Devil of the Streets
Chapter 10
I felt a numbing pain in my stomach and I pressed my hand against it to make it stop hurting. I felt dry blood on my hand and came the realization that my entire shirt was covered with it, front and back. I tried to open my eyes but I was so weak I could barely manage it. Cracking one eye open I saw that I was overlooking the same rock walled room I'd fought in before I blacked out.
I felt cold steel touching the back of my neck and hard metal underneath me. Where was I? I moved my head lazily and tried to examine my surroundings. I was tied to a small metal post sticking out of the altar that Asia had been chained to. Asia…
I leaned a little to my left and saw the massive metal cross and a figure tied to it. Oh no…what happened? Asia's wrists and legs were chained to the cross and her head was hanging, unmoving. I thought I saved her. I thought everything was going to be okay.
I leaned my head over to the right and looked down the staircase that leads to the rock floor below. Where did Kiba and Koneko go? Did the other fallen one get them too? Wait…the other Fallen One. Then the image of the beautiful girl in the leather clad outfit ran through my mind.
"Raynare…" I muttered and closed my eyes. I let the weak, tired feeling wash over me again as I started to nod off. What if I die here? What if I die without Akeno or Rias knowing? What if I let all my other friends down and they die too? I just wanted her…to be safe…
"James?" A quite voice asked from a ways away. I cracked my eye open once again and I could hear a slight flapping of wings. Is it Rias? Or maybe Akeno? I titled my head back as best I could and saw the same beautiful black haired fallen that impaled me earlier.
"Raynare? What…what are you doing here? I thought you were…human…" I muttered. My voice was quite and pathetic. I felt weak and I could barely even talk. But I need answers. Why did this girl attack me? She was so sweet earlier. How can she be and evil fallen? How could she have…killed Asia?
"James. I'm so happy you're okay." The Fallen responded quietly as she landed next to me and sat down beside me. She ran her hand along my cheek and tried to look into my eyes as best she could. Why did she look like she had been crying? How am I even still alive? Shouldn't she have killed me by now?
"I'm so sorry. I didn't realize it was you. I just…I needed that girl and I saw a devil taking her away, so I had to react. I didn't know you were a devil. I'm just so sorry James." The girl whispered and I saw a glint from the tears flowing down her cheeks. What fallen angel would cry for a devil?
"What did you need Asia for?" I asked. There was no anger present in my voice. Even if I hadn't been tired there wouldn't have been. I am upset that that sweet, innocent girl may be dead, but there is something else going on here. If I can save Raynare…I'll do it. No one deserves to walk down a path they don't know. They don't deserve to suffer for a cause they don't know anything about.
"I needed her sacred gear. I was told it had great power and that it could heal fallen ones. Just think of all the power I would have if I could heal myself and the others. They would have to value me then right?" Raynare explained. She said it like she had rehearsed it. Like she didn't really believe in it. Like she didn't understand why.
"Why did you need power? Can't you just be…yourself?" I asked hesitantly. She could end me at any moment. But…I need to get her head straight. Is this what being scared feels like? I not even scared about myself though. I'm scared for her…
"No. I had to be strong. That's what…they said. They said I should be powerful and then I'll be able to do whatever I want…" She muttered to herself. Maybe she can still come around. She's just a confused girl. She may have done horrible things but…
"Raynare, you don't have to be strong. The person you showed me at the park today…that person is someone I would love to have in my life. And I think that's more important than being powerful or respected. Please, I know you've done some wrong things but…I want to help you." I told her and leaned my head closer to her. The action made me feel woozy and I ended up leaning onto her.
"James, you just…you don't understand. I need to be strong and powerful. It's the only way." She said. Her tone seemed to be more confused with every word she said. I have to save her from this. I don't want her to become a monster like all the others. She's…she's different.
"No it's not Raynare. I'll show you a better life. And I'll make you happy." I said firmly and lifted my head off her shoulder. She looked into my eyes with a shocked look on her face. She didn't believe anything I was saying. How could she? I'm a devil and she's a fallen.
"But James…you're a devil. Why would you ever want to take care of me? You should hate me for all I've done. Just…just kill me like you did the rest…" She muttered and looked down at the at my feet. I saw tears fall and splash against the cold metal floor. I heard her sniffle and cry.
"Because you're a special girl. You didn't kill me yet so why shouldn't I give you a chance." I said and managed a light chuckle. It really hurt and she turned back to see a pained expression on my face.
"James are you still hurt? I…I tried to heal you. I took the girl's sacred gear but…it didn't work when I tried it on you. It only works on fallen…" She admitted and started to sniffle again. I just nudged her with my elbow and pain ran through my body again.
"Hey it's okay. Don't worry about it. I've had much worse than this." I tried to comfort her but I don't think it worked. She still had the same sad look in her eyes but she managed a faint smile. She's not like the other fallen, she's something more.
"Raynare I…" I started but a loud crash broke our conversation. Raynare and I turned to see five figures stepping out of a dust cloud. "Oh no…" I muttered as the figures stepped into view.
"Fallen One, I'm going to ask that you step away from my servant now." Rias's calm and menacing voice made a chill run down both our spines. She and Akeno stared at Raynare with cold and deadly looks. I just looked back at the terrified girl and tried to stand up. I felt a metal chain tug at my chest and I was forced back down.
"What are you doing?" Raynare whispered and placed her hand on my shoulder. Her grip was tight and I could tell she was scared. Hell, I was scared. What if I can't protect her from Rias or Akeno? What if she gets hurt…?
"Untie me Raynare. I'm going to keep you safe." I told her and motioned for her to undo the lock on the chain. She just had this bewildered look on her face and made a light spear to break the lock.
"Don't you dare lay another finger on James!" Akeno yelled and shot a blast of lightening at Raynare. The girl was too shaken up from our talk and she wasn't able to dodge the attack. Luckily, a spades card appeared in my teeth and disappeared into light.
"Earth Wall." I muttered and used my last bit of magic to block Akeno's attack. A sheet of metal jutted out from the floor and took the full blast from Akeno's lightening strike. But the sheet didn't just absorb her attack, it continued to grow and mold itself into a sphere around Raynare and me.
"James what are you doing!?" Akeno's voice screamed. Amazingly, I could still hear her from inside the metal sphere. Please don't hate me after this…
"Don't even think about hurting him again Fallen One!" Rias chimed in and a huge blast erupted from one side of the metal. Was that Rias? Why are these two so powerful?! I can't keep the shield up for much longer.
"Raynare, I need you to untie me and let me talk to them." I said quickly. She is not getting killed her. No way!
"But James…why? I'm a fallen and I've done terrible things. I even…killed that girl. I don't deserve your protection. Just let them kill me, please." She muttered and I sighed. This is gonna hurt really bad. I summoned every last piece of strength I had and turned my arms to solid rock. The new strength allowed me to break off the chains. However, I immedialty fell to my knees in front of a gasping Raynare.
"James stop it! You're just going to get hurt…or worse. Please. I deserve this…" She trailed off as I wrapped my arms around her. I sat against the metal wall and pulled her body against mine. She's just a scared little girl who doesn't understand the way the world is. She just wants to be accepted by the other fallen. I'm not letting someone like this, someone I care about, go down that path.
"You're staying with me Raynare. I'm going to take care of you and protect you. I'm not going to let your people make you into something you aren't. I know you've done horrible and evil things but…I keep thinking about the girl I met at the park. That was the real you." I stopped and pulled the girl off me. She had snuggled against my chest and looked up at me with misty eyes when I pulled her off. "And I love the real you." I said and brought my hand up behind her head. I felt her soft skin on my hand as I pushed her head closer to mine. And we kissed.
"James…I…why? Why would you put yourself at risk for my sake? I'll just get you hurt or in trouble…" She asked after we broke our kiss. She had a blush on her face and she looked to die for. I just cupped her cheek and looked deep into her misty purple eyes. Why hadn't her tears stopped yet?
"Because you're worth it. And I'm not letting a girl as perfect as you end up like the other fallen I've meet. You're different Raynare and you're special. We both have dark pasts and we've both done things we regret. But we are going to get through them" I interlocked our fingers and placed my forehead on hers, "together." I finished and the girl broke down crying again.
"Please help James! Just…save me from this! Bring Asia back and…just make it all go away!" She pleaded and wrapped her arms around me. She squeezed me tighter than anyone ever has. She squeezed me like she was afraid I wasn't real…
"I'll protect you and I'll make everything okay. I promise." I swore and ran my hands up and down the girls back while she sobbed into my shoulder. Moments later I became aware of the metal cracking around me and the loud explosions coming from outside.
"James! Don't let her fool you like she did me!" Issei screamed. Issei? When did he get here? What does he mean…fool me…no Raynare isn't like that.
"Let him go Fallen One! It's time for you to pay for what you've done." Rias yelled. I can only imagine how hard it's going to be to keep them from killing her. Oh well…
"Stay behind me." I whispered as I stood back up. Raynare pressed her crying form against my back and clutched onto my shirt for dear life. I sighed before snapping and watching the metal wall break around me.
"Rias. Please stop attacking." I asked and started to make my way down the altar steps. Everyone glared towards the girl behind me and held their weapons and magic at the ready. Rias looked at me curiously and crossed her arms underneath her large chest.
"James? What is the meaning of this? Why is the Fallen One clutching onto your back?" Rias asked. She didn't seem angry, just bewildered. This is going to take a lot of convincing isn't it?
"Rias, I want you and the others to spare Raynare. I want to take care of her and protect her." I said firmly and Rias's face went from curious to angry in a second. This isn't going to go well. I heard the others around me gasp in fear of what was going to happen.
"Why would you ask to protect an enemy to all devils? She tricked and killed Issei and murdered that nun girl you fought so hard to save. James, she's evil and we should end her reign now." Rias said sternly, her eyes glared right through me and at the scared girl behind me.
"No. I won't let you. I may be a terrible servant and you may despise me but I won't let you hurt her. She's just a scared girl who doesn't know what to do anymore." I replied and Rias's bewildered look returned. Her body started to glow with a scary dark red aura that sent more chills down my spine.
"You dare defy your master?" She questioned in an angry tone. I gulped before spreading my arms to try and defend Raynare.
"Yes. I know she has done horrible things but I have too. I want to save her Rias. I have to save her." I finished and prepared myself for the worst. Rias's anger seemed to stop increasing and the red aura seemed to dissipate slightly. I was still scared but it seemed like I wasn't going to get blasted by her scary red magic, so that's good.
"What do you think Akeno? Issei? Kiba?" Rias asked and we both turned to look at each servant she addressed. All three shifted uncomfortably. At least Rias is giving this a chance…but…what about Issei? Didn't Raynare…kill him?
"I think James is right." Akeno said quietly and my jaw dropped in shock. I didn't expect anyone to actually take my side.
"Akeno…why?" I asked. The girl just looked at me and gave me a faint smile before walking towards me. Oddly enough Rias hadn't said anything. Maybe she's just studying the situation and trying to figure out how we could keep Raynare around. Please let that be what she's thinking.
"James you're so kind. You meet a helpless, scared young girl and you decided to take care of her and help her out of the kindness of your heart. If I were fallen…that's what I would need…" Akeno trailed off and left me in a bit of suspense. Does that mean I have her vote?
"Kindness is rare among devils. Most are greedy and only think for themselves. But you…you are willing to put your servitude and life on the line for someone who doesn't deserve it. I knew there was something special about you James." Rias said finally. It's nice to hear the anger leave her voice. Maybe I can actually save Raynare.
"I have to agree with Rias. If you think this fallen deserves to live and right her wrongs then I will stand by it." Kiba said with his Princely smile on his face. Wow, everyone is being pretty level headed about this. Do they really trust me that much?
"Why do you all trust my judgment so much? I'm not trying to make you rethink it or anything; I just want to know why." I asked in bewilderment. A group of devils letting a fallen live is highly irregular so I have to be cautious. I'm not letting them betray me and kill her in the end…no way.
"Well she didn't kill you for starters." Rias said logically. That does make sense.
"And she allowed Koneko and I to escape after she wounded you. She tried to heal you and just…cried." Kiba admitted and looked at the fallen one with an awestruck look in his eyes.
"I agree. She can stay." Koneko said. Her voice emotionless and her face was still stone, but I could see the sincerity in her eyes. Wow, even Koneko…
"I was scared…" Raynare muttered and everyone turned towards her. She dethatched from my back and stood in front of me, looking at every other devil. She didn't seem scared anymore.
"I was scared that I'd killed the first person who ever really cared about me. And I still feel awful about all the things I've done. James made me realize that I did all the things I did just so I could get by with the other fallen angels. I just wanted to be strong enough to be accepted. They told me to kill…Issei. And then I was told to become more powerful. So I…did it. I did it the only way a fallen would know how. I was horrible and I do deserve to die. But…James is giving me a second chance and…I want to be with him. I want him to help me and make everything okay again." Raynare finished and turned back towards me. I couldn't help but smile at her.
"And Issei…I'm so sorry. I know it may be a little late for all this but" Raynare bowed in front of the silent boy. He had an odd look on his face. He seemed sad and afraid, unsure of what to do.
"Raynare it's…it's okay. If James thinks you really do deserve a second chance then I stand by him. If you hadn't killed me then I'd probably die a lonely pervert. But now that I'm a devil, I won't die alone. Plus, having another pair of breasts around sounds pretty nice to me." He said happily and actually started to smile. We all chuckled and I smiled at Issei. But then I saw his eyes. They keep darting back up to look at the figure chained to the cross.
"Raynare, would you please return Asia's Sacred Gear?" I asked and laid a hand on the girl's shoulder. This would be proof that she's not another power crazy fallen one. If she is willing to give up that much power then we can trust her.
"But that won't bring her back." Raynare said sadly and a thought occurred in my head. I looked at Rias with a smile.
"But I know what might. Rias, Issei, would you come with us?" I asked and held out my hand for my Master to take. The beautiful red head smiled back at me before taking my hand, with Issei close behind her. The four of us started back up the stairs of the altar.
"Do you have any idea on how we could bring Asia back?" I asked and the red head tapped her chin as thoughts ran through her head. Rias really is a smart girl. Smart, pretty, and kind. Triple threat.
"You can bring her back?!" Issei yelled and started running up the stairs. "Hurry up then! Asia didn't deserve this and we have to bring her back now!" He yelled again and I smiled at him. He is starting to turn into something more than just a pervert.
"I believe I can make her into my bishop. That is, if her Sacred Gear is returned." Rias said and looked over at Raynare. The fallen one nodded before hurrying up the stairs and walking straight up to the small girl's slumped over body.
She held her hands in front of her and slowly cupped them together. All of a sudden, a bright green glow leaked out from inside her hands and the light shined brighter as Raynare opened her hands. She looked up at Asia with a sad smile before pushing the small green ball against her chest.
"I'm so sorry for taking this from you. Please come back so…so I can apologize." Raynare pleaded and I saw tears fall onto the metal platform again. I approached her and pulled her away from the small girl and into my arms.
"Do it Rias." I said and held the girl against me tightly. She's going to be better. Everything will be okay.
"Alright then." Rias said with a smile as she approached Asia's body. A small dark red chess piece appeared in her hand and she placed it on the girls chest. "In the name of the house of Gremory, I want you to live for my sake." Rias chanted and the piece sunk into the girl's chest.
Asia took a deep breath and cracked an eye open. I sighed in relief and pulled Raynare off me so I could undo the shackles on her hands and feet. But Issei beat me to it.
"Asia! I'm so glad you're okay! I promise everything will be okay from now on alright? I'll get you out of these shackles and get you fixed up. You can go to school with me and meet my friends. And…we can be friends." Issei rambled on and on as he undid the shackles on the girl's limbs. When he finally finished talking, Asia fell into his arms.
"Issei, is that you? Did you…save me?" Asia whispered and started to nod off in his arms. I smiled at the two younger devils and felt someone tug at my shirt.
"James, is everything okay now? Am I…going to stay with you?" Raynare asked. She had a pleading look in her eye that made me want to cry. I'm all she has left in the world.
"Rias? What do you say? I think she's proven what she says is true." I said and smiled at my Master. Rias returned the smile and nodded before walking away with Issei and an unconscious Asia in his arms.
"Let's go home Raynare. I think the pain of the light poisoning is starting to kick back in." I joked and laid my arm across the girl's shoulders. We walked side by side down the altar stairs. All's well that ends well. Just one big happy family with two new members.
"Oh James. I just bought you an apartment." Rias said as she looked back at me with a smile. What…
"What!? Really? My own place!?" I yelled and ran down the staircase to embrace my loving Master. I wrapped my arms around her and pressed myself against her back. She's too kind.
"Yes it's all yours. Your pet has been tearing up all my good cushions and Akeno said the clubroom was too crowded. So, you and her plus your pet and the angel are moving in together." Rias finished and patted my cheek softly. Best. Master. Ever.
"So…me, Akeno, Raynare, and Ahri? All together? In one house?" I asked in disbelief and Rias giggled before turning and facing me with a teasing smile on her face.
"Well it's a one bedroom apartment actually. Wouldn't want to pamper you too much." She teased before skipping off back to Issei and Asia. Really…all in the same bed?
"Hello roommate." Akeno whispered in my ear and I blushed. Why did she say it like that? She makes it sound so dirty! Not that I was thinking about it being like that…no stop being a pervert!
"Hey Akeno. Listen, are you really okay with Raynare living with us?" I asked and Akeno immediately got this far off look in her eyes. What is she thinking about?
"James, I trust in your judgment. And if you think this girl needs help and if you want to save her then I'm happy to help. Plus it will add to the fun in our new home. Oh, I'm sleeping with you tonight since you skipped out on me last night." She said quickly before skipping off after Rias. Sleep…with Akeno…again!?
"I'll see you at home James." Raynare said sweetly from behind me. I turned around quickly to see her still standing there with a blush on her face. She still had on her leather clad bikini and it kind of made her look like a not scary dominatrix.
"Raynare…we need to get you some clothes." I said with a smile and took the girl's hand. She blushed even darker and giggled while I pulled her away towards our group.
What a happy ending…NOT!