Freelance DxD
Life 10: Rescue
"And that's it?"
Licht nodded after having given Soren his report, the familiar on a tree at the base of the church hill, Soren, Lucina, and the three Gremory Devils looking up at the cat-like creature as he jumped down to Soren's head.
"So, what did he say?" Issei inquired.
"Three Fallen Angels guarding the outside grounds, while there's a bunch of auras gathered inside the church. This makes it simple. You three head into the church, and I'll take care of the mooks out here." Soren stated, tossing Licht another cookie.
"But, can you really do that on your own? I know you're strong but…" Issei murmured, Soren letting out a light chuckle.
"He won't be on his own, cause I'm here to!" Lucina said, throwing a hand up, "I'm inexperienced too, but I can hold my own just fine!"
"And I'd ask your pals there about how well I can handle myself. There's a good reason your boss doesn't like me, and it's 'cause I hurt her pride, which is kind of a big deal to pure bloods." Soren bluntly stated, somehow making what would be a cocky statement said in such a blunt, matter-of-fact statement that it genuinely somewhat threw the three Devils for a loop.
Which honestly, Kiba and Koneko found themselves somewhat agreeing with Soren on the point that their master was indeed prideful... often to the point of recklessness… and that Rias' pride was indeed very hurt considering she'd been muttering her disdain for the demi-dragon all too often when he came up… the fact Soren and Rias were in the same class didn't help matters.
"Uhm…" Issei hummed, looking to his companions, who simply nodded.
"Yeah… he didn't even really try." Kiba bitterly sighed, Koneko nodding.
"Dude is tough." Koneko bluntly put.
"I'm lost…" Lucina said, folding her arms.
"Right… now, with that: Lucina and I will draw the attention of the guards so you three can slip in. Shouldn't take long. After that, we'll join up with you." Soren cracked his knuckles and pulled out Balmung, slinging the sword to his back, then pulling something else out of his pocket "But, if any trouble comes up, just use this."
Issei managed to catch what Soren tossed, a playing card from the looks of it, though the face of it simply bore the demi-dragon's magic circle… which meant that, like the flyers Issei had become used to passing out, it was a summoning card.
"Got it!" Issei said, though when the three Devils looked back, Soren and Lucina had already vanished, "ALREADY?!"
"Better for us." Koneko shrugged and trudged forward, Issei and Kiba looking at each other.
"I'm sure we have nothing to worry about." Issei nervously chuckled.
"It's not him I'd be worried about… it's our enemies. They're probably not gonna last long." Kiba added, Issei nodding to that statement.
"Achooo!" Soren let out a sneeze as he stopped at the border just below the church, rubbing his nose as he let out a sniffle, "Someone was talkin' about me…"
"I didn't actually think people did that." Lucina remarked, Soren shrugging, "So uh… how're we going to draw them out?"
"It's pretty simple." Soren said, and a brief moment passing as he stopped trying to hide, and within moments of his wait, it didn't take long until he heard the tell tale flapping of wings.
"That was fast." Lucina remarked.
"Ah come on! Who is it now?! Wait, there's two?"
Soren looked up to see who had arrived, the Fallen Angel who showed up being a short blond girl in a Lolita outfit, and she looked somewhat surprised that it was Soren. The fact Lucina was also there seemed more like an additional factor.
"Eh?! Who the heck are you two?" The Fallen Angel hummed, Soren folding his arms.
"I'm the one who gave your boss that scar she's no doubt sporting." Soren answered, the blonde blinking.
"You're the dragon kid?! I expected some thug looking guy, not a pretty boy! Much less one bringing a hot girl with him!" The girl yelped, Soren's eye twitching. Lucina noticed the reaction was on the "pretty boy" remark. Was there a chance Soren wasn't really that aware of his looks?
"I certainly think he's pretty… wait, no, priorities!" Lucina thought.
"Why does everyone always say that?" Soren grumbled, letting out a sigh, "Whatever. Look, I'll be straight, I'm not here to kill anyone tonight… I'll leave that to your superiors if it turns out you lot have been going against orders."
"Against orders? Hah! Please, our orders have come from Lord Azazel himself, so why is an outsider interfering?" The angel scoffed, Soren shutting an eye.
"Really? Why would Azazel order a Scared Gear user to be killed then? Last I checked Azazel was pretty fond of Sacred Gear research… so, tell me, were you told why you were given these orders, or did you not realize you've been played for an idiot?" Soren asked.
"EHHH?! Geez, and here I thought you might be my type, you're way to rude!"
"BACK OFF!" Lucina snapped, Soren glancing at her for a moment with a raised brow, then turning back to the Fallen Angel.
"I'm not, rude, just blunt. There's a difference."
"Mittelt, stop toying around and… oh, it's him." The next to arrive was the trench coat wearing fallen angel from before, "Not surprised to see you again, Holy Sword Wielder."
"Oh hey, the one who actually has some common sense." Soren quipped.
"Again, totally lost." Lucina said.
"The hell Dohnaseek, I was just about to deal with him!" Mittelt snapped.
"I'd advise against that, but, he is intruding." Dohnaseek hummed, Soren pocketing his hands, Lucina standing at the ready. "And I did say next time we met, I'd take care of you myself."
"I'd advise against that myself." Soren hummed, turning around and whipping out his sword, slashing a yellow light spear right out of the air as the blade was concealed, "That was rude."
"Really you two? It's just two measly kids, why wait and not just kill him now?" A third fallen angel descended, a woman with dark blue hair and a shirt barring far too much cleavage, Soren placing his blade across his shoulders with a flat look on his face. Lucina had much the same reaction, her Gear flaring into form.
"Honestly…" Soren sighed as the three Fallen Angels collectively rose up with spears in hand, "This is pointless, sitting around and talking is wasting my time! Lucina, let's beat 'em down!"
"Right!"
Soren swung his blade and released a wave of energy from the sword, the three fallen angels dodging, Lucina coming in from below and raising a wall of flame to stop them dead.
"Not going anywhere!" Lucina shouted, a throw of her arms causing the wall of flames to come crashing down on the Fallen Angels. They shot out from the flame wall, but all three were more than a bit singed. Lucina shot back with a yelp when three light spears were thrown at her, Soren jumping in and swiping them away with his sword, "Th-Thanks!"
"No problem. But, they need to be beaten a bit more before I can bind them. Mind helping me out with that?" When Soren looked back, the expression he had on was, simply enough, a bit excited, the smirk on his face telling enough of it, "Those flames of yours would make the perfect trap, think you can make a bigger wall?"
"It shouldn't be a problem. But what are you going to do?" Lucina asked, Soren snickering.
"Just a little trick for non-lethal take downs is all. Just get all three to stay still for me!"
"On it!"
"What are they doing?" Dohnaseek muttered, dodging when Soren came careening over with a slide of his sword, and when the three Fallen Angels tried to attack him, another wall of flame shot up in front of them. When the three turned to face Lucina, another one shot up as well, and then from above, Soren appeared, his fingers aimed like a gun as a magic circle began to grow.
"Bind!" Soren shouted, and as magic circles formed, all three Fallen Angels were restrained by magical chains that snared them all, the three falling to the ground with solid thuds and a few crunches to boot. Lucina let out a breath and let the walls of fire die down. Soren sheathed his blade as he stepped over to the three captives he now had, "Now that we've decided to end the pointless fight, let me ask you three goons, what's Raynare planning to do with Argento?"
"The nun? Hah, like we'd tell y-" The third angel was shut up within a moment when Soren whipped out his sword, the woman stopping dead.
"I'd be more compliant. He can be convincing." Lucina said, then stepping off and giving a loud sigh, "Man that was exhausting to keep up! I need more practice with these flames!"
"Wanna try that again?" Soren hummed, the woman staring at the tip of the blade as it hovered scarily close to her face.
"Kalawarner, we've lost." Dohnaseek grumbled, "I'll tell you. Raynare plans on taking the nun's Sacred Gear for herself."
"What? It's Twilight Healing the heck does she think she'll get besides a universal healing magic?" Soren raised a brow, Dohnaseek sighing.
"I admit after a while I started thinking the same thing. But, orders are orders… at least, that's what we were told." Dohnaseek stated, Soren leaning on his sword.
"Yeah that's all we know alright?! But either way, the ritual is starting, no way you'll be able to stop it!" Mittelt stated, Soren looking at the Lolita girl as he spun.
"Soren, doesn't Hyoudo have that summoning card? Also uh… we weren't really the main force." Lucina remarked.
"Yeah, we were just the distraction. The Devil kid and his pals are the ones up at the church." Soren stated.
"That guy? You mean the fledgling Gremory kid?" Kalawarner scoffed, "He wouldn't have a snowball's chance in hell of beating Raynare. Besides your too late, the ritual has already started! That Sacred Gear has no doubt been taken!"
"I like to think otherwise. It hasn't even been that long. And if so, then I'll just take it back." Soren said. And that was when a blue magic circle appeared beneath his feet, "Oh right on time. Lucina! We're about to jump, head over here!"
"Oh, uh, right!" Lucina said, jumping onto the magic circle, then waving to the three trapped Fallen Angels, "Sorry! We promise nobody else is coming so just sit tight please!"
"That's not a reassuring thing for them." Soren said. Nothing else could be said though, as the magic circle moved up, and the scenery immediately changed.
They were now in what had to be the basement of the church without a doubt. Dark, damp, and filled with what had to be stray exorcists suddenly surprised at the appearances of Soren and Lucina in the chamber. And at the top of it all on a raised up platform was Raynare, and bound to a stupidly ornate cross was Asia.
"Well looks like we got called in just in time!" Soren remarked, Raynare clicking her tongue as she saw him.
"The dragon as well?! Damn, that's annoying." Raynare bit, Soren snickering.
"Hehe, well, it is why I have Hyoudo that card he used! By the by, nice scar." Soren pointed to the mark on Raynare's face, and it got the Fallen Angel to growl at him again. Also because he turned to Issei, "So, what made you use it huh?"
"Figured we could use the reinforcements it all!" Issei said, Kiba and Koneko nodding, "What about those other ones though?"
"Don't worry about them. Soren put them into a binding spell so they're restrained. Nobody got too hurt… though maybe I singed their wings a bit." Lucina said, putting an arm behind her head as she chuckled.
"Stop ignoring me!" Raynare shouted, eyes back to her, and she quickly regained her cocky expression, "Bring whatever reinforcements you want, I'm afraid you're too late."
"Asia!" Issei called out. The blonde girl began to stir to consciousness.
"Issei… you came…" Asia murmured.
"I'm here, hold on!" Issei was stopped mid charge by Kiba though, wisely so as it was.
"No wait!" Kiba shouted, Soren jumping forward and slashing away the light spear that Raynare had thrown, "Hate to say it, but nice save Siegreich!"
"Don't mention it!" Soren said, clicking his tongue as the cross began glowing, "Well, this is why he brought me here! Lucina, help them keep those exorcists back! Issei, on me, we're getting Argento down!"
"HAH! What do you possibly think you'll…" Raynare stopped dead when in the time it took to blink, Soren suddenly appeared in front of her, Issei with a shocked expression, as he'd been grabbed and dragged along in that same moment. "… be able to do…"
"THIS!" Soren snapped, swinging his leg around and kicked Raynare into the wall hard enough for there to be a crater, he and Issei turning to the cross.
"How do we get her down?!" Issei said, grabbing at the chains.
"That's an easy one!" Soren grabbed Balmung with both hands as he stepped over, Issei retreating back as his senior raised the sword high. The blade cleaved right through the structure as it was brought down, the chains binding Asia shattering, Issei yelping as he stepped forward and caught the girl as she suddenly fell.
"Gotcha!" Issei said. Raynare stepped back to the podium as she forced herself off the wall, but was stopped as Soren leveled his sword at her, "Asia, are you okay?!"
"Y-Yes, I'm fine. But… Issei, Soren, why are you two here?" Asia asked, Issei chuckling.
"Isn't it obvious? I said I would help you didn't I? Thankfully for me, I've got one awesome senpai too!" Issei said, Asia gaining a surprised, but red tinged, expression at what Issei said, "Senpai, what now?"
"We get her out of here that's what! Lucina, block those exorcists off for us!"
"Got it!" Lucina said, jumping back from one of the exorcists she was fighting, "You two, the Gremory Devils, step back so you don't get caught in this!"
"Got it!" Kiba said, Koneko only nodding. Once the two jumped back, the wings of Lucina's Dragon Gear flared up again as she waved her hands, two walls of white fire rising up and making a clear path for them, also with the space Issei and Soren needed.
"They're up!" Lucina said, though there was a few beads of sweat on her face, and not because of the heat.
"Thanks Faustus!" Issei said, leaping from the stand with Asia held in his arms, Soren smirking at Raynare as he started to back away. Soren slashed aside another light spear as the Fallen Angel roared at him, jumping down and joining the others as they ran for the door, Lucina proceeding at a slower pace as she made sure the walls of flame kept the exorcists back.
"That went pretty well!" Lucina said, Soren chuckling as he passed her, loosing a blast from Balmung as Raynare charged at them. Lucina fell back once they reached the doorway, the walls of flame dropping as they retreated up into the main chapel of the church. Once they had, Soren made sure to shove the central stature over the stairs that had brought them up.
"There, should buy us a tiny bit of time." Soren said.
"Thanks." Issei set Asia down on one of the pews, the blonde still looking downright shocked from what had just happened, "Asia, you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine but… I'm still shocked that you came here! And with all these people no less!" Asia said, all but Soren giving her a small wave of greeting, "How though?"
"Well… I was confident because it was the right thing… that and, well, knowing I had a super strong senpai backing me up was a pretty good confidence boost."
BOOM!
"And that would be our angry pursuer." Soren remarked, pocketing his hands, "Issei, remember what I said. Raynare is your opponent, so I'll let you handle this if you really want to."
"Thanks." Issei said, nodding while he also held his left arm. Then he turned back to Asia, "Asia, go with Kiba, Koneko, and Faustus, please. They'll keep you safe. I'm going to stay here and fight Raynare."
"Issei no! After you got hurt last time, you can't! Please!" Asia said, Issei shaking his head.
"I have to do this! Not just to save you, but for myself too! She's someone I have to beat, even with the memories I have." Issei said, Asia going silent. Then she nodded.
"Good, you get it. Now let's go. Issei, don't die on us, got it? Else Gremory is gonna be on all of our asses." Soren said, Lucina helping Asia up as they headed for the exit.
"He's right on that point." Kiba said.
"Don't worry, I'll do it! Besides, if senpai is right, then this dinky thing is actually way cooler than we think it is! I can definitely do this!" Issei said, Soren chuckling.
"Confidence is good! Kick her ass!" Soren said, their little bunch retreating to the outside of the church. Though as they stepped out and the doors closed, Issei felt hindsight kick in, "Crap… the exorcists in the basement!"
"Right! Dammit those guys!" Lucina said, putting her hands on her head, "I held them back but I don't know what happened! Hyoudo's a goner if they join that angel!"
"I wouldn't be too worried." Naga said, Lucina showing a surprised look, "You kind of did it accidentally, but closing those flames in like that knocked those guys right the hell out. Normal humans have a hard time dealing with my holy flames even being a few feet from them. They're not dead, but ain't getting up for a while."
"Phew, that's good to know." Lucina sighed in relief, then gave a hum, "So… now we're waiting huh?"
"Seems that way." Kiba remarked, and they could already hear the sounds of fighting coming from within, mainly thanks to the flashes coming from the windows, "Well that started quickly."
"Hope he's okay in there." Koneko remarked, then looking at Soren, "Not gonna help? You are stronger then Buchou."
"Like I said, it's Hyoudo's fight. If I interfered and beat Raynare easily I'd just be doing it for him, and the guy doesn't want that. It'd be easier if I just did it, but I don't step in like that unless I really have to."
A moment of silence passed after that with barely any words coming from anyone. The, with a sudden flash of emerald light from within the church, both Soren and Lucina lurched a bit, though a smirk spread out on Soren's face.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHA! I FUCKING CALLED IT!" Bahamut cackled for all too hear, everyone looking at Soren as his motions matches the dragon's mirth, "I freaking called it, the brat is the Red Dragon Emperor!"
"Wait, what does he mean by that?" Kiba asked.
"Is Issei alright?" Asia asked, Soren nodding.
"Yeup! What Bahamut means, is that your buddy just got his Sacred Gear to finally go all out!" Soren said. Again as well, Lucina was stuck staring at that excited look on his face, one so different from the relatively grim expressions she'd seen him have over the past few days… the feeling she got from that look was a nice one… a warm one. "And if my timing is right, we're about to catch a crow in three, two, one…"
As Soren lowered the last of the three fingers he'd raised up, the sound of shattering glasses sounded, Raynare flying through the window and landing on the ground in an inelegant heap.
"Well looks who just got beat. Nice entrance by the way." Soren remarked, Raynare shooting a glare at him, "Bind."
And in another flash, Raynare was snared in the same manner her companions had been, Soren clicking his tongue as he put his arms behind his head.
"Seriously. Now, question… what the hell did you think stealing a Twilight Healing would do?" Soren said, bending down as he spoke, Raynare snarling at him, "Now come on, don't be nasty. I just wanna know what dumbass thought process brought you to that conclusion."
"It's a Sacred Gear isn't it?! Those things hold a supreme power, why wouldn't I want one?!" Raynare snapped, getting a flat look in response, "What?!"
"Uhm… m-my Sacred Gear can only heal people. It… It doesn't really have any other special powers or anything… at least, I don't think it does." Asia said, standing on her own now, and Raynare's eyes were deceptively wide at that statement.
"But… But I…"
"You're not exactly the brightest bulb in the lamp, are you?" Lucina remarked, tilting her head.
"Shut up! My plan was perfect until you lot ruined it!" Raynare snapped, Soren just sighing as he grabbed the Fallen Angel by the chains.
"Yeah yeah. Shut up and let's get this overwith, there's a decision to be made." Soren said, opening the doors to the chapel again, "Yo! We caught a beat up crow out here!"
"You guys didn't go far." Issei said, leaning against one of the benches, wounds clearly visible on his legs. And who else to suddenly be around as well but Rias, who was leaning against whatever was left of the central altar.
"Oh, you're hurt, let me take care of that!" Asia trotted over to Issei, immediately bringing out her Gear to get to work on his injured legs.
"Ah, thanks Asia." Issei remarked, then looking to Raynare as Soren dumped the Fallen Angel on the floor. "Her…"
"She's your opponent Hyoudo. It's up to you if you personally want to finish her or not. I'm sure the Grigori's won't mind someone getting a bit of revenge, especially since I doubt the "orders" her pals said they were under were actually true." Soren quipped, Raynare growling at him, then looking at the Devils, her eyes stopping at Issei.
"You must be Raynare. Lovely entrance." Rias said, walking over to the small gathering now present her arms crossed as she looked down at the Fallen Angel, "I am Rias Gremory, also known as the next head of the House of Gremory."
"Gremory?! You gotta be kidding?!" Raynare growled.
"You're telling me she had this entire plan and didn't decide to see if any Devils were in the area to worry about?" Soren thought, sighing and placing a hand over his eyes. "Look here Raynare, I've already got your pals restrained and ready to answer to whoever the hell my informant sends to pick them up. As for you, well, you're fate is going to be decided here. If Hyoudo decides not to kill you, then you'll be handed off to the one sent to get you… and if not… well, you lucked out."
"Ah, so that explains why Akeno and I found those three tied up." Rias remarked, shrugging as she just made a noise, though Soren's look to her got her to say more, "Don't worry we didn't touch them. The only ones we hurt were those exorcists we found in the basement."
"Oh so they did wake up. Mann…" Lucina muttered.
"You're not even with them! Why are you even taking their side?!" Raynare snapped as she wriggled around to look at Soren, who pointed his sword at her.
"Because you dragged an innocent bystander into your mess. Sacred Gear or not, Argento had no stake in this fight between you and Hyoudo, no reason to be dragged into it, but you did anyway and tried to steal her Sacred Gear because of your idiotic plan. As far as I'm concerned, whatever fate awaits you is what you deserve. Don't drag innocents into our messes." Soren coldly growled, anger bubbling under his voice, Rias seemingly rather impressed by that despite her disdain for the demi-dragon.
"Well said Siegreich." Rias hummed, Soren once again storing his sword, "Well, you heard him Issei, it's your choice whether this girl dies or is shipped off to her superiors… which may just end up with her being killed anyway… huh, and look at you, I didn't see your Sacred Gear!"
"Huh? Yeah I don't know what happened it just… wait, senpai, does this mean my Sacred Gear is that Boosted Gear you talked about?!" Issei yelped, Soren nodding as he looked at the lager, more ornate gauntlet on Issei's left arm, "HELL YEAH!"
"Wait… the Boosted Gear?! How, that Gear was just a Twice Critical!" Raynare gasped.
"Looks can be deceiving." Soren stated, "The Boosted Gear is one of the 13 Longinus Class Sacred Gears at its base form… Bahamut nearly busted our ears with his howl of victory after figuring out he was right. So, you didn't get your ass handed to you by an ordinary Devil, you were beaten by the current Red Dragon Emperor."
Soren's statement hit dead at home at Raynare, who's shocked face amused Rias, even more so when Soren revealed his own Dragon Gear, the Fallen Angel's face becoming fearful.
"Lucky for you he's just starting out. I have the Ruina Draco… so to make it clear who you were messing with, I'm the Black Dragon Emperor. Also my friend right here is Naga's current holder as well. You were up against three very unhappy dragons tonight." Soren calmly stated, his Gear vanishing with that. Lucina just gave a dainty little wave again.
"The Boosted Gear… that explains a lot actually. No wonder I had to use all of my Pawns." Rias hummed, seeming rather pleased with this new development as the truth about Issei's Gear was brought to light, "Yes, that makes plenty of sense. So Raynare, no need to feel too embarrassed. The Boosted Gear doubles it's owners power every ten seconds… you sadly gave Issei all the time he needed to boost his power until he was stronger than you. That's where pointless gloating gets you sadly."
"Issei, please!" The group froze when Raynare's voice changed from the scathing mock to an innocent girl, Issei's eyes wide as Raynare looked up at him with a pleading expression. "Please, I know I said some mean things to you, but I had no choice, I had to fulfill my role as a Fallen Angel!
"Yuuma-chan…" Issei muttered, Soren's eyes narrowing.
"If I really didn't care, would I still be wearing your gift?" Raynare pleaded, showing the pink wristband she'd been given during that false date, "Please don't tell me you forgot, you bought it for me!"
"This bitch…" Bahamut growled, Soren keeping his voice down as he looked at the shaking Issei, all eyes on the teenager for what he would do now.
"Why do you still have that thing?" Issei grumbled, his eyes shadowed over as he approached the restrained Fallen Angel.
"How could I possibly get rid of this? It reminds me of you!" Raynare's eyes lit up when it seemed her obvious ploy was paying off, Issei's expression torn, "You wouldn't let them hurt me, would you Issei?"
"Shut up! I don't buy it!" Issei growled, closing his eyes and turning around, "Just… get her out of here. I never want to see that face again."
"Off to Grigori it is!" Soren hummed, Raynare growling before a swift smack to the back of her head knocked her out cold, Lucina giving a bit of a hissing sound as Raynare went completely limp.
"She's uh…"
"Don't worry, just knocked out. I, hopefully, didn't break anything." Soren said. "Also I'll add, Argento, if she had taken your Sacred Gear, I wouldn't been able to get it back with killing her."
"That's possible?" Asia said, echoing the sudden thought of everyone else in the room.
"How would you even do that?" Rias asked.
"Human trick. We're pretty fond of breaking rules or getting around supposed impossibilities." Soren stated, picking up the comatose Fallen Angel.
"Humans are tenacious, I can say that." Rias hummed, looking at Asia, "Sorry about all of this. We typically try not to get peopled involved in our messes."
"Ah, n-no, it's fine! Of anything… I'm really happy that Issei came here to help me." Asia said. From the look on the blonde girl's face, the gratitude she had was many magnitudes of obvious. Then Soren had a thought.
"You know, Lucina…" He made it a point to act like he was solely addressing Lucina, even if he was speaking a bit loudly, "I think there is a way Argento could keep hanging around. Maybe if a certain Devil heiress made her part of her merry little group y'know? Things would pan out pretty well I think!"
"Hehehehe… yes, they probably would." Lucina remarked. Rias then turned to the two demi-dragons, giving a chuckle.
"You know at first I took you for an annoying, arrogant brat who wanted to make enemies..."
"Get to the point Gremory."
"But… you have a good heart. Even if I still don't like you… I'll at least give you that. Kindness towards one of my Servants is something I can't ignore either. So… thank you." Rias nodded her head a bit, Soren showing a bit of surprise, but, he merely nodded his head.
"You're welcome… and I'm not here to make enemies. Of anything, I'd like to avoid that. It just makes life more complicated. And I prefer to keep things simple." Soren left with that statement, Lucina following after him as she gave a wave.
"Friends with the Black Dragon huh? I can get behind that idea."
"Surprised that someone is gonna show up so soon." Soren hummed as he sat against a tree, Lucina fiddling around on her phone out of boredom next to him. The only Fallen Angel who was still restrained being Raynare, in which after a while of discussion, the other three decided to be compliant with Soren… mainly due to the fact he could very easily wipe them off the face of the dirt with ease if he felt the need to.
"I hope someone reasonable is sent." Mittelt sighed, still eyeing Soren over, "Now that I take a better look… guy is totally my type."
"You have a type?" Kalawarnar teased. And in the meantime Lucina was glaring at the smaller Fallen Angel.
"HEY!"
"Save it you two. Besides, we have no idea what will happen to us." Dohnaseek sighed, his arms folded.
"You three will probably be fine. As far as I know you were just following orders you thought were from higher up. I'm still a little unsure about things, but, well, I'll let the one picking you lot up decide on it." Soren stated. "And if you end up exiled and not dead, I can at least say the Association will be more than happy to take you in if you decide on it. We're no strangers to bringing in strays."
"Who'd have thought that the humans would have their own faction huh? Still, I guess they're tired of always being the underdogs." Mittelt hummed.
"Makes one wonder why they didn't sooner. Hey, Holy Sword Wielder…"
"Soren. My name is Soren."
"Soren… how long has the Association been around?" Dohnaseek asked, Soren counting off on his fingers. Lucina also seemed a bit interested in the question, moving away from her silence to listen in.
"Last I checked… the Association formed during the Renaissance, once the Great War's remnants were all but forgotten and humanity were back on their feet." Soren answered, "Basically, once they got out of the thumb of what the Three Factions remnants left behind."
"That makes sense… humans have been getting screwed over since day one. Of course, they would eventually get tired of it. Here we thought that Heaven had been keeping them complacent with the Church though." Kalawarner hummed, glancing at the still comatose Raynare. "Now it's her I'd be worried about."
Soren just shrugged, and next to follow, a crow flitted down and landed next to the demi-dragon, the bird carrying a slip of paper in its beak, Soren blinking as the corvid cocked its head at him, a quick look revealing it had violet eyes and it's wings were tipped in red and white, leading Soren to assume it had to be a familiar of some sort, which led him to taking the paper.
"A simple saying I can go? Alright then. Well, good luck with whoever this crow belongs to. Lucina, we're out."
"Uh, alright then!" Lucina said, standing up as Soren did Soren, the two vanishing with a snape of his fingers. Raynare's restraints vanished as Soren left, the Fallen Angel waking up just in time as her companion's eyes were stuck on the crow as it flitted up to another tree, all of their eyes widening when they came face to face with its owner.
"That red cloak… and a crow familiar… no way, what are you doing here?!" Raynare gasped, looking up at the one sitting on the branch, their cloak's hood hiding their face, their body showing the figure to be a young woman garbed in a black best and white shirt that closely hugged a slender, model like figure, a dark skirt and red belt bearing a rose sigil, as well as dark stockings and shoes, her slender arm garbed in black and white stretched out, the crow landing on it's owners snowy pale hand before shifting, turning into a black, wing like charm that the owner strapped to their cloak, a tail of nearly black red hair peeking out with four roses pinned in the strands.
"I happened to be in the area is all. And guess what, dad gave me a call saying our pals at the Association had four of ours in custody! Now tell me Raynare, why is that?" The voice to follow was that of a young woman's, the clear tone bearing a slight, almost musical trill of youth to it as well as a calming air of elegance, "Because I don't remember any orders being given to kill a Sacred Gear holder… much less try and take another from an exiled nun."
"Oh you are so screwed… it's Lady Astra." Mittelt murmured, the figure taking off her hood, showing her face to be that of one matching the elegant tone, strikingly beautiful with her hair kept uneven, several strands past her chin only on the right as opposed to the mostly even bangs leading to the tail, her eyes as silver as the full moon, a pleasant smile on her pale face as she toyed with a silver, red accented rosary close to her slender neck.
"I'd very much like to hear what happened… and just who that young man was."
Soren loudly shut the door to the house, letting out a sigh as he dropped Balmung into a magic circle and took off his coat, Lucina downright collapsing onto the couch before he got a chance to.
"Now I'm strangely bored." Soren sighed, tugging at a strand of hair as he leaned on the couch, "That was also weirdly exhausting, wasn't it?"
Lucina looked up as Soren chuckled in an amused, relaxed fashion. While the sudden change in his disposition was kind of odd, she couldn't help but find something nice about the way he was casually smiling now.
"Yeah, it was. Are the fights just gonna get more intense from here on out? Because I'm exhausted." Lucina said, sitting up and giving a long sigh, Soren flopping down on the other long section of the sofa.
"Knowing my luck, it probably will." Soren said, his arms behind his head. "Still… I always like helping people. Hehehe… seeing how everyone looked back there felt nice. Actually makes one think you're making a difference."
"Yeah… also uhm… didn't your brother say you should be resting after what happened in the training room?"
"Peh! Look at me, I'm fine aren't I? No worse for wear at all!" Soren said, Lucina giggling in a clearly amused fashion.
"You're an idiot… but a kind idiot."
"I like to think I'm pretty smart."
"I am so fucking confused…" Bahamut murmured, "Soren normally doesn't act this…nice."
"Oh relax. It's sweet." Naga hummed.
"YOU BOTH RUINED IT!" Soren and Lucina shouted, chuckling as they both sat up.
"So… if things do get more intense… you'll continue to teach me how to get stronger, yeah?" Lucina said, her hands bunching up a bit, "I kind of realized how weak I am… I want to get stronger, even more than I am now! So… please, let me be your student a little while longer!"
"Whoa whoa whoa, what's with all this ominous talk? It's not like I was gonna say "okay we're done now" after one measly little fight. Teaching your is my responsibility now isn't it? Besides, if Naga was Bahamut's partner before, it makes sense we'd be partners too." Soren chuckled, noticing the blush and stunned look that came to Lucina's face, "What?"
"P-Partners… like Naga and Bahamut… so… like… like that?" Lucina asked, then looking away to hide her blush as she twiddled her fingers, "Oh I don't think I'm ready! I mean we haven't known each other that long yet! And besides we're master and student, should that even happen?"
"Eh?" Soren cocked a brow, Bahamut sighing as Soren completely missed the context behind Lucina's nervous fidgeting.
"Soren, you're smart… but you're also a colossal idiot." Bahamut grumbled, "When you're on the ball you're a goddam genius… but when not, good god you can be a dumbass."
"What do you…" Soren murmured, taking a moment, and his face became crimson so fast steam practically came off his face and his hair moved, "EHHH?! N-No, I didn't mean partners like that! I meant like people who fight together! That's how I meant it! I didn't mean anything weird I swear!"
"Do you not like me then?!" Lucina yelped, looking worried, Soren shaking his head.
"N-No, I didn't mean that either! I mean you're cute and have a nice figure and… b-but I… AAAGGGHHH!" Soren let out a yell, Bahamut sighing.
"Try not to choke on your foot kid."
"YOU SHUT UP!" Soren snapped, then letting out a noise when Lucina started taking off her shirt, Soren stopping her in a flash, nearly falling to the floor from how fast he jumped over. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
"Well… you said you thought I had a nice figure, so I thought… maybe if I let you see more you'd… uhm…" Lucina murmured, turning around and twiddling her fingers again, "Maybe think about that."
"No no no no!" Soren yelped, "Look it's not that I… agh no I don't know how to say this! Look, don't rush into anything! Besides we've really just met, that's not a smart idea!"
"Is there really a waiting period on things? Like… I mean… isn't love at first sight a thing? So… why should things take so long?" Lucina murmured, shyly looking away. Soren, again, looked entirely lost. He really had no idea of the things that had been going through Lucina's head this entire time as she saw more to him than just the no-nonsense type he seemed to be before.
"Eh?" Soren lifted a brow again, Lucina letting out a breath.
"I'm saying I like you! Like… like like you… I don't wanna just be a student." Lucina stated, earnestly looking at Soren, whose face merely got even redder than before.
"EHHHHHHHHHH?!" Soren's shock was still met by an earnest expression, and if he could have, Bahamut would have rolled his eyes.
"Things can only get more hectic for this kid from here… when it comes to fights and women."
"I look forward to it. Hmhmhm." Naga chuckled in response, "Good job Luci!"
"WHYYYY MEEEE?!" Soren yelled as his shock still pervaded him, "Why do I feel like this will only get crazier from here?!"
End of Volume 1: Transfer of the Black Dragon
A/N
Hell yeah, first arc done! Haaah… I did some number counting, and by that I mean let Microsoft Word do it… this entire first arc is LONGER than every bit of Volume 1 of the DxD Light Novel. So that basically means I've written about one volume of a Light Novel myself… sweetness. Welp, next arc ho, where things will get interesting! Next Volume! Volume 2: Rose of the Fallen Angels!