Chapter 5: Eye of the Storm.
Rias Gremory looked at the one before her, a kaleidoscopic swirl of emotions, breaking her thoughts and her overexerted mind. Her head seemed to have robotically craned itself downwards as she clenched her fists.
The boy who stood as her pillar of hope. The one who constantly avoided them stood in front of her head-high, knowing the truth that she desperately hoped to not be found. "How long?" She uttered with an indescribable tone. Her chance of breaking free from that marriage contract was at that moment, taken away from her reach. "HOW LONG!?" she yelled, angered as she realized the truth, that the world itself was, indeed, toying with her.
However, her yell only seemed to pass the boy's ear.
He stood there with an unwavering glare, focused on the upcoming swarm that was more infuriated than ever. Beneath that expression, however, was surprise and confusion. The swarm reformed, unlike last time. Strange because those who died would fade out to oblivion. But no matter how confusing, it did not take him long to piece all of it. They were inside their domain, the beasts' territory. It would only be logical that those beasts would hold an advantage over them.
Inhaling, he got rid of every stray thought circulating within his mind of steel, letting Od flow through his circuits.
"Hyoudou Issei" exhaled.
In a flash of blinding light, blades that seemed to emit incalculable power formed in his grasp. The two seemed to have formed out of thin air, something similar to her knight's sacred gear: Sword Birth - a sacred gear that allows the user to create weapons with their vast imagination. The moonlight seemed to accentuate the swords, allowing for easier appreciation. One was a short blade of Chinese origin, dark as the void, and the other was glimmering white.
It was a perfect balance between the symbols of good and evil.
The Yin and Yang.
What they saw was surreal. It was beautiful, a masterpiece - a fact accentuated by the knight - his expression says it all - surprise. Every detail, every bump and imperfections, her Kiba saw it all, or rather the lack of it.
"It is best to focus on the problem before you first."
The sudden rebuttal snapped the group out of their trance. But those words were not for them. It was for their King, who looked at him, a look of surprise overlapping her angered visage.
Without wasting time, "Hyoudou Issei" picked up the pace, speeding toward the beasts at hypersonic speeds. The dust pricked her skin like a toothpick.
Rias quickly brought her arms up to cover her face. As the dust settled, what she saw was carnage. Thousands of those beasts, dead at her feet. She widened her eyes as blood spewed to her delicate face, wincing as she felt the thick liquid running through her eyelashes.
Powerful. Was "Hyoudou Issei" an exorcist? No, given the lack of holy magic - a type of presence commonly associated with someone thought by the ways of the church, she determined that he was not associated with any supernatural associations.
And yet, how was he this strong?
Rias gritted her teeth. It only frustrated her as it only solidified her misfortune and the fate she, in all these months, was trying to escape from. But then, she came to a realization. It was not the time to be wailing.
She must stand.
Through her veins and arteries, copious amounts of blood pumped as her heart raced. She clenched her calves and stood, regaining her bravado of being mighty and high, just as "Hyoudou Issei" was sent tumbling towards her direction with a scowl plastered on his face.
As if irritated, "Hyoudou Issei" swung his left arm rigorously, and upon that seemingly pointless lashing, an impenetrable wall made of weapons sealed them within a hardened cage of steel.
The darkness befalls them.
It took them several seconds to adjust to the void they were in. However, after they squinted their devilish eyes, they saw a curious glare. "So, Rias Gremory?" He narrowed his glare even further. "The alliance?"
"I've already long accepted your proposal, Hyoudou."
"I see…" He turned his vision away from the group, rubbing his chin in thought "...The monstrosity is the eye of the storm, isn't it?"
"It is…" She confirmed. "That monster, if defeated, would stop the carnage. Though, it certainly won't be easy." She admitted. "That's why I was quite thankful for your intervention. I would've died, leaving my peerage to rot."
"Don't get it twisted, Rias Gremory." He snarled in a thinly veiled expression of anger. These people? No, he could not even consider them as such. They tried to control him for the longest time, observing and waiting for the perfect chance to strike. The only way he could achieve something other than losing was to step into their boundaries.
In other words, interact with them.
"I expect that." She smiled sarcastically. "...After all, I am the heiress of what others can describe as the most influential." She looked at his eyes with a questioning glare. "So, it would be natural for any who hailed from the supernatural to try and gain my favor. That's what you're here for, right?"
Distrust began to brew. The tension grew thicker to the point that it could be a tangible existence, but it was not.
Within his soul of infinite blades, a spark emanated. It formed into a mass of ethereal light. Slowly but surely, the shape began to be processed. Suddenly, his hands twitched, his eyes narrowed. He was not surprised that Rias discerned what he wanted from the get-go. He expected it the moment he spoke those words.
"But that's not the time for that, is it?" She questioned, crossing her arms.
Was she trying to diffuse the situation? Of course, she certainly was, seeing as the gap between them was simply too high to be taken care of by sheer force alone. However, what he found strange was her reaction to the notion of being used or lack thereof.
It was as if she was used to it.
He released a sigh, easing his tensed nerves. Rias herself wanted a peaceful negotiation; he was willing to give it without any hesitation. After all, he was unwilling to hurt them either way, knowing of the consequences it could bring. Quietly and discreetly, he observed the others; his hawk-like glare concealed and veiled by instincts honed to rival even that of assassins.
The blonde named Yuuto Kiba is the supposed prince of Kuoh Academy, hated by his questionable friends. He seems to be a notable, exceptionally hardened, and experienced combatant of the sword. Furthermore, the white-haired girl named Toujou Koneko is the supposed mascot of Kuoh Academy and loved by all. She seems to be the brutish type. And yet surprisingly efficient and precise hand-to-hand combatant. Lastly, Himejima Akeno - a raven-haired girl. She was one of the two "Onee-samas", known for their exceptional beauty and leadership. Adored like a deity, she and the others were popular among the students, especially the ones exhibiting perverted behaviors. Based on her posture alone, she is sadistic to those who oppose her but surprisingly gentle to the people she holds dear.
They are exceptional in his eyes. Considering what Ddraig preached about their race, they cannot be ordinary. Rias Gremory must have hand-picked them, specifically used and utilized for more efficient victories.
"A plan…" He muttered. "Before going into any situation, one must have a plan. You, of all people, must know of that, Rias Gremory." He stared at her, who flinched at his eye's sharpness.
Though taken aback by the ferocity, she quickly balanced herself; her tense nerves eased, and her guard lowered. "Having someone I don't know makes forming a plan harder than it should be." She retorted, raising her eyebrow in challenge.
"Ah." He let out. "Then, can I perhaps suggest ideas? Time is running out, as you can see." He pointed toward the noticeable dents on the cage of metal. He urged her to accept immediately.
"Hm…" She hummed in thought. "As long as it's doable, I am fine with it." She replied in a whisper.
"Fast hitters are beneficial against any upcoming hordes, while heavy hitters are beneficial for taking down the strongest of fighters on a battlefield." He turned his vision to her, who understood his implication. "You're rather quick on the uptake, Rias Gremory," He complimented. "The question is, would you? Kiba is fast. Probably fast enough to evade and counterattack, so death is unlikely unless he gets caught off guard."
She nodded in acknowledgment. They were in the same boat.
"Those beasts move mildly fast, but a proper knight's speed blows theirs out of the water…" He explained in reassurance. "...And from what I saw earlier, then I'd say that he is proficient enough to fend off the hordes and alert you to possible threats with his quick eyes and reflexes..." Despite her discomfort, she nodded quietly in understanding. "Koneko is a hard hitter, mostly because of her proficiency with hand-to-hand combat, while your queen's magic and yours are exceptionally potent. That's why…"
"Akeno, Koneko, and I will destroy the eye of the storm…" She cupped her chin in thought. "While the two of you hold them off, provide us sufficient time to destroy it…"
He nodded, confirming her suspicions.
Composing herself together rather slowly, she spoke, questioning everything she knew. "How did you determine our strengths while being a human?" It is not impossible for humans not exposed to church teachings to sense supernatural concepts, but it does seem far-fetched. Because it would take time, something that a mundane human would not have…
…Much less a teenager like him.
"Observation and experience…" He tapped his head repeatedly. "With that, human beings like me can sense mana's potency. And determine one's strengths with a glance." Though quite cryptic, it was delivered clearly, enough to be pieced together by a fully developed prefrontal cortex.
It was such a shame.
He could have been an integral part of the Rating Game. Nevertheless, it would seem that, once more, she would have to find a way to attain what she wanted.
It was painful. But she kept herself together, barely.
A real king does not let their upbringing affect nor disrupt their thinking process, especially in battle. In concept, it was easy to apply. But no matter how talented she was, it was still something that she still had to ingrain within her completely.
"So?" He questioned, his eyebrow raised.
"...I agree."
"Ah. Then, LET US BEGIN!" He roared. "BRACE YOURSELF!" The second those words left his mouth, he flicked his wrist. The seemingly unmovable wall of blades heeded his whim as the cage of metal "disassembled" itself, each focusing on the hordes of enemies flung away by the sheer force of the blade's uplifting
.
Upon regaining their bearings, the beasts growled in anger. It was a battle cry.
In a split second, they went on the offensive, only to be pierced by humongous blades that once served as an indestructible wall that halted everything, even the most potent of their attacks. Stabbed by blades, they squirmed in anguish as they aggressively tried to uplift the blades that pinned them to the fleshy and pulsing walls, only to fail miserably; they died, melting like an ice cube exposed to heat.
They still reform, now with rage.
However, because of such a destructive offense, the first row of enemies faltered; the bashful pressure his attack brought decimated the surroundings.
"Hyoudou Issei."
"Hm?" He turned around, curious about her call.
"I'll trust you." She said begrudgingly. "Just make sure Kiba makes it out alive."
He nodded and leaped into action.
Rias Gremory, her Queen, and Rook ran to the eye of the storm as it pulsed more aggressively every meter they got closer. Her Knight, accompanied by "Hyoudou Issei", ran to the opposite side. Their goal was to fend off the hordes and to give the others enough time to complete their objective.
Rias was at ease. After all, a human she can safely consider one of the strongest was there for him. Besides, her knight was the most unaffected by the beast's extreme adaptation; the countless swords he had in store proved difficult to adapt to, so why should she doubt his ability this time? Alongside "Hyoudou Issei", his death should be completely and utterly impossible.
They thought that they would be able to execute the plan without any hassle.
There were no red flags.
There were no obstacles so far; the ones that might have posed a problem were taken care of by the two swordsmen with ease. Their feet galloped at the ground with a constant and set speed, none opposing them, none halting them from moving.
For once, victory was guaranteed.
Because NOTHING opposed them.
Everything was going smoothly until the ever-so-slightly creaking floor of the church above gave out. Figures fell with their black feathery wings unfolded, a smirk smeared on most of their faces - an expression that made it clear that they were being mocked.
Upon such a bold intrusion, what is left of Rias' peerage winced at the dust and soot that met their eyes, which disrupted their guard momentarily. Through the soot and the cloud of dust, she saw them. It took a bit of effort, but she was able to determine the figures' identities and upon doing so, she was disgusted.
One was dressed in a lolita outfit, a girl with blonde hair tied into twin tails and a petite body, representing her strength, showing that she was the weakest. The other was buxom and tall, dressed in a trenchcoat-like top worn in such a way that it exposed her notable cleavage; a woman with long navy blue hair that seemed to obscure her right eye, a figure that depicted her mediocre strength and her pride. The only male donned a dark trench coat and a black fedora, a man whose face presented an exceptional fighting experience.
And among them was a familiar crow, the vile creature she failed to capture.
"Long time no see! Remember me?~" A familiar voice chirped.
A squelch emanated from their rather rough landing. The opposing group landed on a pool of blood that gushed from a long-dead human - a gesture that enraged Rias, who hid the ferocity of a thousand suns within an emotionless and calculating facade.
"I brought my friends, as you can see!~ This little brat is Mittelt!" A narrowed pair of eyes met hers. "This old-ass motherfucker is Dohnaseek!" As a response, the said man pumped, conditioning his body for imminent combat "This is my Kalawarner!" The said woman smirked, acting as if she was high and mighty "We are bricked up, so get ready! Here we come, BITCH!" Rayner cackled.
"You brought your friends? Oh, the better~" Her queen, Akeno, taunted as a smile that seemed to reach her ears split her face. Lighting then crackled around her fingertips, its growling ferocity bombarding the surroundings with its sheer light. "Y'know, last time Butchou almost killed you - Well, if she did, I'd be disappointed~" She chirped in a singing voice. "But now, I get to kill you AND your friends~" She licked her lips in anticipation, flustered at the thought of torture.
"I agree…" Koneko nodded monotonously. She brought her arms up and squared her stance.
"If so…" Rias let out a smirk. "Give them hell!"
"YES!"
"FOOL! WE LIVE THERE TO!"
Koneko stomped the ground, shattering the earth beneath their feet, disrupting the guards of their enemies. They took advantage as they went on the offensive, not letting up on the opportunity of a quick victory. She went for the weakest to reduce the amount of obstacles that might pose a problem later on.
But, even after seeing the blatant advance against her, Mittelt hesitated. Before she saw the Rook of Gremory face-to-face, she thought she could win. However, the moment she set her eyes upon the real thing, she, understandably, shivered at the thought of fighting against such a force of nature.
But this was not the time to be afraid, Mittelt thought. She shook those doubts away as she adorned a fake facade of confidence. "Bring it on, brat!" She yelled in defiance as she summoned a spear of light. Though weaker than her supposed allies, it was still enough to pierce through a Low-Class Devil.
However, the fight was rather anticlimactic.
Mittelt was left unconscious by a precise strike to the solar plexus. People affected by the entity can reform even from the smallest particles. Yes, but that does not mean they cannot be rendered unconscious.
One down.
Koneko's eyes turned to Kalawaner, who still had a smug grin on her. "So what? Mittelt is the weakest AMONG US! There's no way-"
Dohnaseek widened his eyes in shock, seeing Kalawaner's unconscious body crash into the pulsing walls after being hit with an attack so potent that the wind itself seemed dispersed and gushed through the surroundings. The after-effects' pressure blinded him; its sonic boom eviscerated his eardrums, disrupting his guard. Such a weakness was easy to exploit, which Koneko took advantage of without a second thought.
The rook of Gremory twisted her body and cocked her fist. She released it in a gush of overwhelmingly potent strikes aimed at the Fallen's liver, only to be weaved and countered, slammed to the ground.
The earth shattered beneath them.
"What's WRO-" Suddenly, as if Koneko had lived her entire life as a cat, she slipped out of his grasp and twisted her petite body to deliver a potent and precise kick to the chin, momentarily disrupting the Fallen's guard. It was enough for Koneko to completely escape his grasp.
She backpedaled, just as the Fallen tried to snatch her small and light body, countering him with a precise strike to the throat. Choking at his own blocked diaphragm, she swiped his feet, making the Fallen fall face-first into the ground. A grunt of pain escaped his dried lips as he tried to wriggle his body.
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING DOHNASEEK!? GREMORY JUST SLIPPED THROUGH!" Raynere yelled, her eyes seemingly bulging out of their sockets, angered at her tool's faultiness.
Rias Gremory took advantage of the chaos her peerage created for her to slip through the defenses to finish the mission as soon as possible. She trusted them to win against the low-class crows, knowing their strengths and weaknesses; she was right. The risk she took worked out, though it went past her as she continued her trek, never looking back.
Dohnaseek eyed his supposed leader defiantly, irritated by her constant blabbering, and rightfully so.
"YOU USELESS MOTHERFU-" A gasp of air left her throat as a precise strike seemed to bulge her stomach outwards unnaturally.
Raynere looked at her assailant, who smirked in mockery.
"We ARE YOUR ENEMY NOW!" Akeno howled in a fit of bashful emotions. "FOCUS ON US, CROW!" She let raging electricity flow from her being to her target.
It electrified Raynere's broken insides; a scream of agony broke out, which Akeno found to be…
Rather entertaining.
"You AREN'T supposed to be this physically ade-" A sudden strike to the solar plexus disproved Raynere's thoughts.
It was a common misconception, a stereotype. In the eyes of others, a Devil's Queen only ever used long-range magical attacks to stand a chance against their opponents. They could not be further from the truth.
"THERE'S MORE!" In quick succession, Akeno delivered swift and bashful strikes to her battered body; she finished her assault by delivering a wide palm to the Fallen's solar plexus. Upon impact, she let magic so ravenous and unpredictable that it was perceived as a storm flow through; it rendered Raynere unresponsive, and her unconscious body fell to the ground without as much resistance.
It was as if the Fallen had her life taken away from her, but Akeno knew otherwise.
"WHAT NOW!?" Akeno cackled derangedly as she stomped on her bowels. "WHAT NOW, HUH!? YOUR INTANGIBILITY TO EVERYTHING, WHERE IS IT!?" She mocked; she did not even care if the Fallen heard it. All she wanted was to deliver those words from her deep well of hatred against the race that once made her life a living hell.
She had a face of ecstasy but within was burning rage. How can such creatures be left unpunished?
"Himejima-senpai…" Koneko called out. Her face was still one of those of a poker. But within herself, she was quite disturbed.
Upon hearing the girl's call, an imaginary switch was flipped as she immediately dispersed the rage within her in favor of her fellow peerage member's exclamation. A different persona then emerged, one that depicted worry. Her fellow peerage members were the family she could have had, if not for her unfortunate past.
"Are you all right?" Akeno asked as she approached the girl at a slow pace.
"I am all right, Himejima-senpai." Koneko answered bashfully, lifting her head from Dohnaseek's bloodied head. Though still worried about what she saw, she retained her usual expression of poker.
After hearing that however, Akeno's usual persona emerged as if nothing had happened. "Ufufufu~ You're such a meanie~!" she pouted but then, she immediately went to the heart of the most important topic. "Well then~" She chirped playfully. "Let's go? Rias might need our assistance. Knowing the type of person she is~" She said casually as if ignoring one important fact.
"But…" Koneko intercepted her.
"Hm~?" Akeno hummed curiously.
"The crows," Koneko muttered slowly. "Should we ensure that they truly are unconscious and secure their bodies? If they wake up-"
"No need to worry~" Akeno intercepted her words while grinning confidently. "After all…" A wide, mocking smile split her beautiful face.
"THEY ARE WEAK!"
Whizzing through the air were two forces of unimaginable speed. Weaving their attacks skillfully, they formed paintings of pure efficiency.
Second by second, blood spilled the ground before irregularly forming into the beasts they knew their enemies to be, strain invisible from the other, brown-haired combatant, his mere speed alone surpassing and utterly stomping the limitations of their enemies' ability to perceive.
Upperhand was imminent, though the other could not help but question his strength, his forte, speed.
The Knight was skilled and especially fast, one of the fastest his race had to offer. There was no doubt that he was strong, especially for a devil whose experience did not even reach a few decades. But compared to "Hyoudou Issei", he felt as if he was nothing, a worm some might say, beneath the heels of inconceivable power.
Though, given the knight's immense potential, in theory, he would reach his peak soon. But would it even matter?
Kiba gritted his teeth, struggling to keep up the pace. Yes, he could pierce the sound barrier when exerting his body to its limit. But the pace "Hyoudou Issei" maintained flawlessly was undoubtedly infinitely higher than his. If he was this incapable, then how would he enact his purpose? How would he do what he wanted to achieve, the long-awaited thought of vengeance?
Kiba gritted his teeth in frustration, angered. The thoughts rumbled within his mind like an earthquake. But he knew he had to set those trivial thoughts aside. In a simple shake of his head, everything faded to none. He had to fight for his master's sake; this was no time to think. Focus!
[BOOST!]
Caught "off guard" by the sudden exclamation of a draconian force, he "twisted" his foot. His posture seemed to be destroyed, like a building reduced to none by an earthquake. The beasts were quick to take note, slithering with the intent to kill. But such weakness was nothing more than a diversion.
Abruptly, Hyoudou Issei grabbed his collar and threw him with unimaginable force; the pressure met the knight's skin, flattening it. In an instant, the Kiba's acceleration matched his.
Blades, intentionally elongated to the point of fantasy materialized in Kiba's tightened grasp. Testing their strength, he crossed the two together, sparking a sound of grazing metal. He was amazed; the blades were far more durable and stronger than what he was capable of.
He knew it could only be possible with the boost of power granted by the second ascension of the Boosted Gear. But if it was the case, did Koneko mistake his scent? No, that's impossible. A nekomata's senses are far more refined than even his master's. There is simply no way she can be mistaken.
But he knew he had to focus.
Faster than he had ever been, he cleaved through lumps of flesh with surprising accuracy. Though troubled, he got used to the whizzing sensation of speed faster than he anticipated. He swung his blade. The beast's inside served nothing but butter against a heated knife.
Kiba never faltered. He never wavered. He sped up, always keeping with the other's pace. The acceleration his body gathered through his constant locomotion was massive, enough to shred through enemies with its sheer force alone.
But it was disrupted abruptly by a call. "…Yuto," Hyoudou called out, seriously and hardened.
"What is it?" Kiba asked for confirmation, his words cryptic and forced.
"Go," Hyoudou said cryptically. "…I can handle the bastards all on my own." Seeing his face of confusion, he elaborated further. "…Even though your battle potency is lower than the others, your help would still matter in the grand scheme of things, especially against that thing." He hissed in remembrance, upping the pace even more.
Kiba hesitated. His power, not boosted by the Boosted Gear, can be mediocre. Despite that, he can still see a shred of logic in Hyoudou's words. Even the heaviest hitters would not be enough to take down such a monstrosity with sheer power alone.
Something is needed to balance that out. Speed.
Gritting his teeth, Kiba broke off from the harmony with him.
The beasts tried to attack, only to be fended off by the superior power.
"GO!" Hyoudou commanded with irritation.
Kiba accelerated, whizzing through the air. His speed was noticeably worse, but he paid no mind. After all, it was to be expected. Besides, he had to hurry because every second matters.
.
Fortunately, with the acceleration he gathered and maintained for himself, he saw the other's silhouettes in no time. He sighed in relief, slowing down as he approached those he held dear.
"You're a tad bit early, Senpai," Koneko remarked monotonously. "…Don't worry, we already took care of the stinky crows."
Akeno nodded with a seductive smile, confirming what her fellow member said.
"I see." Kiba acknowledged as he nodded quickly. "…Did you secure the bodies?" he dived to a different, more serious topic.
"There's simply no need to." Akeno chirped confidently. "…If they wake up and try to attack once more, it would only prolong their misery~"
"If it were me, I would've." He sighed in disagreement. "But if that's what you want. Then-" A whizzing "object" disrupted their ground, flung at the pulsing walls. The sudden occurrence shocked the three, forcing all to stop.
Shook at what transpired, all had to regain their bearings. Kiba struggled to regain his equilibrium. Koneko shrugged her shoulders before popping her knuckles for battle. Akeno lit up. Her grasp began cackling the wildest of storms.
"Everyone. We might have a problem." A familiar voice echoed throughout the veiny columns. Slowly, she approached her peerage, her face hardened and serious. Blood seemed to trickle down her face, an unusual sight.
They were confused at what he witnessed. Then, they looked at the speaker, who let out a sigh of exasperation.
"The worst has happened, unfortunately," Rias responded cryptically, gritting her teeth in frustration. It was as if she was frustrated at failing to stop something threatening. It was a failure, enough to shake her spirit once more.
"What do you mean, Butchou?" Kiba asked in a low, respectful tone. It was the second time in a row his master showed such emotions, such despair. He struggled to come up with a clear answer. Of course, it would concern their safety, but what was it exactly?
Suddenly, she began to speak, her voice far from pleased. "The Eye of the Storm…"
A familiar crow stood up in condescendance; the widest smirk they had ever seen seemed to fuse on her face, splitting it in half.
"…Has found its new host."
A/N: YO, hisashiburi mina-san! This is the only week I was given enough time to write this, because I had to attend online classes and do my dues. But uh, yeah. So, to people who will be angry with the changes I made, sorry, but I had to. I want to write this story as far from the canon as possible. And besides, after the meeting of the three factions, this fanfiction would start a different, fanfiction original, plot. Just trust me on this, I've been indulging in a lot of peak fiction. Because, as much as some find "Arguable Reader" annoying, he, to some extent, does make sense. Fate x DxD has long became soulless and unoriginal.
And uh, lastly, the format of writing used in this chapter is only experimental. So, do what any people do, review the things I can improve. Tell me if you guys can clearly understand the pronouns and characters. If not, I'll immediately act on it.
Arigato Gozaimasu!