What's up, everyone! This is GKC here bringing you the next chapter in Fate DxD. I'm gonna skip all of the bullcrap that I'd normally spout out and all that shit.
Now for the disclaimer: I do not own, except my OC, the Fate series, Highschool DxD, or any material related. All rights go to their respective owners.
Now let's get this party started… BEGIN!
Fate/DxD
Chapter 6: Riser Arc: Training
(Begin Ougon no Kagayaki by Number 201)
(Instruments) The camera opens to a nighttime view of Kuoh, panning as a stream of white light hops across the rooftops. The light stops to reveal Savior, who notices a scarlet red light pass by him then follows after it. The screen cuts to a scene at the Academy to reveal Rias unleashing her Orb of Destruction at a shadowy smirking figure only for it to cast aside the attack then disperse a shockwave at the Gremory princess, who was saved by the untimely arrival of Issei with the Boosted Gear on his right arm. Cuts back to the nighttime scene where the white and scarlet lights clash with each other then land on the side of a building, revealing them to be Savior while his opponent was Avenger. Both Heroic Spirits lunged at one another, Savior with his sword raised while Avenger smirked, producing a set of deadly black claws
(Mune no oku fukaku hisomu kono kizu wa) Cuts to Ren's face, eyes opened, as the camera pans out to reveal him standing on the rooftop of Kuoh Academy, overlooking the town with the sun beginning to rise
(Iyasareru koto wa nai) A brief image of black and white feathers enshrouds the screen before flying away to reveal Savior resting against a tree, sword by his side, as he opens his palm to allow one of the white feathers to land in his hand
(Daraka boku tachi wa kono mi sutesatte) Cuts to Rias in the Occult Research Club room, sitting at her desk, with her Peerage by her side
(Tsuyokunarou to chikatta) Cuts to a shadowy cloaked figure, watching the town from atop of a tall structure, a wicked grin appearing underneath the hood
(Dare mo ga negai) Cuts to reveal Saber lounging on a rather expensive chair, her jagged red sword by her side with Caster leaning on top with her tail swishing about behind her
(Inochi butsuke au) Cuts to Lancer upon a stone bridge, twirling her crimson spear, releasing a breath of cold air from her lungs while Berserker appears from beneath the bridge, his blood red visor glowing in the darkness
(Mayoi wa iranai) Cuts to Rider and Assassin standing on the metal beams of a steel bridge, the lights of Kuoh cascading all around them
(Tatakau to kimeta kara) Cuts to Ruler and Archer back-to-back as the sun shines down upon the two before cutting to brief images of Rias, Issei, Savior, and Ren
(Furikazu ougon no kagayaki) The camera cuts to Ren in his Saber Install blade-locking a black version of Saber, both roaring as they break the lock and slash at each other with their swords, sending sparks flying
(Tozasareta yoru wo hiraku yaiba) Cuts to Rider unleashing a blood red magic circle, Archer firing an arrow from her bow, and Lancer using her Noble Phantasm against an Alter version of Cu Chulainn
(Kotae nado naito shitte ite mo) Cuts to Kokabiel grinning maliciously while an army of Fallen Angels appears behind him, wielding spears of light
(Risou no hate wo motome tsuzukeru) Ren looks back to see three young girls appear in a flash. Two of them revealed to be Illya and Miyu while the other was Kuro. All three wave at him to which he sighs with a sweatdrop
(Ano hi miageta hoshi wa ima mo) Cuts to a pale hand outstretching towards a golden light
(Yakitsuite kieru koto wa nai yo) Cuts to Savior bringing his sword up to bear while twelve glowing white wings appear on his back
(Tatta hitotsu no tashikana mono) The Heroic Spirit raises his weapon, the blade surrounded by holy energy, then slashes down, evoking a massive pillar of light that climbs to the darkened skies
(Hajimari no jibun oikaketeiku) Cuts back to Ren looking up at the starlit night sky, in a field of flowers as his Command Seals glow then fade away
(Instruments) The camera pans away from Ren for a few seconds, dark grey clouds enshrouding him from view as the title materializes in front of the screen
(End of Opening)
Grail Faction HQ (aka Ren's Penthouse)
Violet eyes gingerly awoke to the light of a small lamp on a small table.
Raynare felt her body wrapped in dressings and bandages. "Where am I?" She asked no one in particular, confused and a little terrified of being in an unfamiliar environment.
"You are in my Master's home." A sultry, robotic voice spoke, drawing the Fallen Angel's gaze over to Rider, who was looking upon Raynare with her blindfold. "You've been asleep for the past day."
"What happened to me?" She asked, feeling cautious about the Servant since she radiated a familiar energy that shook her to the core.
"Savior defeated you and your cohorts. My Master deemed you worthy enough to keep alive." Rider stated.
"Your… Master?" Raynare inquired.
"The one you injured back at the church." Rider clarified.
"Oh…" She shivered when she remembered how Lucifer brutalized her and her fellow Fallen without a shred of mercy. "What about my comrades?"
"They live. Your injuries were quite severe. Our Master had our healer keep them stable." The lavender-haired Servant replied.
"Where are they?" Raynare asked albeit timidly.
"They are near. For now, you must rest. Our Master will be off training in the mountains so until then, you're stuck here." Rider answered. "However, he's also given me orders to discipline you Fallen Angels if you cause any trouble for me." A thin sly grin appeared on her beautiful face.
In that moment, Raynare gulped in terror of the masked woman.
Meanwhile - In the Mountains
Rias, Issei, Akeno, Yuuto, Asia, and Koneko stood on the grassy field, looking upon Ren who was dressed in an entirely new outfit. Said outfit consisted of a dark forest green camo jacket, a light brown t-shirt, forest camouflage pants, brown combat boots, and a US Army helmet.
"Good morning, cadets!" Ren spoke in a militaristic tone of voice. "I see you've come to begin your training."
"Uh, Sanada-senpai," Issei interjected, a bit confused by his friend's attire. "Why are you wearing-"
"Did I give you permission to talk, maggot!" Ren demanded, getting in the Pawn's face as the young Devil shrinked back in terror.
"N-no…" He squeaked.
"You will address me as 'drill sergeant' and nothing else! Do you get me, maggot!" The Sorcerer yelled in Issei's face, comically knocking him down to the ground from the vibration of his voice.
"Yes, drill sergeant!" Issei replied, standing at attention like an Army private fresh out of boot camp.
"Good!" He turned his hardened gaze to the others. "Line up, maggots!"
In a blink of an eye, the rest of the Gremory Peerage lined up, standing at attention like proper soldiers, lest they incur the wrath of Savior's Master.
Watching the display were Savior, Saber, Lancer, Caster, Ruler, Berserker, and Assassin. Each of the Servants (except Assassin) sweatdrop at the sight with awkward clouds over their heads.
"Master Ren is… really getting into character." Ruler admits with a nervous chuckle.
"I never pegged him to dress up like a military officer." Berserker remarked.
"Mother is really cool!" Assassin cheered, giggling playfully at the sight of the terrified Devils.
Caster gives the scarred girl a dry look. "You really need to stop watching late-night movies before bed."
"You realize that you're talking to a child, right?" Lancer remarked with her arms folded beneath her breasts.
Savior rubs the back of his head. "I'm a little concerned on what Ren has planned for Gremory-san and her friends."
Saber grinned rather cheerfully. "Relax, I'm sure it couldn't be that bad."
Five Minutes Later…
"I stand corrected." The blonde swordswoman dryly replied.
"Come on, creampuffs! I wanna see you sweating!" Ren shouts as he glares down at the six Devils that were doing push ups, sit ups, and jumping jacks. Each of them dressed in workout clothing to keep from sweating in their clothes.
"My arms…! They burn…!" Issei whined as he did his fifty-second push up.
"Just keep going, Issei-kun!" Rias pants, trying to keep her own exhaustion from showing.
"This is going a bit too far…" Berserker sweatdrops.
Assassin, being the child she is, helped her 'mother' by sitting on Issei's back, much to his displeasure. "Better keep going. Or else mother will get angry with you."
"You're not making this easy for me!" The Pawn exclaimed, trying his best to keep up with his friends.
"Less talking, more pushing, maggot!" The red-eyed Master yelled.
"Yes, drill sergeant!" Issei replied, continuing his push ups.
"This is gonna be good…" Lancer smirked.
"I'll make some popcorn." Savior reluctantly replied.
Several (back-breaking) Hours Later…
"I can't feel my legs…" Asia moaned in pain, massaging her aching limbs.
"My arms… they burn… so bad…" Issei groaned, collapsing on his face.
"I didn't think Sanada-kun would be this brutal…" Akeno had a rather lewd smile on her face. "It's almost arousing…"
Yuuto sweatdropped at the Queen's usual demeanor. "I find your tastes to be quite… questionable."
Rias, despite her exhaustion, managed to still look regal and dignified. "Ren is only doing this to help us win. So we have to endure whatever training that he has for us."
"Yeah! I must get strong for Buchou!" Issei proclaimed, his earlier sore muscles gone. "I'm the only one that gets to touch her breasts!"
The Ruin Princess's cheeks burned in embarrassment at her Pawn's declaration while Koneko gave the brunette a cold, emotionless stare. "Pervert…" She said robotically.
The boy deflates, his pride broken due to the white-haired girl's comment. "Why are you so mean to me?!"
"Break time's over, maggots!" Ren shouted, making the Devils flinch a bit in terror. "Warm ups are over so it's time to get down to the real training!"
"Bring it, senpai! I'm ready!" The Pawn declared, regaining his enthusiasm.
The Sorcerer's frown turned into a sly yet sinister grin. "Oh, you'll lose that fire once my Servants are finished with you."
"Eh?" The pervert's expression changed drastically. Ren's training was back-breaking but to the Servants? This sounds worse. Much, much worse.
"Now, here's how this will go. I will be placing one of you with a Servant. They will train and judge you on your training." With a snap of his fingers, Ren's Servants appeared one by one. Issei, being himself, ogled at the beautiful women, or more specifically, their breasts. "Asia, you shall be training with Ruler since you're more suited to a support role."
"Um, okay," The new Bishop shyly nodded as she looked at her new teacher nervously.
Ruler smiled gently at the girl. "It's alright. As long as you try your best then you'll pass with flying colors."
"Koneko," Ren spoke, getting the Rook's attention. "You'll be under the tutelage of Lancer. And just to note: She's an even harsher sensei than me."
"Okay." The girl replied neutrally, despite her cat-like instincts telling her to flee.
Lancer grinned. "Do not worry. I'll try not to make your suffer- I mean, training, as brutal." Koneko could tell in those crimson eyes, it was a different story.
"Yuuto, since you're quite like a Saber," The Sorcerer gestured to the red-garbed blonde behind him. "You'll be training with… well, Saber."
The Prince of Kuoh smiled at his new instructor. "I look forward to it, sensei."
The boisterous girl puffed her chest with pride. "Wonderful! I'll train you in the art of swordsmanship with fiery passion!"
"Akeno, your instructor shall be Caster." Ren gestures to the fox-eared girl.
"Yes, this is my time to shine for Goshujin-sama!" The pink-haired Servant cheered softly. "I won't let you down!"
Akeno smirks. "Caster? So you're a mage, huh?"
"Mhmm! A very powerful mage, in fact." Caster declared with a prideful smirk.
"Gremory-san," Ren thought about it then glanced at his remaining Servants. Berserker was definitely out. Assassin would sooner 'play' with her. Then there's Savior… "Your instructor is Savior."
"Say what?!" The King of Hell exclaimed in shock.
"You heard me."
"Why do I have to train her? Can't you get Rider or Archer to do this?! Maybe another Servant?" Savior pleaded, trying to get out of being Rias's instructor.
"Your fighting style seems more compatible for Rias," His Master explained. "I don't see why that would be a problem."
"Here's a reason: I use a sword. She doesn't. I can only use either of my true forms if you use a Command Seal. Do you see where I'm going with this?" Savior explained.
"Don't care. You're still her teacher." Ren smirked.
"I hate you right now." The Servant whined with anime tears.
Ignoring his whine, Ren looks at the Devils. "Now, with your given instructors, you will all endure their own methods of training." His grin turned devious. "Good luck."
"Wait, what about me?" Issei complained. "You didn't give me a teacher!"
"Oh yes, I didn't." Ren thought about it then snapped his fingers. "Berserker shall be your teacher. Try not to die because he has full use of his Mad Enchantment skill."
Issei's skin drained color and glanced at the said Servant. This was going to be pure torture for the poor pervert. Especially when the mad Servant's helmet sealed over his head once more, igniting the red visor with a hellish glow. As if on cue, a shadowy fog surrounded the knight, making Berserker even more terrifying.
"Enjoy." Ren grinned, marching off to have a nice nap while the Devils endure his Servants' methods of training.
Asia/Ruler
Ruler stood before her pupil with a hard look in her usually gentle purple eyes. "Now, Asia-chan, your Sacred Gear is a healing device, correct?"
"Y-Yes it is." She confirmed.
"Hmm, then I suppose we should start by improving your experience with it." The Maid of Orleans suggested.
"Really?" Asia never thought about improving the use of her Sacred Gear, especially after...
"It is best to improve its use than letting it stay in its current strength."
"But how?" The nun asked innocently.
Ruler gave her an apologetic grin. "Regretfully, it requires you to be injured in order for that to happen."
"W-What?" She did not like where this was going.
"Sorry about this." Ruler summoned her war flag. "In all essence, this should help boost your agility and your instincts."
"I-Is there any other way?"
"I'm afraid not. Combat is the only way to receive experience." The Servant replied. "If it becomes too much, tell me."
Asia felt nervous about this. She never fought before but, she didn't want to disappoint Rias, or more importantly Issei. She wants to help them.
"Prepare yourself, Asia-chan." With that said, Ruler lunged at the girl, striking with her war flag. While she wasn't going for life-threatening wounds, she still managed to scratch Asia's shoulder, deep enough to draw blood. "Remember, your opponent will not be as merciful as me. You need to learn when to dodge an attack and when to flee if necessary."
The young nun took stock of her advice and took notice of the incoming war flag. She squeaked as her body took initiative and ducked with her hands on top of her head.
"Do not close your eyes! Keep moving!" Ruler scolded the girl as she tripped Asia with the staff of her war flag, knocking her onto her back.
The younger blonde landed on her back with a yelp. Already this was starting to hurt, but she fought back the tears that threatened to fall.
"You have to dodge, Asia-chan. Do you want to help your friends?" Ruler questioned the nun.
"Y-yes," The Bishop nodded timidly.
"Then prove you can help them! They saved you, so you must help them in return! Now dodge!" She swings the war flag one last time.
In that moment, Asia's instincts took over, forcing her to roll clumsily to her side, avoiding the speartip of the war flag. "I-I did it." She looked at the spot she had once been in awe.
The corner of Ruler's lips curled, "Are you ready to try again?"
Asia looks at Ruler before her expression now became confident. "Yes."
Koneko/Lancer
"Hmm, from what my Master tells me, you're a Rook. Am I right?" Lancer asked with her arms folded beneath her breasts. "A piece that possesses great strength and defense at the cost of speed."
"Yes." She replied robotically.
"While that is quite useful in a skirmish, you can only take so much punishment before you succumb to defeat." Lancer stated. "For your training, we will increase your speed." She summoned two red spears. "However, you must not get hit even if you can't dodge, you will force yourself to dodge." Without another word, she struck at the Rook with the shaft of her spear.
The petite Devil reacted but was not fast enough to dodge the sheer speed of the attack. Her Rook-granted abilities kept her from receiving any violent injuries but she frowned from how easy her teacher made it seem.
"What did I say?" Lancer frowned in disappointment at her student. "If you can't dodge, force yourself to do it." She attacked Koneko again, striking faster than usual.
The young Devil pushed her legs to allow herself to dodge again, only it still wasn't fast enough.
"You have to be quicker than that, little Devil." Again, she thrust her spear at Koneko.
"Too fast." The girl comments, struggling to get up. "Can't keep up."
"That's quitter talk. Are you giving up?" Lancer frowned.
"No. Not giving up."
"Then dodge again!" The Servant slashed with her spears.
The moment her spears were about to make contact with the girl, Koneko used every bit of strength in her legs to push herself out of the way, avoiding the spear tips.
Koneko looked amazed at herself. Despite her Rook status, she managed to avoid a high speed thrust from a spear. An accomplishment that made her feel proud of herself for some reason.
"Well done." Lancer grinned lightly. "Only several more hours of this and your speed should be up to par with most Rooks."
"I understand. I want to go again."
"I love that enthusiasm of yours, little girl. Wish my old pupils had that fire in you." The Heroic Spirit smirked, entering her combat stance once more then attacked.
Yuuto/Saber
"Now, when it comes to swordsmanship, I'm quite the artist." Saber remarked, presenting her jagged red sword, Aestus Estus. "What I'm about to teach you is how to have flair and how to take hits."
"But I already know how to defend myself." Yuuto clarified.
"Ah, but from what I hear, the Knight is quite fast yet lacks an effective defense. You're basically, as the modern world would call it, a glass cannon." Saber pointed out. "If I were to hit you with all of my strength right now, you would undoubtedly either succumb to unconsciousness or die."
Yuuto's eyes flinched at the remark. Clearly she knew more ways around a sword than he does. He knew this would be a problem but the boy had resolved to do this all for Buchou's sake. "If that is the case then I'll endure anything just to get Buchou out of this engagement."
"I like your attitude, boy." Saber twirled her sword, entering a combat stance. "Now, let's see how good you really are." With a single step, the female Servant lunged at her fellow blonde, slashing with her scarlet red blade.
Yuuto used his Sacred Gear to summon a demon sword to counter his instructor's own blade. However, the force behind it shattered his sword with hardly any effort. "What the…!?"
"A sword must be crafted with the right properties that matches a swordsman's style and finesse," The blonde Servant pointed out, twirling her blade in hand. "If it doesn't match then it simply shatters into dust."
"But that was one of my best blades…" Yuuto grimaced.
"Well, then it seems your best was nothing but a fake." Saber remarked a bit harsh. "If you want to grow stronger, you must have a firm resolve. You mustn't think of your sword as a tool but as an extension of yourself."
He mentally grimaced at the remark she made towards him. His Sacred Gear allows him to summon his swords but to hear from an expert swordsman seeing him use his swords as mere tools felt like an insult towards him and his skills with a sword.
"Now, come at me again. Attack me with every bit of passion and fire that you can expend." Saber ordered. "So decrees the Emperor of Rome!" She channeled fire magic through her sword, shrouding it in flames like a crimson flower of death.
With a firm resolve, Yuuto summons two swords at once then charges at the Servant with his Knight-issued speed. His attacks became a blur to the human eye, striking at the woman with the ferocity of a tiger. However, Saber avoided each strike lazily and without any difficulty, like she could foresee where they would be before he would even throw a blow.
"A sword must be swift, not reckless." She stated, dodging each strike. "And one other thing about a sword." Blocking both blades with her own, her eyes looked into Yuuto's own. "They must also know when to not be suckered in a ploy." She grinned.
"Eh?" The Prince of Kuoh Academy blinked in confusion.
In a split second, Saber kicked Yuuto's feet out from under him then while he was in the air, struck him with another well-placed kick in the abdomen, knocking the air out of him as he flew and crashed into the ground.
With a pained groan, the Knight looked up from the crater he made, looking at his instructor with scratches and bruises. "That was a dirty move…" He says with a hiss of pain.
"While chivalry is acceptable and fulfilling in life, not everyone will accept the rules of an honorable knight." Saber states as she plants her sword into the ground. "That's why you need to play dirty once in awhile. That is the method if you want to win."
Yuuto, while in pain, managed to give a curt nod of understanding.
"Now, wanna continue or are you just gonna lie there?"
Despite his aching body, the young Devil braced himself with his blade, slowly pushing himself back to his fight then prepared himself for more punishment. "Bring it on, Saber-san."
"That's the spirit!"
Caster/Akeno
The Heroic Spirit of Magic looked upon her pupil with a wide grin. "Now, Akeno-chan, what sort of Magecraft can you use?" She asked.
"Magecraft?" The Queen of Rias' Peerage raised an eyebrow.
"Oh right," The kitsune realized that magecraft in this dimension was different. "What I meant to say was your magic. What can you do?"
"I can use elemental magic, primarily lightning."
"Good, good," Caster nods in acceptance. "What other forms of magic can you perform?"
All she received was silence.
"You don't know any other form of magic, do you?"
The masochist/sadist girl's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "No…"
Caster sighed. "This will be more difficult than I thought." She claps her hands. "No matter, it's time we begin practice. For that, you must learn to feel the elemental energies around you."
"And how would I do that?"
"Focus on the elemental affinity." Caster instructed. "Through meditation." The girl crossed her legs as she sat on the ground and focused her magic circuits to feel the energies of the Earth. A brush of wind flowed through her hair as the scent of water and earth enters her nostrils. "With practice, you can smell even the greatest of the elements like ether, fire, or lightning. Let it be a part of you, let that very element become, not a tool, but apart of your very being."
Akeno did as her instructor commanded, meditating as calmly as possible. However, she could feel nothing except for the wind blowing through her dark hair. "Nothing's happening."
She received a bonk on the head, courtesy of Caster's mirror. "No talking. Focus. Deep breaths and then exhale. Listen to my words carefully and focus."
The busty girl followed through with her teacher's instructions, inhaling and exhaling every five seconds. "Alright, I'm ready."
"Now, let my previous words come to mind. Let the elements be a part of you, let it become something more than a tool. Let it be your very being."
Akeno focused with as much calm and patience as she possibly could with her sadistic mind. It took a while but eventually she could smell something. A scent that seemed sweet yet pungent at the same time. "I smell something…" She spoke softly. Then came a sparkle. It was brief but it surrounded her figure like a coiling snake, resembling an electrical current.
"Excellent work, grasshopper." The Servant grinned proudly. "Now continue that focus, embrace it."
Akeno heeded her instructor's advice. She kept her focus, allowing the elemental energy to blanket her being. It felt almost like…
*CRACK*
A crack of thunder echoed in her eardrums as bioelectricity surrounded her. "Of course…" She frowned. "Lightning."
Caster giggled. "Oh well, no need to feel bad about it. Sometimes there are those that can use a few elements, others can only use one." She pats her student's head. "You should feel proud that your connection with the element of lightning is so strong. The stronger the affinity, the more powerful it will become. Perhaps we can use that to its advantage."
"What do you mean?" Akeno inquired, tilting her head a smidge cutely.
"Lightning seems to be your main element. You can master its power in more useful ways, that is if you are up for it?" Caster sent a sly grin at her pupil.
Akeno returned the sly gesture. "Oh, I'm all for it."
"Then let us begin your training to become a master of lightning magic." She announced.
Issei/Berserker
With Issei, the young Pawn was enjoying his time training with the black knight. It was like playing with your best friend.
"SOMEONE HELP ME!" A shrill cry pierced the air.
If said best friend wasn't trying to constantly murder you and roaring like a deranged madman.
Berserker trailed behind him, wielding a tree branch shrouded by a dark fog. He growled as he swung his makeshift weapon down, striking the earth near the Pawn, sending him flying and crashing to the ground. This was crazy! He never thought the crazy knight could use any object as a living weapon! First, it was originally his bare hands (which was painful), then with a sturdy branch (that nearly broke his bones), and now he is close to getting mauled by the very knight with his weapons!
"Why did I have to train with this guy? Why couldn't I get one of those hot chicks? At least getting beaten by them would've been better since I could touch their breasts if I fought them…" Issei whined to himself.
"Kid, stop being a wuss and punch this guy!" The dragon within his Sacred Gear remarked angrily, embarrassed that his vessel was being beaten by a mere spirit.
He quickly moved back as the tree branch impaled the ground in front of him. He nearly lost his boys! Quickly raising his head, he gawked as the mad knight was now carrying a tree. A freaking tree, carrying it like it was nothing!
"Screw this! I'm running for my life!" Issei screamed as he fled from the mad Servant.
"What are you doing? Fight that mad spirit!"
"Ddraig!? How am I supposed to fight that?!" He exclaimed, ducking to avoid his head from being removed.
"Idiot! You have a Sacred Gear, which is me! Use my power to beat him!" The spirit within the Boosted Gear stated.
"Oh yeah," Summoning his draconic red gauntlet with a green gemstone embedded on the back of the hand, Issei channeled its power into the gem.
[Boost]
Berserker didn't care if the boy tried to raise his power. He made the mistake in stopping just to use his Sacred Gear and it was going to cost him. The black knight threw his fist at the Pawn with the intent to cave his skull in.
The pervert's gauntlet glowed with power, boosting his strength. Raising his arm to defend himself, the dark gauntlet met the red counterpart. While the amount of force would have broke his arm, the Boost ability granted Issei a boost of power. However, even the gap was still wide as Issei's body was flung to a tree.
Seeing as how his student/punching bag wouldn't be getting up anytime soon, Berserker deactivated his Mad Enchantment skill due to his Master's order that allowed him to freely activate/deactivate it whenever he wished. The Servant's helmet retracted into the collar of his armor, revealing his face to Issei. "Your control over your weapon is lackluster at best. Had I not held back most of my strength, you would've died."
"Ow…" The Pawn breathed out. His back felt like it was hit by a car.
Berserker released a sigh then stepped towards his pupil, outstretching his hand to the boy. "Come." He offered. "You've done well in surviving so far."
To Issei, it didn't feel like survival. It was more like a predator chasing after its prey. He was glad this was over. It was pure torture and he realized one thing: Never train with Berserker…
"Are you going to sit there like a frightened child, or are you going to take my hand?" Berserker spoke in a tone fit for a scolding teacher. "Didn't you say that you would get stronger for Rias Gremory?"
Issei looks at the black knight. It was what he wanted to do. He wanted to get stronger for the Gremory heiress. He won't let a yakitori hurt her either! The training, he needed to get stronger. For her. He reaches for Berserker's hand and takes hold with a grip.
The Heroic Spirit grins, lifting the Pawn back to his feet. "Now…" His helmet seals over his head as the red visor flashed. "Shall we continue?"
"If it's for Buchou, then I am ready!"
"Good," Berserker could already feel his sanity leave him the moment he reactivated his Class Skill. "Then prepare yourself, boy!" His last word sounding more like a roar and a growl.
Issei knew this was going to hurt.
Rias/Savior
The Heroic Spirit rubbed the back of his golden brown hair, wondering how he would train this girl. "Alright, what sort of fighting do you know?"
"I know how to use a few attack spells." The redhead replied.
Savior rolled his eyes. "So magic is all you can do? For a King, you're not making yourself out to be much of a threat."
Rias cheeks flushed in embarrassment but also felt insulted by the Servant's words. "There is one other ability I have…"
"Oh?"
"The Power of Destruction…"
"You already told me about it." Savior frowned, disappointed in the sister of the man that inherited his name.
"It is one of the ones I can't fully grasp."
"Now that you never mentioned. Explain it to me."
"It requires time for me to build up the needed energy."
"Ah, so in other words, leaving you vulnerable to the enemy." He received a brief nod from the King. "Very well, then we must train you in your preparation time and how to mold your power into new attacks." He presents his palms. "Like so." A sphere of light appeared in his left hand while an orb of darkness appeared in his right hand. With a few mental commands, the Servant's light and dark orbs molded into a variety of different shapes. "With focus, you can properly grasp your power and use that advantage for other uses with it."
Rias marveled at the two elements in the Servant's palms but for some reason, it worried her. "How are you able to do this?"
"I was born with the power of light. However, I did something foolish which led to my downfall, granting me control over darkness as well. With each time I use the dark power, I slowly fell into a deeper pit, ridding my light out from the core." Savior replied. "Now, shall we begin your training?"
"Yes," She accepted.
"Now, produce your Power of Destruction. We will first begin with its timing." He instructed.
The girl nods then outstretches her palm, channeling her magical energy into an Orb of Destruction. In a few minutes, a black orb with a red aura appeared near her hands.
"You managed to produce it within 5 minutes. In those minutes, your opponent would have taken that opportunity to defeat you," Savior informed. "Now, try again but focus on the energy to produce it faster."
"Right." Rias nodded in acceptance as she focused her magic reserves into her palms again, pouring it faster to grow the Orb of Destruction. However, no matter how many times she tried to do it, her timing would only get better by a few seconds. Not only that but she was starting to get tired.
Savior was beginning to see the problem with the girl's progress. "Stop." He ordered. "You are only pushing yourself to exhaustion. I can see it."
"I can still try."
"The only thing you're trying to do is kill yourself." The Servant retorted. "If you keep pushing more mana into your magic, you'll wind up draining away your own life."
Rias felt conflicted. She wanted to keep trying but Savior's warning only concerned her well-being. The heiress wanted to break the engagement from Riser. Could she really not become stronger like her precious Peerage?
"Gremory-san," Savior spoke softly, like a father would their child. "If you want to gain more experience in controlling your magic, there is a way to do it."
She raised her head to the Servant, "There is?"
"Yes," He nods, presenting an orb of darkness to the girl. "Due to my current form, I have access to both light and darkness. While light is naturally the enemy of Devils, there is a way to better harness it and the darkness. As you know, light cannot exist without darkness." Savior brought forth an orb of light then slowly placed the two elements together, however they did not meet. "Yet, both elements cannot meet. Do you see where I am going with this?"
"I… think so." She was partially confused to this explanation. She knew how light and darkness work and the spiritual ideals behind it.
"Then what I'm about to teach you will go beyond the laws of physics." At his words, the orbs in Savior's palms slowly started to merge as if they were being forced together until they made a perfect swirling diorama of the Chinese Taoism symbol for yin and yang. "Beyond even the realms of imagination. For that is where true strength in magic dwells. In order to gain this power, you must look past your own sense of self and imagine your power growing faster beyond your current level. Believe in what lies within your heart and soul."
"Believe what lies within me…" She repeated to herself, looking at her hands for a good moment.
"Imagine your power growing and appearing in front of you in the blink of an eye. Focus your energy into that singular point." The first Fallen coerced his pupil.
She closed her eyes, allowing herself to follow his instructions. Deep breaths, to focus what lies within her. Her true strength that hides itself within her soul. To look past her own self. To believe in herself, her entire being.
"You can open your eyes now." Savior said, which she could almost feel the grin on his youthful face.
Opening her delicate eyes, she noticed what lies in her palms, her eyes replaced with surprise and a feeling of accomplishment. A full Orb of Destruction radiating an almost warm, soothing emotion that made it ironic that the magic was made for killing enemies.
"Well done. You've made me quite proud, Rias." The Servant comments, using her name in such a casual manner. "Now we can begin the real training."
She nodded, now feeling determined to better herself and her own well-being to help not just herself but her dear Peerage to beat Riser.
Hours Later - Secret Gremory Manor
Ren sat at the porch, drinking a fruit smoothie brought to him by Grayfia when she came to check on their progress. So far, the two were becoming quite acquainted. Assassin even took to calling her 'auntie' like any child would.
When he opened his eyes, he was met with the exhausted faces of the Gremory Peerage and the satisfied expressions of his Servants. "I trust they've progressed to an acceptable level?"
"Indeed!" Saber said. "And determination."
The Sorcerer raised a brow. "Determination?" He repeated.
Savior sighed. "Despite Saber's bodacious response, she's quite right. These children have a fire in them that I've not seen since my final days with Father."
"Ah, I see." Ren smirked then glanced at Rias. "I'm actually surprised to see that you've all survived. Truthfully, I believed you would've given up or died from the training." He gestured to a plate with various cups of frozen, fruity beverages. "Raspberry-banana smoothie? Grayfia-san brought them over when she came to check on your progress."
Rias and her Peerage gladly accepted as they approach and individually grabbed their respective cups to enjoy the frozen beverages.
"Now, what have we learned today while training with a Heroic Spirit?" Ren inquired with a wry grin.
"To not run from the situation," Issei started, rubbing his bruised arms from the savage beatings he received while he trained with Berserker. The first few moments were torture.
"Nope." Ren replied. "Guess again."
"Not feel useless or doubt ourselves?" Yuuto guessed.
"Nope again." The magus sipped his beverage. "Any other guesses?"
The Peerage members look at one other, wondering the real answer to what they have learned from their training.
Seeing as how they were having trouble, Ren decided to answer. "It's to prove that there are stronger foes than the ones you've faced before. Not only that, but it's to show you all how to better yourselves even if you must be put through hellish training to understand that." He sets his cup down then stands up from his seat. "What you've learned is that limits were made to be broken. Do you understand?"
The teenage Devils soon begin to understand what Ren meant. The Servants were indeed strong, and the realization dawned on them. They may be Devils but the outside world is bound to have stronger foes they would have to face in the future. Those like Riser.
"I believe that's enough training for today. Let's use this time to rest." Ren stated. "Tomorrow, we begin again."
Later that Night - Hot Springs
Nero stretched her nude figure as she basked in the warm waters. "Ahhh, you never told me that you had a hot spring here, Rias Gremory!"
Like Nero, the other girls and young women of the Gremory Peerage/Grail Faction that arrived at the mountains were bathing in the hot spring.
"I must say that this is pretty relaxing." Lancer admitted, rinsing her reddish-purple hair with a wooden bucket.
"Indeed," Ruler agreed as Asia brushed her teacher's long blonde hair.
Rias sat in the hot springs with her legs crossed as her crimson hair spilled into the water. "It's not much, but after the day we've had, I think us girls can use these springs to relieve our muscles."
Koneko and Assassin played in the water together while Caster fawned over them like a mother. Aside from their different eye colors and hairstyles, the two got along quite well like sisters.
Akeno sat beside Rias, occasionally brushing her hair with her fingers while a naughty grin appeared on her face. "So… how about a little gossip?" She suggested.
"Eh?"
"Ooh, now that is something we should talk about," Caster grinned.
"Oh, I know something we should ask." Nero casted a sly grin of her own to Rias, who started to sweat nervously from the attention. "Is there a boy you like~?"
"Ooooh." The girls (save for Assassin) 'ooh'd' at the question.
"W-Well," The girl's cheeks turned the same red as her crimson hair.
"She does!" Caster squealed with joy. "Who is it? Is it Yuuto Kiba?"
"No, no, I do not!" She denied.
"Then who? Come on, spill it," The fox-eared girl insisted. "Could it be… Savior?"
"Or Berserker?" Lancer offered.
"Maybe even our Master?" Ruler suggested.
At this point, all of the girls were invading Rias's personal space. "P-Please give me space everyone." She pleaded. "I'll tell you who if you all back away."
Like elementary children, the girls backed up, looking at the young woman with expectant glares.
"The one I like…" She felt her cheeks burn. "Is… my Pawn…"
The women present gave Rias blank stares.
"Seriously?" Caster inquired dryly.
"That creep?" Saber added.
"It seems the younger generation of this age have even lower expectations in a man than I realized." Lancer remarked.
Assassin blinked her eyes innocently. "Red lady likes the dragon boy? That's icky." She pouts with a child-like aura.
"Let's not judge her because she likes Hyoudou-kun. I think it's cute she has a crush on him." Ruler smiled beautifully like a radiant maiden.
"He's a pervert," Koneko stated.
Akeno, however, licked her lips. "True, but he's just too adorable at times. Though, it's hard to differentiate between Issei-kun and Sanada-kun."
"How so?" Caster asked with curiosity.
"Well, they're friends, right? So wouldn't it have been interesting to see what Sanada-kun would've done with our dear, little Pawn?" The Queen grinned. "In fact, it's astonishing the two are friends at all."
"Master Ren once told me that he saw something in Hyoudou-kun that reminded him of himself." Ruler admitted.
Caster gasped. "He was a pervert?!"
"No," The blonde retorted. "He saw the potential to be something greater. To be better than himself."
This gave them relief, even Koneko felt relieved. She'd rather not deal with another pervert like Issei.
"Hmm," Akeno narrowed her eyes at Ruler, who started to shrink back a bit from the way she was being looked at.
"W-what?"
"You've got really nice skin, Ruler-san." Before the Servant realized it, the Queen of Rias's Peerage ran her finger along the blonde's abdomen.
"Eek!" Ruler squeaked. "Akeno-san!"
Meanwhile behind the door that led to the hot springs, Issei had a bright red face while Yuuto seemed nervous in doing this.
"Issei, I don't think this is such a good idea." The Knight whispered to his friend.
"It will be fine! Besides, this is so awesome!" Issei's perverted grin was seen as he listened to what was happening. "It's not like we will get caught as long as we stay quiet."
"Hehe, Ruler's got some well-proportioned breasts~" Came Akeno's voice. "Poke."
"H-hey! Don't touch them!" The Heroic Spirit exclaimed in embarrassment.
"Akeno, would you please not do- EEP!" Rias squeaks in a cute manner.
"Oh, what's the matter? Feeling left out?" Came Lancer's voice. "I wonder how you got such smooth skin? It's rather tempting to touch."
Issei's nose began to bleed from the sheer images entering his perverted mind. "This is the best moment ever!" He shouted in his thoughts.
"What are you doing?" A familiar voice froze the two boys in their tracks.
Slowly, Issei and Yuuto look back then began to break out in a cold sweat as their eyes land upon the smiling visage of Ren with Savior and Berserker behind him. Even with his eyes closed, the Pawn and Knight could feel the terrifying aura radiating around the Sorcerer.
"Uh…"
"I say again, 'what are you doing?'" Ren pressed on firmly.
"It was all his fault!" Yuuto quickly shifted the blame to the Pawn.
"Traitor!" Issei exclaimed.
"Hyoudou Issei." The said brunette froze and slowly makes eye contact with Ren.
"Meep…" The boy squeaks in fear.
"I hope these last few moments on Earth were worth it." Ren snaps his fingers, signaling Savior and Berserker to crack their knuckles. "Because now you are about to receive Divine Punishment."
"Spare me…" He squealed.
"Not a chance." The Master and his two Servants replied in unison.
From the other side of the door, the girls heard a feminine scream followed by flesh being pounded and tenderized by violent impacts.
"What was that?" Assassin asked innocently.
"Meh, probably nothing." Caster shrugged.
A/N: That's the end of the chapter. Next will be the long awaited Ratings Game.
Special thanks to a friend of mine for helping me out with this chapter. I never would've been able to complete it without his help.
Please review and comment on this chapter. If there are any problems or corrections that need to be made, inform me and I'll get it corrected. However, refrain from using flames or rude criticisms because I have a low tolerance for those.
Peace out, everyone!