure she already told you but after classes someone will be by to grab you and take you to the clubroom. Oh, and beware looking at Katase and Murayama. Have a nice and confusing day!" I left him stupefied. It's not like anyone can blame me, who wouldn't want to shake someone up that badly? Well anyone who's truthful will admit they'd want to try it at least once. I walked into class, sat down, and decided a nice nap would be very good.
*Club Room After School*
"So who's going to fetch the new one?" I was in the club room with Rias.
"How do you know about my newest member?"
"I kinda…... dealt with the Fallen Angel that killed him. He had come to me before. Threatened Kendo club members, Murayama and Katase. He hunted them while they went home. Katase stood up to protect Murayama, he killed her. Murayama used one of my contract papers to summon me to them. I reincarnated Katase on the spot to save her. Then I teleported the both of them to my house and went to find the Fallen Angel Dohnaseek. In my hunt I found Dohnaseek just having stabbed the boy. After teleporting the Fallen away I looked to the boy and found he was getting out one of your circles and knew he would be fine. I finished my hunt after that. Upon arriving home I talked with Murayama about what happened and the real world. I offered her a place on my peerage. She took the position and will be here soon with Katase. They will also be explaining what Sacred Gears are to Issei when he asks and you have him summon his. My members will also be summoning theirs today as well. Sorry about all this, love you." I sat on a couch, winded.
"Um… okay. Guess what though? He took every single one. I had to use all my Pawn pieces on him."
"Wow. He's a good one eh? Katase required one of my Mutation pieces though. Murayama just took a Knight. I have high hopes for the both of them. I'm pretty sure I know what Sacred Gear Murayama has and I need to talk with Yumi before we figure out if its correct."
"Are you going to ask Yumi to train with her?"
"That and I think Murayama might have Blade Blacksmith. I want to talk with Yumi about not judging Murayama on that. She didn't even believe in Him. Even now she isn't a follower, simply aware some of it was right. Especially seeing as how there are other Religious factions out there."
"I can understand that. Well good luck. Yumi should be arriving soon, I was going to send her to get Issei but I'm sure you wouldn't mind tagging along anyways."
"Not at all. I will also make up springing all this on you last minute."
"No. We're family, it's okay."
"Thank you, Rias. Now I should be off, Yumi has arrived." I walked down stairs to the front door. "Hey, Yumi. You're right on time. Rias wants you to get the new member and I need to talk with you about one of mine. Yes, I did say mine and the phrase was plural. I reincarnated the Kendo members, this will be explained in the club room in front of everyone so I don't have to repeat the story again. But to the point, Murayama is a Knight just as you are. I would like you to take her under your wing so to speak. While you normally wouldn't have any problem with this I think you will when we find out her Sacred Gear. I believe it to be like yours."
"Um, hello for one. Okay we'll go to the school building, and you reincarnated the Kendo duo? Okay I can wait for the story. What do you mean like mine?"
"I think she may end up having Blade Blacksmith. With your history I know this may be a problem for you."
"My history being what it is won't make me prejudice against a girl who probably hasn't even seen a church. Let alone been connected to one. That and I hate the holy sword. Not all holy swords. Especially unnamed knock offs that she'll end up making. I don't make true Demonic swords, the same goes with Blade Blacksmith. While Holy swords stir some unpleasant memories, you and our family are too important for me to go crazy simply because some new girl has Blade Blacksmith. I make no promises though when that sword comes within my grasp."
"Thank you Yumi. And when it does come to you, I won't try and stop you in your goals. Simply try and make sure you don't forget the new ones. Now I want you to promise me the following; you won't have and prejudice against either of my peerage members no matter their Sacred Gears, and that you'll take Murayama under your wing."
"I promise Hikaru."
"Thank you. Now run and get the newbie." Yumi flashed me a smile and ran off at her top speeds. Turning I headed towards the Kendo club. Upon arriving I posted a small paper alerting any members that we wouldn't have a meeting today. Afterwards I sensed outwards for my girls. Honing in on them I started walking in the right direction.
"So are we supposed to go to the old school building after school or find Hikaru, Katase-chan?"
"I think we're supposed to find Hikaru first."
"Or I could find you. Hey girls!" I was just a little ways away from the friends. "Follow me, we're going to the old school building okay?" Turning I began to walk the opposite direction the girls were in, albeit slowly, as to let them catch up. "Hi. Are you ready for all this?"
"As ready as we'll ever be, I guess."
"Why are you so happy Hikaru?" Murayama paused briefly before seeming to realize how she may have come off. "Not that you being happy is a bad thing or anything!"
"It's okay, I understand the question. I'm happier than usual because I can finally show you two the real me and all that entails. My true family, my world, my friends, my comrades. I've kept this stuff secret from you two for so long that now that it's out in the open, I feel so much lighter. All those times I couldn't make it to Kendo Club, or missed a hanging out day. Never again. It feels good."
"So you've wanted to tell us all about everything? About all of this, for a long time?"
"Yeah. You two are the only friends I have ever made that weren't childhood, or family. You were my first two Human friends."
"Really?" Murayama asked.
"Yes."
"So just what are we going to be doing tonight with the ORC?" Katase quickly changed the subject.
"Well, that's a surprise silly! Now come on! If you hurry you might make it there before me!" I started to jog towards the old school building. The girls, quickly realized I challenged them to a race sprinted in front of me. I held my steady jog behind them while they ran zig zags playing with their new found energy and speed. At the last moment though I began gaining speed, until I was in an all out sprint and whizzed by the girls.
"No fair!" Murayama squealed.
"Yeah, you couldn't have just given us this one Hikaru!?"
"You two haven't beaten me in Kendo Club stamina training, you won't beat me in a race for fun! Now come on slowpokes and get here!" The girls slowed to jogs and arrived by my side in no time flat.
"So these are you're new members Hikaru-kun?"
Turning to the door I Ake-chan. "Yes they are Ake-chan. Nice to see you too by the way. Also, don't tease them too much mmkay?"
"Awwwww you're no fun Hikaru!"
"Sorry Ake-chan. Now time for introductions. Katase, Murayama, this is Akeno Himejima, one of my best friends, and Rias's Queen. Ake-chan, these are my new members, Katase and Murayama. Treat each other with care."
"Hello."
"Hi Himejima-senpai."
"Hello girls, and none of that okay? Call me by my first name, we're family after all."
"Okay Akeno-senpai."
"Come on you two let's go meet everyone else!" I grabbed their arms and dragged them to te door. "Hurry up!"
"We're coming Hikaru-kun! Slow down!"
"No! Speed up! Everyone is waiting! Well, not everyone, but all besides two of them!"
"What?"
"Just come on!" Finally, half dragging, half carrying the girls up stairs we made it.
"Is this it?" Katase was looking at the door to the club room.
"Yeps!" Opening the door I pulled the duo inside and sat them on the couch. Turning, I hollered, "Next time shower at his house! You'd still get a reaction out of him and won't make the new members and Mittlet uncomfortable!"
"But this is so much more fun!"
"No."
"Are you sure you don't want to join me Hikaru? Come on! Just like when we were kids!"
"No. Now hurry up Yumi and Issei are almost here."
"I'll finish when he gets in."
"You shouldn't tease him so much on his first day knowing he's a Devil."
"It's too fun not too."
I sighed. "This isn't the way I would want my new members to gain their first impressions."
"Well that's what you get for dropping this on me last minute."
"Touche."
"So, what's going on?" Katase questioned.
"Rias, the club president and the King of the surrounding Peerage. As well as my aunt by unofficial adoption and my best friend. We're more like siblings though. She's older by a few months."
"Wait, what year are you Hikaru-kun?" Murayama asked me.
"Rias and I are third years. Did you not know?"
"No, I thought you were a second year like Katase-chan and I."
"If I had known I would have told you."
"No, we shouldn't have assumed Hikaru-senpai." Katase replied.
"Oh no, you are not going to start changing how you act around and call me simply because you just found out that I'm a single year above you two!"
"Yes Hikaru-kun."
"They're finally here! Koneko would you like my seat? Koneko was standing and leaving two open spaces for the newcomers. Instead of answering me though, she walked over and sat on my lap. "Just itching for an excuse weren't you?" Koneko again refused to answer, opting to eat her sweets.
"I brought him." Yumi walked in and announced.
"Thank you! I've been getting so impatient." I admitted.
"Is that a shower!?" The new comer's first words. Wow.
"Sorry. Due to having spent the night at your house I wasn't able to shower this morning." Rias told him from behind the shower curtain. The boy gave the most lecherous look towards the shower. Ake-chan handed Rias a change of uniform and she changed into it behind the curtain. walking out to join us she said, "Hello Issei-kun as you know I am Rias Gremory." Rias continue as she walked to her desk. "What you don't know is that you, myself and just about everyone present are Devils." Issei just stared at her like she had lobsters growing from her ears. "You are a Devil Issei Hyoudou. The purpose for tomight's meeting is to properly introduce you to everyone, as a new Devil."
"Are you crazy? Devils, as in God, the bible, Angels, and such!?" Everyone besides the Fallen, Katase, Murayama and I flinched when he said God.
"Would you like us to prove it?" Rias nodded to the rest of us.
"Well yeah!"
"Okay. Everyone?" All Devils present besides Katase and Murayama let their wings from our backs. Issei just stared in absolute shock. "Do you believe us now?" Issei nodded, his jaw hanging open. "Now we shall reintroduce ourselves as Devils, welcoming you to the real world!" Rias nodded to Yumi.
"Hi, I'm Yumi Kiba, second year and I'm a Devil!"
"Koneko….. first year…. and I'm a Devil."
"Hello, I'm Akeno Himejima, third year, and I'm a Devil, treat me well. ."
"Hello Issei, my name is Rias Gremory, and I'm a High-Class Pureblood Devil and heiress to the Gremory line."
"Whoa. Wait, so what are Katase-san and Murayama-san doing here?"
"Hi, my name is Hikaru Abbadon. I am the long lost heir to the Abaddon family line and a High-Class Devil. Rias can explain to you how myself and these two come into the picture, but for now, simply introductions. Girls?"
"Hello, my name is Katase, as you know, and I'm a new Devil too."
"Hi, my name is Murayama, as you well know as well, I'm also a new Devil."
Rias caught everyone's attention once more, "Welcome Issei, as a Devil!" Rias went on to explain to him what being a Devil would entail. Then she came onto the subject of Sacred Gears and turned to me.
"Katase and Murayama shall explain what Sacred Gears are and what they can do." My duo explained to Issei what they were told, if one had forgotten something the other remembered. Seeing how they worked with each other I took a step back and watched them. I could see how they were best friends. They complimented each other well. While very similar in interests and numerous ones in personality. It was their larger differences that really complimented who the other is. The girls finally drawing to a close turned to me. "Rias can guide you three how to activate your Sacred Gears."
Everyone turned to Rias, "Okay, Issei we'll start with you first. Stand up." Issei stood. "Close your eyes. Good, now picture the strongest being you can think of."
"Son Goku!?"
"If that is who you believe to be the strongest being then yes. Now picture this being at their most powerful. Whether that's their most powerful attack or defensive maneuver, doesn't matter whatever you believe. Once you have this vividly in your mind, recreate it."
"Speech and all!?" Issei seemed thoroughly embarrassed.
"As much as you possibly can. In this space which is filled with supernatural energy your Sacred Gear should awaken." I had another one of my many epiphanies at this point. This club room was filled with the energy of all three main races in our Faction. While my Angelic energy circulated at a frequency undetectable to the others, unless Koneko used her full powers, it was still there. Ju-kun's seal only made it undetectable by most and the best way to do that was have it circulate at a different frequency. That's why it is also harder to draw upon it. The point though, is that Issei's, Katase's, and Murayama's Sacred Gears shouldn't take that much to activate.
"Issei-san. You needn't do the sounds if you would prefer not to okay?"
"What?" Rias was the one who questioned me.
"I have a theory and I would like to test it. Issei-san don't do audio understood?"
"Got it!"
"Okay then, now Issei enact whatever you are picturing." Issei drew himself up and back. Then went into a pose that I was vaguely familiar with, Goku's Kamehameha. Without yelling the name though Issei followed through with the motions. Upon getting to the end a red gauntlet appeared on his left hand. It looked very similar to a Twice Critical.
"Whoa! What is this thing?"
"It looks like a Twice Critical. It doubles the user's power." I explained. "Now it's time for Katase and Murayama. Which of you would like to go first?"
"I would!" Murayama was very quick to speak up. Murayama stood up and readied herself.
"Okay, do you remember what Issei had to do?" Murayama nodded. "Close your eyes, picture the strongest being you can think of. Now take their pose." Murayama adopted a Kendo stance, one she saw just about everyday. She hated that stance. It went against almost every single rule in Kendo. It left you open to attack and attacking had to be done perfectly. It was my stance. Whenever I sparred with the club I used that stance. I had an opening attack that I used precisely when my opponent attacked. When facing Murayama she attacked within exactly four seconds. "Now become them." Murayama did not move at first. I counted and the moment I got to four, Murayama swung as I do, in a match winning blow. The only difference, mid-swing a katana truly formed in her hands. As Murayama stopped her motion more swords appeared surrounding her.
Murayama opened her eyes and froze. Eyes wide she turned to me, "What is this!?"
"Blade Blacksmith, Murayama. You can create, Holy Swords at will. While not as strong as the true Holy Swords of legend, they are lethal to Devils. While yes, they're swords so of course they can be lethal, but I mean the slightest scratch could kill a Devil. Holy Swords poison Devils. It has to do with Holy verses Demonic."
"Can I go now?" Katase asked.
"Yeah." I looked over to Yumi, she had her eyes closed and looked pained. Opening her eyes she met mine. She smiled at me and I at her. The pain behind her eyes killed me. I had sworn to her once already that I would help that pain leave permanently. After seeing that pain, refreshed. I sworn stronger than ever that I would rid the world of what pained her.
Katase gained everyone's attention as Murayama sat down, sword still in hand. The others, that were in the floor, had already vanished. Katase closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Taking a from I had never seen before, one not Kendo related, she went through the motions like the others before her. At her peak a voice rang out soft at first before gaining volume, "…...and Durandal!" Looking at Katase I saw two familiar figures, swords of great power. Swords I had turned into Sacred Gears without knowing, more Holy Swords.
I've made it to the tenth. I'm proud. I'm happy. Times are tough on my end. Writing is my escape. For the longest time I couldn't get to it. Now I'm back and blazing with creativity! Please leave a review, follow and favorite.