I do not own Highschool DxD nor do I own Diablo. All rights respectively go to Ichiei Ishibumi, the series' creator, and Blizzard Entertainment, the company who made Diablo.
"This is…unlike any Sacred Gear I have ever seen."
Rias Gremory was by the front her desk examining Aidan's Sacred Gear that he showed to her. His Sacred Gear was dark and silver-like, like it was made of pure iron, yet it was not heavy. The wolverine claws were made of pure silver, yet they did not bend nor break, and they would emerge when called forth.
This was one day after the attack from Kalawarner. Aidan had given her the full report and how he had managed to survive. She was scared at first but when Aidan told her that the Fallen Angel was dead by his own hand, she was relieved. Although the details of it were a little gory for her tastes.
As Rias examines and touches the Sacred Gear, she feels a sense of trepidation emanating from it. Like this weapon was born of fear itself. This could not have come from Aidan's desire nor heart because fear is a weapon most often used by evil. So what was it that made Aidan have this Sacred Gear in the first place? Was this the power that made her sense that potential in him? That interest that she has in him?
"You've never seen a Sacred Gear like this before?" asked Aidan.
"I have not," Rias revealed. "I will have some friends of mine look into it. But at any rate…"
She then reveals a smile to Aidan. "Congratulations on summoning your Sacred Gear. Now all that's left for you to do is to learn how to call for it."
"Already done that," Aidan said as he willingly deactivates his Sacred Gear, the artifact dissipating into red lightning particles.
"I'm so proud of you, Aidan," Akeno praised as she was standing to his right before she went up to hug Aidan's right arm, trapping it between her cleavage which she did not mind. "Only a full week and one day ahead and you are already making progress. I cannot help but feel…excited."
Aidan was a little confused at the remark but went along with it as his face and Akeno's were a little close.
"Ahem," Rias clears her throat to get their attention. "The situation you've given, Aidan, about last night's attack is most troubling though. Not only do they know that you are still alive, but also the fact that you've taken out another of their kin. This has become personal for them and now they may know you have a Sacred Gear ready at hand."
"So what do we do?" asked Aidan.
Rias crosses her arms and closes her eyes briefly before opening them. "I know you are more than capable of defending yourself, but I don't want you to get carried away. You may be fast and powerful but that does not mean you're invincible. Don't try to fight them all alone; it will be disrespectful for all of us."
Aidan looks down a bit, his front bangs covering his eyes before he looks at Rias in melancholy. "As much as I agree with that logic, Rias, there may come a situation where I have no choice but to fight alone."
"But Aidan—" Rias is interrupted by Aidan as he lifts a hand since he has more to say.
"The Fallen Angels are after me. For what purpose, we have already figured out due to my Sacred Gear, but I also fear that there is something more to it and we are missing it. They will come for me when I am most vulnerable, and I have to be ready. To simply flee and call for backup will take too long and I am not willing to trade another soul for my own in defense of me."
Rias felt a little disheartened hearing him say it. She had nearly lost Aidan last night due to Kalawarner and she was not about to lose him now. He is strong but not strong enough against the enemy, at least according to her mind. To hear him say that he may have no choice but to fight alone if the circumstances permit him to do so made her feel concerned.
Aidan's next words soon relieve her of her troubling heart and mind.
"But if you truly do not wish for me to fight them alone, I will do my best. But I cannot make promises I cannot keep."
Rias sighs, "Good."
Aidan then felt himself wrapped around by Rias somewhat tight. It was a hug of relief, relief that Aidan was okay from another Fallen Angel attack.
"Thank goodness you're okay," Rias sighed. "Had I known…"
"You couldn't have," Aidan reassured as he hugs back. "The Fallen Angel won't trouble you anymore."
"For now," Rias reminded him. "Just be careful, okay? I don't want to lose my most precious servant."
Aidan cups her right cheek with his left hand and gives a smile of reassurance.
"You won't," Aidan said before he whispers into her ear. "And if it makes you feel better, you can sleep tonight in my bed."
Rias could only blush in a good way as Aidan lets go of the hug and walks out of the door. Rias could still feel his warmth from his hand on her right cheek, making her smile. A part of her still felt concerned for Aidan when he said he may have to fight alone, but she trusts him to take care of himself.
And yet, teamwork and cooperation is vital for every Devil's peerage. Without it, a peerage cannot function as one. Rias can only hope Aidan knows of the lesson.
"Quite the pure hear he has, even when being exaggerated to," Akeno said, catching Rias' attention as she turns around. "For a new pawn, you sure are a bit hard on him."
"I'm trying not to be," Rias countered. "I just don't want him to put himself in danger willingly. He nearly died once from the first attacker and defended himself against a second. Both Fallen Angels are dead and now the enemy, and perhaps someone else from the shadows, are keeping all eyes and ears on him."
"…It's still strange though," Kiba said as he rubs his chin. "Usually you'd have to think of the strongest weapon you could think of to activate a Sacred Gear. But this is different."
"What do you mean, Kiba?" asked Akeno.
"It's just my intuition really, but what if the Sacred Gear had chosen him? What if someone forced a power onto him for an ulterior purpose?"
"It's a moot point until we figure out just what kind of Sacred Gear it is," Rias said as she walks to the front of her desk, sits on it with her legs crossed, and crosses her arms. She dips her head in thinking mode. "Still, I think Aidan is holding some form of information from us. He clearly knows of something that we don't. I don't think this is a matter of trust, but whatever he is hiding, we must bring it out to the light."
"But, Buchou…" Koneko popped up. "What if it is information that could change everything?" Rias looks at Koneko in a bit of confusion as Koneko clarifies. "What if that knowledge is something only he should know and no one else?"
"A fair point, Koneko dear," Rias responded. "But I fear Aidan will be in more danger and that we will eventually get roped into it. Sooner or later, he will have to tell us. I will have Sona look into his Sacred Gear, see if we can find any information as to what it is."
Rias looks intently at the door Aidan left from, hoping to find the answers she seeks soon.
Aidan was already walking to his first contract that a client had called him specifically for. It was already the afternoon on a Friday and school was over.
Aidan however had a lot to consider about what he had shown to Rias, along with the past events of the first week being a reincarnated Devil. He had already been introduced to its members. And he was given a review account about the Great War and its current status.
And though he has vast knowledge on the Three Factions and their current status, his mind is ever so focused on the true threat they are all unaware of. That threat being the Burning Hells and possible the High Heavens.
At some point he knew that he will eventually have to tell the truth about everything that he knew. But he still has to keep it a secret. Aidan never liked to keep secrets but it was the only way for his uncle to learn about what he has discovered in his writings.
Earlier last night, Aidan had told his uncle the truth of how he was inducted into the Occult Research Club. Along with the most recent attacks from the Fallen Angels.
FLASHBACK…
"Is this true, Aidan?" asked Deckard Kain during dinner. "You are now a member of the Occult Research Club?"
"Yes, Uncle," Aidan confirms. "And there's more…" Aidan soon flaps out his own Devil wings to Deckard, surprising the elder. His own adopted nephew has now become a reincarnated Devil.
"Oh, goodness me. I suppose we have to thank them at some point for bringing you back to life considering your reincarnation."
Aidan however was surprised at his uncle's commentary.
"I didn't think you'd take this so well, Uncle. I thought you'd hate me for it."
"Nonsense, nonsense!" Deckard said. "I could never hate you for this change of events, Aidan. In fact, I think this may prove most beneficial for us."
"How so?" asked Aidan.
"Since you were nearly caught at the Student Council library, there may come a chance when you must confess your actions. I can only hope they forgive you enough that you are also permitted to gain access."
"They've been questioning me as of late, Uncle," Aidan also said. "I think many of them know that I am holding information of what we both know. So when do we tell them everything?"
"Only when what I am looking for is clear to me," Deckard caresses his beard to fix. "I think the Devils are holding something in their realm. If it is what I think it is, then we must act quickly. Only the Four Great Satans know what all the other Devils, not even the nobility, know not of."
"So what do we do then?" asked Aidan.
"Stay with the group, Aidan," Deckard advises. "And if circumstances force you to tell them, then do so. We cannot always remain in the dark about our motives and it will be up to them for how they cope with it."
"I understand, Uncle," Aidan responded. However, Aidan could not help but worry. If he did tell the ORC, and the Student Council, the truth and of what else he knows of, how will they react knowing that what they thought was a myth was now a reality?
Another question soon popped up to Aidan.
"What of the Fallen Angels though?" He asked. "Have you run into any recently?"
"No," Deckard denies. "But that worries me why you would be targeted. We need to tread more carefully at night since their attacks always happen around that time of day."
"I agree on that. I actually have a contract coming up tomorrow with a blacksmith. Maybe a small weapon of sorts will help."
"That is a good idea," Deckard agreed. "Just be sure to keep it hidden away."
Aidan only smiles in confidence, hoping things in the future will turn out for the better.
END FLASHBACK…
As Aidan walked to his contract's location, he had a lot to consider. And his uncle was right. A weapon on hand for him could prove most useful in the battles to come. But he and his uncle will have to keep remaining in the dark about what they know and of their motives. Only when circumstances force Aidan to tell him must he come clean with it. It was the only way to remain on their side and remain a trustworthy ally.
The question is how will they deal with the fact that their mythology is real and not fake?
Aidan soon began thinking to himself hard.
'At some point, Rias will want to know about all this. She is already having the Student Council look into the existence of my Sacred Gear. And my nightmares are already getting worse with more intense dreams as of late. But I doubt this Sacred Gear was created by God. Who then would have the power to make such an artifact? Someone from Heaven? Or…a demon from Hell?'
Aidan scratches his head as he sighs. "I just hope I find the answers sooner rather than later."
"AH!"
A sudden voice cried out, making Aidan turn his head to see someone on the ground. The person had a white veil over her head with light blue accents, face first on the ground with her arms out, and her butt sticking out to show her white panties.
"Hey, you okay?" Aidan asked as he approached the girl. He only heard a groan in response.
"Why am I tripping everywhere?" She asked herself. Aidan then manages to pick her up by the arm pits and set her upright. The girl was confused for a second before she turned to meet Aidan's face.
"Th-Thank you, kind sir," She said, before a gush of wind takes away her veil, unveiling her face.
She was a pretty young girl with green eyes and long blonde hair that flowed all the way down her back, with split bangs over her forehead and a single strand sticking out from the top, sloping backwards. She was a lot smaller than him but about the height size of Koneko. She wore a dark teal nun outfit with light blue accents, and brown boots with black straps in an X-shaped pattern. Around her neck was a silver cross necklace.
'A nun? Of the Church? I guess the Zakarum will take anyone in these days, even if it has changed a lot.'
Aidan manages to pick up the veil and bring it back, placing it on her head. I believe this is yours."
"Oh!" The young nun adjusts her veil properly and smiles, "Thank you so much."
Aidan could not stop smiling. The nun was not only kind, but also cute and beautiful. He notices movement to his right and looks down at her traveling bag, which opened with some of her clothing spread out on the sidewalk. He bends down to pick up the pieces.
"Here. Let me at least help you," Aidan said.
"Ah, it's fine,' She said kneeling down and grabbing some of her clothing. As they placed the items back in the bag, Aidan could not help but see a small blush on her face behind her veil, but it could have been his imagination.
"Are you a traveler?" asked Aidan as he hands the last pieces of clothing to her, which was a pair of her underwear. Snatching it away with a blush, she places it in the bag before closing it as both she and Aidan stand up.
"N-n-no, that's not it," She said. "I was assigned to the church of this town. But I got lost." She looks up at Aidan. "I'm sorry, I'm not used to speaking Japanese, so I apologize if I'm a little hard to understand."
"No, no. You did well," Aidan complimented while holding up a hand. Her Japanese was spot on. Aidan learned from Rias that Devils are able to break language barriers, which would prove most useful if he ever travels again with his Uncle.
"May I ask you something?" The nun puts her hands together, as if she was begging. "If you're a local, then could you take me to the Church.'
"Sure thing," Aidan kindly accepted.
"Really?" The nun exclaimed with excitement. "Oh, thank you! The Lord must have sent you to me!"
It is ironic for Aidan. A reincarnated Devil walking beside a nun of the Church. Natural enemies given of their allegiances and yet Aidan would not dare attack her. It was something he learned from his Uncle; that before you even question one's existence, you must always lend a helping hand unless that person's intentions are deceitful and under pretense of something darker.
Aidan admires the girl's faith as it is well placed. She definitely does look like someone who deserves to stand amongst the Church. Though young and perhaps naïve, Aidan believes she could be a great person one day.
And yet, Aidan knows, along with his Uncle, that the Church is the ancient Zakarum faith under another name. Much has changed for the Zakarum and Aidan is willing to bet that a lot of important documents about their earlier faith long before the time of even the Jewish traditions are kept hidden in places only they know of. Most likely known to only the pope, the leader of the Church, along with a few other secretive members.
Aidan also knows that the Church, at least parts of it, are still corrupted. Thanks to Mephisto, the Lord of Hatred, and his machinations, the Zakarum faith was left scarred. Its wounds never healed since those dark times. How it had managed to survive to the 21st century is something Aidan never understood. Yet he wonders when the corruption will strike back again and if it does, will the Church be prepared for it? Will they remember the one responsible for it all if Mephisto ever reveals himself again?
The sound of crying was soon heard as the two look to see a young boy near one of the playground playsets on the ground, holding his knee and crying in a ball position. When the two come over, Aidan sees a red bruise on the boy's knee.
The young nun kneels down in front of the boy and asks, "Are you okay? Young boys like you shouldn't cry over a minor injury like this."
She holds out her hands and places her palms on the wound. Then a bright green light orb shines from her palms.
Aidan could only look in bewilderment as the light flashes on the boy's knee. His injury was healed up quickly. The light soon disappears as the boy's mother, who saw what had happened, quickly grabbed her son's hand and carry him away. He looks back at them and waves with a smile.
"Thank you, Onee-chan!"
The young nun smiles and waves back.
"How did you do that?" asked Aidan.
"It's my power of healing. A wonderful gift granted to me by God," She responded before her expression turned melancholy despite the smile. "Truly a wonderful thing."
Something bothered her but Aidan's mind was not thinking about that. Rather it was her so-called power of healing.
'Could it be another Sacred Gear? But in the form of healing powers?'
AN HOUR LATER…
As the two continue walking towards the direction of the Church, Aidan's mind reflected on the boy's knee and subsequent healing. If Sacred Gears are used for offensive and healing purposes, then its possible that there are those within the Zakarum who have a Sacred Gear used for healing, if that is what the Church is more focused on since they are not about religious war.
"There it is!" The nun cried out.
Aidna looked up as she pointed to a lone Church off in the distance. But the moment he did, a throbbing pain hit his mind. It hurt a lot, albeit in an annoying way, like he was having a small migraine. It may be because he was a Devil entering a holy place solely for the Angels.
It would also be the nun's safe haven and place to live.
"I better get going then," Aidan said to the nun. "I need to go meet someone in town and I have kept them waiting long enough. Fare thee well, sister. And safe travels."
Aidan turns to walk away, hopefully to get the migraine out of him before the nun grabs his arm.
"Please wait!" The nun looked a bit sad as Aidan turns to see her. "I never thanked you properly."
"It's alright," Aidan reassured, petting her head. "I'll come by and visit when I have the chance. Even better, you are happy to com stay at my place when I take you there one day."
The former of course was a lie since Aidan was a Devil. But the latter was truth. Despite being a nun, she didn't show any hatred towards him, unaware Aidan was a Devil. She was also very beautiful and very kind.
"My name is Asia Argento. I hope to meet you again…" She was waiting for Aidan's name.
"Aidan Kain," Aidan introduced himself. "May we meet again as well, Asia."
Asia's smile grew as she bows her head and runs off towards the Church. She stops and waves at the man, who waved back in return. Aidan watches as she turns back around and runs to the Church before she is out of sight. Aidan could only smile but with sadness. Asia was indeed an innocent girl and it was hard to think he could not be friends with her due to her nature.
If only there were a way to make that a reality though.
After dropping Asia off and saying farewell, Aidan was in town looking for his client. Apparently, someone received one of the flyers he had passed out and requested to meet with him. That someone was a blacksmith.
A blacksmith. Of all people. Dirty, sweaty, hard-working people who forge steel to make armor and weapons. Though modern blacksmiths these days only make tools out of iron and steel. But this particular blacksmith makes movie prop weapons and armor for TV shows and movies.
Aidan was not so sure whether to feel excited for his first contract or concerned that he is going to be working for a few hours inside a blacksmith workshop. He could not even imagine the smell but he is not a picky kind of person. Whatever the person wanted, Aidan hopes it is worth the experience.
As Aidan walked towards his destination, he found the location, a brick building on the outskirts of the town with a large wooden sign on the front steel door painted in gold and blue. Surprisingly, the building was mostly intact and kept in good condition, and it even included a second floor, most likely where the blacksmith lived. The ventilation and chimney were also a huge factor so as to clear away the smoke.
The sign was called Johannus Crusade Sword Company.
'I have to give them credit. It's not bad of a title.'
Aidan knocks a few times on the steel door.
"Hello?" called out Aidan. He heard a few steps approach the door from inside the shop.
"Who is it?" A female mature voice called out from the other side. She sounded a bit British by the sound of it.
"My name is Aidan Kain. I am the Devil of the House of Gremory that you summoned?"
The door was soon unlocked and opened inwards to reveal the person in charge of the blacksmith,
Opening up the door, a woman in a black tight tank top stood with her hair tied high in the back, leaving a long lock of hair on either side of her face and her bangs falling casually from right to left across her forehead. She also wore a dark brown leather short apron that had her tools in front of her.
Wearing black steel-toed boots and light brown cargo pants, the woman appeared to be in her early forties. She was already dirty by the most of it but it was mostly on her apron, with some soot on her face.
The woman gets a good look at Aidan, sizing up to him. By the look of it, she was a bit taller than Aidan, about six feet and three inches.
"So, you must be my contract. Well, come right on in, son."
Aidan enters the room to see it as your typical blacksmith shop that had its tools on the walls and shelves. There was also the brick forge, anvil, and many modern hydraulic tools and machines used for crafting. Surprisingly, the walls were not too dirtied.
"I'm a bit sorry on the mess," The blacksmith apologized. "A blacksmith is always and constantly working the shop, making sure her customers get what they want. It's tiring work but enjoyable nonetheless."
"It's alright," Aidan said. "But do they really buy weapons like these?" Aidan picks up a sword from the barrel before setting it back down.
"They're mostly just used for TV and movie props. I do have a few other clients though who ask for the real deal. And the real thing costs more than props."
On one wall though, Aidan saw a black suit of medieval armor that was huge. It also had a white cloth on the front of it that had a black trident symbol. Next to the suit of armor was the flail and shield, the former displayed on front of the latter. There were two spiked balls on the flail. Both the armor and the weapons though were surprisingly cleaned and polished but whether it was for decoration or not, Aidan could not say.
The female blacksmith and Aidan soon sat down face to face on plastic chairs to discuss the terms of the contract. A large table separated the two as Johanna provided herself and Raiden some water since it was somewhat hot inside.
"My name is Johanna Smith," The blonde blacksmith introduced herself. "I run the Johannus Crusade Sword Company and am a master blacksmith. Currently though, I am the only blacksmith in this place."
"And I take it you called for me to be your apprentice?" asked Aidan.
But Johanna laughed. "Ha! Far from it. I actually need your help on a project."
"Project?" asked Aidan.
With that, Johanna reaches from a nearby shelf a large piece of blue paper that was scrolled up. Laying it out on the table, the design of the blueprint sword was a large sword, about the length of your average cane. It was an elaborately decorated sword that has a wing-ornament on one side of the hilt.
(Author's note: For reference, it is the Sword of the Father from FFXV)
"I have a contact who gave me the blueprints of this sword and requests for it to be fashioned in a way that does not break nor bend easily," Johanna explained. "Problem is, the more I think about making it, the more I realize that I will not get it done in time with just myself."
"And that's where I come in?" asked Aidan.
"Precisely," Johanna said as she gets up to prepare her tools. "With one person, it could take at least a few days. But here today, it will only take a few hours."
Aidan however had a problem. "But… I don't know how to make swords. Or even armor."
"Not a problem," Johanna said as she brings out a spare short apron. "I will teach you along the way. Put that on and be ready for the heat."
Aidan does as instructed as he follows Johanna who, with her strong muscles, carry over a large bar of tungsten carbide a bucket full of titanium ingots.
"We're going to make this sword mainly out of 1060 carbon steel to act as the structure," Johanna said. "We will mix it in with a few bits of tungsten to prevent scratches and cracks."
"So, we are mixing metals," Aidan concluded. "Isn't that a bit risky? It could turn out to be totally different."
"Not to worry. We only need to add one ingot, maybe two, of tungsten over the steel as a coat."
With the pieces of 1060 carbon steel laid out on top of each other and welded together thanks to Aidan, Johanna has it attached to the metal bar and hands it to Aidan.
"I will go turn on the forge. You be ready to stick it in. Once we take it out, we will use the hydraulic hammer to flatten it out before he cut it with a chisel, but we won't split the metal. We will then fold it to create some layers and go back to the forge. We will have to repeat the process a few times to make the blade thick enough."
Aidan does as commanded and puts the metal inside the forge. Once it heats up, he takes it over to the hydraulic hammer, where Johanna presses the pedal on the floor as the hot steel is hammered. Sparks fly but are harmless as the chisel cuts through the metal before being folded and put back into the forge to reheat.
They repeated this process a few times before hammering away to make the sword length, turning it as they do.
"You're doing good so far," Johanna complimented. "Keep hammering as I go make the hilt pieces. Once you're done hammering, take it over to the grinder and we will go on from there."
"On it," Aidan complied as he hammers and rotates the hot steel. Johanna goes over to the plasma laser cutter to cut out the pieces of the hilt like the angel wing. Aidan soon goes to the anvil as he hammers away some parts of the sword with a hammer to flatten it more.
Once at the grinder, Johanna turns on the grinder and shows Aidan how to smooth the edges as she brings the blade to the grinder to sharpen and remove excess. Sparks again fly but Johanna makes it look easy.
Handing the sword to Aidan and standing behind him, Johanna guides Aidan to grind the edge of the blade.
THREE HOURS LATER…
The forge was already hot inside but there was no fire, except for the kiln. But Aidan and Johanna were hard at work, forging this sword for the customer. But after three hours of constant hammering, forging, grinding, plasma-cutting, and smoothing, the sword was set.
But it was not ready. The sword was still missing the final finishing touches like the wrappings of the handle or the etched runes on the blade. And the angelic wing piece of the guard, along with the rest of the features, needed to be added.
"Well…" Johanna stated as she wipes her forehead with a towel. "We got most of it done and we have the pieces together. It just needs some decoration which I can handle here at the shop on my own. Thanks so much for your help."
"How long until the sword is fully ready?" asked Aidan.
"About two to three days, give or take," Johanna answered as she throws down away her rag towel and tosses a water bottle to Aidan.
Aidan opens the water and drinks.
"In the meantime, I think our business here is concluded," Johanna said. "And if I remember correctly, I am supposed to give you something in return."
"Yes, I believe those were the terms," Aidan confirmed. "At least you aren't selling your soul to me."
That made Johanna laugh. "Haha! My friend, if I did sell my soul to the Devil, he would find it not to be to his liking. Say, how about this? Once this sword is finished, I give it to you."
"What?" asked a surprised Aidan.
"You heard me," Johanna replied. "This sword will be yours once it is finished, I will have it ready and will call you. Just need your contact information is all."
"But what about the client?" asked Aidan in confusion.
"Oh don't worry about the client. She will be pleased when she sees the sword in the hands of someone capable like you."
"What do you mean by that?" asked Aidan.
"I can't say I'm afraid," Johanna replied. "Let's just say some things are meant to stay secretive until the truth comes out."
Aidan was confused. Whoever Johanna's client was may be mad to see her ordered sword handed to the likes of him. But if this is what Johnna was going to offer in return as per the contract, then Aidan should not be complaining.
Johanna then gives Aidan her card with her contact information on it. Aidan in return takes another card and puts down his name and phone number on it and hands it to Johanna.
"Great," The female blacksmith said. "Now go get yourself cleaned up. It's late and you best get home."
"Well then, take care, Ms. Smith," Aidan said.
"Please, call me Johanna. I prefer it rather than the formalities."
"Okay, Johanna," Aidan corrected himself before he exits out the door.
Johanna watches him leave before she looks on the wall of the black armor, shield, and flail. Memories of another life surge through her; memories of battle and blood. It has been many years since she had last seen combat yet even so, she tries to keep the armor and weapons primed and up to date.
Contemplation is all over her face and as she approaches the armor, she also takes out a picture that featured her and six others; three females and three males. They were all wearing some fancy outwear and wielding weapons and artifacts, Johanna wearing the black armor and wielding her flail and shield. They were all Johanna's friends; four of them were already in Kuoh yet two of them were missing and had not been heard from since.
The male at the far left of the picture looked like an elderly yet very muscular man, with dark blue tattoos over his face and carrying large heavy axes like he was some Barbarian. Next to him was an African man wearing a purple and white voodoo mask and carrying a knife and severed skull head, possibly a Witch Doctor. In the middle next to Johanna was a young Chinese woman wearing purple garments and gold jewelry while carrying a wand and a sphere of sorts, like she was some sort of Wizard.
The last male looked like a wise scholar, a Monk of sorts, wearing orange robes, large black beads, and carrying a large stave. Then there was another woman with a red hood and wearing black armor, and in each of her hands was a handheld crossbow. Her eyes were orange, like she was a Demon Hunter. Next to the Demon Hunter was a pale woman, wearing bone-like armor and carrying a bone scythe, her expression emotionless unless one can see a small smirk. She looked like a Necromancer.
Johanna smiled at the picture, remembering her good friends who, while still alive, had not been in contact for a long time.
'I hope the rest of you are watching over this kid, you guys. Whether it be out in public or in the shadows. Akarat watch over you.'
The next morning, as Aidan pushed open the metal gates of the school's entrance, he walked over to the dirt field and to the area where the clubhouse was. Then his phone began to vibrate with a text message of an unknown number.
"Who is this?" asked Aidan as he opens his iPhone.
The message's thumbnail was Rias winking and doing a peace sign.
Rias: Go to the Student Council's room. We're meeting there. It's on the second floor. Someone will take you there.
Aidan texts back.
Aidan: On my way. How did you get this phone number?
Rias: Your uncle. I asked permission from him.
'Uncle must be trusting her enough to give her my cell phone number. Can't say that I blame him though.'
Aidan walks into the school building and reaches to one of the stairways leading to the second floor. Since it was a Saturday, nobody else was there, except for the ORC and the Student Council, which makes it perfect for them to conduct their operations. As Aidan walks, he is stopped to see three girls waiting for him.
In the middle was a buxom young bespectacled woman wearing semi-rimmed glasses with square lenses, long straight black hair that extends all the way down to her knees with split bangs. Her eyes were heterochromia, with the left being violet and the right a light brown.
To the right was a young girl with wavy white hair and blue-green eyes.
To the left was a tall tomboyish girl with blue, shoulder-length hair with match making eyes. Her body was more athletic than the other two, sporting a blue sweatband on her left wrist, wearing sneaks instead of dress shoes, and black thigh-high socks.
"Are you Aidan Kain?" asked the bespectacled one.
"I am," Aidan greeted formally. "And you are?"
"Tsubaki Shinrai, Vice President of the Student Council," Tsubaki greeted with a bow before she lifts herself up and introduces to the person on her right. "This is Momo Hanakai." Momo gives a bow before Tsubaki introduces the blue-haired to her left. "And this is Tsubasa Yura."
"How'd you do?" She greeted in a polite tomboyish manner.
"I take it you are my escorts?" asked Aidan.
"We are," Tsubaki confirmed. "If you will kindly follow us to the Council room please."
The girls guide Aidan down the corridor to the Council room that was on the second floor.
"So," Tsubasa spoke up after a few minutes of silence. "I heard that you fought two Fallen Angels on two separate occasions. And you managed to kill them, am I right?"
"That is correct," Aidan confirms.
"I have to say, I am very impressed. Not a lot of newbies are able to destroy Fallen Angels easily."
"I thank you for the compliment," Aidan smiles at her, causing her cheeks to turn red and turn away. Aidan is a bit confused on that remark but both Tsubaki and Momo look at their friend in a bit of surprise. Tsubasa was not one to take interest in other guys, given that a good chunk at the school were jealous males and perverts. She was often socializing with her teammates from the many sports clubs she was part of.
As the four approach the Student Council room, they see Rias Gremory outside its doors, leaning against the wall with her eyes closed and arms crossed.
"Gremory-san?" Tsubaki asked in surprise. "I didn't expect to meet you outside. Is everything alright?"
"It's all good," Rias said as she opens her eyes. "I just wish to speak to Aidan, alone."
There was a bit of firmness in her voice that didn't leave anyone room for arguing. The three girls nodded as they entered the room and closed the door, leaving Aidan and Rias out in the hall.
Silence followed for a few seconds before Rias spoke up, still keeping her stern voice.
"Aidan, you are to stay away from that church."
Aidan however was surprised. "What? What do you—"
"I'm serious," Rias continued her scolding. "The church is enemy territory to us Devils." She walks away from the wall and stands in front of him, glaring at Aidan harshly. "Even a small step into it can cause major rifts between the Angels and Devils. You left it when you looked at it, didn't you?"
"Are you spying on me?" asked Aidan, remembering the feeling he had when seeing the Church structure.
"Only when you met with the nun," Rias confirmed. "After that, I knew just exactly where you were escorting her. That feeling you had was your new instinct telling you of the danger. Remember, even though what you did was an act out of kindness, the Angels are always watching over their territory. Being involved with someone from the Church is also a dangerous game. Especially for an exorcist if they have a Sacred Heart. You could be killed, even with your Sacred Gear at hand."
Flashbacks of Asia's healing occurred in his head. Aidan knew that girl to be special. She was kind, innocent, and beautiful. Had Aidan not been a Devil, perhaps he could've been good friends with her and let her stay at his Uncle's house. Normally for Aidan, he would obey any command from Rias without question, but for some reason, this one made him conflicted.
"You really believe that a simple, innocent little girl like her would prove to be someone who can harm anyone, a Devil included?" Aidan asked with a bit of sternness in his voice, clearly disliking where Rias was going with his. "She healed a young boy when we first met, and you think she is capable of killing me?"
"Like with the Fallen Angels?" Rias asked in a sterner tone. "Have you forgotten about how you died at their hand? Don't you see? You are a being that has two enemies on both sides! You have a powerful artifact that they could consider you a threat. What if her meeting you was a trick? What if she was only being nice to you because she was leading you to your death? What if she-"
"ENOUGH!" Aidan suddenly shouted as his power aura suddenly emerged from behind him. Rias gasped at the sudden outburst, jumping a bit in the process and stepping back a bit. Red and black auras of power surrounded Aidan and it was malevolent, like something out of the worst of the all of Hell. The aura was enough to shake the corridor as little splinters fell from the roof and hit the floor.
Rias was afraid, now seeing she went too far with Aidan. Aidan's head was tilted down a bit, his eyes shadowed by his front bangs and glaring at her. Strangely enough, they turned from their natural blue to red, as if something had possessed him. It was just her imagination, but Rias could have sworn she saw an image behind Aidan; a shadowy one lurking over him before it disappeared.
But when Aidan calmed down a bit, his power aura dissipated, and his eyes turned back to blue. But he still kept his glare at his master. "What makes you think you know any better than her?"
Rias didn't know what to say. "Aidan, I—"
But Aidan interrupts her immediately. "Devils. Fallen Angels. Angels. In many ways, they are no better from one another, you included. I knew she was a nun straight from the beginning, a servant of the Church. I knew that at any time, she was ready to reveal her true colors. Waiting for her to try and kill me. And if she did just that, I would've killed her myself in the same manner as I did to the Fallen Angels." Rias gasped at that notion, in disbelief that her favorite servant would kill an innocent girl. Even though she knew Aidan has killed the his Fallen Angel attackers, he didn't think he would kill a young human such as the nun.
Aidan's intensity soon calms itself as his body relaxes, his fists unfurled. He kept his face down as his expression soon turns to regret. "I just hoped that for once, I would not have to fight again. Instead, I just wanted to make a friend and help a poor soul, like I did with my Uncle in our travels together. But I guess with this damn cold war going on, true friendship is impossible."
He then felt a pair of hands bring up his right hand before a right hand from Rias cups his face and lifts it up. Looking at her eyes, Aidan sees the guilt and sadness in Rias.
"I'm sorry," Rias apologized. "I went too far and got caught in the heat of the moment."
"You had every right to be angry at me for that," Aidan sighed. "It's just… Helping people in need, no matter who or what they are, is something that my Uncle taught me. Guess I'm still attached to my previous life as a human."
"I just want you to be careful, Aidan," Rias said, cherishing his face as her forehead touches Aidan's. "I nearly lost you twice, and I don't want to lose you a third time."
Aidan can at least understand Rias' logic. The two then embrace one another, with Rias' hug being a bit tighter than Aidan's, her face buried in his chest. "I will. But if I have something to say, Rias…" Rias looks up at Aidan. "People are never determined by their race, their ethnicity, or even by their own blood. It's their actions and motives that display the true feelings of their heart. When that is displayed, all other things matter little. It's something that my Uncle taught me."
"You think…that Devils can cooperate with the other races?" asked Rias.
"Perhaps," Aidan said in a speculating tone. "But until then, you're right. I'll try not get involved with the nun. But before I am your servant, I am my Uncle's nephew, someone who can lend a helping hand to another regardless of who they are. After all, how can I not feel any more human if I rejected it?"
Wise words. Rias may have a lot to think about, wondering if those words will come back to remind her. But as ever, she was more focused on Aidan. The strong arms that hugged her kept her safe, his voice soothing and humble that she could find peace in, and his kindness that knows no bounds. Rias felt attracted to the man that she made her servant yet wonders if there was something more for her and him in their relationship.
Unconsciously, she leans in with her eyes closed as her lips nearly reach his. Aidan was a bit confused at the gesture she was giving, seeing her close the gap ever so slowly.
"Um, Rias?" The two looked towards the door to see Kiba standing there. "Don't you think it's too early for you to be kissing him?" Kiba sheepishly asked.
Snapping out of her stupor, Rias looked to se that her vixen body was pressed up against Aidan's, breasts squished against his chest and his hands wrapped around her and resting on her hips.
"Ah!"
They quickly separated from one another, each with a blushing face though Rias' was redder than Aidan's. Quickly composing herself Rias walked into the room with Aidan right behind her.
The Student Council room was pretty big, about your average size if not bigger. There was a big, long table with chairs pushed into it. Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko were on the left-hand side of the table with Momo and Tsubasa at the other. At the end of it was Tsubaki whispering in the ear of her president, Sona Sitri.
"Aidan Kain. If I am not mistaken, you are the one who managed to infiltrate into the secret library accessible only to the Student Council," Sona glared a bit at Aidan.
Aidan did not hide his disposition, knowing he was the one that broke in. Despite being given the key from Uncle Deckard, he knew he had no permission to even enter in the first place.
"Sorry about that," Aidan apologized.
"Apology accepted," Sona said with a warm smile, which made Aidan relax a bit. "Honestly though, Rias, you're too soft on your servants. One minute they are right beside you, the next they are gone."
"We both have our own styles of doing things, Sona," Rias responded with a smirk.
"I take it the two of you are well acquainted," Aidan asked.
"Indeed," Sona confirms as she stands up from her chair and walks around to stand in front of the table. "A pleasure to finally meet you, Aidan Kain. My name is—"
"Sona Sitri," Aidan responded. "Student Council President of Kuoh Academy. Heiress of the Sitri Clan. Younger sister to Serafall Leviathan, one of the Four Great Satans."
Sona, along with every other member in the room, including Rias and her peerage, were shocked and jaw-dropped. Even Issei Hyoudou, the newest member of Sona's peerage, was jawdropped and shouted with a What? Expression, along with Genshirou Saji, Sona's other pawn.
Sona soon clears her throat as she brings a fist to her mouth. "I see that you are well-informed. But how did you know may I ask?"
"Not all humans do not know of the supernatural," Aidan simply stated. "I just happen to be one of them. And I did a bit of digging around the school's database and personal investigation."
"And what else did you find?" asked Sona curiously. As she adjusted her glasses.
"That the rest of the council are Devils as well, its newest pawn included."
Aidan looks at Issei who was still looking dumbfounded that Aidan knew right off the bat who everyone was.
"Well then, please take a seat and we will begin," Sona said as she returns to her spot behind her desk. Aidan does the same to the other chair at the opposite end, with Rias accompanying him as her seat was to his right. "Now then, let us begin. Rias, you have the honor of starting up the conversation."
As she leans back with her arms crossed, Rias speaks to Aidan.
"Aidan, the events of last night, with your awakening of your Sacred Gear and you being able to kill not one but two Fallen Angels has come to the point where answers are in order." Rias then turns to Sona. "I've asked Sona to analyze your Sacred Gear so that we can determine what it is and where it came from."
"Indeed," Sona said, with a look of pride. "I've been looking into many ancient artifacts and weapons that could tell us what it is, and what I have found is… disturbing."
"How so?" asked Aidan.
"Sacred Gears were created by God and bestowed upon to mankind to enact miracles on Earth. There are many throughout history that have been wielded and recorded in records that have been preserved for centuries. But yours stretches back to our Devil Mythology."
This made Aidan intrigued as he kept a stoic face. "Go on."
"Your Sacred Gear is called the Al'Diabolos Terror Claws. According to myth, it was created by Al'Diabolos, or Diablo in the more common tongue. Diablo is an ancient demon lord of terror whose powers are based on the fears that lie within the hearts of living beings. His Sacred Gear has supposedly been used by humans who use fear to keep people in line and their enemies in check." Sona adjusts her glasses a bit. "But those claims have only theories and no proof to back up, unfortunately. So we cannot be sure if these are the real deal."
"If this was a Sacred Gear not created by God, then what do you call it? An artificial Sacred Gear?" asked Aidan.
"Normally, yes," Rias said. "But the power of an artificial Sacred Gear is much less than the original source. And creating Sacred Gears artificially is very risky and very difficult. Each one is unique in its design and are hard to replicate to create similar artifacts. Yours is just like any other Sacred Gear, but the power aura emanating off of it is more… malevolent by nature."
Aidan peers back into his mind.
'They are slowly starting to understand the nature of the Sacred Gear. But they have not accepted the fact that their mythology may becoming real. I wonder… do they need something more to prove that the demons of the Burning Hells truly exist? That what they view as mythology is no mere myth?'
Soon Aidan's mind reflects on Sacred Gears.
'I still have yet to find evidence if Sacred Gears contain some remnant of nephalem power. Unless… what if those who wielded Sacred Gears in the ancient past… were actually nephalem in disguise? I know it sounds absurd since the nephalem have all but died out but what if there were survivors hiding amongst the human populace and making these miracles? And using Sacred Gears as part of those miracles as the stories say?'
Aidan's thinking was soon snapped out by Akeno.
"What are you thinking about, Aidan?" asked the ORC vice-president.
"Huh? Oh. Nothing. Just a few things on my mind is all. Nothing personal."
But Sona was curious. Deep in her mind though, she thought this would be the chance to pry information off of Aidan about his actions at the library.
"Are you sure?" She asked. "Does it not concern what you found in the library that day?"
That made Aidan halt in his tracks, a bit surprised Sona would ask him something like that. She was good and inquisitive. Aidan may have underestimated her thinking capabilities just a bit. But with no way to back out, he had to come clean but not fully.
"If what you have called my Sacred Gear really is the real thing, then I fear your mythology may not be a mythology after all."
"Were you trying to prove that our stories were real rather than folklore?" Son asked.
"You could say that," Aidan said, a small part of him fearing Sona may catch on to it as he sees her glare a bit. "Let's just say… there are greater forces beyond even the Three Factions that have existed since the dawn of the universe."
The room felt silent. Even Issei and Saji did not know what to say. Sona kept her small glare as did Tsubaki. Rias was the only one in the room who looked at Aidan in concern, thinking he was way over his head about the Devil Mythology.
Could it be true, she wondered? Could the Seven Evils and the Horadrim have actually existed before? And do they still exist today? It was these kinds of questions that would linger in her mind for a short while.
"Rias has also told me that when you tried to summon your Sacred Gear you fell into a trance and did not respond for some time," Sona said. "So tell me, Aidan, what did you see?"
"I saw…war," Aidan said as the memories come back to him. He could see the Heavenly Host and the Demonic Legions clash in Pandemonium as he explains his visions without giving away the names as detailed in their folklore. "Light and darkness clashing on a barren wasteland. And at its center lied a colossal mountain sized gem, that which the forces were fighting for. And at the end, I see… Terror."
Sona looks down at the table and thinks. How was she supposed to think of all of this. Given of the information she had learned these past few weeks, it sounded like the legends may be true. But mythology is hard to prove with just theories and hypotheses alone. Without any proof to confirm the existence of Diablo, the trail of discovery is left cold.
She only had one more question. "Aidan, can you describe this Terror for me?"
"You already know what it is," Aidan responded, confusing Sona and the others. "He goes by many names and his title is no exception. I saw Diablo at the end of the dream."
Sona closes her eyes briefly to think before opening them. "Very well, then."
"Huh?" Everyone in the room looked at her in surprise.
"Come on, Rias," She said to her best friend. "You've interacted with him longer than the rest of us here, so it's proper you should believe him."
Rias sighed. "I suppose you're right. But until then, our mythology is still a mythology. Even with Aidan's Sacred Gear name discovered, we do not have much else to go on. Perhaps I am just afraid of him being caught up in danger again, like with the two Fallen Angels." Everyone in her peerage stood up after her, including Aidan. "Thank you for your time, Sona. But we must be on our way."
As Aidan follows behind as the last person, Sona stops him.
"Aidan," Sona called out as the handsome man stopped just before exiting the door to look back at the Student Council President. "If you're ever in a mood to talk about something or want something from the secret library, come to me. If I'm not available then please ask Tsubaki."
"I will," Aidan responded with a small smile. "And thank you."
After the meeting, night fell. And Akeno informed the ORC that they received an order from an Arch Duke of the Underworld to hunt down a Stray Devil.
"Stray Devils?" asked Aidan behind Rias as the group walks over to the last known sight of the Stray Devil. Since using the teleportation circle was not an option as it would alert the target, walking was the only option.
"Devils who, at one time, were servants with a peerage," Rias explained. "But if they ever betray or kill their former masters, they linger here on Earth and become power-hungry, often causing devastation. When found, a nearby peerage is given orders to find and eliminate them. And sometimes, the Angels or Fallen Angels are tasked with killing them."
After a few more minutes of walking, the ORC found themselves in front of a large unused building on the outskirts of town. But an odd smell lingered off of the building, a smell that Aidan knew all too well.
'Human blood. Could this Stray Devil also be a demon on Hell?'
Koneko pinches her nose as Kiba opens the doors. The group soon enters, yet the eeriness off of the building gave a haunting atmosphere. The only source of light was the moon coming through the window as they walked through the hallways. Yet it reminded Aidan of the stories of the Darkening of Tristram, how a trio of heroes ventured down the Tristram Cathedral to confront an ancient evil plaguing the lands.
It was a story Aidan did not like to read from again due to its dark and gory accounts of what took place. The smell of the blood reminded him of a segment about the Butcher, a demon who takes captive humans and chops them up with a big cleaver. Many innocents died from that terrible monstrosity.
As the group walks, Rias was up front with her hands on her hips.
"Aidan," She turned to her favored servant. "This is a good opportunity to see how we Devils fight."
"But I already know how to fight," Aidan replied.
"True. You did manage to kill two Fallen Angels all on your own, but you don't know how we do things." She gives a small smirk at him over her shoulder. "So, for now, I want you to stay back and let the rest of us show you. I will explain the traits each of us have."
"And if things get out of hand?" asked Aidan.
"Then I will give you permission to attack. But for now, let me explain the traits. As you already know, when the Great War dragged on for eons, no side was able to become greater than the other. As a result, all Three Factions lost many of their forces before the war came to an end hundreds of years ago with no clear winners.
"The Devils were no exception," Kiba, standing on Aidan's right, continued. "Our generals, who commanded the armies lost all of their men when the war ended. And it was deemed impossible for them to for new ones. Not only that, but a lot of Pure-Blood Devils lost their lives."
"Since the end of war a century ago, tensions still rise from all sides," Akeno picked up. "But both Angels and Fallen Angels lost many of their forces as we did and are currently in a state of cold war. Which is why we must be ready to strike back should war re-emerge."
"Thus the Devils created a system to train a small elite group of soldiers. That system was called the Evil Pieces."
"How does it work exactly?" asked Aidan, taking notes in his head.
"We base these pieces off the human game of chess. It's become quite popular in the Underworld. Masters are the King pieces, which is me. From there, we create five classes of warriors, each with a special trait. One Queen, two bishops, two rooks, two knights, and eight pawns."
"And if I remember, Akeno is your queen, Kiba your knight, and Akeno your rook," Aidan deduced. "That just leave you with one knight, one rook, two bishops, and eight pawns."
"Correct," Rias smiled. "Do you want to know what you are?"
"Maybe after, Rias," Aidan said. "I think we found our Stray Devil."
Aidan was right, as the Stray Devil's voice was heard from the shadows.
"I smell something… disgusting!" A low, nightmare inducing voice said. Aidan knew that this was no demon, for demonic voices are even deeper and more animal-like.
Rias showed no fear as she steps forward and calls out, "Stray Devil Viser. On behalf of the Gremory Family, we are here to eliminate you."
The Stray Devil named Viser steps out from the shadows. In her mouth was the top half of a woman's corpse before she spat it out, her dead look one of pain and terror as blood flows out her severed waist and arms. The corpse lands in front of Aidan, who could only look at the face of the corpse before glaring at the Stray Devil.
"Kataketaketaketaketaketaketa!" An abnormal laugh echoed throughout the room before footsteps, large and heavy, came about. The group soon looked upwards to see Viser, her shadow covering them.
Standing a few metres and towering over the group was a gigantic monster whose lower half resembled a centaur of sorts. The top half was a naked voluptuous young woman with short white hair and her other half was gigantic and beastly, with four lion-like legs with sharp claws, and a viper's tail, carrying a spear in both hands.
"Leaving your master's side and rampaging as you please definitely deserves a place for you in the lowest pits of the Underworld. In the name of the Duke of Gremory, I will gladly destroy you!"
"You're cunning, for a little girl!" Viser spat while readying her spears. "But the power I wield is much greater than what you and your little group have. I will rip your body apart and color it red, just like your hair!"
She throws one of her spears at Rias but it is swatted away by Koneko, long before Aidan could even react.
"Kiba!" called out Rias.
"Right!" The blonde teen sprints, moving faster than Aidan could respond.
"Aidan, I want you to watch as I lecture."
Kiba's speed increasers as he dodges the spear's attack, appearing on the right side of the Stray Devil. Viser looks and thrusts her other spear, but it only hits the floor and makes a hole.
"Kiba is my Knight," Rias said to Aidan. "A perfect combination of speed and agility. His speed increases the longer he is in momentum."
Kiba jumps into the air as a blue light shines off his left hand, showcasing a sword. Once Kiba unsheathes it from its scabbard, he slices both arms off of Viser.
Blood spews as Viser screams in pain.
"Kiba's strongest weapon is his sword. With his ability as a knight and his mastery of swords combined, it makes him the ultimate Knight."
"Damn insect!" cried Viser as she raises her left foreleg in an effort to stomp on Kiba, only for him to vanish as Koneko rushes in to his position.
*STOMP*
"Koneko?" called out a worried Aidan but he felt a hand from Rias on his left shoulder.
"Not to worry," She reassured. "It will take a lot more than that to squash her."
When the dust clears from the stomp, it shows Koneko holding up the foreleg, looking rather annoyed at such a weak attempt.
"Koneko's trait is a Rook. A tank on the battlefield, which gives her absolute strength and high defenses."
Viser, shocked at how such a little petite girl can hold up her enormous foot, puts more pressure on but Koneko is unfazed by it as her feet dig into the crater made from the impact. She then lifts up Viser into the air.
"Fly, bitch!" Koneko said apathetically before she jumps high under Viser and delivers a sharp punch into her stomach. Viser was sent backwards into a wall, destroying it.
Aidan was surprised with wide eyes and slightly ajar mouth.
'Well, for a cat, she sure is strong.'
"And finally, Akeno!" Rias announced to her Queen.
"Certainly, Buchou," Akeno giggled as she approaches the bleeding Stray Devil. "Ara ara, what should I do with you?"
"Akeno is my Queen;" Rias explains to Aidan. "The strongest piece in the set after me. She's the unbeatable Vice President, with the trails of all the other pieces."
The Stray Devil Viser lifts up her head and glares at Akeno with such disdain. Akeno was unmoved and merely laughed. "Ah? Still have energy I see." She said with a sweet smile. "Here. How's this?"
All of a sudden, lightning bolts came down from the sky, breaking through the ceiling and striking down on Viser, howling in pain as the electricity courses through her body. Her nerves were shot and she was left a burning and smoking husk, but she was not dead yet.
"Ara ara, looks like you're still able to move," Akeno said with that sweet smile and eyes closed. She then unleashes another two bolts, not letting up her attack as she licks her lips at the sadistic torture.
"Akeno excels at attacks using her demonic power to annihilate her enemies," Rias explains as she and Aidan watch Akeno go all out. "She can use the elemental powers of lightning, ice, and fire. When not on the battlefield, she is kind and sweet, but she is an ultimate sadist on the battlefield."
"And you're okay with her running amok like this?" asked Aidan in concern of Akeno.
"Oh, don't worry," Rias assured him. "She's compassionate and caring to her comrades, so you have nothing to worry about. She even thinks you're very hot and handsome."
Aidan blushes a little on that last comment. It was no secret while one of Akeno's titles would be shared with Rias as one of the Great Ladies of Kuoh.
"Ufufufuf. You're a tough one, aren't you?" asked Akeno to Viser. Rias soon walks past Akeno and to the dying Stray Devil.
"Any final words?" asked Rias.
"…Kill me," All that came out of Viser's mouth said.
Rias held out her hand as black and red demonic power builds up at the palm.
"Disappear forever!" A giant mass of power shoots from her hand, strikes Viser in a chest, and a red and black explosion covers the whole body. The dust cloud clears away and all that was left was a crater on the floor, where Viser once stood.
Rias looks at the spot where the Stray Devil was, wanting to confirm it was gone for good, before sighing in relief. She turns towards the others with a smile. "That's checkmate. Well done everyone."
Aidan should be feeling fine. But a small tingle up his spine felt like something was wrong. The smell of blood still hung over the air as Aidan looks at the corpse of the woman bitten by Viser. He notices other marks on the woman's body in the form of scratches. They may have been caused by Viser but Aidan could not help but feel troubled.
"Aidan?" called out Rias. "What's wrong?"
Just as Aidan was about to answer, he saw something above Rias on a high shelf with a small gasp. It looked like some form of animal but grotesque in appearance and gaunt. Sharp ends were around its body and its ravenous hunger was sighted onto Rias.
The unknown thing roared and leaped aiming towards the unsuspecting Rias.
"Look out!" cried Aidan as he charges and grabs her, to her utter shock and surprise. He grabs her just in time as the monster came down and lands between Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko. Caught unaware, the trio were quickly knocked out by the beast's charge and leaps towards them.
Aidan and Rias skid the ground before stopping.
"Aidan! What are you—" demanded Rias before she was interrupted.
"No time! Get back up. It's still here," Aidan hoists her up and hugs her for safety. Rias then saw Kiba, Akeno, and Koneko knocked out.
"Guys!" cried Rias but they were unable to respond.
It was now just Aidan and Rias alone in the dark surrounded by shadow, with a monster lurking within.
The mysterious growling animal showed itself. Its flesh red with three black spikes on its head. The rib cage was shown on its body, as were the other bones. Though blind, it could smell the sense of fresh blood yet to be spilled. It looked like a dog that was corrupted to be some form of abomination. Its savage teeth dripped with saliva, hungry for the living.
"What is that?" asked a fearful Rias.
"A Hellion," Aidan said as Rias looked at him, the former glaring at the demonic beast. "A hound that can be summoned with foul magics. I suspect Viser kept one as a pet."
It was just the two of them alone in the dark of the building. With the rest of her peerage down, Rias could only cling onto Aidan. Aidan looked to see her staring at the dark, the Hellion's growls in the background as it steps back into the dark. Aidan then saw fear on her face, fear of this new entity stalking her. He keeps one arm around Rias to protect her as he activates his Sacred Gear, the claws emerging on his right knuckles.
Aidan then notices the Hellion to his right, where Rias was standing. Ready to ambush her. And leaped it did at Rias.
Rias screamed unprepared as the abominable animal tries to bite her. But it bit something else as Rias heard its teeth sink into the flesh of someone else's arm.
"AAAAGGGHHHH!" Aidan cries in pain as the Hellion had its jaws in his right arm that he used to block Rias and save her.
"Aidan!" cried Rias she sees his arm caught in the beast's jaws.
Aidan uses his left arm to puncture the claws through the Hellion and throws it off of his arm. Wounded, the demonic beast backs off into the shadows. But Aidan was also wounded as he clutches his bleeding right arm. Despite the Sacred Gear protecting him somewhat, the teeth of the Hellion still managed to puncture right though and into his skin.
Rias gasps at the sight of the bloody arm. Tearing off a part of her school uniform skirt, she wraps the cloth around Aidan's arm, but there was too much blood. And in that moment, the Hellion leaped from behind her, with Aidan taking notice.
"Move!" Aidan grabs Rias and ducks her down, the demonic beast leaping over them. It lands and turns around ready to charge again. It leaps but Aidan kicks the beast away, making it smash into a pile of crates.
The Hellion emerges out, ready to charge at the couple. Rias prepares to use her Power of Destruction, but Aidan stops her.
"No, don't!" He said.
"Why?" asked Rias.
"If you fire recklessly, it can dodge without much needed effort. And you'll bring this whole building down around us."
Rias grits her teeth as the demonic beast looks back. It scrapes the ground using its right claw as it walks back and forth from left to right, growling as it does despite being wounded. With no other options, Rias and Aidan could not think of what to do.
The Hellion charges again, ready to feast on the couple, starting with Aidan. That is until it feels a punch from Koneko from the right.
"Koneko!" cried Aidan in surprise, reliefed that he and Rias were saved.
The cat-like girl grabs the back leg of the Hellion and throws it up high into the air, with lightning coming from the sky and striking it thanks to Akeno, who uses much heavier lightning than what she gave to Viser. The demonic beast screams in pain and then Kiba jumps in with a sword and slices the head off of the Hellion, killing it instantly. He lands on the ground just as the severed head of the Hellion does along with its body.
"Everyone! You're awake!" Rias exclaimed.
"Just minor bruises, Buchou," Akeno said as she walks up.
"I'm okay," Kiba said catching his breath.
"Same," Koneko said without emotion.
Kiba then saw Aidan's bleeding right arm. "It looks serious. He needs to see a hospital."
"No," Aidan denied, surprising him. "No hospital. There should be some Healing Potions in my pouch behind me."
Rias looks behind to see a small brown waist pouch behind Aidan that, despite being made of leather, was structured as a rectangular cube to keep the contents inside intact. She opens it up behind to see a small vial of red liquid.
"Here," Rias handed the small red potion to Aidan. He takes it, rips off the cork before spitting it out, and drinks the contents in one gulp. The health potion tasted like bitter medicine but that was exactly what it was supposed to be: medicine.
Everyone looks to see Aidan's arm heal up, the wounds close up and leaving only scars. Even though Aidan's arm was still bloody, he didn't need to see a hospital. They were all surprised of how miraculously the healing potion's effect was.
"Aidan, did you make these?" Akeno asked.
"My Uncle did," Aidan said. "We always carry some with us in case we ever run into trouble. And while my arm is alright, it is still going to be sore for a few days." This made Rias worry as Aidan catches her worrisome expression on her face. But Aidan gives a warming smile back. "Not to worry though. A small bite like this won't stop me that easily."
Rias could not help with her feelings. She should feel relieved but she also feels concern. If more of these things came out and were after Aidan, then his troubles were only beginning. And she and the rest of the peerage will be caught right in the middle. She may have to make a private report on this Hellion. And on that note…
"What was that thing?" asked Akeno, pointing to the dead creature.
Everyone looked at the corpse of the dead Hellion, its blood pouring out around its body from the severed body where the head was chopped.
"We should at least take it back, see what this monster is," Kiba suggested. But before they could even touch it, the Hellion's body soon dissipated into some form of black ash. The head also followed suite.
Everyone looked at where its corpse, wondering how a creature like that came to be in the first place.
But Aidan knew what its nature was. And knew where a creature such as that came from.
The third chapter is done. Whew, this one took a while. But as the title of the chapter stated, dark omens are happening in the near future, especially for everyone's favorite nun of the series.
And now we have a name for Aidan's Sacred Gear: Al'Diabolos Terror Claws. An artifact of unknown origin and mythology. But now it seems that mythology is starting to become real with every event passing by.
So...Johanna. Our lovely crusader from Diablo and Heroes of the Storm is now a blacksmith in Kuoh. I kind of figured it would be the right choice for a crusader to "retire" into. After all, how can a crusader find an apprentice if she doesn't know how to make weapons? Also I referenced the other Diablo III classes at the end and I do plan for them to make an appearance in the series. But for now, our crusader turned blacksmith will do for now. And don't worry, the sword will come back and play an integral part for Aidan.
PS: Also, a FFXV reference for the sword appearance because I figured it would look good for Aidan and it is my favorite of the Royal Arms from the game.
With the ORC and Student Council now aware of Aidan's nature, on a somewhat level, it is only a matter of time until Hell arrives. And what better way than for the ORC to encounter a Hellion from Diablo III? Classic demon enemy and while I was originally going to go for the Dark Berserker, I figured a Hellion would be much better in an environment where the Stray Devil Viser was.
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