Normal talk
Flashback
Demon
Chapter 15
The trip back to Kuoh seemed to take longer than Akeno thought.
This of course was because the train hadn't arrived in Kuoh yet and she was slowly falling asleep on Asumoto's shoulder, who was already sleeping, exhausted from the tournament.
After tackle hugging Asumoto and saying how glad she was he won, the shrine maiden waited for him to return from the locker. Than they walked to the station, and waited for the next train.
Why not just pick a secluded place to teleport back home?... They couldn't risk it with the town so packed with people.
This meant she, Issei, Raynare, and the Devil's had no choice but to take the train home. Not that Rias was complaining. The heiress of the Gremory house was staring out the window, enjoying the scenery they passed - forest, rivers, plains, and mountains.
Scenery wasn't the only thing Rias enjoyed, the topic about the tournament was enjoyable to hear from the other passengers.
"I've never seen something as amazing as that!"
"Poor Rika-san, she must be devastated about losing."
"Personally, I think she deserved it for acting like such an arrogant fool."
"I bet Rika will be the laughing stock of her school. Being beaten by last year's second place winner will be quite the talk at Kyoto and Kuoh. Her overconfidence was her weakness! I knew she couldn't beat Kuoh's best swordsman twice!" boasted Murayama.
Akeno looked down at the sleeping Asumoto, her hands gently running through his hair.
She couldn't hold back the smile. The Gods answered her prayers to support to the former human.
But why now?
She recalled Asumoto saying the Shinto God's don't get involved in the affairs of the rest of the world.
If that was the case, then why would they answer her prayers - prayers meant to assistant a Devil?
It wasn't because they cared for Devil's. So much was clear. If they did, Asumoto wouldn't be feeling pain when trying to pray.
Was it because she had poured all her emotions into the prayer?
Or was it because she begged them to help?
If she ever meets the Gods - a chance which she would be honored to have - then she's ask those questions... which they hopefully would answer.
"Asumoto seems to impress me more and more."
Akeno looked up at Rias, a tiny smile on her lips.
"Why do you say that?" she asked.
"Because he defeated nearly a whole Peerage by himself and has now beaten Rika Moritsugu, a swordswoman who was champion for five years. How does that not impress me? Whatever race Asumoto is, human, Devil, or even Youkai, he really is one of a kind. He doesn't use overpowered attacks or unlimited power, but pure skill and tactic to win battles. I was there the day he obtained the title as the Strongest Queen of the Rookie Six."
There was a pause before the Devil heiress continued.
"We were lured into a trap by a Stray Devils we were supposed to exterminate. What I thought was only one, turned out to be a whole group, four Queen's, three Knights and five Rooks. Worse, was that they were allied with a group of Youkai. They outnumbered and surrounded us, I honestly thought we were doomed. Until Asumoto called Izumi and attacked. He said he'd stall them to let me, Kiba, and Koneko escape. As much I didn't want you, we had to otherwise we wouldn't get another chance. When I looked back, he wasn't using brute force, but tact. It was about thirty to forty minutes till he returned to us. He was exhausted, bleeding, limping, and missing pieces of his armor. He even stacked the heads in bags and presented them to my brother as proof of success to the extermination. The actions he performed that day are what earned him title my brother bestowed upon him."
Akeno looked back to the sleeping samurai.
He fought all those by himself to let Rias get away?
Guess he really was special to fight and survive that, she thought. Especially against four Queen's. Asumoto could have used that as a means to escape her servitude.
However, she was sure he wouldn't want to become a Stray, nor feel the wrath of Rias brother.
"Rias," Akeno suddenly said, "Asumoto, told me you made a deal with him. In which, if he didn't gain your trust, you'd find a way to turn him back into a human. To be honest I think this is a stupid idea, from both of you. Why not just release him from your servitude?"
"Because if I do, the whole Underworld will on me like a pack of wolfs for releasing a servant without a reason. Releasing servants don't usual happen unless a deal has been met by the master and servant. I don't enjoy it either but it's the only way for Asumoto to win his humanity back," answered Rias with a frown.
Rias cared about all her servants and wanted them to achieve their dreams, whatever they may be. However, Asumoto's was tricky. How could she help him become human?
The answer was Ajuka of course.
During the time Asumoto was recovering, she had spoken to the Satan about Asumoto and her wanting to help him achieve his dream. This of course surprised the green haired Satan.
But he would look into ways of removing the Evil Piece from Asumoto... yet, only if he won the bet, which he suggested to be about gain his trust.
Rias didn't like this idea. She wanted to get to know her Queen more to become friends and win him over to her. However, this bet would be the easiest way for Asumoto to become human.
So, with no other option, Rias chose this for the deal. It shouldn't be too hard for him. All he had to do was not trusting her - plus he still seemed to not trust anyone but Akeno and Tsubaki anyway, probably since both where from Shinto clans.
After about two more hours of traveling they reached Kuoh, only to be met by everyone in the school.
Akeno was truly thankful to know magic - with a bit of help from Rias - they hypnotized the crowd to disperse- to allow them a calm silent walk back to the school.
"Asumoto-san, now that everything is back to normal, perhaps we can have a duel, a real duel."
Asumoto looked at Kiba with a 'you can't be serious' face. "Kiba, you're way out of my league. You trained for ten days to prepare for a Rating Game, I train every day. So, I politely decline that offer until you achieve Balance Breaker."
"Speaking of Balance Breaker, Ise-kun needs to get stronger." Added Raynare, who clung to the pervert's arms, "I know you've been training hard and I'm proud of you for that. However, you still haven't made contact with Ddraig, which isn't goods."
"Ddraig?"
Everyone stopped when Rias said those words.
The red haired turned on the stop, pure shock was the expression that was on her face.
"Ddraig is the Red Dragon Emperor! Are…are you saying Issei is the possessor of the Red Dragon Emperor!? The Boosted Gear!?"
Issei was a little nervous at having everyone staring at him but nevertheless managed a nod at the question.
"Rias," Said Asumoto, knowing she could likely explode with rage and jealously that she now found out Issei was the Red Dragon Emperor. "I know you're upset but you forgot you failed to obtain Issei first. Beside none of us knew what his Sacred Gear was at the time and Raynare gave us Asia as a peace offering. Are you saying you'd rather let Raynare take Asia back?"
Rias frowned but said, "No", in response to her Queen's words.
"Then there's nothing to complain about." Said the Fallen Angel before turning back to Isse, "But, Issei, you must trainer harder."
"But I've—"
"Only been able to use minor techniques." Raynare cut in, "If you're to become a harem king, then you need to find that desire and channel it into power. Power that you promise will use to protect the ones you love, to protect me!"
Before those last words, Issei had thought of thousands of busty naked Fallen Angel's swarming Issei filled his vision. Till it was replaced with everyone he loved, his friends, his family, his girlfriend.
Yes, he would become a harem king, he would touch the bountiful breasts of all those sexy black feathered angels, but the ones he loved came first and foremost! He loved them all and would protect them no matter the cost!
"I know you can find that power but to do so you're training…must…"
Her sentence trailing off didn't go unnoticed by the others, nor where she was looking. Following her gaze, they saw two strangers standing in the street looking at them.
With their eyes adjusted to the darkness they could see the strangers were wearing large white cloaks with the one on the left had something large on their back wrapped in bandages.
Although their hoods concealed their upper faces, the shape of the lower region, as well as pieces of their hair, which where blue and light brown, indicated both were girls, the same age as Issei.
'I got a bad feeling about this…" Asumoto said, getting in front of Akeno and Rias.
"Issei, is that you!?"
The brunette threw off her hood, revealing twin ponytails and big violet eyes.
"Uhm… do I know you?" Issei asked in confusion.
He had no clue how this girl knew his name or how she knew him.
The girl in question looked horrified for a moment.
"You don't remember your childhood friend!? It's me, Irina Shidou!" she called out.
Issei blinked.
…
…
…
Irina... Shidou…
Brown eyes widened in shock.
"Y-you're a girl!?" Issei shouted... causing Raynare to smack him and Asumoto to sigh in annoyance.
"You know him?" said the other girl as she too removed her hood, revealing a full head of shoulder length blue hair with a dyed green fringe and dark yellow eyes, which were narrowed.
"He… he's my childhood friend! Issei, you have to get away from those people. They're not normal!"
"I know," said Issei, after getting over the revelation that his childhood friend had all this time been a girl - who he had to admit got very sexy over the years.
"I know that Rias Gremory is a Devil, and Raynare - my girlfriend - is a Fallen Angel."
"G-girlfriend!?" Irina shouted in horror. "That's not true."
"It obviously isn't, Irina!? He's been hypnotized by them!" The blue haired girl said as she hauled the object off her back.
Asumoto started to feel a tingling feeling flow through his body, like an annoying itch or a bug crawling over him. Following the source of said feeling, he discovered it was coming from the wrapped object, which was right now being unwrapped.
Out of the bindings of the cloth appeared a…
"A sword?" Issei asked in surprise.
It was a sword, a very strange looking one. It had a long two-handed hilt with a cross in the pommel. The guard was shaped like an axe and a second grip with a chain-like form connecting the guard with the blade. The blade itself was huge and long that ends with 3 points.
Something was strange about that blade, not just it's strange design but the power flowing off it that made the hair on his neck stand up.
His suspicions about that blade where conformed when Kiba spoke, or rather growled.
"A Holy Sword…one of the fragments of Excalibur…"
"Easy Kiba." Asumoto said, giving the blonde a warning look, "Don't do anything stupid."
So, this Exorcist girl had an Excalibur with her? That wasn't good, even if she was outnumbered that sword was something he did not wish to get cut by.
"They steal our sacred objects, ally with Devil's - now they hypnotized your childhood friend?"
"I'm not hypnotized!" retorted Issei angrily.
"Then you've an ally to them!" retorted the blue haired swordswoman, just as angrily.
Hearing that a look of betrayal came over Irina face as tears formed in her eyes.
"Issei-kun, how could you? Are you truly working with them to destroy us?"
"Wait, hold on just a minute!" Asumoto said, arms up in surrender. "What are you talking about!? Destroy you? Stealing your objects? Allying with the Fallen Angel? You're making no sense girl! I suggest you put away your weapon. Because not only are you outnumbered, but threatening to break the treaty between our groups... and haven't explained a damn thing to us!"
"My Queen is right," said Rias stepping forward, a scowl on her face. "By your outfits I can see you are both Exorcist send by the Church! However, you have not told me your names or why you're trespassing on my territory!?"
"You mean you don't know?" Irina asked as she dried her eyes, a look of confusion etched on her face before addressing the blue haired girl,
"Xenovia, lower your weapon."
"Irina, they—"
"Don't know what's going on. Perhaps we should explain why we are here." Irina stepped forward and bowed, "I am Irina Shidou, my partner is Xenovia Quatre. We are Exorcist sent by the Church to Kuoh in search for the Excalibur's that have been stolen by the Fallen Angel Kokabiel."
Everyone shared a look with one another. The Excalibur fragments where stolen by the Cadre member Kokabiel? That wasn't good at all.
"Kokabiel stole the Excalibur's!?" Raynare murmured in shock once again.
"And he wasn't alone," added Xenovia, weapon lowered but glare still pinned on the Rias. "He had help from Devils."
"No. No way, would we ever ally with that warmonger! And what would we gain by stealing your weapons? We don't want war," she told them.
"Besides that, why would we help someone like him to get his hands on Holy Swords, when he can just as easily use them against us," Asumoto said. "And the swords are far more dangerous to us than to any other faction."
"And my group has been in Kuoh for a month. Not only that but we had nothing to do with Kokabiel's actions, nor know of them," Rias added.
"Well someone within your Faction dose," Irina said, trying to think of any Devil that would join forces with Kokabiel until at last she noticed Akeno, making her eyes widen.
"You're the Priestess of Thunder!"
Hearing that title, Xenovia also spotted Akeno. "The niece of Iwamatsu Hayashi is here as well!? What's a Shinto follower doing in Kuoh?"
"Living a peaceful life until these Fallen showed up," Akeno answered as she directed a hateful glare at the Fallen, "who are undoubtedly planning to take over Kuoh with the Red Dragon Emperor!
"Or…" Hissed Raynare as she returned the glare Akeno directed at her, "that she is up to something behind all our backs! Why are you really here, Priestess of Thunder!? Don´t you think it strange that a Shinto follower just shows up in a town controlled by Devil to live a `peaceful life´ here as you claim? Do you actually have a secret agenda to reclaim Kuoh for the Shinto Gods by destroying both Devil's and Fallen Angels in the town!?"
She knew that her words were not exactly helping the situation. But she had enough of the Shinto Priestesses constant unfounded accusations. If anybody here was not trustworthy, then it was Akeno herself.
"Wait a moment, the Red Dragon Emperor is here as well?" Xenovia exclaimed.
"Yes - it is the same boy this Fallen Angel here has seduced and is now without a doubt using him against all of us," Akeno stated.
"Issei - you are the Sekiryuutei?" Irina whispered, once again shocked.
"What is with you? Are you regretting that you didn´t get to him yourself as you had the chance?" Raynare retorted. Are you sour now because you didn´t get to show your breast to him and turn him to your side? And now accuse me of doing the exact the same thing in some pathetic attempt to play us against each other? Because that is the impression I am slowly getting."
"Yuuma-chan," Issei said to her urgently. "Maybe you should not..."
"No Issei-kun, I have enough of this bitch here and her constant crap," Raynare responded. "She has actually the nerve to claim we are disrupting her `peaceful life´, when in fact it is her who won´t leave us alone with her harassment and false accusations."
"You," Akeno growled.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, she registered that she actually thought about the idea of seducing Issei, when she would finally get to attack and wipe out the Fallen.
But that didn´t give this Fallen Angel the right to...
"Me - me?" Raynare growled back. "Do you really think I didn´t realize that you were only trying to find an excuse to attack us the entire time? Always ready to point fingers and accuse others, right? You Shinto followers are worse than the Church. Claiming that we are the ones evil and dangerous, while in truth it is you always attacking and killing us. And not only the Fallen Angels, but also their families and friends as well. By what I heard even Lord Baraqiel lost his family. They had been murdered by the wretched Himejima Clan!"
Akeno was sent into silence by the Fallen's words, but her face still bore an angrily accusing expression.
"You - you have no idea what you are talking about," she hissed.
"Oh really? And do you know the reason they did it?" Raynare continued sardonically. "A young woman of their clan and Baraquiel have fallen in love and she willingly married him, and they even had a child together. But the Himejima's just couldn´t accept this. Does that remind you of someone... Oh yes, by what I have seen, you are just like them."
Akeno stood frozen in place. Her expression looked as if she had been hit, until it morphed into an angry-no-furious one. She looked about ready to kill Raynare any second.
"I am nothing like them!" The ravenette said through gritted teeth before turning around, ready to leave them all behind for the moment. She just couldn´t take it anymore. A bit longer and she would start a fight right here and now.
How dare that bitch have the audacity to put her in the same category as the murders of her mother! If she didn't leave soon, she very well might kill Raynare. Not that she would care, that crow and her gang would be exterminated, one way or another!
"Oh yes?" she heard Raynare asking from behind her. "Then tell me what´s the difference -..." she heard her sarcastic voice.
Akeno turned back in her rage.
"I never killed families," she called out. "When I killed Fallen Angels, it was only in self-defense because they were attacking me."
"Oh like right now you mean? Do you think my teammates have no family and friends?" Raynare responded, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
"Do you take me for an idiot?" she suddenly asked sharply. "You have been accusing us to planning to take over Kuoh, right in front of the Devils who are running the town and a group of Exorcists. You are intentionally trying to get us killed. Don´t even try to deny it," Raynare stated. "Do you have any sort of proof that we plan to take Kuoh? Or that we have any plans against the Devils at all? No, of course not. You just hate us for one idiotic reason of the other... and instead of admitting that you just make up shit to justify yourself. You either hope that the Devils will do the dirty work for you - Or that a fight will break out, so that you can join in, kill us and later claim `self-defense´ again. You are just a hypocrite who wants us dead, but don´t want to take the responsibility."
Not that she was much better, Raynare thought about how she had been before she met Issei... and Asumoto. But at least she had never tried to place the blame for her actions on others. In this moment something in Akeno broke. She charged up lightning in her hands and was just about to blast Raynare... she only barely held herself back as she saw that Issei had placed himself between her and the Fallen Angel.
"Don´t even think about it Akeno," he told her. "Yuuma-chan has a point here. I don´t know that much about the supernatural world yet. But enough to know that you just accused her of something she and her team could be killed for. What are you really trying to do?"
"Of course, you would be siding with your `girlfriend´," Akeno hissed. "Has she already fuck you? Or was just letting you touch her breasts enough to get you to fight for her pervert?"
"I fight for Raynare because I love her, and I will protect the people I care about," Issei responded.
"Do you really think you could stop me?" she asked.
"But I can," another voice cut in - Asumoto. "That's enough Akeno. You will stop this now... or I will."
"Asumoto, you... too..." she stuttered in shock, as he obviously sided with the Fallen against her.
"Akeno, you know I truly like you and care about you. But that doesn´t mean I am blind. I have seen you sniding and provoking her any chance you got during the last weeks. Raynare-san might have not been the most friendly person in the past, but she and her team had done nothing to you. You have really no place to accuse her of working with Kokabiel or planning something against us. Especially if you don´t have any proof at all. So, I ask you the same question like Issei, what in the world are you trying to do here?"
"I-..." Tears were suddenly shooting out of her eyes... and she turned around once again, leaving as quickly as she could... marching off, ignoring the calls of the others to come back.
Akeno felt her nails dig into her skin as Raynare's - and then Asumoto´s - words rang in her ear. Asumoto, he knew nothing about what had happened.
Her rage would have subsided sooner if that filthy crow hadn't brought up her father! That stupid fool told the Grigori that not only did her mother die but she died too!? she thought.
…guess that was true, from his point of view.
She said she hated him and his response had been abandoning. What a horrible father! If she ever saw him again - hopefully she won't - she'd make sure to tell him that... and so much more.
If Baraqiel had gotten their sooner her mother could still be alive.
…and they could have had more precious moments together…
'Mother…'
The smiling face of Shuri flashed through her mind.
'I need you…'
Suddenly everything became blurry with something wet falling down her cheeks…. more tears were running down her face.
"Akeno wait" she heard someone call her name.
Akeno stopped in her tracks but refused to show her tear stricken face.
"Leave me alone, Asumoto."
Though she tried to say it nicely, her tone was filled with anger.
Anger for him siding with Raynare.
But Asumoto did not move. He stood their looking at her back while saying: "Akeno, what's going on? Why are you so hostile toward Fallen Angels? What are you trying to do?"
Akeno pursed her lips together, the thought of telling him lingered in the back of her mind. He too knew the pain of losing family. So, if she told him, perhaps he'd understand.
And even if he was a Devil, Asumoto was the only one she truly trusted in this town.
With a long deep breath and the slumping of her shoulder, Akeno opened her mouth to—...
"Fallen Angels killed someone you loved, didn't they?" he said.
!
…
…
Asumoto was close with that question. He knew it was someone close - but didn't know it was her - not until she told him. For now, however…
"Yes," said Akeno with a slow nod.
This was technically a lie. Baraquiel did not kill Shuri - he just abandoned her and failed to protect her - but he could have just as well done it himself. She could only hope he wouldn´t hold this detail against her, if he ever found out the entire truth. Asumoto's face sadden. So that explains her anger toward Raynare - no, towards Fallen Angels. They took someone special from her. Just like they took his family from him.
"I don't know who it was you lost but I understand your resentment towards the Fallen Angels. But you mustn't let that disrupt the peace within Kuoh, or break the treaty between our Factions."
"What treaty?" retorted the shrine maiden. "The Shinto Faction has killed Fallen Angels. They don't care about the treaty. It's between the Biblical factions, not Buddhist or Islamic Factions. Plus, Fallen Angels have been causing problems for everyone. They should all be destroyed!"
Asumoto sighed.
"That doesn´t change that you are on Devil territory and a guest of Rias and Sona - and so is Raynare technically. So, you should follow their rules... and not going against each other or intentionally try to provoke a fight."
This only caused Akeno to frown.
"What you said about the Fallen Angels? I wouldn't say they should all be destroyed. But you are right that they caused problems. But you shouldn´t act as if they are the only ones. How many innocent people have been killed by Stray Devils, alone in the last years. What about the High-Class Devils who are enslaving other people and turn them into their Servants against their will and cause the existence of the Stray Devils in the first place?... and I am not talking about Rias here. You have heard what Riser said at the Rating Game?" he stated. "How many others do you think are thinking just like him? Or worse? How many are purposely stealing people from other factions and risk conflict to break out, just for their own gain?" His thoughts drifted to that bastard Diodora and his ilk for a moment. "And it is not only them. The Church? How many Exorcists have they spawned who went crazy - went rogue and killed people left and right? How many other atrocities had been committed in `the name of God´? And you yourself admitted about the Himejima Clan," he said.
That last question was asked due to Kiba's reaction to the Holy Swords. What was that all about? He usual was calm but seeing the anger directed at the Holy Sword was unusual. Could it be due to its holy power, or was it something else?
This statement caused Akeno to flinch.
"How is any of that better than what the Fallen Angels do?" he asked.
She didn´t reply for a few moments. They both knew the answer... it wasn´t.
"But I agree with you that at least some of them are a threat. Look at Kokabiel, he's stolen the Excalibur's in hope to obviously start another war."
"How do you know that?"
"He's a warmonger Akeno," Asumoto said in a matter of fact tone, a frown on his face.
"Out of all the Cadre Fallen Angel's he's the only one who actually wants to continue the war. However, that idiot doesn't realize he's outnumbered and outpowered. Any one of the four Satan's, as well as Grayfia, could crush him. His action, along with some other in Grigori, have caused not just you to hate them. In fact, many within the Supernatural world hate them for what they do during these peaceful times. Some of the nobles within Hell amuse that Grigori is amassing power to restart the war."
This surprised Akeno.
"But then..." she began... but Asumoto interrupted her. "I know what you want to say. But if we or Heaven would strike against them first, it would be "us" restarting the war and not them. And all the blood would ultimately be on "our" hands.
This is not really worth it, just because some people "think" that they might plan something."
Akeno didn´t miss how his last statement was mirrored by her own actions, on a much smaller scale of course.
"Is that a pun on my own situation?" she asked him sharply.
"If you want to take it like this," he answered casually. "You are right that the Fallen are causing trouble in the Supernatural world and you are right. Believe me, I am not thinking too highly of the Fallen as a whole myself. But you single them out and act as if they are the only ones, when you know perfectly well that they are not - because you hate them for what some of them have done to you. Can you at least admit that?"
"You're damn right," Akeno busted out. "I hate them - you have no idea what I have gone through because of them - because of him - and I want to see them all dead!"
"Akeno," Asumoto asked her in a slightly sad voice, "be honest - do you truly believe that Raynare and her team are planning something against us - or do you just want to believe that because it would give you a reason to attack them?"
She once again stayed silent for a few moments. Akeno didn´t want to admit it to herself, but he had hit the nail on the head.
"Does it make a difference? If I am right they are a threat to all of us, then the trust you placed in them will be returned a light spear." she finally replied.
"What makes you think that we simply trust them? We've been keeping an eye on them the entire time, in case their intentions aren´t so good. But there is a difference between being prepared for a fight and needlessly provoking one."
Well that lessened the ravenette's anger a little. The Devil's weren't trusting the Fallen Angel's either. Nevertheless, they should be exterminated... or at the very least kicked from the city.
Especially now that one of their leaders was trying to restart the war by stealing the Excalibur's.
But, even she admitted now - if this was truly Kokabiel´s goal, then starting a fight with them might play exactly into his hands.
Speaking of the Excalibur's, the Church clearly wasn't taking this issue seriously if they thought sending just two Exorcists was enough to recover the Excalibur's. They couldn't send a Saint, or Paladin, or even an Angel?
Either they were stupid or overconfident in thinking Irina and Xenovia, if she remembered their names, could do this mission. They were no match for the Cadre. Kokabiel would crush them.
And speaking of that warmonger, why would he come to Kuoh? Could he be trying to use the swords to kill the Devils? Or just trying to plant false evidence to frame them for the theft?
Xenovia had mentioned that Devils took part in the stealing of the weapons. But why would any of them ally with Kokabiel? The only explanation for that could be Strays. No normal Devil would ever ally with Kokabiel or any Fallen Angel.
More importantly, did Grigori know about this? And if so, would they do anything to stop this before it got out of hand?
These questions needed answering, and maybe the next day would have them.
Without any form of goodbye to the samurai, Akeno headed for home.
"Akeno..." ... until her name was called once again.
"I don't know what happened in the past between you and the Fallen Angels, but if you ever wish to talk about your past, know that I'm here to listen."
The words Asumoto said caused a small, sad, smile to form on her lips.
He did care for her and she cared for him... and when she was ready, she would tell him.
"Why are we having a meeting, I though they explained why they came to Kuoh last night?"
Rias lowered the cup of tea form her lips to reply to her Queen's question. "Because I said so. While you were going after Akeno, I told the Exorcists they would meet us, as well as the Fallen Angels, today to clear stuff up. However, I am quite disturbed by this news."
"You're not the only one Gremory," added Raynare with a frown. "Kokabiel's asking for a death sentence for this action. If Lord Azazel or Lord Shemhazai hear about this there will be severe consequences."
"Which I'm surprised you haven't told him yet."
"Weren't not stupid boy," Dohnaseek said. "We only have half the information. This meeting Gremory has set up will hopefully give us more details as to why Kokabiel has done this."
He wasn't wrong. The Fallen Angels, Issei, Akeno, and the Gremory Peerage where all present for the meeting. Although they heard why the Exorcist where here, they only received the short version. But today they would hopefully get a better explanation of everything.
Asumoto´s silver eyes flickered to Akeno, the conversation last night still lingered in his mind. The Fallen Angels had left a big scar on her heart that hadn't healed. Whoever that precious someone was she lost, he prayed their spirit was watching over Akeno in Heaven.
He was also surprised seeing her snap like that. Usually Akeno was calm and flirty but never had he seen her angry or sad.
And it pulled at his heart strings seeing her cry.
He told her he would listen to her past if she talked to him about it, and he hoped she did. He wanted to help her, just as she helped him.
His thoughts were broken by the arrival of the Church girls. Now they could get to business.
"Greetings. We were worried you'd be late," he stated. "Your names where Xenovia and Irina correct?"
"Yes," said Xenovia, "and we know that you are Rias Gremory's Queen, Asumoto."
…
"Then I guess introductions are out of the way then. Then we can begin talking. Rias, the-"
"Not quite. We're waiting for our superior to join us," Irina interrupted, a slight bashful tone on her face. "She just arrived and will be joining us soon."
Everyone stared at the Church agents as if they had a second head. There was a third Exorcist coming to Kuoh!? Well this was just great. Hopefully didn't have an Excalibur too.
Suddenly Xenovia stood up, her focus was on someone else now.
"I thought I recognized you last night. You are the "Witch" Asia Argento. I never expected to meet you in a place like this."
"Are you the rumored "witch"? The former holy-maiden?" Irina also asked, taking noticed too. "You are said to have the power that can also heal devils and fallen angels, right? I heard that you were sent somewhere after getting exiled, but I never thought you became a devil."
"…Ummmmm…I…I…" stuttered Asia, unsure of how to reply.
"It's okay. I won't tell the higher ups what I saw here, so rest assured. People who were around the "Holy-maiden Asia" would also get shocked as well."
Asia made a perplexed expression at Irina's words.
"But to become a Devil. The one who was called a "Holy-maiden". You fell to the lowest place you could. Do you still believe in our God?"
Asumoto glanced at Asia. The young blonde was left speechless by the bluenette's words. He looked at Rias, wondering if she would do anything about this. Would she really let rhis girl say something like that to her servant?
Instead she sat there, letting her Bishop take these harsh words. For someone who cared for her servants, she wasn't doing an excellent job at defending them.
"Rias… stop this or I will," he muttered.
Before she could reply, Xenovia's word caught his ears.
"Is that so. Then you should be cut down by us this instant. If it's now, I can slay you in the name of God. Even if you have sinned, our God will forgive you."
!
Cut her down!? Was she that stupid!? She was threatening to kill a servant of the House of Gremory! Now Rias had to put a stop this this!
"Touch her you, bitch, and I'll kill you!"
But it was Issei Hyoudou who did so. He stood tall in front of Asia, Sacred Gear out and ready to fight if need be.
"You're either stupid or crazy to say something like that in here! Asia's my friend and I won't let you lay a finger on her, not even you Irina-chan!"
Irina looked horrified at her old friend's declaration.
Xenovia didn't take kindly to his words.
"Are you really thinking you can handle us, Red Dragon Emperor!? The difference in power between us is far greater than you think! Asia Argento´s belief in God after exile is a great sin. This witch must be purged."
"And you think taking her life is the answer to that!? You Church people are fucking crazy!
She has every right to believe in God, Devil or not! I don't care how powerful you are - I'll protect Asia, cuz she's my friend!"
Now the holy weapon was draw all the way, its power flowing off it like a title wave.
"You truly are a fool! Defending this witch, who doesn't need friends and challenging me. I shall cut you both down where you stand!"
At that moment Raynare jumped forward, wings spread wide and light spear out. Her eyes filled with murder. No way would she let any harm come to her boyfriend.
"Go ahead and try, you smug cunt!"
"R-Raynare-chan, Ise-san…" A light of hoped shinned in Asia's eyes at her two friends coming to her aid.
It was true, since her enrollment to Kuoh, Hyoudou and Asia had become quick friends with each other. Even Raynare formed a sisterly bond with the former nun, who had before simply been a tool to her, after she too enrolled at Kuoh.
These three would usual be seen together in class, at lunch and afterschool.
Most of the other students wondered why those two would be friends with a pervert, to which Raynare said: "If you'd get to know him better you'd realize he isn't just a pervert you idiot."
And Asia would say, "Ise-kun is the nicest person ever. He's only misjudged."
"This is why so many Exorcists go rogue and join Grigori. You Church followers cast out anyone who breaks your rules. That is why I left Heaven, to have freedom of what I choose to do. I chose to be Ise-kun's girlfriend because he's kind, caring, and as you can see, won't abandon those he loves. That's why I love him!"
Each word spoken by Raynare seem to cause more shock and pain to come over Irina's face. The Burnette wanted to deny these words, to say it was a lie, all a big lie. But there was no falseness in the Fallen's words, she loved Issei and was dating him.
`Ise… you've fallen too far, ´ she thought. `God can't help you now. ´
Asumoto gritted his teeth. This was getting out of hand! He was not liking what was going on and Rias wasn't doing a damn thing to stop it. It was time to take action into his own hands.
"Xenovia!" said a sharp commanding tone, "put away your weapon! We came to talk not fight!"
For the first time since meeting, a look of fear crossed the blue haired girls face.
In came a familiar face. Her hair was down, reaching to her upper back, and dressed in a cloak like the other two church girls.
Everyone stared at the newcomer, most had expressions of surprise on their face, including Asumoto.
He knew this person, he saw her before, but never in all his life had he expected to see her again so soon, let alone here and allied with the church!
"Rika?"
Rika Moritsugu stood in the doorway entrance, a frown was directed at the church duo. "Don't stand around you brainless moron! Apologize for your actions!"
Xenovia frowned, before lowering her sword and bowing to the group and returning to her seat.
Rika marched forward and bowed to Rias. "My apology, Gremory-san, Xenovia can be quite a bother at times."
Ignoring Xenovia's glare, Rias focused on the new arrival. Thought surprised she kept calm but narrowed her eyes.
"Your apology is accepted, but why are you here?"
Rika smirked. "Can't you tell? I am an agent of the Church. To those who do not know me I am Moritsugu Rika, a Saint of the Catholic Church."
Saint!? So, this girl the same rank as Asia? No wonder she was so skilled with a blade.
"Have you been told why we are here?" Rika asked.
"Wait!? What happened to that attitude you had before?" Issei asked shocked.
His question was thought by many, before she had an air of arrogance and smugness to her, right now she was calm as the ocean on a sunny day.
"A cover - Issei Hyoudou - what you see now is my true face," replied Rika with a laugh before getting serious. "But you haven't answered my question; have you been told why we are here?"
"We have," replied Rias, glad to finally get the meeting underway. "Kokabiel has stolen your Excalibur's with the aid of Devils. Which baffles me, as well as the Fallen Angel's in this town. No Devil would ever join forces with Fallen Angels or even willingly help them."
"Really?" asked Rika with a hint of curiosity and surprise, "because that's not what I'm seeing right now? Did a Fallen Angel not come to the aid of a Devil seconds ago?"
Realizing what she said, Rias coughed into her hand, ignoring the glare Raynare sent her.
"What I mean is; why would a Devil join forces with Kokabiel? It's just not like us to want war again, especially not after our Civil War which cut a lot of our numbers down."
"I agree," said Rika, as she cupped her chin in thought for a few moments.
Yet she had a frown on her face. She could think of one or two groups of Devils, who had motivation and would possible be able to work with Kokabiel.
Out of everyone within the Biblical Faction, he was the only Fallen Angel known wanting to restart the war.
Why would he do so? Everyone asked themselves. Didn´t he know that this could mean the end for all their races? Especially for his.
Grigori was the first to withdraw from the war first due to, so many casualties caused on their side.
In fact, it was because of Kokabiel's no retreat no surrender tactics that led to so many Fallen Angel deaths. From letters written by their spies within Grigori she read, Azazel, and especially Shemhazai, were furious at him for the suicidal tactics. Why they didn't lock him away in Cocytus was a mystery she'd never know.
"How many swords where stolen?" asked Asumoto.
"Three," replied Rika with a sigh, "Rapidly, Transparent, and Nightmare. The higher ups thought it wise to send not one, but two Excalibur's to recover the stolen ones."
Rias and Asumoto's eyes widened in shock.
"What?"
"Are you kidding? They're practically giving them to Kokabiel on a silver platter!"
"Yeah. And worse, if these two fail, then Destruction and Mimic are to be destroyed with the other swords," Rika sighed in frustration as she rubbed her forehead. "I don't know why the Church would do something as idiotic as this, but the decision has been made. Luckily, when I heard about this, I asked Father Dulio to send me along as backup."
Everyone shared a look with one another. The Church was indeed very stupid to do something as idiotic as this. At least Rika was here to give them back up. Her swordsmanship was extortionary, wonder if she knew spells.
"Furthermore," she added as her eyes flickered to Kiba, "We received word from one of our spies before he was killed, that leader of the Holy Sword Project is working with Kokabiel."
Kiba's face darkened at that, his hand where clenched in fists of rage, his body shook uncomfortably.
"I knew he'd be part of this someway!"
"It isn't that big of a surprise to hear the Genocide Archbishop, Valper Galilei, would be involved in the stealing of the Excalibur's."
"Wait, who's that and what's the Holy Sword Project?" asked Issei.
"What it is, Issei Hyoudou - is a horrible project that the Church had no knowledge of till it was too late. To put it short, Valper used children as test subjects to see if they could use Holy Swords. When it failed he killed them all."
"Not all of them."
For what felt like the fifth time today, surprise filled the room when Kiba say those words. The swordsman bangs shadowed his eyes, his hands were clenched, and a deep frown was on his face.
"Valper did not kill them all."
Asumoto's eyes widened he had begun to put the pieces together and now they made sense.
"You're the only survivor of the Holy Sword Project and hate the Church because of that," he stated.
Kiba grinned his teeth at that. The rage he had let loose at that moment: "Not the Church, but the sword! I live to get revenge on those damn swords for what they did to my comrades! I'm going to destroy the Excalibur's!"
"No, you're not," said Rika calmly as she waved Xenovia down from doing anything. "I apologize on behalf of the Church for not knowing about Valper's actions sooner and sorry for the loos of your friends. However, those swords are being returned to the Church."
Before Kiba could or do anything, the arm of Asumoto stood in his way.
"She's right, Kiba. Those Excalibur fragments are vital to the Church." He could feel Kiba trying to move forward but Asumoto was too strong. He would not allow his revenge to get in the way of the Church mission. "And as Queen of this Peerage, I rank second in command of leading you all. So, you are forbidden from destroying the Excalibur fragments and if you disobey this order…" he called forth his Tanto and pressed it to Kiba's neck, "you'll be joining your friends."
"Asumoto!" gasped Rias, horrified by his action and words.
"Am I clear, Kiba?" Asumoto asked, while ignoring his master. He needed more than just an order to stop him from acting reckless, he needed a threat.
Kiba glared at the older swordsman with resentment but was obviously unfazed by it.
"Am. I. Clear?"
"Crystal…" the Knight growled as he was pushed away from the weapon by the Queen.
Asumoto understood the blonde's pain, but would not allow his revenge to stop the Church from retrieving the Excalibur fragments. Those swords were special to the Church, just like the Kusanagi was special to the Shinto Faction.
"Anyway." Rika coughed to get back on track with everything. "That is why we have come to Kuoh and request that if either or see Kokabiel, Valper, or even the swords, please tell us immediately.
"Saint Moritsugu, you can't be serious!?"
"If peace is to be kept, then I will ally with Devil's and Fallen Angels to do so!" Rika's sharp tone cut down Irina's objection like a sword through paper. Then she readdressed Rias. "You must understand, Gremory-sama, if we are to prevent war then we must work together."
"I understand clearly, Rika-san. I will keep an ear out for anything about those and alert you immediately."
"Thank you." Rika bowed. "Now we must be off. Those swords must be retired as soon as possible."
"And we gotta tell, Azazel-sama about this," Raynare added. "Dohnaseek get me, Azazel-sama."
The fedora wearing Fallen Angel nodded and opened a communication line via magic circle to get in contact with their leader.
"Hello!? Who's this! This isn't an appropriate time to—... Tamiel watch out!"
It was the Governor General's voice. But he sounded panicked, and there seem to be a battle going on from the sounds in the background. The sound of battle did not go unnoticed by everyone else in the room. Everyone crowded around the Fallen to hear what was going on.
"Azazel-sama, we must pull back!"
Akeno stiffened at the deep gruff familiar voice.
"Lord Azazel!? What's happening!?" cried Raynare, panic in her tone.
"Raynare-chan, you're still alive!? Nnhh! Keep that barrier up Shemhazai!"
"Lord Azazel, what's going on? Are you hurt?" the ravenette asked again.
"I'm fine, poor Penemue isn't We've—." He sentences was drowned out by a loud explosion.
"What was that?"
"We've been betrayed! Kokabiel's enacted a coup d'état!" they heard Azazel´s voice saying. "And he is not alone. Devils are with him... members of the Old Satan Faction."