Disclaimer: I do not own Fate Stay Night, Highschool DxD or anything else.
Fate: Devil Night
Chapter15: Three Factions I
Human World
Japan: Fuyuki
Emiya Residence
Kokabiel's Fall as the devils and the Church were calling it, sent ripples throughout the supernatural community. Kokabiel himself had launched an attack on the city—violating the ceasefire between the Three Biblical Factions—and nearly killed the sisters of two Maous using the Church's prized Holy Swords. Not only that but he and his followers were killed by an alliance formed between the current Red Dragon Emperor, devils and exorcists. Ravel, Sona and Rias along with their peerages were running damage control in Kouh following the battle, aided by reinforcements from the Underworld. Irina took the Excalibur Fragments back to Europe while Xenovia, Issei, Caren and Asia had chosen to leave the Church now that they knew that God was dead.
"Could you repeat that for me, please?" Ravel deadpanned. "I think I had something crazy in my ear…"
"I said we want to join your peerage," Issei said again.
"I thought that was what you said," Ravel nodded in confirmation. "Why?"
"We're not stupid," Caren spoke up. "We know that the Church will wish to silence us now that we've left them and know about God's death. Not only did they betray us all by lying but they also can't have it getting out that God is dead, and so they'll be sending Executors after us soon, if they haven't already."
"What about the other girl that was with you? The blond?" Ravel questioned further.
"She's staying with the Church," Xenovia answered quietly.
Her friend hadn't taken the news of God's death well and had steadfastly denied it. Sooner or later she would have to accept it but for now, Irina didn't believe that God had died and instead believed that they had all betrayed her by leaving the Church like they had done. She couldn't imagine what her friend and comrade would think when she heard that they had joined the devils. Irina will probably feel even more betrayed than she already did, and that was saying something.
"…Okay," Ravel nodded in agreement.
"Okay? Just like that you're willing to make us part of your peerage?" Issei blinked in confusion. "I swear, you and Emiya are alike."
"It's not really surprising that I would grant your wish," Ravel reasoned. "After all, the Young Devil's Gathering is coming soon and I only have a Queen, a Knight and a Rook."
Shirou had been her Queen and her champion ever since the Ainsworth crisis. She remembered what he was like when they'd first met, uncertain of what he was going to do but knowing what path he wished to follow. He'd wanted to save his sisters and didn't care if he had to take on the world to do it. He'd saved them but they had later sacrificed themselves to stop Angra Mainyu from reaching the Akashic Records, the center of all knowledge in the multiverse. Miyu was a homunculus created using DNA recovered from Emiya Kiritsugu and a member of the Sakatsuki family. She was young and powerful, a deadly combination. Miyu had asked to join her peerage right after the battle with Kokabiel and Ravel had used a pair of 'Rook' Evil Pieces to turn her in a devil. Sakura too had asked to become a devil following the battle and Ravel had turned her into a 'Knight.'
"Okay," Issei nodded. "Then let's do this already."
"Follow me," Ravel said as she stood up from the table.
Ravel led them outside and into the yard before making the short trip to Shirou's shed-workshop. She was one of the few people that had been keyed into the Bounded Fields that Shirou, Sakura, Miyu and herself had put up around it. Between the four of them they had effectively turned the Emiya Residence into a fortress magic-wise and that went double for the workshop. It took only a minute for Ravel to key Issei, Asia and Xenovia into the Bounded Fields to allow them entry.
"So this is Emiya's workshop, huh?" Issei mused as he looked around. "I've never been in one before."
"Not even for the Church?" Ravel inquired curiously. "I would have thought that breaking into workshops and killing Sealing Designations was in the job description for an Executor?"
"It is," Xenovia confirmed. "Issei-kun just prefers to bombard a workshop until it crumbles and then deal with the rogue mages when they try to flee."
"Interesting strategy," Ravel nodded in understanding. "Drop an enemy stronghold on their heads and deal with what's left."
"It works," Issei told her. "So how are we going to do this?"
"Step into the magic circle," Ravel started.
Issei walked over to the magic circle at the back of the workshop and stepped inside. Once there he turned towards the face of the devil and waited. Ravel took out several Evil Pieces and tried them on him one after another, each one not seeming to be enough to work. Finally she decided to use all eight of her 'Pawn' Pieces and sighed in relief when that seemed to work. Within moments they had sunk into Issei's skin and remade his body into that of a devil.
Seeing how easy and painless it was, Asia was next. She traded places with Issei inside the magic circle and Ravel took out a 'Bishop' Piece. She knew that Asia wasn't a frontline fighter but more of a support type so the 'Bishop' Piece was the most obvious choice for her, something that was proven right when it sank into her skin on the first try and turned her into a devil. Finally it was Xenovia's turn and like Asia, her type was obvious. She was a 'Knight' through and through.
It had only taken half an hour but by the end of it all three of the former Executors were now devils…
Her peerage was now complete…
Ruval Phenex swore he needed a drink by the time he'd finished his meetings for the day and travelled to the Human World. He had the biggest headache ever, of all time, and it wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. His last meeting of the day was with Serafall, the Leviathan Maou and someone that had only made his headache worse. Truly, that woman could test the patients of a saint, and yes he knew irony of that statement coming from a devil like him.
Kokabiel's Fall had been a disaster in the making and it was only due to his sister along with her allies that a war hadn't broken out between the Three Biblical Factions. He'd been born after the last Great War ended and had heard the stories of the atrocities that were committed during it all his life. He did not want another war like that happening, not at all. He didn't want to see his family be hurt or worse, nor did he want the Underworld to be plunged into war after so many centuries of peace.
After arriving in the Human World he quickly made his way through the streets of Fuyuki, making sure to suppress his power as much as he possibly could. He rarely ever came to the Human World and while he found it interesting at times, he didn't much care for it. This world belonged to the humans, Heaven belonged to the Angels, and the Underworld belonged to the Devils. He didn't find humans inferior like many of his kind but he wasn't particularly interested in them either.
He just didn't see the appeal of living here…
Not like his sister…
Ruval sighed as he finally caught sight of the front gates to the place where his sister was staying at, the Emiya Residence. It wasn't a western-style mansion or castle like what he was used to seeing in the Underworld, but instead a Japanese-style home. It had a peaceful air to it that he found rather nice, he could see why his sister had decided to move here. Still, he found it a bit amusing that the amount of Bounded Fields which were covering it was something he expected from one of the Gremory's castles.
It was a fortress…
He walked up to the front door and knocked…
He didn't wait long…
"Hello?" came the voice of a young man as he slid the front door open.
Ruval stared for a moment as he slowly recognized him and set his face in stone. He knew who this young man was, Emiya Shirou, his sister's Queen and the winner of the Fifth Holy Grail War. While he certainly had some respect for the young man for what he had done, not only for Ravel but the whole world as well for what he did during the Grail War. He'd read the reports, even the unclassified ones, and he knew that if Angra Mainyu had been able to birth itself into the world then everyone would be cursed with all the world's evils.
It might have been even worse if it had been able to reach the Root…
"Emiya Shirou," Ruval spoke clearly. "I am Phenex Ruval; I need to speak with my sister."
"Phenex…" Shirou trailed off before nodding. "Come on in."
He stood aside and allowed Ruval to enter, making sure to close the door behind him. He led the older devil through the corridors and towards the living room. After sliding the door open they found Ravel, Issei and Caren sitting at the living room table watching the TV. Sakura, Asia and Xenovia were in the kitchen with the former trying to teach the latter how to cook. Shirou idly remembered the day before when Xenovia accidently set water on fire.
He still didn't know how that was possible...
"Onii-sama?" Ravel asked upon spotting her brother."What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you," Ruval answered tiredly. "I just came from a meeting with the Maou."
"The Maou?" Ravel questioned. "Is this about what happened in Kouh?"
"That and more," Ruval spoke clearly. "There's no easy way to say this, the Maou are coming here to Fuyuki. They're meeting with the leadership of the other two Factions to discuss the events of Kokabiel's Fall and what's going to happen now."
Sound seemed to vacate the living room at his words...
The battle with Kokabiel and his allies had nearly started a war between the Three Biblical Factions that would have been even worse than the Great War. Such a conflict would have most likely wiped out all three species and destroyed both Heaven and the Underworld. It was only due to the efforts of Ravel, her peerage and an exorcist from the Church that the war had been prevented. Even then, it was a near thing, not to mention how news of God's death had been revealed to everyone present.
If the leaders of the Three Factions were coming here then...
"This is a Magi-controlled city," Ravel said confused. "Wouldn't Kouh have been a better choice to hold a meeting?"
"Normally yes," Ruval nodded. "But since this is the center of the 'collapse' that happened ten years ago, it was decided that the meeting would be held here. As for the Magi, we've talked with the Magus Association and they've agreed to sign the city over to us in exchange for several vials of Phoenix Tears. The Tohsaka family are still the official owners of the city, and since your Knight is a Tohsaka, the city officially belongs to her."
In other words Fuyuki now belonged to the devils...
"So what is going to happen, exactly?" Ravel asked the question.
"The Maou will be here in three days," Ruval continued. "So will the Angels and Fallen Angels. The meeting will be held at Homurahara Academy in one week; that will be enough time for everyone to sort out the security detail."
One week...
In one week everything would change...
Kotomine Issei took a moment to breathe as he left the Emiya Residence and started walking through the streets of Miyama Town. It was a quiet night and as a devil, he felt wide awake and more alive than he did during the day. He knew that this was due to his nature as a devil since they were a nocturnal race and creatures of the night. Once he was certain that no one was watching, Issei took a running jump and released his new wings.
He flew up into the night sky, soaring over Miyama Town and towards the other side of the river. Once he was across the river he arrived in Shinto and flew up to one of the skyscrapers. Issei was just about to land on the roof of a building when he felt it, the feeling of a new yet familiar presence. He stopped in midair and turned slowly, the Boosted Gear materializing over his arm as he did so. It only took him a moment to recognize the source...
"So you're my rival?" the newcomer asked.
He looked to be around his age with spiky white hair and was wearing a black business suit. He looked to be intrigued by something but Issei didn't care, all he cared about was the fact that he had two white metal wings sprouting from his back. He knew what it was, the Divine Dividing, another Longinus-class Sacred Gear housing Ddraig's rival, the White Dragon Emperor Albion. It was said that the Divine Dividing could half an opponent's power every ten seconds and add it to its wielder.
A truly terrifying ability...
"Kotomine Issei," Issei started. "Who are you?"
"Vali," the newcomer replied simply. "I saw what you did in Kouh, what you did to Kokabiel."
"There's a word for that," Issei continued. "Stalking."
"You're strong," Vali spoke clearly. "I'm always on the lookout for strong opponents to test myself against, so what do you say? Do you want to fight?"
Issei stared at him for a moment and thought over the offer. He too had been looking for stronger enemies to face and defeat using the strength he had gained over the years. He had spent the last ten years honing his skills in Bajiquan and Magecraft, not to mention the Boosted Gear. He had gained just enough power and skill to take down a twelve-winged Fallen Angel, a leader of the Grigori, as a human. Now that he was a devil his abilities had only improved, and he was still training to become even stronger.
"Yes," Issei answered honestly.
He could always do with a rival...
"Hold it," a new voice spoke up from below them. "Enough Vali."
"Azazel..." Vali trailed off as he looked down.
Standing on the rooftop of the building was the familiar form of Azazel, one of the leaders of the Grigori.
"There will be no fighting here," he spoke clearly. "This is devil territory and representatives from all Three Factions are coming here in the next few days."
"So?" Vali asked back.
"So? So everyone is maintaining a 'don't start anything' policy," Azazel told him. "Don't mess it up."
"...Fine," Vali sighed.
Without another word he turned away and disappeared into the night, his wings glowing white as he did so. Issei watched him go without stopping him, instead keeping his attention on the Grigori leader. He wasn't stupid; he recognized the legendary Fallen Angel and knew how dangerous he could be. Why hadn't he felt the man's presence before now though? He didn't know, but he did know that he was well within Azazel's kill range, especially since he was just as powerful as Kokabiel had been, perhaps even more so.
"Kotomine Issei, the Red Dragon Emperor," Azazel mused as the young man landed on the rooftop. "You're a strange one, not unlike Vali in a lot of ways, but you have something he doesn't."
"What do you two want from me?" Issei asked the question.
"Vali wants to fight you," Azazel answered truthfully. "I don't care about you."
"You don't?" Issei questioned further.
"While I would love to get a look at your Sacred Gear, I'm more interested in a certain someone else," Azazel shrugged. "Isn't that right, Shirou?"
Standing behind Azazel was Shirou with Kanshou and Bakuya in hand ready to strike. Though they had known each other for years and it had been Azazel who had pulled him out of the debris from the destroyed Mount Enzou, the Magus-turned-devil didn't fully trust the Fallen Angel leader. A second later Ravel landed beside Issei with her flaming wings lighting up the rooftop and the night air suddenly started getting warming due to her presence.
"Lord Azazel," Ravel greeted coldly. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"No reason in particular," Azazel waved off her words. "I was simply out for a midnight stroll."
A midnight stroll along the rooftops…
"That's fine," Ravel nodded with a smile though it didn't reach her eyes. "But please be aware that Issei and Shirou are members of my peerage, and I won't forgive anyone who harms them."
She'd killed for less…
"Heh," Azazel chuckled as he turned away from them all. "I have no interest in either of them."
Ravel narrowed her eyes at that…
"But you just said-" Shirou started.
"I wasn't referring to you," Azazel smiled before his wings appeared.
He flew off into the night a moment later…
Emiya Shirou sighed as he stepped out of the bathroom and into the main hallway. The others had already gone to bed with the exception of Xenovia who was currently on guard duty on top of the roof of the house. Because of the number of residents now living in his family home, they had drawn up a timetable for who had to stand guard outside during the night while the others slept. Since they were devils they were naturally more alert and aware during the night than during the day. His shift wasn't for another couple of days so he didn't mind sleeping, even if he kept one eye open these days.
He walked through the corridor and stepped out into the yard, making sure to dry his white hair with a towel in his hands as he did so. It was rather warm outside now that spring had come and he couldn't help but smile as he looked up at the star fill sky. How long had it been since he'd stared up at that endless night? Not since he and Miyu sat under the stars so long ago. They'd both grown since then, especially him who had thrown himself into battle after battle during the Grail War, nearly getting killed every time. Shirou smiled sadly as he remembered those who didn't come back from that war and shook his head. Rin…Illya…Chloe…they had all given their lives to save Sakura, kill Angra Mainyu and destroy the Holy Grail. He'd almost thought that was the last battle he would have to fight but it wasn't, Kokabiel had shown him that. Idly he remembered his battle against the Fallen Angel called Dohnaseek and sighed again.
He still had a long way to go…
Without a word he walked over to his shed-workshop and slid the door open. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Xenovia standing on the roof of the household and gave her a nod. She returned the nod before he entered his workshop and closed the door behind him. This was his sanctuary, the place where he had practiced his Magecraft since Kiritsugu had first started teaching him. It had changed ever since he was reunited with Ravel and his sister after the Grail War ended.
The two magic circles were still there with Caster occupying the first one however there were vials of Phoenix Tears on shelves along the wall and a small bench under them. His research notes were lying on top of the table detailing his experiments and the various supernatural factions in the world. Mundane and magical weaponry littered the floor at the back of the workshop behind the magic circle, most of which he had created using Projection Magecraft though most were just now starting to break apart due to Gaia's presence. Of course there was Kuro, sheathed andresting amongst the pile of weapons with its case a few feet away. The rest were Noble Phantasms that Miyu had created using Flash Air, though they were admittedly far inferior to those made from the Class Cards.
The Class Cards…
Miyu was currently working on a Berserker card now that she had tested her newly created Saber card and killed Freed during the recent battle. She planned on giving it to Sakura and then move onto creating a Rider card. Shirou couldn't help but admire the sheer effort his little sister was putting into her project that he felt slightly guilty that all it took for him to recreate Noble Phantasms was a single glance to record them within his Reality Marble and some prana to tracethem.
His Reality Marble…
"Trace on," Shirou whispered as he held out his right hand.
His Magic Circuits flickered to life as prana flowed through them and a single short-sword formed in his hand. He looked it over for a moment and then set it down on the table. He sighed before picking the short-sword back up and placing it down with the other weapons at the back of the workshop. Looking down at himself he slowly removed his jacket and t-shirt, allowing him to see his upper body. He could see where Archer's Arm had been grafted onto his shoulder and concentrated on the connection between him and the 'foreign substance' that was the Artificial Phantasm.
Ever since he was forced to release the Shroud of Martin during his fight with the tainted Berserker during the Fifth Holy Grail War, he now had full access to its power. Still, he couldn't use it to its full capability at his current level even if it granted him the ability to 'level-up' faster due to its presence. When he had first removed the Holy Shroud from the arm, he had Installed the Archer-EMIYA card in his possession and lodged it between them. By doing that it acted as a buffer between him and the arm, allowing him to draw on its knowledge without losing himself.
From what memories he had gathered from the arm and the card, he likely would have lost his memories by the end like what had happened to one of the other Emiya Shirous that Archer had encountered in another world. Even with the card acting as a buffer, the arm was simply too powerful for him to have connected to him and was slowly killing him from the inside out. It was only due to Ravel's Phoenix Tears—which she had now taken to supplying him with personally—that he hadn't died from it yet.
Not to mention Asia's help…
Her Sacred Gear Twilight Healing certainly helped him deal with the damage that the arm caused him…
"In here again?" a voice spoke up from the doorway. "You should take a break once in a while, idiot."
It was Ravel…
"I'm fine," Shirou said with a smile. "I didn't hear you come in."
"I learned how to sneak into workshops from you," Ravel smiled back. "Come on, you need you're sleep."
"…I guess you're right," Shirou sighed with a nod.
"Didn't you know?" Ravel asked as her smile widened. "I'm always right."
Somethings never change…
Author's Notes:
I
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