Here's Chapter Ten, now the replies:
Guest: Thank you, I thought so too. His cuteness is completely misleading
Killerbeats359: Calm down it's just a story. If your friend was asking someone to kill them, wouldn't you knock them out to shut them up for their own good. That was the reason she had did that.
Guest: You know, I thought I would go on Hiatus, but I found a way to work on both this, and my other stories, I should be updating the Rise of the Demon Sword next.
ReaperXStalker: It's not like she had much of a choice don't you think.
Sennybee98: That's pretty much how it is.
iampieman: You'll just have to wait and read.
Guest: Sounds good.
StrawBook: Don't worry, it'll be more dragon than godly.
SaiyaStyles: Thank you for the support.
With all that said and done, here is the Fall of the Phoenix.
"Where am I? Why is everything so dark?"
Kurai found himself floating on an endless void, it was like drowning in a sea of darkness. He was nowhere, but everywhere. Even with his night vision, he couldn't see anything other than his limbs as he looked at his hands. "Who am I?"
After a minute od thinking, Kurai placed a hand on his forehead with a look of relief. "That's right, my name is Kurai. I was in some kind of screwed up chess game...and then," His eyes widened remembering the seering pain from when he was blasted in the back. And he could see, before ultamately passing out:
"She tried to kill you," A raspy voice said from the infinite void.
"Rias, you traitor," Kurai scowled clenching his fist.
"She doesn't care about you at all. She only sees you as a sacrificial piece. You're nothing to her."
"Then why did she make me her servant?" Kurai whispered.
The voice refused to answer his question as he continued. "She took everything away from you. She was the one who ruined your life."
"I'll never forgive her," Kurai could feel himself fading. The feeling was like falling in the exact same spot. "I'll kill her."
"That's enough Deveen!"
Kurai's eyes snapped open as he panted heavily. He felt something cool on his head and attempted to grab it with his hand. It took a second until he realized his arm was in a sling. It was snug and tight fitting, limiting its movements, yet there was no pain at all. Looking around, he realized he was back in his room, lying in his bed. He was wearing only a white shirt and shorts. "What was that dream?"
"You're finally awake," Kurai tuned and realized that Grayfia was sitting in a chair in a profesional manner, by the looks of it, she had been there for a while.
"Grayfia-san," Kurai said surprised at her presence. "How long was I asleep?"
"Fortie-five hours," She told him. Kurai was shocked that he had been out for almost two whole days.
"That's right, the game," Kurai said clutching his head trying to remember. For a brief second, he saw his severed arm flying from his body, and Raiser holding a fireball in front of him.
"Raiser-sama won the game, but only because Rias-sama resigned," She told him.
"We lost?" Kurai was shocked at her words and held out his left hand gritting his teeth. "That's ridiculous. There's no way Rias-sama would give up just like that. She's not one who just gives up."
"You had placed Raiser-sama in a corner and seemingly overwhelmed him. It was then that he took away your arm before you could strike him with a finishing blow," She explained.
"Yeah, I remember," Kurai told her.
"Out of nowhere, even after losing your arm, you started exhibiting strange behavior. It was almost like you snapped under immense pressure, and you were begging Raiser-sama to kill you," She continued with a stern expression.
"That I don't remember doing," He replied, weirded out by her claim.
"Rias-sama had no choice put to put you down like an animal before Raiser could oblige with your wishes," Grayfia said. "By the looks of it, you most likely had a panic attack under all the shock. Severe blood loss can do that."
"Then how is my arm back to normal? Hold on, what happened to my friends?" He suddenly asked with a concerned look of fear.
"Rias-sama instructed Asia-sama to tend to all of you with her Twilight Healing. Regardless, she wanted to stay from the beginning. She is quite remarkable," Grayfia complimented. "It only took less than an hour to heal all of your friends. Your wound however took her thirty-six hours to heal."
"Thirty-six?" Kurai replied. He was worried that she used up all her energy and was exhausted. "She must be worried sick."
"She refused to eat or sleep until she was sure you recovered," Grayfia continued. She then developed a small smile.
Hearing her say that made Kurai feel worse about himself. "Asia."
"Twilight Healing is quite the interesting Sacred Gear, yet it's so common. She clearly mastered it," Grayfia said. "For a beginner, a severed limb would have taken a month to heal."
"That doesn't surprise me," Kurai said with a smile. "She has a kind heart, I wouldn't expect any less."
"Your friends are currently in the Underworld attending Rias-sama's engagement party," Grayfia told him much to his horror.
"Engagement party," Kurai muttered sitting down on the bed clutching his head. "In the end, I couldn't make her dream come true. Damn." Kurai looked to his right hand and gripped it. "I was so sure...I was confident that I would beat that bastard."
"If word got out about this, I would be in trouble. But professional feelings aside, I believe Raiser-sama's greatest flaw is his arrogance."
"I see," Kurai said.
"While you were comatose, Asia-sama told me how you ran yourself ragged during the ten day period to become stronger," Grayfia told him. "She explained how you suffered hours of unruly pain and agony in order to attain Dragon Slayer Magic, and yet you still went through with it."
"I told her I would get stronger by any means," Kurai said looking down. "I made a promise." But for some reason, it was more than just that, it was as if even though the bet went on Raiser's side, Kurai wasn't finished just yet. "He doesn't deserve her. I can't accept it if she lives on miserably. She doesn't deserve it."
"I've never seen a Devil that loyal to his master," To Kurai's surprise, Grayfia chuckled slightly. "You're quite an interesting Devil. You march to the beat of your own drum, and you don't give up by any means. Sirzechs-sama took quite an interest in your magic, he said it was an "interesting twist of plot" or so he claims." She took out a small piece of parchment paper from her inner pocket and handed it to Kurai. He looked to the front and back and saw a magic circle drawn on each side.
"What's this?"
"A magic circle that will allow you to teleport to the engagement party. The one on the back will teleport you back here. Consider this your invitation," She air quoted the word invitation. "There's more, I also carry a message from my master."
"Your master is Lucifer, and Rias-sama's brother?" Kurai remembered.
Grayfia nodded. "If you want my sister back, barge into the hall, and don't be afraid to go all out."
She stood up and bowed as a magic circle appeared over her feet. "Before I leave, I also wish to warn you," Kurai looked as she slowly disappeared.
"Lost Magic such as Dragon Slayer Magic, and that of Grimoire's Legacy possesses devestating side effects that severely effect the user if their rules are broken," Her eyes narrowed meaning her words weren't to be taken lightly. "When this is done, be sure not to do anything stupid."
After that warning, she fully disappeared, leaving him alone.
Kurai was a bit surprised at her warning. He already knew that Grimoire's Legacy could destroy his own body if used recklessly, but was so wrong with Dragon Slayer Magic?
Kurai stood up and looked towards his drawers for any clothing. Since his uniform was badly damaged, he changed into his all black dress attire. He thought it would be appropriate for an engagement party.
The next thing he knew, the door opened and Asia walked in carrying a bucket along with some towels. At the sight of him awake, she stood there frozen in place with wide eyes.
"Kurai...san!"
She suddenly dropped the water and towels and hugged him tightly with her head on his chest crying her eyes out.
"Asia," He didn't think she was this worried. He reminded himself to do something with her to pay her back for all she did.
"You were asleep for so long even after being healed, I was scared you wouldn't wake up at all," She said through cries as Kurai tried to calm her.
"It's ging to be alright," Kurai said pulling the sling out of his arm. "Thanks for being my side, it really means a lot to me."
She settled down a little and took a seat next to him placing her hands on his. "You were really brave you know." She said out of the blue. "You fought real hard."
"Asia, do you understand what I have to do?" Kurai asked.
She nodded. "Grayfia-san explained everything to me," She looked down and trembled a little bit before blurting, "I'm going too!"
The way she suddenly yelled made Kurai's ears sting a bit. "You can't."
"I don't want to! I can fight along with you, Kurai-san. I learned how to use my demonic-powers. I don't want to just be protected any more!"
Asia gripped his hand like she didn't want to let go.
"She has the same attitude as I did," He thought seeing the determined look in her eye that reflected his.
"I don't want you to get caught up in my mess. If anything happens to you, I'll never be able to forgive myself," He told her. "It's all right-"
"No it's not!"
Kurai was taken aback by her outbursts that were mixed with her tears. He realized she was trying to act brave, but inside she was just as frightened.
"You'll get battered and beaten, or even worse. If you died again, I could never be the one to forgive myself," She said.
"Again?" It was at that moment, Kurai had a flashback of his own death as well as his last moments as human. The mental image was quite frightening.
"You died at some point right? And became a Devil. If you were to die again, I wouldn't know what I'd do if I wasn't there," She said. "I promised a while back, that I would help you find your memories."
Kurai was truly surprised hearing her say that. "She remembered?"
I would've helped you find your memories. I'm sure it would have been fun.
Kurai smiled and patted her hair. "I'm not going to die, by any means."
"Then promise me you'll bring back President," She pleaded with tears.
"I swear," Kurai assured her.
She nodded with a smile and left closing the door behind her. Once he was alone, Kurai looked to his arm and summoned his gauntlet. He was surprised it was still there even after being severed. "Torafusa, are you there?"
After a minute of no response, Kurai banged his left fist on his right arm. "Wake up."
[Yes, I'm here]
Kurai was for once relieved to hear his voice and sighed. "I thought you were gone."
[Let me be the first to tell you that you've performed excellently, despite the end result]
"But it still wasn't enough," Kurai told him. He took a second to prepare himself to ask Torafusa something important. "I want you to unlock the Reshape Will."
[I cannot]
"Phoenixes could never hold a candle to God," Kurai told him. "One of the 13 Longinus is the only way I can defeat Raiser."
[You do not know the consequences that ultimate power guarantees. You're still a child]
"It doesn't matter. You do what I tell you," Kurai told him in a stern voice.
[In due time, you'll understand why I can never give you this power. In due t]
"I thought you were supposed to be my friend. You'd have my back when I need it," Kurai told him out of anger.
[I can however give you a boost of power for your Dragon Slayer Magic. But there will be a price]
"Name it," Kurai said, sealing the deal without a moment's hesitation.
A grand hall located in the Underworld was the main setting for the engagement party. Several High Class and Pure Blood Devils chatted amongst one another wearing elegant dresses and tuxedos. Middle and Lower Class Devils attended as their escorts.
Ravel, wearing an elegant purple dress, was surrounded by her comrades as she was chatting amongst other nobles about their recent victory.
"-and in the end, Onii-sama won himself a lady. As to be expected from a member of the Phoenix," She boasted.
As she was gloating, Rias was chatting with the noble and High class Devils as she wore an elegant white dress that showed off her curves. At her side was Kiba who was with her as her escort. Raiser was right behind her doing the same with Yubelluna next to him. He wore an intricate white tuxedo.
"I'm not sure how many kids we should have," Raiser said aloud so he made sure Rias could hear. "But I do know a son is mandatory."
"Yuuto, please kill me," She begged to him.
"It'll be alright President. We'll just have to bear with it," Kiba replied.
The "celebration" was halted when a body crashed through the swinging door and went flying. The body was that of a guard who looked like he met the other side of a typhoon. His helmet was crooked and bent, and a chunk of his armor was missing. He fell next to Ravel as the door closed.
"What happened?" Ravel asked backing away from him.
The guard raised his had trying to stand. "His power...He's some kind of a monster."
"BLACK DRAGON-!"
A voice rang from the outside doors.
"Everyone get down!" Kiba yelled pulling Rias down and shielding her realizing what was about to happen.
"ROAR!"
A black hurricane shot and crashed through the doors, reducing it to rubble as several armed guards flew through it. All of the partygoers got down to avoid the attack as it slowly dissipated, revealing the floor was destroyed cutting the hall in half split by a long crater. The wall on the other side had a gaping hole as a result. From the entrance, Kurai walked in and surveyed the amount of damage and destruction he just did. His hands and arms were covered in his black scales. "Damn, I think I went overboard."
The crowd was in a panic and the noise erupted. "What was that?" Was basically the question they were all asking. Some of them looking at Kurai were wondering why it was he had scales on his arms.
"Kurai," Rias said surprised seeing him there she stood up.
"Great, a party crasher," Raiser gritted standing up. "What do you think you're doing here?" His eyes widened seeing that he had both of his arms again.
"I am the proud pawn of Rias Gremory-sama, and I'm here to bring her back," Kurai announced. "Anyone who opposes, come and get me!"
Everyone in the crowd whispered amongst each other, which turned to irritated questions towards both Raiser and Rias for an explanation regarding his interference.
"I will avenge my comrades," One of the guards that were still able to fight tried to attack Kurai from above with a spear in his hands. The latter sensed his presence and turned where a magic circle appeared over him. "Black Dragon Twin Jaws!"
Two waves of darkness shot from the circle in the form of fangs that lashed at the guard. The two grabbed him by the arms and shot him up in the air until he crashed into the ceiling.
"Rias, what is he doing here?" Raiser asked her. "It doesn't matter. Guards, kill him!" He ordered out of impulse and anger.
Before Kurai could take a step, he was surrounded by several guards before he could blink. "Crap."
One of the guards attempted to make a move with a sword in his hands. Before he could take a step, him along with several guards were taken out from behind by Kiba. "Talk about an entrance."
Koneko stepped in wearing a small pink dress as she kicked down some of the guards with a barrage of kicks. "About time you showed up."
Kurai grinned and turned ready to face against more guards as they lunged towards him. Before he could blast them away, several bolts of lightning struck down and took them all out.
"Lightning?" Kurai looked behind him and saw Akeno wearing a black kimono with a white sash. "Ara ara, down you go," She giggled. "Kurai-kun, go all out."
"Got it," Kurai smirked.
"How did he get in to begin with?" Raiser asked himself.
"I invited him. Consider him as my plus one," He turned towards a man with long red hair wearing a robe held together by an intricate neckpiece. Next to him was Grayfia.
"That must be the guy who sent Grayfia-san," Kurai said seeing her waving towards him. Seeing his hair, Kurai realized instantly that this guy was Rias's brother. That also meant he was in the presence of one of the Devil Kings.
"Sirzechs-sama, how could you do something so irresponsible?" One of the nearby Devils asked.
"Don't worry, I'll gladly pay for the damages. This is nothing more than entertainment I've arranged," He said rather calmly, as if the gaping crater splitting the hall completely in half was nothing.
"So this was your doing?" Raiser replied with venom in his voice. "Surely you can't do something as reckless as this."
"I can and I am," Sirzechs replied. "Centuries had passed since a Dragon Slayer was birthed. And by th looks of it, you two were on even grounds. Actually, the more accurate use of words would be you were almost brought to your knees by a Low Class Devil. Your family isn't too happy."
"What exactly are you getting at?" Raiser asked twitching his eye at being insulted like that.
"The Rating Game was entertaining and all, but despite my younger sister's lack in experience, she merely had you beaten. It was a shame it had to go the way it was," To his annoyance, Sirzechs smirked. "I almost didn't want the show to end."
"Just because the end result wasn't how you hoped, that doesn't mean you can go and do something like this of your own accord," Raiser objected.
"Calm yourself Raiser. I merely think you two deserve a chance to show off your true power," Raiser said.
Sirzechs turned to Kurai, who straightend up as if his stare was making it so his body couldn't move. "Kage-kun I hear from Grayfia you hold the power of the Black Dragon, as well as Grimoire's Legacy. You also possess the power to slay a Dragon. Am I wrong?"
"No sir," Kurai answered.
"In that case, I wish that the Black Dragon, and the Phoenix clash to see who is truly dominant," He proposed.
Raiser grew an arrogant sneer. "Very well. There is no way I can decline if Sirzechs-sama asks me. I will show this boy his last performance before getting married."
Sirzechs nodded and turned to Kurai. "And what will be your prize if you are to win the match?"
"Sirzechs-sama!?"
"What are you saying!?"
Several Devils were in an uproar, only to become deathly quiet as Sirzechs raised his hands. "I troubled him with this request, I must give him some form of compensation," Turning back to Kurai, he continued. "So what will it be? A title? Vast wealth? If you want I could even promote you to a High Class Devil in an instant. You could assemble your own peerage."
[Now that is a sweet deal]
"Tell me about it," Kurai said to himself. To become a High Class Devil like that. He doubted this oppurtunity would open up again. Despite how tempting the offer was, he already knew what it was he wanted. "No matter what it is? Will you honor your word to make it a reality?"
"How dare you question him!" One of the Devils said offended. He was put back in his place as Sirzechs raised his hand again.
"Nowadays, people tend to go back on their words, he merely wants to make sure," Sirzechs turned towards him. "Anything within my power, and I can make it so."
"Rias-sama and Raiser's engagement to be null and void," Kurai's voice echoed across the room. "And if I am the victor, Raiser has to stay away from the Occult Research Club, or any of us for that matter."
"Sounds fair," Sirzechs agreed much to the shock and surprise of everyone.
"Kurai," Rias said with a hint of red on her cheeks hearing his demands. "Please don't go through with this."
Within five minutes, the damage Kurai had caused was repaired by Sirzech's power.
Everyone cleared on each side as Kurai and Raiser stood in the center. Everyone from the Gremory's sat on one side while the Phoenix clan sat on the other.
"I see your arm has healed," Raiser taunted. "I should have burned it to dust when I had the chance."
He looked to Kurai who gave him a dark look of pure disgust and hatred towards him. "Rias-sama, may I promote here?"
"Sure," Rias replied with a worried expression. "Please be careful."
"Begin!" The Devil in charge of the battle called out to the two.
"Promotion: Queen," Kurai felt the same feeling as during the Rating Game, enormous amounts of magic power surging in his veins.
"Come boy," Raiser said summoning his wings of fire. "Fight me!"
"Black Dragon Pillar Eruption."
A wave of darkness shot from the ground and lifted Raiser into the air as it damaged him. Just as he was about to retailiate, he felt something blunt push him up into the air.
"Black Dragon Hammerhead," Kurai summoned his wings and flew them up in the air, crashing them in the ceiling.
"Is that all you got?" Raiser's question was met with a double kick to the stomach that sent him plummeting to the ground. "Black Dragon Spiral Claw," Kurai continued spinning due to the momentum and landed on the ground.
"Amazing," Sirzechs said fascinated. "This is the power that can destroy a dragon?"
"But can it defeat someone who's immortal?" Rias asked.
Raiser stood up from the ground as his bruises and wounds started to heal himself. With incredible speed, he ended up in front of Kurai with his fists ablazed and unleashed a devestating barrage. "What's the point of all this? No matter how many times you hit me, I'll always get back up."
To his surprise, Kurai grinned and suddenly clocked him with a right hook that made him stumble back. "I could be saying the same thing."
"You've grown arrogant," Raiser said.
"I consider it a wake up call," Kurai suddenly said. "Ever since I became a Devil, I only showed cowardice and self doubt. That part of me is dead and gone," A pitch black aura enveloped Kurai as his eyes were hidden in a grin exposing his canine teeth. His hair slowly changed from blond to pitch black. Several markings appeared on his neck and chin much like tattoos that were drawing themselves. "Black Drive"
"What is this?" Raiser said as the feeling of power coming from him became overwhelming.
"Allow me to show you," Kurai's eyes were revealed. Although his left was normal, the irises on his right eye were as red as fire, and his pupils disappeared. "The terrifying power of a dragon."
"What is that form?" Rias asked. "I've never seen him use it."
"His magic power has increased," Akeno explained. "Even from a distance, I could feel it."
"The Cused Dragon's supportive spell," Kurai explained. "My magic power increases beyond one's imagination. Not many have been able to perfect it. Me being one of those cases," Kurai pointed to his right glowing. "By giving Torafusa my right eye, I can use this spell for five minutes before all my magic is drained out of my body."
"He sacrificed his own eye?" Kiba asked in complete shock.
"What was he thinking?" Koneko added.
"What you did was incredibly risky," Raiser scolded. "Sacrificing your limbs to a dragon is an incredibly foolish move," Several snake like entities made of fire appeared behind Raiser and flew towards Kurai. "I knew the risks. Torafusa expained it all," Kurai ran straight through the attack and weaved through them at incredible speed, to where he was in front of Raiser in an instant.
"I didn't even see him move," Raiser was sent flying and crashed into the wall from one of Kurai's punches.
"A wise man once told me that a Dragon's eye can see an opponents move before they even make them," Kurai explained. "Kind of like in chess, three steps ahead of your opponent," Raiser ran towards him with another flaming punch. Just as he reached his field of range, Kurai's fist landed on his head and slammed him to the ground. Kurai jumped in the air and held out both of his hands. On his left was his Dragon Slayer magic, and in his right, his gauntlet was summoned and was covered in his Grimoire's Legacy. "The Dragon sits on my left, and the Devil sleeps within my right." He placed both energies together and created an intense ball of dark purple red energy that swirled around and sucked up all the matter around it like it was a black hole. "Together they make a force that kills both God, Devil, and Dragon."
"That spell," Rias remembered it as the one he had tried to cast before Raiser took his arm.
"Black Dragon Grimoire Typhoon," From the sphere, an enormous blast of destructive energy shot out and completely submerged Raiser, who was completely lost within the typhoon and the attack had sreaded across the hall. The onlookers were protected from the crossfire by barriers Grayfia had set up beforehand.
"Incredible," Sirzechs laughed seeing Raiser in what looked like defeat. "I don't think even the Four Satans or the Great Red could survive that."
"He combined his Dragon Slayer Magic with Grimoire's Legacy," Rias said.
"Raiser's demonic energy is gone," Akeno said. "Almost like his existence was erased."
"If he keeps this up, he's going to total the building," Grayfia turned to her master. "Shall we chalk this as his win?"
Before he could answer, a bright sillohuette appeared in the center of the typhoon and immediately dispelled it, revealing a very pissed of Raiser, who was completely covered in flames, much to the shock of the Occult members.
His actions left Kurai in a state of shock. "He dispelled it so easily," Kurai saw through his eye that Raiser was about to take him head on. But before he could even make a move Raiser was already in front of him and pushed him to the ceiling by grabbing him by the throat. Gripping his head, he dragged Kurai's head through the building and along the wall. "You really thought you held a candle to Raiser? You're nothing but a pathetic lizard!" He threw him with great force to the other side of the room and watched as he crashed into the with enough force to make the ceiling crumble and fall on top of him. "I am a noble of the house of Phoenix," The flames around his body took the shape of a bird. "My immortal flames will leave you as nothing but ashes beneath the winds!" He threw a fireball amongst the rubble that exploded in a hale of fire.
"Kurai no!" Rias yelled. She stood up hoping to get to him, but was stopped by her brother.
"Onii-sama, let me through," She demanded. His responce was a head shake. "He's a young man, let him fight his own battles."
"But I can't sit by and watch," Rias told him with tears in her eyes.
Kurai slowly moved the large slabs of rocks and stood up, managing to find himself out. Other than a few bruises and slight burns, he was unscathed.
"How is he unharmed?" Rias asked herself.
"You can still fight?" Raiser asked in annyance. He had hoped that attack would have been the finisher.
"Black Drive increases my defensive endurance, beyond that of a rook. Even still, I promoted myself to Rook right before I face planted the ground for good measures," To Raiser's surprise, Kurai gave him a lighted grin. "I'm impressed, that attack was probably going to kill me if I hadn't used my head. Now I can get back to fighting," His cheeks swelled up as he threw his head back. "Black Dragon-"
"This kid has a screw loose," Ravel said with a disgusted look. "Does he really think he can defeat Onii-sama after taking that many hits," She looked towards her watch and gave a small laugh. "Besides, time is up."
"Roa-Glah!" Instead of his roar, blood rushed out of his mouth in a violent hack as he clutched his stomach. His throat felt like someone slashed it open with a butcher knife. And his insides felt like they were tied in several different tight knots. "What is this?" He looked to his hands and saw his scales slowly disappear. He knew exactly what was happening. "No, not now," Kurai felt all his strength drain out of his body in one instant. His legs felt like he was supporting the sky and gave out on him. "So weak."
"His support spell wore off?" Rias said with a look of pure fear. "That was the only thing keeping him fighting."
"Now it looks like he's in agony," Koneko said looking at his display.
"Torafusa, help me," Kurai was huddling on the ground hacking more blood as a small part of him wished for death.
Raiser casually walked up to him and picked him up by his collar, hoisting him in the air with one hand as Kurai could barely breathe.
"I praise you for doing this well for a really did well. To be honest, I didn't expect you to do this well. The power of the Dragon Slayer, I was able to taste that with my own body. If you had a year, no six months for you to get used to your Dragon's power, the outcome would have been different."
Kurai was shocked at how serious his words were. There was no sneer or sarcasm, but he was actually speaking of his own accord.
"There's nothing you should feel ashamed about. I will train you after I become Rias' husband. You will become a strong Devil."
"The whole point of this," Kurai groaned through the immense pain he felt over his body. "Was so Rias-sama wouldn't spend her life with someone like you. That's why I'm not going down with another epic fail."
"Now, it's about time I put you to sleep. You will lose consciousness for a short while. By the time you wake up, the ceremony would have finished safely. You don't want to suffer any more than this, right? I'm not a sadist, so I will end this right away," As he said that, he tightened grip around his neck that Kurai felt his eyelids grow heavy. "Koneko-chan, taught me," He reached for his pocket and pulled something out, closing it in his palm. "That you need to take your weaknesses," He felt the object in his hand grow longer and burn as he gripped it. "And turn it to your strength."
He raised his hand and Raiser saw a small sharp tool that looked like a frozen sharp piece of clear ice. Kurai jammed it into his neck and pushed it deeply in. Raiser immediately yelled in agony as he released his grip on Kurai and stumbled back. "It hurts!"
"Not even a High Class Devil can withstand plain holy water," Kurai said with a pained smirk.
"Holy water?" Kiba looked to Kurai's hand and realized that he wasn't spared from its painful effects towards Devils.
"Asia made this for me," Kurai stumbled back and sat as Raiser was having a hard time maintaining his composure. His wings were starting to dimmer and fade and his skin started to peel like a sunburn. "You feel like your being submerged in a vat of rubbing alcohol with no skin right now aren't you?" His eyes widened in fear as Raiser stood up with a look of pure fury as his skin melted. After pulling the makeshift dagger from his neck, two fireballs that gave off an immense amount of pressure formed in his hands. "You no good mouthy little shit!"
"Crap, I forgot I'm out of power," Kurai realized. Before he could do anything, Raiser tossed the fireball and pushed Kurai to the other side of the building where he crashed in the wall. Kurai felt his skin irritate from being burned. Before he knew it, Raiser unleashed ball after ball of fire towards him that slowly roasted burned his skin off. Kurai yelled in agony with every hit.
"How dare you make a fool of Raiser Phenex!" Raiser yelled out unleashing a torrent of fire that sent him flying in the air.
"My flames do not just burn," He created a scythe like blade out of fire. "They are weapons of destruction that wipe out everything from its path," He swung it and slashed him on the side with a blade of flames that made him plummet to the ground, only to stand back up moments later.
Raiser's eyes widened. "That was your final mistake brat," He clapped his hands together. "Now prepare to die!"
Rias shook her head and turned to Sirzechs. "You have to call him off, he's going to kill him."
"I cannot stop this fight, when it's almost reaching the climax," Sirzechs replied.
"He doesn't deserve to die because of me. I had made a promise he would live a happily, not die in a horrible way," Rias begged.
"President, look at Kurai-kun," Akeno advised.
"What?" She did as told and looked over to see something shocking.
"He's just standing there?" She said confused and bewildered.
"He's suffered multiple attacks," Kiba said. "He's bleeding head to toe, yet he's not moving."
"Kurai," Rias said holding out her hand. Before she could reach out to him, he was instantaneously covered in flames that completely hid him from view and blazed across the area.
"Good bye, Dragon Slayer," Raiser said grinning at his work
"And like that, I'm back to where I started," Kurai found himself drifting again. Only instead of darkness, everything around him was red. The temperatures tightened and melted his skin. His throat dried up and it now hurt to breathe. He was in too much agony to yell in pain. "I'm completely drained of power, and I can't move. Am I going to die here?"
"Kurai, what happened?" He could hear a familiar voice communicate with him telepathically. In front of him, he could see one single dark red dot that was glowing. He recognized it as the eye of his friend. "Torafusa."
"How could you allow him to defeat you so easily?" He asked in an offended tone. "How disappointing. Do you wish to become the ultimate Pawn like this?"
"Just what the hell do you expect me to do?" Kurai said with anger in his voice. "I can't take down someone who can never die."
"You must stop doubting yourself," Torafusa told him with a stern voice much like that of a parent. "You are a true Dragon Slayer. And for as long as you live, you should be proud of that title."
Kurai was too stunned at his words that he couldn't think of anything to say.
"Know that no matter what happens, I, Torafusa, will always be with you."
Kurai's mouth was open in shock as he felt something cool run down his face. They were tears, wet tears that cooled his face in the blazing inferno. They were neither tears of sadness, pain, or regret. They were tears of a revelation. "I'm not through yet," He said to himself.
Raiser unclapsed his hands and watched as his fire still carried on. "Raiser is now the victor."
"-You jerk!" He turned as Rias was yelling at him with tears in her eyes. "You didn't have to go and kill him!"
"Those who dare make a mockery of my household, should not be given mercy," Raiser replied. "In a few minutes, he'll be reduced to nothingne-" A slurping sound caught his attention before he could continue. "Hold on, what's that sound?" He turned to towards the dome of fire, and watched as it slowly started to shrink and reduce in size. In under a minute, the flames disappeared, revealing a severely burned Kurai as he ingested and devoured the last of the flames. His clothing was charred and pitch black, as if it was going to crumble any minute.
"I-Impossible," Raiser stood back. "He just ate fire."
"Raiser's flames," Rias said bewildered. "He devoured them."
"It was just like when he ate darkness, and iron," Kiba remembered from the game.
"In order to kill a Dragon, you have to act like a dragon," Kurai said. His body was starting to flicker both flames and darkess at the same time. "That's one of the fundamentals of being a Dragon Slayer."
"How dare you eat my flames!" Raiser shot another fireball out of fury and had hit Kurai in the face and chest as he stumble back caught off guard. In an instant the flames disappeared as he ate them. "Thanks, I needed a boost," Kurai's body bursted into flames that seemed like they weren't hurting him. To everyone's surprise, his flames began to change in color. The flames turned darker and more darker until the color of the flames became pitch black.
"What is this?" Raiser yelled. "What have you done to my flames!"
"These flames belong to me," Kurai said calmly.
"Black flames?" Koneko asked wondering if she was seeing things.
"When he devoured Raiser's immortal flames, both that and Kage-kun's black magic have merged to become one," Sirzechs explained. "Black flames of the Black Dragon."
"And by doing that, his magic power returned," Akeno added.
"I told you Raiser," Kurai started as he held out his hands. "One way or another, I would take you down. Dragon Slayer Secret Art:"
Seven magic circles black in color appeared around Raiser, who soon found himself surrounded and panicked. "No! Do you understand the severity of your actions!? This marriage is important for the future of Devils. A low class Devil like you doesn't understand how crucial this is!"
"Wrath of the Seven Sins!"
Waves of black fire shot out of each of the circles and surrounded Raiser, his garbled and warped yells of pain were soon muffled and garbled to where it sounded like a dying animal. Kurai raised his arms up, and the flames detonated into a white blinding explosion that sent Raiser flying and plummeting to the ground. Where his body produced a thud on impact.
Raiser's arm was spread and his mouth was wide open as he was twitching, lying in utter defeat.
"I don't believe this," All the Devil's were chatting amongst themselves of how a High Class Devil was defeated by a servant. All of Raiser's servants were in shock and disbelief, not as much as his family members.
"He did it," Rias was overjoyed and couldn't find any other words.
"Now we see whose the dominant creature," Sirzechs said raising his hand, signaling Kurai as the victor.
Once Kurai was sure he had one, he immediately sat down as he felt his strength drain in an instant. "Man, I'm tired."
"You," He looked up and realized that Raiser's sister was standing between both him and her brother glaring at him with eyes that could kill.
"If you want to fight me, save that for another time," Kurai said waving her off. "I'm too exhausted," He looked down and noticed that she dropped something on his lap. It was a tiny vial with a clear liquid. "This is-"
He looked back up as Ravel hoisted up her brother with the help of some of her servants.
The Rook he had defeated in the Rating Game, Isabella walked up to him and towered over him with a glaring look. "This is going to hurt," Kurai gulped thinking she was about to beat the crap out of him for defeating her master, or from defeating her in the games. However, she helped him on his feet much to his surprise, unintentionally dislocating his shoulder in the process.
"Splendid. I didn't think there was anyone who could actually defeat Raiser-sama," She praised much to Kurai's confusion. "Let us fight again someday, Black Dragon Kage-kun." With that said, she walked off leaving him bewildered.
"Sure," Kurai stood up and watched them walk off. He did the same and walked over towards everyone else.
The moment he was witth everyone else, Rias hugged him out of relief and joy. "Kurai, thank you."
"You're welcome, Rias-sama."
"That was amazing, Kurai-kun," Akeno praised.
"I've never seen power like that," Kiba told him. "I've never seen that side of you."
"Glad you're not dead," Koneko wrapped it up.
From the nearby balcony where the VIP sat, two men were chatting amongst each other after the battle was over. One had crimson red hair and a stubby beard, while the latter had dirty blond hair.
"Forgive me Lord Phenex," The red haired man said. "I understand if this brings you much shame."
"Think nothing of it, Lord Gremory," Lord Phenex replied with a lighthearted smile. "It was a good engagement for pure Devils, but it looks like we both held too much greed. Seeing as both of our grandchildren are pureblood, I say the future of Devils is absolute. I guess this was nothing more than the result of the hell the last war brought about."
"I owe my daughter an apology," Lord Gremory said.
"Kage-kun? That is his name right? What my son lacked was defeat. His arrogance was what blinded him and made him overestimated the abilities of our clan. The Phoenix is not absolute." Lord Phenex smirked much to the latter's surprise. "I never thought I would live to see another Dragon Slayer, much less one on our side. I never expected him to be that strong. I wonder if the white one is just as formidable."
"The Cursed Dragon, and the Vanishing Dragon," Lord Gremory said with a grave look. "One day they will clash."
"And earth will become the battlefield," Lord Phenex finished.
Once everyone was outside, Kurai took out the flyer Grayfia gave him and flipped it over. A giant winged beast, known as a griffon, appeared out of it. "I thought that would teleport us back home," He told her much to her amusement. "It's fine," She said as he helped her up on it. The moment he jumped on and took the reins, it was ready to fly. "We'll see you guys later."
They took off as they waved them bye.
Kurai admired the sky above them and couldn't help but think of how beautiful and serene it was. His train of thought had come to an abrupt stop when Rias placed her hand on his cheek. "You dummy." She said with a small smile.
She then brought her hand to his black, charred clothing and pressed on it. Kurai didn't realize how much pain he was in until her cool hand made contact with my searing hot flesh. He hissed a little in pain, causing her to pull back for a moment, before placing her hand back on. "You caused yourself so much pain, just for me." She said sadly. She pulled away his swept bang revealing his red slit snake like eye. "You gave up your own eye."
"I'm still alive aren't I?" He asked with a smile. "I don't care if I'm in pain. As long as I'm alive, I'll have Asia heal it."
"You do realize, that this won't be the last we hear of this," Rias told him.
"Then I'll give up my other eye," His statement shocked her as she looked up at him smiling. "My arms, my legs, even my heart, as long as I grow stronger, I won't let anything like this hap-" As he was about to finish, Rias placed her face close to his and gave him a sudden kiss to the lips that left him wide eyed, flushed in the cheeks, and shocked beyond belief. Rias placed her hands up and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Rias pulled back and slightly chuckled with a hint of red on her cheeks. "My first kiss. It's something teenage girls treasure in Japan, right?"
Kurai's mouth was wide open stuttering as he was blushing wildly. "I-I took your first kiss!? A-Are you sure it was such a good idea giving it to someone like me!?" He asked.
"You did something that was worth a kiss. It's a reward you've more than earned." She answered.
He smiled at the thought and enjoyed the rest of the ride on the griffon.
The very next morning, Kurai found himself lying on one of the couches in the clubroom with a pained look on his face. He was incredibly pale and was not showing any movements.
Asia sat next to him trying to use her healing on him with a worried expression. "Is he alright?"
"Ara ara, it turns out Dragon Slayers get incredibly sick when they eat elements other than their own," Akeno explained. "Eating Raiser's flames is starting to take its toll."
"Pathetic," Koneko coldly insulted while helping herself to piece of cake.
"It is Lost Magic after all, there are rules," Kiba added.
"The effects should wear off in a little while," Rias walked up to the unconcious blond and examined his right dragon eye. "However, he can't go out with his eye looking like that."
"I can easily take care of it, President," Akeno said with a smile.
"Good," Rias looked down at Kurai's unconcious state and smiled. "I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am. I'm sorry, for everything I had put you through."
In the The Yanaka cemetery just located north of Ueno in Tokyo, Japan, two young figures wearing white robes with gold and blue accents looked down at a grave. Each were carrying a wrapped bag on their backs. Despite the occasional individual visiting a grave would be staring at their choice of clothing, the two carried on as normal. If you looked closely, the two were female; both young with curved figures. One of them had stringes of lowing white hair falling from their hood and blue eyes that went with her snow white skin, while the other had short blue hair and hazel eyes.
"It feels weird staring at your own grave. Don't you think, Xenovia-chan?" The one with white hair told her.
"It certainly would give you a chill down your spine," The one named Xenovia replied. "Kiria-senpai, Are you sure you want to go through with this? HQ will get mad if they find out we're doing this."
"It's just a visit, no harmed done," The one named Kiria replied with a smile. "I still remember the address well. I even have a spare key."
"But won't he be shocked if he thinks you're supposed to be dead?" Xenovia replied. "Just what is so special about him?"
Kiria looked down, her blushed smile was the only thing showing. "He was the only boy I ever grew to love."
The end of another glorious chapter (Patting myself on the back)
Alright so the whole absorbing Raiser's flames and merging to become black flames was my take. In Demon Chronicles, Kurai's signature attacks were using black flames, and this becomes his main form of offense.
Alright, so originally, I was going to make him use Dragon Force, the final form. But seeing as he just developed Dragon Slayer Magic, I wan't to wait a while before I allow him to unleash it. Just so some of you didn't know, Wrath of the Seven Sins was one of Kurai's signature spells frm my other work.
Alright so I'm finally in the summer, and there will be a lot more posted chapters.
Next time, with White Radiance