Wacko12: The Laerad Ragnarok Sacred Gear, so far it has shown the ability to tap into the powers of the nine realms and even power from Olympus providing a range of powers on top of the Balance Breaker
DJDrake: Well, a partial flirt lol. They can't stay away from Asgard for too long…but for open house they made a brief exception. ;)
naruto: They can be some of the best to write :D A chance to relax, hint at the future and develop character interaction.
FenrisFiltiarn: Not much longer now, I hope to not disappoint.
FateBurn: Thank you!
The Last Kenpachi: Their disguises were so perfect…we may never know XD
Slayer Cross: Thank you, between Akeno not making a move on Issei and Xenovia's target being changed the ripples of change start early. What kind of lesson do you mean? And I am glad you liked their inclusion…they consider Dorian closer than he knows. :)
ahsoei: I am glad you liked them!
Curse of Whimsy: Thank you! I always worry when adapting canon scenes that they won't be as interesting, it is reassuring to know that wasn't the case here. Indeed, shy Iggy is too adorable to leave out 3 Truly, who those mysteriously mysterious individuals are may be a mystery to rival the Trihexa itself…
fanficcyberman: It means so much that you liked it, I hope to not disappoint and wish you a wonderful day as well! :D
Chicwowwow: Pretty close, his original impossible weapon was inspired by the Dragonslayer Sword spear xD
OBSERVER01: Next one incoming, I hope the wait wasn't too long :D
fabio mp19: Poor Dorian, there is no escaping the daughter of thunder…. I am glad you liked the mysterious couple in the back watching Dorian ;) One of the highlights of writing this one for me.
Guest: You are very welcome, I try to respond to everyone's review if I can, if I miss it, it may be that I wrote up the chapter and forgot to add the reply before posting lol. It depends on the top 10 list you go by. I scoured a whole bunch before making my overall decisions. The only official statement I could find by the author was the "no particular order" list in Volume 13 which did say True Sirzechs and Serious Ajuka were counted...but had a list of 12 names counting them without even accounting for Great Red. In my version, I decided to have him and Ajuka be just out of the top 10 at the start of the series at least, but within the top 15 while Thor is 7 or 8. I hope you enjoy this new one :D
And with that…ONTO THE SHOW!
"It's beautiful," Rossweisse asserted, looking over the statuette he had created. She could not touch it due to being projected through Skilja, but she admired it all the same. He had some time between classes and decided it was the perfect moment to make the call.
"I am hoping to find a nice place for it in the tower," Dorian could not help but smile at her kind words. "Maybe on the front desk, keeping it in my office seems so impersonal."
"I can't take it anymore!"
Dorian cursed silently the renewed interruption as he heard two women come running out of the gymnasium. Something must have been happening inside as a lot of male students had been seen entering earlier which gave Dorian a chance to sneak away. He quickly recognized the student council president Sona fleeing being chased by an older woman with dark hair and pigtails. She had the same colored eyes as the young heiress who looked half in tears of embarrassment.
"Sorry, I'll call you back," Rossweisse nodded sadly as her image shimmered away and the raven took flight. Dorian stepped out around the corner nearly into their path. "Is everything all…?"
The older woman gasped; leaping in front of Sona, only then did the transfer student realize what she was wearing. She was clad in a midriff-baring sleeveless pink top with matching hat. Along with fingerless gloves and scattered strips along her arms she had a pink skirt that was somehow even shorter than the Kuoh Academy's and thigh high stockings. Rounding out the ridiculous look was a scepter adorned with a star surrounded by a heart. Dorian could feel the nervous sweat drops crawl down his face as he contemplated what he had just walked in on.
"I'll protect you Sona-chan!" She cried out. "This barbarian has come upon us in a mean manner!"
"Please don't," the third-year student lowered her head, body practically shaking with restrained emotion.
"Um, I don't think we've met," he tried to ignore her outburst. Looking closer he recognized her from the peace summit documentation though refused to believe it without confirmation. "Serafall Leviathan-sama?"
The woman's demeanor immediately softened, a huge smile engraving itself onto her face and not going anywhere.
"Oh, you're the Einherjar who's been working so hard. That is far too formal; just call me…Little Levia!" She took a pose, leaning forward in a suggestive manner as she pressed fingers to her lips while holding her scepter aloft.
"Please don't," Sona could only repeat.
She…is one of the four Satans currently in power?
"I hope you've been kind to my adorable sister," she continued, her older doting sibling tendencies in full force. "You didn't mention he was already attending Kuoh little sis, I can see why Tsubasa likes him. Have you ever watched magical girl series?"
"Um, can't say that I have."
"How terrible!" Serafall placed a hand dramatically on her chest as if truly horrified. "I guess they don't have true entertainment in Asgard. It's okay, I have the full series special editions on dvd along with documentaries on DeviTube. I've been trying to get Sona-chan to watch so the three of us can make it a date!"
DeviTube?
Dorian was speechless, utterly powerless before the bundle of chaotic energy before him. Sona was struggling to hold back tears behind her sister, her normally stoic and professional demeanor nearing its breaking point. Any further prodding, however well-meant, could…
"Is that the alternate costume design to Magical Girl Milky 7 Spiral?"
The older Leviathan turned, facing a certain purple-haired grim reaper who was bouncing up and down with stars in her eyes. Dorian took the moment to take a step backwards as Bennia became the center of attention.
"It most certainly is!" I see we have some people of culture at this school."
"I…LOVE that show! My mom got a streaming service JUST so I could watch it and I've seen ALL your videos! Is that the alternative cosplay from episodes 23 and 24 or 45 through 52?"
Serafall flipped her pigtails proudly with a smug grin. Dorian and Sona had no idea what was going on.
"Forty-five, the most underrated of the series. You can tell because of the white panties, see?" She flipped up the criminally short skirt to show off. "23 and 24 were purple."
"I never realized that! How many details have I missed, you HAVE to tell me more." Bennia gushed some more, subtly getting on her tippy toes. Dorian was uncertain of the reason until her lips kept moving after she had finished talking, mouthing a single line in English to the two staring in confusion behind her.
"Run while you can."
The two did not hesitate, as Sona's older sister continued on the smallest tidbits of information, the two half-ejected themselves from the field leaving only dust silhouettes behind that blew away in the wind with Dorian making sure to retrieve his statuette on the way out. The escapees did not stop running until they were on the opposite side of the school panting and out of breath.
"I…owe her for that later," Dorian gasped, doubled over breathing heavy; Sona could only nod in agreement.
"She and my sister are kindred spirits. I imagine it can be difficult for you at times."
"Sometimes, though I imagine it's tougher on you," he chuckled while leaning against the wall. He felt odd talking to the student council president and high-class devil so nonchalantly, yet it didn't seem to matter in that moment. "Trying to be the calm in a storm is grueling but hectic."
"I could not agree more Held-san," she finally stood, brushing her skirt flat. "I pray I need not ask that this…unsightly moment not be made public."
"Your secret is safe with me," he prefaced his smile with an 'okay' sign. "And you can call me Dorian when it's just us."
"Very well," she nodded politely. "If you will excuse me I have duties to attend, then I must find Tsubaki. I feel an especially long chess game will be required to recover from this day's events."
The last line caused Dorian's ears to perk up.
"You like chess?" She nodded an affirmative to which he realized they could both help one another unwind from time to time. "Have you ever tried tafl?"
Kuoh Academy…
"Mission commence!" Issei whispered loudly to his two companions. All three of them were wearing white cloths barely covering their mouths and looked quite ridiculous.
The perverted trio clung to the ground, inching their way closer to the window of the academy slightly ajar obscured only by a thin white sheet.
"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!" Matsuda remarked as they neared. "Due to the schedule conflicts to accommodate the new students, for today only the third-years will be changing in the spare classroom instead of the impenetrable fortress that is the locker rooms."
"But won't they have locked the windows?" Issei asked, blood already practically trickling from his nose.
"I took the liberty of disabling them ahead of time," Motohama announced proudly. If we stick low they won't spot us."
"You guys are the greatest when you want to be."
"The perfect chance to test my new camera," the bespectacled second-year high schooler grinned as he brought it out. "Capturing the divine beauty of our school's three goddesses in wide-angle high-definition, even just a glimpse will net some serious cash among the guys here."
The commotion of women talking could be heard now; they were so close to the window. Silhouettes could now be made out through the thin white curtains; clearly they had already started changing. The infiltrators snaked closer, rising from the brush to peek through the slightly ajar glass to peer within…seconds before a familiar-looking squirrel dropped down onto their heads squeaking loudly.
"H-hey," Matsuda waved at the small rodent who leapt to the ground skittering around below the window enough to avoid their attempts to drive him off. "Get outta here you…"
"Are you sure this is a shortcut, I don't recall….what are you three doing here?"
The three turned on a dime so fast you could hear a snap in the air. Sure enough, the lone male foreign exchange student Dorian Held stood behind them. He'd been cutting through the back on his way to the music club at the behest of Ratatoskr and spotted the, not-so subtle, three. He immediately sensed foul play.
"Dude, get out of here," Issei shooed him away. "You'll ruin everything!"
"Ruin what?" Dorian leaned closer.
"You are so gorgeous Thrud-san, how did you get such a figure?" He heard within along with the scattered commotion of two dozen women.
"Daily training, healthy food and a father with WAY too much time on his hands pushing for improvement. My mother had more tips on styling my hair..." Dorian's ears erupted with steam as he realized who was on the other side of the window and what they were doing.
"What's wrong with you three? Come on, we're leaving."
"Like Hell!" Matsuda retorted louder than before. "This is our only chance at this, just get out of here and pretend you didn't see anything."
It was then Dorian spotted the camera, his furry companion having jumped down to point it out before scurrying for the trees. His brow furrowed in restrained anger, reaching out he grabbed the two nearest by the arms.
"No, WE are leaving now," he pulled back on the two who were no match for his strength.
"Oh come on!" They resisted. "YOU got to spend who knows how long with that Thrud hottie and the others in your little program. Leave a little love for the rest of us; you can have our premium pictures for free!"
Dorian's face lit up red at the idea of Thrud behind the curtains yet his grip only tightened.
"N-no, they deserve privacy. You three are coming with me no…"
The three worked as one, the first two grabbing one of Dorian's legs and pulling hard, sending the unprepared Einherjar tumbling to the ground with a loud crash as Issei tackled him in the chest.
"Just because you aren't a real man doesn't mean you need to ruin it for the rest of us!" He called out, giving Motohama time to scramble for the camera while they had time.
"There is a difference between being a man, and being a child!"
Dorian leaned forward, flipping Matsuda head over heels into the ground yet the man refused to relinquish his hold. He and Issei punched and kicked trying to keep Dorian down but he ignored the blows and bruises. The group grappled as they strove to drive off or contain their unexpected opponent. Issei landed a hard right hook across his face, only for Dorian to use the force as a boost to spin, catching the Red Dragon Emperor with a kick. Spotting Motohama trying to sneak for the window, he reached out with his legs, wrapping them around his waist to drag him back.
How determined is this guy? Issei grunted. He should want to see the bouncing perfection resting on the other side of those curtains as much as we do.
"Let…go," Matsuda shouted, far too loudly this time.
"Who is out there?" The voice of Rias Gremory called out from within; a group of silhouette's started approaching the window.
"Damn!" Dorian shouted, realizing the girls were about to look outside, even if the ones who did were fully dressed, it would expose any within to the disturbingly accurate memories of the three. He thought fast.
Sparing a leg, he caught Motohama in the side of the head, not hard enough to hurt him but enough to send his glasses flying a good ten feet into the grass. He dropped his camera while frantically struggling to recover them.
"My glasses! I can't see their shining perfection without my glasses!"
With the first dealt with, Dorian gripped Issei and Matsuda in a headlock with each arm. Spinning around, he twisted to force them to look away from the window, driving the peeping toms into the ground so all either could look at was the grass. It was then he heard the squeak of the window opening.
The girls gasped, some screamed and a few ducked down reaching for scattered bokkens they seemed to have ready on command and what clothes they could find. Dorian kept his head down, looking away eyes squeezed tightly closed. It must have been quite an odd sight, one man fumbling blindly in the grass as two others were in headlocks kicking and punching the fourth who was refused to release them. All the while, a tiny squirrel enjoyed the chaos from the safety of his branches nibbling on an acorn.
"I thought Dorian-kun was a good guy!" One girl shouted to several agreements. "He's joined the enemy, let's get…"
Dorian could not see, but Akeno and Thrud had stepped up to get between the now-armed women. They were wearing only white towels scarcely containing their attributes yet didn't care if it meant stopping the assault.
"I am sure he can explain himself, Dorian-kun?"
Dorian proceeded to explain how he had found his way there, all the while continuing to prevent either of his captives from turning around. Without his boosted gear, Issei could not muster the strength to break free. Motohama had been apprehended before he reached his glasses or camera and found himself pinned against the wall with a wooden sword pressed to his neck unable to make out any details to his agonizing frustration.
"He could be lying," one of the girls muttered suspiciously.
"H-he is!" Matsuda lied as he struggled. "He was the one who set this whole thing up!"
Dorian's face paled at the prospect they may believe him, but his fears were unfounded before he could utter a word.
"You are poor liars," Thrud stood tall once more like the insurmountable warrior she was, staring down at the men despite the fact they couldn't see her. "Dorian has never once made such a move in all the time I've known him." She glanced over her teammate's minor bruises and other signs of a scuffle. "More likely you are trying to drag him into the retribution that awaits you"
"He does seem to be quite the gentleman," Akeno giggled. She didn't mind as much at being peeped on but was finding the new situation incredibly entertaining, the masochistic side of her she kept hidden bleeding through somewhat. "I vote to spare him."
"I concur," Rias remarked, also enjoying the scene from the back as she buttoned up her uniform. The girls all muttered to each other but between the assertions of the class idols, they acquiesced, bringing their wrath to bear on the remaining three. "He does seem to be keeping those two under wraps."
"Dorian-kun," the dark-haired fallen angel continued as the now-decent students advanced on them, the chance to catch them in a state of undress having passed. "Release them if you please, and you may want to cover your eyes. I would HATE for you to witness such necessary yet unladylike behavior."
There was no escape for Motohama, but the other two scrambled with their newfound freedom, still glancing back in the hope of seeing something to warrant their excursion that day only to be disappointed. They kicked up a cloud of dirt as they fled, an army of angry third-year girls in hot pursuit.
"I'll be fine," Dorian assured as Thrud approached, extending an arm to help him up. He gripped it tightly with a smile between them. She had a bottle in her hands and started dabbing at the bruises on his cheek with a cotton swab, pressing just hard enough to cause it to sting.
"I suppose I'll have to make sure they don't kill him," Rias sighed as the girls dragged Issei and the other two off, beating them with their bokkens as they pleaded for mercy. "I don't understand why he resorts to such antics when he has me around."
"He may sleep naked with you and Asia every night," Akeno teased despite Dorian's presence once the other girls were gone. "But there is just that rush when the other person doesn't know they're being watched, right Dorian?"
Dorian's brain was still frying from the announcement that Issei slept in the same bed as two of his classmates to say nothing of the incredibly awkward question posed to him.
"AKENO!" Rias yelled out, her cheeks as red as her hair.
"I would NEVER…" he finally started until Thrud and Akeno both looked at each other, snickering before finally releasing a mutual pent up chuckle.
"A joke President, only a joke." She looked off towards the trio disappearing into the distance. "He is indecisive, but once he puts his mind to something his determination is unwavering."
It would be impressive, Dorian had to admit. The Boosted Gear amplifies his power by double every ten seconds limited only by his will as one of the Heavenly Dragons. If only he wasn't so obsessed with...he accidentally glanced over towards the three's chests, instantly diverting away with a blush. If he could focus on other things, he'd be truly terrifying and a force to be reckoned with.
Kuoh Town that night…
The scattered lamps barely illuminated the sidewalks as the pair walked the streets. They were dressed in their Kuoh Academy uniforms so if anyone spotted them it would seem to be students out returning from their respective clubs. They rotated which two patrolled each night, giving the others a chance to rest, so far in all their time there they'd yet to find anything suspicious aside from a stray devil or two which Rias' team would head out to exterminate as it was within Gremory territory. As a result, they had turned to finding new ways of staying awake during the long patrols.
"Be glad you got reincarnated as an Einherjar," Bennia remarked, arms over her head as she stretched nonchalantly. "If Hades had brought you in it would have been a suuuppper killjoy." She deepened her voice to mimic the Lord of the Dead. "Doom and gloom, this and all others are lesser unnecessary beings, or something like that."
"You should be a voice actress," Dorian complimented, remembering his brief time in the presence of Hades in Elysium. His heart fluttered only a little at the memory. "Sprinkle in a dash of wanting my head on a spike and you're good."
"Oh the old duddy can't get you out here," Bennia grinned reassuringly. "He has so many responsibilities and duties in the Underworld that if he left for five minutes there'd be an uprising for certain. And it'd really piss off the rest of the pantheon if he sent any other Reapers out to collect you. I know a few tricks if he ever tries anything."
Dorian could not help but pat Bennia on the head, an action she clearly didn't mind.
"If it ever came to that, it'd be so appreciated."
They stood like that for several seconds, neither moving.
"So I'm not the only one who senses that, right?" Bennia asked.
"No," Dorian confirmed, the two turning skyward, summoning and holding aloft Laerad Ragnarok. The light of Alfheim burst forth, piercing the charms and spells of invisibility. There sat a silhouette as dark as pitch perched atop a nearby awning. Against the black night sky, most untrained eyes would simply have glanced past without noticing it. His protective enneagram charm pinned to his breast Rossweisse had given him pulsated in preparation for a fight.
"An observant one too I see," the shape remarked in a playful almost sultry tone that Dorian recognized all too well.
"Barbatos…"
"Please," she waved her hands as if they were close friends. "Call me Ona."
A swirl of blue smoke enshrouded the first-year student, revealing her full Grim Reaper robe complete with mask and scythe as it cleared. Dorian's armor materialized along with Twilight Star not far behind as they took a stance against the devil woman above.
"Please," she hopped down, brushing off her dark robe as if she weren't taking the situation seriously in the slightest. "I didn't come here to fight; surely you remember how that fared for me last time."
"Your attack killed innocents," Dorian glared, remember the reports from other districts.
"And you want more to die now amid the scuffle sure to follow?" She sneered to the side, her purple lipstick glistening in the moonlight. She flipped her black and white split hair to emphasize a few couples and scattered pedestrians in the distance. Bennia advanced a step, but Dorian held out a hand to stress caution before calling out slowly.
"What do you want?"
"To learn more about you." Dorian slumped his shoulders; Bennia glancing to the side in confusion as they only tentatively relaxed their weapons, still expecting a fight.
"You said the same at the rink, why?"
"You're the first I've ever met I have been unable to read," she fully admitted. "Even now, I can tell your little friend is contemplating opening a teleportation circle between her and me at neck height, hoping to decapitate me in one move. She keeps hesitating though."
Bennia's mouth started flopping open and closed as if to refute the statement, finding no words as she had been planning the exact movements she choreographed.
"But you," she kept her eyes locked on his. "You could attack, stay right there, run away or break out into song and dance for all I can see…and I want to know why, how?"
"Please don't do that last part," Bennia whispered.
"And why would I do that?" He bluffed, utterly baffled by what she was asking.
"If you do," her visage darkened at what she saw as withheld information. "I'll tell you everything about what our group has in mind for your little summit."
A chill ran through Dorian's body.
"What do you have planned?" He took a step forward, weapon in hand. "Why can't you leave these factions in peace?"
"Why can't you?" She fired back. "Your realms are far-off and unconnected to these people. If your leaders had stayed to your own, the aforementioned attack would have been unnecessary. Take your little team and go home."
"Not happening! The Crossroads were created to foster the relationship between the realms. For them to work together against…bastards like you," his blood was boiling and frustration building. Even Bennia was looking nervous.
"It wouldn't matter; even if the summit went off without a hitch it would change nothing."
"Wh-what do you mean?" This time it was Bennia who demanded an explanation.
Ona released a haughty laugh, exaggerating her expressions for effect.
"How long have those three been at each other's throats? Centuries, Millennia…longer? They'll shake hands and play nice until the moment one finds an advantage, and then their differences will fracture them like a shattered mirror hastily repaired."
"If you're so sure," Dorian challenged. "Then back off and let us prove you wrong."
The devil woman just sighed in an exasperated fashion, her eyes suddenly perking up as if something only then crossed her mind.
"Naiveté is unbecoming of an Einherjar, not all of us are so lucky to find an accepting place in this world," her eyes softened for a heartbeat before reigniting in determination. "But that is neither here nor there and you are beating around the bush. Everything is underway so your approval or understanding is unnecessary. I did notice you haven't just told me what you're doing to block me, don't you want to know what we have planned?"
Dorian scrambled to think of something, but his hesitation was noticed instantly, prompting Ona Barbatos to burst into laughter.
"Y-you haven't a clue do you?" She barely got out each word between laughs. "You just bypass my powers without a care in the world and you don't have the slightest inkling how? So I don't need your input in that case, just some samples, care to share?"
Bennia scrunched her face, clearly uncomfortable with the turn of the conversation while following up with an obvious gagging expression. Dorian took a tentative step backwards.
"Samples?"
"If the ability is passive then it must be inborn," Ona started to theorize; her words moving at such a fast pace they nearly ran together. "It's not in the blood, that much is certain, so perhaps some skin flakes, your aura maybe, can I have a few strands of hair? Some saliva or other bodily fluid would suffice as well."
"You are FREAKING me out lady!" Bennia could hold her tongue no longer, to which Dorian wholeheartedly agreed.
"You are coming with us," Dorian had finally heard enough and advanced a step. "No one needs to get hurt."
"No, they don't," she replied at last, unfurling her wings of which she knew they were well aware of by now. "But they will, as long as people like you exist trying to bridge millennia of strife and conflict; there will always be my masters to put it all right back to the status quo. And there isn't a thing you or your little friends can do to…"
Dorian snapped, lightning of Olympus channeled up Twilight Star extended to its full length, mixing with a touch of Vanaheim magic from his gauntlet. Hoping to end it quickly, he fired a blast squarely into Ona's center of mass. To his horror, she smiled from ear to ear.
Holding out her hands, a strange set of glyphs appeared, merging like his overlapping runes to form a barrier net that caught his attack. The bright light of his assault started to dim until finally it was a dull glow within the net which One resealed, withdrawing it to the concealment of her cloak. It had clearly been more than she expected as smoke rose from her shoulders, fragments of powers having gotten through and scorched her skin.
"It's not saliva, but it'll do," she winked before an explosion of energy consumed her in smoke. The two members of The Crossroads rushed forward only to find empty air. Once more, she had retreated.
"Dammit!" Dorian cursed loudly, his frustration peaked with no means to vent it. "We have to find her Bennia! Spread out and start…"
"Calm down big guy," the Grim Reaper laid a hand on his shoulder, causing the Einherjar to tense up before slowly calming. "She doesn't know what she's talking about. We'll look for her, but we have to breathe," she took a short intake before releasing her breath. "Now you try."
Dorian imitated her slow inhale and exhale, after several seconds he had calmed somewhat though was still frustrated.
"Better?"
"…Better," he admitted. "Come on, let's find her."
Not far…
Ona Barbatos folded her wings, cradling her acquired power Dorian had so kindly launched at her. With the decoy scents of her aura she had left around the area she'd be back at base to lick her wounds before the two came close to locating her. With a satisfied grin she spun, nearly crashing into a form that had somehow snuck up on her.
She froze in her tracks, standing before her was a little girl, little more than a child based on her size. She had long hair so dark it put her wings to shame and was garbed in a long-skirt variation of the Kuoh Academy uniform reaching her ankles that didn't exist and was a custom version. From just a glance she appeared a normal child, all except the gold eyes staring into the devil woman's very core. She never so much as blinked, the bottomless orbs peering through her.
Reacting on survival reflex alone, Ona took flight, launching herself away at full speed until the mysterious girl was a blip on the horizon. Even then, a cold sweat broke out on the gaunt-skin colored woman. She realized she had started breathing heavily, the devil instincts honed from centuries of survival screaming at her to obey a single command.
Run.
What…the hell was that? She finally had a chance to ask once she was certain a vast swath of city was between them. It was just one little brat! How could she make me feel so…
Do watch yourself around that man.
Ona Barbatos froze, her body growing cold as an alien voice entered her mind. Despite the incredible distance and impossible nature of her answer, she knew precisely where it originated.
That man is interesting, and interesting beings cannot die so soon. We both share a fascination…but do not let it take you too far…
Ona propelled herself forward once more, flying at full speed desperate to escape the city limits and return to the perceived safety of their fortress. Her rabid curiosity at the young man who surpassed her powers the only thing allowing her to remain clinging to the stolen energy she had claimed. For the first time in her life, she almost considered giving up her search for an answer.
As she rocketed far away, the little girl held her ground, watching her the entire time even after she was long out of sight range. With a childlike shrug she turned, skipping merrily into the shadows humming a tune on the air that only those who listened to Dorian's nightly lyre sessions would recognize.
Hyoudou Residence…
"Oh look, Asia is so adorable," Mrs. Hyoudou smiled from the kitchen able to see the television screen replaying the footage collected throughout the day.
"Issei looks a little tense, but I guessh that's to be expected," his father slurred, already through his second beer of the evening.
"Another?" Zeoticus Gremory poured a new glass while taking one of his own. After the school day had ended, the respective families had retired to the Hyoudou residence where they could stay the night before departing in the morning. The human parents of Issei were none the wiser to be sitting in the presence of devil royalty and hit it off, striking up small talk around their children where they could. Dorian and Bennia had gone straight to their patrol and would be back later while Ratatoskr was sleeping in the tower, having to hide himself around the Hyoudous. In the meanwhile, they were enjoying bragging over their beloved children. While Issei and Asia l looked awkward but content, Rias had her head in her hands looking absolutely mortified as they gushed over her perfect appearance and enthusiasm answering questions.
"I'm in the lowest level of Hell," she mumbled flatly. "Cocytus wouldn't be this bad…"
"And there she is again," her brother shouted louder than he should have. "Isn't she just stunning how she is so focused on her studies, a true credit to her class."
"I can't take this anymore," she groaned as her embarrassment reached the breaking point. "My brother is a moron!" With that final outburst she stormed to her room.
"W-wait, President, come back!" Issei went chasing after her, the two disappearing upstairs together.
"Oops, perhaps we overdid it," her father caught himself with a hiccup.
"Eh, they'll be fine," Mr. Hyoudou groaned as he got up to stretch. "Honey! Do we have any more of that new butter?"
"Hecuba is finishing a new batch now," she smiled back, the redhead furiously at work alongside Asia in the kitchen. The older husband leaned in to give his wife a peck on the cheek, his tendencies similar to his son's in his youth returning with his inebriation.
"I am glad we could talk somewhat," Sirzechs lowered his voice as Thrud drifted closer, feigning to help clean up the scattered glasses. "I hear all has been going well since your arrival?"
Thrud nodded. "All has been quiet, the encounter with Vali this morning as the most action that nearly occurred. With all the extraordinary individuals located within a reasonable distance to the school it seems quite secure."
"Excellent, then we can move forward," Sirzechs complimented. "Oh, and I got plenty of footage of you in Rias' class, I'll be sure to make you a copy for your family."
Thrud's eye twitched slightly.
"Th-thank you, mother will be ecstatic…"
And father will be worse than all of you combined…
The Satan reached over, spotting an object on the nearby shelf clearly placed gently. With the most absolute care he looked it over.
"That is Dorian's," Thrud informed, stepping closer defensively as his lyre was picked up.
"My apologies," he returned it to the stand. "It is a fine instrument and I would love to hear him play sometime. Have you decided who will be representing your Crossroads?"
Thrud blinked, the answer evident without her saying a word.
"I get the feeling that even if this summit is a success, things will be getting more complicated in the days ahead." He suddenly grew quite serious; even Zeoticus' expression has flattened. "I would suggest picking a leader sooner rather than later."
He seems oddly concerned considering we haven't formed any official friendship yet. Thrud's internal processes expecting attack or prepare for the worst kicked into high gear. Father warned me of how the Great War rivaled even our own, despite how mutually weakened the three are, they are no less of a danger if this falls through.
"Speaking of advice," Sirzechs stood up with a stretch. "I believe my dear sister will have had time to recover from the traumatic experience. I must speak with her, if Ona Barbatos is one of our foes, then we'll need our own trump card to manipulate time. It is a rare trait, not even her cousin serving the Bael's inherited it. If you'll excuse me." The Gremory firstborn took his leave, following the path of where his sister had fled to the second floor.
"When next you see your Lady Freyja," Zeoticus started once his son had departed. "Do give her our best, Venelana feels it has been far too long since they last spoke."
Thrud's response was cut off as the front door swung open, Dorian and Bennia stepping inside. She immediately saw how on edge they were, frustration having set in due to their inability to locate the devil that had ambushed them on the streets.
"Dorian, what is wrong? Did anything happen?"
The young Einherjar and Grim Reaper glanced to each other awkwardly, the young man finally deciding to be the first to speak.
"That…is a bit of a long story…"
Occult Research Club, the following morning…
Just like running messages for Lady Freyja, the young Einherjar smiled upon entering the barrier around the old school building. They were on high alert since the discovery that the Old Satan Faction had some sort of presence via Ona in the city. They moved up the date and would commence as soon as they had confirmation with Heaven, though no time had been set for such a meeting.
The afternoon silence was shattered the moment he crossed through the field, a loud high pitched screaming drawing his attention.
Drawing Laerad Ragnarok, Dorian rushed forward, spotting a small woman in a Kuoh Academy uniform and skirt running frantically as if for her life. Koneko, Rias' first-year rook was chasing after her, hand outstretched with what appeared to be several cloves of garlic within them. Saji and Issei were watching alongside Asia, yet looked almost entertained at her cries of fear.
"What is…?"
The young man suddenly found himself with the wind knocked out of him as the escapee barreled into his gut, driving him to the grass. Koneko ceased her pursuit while the other turn only now realized his arrival. The new girl was already in tears from the petite rook's assault only exacerbated by the realization she had run into this newcomer.
"I-I'm sorry mister," she sniffed back, still sitting on his chest. "I didn't hurt you did I?"
"Don't worry," he replied, helping her to her feet. The young woman clung to his side, hiding behind him from Koneko. "What is happening here?" He turned to the others for answers only to be met by Koneko's usual stoic expression while Issei and Saji looked to be doing their best to stifle laughter.
"That is Rias' second bishop," Koneko explained. "Gasper Vladi."
A rather odd name.
"A pleasure to meet you Miss. Vladi," Dorian turned, taking her hand with a polite bow coinciding with Issei's interruption.
"I am sure HE is happy to meet you."
The words echoed in Dorian's ears, he glanced up, making sure the individual before him was definitely wearing a Kuoh female uniform complete with skirt. He released the hold on Gasper's hands which felt far too smooth for the statement to be true. Finally, he looked right into the bright pink eyes, raising an eyebrow as he could only think to utter a single word.
"…Pardon?"
The number of servants loyal to the Gremory heiress grows, each more perplexing than the last. Their foes are closer than they believed, will they be prepared for what is to come? As Always I hope everyone Reads and Reviews…but most of all Enjoys! :D