Reincarnated Love
Chapter 10
Holy vs Death
The morning started out like any other, Zeref and Mavis woke up together, Mavis left to go shower first, all was standard procedure. Then an unexpected voice came in through Zeref's hand, "Zeref, I need to talk to you."
Zeref looked at his left hand and noticed a green light blinking at him before he spoke, "what do you wish to speak about Ddraig?"
"You should know that I have sensed the white one around here, he must be spying on you to gauge your strength. Be wise and don't show to many of your tricks to him before we fight," Ddraig spoke.
"Do not worry, there is no countermeasures for my attacks in this realm, but I have sensed his energy as well. Don't worry too much about it, this will all be over soon," he informed the heavenly dragon.
"Very well, but here is another warning, not to do with the fight, but to do with my power. The dragon's power can be overwhelming to those around you, some will want to fight you while others will find it charming," the dragon informed.
"That could be a problem, I don't want a harem, I only want Mavis, but is there any way for me to suppress that particular power," Zeref asked with clear concern.
"Not a single thing you can do about it without getting rid of me, but the only ways for you to do that is to die, or for me to be extracted like that fallen angel was going to do to Asia," Ddraig informed him.
"Fine, I guess people will just have broken hearts when they confess and get rejected, oh well," the black wizard shrugged.
"I guess that is all for now, but remember what I told you about the white dragon," he said before going back into nothingness.
"I will," was all Zeref said before Mavis came in and finished their morning routine of him showering next and then for him Mavis and Asia to walk to school together.
ORC room
Everyone was gathered in the club room as usual for everyone, "they did a good job cleaning this place didn't they," Rias asked from her place on a couch.
"They did, but I can't help but wonder why it wasn't just done with magic and in half the time," Asia wondered out loud.
"Magic is a useful tool, but that would be a bit of an abuse of power, manual labor is also a good way to get the job done. It builds strong muscles as well as allowing people to develop different skills," Zeref informed her with a small smile.
"That makes sense I guess," she replied with a blush of embarrassment.
A knock was heard on the door, and when it opened, the president and vice president of the school entered the room. "I hope I am not intruding on anything, but I have an important matter to discuss with you at my house Rias," Sona informed her.
"You sound quite disturbed by something, but I don't see why not, Akeno can join as well, that will be all for today everyone," Rias said as she and the rest scattered to their own homes.
Road to Zeref's house
"That was mildly strange of a meeting, but I am not complaining, more free time," Asia commented as she walked to the left of Mavis with Zeref on Mavis's right.
"True, but if we need to know, then we will find out tomorrow, if not, then we don't need to know," Zeref stated as they almost neared his home.
"True, Sona probably wanted Rias's advise on a personal matter," Mavis commented as they got close enough home to sense an energy in the house.
"I knew I sensed members of the church around here somewhere, and the only reason they would be here would be only two reasons I can see," Zeref stated as he became serious.
"One is that they are holding your parents hostage in order to trap and kill us devils, and another is that they want to talk with you about the light magic you did at the church," Mavis finished.
"Correct, let us find out which one and have some fun while we're at it," he stated as they walked in and headed for the one room with a light on.
They heard the voice of Issei's mother saying, "that's my boy, hehehe, and then there was the time when he ripped his swimming trunks at the pool with friends." The walked in and saw Issei's mother talking with a girl with light orange hair and a girl with blue hair with a green strand. Issei's mother looked back and said, "there he is, welcome home Zeref, what's with the sour face."
The girl with the light orange hair now looked confused as she asked, "you don't look like the Issei I remember, maybe I got the wrong house."
Zeref planned for this and implanted the knowledge on what to do in his parent's heads when he worked on them. "Issei was involved in a crash when he entered high school, facial reconstruction is a great thing isn't it, but for some reason he wanted to change his name to Zeref so we just call him that now."
This eased the girls confusion to she just nodded and smiled as she said, "it's been a while hasn't it then, Zeref I guess I should call you now, unless I can call you Issei for old times sake."
"I much rather prefer Zeref it it's all the same to you miss blast from my past that I wish to forget," he said with a blank look.
"Now don't be like that, it's Irina Shidou, isn't she just so cute now," Issei's mom asked while holding up a picture of little Irina and Issei playing together.
"So you were a girl, you always acted like a boy so I just assumed you were one, my apologies," Zeref said with a bow.
"No worries, you certainly have changed from when we was little, but we should catch up, a lot has happened to both of us in the time we've been apart," Irina said with a smile. "Also, I love reunions, you never know that's going to happen," she continued as Zeref got glares from the blue haired girl.
ORC room the next day
Rias and her peerage were all in the club room where both people from the church were and set on one side of the couch while Rias set on the other couch with her peerage behind her.
"Thank you for agreeing to speak with us today, my name is Xenovia," the blue haired girl from last night spoke.
"My name is Irina Shidou," the light orange haired girl introduced.
"It's fascinating to me why followers of God would want to meat with a devil," Rias commented with a smile.
"It does seem random, here's the thing, there are six swords we can account for, three are still with the church. However we happen to know that the other three were stolen by fallen angels," Irina informed them, much to everyone else's shock but Zeref and Mavis.
Xenovia spoke up again and motioned to her wrapped sword, "these are from the ones we have left, they're made from Excalibur, this sword is mine, it's called the sword of destruction."
"Then there is the one that I have here," Irina began and showing her armband, "it's known as the holy sword of mimicry, it's also and Excalibur mimic."
"So what is it you would like for us to do for you today," Rias asked with a smile.
"Stay out of it, this is between us and the fallen angels. Let's keep it simple, shall we, and we don't want the devils in this town to intervene," Xenovia told her.
"That sounds like an accusation, are you afraid that we will side with the fallen angels and keep you from obtaining the holy swords," Rias said ominously.
"We know for devils, a holy sword is a detestable thing, wouldn't it make more sense to support the fallen angels," Xenovia retorted just as ominously. "If that is true, we would have no choice but to completely annihilate you, even though you are the great devil's sister."
"If you already have me figured out, then let me share something with you, there is no way I would ever think of joining the fallen angels. I would never do anything that would besmirch the name of Gremory or my brother," Rias commented with a smile still on her face.
Now the bluenette smiled and said, "it's enough for me just to hear you say that, I was only relaying the thoughts of headquarters. I honestly didn't think the little sister of Lucifer would be that stupid."
"Good to know, then I also hope you understand that I will not provide aid to your side either," the Gremory heiress stated.
"Of course, I am sure we will prevail if you promise not to intervene in anything we do in this town," Xenovia said.
"You have my word on that," Rias promised gracefully.
"We won't take up anymore of your time then, we will let ourselves out," she said as she got up to leave. As she was walking out, she got a glimpse of Asia from the corner of her eye, so she decided to do the stupid thing and comment about it. "I was wondering if visiting the home of Issei Hyoudou would lead us to you, Asia Argento, but I guess it does make sense that I would run into a witch in a place like this."
Then Irina just had to be just as stupid and made a comment, "oh my goodness it is you, you're the former saint who became a witch. I heard that you were banished because you had the power to heal fallen angels and devils, and that one time you actually used it. You must be pretty strong, but I didn't know that you'd actually become a devil yourself."
Asia grabbed her skirt, clearly upset, and mumbled out, "well I'm, I guess so."
"So, you went from being a saint to being a devil, that is as far as one can fall," Xenovia commented stupidly again. Yet she just had to keep going by asking her, "do you still believe in our God Asia?"
"Don't be silly, she's like a devil and stuff, she's over us," Irina guessed.
"No, that doesn't always mean what you think it does, and there are those whose hearts continue to remain pias in the mist of their own selfish betrayal. She seems like she might be one of them," the bluenette just kept going on.
"Really, is it true Asia, I mean, I know your like a devil, but do you," the orange asked her.
With tears in her eyes, Asia squeaks out, "yes, I've never been able to let go, and I've believed in God this whole time."
"Then you should allow us to execute you at this instant, and though you have sinned in the worst way possible, if you sacrifice your soul to him, he will forgive you. Let yourself be convicted by my hand, God will work through my mind to save you," Xenovia said.
"Would you mind stopping right there please, there is no need to shame my servant here in that way," Rias commented as she stood and turned in their direction.
"I wasn't shaming her senselessly, as one of God's servants, I feel it is my duty to rescue her soul," she pointed out forwardly.
All of a sudden they all heard laughter, from two people, and the laughter sounded dark to even the devils. They turned and saw that it was both Zeref and Mavis, they laughed until they couldn't stand it and lost their breath. When they finally puffed a sufficient amount of air into their lungs to speak, Zeref spoke out, "it's always the same, no matter where we go in life, isn't it Mavis."
"Yes, it is, beings that think they are different from one another discriminating against each other because of what they are, how utterly pitiful," Mavis replied with a sad smile.
"They always forget that they shouldn't kill each other, or even fight at all, when they could be more productive and just leave one another be and let the other beings live in peace. They forget that the so called soul is never damned until it doesn't let the most precious of all commodities into their hearts," Zeref said ominously.
"That would be God's love for us all, strange when devils talk like that though," Irina commented dumbly again.
She got a strange look from the two until Mavis said, "not your god's love, but the simple love of life and all living things. That is the one and true form of salvation for the soul, not any of one beings love or another, it's their own love for life and themselves."
"Well then, let us see which one of us is stronger, your love of life, or our God's love," Xenovia commented with a deep scowl.
"I wish to fight as well," Kiba said as he stepped forward.
"And who might you be to request such a thing, this is between him and us," she said.
"I am your superior, now are we going to do this or what," he said as he got beside of Zeref.
Outside in an open field
Xenovia and Irina stood beside one another on one end of the field, Zeref and Kiba stood on the other end. "Alright, let's begin," Xenovia said as she and Irina took off their cloaks to reveal a black bodysuit.
"Are you ready with the stripping, because I would like for us to skip any emotions and just head for the fighting," Zeref commented.
"I thought you said that you didn't like fighting, how typical of a devil to go back on their word," she commented with a sneer as she and Irina undid their holy swords.
A small chuckle escaped from his mouth before he said, "you misinterpreted what I said, I meant that beings shouldn't fight one another for their own pride or because they believe others are below them. If we fight, it is not because either of us fight to prove who is on top, we fight because you view as what I said an insult to your faith, nothing more."
"Very well then, you did insult us, so now I must take my defense and destroy you," just as she said that she dashed forward to slash him in half.
Only for him to generate a substance from his hand and collide it with her sword causing a small shock wave of power. "You must mistake me for a fool to have challenged you and not even try to use my power against yours," Zeref commented as he pushed her back a few feat.
She landed gracefully on the ground and asked, "what is that power, I tried to destroy it, but the holy sword did nothing."
"The power that is not gained through the loving of life, this is the power of my magic, death magic. Since death cannot be destroyed, then neither can death magic, for it is the embodiment of death," he stated seriously.
Before she could form a retort, he launched himself at her sending a flurry of strikes out with one hand. Xenovia barely blocked them all as they started to get faster and faster, until they were just blurs and she started to missed some. Luckily they didn't hit her, they passed through the areas where there was space just enough for a sword to pass through between her arms and torso.
Zeref had to admit, she was good, but not good enough to give him a challenge. He was beginning to think that this was all just a waste of his time and that he and Mavis should just go off and search for their own strong opponents. He stopped his attack for a moment to ponder this, his opponent, seeing this as a good opportunity, struck him in the gut out of anger and frustration.
Gasps of shock were heard, Zeref turned his attention to where he felt a slight stinging and looked down to see a sword was lodge in his stomach. He looked up and said, "I thought this was a spar, yet seemed to have just tried to kill me, does this mean you want me to get serious?"
Her along with everyone else's eyes, except for Mavis's, widen when they realize that he wasn't affected by the holy sword at all. Xenovia ripped her sword from his stomach, only to find there is no wound, not even the remnants of a cut on him.
One moment, she saw him standing there, the next he disappeared in a shimmer of black and stood behind her saying, "bad luck for you that I don't play games." Then as she turned around, he poked her head, and she saw it, the entire scene changed to the Vatican on fire and burned to a crisp. Piles of corpses filled the place, her friends and comrades were all mangled messes, and in the center was her opponent with a hand through the chest of her partner, Irina.
Then, it was as though that never happened, everything was normal and nothing was different. "I could easily do that, but just a glimpse of my power is enough for you to know that you cannot win. Do you concede your defeat to me," Zeref asked her.
"I will never concede to a devil," Xenovia said on shaky legs while trying to maintain her sword at a stable level.
"You are done here," he said as he turned and walked away from her.
"So you concede to the power of God," she surmised as he disappeared again and reappeared with her partner over his shoulder before he tossed her unconscious form to the ground.
"You really think that your god can compare to the power granted to me by my god, Ankhseram. He is not only my god, but he is actually death personified, and it is death that you are up against now, can you fight death. Faith is good, but life is more important than some silly little faith that only means that you die for your own peace of mind, but survival is more important," Zeref turns around and walks back into the building just as Irina regains consciousness.
ORC room that evening
"Where do you think that you're going Kiba," Rias asked as said devil was about to leave. "You do realize that I will never permit you to leave me, remember that you are a knight of the house of Gremory."
"I know president, and I'm sorry for this," Kiba said as he was about to walk out of the room before Zeref spoke up.
"How about we skip the drama where you run off and we chase after you and also help those people from the church. It's just a waste of time, tomorrow we will search for the members of the church and offer help in their mission. Naturally we will leave the finishing off of the holy swords to you so that you can destroy them, that is your goal is it not."
"You know that is not your decision to make Zeref," Rias told him with a glare.
"Rias, based on what you know of our personalities and thought processes, what do you think will happen the second he goes off to destroy the holy swords on his own," he asked seriously.
She thought about it for a moment and came to a conclusion, "you will disobey me regardless and help him and the church just to make sure he comes back in one piece."
"Correct, so you might as well give us the go ahead, or not say anything on the subject either way," Zeref advised.
"You're right, but I won't give you permission, if you wish to do this, it will be under your own will and if you get caught by another king then I will punish you," Rias warned as she walked out of the room.
"Good, now Kiba we will head out tomorrow in search for the two from the church," he told him.
"Why would you go out of your way to help me with my mission, we are devils and therefore selfish by nature," Kiba asked.
"That is a generalization of regular devils, but if you must know, I heard that they will be going against a leader class fallen angel. I simply wish to fight him myself and see if he's a challenge," Zeref admitted.
"I swear, you Dragneels and your love of fighting are going to get you killed one day," Mavis commented.
Next day walking around
Our group consisting of Zeref, Mavis, Koneko, Kiba, and Saji, who somehow got roped into this along the way, were walking along the road in an effort to find the people from the church. "I wonder where those two could be, It's not like we're going to run into people in white robes on Main Street," Zeref commented.
"Oh blessings on the wandering sheep before us," Xenovia said aloud in hope for food money.
"We're pitiful when compared to you oh lord, please have mercy on us," Irina said just as loudly.
"Never mind what I just said, people from this world must be just as crazy as the people from our's," Zeref commented again with a sweat-drop.
Now we find both Xenovia and Irina inhaling food from clear starvation, and the devils have to admit that this scene is funny. Once they were done, Xenovia said, "what just happened, even if this will build our faith. The devils saving us must mean the end of days."
"We basically sold our souls to the devils, how will we ever be forgiven," Irina said with tears and a heavenly light that came from nowhere.
"I know that you just following your faith, but is that really any way to thank someone who just saved you from starvation," Zeref had to comment on their manners.
"I swear, it's like no being in the universe has any idea on what manners are, at least in Fairy Tail we had the decency to say thank you first," Mavis also commented.
"Lord please have mercy on these kind souls, even if they are devils," Irina prayed, and caused all the devils present to have a massive headache. When she realized her mistake, she said, "oh right, I'm sorry, force of habit."
Xenovia then became serious and said, "well, what's this deal, what did you wish to talk to us about."
"We wish to help you to destroy Excalibur, well, Kiba does at least, I simply wish to fight the fallen angel leader for the fun of it," was Zeref's honest answer.
"I understand the situation, and I don't mind letting you take care of one sword," she said after a moment of deliberation.
Sanji was now upset and said to himself, "why couldn't she just refuse us like I was hoping she would."
"You do know that Kokabiel is dangerous, and quite frankly it will be impossible for us to recover all three swords on our own," Xenovia surmised.
"Now hold on a minute Xenovia, these are devils and we knew the kind of risk we were taking before we got here, this isn't anything new," Irina said with clear irritation.
"True, we were sent by the higher up, fully prepared to sacrifice our lives for the sacred cause," she recounted what her partner just said.
"By the way, I find it weird that someone who can wield an Excalibur would approve of their destruction," Kiba commented.
"True, but just so we are clear, those of us in the church know of the holy sword project and find those acts deplorable. They even excommunicated the one responsible if it is any consolation," Xenovia informed him.
"His name was Valper Galilei, also known as the archbishop of annihilation," Irina told him.
"Yes, there is also a high probability that Valper is involved now as well," she informed again.
"Well after that, I can't help but be more convinced in helping out," Kiba commented as all got up to leave.
"Good, we shall return the favor for the food one day, Zeref Dragneel, until then," Xenovia said as she and Irina turned and left.
"This will be quite fun, all we have to do is search and destroy, and who doesn't love to do that," Zeref commented as he walked off.
"You know, now would probably be the moment in a show or something that someone would give us their backstory about why they want to destroy the holy swords so much," Saji commented.
"True, but the past doesn't matter, if we focus on it to much, we forget to look forward to the future, learned that lesson the hard way didn't we Zeref," Mavis asked her love.
"Yes we did, but let us head out and find what holy sword we can so that Kiba can get his vengeance and I can find a good fight," was Zeref's answer.