Hello everyone and welcome to a new chapter in the Journal of Velkan Santino. I think I'll be updating this story every two weeks or so. That way you know when to expect a new chapter. And without more delaying here it is Chapter 3 (not counting the Prologue xD) of Burning Cold.
If there's anything I learned during my time between humans is "do not mess with their religion, or you'll come out hurt". During my travels in the human world, I came across many people of faith, humans with a great capacity to embrace their beliefs. Some went to extremes to prove their faith and die for it ... or kill for it.
The truth is that until recently, I admit that I had lost my faith. Only instead of depositing it in one God or another, I had lost my faith in humanity. As mentioned in the preface this journal I have witnessed many things, sadly most of them are misfortunes. It is curious you know; three quarters of the stuff recorded in the history books are wars, epidemics and genocide. In that order. However, a particular event made me reconsider my position on mankind. Certain day I met a girl, a nun who would make me see the pure side of humanity. Whether it was the will of Destiny or Chance, she turned out to be a key element for me to approach the Gremory group and establish a friendship with them.
As for my bosses and my mission, well, I'll introduce the basics for you in the next pages. For now I will tell you how my first meeting with Rias's peerage went.
-Yokai Academy Bus stop-
After making sure that the group formed by Tsukune, Moka, Joseph and Kurumu was heading to their morning classes, Velkan could finally take a breath of relief and was hoping they would stay out of trouble while he was gone for a few days. There was still a lot to do and time was still flowing, so he decided to dedicate his attention to the other group that was on his sight. Now that he had the permission from the headmaster to leave the academy whenever he wanted, he went to the bus stop that leaded to the human world. Upon arriving he found that there was only a bus waiting, with the bus driver already inside.
"Of course. I forgot that you're one of the few who venture to pick up students in the human realm" Velkan said. Nurari just smiled at the comment.
"Are you leaving already?" the bus driver asked as he lit a cigar. The phoenix laughed slightly.
"Actually it's funny. I know where I want to go, but I have no idea where it is" he said. The bus driver chuckled as well due to the irony of the fact. Velkan continued. "Do you know where Kuoh Academy is?" he asked.
"Get in, I'll leave you there" the bus driver said as he started the bus.
"Thanks. I owe you one" the phoenix said.
"No. Not yet" Nurari said. Velkan smiled as he got into the vehicle.
The bus began to move towards the tunnel that connected both worlds and the multi-colored lights that adorned its interior illuminated the occupants' faces. Velkan looked at his watch and put it back when he realized the time. He had always been interested in the functioning of the portals that connected the different worlds and dimensions; it gave him the impression that the time passed slower within them although his watch told him otherwise. Finally, after a while the phoenix decided to break the silence.
"So tell me, Where are we going exactly? I know the academy is in the human world, but do not know in which city is" he asked. Nurari watched him in the rearview mirror with her bright eyes
"Does that matter? When you get off the bus you'll be there" the bus driver said. Velkan just nodded. 'Always so mysterious aren't you?'
After a series of detours, the vehicle came out the other side of the tunnel. It was obvious that this was a human city, however it lacked any recognizable monument or mountain which disconcerted the phoenix. 'Where the hell am I?'. Despite being an establishment built by humans it was not very big. 'It must be a town or something' thought Velkan.
After a few minutes they came to a park. Nurari stopped the bus in a nearby parking lot and turned to see Velkan, who was confused to say the least.
"Are we there yet? I thought we were going to the Kuoh Academy" the phoenix asked. Nurari just looked at him with his bright eyes.
"This is were you get off. I must take a detour to pick up a couple of new students attending Yokai. Besides this town it is not that big. I am sure that sooner or later you will find the place" he said. The phoenix smiled, stood from his place and said goodbye to the driver.
"Thanks. I guess you have things to do so don't worry about taking me back. I'll find the way to Yokai Academy" Velkan said. Hearing that the bus driver nodded.
"Well then, I'll leave now" he answered.
"Good luck" the phoenix said as he wavering his hand.
With this, Velkan started walking down the street passing by the park. 'I guess I'll ask for the direction of the school to the first person I see' he thought.
-Main Street, Human City-
After walking for a while in the park he I found a couple of people but didn't know how to tell the location of the school with precision. He was tempted to simply spread his wings, look for school buildings from the heights and fly to them when he heard a cry that came from a nearby fountain. By looking more carefully he noted that a child had stumbled and his leg was bleeding slightly. Before he decided to help the child to get up, a young woman dressed as a nun with blonde hair and light green eyes leaned, said a few words to the child and put his hands on the wound, which seemed to emanate a strange green glow. The boy who accompanied her was wearing a school uniform and his hair and eyes were light brown, he almost let go of the suitcase he was carrying although he didn't know if it was the impression from what was going on or was due to something else. When Velkan turned to observe the child again his leg had no longer any injuries and the nun smiled at him. The phoenix's attention became curiosity, so he decided to ask them about the school, and in the process find out about her mysterious abilities.
Before he could speak to them the child's mother appeared and called her son a little worried, perhaps by the sight of him surrounded by three older students.
"Mom, she healed me" he heard the boy say.
"Let's get out of here. Do not ever talk to strangers away from me understand?" the mother scolded him as they walked away.
"Hey, you should be grateful to Asia for what she did," replied the young brown hair. Velkan looked at the couple and presented them with his question.
"Excuse me" he said. "I'm looking for the Kuoh Academy. Could you tell me where it is?" he asked politely. The nun looked at phoenix with an apologetic look.
"Oh, hello. My name is Asia Argento. I'm sorry but I'm not from here, I just got into town. Maybe he can show you the way, after all he attends that school." she said with a sweet smile. The other young man came out of his anger at the ungrateful mother and looked at Velkan.
"Oh sure. Issei Hyoudou. Nice to meet you" he said as he offered his hand.
"Velkan Santino" he replied and shake his hand. "So it is true that you're going to that school?" he ask.
"That's right. I can take you there, but I must take Asia to church near the academy," said Issei.
"I have an idea. Why do not you come with us?" wonder Asia. The expression of Issei told him he wanted to spend some time alone with her, but Velkan had no time to waste.
"Really? I do not want to be a bother" he said pretending courtesy. Issei had no choice but to accept.
"No, no. It's okay. I'll take you to school. I was heading there to begin with" the boy assured him. And so they began to walk the city streets. Along the way they had a normal conversation, as it would have with anyone you've just met. That is until they began to speak of her ability.
"By the way, what you did in the park was impressive," the redhead said. "What was that?"
"I was blessed with this gift since birth" Asia said.
"So this "gift" was given to you by the church?" Issei wonder. Asia looked at him and replied "I consider it a gift from God ..." and suddenly lowered her head slightly. No one noticed that under her veil her gaze was turning into one of sadness. "It's wonderful" he said in a whisper.
"Look, I think that's the church you were looking for, isn't Asia?" Velkan said to see the building. It seemed like it had been abandoned a long time ago.
"Yes, that's the one!" the nun said recovering the emotion in her voice. Issei smiled but something happened to his hand; it was a kind of tic and Velkan notice it for the second time.
"It's the only church we have. The truth is I don't remember seen anyone go there" Issei said.
"Really? That's weird" Velkan said curiously.
"Let me thank you properly. Would you like to accompany me inside?" said while smiling happily. Issei began to act a little nervous and the tic of his hand was more obvious to the phoenix.
"N-No. I can't, I have to show Velkan the school. Sorry" Issei said. Velkan smiled, he thought he knew what the problem was here.
"Oh, it's okay. Well, if you are in the neighborhood come visit me at the church okay?' Asia said as farewell.
"Of course. I'll come one of these days" Velkan said with a smile.
"See you. Have a good one" Issei said. When she was far enough away to not hear them, they retook the way to school. Velkan looked back to make sure and then addressed to Issei.
"So, since when are you a devil?" he asked casually. Upon hearing the question, Issei didn't know what to do or how to respond to that. The phoenix juts looked at him and chuckled.
"Relax. I'm just curious. I saw how you behave around her when she heal that child and how you reacted when we were invited to the church. It's obvious that you haven't been a devil for a long time" he said to Issei, who at this point I didn't know who was this guy who apparently knew about his newly acquired condition of "devil".
"I won't hurt you. I just want to see your master" the phoenix assure him. "I know there is a devil who controls this city and I'd like to talk to her" he said. Issei was not so sure about it, but finally accepted the request of the redhead. Before their regular classes two boys take a detour to the area of the old building, where some of the clubs were located. The brown-haired boy couldn't help wondering how it is that this guy knew it was a devil, but more importantly... how he knew that his master was a girl?. The door of the room where they arrived had a sign that said "Occultt Research Club".
-Kuoh Academy, ORC Clubroom-
"Good morning" Issei said when he opened the door of the club. The interior of the room seems to have too many comforts because there were three long couches around a coffee table; behind this there was a small kitchen and next to it was a door that Issei knew it leaded to a bathroom that included a couple of showers. The only thing missing was a space to accommodate some beds and this could be mistaken for a small apartment.
Velkan came behind Issei and noticed the presence of more people within; a girl with short white hair and hazel eyes was sitting on the couch in front of them eating some candies, a young man with short blond hair and gray eyes reading a book sitting on the couch at the right and a redhead girl with blue eyes was standing at the window, thinking. Hearing Issei say hello they turned to see him.
"Hi Issei, how did it go?" the blonde asked, momentarily leaving aside his book.
"Hi ..." was all the little girl said. The girl at the window seemed not to react because whatever he was thinking, but finally she greeted him.
"Welcome back Issei. I need you to..." she said before noticing the presence behind her newest servant. "Oh, did you bring a friend with you?" she asked a little surprised but you could tell she was a bit upset with Issei for bringing a stranger to the base of the devils in the area.
"Good morning." he said as he bowed. "I come here looking for an audience with you, Lady Rias of the House of Gremory". Hearing the direct presentation of the phoenix, everyone had different reactions; Kiba threw the book, formed a sword in his right hand and pointed it at the stranger; Koneko jumped over the couch and placed in front of Rias to protect her while the redhead remained in place with a stern face.
"Who are you and what do you want?" the blonde asked, much less friendly than before. Velkan raised his hands to indicate that he had no weapons nor magic prepared.
"No-no! it's okay! he just wants to speak with Rias" Issei said quickly, trying to calm everyone. The phoenix smiled at the group's reactions.
"Is this how you receive your visitors? If I had known would have called before" he said as a joke. Rias relaxed his expression and smiled at this.
"You must excuse us but it is weird that someone who knows about my title visit us without using a portal. Well, you know my name. Do you have one?" she said while making a sign to others to lower their guard. The phoenix lowered his hands too.
"My name is Velkan Santino. I just came here to deliver a message, but before that... may I?" he said as he gestured to get something out of his trench coat. Rias allowed him and Koneko went to the couch again to eat her candies again while looking cautiously at Velkan. The phoenix pulled a scroll and handed it to Rias.
"This is a personal request addressed to your brother. I beg you to deliver it the next time you see him" he said. The leader of the group took the note, which had a seal that she did not recognize from any family of devils. As she read it, Kiba made disappear the sword that he had when he didn't perceive any danger from Velkan.
"Are you serious?" Rias wonder a bit puzzled. "You want to be able to use the portal of my family?".Velkan nodded still smiling.
"We can discuss that later. The message, however, requires your immediate attention" Velkan said with some seriousness. "I've been told that a stray devil called Vizer needs to be hunted down in this area and they've asked you and you peerage to dealt with it" he said. Rias thought for a moment before speaking again.
"Okay, this will be an opportunity to teach Issei our roles in a battle" she said addressing to the group. "Tonight we'll meet here and try to locate..." she said before being interrupted by the phoenix, whom had raised his hand this time to avoid being rude. "Yes Velkan?" she said a little upset.
"I can save you the time you'll waste on searching this devil and tell you where it is..." the redheaded boy said. After a pause, all of them sensed there was going to be a "but" involved. "... but, you have to let me go with you tonight"
Rias was about to refuse, because she didn't know anything about this boy and it goes without saying she didn't trust him. The rest of the Gremory group was in a similar position. But then Velkan said something no one expected.
"After all, you could use the support of a phoenix, I'm I wrong?" he said as a smirk formed on his face.
Hearing this and just like when Velkan came everyone in that classroom had different reactions, each one noted by the phoenix; Koneko stopped eating and tensed, revealing that she was afraid; Kiba and Issei were confused because they hadn't heard of the phoenix before; and despite the fact that they were right, Rias could only think in another kind of phoenix and a question arose in her mind, one who failed to answer. 'So soon?'. Velkan couldn't help but laugh a little at the various reactions that the revelation provoked in them. 'Things will get interesting around here' the phoenix thought. But his thoughts were interrupted by a melody coming from one of the pockets of his trench coat. Instinctively Velkan check it out and pull a cellphone out.
"It seems that another issue that requires my presence has emerged. See you all tonight" he said while wavering his hand saying goodbye, leaving the entire ORC in a state that was between surprise and confusion.
-Kuoh Academy, Old Building Hallways-
Upon leaving the classroom Velkan reviewed the message that had taken him out from his meeting with Rias and his peerage. It must be important for they to make contact so he read it.
We need to talk. As soon as you can
-N-
The phoenix didn't have that much contacts on his phone memory, just the ones he needed. Between his bosses, his co-workers and close friends totaled less than 25 numbers and even if the text he just received didn't came with a name he knew exactly who sent it. He was so focused on what that person might want that he didn't realized that just around the corner of the hallway was a girl in school uniform with long black hair combed in a ponytail tied with an orange ribbon and violet eyes. She had a voluptuous figure and appeared to be the same age as Rias. Velkan and the girl bumped into each other and fell to the ground, throwing both his cellphone and the bunch of papers she was carrying.
"I'm so sorry!" Velkan said as he got up quickly. "I wasn't paying attention and I..." he said but was speechless, because until now he saw more carefully the girl before him. Her beauty had impressed the phoenix, and for a being that can literally live forever very few women had achieved that effect on him.
"No, don't worry. I was also distracted and..." said the girl. Her face was hard to decipher as it was surprised at the sudden bump, long enough to Velkan noticed a brief and slight blush on her face. But her usual smile returned to her quickly. Both of them stared for a moment before common sense returned to the phoenix and offered a hand to the girl to help her up.
"Sorry about the mess, let me help. I am Velkan by the way" the phoenix said.
"Thank you. My name is Akeno Himejima" she answered politely. A glint formed in the eyes of the phoenix as they got all the papers from the floor.
"I take it that you are part of Rias's peerage yes?" he asked. Akeno sensed that he should be a devil because he knew the identity of Rias so she didn't think he was dangerous.
"That's right. Are you a devil too?" she asked.
"Not exactly. I just came to talk with Lady Rias" Velkan answered. "I was on my way out, but I look forward to work with you soon" he said as he took her hand. "It was a pleasure Ms. Himejima" he said after kissed her hand.
"My my, a true gentleman aren't you?" she said while putting her other hand on her cheek.
"I was taught to treat a lady with respect" Velkan said modestly.
"Well the pleasure was mine Mr. um.." Akeno said realizing that he jus mentioned his first name.
"Just Velkan" he said.
"Aw, a mysterious gentleman uh? Well then Mr. Just Velkan I hope to see you again" she said. She organized her papers and continued her way to the clubroom. The phoenix watched her until she entered and closed the door.
'Oh yeah, things are going to be very interesting around here'
-ORC Clubroom-
"Hi everyone!" Akeno said while closing her eyes and showed a smile. But hearing no answer she opened her eyes and her smile faded a bit.
"Did something happen?" she asked waiting for someone to tell her anything. Kiba looked at the redhead girl and knew something wasn't right, she wasn't distracted that easily. Koneko was still thinking about the phoenix; if he was a devil that means this is about the engagement between Rias and one of the sons of the House of Phoenix. However, if he was real phoenix... she didn't want to think about it specially for something that was taken from her long time ago... for something a phoenix take from her a long ago. Issei break the silence after a few moments.
"A boy who said he was a phoenix came here to talk to Rias" he said casually. Hearing this Akeno gasped and looked to Rias, who was still deep in thought.
"I believe classes are about to begin. Why don't you go ahead?" she suggested. Rias came out of his trance and headed to the group.
"She's right. You better go or you'll be in trouble. Don't forget to come back here after classes end up" she announced. Once everyone left Akeno approached to Rias intending to calm her friend.
"Do you think they brought forward the engagement?" she asked.
"I hope not, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did it" Rias said. "Why nobody asked for my opinion?" she said with tearing eyes. Akeno hugged her while trying to understand the situation in which her friend was involved.
"Everything will be okay" Akeno said. After a moment she let her go and took the papers she left in the coffee table. "We'll deal with that when the time comes. For now we got job to do" she said with a smile. "Lord Gremory, your father, has entrusted us to eliminate a stray devil named..." she said before being interrupted by Rias, who gave her a confused look.
"Vizer?" she said as a question.
"Y-Yeah, how did you know?" Akeno asked intrigued.
"The phoenix that came here today, Velkan. He told us he would come with us to hunt her tonight" she answered. Akeno went through the paper she was carrying and showed one in particular to Rias.
"That can't be possible. This order came directly from your father. Only he, his bishop who handed it to me, you and I have seen the order. How could he know this?" Akeno said.
"I think we should ask him in person" Rias said making Akeno smile slightly hearing this.
"He didn't seem that bad you know" she said. The redhead girl glared at her and chuckled.
"Don't tell me you're falling for a member of the House of Phoenix" she said. "I must admit that he was handsome but I got my eye on my newest servant" she said referring to Issei.
"I know Issei is cute and all but Velkan is more like gentleman" she said with a blush. "By the way if he truly is a member of the House of Phoenix, isn't weird that he has red hair instead of being blonde like the rest of them?" Akeno wondered.
"That's another thing we must ask him tonight" Rias said as she went towards the door. "I think we better go to our class too" she said before looking at Akeno. "And thank you for being there for me". The girl nodded and both of them went to the main building.
-Meanwhile, Academy Grounds-
Velkan went on his way while making a call to the person he knew had sent the message.
"Velkan? is that you?" the voice on the phone asked. It sounded sleepy, as if just woken up even though it was already noon.
"Very funny Nick, we both know I'm your only contact on your phone" the phoenix answered.
"Right, I forgot about that. Anyway, we need to talk about your assignment" Nick said with a serious voice.
"Oh yeah? What about it?" Velkan asked.
"I trust that you are aware of the implications of this. Can you repeat me the orders they gave you?" Nick said.
Velkan wasn't sure where this conversation was leading to. Nick was what you may call a "support agent" and was in charge of giving missions and assignments as well as the details of these to the field agents, like Velkan was. Therefore, if a support agent contacted a field agent before the latter fulfill its objective it meant that something was wrong.
"My mission, as I was informed, it's to locate and look out for a list of individuals among which is..." he said as he pulled a note from his trench coat and read it aloud. "Rias Gremory and her peerage, consisting by Kiba Yuto, Koneko Tojou, Akeno Himejima and Issei Hyoudou; as well as a group of students of Yokai Academy that includes Moka Akashiya, Kurumu Kurono, Yukari Sendo, Mizore Shirayuki, Tsukune Aono, and Joseph Hawk. Once I locate them another agent will give me instructions about how to proceed" he finished retelling his orders to Nick. "The thing is, you didn't mention that some girls from the list would be so beautiful" he chuckled while recalling the incident with Akeno a few moments ago.
"Is that so? Anyone in particular?" Nick asked curiously. In all the time that the two of them worked together he never knew of any women, target or colleague, that had caught the eye of the phoenix.
"As you usually say... That's classified" he said as he regained his serious tone. "And now you'll tell me that this is about?" he asked.
"Well guess what... I'm giving you instructions about how to proceed" the voice on the phone said. Velkan closed his eyes as if someone had just insulted him. Very few people could piss off the phoenix. Unfortunately for him, Nick was one of them and the fact that he was trying to rush his mission wasn't helping at all.
"What are you talking about? I haven't seen some of the names of the list personally" he said as calmly as he could at that time.
"But you know where they'll be right?" Nick asked.
"Just give a few more days and I'll be completely sure about the whereabouts of all them" Velkan said. It wasn't his custom to ask for favors because that implied owing a favor to that person, that's why the pacts existed to begin with. But Nick was the one who was more in contact with the bosses and could inform them about the situation and receive an answer faster than Velkan could.
"Fine, I may forget to report this to the boss until three days from now. It's all the time I can buy you this time" Nick said.
"That's all I need men" the phoenix said.
"By the way, how useful was the info I got you? It wasn't easy to get into the chambers of Lord Gremory, take a look at his office papers and find something you could use" Nick asked trying to figure out is the risk was worthy.
"Actually it was. Tonight I'll go to hunt down a stray devil, so I get quality time with them and see what they are capable of" he answered. "I need to get going man but thanks for that"
"Right. I'll call you in a few days" Nick said and hung up. Velkan kept his phone back on his coat and went to checking into a hotel near the school.
-Abandoned Building, Nighttime-
The presence of demons has an effect on the public lighting causing it to shut down. This does not affect the sight the Gremory group because their skills and senses are considerably better at night. The phoenix however, have no such luck so Velkan had to follow them closely to keep up. The portal Akeno cast left them in an alley to avoid someone saw them, but the abandoned building that Velkan told where she was going to be was just crossing the street.
"Yeah, that's the place" Velkan said pointing the building. Both Rias and Akeno decided to wait until the job was finished to ask their questions.
"According to the reports, this stray has been tricking people into that abandoned house and feeding them" Akeno said.
"Oh God, that's gross!" Issei said with disgust.
"How is that a normal devil becomes a stray devil?" Velkan asked curiously
"When a devil servant separates or kill his master to gain freedom for any reason, then becomes a stray" Kiba answered his question.
"Uh, interesting" the phoenix said. Once they reached the entrance of the building Velkan addressed to the group. "I'll go to the back entrance to keep her from escape" he announced.
"Ok, just be careful." Rias said. Velkan looked at her and smiled. The phoenix just made a "yes sir" gesture with two fingers on his forehead as he disappeared in the corner of the house. The rest of the group walked inside the place and Rias began to explain the basics of the evil pieces.
"Say Issei, are you familiar with chess?" she asked.
"I know how to play it but I kind of suck at it" he replied.
"As I'm the master I would be the King. Each devil with a nobility title is given a set of chess pieces and can give their servants its traits. I want you to watch this battle so you can learn the role everyone play in this group" she said before seeing Koneko sniffing the air.
"She is here" Koneko warned. As if on cue a women's voice filled the place.
"What is this that filth I smell?, it's disgusting... but there is something else that smells delicious. Is that sweat or maybe blood?" she said. Showing herself from behind a pillar, a naked woman gave the group a death glare.
"Devil Stray Vizer, in the name of the Duke Gremory be gone or meet your end" Rias commanded. Vizer laughed at her words.
"Just give it a rest you little slut. I'll just rip your body and paint the floor red as your hair!" she yelled as a big hand tried to crush her, forcing them to avoid the attack.
"Is everyone alright? Kiba!" she said. Kiba formed a sword on his hand and in a second he was in front of Vizer. Rias turned to Issei and continued the lesson.
"Wow. He just vanished." the newest devil said surprised.
"No he's just moving very fast. In this chess game he is my knight. His trait is blinding speed and his weapon of choice, a sword" she said as Kiba made two slashes and a scream was heard in the place. Both arms of Vizer were cut off.
"AAAAHHHHHHHRRGGHH! How dare you!" she yelled in pain. Koneko was just standing between the stray and the group while Kiba returned to Rias' side. "I'll kill you all!" Vizer threated. One of her legs tried to stomp Koneko who was still standing without doing anything to avoid it.
"KONEKO!" Issei said but before he could go and try to save her Rias put a hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay" she said calmly. The giant foot stomp and Koneko disappeared. "Koneko is my tower and her trait is absolute strength. She is fine, trust me" she reassured him. After the dust and the debris settled they could see the small girl holding the weight of Vizer and threw her across the room.
"See you on the other side" Koneko said plainlyand threw the stray to the other side of the lobby. Vizer managed to stood up and tried to run to the back entrance, the only other way out of this place. But it was in vain. A redhead boy appeared in front of her and raised his hands at his sides, forming small clouds of ashes barely visible.
"Who the hell are you?! Another devil?!" a terrified Vizer asked.
"No, no, I'm much worse that a devil." he said with a grin as his eyes shined bright red less than a second "Sorry, but I can't let you escape". Suddenly, fire began to appear from his hands and soon all the ashes were in fire. "Nothing personal against you or anything. Just business" he said. The flames covered the back entrance and the corridor leading to it. The stray ran back to where the group of devil was, whom seem surprised to see fire inside the building.
Their surprise become shock when they saw Velkan walking out from the fire as if nothing.
"Oh don't let me interrupt you, please continue" he said casually. Rias turned to see her group again.
"Akeno?" Rias said as a command. The girl with the ponytail stepped in with a smile on her face.
"Is it already my turn? How exciting!" Akeno said as she seemed to be having fun walking towards the stray. "I got news for you. You're not the only one who likes to play rough here" she said while raising her hand above her head. "Let's have some fun together!" she said as small sparks started to came out from her hands.
"Akeno is my queen and her specialty is magic attacks" Rias indicate to Issei. A lightning bolt hit Vizer for ten good seconds. When it was over the stray was suffering from the pain but Akeno wasn't finished with her just yet.
"Are you enjoying this as much as I do? Can we play a little more?" Akeno asked while charging another lightning strike. This one lasted fifteen second but for Vizer, who was at this point lay on the ground it seemed like an hour.
"Personally I wouldn't agree my enemies to suffer this kind of torture" Velkan said catching everyone's attention. "But of course, Vizer is not my enemy. So I'll let this one pass"
"He's right. Akeno, I'll take it from here" Rias said and Akeno looked a little disappointed.
"Aw. Over already? I was just starting to enjoy myself" she replied with a hand on her blushed cheek. The red-haired girl approached the fallen stray to carry out the sentence.
"Any last words?" she asked Vizer. The stray was exhausted, in great pain and none of them couldn't understand most of what she was saying. Just two words came out from her mouth between gasps. Just two words that would end her suffering... forever.
"K-Kill... me" she pleaded.
"Then disappear" Rias answered coldly. A bolt of black and red energy formed on her hand and threw it at Vizer. She didn't have time to scream as a small explosion of energy virtually disintegrate her body.
"We are done here" she announced. Koneko, Kiba and Issei went ahead to the entrance and waited for the others. Velkan was on his way out but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder.
"Not you. We have to talk with you" Rias said in a commanding tone.
"I imagine you have lots of questions but right now I have something to do" he replied as Akeno approached him from the other side.
"Can you at least answer one question?" she asked with a saddened face. Velkan couldn't resist seeing her like that for some reason.
"Fine, just one question"
"Why are you here? I know that you didn't came here just to help us kill Vizer" Akeno asked. Velkan smiled at her
"I can't say much... But you're right, mostly." the phoenix admitted. "I promise I'll answer your question in our next meeting"
With that he walked away leaving the two confused girls behind.
"I don't believe he's a devil" Rias finally said.
"Right. He's something else" Akeno agreed. "We better go home and try to talk with him tomorrow"
They joined the rest of the group and Akeno cast a portal leading to the clubroom back in the school. An idea crossed the mind of the phoenix as he watched Rias's peerage disappear into the street.
'I think I'll bring Nick to the next meeting with them, they deserve to know.'
This one was a fun episode to write so I hope you enjoy reading it. I'll see you all next time. Any comments and ideas are more than welcome.