I can't lie, I was definitely distracted.
We were in the gymnasium late at night, the apparent rematch for the Familiar Master's guide rights.
As to what we were playing, I totally didn't remember.
Or even try too.
I was focused on the sudden information relayed to me.
Lust was out there. Just as I was.
I wasn't the only one who picked a fight with God.
So what then? Why did we always go in alone? Why did the other sins not help? Why does she want to kill a familiar figure? What about the other sins?
Is there really no way I can join Rias's peerage without endangering the entire supernatural world?
"GRAY!"
I flinched hard, looking over after a deep breath and smiled at Rias's concerned look, "Was there something you needed?"
"You've been really out of it…something happen?" she asked, a small blush painted on top her cheeks. I just shook my head slowly, "No, just some more info that I learned. Anyway, you sure I shouldn't sit this out? I mean I'm either going out first, or seriously hurting someone."
"You are part of my Peerage!" she said in a huff, "This is a battle between us, you are obviously included!"
I sighed, rubbing the back of my head as I pondered how I was going to actually provide any value in this situation. I was either getting hit out, like all my years previous, or I was going to throw it too hard, and take someone out of school for a week. Maybe I should use myself as a freebie to save someone else? That's plausible.
"Or, you could have a bit more faith in your training."
'how exactly is self-defense supposed to help me?"
"There is more than one way to contribute here, than striking people out, or dodging the ball."
…did he seriously think I could catch it?
They were throwing around demonic spells before! Am I just supposed to tank it?!
"Did you forget who you are?"
I blinked, before looking down at my hands, and seeing a faint glow race up my veins in my forearm as if greeting me. I let out a slow breathe, before shrugging. Well, if I didn't catch it, I at least give my team an extra ball.
Worth a shot.
As if on cue, the Gym doors opened, and the Student Council walked in, assessing us with confident smiles. Rias met them half way, and they began discussing the game. I rolled my eyes, and moved away a small distance, resting against the stage as I stared at the headband in my grasp. Issei had apparently made these….he didn't make mine any bigger though, so it looked a little silly. I settled for wearing it on my bicep, tightly secured.
"Occult Research Club"
Cute.
I saw Rias and Sona break, taking opposite sides of the ring, and I stepped forward myself, taking my position at the front of everyone, surprising them.
"A rook's specialty is defense no?" I asked cheekily over my shoulder, Rias well and truly submerged in my shadow. I turned back to the front, not waiting for a reaction, and I exhaled, watching the whistle slowly rise to the referee's lips…looks like some of the extra member of her peerage would still participate in some format.
Wonder if they'd trade me…too late for that I guess.
"HAJIME!" I heard one shout, and a whistle screeched. I made to launch, but I saw a familiar blue spark flicker to life beneath all the dodge balls, and I knew better than to follow the charge. I immediately, and to everyone's surprise, jumped backwards, carefully catching Rias behind me, and shooting off the left.
My hunch was right. The dodge balls flew off the line on their own, moving at high speed for their targets. They traveled in a straight line, something I had hoped for, and I hauled Rias up into my arms, before jumping high into the air, watching the balls fly by with hissing air currents in their wake. I landed with a thud, looking up at Sona.
"That was a bit unfair, you think?"
She just smiled dangerously, "We are battling one another, it would be foolish to not prepare."
Noted.
I released Rias, setting her down, and saw that Kiba had been taken out right off the start, despite being the fastest. The largest grouping headed straight for him, and while he dodged most of them considering how many are behind us, one solitary ball remained in out court.
He raised a hand in good sport, and walked off.
I walked over, picking up the ball, before I had an idea.
My training, it was more than repetition.
It was muscle memory. The sparing, the training, the waves, all of it was a drill.
I let go of the ball, tossing it to Rias, who caught it with a little bit of interest.
"You Throw it." I said calmly, before reaching back behind my hip, and swiping straight in front of me as a familiar faint glow burned brightly within my arms.
A gust forced its way into the heart of the gym, bouncing off the floor and pushing some of the closer members back. All the dodge balls behind us were sucked back into the arena to be used, and I grinned dangerously at Sona's rather stupefied expression.
"Don't think I'll forgive you just like that!" I said as I reset my arm for another swipe, power flowing to both of them this time as I spread my stance and crouched lower.
Maybe I could have a little fun…wouldn't hurt anyone if I was careful.
Sona immediately leapt about, collected a few of their remaining balls, and I swiped, rotating my hand from a paddle to a blade and slashed forward. A blunted crescent of wind barreled forward, altering the course of her most recent throw, and I leapt to the side, slashing with my other arm behind Rias's throw to boost its speed. It crashed forward, surprisingly so, although losing a good amount of accuracy. A girl tried to catch it.
And was sent skidding to the back of the ring, out of bounds.
The rest of each groups moved into the rhythm, and I bounced about in the center, hurling wind and pulling people out of the way. Issei and Saji seemed in their own world as they targeted each other, and only each other.
We all left them alone, there was something there nobody really wanted to interfere with.
Besides!
...I was having fun.
My entire body started to glow a light white, and I hopped on my toes, enjoying the utter feeling of energy coursing through my body. Sona recognized this, and I heard a command as a hail of dodge balls made their way over to me.
"Go!"
I felt time slow down, and I grinned in excitement as I reached forward with both hands, and grabbed the two leading balls in one snatch. I immediately began knocking them down as they came at me, some getting back up and returning to their throwers, while others never seemed to hit the ground, and stayed airborne only slightly. Rias and Akeno started running interference, casting small shields and using their own balls to knock some out, and take them for their own.
I was moving double time.
My arms were blurs as I danced on the spot, my eyes zooming from ball to ball, tracking motion and neutralizing as I went. I wasn't even sure how I was doing it, it was all reflex and reaction, input and response. I knocked two balls down at the same time, before kicking it up softly so it came to float off to my right, before I spun like ballerina and round house kicked it, deflecting two in the air with near perfect accuracy, and it went straight up. I threw both balls forward still spinning , knocking out two people as they were following my rather impressive demonstration with their eyes. I lashed out with another kick, a wide sweep that sent a pulse of wind at my airborne throw, and sent it flying back out of the ring. I didn't want it to get caught and strike me out.
I landed, a little dizzy, but able bodied and smiling like a maniac. This was insane! Was I always this good?!
'You've stopped doubting yourself' Ajax said calmly, 'you aim, you fire. There is no double guessing, no nervous fret. Couple that focus with the physical prowess to achieve it, and you prove yourself a gifted warrior."
"Impressive Gray, I did not know you had such talent." Sona said with appraisal, "I suppose I chalked up your athleticism to your physique, but your mind is as equally brilliant."
I blushed at that, nodding my head in mute thanks. I really didn't want to think that much into it.
"Perhaps I should save you for last!" she said with a smile, and jumped up, spinning as a magic circle grew around the ball. I guess all gloves were off huh?
"Shitori-Style Sinker Bomb Shot!" she called out, making me blink at the corny name, and she threw it.
But not at me.
If flew right past me, causing me to turn and watch with wide eyes as Issei immediately ducked his head, running for his life. Saji only watched in amusement, even offering a taunt or two as he just stood at the line with an evil grin. Issei was practically frantic, nothing worked!
He turned and ran, hoping to have me catch it, and I saw that the second he took his eyes off the ball, was the same second he lost. The ball curved forward, swooping low, before shooting off in a straight shot.
Nailing the bastard right in the balls.
I saw the ball lose all evidence of magic power, and bounce to the floor, Issei falling soon after… "I-It's all over."
The entire ORC ran over in concern, Asia on scene before the rest of us. I slowed down at seeing her there, and stopped a distance away…I knew she was afraid of me, so distracting her now would be a waste. I watched from the sideline as they argued, Issei holding onto his pants with pained determination…Man, I thought that only happened in shitty Harem manga.
Not that I have personally read any. Nope. Never.
Though the state of the game was fairly well. All of Sona's peerage was nearly gone, only herself and Saji remained. I still had Rias and Akeno, so a good ol' 3v2.
The game reset after they had a small rallying circle on the avengement of Issei's no doubt frequently self-used and abused testy's, and we were again at the starting line.
Different from the first though.
Akeno and Rias had the balls.
The whistle screeched, and they both let loose in opposite directions. Akeno's flew to the left, past me, and glanced off of a red Gremory barrier, gaining speed, and bouncing off another. Rias's was doing the same, but definitely much more powerfully as her ball actually glowed a dangerous red. I crossed my arms, unconcerned. It was obvious Sona was more preoccupied in dispelling the barriers as they arrived, and Saji trying to decide how to protect himself while getting one of us out.
Not a good time to multi-task.
Akeno's shot curved up and around, bouncing directly in front of him, and nailing him in a familiar place.
Right in the balls.
Different from last time though…nobody came to get him.
It's a hard life you live good sir.
"You're the last one Sona" Rias said, her ball returning to her, and her eyes glowed, "You ready to go?"
"You first!"
Suddenly, a ball soared forward at her, I didn't even see her throw it! I lashed forward, my arm grabbing it right in front of Rias's stomach, mere inches from contact. The force behind it was no joke either, knocking up Rias's hair and tearing at her uniform despite not even touching it. My arm felt like I just power slapped a block of concrete, but was healing rapidly thanks to my regeneration.
It's so cool to see it work by the way, never thought I could say "I heal fast", and actually heal fast.
"Close" I said, tossing the ball to myself as I shook my hand, "a little dirty, but I guess that's fair considering the state of the game."
She herself was rather surprised as well, "to think you could even react to that, an invisible ball without warning."
True, it was nearly invisible, camo'd to a "T" whilst traveling at high speeds…how did I even notice it?
Does it matter?
"Your body can now achieve what your mind attempts. Your limits have truly broken…welcome, to the Supernatural."
I bounced the ball twice, its dull thuds resounding as it occupied the space. Nobody talked, or even whispered, as if sharing my moment of clarity.
These people are Devils.
They're not Human.
We are all different.
That means they can take it.
They can escape injury.
We can tussle at a higher level.
I caught the ball in a single hand, before I slowly drew it up to my chest, and stared at Sona as a rapidly growing look of apprehension and nervous fret clouded her face. I extended my arm back, stretching my muscles as if pulling back a sling shot.
"You know, I've been your target for a while now." I said idly, lining my left hands thumb with her figure as if I was measuring distance, "It would be rather condescending of me if I didn't return fire wouldn't it?"
Sona spread her stance, squaring off as if preparing to catch it, a small smile coming back full force with an air of confidence, "Give it your best shot then, Gray Fortis."
We stared at one another, before I moved. I leaned and lunged, launching it without time to think. She's a Noble Devil, she can survive, hell, I'll bet she'll catch that and make me look like a dumbass. I was about to release, when I large screeching filled the room.
"TIME!"
I stumbled, altering course, and threw it into the ground as I tried to catch myself.
Probably a better thing in retrospect, as it popped and ripped upon contact, cracking the wooden wax and seal from the initial impact. I collapsed on the shattered rubber, mentally wide-eyed at my previous thinking. I didn't need her to catch it; I looked like a damn dumbass regardless!
I stood up, dusting off my pants with a small scowl. A few splinters had wedged up into my knees, apparently the floor had splintered all around upon impact, the wax utterly failing. Didn't know you could break a lamination like this, good to know.
I glanced up at Sona, who looked shocked, something I'd guess from the whistle, and I sighed, a victory is a victory.
"I believe the game goes to us, Sona." Rias said with a fair smile, Sona responding in kind, "Indeed, move out tonight if you wish to make his acquaintance."
Tonight? I thought tomorrow was the full moon, hence the point of this battle. What kind of shitty planning was this? I need to sleep you know!
I grumbled tiredly about the circumstances, before I just sighed with a smile. Well, at least it should be fun right? Familiars seem kinda cool…not that I'll get one obviously. I don't even think I could make a contract.
We headed back to the ORC, something I thought was pleasant considering the stroll. It was dark out obviously, the night in full swing, but the full moon and the healthy trees, the stars just seemed so much more beautiful in this setting.
Now would be the time my mom would say something corny like "everything is better with friends!" or whatever. I must not let her find out about this, I wouldn't here the end of it…she still searches my damn closet every morning after I leave, I can tell.
"Cheers!" I heard a sudden chant, and I blinked, realizing there was a drink in my hand and a considerably different environment then the moon. I quickly raised my drink in celebratory custom, and took a swig.
Ugh, I hate tea.
I hid it well, and smiled with everyone albeit with much less emotion. Issei looked damn near ready to explode with radiance. What did he even do anyway?
"The Occult Research Club has marvelously defeated the student council! You all made it happen!" Rias said grandly, standing at the head of the table.
"I feel bad that I was eliminated…" Issei said lowly with a small bit of chagrin. I snorted, "It was a heat-seeking dodge ball, none of us could have dodged it.
I only managed to avoid getting out because I could swat them away before they hit me. Fuck touching them, they were glowing, and that isn't a good sign.
"You made this, and raised everyone's spirit." Kiba said, raising up his headband, and I blinked as I looked at mine tied around my arm, oh yeah, forgot I had that. Everyone expressed their own praise for him, and Issei looked about ready to turn gay on the spot as he gripped Kiba's hand and gushed praise. Kiba chuckled nervously, and Rias set her drink down after another taste.
"Now, there's no time to waste, let's go get familiars."
A magic circle swept under us, and I blinked as it seemed to glow more powerfully beneath me than everyone else.
"Umm, right now?" Asia asked nervously, "We can only meet him when there is a full moon, he's a strange fellow, but there are no equals in his field." Rias replied with a head pat.
"Him?" I asked with minor curiosity, I felt like she might have already mentioned this at some point.
"The Familiar Master."
Huh…so…never mind.
There was a bright flash of red, and the world burned into existence…and I for one was a little caught of guard. When I pictured familiars, I expected a place of life…not to mention if there was a "master" of some kind, then they would be, theoretically, raised right?
This place looks like the cartoon wicked forest from the old Sleeping Beauty. Am I about to be eaten alive?
"W-Where are we?" Issei asked in a numbed sense of awe, and I summoned a small bit of power to my veins as I knelt, and looked at the earth with my own glow. Despite this place looking dead, the soil is actually quite strong.
"The forest where familiars are created." Akeno offered.
….created? Did they mean breeding ground?
"We got our familiars here as well." Kiba chipped in, and I blinked, so it's been like this for a while? No seasonal change?
We aren't on earth anymore, are we?
"This place does look creepy, like something's gonna lash out at me." Issei muttered, Asia moving closer to his back with a quiet mumble of agreement. I swear this girl had a spine earlier, do I freak her out that much?
"Newcome-Ack!" I heard a gruff male voice call from above, and I reacted. Power exploded out my legs as I took off from the ground, and closed in on him in seconds. My hand latched around his throat, and we fall hard into the ground, keeping him pinned under me, but making sure he was still relatively unharmed from the fall.
"Gray!" I heard Rias call out, and I stared at the man beneath me curiously, taking a moment to think past my instinct, "Are you the familiar master?"
"Yes!"
I let go of his throat, and hoisted him up, dusting him off with a few strong pats, and taking a step back.
"Sorry, just got back from a really intense magical game of dodge ball, a little high strung." I offered lamely, and he laughed nervously, "The fault is mine, perhaps not the best time to shine."
He immediately slapped on a wide smile and introduced himself, "Aye! Tis I the Familiar Master Zatuji. A full moon tonight, the best time to catch a familiar with in this bright moonlight."
The rhymes….they were on purpose.
I turned slowly to Rias, "do we need him?"
"Yes" she said with a knowing smile, and I sighed.
Catch a familiar huh… "catch"
This otta be really funny to watch. Just gotta make sure Issei goes first.
"So! What may you be looking for? Super strength? Speed? Or perhaps darling wings too adore?"
Issei's face quickly turned from one of rapture to perverted interest, "Actually, do you have a cute familiar? One that looks like a girl?"
Wow, I didn't think he would actually request that to start.
I really should have though huh?
"Tis always a shame, though it's probably your age and gender to blame. You want familiars to be useful and strong! Not some little charmer to slobber up your schlong."
…
…
Wow, his rhymes are more important than censorship as well, this guy needs to re-examine his priorities.
"Umm…I want a cute familiar as well." Asia said nervously, a hopeful smile on her face, and the man's face swapped from disappointment to sudden gracious compliance, like a grandfather spoiling a grandchild.
"Oh! Sure thing sweet cheeks!"
The Master quickly leapt from his spot into a direction, and walked on, "Follow young ones! This is a race against the sun!"
I tried to hide my sour expression, and followed.
For three steps.
"Wait."
I blinked…what?
I saw the rest of the group wander forward, chatting amongst themselves as they headed off. I tried to move, but my feet were like lead…why am I so tired?
They disappeared into the fog, and I slowly turned, wondering what was there.
"…Umm…ok?" I said blandly. They obviously told me to wait, meaning they understand speech to an extent right?
I stood there in silence, waiting for some sort of reply…and got none.
"Umm…hello?"
There was nothing, nothing but the low rumble of the forest, and my growing nervousness.
"Ok…well, good luck with whatever."
I turned to walk, and staggered, my vision warping as I collapsed to a knee.
"I need you."
"Strong."
"Alone."
"Wait."
"I'm coming."
"Wait."
I shook my head…my insides were turning, as if I was out at sea for way to long, and the earth rocked beneath me. I felt power blossom within me, and energy flared in my core, blasting out the befuddlement with gusto. I swiped at my sides as if I was blind, and skidded a way a few steps to face what was approaching…what?
It shimmered, the air seemed to collect around this figure that didn't touch the ground. I couldn't see it, my own vision blurring it even more moving forward.
I saw it seem to hover in front of me, and I gasped for air, standing up straight hoping my size would intimidate it, and I almost fell backwards.
The air suddenly changed.
It flared a bright red, and heat flared against my face as a familiar voice filtered through.
"Stay back! It will attack!"
Familiar master?
I blinked hard and saw the familiar outline of the Master, his back to me, and a torch in his left hand, a strange device glowing with demonic power in its right.
"Damn You!"
"He's Strong!"
"Let us see him!"
"Let us be with him!"
SET US FREE
Killing intent flared suddenly, and I snapped to my senses suddenly as the Master fell to his knee under the sudden pressure. My vision cleared, and I squinted at it closer. It was a dozen rushing faces inside a tightened whirlwind. Surrounding it, was a bubble, preventing them from escaping. However, even though they looked caught, they were still affecting the environment around them, the wind and skies more chaotic before.
"What are you?" I asked, losing my sense of fear as their anger wasn't pointed at me.
The familiar master got up slowly, holding his fire, and what looked like a little toy paper fan you would get at a circus.
"That my boy is a Ventus! A united one in fact!"
He stopped rhyming, must be serious, "What?"
"Venti are spirits of thunder and storm, destroying crops and homes was their purpose born."
Back to rhyming.
"They are very dangerous, mastery of wind of lighting. Keep your distance my boy! Their attacks are quit frightening!"
"We are born to Wrath!"
"Save us!"
Wrath.
I blinked in realization. Creatures of destruction? Do creatures under that moniker respond to the Sins in some way?
And that would mean that as the current Sin of Wrath…they would be loyal to me.
Quit a gamble.
I put a hand on the Master's shoulder, and pushed past him, his own hand trying to stop me was suddenly blasted off my a small shock of thunder, the spirits screaming in anger.
"I got this…I think." I said over my shoulder, and stood in front of the bubble. They swelled and struggled, the bubble holding them fast…there were several in there, I don't even know how I could tell it was more than one. Maybe they had unified to become stronger and try and get out?
"Name yourself." I said flatly, and they hissed and struggled, trying to break free.
"We cannot kneel!"
"Forgiveness!"
It wasn't in protest…it was in apology?
"How do I set you free?" I asked, and the man behind me nearly lost his mind, "DON'T RELEASE THEM! THEY ARE SEALED FOR A REASON!"
I turned over my shoulder, and I examined him. His hand was a dark and unhealthy shade of red from where he was zapped, and he was clearly suffering from whatever effects I was under earlier.
I turned back to them, "IF I am to set you free…will you swear your loyalty to me, as familiar and master?"
This was the familiar forest after all, had to give it a shot.
"Our purpose!"
"To Follow!"
"We abide by the Enraged"
"Release us!"
TO YOU WE SERVE
Ajax was silent, I couldn't go deeper for validation, and the familiar master was right, whatever they were in there for must have been a good reason.
But it felt right to release them.
I worked with my instinct, and my hand glowed a powerful white, the greatest glow emanating from my pointed finger, as I reached towards the bubble. They calmed visibly, the bubble becoming still as I reached forward.
"Name yourselves."
"Name us"
"Choose us"
"Our name is yours."
We Await you
I frowned, but I didn't question it, I pressed my fingertip into the bubble, and it rippled, like a stone thrown into a tranquil lake.
And it exploded.
Suddenly, black and gray winds whipped forward, exploding out like a smoke grenade with way extra power. The entire clearing was swamped in fog and mist, and I felt it suddenly gather, swirling around me.
I was in the center of a hurricane.
It swirled, slowly, an eye into the sky, before five figures seemed to emerge, the winds absorbing into them, creating wings.
And the biggest one was definitely the most imposing. Four of the spirits were smaller, maybe regular human sized.
The biggest was the size of a massive jungle tree.
They fell to the earth without a sound, and their appearances formed into humanoids, the four smallest actually becoming human looking. They were all pale though one was tanned, dark haired except for a pepper gray, and kneeling, their wings dark and stormy tucked onto their backs. Their heads were lowered, I couldn't see their faces. Two women and a man from what I observed…or two men and one woman. The largest regarded me with powerful glowing eyes, and I stared up at them. Their arms suddenly moved outwards as if expecting a hug, and their wings followed suit. They wrapped around us, completely closing us off from the world around, and I started to feel a little nervous. They were kneeling to me, so that was something…but the big guy was far from apparently "subservient".
"Thank you." I heard a voice say, and I turned. It was the pepper gray, and he looked up at me with a somewhat dangerous smile. His teeth were as while as fresh snow, damn near glowing as if under the sun. His hair was wild, sparking against itself as a gentle wind brushed it casually.
"What's your name?" I asked him, and he tilted his head to the side, "What is yours?"
Hmph.
"My name is Gray Fortis." I said flatly, and I waited. He bowed his head in acknowledgement, and raised it again to meet my eyes, "We are Venti, as described by that man outside her wings. We are spirits of storm and chaos, often depicted as malevolent and without restriction. We served chaos, but its voice has remained dormant for some time…Wrath was kind to us. We follow him."
"Name us." He said, but I was focused on something else.
"Her?" I mumbled vacantly, looking up at the looming figure that might have been considered angelic if not for the pressure she was exuding. So they had genders…that might make names easier.
I looked to the one who seemed to be speaking for the group, "Your spirits of storms? Wind, lighting, rain, that kind of stuff right?"
"Yes."
"Is there a Hierarchy amongst you?"
He looked at me curiously, before he looked up at "her". "She is our…guardian, I suppose she might serve as a leader."
Ok.
I looked up at the massive spirit, and I nodded, "Did you have a name you were partial too?"
She continued to stare at me, no comment.
"Then, as the leader and apparent strongest, I name you Aella."
I remember her being a Greek warrior, she was an amazon…it just fit I felt…I guess.
I felt the wind suddenly suck all of the available oxygen out of the air, and the Ventus I just named moved. She arched her back, staring up at the sky, and stretched out her arms as if to try and catch the stars. Her wings expended, the hurricane suddenly expelling outwards, and massive gray stormy wings cloaked the sky like a tangible fog.
And then she dissipated.
She dispersed, collapsing in on herself, until she was humanoid in shape and size, though definitely taller than a true human.
The dark cloud peeled off of her like a cloak, revealing her true appearance. Dark purple hair like farthest corner of the skies from a setting sun immediately stood out, running nearly past her butt from its impressive length. Eyes that were a brighter yellow than the strongest bolt of lightning stared at me with all the authority of its booming thunder. Her skin was smooth, definitely tanned and unblemished, stray strands of her hair dancing across it in invisible winds. Her clothing was like silk, clinging to her form without a hint of shame at what it outlined. Amazonian was the first thing that came to mind, being what looked close to seven feet tall. She was clearly fit, robust, and all in all, strong. Her musculature, her stance…she looked so strong, but so soft.
This is not what I should be thinking about right now.
"I will answer to the name Aella" she said, speaking for the first time. It was melodic, deep for a woman, like a temptress that had long since grown bored with the attention of men. I nodded at her comment, "I will answer to the name Gray, Pleased to meet you." I said in similar response, and I left her to ponder my reply while I faced the others.
"Did any of you have names you were partial too?"
They shook their heads, before remaining motionless, and kneeling.
I frowned at that, not wanting to cause an issue with unliked names, when Aella twitched, her wings ruffling as black steam seemed to race from her feathers in miniscule amounts.
"Our time is being cut short." She said simply, and I frowned further, before I realized something, and smiled at her nervously.
"You have known these three for some time no?"
"I have."
"Then, please, give them their names. I trust your judgment to their character and strength more than mine."
"They are comparable to High-Class Devils."
"I trust your judgment" I repeated, staring at her with a smile. She nodded slowly, before they all stood unanimously, and the wind suddenly picked up. Her wings unfurled, and wrapped around all of them, before they exploded outwards as a thin black fog, and snaked around my feet. I had a sudden chill seep into my spine, and I felt a small bit of horror crawl into my gut at the idea of them storing themselves within my body. I hopped to the side, and saw a trail of them whisp out from my shadow…interesting. They were hiding in my clothing.
Better than up my ass, by a large margin.
I need to stop watching alien invasion horror movies.
"Gray!" I heard Rias's voice call from afar, and I turned. I stared back at the clearing that I originally met them.
Where had the Master gone anyway?
I glanced around the clearing in confusion, before I saw his hat on a branch near the base of a tree. I followed it up, and I saw him, way up in the sky, hugging the very tippy top of the massive tree for dear life.
Was he afraid of heights or something?
Good time to silence him I suppose. I did a squat, a quick stretch for each leg, before I jumped. I immediately noticed a difference. It was as if I was completely aerodynamic. I didn't make a sound, there was no large rocketing clap of air when I took off…not even the dead scarcely attached leaves shook as I passed them at high speeds. I zoomed up the trunk, and hopped again off of another branch, taking me eye level with the Master.
And I floated.
I tried not to look gob smacked at the sudden lack of gravity, and I noticed that there seemed to be a large, tight current winding up the tree, allowing me to stand on the current like a surfboard on a strong wave.
"It seems my hunch was correct. I'll be taking these spirits with me as my companions. There is no issue correct?"
He stared at me fearfully, shaking his head.
"Can I help you down?"
He looked like he wanted to, but couldn't let go of the tree.
Was he that scared or something? Are these spirits more evil than I thought?
I shrugged, taking his panicked expression as a yes, and I reached towards the base of the top he was hanging from.
And I broke it with a strong punch.
The Master let out a long winded suppressed scream as he failed to fall, and I held him up like a flag as I started my decent, following the airborne current that the spirits probably made for me, and I set foot onto the soil once more.
I stabbed the now much smaller tree top into the ground, and let the Master hang there for a bit longer, clearly far more pale than earlier, and not making a sound.
I'll just leave him there.
I turned to the direction where Rias's voice was coming from earlier, and I started jogging that way.
They were a lot closer than I thought, as Kiba nearly broke his nose against my chest as we came hurtling around the same tree. Unfortunately, he just doesn't have the mass to send me sprawling, so our combined energy was simply transferred into his planked form as he splattered like a water balloon against the wall that was my torso. He landed on his ass harshly, and I immediately stopped and knelt, laughing quietly, and offering a hand.
"Damn, sorry about that, didn't hear you there."
Kiba mirrored my own chuckle, though with a tad more embarrassment, whilst holding his nose that was no doubt in good amounts of pain. "Same for you, how were you so quite?"
"Dunno, I got quiet steps when I'm in a hurry. I lost you guys, did you find any good familiars?"
Kiba nodded, "Asia managed to find a Dragon Sprite, a juvenile. A very lucky partner."
I smiled widely, a dragon! Wow! "That's awesome! What about Issei?"
Kiba looked the other way, laughing nervously, "Buchou and company eradicated his…preferred familiar."
Pervy bastard, you've done something stupid haven't you?
"We can't take our eyes off that guy huh?"
Kiba maintained his nervous laugh, and I just mirrored it in shared understanding, and I dusted off his back as he turned to announce his discovery of me.
"BUCHOU! I found him!" Kiba called out, and I blinked, did they make a search party?
"child of thunder"
"child of thunder"
"Child of Thunder."
I blinked, hearing a familiar group of voices chatter. I didn't hear those voices after I released the spirits…I wonder what that is.
"Did you say something?" Kiba asked, and I tried not to express my shock, "No, sorry."
That means they could hear them even when hidden. I don't have the whole "voices in my head" deal with them…that's good and bad. Guess we'll see how this plays out.
Child of Thunder though…Akeno uses lightning.
Hmm.
The tree's suddenly gave way to a group of devils, jogging in wings flared as they slowed their speeds. They were flying? How far were they?
"Gray!" I heard Rias call with relief, and I smiled and waved, wondering if I was going to get a hug or a slap, "Hey, still alive and in one piece…can't say the same for the Familiar Master though."
She slowed to a halt with the rest of them close by her side, "I'm glad you're ok!" she said with a wide smile, and hugged my torso like it was a tree. I laughed at the attempt, and I reciprocated the gesture, albeit a bit more loosely. She looked up at me after a small second.
"What happened?"
"Ah, I was summoned by one of the bigger powers in the forest…it was a weird feeling, but I couldn't really imagine not answering."
"What was it, a dragon?!"
I can see she was having a hard time imagining a monster stronger than what she had been exposed to so far. Not sure if that's a good thing or not.
"No, I couldn't really tell. The Master came in and prevented anything bad from happening though. He was pretty shaken, so I bet it was a big one. I think we should leave him be for now."
She frowned, "Are you ok? You sound more casual than usual."
I forced a blinked, "Wouldn't that indicate that I'm ok?"
She pouted, but it soon furrowed into a worried stare, "You are forcing it…what happened?"
I frowned, before I decided to divulge a bit of info to cover it. "…It knew I was the Goliath."
She seemed surprised by this, and I nodded, "I knew that I would be a hard to miss figure in the future...but I thought I had more time before I became so easily distinguishable. I guess I really can't wait much longer. Have you had any luck with my piece?"
She sighed, "We can speak further on this later, its high time we left this place!" she said with a winning smile, and I just smirked. Guess that's a no, but at least her spirits are high. I found Asia's blond head still hiding from me behind Akeno, and I frowned minutely. Did she know too then? I haven't even said a few words to her yet…does she fear me because I am essentially her god's enemy?
A little chirp brought my attention over to her new familiar, a juvenile Sprite Dragon. He was clearly regarding me carefully, unsure of what to do. He probably decided that his master's emotional state wasn't without reason, but I didn't seem to add up in his eyes.
He hopped off of her shoulder, crawled over Akeno's shoulder, and launched into the air off of her breast, floating up and staring at me eye level for a few moments. Issei, who was still clearly smoking from something, was waving at me wildly to watch out. I ignored him, and tilted my head. He mirrored my movement, and I tilted it the other way with the beginnings of a small grin.
He copied me again.
I raised my hand, and I channeled some power into my palm. It ignited into a faint white, glowing fluorescently as if it had a halo. The dragon focused on his with all his attention, before looking back at me, and snorted, a spark zapping the air below his jaw.
Acknowledgement it seems.
"Maybe all creatures can sense it, on some level." I said my myself, "I suppose it makes sense how they found me."
It floated back to Asia, comfortably retreating onto her shoulder underneath her golden hair. She refused to meet my eyes, even when her familiar acted so open with me, and I sighed, extinguishing the power in my palm.
"So, high time we left yes? I'm hungry."