Chapter 11: Evil Pieces
"Incredible!" Rias exclaimed, "I've never seen anything like it!" She and Akeno were carefully examining the gauntlet on Adrians forearm, the term "fascinated" being an understatement.
"Well as cool as it looks, would someone mind telling me what it is?" Asked Adrian, more than a little curious.
"Well, it's obviously a Sacred Gear," said Akeno, "But what's odd is that we've never heard of a Sacred Gear with this description. And it's ability to devour the power of others? Adding to your own? It's unheard of!"
"Which is why we're curious," said Rias, "Because Sacred Gears have a habit of taxing their users each time they use their powers." Adrian looked up at Rias once again,
"And that's another thing, I thought only humans could get Sacred Gears? And I was never really a human being, therefore I shouldn't have this." Rias sat in her chair, truly stumped,
"Adrian, I really have no idea. But it is worth investigating. Also, you must never go near the church again. For us devils, the church is enemy territory. Setting foot there for any reason would cause problems for both angels and devils. Surely something inside of you was telling you to keep away." Adrian thought back to when he was walking Asia to the church, and the feeling that made his skin crawl.
"Now that you mention it, yeah."
"That was your devil instinct," explained Rias, "It was alerting you of the danger inside that church. A devil and someone from the church being in close proximity to each other is risky. What's worse, some of the exorcists affiliated with the church use Sacred Gears."
"Exorcists?" Adrian looked down at the floor in thought,
Could this mean...Asia is a...? No. She was far too kind to do such a thing.
"Adrian?"
"Yes?"
"If a devil is purged, it is complete annihilation. They can feel nothing, are gone forever, and no coming back from that! Do you understand?" Adrian was silent after Rias' outburst,
"Understood." Rias took a deep breath,
"I'm sorry, I just want you to be more careful, that's all."
Time passed, and Adrian was sitting on the front steps to the ORC, keeping to himself, an image of Asia flashing before his eyes, and Adrian let out a sad sigh,
"Guess now I really won't be able to keep that promise," he said to himself. He heard a whistle, and saw Calvin and Katrina heading up the stairs to him, carrying a set of sodas.
"Heard Rias was a bit pissed off with you. Thought we'd bring a little something to lighten your mood," said Calvin, handing him one.
"Thanks," said Adrian, cracking it open.
"She's not pissed off," said Katrina, "she just wants to make sure you don't get hurt or killed. She cares for you, just like we care for you," she said, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "Hell, if you two didn't have feelings for each other, I would have gone out with you already." This got both Adrians and Calvins attention,
"Say what now?"
"What? You're a good looking, even tempered guy who respects women, has a big heart for people even when they might not deserve it, and willing to do what you can to help them, what's to hate?" She then noticed Calvins look of betrayal, and she raised an eyebrow, "You keep blowing your chances, so I don't want to hear it."
"What chances did you give me?" Asked Calvin, wanting to know.
"Well, you wake up next to me in bed, both of us are naked, and you sigh in relief when I say I'm still a virgin. Most likely because of me being ash grey or because of my violent tendencies." She then stood up, back turned on both Adrian and Calvin, and the Conduit stood up, turning the Goddess of War right around,
"I didn't sigh in relief because of NOT sleeping with you. I sighed in relief because I thought we did and completely forgot about it!" Katrinas expression changed, "If we did do it, I would like to remember it! Because you're a beautiful, strong willed and spirited girl, and I'm only half sure that this is the right phrase but you're a loaded pistol...and I like it!" All was silent after Calvins confession, and Katrina could only look at the ground,
"So you like me that much?"
"To be honest I really do," said Calvin, nodding his head. Katrina paused, then folded her arms in front of herself,
"Then kiss me," she ordered, "Prove you really like me as much as you say." Calvin turned to Adrian, then back to Katrina,
"Right here right now?" Katrina grabbed two handfuls of Calvins shirt and yanked him close, and Adrian could no longer see their faces, so he walked to the side of them, and saw the two in a deep lip lock, with Calvins eyes wide open in shock. He looked over to Adrian, who made a gesture from his eyes to Katrina, mouthing while he does so,
Eyes on her, stupid! Calvin didn't need to be told twice, and returned Katrinas kiss, wrapping his arms around her waist, while she wrapped her arms around his neck. Adrian then tried to sneak off, until...
"Awe that's so cute!" Adrian jumped at the voice coming from out of nowhere, while Calvin and Katrina parted, both of them wiping their mouths clean with the back of their arm and hand respectively. The three saw Akeno standing not too far from them. "I always thought you two would make an adorable couple!"
"What are you four still doing here?" Asked Rias, coming down the stairs, "I thought you all went home already."
"We just got a message from the archduke," informed Akeno, "There's a stray devil causing trouble nearby, and it sounded urgent." Calvin and Katrina looked to each other, smiled, and turned back to Akeno and Rias,
"I've been waiting for a good brawl for a while," said Calvin.
"I wouldn't be able to call myself the Goddess of War if I sat out of a fight," said Katrina, releasing her blades, and her spartan armor flaming to life. Adrian simply smiled,
This should be interesting, he thought to himself.
Some time later...
"So let me get this straight, these stray devils start off like us servants, but then they kill off their masters to gain their freedom, and become official strays?" Asked Issei, joining the rest of the Occult Research Club outside of an abandoned house.
"They don't always kill their master, but close enough," said Adrian.
"According to reports," began Akeno, "This particular devil has been luring people into this house right here...and eating them."
"Yeesh! And I thought what Adrian does was horrifying," commented Calvin, "No offense man," he quickly added when he got Adrians glare.
"The job is simple," stated Akeno, "We go in, find the beast and kill it."
"Sounds like fun," said Katrina, cracking her knuckles. Calvin and Adrian then landed a double kick on the front door, busting it down, and allowed everyone to enter.
"Now remember, these monsters are truly evil. They care for nothing except their own selfish desires, and that always ends in ugliness," said Kiba with a frown.
"You don't sound like you're joking," said Issei nervously.
"Adrian, Calvin, Katrina and Issei," Rias called out, all four lined up in front of her,
"Yes ma'am?"
"Are any of you familiar with the game of chess?" Adrian made a so-so gesture, while the others answered, starting with Calvin,
"I never was a fan of it."
"And I totally suck at it," said Issei.
"I won a chess championship at my middle school once, but what has that got to do with what we are going to do?" Asked Katrina. Rias cleared her throat to better explain,
"As the master, I'm the king piece. My empress is my queen, my cavalier, the knight, my tank, the rook, and finally my foot soldiers, the pawns. Devils with titles of nobility grant each piece to their servants. These pieces in question are called Evil Pieces."
"Not sure if I like the 'Evil' part of that," said Katrina, keeping her guard up.
"I want you four to simply watch and learn. Pay close attention to my other servants as they do battle here tonight," said Rias.
"It's here!" Koneko stated, and everyone got in a fighting stance.
"My, my," said a feminine voice, "I wonder what that foul fecal smell is. But something also smells quite delicious. I wonder if it tastes sweet or bitter."
"I see big boobies!" Issei squeaked, earning a smack to the back of the head from Adrian as the stray devil made her appearance. She had long raven black hair, fair skin, and topless, breasts on full display, while her lower half was still hidden in the shadows.
"Viser you wretch!" Shouted Rias, "You betrayed your master and ran away to fulfill the lustful wants and desires that have consumed you. Your sins are worthy of a thousand hells. In the name of the great marquee of Gremory, begone or meet your death!"
"Can it, you little slut!" Shouted Viser, which made Adrian clench his fist, "You always had it in for me! You're just jealous that you'll never have breasts as luscious as these!" She began to knead herself in front of the group, and Rias continued,
"This is your final warning! Go back to your master now!"
"So this is a stray devil?" Asked Issei, sporting a perverted grin, and earning yet another slap to the back of the head, this time from the flat of Katrinas left blade.
"Looks like a street walker from New Marais," said Calvin distastefully. Her attention is then grabbed by Calvin and Adrian,
"Mmm...you brought some handsome devils with you I see," said Viser, a seductive grin spreading on her face, "After I kill Rias and her house, how would you two like to play with these?" She then squeezed her breasts together, trying to seduce the two, but only Issei was having a massive nosebleed.
"Lady," began Calvin, "If I ever got into the idea of tag teaming, it wouldn't be with a stray devil whore like you. Besides, I just barely got a girlfriend today, who happens to be standing right there, with the gigantic blades? Who I'm sure would eat you alive...metaphorically speaking." Viser cackled hysterically,
"If that's the case, I guess I'll just have to eat her alive...LITERALLY!" A massive hand reached out from the darkness, trying to grab for Calvin and Adrian, but Calvin barrel rolls back to the group, while Adrian backflips alongside him, landing gracefully.
"When I said it ends in ugliness, Issei, now you can see I was not joking," said Kiba.
"WELL HOW THE FUCK WERE WE SUPPOSED TO KNOW YOU MEANT LITERALLY UGLY?!!" Calvin shouted, the stray devil now entering the light, revealing her lower half was an entire creature, like a monstrous chimera, a massive blue eye in its center, right below her waist, an orange snake tail, two massive red nailed hands in front, creature like legs in back, and black fur covering her waist down, and around most of her lower half.
"Like something my ancestor would be hunting," said Katrina in disgust.
"She's got a nice rack though...what a waste," Issei half whined. The four then noticed runes appearing on her nipples, making them perk, rotating faster and faster,
"You know, getting shot at by cops in New Marais doesn't seem so bad now," said Calvin, seeing the disturbing sight before him. Yellow lights then appeared on her nipples, and laser like blasts shot forth, making the ORC dodge as best they can, and seeing the blasts melt holes in the wall.
"This is a porno I don't want to be in!" Stated Issei.
"Would you think with the head on your shoulders for once...dammit?" Asked Adrian, showing much annoyance with Issei's foolery.
"Be careful, all of you. Kiba!" Shouted Rias, and the blonde haired boy reached for his sword, which the four are just now realizing was in his possession, and he suddenly vanished.
"He-he vanished!" Issei said, stupefied.
"No, he's just fast, I got him on infrared," said Adrian, keeping a careful eye on him.
"Kiba is my knight, his attribute is speed, and his ultimate attack is his sword," said Rias, as Kiba dashed around the room, successfully slicing off Visers larger than life arms. She screamed in pain as Koneko slowly approached her. Visers face then morphed into something more hideous, and a large vertical mouth opened as she stood on her hind legs, and she dove towards Koneko, swallowing her whole in her lower mouth. Issei gasped, Calvin and Katrina made a move, but Adrian raised a hand, stopping them, while Rias smiled,
"It's alright," she assured. Sure enough, the jaws of Visers lower mouth were pried open, revealing an unhurt yet barely dressed Koneko, stunning Issei, Calvin with Katrina, and Adrian nodded his head, impressed at her strength. "In the game she's my rook. Her attribute is simple, unparalleled strength. THAT," Rias pointed to Visers lower jaws, "won't even put a dent in her."
"See you on the flip side," said the smaller girl, sending a right hook into her lower teeth, shattering them, freeing herself, and sending Viser flying. She crashed into a far pillar, while Issei spoke,
"Mental note, DO NOT piss her off." Viser then made a dash for Calvin and Katrina, snatching them both in her normal sized arms, and lifting them off the ground,
"If I can't kill you all, I'll settle for two!" She roared. This wound up being her last words as Katrina brought one blade across her throat, making her drop the Goddess, while Calvin sent a shockwave to her face, zapping her and temporarily blinding her.
"Akeno," called Rias, and the dark haired girl stepped forward,
"Oh is it my turn? Oh so exciting! I just love this game!" She said in delight. None of them noticed that one of Visers larger arms were starting to move, until one of them dove for Rias, and Adrian acted.
"Watch out!" He shouted, and he formed his whipfist, shoved Rias out of the way, and sliced the giant arm in half down the middle, sparing Rias' life. Adrian offered a hand to the downed redhead,
"Thanks for that, Adrian," said Rias, in complete surprise, taking Adrians hand, and they both noticed the other arm heading straight for them, only for Issei to punch it away with his Sacred Gear, this time Adrian being the surprised one.
"Huh, I guess the savior needed a little saving of his own. Thanks Issei," Adrian said gratefully.
"Hey no problem, my body did that on its own!" Laughed Issei. Rias then returned to her serious expression,
"Akeno, finish her off please!"
"I've got news for you, you're not the only one who like to play rough," Akeno flirtatiously said to Viser, "So why don't you and I have some fun?" Yellow lightning then sparked between her hands, intriguing Calvin,
"Akeno is my queen," said Rias, "She is a perfect combination of all the other pieces. She is simply unbeatable."
"Tough girl," teased said queen, who was being glared at by Viser, "not ready to give up yet? Goodie! I get to play some more!"
"Her power is a dark magical power, and that's not all..." said Rias, trailing off as Akeno sent a massive lightning bolt at Viser, shocking her relentlessly.
"This violence..." Akeno said with a smile, "...It's getting me hot!"
"...she's REALLY into SM," finished Rias. Akeno continued to shock Viser, while the others watched on, clearly turning herself on while she tortured the stray devil.
"You probably could have left off that last bit," said Calvin with a blush, but it dissappeared when he saw Katrina wearing an even bigger blush than him!
"Alright Akeno, I think she's had enough," said Rias, and Akeno ceased her lightning, the massive stray collapsing in a half charred heap.
"Over already? And just when i was beggining to enjoy myself!" Akeno said to herself with a blush. Rias then stepped toward the dying stray,
"Any last words?" Viser had none, thanks to Katrinas slicing of her throat, so she could only gurgle out a response. "Let's get this over then," Rias formed a massive rune in between her and Viser, "Game over!" She had to stop herself as Adrian placed a gentle hand on her shoulder,
"Would you mind if I had this one? I got something special in mind for her." Rias paused, thought about what Adrian was asking, and dissolved her rune,
"Make it quick," said Rias, and Adrian leapt up to the highest point on Viser, forming his claws, and with one quick stab, drove all claws in, and sent tendrils from himself all throughout her, absorbing her, consuming her,
"There is no shitting way Adrian is going to absorb all that," said Calvin. Issei raised an eyebrow,
"Five bucks says he will."
"Ten says he does but will have some sort of side effect afterwards," said Katrina, joining in. Before long, nothing remained of the massive stray, and Adrian began to clutch his head in pain, and while all looked on in concern, Calvin and Issei both handed Katrina a ten dollar bill each.
"Adrian?" Asked Rias concerned.
"I'm fine, said Adrian, "Just a side effect of receiving memories, that's all."
"Well then, I think we're done here, lets go home," said Rias with a smile.
"Sounds good to me," everyone else said in unison.
"Hey wait, what am I?" Asked Issei, "Am I a knight or something badass like that?"
"Pretty sure all of us, the new guys, are pawns," said Adrian, making an assumption.
"Good guess," said Rias.
"But I don't want to be a pawn," Issei said, full blown whining at this point.
"Quit whining," said Adrian, "It beats dea-!" He stopped, hearing a sound coming from overhead, a clapping sound, and everyone turned to the source. Up in the rafters was a man, with white hair, and a green trench coat.
"Who the hell is that?" Asked Calvin. Adrians eyes widened,
"Un-fucking-believable! Didn't I already kill your ass?"
"No," said Damon, with not even a scratch on him from earlier that day, "but you gave it your best shot."
