II Chapter 3: First half: Hell
() Ddraig speaking
{} Sparda speaking
"" Demon/Dark self speaking
"Do you really have to go?"
Asia was seen looking at Seras sadly as she was packing some essentials for the training trip.
"Sorry, but if I'm going to free Rias then I'm going to need to get as strong as possible for the upcoming match. Besides Rias agreed to let you come to their training trip so I'll only be gone for a week."
"O-okay."
Asia had what was perhaps the most adorable sad face in the world.
Seras couldn't help but gloomy Asia.
"Eh?! Seras?"
Asia was as red as a tomato from the fact her crush was hugging her.
"I can't help it. You're just too cute Asia-chan."
At some point Asia fainted though Seras didn't notice till the last minute.
"So you ready to go?"
Akuma was staring Seras as she grabbed her backpack.
"Just hold on a sec. I need to say my goodbyes."
She ran towards Raynare & Asia who were preparing to teleport to the ORC's location.
"Well I guess this is goodbye for now."
Raynare looked sadly at Seras.
"Come on Raynare-chan, Asia-chan. You make it sound like this will be the last time we see each other. It's only for a week anyway."
"I know but still it's just that…"
Raynare gestured towards Akuma's location.
"You don't trust him."
It was statement.
"There is a reason why the devils call him kin-slayer and if what Sparda told you was true then…"
Seras stopped her from finishing.
"Akuma told me that he only found out that I was alive quite recently so he has a legitimate excuse for not being there for me. Even if it isn't true I don't care the slightest bit about it."
Raynare & Asia looked sad at the last part knowing what she truly meant by that.
Seras, seeing there sad expressions, decided to cheer them up in her own mischievous way.
She quickly kissed the two on the cheek before running off leaving a stunned, frozen, embarrassed former fallen angel & nun in the dust.
"All ready to go Akuma."
His answer was to chuckle at her actions.
He quickly unsheathed his sword before slicing vertically in front of him and sheathing it back again before Seras could get a good look at the blade.
A portal opened up surprising Seras. Akuma walked in first before looking back at Seras.
"You coming?"
Shaking off her surprise, she quickly ran to the portal. The portal closed leaving no trace of the demon and half-devil.
"So where exactly are we going?"
Akuma looked at Seras.
"If I tell you now you'd probably try to kick my ass and run."
Seras looked at him oddly but decided not to ask.
She didn't know how long she and Akuma were in this bright blue tunnel-like place. She considered just walking forward however Akuma simply stood still so she figured it'd be a bad idea.
After a moment of silence she decided to strike up a conversation with him once again.
"So… you're my uncle."
He raised an eyebrow at her.
"Yes I am your uncle… though I probably don't deserve to call myself that."
He looked a bit sad at that.
"Why is that?"
Seraas had an inkling but still wanted to hear it.
"… If I had cared for you then you would not have suffered everyday of your life and you wouldn't have ended up turning into a full demon if I was there."
She looked into his cat-like eyes and she saw it. Regret. He truly felt he was to blame for all this.
Her gaze soften seeing this.
"I don't blame you for what happened to me. It happened anyway and there is nothing we can do about it. If you truly believe that it's your fault then this is your chance to fix it right now."
Akuma looked at her before chuckling.
"You're like a depressing version of your mother."
She couldn't tell whether that was a compliment or an insult.
"Seems we're almost there."
She looked forward and noticed a large opening at the end slowly coming towards them. She couldn't make out what was at the other side quite yet.
"Here put this on."
She grabbed the offered item and took a good look at it.
It was perhaps the most intimidating mask she had ever seen in her life.
It looked almost like a skull with jagged teeth from one side to the other with two thick backlines down either side of the mask's face going over the eye sockets and the teeth like markings. What was disturbing was that the mask felt like it was made out of actual bone.
She gave a questioning glance to Akuma.
"It's a shinigami mask. Pried off the face of a grim reaper once. The mask has special properties and it'll help filter out the miasma in the atmosphere."
"Miasma?"
Seras questioned.
"Miasma is a sort of invisible gas that all demonic beings produce, although devils produce very little of it to the point of it being nonexistent. Miasma is usually harmless unless a large amount of it is gathered in one place then it becomes toxic. Though invisible, some demons have been known to produce visible miasma which is poisonous to even other demonic beings."
He gave a glance to Seras.
"Where we're going has large concentrations of miasma. Under different circumstances this wouldn't even be a problem however due to you repressing your demonic powers and it rushing back into your system so quickly I have no idea how your new demon body will react to the miasma. So better safe then sorry."
She put the mask on deciding to take his warning to heart and put the mask on.
It had an odd feeling to it almost as if she had a second layer of skin.
"How do I look?"
She balked hearing her voice.
It sounded echoey and demonic. What she didn't know was that her eyes also changed with the sclera becoming black with the irises being a bright crimson.
Akuma looked a bit surprised at the change itself but decided not to concern himself with it for now.
"Like a demon."
He deadpanned.
She scowled and glared at him which with the mask made it a lot more intimidating.
"We're here."
The two were ejected out of the tunnel causing Seras to stumble a bit.
Grabbing her bearings she looked at her surroundings and her eyes widen in shock.
Dark storm clouds covered the entire sky leaving no light except for those produced by the flames at the edge of the cliffs as well as the literally screaming fireballs coming out of the sky. With what little light out there she could make out a large river at the far distance as well as a large ship-like construct.
When she looked at the ground it took a full minute for her to realize that it was made out of the bodies of people moaning in pain.
"Where the hell are we?"
"You just answered your own question."
"What do you…"
She trailed off when she realized the answer.
Her eyes widened and she looked at Akuma with a combination of rage & fear.
"You need to understand that this is the best place for you to control your demonic powers. Any other place will just make things harder."
Seras just glared at him.
Akuma sighed.
"If it'll make you feel better you should know that since your a full-fledged demon the chances of them attacking you are very low now."
Seras simply sigh knowing there was no way she was getting out of this.
"After the week is over, I am going to beat the living shit out of you."
He just chuckled before walking off with Seras following close behind.
During the walk she was taking careful steps as she was afraid that one of the bodies that made up the glass-like floor would grab her and drag her into the piles to add to the ground, despite Sparda's reassurances.
Eventual they came upon the edge of the cliff they were on. Before she could ask how they were going to get down he suddenly jumped over.
Alarmed, she quickly looked over the cliff, only to see him sliding down a pole… made out of bones.
"Ok that's just weird."
She jumped and slid down the bone pole… that just sounded wrong.
Eventually she landed on solid ground with a loud thud. She was pleasantly surprised to see that it was solid stone.
Akuma and Seras walked a bit until they were near the large river.
Now that she was closer she saw that it was an oversized ferry, seemingly made out of flesh. The mast head resembled a fleshy skull.
She was startled she saw the head moved with glowing yellow eyes. It made her realize that this was no boat but a large demon.
"Charon the ferryman of the damn, he ferries them across the River Acheron and into Limbo where some will stay there while the rest will be judged."
Akuma paused for a moment.
"We'll be going to Limbo ourselves for training since that's the safest place out of all the demon realms, so we'll be boarding Charon."
Seras stared at him with a 'ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FREAKING MIND?!' look.
"You have nothing to worry about. Unlike your ancestor Dante, you're a demon so Charon won't do anything to you."
"What about you?"
"… I may be a half-devil but most demons will never dare try to fight me. I have my blood to thank for that."
She simply looked confused at his answer but shrugged it off. The two continued walking till they came across a large stone bridge filled to the brim with damn souls walking into Charon.
"Please tell me we're not going through that?"
She really didn't want to be near any of those souls.
"No we'll going in like this."
Grappling a tight rope, that she hadn't noticed till now, with his sheathed sword he slid down the rope heading towards Charon.
Seras couldn't help but deadpan at this.
"Can't we ever get across like normal people?"
(Since when were you ever normal?)
"… touche."
She created two very dull-bladed sickles and grappled the rope, sliding towards Charon.
Eventually she got into one of the supposed windows swing forward and landing inside with a thud.
She looked around and saw that the inside was that of a regular old fashion boat, thank whatever deity out there for that. Surprisingly despite the darkness the whole place was comfy.
"You might as well sit down and get some rest. It's going to be another long trip before we get to Limbo."
She couldn't help but roll her eyes at the fact she had to wait again to her destination. She found herself a nice corner to sit and sleep for the entire trip.
So deep in her sleep she didn't even notice Charon moving.
Other than the moans of the damn, everything was quiet.
Warmth, comfort, love and safety. That was what she felt in the arms of this woman. She looked up to gaze at the chocolate brown eyes of the woman holding her. The woman was practically a carbon copy of Seras except being a bit older and also being more… gifted in certain areas. But there were other differences such as the fact that her skin was a light brown colour, hair as black as the night sky and a warmth in her eyes that only a mother can have.
She looked lovingly at the little girl she was holding. She was perhaps no older than 3 and yet it was obvious that she was the woman's child.
The child was content with simply basking in her mother's warmth & love. The mother smiled and kissed her child on her forehead causing her to giggle.
"Adreana!"
The little girl turned to see another little girl heading towards her. She was the same age as her however her skin was pale, her hair white and having two different coloured eyes with her left being green while her right being blue.
Before she could respond the entire world suddenly became dark leaving her all alone….
"Seras wake up."
She opened her eyes feeling a bit weary from that strange dream she had.
"We need to get moving."
Akuma climbed up the stairs with Seras following close behind.
They were now at the top deck, which looked a spine & ribs, watching all the souls getting off the ship and starting their new eternal lives of damnation.
"So the Slayer of Devils and the Demon Princess have returned home."
Hearing a loud, booming demonic voice suddenly speak up Seras unsheathed her knives looking around trying to detect the demon that spoke.
"Charon…"
Seras than realized it was the ferryman that spoke.
"I only came here to train my new apprentice here, nothing more, nothing less."
"Is that so? No matter even if you are a half devil, hell runs in your blood just as much as that young princess. You two will always come here whether you want to or not."
Seras couldn't help but glare at him. As if she'd ever want to return to this place!
"Come on let's go."
He suddenly grabbed her bridal-style and before she could react he unfurled his wings and took off.
She clung tightly to him so as not to accidentally fall off. After a minute they came across a dead-looking forest.
He landed on a clearing and gently put Seras down, who proceeded to punch him in the face, breaking his nose.
"Pervert."
"Don't flatter yourself, I'm a married man."
A loud crack was heard as he reseted his nose.
{Married?!}
Sparda was tremendously surprised hearing that.
"Who's the lucky lady?"
"A kitsune."
Both Sparda & Seras had had nothing to say about that.
"This spot will do."
He stabbed his sheathed sword to ground with a rune suddenly forming on the spot.
"The first thing we should do right now is help you summon a Devil Arm."
"Devil Arm?"
"Devil Arms are weapons made out of the souls of high-powered demons. The level of power varies and they're usually created when a demon submits to the winning combatant."
"What gives you the idea that I have a Devil Arm?"
"I can sense four souls in you: Yours, Sparda's, Ddraig's, and one demon."
Seras was surprised and was about to ask how that was possible until she remembered her fight with the priest.
'Did you guys know about this.'
(I didn't. There's so many weaponry in your mindscape, with most of them being demonic, it's like trying to detect a needle in a haystack. Besides I suck at energy sensing)
{In truth even now I can't sense it because your own demonic power is hiding its presence}
Seras sighed at this information.
"In all honesty it's actually quite simple and easy really. To summon a Devil Arm when it doesn't appear instantly all you have to do is think of the demon you defeated and simply bring forth the power. It's basically no different than summoning a Sacred Armament."
Seras concentrated on bringing out the Devil Arm while thinking about the priest.
A glow appeared on her back before shooting out and landing on her hand. The glow changed shape and dissipated leaving behind a 7 foot long sword. The blade was a dull silver colour with a golden handle and yet strangely no guard. There were strange glowing purple runes on the blade itself that just screamed demonic.
"… Morningstar."
Her eyes widened when the name of the sword suddenly just popped into her head.
Almost instinctively she directed her attention to a nearby tree and swung her sword causing needles of light to form and shred the tree into dust.
"… I think I can get used to this."
Seras looked at Morningstar in amazement.
"If you're done…"
Seras turned her attention back to Akuma.
"Even though I wanted you to summon your Devil Arm, it actually has very little to do with the training regime."
He looked at the clouded sky.
"What I'm about to do is teach you how to control, direct & manipulate your demonic power and there is only one art that can help you with that?"
He than stared at Seras and for some reason she grew unease.
"Tell me, have you ever heard of Youjutsu?"
She honestly had no idea how long she'd been here. It felt like days however it was hard to tell when there was no sun or night sky to look at.
Anyway right now she was bringing out her yokai (a type of energy that only demons & youkais can use) and was manipulating it to take the form of a small orb.
Right now she was not wearing the shinigami mask due to the fact that Akuma deemed it safe enough to remove due to Limbo having the LEAST amounts of miasma concentration as well as the fact he wanted Seras to start getting used to breathing in miasma. They were actually surprised when Seras kept breathing out visible miasma however both Akuma & Sparda realized that this was a sign that Seras' demonic reserves were far larger than they thought.
Anyway Akuma explained that Youjutsu mainly focuses on seals, illusions, barriers, spell craft, and reinforcement. It can also be used to amplify the inherent abilities of the user. When combined with Senjutsu it can create pure blasts of destructive power as well as the ability to manipulate space & time itself. Unfortunately it was impossible for Seras to learn Senjutsu do to it being an art for those of the Earth and since Seras is a demon of Hell… well you get the point.
Anyway Seras managed two bring forth her yokai during the time passed and was able to give it form. The orb changed shape into that of a cylinder, than a square, than a pyramid.
She kept changing the shape until a voice called out.
"That's enough Seras."
The orb dissipated and she stood up from her mediative position.
"Since you managed to master the basics I think its time to teach you one of the techniques."
Akuma rose up his right hand, flattening it out with all the fingers leaving absolutely no gap between them. Suddenly the blue marks on his hand glowed, he turned and slashed downward, the force slicing the tree like wet paper.
"That was the Hougetsu Jigen-Tou. It is the ultimate cutting technique."
"How does it work?"
Seras was extremely interested in that technique.
"It's a form of space manipulation. It allows the user to delay the dimension that they exist which allows them to pass to go through any matter. As a weapon it can slice through anything and as a defence it allows you to pass through obstructions and nullify attacks."
Seras widened her eyes in amazement. However she then realized.
"Wait a minute you said that only demons and youkais can use youjutsu, so how were you able to use that technique."
"You see my marks?"
He pointed at the blue tattoos he had on his cheeks.
She nodded in confirmation.
"My wife gave me those. They allow me to absorb and manipulate yokai safely even though I'm only a half devil."
She could sense Sparda's interest in those marks as well as slight worry. He knew that messing with yokai is a very dangerous thing if one doesn't produce it naturally.
"Anyway channel yokai into your hand and try to find the scar of this dimension. When you do stick your hand into it and try and slice any object you see."
'The scar?'
{This should help}
Instantly her vision changed. Right now it looked like the entire world was made up of ethereal blue energy. She looked at her yokai covered hand and noticed it was glowing quite brightly. She then noticed something odd. They were a low number of strange black marks around the area, almost like… scars.
Seras looked at the nearest and scar and stuck her hand into it. She was surprised to notice that the scar disappeared and her hand seemingly became transparent.
Closing her eyes, she opened them once again and her vision became normal. She noticed that her hand was now covered in rune marks similar to Akuma's except they were red rather than blue. Approaching a tree she readied her hand-blade and with a quick motion sliced of some branches. She was surprised out how easily she had done it and yet even so she had felt some resistance, not a lot but still some.
"Good work, however it still needs some improvement before you can do a proper Hougetsu Jigen-Tou."
Akuma was examining the cut branches before looking at Seras.
"Now try it again."
It was starting to annoy Seras how she wasn't able to tell the time in this place. To her it felt like she'd been here for weeks and it didn't help that she'd train to exhaustion. However she couldn't deny that the training was helping her. Now she was able to do two proper Hougetsu Jigen-Tou simultaneously without having to see the dimensional scars, her ability to manipulate yokai and other demonic energies put her at an expert level, and now she was able to summon her blue flames anytime she wants. However she was not able to do a full body Hougetsu Jigen-Tou like her sensei yet and with her blue flames she still needed to feel a form of negative emotion in order to summon it. Luckily or unluckily, depending on whose view you asked, she's constantly feeling something negative even if she doesn't know it herself… yeah most definitely unluckily.
Right now Seras was practicing on using her flames by burning a few trees to ashes. Akuma was meditating on a boulder.
Seras sighed as she burned another tree to ashes. Despite not being able to tell the time Akuma had recently told her that the week was almost done.
She stared intently at him seemingly debating on something till finally she started to approach him.
"Akuma-sensei!"
Akuma opened his eyes and looked down at her.
"There's a favour I want from you."
In response Akuma jumped off from his perch and landed in front of Seras.
"You said it yourself that the week is almost over before you send me back to Earth and let me train with the devils."
He nodded in response.
"This entire training has helped tremendously however there is one thing that I'm lacking… experience, a way to put my newfound skills to the test."
"What are you saying?"
Akuma knew what she wanted however he wanted to hear it himself.
"I want you to fight me with the intention to kill."
She could hear Ddraig chocking on his own spit while she sensed Sparda's disbelief.
Akuma merely rose up an eyebrow.
"… Are you sure about this? If I accept this then the chance of you dying will be quite high."
He didn't ask why, simply stating a warning.
"Yes, despite my experience, it is that of a killer not a fighter and those I killed are no different then that of animals."
She looked at him with determination in her eyes.
"Raiser's the opposite of me, while I was built to kill he was built to fight. Because of that he will wipe the floor with me in the Rating Game which is something I can't afford."
Her gaze seemed to harden.
"I can see the way you move and the look in your eyes, that you are built to fight AND kill. If I can survive the remaining week against you than it'll be enough for me to hold my ground against him. So sensei… don't hold back."
Akuma seemed to stare at Seras with approval in his eyes.
He turned his back on her and walked a few feet away from her before stopping.
"So that's your final answer."
It wasn't a question.
He turned his head slightly to look at her.
He was holding his sword tightly in his left hand.
Seras knew it was going to start and so summoned Boosted Gear and Morningstar, all the while ignoring Sparda & Ddraig telling her to backdown.
Suddenly Seras was hit a tremendous amount of Killing Intent coming from Akuma. It was so large and strong that it nearly made Seras pass out in terror. This KI was unimaginable, she knew no one possessing this much. However now wasn't the time to hesitate as Rias' freedom was on the line.
Akuma unfurled his devil wings and released his devil power all the while covering himself in dense blue-coloured touki. She could hear thunderclouds which confused her at first until she realized that his aura was changing the weather.
Somehow through all this she could hear the near-silent screeching of metal being unsheathed.
"My niece… you have better survive this…"
He was now right in front of her, greatly surprising her as she didn't even see him move. The last she saw, was a silver-blue coming right at her.
Blood could be seen spilling the ground…
Gremory Mansion: Training grounds
The Occult Research team could be seen outside training. Rias, Akeno & Raynare were practicing on their spells; Koneko was busy pummelling a training dummy, Yumi was practicing her sword stances while Asia was seen watching them at a safe distance.
Rias decided to stop for a moment and looked on in the distance in worry. A week had already passed and yet Akuma and Seras had not arrived yet. She was starting to get worried; in all honesty she didn't really trust Akuma considering he was half the reason the devils nearly went extinct during the Great War. She had no idea why Akuma would take an interest in Seras however both Asia & Raynare seemingly know the reason however they said that it was up to Seras to tell them or not.
"I hope Seras will come back soon."
Asia clasped her hands in a prayer.
"Don't worry I'm sure she's fine."
Though that said Raynare wasn't any better.
"You know it wounds me that you people have so little faith in me."
Seemingly appearing out of nowhere was Akuma smirking at them.
Everyone stopped their training and approached him albeit a bit cautiously.
"Lord Akuma, welcome back." Rias said.
"Well it's good to be back. I much prefer Earth than the other realms."
They couldn't really tell if he's serious or not.
"It seems you guys have been training quite hard."
"Yes well we still have much to improve before the week is over."
"Well you guys definitely have your work cut out for you however given enough time you'll definitely be able to win the upcoming battle."
"Um… Lord Akuma?" Asia approached him. "Where is Seras?"
Everyone looked at Akuma with a worrisome expression. They all knew the reputation of the Kin slayer so it was to be expected that they were worried.
"You know your lack of faith in keeping my students safe wounds my pride."
Akuma then gained a thoughtful look.
"Though just about any student I take always seem to wind up in the hospital in the end. Wonder why?"
Everyone sweat-dropped at that. What made it worse was that he was seriously asking himself that.
"Well anyway, Seras should be here in about 4… 3… 2… 1…"
Out of nowhere a figure jumps out heading straight towards Akuma going for an overhead slash.
CLANG
Akuma easily blocks the blade with his sheathed sword before trying to strike the attacker only for the person to jump a feet away.
"You need to do better than that Seras if you want to lay a scratch on me."
The now revealed Seras removed her hood showing everyone the Shinigami mask, which caused everyone to take a step back in fright, before removing it and placing it on top of her head.
"I guess I do. However I still intend to kick your ass for literally sending me to freaking Hell!"
She said the last part with her left eye twitching dangerously.
"Wait what do you mean-?"
"Anyway since the first week is over it's time for me to leave for the time being and for you to start your own training with the devils."
Akuma interrupted Rias causing her to look at him in annoyance.
"Yeah I know."
Akuma than disappeared.
""Seras!""
She was then tackled by both Raynare & Asia causing them to fall to the ground.
"Geez you two, it's only been a week."
"Sorry, we couldn't help it. We just missed you a lot, isn't that right Asia?"
Raynare said the last part seductively.
"Raynare!"
Asia seemed to have got her meaning and was blushing a tomato red.
"All right enough teasing Raynare. Now could you two get off so I can stand up?"
The two quickly got off and Seras stood off the ground.
"It's good to see your back."
Yumi came forward with a smile with Koneko following close behind.
"Yeah it's good to be back Princess."
"… It's good that you're still alive Seras." Koneko said with a very small smile.
"Alive? Wait a minute… did you all think I was going to die?!"
Except for Asia & Raynare, everyone else looked either looked sheepish or guilty.
"Oh screw you guys!"
(Considering what you did to end your training they are justified)
'… Shut up.'
"Anyway are you alright Seras?"
Rias asked.
"Yeah I'm fine though I am a little roughed up from the last few days of training."
"Is that so? What did you train in anyway?"
"Akuma was teaching me demonic control as well as youjutsu."
Koneko looked shocked and a bit worried at that last part.
"After I was done the last part of training was… survival."
Seras looked away when she said that last part which got them suspicious.
"Well anyway…"
Rias then hugged Seras, surprising her a bit but hugged her back.
"Welcome back Seras."
"Yeah it's good be back Rias."
Akuma could be seen standing in the shadows watching the proceedings.
"Wonder how Rias will react to Seras' connection to the pawn pieces?"
Author's Notes
Alright we have covered Seras' first half of training and we get another brief glance of Seras' mysterious past that she herself is not aware.
Not onto the next half!