Stratos263: Glad you like the new story name.
GeassDragon: Yes, Rias is still going to be an unrequited love in regards to Kazuhiko.
ZenithTempest: Thanks.
Raidentensho: Kazuhiko has only just started learning to combine his styles so it will take him a while to be able to do that. ^^; I originally had intended to have a Titan from 'Attack on Titan' show up for the last part of the battle with Miya and Kazuhiko. I do have gauntlets as a weapon in his arsenal although they are more based on the 'Gold fist' from Megaman Battle Network games instead.
Guest: Thanks, Vali will show up in this fic and I intend to have him keep his original role just with Ddraig as his partner instead.
ShadowUzumaki55: Thanks. Kazuhiko is a regular guy so I wouldn't put it past him to not find himself staring at Rias during some of the stuff she does in canon, even though he won't fall for her, it's just more whether Seraphina will let Rias have the chance to try.
FallenSympathy963: Thanks. I didn't want Rias to just fall for Kazuhiko because he defeats Riser for her but so he wouldn't get stuck having to follow his orders so the fact Rias is somewhat of an Otaku made sense that something like that could have happened to her. Yeah I can see Rias and Seraphina having a catfight although when I haven't decided yet.
SargentFalco: Thank you. Unfortunately I haven't played Blazblue.
Guest: Thank you and glad you enjoy reading it.
…
"" – Speech
'' – Thought
[] – Sacred Gear
[] – Albion
{} – Metatron
…
Kazuhiko frowned as he regarded the eight Chakram that made up [Leliel] and were currently circling around him in a large circle, Metatron and Albion standing off to the side as the former spoke {Now just think what you want them to do and push your will into the Chakram you want to move and they should respond to you}
"Right…" Kazuhiko spoke seriously, pointing his hand at the mannequin several metres away and focused on sending two of the Chakram to cut off its arms. Two Chakram sped up in their rotations before flying towards the mannequin and taking off its arms at the shoulders before returning to join with the six remaining Chakram around him.
"That looks like it'll be good to use against multiple enemies… Hey, how did you two make that barrier form, I thought Holy and Demonic didn't interact very well?" Kazuhiko asked curiously as he turned to his two partners as Metatron explained
{Normally they wouldn't but it's perfectly possible to suppress the natural Holy aura from a weapon and cover it in demonic instead. So Albion could trigger the [Lightning Flames] to use the Chakram as focal points for the barrier while I suppressed the Holy aura from [Leliel] to make it easier.}
[You can do it with the other weapons but you wouldn't be able to use the ability of the weapon instead and the Flames covering it may be affected any Holy aura they may leak] albion added, noticing the thoughtful look on Kazuhiko's face as he nodded and looked over [Leliel] as he focused on suppressing the Holy aura from them which took a few minutes, a click of his fingers caused [Storm Flames] to erupt into life along the edges of the Chakram. Metatron looked on concerned as she noticed the strain start to show before he dismissed them both and took a few breathes to calm down as he grumbled to himself
"Damn that was tough…"
[Looks like he's starting to combine his fighting styles] Albion spoke in a low tone that only Metatron could hear, the Seraph nodding in agreement with a small smile as she replied
{Yes but it going to be a while until he can use it as easily as his Devil and Angel styles separately}
…
Kazuhiko's right eye twitched as he stood blocking the open front door the Monday after the convention, glaring at a smiling Rias who was standing on the doorstep as she spoke "Good morning, Kazu-kun"
'Why can't I seem to connect a transportation circle to the inside of your house?' she mentally shouted with an internal jealous pout as Seraphina came out after him with Asia and Mittelt.
"What are you doing here, Gremory?" Kazuhiko asked annoyed, mentally glad that he'd asked Matsu to put up a special anti-Gremory transportation barrier around his home so Akeno and now Rias wouldn't be able to sneak into his bed.
'I doubt half the house would be left if Gremory did something like that with Sera-san around' Kazuhiko thought to himself as the group started to walk towards school, Seraphina holding one arm while Rias walked on the other side of the brunet while Mittelt and Asia were happily talking about what had happened at the convention.
"I just wanted to start and try to make things up with you" Rias replied, Kazuhiko rolling his eyes as they continue walking as he retort
"Right…"
The rest of the walk to school was awkwardly quiet, Kazuhiko's eye twitching as he heard the other students start to comment on him walking with Rias to school.
"Oh we'll be dealing with some of the fan mail from the Rating Game after school" Rias spoke, Kazuhiko frowning annoyed as the redhead walked off towards her own class as Seraphina spoke quietly
"I can't believe the nerve of her, Kazu-kun…"
"I know…" Kazuhiko replied as he squeezed Seraphina's hand before they started towards their own class.
…
Entering the clubroom after school, Kazuhiko looking surprised at the large sacks full of letters as Seraphina commented "Wow… I didn't know so many people had watched the game"
"Well Onii-sama figured it was best to show off how well we did" Rias started only for Kazuhiko to frown at her as he retort
"Don't you mean how well I did…?" Mittelt smirked slightly at noticing Kiba and Koneko avert their eyes, Akeno smiling regardless while Rias look down disappointed in herself for that game.
"How many bags of these are for Kazu-kun?" Seraphina asked, looking over the name tags connected to a couple of bags saying 'Kazuihko' as Asia turned to the brunet with a smile
"Wow, Kazu-san you're really popular"
"Most of them probably only interested in my power" Kazuhiko spoke with a sigh as he moved to start looking through them with Seraphina.
It took them about two hours to get through Kazuhiko's pile, Kiba, Koneko, Akeno and even Rias having to help Kazuhiko and Seraphina out after finishing their own. Some of them were blushing from the descriptive letters that Kazuhiko had gotten although they had been promptly destroyed by Seraphina, Rias or Kazuhiko himself.
"Ara, I can't believe that Kazu-kun got so many marriage requests" Akeno spoke with a giggle, Kazuhiko sighing annoyed as Seraphina spoke sternly
"None of them are going to take my Kazu-kun from me by doing something so shameless" Seraphina's arms were tightly wrapped around his waist while resting her head on his shoulder while shooting Akeno and Rias a glare that made both girls look challengingly back at her.
"I can't believe so many people wanted to thank you for defeating Riser" Kiba spoke relaxed despite the intense air between his two Sempai and Seraphina, Koneko munching on sweets as Mittelt and Asia focused on doing their homework as Kazuhiko replied
"I'm surprised the amount of modelling offers I got… I guess I should at least do one" He mumbled the latter part as he looked through the requests sent to him, not noticing Akeno having caught what he said.
…
Exiting the magic circle, Kazuhiko sighed deeply in relief that his contract was over. He had some sort of modelling job for a new line of clothes in the Underworld and due to all the talk about him, the job seemed too good to pass up with his rising reputation in the Underworld.
The guy, if Kazuhiko could call the extremely camp crossdresser that, had made him model several tight fitting outfits that reminded him of his clothes used in the Rating Game although with a much more diverse style as well as some normal clothes. Kazuhiko wasn't sure if he was lucky or not to be given some of the normal clothes for his work.
"How was it?" Akeno asked curiously, Kazuhiko moving past her to take a seat between Seraphina and Kalawarner as he spoke
"It's was…odd. Modelling clothes for some magazine in the Underworld just cause I got popular from beating Phenex" Rias and Akeno blushed at hearing that, both making mental notes to check the feedback from the photo-shoot contract to see if any of the pictures would be sent to them as an extra reward.
"You'll get use to the extra attention as long as it's not from other fan-girls" Seraphina spoke with a smile as she kissed him on the cheek, ignoring the glares from Rias and Akeno as she snuggled against his side and turned her gaze back onto the new manga she had in her hands.
Kazuhiko frowned slightly at seeing the look of concern on Kalawarner's face as she stared at the open book in her hands, realising that she hadn't managed to progress as fast as she usually did when he was on contract.
'I should ask her what is wrong' Kazuhiko thought to himself, turning his gaze onto Asia who was working on her homework with Kiba while Raizu sitting next to them watching and Mittelt and Koneko were out on contracts.
{You should ask her in private to avoid embarrassing her in front of the others} Metatron added, Kazuhiko mentally nodding back as he decided to start work on his own homework.
…
"Kala-san?" Kazuhiko asked as he entered the nurse's office lunch the next day, looking around to see no one else about as he closed the door behind him and caught the Fallen Angel smirk amused as she asked
"Trying to sneak out of the rest of classes today, Kazu-kun?"
"Not really…" Kazuhiko replied, moving to sit down on one of the beds near her desk as she looked curiously at him from her desk
"So what reason did you come to see me for then…?" Kalawarner asked, her gaze turning sultry as she added
"Did you come here for a quick make out before class starts again?" Kazuhiko blushed as he shook his head, trying to avoid himself staring at her tight fitting uniform as he replied
"No… Ever since you came back from Grigori, I've noticed you've been worried about something and I was wondering if everything was alright"
Kalawarner looked surprised at the question, looking away as she thought for a few moments before moving to take a seat next to him on the bed as she spoke, oddly serious "I'll tell you but you have to kiss me first"
Kazuhiko arched an eyebrow in confusion, moving towards Kalawarner and gently caressing her cheek as he spoke in a soft but slightly embarrassed tone "Alright then…"
Kalawarner blushed as Kazuhiko closed the distance and kissed her softly on the lips, the blunette smiling into it as she raised her hand to caress the side of his face and drew the kiss out till he couldn't breathe any longer.
"Hm~ that was pretty good for your first time taking the lead" Kalawarner spoke when the kiss ended, biting her bottom lip nervously as Kazuhiko replied
"I had a good teacher…" Kalawarner laughed at hearing that, bringing the brunet into a tight hug as she spoke
"What I tell you can't leave this room…"
"Of course" Kazuhiko replied, rubbing his hands along her back as Kalawarner smiled and started to explain
"Kokabiel has stolen three of the Excalibur swords from the Church. It was broken during the Great War and re-forged as seven new swords, each with their own ability… Anyway, Kokabiel was never happy that Azazel-sama pulled out of the war first and, Azazel-sama thinks, that with the theft of those swords that he will want to start a new war…"
"So Kokabiel will come here… The two younger sisters of the Maou would be a perfect target for him to pull the Devils into a war if the Church doesn't start one with Grigori in the first place" Kazuhiko spoke, realising what was going to happen as he felt Kalawarner hold him tighter as she nodded as he added
"…and I thought I earned a break after all that Phenex stuff" Kalawarner chuckled at hearing that, pulling back and giving him a smile as she spoke amused
"I still can't believe you told of one of the Maou…"
"He was being an idiot… and I'm not going to force some girl I find attractive into marrying me" Kazuhiko replied with a roll of his eyes, Kalawarner smiling warmly as she rested her forehead against his as she spoke amused
"Not when you have two super-hot girls at home" Kazuhiko retort was cut off as the bell sounded for the next class, giving Kalawarner a quick peck on the lips before they went about the rest of the day, the blunette sighing relieved as she watched the door close behind him before giggling to herself
"I can't believe Gremory was reading a love manual while Kazu-kun was out on contract"
…
The next few days passed by relaxed, classes had been rather easy and Matsu didn't have anything important for Kazuhiko to do so he was currently walking home with Seraphina, Mittelt and Asia.
"Who's that waiting outside?" Asia asked curiously, Kazuhiko blinking as he regarded the lean five foot ten tall young man with dark purple hair held in a high ponytail by a black ribbon and reached down to his shoulder blades, a slightly messy fringe stopping just short of lime green eyes. He had a lean build and was wearing black slacks and a long sleeved white shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a black sleeveless hooded jacket was left open atop of it.
"Long time no see, Kaz" He spoke with a smirk, Kazuhiko blinking surprised as he replied, happily surprise
"Yu? What are you doing here, I thought you were in Tokyo with your parents?"
"Well I figured I should pay a visit to my friend… but I didn't expect you to turn into a playboy over the four years I left here" Yu replied amused, Kazuhiko eyebrow twitching annoyed as he countered
"I am not a playboy!" Yu chuckled while Kazuhiko rolled his eyes as he decided to introduce his friends as he signalled to Yu
"Girls this is Mikage Yu, a childhood friend of mine. Yu this is Seraphina, Argento Asia and Mittelt"
"Nice to meet you…" Yu spoke with a nod, the girls replying in kind before Kazuhiko spoke up
"I'll be back in a bit just going to catch up with Yu, alright?"
"Alright but don't take too long" Seraphina spoke with a smile, kissing him on the cheek before heading inside with the two blondes as Yu chuckled as the two started to walk away.
"So what really brought you back here?" Kazuhiko asked curiously, Yu arching an eyebrow as he replied knowingly
"What? Can't a friend come back to visit you after hearing about your exploits in Kyoto"
"Wait how do you know that?" Kazuhiko asked defensively, Yu resting a hand on his shoulder as he answered
"Relax Kaz, I heard it from Miya-sempai… I work with the Shinto Faction now, it's why my parents moved away so I could get more training with them"
"Oh… Wait how much did she tell you?" Kazuhiko replied, relaxing slightly at the idea his friend knew about the supernatural world as Yu smirked
"All of it… Don't worry you're an ally to the Shinto Faction from helping out the Youkai Faction although only the higher ups know your true nature and have agreed to keep it secret, I only know because Tou-san agreed I should seeing as we are friends"
"That's a relief… I have enough trouble dealing with the attention from Gremory and the Underworld without having rumours flying around about me" Kazuhiko replied with a sigh of relief.
"I've got something interesting to show you so how about a spar?" Yu asked curiously, Kazuhiko arching an eyebrow as he looked around before replying
"Alright then"
The pair headed towards an empty park, Yu setting up a few ofuda to avoid normal people from disturbing them before they stood a few feet away from each other. Kazuhiko summoned [White-Fang] to his hand before taking a ready stance as he wondered what Yu's weapon would be as the purple haired young man spoke
"Mugen unsheathe!" Kazuhiko's eyes widened as Yu put his left hand to his right fist before a blue glow covered his hands as he pulled his left hand back to reveal a black bladed katana with a blue edge. The tsuka was a dark blue in colour which also matched the tsuba.
"What the…?" Kazuhiko spoke, a mixture of shock and awe in his voice as he regarded the evolved form of Mugen in his friend's hands as Yu smirked as Kazuhiko asked
"How did you get that?"
Yu took a ready stance as he answered Kazuhiko "My Sacred Gear is [Staring Blue] and from what we, the few Sacred Gear users in the faction, have managed to figure out it evolved due to my will to take on this form"
{His Sacred Gear evolved to take on that form…Amazing} Metatron spoke surprised, Kazuhiko mentally nodding in agreement as he spoke with a smile
"That is so cool…"
"I would say that this is your fault for introducing me to 'D Gray Man' but… being a swordsman already would have influenced me to favour an appearance like this" Yu replied with a smirk, both charging at each other and clashing blades as Kazuhiko countered with a smirk
"Well I didn't make you watch and read it all the way through, did I…?"
"True…" Yu replied as the pair continued to clash blades, Kazuhiko blocking Yu's attacks before the latter jumped back as he swung his blade with a call
"First Illusion: Netherworld Creatures!" A dozen pale blue insect like creatures shot from Yu's sword, Kazuhiko grinned as he drew back his own sword, putting only enough energy to counter it as he swung and called "Fang Slash!"
The two attacks clashed in the middle, neither winning as Yu burst through the smoke and attacked only for Kazuhiko to block it as he retort "So you learned his attacks as well?"
"Of course. It works rather well together as a fighting style, like you and the Vongola Flames…if the fight with Phenex was anything to see" Yu replied with a smirk, Kazuhiko chuckling nervously as they continued their light spar.
"Kazu-kun, I've come to help you!" Kiba's voice called out as he charged towards the pair, his eyes widening as the pair's swords blocked his own before their free hands punched him in the face and launched him backwards as the two spoke
"Does it look like I need help, idiot?"
"Stupid devil, can't judge the situation"
Kiba blinked in shock as he stared at the two friends who stepped apart and started chuckling together before Yu sighed as he retort "Tch… I can't believe some devil thinks you would be in trouble"
"Yeah… but they all seem rather trigger happy if the situation looks bad" Kazuhiko replied with a roll of his eyes as they both dismissed their swords and looked at the blond before Rias spoke up with Akeno and Koneko nearby
"Are you alright, Yuuto?"
"Y-Yes Buchou…" Kiba replied as he picked himself up, slightly shaken at how easily the pair had dismissed him, one of them being a human, from their fight as Rias put her hands on her hips and asked sternly
"Who is this and what is he doing attacking you, Kazu-kun?"
"Seriously Gremory…? We were sparring." Kazuhiko shot back, Rias looking sheepish at her mistake as he added
"This is my friend, Mikage Yu"
"You're the descendant of Kikyo Mikage?" Rias asked shocked, Kiba's face paled slightly at realising he had tried to attack a descendant of his sensei's friend as Yu shrugged his shoulders as he replied
"Something like that…"
"Would you…" Rias started eagerly only for Akeno to cough loudly, Rias realising she wasn't supposed to be asking such a thing without one of her family with her as Yu retort
"I wouldn't join your peerage anyway, Gremory-san…Especially after how you got Kaz" Rias looked sadden at hearing that before Kiba asked curiously
"What was that sword anyway?"
"It's called Mugen and really it's just a light sword" Yu answered, catching Kazuhiko amused smirk as Kiba looked confused between the two of them as he asked
"A light sword? Like an exorcist's sword?" A frown formed on Kiba's face as he asked that Kazuhiko arching an eyebrow in surprise at the sudden change in the blond as Yu retort
"Why the hell would I be an exorcist? I work with the Shinto Faction, blondie, so don't assume I'm like those idiots" Kiba's frown turned to surprise as Yu response, Kazuhiko rolling his eyes as he spoke
"Let's get going Yu, we've got some stuff to catch up on"
"Right" Yu replied as the pair walked off from the rest of the devils as Rias spoke to herself
"Kazu-kun's friend, huh?"
"Is everything alright, Buchou?" Akeno asked curiously, Rias realising that she could find out how to get closer to Kazuhiko from him before shaking her head for a moment to store the idea as she answered
"No everything is fine, Akeno"
…
"I still can't believe that you've grown so much Yu-kun…" Kazuhiko's father spoke as he regarded his son's friend, Yu sweatdropping at the comment before regarding the rather cramped table the seven of them, Kazuhiko, the three girls and Kalawarner and Kazuhiko's father, was sitting at before smirking to Kazuhiko as he muttered
"Not a playboy huh?"
"I am not!" Kazuhiko retorted through gritted teeth, Seraphina smiling embarrassed while Asia and Mittlet blushed and Kalawarner chuckled as Yu countered while smirking
"The four girls around the table says differently"
"Geez, just because I have female friends doesn't mean I'm like that, I am still friends with Kensuke and Takeshi" Kazuhiko shot back, pointing his chopsticks at Yu as he added
"You've gotta have female friends as well right?"
"One or two… They don't keep hang around me most of the time…" Yu replied, the latter added in an amused tone as Kazuhiko rolled his eyes as he decided to change the topic and asked
"So where are you staying at the moment?"
"I've got a room at a hotel nearby…" Yu answered, glancing at the time before continuing
"I best make a start back now then… before things get too late"
"I'll go with you… We've got club activities soon anyway" Kazuhiko spoke, catching the girls nodding as his father just smiled as he spoke
"You should watch out, it's raining rather badly now. You should lend Yu-kun one of your coats"
"Will do Tou-san" Kazuhiko replied as they group of finished up their meal and started to get ready with raincoats and umbrellas before heading out after bidding Kazuhiko's father goodnight.
Closing the door the group started towards the school, Kazuhiko glancing to Yu before speaking the girls "I'm gonna walk Yu back to his place, I'll meet you at the clubroom afterwards"
"Alright…" Kalwarner spoke with a nod, giving him a slightly worried look as Seraphina smiled as she added
"Just make sure you don't get side-tracked otherwise Gremory is going to get annoyed again if you put off any more contracts"
"I'll try but Gremory is the least of my worries" Kazuhiko replied as he and Yu headed off in the direction of the hotel the latter was staying at.
…
"Damn!" Kazuhiko growled as he and Yu ran in the rain, the former holding his phone to his ear as he spoke
"Matsu-san are you serious? I didn't think one of them would show up so soon"
(Well Freed has one, [Excalibur Rapidly] judging by the speed his moving while fighting this exorcist… Next left) Matsu replied, Kazuhiko nodding in response as he relayed it to Yu as they both turned the corner. Kazuhiko had changed in his battle clothes the moment Matsu had told him Freed had showed up again while Yu was waiting to get nearer before summoning his sword.
{[Excalibur Rapidly] allows the user to increase their speed so be careful of him suddenly speeding up} Metatron explained aloud to the pair, Kazuhiko nodding in understanding.
"I can't believe that one of the Excalibur pieces is here" Yu muttered to himself, Kazuhiko hearing him as he replied
"Yeah well Kala-san warned me that they were stolen before and that the guy who did it, Kokabiel, was looking to start a war so here is the best place."
"Gremory and Sitri in one place… This trouble could bring in the Shinto Faction as well as the Three Christian ones, Kaz" Yu added with an understanding nod, Kazuhiko sharing a serious look as Matsu spoke up
(Next right and he's right there… Damn it, he's fighting Kiba!)
"Damn it Kiba's there" Kazuhiko replied surprised, Yu sharing a similar look as he asked
"Blondie?" Kazuhiko nodded in response, slipping his phone back into his pocket as he drew [White-Fang] while Yu activated his Sacred Gear
"Mugen unsheathe!" Holding the katana at the ready, the pair finally caught sight of Kiba losing another demonic sword while clashing against Freed holding the lightning shaped sword which the pair assumed was [Excalibur Rapidly].
"Eat this!" Freed shouted swinging his sword at Kiba who managed to dodge it with his [Knight] speed as Freed continued
"Why did you dodge you stupid Devil!? No matter you'll soon be another notch on my Excalibur-chan!"
"Excalibur!?" Kiba growled angrily, his eyes focusing on the holy sword that Freed was using as he dodged it and attempted to retaliate with a newly created demonic sword only to be shocked at Freed blocking his attack.
Kazuhiko surging [Sky Flames] around his feet before appearing behind Freed, clashing his [Lightning Flame] covered sword against [Excalibur Rapidly] as Freed who looked eagerly at the brunet as he spoke "You! The shitty devil who stopped me before"
"Freed…" Kazuhiko growled, dodging another swipe by the psychotic stray exorcist before Yu brought his sword into the battle only to be blocked as Freed spoke gleefully
"Oh you brought a friend as well just more fun for my pretty Excalibur-chan!"
"Tch…" Yu grunted, jumping back to avoid a second slash aimed at him before charging back in to help his friend as Kiba shouted
"Shut up! How dare you wield that damned Excalibur?" With that Kiba when on the attack with two swords in his hands, Kazuhiko and Yu both noticing the lack of technique in the blond as the two swords shattered with one swing of Freed's Excalibur before hitting Kiba in a long slash across his chest.
"Shit!" Kazuhiko growled as he used [Sky Flames] over his feet to appear in between Freed and Kiba as he stopped the latter from taking another hit by Excalibur while Yu spoke on the other side
"Double Sword Illusion!" Light blue light surged from around Mugen, wrapping around his arm and across the back of his shoulders before doing the same down his other arm and forming a second Mugen in his free hand. With that Yu charged back into the fight, making Freed quickly turning only to find himself on the back foot as he worked to block the two katana Yu was using skilfully.
Kazuhiko crouched down near Kiba, [Sun Flames] forming around his free hand as he worked on healing Kiba's wound, sighing in relief as he spoke "You're lucky it's only a light cut, Kiba…Think next time you try and attack this guy."
"Kaz!" Yu called, Kazuhiko turning to see Yu trying to block of a barrage of quick thrusts aimed at his body by Freed. The light sword user managing to deflect the sword with both of his own before Freed managed to stab Yu in the side before Kazuhiko called
"Fang Slash!" Freed jumped back to dodge the energy wave before Yu dropped to one knee as Kazuhiko rushed to help his friend as Freed started to whine to himself, a magic circle next to his ear
"But boss~ I was just about to finish off two Devils and some human brat… Fine, fine I'll come back now…" Kazuhiko's eyes widened as he checked over Yu's wound looking surprised at seeing it close before his eyes as Freed called to the trio
"Looks like we'll have to continue this another time, shitty devils, shitty brat! Bye, bye!" With that Freed disappeared into the night, Kazuhiko clenching his fists before he asked a recovering Yu
"How can you heal that quickly?"
"Heh, Tou-san's healing factor passed onto me…I'll be fine in a moment" Yu answered with a smirk, the pair turning to see a scowling Kiba glaring at the spot where Freed had been.
"Damn it…" Kiba spoke before walking off, Kazuhiko moving to grab his arm as he spoke seriously
"Kiba come on, we need to report this to Gremory!"
"When did you care about Buchou, Kazu-san!?" Kiba shouted back at him as he pulled his arm free, Kazuhiko figured he deserved that response from the swordsman as he shot back
"Well I don't want war starting out over some holy sword! I don't care what sort of past you have with Excalibur or the church but if you go off like this, you'll only make shit worse and bring your problems on the others!"
"He's right, blondie… If you can't control your own emotions you'll do something rash that'll make things worse and you could even start the next war because of it. Plus do you even know where that Freed went so you can go after him" Yu spoke stepping in front of a glaring Kiba with a stern expression, Kiba's glare lessening slightly as he grumbled
"Fine…" With that the trio of young men started to run towards Kuoh.
…
"What?" Rias spoke shocked, Kazuhiko, Yu and Kiba having explained everything when they entered the clubroom. The other girls in the room was surprised aside from Kalawarner and Asia who looked worried as Kazuhiko reiterated
"We fought against an exiled exorcist called Freed who was using [Excalibur Rapidly], it was the only reason he could keep up with the three of us in that fight"
"Excalibur…?" Asia spoke shocked, Kazuhiko moving to rest a hand on her head before taking a seat next to her, missing Yu's smirk aimed at him.
"What an Excalibur fragment doing in my territory?" Rias asked confused to herself, Kazuhiko and Yu turning as Kiba started to move towards the door as he spoke
"I will be leaving…I don't feel very well"
"Kiba wait?" Rias called, Kazuhiko frowning at how Kiba ignored her and left without another word, Kazuhiko glancing at the doorway before he spoke seriously
"What's Kiba's past with the church, Gremory?"
Rias looked seriously for a moment, leaning back against her desk as she sighed "I suppose you all deserve to know with the Excalibur showing in my territory…"
Yu took a seat on an empty sofa, figuring the story would be rather long as Rias tapped her forefinger on her chin for a moment as she thought before starting to speak "Yuuto is a survivor of a project called the Holy Sword Project…It was a project inside the Christian Church that aimed to make those who can wield the fragments of the holy-sword Excalibur"
"…This is my first time hearing this" Asia spoke surprised, the others frowning as Kalawarner added
"They were trying to make more holy-sword users because they are the ultimate weapon against devils." Rias nodded in agreement as she continued
"Even though there are numerous holy-swords originating from all over the world, I still think the most famous one would be Excalibur. Even in Japan, it comes up in many books. It's a holy weapon that is created through means of magic and alchemy by those who reach the territory of God. But holy-swords choose their wielders. I hear that only one person in a decade or so gets chosen."
"So making more people able to use them would make it more dangerous for Devils" Yu added, Rias nodding as Mittelt asked curiously
"Kiba is a Sacred Gear Possessor that can create demonic-swords, right? So isn't there a Sacred Gear that can create holy-swords instead?"
"It's not like there aren't. But if you compare it to the holy-swords that already exist, it is kind of lacking. Of course I'm not saying it's weak. Among them there is a sacred utensil included in the [Longinus], just like Kazu's [Divine Dividing]. The most famous is the Sacred Gear that was wielded by the person who killed Jesus Christ, the [True Longinus]. It's also said that the name [Longinus] was derived from it." Rias answered, Kazuhiko nodding as he remembered Metatron explaining to him about the [Longinus] Sacred Gears being strong enough to kill a god if fully mastered.
"Except, at this point there isn't a Holy Sacred Gear that can compete with Excalibur, Durandal or Ama-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi because these holy-swords are too powerful. It's the same with the demonic-swords." Rias added, Kazuhiko nodding as he took in the information as she continued
"Yuuto received artificial treatment to adapt to the holy-sword, particularly the Excalibur"
"Let me guess… he couldn't adapt to it?" Kazuhiko asked, Rias nodding as she added
"That's right. Yuuto couldn't adapt to the holy-swords. Not only Yuuto, but it seems like everyone who received a treatment similar to Yuuto's couldn't either… The people of the Church decided to view the ones who couldn't adapt to the holy-swords as "defective products" and disposed of them." Rias gained a look of discomfort as she thought about it, Kazuhiko's frown growing as did Yu's, Kalawarner's and Seraphina's as the redhead continued
"Most of the people experimented on were killed including Yuuto. Only because they couldn't adapt to the holy-swords…"
"…It can't be. It's not an acceptable act by those who serve God." Asia spoke shocked, her eyes covered in tears as Kazuhiko hugged the blonde girl as Rias added with sad eyes
"When I reincarnated Yuuto into a devil, that boy was swearing for his revenge even when he was in a critical situation. Because his talents were being used for holy-swords since he was born, I wanted him to use his talents as a devil. Yuuto's talent at using swords would be a waste for only using it for holy-swords. That boy couldn't forget about it. The holy-swords. Those who were involved with the holy-swords. And the people of the Church…"
Rias sighed after a moment of thought "Anyway I will just watch over him for now. Right now his head is full of the feelings he has towards the holy-swords. But I hope he returns to his usual self."
"I doubt it Gremory…" Kazuhiko started, drawing her confusion as he continued
"Kiba doesn't look like the type to not let go of his feelings regarding Excalibur and holy swords and with the former showing up in your area….He'll see to complete what he swore to do. Why you didn't clear up this rubbish beforehand I don't know, but now I know that you potentially have a servant who could stray just because he thinks Excalibur is the cause of all his past troubles when whoever was stupid enough to try and create more holy sword users should be the real target" Rias looked away ashamed as she understood what Kazuhiko was saying, Yu tapping his foot on the floor as he spoke
"Relax Kaz… Save the rest for blondie" Kazuhiko took a calming breathe before turning to his friend as he spoke
"Thanks…"
"I best head back to my room…" Yu started, Kazuhiko escorting him out of the Old School Building before he added
"I'll let my higher ups know about what's going on…Tch! A war trying to be started by Excalibur in Japan of all places" Kazuhiko nodded in agreement, waving his friend off before heading inside to start his contracts for the night.
…
Seraphina smiled as she and Kazuhiko walked home alone, Asia, Mittelt and Kalawarner heading home early once Mittelt had finished her contract. Her arms were tightly wrapped around Kazuhiko's torso while his arm was wrapped around her waist as he spoke "Sorry I exploded a bit earlier…"
"No, it's perfectly understandable… Rias should have solved Kiba's issues with holy swords when she first reincarnated him and just thinking it could fade away shows she's not had any pain like that before… I guess that's the sign of her being spoilt by her family"
"Yeah…" Kazuhiko replied, looking up to the stormy sky and feeling like it was reflecting his own thoughts on the matter as Seraphina spoke up
"Erm…There's talk amongst some of the girls about going to do karaoke soon and well I was wondering if you and the guys would come along"
"Yeah, if all this is sorted out then I would love to, who else is going?" Kazuhiko replied with a smile, Seraphina blushing as she started to list off
"Well me, Asia, Mittelt, Hikari, Aika Kiryuu…hopefully Takeshi and Kensuke if you come and Kiba and Koneko when I ask them"
"I'll have to ask Yu if he's still around then" Kazuhiko added with a smirk, Seraphina looking curious at him as she asked
"Yu's a good friend, isn't he?"
"Yeah… He was one of the people who helped me through what happened with her after she abandoned me and Tou-san" Kazuhiko spoke with a slight frown at the memory, getting a reassuring squeeze from the bluenette next to him as the pair arrived home.
…
[Hey partner. Sorry to bother you but we've got something important to tell you.] Albion started as Kazuhiko turned to regard the dragon in human form and Metatron in his subconscious as he asked
"What's wrong Albion?"
[I want to explain about the "Red Guy"… I mean the red dragon, Welsh Dragon] Albion replied seriously, Kazuhiko asking curiously
"Your rival right?"
[Something like that. You know that the three sides of God and Angels, fallen-angels and devils were having a big war a long time ago, right? That time other powers gave their support to certain sides. Fairies, spirits, European monsters, Asian Youkai and humans. But the dragons were the only beings that didn't side with any of them.] Albion continued, drawing a curious look from Kazuhiko as he asked
"Why was that?"
[Hmmm I wonder. I don't know the actual reason. But dragons are beings that are made from a mass of powers and they all act freely and selfishly. There were dragons that turned into devils or those that sided with God. But the majority of them didn't care about the war and lived freely. But during the Great War between the three powers, there were two stupid dragons that started a fight. And those two were in the highest class of dragons and they had a power that rivalled that of God and Maou. They started to fight each other while taking down the guys of the three powers. For the three powers, there wasn't anything more troublesome than these two dragons. The three powers were having a serious war to take control of this World, and the two dragons were disturbing the battlefield without any care.]
"So it was you and the Welsh Dragon, right? Why were you two fighting that much?" Kazuhiko asked curiously, Albion chuckling nervously as he answered
[I don't remember... It's like we weren't interested in anything at all anyway for the first time, the leaders of the three powers joined hands. "We have to get rid of those two dragons, or else it's not a matter of war anymore!" Like that.]
"So you both got mad and tried to attack the alliance instead?"
[Yeah… We got mad at our fight getting interrupted and turned on them saying stuff like 'Don't get in the way of our fight!' and 'A mere God and Maou shouldn't be interrupting a duel between dragons!' We were rather big idiots back then and tried to eat God, Maou and the leaders of Grigori and here I am… Cut into pieces and sealed into [Divide Dividing] while the 'Red One' got sealed into the [Boosted Gear].] Albion answered before adding
[We've encountered each other and fought each other countless times. Every time one won and one died. Sometimes one of us was already dead before the other one came and so we didn't fight, but most of the times they did. If the host dies then the dragons stop functioning for a certain time. Their spirits float around in this world until the humans with dragon powers are born. That cycle has repeated countless times for many long years.]
"So you're both destined to fight each other, huh." Kazuhiko spoke thoughtfully, Albion nodding as he added
[Yeah that's right. This time it was you who became my host. And you even became a Draphalem. In all the long years I have been like this, this is a first time and I know you'll probably end up as my strongest host. That's why I am looking forward to it. I wonder what's going to happen this time]
"I guess it should be interesting to see who holds your rival" Kazuhiko muttered before Metatron spoke up
{I fought in the Great War as well… I even helped with the battle against the Heavenly Dragons but there is something important that you need to know Kazu-kun. Shortly after the fight with the Heavenly Dragons and… something else that God had to do, he passed on…}
"What…?"
[What…?]
Albion and Kazuhiko stared in complete shock at hearing Metatron's admission, the blonde looking down sadly as she continued {God died during the Great War as well as the Original Maou… and with that the [System] within Heaven started to break down as there was no one who could manage it like God could. Michael tried to take over but he couldn't control even a quarter of what God could so I, I took matters into my own hands and against Michael's will I fused myself with the [System] so he would be able to get more control over it and at least keep it stable.}
"Metatron…" Kazuhiko spoke shocked as he watched the blonde take a moment to gather herself before continuing
{A short while later, Michael managed to find a blank Sacred Gear and so he pulled my soul and a portion of my power from out of my body and stored it within the Sacred Gear and due to the knowledge on them that I was bombarded with while being part of the [System] I started to create [Heavenly Judgement] and its abilities. Once that was done, Michael put [Heavenly Judgment] into the [System] so I could experience live even if it was through the eyes of my hosts and away from my friends in Heaven. He also made it so only the select few of those who were born with my power could use it for themselves as my power is only meant for the good hearted and this time it was you}
"That's… I'm sorry that was what you went through" Kazuhiko spoke sadly, Metatron offering a bright smile despite the sign on unshed tears in her eyes as she cupped both sides of his face as she spoke
{Don't be, Kazu-kun… If that didn't happen, I would never have met you and I wouldn't change that for the world. I got Albion to help me hybridize you so your light would be wasted with the Devils and your heart wouldn't be covered in darkness due to Raynare and Gremory's actions}
Kazuhiko blushed as he averted his eyes from Metatron as he spoke "I don't think I ever said this before but… Thank you for making me a Draphalem, Metatron. It may not have been the easiest thing for you to choose for me but I wouldn't wish for things to be any different right now"
[He's right… I can't see a good ending if Kazu didn't have you to help me guide him] Albion added with a smile, Metatron smiling before stepping back and rubbing her eyes as she replied
{Oh stop it you two… Now Kazu-kun, no one must know of God's passing. The shock it could induce into the faithful like Asia would be too much of a world changer for her to handle. It also would explain the upset in the [Balance] which would normally be the reason that Holy and Demonic energy can't coexist}
"I understand…" Kazuhiko spoke with a serious nod as he stood in thought over the shocking news he had just found out.
…
Author's Note
Here's the official start of the Excalibur Arc and some obvious changes, the first that Rias hasn't moved into Kazuhiko's house and Kazuhiko not having any past with Irina. Also hope you guys like the introduction of one of Kazuhiko old friends, Yu Mikage, and what I did in regards to his Sacred Gear. His fighting style is based on Kanda from 'D. Gray Man' although he was an idea from Tsunashi77 and I may add some extra abilities or attacks.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter.