Last of the Line
I do not own Highschool DxD or any its characters. I own only Vale Beleth.
Chapter 13- An Eventful Start To Summer Break
Vale awoke to the sight of Akeno straddling his recently sleeping form, her face a hair's breadth from his own. Her cheeks were slightly flushed as her shallow breath tickled his face, sending goosebumps across his skin, she paused in what he guessed was her attempt to kiss him as she said,
"Ara ara, looks like I've been found out, guess my plan failed." Akeno said slightly disappointed. Vale noticed she was still wearing the sheer black negligee from last night. Vale had crashed there last night after spending several hours working on a project for class with Akeno. It had been a few weeks since the attack from Kokabiel during which Sirzechs had said he would be dropping by the city to get a report on the incident. Vali had departed shortly after retrieving Kokabiel, depriving Vale of the chance to catch up with his best friend. The Academy Ball Tournament had gone off with out a hitch and summer vacation was fast approaching. In fact, today was the last day of school before summer vacation began.
The day after Kokabiel's attack Vale had unveiled his newest servant, his Knight, Yuu Kanda to Rias who revealed that Xenovia had chosen to become her second Knight. Vale had offered Irina a job as well and even offered to let her keep Excalibur if she joined but she had refused and had left, taking the Holy Sword with her. Earlier that same day, Vale had snagged the device that Balba had used to fuse the other 5 Excaliburs with Kanda's Excalibur Blessing(a loan from the Black Order), resulting in the closest thing to a completed Excalibur the world had seen in years. This all worked to Vale's incredible advantage seeing as the person who had the last fragment was the same one who had taught him to wield a sword while in England. How incredibly ironic that Vale's teacher had taught him to wield the same type of sword Kiba used but Vale instead preferred the katana, like his Juuchi Yosamu; while Kiba's master used a katana and had taught him to use western swords.
"Akeno-chan, you weren't perhaps trying to steal a good morning kiss from me perhaps? Or were you?" he asked with a grin as he stared up at the buxom girl currently straddling him.
"Indeed I was." she said with a smile.
"Well normally I'd say no. But I feel I was a tad harsh with that spanking last night... But then again, you just wouldn't stop tickling me." he said thoughtfully as he turned his head to prevent Akeno from accessing his lips.
"Don't be sorry about that Vale-kun. Truth be told... I quite enjoyed it." she whispered huskily in his ear.
"Well then, how about I meet you halfway?" He said coyly as his pecked her quickly on the cheek before slipping out from under her in one smooth motion. Akeno gasped slightly as she held a hand to her cheek where Vale had kissed her as he slipped from the room. Akeno giggled softly before leaving to get dressed. Vale went to remove his clothes from the dryer, he had brought a spare change of clothes to Akeno's, he had fully expected to be spending the night there, they were pretty behind on the project.
Vale tried to head to school right after he finished dressing but Akeno insisted on making breakfast for the two of them.
"A growing boy needs to eat. Now come on, we have plenty of time before school starts."
"Oh fine, if you insist."
After a delicious breakfast, courtesy of Akeno, they headed off to school, just as they were leaving the shrine grounds Vale turned to Akeno as he said,
"Would you like to hold hands?" he asked casually as they approached the torii gate.
"Ara ara, Vale you're still so daring! How would Buchou react to your advances towards me?" Akeno said with a giggle.
"Well Rias has never expressed a desire to be anything more than friends. So, it's not like I'm cheating on my girlfriend or anything. If we ever decide to be exclusive, then I'll be totally faithful to her. Until then, what will be, will be." Vale replied as he felt Akeno take his hand in her own as they headed off to school.
The school day passed without incident, Kanda was his usual surly self, while Mil-tan was off at his university classes. Afterward, they went back to the clubhouse to do their usual work. After they're servants had left on their jobs for the day, Vale and Rias had elected stayed behind, since as High-Class Devils requests had to pretty big to warrant their personal attention. Vale was pretty excited, they had agreed to clean the pool a few days ago in exchange for early access to it over break.
Vale was lying on the sofa with his head on Rias' lap as the Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess twirled a lock of his long, black hair absentmindedly while he laid there with his eyes closed. Rias' lap was soft and strangely calming to the young man.
"So... Sona said she saw you and Akeno holding hands on the way to school today. Is she telling the truth?" Rias asked slowly as she continued to play with his hair.
"Do you think the Sitri girl has any reason to lie to you?" he asked, his eyes still closed.
"Well no... but I was just wondering, because I thought we were..." she said in a slightly disappointed tone.
"Rias we never really hammered out what exactly "we" are. You kissed me and we just sort of kept going after that. Why, do you wanna be exclusive?" he asked as he opened his eyes.
"I... I don't know..." Rias said, Vale had the sneaking suspicion she was about to say something else when a voice called out,
"Ara ara, am I interrupting?" a voice said from the door behind Rias' desk. Rias stood up dropping Vale's head to the floor as he tumbled from the couch.
"O-Onii-sama! What are you doing here?" Rias exclaimed as she stood up. Vale grunted as he hit the floor and rubbed the back of his throbbing head before climbing once more to his feet to see Sirzechs standing behind Rias' desk with a beautiful silver-haired woman in a maid's outfit standing behind him.
"Whoa! Who's the sexy chick in the maid outfit?" Vale exclaimed as he stood up.
"This is my wife, Grayfia Lucifuge." Sirzechs said as he gestured to Grayfia. Vale saw a vein begin to throb in Grayfia's forehead as she reached over and pinched Sirzechs' cheek as she said
"I am the maid, Grayfia. I apologize for my master speaking such boring jokes."
"It huwts, It huwts, Grayfia." Sirzechs said through tear-filled eyes.
"Oh... Sorry about the objectifying description then." Vale said, with sweat pouring down his face as he swiftly stepped behind Rias and began to cower in fear. The Silver-Haired Queen of Devourer was one of the only three women in existence who genuinely terrified him. She was one of two who did purely through reputation alone.
"Ufufufu, you're right to be scared though, Grayfia is very scary when enraged." Sirzechs chuckled.
"Onii-sama, not to pry but what is the leader of the Underworld doing here?" Rias asked uncertainly.
"I came for your class observation, also to scout the location for a summit between the Three Powers that I'm thinking of holding, especially after the incident with Kokabiel. I think it's time we genuinely sat down and discussed a peace treaty."
"That's a very progressive move on your part." Vale said from behind Rias.
"Well, getting back to my original topic, Onii-sama you can't come here to observe my class. The leader of our people can't be seen to be giving preferential treatment to a family member." Rias cut in before Sirzechs could reply.
"Oh, you let me worry about that Ria-tan. This is both a business and a personal visit, so everything is fine. Also, Otou-ue should be arriving here soon, he'll be here the day of the class visit. Also, Vale-kun?" Sirzechs said casually, ignoring the blush that had risen to Rias' cheeks at his childish name for her.
"Yes?" Vale asked as he peeked out from behind Rias cautiously as he checked to see how Grayfia's temper was, when he saw she seemed to be calm, he stepped out from behind Rias.
"Ajuka should be stopping by in the next few weeks, he's quite keen to check out your Abyssal Gear technology. I suspect Michael will also quite interested in it." Sirzechs said informatively. Vale narrowed his eyes at the mention of the Archangel's name, he did not care for the leader of Heaven in the slightest. He didn't trust him.
"Well I'd expect so, since I've already sent the specs of it to Azazel. Michael probably just doesn't wanna be kept out of the loop."
"Oh you've already sent it to the leader of the Fallen Angels? Why's that?" Sirzechs asked with a raised eyebrow. Vale shrugged noncommittally as he said,
"Simple, I've worked for him before. I know he has no intention for war, he just likes to do his research. Trust me, if Grigori wanted to start a war, they'd probably win. Especially with Vali, Barakiel, Slash Dog, and I on their team. Sirzechs, I appreciate everything you and Rias have done for me, but ultimately my loyalties lie in the following order: to my "mother", then Vali, then Grigori, and then to the Devils." Vale replied casually.
"Well, putting your odd order of allegiances aside for a moment. Your mother you say? Is she coming to your classroom observation?" Sirzechs replied with interest. Vale shuddered as he said,
"Oh, I hope not." he said, sounding more than a little scared. His "mother" was the most terrifying woman he'd ever met. She haunted his nightmares, and was probably the only person in the world he genuinely feared more than anyone else. He'd gladly help Vali fight his grandfather or Great Red, but he would rather die than to face his "mother" at her full power.
"Well, that's a shame. As for now though, I'm feeling rather tired and I think I'll bunk here tonight. But for now, I'm going to explore the place my baby sister calls home." Sirzechs said as he turned and headed back through the door to explore the* rest of the schoolhouse.
Rias' and Vale's servants returned half an hour later , after which they were all sent home. Kanda and Mil-tan both went back to their apartments along with Xenovia. While Akeno went back to her shrine, Kiba went back to wherever it was he lived. Asia and Issei went back to the Hyoudou residence.
"No-No way, I can't sleep with Vale tonight?" Rias asked sadly outside Vale's door next to Sirzechs and Vale.
"I'm sorry Rias, but I have to borrow him tonight. I promise I will return him in working order."
"Wow, thanks for that." Vale replied sardonically.
"Well... Alright, I don't like it but I can't really stop you. I'll see you tomorrow at the pool, Vale. I can't wait to show you my new swimsuit." Rias said as she gave Vale a hug, adding the last part in a whisper as Sirzechs turned and headed into Vale's room to give the couple some privacy.
"Can't wait to see it. I'll see you tomorrow, my Princess. About our discussion earlier regarding our relationship, I'm more than happy to hammer it out in private, when we've got some time alone that is." he said as he wrapped one arm around her waist, while with the other he reached up and began to gently stroke her hair. This all caused Rias' cheeks to turn very nearly the same color as her hair.
"I'd like that. Though I probably won't get much sleep tonight, when you were over at Akeno's for the project I tossed and turned all night, having you next to me helps me sleep a lot better." Rias said gloomily.
" I know, I'm sorry to hear that... Hey, are you okay? You look like you might be sick." Vale asked as he continued to stroke her hair. Rias said nothing, she simply leaned forward and planted a small kiss on his lips.
"You better head to bed, I'll see you tomorrow." she said as she trotted off to her room.
Once Rias was out of sight, Vale turned and headed back into his room to see Sirzechs had made himself at home already and had laid a futon down on the floor of Vale's room. Vale crossed the small room before climbing into his bed and pulling the covers up to his chin. Once under the covers, he slipped off his pants and tossed them into the hamper against the opposite wall of the room. The room was silent for a few minutes before Sirzechs spoke up, saying,
"So Vale-kun, it seems that you and my sister are quite close now. Can I take that to mean that you intend on marrying her?" Sirzechs asked from his futon.
"That decision ultimately rests equally on Rias' feelings as well as my own. But if you are inquiring as to my feelings for Rias let's just say, if she gets mauled by a bear with chainsaws for hands, I hope it stays away from her face. 'Cuz I think she's kind of cute." he said as he snuggled into his bed. Sirzechs chuckled at his response before saying,
"Well, Rias is indeed "cute". But if you choose not to share your feelings for Rias with me no one can blame you. But regardless of the nature of your feelings for her, I believe Rias is in capable hands around you, especially considering how well you handled Kokabiel. Rias tells me you effectively managed to seal him all on your own."
"Well, I had some help. Not to mention that it severely tired me out to the point of unconsciousness." Vale replied from his bed.
"Well, all the same it was impressive nonetheless. I see why Azazel speaks so highly of you." Sirzechs replied from the floor.
"Well not as impressive as you, you probably would have taken him down in less than a second." Vale commented.
"Well, I've been doing this far longer than you have. You still have far to go, but you've taken some very sizable first steps. At this rate you'll be a Satan in no time. Though, I wonder why you wanna be a Satan. Seeing as how if you become a Satan you can't fight in Rating Games afterward, and you seem to enjoy fighting." Sirzechs wondered aloud.
"Oh eff that, I guess being a Satan can wait till I've become Rating Game Champion. It's about time some one toppled Diehauser Belial from his throne, anyways."
"Well, I'm sure you'll be successful in whatever you do. People like you are hard to stop once they set their mind to something."
"Well, I appreciate the sentiment but now I've got to get some shuteye. I'll talk to you in the morning." Vale said as he turned over in his bed and let sleep overtake him.
Later the next day...
"C'mon Koneko-chan, keep kicking you can do it... Just a little more. Alrighty, let's take a break. You've made some wonderful progress." Vale said as he released Koneko's hands. He and Kanda had arrived at the pool a few hours ago while Mil-tan was off helping a client move that day. After arriving, he discovered that apparently neither Asia nor Koneko could swim so while Issei had volunteered to teach Asia, Vale had stepped up to help Koneko learn how to swim after a battle had nearly broken out between Rias and Akeno after Akeno had began to behave in a very forward manner towards Vale. The resulting battle had nearly destroyed some of the changing rooms next to the pool.
"Puwa... Thank you for helping me Senpai... I'm sorry to be a burden to you." Koneko said sullenly as they headed for the ladder, Vale dress in a black wetsuit type swimming trunks while Koneko wore a blue school swimsuit.
"It's quite alright Koneko-chan. There is no shame in being weak, especially if you strive to improve yourself. If you ever need help, you can feel free to rely on me." he said as he pulled himself up the ladder and exited the pool before turning around to help his junior from the pool.
"...Senpai, for a battle maniac you're unexpectedly gentle." Koneko said as she took his hand and he pulled her from the water.
"Well I wouldn't say gentle. I'd say... interested in enforcing stereotypes. After all, who ever heard of a cat who can't swim?" he said with a grin as he handed a towel to his kouhai. Koneko blushed as she took the towel from him and began to dry herself. Vale was already dry, having dried himself with magic already. He turned over to see Kanda and Xenovia talking about something he couldn't quite hear, Xenovia said something about kids that Vale couldn't quite make out. This was apparently very stupid or embarrassing as Kanda turned a dark red and walked away with a harumph.
"Crazy woman..." Kanda grumbled as he made his way over to Vale. Vale paid the surly man no mind as he patted Koneko's head saying,
"All kidding aside, you did good Koneko-chan. You're technique is far from perfect, but you know what they say, practice makes..." Vale's voice trailed off as within the span of moments, a dense fog rolled in, covering the entire pool area. The temperature began to drop quickly and before he knew it, Vale was shivering from the cold.
"No... It couldn't be." he said as he felt a familiar presence nearby.
"Senpai? Are you alright?" Koneko asked from beside him. Vale ignored her as he focused on locating the source of the presence. It continued to draw nearer until Vale whipped around just in time to see what appeared to be an attractive, buxom woman, with calf-length golden hair in her late 20's, dressed in a tattered, black witch's cloak, crawling out of his shadow. Acting purely on instinct, Vale absorbed a spell into himself that turned his hair an icy blue color as his skin turned black and his body became wrapped in an aura of freezing air. He launched a powerful roundhouse kick at Koneko's side, sending her plunging into the pool with a KASPLASH! Before the figure could pull itself fully from his shadow. He launched the woman skyward with a powerful kick. The woman took less that a quarter second to regain her balance as she shaped her hand into a claw and launched herself at Vale with blinding speed Vale ducked under her hand and slammed a fist into her chest,
"Nivis Casus (Snowfall)!" Vale incanted, as a large volume of snow exploded from his fist, launching the woman back into the air. But mid-flight she disappeared in a blur of movement before appearing behind him. Vale whipped around just in time to see her appear behind him and a magic circle form in front of her outstretched hand. The other member took notice of the spell and turned to observe the spectacle. A few of them called out, but Vale was so "in the zone" that he didn't hear them.
"Come together and strike mine enemy. 199 Magic Arrows, Convergence of Ice!" the woman said as 199 shards of ice appeared around her and flew towards Vale. Vale crossed both arms to cover his face as he shouted.
"Crystallizatio Tellustris(Frozen Earth)!" he shouted as the ground in front of him exploded with gigantic pillars of ice, providing a temporary shield from some of the arrows; while at the same time, several small black orbs surrounded by a crimson aura appeared in a small area around his body.
"Oblivion Barrier!" he exclaimed a the orbs began to rotate around his body so fast the appeared to be a single, continuous barrier around his body, while several more appeared in the air around him and began to veer towards the ice shards, annihilating any that weren't blocked by the ice or the Oblivion Barrier.
"You're doing quite well. Glad to see you haven't grown soft in the four years since you left." the woman said with an evil grin as a large mass of ice began to form in the air above her head.
"Indeed, but before we continue, you might want to examine your surroundings." Vale said with a grin, the woman blinked as she turned to see Issei and Kiba with their Balance Breakers active while Akeno and Rias had gathered large amounts of demonic power around themselves while Kanda and Xenovia had retrieved their weapons and held them at the ready. Asia had pulled Koneko out of the pool and taken shelter behind Rias and Akeno.
"In the name of the House of Gremory, I demand you identify yourself explain your presence in my territory!" Rias exclaimed angrily as she began to advance on the woman.
"You've got quite the mouth on you, Gremory Brat. You would do well to respect your betters." the woman sneered icily as she turned to face Rias, clearly emitting a killing intent.
"Rias, allow me. This is Evangeline Athanasia Katherine McDowell, Kitty to those with a death wish. She's a 700 year old Vampire, feared far and wide by mortals, magicians, exorcists, bounty hunters, Devils, Angels, and Gods alike. She goes by Dark Evangel, Maga Nosferatu ("The Undead Mage/Magi"), The Queen of The Night, The Doll Master, The Lord of Darkness, The Apostle of, Destruction, The Tidings of Evil, Puppet Master, Dreaded Vampire, The High Daylight Walker, The Girl Queen of Darkness, The Visitation of Woe, and The Disciple of Dark Tones." Vale said as he watched the new info settle into the members of the ORC. They all wore different variations of the same expression of shock, bewilderment, and mild fear. Which made all the more delicious when he said with a casual grin,
"I, however, just call her "Mom"."
""What?!""
Author's Note: And here you have it, yet another cliffhanger! Why, you ask? Because I'm the Devil, that's why. *insert evil laugh here* It's true, originally this was gonna be written in Comic Sans except when I realize that it didn't carry over to Fanfiction. As always, I'd appreciate any and all reviews. Happy Holidays, if you celebrate any this time of year. This is The 19th Angel, signing off...