(Chapter 8: Black Dogs and Sith Lords)
It would be coming towards the end of October as Asia and Anakin awaited for Kalawarner to get back to on Azazel's imminent arrival to talk things over with him, until then figured they should spend the rest of their time continuing to train and spend time with each other until they met with the Devils. With Asia partaking in sparring sessions with Anakin to help the former Jedi General to continue to shake the rust off of skills as a swordsman, of which Asia found out that despite his 'rustiness' he was terrifyingly proficient in swordplay and often left her on the backfoot from his greatly efficient offensive technique.
Speaking of the Devils, Anakin had talked with Kiba and told him that if Rias wanted to see him so badly then she could come and do it herself and Kiba in not wanting to anger the rather powerful Force user did just that. Thanks to this a meetup between Asia, Anakin and the heirs to House Sitri and Gremory was arranged with the former of the two attending wanting to get this issue done and out of their hair as quickly as possible; while the 2 Devil in question could only for the chance to possibly gain 1 or maybe 2 new additions to their peerage..
(October 26th, 2017, O.R.C Room, 4:17 Pm)
It was the 26th of October and the atmosphere within the O.R.C room was a very intense one considering that the duo of Anakin and Asia held their piercing gazes locked onto the both Devils, with Tsubasa being nearly unable to feel as though she was almost insignificant from the amount of tension in the air.
"Now that we are all here and accounted for. Explain to me what it is that you from Asia and I, and get to the point of what it is you have to say. I am not here to have my time wasted by anyone, so unless it is of importance to the issue; then keep it to yourself and be silent." Anakin spoke while his golden brown eyes seemed to almost go straight through Rias and Sona who were fixed in place by his gaze
"Do you have anything you wish to add before this is started, Asia?" Anakin asked the war cleric who sat beside him
"There isn't much to add. Besides...I rather not be here anymore than I have to." Asia answered back in thinly veiled disgust for the Devils before her
"Now that, that is all settled. Let us get to the matter at hand with why you have been watching us both..more importantly why you have had people watching me. The reason behind why had better be a good one." Anakin spoke as the fierceness of his penetrating gaze was such that all Devils present felt as though they were bolted to the floor and forced to look him directly in the eye
"The reason why we have been keeping watch over you, is because we have seen your rather immense power and have had our subordinates witness your combative prowess firsthand. Of which I will say is far more than what either one of us could've expected. Therefore, we wish to extend to you and your friend who is also rather exceptional an offer and place in both our peerages." Sona explained the gist of what they had been watching them
"I specifically would request for you to join my peerage, Anakin, as I promise to make your joining mine worth your while. I am a rather benevolent king and I promise that your time won't be wasted when you join me. The Gremory's are after all known for their kindness and I promise to show you that I am more than worthy of being your King." Rias said with utmost confidence that once she got Anakin to come onto her peerage and saw how much of a good King she was that he would be onboard with anything
'She must really think I am a gullible idiot to simply sign onto her peerage because she's simply a 'good king', as if I will ever fall for someone proclaiming to be a good leader ever again.' Anakin thought to himself in having learned his lesson of falling for such lies after Palpatine had whispered similar honeyed words in convincing him to join him as Vader
"I'm sure that either one of you will enjoy…" Sona spoke or tried to say before a snort from Asia interrupted her
"Spare me any fluffing up you have to say, my answer is and always will be a gigantic and unyielding never gonna happen! I would be insane to let you ever make a slave out of me, after your kind ruined my life!" Asia haughtily interjected in giving a definitive negative to ever joining one of their peerages
"Please at least give us a chance to explain. I don't know what experiences you've gone through for you to have such a negative opinion of us. I can assure you that we are nothing like some of the more...unsavory of our race." Sona said while hating the fact that some of her people could not control themselves to where Devils were given an abhorrent reputation
"I don't need to hear anything from you. Thanks to one of you, I was cast out of the church, branded a heretic, hunted and still hunted by exorcists and some of your kind for years to kill me or capture me for what it is I don't want to know. To where if I have to hear another exorcist say that I should repent for my heresy with my life, or a Devil say I should be grateful for the chance to serve under them. Then I swear to the Lord Almighty; I will rain down all of my fury upon whoever has made me so unyieldingly angry!" Asia vehemently replied with her emerald colored eyes briefly turning orange with divine magic in being more than willing to rain down divine fury upon them
"You both can try me and see what happens, but just know the moment you do try something. The very moment any of you do and its both of your asses!" Asia furiously spat as she would be damned if a Devil would ever try something against her after Diodora ruined her life
"...As much as I would like to have you as part of my peerage. I won't request you to join if you are this greatly against doing so." Sona said with slight disappointment at the fact that she wouldn't be able to gain such a powerful healer on her side
"I am in agreement with Sona. While I would love to have someone of your skillset and healing capabilities on my side. I won't ask you to join my side. Not to mention that even I am not foolish enough to recruit a cleric onto my side when they are so against my people. After all, your power is nothing to be taken lightly; seeing as where it comes from." Rias spoke in reluctant agreement that she would not be able to garner the addition of such a powerful war cleric onto her peerages' side
Despite the fact that Rias wasn't as wildly intelligent as Sona, even she knew that to bring not only a powerful war priest onto her side but one that hated Devils with an obvious passion would be a monumentally idiotic decision. So even if it cost her what would've been a fantastic bishop to add onto her peerage to aid her in defeating Riser, she knew that it was something that she had to take on the fact that she didn't want to risk having an unruly cleric who would kill her and her peerage out of pure unyielding spite for having been made into a Devil.
"As long as you see it my way and continue to see it that way. Then we won't have any issues with my doing anything to either one of your pets, just so long as you stay out of my way." Asia told the two of them in so long as they didn't try anything towards her then it would be smooth sailing from there
"Now then, Anakin, about the possibility of you joining one of our peer..ages.." Rias tried to say but was stopped by the rather ominous glare from the former Jedi Knight
"So...what is this about the possibility of my being enslaved to one of you? I didn't know that my joining one of your...peerages was it; would mean I would become a slave to one of you and lose my freedom.. Tell me does my new position in joining you also come with a collar and ID number as well, what is next my being expected to call you master or mistress?" Anakin questioned his voice that now had a biting venom too it also carried far more anger and hate than it had previously upon hearing the mention of slavery
"If you would mind calming down, you would see that despite the negative connotations associated with joining a Devils' peerage. Becoming a servant to one of us will not be as bad as you think it will be. I promise you that under us and especially joining my peerage; that you be treated and taken care of exceptionally." Rias answered back in hopes that she could sway his harsh opinion towards a more positive light
"Yes, because being a thrall to a 'kind' master makes it so much better. I feel so much better knowing that I will be in chains to a spoiled little girl, the very thought warms my heart." Anakin snidely replied the venom blatantly present in his voice
"I don't know what I can do to change your mind and convince you to join my peerage, but…" Rias tried to say but a resulting flare up in Force energy silenced her and put both her and Sona on edge
"But nothing. There is nothing you can say or do to change my mind about being made a slave to whatever it is you have planned for me. I will never join you, bend the knee to you, or serve in any capacity as a subservient thrall that will obey your every whim or come to heel at your beck and call. Understand that, for I will never join your peerage or serve you as long as I draw breath. Or I swear the moment you try to impose your will onto me and force me into your servitude; that day will be the final one that you and all others close to you draw breath." Anakin warned not just Sona but especially Rias who couldn't help but be paralyzed by the cruel gaze of the former Sith Lord
With it taking a great majority of his self-control not to use the Force to snap every bone in her body and then watch the life be choked away from her; for even getting the idea to enslave him and use him for whatever whims and machinations she had in mind for him. The very thought of ever being in chains and bound in bondage to anyone ever again filled him with a fury and loathing that he hadn't felt in decades, one that had it not been for decades of self-control and restraint would be unleashed onto Rias without question nor hesitation.
"..Please you have to understand. I wouldn't ask you to join my peerage if it wasn't important!" Rias said but the golden gaze of Anakin said all their was as his patience continued to wane
"The only thing of importance that has been wasted here is both mine and Asia's time. If there is nothing else that either of you wish to say that is actually important. Then we both will be leaving here." Anakin icily responded in despising the fact that his time had been wasted by two rather insignificant little girls that had wasted his time
"Please, I need your help to get out of my marriage. If you don't help me I'll lose what freedom I still have! I don't know what else I can do to convince you?" Rias almost pleaded with Anakin whose anger only seemed to grow upon hearing that
"So in addition towards wanting to make me your slave, I am also nothing more than a tool to get you out of an arranged marriage?!...In trying to sell me onto your side, I only see a pathetic whelp who has only wasted my time.. Unless you have any other ways to convince me on why I should bother with you, then do not waste any further time trying to convince me otherwise." Anakin spat as he began to leave alongside Asia while Rias in realizing her window was closing rapidly decided she had to use one of her only other option
"What if I could prove to you that I'm strong enough to be your King?! At the very least consider helping me." Rias exclaimed which stopped Anakin in his tracks who had to raise a brow at this
"What can you or any of your other slaves do to prove you worth to me? From my understanding in recent events, my power is far stronger than anything you or anyone barring Asia can muster against me. So enlighten me on how you will be able to do even that?" Anakin inquired on how the Gremory heiress would be able to do that when upon further examinations he'd realized that he grossly overestimated Rias and her ilk
"That I and my peerage, challenge you to a modified Rating Game. Wherein it will be all of us against you and if we can defeat you, knock you unconscious or even land a critical injury on you. Then you at the very least will have to help us against my 'fiance', if you manage to defeat us in turn. Then I won't bother you on the issue any further..Do we have a deal?" Rias spoke up in seeing that she had to at the very least throw out a hail Mary to have him possibly join her side or convince him to do so overtime
'What do you think, Ddraig? Should I take her up on this deal?' Anakin asked through the telepathic link he managed to develop with the Dragon of Domination
"I say you should. After all, you know full well that you are infinitely stronger than her and all of her thralls combined. So I say that we do this and show these pathetic maggots whom they are dealing with!" Ddraig answered back in being fully onboard for teaching/showing them whom the hell they were
'I agree. Besides, it has been awhile since I have taught someone where they stand in the order of things.' Anakin agreed as there was a part of him that really wanted to set the record straight with Rias on how out of her depth she was to think she had a chance of contending with him
'Besides, Ddraig. There is one other thing I can ask for to make things easier on us and Asia.' Anakin said to the Heavenly Dragon
"What is it Anakin?" Ddraig asked his partner
'I've been doing light scans of her mind and found out that she owns a portion of Kuoh. So why not have something of my own from all of this. Don't you think getting a territory for ourselves is a fair prize if we win?" Anakin asked as the Heavenly Dragon who grinned deviously from within the Sacred Gear
"I will accept your deal. However, know that you are truly beyond your capabilities when the day comes to fight against me. For you will have not even a thousandth of a chance to stand against me" Anakin warned her of the fact that when she fought him that it would be nothing close to a fight
"Furthermore, if I win against you I get to have a prize of my choice from you. A prize that if I beat you and your slaves in this fight that you can not renege on. Do you agree to these terms?" Anakin asked the Gremory heiress
"Don't count me out just yet. My peerage and I will prove more than competent to stand against you. Besides, I'm more than willing to oblige on whatever it is you want 'if' you win against me." Rias said in self-assurance that herself and her peerage could give Anakin a run for his money
"I highly doubt it. However, I will be looking forwards to gain my prize out of you...Anyways, let's leave Asia, we've wasted enough time being here." Anakin spoke while Asia nodded and followed after him
"...Anakin I have to ask. Why in the hell would you agree to that deal? You know that if by some slim chance you lose you become her slave at worst and at best you are stuck having to waste precious time helping her get out of some 'sham' of a marriage she's stuck in...Which is probably just an excuse to pull on your heartstrings so you will join her side." Asia wondered as to why Anakin would agree to doing this when it could cost him is freedom
"Understand that the chances of my being defeated or them even landing nothing more than a few minor scrapes and bruises at best, are slim at best. My power is as we've seen without any possible limit, on top of that my level of power and skill is far beyond anything they have encountered. Which is why I have no reason to fear the loss of my freedom, for they are nothing to be taken seriously as combatants. The only thing they would come close to are annoyances at best and insignificant nuisances at worst." Anakin replied in after having sensed the levels of power that was Rias and her underlings felt no reason to be worried about them as threats
For the former Dark Lord knew that as far as he was concerned that the Gremory heiress and her ilk were nothing to sweat seriously over, with him knowing that even Dohnaseek would give him far more trouble than they would; even if they fought him at the maximum totality of their own strength. Therefore, he saw no legitimate reason to see them as nothing more than a minor nuisance he would have to get rid of; if only for the sheer fact that he knew without a doubt that his powers and capabilities eclipsed anything they had to offer manyfold.
"..Even you know that she and her slaves are nothing if not weaklings compared to us." Anakin said in spitting the word slave as though it were some foul piss covered thing he couldn't get out of his mouth
"You're not wrong. Either she is really confident to think that she has even a fighting chance against you, or really stupid to think that she can hope to hold a candle towards what you can do." Asia replied in knowing that Anakin wasn't wrong in any capacity
"In any case, what are you going to do now?" Asia wondered as to what he'd do now
"First things first, take care of my meeting with Azazel. Then after that sharpen up and perfect anything I need to before my inevitable battle with Gremory. Can't get anymore simpler than that." Anakin replied as to what his game plan was as they continued to head home
(4 days later, October 30th, 2017, 1:45 Pm, Azazel's Residence)
It was the following Monday later for Anakin as Kalawarner had notified him of the fact that Azazel wasn't only in Kuoh but was ready to meet with the former Jedi Knight, as such and after flying to where the cadre leader was had knocked on the door of the 3 story house and was currently awaiting him.
'Hopefully, this all goes well.' Anakin thought to himself as he soon saw the door open to reveal the leader of Grigori
"Oh, there you are. I'm so glad that I finally get to meet you in person. Please come in, we have quite a bit to discuss. So feel free to make yourself at home while your here as well, you are a guest after all." Azazel said welcoming the former Jedi knight into his own while dressed up in a manner that made him look like a college professor or principal at a high-end high school
"Yes..we do. I gotta say at the very least that I expected...more from the leader of fallen angels." Anakin spoke as he entered the house in having expected a more lavish and decadent abode than the otherwise modest looking one he lived in
"Don't get me wrong, I'm all for living in luxury and mansions as much as the next guy. However, I felt it would be a bit much for my stay here. So I decided to tone it down while I'm here." Azazel replied in feeling that while he was here that it would be best if he didn't come rollin' in with some immaculately garish looking mansion
"I guess I can't argue with that, what with you being in the midst of these Devils." Anakin said in seeing the logic of Azazel's reasoning
"Oh yeah, this is Sirzechs and Serafalls' little sisters' territory if I'm correct? I gotta say that I'm a little surprised they would trust them with something like this. Those two are a few decades too young for something like that if you ask me." Azazel spoke in remembering that Kuoh Town was in possession of both the younger sisters' of 1 half of the 4 Great Satans
"Who are Serafall and Sirzechs?" Anakin inquired in having no clue over who these two people were besides the elder siblings of Rias and Sona
"Those two are the older siblings to the two Devils that claim this town of yours as their territory. More importantly, they are not only 2 of the 4 Great Satans that rule over the Underworld. They also happen to be two of the four most strongest of the Devils that rule the Underworld. Sirzechs in particular who is hailed as one of the trump cards that the Devils have under their sleeve should war break out. Someone that even you should be careful of, if I were you." Azazel answered back in giving Anakin the quick and dirty version of who Serafall and Sirzechs were
"Good to know should I ever encounter them in the future." Anakin moreso noted to himself while they entered into a furnished living room
"Please make yourself comfortable, I see no reason why you shouldn't be while you're here." Azazel said as Anakin took a seat on one of the couches although he kept his gaze trained on the fallen angel leader
"...Now that you have those fallen angels who have taken those traitors of yours into custody. Why don't we get to it." Anakin spoke in having been notified by Asia and Kalawarner that the day prior a small group of fallen angels had come to take and detain Miltelt and Dohnaseek
"Yes, I have to thank you for not killing them. Even though they betrayed me, I would rather they be dealt accordingly for their actions. Death would allow them to escape their punishment all too easily and have us lose out on valuable information on what Kokabiel has planned. So if there's any possible way I can thank you and your friend for doing this for me and preventing a potential shitshow with what was reported to me. Then by all means let me know." Azazel replied in thanks for the former Jedi Knight having not killed off the two minions of Kokabiel
"Now that you mention it, there actually is something you could do for me at the moment. What Asia would want in terms of her thanks from you is something you would have to take up with her." Anakin told the leader of Grigori as he already had things in mind
"What did you have in mind?" Azazel questioned
"To put it bluntly I'm needing to upgrade my current arsenal, seeing that despite my powers and also my having this.. I am very much lacking." Anakin answered back before brandishing his enhanced light-sword
"That's quite the interesting light-sword you've got there. Where did you get it, I haven't seen anything similar or even close to the ones made by the Church?" Azazel questioned in wondering where Anakin had managed to find the rather unique looking light-sword in his possession
"The light sword itself I got after I managed to convince a stray exorcist to give it to me after I convinced him to turn against Dohnaseek and Miltelt, which was easier than I had expected. After that, I managed to upgrade it using a solidified portion of my partners' powers to do so." Anakin informed the fallen angel of how his weapon came to be
"However, thanks to that. It also presents the issue of my weapon not being viable in the long term...Since you might as well know the commonplace light-sword isn't built to handle power of that magnitude. That is why I want your help in giving me the materials needed to make a far superior version of this weapon, one that can properly handle the power I've put into it without degrading. On top of that I also require for armor to be commissioned as well. I would rather be fighting against creatures in actual armor than simply my run of the mill clothing, I would rather have a good defense on my side instead of having to constantly worry about an enemy attack hitting me because I'm only wearing a t-shirt and jeans." Anakin requested as those two things in particular were something he wanted squared away immediately
"That is something that can be handled with no trouble at all. Getting you the materials you need to build an improved version of your weapon will be no problem at all, although to have the proper parts given to you will require you to take a brief trip to our headquarters to get that all squared away. The same with your armor so we can get it down to your exact specifications." Azazel told him as in being more than happy to oblige in what was a rather easy to take care of request
"As long as everything is taken care of, then I am fine with going through the needed steps to get what I need." Anakin said in not minding having to take whatever steps were needed to get was was necessary
"Beyond improving your weaponry and getting armor. Is there anything else that you need from me?" Azazel asked on anything else that the former Sith Lord required on his end of things
"Yes there is ,as it currently stands because of my being the Red Dragon Emperor and everything that is entailed with that title and its power. That also puts a large target on my back and the backs of the people around me. That is why I want you to put some warding as it were on my house and make sure its protected from all manner of Devils, angels, monsters, undead and et cetera. I'd rather not have my home be made a sitting duck for any and all to pick apart at their leisure." Anakin spoke on what else he wanted from the leader of Grigori
Anakin knew that even though he was extremely powerful alongside Asia's own competency as a divine spellcaster that their home even with the Hallow ritual cast upon it was still subject to being a sitting duck from other threats, threats that the former Dark Lord wanted to be safeguarded against as much as possible. Hence why he saw it as the best solution to have Azazel have his people create wards to help greatly buff the defenses of his and Asia's home against threats beyond that of the Devils, as he knew full well that it was only a matter of time before threats from other groups came knocking at his door.
"Again, that seems reasonable enough. Although, it will take some time to make sure all of the wards and protective glyphs are properly applied and don't conflict with one another...Which means that some remodeling to your house will be done to it, if you do not mind?" Azazel told him as the process of applying an extensive number of wards around the Hyoudou Residence would take some time
"However long it takes is irrelevant to me; as long as it is done and done adequately, then I do not care about the length of time that it takes." Anakin responded as what mattered to him was that the task was done and done right
"Glad to see that your so willing to be patient. Which will make your stay at our headquarters all the more convenient while my men get to work on warding your house." Azazel said in seeing the convenience of Anakin's temporary stay at their headquarters
"Good to know. But beyond those two simple requests from you, that is all I have to ask from you at this moment." Anakin told the leader of Grigori as to all of what he requested at the moment
"Alright then. Seeing that that is everything you require from my end of things. It is time that we discuss how things will work now that you will be working alongside us." Azazel spoke in seeing that this was were they could get to his end of things
"By all means let's get to it." Anakin replied in wanting to not waste anymore time
With that in mind Azazel then went into detail as now that he was a part of Grigori that Anakin and his loved ones would be under Azazel and his organizations' protection and that as a member he would have access to training facilities, info resources and etc. In exchange Anakin would be called upon to go on missions for Grigori in both being either combative missions or diplomatic missions to help maintain or help secure alliances with other pantheons/factions; of which Anakin was all too happy to do in order to break the mundanity of things.
The only other thing in addition to this was the fact that Azazel would need Anakin to fight against one of his operatives in the form of Tobio Ikuse, so as to have a proper and accurate means of gauging how strong Anakin is within their organization. Something that the former Sith Lord was by all means fine with, considering that this would mean he would actually have a better opponent to test out his capabilities and get that much closer towards finding out the true limitations of his power.
"When will all of this be expected to happen?" Anakin questioned the leader of Grigori as to when his battle against Tobio would commence
"It will be well within the week. I will notify you immediately on when and where it will be held and from there we can get down towards making your requests met." Azazel answered back in being sure to notify Anakin on when everything would be established for him to go toe to toe with Tobio
"Good. Now that everything has been settled; I will be leaving. Thank you for your time." Anakin thanked the fallen angel for his time before leaving the premise
'I can't wait to see what it is your capable of, hopefully you'll exceed my expectations, Red Dragon Emperor.' Azazel thought to himself in a mix of curiosity and excitement over what he'd soon witness from Anakin in his impending fight with Tobio
(3 days later, November 2nd, 2017, 6:30 Pm, Kuoh Town)
It was now the second day of November as Kokabiel's daughter had finally taken care of things in Volgograd and had taken up residence in the town of Kuoh as her father had requested from her.
"Father, am I coming in clearly?" Hesiene asked as she was in her living room where one of the television screens flipped onto the image of Kokabiel
"Yes you are Hesiene, it is always a pleasure to see you. Even if it is indirectly." Kokabiel answered back in being able to hear and see his daughter perfectly
"That is wonderful to hear. Also apologies for having taken so long in Volgograd. However, I was very much keen on making sure that one of the new Graviturgy spells I had finished learning worked correctly." Hesiene apologized for having taken so long but wanted to test drive her new spells before heading off towards Kuoh
"How exactly did your tests go? I assume they went quite well by your expression." Kokabiel asked while Hesiene smiled widely
"They went perfectly! The exorcists there didn't even have so much as a single chance before they were swept up by my spell. I never thought I would ever see the day where an entire cathedral was swallowed up by a gravitational singularity. However, I will say that it was well worth the wait of seeing it all happen." Hesiene told her father with a smile that matched her father's own insidious one
With Hesiene inheriting many traits that definitely made her, her fathers' daughter from her piercing ruby red eyes, sharp-toothed sinister smile and obsidian hair that went to her lower back; it also differed in its own ways from her softer yet still intense facial features, slightly pointed ears and her fuller more feminine lips and prominent cheekbones. With her actually standing quite a fair bit taller than her father at a statuesque 6 foot 2 that with her slightly slender yet still rather curvy figure made for a rather imposing figure with somewhat broad shoulders and an ever intimidating gaze that would make one only describe her as fearsome.
She currently was wearing a long-sleeved dark-red, high-collared button up blouse that gave a decent view of her above-average sized bust, a pair of navy colored bell-bottom jeans which covered her mile-long legs that was held up by a corded onyx colored leather belt worn around her waist. With her hair done up in a rather thick fishtail braid, around her left index finger was a silver ring that had what looked like a gold and amethyst brain on it, while around her neck was a brass chained necklace with a platinum triquetra that had rubies and tigers' eyes going around and across it.
"That is always wonderful to hear. Anything that gives Michael and his lot a bloody nose is always pleasant news!" Kokabiel said in a rather jovial tone of voice whenever hearing about the destruction of anything Heaven-related
"So tell me, how have things gone since your arrival in Kuoh?" Kokabiel asked his daughter as to how things were currently going
"They have gone rather well. In fact the Red Dragon Emperor and more importantly the Devils that 'claim' this town as their territory haven't even registered my presence." Hesiene said with some disappointment in her voice concerning the supposed Devils that ran this place
"Really? You mean to tell me that Sirzechs and Serafalls' bratty little siblings haven't even noticed your arrival in Kuoh? Not even in the slightest?" Kokabiel asked rather surprised that they hadn't noticed his daughters' presence
"You think they would. However, the defenses around this place are pitiful..No scratch that, they're abysmal and absolute garbage! The fact that what they have around here as passable defenses is appalling. They don't even have the most basic of runes to prevent someone from teleporting in and slitting their throats in the middle of the day..No wonder it was so easy to have so many stray exorcists transported here. If we really wanted to we could invade this place with so much ease that its' laughable." Hesiene answered back in honest disgust and anger at how pitiful things were in Kuoh in relation to the Devils that ran it
"I honestly would've thought that I would at least have some challenge or issue getting through here, but instead I was able to basically waltz my way right through here. The fact that they were given this place when they are clearly to incomptent to even properly ward or even set up the most basic of defenses infuriates me." Hesiene added in heavy irritation and disgust at how it was so easy for her to just waltz right in and not even be given a challenge to test her skills in the arcane
"...If this is what passes for the next generation of Devils, especially ones that were such great adversaries during the Great War. Then truly the Devils have fallen from what they once were." Kokabiel said while feeling disappointment start to creep up within him
"The sisters themselves aren't even anything to be worried about. The two of them put together wouldn't even scratch being at the level of a Ultimate-Class Devil. There peerages as a whole while they are 'decent' on a quantitative level. In terms of total quality they're nothing short of garbage, with one exception." Hesiene noted at the fact that her time here she had recorded that the Devils weren't anything to really care about except for one in particular
"Enlighten me on who this exception would be?" Kokabiel questioned on who the exception would be
"This known exception would be the Sitri's Rook. With her level of physical might surpassing anything that Gremory's own Rook or Knight has at her base. Yet she has also started to show the same abilities that the Red Dragon Emperor has, although not to the same extent as we have currently seen." Hesiene answered back as her surveillance had yielded some rather interesting
"That is most interesting? Any guesses or calculations on how strong she may become with these powers she shares with the Red Dragon Emperor?" Kokabiel questioned his brow furrowed with at this new information
"It stands that in due time and if she is actually able to properly train with these powers. That it is possible for her to reach the strength of an mid-tier Ultimate-Class threat. This is the most conservative estimate I can make without further study over her." Hesiene told her father over what the future possibility of Tsubasa's potential being able to yield
For Hesiene knew that despite what little her findings had given her on Tsubasa's powers in the Force, what they had at their most conservative was that her potential was nothing if not vastly greater than that of what any from either peerages had in any capacity except the natural talent that Rias and Sona had at their disposal.
"This is most interesting to hear. Keep an eye on her as well. If she has this much latent potential within her that it can potentially surpass that of the Satans' siblings, then she is certainly someone to watch out for." Kokabiel noted in that Tsubasa's latent potential would make her someone they needed to watch for
"Understood, father. Besides, her and the Red Dragon Emperor. The only other person through my surveillance over the area that I've gathered as a substantial threat; is none other than Asia Argento, the former Maiden of Miracles." Hesiene told the former cadre of whom the only other person of note within Kuoh was
"Hmm, I never would've expected her to be here of all places. This certainly makes things interesting, seeing as how even the Church still hunts her..perhaps a few things could be done to see if the rumors of her strength are all they're cracked up to be. Since I am curious of how the Balance Breaker of someone like her stands in comparison to the powers of those she's allied with." Kokabiel replied in being rather intrigued to see what the full powers of the Maiden of Miracles were like
"I'm pretty sure that I can arrange a few things here and there to force her hand. After all, there is a reason why I have studied into opening up rifts into other planes. Did you really think those decades of studying extraplanar magic were just for show and flash." Hesiene said with a smile as all her many decades of studying various forms of magic were done so with a purpose for each one
"Good to hear, perhaps this will also force the Red Dragon Emperor into showcasing more of his own abilities and perhaps even more of his full powers." Kokabiel replied with a small smile on his face
"In any case father, is there anything else that you wish for me to do while I'm here?" Hesiene asked her father of anything else on if there was anything else he needed of her
"Not at all. Although should you feel like it, perhaps start weeding out the weak from either one of those brats' peerages. After all, they have been living in comfort for far too long. So I think that giving them a few things here and there to keep them on their toes will be a great idea." Kokabiel advised to his daughter in thinking it would be best that the weak were eliminated so that only the strong would be there for his arrival
"That sounds like an excellent idea, father, I will get started on that immediately. Those spoiled Devils have to pay for their weakness somehow and what better way than by getting rid of their trash." Hesiene said with a rather devious grin on her face
"Good. Now, remember to keep in contact with me to let me know of your progress. Also, do not be a stranger to me while on your mission. I do miss speaking with you regularly, like we used to." Kokabiel replied in having really missed speaking with Hesiene on a regular basis like they had in decades past
"Don't worry father, I will be sure to keep in close contact with you." Hesiene spoke before proceeding to say her goodbyes and cut off the transmission
'Now then, what will be the best way to truly hurt those Devils?...They must pay for being so pathetic its abhorrent.' Hesiene wondered to herself on how she would best hurt the Devils
(The next day later, November 3rd, 2017, 14 miles outside of Kuoh Town, 6:45 Pm)
It was the following Friday evening as Azazel alongside Anakin and Tobio were on the outskirts of Kuoh Town and a rather healthy distance away from said town for the bout that would test to see how strong Anakin was in contention with Tobio.
"Are you sure this barrier will hold, Azazel?" Anakin asked as he saw the golden colored barrier around him and Tobio that spanned out for quite a large amount of distance
"I am positive, Anakin. This barrier will be able to hold for the duration of the bout between you and Tobio. Anything short of Tannin going at full power this barrier will be able to withstand." Azazel said as he rapped his knuckles against the barrier that rippled lightly from it
"As long as it will hold then I am fine to begin." Anakin said as he activated his light-sword against Tobio who brandished a scythe from his own shadow
"The only other question I will ask before we begin this test is if you are ready to begin, Tobio?" Azazel asked the Canis Lykaon wielder
"Yes, Lord Azazel." Tobio asked as he got into a fighting stance
The moment they were told to begin Anakin wasted no time in using the Force to wrench Tobio forward towards him while he raced towards his fellow Longinus wielder as though he were a runaway freight train on crack. Tobio had to quickly bring his scythe up to parry the bisecting sideswipe aimed at his ribcage that landed with such force against his weapon that it made his very bones rattle; before he was forced on the backfoot by Anakin who began a measured advance against him in using a combination of Makashi and Niman to probe his defenses.
The scythe wielder while able to parry and deflect the mechanical cadence of attacks launched upon him, that didn't mean they came with any less power behind them as each attack was followed by another one in a consistent chain of unceasing thrusts and slashes. All the while Anakin was using this time to analyze each twirl, spin, parry and deflection from Tobio so as to best figure out what method would be suited to pick apart his technique; his mind racing to come up with the most effective plan of attack to dismantle and defeat his adversary.
Every moment that passed was another moment that Anakin began to gradually suss out the patterns within Tobio's technique allowing him to more and more bypass it with rapidly growing success that had Tobio further and further on the defensive. With Tobio having to form scythe blades out of nearby shadows that were cast by the trees around them in order to break and interrupt the rhythm Anakin had gotten into in order to disengage and regroup, yet this did nothing to deter the former Sith Lord who merely blasted Tobio with a powerful Force Push that sent him flying several meters.
Anakin then used a burst of Force assisted speed to soon dash behind Tobio and land a devastating overhand slash across Tobio's back that sent him into an adjacent tree so hard it caused the tree trunk to splinter on impact. The wielder of Canis Lykaon having to shrink his original scythe to the size of a short-scythe and forme and second one in his free-hand so as to catch Anakin's light-sword in a shunt block; although the effort of which to a great majority of his physical strength to do so.
"I didn't know you were such a skilled swordsman, who taught you how to fight so well?" Tobio asked while struggling not to let Anakin's blade any closer to his throat
"All you need to do is worry about is your own imminent defeat." Anakin answered back as he continued to force his blade closer and closer towards Tobio
Tobio who saw the blade inching ever closer towards him used the shadows that were around them to have 5 scythe-like blades made of solidified shadow come lancing towards Anakin who managed to leap out of the way before they could impale him. With the former Sith Lord floating some dozen feet in the air as he scanned the area for where Tobio would reappear next, for the exact second that Tobio had reappeared to take cover behind a small grouping of trees had Anakin unleashed a powerful Force Wave upon him.
The resulting shockwave of Force energy was so great that the immediate treeline was instantly turned into sawdust, the ground shredded as though it had gone through a cheese grater and any living creature in sight turned into a bloody pulp that misted the air crimson. Yet Tobio stood there having managed to endure some of the Force Wave after having barely dove into a shadow to mitigate the damage, albeit nearly half of his combat suit had been blasted apart with small chunks of his flesh shredded away from the sheer concussive force behind it.
Even so the bloodied Slash Dog had no time to even gather his thoughts as Anakin had dove down onto him with a monstrous overhand strike that landed with such force; that even when he blocked he found himself pushed 3 inches into the ground. All before he was once again subject to another advancing onslaught from Anakin who this time after having quickly sussed out the defensive patterns in Tobio's technique throughout their bout, felt confident enough to start engaging in a more direct and vicious offensive against him.
The former Sith Lord employed a fearsome combination of Djem So and Ataru in order to unleash a fierce barrage of rapid fire power blows and lightning fast thrusts and stabs against Tobio whom had to mentally acknowledge the strength of the attacks that made his very bones rattle from the sheer power and speed behind each attack. Every broad yet brutally accurate attack was made with vicious intent and greatly delivered, each strike was able to bypass Tobio's defense and slice into him with greater and greater speed to the point where he began to rapidly accumulate wounds.
So much so that no matter what he did to try and gain ground or launch a counterattack against him, it was rendered in vain as he was either intercepted and punished with a powerful counter that landed a cauterized gash across his flesh; or parried and retaliated against with a swift strike to the arms or legs. Anakin having so gotten into the bout with Tobio who was using everything at his disposal to keep up with his adversary whose attacks and movements were now so quick that they seemed nearly blurs in their movement.
"I didn't think that he would be able to overpower Tobio this much..and without using his Sacred Gear no less." Azazel remarked at the fact that Anakin was now dominating the bout between himself and Tobio
Meanwhile, Tobio found himself greatly impressed at the fact that Anakin was able to so clearly turn the tide in his favor and keep him on the backfoot with what was once a measured and cautionary offensive; turned into a vicious yet calculative onslaught. With him knowing full well that his options were limited against Anakin who gave him no reprieve to even try and mount a counter-offensive, as such the only option he saw to put himself on a more equal playing field was to try and go into Balance Breaker.
Yet he wouldn't get the chance as Anakin using the Force to telepathically read Tobio's mind and saw that he was going to use Balance Breaker had the former Sith Lord decide to squash any attempt at Tobio's doing so. With the very moment Tobio used a great deal of high-level acrobatics to leap and flip away from the Sith Lord so as to gather enough distance to do the chant for it did Anakin enact his plan to make sure he defeated Tobio and prevented the plan from going into action, with his reaching out with the Force and making a singular crushing motion.
With Tobio in the midst of his chant to activate his Balance Breaker did he stop as he felt his legs shatter as though struck with a several-ton hammer, as he looked down and his eyes widening to see that from the upper thigh down to his feet had been shattered like glass. Bloodied bones, torn open flesh and gore erupting from the lower half of his body from having been telekinetically crushed; Tobio letting out a how of pain as every single bone in his body had been shattered as though ran over with a heavy duty minivan to the point of looking like they had been flattened.
With Anakin seizing this opportunity of Tobio dropping to his knees from the sheer pain he was in to Force Choke the Slash Dog, Tobio who tried to recover from his now shattered legs found himself now being strangled by an invisible vice-grip he couldn't free himself against; before he thrashed about like a human pinball. With the combination of telekinetic strangulation and thrashing about so hard that he cratered the ground on impact of caved in a tree truck as well that within the span of nearly a minute and a half was he rendered unconscious from the telekinetic abuse and brutalization dealt to him.
Azazel having witnessed the display deactivated the barrier keeping Anakin and Tobio in and flew towards them to congratulate Anakin on his victory while deploying a machine to help secure and help Tobio to safety.
"That was a rather impressive display against Tobio. I didn't expect you to defeat him so quickly and in such stunning fashion no less." Azazel spoke in actually being impressed at how much a decisive battle this had been
"It was rather easy to do. Once I recognized the patterns in his technique it was then a matter of choosing the best options on how to dismantle him. Then once he tried to further unleash his power, I seized the initiative and incapcitated him before taking him out. He did leave himself wide open for attack when I went for the 'kill', so it was overall nothing if not easy to do so." Anakin replied in as clear-cut of a manner he could in how he was so easily able to dismantle and take down Tobio as effectively as he had
"Well...I will certainly say that you've proven not only your strength today. You've also proven that your rather brilliant at thinking on your feet in the middle of combat. To that I tip my hat to you, for that is something most people around your age do most often as effectively as you showcased today." Azazel said in tipping his ivy hat towards Anakin in admission of his combative genius
'It certainly helps when you have over 20 years of battlefield experience, but who's counting.' Anakin thought to himself knowing full well that he had the obvious years of experience over Tobio
"Regardless, I am proud to say that it will be a pleasure to have you work alongside us in Grigori." Azazel spoke with a small smile on his face at having someone so skilled on his side
"Likewise. Now then, when will myself and potentially Asia be expected to headout to your headquarters so our requests can be met?" Anakin asked on when he and possibly Asia would be heading out
"I will get back to you on that by tomorrow. I simply have to finalize a date to make everything happen once I talk with Mrs. Argento. After that it shouldn't be a problem of having you come to Florida." Azazel told the former Jedi Knight on the estimated time table of when everything would be good to go
"The quicker everything happens the better." Anakin simply replied; wanting everything done quickly
"Don't worry, we'll have everything taken care of for you A.S.A.P. Until then I will see you later, as I have to get Tobio patched up; after the number you did on him." Azazel said as he alongside the unconscious Tobio teleported back to his house
"This certainly went better than expected." Anakin spoke as he took flight back to Kuoh
"Indeed. Also, if everything goes accordingly. Then we should have everything we need to be ready for our duel against Gremory and ilk." Ddraig said in a sentiment that was shared by Issei
"Agreed, as once I have all that I need to be built. Then the only thing left to be done will be putting her and her lot in their places." Anakin replied as he continued to head back to Kuoh
"Although I do have to ask you. Why are you giving them so much time to prepare against you? Wouldn't it be better to crush them and quickly." Ddraig questioned on why Anakin allowed them until later in the month before they would clash
"To put it simply, Ddraig. I gave them that much time, because I wanted them to have all their hopes at their highest. I want them to be at peak hopefulness in thinking they have a chance to even beat me; before I crush it with such a swift finality that they realize once and for all...That they never had a chance to begin with. " Anakin answered back on why he'd done what he had in allotting such time to Rias and her peerage
"I want them to realize that when I fight them, that no matter what they do and how hard they try. All their efforts will be in vain against someone who has true power at their disposal. Yet with all the experience and precision to wield it as the instrument of their destruction." Anakin added as he wanted to crush any hopes that victory was theirs with a quickness
"Then the only thing I can do is as always that my power is there to lend you. On top of the fact that I can not wait to see you tear them apart as they deserve." Ddraig spoke in ever growing excitement of seeing Anakin dominate over Rias's peerage
"Trust me Ddraig, they won't see what I do to them coming." Anakin replied as from there on he continued his flight back in silence and contemplation of what was to come
With Anakin having set the record straight with both Rias and Sona and now working alongside Grigori and showcasing his skill and strength against one of their finest, we also see that Kokabiel's daughter has now taken residence in Kuoh with ill intentions. How will everything go with Kokabiel's own flesh and blood residing in Kuoh? Find all of this out in the new chapters of, A Sith Lord for a Dragon Emperor!
Renaxan: While Rias will get a boost in power; something that will be explained for why she's stronger than in canon. Her peerage is a different story since Rias wants to get stronger while her peerage as we've seen is pretty fucking lazy and without an Issei to help them overcome their fears and traumas...they aren't getting anywhere anytime soon. Also I'm real glad you like the story so far.
edboy4926: Huh, that does seem like a decent idea concerning the whole Avalon idea. Also I'm gonna hold off on the whole Baby Yoda thing as thats' pushing things a bit much in my opinion.
LQ840i (Chapter 6-7): While Tsubasa is gonna go darkside eventually how far she'll fall is something I'll work with later down the line, considering that I have to figure out what specific emotions and sins as a Devil will fuel her strength in the Darkside. Also you do bring up a good point concerning Milicas as it always bothered me on why they didn't say screw it to Rias, let's get the person who is the son of a literal Super Devil whose skill with Power of Destruction is so great he not only was able to do the feat of erasing Cruesery's Ophis' fragment with relative ease but also the fact that he can literally turn himself into the living embodiment of said energy and is regarded as one of the top 10 strongest beings...In short it really has bothered me that a lot of people have slept on Millicas, something that I'm gonna not do in part to all of the dope potential he has in part because he's the son of the Strongest Queen and a fuck-mothering Satan. Also yes Anakin did suffer against the Starkiller clone which is a reason in part why he has that trauma over Force Lightning, as something like that combined with being under Palpatine would fuck you up mentally. Also now that he's no longer confined to his armor he will be able to not only use Force Repulse to its max power, but be able to use a lot more of his lightsaber techniques to greater efficiency since he has far greater agility and flexibility at his disposal.
Archangel Xireon Chaos God (Chapters 2,5-7) Glad you like the story so far and also a maybe on the whole battle dress idea and I agree with you that Perfect Cells' theme song would work great for Anakin.
I hoped all of you enjoyed what had gone on in this chapter, as oh boy was this one of the longer ones I've written in a minute and as such a good deal packed into it. However, with everything now out of the way let's get into it.
First things first is the meetup with Sona, Rias, Anakin and Asia which I hoped y'all liked as I tried to make it believable as I thought it would go all things considered.
Coming up after that is Anakin and Azazel meeting with each other and discussing things in terms of Anakin now working alongside Grigori.
Following from that is a bit with Hesiene and Kokabiel which I hoped you all enjoyed as I wanted to establish that unlike in canon Kokabiel and his side are gonna be an actual problem in things where everyone can get it.
Lastly is Anakin vs Tobio which I hoped y'all enjoyed considering that Anakin quite literally has superior power and experience over Tobio to win the day against him.
All that being said I hope y'all enjoy this story and what's to come in the future chapters of it as well as favoriting, following and sending reviews so that we can hopefully make this a pretty decent story. As flames for the most part will be ignored unless you got anything nice to say or that helps the story then go somewhere else.
Without further ado this is Pravus666 signing off until next time. With the next chapter having Anakin encountering Vali and talking with Tsubasa so stay tuned for all that.
Part 1 Theme Song: Sinner by Drowning Pool
Random End Song: Let's Shake Some Dust by Volbeat