Hey guys!

Yes, I am starting a new series! Another Side is pretty much done, I just need to write the epilogue. So, here is the one that shall take its place into my projects.

Don't you worry possible Another Side fan, the next volume of that series will come out someday. I just need to take some time off that series.

Anyway, for those that remember, yes, this is Project 71. I hope you like it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Highschool DxD.

The End is where I Begin

I stood in front of my grandfather's grave.

I was the last one.

Everybody was gone.

The war had taken a hit on many families. Half the Ars Goetia had gone extinct and the other half didn't have many family members to speak of. The only thing that made Devils be a thing were the Extra Demons Faction and Ajuka Beelzebub's Evil Pieces.

But my family was gone.

After the Original Satans died the people didn't want to fight the war anymore. But the families of the Old Satans still held power. We Devils divided ourselves. The Old Satan faction wanted to continue the war. The Anti-Satan Faction wanted to stop it. And that's why my parents died.

My parents had been killed for supporting a system that permitted us Devils to continue existing. They weren't around anymore because they supported a group that was indeed powerful enough to stop Heaven and Grigori from finishing us off. They were murdered because they were from the Anti-Satan Faction. Dead before I could even remember them.

They had showered my grandfather and I in praises when we won the civil war. I couldn't even remember that, but grandfather used to tell me that story. The story of how my parents became heroes. But now they weren't here. No one from the Anti-Satan Faction was here to pay their respects.

In a way, it was better like that. More personal. Lucifer and Beelzebub would probably visit sometime that week. Asmodeus was too lazy to bother, his personality was like that. Leviathan was too cheery to make an appearance at a funeral or the week after. I would meet her soon enough and she would probably act as if nothing happened.

I didn't resent them. I couldn't and wouldn't. That would insult the memory of what my family had stood by until the very end. And I couldn't do that, I wouldn't be able to live with myself after that.

Furthermore, I couldn't resent them. They had too much to work on. The civil war had lasted far too long. There were even talks that it was still going in a cold war style this time.

Rumors of the Old Satan Faction working in the shadows, gathering allies and scheming in a corner far away from the society that rejected them. Those weren't wonderful news to say the least.

There was also the fact that the Ars Goetia's side of the Anti-Satan Faction was just trying to save their hides while getting themselves up in the food chain. It was disgusting. A lot of people, not just my family, had died trying to ensure the survival of the Devils as a species and they were worried about if they got to have power or not.

I pitied the new Satans. They had to deal with that scum daily. It couldn't be easy. I couldn't resent them for not being present for my grandfather's funeral. So, I stood there, alone, for the rest of the day until darkness started to creep up to me.

I turned around. The only thing that was left of the Dantalion clan was just a manor and the vastness of an empty forest. A lake hidden somewhere between the never-ending sea of trees. I used to go there with my grandfather. It had a great view, to be sure, but it was mostly because of the peace that permeated the place.

It helped us forget that we were alone. Forget all the problems that surrounded us. I would probably visit that place after I was sure nobody would come to visit and give their condolences. My list was short. If the Satans had visited, the others were not important.

Anyone else that visited would probably be a bunch of stuck up nobles trying to marry me to their daughters to feed off the good name of House Dantalion. If not, they would be people that had ignored me my whole life and only wanted to manipulate the 'innocent and desperate' last son of the Dantalion's to get what they wanted.

I reached the door and I froze. I had known. Both of us had known there wasn't much time left. He had been bedridden for the last few months. His time was coming to an end. We knew. But that didn't make it hurt any less. The last member of my family was gone.

I fought back tears and opened the door. The lights were on, but they didn't stop the place from looking dark. I doubted it would hold the same light ever again for me. I wasn't alone, I had to tell myself.

'They'll come soon.' I thought. That was the only thing that stopped me from going to my room and crying myself to sleep.

I walked into the house and started preparing tea out of habit. My grandfather loved to have tea when he was distraught, and it had rubbed off on me. It always helped me calm down and think properly.

When I turned around to go to the sitting room with my cup, I saw a teleporting circle light up the room.

"Big brother, welcome. You came sooner than I thought." I greeted a man with light blue eyes and green hair that was slicked back. Ajuka Astaroth, now known as Lord Beelzebub. He always insisted in me calling him 'big brother' until I gave in.

"Sorry I am late, Verz." He said.

"You have nothing to be sorry about. I know how things are. Please, take a seat. Tea?" I asked. He nodded and I went to prepare another cup before going back to the sitting room.

"I would ask how you are but we both know the answer." He said simply. I almost snorted, he never was one for formalities. None of the new Satans was. "What are you going to do?"

I looked at the cup in my hands. My mind had refused to address that question up until that very moment. I would probably leave home. It would hurt, but it was better than staying. The manor would drive me mad before I knew it between a combination of memories and solitude.

"I'll leave. Probably stay in one of the cities for a while. Maybe go to the human world like the other heirs." I had more reasons than the others to go to the human world.

I wouldn't be able to feed off my family fortune forever. I wasn't poor. I could live comfortably for years. But years for a Devil was nothing. I would need to start working and soon. I also needed to start recruiting for my peerage. Grandfather had gotten me to delay that until now. He didn't want me to recruit without knowing, to make a bad choice.

However, now was the time to start making choices. I couldn't sit still now, or I would end up with nothing. I would probably kill myself if I had to sell the manor. It was the only thing left from my family, my clan.

So, I needed to get my act together and start acting like the high-class Devil I was. I had no idea who or even how I was going to recruit, but I needed to start somewhere. I would be able to make money for myself more than easily enough, but I would also need people to rely on. My grandfather had drilled that into my head. One lives for a group and the group lives for one. We are the people that we surround ourselves with.

"That's probably the best decision." Commented Ajuka. "You will take them now?"

"I'll need them." I answered. He flicked his fingers and a box appeared in the coffee table. A black box with silver details stood before me with a diamond shape sticking out on the top. A king piece carved inside the diamond. The box that contained my Evil Pieces.

I slowly placed my hands on each side of the box, and I felt it sucking my magic. Linking the pieces inside to me. The silver details shining with an amber colored light. It leeched off my energy for a minute until it stopped slowly. I let go of the box and left my hands on either side.

Ajuka didn't comment, it was normal. The Pieces were meaningful, they were almost as much part of a Devil as their arms or legs. They would be with the Devil for the rest of their lives. And the devils felt that connection once it was done, they couldn't help but be in awe with it. I certainly couldn't.

After a few seconds I came out of my stupor and slowly lifted the top of the box. Inside there were fifteen chess pieces, from Queen to the very last Pawn. All of them of a semitransparent amber with a bit of darker colors bordering black here and there. All except for… two of them. I actually laughed out loud.

I had two mutated Knights.

"Amusing, indeed, but also quite impressive." Ajuka commented. "It can be due to how long it took you to actually claim them. You start later but you are also a lot stronger than when you should have received them. Interesting." Ajuka almost went all mad scientist on me right there. I was thankful he got a hold of himself.

"Well," I let out a tired sigh. "Once Sirzechs comes to visit I'll start looking for a place to stay in a city. Probably Agreas or Lilith." I commented absentmindedly.

"I'm sure Serafall will love to hear that. She will probably run around looking for the best place for you." I suppressed a snort at that. Serafall would never come to the pay respects but I was quite sure she would love to help any other way and visit once I was there.

"Yeah, she probably will." I commented. For all the good humor, nothing really reached my eyes. The sympathetic look Ajuka gave me told me he noticed.

"Sirzechs said he will come tonight or tomorrow morning, He just has to get rid of some… trouble." Trouble meaning an idiotic power-hungry nobleman or woman.

"It's ok, I expected you guys to come sometime this week. I didn't really expect you today. And don't give me that look, you know I know you guys are busy." I added when he gave me a mock hurt expression.

"Are you sure you want to move to the city? You could stay with the Gremories or the Sitris. They wouldn't have a problem with your presence at all." He said.

"I'm sure, at this point I'm used to being by myself." I had already spent the last few months taking care of my bedridden grandfather on my own. I was pretty independent already. "But I'll make sure to visit from time to time."

"That would be great. They will worry if you suddenly disappear." He said. And he meant it, the last time grandfather and I had forgotten to call or send a letter they had metaphorically and almost literally kicked down our door to see if something had happened.

"I know. I wish they could have come." I said looking down. I had forgotten to close the box, I noticed putting the top back on.

"Phenex has been a torn in the side of House Gremory for a long time now." He commented nodding somberly. "And the Sitris are still fending off contracts from everyone that dares to try and pressure them into one. There are rumors that they are trying to establish an 'impossible' requirement or something of the sort."

"If they establish that whoever inside an age range that wins a chess match against Sona gets to marry her then she will be single for a long long time." I commented with a small smirk.

"I bet it will be something like that. Seekvaira and Sona are smart beyond their peers. You are not that far behind though." I just shrugged leaving my empty cup of tea on the table besides the box and leaning back on the couch.

"It is still difficult to believe." I said, barely whispering.

"Give it time, Verz. Just remember that we are here. If you need us just call." He said.

"I know, thanks. You don't know how much that means right now." I said, giving him a grateful smile.

"Well, you could thank me with a game of chess…" He left it hanging and I chuckled, with true mirth in it if just a little bit.

"You just want to beat me and at a time like this. What kind of big brother are you?" I said with a mock hurt expression. But I stood up and looked for a board.

We spent a couple of ours like that. Spending time together. It had probably been weeks since we had seen each other. Even more since we had played chess together. It reminded me of the good times. Good times that were no more, not with my grandfather at least.

"Sorry for being late." A voice interrupted a movement of Ajuka's that would probably cost me a knight or a rook.

"Sirz, welcome! Just in time to see me lose, again!" I greeted and commented with a mock annoyed expression. He and Ajuka laughed at me before he shook my hand.

"So, get me up to speed. How many times have you lost already?" Asked the crimson-haired Satan.

"Satan knows how many times." I pointed at Ajuka. "Literally." That got another chuckle out of them. It was good to have my big brothers here. I would have been crying my eyes out if not for them. "You may want to see this though." I said and pulled out the Evil Pieces. Sirzechs leaned forward in interest. When I opened the box, he let out whistle.

"Two mutated Knights. That's good, and bad, depending how you see it. It will be difficult to find someone that is worth that, not to mention two times." He commented. I nodded and hummed.

"I know, but what can I do, it's what got. I'm certainly not going to complain." I said going back to playing against Ajuka. "I'll move to Lilith or Agreas sometime next week." I informed him and then the scientist Satan and I proceeded to tell him a summary of what we had been talking about.

"Well, Ajuka told you but I will as well. If you need anything just call." He told me and I gave him a grateful nod before groaning as Ajuka beat me again.

"Well, Verz. I think it's time for us to go. I don't want to humiliate you anymore." Ajuka said.

"Yeah, like I would believe that." I said mock glaring. They chuckled. "Thanks for coming." I said with a small smile.

"Always kid, always." Sirzechs said and his Satan comrade nodded.

"Get some sleep, Verstand." Ajuka said with a brotherly tone.

"I will." I reassured them. "See you." They waved at me and I closed the door.

Turning around I felt as alone as the first time I had entered the manor before the visits. But there was a spark of warmth that wasn't present before. A spark that would help me get the sleep that otherwise would have only came after hours of crying. I could never be more grateful to my big brother figures. And I was betting my sister figure would make my stay in the city once I was there as comfortable as possible.

Some would have thought it was strange or scary to be on sibling terms with three of the four Satans. Not for me. They had been part of my life for as long as I remembered. They had been the only ones to never forget the sacrifice of my parents. And each of them made sure to remind me that. My parents had been heroes of the Anti-Satan Factions, and the new Satans made it their personal mission that I knew their sacrifice was not in vain.

They had been there all my life and I hoped they would continue to be for as long as I lived, which was a lot coming from a Devil. They had been there when I needed them. I was forever in their debt for that. They were my family, now more than ever.

[}-o-{]

"Do you like it Ver-tan?" The usual cheery voice of my sister figure asked.

"I love it, Sera-tan." I answered with a small smile.

The apartment she had gotten me in Lilith was really nice. There was enough space for me to be comfortable but not so much that I would feel lonely. She had also looked for one with three bedrooms, no doubt she was going to crash at my place on those rare occasions where she would not obsess over her sister. And in case someone else came, which could be Ajuka or Sirzechs.

I couldn't prevent a warm feeling from setting in my chest just by the thought that they were considering staying over here. I had no doubt they had talked about it between themselves. I wasn't completely alone.

"What are you going to do over here in the city Ver-tan?" Asked the magical girl Satan from the couch.

"Don't know, I just didn't want to stay in the manor." I sat beside her. "But I guess I'll walk around and see what catches my eye. I would say go looking for peerage members, but I guess those won't come from me walking around and asking." I joked. She giggled and hit my arm.

"No, that's not how it works." She said. And then her face turned serious, or as serious as a person like her could get. "Are you ok?"

"I'm ok, sis." I said softly. "Well, mostly, it'll take time." I corrected when she looked at me questioningly. Then she nodded.

"Then-"

"If I need something I'll call." I finished for her. She pouted.

"I-I was going to say that you could join my show anytime."

"Sure you were." Her pout intensified.

"Ver-tan is a meanie." I replied by hugging her.

"Thanks, Sera-tan." I said and she returned the hug.

"Anytime, little bro."

"Awwww." We turned to see Sirzechs with a camera on hand. I smiled for the photo. A second later, Serafall squealed so loud she almost got me deaf right then and there.

"Please tell me we look adorable." She all but demanded.

"Quite." Sirzechs smirked. And I chuckled.

"I guess I'll add that one here somewhere." Serafall sobered up after my comment.

"So, you do plan to stay here for quite a while." I smiled sadly at her comment.

"Yeah… I'll probably stay here until I get some peerage members. And even then, I probably won't go back to the manor." I hated and at the same time feared the view I had gotten of the empty manor. I never wanted to see that. I would make sure that the next time I went there it would have some life. There was silence for a second.

"Then call me if you need to move somewhere else, Levia-tan will come to the rescue." Serafall said striking a pose.

"Thanks, I knew I could count with the help of my favorite magical girl." She positively beamed at me. I couldn't help but smile at that. She was as adorable as a child sometimes… most of the time.

"Did I miss something?" Ajuka broke the moment appearing from the circle in the corner.

"Look at this Ajuka." Sirzechs told him excitedly while showing him the photo. Sometimes I couldn't help but be a bit shocked that this were the leaders of the Underworld. The Devil part of it at least. No matter how long you knew them, the pictures clashed so badly that it shocked anyway.

"I should start training, shouldn't I?" I asked during my first dinner in the city.

"Haven't you been doing that?" Asked Sirzechs confused.

"I mean, more seriously. I have been training, yes, but I never really pushed myself." I explained.

"Does Ver-tan finally want to participate in my show?" Serafall asked with stars in her eyes and I chuckled.

"Maybe sometime in the future, Sera-tan." I answered. She deflated a bit. "I just think… I want to do well in the Young Devil Gathering in a few years. And if what you have been telling me about Sairaorg is true, Sirz…" I trailed of moving my fork in the air.

"I see…" Started Ajuka. "You don't want to give a bad impression." He guessed.

"Yeah, that…" I trailed of, unsure. "And I have a goal, I'll need strength to achieve it."

"What is it? What is it?!" Asked the magical girl with renewed excitement.

"Secret." I smirked at her pout.

"Ver-tan is no fun."

"Well, in that case it seems you'll have to. Do you need help with that?" Asked Sirzechs.

"Not really. I just need somewhere to train. I don't have the space here." I explained to them.

"I see. I'll arrange you a space for training. An early birthday gift from me." Ajuka told me with a smile that I gladly returned.

"Ajuka is showing off. What will we do Serafall?" Asked Sirzechs with a mock worried tone.

"I helped him get this apartment, so I already gave him an early gift!" She said happily much to the crimson-haired Satan's dismay. Sirzechs slumped in defeat.

"I was left behind." He said in a depressed tone drawing circles on the table. I was trying pretty hard not to laugh.

"I would like to start training as a swordsman." I added, he perked up, probably guessing where I was going. "I don't know if you guys know someone that can teach me." I asked in a vague way. Ajuka's smirk and Serafall's smile told me they had caught on where I was going.

"I can see if Souji is free to train you!" Sirzechs shouted putting up a hand like a kid in school answering a question.

"Thanks, big bro, that would be great." I told him with a smile that he returned.

Not long after that everyone had to leave. I was lonely once they left, I'll admit. But that was nothing compared with the manor. I shivered just at the mere thought of those empty walls. Just walking around brought out ghosts of memories. Memories that while precious, right that moment felt like knives twisting and turning while stabbing my heart.

I was definitely better here. It was an almost unknown place, yes. But as such it didn't have memories, I didn't remember better times at each step I took. I could build new memories here. And that was exactly my plan.

Not to forget, just to move forward.

I went to the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. Skin so pale it was almost perfectly white that contrasted a lot with my black hair. Amber eyes much like those of a hawk stared back at me. I focused on my eyes, those eyes that seemed to look into your soul. They could, in a way.

Because that was the trait of the Dantalion clan. The Mind Arts. Most could read surface thoughts. Some could even stop the thoughts, literally stunning the opponent. Others could communicate telepathically. A minority could actually read minds as if they were books, looking for the information they wanted. There were also those twisted souls that could break people's minds. Or the sly ones, that could manipulate people's minds to a degree.

The mind was our territory. And everything started with amber eyes. Amber eyes staring at you, and at that moment they already had you dancing in their hands. Stories were told about the Dantalion in times of war, stories that made the bravest of men cower. No one stood in the way of Sinnstein Dantalion and lived. Not even his murderer had.

And I would live up to my clan's legacy. I would live up to my father's legacy. Because I was Verstand Dantalion. The last one alive.

The world would know my name.

[} Chapter End {]

Well, I would greet you, but I already did that at the start. I hope you like this new project I'm starting here. Leave a review if you do, or don't, or want to tell me something, or want to complain about something, or… you already get it.

FUN FACT: I decided the Mutated Pieces by luck. First to know which piece it would be and second to know how many.

See you.