Warning: english is not my first language, I'm french. However, I hope that you will find pleasure by reading it. Do not hesitate to tell me my mistakes in the comments, I intend to improve myself with more chapters I do.
The Nasuverse and Highschool DxD are both respectively TYPE MOON and Ichiei Ishibumi works.
please support the official release.
A great thanks to DarkLord331, that offered me this challenge to make a Karna evolving in DxD universe (as an OP character).
A thanks to my friend too, that became a beta for my sake o/.
I am sorry if my delay become more important for now, school taking its burdens.
As always, some questions to answer (I won't answer them all, sorry, bu I read all don't worry):
Logron: you are not forced to like that style.
HallowedExistance: Continue your cristicism, guy. I don't say I will correct the precedent chapter for now, but it helps me for the future chapters, those are mistakes I will care about if you point it out o/. I am aware my english is far from perfect, after all.
DanteSparda12: refrain yourself to post something like that in the future. I honestly even don't see why copypasting vsbattle wiki.
Guests: Sins and flaws are two different things, and if angels cannot sins, they can have flaws. Furthermore, keep in mind it's in dxd and a devil opinion here. I am not writing that fic to bash Rias. Keep in mind it's devils talking about feebles humans.
Edelweiss: Actually, yeah, I am playing with all his passive abilities, except Divinity for now (reasons will be explained later)
Alexkellar: I hope you will continue to like it. i think this chapter will answer thoses questions XD.
Rhongominyad: Yup, that's it. Although in fate, Karna isn't remarkable about it, judging by his appearence and the armor covering it. Biggest of the bunch would be Arjuna, ironically. It was a fun fact in the Mahabharata, and you can "see the pack" in some arjuna's pictures in fate. But hey, Japan and sizes...
Jabez, Js and Java (same person I suppose?): Do not bother, I won't. I don't see the point anyway, it's a nasuverse cross over, not a mahabharata crossover. So all your point here are irrelevent. Furthermore, I don't like to mix something that does not belong in both the universe I use. I prefer to adapt the astras according to the nasuverse rules, this is more interesting. Be it in nasuverse or in DxD, Indian cosmogony myth couldn't work anyway, since all pantheon exists (and I don't want to play "which one is the biggest" about mythology, it's just a matter of fanboyism).
Furthermore, I have to disappoint you, but don't mix the trimurti with the daevas. Pashupata, for exemple, is a weapon against whom Karna can't be protected, even in myth. Sooo, no, his armor is not even that absolute. (I mean, Surya, protecting against the Destroyer? lulz).
If I had to use a Mahabharata character from the myth, I would have taken someone else. Arjuna is here because I thought using here at first, after all.
Chapter 6: Beginning of paths
The next day was more than Issei could even think to handle.
At first, the scene before him seemed perfect. But entering the Occult Research Room, he noticed two things : the School Council president, Shitori Souna, was here, apparently playing chess with his brother, Karna. While happy to see his brother waving at him, Issei noticed both were extremely taken by the game, leading him to watch more closely.
Both became quite the legend in the chess game, even if his brother wasn't even trying to. After all, the day he won against Shitori was graved in the school's marble. Though it was a secret match, anyone in the school already knew its results.
Both had all their attention towards the board, leading him to think he never even saw the president THAT tense, even during exams. Karna, while less tense, seemed concentrated as much as her. Having watched him play quite a few times, Issei watched the board itself, curious.
"You brother is a remarkable opponent, Hyoudou-san."
Being called, the young boy lifted his head, looking at the one saying that. Yuuto Kiba. Prince of the school. Nemesis of all boys. He COULD have been like Karna, if only he TRIED to help his peers. But no. Smile and ignorance were their only rewards when they tried to lead him to peek with them one day.
Not only did he refuse, but he even warned the kendo club. If his brother wouldn't have been here, the situation would have been... complicated.
"Do not bother about their match, though. It's some kind of ritual for them. Each day, Shitori-san rematch with him. I believe the odds are quite even now. Isn't that right, Shinra-san?"
Inside, Issei smiled. Having two of the four most beautiful women in the school united at the same freaking room was truly a blessing from the heavens. He didn't know what he did well, but that was something he could call a satisfying reward, whatever why for. The vice-president of the student council, though, seemed to disagree with the prince.
"Seventy-three losses, eighty-nine victories. President forgets everything when they match together like this. The school could burn, Hyoudou-san would be the only one to notice, I think."
Considering Shitori' straight face, Issei was inclined to believe her. However, the sound of water distracted him, catching his attention to another part of the room. A shower. A freaking shower, with a curtain, towels and all.
And with a voluptuous shadow behind said curtain, reflected by the light. A tall woman, with long hairs, and the reflection left little, very little, to the imagination about her proportions.
Only imagining which one could be behind gave him a source of fantasy. Considering the members, after all, it could be either Himejima or Gremory. Both were... very inspiring, to say the least.
"... Hyoudou-san is a pervert..." Hearing it, both brothers reacted, thinking of themselves being the subject. The origin of that little sentence was someone Issei never saw before. A little girl, with short white hairs, wearing a cat-like harpin and a little white dress. She seemed frail, watching him with her golden eyes. Ironically, the sight of her pale skin and white hairs, combining with her calm voice, reminded him about his brother. Would have he not been his brother, he could have thought of her as a little sister, somehow.
'How cute', he thought. Seemingly reading his mind -Issei always had some difficulties about masking his thoughts-, Koneko made a retreat move on the sofa, seeming uneased by his stare. Before she could manifest her opinion -and eventually thinking about calming the young boy with a kick-, a voice rose behind the shower's curtain.
"President, your clothes are here."
"Thank you, Akeno"
With that, and his sight perceiving another shadow near the shower, Issei realised something truly great. As, the identity of the one washing herself, and the identity of the one aside.
The idea of having Rias Gremory, Number One beautiful girl of the school, no less dressed than NAKED behind a virtually transparent veil was something to think of. To fantasize of. To dream of. A dream he could brag without complex in front of his pervert friend.
This was a strange scene. The shadow of the president of the occult club, dressing herself. Somehow, it was like a striptease, but inversed. Well, Issei wouldn't even DARE to trouble this precious moment of a fantasy. Only wishing something more from it : to see the real deal.
Of course, no way he could, but Karna always told him to be satisfied by a few when the lot is unattainable. Wise words. Perfectly applied here.
He then realized that it was not two, but the FOUR most beautiful women in Kuoh being in this ... decently oversized room. Okay.
With a cute little girl. Neat.
And the prince of Kuoh. Shit.
And his brother apparently having a relationship... as weird as it was to think about it... with the Ice Queen.
Which meant that...
"YOU ARE RIGHT, ONII-SAMA!"
"Uuuh?"
While Karna himself only rose his eyebrows by mere reflex, the others, not understanding what he meant, looked at him, not knowing what to think about it. Issei, apparently proud about something, a smirk on his face, seemed... strangely happy?
Ironically, the concerned one didn't know what Issei was talking about, so he just tilted his head on the side, a questioning expression on his trait. Shitori, however, apparently just noticed the problem around herself, and her opponent's reaction, therefore she tended her attention to the leader of the pervert trio.
Apparently caught by the shout, Rias and Akeno left the shower, waiting a little, not knowing exactly what passed on the young boy's brain. Or rather, where Karna could have been right, as he said. Akeno, however, didn't miss the occasion to tease the 'King'.
"My, my, Karna-san... I wonder what you have said to your brother... Some of the president's secrets, perhaps? " Shocked by the idea, Rias shortened the distance between her and the boy, who apparently was... lost.
With no clues to hang on.
"Kaaarnaaaaaa-saaaan? What did you say to your brother? I thought you were waiting for us to tell him!"
In all honesty, Karna didn't know.
He was pretty sure he said nothing about the devil's nature of their hosts, and the membership of the club were quite well-known in school. Considering he didn't even mention even once her... physical assets, there was nothing in his mind that could have led to such results. However, there must have been something. Perversely important, without a doubt, but he didn't know what.
And Issei, moving his head positively, like he was in some sort of self-satisfaction, wasn't helping. At all.
In a few seconds, the King of Kuoh was surrounded by three pissed-of women, which was something... Quite unpleasant. Even more considering he nearly could feel their demonic powers surging from them... Thanks Shinra to just look at his brother, apparently concerned about Issei's sanity.
Rising his hands as a gesture to defend himself, he tried to ask his brother why he said that.
He didn't have the time.
"I even repeated myself HOW to present things smoothly yesterday!" claimed Rias.
"Fufufu... I wonder... Just what you didn't say to your brother..." noticed Akeno. Although she was smiling, her eyes were not.
"Explain yourself, Hyoudou-san. You promised, did you not?". If eyes could freeze someone in place, the Sitri's heiress could have put him in a frozen coffin just by her glare.
Watching this seemed to reinforce Issei's will, as he claimed nearly a second after that:
"Of course, of course! Technically, he didn't say anything, but I finally pierced his secret! What a great decision you took, Onii-sama! Right by all mean! Truly PERFECT and appropriate!"
Karna was a great hero before, that's true. He accomplished many things, fought great battles, and won wars.
But it was the first time since his revival he felt powerless.
And by the glares of the women staring at him right now, he didn't have to think twice about some... killing intents he just felt now. However, he honestly didn't know what Issei was talking about... And why the girls were reacting that strongly.
It was Tsubaki that answered that, sighing desperately.
"Well... Nearly four months of tensions, hopes and preparations to see everything blow up because he guessed everything... Even I am feeling a little frustrated..."Aaaaah, so that was it. They were THAT eager to see Hyoudou's younger brother joining them? Apparently. Letting out a little laugh, Kiba, a little more... thoughtful about the situation, thought about what could be caught up by her master.
"Tell me, Issei-kun. So that we can catch up with you now, what did you understand exactly?"
With a big smile, the young boy thumbed up, claiming:
"My aim is to become the harem king... THEREFORE, MY BIG BRO MUST HAVE HIS OWN HAREM! IT'S A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE!"
...
All eyes focused on Issei, while Kiba had to perform some effort to not laugh.
He couldn't help but to have a sweat drop though.
"... And in which point was he right then?"
"Isn't it obvious?! He is surrounded by three of the greatest beautiful women in Kuoh! That's a perfect harem! Now, Onii-sama can leave me the others!"
...
Karna had one reflex; amongst everything he could have done here. He could nearly hear Arjuna's chuckle inside himself.
He facepalmed. A reaction that Issei didn't miss.
"I would be happy to take them if you don't"
***A headslap later***
It took some minutes for the devils to calm down. Some, like Kiba and Akeno, were mainly laughing at the younger brother and his antics, while the others tried to regain their composure and continue like nothing happened at all.
Even if she positioned herself to be able to play chess again, Souna herself couldn't hide the little smile she had, and her pink cheeks spoke for themselves about the shame she felt. Rias had a similar reaction, even if she had to cough a little to maintain her own composure and not laughing herself.
Feeling shameful and having the urge to laugh at the same time was more than she could handle. But it was the first time she saw ... that.
Hyoudou Issei, sitting in a perfect seiza position, was being given some lectures from his older brother. Oh, of course, that one was as composed as usual, and it was more a "must" than everything, even Issei knew that.
In truth, the proudly smile the younger had was so bright that even the admonisher one had difficulties in his lesson.
Seeing Karna being nearly not listened by his own brother was an original sight. But apparently, some ideas seemed to have made their way inside his odd spirit.
Rias had all the difficulties in the world to not break and laugh when, far from disappointed learning that Karna wasn't dating anyone, Issei "resumed" the situation by...
"No problem, bro. I understand. First come, first served!" which earned him a deadly stare from Souna.
With that said, Karna stopped his lecture and just sighed. He came back to the chess game, not without a quick look to the red-head devil, searching himself for the "why".
Seeing here an occasion to step up, Rias addressed a great smile to Issei.
"Well... Now that... It's... done." her tone, obviously, had little difficulties being serious. Blame the envy to laugh she felt. "I think we can move to the next... step. Hyoudou Issei, sit down please."
"Already done." Answered the boy, with a sardonic tone. While it was true that he was in seiza position -thanks to his brother-, he didn't seem to bother his posture.
She noticed that he wasn't watching her face... Oh well.
With a smug smile on her face, she crossed her legs, giving him a little peak about her panty. When the boy tried to move his head in a ... very interesting position to better watch, the target of his interest was made obvious.
"Fine, then. Do you know why you are here?"
"Nah, except that Himejima-san said that I would have the luck to enter that sanctuary. She did not tell me the details."
... Sanctuary?
The word made her had a little laugh. how... ironic from the boy.
"All right, then. I wanted to know... what do you think of ... devils?"
Hearing that, Karna changed his attention from the chessboard to her. Though he did not move from his place, he frowned. However, he managed to restrain himself to comment.
It was no more his matter for now. However, the meaning of his presence here and of the little game with the President made sense, now.
"Devils? Like, Satan, Beelzebub, and all that things? Cross, onion, exorcism and all that stuff?"
"Onion is more for the vampire" answered Rias "but yeah. So?"
"Big bro made me read the Lemegeton, That's all. He said that if I wanted to be here someday, it was the least I could do."
"Your onii-sama is as preventive as usual, I see, fufu..." noted Akeno, before going to make some tea. Standing up, however, Issei made another move that Rias found VERY interesting, nearly leaning his upper half of his body to have a perfect view on her queen's ass.
Yup, definitely a pervert. But she noticed he has some physical aptitudes, thanks to that. At least, a decent agility. She noted, passing by, that the younger brother was a little more muscular than she first gave him credits.
If Karna was somewhere near to anorexic, but with great physical aptitudes according to his sporting records, Issei was more muscular behind his cloth, slender like a runner.
She noticed that his body was near Kiba's form, something that she found... strange.
"Mmmh... Well, he was right about that. So. Let me be straight: we are devils."
"... Excuse me, you were saying? ..."
"That we are devils."
Stopping his peek, Issei sent a questioning glare to the girl. Unconsciously, Rias felt him more tense, as if he was ready to jump and run like his life depended on it.
Subtlety was not her forte, though. And, she had a special trick about it.
A trick named Karna.
Who was not playing with Souna anymore, directing all his attention to this conversation.
"Riiight... Well, it's the occult club, so... I suppose it was to be expected... But I have three questions."
Considering the 'news', the young boy was taking it quite smoothly. She invited him to talk with a little nod.
"First, prove it. Second, what do you want from me? And third... I want the opinion of Onii-sama about ... that?"
Three questions easy to handle, thought the heiress. With a little smile, she made her own bat-like wings grow on her back, making it visible to all. By reflex, the young boy stood up with a very... fluid movement, watching with awe at the wings.
This movement didn't go unnoticed by Kiba, neither Koneko, both frowning about it. Those were moves of a decent fighter. Not an expert, but clearly over the average one for a mere human. Ordered by a gesture of their King, they did the same, showing the boy their own wings.
Issei's look was circulating from one to another, his brain judging the information he just received from that, wondering if it was a trick. However, Rias answered his second question before he would muster any word about it.
"I think it should be enough... For now. However, I would like to ask you... Hyoudou Issei, I would like you to join me. Becoming one yourself. As for Karna-san..."
She made a wave of his hand, making the reincarnated hero frown a little more.
"This... was not what we agreed, Rias Gremory."
For the first time since the beginning of the talk, Rias flaunched a little. She thought that, by posing the two brothers before the accomplished fact, Karna would have no choice but to comply.
The answer was more than Issei needed. With a great smile, he looked at his brother. In a sense, having his own brother... well, denying this devilish act was no more than he needed. However, ...
"Nonetheless, she is right, Issei. They are what they claim to be... As for your choice, it is yours to make. Just now that the agreement I had with her implied she had to wait for the next year... You know, to give you time to choose if..."
"Is that a problem?"
Being cut by Issei, the older brother leant a little.
"... What?"
The smile of the younger boy widened, pointing Rias.
"If I am here by your consent and if you know about it, I suppose that they have your approval. So, I'm willing to listen. Tell me the deal."
Karna didn't answer.
He just closed his mouth, as if his part was done. Rias, happy to see the boy interested, clapped her hands with joy, having some difficulties to restrain herself.
The wide smile Akeno displayed too when giving the members their teacup was also unmistakable.
"Very well, here is the deal: Do you know how to play chess?"
"I'm more of a Shogi player, actually." answered Issei, earning him a stare from the Student Council president "Karna insisted that I play it since we were young. 'If you want to be the Harem king, you have to learn how to handle others', he said."
"Well well well... Did your brother made you learn more things like that for the sake of your dream, Issei-kun?" asked Akeno, her tone half-amused, half-curious.
To everyone's surprise, Hyoudou Issei... began to cry.
His tears, flowing abundantly, were even more speaking than his pitiful, sad tone. As if the mere memory of it was causing extreme suffering for the young boy...
Although, there was also a tone of... happiness in it?
"Onii-sama is truly an army instructor when he wants to... Having all that training... Learning all those books... he made me memorize all the kamasutra before putting me in all the position, in case I had to use it someday! I had to learn to fight to protect girls, he made me play strategic games to deal with resources, in case I had to gather money and all ! Learn ALL perfumes, wines, recognize good restaurants, and all stuff I could even offer to them... Less than two years ago, I even had to learn all religion, in case my harem isn't of the same faith! AND I AM NOT ENTERING DETAILS!"
Hearing that, all people sent a curious glare to the albino. Who was just whistling, a little smile on his lips.
"Even though you complain, you asked for more, little brother."
"OF COURSE I WOULD!" answered Issei, clutching his fist with all his might "If it is for the sake of my dream, it's nothing but a little prize to pay!"
Such natural reactions made Rias have a little laugh, before she made a little piece of chess appearing on her hand, regaining his attention.
"I would love to learn more about it later, but I have a story to tell you. In chess, you see, you have the King, the Queen, the Knight, the Rook and the Pawn. These... pieces allow me, the King, to reincarnate a human -like you- into a devil -like me-..."
***A few minutes Later***
It lasted the time for a game. The time for a chess game between Karna and Shitori Souna -or, as Issei learnt it, Sitri Sona, another heiress- that concluded to Sitri's victory. During that time, the young boy was taught what would that mean to become a devil.
Being reincarnated as a piece of chess with some powers was a good deal to him. A deal Rias broke by telling him she could only transform him using all her pawn pieces.
Considering the looks everyone gave him, those reactions made him hold his refusal, as it seemed to be a very big deal. Yet, the red-haired devils taught him that it wasn't rare -far from it- for devils to have a harem. While it made him hesitate at first, as if this reason wasn't enough, Karna reminded him that, apart from a few countries, he could never have a harem as a human.
Issei agreed instantly then.
When they realized that Karna just made it to allow Issei to make his dream come true, it earned him some glares. Frowns from Sona and Rias, amused looks from Kiba and Akeno, and a dark glare from Koneko.
The idea of having a perverted pawn wasn't of her taste. But she said nothing, accepting the facts.
Leaving them for the transformation ritual, Sona, Karna and Tsubaki left the room, leading Sona to speak to the boy.
"I thought you would be upset. It was earlier than you wanted to, after all."
Karna shrugged, like it wasn't something worthy to bother.
"True. But it's not that bad if it's early, after all. He may have more times to grow up among them, after all."
"You say that, as if you know that danger would come." noticed Tsubaki "Did you notice something that we didn't?"
"Being the eight-pieces pawn of the heiress from one of the most important clan of the devil world... Do I need to?"
The comment made the queen have a dry smile.
"Point taken... "
Sona readjusted her glasses, smiling to the boy. With one in... She had nothing to lose.
"That makes me think. I have a Rook and a Knight ready for you, you know. Allow me to reiterate my invitation. Now that your brother will be one of us, don't you want to join him?"
When she asked him, the only thing he could answer her was a gentle, sad smile.
'Don't do that, it's unfair' thought Sona, her cheeks feeling hotter.
"I am sorry... I cannot accept."
"Why?" asked Tsubaki "While I could understand your refusal as long as you brother wasn't, you have none to refuse... Furthermore, you can be strong..."
"Tsubaki, stop it." interrupted Sona. "If he refuses, we have to respect his decision."
Especially him.
A little detail that didn't go unnoticed by her Queen.
"... Fine, president."
"That being said" Sona turned back to the boy "I also want to know why you cannot."
"For two reasons, to be honest. The first is him."
"Him?"Not answering more, Karna left his right hand, before making a blue sphere appears onto his hand.
The orb, while small like a fist, contained a tremendous amount of power...
To be frank, by watching it, Sona and Tsubaki felt like they could be pulverized by the sheer power they felt.
A cold shiver ran down their spin.
"... Karna-san... is that... ?"
"It can be considered as my sacred gear, I suppose... Although the real problem is the soul that resides in it. It... shares my destiny, after all. I cannot decide without him acknowledging it... And he is actually sleeping, I am afraid."
Him.
While he was not defining him, Sona noticed a... strange glare at the orb. The same way the albino looked at his brother.
No. Even fonder of.
Whoever was he, that soul should have been a peculiar value to the albino. Even if that unknown power...
Unconsciously, she felt happy that the one getting a hand on it was Karna, of all people.
When the sphere disappeared, Sona noticed finally that she and Tsubaki wasn't breathing. Such was the power they felt from that... little... sphere of magical energy.
"As for the second reason... Let's just say that it would be insulting."
"Insulting?"
"If an angel asked you to become one of them, would you accept?" asked the albino.
"Of course n... Oh, I see what you mean." answered Sona.
She then realized the main problem.
It wasn't the soul in the sphere.
Hyoudou Karna was too proud as a human. That was as simple as that.
Feeling a little shameful to have stained that pride with her proposal, she couldn't help but dodge his eyes. Something he noticed quickly, posing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry about it. I will always be here if you need my help."
"Thank you, Karna-san."
Even though he had such powerful power, however... he was still a human.
But for the first time, she noticed, the hidden strength behind his grip.
Maybe he wasn't that weak, after all?
As Karna began to walk to the exit, Sona's glare was following him, lost in her thoughts.
"Hyoudou Karna. The more we know about him, the more he seems... out of space."
"Do you say that because of the shreds?" asked Tsubaki, earning her a questioning look
"The shreds?"
With her fingers, the queen pointed at her King's shoulder, where Karna had put his hand to comfort her.
Her eyes widened by surprise.
Smithereens of skin was upon her shoulder.
"Is he... moulting ?"
