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The following is a fan-based

FICTION

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Chapter 24: The End of the Beginning

You are holding back.

I grunted while blocking a kick and a punch from two different directions and countering with a dual uppercut, jumping back as soon as I did that to avoid an explosive spell to land on me.

The Queen and the Bishops of Diodora's peerage had long taken the role of snipers in the brawl, carefully taking aim with their magical barrages, ignoring whatever friendly fire as some of the pawns were dismissed by their indirect interventions.

There was no sign of betrayed looks on those who were hurt or rendered unconscious, there was no reaction whatsoever to the battle itself. I was fighting women with doll-like mindsets and that was starting to annoy me a little.

As much as I was overwhelming all of them despite the numerical advantage, I was still dealing with some issues presented by their constant assaulting. The Rooks and the Knights were the worst, keeping a safe distance and striking only when the moment was good enough to allow them to retreat afterwards.

Snarling, I let a rapier stab near my face, only managing to make a small cut on my face and allowing some blood to be spilled.

Stop holding back, goddammit!

I can't kill them.

What? We are talking about the very people that are responsible for the massacre that has occurred. WE ARE NOT SPARING MURDERERS-

AND I'M NOT GOING TO SPARE THEM. They will be put in jail and judged fairly.

By the very faulty judicial system of Hell? Are you sure that isn't an unfair and wrong kind of thing to do to broken dolls?

I am talking about Grigori's. And whatever abuse happened to them, they still shouldn't be unable to feel pain. What could be-

I ducked to avoid two kicks and rolled away as a Knight tried to capitalize on my complicated position, but my eyes widened as I started to realize what was going on with Diodora's peerage. In Canon the bastard did say that he had used a spell to remove the feeling of embarrassment from them and… what if this could be extended beyond a sole emotion?

'It is possible. Those women don't seem like they had achieved such inner peace with meditation and a spell could cause this, yes.'

If that was the case, then I could try to work on that. Spells can be broken fairly easily and I knew how to do it.

Just as the new wave of attacks from the Pawns, Rooks and Knights started, I began to dodge swiftly their physical hits, slamming my open palms on their ribs and pushing bits of my energy through their magical systems.

They had a surprised look moments later, some shaking terribly and falling on the ground as tears started to fall. Some even fainted the moment the spell was broken and soon I had removed the remaining Pawns and decimated parts of the other classes.

Whatever had happened to them prior to this event or even during this situation was resurfacing brutally and beating whatever empty determination within their minds.

Only the Bishops and the Queen remained untouched and looked fairly unconcerned by this since they were distant from my reach. Sadly I soon discovered that this predicament wasn't going to last long enough to make this fight a quick one.

"Y-You can't do that! You can't take them away from me, they re mine! MINE!" Diodora's voice whined angrily and I blinked with a small smile cracking on my face.

"Beggars ain't choosers, bastard."

"YOU CUR! Kill him, show him no mercy!"

The command quickly switched the current pattern the Queen and the Bishops had assumed until now, the long-haired woman took the lead and rushed towards me as the other two connected their magic to hers and boosted her overall stats.

I noticed early in the ensuing close-fighting that I was incredibly out-matched by the overpowered female, quickly pushed in a defensive stance as I tried and failed to get a chance to apply the anti-spell technique.

Differently from the others, the woman had a smile plastered on her face as she started to intensively bring the heat on me. I had to change strategy soon, my palms were hurting after trying to block the punches and the kicks of this stronger opponent and… I decided to pull a Krillin.

A blinding light erupted from the white orb forming in my hands, hindering the Queen and giving me an opening to rush at the distracted Bishops.

The first one 'eeped', not expecting me to rush for her and soon I had the anti-spell on her. Her body crumbled, tired mentally and magically after dealing with such difficult day but the moment I turned to reach for the remaining Bishop I was intercepted by a fist crashing on my cheek.

Eyes widening in surprise and skull vibrating at the monstrous strength coming forth with the punch, I was sent slamming on the nearby wall. Dizzy and confused, I could only turn as a kick pushed deep in my stomach, forcing my lungs to expel the air stored within them.

Groaning, I rolled away as the Queen engaged in a feral pursuit, finally speaking after so much silence.

"To think that you worried my Master. You are utter trash and your hopes are futile." I deflected another punch and ducked away from the following kick. "His love is what make us great and you will fail against him."

"E-Eh? L-Love?" I smiled, a little trail of blood falling off the corner of my lips. "I-I think you m-meant the s-sad r-retardation he is a-afflicted."

A furious roar at the jab at her King but this was all part of the plan as I dodged the kick and slammed my leg on her standing one. She tripped, slamming her head first on the floor and focusing on getting up so she could continue the fight but…

I was already rushing at the other girl, hands ready as I grasped her shoulder and had her magical core cleansed at once. Her hood feel, dark-blue eyes widening as the young woman fell on her knees with her mind unrestrained, reducing the number of my opponents to just-

"GYAAAAAAAAH!" "Ugh!"

-One.

The Queen tried to tackle me down, but the sudden deprivation of her boost made her strength more manageable and made it possible for me to hold her stuck in a forced hug. "Y-You will not win, my Master-" She stilled, the anti-spell fully curing her of the mind-control. "M-My Master- I-Is."

For a moment, she said nothing, her eyes going wide open, her brain recollecting all of what had happened today, yesterday and even much before. Her hold slowly tightened and few instants later she was clinging on me as if her life depended on it.

"M-My Ma-No, I do- C-Can't believe that-"

"Shhh." I had one of my hands run through her hair. "It wasn't your fault."

She tensed at the touch, but soon she craved for more relief away from that terrible waterfall of guilt and suppressed emotions. "D-Don't le-let go." She sobbed madly on my shoulder and I was slowly feeling my torso creaking, my ribs a little bruised by the previous fight and… it wasn't over yet.

"I don't want to let go, but I have to stop your Master from hurting others." Her hold tightened even more and I sighed. "What is your name?"

She twitched and seemed still troubled by the fact her current emotional crutch had to go now of all times.

"I-I am not going to let anyone hurt you, but I can't even have you get hurt by that bastard." I motivated once more. "What's your name."

She blinked twice. "E-Elea. My n-name is Elea."

"Ok, Elea..." I started, noticing that for some reason my backpack was… wet. "I know that you are scared and I can assure you that nothing will happen to you, but I need you to help the other girls to reach the underground section. Th-There my group will help you and-"

She sniffled. "A-Are you lying? I hurt people a-and you still want to help me?"

I blinked at that interruption. "Do you want to hurt people now that you are free from that spell."

Another sniffle. "I… I don't want to."

A small smile was now in my face. "Then you are good in my book. You all are and… you should seek some safe place, so I entrust you with their safety while I deal with Diodora." She flinched at the name but she trembled a little less now. "Can you do it for them?"

Grey eyes glanced around, her hands still grasping at my shirt and then… she let go and nodded slowly. "I-I will help them."

I smiled widely. "Good, I hope you all will recover soon then, Elea." I turned and started to finally rise through the stairs.

"B-Be careful…

H-Hoitsu-sama!"

Rias Gremory was mesmerized by the monitor from which everyone within the Maous' headquarters were staring at.

After experiencing a lengthy interrogation with a dead-serious Serafall, the heiress had expected things to be uncertain until the proclamation of her punishment which was to be delayed until the crisis was averted.

Saddened by the fact even her brother wasn't deigning her of a reaction at what had happened, the redhead was ready to spend this time to think what kind of punishment she would have to endure after this predicament, knowing full well from Serafall's own mouth that leniency was mostly off the diplomatic table with Grigori.

Azazel might not be calling for her execution, but he wouldn't never let her go free and without getting some proper justice passing through. It was unnerving, to know that the situation was going to end up getting worse even now that she felt bad about what was happening around her.

Sona had picked a chair and was sitting few meters behind her but her reaction to the broadcast they were all looking at was enough to make it clear she wasn't the only one finding this development incredibly unexpected.

While she had been quick to pick up that Hoitsu was stronger than she had initially thought, it was a shocking matter the whole idea that he was Hekishoku all along. The very masked individual that had been there during one of the Gremory's lunches was the very individual she found herself at odds in Kuoh Academy.

It wasn't that she was angry at this, merely surprised that he had been this close to her family and that he knew of her real situation. It was surreal at first, then Azazel decided to deign them with some background about how he had found him and why he considered him an important asset within Grigori.

"He is responsible for dealing with a rather rogue cadre within Kuoh Town and I think his baptism of fire was fighting the very leader that sought to betray me, the Fallen Angel responsible for your Pawn's first death."

Now that was something that gave her much more insight when and why he got approached by Grigori, but it was still absurd to think a mere human was capable of reaching this level. There are individuals that have some major powers that makes them capable of fighting evenly with Devils and other supernatural beings, but those were special cases that were either blessed by Sacred Gears or by Heaven's gifts.

Hoitsu had neither the first nor the latter, yet managed to stand strong against a strong peerage like Diodora's and beat them without shedding any blood.

A feat that was as praise-worthy as confusing, the teen having no reason at all to spare the group of women that followed the traitorous heir of Astaroth.

Yet as the fight unfolded and the conclusion was revealed, Sirzechs spoke up, bringing up a possible theory with a disgusted toneto. "Diodora's peerage looked unaffected by pain while sustaining attacks, then as Hekishoku went close and personal they seemed to freak out or fall unconscious one at the time."

"You mean Diodora used a spell that denied them the freedom to feel?"Serafall added up. "That means that Hoitsu-tan used the Anti-Spell to forcibly remove such foul mind-control."

Rias felt some anger rising at the idea that someone would do something to their peerages. Hers and those of her own kin's were all family to the Gremory clan and… yet the fury stirring within her chest was attenuated by the knowledge she had almost condemned Asia to that fate.

More guilt drowned her anger, as she stared away from the screen for a while, noticing at that point some footsteps approaching. A glance back, behind Sona, gave her insight to whom was approaching and her eyes widened in realization and surprise.

"R-Ruval-san, Sairaorg-san."

The tallest of the two gave her a kind but shaky smile while the Phenex heir gave a formal nod at her.

"I see that sir Hoitsu is the one that Diodora seek to fight now." The blond man stated with a little grimace. "A pity that you didn't have the chance of joining him then, Sairaorg."

The Bael shrugged and continued to stare at the monitor.

"P-Phenex-san, you mean that you know Hoitsu-san too?" Sona looked surprised, but she was dealing with this numerous developments much better than Rias was, managing to formulate questions that the redhead was having trouble to create out of her shock.

"I've meet him two days ago while I was trying to search for the Heiress Gremory to discuss about the awkward stance the marriage contract was turning into. I ended up chatting with him once I learned that the Heiress had left the school early from her usual time there."

Her cheeks were now sporting a blush, her mind bringing up the events of that specific day and reminding her how humiliating it had been. Trying to get Issei's attention and try to befriend him a little more by using her relative capacity to deal with intimate situations, she only ended up at odds with the very blonde she had allowed to go with the younger Phenex brother, her advances towards Issei called out as forceful and embarrassing.

A sore memory that was now revealing to be quite compromising of her current role in the predicament. It wouldn't be far-fetched to believe that her Pawn was now connecting dots between that brief and insignificant strife with the actions of the following day.

"And that form, is that what you were mentioning back when we were chatting in the car, Bael?"

The Strongest Youth hummed, eyes narrowing in analysis but the powerful Devil shook his head negatively. "While the appearance is the same… he seems to be in control and that smoke… it's negativity itself." His eyes widened in shock. "T-That his pure Senjutsu, somehow he is purging out the negativity that comes with the absorption of natural energy."

Azazel sighed. "That is something that only the brat can do. Sadly, it is unique to him and I can't explain how exactly he is doing that."

"I don't mind, Governor-General." Sairaorg replied with a nod. "It just gives me the thrill to understanding him when we will be sparring."

Rias was fairly sure she wasn't the only one sensing the certainty in her cousin's voice and the presence of 'when' and not of an 'if' to describe such spar.

"You and your spars, you moron." The Phenex sighed while shaking his head in disappointment. "Anyway, I think we were talking about our chat." He nodded to himself.

"Well, as I was saying, the man was kind enough to give an outlook of the situation and was good in bringing up some interesting and glaring flaws of the contract that not even father was aware of and, after a quick investigation, we confirmed that something was off about it." Ruval explained, ending with a sigh. "This caused for some inquiries about some of the rumors about Raiser's current peerage and we confirmed that part of those revealed to be true. While he hasn't forced any of the women to join his peerage and their poly-amorous relationship is genuine, the fact he made his peerage his very harem with the exclusion of our youngest sister is enough to warrant some personal interrogation to verify his standing as a proud member of the Phenex clan."

"H-He put his young sister in his peerage?" Sirzechs' eyes were wide open, a little pale at the idea that someone would do something with their peerage and then cast her own younger sibling inside such a travesty.

"Something I was unaware of, Lord Lucifer. It is why once I learned of this heinous activity that I swiftly went along the procedures of our family to bring up this shameful behavior to my father and mother, Lord and Lady Phenex."

"And how they did react to this?" Serafall butted in, causing Ruval to sigh tiredly.

"They said that the circumstances were odd, but Ravel had mentioned the reasoning behind such action."

He hummed before continuing. "Raiser wanted to make sure that Ravel had some minor experience for her future peerage, thus he made sure to make use of temporary pieces to make her part of his group. Since he wasn't much of a planner for any of the Rating Games, it was mostly my sister that laid off the schemes to use during the fights and… the results were interesting."

"Since last year, Raiser started to win more matches than before." Sona remarked, remembering studying his RG style. "But to think that the very reason of this phenomenon was Ravel-san..."

"It's an impressive detail that I had some time to study and, if her role is devoid of major implications to this crisis, I wished to make her my apprentice until she is old enough to have her own peerage." Ruval gave a small smile and Sirzechs.

"That sounds… unorthodox, but I guess that would be a good way to prepare her for the harshness of the games early on." The Lucifer confirmed and…

"The brat is opening the doors, let's see what kind of situation we are dealing with." Azazel called out loudly as indeed the boy was pushing the tall doors open.

Why are those doors this big and heavy? Why not do some normal doors.

Maybe it was cool hundreds year ago, like some form of hellish mecenatism.

'Mecenatism? What is that?'

There was a period where instead of going at war for some dick-measuring contest, various nobles would 'fight' against each other by commissioning important artists and getting some paintings or building to prove they were rich and strong.

'That sounds incredibly dumb.'

Like the pyramids one would say…

'That is… fine, that is a good point you made. Okay?!'

Both of you please some silence, this situation is already dreadful as it is.

Before I reached for that massive door, I had the opportunity to glance inside the backpack and see why there was liquid dripping from it.

When I was slammed on the wall by Elea, the bag took the brunt of the hit and most of the small bottles containing the Tears of Phoenix were destroyed in the process, two now remained after I had used one to refill my energy and magic before the final fight with Diodora.

As I finished pushing the doors open, I walked inside the large living room, my sight attracted to several elements, the first of those being the amount of shredded bodies littering most of the other entrance to the room, causing me to flinch at the stench and the sight of so many dead people.

Then I turned to the table where I saw Asia looking… fine. She looked particularly shaken by whatever had happened there but she had been left untouched and on her lap was…

She was smiling and a shiver went down my spine.

Trying to ignore the terrifying expression in the Infinity Dragon's face, I noticed Raiser looking at me warily, his peerage seemingly positioned to defend him rather than prepared to attack me, something strange since he was part of the terrorists in this situation.

And finally I saw Diodora.

Smiling emptily, the heir to the Astaroth family had a green sword poised right near the throat of a kneeling Grayfia. The maid looked incredibly angry, but she was doing a fine job in showing just a minor scowl through her usual poker face.

Behind them I could see a bubble-like barrier of light-violet and the parents of Rias held within them.

"You are finally here, you filthy scumbag." The Devil said loudly, his left brow twitching in possible annoyance. "Good to know that your troubling self shall be dealt with today by a proper noble before you can cause more issues to this proud society."

I tilted my head in confusion. "You are a fucking terrorist, you twat."

Asia's eyes went wide-open and her hands went to cover Ophis' elf-like ears much to the goth girl's confusion. It was a sign that the former nun was utterly unaware of what being was currently enjoying being coddled by her.

My crass comment seemed to make his smile fall a little. "And also foul other than disgusting. A filthy human trying to fit in a place where only pure-blooded, strong Devils are meant to exist. You are proof that Hell is in need of renovation, a restoration to a better time where a Devil was a Devil, not some carefree fool that besmirch the noble name of the 72 Pillars."

"I'm fairly sure you are allied with descendants from heroes and most of them are humans." I rebuffed with a sigh. "Seriously, is there even a point to try to build up a patriotic facade if you can't even keep it up-"

"BE QUIET, YOU MONGREL!" A snarl finally appeared on the Astaroth's face, the Devil bringing the sword to draw a shallow cut on the woman's neck. "I am the one in control, I am the one the one with the hostage, I AM THE DEVIL HERE-"

"You are that kind of guy which mother called special but she meant particularly retarded." I taunted back, his eyes widening. "You are the little boy which gets rejected by other girls because he is all smoke and no real deal."

"Y-You-"

"You are an utter disappointment to the very ideal Devil you flaunt to be, you are incapable of doing things this magnitude on your own and I bet you even begged Ophis for her power before doing all of this."

"I-"

"He did." The dark-haired girl stated flatly. "He was rather pathetic."

"W-Why!?" Diodora looked ready to explode any moments now, the furious build-up ready to climax in a brain-fart. "WHY DID YOU TELL HIM THAT-"

She shrugged. "You are weak and… I think you aren't that useful anymore."

Damn!

'To think someone as blunt like her exists...'

The Infinity Dragon's words were what shattered the last restraints within the Devil's rabid anger, a loud yell preceded a sudden rush towards me, his sword now ready to reap my head off my body and… I jumped.

The sword missed and in that blink of an eye Diodora finally realized that he had just fallen to such stupid trick. He had lost his hostage, he was no longer able to assert any demands and… he was in my range.

I kicked down, pushing my knee on his unprotected face and sweeping him away. Without losing a moment to let him rest, I had some Silver Linings slamming him onto the roof and then back on floor.

A green barrier formed around him and before it could cover him fully, I turned part of the spell still wrapped around his chest to become a Light Mine. The explosion tore him off the barrier and sent some blood flying from his mouth. But no major damage yet, I blamed Devil's sturdy bodies and… wait, why the Light Spell weren't doing much on him?

'He is constantly coating himself in magic, the damage of magical attacks is mostly nullified.'

That means you go there and kick his ass the classic way.

Understood!

As he tried to stand up from the ground, another Lining wrapped around his torso and pulled him towards me as I rushed forward with my fist cocked and ready. The impact was loud and I could feel something break in his face, the sound a satisfying crunch.

He crashed on the floor again, blood spurting out of his nose but he managed to make some distance by madly creating new magical swords that swung madly and blindly around him.

"W-Whay ar you dis strong?!" He screamed while holding his broken face.

"Because I actually earned my strength." I mused loudly before rushing through the openings of that dumb pattern of attacks. "Yours was never refined, your raw potential stagnating into this and… you are going to lose."

"N-NO!" He had a sword prepared in his hand, ready to take a quick hit on me but… I had my Light-Saber in my own hand already. I dodged his hit and took a swing with my white blade.

His eyes widened, his arm flying away just like the hopes of winning this fight and actually surviving today.

He fell on the floor, his free arm dragging him away from me as he tried to reach for Raiser and his peerage, the pain and the bad odds on him starting to shatter the bravado that he previously had all around himself.

"H-Help me!" He begged, squirming like a worm having seen a large shoe ready to step on him. "I-S-ave me- I beg you."

The brother might have looked fairly unwilling to help such a desperate bastard, but I saw an uneasy glint in Ravel's glancing and I sighed. "Right now your situation wouldn't warrant any terrible punishment. If you step in right now to help a confirmed terrorist you will face prison time and possibly the death penalty on the spot. I don't want to be your executioner, don't make me yours."

The blonde tensed a little, eyes glancing my way and then looking to the ground her face tinted in red in embarrassment at having to be 'scolded' in such way but… she sighed and kept quiet.

Diodora's last hope was lost and thus, without wasting any time in letting such individual escape, I stabbed down on his chest, right where his heart was. He froze and tensed at the sudden attack but soon… he slumped on the floor, lifeless as the final lights of his soul vanished.

Sighing I turned towards Grayfia and approached her, helping her out of the magical ropes keeping her tied up. "Everything's alright, Grayfia-neechan?"

She blinked at the usage of the nickname which was permitted to only one individual and she smiled a little. "So you are my otouto."

I blushed a little as she reached out for my hair. "you do have the same hair color and… the same softness."

P-Please no.

Aww, is someone embarrassed by their Neechan?

"W-We should help Lord Zeoticus and Lady Venelana and- Asia." As I finished to speak, I turned to look at the human girl and- I found myself staring at two dark orbs with reptile-like irises, two soft hands pressing on my cheeks.

"I will free them… only if you join me."

W-What?

"I-I told you that-"

"I don't care." She stated blankly. "I want you to join. I want you to be mine."

...What is going on?

Something mixed between adorable and 'Oh my Gosh, we dying a Clegane Death'. But don't worry, I have a plan.

What is he talking about?

'Something we have yet to test but… now I'm curious'.

I frowned inwardly and as the features on Ophis' face hardened at the lack of a response, I saw a familiar white-gloved hand softly pat her head.

Her eyes widened immediately at the sudden head-patting but soon she became confused at the fact it wasn't me doing such thing. I felt someone moving from behind me and then the girl let my cheeks off, so I could see… a smiling Shiranai-

"W-What?" I whispered, completely lost now as the dark side continued to softly pat the girl on her head.

"Ophis-chan, can you not hurt my King?" He asked kindly. "I know that you want to have a friend around because you are lonely but… that is the wrong way to do that."

The goth girl frowned. "Uh, wrong? Who are you?" Her voice was surprisingly lighter than usual and Shiranai hummed happily.

"My name is Shiranai… but if you want to know what I am, then you might call me… the opposite to the Infinity."

The Nullity. I wanted to reply at that but I decided to see where things were going with this new development.

"My opposite?" The girl continued to speak with a wonder-filled voice. "So you are my enemy?"

"No, no. Quite the contrary, I want to be your friend." He replied with a happy tone. "But the reason we can't join is because that would hurt you and us."

She blinked. "Why?"

"Well, there are people that wouldn't like to have us around within your group and if you ordered them to accept us, they would rebel against you. That is why we don't join, because we know that you still want to have your 'silence' back."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Is that so?"

"Indeed." The formal-dressed man stated. "Tell you what. Can I pick you up?"

There was a moment of silence and I continued to stare at this scene in utter fascination. What the hell was going on?

Finally Ophis nodded, her arms lifting and waiting for the curiously kind man to pick her up and-

"Hop-Hop-Hopla." The girl smiled a little at the strange but oddly funny sound and she was quick to seek the warmth coming from the man's chest, snuggling and nuzzling her way closer to him. "We will be going to free Mr. and Mrs. Gremory and apologize for what happened."

She frowned and gave a confused look. "Why do I need to apologize?"

"As the Infinity Dragon you certainly have a vast amount of power, but with said power you have to have some responsibilities for your own actions. You can't certainly cause some ruckus and expect to go unpunished about it." Shiranai answered kindly. "That is why I was thinking of doing something that is actually going to be fun for you."

At the mention of the word 'fun', the girl had her full attention on him. "What is it about? What is the 'fun'?"

He chuckled. "Oh, someone is excited alright. Hmm, I was thinking of helping with repairing this damage." He explained quietly. "You see, have you ever played playing constructions with boxes and Legos?"

The girl blinked and slowly nodded. "Well, helping in repairing you will do something that isn't going to be scolded after and then you will find a pretty place at the end. Did you see how beautiful this once looked before it was ruined?"

The little child nodded. "It was super-pretty."

I'm feeling some déjà vu…

"Well, do you want to help in making it pretty once more?" She nodded. "Then we will ask to the owners of this house if you can help around in repairing, what about it?"

A small smile adorned once more her face. "Yes."

"Then let's go!" Shiranai proclaimed eccentrically, causing a small giggle from… Ophis.

I blinked once, then twice and finally decided to let my brain reboot at what had just happened.

"I will follow this… individual. I can only assume he is your friend." Grayfia said calmly and I nodded. "Then I will take my leave and… you may go for the young girl."

My eyes widened at that remainder, my attention snapping back at Asia as the blonde continued to wait patiently by her chair. I walked to greet her and she jumped onto me. "Senpai!"

Thud

Ugh.

"A-Asia-chan-" I tried to console the happy girl as she continued with her tackling.

"It was so terrible, even with little Ophis keeping me safe, D-Diodora was doing so many cruel things and-"

"I know, sweetheart. So you are not hurt, you don't need any medical assistance?" I asked with a little bit of worry to which the girl reply with a negative shake of head.

"I'm fine. Just scared and… I'm happy that you are here, Senpai." She said, sighing in relief as we both got up from the floor.

"I sure am happy to see you safe and sound, piccolina." (Little One, Sweetie)

She blushed. "G-Grazie, fratellone." (T-Thanks, big brother.)

Just as we hugged once more, I saw a familiar brunet blitz from the door I had come through and rush towards us.

"ASIA-CHAN!"

The former nun blinked in surprise as she saw a teary-eyed Issei pull her in a close embrace, her face showing a full-blush at the intimacy but… she smiled and returned the hug.

"I-Ise-kun." She greeted back, slowly pulling out of the hug much to the boy's confusion before going forward and steal his lips with hers.

Issei's eyes widened in surprise and then… he closed them, enjoying the first kiss with his romantic interest. The blonde started to cry a little, possibly tears of joy as I stared at the scene silently, smiling as my this wholesome pairing was finally getting to a proper romantic relationship.

Soon the others from Baraqiel's and Vali's groups arrived to the Living Room with Millicas and-

"This is a sign!" Kuroka exclaimed happily, citing the kissing couple near where I was. "I knew that you actually want it-"

"Nope!" I turned around started to sprint, my Senjutsu from sadly unavailable in that specific moments.

"You can't run from my love!" The Dark-haired Nekoshou proclaimed fiercely.

"WATCH ME!" I replied with equal determination.

"Niichan!" "Hoitsu-nii!"

Both Koneko and Kunou exclaimed, joining the chase too much to my distress.

Why has this become a thing now!?

AN

Volume 2 is now passed and concluded! Only the aftermath and the first steps for 'my' Volume 3 remains to be announced and-

Quick premise for next chapter (it's necessary because it's truth time): While this story is a 'Regular kind of Fanfic', I've been thinking of giving some serious 'minor' X-overs to further bolster the current originality of the plot. What I am talking about? With the Khaos Brigade now unofficially announced to the Three Factions of Christianity, it's time for everyone to step up their game and… Azazel decides it's time to broaden Grigori with a new sister-organization with unusual members and new contracts.

Quick reminder for those who have just started to read my stories: While many stories fail at this crucial step and screw up the entire plot in some convoluted mess, I've established some good planning to make sure that, the 'Stories' I wish to bring within the DxD one can fit in its Lore and can work with the overall plot. No, I'm not clueless about what to do now, I've actually decided to step up my own writing game and create a story only my ambitious mind can like and only my creativity can pull through. So yeah, it's some AU time.

Future milestone 1: 626 Followers and Favorites.

Future milestone 2: 696 Followers and Favorites.

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REVIEW Q&A!

CitricBlueWolf: Daily~!

Evyplayz121: Grayfia was already there with Zeoticus and Venelana, Ophis was responsible for the magical ropes and the barriers. Next chapter will have Rias' punishment and I hope to satisfy people while also being just with it as I'm not trying to bash anyone in this story… in particular. Also Ophis isn't… truly crushing, she is just starving for attention from those who can cuddle her around, that is why Hoitsu is her main target… before Shiranai made an appearance. Lastly, that isn't a Sacred Gear as the presence of a Dragon Soul on someone this 'old' would be mortally damaging, that is why Hoitsu-Apophis case is a special one.

Billy Reb: Her punishment will be terrible for her social life, but there is no terrible things done to her. I am a jerk, but I ain't overly cruel. Another misfortune for Millicas is that Kunou is dense about love and… that is going to bite his ass in the near future.

RedBurningDragon: Putting more energy in the Silver Lining he could technically do that, yes.