engles is my second/third language pls forgib bad gramer
Some would say I should get a beta, but then again, i already write at a snail's pace and moodier than a desperate housewife on a diet. Letting it be beta-read (betaed?) would positively extend my seasonal chapter releases. More to that, this is also fanfic. It's just a hobby i've got no interest in getting super serious at, like putting in extra effort than what i'm willing to expend. i don't want to write for money either instead of the mild increase in my dopamine level
tldr: i don't wanna be a tryhard when i'm just a self-proclaimed "amateur" writer ( ͡ʘ ͜ʖ ͡ʘ)
life's hard enough already and i'm bumbling through it as if i know how to be an adult, so quit forcing my hobby to be difficult :^(
Remember. Life is a race, and you are the racist B^)
Fates Reforged
[Chapter 12]
||Ripples||
"Oi, what are you brats doing back here?"
"Geh—!" a student with a peculiar monk-like buzz cut shuddered as he nearly made too loud of a noise. "O-oh! It's just the custodian…"
Said custodian was clad in a plain dark blue uniform. A much simpler uniform than Kuoh Academy's student's uniform, although with the addition of a hat and a belt to hold various cleaning tools strapped around his waist.
"Yeah, the custodian. Good afternoon," the young custodian said, one hand resting on his waist, the other fixing his cap. "Been sent here to fix a hole on the Kendo Club," he scooped out a strip of paper from his shirt's front pocket, "—or to give one at the peeper's skull… Or so it says right here. That or report to the teachers so they can be expelled or sumthin' like that."
Both Matsuda and Motohama had the sense to pale from that and stood up stiffly.
"W-we weren't doing anything bad or illegal!"
"In fact, we were never doing anything here! My friend here lost his glasses and we just now found them!" Matsuda slapped the back of his compatriot. "Right bud? You clumsy lil' bastard, ahaha! Ahahaha—!"
And the two laughed their awkward laugh as they backpedalled outside the tiny woods covering the back of Kendo club. They took a pretty wide berth from the building as if to make sure they weren't heard by the practicing Kendo girls.
With a huff, Issei could only wish the two idiots would stay out of trouble from now on, although he doubted it. At least stay out from things that could get them expelled or jailed. He knew the only reason they weren't kicked out of Kuoh immediately was because of him; because the Devils had interest in him. They thought he'd need some friends. Some equally dumb friends.
Now that they knew nothing about him, the Devils had no reason to let them stay.
Eh well… These idiots somehow grew up fine in his old world, and he was mostly absent except during their wedding day. They invited him for drinks and usual outings. He'd always had to turn them down, unfortunately. Duty was like diarrhea; it never waits.
"Who's there! Is that you idiots again?!"
Another voice erupted, this time coming from his side as a mob of bloodthirsty and sweat-slickened Kendo girls had their wooden swords ready in the air to deliver swift woody judgement. Led by none other than Murayama; the recent she-Devil, whose face showed a glimpse of surprise, realization, and then a hintful sorrow at seeing the new janitor.
"Just one, sadly," Issei blandly muttered as he was crouched by the peep-hole. Not a very convincing image, if not for the plank next to him and the hammer and crowbar resting on top of it.
"Uh… Wh...what are you doing back here?" Katase asked accusingly. Her voice hintful of her suspicion.
"Was told to fix this place, but some brats were here so I chased them out. There's supposed ta be some hole here somewhere..." he said while rubbing the wood panel with his hand, pretending to not know where the peep-hole he had been using and re-creating for nearly three years in his life — including the backup ones in case they plugged up the hole.
The Kendo girls glanced at each other, seemingly distrustful towards him. Understandable, he was a dude after all.
"Hm? What're you lot still standing here for? Ya'll wanna watch me fix 'er up?" Issei briefly wondered why he forced himself to sound Southern when there's no one to convince.
Katase voiced their concern. "You're...you're not going to peek, right? Practice isn't over yet but…"
"Eh? Peep? At what?"
"At...us...?"
"Hm? Oh, don't worry. I'm not interested in brats. I'm gay too, if that helps."
Eyes were widened and several gasps escaped, and Issei found amusement in their flushing cheeks as their imaginations ran wild. Even Murayama who knew he was spouting nonsense couldn't stop her face from turning red.
"A-a-alright girls! B-back to training!" Murayama commanded through her embarrassment. "I'll stay here to make sure he doesn't do anything funny, and help a bit because this is our place… Mori-chan, lead the usual routine in my place, okay?"
"..."
"Hey! Snap out of it!"
"So… Top or bottom?"
"Quit it!" Murayama cried, struggling to shove her giggling cronies away.
"Definitely hard bottom," Issei replied to the erupting squeal of the curious girls, much to Murayama's dismay.
…
After a good minute and much pleading mixed with frustration later, Murayama managed to get her girls back to practising their strokes. Now that she was alone with Issei, she first had to get rid of the unpleasant imageries her mind had conjured thanks to his stupid excuses.
"Got some closet-perverts in your club don't you," teased Issei as he prepared to do an actual labor; first by removing the planks with holes — because instead of scrubbing plaster over them, Sona wanted him to replace them with 'magically-enhanced' wooden panels.
Murayama winced. "...I blame Kiryuu… Earlier this morning she was talking about...actually, nevermind..."
"What's wrong with that?"
"The timing and place, obviously!"
"Isn't school the place for education?"
"Not that kind of education!"
"No? Then where else?" he continued as he peeled a wooden board with his hand, placing it by his right side. It revealed a good portion of the Kendo club's changing room, of which Issei paid no interest in as everything was tucked neatly in the lockers anyway.
"..." Murayama thought for a few moments, but decided she had to stop talking about these vulgar things. "A-anyway… I erm… I didn't know you're working here, Hyoudou-kun."
"That's Gojou-san to you," Issei corrected, "be respectful to old people. Or at least me when I'm not visually Issei."
"Eh?! We're of the same age!" Murayama pointed out, stupefied, for a moment completely weirded out by the fact Issei's speech pattern reminded her of that of an adult.
"Well, yes, but no. You're not supposed to know me either, by the by," he placed the new 2 by 4 plank over the old one, measured it, nicked a line with his pencil in preparation to cut it into the correct length. "Also don't talk too loud you idiot. Keep it down."
Indeed...he did look...a bit older. Somewhat taller too, which didn't make sense to her.
"How did you…grow so fast? ...And did you just call me an idiot?"
"If you poke my hat then your hand will phase through," he replied, realizing he forgot to bring a handsaw with him and got mad that the nearest tool shed was across the damn field.
"...Really?" Murayama muttered skeptically, though still reaching out a hand onto his blue hat. True to his words, her fingers did travel through his hat and head as though it wasn't there. Although when she lowered her hand, Murayama could feel the texture of his hair. It was soft, surprisingly. Somewhat woolly. She thought he'd be spikier than this.
Meanwhile, in the absence of the dedicated wood-cutting tool, Issei resorted to magic, and proceeded to cast a Warp Wood spell as the wooden plank began to shrink in length in his hands. He promptly placed it at the gaping hole of the Kendo practice building.
"Hold this for me when you're done touching me."
At his suggestive wordings, Murayama punctually and gingerly withdrew her hand with an embarrassed look before holding the board as told. Issei then drew out a couple of 2 inch nails from his shirt's pocket and began hammering them one by one.
The loud knocking did little in disrupting Murayama's nagging thoughts and questions.
"I have so many questions for you right now," she muttered absently as she watched the nails being driven in. "...Why a janitor? And the name change?"
"It's custodian but I don't know the difference," Issei said mid-hammering, "Sides, I don't think teaching is a suitable job for me. Not my calling, I guess. The name is just temporary anyway. In the case that someone out there knows a 'Hyoudou' or an 'Issei'. Not the most common names but, you can never be too safe."
Murayama tilted her head to one side - fixing the hem of her kendo robe-like attire out of the instinct that Issei might be taking a peek since she was crouching near him.
"...Safe? What do you mean 'too safe'? A-are you indebted to someone?"
"'Course not, stoopid."
"Geh—"
Issei turned his head and stared at her. "It's just precautionary measures, alright? You can never be too safe when you're in this world."
Murayama felt a bit hot on the cheeks for a weird reason, and proceeded to turn away and pretend to be deeply interested in his work.
"O-okay... but do you have to work here?"
"Excuses," he replied shortly, driving the third nail to its new woody home. "You'd be worried if some random strangers started to hang around your school diva's clubroom, right?" And so he could always be nearby whenever something stupid was bound to happen. "And it's not like I'll be here all day everyday."
Only when Azazel had nothing new to talk about with him, actually. Only two days since Nyx's uninvited arrival, and he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.
"But why don't you just…just continue being a student?"
Issei glanced at her. Murayama couldn't tell whether it was due to his illusion, but his eyes seemed like they belonged to someone who was older. Someone who had seen the things she hadn't. But they softened the same time as he scoffed a tiny snort from his nose.
"Well. Maybe I wanted to feel what it's like to work."
"But you're seventeen—"
"Eighteen."
"You shouldn't be working yet, Hyoudou!" Murayama declared, looking all upset for reasons he didn't understand. "Highschool is important, you know? It prepares your social skills and networking! And you need diplomas to apply to a college!"
"Eh? Even when you're a Devil?"
"Well—" Murayama paused. "...Well…" she trailed away into a sudden thoughtful silence, the unexpected kind. It was obvious she hadn't thought of it. About how impactful becoming a Devil was towards her future.
Wham! With one last swing, the last nails were inserted and no thumbs were comically pancaked. The loud noise stirred her from her thoughts.
"W-well anyway! I'm not the one who quit school! This isn't about me, it's about you! Don't you think it's…" she looked apologetic, almost pitying him. "I mean...don't you think it's sad? Everyone suddenly forgot about you. It's like...it's like you never exist."
"Hmmm. I guess it kinda is," Issei responded noncommittally. He was a bit surprised she cared that much, but he also reminded himself that not all people are selfish assholes. "Are you pitying me, Murayama?"
"N-no! That's not what I meant!" she sputtered in panic, afraid that she'd hurt his feelings. Although the way he was sneering at her implied he was just poking fun at her. To which she responded with an annoyed pout.
"Why do you care so much?" Issei said bluntly. "Not to be an edgy prick; just curious."
"Because you're my friend," Murayama said, still pouting. "Yes you did some stupid things but… you were my classmate too. There were some stupid fun we've had together, and knowing nobody else remembers it... It's a bit...saddening, you know…?"
Issei hummed briefly. If he was to be completely honest, he had completely forgotten his high school life other than a few select memories. The most prominent one was that time Serafall first appeared in her brilliant pink magical girl costume, or one of the many times he was being battered by Murayama and her cronies because Matsuda sneezed. He didn't remember much else, other than he sculpted Rias' body out of some clay…?
Looking, he should've auctioned the piece and made more for the easy money.
"Welp. I guess that makes it more exclusive," he concluded, shrugging lightly. "More special, in a way, since you're the only one who knows about it. Hell, someone could make a manga about it."
"...I...I guess…" Murayama whispered. The earlier feeling of embarrassment was creeping its way back to her face as she unconsciously twirled her brown locks. It did sound romantic when he put it that way… Aside from the fact that none of their memories were romantic at all. "W-wait a minute, that's not the point here!"
"I'm fine, Yukimura," he said. "You getting upset for me is touching, but I feel fine — thank you very much."
"B-but what'll—" Murayama suddenly gasped, "what will your parents say!"
"Nahhh, they don't know about it so it's fine. I'm what you call 'someone in their rebellious phase'."
"Wha—!"
Since he was done with his work, Issei sat his ass on the soft, well-trimmed grass.
"So how's things?" He asked a seemingly awkward question people often rely upon when they didn't know what else to say, except he did know what to say. "How's being a supernatural girl so far?"
He studied her expression. Not much of a change other than a twitch in the corner of her mouth. Perhaps she was mulling if it was wise to talk about this kind of stuff when other students were around.
But she gave in. "W-well… It feels harder to get out of the bed…" that was just her being herself, but Murayama didn't want to admit that she wasn't a morning person. "...Being under the sun also gets me dizzy sometimes, but I get to see better in the dark and when it's nighttime, it feels… Erm, liberating…?"
Not far different to his first experience. Supposedly common for a completely normal human-turned-devil, he guessed. Xenovia's case was different since she already knew about the existence of the supernaturals, fighting against it for a certain point before turning into a Devil. To him, Murayama's experience was… nostalgic.
"You'll get used to it," he assured her, not really knowing what else he could say to that.
"That's what Irina-chan told me too…" her voice quieted by a volume as her eyes veered off to the blades of green grass beneath their feet. "...This feels...normal when it shouldn't. If that makes sense."
"A bit scary huh?"
"Y-yeah. I feel like a fish out of the pond and put into the ocean. I don't know how deep it gets, that sort of thing..."
Well. Maybe she wasn't that alike with him. His first thoughts were how awesome it was to be a Devil. To be able to do magical stuff and many other feats a human shouldn't be able to achieve naturally. Then again, back then he was barely half as mature as Murayama. Tits and...well, mostly tits, were the only thing in his mind.
The Logical Song promptly replayed itself in his head.
"You'll be fine," he told her. "You're surrounded by good people. They'll look after you while you learn the ropes."
Murayama smiled. "I'm sure they will. I just...don't know where I go anymore. In the future, I mean."
"Might want to talk to Rias about that."
"I did. Last night, actually… She said I'm free to go to a college and be whatever I want to be, but…"
Ah. The illusion of choice. Ever the subtle aren't you, Rias? Sure she could be anything, but becoming a Devil had chained her into this world. And the longer she remained a Devil and tied to the unnatural side of this world, the tighter the grip.
But this wasn't his place to interfere.
"You'll figure it out. Do you have a dream job already?"
"Well...not really," Murayama embarrassedly scratched her neck, wiping a cold sweat. "I'm still a second year so I haven't really thought about it until now. Wait, we're both still in our second years. Did you already know what you want to be?"
"I guess I am," he shrugged. He was committed, in all honesty, but there wasn't a need to be serious about it to her — a greenhorn to this side of the world. "I just want to keep my family and friends safe. The usual stuff."
A look of worry invaded her. "I haven't thought about that either… will my family be alright?"
"Well… Normal people don't normally get dragged into whatever mess the Devils got themselves into I don't think. Even if their sons or daughters are. Friends, too. Maybe it's like a code or something."
Yeah. It was. A code made by the Gods who overwatched humanity. A code made so that no Supernaturals were allowed to tamper with any ordinary souls who had no connections to their world whatsoever. It was the only thing the malignant Gods and the well-intentioned, lawful Gods could share an agreement with.
Learning that, Murayama sighed in relief.
Although noticing the anxiety that was still stubbornly clinging in her thoughts, Issei decided to bring her worry elsewhere.
"By the way, did Irina ever mention the horns?"
"H-heeh?! H-horns? What horns?"
"Y'know, Oni-like horns or goat-like horns… Sheep-like horns… The one that curls around. All types of horns," Issei rambled, then acted like he just realized he wasn't supposed to say that. "Oh… Oh. She didn't tell you, did she?"
Hands on her forehead, Murayama was never paler. Even when she was losing blood some days ago and practically dying, she wasn't this pale or worried.
"Wh-wh-what do you mean horns?!" Murayama squeaked, then lowering her voice once she realized she was being too loud. "But Buchou and Himejima-senpai don't have those? Nobody has those, actually!"
"That's because they learned how to keep them hidden, duh. Anyway I'm done here," he stood up with his equipment in hand. "You should head back too. If you keep staying here with me, your girls might think you're asking me weird questions about my sexuality."
"What?! B-but Hyoud— Gojou-san!"
"You're gonna give your girls misleading ideas if you scream my name like that. See you when I see you."
And she ran away, face scarlet red because the images she desperately tried to kick away from her thought had reemerged unfailingly, and because she was terrified of the possibility of a pair of horns sprouting from her head.
Break
With his basic job done, Issei hung around the old school building, increasing the occupants of the Occult Research Club by one. He was dressed as a janitor and even registered as one, but that didn't mean he was going to be a full-fledged janitor either. Those were just formalities. He just needed to show up several times so that the students would recognize his face and not freak out if they spotted him tottering around their school area or, potentially smoking discreetly, or most importantly, when he was sticking around the place where their 'goddesses' reside.
Fanatic fans are scarier than Evil Dragons. Evil Dragons at least he could punch them in their snout and not worry about his public image.
Nonetheless, there was nothing he could do yet so many things to be concerned with. Frustrating, but all he could do was wait for new development.
Flicking a dead cigarette outside the window, Issei swiveled around towards the usual residents. Rias was present, as were the Himejimas. Their juniors were helping Asia to get settled in her new home.
All were reading different documents for god knows what. Usually to keep tabs on things outside their scope, sometimes a report from Sona's group, and very rarely a direct order from her family or even rarer; Sirzechs himself.
They all shared the same look, however. That certain look of disdain and disgruntlement; and those were only the D's. If his memories served him right, this would either mean Sirzechs was going to pay a visit, a subjugation order for a loose Stray Devils, or just unpleasant news in general.
Or maybe something to do with Riser?
One sure way to find out— "What's up with those faces?" he asked aloud, breaking and gaining their attention. "Bad news or something?"
"Terrible," Rias sighed, almost like she was deflating, "more and more exorcists and priests found dead."
He raised a concerned eyebrow. "Here?"
"Worldwide. Mainly Europe. Fifteen in Italy already, four in England, and a spangle more scattered across the rest of Europe."
Yikes. That is terrible. It hinted that Kokabiel's influence was wider than expected and his exact location was even harder to pinpoint. Even worse if some murders were completely unrelated. What was he intending to do, however? Just simple revenge killing or for something greater?
Something like drawing out the Excaliburs?
Possibly.
"All of them Catholics?"
"Yes...they are," Rias settled her paper down to stare at him with a degree of suspicion. "Do you know something about this, Hyoudou?"
"Nothing more than you already do," he lied as smooth as a worn down sandpaper. "It was just a wild guess. Y'know. To narrow down the similarities."
"...Well, they're all Catholics here. The Protestant or the Orthodox were untouched… at least it's what we've heard so far," Rias muttered, placing her knuckles under her chin. "Why are they specifically targeting the Catholics?"
"Perhaps because they're the one with centralized doctrine?" Suzaku said, "One loss would have a greater impact, no?"
"Possibly…" Rias hummed, reclining on her chair. "But what's their goal here? They'll search for a scapegoat regardless… I hope they're aware that Devils are neither stupid or brash, but I'm certain fingers will be pointed at us again..."
"Again?" Issei perked up. "Like, recently 'again' or historically?"
"Oh, it's...er… Rather recent, unfortunately. Azazel mentioned it during our first meeting," Rias said with a wry smile. "It was two, three months away, I believe? A Devil had been kidnapping and killing nuns behind our back, and once he was exposed, he was swiftly dealt with. Of course, what's done is done, and all he did is strain the Underworld's relationship with the Catholic Church."
"Ah, the nun rapist."
"Y-yes… that's how Azazel described it as well..." Secondhand embarrassment felt equally as distasteful. As someone of the same race as that vile Diodora, Rias felt ashamed. "...I don't know or want to know what he had done to them, but all of his victims have yet to recover. Mentally and/or physically. The thought that someone as sweet as Asia could have been one of them is upsetting…to say the least."
That whole Diodora idiocy might not have any part in Kokabiel's timing, but it certainly was convenient for the Warmonger. The Avenger in this… universe or timeline, Issei supposed.
"You don't think those were the Devil's doing?"
Rias briskly stood up and slammed both her hands to her desk, causing a stack of documents to topple over.
"Of course not!"
Issei raised both his hands calmly. "Whoa, okay, easy. It's just a question, not an accusation."
The Gremory looked just as shocked as her Servants. "R-right… I'm sorry. I don't know what grabbed a hold of me, I really don't mean it—"
"That's cool, Paisen. It's fine, take it easy" Issei waved dismissively, adding with a casual half-smile. Rias was never great at dealing with stress. Not until her early twenties anyway. And especially not when she was sleep deprived.
Rias gave him a stifled, embarrassed smile before sitting back down.
Still was an overreaction from her part. They both knew. Stress, probably? But what would be stressing her at this point? Riser came to mind, but nobody had ever made a mention of him so far and he couldn't spot any Phoenixes loitering around. In fact, some of their usual perching spots were replaced by the Devils' Familiars, which led him to assume there hadn't been any strife with the fiery guy.
"We have a subjugation order tonight, Buchou," Akeno chimed in, her smile ever present. If only she could stay this calm when Azazel was around. "Handling them has always been a nice way to lose pent up stress."
Rias sighed, but then put up a confident smile as if to pep herself up. "Right. It's exhausting being this way. Let the others know we're having an outing tonight. Murayama and Raynare must come; they both have to learn more about us. Irina will stay here with Asia. She's not fully healed regardless..."
"Mhmm~ right away," Akeno rose from her seat on the sofa. "Oh, and what about our new guest? Would he be joining?"
"Oh? Who's that? I didn't know you had a he-Devil."
"She meant you, Hyoudou," Rias pointed out. "You don't have to, but you're welcome to join if you're curious. You can't expect our protection, of course."
"That's one way to ask someone out."
Rias' plain stare and smile nearly hurt his pride. "Don't talk nonsense. You already have a lover."
"If I don't, I'd get a different answer?"
She smiled. "Not necessarily."
Issei made a face. "Welp. Swing and a miss."
Rias surprisingly chuckled. The pleasant kind of soft laughing that would likely swoon the entire male students population of Kuoh Academy.
"Also, Hyoudou," the Gremory continued, this time looking a bit upset. "I'll have to ask you to stop putting misleading thoughts to our new member. She has enough worries in her head as is."
Ah. The horn thing.
"Can't promise that."
Break
"Nnnnnneeeeeeeee— I was left behind! Traitors! How could they!?"
"Aren't you supposed to be resting?"
"I feel fine!"
"You got stabbed with a sword. That hole in your chest needs time to heal."
"Irrelevant!" Irina grumped, currently sitting cross-legged on the carpeted floor of her bedroom, hands holding her ankles, dressed in her loose tank top and baggy pants with her nice abs on full view. Almost like she didn't care if he was a dude and a renowned perv. "It's been a week since I sliced n' diced some baddies!"
"Yes and you got sliced instead," Issei pointed out, and Irina whined and grumbled. "There's always more baddies for you to slice and dice. Just none for today."
"Eggggghhh but I wanna show off to Mura-chan!" And Irina rolled, whining continuously as she barrelled on her back. "It's her first outing! What better chances are there to show off my swordsmanship?! Huh? HUH?"
"Alright sword nerd, easy now."
Irina stopped rolling. "Why you—"
"Excuse me, what's an Outing?" Asked a timid voice. Sat on her bed in cherry pink pajamas was Asia, who was still nervous of the presence of a boy in the same bedroom, but trying her best to not ruin the mood because her roommate didn't seem to mind him.
"Just a buzzword, Asia-chan," Answered Irina, always happy to answer her juniors' questions. Devil or not. "something like slang, sorta… Basically it's when we have to hunt down evildoers. Like Stray Devils and...uh...other Strays…?"
"...? What are you looking at me for? You're the Devil, not me," Being a Devil seemed to have only worsened Irina's mild chuuni tendency. 'Evildoers'? Seriously?
Irina narrowed her eyes, looking petulant with her lips forward.
"Stray?"
"Uhh... Strays are like… criminals, I guess?" Irina tilted her head. An assuring display of confidence on her own words. "Stray Exorcists are Exorcists who don't do things by the book or without approval first… In the Devil's case, they're Devils who hurt their Masters. Or worse."
Issei had a strange inkling she added that 'or worse' bit purely to add dramatic tension.
Which she did.
"M-Masters?"
"Err… Yeah, Masters. For example, Rias-senpai is my Master, and I'm her Servant. It's more of a title thing, really. I don't like the word either, but… there is a game that uses those terms where the Master is someone that summons spirits of historical heroes, and these heroes are called Servants. Then there's other Masters too and they fight for a Holy Grail. It's pretty cool when I think about it that way."
Issei had no idea what game she was referencing so he just shrugged. Whatever floats her boat.
"Ooh! Historical heroes?"
Irina beamed. Whenever someone showed interest in her interests, her mood was quick to bounce up. "Yes! Like Genghis Khan!"
"...Heroes…?"
The twintails realized too late that she started with a horrible example. "Erm… well not all of them are heroes in the traditional sense… But there's Servants like Joan of Arc, King Arthur— except he's actually a woman, Gilgamesh— who is kind of a pain in the neck…"
Joan of Arc… well there's her spirit carrier with the same name, but she was more of a nuisance than a hero, really. And female King Arthur? Not the wildest thing since female Kiba Issei supposed.
"Do you think some Devils have brought back someone like that?"
"What? A hero? Well there must be some," Irina guessed, scratching her cheek. "I mean, not to brag or anything, but I was trained by Okita Souji for around a year. The first Shinsengumi captain, you know? Kinda a big deal, I know."
"You're so humble aren't you."
"I am," Irina said, smugly, hands crossed and nose pointing upwards even though she was lying sideways on the carpet. "By the way, Ise, you never told me you have a girlfriend."
Asia gasped as if Irina was talking scandalous things. "A girlfriend!"
"Because I don't."
"Wha— what d'you mean?! You were kissing her weren't you?! On the lips too! With tongue, apparently. Rias-senpai told me that."
Another gasp. Asia was hugging her pillow tightly from the information/imagination overload.
"Rias…? Did she really have to include that part?" Way to ruin his chances to rebuild his missing relationships. He knew it wasn't gonna be as easy as last time since his role wouldn't be as prominent, especially after the whole Nyx incident… Eh well. He'd gone through worse. "Still, not a girlfriend. Physically close but emotionally distanced."
Irina's eyes remained wide open for a few seconds. At a complete disbelief from the sentence she just heard. Something that poignant wasn't something she expected from a Hyoudou Issei.
"So you're just using her?!"
"It's mutual," Technically the truth.
This time, Irina was the one who gasped. Asia didn't gasp because she couldn't keep up with what they were talking about. Being separated and limited from social interaction other than a brief exchange of greetings and goodbyes had unfortunately hampered her social skills. But it left her excited to learn and pick up new things — though she struggled to pick this one up.
"Ohmygod— aren't you a bad boy, Hyoudou," Irina grinned teasingly, trying her best to make him feel ashamed. She'd have a much better chance turning porridge into rice, however. Issei had no shame.
"I rub shoulders with the owner of a certain kind of hotel. Go figure," he said, unflinching. "But anyway… I've been wondering about this for a while; have you two met before? You were in Italy for a bit, right Irina?"
Her mood visibly darkened for a moment, but Irina acted as though an ugly memory didn't just violate her mind.
"Oh, we've never met," she said, looking at Asia with a smile on her face as Irina sat properly. As properly as a tomboyish action-girl could be anyway. Legs crossed, crotch exposed. "But I've definitely heard of her. Asia-chan is preeeetty famous, you know. There was a time where the caretaker was telling the kids a story about Helen Keller and Saint Teresa, about how caring they were to anyone no matter who they are."
She chuckled softly as her eyes gazed slowly to the velvety carpet she was subconsciously petting. "The kids… They were so sad when they learned those two had been dead. But then your name was mentioned, Asia-chan. And they all started to talk about how similar you are to Ms. Helen, and that they all wanted to see you."
"O-oh, but I'm far from Ms. Keller… She's a hero while I'm just…me."
"Well, it didn't matter to them," Irina smiled gently, but there was sadness that was present in her smile. "Especially the kids who were disabled or sick. Just the mention of your name gave them hope, so that was amazing in itself. Then it all got a bit chaotic when they started to ask why they couldn't see you right then, and then another kid got mad because he's getting hungry and storytime was getting too long."
Asia frowned then.
"That's a good question actually," said Issei. "Why couldn't they?"
"Well...the nurses just told them that she's very busy. That's what they were told anyway…" Irina muttered. "Was that true, Asia-chan? How hectic was your schedule? If...that's okay with you. Are you okay? You look a bit sad."
"Oh, umm…" the Holy Maiden went quiet, as if debating if she should say what she had in mind. She decided that she should. "I was confused why I never had any visits from children from the orphanage. I don't…much understand what the outside world is like," she admitted with a bashful smile, as though she was embarrassed for being locked away from everything else that had nothing to do with her 'gift'. "I never made visits to the elderlies either… Even though I'd love to."
Because orphanages and nursing homes couldn't make as much money. Civilians could at least offer something. Anything as a form of gratitude. They did have an abbey to run and sometimes, the full amount of their allocated money went into other pockets.
Both Issei and Irina were aware of their rotten parts. Except Issei didn't lose his parents to see that.
He promptly glanced at Irina, and noted the tightness of her lips, and averted the conversation somewhere else.
"So how did you get out of there, Asia? Before Raynare got to you, I mean."
"U-umm…" her cheeks were flushing. Not from a newborn love or attraction or anything like that — the girl was just nervous. "When I was excommunicated, the Church still helped me—"
"Who?" Issei immediately followed through, his stare alone enough to intimidate the exiled nun.
"Erm— Sister Griselda did," Asia squeaked, not used to being cut off so suddenly. "She cut my hair and… and made sure I had enough food a-and money… Th-then I flew here with Father Freed and then—" his eyes sharpened with anger, but they left as quickly as they'd arrived and were replaced by confusion. "—I met Ms. Raynare a-and… Mr. Azazel, then um...I got here."
"Quit asking her questions like you're introducing her Issei. I mean interrogating."
"Was I? Oh, my bad," he loosened his intense stare, also realizing that he had been doing that subconsciously. Dragons were easier to kill than habits, it seemed. "Didn't mean to scare you, Asia. Was just curious."
"I-it's okay… I-I'm sorry I'm too nervous."
"No, no, don't be Asia-chan. Feel how you want to feel," Irina scolded gently. "But uhm…do you know anyone named Yumi? Yumi Kiba? Or Kiba Yumi I guess in Japan… She has long blonde hair that is lighter than yours… blue eyes. A mole under her left eye. She's an Exorcist."
"Umm… I rarely see Exorcists in the charterhouse… But I was rarely able to leave my room aside from doing my duties. A-and when I was taken outside, I tried to not see people since I was hiding… Sorry…"
"It's okay! Don't be sorry Asia-chan. That's not a good habit especially when you're helping people."
"Oh. O-okay. I'm sorry— I-I mean….umm…"
"Ehehe, just say thanks if you don't know what to say."
Asia made a quiet affirmative voice. "Ooh… okay. Thank you Ms. Irina."
"And call me Irina. Drop the 'miss' okay? We're friends, not business partners."
Issei kept his face bland of emotions while a hurricane was ripping his brain.
'Why did Griselda pick Freed to escort Asia? Surely she knew about his…reputations. Or maybe because the maniac somehow shared the same sentiment with Kokabiel? That aside, how much does Irina know about Kiba?'
'Fucking hell. How come the more I know the less I understand?'
{I wish I can help; I really do, but this is the first time I've heard of this too.}
'Don't worry about that Muscle Brain,' assured Issei. 'We're the punch guys after all. Our brains are made of beef.'
Whatever. Tomorrow, he and Azazel would have a field day piecing this new information. For now, he needed some air and smoke.
Break
"You're going to kill and kill yourself doing this."
"And doing nothing while more are misled into the slaughterhouse is something you consider worth living?" Kokabiel snapped, his face contorted by briddling rage. "They're children, Azazel. Children. Many are younger than Vali when you took him in! We are the Watchers for Heaven's sake, not spectators."
"You're seeing things in black and white. How many do you think will die because of this?"
"So we remain idle?! Like the Angels?!" Enraged, Kokabiel hoisted Azazel by the collar of his coat with one hand, glaring straight at him. "Since when did their life stop mattering to you? Isn't that the reason why we disobeyed Him and came down here?!"
"They still do," Azazel griped, swatting the Cadre's hand away. "But you're overvaluing their life over others by a ridiculous margin, brother."
"You dare say—"
"How many will die for this? How many are there left to save?" The Governor continued before Kokabiel could take a swing at him. Luckily for them, the Alps wasn't a place with much human presence. As long as they didn't cause an avalanche, this was a suitable meeting place.
Kokabiel seethed, "The people we've killed are the people who deserved it."
"Oh you're playing God now? Are you listening to yourself?"
"I know what I said," Kokabiel seethed. "Those 'holy men' violated their own codes knowingly. They're fully aware of what they've done and yet they showed no remorse... They didn't abide by their holy oath and yet the Church continues to shelter them, blanketing them in comfort, and pretending MORE than TEN THOUSANDS OF YOUNG CHILDREN weren't molested by their filthy hands. It's a rotten plague and you know it is true. With that many rotten parts; the tree is as good as dead. It's better to replant a new one."
Azazel sighed wearily. Of course he knew. Of course he felt disgusted that he couldn't do little but watch the reports keep piling in. In truth, his loyal followers shared the same contempt. Not a few had died by the hands of an Exorcist because they took matters into their own hands. But what was there that could be done? The Vatican was off limits. Churches in general were off limits. Maintaining an insider contact was difficult enough without Heaven sniffing them out. Creating one was an entirely different level. They saw the Fallen Angels just as corrupt as the Devils, if not more for their decision to abandon Heaven and disobey the Good Father's commands to never interfere with humanity as a whole.
But He wasn't the one running Heaven anymore. If there was some way he could get to Michael without inciting a war… Letters of request had been sent and yet a reply had never come. His best guess was that Heaven was equally as distraught as it was impossible for them to resort to violence, and they couldn't magically reform any human's mindset as humans were creations blessed with free will.
"You can't even form a reply, can you?" Kokabiel mocked, flying over the thick snow blanketing the steep slope below. "I don't intend to kill every single one of them, Azazel. Just those responsible."
Azazel replied with a glare. "You painted everyone who couldn't do anything responsible."
"Their choice to remain a bystander. There's a difference between not knowing and doing nothing, and knowing and doing nothing. It's what we were doing for the last decades; you would understand this. Those in Heaven had let them spiral out of control for far too long and now the young ones also suffer for their negligence."
"What do you want them to do? Risk being exiled? Outright killed? They weren't given a variety of choices either, Kokabiel. Not all of them are a saint prepared to die for the good. Some just wanted to live and serve as they are able."
"Then that's exactly why we must help them," Kokabiel insisted. "With this, we'll free them from whatever kind of fear looming over them. They wanted to make a change, Azazel. All they needed was a push. You may look down upon us and deem our cause as lost; but it is a cause. The embers it sparked to life are growing brighter and stronger every day. We have people inside. People who longed for a change and be a part of it. Sometimes it's better to uproot the entire tree and plant a new one. We'll destroy them. Then Heaven can help them rebuild. If not them, then we will, just like the days after the Fall."
Azazel groaned. Kokabiel was a lost hope if he thought guiding humanity would be as easy as it was during Adam and Eve post-Eden. Especially now with other Deities lurking, wanting to broaden their scope of influence.
"You're among the last people I'd expect to have that shallow perception of reality. You think Heaven will gladly let this slide? You think the Devils won't take advantage of your mess? Think you can hide your actions from the humans and the Gods? Other Deities who will be enraged that a supernatural being tampered with humans who have no awareness towards us?"
"What am I supposed to do then?!" Kokabiel shouted, his hands thrown in the air in frustration. "And why bow down to other Gods?! Why let them dictate what we can do and can't? We had one God and that God is now dead!"
"Because you risk a war, you fool. Millions of lives are at stake. Don't they mean anything?" the Governor seethed. His tone wasn't as explosive but he was equally infuriated as his compatriots. Equally frustrated and equally despaired. "You think I don't hope for things to be not this ridiculously convoluted? Every day I prayed for those bastards to finally pay their price—"
"Then why wait when we can make them pay," Kokabiel replied, much to Azazel's chagrin. "Make them pay, and make others remember. If I die, then so be it. But I need a change, Azazel. I need to make an effort for a change. I need to stop hearing anymore kids being put through all of that. Those ten thousands must know there exist beings who wish them a better life. That they are not alone. There's far too much corruption in this damned Earth for us to fix, but this? This is something we can fix, brother. There exists a difference we can make. The opportunity has always been there, we never took it because we worry too much. Now, I have taken the first step. So will you join me? Or stay a coward?"
Azazel stared at the extended hand, waiting for him to reach out and shake it. And he kept staring.
"I'm sorry," he murmured, shaking his head in defeat. "We hardly got through the Great War. I'm not making that same mistake."
Disappointed, Kokabiel retracted his hand, and balled it in anger.
"I've worked with you from the dawn of time and I never once asked anything from you," he said, "Don't worry, it's not your cooperation I'll ask. I only ask you to keep doing what you do best; watch, and stay still."
Azazel sighed, ignoring the jab. "You know I'll have to stop you at one point."
"Then do it right now. Get your spear and kill me. You put an end to this. Take my head, then the rest of my followers. My death won't cause any of them to stop. They each have their own drive to be a part of this."
The Governor could only stay silent, unable to reply or choose to do the extreme.
Kokabiel grimaced, his fury apparent and his disappointment even more. "Another nothing. That's what I thought," with that, his twelve wings folded before him, exploding into a burst of black feathers as he vanished from the snowy summit.
Azazel stayed for a little while. A little while that was enough for him to decide he needed a strong kind of drink.
Break
"Where's the Crimson Dragon Emperor?"
That question had been rung at least a million times by those whose world had been forsaken by one of their protectors.
Of course there existed several universes. His 'backups', Chaos would put it. In the case that one universe or more was becoming too stale with their progress or reached a premature end. Such a universe like the one a Hyoudou Issei had left specifically, since it was on a collision course towards a state of permanent turmoil.
Chaos, the Preceding Nothing, or more commonly—albeit rather unfittingly—referred to as the Devouring Void, had found it tragic how a single person could have this big of an impact towards a world. Or worlds, rather, as some Pantheons would get all hissy if someone included their Realm as part of a World. Made them feel less special, Chaos supposed. Out of all aspects that built a soul, He never understood their attachment to pride despite it only left them fragile.
But Hyoudou Issei left a crater no other soul in that universe was able to fill. A simple truth most would try to find ways to disagree as thought it was a mere opinion. In truth, leaping into the past was never a possibility regardless of which Issei had attempted the endeavor. And for a simple reason too; the past could no longer exist once it turns to the present.
That said, other universes do exist. Because why stop at one when He could always create more?
Realities where Hyoudou Issei either had failed or was replaced by another soul who had a remotely different Sacred Gear, or killed off before he scratched the ceiling of his potential, perhaps he entered a university in Hell where his mother was once an Archdemon, or he was living happily ever after with his many wives, or he was simply just starting out to be murdered by a Fallen Angel everyone either despise or love.
The one Chaos 'placed' him was the one where Hyoudou Issei would, for a prepubescent reason, had decided to believe Rias Gremory had left him to die in the hands of Raynare which made sense in his simplistic adolescent mind as Rias was more cunning than the average Riases. Her father's keen intellect passed down to her as it did to her brother at a younger age, fortunately for her, but that also caused her to be a victim of a very angry and very misled Hyoudou Issei.
Frankly, this Progenitor had seen enough of whatever kind of story it would develop into. He had long since dubbed the boy a bit too dull in the head to be interesting. A dime in a dozen, this 'Issei' was. Of course there were six billion other humans He could observe. Thousands blessed with supernatural strength. Dozens gifted with Sacred Gears. But throughout the history of Everything; none was able to impress Him as much as that one soul. Almost as though he was the only character in a story who received any sorts of character development because the author couldn't keep up with the insane amount of side characters to bother developing them more than giving them a sad sobby tragic backstory.
Nonetheless, there were none as tempered by experience and molded by the world he had been set in. None as fiercely determined yet so very close to breaking that Chaos must see him thrive or suffer more.
To wipe him when Ophis and Great Red thought they were able to send him back to the past would be a waste… not to mention, unnecessary.
Besides, experiencing things the first time was a rarity for an entity unbound by time or planes of existence. To Him, moving the boy's soul to his other reality's body was an experiment.
He could place him into an entirely new universe…but it would take time and effort. He'd have to create a new branch of Fundamentals while adding little twists to ensure one reality would never reach a remotely similar conclusion like another. A tedious project that might not be as worthwhile as throwing the Traveler's into an empty shell.
Chaos had always limited Himself from knowing the future. It gets boring, unfortunately, when you know what is bound to happen — and for an entertainment-seeker, that might as well be the death of Him. Everything else would live on, of course. He was the creator, not necessarily a protector or some kind of battery where everything died without Him.
Either way, Chaos, presently shaped as an entity of unthinkably enormous scope and size — so vast that entire nebulae of galaxies were merely the glint in His eye, watched in indifference as the Gods and their various created monstrosities ran amok in the Issei-less universe. It would take a while before they topple the Alliance that was barely holding things together even with both Hyoudou Issei and Vali Lucifer at their disposal. With both Great Red and Ophis severely weakened — by Him, of course, as no living things should be dabbling with time-travel in the first place and expect no repercussions. Universe-travelling in this case, but they didn't know that.
Chaos needed to cut a cruel portion of their powers so that they believed there was a repercussion of their action in addition to their realization that their timeline didn't simply disappear as they had expected.
With one pillar missing, their world spurred into its inevitable collapse. The grudging Gods would slowly but steadily encroach more and more lands and living beings to their fold. Not that it affected the entire humanity… Mainly the Devils, the Fallen Angels, the Angels, and those that sided with the Red Dragon Emperor. They didn't feel the need to wipe everybody out. Only their enemies.
And so, Chaos slinked away... Sated to have seen the end of the tumultuous era.
Although there was one question niggling His mind.
How would the Traveler react should he learn of their cries? Of the people he 'left'?
Well, he might not care at all, in all honesty. He'd grown rather apathetic. Individuals matter more to him rather than a bunch of random people. Individuals like his family and friends; all who were desperately clinging on to the slim chance of his return. Never giving up hope that Hyoudou Issei was somewhere out there.
Ah… Hope. The double-edged sword.
Chaos wondered if the Traveler would beg Him to be returned. Of course He couldn't do that. Not because He didn't want to or couldn't, but because that would void some of the ripples from his departure.
He supposed there was only one way to know. Not that He'd do it, mind you. He didn't need to see the future to know it would break the boy. It would bog his creativity and current drive, and potentially cause him to end his life from sheer guilt and stress combined.
Or perhaps, His grand-niece would find a way to fully make him her pawn? Despair was a slippery slope indeed, and this Nyx was certainly clever enough to place herself at the end of the slide with open arms, ready to catch the broken hero. If He was to admit it, Chaos didn't expect Nyx to learn of the Traveler this soon; another telling sign that this universe was worth the trouble. Especially since both Nyx and Issei were trying to make use of one another. A tug of war which Issei was currently winning.
Either way, to let him know of the fate of the universe he abandoned was nonetheless too big of a gamble unworthy of the risk. Potentially ending the Traveler's Tale prematurely.
No. Chaos would never do such a thing to Himself. There were still too many pages left for him to write, and for Him to read.
To be continued...
Chaos isn't named chaos for nothing. He's there for the lulz. Damn rat
Some might say he's evil, but is he really that different from someone playing a universe-scaled The Sims creating a new game every time he gets bored?
Yes I know Fate series' first launch is in 2004 and DxD's canon starts in 2003, but i don't care because it's not a huge deal to the story. What is a huge deal to the story is our brand new sponsor; SNort VPN.
Nah im just kidding. YOU are the huge deal to the story and my motivation to write in general
Alright, that's a lie
I have other hobbies other than writing and with covid restrictions somewhat eased down, I finally am able to do some of the shit i've been dying to do. Like your mom :^)
The gap between chapters is ginormous, yes, but other than the reason stated above, it's also because I kept on rewriting most things since I didn't like it, or thought of something better in the middle of writing one. And if I didn't like it, i doubt you would either. Because clearly my opinion is the baseline of everything and if you disagree with me you're automatically wrong because im based and red pilled
I may be lazy but i do have a certain standard. It's not that high, but it's there. High enough for dwarves to play limbo
Anyway, those aren't excuses. Those are to let you boys know wtf have i been up to
By the way, which is the correct one?
He used to be an adventurer...until he took an arrow to the knee
Or
He used to be an adventurer... until he took an arrow to the knee
or something else?
Pls let me know because i can't find this shit online and every novels i read does it differently. This fucken thing has been killing me