So the sports battle.

They did not "battle" like "the normal high school students they were".

They weren't even five minutes in before Sona threw in a little demonic energy.

Of course now the battle was over, and we were already setting up for the rematch after they had to mentally rewrite the course of events in everyone's heads as it got rather…explosive the longer the match continued.

It was a good match though, not that any of the onlookers were actually paying attention to the game. It seems the players themselves were cared about far more.

So Dodge ball at night in the gym huh?

I was lying in bed, out the window into the night sky. Training tonight was called off in preparation for tomorrow's "game", but I didn't really obey that.

I might have been mostly human, but I would need to prepare ahead of time if I wanted to actually stay awake and remain at quality performance. My training had consisted of control, bringing out a low level of power to keep myself stimulated. Ajax would help supply me when it got down to it tomorrow as I wasn't ready, but it was good to understand what it was so I could practice on my own to further my growth.

I wondered if I should keep going, but I didn't want to wake myself up all the way, and then not get a few hours of sleep tonight.

Just because I could doesn't meanI should.

I tossed and turned, wondering how strong my opponents would be considering they would be using magic. If Sona could manipulate the balls midflight, it was going to be very hard to catch them, and even harder to dodge. Technically, if I just move faster than the ball, I should be fine.

I nodded to myself, additionally reassuring my mind that it was going to be pretty simple. I would have more value than a onetime human shield.

"Can you even move that fast?"

"It's worth a shot I suppose" I mumbled quietly as I let out a slow, breath, knowing he wanted me to try right now…but I needed sleep.

"Confidence in the unknown is akin to rolling the dice. Your ego is becoming too large to handle."

I blinked with a frown, before I ripped the sheets off, and opened the window, diving out so I wouldn't wake my mom up, and I made my way to the center of the street.

I summoned my power faster this time, practice goes a long way, and I let it rise above my more modest levels. I gained some size, nearly twelve feet in size considering the nearby trees. I stared at my surroundings closely, examining all the images and items.

I moved forward slowly, before rapidly picking up speed down the street. My vision remained rather clear due to my enhancements, and the roaring wind soon became a scream as I ripped through the night's stagnant breeze.

"Indeed, you are able to cover great distances quickly…but this will not aide you in the gymnasium."

I blinked, realizing his point, and I slowly decreased my speed until it was a more controllable stride. I was in an intersection, with four crosswalks, and the green light permanently shining as no vehicles made their way through.

"Do not leave this square, and try simple lunges, dashes, or maybe some form of a dodge. The white lines are out of bounds."

I span in a slow circle, taking in the space, before smiling slightly as I felt a little giddy at the idea of just blinking from one place to another. Like you saw in those old shows, the warriors dashing past eachother in a final dash, the blows landing seconds later.

Power roared in my veins, and I started hoping in place, my hair starting to wave as power moved through my form and leaked out in its upward current. I tried a few small side steps, getting the feel for it, before increasing the speed.

"Specific destinations are not important now, just focus on the movement."

I darted, leaping forward and backpedaling, quickly side stepping to the right, and ducking low, before lunging forward the entire intersection.

"Slow, faster."

"Faster"

"FASTER!"

I sank my fingers into the asphault as I tried to pivot and leap in a different direction, and I soon gave up on remaining standing.

All fours was better traction, and a lower profile…I might look stupid, but it outta get the job done. I blurred, ripping up the ground as I spun.

"Enough, your destroying the intersection."

I blinked, skidding to a halt for the final time, and I felt my jaw go slack as I surveyed the previously smooth intersection.

It now looked like a monster used this place as a scratching post. The crosswalks were damn near unrecognizable, the middle of the intersection was hardly anything but rubble, and a light post was clearly dented from an earlier impact.

"Perhaps it's too soon. Try catching rather than dodging."

I sighed heavily, hoping nobody would somehow pin this destruction on me, and I disappeared, running back the way I came with more speed than a speeding vehicle. I ran to a stop where I once started, and I breathed slowly in minor exhaustion. It was the first time I had gotten tired…interesting. I leapt my gate with ease, before boosting myself a little with my borrowed power, and I jumped onto my windowsill, crouching so I would fit.

"Work in progress…" I muttered to myself. I need a better way of doing this.

"What might that be?"

I nearly fell off my perch.

My head darted faster than I moved all day, looking immediately to my side to see Rias there, leaning on my bathroom doorframe. I stared at her for a long, hard second.

"Um…did you need something?" I asked slowly, wondering what she was doing…the game was tomorrow right? She needed some rest too.

Or did she? Devils are a grey zone for me.

She tilted her head to the side, with a small blush, before she walked forward, and laid down on my bed. I didn't move, watching her curiously. Was she really this bold? Just waltzing into another man's home, and just helping herself to his bed?

Did she even care?

"I need a favor." She said quietly, and I watched her like an owl, "And what would that be?"

"Do you…mind if I join you?"

Silence.

We stared at each other, her blush still prominent, growing actually from a subtle pink to a more pronounced rosy glow. I stared at her absolutely gob smacked.

"Why?"

"Your power…it's comforting." She whispered, and I realized it in a second.

My aura, when I released its more subdued healing power, it was calming. She's obviously shaken as the day grows nearer. She had to fight for her freedom…against her own family and house.

God I'm a dick.

What the hell was I thinking anyway?

"Yeah, sure." I replied immediately, I slipped off the windowsill quietly, lifting up the covers for her to slip in. I blushed myself at realizing how stupid this must have looked, but the lights we off, so I got to preserve some of my sanity.

"Thank you." she breathed gratefully, and reached up to her collar.

And started to strip.

Oh, right, I forgot she slept in the nude.

I instantly turned away, settling for folding the covers over so she could pull them over when she was ready. I heard the sound of fabric and cloth sliding over skin, and I felt my blush grow as the absurdity of what was happening was palpable. Sure, I had seen her naked, she wasn't shy, but holy shit this is different somehow. I left, heading for the bathroom and closing the door. I stared myself in the mirror. I examined my rather unsure expression, my nervous…wait.

My eyes were golden!

I leaned over the counter in stupor, staring at my own iris in disbelief. They were a light shade of brown before…what the heck?

"It is a rather unique trait." Ajax said…almost sounding proud. "Each bearer changed in some way once delving deep enough into Goliath's Curse. I myself developed much tougher skin on my shoulders. It must have sensed by defensive stance, and I gained armor."

'…then my eyes?'

"Your Eyes are an attribute I have only seen in one other…the first. His eyes turned white once he brought forth his full power. For you to have evolved without even pushing yourself…you really were meant for this."

I stared in the mirror for a long few extra seconds, before I shook it off. I might need to wear glasses or contacts…this was obviously going to garner additional attention.

I brushed my teeth and prepped myself. I came out a while later, clean as possible, and stared deadlocked with the closet, intent on not looking at Rias's nude outline under my sheets. I quickly changed, feeling her eyes on me silently…this was really weird.

Note to self, change before she gets here.

I slipped in, trying not to enjoy the already warm temperature from its newcomer, and faced away from her…I wasn't going to be able to sleep if we faced each other.

I felt the blankets shift as she moved slightly, and I mentally berated myself for not changing my sheets. This whole thing was…no, calm down. She wanted to come over, uninvited with no warning. She reaps what she sows.

But I look like a total slob!

NO, I don't. Room's clean, bathroom is clean, and my room is assembled in correct fashion. Was it a little unkempt? Yes. That's normal.

I let out a slow breath as I tried to forget about the Devil behind me, and was almost successful when I felt a pair of arms wrap around my stomach.

Um, yeah, no.

"Something wrong?"

"You're warmer than I remember."

That is such a…powerful thing to say.

"You cold?"

She didn't answer, and I fought with myself. Part of me was roaring with manly insult. I'm being SPOONED by a woman who is way shorter than me…this is just wrong!

And the other part was just as powerful, but not so loud.

She's here for herself…spoil her a little.

Ah fuck it.

I turned, careful not to squish her arms, and I pulled her into my chest, cocooning her in my warmth. The calming waves of Goliath's subdued energy soaked into her skin, like gentle waves of the ocean as it glided across the smoothed beach. She visibly relaxed, even snuggling closer as I tried to calm down myself more effectively.

"Thank you…Gray."

I increased the concentration of my aura, and I felt her nearly melt into the bed, fully descending into the dream world.

"Get some rest Rias."

XXX

Now, I remember what happened last night.

I went out training, saw my new appearance, and Rias joined me in going to sleep.

So why the fuck is Akeno here?

I heard her potent chuckles as she caught on that I was awake, an arm snaking around my shoulder and hooking my jawline with a single finger, bringing my face up to hers as she examined it with a small blush on her features. I stared at her in trepidation…what was she doing here? Did Rias summon her? This is the second time she's appeared like this.

And by this, I mean completely nude and not a shred of embarrassment regarding that.

Her finger dragged along my jaw, pinching my chin with her thumb as if she was a prince charming a young princess.

Our roles could not have been more reversed.

"Akeno…why?"

She giggled, propping her head up on my arm, "Why not? Does it bother you?" she asked in mock hurt, and I stared at her flatly, before turning back around and radiating some more energy. Akeno immediately slackened, falling down to the bed behind me. Rias shifted slightly, remaining asleep during the surprise visit, and I smiled at that slightly.

It was nice to see her like this for some reason. Just…calm, unafflicted, free, burdenless.

I wonder if she will seem like this after I deal with Riser.

Maybe even after I leave.

I hope she does.

I felt Akeno weakly tug at the back of my shirt, and I sighed, resting onto my back as I wrapped her in my other arm. She conformed to my shape nearly instantly, curling against me nearly as fast as the unconscious Rias, who chased after the warmth she had known all night.

Is this what it feels like to be a pimp? Or a womanizer?

Hmm.

Dunno if this is for me. I can't really call this an "ego" flex. If someone else had this power, I'm sure it would be them that these two beauties would be cuddling up too.

Wow, that's a rather dark thought, lets back it up a sec. I stared up at the ceiling, the room still dark as it was still before the sun rose. A small glance to the side showed that we were set to get up in about forty minutes.

I was never one to fall back asleep…but I got the feeling I would regret it if I woke these two up.

Forty minutes then.

Did Akeno arrive for a reason?

I pondered that in silence for a few moments. Maybe she was distracted? It couldn't have been too important if she just decided to sleep instead of speak. No harm in waiting…unless it was important, and I put her to sleep via Aura.

Hmmmm.

I shrugged. I'm sure Rias could speak to Sona about this. I was on time and more than helpful without fault so far, one day couldn't hurt. Showing up late might actually better than on time.

I closed my eyes, squeezing them both tighter to me as I just enjoying the moment. I didn't think I would feel like this, or even could. i had given up…and yet it was working out for me.

If only for a little while.

I need to remember this. This moment.

It'll be my lifeline for a while.

I let out a long, slow, deep breath.

I felt a slow pull at the back of my mind, something strange, like a waking dream.

I felt myself sink, I knew instinctively…I needed to go there.

I felt a cool rush flow past me like water, and I blinked, partially stirring from my relaxation...it was white.

A white room stretched out all around, before slowly collecting into images, creating a scene. It hissed and rushed, sweeping itself forward, as if turning back the clock as surroundings restored themselves.

A coliseum.

All around were shades, people wearing unisex cloaks without any clue as to who they were, or why they were there.

The previous bearers…I see.

They had something to say.

"So…" I said awkwardly, my voice echoing in the space like a try theatre, "What's going on?"

They rustled, many not choosing to speak, and a voice rumbled behind me, one I knew.

"It's important that we correct some…previous information."

I turned, seeing a tall, burly man. He was just a little shorter than me, but built like a veteran body builder. He was a mountain, making me feel smaller despite the obvious evidence to the contrary.

"…Ajax?"

He smiled cockily, "Yes."

I stared at him, squinting…I couldn't see him. I could see his features…but I couldn't remember them…it's like I was talking to him, but I couldn't register his body…even though it was there.

"What's going on?" I repeated, trying get my answers.

"On our previous gathering, we told you that the 1st was the initial bearer of Wrath. That is true…however, the remaining Sins, the ones that god sought to vanquish, are not as dispersed as we led you to believe."

What.

"It's true they have been…destabilized. As it currently stands, only Greed and Sloth have enough power to manifest within hosts, however they can only do so every few generations. Lust is…the one we have decided to warn you about."

I was, in a word, caught between surprise and anger, "You mean to tell me that there are three more people like me? If they are as dangerous as I am, why the hell am I only being warned about one of them!?"

"Lust is the problem." Ajax said strongly, silencing my complaints briefly, "She is, in a word, incredibly strong. She was the most…dormant, of us siblings, but she has amassed enough power to create a body for her own."

I was not liking this.

"You're saying she made her own body? Does that mean she's become a god or something?"

"It means that she does not depend on a mortal coil. She can use the full limits of her potential without a drawback."

"Surely though she can't forever right?" I said nervously, "I mean, if she's been stockpiling power, its limited right?"

"Theoretically, yes…but since she has yet to deteriorate for all these centuries, I don't believe it's something we should count on."

"SHE'S BEEN AROUND THAT LONG!?"

I was gobsmacked, what do you mean centuries! How is she not a god at this point!

"She has made a point of…harassing our bearers, you will be yet another generation that has come to be plagued by her."

…

… You mean…

SHE'S AFTER ME!

"She, in a word, hates us….As more than just the Goliath, but the sin of Wrath. We are destruction, mindless, purposeless, directionless power that attacks on principle. As Goliath took shape, and gained a purpose, we subdued ourselves as to make our bearers more…rational, something that she despises in nature. She sees us as… "denying ourselves", and wants us to…I guess you could say let loose. It's not something I myself entirely understand. The fact that a Sin isn't true to their self is an insult to her."

…

"What do I do?" I asked, dry of any real fight at this point. Lust was apparently an ancient being that had been stockpiling power enough to dwarf mine….and wanted to set me off like a timebomb.

What the fuck…was I supposed to do.

"She is slow in finding us." Ajax said, "However, if you cause enough of a stir in the Devil Kingdom, she will find us that much sooner."

"So you're telling me to not go overboard."

"I'm asking you." Ajax said, smiling suddenly, "be careful with the power you draw. We need you strong, but with strength comes stronger opponents."

I nodded, definitely feeling my positive mood fade with this new development. "I hear you."

He nodded, before everything started to disintegrate into smoke, falling away just as it was built.

We are with you. A disembodied chant came forward We are the Opposers, we are the Rebellion.

We are Goliath, We Stand Against God.