Ok ok here is the next chapter the next should be out soon, I hope you all enjoy and thank you to Aroneden for there proof reading.
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Ichigo barely noticed someone walking to his desk, his eyes were down going over lines of words without really taking them in. His mind was elsewhere and he knew it, trying to think, trying to justify. "You have been staring at that paper for the last thirty minutes," Sona said gently. He blinked up at her then back down at the paper, "So either you have taken an unhealthy interest in what our school swimsuits will be next year," She paused to smile at her own joke, "Or perhaps you would like to talk to someone…I can almost be without bias when you are involved."
They were the only ones in the Council Room… well, except for Tsubaki, but she, like Akneo, knew to at least pretend they were not listening. Ichigo drummed his fingers on the table in response, unsure of what to say. "Rias told me about what happened with Yuuto last night." If she meant effectively renouncing his position and becoming a stray so that he could chase down two girls who used weapons that could kill him in one attack… then yes, that was on his mind right now.
"Yuuto you are my Knight you need to stay here."
The boy looked back at her, his eyes distant and cold. "I'm Sorry Buchou." Was all he said before closing the door behind him.
"I don't know what to do? The right thing would be to go out, find him and drag him back," It sounded, and would be, easy, "But I get him, I get what is driving him, I understand his hate, if I were in his place I don't think I would be any different."
Sona rested her body against the desk beside him. "So, you would feel hypocritical for trying to stop him?"
That was a part of it, yes. "Not just that, I would be doing the same thing, if… I don't know, Soul Society wiped out my family for some reason. The only difference between Kiba and me is that I don't know if anyone could stop me and those who might be able to, would not."
"Would that not be a reason to stop him then, if he is not strong enough to take his vengeance, then why not?"
"How would that change my hypocrisy?"
"Does that matter?"
Of course it mattered. "Just because I have power does not mean I can use it to get whatever I want."
"And if Kiba dies because of this?" His fists clenched. "You need to ask yourself what is most important, if your morals and family are at a crossroads, which path will you walk or will you chose not to move. I don't have a good answer for you, my response if he was one of mine would be to hunt him down, stop him from getting himself killed, followed by a firm discipline session, which would then be followed up further by lots and lots of counselling. However, with someone like Yuuto-san, that has a very real chance of not working. So I might try and find someone who could talk to him at his level, who understood him."
"And what could I tell him, that 'Hey, I would do the same thing, but you should not do it because it's bad'?"
"Tell me Ichigo. That event happens, but say one your family survives, what do you do first?"
"You take care of them." He blinked and looked to her.
"What if you have a great many people who are your family, do you toss them aside for vengeance? Is that correct?"
"No." He repeated. She gave him a look and nodded. "What if I chose to help him, to make sure he survived this?"
Her mouth twitched. "Theoretically, when I found out about such a foolish action, there would be serious consequences. Such action is uncondoned, unsanctioned, and highly dangerous, even for someone with mitigating circumstances such as being in two Peerages and having to deal with that." Translation: you can do that, I will understand, I still might be disappointed and you will be punished for it.
This was the difference between Sona, his girlfriend, who understood that he needed to do something; he needed to help, that he would never forgive himself if he let one of his family die while doing nothing. And Sona, the King, who had to look at all of this through the eye of not only one who needed to do the best for the most she could, but as a future leader of her race.
She must have hoped that he would find something better than a simple head first charge at the problem, but despite knowing that, she had given him the will to at least make a move. She had severed the Gordian knot in his head with the ease of a razor.
Ichigo stood up and let out a breath before drawing her to him in a hug. He did not kiss her because she had made it clear that unless she said so, school hours were off limits… at least for them. "Thank you Kaichou." Her expression was a mix of trepidation and understanding. She knew full well what she had done and accepted the consequences that might come. It said a lot of her trust in him that she believed even if he confronted the Church or the Fallen or whoever that he would win. That he would be alive to chastise should he do anything stupid. "I will think on what you have said, try to see a better path for this."
Sona let out a long sigh. "That is all I can ask for."
He took his stack of papers and moved to sit them on her desk. "I need to go out for a bit, now that I have my focus back, I need to go have a talk with…" He frowned as he pinged his senses.. "What are Issei and Koneko doing by themselves? We are supposed to move about in teams of three with all the threats going around."
"Rias thinks that they might be trying to figure out a way to help with Kiba," Sona said with a smile, "You are not the only one who wants to help."
That… that was an interesting thought. Issei had a unique perspective on things, such as the way his words had seemed to hit or even impress the exorcists. Mayhaps he would see the proper way. "Koneko did not mention anything to me, but I have not seen her since yesterday."
"Then it might be prudent to join them and perhaps see what is going on."
"You'll tell Rias?"
"I will, and I will also have Inoue-san near me in case intervention is needed and I will suggest that Rias do the same with Asia."
That made him feel a lot better. "Ok, I will see you in a bit."
She let just a bit of the worry in her voice slip out. "Make sure that you do."
Ichigo left the room and almost knocked over Reya, the girl had clearly been listening and gulped at his sudden appearance. The expression on her face was heartrending, the look of one who had never felt so useless in her life. He put a hand on her shoulder. "I will do my best to bring him back."
She grabbed onto his hand, the grip one of cold iron. "May I, may I please come with you?"
"You do know that..."
"I heard everything Kaichou said," she nodded, "May I come with you?" Her brown eyes were focused, resolved, it was at odds with the slight tremble in her body, but she was determined. Ichigo nodded and gestured her to follow, they quickly made their way up the stairs and onto the open school roof. Raising his hand a silver seal of power appeared as he forced the Power of his Imagination into action. It felt odd to be able to do something with it after only a few days of work, but the power itself was hardcoded into Devils and came naturally to them. He was not very good yet, Inoue had been able to make full clothing after a few hours as a Devil, he did an ok large piece of cloth. But that was not the important part, it was the same color as the clear sky above them and while someone might see movement, they would not be able to make out much of what it was. He had done particularly well as this one had a functional hood which he slipped on and gestured for Reya to come closer.
"Before I do a full stupid, can you teleport?" She shook her head. "Ok, grab onto me then." She stepped forward and after only an instant of hesitation wrapped her arms around his chest. Closing the cloak over them and taking a tight grip of her they shot off into the sky under the mighty force of his Spiritual Power. Faster and far less conspicuous than Devil wings as far as he was concerned, and with a few uses of Flash Step they were even less so.
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They had arrived, landed in a hidden spot and just made their way over to the cafe in time to see Issei and Koneko leave both headed down the street talking quietly. "Is this the part where we follow them?" Reya asked.
"In an anime, perhaps, but I don't really like to do that. I followed Issei on his date once and nearly got myself killed." The smallest phantom pain flared in his chest. "That was not fun, I'm going the direct route, besides, I think Koneko can smell me."
As if on cue the Nekomata tilted her head back, nose up in the air and turned, looking until she found him, standing in the open. He waved to both of them and gestured both of his friends over, Issei shot a quick look of panic at Koneko. Right... like he was going to jump to the assumption of cheating for comedy's sake. Koneko at least seemed to have her head screwed on right or at least as much as any of them these days. WIth a nod, she pointed at an empty table on the sidewalk and they all made their way there.
"Uh, hi Reya," Issei said, "What are, um, you two doing here?"
"Besides that fact that we are supposed to be in groups of three due to everything that is going on? I wanted to know what you two were doing to help Kiba." They glanced at each other, clearly nervous.
"And I am here to help too." Honestly Reya sounded the most sure of herself here.
There was a few seconds of quiet as neither Koneko nor Issei seemed to want to speak first, so Ichigo gave Issei his best teacher look and the boy caved a moment later. "I've been thinking about how we could help Kiba-kun, I mean he is a handsome bastard, but he's my…our family now. So I figured since the Church Exorcist girls have the same goal as Kiba we could see if they would be willing to work together."
Ichigo had to take a moment, taking in a long breath before exhaling. "So you are planning to work with people who want to kill us, who have been trying to do so since." He glanced at Reya.
"Genesis." She supplied helpfully."Since we even knew who each other were."
Issei shrugged. "So, It can't hurt to ask, I mean we both want the same thing and I guess we can go back to fighting after it's all over."
So this was his answer. In response to Kiba's plight it was as simple as going to help him and if he had to work with people who were his mortal enemies then so be it. It was frankly humbling in a way, Issei had come a long way since that normalish human boy trembling in terror at a Fallen Angel.
It was humbling to him too… he had gotten himself so lost in his own hang ups and worry he had simply not considered that he could just go help Kiba accomplish his goal. Sona had shown him a step, but Issei had just done it, made a decision and went about getting it accomplished. Consequences be damned, he was going to help his brother in all but blood… kind of like another young boy, charging the gates of the afterlife for the sake of a beloved friend.
"You do know Rias is going to…" He left the last part unsaid and glanced at Reya. "And Sona is going to be worse."
The bookworm looked calm and serene about that not saying anything. "That's why I did not ask Asia to help," Issei agreed, "I figured Koneko was tough enough to take whatever if was." Said Rook moved her hand to her butt, wincing in memory of something. "And I know its going to hurt and I'm going to beg and plead like a baby but," He shrugged, "Kiba is worth it."
Ichigo watched as Koneko stared into the back of the Pawn, something like respect touching her gaze. She noticed him watching and he mouthed. "Told you." She made a 'humph' sound. Still, perhaps it was time to go with the flow and follow Issei's lead and see where it led them. Honestly, before coming here he had almost never been the one to make plans, just the sucker who had to react to them.
"Well, I want to help him too and your plan sounds like a plan." A bad one, but who knew perhaps Issei could pull off a miracle. If not, he would be there to make sure it was not a fatal mistake, so it was a win-win. "I'll help you." He said.
Reya nodded. "It is not like an alliance like this has not happened before, usually the Fallen and the Church teaming up, but that is a precedent of a sort."
"Oh, ok." Issei looked a bit nervous they had simply agreed. "Um, well we need to find them then, I guess."
Ichigo closed his eyes for a moment then pointed. " Two streets up I think they are in the middle of a market or other sort of gathering, but there is no mistaking those swords."
"Oh, uh, wow, ok let's go!" Issei stood up, then paused. "Could you lead the way Ichigo?"
Ichigo nodded. "Over here."
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Ichigo really could not hide how disappointing it was to see two powerful Church Exorcists begging on the street corner for coins. For one thing the cloaks and the menacing sword wrappings did a lot to keep people away from them. Two, they did not sound very convincing, and three, why in the hell wouldn't the Church just given them money for such an important mission...well, perhaps they might not be expected to survive the mission and if so...assholes.
Issei being Issei just walked up to them. "Uh, are you two ok?" Both girls just stared at the Devil before almost moving to draw their blades. Issei seemed oblivious. "Do you need something to eat or drink, I wanted to talk with you two, but, um, you seem to be begging."
Both girls glanced at him then each other, then at the rest of them and finally at the sheer amount of people around them in the shopping center. As battlegrounds went this was one of the worst possible. "It's Issei," Irina told Xenovia, "He might be a devil now, but he is still Issei."
The blue haired girl gave her partner a withering glare that seemed to go right over her head. "We got some food last night so we are not that bad off, but we could use lunch."
"Ok, there is a nice place right around here." Issei gestured to them. "This way everyone."
A few minutes later both girls were eating, courtesy of Issei's wallet. Ichigo had gotten himself, Koneko, and Reya a little something as to not bankrupt the boy and said boy did not seem hungry. As the two girls finished Irina gave them a big smile. "Thank you so much, may God have mercy on you good hearted Devils."
Issei, Koneko, and Reya immediately grabbed their heads in pain as something subtle seemed to wash over them. Ichigo narrowed his eyes and sent out a flare of his Soul's Power, every mortal on that block felt the ghost of a subtle weight on them for a brief moment. When it faded his friends let out a gasp.
Xenovia was watching him closely as Irina winced. "Oops, sorry about that." She even sounded sincere.
Both he and the other Exorcist waited as the others yelled at Irina not to do that, once things had calmed down a little she let out a sigh and leveled a powerful glare at all of them. "So, what have you sought us out for?"
Issei glanced at him first then steeled his gaze. "We want to help you destroy the Excalibur's."
Judging by the shock on their faces this was just as out there as he thought it should be. Xenovia let out a long breath. "Why would you do that?"
"Because those weapons have brought great pain to Kiba-kun," Reya said gently, "Because of them he was tortured, chained, his family killed, his own body pushed to the breaking point." She gave them a calm look. "Have you heard of the Holy Sword Project...Exorcist?"
Xenovia met the girls accusing gaze. "It was a mistake, the Church was not aware at the time of the lengths to which things were being done, nor the sins of the one in charge of the project. When they did find out the Church sent its best to shut it down."
"Yes," Reya replied, "For all the good that did for the children who the Church was supposed to take care of."
"Even the church makes mistakes, it is run by humans, we are fallible creatures...having said that the church did fail." She gave a thoughtful look to the sky. "He truly is my senior though, that much is true."
Irinia had her eyes closed and her mouth moved in silence, once she was sure that her partner could not see her, Xenovia gave her a fond smile. "What is she doing?" Issei asked.
"Praying for the souls of those who died, she does that when she can't." The girl also closed her eyes and joined her partner in prayer. The Devils stayed quiet a feeling of tense unease among them...well, except for Ichigo. To him it was nostalgic and raised his spirit, or not his spirit, the embers of the other one within him.
"We will accept your help, with the understanding that you are trying to destroy the holy artifacts. While we are willing to do so, if we see the chance to recover them intact we will do that."
"Then we might have a problem." Issei said.
Xenovia nodded. "However, our enemy is a Cadre and we have not seen Kokabiel make his move." She made a humming sound. "Would you be against going after one of the Blades so long as you give us your word that you will destroy it and give us the shards as proof, I can see that working."
"But Xenovia we can't," Irina whispered, "This is our mission."
"One which we only have a one in three chance of surviving."
Irina nodded. "But we knew that going in, we knew that we could be sacrificing ourselves for our faith."
"That is true, but I am willing to sacrifice even my soul if it keeps the Sacred Relics out of the hands of the Fallen." Irina's mouth snapped shut in shock at Xenovia's words. "So we need to go find Kiba Yuuto." The exorcist asked.
"Ya we need to tell him about this."
"How are you planning to find him?"
Issei pointed at Ichigo. "He's sitting next to the fountain near the center of town," Ichigo answered, "Probably waiting for nightfall."
"Uh," Irina asked, "How did he do that?"
"I have no idea," Issei shrugged, "He just knows where everyone is, it's how we found you." Ichigo did not think Issei realised how threatening that sounded as both girls recoiled from him.
"Well, since that is that," Ichigo sighed, "We better get going."
"Ichigo," Reya said tugging on his arm, he glanced down, "There is one person I think you should call in on this otherwise she might be really mad you."
"Uhhh?"
"Tsubasa." She added helpfully. "You know the one person who is not with Kaichou at this moment, who is more than willing to face a punishment for you." Ichigo did not say that was because she enjoyed that sort of thing. "And she might feel left out and that would be bad."
"She is right," Koneko sighed, taking his hand, "I would feel the same way were our roles reversed."
Well… if they were telling him to do it and he seemed to be in the mood to being told what to do this day… why not. He took out his phone and punched in the contact number.
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"Yah, I would have been livid." Tsubasa agreed as they watched Issei explain to Kiba what was going on and what they were doing. "Kaichou is not going to like this."
"Consider the consequences a gift."
She snorted. "Just because I like that sort of thing, does not mean I can show her that, she might stop doing it." He laughed and put his arm around her.
Koneko looked up from where his other hand sat atop her head looking longingly at Tsubasa's height, unless he was sitting down they could not do the shoulder thing. "How is a spanking fun?"
The Rook smiled. "There are a lot of sensitive bits near the area being stuck; the force of the blows can set them off. If you can take a bit of a pain it can be quite fun, it's a mindset really. If you think you deserve it then it could very well be a punishment. But if you go into it ready for some action, well," she turned her grin down on the small Rook, "You'll have to just try it yourself."
"Bad Tsubasa, stop lewding the loli." He chided flicking her forehead.
"I...am...not...a...loli:" Koneko hissed…actually hissed, it kind of caught Tsubasa by surprise.
"I surrender." He replied, making his hand move extra fast and hard watching as she tried to stay angry, but just sort of fell back into bliss. He could feel furry appendages forming on her head and was careful to keep them covered.
"I'm shocked you even know that meme." Tsubasa laughed. "Kaichou getting you that updated smartphone was a mistake."
"Why do I feel so bad that we are joking, but can't stop?" Koneko asked.
"We are all nervous and worried, you could cut the tension here with a knife and we might be very well going into battle with and against Holy Swords." Ichigo nodded. "We are all tense and joking helps... plus with Issei in charge of this whole thing I don't need to be the one to talk to Kiba and given that my thoughts on the matter that is good for you, I would be doing the same thing." He sighed. "I'm glad Issei's better traits are showing, notice he has not even looked at the Exorcists' boobs once."
"Did not stop him from looking at Reya's boobs."
"Can't have everything Koneko-chan."
They all tensed as Issei stepped between Kiba and Xenovia as both looked to be ready to start a fight. They all went quiet to listen. "I understand your hatred of the Holy Sword Project, it is one of the greatest shames in modern history to the Church. You must know that all of those who had part in that atrocity were either executed, or if they could not be caught exiled and excommunicated. I tell you this because we have reason to believe that Valpar Galilei could be part of this."
Kiba's eyes went flat for a moment before returning to normal. "That man… has a great deal to answer for."
"With a name like 'The Genoicide Archbishop' that seems to be a given." Irina added helpfully.
"Besides, we are not hiding the fact that if we can recover the blades intact we will, however, one is promised to your group to destroy." Reya had been quiet up to this point and even now she did not speak. Moving as if on instinct she put a hand on the Knight's shoulder. His burning eyes flickered to her and she gulped, but held firm. His eyes softened and the Magic Circle on his hand fell away, seeing that Reya let go and stepped back. "Hearing that, I do not have any reason to say no."
Xenovia nodded and let go of her weapon. "It is settled then, we will meet you tonight at the old church." She paused before leaving. "I will pay you back for the meal one day, Red Dragon Emperor Issei Hyoudou." It was a thanks and a threat, telling him that she knew exactly who he was. Issei seemed to miss that part and scratched the back of his head and gave her a smile. "Ok."
The exorcist smiled just a little and lead her partner away, Irina gave them a beaming smile. "See you later friendly Devils." They watched them leave, waiting until they were out of sight and earshot before speaking. Kiba turned to look at them all, pausing on Reya beside him and Issei the longest. "Why are you all here?" He asked at last.
Issei actually laughed at that. "We are family and you need help, besides, you have helped me before."
"And me." Reya said.
"And me." Koneko added.
Tsubasa kept quiet and Ichigo just nodded, Kiba tilted his head at the Rook. "What are you here?"
"Cause my boyfriend asked me to help."
The Knight blinked hard and shook his head. "No, no, no I don't want any of your help."
"And?" Issei asked.
"What part of that do you not understand? I know what I am doing could very well get me killed, I am not going to get anyone else I love killed in my place, not again, not ever."
Ichigo did not think Kiba noticed, but Reya's eyes went flat at his words. "This is about my personal revenge, my first family was killed by the Church. Cast aside as useless trash, they gave themselves so that I could live." He closed his eyes. "We prayed for God to help us but he did not, either he did not care or perhaps he considered it all his will."
'No!' Ichigo vibrated with that word, and he knew the answer, how could a God answer prayers when he was dead. How could an Angel who had never been meant to be in charge, hear every voice that cried out. There was a new sensation, one of Wrath as bright and hot as the sun, the rage of an Archangel who had learned the truth too late.
"And I ran," Somehow this seemed like a confession, something he had wanted to say for years, "I ran so that I could live, so that one day I could make what they gave me mean something. That I could make sure this could never happen again." His breathing was hard. "This is something I need to do alone, because if I die I am not taking any of you with me."
He was caught off guard as Reya slapped him… hard. She was not a Rook, but as a Devil was stronger than a human. Kiba was a Knight, speed was his defence so the blow knocked him sprawling on his ass. Issei gulped and took a step back as Reya slammed her foot down and towered over the Knight where he lay. "What the hell do you think going off and dying will accomplish?"
She bent down and grabbed him by his shirt collar. "You think that you just get to go and die and nothing will happen? The bonds you have formed with your family will just disappear? Do you think your life is so worthless as that, do you think the Rias Gremory would have taken such a person into her life? You have friends Yuuto, friends who love you, friends who are willing to go against the orders of our Kings, who will make deals with our greatest enemies, who will face the Holy fucking Swords of the Church itself because you want revenge." She had him halfway pulled off the ground now, nearly eye to eye with her.
"While none of us can truly understand what you are going through, we can empathise, we can understand your desire. The Peerage exists to further the goals of every member, to go hand and hand into the future. The Kiba I know would have never forgotten that, he would have never turned his back on the women who saved his life, and he would never, not in a million years, throw away his friends." She dropped him and half stormed away, Tsubasa moved in front of her and gave her a comforting hug as Kiba just stared after the normally quiet librarian.
To be fair they were all pretty shocked by the outburst, Issei of course was the first to break that silence. "Ya...what she said and add in that I'm going to help you whether you want in or not."
"Same." Koneko nodded.
Ichigo just gave Kiba a look and said nothing, he was a Guardian, there was nothing that he needed to say. Besides, he had done a lot of ill advised things for family, so long as he kept an eye out for the others this would not even rank on his top ten.
Kiba gently moved a hand up to his cheek, a red handprint emblazoned on the side of his face. Reya was not looking at him, her fists were still clenched in anger and it looked like she might be crying a little into Tsubasa's shoulder. For his part the Knight was stared at her like it was the first time he had ever truly taken note of the girl. Slowly he looked at all of them once again, their eyes set with determination, in fact blue Soul Light burned in Koneko's eyes and Ichigo could feel her Soul twist and hiss like a cat ready for battle.
The Knight bowed his head. "I'm sorry." His shoulders dropped his voice broke. "Please, please help me avenge them… I can't do it alone."
Ichigo walked up to the boy at the same time as Issei, they both reached out a hand and pulled him off the ground. Ichigo nodded at Issei who grinned. "Of course, what is family for Kiba?"
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Rias, Sona, Asia and Inoue sat in Sona's house. They sat in one of the rooms which had heated steam rising from the floor, coating their naked bodies in sweat and condensation. "Ohhhh." Inoue almost moaned as she stretched. Rias almost felt intimidated by the girl's impressive bust, less than a cup smaller than hers, and since she was in the range of an F-cup the difference was not all that much.
"I agree." Asia was laying down on one of the benches, luxuriating in the steam. "This feels really, really good."
As Rias and her best friends had been in this place more often it was somewhat less effective on them, sure it felt good, but they were used to it. "So what are you hoping Kurosaki will do?" she plied Sona.
"Honestly, I am really hoping that one of yours might convince your Knight to come back on his own and abandoned the foolish endeavor. But since I am a realist, I think that what will most likely happen is that he will step in when Kiba gets in over his head."
"Not join Kiba in his revenge?"
Sona shivered. "It's not outside the realm of possibility and I knew that when I helped him. Right now we will have to wait for the reports from our Queens." Rias nodded and twisted with her back a little, wincing. Sona rolled her eyes. "Turn around." The Gremory Heiress gave her a look of pure gratitude and did so. Both her Bishop and her best friend's Bishop turned to watch as Sona pressed her hands into Rias's back. There were some issues that came with a chest size like hers, and though Inoue could have just erased the pain and Asia could have healed it… there was nothing quite like the feeling of someone's hand pressing into the pain and making it fade. "Honestly, if your body was a bit more reasonable in proportions this would not happen." Sona grumbled.
"It's not my fault," Rias feigned a swoon, "I was drawn this way."
"Oh, Oh," Inoue bounced in place, "Who framed Roger Rabbit?"
"Very good," Rias complemented, "My Brother likes that movie, though I heard his Wife threw it out when their son was born."
Two lights flashed as the transparent figures of Akeno and Tsubaki appeared floating over Rias and Sona's crests. The spell itself worked by an exhaustive process of imbuing the communication spell and symbolically linking it to an item of the same type. It created a link between the two items which allowed for the closest thing to untapable communion. Before they had become what they were, it would have been inconvenient for the amount of power involved plus the item stopped working after a few uses. Now it was just an effort, which was nice when Fallen Angel's and Church Exorcist's were in town and would have loved to hear what the enemy was saying.
"We have some news." Tsubaki said.
Akeno just shook her head. "You are not going to believe this Buchou."
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"How goes your mission?"
The figure that stood over the small bowl. "Well, my lord, we intercepted the messages intended for the usurpers. So long as they do not decide to come here, the targets should receive no help at all."
"Keep an eye on things, but do not reveal yourself."
"Of course my lord."
"Excellent, even if none of our targets are killed make a full report on anything you can observe of their powers."
"It will be done."
"This is the last communication you will receive from me, until we meet again face to face. Do not disappoint me."
The face vanished as the symbol for the old Satan faction flared upon the water, then vanished.
The man let out a long sigh staring at himself in the mirror. He was a slight man, a nondescript man, with salt and pepper hair, a normal nose, normal face. He was easy to lose in a crowd, he was one of those who lacked great personal power. So he used what he had to it's best effect, his true skill was hiding his power so well he could be mistaken for a human.
It could be a valuable trait for any sort of mission that had to do with the mortal world. With a nod he returned to his hotel bed, it was empty and cold, but in this town of all places you did not want to leave any evidence of your passing. Not even in the memory of a mortal pleasure girl, and while some might have done that and removed the memory the extra effort and steps required could each backfire and he had no desire to leave anything he controlled to chance.
With that thought he flicked on the tv and settled in to let his mind turn off as he watched pointless mortal news.
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As Irina settled in next to her partner for the wait until their… allies showed up, she spoke about something that had been bothering her. "You did not tell them that we did not and could not stop the Father Vasco from continuing his mission."
"I saw no need, it is not our issue or even connected to our mission." A familiar smile touched her partner's face. "And if he decides to make a move while a good portion of the Devil's strength is otherwise occupied...well, it's not our fault."
Irina felt a little ill at hearing those words, somehow they were both facts and a rebuke. Just another reminder that she was not as good as her partner. Xenovia was a better sword fighter, had better control over her light, was more determined, undaunted. She was the one in charge, she was willing to be ruthless in her prosecution of the war for the Souls of Humanity.
It was not at all what Irina had thought this would be like. They were the forces of the Church, they exposed the Demonic taint to the Light and cleansed it. They broke lies, they told the shining truth to those who had gone from its Light. Or at least that was what she imagined, all this sneaking and plotting… it just would not sit well with her. She sighed and pulled her hood lower over her face. Yet another reason she was not as good.
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Well everything is shaping up to quite fun, we had anger among the devils, doubts among the exorcists, players in the shadows moving pieces and of course the batshit insane Kokebel on the horizon, fun, fun, fun.
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Comments of the week
Lineras91
The only critique I have is that you neuter Ichigo when Xenovia was talking down to her to prop Issei more. Ichigo should at least stood with Asia and provide a shoulder at the start. He wouldn't act passive in that situation. It feels seriously out of character, more so say "Hey, Issei is here and he might get with Asai." than an actual portrayal, like with Kiba. Even there it feels a bit off, since Ichigo is kind, but Issei has a better showing of it.
I can see why this could be interpreted as such, but I was going for a group scene. Amway Asia is not going to Issei, I have said that several times.
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HollowIchigo12
Good chapter and I look forward to seeing to how Vasco tries to fail or stall his objective as long as possible.
Is Asia being targeted by Vasco's superiors because she unknowingly has evidence that the biblical God is dead? That is one of the reasons I can think of for why they would want her dead.
Not sure if that was intentional or but many of the devil characters in this chapter were able to say the word 'God' without being punished for it. As far as I know only Ichigo and to an extent Aisa have this ability to far. The exorcists should have been freaking out or wondering what was going on if characters like Rias, Akeno and the others are able to say God without feeling pain doing it.
To the first question, try and think a little more political, what could the devil faction do with a well known saint that turned to there side?
To the second part that was my mistake I will have to fix that later.
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DefconDeciver
I was wondering if you given any thought to the god of the holy Bible being a Holy Trinity rather than simply a wise old man in the sky that was romanticized and popularized during the Renaissance. I wouldn't expect too many people in Japan to have ever heard of the Holy Trinity, but the idea would have interesting revelations about the World of DxD. The Holy Trinity consist of the Father, the Son, and The Holy Spirit. The way God's system works in DXD cannon feels a lot like it's dependent on the Holy Spirit, if not the Holy Spirit itself.
The Holy Spirit is what uniquely connects the God of the Bible to his followers (Religious scholar's debate on whether that connection extends just to baptized and faithful Christians, all the way up to all sentient life in our universe). A lesser known religious theory, is that Jesus Christ and the Michael are the same person, as both were said to have been seated at the right hand of the father/god. This theory in the DXD setting adds further context and meaning to why DxD Michael is trying to fill in for the heavenly father.
I did think about this while I was planning this story, but after reading and rereading how the church works, im not even sure Jesus is a thing in dxd. So I have mostly been working with has been shown. Though I have changed up the powers of the Archangels to make them more fun and unique like the devils.
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I don't remember who said it (probably either you in a previous chapter or Third Fang in his DxD story) but I have to agree that in canon it seems like someone was working against the interests of the church by sending Irina and Xenovia alone with two shards of Excalibur to stop Kokabiel it's like the church is trying to hand him two more shards as they can't beat Kokabiel hell I doubt they could even defeat Freed.
An again you throw me for a bit of a loop as I half expected Vasco to be after Ichigo for some reason rather than Asia as she's really not all that much of a threat to the church, unless you have something more planned for her character than was ever shown in canon. Even in Balance Break Asia would have to focus on healing a group such as the Maou if war broke out and that would leave pretty much everyone else who's hurt screwed in the long run lol
Its not Asia's personal power that makes her dangerous, is what can be done in her name and image, as well as one other thing that will come up later.
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Aesir19
Those of power in the Church placing a geas on Father Strada to kill Asia is easily believable. One could say that the burning of witches and demonizing of healing knowledge from older religions/civilizations were similar attempts to remove things which may have threatened the Church's power over the people (not to say there weren't very bad witches).
Given Asia's aversion to violence and lack of any combat ability, mandating this task to Vasco is total overkill. One would conclude the Church is expecting devil resistance and collateral damage to certain devils she is associated with.
You have gotten most the reasons Asia is being targeted or at least the reasons being used to convince people she should be targeted. There is more but that will be revealed in time.
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Comment of the Week
Knives91
I don't think the Church comes with 'act of Ichigo' insurance. Those poor, poor idiots. They won't survive his reprisal should a hair be harmed on Asia's head.
"How much for the insurance?"
"Two billion sir"
"Why?"
"It says that you have made personal enemies with one Ichigo Kurosaki, believe me that does not come cheap, I would suggest making peace with him before this."
"Shit but I kidnapped his sister"
"...get out of firm"
*explosions in background*
"Fuck"