Finally realized I forgot to watch The World's End. Watched it yesterday, expecting a fun drinking movie but instead I got a slap about existentialism through Gary Fuckin' King. Brilliant acting from Simon Pegg and Nick Frost

12 pubs out of 12 beers, would get watched and drunk again

ok enjoy


Death's Chosen


[VII]

||Defying Fate||


"A harem?"

Yumi said with a tone of incredulity and ridiculed look as her classmate described his rather simpleminded reason for exercising yet not really farfetched coming from him. Nevertheless, it took her a while to decipher that was really his dream.

Didn't explain why, however. "Why?" She asked with a soft giggle, smiling along, playing along as she jogged next to him. She was in her school tracksuit, while Issei had another jersey and shorts. "Out of all the things, you work out because you want a harem? How do you plan on doing that, Issei-kun? Not all girls are attracted to muscles alone, you know."

"Well, some girls do!" He replied optimistically, making a turn past the chattering mothers with their kids on strollers. "Besides… I know how weak I am right now, Yumi-chan. How can I protect my harem from the baddies if I'm weak?"

Yumi giggled. "Well, first you need to find girls willing to be in your harem."

"That's the plan!" A plan he had planned since he was twelve – which meant he had been planning this super plan for five years with an astounding zero result. "Before you judge; I'm working on it, alright."

"I can see that you've been peeping on the kendo girls." The Knight tittered in good-humor. "Is that a part of your plan?"

Expecting a stuttered mess, Yumi instead received a strait-laced reply with a face as straight. "Nah. That's just a hobby."

That threw her off her guard a little. "Y-you really are without shame aren't you, Issei-kun?"

"Yes ma'am." Issei laughed, as if he was proud of it. Until he remembered Tiamat who was even more shameless. Compared to her, he's probably a saint. Then again, that was more due to the fact the dragon did not live under a human or most supernatural's moral code. Like not getting naked at a bloody public space or why she shouldn't kill a human for just speaking to her because they weren't worthy.

That'd be a worry after this. He couldn't just space off and ignore the cute girl running next to him. "What about you, Yumi-chan?" he asked, his words bouncing along his feet. "Why do you devil?"

"Why do I what?"

"Why do you devil? 'Devil' as in a verb, y'know."

"Oh." Yumi smiled. "Hmm… well…" There had always been one and only one goal; to avenger her friends. To bring justice to those responsible of torturing and killing her friends as if they were nothing more than tools that could be forged and reforged. No more than expendables.

But she didn't need to tell that to him. "I guess… I just want to try something new?"

"Try something new?" Issei's tone was the astounded one now, completely buying her lie. "You become a devil because you want something new? Damn, Yumi-chan, that's hardcore."

"I guess I am a hardcore girl myself." She tittered. "You don't think it's for me?"

"W-well, I mean I'd never woulda guessed… I mean, look at you, Yumi-chan. You're good-looking, cute, you're smart, and I don't think there's anyone in our classroom who doesn't like you. Hell, maybe the entire school. Actually, same like Rias-senpai and Akeno-senpai. Of course I wouldn't think of it."

"Fufu, I guess looks do deceive."

"You got that right." Issei replied as the constant chanting of a random-poem-turned-to-a-song drummed within his thoughts, repeating itself like a his own personalized 'Eye of the Tiger'.

Fuck them all
Fuck them quick
Your dick won't fall
While they're thick

Indeed. The song repeated in his mind as they moved to the playground area – not so much to play in the slides and push other kids away, but with some chin ups at the outdoor pull up bars build his biceps and back muscles, which would be consisted a set of 20 chin ups with 20 repetitions; as per Balthazar's suggestion.

Since Yumi had received Akeno's transmission regarding tomorrow's plan to assault the fallen angels, the devil chose to sit this one out, sitting at a bench not far to his left.

She watched the boy brought his chin to the bar, before lowering his body down, repeating the process with an ease that no normal boy should possess, not to mention he only had a five minutes break after thirty minutes of jogging. His stamina could match or even surpass hers; a devil who had been one for two years. Even though her dexterity and agility were her strongest points, this was nothing to be overlooked. Her King was right; Hyoudou Issei's physical growth was unsettling.

Yumi had no idea what kind of Sacred Gear he held, and neither did Rias. But who could've possibly thought an honest pervert like him would be blessed with such gift?

Only to waste it on growing a harem… if it was hers, she could've…

She erased those dark thoughts. Not now.

But those dark thoughts clouded her minds as she felt a sharp holy aura prickling her skin like rain. She subconsciously sent a glare to that direction, and as she had thought, it was the same nun from yesterday. Precisely as Koneko mentioned.

She might look kind, but Yumi always remained on guard, no matter how innocent this sister looked.

"Ah! Asia-san!" Seeing his blonde acquaintance's arrival, Issei leapt off the pull up bar, keeping his small towel hung by his neck as he approached the sister. She smiled when she saw him, but her smile was short-lived, and was replaced with pure distressed frown. "Wh-whoa… Something wrong Asia-san?"

She shook her head. "O-oh, it's nothing. It's good to see you again, Issei-san!"

Issei supposed during his road to be a good liar, he could tell who was a bad liar. This nun was one in particular. He could see something was bothering her, but he didn't know if he should pry yet.

But the least he could do was try to cheer her up or distract her off her problems. "And me to you!" Issei said chipperly. "I was just wondering if you're gonna be here. You from the church?"

"Y-yes." Asia replied, convincing nobody. Sisters make a very bad liar, he thought. Comes with the job he supposed. "…Issei-san. I…"

{Something's wrong, I can feel it. The devil's feeling the same too, most likely.}

Asia pressed her small lips tightly. She looked as though she was about to burst into tears. "Wh-why don't we sit first? Oh right! I'm with my friend today." Issei cheered, leading the distraught nun to the devil – which might not be so great of an idea if this devil wasn't Yumi. "Yumi-chan, this is Asia-chan. She can't speak Japanese though."

"H-hello, nice to meet you." The sister bowed, "I'm Asia Argento."

Yumi momentarily paused, only realizing Issei was talking to the nun in other language, possibly English. Her being a devil had broken the language barriers, but it would raise questions if the nun heard her in Italian, while Issei in Japanese.

Hence, Yumi spoke in English as well. "Yumi Kiba." She said with a gentle, unassuming smile. "Nice to meet you to, Asia-chan."

The nun beamed a sincere smile at last, though it lasted as long as the earlier one. She didn't seem to realize that Yumi was a devil, which meant she wasn't particularly strong that the Knight should start to worry. Nonetheless, it was easy to see she was uncomfortable.

"Huh. You two really look like sisters up close." Issei mused. "Have a seat Asia-san. I'll just stand here since I kinda smell." Issei laughed self-consciously. "I'm gonna grab a drink from the vending machine. You girls want anything? My treat."

"Oh my, there's no need to include me as well, Issei-kun."

"N-no! It's okay Issei-san."

"Baaaah- it's no big deal. I won't get poor just from buying a can of fanta." The boy insisted, waving a hand while he patted his short's pocket, which contained his wallet.

Yumi smiled. "Well then, in that case, I'll have a cold black coffee please."

Issei made a face. "Really? In this hour? Damn, you really are a hardcore girl."

"Fufufu~ I told you so. What do you want Asia-chan? It's okay, don't be shy."

"H-hm?" Asia flinched, not really paying attention. "U-umm… I'll have water, thank you Issei-san."

"Water? Come on, have some sugar! I'll go get you a soda yeah?" He left for the nearby vending machine before Asia could say anything else. Pushy as it was, Issei felt it was the right thing to do. Unless she had diabetes.

Watching the boy jogging away, Yumi took the chance to ask what Rias would ask. "So, Asia-chan." she started with a friendly tone. Always a friendly tone. Lower the nun's guard. "How did you get to meet Issei-kun?"

"Y-yes? Oh… I met him yesterday here." Asia let a smile. "I-I'm new to this town and I got lost… Issei-san helped me find where I was supposed to be. He is a kind person… I'm thankful to God that I get to meet him."

A minor headache, but not enough for Yumi to wince. "We don't have much Christians here. Protestants or Catholics. And looking from your clothes, are you a sister, Asia-chan?"

"Yes I am!" Asia giggled. "Is it that easy to tell? W-well I guess it does look different…"

"Do nuns always have to wear this kind of clothes? I'm just curious."

"Umm… not always. B-but I wear this because it helps me feel at ease. I guess it's… pretty weird isn't it."

Yumi hummed. "Ooooh… no, no, not at all." She then giggled. "You look cute in it, Asia-chan."

"W-w-what?"

As Asia shone like a red lantern, Issei returned with a can of black coffee and grape soda, and a bottle of cold mineral water.

"Here you go- one for you, and one for you-." Issei said as he handed them their drinks, opening the bottle of mineral water for himself. "-and one for me."

"You didn't let her have water yet you have it yourself? Tsk, tsk, Issei-kun. That's not a way to charm a cute girl."

"Cold water tastes best after a workout!" He defended, laughing, listening to the sound of a freshly opened can of soda as its gasses fizzed out the small drinking hole. He only heard one, though, only noticing the nun was staring at her can with a mystified look. "What's wrong Asia-san?"

"U-umm… Thank you very much Issei-san, but how do I open this?"

Issei shared a glance with Yumi, who looked just as surprised. "Wait, you don't know how to open a can of soda?" Asia innocently shook her head. "Woah, do they not have one these in Italy?"

"I-I believe they do. I've never had one before." Asia replied, a light giggle carrying her words, looking just a tad bit embarrassed. "I'm actually pretty excited… hehe."

'Holy shit, this girl's precious.' Issei thought. And Balthazar agreed. So did Yumi. "Here, let me show you. Yesterday's a tour guide and now a teacher." Asia then handed him the can as Issei provided a live demonstration. "So you see this little hook thing here? You put a finger in it and give it a yank. Give it a shot Asia-san."

"O-oh okay!" Through sheer will and effort, and after a few thrilling seconds, the sister managed to open her first can in her life, and found a certain odd satisfaction at hearing the fizzing of the soda. "I-I did it!"

"Congrats! Now you get to drink it; a reward for your hard work. Just don't stick your tongue in there. It's sharp."

Yumi tittered. "You're hyping it out like she's achieved something grand."

The two classmates laughed as they watched the sister shudder all over; the obvious effect of the fizzles of the carbonated drink crawling over her face. Asia flailed a hand then like she was pummeling the air.

"W-wah! It feels all tingly! And so sweet! A-and sour- and very unhealthy I'd imagine…"

"That's a sweetened carbonated drink for you." Issei complemented. "But this is the first time you tried one? I mean like, damn. Were you like, kept in a secluded space faraway from civilization and vending machines or something?"

Yumi stared at him in slight disbelief and marvel. "I didn't know you can make a difficult sentence and say it perfectly in English, Issei-kun."

"I watched Monty Python."

"Ah."

Asia replied. "Um… yes I was. I lived in an abbey from as long as I can remember."

"What's an abbey?" Issei blinked.

"A church, more or less." Yumi answered. "Only more royal, I guess, and used by religious orders. Is that right, Asia-chan?"

"Yes." Asia smiled. "It houses monks and nuns for their services to God."

"You too lived there eh? So why are you here?" asked Issei, leaning on one foot. "I've been here since I was born but I've never seen a nun until today, to be honest."

When Asia cast that sad frown, Issei kinda wished he didn't ask. "I… did something I wasn't meant to do. So I was cast out about a week ago. B-but someone found me and took me in, so all is not lost! I'm not alone because God is with me."

Issei paused for a moment. 'Huh. Is it just me, or is she telling herself that?'

{To convince herself? Aye. Something caused her faith to waver, boy.}

"What about family members? Don't you have any relatives?"

"If I do, I don't know." Asia smiled weakly. "When I was a baby, I was left to the care of the abbey. I do pray I can meet my family, in time."

Never a great feeling to learn someone was orphaned – or worse, abandoned by her parents. 'Duuuude.'

"You're a strong girl, Asia-chan." Yumi said kindly. Actually meaning it this time.

"O-oh but I'm not! If I'm here, it's because God is with me." The sister clasped her hands together. "He never once abandoned me. And I get to meet Issei-san and Yumi-san. If it's not for Him, I wouldn't be here, I believe."

The headache was starting to sting like a bee, but that didn't dither her. "What about the bad stuff that happens to you, Asia-chan? I'm sure you're a good person, but it's not like bad stuff don't happen to you, right?"

Made sense for Issei. If she was that devoted and this kind, what kind of god let those stuff happened to her?

"I don't understand either, myself, Yumi-san." Asia smiled, clutching her cold can. Yumi had a feeling someone had asked her this exact question before. "But I think that… it's better to not know. I-I think. If we make sense of the suffering of the innocent, and understand why it happened to them, and makes us stop asking questions or getting sad… and not moved… a-and unbothered by the sufferings of the innocents, I'd rather not know why. But I do want to help if I can – in alleviating the suffering of others. Even if only for a little bit… I think that's why I am here for."

"So you think it's okay to not know why you're here? Don't you get angry a bit?" Because Yumi certainly did – until this very moment. "You don't blame anyone or anything?"

"N-no!" Asia replied, shocked at the suggestion. "I-I don't need justifications or- or answers why I was left in the abbey… or why I was exiled… I don't want to be angry or mad- I just want to do what's good."

"Aww, Asia-chan. You're such a good girl." Yumi said as she patted the sister's hair. It might mean nothing from a devil, but someone should let her know.

"W-wah-" Squealed Asia, whose cheeks flushed red from the gesture.

Issei froze as he marveled this small, frail girl, who was far stronger than him. 'Dude. Don't you think this is kinda unfair for her? I mean look at her! She doesn't even get mad. If I was in her shoes, I'd probably get pissed off.'

{The world isn't fair, boy. It isn't and never will be. The rich get richer, and the poor stays poor. Most people live for their own advantage rather than working for a fair world. Knowing this depresses you, lad, because as the girl said; you care that the world still isn't fair. She's well aware of this at such an age. An admirable girl, she is.}

'Yeah… That's easy to see.' Issei muttered as he watched Asia drink another gulp, squirming as the cold beverage coursed through her. 'So what's the point in gods?'

{That's the question Death ask.} Balthazar chuckled. {Gods stay the same while humans suffer. They remain in their pearly houses while humans strive to live. While humans survive, gods laugh and drink away the faith of your kind - The 'Rising Ape' who can never match a god. They control nothing. They don't control the weather so your crops can grow. They do not control luck. They do not control your fate. You do. They offer nothing in return, let alone think on giving anything of equal.}

Issei gulped. That was certainly shitty of them if that was really the truth. '…But not all gods are like that, right? There's like what- a few hundreds of them at least?'

{Two and a half thousand. Give or take a few hundreds.} The remaining from the original ten thousand until Death's judgement. {The chance of finding a god who understands and empathizes with humans is similar to find a needle in a haystack.}

'Oh. That's… that's kinda sad.'

{I'm aware of you wondering why Death chose you, boy. Never asking because you're afraid of offending Him. This is why. Because they've done nothing while people – good people such as her suffer every day, struggling against fate to survive – as you have. You may not share the same difficulties as hers, and may belittle your own struggles compared to hers, but it isn't by chance that Death picked you, boy.}

{He knows if given the right tools, you can, and will make the difference.}

Issei stared at the palm of his hand, and then at the two cute blondies getting chummy with each other.

Making a difference…

A chance to be more than his current self; a teenage boy who had no idea of what he wanted to be other than gaining harem members which was only a distant blindingly hopeful dream he thought of himself to make him feel he had a purpose.

To mean something.

That was what he wanted all along.

That, and a harem. He still wanted that.

Balthazar laughed heartily. {-hahaha! Of course, boy. We can't afford to overlook your own personal dreams in the quest for Death's, can we?}

'W-well now that you put it that way…'

{It's fine. Boss doesn't mind so why should I. Maybe it's aligned with His plans for all you know.}

'…Seriously?'

{Beats me.} Balthazar shrugged his dragonic shoulders, as a change of air occurred within Kuoh's town park, as Issei finally realized there were no live other than theirs anymore. The sound of children's laughter died out, and the atmosphere felt unwelcoming as the orange skies turned into a dark shade of purple.

Something was coming, something was bound to happen.

Again. In this godforsaken park. {…This seems to be a running theme.}

'Some kind of a lame running gag or something…' Issei almost sighed while Yumi had instinctively stood up, her eyes sharp and ready. 'This is what… the fifth time something has to happen here?'

{At least it's not near the fountain.}

'True.' Issei responded blithely, only getting surprised as Yumi casually drew out a western sword seemingly out of thin air. Looking like a sword he often see from historical Hollywood movies.

Asia naturally flinched, worriedly looking at all places.

Issei was taken aback by the sudden appearance of the blade; he nearly fell on his ass. "D-dude! Where'd you get that sword?!"

"I made it." Yumi vaguely replied. "You can feel it too don't you, Issei-kun?"

Issei made a cool face, smirking. "No."

"…" Yumi lowered her sword, disappointed, before lifting it back up and taking a stance. "Right. I forgot you're not one of us. Someone's coming, and whoever they are, they have an immense holy affinity. It's almost as if they're-"

As if on cue, a man with straight white hair and white garbs with green coat emerged from the park's path, approaching them with the least intent of exchanging pleasantries.

"-an exorcist." Yumi seethed.

That explained why Issei couldn't 'sense' him like he did the supernatural. This one was a human.

"Bonjour!" the man saluted, strolling towards them with a cheery persona that made Issei felt uneasy more than welcomed. "…Wait, that's French. Well who cares?! Because I don't. Tell you what I care though! You! Senorita Asia- wait that's Spanish. Eh fuck it."

The weird man with definite mental issues pointed a finger towards the sister, who visibly recoiled. "Y-yes, Father Freed…"

Issei studied the girls. He got that Yumi raised her defense because he was an exorcist. But what about Asia's reluctance? If she was with him, she shouldn't look afraid.

"Th-thank you for today, Issei-san, Yumi-san."

"Now you hold on for a bit, Asia-chan." Yumi said, both eyes at the priest with a taunting look on her face. "Know him or not, you don't want to go back with him."

Worry invaded her pretty face. "Y-yes, but I have to."

'Shit, should I get involved?'

{I'd suggest you to back off and let the devil handle it if you want to keep your limited free-from-troubles days off.}

'Dammit-'

"What? Wait, wait, wait, hold on a fuckin' sec…" The man called 'Freed' said as he crossed his hands, observing the blonde girl.

'Exorcists can say curse words?'

{The twisted ones can.}

"Oh shit- no wonder my inner radar is beeping- you're a fuckin' devil aren't you?!" Freed exclaimed almost happily as he reached inside the pocket of his green vestment, taking out some kind of a tube, before it shot out a beam of light. "You hang out with a devil again, huh Asia? I thought you knew better!"

Asia looked towards Issei, horrified. "A… a devil?"

"No, not him you dolt. Her."

"Yumi-san?!"

"Heh. He's right Asia-chan. I am a devil." As if to make a point, two jet black bat wings emerged from her back.

"That's… is that a lightsaber?!" Issei subconsciously shouted after staring at the cool blazing sword every Star Wars fan would die to have. He wasn't one, especially after the last few movies, but he still admitted this Jedi and Sith's trademark weapon was pretty awesome, completly forgetting the fact that both Yumi and Asia were getting uncomfortable. "Where'd you get that?"

"Fuck yeah it is." Freed replied with a smug grin. "Cost an arm and a leg… of a devil's, that is. Lucky me- looks like I'm gonna get a new one later on tonight~ Now be a good bitch and siddown while I cut you limbs to limbs."

"Right back at you." Yumi smiled, but she smiled the smile that Issei had never seen. Filled with bloodlust and eagerness to a fight.

"Damn. She really is hardcore." Issei commented. "Also, am I awake right now?"

{You are!} Balthazar blazed, {How many times will I have to repeat killing is an everyday business for their world? Get your head's straight and make a decision, boy!}

"F-Father wait!"

Freed waved his lightsaber. "Ah-ah-ah~ no excuses little Asia. I'll forgive you since you didn't know- see? I can give mercy. So be a good little girl and scamper away, or stay! And marvel as I deliver unjust judgments upon these sinners."

"…Wait, me too?" Issei pointed at his face.

"Of course!" Freed cackled, "You don't fool me you idiot. You know she's a devil, that's why her wings don't surprise you! And you know me, whoever-"

"No I don't, really."

"Shut up and let me finish. Whoever's a friend with a devil, is not much better than a devil themselves, and give me enough reason to rid them of this okay-ish world." Issei didn't appreciate the way his face shifted from one emotion to another with ease. From comical to dead serious. "You hear? I'm killing you after I kill her, boy."

Issei paused. "Don't you think that's a bit… judgmental? I mean, I knew her before I knew she was a devil, so technically, I'm friends with Yumi-chan and not a devil."

"What garbage nonsense are you spouting? I don't care if you're his brother or boyfriend, I just want to kill you."

"Okay. So you're a psycho. That makes more sense now, see. Why didn't'you just say so from the start?"

"Yes, yes. I'm a holy psychopath. Happy? Now shut up and die!"

As Freed rushed towards him, Yumi stepped over to meet his blade with hers. Sparks flew, and the two stared each other down.

"Fuckin' bitch. If only nuns have body like yours."

Yumi pushed him through force, swiping her sword so the exorcist jumped a few steps backwards. "Get her away from here Issei. I got this."

They moved almost like a blur even with his trained eyes. Whatever dopamine this priest took to match a devil, he wanted it.

After a flurry of exchange of their swords, the two backed away from each other.

"You're pretty fast, for a shitty devil!"

"And you yourself, for a mediocre exorcist."

Freed laughed, and drew out a pistol. "You're pretty on the outside, true, now let's have a look on your insides!"

No sounds of a gunshot ever exploded, but Issei momentarily saw a bullet of light whizzing through the air, like a firefly but way faster and possibly lethal. Dodging the holy bullets, Yumi's sword dissipated as another sword emerged in its place. Shadowy black blade and black grip.

Issei had to blink twice to make sure he was seeing what he saw, because it looked as though the sword was eating the bullet instead of deflecting it.

"Tch, you're a Sacred Gear user too? I thought that thing was supposed to be special! Hell is up with that beardy old man?" Freed muttered in disgust as he switched target. Him. "You're not, though."

"Oshit-"

Before Freed could fire a single shot, Yumi dashed after him and pushed him back as the exorcist parried her strikes. "What are you doing here?! GO!"

{You better listen. You've no weapons, boy, nothing you can use against his light sword, at least. No use relying on strength if you have no technique either. The devil should handle herself fine.}

"Dammit, again?! When will I get to say cool lines?!" Issei gritted as he held Asia's hand. "Let's get outta here Asia-san."

Asia hurried with him, running as fast as her feet could carry. "B-but Yumi-san!"

"She'll be fine! Hopefully!"

Not far away, Issei felt a tug on his hand, like a deadweight dragging him down. He stopped, and looking back, found a disheveled, exhausted nun with both hands on her knees. Winded and already out of breath. "Ha… ha… I-I'm sorry Issei-san… this is as far as I can go…"

"This is only 20 meters! You can even still see them- but argh alright- I'll carry you then!" He knelt in front of her, his back facing her. "Go on, hop on! Make sure to cling tight so I can feel your ches- so you don't fall. Yes, so you don't fall." 'What the fuck Issei, this is serious.'

After slapping himself mentally, a light shudder. That shudder. He looked past his shoulder, way past Asia, back at the clashing swords, and gazed up.

Raynare.

Buzzing lightspear in both hands.

"SHIT- YUMI! ABOVE YOU!" Issei scrambled to his feet as Asia haplessly watched him run back to the crowd, frozen in complete panic.

{STOP, ISSEI!}

Issei did, hesitantly. "FFFUUCK!"

The Knight realized another foe had arrived untold. She tried to break away, but Freed held her wrist in his grip as he added more force into his sword. Using her Sacred Gear came to mind, but she couldn't unleash it without making direct contact to the ground with her hands or swords.

She heard Issei screaming her name as Raynare dropped behind her, and felt a thrust on her back, burning her from the insides, as the lightspear burst out of her chest, its purple glow stained red with her blood.

The exorcist jumped away from her, cursing. "Goddamn bitch-! Yo! Ray-Ray! Watch where you point that fucken' thing! That was inches away from my nose!"

"I don't care and don't call me Ray-Ray." Raynare hissed.

Her unholy sword slipped off her weakening grip. Yumi felt cold and hot at the same time, gnawing at her chest. Maybe it was from the rushing adrenaline, because she didn't feel much pain. Maybe she was in too much shock that her body hadn't registered the pain. Either way, all she felt was a tug as Raynare pulled away the lightspear off her.

Her knees hit the ground as her hands fell uselessly to her sides, her vision getting darker and colder.

"Yumi!" Issei screamed again. The panic in his voice stabbed her soul, tearing her off from her dazed trance she had fallen into. Her King appeared in her mind first, before the smiles of her lost friends sunk deep.

She couldn't die yet. If she did, that'd meant they had died all for nothing.

"What're we gonna with to her? Can I use her for a bit?"

"I don't care." Raynare spat as she saw Issei in the distance, the one responsible for her miseries. "Just get me the girl first and you can do whatever you want her. He's mine."

"Nice." Freed grinned. "Lend me a bit of holy water will ya? I don't wanna stick my dick in some unholy pussy."

"You kiss your mother with that mouth?"

"Ew no. Are you kidding me? Incest is something else." Said the mad exorcist as he knelt next to Yumi, who fell onto her hands. "Tsk, tsk, not so fast now aren't ya?"

"Sword…"

"Hm? What's that? You want me to pick up your sword before I stick mine in you?"

"Birth…"

As light blue magic sigil formed beneath him, Freed could only make a face before a dozen blades pierced his entire body, shattering his bones and ripping through his flesh. Through his jaw and his skull. Through his crotch and through his spine. Crimson blood splattered everywhere, oozing out from every hole on his body. The only thing Yumi regretted was that the exorcist died too quick.

Yumi smiled, tasting blood in her mouth. A small retribution at the very least, before darkness enveloped her vision. Her swords dematerialized shortly afterwards.

Issei froze in complete horror as the mangled corpse collapsed to the ground, staining it in sickening red as his pinkish entrails slipped out.

"H… holy shit."

"Tch. Useless prick." Raynare muttered. "At least he did his job." And that was to bring the Holy Maiden all over to Japan – to her. With her dead, only the boy stood between her and the girl. "You… I'll kill you when this is all over. Hand over the girl," a lightspear erupted within her hands. "or she'll die."

"For fuck's sake, are you kidding me?!" Issei cursed his luck, deciding to not look at the disfigured exorcist since Raynare's body was more enthralling and less bloodied. It didn't help. That image would forever scar his mind. "What the fuck- what the fuck man?! You- she! HIM?!"

{Calm down, boy. If it's any better, that's hardly the last time you'll see a dead body.}

"How is that any better?!"

Raynare tilted her head, thinking this boy had finally lost it.

{You'll get used to it?}

"I don't want to get used to it!"

"Shut it, idiot." Raynare bit. "I don't want to speak to you."

{Well, get your shit straight, because you're not the only one here!} Balthazar snapped, dropping his charade. {The girl, boy! Your friend risked her life for hers, so are you going to simply stand here and lose your nerve, or will you settle down and make a difference?!}

Issei sobered. He needed that slap. "R-right!"

Unfortunately, he sobered up late, as Asia had run over to Raynare, intent on surrendering herself.

"Please Miss Raynare! I'll come with you, but please let me help her!"

"Whatever. Get on with it." Raynare was already tired from all of this to care, as long as she got what she wanted, and purposely avoiding the boy in case he did something that surprise her again. She trained her lightspear at Yumi's back while Asia knelt down, placed her hands above her gaping wound, as soft green light coated her palms. She did her best to not pay any mind on the dead priest lying next to her.

Balthazar didn't miss a thing. {Ah. Twilight Healing. So that's her Sacred Gear.}

'Dammit, what do I do?! What CAN I do? Is she gonna die?!'

{No she won't and there's nothing.} Balthazar stated with grim finality. {It's too late to act now. You move, and she'll whisk the nun away and kill your friend. The best course of action, as for now, is inaction.}

'All that training and all I can do is nothing?!'

{You trained so you can fight!} Rarely ever did Balthazar raise his tone, but when he did, Issei felt his entire body just trembled. {Don't delude yourself, boy, you trained so you can learn how to fight. So you can wield anything and turn it into a weapon. So you can use your bare fists as weapons. But what good will that do to you if you hesitate?

{You could have carried the nun away and possibly draw out the attention of that fallen angel, but no. You didn't, and now the fallen angel not only has your friend, but the sister as well. Look at your friend Issei! Look as she bleeds on the ground. Look at the nun's tears as she clearly blames herself for what had happened. Look at them, and carve it deep into your memory.

{Let this be a lesson to you and serve as a reminder for yourself, that this is what happens if you hesitate.}

His heart was rushing as was his adrenaline, but Issei had never felt weaker in his entire life. Something he had never to occur once he was chosen by Death. Yet fate could twist without regards, striking when he had his guards low.

He saw Raynare speaking something to Asia who was slowly getting up. As Raynare's two black wings enveloped her, her face churned with sadness as her evergreen eyes fell on him, as if to say she was sorry.

"Wait-" Issei murmured as light bathed the two, "Asia… don't just give up…"

"Please don't, Issei-san." Asia muttered tearfully, halting his steps. "Thank you very much for being a friend and listening to me, but please don't… I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me. Goodbye, Issei-san."

"Come on, don't say those sad things-" Raynare rolled her eyes before Issei could complete his sentence, and completed her teleportation spell as they disappeared into the light. "…Asia? …Shit."

Inside his soul, Balthazar huffed. {Don't beat yourself too much, boy. These things happen.}

'She thought this is her fault…'

{A sensible reaction.}

'Why can't she just blame me for fuck's sake…'

{Why? So you can justify your failure better?} Scorned the Void Dragon, {Save it, boy. Guilt is the most useless feeling a human can possibly have. Instead of guilt, let this motivates you. Tomorrow, I'll teach you how you use your powers and abilities, and perhaps then, you can get a shot in redeeming yourself. But until then, cope with it. Your friend's healed but she's still unconscious.}

"R-right… yeah… This is just… not fair."

{Hey! Do you hear me boy?! Life doesn't care if it isn't fair to anyone! You, her, that dead priest, everyone's the same! You can't always save the day like a big damn hero, so suck it up and deal with it.}

'Okay, okay! I'm sorry!'

Issei rushed to Yumi's side, lifting her on his arms because he wanted to get away from the body as soon as possible. The park was just as dead, even after the purple hues had gone away, no one but him and the unconscious devil were there, and no one ever found out that Death had cleaned up after the mess, dissolving the body into a mere lump of compost, waiting to rot.

Idly, His ever-watchful gaze fell upon Hyoudou Issei who had scrambled to another park bench, several distance away from the site as he laid his classmate there, shaking her by the shoulder in hope she would come to.

Today, a bitter loss. But to say nothing was gained would be wrong. Death saw the growth in the boy's heart. A resolve He wanted and expected; to do whatever it would take to protect those that was dear to him. The very exact resolve Death needed, so the boy could fulfill his role as His Chosen. A significant leap on his journey.

"To have a meaning, hm?" While this was no surprise for Him, Death found it almost endearing, that the boy was well aware and fully conscious of himself; a pervert of little significance.

With a chuckle, Death levitated the spilled can of soda and black coffee, along with the half-empty water bottle, stowing them in their respective dumpsters, before disappearing to guard His sister, who happened to be walking around Rome's Colosseum, giggling like a little girl because of some chipped rock, no doubt troubling her new Greek friend to death.

Or, as she called her, "Hephy".


To be continued


I'd say sorry for killing off Freed this early but I'd be lying. His presence was weak through the entire dxd storyline. Actually, almost all villains are

It's a harsh and serious ending for a chapter, but it's needed to get Issei to man up. AND FINALLY. I can start giving him powers.

I don't know why, but Robin Williams was constantly on my mind while I was writing this chapter. Didn't even see any of his movies or standups, this awesome dude just popped into my mind and stayed there and made me emotional because I started to remember all my childhood makers that have passed away.

I'm gonna rewatch Good Will Hunting, and I recommend you give it a shot if you haven't yet

Aight cya bois next chap. Follow, favorite, review, and maybe you'll get lucky tomorrow