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 a hot and sunny day without a single cloud in the sky. Within a lush green forest were Rias Gremory and her Peerage. All of them walked uphill towards a mansion that was at the top of the hill. Although the path they walked on had some boulders, it was nonetheless smooth and stable, making it an easy climb.
All of them but Aidan, who was left behind to carry their luggage. Not that he did not mind but it was surely heavy, probably about more than a hundred pounds worth. Thankfully he had been training and used some of his magic to enhance his strength. And luckily for him, he was not wearing any heavy clothing; just a tank top and a pair of shorts followed by hiking shoes. In fact he packed a lot of tank tops if he was going to be walking with a lot of this luggage.
"You're almost there, Aidan," Rias encouragingly told him. All of the girls and Kiba wore more casual/camping style clothing but they were barely carrying anything. Instead they handed it all to Aidan, who offered to help.
"Visualize, Aidan," Akeno said with her sweet smile. "The end is almost in sight."
Aidan took that as a compliment as he pants yet focuses on climbing, without ever taking a break. The only time he did was for a short water break. And he was sweating profusely, like he ran two marathons plus a triathlon. He was going to need a thorough cleaning form the bath when this is over, provided the mansion has one.
'Now I wished we had a caravan of sorts to pull us. Then again, on a slope like this, a caravan was probably not an option.'
Aidan could remember traveling something similar like this with his Uncle wherever they went around the world. It brought back some good memories. And speaking of his Uncle, Aidan told him of what was truly going on with Rias and of the upcoming Rating Game. Uncle Deckard took it as a bad sign and urged Aidan to train as best he can for the next ten days, hopeful that things will not go per the Phenex's ambitions.
Asia watched Aidan with a concerned expression. "Is it okay not to go help him, Buchou?" She asked Rias.
"He'll be okay," Rias reassured her. "He just needs to learn how to keep that much on his own."
As Aidan continued walking and remaining focused, Kiba passed by him, carrying a plastic bag containing herbs. For some reason though, the bag was about the same size that Aidan was carrying.
"Buchou, I gathered these in the forest. We can use them for the meal tonight."
Koneko soon passed by Aidan, who was carrying a large bag that could easily fit everyone inside. And she carried it effortlessly.
"See you later," She nonchalantly said to Aidan.
Aidan could only sigh in defeat as he continues climbing the hill, everyone cheering for him ever so. But the true reason they were in the mountains and staying at a mansion was not for relaxation and vacation. Rather it was to prepare for the upcoming Rating Game against Rias' forced fiancé, Riser Phenex. When Rias agreed to a Rating Game, Grayfia offered a handicap.
Ten days to train and prepare for the match. Riser surprisingly accepted it and called it fair.
But since Rias had no experience in the Rating Games and was going up against a professional, the maid thought it would be fair for the redhead to be given some time for her and her Peerage to prepare. Reluctantly, she agreed to only ten days.
Even though Rias could have easily allowed Aidan to destroy Riser back at the clubroom, there would be a myriad of consequences to follow from that foolish ploy. For one thing, it could bring severe shame to her reputation as an heir to the Gremory Family and as King of her Peerage. Killing a noble of another House despite the temptation that it was Riser was unwise as political crises would follow with disastrous results.
But Rias' main point was not concerning the Devils but rather Aidan. Her theory about Diablo controlling Aidan through the Sacred Gear made it seem like it was becoming more and more true. Last night's sudden debacle had yet given her another bad feeling about the Demons. Though she and her Peerage had faced them before, they were only small skirmishes. She knows that an encounter with Diablo may be imminent in the near future.
The question is, how will Diablo present himself? And what will happen to Aidan next?
"We're here," Rias voice called out as Aidan looked up to see a beautiful mansion built from the forest and owned by the Gremory Household. Trees surrounded it and a pond was built at the front entrance.
"Wow! It's beautiful," Asia said in amazement, her eyes lighting up in excitement by the sight of the mansion.
"Alright, let's get inside and start training immediately." Rias told them. Aidan could not complain as he followed suite.
After thirty minutes of preparation, everyone gathered outside in front of the mansion. The first lesson was sword training. Even though Aidan was already skilled in it, he didn't question why he needed the training and stood against Kiba, armed with a bokken, or wooden sword. Aidan had the same weapon as well.
Both boys stood with only their gym clothes on, as did the other girls standing a few feet away from them and acting as spectators.
"Just remember, Aidan," Kiba said with a smile. "Don't look at the sword's movements but also their own body and widen your view of your surroundings. That way you can be ready for anything. You've been good with that in the past, so this training shouldn't be that hard."
Aidan nodded as he got into a fighting stance with his sword, ready for battle as Kiba soon charges in.
*CLASH*
Both wooden swords met as Aidan blocked Kiba's downward chop. Thinking quickly, he kicked at the blonde with a roundhouse but Kiba jumped back a ten feet away, leading in a crouching position.
As Kiba landed, he quickly followed up with an overhand, which Aidan deflected before attacking himself. As Kiba blocked Aidan's blow, he realized that in the short time, Kiba was undeterred and continued his strikes.
Aidan attempts to launch his own offensive and goes for a vertical slash to the stomach, but Kiba easily brushed off his overhand and unleashed his own frenzy of attacks. Aidan was viciously driven back, barely able to protect himself, as his own style possessed a weak defense, especially against Kiba's sword technique. Despite his own valiant efforts, Aidan simply could not find an opening.
After backing off a bit, Aidan promptly charged at Kiba and attacked, but Kiba quickly deflected Aidan's initial attack and his subsequent jab. After a quick flurry of bladework, Aidan slashed at Kiba's legs, but he overleapt the attack and flourished his blade to drive Aidan back as he landed.
Aidan soon looked left to see Kiba's bokken coming at him in a left vertical slash. He dodged by ducking his head under the wooden sword before blocking more attacks.
Their duel would last about tow hours before Rias called it off. Kiba and Aidan were both bruised up, the latter more so than usual which prompted Asia to use her Twilight Healing to heal them.
Kiba came over and said to Aidan, "That was really good. I am impressed."
"Same with you, Kiba," Aidan complimented back with a smile. "You truly do live up as a Knight."
This bore a smile to the Prince of Kuoh, ironic that the Dark Prince of Kuoh would compliment him as such. Oh how the girls back at the school would fawn over this.
Lesson #2 was with Akeno. She brought both Aidan and Asia into the house to a big room to train in using their magic.
"It's time you both become aware of the aura and magic surrounding you, and then steam it to a focal point."
Glancing down at his left bandaged hand, Aidan stretches it out frontwards to focus the energy into his hand. A few seconds later, he felt the power gather but in such a violent way that made him twitch his arm a bit as sparks of lightning came about.
"Mmm." Aidan grunted, as if he was beginning to lose control almost immediately. This prompted Akeno to walk up behind him and trace her hand from his shoulder to his outstretched arm.
"Let the image flow through you and be released as a magical power," She advised, using a bit of her magic to bring his under control. "Don't try to force it. Always remember that you are in control."
"I did it!" Asia proclaimed with joy, able to conjure a beautiful green ball of magic in her hands.
"Ara ara. Look at you with your little glowing green ball," Akeno praised Asia. "You've got a lot of talent in using magic."
Asia grew bashful with a smile after that compliment. Aidan on the other hand followed suite, able to hold in his hand a red and white ball of magic that, unlike Asia's that gave a beautiful green glow, his was more volatile and produced small sparks of electricity emanating forth from it.
"Well done, Aidan," Akeno also praised. "You are quite a natural at this."
While Aidan was indeed proud of himself, he was more so proud on Asia. She had come so far since the incident with the Fallen Angels. She was indeed a girl full of hope, a worthy vessel for it by the archangel Auriel. It was no wonder why the Elder Angel had chosen the young and innocent Asia in the first place.
Akeno soon had them gathered at a table with a plastic water bottle in the center. "Now let's change those demonic powers of yours into three of the natural elements: fire, water, and lightning." She then looked at Aidan and said, "Aidan, I want you to focus on fire and water since you can produce electricity." Aidan nodded in agreement since his affinity was already on a natural level. "To make these elements, you must simply imagine it. However it will be easier for beginners to actually move fire and water using their magic."
Akeno soon leaned over the table and stretched out her hand over the bottle. Sending her magic through them, she commanded the water to be turned into a frozen spike, ripping the bottle apart.
Both Aidan and Asia were amazed at Akeno's abilities. She then reformed the bottle back to its original nature.
"Once you've grasped the technique, you will hold the power of nature in your hands. I have a feeling this will be easy for you, so I want you to copy what I just did next. Aidan, care to go first?"
"Right," Aidan said. He soon closes his eyes and holds out his left hand, trying to do exactly what Akeno did.
"Remember, the source of a Devil's magic is our imagination and creativity," Akeno reminded Aidan. "It is important to materialize what you imagine. But always remember to control the amount of magic you use."
Relaxing himself, Aidan allows his magic to course through him. He can feel the immense power build up right in the palm of his hand. Then, he opens his eyes immediately, and for some reason, they glowed a white and blue light and the plastic water bottle instantly froze up.
Along with the table.
Akeno and Asia were surprised, the former more so given that he not only froze the bottle, but also the table. Perhaps he had concentrated too much effort into his magic. Once again, he needed to learn about control.
When Aidan's eyes returned to normal, he saw the results of his magic.
"Whoops," Aidan guiltily admitted. "That was not supposed to happen."
Akeno though giggled. "It's okay, Aidan. It just shows you have a natural talent for magic. You just need to focus on control." Akeno soon melted the ice and converted it to water formed into a ball and dumping it into one of the nearby plants in the room.
She then turned to Aidan and said, "We'll focus on control for you when it comes to magic. For now let us see Asia's turn next."
"Wow, Aidan," Asia exclaimed. "You were surprisingly good."
"Th-thanks, Asia," Aidan sheepishly thanked, still feeling a bit guilty for unwilling going overboard.
Aidan and Akeno soon watched Asia work her magic, taking her time to do so. As they watched, Aidan asked Akeno one question.
"Tell me something Akeno." He stated, catching her attention. "Isn't magic magic?"
Akeno replied, "Yes and no. Sometimes the effect is the same. For instance, if a Devil like myself was to summon lightning to strike my foes, they would be burned to death. If someone who was aligned with the Burning Hells was to summon hell's flames against an enemy, they would be burned to death."
"So magic is magic," Aidan repeated his question in the form of a statement.
"But lightning is a natural phenomenon" Akeno added. "You call it by requesting it. With hell's fire, you make a bargain. It costs a little of yourself."
"But doesn't that mean that using demonic magic from the Burning Hells was better, if you were to finish off your opponent in a quick manner?"
"The ways of magic are slippery but evil magic is quicker, more effective, or so it seemed. But there comes a time when a price must be paid, and sometimes, it is dear indeed."
Aidan could only ponder in thought as he turned his attention back to Asia, making a frozen spike from the water bottle as Akeno and Aidan before.
The third lesson started off with something like this.
*WAPOW* *BAM* *PAPING*
Aidan was sent flying backwards before he backflips around and skids his feet and one hand across the floor to get his bearings. He is able to drag himself enough to slow down, the point his right back heel touched the trunk base of a tree.
Lesson three it turns out was sparring with Koneko.
"Not bad. Seen better," Koneko said blankly without changing her expression.
'And now I know why Koneko often sees Kharazim. He must also be some sort of martial arts master.'
Getting back up, Aidan moves up against Koneko, warping side to side with his magic and goes for a sneak attack behind via a roundhouse kick. But Koneko was aware of this and turns around to block the incoming attack to her head. She pushes it away and spin kicks Aidan in the chest. She tackles him to the ground and sat on his back, wrapping her legs around his neck and pulling his head upwards by the chin.
"You have to aim for the center of the body when you give a blow where you hit with accuracy. Thrust your blow deep into the opponent's chest, and you can easily demolish their heart."
Twisting her hips, she chokes Aidan tighter, but he flips a hand out and unleashes a red lightning at Koneko. The attack missed by a hair as Koneko backs away like a scared cat. Aidan promptly gets up and shakes away the pain in his neck.
The two go back at it again.
ONE HOUR LATER…
As the sun began to set, Aidan slumped up to a tree and sat down. He was beat and tired. And not just from the brutal training that Koneko gave him. If anything, that was one of the more harder training sessions he had ever been put up with.
Looking out by a hill, he oversaw the entire forest along with a small range of mountains.
'I had forgotten how beautiful the world can be, especially with nature.'
Admittedly to Aidan, he wanted to keep traveling around the world. But not so much of artifact or scholarly hunting like his Uncle but more so just to see the sights and be a tourist for once. But with the world having once again fallen to shadow, that may not be possible. Or rather the chances of relaxing are slim.
"Koneko's training is brutal," Aidan told himself. "I guess that is why she is a Rook in the first place."
"We all have powers unique to us," A familiar voice spoke behind Aidan, making him turn around to see the said cat girl.
"Yeah, I guess you're right about that," Aidan said. But his expression soon turned solemn as he looks at his bandaged left arm. The corruption continued to grow ever so slowly, taking its time to travel across Aidan's body. At this point, it was reaching near his shoulder blade. "I do wonder though if this power I have will consume me in the end?"
To his surprise, he feels Koneko's small hands on top of his left hand. He turns to see her with a look of comfort.
"You are a hard worker, senpai. If you lose a fight, you come back stronger and more determined than ever. You made all of us believe that our Devil Mythology was not fake and have shown us the existence of the Demons. You're not strong when it comes to being a Devil. Not now at least. But I believe that you will grow. And when you do, I'll be there by your side."
Aidan was surprised as he looks at the nekomata. This was probably the longest talk he had ever heard from her, but it was undoubtedly the most positive she has ever said to him. She was usually quiet and spoke her mind with a blank expression. He could only wonder what else lay within the cat girl's mind.
"Thanks, Koneko," Aidan said as she patted her head. "I need that."
Koneko soon gave a Nya~, apparently liking the headpat so much she smiled and closed her eyes. Aidan continued to pat her as they watch the rest of the scene that nature had shown to them.
IN THE KITCHEN…
"Lesson 4," Rias said as she brought Aidan and Asia into the kitchen. The Pawn and Bishop respectively wore aprons, with Aidan wearing a navy blue one. And Asia wore a red with a pink heart on her breast.
"Are we…cooking?" Asis asked in a hopeful tone.
"That's right," Rias said. "Magic can come in handy anywhere. And you're going to use only your magic to cook dinner for everyone. Have fun."
She turned and walked out of the kitchen, leaving Aidan and Asia alone.
"Right then. Water," Asia said as she turned around to face a pot filled with water on the stove. Since the gas was turned off for the stove, Asia decided to use what magic she had learned from Akeno.
"Boil for me, please." Asia commanded as her palm started to glow green with her magic, causing the water to instantly heat up and boil. She took joy and pride in that, and it also made Aidan smile.
The boy in question was looking over the onions, potatoes, and carrots before him. He pulled out a few drawers to search for any cutting utensils but there was none to be found.
"Crap," He muttered before he shrugged his shoulders. "Oh well, might as well do this then."
Summoning his sword Dawnbreaker, he sits down with the sword on his lap. Grabbing a potato, he carefully places the skin by the blade's edge and starts peeling. Surprisingly, it worked.
"Wow," He said, catching Asia's attention. "Never thought to use my sword as a knife."
"Wow!" Asia exclaimed. "Look how good you're getting. Let me help you peel the rest."
"Thanks Asia," Aidan smiled as he and Asia worked to peel the rest of the onions, carrots, and potatoes. Once that was done, Aidan proceeded to chopping. Setting the ingredients on the chopping board, Aidan took his sword, cleaned it with a towel, and chopped each ingredient by the base of the sword.
The cuts were so precise that the sword practically acted like a natural knife.
"Wow!" Asia praised Aidan. "I am so proud of you! That looks so good."
"Thanks," Aidan replied. "It's my first time cooking in the kitchen really. Uncle Deckard did most of the cooking while I grew up. Eventually I learned how to just by observing him."
Aidan soon brings the ingredients over to the pot and drops them into the boiling water.
*THUD*
"Hyah!" Asia's voice yelped as Aidan turned around to see her on her bottom, next to a bottle of oil.
Aidan walks over to her hastily. "Asia, are you okay?"
"Y-Yeah," Asia said as she sat up. But she realized that her apron and hair were covered in oil. She moans cutely at the mess she is. "Oh… I just did my hair."
Aidan sighs, "Why don't you go clean up and look for a new apron? I'll stay here and keep an eye on the pot."
"Are… are you sure?" Asia asked.
"Yeah," Aidan responded as he brought her up. "I'll clean the floor. Go wash your hair for a bit. Bathroom should be right next door in the hall to your left."
Asia soon goes to clean herself while Aidan grabs some paper towels to wipe the floor of the oil. Taking the bottle, he poured whatever drop was left within into the pot. He then threw the bottle of oil away into the trash underneath as it was empty.
And he had waited for the pot to cook itself. Aidan had the idea to make pasta, as he and Asia were working on the sauce, hence the boiling water with its vegetables and oil.
TWENTY MINUTES LATER…
Twenty minutes passed by and Asia had not returned yet from the bathroom to clean herself. Yet Aidan waited patiently by the stove to keep an eye on things and make sure no accidents are spilled.
But he was starting to doze off a bit. This was already the first day of training and he went through a lot. Tired and exhausted, eh wanted to sleep but no one sleeps on the job, especially when food is being cooked.
"Nephalem…"
Aidan suddenly gasps and shoots himself upwards. He turns around sharply to see if that damn angel was behind him but there was no one. But Aidan was smart. And one thing he knew…
Was that he was not alone in the kitchen.
"Malthael."
"Nephalem…"
Aidan turns around, still scanning for Malthael when the lights suddenly flickered, and the windows blew open from the strong wind. Aidan grunts as he shields himself from the sudden cold air blowing him.
"What the hell is this?" asked Aidan.
All of a sudden, a clawed right hand from the shadows in front of him grabs Aidan by the throat.
"HUWAH!? ACK!" Aidan struggles as he grips his attacker's hand.
Aidan looks to see that it was Malthael, coming out of the shadows and holding him high in the air, making him struggle to breathe once again. This was the second time the former Archangel of Wisdom had attacked Aidan but for what reason, it was unknown. But once again, this was not Malthael entirely, rather a shade to project his form into the mortal world.
"Malthael…" Aidan said. "Why…are you doing this?"
Malthael remained silent though, as per his nature and alternative title The Silent Angel. He was an individual that had rarely spoke, making him extremely quiet. But to answer his question, he spoke in a very low and dark voice, fitting for death itself.
"Your corruption ends, Nephalem."
Malthael tightens his grip, intent to kill Aidan. But once more he called Aidan nephalem, still baffling the Pawn as to why he is called as such. For one thing, there were no more nephalem in the world, at least officially, and that they had all died out over time. So why did Malthael call him such?
Aidan struggles intensely, losing air on a more rapid pace. One of his hands soon slips from Malthael's grip, his vision about to turn black.
Asia soon opens the door, back from the bathroom, initially wearing a smile on her face with eyes closed. But as she opened, what she saw horrified her.
And in response…
"KYYAAAAAHHHHH!"
The main doors to the kitchen were flung wide open, revealing Rias and the others.
"Asia, what's happened-?" Rias asked but then saw Aidan held up by the Angel of Death. Everyone did not need an explanation of what was going on as Kiba took out his sword and charged at Malthael.
"Let go of him!" Kiba jumps and slices down at Malthael's right arm holding Aidan up in order to release him, but his sword passed through like air. Kiba was stunned at the result, as was everyone else, and barely turned around in time to block one of Malthael's sickles.
*CLANG*
The force of it though sent Kiba flying through the kitchen, crashing into a table.
"You…" Rias venomously said, looking at Malthael and recognizing it was the same attacker weeks ago. Empowering herself with the Power of Destruction, the red aura enveloped her in a raging torrent. "Hands off of him!"
"Rias, don't—" Akeno called out but it was too late.
Rias fires one shot at Malthael's shade, making the Angel of Death disappear in a burst of pure energy, leaving a haunting echo as it did. The entire room was covered in smoke, unable for anyone to see. Not even two feet in front of them.
*THUD*
Aidan was dropped to the floor like a rock. Unconscious.
*COUGH COUGH* "Ack…" Aidan gasps for breath as he was on the ground, holding his neck gently.
"Aidan!" Rias cried as she ran to him and tended to his well-being, placing her hands on his shoulders. "Aidan, are you okay?"
Aidan kept coughing before he said, "Yeah… yeah I'm fine. Hell of a choke, though."
Rias however, almost on the verge of tears, retorted, "Maou, don't do that to me!"
Wrapping his left arm around her right shoulder, she lifts him up back onto his feet. Akeno does the same for Kiba, who was left with just a small bruise on his back. But as he gets up, he feels disturbed at what he had seen what had happened to the kitchen.
"Umm, Rias?" Kiba called out. Rias turns to Kiba and what she sees when the smoke had cleared was something that was largely her own fault.
Food was everywhere, drawers were destroyed, water spilled all over, a pipe was damaged, and the dinner that was being prepared by Aidan and Asia was ruined.
No wonder Akeno had told Rias not to fire her Power of Destruction. It may have been too powerful a shot in such an enclosed space.
Rias was jaw dropped of her unwittingly action. "Uhh… Whoops."
LATER…
With the kitchen destroyed unintentionally thanks to Rias, the group ordered some takeout Chinese that was quickly delivered to the mansion by her familiar as compensation. It will take months for the kitchen to be properly restored but that was not their main concern.
Aidan was on the couch tended to by Rias and Asia. Koneko and Kiba cleared away whatever debris there was in the kitchen while Akeno provided refreshments.
"Aidan, what happened?" Akeno asked as Rias attended to him. "What was that thing?"
Aidan responded. "An Elder Angel. But…it was not like Auriel's."
"Not like Auriel's?" asked Asia. "What do you mean?"
"Angels from the High Heavens have a certain…harmony to them that is an intrinsic part of their being. As living manifestations of light and sound, they hold a certain aura that is a reflection of their nature, hence their armor. But that angel felt so…cold. Like there was no angelic resonance to tune their essence to the Crystal Arch in sync."
It was silent for the next moment as the group tried to process that sort of information. All other facts of the Elder Angels form the High Heavens are scarce and only accounted in mythology. Without even interacting with one of these luminous beings, it will become difficult to figure out the true nature of these Angels. But if what Aidan said was true, then these Elder Angels are no different from the ones they know of and fall easily.
"Aidan, do you even know who that angel was?" asked Akeno.
Aidan briefly looked at Rias, who held the same concerned expression as him, but she also wanted to know. Already had the Angel of Death attacked Aidan twice now and Rias was present in both times. But for Aidan, he could not bear to say who it was.
"…No. I do not. I don't even know how he managed to manifest himself here in the first place. I do know this though: that was only a shade and not the real thing."
"And my weapon couldn't even harm him," Kiba said. "It was like my swords just swung through like air."
Rias could only frown a bit. "Well, this wasn't the meal that I planned for us, and nobody expected an attack like this, but that was some good takeout Chinese," Rias said as she stands up. "Now it's time for a bath."
"I'll assume the girls will take theirs first, Rias?" Aidan asked curiously, only to be met with a giggle by the redhead.
"Actually no. I plan for all of us to bathe together."
"…Wait, what?"
"Akeno, would you mind?" Rias turned to her best friend.
"Fufufu," Akeno giggled before saying, "No, I think it sounds like fun. Besides, I've always wondered how Aidan's back would feel when washing it."
"Would you mind if they came, Asia?" Rias asked the blonde. "The last thing I want is for all of us to feel uncomfortable."
"Sure," Asia said.
"Koneko dear?"
At first, the cat-like girl had her head down and didn't say anything, before a small blush appeared on her cheeks. She then looked up to Aidan and with a cute scowl replied, "…Just don't try anything, playboy."
Aidan was not sure what to make of this. He was no pervert in that he wanted to see them naked but rather the fact that he has never taken a bath with girls before, especially when stripped down to their birthday suits, all in a single room. He had to admit he was a bit embarrassed by this but was not one to make it so dramatic about it. He is a very down to earth kind of person after all.
Aidan lets out a relaxing sigh, the stress and tense muscles ebbing away as he gives a small smile. With half of his body in the water, he leans back against the edge of the giant tub and rests his arms on it. He hadn't had a bath for a really long time. Well, at least he showered every day.
"You sure look like you're relaxing," Kiba complimented a few feet from him. Both were stripped naked and sitting in the water of the large, triangular, marble bathroom that had one of its walls gone so that the nightly scenery from outside was visible. Since this bath was now co-ed, the boys entered first before the girls who were still changing.
"How can I not?" Aidan asked, staring up at the ceiling that was painted. "I haven't relaxed for so long like this. And yet, these days of peace and training will not last for long. Not with that son of a bitch wanting to get his hands on Rias."
"I hear you," Kiba agreed, staring up at the ceiling as well with his mind remembering back to the past. Time sure does move by fast that one can imagine. "She's been there for all of us. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her. That's why all of us want her to be happy and out of this marriage."
"…Yeah." There was a hint of somberness in Aidan's voice, catching Kiba's attention and prompting him to look at the Pawn. The Knight soon saw Aidan look down at his left arm, bandaged as usual yet he slowly begins to clench and unclench his fist.
"Are you okay, Aidan?" Kiba asked in concern.
While the voice of his friend snapped Aidan out of his personal thoughts, he decided he could not hide it any longer. With a hefty sigh, he said, "Honestly, no. I don't think I am. Not with this on me."
Kiba then remembered yesterday, how he saw Aidan's bandaged left arm fall off and detail his black veins and somewhat deformed demonic arm. He was not so sure what to ask next but luckily for him, he didn't need to ask.
"Of all the people who know about this, Kiba, only Rias and Akeno know. Asia as well but I haven't told her the truth yet. So technically this makes you the third person to know."
"What do you mean?" Kiba asked.
Aidan began, "The result of these black veins comes from the fact that my Sacred Gear, the Al'Diabolos Terror Claws, is gaining power. As it does, it evolves to become more powerful, but that power comes with a price. I cannot feel anything in my left arm at this point, and the corruption that is of these veins is slowly destroying my body. In a way, I guess I could very well be turning into a Demon."
"And there is no cure for this?" Kiba asked with concern.
"Rias' magic and my Uncle's have only slowed it down, but it is begun to adapt to it. At this point, the corruption will spread at a faster rate the more it continues to grow in power. If that happens before or after the Rating Game…"
"It won't," Kiba attempted to reassure Aidan, making him look up to him in a bit of surprise. "I won't let that happen. And neither will the others. Once this is over, we can converse with the Four Great Satans and see if there is a way to cure you. Perhaps they know a way we don't."
Aidan can only feign a smile of hope. "I admire your optimism, Kiba. Until then…"
The doors to the bathroom soon opened, catching the boys' attention. Standing there were Rias, Akeno, Koneko, and Asia; all of them stripped completely with the exception of a towel wrapped around their bodies to cover themselves.
"Looks like you two are doing well," Rias complimented, with her hair tied in a loose bun and a few pieces sticking out. Akeno had the same thing done to her hair.
"Don't mind if we join you?" Akeno asked with her sweet expression.
"Of course," Aidan accepted. The two Great Ladies of Kuoh soon stripped off their towels and stepped into the water, each one on one side of the Pawn.
"Wow!" Asia exclaimed in amazement at the size of the tub once she and Koneko stepped in after removing their towels. "I've never seen a bath tub this big and beautiful! Your family really knows how to make a wonderful mansion!"
"Thank you, Asia," Rias said. "It's only appropriate that one of the last three great families is able to afford these kinds of luxuries. At least that is what the others say."
"Last three great families?" asked Aidan. This prompted Rias to stand up and walk forward through the water. When she was in front of everyone, she stopped and turned around to face them, crossing her arms under her large breasts.
"What I mean is that there are only three noble Devil families left in existence," Rias clarified.
"Only three?" Aidan asked. "I would assume the others were destroyed in the war?"
"Some would say close to an eternity ago, but yes," Rias answered. "You are all aware of the Great War between Devils, Heavenly Angels, and the Fallen Angels. How the three-way conflict that in the end concluded with neither side claiming victory nor defeat. Every single battle fought resulted with several of our members killed in action or missing in action. Our life span, since Devils have a very low birth rate, are nearly eternal to ensure our population. Yet our existence as a species is at risk due to the impact of the war."
"So how many were there?" Asia asked.
"Most of the family lines consisted of Pure-blood, Upper-class Devils that made up what was known as the 72 Pillars. And that was the total number of noble Devil families there were in the beginning. The war claimed all but thirty-three. Among the survivors is my house, the House of Gremory, the House of Sitri's, which is Sona's, and then Riser's House of Phenex. Out of those seventy-two, our families and more are all that's left."
"If that is true, then how come there are still other Devils?" asked Aidan.
"That's because we started to recruit humans after the war," Rias informed him. "Since they were the ones kept out of the conflict, they were used to replenish the numbers in their houses. After that came the Rating Games, which allowed Devils that were the masters of their household to give recently converted humans combat experience, as well as show off their onw abilities. Now to this day, it still has quite the impact. One's record in the Rating Games has a huge impact on their nobility and status."
Aidan thus concluded, "And for Riser, it means his status will skyrocket if he defeats you."
"That's right," Rias nodded.
Aidna had to make sure that he was ready to take the son of a bitch on. But his mind was also regarding the Great War that the Three Factions had. To him, that war paled in comparison to the Eternal Conflict, whose very war over creation between the High Heaven and the Burning Hells shone brighter than any other star in the sky.
But there was one thing that only Aidan knew regarding the two wars.
The Great War was just a small skirmish in comparison to the Eternal Conflict, which had raged on since the beginning of time and even before that. All the casualties rates that all three sides had would be nowhere near compared to the number the Elder Angels and Demons had suffered.
In short, the Three Factions had already become involved in the Eternal Conflict. They just have not realized yet that both the High Heavens and the Burning Hells had become a part of it from the shadows.
MEANWHILE, SOMEWHERE IN THE UNDERWORLD…
"That is quite a story," The man said. He sat in a large room within the shadows. In front of him was Grayfia, who was standing in a source of light that came in through a slightly open curtain.
"Indeed," Grayfia said, prompting the man to chuckle for a moment.
"Sounds just like Rias."
"Honestly, I don't think she has any chance of winning."
"No, that she does not. This will be her first Rating Game after all."
"But you let her go through with the training anyway?" Grayfia raised with an eyebrow.
"It was her decision to make," The man stated, leaning his head on a hand and letting his long locks of crimson hair be seen in the minimal light. "She is the next heir to the House of Gremory, after all. I do hope she is at least capable of that."
"As do I."
"By the way," The man leaned forward with a tone of curiosity. "What was he like? That man?"
Grayfia was taken slightly back by the question, even though she knew what he was talking about.
"He… he has more of his father's appearance, but his mother's heart is what he has," Grayfia confessed with a saddened expression. "When I looked into his eyes, they were the same color as Aurelia-sensei's."
"Then that truly is her son," The man concluded. "What about his power from what you saw?"
"It was…terrifying, to say the least. But that doesn't even describe what I had seen. He repeated the same words Diablo used so long ago when you fought him. And he also has the Sacred Gear; the Al'Diabolos Terror Claws. It was as if Diablo had possessed him briefly when he stood against Riser."
The man's tone soon became serious. "Then that means that the Lord of Terror could be on the move again."
"But Diablo has been sealed away for centuries, along with his brothers," Grayfia stated. "We made every effort to ensure they were locked away, right under Tyrael's instructions."
"Even a Prime Evil would eventually break free from prison, my darling wife," The man said as he stood up from his chair. "Keep an eye on Aurelia-sensei's child for now though. Terror must not be unleashed again."
DREAM BEGINS…
Aidan stood upon a wet ground. It was raining hard and he felt its drops, which was unusual. Dreams can sometimes feel and be real given of its intensity.
He walked on a piece of land that seemed so barren and chaotic. Massive warp-reality energies were changing the structure of the landscape; as objects disintegrated into dust whenever they were destroyed. The realm felt neither good nor evil, but rather a place of pure power. A conduit of all realms from where all things came from. By Aidan's account, he felt as if he was walking through the realm of Pandemonium, the very heart of reality itself and where the universe was born from.
And it was from this barren wasteland that the Eternal Conflict raged on, brighter than any other star in the universe.
After walking for some time, Aidan beheld himself a massive structure black in color. It was hard to make the shape of it but with each lightning struck in the background, he was able to see that the structure was a massive fortress. It appeared even blacker and darker than the mantling clouds and shades in which it stood. It was immeasurably strong with its countless gargantuan towers, walls and battlements and was made of very hard and unbreakable substances. It was held together by some sort of dark magic and stood taller than even the tallest mountain in the world. Almost about 5000 feet in length. Massive towers stood as watch posts alongside the obsidian walls. Only one way was led in through a bridge connecting to the main gat via a chasm. But the most prominent feature of the fortress was its main tower that had two separate spires on each side.
As Aidan beheld the fortress, he felt himself pushed forward towards the massive structure. Yet he also saw red lightning hit at the very top tower which was followed by screams. Screams that sounded as if someone was being tortured within the dark fortress. Each lightning struck was more frightening than the last and each scream grew in its aftermath.
As Aidan was led deeper and deeper into the fortress, towards the sound of the voice, he beheld himself some sort of torture chamber, complete with the various victims of torture that were either completely dead or on the verge of death. He then looked to see where the voice was coming from and what he saw shook him to his core.
What Aidan saw was Riser Phenex being tortured by the red lightning form above. He was in his outfit the first time Aidan saw him, but parts of it were torn. He was also bound in magical chains that drained him of his inherited powers of a phoenix. His face was all bloodied from the torture, with blood spewing down the right side of his mouth, his forehead had small cuts, and his cheek had one nasty and bloody scar.
A very small part of Aidan could not help but feel pity. But who could have ever done this to him, he wondered? He didn't have to wait an answer for long though.
"Ho…How could you do this, Rias?" A bloodied Riser asked as he looks up in despair at his torturer. "How could you do this to me!?
Facing Riser's direction to whom he was speaking towards, Aidan could see a feminist figure with a very beautiful body but also showed demonic features worthy of the Burning Hells. Rias had demonic feet that showed three large toe nails. The armor on her legs went up to her knees and showed black veins on parts of her thighs. Her shoulders were covered in demonic skin that acted as pauldrons. Her back had two large and chaotic spikes growing out of it that were covered by her red hair. She also had one spiky long demonic lizard-like tail. On her head were two large horns that looked demonic, followed by four smaller ones behind them. Her eyes were filled with red hate directed at Riser. But the most intriguing thing was a large red crystal with a jagged tip struck within her forehead.
Her outfit was very appealing as she was mostly bare, with only her breasts and her nether regions covered by black cloth.
Rias looks up and with her hands fires a combined lightning and fire attack at the captive Riser, torturing him and taking solace in his screams of agony. She approaches him and takes her time, wanting for Riser to suffer for everything.
"Be silent, Riser!" Rias angrily demanded. Her voice sounded the same but different. It was as if she was a Demon in disguise as a Devil. Some parts of her teeth were sharp and razored like a great white shark.
Rias approaches Riser slowly as the captive Phenex struggles against his pain. Keeping her dark and cold gaze on him, she reaches out with her clawed right hand near Riser's head. She then grabbed it and tortured him again before pushing him to the side.
"But you have desecrated your beauty," Riser spoke. "And in doing so, you not only destroyed my family, but also now rule the Underworld as a tyrannical queen. All because of the death of your favored Pawn!"
Aidan was confused. As Rias' favored Pawn, he was standing right there in the room, alive and unspoiled. Or was he, in this vision, dead at this point and Rias becoming some sort of demon queen as a result of it?
"If there is anything I have embraced, Riser, it is that mercy is wasted on those who dare taint the name of Gremory." Rias soon brings her left hand up on one of Riser's chains on his right hand. "I destroyed your family as a result of it, whilst sparing your little sister to serve as my personal slave. And I will destroy all those before they destroy us, starting with you!"
Rias then forcefully brings Riser up on his feet, fear overtaking him now. In a last-ditch effort of his pride, he reminded Rias, "How, Rias? Not even you can kill a Devil who has harnessed the power of immortality. I married you for the sake of our species, to replenish our numbers!"
Rias, having enough of his presence, conjured in her right hand a large arm blade made of pure demonic energy.
"There are fates worse than death. One of which you will live with for eternity."
Clenching her fist, the arm blade of pure demonic energy unsheathes itself. Rias brings her right arm back, ready to cut down at Riser. She then lunges forward and swipes at Riser's neck, spinning as she does.
It happened so fast in an instant that nothing seemed to happen. But the next moment soon turned into one of gore as Riser's voice suddenly became liquidly. His head slid off slowly from his neck and fell to the floor as blood spewed out from his body like a fountain. His head crashes down onto the floor with a thud as his body, still kept in chains, slumps to the floor.
Aidan, watching it all without even blinking one eye, was so shocked at Rias' cold and dark attitude. And the word ruthless doesn't even cover what he had just seen. Was this some sort of vision in the future if she lost the Rating Game? Would she become a Demon of the Burning Hells in desperation to escape from this terrible fate bestowed by her family?
No, Rias would never do this. She'd never resort to such dark powers… Unless a certain Prime Evil happened to convince her to do so, hence the red crystal jammed into her forehead. For some reason to Aidan as he saw the crystal's glow, he felt a chill of fear down his spine, as if he was paralyzed by its presence.
Powering down her arm blade, Rias picks up Riser's head by the hair, still bleeding from the neck where it was cut, and brings it over to a wooden table. Because of his immortality that he spoke of, Riser was still alive but could no longer speak, most likely because Rias severed his vocal cords to prevent him from speaking another word again.
Rias slams her fist of lightning on the table to not only get his attention but also to strike more fear into his heart. She walks up frontwards to face the severed head.
"I will deliver you to my subjects, your sister included. You will serve as warning and an emblem of my wrath."
With that, Rias walks away, leaving the severed head of Riser alone before she teleports away in crimson flames to some other unknown place.
DREAM ENDS…
*GASP*
Aidan wakes up with a loud gasp that makes him sit up from his bed. He was somewhat sweating and panting lightly. But that dream felt so real to him, despite being a long and unusual one.
Wearing only a tank-top and short workout pants, Aidan brings his legs over the edge of the bed and brings his head to his hand. He was trying to shake off what he had just seen in that dream, but he really couldn't. The fact he saw Rias take a form similar to Raynare shook him a lot. But this form was different, as if it was not ordinary Demon that Rias had become.
The one striking feature though was the red crystal was the red crystal in Rias' forehead, the same one he had seen in his dreams prior to this. Now he knows that the crystal was important and somehow connected to his Sacred Gear but could not make out for what it was.
It scared Aidan to think that Rias had taken ahold of it. And the fact she plummeted it into her forehead to become a Demon sent a chill down Aidan's spine.
Unable to return back to sleep, Aidan decides to head downstairs and work on his private work that he secretly brought along with him. Since telling his uncle he was staying in the mountains for ten days with the ORC, his uncle approved and gave him some of his work to labor on. Aidan did not mind for he had plenty of time doing it at night, when everyone is sleeping.
Settling down on the table in the living room, he opens his books and begins writing with a quill pen. Using only candles for minimum lighting, he begins his work, using such scholarly knowledge that his uncle taught him. As he does so though, a dark presence lingers behind him, like a demon was watching from the shadows.
An all too familiar presence who is Terror incarnate.
FORTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER…
About forty-five minutes later, Aidan was still hard at work. Looking through all the materials he brought with him, Aidan was able to get much of his work done. But there was one quote Aidan could not understand. He turns to a page where the quote was featured, along with the image of a man wrapped in a black robe from head to toe.
And the Evil that was once vanquished shall rise anew. Wrapped in the guise of man shall he walk amongst the innocent. And Terror shall consume they that dwell upon the Earth.
No matter how much Aidan tried to interpret what it meant, he could not find the answers he sought. All he knew was that it was part of the Prophecy of the End Days, or at least related to it. He looked at the prophetic verse and saw next to the picture what it told him, of the Evil in disguise as a man walking amongst the innocent.
As Aidan kept writing, his quill pen broke and the ink spilled over his writing.
In frustration, he sighs. "None of this makes sense." Aidan brought his left hand to his head in thought. "What am I missing, Uncle? What am I supposed to see?"
As Aidan looks at the quote and the image of the robed man, his Sacred Gear on his left arm struck once again. The black veins began to sprout all over his arm, and he clutches it in pain despite the cloth wrapped around it to keep it hidden. Its magical properties must've run out.
The veins quickly began to spread like a river and Aidan keeps his noise to himself.
But then Aidan enters into a trance. His eyes became wide opened as he saw images of the High Heavens and the Burning Hells at war once again. But the next images also showed what appeared to be the Prime Evils in their true forms.
Their images soon turned into spirits that were sucked away to the middle of the view and three crystals emerged in their place, where their souls were bound to. All three of these…soulstones were separated into different directions, yet Aidan kept his eye on the red one. When he did, he saw the Red Soulstone on some sort of pedestal, locked behind a large door followed by a room full of treasures, relics, and artifacts. Another door showed, making Aidan realize that he saw some sort of treasure vault.
The same one he had seen earlier when he explained his dream to Uncle Deckard.
But standing at the front of the door for some reason was Rias. She did not bother turning around and merely looked at the door. Aidan wondered if she knew about the soulstone inside the treasury vault.
As Aidan zoomed out, he saw a huge mansion from where the soulstone was kept. It was the same mansion that he had seen but on its gates was the symbol of the Gremory Clan.
But that is when Aidan realized something he never thought possible…
The Gremory Family holds the Red Soulstone of Terror… within their treasury vault inside their mansion.
And if possible, Diablo, the Lord of Terror, himself. The Demon's image pops up in front of Aidan one last time, bearing that wicked smile as he gazes at him.
Aidan snaps out of the trance and clutches his head with his left arm. It felt like he was having a splitting headache yet as Aidan looked to his left, he could see the black veins on his left arm subside and return back to where they came from. The pain had passed for now and he was alright, but it felt like he lost a part of himself in that vision.
"What…was that?" Aidan asked to himself.
Suddenly, Aidan hears footsteps coming from the stairs. Having not known anyone else was up, he finishes wrapping up his work and puts most of it away before he takes a candle light to see who the intruder was.
"Aidan?"
The familiar voice of Rias caught Aidan's attention as he sees her walking down the stairs. She was wearing a red negligee, a pair of glasses, and had her hair tied up in a ponytail while carrying a book in her hand.
"Rias? What are you doing up so late?" asked Aidan. "And when did you start wearing glasses?"
"Oh, these?" Rias took off the glasses to examine them. "It's just for looks, really. I can think more clearly while having them on." She giggles for a bit. "I suppose I am getting attached to the human world for so long now."
"Well, you look great in them," Aidan complimented, giving her a smile with a blush.
"What about you?" asked Rias. "Why are you up so late?"
"Woke up from a bad dream and couldn't sleep afterwards is all," Aidan said.
Rias' face turned forlorn and concerned. "Another one?"
"It's been happening more frequently," Aidan said. "Not sure why though."
But Aidan knew why. Every time he saw Rias, the image of her as a half-demon with the Red Soulstone and torturing Riser frightened him a bit. And that recent vision of the Gremory Family possible holding the Red Soulstone also made him frightened, wondering if they really do contain a Prime Evil in the heart of their mansion. Aidan fearfully wondered if Diablo has managed to export his influence over any of its members, Rias included.
However, he kept those fears in check and contained it within his heart, believing it to be nothing more than a simple nightmare.
The two remained in silent, not knowing what else to say to each other.
"…Do you mind giving me some company tonight?" asked Rias as she broke the silence, putting her glasses back on.
"Of course," Aidan humbly accepted. He stores his uncle's work away in a private satchel as Rias walks the rest of the way down the stairs to meet up with him.
Rias goes past the table Aidan was secretly working on and approaches the long sofa against the wall. Letting out a sigh, she sits down like she was exhausted. She then gestures for Aidan to sit next to her on her right.
A moment of silence carried over the two of them, alone in the living room.
"…To be honest, the only thing I get from reading that book is to have a peace of mind," Rias said while making a sigh with her eyes closed, placing the book she was carrying on her lap.
"Why is that?" Aidan asked as Rias tilted her body over to Aidan's left side.
"If the opponent is another High-class Devil, then we could fight by reading that book. It was written with lots of research. But that isn't the problem."
Aidan could only guess. "Is it Riser?"
Rias nodded. "The biggest problem is that we're going up against a Phenex," Rias opens her eyes and looked down to open the book. Flipping through the pages, she stops at one that showed a flaming phoenix. "The name of the legendary bird is most appropriate for him. While he is a Devil, he is also a Marquis counted among the 72 Pillars."
"So what makes this bastard any special?" asked Aidan.
"His abilities are the same as the bird of legend. Namely, its immortality."
Aidan was soon intrigued, using his Horadric mind to use. "Immortality?"
"It is as it is," Rias said as she brings one knee to her chest, taking her cold feet off of the ground. "He's indestructible. He regenerates immediately following an attack. His family's flames won't even leave a bone left. And Riser's win-to-loss ratio is 8 to 2. But he lost those matches on purpose out of respect for the households he is close to."
Aidan ponders on a thought. Not about Riser's wins or losses but rather his power of immortality that is inherited in his family. According to his Uncle's works based on Horadric writings, while Devils are long-lived, they are not immortal. They just live longer than the average human but immortality is granted only to powerful beings like the Seven Evils or even the Angiris Council.
Aidan speculates to himself that the immortality the Phenex family has is probably just an extension of their natural lifespan for a typical Devil. Yet he wonders how the Phenex family ever managed to obtain such power in the first place? Or did the Burning Hells have a hand in this yet they have forgotten it?
If their so-called immortality is just an extension of their natural lifespan, it means people like Riser has a weakness. And that he can possibly die. But the question is how?
Aidan could only find out in the Rating Game to come, much to his frustration.
"Ever since the Rating Games were put into effect, the House of Phenex has dominated the playing field. They've always had the highest scores. Can't say I am surprised," Rias soon looks at Aidan out of the corner of her eye. "How are we supposed to win against someone who is immortal?"
"The fool," Aidan said in somewhat a dark tone, which catches Rias's attention. "He claims he is immortal. But really I think he just has a longer lifespan than most Devils."
"What makes you think so?" asked Rias.
"True immortality is given to people like God or even the archangels Michael or Gabriel," Aidan explained. "If members of the Phenex Family really are immortal as per their heritage, then why do they not occupy much of the Underworld?"
Rias was all but confused. What was Aidan even talking about? The Phenex Family had proven themselves immortal with their inherent abilities, as per what the book said. Did Aidan know something she did not?
Rias could only wonder what other knowledge Aidan now withholds from her that could be vitally important. She would want these answers in any way, but too much information can be devastating. And she doesn't want to force Aidan either. But if Aidan knew of something, then as her pawn, he needs to tell her.
He had already told her everything regarding the history of the world beginning with Anu and Tathamet and ending with the destruction of the Worldstone. But was there more to his knowledge that only he knew of, she wondered?
She turns to stare at his necklace that was hanging on his neck. Without thinking, she cradles it in her hand, looking at awe of it. It was indeed a necklace with the symbol of the Horadrim, but Rias wonders if Aidan, or even his Uncle, have any connection to the Horadrim? That is, if they still exist since officially, they have been stated to have died out a long time ago.
"Rias…" Aidan snapped Rias' attention back to reality, making her let go of the necklace. "Why did you decide to make me a devil?"
This was out of the blue for her. She looks to see Aidan give that gaze. "W-What do you…?"
Aidan stood up and turned his body to face her. "It's just something that popped into my head a few days ago, but I wish to know," Aidan said as he looked down at her. "Did you bring me back as a Devil… to help you get out of this marriage?"
It was tough for Aidan to ask this question, but he needed to know. For all of his life, he was with his uncle studying various civilizations and hunting ancient and lost artifacts of importance. He had often run into trouble with his uncle be it from Fallen Angels or even Stray Devils. But now, he is a Devil. A pawn of Rias Gremory. And this was something he would have never thought would happen to his life.
The marriage situation has driven Rias to the point where she attempted to force herself onto Aidan for sex, even if it was hurting her in the process. Aidan could not help but think that she was thinking why she brought her back into her service.
Rias stared up at him for a moment, almost refusing to let herself tell the truth. The motives for reviving him was because of that promise, but he wasn't completely wrong. For all she knew, she did not want Professor Kain's nephew to die by an assassin's blade. But in truth, when she first saw Aidan at school, she was more than sure he was that glimmer of hope she was searching for, especially with the aura and power he had within him. He had wielded a Sacred Gear not known to her or anyone else. He had knowledge that only he and his uncle knew, knowledge she was curious about.
She wanted to know why he infiltrated into the secret part of the library and looked up Devil Mythology. About the Seven Evils and the Horadrim.
To her, she felt that Aidan was no ordinary human being. Yet he did tell her everything and confessed his actions. She now knows what he knows that other Devils must not. But once more did Rias wonder if Aidan knew more, that he held more than what he had told her.
Lowering her head in shame, she said, "That… that used to be the reason. And I can't forgive myself for thinking that way."
Aidan only felt a mix of emotions, waiting for the rest of Rias' reason patiently. Rias soon stood up, refusing to make eye contact with him out of guilt for how she thought at the time.
"It all started when you first came to our school, when you broke into the secret area of the library meant only for the Student Council," Rias said. "When I learned you were looking into Devil Mythology, I was curious. But then the fight with that Fallen Angel happened, whom you managed to kill one at the cost of your own life. I was sleeping in the old school building and when I heard the fighting I rushed outside. I watched you fight, a human capable of keeping up with that Fallen Angel. While he may not have been the strongest, he was still quite powerful. And then when he managed to injure you, I really thought you would die. I was afraid of what would happen to you if you did."
Aidan remembers that first fight with Dohnaseek. The memories come back to his mind.
"I…thought that you would survive but you didn't. I… I didn't want to turn you into a Devil," Rias revealed, making Aidan's eyes widened a bit. "But then, I was worried that your uncle would be heart-broken. It was unfair that you had to die and leave Professor Kain behind. I wanted you to have a second chance, Aidan. And I do not regret reviving you."
Rias soon approached Aidan and cupped his cheek, smiling lovingly as the two stared into each other's eyes.
"I've watched you for a long time, Aidan. Ever since you first arrived at school. I've seen you grow stronger with every loss and win, but I also see you wake up with nightmares." Rias strokes Aidan's bandaged left arm, remembering those black veins that sometimes appear on him from his Sacred Gear. "I've seen the strength and bravery you have, the kindness and care for others that matches my own. And every time I see that part of you, I feel like everything is going to be okay. That's why I came to you that night. Because I know that with you, I feel safe and powerful, yet weak and afraid. You've given me a sense of hope, Aidan. Hope that I dream of every night I am in your arms."
Rias then presses her buxom body against Aidan's chest, wrapping her arms around him in a hug of comfort.
Aidan felt touched by every word the crimson-haired girl said. Hugging back gently, he can smell Rias' hair that gave off that unique fragrance that was indescribable. He could not help but wonder if the pounding in his heart was because of what he thought of her.
Was it love?
Such questions would wait for him though.
"Hope," Aidan said to himself. "The only virtue with purpose. For without it, what meaning has suffering?"
Rias looked, curious of what he was trying to say, but Aidan switched topics.
"If I wasn't attacked by the Fallen Angel, Rias, would you have…?"
"I would have picked you for the same reasons and more," Rias reassured him. "Because that's who you are. You let your losses fuel you and make you stronger." The two tighten their hug and stay in that silent moment for a few minutes. It was just them in the family room, with no one to witness the loving hug they were in. "We're going to win, Aidan, together. I promise."
"I hope so," Aidan whispered. Soon they separated from each other, while holding hands as they smiled. "You have done so much for me in all the time we've spent together, Rias. For that, I will always be in your debt. One way or another, I'm going to beat that son of a bitch of a Phenex, and free you from this marriage."
Rias nodded with a smile. She then looked away with a blush and asked, "I-I'd like it if you sleep with me in my room. Just like old times."
Aidan held onto his warm smile before leaning down a bit and lightly kissed her head, then placed his forehead onto hers as they gazed affectionately into each other's eyes.
"I would love that," Aidan whispered to her.
There were no more nightmares for Aidan nor for Rias for the rest of that night. At least for now.
THE NEXT DAY…
"Aidan, I want you to use your Sacred Gear and your sword," Rias instructed before he and the others could even begin their next day of training. In her hands was Dawnbreaker tucked in its sheath. "Can you handle that?"
"I thought I was forbidden from using my Sacred Gear," Aidan said as he stood with Asia, Kiba and Koneko, while Akeno was standing next to Rias. The so-called Dark Prince of Kuoh soon looked at his bandaged left arm. "Not with this corruption lingering through me."
"Only without my permission," Rias clarified. She then walked over to Aidan and handed him his sword. She then whispered into his left ear, "Try not to worry too much about the corruption. Hopefully, we will have figured out a way to at least slow it down for these last eight days."
She then turned to Kiba and said, "Kiba, why don't you pair up with him?"
"Sure thing," Kiba responded. He and Aidan walked away from each other to have space, before turning their bodies to face one another. Kiba got into a fighting pose with his demonic sword. "I'm going easy on you!"
Aidan nodded as he unsheathed Dawnbreaker. Grasping it with two hands, he brought the blade forward to him and leans his forehead against the face of the blade, as if he was praying. Then, his Sacred Gear emerges in a red crystallized light on his left arm. Relaxing himself, he summons his demonic power and that of his Sacred Gear into his sword.
By his mental calling, the power flows through Aidan's body, coursing through him like a raging torrent that was also calm. But on Rias' observation, she notices the black veins from his left arm slowly creep their way up past his shoulder and at the base of his neck. She felt concerned but nonetheless wanted to continue.
"Keep that power flowing!" She commanded. "Use your sword to bring out your power!"
Aidan grips his sword tighter, channeling more power into the weapon. Dawnbreaker begins to glow red and white in power, emanating such strong demonic magic.
"Great, keep it coming," Rias exclaimed.
'More. Give me more. I don't care what you do to my body. I need more.'
Aidan doubles the amount of power as the black veins further spread into his chest. The ground also begins to crack below his feet. One can wonder if this could cause an earthquake, however minor it would be.
Finally, after a few more minutes of power gathering, Dawnbreaker was fully enveloped in a red and white glow as electricity sprouted off of it in such a violent way. Aidan was able to contain and control his magic better than yesterday, but it was not enough as he does not have full control over it. And yet, he cannot help but feel like he was not a Devil anymore. The amount of magic he had poured in and gathered was so great that it even rivaled Rias' magic levels.
Perhaps his Sacred Gear and the dark influence it has played a part in it once more. Of that, he can only dread.
"Alright, that's enough," Rias said. "You feel it now, don't you? You've never been able to endure this much power before in the past. Your battles with Raynare, Freed, the Fallen Angels, the Demons, and now your training; this is the result of everything you've been through. You are now stronger than you've ever hoped to be!"
Aidan heard her but continued to look at his sword imbued with the power. If this was the power needed to beat Riser, would it be enough? Would he be able to use it to defeat him, or perhaps kill him for good?
In the back of his mind, he knew his answer and kept it from the others.
"Let's keep this moving," Rias said. "You have my permission to use your sword in this spar, Aidan."
But just as he heard that and complied…
*FWBOOM*
A sudden burst of energy erupted from him and empowered his blade.
"What the—AGGHH!" Aidan screams in pain as black and red lightning suddenly shoots out in all directions both from his blade and his body. Everyone was caught off guard that they were all knocked off their feet from the random blasts.
"Aidan!" Rias cried. "What's happening?"
When the smoke cleared, Kiba was the first to get up close. He saw Aidan on the ground, holding his left arm trying to contain the unexpected and volatile power surge. The black veins in his left arm began to spread on a more rapid pace, covering his body and slowly going up his face.
"Kiba… Run! I can't… stop it!"
Kiba did not know what to do though, too stunned of what he had seen. As A Knight, he should be stalwart and stand strong, but he was consumed with fear.
"What's happening?" Asia asked as she and the other girls watched in concern of Aidan's power surge. His sword, once glowing white and red, became black and red instead and was a lot more unstable. Even from where they were standing, they felt the energy. While it was definitely Devil-like in nature, there was also something else. Something more dark and sinister, almost like what had happened back in the clubroom a couple days ago.
"Something has taken hold of him," Akeno said. "And he cannot control it!"
Rias' eyes widened, not wanting to believe who it could have been. "Could it be… Kiba, strike him now!"
The blonde Knight was snapped out of his stupor and immediately charges at Aidan. He jumps high into the air and raises his sword over his head to bring it down on Aidan. Kiba, in his mind, would want to end this disaster before it got worse.
*CLASH*
Both swords clashed against one another as Aidan, with his eyes turned red, raised his blade to block the downward strike. The clash was so violent that Kiba's sword shattered into pieces, prompting him to back off and summon another.
He immediately charges in, ready to strike again, but sees Aidan stand up and raise his sword above his head.
"RAAAAAHH!" Aidan lets out a demonic scream and swung his sword downwards, slamming it to the ground.
What happened next was the dark and corrupted power was released from the sword, creating a large mass of power that took the form of an arch that left the blade and rocketed towards Kiba at incredible speeds, creating a massive dirt trench along the way.
Kiba saw the attack coming towards him and, with his Knight abilities, was barely able to dodge the attack. But as it passed by him, the intensity of the arch knocked him to the ground. With it missing its target, the arch moved towards one of the mountains, next to the one that group was made and made contact, slicing down the middle of the structure.
A couple seconds passed by before…
*BOOOOM*
To everyone's astonishment and disbelief, the arch cut the entire mountain in two, continuing its trajected path before eventually dissipating away. They could not believe what they had just seen with their own eyes as they saw one mountain be split in two by a Pawn alone. More than a little bit of an overkill one may add. Then again, it was based off of the growing power of the Al'Diabolos Terror Claws, a weapon of Terror itself.
*CLING CLANG*
Aidan collapses to the floor, dropping his sword Dawnbreaker in the process. The pain and abominable power had passed but he was left exhausted, if not frightened of what had happened.
"Aidan!" Asia cried worriedly before rushing towards him. "Are you okay?"
Rias joined in and turned him over to put his head on her lap. The black veins retreated back into his left arm and, to her relief, he was still breathing but exhausted.
"Oh thank goodness," She said. "Asia, can you use your Twilight Healing to replenish him?"
"R-right!" She said, wasting no time as her rings glowed green to help Aidan.
"Looks like he unwillingly used up all of his strength on that attack," Akeno commented with a worried expression. While astonished by the attack, she was left concerned of what she and the others had seen. "Throughout the training, and form witnessing previous battles, it's clear that while he is a skilled fighter with a sword, his Sacred Gear is somehow still gathering power in a way we know not of."
Kiba would concur as he brought up one of his broken swords, "I'll say. To tell you the truth, I am astonished but also afraid. He and I are nearly matched in terms of skill but in terms of power, he surpasses most if not all of us. But what on earth was that volatile power surge?"
Koneko could only guess, "…It's his Sacred Gear. Perhaps Diablo within."
Rias focused on Aidan's head in her lap, resting his eyes. "Aidan," She whispered to herself. "You are the key to the Rating Game. Your attack will critically affect the direction in which this battle moves. And yet…"
Rias remembers Aidan's promise of how he would beat Riser and pull her out of this forced marriage. He did indeed had the power and training, as well as the team ready to back him up. Aidan had indeed come a long way.
But once again, she could sense the darkness looming within his soul. Concerned, she holds him tight and lifts up his left bandaged arm with her left, sensing that it has grown cold, probably due to the black veins within.
When the Rating Game comes, she had better pray that Aidan will not be possessed in the process or she will lose everything. She cannot afford to win her first game without sacrificing Aidan in the process. But once this was over, she vowed to herself to find a way to cure Aidan and stop this dark poisoning influence on his soul.
Training section of the chapter is now done. Now I can move onto the Rating Game chapter which will take a while as I do intend to change a few things in the battle, especially concerning the three girls in Riser's peerage plus Ravel. I won't give away the details and spoilers yet so you will just have to wait and see for yourself.
10 days to train may seem like a long and good amount of time but time will go by fast for them. And yet, it may not be enough. Of course Malthael had to come in and wreck the fourth lesson. Then again, no one can stop death from doing anything really. And the fact that Aidan lied about not knowing who he is to everyone would probably be a wise move since for now, they still believe Malthael is currently missing and not been heard from since.
So now there comes a dark potential truth Aidan may be seeing in his dreams. The fact that the Gremory Family may hold the Red Soulstone of Diablo would make sense given of his Sacred Gear and of his corruption. And yet, there are still more secrets that the Devils hold and have kept only to a select few, like Grayfia and the man she was speaking to (I'm sure you know who that is.)
The shadows close in as the darkness falls once more upon Sanctuary. With a prophecy from Diablo II, it may come to light.
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