"What do you mean the swords are missing?!"
Xenovia stood up from her seat and slammed her hands down on the desk. No matter how many times she stared at that empty case she refused to acknowledge what she was seeing. The Holy Swords COULDN'T be gone. There was just no way! She wouldn't have been so careless as to grab the wrong case.
"Like I said, you miscalculated." Akeno calmly shut the case and placed it beside the desk. "You trusted your partner far more than you should have."
At that moment, she was seeing red. That little fool! Irina must have stashed the swords away somewhere in the Church shortly before they left. She was never planning on letting Xenovia take the swords to Kuoh. She took the decision completely out of her hands before the journey even started.
"Unfortunately this puts us in a bit of a bind." Akeno calmly reached over to a nearby kettle and poured herself a cup of tea. "Your only bargaining chip is gone and Rias isn't here to vouch for your character. The presence of a Holy Sword User on campus is naturally...making some of the others a little bit nervous."
Xenovia felt a lump form in her throat. "So...what happens next?"
"I'll need to get in contact with Sona." She explained while picking up the old fashioned phone sitting on Rias's desk. "She'll know what to do."
As she went to punch in the keys for Sona's number, lightning danced off her fingertips and power surged through her body. Xenovia felt her heart thudding in her chest as the phone began to ring.
"She may be busy." The Vice President observed with the phone up to her ear, her nails gently strumming against the wooden desk as they surged with electrical energy.
The phone continued to ring and Akeno smiled at the Holy Swordswomen.
"That wouldn't be good." She spoke plainly.
Xenovia was in trouble, no mistake about it.
At that moment, the door to the Chapter Room opened.
"Hey Akeno, we've got guests." Koneko commented bluntly.
The Vice President placed the phone down and quirked a brow at their Rook curiously. "You mean besides her?"
She nodded. "Those two perverts and their girlfriends are here."
"Really? I wasn't expecting them quite so soon."
"Oh yeah, and also the gay one." Koneko added.
"Very well." Akeno placed the phone back on its pedestal before motioning with her hand. "Please send them in."
The Rook nodded and left. Leaving Xenovia in a tense stare off with the impossible to read Queen of the ORC. Moments later, Koneko returned with five humans in tow.
"So this is what the inside looks like." Aika marveled at the gothic decor as they wandered into the Chapter Room.
"Man...they don't mess around with the decor, do they?" Matsuda pointed out.
Saya scoffed, seemingly unimpressed. "A little on the nose if you ask me. I mean pentagrams? How obvious can you get?"
"What are you guys doing here?" Xenovia asked worriedly upon them entering.
The whole group beamed at her.
"Good to see you're doing okay, Xenovia." Rei commented with a friendly tone.
She smiled at her. "You as well. How is your back?"
"Stiff, but I'll live." Rei assured. "We're more worried about you."
"Yeah! When my Uncle had you arrested like that we didn't know what to think." Motohama added.
Akeno couldn't help but crack a small smile. "My but haven't you lot certainly become close since joining forces. I can see why Rias and Sona have expressed interest in you."
They all gave the woman sitting behind the desk peculiar looks.
"Wh...what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Saya asked nervously.
"Perhaps we should start at the beginning." Akeno offered before standing up from her desk. "Please, everyone take a seat on the couches while I make us some more tea. There's a lot we need to discuss."
Akeno poured tea for everyone before covering everything they needed to know. About the ORC, about their nature as Devils…
...about Jon.
It was a lot for them to take in. But the more she explained the more it became clear to all of them that this weird rabbit hole they'd fallen down went a lot deeper than they initially realized.
"So even the Honor's Committee is run by a Devil Peerage?" Aika pondered this information in absolute bewilderment.
"Every aspect of campus life is controlled by our combined families." Akeno explained. "Kuoh Academy was conceived and funded by both the Sitri Clan and the Gremorys as a means for Rias and Sona to study alongside humans and gain knowledge and power over the mortal realm."
"So...this whole campus was built purely for the sake of two people?" Rei asked in disbelief.
"And here I thought I was entitled." Saya muttered to herself before taking another sip of her tea.
Akeno giggled in amusement. "Your families are all indentured Demons of our combined houses. That's why you were given access to the campus." Her smile faded somewhat upon turning to Rei. "Well...except for you, Dear. You were something of a special case."
Rei lowered her head solemnly, upon which Matsuda wrapped his arm around her waist assuringly.
"Initially, we were going to respect your parents wishes and NOT bind you to our service. Your parents wanted all of you to live normal, human lives and given everything they've done for us we felt they were entitled to that request." She smirked at them. "However, given everything that's happened, that will most likely change. Once our President returns with her Pawn, we may need to discuss a more long term arrangement for the five of you."
That made them all nervous. What was it they would be expected to do?
"In the meantime, I believe there is a matter you can help us with." Akeno moved on to the next issue. "As Xenovia so kindly explained, the Holy Swords thought to be in her possession still remain at the Church near the edge of town."
She nodded in confirmation. "The Fallen Angels still think we have them, but it won't remain that way for long. Once the invasion kicks off, they'll be gunning for her."
"Along with every healthy human seeking refuge there." Akeno added. "If something isn't done, they'll all be slaughtered."
"So why haven't you done anything then?" Saya challenged.
"The short answer is we can't." The Vice President explained bluntly. "My Peerage is stuck here until our Master returns. And Sona is busy preparing for the primary invasion force's arrival alongside our other ally the Phenex Clan." She then grinned at them. "You lot, however, might be able to help us out."
"Us?" Matsuda asked nervously. "But...we're not Soldiers. I mean, yeah we did alright against the zombies, but I'm clueless about fighting a real war."
She shook her head assuredly. "It shouldn't matter. Between the three of you…: She motioned to Motohama and Aika as well. "...you should be more than capable of getting past any stray zombies that might be in your way while our main force keeps the bulk of Kokabiel's army at bay."
Motohama narrowed his eyes at her quizitively. "So...what would we be doing exactly?"
Akeno grinned at him wickedly. "We'll be sending you to the Church to retrieve the Holy Swords. Consider it your first assignment as newly realized Demons."
Saya shot up from her seat. "You can't send them back out there all alone! Powers or no powers it would be suicide!"
"Have no fear, I've no intention of sending them alone." Akeno turned towards Xenovia. "You will be going with them. Consider this your chance to redeem yourself."
Xenovia nodded in understanding. "I'll do it."
"In addition. We'll be sending you with a Devil who has exceptional experience when it comes to warfare and modern combat. He will act as your squad leader during the assignment and guide you through the city."
"It's still too dangerous." Rei insisted, her grip firm on Matsuda's arm. "We should go with them."
"I can't allow that." Akeno insisted apologetically. "The two of you have yet to develop any powers of your own." Her smile returned. "However...as I understand it, Lady Sona and her Queen are both very interested in changing that."
Saya and Rei both gave each other weird looks before returning their attention to Akeno.
"While they carry out this field assignment. You two will be assisting in the lab. That is what has been decided."
"This is even assuming Irina will give up those swords willingly." Aika spoke up. "What if she tries to fight us?"
"I somehow doubt it will come to that." Akeno assured. "You see, we're not just going to have you retrieve the Swords, you'll be rescuing survivors as well."
Matsuda immediately perked up. "We will?"
She nodded. "In exchange for her compliance, we will agree to offering every civilian in Irina's camp shelter from the coming storm. Thousands of lives will be spared." Akeno then added with a slight edge to her voice. "But ONLY if she agrees to give up the swords."
Saya grinned wickedly at her. "So that's it then? It's not so much a negotiation as it is an ultimatum. If she doesn't comply, those survivors are as good as dead."
"Which means she'll be given no choice this time." Xenovia observed. "Knowing what I do of Irina, she won't let innocent lives suffer even for something as precious as the Holy Swords."
"We will have the swords one way or another." Akeno assured. "Even if we have to walk over her corpse to get to them. This is the only solution that keeps her and the surviving members of this city alive."
Xenovia frowned in guilt. She hated forcing Irina's hand this way. It felt like she was stabbing her old partner in the back. But what choice did they have? Akeno was right. Without Kuoh's protection they were as good as dead.
Matsuda stood up from his seat, a look of determination in his eyes. "I'll do it."
"Matsuda?" Rei cast him a worried frown.
"I couldn't do anything to help those people back at the flat." He spoke painfully while clenching both his fists. "But now I've got a chance to use these powers I was given to save others from sharing their fate. That alone to me is worth it."
Though she still bore deep concern in her eyes, she couldn't help but smile at him all the same.
"I'm with you too." Motohama declared, standing up as well. "If we let these Fallen pricks attack Irina, we're basically giving them permission to kill her. That doesn't sit well with me."
Saya scoffed at him and rolled her eyes. Though inside, her heart was racing nervously in her chest.
"I'm going also." Aika declared with a prideful grin. "You idiots would be clueless without me. And besides, you're not the only one who needs to clear their conscience, Matsuda. I owe it to a certain teenager to make sure those survivors get somewhere safe."
Akeno smiled at the three of them. It was hard to believe that this was the same group of goofball humans she would see hanging around Jon on campus. The virus may have mutated their DNA...but these spirits? That was entirely them.
They would make incredible Demons, of that she had no doubt.
"Now then, we're giving you a day to train and prepare. I've taken the liberty of finding instructors for all three of you. Listen well to everything they tell you and you'll come out of this alive. I guarantee it."
Matsuda couldn't help but feel like the 'training' he was expecting to receive wasn't exactly what had been initially advertised. When Akeno explained that he'd be training with badass Orcish warriors he was thrilled.
Instead, he was sitting in a war tent, quietly trying not to scream like a little girl while one of these giant creatures tattooed his arm with ancient looking tools he somehow doubted were sterile.
"Be still." The Orc working on him grumbled in annoyance. "Or the Tat will not come out correctly."
"Yeah but…" He clasped a hand over his mouth to stop himself from puking. The pain was beginning to make him nauseous. "...why am I getting this? What's the reason?"
"All warriors trained by the Wolf's Claw Clan receive the Tat." He explained. "Even a lowly grunt like you."
"But I'm not a part of your clan." He insisted, his arm burning from the needle being repeatedly jabbed into his skin.
The Orc snarled at him viciously. "You expect us to train you without honoring our customs?"
He paled. "N...no no! Not at all!"
After glaring at him a moment longer, the Orc continued to jab ink into his arm. "You may be a lowly grunt, but swimming the tides of the undead so ill equipped and unprepared as you were makes your actions worthy. Which is why you're receiving the Tat." At last he finished and placed his tools away. "As I explained, your instructor will be Nashala. She awaits you outside the tent."
"She?"
"Go now." The Orc commanded. "Our Chieftain is not a patient woman."
Without a second's delay, Matsuda got up from the chair and left the tent. It was weird being surrounded by these humongous burly beings. All decked out in heavy looking armor and carrying around massive weapons.
Yet it was the one figure who was just a little bit shorter than the others that stood out to him the most. As Matsuda approached the Orc who was going to be instructing him, he couldn't help but notice that even Orc women appeared to be no joke. Though a little shorter and lither than her male counterparts, his instructor still looked really freaking hardcore.
According to what the dude giving him the ink said, Nashala was something of an oddity among the Orc Clans. Female warriors were a rarity among their species. For one to not only become a warrior, but ascend to the rank of Chieftain made Nashala a figure who was both feared and respected by her fellow Orc Tribes.
He just really hoped word hadn't reached her ears about the kind of pervert he used to be. By the look she was giving him already, it wasn't clear if Nashala intended to train him or eat him.
As he approached, Matsuda waved to her. "I was...told to come to you for training?" He laughed nervously.
With that same angry scowl on her face, Nashala approached him and grabbed his freshly tatted up arm. Inspecting it thoroughly.
"The Heron, the Shark, and the Spider." She spoke aloud. "Strange that Maugra would see fit to bless you with all three, Grunt." Nashala then peered into his eyes searchingly. "But perhaps he sees strength in you that I do not."
"Errr…." He kept his cool, but inside he was sweating bullets.
"I know who you are, Mah'Tsuda." She pronounced his name as it would be spoken in Orcish, the language of her people. "You are a warrior. Same as us. The Tat proves it." Her expression soured again. "But you are still a child in our eyes. The way you stand, the way you walk, it screams of fear and hesitation. We must do away with such weaknesses." Nashala beckoned for him to follow. "Come with me."
As they walked together, his curiosity got the better of him. "So what are you going to teach me?"
She shook her head gruffly. "I am not going to teach you. I am going to free you." As they wandered the camp she presented the members of her tribe, training, cleaning their weapons, and drinking some strange green substance from large oak barrels. "The spirits of War call to you. As they call to me. As they call to my men. We have answered that call readily. And now, it is your turn."
"And you lead these men?"
She chuckled at him in amusement. "They follow me for my strength. A strong woman breeds strong warriors. These men respect my prowess on the battlefield and they pine for my affection in the camp." She boasted pridefully. "I could have any one that I choose but my soul belongs only to the Draka."
"Draka?"
She cleared her throat gruffly. "In the language of man, they are known as Dragons." While explaining, she pointed to the carvings on their tents. "Our people have worshipped the Wild Spirits since before the time of our great descent. But the Draka is the most sacred of all our ancient Loa."
"You worship Dragons?"
Nashala nodded. "The Great Devil is our King but the Draka is what gives us life. It was the Great Wild Flame's fire that gave birth to the Orcai people. Or so the legends go."
She suddenly stopped dead in her tracks.
"I am a warrior without peer. My soul, my heart, my body, they are worthy of none but a Dragon. That is why I have yet to take a mate." She stared back at him, a strange curiosity now present in her eyes. "You are...friends with the Wild Flame, yes? The one who is Emperor even among Dragons?"
"Y...you mean, Jon?" He stuttered nervously. "Yeah, we're buddies."
"Tell me…" She turned her head away, suddenly becoming uncharacteristically demure. "...what is he like? Do the legends truly hold up? Is he as...beautiful a creature as I have been lead to believe?"
Matsuda gulped back his reservations. "Well...I…"
"Please I...I wish to know."
Shd almost sounded desperate. This was clearly something that bore a great deal of significance to Nashala. But he didn't know anything about the Wild Flame, he only knew Jon. The charismatic southern charmer who never took anything too seriously yet always seemed to have the solution to everyone's problems.
After thinking about it for a moment, he finally spoke.
"Jon is...he's impossible not to notice. Sure he's a cool guy at his heart, and when you first look at him you wouldn't think he was terribly threatening…and yet, beneath all that. Beneath what you see on the surface, you get the sense that there's more going on. A LOT more. It's not something you can really see. It's more like something you feel. It drives women towards him like bees to a honey flower. And it makes men like me either furious or terrified whenever we see it. You get the sense that Jon isn't really there when you talk to him. That the real Jon is miles above you, way up in the clouds with the rest of the Gods."
She took in all this information, let it sink deep into her spirit, and finally did something he had yet to see her do.
Nashala smiled.
"I hope one day to meet him." She spoke in a softer tone than what he was accustomed to. "At the very least, I wish that much."
As soon as her smile appeared, it was gone just as quickly.
"Until then, I will paint myself in the blood of his enemies."
Matsuda gulped and nodded nervously. "Sounds...sounds cool. More power to ya."
Nashala pointed towards one of the tents where a large furnace was located. "You will receive your weapons and armor from there. Once you are ready, we will begin."
"Do you really think we will have the time to train me in one day?" Matsuda asked worriedly.
"I already said, I'm not training you. I am freeing you of your weakness." With a wicked, fang covered grin, she then added. "Afterwards, you will do as all Orcish children do, and train yourself on the battlefield."
While Matsuda trained with the Orcs, Motohama was busy having his ass beaten by a huge angry Russian guy. When his Uncle explained to him that the training they'd be doing didn't involve guns of any kind, he wasn't sure what to expect.
It certainly wasn't this though. Having the absolute tar knocked out of him while Azuka watched from the sidelines.
"Let me ask you something, Kid." His Uncle calmly pulled a cigar from his pocket and lit it. "Why are you here?"
"The fuck do you mean why am I here?!" He shot back at him angrily, his nose bloody and his cheek swollen. "You told me you were gonna train me!"
Motohama then took a swift shot to the gut by the Russian guy's knee, knocking the breath from his lungs and causing him to keel over.
"I said I would get you better prepared for what's gonna be out there." He calmly replied while puffing on his cigar. "If you think you've seen hell now Kid, you haven't seen jack shit compared to what's coming."
"If Mom knew about this-"
"Your Mom's not here!" Azuka barked at him angrily. "You think because you can shoot a gun suddenly you're a soldier? I got news for you buddy boy. Any idiot can figure out how to fire a gun. It's not that hard."
He was about to respond when the Russian guy brought him to his feet and knocked him senseless again.
"How does having some angry Russian guy beat me to a pulp teach me how to be a better soldier?" Motohama asked, still a bit loopy from that last shot.
Azuka chuckled. "This is Scout Sergeant Sergei Voklav. Ex-Spetnez and the best close quarters specialist in my unit. I've seen him do in a week what would normally take months of conditioning. He's your best bet if you wanna pick up on some survival skills fast enough to where you don't become dead weight the moment your team runs out of ammo."
"Okay but-"
Another shot sent him spinning to the ground again. Were it not for the super cells in his body, he was certain he'd be unconscious by now.
"I'd focus less on me and more on him." Azuka suggested while pointing to Sergei with his cigar. "You take too many more of those and you'll be counting sheep. I guarantee it."
Motohama used whatever strength he had left to slowly, shakily, rise back to his feet.
"You spend much time with guns, yes?" Sergei spoke in his thick Russian accent as he approached Motohama again.
"Yeah." He snarled before spitting out a clot of blood. "Put one in my hand and I'll show you how good I am with it."
His trainer chuckled sardonically before pulling out his MP-443 Grach and tossing it to him. "Very well."
Motohama caught the weapon, inspected it, checked for a round in the chamber, flipped the safety, took aim…
...and immediately had his face punched in again. That time for sure he was certain he heard his nose break.
"I am not so impressed." Sergei taunted before expertly disarming Motohama and re-holstering his weapon. "Gun cannot save you when gun is taken from hand, yes?"
He didn't respond. Mostly because he was still nursing his busted nose. His instructor proceeded to pull out a large serrated blade. "Do you know what this is?"
"That's a Kizylar Combat Knife." Motohama recited as if reading from a handbook. "First used by Russian Special Forces during the Cold Wa-"
He was cut off by another blow to the side of his head. "Battlefield is not the same as firing range." Sergei instructed. "Enemy will not wait patiently for you to reload or unjam firearm. Guns can fail you." He drove the knife blade first into the dirt of the training ring they were standing in. "THIS will never fail you. Knives do not jam, they do not run out of bullets, and if used properly, will kill each and every time without fail." He pointed to the ground. "Pick up knife."
Motohama slowly got back to his feet and took the knife in his hands.
"Stab me." Sergei ordered while baring his chest out to him.
"St...stab you?" Motohama stuttered nervously.
"Do not think. Just do." He thumped his fist against his chest and bared it to him again. "Now stab me."
"As in...with the knife?" Motohama looked at the six inch serrated blade and then at the man's chest. "I don't think that's a good idea."
"Ah, okay." Sergei nodded in understanding. "So you are pussy then."
Motohama gave him an ugly look. "Wait what?"
"You are pussy." His Instructor repeated.
"No, I'm not a pussy." He argued, starting to get mad now.
"Da. You lack testicles, yes? There is pussy between your legs."
"Look, stop calling me that!" His grip on the knife tightened.
Sergei slapped his pecks and pumped out his chest. "Come on, Pussy!"
Motohama lunged with the knife, intent on stabbing him in the gut. Sergei deftly and expertly disarmed the knife while simultaneously side kicking him. Sending the hapless rookie tumbling into a nearby barrel. Motohama swung wildly with his right hand as the Russian approached. His Instructor responded by grabbing his wrist, slamming it against the top of the metal barrel, and driving the six inch blade through his palm. Burying it to the hilt.
The pain was such that Motohama couldn't even summon the will to scream. His face simply contorted in agony as his brain tried to catch up with what just happened to his hand.
"This is Systema." Sergei explained. "It is close quarters fighting style that makes disarming opponent no problem."
Motohama wasn't listening. He finally found it in his lungs to scream as the knife embedded in his hand was unceremoniously ripped from the barrel. He clutched at his wounded palm while writhing on the ground, oblivious to everything around him.
Sergei sighed in frustration before muttering to himself in Russian. He then looked over at Azuka who nodded. Motohama's uncle then produced a green canteen with a healing cross emblazoned on the front before tossing it to Sergei.
"Show me wound." He ordered while unscrewing the plastic cap.
Motohama had finally managed to regain his senses enough to process what he was saying. Though coherent enough to understand, he was reluctant to show him his palm given what he just did.
"Just trust me. I make better." He assured.
Finally, cautiously, Motohama raised his wounded palm out to him. Sergei proceeded to pour the slightly green liquid onto the gaping wound in his hand and he instinctively pulled away at the sudden sharp pain that followed. He then watched, however, as the liquid traveled into his wound, bubbled like peroxide, and the pain began to fade away. After wiping away the excess bubbles and blood, he found his palm to be completely intact.
"See? Good as new." Sergei declared before offering him the canteen. "Now you drink."
"What is this stuff?"
He rolled his eyes before commenting snarkily. "Is health potion like in your nerdy World of Warcraft. Now drink before I stab you again."
Motohama took the canteen without another second's hesitation and chugged. The taste was horribly bitter as he downed a healthy portion of its contents. But taste aside, once he was done drinking he began to notice something miraculous happening. His head was no longer throbbing. His vision no longer swirled. His nose wasn't sensitive to the touch anymore. And finally, any trace of swelling all but disappeared.
He wasn't kidding, this thing really was a health potion.
"Is good yes?" Sergei asked while offering him a hand up.
"Yeah...I feel a lot better." Motohama admitted while rising up to his feet.
"Good. Then we can resume training."
He blanched. "Wait, wh-"
Before he could finish his sentence, another fist connected with his face. Sending Motohama flying to the ground once more.
Aika channeled her magic as was instructed to her and held the spell. Surrounding herself in a shield of magic.
"Now focus, Aika." Her instructor commanded. "You can do this. Concentrate."
"I'm...trying…" She strained against the draining effect of the barrier.
Her instructor summoned her own magic and cast a bolt of arcane power at Aika's barrier. The spell hit the shield, shattering it, and sending the hapless girl flying to the floor yet again.
She sighed. "If I had even used a fraction of my true power there you would have been destroyed."
"I don't know Reya. I'm beginning to think maybe my magic just isn't as strong as you think it is." Aika commented while standing to her feet and brushing herself off.
Reya shook her head vehemently. "See, that's the problem right there. You're getting into your own head every time you cast a spell."
She hung her head shamefully.
"Listen, I am not your enemy here." Her Instructor lectured. "Fear, doubt, hesitation, insecurity, these are the things you truly need to worry about. They are a poison that will destroy your ability to cast spells effectively if you allow them to run rampant."
Aika had been training with Reya Kusaka for the better part of the day down in the Honor's House sub-basement. As a direct descendant of the Mythical Witch Baba Yaga, she was in a league almost all her own when it came to pure raw talent with the Arcane Arts. The Sitri Bishop was almost without peer. Her Master and President, Sona herself, being the only possible exception when it came to Mastery over the Arcane. She was the perfect teacher for Aika.
Yet that didn't change the fact that it felt like she hadn't progressed even a little bit since they started. Maybe it was asking too much to see results in a day. But as Reya explained it, most of the things she was teaching her were fairly elementary for a witch. Which just frustrated her even more.
"Magic is something you are born with." Reya explained. "All humans, whether they are aware of it or not, possess some latent form of magical energy inside of them. Normally it's so minute and diluted, however, that being able to use it to cast spells is all but impossible. But due to the unique circumstances of your birth, you possess a far greater reserve of latent magical energy than others. That mutation formula you and your friends inhaled may have brought your potential to the surface, but you've always possessed this gift Aika." She spoke encouragingly. "I can feel the power within you. You just need to learn how to wield it properly."
At that moment, Aika's vision began to swim and her nose started to bleed. "Ugggh, not again."
Reya chuckled sympathetically. "Happens to the best of us." She used her magic to conjure forth a floating table with an ornate tea set resting upon it. She poured Aika a cup of tea before offering it to her. "Drink this, it will help replenish your magic reserves."
Aika sipped on the tea before helping herself to one of the chocolates on the table. Reya then conjured two floating stools and they both sat down.
"Well if there's one thing I can say for sure. I bet the boys aren't having this much fun with their training."
Reya laughed quietly before helping herself to some tea. "That's the spirit. I know things seem hopeless now, but you've actually got a lot of natural talent for this."
"You really think so?"
She nodded. "The fact you were able to cast any magic at all with little to no training is pretty impressive."
Aika smiled though her eyes bore sadness. "Maybe…" She placed her teacup down. "...but I'm nothing compared to Asia."
Reya stopped midsip and set her cup down as well. "You mean the Gremory Bishop? The one with that beautiful golden blonde hair?"
She nodded, a wistful sigh escaping her lips. "That's the one. It was actually seeing her magic that lead me to discover my own. She performed some sort of vanishing spell. I'm not sure what it was exactly but she made it look so effortless. Knowing what I do now about magic, I can't help but be impressed. Her form was so poised, so beautiful." A deep blush set into Aika's cheeks. "Just like her…"
A knowing grin crossed Reya's lips. "Is that a hint of affection I hear in your voice?"
She nodded silently, her face turning even redder.
"Ooo la la." Reya giggled. "How scandalous of you."
Aika chuckled and shook her head. "It's really not that big of a deal. She's a part of Jon's little harem of women." Her expression glowered. "She doesn't see me that way. Not like how I see her."
Reya nodded in understanding. "It's tough isn't it? Seeing her kiss other girls and knowing it won't ever be you?"
She gave the Bishop a curious look. "You know what that's like?"
Reya scoffed dramatically. "You think you've got it bad? Try being the only gay woman in a Peerage of gorgeous ladies who are ALL obsessed with the only male in your group."
Aika was genuinely surprised. She wouldn't have guessed that she was gay also.
"One of our Pawns is a Dragon too." She explained. "Ever since he joined our Peerage the girls have all lost their minds over him. Ruruko was the first, but now even our Queen Tsubaki won't shut up about him." Reya sighed despondently. "The toughest one was our other Bishop, Momo. We used to be inseparable but now she'd rather spend time with Ruruko. We're still close, but it's not quite the same."
Aika frowned in sympathy for her. "I understand how that feels. It's like Asia would rather hang out with Rias or Koneko these days than me." A thought occurred to her. "Hey...have they ever...you know?"
She groaned in frustration. "All the freaking time! It was jarring enough when I saw them kiss, but now I'll walk by their rooms and just hear them...doing it. Just the two of them. Sammy wasn't even around! It was simultaneously confusing and infuriating all at once!"
"I know right?! The first time I saw Asia kiss Rias I wanted to throttle her."
"It's like, girl! You can't just say you wanna stay friends then start making out with our Freshman!" Reya added.
Both girls burst into laughter.
"All joking aside, I really am happy for Momo." She admitted. "I'm happy for all of them. The girls look so unbelievably happy with their Dragon and the Peerage feels so much more alive with him here." Her smile faltered. "But...even so….it kinda sucks knowing…"
"...that you'll always come second to him no matter what." Aika finished glumly.
They both looked at each other for a minute.
"You know, it's really nice getting to talk about this with someone going through the same thing." Reya admitted somewhat bashfully.
"It really is." Aika agreed. "Honestly, it's just nice getting to talk to another gay girl. Err...that is, one who was actually born that way and isn't the product of Dragon shenanigans."
She chuckled. "I understood what you meant."
They spoke at length about their frustrations regarding the Dragons. Reya explained how imprinting worked to Aika. Or at least what little she understood about it.
"So it really is consensual? You're absolutely certain?"
Reya nodded. "The love they feel for their Dragon comes from their own hearts. All the Imprint really does is magically bind them all together. That's how Tsubaki explained it to me at least."
"Still feels weird." She admitted.
"You were born human. This kinda stuff stops bothering you after a few decades as a Devil."
Eventually the conversation shifted to Reya's nature as a Devil. After talking at length about that for awhile, they eventually started talking about past relationships.
"And so she kept going on and on and on about how I was afraid to commit." Aika explained.
"What the hell did she expect you to do?" Reya asked in disbelief. "You were going to college. It's not like you can just put your life on hold because she's a year behind."
"I know!" She exclaimed in exasperation. "That's what I kept telling her."
After Aika finished griping about her exes, it was Reya's turn to open up.
"So that's why I stopped dating Orcs." She explained. "The sex was hot, but they're ridiculously pushy."
"I can only imagine." Aika took a sip from her cup and cast her gaze away awkwardly.
"Plus they live for a long time. It's not like dating humans. If things go bad, you can't just wait it out for a couple of decades until they die. Errr….no offense of course."
"Eh, none taken."
After awhile, the tone of the conversation began to shift.
"I keep telling her, it's not like I can help that I've got self esteem issues, Mom!" Aika sniffed as she began to well up. "They didn't go to my school. They didn't hear the things the other kids said to me. I was bullied almost every day I went to class."
Reya placed a reassuring hand on top of Aika's. "You were better than them. That's all it meant. You were better than every single one of those kids who rejected you."
"Shut up!" She broke down crying.
Things took a dramatic turn again. As soon after Aika stopped crying, Reya broke down.
"Look, it wasn't your fault." She insisted, trying to console a quietly weeping Reya. "They did it because they loved you. They wanted you to survive."
"Shut up…" She replied insincerely. "...if that were true, they would have survived with me."
"You know you don't believe that." Aika held Reya's hand in hers. "Your Coven was your family. And a family always does what's best for their child. That child was you."
Eventually the conversation simmered down again. Both girls laughed at each others jibes towards their overzealous friends and the Dragons they loved until Aika felt her magic reserves return to normal.
"It's just funny to me." Aika snickered. "She makes the stupidest face every time he so much as rolls up his sleeves."
Reya shrugged. "It must be a straight girl thing."
"Were they ever really straight though?"
"Not completely, I suppose." She admitted. "Of course, I could spend hours giving my thoughts on that."
Aika nodded in understanding. "Just as well, I think I'm good to get some more practice in."
Reya set down her tea cup and stood. "In that case, let's get back to work."
The table and stools vanished and they returned to their respective sides in the large antechamber.
"Alright, just like last time." She instructed. "Summon your power."
Aika focused on conjuring forth her magical energy, just like she did last time. Upon summoning her magic, however, something strange occured. Her hair began to float as if caught in a stream of nonexistent water, and her eyes began to glow.
Reya gasped in surprise, a hand over her mouth. "Aika you're doing so much better!"
"I...I am?"
She nodded excitedly. "I'm not sure what you did differently but your power just effectively doubled."
Aika smiled at her, a warm feeling enveloping her being. Somehow, she suspected that her sudden power increase had little to do with her.
And more to do with her marvelous teacher.
Saya and Rei were taken to Kuoh's biology lab where Tsubaki Shinra was eagerly awaiting them. After doing a routine physical on both ladies, she drew up some blood and ran a couple of tests.
"Interesting." Tsubaki peered through her microscope as she added a tiny amount of the mutagenic virus to their blood. "It seems the dormant devil blood in your veins is the catalyst by which this bizarre mutation occurs."
"So in other words, the fact that we're Demons is what's responsible for those three changing into what they are now?" Saya guessed.
Tsubaki adjusted her glasses and nodded. "Precisely. If my hypothesis is correct, this mutagenic strain reacts differently to Demon cells than it does human cells. We've already tested the effects on Devil blood and found it to be nonreactive. The virus doesn't affect us as it does humans." She then added with a prideful grin. "However, Demon's blood is a different matter. You possess some of the same antibodies as a Devil albeit while still having mostly human biology. It's the reason this mutant strain didn't turn those three into the ghoulish creatures you fought in the sewers."
Rei shivered at the thought.
"So...where does that leave us?" Saya asked suspiciously.
Tsubaki returned to her computer and began pulling up notes to add to them. "We've been working on a permanent solution to the zombie horde problem. And I personally believe the key to success lies within the second strain Valper has created."
"You're trying to find a cure for the zombies?" Rei asked hopefully.
"In a manner of speaking, yes."
"But how? Stem cell research?"
She chuckled before wheeling her chair back around. "That's a most promising field, but no. What we're doing here is a bit more radical."
Saya considered everything she had seen and deduced what it was Tsubaki was referring to.
"Cross species genetic modification."
Tsubaki quirked an intrigued brow at her. "That's...actually correct."
Saya stuck her nose up in the air pridefully. "The basic theory is actually rather simple. If you can modify the genetic code of the virus using samples from a species that is immune to the pathogenic properties of the virus you could in theory not only create a vaccine, but reprogram the virus to cure damaged cells as opposed to destroying them. You're essentially trying to retrain the virus to work for you instead of Kokabiel."
The Sitri Queen grinned at her. "Precisely. However we've run into a slight problem on that front. We've tried various combinations of compounds created here in the lab on rodents, but none of them survived. The problem we seem to be having is-"
"The Decay Rate Algorithm." Saya deduced, again much to Tsubaki's astonishment.
"Okay, in english please?" Rei requested.
"It's an equation in microbiology." She explained while cleaning her glasses. "The Decay Rate Algorithm represents a series of continuous steps that has to do with successful cellular regeneration and hybridization of foreign cells. Especially in regards to cells from a species that is different from the host body. The basic idea is that you want to be able to introduce the foriegn genome without causing rapid cellular decline."
Rei stared at her in disbelief. "Okay...what did you say you were studying again?"
She shrugged. "Well technically I'm just here for a business degree. But I already have my double doctorate in biology and physics."
"Y...you have TWO Doctorate Degrees? And you got those while you were still in High School?"
Saya laughed obtusely. "Oh please. I graduated High School when I was thirteen. I've been studying abroad at various Universities around the world."
She stared dumbfounded at her while Tsubaki merely grinned approvingly. "I had heard rumors that the Takaga Family's youngest daughter was a gifted genius. But I realize now we underestimated your academic potential."
"Tends to happen a lot."
"Although…" She continued. "...it could be greater."
They both quirked their heads at her in intrigue.
"As it so happens. We need to run some more tests on this mutagen." She explained while wheeling over to a nearby specimen box. "I've prepared two doses that have been altered to prevent any potentially harmful side effects. Testing your blood after exposure should give us more insight into how we can use this to counter the virus that's spread throughout the city."
"Errr...you wanna expose us to that same thing that changed Aika, Matsuda, and Motohama?" Saya asked nervously.
"Yes." She replied in earnest before pulling two syringes from the fridge and turning around. "Though the dose we will be using is different and the method of delivery shouldn't cause as many side effects."
"But won't it still be dangerous?" Rei asked just as nervously.
Tsubaki nodded without hesitation. "Most definitely."
Saya and Rei both exchanged worried looks with one another.
"Do we have a say in this?"
She blew a breath through pursed lips. "I mean...technically you don't have a say in anything we do. But if you're adamant about not assisting our research I can find other volunteers…" Tsubaki narrowed her eyes at them cautioningly. "...however, you will have to agree to let us erase your memory of the past twenty four hours and join the other humans on campus in suspended hibernation for the remainder of the war."
Saya gave her a sour look. "You Devils and your ultimatums. I guess not everything about your species is a fabrication is it."
Tsubaki snickered at her, seemingly less than bothered by her comment. "It's nothing personal. We're just accustomed to getting our way." She then added with a cheeky look in her eyes. "You of all people should understand that feeling Ms. Saya."
She turned her head away and growled angrily. Saya clearly wasn't used to dealing with people whose egos matched hers. Rei, meanwhile, had already made up her mind.
"I'll do it."
Tsubaki smiled and nodded in approval. "Wonderful." She then turned her attention back to Saya. "Well...what do you say?"
She narrowed her eyes at Tsubaki warily, her arms still crossed. Rei gave her a look as if to say 'Don't worry. We're in this together.' After weighing the pros and cons for a moment, she finally relented.
"Fine, I guess I'm in."
"Wonderful. If you'll both please roll up your sleeves and present your arms."
Saya and Rei each rolled up a sleeve and held out their arms. While they did this, they took it upon themselves to also hold each other's free hand as they braced for what came next.
The injection was quick and virtually painless. After which Tsubaki placed an adhesive bandage on each of their arms as if it were a normal trip to the Doctor.
"There. That should do it."
They both blinked at each other in confusion. As if trying to look for some sort of change in the other person. Yet they found none.
"That's it?" Rei asked
Tsubaki nodded. "I never said the effects would be immediate. It will be a few hours before any physical symptoms manifest and by then you both should be asleep."
"Huh…" Saya commented in surprise. "...a bit anticlimactic if I do say so myself."
"It's science, Dear." Tsubaki insisted. "You should know already it isn't always going to be thrilling."
Aika left the Honor's House Dorms feeling refreshed and in great spirits. Reya was such an amazing woman in addition to being an incredible teacher and she felt like the brief time they had spent together really helped her grow as a person.
After her training, Aika made her way to the President's House. As it was explained to her, she'd be staying there along with the other members of her group until the mission began tomorrow morning. So long as they stayed out of the Devil's way while they were there, they were free to roam about the place and relax as they saw fit. After everything they'd been through, a good night's rest would do her mind and body good.
As she walked towards the President's House, a familiar face caught her eye.
"Matsuda! Over here!" She waved to him excitedly.
Upon seeing her waving, Matsuda smiled brightly and hoisted the heavy looking rucksack over his shoulder before jogging over to her. It was strange...even though it had only been a few hours, Matsuda looked different somehow. Stronger, more aware.
"Glad to see you're still in one piece." She joked.
"You as well." He commented.
"What's with the new gear?" Aika asked curiously.
He grinned smugly. "Oh that? Just a little going away gift after completing my rite of passage."
She quirked a brow. "Right of what now?"
"There you two are!"
They both turned to see Motohama running up to them. While he clearly had taken a few bumps he seemed to be for the most part intact.
"Man...is it just me or have you gotten bigger, Bro?" He commented upon seeing Matsuda.
"I was gonna ask about that actually." Aika added. "What did they have you do in that camp?"
He frowned thoughtfully. "It sure as hell wasn't easy. Their idea of training is so completely different from anything we might expect from a formal military."
"What did you do, exactly?" Motohama asked curiously.
"We went over a lot of different things. They showed me how to use my new gear. I received this." He showed them all the tattoo on his arm. "Oh yeah...and I also ate a heart."
Aika turned green. "You what?!"
He nodded. "Yeah, that was about my reaction too. Apparently all Orcai youths do it before they become a full blooded warrior. They consume the heart of a Hellspawn from the Lower Pits as a sort of right of passage. Completely raw."
"And you did it?" Motohama gawked at him in disbelief.
"It wasn't easy. The thing burns like acid going down. And my stomach felt like it was lighting on fire." He grinned. "But once I was through it, it felt like my muscles were pumping up and my stamina shot through the roof. They told me if I survived this ordeal, then they might consider actually training me."
Aika grinned pridefully and adjusted her glasses. "Well, MY training session with Reya was an absolute blast. And I must say, I feel a lot more confident as a newly realized witch than I did before."
"Kickass, Bra." Matsuda then turned to his buddy. "So what about you? How was it training with your Uncle?"
Motohama blanched and his brow began to sweat. Without a word he turned around and curled up in the fetal position.
"Uhhh, dude?"
"Rule number one of Mr. Sergei's training! You do not talk about Mr. Sergei's training!" He recited while trembling on the ground.
"You okay?" Aika asked worriedly. "You look a little pale."
"Rule number two of Mr. Sergei's training!" He recited even louder than before. "You do not talk about Mr. Sergei's training!"
"Hey, Saya! They're over here!"
Rei and Saya ran up to join the others after having finally left the lab. While Rei seemed to be in relatively good spirits, Saya was not. Something was clearly bothering her.
"How did it go?" Rei asked the group.
"Better than we expected." Matsuda replied positively. "At least...for the most part."
They all turned and looked at Motohama, who was still trembling on the ground.
Aika stretched her shoulder and yawned. "Well I don't know about the rest of you but I am beat. Between the zombies this morning and the super crazy crash course training we just did, I think it's time we call it a night."
"Agreed." Matsuda added.
"Yeah, some rest would be nice." Rei nodded.
"How can any of you sleep at a time like this?"
All eyes turned to Saya, who was still brooding angrily in the background.
"Don't you realize what's happening?" She spoke up sharply. "We're being drafted into a war! That training you three did today, it wasn't to make you better fighters. It was to make you better soldiers."
"I mean…" Aika ran a hand over her braid. "...yeah you're right. But what's the alternative? It's not as if we have a lot of choice in the matter."
"Exactly! That's the problem!" Saya insisted furiously. "Since the moment we got here everything has been decided for us. We've had zero input regarding anything to do with any of this. From our parents, from the Devils, it's like everything was set in stone before we even got here. Doesn't that bother any of you?"
Rei frowned and clutched at the bandage on her arm. "Maybe a little. It was strange being used as Guinea pigs like that."
"And that's another thing!" She continued. "Where do these Devils get off talking down to us like we're lesser beings? Since we got here they've been nothing but condescending and derogatory towards us in every conceivable way."
"Really?" Motohama stood up and gave her a curious look. "I thought Akeno was rather nice."
Saya scoffed and folded her arms. "She was nice to us in the same way you might be nice to a cute puppy or a newborn kitten. She only acted that way because she found us ENDEARING. She wasn't actually taking us seriously."
"I think you're blowing this out of proportion." Matsuda insisted. "We'd be dead if they hadn't taken us in."
She turned away defiantly and began walking towards the President's Mansion. "If you wanna blindly follow your new Masters like sheep then so be it. Me? I'm gonna have a word with my parents about this sudden lack of equity."
Saya stormed off. Leaving the rest of the group to worry for her. They were all specifically instructed not to cause a scene in there and if there was one thing Saya excelled at it was kicking up a fuss at the worst possible times.
"I'm gonna go check on her." Matsuda declared. "I'll see you guys later."
He knocked fists with Matsuda before taking off towards the Mansion. With him gone, Rei immediately took Matsuda by the arm and pressed herself against him.
"Feeling sleepy yet?" She asked while fluttering her lashes at him.
He chuckled at her before turning to Aika. "I think we're gonna take off. Big day tomorrow and all that."
She nodded in understanding. "Don't stay up too late now."
He rolled his eyes at her before taking Rei on his arm and heading to the Mansion. Leaving Aika all by her lonesome.
"Tough isn't it? Always being the fifth wheel?"
She turned and gasped in surprise upon seeing Xenovia standing behind her.
"Hey." She waved at her with a bright smile on her face. "They finally let you leave the ORC Headquarters?"
Xenovia sighed wearily and shook her head. "Not without an escort, no." She motioned behind her, pointing with her thumb towards Koneko, who was watching her every move like a hawk.
Aika frowned in concern. "I'm sorry they're not wanting to trust you. I can't imagine having to endure all this alone."
"It's of no concern." She assured. "In all honesty, I expected them to be wary of me." Xenovia then lowered her head in shame. "They'd be fools not to be. Given everything I did to them in the past."
"Whatever your past, it doesn't change the fact we're all on the same side." Aika insisted. "If they can't see that then they're just ignorant."
She smiled at her gratefully. "Thanks…"
After a moment, a thought occurred to Aika. "Hey...why DID you decide to join forces with the Devils?"
Xenovia quirked her head at her curiously. "What do you mean? The Holy Swords could not be allowed to fall into Kokabiel's hands, no matter-"
"I get that, but…" She cut her off. "...what I mean is, why not just leave? Find somewhere to keep your head down until this whole thing blows over?"
Xenovia pondered how best to answer before finally speaking. "I can't pretend like my old life never happened. I know too much to ever be accepted back into the order, but I'm still a Hunter. It's what I am. It's all I know. But now? Now I'm a Hunter without a purpose. A weapon with no one to wield it."
She shifted her gaze towards the ORC.
"Just like he was…"
"You mean Jon, don't you." Aika surmised.
Xenovia shut her eyes and lowered her head. "Several years ago, Jonathan Hyodo betrayed our order. He killed his entire Chapter of Hunters and fled for his life. Irina could tell you more about it than I can, she was there when it happened." She shook her head guiltily. "For so long I judged him. For so many years I condemned Jon and those who were like him. Branding them cowards, traitors, heretics." She clutched a hand up to her chest. "I never stopped to consider...how lonely they must have felt."
"And is that how you feel now?"
She smiled and shook her head assuredly. "Not now. But…" Xenovia bit her lower lip thoughtfully. "Jon found a home here. Even after everything that happened to him."
She cast her gaze back towards the ORC once more.
"Maybe...I can too."
Motohama wandered the halls of the President's Mansion, trying his best to stay out of everyone's way as he looked for Saya. She'd managed to give him the slip before he got inside. And since then he'd been looking for her everywhere.
"Fine then! You're always right! Always!"
It didn't take him long before he heard screaming. As Motohama rounded the corner of one of the halls he bumped into Saya storming off in a huff.
"Hey, what's the matter with you?!" Motohama insisted upon finally managing to find her.
"You don't have to ask like such a prick." She growled bitterly.
He sighed in aggravation before speaking in a softer tone. "Fine. What's the problem? Don't you remember we were told not to cause a scene in here?"
"Maybe prick was the wrong word. I should have said asshole!"
He scowled at her. "What's with you? I'm only trying to help."
Her angry sneer softened into indifferent self pity. "I don't want to talk about it."
She turned and began to storm off again.
"Saya wait!"
"I said I don't want to talk about it!" She shouted back angrily.
He groaned in frustration. What the hell was he going to do with her?
"Sorry you got drawn into our little...disagreement." An older woman's voice spoke up.
Motohama turned to see Saya's mother Yuriko smiling at him politely.
"O..oh! Lady Yuriko!" He immediately bowed his head in respect. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you there."
Lady Yuriko placed a hand over her lips and chuckled sweetly at him. "Relax, Dear. There's no need to be so formal. I'm a servant of House Gremory same as you. We're kin in that regard."
Honestly, that thought was furthest from his mind right now. If what Saya's Father said really was going to come to pass, this woman was going to be his Mother in Law.
"It's really okay." He assured, suddenly shifting gears. "She yells at me like that all the time too."
Yuriko quietly laughed again. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. She's always been a rather fiery spirit. Ever since she was little."
"If you don't mind me asking, what were you arguing about?"
She sighed wearily before walking over to the nearby windowsill. "Oh nothing out of the ordinary. She's displeased with her Father and myself over our lack of control. She fails to understand we cannot overrule the will of our Lords. The Takaga family has served the Gremorys for many generations. They are the reason our bloodline has prospered. That's not likely to change any time soon."
"I'm guessing she's none too happy about being forced to serve the Gremorys?"
She smiled and turned to him. "Actually...she was mostly concerned about you."
His jaw dropped open and his cheeks flared.
"My daughter appears to be rather concerned about this assignment you've been given." Yuriko explained. "In fact, I'd go so far as to say she's rather beside herself with worry."
"She...she is?"
Yuriko nodded. "If I may make a request. Go and speak with her. Perhaps she will see reason if she hears the words from your lips."
He chuckled nervously. "I think you may give me too much credit Ma'am. She hardly listens to a word I say."
"If that were true, then she would have never followed you out of that mall. Now would she?"
He didn't reply. After all, she had a good point.
"Go and speak with her." Yuriko encouraged. "Your opinion matters more to her than you think."
Understanding what he had to do, Motohama bowed respectfully to Lady Yuriko before proceeding to go find Saya's room. Upon arriving at the correct door he knocked three times before slowly peeking in.
"Hey...it's me."
She kept her gaze turned towards the window, not saying a word.
"I don't see any reason why you should be bothering me."
He shrugged. "Can't help it, honestly. You DID refer to me as your boyfriend in front of your family after all."
She bit her tongue and blushed fiercely.
"I get that you're upset about everything that's been going on. I was too at first but-"
"I'm beginning to think we should leave." She cut him off abruptly.
"Wh...what?"" He was taken aback by her words. "As in...leave Kuoh?"
She rolled her eyes. "No, I meant the room. This one's too stuffy." Saya wheeled around and glared at him. "Of course I meant Kuoh!"
"Saya we can't!" Motohama protested. "Our families are here! Our parents are here!"
"Yeah?! And what good have they done us recently. Huh?!"
Again he was stunned silent.
"I heard about how you were beaten to a pulp." She growled angrily. "You really think your Uncle cares about you? Or does he just need another Scout?" She then turned back around and glared bitterly out the window. "And my parents are no better...they were better off leaving me in the city."
"Saya, stop this." Motohama insisted vehemently. "Stop trying to make our folks out as the bad guys. They saved us. They're the ones with the plan here."
"Who's plan?" She questioned while gripping the sides of her arms tightly. "Ours? Or their Lords? Who do you think they REALLY care about here?"
"They did all of this for us!" He shot back. "So that we might have a better life!"
"A better life…" Her voice began to catch. "...that's a riot. Don't think they won't hold this over our head for the rest of their lives." Tears began to form in her eyes. "Maybe if my parents had been as dedicated to their Daughter as they were to their Lords then I could understand."
"Saya…" He slowly began to approach her.
"God...my Mom's such a fucking bitch." Her whole body began to tremble. "Do you know what she told me? That I should be more grateful about the life I had. That I shouldn't worry about things I can't control and be appreciative for the things I can."
"Maybe she's right." He offered before placing a hand on her shoulder. "Remember what we said at the Flat? Maybe we should see this as an opportunity."
She shook herself out of his grasp and wheeled around sharply. "Did I ask for your opinion?!" Her gaze was cold, spiteful. "My parents, the Devils, this whole fucking place can rot in hell! They're sending you into a warzone ill prepared and unde requipped! Why? So the Lords of Kuoh can get their prized trinkets. A few hunks of iron! That's how much these people think your life is worth!"
"Saya...listen…" He took a step forward.
"And what makes it worse is you're just going along with it!" Her emotions flared as the hurt she felt rose into her voice. "Playing the obedient little soldier like no one will give a rats ass if you die!"
"Saya!" He shouted insistently.
"Did you even stop to consider how I feel?! Did the thought ever once cross your mind?!" She shut her eyes tight as tears fell freely down her face. "You're supposed to be my boyfriend! Good boyfriends don't get themselves killed just for some-"
She was cut off by the very sudden and very unexpected sensation of his lips pressing feverishly to hers. Saya went completely wide eyed at the kiss, her whole body going rigid. Finally, he pulled away from her and she just stared back in utter shock. Her whole face turning bright red.
"The only reason I'm agreeing to any of this is so we can stay together." He spoke completely unapologetically. "Your parents would never agree to us dating if I don't embrace my role as a Demon."
Saya didn't respond. She couldn't get over the shock of what he just did.
"I get that my life is on the line. But after everything we've been through, any life that doesn't include you being in it is not worth living anyway." Having said his peace, he turned his head to the side and offered his cheek. "You can go ahead and slap me or do whatever now. I don't regret what I said, and I don't regret doing this if it means we get to stay together."
But she didn't hit him. After a few moments of bracing, he turned his gaze back to her to find her head lowered and her body quivering again. He thought she would be livid. Instead...Saya was crying.
She rushed into his arms and hugged him tightly to her chest, quietly weeping on his shoulder while he stood there like a log. Unsure how to respond.
"You're such an unbelievable asshole…" She choked out in between pained breathes. "What gives you the right to do this to me? Who said you could make me feel like this and then just leave me?"
He finally hugged her back. Taking Saya by the waist and holding her tightly to him. "I'm coming back. We all are."
"Don't you dare say that." She shook her head vehemently against his shoulder. "Don't you dare give me that hope unless you can promise me. You promise me, dammit! You promise me or I'll never forgive you for this!"
"I promise." He squeezed her even more tightly to him. "We're coming back no matter what."
She continued to softly cry against his shoulder. When Saya finally managed to calm down he tried to let her go only for her to cling tighter to him.
"Could you...stay with me tonight?" She asked pitifully. "Like you did last night?"
He smiled lovingly and nodded. "Of course."
Saya relaxed into him, her whole body finally untensing.
"Besides…" He added with a cheeky grin "...it'll be nice spending some time together where you're not completely smashed."
And just like that her whole body seized up again. This time, however, in rage. Saya raised her head, snarled like an irate banshee, and sank her fang into his right ear, biting down hard.
"YOWCH!"
Matsuda sat at the edge of the bed staring off into space. Rei had excused herself to go shower and get ready for bed, leaving him alone with his thoughts. As eager as he was initially to go on this mission, he was beginning to have doubts. What they were doing was undeniably dangerous. There was every possibility they may not make it back.
Was he really okay with that?
"Am I really strong enough for this?" He quietly muttered to himself.
"Why so melancholy?"
Matsuda turned to see Rei, a beautiful smile on her face, now dressed in her silk nighty.
"I guess I was just thinking…" He admitted glumly. "...it sure would be nice if Jon was here. Then I could ask him what to do. A mission like this would be a cakewalk for him."
Rei sighed and rolled her eyes before taking a seat next to him. "You put way too much faith in Jon and not nearly enough in yourself. You heard what Akeno said, he's off on some super dangerous top secret assignment. We've gotta handle this ourselves."
"Mmm." He rested his chin against his palm, still lost in thought.
She placed her hand over his and leaned forward into his gaze again. "I've been relying on you ever since this whole thing started. We all have. You've been the bravest and strongest out of all of us."
He chuckled dismissively. "I was just desperate to survive. And besides, Xenovia is the real hero here. Not me."
"She's got training." Rei responded. "And experience. What you have is bravery in the face of adversity. To me, that makes you as much a hero as she is." She blushed. "You'll always be MY hero at least."
His face reddened as well. "You know...it's funny. Around this time two days ago, Motohama, Aika, and myself all broke into the school lab to try and figure out Jon's big secret. Motohama and I wanted to use his power to build our own personal love harem. Now? Now I'm fighting to save the lives of a bunch of random strangers I don't even know." He smiled. "I guess his Golden Rule really did hold strong after all."
She gave him a curious look. "His Golden Rule?"
He nodded. "Yeah, Jon gave us a list of rules to follow when it came to talking to girls. His golden rule always stumped me because he was basically saying I had to make someone else happy before I could ever be happy. Back then, I didn't have a clue what he meant." He cast his gaze lovingly at Rei. "But I think I do now."
After a long pause, Rei placed a hand up to her mouth and began to giggle. This giggling turned into a small quiet laughing fit.
"What's so funny?"
She shook her head. "It's nothing." Rei leaned her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes in relaxation.
"I'm gonna tell you one of the girl's rules." Rei spoke gently while resting against him. "We like the cute boys who are sweet to us and who make us feel like no other girl exists in the whole world."
He smirked at her. "And that's it?"
She nodded, her eyes still closed. "Mhmm, that's it. I don't know much about Devil Girls or Peerages or Dragon's Treasures, but when it comes to us mortal human girls, it's really that simple."
His smile faded somewhat. "I'm not really any of those things though. Am I?"
"Maybe you didn't used to be." She stared up at him adoringly and placed herself completely in his lap. "But you sure are now. You may think it's involuntary or that you're just trying to survive. But you're a fighter, Matsuda. I see that clearly in your eyes."
The look she was giving him at that moment, it made his heart skip madly in his chest.
"Maybe you weren't always that way. But I know that's how you are now. I see the strength in you even if no one else ever did and…"
Her eyes began to glass over as she placed his hand to her chest.
"...and I love you. There, I said it. I love you Matsuda. I want us to spend the rest of our lives together, however long or short they may be."
He was at a complete loss for words. Rather than try to find them at that exact moment, he instead elected to press her down to the mattress and lock their lips together. The two shared a passionate kiss as she splayed out on the bed for him. Finally, he broke away.
"Rei...I...I love-"
At that moment sirens began to blare. They both lurched up from the bed as the city became engulfed in the sound of automatic weapons fire.
Moments before he could confess, the War for the city had officially begun.
