Chapter 2. Brittle Bridges
Slowly the raging flames that engulfed the village began to fade to the starry night sky.
A once-prosperous community lay to ash akin to a ghost town, a shadow of its former self.
Mangled, shard corpses strewn all over the destroyed concrete street and the scorching buildings that engulfed the village. Pitch-black shard skin that burns to a crisp, mouth agape in terror, their eyes and face melted from their skulls impossible to identify by the human eye. Some of these unfortunate souls embrace in each other's arms. A futile attempt to protect their loved ones from the horrid massacre or to comfort one another as a final act of goodbye. To friends, families, lovers, or even strangers it didn't matter in the end.
The black knight stands by the bloodstained dirt, the black-red fire that once bathes his body faded. The tip of his ōdachi drips the blood of the Saint of New Orleans.
He didn't marvel at his work of the destruction he reaped. His sight focused on the dying saint that fondled her son. The knight tightens the grasp of his sword handle in an earth-shattering grip, digging his finger gauntlets at the palm of his leather glove hand as drips of blood leak from his closed fist.
Jeanne lay in the pool of her blood, tattered with her golden feathers. She holds her son close to her breast, wrapping each other by her twelve golden angelic wings. Protecting Gabriel from the blackened vapors and the fire that extinguished the destroyed village as her golden light began to fade.
Her fair skin was sickly pale from the loss of blood, her body decorated with several deep gashes. Her blood leaked tainting the majestic feathers of her golden radiate wings. The golden light of power faded from her eyes and reverted to her sapphire blue eyes as dark circles surrounded her eyelids.
She was going to die.
In the past, she didn't fear death. During the Hundred Years' War, she knew all too well what fate had in store for her. To end the Lord's tears, to finally bring an end to the countless death, to bring the end to the current hell of her time.
Even if it meant bloody her hands.
Jeanne caresses her son's missing eye, healing him with a golden radiant light. She smiled weakly streams of tears poured from her faded sapphires.
She didn't want to die.
She didn't want to leave her son.
Who will be with him when he cries?
Who will walk with him to school?
Who will tell him how much she loves him?
In the palm of Jeanne's free hand was a two-silver cross necklace with a silver beaded chain. She weakly gives Gabriel hers and her husband crosses at his small limp hand as she gently closes his fist.
She caressed his bloodstain cheek. His missing sapphire blue eye restores leaving a vertical scar.
"You have to be strong."
"AAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Gabriel screams at the top of his lungs as he falls out of his bed to the carpet floor, beads of sweat running down his face as he frantically got up observing his surroundings.
He stares down at himself, the burning gaping hole in his chest was gone, now wearing his black t-shirt and his gray shorts.
His pupils widen in horror.
His crosses and his wallet were gone.
A cold trimmer runs down his spine, and the air in his lungs was getting heavier. He scans his room frantically searching for his belongings.
Out of all the things, he could have lost it has to be those two.
He stops his search, seeing both his two crosses necklace and his wallet at the counter beside his bed and his phone. Gabriel scrambled his wallet with his crosses in hand, letting out a breath of relief as he took out a burnt-out picture, and pressed it close to his forehead with his crosses in hand.
Thank goodness, he hadn't lost it.
He observes his surroundings, and much to his relief, he was in his small dark tan one-room apartment.
His apartment was on the second floor, with a medium-size bed near a small window above the mattress, his desk beside his counter with his laptop. At the opposite end is a flat-screen TV, supported by a wooden table with a couple of old game consoles with various video games. Next to the tv is a small bookshelf filled with various textbooks that involve law, politics, and economics.
The center of the room was a chabudai underneath a red shag carpet near the electric oven and sink. His bathroom was next to the front door with eight locks and right beside it was his closet.
Gabriel washes his face at his restroom sink. He stares at his reflection lifting the underneath of his t-shirt, moving his free hand at his torso where Yuuma stabbed him. There was no scar, no blood sprouting uncontrollably from his presume decaying body.
Let's review what just happened. He went on a date with Yuuma, and she killed him, but not before doing a striptease… oh and it turns out she part crow. Then Rias Gremory, of all people appears out of nowhere of his untimely demise and turns out one of her parents had intercourse with a bat.
That couldn't be a dream, it felt all too real.
Has he finally gotten insane?
He swallows a lump in his throat. Only one way to find out.
Gabriel dashes to his closet, gripping at the handle, knuckles whiten. Beads of sweat drenches his forehead, a cold shiver ran down his spine, and everything felt cold. If his hypothesis is correct, the only definite evidence of his supposed death was in his closet.
He slams the door open and the clothes he wore on his date with 'Yuuma' were gone.
No, this is impossible.
The air in his lungs was getting heavier, his breathing increased rapidly. In a panic, Gabriel tore out his coat hangers from their hinges, his clothes scattered on the carpeted floor.
Gabriel took a deep breath as he slumbers to the floor, his back leaning on the wall, as he pinched the bridge of his nose, contemplating his next move.
Okay, he wasn't insane he was just murdered by his date.
Calling the police was out the table. This whole ordeal with Yuuma and Rias was so crazy that he even couldn't believe it despite the evidence of his missing clothes. Insane and paranoid as it sounds, those factors couldn't be ignored. What happened with Yuuma was not a dream, it felt all too real.
Gabriel took out his phone, Yuuma's name was gone from his contact list. He checked his bank account of his last transaction of their last meal at the Italian restaurant, only to find out his current amount of currency was unchanged.
Gabriel took in another heap of breath trying to relax.
If Yuuma finds out that he is still alive, she will finish what she started. Then Rias appeared out of nowhere from the flier after Yuuma killed him.
Were those two working together?
Gabriel shook his head.
No, that's too much of a huge leap.
But Rias Gremory had a part to play involved in his affirmation death. The way she appears right after Yuuma killed him was all too perfect. Then there was that girl handing over the flier. She didn't hand out anyone the flier, but him and immediately left soon after. There was also a possibility Rias was the one who brought him back to life.
'Since death is upon you, I would gladly take you in.' her words echo through his thoughts.
Crazy as it sounds this couldn't be a coincidence.
Either she and Yuuma were working together, or she took advantage of the situation and left him for dead.
"DAMN IT!" Gabriel rams his fist at the flour.
He never felt so humiliated, to be fooled so easily and now trapped like a rat with nothing but a list of unanswered questions.
Even if Rias brought him back to life, he doubts it was a sense of altruism given the circumstances of how he got the flier.
Gabriel took a deep breath as he changes into his Kuoh uniform.
He needed to find answers and school was just the place.
Students flock in crowds of the Kuoh academy courtyard, gawking with beaming admiration at the 'Two Princesses' of Kuoh, Rias Gremory, and Akeno Himejima. Singing praises of their beauty as the two ignore their many admirers. Akeno gave a slow pleasant wave with a close eye polite smile. Rias was unfazed eyes closed as the two walked to their class before the bell rang.
Gabriel stood in the third-floor white marble staircase corridor gazing at the window, staring down at the two girls.
A rally of students softens their clacking footsteps slowly back their tracks, their murmurs went to a whisper.
"He's here."
"Damn it, why couldn't he just skip school?"
"Be quiet!" a female student snaps with a whisper to her boyfriend, "Do you want to end up in a hospital, like that girl from Fuyuki?"
Gabriel's blue eyes snap wide as he glared daggers at the crowd which quicken their pace.
He clicks his teeth in irritation.
"Idiots." He snarled.
He thought moving to Kuoh would have been for the best, but it was no better than at Fuyuki.
Gabriel shook his head, focusing his sight back on the two 'Princesses' and the fleeting hearts of their many admirers.
Gabriel chuckle softly at the sight.
Who could blame them for anyone fawning at the duo?
With those curve bodies, slender legs, gloss skin, thick thighs, slim waist, swinging hips, silky hair, and their most prominent features, their gravity defines orbs they call boobs. Those two could easily give Rin Tohaska a run for her money. Heck despite being killed by his date unashamedly admits he was more aroused than traumatized by Yuuma's transformation. That skimpy bikini of hers wasn't helping either, the bra strap did little to hide her nipples barely supporting her giggle large breast. Her leather lace thong did little or none at all of hiding her perfect rear of hers, exposed slim build stomach, the pencil stick waist, swinging hips, thick thighs, and long slender legs.
Gabriel sighed, why do all the psychopaths have to be drop-dead gorgeous?
With her and Rias having parts to play for his supposed death. He couldn't let his guard down there is also a possibility that Akeno and the Occult Research Club that Rias might have hand in this.
"Enjoying the sight."
Gabriel's skin jumps as he spun, just to see Carmen Dias. He let out a breath in relief, knowing it was her rather than his affirmation date.
"Quite the onlookers?"
"You would know. You're not jealous, are you?" Gabriel condescendingly asks with a grinch smirk.
Carmen chuckles softly as she shrugs her shoulders, "Relief mostly, less headache for me to deal with."
Gabriel rolls his eyes in disbelief, "Yeah, I'm sure it is. It's not like you stand out, with that crimson suit, short skirt, red high heels, cherry lipstick, and long wavey hair." Gabriel stated with obvious sarcasm.
"If you have the body, there is no shame in flaunting it. Besides, which one of us is the jealous one, hear?" she asks, pointing downward at the track below.
A crowd of girls was chasing the 'Prince of Kuoh,' Kiba Yuuto, living a huge cloud of dust balls in their wake. He was a second-year like himself with a similar average size build. Combed with light blonde hair, light blue eyes, flawless white skin, and a small mole at the right corner of his lower lip as a beauty mark.
The 'Prince' smiled as he gave a short wave to his adoring fans, with no sign of exhaustion.
Gabriel folded his arm, in a huff. "As if, who wants to have personality dale as dry old wheat bread?"
Carmen laughs as she places her hand on Gabriel's shoulder. "Whatever you keep telling yourself?"
With that Carmen left, as the bell rang.
The rest of the day went on as usual.
During classes, Gabriel multi-tasks doing his classwork, and thinking about his next move.
Going to Yuuma school and finding any information on her, was immediately dashed aside. For starters Yuuma could have lied about being a student, he is almost certain Yuuma Amano isn't even her real name. 'Heavenly evening daze,' an allegory of their meeting and his untimely demise, a real piece of work she is. Even if she's a student Gabriel might be caught and if she finishes the job, she is left unfished. He still wasn't sure it was safe for him to come to Kuoh academy. Asking someone else to go scout for him in his place was out of the question. He wasn't going to endanger anyone else with his mess.
Then there was Rias.
The girl left him for dead and probably has other accomplices, like the girl that gave him the flier. Although he doesn't trust her as far, as he could through her. She has no motive for finishing Yuuma's job. In a matter of fact, she might be responsible for why he still breathing.
She doesn't have a motive to kill him, but is it safe to confront her?
Yuuma's group deems him too dangerous to live.
She was following someone's orders, probably someone above her.
The only problem is who and why.
This was probably the stupidest thing he ever did.
In the middle of the night, Gabriel returns to the deserted park. The unfortunate end of his feeble life.
He leans on the edge of the fountain his tired exhausting face reflected by the fountain waters, tightening his temple with his free hand. He hopes to come here trying to recall what crucial information he left off during his murder.
But what?
Yuuma said she was ordered to kill him, that he was too dangerous. Then she mentions blaming God.
"GOD!" He shouted in realization.
Yuuma is a Fallen Angel, a demon from the book of Enoch. Crazy as it sounds it makes sense in a way. Given his situation as well with those raven wings of hers, not to mention the affirmation of God, the reason for his attempted murder.
Gabriel rubs his eyes, his vision getting distorted.
"Know what?" Gabriel mutters as he started to see the pitch-black night as clear as day. "Okay, I might be losing my mind."
The sky turns distorted purple.
"Damn it, not again!"
Gabriel's senses sharpen, his head fridge in pain. Telling him something dangerous was coming.
Gabriel spun behind him. A scowling middle-aged man with an average size builds short black hair, dark tan skin, and dark blue eyes. His attire was a pale gray trench coat over a white dress shirt with a matching white ascot, black pants, black shoes, black gloves, and a black fedora hat.
If Gabriel didn't know better something tells him this guy wasn't just a huge fan of the noir films.
If this was like before, then there was no escape.
There was only one way out of this
Gabriel raises his hands in surrender, hidden at the edge of his sleeve was a small vial of a stink bomb.
The fedora man clicks his teeth in disappointment.
Such cowardice, here he thought he would get a good fight.
"I surrender. Whatever Yuuma group wants from me, I'm willing to comply." Gabriel narrows his eyes, scouring the park trees if there was anyone else with him.
"Yuuma?" The Fallen Angel questioned with a raised eyebrow, "Well, this is unfortunate. Me running into you, out of all the people in this town." Two large black raven wings sprouted from the man's back. He raises his right hand, and a blue light materializing those glowing spears that Yuuma killed him with appears in the man's hand. However, this one was different. The spear was shorter than hers and blue, the large tip of the spear was diamond shape taking space of the supposed shaft, a diamond shape gaping hole at the center, with a short handle, and a small pointy lower end. "So, let's see it appears your peerage and your master are nowhere to be found."
"Master? What are you talking about?" Gabriel asks, but the man ignores him.
"You show no sign of disappearing, or no magic circles being deployed. Therefore, I assume you are nothing more, but a Stray am I correct? That means killing you won't be a problem."
"Wait, wait, before you kill me, please tell me. What master? What peerage? Disappearing? Magic circles? Strays?" Gabriel pleaded frantically with a batter breath. Despite the threat to his life, this was his only chance to get answers.
The man scoffs, "Why would I tell a dead man anything?"
Gabriel clicks his tongue taking offense, he's not dead yet. "Then indulge this 'dead man,' you said killing me won't be a problem. What if you're making a mistake?"
"Nice try, but they're no mistake you don't have your clan seal, and you're not accompanied by your master."
Gabriel began to relax, he got him talking Good, "You call me Stray and you mention that I have a master. Care to oblige any further?"
The man smirked, "You a clever one, stalling time. But I wouldn't waste your breath no one can get in or out of this ward."
'Ward?'
Is he talking about the purple sky?
"Then you have nothing to worry about, might give a dead man last request."
"Very well, basically you're a runaway slave from the Devil Faction. All three great factions agree to hunt your kind down. I'm not too keen on cleaning the Devil's messes, but we can't have you running around eating or killing any humans."
"What!?" Gabriel muttered in a batter breath. "But I never-"
"Enough talk, Stray! I indulge your request it's time for you to die!" The Fallen Angel throws his spear at Gabriel.
Gabriel took a massive right leap to the other end of the park, rolling towards the ground as the spear exploded destroying the water fountain. Leaving nothing more but a small crater, the fountain mangle pipe sticking out, as the water pours unrestrained.
Gabriel's eyes widen in disbelief, he was athletic, but not superhuman.
"Looks like you got some fight in you." He summons another spear in hand.
Before he could throw his spear, Gabriel threw one of his stink bombs directly at Fallen Angel's face.
His face scrunches in disgust at the smell as he covers his nose with both hands, dropping his blue spear.
Wasting no time Gabriel tackled the Fallen Angel to the ground. Grabbing his spear planting his left foot on his chest pressing all his weight on him and the other on his forearm. Then stab him with his spear in the palm of his captive free hand.
"Bastard…" he cursed under his breath, grinding his teeth in pain.
"Shut it!" Gabriel scolded, immediately lifting the spear and pointing at his pursuer's neck, drops of his sizzles blood at the tip of the spear. "I still got some questions, and you are going to answer… Don't make me kill you." He threatens with hesitation in his voice.
The pin-down man widens disbelief, "You can wield a light spear?"
"I'm the one asking questions! Why did Yu-"
A beam of blue light nearly grazes Gabriel's face, from his captive free hand. Gabriel took a step back firmly holding the lower end of the spear with both hands, like a katana.
"Not bad Stray, you got me good. But I can't let you live." He summons another blue spear casually wielding at the lower shaft, with one hand.
"Not even, with pretty please," Gabriel dry mocked with a false sense of bravado.
Gabriel took a deep breath firmed his grip and yelled at the top of his lungs. Lunging at the fedora men with an upward strike, which he effortlessly blocks with a slight upward guard at the base of the spearhead. Gabriel shifted his spear with a hard left stroke at his left, which the Fallen Angel countered with a limp right hold.
Wasting no time. Gabriel rolled at the Fallen Angel left side, attempting to pierce his left wing before he could fly off and have the aerial advantage. Only for the tip of Gabriel's spear to bounce back by the sheer impact of the Fallen Angel wings as he stumbles back, not even making a graze.
The Fallen Angel chuckles sardonically as he turns towards Gabriel, "I would think a Stray would put up a better fight."
"Damn it!" Gabriel cursed under his breath.
This guy was toying with him. There was no form of martial arts on his counters, all his openings were on purpose. The only reason, the Fallen Angel manages to block his strike was by sheer reaction timing.
Gabriel flips his spear in a downward motion at his opponent's lower hip, but he spun the upper tip of the other end of his spear at his lower guard protecting his hip.
Their light spears grind in a spark of heat from their weapons, as they face each other. Gabriel grunts, clenching his teeth holding firm of his footing. His opponent had a cocky smirk plastered on his face, holding his spear in a reverse limp grip.
"Is that all you got?" the man mocked, "I was hoping for a challenge."
Gabriel snarled, "You want a challenge?! I GIVE YOU A CHALLENGE!" Gabriel yelled as he breaks their hold with a push. Taking a step back Gabriel slightly hunches and leaps in mid-air in reverse, with a diagonal strike with his spear in hand aimed at the bastard's head.
Only to fail, the fedora man flips his spear upward with a firm grip, protecting his scalp, shattering Gabriel's spear by the sheer impact.
Gabriel landed on all four to his knees in disbelief. He lowers his head unable to look up at his executioner, mouth agape, his blue eyes shrunk in horror.
He couldn't believe it.
He was going to die again.
At the same spot.
With the same doubts.
He got a second chance in life and with a flick of an eye, it was all gone.
Less in a day of all things.
He wants to make something with his life, to make something for himself, just like them. Just like his parents.
"You put a good fight Stray, but time to put you down." The man compliments as he flips his spear in a downward motion.
Hidden by the bangs of Gabriel's hair, he glares upward as a last act of defiance.
No.
If he is going to die, he will die fighting.
Gabriel tightens his fist a red aura engulfed him.
[BOOST!] A booming voice echoes.
Gabriel lunges himself at the fedora man punching him in the gut, sending the Fallen Angel sliding to the floor, dropping his spear.
Gabriel gawk in disbelief, as he stares down at his right hand in disbelief.
A red fingerless gauntlet covers half of his forearm with golden talons at the side and a glowing large emerald sphere quartz at his backhand.
Gabriel shook his head.
He questions that later, right now it's time for payback.
The fedora man gets up, his discarded light spear levitates shooting right back towards his hand.
"Know where talking!" He roared with a gleam in his eye as he throws his spear at Gabriel.
Just as Gabriel was about to leap out of the way a black-red flame destroys the blue spear halfway through.
"What the?"
Besides the two opponents was a glowing red magic circle, its pattern mirroring the flier from yesterday.
Rias Gremory has appeared.
"Keep your hands off him." Rias, demand.
"Don´t interfere." The Fallen Angel materialized another spear and throws it at Rias.
Just before it could hit her, Koneko leap from the air kicking the tip of the spear sending it flying, but not before it shoots right back into the man's hand.
"I'm done with you!" He lunges towards them, but not before a bolt of static electricity, hits the concrete beside him sending him flying.
He got up and dusted his fedora that flew off. "That hair, you from the house of Gremory."
"Yes, I'm Rias Gremory. And who are you? Other than a Fallen Angel." She asks with venom, standing proudly with her hand on her hip.
The Fallen Angel chuckles as he turns to Gabriel, "Well, well, who knew? So, I assume he's part of your household?"
Gabriel glared at the man, still having his fist up, unwilling to let his guard down.
"If you bring any harm to him, you won't have any mercy from me."
The Fallen tip his hat, "I apologize for the misunderstanding, however, it's unwise to let your servants let loose like this, especially ones without a crest. Next time he's out for a stroll, he might run into someone less courteous than myself."
"I appreciate the friendly advice. Bear in mind if this happens again, I make you regret crossing the path of house Gremory, my friend."
"No offense to your noble household, but the saying should be said for you. Given you were at fault for our little scuffle." The Fallen Angel lifted his wings, took a side glance at Gabriel, and smirked, "I will be careful with your servant. He's a crafty one. You might end up with a Stray in your service. If that happens your house would be looking for a new heir. The name Dohanseek by the way."
With that, he flew off and the purple sky faded to pitch-black night.
Gabriel flinches as Rias turns to him with a friendly smile. "Nice to meet you Gabriel Amakusa, I wish our reunion was under better circumstances."
"What just happen?" he asks, dumbfounded.
"It's for the best we have our discussion, elsewhere."
Gabriel lowers his guard and nods.
He wants answers, looks like he is going to get them.
After everything that has happened, what else could go wrong?
The same magic circle that Rias teleported, reappears below them teleporting them away in a red flash of light.
"Are we back at school?"
Gabriel, observes his surroundings in a candlelight room with the same Victorian-era style of Kuoh academy. Two mahogany varnishes green tilt sofa in the center of the room, between them a coffee table with a similar style. Beautiful paintings hanging on the wall and right beside the tan curtain window was a wooden desk.
"Quite observant of you, but no, we're at our clubhouse."
"You tell me inside that small, abandoned grade school building, is this?" Gabriel asks, with a crook eyebrow. "If I knew that I would probably join the hordes of fanboys trying to get in."
"That has already been arranged," Rias said as she sat on top of her desk with her legs crossed.
"What are you-"
"Welcome back," the door opened as Kiba Yuuto with a polite smile pushed crates of sweets and dessert.
"Thank you, Kiba. Gabriel this is-"
"Kiba Yuuto, Koneko Toujou, Akeno Himejima, and your Rias Gremory. There is no need for an introduction. The whole school had a waifu war over the three of you." Gabriel bluntly cuts her off.
Akeno chuckled under her breath, "My oh my, someone impatient."
"I just died and tried to wrap my head around what just happened. So, forgive me for being cranky."
Kiba approaches him with an offering hand, "Nice to meet you, Gabriel. I wish it was under better circumstances."
"Nice to me you too," Gabriel shook his hand rapidly, "know can we get back to the matter at hand?"
"Very well. You see Gabriel, we're Devils."
"Devils? Do you mean Demons from the bible?"
Rias pinched her nose in irritation, she hated that misinterpretation the Church created. "The pronunciation term is Devil. Demons do not exist, it's a lie by the Heaven Faction and the Church."
"Um… okay?
Geez, talk about sensitivity.
"The man you fought was a Fallen Angel. Some think we're the same, but that's a common mistake. Your date, Yuuma Amano is also a Fallen Angel herself, her real name is Raynare, the one…"
"How do you know her name?" Gabriel narrows his sight on Rias. He knows these people left him for dead, but how long did they know Yuuma or Raynare's name? Just how long were these 'Devils,' aware of her presence?
"What?" Rias, blink in confusion. "The truth is we have you two under surveillance." Rias places a picture of Raynare at the coffee table with her black wings out, wearing that bondage bikini of hers. "She and her group infiltrate Kuoh, a Devil territory, and have been observing you, deeming you too dangerous to live. It's common for Fallen Angels to kill Sacred Gear users."
"There was this girl who gave me a flier. The last thing I remember is you popping up with that flier after Raynare kills me."
"That was my Familiar," Rias summons a small magical circle, summoning a bat that transforms into the reject Dracula-girl from yesterday. "They are magical creatures, basically animals that serve their master."
"Here takes a flier," the Familiar blatantly said with a smile.
"Is she alright?" Gabriel asks unease.
Rias immediately summons her back to the magic circle, looking worried for a second, "Y-yes," she stutters, "As I said, Familiars are basically like animals, that could do limited tasks."
Which happens to be giving him the flier. Not to mention Rias had time to console him about Raynare, given he met her 'pet,' before his date.
"Also, that flier she gave you was Summoning Circle hence why you summon me. Your will, wanting to live."
Whoa? There is practically a sign saying that she left him for dead. The photo evidence of Raynare, the flier, and Familiar was a dead giveaway that you have to have an IQ of a dying fish to not notice. Also, take into consideration that she is aware of Raynare's attention given her bias with the Fallen Angels.
Being upfront is not the best of plans, for the time being, playing dumb was the best course of action.
The act alone was difficult. For now, it's best to continue their conversation.
"What's a Sacred Gears and what do you mean Kuoh is Devil territory?"
"Sacred Gear are powerful weapons created by God to defend humanity from the supernatural. Of course, humans are born with these weapons within their souls and able to unleash their power in early childhood, in your case you're a late bloomer." Rias stated tensely as she folded her arms under her breast. "Not being able to activate your Sacred Gear in early childhood is extremely dangerous, either it involves a massive explosion, or their abilities sprout out of control. That's the primary reason why Fallen Angels don't extract the Sacred Gears or join their cause and assassinate them. The Heaven Faction is also unable to find them. That's why it benefits those users to be reincarnated as a Devil."
Gabriel flexes his gauntlet hand as it disappears and reappears again in a flash of red light. "I'm starting to get the hang of it. But how can these Fallen Angels be able to locate these Sacred Gears? Aren't these holy weapons made by God, shouldn't Heaven Faction be able to locate them easily?"
"We don't know, but the leader of the Fallen Angels is Azazel a mad scientist who was able to create some kind of system able to locate the Sacred Gears users. It's not surprising. The Grigori the Fallen Angels society, is a military and scientific base." Rias frown, "Your Sacred Gear is a draconic type of Sacred Gear, the Twice Critical. It's a low-class weapon with the ability to double the amount of the strength of its user. This is odd since it took eight pawn pieces to resurrect you."
Pawn pieces?
"You seem oddly calm about this." Rias stated, "Normally Humans are perplexed about this whole ordeal."
"Must be my poker face?" Gabriel answered bluntly with a shrug, "I already had my freak out at home, and I still have unanswered questions to ask. You said my Twice Critical is a low-class, draconic type of Sacred Gear. Is there a ranking system for how powerful these Sacred Gears are? And are these different types sent by some kind of category?"
"There is a rank system of how powerful Sacred Gears are, the Longinus-class being the strongest of its kind. The types of Sacred Gears vary by origin from their supernatural properties. The draconic type is one of those types. Humans can unlock their magical aura, and even start a bloodline of magic users of the type of Sacred Gear they were born with. This benefits those who become Devils since they can wield both Demonic magic as well and the magic the Sacred Gear originated from."
Gabriel asks as he swallows a lump in his throat.
Better get this over, despite not going like the answer he needed to know the repercussion of his Sacred Gear.
"Am I going to go out of control, with my Sacred Gear? Will I explode or something…"
Rias chuckled heartily, "Since you become a Devil, you wouldn't have to worry about any of the repercussions, even if you didn't unlock your Sacred Gear with your fight with the Dohanseek."
Becoming a Devil? Just how many surprises does he have to deal with?
"You said the Fallen Angels form a society called the Grigori. Are these Fallen Angels, the Watchers from the book of Enoch?"
"That's correct, there are many supernatural factions from different mythology and religion around the world claiming territories and having their sup-dimensions."
"Wait!?" Gabriel stops Rias, pondering what she just said, "There are other supernatural factions claiming territories, and every religion, mythology is real."
"That's correct, an example being that Kuoh is Devil territory and under my protection as governor."
Gabriel clicks his teeth, that didn't stop her from lifting a finger when he was a human shish kabob.
Almost twice.
Doesn't help the fact Kuoh is Devil sovereignty so whatever excuse Rias has for leaving him for dead, is a load of crap.
"But you seventeen, do you have any experience in politics? Wasn't there someone else more qualified or experienced in governing a town?"
Rias shot back with a slight glare taking offense at such exhaustion, "I assure you, Kuoh is more secure under my watch."
Gabriel narrows back at Rias glare back, not caring if he hurt her feelings. This woman left him for dead and it wasn't for these unknown factors, he would get out of town the first chance he gets.
How pissed would the entirety of Japan be of an unknown foreign power claiming the territory of their lands?
Or the fact it's being run by a teenager.
"Let's stick to the topic at hand," Rias stated, "Out of all the supernatural factions, the ones who hold the most power are the Three Great Powers. The Devil Faction, Heaven Faction, and the Grigori even our numbers dwindled during the Great War, we still retained supremacy within the supernatural."
"Great War?"
"The Devil Faction, Heaven, and the Grigori were at war with each other for thousands of years. We, Devils, suffer great losses even losing the four Devil kings in the process. Because of this, the three great powers agree to a ceasefire."
"What was the war about?"
"God started the war after we Devils started colonizing Earth territories. For the Fallen Angels, they were claiming territories in the Underworld, our domain."
"Okay, what about the Fallen Angels, you said Azazel is their leader. But isn't there a Lucifer Morning Star, the Fallen Angel who is well known rebelling God, also known as Satan?"
"No, that's a lie by God. Lucifer is a Devil who with his wife Lilith created the Devil race." Rias answers in defense with a sharp tone, taking a slight offense.
"Why would God lie about this? What motive will there be? If that's true, where did Lucifer come from?"
"The point is," Rias snap, "Fallen Angels are rejected Angels, who fallen from grace for their sinful desire, no better than a Stray Devil. Besides their black crow wings, Fallen Angels have violet eyes and black hair. Angels are like those Fallen who also have wings but are pure white and still have a halo over their head, they also have blonde hair and green eyes."
"Dohanseek doesn't have violet eyes…"
"Regardless!" Rias shouted as she shot out from her desk, she doesn't know why but her new servant of hers kept pushing her at all the wrong buttons, "Fallen Angels and Devils have no relation with each other."
"Okay, okay," repeated, semi-raising his hand up in defense, "Sorry, I didn't mean to break your ego."
"EGO!?" Rias fumes.
Kiba steps in between the two with a shaky close eye smile, "How about we talk about the class system in Devil society?"
Rias sighed, "You right Kiba. Gabriel, the Devil section of the Underworld is controlled by the Devil kings. The four great Satans, Lucifer, Beelzebub, Leviathan, and Asmodeus as well the Pillar families, with the Pillar Head as representatives."
"But didn't you say Four Satan's died at the Great War?"
"Yes, but thankfully four great heroes within the Pillar families rose to their ranks, taking their place."
"Okay, what are the Pillar families?"
It's probably best to do his independent research about this. Rias is being biased with her massive info dump and every time he asks her to elaborate, she lit a fuse.
"The Pillar Families also known as the Ares Goetia is the Devil nobility of our society. I'm being one of them, heir of the Gremory clan. They're high-class Devils who control the Underworld along with the Four Satan's. Our system is set up for high-class, middle-class, and low-class Devil. There is also a class of the ultimate-class Devil who is stronger than the high-class Devil but has the same standing as the high-class."
"So, it's feudalism."
Rias nodded, "That's correct. Pure-blooded Devils from the middle and lower class can raise the ranks through military achievements, however, they need to be sponsored by one of the Pillar families and swore allegiance to their house. Reincarnated Devils like yourself are too able to rise the ranks, by the houses that resurrect you. You can also be traded with another high-class Devil with your master's permission. Even both pureblooded and reincarnated Devils, who do become high-class can be traded with their peerage with another Pillar family, with the head permission."
"Wait!" Gabriel shouted starting to get unnerved, "What do you mean getting traded?"
"High-class Devils battle each other with our peerage called the Ratings Games, we often trade our servants to have stronger warriors."
Gabriel stiffens holding the screaming terror he just got into, starting to understand the meaning of what a Stray is from Dohanseek's words.
"So… after Raynare killed me, you?" He swallows a lump in his throat.
"Yes, from this moment forward you are a Reincarnated Devil of House Gremory."
Large Jet-black bat wings sprout out of Rias' back following through her peerage, Koneko being smaller given her size.
Gabriel caught his throat, unable to control his breathing. He took a step back with a look of horror at those wings.
He took a step back, wanting to run as fast as he could. But suddenly a pair of Devil wings sprouted from his back.
Gabriel clenches his skull, hearing hordes of people screaming, the raging fire that surrounds him.
"You alright?" Kiba snaps out of his trance with a concerning hand on his shoulder.
Gabriel's eyeshot bulged wide open as he began to relax, snapping out of his trances faded to the corner of his mind, back to reality.
"Yes… I'm fine." Gabriel answered with a battered breath.
"Maybe we should stop for today," Rias said with concern in her voice.
By instinct, Gabriel, Devil wings pop right back into his back as everyone else follows through.
Kiba battered Gabriel back in reassurance, "It takes time to get used to it."
Gabriel cringes a convincing farce smile as hard as he could, ignoring his recent panic attack.
He has to play their game… for now.
"Yeah, about that. If you don't mind, can I have your texts of three faction history or how the structure of politics works in more depth, or previous records?"
Rias tilted her head confused by the request, "Gabriel if you have any questions, I'm more than happy to answer."
He doubts that.
"I just think it's more productive, I doubt… well… a lore dump would give the finer detail of how the supernatural world works. I'll get into how magic works next time."
Rias nodded, "Very, well. Kiba please give Gabriel our texts and inform him of the Devil's internet."
In The middle of the afternoon at Kuoh academy, students left their classes heading to the cafeteria.
Among them were two of Rias Gremory servants, Kiba Yuuto and Koneko Toujou.
"You sure you don't want to try out my cooking Koneko? You didn't eat much after the cheesecake I made last night."
"Never cook again," Koneko blunted with a bland robotic voice.
Kiba jitters with a smile as a single sweat drop out of his forehead. "Was it that bad?"
"Yes."
He scratches his head with an awkward smile, "Next time, Akeno should cook the next dessert."
"Agreed."
"You alright Koneko? You're quieter than usual."
Koneko's lower head, staring at the pristine marble floors.
"Koneko?" Kiba asks, concerned in his voice.
"Did we do the right thing?"
"Huh?"
"Letting Gabriel die."
A quite eerie silence passes between them, with Kiba breaking the silence.
"It wasn't our morally best move… but it's for the best for everyone. Gabriel didn't have much of a future as an ex-convict and Rias had a servant worth eight pawns… Granted, there was a chance Gabriel could throw away the flier, and probably leaving him alone yesterday wasn't the brightest idea… but everything works out in the end." Kiba assures her with a shaky smile, truth be told he wasn't too keen on the idea too, but Rias knows what she is doing. In all his life she never stirs him wrong.
"That Fallen Angel almost killed him."
"Okay, that was our fault, and it will never happen again."
Koneko remains quiet, unable to answer back. It just felt wrong what they did.
"Look, there Gabriel," Kiba pointed out, seeing Gabriel sitting alone at a table with various textbooks, records, and his laptop as he was writing in his notebook. Eating Takoyaki in a wooden lunch box, with five extra-large empty coffee cups beside him.
Gabriel pressed his temple, black circles surrounding his eye getting heavier.
After the fucking lore dump. Gabriel binge reading the whole night and during classes trying to understand the current state of the three factions and the political structure of the other factions' supernatural world. Nearly all of them were feudal societies, the only exception was the Grigori which is a military dictatorship.
Not sure which is worse.
The Heaven faction seems to have a military-based society but with a royal bloodline. God, of course, is the leader or king of the Kingdom of Heaven beside him are his Archangels, also known as the Seraphs. Under God, their leaders were the Four Great Seraphs Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphael. Heir of his throne being Jesus Christ before he died the second and final time during the Great War with his final battle with Lucifer.
They also have a sub-faction, the Church. Their warriors being Exorcists fighting alongside the Angels. Of course, God and the Seraphs have ultimate authority over them.
The Grigori also has Exorcists, but they were excommunicated allied with the Fallen Angels in the Underworld, unlike the Heaven faction they don't have a sub-group like the church.
Gabriel honestly doesn't know what to make out of this. His parents were devout followers of Christianity, while he was not devout as them, he still practices the faith. Although he prayed halfheartedly, before the destruction of his village. He began to pray genuinely while he was at Fuyuki. He didn't wholeheartedly believe in Christianity, the different sects, or any of the other Abrahamic religions.
He just needs something to put his faith in, even if there is no god to pray to.
It was the closest thing to his parents he was going to get.
Gabriel smiled slightly.
His mother often scolds him when he is playing his Gameboy at services. That sunshine smile of hers was the fleeting memories he will cherish to the day he died like she was in a trance state overjoyed when he joins her. He relies on when his mother prays, she was dejected, like she was grieving. It was difficult to take notice at first hand, but there was a stark difference when they prayed together. Whatever grief she held was gone in its place delight.
From that moment on, they prayed together. He didn't do it out of faith at first, but for her and he was just happy as she is.
Gabriel shook his head.
Now was not the time to reminisce. If his assumption was correct, then the entire town might be endangered.
He just hopes he was wrong.
"Is it alright, if we sit here?" Kiba and Koneko approach Gabriel standing at the other side of the table, clutching their lunch boxes.
Kiba with a friendly wave and with the lackluster Koneko.
Speak of the Devils.
"Not at all, take a seat, we are comrades after all." Gabriel gestures with a yawn as he stretches the popping of his misplaced joints. He needs their support, he doesn't have any leeway on Rias, nor anything to blackmail her with. He just hopes whatever Devils worship too, he was wrong. "What some Takoyaki? I already have my fill." Gabriel slides the two boxes towards Koneko and starts sniffing the fried food.
Her monotone golden eyes beaming with delight at the fried food, still fresh and hot.
"You made these I never took you for cooking Gabriel," Kiba took a bite as his eyes widened in delight. "It's delicious, how did you learn to cook like this?"
"My bro… a guy from Fuyuki taught me how to cook. If it wasn't for him, I would be stuck eating junk food, though I don't think he approves of me eating Takoyaki."
"Must be some cook, maybe with you around Koneko could start eating healthy."
Koneko punches Kiba in the gut, her small fist dug deep inside his abdomen. The blonde boy clutches his stomach in pain as he pales. While still having that polite smile of his.
"Sorry," Kiba winces as his face slams to the table.
Koneko snatches the boxes taking an amble bite at the Takoyaki. Her golden eyes beam with delight as she takes another and another while savoring the taste.
"So how are you handling being Devil? It's quite shocking isn't it." Kiba asked, rubbing his stomach still feeling the aftermath of the small girl's blow.
"That will be an understatement, I'm still learning the finer details about the supernatural and the politics."
Kiba tilts his head, noticing the black circles around his eyelids, "Have you been sleeping?"
Gabriel pinches the bridge of his nose, "I been binge reading the texts you gave me as well looking at Devil Faction records and looking into your history."
To say looking on to Devil history is more difficult than shooting fish in a barrel is a gross understatement. He figures there will be bias in their history given his last discussion with Rias, but this is ridiculous. There were missing reports and some inconsistencies in their history of how Devils were created.
It doesn't help when using the Devil internet, he went to DevilTube thinking there might be political commentary or any kind of criticism of the current four Satan's policies.
It didn't help the fact that Devil Faction has one news network.
They have ONE news network.
If that wasn't a red flag, he doesn't know what is. Yet again this is a feudal society, so he didn't know what he was expecting.
"Have you read them all?" Kiba asks, bewilder.
"I wish," Gabriel sighed with a battered breath. "I have been looking at your government structure and the regulations. I still haven't gotten through the civil war your Devils went through after the Great war or the names and history of Pillar families. Not to mention how the Evil Piece system works, besides being Rias… servant."
"It's a lot to take in, but don't worry Rias will inform you when it's time."
"No offense Kiba, but I prefer to inform myself."
"Thank you," Koneko interrupted their conversation, handing his empty lunchbox back to Gabriel, with that blank stare of hers.
Gabriel gawked at the petite girl.
Where did she put it? Is she some kind of mini black hole?
"No problem… I will make some more next time."
Koneko nodded.
"You don't need to worry about this Gabriel. Rias is well informed, and I trust her with my life." Kiba assured.
"Forgive me for my skepticism Kiba, but did Rias in form Raynare's presence to the department of foreign or the military affairs?"
"YOU DIDN'T REPORT HER!?"
Both Gabriel and the entire Occult research club were at the clubhouse in the absence of Akeno who was busy running errands for Rias who was having a not-so-pleasant conversation with her newest pawn.
"Have you lost your mind!" Gabriel yelled, he didn't know if it was the lack of sleep or twenty cups of caffeine, but once he heard that the pristine brilliant Rias Gremory didn't report that an enemy faction infiltrated Devil territory while at a ceasefire.
All hail breaks loose, at this point this crap with the Devils and the Fallen Angels was far bigger than him. The whole town might be at risk and some other unfortunate sap would be the next human shish kebab.
This is a disaster waiting to happen. It doesn't matter if Rias peerage or Raynare group were stronger than the other, but if they fought and one of them killed each it might escalate to a full-on war between their factions. War hawks from both sides would take advantage of the situation and use their deaths to demand retribution. He just hopes there aren't any outside forces that were manipulating events that would lead to that.
Oh, who is he kidding with his luck that might as well be the case?
"I have everything under control Gabriel and I don't care much for your tone mister." Rias scolded with arms crossed as she sat behind her desk.
"Oh, I'm sorry 'master,'" Gabriel mocked with obvious sarcasm, "It's just when I heard that you. The 'governor' of Kuoh didn't report a Fallen Angel presence in Devil territory, amidst a cold war. That pesky little cricket beside my shoulder that used to tell me not to steal a chocolate bar from the candy store across the street died by the sheer brilliance of Rias Gremory."
If she tries anything on him, he can use this to blackmail her, the Devil Faction had a civil war. Her family was bound to make enemies. It would be 'unfortunate' if this piece of information was found on their lap.
So, he could stop being polite. Just have to keep quiet about the circumstances of his supposed death.
Rias stands up, slamming her desk, "I have you mind my 'servant,' Raynare and her group are in Kuoh territory, which I happen to govern. Making this my responsibility."
"Bullshit!" Gabriel snarled as he slammed at her desk the two were facing each other. "The situation with Raynare is foreign and military. Which happen to fall under Serafall Leviathan and Falbium Asmodeus, the two current Devil kings. You, on the other hand, are unfortunately Kuoh governor, meaning when you spot an unknown foreign power in your state you are supposed to report it. So, it won't escalate to war or be accused of treason. Which they in return give an ultimatum to said group, so shit won't hit the fan." Gabriel condescends as he would to a spoiled brat.
"Raynare and her group are a rogue group, they sneak into Kuoh, therefore, making me responsible."
"Didn't you listen to a word I just said and how do you know her action is independent!? It's not uncommon, especially in a cold war to send out their men to enemy territory, all the more reason to report her!"
"Um… Rias," Kiba step out of the corner of the room as he and Koneko, listen to their whole exchange, unnerve of the heated debate between the two. "Gabriel has a point we don't know for sure that the Fallen Angels are acting independently. It's probably best to inform Sirzechs about this."
"You're basing things under assumptions, with no clear stated evidence, or statements. I can't believe this coming from me of all people. But why take the risk that Raynare group might be acting independently?" Gabriel paused as he stares directly at Rias' sky-blue eyes, "You are endangering the whole town."
"Enough!" Rias shouted, breaking his gaze, "This discussion is over."
A Magic circle reappears beside the group, revealing Akeno.
She blinks in confusion noticing the tension in the room.
"Did I miss something?"
"No," Rias answered with a sigh, "Nothing at all. Did you locate the Stray Devil?"
Akeno nodded, "I found their lair and I think it's something you need to see for yourself. Did you give Gabriel the Gremory crest?"
"Crest? Dohanseek confused me for a Stray or something because I didn't have a crest." Gabriel stated.
"Crests are symbols of the different clans you represent, showing your allegiance to the clan," Rias inform him. "Every Reincarnated Devil has this, so they won't be attacked by the other factions."
"Why didn't you give it to me when you turn me a Devil?"
Rias looks nervous for a second as she fiddles with her fingers, "I sort… of … forget." She mumbled that last word, but Gabriel heard her.
"Y-you forget!" Gabriel intensifies, "I almost died because of you!"
Akeno stepped beside Rias with a polite close eye, smile of hers, "It doesn't matter now, you save. So, everything works out in the end."
Gabriel sighed, wondering what the charges of assaulting a high-class Devil.
"So, about the crest…" Gabriel lingers.
"Right, stick out the palm of your right hand."
Gabriel did as Rias say, as Rias reach for his hand inches apart and a red glow of light appear between the palms of their hands. Taking shape of the same magic circle of the Summoning Card, at the center of the circle is the crest of Gremory.
"Gabriel Amakusa, this crest symbolizes your loyalty to clan Gremory and under our protection."
"Fantastic," Gabriel muse with little euphemism as he pulls back his hand, "Any other surprises I should know about it because I got some questions about the Evil Piece system."
"I would explain the finer detail when we dealt with the Stray Devils."
There is that word again, Stray Devil. A runaway slave according to Dohanseek. He didn't have enough time to read about the Evil Piece system, the only information he had from yesterday's conversation he had with Rias.
Which didn't say much.
"What do you mean 'deal with?'"
Akeno giggled, "You find out."
"Come, it's time to go."
Rias summon a teleport magic circle below their feat, and the circle consumes them in a red flash of light.
They teleport outside of a deserted office building that happens not too far away from Gabriel's neighborhood. Filled with graffiti, littered with trash, and surrounded by other discarded decaying buildings.
Thankfully, it was the evening, so it's less eerie when it's night. Everyone in the neighborhood knows better not to go outside when it's night. Not even gangs go out to seek trouble. There have been discounting rumors of monsters lurking in one of the abandoned buildings. Given what Gabriel has been through with the supernatural, the superstitious doesn't sound too silly.
"Gabriel gets your Sacred Gear ready, we're about to go to battle," Rias informs him as Kiba materializes a short medieval long sword as Koneko cracks her knuckles.
"Wait, we're going to fight someone. I haven't gotten any kind of training or gotten into the works of how magic yet?"
"You are just going to observe with me as Kiba, Koneko, and Akeno would be dealing with the Stray, think of this as a learning experience," Rias assure him as their group walked towards the building, Gabriel grunted as he summons his Twice Critical.
It's times like this if his new 'master' is trying to get him killed. The whole scuffle with Dohanseek happens because of Rias' negligence and now he is going to fight bizarre surprises from the supernatural. Normally he doesn't whine this much or any at all having a farm life does that to a person, but with all the surprise crap Rias pulls out the blue.
Who wouldn't be skeptical of her motives?
And they still have the Fallen Angels to deal with.
They stop their pace, Gabriel gasps in shock, his fist cocked. "What the hell is that thing!?"
Conceal by the shadows of the front entrances was a giant spider-human hybrid monster that almost took space from the room. The upper body was a small girl with sick gray skin, razor-sharp fangs that covered half her face sticking out of her large mouth, there were no iris of the monster girl's pale soulless eyes, and short white pale hair that reached her neck. What caught Gabriel's attention the most was its grotesque lower torso, a giant eight-leg spider.
A large gaping hole in her rib cage, burst from the inside.
"This you want me to see Akeno?" Rias asked.
Akeno nodded, "Yes, she was in the middle of a rampage but suddenly a smokescreen came out of nowhere and… well… I found her like this."
Gabriel narrows his sight at the broken syringe needle, beside the monster.
"Is that a Stray Devil?" Gabriel asks in shock.
"That's correct, Stray Devils are Reincarnated Devils, who abandon their master for their selfish desires. Without their masters to keep their powers in check, they become a great threat if their powers go beyond their control. We Devils take this case very seriously, and any Reincarnated Devil who becomes a Stray will usually be killed on the spot." Rias informed with venom.
That was a person before… A living, sentient being. Of what Rias said they become this way unwillingly, transforming into this abomination. Rationalizing this twisted, cold logic that they deserve death.
Gabriel grinds his teeth and tightens his fist.
This was evil.
Gabriel furiously grabs Rias by the collar of her blouse, and raises his fist at her, facing each other, "What the hell did you people do to her!?"
Akeno chuckles, her fingertips static with electricity, "Now, now, let's not do anything rash."
Gabriel snarled as he reluctantly shoved Rias aside as the two stared down at each other, "We will discuss your attitude once we dealt with the Stray. Is that understood?" Rias added with much force.
Gabriel snarled, clenched his fist off his Twice Critical scraping the red metal of the palm of his hand.
He wants to punch this bitch.
"Yes… master."
"Good," Rias shot a black-red flame that shot like lightning from the palm of her hand destroying the rotting corpse of the Stray Devil.
Gabriel clutched his skull in pain, that fire, that black-red flame. It looks familiar as he saw it before. People were screaming, visions of the burning heat of the black-red fire of destruction that lay in its wake. The unfortunate victims burn to a crisp, leaving nothing more, but their shard mangled corpses, others disappear leaving no trace of them behind.
"You okay," Koneko asked with a concerned toneless voice of hers.
Kiba steps beside Gabriel, "Maybe Gabriel should sit this one out,"
"I'm fine," Gabriel assures them, as he got out of his trance, "Let's just get this over with,"
Their group went further inside the building, passing through the ruined hallway and the empty rooms.
"They're still a Stray Devil here besides that giant spider, he looks like a giant lizard that's walking up straight. The last time I spotted him was when he was in the middle of a rampage inside the building." Akeno informed Rias who nodded in confirmation.
"Kiba, Koneko scour at the lower levels. Akeno, you search the upper levels. Gabriel and I will search through the main floor."
"You sure that's a good idea?" Gabriel interjects, that he didn't like what he was doing, but he has no choice but to work with these people. If these Strays are dangerous as he thinks they are. Then they need to be taken care of, but the pseudo-blank death of all of them left a bad taste in his mouth. It doesn't help with Rias' description. They only acted this way or what he assumes is because of the Evil Piece system.
"We don't know who we're facing and how strong they are. If they're trying to escape, the only escape route is this floor and if they fly off, it's best to have someone who specializes in long-range attacks waiting outside and have him or her stall them until support arrives. Probably best while flying in the air gaining more mobility, range, and better sight of the building. For scouting, it should be a three-man group, whoever is the strongest acting the lead. While one of us guards the front entrance, adding more support for long-range. Instead of attacking, lure the Stray Devil outside so we can ambush it outside and take away the terrain advantage."
Everyone stares at Gabriel dumbfounded.
"What?"
"How did you…" Kiba lingers.
"Do that?" Koneko finished.
"It's just a simple observation," Gabriel answered with a shrug.
"No reason to be humble Gabriel," Kiba encourages with a pat on the back.
"Mind telling that to Kaguya, she would say otherwise Kiba. It's just what special assault teams in Japan do when dealing with hostage situations or flushing out hostile pursuit… though it's a bit different." Gabriel then turns to Akeno, "Did the Stray take anyone hostage? And are you sure he's here, the last time you saw him and haven't left the building?"
Akeno blinked in a daze, "Yes I'm positive, he didn't see me, and I was only gone less than a minute when going back to the clubhouse."
Rias coughed under her breath in irritation, "While I appreciate the input Gabriel, I am the king of this peerage. All decision-making would be my domain. We will continue with my plan forward."
He doesn't suppose he could oust the king.
"Fine, fine, let's just hope we don't get ourselves killed off with the 'the split, up cliché.'"
Kiba, Koneko, and Akeno stare at each other in unease, having second thoughts.
"Enough! Everyone sticks to the plan." Rias leers at Gabriel, "You and I are going to have a conversation."
The peerage splits up leaving only Gabriel and Rias alone on the main floor.
"Mind telling me what's your problem?" Rias asked with a stern voice, her hand on her hips.
"No problem at all, I'm just a bit unnerved by your 'flawless' plan of yours."
"Tone it with sarcasm. You're my servant, and you will treat me with a matter of respect, mister."
"From where I come from, respect is earned, not given. I wouldn't be much of a smart-ass if you were putting others' lives at risk."
"Kuoh is safe under my protection," Rias answers with firm confidence.
Gabriel sighed, "Look, we already had this debate before. I'm more worried right now about the attempted murder we're about to commit!"
Rias huffed as she folded her arms under her breast, "If you are referring to the Stray then yes. There are monsters and traitors of the Devil Faction. Dangerous to both Humans and Devils, what we're doing is protecting people."
"With no trial or any kind of due process, do you Devils have a clue what civil rights are? Not to mention you said it yourself they only become this way after leaving their master."
"Exactly, they left their masters for their own selfish desire to become what they are."
Gabriel pressed his temple, he didn't think it was possible, but his new master pissed him off more than the Fallen Angel bitch that killed him, "Are you even hearing yourself!?" Gabriel shouted, "We humans have a saying for that, it's called 'quitting a job.'" He explains with a condescending tone.
"This is different!"
"How!?"
"They turn into monsters, devour and kill anyone in their wake, both Devils and humans alike."
"Because they leave their masters,"
"T-They shouldn't have rebelled in the first place," She stumbles.
"How delusional are…" Gabriel stops in mid-sentence. Behind Rias, he spotted a shadow silhouette of a giant hulking figure with a tail longer than its body at the broken door on the other side of the room.
The silhouette shot out from the shadows heading towards them.
"MOVE!" Gabriel shoves Rias to the side as the two-leg giant hulking lizard with razor-sharp teeth, wearing a torn lab coat and tan khaki pants grabs him, speeding past the main entrance to the outside.
Gabriel winces, feeling the firm grip held at his torso by the lizard's razor-sharp claws.
The lizard twists and turns the corners, zig-zagging the corners of the street further distances from the abandoned office building and Rias peerage.
The lizard mutters with a weak whisper, "You… she… live."
"What?" Gabriel mutters struggling to get out of his hold. He boosts with his Twice Critical barely making a budge.
They made it to a deserted warehouse filled with discarded crates. The Stary throws Gabriel at the center of the room. He grunted keeping his distance from the Stray Devil. His fist cocked the boost of power from his Twice Critical hadn't faded yet.
He couldn't outrun him, given how fast he ran. No other choice, he had to stall him until help arrived.
"You know, death by a sexy naked Fallen Angel doesn't seem so bad than getting mauled alive by a giant lizard man." Gabriel muse.
The Stray Devil roared in pain, pounding his head to the ground. His claws dug deep into the ground, he whimpers in pain gurgling with his words, trying to mutter a coherent sentence.
Gabriel took a step back, this was his chance to escape, but this felt wrong. He stares at the Stray, his gaze softens but still has his guard up.
Is he going to leave him here?
Given what Rias told him, this guy has only become this way because he left his master.
But what can he do for him?
Even if he has the power, is he going to kill someone? Especially a runaway slave.
"Your… Gabriel." The Stray mutters.
"Fantastic," alarmed Gabriel held his fist up, his gaze hardened in steel, "What other supernatural creepy-crawlies I'm delighted to have an impression of? I already got two 'upstanding,' beautiful women over my shoulder, one is an Angel and the other a Devil. I don't think there is any room for a giant lizard."
The Stray launched Gabriel, pinning him to the ground.
Damn it!
Gabriel wiggles struggling to get out of the Stray hold as he drools, about to consume his feast.
"Enzo stop!"
The Stray got off, huddling himself away from Gabriel, grasping his skull. Trying to regain what little sanity he has left.
"Are you okay?" a small girl helps Gabriel up. She was the same size as Koneko, probably in her preteens or younger. She had white silky hair, white pale skin, and silver eyes. Her only clothing was a gray rag that was slipping her right shoulder and she was barefoot. On the right side of her forehead was her white mask with a sinister smile showing its fangs, with green wicked eyes, pointed ears, and a single narrow horn on the forehead.
"I'm fine, thanks."
The girl nodded with a fatigued smile, as she walked towards the Stray Devil.
"Wait, what are you doing!? You are going to get yourself killed!" Gabriel grabs her shoulder to pull her away from the overgrown lizard, but her small hand stops him as she gently puts Gabriel's hand away giving him a reassuring smile.
"It's okay, I have this under control."
The white hair girl grabs the Stray face, her soft hands touching its scaly face calming the monster down.
"Enzo, it's me Arachne." She soothes, and the Stray begins to relax.
"Ara…chne?" He stumbles on his words.
"Yes, it's me. Just focus on me and no one else, okay."
He nodded, taking deep breaths, and his sanity began to return to him. The primal urges, bloodlust, and hunger started to fade, but only temporarily. This will be his last act of sanity before the mutation would take hold of him again.
This time completely.
If he was to meet his end, it would be as a man. Not a monster the Devils turn him into.
The Stray stands up straight, towering over the small girl. He grabs two small syringe needles with a blue glowing fluid vial in his left coat pocket, giving them to the Arachne.
"Does… n-not… w-work… with me… any more… my transformation… complete… take him to Viser… leave Kuoh… cure…"
"What! No!" Arachne shouted in protest, "We could contain you until Asher arrives, we're so close to being cured."
The Stray shook his head, "You… aren't able to… the Devils… will find us… people might d-die."
"But we found him," Arachne looked at Gabriel with desperation, "You can cure him, right?" She pleaded as Gabriel hastened his pace of the two.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about."
"B-but we come all this way to find you… he said…"
"Doesn't… know… I brought him… here too… protect… you."
The Stray knocks Arachne out with a quick snap of his tail at her neck. He caught the small girl before she failed onto the cold ground and the two syringe needles.
"Who are you, people?" Gabriel mutters dumbfounded.
Enzo walked towards Gabriel and knelt, gesturing to Arachne in hand, "Protect her… she is good… k-kind… bright… f-future."
Gabriel hesitated for a second but nodded.
Not the brightest choice he made, but there's no way in hell, both figuratively and literally. He going to be okay with killing a kid, his conscience would never hear the end of it.
He scopes Arachne in his arm, putting the two needles in his pocket, "I will, but did… Did you become this way because of the Evil Piece system?"
The Stray nodded, taking out a flash drive from his coat pocket, and giving it to Gabriel. "My… notes… Eden."
"Eden? As the Garden of Eden?"
He didn't answer, but narrowed his sight outside, seeing Rias peerage descending to the ground with their Devil wings.
"They… here."
Wasting no time, Enzo gestured Gabriel to follow him to a nearby crate, ripping the top hinges apart as Gabriel hid Arachne inside, placing back the top.
"I'll take her to my place once Rias is gone, but what about you?"
"I will die here?"
"What?"
Enzo whacks his tail at Gabriel's torso, sending him flying towards the front entrance, crashing to the ground.
"Are you okay?" Kiba asked, Gabriel could only grunt in response holding his ribs.
"Stray!" Rias declares with a red-black flaming sphere in her hand. "You will pay for kidnapping my servant!"
"Rias..." Gabriel muttered wincing in pain of his bruised ribs.
"It will be you who will pay, Devil! For every life, you destroy and take! For every innocent, we killed by the influence of your wretched Evil Piece system! We will have our revenge! I will avenge us!"
Enzo pounced above the air toward Rias. Unfazed by the attack, she shot her red-black sphere at him. His last sight lingered on Gabriel before the back-red flame consumed him whole, but not before echoing his final words.
"Avenge us!"
Sorry, it took me a while.
I wasn't too proud of this chapter, since it was a massive lore dump, and even then, still with unanswered questions. For why the massive info dump, instead of Gabriel putting this as an afterthought of stating in his POV that Rias informs him of the supernatural. In my opinion of writing a story, it's important to address how the world or system works. Some people know how the Highschool DxD universe works given they watch the anime and read the light novels or the manga, but some people read fanfiction and don't know how the universe works but craved the story which led them to want to go to the source material.
I dealt with this three times, Battlestar Galactica: The Guiding Fire By: GunnyStacker, got me into Battlestar Galactica. My beta reader, Shadowwriter01 got me interested in a character who had relations with one of the main antagonists which led me to the Bubblegum Crisis. A Demon Among Devils By: The Crimson Lord, in my opinion, is the god of fanfiction, that led me to the Persona series. Though I doubt he approves my intake of Rias and the Devil Faction.
The other reason is to grasp the personality of the character and give their input. Gabriel is skeptical pointing out the holes in Rias description of the supernatural world and being biased with the viewpoint of the Devil Faction. Each faction has a different viewpoint, seeing the other side as an "other." Take Xenovia and Irina during the Excalibur arc with their attitude toward the Devils. Heck Xenovia was about to cut down Asia and Issei for being Devils, and Irina (Issei's childhood friend that she has a crush on) willingly backed her up. The saying goes with Raynare too.
All three sides see the opposition as an "other," from what they were taught in childhood or the battles they fought during the Great War leaving animosity toward their enemies. However, unlike the other two factions or the supernatural as a whole, the Fallen Angels are self-aware of the amoral ambiguity of the supernatural. The Starys… oh boy they hate the Devils with a passion, by their personal experience with their experience with high-class Devils, not what they've been told by the other factions they belong to or countries they originated from.
To clarify, just because Grigori is structured by a military dictatorship does not mean Azazel is a tyrant. It is just how Fallen Angel society works with the information from the light novels and the Slash/Dogs series. Azazel is general or governor of the Fallen Angels, with Shemhazi and the other Cardes having all the power. They're not elected, nor is there any form of a republic or a democracy in the supernatural world… for now at least. Which is the worst feudalism or a military dictatorship, I let others decide that.
For my OC, Arachne. She is the Stray Devil that appears at Highschool DxD New, the spider Stray Devil.
Have any questions PM me or leave a review.