Hello guys, guess which story is not dead?
After my last update (the new DxD crossover, 'That Which Remains')many of you asked me whether I was going to continue this. For all them folks, fear not! This will definitely go on. I only plan to retire my RWBY story, and will be replacing it with something new soon.
As for all you guys asking for a bigger harem - sorry, not going to happen.
With that out of the way, Let's get on with the chapter!
"So, you know about us Devils?"
Naruto shook his head. "Not specifically about you guys. But I've heard of Devils before. Never expected to run into one during my lifetime, guess the world is out to get me."
Rias sighed in relief, "Well that's somewhat heartening, but I'll need you to tell me why you are here, in Kuoh of all places? Who does your allegiance lie with?"
Naruto looked at her, a nonplussed expression on his face, "No one, really. I was born and raised in Kyoto, if you need to know how I already know about the occult. Once you've seen one Kappa, you've seen everything the world has to offer."
Rias chuckled. Sona, on the other hand wasn't quite as convinced by Naruto's cover. "The Kyoto Youkai faction is well-known for how fiercely they defend their members from the influence of other factions. So, how come they allowed a healer – someone with such a useful skill – to leave their fold and go to Kuoh? I mean, this place is a known bastion for Devilkind."
Naruto locked his gaze with hers, "Sona, I'm not a part of the Youkai faction. They do not take kindly to other races, and their mistrust has peaked since the eradication of the Nekoshou faction." He did not miss the wince that came from Rias, or the sudden deflation of Koneko behind her. He was playing his cards right.
"But the Nekoshou massacre was – unfortunately – perpetrated by Devilkind. Why would the Youkai hate humans for something done exclusively by the Devils?"
Naruto's smile dropped for a mere second, "Sona, the Devils didn't fight alone. They had agents within humanity, and when the time came, they too fought the Youkai. They kept the Yokai busy while Devils committed genocide, no one side bears the blame." He glanced at Asia, who was now a Devil in Rias' service. "And now that I know humans can become Devils; it makes sense how Devilkind got their fangs into our ranks."
Sona grimaced. "You sound like someone who has a lot to hold against our kind. So, answer this: why are you so comfortable around us, now that you know what we are?"
"Because I cannot, in good conscience, hate an entire race for what they did. "
The simple, yet apt answer stunned Sona. It was refreshing to see that humanity - for all its flaws – didn't keep grudges quite the same way Devils did. That was a bonus of having a short lifespan. Maybe if Devils weren't an immortal, unchanging species, they too would be able to adapt and progress the way humans had.
Maybe then her dream wouldn't seem so absurd to those in power.
"I-I see…"
Naruto looked around, content; his work was done. After this, it was unlikely that Rias or Sona would pester him further about who he was - make them believe that they wronged him, and their pride would see to everything else.
Devils were prideful creatures, and pride always came before a fall.
"If we're done discussing you and me, should we move on to the topic at hand?" Naruto asked, pointing his right index finger towards Asia, who was asleep next to Issei. "She's excommunicated by the church, possesses an incredible power somewhat like my own, and doesn't currently owe her allegiance to any of the Three Great Factions. She's vulnerable and valuable, seldom a good combination."
"I have already asked her to join my peerage, and she's accepted."
Both Sona and Naruto shifted their gazes from the little girl to Rias, different expressions manifesting on either face. Naruto's was one of calm consideration. He'd already known this was coming. Twilight healing was a powerful Sacred Gear. What's more, it was a support-type Sacred Gear. Support-types were the rarest kinds of Sacred Gear, only below the God-slaying Longinus themselves.
Sona, on the other hand, was trying hard to reign in her jealousy. With the addition of the Red Dragon Emperor and Twilight healing, her Peerage had suddenly become a lot more powerful. While she understood Rias' desperation to gain more strength, this did not bode well for her. The young Devils' gathering was mere months away, after all.
There was hope for her, though. She switched her gaze to her least-favorite teacher, who she now saw in a new light. Sure, his healing magic wasn't as powerful as Asia's Sacred Gear, but with his build and age, he could be a very good Rook, even a Bishop with combat abilities.
A versatile Piece, the best kind.
"I have no objections to your proposal," Sona commented, merely as a formality. She didn't have any claim over Asia to begin with. The girl was enamored with her saviors, both of them. She'd have a shot if she got Uzumaki-sensei to accept her proposal, but it would be too late nonetheless.
"I have two objections."
Both the High-Class Devils gazed at Naruto, who now held a concerned frown on his face. "One: you cannot claim her without asking her if she wants to be a part of your Peerage. You've already done well to follow it. Second: considering she has already decided to join your Peerage, you need to arrange for her to attend school, including a place to live that allows her to meet her friends daily."
"For your first term, Uzumaki-sensei, I have already asked her if she wishes to be part of my Peerage, as you know, and she has agreed."
Naruto sighed in relief, maybe judging Rias by the same standards he did her brother wasn't fair. She did respect decency and the right to choose, even after Issei's little 'scrape' with death.
"As for where she'll live, I believe she'd like to live with Issei."
Naruto's head shook sideways so fast, so violently, that both Sona and Rias cringed, expecting whiplash to follow. "No, as much as I like Issei as a person, as a teacher, I cannot allow her to stay with him. He'll never hurt her, yes. But she's a beautiful little girl and-"
"He's a pervert." Koneko demurely supplied from her position on the couch, prompting a nod from Naruto.
Rias sighed. "She can't live in my mansion for the time being. My family will have their reservations about having an erstwhile member of the Church on the premises."
"I think I would like to live with Mr. Naruto, if he doesn't mind."
Every occupant of the room shifted their gaze to the little holy maiden, who had woken up on hearing her name. Naruto knew she was up, though, so his face was the only one that lacked even the smallest tinge of surprise. It was her life they were discussing here, and she deserved to have a say in it.
"As a third party, I believe that would be the best course of action too," Sona interjected, raising a hand as she did so. "Uzumaki-sensei isn't just a teacher in the school, he also now knows about… us. He too is involved now, and that puts him at risk. I'd place someone from my Peerage in his care, but seeing Asia's circumstances, it would be best if she stayed with Uzumaki-sensei."
"I have no objections to this," Naruto stated, fighting hard to keep a genuine smile from breaking out on his face.
Rias nodded. "Then, it is settled."
"Good, now, can you all get home? It is getting late at night and as a teacher, I have to report to school two hours before any of you."
Rias nodded and Akeno stepped forward. She snapped her fingers and red sigils appeared beneath each member of her Peerage, even Asia. Naruto chuckled, of course. She'd already gone ahead and done the deed. There was a bit more of her brother in her than he'd thought, but only the good parts – as far as he could tell.
Sona's Peerage disappeared next, but their King stayed behind. The only reaction Naruto gave her continued presence was a raised eyebrow.
"Uzumaki-Sensei, I wished to make you a proposal."
Naruto shrugged, "Sure, though I already know what you're going to ask me, and the answer is a firm no."
Sona looked at him like he was mentally challenged, "But we explained the benefits of being a Devil! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! With your magic, you would become a Piece of extremely high value!"
Naruto shook his head. "Sona, I left Kyoto because I did not wish to involve myself in the matters of the occult. I simply want to keep my head down and live out the rest of my life as a psychologist. Please respect that."
Not entirely convinced by Naruto's reasoning, Sona decided to give her proposal one last try. Sadly, the determined expression on his face told her that there would be no change of heart. The most she could do was wait and hope Naruto decided that joining her wasn't as bad as he thought It to be. And in the meantime, she'd do some research on the person himself.
Without his permission, of course.
Metempsychosis
Chapter 3
"I believe the dossier we sent you was helpful?"
Naruto nodded as his frenemy gave his four errant followers a once-over. Issei and his own clones hadn't done enough damage to debilitate them, sure. Still, they'd carry the mental scars of humiliating loss as long as they lived.
"It was… informative. I didn't expect the new Maous to be so… easygoing."
And it was true. The current mental states of his four students served to prove his theory that the stronger a Devil got, the more susceptible they became to the sins they harbored. One merely had to look at Falbium for proof. He was a Devil of Sloth, and he had become almost a complete recluse from society, not even showing up on events that required his express presence.
"Entropy, my friend. What Heaven lost in strength, Hell lost in character. God knows which is the worse of the two."
Naruto sighed, he then looked at Raziel, sitting on the ground, covered almost head-to-toe in his paralysis seal-array. "Azazel, forgive me for asking this, but isn't Raziel higher than you in Heaven's pecking order?"
"Ah, I was hoping you wouldn't bring that up," Azazel said as precipitation began to emerge on his face. Raziel was older and stronger than him, and her presence as a Fallen would jeopardize his right to rule. With the kind of shit he pulled on a daily basis, her existence put his life's work in jeopardy.
"What do you plan to do with her? Put her in Cocytus? You do know that she is the Archangel of Mysteries, right? She'd escape before you could write down your will."
Azazel almost choked at Naruto's blunt reply, and then started to fidget. "Ah, about that, I was hoping she herself could come up with a solution. She doesn't seem very inclined to join us anyway."
"He's correct."
Naruto and Azazel both almost jumped out of their skins when they realized that there was a second Raziel in the room. An ethereal-looking, glowing version of her, and the sealed, currently unconscious version that they knew.
"Before you ask, yes, I can use my magic without incantations, and no, I'm unable to break your seal."
Naruto looked at her glowing visage, "You severed your soul from your body just so that you could talk to us? That's rather extreme."
"Typical Raziel, reminds me of the time back in Heaven when I tried to peep at her in her bath and found a homunculus in her stead. I don't believe my balls have ever been the same since."
Unperturbed by the creepy statement, Raziel chose to completely ignore her brethren. "Abbadon, I shall live with you henceforth. I wish to learn more about you. You carry a weapon considered lost in both space and time, and you were able to defeat my Armageddon Magic. I have several hypotheses considering who – or what- you are, and the best way to confirm them is to live with you for the foreseeable future."
"Whoa! Raziel-Chan! Was that a proposal?" Azazel spurted out before Naruto's death-glare forced him to shut up.
"If you are to stay with me, you're going to spend all your time sealed. I cannot allow you to use your magic on anyone, neither can I have people know who you are. , Azazel will be paying me for your upkeep, cause I'm damn sure they didn't teach you how to cook, clean or work a day job in Heaven."
"Those terms are admissible to me."
"Oh god, her upkeep's gonna come out of my pockets."
"On that note, you're going to have to think up a cover story. Another person will be moving into my house shortly. She's a Devil, and I can't have her know that you're a recently-minted Fallen Angel," Naruto informed her, leaving no room for discussion.
Raziel grimaced, the entire idea of having to socialize with a Devil was unappealing to her, but considering she was living with one, she could make it two.
"As you wish, Abbadon," she acquiesced.
"Oh, and my name is Naruto Uzumaki as a human. Don't blow my cover and call me Abbadon."
Raziel raised an eyebrow, "Why are you going to such lengths just to preserve this fake human identity of yours? You're a Demon, the last Demon. You could live in the underworld like a king, so why go this far to preserve your state of incognito?
Naruto gave Raziel a baleful look, of course, power and status still mattered to the former Angel.
"Because secrecy is my greatest weapon, Raziel. And soon, I'm going to need every weapon I can muster."
"So, wait, a dragon tried to speak to you in your dream?"
Issei sat across the desk from Naruto in his office, which was becoming a rather common occurrence. He was the one person who knew the most about Naruto, and any facet of his new life that he couldn't understand or ask Rias about, he brought to Naruto. It wasn't something either of them were uncomfortable with, and it guaranteed that Issei would keep Naruto's secret.
"That isn't even the major issue here, sensei!" Issei barked, sweating into his chair.
"Ah yes, your little escapade with Rias. It's a shame that Grayfia stopped you, but it would be a greater shame if you actually lost your virginity to someone deperate for freedom from a familial obligation," Naruto responded, relishing the stunned look on Issei's face.
"Y-you know that silver-haired beauty?" He asked. Typical Issei.
"I guess you could say me and Grayfia know each other. You'll forgive me if I don't unearth my entire life-story to you."
"Okay, that aside, what is this 'obligation' you spoke about?" Issei questioned. Naruto sighed, then looked at his watch.
"You'll get your answers a bit later today. She did say she'd drop by around lunch time. Till then, let's discuss the other, more important issue. That, of course, is your dream."
Issei scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, that dream was weird. I didn't mind the first part as much as I did the second though. Funny thing is, it almost felt like I knew that dragon."
"That's because you do."
Issei almost fell off his chair at Naruto's matter-of-fact proclamation. "What do you mean I 'know' that dragon? I didn't even know about the existence of the occult till a few weeks back!"
Naruto sighed in exasperation. "Issei, what do you think powers your Sacred Gear?"
Issei shrugged. "Rias told me that Sacred Gears were god's gift to man. So, I guess god powers our Sacred Gears?"
Naruto chuckled. "So, by that logic, every time you boost, God doubles your strength? And while he does that, he also provides power for thousands - if not millions - of other Sacred Gears, all at the same time? More so, would he still keep providing strength to a Devil? To the embodiment of everything he prohibited to mankind?"
Issei threw his hands in the air, exasperated. "God's supposed to be almighty and all-forgiving, right? It is possible that he's decided to cut us reincarnated Devils some slack? I don't know, how would you explain it?"
Naruto laughed. "Issei, I've been around long enough to know what powers Sacred Gears. Most of them draw power from entities which they've got inside of them, like your Boosted Gear. Now, give your Sacred Gear a once-over and tell me if it resembles the dragon you saw in your dream."
Issei's eyes widened in shock, "Well, it was a red dragon, and the dream showed my hand turning into something… draconic. Are you trying to say that there's a dragon locked inside me?"
"Give the man a medal!"
Issei huffed in irritation. "In my defense, I'm new to all this. Also, how are you so sure about all this?"
Naruto chuckled again, much to Issei's exasperation. "Issei, when you've lived as long as me, there are very few things that I don't know of. And as for your Sacred Gear, I've had a very personal experience with it, and the dragon that lives inside."
Issei gulped. "You know its name?"
Naruto nodded. "Not an 'it', a 'he'. His name is Ddraig, also known as Red Dragon Emperor, not to be confused with Great Red. Hell, he might take that as a compliment."
Confused, Issei chose to tune out his teacher, instead focusing on the gauntlet. "Is he going to harm me?" he asked, and Naruto got dragged back into the current situation, rid of his ramblings.
"No, but if you get to know him better, he will help you."
"And trust me, you'll need it."
"What's going on here?"
It was a valid question, for Issei had never seen the Occult research clubroom so full. Grayfia sat in a corner, sipping tea. In the middle of the room Sat Rias, flanked by her Peerage, save for him. The only people he didn't know were the last two. A purple-haired woman of exotic beauty, and a blonde man who gave off the same aura of nobility that he felt from Grayfia.
"Ah, this must be the Red Dragon Emperor. A bit disappointing, but you've had, what, a month under your belt as a Devil so far? I'd say you're satisfactory if that's taken into account."
It was the regal blonde who had spoken, an inviting smile on his face. Rias scowled. When she heard that Riser was going to arrive today, she hadn't expected him to change this much. But in the seven years since she had last seen him, the boy had matured from a pompous brat into a Devil that radiated status and power.
Too bad it didn't change her answer.
"I would like it if you were a bit more courteous to my Peerage, Riser."
The blonde chuckled, "My bad, it's not every day that you get to meet one of the two rivals of the Phenex."
"One of your two rivals? Care to enunciate?" Akeno asked, confused for good measure. Rias sighed, she didn't have time for this.
Riser motioned for Issei to come and join the table. Once he sat down, Riser lounged back into the sofa, "Centuries ago, my sister and her team faced the Heavenly Duo on a mission. That was when my sister fought not only the current jailors of the dragons, but the dragons themselves. It cemented her position in the underworld as the True Demon, and it got our family a great deal of influence. Till this day, we Phenex consider the Heavenly Duo our rivals."
Rias was a bit taken aback by the cordiality of how Riser was talking to her pawn. Riser from seven years ago would have berated the members of her Peerage – especially the reincarnated Devils – to his heart's content. To see him talking to Issei like an equal was a bit heartening, but she was resolute in her own determination.
"Riser, we are getting off topic. My answer is still – and always will be – no."
Riser sighed, "Rias, it was our parents' decision. I cannot directly appeal to them, considering how adamant they are about this matter. My sister has always taught me to deal with my problems myself. I myself cannot see a way that I can break this contract without your own drastic involvement."
Rias' eyes widened in surprise. "Wait… you don't want to marry me?" she asked, and for good reason. Seven years ago, Riser had been more than willing to marry her. Not only would it exalt his standing in the social stratum of the Devils to an obscene level. It would provide possibly the strongest Devil since the birth of the Maou – perhaps even since the birth of the True Demon.
"No, Rias. I love Yubelluna. Hell, I love every single one of my Peerage members. They're loyal to me, they love me, and they've been a part of my life for years. I'd marry any of them before I marry you." Riser proclaimed, ignoring the light dusting of pink that crept on to his queen's face. What more, the way he said it wasn't meant to be insulting to Rias, it was just a true-to-heart proclamation of his feelings.
How could someone hate him for that?
"Then why don't you dismiss it yourself?" Rias countered.
"Because in our lovely Devil society, accords and contracts hold more power over our lives than our actions."
Rias raised an eyebrow in response, prompting Riser to continue. "Your parents have always wanted your brother to wed a Phenex. They tried to make him take on sister Aria as his first wife. Of course, one doesn't simply barter off the True Demon. She challenged Sirzechs to what is now considered the first true Rating Game. It was Sirzechs and his pieces versus my sister and her Queen…"
"It was a bloodbath."
The occupants of the room turned to the source of the voice, to find Grayfia holding a solid block of ice that was once a cup of tea. The chill released by her lack of restraint hit the occupants of the room, and everyone except for Riser started to shiver.
"My sister and her queen weren't hit even once in the fight. Sirzechs did go all out - props to him - but it was nowhere near enough. Hell, if not for my sister's social position as the True Demon, she could have been offered the position of a Maou."
"Aria hates positions of power. You know that as much as I do," Grayfia commented, her cup thawing out as she retracted her power. Rias, though, had tuned out everything except for the first line of Riser's history lesson.
"So, If I defeat you in a Rating Game, I can dissolve the contract?"
Riser sighed, "Your chances of victory notwithstanding, a disgrace like that would call my efficiency as a king into question. If your brother then pulls some strings – and I am sure he will – we could dissolve this contract."
Rias grinned, "Then, Riser Phenex, I challenge you to a Rating Game!"
All pretences of civility disappeared from Riser's face in an instant. "You plan to challenge me with this Peerage? As it is? I wouldn't recommend it."
"Scared, are you?"
"Lady Rias, you might want to reconsider this." Grayfia interjected, surprising her young charge.
"But why? He's a High-Class Devil, and so am I. I'm perfectly within my rights to challenge him!"
Grayfia's gaze grew cold. "Rias, Riser holds many advantages over you. For one, he has a full Peerage of battle-trained Devils. Second, he currently holds a Rating Game record of thirty-two wins and one draw. He has never lost a battle in his life, and him and Sairaorg Bael – your cousin- are the top candidates for both winning the young Devils gathering and promotion to Ultimate-Class."
Riser chose to add in on this. "Rating Games are a matter of pride. My record is borderline unsullied, save for that one battle with Bael. I will not allow myself to go easy on you, marriage contract or not."
Rias shook her head. "Well then, we'll just have to give you your first taste of loss then, won't we?"
Rias' sheer tenacity stunned Riser for a moment, before he laughed. A laugh brimming with incredulity, it was. "Well then, let's just end it right here, right now. Me against your entire Peerage. What say you?"
"I've been waiting for this Yakitori!"
Issei's gauntlet clad arm blurred the distance between him and the seated Phenex. Anger fueled that blow, and for any human, or even low-class Devil, it would have served as a knockout.
But Riser was no ordinary Devil.
"Is that all, Red Dragon Emperor?" he taunted, catching Issei's gauntlet-covered hand within his own, burning palm. Without waiting for a response, he planted his other, curled fist into Issei's stomach, sending him flying outside through the window. Before Issei could even get up, he was kicked in the face by Riser, who seemingly teleported to him.
"You'll stop this right now, Riser Phenix," Grayfia interceded, a warning hand placed on the offender's shoulder. In response, Riser merely… stopped holding back.
An explosive release of Devil energy was the only warning Grayfia got before his whole body enshrouded in flames. She recognized this all too well , a technique that Aria had taken a decade to master. The Flame Guard, an armor made of fire that served both as a perfect defense and an exceptional offense.
"The only reason I'm not an Ultimate-Class Devil right now, Grayfia, is because I'm young." Riser said, his face hidden behind a mask of flame, his visage - terrifying. He looked and acted almost exactly like his elder sister, always assured of victory, always powerful, always so damn cocky.
"And I'd like this rare chance to find out If an Ultimate-Class Devil like you can defeat someone that used an element that counters y-"
Riser never got to complete his sentence as his face got deposited into the hard earth by a vicious punch. His face exploded into flames as his body sailed through the air. Shocked, the occupants of the courtyard outside the occult research club room finally realized that they had a new visitor.
And oh, what a visitor she was.
She was around Grayfia's age, which could be a millennium in Devil time,but she was also Grayfia's exact opposite. Whereas the Gremory Queen dressed like a maid, the dark-haired woman wore low-cut jeans and a grey crop-top. Her hair was long, flowing down to her waist, and on her face was a mischievous, yet calculating gaze. If Grayfia was Akeno, this girl would be Rias. While both were beautiful in their own regard, they were like night and day.
It also didn't help that her very presence was suffocating for Low-Class Devils, Issei included.
"Riser… you idiot! What did I tell you about picking fights?"
The man in question dug his head out from under the ground, gawking at the sudden appearance of the black-haired beauty. "You told me not to pick fights that I cannot win, Sister."
She then shifted her gaze, giving each present member a once-over, before landing on the two Gremories in the room. "Ah, Rias, it has been far too long!" She spoke, and if the genuine smile that appeared on Rias' face was any sign of her feelings for the elder woman, then her presence was welcome here.
"Grayfia, you can't allow my younger brother to rile you up like this! You were once my teammate, fucking act like it."
Everyone is Rias' Peerage - save for the king – stiffened at the newcomer's words. The Gremory household was their first taste of devil life, and if there were two things Grayfia - the head maid - hated the most, they were profanities and cockiness. The newcomer had done two things wrong in one sentence, unholy retribution was the only thing that came from such a blunder.
"My apologies, Lady Phenex, I will make sure it never happens again."
"..."
Well fuck.
If this person was high enough in the social ladder that even Grayfia, the punisher of Lord Lucifer, couldn't talk back to her, then they were utterly screwed.
"Still got a stick up your butt, I see. Well, your presence here doesn't matter," she concluded, as the sounds of many jaws hitting the proverbial floor echoed in the courtyard. "My business is here with Rias."
"So, little one, have you made your decision?"
Rias nodded, albeit with a subtle hint of hesitance. "Yes. I, Rias Gremory, challenge Riser Phenex in a Rating Game. If I win, then you will break this contract!"
"Oh! That's bold. I like it!" the woman countered. "Such bravery merits a reward. As such, we'll give you a week to prepare your Peerage for combat. Use it well."
Turning around, the woman picked up both Riser and Issei by their collars, almost as if they weighed no more than the shirts they were wearing. "Also, I believe these two hotheads need some punishment. Is there a counselor in this beautiful facility of yours?"
Rias merely nodded, and apparently, that was all the confirmation that the woman needed. In a blink, she had disappeared, probably already in the counselor's office. As she disappeared, so did her oppressive power. Now that she was out of sight, Rias' knees finally gave way as she sunk to the ground – shivering, but relieved.
"She's as intense as ever, wonder if I'll be like that one day."
Snapped out of his momentary terror-paralysis, Kiba finally found his tongue. Shocked, he turned to the eldest person present for much-needed answers, "And who was that exactly?"
"That was Aria Phenex, the True Demon of the Underworld, the strongest female Devil, and my old teammate."
"My, my, Aria Phenex, as I live and breathe!"
Aria smiled at her lover, leaning in planting a chaste kiss on his lips. Riser huffed in response, while Issei just looked more confused. The beautiful woman knew Naruto well enough to kiss him? Now that was heresy.
"Get a room, you two."
"Riser, what have I told about my relationship with Naruto?"
"Not to question it."
"Good boy," Aria finished, ruffling her younger brother's hair. A flustered Riser tried to get her hand out of his hair, but to no avail. Naruto chuckled in mirth, showing that he had previous experiences with this familial interaction.
"It is good to see you again, Riser, it has been a bit over a year."
Riser bowed deeply in response. "It is an honour to see you again, Lord Abbadon."
"Lord… Abbadon?" Issei questioned, freezing Riser in shock for a hot second. Naruto wasn't perturbed by the revelation though. Of course, Rias would have already taught Issei about the Houses of the underworld.
"Yes, Issei. My real name is Naruto Abbadon. I'm Devil."
"Demon."
"Semantics, Aria. I still consider myself a Devil. The Demon life doesn't suit me.
Aria grinned. "Neither does the life of a Devil, as I have said before. You haven't been to the Underworld in the better part of a millennia. Hell, if not for the seal you gave me, I would have never been able to find you."
"Wait, so Naruto-Sensei is a Stray Devil?" Issei questioned, panic and worry beginning to rise in his voice, and with good reason.
Aria looked at him as if he had a few screws loose, she had just called him Abbadon. Did this kid know nothing about the underworld and its societal rules?
"Naruto is the strongest Devil, Issei. He couldn't join a Peerage even if he wanted to. And believe me, he definitely wanted to," Aria answered, grinning at her boyfriend. She had tried her hardest to add Naruto to her Peerage, but even with the entire lump sum of her Pieces, (all Mutation Pieces) she was still unable to add him to her Peerage. Of course, the limitation of the Evil Piece System was that a King couldn't have a single member of his/her Peerage be stronger than him/her.
And between the two of them, Naruto was – any day – the stronger existence.
"Wow, I didn't know sensei was that strong!" Issei commented, seeing his teacher in a new light. Naruto had the decency to act sheepish, while Riser sighed.
"Anyways, that's not the point here. How have you been Riser? Is Yubelluna's problem any better now?"
Riser shrugged. "Some days, she's okay. She still has nightmares, and she still can't bear men other than me. Believe me, I saw her blow up a middle-class Devil's crotch in a social gathering just because he talked about swapping his queen for her, even though she knows I'd never do that." The High-Class Devil shifted in his seat, nervous out of character. "She still has a hard time believing that I love her, even after all that I've done…"
"It'll take time, Riser. I heard you even added Ravel to your Peerage? That was a very smart move. Though I must say, it looks like you've created an unintentional harem for yourself," Naruto countered, shocking Issei on the sidelines.
"Wait, the Yakitori has a harem? You bastard!" Issei yelled out indignantly, forcing a groan out of his companion. Naruto gave Issei a forceful glare, forcing him to back away.
"It was definitely not intentional, but I can't even deny that accusation. I filled up my Peerage with female Devils so that Yubelluna wouldn't have to deal with men. I didn't think that I'd fall in love with each one of them and vice versa."
"That's a very weak excuse. You're not worthy of Rias!" Issei countered, righteous flames burning in his eyes. Riser held his gaze for a few seconds, unsure how to react to this strange Devil, before shrugging.
"I don't want Rias, and that's what I got you here to talk about."
Issei, stunned yet again. "W-what do you mean you don't want her? You don't think she's good enough for you? Is that it?!"
"Ugh! If you could maybe sit quiet for a second, I'll explain my predicament to you."
Issei crossed his arms over his chest. "Fine, go on."
"As it stands, Rias' Peerage has no chance of beating mine in a Rating Game." Aria had to hold back Issei as he leapt at Riser, Boosted Gear ready to go. Unperturbed, Riser continued.
"I'm sorry if it offends you, but it is the truth. Rias has never been in a Rating Game. Her Peerage might have potential, but that's all it is. Potential cannot beat experience without time. And a week is definitely not time enough for you all to meet the same level as my own Peerage, who have been fighting in Rating Games for the last four years."
The rationale was enough to borderline subdue Issei, but the true reasoning didn't make it through his thick skull. Appeased, Riser continued.
"You are the Red Dragon Emperor's vessel. You're supposed to be able to go toe-to-toe with Satans and Gods alike. Yet currently, you're weaker than any one of my eight Pawns. But given time, you could very well be the key to winning Rias' freedom."
"What do I have to do?" Issei asked. Without missing a single beat, Riser answered.
"You'll know what to do when the time is right. Also, he will assist you when you need it most."
Issei had definitely not expected Aria to answer his question, neither had he expected her to point at a confused Naruto as a source of help. The counsellor himself got taken aback by the sudden declaration. The shock passed quick, and gave way to a calm, questioning visage. Aria chuckled, taking enjoyment in her partner's lack of knowledge.
"Till then, do your best. The Rating Game will be over before you know it, so buckle up. You'll get your chance."
"And when you do, you'd best fucking take it, for Rias' sake."
"Her freedom… it rests in my hands."
It had been a minute since Riser and Aria had teleported out of the room. Rias and her Peerage were still apprehensive about approaching his office, considering that the silence ward Aria had placed on the room was still in effect. It was the simplest way for a Devil to mark-off private territory.
And no one dares impede on a Demon's own territory.
"That it does, Issei. Aria's playing a game here, and I'm most likely a part of it."
Issei chuckles. "Being in the dark… it sucks, doesn't it?
"As someone who has spent the better part of my life keeping others in the dark, it does feel rather demeaning to find myself on the receiving end. Ah, my love, it tortures me so."
Issei looked at Naruto with the eyes of someone who couldn't see the complete picture. "Aria… what's her end goal? She doesn't seem malevolent, so why would she go so far as to break a union that her family desires?"
Naruto was pensive for a moment, mentally perusing his years in the underworld. "Aria's parents aren't the kind of people who place much faith in freedom, Issei. Aria was their golden child, their ticket to power and prestige. But she threw all that away, broke her ties with her parents. They are looking for a worthy successor, and a child of both Phenex and Gremory parentage might be the perfect answer to their conundrum."
Issei shook his head. "But why would they go so far as to chain both Riser and Rias together by law? There must be some other way! Isn't Buchou's brother a bigshot in the Underworld?"
Naruto nodded. "While Sirzechs and me don't see eye-to-eye on most matters, I have to say that this… doesn't fit his modus operandi. It could be a test for Rias. Who knows? All I do know is that he himself cannot annul the contract. Like Aria, he too is no longer part of the Gremory household."
"But why? He's her brother for fuck's sake!"
Naruto reclined into his seat. "The old Satans could have driven Devilkind to extinction, Issei. Their inefficient rule got compounded by two factors. One was sheer arrogance, and the second – and much more potent – reason was nepotism. People who were not fit to hold power were still given it due to familial status and underhand dealings. That's why the Satans and the True Demon cannot offer their families any form of favouritism; neither can they impede in inter-family decisions. To break this contract, Sirzechs will have to do both."
Issei growled, a mix of helplessness and aggravation manifesting itself in his tone. "That's unforgivable…" he muttered, and Naruto couldn't help but agree.
"There is a silver lining to all this, though. Aria is anything but a bad planner. She's had twenty years to get her beloved brother out of this contract. And considering she's chosen to act now of all times, her plan must be pretty close to fruition." He took a sip of water from the canister on his desk, directing his gaze back to Issei. "And you have a part to play in her plan."
Issei groaned. "Being used sucks, you know? But I cannot complain. What I cannot understand is why she's doing this?"
Naruto shifted his gaze away from Issei, choosing instead to gaze at the window. "Centuries ago, someone she cared about was wronged by the Gremory family. She's carried a general disdain for them ever since. She doesn't want one of her brothers to become a diplomatic hostage to the Gremory." He sighed, shuffling the papers on his desk. The Silence ward was about to run out of power, he'd have to wrap this up fast.
"What exactly did the Gremory do to make her angry?" Issei asked. Naruto smiled.
"That's a story for another time, Issei. Someone will be coming to collect you soon."
True to his word, the moment the ward collapsed, two teleportation circles popped into existence in the room. Out of one came the Gremory heiress herself, and out of the other came the one person who Naruto didn't wish to see.
Grayfia.
Time had definitely been kind to her. The clothes she wore did nothing to undermine her regal aura, or beauty, for that matter. The Maid-Queen, bound to eternal servitude to the man she loved, not able to ever truly be a wife to the man she loved, as she was a servant before she was a Devil. How tragic.
How cathartic.
"Are you okay, Issei? Did they do anything to you?" Rias questioned, taking her Pawn by surprise with her concern. The Gremory were possessive Devils, and as much as Rias liked Aria, she would trust her with a member of her Peerage.
"The lady wanted me to talk to the kids, get some of the pent-up aggression out," Naruto interjected, an amicable smile on his face. This was the first time Grayfia noticed the rather unimpressive-feeling human in the room. And boy was she in for a shock.
"N-Naruto?"
Time froze in the room. Rias and Issei froze-up mid hug. The Queen of Lucifer had recognized their school counsellor, even called him by his first name. This was alarming. Very alarming.
"Yes, that's my name. Have we met before? Cause I believe I'd remember someone as beautiful and –no doubt – powerful as you."
Grayfia took a few more seconds to compose herself. For her to get shocked out of her stern façade was an event so rare that it bordered on legendary. The gave the man a once-over. Sure, he looked like her ex-lover, but he didn't feel like Naruto Abbadon at all. His aura was pathetic in comparison, even when compared to his counterpart suppressing his vast reserves. There was no transformation magic at play here, else she'd know. And finally, he didn't have the tell-tale birth-marks on his face.
No, this was definitely not Naruto Abbadon.
"I apologize; you look very similar to someone I once knew."
Naruto nodded. "Must be one helluva doppelganger of mine, especially considering he seems to share my first name."
Grayfia nodded in confirmation. "Quite so, I'm Grayfia Lucifuge. And you're the new student counsellor Rias wrote home about, I presume?"
"Naruto Uzumaki, the pleasure is all mine."
It wasn't.
"Rias, we should retrieve the rest of your pieces and retreat to the family manor. If you are to face Lord Phenex in battle, you'd best start preparations immediately."
Rias gave one last look to Naruto. "Uzumaki-Sensei, please hold down the fort while we're gone." And in a burst of red light, the three were gone, leaving a relieved Naruto behind.
"That was much too close for comfort."
"I'm actually quite surprised that they managed to do so much in so little time."
Naruto and Raziel both sat on the couch, huddled around his phone. Rias had provided him the app necessary to browse the Devils-only internet, and he had taken the chance to subscribe to Devilflix, the streaming service of the Underworld.
The rating battle between Rias and Riser was the most-watched livestream for the day, considering the members involved. With a viewership count over twice over that of the second-most watched show of the day (something named Magic Girl Levia-tan, which really, really scared Naruto for some odd reason.) it was safe to say that whatever spectacle Aria was planning would spread far and wide by the end of the day.
As for the fight itself, well, it was too one-sided to qualify as anywhere near fair. Riser's Peerage was too precise, too well trained to fall to any haphazard plan that Rias had thrown against him.
And the results were easy to see. Riser's Peerage hadn't taken a single casualty yet, and Rias' Peerage was down to herself, a heavily-injured Akeno, and Issei, who had somehow broken through Riser's blockade of pawns at the cost of Kiba's metaphorical 'life'.
Of course, it wouldn't last for long. They barricaded themselves up in a hyper-realistic rendition of Kuoh academy – In Naruto's own office, to be specific. As Naruto saw Riser, Ravel and Yubelluna bring forth their magic, he knew this wasn't going to end well for Rias.
When the spells were finally released, it was far beyond even the realms of overkill.
Ravel's wind magic was a catalyst for the fire and explosions of her King and Queen. The resulting combination didn't only blow up Naruto's office, but the entire school block attached to it as well.
It was a massacre, plain as day.
As the commentators proclaimed the retirement of the final vestiges of Rias' Peerage, not even a smile appeared on Riser's face. The only change that took place was the comfortable un-clenching of his jaw. The battle had served only to consolidate his position as an ultimate-class candidate. He demonstrated that he was a better King than Rias, and on the battlefield, there is only room for one King.
The ultimate.
The camera then cut away from the smoking wreckage, landing on the proctor of the battle, Aria herself. The smirk on her face told Naruto that he definitely wasn't going to like what would come next.
"I hope you all enjoyed tonight's entertainment, ladies and genteDevils." She greeted the camera, and through it, the greater part of the Demon world.
"For I definitely did not."
Ah, there it was.
"The Gremory family and the Phenex family have been at each other's throats for years, even before the fall of the old Satans. This… marriage is the way our elders wish to reconcile our differences. That's an admirable notion, is it not?"
The spectators sitting behind Aria replied with a resounding 'yes', but Aria's smile spoke something else.
"I myself think that this is a mere farce."
The crowd fell silent faster than one could say 'pin-drop silence'. The weight of Aria's words set in, the blatant denial of a contract between two of the most prestigious families of the underworld. If anyone else made this move, punishment would be swift. But she was the True Demon of the underworld, an existence who stood far atop any other in the underworld.
You don't fuck with a Demon.
"I myself believe that the Gremory family isn't fit to join with the Phenex, at least not on equal terms. After all, we – like all other Devils – value power, we value military acumen. We value the qualities of leadership, but most of all, we value the gift of foresight – the ability to acquire and train Devils who will surpass even the Demons of yore. The young Gremory today has shown none of these gifts."
The silence wouldn't end. Every pair of eyes in the room turned to Aria, calculating, waiting for her to make her gambit.
"It seems she's as brash as ever." Raziel commented, glued to the screen. Naruto couldn't help but feel a slight hint of trepidation regarding the events to come.
"Also, part of the young Gremory's Peerage is the current container of the Red Dragon Emperor, the wielder of the Longinus – Boosted Gear. Yet, he couldn't make even a dent in today's battle. As a past member of the Phenex household, and as the True Devil of the underworld, I cannot let this slide."
"To see my past rival in such a sorry state isn't something fair… or entertaining."
Naruto choked, "Here it comes."
By the power vested in me, I call for a battle between my brother, Riser Phenex, and Rias Gremory's pawn, Hyoudou Issei. One month hence, they will face each other on the day of Rias' wedding. And to the victor, I will bequeath an honour I reserve only for the worthiest of the worthy."
"The winner will to request one thing from me, and I will do everything in my substantial power to make it a reality."
The bombshell dropped, and the crowd started to titter. Murmurs spread among the upper echelons of the Devil race, the Devil web was abuzz with news mere moments later. But no, Aria wasn't done yet.
Not even close.
"Neither of the two combatants will receive any help in training from their families, or any of their proxies. Furthermore, both combatants will train in the human realm to avoid any and all confrontation with their respective families. The fight will take place on the day of the wedding, as entertainment before the ceremony. If any of you have objections, you know exactly where to shove them. Have a good day."
Naruto sighed as the feed cut to black, of course, he should have expected something like this from the woman he had fallen for.
"She got me yet again."
Confused, Raziel raised an eyebrow in question. "Got you, how?"
Naruto gut up from the sofa and walked over to a closet filled with scrolls, after a little bit of rummaging, he pulled out an unmarked, white scroll with a dragon head on each end of the rolling spool.
"She's definitely going to train Riser herself, ah, got to love loopholes. Sirzechs cannot train Issei, because he is in a position of leadership. What do you think this leads to, Raziel?"
The Archangel of Mysteries shrugged. Subterfuge and deceit weren't core tenets of her Angelic lifestyle. The beauty of Aria's devious scheme was completely lost on her, it seemed.
"It is simple, Raziel. She wants me to train Issei. It is a competition, and she's now forced me to pick a side."
"And I don't plan to disappoint."
Yep, bet you didn't expect most of that.
Yes, Riser is a lot better in this timeline, considering he's been raised under Aria's guidance with a little input from Naruto (more on that later) you can basically expect him to be better, stronger, and a lot more tactful (definitely didn't bet that from naruto.
And this is just the first of many character changes I have planned. So, as I always say, wait an watch, boys. wait and watch!
-CruelRuin
