What's up, everyone! This is GKC here bringing you the next chapter to "The Heroic Hunter".
Now for the disclaimer: I do not own, except my OCs, the Fate series, High School DxD, or any material related. All rights go to their respective owners.
Now let's get this party started… BEGIN!
Chapter 3: A Meeting and… A Date!?
It's been roughly two days since Aaron had summoned Saber and so far, it was a good few days.
"Who ate all of my food!?"
...sort of.
Aaron looked at his empty fridge with a gaping expression on his face. "I haven't even gotten a chance to eat that pudding cup I bought yesterday…" He whined.
"So that's what that delectable dessert was. I must say, Master, this era's food is delicious!" A familiar voice caught his attention.
"You!" Aaron exclaimed as he comically pointed at the thief in anger. Sitting at the coffee table on the floor was none other than Musashi who was dressed practically in a white tank top that did nothing to hide her curvaceous body and bust, even though she was athletic, and hot jean shorts that were unbuttoned which did little to hide her thighs, let alone expose her thong.
"What?" Musashi asked.
"Do you realize you ate all of my food!?" The young man cried out.
"Yeah, so?"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN SO?! ALL THAT FOOD WAS GOOD FOR A MONTH!"
"Really? Hm, guess that felt a bit light in my opinion." Musashi admitted.
Aaron's left brow twitched once, twice, three times. Before… "RETRIBUTION!" He shouted, pouncing on the Servant and started to pull her cheeks. "Give me my food back, ya freeloader!"
"Itaaaiii, Master! Itaiii!" Musashi cried out in pain with comical tears in her eyes.
"You owe me thousands of yen worth of food! My bank account is already short as is because my paycheck got cut!" Aaron said in a whiny tone.
"I'm sorry! Forgive me, Master!" The samurai girl whined.
Before things could escalate, a buzzing sound caused the Master and Servant to pause in their squabbling.
"Someone's at the door." Aaron said as he released Musashi's cheeks, who grumbled in pain as she rubbed the swollen cheeks. He rushed over to the door and opened the door to reveal, "Oh, Miyuki-san. What are you doing here?"
"I'm sorry, am I disturbing you?" Miyuki asked. "You seem busy from what I was hearing."
"Oh, not at all. Just got into a… disagreement with my roommate. You wanna come in?" Aaron asked.
"Master~ who's at the door?!"
*POP!*
"What the hell was that…?" Miyuki asked with her eye twitching.
"Totally not what you think." The American answered. "And that was my roommate. She has… a maid fascination?" He noticed the blank look on the girl's face. "You don't believe a single word I've said, do you?"
"Not one."
"Okay, to tell the truth, she's a freeloader who just ate me out of a month's worth of food. Happy?"
"Uh-huh…"
"You still don't believe me…" Aaron sweat dropped.
"Nope."
"Nothing I say is gonna convince you otherwise." Aaron sighed before a thought crossed his mind. "Wait, how do you know where I live?!"
"You're literally living next door to me…"
Aaron glanced out the door and realized that his small home… sat next to the Hyoudou Residence. "Huh… I never knew." He admitted. "Guess that makes us neighbors."
"Yeah, neighbors…"
"Master, who-" All of a sudden, Musashi came to the door and saw Miyuki. "Oh, hi there. Are you his girlfriend?"
"Gak, Saber!" Aaron gawked in shock while a hint of a blush appeared on his cheeks.
"G-g-girlfriend!?" Miyuki stuttered while her face resembled a tomato. She quickly turned away with a huff. "As if I would go out with this perverted jerk!"
"Hurtful…" Aaron whimpered.
Musashi raised a brow, "Are you sure? You seem like you like him."
"Enough about me! Who are you?" Miyuki demanded.
"Oh me? I'm-"
"Saber!" Aaron scolded.
"Huh? Saber?" Miyuki raised an eyebrow. "What kind of name is that?"
"It's a nickname. She's used to people calling her that because she's got a fascination for samurai and she's a kendo practitioner back in her hometown." Aaron explained.
"Ri~ght…" Miyuki deadpanned.
"So what are you doing here?" Aaron asked.
"Oh, uh, I wanted to come by and ask you for a favor." She said.
"A favor?" He raised a brow.
"Yeah, my cousin is coming by the end of the week and… I wanted to ask if you could help her feel at home in Kuoh." Miyuki explained while suddenly finding the ground quite interesting.
"Hmm…" Aaron rubbed his chin and nodded. "I don't see why not. Sure, I can help." He said with a smile. "What's your cousin's name?"
"Oh, it's Hakuno. Hakuno Kishinami." Miyuki answered.
"Hakuno Kishinami…" He repeated the name then nodded. "Alright, I got it. I'll be sure to help. In the meantime, I gotta get ready for work… Hopefully, Philip-san has a spare pastry for me to eat."
"Yet he still docked your pay." Miyuki smirked.
Aaron sulked, "Don't remind me…" He groaned.
"Ara, you look rather chipper today Rias." A mature woman said. This was the other great Lady of Kuoh, Akeno Himejima. With her lustrous black hair in a long ponytail that's practically as tall as her, her golden eyes, and a rather impressive rack that just surpasses just a little bit over Rias, who wouldn't consider her the second Great Lady of Kuoh?
"Do I? Hm, maybe I am." Rias answered her Queen as she stepped out of the built-in shower within the Occult Research Club building as she dried off her nude body. "I believe I've found a potential member for my Peerage."
"Oh, and who would that be?"
"A junior of ours. Miyuki Hyoudou. I got a good sense of her soul and she has a Sacred Gear. I'm not sure which but I believe it to be a Twice Critical." Rias explained.
"Ara. That's a rather common Sacred Gear, is it not?" Akeno tilted her head.
"It is but I need all the help I can get." Rias stated. A small scowl appearing on her beautiful face. "If I don't win… my life is over."
"What about that new boy?" Akeno inquired.
"Aaron Jaeger?" Rias said. "I did sense something… but it seemed… fake."
"How so?"
"I'm not sure. It felt like a Sacred Gear yet… it felt fake. Like it wasn't an actual Sacred Gear." The redhead remarked. "Plus, there's something about him that's familiar."
"You've met him before?"
"No, I haven't. Yet, he seems so familiar."
"Well, no use worrying your little head over it." Akeno giggled as she approached Rias and held her waist oh so sexily, running her hands along her smooth skin. "Besides, I wouldn't want my King to be all stressed and I know how to relieve that stress."
Rias blushed, "Akeno, you are such a perv at times." She said but did not stop her Queen from massaging her semi-dry body. Akeno then leaned in slightly to sniff.
"Ara, Miyuki-chan's scent is all over you." Akeno noticed, before a slight perverted smile formed on her face. "Ufufufu… I think I know why you're so chipper today."
"Akeno, don't…" The Gremory heiress groaned. "Please don't make it weird."
"But your scent is mixed with hers. That must mean you had a little fun with her. So… how was she~?"
"Why should it be your business?" Rias asked, looking away.
"Because I'm your best friend and you can't keep secrets from me." The dark-haired beauty pointed out. "So, was she a screamer?"
"I'm not telling." Rias retorted.
"Do I have to get a little grabby~?" Akeno flexed her fingers to follow through with her threat.
"Mmmmmmm…" Rias pouted. "She was… quiet and submissive. There… I said it."
"Oooh, sounds like a total package. Now I'm eager to meet her!" Akeno purred. "So, when will you extend the offer?"
"Sometime by the end of the week or I could have my familiar give her a summoning circle." Rias answered.
"Hm, well, the only places open in our Peerage is a Bishop, a Knight, a Rook, and a Pawn." Akeno said.
"We'll see how that progresses when I've made the deal with her." Rias stated. "In the meantime, have a familiar watch over Jaeger-kun. There's something about him that… intrigues me."
"Is it because he's cute~?" Akeno teased.
"Shut up!" Rias cried, her cheeks burning red.
"Ufufufu… don't worry I won't tease any further." Akeno giggled. "But…" She whispered huskily as she gently pushed Rias to the wall, the former's back pressed against it. "You owe me for not having me join in on the fun." She said, before one of her hands snaked down to Rias's lower lips and placed two fingers in before they started moving inside.
"A-Akeno…" Rias gasped sharply.
"Don't resist, Rias. I want you to squirm…" Akeno smirked, licking her lips seductively.
As the two girls were currently engaged in physical activities, Akeno's familiar had already received its mistress's mental orders and quickly flew to observe the anomaly known as Aaron Jaeger.
"Aaron-chan, order u~p!" Philip told his employee as he presented a slice of strawberry cheesecake. "Take this to table six."
"Got it, boss." Aaron said, taking the plate and carrying it over to a table with a few Kuoh Academy girls, who were all staring at him with looks of content and lust. "Here's your order, ladies."
"Why thank you." One of them giggled.
"Say what do you have planned after work?" Another asked.
"Uh…"
"Aaron-kun, no time to flirt with the ladies! Back to work!"
"Yes, sir," He answered. He quickly returned to the counter to receive more orders and to deliver them to the customers.
Watching this happen were Miyuki and Musashi, who had followed Aaron because they had nothing better to do.
"Wow, the guy's really working Master to the bone." Musashi commented.
"Why do you call him that?" Miyuki asked.
"What?"
"Master?"
"Yeah, what about him?"
"I'm asking why do you call Aaron, your Master?"
"Because that's who he is. He's my Master." Musashi answered.
"That's not an answer!"
"But it is." She replied.
"That's pretty vague for an answer." Miyuki deadpanned.
"Oi, why are you two arguing?" Aaron asked as he came over with a tray while setting down two plates, one with a rich chocolate cake and the other with three sticks of dango. "Do I need to separate the two of you?"
"Well your roommate is being very suspicious about who she is." Miyuki huffed.
The American raised a brow, "You can't exactly expect someone to tell their life story to a stranger, can you?"
"But she's calling you Master for whatever reason. What is she, your servant or something?" Miyuki asked, causing the two to flinch.
'Crap, she knows?!' Aaron and Musashi thought at the same time.
[Master, should we take care of her?] Musashi asked through the Master-Servant mental link.
[Hold on, it could be a coincidence. Let's try to divert her attention.] Aaron replied back. "Well, to answer that, she's got a fetish." He said aloud.
"I call BS…" Miyuki deadpanned.
"I knew you'd say that." He grumbled under his breath.
"So what's really going on?" Miyuki asked, crossing her arms.
"In all honesty? None of your business." He stated.
"Aaron-chan~! Orders~~!" Philip called out.
"We'll talk about this later." Aaron said, before leaving the table.
"Good luck, Master!" Musashi called out, earning her several surprised and jealous looks from the other female customers.
While Aaron went back and forth delivering sweet treats to all of the ladies present in the Sweeties Paradise, the door to the bakery opened as the little bell jingled to signal a new customer.
"Welcome to Sweeties Paradise, where your sweet tooth dreams come true." Aaron repeated the store's catchphrase. When he looked to see who was at the door, he was met with the sight of a beautiful attractive young woman with violet eyes having a slender body. She had long silky black hair down to her hips and wore a school uniform, which consisted of a dark red jacket with the letter "P" embroidered in gold, a white undershirt, a red bow, and a green skirt with a thin white stripe around the lower end of it. "Well, hello, take a seat and I'll come by to give you your menu."
"Um, actually, I wanted to ask you something…" The girl started fidgeting nervously.
"Me?" Aaron raised a brow in confusion.
"You're Aaron Jaeger, right?" The girl inquired. "Will… will you be my boyfriend?" She suddenly asked rather loudly.
…
…
…
…
"Eh?" Aaron blinked.
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH?!" Miyuki and Musashi shouted in surprise.
"You want me to be your boyfriend?" The American asked.
"Yes," The girl replied with a blush.
Aaron stared at her for a minute…
…
…
…
...then he answered, "Okay."
"WHAT?!" Miyuki and Musashi cried out in shock and surprise.
"NOOOOOOOO!" The other girls cried out in despair.
"Yes!" The girl cheered.
"What's your name?" Aaron asked.
"Oh, it's Yuma." The girl introduced herself.
"Well, my shift ends later tonight. You're free to stay and order whatever you'd like till then. We can talk about a date until then." Aaron told her.
"Great!" Yuma gleamed.
Miyuki however wasn't convinced, 'There's something fishy going on here… and I'm gonna find out what!'
Later after the end of his shift, Aaron took Yuma outside and the two chatted on what they wanted to do for their date. However, they were both being watched by two certain individuals…
...Miyuki and Musashi.
Musashi was watching them, partially because she was cautious for her Master and wanted to make sure he was safe. Miyuki however felt that it was far too suspicious for Aaron to accept Yuma's offer to be her boyfriend and definitely not because she was jealous.
"Something's definitely not right with this girl…" Miyuki mumbled to Musashi.
"I agree. Master must have a reason for accepting her request. But I must say, I was not expecting you to watch them." Musashi told the brunette. "Are you perhaps… jealous?"
"Me? Of course not!" Miyuki huffed. "Seriously, you don't find it suspicious that he would accept her to be his girlfriend right out of the blue?"
"Very much so but I'm not sure we should be following them. We look suspicious already." The pale lavender-haired girl answered. "But if you are insistent on this then I shall follow you."
"Then let's get this mystery cracked." Miyuki said before she noticed Aaron and Yuma walk off together. "Here's our chance. Let's go!" She quietly followed after the 'couple' with Musashi following close behind.
They followed Aaron and Yuma into a movie theater where the two were watching a romantic comedy. Musashi had a bag of popcorn, eating it while watching the movie but Miyuki kept a close eye on Yuma, who subtly shared a pocky stick with Aaron, who accepted with a grin.
The brunette's brow twitched in annoyance as she watched this little display without any jealousy.
"Ahem." A voice fake coughed, making Miyuki and Musashi stare at an usher, who gave them a scolding glare. "Tickets, ladies?"
"Uh… We don't-" Miyuki suddenly noticed Musashi held up a ticket stub, much to the brunette's indignation. "What the…?!"
"And you?" He asked her.
"I, uh…" Miyuki tried to say before she was suddenly thrown out of the theater. "Damn it…"
After the movie was done a few hours later, the 'couple' continued enjoying their day with Musashi and Miyuki still following them from a distance. Though Miyuki did get a strange parchment of paper from a scantily clad woman. It wasn't until later that they arrived at the park. But the strange thing was… it was already curfew. No one was allowed at the park during curfew. Why was that?
"Well, Yuma-chan? Did you enjoy our date?" Aaron asked with a charming smile.
"Yes, it was really wonderful. Thank you, Aaron-kun." Yuma said with a beaming smile.
"Glad to hear it." The American smiled… before he pulled out Grail and aimed it at Yuma. "Now you can tell me who the fuck you really are."
"What the-!" Miyuki gawked.
"Hoho~? He already knew?" Musashi muttered, impressed.
"I ain't gonna ask you again, bitch." Aaron warned. "Who are you and most importantly what are you?"
Yuma looked at Aaron in surprise before a cold smirk appeared on her face. "Guess you're not as stupid as you look, human." Suddenly, her appearance changed entirely. Her body filled out more, looking like a full grown woman with large breasts and shapely curves. Her outfit changed to some kind of revealing leather bondage suit, showing a bit too much skin. The coup de grace were the black bird wings on her back.
"Holy crap, she's hot." Miyuki muttered with a heavy blush.
"A fucking Fallen Angel. Should've known one of you damn crows would step out of the woodwork." Aaron said with a scowl. "So, why come to me with a disguise?"
"Why else? You have an interesting Sacred Gear. Something you shouldn't even have." 'Yuma' said with a smirk.
"Heh, if only that were simple." Aaron scoffed. "Hate to break it to ya honey, but this Gear is anything but sacred. So, you lucked out."
"Real or fake, you can't be allowed to live. So sorry but…" The Fallen suddenly outstretched her hand as a spear of light suddenly appeared out of thin air. "You have to die now. If it makes you feel better, the date we had was nice."
"I would say the same thing but then I would be lying." Aaron said as he kept his aim on the Fallen. "Care to give me the real name of my would-be executioner?"
"Call me Raynare." She said before lunging at the young hunter.
Aaron quickly rolled out of the way, avoiding the spear of light that Raynare wielded. He quickly aimed his gun at her and fired a few bullets, but the Fallen Angel dodged.
"You'd have to do better than that, boy." Raynare taunted.
"And you shouldn't underestimate me." Aaron smirked as the bullets suddenly curved towards Raynare, who took to the air to avoid the bullets but they still followed her. With a curse, she swung her spear to deflect the bullets and managed to stop them.
"You some kind of mage?" The Fallen questioned.
"Not exactly." The hunter said. "But I do have a friend who would like to have a word with you. Isn't that right, Saber?" He called out.
"Haha! How'd you know I was here?" Musashi laughed as she came out of hiding and suddenly changed her attire to her Servant form, much to Miyuki's surprise who was still hiding.
"What the-!" Miyuki breathed out.
"Saber…" Raynare got out, before realizing what he meant. "Tch… just my luck, a Servant."
"Servant?" Miyuki murmured.
"If you must know, you and Miyuki weren't exactly subtle in following us on our date. Next time, wear a disguise." Aaron told the Heroic Spirit. "Now if you don't mind, can you cut this bitch to pieces?"
"With pleasure, Master!" Musashi grinned predatorily before unsheathing her two katanas and rushed in at Raynare. The samurai went on the offensive, slashing with her swords and keeping the Fallen Angel on her toes.
"Miyuki, if you're still there, leave now. This is something beyond you." Aaron called out as he kept watching his Servant fight Raynare.
"Wha-" Miyuki got out, as she popped out of hiding. "How did you-"
"Like I said, you're not exactly subtle, now get outta here!"
Raynare took notice of the brunette girl and a cold smirk appeared on her face. "Well, Aaron, if you and your Servant are giving me this much trouble, let's see how fast you really are." Suddenly, a second spear of light appeared in her unattended hand then she threw it… right at Miyuki.
"No!" Aaron exclaimed as he tried to take the hit instead.
*STAB!*
But it was too late as Miyuki was stabbed right in the gut and was thrown back with such force that her back was slammed against the tree. A decent amount of blood spat out of her mouth as her eyes were wide with horror.
"No…" Miyuki got out as the spear of light disappeared.
"Miyuki!" Aaron quickly went to the girl's side and held her hand. "Hold on! Just hold on! I'm getting you to a hospital."
"I wouldn't waste my breath on her. She's bound to die soon before you could even save her." Raynare sneered.
Aaron suddenly turned a rage-filled glare at the Fallen and ordered his Servant, "Saber, kill her!"
"Yes, Master!" Musashi said as she suddenly rushed in at Raynare. The Fallen Angel produced her spear of light before the two clashed with their weapon. "Now ya pissed me off. I was starting to like her and you just signed your death warrant with that stunt!"
"Then come and get me, whore."
"Hah! That's my line considering what you Fallen Angels are!"
*POP!*
That seemed to piss off Raynare. "YOU BITCH!" She screeched, lunging at the Saber.
"That's what you are too!"
*POP! POP!*
The two supernatural warriors fought with the ferocity of tigers, never giving each other an inch of ground to lose. Meanwhile as that was going on, Aaron was doing everything he can, to save Miyuki, but she was fading fast.
"Dammit, c'mon! Don't die on me Miyuki!" Aaron said. "Look, I'm sorry for being such a jerk, but dammit, you need to live! I don't want your ghost haunting my ass for the rest of my life!"
"Aaron…" Miyuki said weakly.
"Listen, you're going to be okay! Just hang in there!"
Tears started to appear in Miyuki's eyes, "I'm scared… I don't… I don't wanna die…" She whimpered in pain.
"I know that! You're not gonna die okay?! You're not gonna die!"
"I'm such an idiot…" Miyuki sobbed. "I should've stopped… I should've…"
"What are you talking about?" Aaron asked, confused.
"I didn't… I didn't want to admit it but… I was jealous…" She said.
"Jealous? Why?" He pondered.
Miyuki looked away even as she slowly bled out, "You're such an idiot…"
"Hey c'mon now! Stay with me! Why were you jealous of me? Just keep talking!"
"Because… I was starting to like you…" A wet cough left her lips. "Baka…" Miyuki said as she stared up into the young man's crimson eyes. The light in her eyes was slowly leaving.
"No no, nonononono! Don't you dare die on me, dammit!" Aaron shouted, trying to keep the girl alive as he applied pressure to the wound but when that didn't seem to work, he started performing CPR. He performed the normal chest presses, making sure to avoid using his full strength lest he crush the dying girl's ribs then he placed his lips over hers while covering her nose so that he could insert breath into her lungs. "C'mon, c'mon! Miyuki, wake up! You're not dying here!"
But it was all for naught, as the brunette never woke up.
"No… dammit… not again…" Aaron mumbled to himself as the image of Miyuki changed into a younger girl that was bloodstained and staring up at him with dead eyes. "This can't…" He bit his lower lip hard enough to draw a bit of blood but the scratch quickly healed.
He heard mocking laughter that came from the Fallen Angel known as Raynare.
"How pathetic. Crying over some little whore who can't even mind her own business." Raynare taunted.
"What did you say…" Aaron spoke quietly.
"You hard of hearing? I said that stupid girl died like a fool! Then again, I suppose this is a good thing. She was going to be my next target. Thanks for saving me the time, stupid Miyuki." Raynare taunted as she continued to laugh mockingly at the dead girl.
A feeling he had felt once and only once in his past returned. An expression that twisted his facial features into a frustrated scowl.
Rage.
He stood up from his position then glared angrily at Raynare, who flinched back in shock. "YOU'RE A DEAD CUNT!" Aaron shouted as all of a sudden, a burst of energy surrounded him. The aura was golden yellow in color but the intensity of the energy felt like the Fallen Angel was looking at the personification of human rage.
"This power… what is it? How can a mere human have that much strength in their body?!" Raynare questioned as she stared at the golden aura.
"I'm gonna kill you…" Aaron growled, his eyes glowing red in the golden aura while his body was shadowed by the light. "For killing Miyuki and mocking her… I will tear you limb from limb!"
Musashi, having paused in her assault on Raynare to watch the spectacle happening to her Master, could only stare in equal parts amazement and shock. The aura that surrounded him sent a strange feeling into her gut that made her anxious… and afraid.
"You… You think I'm afraid of you! You're just a worthless human!" Raynare shouted, trying to fight back the cold pit of terror in her soul.
Aaron reached into his coat pocket and pulled out one of the cards he had kept in the sealed case. However, the image on this card resembled a warrior with a beast's head while wielding a wicked claymore. The young hunter brought up Grail as the barrel flipped down to reveal the slot then he pushed the card inside the slot as a red alchemical circle materialized beneath his feet.
"Let thine eyes be clouded in chaos! Thou, who art bound in a cage of madness! And I, who doth hold thy chains!" Aaron spoke ominously as red markings appeared on his skin. "Crush all beneath your strength. Appear, Berserker!" With a pull of the trigger, the magic circle beneath his feet transferred to the barrel tip of Grail before a golden light was shot to take form into a new figure.
The figure took the form of a young woman clad in a white dress similar to a wedding dress with steel high-heeled stiletto greaves with empty eyes, carrying a giant mace. Her eyes are covered by her long salmon-colored hair and only peek between the gaps. However, she also had brass plugs on the sides of her head that resembled headphones, a horn protruding from her forehead, and a gold choker.
The Berserker-class Servant released a beastly growl but there also seemed to be traces of sanity in her eyes as well. However, even though she wasn't speaking in a normal language, Aaron could tell she was greeting her new Master via the Master-Servant mental link.
'Frankenstein…' He said in his mind as he narrowed his eyes. "Berserker… make that bitch suffer."
Frankenstein leveled an unseen glare at Raynare, who flinched back in terror, before she roared and lunged at the Fallen Angel, her mace charging with electricity. Raynare brought up her light spear to defend against the newly summoned Servant's attack but failed to take into account that the electric currents emanating from the mace was still conductive. Bolts of electricity struck the Fallen Angel's exposed skin, leaving scorch marks and third-degree burns that had the dark-haired woman wincing in pain.
"Damned phantom of the past!" Raynare snarled, ignoring the burns applied to her skin as she swung her spear of light in retaliation.
Berserker returned the gesture in kind, smacking the spear away with her mace. The force alone shattered the construct of pure light into particles. Her prey left defenseless, the Mad Servant released another roar as electricity coiled around her weapon as she slammed it right into the Fallen Angel's stomach, sending her crashing into the ground.
Raynare coughed out a mouthful of blood and saliva the moment her back made contact with solid earth. Her ribs cracked from the force of the blow she received and one of her organs ruptured, filling her with unimaginable pain. Before she could try and move, a boot was planted on her lovely face, pressing it back into the dirt.
"Any last words, before I cave in that disgusting flesh you call a face?" Aaron asked.
Raynare scowled at the being towering over her. "Go to Hell…" She spat.
Aaron raised a brow, "Really? How fucking cliché can you be?" He said, unamused. "Well, it doesn't matter. You're just another fool who died beneath my boot." He raised his foot, preparing to bring it down on the Fallen Angel to turn her skull to a red smear.
Raynare closed her eyes, seemingly accepting her fate. One thought drifted back when she still roamed the halls of Heaven. An image of a powerful being that gave her His Love.
'Father…'
*STOMP*
…
…
…
Raynare felt nothing. No pain, save for the ones she received from Berserker, nor did she see one of those figurative 'light at the end of the tunnel' sort of deals. Did she actually die?
The dark-haired Fallen risked it by opening one eye… and stared at a black boot that was beside her head.
"You're lucky to be alive right now." The Hunter above said with venom in his tone. "For any other reason, I would've killed you without a shred of mercy. But the girl you murdered? She wouldn't be happy I avenged her like this. So remember this moment, you only live today because of Miyuki Hyoudou, you Fallen bitch."
With that, he turned around to walk away and towards the corpse that was Miyuki, before picking her up bridal style. "Saber… Berserker… we're leaving." He ordered curtly.
"Yes, Master." Saber answered while Berserker grunted in reply. Both Servants dutifully following their Master and leaving Raynare in the hole her body had made.
Shame filled the woman's heart as she realized she had been beaten. Not by a Devil, an Angel, or even a fellow Fallen. No, she was beaten by a creature her people had deemed weak and pathetic. If that wasn't humiliating enough, he didn't believe she was worth killing anymore… all because of one human girl.
Raynare felt tears of shame and humiliation prick her eyes as a childish rage filled her core. Even if it was all she could do at the moment, she didn't care.
That night, the screams and sobs of a woman with her pride shattered filled the evening air.
Back at home, Aaron stood in front of his long couch as the now dead Miyuki laid there with a blanket over her. How could he have let this happen?
He had fought, trained, struggled, and bled to keep innocent lives safe from those that sought to do harm. He didn't care if he fought monsters, gods, or even humans, he would sacrifice life and limb to keep humanity and those willing to live peaceful lives safe. But no matter how much he fought, innocent lives still died. And now, it was someone he cared about. Someone he couldn't protect… someone that reminded him of one of his darkest days as a Hunter.
"Master?" He heard Saber's voice but he did not respond. His eyes focused solely on the cloth-covered corpse in front of him. "Master, are you-"
"I'm fine… Saber…" Aaron muttered. "Just…"
"You couldn't have known she would do that." Saber said.
"But I should've… and it cost me…" Aaron countered.
"Master…" The lilac-haired woman said softly.
"It's my fault. I should've killed that bitch when I had the chance. Now because of my negligence, Miyuki died and her parents probably won't know why their daughter isn't coming home."
"Then why don't I fix that?"
Aaron and Saber were on high alert as they turned around and noticed a magic circle appearing out of nowhere on the floor. But it's one that the Hunter wasn't familiar with. Then… rising from the magic circle, coming through the floor was… Rias?
"How did you-" Aaron questioned, his hand gripping the handle of Grail if he needed to fight. Saber and Berserker readied their own weapons, glaring at the red-haired girl.
"I have my ways but right now isn't the time for this. I'm the only one who can save this girl." Rias answered.
"How exactly? In fact, I should be asking the questions. Who exactly are you?"
Rias sighed at this. Boys will always be boys. "Fine, if you're so persistent, then I'll tell you." She said, before spreading a pair of what appear to be skeletal bat wings of sorts. "My name is Rias Gremory and I am a Devil."
"Gremory… as in Gremory from the Lesser Key?" Aaron questioned in suspicion.
Rias raised a brow, "So you know my family?"
"Only from passing words or from Devils that got out of hand." The Hunter answered. "Doesn't exactly paint a good picture since one of your own kind decided to attempt and fail at incinerating humanity. I'm sure you're familiar with the name Flauros?"
The Gremory heiress narrowed her eyes, "That I do."
"Good, you also know that the Flauros family line died to the last heir." Aaron stated. "But the fact of the matter is, why should I trust your word?"
"You don't have to. But Miyuki is someone I care about. And I'm certain that you do too." Rias pointed out.
Aaron narrowed his eyes but had to agree that the Gremory heiress had a point. So with reluctance, he nodded, "Alright, do what you must but if you try anything I don't like…" He trailed, leaving the underlying threat in the air.
"Trust me, angering you is the last thing on my mind." Rias said, before putting away her wings and approached, the girl's corpse. She unfurled the blanket revealing the pale girl that was Miyuki. "Oh Miyuki…" She sighed sadly. "Don't worry, you'll be alive again soon, I promise." She said, before taking out… a chess piece?
"A chess piece?" Aaron furrowed his brow.
"Evil Piece." Rias corrected.
"Enlighten me…"
"These were created long ago in the aftermath of the Great War between Heaven, Hell, and the Fallen. My race was on the verge of extinction so they came up with the Evil Piece System to reincarnate humans into Devils." Rias explained. "It was only to bolster our numbers since Pure-blooded Devils are too few these days."
"Hm, I heard of the Great War. It was caused by the original Satans if I remember but they died." Aaron said. "Hard to believe that a race that once thought mankind as insignificant now has to rely on them for survival. I'd almost call it poetic justice or cruel irony."
"If only you knew…" Rias murmured. "In any case, this will save her life. She will be reincarnated as a Devil but I will be her Master."
Aaron glared at her, "Will she at least still have her free will?" He questioned. "I'm not gonna be happy if she's just a slave to your whims."
"Relax, she'll still be herself. Other Devils would do so but not me. I give you my word." Rias vowed.
"...Fine. Do what you gotta do." Aaron said.
Rias nodded and continued unabated, implanting the Pawn piece into Miyuki but for some reason the piece wouldn't take. She added another Pawn piece but the result was the same. She used a third piece but that still did nothing. The heiress continued this process until she reached her eighth and final piece. She silently prayed to her ancestors that it would work then released a breath when the eight Pawn pieces finally took and were absorbed into Miyuki's body.
"Well?" Aaron pondered.
"It is done." The crimson-haired girl answered as she stood up. "Though I find it strange she required all eight of my Pawn pieces to be reincarnated."
The young Hunter raised a brow in confusion. He had no idea what that meant but it would have to mean that Miyuki is quite special if Rias had to use all those weird chess pieces.
"So what now?"
"I'll take her home and erase her memory of today." Rias said. "The worst that could happen would be her thinking it was all a dream."
"And that's it? I doubt you came into my home with just that." Aaron crossed his arms while Saber and Berserker lowered their weapons but not their guard.
"You're right. I actually wish to have a word with you. Sometime tomorrow? A member of my Peerage will come by to receive you." Rias said as she picked up the unconscious Miyuki then disappeared in a large magic circle.
"Che…" Aaron scoffed.
"What are you thinking, Master?" Saber asked. "Are we meeting with this Rias?"
"Not like there's much choice. I still go to school there. Plus, I wanna make sure that Miyuki is alright." Aaron replied.
"Mi… ght… be… t… ra… p…" Berserker tried to speak.
The raven-haired teen nodded, "I know that. But that's why I have you two. As long as you're in Astral Form, I don't think they'll sense you if they try to ambush me."
"Well alright. If you're sure." Saber shrugged. "You're the boss."
Berserker then approached Aaron and stared at him.
"What is it, Berserker?" Aaron asked, confused. Berserker pouted a bit before taking his arm and having him manually pat her head.
"Mnn… mnn…"
"You… wanted me to praise you for fighting?" Aaron raised a brow.
"Ber… ser… ker… good?"
Aaron sweatdropped, "Of course. You did very good, Fran." He said, patting the girl's head.
"Awww, isn't that cute?" Saber gushed at Berserker's adorableness.
"Keep doing… best… for… Mas… ter…" Berserker said. "More… head… pats…"
"Uh, okay?" Aaron said, sheepishly. "Well, now that this crazy night is over… I could use a pudding cup."
"Me… feed… you…"
"Uh… Fran, you don't have to-"
"Mas… ter… tired… me… feed… you…" Berserker insisted with a cute pout.
Knowing it was better not to piss off a girl with the strength of an elephant, Aaron nodded meekly, "Okay." He answered.
"Hehe~ someone's got you wrapped around their finger." Saber snickered. "Might as well marry her too."
"Shut it, Saber…" Aaron growled. "You're still in trouble for eating all my food."
"Oh c'mon, Master! I thought we were over that already!"
"Nope! From now on, you're paying me back for all the food you've eaten and you know what that means."
"Ehhhhhhhhhhhh?!"
And that's the end of the chapter. Hope you all enjoyed it.
Aaron called upon a new Servant and it's Berserker. Not just any Berserker but Fran!
In any case, Miyuki is now a Devil and next chapter introduces the long-awaited Fate character, Hakuno Kishinami.
Oh, and a message to the guy who thought the Japanese proverbs I was using were cringy? Sorry to say, but it's a force of habit. Since I'm learning Japanese, I switch between that and English at times. You don't like it, tough shit.
And to anyone who had a problem with a female Issei, I told you people that I was putting a poll on and that it would last a week. That week passed and a majority wanted a FemIssei. I even told you guys that if you didn't like it, deal with it. I ain't gonna listen to your bitching anymore. You don't like it, read something else.
Review and comment on this chapter. Love it, hate it, but just know that you've read it.
Peace out, everyone!