The Nekoshou's Wolf

by Curiosity44

Reborn into DxD 20 years before Canon, Hei, a human orphan, must rise with his own will to the top, overcoming Devils, Angels, Fallen, Gods, a loli dragon, and most of all, the felines in his life as he spreads the name of his legacy, the Legacy of Lupa, a legacy of assassins. Come Join Hei on his journey as Lupus, the Nekoshou's Wolf. AU world. FUCKING READ THE WARNING

9. 8: Letting Out the Beast

Warning: This is not fully edited. I rushed it and I'll correct it later.

Chapter 8:

AN: I know many people will complain about the last chapter. How it felt 'forced' and I expect most of you to 'assume' I would be forcing things to turn in a canon direction. Maybe a romantic separation? Some kind of extra drama there?

Do you guys even know me? I live for heartwarming fluff and building slaughters *evil cackle*. Enjoy the chap, I had fun with this one.

Before we begin here. I just want to say how much of a massive pain in the ass it can be to find the right songs for what you wrote.

I get lucky sometimes when I play music on random and certain songs just fit.

But other times I search through dozens or hundreds of tracks looking for one to feel right. I don't know If they are right, but I did my best to provide the best reading experience for what I wrote.

I highly recommend music be played for this chapter.

If you are a speed reader and can read 5k in 3 minutes, I highly recommend starting with: 'Kill All The Lights' by Samuel Jack.

If you like to take your time, I will say start with the same song, and switch off to something like 'Blood Water' by grandson OR perhaps choose something that gets the blood pumping. I never did find a perfect second song to fit the action scene.

Enjoy everyone! Lots of emotions, action, and laughter this chapter. Sorry if it gets cringe in some area's but I had fun with it.

Chapter start:

(AN: Song: 'Kill All The Lights' by Samuel Jack.)

Flying through the air, I used the communication spell card to call Kuroka.

Unlike the worlds communication magic spell, my cards don't have energy fluctuations and it connects directly to another's mind.

So it's untraceable, and even if your target was unconscious, you could still connect even if they couldn't respond.

A deep beep echoed in my mind as it rung.

*Rrrrrrrrrr*

*Rrrrrrrrrr*

'Come on Kuroka, answer already!'

*Click*

It connected.

"Kuroka!"

The voice of pain that answered stabbed a knife into my heart.

"H-hei? *groan* auugghhh. Great *groan* I'm losing my sanity now."

Confused, hopeful, guilty, disbelieving and in incredible pain.

That's what I got from those words.

My voice came out with forced calm.

"Kuroka. It's me. I'm using my spell card to connect to your mind. I'm on my way love, don't worry, I'm coming."

"H-hei? Is it really you? *groan*"

"It's me my sun, I'm coming."

I tried to reassure her but her next words came out slightly panicked.

"N-no! Hei! Don't come! Leave me alone!"

If anything that made me urge my movement to go faster.

"Kuroka. I – am – coming."

"N -*gasp* - NO! Don't you dare! You can't see me *groan* like this!"

I clenched my teeth at her sounds of pain.

Whatever they did to her was making her, someone trained by my sisters of all people, to groan in pain, even if it's only mentally.

That's a great indication of just how much pain she was in.

"You think I care?! I'm coming Kuroka, just hang on."

"HEI! Listen to *groan* me! Leave me alone! Save Shirone! They took her *gasp* away from me!"

My fists were clenching and I mentally called out my binder to check Shirone's name, seeing it still active.

My hand moved over the buttons and I switched the screen to show the active tracers I had on.

Spell Card #24: Trace – Place a tracer on a target. Can find the direction of the target as long as the trace still exists.

They appeared like red dots on a radar without indication of distance or location.

Kuroka was in a straight line from my flight path, but Shirone was northwest, almost entirely west from my flight path.

'She must have been teleported.'

I closed my eyes in great pain before making my decision.

'I'm sorry Shirone. Just hold on a bit longer. Your sister needs me more right now.'

"Shirone will be fine for now. You need me. I need you. I'm coming no matter what you say Kuroka."

"HEI YOU BASTARD! IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO SHIRONE I WILL RIP YOUR NUTS OFF AND SHOVE THEM DOWN YOUR THROAT!"

I winced as her voice echoing through my skull.

But then her voice turned small, weak, and fearful.

"Hei…please..*groan*…I don't want you to see me like this. I.. I betrayed you! After *gasp*.. after everything you have done for me, after all the love *groan* you have given me! I..*whimper* I can't let you see me. Just…just let me go."

I bit my cheek and tasted blood as I forced myself to stay calm.

I had to reassure her, not make her panic more.

I took a deep breath before speaking with the most sincere voice I could manage.

"Kuroka, you need to listen to me.

I don't care what you look like. I don't care what choices you made. I don't care if you're a devil, an angel, or an abomination.

I will come for you. I'll be by your side.

We will find a way to fix whatever is wrong, with my sacred gear or with anything else.

And we will do it together.

Your my other half my sun, your pain is mine and your enemies are mine."

I flew over a mountain and caught sight of a building in the distance before I cut the spell and dropped from the sky for a second until I caught myself with the levitation stones and began moving with my top speed and stealth along the ground.

Kuroka's whimpering voice sounded out after a moment.

"I…I…I'm s-sorry. I'm *gasp* so sorry Hei…I'm *hic* I'm sorry! I love you *groan* so much….it hurts Hei…my heart hurts….I…I want to go home…"

The knife twisted deeper inside me.

"You could never hurt me my love, I'm coming to get you and we will go home together. We will face this together."

There was silence on the line as I heard mental whimpers come through before she seemingly regained a hold on her emotions and her voice rang out once more with the steel I know she has inside her.

The steel that she used to make a choice between two impossible options.

"Hei."

There was no mental groans of pain or whimpering.

"Yeah?"

I felt her next words resonate within my soul.

"Come get me my moon."

A deadly cold calm came over my face.

"I'm here my sun."

I could feel the smile in her next two words.

"I know."

The line cut as the sheer bloodlust of every single kill I've made in my entire life poured out me to fall upon the manor coming up before me.

My hands gripped my pistols making them creak and groan as the weary metal let out it's death calls.

They were at the end of their lives, and I would give them a funeral worthy of a weapon meant to reap the lives of my foes.

My mask fell over my face as my form shot out of the woods, appearing like a ghost from hell before two started devil guards shivering like deer caught in the headlights with a pistol pressed into their foreheads and the glow of holy light leaking from the barrel.

""Wha..""

"Die."

*Bang* *Bang*

'I'm coming Kuroka.'

*Line Break*

*Bang* *Bang*

The sounds a twin gunshots rang through the air, making the shivering form of Kuroka with bloodshot eyes smile wide and bloodthirsty as the scientists shivered.

'Nyahahahaha! My mate is here you fuckers! We will paint this fucking place in your blood!'

The sheer force of his bloodlust came over like an ethereal wave, showing it's fangs to every soul in the building aside from her.

When the bloodlust reached her, it evaporated like snow in the heat of the summer sun and warmed her freezing body.

The bloodthirsty smile on her face was matched by the pure fury of her Nekoshou instincts roaring in rage deep inside her as something tried to erase them, to use them as nutrients for the foreign demonic energy pulsing out from her soul and the two bishop devil pieces embedded inside it.

The voices of warning from her sensei's rang out in her subconscious, warning her not to absorb natural energy without them around until she was ready.

But frankly, she didn't give a fuck what might happen.

She wasn't about to care for the consequences.

She already gave up hope before her love's words got through to her.

She was disgusted with herself.

'How dare you fucking give up like that!'

Natural energy began pouring into her like a black hole sucking the world dry.

Her Nekoshou genes grasped onto it like a lifeline to empower itself and raise its claws to tear out the force eroding it.

Sounds of commotion rang out through the building as the sounds of running reached her ears.

The three devil scientists in the room with her that were monitoring the machines scanning her were looking around, to distracted by the sheer bloodlust in the air along with the shouts and gun shots to notice the monitors changing.

Cruff's voice rang out from the next room as he screamed.

"What do you mean there's an intruder!? No one is supposed to know about this location! Which bastard betrayed me!?

What? It's only one enemy!? Doesn't feel like a devil?! Why the fuck are you making a big deal out of it then! Who cares how much bloodlust some random low life has? Get the fuck out there! I want to see who dares attack my manor in chains or with their head on a spike!"

The doors to the lab were pushed open with a bang as they slammed into the walls and Cruff walked in with a huff.

He waved his hands at the scientists.

"Don't worry, it's just some rat, my men will deal with it."

Then his eyes narrowed.

"Pay attention to those screens you imbeciles! If you miss even a single bit of important research because you got distracted, I'll have your heads! We only have two shots to test the drug. Keep her alive and going as long as possible!"

The scientists paled and nodded.

"Not to worry sir, we are recording it all down. We won't miss anything."

Another one spoke up from the monitors he was responsible for.

"It's making good progress sir; her beast genes are highly agitated and activated right now. It must be their final stand before the drug erodes it and uses it as fuel for the evolution process."

Kuroka internalized her smirk as her face kept an empty expression ever since Cruff walked in.

'They think it's the final stand. Heh, the fools can't tell I'm absorbing natural energy. They don't even know I have that ability.'

Kuroka was infinitely grateful in this moment to her sensei's for never telling her mother about the core abilities of a Nekoshou verse a Nekomata and that she wasn't around her mother in the last few years when her abilities started naturally occurring. Theres no telling how much worse things could be if that happened.

Cruff smiled wide with satisfaction and moved over to the table with the chained Kuroka.

"You hear that beast? Keep pushing through and hang on, one more push and your filthy beast blood will be gone. Hell, this might actually make you a pure blooded devil! Hahaha just imagine what this could mean for the future.

Even if we fail for the moment to make super devils, it's a step in the right direction. And the potential profits from creating a drug to make reincarnated devils full blooded instead of filthy mixed breeds is endless."

He spoke more to himself out loud than to her.

Eyes alight with greed and desire for the drug itself.

*Bang* *Bang* *Bang*

And then it vanished to be replaced by wrath and annoyance.

He turned around and began throwing another tantrum.

"Why the fuck is the rat not dead yet?!"

Kuroka's eyes narrowed on his back as her blank face slowly began morphing back into that bloodthirsty wild smile.

*Cr-crack* *Cr-crack*

"Hm?"

Cruff's ears twitched at the sound of something snapping behind him and went to turn before he froze as mismatched eyes stared at him from an inch away.

One golden and slit and the other round and bright red.

The most bloodthirsty and slightly insane expression he had ever witnessed adorned the face as he felt pain on his neck, warmth flowing down his chest, and a hand rest against his cheek.

"Hello little bat~, Nya."

A sweet and poisonous melodic voice drifted into his ears.

Cruff Naberius, a high class devil and a branch member of one of the remaining 34 devil clans, experienced a feeling he hadn't felt since he was a young misbehaving child being looked at with the stern eyes of his parents.

The feeling of having just fucked up.

*Line Break*

The second the first shots went off, my energy sense exploded like never before in a fan shape.

Blood dripped down my nose as the overload of information slammed into my brain.

Every single energy signature in the entire manor flashed before my eyes like stars in the night sky, glowing with eerie demonic red colors.

My mind automatically filtered them out and zoomed in on a single one in the center of the manor, flickering with unstable red and green colors.

The green was being eroded by the red while the green was being fed from the world to fight back with everything it had.

The largest aura in the manor was moving toward Kuroka and I growled deep in my throat as dozens of others began converging near the entrance.

My very presence vanished into thin air as I repressed every ounce of energy into a tiny sphere inside me, leaving only advanced energy sensors to be able to find me without using their first five senses.

Devils swarmed out of the manor, some taking to the skies while others stormed out over the grounds.

Most carried weapons in a single hand while others had hands sparking with elemental demonic energy.

And many called out names where all manner of canine type beasts appeared out of magic circles as loyal familiar beasts.

The Naberius clan was more famous more for their ability and affinity with taming canine magic beasts as familiars over the clans special bloodline magic.

The first clan head was said to be the only devil to ever tame a fully grown Cerberus.

A cold smile formed on my face as I perched in the shadows, letting my bloodlust wash over them like a haze and seeing half the canines whine and lay down while the others growled and looked around trying to sniff me out.

'You wish to compare fangs? Let's find out who the alpha here is.'

My hand was held out under my cloak as my ring flashed and cards appeared one after another to be crushed all at once.

Spell Card #2: Defensive Wall - Protects you from an attack spell once.

Spell Card #3: Reflect - Reflects an attack spell once.

Spell Card #17: Drawbridge - Protect once against physical attacks.

Each one layered on my body and would activate on the next attacks to hit me.

Paladins Necklace hung from my neck, Sacrifice Armor in bracer form rested on my forearm, Night Jade the tattoo turned on, and on my back appeared a quiver filled with 10 arrows.

#54: Quiver of Frustration – You will be able to cast as many "Leaves" as you have arrows. It comes with 10 arrows, and one will be used each time you cast "Leave." Arrows not used after 24 hours will dissolve.

And finally.

Spell Card #9: Clone – Create a single shadow clone of the user with 50% of energy stores. Knowledge gained and remaining energy will return to the original upon destruction. 4 hour time limit.

A shadow clone silently grew from my shadow and nodded at me.

Cold bloodthirsty smirks adorned our faces as the bloodlust doubled from the clones entry.

I passed along two combat knives and capsules of poison that it took without words being said.

The clone card can clone my form and clothes, but enchanted items, weapons, and gear were not passed along.

And while I might not be much of a specialist with a blade, my teacher all but made sure I knew how to efficiently take lives with them.

The clone dashed off into the shadows as my arms raced and all but blurred.

*Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang*

Clips loaded with holy bullets unloaded like a literal storm.

Pure white and holy ammunition spun through the air and drilled straight through the bodies of devils and beasts in droves announcing the beginning of the slaughter.

"AH!"

"What?! Holy bullets!"

"Where the fuck is he!?"

"Whats wrong you damn beasts?! Find him!"

Despite my skills and abilities, my presence was indeed soon sniffed out.

Out of dozens of low class devils fifteen had fallen in the first volley, showcasing the true worth of holy bullets against the weaker of devil kind.

The mid class devils had more resistance and could tank a few shots.

But it mattered not.

As they found me, rained their attacks of all kinds upon me, destroyed my perch with fire, water, lightning, earth, darkness, and elemental spells of all kinds…

I was already gone.

An arrow vanished from my quiver as I appeared in the sky above them from an instant teleportation and my pistols rained meteors of death.

Each shot homing in on heads as if heat seeking missiles.

Four more fell beneath my shots before spears of elements shot toward me faster than any bullet from a modern gun had before.

One made it through my senses before I could react, hit a barrier inches from my skin, and dissolved into ash as the first defense spell activated.

Using that moment, I was able to react through my energy sense and teleport again.

Meanwhile on the ground, my clone was dancing with death among the canines.

They swarmed, jaws dripping with acidic saliva, breathing out flames or poison, aiming to tear out the clones throat and rip off its limbs.

It's cloak was being torn up but it's form didn't suffer a single fatal scratch to dispel it.

The combat blades flashed out like the fangs of a predator, ripping into hides, slashing throats, stabbing vitals, and blocking the claws from reaching it.

Meanwhile the devils attacked under orders from the mid class's among them, surrounding me and swarming with attacks.

I looked down and met the eyes of my clone through our masks as we both nodded.

A special capsule was crushed in both of our hands and I teleported out.

When the devils stupidly stood still in the air to witness what happened inside the smoke cloud from their attacks, they were too late to notice a cloud of gaseous poison that covered a third of their numbers.

And down below a smoke bomb of poisonous gas surrounded the clone and the canines besieging him.

This was a poison personally developed by Chloe, one I had a high tolerance toward but took me years to be able to move unaffected by.

The third of the devils that breathed it in had their faces turn purple and blood quickly began pouring out of their facial orifices and they fell like bats with their wings cut.

Their limbs freezing up and their innards liquifying slowly but surely.

If they didn't land on their heads and snapped their own necks, they were paralyzed and unable to move while suffering in agony as their organs were dissolved.

One of the mid class's paled like a sheet at the sight.

"H-he's a d-demon."

"That's funny coming from a devil."

A voice spoke behind him and the mid class's eyes widened before he spun with all the speed he had while forming a lance of fire in his hand.

But my form was already gone.

"Where are you?!"

"Here."

A gun barrel pressed to the back of his head as my voice rang out.

*Bang*

Brain matter rained down with the holy energy dissolving the insides of his head.

The two dozen remaining low class devils and two remaining mid class's shivered at the sight before they yelled.

"Attack!"

"Kill him! Kill that fucking monster!"

"""""""AH!""""""

War sounds came from the devils as they charged their attacks or charged all at once.

I spread my arms wide as I deactivated my levitation stones and dropped from the sky to welcome the barrage.

I watched them move through my energy sense in slow motion in a grid like fashion as more blood fell from my nose before my form vanished in another teleport to appear among their ranks floating in the air.

*Bang* *Bang*

A gut shot bent over a devil before a second shot into his skull.

A spear moved to impale me as I twisted over it and redirected it with a kick to block a sword strike.

My hands spread parallel as their eyes widened and holy bullets shot between their eyes.

*Bang* *Bang*

My clips clicked as the last of my holy bullets ran out.

"Spread out! Pair up in twos and go back to back!"

The remaining low class's followed their orders and I deactivated the levitation stones once more, dropping back to the ground inside the cloud of poisonous gas that my clone was still fighting the canines in.

If they wanted to use such a strategy, I would remove the other obstacle first.

As I dropped the clips from my smoking and cracking pistols to slam in two new clips, I grimaced slightly at what I loaded in them.

In their current state, it wouldn't be able to last after these bullets.

Incendiary rounds.

I was out of holy bullets and these were my most powerful ammunition left. I would have to make them count.

With a silent prayer, my form moved through the poison cloud, having taken not but less than five seconds to reload.

My clone was dancing with death as the magical canine beasts were more resistant to the poison but still affected.

It twisted over dripping fangs to stab the knife into the back of a skull before dropping an axe kick into another to crack it's skull on the earth below.

At this point only a dozen canines were left, the others were dead or the summoning was canceled as the devils paired up with it were killed.

Elemental wolves, twin headed dogs, hellhounds, shoulder height canine beasts.

The strongest of those living devils remained and faced my clone with all their might, never giving an inch and backing away.

And I dropped right on top of them.

My boots landed on the heads of a two headed dog as it whimpered in pain.

*Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang*

I double tapped each one with rapid shots, using the first shot to open its skull and the second to ignite the HE charge inside their skulls, before jumping up as the jaws of a hellhound appeared where I once was, my form spinning through the air upside down as my pistol jammed into its eye socket from my position above it.

*Bang*

It's form dropped to the earth as blood poured out of the hole in its head.

My clone appeared by my side and send a kick into my side to push me out of the way of a wind elemental wolf.

His blades stabbed with deadly accuracy into its neck as my guns pointed and shot over his shoulder to hit the open mouths of two hellhounds, drilling a hole through one and blowing one's brains out the back from the tender flesh of the inside.

And it was at that moment that elemental spears of demonic energy carpet bombed the entire poisonous gas cloud.

My clone kicked off the head of a canine to reach me as I tossed up the steaming and cracking pistol that was burning my hand to grab his outstretched hand.

I spun and activated touki in that moment, letting the pressure of my overflowing vitality explode out of me before I launched my clone with a snap of my arm back into the sky.

The second I let go, my hand grabbed my pistol as it creaked ominously and I teleported straight up into the sky above.

The rain of elemental attacks finishing off the last of the canine beasts with a few devils feeling the death of their very own beasts through their attacks.

Dozens of bloodshot, wrathful and crazed eyes locked on to the body of my clone as it flew out of the cloud, using its momentum to carry it toward the flying devils.

Touki likewise exploded out of him as he reached the first one in a flash, stabbed his blade into the devils skull through the bottom of his jaw before kicking off the corpse and launching at the next one like a pinball.

"Kill it! Kill it! Kill that fucking reaper!"

The order came from a blood crazed mid class who had just killed his own familiar and the devils ignored friendly fire to kill the clone, obviously forgetting there were two of me.

Meanwhile I was above them, appearing behind one of the two mid class's without a single sound.

My arms moved like blurred whips in motion as the devil found his view turned upside down, his entire head flipped as his neck was shattered.

With touki empowered movements, I matched my clones speed silently and stealthily as it took the main focus and flipped through the air, using acrobatic movement to dodge every attack sent at it.

Blood was pouring out of the clones nose, ears, eyes, and mouth as it's brain was overloading with the information from energy sensing needed to dodge attacks moving far faster than bullets could travel from guns.

But that was fine, I only needed moments to act.

The attacks slowly decreased but the remaining mid class was to crazed to even notice.

"WHY – WONT – YOU – JUST – FUCKING – DIE! RAHHH!"

Lances of fire magic flew out of his hands like his life depended on it.

Because it did.

He screamed and raged before forming two spears of fire and charging head on like a bull, impaling the clone with both spears.

"DIE YOU FUCKING MONSTER!"

The clone didn't respond except for its arms to lash out, throwing it's knives like bullets to pierce the throats of the two devils behind the mid class, and grip the arms of the devil.

"Hahahaha you still have fight in you fucker?! Just di…*gurgle*."

His eyes widened in shock as a knife impaled his throat from behind and a second impaled his heart.

What he didn't see was in the moment the thrown knives pierced the two low class devils throats, they were violently ripped out and kicked like a springboard to launch me at the midclass like a phantom to reap his life.

He gurgled in disbelief before his eyes narrowed with a malicious light and his finger overcharged a massive amount of demonic energy into his finger for a death throw strike.

It moved so fast; it was almost as if a laser left his finger.

Except what it encountered was a thin barrier around me, before it was reflected straight through his skull, killing him instantly.

I viciously ripped the blades out the side of his neck and chest as blood spurted out in a rain on both me and my clone.

The body fell to the cold earth below without a single glance from either of us.

I gave my clone a nod as it nodded back and our hands met in a clasp before it was his turn to swing me with a touki infused movement before launching me like a missile down toward the manor.

The clone vanished with a puff of smoke behind me, having hung on through its wounds for a few seconds by sacrificing it's energy stores like a balloon with a hole.

Every single devil to have left the manor was dead or dying, all except the two low class devils guarding the manor itself with magic barriers to prevent attacks from hitting the building.

Their eyes were wide and fearful, backing up and shivering in terror.

My form moved like a missile as they screamed and through as much demonic energy as possible behind the barriers.

My response was to raise my smoking pistols and unload every last incendiary round.

I never used anything aside from holy bullets on the devils because even .50 AE rounds wouldn't do more than bruise them.

The magic beasts were different as I aimed for their eyes, throats, and used incendiary rounds to explode inside their skulls.

The bullets fired one after another, hitting the same exact spot with perfect accuracy one after another and drilling through like a high powered drill before exploding and cracking the barrier with the pure penetrating force.

A magic barrier by low class devils might stop machine gun fire cold, but what if they were all concentrated in the same exact location before exploding in ravenous fire.

They pierced through the barrier, going directly through the eye socket of the devil on the left.

The barrier collapsed with one of the two supplying energy dying.

My right pistol cracked and broke down as my smoking left one pressed up against the widened eyes of the low class devil to the right as I flew by and burning the eyeball on contact.

*Bang*

My final round pierced his brain through his eye and my second pistol shattered.

Neither of that registered though as my momentum never stopped and the manor closed in before my eyes.

My eyes, which were staring directly below at where a red and green energy signature was moving around half a dozen mid class energy signatures, zeroed in on a single point.

"KUROKA!"

A roar for my mate to hear tore out of my throat as I quintupled my touki use for a split second to slam my foot down in a devastating stomp to the roof of the manor, smashing through defensive magic formations one after another to slam down below.

My eyes peering through the smoke to take in the situation as my breath caught in my throat as my heart skipped a beat.

*Line Break*

~Minutes earlier~

"Hello little bat~, Nya."

The pure malice mixed with a sweet melodic tone rang out and for the life of him, Cruff couldn't move.

It wasn't simply the pure fear he felt in that moment as this demonic creature appeared inches from his eyes with its mismatched eyes and a single feline ear paired with a human formed ear on the other side.

It wasn't simply the pure malice and bloodlust he felt in that moment.

And it wasn't simple inexperience of facing a foe.

No, it was something else.

It was the feeling of sharpened claws of the monster before him piercing through his neck and held millimeters from his very brain, making blood well up in his air pathways and choke him as his body was paralyzed, unable to move. And blood poured down his chest from the slash made less than half a second before his neck was impaled.

A high class devil was much more durable than lower members of its kind. As long as the brain remained intact, its body could last longer than a humans.

But with blood draining from him and the look on Kuroka's face, there was no salvation waiting for him.

Kuroka's insane and demonic smile spread even further at the mix of emotions portrayed in his eyes.

Her voice sounded out.

So soft yet heard so clearly.

It froze the three low class scientists devils in their places as their preservation instincts shut down their bodies in fear.

They screamed not to move and attract the gaze of the predator that appeared.

"Oh Cruff~….my, my, there is so much I wish to tell you, *sigh* but sadly we have so little time….

But don't worry, you see, I'll let you in on a small secret."

Her voice whispered demonically and sensually by his ears.

"The Nekomata species have a very special power~. We call it Kasha."

Purplish blue flames ignited along Kuroka's arms and slowly traveled down toward her hands.

"Kasha is not normal fire…~ do you want to know what they do~?"

Like the voice of a demon whispered into a devils mind, creating a feeling a despair that couldn't be rejected by his very being.

It was beyond logic and steeped into pure instinct.

His eyes reflected his question even as he slowly died with nails piercing the edges of his brain, making a demonic giggle escape Kuroka's cracked and dry throat.

"Nyahaha~ I'll tell you~. They are…spiritual flames…"

His slowly closing eyes snapped back open in pure fear that made more laughter come from Kuroka's throat.

"Yeess~ Nyahaha! Don't worry little bat… we will play for a loooonnggg~ time after I rip your soul from your body and trap it in a ball of burning spiritual flames."

Her voice became deeper, demonic, and full of wrath.

"And do you know why?"

Her free hand slashed an ear off Cruff's skull making a pain filled scream bubble from his throat but having no escape as blood filled it.

"It's because you made me choose.

Choose between ripping out my own heart and stabbing my heart with a blunt – rusty – spoon!

YOU MADE ME BETRAY MY LOVE!

YOU TOOK MY SISTER FROM ME!

AND YOU TOOK MY VERY IDENTITY FROM ME!

I AM A NEKOSHOU! I WILL NOT LOSE MY IDENTITY TO YOUR FILTHY DEVIL BLOOD!

YOUR SOUL WILL BURN FOR YEARS TO COME!"

With the end of her wrathful words, a feline yowl of pure hatred ripped from her throat as her senjutsu and touki empowered arm pierced straight through his brain and ripped the very head from his shoulders.

At the same time an inhuman screech came from the corpse as something ethereal seemed to be dragged from the body into Kuroka's by the flames connecting them.

Silence emanated in the room for second before fire exploded inside of Kuroka.

She bent over in agony as the mixture of the drug still inside her and now her devil energy and the bishop pieces in her soul began rampaging upon the death of her 'master'.

The three scientists looked at each other before they moved as one, only to meet a rampaging feline with a single golden slit eye with glowing tails and a single ear glaring at them with a deadly calm.

*Line Break*

Deep in the underworld, in a floating island hidden from the world that held the controls for the underworlds day and night patterns was a special lab.

The lab was used by only a single person when he performed special experiments.

That person was Ajuka Beelzebub, one of the four Satans of hell, one of three Super Devils in existence, and the genius creator of the evil piece system that completely flipped devil society on its head.

It was him who even created the floating island, and his friends and fellow Satans helped supply enough energy for the creation of the literal fake moon in the artificial night system he created to help reincarnated devils adapt to the underworld.

And as the creator and overseer of the peerage system, he is notified when significant changes happen to a peerage set.

After all, he programmed it that way.

It was his magnus opus.

Ajuka paused in his writing on a clipboard while he stood in his lab with a dozen assistants moving around.

As a Satan, many of the more talented brains among devil society flocked to him to work and learn under him.

And as a mediator for devil kind, he accepted mostly anyone qualified.

He was too lazy to think too much on it when he wanted to focus on his work.

A blip on his personal tablet on the table in front of him beeped and he rose a brow at the notification.

"A king was killed by its servant huh? Stupid kids keep forcing changes without thinking of the consequences."

Ajuka internally sighed.

He didn't mean to create a system to enslave other races.

He made it to help increase his race's numbers.

But he never really thinks to deeply into the politics that his inventions could cause. Which is why he speaks to his friends and fellow Satans before publicly revealing things, letting them work out the stuff he is to lazy thing on.

'I guess it really isn't a surprise the first things those dumbass kids would think on is to enslave anyone interesting. Even the parents think it but at least they have the common sense to think of consequences first…usually.'

That thought made him verbally sigh and lift the tablet while mumbling.

"*sigh* let's see who it was this time."

Unknown to him, the lab had grown quiet as a few ears perked up to hear the interesting news.

"Hm… Cruff Naberius huh? Killed by…interesting, a newly reincarnated double bishop….ho? A Nekoshou huh? And it's picking up traces of….natural energy?

Hm… intriguing.

Nekoshou are a subspecies of Nekomata, a Yokai type that has little publicly known info.

We know they identify differently, but it wasn't noticed as anything special.

But natural energy?...perhaps…huh that's possible.. perhaps they are naturally inclined to absorbing natural energy? Senjutsu?

But…natural energy is incredibly toxic these days. Wouldn't absorbing it cause one to go berserk unless they were a Buddha or nature god?

That would make sense. The kid got a Nekoshou who absorbed natural energy and went berserk? It's certainly a possibility…

Hm.. then again… it's just a theory…"

His mumbles continued for a bit.

Ajuka was just doing what he always did, going through multiple hypothetical situations in his mind to solve an interesting puzzle.

But while he knew his thoughts were purely theory, that didn't mean those around him thought that way.

It's almost funny at how sad it is. Intelligent beings often think in ways that would baffle others at how they jump from A to E without any proof.

Anger and fear combined with selective hearing never ends well.

'A high class devil killed by a filthy Nekoshou?' 'Nekoshou with natural energy go berserk and can kill a high class devil?' 'Those filthy beasts killed a pureblood devil?! How dare they?!'

Such thoughts revolved through the minds of those in hearing range.

And one of them looked almost livid in his anger.

A communication magic circle appeared by his ear.

As a member of the noble clan of Naberius, he felt it was right to inform the clan leader of such news. The Nekoshou killed a pureblood of their clan. Retribution must be dealt.

Ajuka only broke from his thoughts and mumbles when he noticed one his assistants ending a call.

His eyes narrowed.

"Ignus, who did you just call?"

The devil, Ignus, puffed out his chest in pride.

"The Naberius clan head my lord, I was informing him of the travesty you spoke of; retribution must be had for the poor boy Cruff."

There was an eerie silence for a second as Ajuka took a deep breath before he left it out and a massive ocean of pressure descended on the room and threw every single high class devil there to the floor while they cracked the tiles.

*Bang*

Ajuka's voice came old cold and emotionless.

"When did I confirm the truth? You took my conjecture and made it reality inside that pathetic mind of yours before doing something of pure stupidity without thinking of the consequences."

Ignis struggled on the ground as blood poured out of his orifices.

"M-my l-lord….p-please forgiv…"

"Shut up. Die."

The pressure increased and the devil screamed as his body was crushed.

The pressure vanished into air and Ajuka turned while waving a hand behind him.

"Someone clean up that mess. I have to go deal with this."

The devils behind him were quick to act while Ajuka shook his head in disgust.

'Fucking moron, does he not know that the Nekoshou village is a fucking embassy? I have to contact Sirzechs. I'm not allowed to interfere in clan's internal affairs, this is his jurisdiction.'

A teleportation circle appeared around his feet and he disappeared in seconds with only a single thought.

'I hope we are not too late.'

*Line Break*

To the far west of the devils territory of the underworld laid a massive castle beyond human ability to create built into the very top of a mountain.

The castle grounds could fit thousands inside without issue.

And it was this castle that was the center piece of the land in all directions for miles on end.

This was the Naberius clan main line castle, standing in the center of their lands.

Deep inside the castle, sitting on a throne like chair inside an office, sat the current head of the Naberius clan, a high class devil named Koujou Naberius.

Koujou had just gotten off a call and began shouting orders to his subordinates in an impulsive way.

Meanwhile in another part of the castle, a woman with the characteristic lime green hair and eyes of the main line of the Naberius clan smiled wide and bloodthirsty.

But that smile wasn't pointed at whoever killed a branch member of her family. No, it was targeted at Koujou himself.

You see, the Naberius clan was a clan with strong roots, and above average fertility among devilkind.

The previous lord Naberius, Lord Toheion, had three children with his wife.

His first born, Ruri Naberius, and his two sons Koujou, and Targent.

Conventionally, the clan has opted to equal primogeniture inheritance of clan head, as by old traditions, female members are often cut from succession after marriage due to being adopted into their new husbands family. It's due to this fact that Ruri has refused to marry in order to remain clan heir after her father.

However something happened before the succession could happen properly.

During the great war between angels, devils, and fallen, Lord Toheion and his son Targent were killed in combat before Toheion could successfully pass down the lordship to his daughter.

Ruri was everything he could have hoped for in a clan head to carry the clan with dignity and honor.

But unknown at the time, Koujou harbored great ambitions.

After the death of his father and brother at the end of the war.

Koujou had found a powerful political backer.

One that all devils knew the name of us.

For it was him who truly began the civil war and seized power while declaring himself as the great king.

Zekram Bael was not someone most families wanted to deal with.

For the support, financially, martially, and politically, that Koujou could offer him during the civil war using the Naberius clan's resources, Zekram supported him and suppressed Ruri.

While to the outside world, the clan was one and united, on the inside is a different matter.

Two distinct factions exist inside the clan, one that follows the clan head, Koujou, and the other that is loyal to the true clan head, Ruri.

Koujou was never meant to rule.

He was a foolish, impulsive, and easily manipulated devil with delusions of grandeur.

But the one who held his leash was Zekram, and there was nothing Ruri could do even with all her methods.

She was forced to wait.

Wait for a chance.

An opportunity to strike.

An opportunity to seize the initiative once and for all and stop the disgrace her clan had become as nothing more than guard dogs for Zekram.

And the first signs of that opportunity came one day from a notice of one of their branch members dying to their peerage member.

It was something so small, so insignificant, but Ruri saw the opportunity when it arrived, and she began forming her own plans to turn that tiny spark into a raging inferno.

Meanwhile, the foolish and impulsive clan head acted in a predictable way.

He mobilized the clans forces in his anger and sent his armies to wipe out the village of pathetic beasts who dared bite the clan he lead.

Unaware of the shadow of death that clung to his form, stretching it's bony and cold hands to slowly wrap around his heart.

*Line Break*

Leone closed the magic circle by her ear with a grave expression before turning to her fellow leaders.

"That was my girls. The Naberius clan is mobilizing it's forces en mass. Looks like it's happening."

Yoru, Chloe, and Ghislaine nodded with similar expressions.

"Guess it's time."

"It's been fun."

"We shall do whats necessary."

Leone sighed.

"I know, I just wish the brat would have answered our calls."

The girls chuckled.

"He's doing what he does best."

"Of course, we taught him."

"He will bring his mate and little sister to safety or die trying."

Leone shot Ghislaine a look.

"Don't say that Ghis, it's bad karma."

Ghislaine shrugged.

"I say what I believe. Nothing is guaranteed in this world. The law of the jungle is the strongest survive. I taught him almost everything I know. He understands whats at risk. If he falters or turns back from his goal, he will be eaten."

But then a predatory smile formed on her face.

"And it's a good thing he never turns back. Our wolf is showing them who is alpha."

The girls chuckled at that for a moment before they nodded.

"He will do what he needs to do, and we will do our part."

"Sound the signal."

"It's time."

"Begin the plan."

Would the village survive the night? Who knows. Ghislaine summed it up best. It's the law of the jungle.

*Line break*

Kuroka pulled her hand out of the skull of the last scientist with a groan of pain.

The three low class devils were pathetic to her at the moment.

They moved so slow, had no combat skills, and couldn't even touch her half dead form.

'Fucking scientists, I hate their kind.'

She groaned and put a hand against the wall.

The two forced inside her, her Nekoshou genes fueled by the constant intake of natural energy was getting pushed down by the demonic energy that was rampaging.

Before, the demonic energy was like a pool of dark water inside her. And then with the addition of the drug, it became an acidic pool, trying to erode and absorb her Nekoshou side to evolve.

The process felt like ice cold metal was coursing through her veins and both burning freezing her in turn while stabbing into her very being.

Then with the influx of natural energy, her Nekoshou side began fighting back and stalemated against the acidic water, creating a still incredibly painful but slightly more manageable situation for a few moments.

And finally, with the death of the 'master', the bishop pieces in her soul destabilized and the large excess of demonic energy inside her went berserk, causing the acidic pool to now begin splashing everywhere, even her own body.

The pain was even greater than before.

Kuroka tried to focus on using natural energy to cover the acidic water in a 'sphere' of sorts, but the pain was distracting her and she didn't have enough time to focus before the doors slammed open once more and six new devils appeared.

All six were mid class in strength according to her senses.

Four male and two female devils looked on in shock at the headless corpse of their 'master'.

"H-he's dead!"

"That's not possible! He was a high class devil!"

"W-what does this mean for us?"

"Her! She killed him. If we don't kill her they will kill us!"

The six of them narrowed their eyes on her while Kuroka just chuckled.

"Nyaha~, you sure about that? They will probably kill you either way. You could just run away."

One of them scoffed.

"And be counted as a stray? There is no peace for a stray in this world, everyone hunts them."

Kuroka shrugged while withholding a grimace as pain wracked through her body. Her remaining cat ear and two tails were glowing and slowly dissolving.

"You can try to find another clan to take you under their wing."

Two of the devils paused with thoughtful looks.

"She might have a point."

"I've heard of it happening before."

But another one didn't seem to care.

"We might be able to hide under a new clan, but if she leaves her alive, there is no way anyone will take us in."

The others nodded in agreement at that point while Kuroka closed her mismatched eyes and sighed.

"Nya…so that's how it is…"

Her eyes reopened with a sharp gaze paired with the insane predatorial smile of a beast backed into a corner.

"So be it then."

She made the first move and charged into the fray, but even with her senjutsu enhanced state, there was only so much she could do.

She got lucky and sneak attacked the high class devil.

The skirmish moved from the lap to the large open hallway beyond and Kuroka dodged a blade of who she assumed was the knight based on his speed.

'Hurry up my moon, or it really will be goodbye.'

"KUROKA!"

*RUMBLE!*

Her insane smile melted like snow into one of pure love and affection as the roof came down on top of one of the devils and those wine red eyes that enchanted her being appeared from the smoke.

Their eyes met and the world melted away for a moment before an unspoken understanding was made.

Hei through down a smoke bomb and they burst into action.

*Line Break*

The second my eyes landed on her form through my mask; I felt the cold that had seeped into my bones melt away under the flames of a hearth.

She was covered in blood, ripped clothes, had bruises on her wrists and ankles, her eyes were mismatched with one the usual slit golden pupil and the other a round red pupil, her left Nekoshou ear was glowing and chipping away while her other ear was human, her two tails were glowing like her ear and misshaped, and she was holding a hand to her gut while slightly hunched over.

And yet, the second I saw that loving smile full of affection, I felt the same feeling I felt when I first gazed up at her all those years ago.

The feeling of warmth deep inside as her smile shined light on my cold heart.

And they hurt her.

They – hurt – my – mate.

The hearth that lit upon our eyes meeting burned into an inferno.

How dare they.

How dare they harm her.

How dare they make her feel such pain.

They will die.

I'll kill them.

I'll rip out their throats and drown them in their own blood.

My burning eyes met with hers, a silent conversation happening, and with a nod to each other, I grabbed a smoke bomb and threw it down to explode rapidly and fill the room.

The combined bloodlust of the two of us mixing to create a literal film in the enclosed space. Combining and enhancing each other like they were meant to be as such.

The second my touki infused foot touched the ground, it cratered as I shot like an arrow toward my prey with my fist pulled back tightly.

The wind pushed against my skin as Kuroka's touki infused form passed by my own by naught but inches, her claws extending toward her own prey.

The devil before me had her pupils shrunk into pinpricks as a fist expanded before her eyes with the force of a mountain pressing down.

The sheer bloodlust having paralyzed her momentarily from reacting and having not been able to sense my approach.

The last thing she saw was my masked face before my fist made contact with her jaw.

Touki x3.

*BANG*

Like a cannonball shot from a canon, her form flew back to smash through the wall behind her as her neck was shattered and twisted from the force.

And in the exact moment my fist made contact with my targets face, Kuroka's claws pierced the brain of the prey she aimed for.

The smoke cleared slightly from the force of our movements and a wind spell from one of the devils.

"Claire!"

"Ben!"

"You bastards!"

"How dare you!"

The four attacked as one, showcasing their past peerage status.

The fastest of them, a knight, sped toward Kuroka with the edge of a blade gleaming.

Kuroka twisted over his form with inhuman flexibility as I bull charged behind him while keeping low to the ground at the same time Kuroka's clawed toes stabbed into his shoulder and used her momentum to pull him backward, flipping him over my shoulder where my arms encircled his head and snapped his neck over my shoulder.

An almighty *Crack!* rang out within seconds from the knights charge.

His blade hadn't even touched the ground before my foot lashed out to slam into the butt of the hilt, launching it like a javelin toward the devil man in the back trying to cast a lightning magic spell.

The sword impaled him through his stomach just as the last male member, the rook by his heavy steps, reached our position.

Kuroka landed in a crouch on my back from her jump.

My hands moved behind me where a pair of matching puzzle pieces moved in tandem to land in them.

Kuroka's teasing words hit my ears as I felt her lips touch the back of my neck.

"Be gentle with me my love~."

A mixture of a scoff and a laugh came from my throat as I spun her like a whip, our combined touki enhanced forms making our movement cut through the air like the spinning top of a table saw.

The rook had just thrown up his guard as the nails on Kuroka's toes sliced through his arms, into his chest, and left sparks of purplish blue flames behind that ignited to light up his form like a torch.

"AHHH!"

An inhuman screech of agony tore from his lungs only for me to spin Kuroka a second time where she landed a spartan kick on his chest, launching his form like a ball of flames toward the position of the last female devil who had formed dozens of spears of ice.

She managed to avoid the flaming meteor but she made the fatal error of turning her head to look at her fallen ally.

"Kevin!"

She launched her ice spears forward like a storm without looking, causing her to miss the fact I spun Kuroka a third time before letting her fly.

The female devil didn't even register what happened before her head was removed from her shoulders and her corpse set alight.

"Kuk….you bastards…!"

The last devil, the one with a sword impaling his gut, looked on with pure hatred.

His eyes locked on to Kuroka as arcs of electricity formed down his arm.

And at the same time, by misfortune, Kuroka's body seized up in a new wave of agony inside her.

But it mattered not.

Because as the dying devil extending his hands and prepared to launch his attack, a hand clamped down on his own, crushing it and taking in the lightning as the skin blackened.

He looked up at my form as my bloodied mask, tattered cloak, electrically sparking arm, along with two ice spikes piercing my shoulder came into his view like a flash.

But he couldn't do anything more as my other hand had already moved to grasp the devil around the neck.

He looked at me with crazed eyes and spat blood at my mask.

"Fuck yo-*Crack*"

I snapped his neck like a twig and he went limp.

A silence descended on the room as my head swiveled to my mate, crouched over on a knee with her eyes tightly shut in pain.

(AN: Song: Lovely by leolide. Leolide is not the artist but the poster on YouTube. It's a shorter clip than the full song.)

The corpse in my hand was uncaringly tossed aside as I walked toward her.

My steps echoing in the now quiet, demolished, and blood soaked hallway.

There was a clink in the room as I pulled out and dropped the ice spikes without a sound, letting my healing factor boosted by Touki quickly coagulate my blood at the wound.

There was no pause in my movement as I moved toward her one step at a time.

I dare say if Ophis herself stood before me at this moment, I would have pushed her aside without a thought.

Kuroka's mismatched pupils opened and she turned her head over her shoulder from her crouch as I stood less than a foot away, my hand already outstretched to land on her shoulder, when she moved faster than I had ever seen her move before.

*YOWL!*

With a primal feline scream, her claws whipped out to slash through my mask, coming a hair's width apart from my skin, and yet doing nothing but removing the obstructing object.

Our eyes stared unobstructed into one another.

I hadn't flinched or twitched even the slightest.

There was no fear in my gaze, I trusted her with my heart.

Her eyes stared into my own, studying me with an analyzing gaze that penetrated me.

We stood there, stuck in a deadlock of gazes, inches apart from where her swipe had positioned her chest to my own.

And then my hand moved.

It came up to lightly hover over her cheek with the gentlest of touches, almost as if to preserve cracked glass a single touch away from shattering.

Her eyelids began to close as her head nuzzled into my palm, the gentlest of purrs coming from her throat.

Her own bloodied hand coming up to gently push my own palm into her cheek further as she rubbed against it.

Her voice was soft as a whisper as she breathed in deeply through her nose.

"Hei."

My other hand came up to gently press to the back of her head, pulling her into my arms as she trembled slightly with tears on the edge of her eyes.

My voice equaled hers in volume.

"Kuroka."

Two names, spoken with the faintest of sounds, but with so much love it could have overwhelmed Aphrodite herself.

Kuroka's eyes peered open, lidded and full, with her teeth biting her lip.

"My moon."

My head tilted down toward her.

"My sun."

Our forms melded into one, our lips interlocking, lightning coursing through our souls, and the world itself melting away.

Her claws extended as her fingers sunk into my shoulders like pins locking us in place.

A growl of pain and pleasure bubbled deep in my throat and the vibration made her moan in pleasure.

My hand pressed into the small of her back, pushing her form into my own as our cores ignited.

In that moment, the world didn't matter, the consequences didn't matter, our injuries didn't matter, even breathing didn't matter.

The only thing that mattered was pouring every last ounce of love and affection we had into one another, reassuring the other we were there.

We were together.

We would be all right.

We would face the world hand in hand.

She was mine and I hers.

And then the wave receded.

Her body began shaking even as tears fell from her eyes.

Her legs gave out but I was there to catch her as our heads pulled back.

"Hei.."

"Shhh, I got you love. You're going to be fine."

She buried her face in my neck and trembled.

"Hei…I'm sorry. I'm *hic* so, so, so, sorry…."

I held her tightly and rubbed my hand in circles on her back as she cried and apologized over and over.

After a minute, I nuzzled my head into the side of her own and spoke gently into her ears.

"You have nothing to be sorry for my love."

My eyes trailed over her bruises and I felt my anger spike before pushing it down.

My ring flashed as a spell card appeared and I crushed it while targeting her.

Spell Card #23: Water of Life – Washes a single target in healing water of life. Heals all injuries in seconds but does not cure illness's, curse's, or missing organs/limbs.

A gentle film of warm water quickly washed over her form as she meowed in contentment and surprise.

When the water faded and dissolved, her minor injuries were gone, but my eyes narrowed as no change happened to her ear, tails, and the energy inside her was still rampaging.

But before I could think further, Kuroka's hand landed on my shoulder where my wound had stopped bleeding.

She licked it gently.

"Your turn my love."

Her eyes, no matter what the pupils looked like, still held that commanding tone that brooked no disagreement on threat of losing limbs.

I chuckled and crushed another healing spell card while simultaneously deactivating my touki which I was using to speed up my healing.

My own wounds, the blackened hand, electrical burns, metal burns, and all the minor cuts, scrapes, and wounds I accumulated in my massacre were healed and washed away, leaving a new scar on my shoulder.

Her eyes softened as she saw me heal before her eyes finally began to show how tired she was.

My worry increased for her as her body was still being racked by pain.

Her remaining Nekoshou ear was down to a stub and her tails were only had a few hands length left.

I choked back my worries and spoke as calmy as I could to not agitate her.

"Kuroka, I need you to tell me what they did so I can heal you."

I had a few various types of cards, if I know what they did I might be able to help.

Kuroka nodded sadly and leaned back into my shoulder before she told her side.

My heart went out to her as she spoke of losing her mother so suddenly, it raged as she learned how her mother would have sold her to the devils at her father's word had she stayed, it bled in sympathy and anger when she told spoke of how she was forced to make her choice, and it turned as cold as a tundra in its wrath toward what the experimental drug they injected her with was doing to her.

'If I had only moved sooner. If I had only acted earlier. If I had prepared her more.'

Hundreds of 'what if's' circled my mind before I cleared them away with force.

'I can't change what past, but I can deal with what's in front of me.'

Kuroka was holding on to me like a lifeline as she finished.

"I'm.. I'm scared Hei…I can feel it…my Nekoshou genes are dying…. my senses are dulling….I feel like a major part of my identity is being taken from me….*sniff*..I…I don't want to no longer be a cat…"

I shushed her gently.

"It will be alright love, let me see what I can do."

Cards appeared in my hand one after another.

Spell Card #21: Dispel – Dispel a single spell or curse.

Spell Card #23: Water of Life – Washes a single target in healing water of life. Heals all injuries in seconds but does not cure illness's, curse's, or missing organs/limbs.

Spell Card #30: Purify – Cure a disease.

I gave each card three tries, letting different effects land on her body but it was to no avail.

"Hei.."

"Shh love, I'm not done."

A new card appeared in my hand.

My strongest healing card.

One that could bring one back from the edge of death if need be.

#8: Angel's Breath – She cures one person of all wounds and ills, restoring them to perfect health.

I crushed the card without hesitation and a large spectral angelic woman with a hood covering her facial features appeared.

An ethereal voice called into my mind.

'Who shall I heal?'

I mentally called for Kuroka.

'Very well.'

The spectral woman seemed to take a breath before gently blowing out air like a wave to wash over Kuroka's form.

"Nyyaaaa~."

I kept my energy sense peering directly at Kuroka's chaotic energies and for the first time so far, I saw a reaction.

The rampaging demonic energies seemed to be momentarily soothed.

Happiness overcame me at the sight, but the ethereal voice spoke once more and wiped out my joy.

'I cannot heal her fully. Her ailment comes from the soul and her own energy. It is foreign, but it is hers. I cannot heal what is meant to be. I purged the toxin in her blood, but it was already mostly absorbed by the foreign pieces in her soul. My apologies.'

With her piece said, she faded into particles of life and my face paled.

That was my strongest healing card.

My cards had never failed me before.

What was I supposed to do now?!

Panic began setting into my mind before I felt something wet on my cheek.

I turned my eyes to match the watery pair of Kuroka's as she gave me a small smile after licking my cheek.

"Nya, it's fine my love."

My eyes narrowed.

"It's not fine. I won't let you lose a piece of yourself."

She shook her head sadly.

"I can feel it burning out Hei, I should just be glad to survive the process. My original species is almost gone."

The first part of her words made me want to rage at the pure sadness and grief in her expression, but the second part hit my mind like a hammer.

'Origin? Her original species…? Why does that…! That's it!'

My eyes lit up I hurriedly called out my binder.

I didn't know this card by heart as I never understood what it's purpose was.

My binder appeared and Kuroka didn't even look up, not expecting anything to change.

The pages flipped to the card I was aiming for until my eyes landed on it.

#6: Origin Seed – Return one to their origin.

I never understood the purpose of this card.

When I used it, it just created a tiny seed in my hand.

I tried taking a gamble and eating one once when I was five, but there was no effect so I kind of just forgot about it.

Some cards are just useless 90% of the time so I really only focus on the ones that I more commonly use.

But now a possibility to what this card could mean hit me like a train.

I picked up the card and stared it for a minute in silence.

After sixty seconds passed with it out of the binder, it reverted to item form and a small innocent looking seed was held in my palm.

"Kuroka."

I called out gently and she rose her head to look at me.

The slit of her golden iris already receding as the gold began darkening toward red.

"Hm?"

"Do you trust me?"

There was zero hesitation or doubt in her reply.

"With my very soul."

I smiled gently and lifted the seed to her mouth.

"Say ah."

She chuckled softly and complied.

I placed the seed on her tongue and before my eyes, it seemingly melted into a drop of golden liquid before rolling down her tongue and throat.

Kuroka had a strange expression.

"What was th….NYA!?"

A burst of energy burst from her form like a gong had been rung and threw me across the room to slam into a pillar.

'Ow.'

I shrugged it off before my eyes landed on Kuroka and I blinked at the sight.

A golden cocoon of light seemed to be slowly wrapping around her from the feet up.

I rushed to her side.

"Kuroka! Are you ok?!"

She was laying on the ground and her eyes were closing.

"Hei…I'm…feeling…sleepy…."

I gently bent down and picked her up bridal style.

The cocoon moved with her and kept encroaching her form slowly.

Through my energy sense, I could feel the two distinct forms of her energy slowly condensing, but to what effect I had no clue.

All I knew was that I was not about to let her sleep in this fucking place.

On my back, I still held a quiver with 4 teleporting arrows left.

One flashed and we vanished from the location to appear in my hideout in Antarctica.

I chose this location because I wanted her to have a safe spot away from the world where I can be sure no one would be around.

And in the back of my mind, a small humorous part of me felt a sleeping beauty joke was fitting.

I placed her form down on the master bed in the igloo designed walls as a warm hearth filled the room with warmth and the gentle sounds of crackling wood sounded out.

On the far wall of the bedroom was large planes of glass, showcasing the beautiful icy tundra with the glowing aurora lights lighting up the night sky.

The cocoon was up to her stomach now and she was on the brink of unconsciousness, but her hand managed to grasp onto my arm and her claws dug harshly into my skin.

I shot her a curious look as I hissed in pain and met her barely conscious but steel eyes as she forced out a word.

"Shirone…."

My eyes widened and I nodded before bending down to lay a gentle kiss on her lips.

"Don't worry my sun, I'll go get her. Rest and I'll be here when you wake."

The steel faded from her barely opened eyes as they closed while a smile rested on her lips.

"Love…you…my…moon."

The words were spoken in barely a whisper as she drifted off and the cocoon rose to wrap around her head.

I looked on for a moment, sensing her energies in flux beneath the golden surface, before standing back up.

I still had things to do, no matter how much I wanted to give in to my own exhaustion and rest with her.

I turned to the Joy panda who ran this hideout.

"If I don't return before the cocoon breaks, take care of her for me."

Joy nodded her head and sat down in a chair facing the bed.

I chuckled at the odd sight for a second before thanking her and using another arrow to reappear back in the destroyed manor.

This wasn't Nekoshou territory so I couldn't just teleport in normally.

I looked around the bloodied, corpse ridden and destroyed space before shaking my head in disgust.

'This place needs to burn, but first.'

My eyes turned toward the lab and I entered in.

My fists clenched when I saw the table with broken manacles at each corner but I forcefully pushed it down and turned away.

I only came here for one reason, to gain physical proof of what happened.

Uncaringly stepping over corpses of the scientists, I stopped at the corpse of the high class devil and patted him down, finding a key in his pants pocket.

Checking over the lab, I found nothing important in the way of documents but I did find something else.

An open case with a glowing silver vial inside.

One of the corpses had landed on the case and shattered the contents of a vial but there was one remaining intact.

'This was the drug they injected her with…'

My first instinct was to burn it.

But something stilled my hand.

It was as if my instincts were of two minds, one telling me to destroy what harmed my mate, and the other telling me there is more to see.

'I don't have time for this.'

My hand twitched and I picked up the vial.

"Gain."

It poofed into a card and I placed it in one of my free slots before I vanished it and my gaze turned toward the corpse with a crushed vial under it.

'No fucking way I'm raising a flag about leaving this here and making problems for myself down the line in life.'

Reaching into my belt, I lifted four small remote detonated incendiary bombs and placed it in a square around the liquid with one stabbed into the corpse.

These were small scale but high powered bombs I used for jobs but they were not exactly combat type weapons.

It's much easier to just shoot a bullet to kill someone but that's just my preference speaking.

My hands twitched at that thought as my mind turned toward the pistols that were long gone.

'*sigh* it is what it is. They had a good run and gave me everything they had. I'll just bug my sisters later to make me a new pair.'

Moving away, I made sure to drop a few more bombs directly into the high class devils corpse.

No fucking way am I leaving this fucker with an intact corpse.

I did raise a brow at his condition though.

Even now there were purplish blue flames licking his form that didn't seem to be burning his actual body.

'I wonder what Kuroka did to you? Heh, I'll ask her later.'

Unfortunately, I had to go for Shirone and I wanted to gather evidence before risking someone showing up.

This location was hidden and I sensed multiple magic formations covering the area, but no need to push things.

Dashing through the silent manor, I reached the office not far away.

It took me seconds to find the safe.

It was behind a painting of his own self.

'Devils and their fucking narcissism.'

The key fit inside and I opened it up.

It was only a small safe, but inside were folders of documents, jewels, and random items I wasn't paying much attention to in my hurry.

I grabbed a box from the side of the room and shoved it all inside before throwing down more bombs and turning the box into card for my free slots.

And it seemed I was just in time since I felt the magic formation around the property go down and energy signatures appeared on the edge of my senses.

I gave a bloodthirsty smirk and activated an arrow at the same time I hit the detonator.

The distant reverberation of an explosion just barely graced my ears before I was in a new location.

I recalled the direction Shirone's tracer was in and moved to the farthest point I had in memory in the West-North West direction of the underworld.

A deep ravine Ghislaine had taken me to before to hunt a certain lizard that only lived in these parts.

Pulling out my binder, I checked the tracers location and noticed I was slightly off from the right direction.

Adjusting my course, I pulled out a few cards.

First I tried a communication card, but all I got was mumbles when it connected.

It seemed Shirone was asleep, and most likely under a powerful sleep spell since I couldn't wake her up even by shouting.

I just got random thoughts like 'fish' 'candy' and my eye twitched at 'go for the knees'.

Shaking it off, I started running with touki infusing my body to up the speed to move faster than a race car in a straight line, bouncing off tree's, rocks, and obstacles along my way without slowing down.

I could have gone faster usually, but I had no issue admitting just how exhausted I was at this point.

Emotionally, mentally, and physically.

Starting off with over 60 hours spent awake to complete a mission perfectly.

The emotional and mental exhaustion that accompanied the mission.

Then the reveal of Kuroka and Shirone missing.

Flying off in a rage and storming a high class devils manor guarded by dozens of low class devils and a handful of mid class's.

Pouring out every ounce of mental focus to use my energy sense to its max capacity and unleashing all my skills.

The sacrifice of my weapons, the renewed anger at Kuroka's state and the following brief but very intense indoor battle.

And finally the effort I went through with trying to soothe Kuroka while internally panicking and the true rollercoaster of hope and helplessness I felt as I used my cards on her.

And on top of everything, I hadn't had a cigarette in days! I mean come on! It's not a physical addiction but a mental one, it soothes my damn soul god damn it.

I've been trained since the age of five, used abilities created by the biblical god at the height of his power, had trainers at the very apex of skills rather than power, and spread my name through the human underworld in a way that can strike fear into the hearts of anyone who thinks I'm coming for them.

But for all of that… I'm still human.

I'm no machine.

And there is a breaking point.

Thankfully I hadn't hit the absolute limit yet, but I was getting close.

I was very, very tired at this point.

Using touki to the extent I did and am currently doing is a drain on my reserves and they are getting a bit low for my comfort.

The reason I didn't just use the spell card to fly me directly toward Shirone's direction is that I honestly cannot afford another fight right now without risking true injuries.

So I chose the stealth route this time.

Even if canon was fucked already, I had little doubt some things would still remain steadily on track.

Such as Shirone getting found by Sirzechs before she could be killed.

Did that mean I would abandon her to her fate?

Hell no! That's my fucking little sister!

But I could at least reassure myself she wouldn't come to harm yet.

I hope.

That's what I told myself anyway.

I don't regret going for Kuroka first, she needed me more than ever at that moment.

But now wasn't the time to think on what if's.

It was time to do what I do best and be a shadow.

As I moved I reached into my binder to pull out my emergency pack.

I always keep a bag in one of my free slots with extra clothes and masks.

I can't say how many times it's been appreciated over the years.

You never know when something, anything really, could occur making you lose your clothes, have them tear, be damaged, or just be gross to be in like when they are covered by blood.

And it's not like I hadn't cracked masks before.

Albeit none had ever been as utterly destroyed as what Kuroka had just done, but I cared little for it.

It did make me sweat drop and feel my balls shrink a bit to note the fact her senjutsu and devil enhanced claws cut through it like butter.

I don't simply pick up random festival masks.

The outer surface is porcelain but the inner layer is lined with carbon steel.

It could stop a bullet from penetrating my face.

That's not one cat I want to truly piss off.

At least not without making it worth it.

I shook my head with a wry smile as I turned the card into a duffel bag, pulled out a new mask, and paused at the sight of my spare cloak.

I eyed the cloak I was wearing.

It was torn up, burned, and blood soaked, but the enchantment was still working.

Albeit barely.

I shook my head and put it back.

I don't have many of these cloaks, I only get one a year so my stock is limited and I've already lost a few.

#45: Secret Loyalty Cloak – You will be under the effect of "Blackout Curtain" while wearing this cape. Can be worn indefinitely. Each cloak is bonded to the first one to wear it, it will not allow another to use its effect.

Very useful, but with the fact that the second I use one, it bonds to me, I try not to use a new one if I can help it.

I gave one to Kuroka already, and I lost a few.

The remaining ones are in my bunker hideout with only a single spare kept in my backup bag.

So for now, even if it's barely holding on, it works and I'll deal with it.

I didn't bother changing my clothes beyond throwing on a new sleeveless combat shirt, I desperately needed a shower and it would just waste clean clothing to use more than that for now.

I did restock my belt while I had the moment, but I didn't have backup pistols on me.

Back before I was gifted my special pistols, I had multiple pairs, but I stopped carrying them after the first year of use of my new ones.

I would have to make do with what I had.

I had no guns, no string, no bombs, a couple smoke capsules, two poison capsules, my golden Lupa egg, a detonator for the mines around the Nekoshou village, and a few miscellaneous items on my belt like the voice changing candies.

At the very least I had an extra steel 5.2 inch small K-bar knife in my bag that I slipped into my boot, the smaller utility blade rather than the larger 7 inch blade.

I lost the last two back at the end of the fight at the manor.

Say what you will about devils, but all my use on their bodies with those human made steel blades warped, dulled, and chipped them terribly.

I was no swordsman; I wasn't capable of keeping a blade alive for a long time by knowing the correct way to cut each target.

I was an assassin, and I was trained to be able to use a blade to take a life. That's all I needed to know.

Suitability refitted with what I had, I slapped the bag with a Recycle spell card and stored it back in my free slots.

My eyes passed over the card that contained the crate with the heads of Freed and the other stray exorcists.

'It feels like that ended weeks ago but it hasn't even been six hours. I'll take care of it once this is all over.'

A different card appeared in my hand only to be crushed seconds later.

Spell Card #26: Guidepost - Give away the general location of a previously met target. Within 50 miles.

The only indication the tracer gives off is what direction the target is from my location.

But it was consistent and didn't fade.

Since it didn't have the distance, I had to use another card.

Guidepost gives me a very wide search range to go through, and it's only for a moment, but it does give me a target location.

A mental image projected into my mind like a birds eye view from above.

What appeared in the image was a truly massive city. Larger than any I had seen before.

A city I could recognize from much of the research I had done on the underworld.

How could I not?

When it was the capital city of the underworld.

Lilith.

The city ruled and watched over by Sirzechs Lucifer.

The image faded from my mind and I summed up my opinion with a single word.

"Shit."

Why the hell was Shirone there already?!

My feet never stopped as I pushed on, my eyes seeing the edges of the city in the far distance.

*Line Break*

~A bit over an hour earlier.~

"Fuck me."

Two words summed up Sirzechs Lucifers thoughts as his head dropped onto his desk with a groan.

Sirzechs is a tall handsome man who seemed to be in his early 20's. He has shoulder length crimson red hair and blue-green eyes along with an aristocratic face.

"No, do your job Lucifer-Sama."

A cold voice rang out to his side rang out and Sirzechs turned watery eyes toward his queen and wife, Grayfia Lucifuge.

Grayfia is a beautiful young woman appearing to be in her early twenties with back-length silver hair that features a long braid on each side with small blue bows at the ends, while the rest is let down which ends in twin braids and red eyes adorn her beautiful face.

She wore a blue and white maid uniform and had a strict and cold facial expression as she dealt with her husband and king.

"Sirzechs, this really isn't something to be messing around with. I'm getting notifications that at least a dozen clans are mobilizing under Naberius's lead."

The third and final member of the office was Ajuka Beelzebub.

Ajuka is a bewitchingly beautiful and attractive young man appearing in his early twenties, with light blue eyes and green hair that is slicked back.

Sirzechs picked his head up off the desk and sighed before adorning a serious expression.

"Why do people have to give me so much work. I swear these bastards are trying to kill me with paperwork since they can't do it with power.

*Sigh*

So a young branch member of the Naberius clan was killed by his double bishop piece, a Nekoshou, using natural energy.

You don't know what happened, but during the casual mumbling you do when you get lost in your thoughts, which you REALLY need to stop doing considering it's been happening for almost a century now, one of the Naberius clan assistants of yours took your mumbles as fact and prematurely sent the clan head, one we all know is a pain in the ass from his impulsive desire for fame and power, a message that him mobilizing his forces to go slaughter the only Yokai embassy we have in the underworld and potentially kick off a war with the Yokai and potentially the Shinso pantheon.

Did I miss anything?"

His wife's cold voice rang out.

"You missed the part about a dozen other clans currently raising arms."

*Thud*

Sirzechs head found his desk again.

"Why again, did I take this job?"

Ajuka sighed himself.

"I know I messed up here man, but I can't step in without causing a lot more issues for us. I deal with the science and research side of things, Sera gets international relations, Falbium is responsible for the military, and you, as the leader and most powerful, get internal relations.

The only one among us who can step in and stop this shitstorm is you."

Sirzechs nodded his head against the desk and waved his hand.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Sheesh, can't have a single year without an incident in the underworld.

First that small scale war between the Agares and Amon clans with the discovery of a small mithril vein.

Then the latest death match between Sera and Gabriel.

Then the evil dragon that was revived from a seal by some occult fanatics.

Oh, and you can't forget the mutant clowns those insane bastards created and lost control of."

Grayfia and Ajuka both repressed a shiver at that memory.

Some things should just not be tempered with, even for devils.

"And now this! I can beat down devils fighting each other all day but the last fucking thing we need right now is complete and utter hostility from the Shinso and Yokai!

We are finally just barely recovering with reincarnated devils coming in, and Japan is literally a hot spot for potential these days.

Yasaka and Nurarihyon are ultimate class beings for Satans sake, do these bastards think they grow on trees?!

Why do these bastards make my life so difficult!"

Sirzechs slammed his fist on the desk, shattering it, and dropping stacks of neatly folded paper on the ground.

"My lord."

The sound of a voice as if it crawled out of the freezing pits of Cocytus themselves sounded out by Sirzechs ear and his anger and wrath vanished like a breeze as his face paled.

His head didn't move but his eyes looked down to see the mess of papers, making him internally cry.

Ajuka wisely took a large step back.

*BANG*

Sirzechs Lucifer got bitch slapped on the back of his head by his wife.

"Stop making a mess in your office."

Sirzechs muffled voice came from his implanted face in the concrete.

"*Muffle* Yes dear."

He chose not to point out that she made a larger mess with her actions.

Ajuka shook his head with a wry smirk.

"Not that I don't want to hear you rant all day, because I don't, or get your ass kicked by your lovely wife, because I do, but we have a situation."

Sirzechs sighed for the third time and picked himself up off the cratered ground.

"Right.

Ok, Ajuka, work on spreading counter rumors to stop the rumors I'm sure as hell are spreading by now that the Nekoshou are corrupted monsters preying on innocent pure blood devils. The last thing we need is the morons getting public support. Those women in that village have been nothing but respectful and kept their distance to live in peace.

My lovely wife~, please go to the Naberius clan and halt their movements if you can. If you can't, try and force them to back down.

I'll head out to the other clans and stop them cold before they can actually send anyone over."

His wife and friend nodded before they each stepped into their own teleportation circles and flashed away.

It was just another day and another crisis for the leaders of the underworld.

*Line Break*

When Grayfia appeared on the edge of the Naberius clan castle, her brow twitched as she saw devils flying through teleportation gates fully armed.

Her demonic energy flared out like a wave and ice formed walls before each gate as all the devils present felt the gravity increase and press down on them heavily.

Her voice came out in the commanding tone of the queen of hell.

"By the order of Lord Lucifer, you are all to stand down immediately."

None dared to question her with her power flaring wildly and pressing down on them.

But a voice shouted out from the castle.

"You dare! This is an internal clan affair!"

A figure shot into the sky from the castle and approached as his own magic flared and offset the gravity magic coming from Grayfia slightly.

It was Koujou Naberius, the clan head.

Grayfia internally rolled her eyes at the fool and took back the sliver of magic she was using to make him sweat but spoke out with a cold sort of respect held from years of experience.

"Lord Naberius, you are attempting to start an all-out war between devilkind and the Yokai and Shinso factions. Stand down immediately."

Kuojou's face had a mixture of anger and disgust.

"Who cares about those filthy beasts?! They killed one our noble pureblood members! They should be slaughtered and put under our feet! This was confirmed by Lord Beelzebub!"

Grayfia didn't bat an eyelash at his tone.

"According to Lord Beelzebub himself, while one Cruff Naberius was indeed killed by a member of his peerage, a Nekoshou, the situation itself was not confirmed.

The death of Cruff Naberius will be investigated thoroughly and supervised by Lord Lucifer himself.

The guilty party will be held responsible and action will be taken once proof is received."

If anything her words only made the clan head's face turn purple in anger.

"YOU DARE ASSUME OUR SCIONS WERE AT FAULT?!"

Again, Grayfia met his anger with cold but respectful indifference.

"I stated that the guilty party will be held responsible. Whether that be Mr. Cruff, the Nekoshou, or a third party is unknown. An investigation will immediately be held."

Koujou was livid but he bit his cheek and managed to without the outrage he wanted to unleash on the woman he considered a traitor to the true rulers of hell.

He gritted his teeth and stood down.

"Very well, we shall await Lord Lucifers investigation and we will demand recompense in blood when those beasts are declared guilty!"

Grayfia nodded her head.

"If they are found guilty, compensation will be paid."

Just then, Grayfia's energy sense picked up a new signal as a teleportation circle appeared in the courtyard in front of the castle.

Her eyes narrowed at the sight of two mid class devils carrying an unconscious little girl over their shoulder.

She could immediately identify the Yokai energy signature.

Koujou picked up on it only a second behind her and his eyes narrowed in disgust as demonic energy began condensing in his hands.

Grayfia's eyes widened slightly before she moved.

"WAIT!"

She appeared between the two parties as a titanic wall of ice popped into being to stop a deadly beam of fire and darkness in the shape of a snake.

The Naberius Clan are mainly known for their ability to tame canine magic beasts and their fertility rates, but they are also infamous for their hereditary ability, Spell of Triskelion.

The spell takes on three varied elements and combines it into one with the elements in question varying between each individual member.

Kuojou's ability combines fire, darkness, and transformation magic to create fire and darkness snakes with multiple uses.

And yet even the clan head's bloodline ability only chipped the ice wall made by Grayfia.

"You were ordered to stand down lord Naberius."

Her cold voice wasn't loud but it was stern and reached his ears just fine.

"That beast must be responsible for my clan members death! I must carry out justice for the pride of my clan!"

His arrogant and foolish words were cut through with pure logic.

"That is a child with energy reserves close to the minimum of a low class devil and she has no visible injuries.

Are you saying this child killed your clan member? A high class pureblood?"

She through the pureblood logic right back in his face.

"What?! Of course not! There is no way a weak filthy beast like that could harm one of…."

He stopped mid-sentence and narrowed his eyes while growling like a wild dog.

"Grrr…."

If she didn't have such a perfect poker face, a smug smile would adorn Grayfia's face.

"I'm glad you acknowledge that. This girl is a member of the Yokai embassy. She shall bring her testimony, along with the two devils who brought her in, to Lord Lucifer himself.

Failure to comply will be taken as treason to the rule of the four satans."

Koujou didn't respond beside his growl and the clear sounds of the grinding of his teeth and Grayfia nodded to his silent consent before flying down to retrieve the girl.

'How dare that bitch! The rule of the four satans?! HA! What bullshit! There is only a single great king of hell. Those fuckers can't even touch him!'

While he stewed in his thoughts, Grayfia approached the two devils holding the girl.

They were both frozen in fear as their lives flashed before their eyes.

""M-my lady!""

They both snapped out of their fear and bowed as she approached.

She might not hold a real authority position besides being the queen of Lucifer, but she was known as the strongest queen for a reason. And all devils respected power, no matter where it came from, even if they despise the source.

"Hand over the girl and come with me, Lucifer has questions for you."

The two didn't dare to argue and complied, handing the small white haired Nekoshou girl to the queen.

They were only tasked by their master to take the girl to a safehouse until he called, but their connection to the master died out and they followed the backup orders to take the girl to the clan and explain the situation to the clan head.

If the situation was dire enough for Lucifer to intervene, they were already sweating in their shoes at what was happening and didn't want to piss anyone else off.

Grayfia took the girl and gently cradled her.

Looking down on the sleeping girl, she internally sighed.

'Such an innocent child… *sigh* I despise my kind sometimes.'

Her hand flashed as she cast a much more powerful sleeping spell on her to make sure she didn't wake up without her or her husband around and she panicked.

She flew back up with the two devils keeping close behind her and faced Koujou.

"Lucifer will call court soon to declare the news, call off the men you sent and you shall have your answer soon just as we shall."

Koujou didn't verbally respond but he nodded and Grayfia took the acceptance as it was before forming a teleportation circle and vanishing with her three occupants.

Meanwhile, one of the generals loyal to Koujou flew up next to him.

"My lord? What are our orders? Shall I call back the scouting parties we sent?"

A dangerous gleam passed over Kuojou's eyes.

"Close the gates. As for the scouting parties…"

He turned to fly back to his castle with an evil smirk.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

The general paused for a moment before he nodded at the unspoken order and went to close the gates.

The shadow of death that clung to Koujou grew more pronounced as he flew back down chuckling in glee at his genius.

*Line Break*

Two hours.

That's how long it took me to reach the border of the capital city Lilith.

The border security was tight, but it was nothing I couldn't find a gap to squeeze through.

The only ability I have that could surpass all my others, my sacred gear not included, was my energy suppression.

Leone complimented me heavily on how much of a knack I had for it.

With the energy signature no larger than an insect, plus the effects of my cloak, and including specialized training in stealth, I was able to slip in without a problem.

The problem began after that.

The city was massive beyond anything built by human hands.

It was fairly modern all things considered.

Kind of resembling Manhattan in NY at many points.

But I was using essentially a compass to find a needle in a haystack.

And I had to do it while moving throughout a city filled to the brim with devils of all power levels, who could see in the dark like it was day.

Not the most difficult stealth operation I've done before, but definitely not fun and very difficult.

It didn't help that I was dangerously low on energy and my vision was blurring here and there from exhaustion.

'I really need to rest damn it. But I'll do it after I get Shirone. Now where the hell did that fucker store her?'

For a secure safehouse to keep someone, a city like this was definitely smart.

It was smarter than I would give a dumbass like that guy.

And soon enough, I learned that it had nothing to do with the moron.

He was a moron, plain and simple.

No, the real reason Shirone was in the city was made evident by the building her tracer pointed me toward.

A big ass skyscraper smack dab in the middle of the city with a big glowing sign that read 'LUCIFER' on it like a Stark tower from the avengers.

I even went around the building in a full circle to confirm the arrow was pointing there.

My deadpan face behind my mask looked up at the building from a hidden corner with depression for a few moments before I turned to the side and slammed it against a wall.

'Fuck my life…'

Why there.

Why out of all fucking places is she in there.

Did Sirzechs move THAT fast even in canon?!

Or was the whole thing fanon and no one has any idea what happened.

Cuz what I do know is apparently bits and pieces of nothing!

I sighed and calmed myself down.

'First let's see what I can sense.'

I sat down against the wall, crossed my legs, and closed my eyes while I expanded my senses out toward the building.

I closed off all other directions and slowly spread my area instead of the instant expansion process during the battle that caused minor internal damage to myself, and major damage to my clone.

Still, I kept up my energy suppression on my body itself to make sure nothing found me while I was distracted.

A dual job that made things difficult, but out of combat it was much more doable without feeling like my head was splitting apart.

My energy sense began combing the building, slowly spreading through each floor before moving on to the next.

I wasn't doing a detailed search of each floor aside from seeing the energy signatures, or aura if you will, of each being inside.

I was only really focused on three things.

The numbers inside, any high class or above signatures, and finding Shirone's dark green Nekoshou aura among the ocean of red colors.

There were a few other colors I picked up mixed with the reds as well, but I only paused momentarily before moving on.

'Must be reincarnated devils.'

Even when a being is reincarnated, the process retains the positive traits of their first race, such as genetics abilities or sacred gears.

As I passed through the floors, my forehead was getting a bit sweaty at just how many signatures I was picking up, including dozens of energy signatures at high class or above.

But there was no Shirone.

I kept going until I hit the top floor.

'There!'

A spark of dark green lit up my senses and I focused in on it.

It was swirling peacefully without any issues inside a room on the top floor.

I sighed in relief at finding her.

'Well, that wasn't so…fuck me I raised a flag.'

And the flag was indeed firmly raised.

For in the next room over was the largest signature I had every sensed up till now.

If a human was a drop, a low class a cup, a mid-class a bottle, and a high class a well, you would think an ultimate class would be a pond.

But no, this was a goddamn lake, and one that could be considered a great lake for the massive feel of it.

The energy was contained but not hidden, and it gave off a sense of the pure pressure of gravity layered with freezing ice.

'Right. Initiate fuck me procedures.'

Only one devil I know of could have an energy signature like that while being on the same floor of Sirzechs office without him being present.

And yes, I made sure to scan for him being there.

Even if he suppressed his energy to the size of an ant, I scanned that entire floor thoroughly.

And unless someone was purposely doing it for a good reason, no one would willingly suppress their massive energy, even if they could, to that size.

For someone like me with low class energy, it wasn't that difficult or uncomfortable.

And I say that from the opinion of someone naturally talented in the art.

But for someone like the fabled super devil? I would give him the best bottle of liquor in my collection if he could suppress his energy to below a beachball.

But back to the ultimate class devil I could sense, I knew it had to be Grayfia.

With this setting, there were very few ultimate class beings that fit.

Not to mention that for all that canon made it seem, there really are not THAT many ultimate class devils.

The line between high class and ultimate class is a massive chasm.

Take Rias's father for example.

Zeoticus Gremory is over 700 years old, has a worldwide hotel and restaurant chain business, and yet he is still a high class devil.

I've said it many times, but the class of power is distinct by how much raw energy one has.

I'm sure Zeoticus could school the majority of high class devil brats under a century old with little effort, after all, you don't live through the great and civil war by being weak, but he never managed to cross the line to ultimate class.

When you reach high class, it's not just about taking contracts, which is still beneficial, but it's about natural talent, potential, opportunities, and above all else, luck.

Many just got a lucky break and things just fell into place.

Anyway, I digress, there were very few ultimate class beings it could have been.

And between the two top options of Grayfia and Serafall, I went with Grayfia.

Serafall is a Satan class being for a reason.

If an ultimate class was a lake or great lake at the upper limit, a Satan class was assuredly at least a sea.

Putting super devil at the ranking of ocean.

At least, that all made sense to me when it came to sensing power.

The numbers were more accurate but more annoying to think on.

10 1,000 10,000 100,000 1,000,000 10,000,000 100,000,000.

That's how human to super devil was ranked in numbers starting with their minimum amount.

So yeah, this was definitely Grayfia.

And she was in the room right next to where Shirone was sleeping.

'Fuck… do I take the risk or not?'

On one hand, I told Kuroka I would get her, and I also told myself I would get her.

On the other hand, this might be a suicide mission, and it could end very badly for myself.

So it was my little sister or my own life.

The choice was obvious.

My eyes opened with a steely flash as a card appeared in my hand with a glow.

I looked down at it and reaffirmed my choice.

'Abandon your fear. Look forward. Move forward and never stop. You'll age if you pull back. You'll die if you hesitate.'

My hand crushed the card and my steeled wine red eyes reflected the glow of the fading particles of energy.

*Line Break*

Grayfia sighed to herself.

She drilled the two low class devils for every single thing they knew.

She made sure to let them know the consequences of lying and that their master Cruff was already dead.

Meaning they were dead if they went back to the Naberius clan.

She promised to reassign them to another clans business for their testimony and they sung like canaries.

The only issue was they didn't know much.

They were just low rung members that worked for Cruff.

He was apparently doing experiments of some kind with a human researcher and a Nekomata in charge when they died in a sudden explosion.

What they were trying to accomplish they had no idea.

What they did have knowledge of, was that apparently Cruff had captured the two Nekoshou daughters of the Nekomata who died.

The older one was taken to the lab while the younger one was handed to them and told to take her to a safehouse.

By the words told to them, she was to be treated like a precious test subject and they would die should she escape or anything happen to her.

So they kept her under a sleep spell and didn't do anything bad to her.

Luckily for them since Grayfia would not appreciate knowing they abused a defenseless little girl.

They unknowingly escaped being sent on border patrol to the frozen wastelands of Cocytus to getting a desk job somewhere in Lilith.

She sent them off after getting everything they knew written down for her husband to review when he returned.

Meanwhile she sent out an investigation party to head to the manor in question but much to her annoyance, when they got there, they found two things.

Naberius clan devils which technically wasn't a violation of her orders because she only said to stand down from attacking the Nekoshou village, and a burning manor.

The devils there said it just exploded and killed a few of their members at how sudden it was but she didn't buy it.

What kind of idiotic excuse was that?

It just exploded?

Bastards were likely trying to hide the evidence.

She mulled over it in annoyance before her thoughts turned to the little girl she retrieved.

She was such a small thing, younger and smaller than even little Rias.

Such a thing happening to Rias, or Satan forbid her own child, her precious beautiful four year old baby son Millicas, made her blood boil and the air chill rapidly.

By the time she came back to her senses, a wave of frost had already covered her desk and there was a light mist in the air.

She blinked before sighing and began the cold back in while taking a breath.

But her breathe caught in her throat for a moment as her eyes took on a confused look.

'Hm? I could have sworn I felt something there but I can't sense anything?'

One of the benefits of advanced ice magic was you could spread it through the air and get a feel for movement through the tiny ice particles floating around.

When moving objects move through it, it creates vibrations the caster can feel.

But when she sent out an energy sensing probe, she didn't sense anything.

She sent a pondering look toward where the feeling came from, down the hall, not far from the office.

'Why would…!'

Her eyes flashed as she recalled the small girl was in the next room over and she moved to the door in a flash and threw it open.

Her eyes scanned the room where the small girl was resting.

There was nothing noticeably out of place to her eyes.

Her energy sense spread throughout the room strongly but came back negative. Nothing other than her, the girl, and a couple insects.

She sighed at the last thing she found.

'Why can't all insects just die? They make a maid's duty so much more annoying.'

She turned to leave but her hand froze on the handle of the door as an instinct came to her.

A thin almost imperceptible mist left her body and quickly filled the room.

'Hm…it must have been my imagina….'

The smallest of tingles of movement pinged.

She looked up with a confused look and came face to mask with a being wrapped in a tattered, blood stained, and burned/sliced cloak stuck to the ceiling like a spider not even a few feet from her.

"…"

"…"

Nothing was said for a moment until the sound of a clearing throat came from the masked figure.

"*Cough* This isn't what it looks like."

Grayfia raised an eyebrow and the figure tried again.

"I come in peace?"

Grayfia nodded her head.

And then she unleashed a burst of ice faster than the figure could blink and froze him to the ceiling.

"Then you can peacefully answer my questions."

"…"

There was another silence.

"Cold."

Grayfia's eye twitched.

"Is that aimed at me or being trapped in ice?"

"Yes."

Her other eye twitched.

She just knew this was another headache waiting to happen.

*Line Break*

Getting into the building was not as hard as I thought.

For the main building of Lucifer, security was tight, but there were military bases I infiltrated with more paranoid security before.

You really have not seen paranoid until you see what length governments go to, to hide and in the case of risks, destroy what they are doing.

You ever see those movies where secret bases have self-destruct buttons and stuff?

Well fun fact, paranoid bastards actually fucking do that!

When I was reborn in the world of Highschool DxD, I honestly could have never expected my life to take a turn where I am busting ass to escape an exploding government secret base with every cliché imaginable jumping out of nowhere.

~Flashback~

I was infiltrating a secret government lab for a gold rank job.

The client wanted to know what the hell was going on here after getting extremely disturbing rumors of human abductions and animal experimentation.

Wanting something different from the usual, I went with the job.

It took me a few days to actually find the lab, it was hidden in a fucking abandoned volcano.

I had two objectives.

One, get the data from the central terminal, and two, save a little girl who was the family of the client. The client said he suspected it was his business rival that stooped to this level and he was going out of his mind with worry when I accepted the job.

Getting inside was fucked up.

Some paranoid fucking bastard used chemical weapons banned by the fucking Genova Convention.

There are five types of chemical agent banned for use in warfare. Blood agents are toxic and fast acting. They're absorbed into the blood (hence the name) and cause a long, violent death, usually from respiratory failure.

Phosgene Gas and Hydrogen Cyanide was used in multiple hallways and trapped inside for any poor bastard to wander into.

Next are blister agents that cause severe chemical burns on the skin and eyes. Some sadistic bastard had MUSTARD GAS in this place.

Nerve agents like VX and Sarin gases break down the neurotransmitters that make organs function. They can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Victims slowly lose control of their bodily functions, their limbs start jerking involuntarily, and death comes from respiratory failure.

I'm not even commenting on the fucked up parts of this one.

A choking agent impedes the victim's ability to breathe, causing a buildup of fluid in the lungs, and eventually death by drowning. Phosgene gas can also be considered a choking agent.

All four of these chemical gas weapons were banned by over a hundred nations, and every single one was used here.

As casual defenses.

There weren't even cameras in those hallways! Just fucking gas!

I legit almost died. To fucking chemical gas. After everything I had survived till then.

Thank god, literally, for clones.

They didn't thank me.

Next up was the poison.

And boy did these fuckers like killing people with poison.

I actually had to take some samples to take back to Chloe just to show her how this shit.

I never expected my life to take a turn where I am running an obstacle course of poisoned traps straight out of an Indiana Jones movie if Dexter from Dexter's Laboratory had built it.

Spinning blades, swinging blades, lasers, spikes, pressure plates, hell, the only cliché NOT in there was the giant boulder to roll me over.

No, that came in the next hallway.

After hours of the most frustratingly annoying infiltration in the history of infiltrating ANYTHING, I made it to the central terminal in smoking/burning/steaming clothes, took incredibly satisfying satisfaction in killing the demonic creatures known as insane government approved and funded US and German scientists, and downloaded the contents on a USB.

But one of the bastards actually managed to fall on the self-destruct button.

And yes there was a button that was bright red with a skull and crossbones.

And the fucker had the audacity to laugh like a stereotypical 3rd rate villain and monologue after he pressed it while bleeding out on the floor in his heavy German accented English.

I kindly stuck him with a block of C4 and shot it while walking out the door as he was still monologuing about the genius of himself and his coworkers and the discoveries that would change mankind that they found.

I noped on that faster than Odin showing up at a Russian casino hoping to see something entertaining and get free drinks.

You would think the worst was over right?

But no.

No.

No. no. no.

It was far from over.

I couldn't teleport out till I found the girl, and the entire base was self-destructing, which led to a LOT of issues for me.

It resulted in me having to haul ass running around a secret government base filled with inhuman experiments running wild while looking for a single little human girl.

If there was a god of cliches, he cursed me that day.

An explosion happened nearby me, causing a wall to fall on my position.

I activated touki ready to punch it, only to awkwardly pause in a punching pose noticing the wall had a single hole in it where I was standing.

No one was around to see it.

I moved on only to pass a wall with cage bars just as an explosion took out the bars, letting loose a horde of mutant creatures, half of which were on fire.

You ever hear the phrase 'burn it with fire'?

Well that phrase took on a whole new meaning for me that day.

I never let home without incendiary bullets from that day on much to the bepuzzlement of my family.

And that wasn't even the worst part.

After escaping the horde, and yes some fucker made a green skinned ape who had the human vocal cords to scream "FOR THE HORDE!" over and over, things only got more bizarre.

On ostrich ran past me on fire while being chased by alligators with eight legs and holding metal eating utensils.

A hamster army charged past me with a leading hamster with half its face painted blue while the other half was white raised a toothpick and was yelling "FRRREEEDDDOOMMMM!"

And to top it all off, I almost spat blood when I came across a scene of a teen male with his shirt ripped off, showcasing an Adonis quality body somehow covered in massage oil, and the looks of a fashion model kicked open a metal door.

This guy had the energy rating of 8.

There was no supernatural qualities in him, at all.

And behind him were a group of three teen girls, all beauties, who were staring at him in a mix of lust and awe.

He was shouting things about saving them and getting them to safety no matter what, even if he has to sacrifice himself.

And it happened all while I stood to the side in a mask and cloak and watched on.

I was in clear view and yet they just acted like they were filming a movie.

I felt a brain aneurysm watching it and was only saved thanks to noticing a cage filled to the brim with red eyed, sharp teethed, and drooling mutant rabbits hopping around like they were on steroids and monster energy drinks.

My eyes went from the drama movie to the cage three times before I raised my gun and shot the lock on the cage.

Safe to say that drama movie became a horror one real quick.

The guy even used the girls as shields from the rabbits with no shame.

I walked past it without a care and no rabbit bothered me, seemingly thankful or having good instincts.

The insanity continued even after that.

Rollercoaster mine carts, lava pools, you name it, it was there.

When I found the little girl in the end safe in a room hiding under a bed, she wasn't even scared of me.

Why would she be.

I was a young teen with my mask off crying tears of blood.

She felt so sorry she didn't even give me trouble.

I hugged her and sniffed while teleporting away.

Safe to say I sent her many birthday gifts in the following years.

~Flashback over~

My mind snapped out of my traumatized memories.

So yeah, this infiltration wasn't the worst I've seen.

But it was tricky since it was loaded with magic formations.

Thankfully, they don't seem to be as protected against advanced human infiltration techniques.

It's more like the security was geared toward supernatural threats vs. the more technical human methods.

Which in essence makes sense, after all, how many professional human mercenaries did they expect to end up infiltrating the center of power of the leader of hells power base.

Not many it seemed.

I saw dozens of magic formations to detect supernatural creatures, but not one geared toward pure humans.

I admit I saw a few to detect sacred gears, but they only focused on teleportation or flight.

None of them were set inside the building itself.

It might seem cliché, but yes, I snuck in through the air vents and climbed up the elevator shaft.

If it's not broken, don't try to fix it.

The top floors didn't even have any guards.

This was a building dedicated to business and running the internal affairs of devilkind.

Which means it was mostly all paperwork and devils with desk jobs.

Of course, if I wasn't a very rare expert at hiding my energy I'm sure half the building would have detected me if they had actively scanned.

So in the end, while I had to jump through a few hoops, I reached the top floor without much issue.

Just took some time is all.

About an hour give or take.

Frankly it set my nerves on edge by just how easy it was but I held my thoughts to not raise flags.

I silently went through a vent on the top floor and moved into the hallways by going along the ceiling.

Spell Card #29: Cling – Stick to surfaces like walking across the ground for 12 hours.

The top floor had a few offices and cubicle area's but the number of devils on the floor was significantly lower than other floors.

And it seemed that a full half of the floor was dedicated to Lucifers personal space with his office, a kitchen, bathrooms, and an assortment of various rooms.

Shirone was in one of those rooms.

She was right next door to the one that held the massive energy signature suppressed to a large beachball…I mean watermelon….I mean….

I stopped a few feet away from the door.

'Wait what? Why is her energy leaking out?...oh come on, there is no way I just fucking got detected now is there?'

I stuck there and didn't move an inch.

Even as a freezing mist seemed to spread through the air and make goosebumps raise all over my skin, I still didn't move.

When the pressure and cold was slowly increasing, I determined it wasn't aimed at me by experience with enough battles.

'She seems pissed, but it's not at me thankfully. Sheesh, what kind of stupid cliché is it that the big bad boss who is calm 99% of the time you're watching only acts up when your right next to them and trying to hide.'

I moved under the cover of her aura as she wasn't looking my way.

I slipped in through a crack in the door and my eyes zeroed in on the sleeping Shirone.

Internally I sighed in relief at the happy smile on her face as she slept peacefully.

It didn't look like she was injured on the surface or through her aura.

'Finally, I got you Shirone.'

My hand had just moved the ceiling when the door to Sirzechs office slammed open with Grayfia standing there looking ready to spear someone with a giant ice spike.

I froze, literally.

She was RIGHT fucking under me.

'Don't look up. Don't look up. Don't look up.'

This was one of those moments in life when you question every stupid decision you have ever made in your life to lead you to this point.

Grayfia looked around the room with an analyzing gaze and I did my best to look at from the corner of my eyes.

I was sure if I directly looked at her it would cause her instincts to flare.

But damn was she a beauty.

The anime didn't do her justice.

This woman was a goddess. If there was a Valkyrie queen, I would imagine it would look like her.

My eye twitched slightly when I noticed a certain part of my body was rising to attention.

'Oh fuck you teenage hormones.'

This was not the time to die because of a boner.

I was mentally praying for her to turn around without looking up and after an agonizing minute where I didn't even breath she did so.

Internally sighing, I twitched my waist ever so slightly to readjust my boy when she paused.

I froze again and she looked up.

I looked back at her.

"…"

"…"

Nothing was said for a moment until I cleared my throat.

I better speak before I die.

"*Cough* This isn't what it looks like."

Grayfia raised an eyebrow at me so I tried again.

"I come in peace?"

Grayfia nodded her head.

And then she unleashed a burst of ice faster than I could blink and froze me to the ceiling.

Do you know how it feels to be pushed against a ceiling with your whole body from the chest down wrapped in ice?

Because it's very cold.

"Then you can peacefully answer my questions."

"…"

There was another silence as I pondered what to say before I spoke honestly.

"Cold."

Grayfia's eye twitched.

"Is that aimed at me or being trapped in ice?"

"Yes."

Her other eye twitched.

'I might want to choose my words carefully here.'

"How about we be civil about this?"

She shot me a glare.

"Name absolutely one thing civil about your appearance here looking like that."

I raised the finger of my one unfrozen hand and she rose an expectant brow at me.

"…"

My finger fell.

I had nothing.

"That's what I thought."

"Hey, that was an unfair question."

"Come through the front door if you expect fairness."

"But I did come through the front door."

A vein popped up on her forehead.

"Which door?"

"The 1st floor lobby?"

Her vein pulsed.

"I see, did you speak with the receptionist."

"She was on lunch break."

"Which led you to coming to the top floor without informing anyone or being seen?"

I nodded my head.

"Mn."

She formed an ice spear in her hand as murderous intent leaked out.

"Wait, wait, wait, wait! I can explain! I'm here for good causes!"

The spear was pointed at me as she narrowed her eyes.

"Which would be?"

I swallowed thickly.

'The fuck do I say? You have my sister captive? Is that really going to fly?'

"You have my sister captive."

I went with option A as option B didn't exist.

She paused and the spear point was lowered.

"And your sister would be?"

I nodded my head in Shirone's direction.

She looked between us for a moment before the spear point was raised back at me.

"Wo! Woman you are way to trigger happy! Why are you so eager to stab me with your spear?"

A bit of pink dusted her cheeks before she narrowed her eyes at me.

The spear doubled in size.

"Oi! Would you put that damn thing down! Your making me clench up in worry. Use your words! Woooorrrddsss."

Her entire body was twitching at this point.

"There is no such thing as a male Nekoshou or Nekomata."

"How do you know I'm not a woman?"

She rolled her eyes.

"I know."

"Traps are a thing you know?"

She paused and gave me a weird look as I paused.

"Wait, I did not admit to being one, I just said they exist."

"It kind of sounded like you…"

"I did not! I'm a straight man!"

She nodded and the spear began thicker than my limbs put together.

"Good, that makes this simple."

She gave me a frightening look that really did have me clenching up.

"Ok, ok, no more jokes. Let's be serious here."

She nodded and took a breath but the spear made no movements to shrink.

I looked between her and the spear a few times and she ignored me.

"How much of what you said is true?"

I sighed and calmed down.

I don't know why I'm messing around so much, her sheer raw power aimed at me was making me very nervous.

"I didn't lie about anything. I really did come through the front door, have no negative intentions to anyone on this floor, and I'm her older brother. I pretty much adopted her when she began calling me big bro."

Her eyes softened slightly.

"So you chose to infiltrate the center of power of the ruler of devilkind to save her?"

I nodded without hesitation.

"Of course, what kind of big brother would I be if I walked away without trying to save her?"

She nodded at that and I swear I caught a tiny smile before it faded.

"Nevertheless, I can't let you just take the girl."

"Any reason?"

"Yes. Three mainly.

One, she is needed as a direct member of a large investigation happening upon the death of a high class devil.

Two, while I believe myself to be an expert at telling lie or half-truth from the truth, thanks in part to being married to Lucifer the king of lies, I can't simply trust you out of nowhere.

And three, while I am not connected to this young girl, I shall not allow harm to come to her. Your intentions are unconfirmed and your identity unknown."

My eyes narrowed under my mask.

'They acted faster than I thought. Ajuka really does monitor the peerage pieces huh? Wait….!'

My eyes widened under my mask and I hurriedly went on.

"Wait a moment. Did something happen among the clans after the death of that high class devil?"

She gave me a curious look but didn't seem to find issue with the question.

"Indeed, many clans went up in arms. Lord Lucifer went to quell them."

"And how did you come into contact with my sister?"

"I was sent to have the clan the devil was from stand down. I found her there and brought her back before they could act impulsively."

I felt a wave of gratitude to her for that but I had to know.

"First off, I sincerely thank you for saving her when you did. But did they stand down?"

She nodded.

"I stopped their charge and ordered the advance parties to be pulled back."

I felt that familiar feeling of anxiety rising in me just like when I found out about Kuroka.

'Wait, why didn't I feel my instincts act up? When Kuroka was in trouble they were irritating the hell out of me. Are my instincts saying I don't care that much for my sisters and the village?! Fuck you bastards! I have to make sure they are all right.'

I knew fate a certain way of making sure certain events happened and I wanted to be there to prevent it.

But first, I had to handle this situation somehow.

I needed to head back, but I couldn't just leave Shirone like this.

I also couldn't take her back with me at the moment in case things were dire.

My thoughts were getting chaotic in my indecision until I noticed movement and refocused my eyes to see a hand approaching my face.

Grayfia's emotionless face wasn't far from my own.

"Wo! What the hell are you doing woman?!"

"I do not appreciate mysteries. You shall remove your mask if we are to speak civilly."

Her hand approached.

"Woman! Do not touch the mask!"

Her hand did not halt.

"Why?"

"You don't touch a man's mask."

"Why?"

"It's the principle of the thing."

"Why?"

"Anyone ever admit to wanting to stab you?"

She nodded.

"My husband and Lady Serafall. For different reasons."

I rolled my eyes.

Who knew she was capable of dry humor.

Her hand grasped my mask so I tried changing tunes.

"My lady, please grant me the grace of.. hey!"

The mask was ripped off before I finished to reveal….another mask.

"…"

"…"

Her hand rose again.

"Wo, wo, look, we can talk this out!"

"I have answered your questions honestly while you have given me almost nothing."

'Point.'

"What do you want to know?"

"Who are you?"

Her hand was grasping my mask again.

"If I tell you will you stop?"

"Perhaps."

"Lupus."

The mask was ripped off.

"Oi!"

Under the mask was…. a Kakashi style facemask with a forehead protector guarding one eye.

Her hand twitched and my mask was crushed in her grip.

"Those things are not cheap you know!"

"If I don't kill you I'll pay you back."

"On second thought I would like to retain my life, you can keep the money."

"Smart man."

Her hand rose again.

"Oh come on! I only have so many dramatic secret reveals woman."

"It's fine, I played with matryoshka dolls in my youth."

"Your Russian?"

"No, the Lucifuge clan operated in Russia at the time."

"Ah, I see."

"Yes."

Her hand came up again.

"Would you stop that!"

Her hand paused and she actually smirked at me.

I sighed in relief.

And then that relief died as her hand moved like a blur and my forehead protector was ripped off along with my facemask.

Leaving me with just another facemask underneath that came up to just below my eyes.

"I'll be honest, I'm slightly annoyed."

I rolled my now revealed wine red eyes.

"Gee I couldn't tell. Would you back off already. I feel violated."

She scoffed but did so.

"Very well, this was a unique form of torture where I both feel like I was the victim and torturer."

"Yeah, and I feel like a double victim at the moment so I think you come out of top."

She nodded.

"As I always do."

I sighed.

"Look, this hasn't been as bad as I imagined it might be but can we get back on topic?"

"Hm, very well. It was an enjoyable stress relief if anything. So you are Lupus? Where have I heard that…ah, some kind of merchant if I recall? It was in the tabloids for up and coming targets for devils to make contracts with."

I deadpanned at that.

'Sairaorg said that to. Who the hell writes that crap?'

"Yes, yes, I am a merchant among other things."

Her eyes looked me over for a moment before a gleam entered them.

A gleam I was all too familiar with.

"I recall you sold enchanted liquor?"

I visibly rolled my eyes this time.

"*sigh* alcoholics are all the same."

"Excuse me?"

I gave her cold look my best 'I don't buy your bullshit for a second' face.

"I said alcoholics are all the same. You might look like a fully functioning and perfectly capable individual, but behind closed doors in your private time, that's when alcohols are all the same. It's not a bad thing per say if you can control it, but it's just the experience of a merchant speaking here."

She hummed at that but relented.

"No comment. Do you have a catalogue?"

"One moment."

I closed my eyes and focused for a minute before they reopened.

I looked around before eyeing the large windows to the room.

"Can you open that window?"

She gave me a look before releasing more ice to freeze me in place and then doing so.

'Paranoid. Not that I can blame her.'

A hand written flyer flew in through the window and into her hands.

She raised a brow but with the grace of someone who has seen enough weird shit in their lives, she just took it and walked back over.

The flyer had the names of the enchanted liquor I save for building connections.

She hummed and nodded appreciatively to a few of them.

"I wish to make a purchase."

"I wish to not be frozen."

"Correction, I would like to make a trade."

"Correction, I would also like to make a trade."

She shot me an annoyed look.

"Stop that."

"Lady, I'm frozen to your ceiling."

"And?"

I paused.

"I hate that I don't have a logical justified answer to make for my side of this."

She nodded.

"She who holds the upper hand wins."

I tilted my head.

"It's it 'he' in that quote?"

A sharp ice spike rested near my neck.

"'She' is perfectly acceptable."

The spike melted away.

"Good, now how long do I have to wait for delivery?"

I shot her an annoyed look at the words that expected me to comply.

"It depends."

I was still a merchant damn it.

"On?"

I sighed for real this time and sagged.

I was so fucking tired by this point.

She seemed to realize and pulled back.

"You know you look like shit right now. Not that I know what you usually look like."

I chuckled sadly at that.

"Yeah…yeah I know. Listen, let's make a deal Ms. Lucifer."

She narrowed her eyes.

"I am a maid, call me Grayfia. And what do you wish to trade?"

"Very well. I will give you a free bottle of everything on that list if you swear to me that you will protect my sister from any harm until she can watch out for herself and do not allow anyone to force her to become a devil."

She paused.

"I thought you wished to save your sister?"

I smiled sadly.

"I do, trust me I do. But I have a good feeling there is little chance I'm getting her at the moment. And when your husband shows up even that small chance becomes nonexistent.

So I choose the next best route."

"And you would trust me? You do not know me."

"I know enough. Besides, you saved her from a terrible fate and I owe you greatly for that. I care more for her safety than my selfishness to see her with me."

Her face softened from its cold look.

"You really do care don't you?"

I nodded.

"I said it before. A big brothers duty is to care for their little sisters when they need it."

She rose a brow.

"And little brothers?"

I scoffed.

"They can learn from their own mistakes, that's how men grow. Well, that and getting beaten by older sisters and their mother when they make those mistakes."

She smirked and actually laughed at that.

"Heh, wise one aren't you? Very well Lupus, I shall make sure she is safe and cared for without allowing anyone to force her to become a devil. BUT, I still have to follow the orders of my husband and the decisions made by the council of clan heads.

If they decide her fate is negative, I cannot stop it."

My eyes flashed but she held up a hand seemingly expecting my reaction.

"If things come to that, well, illusion magic has many uses after all."

I felt my rising rage fade and sagged.

"Thank you."

She smiled softly.

"I do not wish harm to innocent children if I can stop it. Power grants a right to the strong. Laws exist to be followed, but if the law becomes more important than an innocent child's life, to hell with them."

Then her voice returned to its cold tone.

"Oh, and if she makes the choice to be a devil, I will not stop her."

I nodded at that with false confidence.

"I know, I don't wish to control her decisions. Just know that she has a family, and they will be heartbroken to not see her again."

Grayfia looked down in thought for a moment before nodding.

"I will see what can be done."

"Thank you."

She really was a cold on the outside but warm on the inside type of woman.

"Now, when shall I expect delivery?"

My eye twitched.

'She's just a bloody shark.'

"Your ruthless woman."

"Thank you."

I chuckled and shook my head.

"It will come by shortly; you have my word. I'll even include two items free of charge for your help. Descriptions will be on the label."

My eyes flashed with a gleam that she missed.

"But there is one more thing."

Her eyes narrowed at me.

"And that is?"

"Well, I wish to assist with you investigation as it will help my sister as well."

Her brow rose in question.

"And how do you plan to do that?"

I smiled mysteriously under my facemask.

"It will arrive with delivery. Well, it's been fun my dear, but I must be off."

She send me an amused look.

"I know I have been lenient and gentle with you but do you really think I would allow you to escape?"

My eye twitched.

'You call this gentle? My balls are so cold that re-entered my body for heat!'

I shook off the thought and ignored her question to turn to Shirone.

She had been sleeping peacefully the whole time.

"I'm sorry Shirone, please forgive me, I have to go now."

I turned to Grayfia who was looking at me intently.

"Please tell her that her family is safe and loves her."

She nodded.

"I will but whats with the death flag? Please don't bite your tongue. Cleaning blood from this carpet is a very annoying process."

I chuckled at that.

"No death flag Grayfia. After all, I can't die if I was never here."

Before she could react, I vanished in a cloud of smoke.

After all, I was a just a clone.

At the top of the skyscraper, sitting on the roof cross legged, I sighed and rubbed my forehead before breathing out a large cloud of smoke from the cigarette between my lips.

'Well, I tried. Fuck you fate, if Kuroka takes off my balls for this, I'm going to do everything in my power to point Ophis at you and say you are the reason she lost her silence.'

The void trembled.

'That's right bitch.'

I looked down at a certain card in my hand and shivered.

'She can never find out I used this.'

You see, there are some cards in my deck I was sure god put in there because he was being a massive troll. He did say he never expected it to be used after all.

But it's depressing how well it fits this world.

Spell Card #1: Peek - View targets undergarments. Must be in visual range.

I learned three things today, among other things.

One, I can apparently activate a card through my main body, which affects my clone body.

Two, when I try to summon a card to my hand, I have to be more specific with my intentions. I asked for designated card #56, but I got spell card #1.

It's an understandable mix up since I wasn't being specific with my mental intentions.

#56: X-Ray Goggles – You can see through things. An adjustment dial allows you to set the x-ray depth.

I wanted to see what was happening below without connecting my mind to my clone as it was giving me a headache and a case of double vertigo.

But I got the spell card #1.

Which led to number three.

Grayfia is not the queen of the Valkyrie, she is the goddess of the Valkyrie.

If I wasn't in love with Kuroka like I am, I would fight Lucifer for that woman.

But I'll settle for a friendship.

Still though, it must be said.

DAYUM.

I chuckled and got up.

It was time to head back to the village.

'I can only hope nothing bad happened. Grayfia did say she managed to stop the charge. And my instincts have been quiet so it can't be anything bad. Heh, I bet those scouting parties were just met by the brutal forces of nature known as my sisters.

They probably had some fun.'

I felt the air rapidly cooling and paled.

'Time to go!'

The final arrow in my quiver vanished along with me just as Grayfia flied up onto the roof.

*Line Break*

As Hei's clone vanished in a puff of smoke, Grayfia stood there speechless.

'He really fucking escaped? From me?!'

My energy sense scanned the entire building in seconds but I couldn't find him.

'Did he teleport? No, he said he was never here… a clone?'

She pondered on that before nodding.

'His energy was suppressed but I could tell he was human, perhaps with a sacred gear, no, it's most likely a sacred gear. *sigh* Cloning is an annoying ability but it makes sense for a merchant. Still….

No one makes a fool out of me.'

Her energy spread out in a wave of freezing air the rapidly spread, not even slowing down through the floors or above to form a massive sphere.

Those below shivered but she didn't care because she felt movement above.

And she was on the top floor.

'The roof!'

She jumped out the window and extended her wings to fly up, barely catching a glimpse of Lupus's form before he vanished.

'Tch, damn bastard's a slippery one.'

Her dissatisfied eyes passed over the spot and she was about to head back down before she caught sight of something gleaming on the room.

Flying down, she noticed a crate sitting nearby where Lupus was.

She scanned the crate but felt nothing malicious so she formed an ice spear and cracked open the lid.

A wide smile adorned her lips at the sight of the contents.

"Heh, he wasn't kidding about fast delivery."

Two dozen bottles of various enchanted liquor were sitting there neatly.

She was as excited as a little girl on the inside at the sight.

Anyone who knows her, knows that she is a lightweight.

But at the same time, she loves good liquor.

enchanted liquor is a rare find in the supernatural world.

The pantheons all have their own recipes, but the nondivine factions have to make do with that the humans have.

It's a surprise how little craftsman there are for enchanted liquor in the supernatural world.

And the few that exist are usually tied to a single faction.

So what Lupus offers and can supply is in high demand.

Especially for long living species.

'Perhaps I can convince Sirzechs to part with one of his free peerage pieces.'

With such thoughts in her head, her eyes moved to the side where three items laid.

'Hm?'

She picked up the first one.

It was an ornate box.

She opened it up and noticed a coupon inside with a note.

Her brow rose as she read it.

[Spa Beauty Treatment – A relaxing day at the Spa being treated by specialists for all your beauty needs. 1 use – lasts 12 hours.

Upon ripping this coupon, a door to whatever room you are in will be formed, holding a minor pocket dimension inside. Everything inside is a mana construct, no matter how real it may seem.]

Her second brow rose with the first.

'….I believe this needs further testing…. For science…'

Oh she would let Ajuka know.

She would write him a report on her experience.

The box was gently placed down with great care.

Her eyes turned to the second item.

A box of….cookies?

'Why?'

There was a note attached to it and she picked it to read it.

[Hormone Cookies – After eating this cookie, your sex will temporarily change for 24 hours. A set of 1 box; 20 cookies per box. (Does not create fertility for the opposite sex.)]

She froze after reading it.

A wind blew by the roof and rustled her hair.

"Fufufufufufufufufufufufufufufufu."

Low but evil chuckling sounded out progressively louder for a full minute before it vanished.

Grayfia put the cookie box to the side and patted it gently.

'Yeeessss. Lupus would be a wonderful member of the family. But first, I must make sure Sirzechs clears his schedule this week for some 'tea' time. Yes, this should be wonderful.'

Elsewhere in the underworld, the ruler of hell felt cold sweat fall down his back and he unconsciously clenched his ass cheeks.

He looked around with wide eyes but only saw the old men of one of the clans he was making sure was standing down while he explained the situation.

It was safe to say that when a wild eyed looking Lucifer was releasing bits of energy and giving you a disturbed look, the clan head was happy to accept and be rid of him.

Back with Grayfia, she picked up the final item and frowned.

It was a folder.

'More paperwork?'

She opened the cover and her eyes widened.

"This..! But how!?"

Her mind rushed over what she recalled from meeting Lupus before she realized the answer and calmed down.

She recalled his appearance before she froze him, the blood soaked, cut up, burned, and hole filled cloak, not to mention the strong stench of death emanating off him like he just came from war, and the pure exhaustion she could almost feel coming off him.

"He really is….a good big brother."

The wind blew her hair behind her, letting her rare full sized warm smile be seen.

'Lupus huh? I think you may be worth extending a hand of friendship to. Loyal allies are hard to find in this world. I'll have to discuss it with my husband.'

She smirked at the last thought.

'As if he would argue with me. I love my husband but he needs a tight leash to stay out of trouble. Maybe Lupus can find an item to help with that?'

After all, having good merchant type friends was hard to come by.

She took the crate and flew back down.

With what Lupus had given her, she might just be able to smack that Numbers clan head down a few notches.

'Maybe we can even force him out of the head seat and get his sister in there. Ruri would serve as clan head much better and she is loyal to the current Satans.'

Her mind turned to politics and plans were being made.

Who knew fate could be changed so drastically by the addition of a single individual.

An individual, who was currently experiencing….a waking nightmare.

*Line Break*

'This….this is a joke…right?'

(AN: Brand X Music - Hourglass [Epic Music - Emotional Dramatic Orchestral])

My hand slowly rose to my face, grasping my mask, and removing it with shaky hands.

My naked eyes fell upon the sight before me.

The raging flames illuminated the night, casting a haunting glow across my silhouette.

The sounds of laughter reached my ears, the laughter of demented and malicious origin.

And the glow of the flames…. lit up the darkness to reveal the horrors hidden in the dark.

For the first time since coming to this world, I truly witnessed hell.

Like a painting depicting a nightmare from the depths of your worst fears brought to life.

I recall the first time my eyes laid witness to the beauty of Nekoshou village.

The first time I stepped out of a teleportation circle to have my breath taken away.

The fantastical image of a true quant piece of heaven.

A village built alongside nature.

The streams flowed with crystal clear water through the village center.

Well maintained red tori gates ran alongside the water, where villagers would curl up on top and take an afternoon nap in the sun.

The small fields of herbs and vegetables were bountiful with frolicking and laughing Nekomata play fighting.

And the simple paths between homes were filled with the cheers, laughs, yowls, and feline cries of the villagers going about their lives.

My eyes trailed up.

The ancient Sakura tree.

The centerpiece of beauty that brought this piece of heaven together, where the village would gather for festivities and feasts.

Where we would sleep, chase, and spend time in its branches as if it was a pillar holding up the world.

A pillar thought to last for ages more.

A pillar….that was now cast alight in the raging flames of destruction, raining burning petals down to the earth below as if tears pouring from it's being at the death and destruction.

My legs felt weak as I fell to my knees.

Tears unknowingly falling from my eyes at the sight before me.

The houses were burning, the trees were burning, ash and smoke filled the air in massive clouds.

The tori gates lay broken and shattered.

The streams turned red and brown while being filled with debris.

The fields charcoaled and smoking.

And scattered through it all, were the bodies of those I had come to love as my family.

A choked sob cracked in my throat.

'W-why…? I..I…t-this….this wasn't supposed to happen…'

My vision blurred as I looked up.

Among the branches of the burning ancient Sakura were the forms of the people who took me in.

Who gave me a home.

Who stood by me at my lowest.

Who taught me to stand on my own.

Who laughed, cried, ate, and slept with me.

My hand desperately tried, tried with all it's might, just to raise off the ground and reach out a hand toward those forms.

The forms of my dear older sisters.

Their bodies strung up like trophies for the world to see.

Chloe.

Her face horribly burnt, her arms cut off, and a burned hole through her throat.

Ghislaine.

Speared through by a dozen spears and drenched in blood, hers and many others.

Yoru.

Her lower body missing.

And Leone.

Oh Leone.

Her formed crumpled inward as if having been crushed beneath a mountain.

I was paralyzed.

My eyes unable to look away.

My tears unable to stop.

No sound able to escape my throat.

And my mind a long way away.

'Chloe.'

I recalled her smile and laughter.

Her teasing tone, her mischievous smile and eyes, her sadistic episodes, and the quite but incredibly warm love underneath it all.

The endless hours she spent forming poisons and string mazes to push me while making me stronger with every accomplishment.

'Ghislaine.'

Her deeper and stronger tone, but one filled with a calm and caring charisma that made one feel safe just standing next to her.

Her form, which was always there when you needed quiet support.

When no words were needed, when just a presence spoke a thousand words.

I remember the younger and smaller form of myself, looking on at my first hunt, pulling back the bow string as her calm words rung in my ear, teaching me the way of the hunt.

I remember the ecstatic feeling the bubbled in my chest at having succeeded.

I remember the proud smile on her face as her large hand laid on my head affectionately.

And I remember the taste of that first hunt as she used her experienced skills to cook it over a campfire for us to share.

'Yoru.'

The predatory look she gave me upon our first meeting was ingrained in me.

The challenge she issued if I wished to learn from them.

The laughter and excited look on her face as we battled.

The same look she held for years as she instructed in me in the way of hand to hand combat, physical growth, and touki usage.

'Leone.'

My mind didn't know where to start with her.

The first one I acknowledged as my sister.

The first one I met, who knew my father, who held his trust.

Her affectionately calling me a brat even years later.

She was the first to show me teleportation magic.

The first to show me the underworld.

The first to vouch for me to learn and live with these amazing beings.

The first to catch on to when I was lost.

The first to chase me across the globe to stop me from being alone.

The first to allow me a shoulder to cry on.

The first I let into my heart aside from my father.

She taught me everything I knew about energy sensing and suppression.

She built on my talent and pushed to the very edge time and again, shaving off my rough edges and polishing me as a gem.

All four of them….they made me who I am today.

Without them, I would have never met Kuroka.

Without them, the world would have been so cold.

Without them, I would be alone.

They were selfish, mischievous, lazy, bratty, sadistic, and did whatever the hell they wanted.

Using me like a body pillow without a care for nudity because it was comfortable.

Crashing my home because they liked my stuff.

Butting into my life whenever I was in a mood.

Never letting me brood on my own.

Getting on my case about unhealthy habits even when they had much worse ones.

They made my life so chaotic.

And I loved them for it.

I loved them so, so much.

They lit up my world.

They loved me.

They loved a monster like me.

Trained to take lives from the age of four.

Bathing in the blood of the innocent or corrupt.

It didn't matter who it was as long as I could progress on my path.

I took a job and went with it, doing as I was taught to achieve my goals.

And they never condemned me for it.

They kept me from straying too deep, making me swear to uphold limits that I wouldn't cross.

But even then, the bodies I left behind and the blood that flowed…

I shouldn't be loved.

I didn't deserve it to sacrifice so many for my selfish desires.

But they did love me.

They never went a day without making me know it.

From teasing, to hugs, to affectionate licks, to cuddling me like a toy, to throwing me around for fun, to using me as a shield from each other's justified wrath.

They loved me.

And I loved them.

They were my sisters, my family, and the women who held pieces of my heart.

"Ah…"

My voice finally cracked the wall of glass in my throat.

"Ahhhh…"

The glass cracked further.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh…."

The glass shattered.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

A broken howl of despair ripped from my lungs.

'WHY! THIS WASN'T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN! WE WERE STRONG! MY SISTERS COULDN'T HAVE BEEN DEFEATED SO EASILY!

THERE IS NO WAY THIS IS REAL!

MY INSTINCTS DIDN'T SO MUCH AS TWITCH!'

Touki x6 activated without my conscious thought from my dangerously low mana.

*BOOM*

My fists cratered the earth around me.

'IS THIS YOU FATE?! IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED! IS THAT WHAT YOU FORCED UPON THESE ANGELIC SOULS!

WHY!

WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST TAKE MINE!

WHY!

WHy… why did this have to happen…'

My touki receded as I bottomed out of mana, having spent all I had left in my blow.

"*Whimper* Why….Chloe, Ghislaine, Yoru, Leone, my sisters….please…please don't be dead…"

Blood leaked from my lips, my skin pale as snow from the lack of energy inside me, my wine red eyes hollow and unseeing, my fists planted in the earth, cut up and bruised from pushing my touki too far.

It didn't matter how the world saw me.

It didn't matter what reputation I had.

It didn't matter what discipline I held my self to.

Because in this moment, I cried.

I cried like the time I saw the light leave my father's eyes.

I cried like a young child and whimpered while begging the world to wake me up from this nightmare.

But as the flames raged on, I wasn't waking up.

No.

I was falling.

There was a fine line that was my maximum tolerance for physical, mental, and emotional abuse.

And I had already touched upon that line when I recovered Kuroka.

I was already hitting the red when I confronted Grayfia to try and secure Shirone.

And now…

Now…I finally reached that limit.

I crossed into the red.

My logical processing began to slip.

My heart growing cold as my emotions were pushed too far.

And my body trying to shut down to hibernate and preserve itself.

I was falling.

And then it happened.

(AN: Two Steps From Hell - Black Blade)

"Hahahaha….."

Distant laughter touched the edge of my mind.

"Hahahahahhaha….!"

The sounds grew as my hearing tuned in by instinct.

"Hahahaha did you see the look on their faces when we gutted them?!"

"Haha I know right! Their screams were so damn satisfying!"

The voices were filled with joy, pleasure, narcotic addiction, and so much malicious corruption my mind almost recoiled from the sound.

But it didn't recoil.

It churned.

'Gutted them…? Screams…were…satisfying?'

"It's too bad we couldn't have more fun with them!"

"Yeah! Our orders were exterminating the filthy beasts, but damn some of them would have been fun to hear scream in other ways!"

"They had some young as well, I know your into that you sick bastard!"

"Haha so are you!"

'Fun…exterminate…..scream in other ways….young…?'

My descent into darkness halted as if time and space itself stopped.

The black and emptiness of despair began bubbling.

The water began to heat up.

'They did this….'

The water began to hiss and steam.

'They killed them…'

The water began to boil.

'They took them from me…!'

The water was dyed red.

'THEY TOOK MY FAMILY FROM ME!'

The mental manifestation of a cage around my instincts, the thing that held them back from the dark and terrifying thoughts in the back of mind, shattered.

My consciousness blanked.

And a glow shined brightly from the belt on my waist.

A certain egg that had remained dormant for years and lay all but forgotten was awoken.

A distant memory flashed by.

~Flashback~

Two days after Leone brought me home from my trip around the world in grief, I sat in the woods alone staring at a golden egg in my palm.

The egg my father passed before he passed.

The egg that held the one true physical representation of the legacy of Lupa.

A legacy that dated back to roman times, having said to have begun under the choice of a child of Lupa, the Roman goddess of wolves who raised young pups into noble and deadly warriors.

The egg took on the form of a weapon that matched the holders soul.

But the holder had to find a name.

A name that resonated deep within him.

A name that represented what they wished to convey.

A name with great meaning.

I had looked down at the egg after my many months of grief and recalled what I wished for through my journey.

I recalled what I truly wanted, and what my sister gave to me.

I recalled what my father wanted, what he finally was granted as he passed.

I recalled the story of his own blade that carved out his legend in the annals of time.

"The name Kusabimaru beseeches: 'A shinobi's role is to kill, but even a shinobi must not forget mercy.'"

I felt a name resonate with me.

I looked down at the egg and saw it glow.

I smiled wide and spoke the word from my soul.

"Mercy."

The egg glowed brightly.

Runes appeared along one side of its form in beautiful artistic lines.

Minutes passed, and yet when the light faded, the egg remained.

I frowned down at it, but a feeling was conveyed to me.

One without words.

It was a feeling of being half full. A feeling of being on the right track, but not quite there yet.

I tried all kinds of embarrassing poses just as I once did at four years old to activate the egg, but nothing happened.

In the end, I had no choice but to place it on my belt and hope the answer came along some day.

Thankfully, I had received new weapons from my sisters the next year and had no need for the egg.

But it never left my side, it always rested peacefully on my belt.

Waiting for the day, that I was ready.

~Flashback end.~

The glow of the egg shined through the latch on my belt before it seemingly dissolved into light and reappeared in my hand.

My hand that unconsciously clenched around it.

And a name rung through my mind as my instincts roared with all their might.

A name that spoke from my soul just as the first did.

A name that only awoke as I was pushed far beyond the safety of my limits.

A name with only one desire.

A desire to bring annihilation upon the true monsters of the world.

My cracked and bleeding lips moved without my control as the barest whisper of a word slipped out.

"Wrath."

The egg glowed as it did all those years ago once more.

Runes etched onto the second half of its form with the same beauty of the first.

But as the first was artistic and soft while etched in black lines, the second was vicious and hard etched in silvery white lines.

It created a sense of harmony and disharmony as light and dark blended into one and the egg glowed brighter than ever before dissolving into light.

Lines formed along my arms in glowing energy, taking on distinctive forms as they were etched into my skin with the sound of sizzling flesh.

Along my left forearm, the lines formed the left side of a large silvery white wolf with a single pure black eye as it bent forward growling with its teeth pulled back.

And along my right forearm, the lines formed the right side of a large black wolf with a single pure silvery white eye as it bent forward growling with its teeth pulled back.

The glow faded from the wolves but their eyes lit up with a distinct eerie glow as energy seemingly began to coalesce into my hands.

Two forms were conjured from the void.

A left handed, angelic silvery white, and large handgun came into being.

Nearly fifteen inches long, just over eight inches high, and weighing a solid fifteen pounds.

It was a single piece of some kind of pure white metal almost as if it fell from the heavens themselves and given form in the shape of a handgun.

Along its length were deadly and hard lines glowing with an eerie black light.

A single word was formed through the eerie black lines, writing WRATH in a cursive font not native to any specific language known.

And next to the gun, formed a second.

A right handed, cursed ebony black, perfectly equally shaped handgun.

Nearly fifteen inches long, just over eight inches high, and weighing a solid fifteen pounds.

It was a single piece of some kind of pure obsidian metal, almost as if it rose from the earth out of the pits of Tartarus far down below and given form in the shape of a handgun.

Along its length were artistic and soft lines glowing with an angelic silvery holy light.

A single word was formed through the holy white line, writing MERCY in a cursive font not native to any specific language known.

The two guns came into being, only for gravity to take hold and push them down as my hands rose from the cracked earth bruised and broken without my control.

The guns landed in my palms and seemed to almost growl in contentment.

But the moment, for all its beauty, was awoken for a singular reason.

And I was no longer behind the wheel.

My mind had faded, and my instincts took hold.

Instincts fueled by a rage beyond anything I had every known before this moment.

My wrath had been awoken, and there was no mercy in sight.

My lungs compressed and sucked in air strongly enough to disturb the smoke and ash around my form.

And as my lungs reached maximum capacity, touki infused my throat, pulling from my very lifeforce itself, and my instincts let it's challenge known to the world.

"AAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

*Line Break*

Far away from the underworld. In a small dimension connected but apart from the wild forests of Italy.

A being resting deep inside a cave stirred from its slumber.

The being was a beast of tremendous size, with lustrous and beautiful grey fur, something beyond the human world.

There was an air to the being, an air of the divine.

The beings eyes snapped open as it felt a tingle on its senses.

'A new child awakens the legacy. A being of…Mercy and Wrath? Hm… let's see what you are made of young pup.'

The beings eyes slowly closed once more.

A tendril of divine essence flowing through the link to witness the pup's feats, but no further action would be taken.

The strong survive and the weak die.

And only the strong shall have her attention.

*Line Break*

The two devil scouting parties of the Naberius clan were gathered in the clearing outside of the burning Nekoshou village and celebrating their massacre.

They were sent here under the orders to let loose and kill the filthy beasts that challenged their noble clan.

For some reason, the main force of the army never came through before the teleport gates were closed, but no further orders came through leading the scouting parties leaders to take charge.

When they checked in with the general, all he said was that the clan head had no more orders to give.

The leaders of the parties were loyal subordinates under Koujou Naberius and easily understood the hidden message.

'Go wild and leave no survivors. No one else is coming through.'

The leaders were overjoyed.

They and the men under them hadn't had a good slaughter in ages!

The took to the skies and fell upon the village like the higher beings they were.

Their weapons and magic shredded through their paltry defenses with little trouble.

Their screams of pain, anger, and despair only fed the men with more energy as they drowned in the bloodlust of slaying their prey.

It was a bit of a surprise to see a few of them able to fight back so well, four bitches in particular put up one hell of a fight.

But that only made the hunt all that much more fun.

They weren't too surprised though, after all one of them was able to sneak attack a high class devil of their clan, but it was nothing to worry about.

They outnumbered the beasts 10 to 1, no matter how much they drowned in the corrupted energies of natural energy, they were nothing to true noble blooded devils.

Out of the 252 devils that made up the two scouting parties, only around 70 fell in battle.

It was nothing to scoff at, but then again it was mostly the weaker ones that fell.

The two leaders were high class themselves. Not of the main or branch families but they rose to their power through the years of hard work and groveling to get to where they were.

And the clan rewarded their loyalties and efforts apparently and allowed them to lead the more bloodthirsty devils in slaughters against those who slighted the clan's name.

Among their numbers were twenty mid class devils, two of which fell in battle, weak scum.

The rest were made up of low class devils from all corners of the underworld.

Outside the pillar clans of nobility, low class devils propagate much of the underworld just as humans do on the surface.

The numbers who reach higher ranks shrink dramatically with each rank up, but low class devils exist in abundant numbers.

Of course, they hold no special bloodlines, but they still have the native abilities of devilkind.

And the male and female devils that made up these two units were all the bloodthirsty wild dogs gathered in two main units.

They scouted their enemies efficiently before drowning in the blood of their prey.

Ah… just thinking about it had the two leaders smiling wide as they sat among their fellow devils cheering in merriment as they rode of the high of their battle.

Drinks went around as they plundered the beasts village.

The only downside was that their orders were to exterminate, so they couldn't have fun with the bodies of those beasts.

But orders are orders, they could just visit the brothels when they got back or went to find some defenseless prey to torture back on earth.

Lost in their thoughts, they didn't notice until some of the cheers of their men began to quieten down.

Their eyes narrowed as the devils looked had paused.

A strange eerie feeling settling over them and spread through the air.

The two leaders looked at each other and stood up.

"What is…"

"Where is…"

Their words were cut off by a sound that froze every single devil in their place as if their souls were shaking.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!"

A howl loud enough to vibrate their eardrums made the very air tremble.

It was a sound of something inhuman, something broken, something grieving, and something….wrathful beyond measure.

The devils eyes seemed drawn to the village they had just set alight as the smoke clouds drifting above took form with the glow of ash fire igniting within.

What they saw was unmistakable.

A wolfs head howling to the heavens above.

And beneath that cloud of smoke, the leaders pupils shrunk as their gazes landed on a form stepping through the wall of smoke and ash.

The tattered remains of some kind of cloak just barely clung to the beings shoulders.

It's cloth easily visible under the glow of the flames with the easily discernable sight of dried blood, holes, burns, and tears.

Beneath the cloak, a tight black shirt clung to the figures frame, showcasing the warriors physique clearly visible.

Naked arms swung with the figures walk.

Lines of ink seemingly falling down the forearms as the eerie eyes of a black and white wolf design seemed to stare straight at them as if alive.

Metallic devices hung from holsters around it's chest.

Handguns?

The leader almost mentally scoffed at the absurdity of such a weapon against devilkind but something withheld such actions.

The tattered remains of military black combat pants clung to the figures legs as blood splattered boots adorned it's feet.

But none of that was the most prominent feature.

No.

It was the figures eyes.

The eyes shadowed by dark hair and framing an incredibly pale face.

The leaders had to wonder if they were dealing with some kind of vampire here.

For under the bangs of pitch black hair were two glowing red eyes filled with a cold and silent wrath.

The leaders eyes scanned their men to confirm, but not a single one had a look of recognition.

No one here had seen this figure during the massacre.

He wasn't a Nekomata, there weren't males in their race and he had no Yokai features.

The figure stopped walking a distance away from the devils, and the air grew thicker.

The two leaders looked at each other before they decided on one being a speaker.

One stepped forward and flew up above his men slightly.

"Identify yourself creature!"

The leaders voice rang out with a forced calm to project a strong image.

Everything about this being before it was setting his nerves on edge, the pressure in the air was making him uncomfortable, and the look in the beings eyes was making him hesitate.

Which is why he tried to see what it wanted before taking action.

And yet, the being did not answer.

The beings hands moved slowly.

The right one coming up to place a….mask? on its face.

What was the point of a mask? It was already wearing a facemask and they saw its eyes, so it seemed strange.

But the leader didn't care about that.

No, his eyes were focused on the left hand that held some kind of device.

The feeling of graveness grew inside him and he shouted once more.

"Last warning! Identify yourself creatu….!"

The leader didn't even finish his words when the now masked figure dropped his thumb on a red button.

The leaders eyes widened at the distinct *Click!* that rang out in the silent clearing.

And then his world was bathed in fire from beneath him as his vision went black.

*BA-BOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!*

*Line Break*

(AN: Song: 'Really Slow Motion' by Deadwood)

3rd person POV:

Hei's instincts were behind the wheel.

He wasn't able to speak or even form conscious thoughts.

He had no mana.

He couldn't use his sacred gear.

But his instincts and subconscious drove him to take the more efficient actions to pursue his wrath, no matter the cost to himself or what action he must take to accomplish it.

Which is why his hand removed the detonator from his belt, ignoring the speaking devil, and pressed the button.

Over one hundred land mines planted around the village, with a large cluster prepped in the clearing outside the village where the devils had gathered, ignited all at once and shook the earth with a massive explosion.

*BA-BOOOOOOOMMMMM!*

A massive mushroom cloud of flame, dirt, smoke, and shrapnel lit up the dark as just under 200 devils were sent flying with various degrees of injuries.

"AH!"

"WHAT!?"

"MY LEG!"

"MY ARM!"

Dozens of screams and shouts resounded.

For a low class devil, their skin, bones, and organs could resist most weaker firearms.

But if you upped the caliber and gun, you could kill them.

Not to say they wouldn't be able to shield or dodge, but if the bullet hit them, it would injure them.

For mid class, most firearms wouldn't do anything except the exceedingly powerful ones.

And for high class, it's better not to try.

It's not simple durability or physical strength, it's that their own energy fuels their bodies and protects them.

Meaning they wouldn't be able to punch through a wall, but if a wall dropped on them they would be fine because their energy protected them subconsciously.

It's another reason dragons are so fearsome. They have the physical durability plus the energy durability and it's not as simple as 1 + 1.

So for a group of hundreds of low class devils in a single location, standing on the earth while close to 40kg of military grade shrapnel landmines go off all at once?

Limbs being lost was considered lucky.

Few died.

But that wasn't the point.

The point was to create an opportunity.

An opportunity for Hei to move in.

And he did.

As over two hundred devils went flying in all directions, he moved.

No, he pounced.

Like a ghost, his steps were silent, his figure seemingly to blur from one step to the next.

His glowing red eyes like torchlights in the dark creating afterimages to the eyes of those who could see them.

And he appeared almost as if out of thin air, among a dozen devils flying uncontrollably from the force of the explosion.

Under slow motion, it could be clearly seen as his hands moved with years of precision and muscle memory to draw his pistols from holsters slightly too small for them.

The silvery white and ebony black blades seeming to gleam with its own glow as the words along their sides were clearly distinct.

Mercy pointed to his left.

Wrath to his right.

And then time returned to the normal flow as the night was lit up by flashes of light and the strange mixture of sound between a gunshot and a growl.

From Mercy, gleaming metallic bullets glowing with a blackish red aura spun through the air faster and harder than any bullet known to man underneath a sniper rifle.

Moving at 950 FPS, the bullet connected with the head of low class devil who didn't even know what was happening, and then it exploded in a discharge of demonic energy that blew a chunk out of the devils head and instantly killed him.

From Wrath, gleaming metallic bullets glowing with a silvery white aura spun through the air at the same speed, only to connect with the chest of a female devil, and drill through her heart faster than she could blink, using pure holy energy to leave a trail of burnt flesh behind that wouldn't heal.

Her world darkened as the anti-element to her being shut down her form.

And they were only the first.

Spinning like a top that defied physics, Hei shot each and every devil in his cluster with an explosive demonic bullet or a penetrating holy bullet.

Then grabbing a fallen corpse, he tossed it to his left to impact with a thrown spear of lightning that exploded on contact and bushed him back.

From the origin of the throw was one of the two high class devils standing there with scorched black skin as his clothes disintegrated against him.

His fellow leader laying behind him, knocked unconscious from the blow of the explosion but otherwise unharmed.

The leader was gnashing his teeth in anger and unleashing spear after spear of lightning at Hei.

But Hei was using the scrambled devils as shield, intermixing with them dangerously as his bullets flew and his form moved.

Hei could only move so quickly and efficiently as his entire body was flooded with the energy of touki.

But he was out of mana, so not only was his touki pulling on his life force, but so to were his ammunition for each gun.

And it came at a cost as if to show his timer, strands of hair began lightening from the dark black to silverly white.

But Hei didn't care, he wouldn't, he was on auto pilot and didn't care what the cost was.

These devils had to die.

All the devils had to die.

He would kill them all.

He would slaughter them.

His wrath was unbound and his instincts unchained.

The low class devils managed to pull themselves together after a few minutes, but in that time Hei had already slaughtered half their numbers.

And the rest of them were now hyper aware, adrenaline pouring through their frames, and their anger, fear, and bloodthirst mixed as one to face their foe.

Spears came from every direction as they sought to trap the beast.

Hei's eyes traced them all, his hands moving faster than many could blink, and bullets moved in between the blades to penetrate or explode through eyes, mouths, of directly hit faces.

And yet he couldn't dodge them all.

Three spears made contact.

Each glancing blows but opening large gashes on his arm, leg, and shoulder.

Blood poured out before his touki went to work on his self-healing enhancement.

All he cared was for stopping the bleeding, not truly healing.

Running out of blood meant he couldn't kill, and he needed to kill.

A monster was let loose, a monster without inhibition, and it was engrained in the minds and souls of these devils.

A demonic bullet slammed into a stomach to blow a hole in it before Wrath was shoved in the wound and used the living devil like a shield against magic attacks while firing back with perfect accuracy.

Some began forming up under the leaders orders, creating barriers and empowering each other like a team.

These devils were all mad dogs, but they were still a military team, and they plenty of time to learn combat tactics.

They combined their efforts as if what they were facing was not a creature beneath them, but an ancient vampire of old coming for their blood.

They came in waves, protecting and attacking in turn.

But Hei had little care for their tactics, his body moving to take even one more life.

Two devils managed to use their comrades as shields to grab his arms.

"DO IT!"

"KILL IT!"

They shouted as a mid-class devil charged with a spear.

Hei's body contorted with inhuman flexibility and snapped kicked each devil holding his arms in the jaw, rattling their brains and losing their arms as his guns shot each in the head.

And as soon as the bullets left the barrels, the spear was upon him.

Angling down, he took the spear to his shoulder and as the devil's spear shaft slid straight through and he got to close, Hei's teeth closed on his throat and used the edge of the mask to jugular strike the devil, stunning him for a second as Mercy angled under his chin and blew his head like a watermelon showering Hei with blood.

Even the devils paused for a moment at the brutal sight.

Hei showed no pause.

His hand grabbed the spear shaft just as bent his body to allow his knee to shatter the wooden shaft, leaving a portion inside his shoulder to stop the bleeding, and return to firing.

All in seconds.

A few devils sucked in a breath through their teeth at the self-ruthless actions.

But to such mad dogs, seeing a foe be so brutal only ignited the crazed bloodlust of many.

They made their prey bleed once, they did it twice, and now they wanted to do it a third time.

The feeling was mutual on Hei's part, but he wanted to see them all dead, not simply bleeding.

They charged with their own battle cries as others launched magic attacks, and others prepared defenses.

Hei's form twisted around a blade, shot it's wielder, shot upward against a skydiving devil, jumped upward dodging hands of earth and shot beneath him at the head of a devil under the earth, slammed his foot against a spear orientating it into another charging devil, and shot both in the head in their moment of inattention.

The leader made a certain call and around two dozen hung back while the others piled on the pressure.

The ones in the back made calls and magic circles appeared with canine familiars rising from them.

These were the same types as the ones Hei faced not even half a day before.

Hellhounds, elemental wolves, two headed dogs, and various types of large dog type creatures.

From the size of a rottweiler to the size of rhinoceroses.

The listened to orders and encircles the constantly shifting epicenter of life and death.

Hei moved like a literal force of nature.

His steps shattering the earth as he passed, his form like a phantom as he moved between blades and magic inches from his skin, redirecting, dodging, or tanking when needed.

More and more wounds adorned his frame.

More and more blood was spilt.

And more and more lifeforce was spent.

The crown of his head was turning silvery white as strands on his bangs were already converted.

And yet the more injured he got, the more ruthless he became.

An explosive demonic bullet took off a devils arm, which was grabbed and swung to throw blood in the eyes of three other devils before the arm was tossed like a spear, causing more mental damage than physical but the distraction was its purpose as Hei closed in and exploded the chest cavity of one devil, drilled a hole in the other, and twisted his legs around the neck of the third to shatter her spine and kick her corpse into a charging spear.

Hei maneuvered over a magical blast by grabbing the corpse of the impaled female devil by the ankle and swinging around the spear holding devil, throwing him off balance and flipping upside down to shoot the devil in the back of the head with a drilling and explosive bullet.

He landed in a crouch from his spin just as gravity magic pushed down on his form from three separate devils and a dozen canine beasts charged in.

Hei boosted himself with another multiplication of touki to move his arms and shoot ten beasts through or between the eyes just as two made it through to clamp their teeth around his thighs.

One having fangs dripping with acid and the others fangs steaming from heat.

There was no pause at the pain and each canine found a barrel to their skull before they could fully finish their bite.

And just as the canines were blown backward, more devils swarmed him, keeping up the pressure and never letting their prey rest.

But when the prey they were hunting was the real hunter, they would be the moths flying into the flames rather than the dogs about to get their juicy meal.

Devils swarmed from all around his form as he stood still in the center of the crater from the gravity blast.

They smirked with wild abandon as they thought their prey had weakened and slowed, but they became unaware of the fangs awaiting them.

Two dozen devils simultaneously split into pieces as they literally showered Hei in blood and gore.

His figure was painted red in the center of the carnage.

Only a few noticed his hands twitch as the thinnest of strings seemingly detached from the butt of his pistols and faded into tiny particles of energy from where they were anchored to the corpses of the dozen canines who had assaulted him previously.

His figure moved, leaving bloody footprints in a mix of his own and his enemies blood as he moved.

Even the mad dogs of devils were a bit spooked at the sight.

Were they even the devils anymore?

He seemed more devilish then they did.

As more and more died, the bloody haze and thirst for hunting began to fade as fear set in.

They were 252 strong when they got to the village.

They lost 70 in the slaughter.

So it was 182 devils that faced this monster from the start.

18 mid class, 2 high class, and 162 low class.

They had less than 40 devils standing after fifteen minutes.

The explosion had scattered and disorientated them.

Giving Hei the opportunity to cull their numbers.

And he cared not to sacrifice taking a hit to take out one of their own.

How can one not even hesitate when seconds from impalement?

Who takes on a lightning bolt to electrocute the holder of a sword slashing at you?

Who pins someone to be hit by a fireball even if the concussive force and heat hits you?

Who was this crazy fucking monster?

These kind of thoughts revolved inside the high class devils head as he finally managed to slap his fellow high class awake.

He was looking on in shock at having just woken up to see the carnage along with the literal blood soaked Ashura.

"What the fuck is going on?!"

"It seems like an ancient vampire survived and we awoke it."

"Vampire my ass! That thing is gushing vitality like a fountain."

"Don't you think I know that! I have fucking eyes! I don't know what the fuck it is either! But I'm treating it like a vampire until we can kill the fucker and cut him open. It might be some science experiment of some crazy bastard who decided to mix a vampire and werewolf for all we know."

"Fair enough. How many men do we have left?"

"Including us? 38….36 now, we better move, he just killed two mid classes and you know how the clan is about losing them."

"*Scoff*, yeah I know, until we just barely hit high class a decade ago, we were among that group."

"Yeah, yeah, don't remind me. Let's go, we're taking this seriously."

"Formation D?"

"Yeah."

The two nodded to each other and began issuing orders to the mid class's.

The remaining low classes were to keep the monster occupied while the others got set.

2 high class devils set the formation with 15 mid class devils assisting them.

Meanwhile, the 19 remaining low classes were stuck between a rock and a hard place.

They weren't blind and they had self-preservation instincts.

The monster in front of them killed over 150 devils of their level in twenty minutes, what were 19 of them supposed to accomplish?

A few of them were brave or foolish enough to keep putting on the pressure as the monster was getting more and more injured with time but a few were also hanging back under the pretense of catching their breath.

"Ahhh!"

A low class devil to far from the center of the battle got his head burned through with lightning as a high class leaders voice rang out.

"Fight or die low class bastards!"

The remaining few had to grit their teeth and charge, but would Hei have missed such a prime opportunity?

Of course not.

In the momentary distraction when an enemy killed one of their own on purpose, most foes would pause to laugh, taunt, or be appalled.

Hei wasn't one of them, nor would he be in his current state.

His form had jumped straight up with a massive leap, right into the area where the mid class's were arranging a magic formation.

His instincts were flaring that the real threat was up here.

"Shit!"

"He ignored the bait!"

Hei's pistols took aim and fired without pause.

The mid class's had their hands stuck in a formation and couldn't put up a block.

Eight died in three seconds.

Eight mid class devils had their heads explode or drilled through in seconds.

Even the others froze at the sight.

And then they broke rank while the high class's swore.

"Shit! Formation J!"

The high class's kept up the magic formation creation as a large magic circle lit up the surrounded area and the mid class's swarmed the monster from above as the low class's attacked from below.

Even in the air, Hei's form crouched low, seemingly standing on air thanks to his boots, and growled audibly at the approaching foes.

His vision was lit by the glow of magic as each released a blast in whatever element they were proficient in.

Fire, lightning, ice, water, earth, darkness, and wind came from all sides in variety of forms.

Spheres, spears, spikes, bolts, blades, shaped as animals or weapons.

They rained on his position without error.

And Hei met them with one of the greatest acrobatic displays the devils had ever seen.

His touki was pushed even further and his skin turned red and steamed, his hair greyed further, and his eyes glowed brightly.

Each attack was met head on with not even a second to spare as his arms and legs blurred to the devils vision.

Attacks dodge-able were twisted around like he was made of rubber to fly past and attack their fellow devils.

Attack un-dodge-able were met with the sides of the guns he carried as he blocked or redirected.

His legs kicked and twisted as if he was underwater to spin him through the air like a demented spherical top and each attack was met a pattern that allowed a true defense against the rain of attacks.

The devils were awed, even the high class's pausing in their work for a second to admire such an ability, but none were willing to give the monster another second to act.

One free second for him was two dead devils for them.

But for all his acrobatic ability relying on his honed and highly efficient instincts, Hei still took shots here and there, discharges of ones he blocked or ones he chose to tank in order to block another.

He was trapped for a moment.

Teleportation was unavailable as he didn't have the mana or conscious thought to use his sacred gear.

So he did the next best thing.

He picked an attack with exploding capabilities, tanked two weaker strikes, crossed his guns, and met the explosive fireball head on.

The fire burned his skin and melted the remains of his shirt of his body.

The cloak had long since been torn away.

He was officially naked from the waist up aside from the mask, and his pants were more shorts and even then it was pushing it.

Only his mask, belt, and boots were intact.

His mask however was caked in blood and cracked along one side.

Even still, pushed to the brink of everything he knew and had, he still fought on.

His mind long gone, his body far past where it should be moving, especially at such a high touki enhancement, and with injuries adorning his entire frame.

But with a soul burning brighter than ever as wrath and instinct drove him in an insatiable hunger for the lives of every devil he could kill.

They took them from him.

They took his family.

He would take their lives or die trying.

The fireball blistered his skin and shot him off like a rocket as his organs shook from the force.

A mouthful of blood burst from lips under the mask, but the job was done and he was sent in a direction at a trio of mid class devils who's eyes widened in fright as he approached.

"Damn it!"

"Don't sent the fucker over here!"

"That way! Go that way! No!"

Their cries went unheard as Hei tackled the one in the middle straight on while shots were taken at the two to his sides.

One took an explosion to his chin that snaped his head from the whiplash and sent his world into darkness, causing him to fall from the skies to the tree's below with his life or death unknown.

The second was less fortunate and took a penetrating holy bullet to the throat.

He bent over as he choked and both his hands grasped the wound, desperately trying to still the blood flow that wouldn't heal from the holy damage.

The devil he tackled also fought back.

Throwing out punches and kicks to the best of their ability.

Strikes that could shatter concrete back on earth.

Hei used a mixture of Wing Chun and Jujitsu to redirect the stronger blows and pinned the devil by the neck with an arm as he pointed both guns at the devil with a hole in his neck and blew his head off, splattering blood and gore into the approaching low class devils from below.

His hand holding Wrath was occupied so he used Mercy to finish his pinned mid class devil that was squirming violently by slamming the barrel into his mouth.

"*Muffle* Wai…!*Bang*"

He did not wait.

An explosion liquidized his insides as Hei tanked the explosive force of his own shot with a trail of blood leaking form his own lips.

As the corpse fell, Hei hunched over and coughed up more blood while standing on air.

He might not consciously feel the pain, but his body was beginning to fail him.

His hair was more silvery white than black, with only the tips of his hair retaining the original colors.

His body was drenched in his own blood, never mind the blood of his foes.

Burn blisters adorned his skin.

His nerves were flaring from electrical damage.

And he had internal organ damage from all the concussive forces and excessive movements he had been forced to make with overtaxed touki.

But for all of that….

He – just – wouldn't – fall.

182 devils, 162 low class, 18 mid class, and 2 high class.

Now down to 20 devils, 14 low class, 4 mid class, and 2 high class devils.

And all of this with no mana, no conscious thought, no sacred gear, and after over 3 days of no sleep, minimal food or water intake, 3 separate battles from Freed and his exorcists, to the main wave of Cruff's devil security, to the tag team battle with Kuroka.

And then a 3 hour high speed run through the underworld to Lilith, infiltrating Lucifers headquarters, facing the strongest queen in a strange match with moderately little violence and no blood shed, and with emotional trauma from two separate incidents that could drive a grown man insane.

To the devils who knew only what they saw before them, to the goddess in another dimension watching on in excitement and encouragement who saw the full story, or to the group watching on in the dark with heavy hearts.

They could all agree on one thing.

This was a monster.

A monster who's definition was different for each party.

A final cough escaped Hei's throat as his lungs filled with air and he let loose another howl.

"AAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOO!"

The low class devil survivors were shaking.

They lost their will to fight.

The mid class devils were hesitating.

They didn't want to fight if they didn't have to.

And the high class devils were trembling.

In anger at having been pushed so far.

"You fucking monster! Take this!"

""Sealing formation Shiso Keppu!""

The two high class devils clapped their hands together as the four mid class devil supplied the energy they could to assist.

Lightning manifested around the high class devils in powerful arcs before shooting at Hei faster than he could react.

Instinct can only take you so far.

You have to be capable of something, even if it kills you, for it to act.

But the lightning didn't strike him.

No.

It bound him.

The lightning encircled his form in a hoop from the top of his head, down his sides, and under his feet, wrapping around his four limbs and pulling them taut.

His wrists were bound and his guns were pointed into the sky.

At the same time, currents of electricity coursed through his body in agonizing bursts.

Loud animalistic growls escaped his throat but not a single shout of pain or whimper left his form.

The two high class devils were sweating while the mid class were struggling.

Sealing formations were notoriously difficult but also one of the greatest weapons for devils without bloodline abilities.

These two devils were not talented enough or imaginative enough to create their own high grade spells, but this sealing formation was taught to them by the general of the army for capturing large scale canine's for the clans familiars.

It usually requires five high class devils to cast quickly, but with only them and a handful of mid class devils, it took more time.

They would have to keep supplying it with energy, but it paid off as now the monster was trapped.

Was it necessary to go this far? Perhaps, but the high class devils were not taking chances.

Things had gone too far to be sloppy.

One of them looked down at the low class devils without fighting spirit who were just standing there in the air unmoving.

"What the fuck are you all doing?! Do you want me to rip your fucking head off your shoulders?! KILL THE BEAST ALREADY!"

The low class devils nodded and regained some confidence under the fact the monster was trapped.

They brandished spears and moved to impale the monster where he was.

Using magic attacks risked disrupting the sealing formation, so cold steel would do.

They charged as one with their own war shouts.

Slight excitement reigniting in them at having lived through this horror show and slaying the beast in the end.

They closed in on his defenseless back with glee shining through.

He was the prey after all.

Their spears stabbed forward.

He was the….

Their thoughts stilled as their worlds went dark.

All fourteen devils split into pieces at the same moment their spears touched the skin of their prey.

A blood rain drenched Hei's form along with the dozen spears that pierced into him.

Except the momentum behind their thrusts was cut off, leaving the spears just sticking in him without reaching vital organs.

A network of strings extending from the butt of each gun still held tightly in each hand, despite the lightning coursing through him, interconnected together behind him, pulling each other taut and finishing off the last of the low class devils.

Hei growled louder and gnashed his teeth while staring straight at the high class devils who were looking on in shock.

"How…but…he…GRAH!"

One lost his shit and turned to the other.

"Can you hold it on your own?"

He looked unsure but nodded.

"You got 10, maybe 15 seconds, he is not making this easy. That fucker has some scary physical strength."

The first one nodded and took a deep breath.

"Do it."

"Go now!"

The high class devil condensed wind into his hand in the form of a sharp blade and bull charged down right at Hei's trapped form.

The night had begun to fade as light was breaking through the dark.

He activated one of his personal creation spells and the wind blade was dyed in a corrosive acidic yellow.

At the same time, he grabbed one of the mid class devils as he sped past and tossed the devil forward with his off hand.

Like he expected, the mid class split into parts before reaching Hei.

His eyes narrowed and he shouted.

"You can't protect yourself from me with fucking string you monster!"

The high class devil put his wind blade before him and was satisfied to feel himself cut through layers of invisible string before he fell upon Hei like a blur.

"DIE MONSTER!"

His blade slashed down and his form zoomed passed Hei's bound form.

Silence.

Not a sound was made as everyone held their breath and Hei made no more movement.

*Cr-Crack!*

A sound reached everyone's ears, causing the high class devil maintaining the formation, and the three energy-less mid class devils, to look on at the face of the monster.

The mask, the pure red blood soaked mask, had cracked.

Cracks filled its frame as more and more spread with distinct sounds.

And as the first half slowly broke away and fell, exposing Hei's dulled wine red eye to the rising light, along with the slowly bleeding injury traveling down his face, over his eye, and extended down to his chin, the devil who flew past him also began to fall…in two pieces.

His head was separated from his body.

In the moment the devil struck, Hei pulled a single string between the two guns taut and decapitated the high class devil.

The rest of the mask fell, leaving Hei in nothing but tattered shorts, combat boots, a utility belt, and the half destroyed Kakashi style facemask covering his mouth and nose.

The lightning seal faded as the last high class devil lost his focus and ran out of energy in his shock.

Hei's arms fell to his sides, dangling, as he did nothing but stand there in the air.

Breath barely entering his lungs.

Over a dozen spears sticking from his back.

Blood dripping down his face as one eye closed.

And his remaining eye no longer had his wrathful inferno.

It was dull and void.

His hair was completely silvery white, only two strands of black remained.

And yet.

He didn't fall.

He didn't bend.

He didn't quit.

And as the sky lightened even more, for just a moment, the distant ethereal sounds of a heavenly and peaceful little village going about their day rung in his ears.

A ghostly sound of times forever past.

And then the moment passed as the sounds vanished and his wrath raised its head, not finished with what it started.

A spark re-ignited in that single red pupil as it rolled to rest on the last high class devil.

A devil who was looking on, shaking like a leaf with a pale face at the monster before him.

A creak like the sound of rusted metal rang out as a single step forward was taken.

The devils were frozen with their hearts beating like drums.

Never before had they felt fear like this.

With those far above them, they knew they were strong.

They never challenged the ones above and bullied the ones beneath.

But this…thing..

It wasn't right.

It wasn't supposed to be.

It wasn't supposed to be them!

Their thoughts and concerns went unheard as Hei took another shaky step.

Only ten steps were taken, but they were taken with the effort of a man walking the tight rope between life and death.

There was a stillness to the air as he stopped.

His arm, shaking and trembling with the effort, began to rise as Wrath trailed on the frozen and trembling high class devil.

The barrel set it's mark.

The red glow in his eye lit stronger, burning with pure wrath and not a single other thought.

The two last strands of black hair began to lighten as Hei drew on the last of lifeforce.

The barrel began to glow as the bullet formed.

And as the light of the morning cast it's glow on his form, Hei pulled the trigger.

"…."

But nothing happened.

For a hand gently rested on the guns barrel with a finger stopping the trigger.

String wrapped around Hei's form.

And two hands rested on his shoulders gently.

"Hei. T-that's enough."

A trembling, soft, and loving voice spoke in such a whisper, it was a shock those around could even register the words.

Hei's single pupil turned to the hand, before following it to its owner.

A beautiful face with long blond hair, cat ears, and slit golden red and puffy eyes stared back at him filled with unshed tears.

Hei's pupil stared for a moment before it turned back to the devil still frozen.

He tried harder to pull the trigger but the hand wouldn't let him.

"Hei. Please. Stop."

The voice called again and a growl bubbled in his throat.

But this time the two hands on his shoulders wrapped around his bloody torso as trembling husky voices spoke in his ears.

"T-that's enough pup."

"S-stand down kid."

Hei wasn't conscious.

His body was moving on its own.

His wrath was driving him.

He had to kill the devils.

The devils that took his family from him.

The devils that laughed and cheered as they recalled slaughtering his loved ones!

But….

His instincts were calming him.

The hands…the voices….the smells…

His instincts told him it was ok.

They told him to let go of his wrath.

Unlike his wrath, they didn't want him to die to achieve his goal.

His instinct was him, his primal survival and animal thoughts and tendencies.

And it was telling him… to let go.

Under many watching pairs of eyes, the silvery white gun in his raised hand and the ebony black gun in his other, dissolved into particles of light as the eyes on the wolf tattoo's on his forearms finally began to retrieve their glow.

The spark of wrath inside his eye cooled.

The two individual strands of hair on his silvery white head regained their black color.

And with the cooling of the flame, his eye began to close.

But even then, a will beyond steel kept him standing.

Even as his eye finally closed, even as he truly and utterly fell unconscious.

He still didn't fall.

His instinct wouldn't let him.

The levitation stones in his boots were activated by his will, no matter if it was conscious or subconscious, their primary purpose was to float, and they would do so till the ends of time if they weren't destroyed.

Four pairs of puffy red eyes watered at the sight.

""""Oh, Hei…""""

His body was secured by the dark skinned arms of two amazonian women to his sides while the blond haired woman in front of him cried silently and held a hand to Hei's cheek.

"H-hey! K-kill the f-fucking m-monster already!"

And then a stuttering voice rang out and four pairs of slit eyes snapped open and narrowed with so much pure and insatiable bloodlust the high class devil fainted and fell out of the sky.

The three mid class's weren't better off as well.

The four took deep breathes to calm themselves down before the blond spoke up.

"Yoru, Ghis, get him to the healing springs now. And do it gently. We can't afford to let his wounds open up further."

Yoru and Ghislaine nodded without complaint.

Their wolf was too light, he had lost too much blood, and his hair was a clear sign of….

They didn't want to think on it.

They rushed off at their most careful speed.

The blond turned to the third.

"Chloe, clean up the trash."

Chloe's eyes glowed with malicious intent.

"My pleasure."

There was to teasing quality to that voice as she zoomed down after the passed out devils.

And then the blond was alone.

She looked down at her hands and clenched them tightly.

'What a failure of a teacher and sister you are Leone. The old man would be disgusted with you.'

Tears fell from her eyes as she guided her own levitation stone down to the burned village below.

The fires were mostly burned out by now and only smoke and ash remained.

Leone sighed and looked on sadly before she raised her hand.

"Release."

A pulse expanded from her hand that seemed to touch something invisible and spread throughout the entire village.

Every corpse, from the villagers in the streets, to their own bodies hanging in the burned branches of the Sakura tree vanished in particles of light and were replaced by the burned and unrecognizable corpses of other people.

Leone's shoulders sagged as tears poured down further.

'I don't want to be a leader anymore….'

Nekoshou and Nekomata were known as having a high affinity for many things.

Senjutsu for Nekoshou, Kasha or spiritual flames for both, touki, and youjutsu, specifically, poison and illusions.

To the world at large, the Nekoshou village had just been massacred by devils.

But to the Nekomata and Nekoshou of the Nekoshou village, a new life awaited them thanks to the gifts of a dangerous, but gentle, loyal, loving, and strong wolf that they called one of their own.

The Nekoshou would live on, and never again will life impede them in such a way that drives them from helping their loved ones or their beloved wolf from the challenges that come his way.

A fire was lit that day.

A fire that would change the world in the years to come.

The world would shake before the names of the Nekoshou and their guardian Wolf.

*Line Break*

In the separate dimension.

The goddess's eyes flashed open with admiration and excitement.

'Finally! A worthy pup appears! What might, what courage, what will! Hahaha it looks like I shall finally have a new wolf to train.'

The goddess got up on her four legs and walked to the edge of her cave, overlooking the vast and primal wild forest down below.

She breathed in deeply and let her excitement and cheer for the rise of a new warrior be known.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOO!"

Her howl rang out deep and strong through the forests below only to be answered by dozens more howls from around the realm.

For when the mother of wolves raises her call in cheer, the deadly warriors who made their own marks on time answered the call of their patron goddess without error.

For when Lupa says a new warrior has been born among their kind, who were they to disagree.

Chapter end.

AN: No omake since I rushed the update. I'll add one later.

The massive chapter 9 will come later tonight or tomorrow. I got stuff I gotta do today.