Woo, how's it going everyone. Back for another chapter for Soul of the Undead. Yeah, I didn't expect another chapter from this but I have a craven to type another due to some insight from the actual anime. Namely, the Raiser Arc. And my Kos I just realized that Raiser talks in third person. That is annoying. Yes, I just now remembered he talks in third person. Kind of weird eh?

Another thing is that I played Dark Souls 3 and it's DLC because I am working on a project story that will be posted in about two to three days. And I completely forgot how tough Pontiff Sulyvahn. Damn long ass combos and delays.

YOU HERE THAT ANGRAMAINYU-CHAN! THAT MEANS TIBERIUS IS GOING TO BE A PAIN IN THE ASS TO FIGHT!

*sigh* Anyway, let's get down to business. Also, please read the Author's Notes at the bottom for a semi-important question. Now then, let's a go!

Begin

Forest Bonfire, Night

Daku was resting near the warm radiance of the bonfire with the armor set he wore when he woke up. He always loved being near these sacred checkpoints. His cat, Mayonaka, lays right beside him in peaceful slumber. Such are these rare times back at Lorthic. Always on the move, and always on the lookout for enemies.

It was a never-ending one man vs. all war. The only place of peace was the Firelink Shrine hidden from the collapsing world.

…

Which that reminds him, should he try to see if you can still travel back to the Shrine? Is the Shrine even standing at this time of age? It won't surprise him since the it has been eons after the end of the age of Fire. The last thing he remembered was going to sleep and the Firekeeper's last words.

"May you find your worth in the waking world."

Those was the last words from her ever since. It surely won't hurt to go and see if he still can. Standing up and putting his hand over the bonfire, he made his mind to picture the Firelink Bonfire and let the flames take him to it.

He can feel it. Barely, but the bonfire is still there!

With the feeling of his body evaporating, Daku prepared himself to see what remains of the once great Firelink Shrine.

Firelink Shrine

(Dark Souls 3 OST- Secret Betrayal)

Opening his eyes, Daku sees the dark ceiling that is very familiar to him. Sitting up, he looked around to see the five great thrones, the ash covered stairs, and the single bonfire radiating in the center of the circle of ash. He was back. Back to the sanctum of the Unkindled Undead. Only…it is empty and bleak.

In other words, there was no one here except Daku. No Firekeeper. No Andre the blacksmith. Not even the kind old woman who sells useful stuff (namely the countless titanite she sells).

They are all gone. Joining the end of the Age of Fire. It saddens Daku greatly since he will never see any of them for a long time. Of course, Daku knew that this is happen once he decided the let the Flame die. Just…it is harder to endure the emotional pain in his heart.

"Nya~" Daku heard a meow and looked down to see Mayonaka purring and looking at him with concern eyes. He forgot that Mayonaka was beside him when he traveled and must have been attached to him when he teleported. Kneeling down, he petted the feline to assure her that he is alright, picked her up, and placed her on his right shoulder.

Mayonaka purred and rubbed her head on Daku's helmet. The Undead then explored the ruins of the sanctum. All he found was darkness, ash in the areas where some the residents were resting at, and the hammer from the blacksmith, Andre. He then notices something shining from the hallway from the left of the smithy and checked it out.

When he got to the end of the hallway, he expected a ring of the miracle nun, Irina. Instead, he found the skeletal corpse of the one who guided him during his journey. The one who was with him after his every return from battle. The Firekeeper, Linde. (Decided to give her a name. Hope you don't mind!)

Here she was, sleeping eternally in the same spot like the corpse he found back at the other version of the Firelink Shrine. Daku kneels down and noticed that only her clothing and the crown (I think?) remain. Her body had turned to ash. Hell, even the dark eyes that he gave to her is now gone. All that is left is this.

This hit Daku the hardest because he actual loved her in the end. But they were both prisoners to the First Flame and Daku was determined to end the age of Fire. Sure he could usurp the fire and become a Lord of Hollows but…he just wanted the world to be freed from the Flame period. Not to be its ruler because of it.

At least she too has been freed from the Flames. Maybe if reincarnation is real, they can meet again in that new era he woke up in. Daku decided to take the crown as a keepsake to Linde.

Putting it into his inventory, Daku ventured outside the Firelink Shrine and see that beautiful mountains and the shining sun gazing down on it. Guessing that the sun and the mountain will stay remain the same after all these years.

Daku went over the tower and saw the remaining clothing from the miracle nun, Irina. It felt great in his heart of helping her achieve the role as Firekeeper and repel the "little creature" gnawing her. Though Daku does wonder are those creatures from the Abyss or not? After exploring the area some more, Daku decided it was time to head back to Kuoh. He will come back. This is his home after all.

(End OST)

Kuoh, Next Day

The next morning, Daku is sitting by the usual tree when he first arrives at Kuoh Academy. Funny enough, the students started waving and greeting him whenever they see him there. Apparently, the student and staff masses seem to not care about him being on school grounds anymore. They now look at him as a resident of some sort for students interact with.

Possible because they have no other way to make him vacate the academy.

It is also weird when the Student Council President, Souna Shitori, gave him full pass on school grounds as long as he doesn't disturb the students. Which won't be a problem since all Daku really does is too lay under the tree and sleep for several hours. Like he is right now. However, there are some students who wish to use Daku for reasons…

"Ne Knight-san, I know that spot is great and all but they are something even better!"

Daku woke up to see three guys looking over him like vultures. One of them is Issei, another is a bald young man, and the third is a geek-looking man with glasses. Issei looked at his two friends in a sad expression.

'Wish these guys find some way to be less open about our hobbies…' *sigh*

"There's a magnificent place where the sun always shines and a safe haven for everyone. We will love to show you it." The glasses nerd said.

"Yeah! And we want to welcome you to the magnificent place with us Yo!" The bald man added. Issei only shook his head over his friends' antics.

It was a plan created by the two guys, Matsuda and Motohama, to make Daku as a scapegoat for their latest peep time. The girls will mark the knight as a pervert, make him lose the girls' interests, and then convert him one of the Perverted Trio (Duo actually as Issei was never discovered by the girls peeping).

This sounds like a foolproof plan, but they'll see why in a second.

Daku shrugged his shoulders and followed the trio behind a large building near the main school building. He looked around to see trees and a suitable place to take more naps. He did make a question mark pop above his helmet as he sees the trio looking at a small hole.

Shrugging his shoulders, Daku laid on his back under a tree and immediately went to sleep. The others though…

"Oh yeah! This is some nice view here! The girls in the Kendo class will always look fine no matter what!"

"Yeah. 34-28-33. That is great size for a hot girl."

"I have to say guys; you do know where to find these great viewing spots."

"What did you expect? That we will only find one hole and use that forever? No dog. The female body needs to be examined in ALL angles. So, it is our jobs as honorary perverts to find the angles!" Matsuda exclaimed.

"Yeah…though I do wonder where did Murayama and Katase went? They were here a second ago?" Motohama asked.

"I second that. Hell, only half of the girls are in the changing room. And we know it is after their Kendo practice now." Matsuda agreed.

"Maybe that's because we are here to punish bad boys like you." The trio's blood frozen when they heard a venomous voice behind them. They turned around to see Murayama, Katase, and the other half of the Kendo class glaring at them. "And Issei-san…I thought you can control yourself." Murayama said to Issei with disappointment in her eyes.

"I'm sorry but they kind of…convinced me to see this hole. I swear I won't do it again!" Issei shouted. The other two said sorry as well but…

*sigh* "Since is the first time doing this Issei-san, we will give you a pass. But don't EVER do this again understood?" Katase ordered.

"Yes ma'am!"

"As for you two…well, you know." The pervert duo hugged each other in fear, but remembered the plan. "Wait! The knight is also here with us! He should be punished as well!" Motohama lied in order to bail from the pain train that is coming.

"You mean Daku-san? He's right over there by the trees sleeping." The duo faces went into shock as they turned to see Daku indeed sleeping…a few feet away from the hole the Trio was looking in. And since the hole was so small, no one can look through it at that distance.

"Filthy vermin. You dare try to place your guilt to our resident Knight-kun? You will pay with your pain!" Said a Kendo girl before she and the rest of her comrades charged at the creaming duo.

There were only the sounds of wood meeting flesh and screams of pain and agony. Funny how Daku slept through all the screams of the torment for a few minutes.

Later, ORC Building

"I swear Issei-kun. Why are you friends with them? You know they will lead you down to trouble in the long run right?" Rias sighed as Sona told her about the misfortunate that happened earlier.

More to the girls than the perverts.

"I know but even if you are a little too…open…about their hobbies. They are good people and I've been friends with then since Middle school. I can't just abandon my friendship with them now." Issei explained.

*Sigh* "Just make sure you don't go down with them alright? I like my precious subordinate the way he is now. Speaking of which, how is Asia-chan? Is she doing okay?" Rias asked. She is still a little anxious for about the former nun and her now life as a Devil.

"Honestly, she is doing great! While I do want my parents to get over the fact I have a girl sleeping in our house, she is living comfortably with my ma and pops. Mother is trying to make her a perfect "housewife" while my father keeps nagging on and on about what a man should and should not do. It's making me crazy!" Issei ranted. He loves his parents but they can be a little overboard whenever something new develop over their son.

Especially now a girl has accepted his inner pervert he had been trying to contain all these years.

"Housewife huh…" Rias said while looking depressed. Issei noticed her sudden change in mood and was about to ask, but his King quickly shifted emotions. "Anyway, you have another contract. This was mainly for Kiba but he is a tad bit busy. Care to do it for him?"

"Yes! Anything for you Rias! I mean Buchou!" Issei said quickly before noticing his blunder and made his way out the door. Akeno giggled from the side. "He's always the eccentric one isn't he?" Akeno questioned her best friend.

"He is indeed."

"It is quite funny that none of his contracts are completed. Even with all the positive reports from his clients, they never gave him the proper requirement to secure the contract. I do wonder why?"

"Yeah…Have you got any news about Daku-san?" Rias asked. Akeno shook her head. "Nothing new from the archives. This is the first time in years about someone able to control that much fire, able to live a fatal hit more than once, and have that much darkness within his soul."

"Is it possible he could be one of those cursed Undead from legends? I have read about people living under the curse of the First Flame eons ago, so it couldn't be that far off." Rias said. She did remember in one of her history books that there was a time when a single Flame kept the world going succumbing into darkness. The chances of Daku of being one the Undead, or Ashen Ones, is moderate at best.

"Such a mystery. I heard Kaichou is doing all she can to find out the truth about our Knight." Akeno was not wrong. Ever since Sona was informed about the mysterious Knight and his ability to survive fatal hits made her determine to find out if the myths and legends were actual real.

Well, as real as the Supernatural.

"I know. May I ask you to go home? I will like to think on the matter for myself a little while."

"Ara? Is our King a little obsessed with our resident undead knight?"

"Akeno! No! I just want to see if the legends are real! Now begone from my presence!" Rias exclaimed in a kingly manner. Akeno mockingly bowed before leaving the room. Rias sighed and looked out the window before a blue circle emitted in the room. Rias made a scowl when the person arrived from the portal.

Next Day

"There is something bothering Rias for the last couple of days. I'm sure of it." Issei thought out loud as he, Asia, Kiba, and Daku walked to the ORC building. Daku had nothing to do so he tagged along with the Devil Trio.

"It must be something happening with her family. That must be what is about." Kiba suggested to Issei's question.

"Do you think Akeno has any idea about it?" Issei asked.

"She may have an idea about it. She is the queen of Rias's peerage so…" Kiba stopped talking when he felt immense power coming from the building. "On second thought Issei, I think we will get our answers now." The group went into the building and inside the ORC meeting room. When Daku went in last, he saw Koneko sitting on the couch, Akeno beside Rias without her usual smile and Rias on her chair with an unamused expression.

The only person Daku never seen before is a woman with her back facing them. "It seems everyone is here." Rias said as she closed her eyes and stood up. The woman before Rias turned towards the group. Daku saw a beautiful woman with silver hair and silver eyes. Her hair reaches down her back that has twin braids. She is wearing what looks to be a blue and white maid outfit. At least, that is what Daku is thinking since he did saw a few girls wearing maid outfits.

He does not know why though.

"Milady, is it a bother if I could speak on your behalf?" The silver-haired woman asked. "It's okay Grayfia. I will tell them. The truth is-," Rias was interrupted when a red circle appeared behind the couch in front of Koneko. Flames then erupted from the circle and while it is a good flame show, Daku has seen better.

Like that badass fire combo the Soul of Cinder did when Daku is being tossed around like a grilled fish.

"Phenex…" Kiba mentioned as the flames die down to reveal a blonde, good-looking (Not saying handsome. He doesn't deserve that compliment lol) young man in a burgundy blazer, matching pants, and a white dress shirt with a few buttons off to show his "amazing" chest.

Daku knew this is guy…is a jackass.

"Ah, it seems so long since the last time Riser has return to the Human World. Still smell the same as usual. Disgusting." The Riser douchebag, I mean, Riser turned to the scowling rias with an annoying smirk on his face. "I have finally come for you, my beloved Rias."

"Alright, who is this douche and what does he want?" Issei questioned.

"Hrm? Rias dear, you forgot to tell them about me? I thought your servants will know their superior and the wedding day."

'Wedding day?' Daku thought.

"The hell do you mean wedding day!?" Issei exclaimed. Grayfia answered Issei's question. "Issei-sama, this is the third son of the House of Phenex, Riser Phenex. He is also the fiancée to the current heiress of the Gremory household, Rias Gremory."

"NANI!?"

Moments later

"Marvelous. This is tea is simply divine. As expected from the Queen of my beloved's peerage." Akeno bowed and walked away from Riser with a cold smile on her face.

Everyone, minus Daku and Grayfia, stood behind a couch while Rias is sitting by Riser…it is trying her best to contain her disgust and anger. What do I mean by that? Well, Riser keeps rubbing his hands over Rias's hair and thighs. Daku is not pleased with this sheer display of molesting.

*Growl* "That's enough Riser!" Rias exclaimed as she stood up. "I will not marry you and that's final!" The Phenex heir simply shrugged. "My dear, we Pureblood Devils are at our last legs. There are not many of us out there you know all because of the Great War."

Riser then stood up as well. "This union between Gremory and Phenex is a signal. A symbol of the unity of Purebloods everywhere that we can repopulate. Come now, you don't want your family to be faced with disappointment and shame, don't you?"

"I will not shame my family that is a fact. But I will marry a man on my own terms and it will not be you! You were nothing but a constant molester, telling me this about the good of the Purebloods and how loveable you are. I have had it!" Rias shouted with anger in her tone. Riser dropped his smirk and grabbed Rias's face.

"Riser did not come back to this filthy Human world just for his future wife to say no on this matter. I do not care if your peerage is here. I will burn everyone here in this room if that what it will take to bring you to the Underworld." It was not a mere threat as flames started coming out of his right hand. Rias in response generated her Power of Destruction on her right hand as well.

"There is no need for violence. If both of you don't stop this nonsense now, I will be forced to step in." Grayfia said as she stepped forward to emphasize her point. The two extinguish their respective powers. "Heh, if the strongest Queen of the Underworld says so, then even Riser will stand down."

Grayfia then turned to Rias. "Milady, if you are adamant of denying this marriage, then there is another way to resolve this conflict."

"And what will that be?"

"My King, Sirzech, has theorized this may happen. If Rias is extremely adamant and deny this marriage, then she will resolve this matter via a Rating Game."

"Rating Game?" Issei asked.

"It's a testament of power and skill. Basically, two high class Devils sends forth their peerage to clash one another to prove their strength. It is popular amongst Devils." Kiba answered.

"Wait, then that means the Evil pieces make us as chess pieces for these games?" Issei asked.

"You're quite keen Issei-kun. That is the main purpose of Devils having these Evil pieces within them. To gain powers and fight for their respective Kings. However, Rias has never participated in a Rating Game, but Riser did. And won most of them now." Akeno stated.

"Shit…that means we are in a major disadvantage." Issei said with worry in his tone. "We have bigger problems than that." Koneko stated on the side.

"Rias dear. Is this happily little band of friends your peerage? There's no one else?" Riser asked. Daku had a dark feeling about his question.

"And what if it is?" Rias answered back. "Haha!" Riser laughed before snapping his fingers and another portal of fire emerged before showcasing fourteen people from the fire.

All of them are girls.

"Riser has a full set. So you may want to give up now."

'Damn bastard has harem already!? Damn him to hell and back!' Issei thought while glaring at the smirking Phenex heir. "Oh? Rias…why is your pawn over there glaring at Riser with jealously?"

*sigh* "It's because he too wishes to have a peerage. And a harem of girls as well."

"Ew, what a brute." Says a girl with blonde hair in twin drill-like curls. Says the woman who is a part of another man's harem. Little hypocritically don't ya think?

"Hm…Yubelluna!" Riser called out a busty woman with long, wavy purple hair and matching eyes. One part of her hair obscures her right eye. The woman wears a navy blue tunic top that reveals much of her cleavage, pale blue skirt with open sides, and black shoes.

"Yes Riser-sama." The woman, Yubelluna, walked towards her King. Riser cupped her face and…started to heavily make out with her. This made Daku extremely confused. Wasn't he engaged to Rias? So why is he...?

"Damn…" Issei commented silently to the side. The make out session lasted for a few more seconds until Riser broke it off and started groping on the purple-haired woman. "You will never achieve this pleasure worm."

"Oh yeah! Like you're one to talk about never having pleasure. Rias does not want anything to do with you!" Issei said while his Boosted Gear appeared on his left forearm.

'Issei…'

"Watch your mouth boy. You will know to respect your superiors."

"Screw you fire chicken! I will take you down right here, right now!" Issei charged forward. "Hmph, Mira!" A young girl with blue hair and light brown eyes stood between Issei and Riser. She wears a white haori with a red obi, a red happi coat, and a pair of zori. Her hair consists of four short ponytails, two pointing up and two pointing down. In her hand is a staff.

"Move or you will be forced out of the way. And I do not like hitting girls hard." Issei threaten. The girl moved too quick for Issei and he was launched straight into the ceiling.

"ISSEI!"

Daku moved forward and bashed his shield at Mira. Mira was unprepared from the attack and was pushed back with her face bruised from the impact. "Who are you?" She asked as she did not notice the knight until now.

"Oh? I forgot that one was here as well? Is he human? Cause I don't feel the humanity from him. It doesn't matter since he did make a bruise to one of my girls. I will make him BURN!"

"No don't!" Rias shouted in horror. It was too late as Riser send a fireball to Daku. Daku noticed the fire ball coming to him and in response, pulled out his shield that has a dragon crest and blocked the attack.

*gasp* Everyone was shocked at how a mere shield was able to block a fireball from one of the Phenex heirs. Even Riser was surprised.

"Hmhmhahahaha! Such a useful piece my dear. It was a weak fireball anyway so he wouldn't die but to have him block one of my attacks? You may yet to entertain me, my dear." Riser said, shrugging off that one of his "weak" attacks was blocked by Daku's shield.

"Grayfia…tell my brother that I accept the terms. I will beat Riser in a Rating Game."

"I will tell him at once."

"Know this Riser. I will win this game. And I will blow you away!" Rias proclaimed. Riser laughed at Rias's assurance. "I will be disappointed if you didn't try. Ten days I will give you to train your peerage. After that well…we'll see." Riser said as he and his peerage disappeared in a whirlpool of fire.

Grayfia bowed before looking at Daku with curious eyes before leaving as well.

"Alright everyone. We have ten days to train. So, let's do our best!"

"Right!"

Scene

Alright, now is the time to answer questions. First, yes I did skip the Familiar Forest. It was on purpose because I want to think out more in the event. So, don't worry. The sports chaos and the Familiar Forest will be featured after the Phenex Arc.

Second is the project I am currently working on. Two in fact. One is another fanfic involving the Bleach universe. Yeah, going to the big leagues. I was thinking of a OC being one of two things. Be a lone Vasto Lord who only wants a solitary life but everyone, both Hollows and Soul Reapers, is after him. Or the OC is a 1st or 2nd lieutenant to the cold Captain of Squad Two, Soi Fon/Sui Feng. It's up to you guys.

The other fic is the missing crossover between this and the Fifth Hero of the Underworld. This is like a remake of it since I thought up of a more amusing fanfic than the other one. The only hint I will give ya is that the story will take place in a certain Dark Souls area.

And finally the big question, Grayfia. After a lot of thinking I decided Grayfia will…be in Daku's harem.

GASP

I know, I know but hear me out. First, the history between Grayfia and Sirzech will be there. Only they did not fell in love with each other but more like build a brother-sister relationship.

Second, Sirzech will have a wife. I will personally take care of that.

And finally, my other fanfics have her as the wife of Sirzech. I'm just make a new taste of variety between my fics. To keep people's attention and stuff like that. Besides, even though Grayfia will be in the harem, it will not be immediate. I will need to build it up to that point.

Hope this appease to those displease about my decision and I will see you guys later.

Ja Ne!

Harem

Daku: Kuroka, Raynare, Kalawarner, Grayfia, Yasaka, Akeno

Issei: Rias, Ravel, Asia, Penemue, Kunou