Welcome to the next chapter!
chungorion15; Thanks for the votes.
Slimereader11; Thanks for voting.
shephawk; Yeah, Valerie and Akira would be able to understand each other well. Iryuka would be cool yeah, thanks for the vote. I'm sure Zephyrdor would be quite angry if he found out about Akira and Iryuka.
Darkwubs; Yeah, it is quite the calm before the storm. Thanks! Yeah, if anyone tries something with him, or someone else then he'll do his best to put a stop to it. Yeah, he has plenty of chances to go to the Grigori and spend time with Vali, and Lavinia and others. Yeah, they'll be quite the antagonists for what I've got planned for them coming up. Akira's Balance Breaker shall be shown at some point yeah. That would be a pretty interesting angle to go with it.
Benny Farr; Thanks for the votes. Eventually all of the girls will marry Akira yeah. Diodora will get what's coming to him at some point.
Kosmish; Serafall does yeah. That's true.
OechsnerC; Thanks very much! I have contemplated Vali, and if that would be the best choice.
TheRagFromTheCrag; Thanks for voting!
Cyclopsnerd; Yeah, she's a very good choice~
darkjason78; They are fun characters and it would be good to explore them more. That's a pretty interesting idea, thanks for the suggestions!
Morregen; Thanks! They're pretty cool reasons and I agree. I'm sure Serafall could probably arrange a marriage for herself, since she is a Maou. Yeah, he'll eventually marry all those within his harem at some point. Thanks very much!
HolyKnightX; Thanks! Yeah, he's got to put up with some people, but he also met some nice good people as well. He definitely handled Zephyrdor pretty well. Lavinia seems to have caught his attention for sure. Akira would definitely be even more of a target for Zephyrdor/Diodora if he married either of their relatives.
ryanleemartinez14; They would be cool additions to the harem. Suzaku is pretty cool, thanks for the suggestions!
Tenma Kirin; Here's the next chapter!
Guest 1; Thanks for the votes. Yeah, that is true with Iryuka.
Guest 2; Thanks for the peerage suggestions.
Silver crow; Thanks very much. Serafall is yeah. Lavinia surely is. Ravel is in the peerage and harem. Thanks for the votes. It lasted about a month with Akira still grieving his parents loss. Akira and Zekram will clash in many ways as the story goes on. Serafall definitely has done yeah~ If he did threaten them, it would only prove their points on him being some evil Church warrior, but as shown with Zephyrdor, he wont take crap if they start it. Rias did yeah. Canis seems to really like reading. Yeah, right now Akira's got the hand in fights with people his own age. Akira did and will state his opinions when he feels they're necessary, like with the Vampires, and with Zephyrdor as well. Elmenhilde has yeah. Satanel I've got some plans for. Lavinia and Akira will have quite a few interactions and have a fun dynamic. Valerie will join before canon starts yeah. I can't say the fates of Augusta and Satanel yet, all I can say is that they'll have quite the shock when they make their move. Yeah, Irina wont have it during that time, I've got a more emotional moment for it planned later on, and as said, will be way before she'd get it in canon. He'll eventually become engaged and marry all those within his peerage. If they had them, they'd be very powerful. Tosca could do. Thanks for the harem suggestions. Katerea could do yeah. Satanael's fate will be shown as it happens in the story. Maybe Rias and the others could be a bit stronger yeah. Kuroka and Koneko will have a different kind of meeting with Akira than in other stories. By canon, they'd be comfortable and happy enough to display affection readily.
Guest 3; That's Serafall for you~ Rias surely is yeah. Elmenhilde went through a lot, but she's got people with he now that will help her out. Thanks for the vote, and peerage suggestions! Valerie will be included before the beginning of canon.
Guest 4; He is yeah and he's gonna become quite close with Lavinia. Suzaku will appear at some point yeah. Yumi's cool yeah. Canis will have some cool usages yeah. He might learn of God's demise before the canon part begins.
Guest 5; Yeah, I'm sure Diodora would go pretty mad about Akira being in his family. Roygun would be cool yeah~
Guest 6; He's already got a sixth sense like that with his time on the run from the Exorcists trying to kill him. They could be referred to like that yeah.
Guest 7; Ingvild's cool. Pawns not a bad place, she's got the powers of a Queen with only needing permission to promote.
Guest 8; I can't give that character away or it would reveal a bit too much. It wouldn't be the Phenex story, it will be about a Devil family, but it might be surprising which one.
Godofwar01; There's still places left so yeah they could be. Yeah, it could be like that for True Longinus, and yeah his Worthless can combine with his Canis swords. Thanks for the vote.
Reviewer Requiem; Yeah, Sephiroth Graal is pretty powerful. Valerie could be yeah, she'd be around that age. She and Gasper will have friendly visits yeah.
Zhany; Thanks for voting.
ShadowUzumaki55; Yeah, he's willing to defend himself, and others when necessary. Everyone was quite surprised when Zephyrdor and his cronies were taken down pretty quickly. Akira did yeah, he wouldn't allow them to speak about Elmen in such a manner. Vali and Akira will always be apart of one another's lives. Yeah, Satanael is going to be doing his best, we'll see how that goes. Thanks for the votes!
Guest 9; Thanks for the votes. Roygun is yeah.
Black Rose Sword; Thanks, I'm glad you like it! Thanks for the votes.
Guest 10; Yeah, that's how the Old Devils are and yeah, they'd probably say such things about Akira's future kids as well, at least for now they'd think like that. Yeah, most did, but he did meet some that were rather nice to him. Yeah, Zephyrdor was taken down pretty quickly, after his attempts of trying to get Akira expelled failed. They could try, but they'd have to get through Diehauser and Serafall lol. Elmenhilde's doing her best to adjust, and she seems to have a friendship with Canis as well~ Lavinia and Akira will have some meetings yeah. Thanks very much! Yeah, those two will be up to some stuff. Yeah, it would be cool to have them in the group. Thanks for the votes, and harem suggestions!
LadyElwyn; Thanks for the votes!
Guest 11; Yeah, she'd be cool.
Skull Flame; Yeah, Elmenhilde's overcome her fears, and now she's a fan~ Diodora is yeah, he isn't the type to get his hands dirty, so he has Zephyrdor do that for him.
Andrew123456; Thanks for voting.
Guest 12; Thanks for voting. Yeah, it would be cool if Iryuka and Latia came out more like that.
Hime chan; Thanks for the votes. Valerie and Vali could like those shows yeah. Valerie could help Gasper do that yeah.
Guest 13; Suzaku is a pretty interesting and fun character. Yeah, Vali could add her to her group, thanks for the suggestions!
Longinus888; Thanks very much! Yeah, Lavinia doesn't appear much in the main series, but in Slash Dog she's pretty prevalent and cool~ Yeah, they could combine their Sacred Gears and show their incredible power together. Thanks for the vote, and harem suggestions!
Guest 14; Yeah, he'll eventually have a few fiancées. Thanks for the votes! Yeah, they'd be cool additions.
E T 2000; Irina's in it because of her past connection with Akira, and a few plot points later on in the series. Thanks for the vote.
Guest 15; If I could draw that well, or had the money to pay a profession I'd definitely want to show the images I have in my head when thinking of those characters. Maybe one day I'll be able to have those characters drawn somehow.
I await a guardian; Thanks for the votes. Yeah, Annihilation Maker I've always felt would fit a character I've got in my head. Vali will always be quite close with Akira, they're bonded for life. Yeah, with Sephiroth Graal, they'll have to be careful to not overdo it with her Longinus. Thanks for the peerage suggestions!
Otp man; Yeah, Valerie would be good for Gasper's confidence. Yeah, Iryuka would be cool, thanks for the suggestions.
Akeno fan; Yeah, quite the interesting first day haha~ He's met quite a few new people for sure. Thanks for the vote, and harem and peerage suggestions!
Valtryek sama; Thanks. Yeah, Elmenhilde went through a good deal, but she's fighting strong. Akira quite likes Lavinia and vice versa yeah. You never know, maybe he did awaken it before. Thanks for the vote. It doesn't really matter what piece someone is, as seen in canon by Reincarnated Devils being High Class, Ultimate Class and in special cases beyond that and they're treated as such. Kuroka's in the peerage, as is Koneko. Maybe one day that story could come back. Maybe he could have that. Thanks for the suggestions.
Guest 16; Thanks for the peerage suggestions, and fiancee vote.
With those reviews out of the way, it's time to start the chapter!
The half Fallen Angel!
A young girl, around Akira's age, perhaps a year or so older, moved through the dusty streets all by herself, moving and running from those that would try and get her.
She has long black hair, and violet eyes, her clothes looked rather rough, and she herself was hungry, not having eaten for a while herself.
She moved towards a location where she thought that she'd be able to get some rest finally.
However, as she was going to settle down, she heard the noise of something coming.
"No...it can't be..."
The girl thought she had lost them.
But she could see as she hid that some people she recognized had come.
So she turned around, and made her exit.
"The girls gone this way!"
"Get her!"
The girl heard their calls, she felt tears stinging her eyes.
She wished that someone, anyone would be capable of helping her.
But in the end, all she had, was herself. And because of that, she didn't have anyone that she could rely on. She had to keep going, or she was going to be executed by her family, those that should love her, despised her existence, and wished to end this girls life…
Meanwhile Akira had been invited to go towards Rias' house.
He asked Elmenhilde if she wished to come, she declined, as she felt still unsure about Devils in general. However, because she was attached to Akira, she felt a certain comfort, and the black dog stayed with her, giving her some company while he was gone.
When the door opened, he was met with Rias herself, and Ravel which was a happy surprise.
Rias brought Akira and Ravel were brought to a room with some tea on the table out before them.
Ravel looked nervous, Akira glanced at her, and smiles, something that made Ravel smile shyly back.
Rias on the other hand questioned what the heck was going on with that all of a sudden.
"I'm glad you could make it Akira-kun, I was just discussing with Ravel about Evil Pieces in the future. Have you thought about your own Akira-kun?"
"I'm not sure if I'll be allowed Evil Pieces. The Old Devils aren't exactly for it, something my Uncle and I are seeing them about pretty soon. Though I've got some ideas if I am able to obtain my Evil Pieces."
Rias was surprised by the news though it wasn't totally unexpected that the Old Devils would be against such things, while Ravel furrowed her brows.
"What nonsense, it makes sense to me that you'd get them. You are a High Class Devil as well."
"Maybe you could tell the Old Devils haha~"
Akira gave a small laugh, something that made Ravel show a small smile on her face.
He then turned to Rias.
"So, did you ever find that person you were looking for?"
Rias paused for a few moments, then shook her head.
"No, we haven't found them yet. Though we do know that humans have been tracking someone down. The details are sketchy at best, but from what I have learned, it seems to be a case where they wish to hunt down this person and execute them. That's the situation we believe to be happening currently."
Rias replied truthfully, Akira furrowed his brows.
"There's this trick I used to do, when I was out on my own, that would help alert me to potential attackers as I slept. We can triangulate the probable locations this person could go in, and I'd happily set these up for you in these locations."
Rias gave a surprised, but humble smile.
"Thank you Akira-kun, I'm sure we'll be able to find this person soon. Though I have been hearing about a mystical clan in Japan that have been appearing in locations this other person is appearing, perhaps you know them, Himejima?"
"Himejima...hmmm...yes, I do know of that clan, they're apart of the Five Principal Clans, and have a connection to Shintoism, that clan has the ability to produce powerful flames, and one individual is chosen to become the head, inheriting the Sacred Beast...the Vermillion Bird. The last I heard, it was a young girl who was to become the future clan head."
Ravel looked on, excited to see his knowledge.
"Impressive."
Akira gave a soft smile.
"Learned about many things, so I'm prepared in case I come up against certain foes, goes handy with my Worthless powers."
Ravel gave a warm smile, and felt genuinely curious to know more about what Akira knew.
Rias then folded her arms.
"It seems you know a lot about Himejima, if you don't mind Akira-kun, can I call upon your services in the event we find this person? You might have better luck than I with humans since you're more familiar with them."
"Sure, I'd be happy to."
Rias claps her hands a single time, happy to hear that, while Akira himself was glad that he was becoming friendlier with people his own age, something he didn't really get to do when he was younger.
A small time later, Akira was beginning the training with his Longinus. Looking at the small puppy that would happily bark away.
He held out his hand, the dog barked, and from a shadow, a black blade was summoned. Akira swung the blade out, and cut into a nearby rocky formation. The blade easily cleaved through the rock, with Akira's face curling upwards.
"This blades so sharp, its said to cut even Gods, the durability is good...still need a name for this little guy..."
Akira mused within his head, as he swung his sword before him several times. Each swing made him smile more and more.
Diehauser happened to come by, in the middle of Akira's training, and walked closer to the young man.
"Akira, I've got some news for you."
Akira tilted his head.
"What is it Uncle?"
"Well, there's been some talk with the Norse, and a girl named Rossweisse wishes to meet with you."
Akira drew a blank as during that time, he didn't hear her name.
"Who's that?"
Diehauser cocked his head.
"You don't know? She said that you had saved her. Here, look."
Akira looked at the image of the silver haired girl, and became surprised.
"Aah yes I remember her, never got her name at that time, things were hectic. Shortly before I met Vali-chan, this girl is someone that I saved from an attack. So, she remembered me huh? Amazing."
"So, would you like to meet her?"
Akira nodded happily.
"Sure, I'd like that~"
"Great, then leave that with me, I'll sort that out. Oh yes, we have a meeting with the Old Devils about your Evil Pieces, I'll be damned if they try and stop you gaining Evil Pieces, I have backing of other Devils like Serafall-sama, and others who agree with me, so it shouldn't be much of an issue, I hope."
Akira gave bemused and thankful eyes, looking towards Diehauser who let out small laughs.
His eyes then shifted towards the small puppy, so he held out his hand, the dog leapt up, crawling up Akira's arm, and landed on his head, being rather happy there.
A small time later, Akira came back to the Belial house, and saw Elmenhilde sat on her own, her hands clutching together. He could see that she was upset about something, so he walked over to sit beside her.
"How are you feeling, after what happened?"
Elmenhilde took a moments pause, before turning fully to him.
"Not going to lie, it is an adjustment. But, I've been thinking about other things, maybe it could be a good thing in the long run."
Akira smiled, nodding a single time.
"It could be, you're free to do what you want now. Anything you want, I'll help you do it."
Elmenhilde raised a finger to her chin.
"Trouble is, I don't know what it is that I want to do yet. Though, I have just finished the first season of Buffy...I'll want to watch the others."
Akira chortled.
"That's a good start. There's endless possibilities for you Elmen-san, and whatever it is your future is going to be, it is something that you get to decide. And remember, you're here with us now, we can be our own kind of family~"
"A-A family huh..."
Elmenhilde mused about it, and couldn't help but think it would be good, if they could be like that.
Akira continued, beaming at her to make her feel as good as possible.
"Yeah...we can be a family, it's something I've already thought about when it comes to my peerage. How we'd view each other, one big family, a family that maybe not many of us would ever truly have without it."
She liked that.
A family, that didn't have to be related, could still be her family.
If anything, that's all she wished for at the time, that she could be with who she loved and cared for, including that of Akira if she so wished.
Maybe...it would be good if she could stay with him always, that's how she felt anyway.
"Akira-kun...would you like to watch Buffy with me?"
"Sure, we could. It seems you've really taken a shine to it."
"I wish to see the humans take on Vampires, so I am beginning to watch Vampire related media, and Buffy's good."
"Other Vampire related media huh?"
Elmenhilde nods her head.
"Yes...I wish to absorb as much as possible about Vampires and how others view them."
"I see, then lets watch some Buffy together~"
Elmenhilde smiles, as she and Akira sit down to watch one of Elmenhilde's new favourite shows.
After spending time with Elmenhilde, Akira was sat within the Grigori's office, and looked towards Azazel who was busy typing away on his computer, seemingly going through some data that he had acquired recently, and also looking over Akira's new puppy Longinus.
Akira sat beside Vali who had her legs swaying side to side.
Diehauser wasn't currently there, but Akira wasn't alone either. He had some guards from Belial, ones that Diehauser trusted so they kept an eye on Akira. Though Diehauser was sure that he could handle himself through many situations at his young age.
"So, been training your Longinus?"
Vali asked, Akira nods his head.
"Yeah, I've been training with it a bit."
Akira replied, as he moved it through the air.
Azazel looked up briefly, seeing how close Vali was to Akira, and noticed how the young girl seemed to like being around Akira. She didn't make it super obvious, and would rather keep a stoic persona up.
However, Azazel could tell that Akira was someone that did affect Vali in positive ways.
"Vali-chan, you don't have to wait with me. If you want to go and train or something. Azazel-san only wishes to study my Longinus, so..."
"It's fine. I don't mind waiting here. Besides this is Azazel, he might go too far."
Azazel lifted his head, turning towards Vali who looked back with furrowed brows.
"Don't worry about it Akira, Vali secretly loves these meetings. She talks about them often-"
Vali shot Azazel a look.
Azazel laughed, and turned his head to the right hand side.
"Anyway, I'm glad that I was able to be given this chance to study your Longinus up this close. I thought that it might have been difficult, being a Devil and all, but thanks to your connection with Vali, I get to study your Longinus, and Vali gets to be with her boyfriend~"
Akira smiled, while Vali held up her hand towards Azazel.
She fired off a practice shot towards him, only for Azazel to casually dodge it.
"Thank you for everything you've done so far Azazel-san, it means a lot to me. It's a power that I'm definitely proud of, because I got it from my human Father."
Vali thought that was a good way to look at it, and made her think about her own power, and how it was a power she obtained from being half of her Mother, and use it to fight in such a manner.
Azazel waved his hand side to side.
"No, don't worry about it, I'm excited myself to see what kind of abilities you'll come up with using your Longinus. Akira-kun, I wish that I could study your growth and power as well as Vali to see how you'll influence one another. Kuku, it is going to be interesting to see the potential of the pair of you."
Akira looked towards Vali, who shrugged.
"He isn't that bad, he can be a bit annoying, but otherwise he's fine enough."
Akira gave a soft chuckle as a response to that, and kept watching Azazel study his Longinus.
A little while later, Akira happened to meet up with Lavinia, and sat down with her, while Canis laid on her lap, with Lavinia stroking the back of the dogs head with a happy face.
Since their first meeting, they had become closer and spoke almost every day, either on the phone, or in person like this. Like Vali, it felt like Lavinia was someone he could speak to rather easily, she was a very kind person and someone he did quite like.
"So, this little guy doesn't have a name yet?"
Akira shakes his head.
"Not yet, still thinking."
"Ooh, if he doesn't, and you haven't decided, could I choose the name?"
Akira saw her peppy attitude, and felt his cheeks turning slightly red, where he gave a little nod towards her.
"Well, if that's what you want, then I don't mind, and I'm sure that Canis would be okay with it as well..."
The little dog barks, and moans happily as Lavinia cheerfully smiles down towards him.
Lavinia then clapped her hands together a single time.
"Wonderful~"
"So Lavinia-san, if you don't mind me asking, have you made any progress with that Witch woman you've been chasing?"
Lavinia gave a sad shake of her head.
"Unfortunately, I haven't found her yet. Though I am gaining more and more information on her all of the time, so I am going to do my best in finding her."
"She must be quite the enemy if you're looking for her. A Longinus wielder chasing this woman..."
"Yes...she's very dangerous, and I have heard that she has even been trying to team up with others to grow even stronger. Knowing her, she would try something desperate, she knows I am after her, and we have clashed once before, where I managed to get some upper hand on her before she made an escape."
"I see...and if that's the case, I wouldn't mind helping you fight her."
Lavinia waves her hand.
"That's really sweet, I wouldn't want to drag you into it."
"It's fine, really. She sounds like an evil woman from what you've told me."
"That's sweet, thank you~ Though I do have the Grigori's help, but I'll call you if I need your expertise~"
She smiled softly, and continued speaking with Akira who in turn was happy to be able to speak with her.
When Akira returned back to the Belial castle, he found that Ravel was stood there. Her eyes looked uncertain as she simply stood within the lounge area of the large castles interior, her eyes shifted back and forth.
Akira pulled closer, and moved to her side.
"Hello-"
"Aah!" Ravel jumped, and looked to see Akira stood there. "A-Ah, sorry about that, Akira-sama."
"Sama huh? Never had that title on my name before. You don't have to call me that."
Ravel ran a hand through her hair.
"I see, so that's what you're like..." Ravel took out a notepad and pen, writing some stuff down before Akira cocked his head. "Akira-sama, may I ask you some questions…?" Akira nods. "Well, I was thinking about a few things, regarding Devils, like you. With human in them and...well, I've always been curious about the human world. It's different to how it is in the Underworld, right?"
"Yes, quite different, but there are things that are similar."
"Like what?"
Ravel asks, her interest growing by the moment.
"Well, certain people can be the same, but I think that there's more to it than what you're saying, right?"
Ravel fiddled with her fingers, an uneasy came over her.
When she looked into his eyes however, seeing that he didn't look dangerous, or did he show any hostile aura towards her, she grew to relax a little more than she did beforehand.
"...Yes, I've been curious about many things in my life, one being humans. My family, with my elder siblings, are all gaining their Evil Pieces, and they have reincarnated humans. I haven't ever met a human before...well, besides you I suppose..."
"I suppose to Pure Blooded Devils, humans might seem like this weird thing that has many differences. But being from both Devils and humans, there are stuff that are different, but humans and Devils aren't too different. Like my parents, they liked similar genres of music, they liked picnics, and the likes. If you're interested in humans, I wouldn't mind teaching you some stuff. But, may I ask, is it for your future peerage?"
Ravel, feeling more at ease now, budged closer, shaking her head.
"I don't think that I'll be getting Evil Pieces, at least not yet."
"Hmm, how come?"
"Well, I don't know if I'm ready for such things, besides I've always thought about what I'd do in the future, and I'd like to support someone's dreams, and achieve my own at the same time."
Akira tilted his head curiously.
"What are your dreams?"
Ravel became slightly shy, as she tilted her head towards the right.
"I'm the youngest in my family, you see. I'm never going to really stand out from them, there's many amazing achievements in my family, so I thought for a good long time in my life, what would be the best thing for me to do. And I came to the conclusion that I wish to see someone that would make waves, someone that would influence the world."
"My, that's a tall order, someone like that would have to be truly special."
Ravel nods her head a single time.
"Perhaps you're right about that, but that's how I imagined it would be...d-don't laugh at this, but I've always thought about...Knights, in shining armour...ones that go around, rescuing people, and things like that..."
"Like fairy tales? Where the Knight rides on a horse, and saves the Princess? Or, could be the other way around, a female Knight saving the Prince. I've seen some strong women in my time."
Ravel claps her hands together.
"Exactly! It's why when I saw you that day, during the school day, stopping Zephyrdor and Diodora, despite them trying to antagonize you, and I've heard off others about what you've done for them as well. I was curious, I wanted to know more about you."
Akira shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't mind telling you anything about me. But, what you said, you don't have to stand out to be amazing you know? I don't know what it's like to have siblings so I can't say, but I know that the only persons opinion that should matter, are your own. You do what you feel is the best thing for you to do. If you can help even one person, then that one person will always remember you. My Dad said that often, and I always love thinking about that."
Ravel liked that.
Not living up to expectations, believing in yourself, that's what she took away from the conversation.
Akira and Ravel talked for a little while, and the more that she did, the more she became rather excited to learn even more about Akira, and what he could be doing in the future.
Something about the way he spoke...she did believe that there was something unique about Akira, something that she'd like to explore even more than ever before.
Ravel soon left, seemingly more satisfied than before, leaving Akira alone with some cake out before him.
Looking around, he didn't see anyone so he took some cake, and murmured "Damn, this is delicious." and happily ate the cake to himself.
Suddenly, Rias comes flying in, her face looking rather desperate.
"Akira-kun, we've found the person that is in our territory, we have to go now!"
Akira nods, and moves to her side.
"Lets go."
Rias nods, and goes together with Akira swiftly.
As that was going on, the young girl named Akeno had just woken up after having a hard nights sleep. The morning sun beamed down on her from within a very small shrine that she used as a place of sleep since she didn't have anywhere else to go, and she felt tears stinging her eyes, the dream she had not being the most pleasant.
However, when she was beginning to think about having breakfast, she heard a noise to the right hand side of her.
She could see in the sea of trees, people were approaching.
She killed her presence as much as possible, and escaped into the small forest like area.
However, when she was going to escape the forest completely…
Something covers her from the side while grasping hold of her body.
The aura around her body was disappearing, the net that was around her seemed to be draining her of strength. It wasn't an ordinary net, one probably designed for her so she didn't have the chance to run away so easily, with some kind of spell on it.
"I have found you." There was a single low voice of a man. "The cursed daughter born from our Himejima bloodline." From behind the trees, several men and women alike appear, all carrying staffs in their hands. "The child that carries the blood of that black Angel." One man in particular steps forward, and shows his face to Akeno. "It has been a while, Akeno."
With eyes filled with sadness, yet determination to carry out a heinous act, Akeno looked deeply at the man before her.
"…Granduncle."
From her Mother's side, her Granduncle had appeared.
The man called Suou Himejima.
"I won't let you escape now. I must get rid of Himejima's shame today. You understand me, right?"
Akeno looked the man right in the eyes, and saw that he was deadly serious.
Because she was half Fallen Angel, she was deemed to die, but she didn't want to die.
"…I simply want to live."
Even though she was an outcast.
She didn't have a family, she didn't have her Mother, and her Father was in a place that she couldn't reach, it was still a desire that she felt flowing through her heart.
Suou breathes out in grief, and shook his head to the side.
"Do you really think a human with black wings will be able to experience the life of a normal person? In the past one year and six months, you should have realized it when you travelled to different areas. …You are a smart child after all. For a monster to attain the living style of a human, did you not come to realize that it isn't something you can achieve with an ordinary strength?"
She understood that, the many places she had been.
Something that she had was a desire to life, she wasn't sure if there was a place for her in the world.
But she wanted to live, and she told the man before her directly what she felt.
"I wont...die here! I want to live!"
Akeno make lightning within her hand and released it towards the Himejima members.
While making a bright flash, her lightning strikes between them.
"Ha!"
Suou makes a loud voice, a strong spiritual power was released at the same time, and it disperses her lightning.
Those accompanying Suou looked on with outraged eyes, seeing the power that Akeno was able to wield.
"Damn! The power of her "Light and Thunder" is getting more powerful as days pass!"
"If we don't take her down quickly, we will be the ones getting killed eventually!"
The enemies directed their staffs towards her...when something amazing to Akeno's eyes happened.
"Oni!"
"Oni-ni!"
Small oni appeared. Akeno recognized them as ones she had helped before, or had interacted with on her travels. Whatever the reason was, she was equal parts glad and worried that they had come for her now, and were defending her from the enemies.
"Don't! You'll be killed!"
Akeno desperately tried to move her body that was bound by the net.
But it proved to be futile.
Suou looked surprised by this turn of events, his staff shimmered with power.
"…So you will protect the Onis huh. Looks like you have also inherited the will from that girl Shuri."
Suou pointed his staff forward, and charged up the power that he had.
The power of the staff radiated, Akeno knew if she was hit by the power, then she would be finished off in an instant.
"I'm sorry, but this is the end for you. It seems like the black Angels aren't interfering. The least I can do is to send you off without any pain."
Though she hated them, though she despised the very existence that these things would bring her, she had one last thing that she wished to do, and that was bargain with her would be murderers, so those that tried to help her, didn't suffer.
"…Please spare these small Onis."
Suou looked on for a few moments, before exhaling.
"…Very well."
"One more. …Please put my grave next to Mom's…I beg you."
Suou this time gave a rejecting look to his eyes.
"I cannot allow that. You are an existence that was not supposed to exist. I will only promise you the matter regarding the small Oni's."
She didn't think that she would have that wish granted.
But she thought that she'd try at least.
However, as long as the small Onis will be safe then she thought that it was all right.
"…Oni."
The small Onis are shedding tears because they are worried about her.
Suou's staff gathered even more powerful energy that was directed towards Akeno.
She closed her eyes, believing that this was the end…
"Worthless."
However, a new voice entered her ears.
The soft voice of a young boy, so she opened her eyes, and saw before her was Akira, with his hand out. The power from Suou's staff, had been erased, and the net on her body had vanished as well.
The small black dog sat on top of Akira's head, but soon leapt down and stood beside him happily wagging his tail from side to side.
"A Devil boy…!"
"We need to finish him off!"
The people with Suou turned their staffs towards Akira.
However, he held out his hand, shooting off his demonic power, added with Worthless.
Akeno watched as the power was erased, as was their staffs, the powerful knockback sent them flying down to the ground.
Akeno was surprised by this, looking at him with eyes wide like saucers.
Akira turned back towards her, and offered a small smile.
"You okay?"
Akeno could only dumbly nod, she didn't know what else she could do.
"But, who are you…?"
"Akira Belial."
"Akira...that's a Japanese name. You're also Japanese?"
Akira nods.
"That I am. Stay behind me, I'll protect you."
"Why?"
"Because, us half breeds have to stick together, don't we?"
Akeno was taken aback by that, and watched as Akira looked between the different enemies. His eyes shifted back and forth between the men, as Rias comes walking by. She moves towards the right hand side of Akeno, who in turn looks perplexed by Rias' appearance.
Rias turns towards Suou, and engages in conversation.
"There are some personal questions I want to ask that girl."
Since they knew Rias was a Devil as well, they attempted to point their staffs towards her.
However, Akira completely destroyed all of their staffs, besides Suou who managed to avoid the attack. Still, Suou was surprised by Akira's fearless smile on his face, the same for Rias who had similar looks to Akira right now.
Suou exhales, his eyes going towards Rias without worry.
"The Gremory's daughter..."
Rias continues on while putting on a fearless smile.
"Yes, that's right. However, tell me one thing. What will you do with this girl? Are you planning to kill her?"
"…And what will you do if that's what we are planning to do?"
Rias sharpens her brows.
"If you are planning to kill her, then I would like to discuss we Devils taking her."
The enemies begin to stir at Rias' words, aiming their hands towards Akira and Rias.
"Who the hell do you think you are?"
"Damn Devil!"
"This is the problem of our Himejima clan!"
They start to say abusive words to Akira and Rias, with Akira glancing at Rias.
Suou moved his hand towards his men and women.
"Calm down, all of you. …Gremory's daughter, are you planning to interfere in our problem?"
Rias furrows her brows, with Akira exhaling slowly, moving forward.
"We didn't plan to fight you guys, but if that is what you wish then I'll be fighting you. Otherwise, I'd like to settle it peacefully, the same for Rias-san here."
Suou looked on with an increased surprise and annoyance.
"If that's the case, then..." As he said it, he raised his staff, and fired off a blast of spiritual power for Akira and Rias. "...I shall rid of you quickly. Children shouldn't meddle in the affairs of adults." Using Worthless, Akira causes the power to evaporate into nothingness, surprising Suou. "...What kind of monster are you?"
"I'm half Devil, what monster are you?"
Akira replied in a calm manner, before Suou summons several balls of fire. Using his power of Himejima, he unleashes blasts of fire for Akira, who quickly turns them to nothingness, only for Suou to raise his hand, and create a blade of fire, swinging it right for Akira's form.
Akira dodges, and shoots his demonic power forward, Suou raises a barrier, but the energy breaks through it as if it wasn't there, blasting the man's body back a good bit, with him wincing at the feeling.
"You hold great power, for a child."
"Thanks, I'll show you some more if you don't stop."
Akira replied, seeing enemies attacking, so raising his hand, Akira gathered demonic power.
Shimmering in the light that trickles down from the trees, before releasing it to the right, seeing three enemies coming for him. Exploding before them, the shockwave blasted them away.
Akira then noticed two more coming for him, so the black dog revealed himself. Using the sword on his forehead, he launched forward, and sliced through one opponents staff, and body, then quickly vanished in a shadow, only to appear from another, and quickly cut the enemy down from behind, Akira smiled at his Longinus' quick usage of techniques.
"Good boy, lets keep going."
The dog happily barked back, and made a stance together with Akira as he began mowing through those around in near perfect sync with his Longinus.
Rias looked quite happy, as Akeno looked on in surprise.
"Why...is he fighting for me?"
Rias adopts a small smile.
"Akira-kun's someone that doesn't like injustice, and he probably feels a certain connection with those like him."
"Half breeds you mean?"
Rias nods.
"Yes, he's half human and half Devil."
Akeno watched as Akira drops two more people onto the ground.
"Enough!"
Suou yells, and summons a mass of flames from his staff.
The flames become hotter and hotter, shooting right for Akira.
"Canis make sure the enemies don't attack the girls, I've got to concentrate on this man, he's stronger than the rest."
Akira holds out his hand and nullifies the power, exhaling slowly at the power that was shot at him was rather strong, so he cups his hands together, lacing the demonic power with Worthless, before shooting it off towards Suou, while Canis did as Akira said, and repelled the other people with Suou.
Suou prepares a layer of a spiritual barrier, with Akira's Worthless being able to break through it. Suou was surprised, so he placed another layer of aura across his area to protect himself, seeing that this time the barrier and energy struggled a bit before smashing through.
Suou dodges out of the was in the last moment, the explosion to the right hand side tore the ground up enough to become destabilized underneath his feet, allowing Akira to blitz the older man.
Suou gasps, his flames coming out to try and strike Akira down, but Akira places his hand and his Worthless power erases the flames, his other fist going out and embedding it into the man's torso, his eyes widening as he spat out a good deal of bile as a result.
"Gwaah..."
He pulls away, releasing several shots of fire for Akira.
Akira erases some, but some flames got through and pierces his flesh, making Akira wince. Still, he grit his teeth, and continued on, acknowledging the power that Suou had, and how dangerous he really could be.
Crossing the distance, Suou thought that it was futile to attack head on, so he sends his power out like a whip, the flames coming from behind Akira, who glances back towards said flames, making a shield out of black blades from his shadows, and added Worthless, stopping them in their place.
"Those blades, and that dog...you have one of the thirteen don't you...?"
Suou recognized, and immediately became a little more worried than he was before.
Akira used the time to get before the old man, delivering a punch to his face with his sword is blocked by Suou's staff, as Suou smashes his fist into Akira's own, trying but failing to use his flames as Akira's connected fist erased the flames with Worthless spreading across Suou's body.
"Strong..."
"Damn child..."
Both draw some blood, but the young boy quickly bounces back and gets ready to fight.
"Geez, even at his age, he's still quite strong. It seems that I've met quite a lot of strong old guys, Strada-san is stronger, but this guy is no slouch. Makes me wonder what he'd have been like to fight when he was in his prime? Either way, getting through with Worthless and my sword is good, but he's still got some tricks...but, so do I. This guys been underestimating me, but he wont for much longer, that's why I've got to go with an old trick of mine, revamped thanks to my Longinus' power."
As Akira thought it, Suou wipes the blood that came out of his mouth, inspecting the young man before him.
"...I see, grey hair, and this power to negate other abilities, you must be from the House of Belial."
"You know your stuff old man."
Akira replies, getting into a stance.
"So you're a child of Devil and human, an existence like Akeno's that was never meant to be."
"That's what you say, but we do exist, we are people, and no matter how you like it or not, our existence was created by the love our parents have. So spout your nonsense somewhere else, because what you're doing, no matter how you try to rationalize it, is murdering an innocent girl. And for what reason exactly? For being born? Because she happens to be half Fallen Angel? Even if your clan doesn't like that, you didn't have to go so far as to try and kill her!"
It was something close to Akira's heart, Akeno's story from what he had seen and heard, reminded him of himself. Being hunted for being something he couldn't control, being attacked by those that aren't meant to be your enemies...it was too cruel of an existence, one that Akira wouldn't allow to go to waste by these people killing her.
Akeno placed a hand on her heart, and felt a pulse come from her chest.
Not many in her life had ever said something so powerful.
And those that did, were people that loved her.
Yet, this boy didn't know her, he didn't know anything about her, yet was defending her from her enemies.
"She is something of a tainted being, a being that came from the Fallen Angels, and a human. A hated existence, she has to disappear."
"She's a child, she didn't choose who her parents are. You always have choices, you chose to turn this girl into your prey, you could have let her go. She's an innocent girl...she is not a hated existence to me."
Suou was stunned to silence for a few moments.
He was surprised that someone cared for Akeno.
"If you're my enemy, then I'll finish this."
Akira sighs, and sticks out his hand.
From the shadow beneath his feet, a single black sword came up. Suou watched with shocked eyes as the blade reached Akira's hand, he grasped the blade tightly, and twirled it around in said hand, before pointing it towards the opponent before him.
"Fine, your choice."
Akira dashed forward, so Suou growled and unleashes massive waves of flames.
The black blade of his Longinus came out, and began cleaving through the flames.
Using the sharpness of the blade along with pulses of Worthlessness coming from said blade, all flames that were before him were erased in a single movement, shocking the likes of Suou.
Suou then concentrated the flames, and they became large pillars. Dousing the area in the fire, Akira watched on as the pillars turned towards him, and released their destructive energy right down towards Akira.
Akira stabs the flames, using Worthless to erase them, then charges right for Suou.
"Get back!"
Suou, seeing the ability of Akira's power, moved his hands to the right and left hand side, creating a whirling wind of fire that erupted all around Akira. It became an area of scorching heat, and Akira could feel the flames trying to burn his skin.
"Trying to beat me with heat of this isn't going to work." Akira stabbed his sword into the flames, and released his Worthless power, causing all of the fire to be dispelled to the point that nothing remained. "Lets finish it."
Akira dashed forward, with Suou firing off balls of fire, blocking his view of Akira for a few moments.
Akira avoids them all, and keeps going. Moving like a speeding bullet, the sword comes right for Suou who was stunned to see such a young child had the ability to fight him like this.
When he went to summon his flames, he blasts them at Akira, who gasps and couldn't avoid...
Suou looked on with satisfaction.
But then saw the flames go through Akira as if he wasn't there.
"What, an illusion..."
As Suou looked, rising from the shadow behind Suou, was Akira, who moved quickly, and held the sword close to his neck from behind.
"That's enough."
The cold black steel at his neck, made both Suou, and the others with him around, look worried about what was going to happen next.
Rias and Akeno looked relieved, seeing how Akira managed to stop Suou.
"So, you tricked me...quite an illusion boy."
"You are strong old man, very strong indeed, but you also underestimated me, because of my age. I saw that, and used that to my advantage. When you began fighting harder, I knew what I'd have to do, so when your eyes were off me for that moment with your fire blocking your view, I chose to strike."
Suou couldn't deny what Akira was saying.
He didn't believe Akira could beat him, but then saw him more dangerous than he had believed.
"So, are you willing to listen now?"
Akira knew if he had killed Suou, then the Himejima could potentially cause problems even more in the future for Akeno and himself. He was willing to do it if he had no choice, but for Akeno and potentially giving her an easier life, this is the path he chose to go with for the time being, and waited for Suou's reaction, then would do what was necessary if it went nowhere.
Suou had to relent, seeing how he was at sword point.
"If this is the way that it has gone, then I shall have to listen to you."
"Good, then lets wait until the others get here."
Suou didn't nod, but showed he was willing to wait.
"To be honest, seeing the power that you have, you were correct that I had underestimated you, but you yourself are a strong being."
"Thanks, same to you old man."
"Though if circumstances had been different..."
"Yes, if you didn't agree, I would have stopped you by any means necessary. I wont let you kill someone for simply existing."
Akeno felt his kind words deep down, a connection that she hadn't had before with anyone.
"I don't have a doubt you would, boy. Conviction like that, is something to admire. If nothing else, I respect you."
Akira was surprised by that, even with his cold acts against Akeno, it did seem Suou had enough about him to acknowledge his opponents strength and heart.
"I can't forgive what you tried to do to this girl, but I want this resolved peacefully, for this girls sake."
Akira replied calmly.
Rias nods in agreement to what Akira said.
"He's right, we've come to resolve this peacefully. This isn't about trying to meddle in your affairs, we wish to make sure that both sides receive the best outcome."
Akeno wore surprise on her face, both Rias and Akira truly were defending her.
But also at the same time, she felt happiness inside as well.
A few minutes later, Sirzechs arrived, and Serafall.
Serafall made a beeline for Akira, and hugged him between her breasts, his cheeks turning slightly red.
"Aki-chan! I was so worried about you! I didn't know what to think, but you're really here before my eyes!"
Akira lightly smiles as the girl rubs her face with Akira's own.
Sirzechs moves closer towards Suou, as he whispers "Thanks for holding down the area Akira-kun." to the young man, who nods.
"How about we have a little chat over there? Don't you think having the children listen to the circumstance of us adults will only make them learn unnecessary abusive words?"
Suou looked towards Akira, and then towards Sirzechs, seeing that he was outclassed, and defeated. Anything he did now that was against them, would result in his death, he didn't have the best choice in the world, and had to listen to what Akira and now Sirzechs had said.
"…Very well."
Sirzechs takes Suou and the others away, with Serafall continuing to hug Akira from the side.
"Aki-chan, I was super worried, you're okay, right? When I heard Aki-chan was in danger, I thought it was that Demon Gabriel." Akira sweat dropped as the young girl showed a grin on her face. "Don't worry, I'll protect you from Gabriel, I promise that I will do!"
Akira murmured "Thanks." as he looks towards Akeno.
"You okay?" Akeno couldn't do anything but nod as Akira smiles towards her. "You will be fine now."
Rias nods.
"Yes, this will be taken care of pretty quickly." Rias stares at Akeno, and looks at her long hair. "You sure have beautiful black hair. I love the black hair of the Japanese people."
Akeno looks surprised by that, as Akira snickers.
"Wow, anything Japanese isn't it?"
Rias gains an embarrassed face, scratching her cheek.
"I-It isn't that bad, is it?"
"Haha, I wouldn't worry so much about it, I just find it interesting that's all."
Akeno watched how the two interacted, so casual, something that she wished she'd be able to do now as well.
After a while, Suou and Sirzechs returned, having come to an agreement.
Suou's eyes shot for Akeno, who flinched, but he stopped when he saw Akira looking directly towards him.
"…Promise me two things. I will swear to you that we won't lay our hands on you if you keep those promises. First, you must not step foot into the territory that is under our surveillance. Second, to stay besides that girl with crimson-hair every time you do something. As long as you keep these two promises, we will swear to you that we won't lay our hands on you ever again."
It seemed that while Suou was saying it, his eyes couldn't make contact with Akeno.
Akeno couldn't have predicted that this would happen, that Suou would stop his pursuit of her.
"…May I introduce myself as "Himejima" from now on?"
Suou turns around, as to not look her in the face, and replies.
"…There are many others that carry that surname. Do as you like."
Once finishing that, Akira watches Suou walk away with the others that had been brought with him.
Shaking his head, Akira turned back towards Rias as Serafall continued hugging him tightly.
Sirzechs explained what happened and how the Gremory had taken the responsibility of Akeno and her past, and future. Whatever she did, the Himejima wouldn't come for her again. Though Akira did feel sad that she didn't get to have any connections with her past now, the fact that she was alive was something Akira found to be astonishing.
Sirzechs leans closer, and places his hand on top of Akeno's head.
"I'm very sorry for what happened to you."
Akeno shakes her head.
"No...I'm very grateful to everyone that's helped me."
Akeno said it with a serene smile on her face, something that Akira could see meant the world to Akeno. He was glad for her, though did feel for her that she didn't have the chance to live a normal existence, still he hoped that she would have a good time now.
Akeno however, turned her eyes towards Akira, who was still being embraced by Serafall very tightly. Seeing what he did for her, and what he said, she couldn't help but adopt a small smile on her face.
Some red tinged Akeno's cheeks, feeling warmth spreading through her chest at the sight before her.
When Akira returned back home that evening, he and Diehauser sat within the living room, discussing the day together.
"I see, so that's what happened. You managed to stop the Himejima clan leader?"
Akira nods a single time.
"Yes, he was strong but I managed to trick him, I even travelled through a shadow, that's honestly a weird experience but also kinda fun not gonna lie~" Diehauser cracked up a little as Akira continued on, gaining a serious face. "But...for how he spoke to Akeno-san, and what he tried to do to her, it was quite difficult not cutting him down. Reminds me of those that tried to kill me."
"I can understand well, but this way it gives her the best future. If they had disagreed, I'm sure Sirzechs-sama would have agreed with your thoughts on what to do."
"I hope he keeps his word, she deserves it after everything she's been through. Though if he does ever try anything again, I'll stop him."
Diehauser smiled, ruffling his hair.
"That's my boy." Diehauser pulled back, and adopted a serious face. "Speaking of future, we've got a meeting with the Old Devils soon, to talk about your Evil Pieces."
Akira exhales.
"Do you think they'll go for it? I know the Maou's are for it, but these guys...it seems that they'll be against anything to do with me."
"Yes, I do think they'll go for it. They'll come to understand your talents for the Underworld, and would be foolish to deny you your birthright. Though I'm sure they'll want to marry you off when you're older."
Akira slowly nods.
He was thankful to everything Diehauser was doing for him.
As he prepared what he was going to do, he didn't know that he was about to meet a certain cat...
Having witnessed the fight between Akira and Suou from a safe distance for the time being since they weren't ready to make a move, Augusta and Satanael came together once more.
"The data on the boys Longinus?"
"Yes, I've been cooperating with Hanezu, and it seems to be going really good with the data we retrieved. It's only a matter of time before we can make a move against him, and Lavinia. The two with Independent Avatar type Sacred Gears...I've got some data on Lavinia's as well from our trusted friend,"
Satanael folded his arms with a small growing smirk on his lips.
"Good, it seems that Hanezu's former clan has given us the opportunity to see what levels of power the Loningus and Belial boy are at. They're coming along nicely. And together with Lavinia, the powers soon shall be ours."
Augusta showed a wicked smirk.
"The boy and Lavinia are also growing quite close, aren't they?"
Satanael nods with a cold calmness.
"Yes, it is better than I had anticipated, their growing relationship...is going to work very much in our favour. The boy seems to draw people to him...the Hakuryuukou as well, I've been watching, it seems she and the Belial boy have a unique bond. If we could get her as well...then there's nothing that we couldn't accomplish. His Belial power mixed with the swords of Canis Lykaon, they're swords that truly could become the strongest. Now Augusta, I have a task for you, with your apprentice Walburga, lets make sure that Lavinia is prime and ready for us, I'll keep my eye on the boy, and wait until the time is right."
"Yes...lets make our dream, a reality."
Satanael nods slowly, while Augusta shows a youthful energy despite her age, their gaze solely on three people, Akira, Lavinia, and Vali.
End chapter!
So this chapter focused on the introduction of Akeno! Ravel and Akira also became a bit closer as they opened up to one another after Ravel's initial nervousness was eased. Elmen is also handling her departure from her fellow Vampires in her own way and is beginning to press forward with her new life. Akira also will be meeting with Rossweisse again pretty soon~ Akira and Vali also spent sometime together, as did Lavinia and Akira, getting to know one another even arriving, Akira showed a bit of what he can do with Canis, and fought off Suou Himejima.
So the decision between Asia and Valerie, it seems Valerie won by quite a landslide, so look forward to her introduction pretty soon!
As for the fiancée, it seems like a pretty close tie. Between Latia, Iryuka, Serafall and Roygun.
However, after last week, people seemed to be alright with me making up or going off powers based on their clans, and so I studied their clans, people from their clans, and their abilities they have, I do believe that I could make a power set for them, so I'll have a vote for that.
If they do become peerage members, then Serafall or Roygun would become his fiancée. If they aren't in the peerage, then it would be between Iryuka and Serafall since they ranked the highest between reviews and PM's, with Latia and Roygun close behind.
Well, until next time, thanks for reading!
Akira's peerage.
Queen; Lavinia.
Rooks; Koneko, undecided.
Bishops; Kuroka, Valerie (mutated).
Knights; Irina, undecided.
Pawns; Elmenhilde (one piece), Rossweisse (three pieces), Ravel (two pieces), rest undecided.
Akira; Vali (fem), Rossweisse, Irina, Elmenhilde, Ravel, Lavinia, Rias, Akeno, Isane, Xenovia, Koneko, Asia, Ophis, Kuroka, Serafall, Valerie,