Chapter 3

Sorry this took so long; tertiary education doesn't leave much time for writing fan fiction. Firstly, thank you to everyone who has reviewed my work so far. Secondly, I suggest that everyone read 'Darksiders: The Abomination Vault', as it will provide some key info about what Death is thinking. Thirdly, I have some replies for reviews.

Firstly, the two 'Guests' who called bullshit about Rias' explanation: I have a question for you: ever consider that Rias might actually be lying?

TheLaughingMan1: I don't recall saying that I've given up on this story. Also, Death does spare lives (however rarely) when he has something to gain by doing so; whether they live longer than when their usefulness expires is another matter.

kroz phantomville: Yes, Death would be very angry about someone else resurrecting the dead.

undead3: true, but they 'technically' obeyed the letter (as interference means that they act without the consent of the Third Kingdom). Also, keep in mind that Death has defied the council before. As for Death's level of strength; his mission is still sanctioned by the Charred Council, therefore, he has full access to his almost limitless power and is nearly invulnerable.

Once again, thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed my work so far.

Warning: contains some nudity.

Disclaimer: I don't own Darksiders or Highschool DxD.

Five minutes later, Death was walking back to his classroom and people were staring at him as he passed and whispering amongst themselves.

"That guy, beat up one of the kendo club?" One second year girl whispered to a second year boy. "No way!"

"Apparently, the girl pissed him off, big time." The boy answered, as Death decided to teach them a lesson about gossiping. Silently, he turned back and started creeping behind the two.

"What happened to the girl?" The girl asked.

"Well, she's currently in the sick room with a really big bruise on her side." The boy explained. "Apparently, Rider-san hit her so hard that he broke the wooden sword he was using." By now, Death was silently standing behind the two.

"You do realize that I'm right behind you, don't you?" He queried, causing the two second years to jump in fright.

"R-Rider-san…" The girl stammered fearfully.

"Didn't your parents tell you that it's rude to gossip?" Asked the Pale Horseman pointedly, as the two second years' faces turned pale.

"S-sorry, Rider-san." the boy stammered.

"Sorry." The girl muttered. Sighing in frustration, Death walked back to his classroom to find the English teacher in whose drink Dust had relieved himself in. The teacher raised an eyebrow, which Death mimicked.

This'll be unpleasant. The Pale Horseman thought, as he sat at his desk.

"Rider-san, are you aware that your pet crow crapped in my morning coffee?" Asked the teacher in a frosty voice, as the class chuckled amongst themselves.

"Well, when you've gotta go, you've gotta go." Answered Death nonchalantly, as the class laughed. The teacher's face almost turned red with fury.

"Well, you've got to go to a detention this afternoon." the teacher responded, his hands were clenched into fists.

"Don't blame me, blame the bird." Death said, as he sat in his seat.

"You should know that you aren't allowed to have pets in school, Rider." The teacher growled, as the class watched on. Death saw the perverted trio smirking at his predicament from the corner of his eye.

"Dust isn't so much a pet as a guide." Death answered truthfully.

"Well, he's certainly guided you to a detention this afternoon." The teacher responded. "Your bird isn't allowed inside the school grounds, either." At that moment, Dust landed outside one of the windows and pecked, as if knocking.

"Well, speak the devil…" The teacher muttered, causing Death to smirk, as he stood up and walked to the window. "Rider! What do you think you're doing?"

"Letting Dust in." Death answered dryly. "What does it look like I'm doing? Feeding a cat?"

"Rider, don't let that bird in!" The teacher growled. Any other student would've been intimidated, but the Pale Horseman just laughed humorlessly as he opened the window, letting Dust walk inside and perch on his left hand.

"If you think you can intimidate me, you are an even bigger fool than I thought." Death said, as he walked back to his desk, whilst his classmates whispered excitedly. No one had ever openly defied a teacher before, especially not so rudely. The teacher's face went red with fury.

"Rider!" The teacher yelled. "For that, you're going to spend the rest of the week in detention!"

"Sorry, but I've got more important things to do than listen to your whining." Responded Death coldly.

"Like what?" The teacher hissed, as he stared daggers at the Pale Horseman.

"I've got three siblings to look after, for a start." Death answered. "Plus, I've got work." At this, the class stared at him.

"Rider-san has siblings?" One girl whispered.

"I heard he had a brother when he was in the club room." Another girl muttered, one Death recognized from the kendo club.

"Ooh, I wonder if he has a cute little sister." Whispered Matsuda, as Death rolled his eyes.

"You so much as try and hit on my sister Matsuda, and I'll be the least of your worries." Death growled, threateningly.

"Enough!" The teacher growled, who had calmed down slightly. "Rider Carnificis-san, just because you have siblings to look after, it doesn't mean that you'll get out of detention. Your parents can look after them, can't they?"

"We have no parents; I'm the one who has to look after them." Death answered coldly. At this, the class stared at him in surprise.

"Rider-san's an orphan?" One girl whispered pityingly. "I never knew." At this, Death and the teacher sighed.

"Fine." The teacher growled. "I'll let you off this time, since you've got family to look after. But the next time you're rude to a teacher, you will get a detention. And teach your bloody bird not to crap in people's drinks." Death nodded, as the teacher began the lesson and the girl sitting next to him turned to face the Pale Horseman.

"Rider-san, do you really have three siblings?" She asked, her voice barely a whisper. Death nodded slightly.

"Why?" He asked, just as quiet.

"Older or younger?" She asked. "And brothers or sisters?"

"Two brothers, one sister," He answered. "All younger."

"A word of advice," The girl said. "Keep your sister away from the perverted trio, especially Motohama."

"Why him in particular?" Death asked.

"His glasses are apparently a 'three sizes scouter'." The girl answered.

"Three sizes scouter?" Asked Death, one eyebrow raised. The girl blushed slightly.

"It allows him to measure a girl's 'body measurements'." She answered. Death rolled his eyes, realizing exactly what the girl meant.

"Thanks for the warning." He responded. Death was hardly surprised as to how the class' attitude towards him had changed; it was evident that they thought he was so cold and ill-tempered because he had to look after his brothers and sister. In truth, Death had almost no regard for Strife and knew that Fury could easily look after herself. It was War that Death was mostly concerned for. Especially after what he did to the Red Horseman… Death shook his head; he couldn't afford to dwell on such thoughts.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully for Death, who found it difficult to stop smirking. His encounter with the English teacher had gone exactly as he had planned; first, he'd played the cold, rude troubled student, then he 'accidentally' let slip the fact that he had three siblings and no parents, making the class feel guilty and prompting the teacher to show some leniency.

Those fools didn't suspect a thing. The Pale Horseman thought smugly, as he walked out from the gate; again, unable to shake that feeling of being watched. Meanwhile, in the old schoolhouse, Rias was watching the Pale Horseman; her wounds fully healed from the potion he had uncharacteristically given her, wearing a clean, undamaged uniform.

"President." Akeno said from behind her. Rias turned to her vice-president.

"Do you think he will try and kill us again?" Akeno asked, her voice filled with concern.

"He was toying with us this morning." Rias answered. "If he wanted us dead, we would've been killed before I had even stood."

"Is he really that powerful?" Akeno asked. Rias closed her eyed and massaged the bridge of her nose for a moment.

"I once heard a story about the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse." Rias answered. "Apparently, they are… Something else."

"President?" Akeno asked.

"Neither Angel, nor Devil," Rias clarified. "And individually powerful enough to destroy entire civilizations. If we were to face all four… Even the Maou would fall to their blades."

"I heard Carnificis – sorry – Death-sama speak of his brother, during the incident at the Kendo club." Akeno noted. "Could he have been referring to one of his brothers?"

"It is more than likely." Rias answered. "Judging by the context, I'd say he was referring to the Red Horseman, War."

"War?" Akeno asked. Rias nodded.

"If what Death-sama said is true, the Red Horseman is the most honorable of the four." The crimson haired Devil explained. "Other than that, I have little other knowledge about them and no knowledge about this 'Charred Council'."

"What would you have us do?" Akeno asked. Rias thought for a moment.

"He stayed his hand…" She began. "That in itself is unusual. There are stories that also refer to the Pale Horseman as 'Executioner'; I would say that he wants answers from us. Therefore, we wait for him to ask, and try to dissuade him from finishing what he started."

"Do you want me to go and find him?" Akeno asked.

"No, Death-sama is too dangerous to meet alone." Rias answered. "If I had known who he really was, I would've informed the Maou. For now, we wait." Akeno nodded.

"What of your newest servant?" Akeno asked. "Is he in any danger?"

"Only if he meets Death-sama's sister, I'd guess." Rias answered. "Otherwise, my cute servant should be alright… For now…"

Elsewhere, at dusk; Death was about three hundred meters away from Matsuda's house, hidden and crouching on the rooftop of a house; whilst Dust perched on one of the window ledges, his mind link with the Pale Horseman letting his master see what was happening, not that Death appreciated the sight. The perverted trio was gathered around a T.V. with snacks and tissue boxes lying around them and they were watching something that Death suspected they shouldn't be, if the sound from the T.V. was anything to go by. Whatever it was, it made the Pale Horseman's skin crawl, even under the disguise he was wearing. Silently, Death retrieved Redemption from his schoolbag, ensuring that it was loaded and the safety was on. The Pale Horseman was still unsure why Strife had loaned it to him.

That loudmouth never does anything for anyone. He thought. Especially me. I cannot count the number of times that bastard has angered me during our time as the council's agents. Death continued to contemplate Strife's motives as he examined the pistol. It truly was a work of the highest quality, only the Makers could have created such a fine weapon, not that the Pale Horseman would ever admit it to another. Death then turned his attention back to the perverted trio, who – for some unknown reason – were all crying. Death – through Dust's eyes – saw the tears spilling from Motohama's eyes behind his glasses, as the boy was speaking. Death was unable to hear due to the volume of the T.V. drowning out anything they were saying. Despite having no experience with such matters, Death had a sneaking suspicion that this was not as a result of the lewd film they were watching, or the act they wished to emulate.

Suddenly, Issei stood up and walked out. Instantly, Death was on his feet, ready to move. The Pale Horseman saw Issei walk out the front door, before heading in the opposite direction. Death proceeded to follow from a distance, soundlessly leaping from building to building. Issei then started to act strangely, almost as if his senses had increased significantly higher than that of an ordinary human.

Something has definitely happened to that brat… The Pale Horseman thought, as he lightened his steps. In the morning he was struggling to remain conscious; yet now… Could it be a result of his death? Or is something else at work here? His thoughts trailed off as Issei vanished from his sight, as the boy rounded a corner. Death swiftly leapt down from the rooftop, rolling as he landed, and sprinted to the corner, his back to the building's wall. Cautiously, Death peeked around the corner, only to see Issei standing still, as if he were a statue. Death saw another approaching the boy; but the figure was in shadow. He appeared to be saying something to Issei, who was beginning to back away in fear.

Oh, damn it… Death thought, as he saw Issei begin running in his direction, as the shadowy figure sprouted feathery wings and took flight. Death's eyes widened slightly, before they narrowed in anger.

An Angel… So, the council was correct, in part at least. Death thought, as a spear made of light materialized in the figure's hand, before being thrown at Issei, impaling the boy through his stomach and causing him to cry out in pain, as he started coughing blood. The Angel landed near the now whimpering Issei, the light revealing his black wings, hat and coat, another light spear in his hand; yet Death still stood by and watched, as he took a gamble, Redemption held in his left hand.

"It must hurt." The Angel muttered. "Lights are poisonous to beings like you. Getting hit by it will result in fatal damage. I thought this spear would kill you, even though I weakened its power. Your body is tougher than I thought. Then I will hit you again with it. But this time I will put a bit more strength in it. Now you are done for." However, as the angel raised the spear to kill the boy, there was a sound of an object flying through the air, before a black and red sphere of energy impacted on the angel's hand, causing him to grunt in pain as he dropped the spear, which vanished; blood and smoke pouring from his hand.

"Don't you dare touch him." A familiar female voice commanded. Death glanced to its source, to see Rias Gremory advancing on the angel, a cold smile on her face.

I thought she'd show up. Death thought smugly, his guess accurate, as he flicked Redemption's safety off. Time for some answers…

"...Crimson hair... You must be a woman from the House of Gremory..." The Angel muttered; his eyes filled with hatred. Rias' smile became colder.

"My name is Rias Gremory." She introduced herself. "How are you doing, Mr. Fallen Angel? If you are trying to hurt this boy, then I won't hold back." At her words, Rias' eyes become even colder. Death continued to watch from the shadows with interest, as the Fallen Angel laughed coldly.

"Well, well. So this boy belongs to you." The Fallen Angel commented. "So this town is also your territory, huh? Well then. For today I will apologize. But I recommend you to not let your servant loose. People like me might slay him while walking."

"Thanks for the advice." Rias replied. "This town is under my surveillance, so if you get in my way then I won't hold back."

"I would say the same to you, Heir of the Gremory House." The Fallen Angel responded. "My name is Dohnaseek. I hope we won't meet again." With that, Dohnaseek spread his wings and was about to take off, when there was a loud crack and a spray of blood from his right wing. Snarling, Dohnaseek glanced around, to see Death – still in his Kuoh Academy disguise – advancing menacingly on the group, smoke trailing from Redemption's barrel.

"You…" The Fallen Angel hissed; his eyes narrowed in hate as pain shot through his injured wing.

"The law is clear…" Death stated; his voice a low growl, as he aimed Redemption at Dohnaseek's head. "When the Seven Seals are broken, four Horsemen shall ride forth to punish the wicked, be they Sons of Man, Lords of Heaven, or the Dregs of Hell..." At this, Rias' eyes widened and Issei looked at the Pale Horseman in shock.

"R-Rider-san…" Issei muttered, as Death continued towards the wounded Fallen Angel.

"None are above this law." Death growled. "Tell your 'colleagues' that this is their only warning. They have until the next sunset to leave, before I kill you all." Nodding stiffly, Dohnaseek turned and flew away, barely able to keep himself airborne. Rias then turned to Issei.

"Oh, are you about to faint? This is definitely a fatal wound." She remarked. "It can't be helped. Hey, where is your house?" Before she could get an answer, Issei was unconscious. Rias then turned to the Pale Horseman.

"You were waiting for me to appear, weren't you?" She guessed. Death shrugged.

"I was wondering why he feared you, so I decided to undertake a little reconnaissance." Death commented casually. "More importantly; you have some explaining to do."

"Can it wait?" Rias asked, as Issei continued to bleed out from his wounds. "My servant needs to be healed before he dies."

"Your servant?" Death hissed coldly. "You had better explain yourself before I decide to finish up and break my word."

"As he was dying the other night, he made a wish." Rias began to explain.

"This isn't a fairytale, child." Death interjected. "You don't just 'make a wish' and have it granted."

"Unless you have one of these." Rias countered, as she showed Death a sheet of paper with a magic circle drawn on it. Death's eyes narrowed.

"What is that?" Death asked.

"Can't this wait?" Rias asked. "My servant is dying."

I have no idea what is going on around here. Death thought, frustrated. But, that boy is still one of the Third Kingdom; even if he is a pain in my backside. Death then turned to Dust, who was circling overhead.

"Find the Hyoudou brat's home." He told the bird. Dust crowed in response and began flying towards Issei's house.

"Follow Dust." Death told Rias, as he called Despair. The phantom horse rose from the ground, coming to a stop next to the Pale Horseman, who then climbed onto his mount's back.

"Put him on Despair's back." Death instructed. Rias lifted Issei and gently lowered him onto the phantom horse, behind Death.

"What about me?" She asked. Death shrugged.

"You've got wings." He told her. "Use them." Instantly, Despair took off, following Dust and leaving Rias, who sighed, spread her wings and flew after the Pale Horseman.

After a few minutes of riding, Death arrived outside the Hyoudou residence. Silently, he leapt from Despair, holding Issei roughly, as the phantom horse vanished into the ground. He turned to Rias, who had just landed next to him.

"You know, a gentleman would have let the lady ride the horse." Rias told him, clearly annoyed. Death shrugged.

"I'm no gentleman." He replied, smirking. "Now, be a good girl and take the boy to his room." Rias then gave the Pale Horseman a venomous look, but nonetheless acquiesced, taking Issei and flying up to his bedroom window, opening it before flying inside. Sighing in frustration, Death leaped at the wall and clambered in after the crimson haired devil.

Why do I suspect that I am going to regret saving this lecher of a human? He thought to himself, as he surveyed Issei's room, whilst Rias stripped the boy and laid him on the bed.

"Don't you have another one of those potions?" Rias Asked.

"Sorry, all out." Death lied, not out of cruelty; he simply had no intention of wasting a valuable commodity without a chance of acquiring something useful in return. Rias shrugged and then began to remove her clothes; Death turned away and looked through the window, to Rias' amusement.

"Am I embarrassing you?" She teased, now clad only in her underwear. The Pale Horseman turned back to the now almost naked devil, one eyebrow raised.

"As I told your vice-president, you're not my type." He replied. "And just how do you plan on healing that boy?" At this, the crimson haired devil's smile widened.

"I'm going to embrace him in the nude." Rias answered, causing Death to roll his eyes. "Now, could you unhook this for me?"

"That depends." The Pale Horseman answered; an evil smirk on his face, and a wicked glint in his eyes, as he drew Harvester from his pocket, the scythe increasing in size until it was as tall as its wielder. "Just how attached are you to that particular item of clothing?" Hastily, Rias removed her bra, revealing her large breasts. Death then turned back to the window, checking that no one was nearby, pocketing Harvester.

"What are you going to do now?" Rias asked. Death sighed as he leaned on the window sill.

"Stay here, for now." He answered. "I have some questions for your… Patient; when he wakes up. You also have some explaining to do."

"What do you want to know?" Rias asked, as she made herself comfortable on Issei's bed, as Death turned back to her.

"How did you enslave that boy?" Death asked. "More importantly, how is he still alive?" Rias smiled.

"I reincarnated him as a devil." She answered. Death's eyebrow visibly twitched, as his face took on an expression of rage.

"You what!?" He almost yelled. Rias' eyes widened; no one wanted to face an enraged Horseman.

"He was dead when I found him, so I brought him back." Rias answered calmly.

"You fool…" Death hissed. "Have you any idea as to what kind of damage that could do to the Well?" At the Pale Horseman's cold tone, Rias visibly trembled.

"The Well?" She asked. "What is 'the well'?"

She doesn't know of the Well of Souls? Death thought. Perhaps these 'devils' are not a part of the Second Kingdom, after all.

"The Well of Souls." Death answered. "It channels the souls of the dead into the Dead Kingdom, where they are cleansed of their past lives and sent back to be reborn. And your little stunt could have damaged it…" Rias now had a worried expression on her face.

"To be honest, I'm surprised that I haven't heard any news of Azrael having an aneurism or a heart attack; but there's still plenty of time for that." Death murmured to himself.

"Sorry, Azrael?" Rias asked. Death's eyebrow rose again.

"You don't need to know." Death growled. "And you are fortunate that I already agreed to wait for your answer until tomorrow, before I decide whether or not to put you out of my misery."

And it would mean that all of them are gathered in one spot. Death silently added. Making it easier to kill them all; if they are a threat to the balance. Death sighed, as he had an idea.

I might even be able to use these Devils against the Fallen Angels here. The Pale Horseman thought to himself, as he sat down and leaned against a wall, making sure to keep Rias and Issei within eyesight, lest one of them try to escape. But, if my suspicions are correct… Then the council has been lying to me, and I don't like being lied to!

Thanks for reading; I hope you enjoyed this chapter. As always, I appreciate your reviews.