"So, Rias," I asked "what exactly are we still doing out here this late? It's past my bedtime,"
"You're supposed to address her properly, delinquent," Koneko remarked.
"Okay… Miss Gremory-"
"As in, you're supposed to refer to her as 'President' in public."
"President Rias," I said as Koneko looked frustrated, Akeno said "My, my" like she always does, and Aika and Rias looked amused, "Why are we approaching this creepy building this late at night?"
"It's only 9:30," Aika commented.
"As an angel, you naturally prefer the daytime. Us devils are creatures of the night," Rias replied. "But to answer your question, Makoto, I'm here to demonstrate how our peerage system works.
We each have a rank based on a piece on a chess board, with a high-ranking devil like myself getting 12 'Evil Pieces' to assign to my peerage.
As the leader, I'm naturally the King. In a setting such as a Rating Game, I'm the key target that determines the winner.
Yuuto is a Knight. His strength lies in his speed.
Koneko is a Rook. She relies on her raw strength and bulk to gain the advantage."
"Then you must have screwed that choice up…" I thought, recalling Koneko's petite figure.
"We currently don't have one, but a Bishop is strong with magic and spells,
and Akeno is a mixture of all three as the Queen,"
"So, what is Aika then?" I asked.
"Kiryuu is the Pawn"
I whistled. "Looks like you got the short end of the stick, Aika!"
"Not necessarily. Note that I said the Pawn. I used all 8 of my Pawn pieces to turn her into a devil,"
"I forgot to mention," said Aika, "but, according to President, the DDS apparently has something very powerful sealed within it,"
"Not only that, but she can be promoted to any of the other pieces, including the Queen, in enemy territory or with my permission," Rias added
"So, she's less 'cannon fodder,' and more of a wild card,"
"That's a pretty apt description."
As we were approaching, Rias continued her explanation, "What we're about to fight in there is what is known as a 'stray devil,'"
"Let me guess, a devil without a master?"
"Close. It's a devil that slew and escaped from its master," Kiba responded. "Otherwise you would be a stray angel,"
"Unless it's an emergency, I suggest merely spectating so I can properly demonstrate what each of the pieces do," suggested Rias. "Since you have power over light, the fun would be over a bit too quickly."
"So, devils are like vampires?"
"You could say that. We have similar weaknesses such as light and holy objects."
Wait. Is she implying vampires are real too?
Our little trivia session was over as we entered the abandoned building.
A nonchalant man with short purple hair, wearing a coat, with his hands in his pockets, emerged from the pillar as Rias' peerage got into battle stances. I leaned against the wall, wishing I had brought some popcorn.
"Relax. I'm one of Milcom Amon's servants. I'm pretty sure what you're looking for is taken care of," the man replied
"And what business does Milcom have here, Enrico Stark?" Rias replied. "The archduke specifically assigned us this quarry."
"Oh. Curiosity. My master is busy preparing for his game with Riser Phenex and I got bored. He told me to go hunt down some strays or something and I ended up fighting some topless broad shooting laser beams out of her titties."
"Please tell me you're joking…" I commented, still leaning against the wall.
"Nope. Not exactly something you kids should have been handling,"
"Age ratings aside, tell your master that if he lets his servants loose on my territory again, he will have to answer to me."
"I'll make a note of that…" he said before flying off.
"Aw, I was looking forward to dishing out some punishment tonight," said Akeno, uncomfortably disappointed.
"Sorry you didn't get to see the demonstration, Makoto," said Rias.
"Eh. I need to be getting to bed, anyway,"
"Speaking of which, we'll be staying at your house from now on…" Rias dropped like a ten-megaton bombshell.
"Oh no. I'm not having a harem of attractive freeloaders in my house…"
"Technically we're not freeloading since we're helping your mom deal with the Goddess of Death," said Akeno. "And besides," she got uncomfortably close to me, "Wouldn't you like to live with a bunch of hot, attractive young ladies all the time?"
"Well, if you put it like that…"
Before I could finish my statement, Rias announced. "It's settled then! The Fujiwara household will now house the Occult Research Club!"
What have I gotten myself into? My life's now literally a harem anime from Hell.
The next morning, I was splashing water in my face in a futile attempt to wake myself up from this bizarre dream.
After getting dressed and breakfast, I saw Rias waiting out front. "Hey, your mother suggested I walk to school with you,"
I knew it. Mother's doing this whole "ORC House" thing to get me hooked up. She's already trying to play matchmaker between me and Rias.
At least this gives me an opportunity to ask her some more questions.
"So, who was that toolbox from last night?" I asked as we were approaching the school.
"He was a servant from the peerage of Milcom Amon. A Queen, I believe."
"Has Milcom been giving you any trouble before?"
"No. He doesn't have a complete set yet, but he's already proving to be a worthy contender. I heard the Phenex family challenged him and it's supposed to be an interesting match."
I noticed some gazing eyes as we entered campus, I could hear some clamoring amongst them.
"The hottest girl on campus and the guy who pole vaulted over the tennis court fence two days ago walking to school together. That oughta be inconspicuous…" I muttered
As we entered the main school building, the Student Council President was there.
"Good morning, Rias," she said.
"Morning, Sona."
"I've been hearing a lot about you, Fujiwara," Sona said to me.
"I'm not in trouble, am I?"
"No, she's just a friend of my family," Rias replied.
"So, does that means she's also… y'know…"
"I am, yes." Sona replied.
So, it's not just the Occult Research Club that's controlled by devils, but the Student Council as well. This is quickly turning into some Illuminati-type shit.
"See you later, Rias." I said as I started heading to my first class.
Before I could get there, I could feel a threatening presence behind me as I narrowly blocked a sucker punch with the back of my arm. A sneak attack like that wouldn't really work anymore after Raynare tried to give me the uncool version of first date penetration.
"Matsuda, I told you that trying to take him on would end badly…" said Motohama
"What the hell, man! I thought you were cool. Now you're walking to school with the school's hottest pair of tits!"
I do not want to know what Matsuda's idea of "cool" is.
"Rumors have going around about you performing insane feats of strength and hooking with the hotties in the Occult Research Club," Motohama explained.
"If I told you what happened, you wouldn't believe me," I said, shaking my now sore arm off.
They went pale with shock.
"So, it is true! You did do it with her!" Motohama exclaimed as Matsuda passed out on the floor
"Good grief. It's wasn't anything like that," I said as I walked off.
After classes were over, several of the girls suddenly congregated around the entrance. I found out why shortly after. Yuuto Kiba had entered the room.
"Does his Sacred Gear make all the chicks hot for him or something?" I muttered.
"Hey, Makoto," he greeted me.
"Afternoon, Kiba" I greeted back.
"Wait, don't tell me…" one of the girls exclaimed for some reason.
"Yep. Yuuto and Makoto are totally a unit!" Aika responded.
"No, we are not! Stop trying to give the Doujin Club ideas!" I retorted.
"Anyway, your mom is wanting to see you in the club room," Kiba said.
"Okay, I'll be heading up there,"
"Tell your mom I'm available!" Matsuda said
"I definitely won't!" I replied.
As Kiba, Aika, and I entered the club room, I noticed a conspicuous wooden case laying on the table. My mother was waiting for us.
"Hey, Makoto. You were just in time," Mother said. "I want you to have these."
She handed me the case and I opened it. It was a set of black chess pieces. Each piece had a golden glow to them.
"This is great and all, but I don't see what an angel could do with Evil Pieces…"
"No, these are actually Holy Pieces. While the Evil Pieces reincarnate someone into a devil, these are supposed to reincarnate someone into an angel.
In the previous timeline, we developed a system known as the 'Brave Saint' system. However, our work on that was lost after Heaven was taken over by Halja since it was created later in the timeline than we are now. Over the last couple days, I worked with Rias' father and Ajuka Beelzebub to reverse-engineer the Evil Pieces into a system that can replace the one we lost in order to bolster our lost numbers.
It was originally intended for me to use these pieces, but we decided it was in our best interest for you to have them instead."
I had to sit down, "I don't know…"
"I understand. These last couple days have been a big shock to you."
"From personal experience, being a master is a big responsibility," said Rias. "It's understandable if you're having trouble deciding."
"It's not just that," I said. "I've wanted to live a peaceful, quiet life as long as I remember. I've already got myself caught in the crosshairs and I'm not sure if I should turn back or not."
"Trust me, I know what you're talking about," Mother said. "Why else did I put an enchantment on you to suppress your angelic powers?
I didn't want you caught up in this mess, but at the very least, sleep on this decision and come back to me when you're ready,"
The next day was a weekend, and my Mom asked me to buy the groceries.
She handed me quite a long list, so I was reviewing it quite thoroughly as I was heading downtown.
Maybe what I should have been reviewing was the road. Because, as I was scanning through the numerous spices Mother wanted, I suddenly ran into someone and got knocked down.
"Oh dear. I'm terribly sorry!" she said.
I looked up. The person I ran into appeared to be a young Priestess. Much like Rias, she looked foreign, especially as I noticed her hair was a gorgeous natural shade of blonde.
"Don't worry about it. I should be the one apologizing." I replied to her as she reached down and grabbed the shopping list I dropped.
"Oh! I need to go shopping as well! But I'm not from around here, so I'm a bit lost," she said giggling. "Could you lead me to where the nearest market is?"
"Sure. I'll even cover the bill for you as payment for my clumsiness."
I lead her to the market and I bought the groceries I needed along with the few items that the girl needed.
After purchasing our groceries, I walked with her to the church where I assumed the girl was working.
"Thank you so much for helping me. That was very kind of you. If you don't mind me asking, what's your name?"
"Makoto Fujiwara. Feel free to call me Makoto."
"My name is Asia Argento. It was nice meeting you, Makoto!" she said as she headed towards the church.
I don't know why, but something about that building is unsettling.
"Well that was awfully sweet of you..."
Rias had followed me here. She took off the sunglasses she was wearing to reveal her piercing blue eyes.
"Why don't we get some Lunch together. I have a couple things to talk to you about."
So it's a date. This was Mother's idea, wasn't it?
"I would avoid going near that Church in the future..."
"How so?" I asked after swallowing a piece of my burger. "If anything, people of the Church like her could naturally be an ally."
"They also could be our enemy," she replied. "You may have allied with us, but other members of the Church might not share that sentiment. Churches are enemy territory for us devils. Exorcists, in particular, are very dangerous to us. They have the ability to obliterate us completely."
"Dark."
"So it's true! You and Rias are dating!"
Matsuda and Motohama suddenly ruined the moment.
"No, Matsuda," I replied. "I'm a part of the Occult Research Club now. Me and Rias are just discussing, uh... Occult... Research..."
"Of course you are," Motohama said as the two of them walked off. "Have fun with that 'Occult Research' of your's."
"Good grief," I muttered.
"Those are some funny friends of yours," she commented, "How did you get to know them?"
"I honestly have no idea..." I replied, finishing off my burger. "But I'm still a little confused. We have the angels and devils, but what's going on those black-winged fallen angels you were talking about?"
"Well, let me break this down. I am a devil, a servant of the underworld that spreads chaos, and you are an angel, one of the servants sent by God to uphold order. You understand this, right?"
"I get the gist..."
"But the girl you dated, Yuma Amano, or, as you correctly assumed be her true name, Raynare, along with her associates, are a separate group of angels who have been corrupted by human desires - greed, lust, malice, and so on, and are cast from Heaven to the Underworld. They are known as fallen angels."
"If they've been sent to the Underworld, wouldn't they normally be allied with the devils?"
"On the contrary. They still seek to purge the forces of chaos, but at the same time, they seek vengeance against the forces of order that cast them out."
"So that's why you want to ally with me. An enemy of an enemy is my friend..."
"And that's also why I want you to be careful around that priestess girl. She may have befriended you, but not all priests and exorcists serve God. Some have been excommunicated and befriended the fallen angels, who are enemies to us both."
This is frustrating. I can't believe there's a chance that she's my enemy. I don't want to end up in another Yuma Amano situation.
"I know you're frustrated. I could tell she was a sweet girl, but I don't want you to put yourself in danger."
"It just doesn't make sense. Unlike Yuma, I could tell she was genuinely sweet and innocent. Why would she be allied with the fallen angels?"
Later that evening, I was awoken by a familiar poke in the forehead.
"Aika, what the hell!" I exclaimed, recognizing her even without even opening my eyes.
I checked the alarm clock. "It's almost four in the morning!"
"Well, you're a morning person, so you should get over it in a couple hours," Aika replied.
"Good, because that's how long I intend to sleep in for…"
"Or you could spend that time helping me with a contract."
"What does it involve?"
"He wants a couple people to watch anime with. Since Koneko was booked for tonight, I thought you would suffice as a tagalong."
"That's a pretty solid contract. I'm in."
"I would give you the coordinates, but it's not letting me get in through magic circle. So, we have to walk. Thankfully it's only a short way away."
"Maybe that's because of your Pawn powers,"
"Never underestimate the Pawn, Makoto."
We arrived at the house. Aika rang the doorbell. "Hello? We're the servants you sent from Lady Gremory." No response.
I then went for the door and tried opening it. It opened. "Huh. Door's unlocked. That's definitely safe at this hour."
Aika was the first to walk in. She immediately lurched and grasped her forehead.
"Something wrong?"
"Something's fishy about this. I'm sensing danger. Something like you only not as cool."
"Or maybe it's a headache. I'll ask the client if he has any ibuprofen," I said as we were entering, removing our shoes. "Forgive the intrusion!"
We entered the main living room. It was dimly lit with candles. The client probably had something spooky planned.
What was even spookier was Aika stepping into some liquid. "Ew. He really needs to clean his floors."
I put a finger in the puddle and took a lick. "Blood?"
We made a closer inspection and realized something was seriously up. What followed the trail of blood was a mangled male corpse crucified to the wall with screws. I was about to hurl.
As I got a handle on my nausea, I could make out some crude writing on the wall. "Punishment?"
"Punishment for the evildoer!" someone said. "Which is exactly what I'm going to give to you two,"
Aika immediately turned around and used her DDS shield in to block… Is that a lightsaber!?
The man had long white hair, pale skin, and looked like a crack addict monk. He pointed his gun and bootleg lightsaber at us.
"My name is Freed Sellzen and I'll have the pleasure of exorcising you two,"
A familiar blonde-haired girl wearing a head covering emerged from downstairs. She suddenly glanced at me.
"Makoto?"