NMHA Ch. 57 - Curtain Call


A/N -

I really do need to get back in the swing of putting these things out week by week. Just so I don't lag behind like I have these past few.

Then again, I blame IRL for wearing me out. Got a lot going on, like I previously mentioned.

Anyway, on with the show.


Masaomi drew his blade, slowly but surely, leveling it in Arthur's direction as the blonde himself pulled out his own sword; a straight-edged blade that radiated holy power.

They weren't in the common training grounds this time; rather, he and his opponent for the match were situated in the officer halls; a smaller, though still spacious, field within Horizon Base whose walls glowed with an array of runes, likely to absorb and mitigate damage inflicted during a fight.

He wasn't sure how he'd stack up to someone in the Ultimate class of power with just a light saber rather than a bona fide holy blade, but Masaomi didn't particularly care. This was to blow off steam, after all

'I should be insulted, but it really does come full circle, doesn't it?'

"First to draw blood wins," Arthur declared, to which the exorcist nodded.

On one hand, he should be insulted, but on the other... she remembered, after all these years?

"On my mark, then," That was Vali, holding a hand up and glancing between the two. "If you go too far, you deal with me. Understood?"

Another nod from both swordsmen, at which point he threw his hand down and hopped back. "Start!"

There was no immediate rush for the other. Instead, Masaomi and Arthur started circling each other slowly, one with the flat of his blade at his shoulder, and the black-haired man with the glowing yellow blade ready to immediately parry.

Not to mention all the other things Masaomi had seen in that folder... he understood. Too many odd pieces put together a very concerning picture.

His expression darkened as his thoughts turned inward, and in that brief moment Arthur was before him. Masaomi's thoughts fled, and instinct took charge.

Holy blade and blade of holy energy clashed, a resounding crackle emanating between as the exorcist grit his teeth and poured more power into the sword to prevent his foe's from merely cutting through. He could tell though, this close, that the blonde was holding a holy blade, and a strong one at that.

'...Excalibur Ruler?'

"Direct your focus elsewhere, at your own peril," Arthur promised, one foot lifting up and prompting Masaomi to disengage before the other swordsman could plant a boot in his gut.

"...Right. Sorry." He took another breath, regathering himself. "Then let's begin."

They circled again, much more closely than before. This time, if one of them slipped up, there would be no time to block.

As Masaomi focused on Arthur, reading his body, he could tell immediately that the other swordsman was worthy of the officer title. Arthur held his blade like a master, and clearly knew exactly what to do with it, where, and how to do it. To say nothing of the shard of his namesake's legendary blade.

Unbeknownst to him, his lips started quirking upward.

Then Arthur moved, and Masaomi let his own blade meet the other's in dance.

Snakes in the Garden met a steel whirlwind, Heaven's Teeth deflected by the glinting breeze. Masaomi weaved crescent arcs, which rebounded against the Wings of Pendragon. He stepped back and let space undo the resulting snap of teeth, before lunging back in with Sinai's Fervor, letting the vacuum pull him in. The son of the dragon and the son of Heaven met once more, blades crackling against each other, before Masaomi's glowing hand snapped up to the end of his light saber, grabbed on to energy itself, and swung himself up.

The resulting crack from Vaulting the Mountain made Masaomi's knee ache, but the backpedaling of the dragon of steel and light before him made that already dulling pain more than worth the impact, especially when said swordsman recovered and white glinted across from him, Arthur's lips pulled back and upward.

It was at that moment Masaomi recognized it as a mirror of his own expression.

Implacable. Indomitable. A bastion of scales and wings and wind and glints. A defensive fighter who let his foes break themselves on his walls, before striking with all the celestial intensity of his surname.

Truly, this was the descendant of a Hero.

The descendant of a nobody rushed forward to meet him, and their dance resumed once more with even greater intensity.

Flick, jab, swipe, undercut, twirl, hammer, spin, sway, lunge, drop, grab, hook, twist-

This went on for what felt like hours, but in reality was likely only a minute or so, before...

CRACK-

Masaomi staggered back, realizing that even as his own fist met flesh, so too had his foe's. He slowly blinked the stars from his eyes, lifting his free hand to his nose to wipe away the blood-

'Ah.'

He stared at the red on his hand, before staring back at Arthur, who appeared to be grinning, unbloodied himself... at least until he spat out a wad of red to the side.

"...A draw." The blond declared, grin widening. "Finally, another swordsman whose skills are a match for mine. No offense to Vali or Gil, but they tend to focus more on raw ability and instinct than actual skill. This was exhilarating. We must do this again at some point."

Masaomi's eyes turned back to the blood on his hand, before looking inward, and the way his body thrummed.

"I missed this," he said aloud, almost in dawning realization as his light saber powered off and slid back into his robes. "I needed this."

Even now, he wanted to go for another round.

"Good. Feeling better?" Vali inquired, stepping forward.

But that could wait. Time was limited, and he was already running late.

"...I should apologize to Kuroka-san," Masaomi replied in turn. "I let my temper get the better of me."

"You should, and you did," the Cambion said, but then his expression softened slightly. "...I take it you have a history with what Luna suggested?"

"A rather sordid one, I will admit," the exorcist conceded. "I won't go into detail, but rest assured that I have already moved on from that part of my life; this was merely an unexpected reminder."

"But you will go with it?" Arthur asked, sheathing his own blade as he walked up to the other two.

"I will. I might not like it, but she recommended it for a reason, and a solid one at that." Masaomi crossed his arms and hummed.

'...Bearing the past for the sake of the future, huh...?'

Arthur and Vali exchanged glances, then both nodded, the blond adding one more comment. "Then welcome to the Dawn Legion's Paladin Division, Officer Masaomi Yaegeki."


He took a deep breath to soothe his nerves.

This was just part of the plan.

They weren't the same ones who did the deed.

He'd forgiven them.

A pity that emotions were rarely so logical. Even if he'd forgiven them for what happened that day, Masaomi still felt uneasy as he walked through the halls of the Youkai Faction's Kyoto division. That he was accompanied by Kuroka was one thing, but then there were the Tengu around them, in escort formation. Though he knew that if he acted up, they might be escorting him out.

"Are you alright, Masaomi-san?" the nekoshou in question asked, tilting her head to glance his way out of the corner of her eye.

"I... am, I think." He swallowed down the sense of wrongness that he felt.

"You feel unsettled."

"Using Senjutsu to check in on me?" Masaomi cracked a faint grin. "I'm unsure if I should feel slighted or flattered."

"Considering that Senjutsu is... natural to me, as breathing, it just happens sometimes, nya." Kuroka's tails swayed slightly.

The ceremony hall was elaborate as was expected, the red wood structure embellished by traditional Japanese decoration. Paper walls, lanterns from the ceiling. and kneeling in front of the altar was...

The exorcist swallowed the lump in his throat, though whether that was because of the fact that he was speaking to arguably the top Youkai or her beauty, he wasn't sure. He preferred to keep that uncertainty anonymous.

That being said, how did both well-endowed female Youkai in the room manage to keep from accidentally exposing themselves with their attire hanging so low on them? Especially the blonde; there was no way that magic wasn't involved there!

"Welcome to Kyoto, Masaomi-san and Kuroka-san," the kitsune in question said, as she rose to her feet, briefly adjusted her kimono, and bowed with all the grace of a head priestess. "We hope that you have found your journey thus far pleasant."

"Thank you for having us, Yasaka-sama," Masaomi bowed in turn. "I will admit to some trepidation, but your hospitality has been excellent thus far."

She tilted her head slightly. "Is this due to your defection from your faith, and how We might interpret your presence?"

"No. I have a... history with the Youkai faction. A personal one." He didn't say anything more. He didn't need to.

Yasaka's eyes widened faintly, and she lifted a sleeve to her mouth before she continued. "We see. It is not often We see one of our own join an opposing ecclesiastical order, especially due to the actions of Our own people. It is Our utmost apology that such an event drove you from Amaterasu-sama's embrace."

"Your apology is appreciated, but not necessary. Emotions are difficult to reconcile, especially upon adjacency to childhood trauma, but I have otherwise made my peace with the Youkai faction." He took another deep breath, and bowed again. "In turn, I must thank the kindness and honor of your officers. It is due to one's willingness to offer his own life for his guilty subordinates, that I was able to find forgiveness within myself."

"Kindness and honor. Not honor and kindness?" the kitsune inquired, lifting a fine brow.

Masaomi broke into a faint smile. She'd caught his specific wording; as expected from the leader of a faction. "I believe that honor stems from kindness. If we are not willing to act for the sake of others, then how can we ever be expected to act with integrity?"

"One can also express honor through fulfillment of their duty."

"It is by going beyond the expectations of duty, that we prove ourselves worthy of fulfilling them."

"Even if it means going against your Lord, your liege, your land?"

"Especially then."

"You speak dangerously, Yaegeki-san."

"I believe in ultimate goods, ultimate evils, and the vast spectrum between the two." Masaomi didn't back down, folding his hands behind his back. "There is cold honor in standing with the one you swore yourself to, no matter the odds, but it is just that; cold and callous. That is not who I am or aim to be. There is also honor in standing against your lord, should you learn that they are not what they claim to be."

"Is that why you defected from the Church?"

"It was not I who betrayed the Vatican, but the Vatican that betrayed me." The exorcist squared his stance. "They sought to execute me for my defense of an innocent child and her mother for the sin of being related to a Devil that abused and abandoned them. If that is the liege I would serve, then what honor would I have in continuing to do so? That is not the will of my Lord, for it was in the name of His eternal affection for His creation that I saved the lives of a mother and son, regardless of the circumstance that would have seen them buried."

The kitsune's eyes narrowed dangerously. "So you mean to say that a liege you disagree with is worthy of abandonment?"

Masaomi shook his head. "It is when that liege turns against core values, the ones you swore yourself to them on, that they no longer deserve fealty."

"Such egotism."

"What I speak of is the burden of the kind and faithful. It takes tolerance and open-mindedness to recognize the path you walk on is the wrong one, and strength of will to turn away from it."

"What We speak of is the idea that you alone know what path is best. We all have our roles to fulfill."

"Yet it is by being at peace with the world around you that you achieve true understanding and acceptance of your worth. I could not remain and maintain a sound mind, even when I was acquitted through the intervention of Heaven. I was awakened to the truth of the Church, as such I could not abide by its demands further. Thus, I divested myself of their influence, and in doing so found peace."

"You speak of teachings by the Buddha?" Yasaka inquired, lips shifting upward.

Masaomi smiled back. "There is wisdom in perspective, and true perspective can never come from only one source. Even after acquiring it, I do not regret leaving the Vatican's employ. It is on what I have learned throughout my travels that I stand here today."

"...I see."

Kuroka blinked at the sudden shift in verbiage as the kitsune gestured to the guards.

"Leave Us."

"Yes, Yasaka-sama."

Several seconds later, and the doors behind them slid shut, the blonde's expression mellowing out into a smile.

"Thank you for humoring Us with your wordplay. We trust that you understand how We would wish to personally validate the worthiness of the man who would wield one of Japan's holy relics. Especially one as valuable and important as the Ame-no-Murakumo."

Masaomi let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding, letting his own relief show. "Of course. I would be more concerned if you hadn't."

The smile widened briefly, before she tilted her head and stared at Masaomi.

"Pardon me, but... when did this event that so dramatically shifted your perspective of Yokai occur?"

That caused the smile to slide off the holy swordsman's face.

"...1985. I was nine when it happened."

"You're the survivor of the Nagoya Incident then... as well as the one that Komamura Sajin reported on five years later, I presume."

Masaomi's eyes widened briefly, even as Kuroka interrupted. "You know about what happened, nya?"

"How could I not?" she tilted her head, a faint, playful smirk rising to her face. "It was gross military misconduct, both to place the legitimate Sacred Treasure in a public space, even with wards, as well as the resulting bloodshed when a human child resonated with it. Investigations still haven't been able to determine how it happened, even if the culprits have provided all possible assistance and acquiesced to their punishment. It was and is a stain on both our military and intelligence departments." Yasaka waved it off with a scowl, face settling a moment later. "I am glad to see that you have moved on so well from that event."

"Sudden reminders still... upset me, but even that is a work in progress. I am who I am now because of Komamura-dono."

"I am glad Komamura was able to reach you despite your desire for revenge."

"You spoke with him?"

"As one of the most promising soldiers in the Youkai faction, he was privy to meeting those in high places. I met him at the turn of the millennium during a gala held by the Ministry of Defense." She hummed. "It seemed as though you had left quite the impression on him as well, Yaegeki-san. He spoke not of his victories in combat, but of the moment he was able to convince an angry young man to lower his sword, as his greatest accomplishment."

Masaomi stared, nonplussed. How was he supposed to take that?

Kuroka tilted her head. "You speak of him in past tense."

"...He died, eight years ago, defending one of Our villages from a small group of Devils looking to poach Our people. He single-handedly fought them off, allowing everyone else to escape." This time, Yasaka's expression grew solemn, head bowing and eyes sliding shut. "He was found kneeling, propped up by his sword in the ground, bodies of the aggressors surrounding him. Beneath his katana was a single message, one carved out by sword stabs in Romaji."

So it wasn't just a one-time act of kindness, but rather that Masaomi had come face to face with a real-life hero of the people.

There was a brief silence as the exorcist and nekoshou took in the head priestess's story.

"Komamura-dono was a good man," Masaomi finally said.

"He was. He left behind a wife and child with his sacrifice, but... he died how he lived, and I have heard that they have come to terms with his passing." Yasaki took in a deep breath, before her tone turned dark. "The Underworld claimed the Devils in question were traitors to the Pillars. The Pillars claimed that they had no hand in the assault. We cut ties with them following that meeting, and threw out their ambassador. I did so personally."

Kuroka nodded slowly, allowing Masaomi to continue with the questions. "Why was that?"

"The circumstances could not be a coincidence. First, the Devil that pushed for a public apology to the Youkai faction regarding the Underworld's bad habits was labeled a criminal, and her faction purged from their Assembly. Overtures of Peerageship to Our people intensified greatly. It seemed like demand for Youkai shot up, following the passage of that anti-poaching measure. Then, when most indicated they would not join, this attack. Finally, the message itself that Komamura-dono left behind. It read one word: Giman."

Masaomi's eyes widened. Giman. Deception. Deceit.

"That they were Devils was already suspicious enough, but his dying message was the straw the broke the camel's back." Yasaka lifted a hand to the crest of her collar, taking another deep breath. "Which leads to now. I believe it is time for the Yokai Faction to seek justice for the wrongs committed upon us and the lies spoken to our faces, hence my agreement to aid the very same woman that had started the Devils in the right direction to begin with before they backslid."

Yasaka stepped aside, gesturing for Masaomi to step beyond her, toward the sword on the altar. "It is also why I believe that you are most qualified to wield this blade, Yaegeki-san. You understand the weight that comes with its use."

His feet moved forward, walking by the priestess up to the Ame-no-Murakumo.

He remembered this blade.

He remembered running his hand across it.

He remembered grabbing it.

He remembered how his happy, ordinary life was forever shattered because of it.

He took a deep breath.

He remembered how this blade nearly led him to crusade against the Youkai.

He remembered how angry he was.

He remembered his confusion, at the one who offered his life in place of the ones that had killed his parents.

He remembered how his arm lowered, not to kill the Youkai, but to turn away from the path of violence.

He remembered how he found his faith.

He ran his hand across the relic.

"It really does come full circle, doesn't it?"

He understood.

His hand wrapped around the hilt, and he lifted up the blade.

The Ame-no-Murakumo had another name, one he was more familiar with.

He could practically feel it stir, the dormant spirit of the Imperial Regalia awakening as it recognized the child that had done the same thirty years prior.

"Ripple through the grasslands, Kusanagi no Tsurugi," he murmured, blade extended outward as the air around him roared to life, a whirlwind erupting around him, cloth thrashing mightily in the gale, even though the shrine itself remained pristine.

This time, there were no panicked shouts. Just the flow of air, as the winds died back down to a murmur with his exhale.

He smiled, picking up the sheath on the altar before sliding it in, the whisper of metal on lacquered wood like music to his ears.

He could feel the power of the blade... but he also recognized the weight of it. His parents' lives, weighed on the hand still holding the hilt. As well as the lives of those he would face.

And like he told Luna those years ago after she lost her own... he'd use that memory to make them proud. Just like he'd carry on the spirit of the Youkai who freed him from his hatred, just like he'd fulfill his duty to the angel that pulled him from the belly of the ecclesiastic beast.

From within its new home, the spirit of the sword hummed in agreement.


"Kalawarner-san? What are you doing here?"

"Doing my duty, of course." The blue-haired Fallen Angel replied easily, leaning back on Masaomi's couch as she stretched. Issei directed his gaze at Asia, who glanced down at herself with a faint pout before looking back at the Fallen.

"And where would Dohnaseek-san be?" she inquired.

"Currently taking a rest in the guest bedroom. We might not need to sleep the way you humans do, but it allows us to refresh our power. I am covering for him while he does."

Issei blinked. "He has been magically active?"

"He has been consulting what archives he managed to copy from Heaven before he was expelled regarding our mutual friend the Dark Moon." Kalawarner waved a hand. "Considering his usual equipment is back at the Grigori headquarters and that he's been running meetings between Kokabiel-sama's various cells to box her in..."

Magical connections to act like a computer. That seemed... a rather mundane use of holy magic.

Asia paled. "You mean to say that a cadre's legion is closing in around Kuoh?!"

"Yup." The lecherous Fallen popped the 'p', before glancing back. "Considering that you and your daddy aren't exactly wards of the Church, the only real issue would be the Devils, and Lord Kokabiel has a plan to distract them from accidentally interfering."

"...That's what the additional cells are for, aren't they?"

Kalawarner smiled languidly, closing her eyes. "Of course. Between that and running damage control across the whole town, we need every set of hands we can get. That includes both keeping the mundane populace protected and docile. Mittelt is at your house right now, Issei-kun. She's a spitfire, but she will keep your parents safe if push comes to shove."

"I thought the Grigori is normally careful to avoid contacting humans?"

The Fallen huffed. "Sister, does anything about this situation seem 'normal' to you? A city under the stewardship of two Devils, heirs to their houses and siblings of the two most outspoken Satans, has a criminal who bears the taint of the most dangerous creature this world has ever known. Her motives are unclear, and her growth curve has been alarmingly exponential during her period of activity. We may be looking at a literal end of the world scenario if we don't take desperate measures now, despite the ire that would arise from the Devils having two of their own in such a warzone."

"They said they wouldn't be running, either. Nor that they'd be getting their siblings involved." Issei almost pointed out that Sona mentioned that Luna apparently had no hostile designs for either of them, but he was interrupted internally.

"Don't, Issei." Ddraig had been eerily quiet for a while, yet he spoke now. "If you do that, Kokabiel will know, and target them."

'How do you know that?'

"He is the type of individual who will ensure that his prey does not slip the net. If he gets the idea that Sona and Rias are under that thing's protection..."

Issei understood. They'd become bait.

'...But why wouldn't you want the Satans getting involved? Your reaction to those wings of Lunarunn's was just as bad as mine, right?'

"Kokabiel is strong. If he is still the same as back then, he will have only gotten stronger since I last saw him. Kuoh is already at risk of heavy collateral if any combat spills out into the real world, and the Satans getting involved would ensure the entire country is erased."

Thus, he held his tongue from explaining further even as he cursed internally.. Something Asia noted, as she gave him a glance in curiosity. He shook his head ever so slightly, to which Asia gave a similarly slight nod back.

Kalawarner, both looking away from them and just now opening her eyes, didn't notice.

"Arrogant fools, the both of them. This is a matter of survival."

"Be that as it may, they said they have a duty to Kuoh, and they agreed to see to it even if it put them at risk."

"Even if it cost them their lives?"

"I can't exactly say I know what goes on in their heads. They're both way smarter than me, that's for sure." He rubbed the back of his head with a faint, sheepish laugh.

The blonde tugged on his sleeve with a pout. "Don't be like that Ise-kun, you're plenty smart; you wouldn't have gotten into Kuoh if you weren't!"

She then smiled softly. "You have so much going for you, Ise-kun. You deserve to think better about yourself."

"...Asia..." he turned his head to return that smile.

Kalawarner groaned aloud. "Honestly you two, just kiss already! He and I would have boned earlier if he wasn't so obviously saving himself for you, girly."

"E-eep!" Asia turned red, as did Issei, and fell silent as her best friend fired back.

"Can you not?!"

"I dunno, can you two get it on already?" Kalawarner tilted her head back to meet Issei's irritated gaze. "I Fell because this sappy lovey-dovey crap doesn't cut it for me, and you two've been dancing around each other for... how long now?" her eyes shifted to the silent blonde. "Seriously girly, this boy is a hormone monster, and if you don't seal the deal soon someone else will."

"How would you know what I am?"

"My eyes are up here," the Fallen immediately drolled back, to which Issei tore his gaze away from the blue-haired woman's sizable assets. "Case in point."

"Ise..." A hand slowly rose to his ear.

"Sorry, sorry," he tried soothing the former nun, only to grunt out an 'ow' when she pinched his ear.

"Also case in point. She has you whipped."

"...Seriously, Kalawarner. Shut up."

"Then kiss. It shouldn't be that hard, should it? Don't worry, I'll look away. I'm not really a voyeur anyway, unlike Raynare. I'd rather get in on the action myself."

Issei almost rubbed his temples, frustration mounting.

"She has a point."

'Oh sweet mother of- not you too!'

"Things are getting out of hand fast, Issei. If you don't go the distance now, you might not have the chance to again."

'...Does this have to do with that thing that I saw when I was under the Sephiroth Graal?'

He got an affirmative grunt.

'Damn it all.'

"...Ise-kun..." Asia turned to him again, this time with a certain look in her eye. One that almost seemed... self-conscious? "Is the thought really that... disturbing to you?"

"Of course not. I... I'd be happy to. I was just..." he trailed off, looking away sheepishly. "Y'know, waiting for the right moment."

"Newsflash, there's never a 'right moment' that you don't claim yourself," Kalawarner offered. "Take it from someone who's got experience; nine times out of ten, the guy's the one who should take initiative."

"Not helping!" Issei snapped.

"Already told you; I don't like this lovey-dovey stuff, so get it over with!"

'You bitch-'

His thoughts ground to a halt as he felt something warm, soft, and wet meet his lips briefly, and after a moment of rapid blinking, realized as she was pulling away that Asia had just kissed him.

Again.

Maybe the time before he spoke with Rias about the Pact could have been coincidence- 'Shut the hell up Ddraig, I don't need the peanut gallery groaning too!' -but twice? And under such circumstances?

Those visions were one thing, the brief glimpses of their bond before everything fell away, but here? Now?

...

'Hmm. One more?'

...

Maybe another, just to be sure.

...

Somehow she tasted sweet- had she had honey earlier?

'...Oh. We're on the ground now.'

That seemed pretty secondary compared to the more important matter, though.

She felt the same.

She liked him too.

She liked liked him too.

He'd certainly hoped. He'd thought he'd seen the signs before, but he didn't want to ruin what they had by taking the leap.

...Maybe one more would really drive it home.

Kalwarner said something, probably something either lewd or provocative or both, but that didn't matter at that moment.

Finally, something burning inside of him forced him to break off the lip lock, pulling back with a gasp as air - as well as the rest of the world - rushed back to him. Just above him, using his body as a cushion, Asia stared back, her own eyes hazy though slowly clearing, flushed and panting... and smiling.

His eyes drifted downward slightly, back to those lips - had they always been so full, or were they just puffy from the kissing they'd just done?

"...I wanted to do that for years now," he plainly admitted, meeting her eyes again.

She tilted her head. "Then why didn't you?"

"I didn't want to be wrong, and to mess everything up."

Asia lifted her brows. "Even after what I said about Rias-san and that Pact?"

"...I had an inkling, but that could have just been you giving me something to focus on for an important talk." He chuckled sheepishly. "I... definitely should have talked to you sooner about it, in hindsight."

She stared at him, making him squirm slightly.

"Maybe I should have taken some of your coming to me for comfort as a sign."

She tilted her head.

"...or the fact that you've been... er... wanting attention, whenever I'm looking at another girl?"

More silence.

"Or maybe the fact that in the moment, you were just about to do something very un-Christian before Raynare interrupted. Being in front of my crotch at that level for as long as you were, that really should have given away your running out of patience, in hindsight."

"Ise-kun." She leaned in to kiss him again, even with a puff-cheeked pout. "You." And again. "Are." And again. "A." Again. "Dummy!"

He stared up as the blonde pulled away, practically starstruck. "...Y'know, bein' an idiot doesn't seem too bad when you put it like that."

She giggled, even as she got off him and lifted a hand to her lips. "Ahm... I... I was getting impatient, yes. With, erm, a lot of that stuff. Especially that last bit. I-I don't know what came over me. M-maybe I got carried away?"

"You mean to say that she was going to give you a blowjob, and you still didn't realize!?"

"K-Kalawarner-san!"

Kalawarner turned toward them with a disbelieving smile, even as Asia turned red and looked down, poking her index fingers together.

"Jesus Christ! I know men can be dense, but that takes it to a whole new level, Issei."

He glared as he got back up. "Seriously, enough with the smartass comments!"

"Personally, I just think it's funny. Still, congrats on finally coming out to each other, or however it goes for a new couple." Kalawarner rose from her place on the couch and walked around to lean against it. "So. What are you two going to do now?"

Issei and Asia exchanged glances.

They nodded as one, understanding crossing between them without words.

"We're going to figure out the truth of Lunarunn, and we'll do it ourselves."

The Fallen's eyes widened, before sliding shut, her brevity melting away almost instantly.

"...I see."

"If you have a problem with that, let's take it outside," the Red Dragon Emperor suggested.

"No, no," she shook her head and lifted a hand to pause them, eyes remaining shut. "I have problems with that. But I'm not going to stop you two either. I'm here to act as a guard for the house, the same way Mittelt is guarding your house now Ise-san, while Dohnaseek rests. If you two want to go run off and put yourselves in danger, then that's on you. Just don't be surprised if others are willing to put you two down before you go and potentially risk the fate of the world."

"Raynare."

"Among others," Kalawarner affirmed. "Do you think you have what it takes to fight your way through the host of a Fallen cadre?"

"...If I have to, I will."

"Then I have no grounds to keep you two cooped up in here while Lord Kokabiel finishes hunting Lunarunn down. I Fell because I didn't subscribe to their line of thinking. Heaven's, I mean." The Fallen cracked a grin, one orb reopening. "It'd be awfully hypocritical of me to try and berate you for the same attitude. Just know that if you two die because you bit off more than you could chew, I'll be laughing at your funeral."

"Noted," Issei dryly remarked, though there was a part of him that was glad he wouldn't have to fight her. "...You're alright in my books, Kalawarner-san."

"Please, just call me Kalawarner... or Kala, if you'd prefer." She gave a wink. "We're friends, right?"

"...I'm not sure how to take that."

"Then a 'thank you' will be juuuuuust fine."

"Thank you, Kalawarner-san," Asia smoothly slid in, bowing at the Fallen Angel. "We appreciate your acceptance of our choice."

"Lord Kokabiel likes you humans for your independent streak. I prefer the kinky ways you lot come up with on how to fuck, but I can see where he's coming from." The blue-haired Fallen's grin widened. "So off you go. If you two stick around any longer I'll have to fulfill my duty and try to keep you from getting yourselves and everyone else killed."

"Then we'd best leave." Issei gave Kalawarner another nod, before turning to the door, hand taking Asia's. "Let's go."

So the new couple stepped out back into Kuoh, leaving the quaint apartment and the Fallen within behind.


"...Ise-kun."

"...Yeah?"

"About that dream of yours..."

Here? Now? Issei pinched the bridge of his nose. "Probably best we rip off that band-aid first, huh? Do you want me to forget about it?"

"...I do."

Issei sighed, and was about to put the nail in that coffin before Asia spoke up again.

"But I won't ask you to. I'll support you... like I always have."

"Al- ...Eh?" He looked back.

Asia was staring at the ground, twiddling her thumbs. "I... don't really get it. Your dreams of being a... erm, harem king."

"Then why...?"

"Because your eyes light up whenever you talk about it. I... might not agree with polyamory. I, erm... I really don't like it, actually." She shook her head and looked back up at him, eyes glistening with concern. "It seems so likely to blow up in all the wrong ways, and I don't want that to happen to you. Or me... it might be selfish of me to be like that, but-"

"It's not selfish. But you won't ask me to forget about that dream?" he asked, though it was with some level of confusion. "Because I would. All you need to do is ask."

"Mh. I guess... over the years, you might have proven yourself... super, super perverted. But you never - never - crossed a line that you couldn't fix. You might have acted... w-well, selfishly... but never with malice. And you've always made sure to treat everyone right beyond that." The blonde shook her head again. "I think... I might not like it, but I think... I could at least tolerate it. The idea of you having a harem. W-with a few g-ground rules, obviously!"

He nodded once, hardly believing what he was hearing. "Of course. Any additions have to be by agreement of the whole group. Everyone has to at least be on friendly terms before and during their stay. Everyone gets an equal amount of free time with each other for things like dates, parties, and bed. And most of all... no playing favorites. Someone can act as the head of the harem, and right now that someone is you, but beyond helping coordinate everything, not even that 'head' gets any extra leverage over anyone else."

Asia blinked. "...Erm... that's exactly what I had in mind, actually...?"

"I've thought it over a lot. I did a lot of planning beforehand. I've actually participated in a lot of AMA's with poly groups and harem participants in my spare time. The majority of them said that equality among non-leading members was key to their success, and mutual respect between everyone across the dynamic. I ended up missing a lot of VN's that Motohama and Matsuda were going on about because of it." Issei chuckled faintly. "Now that I'm in the know, I wonder just how many of those groups were Devils...?"

The blonde blinked again. "Wow. You were actually putting in a lot of work in the background to be a 'harem king' as you put it, weren't you?"

"Asia, I'm hurt!" he gasped, holding his free hand to his chest before continuing, more seriously. "I've always been serious about becoming one! But a big house needs a really strong foundation before it can come together with even the hope of not falling apart." He smiled at her. "Now, though? Well... maybe it's time to finally start building it. Together."

The beam he got in turn was dazzling. "...Yes. Together."


"...Sorry."

For running off without warning, Rias knew. Koneko typically had a better handle on her emotions than that, so she knew that the nekoshou had been quite distressed. She bowed her head with a slight smile, wordlessly forgiving her Rook for that moment of indiscretion before she actually spoke.

"Were you able to call your sister?"

"I was. She confirmed everything."

Rias's lips twitched downward.

"...Purge it all; we're in dangerous territory."

Koneko tilted her head, measuring up her King briefly.

"You still don't mean to leave though."

"Of course not. I have a duty to the town; I might not be able to do much, but what I can do, I should."

"...You'll make a good head of house."

That got a smile out of the redhead. "You flatter me, Koneko. That being said, I want you to accompany Lord Phenex tonight in his sweep for that mercenary that's been giving him so much trouble."

"When it's so dangerous here? Not happening." The nekoshou-turned-Devil squared her stance.

"Koneko..."

"You are my first priority, Buchou. I will not leave you alone."

"I'm not alone though. I have Akeno, and if worse comes to worst, I have other methods to escape."

The Rook crossed her arms. "You're asking a lot of me."

"I know I am." Rias took Koneko into her arms and gave the petite nekoshou a hug. "But you trust me, right? I will be okay. It's because I trust you that I'm asking you to leave; I can take care of myself here."

"...Don't die, Buchou."

"It'll be alright. I'll be here tomorrow when you get back."

Koneko's arms tightened around her King..

"The last time I heard you say that... I came back to your remains."

"...Your future visions?"

That got a nod of the nekoshou's head. "Mh. It... wasn't pretty."

"Did it have to do with your sister's King?"

"Lunarunn was never part of the equation before." She shook her head. "I... I don't know what will happen with her involved."

"You worry so much about me, but you've mentioned before that you care for Issei too- where's your worry for him?" It was a part-tease, part-objection.

"Issei is Issei. He's too stupid to die," she bluntly remarked.

"But didn't you just say that with the Dark Moon, you don't know what will happen?"

Koneko opened her mouth, then closed it, much to her consternation and Ria's half-amusement half-exasperation.

"Koneko. We'll be fine. We each have our support groups; no matter what happens, we'll be able to rely on each other."

"We're talking about people on the same scale of power as the Satans."

"Then we've got plenty of rocks to run for cover under. I'll be okay, I promise."

"...Don't raise death flags, Buchou."

"Ah- you're right." She winced. That wasn't to say that she didn't believe what she said, but Rias knew better than to test fate in such a bold manner. "I'm not going to deny that it'll be dangerous. But so is being a Devil in a world where we're so discriminated against. I'll manage; I've made it this far, haven't I?"

"That... that you have."

"Then you'll go?"

Koneko nodded, but it was with a small glare and a pout. "I'll desecrate your gravestone if that's what I come back to."

"Such acid." Rias didn't say it with any sort of condescension or sarcasm though, instead smiling earnestly down at her Rook, placing a small kiss on the top of the white-haired girl's head. "Thank you, Koneko."

The nekoshou's return to the Underworld went by without another word, the flash of light indicating her departure... as well as the clearing of some of Rias's conscience.

"Akeno."

"You called?" the nephilim in question drawled, as she peeked out from the corner before slowly rounding it. "What does Buchou need from her great onee-sama~?"

"Were you able to get into contact with your extended family?"

"Of course," the raven-haired young woman smiled. "Raynare proved rather easy to work with. She was pretty close to becoming a problem anyway, so you chose well on the timing for me to step in."

She glanced over at the vanishing teleportation circle.

"It looks like you managed to convince Koneko to step away as well. I take it that everything else is in motion, then?"

Rias nodded, face firming up as she lifted a hand and swiped it to the side, summoning a communication circle. She worked more magic, scanning the city for certain magical signatures - and there were quite a lot of those at that point, before locking in on the largest one.

If Koneko was so averse to Rias putting herself in harm's way, then the nekoshou really wouldn't like what her King intended to do next.

The sigil turned from red to orange, as it became infused with holy light.

From the other side, a Cadre spoke, voice wrought with suspicion and - to Rias's faint amusement - surprise.

To be fair, she never expected to be calling Kokabiel either.

"...Who are you to speak to the Watcher of the Stars, Gremory, and why do you contact me?"

She took a deep breath and started talking.


'It's a beautiful sunset,' Luna thought, as she sat atop Kuoh Academy, staring at the horizon. With legs pulled up to her chest, arms wrapped around her legs. It was a posture she didn't get to use often, but considering what was coming up, the comfortable posture was a luxury she would take. Especially given how she planned to go about it.

Even now, she could feel the time draw near, as she continued to send pulses of Worldweave through the air, multiple purposes behind the pulsing both outside and inside her mind. With the last of the students leaving the academy, that would minimize civilian casualties in the engagement that would ensue. She didn't dare impose her domain on the academy either, at least not immediately, as it would trigger every alarm over Kuoh.

Once the fight began, though, that would be a different story.

Would he make it a duel?

Would he bring his forces to bear against her?

Would he carpet-bomb the academy?

...She really hoped he wouldn't do the last bit; if Sona and Rias were still there...

Luna shook her head. That was defeatist thinking. She wouldn't let them die.

Not only because of her own plans, but...

Her eyes slid shut. She felt a holy presence approaching, cutting through the slow, rolling waves she had sent out across Kuoh.

Then another.

Then another.

More and more appeared in her senses as the darkened lights in Kuoh began to move. Many remained in place, but she could feel a legion of Fallen approaching from all sides, boxing her off, leaving open but one way to escape.

Not that she would take it, even if she knew it wasn't a deathtrap. It was just to keep her from feeling like a cornered rat despite Kokabiel's intentions of making her exactly that.

Plus, she didn't mean to run.

'...I might die here,' she admitted to herself. Even beyond facing Kokabiel, there were a number of other fairly strong Fallen approaching as well. 'And still, you're missing. Even after I decided on this particular path.'

That was fine. She'd come this far. She'd keep going.

Even if she fell here, the others would continue the mission. Perhaps not in the same capacity as she could, but...

'Enough of that. Put defeat out of your mind; any doubt here will kill you.'

So she purged that doubt from her mind. There was no room for hesitation. Not now.

Luna took another deep breath, and opened her eyes.

As she stood up, she faced a sky dotted with pairs of black wings, and closest to her was the one who brought them all here.

Kokabiel stared balefully down at her, aura already flaring bright and wide. It pulsed softly, like a heartbeat, and she could feel his power radiating even from her spot on the rooftop.

She stared back, squaring her feet as he lifted a hand.

All around Luna, pinpricks of light formed in the hands of the Fallen legions as a single host, their discipline ironclad through conviction.

"Not going to flee this time?" the Watcher of the Stars called down to her.

It was time.

Luna took another deep breath, then called back.

"Why should I?"

"So you mean to say you accept your death is necessary, after all these years?" His lips twitched. "Don't make me laugh."

"Of course not," she denied with a firm shake of her head. "You want me dead not because I'm a Devil with an explosive curve of power growth, but because of what you think I am."

"The Beast," Kokabiel intoned. "Or at least its pet."

"I refuse to be labeled as such," she replied, voice low and strong. "I am me, and I answer to nobody but my own morals. The same ones that would lead me to face you here and now, outnumbered, as opposed to one on one in a crowd of civilians."

"Don't bother pretending you care."

Luna bared her teeth. "Good, because I'm not fucking pretending. There's a reason I chose Kuoh Academy at sundown, and that's because this way, civilian casualties are minimized."

"You could just give yourself up. Only one must die that way."

Her eyes narrowed. "I might want to minimize those who pass as a result of our spat, but I refuse to go quietly into the night, Watcher of the Stars. I am master of my own fate, and I will prove it here and now."

She raised a finger, and pointed it at the cadre.

"I will prevail over you, Kokabiel, you and your soldiers." That hand thrust to the side, palm out, as the other slid back into her duster pocket. "I will surpass you in combat, and in ideals." That hand lowered, and she lifted the other one, palm up to the sky. "I will overcome you in logic, and in conviction. I am more than what you label me as, so let me show you how."

'Let's hope that what I alone can do is enough.'

Luna's stepped forward, and her raised hand swiped downward like the flourish of a blade. "I will win. I will do it by my own two hands, by the gift of Worldweave. The Beast-Devouring Beast you face now will be victorious, and shall become so without using the curse of Trihexa!"

Kokabiel stared, eyebrows lifted. He didn't appear to know how to take Luna's declaration, but in the end tilted his head briefly to the side before righting himself again.

"...We will see how long that bravado lasts," he finished, voice carefully neutral, as he let his hand fall.

And with it, so too did the stars in the sky, from the hands of raven wings.


As Issei and Asia ran through town, the first thought was that the sky seemed awfully dotted with black. How many Fallen were here, and why weren't the Devils freaking the hell out? Or the angels, for that matter? He was pretty sure such a gathering would cause a lot of waves-

Speaking of waves, why did the air feel like it was thickening before returning to its previous pressure on a second-by-second basis?

"Kokabiel would bring such a force to kill Lunarunn?" he murmured. "Just what kind of fight is he expecting?"

Then again, considering his own experience with that... monster in disguise, Issei's respect for the cadre, despite not knowing him aside from flashes from those visions, shot up considerably.

Chances are, he'd need all the help he could get.

He heard the wingbeats before he saw her, but not by much. It was hard to miss such fantastic oppai, after all, especially when the woman with them landed directly in Issei and Asia's path. "There you are."

"...Raynare." Issei grit his teeth. He knew that Kalawarner warned them about her, but even so the fact that she stood in front of them brought him no joy. "Here to stop us?"

"...Not at all." Yet still, she stood in their way. "You seek death, don't you?"

"Not at all. We want answers," Asia replied, shaking her head.

"You won't find any. Not that way."

"We won't know until we try!" the brunet insisted.

"...Hmph." The Fallen Angel scowled, cold and harsh. "You humans really are stupid, aren't you? You'd run headfirst at a monster because you want to 'know'? She'll take you and turn you into puppets."

"Raynare-san, please understand-" Asia started, before she was interrupted.

"I understand perfectly," the black-haired girl cut in. "You don't know what's good for you. It's a good thing that I do."

She raised a hand, and from it, a spear of light manifested, pointed at Issei and Asia.

"I won't let you two become thralls to the monster Lord Kokabiel means to slay. I won't fail again... even if I have to kill you."

The pulses in the air stopped.

The sky lit up with countless flares, all those colored lights streaking down toward where Issei knew the academy - and Lunarunn - stood.


A/N -

Yes, I ripped Komamura's name from Bleach. No, it's not the same character. He might have a similar occupation, similar perspective toward honor, be a wolf Youkai, and try to save someone from their blind chase for revenge, but those are just similarities. Similarities!

And finally, the lovebirds actually make out. This was a long fucking time coming. I wanted to try and play up Issei's denseness for a while, and how he has an issue actually making that jump with someone he's both known for a while and holds a not insignificant amount of genuine affection for. Hopefully, this is a satisfying and realistic conclusion to that sort of byplay, though that doesn't mean he's going to suddenly become a Casanova, either. It's a step toward him achieving his canonical goal, but he still has growing to do.

Also, what's up with Rias?

Anyway, the showdown is at hand. Luna now faces Kokabiel, years after she got thrashed by him the first time. Plus a legion of Fallen that Kokabiel called to his side. Without Cataclysm Eclipse, by her own decision. A bold move, to be certain, but what is the end goal? Find out next time.

Tempura Wizard out.