Last of the Line
I do not own Highschool DxD or any of it's characters. I own only Vale.
Author's Note: Alrighty guys, getting awfully close to 2,000 views. First off, I wanna say thanks everybody for the reviews, this story may actually be more popular than my Sekirei story. Second, it seems that a lot of people don't like some of my peerage ideas. So I'm going to put some things in perspective, what follows was the original peerage list. Vale(King), Vali(Queen), Cao Cao(Knight), Irina(Knight), Leonardo(Pawn), Kokabiel(Bishop), Raynare(Bishop), Mil-tan(Rook), and Siegfried(Rook). Now as you can see, that's pretty bad right there. Now, to solve the problems I've been having with coming up with his peerage I've posted a poll on my profile to help decide who will join Vale's peerage, it has quite a few options to choose from.
Chapter 6- Training Day(s)
"How much longer until we can stop doing push-ups?" Issei whined to Vale as he reclined against the stone masonry of the stately mountain manor that was the base of their impromptu boot camp for her Rating Game with Riser. Koneko had made a snide remark to Vale, after which, Vale had made them do push-ups. Issei's jeans and t-shirt and jacket were all drenched in sweat as he continued to toil under the mid-day sun. Vale had made them all dress in jeans, t-shirts, and track suit jackets to help improve endurance. Koneko and Kiba continued to do their push-ups in silence as sweat streamed down their faces. But unlike Issei, they had elected not to complain.
"You can stop when Koneko learns not to sass me. Rias put me in charge of you guys, and I'm trying to teach you that the mistake of one person can cost the entire team. That's why I roll solo for the most part." Vale said as he proceed to gouge some leftover food from their earlier lunch out of his teeth.
"Why aren't you doing them?" Issei whined, little did he know every time he complained to Vale, he tacked on 25 extra push-ups.
"Because I'm not fighting Riser in ten days. Plus, I can give the guy on the Bowflex commercial a run for his money." Vale replied offhandedly.
"No, you're just being a tyrannical asshole because Rias gave you a small measure of power over us for a few days." Koneko grumbled from her position next to Kiba. Vale stopped dead in the process of cleaning his teeth as he turned to glare at Koneko. Without uttering a single syllable he strode over and stepped onto Kiba's back before he said.
"Continue Yuuto-san. Now I'm being a tyrannical asshole, Toujo-san." Vale said. They spent the rest of the day doing push ups before breaking to eat dinner. After they finished eating Rias called Vale back to her room to discuss the first day of training.
"So do you know why Koneko and Issei seemed so upset with you at dinner?" She asked as they entered the lavishly decorated bedroom, Vale glanced across the room to see her bed sported a canopy of crimson silk with a lacy black fringe. Along with crimson sheets. Wow, her family is really big on the whole crimson deal, Vale thought to himself.
"Yeah, I was a bit of an asshole during training today. Koneko decided to get mouthy, so I had to punish all of them." he replied as he shoved his hands in his pockets and turned to look out the window at the nearly full moon as Rias walked behind a partition and started to change into what Vale assumed would be her sleepwear.
"Well I hardly think that warrants punishing all of them." Rias replied with concern from behind the partition.
"Well, you may or may not know this, but one person's mistake can spell disaster for everyone on the battlefield. Besides, they need to perform better as a team. You guys may or may not realize this but I've noticed that you guys actually just operate in pairs. You and Akeno, Issei and Asia, and Kiba and Koneko. You guys need to function as one unit, not three separate ones. So I decided to give them a common enemy to focus on during uhhhh..." Vale's voice drifted off mid-sentence as Rias gently tapped him on the shoulder and he turned to see her standing behind him wearing a sheer lace nightgown that was nearly transparent... and nothing else. Vale couldn't stop his eyes from meandering down to the valley between her breasts, they looked so soft and bouncy that Vale had to consciously stop himself from reaching out and caressing them. His eyes continued downward, traveling over her flat stomach down to her curvaceous hips before once more snapping up to gaze once more into her aquamarine eyes.
"Was the word you were looking for 'training' perhaps?" she said with a small giggle. Vale swallowed hard and nodded wordlessly. He could hear his pulse in his ears and feel it in... other places, manly places. He tried to focus back on the current moment to avoid letting his imagination run away.
"Well anyways, I just wanted you to know that Mil-tan is coming along just fine learning how to use magic from Akeno. She says he has quite the knack for it from what I hear."
"Well that's good. Now, if there's nothing else, I think I shall retire for the night. Probably best, if I wish to avoid doing something I may later regret." he said as he turned and headed toward the door.
"Wait." Rias said as he reached for the door handle. Vale's hand stopped midway to the doorknob as he turned to face her once more.
"I was hoping you could stay a little longer so we could get to know each other. I mean you're helping us train for a Rating Game, not to mention the fact that we live together and I know barely anything about your past or your interests. I was actually hoping that we could be friends, especially considering how much you're doing for me and my servants by keeping my territory clear of Strays." Rias said as she took a seat on her bed and patted the area next to her on the bed.
"Fine. But if we're going to talk you've got to put some underwear on, at least temporarily." he said as he did his best not to stare at Rias' chest.
"Alright, that's fair." Rias said as she got up and walked over to her dresser and pulled on a black lacy thong. She grabbed a bra and put it on over her shoulders before asking,
"Could you help me with the last part?" she said as she gestured to the hook on the back of her brassier. Vale heaved an enormous sigh before walking over and gently hooking the back of her bra together, taking a few moments to admire the pale, flawless skin of Rias' back and hips before she turned to face him once more.
"What's with the sighing?" she asked with a puzzled look as she turned once more to face the Beleth clan heir.
"Just trying to control my emotions and whatnot. Usually when I'm alone with a woman who is in a similar state of undress to yourself I don't usually have to worry about remaining proper and respectful. I'm usually too focused on getting my pants off to worry about anything else. But enough about that, so what did you wanna talk about?" he asked as he walked back over to the window and sat down on the windowsill.
"Well I was hoping we could get to know each other better, as I said. So someone like you who has traveled the world all their life surely has some interesting stories, care to share any?" she said as she once more took a seat on her bed and elegantly crossed her legs as she laced her fingers over her knee and leaned forward in anticipation.
"I have precious few tales I desire to share. Even fewer I can share with a lady with an upbringing like yours. Besides I'm not as interesting as you seem to believe I am." Vale said with a shrug from his seat on the windowsill. He didn't get why she thought his life was so great. It had it's ups and downs just like anyone else's.
"Come on Vale, don't be so modest. Someone with your job pretty much has to experience many events that are worth sharing." Rias replied. Vale sighed once more as he said,
"Rias-hime, I'm just a normal guy, I'm nothing special. You are something special. Most women I meet with an upbringing like yours are snobby, elitist bitches. You however, are fair, smart, and above all kind. These traits are hard to come by in today's world and yet you have them all, along with killer looks and money coming out your ears. One day, you are going to give one man the extraordinary honor of devoting the rest of his life to making you happy. I do not know who that man is, but I'm absolutely sure it isn't Riser. That's why I'm helping you guys train, and our training won't be helped by our staying up all night gossiping like school girls. No offense meant." Vale said as he saw Rias blush a red almost as dark in color as her hair was. He cracked a small smile at seeing her blush, she was so strong and confident all the time, it was nice to see there was an average girl under all of it.
"Now Rias, I'm going to head to bed. I suggest you do the same. We have a long nine days of training ahead of us." he said as he opened the door and headed for the guest house that he and Mil-tan were staying in. He was walking through the opulently decorated foyer to the front door when a small black cat scampered across his path. It stopped directly in front of him and sat, unmoving in front of him.
"Shoo. Go away." Vale said as he made a shooing motion with his hand. The cat remained motionless. Vale sighed as he went to walk around the cat, only for it to mirror his movements and stop once more in front of him.
"Can I help you?" Vale asked exasperatedly, hardly expecting an answer. Which is why his heart nearly left his ribcage, a feat which was quite survivable for him due to his Abyss Physique, when the cat spoke.
"Well, now that you mention it, I'm quite interested in why you just came from Rias-chan's bedroom." said the cat, which sounded exactly like one Sirzechs Lucifer.
"JEEZUS! Wait, Sirzechs-dono? Why are you- never mind that. I was just talking to Rias about the first day of training. Trust me, if I did anything you're thinking of, I wouldn't mind if you killed me. I'd be too busy celebrating to care." Vale replied to the cat. It narrowed its eyes at him before replying,
"Hmm, this is true. Most men would willingly die in exchange for a night of passion with Rias. Anyways, I'm here about your assault on the church. I watched the whole thing and I'm wondering this: Why did you sustain such grievous injuries? I've seen your record, you're way better than you're performance at the church seems to indicate." Vale hesitated for a few moments before replying,
"It was a mixture of having to suppress my power to avoid being sensed, having to worry about Mil-tan, and using my magic carelessly. 'Twas not my finest hour, I should have been able to level that church and everyone in it with a moderate amount of effort. But I messed up, it won't happen again." Vale replied, astounded that he was holding conversation with a cat. More so astounded that the cat was technically, King of the Underworld.
"Hmmm, understandable. Also, why are you helping Rias train for a Rating Game against her fiance? Both our father and I support this engagement, and you would do well not to arouse his ire or mine." the cat asked as it tilted its head at him.
"I'm helping her because she asked for my help. While you and Lord Gremory may support the engagement. I myself, find Senor Phenex a ginormous, prick-shaped douche. Also, remember Rias asked me for help, meaning she doesn't like or support this marriage. Sirzechs-dono, I've been in Rias' shoes before in this particular scenario, and if she doesn't want to marry this guy, then I will do anything I can to help her avoid it." Vale replied nostalgically as he remembered the feeling of coming home to see his parent's talking to the representative from the Sitri Clan.
"Hmmm, I did not know this. I will take this under advisement. Thank you Vale, once again you have revealed yet another hidden insight into Rias-chan's life and mind." the cat replied before padding off towards the kitchen.
"I just held a conversation with a cat. It's a bad sign that that wasn't even the weirdest thing I've done this week." Vale said to himself as he headed back to his room at the guest house...
9 days later...
Vale ducked under Kiba's swing as Kiba swung the wooden bokken at Vale's chest. Vale felt a slight breeze on his long, black hair from the speed and force of Kiba's swing as he lunged forward, before pivoting on one foot and bringing the wooden sword down hard across Kiba's back. There was the sound of cracking wood as the sword splintered across Kiba's strong back under the force of Vale's swing. Kiba tumbled to the ground with a grunt and a thud.
"See, that's why I prefer plastic swords to wooden ones for sparring. You okay Kiba-san?" Vale asked as he walked over and extended a hand to help the Knight up. Kiba gratefully took the hand as Vale pulled him up as Kiba rubbed the spot on his back where Vale had broken the bokken.
"Yes, I'm fine Vale-kun." Kiba replied cheerfully. If Vale hadn't done it himself, he never would've guessed that someone had just broken a wooden sword on his back.
"Hey man, sorry again about the pushups on the first day, I just knew that with Koneko being a Rook, conventional punishment wouldn't work. I knew she was soft on you so I had to use you as a way to punish her. But, that aside, you're really good with a sword, dude." Vale said as he gingerly patted Kiba on the shoulder.
"Thanks, but you're better Vale-kun. It seems I still have more to learn." Kiba replied with a pained grin on his face.
"Kiba-san, there is always more to learn. Even for the best swordsman. Well, that's all the time we have for today. You all need to get some rest. You guys absolutely have to win tomorrow's Game for Rias-hime. Failure is not an option" Vale said as they headed back into the house for dinner.
Later that night...
"Alrighty guys, the thing to remember during the Game is to stay on your toes. Don't get distracted by explosions or anything, kick their asses while they stop and ogle. Also, Asia-chan if you can't see Akeno-san or Rias-hime, you should not be there." Vale said as they finished going over their strategy for tomorrow's Rating Game. Everyone nodded their heads in agreement before Rias said,
"Could you all head back to your rooms and get some sleep. I need a moment alone with Vale-kun." Rias replied from her seat at the head of the ornate dining table. Vale gestured to Mil-tan who nodded in acknowledgment and headed back to his room.
After their servants had left Rias got up from her seat and began to make her way towards Vale's chair. Vale decided to shorten the wait by getting up and meeting her halfway .
"So, how you feeling?" he asked as he stopped in front of her.
"I'm actually kind of nervous. But we've done all we can, and on that note I wanna say thanks. You've been a huge help these past ten days. I really appreciate you taking time to help me with this." She said as she reached out and wrapped Vale in what was, to date, the best hug of his young life.
"Hey, it's no problem, you ever need anything just ask. I'm just sorry I can't be at the Rating Game. I got a call from a client of mine in England and I gotta leave tonight. But I'll be back the day after tomorrow." Vale said as he returned her hug, enjoying the feeling of her body pressed against his.
"Well, I can't say I'm not disappointed. But all we can do is hope for the best." Rias replied as she released him from her hug.
"You guys are gonna do fine, but I'll see you in a few days. I gotta go pack. See you soon." Vale said as he turned and headed back to his room to pack.
Two days later...
Vale appeared in the magic circle in the clubroom of the old schoolhouse with a black glow. He ganced around the room, and upon seeing that it was empty said,
"Wow, this place is really depressing." he said as he took off for Rias' room. He knocked twice on the old wooden door. For several seconds there was no answer. Until finally he heard,
"Come in." Rias said though something sounded off in her voice. He opened the door to see Rias sitting on the edge of her bed hunched over and holding a wad of tissues in her hand. Her cheeks looked like she had been crying. He walked over to her and took a seat next to her as he put an arm around her shoulder before he asked,
"Hey, what's wrong. Why is the beautiful Princess of Destruction crying?" he asked as he gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. She sniffed and without uttering a word handed him a signed envelope Vale took it from her hand and opened it to see a card decorated with a border with a bird and flame motif. Vale opened the card, it read,
You are hereby cordially invited to,
The engagement party
of
Riser Phenex
and
Rias Gremory
in three days time
at Phenex Castle
Dress code: Formal
Vale's heart sunk down into his stomach as he read the words on the card. He sat there unable to think or comprehend what he was reading. Until, like a shaft of sunlight through a bank of dark clouds on an overcast winter day, it came to him. An idea, if he strayed one detail from it he was doomed to failure. But he would not fail, he would not let himself fail.
"Rias, wait here. I've got an idea." Vale said as he sprinted to his room to retrieve a book.
Meanwhile, in the not too distant future...
Vale stood next to Rias, doing his best not to sweat through his shirt. He was so nervous it almost wasn't funny.
"Are you sure this will work?" Rias asked from her seat at the table. Vale covered his mouth with his hand as he chuckled before saying.
"Of course not, but it has too." he said as he pushed the door open and headed down the long hallway to the ballroom when a figure stepped out from the shadows.
"You! Mind telling me what one of the hosts of the Two Heavenly Dragons is doing in a place like this?" he asked the young man in front of him...
Author's Note: Alrighty next chapter may take a while to upload seeing as how I am planning on taking a small break from writing. No more than a week though, also Great Red is on the poll an yes the Evil Pieces will work on him because contrary to one of his titles, he is filed as a True Dragon not a Dragon God, that label solely applies to Ophis(who will be part of Vali's harem), so sayeth the wiki. Don't forget to vote on the poll. Also, as always, reviews are greatly appreciated. This is The 19th Angel, signing off...