Gremory's Black Knight
I'm back, everybody, with a few new chapters fresh from my beta. So read on and enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own Highschool DxD or Sword Art Online.
Two days after the rating game against Riser, for the first time since that day, the entire occult Research club had assembled in the club house. In fact, it was also the first time that Issei and Kirito had come to school since the game. Issei's overuse of the Boosted Gear had caused him to lose consciousness for those two days, and Kirito's burns took extra time to heal even with Asia's Twilight Healing.
Though not an official member, Asuna and Yui had been invited to attend the victory party.
Once drinks had been handed out, Rias smiled and stood up, "Everyone, you did wonderfully! I've never been prouder. You've all more than earned a rest, but before that, we need to celebrate. So enjoy yourselves to your heart's content." Raising her glass, she said, "Here's to the Occult Research Club!"
"Cheers!" The club laughed, and with a wave of her hand, music started to play.
"You're looking better, Kirito." Akeno smiled once the party was well underway.
"Yeah, Asia's been amazing." He replied sheepishly, "I was probably fine yesterday, but Rias wanted me to relax and take it easy."
"I've seen to that." Asuna added with a smile.
Kirito sighed, "She wouldn't even let me out of bed."
As soon as he'd said that, Akeno giggled. "Oh my. So you guys have taken it that far?"
Immediately both of them flushed in embarrassment.
"Not like that!"
"That's not what I meant!"
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about." Akeno giggle, ignoring their denial, "After all, you're both at that age, and after what you went through, no one could fault you for-"
Asuna leapt forward and covered her mouth, "Shut up!"
"Daddy, what is she talking about?" Yui said, tilting her head in confusion.
"Nothing you need to worry about." He said quickly into the mic, and Rias came over and smacked the back of Akeno's head.
"Akeno, teasing Kirito is fine, but remember that there's a child present."
"Yes president." Akeno said politely, but she didn't stop laughing. Across the room, Issei was biting the back of his hand in frustration.
"I seriously want to punch this guy." He cried softly, and Akeno grinned. Giving them a wave, she walked over and sat beside Issei on the couch.
Leaning her head onto his shoulder, she whispered, "Speaking of, did you ever decide what we were going to do for our date?"
"D-D-Date?" He squeaked out, drawing their attention.
"Of course." Akeno answered, "You remember our promise right? Since we won, I owe you a date, don't I? If you haven't thought anything, don't worry. I'm sure I can think of something that'll make it a very enjoyable afternoon for both of us."
"Akeno!" Rias shouted, stomping over to them, "How many times must I tell you, Issei is mine!"
"Now, now, he owes me a date too." Akeno said, pulling Issei's face into her cleavage, "Don't be so stingy."
"Akeno." Rias said dangerously, magic gathering at her fingertips.
Lightning flashed in Akeno's hand, "Yes Rias?"
Kirito and Asuna just managed to duck out of the room before the two started to battle.
"That was scary…" Asuna shivered, and Kirito nodded grimly.
"You should've seen them during the training camp. I'm still having nightmares." He replied, and the door opened again. After a quick view of the carnage within, Kiba and Koneko came running out with Yui's laptop.
"Here." Kiba said, handing the laptop to Asuna, "It's safer out here."
"Thank you." Asuna said honestly, and he nodded back.
"So I guess we're not going back in there until things cooled down." Kiba said, sitting down across from them, "You were awesome, by the way. I can't believe you took down Yubelluna."
"I didn't do much." Kirito shook his head, "You and Akeno did all the hard work."
"Me and Akeno would've been taken out if you hadn't finished her." Kiba replied, patting him on the back, "That last attack of yours was crazy. I couldn't even follow it."
"It was sonic leap, wasn't it?" Asuna asked, and he nodded.
"I don't really understand it, but yeah, it was." Holding out his hand, he imagined the elucidator, and it appeared instantly, "I think it's my sacred gear. If I really try, I can create almost anything from SAO, but swords and sword skills are the only things that I can use so easily."
"Sacred Gears respond to the heart of the wielder." Kiba told him, "It makes sense, if you think about it, that the only things you can create so easily are the things you trusted most of all during that game."
"I guess that's why the Elucidator came to me first." Kirito said, canceling his sacred gear, and the blade in his hand disappeared. "Though nothing I make sticks around for long."
"Give it time." Kiba said encouragingly, "Duration and variety come with experience. It wasn't that long ago that it took almost everything I had to create a sword that didn't break as soon as I used it."
"Yeah, I guess." Kirito smiled, "But I guess if I can't even keep my sword together, High class is still a long way away."
"You'll get there." Asuna said confidently, and on the screen, Yui nodded as well.
"You're going for High Class too?" Issei said, tumbling out of the warzone that was the club meeting room.
"Yeah, I am." Kirito replied, and Issei grabbed his hand and started crying.
"Finally! Someone else who understands my desire to become Harem Ki-" Koneko punched him square in the jaw and sent him flying backwards.
"Pervert." She huffed, sitting back down.
Issei got back to his cheek and started cradling his swollen jaw, "That hurt, Koneko! Why am I the only one who gets punched?"
"His goal is noble." She answered, "You're just a pervert."
"That is true." Kiba nodded thoughtfully, much to Issei's chagrin.
"You're the worst." Asuna huffed.
"It's not like tha-" Issei said, reaching towards her.
"Kirito." She said, and he nodded, already guessing what she wanted. The next second, Lambent Light was in Asuna's hand, and pointed directly at Issei's throat. "Touch me, and I won't just kill you, I'll make you suffer." She practically hissed.
"You go girl." Koneko said, eating some cookies from a box of snacks next to her.
Issei ducked back, "Kiba, save me!"
Kiba took one look at Asuna, then back at Issei and got to his feet, "I'm going to see if they've calmed down. If not, would anyone like something to drink?"
"Sure." Everyone but Issei replied, and he slipped into the clubroom again.
"KIBA!" Issei cried, hiding in fear in the next room over.
Grayfia stood silently behind her husband as he oversaw talks between Lords Gremory and Phenex regarding the now annulled engagement. Thankfully, neither side was particularly angry about the result.
"Once again, Lord Phenex, I'm sorry that my daughter ruined this engagement." Lord Gremory said as Grayfia refilled both men's drinks.
"Well, it seems we were both a little too greedy." Lord Phenex replied, thanking her with a nod, "Unlike so many households, both of our families are already secure for the generation. We shouldn't have tried to stack the deck."
"Sometimes it is best to let the chips fall where they may." Gremory nodded, "Though perhaps Millicas and your granddaughter…"
Lord Phenex let out a laugh, "Well, I think that is talk for next time, wouldn't you say? Besides, such things should be left to our successors. I'm sure Rias and Ruval will be able to talk things over in the future."
"Somehow, I doubt it will turn out that way." Gremory said sadly, "I find it unlikely that Rias will make the same mistake I did. She won't force her wish onto MIllicas."
"That might be for the best." Phenex agreed, "I'm indebted to your daughter and her servants. They helped to teach Raiser an important lesson. The power of the phoenix is not absolute. If my son has learned that lesson, and he grows into a stronger man because of it, then I don't mind enduring the ridicule from the other families about him losing a match in such a manner."
"I couldn't believe my ears when Rias told me that she'd taken in the Red Dragon Emperor." Lord Gremory chuckled, taking a long drink of his wine, "It seemed like something out of a dream. For a beast like that to come over to our side…"
Drinking from his cup as well, Lord Phenex looked at him seriously, "On that note, I should remind you to warn her of the dangers that come with having the Red Dragon under her command. Next time, it won't be a Phenex he faces. It will be another dragon."
"The white one, you mean?" Lord Gremory nodded, "Yes, I am aware. But I would rather not darken their celebration with such news. In time, I will tell them."
"And if something happens before then?"
"We will do what we must." Sirzechs Lucifer replied for the first time since the meeting began.
It was the better part of an hour before Asia managed to calm Rias and Akeno down. Somehow, even as they were fighting, the three managed to work out a schedule of their dates with Issei. Akeno would be first the following day (Saturday), then Asia on Sunday, and Rias would have him all to herself the next weekend. it wasn't perfect, but since she got him two days instead of just one, she wasn't going to complain too much.
On the topic of dates, Asuna turned to Kirito, "Speaking of, don't we have plans?"
"Yeah, we do." He nodded, "When do you want to go out?"
"Tomorrow morning. "Asuna replied, and he shook his head.
"Sorry, but I've got a meeting." he apologized, "Any other day."
"Okay, but with who...?" She asked.
"Koujiro Rinka." He answered, "Akihiko Kayaba's lab partner and accomplice."
"You can't be serious!" Asuna shouted.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Kiba asked worriedly.
"You're meeting with that psychopath's accomplice?" Issei said in disbelief.
"I don't think that she's a threat." He replied, "And if she is-" with a flick of his wrist, the elucidator appeared in front of him, "I'll deal with it. But I need to talk to her. She's the only person who might have some answers."
"I'm not sure I'm comfortable with you going to meet someone like that one your own." Rias sighed, "But fine. I expect you to contact me if anything happens. Understood?"
"Yes ma'am." He replied with a nodded.
The next morning, Kirito got up earlier then he'd have liked considering that the party lasted well into the early morning, but he had something he had to do.
Slowly, he got out of bed to avoid awaking Asuna, and took a quick shower. Just a few minutes after he threw on a clean pair of clothes, he heard the knock on the door. Grabbing the flash drive from the table, he headed out the door.
Waiting outside the door was a petite woman with short black hair. She was smiling, though it was obviously forced. Extending her hand, she said, "Good morning. You must be Kazuto."
"I am, and you must be Professor Koujiro Rinka." He replied, shaking her hand, "I'm sorry to have contacted you out of the blue like that."
"It's alright." She answered, "I can't blame you, given what you went through. Wanting answers is only natural. I just hope I can be of some assistance." Looking around, she added, "Well, I think the hallway's not a fitting place for a conversation. Care to go down the street for a cup of coffee?" She asked with the same forced smile as before.
"Sure." He nodded, glad that she hadn't asked to go inside the apartment. Asuna was already against this meeting. No reason to make her angrier.
Once they each had a cup of coffee and were seated in the small coffee shop, she finally dropped the smile, "Go ahead and ask away. I promise I won't lie to you."
"You and Akihiko Kayaba were close, weren't you?" He started, and she nodded.
"We were once very close. He and I were partners all throughout college, and even when he started working for Argus, I worked closely with him on Sword Art Online."
"Did you know?" He asked simply, and they both knew he didn't have to elaborate.
"No, but I'm just as responsible for all those deaths as he was." She replied, "I found him just after the game started. I knew him better than anyone, so I knew where he was likely to hide out. When I found him in that cabin, I fully intended to strangle him to death while he was diving. But I couldn't." When she saw the surprised look on his face, she actually managed a small, but sad smile, "Love makes you do stupid things, Kazuto. At the time, I knew what he was. I knew about the people who had died and would die, but I couldn't bring myself to stop it. And to make matter worse, I helped him. I took care of his body while he was diving, right up until the end."
After a few seconds of silence, she sighed, "Then one day, he logged out and started laughing. I wondered if he'd finally snapped, but he handed me a cell phone and told me to call the police, then lay back down and-" Shaking her head, "I don't know if he actually thought that he could digitize his brain or if he just wanted the same fate he subjected everyone else to, but he died then and there."
"He did." Kirito responded, taking the flash drive out his pocket, "I met him last month. He gave me this."
"What is it?" She asked, sounding genuinely confused.
"A complete fulldive system." He responded, "He gave it to me and said that I could do whatever I wanted with it."
"Akihiko Kayaba only ever gave me one thing." She said, placing a hand on her chest, "And that was a fake bomb implanted in my chest. If you're looking for my advice, I say delete it and don't even think about it again. But the choice is yours."
"Do you think it's safe?" He asked.
"I'm sure it is." she answered, "I don't know what Akihiko was thinking, but know that he never did anything without a reason. Even if that reason isn't known or understood by any of us. I won't tell you what to do, but remember that he gave it to you for a reason. Don't play into his hand like I did."
Glancing down at her watch, she stood up, "I'm sorry, but I have to go. I need to be in court in about twenty minutes."
"Sorry to call you out of the blue like this." He apologized again, and she smiled back.
"You remind me of him." She replied, walking out of the coffee shop and leaving him to his own thoughts.
"She really didn't try anything." A familiar voice said from behind him, and his head snapped around. Akeno and Issei were sitting in the booth right behind him.
"What are you doing here?" He asked, but he already guessed the reason.
"Well, Rias wanted to make sure you didn't get into any trouble, and Asuna also asked us to look out for you, so here we are." Akeno giggled, holding Issei's arm tightly, "Beside, I've heard that this coffee shop is a popular spot for lovers."
"L-Lovers?" Issei squeaked, and she smiled.
"Don't worry so much. I'll be gentle…"
"I'll be going." Kirito said quickly, leaving Issei torn between joy and unease.
Monday morning, while Kirito was hurriedly putting the finishing touches on the work he missed while he was recovering from the Rating Game, their homeroom teacher came into the room, accompanied by a familiar face.
"Everyone, we have a new student joining us today." She smiled, gesturing to Asuna, who bowed politely.
"Hello. My name is Asuna Yuuki. I'm looking forward to working with all of you." Asuna smiled at the class, who welcomed her warmly.
"Welcome, Asuna." The teacher said, pointing at the only remaining empty desk, "Please take the seat beside Asia for now."
"Yes ma'am." Asuna said, taking her bag over to the empty seat. The next few minutes, just like with him, everyone was asking her question, not giving her any chance to answer any of them. However, this time, he got just as many questions.
"So this is her?" Aika asked him, and he nodded in response, "You scored quite the hottie. Good for you." Turning to Issei and his friends, all of whom were glaring hateful daggers at him, she added, "It's too bad you guys can't take a page from Kazuto's book. You might actually get lucky one day."
"That's not very-" Kirito tried to say in his friend's defense, but they didn't even give him a chance.
"Drop dead!"
"Go to hell!"
"Damned pretty boy!"
"What's going on over here?" Asuna asked, walking over to Issei and friends.
"Asuna, be careful!" The girls shouted behind her.
"Those three are pure evil! You never know what they might do." another added, throwing herself between Asuna and the trio.
"It's okay." Asuna smiled coldly, "I'm sure they won't try anything."
"But-"
"Isn't that right, Issei?" Asuna asked, and the Red Dragon Emperor immediately bowed.
"No ma'am! I would never, I swear!"
"Bro, you might not, but I'd-" Motohama started to grin, but Issei forced him to bow as well.
"He doesn't mean it!" Issei said quickly, then whispered into his friend's ear, "You have no clue how terrifying she can be! She's the devil!"
Kirito couldn't help but admire the irony that a devil would be a so afraid of a human that he'd call her a devil. In this case, though, he couldn't very well fault him for feeling that way.
"I'm sorry?" Asuna said, snapping a pencil between her fingers.
"Nothing!" Issei answered, backing away from her as quickly as possible.
"That's what I thought." She nodded approvingly, turning back around to find all the girls in the class looking at her with admiration. "What's up?" She asked nervously, "Did I do something wrong?"
"No!" Murayama said, shaking her head quickly.
"You're amazing, Asuna!" Katase nodded in agreement, "How did you do that? We've tried everything!"
"It's not too hard." She answered sheepishly.
"I get it!" Murayama gasped, then grinned at the trio, "So, you pervs are afraid of what Kazuto might do to you, is that it?"
"Afraid of that pretty boy?" Matsuda scoffed, "Not eve-"
Sighing, Kirito jumped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder before he even finished speaking, much to everyone's surprise.
"Word of warning. There's a very good reason that Issei's afraid. if you're lucky, you two will never have to find out what that is." He said, patting Issei's terrified friend on the back before he walked back to his desk, completely oblivious to the stares of awe from the crowd.
"That was so hot…" Katase whispered, and Murayama smacked the back of her head.
"Rias!" Issei cried, hugging the president as soon as he got to the old school building. The rest of the club was already waiting except for Kazuto and Asuna who were just behind him,
"What's wrong, my little Issei?" She asked, lightly stroking the back of his head.
"Asuna! She- She told all the girls to let her know if I did anything perverted! I can't even peek at them without risking mortal injury!" He whimpered, much to Rias' disappointment.
"Honestly, you can be such a boy." She sighed as Asuna and Kazuto walked into the room, "How was your first day of school, Asuna?" She asked kindly, "Besides tormenting my adorable Issei, I mean."
"Pretty good." Asuna replied, "I bombed the classwork though. I spent too much time helping Kirito that I forgot to study."
"Kirito…" Rias said, turning to Kazuto, "You've called him that before, haven't you?"
"Yeah." He scratched the back of his head, "When we were in SAO, that was my username, so after two years, it's kinda hard to let old habits die."
"You don't seem to have that problem." She noted, and Asuna giggled.
"That's because I goofed. When I was registering and it asked for my username, I thought it meant my real name, so I was still Asuna." She answered, "I've been trying, but I can't shake the habit."
"Eh, not a big deal." Kirito shrugged, "I mean, Klein, Silica, Lizbeth, and the others still only call me Kirito, so it's not like you'd be the only one." Looking around the room, he added, "That goes for all of you too. If you want to call me Kirito, that's fine."
"Kirito…" Rias said thoughtfully, "It suits you, Kirito." Taking her usual seat behind the desk, she decided to start the club meeting now that all the members were in attendance, "So, how'd your meeting go, Kirito?"
"About as well as I expected." He replied with a small smile, "I didn't get any answers, but at least I got some advice on what to do with the Seed."
"Have you decided what you want to do?" Asuna asked when Rias just raised an eyebrow.
"If Agil's friend's checkup shows nothing wrong, I'm planning to have him set it up online for free." He answered her truthfully, "Which is probably what Kayaba wanted me to do with it in the first place, but... "
"You miss it, don't you?" Asuna said, and he looked back at her.
"So do you." he responded, "And god only knows that we have about as much reason to hate VRMMOs as anyone. Even if no one ends up using it, I'll release it just in case. Besides, I'd like to be able to interact with Yui like we used to."
"So would I." Asuna agreed with a smile, "Let's hope we get the chance."
"It seems you've left me in the dark about a few things." Rias said, "Care to explain over tea? We have a little while before it's time to start work."
"Work?" Asuna asked, looking at Kirito, who just shrugged.
"Guess we're going to find out." He responded before they went over things from the beginning of SAO to his rescuing Asuna from ALO.
Nobuyuki Sugou opened his eyes with a start, sitting up to find himself lying in the middle of the forest atop a slab of black stone. The wind around him was howling, so much so that he had to cover his ears.
But still he smiled. This was the second time he'd come to this place. This was where he'd met his benefactor. With the help of his benefactor, he'd have everything he deserves. Asuna, Rect, and of course that wannabe hero's head on a pike.
When the wind quieted down, he glanced up. Perched atop one of the trees was a raven, pitch black but for small specks of white like stars on the clear night sky.
The raven opened its beak, but rather than a call, it spoke to him, "Nobuyuki, it seems you've run into a bit of a tight spot. Not only have you failed to complete the research as you agreed, but you couldn't even kill the boy who ruined everything. I'm rather disappointed."
"It wasn't my fault!" Sugou shouted angrily as his eye was wracked with phantom pains of the sword that once pierced it, "There's no way that brat should've been able to reach her! And there's no way she should've survived! There's something else at work here!"
"I take it you still want to continue?" It asked, spreading its wings, "Will you give me the research I desire, and the head of the boy responsible, or will you renege on our deal and suffer the consequences?"
"Of course I still want to continue!" He replied, "But I can't do that from inside of a jail cell!"
The raven took flight, landing upon his forehead. He dared not move as it stared into his eyes.
"Wait patiently." It finally said, "I will send someone for you. He'll see to it you get everything you deserve."
"Thank yo-" Sugou started before screaming as the raven peak into his eye repeatedly.
Sugou awoke screaming as he clutched his eye. The forest was gone, and he was back in his jail cell. Drawn by the noise, the guards hurried him off to the infirmary. even with the tremendous pain, he managed a halfhearted grin. He'd bounce back from this, and he'd have what he wanted.
Asuna was his and his alone. Kazuto Kirigaya would learn firsthand what it means to take what is his.
So, I'm going to be skipping over the recap of the SAO canon for obvious reasons. Good news is that my beta returned not one but two chapters. So I will almost definitely be able to upload the next chapter next week.
Next time, the DxD canon moves on. It'll be a little while before I start work on the Death Gun arc, but you can expect a few changes for the Kokabiel arc. I'm still taking feedback on whether to go indepth for Phantom Bullet or not, so let me know. Reviews are, as always, welcome.