What do you know, people like this story. I suppose your encouragements deserve more efforts from me. I still don't have a beta-reader, so expect some errors until I find and fix them.
Now, let's answer some reviews:
The One True Slacker: the only thing I can say for sure is that Issei will get more Magatama.
the Composcreator: I know for certain there are. If you want to play Nocturne I suggest you use PCSX2, available for free.
Kinunatzs: I will answer in order. I never said it was a Succubus. I will keep those features for they are an integral feature of SMT. He's stronger, but that's because Marogareh gives him Parameter Boosts. I don't know if it is possible to make someone a Demon without a Magatama, but Demon Contracts will play an important role in this fic.
Guest: my mistake. I was under the impression that it was sufficient for someone to express honest gratitude to God to damage Devils.
MadGod666: it's Kiba who got the headache, not Issei. The latter was completely fine. I always explained it as the Hitoshura absorbing the Magatsuhi of the defeated Demons, thus getting something like a "blueprint" or "spiritual mark" of said Demons that can be used to re-create it again.
the DragonBard: no he can't use the Pawn. Yes, I am the one.
FateBurn: don't worry, it will only be so at the start.
dragoon109: how what? That's Persona, Demons are just influenced by humanity. Spoiler. No. Sure: she's still the chief of the Night Clan which include Lilim and Succubus though. The Seven Cardinal Sins. I don't know, but I read nine tailed kitsune are starting to get overused.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Megami Tensei franchise and/or Highschool DxD. But I wish I would.
Pugna (Fight)
"Uooooooooooooooo!"
It's midnight and I'm outside, pedaling my bicycle at full throttle. No, I haven't became a fitness maniac who does exercises even when he should be sleeping.
The reason is much simpler: I'm handing out Devil leaflets. They have an easy to use magic-circle on them: when humans with strong greed take these in their hands and wish for what they want, a Devil will be summoned before them to grant their wish in exchange for a price.
I look at the portable machine in my hand. The monitor is displaying a map of the town and there are red lights flashing on it. Each light is a house, and I'm heading to those specific areas. When I arrive I put a leaflet inside the mailbox, then I move towards the other flashing points nearby.
I keep on repeating this procedure. Over and over again.
"Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck! This can't be helped! It can't be helped! After all, I'm a Temporary Devil!"
I'm pedaling my bicycle while screaming out loud such things. I think back to the day I met Rias-sempai and the others from the Occult Research Club. The day I found out I am a Sacred Gear possessor, that Yuuma-chan is a Fallen Angel and that Rias-senpai and the others are Devils.
It's also the day I found out the worm-thing that changed me is still inside me. Gross. It's so gross. What's worse, now that I am aware of its presence if I concentrate I can sort of feel its presence, but not its exact position.
It was Akeno-sempai that came up with the idea of the worm being still inside me, after the little bastard ate half of Rias-sempai's precious Evil Piece. It's precious because apparently you receive a certain number of them and no more, so you need to use them intelligently. Akeno-sempai ad Rias-sempai tried to find the worm-thing in my body with their magic powers to remove it, but couldn't locate it.
It doesn't change the fact that the Piece being damaged is my fault. And she can't try with other Pieces because there is the risk the worm-thing will eat them too. And until it's there I can't become a Devil.
My dream of a Harem is quickly fading away...
Since it's my fault it was decided I would join the Occult Research Club as a Temporary Devil and help Rias-sempai until I have repaid the damage done to her Piece, or until she finds a way for me to become a Devil.
But that's okay. I will awaken as a Devil while serving under her from now on! No, I will rise up! After all I can't revert back to being a human any more. In that case I will just have to walk straight ahead! I've already accepted the situation I am. It might sound stupid, but it's fine I guess. I have already convinced myself. It's like my perverted guts are functioning to the MAX! My tension is high too.
I'm a guy who works for his ambition towards sex! So rather than thinking about the new world I stepped my foot in, I will just enjoy my current life.
"I'm going to become a Harem-King!"
We are talking about a harem here. Being able to create a harem is amazing.
With this, I became a member of the Occult Research Club.
§ § §
Flashback
"Majority of the pure Devils were killed in the war that took place a long time ago. Because of that, they started to desperately gather servants. Well, Devils don't have the strength or the influence they originally had when they leaded their armies. Even so, we need to keep on increasing the number of the Devils. Just like humans, the Devils split in genders of male and female and are able to give birth. But even with normal birth it will take a lot of time to get back to the same population as before. After all, Devils have a very low birth rate. Then we won't be able to stand up against the Fallen Angels. So we find humans who seem to have potentials and make them into Devils. As our servants, that is."
"I doubt the concept of servitude for life has many admirers in today's society."
"You're right, but it's not as bad as it sounds. Now, I will get to the point. Since this only increases the number of servants it doesn't increase the number of powerful Devils. So the Devils decided to give chances for power to reincarnated Devils: they agreed to give peerage to reincarnated Devils as well, as long as they are powerful. Because of that there are many Devils living human's society. There are also numbers of natural Devils like myself who came to the human world as well. Hyodo-kun, even though you haven't realized it I'm sure you have passed through some Devils in this town."
"So Devils were always nearby then!? Wait we're in Japan, usually stories like that deal with youkai."
"Yes, though there are humans who can distinguish which ones are Devils and those who can't. There are also youkai living nearby disguised as humans, but since this is Devil's territory there are only a few. A person with strong greed or a person who wants to get help from Devils usually can distinguish us strongly. We are usually summoned by the ones who can distinguish between them, through the leaflets with magic circle that we give out. There are people like you, Hyodo-kun, who can distinguish Devils but don't believe in our existence, but the majority of them usually believe it if they see our demonic-powers."
"Uhm, sempai? I kinda of cannot distinguish Devils from humans even now."
"I'm sure it will happen once you get familiar with your new body. I don't know yet what you are, but since you feel similar to a Devil I'm sure we can apply the same guidelines to your case. Anyway, since from today you're part of the Occult Research Club you have to call me Bucho!"
"Buchou? Can't I call you Onee-sama?"
I got carried away and asked her.
I always wanted a "Onee-sama". It's not a yuri situation, but all of the guys have a desire to call an older beauty "Onee-sama".
Rias-senpai thought about it seriously for a while, and then shook her head.
"Hmm. That also sounds wonderful, but since I operate mainly in the school, being called Buchou has a better ring to it. This is the Occult Research Club after all, and everyone here also calls me that."
"Okay! Then, Buchou! Help me to become a Devil!"
At my words Buchou put on a devilish smile. She seemed truly happy.
"Fufufu, good reply. Then I will call you Ise. Okay, I will change you into a man."
Buchou touched my chin with her fingers while saying that.
End Flashback
§ § §
"O-Onee-sama! It's my Onee-sama!"
I shamelessly shout such words while remembering our first encounter. I'm so lucky there is no one around at this hour or I would have been arrested.
Few days have passed since that fateful meeting.
Right now I'm just pedaling my bicycle like crazy in the middle of the night, but since then I have been working a lot. To my immense relief I quickly discovered that the glowing tattoos and the horn appear only when I manifest my Sacred Gear, Twice Critical, and disappear when I dismiss it. The process takes a second or two so it's pretty handy. My parents, like my friends, quickly accepted the contacts' excuse and left it at that. They must think it's a passing fancy and that I will grow out of it eventually.
Sadly I have the feeling my eyes will never go back the way they were. But compared to dying I am certain it was a measly price to pay. I shouldn't complain, so I won't.
Me and the other members gather at the old school building at night. It is because Devils can use their power more efficiently at night. By the same token they hate light. It seems the stronger the power of light is, the more lethal it becomes to their bodies. Buchou and the others are used to it, and even then they prefer to fight during the night to be at their best.
Light is poisonous to Devils. That's what I was told by Buchou. It seems like the Fallen Angels and the Angels use Light as their weapon, which is the natural enemies of Devils: it causes incredible pain, and saps the victim's strength at a high rate. Since there is the possibility I share the same weakness I was told to run away if I ever encounter them.
But I am okay under the sun. Be it day or night I don't feel a difference. My powers don't wave, and I always feel strong.
Anyway, I'm working hard as Rias Gremory's Temporary Servant Devil. Since I want to become a Devil I was told to study about their society and how it works.
Next I was ordered to give out these leaflets at night so I can get used to it.
I thought my parents will get worried if I was gone every night but Buchou used something similar to hypnosis on them: now my parents don't get mad when I come home late after finishing my work. They just say "Welcome home."
I don't think I am completely okay with the idea of someone, even if it's Buchou, messing with Dad and Mum's heads. However things would be difficult if they start making questions, so for the sake of keeping them out of supernatural's business I will let it slide just once.
Speaking about Buchou, I was really amazed how much authority she has in the academy. Kuoh is basically Buchou's territory. It seems like the person in the highest position in our academy has ties with the Devils and therefore can't oppose the people from the House of Gremory.
In other words, Kuoh is basically Buchou's personal belonging. That's also the reason why we are able to enter the school at night.
And now back to my current work. Every day and night I go around on my bicycle, placing a leaflet which can summon Rias Gremory's group inside mailboxes by using a mysterious device. It has the shape of a Nintendo 3DS and it's also a touch-pen type like the console.
The monitor displays a map of the town: in other words Buchou's territory. Each Devil is given a certain territory in the human world and they can only do their jobs within their territory. Devils get summoned by humans, make a contract and then grant their wish. As a price they receive an award fitting for the particular wish they make. It can be money, an object, and at times even their life.
Well, it seems like there aren't any contractors today who will go as far as to use their life to make a wish. Even if there was a person like that, it usually gets cancelled since the price doesn't match up with their wish. According to Buchou: "People's values aren't equal".
Yup, it's harsh. Life is harsh. I need to get used to that.
And the many lights flashing on the monitor shows the houses where people with a lot of greed live. So I go to these areas to hand out the leaflets in those people's mailboxes. As long as there are lights flashing on the monitor my work isn't finished. I have been pedaling my bicycle every day, but the light displayed on the monitor never disappears.
That's how much humans with strong greed there are.
Bucho told me that once you make a wish it becomes an addiction to keep on wishing for other ones. Summoning a Devil and making a contract is limited to night's hours. That's because Devils are only allowed to work at night. The daytime is a time for the Angels and God.
I don't want troubles with the Angels, who I have yet to meet. There is the possibility of them mistaking me for a Devil, so I hope to never come across them.
The leaflets can only be used once, so once someone use it I will have to hand a new one out. In other words, as a Devil my work would last forever.
Well, thanks to that Buchou and the others can continue to be active and we never run out of jobs. Devils don't fear becoming jobless. This is certainly a plus.
I can't wait to become a Devil and get my own peerage! I will fill it with cute girls that will all love me!
"Uoooooooooooooooooooh! I want to be surrounded by girls as soon as I caaaaan!"
But right now, I have to be patient and keep on doing these simple tasks.
However, how long do I have to continue doing this...
§ § §
After I run out of leaflets to give out I return to the old school building. During the night the gates are closed, so I pick up my bicycle and leap over the fence. My new strength allow me to do something so amazing! It even feel like I'm stronger and faster than I was after my revival. That's quite incredible. I secure my bicycle and enter inside the building.
To begin with, it seems like my job of handing out the leaflets was originally a job assigned to Buchou's familiar. She usually changes the forms of the mouse and the bat that she owns into humans and makes them hand out the leaflets like I now do.
When I first saw the human form of the bat familiar I thought I recognized her from somewhere, but I can't remember where and when. Same with the leaflets: they feel familiar and yet I can't remember why. I wonder...
By the way, the reason why I was assigned to do it is because Buchou wanted me to know what kind of job Devils have to do from the beginning. This is something Kiba and the others did as well.
It may not be important, but by doing it diligently I got an approval from Himejima-senpai to call her "Akeno-san". Looks like I got one step closer to getting along with her.
Sadly I can't say the same for Koneko-chan. It seems like my presence spook her: she always keep a set distance from me and refuse to answer when I talk to her.
Shit! What is this! Calling Himejima-sempai "Akeno-san" feels so good but Koneko-chan ignoring me hurts! It hurts a lot! Why?! It's because I'm a pervert? Does she hate perverts? I'm sorry for lusting after good-looking girls!
By the way, I still call Kiba, Kiba. Die, handsome. I will never call you "Kiba-kun"!
I almost slam my face against the clubroom's door before managing to stop my body. I was so engrossed into my inner thoughts I wasn't ever aware where I was going. Recently it happened a lot. That wouldn't do.
"I'm coming in."
When I go inside after saying that everyone is already there. Oh, am I the last one? The only light in the room is from the candles spread on the floor. It isn't as if the building lack electricity, but it is tradition for Devils to use candles.
"Welcome back."
Bucho greets me with her beautiful smile. She and Akeno-san are working on a magic-circle. After greeting me she focus back on it. Damn I want her to focus on me, not on a stupid magic-circle. But I can't disturb her, it's probably something important so she would be upset if I disturb her without a valid reason.
With nothing else to do I sit down on the couch, waiting for the next order. On a whim I raise my hand. I just need to think of it, to want it. Green light covers my left arm and forms into a red gauntlet. With it come the rest of the transformation. I'm just glad I can't feel the horn coming out of my neck.
"Activate!"
The jewel on the gauntlet starts to glow.
[Boost!]
A mechanical voice says. The next moment, I felt power flowing into me.
"That was fast." Kiba comments with an approving tone. "You can already use your Sacred Gear so well after only a few days."
I shrug. "I just kept practicing in my free time. It wasn't very difficult. If only I could also control the rest..." I glare balefully at the tattoos.
Then I remember an issue that I wanted to bring up with Buchou, but right now she's busy... "Say." I ask Kiba. He's my last choice, but also the only one at the moment. "I noticed something else strange about me."
"What?"
"I eat less now. No I'm not on a diet. I'm just not hungry. I barely touch my food and yet I'm not getting gaunt and weaker as should be normal."
That's true. For a while now I haven't suffer from hunger even once. I barely touch the dishes Mum prepare: a few bites is all I can stomach. I was even forced to eat more just to vomit later. That's so weird, I can't even indulge in my favorite dishes.
"Oh." He stays silent, thinking, before continuing. "It's possible you're now getting sustenance from something different than normal food."
"Yeah?" I raise an eyebrow. "I think I would have noticed if started eating, I don't know, grass like a cow or electricity like an android."
"I never said that. I heard there are certain beings in the world who take sustenance from the magical energy in the air. Yours may be such a case."
I pause. If that's true it would be neat, however... "Be that as it may, it doesn't change the fact my parents are getting suspicious. Forcing myself to eat isn't going to work for longer."
Before it could go any further the conversation is interrupted by Buchou walking to us.
"Ise, your work of giving out the leaflets is over. Well done."
Buchou is smiling. Finally I'm done with handing out leaflets.
"Now I will have you do the actual job of a Devil."
"Oh! Now I can make contracts!?"
"Yes, that's right. Though, since it's your first time, it's going to be a contract with someone who wants to make a small wish. There's two reservation contracts with Koneko. Since it's hard to do both, I will leave one to you."
I look to Koneko-chan to thank her for the opportunity, but she just looks away as if disgusted.
Crack
That was the sound of my heart breaking a little.
"Koneko!" Rias scolds the white haired girl. Almost reluctantly Koneko turns back and bows her head.
"...Please help me out."
"...I will."
"By the way Ise." Rias continues. "Since you're not a member of my peerage you can't use the teleportation-type magic-circle. You will need to reach the client on your own feet."
Craaaak!
That was the sound of my heart breaking completely.
Why meeeee!?
§ § §
After Ise leave the room I walk in front of Koneko. With my hands on my sides and a stern expression I look down on the minute girl, who look away embarrassed. "Alright Koneko. Mind telling me why you're so cold to Ise?" It's like this since the day he joined. Ise often try to be on good terms with her, but Koneko always reply with indifference and avoid him.
"...Dangerous."
My expression softens. "We already talked about this. I'm sure Ise didn't that consciously." I was surprised like the others when, while talking about the Fallen Angels, Ise started emitting killing intent. Very powerful intent: I hunted Stray Devils in the past, and what I felt from them wasn't even a fraction of what I felt from Ise. Yuuto told me he did the same thing while in class, it was a miracle the other students dismissed it as a product of their imagination. What is strange is that in both cases Ise wasn't aware of releasing killing intent. I since long concluded it's a characteristic of Ise's new body that react to anger.
Ise is a good kid. Perverted beyond measures, but with good morals. It pains me when Koneko rejects him so strongly.
Koneko lowers her head and starts talking in a low whisper. "...When he changes...I..."
"When he changes? You mean when his characteristics come out? What about that?" It is indeed a fascinating process. I never heard of a race where the members look like humans with markings and a back horn. I thought it would make identifying it easier, but to my great frustration I am still on a dead point in my research. It's like whoever reincarnated Issei used a process never recorded before.
My Rook looks up at me, eyes showing uneasiness and...confusion? "...It feel like, if I'm not careful..." She gulps. "...My soul will be devoured."
Devouring the soul? Absurd. It's like saying Ise is now a monster geared to hunt and kill supernatural creatures, and that's just ridiculous.
§ § §
It's two in the morning and, again, I am pedaling my bicycle at maximum speed.
My eyes are covered with tears. I'm crying. Yeah, I'm crying. I risk to crash into something if I go at maximum speed with my eyes full of tears, but fuck that. Not only I need to use my bicycle to deliver the leaflets, I also need to use it to reach the client's location.
What kind of Devil can't use a summoning magic-circle and need to travel with his bicycle to reach the client's location?!
Me. Because I'm not a Devil yet, I'm just a Temporary one. The road to get a peerage is still long...
I stop by a river to wash my face with water before resuming my travel. I'm not so messed up as to show myself on work with eyes red from crying.
Using the Devil's portable device as a guide I reach the place where the person who called me is. I find myself in an industrial area, full of fabrics and warehouses, located 40 minutes away from the school. I stop in front of one of such warehouses, the device telling me the client is here.
If it were a delivery service customers would get mad because of the late delivery. It's usually instant teleportation, but I made the client wait for 40 minutes.
Meh, not my fault. By how Bucho said it was clear this kind of situation was expected, so it's her fault for not giving me enough warning.
I knock on the door. "Good Evening! I'm an errand from the Devil Gremory-sama! Excuse me, but this is the place that summoned us right?" It should be okay with this.
The one who opens the door is a middle aged, grizzled man wearing a worker's suit. He looks me up and down with clear disbelief. "This is the first time a Devil both arrive later and knock on the door. Son, are you pulling my leg?"
I bow in apology. "I'm very sorry! I'm not yet a Devil, just a Temporary one so I can't teleport yet. I got here as fast as I could." There, this should make him less angry.
"First time I heard about temporary Devils."
"This is a special case: there are problems with me becoming a full-fledged Devil, so until they're resolved I do a Devil's job as training."
The Oji-san looks at my bicycle and scoffs in amusement. "Did you come here with that?"
"Ehi! Don't insult my bicycle! I endured a hell of two full weeks without buying a new eroge to buy it!"
I shamelessly say that.
In response the Oji-san laughs heartily. "Buahahaha! Oh, to be young and stupid!" Ohi! "Whatever, if you can do the job it's good enough. But if you want the full payment you better complete it before dawn, or I will lower it."
"No problem!" I reply with enthusiasm.
"I'm Yamazaki."
"Hyodo."
Yamazaki-san leads me inside the warehouses, which is filled with many crates. We are the only ones present. "So you come here in place of Koneko-chan?"
"Right. I'm sorry, but apparently that girl is popular with other clients as well."
"So even Devils are overworked at times? If they included stuff like this in the Bible it would have been a whole lot more interesting. Anyway." He raps his knuckles on a nearby crate. "Koneko-chan has superhuman strength, so I wanted her help to move those crates to a different place. Can you do it without mechanical help?"
She is? I just learned something new about her. "I think so. But why do you need a Devil's help to move crates in the middle of the night?"
"Lack of money and a schedule to meet." He leans with his shoulder on a lift truck. "It's actually cheaper and faster to hire you Devils. Life is hard, and one need to adapt."
"As expected of a Oji-san: there is wisdom in your words!"
"Brat. Want me to kick your ass back to the pit that spawned you?"
"I will keep my mouth shut and get to work."
Rolling my shoulders a few time I grab both sides of a crate and pull up. There are some difficulties but nothing too serious, and in the end I lift it up over my shoulders.
"Uhm, so you aren't a waste of space. Good." Yamazaki-san sits on the lift truck and starts operating it. "Get to work son, we are a lot to do."
"Where do I need to bring this?"
"To a fabric one mile from there."
I stare at the fifty and more crates in the warehouse.
This will be a loooong night.
§ § §
I walk at a slow pace while pushing my bicycle instead of riding on it.
After completing the job I received the payment from Yamazaki-san and left. My first contract! Even if I arrived late, lamely knocked on the door and I'm not a Devil yet I managed to complete my first contract. Moving so many crates was tiring and took a long time, but it felt good when I finished the job neatly and Yamazaki-san was satisfied.
I wonder, do all Devils feel the same way? Or maybe this is just the feeling of a job well done. For someone like me, who until recently was a normal student that never had to work, it's a novel experience. Uhm, now that I think about it also felt great when, after many sleepless nights spent studying like a damned soul, I passed the test of admittance into Kuoh. Even if my grades are average the curriculum is way more difficult than normal schools so it's still a big accomplishment. I guess I was too hyped at the thought of all the girls I would meet to reflect on it.
I keep my pace slow and steady while adjusting my breathing. I read somewhere that by doing so my body can recuperate even when moving. With my increased stamina it takes even less now. Slowly I feel power fill my body with great energy.
Beside stopping eating and requiring less sleep my eyesight improved along with my other five senses. My eyes and ears became especially good: I can even hear conversations from other people's houses and see the street even though it's night. This is really weird since I can even see clearly at places where there are no street lights!
It really feels like this strength is getting stronger day by day. And that's why-
DANGER
I feel it with crystal clarity. A chill in the air. A mysterious atmosphere of aggression ahead of me.
Normally I would panic: instead I sense all the muscles in my body tense; at the same time it's like my emotions recede to the back of my brain leaving me strangely calm. I can think better now, all my senses focusing on the single thing in front of me.
It's a man. Wearing a fedora hat and a trench coat, he is glaring at me with fierce eyes. I stare back with defiance.
This is killing intent. I'm sure of it: is this what other feel around me when I am angry?
The man walks closer, silently. I let go of my bicycle, stepping away so that it will not hinder my movements.
"This is rare. To meet someone like you in a place like this."
Despite his words it's clear he's not really interested in an answer. He's just toying with me. I clench my hands so strongly my nails pierce the skin.
"Ooh, that's a good expression you have there. You aren't simple trash. Who is your Master? It must be a person with a very low rank or with a weird hobby to choose this place as a territory. So, who is your Master?"
I snarl. "Why should I answer you? Who the hell are you?"
The man's scowl deepens at my words. "I don't think you are aware of your situation. A lowly being like you has no business being cocky to me."
I feel my anger rising at the insult. For some reasons I can't stand him looking down on me. Inhaling deeply I try to calm down: being too angry will cloud my judgment, I can't afford that now that I need all my wits. "I'm not cocky. I'm just not trusting in the slightest the unknown guy that I met alone during the night, like any sane person would." Wow, since when I am so snarky? "If you want to know so badly, I don't have a Master: I'm a free person."
"No Master? Wait, are you a [Stray]? I see, that explains everything." He starts mumbling to himself. "I don't feel any presence of your Master nor your comrades. I don't see anything that is trying to hide its presence either. And there's no magic-circle appearing here. According to the current situation, you are a [Stray]. So it won't be a problem if I kill you."
His killing intent spikes. As if my body know what to do I spread my arms and bend my knees. The suspicious guy raises his hand towards me.
I can hear a noise. I know this phenomenon. Something that looks like light but I know is much deadlier starts to gather in his hand. My eyes focus on it, as if trying to analyze the phenomenon-
And then I know. A rough but accurate estimate of how much damage this guy can take before dying; how much magic is housed in his body; what kind of attacks would be more effective against him, what would not be; what he is going to do; and, more importantly...
The light shapes itself into something resembling a spear.
...What he is.
"Fallen Angel!" I almost don't recognize my voice. It's impossible for me to say something with such a guttural and feral tone.
Black wings appear behind the man. "Did you realize it only now? You must be a recently turned Devil."
For an instant the guy's appearance is replaced with an imagine of Yuuma. And then I see red.
I start running toward him. His eyes widening the man hesitates for a moment before throwing the spear at me.
The moment the weapon leaves his hand I lower my body until my chest is a few centimeters from the ground and lunge forward.
"GAH!"
The spear passes above me. I crash into the guy's legs, bones groaning in protest but not breaking, and I wrap my arms around them as the force propel both of us backward. After a few moments gravity exerts his authority and we skid across the rough asphalt.
The man howls in pain and raises his hand, another spear forming in it. "You filthy Devil!"
However I already saw that move twice, I know what to expect. The moment he raises his hand I let go of his legs, grab his wrist with my left hand and push it away from me.
And then I slam my right fist into his face. I'm sure that if I have a mirror right now, the reflection would show an insane and satisfied smirk on my lips as I watch one of the guy's bloody teeth hovering in the air.
I already know I am going to freak out later. But for now, all I want is to break something.
The Fallen spits out blood. "You lowly-!"
BAM
"Shut up."
BAM
"I'm not interested in anything you have to say."
BAM
"I'm so angry I'm about to explode, and I need to blow off steam."
BAM
"So shut up and be my punching bag!"
I keep raining punch after punch on the guy's face, each blow cracking bones just a bit more. It doesn't matter if he has wings and can strike me from afar, as long as I keep him pinned down-
STAB
I yell, more in surprise that real pain as my stomach is pierced. The Fallen created a light spear in the hand I was not restraining and stabbed me. Why I haven't thought of that?!
My grip go slack for a second and the guy put more strength in his arms, pushing me away. Howling like a madman my enemy stand up and fire another spear that pierce my leg. Again, it doesn't hurt as much as it did when Yuuma almost killed me. Could it be...?
He laughs, spit stained with blood flying out of his ruined mouth. The missing teeth makes understanding his words difficult. "You're done for! Light is poisonous to beings like you. Getting hit by it will result in fatal damage-What?!"
He cries in shock and denial when I grab both spears and tears them out of my body. They're hot, but not unbearably so. The wounds bleed and hurt but I find my mobility not impeded in the slightest. Maybe I'm just ignoring the worst thanks to adrenaline: I saw it happening in movies.
I toss one spear against the Fallen. He dodges sideway to avoid it. In that moment I run towards him gripping the remaining light spear like a baseball bat. I know nothing of swordsmanship so this is the best I can do: using it as an instrument to bash instead of slashing.
He creates another spear and tries to parry. I raise my improvised weapon above my head and bring it down with all my strength.
The Fallen's guard shatters like glass.
"STOP!"
§ § §
When the familiar that I tasked with guarding over Ise reports the presence of a Fallen Angel I immediately have Akeno prepare the teleportation-type magic-circle while I gather the rest of my peerage. This is bad: Fallen Angels are the natural enemies of us Devils, they will take any opportunity to hunt a Devil if they think they can get away with it. Ise is in danger: he's not a Devil, but he's similar enough to one that the Fallens may not care. There is no way for Ise to survive for long against an experienced Fallen Angel.
I have to save my future Pawn and make sure this incident doesn't start another war. The consequences would be disastrous. I can't allow it.
Once Yuuto and Koneko arrive we step inside the magic-circle. Light fill my vision and I feel the familiar feeling of teleportation. When we appear in the location where Ise is I rush forward, ready to save Ise.
Only for my body to freeze, my mouth hanging open and my eyes widening as I behold in sheer disbelief the scene in front of me.
"I...don't think Hyodo-kun needs saving."
Indeed, Yuuto is right. Against all logic and common sense the one gravely wounded and pushed back is not Ise but the Fallen Angel. His pants are torn, his face bloody and mangled beyond recognition and he has several wounds on his chest. Ise is ferociously attacking him without even a moment's pause. The Fallen tries to parry with a light spear, only for his guard to be mercilessly crushed every time by Ise's own weapon.
Which is another light spear! I idly note that the color and form is the same as the Fallen's owns, so Ise probably stole one from it creator.
But wait, that's impossible! Light is poisonous to Devils, just being in contact with it would cause burns and unbearable pain. Using a light weapon, especially one created by another, would be impossible for a Devil!
...Except Ise is not a Devil. I presumed he had the same weakness, but could it be that he has a resistance to Light!?
After another clash Ise's spear breaks into many fragments. He doesn't hesitate even for a second and immediately use the momentum to ram his shoulder into the Fallen Angel. The body's backward momentum is interrupted by the street's wall and with an agonizing whimper the man collapses to the ground.
"GAH!"
Only for Ise's foot to slam into his right shoulder, pushing him back against the wall. He reaches down and grabs his right arm.
Then he pulls.
"Wha-No. No don't do it don't-AAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"
"STOP!" I cries out, imploring Ise to cease his actions, but it's as if he didn't even notice me.
With a squeamish sound that violently churn my insides Ise rips off the Fallen Angel's arm. Long pieces of torn skin and muscles dangle from both extremities, a thick jet of blood gushing out from the ruined shoulder. I see the white of the bone sticking out amidst the crimson red.
I feel Koneko's thin limbs hug my legs from behind, shivering in fright. Yuuto is pale like a corpse. Akeno's eyes are glazed over and her breath labored, as if...
For the Unholy name of Satan Akeno! How can you get aroused by this?!
When Ise reaches for the other arm I know I need to do something. Things are already bad enough, but if the Fallen dies they will get even worse. "Yuuto!" My Knight understand and dash forward. Using his speed as a Knight he covers the distance in the blink of an eye. He grabs Ise from behind and pull him away from the Fallen.
"Who the f-Kiba? What are you doing?! Let me go!"
Leaving Koneko with Akeno I run to them. "Stop it Ise! You already won! There is no need to fight anymore. If you continue like this you will kill him!"
He looks at me as if I was crazy. "But I want to kill him!"
The frankness of his admission shocks me into silence. "Ise...what are you-"
"AAAAAAHH!"
Without warning the Fallen stand up despite his injuries, his eyes crazed like a lunatic. He swiftly grabs his torn-off arm, spread his wings and flies away.
"Ara, he got away..." Akeno's tone is regretful. I don't even want to think what she is regretting. Her sadism never bothered me before, but this level of violence is too much.
"NO! STOP!" Shaking off Yuuto Ise tries to chase after the Fallen, but he has already disappeared. He whirls around and stares at us-at me with actual hate. "What the fuck?! I had him!"
"Ise, your wounds. We need to tend to-"
"Forget it!" He stomps down on the ground, leaving an imprint on the asphalt. He glares first at Kiba and then at me. "Why the hell did you stop me?"
"Ise, I already told you: Devils and Fallen Angels are sworn enemies. If we attack unprovoked-"
"Unprovoked?" His eyebrows narrow. "He attacked me first! And I am not a Devil!"
"That doesn't matter!" I reply sternly. "You are under my protection so it's the same thing. I can't let you fight and kill a Fallen Angel or it will cause another war!"
Ise's eyes shot open, his pupils shrinking and flashing red. For a long, interminable instant I was sure he was about to hit me.
Then it ends, his eyes returning to normal. He snarls and stomps away. He picks up his discarded bike like it weight nothing and starts to walk away.
"Where are you going? Ise you're hu-"
"See you tomorrow. Sempai."
My blood turns cold at the venom with which he laced the last honorific. Incapable of mustering a response I watch him walk away, for some convoluted reason both sad at his cold dismissal...and also relieved that he wasn't not in sight anymore.
"What is this..." I put my face in my hands. "I don't understand. What is happening? Why is Ise behaving like this?"
Ise is kind, a bit goofy and very hardworking. Greatly perverted, but he's a gentleman that would never force himself on a girl.
So why?
Why now I can't help but compare him to a rabid dog?!
Hidden by sight, standing on the roof of a nearby building a figure shrouded in darkness observes the events with Hyodo Issei at their center unfolding on the street below.
"That's more like it. I thought he was just an useless coward, but he has some spine after all."
A slender hand pushes back long, silky hair from the figure's forehead as mischievous eyes stare down at the retreating figure of Issei.
"Still, is he really the same as the famous Hitoshura? Hard to believe. Oh well: orders are orders."
A flapping of wings.
And then there is nothing more.
Character Stat Sheet (Sort Version)
Name: Hyodo Issei
Clan: Fiend
Magatama: Marogareh
Lv: 3
Equipment: Sacred Gear Twice Critical(?)