Chapter 8

"My name is Asia Argento, it's nice to meet you all." Asia said, bowing her head to the masses. From just her introduction, everyone was surprised. She wasn't just pretty, but had a kind demeanor and was as fluent with the language as someone born and raised in japan. The class in front of her erupted into whispers. Some were questions of where she came from, others were discussions on how to ask her out, and others were ideas on how to prevent those confessions.

"Issei, look at this girl!" one of Issei's friends tugged on his arm. He turned his head, and noticed Issei's lack of a reaction. "Hey, you feeling alright?"

"Huh? Yeah I'm fine. I'm actually feeling a lot better than usual." Issei answered. It was obvious by the lack of dark spots and openness of his eyes. He looked like a new Issei.

"Are you sure you didn't turn gay?"

"Huh?!" once again, Issei looked at his friend with disgust, as well as a hint of betrayal. "Hey a lot's been going on for me."

"Yeah I could tell, but it's still not like you to ignore a pretty girl."

Issei paused, as if something prevented him from speaking. Although his throat was clear, he couldn't bring himself to speak. Nonetheless, he persevered, shaking his head of hesitation and opening his mouth. "That's because she lives with me." he said, feeling his heart pumping quickly. He braced himself for the response. If the rest of the class found out, his life would only get more annoying. However, Issei's friend's face was a look of complete disbelief.

"Yeah right." he scoffed at Issei. "It's fine though. Everyone's got secrets."

"Thank god." Issei thought as his friend turned around. He sighed in relief, turning his focus to Asia. in doing so, he noticed her smiling at him. Thankfully, nobody but him seemed to notice. Oddly enough, she didn't cover up the tattoo on her hand like he did, yet nobody seemed to question it. He was surprised. Something like that should've gotten at least one or two people curious, but not even one.

Whatever the reason was, he could ask about it when they were alone. He rested his head on his hands, preparing to sleep through class once more. His consciousness quickly faded. His eyelids lowered as Asia took the seat next to him. He wasn't at all bothered by the disgusted murmurs coming from his classmates.

Although his eyes were shut, and he was quickly drifting into sleep, he could hear something in the back of his mind. Rather than his own thoughts, he again heard an animalistic growl or roar. It was the same voice he heard when he had first equipped the Boosted Gear, a supposed gauntlet of a dragon. If that was true, then that roar also belonged to a dragon.

Everything was black when he opened his eyes. The complete opposite the white void he found himself in before. Although he was still able to see his own body for some reason, which also allowed him to see the red gauntlet on his arm. He stared at it, the Boosted Gear. The gauntlet manifested itself without him even realizing it.

Another thing he didn't realize until then, was that there was something in front of him. He couldn't believe it was actually there, or that he hadn't noticed until now. It was too big to ignore, and too obvious against the black environment.

It was a dragon, and an enormous one at that. It was more than big enough to swallow him whole, and its colors were the exact same as his gauntlet's. It was covered in red scales, had two long golden horns protruded from its head, and two large wings covered its back. Most importantly, given the circumstances, was that it seemed to be asleep. To Issei's relief, the beast hadn't noticed him.

"This thing used to belong to that? How did it even wear this thing?" he wondered. comparing it to his gauntlet.

Suddenly, the gem on the gauntlet started to glow, and the sleeping giant growled. Issei went pale, trying to cover the gem and stop whatever was about to happen, but to no avail. In seconds, the seemingly passive dragon awoke from its sleep. It then turned its head towards Issei, and approached. There was nowhere to run or to hide, nothing to be done but wait.

The dragon lowered its head to be at eye level with Issei. Its eyes were bright green, matching the last color of the gauntlet. Those same eyes focused on Issei, as if staring directly into his very soul. After a while, its eyes narrowed, and it retracted its head. It huffed, releasing smoke from its mouth. Despite not being human, it looked surprised at Issei, but also curious.

"You're, you're the red dragon she mentioned. The Red Dragon Emperor" Issei said aloud. The dragon tilted its head ever so slightly down.

Issei flinched as he saw the dragon's arm move towards him. It held out a single clawed finger right in front of him. It was as if the dragon was pointing at him, or something specific about him. Before Issei could ask, however, the dragon pressed its finger against his chest. The force was enough to knock Issei off of his feet.

He stared at the dragon confused, before its mouth opened. Inside he could see an orange light growing brighter and brighter. Knowing what was soon to come, Issei covered his eyes and covered his face. Fire erupted from the dragon's mouth, engulfing Issei instantly.

Everything went silent for a moment, then he heard distant voices and the sound of a bell ringing. He opened his eyes, and saw that he was back in the classroom. Most of his classmates were emptying out of the room, while Asia waited patiently.

"Issei, I don't think you should be sleeping in class." Asia said, looking concerned at Issei.

"It's fine. I do this all the time anyways." He responded nonchalauntly. Her expression didn't change, despite his efforts. "So how's your first day been?"

"Good! Everyone's been very nice to me today." She said smiling happily. "But some of the girls said some weird things, telling me to be wary of you for some reason."

"Huh, is that so…" Issei said, laughing to himself self-deprecatingly, "By the way. Did anyone ask about the tattoo?"

"No. Caster used some kind of illusion magic on it, so regular people can't see it."

"Wait, if Caster can make things go invisible..." Issei thought, giggling to himself. Invisibility was something he had always wanted. It was for less than decent reasons, but he couldn't care less. However, he wasn't going to let her know. She didn't need to know about any of what went on in his mind, for her sake. Like many other things, he shelved the thought for later.

"Well anyways, let's get going…" Issei said, standing up. He left the classroom, with Asia following close behind.

It didn't take long to reach the Old School Building, a few minutes at most. They entered the courtyard, and noticed that Kiba was sitting at the base of the front door's staircase. They walked closer, yet he didn't even react. He seemed to be spaced out, or rather, he was so focused on something in particular that he shut out everything else. Issei knew the feeling, and from experience knew what to do.

"Hey, Kiba." Issei called out, putting his hand on Kiba's shoulder.

The blond nearly jumped. Kiba looked up startled, but quickly calmed himself down when he realized who he was looking at. "Oh, it's you. Sorry."

"You alright?" Issei asked, staring confused at the prince. "Where's everyone else?"

"Oh, uh yeah, I'm fine." He answered, giving the most reassuring look he could. The blank stare Issei responded with quickly shot down his attempt. He turned his head back to his feet. "Someone came here earlier, a member of the Church."

"The Church?" Issei and Asia said simultaneously.

As if on cue, the front doors opened, and out walked a person they hadn't ever seen before. She was wearing a long white robe that covered most of her body, except for her head. Her hair was blue with some green. Most alarming was a large sword on her back. It was wrapped in white cloth, but it was most obviously a greatsword. She must have been strong, strong enough to carry the thing seemingly without any difficulty.

As the girl walked down the stairs, she received an unusually cold look from Kiba, yet didn't even seem to notice either of the boys as she walked. However, just as she passed by Asia, she stopped in her tracks. The look on Asia's face said she'd never met this girl before. Yet at the same time, the blue haired girl look as if she recognized Asia.

"I-Is something wrong?" Asia asked timidly.

"You're Asia Argento, right?" The girl asked, looking sternly at the blonde.

"Um, yes."

The girl continued to stare at Asia, unblinking and expressionless. Everyone was hesitant to say anything else. As if the air froze still around them, yet they could still breath. The girl lifted her arm, as if to grab something, but quickly stopped and lowered it.

"Nevermind. Have a good day." she said, before continuing her walk out of the courtyard.

Even as she left, Kiba didn't break eye contact for even a second. It wasn't until after she disappeared from sight that he regained their self control or even blinked. Simultaneously, their ears picked up the sound of approaching footsteps from a different direction. As they looked back towards the open doors, they saw Rias walking out. She looked between a combination of exhausted and frustrated.

"Well, that's over with." She muttered to herself. "Good morning, Issei, Asia."

"What was that about?" Issei asked.

"Issei, Asia, I need you both to come with me. There's something that I need to talk to you about." She asked. The two nodded, and followed her inside the building.

"What was happening with that girl?" Issei asked curiously. "Does the Church not know you guys are… y'know, devils?"

"They know, but that's not what she was here for." Rias sighed. "They're here for the Holy Grail."

"That… sorta makes sense, but I don't think that girl had a servant. I don't think she had any red tattoos." Issei said, scratching his head in search of more information.

"If she is, I don't know. However, they have most definitely entered in your little war… first the fallen angels and now the Church is participating. Things are just getting more and more frustrating." Rias lead the two to the backyard of the building, a field once used for sports practice. The wind blew, causing the fresh-cut grass to sway. It looked well kept, still used for something.

"Let's change the subject." She said, walking further into the field. She turned around and a magic circle appeared beside her. The circle grew brighter, and there was a flash that blinded the two. When their vision returned they noticed a fourth person standing beside Rias. Koneko now stood where the circle laid, and looked more than a little confused. "Since you're both club members now, let's actually do something, shall we?"

"Wait, what are we doing?" Issei asked, looking concerned at Rias.

"Physical training of course. From what I heard, if not for Caster's intervention, both you and Asia would be dead." Issei grasped at his chest, as if something had pierced right through it. Seeing his reaction, Rias giggled. "Those fallen angels were low-class, practically flunkies. You're going to be targeted by people a lot stronger, so it would be in everyone's best interest if you got a bit stronger. It would also probably help you against the other servants and masters, whoever they may be."

"I guess you're right." Issei muttered. He was undoubtedly reluctant to fight Koneko. However, his reason was far from the fear of hurting her. It was the complete opposite. He still vividly remembered her strength, and just how quickly he'd be defeated. The knowledge alone hurt his pride enough, even without being actualized.

Suddenly, Issei felt a tug on his sleeve. He looked to see Asia holding his arm. "Don't worry Issei. I'm here if anything happens"

"Thanks." Issei replied, smiling. After Asia let go, he walked onto the field in front of Koneko, summoning his Boosted Gear. "No other choice."

"Begin when ready." Rias announced.

"Boost!" at the call of his gauntlet, Issei dashed forward. As he got closer, Koneko brought her arms up, and when he was close enough he reeled his fist back.

Followed by the sound of a hard impact, the front door swung open. Standing in the doorway was a young japanese girl, whose leg was suspended in the air. She wore a short sleeveless shirt, one that exposed her midriff. Her hair was frayed, her face was unusually red, and in one of her hands was a mostly-empty bottle of alcohol.

"Yahoo!" She shouted, caring nothing for the time of time or her fellow residents.

Hearing her entry, an old Priest appeared in the hallway. As if intentionally a polar opposite, his expression wasn't nearly as cheerful.

"Archer, where were you?" He asked.

"Off burning mountains… What does it look like?!" She said, staring dumbfoundedly at the old man. "In preparation for the upcoming battles, I've been enjoying myself. Lemme tell ya, this era's food and drinks aren't half bad. The girls are pretty good too."

"..." the old man stared at her, at a loss for words or reaction.

"What? I'm just joking… about some of it… but what's the problem?"

The Priest sighed, holding his shaking hands behind his back. He took a moment to breathe, and calmed himself down. "Archer, we've talked about this before. Everytime you go out there on your own, you endanger the both of us. No doubt other masters are waiting for us to be vulnerable-"

He was cut off by Archer's frustrated groan. "All you ever want to do is sit around hiding while your Fallen Angel friends gather information. A fat load they've done. All we got from Assassin and their idiot Master is that Saber and Caster have been summoned? Do you really think I'm just going to waste my time doing nothing while you tinker with those Excalibur Fragments?"

"For the sake of victory, I'll do what's necessary." The Priest responded, raising his hand. "Even if it means forcing obedience."

Just a moment ago Archer was discontent, she looked bored. However, her lackadaisical visage was gone. Her eyes sharpened, staring directly into her Master's. As he looked back into her blood red eyes, everything but her went dark, and he saw something terrible. He saw a fire, a blaze that anyone would mistake for hell itself. He saw. For a moment, he forgot about his position as a Master.

"Is that so?" Archer asked, smirking maliciously. "And how fast do you think you are?"

Archer snapped her fingers, and before his very eyes, half a dozen firearms appeared out of thin air. They were Arquebuses, matchlock rifles primitive compared to modern weaponry. However, these in particular were the weapons of a heroic spirit. They floated in the air, untouched by any hands, but fully capable of firing at her desired target.

"Faster than I can think of one word, or maybe a snap?" Archer asked, pressing her thumb and middle finger together once more. He didn't have a snowball's chance in hell of outspeeding the Heroic Spirit. Without any other options, he lowered his hand.

Just like that, the danger was gone. The rifles vanished, and the veritable hell he faced was gone. Archer walked towards the Priest, putting a hand on his shoulder. Her smile remained, but it was weightless.

"Seriously, lighten up will ya? A little fun never hurts; it's good for the heart. I'll keep looking for other Heroic Spirits while enjoying myself. If you're ever in trouble, all you need to do is call for me." She said, walking past the Priest and further into the house.

"Lord give me strength." The old man thought, looking down at his shaking hands. Far from fear, it was out of anger. Archer should have been under his control, following his orders. Yet just a moment ago, she bore arms against him. Serious or not, it was an unacceptable act of defiance. He still had all three of his Command Seals, but their use would have to wait.

Suddenly, the Priest felt something press against his back. Rather than a weapon, it was another person, albeit too big to be Archer. To have snuck past both of them, it could only have been one person. The Priest refrained from turning around, and waited in silence.

"Valper." The person spoke, "Exorcists from the Church have arrived in japan. They are carrying Excalibur Fragments… as well as a Servant."

Things went, for better or worse, exactly as he expected. If not for Asia and Caster, he would have most certainly been hospitalized. That, or he would've been dead. Either way, he felt exhausted. For several hours, he was worked to the bone. He didn't stand a chance against Koneko, neither in strength or in experience.

Another thing he learned rather quickly, was that Asia's Sacred Gear couldn't restore stamina. Injuries? Fractured or broken bones? Fixed in seconds. Being on the brink of passing out? No can do.

If nothing else, it was finally over at sundown. The two had left school grounds and headed home. By the time they arrived at Issei's house, the sun was just barely hanging in the sky. Issei opened the door and they entered. Suddenly Issei heard chatter coming from inside. Some of it was his parents, but there was a third voice, one he didn't recognize.

They walked into the living room, and saw Issei's parents on a couch. Sitting across from them was a teenage girl with purple eyes. Her hair was orange, and held up in twintails. Her clothing was the same as the girl they met earlier, a white robe that covered her entire body.

"Oh, welcome you two." Issei's mom said cheerfully. "Look Issei, remember her?" She asked, gesturing towards the orange haired girl.

"Long time no see, Issei." the girl spoke up. "Don't remember me? We go way back."

He searched his memory the best he could, but came up with nothing. He should've remembered meeting such a pretty girl, but came up with nothing. Fortunately for Issei, his mother came to the rescue.

"Here, look at this." She held up a large book, and on one of the pages was a picture of Issei as a kid, He was sitting on the ground, playing with another kid with identically orange hair and purple eyes.

"He was a girl?!" was Issei's first thought. Irina Shidou, Issei's friend when they were kids. Since they lived next to each other, they always played together. They were best friends, practically brothers. Yet in all the times they hung out and played, he never once thought he was actually a girl. She always acted like a tomboy, wearing things like sleeveless shirts and shorts. Needless to say, it was an unexpected surprise. Although it soon paled in comparison.

"That sword!" Issei, as well as the entire room, heard Saber's voice as he materialized, grabbing the book out of Issei's mother's hands. As opposed to the excited smile on his face, everyone was frozen. "Master, this is it!"

END