Welcome back everyone.
Nothing to really say about this chapter. But be prepared. There's going to be a good amount of training between here and the Rating Game, at least 1 or 2 more chapters worth.
The reviews:
Nikita: Thanks, hope you enjoy this one.
Cf96: Thanks. You're my favorite. Don't tell anyone.
Guest1: I'm updating now, hope you enjoy!
Dborn998: Thanks! Next chapter is here!
edgolub2: Replied to this guy, but never got a response back. Sad, really.
Tykronos: Glad that that part made so many of you laugh, apparently. Was a bit worried about it, to be honest. Thank you, I was really hoping that I'd do her justice. And the rest... we'll see about that.
Guest2: Ladies and gentlemen, in this man's world, if you are too idealistic or are not logical during 'confitation' (that's not a word) then you are apparently deserving of death. In this man's world, 50% of the male population of the planet should be executed on the spot for showing these flaws. Need I say more?
Yamato Minamoto: Oh, trust me, that time is coming. It be comin' fast. You'll see about the past users... soon enough. And about his... ahem, Micro-penis, well, we'll just have to wait and see, now won't we? ;)
OeschnerC: Thanks.
RevansStories: Glad you liked this one. Everyone keeps saying that, was it really that unexpected? Sarcasm is Roland's most definable trait.
Blaze1992: ...I should have done that. I really should have. But then I would have to have written about where he got that fire extinguisher from. I'm kind of a perfectionist like that. Oh, when you mean it like that, yeah. Sorry if I sounded a bit snarky in my last reply, I didn't understand what you meant. Good to know now though.
Now, on with the chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own High School DxD.
"Regular Speech"
Thinking
"LOUD SHOUTING"
[Sacred Gear talking out loud]
[Sacred Gear talking to user only]
Take me down to the river-bend… Take me down to the fighting end… Wash the poison from off my skin…
Show me how to be whole again…
"You do realize I was joking, right?" I said, slightly frightened. "I didn't actually think you'd try-"
"It seemed like you were pretty serious to me." Rias said, frowning. "And is it really so wrong? They wouldn't even be able to trace it back to me if I did it that way."
"Of course they would have been able to trace it back to you!" I rebutted. "You are the one with the most motive to kill him! How could it be anyone but you?"
"Then I would have had one of my servants do it." She replied, crossing her arms. "Akeno, would you do it?"
"Ara, to ask such a question, Buchou. I would have wanted to do it on someone more deserving, but if you had ordered it… I suppose I wouldn't have much issue with it."
"You… You people…" I stammered, trying my best not to hide behind my hands. "Okay, I shouldn't have asked that."
"…That's an understatement." Koneko just had to throw in her two cents, didn't she?
"Everything's an understatement with you." I shot back.
"…Is that a joke about my height?" She asked, glaring at me dangerously.
"Wasn't supposed to be, you made it so."
I gritted my teeth as I felt the heel of a shoe dig into my own. If it wasn't for my Rook Strength/Endurance, it probably would have broken my foot.
"I said you made it so!" I breathed out.
"…You're the one who said it. Not me."
"How does it feel, Roland? Take that!" Issei had a smug smirk on his face.
"Your parents don't love you."
"Huh?"
"Nothing."
"Roland-san… T-that wasn't a very nice thing to say…" Asia piped up timidly.
"Neither is 'How does it feel?'" I grumbled.
"Alright, I think that's enough arguing for today. I need to tell you all what we're going to do for the next 14 days." Rias said in a commanding tone, silencing us all at once.
Damn… and I thought I had an intimidating voice.
[Your voice doesn't even compare, boy.]
Thanks, Phobetor.
[Any time.]
"Aren't we going to train or something?" Issei remembered.
"Yes, but I have a special idea in mind. I'll have to inform Sona that we'll be unavailable for the next two weeks. We're going on a… vacation."
"Buchou, do mean that place we went to when-?" Kiba said.
"Yes, the very same. We'll head out tomorrow morning. Until then, I am permitting you all to return to your residences and pack, and to relax before we begin."
Huh, I wonder how it will go this time around? I mean everything in the peerage is the same… except for my presence, that is. I wonder, will Ise still develop Dress Break?
[Probably. That was one of the few abilities he developed without influence by the she-devil.]
If Rias could hear what you refer to her as…
[I do not give a damn what she would think. She will never be able to hear me unless I choose to let her!]
Alright, alright! Sheesh…
I walked back to my apartment after the whole ordeal in the clubroom. Turns out, insulting someone's entire life in less than 2 minutes will exhaust you. It also works well as stress relief. I can't even feel the past user's thoughts anymore. I am considering that a good thing, no matter how I had to get them to shut up.
14 girl harem = Micro-penis apparently in my mind… Better not let Ise hear that…
Oh wait, he already did.
[I do not think he was smart enough to realize those implications.]
Well, then he never has to know, does he?
[True.]
I didn't have a lot to pack – my transportable possessions within this universe can be counted on one hand – however, before I spend the entire day lazing around, I want to get my goals in order for the training trip we'll be going on. I have several things I'd like to at least try, and several others I want to completely achieve.
Cujo followed me around the entire time I walked around my apartment. I love this little mongrel… He's better behaved the any of my other dogs, and I've only had him for a week! Huh, that reminds me…
I went to my room, and pulled out the journal that I used to organize the timeline of canon events, and tore a page out from the back of it. I pulled a pencil out, and began writing a list.
Find out what 'that' does. Find information about hellhounds. Basically, find a bestiary.
Learn how to fly.
Learn how to fight properly.
Learn how to use demonic powers. Maybe I can use it to enhance my hits?
I paused for a moment. I'm not sure about this next one… But I have to at least try, right? Like I said. It could end badly… but…
Talk with past users.
[ARE YOU MAD!?]
I shook my head, my hands on my temples as I felt a slight headache along with Phobetor suddenly shouting. "Maybe a little… definitely after what you just did."
[Now is not the time for jokes! Are you insane!? Do you realize what kind of 'goal' you just set for yourself?]
"I want to talk to the past users. Maybe we can come to some sort of agreement?" I said simply. I might be a bit optimistic… but, I mean, I can't just keep going as I have been going, right?
[If you believe that you can come to an 'agreement' or 'understanding' with them, then you are truly more deserving of the title 'fool' than I ever even began to realize.]
"Scathing." I replied, frowning. "But I'm honestly being serious here, Phobetor."
[Could you explain to me why? Why in the name of all pantheons in existence would you want to talk with them?]
"Because," I began, "Did you see how many times I nearly lost it in that confrontation in the clubroom? I counted two. Two that wouldn't have happened if they weren't influencing me. I can't go on like this, Phobetor."
[You-]
"I wasn't finished." I interrupted him, feeling a slight bit of satisfaction as I did so. "What if I have an actual argument with Rias? If I have one with Ise, or Koneko? If the past wielders influence my thoughts, my emotions, what would happen if I couldn't stop them? It's either a one-way ticket to becoming a stray devil and being slaughtered, or becoming nothing but atoms. All I want, Phobetor, is to just… not lose control, okay? I just want to talk to them, is that so bad?"
[…]
"Now's not the time to go silent on me."
[…I am just a bit shocked that you had thought so deeply into it. It appears I do not know you as much as I would like to believe.]
"Ha!" I laughed. "Really? Are you admitting that you were wrong?"
[Not wrong. Just misunderstanding you.]
"Heh, should have known…"
[Indeed. If you do want to talk to the past users… I will allow it. But heed my warnings, boy! I was not joking or exaggerating when I say most of them absolutely despise you and have lost their minds long ago. You'll see why the gray-haired maid was so wary of you. Do you, with these warnings, still want to do this?]
I paused for a moment, thinking about it. "Yes." I finally said.
[Very well. We'll begin after the first day of your training. For now, you should relax. Calm down. I'm going to take a nap.]
"Now you're starting to act like Ddraig."
[Do not compare me to that overgrown pompous lizard, boy.]
"Sure. Good night, Phobetor."
Then he was silent, and I was left alone with Cujo and my thoughts. Cujo barked at me when I stared at the page with the list of things to do on it.
"You're right, Cujo, I should add something…" I said, and wrote something.
List is subject to change.
"Why do we have to go up a mountain!?" Issei complained.
"Because that's where Rias' family estate is or something. Vacations and crap like that." I explained.
"How do you know that?" He asked.
"Because she told me." I lied.
"Why does she tell you so much but doesn't tell me anything!?"
"Because you're not special enough."
"Screw you!"
"I'm fine, thanks. Not into guys."
"Graaaaagh!" Issei growled as he lumbered up the dirt trail, carrying a back pack twice his size. I don't really understand what the big deal is. I'm carrying one triple my size and I'm hiking it up this trail like a champion!
[Your ego is showing, boy.]
Fuck you.
[Is that your response to all criticism? Rather concerning.]
What you're doing is not criticism!
"Hurry up, you four!" Rias called, from higher up the trail. "If you go faster, we might just make it before night time!"
"Why do we have to carry all the stuff?" Issei moaned.
"Because doing hard work like you are doing is the reason why I have servants!" Rias said, teasing evident in her voice.
"What about Akeno?" I pointed out. "She's a Queen! She has all the traits! Why isn't she carrying anything?" I'm not actually upset. Not at all. In fact, I'm enjoying this. But I'd like to see where this conversation will go.
"Ara ara, Roland-kun, it's not ladylike to do physical chores such as this!"
"…Are you implying that Koneko is unladylike?"
"She volunteered!"
"U-um… shouldn't we at least… help them?" Asia, always thinking of others…
And, at that moment, while me and Issei were walking beside each other, I heard the most ridiculous thing I'd ever heard, and will ever hear, in my entire life. Nothing will ever compare.
Koneko walked briskly past us, and what she said shook me to my very core.
"Get good, scrubs."
OH NO SHE FUCKING DIDN'T-
[Why are you shouting? What is wrong with what she said?]
I haven't heard that in years! If she thinks she can go on and act like she said nothing…! I will get her back for this, on my life I will!
[You act as if she has dealt you some serious blow. I have not seen anything in your memories that would indicate…]
"On your right, Ise-kun." Kiba said passively, carrying a bag the same size as Issei's but doing so much better than he ever could.
"Kiba! You damn handsome! I will-!"
"Hey, look Ise!" I said dramatically, pointing off to the side. "Boobs!"
"Oppai! Where-"
"Ise, did you honestly think, that there would be a pair of breasts just hanging off the fucking cliff? You- I don't even- This is why I like you, Ise. You may just be the most gullible person I have ever met in my entire life." I did that partly for anger-relief, and partly to see if he would actually fall for it. He did, and I can't tell if I'm disappointed or amused.
"Damn you, Roland! You are banished from the Gentlemen's Club of Kuoh Academy! To use oppai as a simple prank is against our strictest laws!" Issei, you are about as gentlemanly as a sexually frustrated panda bear.
"…Both of you are the farthest things from gentlemen." Koneko, I don't want to hear anything come out of your mouth after what you said back there.
"K-Koneko-chan… I-I'm trying my best…" Issei looked completely crestfallen.
"Your best isn't good enough." She replied instantly.
"Y-yes… Koneko-sama…"
This is tragic.
[Indeed.]
I was expecting you to lambast Ise there.
[From my observations, he already does that enough himself.]
You're really harsh, you know that right?
[Of course I do.]
Should have known.
"Good job, everyone!" Rias praised us, surprising me with how close she was. "We're almost there!"
Heh, all that banter payed off… I didn't even realize we were almost there.
"What do you mean we're almost- WOAH! That place is huge!" Issei exclaimed.
Indeed, the mansion in front of us was nothing short of a mountain paradise. It was massive, bigger than any that I've ever seen. Damn… I mean, I knew how big it was gonna be, seeing it in the anime, but still… The Gremory Household has a lot of money, huh?
Well… I already knew that but… shut up…
[Who are you talking to?]
Nobody.
"So," I said, getting Rias' attention. "What type of training are we talking about here?"
Rias tapped her lip with the tip of her finger. "Well, in the morning, I was planning on having you train with Kiba, Ise with Koneko, and Asia with Akeno. And then we would rotate as the day progressed, and you would take short breaks in between practice time."
Short, snappy, and well-planned out. I think I'll like this…
"If I could suggest something…"
"Hm? What is it?" She asked.
"Could I switch Kiba and Koneko's practice? I think I'd learn more with Koneko if I start off with her early."
I got you now, Koneko! I'll show you who can 'get good'! How dare you even say such a thing to me!? I'll-
First Day of Training
"OWWW GOD FUCKING DAMNIT! OW! FUCK!" I screeched, holding my knee, while rolling around on the soft grassy ground in utter agony.
"…You're too slow." Koneko remarked, standing next to a tree. "If you can't hit your opponent, then you'll only be wasting energy and opening weak points."
"Did you have to hit me in the knee!?" I wailed, my knee throbbing in pain. "I need that to move around!"
"…You don't look like you move around a lot."
[This girl could teach me a few things about burning people.]
"I'LL FUCKING-"
I forgot about my damn near broken knee as I scrambled up on my feet, and instantly aimed a punch to her fucking emotionless loli face. She moved to the side just in time, and I ended up punching the tree next to her, blowing splinters and shards of bark everywhere as I literally punched a hole through it.
"…You do hit pretty hard, though." Koneko observed. "You just need to go faster." She kicked me in the gut, sending me flying back and coughing up spit.
[This is interesting practice. You do need to go faster, but if you do increase your speed with this training, you could be a martial powerhouse.]
"SHUT UP PHOBETOR!" I screamed at the voice in my head.
"…Who are you talking to?" Koneko asked curiously.
"I'm sorry, Koneko." I said mockingly. "I can't hear you from down there."
The atmosphere of the forest we were training in became colder, and a shiver went up my spine. Okay… I think I may have gone too far with that one… I should really calm down, it's not worth getting this worked up over something she said yesterday… And the stuff she said today… and the things she said the day before yesterday-
Not helping yourself calm down, Roland.
"Roland-senpai." Koneko said dangerously, her yellow eyes almost glowing. "You have five seconds to rephrase what you said."
Tonight, I go to Valhalla.
"I meant what I said." I stood tall, resolute against my oncoming demise. "I go to my death with honor."
"…As you wish." She said, and then I was sent flying as I felt a fist as hard as steel hammer against the side of my face. I tumbled through the air, and hit my back against a large tree, and slid down it slowly.
I looked up. Even if she had punched me, I felt like I could go another round… or maybe three… She looked at me, obviously not expecting me to get up.
"You've forgotten… Little Koneko…" I coughed, her face gaining an ever so slight frown as I got up. "I'm… a Rook… too!"
I charged, with all my strength-
"My arm isn't supposed to bend that way!" I shrieked on the ground, Asia hovering over me, [Twilight Healing] in full effect. "I swear, Koneko, I'll get you back for this… I'll be back! I always come back!"
"Stand still, Roland-san." Asia said, in a rare case of sternness on her part. Really serious about helping people, she is.
[If humans could harness the power of your sarcasm and anger, they would be able to power a billion Earths.]
Phobetor, remember what I thought about in the clubroom the day we got our familiars?
[…]
That's what I thought.
"Are you done healing him, Asia-chan? We should get started soon before Kiba gets impatient!" Akeno said. We were in the back yard of the mansion for this. I think, this time, we're doing demonic magic. I might be able to cross one of the things I wanted to do while we trained at this place soon. I wonder… just how much demonic power do I have?
I guess I'll find out.
"A-Almost done!" Asia called back.
It only took a few moments for my arm to straighten itself out and crack itself back into its original position. We soon gathered in front of Akeno, we being me, Asia, and Issei. Issei had a few bruises, barely noticeable, and a grumpy expression. Just you wait, you'll have to deal with Koneko soon, Issei. It will be hell for you. Just as it was for me.
Akeno then began to explain demonic magic to us. "Demonic magic is not like other types of magic." She explained. "Instead of complex equations and symbols, demonic magic relies almost solely on imagination. It can be anything you want, whether it be fire, a ball of destruction, or lightning. It doesn't even have to be of any element! It all has to do with your imagination."
"Anything I can imagine… huh…" I heard Issei mumble to himself.
Is he catching on? That's good.
[Your definition of 'good' and my definition of 'good' are very different.]
Why do you gotta be hard on him for this now!?
[Because what he's thinking about is an embarrassment to all magics!]
"Ara ara, ufufufu, Ise-kun, what are you thinking about? Could it be you have a spell you'd like to try?" Akeno said, getting close to Issei and bending ever so slightly, so that her bust was in full view to him.
"Akeno-san, I-!" Issei's eyes gravitated towards her bust, and I had to stifle a laugh at seeing this happen before my eyes.
"But before we get into that," Akeno pulled away from Issei, who looked incredibly heartbroken to see her go. "we should do something… basic."
She held her hand out, and a purple colored orb, roughly the size of an inflated beach ball appeared, hovering over her outstretched hand. "This should be basic enough! Close your eyes, imagine your demonic power inside of you, and force it to manifest outside of your body!"
That's… a very big orb.
[I have theorized that my progenitor, if he were to do a basic exercise such as this, would have an orb the size of the she-devil's mansion.]
The one here, or the one in the underworld?
[Yes.]
That doesn't make any sense!
"Roland, focus!"
"Right!"
"The easiest way to do this for a novice, is for you to close your eyes…"
I did so, and I imagine the other two did as well.
"You first have to draw it out. Imagine it within your mind… visualize it."
Okay, I know that that wasn't supposed to sound sexual, but-
[Focus, boy.]
If you had a physical body…
[You would be completely decimated. Focus!]
Fine! Fine!
I saw nothing for what felt like minutes. Nothing but empty blackness, just like the deepest recesses of my mind back when I first met Phobetor. But then… a purplish-red spark-
"Ara ara, Ise-kun. You really are focusing hard, aren't you? But I don't think you're doing it right, maybe I should…?"
"A-Akeno-san! I-I can feel your-"
"Ufufu, Ise-kun, you're doing it wrong, I can tell. Don't worry, it's a senpai's job to help their kouhai after all. I just need to do this…"
"A-Akeno-san…! You're getting really close…!
"You're so tense, Ise-kun. Maybe I should help you relax? Ufufu…"
"Ise-san…? What's going on?"
"N-Nothing Asia! Akeno-san is just-"
Focus Roland. FOCUS!
I could see it now… Yes, a purplish-red orb, with little red particles falling off like dirt or sand off a slanted surface. Now, all I have to do is imagine it outside my body? In my hand… I forced my hand out, hoping that I wouldn't make myself look stupid.
"Ahh~!" Ise-kun, if you keep moving it around like that, I may just have to…!"
"Akeno-san, y-your…"
"I-I'm… I'm going to open my eyes!"
"Asia! No, don't!"
"Hah~! It's okay, Ise-kun. If Asia-chan wants to try this, I don't mind doing it with her as well. Ufufu…"
Someone, save me.
[Boy, open your eyes.]
Fuck no! Do you hear what's going on around me!? It's a damned ecchi moment, for fuck's sake!
[I am not talking about that! Open your eyes, fool! You just may surprise yourself.]
Reluctantly, with no small amount of force on my part, I opened my eyes. In my hand, hovering just as Akeno's had, was a purplish-red orb, about the size of a soccer ball.
"Ara, that's a good size for a Rook, Roland-kun! And you too, Asia-chan! Impressive! And Ise-kun…"
I looked at the predicament that Akeno and Issei had found themselves in. Akeno is… moving Issei's hand up, in the same position she did when she summoned her orb. She wasn't even that close… What was all that talking about earlier, then…? I'm so confused!
The green orb in Asia's hand was about the size of a basketball, and the one in Issei's was…
Oh dear, poor Ise…
[That may just be the most pathetic amount of demonic power I have ever seen…]
"Ara, I thought it'd be bigger…" Akeno said, curiously staring at the bright red grain of rice floating in Issei's hand.
"R-Really!?" Issei was stunned. "That's it!? How is it- Why-!?"
"Size doesn't matter, Ise." I said to encourage him.
He glared at me. "Shut it, Roland!"
Yes, don't mind me, I'm only the person whose tried encouraging you, I don't fucking matter, do I?
"Don't worry, Ise-san, I think it looks cute…"
"A-Asia…! You too…?" It's almost like Issei forgot he has fucking [Boosted Gear], I don't even…
I looked at the orb of demonic power floating above my palm. I wonder… if I cover my fists with it…?
Okay… I want to go fight Kiba now…
Scratch that, I don't want to fight Kiba, I dun wanna fight kiba, Idunwannafightkiba FUCK!
I fell on my ass for what felt like the umpteenth time that day after Kiba side-stepped me and swatted my back with his wooden sword he was using to spar with me. My wooden sword held so tightly in my grip it threatened to snap. Why do I need sword practice!? I'm a fucking Rook! Sword-fighting isn't exactly my forte! I figured that out after fighting Freed.
"You're slow, Roland-kun." Kiba stated. "And you leave yourself too open."
"Ya know, Kiba." I said slowly, getting up off the ground and staring at him directly in the eye. "Koneko said that exact same thing when I was fighting her earlier. And you know what I did?"
He raised an eyebrow curiously. "What did you do?"
"THIS!" I shouted suddenly, getting up in his face, ready to slam the wooden sword down on his head.
…Only for him to block it, barely – his arm shook a great deal and he gritted his teeth – and he then, faster than I could even see, strike me in the stomach. Just as Freed had, only a lot less damaging, and without the gun. It didn't hurt as much either, but it did leave me stunned for a few precious seconds, seconds which Kiba used to sweep his wooden sword underneath my legs and send me crashing to the floor, kicking up dust everywhere. When the dust cleared, all I saw was the tip of a wooden blade.
This is giving me flashbacks.
[No it is not.]
Shut your mouth.
[No.]
"You do have a lot of strength in your attacks," Kiba said. "You just need to go faster."
Fuck me, he's saying the exact same thing Koneko did!
[Maybe because it's true. Did you think of that?]
I will devour you!
[That… that is not okay, boy.]
"Why the hell do I need to even do this in the first place, Kiba?" I made my frustrations known, rubbing my forehead. "I mean, I'm a Rook for the Maou's sake! You don't see Koneko using swords, do you?"
"Buchou wanted us to train you and Ise-kun in several different ways of fighting, including sword-play," Kiba answered easily. "And just because you're a Rook doesn't mean you can't become a swordsman. Why does a peerage need to be limited to only two swordsmen, them being Knights? That's what Buchou thinks."
Huh… That actually makes sense.
[Indeed, and just as with fighting with your fists, you do have potential in sword-play as well. You just need to, like everyone has said, get faster. If you solve that issue, a lot of your problems will be solved.]
Thanks for your input, Phobetor.
[Any time, boy.]
"Still… I'm a Rook. We aren't known for our speed." I reasoned, getting up and looking at the wooden sword in my hand. "And… the boss said we couldn't use our Sacred Gears either…"
"You may need to alter your style, then." Kiba suggested, readying his blade. "Don't try to attack your opponent, wait for them to come to you."
"Heh… you really are interested in swords and sword-fighting, aren't you?"
Kiba smiled slightly. "I've trained with them since I've become Buchou's Knight. You seem to find it very interesting as well, Roland-kun."
"I'm more of a Sacred Gear person myself. Those are really interesting if you ask me… Which makes me a bit miffed when the boss says we can't use ours." I sighed.
"Buchou doesn't want us to only rely on our Sacred Gears. What if someone on Raiser's peerage has a power that can counter one of them?" Kiba's logic, or Rias' logic I guess, is sound. But… I highly doubt my Sacred Gear can have any one counter. It's way too… what's the word? Slippery? No, but I hope you get what I mean, it has too much variation which makes it difficult to counter is what I mean.
It's more of a Utility-type then a Power-type Sacred Gear, if they can be even categorized in that way. It's supposed to enhance my power, not become my power. It's also good for certain situations…
All I need to do is get close to Raiser… I really need to go to the library here and find a bestiary… Then there will be no need for any of this.
"Well, what are we waiting for, then? Let's continue, Sir Knight! I will beat your ass!" I challenged him. Despite myself, and my thoughts, this is still valuable experience. And I may just have to follow Kiba's advice when it comes to swords…
Kiba smirked dangerously.
Ow… Ow… My ass… I think it's broken…
I walked around the room me and Issei were inhabiting for this trip, grabbing my ass. Kiba gets a room of his own, the lucky bastard, and I have no idea where the girls are sleeping, I haven't bothered to check. The one good thing about living in the same room as Issei is that he doesn't snore, then there would have been trouble. Although… last night I did here some rather concerning noises coming from his side of the room…
I can't tell if I'm envious that he has so little restraint, or prideful that I've held off on that for so long. I've been counting the days…
Whatever, that's not important. What is important, is what I'm about to do.
It's after the first day of our training, and I haven't forgotten the deal me and Phobetor had before we left on this little trip. I'm supposed to talk to the past users when I go to sleep tonight. I'm a bit nervous, I will admit, but also slightly hopeful. Maybe I really can come to an agreement or understanding with them. I might be a bit too hopeful, but it's one of the things that keep me going.
I ate the dinner that was set on the table for us after my training with Kiba as quickly as possible, and excused myself early to my room for the night. That's how nervous/excited I am to do this. The others gave me confused and questioning glances when I left, but they didn't question it, thankfully. Maybe, tomorrow, I'll be able to find a bestiary… and maybe talk with Rias about a strategy. I know what's going to happen, I know what most of Raiser's peerage is capable of, so it would only make sense.
Well, I'm doing all of that tomorrow, or, sometime during this 'vacation'. For now, I'm focusing on this.
Oi, Phobetor, I'm going to sleep. Are you ready?
[…]
Speak up, I can't hear you!
[…]
Did you fall asleep or some shit? The hell!?
[…]
It's so strange, not having him speaking in my head…
I didn't even bother changing out of my clothes into something more comfortable, I was so exhausted. I just fell on my bed, and was out like a light. If Phobetor is still going to let me talk with the past users, fine. If he doesn't, fine. I'm a bit too tired to care at this point.
…And then I found myself in a location which was quickly becoming associated with my darkest nightmares.
"I could say the same thing for your apartment, boy." Said the dog-headed false god, standing in front of me instead of sitting like he always has. Now that he's standing up, I could see he was a full foot taller than me, about 7 feet tall. He was pretty intimidating, especially with that dog head of his leering down at me.
"Why am I here, Phobetor?" I asked him. "Am I going to talk with the past users, or what? I don't really want to talk with you right now. No offense."
"You meant full offense with that. Say what you mean, boy." Phobetor criticized me. "And to answer your first question, you are here as a sort of last minute warning from me; a last chance to turn back, if you will."
"Phobetor, if I was going to 'turn back', I would have done so by now."
"H-hmm." He hummed. "So you would have. Still, I think you would just like to know how serious I am, that I was willing to do this. I've spent the better half of the day trying to find one that would be… willing to speak to you. So far, there are only three. The first one, the one you are going to talk to tonight, is the user just before you. His consciousness is the one that is the most 'intact', but you'll still be surprised, I am sure."
The user before me? I wonder who it could be…
"Alright, I'll do it. We could come to an agreement… I really don't want to lose control, that's why I'm doing this, you remember, Phobetor?"
"Yes, that is the entire reason I am allowing this. Just… be careful, boy. It would be a shame to lose you to madness. And some of these users… Just looking at them makes me sick at times." Phobetor looked down on me with sympathy, for the first time I think since I met him.
I never took Phobetor for the Tsundere type…
"Refer to me with such a vulgar term again, boy, and I shall throw you into the darkest depths of the past users and leave you there for the remainder of your life."
"Right," I said, clearing the mood." Where is he, then? Actually, how do I even meet him?"
Phobetor gestured behind me, where there was a paneled oak door. If I remember correctly… I came in through that door the first time I came into this room.
"He's through… that door?"
"I gestured to it, did I not? What other door could I be pointing at?" I could hear the annoyance in his voice.
"Should have expected that." I grimaced, and then walked to the door. "Well… here goes nothing."
"Remember, boy. Be careful. This one's psyche is already unstable as it is." Phobetor warned, as I opened the door, which creaked as I did so.
On the other side was… a hallway. A burnt, ramshackle hallway that went down for quite some ways until it ended at an old looking door. All in all, not very welcoming.
As soon as I took a step or two into the hallway, the door shut behind me. I expected that, so I didn't try and open it. I knew I could probably open it if I truly wanted to, so I also wasn't all too concerned with it. The surroundings I found myself in did arise some fear and second thoughts, but I pressed on.
I walked down the hallway slowly, the black, burnt wood beneath me made cracking and creaking noises as I went forward, and the air smelled like burnt hair. There were no holes that showed me what the outside of this burnt hallway looked like, but I imagine that it looked quite a bit like the void I found myself in the night I died. Just an empty void.
This past user most have some serious issues… Thanks, Phobetor.
I got to the old door at the end of the hallway. It looked a lot like the one I had used to enter this mind-space – that's what I'm choosing to call it, because this certainly isn't what my psyche would look like – but it was also burnt, and several scratch marks adorned its aging wood.
Don't think about what the door looks like, Roland. This could just be the past user trying to scare you. Phobetor did say that they didn't like me at best. Wait… do they know I'm here?
I didn't want that question answered for me, so I opened the door, which squeaked and felt like it would fall from its hinges as I pushed it open. On the inside was a concrete, square room, with almost no discernible features. I didn't even notice the black-haired boy in the fetal position facing the far right corner of the room until I was just about to give up and look somewhere else.
It didn't seem like the kid noticed me, so I called out to him.
"Hey." Was all I said, and the boy visibly tensed.
"W-Who? Who s-said that?" His voice was jittery, watery, almost like he was already on the verge of tears. He didn't move from his spot, contenting himself to stare at the certainly very interesting features of this room.
"I think I've been looking for you." I said, fully walking into the room. "You see-"
"O-Okaa-sama…" The boy whispered. "S-She said t-that I shouldn't t-talk to people… She s-said t-that I would only s-scare them away…"
Damn honorifics… So this boy is Japanese, then.
"I'm not-" I tried to say, only to be interrupted by the boy speaking again, a bit louder this time.
"S-She kept me down… Didn't want me to leave the house… S-said that no one would love me… O-Okaa-sama… why…? I just… I j-just wanted to make f-friends… I wanted to be a good p-person… b-but Okaa-sama…" He murmured.
My eyes widened a little as the boy spoke. This sounds strangely similar to something… no… No it couldn't be…
"Look, I'm sorry-"
"I-I found a d-dog… I n-named him Nagai. W-Wish. I k-kept him h-hidden… Didn't let Okaa-s-sama take him f-from me…"
I blanched. No. No, no, no, no, no, nonononononononononono! This… This is impossible! There's no way!
"O-Okaa-sama… why…? Sh-She… I wanted to g-go out one n-night… Try and see if I could t-talk with s-someone… When I got home… Okaa-sama… why…?" The boy's tone became slightly angered as he went on. "T-The house… Okaa-sama burned o-our house d-down. She k-killed Nagai… She killed m-my only friend… And the things she said… t-the things she said as our house b-burned d-down…"
My breaths came out labored, and a strong amount of guilt and sympathy flooded into my mind, tightening my chest and making it hard for me to breath. It… How could this happen…? This…!
"NO!" The boy suddenly screamed, clutching his hands to his head. "SHUT UP! SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP! OKAA-SAMAAAAAAA! WHY!? WHY WOULD YOU KILL NAGAAAAAI!? I'LL DEVOUR YOU! I'LL DEVOUR THE ENTIRE WORLD! EVERY LITTLE CREATURE, EVERY TREE, EVERY SPECK OF DUST!"
And then, just as quickly as it began, his episode subsided, and he went back to being a stuttering mess. "N-No… I don't want t-to be a m-monster… People d-don't like m-monsters. I-I want people t-to… like m-me… Okaa-sama was the o-one who m-made me a-a monster… and him…"
Thoroughly disturbed, I went with the only thing that I could push out of my gaping mouth as I stared at the black-haired boy who suddenly seemed so familiar…
"K-Kid, what's your name?" I tried to speak without stuttering, but ultimately failed.
The kid was silent for a moment, but then spoke. "Okaa-sama… never gave m-me a n-name… B-but I picked o-one for myself."
Please, please, please, don't tell me… Anything but… I don't think I could stand the guilt…
"M-My name is… K-Kazuki. Kazuki K-Kurosawa. I-I wanted to use Okaa-s-ama's l-last name… B-but when I t-told her t-that I d-did, s-she hit me and s-said only g-good boys get n-names… And I-I'm a bad b-boy… the w-worst boy… ever…"
I thinned my lips as I stared down at the boy after he said that. The mixture of emotions going through my mind was so intense I'm surprised I didn't have any more outward reactions. Guilt, surprise, and self-hatred being chief among the ones I could name. My hands folded into fists, as if I was about to punch something, preferably myself. That name… Kazuki Kurosawa… It's a name I know all too well.
I named him that.
I created him, or the concept of him, at least. The things he was saying? Completely true. I wrote them down. He was going to be the protagonist of a fanfic I was writing, but I never even finished the first chapter of it. I even wrote down the scene he was talking about, the house burning down… I can remember writing down the things his mother said as his house burned down with his only friend inside of it. Oh God… what have I done…?
There was only one thing I could say after that.
"I'm sorry."
The boy tensed again, only this time, he turned around to face me, apparently figuring out who this strange man who had invaded his mind-space was. "S-Sorry? …YOU!"
His face was stained with tears, that originated from the corners of his dark purple eyes. He stood up, his legs unreasonably thin, and he was taller than I had originally anticipated. I took a step back as he did so.
"…Y-You! YOU! Y-you… YOOOOOU!" He took a deep breath as each 'you' came from his mouth, as if he was fighting a strong urge to pull me a part, an urge that I could completely get behind.
"I-I r-read your me-memories! Y-You…! It was all YOU!" He stood tall as his stutter became less severe. "Okaa-sama did…! You wrote them down! Like it was a story for you to read! For you to write… t-to create me… as if I'm some toy for y-you to…!"
I backed up another step, as [Nightmare Masque] appeared on the boys thin, pale face. "Y-you… you created me! Why!? WHY DID YOU CREATE ME!? WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY!?"
Kazuki's voice became deep, demonic. "I'll devour you… I'll devour even your soul! Nothing will be left! You will feel it as my teeth sink into your flesh and tear you apart, body part by body part, cell by cell, atom by atom!"
His voice became squeaky, not unlike when I first entered. "N-no… I won't… I'll prove Okaa-sama wrong… I-I'm not a m-monster… T-Then p-people will l-like me, r-right? P-people d-don't like m-monsters…"
His arm became larger, clawed, with black fur sticking out everywhere. "He made Okaa-sama hate me! He did! I will tear him apart! APART APART APART!"
[Nightmare Masque] sunk into his flesh as his entire head began to change into some sort of… abomination. Tentacles, teeth, eyes, little tubes of flesh appearing from the side and then hanging limply off to the side sprung out like tumors. Two, dark black feathered wings sprung out of his back, as if forcefully. They did not morph, but they spun and swiveled in place as if they were trying to escape.
I ran.
My legs finally regained feeling, and I turned as fast as I could and ran. Summoning [Nightmare Masque] didn't even occur to me as I ran away from the abomination that I fucking created!
"BITE BITE BITE BITE BITE BITE BITE BITE!" The creature howled from behind me, as I felt the entire hallway I found myself in again shake and quake as if we were in the middle of an earthquake.
I turned around, suddenly possessed by a morbid curiosity. The creature that was following closely behind me could not even be described as human anymore, it was something other. A mass of flesh, held up by four muscular limbs that looked to be all the hind legs of a large dog. A gaping mouth filled with row upon row of sharp needle-like teeth snapped closed and opened every time the beast took a clumsy step forward. The beast gave one, anguish-filled roar as it charged at me as fast it could, leaping and bounding after me.
I turned back, focusing on the door that lead to safety. I have no idea what would happen to me if the beast behind me actually got a hold of me, but I didn't want to find out. One part of me wanted me to turn back, to face the punishment I no doubt deserved, but I ignored it.
I reached the door, with the beast still a little ways away from me. It wouldn't open, no matter how many times I slammed on it. I could hear the beast get closer, every step going with my heart beat in unison, pounding in my chest. I jiggled the knob, tried to kick it open, and nothing happened.
"PHOBETOR!" I screamed, ready to charge my shoulder into the door to force it open. "OPEN THIS FUCKING DOOR YOU SON OF A BITCH!"
The door opened, just as I was about to charge into it. I slipped to the ground of the homely space Phobetor had used to talk to me before just as I heard the door slam back shut.
I was lying there for several minutes, hyperventilating. My mind somewhere between over-working itself and not working at all. The image of the creature Kazuki had turned into flashing in my mind, over and over again.
As I tried to calm myself down, the voice of Phobetor reached my ears.
"I warned you, boy."
Huh... edgolub2 was not kidding, I really should put a Horror/Tragedy tag on here after writing that last scene. The last scene is what happens when you spend the entire night listening to Hollywood Undead songs and then falling asleep to them, by the way.
So, in the far future, I mean after the 4th volume happens, I'm thinking of starting a Fallout fanfic. It's in the planning stages, but you'll see why after I get done with volume 4 for this work why I waited so long to write that one. Hopefully.
Well, nothing else to say so... Good night!