Hello hello HELLO!
It is the first day of December, and coming along with it is a new update for this story. WOOHOO. I can't believe it's December already... AND IT'S ALSO A MONTH LONG OF HOLIDAY FOR ME AS WELL. :D:D:D:D:D
Now back to the story. Of course, as always, the response section first.
Wacko12: I'm sorry if the chapter was a bit of a mess. It's basically a short flashback of what had happened to his family members.
Notasaviour: THANK YOU. I have prevailed and passed my exams with flying colours, and I hope you do as well. As for the killer... well. Just read this one and then you'll know. Maybe.
Yoshida-kun: I'm keeping it up, and updated soon enough! I think. Hope you're doing well. ^^
DeathTheDude: Woah. Another breathtaking review. I wish you have an account so I can respond to you properly. But since you're a guest, I just can say: Thank you very much.
Now then, here's the story. A little warning though, this one's a bit longer than the usual.
ENJOY!1!
"Where's Shinjiro?"
"He said he's not coming."
"What?! Why?!"
"You know him Rias... He doesn't bode well with stinging sunlight~"
"I know... But even so..."
"Fufu~, you must be dying to show him your new swimsuit. Don't you Buchou~?"
"I can say the same to you too, Akeno."
Averting their sight away from each other and towards the now clean and clear body of water, a figure was swimming in a ludicrous speed. She did a complete lap around the pool under twelve seconds. Almost as fast as a professional swimmer, and maybe faster. An amazed and mesmerized Asia and Koneko were staring by the edge of the pool.
"...Well.." Rias sighed, putting a hand above her temple as a hint of her irritation towards her troublesome Pawn. "At least someone's having fun."
It had been a peaceful few days after Kokabiel's incident. His apartment well and tidy. His mood prospered on the bright side, somehow, despite the cruel hot days. Maybe because of his constant teasing to his said 'Master'? A master who had improper thoughts regarding himself during that night, and then proceeded to please herself by-
Click.
Eh?
"P-Please stop..."
Err...
"D-Don't put me into shame..."
O-Okay...?
"...Th-Thank you..." Said the flustered crimson-haired Princess, scampering away from the author's imaginative mind.
What the hell...?
Ahem- Anyway. Moving on.
The Devils accomplished to impress Seifer with their miraculous construction work. Even up until now, he still couldn't believe they really did rebuild the school completely in only several hour. And all places were decorated like how they used to be. None of the teachers or students knew that their school was literally nothing but rubbles on the other day. As a superior Deity himself, mere act such as that would be a simple task. However, as he knew Devils are in the lowest tier than those of His creation —maybe several tiers ahead from humans and in par with the Angels and the Fallens— but still, presumably being the second weakest, that is impressing.
A few days before, the ORC club agreed to clean the pool of their school. Seifer of course, having no intention to expose himself to the terrible sun, strongly disapprove of this act, fled. Missing out a slightly sight of his girls in swimsuit is well worth for his safety. Rias and Akeno were utterly disappointed with him. Not because he didn't help them on cleaning up the pool, but because they couldn't show their newly bought bikini.
It's a good thing they were living with him.
Still at that same day, Seifer did not just went idle for the rest of the day. In fact, he decided to do some Devil works, picking out a random contract in Rias' drawer at the ORC room. He met someone... Interesting. To say the least. Well perhaps 'interesting' is a bit too underwhelming to refer the Governor of the Fallen Angel. Nothing much happened, though.
He found Azazel, or "Zazel" as he had nicknamed him, to be a fun person to hang with. They shared common interest in exquisite beverages, women, and even almost sharing the same laid-back personalities. He knew this Fallen Angel was not looking for trouble, and if not for his interest in the Sacred Gears, Seifer wouldn't suspect a thing from him. He had visited Azazel's current apartment for at least two consecutive days now.
"It's pleasing to know there is someone who knows how to keep their head's cool." Was the praise Azazel had heaped bySeifer.
"Same goes to you. Oh, I also want to apologize for my subordinate's ruthless act. Please accept this as my token of apology." Were his words as Azazel handed him a binder.
After skimming through its content, Seifer, surprisingly, bowed his head in a polite and grateful manner.
"I appreciate your kindness."
So what was the content of that binder that could make him act that different? A binder full with beautiful, buxom Fallen Angels, posing in a revealing outfit, and some in their nude. There's also what appeared to be a phone number on the girls. Obviously something he won't show to Rias or any of his girls. They would lost their mind if they know he had made contact with one of their biggest threat, let alone finding this "sacred" gift.
Unfortunately, as he received that one binder, that was also the last time he met Azazel. So far.
In the meantime, our young male was waiting for his loathed meeting. Well. It was his fault for killing Kokabiel. He was an important figure for the Fallen Angels, and Seifer is a Devil serving under Rias. It was pretty obvious that a talk between the Devil and the Fallen Angel would be held sooner or later.
And today is that 'sooner or later'.
With Asuka, Asia and Koneko still learning this and that at their respective classrooms, Seifer found himself waiting alone on his rightful throne, his treasured Victorian couch.
Alone and bored.
He couldn't sleep since he had just woken up recently. Going outside would be unpleasant for him as the dreadful summer had finally arrived. He couldn't thank Rias enough for installing a new set of A/C here on the Occult Research Club, the place where he probably will spend his summer days.
So he stayed here, dumbing himself around the spacious room while waiting for any of the girls to return. He first waddled by the large bookshelf, but quickly remembered he dislike reading. He then wandered inside the shower room out of his curiosity, and pondered why there are two showers installed and why there are a handful of different brands of perfumes for quite a time. When he's bored, he contemplates nearly everything he sees. Like this particular lamp for an example.
"..."
It took him several awkward seconds to realize how bored he was.
[Hey, bubbo.]
'...The hell is with that nickname...?'
Snorting as an equivalent of a 'I don't give a damn', Azrael, being as bored as his host, was also trying to escape his boredom.
[I recently learned something.] Azrael began.
'Wot?'
[Back inside the shower... There's a load of perfumes right?]
Mildly curious at Azrael's sudden random topic, Seifer nodded mentally. The Welsh Dragon found this small talk to piqué his interest as well.
[How so?]
'...Because they're girls?' Seifer gave an honest answer. Or rather, opinion. 'And girls don't use the same perfume?'
[Huh... I guess they don't have common scents.]
...
'...'
{...}
'...Did you just...'
[Yep.]
{...I'm at lost for words.}
I can't believe I wrote this.
[Hah. Rude.] Azrael scoffed, but not without cackling a few laughter. [Guess I'll smell you later.]
'...'
{...}
[HAHAHAHAHAHA]
That day, Seifer learned that the former God of Death enjoys bad puns.
"Why did you call me?"
"Eh... No reason..."
He couldn't just tell her there was a supposedly godlike entity yet ridiculously annoying residing in him. Actually, he could. But what for? Seifer does not boast. He shows.
Patting the vacant seat beside him as a gesture for her to come, Seifer looked at his lovely familiar expectantly, with an almost demanding look. Undoubtedly, Tiamat complied. Although she did hesitate for a split second, being the slightest bit curious and confused.
She took a seat. Her perplexed face still lasted, wondering of what this Devil was about to do or say.
"...Hmmm...? What do you want Shinji-sama?"
Without her permission, Seifer pulled her head to rest upon his shoulder. He did this as he gave her a quick, yet mischievous and dangerous grin.
"You~" was his short answer.
"Wh-What?" The woman questioned to reaffirm what her ears had just heard. Slowly, but surely, her pale, pearly white cheeks started to turn their colour pink. Her beating suddenly increased their speed as she felt his gentle strokes by her sky blue hair. "D-Don't be stupid!"
"Oh you know you heard me." He teased, she blushed. Seemed he had found his source for amusement. Oh joy.
"C-Come now... Don't call me if you don't need me." Tiamat whimpered. She didn't bother hiding her bashful act as he had seen her like this quite a plenty. In attempt to recover some of her lost pride, Tiamat stated in a matter-of-fact kind of voice. "...I'm a Dragon you know..."
Seifer closed his eyes, not knowing a cruel wave of realization had evoked his familiar's mind.
"...I'm...Your familiar.." She whispered under her breath. It was a saddening reminder for herself, and might be a painful lesson as well. He's a Devil. She's a Dragon.
A Dragon cannot possibly develop an intimate relationship with those from the three major sides and the smaller ones; such as Kitsunes, Vampires, Werewolves, let alone a Human.
This, however, is not a rule or a norm she has to follow. It is more like a common sense, related to a Dragon's pride. Godly creatures such as them (At least in this realm) eyes lowly of those who are not their own. Her being his familiar, or in other words, helper, would be a massive blow for her elders.
"Your familiar...Yeah.." She whispered.
"Hmm?"
Seifer flipped open both of his light brown irises. Like her sudden change of tone, Tiamat's expression changed as well. She was frowning, and Seifer had seen enough to differ between a mad and angry frown, and the sad, disappointed kind. And it surely was not the mad kind of frown.
"What?" He asked. Oblivious of her fragile state of mind.
"Oh. Nothing... I'm fine.."
The young male rose an eyebrow as a sign of his mild suspicion. He recalled a rule that states: 'When a woman says she's fine, it is never fine.', but does this rule applies to all women?
Following that belief, Seifer insisted, "Now now. Don't hide anything from your boss." He teased playfully, earning him a pout from the woman. His fingers merrily twiddling her smooth straight turquoise locks. In an odd sense of way, it eased Tiamat's burdening thoughts.
"I told you; I'm fine." Tiamat reaffirmed. Seifer, obviously, did not buy it.
"You're a great fighter," He paused, now having a slight frown on his lips. "But you make a terrible liar."
Tiamat fell into silence. Her head hung low, staring blankly at his hand.
"You don't have to tell me," He continued. "At least not now. But know that I'm willing to listen."
Dubious, Tiamat just had to ask. "But... Why..?"
"Because, my dear Familiar." Seifer began. His fingers stopped moving as he spoke. "I care about you as much as I care about the others. And I know it must be lonely for you, hmm? Living inside of that cave?"
Oh Seifer's not dumb. He knows his lovely Familiar does not have many to talk to. A god needs somebody, let alone a Dragon. As individualistic a being can be, nothing can stand being alone.
Seeing Tiamat kept her silent, Seifer let out a few kind words for her to hear.
"You're not alone, Tiamat."
There was a warm feeling inside of her chest. It felt as if a soft, gentle brush had touched her heart, melting it with his earnest words. She, for the very first time, felt such an enormous joy. She even felt as if she could cry. This was an odd experience for her. Inadvertently, Tiamat was staring into the hazel eyes of the young man. Seemingly lost upon his gaze.
She did not realize as well, that she had lifted her head closer and closer to his, and brought her eyes into a close as she brought her lips into his. It did took Seifer by surprise, but not too surprised. Perhaps he had seen this one coming, rather, was expecting this one to come.
His pale lips pleasantly welcomed hers, and his hand firmly holding her head, stroking her hair gently as she kissed him. They parted, but Tiamat kept her forehead in touch with his, insisting to stay.
"I... My chest had never felt this warm before..." She murmured as a single tear leaked from her right eye. "...I can't believe I fell in love with you; a Devil..."
"That's rude." He chuckled. "I'm more than just a Devil you know."
"..." The icy haired woman then rested her head to his chest, laying there for a good three seconds before whispering her gratitude, "Thank you.. Shinji-sama."
"Anytime." He coolly replied. His hand patting her by her head. "Oh, by the way, Tia." He uttered, several seconds after recalling something important he had to do.
"Yes Shinji-sama?"
"Can you go with me for a moment?"
"Whoa... She's... She's stunning..."
"Is this real life? Is that woman for real?"
"Man I'd pay thousands if I get to have her..."
"Are you kidding? I'd give my soul to be held like that by her!"
"That bastard... Why does he get all the woman?!"
"Hey guys... What if he hears you? I heard he beat up three gangsters all by himself..."
"Wh-What?! That's scary man..."
Were the jealous comments and compliments directed by the male students to none other than Tiamat herself, who washolding our playful protagonist by his forearm. Her expression was stern and would be intimidating if not for her mesmerizing beauty. She was the person Seifer trusted as the documentary. Her video camera was up and running, ready to record two very specific girls.
Then there were some other remarks by the girls towards, who else but our young man?
"Hey... Isn't that the Prince..?"
"Aaaaaaaaah! How can I concentrate knowing he's back there?"
"M-Maybe we could get his number after this class..?"
"But that woman's beautiful though... Is she his girlfriend...?"
"""Nooooooo!"""
Seifer just, simply smile and wave, causing troubles as always.
Out from all the girls inside the rowdy class, only two of them knew this couple. They really did not expect him to come with another woman. They had their eyes widened at the moment of their entrance, and remained glued to master and the familiar to this moment.
"Quiet please." The obviously frustrated teacher said in a desperate attempt to regain his student's attention. Somehow, he succeeded. "As you may know, today's a special day. Today, I want all of you to tell us all about yourself. Your hobby, your dream job, families, anything you want to say!"
Seifer wondered if the teacher is always this upbeat. Probably because of the said 'special' day.
"So, let's start with Asuka-chan!"
"E-Eh?! M-me?"
Her panic was well expected. Not everyone, and pretty sure nobody wants to be the first. She should not had any problem with her English. As a Devil, she could speak any known language without trouble. Problem is, her tendency to be nervous.
She timidly approached the front of the classroom, fidgeting her fingers as she looked towards her friends and the parents at the other side.
Asuka opened her mouth, "I-I-I uhh... My name's Kujikawa Asuka..." This felt like her first introduction replayed all over again. "I'm seventeen years old this year, and umm..."
She glanced briefly at a specific young man. Her red face due to her nervousness was showing. As a morale support,Seifer lifted a hand and gave Asuka a thumb's up, adding a smile and a wink whole mouthing the word "You can do it." at the same.
She smiled, and nodded firmly. 'I can do this!' She said to herself as she took a deep breath.
"I like Futomakis, and I love swimming. My dream job is to be a professional swimmer!" And she ended her turn with a radiant smile.
Cue the clapping hands from their classmates, teacher, and the parents that present.
"Brilliant English Asuka-chan! Well done!" Exclaimed the teacher. "You make your teacher proud... Now, before you return to your seat, can you tell us a thing or two about your family?"
Seifer tensed.
But not as tense as the girl. Her bright smile had dropped into a gloomy frown. Asuka kept her gaze low on the floor below her feet. Unpleasant memories stirring her mind into a wreck.
"Excuse me, mister teacher." Without warning, a young man stepped up, and walked towards the front of the class, receiving adoring glances as he passed several seats of the girls, and low grumbles from the boys. He took note that some of the husband had pinched their wife. Asuka jolted her head at him, who winked her a nice, teasing wink.
"Y-Yes?"
Seifer leaned in, appearing to be whispering something to the teacher, whose eyes widened upon learning the fact Asukais an orphan.
"I-I'm terribly sorry... I should've know better of my students..." He said apologetically. "Asuka-chan, you did very well. You can return to your seat-."
"Are you okay?"
It's Seifer out of nowhere, and without the teacher's approval, he had stood by Asuka's side.
"...Yeah..." The girl whispered, now smiling a tender smile.
"You sure?"
Asuka nodded. "Mhmm. Thank you Shinji-san."
"Good."
Tap
"The name's Kawamura Shinjiro, and I am her legal guardian." Seifer stated, also in English while placing his palm directly above the stunned girl's head. "Thank you for looking after Asuka in my absent."
"..."
The room went into a moment of silence. Might be due to the first time their ears heard his British accent.
"So, any questions?"
"He-Hey I'm the teacher here?!"
"Oh right."
Several hands were raised... All of them were from the girls. Seifer also noticed one of the husband had forcibly lowered the raised hand of his wife.
"HEY WHO SAID YOU CAN RAISE YOUR HANDS?!"
"Oh it went by lively." Said our young male, summing up as he was reminiscing about his earlier classroom visit. "Maybe a tad bit too lively."
"Hahaha— is that so? I'm guessing you're the cause of that liveliness?"
"Eh..." Seifer swayed his head side to side, his unkempt bangs dancing in the air as he did. "Sorta."
"Hahahaha! You can't help it can't you?"
Seifer shrugged, a simple smile on his face. He, along with Tiamat, had invited themselves inside another classroom. Rias' classroom. It wasn't that hard to snuck in. Currently, Seifer had just met Rias' brother. Her father too.
"Sir." Seifer gestured a polite nod. A rare sight. "I believe you've met my familiar?"
"Ah, yes. Indeed I have. A pleasure to meet a Great Dragon King." Followed the mature looking man; Rias' father.
"As am I. Pleased to meet you again Lord Gremory."
The two exchanged a smile of pleasantries.
Apparently Rias had just realized his presence when she turned around. She had this... Certain troubled face and her expression was screaming for help as she saw her brother and father, who smiled and waved energetically. Pretty much an embarrassing thing to do in front of their sister and daughter.
"..." Seifer began to see the reason Rias didn't want them to come.
But then... The class starts.
"..."
"..."
Not even Seifer, moreover Tiamat, could understand these two crimson-heads' action. They had cheered, called, and even clapping their hands loudly when Rias answered a question sent from the teacher. The poor crimson-haired girl nearly blushed as red as when he teased her.
And that summed up the Class Observation.
There is a break between classes. Like this one. After an awkward, but somehow, enjoyable moment of spectating Rias and Akeno studying, he parted ways with Sirzechs and his father, bringing Tiamat along with him to wander around the vastly expansive school building. She had never let go off his arm as they strutted through halls and corridors, wondering where he would be taking her.
FLASH
Still on his way to his predestined place, a flash that belonged to a camera disturbed his walk. Peering at a crowded corner of the corridor, Seifer decided to not bother with it. That was, until he heard Azrael's raspy voice.
[That's a Devil.] He came in short, but right to the point of matter. [...And a pretty powerful one too. But not as strong as that..."Dandy redhead".]
{...'Dandy redhead'...?} Ddraig queried, focusing at the wrong part of Azrael's statement. Until he rememberedSirzechs; a person that fits perfectly in that shoe. {Oh..}
Well Seifer could always return to his 'spot' later on after dealing with this unprecedented event. It seemed Tiamat was also well aware of the presumed Ultimate-class Devil.
They stayed on the same tile, waiting . A boy in blonde came shortly after their wait. Then a couple of girls followed. Focusing his eyes, he figured they were the members from the Student Council, dispersing the photographers away from their object of interest.
Upon seeing the said powerful Devil, Seifer doubted his eyes.
'...Are you sure that's not a cosplay girl?'
[...Frankly, I don't know.]
{...Don't judge by her looks?}
Still standing on the same place, but now with a more relaxed vibe, Seifer decided to wait for a couple more seconds. Only to make sure. Saji had a talk with the girl in weird outfit. Seifer guessed Saji was trying to get the girl out from the school. Standard Student Council's thing. Not long then, Rias and her Queen, Akeno, arrived at the scene.
And, to his, and her disbelief, that cosplayer was the Devil they were lookin for. It was proven by the look of shock Rias had on her face as she saw the sight. Sirzechs and his father, Lord Gremory, were also there to merry the party. After that, it became a gathering of Devils as Sona, and the rest of the student council's members also joined in.
The question is; would he join?
'Nope.'
There you go.
They went back to where they had started: the well-furnished ORC room. Of all things, he had missed the air conditioner the most.
Plopping down on his couch after ushering Tiamat to take a seat firsthand, the young man proceeded to lay his head down atop of the woman's thighs, using them as a makeshift pillow for his head to rest. Tiamat allowed this without any issues, although not without a light pink blush spraying on her cheeks.
Inhaling the scented air and exhaling a sigh, Seifer started a chat. "What's your thought about the school?" He asked first, shifting his body a bit to lay on his side.
Also releasing a sigh, Tiamat replied as her fingers ventured to his slim, and surprisingly silky brown hair. "It's... Noisy." Of course. It was far louder than her home. "And there's too many people for my liking."
"Mhmm~ I feel the same." He chided, resting his eyes and relaxing his mind. "...Hmm... I forgot that ask earlier... But last week— Friday was it? You snuck into my place. Why's that?"
Seifer had a guess or two of Tiamat's sneaky act, but unsure which one of them is the right guess.
Surprised at the sudden question, Tiamat almost gripped his hair off in her abrupt reaction. The same blush from earlier had erupted yet again. "A-Ah... That... Uhmm... I-I'm just wanting to make sure you're okay... After all of that battle you went through."
Seifer peeked open one of his eyes. "Oh...? So you're worried about your master's well-being hmm?"
"O-Of course I am!" She unknowingly had raised her voice, nearly squeaking at the word 'course'. "I-I'm your Familiar! Of course I have to take my master's safety into my consideration!"
"I see~" Seifer looked pleased. He was letting out low, short chuckles as he shut his eyes again. "Well. Make sure nobody threatens me while I'm asleep."
"A meeting?" Tiamat uttered her dubious thought. Apparently not knowing the predestined meeting. "You're going to sleep? Here?"
"Yep-" He managed to say as a long yawn came out from his mouth. "Oh, wake me up when the meeting's starting will ya?"
Like that, he mindlessly left Tiamat into his dreamland.
Now on to the important meeting.
Like his previous instruction, Tiamat had woke him up as the meeting was about to start. At first, the Devils was searching for this troublesome Devil. He did not know what was going through their mind that made them not check the ORC room firsthand.
Nonetheless, Seifer learned that too much sleeping is bad as he now was suffering an annoying, but not hurtful, headache.
Prior to his arrival, he saw at least a hundred of Devils, Fallen Angels, and Angels were already outside their school, conjuring and maintaining a a barrier that prevents any entrance of any unwelcomed guests, and of course, preventing the anyone to exit. He had taken a seat beside his rightful master by Sirzechs' courtesy, and beside Akeno. Not even close to the start of the meeting, Seifer already had the tendency to sprawl his hands and head to rest against the pompous looking table. Only he, Rias, and Akeno had their own seats, as the rest of her peerage were standing behind her chair. The same applied to Sona and her peerage, unless she was the only sitting.
The Maous, Sirzechs Lucifer and Serafall Leviathan, were also present. The latter he just found out she was a Maou as well. That would be a reasonable explanation for her high Devilish power.
Several minutes later, an insanely blinding light emitted from the room, revealing two Angelic creatures as it faded. One a golden-feathered Angel, whose face looked to young to be called as a creature that had lived at least several thousand years, and the other one was a voluptuous Angel, but with wings of a Pigeon; white, and serene.
'They just have to show off don't they?' Seifer expressed his mild annoyance with the two Holy beings' striking entrance.
[It's a good thing it all happened in a flash. Hehehe...]
'Azrael I swear to the Creator...'
[You can't hate puns.]
'I can hate you.'
{No comments.}
Disregarding the stupid Azrael, Seifer, as well as the others, greeted the Angel's representatives with a formal smile and handshake and whatsoever, and returned to his seat as they waited for the last expected attendant to come.
He, unlike the other Devils, was nowhere near nervous to the point he was making the others anxious with his worrying carefree attitude.
This time, they appeared in a whirl of black feathers and a gust of wind. Out came Azazel, the guy Seifer would consider as a decent friend, who had twelve of his jet-black wings sprouted open. Totally boasting. The other Fallen Angel, meanwhile, was in fact someone he had met long ago, but only for a while as she had to return to her place to bejudged.
Asia looked she was about to cry from happiness of seeing her long-lost friend, but she had kept it to herself, waiting until the meeting's end.
"Ah, Raynare." Seifer greeted her with his marvelous smile, easily causing a blush to mark her cheeks. "It's good to see you again."
"Y-Yes... It's nice to see you too Kawamura-kun..." The girl said quietly, trying her best to behave appropriately around such powerful beings, not to mention they were her enemies as well. At the present time, she wore an outfit fairly similar to when he last seen her, but more elaborate and with more intricate designs. Furthermore, she now branded six wings instead of two.
"Oh, Zazel. You're here too?" Seifer said in his casual tone, raising his hand in a "yo" kind of gesture. Really, he just knows how to act inappropriately. "I thought you were joking when you said you're a Governor."
"Well I clearly wasn't!" Azazel retorted, showing a mildly frustrated expression. "By the way, how's my gift?"
"Oh I don't really need that. You see, I have them." Replied Seifer, who had made a gesture with his head towards the girls behind him.
"Them...?" Then Azazel panned to the girls standing and sitting nearby him. All are either cute, gorgeous, beautiful, orthe combination of those three. "Oh..." He uttered dejectedly, as if defeated.
Seifer simply chuckled at his triumph.
The Devils, Angels, and even Raynare were all dumbfounded by these two's lax conversation.
"Azazel? You've met him?"
"Shinjiro...? How do you know of him...?"
"I'll tell you about it later." He said to a quite unhappy Rias. She had the right to be unhappy of course. As powerful as he may, Seifer was still a Devil. Knowing Rias' curiosity, Seifer preferred to tell her his story for later when he has the time.
And thus, marked the start of the meeting that will decide the fate of the three, major, ruling sides.
So far, the meeting progressed under a tense, but somehow, light atmosphere. Thanks to Azazel's comments and replies. Rias had clasped his hand through the entire talk in hope to ease her worry. Seifer, understanding the girl's anxiety, also returned her affection with the same; clasping her hand gently. Even drawing circles by the surface of her smooth skin, reassuring that it will all go well.
"Well then, Rias. Can you retell about the incident a few days before?"
Rias tightened her grip for a moment before she let go. "Yes Lucifer-sama."
"Don't worry too much. You'll do good." Was his compassionate whisper before she stood up along with Sona and Akeno.
And she did. She explained her encounter with Kokabiel thoroughly; not missing out any details that she knew. As expected, Rias talked about the summary calmly, and professionally. Although Seifer knew, she waa a nervous wreck inside. Her lightly shaking hands was good enough as a proof.
"—and that concluded my report of what I, Rias Gremory, and the household Devils had experienced at our engagement with Kokabiel."
Each faction's leader reacted differently. Some sighed, some scowled, some smiled. Seifer? Oh he remained stoic the whole time. Possibly wishing for the meeting to end quickly. He's not made to deal with this kind of thing.
"Thanks, Rias-chan~!" Thanked Serafall Leviathan, the previous girl Seifer saw wearing a "Magical Girl" outfit. By far, it seemed the Maous have... Variety of weirdness. Sirzechs with his unnerving Siscon, and this girl with her... Behaviour.
"Now then, Sona-chan~ can you please tell us of your story~?"
Seifer found her forced cute voice to be unsettling. How on hell did she became a Satan and not Grayfia?
Now having a thought on that matter, he knew the Devils wouldn't pick a random girl to be one of their leaders. So that means... This girl is more superior than Grayfia herself.
Now that, is more unsettling.
"Y-Yes Leviathan-sama," Sona said in advance of her other information. Even she found the Maou's tone of voice to beunsettling. "But before Kawamura-san here defeated Kokabiel, which is a very astonishing feat, I, Sona Sitri, and with my peerage assigned ourselves to take responsibility in maintaining the barrier we formed. While Rias Gremory was dealing with Kokabiel, there was an immense number of Fallen Angels heading towards this school."
"Heh... They were under Kokabiel's command." Azazel shrugged, dismissing the judging eyes of both the Devils and the Angels. "You and your people are impressive to be able to fend them of." And came his praise towards the bespectacled girl.
"I presumed so as well." Sona affirmed, but then she shook her head. "And no. If it wasn't for Kawamura-san, I might not be here in this room now."
Everyone averted their attention towards Seifer. Seifer hates being stared upon.
"You mean-?!"
"Yes. I saw it with my very eyes. As did my peerage. Kawamura-san, with the help of the Chaos Karma Dragon, had slain nearly all the oncoming Fallen Angels."
"What-?!" Neither Rias or Akeno could hold back their shock upon hearing the news. Apparently it was their first time hearing this. They both had their eyes widened, and widened further as Tiamat herself spoke,
"Yes. That is true. However, I only did little. Shinji-sama's death count is at least five times of mine."
Now that is unsettling. It wouldn't be as stunning if Tiamat had the larger body count, but it was, and it did happened.
The leaders were at lost of words. Azazel was baffled. Lucifer had his blue-green eyes opened wide. Leviathan had her mouth agape. Michael kept his stare, but with a more complicated expression than before. Even Grayfia, Lucifer's Queen, serving as the maid, nearly dropped the teapot from the tray. All because of hearing an unbelievable truth.
"I know that you're strong and skilled- But I did not expect you to be this...capable." Came Lucifer's praise-slash-comment.
"I can't believe a Low-class Devil could pull off this kind of attainment..." Was Leviathan's.
The other two were utterly speechless.
Afraid that this would increase the suspicion on him, Seifer decided to speak, and to to defend himself. "Let's not forget that I have the Red Emperor Dragon by my side."
[Pfft- hah.] Azrael snorted. [Bullshit.]
'Shut up. This is bad.'
"...You may say that... But I know enough of a Devil to know that a new, inexperienced Devil without years of proper training, even with the help of the Boosted Gear, shouldn't be able to do such thing if he's not already powerful..." Michael followed. His brows arched in a sharp angle.
'Shit.'
"Unless... You..."
Not completing his sentence, Michael, the Angel with the feathers of gold, paused. Whereas Seifer still waited for the next word, slightly confused to say the least.
Not only him actually, it was as if everyone went stiff like a rock, until eventually, the faction leaders began to move. Beginning with Sirzechs, followed by Tiamat, then the three other leaders, and lastly, Rias and Akeno. All in that particular order. But the rest remained still like a statue.
It took him a while to process what just occurred, but in the end, he recalled this feeling.
"...What.. What happened?" Blinking, Rias inquired a logical question.
"...Time stopped..." Azazel stated as it was obvious. "...Forbidden Balor View... I've been wanting to get hold of this Sacred Gear.."
An ability that is prohibited by the gods themselves. The ability to take control of time. Despite only for a limited counts and only affect those in the lowest tier, this ability is banned because of the effects it gave to inferior universes—such as this one. The one where it contained Earth, Heaven, and Hell.
The same ability that caused the death of his family.
"Hey, stop mumbling to yourself, weirdo."
"It's my mouth and I am privileged to mumble to myself." And came Azazel's rebunt to Seifer's friendly mock.
FLASH
There was a brief flash of light- then followed by a countless number of flashes with the same intensity, lighting the outside of the new school building.
As the leaders and representatives of the three sides shambled towards window to take a look for themselves, they saw many of human silhouettes, cloaked in black robe, firing certain destructive spells against the inner barrier. It did no damage, however. But the attack was relentless.
"Their attack won't break through," Sirzechs informed, putting away the look of worry plastered on Rias and Akeno'ssightly face. "They might get through the first barrier, but the inner barrier is formed by me, Azazel, and Michael. They'll need more than just these magicians."
"He's right." Azazel then followed as his expression turned grim. Must be due to something very concerning for him to change his vibe. "But that's not the case. It's the Sacred Gear's power. From my research, I know that the bearer needs to see directly whay he wants to be stopped, yet he or she is nowhere in sight."
"That means, either the power was boosted by a magic or another transfer Sacred Gear... If this goes on, then even us might be affected by the power."
If the powerful leaders couldn't even avoid this limiting power, let alone three of his girls. He wouldn't want that incident to happen again, and this time, he's here with them. He will never forgive himself if he failed once more on protecting those he cares about.
"But then if what you said is true... Why do I, and Akeno could still move?"
"It appears only you four can move by your will. I reckon both of you," Azazel directed towards Rias and Akeno, "-Arefree because of his influence. Whereas Tiamat and he himself solely based on their powers. This power isn't complete, however. They should be able to move after a minute or two."
"They're intending to annihilate us together with this school building as we stopped... That is, considerably concerningindeed." Sounded Michael. "To make matters worse, we can't exit our own barrier without disassembling them in the process."
"They must have planned this all along.. Damned terrorists..." Azazel cursed under his breath, pinching his nose bridge as a clear sign of his annoyance.
"Tch... For them to attack in such an important occurrence as this... And under my territory and supervision as well... Never have I been this disgraced like this!" Rias exclaimed. Her eyebrows arching downwards as she folded her arms. The aura of a mad Princess of Destruction flared in an acute intensity. "I'll never-"
"Yes yes. You'll never forgive them." Azazel interrupted her mid-sentence, lifting a hand up into the air. All at the same time, hundreds of prominent light spears formed at the space outside, bringing even more light into the room.
As Azazel brought down his hand, as if a gesture of a command, all spears of light rained down upon the said magician outside, tearing their flesh and killing them almost in an instant. Although they had formed a shield of their own, it did less to nothing as Azazel's spears tore it apart with particular ease.
"Show off." Seifer scoffed, earning himself another look from the Governor of the Fallen Angels.
Unfortunately, not long after the magicians were completely wiped out, magic circles began to shine all over the school grounds. The same wave of magicians beforehand. In fact, there were more of them than before. Just like the previoustime, they brought down their known magic to weaken the barrier, each spell causing a major explosion upon their impact. It didn't cause a single scratch on the barrier though. At least for now. Who knows how much the shield can withstand?
"Kh- how meddlesome..." Azazel whispered. "It'll get boring if it gets repetitive. On a note of importance, these terrorists plan is too well-thought that it's unsettling. I trust none of us had leaked any info do we?"
"Are you asserting there's a traitor among us?"
The Governor looked straight towards Lucifer. "Yes. It's not something improbable..." He then proceeded to take a pause, thinking as he closed his eyes to put himself on focus. "Ah... I see now." He suddenly muttered to himself, as if realizing something dire. "So this is the reason you can't come..."
"Who are you referring to?" Sirzechs asked again.
"The Hakuryuukou. I'm afraid he had defected to the terrorists' side."
And as he said that line of words, another magic circle with an unfamiliar crest appeared on the floor they were standing. Having seen the intricate crest in one of her books she had studied, Rias exclaimed as her face filled with a mixture of surprise and shock.
"This emblem... This is!"
Also recognizing the crest, Sirzechs said, "So the mastermind has come... Leviathan."
Not recognizing the emblem, Seifer thought bitterly, 'I know I should've slept longer.'
He should. He really should have. Because this night, would be the night Rias will never forget.
"So you've come at last." Said Azazel to a woman who had materialized above an intricate pentagram. A woman with brown hair tied to a bun, wearing a majorly purple-coloured dress. An extremely low cut dress, as it has a high slit on it, exposing her impressive breast size. Maybe she was simply flaunting her asset?
"Indeed I have. How do you do, current Maou Sirzechs-dono?" Said the woman with a taunting tone.
'Coming here all by herself..?' Seifer thought, amused. 'Either she has gut, or overconfident, or strong.'
[Or she's just plain dumb.]
'Yeah... That too.'
{Oh she definitely got guts to pull of such revealing outfit. And are we going to ignore her cleavage? Imean- come on.}
'Mm... Nah. Too mature for my taste.'
[I thought you like all women.]
'Well. Not her, apparently.'
"Katarea Leviathan..." Sirzechs lowly uttered. His eyes focusing on that one woman. "What is the meaning of this action? Are you assisting the terrorists?"
"Oh no. It's not just me alone, Sirzechs. All members of the old Maou faction have decided to coperate with... Terrorists as you might say, but we prefer calling them as Khaos Brigade."
"Khaos Brigade... So it is true." Lucifer said to himself. "I know that they're gathering all of those that despise peace. I didn't expect them to have the old Maous on their side..."
"Correct." The woman referred as 'Katerea' affirmed, as though taking pride of being a part of the terrorists. "We also have the Ophis as our leader. It's safe to say that victory is within our grasp. Your reigning days will soon come to an end."
Hearing that, all the leaders had an unpleasant expression. Not just them, Rias, Akeno, even Tiamat, could not believe the news.
"The Uroboros Dragon... The strongest existence in this world... That certainly is woeful..."
"Katerea-chan!" Came a voice belonged to the recurring Leviathan. "Why are you doing this?!" She exclaimed as if sheeas an innocent child; being naïve to the clear predicament. Even Seifer knew Katerea, and possibly those who are the old Maous, simply wanted to reclaim their titles.
"Serafall... How dare you act so shamelessly. As the descendant of Leviathan, I am ashamed to know that you are chosen to have his title."
"Katerea-chan! I-I..."
[Why the hell is she keep using 'chan'?!]
'To stay in character, obviously.'
[Well it's bloody annoying!] Azrael reasoned. His voice suddenly had a thick British accent for some reason. [She's pretty cute though.] And happening as quick as his temper to rise, Azrael cooled down.
And it appeared the Welsh Dragon had heard Azrael's slight change of English.
{How did you become British all of a sudden?}
Let's just leave Seifer and his company to bicker for now and continue with our story shall we?
Giving the troubled Serafall a smile of mischief, Katerea, beginning to flare her demonic power, said,
"But worry not... For I will reclaim my title once and for all."
As Sirzechs, Serafall's, and the rest of the representatives' expression darkened under the heavy atmosphere, there were only two being who seemed to be unconcerned. The first being our protagonist, and the other one was Azazel, laughing for a transparent cause.
"Is that funny? Soon your era will end, and we will rule the new world without any of you to interfere. See? This is how all of you should have acted; to erase anyone who defies your order." Katerea mocked further, enjoying every time she saw her foe's dimming resolve.
"Moreover, for you to not know your own underling had defected to our side... Is that what you would call a leader, Azazel?"
"..."
Checkmate. Azazel couldn't find any possible counter. Katerea laughed upon his silence, but still proceeded with her derisive snide as she briefly scanned the current attendants; Rias, Akeno, Tiamat, and lastly, Seifer. She stopped her gaze at the latter, who was standing five meters away from her, and even dared to approach him.
The three ladies, of course, stepped in between her and him. Whatever her intention is, they expect it would be far from good.
"And soon... We'll have the other Heavenly Dragon to aid our side..." Katarea said in an undertone, jeering an insulting smirk as she stood in front of the three women. "Fufufu- Are these your women? Sekiryuutei-dono?"
"Oh. Am I that famous now?" He replied plainly. Untroubled by mostly anything he had heard and seen. "And yeah. You can say that."
Even under this unlikely condition, he was able to stir a blush upon their faces.
"Fufufu," Katerea chuckled again despite the death glares she was receiving from the girls. "Is that so? So I'll take it that you have moved on, no?"
[Oh shit.]
BLAM
His unexpected rage had startled even those of the most powerful person on the three sides. He might had moved faster than light even, as Sirzechs hardly see him as he moved.
Gripping Katerea's neck while pushing her against a cracked wall, Seifer, by his conscience or not, had unleashed a horrendously ominous aura. It was different than his usual smoky one. It was far different in fact. It was more solid. Its colour was blacker than the darkest night. Darker than the wings of a Fallen Angel. Without any trouble, as if swallowing, his aura had overwhelmed Katerea's.
The air became so terrible that both Rias and Akeno were shaking uncontrollably, let alone Katarea, who was only inches away from the source of this immense killing intent. She didn't even had the power to lift her hands to pry hks hands, they just hung limb by her voluptuous body's side.
Everyone froze in their spot as they witnessed the rage of the Sekiryuutei, but this actually raised their spirit. If he could land an attack with no problem to Katarea, who is not a weak Devil, then perhaps they could stand a chance against these terrorists.
"How..." A word came out. His voice had deepened and it was a voice of anger. "How did you know...?" He demanded, slowly increasing the power of his grip. "Who killed them?"
He had tried- no. He had forced himself to accept the passing of his wife and daughter —his only family—, and for what seemed to be forever, Seifer was nearing the point of letting them go, and even allowing his girls to enter and fill the aching hole in his heart. But now, his effort was all for naught.
All of his desperate attempt rendered to nothing by her simple question.
"—Akh-Ukh—GAH!"
"Answer me." He spoke calmly as he slammed her body once more without showing any hesitation because she's a woman. As another loud, dull sound echoed, the crack on the wall broadened. He possibly had caused a crack or more to her spine as well.
Raising her violently trembling right arm, Katerea managed to point it towards a particular Devil with the striking crimson hair.
Sirzechs Lucifer.
"..."
As if she was nothing but a trash, Seifer tossed her outside with brutality. The magicians' attack also stopped. Of course, as they couldn't risk hurting the injured Leviathan. She was the one in charge after all.
Seifer did not bother to see where she landed or whether she had died or not, as the only thing on his mind is Sirzechs. It was the first time Rias, or anybody there, to see him this furious.
"S-Shinji-"
"Don't. Rias." He sternly stated. "I don't want to hurt you."
Rias was taken aback. Was she losing him?
Sirzechs raised a hand. All eyes were on him. "It's fine, Rias. It'll be untruthful if I tell you I know nothing."
The solid smoke spread wider, now engulfing the room and beginning to leak outside, slowly filling the area between the building and the barrier with its dark haze.
"Yes. Although it's not me personally, I killed her. I believe you know the reason of that. "An eye for an eye", right?"
[Hah. I knew he was going to use that as his alibi... Right bub?] Azrael chided in attempt to ease his host's peaking anger and rage.
'Azrael.'
[Yeah?]
'Do me a favour and shut the fuck up. You too, Ddraig. Don't you dare help me in anything.'
[Oh...You're going all out?]
'This time... It's personal.'
[Right'o]
{Y-Yes partner...}
"...Huh... Wh-what happened?" Inquired a girl inside the room as she noticed the room's layout had changed dramatically. Last time, she remembered there wasn't a huge hole on the wall over there. Taking a quick look outside, she saw hundreds of cloaked figures were flying mid-air. And looking further, she saw the coalition army of Devils, Fallen Angels, and Angels were standing in their places, unmoving.
Just as Azazel had mentioned earlier before, the Sacred Gear's effect was starting to deteriorate.
Sadly, the moment of their freedom was quick to subside as they began to feel a ridiculous amount of combined uneasiness and fear. A horrendous feeling.
"Wh-Wha... What?! What is this air!? Is Lucifer-sama—" But as Sona saw Rias' Pawn, donning a vantablack robe and a mask she had seen in Devil's history book, she knew her speculation was wrong. "Kawamura?!"
"S-Sh-Shinji-san... What is.. What happened...?"
"K-Kuh... I can't... Breathe... Asuka-nee... He-help..."
No one but Sirzechs, Michael, Azazel, and Tiamat had the strength to stand on their feet. The rests were already on their knees, trembling, quivering, an hugging themselves for comfort. Not even Grayfia could withhold this amount of fear, let alone the reincarnated Devils.
"S-S-Sh-Shinjiro... Y-you... You're..."
"No longer a Devil." He completed Rias' incomplete sentence with a statement, as a light sound of something made of glass hitting the floor echoed throughout the meeting room. Looking down, Rias' eyes broadened further as she recognize what had fell.
Her sixteen previously transparent crimson chess pieces, now wholly coloured in charcoal black. As if they had changed colour under his influence.
"...Then that makes it even.." The masked young male whispered, slowly hovering outside through the hole Katerea had caused—or more correctly, himself. "I took nearly everything from you, and you've taken everything from me."
The only good thing from that was now his aura had dispersed, allowing them to slowly regain their power. Until one of them had gathered enough to conjure a compressed sphere of demonic power.
The one who was aware of this, or at least the first to plead a yell, was none other than Rias. "-?! GRAYFIA! NO!" She screamed, but a bit too late as Grayfia's attack was already flying towards him.
But it just went inside the smoke around him, not even damaging him the slightest. It shocked Grayfia. Seeing how pitiful her attack was, and rendered speechless. Even Sirzechs and Serafall couldn't believe what their eyes had witnessed.
He looked past his shoulder. Even behind that mask, they could feel his haunting glare. The smoke around him hovered in a spiral, creating a small whirlwind with him being the center. Seifer no longer has any reason to hide his true power, now that he had been revealed. He was callous if they recognize his abilities or not. Moreover, with those sixteen Pawns were no longer limiting him, he could utilize all of his power given by his true self.
"Strongest Queen huh..." Seifer spoke. The raspy, bone-chilling voice still present. "That was pretty weak though... I'm unimpressed."
Grayfia stiffened.
"I'll let you off this time. I can't promise the same if you did it once again." Seifer uttered, looking away from the stunned audiences.
"...Where are you going?" Queried Michael. "Are you planning to join their side?"
Stopping again, and now floating lazily with his hands shoved inside his cloak's pockets, Seifer let out a chuckle before he gave a respose.
"Yes." Seifer said in a sharp tone, adding a hollow laughter on his pause. "So I have a cause to kill any of you."
Seeing the devastated looks of the representatives, and his girls as well, he added.
"Oh cheer up." He exclaimed. His usual voice had made a return. "Perhaps now you three can combine forces again, no? Just like the old days."
Again, he flew outside the hole as his smoke conjured a sword for him to use briefly. He tore down the barrier the magicians were trying to break relentlessly in just one, single slash. The barrier the three leaders had created, shattered with disturbingly apparent ease. Causing further astonishment to those on his opposing side.
Cue dramatic music.
There you go fellow readers. Our protagonist now becomes the antagonist. At least for the three major factions. Oh, and also, Raynare's appearance is not that of her Fallen Angel appearance. She has Yuuma'sappearance. And her outfit isn't slutty too to match with her innocent look. I gave her two extra pair of wings because she acts as Vali's substitute here. Azazel won't pick an ordinary Fallen Angel won't he?
To clarify some things up, Tiamat IS stronger than Michael, Azazel, and obviously, Serafall. That's why she can move before the other three can. And since Sirzechs moved before her as well, that means Sirzechs is stronger than her. AND since Seifer wasn't affected by the time stop... well.. Do the math.
As a little hint on what's in store at the next chapter, you guys know that the Devils won't stand by idly, yes? They surely won't let him off just like that...
So that means, there will be one last fight before Seifer switched his alignment to Khaos Brigade. Now the question is, who will be his opponent? Or opponents if there are more than one?