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.
It was dark in Westmarch. There were no signs of the people as it felt like a ghost town. Yet for some reason, Aidan wore a white tuxedo suit. He stood in front of Westmarch's largest church like he was attending some sort of wedding.
Suddenly though, a black wind flew past Aidan from behind and entered into the church. Aidan did not know what to make of it until the doors to the cathedral suddenly shattered. They were suspended in the air briefly for a second before being sucked inside. Screams of the dead, like that of ghosts, were heard as the doors shattered.
As Aidan goes through the broken doors to see what had happened, what he finds was utterly horrifying. All the occupants inside were dead, like their souls were ripped from their bodies. They were reduced to mere husks, their flesh instantly decayed and leaving only bones.
Everyone inside was dead.
"No…" A horrified Aidan saw as he walked past the bodies. Soon he saw the bodies of the peerage.
Kiba was against a pillar, wearing a tuxedo suit and was impaled by his own sword. His face was down as he sat on the ground, immobilized. Koneko was on her back yet it looked broken, like she was slammed against the hard church pew. Her expression was one of shock and death.
Asia was lying on the floor frontwards, wearing a pink dress that had rips and tears in it. The sight of it horrified Aidan as he moved towards her, yet realized she was dead. He did not want to believe it. Aidan then felt something wet drop on his hands as he looked to see blood was raining. When he looked up, it was one of disgust.
Akeno though was chained up high, stripped of her shrine maiden garment as chains held up her hands and legs. Barbed hooks also pierced her skin and blood was drained from her body, spilling like a faucet leaking water.
Aidan did not want to believe what he was seeing. Everyone inside the cathedral, including the peerage, were all dead. But who could've ever committed such genocide on a scale like this?
And at the front of the cathedral was someone in a white bride dress with red hair.
"Rias…"
Aidan holds her up and turns her over to see that she too was dead. Unlike the others though, her flesh was not decayed, and she only looked like a sleeping peaceful beauty.
Fear and sorrow enveloped Aidan as he looked at her. He brought his forehead to hers as he held her cold body in his arms.
Then, a cold and dark presence send chills down Aidan's spine, like death was nearby. A mist formed at the front of the altar, emerging from the darkness. It only became thicker and thicker as the sound from it, like that of a rusty metal door opening, became louder and louder.
Soon the light emerged to show a figure whose back was turned on Aidan. Surprisingly, he knew who it was yet dared not speak its name.
It looked like an angel but with black robes and dark angelic armor. Its face was featureless, but his hood had two white strands coming down to his feet. Its right hand was armored with a claw while the other was left free. In its hands out in front were two shotels, or sickles, held in each arm and ready to be of use.
But what was most striking were the wings for they were not strands of light compared to most other angels of the High Heavens. These wings were skeletal, white and wispy in appearance. An eerie smoke emanated off from the robes of the angel.
The angel soon turned around and stared right at Aidan, catching his gaze before his voice, deeply chilling and angsty foreboding, spoke only one word.
"Nephalem…"
Aidan wakes up with his eyes wide opened. Rubbing his eyes as he wakes up, he stares at the ceiling to reflect what he had seen in his dream. And yet, only one word came from his mouth.
"Malthael…"
To recap, Malthael was the Archangel of Wisdom and the leader of the Angiris Council. It was he who was Anu's firstborn son and leader of the Elder Angels. Malthael was also the one who discovered the Eye of Anu in Pandemonium and named it the Worldstone. He led his brethren against the demons of the Burning Hells for ages on end in the Eternal Conflict, leading them to innumerous victories.
When the Worldstone disappeared at the hands of renegades, Malthael was consumed with finding the stone's whereabouts. When at last it was found, along with the presence of humanity, Malthael observed them and beheld their existence. When deciding on the fate of mankind, Malthael abstained from the voting for reasons unknown.
In recent years though, Malthael disappeared after the Worldstone was destroyed by Tyrael due to its corruption by Baal. No word had been heard from the archangel since then and all of those who searched for him have never returned.
Yet for Aidan, to see Malthael in his dream not as the once noble Archangel of Wisdom but now an angel of death made him quiver. He had looked at the face of death itself and saw only one thing.
Oblivion.
It shook Aidan to the core. To see an archangel turned to madness and go on a genocide against humanity was something he could not foresee. All angels of the High Heavens have held up their ancient law of noninterference with Sanctuary so why would Malthael, a former leader of the Council and of the High Heavens, break such a law?
More importantly, why did Malthael call Aidan nephalem? As far as Aidan knew, he was not nephalem. Sure he knows magic but not enough to surpass Elder Angels or Demons.
Such questions would have to wait though as Aidan felt a presence to his left. An all too familiar presence. Aidan could only smile though, his life at ease just to see a familiar redhead.
Ever since Rias had been sleeping with Aidan, with no intention of sex involved, she seemed to have become addicted to it. She would always sneak into his house and lay down in bed with him. Sometimes he was aware of her presence when she snuck in yet allowed it, nonetheless.
Her arms were around him, one of her long legs around his, and her breasts sandwiching his arm. Aidan stared at her for a full five seconds, smiling in the process as he reaches out and brings a lock of her hair behind her ear. Aidan did not mind Rias cuddling with him on some nights, but lately, things have been of worry as of late.
Aidan had been observing Rias' behavior lately and could see that in her private time, she was alone in her thoughts. Lost in her mind, thinking about something with a serious face. Aidan wanted to get her attention by either raising his voice or putting a hand on her shoulder, but also wanted to respect her wish to be alone. Whenever he had her attention though and asked what was wrong, she would just switch topics and brush off.
About midnight, she would either be trembling, sweating, or even in tears while mumbling words about something taking her away in her sleep. Often it would wake up Aidan. After seeing her in such a distressful state, he would wrap his arms and cuddle with her every night to ease her. She would hug back and closely, afraid to let go. It calmed her down at least and made her get some sleep.
Aidan could only wonder though what dreams or nightmares Rias has had. He had seen her as someone who was confident and passionate, while also showcasing her authority and power but never bragging about it. To see her scared like this though also made Aidan scared.
He wonders though that in all of his nights he has slept with Rias, could she be seeing the same dreams and nightmares he has seen? Dreams of the Eternal Conflict? Or even yet, the dream about Malthael?
*KNOCK KNOCK*
A few knocks interrupted Aidan's thinking.
"Aidan, it's time to get up," Deckard Kain's voice called from outside the room. Aidan sat up a bit, without disturbing Rias' sleep, and looked at the time to be 8 AM in the morning. Looking back at the red-haired beauty next to him, Aidan decided to let her sleep for a while longer and quietly slips out of bed before putting the covers on her.
Smiling one last time, Aidan takes his leave and quietly exists and closes the door. As he did so though, Rias, in her sleep, was shedding tears.
IN THE KITCHEN…
"So, Rias has been having transparent and having nightmares recently?" asked Deckard Kain as he sat down with some coffee in hand. Aidan was already seated, sitting face to face with his uncle.
"Yes," Aidan confirmed with a sip from his mug. "Whenever I asked her, she just brushes it off and goes to a different topic. At night, it seems to be haunting her. I've had to cuddle and comfort her almost every single night."
"I wonder what could be haunting her though," Deckard Kain thought aloud.
"This is just me speaking, Uncle, but I think she may be seeing dreams of the Eternal Conflict. Of her people's 'mythology' coming to life."
"Possibly," Deckard responded. "But it is rare for mortals, even more so on Devils, to dream of such things. After all, the Devils only see it as folklore. Maybe it has something to do more with her family."
"Family?" asked Aidan.
"Since she is the heiress of the Gremory Clan, then they must have done something she has disagreed with, bringing a sense of foreboding. Something in which involves her."
"What do we do then, Uncle? It's not like I should interfere and tell them No."
"For now just keep her under watch. Let her come to you when she is ready. And I will also be there to comfort her during school in my office. It is all we can provide for now. Gain her trust as she has gained yours, and she will be ready to tell you when it is time."
Aidan nodded in approval. If he was going to get to the bottom of this, he needs to wait patiently and bid his time. He does not want to force the truth from Rias as it would only hurt her more. For now, it's just watch, wait, and comfort.
But Aidan's face soon turned to one of uneasiness again and Deckard picked up on it.
"You're still troubled?" asked Deckard.
"Huh?" Aidan was snapped out of it. "Oh, it's nothing, Uncle. Just worried for Rias is all."
Aidan did not want to tell his Uncle that he had seen Malthael. If he did, it would only bring more worries into the current situation and may change his Uncle's writings on the missing archangel. Officially, Deckard speculated that Malthael had been wandering the Halls of Pandemonium, seeking the answers to the unknowable mysteries of life and death. If Aidan told his uncle what he had seen, then it may ruin everything.
So for both of their sakes, Aidan will keep quiet about it.
*DING DONG*
"Now who could that be?" asked Deckard. Aidan goes up to open the door and is surprised to see Asia standing there with a big smile.
"Hi, Aidan," Asia greeted. She wore her nun clothing as usual but without the cross. Since becoming a Devil, she had to get rid of it and it would only bring her pain in a physical sense. Other than her school uniform, her nun outfit was the only thing she was comfortable in.
"Hey there, Asia," Aidan greeted. Behind her though were the others with boxes in their hands for some reason. "Guys? What is with all the boxes?"
"Ah good, Asia's here."
A voice from behind made Aidan turn around to see Rias in her usual school uniform approaching. "Come on in and set those in the living room, please."
"What's going on here?" asked Aidan.
"I've decided to have Asia stay here with you," Rias revealed. Aidan was surprised though.
"Seriosuly?" He asked. "Uncle, did you know about this?"
"I did not," Deckard said before turning to Rias. "Care to explain why you are allowing this? Not that I mind letting her live in here."
"I felt that since she felt most comfortable with you two that she should live here. She has nowhere else to go and it will be much safer with your magic wards around the house to shield her."
"…I see. Well, I cannot say no to this then," Uncle Deckard said as he came over to Asia with a smile. "You are most welcome to stay here, my dear."
"Really!" Asia exclaims. "Oh, thank you! Thank you so much!" She then ran and gave a strong hug to Aidan, surprising him a bit.
"Ara ara. What a bold girl you are, Asia," Akeno complimented with her usual smile.
Asia was confused for a bit before she realized how close she was to Aidan before backing off bashfully. "N-n-no! That's not it!"
Aidan chuckled a bit. "Well, come on in," He said, stepping aside to let everyone in with the boxes. "Well, have this done much faster if we all pitch in."
With everyone helping in, they manage to get the boxes into the house and set up Asia's bedroom, which was the guest room. But as they worked, Aidan noticed Rias just standing there with her head slightly tilted down with a transparent expression. Once again she was deep in her own thoughts as the breeze of the outside comes through the doorway and brush her hair a little.
Aidan wanted to call out her name but decided to leave her a bit for now.
As Asia stands in front of Ms. Keane's classroom with a shy and kind smile and her hands together, she begins her introduction.
"H-Hello everyone. I'm Asia Argento, and I'm the new transfer student. I hope we can all become great friends." She bows at the end of her last sentence.
The crowd suddenly goes wild and cheers for her, mostly from the boys' side. Thank goodness Issei was not in Aidan's classroom, but his two other perverted friends were.
"Wow, tiny over there is a hottie!" Matsuda exclaimed with a lewd smile while his friend Motohama was working out Asia's bust, height, and width measurements.
Aidan only sighed, closed his eyes, and pinched the brow of his nose.
"A pleasure to have you in our class, Asia," Ms. Keane said with a bright smile. "How do you like Japan so far?"
"It's scary but fun, and a little confusing. But I am blessed to have found and made friends with Aidan." Asia said without a hint of regret. But her next sentence immediately turned the charming atmosphere into one of shock and awe. "He was even kind enough to let me live with him."
"WHAT?!" All the male students yelled at Aidan, who seemed indifferent to their shock.
"Oh great. Here we go again," Aidan murmured as Motohama and Matsuda surrounded him, looking angry.
"You damn son of a bitch! Why do you have to be so greedy!?" Matsuda asked.
"It's bad enough that all the girls like you because of what you did to us!" Motohama said. "You should be helping your brothers getting hot chicks!"
*WAPOOM BAM*
With a large fan, Ms. Keane slapped the two boys' on the back of their heads. "Enough, all of you!"
Everyone soon returned to their seats immediately.
"Stop harassing Professor Kain's nephew now, or its double the detention; after I caught you two and your friend Hyoudou peeping in the girls' locker room." The duo shivered when the menacing smile grows on their teacher's lips. "Who knows; I'll even invite the Girls' Kendo team to join me in the punishment of you three."
The two perverts both screamed in fear like babies, tears flushing out of their eyes. They ran back to their desks and apologized repeatedly.
Aidan however did not feel a shred of pity or sympathy for them. All perverts must die anyway.
LATER…
Aidan was walking over to another contract that he had been set up for by Rias. But this one was different in that it was a contract which Koneko usually attends. But to understand why Koneko could not make it, it was simply because she was double booked and could not make it to both at the same time. Normally, one of the others would do it for her to cover her.
And coincidentally, Aidan was available.
But not only that, the contract requested Aidan to be a part of it alongside Koneko.
That part is what Aidan found a bit strange. A contract from a regular customer to Koneko yet requests Aidan. He could only wonder who that would be?
As Aidan arrives at the location, the building was called IVGOROD YOGA, which the building was painted in a light green color and had large windows looking into the building.
Aidan takes a deep breath as he beholds himself the building.
"Alright, Koneko. Let's see why your regular customer wants to see me."
As Aidan opens and enters through the glass door, he beholds himself a large yoga room covered with green mats.
"Hello?" called out Aidan. "Is anyone there?"
Just then, a door to some sort of office room opened up to reveal a middle-aged man with a bald head and large beard. Two red circles were on his forehead and he wore long robes in shades of yellow and orange, as well as wooden necklaces with, for an odd reason, a Horadrim insignia carved into it.
Aidan was caught by the glimpse of it before he was snapped out of it by the man's voice.
"Ah, good," The man said as he spotted Aidan. "You're here."
"Y-Yeah," Aidan said in confusion. "I'm sorry, but do I know you?"
The man chuckled. "No. But I know of you. Johanna has told me about you."
"You're friends with her?" asked Aidan.
"We've known each other for quite some time," The man then introduced himself. "My name is Kharazim, and I head the Ivgorod Yoga class."
"Aidan Kain. You must be Koneko's regular contract, then?" Aidan asked as he bows to Kharazim properly.
"Indeed," Kharazim said. "But since she is not with you, of which I am assuming she is busy, you must have taken her place. It is alright though."
"So what exactly do you need help with?" asked Aidan.
"I am planning a hiking trip to the mountains and am in need of some company. While I often go solo for private meditation, I would like for you to come along."
Aidan was a bit surprised, but nonetheless accepted.
"Well, if a hike is all you need, then I am more than willing to provide. When do we leave?"
"Very soon," Kharazim said as he brings out some hiking bags. "I have already packed some hiking gear for you, given that this is your first time coming. And your outfit is fine enough."
Even though Aidan was wearing his school outfit, his contract said it was okay. Then again, some hiking clothing was packed in the bag just in case Aidan wanted to change into it. After all, it is not exactly a good idea walking in the mountains with a school uniform and coming back dirty with it.
"We will not be alone in this hike though," Kharazim said. "Three others will be joining us."
With that said, Kharazim ushers over the other three, revealing themselves in the light.
The Chinese girl's outfit consists of a navy-blue qipao with gold accents, a white sash around her stomach, and black, low-heeled shoes. The qipao is open at the chest area, giving view to Xuelan's breasts and cleavage. She also wears black armguards over her forearms. She does not wear any undergarments. She was a well-endowed young woman of Chinese descent with shoulder-length black hair and blue-green eyes. Her hair has two Chinese-style buns on both sides of her head, while the front features bangs that form a slight V-shape across her forehead.
The blonde girl with light brown hair and green eyes wore an outfit that consists of a full set of silver armor with black accents that appears to be a cross between a European Knight (chest plate, gauntlets and greaves) and a Japanese Samurai (hip plates and shoulder guards) and wears a headband that goes across her hair and forehead. She is equipped with a broadsword and a dagger, both of which are held with brown belts slung across her hip. The broadsword is slung on her left hip and features a red jewel on the pommel and has bandages across the handle for grip. The dagger, which is located behind her hip, features a gold hilt with bandages on the handle.
As for the more matured woman, her attire is a dress consisting of a navy blue tunic top with gold accents and a pale blue skirt with open sides, black shoes and over matching thigh-high stockings with garter belts. The top reveals much of her cleavage and is held with a gold choker with blue and red jewels. Over this, she wears a white overcoat with black and gold accents and matching pauldrons. For accessories, she wears a black headband with a red-orange jewel over her forehead to keep her long hair in place and wields a staff-like scepter in battle. For cosmetics, she wears purple lipstick and nail polish, matching her eyes and hair. She had long, wavy purple hair that falls all the way down her back and matching eyes. At the front, the right side of her hair falls over her breast and covers her right eye, while the left side falls near the top of her skirt.
The Chinese girl first introduced herself first. "My name is Xuelan. I'm a Chinese student here and Master Kharazim's student."
The blonde was the next to introduce herself. "Karlamine. Also a student of Kharazim. It's an honor."
The last one also bowed, her breasts for some reason jiggling in the process but it didn't deter Aidan whatsoever. "Yubelluna. A friend of these two. Good to meet you."
All three of them bowed before Aidan as he bows back, "Aidan Kain. Pleasure to meet you."
With introductions out of the way, everyone soon took a hiking backpack and flung it to their shoulders. Soon Kharazim came out in his own hiking gear and with a large brown satchel full of water bottles and snacks.
"Are we all ready?" Kharazim asked. All four people nodded in confirmation.
Walking out of the building, all four get in a white van belonging to Kharazim's and drove to the mountains. With Raiden riding shotgun, the girls were in the back, chatting privately.
And spying on Aidan without making him know of it.
"Oi, Yubelluna," Xuelan whispered to the more mature woman. "That's him isn't it?"
"I think so," Yubelluna confirmed. "Just keep an eye on him for now until we are in the mountains."
"Agreed," Karlamine said. "We need to be as far away as possible to carry out our mission."
HOURS LATER…
It was about mid-afternoon and all five members were high enough into the hills where the fog covered much of their surroundings. They could still see Kuoh Town behind them as the lights were on within the city.
"Let us take a break right here," Kharazim said as he stopped. "This area is perfect for a resting stop."
"Agreed," Xuelan said as she sat down on a nearby rock and took off her backpack. "Whew, my feet are tired."
"Mine too," Karlamine said. "That backpack was heavy to carry."
"Or it could have been from all that armor you always wear, Karlamine," Yubelluna said as she brings out the water bottles from her bag. She hands two to the girls and one to Kharazim. She then turned to Raiden who sat down by the root of a tree.
"Here," Yubelluna offered to Aiden, making him smile casually and accept.
"Thanks," Aidan as he opens the cap and drinks the water, refreshing him.
"All of you get some rest," Kharazim said. "Take a short nap if you must."
The three girls did just that as each of them took a spot where it was the least dirty to get some rest. They laid down some blankets for their floor to lie on for a quick nap.
Aidan soon relaxes behind the tree and begins to fall asleep as his eyes close, exhaustion taking over him from the long walk.
VISION BEGINS…
Demons march across the battlefields of eternity in Pandemonium as Elder Angels soar high in sky with their wings. As ever, the latter's goal was to secure the Pandemonium Fortress and the treasure within: the Worldstone. Secure it, and the artifact and the fortress are under their control. It was not the first time the angels had secured the Pandemonium Fortress as it had changed sides many times, taking shapes of both angelic and demonic expression.
But the Eternal Conflict is always the same. Angels and Demons fighting over the rule of creation since time immemorial. All for the sake of the Worldstone's power.
As the two armies march in the middle, the demons try to take the first blood by sending one of their red assassin demons. It charges forth towards the angels, riding on top of the demon troopers' shields. When it land son the last one, it jumps, with the aid of a trooper as it laughs, spins in the air frontwards, and prepares to ambush the angels.
But three Elder Angels, armed with their spears, impale the red assassin demon clean through before it even had the chance to lay a blade on them. They fling the demon's corpse off to the ground as the troopers look up by a foothill to see four members of the Angiris Council approach, armed to the teeth with their weapons.
"Stand fast!" cried one of the troopers.
Auriel, the Archangel of Hope, was the first to strike, using Al'maiesh, the Chord of Hope, as she courses her arms, making the chord extend and cut down the demons. She plows through group after group, decimating all in her path.
Two of the demon troopers throw their weapons at her in an effort to hit her, but Auriel simply flies up to evade them.
From behind her, Malthael, the Archangel of Wisdom, sees the incoming weapons and just stands there. But with his hands, he deflects the weapons easily, turning them around with the mere swipe of his hands when they come into contact, catching them and throwing them back. All of his targets were marked for death and every trooper that had their weapon thrown were killed.
Itherael, the Archangel of Fate, was armed with an angelic sword. Using his powers over time, he shifts through as he stops time at the same time to cut down the demons. One of the troopers was attempting to flee but Itherael sees this, teleports in front of it with his back turned, and impales it in the throat behind him. He takes his weapon out and flings the blood off of his sword.
Tyrael, the Archangel of Justice, cuts through Demon after Demon with El'druin, the Sword of Justice. With millennia of combat experience, they proved no challenge at all to the archangel as he soon flies up and impales a downed demon trooper. After killing it, he looks behind to see the demons flee as they pull out their trump card.
The mountain near them roars to life as a purple eye emerges from the top. Soon arms emerge to reveal a gargantuan demon.
The Elder Angels retreat and fall back into position, but one of them was caught by the demon's claws, impaled with three of them sticking out the back. The angel's armor shrinks and crunches as his wings disappear. Soon the demon claws at the dead angel, severing it in half.
The angels regroup and prepare for an assault, their spears at the ready and pointed towards their enemy.
"They're coming," The demons roared as they prepared for their assault.
Soon, Imperius, the Archangel of Valor, ushers with his left hand to signal for his angelic warriors to charge into the mountain-sized demon. If they manage to take it out, then they will have the advantage again.
The angels provide distraction by flying around as the demon swings its claws, trying to knock them out of the sky. But distracted as it was, it turned too late to see Imperius charge in from above with his spear.
"HAAH!" Imperius cries as his spear, Solarion, the Spear of Valor, impales the Demon right in the eye. Twisting and pulling out his spear, the gargantuan demon falls to the ground and the enemy has now lost their trump card.
"Pull back!" cried the demon troopers as they flee from the angels' wrath, retreating back into the Pandemonium Fortress.
As the Demons run, Imperius lands up top to survey the cowardly enemy.
"Onward!" Imperius commanded to his angelic brethren as they pursued the fleeing Demons.
"Hold, Imperius," Tyrael said as he landed in front of the Archangel of Valor. "We must regroup our forces."
But Imperius took to the air in front of Tyrael with his wings. He faces his brother behind him and asks,
"Hold? Victory is within our grasp. We press on, brother."
With that, Imperius pressed onward as Tyrael remained behind. Auriel landed near Tyrael and sheathed away Al'maiesh, bringing her wings together. Malthael simply walked over and joined the other two and Itherael teleported over to the rest of his fellow brethren.
All four archangels watched as their brother pressed on into the Pandemonium Fortress in pursuit of the Demons.
VISION ENDS…
Aidan snaps out of the vision. Gasping for air a bit, he brought a hand to his head like he had a headache.
Seeing another vision of the Eternal Conflict made him a bit weary, almost exhausted even. These dreams and visions had always been getting more and more intense. But each and every one of them only gave cryptic messages, never providing answers to the foretelling of events.
After composing himself, Aidan sits up and opens his eyes, looking for his guide.
"Kharazim, are you there?" asked Aidan.
But as he looked around, Kharazim was gone. No trace of him was left, not even footprints.
*SHING*
Aidan suddenly felt a sharp and cold edge right at his neck. He looks to see a sword that was ready to cut off his head. And it was wielded by Karlamine.
Aidan sighs, "I knew you three were up to something the moment our eyes met." He soon stands up, with Karlamine keeping her blade on his neck as he soon turns around. "What do you want?"
Karlamine places a hand on the pommel of her sword. "I am sorry, Aidan. But we have been ordered by our master to end you."
Aidan was unfazed by the threat however, keeping a calm and collected manner.
"Honestly, Karlamine," Yubelluna said. "You really think we should end him now?"
"It's bad enough that we walked with him, only to kill him in the end, you know," Xuelan said with equal annoyance.
Karlamine did not take her eyes off of Aidan though. "Have you two forgotten? This one is a member of the House of Gremory. But not only that, he was also the one our master was talking about."
The others' eyes widen for a brief moment before an intensely serious expression covered their faces.
"You mean the one that was able to kill the Fallen Angels?" Xuelan asked as she joined Karlamine, followed by Yubelluna. Xuelan soon smirks confidently. "This is truly our lucky day for us. Why not see what this handsome Devil has got?"
"I agree," Yubelluna said. "I am curious of this boy's power."
Aidan was still unmoved by their threats though. "Do you really want to do this, girls? After all we have been through on this hike?"
"It's nothing personal, Aidan," Xuelan said. "We are just following orders from our master."
But Aidan shook his head and declared, "Yet you follow orders from a coward who can't get his hands dirty. That just shows you chose the wrong side and the wrong master."
They took offense to that remark however.
"You would think to insult us like this?" asked Yubelluna. "You are no match for the servants of the House of Phenex!"
Soon both parties armed themselves, with Aidan taking out his sword Dawnbreaker and activating his Sacred Gear. Due to some changes because of his increased power, the Al'Diabolos Terror Claws no longer had the wolverine claws but was now reduced to a normal claw-like hand. But the armor was bigger with spikes protruding off of it and taking on a more demonic appearance.
Suddenly, a loud roar was heard. Like that of an animal.
*CRASH*
The stone wall from the mountain in front of them soon collapsed as something came out from it.
"MOVE!" Raiden cried as he pushed all three of the girls out of the thing's way before he got trampled over it.
Once it stopped, it stomped a few times to the ground before it gave a loud roar. The same one as before. It was a four legged and two-armed creature that was huge, like the size of a hill. Armed with two gigantic armed blades and armored on its head, it tore through the landscape with such ease.
"It can't be…" Aidan muttered. "A Siegebreaker Assault Beast."
"A what now?" asked Xuelan as she gets up.
"A living siege engine of Hell," Aidan said as the monster turned around. "Prized possession of the demon lords. But who could ever release such evil?"
The Siegebreaker roars once again as the three get ready. It raises its frontal legs forward for a slam.
"JUMP!" Aidan called as all four jumped away from the Siegebreaker.
Xuelan does a midair flaming kick to the monster but the attack barely shrugged the Demon. Getting back on the ground, she rushes forward and unleashes a series of punches at the beast's abdomen but she was soon grabbed and squished by the demon's gigantic hand.
"AHHH!" Xuelan yelped as she felt herself getting crushed by the monster.
Yubelluna takes out her staff, which was a black staff with a red orb decorated on top and unleashes a series of mini explosions at the Siegebreaker, making it let go of Xuelan. Aidan manages to catch her from her fall bridal style.
Karlamine charges forth with her sword and cuts the leg of the Demon. Though only small, it was enough to get its attention away from Aidan. It roars and charges at Karlamine, who barely dodges out of the way to evade its attack.
"Yubelluna, more explosions," Karlamine suggested. "Keep up the pressure."
"On it!" Yubelluna cried out as she unleashed more explosions, enough for its armored helm to get blown off.
*ROAR*
Unfortunately, all it did was make the beast angry.
With its arm blades, it swats Yubelluna right out of the air and make her slam to the ground hard.
"GAAH!" Yubelluna cried and she was soon swiped again from the Siegebreaker, making her slam into a mountain side.
"Yubelluna!" cried Aidan as he sets Xuelan down and goes to check on the Bomb Queen, but his path was blocked by the Siegebreaker.
The Siegebreaker uses its arm blades to swipe at Aidan but he manages to warp between each strike and dodge, albeit barely. Those blades were huge, enough to cut down even the strongest of trees on Earth.
Aidan soon warps up to the Siegebreaker's head and grabs on. The beast recognizes and tries to fling Aidan off as he holds on to dear life. The trees were being destroyed as the Siegebreaker lays waste to the surrounding area.
Aidan soon climbs up and stabilizes himself enough to see him face to face with the Demon's right eye. With his sword, Dawnbreaker, in hand, Aidan pierces it hard into the Demon's right eye. It cries out in pain as it soon grabs ahold of Aidan, looking pissed off.
"Hang on!" Karlamine said as she threw a couple of her daggers at the demon's other eye, piercing it and making it blind. Blood pours forth from both eyes as the beast lets go of Aidan, making him warp back to the ground and rally to the blonde woman.
Aidan and Karlamine then charge with their swords, jump up, and cut down at the beast's stomach. It was not a deep cut, but it was enough to wound it.
*ROOOAAARRR*
They both land simultaneously to the ground and turn around in time to see the Siegebreaker Assault Beast flee into the forest, wounded and blind.
"It's getting away!" Karlamine said.
"HA! We got it on the run." Xuelan praised as she looks onward.
Yubelluna collapsed in exhaustion and was about to fall had it not been for Aidan catching her from behind.
"Easy," Aidan said as he held her up. Yubelluna blushed though, seeing the man she was suppose to kill hold her upright from her fall.
Xuelan saw this and could not help but be a bit jealous. When she woke up, she was in Aidan's arms bridal style and it made her blush. It could have just been instinct though.
Once the four settle down and recover, Aidan was the only one standing up and facing the direction of where the Siegebreaker took off. His mood became dark though.
"So, tell me…" Aidan addressed the three behind him. "Who sent you to kill me?"
The three girls, surprised, turned their heads in shock towards Aidan. The man who had saved them from the monstrous demon was now questioning them in an interrogative manner. He had his sword drawn and pointed to them.
"What are you—" Xuelan was about to ask but Aidan interrupts her.
"Who. Sent. You?" Aidan asked more sternly.
Having witnessed his power firsthand and having been saved by them, they were stuck in a dilemma.
"I guess we have no choice then," Karlamine answered. But the other two turned to her in shock.
"Karlamine, don't do it—" Xuelan said.
"If we tell him, we will disappoint him!" Yubelluna said. But Karlamine, honorable as she was, only turned to them in regret.
"We already failed in our mission. That was disappointing enough," Karlamine said. "So we might as well come clean with the truth."
Karlamine steps forward to reveal the truth. "We were sent by our master to eliminate you. He had deemed you a threat to his plan."
"And what, pray tell, was that plan?" Aidan asked. But none of the girls answered, making Aidan drop the question. "Forget about it."
Lowering his weapon, Aidan turns around with his back facing them.
"So what will you do now?" asked Aidan.
"…We will have to give our report back that we failed," Xuelan explained. "There will be severe consequences heading our way."
"But you saved our lives," Karlamine said. "And for that, we owe you a debt we cannot repay."
Aidan was surprised at that gesture, making him turn around briefly to see the three bow before him.
"You would keep this promise?" asked Aidan in confirmation.
"We may be servants of a Devil noble, but we are not without honor." Karlamine said. But Aidan was not convinced, and he needed more proof of their conviction.
"If you are so willing to uphold your promise, then swear it."
Lifting themselves up, the three girls bring their fists to their chests to declare their promise.
"We promise you, Aidan Kain, that we will not forget what you have done for us this day. You saved our lives from that Siegebreaker Assault Beast and protected us from death. And for that, we are in your gratitude."
Aidan, satisfied with their answers, turns around once again with his back facing them.
"Give your master this message: if he wants to kill me, let him try with his own hands."
With that, Aidan takes his leave and opens up a Town Portal. As he leaves though, the three girls watch him leave, with a variety of feelings etched across their faces.
Meanwhile, Kharazim had been watching from above a hill. His outfit was different though as he had discarded his hiking gear for a more favorable outfit. It was mostly orange and brown cloth that covered him from head to toe but there was also some hip armor. He wore bracers on his hands and a very large beaded necklace around his neck.
(Author's note: For reference, it is the artwork of Kharazim from Heroes of the Storm)
Kharazim then felt the presence of a familiar figure behind him.
"You were right," Kharazim said. "He is one of us, isn't he?"
"Did you ever doubt me, old friend?" Johanna asked, wearing her Crusader armor as she approaches Kharazim and stands by his side.
"No," The bearded man said. "But even with this power, he still has yet to see the destiny laid before him. He has not unlocked his true potential."
"He will in time," Another female figure joined in. She wore a purple outfit with a golden crown, pauldrons, spiky gloves, and leg armor. She also carried in her right hand her golden wand with a purple orb floating above it. The female was of Chinese descent and hailed from Xiansai, famed for its Wizards.
(Author's note: For reference, it is the artwork of Li-Ming from Heroes of the Storm)
"He just needs to see it with his own eyes," The female Wizard said. "I am more curious about the three girls though, particularly the Queen."
"What brought this up, Li-Ming?" asked Johanna.
"Well, let's just say… I think we've found our apprentices," Li-Ming said with a smile as the three watch Xuelan, Karlamine, and Yubelluna return home via a magic circle below their feet that transported them back to the Underworld. And back to their master.
"And they're gone," Johanna said. "Now what do you say we go hunt that demon?"
"Agreed," Li-Ming concurred. "If it gets to the city, who knows what damage it can do."
"Let's follow its tracks then," Kharazim suggested as the three come down the foothill in pursuit of the wounded Siegebreaker Assault Beast.
LATER THAT NIGHT…
Aidan had learned recently of a contract Issei had done with Sona, regarding two knights in love. One was a samurai and the other a knight. Of course this was Issei's first contract and Sona was supervising. Whether she would count that or not was all up to the Student Council President.
Alone in the clubroom was just Aidan, working on his Uncle's work while Rias had to attend to some personal business. But the atmosphere was silent. And it had been like that for a couple days now. Aidan had not had any time to be with the other club members, Rias most especially.
Speaking of Rias, Aidan only became more concerned for her secretly.
Their talks were only professional at best, just a Pawn answering to his King. Aidan did give his report on his new contract with the monk Kharazim, along with the three other guests he encountered. Rias was appalled by their names, knowing of the master whom they served, and it caused her to grit her teeth. Aidan recognized this yet did not bother to ask, seeing it as personal for her and wanting to respect her privacy. He did not include his report though on the demon ambush, believing that Rias may prohibit him from making more contracts if more ambushes keep coming up. Plus, it was too soon for the peerage to start facing demons, with the exception of the Hellion from before. If they were going to have any chance of facing the Demonic Legions, Aidan had to make sure they were properly prepared.
Aidan continued his Uncle's work yet was growing a bit sleepy. It had been a long day for him. He was still wondering who on earth managed to summon a Siegebreaker Assault Beast on Kuoh in the first place. Aidan wished he had the answers but to those who have attempted to get more information on the monster, all of them have perished. He could not help but worry where the monster will run off to in the dense forest, blind and wounded as it was.
As sleep began to dull his senses, his body relaxed, and his head dipped a bit.
"Nephalem…"
Aidan lets out a small gasp as he suddenly turned around behind him. Yet all he saw was nothing. No presence detected unless someone hid themselves with magic. But for Aidan, he knew how this was voice. It was the same one he heard in his dream this morning.
Standing up to stretch his legs, he readied himself, thinking that an intruder was here in the clubroom.
But suddenly, Aidan froze still like he was paralyzed. It could have been just his imagination, but he swore he felt two cold and sharp metal blades by his neck, encircled around him and ready to decapitate him. The blades were curved like sickles yet as Aidan slowly turned to see the intruder, he felt his soul being sucked away.
"Malthael…" Aidan whispered slowly, his hands and legs shaking with fear. For Aidan was confronted by death himself once again.
Suddenly, Malthael takes the sickles away and, with his right clawed hand, grabs Aidan by the neck and lifts him up, choking him.
"Huah?! Ack…Ghh…Ahh!" Aidan struggled against death's grip. It was tight as somehow, Malthael was able to take hold of him despite being a mere shade.
In truth, Malthael's presence was not exactly there but it was enough for him to appear as a shade of sorts. Even with the Worldstone destroyed which would allow even the Angels from the High Heavens access to Earth/Sanctuary.
Malthael brings Aidan closer to his face as Aidan could feel himself struggle, his soul slowly being ripped from his body.
"Your kind cannot be allowed to live," Malthael slowly said. His voice truly was the epitome of death. Deep and chilling, a voice full of despair and oblivion.
Aidan however did not comprehend what the former Archangel of Wisdom was talking about. Why did he call him nephalem? Aidan was never a nephalem to begin with so why would Malthael even identify him as such? Did the archangel know of something Aidan did not know? He was Wisdom incarnate at one time and had seen the truth of all things. Does that mean he had foreseen who Aidan really was? Or was it just because Malthael hates both humans and nephalem altogether, treating them as one and the same threat?
Malthael tightens his grip, ready to end Aidan's life. But then the doors to the clubroom suddenly opened to reveal Rias, shocked with sweat down her head like she ran to the door from somewhere far.
"Aidan!" Rias cried as she fires a Power of Destruction at Malthael. The Angel of Death takes the hit head on and dissipates into a blue mist, dropping Aidan to the floor with a thud and giving a dreadful echo.
*COUGH COUGH COUGH*
Aidan was on the floor holding his throat and coughing for air. The grip of death was tight. He soon felt a hand on his shoulder, making him turn to see a distressed Rias.
"Aidan?" asked Rias in concern. "Are you alright?"
"A little shaken, COUGH COUGH… But I think I'm okay."
Rias hoists him up by wrapping an arm around her shoulder and bringing him over to the couch to rest. Sitting down with him, she asks,
"Aidan, what was that?"
Aidan adjusts himself to give himself a breather from that choking before he answers.
"…Death. Death himself. Why he attacked me, I don't know."
Aidan could not exactly say that it was Malthael. For one thing, the archangel's appearance was vastly different compared to what he had shown her and everyone else. If he did, then he needed more proof. For now though, he will just call him Death, like one of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse.
Rias was now too concerned with Aidan. It's as if everyone is hunting him from the shadows, watching ever so and striking when he is all alone and most vulnerable. If this Death figure was watching as well, then it is all the more reason to protect him at all costs.
Protection… Rias merely dipped her head low, her eyes covered by her frontal bangs as her mind drifted somewhere else. Aidan took notice of Rias' gaze somewhere else.
"Rias?" Aidan called out in a bit of a worried tone, but this snapped her out of it.
"Huh? Ah, Sorry. There's a little bit on my mind as of now," Rias said apologetically,
Aidan was not convinced but he will let it slide. He turns his attention back to the attack by Malthael.
"I wonder how long this is gonna happen," Aidan said, making Rias look at him. "How much longer will I have to endure assassinations like this. First the Fallen Angels, then the Demons, now Death itself."
Rias hugged Aidan gently, but because it was so sudden, his mind froze for a second in confusion.
"Then I will hug you like this for a while."
Rias says it as if she is talking to a child. Aidan's face got a bit red because he could feel her warmth.
"No matter what happens, I will always protect you. My loving Aidan."
Aidan felt his brain blowing up inside after hearing that. Smiling warmly, he will not forget this warmth. If he was going to excel as a pawn to Rias, he will make achievements under her! While having that thought in his heart, he felt his head rest on her lap, making fall into a peaceful sleep.
Yet as he slept once more, the dreams returned. One not of death but of another.
The Eternal Conflict.
Another chapter written and gotten out of the way. And what better way to start it than to introduce the Angel of Death himself? Now I know many people will think how the hell Rias is able to harm Malthael? Truth be told, she didn't harm him. After all, Malthael is impervious to physical and magical harm given of his nature and what Rias destroyed was merely a shade. For those that played Diablo III, I am talking about the Shade of Malthael mob that you encounter in Westmarch.
I also wanted to make a few of Riser's servants appear because I intend for them to be included amongst the harem for Aidan. One good way to start it off was an assassination attempt turned a gigantic fight with a gigantic demon. It was short I know but you didn't really think the four of them could take down a powerful demon did you?
I made a mistake in saying that I will upload the familiar forest chapter next. Since I was going by the anime episodes chronologically, it turned out there was an episode before the familiar forest episode and I wanted to get that out of the way. But rest assured I will get the familiar forest chapter out ASAP. Hopefully by this week.
All of my vacationing is done but I am also busy with my part-time job and looking for a full-time job, which is so hard to do nowadays. Nevertheless, I do intend to keep going with this story and my other IS story.
Like, favorite, follow, and review at your leisure!