Chapter 12: The Fallen's Alternative
The church that Asia led me too was really out of the way. Its on top of a hill, two miles away from the city, and in the middle of the forest. I really didn't understand fallen angels sometimes. They fell from grace, were banished from heaven until the day they submit themselves to holy judgment for their crimes, and yet they decided to hide within a church of all things. I can't wait to see and possibly kill these angels. Fallen angel feathers will fetch a good price on the black market and maybe an eyeball from one that fell because of lust.
From what I saw on the Underworld Market coats made from their feathers fetched a good price. I know in New Hell their hearts are desired by alchemists for that aphrodisiac affect and has in them. Nothing like defilement to get you up when you need it I suppose. Now a days in the Dark Marker, the underworld version of the black market, supernatural beings are always trafficking and selling parts of the other factions to others. I know the pancreas of humans is a delicacy for Snogers for some reason. Never questioned why.
"Here," Ravel shot over to the nun who isn't a sister or a nun but still dresses up as one. I got my costumes mixed up I suppose. Catholic robes all to the same to me so it's an honest mistake. One I don't care to correct.
"Y-yes," Asia stammered from the rough tone Ravel took with her. It was quite obvious that Ravel was upset with Asia and it's understandable. The girl probably said the word 'god' a thousand times before we got here. That's a thousand needles under the little devils skin. I'd be a little on the livid side as well if I felt that sensation for longer than a couple seconds. It's surprising the fiery blonde has yet to set this girl aflame by now but I believe its me that's reining in her power. She knows when I have my sights on something interesting, and she knows a bit of what acts I'm willing to commit get it.
Getting to Rias enough to get not only her blood but a good portion of her trust as well worked out. Same with the other one. I need a place in the back of their minds or their hearts in order to build my group here. I have Yunebella being my unrestricted magic user once she's healthy and a glorified strategist in the form of a small devil. Ravel is strong enough to have her own peerage and her power is greater than that of her older brother and yet none of this is realized. That is until I did and now she's with me which is both a joy and relief. A nice change of pace from the solitary confinement I usually put myself in. For this mission I can only do so much before I have to come into the light once more. So far I have a foot into the light and if everything goes according to plan it'll stay that way.
I looked over this church though. It felt tainted and I could see the infection of the netherworld surrounding and swirling within the basement of the building. I could see someone or something within that's slowly being eaten away by the demon energy of old. I'd say the greyish light of their soul only has another couple hours before its fully dissolved and the demon scrounge wins. What are they doing with something like this in the church and why is Asia associated with a being tainted so severely?
"Hey Jäger?" I broke out of my thoughts to give my attention to my little sister figure.
"What is it?"
"Can I ask you something and get a straight answer? Not just a half-truth or something vague," she listed off while tugging on my sleeve.
"Well, it depends on the question princess. I can't disclose everything especially when in the open like this." Ravel accepted my answer and the truthfulness behind it. Not everything can be said in the open because even now we're being watched and possibly even over heard by anyone listening. I never once lied to Ravel and always been straight with her. That's one of a few reasons she trusts me. Not completely which I can understand but enough to trade certain pleasantries.
"Will you always stay a human?" That question stopped me in my tracks. It was so abrupt that Ravel came to a screeching halt and turned to face me. All the seriousness of the question displayed evenly across her expression and eyes. She wanted to know if I wished to remain a human. That question is so broad and can span to so many different answers and sub questions that I was unsure where to begin. I was born of a human and fought most of my enemies as one, just with special powers and abilities.
Being human gave me a very strong will. My body adapts to anything, though not as quickly as some humanoids or inhuman creatures, but because of all the climates or atmospheres I can travel to it's given me an edge. I'm underestimated because of my state of being which gives me another edge like against certain demons and Devils I have come across and killed.
If I happened to become an angel I'd be more powerful with my energy manipulation and faster because of my wings but the weaknesses that accompanies it and ties does make it worth it.
Becoming a devil would make me stronger, faster, gain me a peerage, and make moving from place to place easier, but I don't wish to suffer the soul of a devil. So limited in all they can do and learn both physically and spiritually.
For these reasons is why I will stay human or the middle ground. I will be apex when it comes to the Angels, demons, Devils, creatures, and primordial deities that still walk within this plane of existence. I know one day when I die my soul well be up to the great wheel to decide if I become an angel or demon. Because of my actions and feats and the powers within me I cannot pass on as a human soul. I will be forced to become the greatest scourge as a demon or a creature of resolution as an angel. Maybe I'll become a God. Maybe I'll become an ancient dragon. As a Jäger the power assimilated with my body and soul has to come with me or else it will explode out of my body releasing enough energy to make the atom bomb look like a cherry bomb.
I took a breath and let it out. "No," I answered finally but left it at that. The topic about my humanity has always been sore. Because I have the best of both worlds and the one between within me, and assimilating still as we walk, I can be counted as human but as something else too. I will die as a human but come back something else. I suppose it depends on who gets me first. Heaven or hell. The underworld or the netherealm. Maybe the void will take me and I'll exist at a higher power alongside the dragons if I'm lucky.
I stepped up towards Ravel and she moved out the way as I passed. She remained quiet all the way up to the door. I pushed it open and walked into the church. At the front I saw a man at the altar with his back to us.
"Excuse me." Asia pulled down on my jacket sleeve.
"Yes?" Asia made herself smaller under the pressure of my tone.
"I-I was wondering if your human or not." Asia must have overheard the question between the two of us and jumped to conclusions.
"I'm human." Asia opened her mouth but stopped the moment I looked down to her. I noticed that I was beginning to scare her and sighed. "Listen." I leaned down to her level so to whisper in her ear. "When you die your soul goes up or down. That's what you learned correct?"
"Y-yes." I nodded. "You see that's because our souls are tied to certain gods. Sometimes certain powers higher than that of a humans comprehension of the word. Some humans are so powerful that instead of being tied to that power you imagine they surpass it." This was all new to her and to anyone within the church it would be seen as blasphemous. This simple truth isn't know to church members excluding the pope and some high authority figures below him. "Some human's souls are strong enough if they go up to heaven they become one it its guardians. They become angels themselves."
"That's amazing," the girl uttered to herself. She believed my every word that easily? Foolish. Very foolish.
"Some humans can also align to nothing and yet represent everything."
"Nothing and yet everything?" Asia questioned.
"Take myself for example. Within my body I have the powers of the astral plane that both have changed me inside and out. I don't do deeds evil enough to taint my soul or good enough to purify it. I hunt and kill both angels and demons alike. I care nothing for either side or the power they try to hold. Neither side holds sway over me at the moment."
"So what will happen to you then," Ravel asked this time. She was curious of this topic for no one knows the afterlife and lives in the physical plane other than me.
"Depending on my death and how it happens I will either become a monster unlike this world has seen since the Great War or a being so powerful that reality warps every time I flinch. If I sustain my current alignment I will go to the great wheel and become something else entirely. I'm hoping a dragon."
"But your already a dragon though," Ravel reminded me.
"That's beside the point but also not completely true. My situation is much more complex than that and you know it." Ravel really did but she's the sort to be blunt with her accusations. It's not a surprise to hear her call me a dragon, but I'm human in every way. I just happen to be different than most.
"Yeah whatever," Ravel dismissed me.
Ignoring the brat I turned back towards Asia. "I see the makings of an Angel of Compassion within you and these fallen angels you told me about will divert you from that. I wouldn't like to see that happen if you allow it."
"Me? An angel of the lord," she said mystically. "But a human can't… It isn't possible but I… I believe you?"
"As I said if you wish I can talk to these fallen beings and converse with them to get you your freedom or at least transferred to me. I hate to see a pure hearted young woman like you used and abused by those that willingly fell from grace."
"Angels," Ravel cursed. "Especially those fallen prigs with their pompous attitudes that make Devils green with envy and their stupid black wings. They're so creepy and weird. I was happy when I burnt that one fallen angel down. Wings extra crispy," Ravel allowed a piece of the demon within her to surface. Her sky blue eyes turned a ghastly gold with pitch black irises as she giggled. It wasn't a cute child's giggle but more demented and malicious in nature.
Asia jumped behind me as the only shield between her and the little demon girl next to me. She looked up to me with questioning eyes. "She's a devil?" I blinked then sighed. "I forgot to tell you that," I admitted dryly.
Asia gasped and gripped my arm for support.
"And I believe you said you'd join her coven as well not that I think of it," I thought out loud.
Asia gasped for a second time. "I… she's a devil?"
The power leaking off of Ravel was quite stifling to humans untrained and inexperienced in dealing with devil influence. "Ravel is a pure blooded Devil of the Phenex clan from New Hell. She's a companion of mine and is a genius in and out of the battle field. She's twice as old as you are and as you can see doesn't like Fallen angels all that much. She seems to like you though which is a surprise. Normally she's vehement toward females hovering around me like you are right now."
Asia looked down from me to my arm which she had held in her arms in her chest. She quickly released my arm sporting a blush. "Sorry," she bowed to me in apology.
"It's fine," I sighed. I was never comfortable with other beings bowing to me, especially humans, for I don't do the same for anything else other than certain beings. It all ties to how much respect I hold for the person and the race they are. I can accept Devils but can not respect them because of what they are and represent. I can respect certain angels like Gabriel or Raphael enough to bow even though they are not the controlling powers in one of the many heavens above. Despite them not being the strongest the tasks they are given and the diligence they have shown to duty despite their misgivings is nothing short of exemplary, even for the servants of the Christian God. The fallen have always been an unnecessary creature on this earth in my opinion, but I leave them alone as long as our interests do not cross. When they do it's always ended in blood or spontaneous combustion at times when a little darkness is added to my attacks.
So far I don't respect any more than five beings in this world. The first is the fallen morning star himself. That's one fallen angel I'd hate to be in the same room with again. Last time all of Europe was hit with a back lash called the Black Plague. Funny that they blamed fleas for it. Next is Death. The horse man known as Death is respected and feared by all. I don't fear him, but I do respect the fact that one day his scythe will take my head. I look forward to that day. Next is the power behind reincarnation. It's one thing to create a life but to control it for all of eternity is vast in comparison. The other two will say in the back of my mind where they belong.
"You know I'm still surprised my brother didn't know or recognize you Jaeger. You've been on the top ten peerage desirables list for a long time." I groaned at the mention of that list. Even since the word of my actions and stories of my explicit exploits flooded the underworld and heavens different factions have struggled to persuade me to align myself to them. Shinto gods, Hindu gods, the Norse gods, even the Christian God itself wanted my alignment to their religion. The Devils are even worse in their hunt for me. I'm lucky I'm in a school right now in self witness protection with a few Devils that are ignorant of my persona outside of school. Devils used to flock towards me with gifts and proposals of power and peerage if I joined one of the families. Arrange marriages and weapons of that have savage beauty that captivated me were thrown in my face as well. I had to go into hiding for over three hundred years just to escape and that was in a totally different dimension as well. Purgatory if you will for dark spirits. Not a nice place to be. Resurfacing was hard and hiding even harder because of the swift difference in era. Before man traveled to different lands by magic or sea now they do it by large metal birds with engines on the sides. Big difference.
I know that Rias and Souna wish for me to join but only because of the limited amount of power and knowledge I've shown them. If they knew who I was then I know I'd be hounded down like a fox during the hunt of old England. I'm proud of my incognito status and rather keep it that way for now.
"In any case," I brought everything back into perspective. "I would like to hear your side Asia after all you are being held by these fallen ones and their "horrible' ex-exorcist. Do you wish to leave?" I let her take a moment to think on it.
"If you're wondering on what you could do or where to go you can live with us. We have a lot of room," Ravel added. Asia reluctantly looked back but breathed out in relief when Ravel turned "normal" again.
"Live with you?" I just shrugged.
"Honestly I wish for you to remain both alive and human that's why I wish to help you. I know fallen don't keep humans around without an ulterior motive behind it and usually it ends in blood. I want you to come with me so I can protect you." Asia shied away from my blunt words. I let her come up with her own deciphered meaning behind what I said.
"B-but we just met and," she stammered.
"I know what I see. Within you I see a light that I would fight an entire legion of angels to preserve." Again a rosy red faced Asia couldn't bear to look me in the eye anymore. Most girls like this one nearly faint at the thought of a knight in shining armor coming to save them. I didn't care for this really, but what I said was true. So many humans have turned tainted in this age and yet this girl had not. Her powers as well are amazing. I can't let this girl fall into the hands of the Devils or the fallen. Maybe the youkai or heaven if they accept her within the grace of God, but not those other factions.
"And since your a part of my coven it only makes sense you live with us. That way we study magic and have some fun with pyromancy," Ravel said a bit excited at her newest addition.
"O-okay," she nodded with a soft smile on her lips. Ravel smirked but it faded away so fast that if you hadn't been looking at her prior you would never have noticed.
"Well then time to face the fallen," Ravel groaned and I nodded.
I placed my hands on the door and pushed it open a bit more but stopped. "Actually Ravel can you stand by for five minutes?"
"I'll go for ten. I don't like churches." Ravel turned around and walked towards a lone bench ten or so meters away and sat down. Without a devil I'm sure I can enter without much difficulty.
I turned back to the door and closed it under Asia's advice and stood back for her when she asked me to stand back. She began a series of soft knocks on the door. Do they have like a secret knock or something for allies? If I had opened the door fully would they have instantly smite me with their little light based powers? I find the fact that angels now-a-days are feared for any reason other than their used of light based energy laughable. I know greater beings than them that are able to do the same and seem more like angels to me than the ones I see now. Before they had to have a vessel to be seen by the eyes of man without losing their eyes or lives in the end. Some are within me and really seem to like this girl here. She's pure of heart and of faith even if she's an excommunicated Nun. Her faith is solid.
I have the feeling that even if she became a devil or demon she'd still hold strong to her beliefs and morals despite the damage it could do to her. Maybe if she joins me I can let her have one. I have a few minor gods in here that want nothing with me but just can't leave my body without my permission. I have use for every being I contain even if its forced or not. I can picture Asia becoming a minor god of some sort if she wanted to be. Maybe an angel with 10 wings even.
Asia opened the door after having us wait for a couple minutes and ushered me in. I have to admit that church isn't run down like I thought it would be. Its actually pretty nice and clean on the inside. It's built like most Christian Churches with the benches, the altar, and a podium at the side opposite of me.
"Who's there?" A woman I recognized well emerged from the back room from my right. I know that figure and those eyes anywhere. When she saw me her eyes widened a little. "L-Ledger-san?" The surprise is evident on Kyoko's face.
I greeted the fallen angel with a wave. "Good afternoon Ms. Kujikawa." The previous teacher from Kuoh stared at me before taking a couple steps back out of sight.
"You know Miss Kalawarner?" Asia questioned curiously.
"She was a teacher at the school I attend. She teaches Middle Eastern history actually, but I rarely listen to her in class. I was busier reading my books or twirling my pencil. Typical bored teenager stuff you know?"
"No I don't." Oh, yeah. I forgot that she's never had a normal life because of her powers. It grew progressively difficult when she healed a devil and was declared a witch.
"I know that voice. He's here!" We heard the sound of hurried footsteps up the stair and suddenly a blond girl with a Lolita outfit emerged from the basement. She looked around until her eyes locked on me. She gasped, "My prince!" Louise tackled my chest in a hug and wrapped her arms around my waist. "You're here! I can't believe it." I felt her hands hover a little too close to my rear. I reached down and pulled her hands up to the small of my back and noticed a very cute pout coming from her. "I knew you couldn't stay away from your angel for long," Louise giggled before hopping up forcing me to catch her and giving her the opening she needed to wrap her arms around my neck
"Whoa, who is this?" One blonde man to the side came out of the side door that lead outside maybe and faced me with a gleeful smile on his face. His aura was disgusting and I could tell this man was insane in a way.
"This is my friend Hunter. He bought me ice cream and wanted to meet you all," Asia announced brightly. I wanted to pat her over the head but I resisted the urge to for she's not a little girl like Ravel and Koneko.
"What?" Louise pouted. "You never took me out around the town. Not even when I asked you out?"
"You asked me out?" I don't remember anyone ever asking me out especially a cute girl like Louise. It seems what I said though really did upset her. She stomped her feet and shot me a heated glare.
"I did ask you. Remember? Around a month ago." Thinking back through my memory banks I didn't see the conversation about her asking me out. I remember her hinting about hanging out at the library with me at most and me telling her that she'd be bored but nothing else.
"Well I guess I can make it up to you then if I did reject you then."
Louise blinked at me. "Y-you'll take me out?" I nodded. I saw no reason why not. Little adult girls are easy to please. Some ice cream and a teddy bear makes it a successful day. "Yes! In your face Kalawarner!"
"Are you kidding me," Kalawarner said at both me and Louise. "You want to take out this little girl?"
"Who happens to be older than you?" I reminded.
"Yes, who's older than…?" Kalawarner's eyes widened at my remark. "How do you know about that?"
"I overheard the both you arguing on the roof on Valentine's Day."
Kyoko blinked at me. "W-wait, then that means you know I'm a Fallen angel?"
"I know that you're all fallen angels, yes. You and Louise."
"My real name…" I rose a hand up before we could continue. I placed a hand on top of Louise's head and pat her earning a cute giggle. "Sorry but I've been walking all day. Can I sit down?"
"Of course," Louise announced brightly before flying off of me right next to Kyoko. She pointed at the bench up front which I guess is where she wants me to sit.
"Nope! Enough with the talking let's have some fun!" BOOM! Time seemed to have stopped moving for a moment as the smoke from the barrel of my rifle and the round itself stopped just an inch from hitting the man in the head The round itself is burning a hellish red with pure Carnage energy radiating off of the bullet. If that slug would have connected his head would be missing right now. The miracles of demonic magic from Old Hell is truly destructive and it bows to the will of the master. The darkness likes me but I love it and it shows with the control I have over it. I pulled the bolt back on rifle and pushed it back to load another round into the chamber.
"I'd rather not get any blood on my hands today so can we all keep this civil?" I placed my rifle back on my back from the bottom up and covered it with my coat tail. "The last thing we need is me killing every single one of you out of base instinct because of the actions of one or two."
"You are one cocky SOB," the human man in exorcist robes said with a grin. "You got nice eyes. Who the hell are you?" The man walked up to me until he was just a foot or so away from me. He shrugged off that warning shot like it was nothing. Was this bravery or pure stupidity?
"You may call me Jaeger. Hunter of All things monster including angels, gods, demons, devils, humans, and sometimes homicidal maniacs." I rose my hand out.
The white haired men equipped a disturbing smile. Asia hid behind me when this man approached and Louise gained an sour look of her own. "Freed. Freed Sellzen. Exorist, murderer, expert killer, homicidal maniac." I grinned at this man. He may be insane but anyone with a dark sense of humor like this can't be that all bad. Freed took my hand and squeezed a little more than needed. A strength contest then. I squeezed back to the point that his hand almost snapped under the pressure.
'I like this one,' I heard in the back of my head.
Freed's smile never once faded even when I was about to break his wrist and shatter his hand. "You're strong. I bet you'd be fun to kill."
"Many have tried and most of them stronger than you," I responded evenly.
"That a fuckin fact?" Freed chuckled.
We stared at each other waiting for one of us to act but neither one of us made a move. This man is a monster born killer and I'm a born monster killer. I felt a strange sense of kinship with this man and it seems a dark power in my body would love to attach itself to him if it had a choice. In the end we both let go of each other's hands and didn't reach for out respected weapons.
"I'm beginning a branch in my group soon to travel the land and killed monsters. You game or are you comfortable with the birds?" Freed seemed to stare at me seriously. He actually lost his smile as he regarded me with curiosity. We're both killers but something tells me I have control over my actions more than he does. I rose my hand and connected with the round in the wall. It extracted and flew into my palm. I let my hand drop down and the bullet followed. "Think on it. I could use a killer like me that doesn't mind enjoying his work."
"Work? That's a word for this," Freed chuckled.
"Can you two flirt another time?" Louise roared at the two of us.
"Huh, right." I pat Freed on the shoulder and brushed past him but stop and caught his hand when I saw it twitch. It wasn't the twitch that hand me tense but the intent I sensed from him. "Never touch her. If you do I'll rip off your balls."
"Uhhahah," Freed sniggered. "I like the way you talk." He rose his other hand up in surrender. I can tell he knows that I'm quite serious and end his little fun.
I released his hand and pointed to the door. "I'm not going to fight you yet, but if you want there's a devil outside needing exorcising." At the "d" in devil he was already out the door. That man has a one track mind.
I sat down at the front of the church with Asia sitting right next to me. Louise decided to sit on my lap for some reason with her arms wrapped around my neck. She grinned up to me with her lips hovering next to my cheek. I'm guessing she's wanting a little more than a night at the town from me. I'm not oblivious to the signs of affection and desire. "Now that we have a moment of peace we can talk. I hope no one's going to try any unnecessary smiting."
"I'd never fight or smite you my prince. Well, not on the battlefield," the fallen angel giggled in think insinuating something.
"Same here. I'm more curious on how you did what you just did," Kyoko gestured to the wall with darkened cracks and netherworld energy emitting from them. "You're not a normal human like I suspected," she said with narrowed eyes.
"No freaking shit Kalawarner he's not like normal humans," Louise spat with a bit of spite before smiling up to me again. "He's going to be mine, and I'd never choose a normal humans as mine."
"Ahha," Kyoko sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "So you know magic and that from Hell of all things? You called yourself Jäger as well. Are you some manner of fanboy for that long dead group of monster hunters?" She asked with her arms crossed under her bust. "Last I checked they were hunted and exterminated centuries ago."
"You're not wrong," I said with my head down a bit as the blood on my hands returned at the mention of the death of the Jäger. The end of their faith and the cult I gave my blood to was so long again but feels like just moments ago to me. "But regardless of my affiliations or connection to them what I do doesn't change." I clenched my fist and felt the many souls of demons within me attach themselves to my temporary state of weakness. I cleared my mind same with this "emotion" I'm feeling spawned of my memories. The feeling of loss and maybe a bit of guilt. The demons within I'm not in a pact with attached to it and began to mount an assault on my being. I growled and erased that emotion then drove them deep into the pit in the light where they belong.
"I've hunted and killed your kind," I admitted to both of the fallen angels and Kyoko narrowed her eyes at me. Louise looked up to me in shock.
"Would you ever kill me? You're little angel?" Louise asked in a scared tone with an equally believable frightened expression on her face. One that could fool any man or adult and make predators gush. But she's playing her role physically not emotionally and it's one I don't tolerate.
"If you were to try to kill me, as most Jäger did in the past, I'd judge your severity and act from there accordingly. It could end with death or maybe the same fate the last fallen angel I met faced." I let a very rare and small genuine smile curse my lips and the two fallen cringed as demons I am aligned with attached to this darker emotion I'm "feeling" within my core. Pleasure from a very successful hunt. One that reminded me of my old Blutjäger days. No need for fancy tactics or complicated ploys. It was me versus the monster and I nearly obliterated it.
"It was you!" Kyoko backed away from me in shock and I rose an eyebrow at this accusation. Not sure what I did but it must have been bad if even Louise jumped off my lap radiating actual fear. Well I guess the time for comfortable talk is over now.
"What do you mean," I tilted my head a bit at the both of them.
"You, you're the one that did that to Raynare?" Kyoko gasped.
"Oh god," Asia prayed and still I'm confused.
"And who is that," I asked as I leaned back in my seat.
"That bullet you used on Freed, the demonic aura you possess, and the fact you carry the title of Jäger," Kyoko listed off in her own little world.
"Did you get close to us so you could kill us!?" Louise cried at me with tears threatening to fall from her eyes.
"My god," Asia still prayed and I finally pat her head down. I'm getting tired of that word as well. Asia glanced up to me and I winked at her. She returned it with a confused stare before resting her hands back in her lap.
"Now, what are the both of you talking about and who is Raynare?" I have a very good idea, but I don't wish to jump to conclusions right now even if all the evidence points to it.
"You're the one who cursed Raynare the day she went to kill that boy," Kyoko spat at me and I thought back to that fallen angel and the being below.
"That makes sense if you're talking about my tyro Issei," I agreed a bit with her.
"Tyro," Louise questioned for a moment.
"It's a term for a Potential going through something they call The Change. If they survive and retain their humanity they traverse the mortal coil and become full blooded Jäger," Kyoko listed off and I nodded a bit impressed with her knowledge of the faction.
"Of course you know that," Louise through her hands up with a roll of her eyes. "You studied almost every human covenant known to man and their leaders. I bet you get wet from the thought of meeting a actual Jäger even though they died out. The Hunter of All especially even though one could kill you in an instant!" Well yeah but that wouldn't be fun. The hunt is about the journey not the so much the finishing blow.
"So that boy is a Tyro. That explains his abnormal abilities. You did that to him," she threw yet another accusation at me which is true. "Do you know what he did to me? That perverted monkey?"
"Well if you say it like that I can imagine he fumbled a bit and landed on top of you with a knife to your throat with his hands suddenly in your shirt copping a large feel of your chest with a serious haggard look in his eye and sly smile. A smile for more reasons than one. Is that about close?" I finished up. Kyoko flushed and looked away with a huffed and Louise looked away as well with her shoulders shaking. I believe she's trying to stuff a laugh right now and failing. "I apologize for that. I'm trying to train him to respect his opponents a bit more but with you as his opponent I'm sure he didn't have much choice to do what he did. You do what you can in a situation like that when it's towards survival. It worked well if the fact I saw him again the next day means anything."
"Survived with a lance in the shoulder though, little bastard." Kyoko cursed and that explained the smite I felt from him.
"As for your Raynare, as you called her, from what I was led to believe her name was Emeru or Yuuma or something like that." I brought their cursed partner back in subject.
"No," Louise shook her head. "Her name is Raynare… and I'm Mittelt," the girl I knew as Louise did a polite curtsy in her Lolita outfit.
"And your Kalawarner," I said and the prior teacher nodded her head. "As for your friend she tried to kill my hatchling and that night I was well… not myself."
"You period I'm guessing," Kalawarner guessed and I begrudgingly nodded my head up and down. I hate the word.
"Wait, you have periods?" Mittelt asked with a sly smirk on her lips and I narrowed my eyes at the girl. "Are you secretly a girl or something?"
"It's also called The Shifting. Blutschieber suffer from this because of the constant shift of blood and energy cycling through their bodies. They have to reset every month at night else they suffer from Fallout or madness. Their bodies automatically release all foreign mana from their body leaving them as normal as any other Jäger. That explains the magic and your use of the demonic arts. You're the real thing or maybe studied them enough to replicate," Kalawarner explained and deduced in her teacher stance with her back in the wall, left ankle over the right, chin cupped with her right hand, head angled downward a good 30 degrees, and her left hand holding her right elbow to keep it center. "With your tones and blank visage, I would've pictured you Blutjäger not a Blutschieber though." Again she's showing a decent understanding of the Jäger especially if she knows two upper branches by name and the signs of one.
"Impressive," I muttered with a shake of my head. Kalawarner heard that and equipped a prideful smile on her lips. She knows more than I like and if she's smart she'll figure out what I am in time. She's smart so it's only a matter of time. "I'm assuming you tried to save your friend," I asked.
"That bitch," Mittelt scoffed with a wave of her head. "Not much we can do with demon energy literally pouring out of her and tainting everything. I'd rather be a country away right now, but I'm stuck here to watch her go," the little one spoke uncaringly for her fellow fallen angel's fate. I'm not surprised in the slightest at this. These beings are like demons and can become demons if powerful enough. All they need is a demon soul. They can also be saved and welcomed within the grace of god once more. Either direction they take it's up to them.
"I-I tried to save her," Asia sobbed a bit at her failure. "I couldn't do anything."
"Not true," Mittelt said in a bright tone. "You kept her alive longer and prolonged her suffering so that's something." With that Mittelt flapped her wings and glided up to me. She took her seat in my lap again and rose her arms up to hug me again. She hesitated a bit but gave her the go ahead. She smiled and held me once more and with her wings in.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Asia apologized deeply for her act of kindness suddenly turned around on her.
"You did what you thought was good and that's what counts. You practically saved her life," I pat the little girl's head. "So relax."
"You have the sibling complex of the Blutjäger as well," Kalawarner noted and I rolled my eyes. Most Blutjäger are paired with a woman to keep them in check since most of them are men. My master was my handler. Now that I think of it most Blutjäger I met had sister figures they lost in life and needed to keep them sane. I'm one of them.
"Thank you Jäger but I don't see how what I did is good," Asia denounced my word.
"It's because you kept her alive long enough for me to…"
"Ahhhh!" A flaming humanoid flew through the window of the chair and rolled across the floor in a rolling skid. I shook my head as the man that landed next to me. Freed grit his teeth and struggled up to his feet. "Bitch," he growled before shooting to his feet and charging out the door leaving most of us shocked and me in a state of indifference.
"Come and help her," I finished as if nothing happened.
"Really?" the three females in the room said from surprise, but Asia was hopeful. She's a really good girl. Way too good for trash like these fallen angels.
"Yes. I know the demon that cursed those bullets, so I can remove it and save your friend. I have some grace saved up as well to give her enough light to free her of tilt status." I listed off but came back to the question of why should I save that trash angel anyway? Asia would like me too but what use is it to me. Maybe I'll give her to Issei as a slave. That could work. "Show me to her and I'll help her."
The two fallen stayed up top as Asia escorted me downstairs to the poor Fallen. The blacked miasma spread from her limbs to the rest of her body. I'm shocked that it's still alive and holding on. I'd commend the fallen for this if I could, but Asia was the one keeping her alive all this time. They were nice enough to lay her down on a holy altar with enough symbols on it to appear effective but do nothing towards purification of the soul or body. The miasma completely surrounded me and even hugged against my body. I rose my right hand and felt the aura of Catherine nestle against me and flow through my fingers. The only way to obtain decent bullets from a demon is to get as close to the source as possible. What better than the daughter of Lilith and princess of the primordial nether realm. By far the most powerful demon before that of Lilith herself. Her father… I still need to answer his summons now that I think of it.
I glanced back at Asia to check up on her and noticed her power of light literally shielding her. Like a dome of light, blissful and pure, surrounded her praying form as she followed closely behind me. I don't think she realizes that her holy powers are rejecting the demon miasma around us and actually purifying it. I think the only reason this church hasn't been swallowed whole by Catherine's poison is because of Asia. Her power can turn back time, restore wounds, and reject the most ancient of demonic evils in the four realms. Amazing I have to say.
"Ah," Asia tilted her head a bit with a soft smile on her lips. "Is something wrong?"
"Ehh, she is disgustingly pure!" I heard within my mind and by the god I agree. This girl tilts the balance and could breathe life into this world if given the chance.
I turned around and grit my teeth. "It's nothing." I looked down to the body and rose my right arm up. I opened the palm of my hand and felt the miasma from the demon bullets that cursed this room hugged my body before situating itself around my right arm. The poison took to me and allowed itself to be assimilated with my body and spirit. I sighed as the room cleared leaving the festering pores and rounds left to be removed. I rose my hand and waved it across the fallen angel's body. The demonic bullet slowly extracted themselves from her body and flew into my hand. I pocket them after letting the curse know that enough was enough. The sure around them rested and went still. Another hour and the miasma would've reached the final tips of her wing. The body of a fallen doesn't matter too much but the wings are what contain the remaining grace of an angel. Once gone they might as well be human. The darkness spread at an interesting rate though. Looking at it now Asia wouldn't be capable of purifying her or stopping it from spreading. I placed my left hand on the fallen angel's forehead and pushed Od into her. I shook my head as the sinister smile of a certain demon flashed in my mind.
"Catherine, you are truly evil."
"Huh, whose Catherine? What do you mean?" Asia asked me, and I hummed from my own bemusement.
"A demon that controls this miasma and I call her evil because she kept the miasma from killing your angel. While in tilt status Catherine cursed her to suffering from soul shattering nightmares. The kind your body would force you awake from but in this instance she's stuck."
"Oh my, that sounds terrible. Why would this Catherine demon do this to miss Raynare?" I drooped my eyes a bit because it's mostly my fault. I do remember telling her about an angel cursed with her bullets that stabbed me with her light-based lance. Catherine didn't like the fact that I let a woman penetrate me in such a way but during my "period" there's not much I could've done. I suppose Catherine decided to get even before finishing off this angel though. If it spread this far then the angel is broken almost completely. Waking her up probably will be worse than letting her die… but that's not my problem.
I stepped back and gestured to the angel. "Use your power to purify her body." I reached into my coat and pulled out a vial of angel grace and a syringe to inject it into her wing, her brain, and finally her heart. "Once you purify her I'll use this on her, okay?"
"Yes," Asia resounded fired up and nearly skipped to the altar. While she did her light thing, I turned around and pierced the top of the vial and pulled up on the plunger and watched the light flow into the syringe. I flicked the needle and nodded. Once the light behind me sided I glanced back and marveled over her work. The body of the fallen angel wasn't purple or pale anymore but the holes from the bullets scarred her body. A curse isn't so easily broken. I noticed a mark on her neck as well. A scar I think from my soul reaver. The curse and that night has scarred her body only because it's scarred her soul. To share the weight the body shows the scar on her soul in the physical realm. I can relate after all I heal from all injuries and never scar. The ones I have are from those soul shattering times. Well she'll have to live with it.
I leaned over and injected a bit into her wing and watched the black replace the grey. I went to her temple and pushed it into her head. The rosiness of her cheeks returned. I drew down her naked form to her heart and jammed the needle in. I'm not a doctor so I'm sure this would hurt a lot if she was awake. I pushed the rest into her heart and stood back. "Get behind me Asia," I told the girl.
"O-okay, is she going to be alright?"
"We'll see," was all I could say. The grace of the Arch Angel I procured worked well. The light spread throughout her veins as her heart began to quicken. Her skin became practically see through as the light consumed her. The body's eyes opened wide and light blasted out from the windows to the souls. I pulled my hood down as the light consumed me and nearly smite me. If Asia would have been in front of me she'd be ashes right now. Archangel grace once used on a fallen is like using a grenade of smite energy. I wiped my clothes of the energy and let most of the residual flow into my left arm. The body floated over the altar for a moment before falling down gently. I hummed and crossed my arms.
"Is she…" I looked down at the girl and she shut her mouth. I nodded up to the fallen angel and we waited. After a couple moments her fingers twitched, and her body arched a bit. The fallen yawned and spread her arms to stretch across the altar before resting atop it. The fallen opened her eyes and smiled as she looked about. That is until her eyes landed on me. Her eyes widened, and I noticed pure fear flood them. Before she could move I was in front of her with my hand over her mouth glaring into her soul like I did all those nights ago.
"You're afraid of me," I stated, and the fallen angel froze in place with eyes wider than dinner plates. "I don't care about that though. I'm not here reap your soul," I admitted and the girl began to tremble the reaping part of my words . She must have had some very interesting nightmares if she's literally petrified in such a way. I reached into my pocket and showed the bullet I removed from her body to her. Tears began to gather at the corner of her eyes at the sight of them. "If you say anything about what you saw or witnessed that night or in your "rest' these go back in." The bullet radiated demon energy at the mention of that. "And I finish what I started. Understood?" I didn't get an answer and I narrowed her eyes at the fallen angel.
"Nod. Your. Head," I felt a glutted snarl leave my lips. It was soft though so only she could hear and not Asia.
That angel nodded her head furiously.
"Good. Now for now… would you kindly play along?" I called upon the light within me and pushed against the barrier in her mind. I felt through her mind as she struggled. Her mind was mine in seconds. That's the problem with fallen angels created with a fault of only two to four wings, they have no protection from holy mind probes. The years of probing from the higher ups it was good for something. I felt around and saw everything I could before hitting the first barrier. Three months' worth of awake time flowed through me. I saw a great deal. "Well this is interesting." I pushed Raynare away from me and stepped back away.
"Are you… is she…"
"She'll be fine." I picked up the body and walked to the stairs up. "Coming?" I asked the girl stuck in place.
"Yes… I'm coming."
"Wow you actually did it," Mittelt poked her fellow fallen's face whom I laid down on a bench. Asia ran off to get clothes for Raynare leaving me alone with these two. "When I felt that poison gone and Michael's energy I thought something crazy went down."
"Your knowledge of the mystic arts is quite fascinating just like a Blutschieber," Kalawarner noted once more.
"That's good to know." I said distantly.
"That's his way of saying I don't give a…"
"I'm back," Asia came rushing back with a robe in her arms and effectively cutting off Mittelt at the right time. I grabbed the robe and wrapped up the naked fallen angel.
"What did you do to her when she woke up?" Kalawarner poked the body of the S&M woman unconscious on the bench next.
"I read her mind to see what her plans were." The two fallen looked over to me with horror and shock.
"Then you know…"
"Yes and Asia is coming with me. If you try to hurt her I'll… have to hurt you or anyone who tries right back." Asia pulled her beautiful and innocent eyes off of me once I changed my previous thought wording. My god she can instill guilt like it's the next best thing. I took a breath. "I'd like it if you released Asia from your services and too mine. I need her assistance. You can follow your fallen brother all you want, I won't stop you, but don't get in my way or threaten my Tyro. That's all I'm saying."
"J-Jaeger," Kalawarner bit her lip and clenched her fists. "It's not that simple. We can't just… the power at stake right now would come down on all of us."
"As I said, I'd really appreciate it if you gave her willingly to me, but of course not for free. I'm willing to grant at least one favor for this one whether it be a job or some undaunted task I can complete it."
"Ohh." Raynare groaned and reached up to her head.
"Look who's getting up," Mittelt taunted. Raynare rose her hand up and the middle finger as well. "And I guess she's okay," the blond gaffed.
"What happened?" Raynare leaned up and rubbed her head. "It feels like I just got hit with Uriel's hammer."
"Close but it wasn't an angel but a human," Mittelt snickered.
"I-I see. Yeah, I remember stabbing that bastard. He must be dead."
"Actually, I'm alive." Raynare shot up to her feet and hit the wall with her back. That fear from before shown for a moment before she calmed down enough to stop trembling.
"Ignore her," Mittelt said with a wave of the hand. "What sort of task?" She spoke up above even Raynare. Her tone was no longer playful or even that of her young princess persona. It was almost elder in nature. The way it flowed off her tongue to the suave tone she took with it. If I wasn't looking at the girl directly I would have mistaken her for someone else entirely. Maybe the words I heard before ring some truth. About her being the oldest of the three.
"I know of your reputation Vanisher," she spoke one of many names I've acquired through the years. That one though was truly ancient. Back in the 1600's sort of ancient.
"Vanisher?" Raynare looked puzzled when Mittelt called me this.
"How do you know that moniker?" I knew the answer and the silence she used as response was all I need to concrete my own thoughts.
"We might have something for you. If you want the girl well I'm sure we can give her to you under one condition."
"Mittelt you know our…"
"Orders?" The young blonde snort at Raynare. "Screw your crazy plan. Myself and Kalawarner don't care for orders especially with someone like him opposing us. We're fallen from grace not suicidal." Those names the have for themselves spoke volumes of how each of them fell. It was almost sad for Mittelt here. Even sadder for Raynare.
"Mittelt he can't be that person. It's impossible," Kalawarner shook her head.
"Oh, and why is that? It makes sense to me. Look he's known for taming inhuman beings and creature and already he had a high class devil as a follower." Mittelt pointed up towards the entrance of the church.
I turned around and noticed someone standing at the entrance of the door way. Her clothes are a little ruffled, but her expression is that of someone that blew off a lot of steam. Ravel walked out from the door with her right arm behind her. She looked to be dragging something. Maybe a sack of potatoes. That sack of potatoes happened to be a bloody and beaten Freed with burn marks on the side of his face as well as most of this clothing burned to cinders. She walked proud and strong towards us while dragging the maniac by his hair. She stopped right at my side and took a deep breath. "I'm not a follower!" Her voice made the church shake and most of us shiver.
I pat Ravel's head and pressed it down. "Ravel please control yourself." Ravel pouted and crossed her arms. I can understand that she's feeling strong and on top of the world right now, but this was a small little human and nothing more.
"And as you saw in school he's only approached supernatural beings and never a human unless the possess something of interest."
I crossed my arms. "You truly are the eldest between the three of you." Mittelt smiled sadly and turned back to me.
"You knew what we are the whole time." Kalawarner chuckled and shook her head. "I knew something was up when you didn't respond like the rest of those pigs in the school." Kalawarner palmed her forehead. "I knew something was up. Why else would a boy with magical potential approach me like you did. I thought it was all part of your personality as well. Maybe that's what drew me in. That and you're a Hunter. A living and breathing Hunter." The fallen angel awe and let her hand drop. "Is the Hunter of All still in this plane? Are you part of the faction still? Are you a Legacy? Do you contain both light and dark within you? Is it true that Hunters can force other beings to become other races? Could I become… a hunter?" That last question made me raise my brow a bit.
"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and maybe." I answered her questions easily.
"Are you the… Hunter of All," Kalawarner asked in a whisper and that's when I went silent. I reached for my sword and took a breath. Kalawarner noticed this and dropped down to a knee. "Please," she bowed her head. "I know to protect that secret the Jäger would topple entire kingdoms and even a world. It was mistake to ask that of you so please forget it." I hummed and released my weapon.
"Why the hell are bowing to this man?" Raynare growled will glaring at me. "Yes, he's a Jäger and probably the last, but you don't need to bow to him! He's not god!"
"Says the little cursed vixen that fears him," Mittelt pointed out from her spot next to me. She looked down at my lap and moved to climb on.
"Excuse you," Ravel glared fiery at the fallen angel and sat down in my lap instead with her arms crossed and chin up in a shoddy fashion.
"Uh, and who the hell are you," Mittelt narrowed her eyes at Ravel. Ravel returned it and I quickly snapped my fingers.
"You both aren't doing this right now," I told the both of them firmly. Ravel began to open her mouth but a swift look from me stopped her cold.
"My student is a Jäger," Kalawarner said a bit mystified. "And he's shown traits of two of the branches. You have to be part of the Blank," she deduced, and I'll admit the knowledge she holds is still impressing me.
"She's a bit of a fan girl," Ravel whispered, and I nodded in agreement.
"So, are you the Vanisher?" Mittelt brought that up again.
"I've been called that but I'm not the original Vanisher. The original was my master and she was also Hunter of All."
"Your handler was a woman?" Kalawarner announced out loud. "I guess that explains why you treat women like you do. You either treat them like gems or like stones to break." Kalawarner looked down to her ribbon tied in her hair and Mittelt rubbed the bracelet around her wrist.
"You got those from him," Raynare asked with a strange expression on her face.
"You're jealous," Mittelt stated as she inched closer to my lap. She wrapped an arm around my back and effectively ignored the looks from the devil.
"I'm not jealous," Raynare denied but I know the signs and could feel a bit of loss and disappointment from her as well. She happens to be on the opposite side of the church away from me. I think it's her way to not have a breakdown from her nightmares and memories of the hunt. I pitied her a bit because of it. She's missing her wing still as well. I should rip off the last before it grows back.
"T-this man is the…Vanisher?"
"A Hunter?"
Suddenly I found myself surrounded by men that filed in from the sides of the church. They must have been drawn by the noise. A lot of them all wore the same outfits as that of Freed. The human men then surrounded me muttering amongst themselves.
I shook my head. I've wanted that little knowledge of my affiliation to the group to remain in the shadows where it belongs. So far only a few to know I'm a Hunter, because they can keep a secret like Ravel and the witch. Issei doesn't even understand and my Legacy status is common knowledge in some planes, but the fact I'm a Hunter isn't one I like to spread around. Now that they all know I can't really let them leave. That means one of two things: Conform or Kill. And the fallen in this room should know that.
"You sealed the lives of everyone in this room," I tested and Mittelt just smiled showing she did in fact have that much knowledge of the group. "And that's what you wanted. You want me to appeal to silence is that it?" Kalawarner caught on quickly on what I meant by that, but she didn't revel in the victory, if this was one. Instead she seemed a little apprehensive to continue or even be in this room. As the code dictates if I judge the severity of a being and if they know what I am that severity rises. If it grows too high without enough to warrant their existence then that leaves one action for me to take. To erase.
"Wait if he's that kind of person then that means…" one man gasped I suppose catching on as well. "We're going to die for crossing him!" The man yelped in panic.
"But we haven't done anything to him," one reasoned.
"Wait! If this is a Jaeger doesn't that means he has to kill us to stay incognito?" Another made a very good point.
"Oh shit no!" Another panicked. "You've heard the stories right. Entire villages and towns with half of the people disappearing or decapitated?"
Speaking of which I haven't cut off a monster's head in a while. I need to fix that.
"I don't wanna die."
"Maybe if we appeal he'll let us live," one brought up.
"Yeah that's a good idea Mark."
"Maybe we can work for him instead," the one named Mark announced to his brothers and they all seemed to get behind this. I don't mind having a few minions but taking care of something like this is… below my rank.
"Working for him won't be bad. We might get rich if the stories are true."
I shrugged my shoulder. That's not untrue.
"His devil beat our commander so maybe its for the best. Hell, I was a Templar captain before any of this. I heard they used templars a lot." Which is true. We needed a foot hold during the crusades to move from one country to the next to kill most of the heretical Momeni during that time. A group comprised of both Vampire and Werewolf, blood thirsty creatures of the night. During that campaign they band together to take control of the what is now the Middle East. Mainly for the artifacts left behind by Eve. Ones so they could transcend their nature, evolve, and better match humans. They wanted to learn how to adapt. One vampire wanted to learn how to survive in direct sunlight instead of burn to a crisp. A werewolf wanted to be able to change during day and grow more powerful at night. With how things are now they succeeded but thankfully my ancestor was able to thwart a total evolution. Just took over a hundred thousand or so human and monster lives. Those times were so simple.
"Are you bastards kidding me!?" Raynare roared at the humans to the side. Then she glared angrily at me with a desire to act but knowing exactly how this will play out.
"Raynare you got your ass murdered! Not killed or beat but murdered by him and only because of him are you even still alive. Don't be stupid," Mittelt rose her voice.
"Fuck you!" Raynare pointed her finger angrily at me. "We are dead because of him. I…" Raynare grit her teeth and turned away. "They are going to rip our wings off, put our heads on a pike, and throw our bodies in the fire!"
"Raynare that man would've killed you and still can. He could kill all of us much worse than them. Look at his devil," Kalawarner looked at Ravel a bit before looking back to Raynare. "A Hunter doesn't accept a companion or allow near intimate contact with anything let alone a "creature' as they call them. They never do that unless that "creature' happens to be not only beneficial to them but can reach a tier higher than the Hunter themselves." All eyes shot to the little girl in my lap and Ravel lifted up her chin with a snobby smile. Even though being called a "creature" didn't appeal to Ravel much the fact they recognize her strength does.
And yet again she's not wrong.
"That girl? That little devil is stronger than him," Raynare scoffed.
"No freaking way," Mittelt denied it as well.
"Way," Kalawarner said through grit teeth. "That devil with him is either very strong or already stronger than him. I'm thinking it's the former but that doesn't change the fact it's a Hunter and a devil as strong as him against us. If he made that boy a Tyro as well more than likely he's tied his spirit to him. Even if he dies that boy will only grow more powerful and knowledgeable than ever before." That would be true if I had done that like my master did for me.
"Then we kill him too. Simple as that and we live!"
"Damn it Raynare for once can you listen to your elders," Mittelt and Kalawarner both yelled and Raynare turned and glared angrily at them both.
"Can we not fight," Asia tried to be the voice of reason in this mess of a situation.
"Shut up you!" the three of them roared at her and shot her down.
Asia looked downcast and went back into her shell. I put a hand on her shoulder and smiled. One she returned when she saw it. I removed my glove from my left hand and placed it over her forehead and made a connection between our minds. 'Don't worry Asia,' I spoke to her without talking and her eyes widened.
'Wha… how did you…'
I winked at her. 'This will end without blood shed so don't worry okay.'
'O-okay Hunter sir. I trust you.'
Suddenly the room burst into a fit of arguments between the humans and amongst the Angels. All in all it was not amusing in the least. It seems I'm going to have to give them a taste of my power. That sounded so cliché that I rubbed my forehead for even thinking it. Maybe its hunger. I can blame hunger right now. I'm very hungry. Now that I think about it I skipped out on school at lunch time but forgo to eat some of the food there. Last time I've eaten was with Catherine and Serafall. We went to an ice cream shop but that's not the sustenance my body needs so I didn't eat anything. I left it to Ravel and Asia for them to enjoy the sweet frozen milk that is called ice cream. I didn't even get anything to eat on my way here. I was too busy listening to Asia's story and it was honestly a very good one. I enjoyed through and through.
It's interesting if a little typical for a girl like her. When things are at their lowest her kind always looked up to a higher power for the way up out of their depression. Asia became a holy Maiden for the Biblical God. Honestly, I found it all around interesting to hear it once again and her situation brought out a side I find myself uncomfortable with allowing.
When I touched her, I felt her feeling and saw a bit of her memories of the past. Just from what I witnessed from her point of view I began to want her as more than a piece in the game called life. She's smart and in Japan a person that can speak five languages is a league ahead of the rest outside of those that attend college. I'm sure she's a decent learner as well to learn how to utilize her powers so well. So far I've only wanted a few people to walk beside me. Ravel is one and the other three will come in time but Asia has proved much to me in our short time together. I'd like to see more of what she's capable of and just how far her powers can be pushed.
Speaking of which…
"Asia. Ravel." I felt the eyes of the two on me.
Ravel's stayed for only a moment before she started moving. "Come on." Ravel ordered.
"H-hey." Ravel grabbed the priestess and dragged her away and out the door. Ravel then closed it behind her. I put my glove back on then let my hands drop into fists. I took a breath and let one of the barriers containing my power go. Suddenly it was quiet and all eyes on me. I took a second breath. I heard the sound of weapons dropping to the floor. I took a third breath and I could hear hands slapping against wood, stone, or whatever was around. I took that fourth and final breath and stopped when I felt the smoldering sensation reach the elbow of my right arm and the crystal cold one reach the upper part of my left arm. Both forces within me barreled down on everyone and everything around me. I still had one more power to show though. The one keeping everything together.
I opened my eyes that closed somewhere between the first and third breath and finally I could see. I could see everything. The energies within the humans in the room now struggling to remain conscious on the floor. I could see the fallen angels and the taint that is branded upon their remaining grace. I could see fear itself fill the air turning it a velvet red. The surrounding building around me turned a pitch black which symbolized how empty this church really was and how much it's been desiccated by the inhabitants of before and now. I felt free and comfortable once again to have let my power flow out wildly without control. Like fire my Od cannot be controlled, only directed to where you wish to lead it. I didn't care where and I didn't care how much spilt out. Instead I let it all go and the beings within me felt relived.
'Can this be Permanent?' I felt a presence smother my entire body and mind as its voice resounded through my mind. The beast within has been bored much like myself. Only on a few hunts and a couple conversations has it shown itself. I found a black figure before me baring down on me like a crow.
'Being coped up all the time is so, boring,' the demon goddess decided to go with. 'I'm not a demon I'm just demonic in nature after all I came from his grace originally.' She was right. She's not a demon per say, but the powers of the netherworld and hell itself flow through her like water over a waterfall. I still wonder why she decided to possess my body instead of just outright kill me. She stood before me to the right of the dark figure. Wings much darker than black flew and her white eyes glowed with a bright but sinister light.
'I find thine release both strange but not undesirable.' The one opposite of the demonic non-demon took her spot next the beast on the left.
'Oh hello there Ārmaiti where's Sauliā? It's been too long since we last conversed.' The demonic looking woman smiled at the more angelic appearing being. Although neither are demons or angels and yet have powers that equal that of the highest ranking of one.
Ārmaiti is the highest form of light based spirit within me. They are the standing left hand of the Equilibrium and their power cannot be denied. They've oversaw and shielded the world since the beginning. Most of the feats they've done went to other gods.
Lilith, one of the originals turned into the mother of all demons, nearing godhood in her own right, stood on highest of the pinnacle that is Evil and corrupt. She was the goddess in the dark that contained the power over the Bloodline. Over my bloodline. Over my master's bloodline.
Each have their own dominion within me and I give myself to their every whim. Having all these lives with one body you'd think I would have exploded by now, but the one keeping it all together didn't seem to have wished for this. He stood above the both of them or is it "she" as of now. The beast or a dragon never stays one gender for long, but I met this one when she was female. Now the power is rough and stiffer and yet stronger than before. The legends about dragons extend out from insanity to pure fantasy. Men and women of this world should be happy to have their stories because the truth is much deeper than anything any man should know. A mind touched by the Eldritch Truth is one that most would label insane and that's the mind of a Jager. That is the mind Issei will have or he will die as madness takes him and suffers a Fallout to become a Revenant.
I breathed in and finally out one last time. The benches next to me burst firing splinters everywhere. The fallen one nearest to me had to shield her eyes else she might have lost them. The stone beneath me caved and cracks formed where my feet stood. It felt good just like before to just let go of my barriers and just let the magic flow forcing all to their hands and knees below me. To bow their heads. Unlike with the Devils and their peerage my power was still contained, if only just. Much of the pent up Od I stored within me was out of what they felt and eventually it leveled off in a tolerable level. The Angels slowly gazed up towards me in a mixture of wonderment and fear. If the fallen can respect anything its power above their station much like Devils. Depending on the power it could be overwhelming.
As of now the dark and light within me balanced out and took an open seat next to me but only subconsciously. The beast was above them both who each had a shoulder, so he was over my shoulder behind me and looking through me. If they wished to manifest physically this is how they would appear and by the looks of bewilderment they might've. The brand along my right arm dimmed until only a faint pulsating aura encased my entire arm. The magic matrix on my left arm became much more pronounced, shown through my clothing, but stopped flowing all together. Only the dark one loved to flaunt her power towards others and it showed on the faces of the fallen struggling to move. I stood up and the bench I was on turned to ashes. I walked past the angels to the stone altar under the cross and sat down on top it. I let my hands relax. They watched as I sat down and struggled to keep their eyes on me.
"Now," the three flinched. I can't blame them either. My voice is multilayered by two others. The power behind that one word caused the curtains in the room and begin to break apart. I cleared my throat and rubbed the muscles around it.
"Now," my voice was back to normal. "Asia will leave with me." If the three of them had anything to say against this, they didn't voice them. "I pay back my dues though. I understand that you're losing a valuable piece of your plan, so I will owe you three a favor." I brought everything back to the subject of the matter at hand. "Anything that is within my power I shall grant. Does this sound unfair to either one of you?" They shook their heads. I looked around at the old church and didn't really like how it looked. It needed some renovations and if a couple fallen angels could occupy this place without the authorities or the government knowing then I could use this place, it has electricity and running water I'm sure of it. A couple words to a few friends and a little man power I could bring this place back up to speed. No house of any God should be desecrated in such a way. They are gods after all.
"I-I have a p-proposal." I heard the mature voice of Kalawarner stuttered as she trembled before me.
"Are you sure?" I leaned in and the two behind her bowed their heads lower than before. "Whether it's a favor of equal grade or not once you ask for one I will do only that and nothing else. Think before you ask me after all," I looked around the room to the many men and finally back on the fallen angels. "You are all on something I'd call borrowed time. You know what I am so your lives are being gauged."
Kalawarner and Mittelt met each other with a look. They nodded once coming to an unspoken decision then looked towards Raynare together. Raynare met her sister fallen's gazes and frowned. Mittelt glared at her and finally Raynare caved in with a nod. The three of them all struggled but slowly got up to a single knee and remained in a bowed down position. A deep bow you expect subjects to do for a king. It made my extremely uncomfortable. "Please give us protection and worth," the three of them recited in unison.
It's hard to surprise me because I've been through so much already and seen even more. Never in my life did I expect to hear this from fallen angels though. Protection and worth. Basically, they're using their favor to get security from me, placing themselves under my wing, and baring all responsibility for what they do or did on my shoulders. All of this at the cost of their submissiveness towards me. They are willingly giving me their lives, and anything tied to them. Normally I'd say no to this sort of offer. Fallen angels are nothing but trouble; cursed by God to live "free" but to die "chained". Such beings are of no use to me for their design is flawed, almost as much a devil's, and they've a self-destructive destiny. It's one they accepted the moment their grace was inflicted with darkness. Sadly, I'm a man of my word. I offered a favor but was expecting task to kill a devil or a fallen angel they hate. Afterwards I would tell them and then kill them all, but instead they pulled this in me whilst in Gremory territory.
This situation just went from stiff and narrow to delicate in the matter of 15 minutes. I looked up and noticed the angels watching me with a mix of expressions. Mittelt seemed to be very desperate right now, Kalawarner was a bit nervous but excited and wanting, and Raynare was concerned and full of trepidation.
I rose my hand to my head and sighed. I could feel the princess' smile from here.
"A few slaves could help," the beast whispered in my ear. "Fodder for the cannon."
I looked to the other two and Lilith smirked at me. I didn't get a response from the other. It's up to me it seems, and I thought of the pros and cons. I leaned back up with my arms crossed. The three figures only I could see faded away and the ambiance of the room lit up. The room became dark. Even the sun's light couldn't pierce through my Od. With it lifted light trailed in. The air cleared up and the fires died in an instant without my Od feeding them. The pressure ceased and in just a second it as if nothing happened. As if none of that power or pressure from before barred down on the occupants within. The fallen breathed hard and Raynare fell on her face into the floor. Mittelt groaned and fell to her side but kept herself up with an arm. Kalawarner impressively remained in her position using all her willpower to stay up. She has potential.
I jumped off the altar and walked past the three of them. All the men in the room are out cold and maybe that's for the best. When I got to the door to leave and glanced back and said, "I accept your proposal." I pulled the door open to leave. I heard from final words from Kalawarner though before she fell over like her sisters.
"Thank god."
A/N: Took a bit in me to write a chapter that reveals so much about the MC. A bit about his Faction and the powers he holds as well as what's within him. I wanted to get this out of the way though and start on a For Honor x Berserk story. It's gonna be fun.
Thanks for Reading! Please review!