"Well, that happened."
"I still don't like it, human. We shouldn't have come to that accursed school."
"We don't have a choice, you know. I basically just crippled one of their friends, and if what Sitri-san said about the danger of my right hand for the other supernatural factions in this world is true, then we'll be screwed. We'll be hunted down from every corner. I'm sure you understand this."
"...At times like this I really hate being so powerless again. I... DAMN ALL TO HEL!" The one-eyed goddess bit her lip and slammed her tiny fist on his shoulder.
"Othinus... I'm sorry if it upsets you. If only I-"
"Don't. Why would you even blame yourself? *sigh* it's mainly my fault for proposing this visit in the first place. For now, let's just go back. We'll discuss this again later."
(2 hours ago)
"GRRRROOOOOOAAARRRRRRHH!"
A massive shockwave followed by a raging sound of roar blasted through the entire school as the power of Illusion Killer crossed path with the might of Red Dragon Emperor itself. Surprisingly while the cracks were there, apparently whatever that crimson scaled gauntlet was Imagine Breaker hadn't managed to completely destroy it.
"ISSEI!"
"Human! Release your grip immediately and back off, now!"
"Huh?" Kamijou didn't really understand what was going on, but he listened to it and jumped back behind from his spot. He saw the brown-haired boy who clenched his scaled fist in pain.
"AAAAARRRGGGHHH!"
The cracks on his gauntlet was getting wider by every second, almost reaching the emerald jewel located at its backhand before something unexpected happened. As if the gauntlet sensed its own doom, an unknown rough, guttural voice echoed through the air.
"RIAS GREMORY! KNOCKED HIM OUT BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!"
That voice... the Welsh Dragon. So it's one of those two oversized lizard. The one-eyed goddess narrowed her gaze at the red gauntlet.
"Eh?" The red-haired princess was snapped from her daze and frantically issued her order.
"K-Koneko!"
"Right." Under Rias's order, Koneko quickly jumped to Issei's spot and struck the back of his neck with her controlled hand chop, knocking him unconscious. The moment he fell into the deep darkness, the cracking on his Sacred Gear was abruptly stopped and vanished along with the gauntlet itself, revealing a normal arm at its place.
However, it seemed the tension would only grow denser as the angered heiress unknowingly started to form her iconic ability.
"You! WHAT. DID. YOU. JUST. DO!?"
"It's clearly your subject's fault, Gremory. Don't you dare threaten him." The tiny goddess sent a venomous glare at the red-haired heiress, who returned it with her own.
"That boy almost killed my precious servant and destroyed his Sacred Gear! How is that supposed to be his fault, you arrogant witch!?"
Members of the Gremory peerage were unsure what to do as they watched their master was too enraged to think rationally. Even Akeno whom often being coy with Rias felt slightly unnerved by her. She needed to calm her President before things could escalate even further.
Thankfully a certain bespectacled student council president took the intiative.
"BOTH OF YOU, ENOUGH!" A voice laced with unbending steel and authoritative tone halted the progressing tension between the two bloodlusted women. They looked at the source of the voice.
"That boy clearly acted to defend himself from Issei's ambush, and Issei-kun is just arrived and clearly isn't trained enough to keep his composure in check, especially with the kind of sensation he got from that... right hand. Or at least that's what I assume." Sona looked at the soured-face Othinus in silent, who only nodded in reply.
"If I hadn't ordered him to remove his grip quick enough, then he would have died and we would have a rampaging giant lizard to kill by now. Be grateful, Gremory."
"What? Is that supposed to reassure me?"
"Rias..." Sona gave her friend a tired look, who only grumbled in response.
"And I'll appreciate it if you stop provoking her, Othinus-san. Don't mistake my respect on you for compliance."
"Then put an end to this foolish farce and I'll consider your words, Sitri."
Kiba, Akeno, Koneko and the rest of Sona's peerage could only watch in silence as their masters arguing with the two intruders for a while.
Kamijou excused himself from the group for a moment to explain his current predicament with his peach-haired friend. While Murayama didn't seem to understand what was going on, Katase quickly accepted his words and asked him to explain himself to her after he returned home.
"Such misfortune." He quickly returned to the group of devils and continued their way to the student council's office. Rias and her peerage already excused themselves and opted to just hear the result from her friend instead.
"Sit down, Kamijou-san." After getting himself comforted with the seat, he threw a glance at his tiny goddess. She gave him a soft look of understanding and closed her lone eye.
"All right, I guess this is the part where I come out. Beforehand, I would like to apologize for my partner's behaviour. She's quite... distrustful to anyone besides me. and I feel like it's my fault that things have escalated like that."
"...Hm, apology accepted Kamijou-san. I also would like to apologize on Rias's behalf, while she seemed to be overly hostile on you and Othinus-san, it was only because she's really worried for her servants wellbeing. As the result, at times she becomes quite prone to provocation when things involved the safety of her peerage members."
"I see, then I suppose is it alright to start over a new ? I would prefer if we could be civil with each other." Sona let out a tiny smile when hearing his words.
"Couldn't say it better myself. So, do you want to start then ?"
"Alright. But before I start, I probably should warn you right now that I don't have any means to prove the truth of our story. But at the very least know that I don't have any incentive to lie on your side because at the moment we need all the help we can get."
"Don't worry Kamijou-san, cold reading is one of the abilities that I could say I'm proud to have it. You can continue."
Kamijou sat still for a moment and inhaled a deep breath before steadying his gaze at the black-haired heiress. He then repeated what he had told to the two sisters who sheltered him.
His origin from another realm.
Academy City and the Magic Side.
His personal war with members of God Right's Seat.
World War 3.
He told them with as much honest look he could muster. He still couldn't bring himself to spill out his history with Othinus. That should be enough, he thought to himself.
Most of the time, Sona Sitri was a calm and collected individual. She often look at the side of things with pragmatic view and assessed its worth for her ambitions, while at the same time she hold herself back from treating those she held dear as mere tools. She also boasted vast amount of knowledge, believing that as long as she possesses knowledge, she could overcome any obstruction that she would encounter in her life and prepare herself and her peerage accordingly.
That's the sole driving force to her relentless pursuit for knowledge. As the result, there was little in this world that would surprise her .
Until the day where the individual known as Kamijou Touma revealed himself to her. While he was regaling her and her attending peerage with his stories, she scanned the entire being of the spiky-haired boy. He was definitely the poster boy of a honest person, I don't think he could lie even if he want to.
And that's why she had a hard time keeping her jaw on its place.
An existence that hailed from another world. He was the real thing. Is he truly speaking the truth ? Not Underworld, Heaven or even other mythology realms, but truly a completely different world, with different sets of rule ? This is... preposterous!
The more she heard about him, the less she understood about this boy. If he's not a master of deception himself (Which she highly doubts at this point), then Kamijou Touma was a rather exceptional individual with history that could be mistaken as a long lost mythology of a legendary hero. While he said that he actually didn't do much in the major events he told them about, the supplementary informations his one-eyed witch had given to them, made her think that he considerably downplayed his achievements, and it raised her eyebrows.
So a real hero, and a humble one at that. It seems this normal-looking high schooler could be a legendary hero in the making. How ridiculous. She snorted in amusement.
Another treasure trove of knowledge she dug from the otherwordly duo was the power of his right hand, Imagine Breaker. A unknown power that was only wielded by him and him alone.
Angels.
Fallen Angels.
Devils.
Holy and Demonic.
Gods and Heroes.
Youkai and Kami.
His power wouldn't discriminate its victims. As long as his right hand contracted with anything it deemed to be an unnatural existence, it would erase them without mercy. He did told them that his power has certain limits with its erasing capability, but it didn't make his power any less frightening for Devilkind such as her and her peerage. If Rias heard this, she would probably execute him on the spot. Thank Satan she decides to sit this one out.
But Sona Sitri was not Rias Gremory. While the danger presented by his hand was quite worrying, with the right actions and correct usage of some persuasive words, she could build a mutual alliance with an individual that could potentially change the entire world as she knows it. I'm glad that Hyoudou Issei is not part of my peerage. I think I just found something more valuable for my peerage. The black-haired princess smirked devilishly.
Afterall, she was a devil.
"Dude! Do you really expect us to believe that fantasy novel story of yours to be your backstory!?" Wielder of the Black Dragon King Vritra, Genshirou Saji vocally expressed his skepticism with a rather over-the-top gesture.
"Says the creature of devil. You should listen to yourself and try not to die in embarassment." And as usual, the tiny goddess let out her vicious retorts on anyone she found to be irritating.
"Why you..."
"Othinus, please stop. I'm really tired right now."
"Hmph."
Another bespectacled beauty with noticeably knee-length black hair whispered her skepticism to her master.
("Kaichou, it's not often that I agree with Saji. This whole thing is just too unbelievable. It doesn't help as well that he can't provide any evidence to us.")
("And I can't believe myself for agreeing with the rather arrogant witch as well. We're existences that humanity deemed to be a mere product of children fantasies and yet right now we do it ourselves. And besides I believe this guy couldn't lie to save his life. At the very least, there must be a grain of truth to what he just told us. For the time being, we should take his story for granted.")
("...As you wish, Kaichou.")
Returning her attention to the sitting spiky-haired boy, she let out a piece of her mind to him.
"Kamijou-san, that is quite a tale you have. I won't lie that I find it exceedingly difficult to believe your words."
"Can't say I'm surprised. So are you going to-"
"Please let me finish my part, Kamijou-san."
"Eeep!" The poor boy was startled by the cold glare she sent to him. The goddess sitting on his should only watched in amusement.
"As I said, I can't fully believe you and your companion right now. But that doesn't mean I won't try to help you."
"Eh?"
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're summoned into this world without the consent from the both of you, yes? And you've been trying to find the perpetrator for the past few weeks?" Kamijou nodded silently at her.
"Then I believe I can provide you with some assistances. I have a quite vast network within the Underworld. I believe I can help you gather information about your mysterious summoner from there. Besides, it's rather unbelievable to have you travelling to the homeworld of Devilkind right? This way, you don't have to do it."
"That's...correct. That would save us a lot of time and effort."
"And what is the bargain, young Sitri?" Being a veteran of the art of manipulation and deceit herself, Othinus threw an accusing glare at the bespectacled heiress. She had expected it and only smiled in reply.
"A contract."
"Contract?" A confused expression erected on Kamijou's face.
"Yes. But beforehand, perhaps it would be better to explain several things to you." Sona started to explain certain parts of the societal structure in Devilkind and by extension, the concept of devil peerages. Apparently, devil peerage was more or less, a more compact form of a private army for esteemed devils, with a far more close interpersonal relationship between members and the master. They used magical chess pieces known as 'Evil Piece' to grant their peerages with specific attributes related to the type of piece they received.
"And every master strives to come out on the top along with their own peerage. That's why they constantly seek potential new recruits with dormant talents. And I'll be straight; I'm quite interested with the power of Imagine Breaker."
"Right... and why is that exactly? In case you just forget, isn't this power quite dangerous for your kind?"
"While Rias sees you as dangerous existence, I see you as underrated potential. With the proper utilization, you will be a major asset for my peerage."
"Wait, Kaichou-" Saji was dumbfounded with his cru- master's attempt to recruit the spiky-haired boy, with Sona only raised her left hand in response.
"And moreover, Kamijou-san... sooner or later, other powers will take notice of your existence. When that happens, there is no doubt in my mind that there will be numerous attempts to end your life."
"...I see that the intensity of my misfortune is as steadfast as ever."
"With your affiliation with the Sitri Clan, I can provide you with protection to a certain degree. Not to mention that a colleague of mine is rather hostile to the both of you at the moment. You almost destroyed one of her subjects, a Gremory's subject nonetheless. The Gremory family is also well known for their deep affections with their servants. They won't take kindly to anything that threatens their wellbeing."
Kamijou contemplated his rather lackluster options. He would rather not get himself involved in some sort of power play between devil masters, but at the same time he desperately needed every help he could get to return home. Of course It has to be this way. Such misfortune. He looked at his right shoulder and was startled by the scornful gaze his companion sent toward the Sitri heiress.
"You...! You dare...!"
"And then what would you do, Othinus-san? Keep scouring the entire town only by yourself? Travel to every part of the globe with your extremely limited options?"
The tiny goddess gritted her teeth in furious anger for a while, before closing her lone eye in resignation.
"Human."
"Yes?" Kamijou silently observed the tired look of his companion.
"It looks like we have little choice here."
Shortly after that, the Sitri heiress and the stranded duo reached a mutual agreement. Because of his Imagine Breaker, Othinus was the one to form the pact with Sona. Both parties had agreed to discuss the more specific terms of their contract some time in the near future, after Sona could convince her fellow heiress to consider a temporary truce with Othinus and Kamijou.
While the tiny goddess was quite furious after letting herself and her human being played like that, she grew another respect for the bespectacled heiress. I'm impressed. It looks like this Sitri heiress knows her game quite well.
But The One-Eyed Othinus was a former magic god. She was also known as the almighty skyfather Odin. Hmph, I guess she could be useful in the future. Very well then, heiress of Sitri. You'll regret trying to make me as your pawn in this pathetic board of yours.
"Othinus."
"Hmm?"
"Do you think we should leave Katase's home? After hearing what Sitri-san has said, I don't think I could let them in danger of being associated with us any further."
"...You should talk it with those two first. I'm inclined to agree with you, but we don't exactly have another place to stay. Although if they don't want to risk their lives which is quite understandable, then we'll leave."
"Right."
They continued their way to the abode of the only people they trusted in this forsaken world.
"You're late."
"I-I'm sorry, Honoka-sama!" Kamijou instantly sat in seiza position in front of the exhausted Honoka.
"Not that I'm really angry with you, but you could've noticed the household if you would be late."
"Eh? I thought I had told Katase-san that I would be coming late. So she didn't tell you?"
"By the time I arrived, she already slept on the living room's couch. She looked really tired so I didn't have the heart to wake her up, I guess."
"...Now I feel really guilty."
"There's something I have to tell both of you and Katase-san. But before that, do you already have a dinner? I could make one for all of us if you like."
"I was about to cook something when I heard the door knock, so yeah you can take over from here." She grinned at the spiky-haired boy, who only replied with a wry smile.
After making a quick simple dish of Kakiage and miso soup, Kamijou and the two sisters were having a dinner together. Othinus already retreated to his room. feeling a lack of appetite after the events that transpired. Steeling his resolve, Kamijou began to inform them of his intention to leave the house.
"What!? Why? Did I make you angry today, Kamijou-kun?" Seeing the troubled look from Katase, the spiky-haired boy frantically corrected her.
"N-No! It's not that. You have been anything but unkind to me, and Othinus ever since we met. In fact, I want to leave because my presence could bring danger for the both of you."
"...Did it have to do with your meeting with Sona-kaichou today?"
"Yeah, I guess you can say that." He started to recount his meeting with the ice-cold beauty. Surprisingly, he saw Katase's frown on her face after he finished.
"I... I can't say I'm happy with what Sona-kaichou did to you."
"Katase is correct. She pretty much blackmailed you and Othinus into her service."
"Well rather than being a servant, we're closer to being a contractor of her."
"You surely understand that it's just a mere formality, Kamijou-san."
"...*sigh* such misfortune indeed."
"At any rate, I think you don't need to kick yourself out from this house."
"But, if I and Othinus were to stay here any longer-"
"Yes Kamijou-kun. I've told you this countless of times before, but I really want to help you. You see, I don't know much about boys in general and the only ones I know are either closet perverts and open perverts like those three idiots."
"But Katase, what if Kamijou-san is one of those perverts?" The elder sister coyly turned her sister's question to her own, much to her grimace.
"T-that may be so, but I haven't seen Kamijou-kun did anything to me like those perverts." The peach-haired girl fidgeting her fingers while looking down on her thighs.
"I-I have never met someone like you, Kamijou-kun. When we were out together last weekend, I saw you helping elder people crossing the street. We also had to go around with a lost kid searching for their parents. That brat even spilled his ice cream on your pants that we just bought." She giggled at those memories. "You remember the thief that was beaten by a bunch of delinquents, right? You even fend him off from them and gave them a speech. It really...warms my heart seeing you like that." The other two occupants could only silently listening her mind, her deep admiration for a certain boy. Said boy tried his damnedest to keep his rising blush at bay.
"Ever since that day, I want to help you. To help you find your way back home. To help ease your burden. To save you, just as you had saved me before." She looked directly at the face of the boy with her rare, radiant smile on her face. Perhaps Murayama-chan is right, I... but above all, I want to help him first.
"I have to say, I'm surprised that you are so bold like that Katase. I'm proud of you, little sister."
"Sister! I-It's not like-"
"Anyway, she's right. You saved her from a grim fate that I don't even want to imagine. It's only natural that we felt obligated to help you. It won't be right to just throw you out there. And besides, Othinus-san has been a quite interesting conversation partner for me. When you reach adulthood where everyone around you wear their masks even to their closest friend, meeting someone like her even with the crude attitude is a godsent. You can say I've grown quite fond of the two of you. It would be a... great shame for us to part so suddenly." The normally reserved Honoka let out her rare, warm smile to the spiky-haired boy.
Kamijou clenched both of his hands. He didn't know what to say. He had almost never been in the position of needing salvation from other people. That time, the strange Misaka clone had scolded him for his ignorance of the feelings from the people around him. And while he had understood that fact, would he once again being a coward and run away from them?
No.
It might be irresponsible of him to let them involved in his problems.
It might bring them misfortune if they let him stay.
But to did that would mean destroying everything he had struggled to achieve in the past. To did that, he would be insulting people like Katase-san and Honoka-san. It would trample everything she and I had stood for. Like hell I would do that.
Thus, the spiky-haired boy could only let a small tear dropped from his eye, and gave his heartfelt answer.
After the dinner, he retreated back to his room where his companion had been waiting. She sat on the edge of the lone window in the room. The moonlight highlighted her solemn face when she turned her head toward the approaching sounds of step. She studied his expression as she let him picked her up and put her on his shoulder. They watched the bright night sky together, ever radiant with the dazzling stars decorated its abyss-coloured surface.
She didn't need to ask as she removed her witch hat and leaned her lithe body to the right side of his head. Really, how troublesome.
For the first time ever since she had found her salvation and redemption, she smiled in gratitude for the people other than Kamijou Touma. I guess we could take our time in this world, right human?
==========END CHAPTER============
I'm not sure when the next chapter will come, but should be no more than a week. Probably.
And sorry if the last part is quite a bit too sappy.
Next chapter : The Unexpected Meeting