For all that is beautiful

by esdeath's thicc thighs

Across many battlefields, he walked a lonely path. To believe in himself, to rely only on himself. The fate of humanity rested on his shoulders alone. Then one day, as the burden grew heavier, he looked behind him and realized that he wasn't as alone as he thought. They were his pillars, he was their hope. Ichigo Kurosaki shall see that he protects them all.

7. Chapter 7

The Light had gone out and the area had been plunged into darkness, despite that, thanks to devil physiology they were perfectly capable of seeing in the dark. With Rias in the center, and her peerage covering her on all sides, they looked around their surroundings to sense where their enemy was hiding. From the reports, the stray preferred to do hit and run tactics, slowly driving their enemy into a weakened state, only to then deliver the finishing blow. Add in that she could meld with the shadows around them, and she was an assassin ready to plunge a knife into their back when they least expect it.

"Careful guys, this isn't a run of the mill stray devil, keep your eyes peeled, and your guard ready for an enemy attack." Rias warned as she kept an eye out, stretching her senses to see just where the stray could have hidden.

"Yes. Madam President." Her companions responded. Luckily the fight was taking place on some random road with the only surroundings being the nearby forest and street lamps, with some houses a bit off in the distance. Otherwise the noise and damage of the incoming fight would be a bit difficult to hide.

Yuuto who thus far has been keeping his guard up with his sword in hand ready to react at a moment's notice, sensed something on the floor near him. Turning to look, it was only by instinct that he was able to raise his sword up in time to block the shadow sword that Evelyn was holding in her hand as she materialized from ground up in a thrust position to stab at him. Widening his eyes in surprise, Evelyn who had materialized next to him, launched herself once more in the air before fading into darkness.

Calming his heart after almost losing his head, Yuuto who had taken up a stance readied himself once more. As for the rest, they had all been greatly surprised at how easily the stray had managed to slip past their guard.

"I didn't even sense her!?" Akeno exclaimed.

"I only managed to feel her after she had swung her sword." Rias said, a troubled look on her face.

Readying themselves, it wasn't a few moments later that Evelyn saw another opening. Seeing the little white-haired girl, Koneko, who had her back completely unguarded, Evelyn's shadowed form that could completely hide her presence and aura right before her attack, slashed her sword forward as she once more materialized. Though this time, it was Evelyn who got caught off guard, turning around at the last second, Koneko's arm punched forward, the sheer strength of her fist and durability breaking the shadowed sword into remnants.

"Hoh~ interesting." Unbothered by that, another sword materialized in her hand as she moved to strike again. Stepping back, Koneko dodged the attack before bringing her fist back and punching forwards with the strength to crush boulders into dust. Dodging to the side, the blast of wind pressure lightly blew Evelyn's bangs as she came face to face with Koneko. Materializing a dagger in hand, Evelyn swiped for the girls' neck, only to be met by a magic circle taking the hit for her.

"Tsk" Jumping backwards as a lightning bolt struck the ground she was just at, Evelyn once more dematerialized back into the darkness.

"Koneko, are you alright!?" Rias called out in worry.

"I'm fine." Koneko replied calmly.

"Good. Still, how did you manage to react, I didn't even sense her coming up behind you." Rias asked, a troubled look on her face.

"Simple. Just because she can hide her presence, doesn't mean she can hide her killing intent, I merely reacted to the intent placed on me." Koenko replied matter-of-factly.

"Killing Intent? Ah, yes, your enhanced senses can perceive things better than we can." Rias understood now.

"Not exactly, anyone can detect killing intent if they have experienced many life and death situations or trained themselves to feel it, I'm just better at sensing such things." Koneko explained.

"Can you pin point her position?" Rias asked.

"No, not unless she directs her intent towards me, but think of it like a chill up your spine, the brush of cold steel at your neck, the feeling of your heart missing a beat, your hair standing on end. It's a bit difficult to describe but that's what I feel when I sense such things." Koneko explained.

"Then I guess we'll have to play the defensive role here." Rias stated grimly.

Not a moment sooner, the stray appeared once more behind Yuuto, still, the boy managed to react in time to block the strike, unbothered, Evelyn proceeded to dematerialize before appearing once more behind his back. This back and forth between dodging and reacting lasted a few moments before a blast of destruction energy was shot forward by Rias. Jumping back, the energy blast crashed into her spot, leaving a sizeable hole in the ground as she jumped back into the shadows.

"Damn, another miss." Rias said frustrated.

"It's going to be a problem if we can't find a way to pin her down for a just a moment." Akeno commented.

"Heh~ you are all pretty good, despite your inexperience, still, how long can you keep this up before one of you falls." Evelyn taunted from the shadows.

"Why don't you come and face us and see just how long this will last." Rias shot back, her eyes taking in her surroundings.

"It will be my pleasure, I don't want this getting too boring for me after all~" Soon enough multiple figures started appearing around the group. Appearing as swirling meshes of shadows, they soon took the form of Evelyn, all wielding a weapon in hand.

"These are…shadow clones." Rias stated, seeing the figures for what they were.

"Precisely." All the clones spoke at the same time as they gave the group a chilling smile.

"What do we do Rias?" Akeno questioned as she eyed her surroundings.

"One of them must be the real one, it's only a matter of figuring out which one." Rias said. based on the videos and reports on her abilities, Rias knew what to expect to a certain extent. There were around 20 clones, any one of them could be Evelyn, and yet seeing the clones charging at them, there wasn't much time to think as they had to engage.

Charging forward to meet the enemy, Yuuto cut through first clone at the lead. Swiping his blade to side, Yuuto met resistance as it was blocked by a clone, with another one coming up behind him, though a fist to the skull made short work of it as Koneko was at his side in an instant.

"Thanks for the assist." Yuuto smiled.

"Watch my back." Koneko responded.

With that the duo engaged 8 clones at the same time.

BOOM*

Thunder crashed down from the sky in a flash, completely incinerating the clones near Akeno. To her left, Rias whose hands were enveloped in the power of destruction, sent a wave forward, obliterating the clones into nothing as they attempted to get close to her.

"Hmm, this is easy." Akeno commented.

"Yeah, and here I thought they would be more problematic." Rias said as she sent another blast of destruction towards the clones. Having annihilated the group that had attacked them, Rias and Akeno diverted their attention to Koneko and Yuuto.

"GAH!" a scream of pain resounded through the area. Turning to look, Rias eyes were surprised to see Yuuto be punched in the gut by Koneko who suddenly sported a surprised expression on her face.

"W-What are you doing Koneko!?" Rias exclaimed as she blasted the clones in her way.

"Yuuto!" Rushing towards the injured boy, Akeno checked on him as he held his gut in pain after being hit by his own teammate.

Destroying the last few clones, Rias reached Koneko who stood frozen in place, a shocked expression on her face as she stared at her hand after what she had just done. Looking down at her, Rias face was both a mix of anger and concern.

"What is the meaning of this Koneko! Explain yourself!" Rias ordered as she glared at her Rook.

"I-I'm sorry, I just-I thought I saw a clone behind me, I just reacted out of instinct and struck it. Though the next moment all I see is my fist buried into Yuuto's gut." Koneko said slightly shaken from having attacked her friend.

"What? You saw a clone in Yuuto's place? Is that what you are saying." Rias questioned, her expression turning confused.

"Yes. Yuuto was watching my back, though the moment I turn all I see is the stray behind me." Koneko said as she looked at Rias, her eyes conflicted.

"I see. So, that's the game she is playing at." Rias said as she suddenly realized something, her face serious, as cold fury overtakes her features.

"I-I'm sorry." Koneko apologized once more, her head down in shame.

"It's not your fault Koneko, you merely ended up falling for the stray's illusion magic for a moment, it isn't your fault but mine for not informing you guys about it." Rias said as she patted Koneko's head in reassurance.

"Illusion Magic?" Koneko said as she looked up at Rias, her eyes seeking confirmation.

Yes, her eyes have a way to trick the mind and cause illusions into anyone who gazes at her. Though it seems she decided to use that power on you to take out Yuuto from the fight." Rias explained as she looked towards said boy who was being helped up by Akeno.

"I see." Letting out a relieved sigh, Koneko still looked ashamed of her actions, though she now realized that things were out of her control after hearing Rias explanation.

"Still, her Illusion magic is not absolute, a strong enough mind can easily discern the truth from falsehood, we'll just have to be more careful from now on." Rias said as she checked her surroundings after defeating all the shadow clones.

"Of course, though it's a shame that you don't count in that number~" confused at that statement, Rias only had a moment to react as Koneko materialized a dagger in her hand lunged forward. Kicking off the ground in surprise, Rias power of destruction enveloped her body before blasting it out in all directions, successfully pushing Koneko back as she managed to stop in her tracks and jump back.

"Awww~ I failed." Koneko said with a sadistic smile on her face, her eyes staring into Rias own.

"You! You aren't Koneko!" Rias said as she realized what just happened. The next moment the imposter slowly shifted into the taller figure of Evelyn as she looked at Rias with a playful look in her eyes.

"Looks like the cats out of the bag, oh well, I didn't think it would be that easy to take you down." Evelyn shrugged.

"What did you do with Koneko!" Rias questioned, her tone frigid.

"My oh my, why they are right here~" Evelyn said amused at her reaction. Clapping her hands, the area soon shifted to reveal what hid underneath. Widening her eyes in shock, Rias stared at Koneko and Yuuto fallen forms, the cuts on them bleeding fresh as they laid on the ground. Turning to look at Akeno, she also realized that the Yuuto she was helping dispersed into thin air, the illusion no longer holding it active.

"How? When did you do this!? Rias exclaimed.

"When you ask? Simple. The moment I unleashed my Shadow clones, all it takes is a glance into my eyes you know. Still I guess those two on the ground did give me a decent fight, though luckily for you, they are still alive, after all, I want to see your face when I kill your peerage in front of you." Evelyn said as she licked her lips, a sinister smile spreading across her face.

Clutching her hands tightly into fists, Rias stared at Evelyn's own eyes, what she would give to wipe that smirk off her face. Still, it wouldn't do her good to act so impulsively, not with two of her peerage members lives on the line. She could feel her connection with them still there, so she knew they were alive, yet, it was slowly weakening the longer she waited.

"So, what will you do? Face me, rescue them, or perhaps throw them aside and save yourself." Evelyn challenged as she spread her arms dramatically.

"Rias…" Akeno called out to her as she approached, her friends' eyes no longer holding the calm and confident look in them, instead it was a tempest that was slowly brewing within her ready to unleash it on the one who hurt her friends.

Sigh*

Coming to a decision, Rias knew what to do.

"Akeno." Rias called out to her Queen.

"Yes." She asked.

"Take Koneko and Yuuto out of here and back to the club room to be healed." Rias ordered as she began to walk forwards.

"BUT-" Akeno was about to protest, clearly not liking what Rias was about to do. Sure, she could save both Yuuto and Koneko, but that would mean she would leave her King behind, her friend to fight alone.

"Akeno! You have your orders." Rias said, leaving no room for protest.

"I…understand, please be careful, Rias." Akeno said as she rushed towards Koneko and Yuuto's position.

"You think I'll let you." Evelyn said as she prepared to intercept. Though a blast of destruction soon stopped her in her tracks as she narrowly avoided getting killed by the volatile power.

"You dare turn your eyes away from me, Stray." Rias said as she radiated the power of destruction from her body, her bloodline power calling for the destruction of her enemies.

"Hoh~ So the Gremory wants to face me herself, HAH! You think you can take me!" Evelyn said as she pointed her shadowed sword at her, unbothered by Rias display of power.

"I won't know until I try." Rias said calmly. Turning to look behind Evelyn, Rias saw Akeno activating a teleportation circle on the ground, ready to escort the heavily injured Yuuto and Koneko back home. Normally she would have retreated along with them, no point in putting her life at risk for no reason. Though seeing how the Stray wouldn't give them a chance to leave, Rias did what she had to save her peerage members, to stay behind and fight.

Though if she also had another reason, it would be…

"I'll be back as soon as I can, so please hold out till then Rias!" Akeno called out before getting teleported away in a crimson light.

To break this bitch in front of her.

"No need, by the time you're back, there will be nothing left of her." Rias uttered as she started walking towards the stray. Her every step quaking with the power of destruction, a crimson-black aura enveloped her as she neared the stray, her sharp eyes piercing into the strays own catlike eyes.

"How interesting, your power is surging so violently that even I feel a bit wary." Though Evelyn said it casually, there was a bit of apprehension within her voice as she slowly took a battle stance. After all, Rias was a noble of the 72 pillars, a High-class devil with the noble lineage of one of the strongest clans in the devil world. Even if it's just a cub, a tiger is still a tiger and Evelyn will do best to not underestimate the foe standing before her.

Standing before her, the weight of her power washed over the area and painted the surroundings in her despairing aura of crimson destruction. Given the title of crimson-haired ruin princess, despite how cringe it made her feel at times, was an earned title due to her power. While nowhere near her brother who was a complete monster in terms of power, she was a force to be reckoned with. Now here as she stood before the stray, Rias could only sigh at what she was about to do that earned her that title.

Contrary to popular belief, Rias didn't just focus on ranged attacks, she wasn't always the mage type to fight from the back and rain destruction on her enemies. Oh no, she switched to that style after seeing how inelegant she used to be in battle, of how unladylike and crass it was. Thankfully, no one will be able to witness her performance, having sent everyone away, the stray will learn what she used to be like.

Her hands clenched into fists as the power of destruction coated them, spelling death to anyone on the receiving end of her fist.

"Huh, what are-" Evelyn didn't have time to finish that sentence as Rias was suddenly in front of her in an instant, her fist already poised to strike her face. Reacting out of instinct, Evelyn raised her sword to block, only for Rias fist to break her sword instantly, the devastating blast of destruction contained within blasting her off into to the forest, crashing through trees and bushes before eating dirt as she failed to regain her balance from such an overwhelming attack.

Getting up from the ground and dusting herself off, Evelyn was surprised at the sudden power the young girl released. With her expression slowly shifting to excitement as she summoned another sword to prepare herself for a true battle ahead. Looking into the distance from where she was previously at, Evelyn could see a red star heading right for her!

Jumping back, the red star of destruction crashed into her previous position, the shockwave sending dirt and rocks everywhere, as well as leaving a sizeable crater on the ground from where Rias impacted. This time not to be caught off guard, Evelyn was ready to react as she stretched her senses to the max. Not a moment later, Rias came walking out the crater, her crimson aura shrouding her.

"I'll admit, you surprised me. But, don't think for a second that you will be able to kill me if that's all you have to offer." Evelyn said as her surroundings slowly darkened, shadowed forms slowly rising from the ground once more.

"After all, there's now more of me than there are of you." With that Evelyn melded with the darkness as she sent her clones to battle.

Unbothered at having been surrounded, Rias stepped out the crater to meet the oncoming force. The first to meet her, Rias threw a straight punch into its face, destroying it in the process, a swing of a sword at her back, Rias swiftly turned, backhanded the sword and proceeded to kick the clone in the abdomen, the force of it putting a hole through the clone. Taking a chance of her unbalanced position, another attempted to reach her, its sword looking to stab through her. with the same leg she had raised, Rias accumulated power into it before stomping the floor, the resulting wave sent the clone flying into the forest from the force.

Seeing this, Evelyn who hid in the shadows merely frowned before sending the rest of her clones to attack her at the same time. Turning around after sending the clone flying, Rias saw the rest of the clones charging at her, their golden eyes glowing in the darkness as Rias caught the eyes of one at the back.

"There she is." Rias though to herself before something in the Stray's gaze shifted, like a flash of something. Turning her attention back to the clones, Rias eyes widened as they took the forms of people she knew, of her peerage, her parents, her brother, her friends.

Even Ichigo…

All of them were coming at her with varying amounts of expression in their eyes, like she had done something to make them angry. Her parents looked at her like they were ashamed of her, that she had failed to uphold her duty as heiress of the great clan Gremory. Her dearest brother whose expression shifted into disappointment, as if staring at someone who didn't live up to his expectations. Her peerage members with varying degrees of disgust, anger and hatred, as if she had failed them as their king, their leader.

Despite that, it was the look of deep betrayal that Ichigo sported that hurt her the most, his scowl shifting in between anger and disappointment. If for a moment, Rias heart wavered, her resolve crumbling at seeing this, yet, she knew it wasn't real, but, in her mind, they were doubts that always plagued her.

To live up to her name.

To live up to her brother.

To live up to being a good leader, a good king.

And…

To live up to her heart's desire.

Shaking her head to rid herself of distractions, Rias gaze soon morphed into one of anger as she looked into the eyes of the stray hidden in the forest.

"Congratulations, you've pissed me off now." Rias said as she put her palms together, unbothered by the approaching enemies that started to rush her. The power of destruction coalesced into an orb of destruction, the swirling mass of energy raging fiercely as it tried to remain in shape despite the power being pumped into it.

"In the face of overwhelming power, all manner of trickery is useless!" the words spoken to her by her brother once. Having charged up her attack sufficiently Rias stared into the face of her enemy before swinging her arms wide. The energy contained within expanding out just as the clones reached her.

BOOOOOMMMM!*

The resulting explosion not only wiped out the clones around her, but also reached Evelyn who had remained at the edge of the battlefield, watching her. Had anyone been around the area they would have noticed a sudden flash of red expanding out like a dome before a large part of the forest was suddenly wiped out from the area, leaving nothing but cracked earth and a sizeable clearing.

Huff*

Catching her breath, Rias was not used to expanding so much demonic energy in a battle, then again, she did kind of go all out on that last attack. Seeing the vast destruction, no tree remained in the area, only a crater that expanded out where a good portion of a forest once stood.

"Maybe I should have toned it down a bit." Rias sweat dropped as she saw the damage. Well, nothing like hiring a druid or something can't fix to replenish the forest, though removing her demonic taint over the land would take a while.

"Now then, where did you go." Keeping her eyes peeled, Rias guard was up as she approached the last known position of the stray right before she blew up the forest. The only sound of her footsteps upon cracked earth as she strode towards the area. Though all she saw was a whole lot of nothing.

"Did I kill her?" it wouldn't surprise her if the stray had ended up dying from her attack, after all, she had put a good portion of her power into it, enough that anyone below ultimate class would have either received severe injuries or just outright be annihilated from existence. Rias hoped for the former though as she preferred to confirm the body first just to make sure they actually died.

Still, no matter how far she stretched her senses, Rias couldn't detect anything. "Huh, she either died or she ran away." Those were the only two conclusions Rias could make she surveyed the area and found nothing.

Sigh*

Deciding that any further searching would be fruitless, especially in such a remote area of town, Rias called it quits as she contacted Akeno.

"Akeno, how are Yuuto and Koneko." Rias asked, concern for the health of her servants.

"Huh? Rias! Are you alright!" Akeno asked in return, surprised at being called despite the fact that she had left her king to battle the stray alone.

"I'm fine, I've taken care of it." Rias said as she summoned her wings to get a better vantage point over the area.

"What!? You won? Did you kill the stray!?" Akeno asked, shocked as it hadn't been that long since she had left.

"I think so, though I don't know if I killed the stray or she retreated." Rias commented as she flew around the area, her eyes taking her surroundings

"I see. Well, regardless of the outcome, I'm happy you're ok, come back quickly, I've managed to stabilize the two, but they'll require further healing if they want to fully recover." Akeno said, her tone carrying a hint of urgency.

"I'm on my way." Giving one last look at the area, Rias summoned a teleportation circle and disappeared from the area. Not a moment too soon a disheveled figure soon emerged from the shadows, soon giving shape to Evelyn's heavily injured form. Not only were all her clothes destroyed from the attack, but she had also lost her left arm after failing to conjure a strong enough defense to take on the attack. She had tried to shift into her shadow form, but, the sudden attack was too fast before she could do so, leaving her no choice but to rely on her resilience to survive the attack.

The fact that she managed to survive the attack with only her left arm as a sacrifice was a miracle on itself.

"ha…haha…Hahaha" letting out a few pained chuckles, Evelyn looked to the sky as she smiled in satisfaction. To think the Gremory Bitch would hold such power, perhaps she had underestimated her, after all, seeing how she fought, how she took down her many clones, she looked like a berserker that destroyed everything in her path, a walking disaster.

"I guess this is what they mean when the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree." Honestly, Power types like that were some of the worst matchups for Evelyn who relied on stealth and tricks to take down opponents, sure her skill with the sword was real, but, she can't do much with that when the embodiment of destruction could simply just nuke the area.

Still, she could count her lucky stars that she managed to evade death, if only for a time considering the injuries she sustained. It would take some time to regenerate from this, and she will have to lay low for a while.

"Ah, so tired…" Gazing up at the moon up high, Evelyn closed her eyes as she faded into the shadows.

---

Just like the Monarch had said, he was thrusted into the dream world over and over, every memory he could take in, every moment of his life, the experience, the emotions, the good and bad, all of it.

The old man that took him in, like the guiding light when he most needed it when he lost everything, that was where his life began, his new life. They traveled together, and in that time, the old man showed him the state of the world for what it was. To say things were bad, would be an understatement. Dubbed the dark age of mankind, for hope did not exist in that era, a world plagued by war, disease, suffering, and death. It was a world in which only the strong could survive, for the Great War had left its mark on the world, a scarred planet held together by the divine will of the world and its Gods, otherwise the hunk of rock would have shattered long ago by the stray shots of power that occasionally hit the planet from the ongoing war somewhere else.

Still, the humans that survived the devastation, built cities from the remnants, with Tyrants and Warlords left to rule over the vestiges of mankind. They were the law of the land, and any who opposed them would get the death penalty. For survival of the fittest was the law, and any who sought protection would have to bend the knee to those who were mightier than them. Either that or die to the nightmares and monsters that resided outside the city walls. Still, the Old man was strong, and no matter what horrific being attacked them, they would all perish regardless.

In their Travels, the old man asked him a question "Having witnessed all that you have seen, what do you think?" it was an honest question, a mere curiosity from the old man to hear the thoughts of a child no older than 9. Still, Ichigo who despite having seen the worst life had to offer, even being dealt a bad hand at life, what with his family dead as well as his home destroyed, the young boy that was forced to mature despite his age, gave the old man a sincere answer as he thought over the question.

"I want to help them." The boy said sincerely.

"Help them? why?" the old man asked, curiosity in his voice.

"Despite what I have seen of them, of their cruelty, the despair, the fear and madness. I guess I just feel that they are the same as me, of when I lost everything dear to me. Then you appeared…you gave me hope. I want to be like you in that aspect, to help them, to save them, to give them hope once more." The boy said, his hardened eyes, and light scowl softening as he had a small smile on his face.

"Hope, huh, and you think a boy like you can give that back to the world that has been forsaken long ago." The old man asked, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

"Heh, I won't know unless I try. So, please, make me strong, strong enough that nothing will ever be able to take anything away from me, strong enough that I'll be able to protect everyone." The young boy said as he kneeled before the old man, a plea to seek strength from him, to make his desire possible.

"…first rule, bow to no one. The strong have no need to do such things, to beg is for the weak, to stand up for what you desire is what the strong do. So once more stand up, look me in the eyes and ask me what you want." The old man said sharply.

Doing so, Ichigo got back up, his eyes hardening as he looked into the old man's eyes, his radiant golden eyes piercing through him, almost like they judged him, as if his gaze saw all that he was and would become. Still, as the old man looked into the chocolate brown eyes of the boy, the resolve clear within, the determination to go down the path he sought. A smile stretched across his face as he saw it.

"Make me Strong." Was the simple request.

"Good, much better." Witnessing the boy before him, amusement surged within the old man, perhaps, there was a chance that hope could be renewed into the world and beyond.

And it will all begin with him.

In the coming years, the Old man would show him the way, from working his body to become stronger, to hand-to-hand combat, weapon handling, combat techniques, survival training, to push his senses to greater heights. The number of times he had hurt himself in his training, to almost getting killed against the monsters that he occasionally ran into in his training, to getting friendly with the floor when the old man decided to teach him something. His body broke down only to be built up once more, like a piece of clay, the old man molded him into a better shape after each trial, to become stronger, sharper, fiercer, and powerful. No matter what stood before him, the old man would make sure that he would be prepared, he would build him up to be the pillar of man, a guiding light that inspires hope into the world, or in his words…

A Hero.

An appropriate title for one that seeks to make the impossible possible, to emerge victorious no matter the odds stacked against them, all in an effort to create a miracle. For that would be his purpose, one he chose to walk down on.

It wasn't long until the boy became a man, at the age of 18, the boy now stood at an impressive height, the defined muscle showing his years of training despite the cloth covering them, his long shaggy hair that reached his shoulders, and a face hardened and chiseled into perfection, showing his clear handsomeness. The aura of confidence to face any trial ahead, to face any foe head on, to seek out victory, and to bring order where chaos now reigned.

Though the old man built up the boy to be a hero, he could see the boy had the making to be a great leader, a king.

A proud look appeared in the old man's eyes as he looked at the boy he had saved on a whim, a mere curiosity in his life. After all, he had come down to the world to seek out something, a variable, an anomaly, perhaps he had found it in the boy he saved all those years ago. Who can say if anything will turn up from that choice he made, after all, despite the power the old man held, looking at the determined eyes of the man before him, even he didn't know what the future held as he gazed into those powerful orbs, as he felt the weight of his soul.

"From all the things that I've accomplished, of all the beings and things I've created, and all the years that I have lived, I can say that you have truly opened my eyes, boy." The old man said his arms crossed as he looked at the young man before him with pride.

"Thanks, Old man, that means a lot coming from you, though what is it that you wanted to see me for." Ichigo asked curiously, a small smile on his face.

"I want to give you a gift, one that only a select few would ever have the privilege to wield, and as a reward, for making this old man proud." He said, a smile on his face.

"A gift? You don't have to, after all, you have done more for me than I have for you, if anything I should be the one giving you a gift." Ichigo protested, not wanting to take more than he has already received.

"Nonsense. Besides, the gift I will give you will prove useful in your journey ahead, wherever it may take you. Also, you never know, perhaps one day, far into the future, the world, No! All of Creation! will call your name for aid. A plea for a hero to save us all." The Old man said to a confused Ichigo.

"I see. Well then who am I to say no to that logic." Ichigo said, clearly amused at the old man's words, though not dismissing them as a joke as Ichigo knew the old man was more than he let on, having lived with the old man for years now.

"Good, now then close your eyes for a moment." The old man instructed.

Doing as he was told, Ichigo closed his eyes, imagining just what the old man wanted to give him.

"Good, now then open your eyes." The old man said after a moment.

Doing so Ichigo slowly opened his eyes before taking in his new surroundings. A shocked expression formed on his face as he looked around him, for no longer were they on the mountain that he had trained for so long. Instead the surroundings were replaced by a wondrous scene, a "tree" stood before him, an enormous trunk reaching towards the stars and galaxies in the "sky" it branches expanding and covering the horizon, yet, its leaves, a "World" in each one, a possibility of a future.

"Where are we?" Ichigo said in awe.

Smiling, the old man didn't respond and merely led the way for the boy to follow after him. Reaching the base of the tree, the old man put his hand on the mighty tree, though his next action shocked Ichigo as the old man proceeded to punch it. For a moment, Ichigo thought he felt the entire space quake following the punch, though unbeknownst to Ichigo, all of existence trembled for a moment, catching the attention of several beings.

"W-what are you doing!?" though Ichigo didn't understand why, he felt that doing such a thing was dangerous, or at the very least that nothing should harm the tree in front of him lest unforeseeable consequences happen.

"Calm down, it should fall down soon." The old man said as he looked up at the tree. It wasn't long before Ichigo saw something shining falling down from the top. It was a brilliant thing, like a star, its radiance clearly visible for all to see. Closing his eyes for a moment, the thing that fell, descended until it landed gently in the palm of the old man.

"This is you gift." The old man said as he held what appeared to be some sort of fruit, it looked like an apple, but, looking at the radiance it emitted, its golden luster, and power it radiated from it, Ichigo knew this "fruit" was more than a simple snack.

"What is this?" Ichigo asked as he took the "fruit" into his hands.

"That which will aid you in your path. So, don't hesitate now, this is my gift to you, and also…well, I'll tell you if you succeed in your endeavor." The Old man said after a moment of hesitation.

Curious at what the old man meant by that, Ichigo gave him a look, though he soon shifted his attention back to the "Fruit" in his hands. Deliberating what he should do with it, Ichigo stared at it for a few moments of clear hesitance. Though eventually he caved in, after all, the Old man had never once led him astray, he wouldn't forsake him now, the only choice he had left was to push forward and never stop. With a determined look in his eyes, Ichigo took a bite out of the "Fruit."

It tasted, well, he didn't know quite how to describe it, for it was everything and nothing at the same time, that along with the sudden jolt coursing through his body as he swallowed it. Out of the corner of his eyes, the old man seemed to stare at him expectantly, almost as if waiting for something.

"Huh, is that all? Was som-" at that moment Ichigo felt something surging within him, golden particles started to arise from him, leaking through his body as he clutched at his chest in pain.

"Argh!" letting out a pained cry, the power that was leaking out of him soon exploded outward in an impressive display. Like a sun going supernova, the power within him flared out, eclipsing the tree in a pillar of light, the weight of his power came crashing down on creation, the stars in the sky trembled and space ruptured, entire worlds shook at the seams, and all beings were forced to kneel before such power. If for a moment, as the weight settled over creation, the sound of a beating heart could be heard as all were silenced.

Thump* Thump* Thump*

Looking at the young man before him, a smirk could be seen across the Old man's face, yes, this was what he had been waiting for, what he has been searching for. The variable that will change everything, even at this moment as he used his omniscience, new possibilities started to open for him, of never before seen futures.

"Hope." Yes, for the first time in a while, the God could finally feel something he thought he had lost long ago. For just looking at the young man before him, of Ichigo, endless possibilities opened before him, where beforehand all things led to the same conclusion.

The End.

But now…a future awaited.

There was still a chance.

They could still oppose the inevitable.

He could still Hope.

"Ichigo, be the hero you were meant to be, save us all from our mistakes, bring back hope into the world." The Old man uttered. The pillar of light was dying down, and the pressure had started lessening as all of it was now being reeled back into the young man. It was a marvelous sight, seeing the primordial energies bathe the young man in its power, strengthening his very being beyond mortality, this was his ascension into a transcendent being, a unique existence on the world.

"Rise, Monarch, and show us the way to promised Victory." Having reeled all the energies in, Ichigo opened his eyes, his golden irises shining brilliantly like two stars, his aura now exuded terrifying pressure, along with regality and confidence. A smile stretched across Ichigo's face as he looked at the Old man, a grateful look in his eyes as he understood the meaning behind his gift.

"I won't fail you." Ichigo said, a determined look in his eyes, the face of someone that was ready to face everything head on and come out on top no matter the odds.

"I know you won't."

"So, go forth, and leave your mark on the world so that all may now your name."

"Ichigo Kurosaki, Monarch of Victory."

---

His eyes opened slowly as his alarm rang. Clutching his head in slight pain, Ichigo silenced the alarm after a moment, letting out a groan of pain and exhaustion in the process. One of the things about shoving so many memories and experiences in his body was that he always woke up with a killer headache, that and the sweat that covered his body. Still, having remembered

everything he just witnessed, he could say that his past life was…fascinating.

Though what truly surprised him, and answered a few of his questions, was just how he became a Monarch. The "tree," the "fruit," and the old man, all of it played a role into who he had become, into what he had chosen to be.

"I want to save them, to bring back hope." that was the purpose of his existence, to light the way forward when all seemed lost. That was the path he had chosen back then…no it was the path that would also define him.

Strangely enough, Ichigo couldn't help but be proud of himself, not only had he as a child decided to take it upon himself to do the impossible, but he had done so with the resolve to do so as well, all the years of training, the sweat, tears, and blood he had shed. Of the nightmares and monstrous beings he had faced. All of it to reignite the flame called hope.

To live up to his namesake, the name his mother gave him.

"He who protects" he muttered to himself as a smile came to his face.

"Never forget the weight of our name, Ichigo." The Monarch who had decided to show up, spoke to him.

"I won't." And he meant that, Ichigo would never forsake his name, his reason, his purpose.

"Good, for you'll soon see just what that name meant soon enough." The Monarch stated.

"I'll look forward to it." With that Ichigo started getting ready to go to school.

---

Entering his classroom, Ichigo was greeted by the sight of his classmates as usual, only this time, where a red-haired beauty should be sitting, was just an empty chair.

"Is she running late today?" Ichigo thought to himself as he took his seat, finding it strange that Rias wasn't here before him, as she usually was.

"Well, there's still 5 minutes on the clock before class begins, I'm sure she'll show up eventually." Were his thoughts as he kept to himself by scrolling through his phone.

It wouldn't be long till Ichigo realized that Rias excused herself from school today.

At another place.

Rias was currently in a meeting with Sona who had excused herself from class today. They were currently discussing what had happened last night, along with the ensuing battle between Rias and the Stray.

"So, let me get this right, the Stray came after you, and not only did it manage to defeat both Koneko and Yuuto, but you sent Akeno away as well, Rias I don't think I have to tell you that it was a risky, if not dangerous situation to put yourself in." Sona said as she reprimanded Rias.

"I know, but, I had to get Koneko and Yuuto to safety immediately, and since the only other available person was Akeno, as their king I decided to stay behind so that they could get away, besides, I'm not some defenseless girl, Sona. I know how to protect myself, especially against an enemy we have intel on." Rias said in her defense.

"Besides, I've dealt with it…I think." Rias said, though her words didn't inspire confidence.

"Yes, you mentioned that, still, how do you not know if you killed her or not, surely you must have felt your magic destroy her." Sona pointed out.

"Eh well, I was kind of, sort of, out of it for a moment when she used her illusion magic on me, I kind of lost control and just blew up the forest along with her." Rias nervously laughed.

"Ugh. How much damage." Sona groaned.

"I think I've freed up some room for a stadium and a parking lot for it." Rias sweat dropped.

"…"

"What? I'll pay for the damages; besides, it will only take a few days to restore." Rias said.

"…What are the chances that the Stray survived." Sona said as she sighed.

"I don't know 25-10% chance maybe, I would say lower, but it was pretty agile and fast enough that it could have survived the worst of it if she ran fast enough, that along with its ability to hide in the shadows and well, it's uncertain." Rias commented.

"Hmm, then should we take this as the problem not having been resolved yet." Sona said.

"I'll say that if nothing happens in a week, no, a month, then the Stray is most likely dead." After all, the stray had proven itself to be quite crafty, and who knows if it could be lying low for the time being after having been beaten so thoroughly by Rias.

"Yes, I believe that would be the right course of action, guess we can use this as a time to resume our activities, as well as loosen surveillance a little on Ichigo. After all, I doubt the stray will try anything for the time being." Sona deduced.

"Hmm, its Risky, but, after the scare I gave it, I don't think it will pop its head anytime soon." Rias agreed, after all, she wasn't sure if she had killed the stray, but now that she thought about it a little more, it would be foolish of her to mark it as dead without solid evidence. The stray had managed to toy with her peerage, it was only until she got serious that the stray was pushed back. So, until a lack of evidence turned up, the stray will be counted as alive.

"Now that we got that sorted out, how are Yuuto and Koneko?" Sona asked, concern in her voice.

"They're fine now, their wounds have fully healed and they're up on their feet. Though they're a bit out of it for now after losing to the stray, I'm sure they will cheer up knowing that I gave it a good beating." Rias said in slight amusement.

'That's good, hopefully they'll see this as a chance to improve and get stronger." Sona said, a small smile on her face.

"Yeah, though, speaking about getting stronger, I now realize that perhaps I've been slacking a little too much on my training, though I beat the stray, I could have saved us all the trouble if only I was stronger to take care of it in an instant. I shouldn't have had as much trouble as I did." Rias said in self-reproach.

"Come now Rias, take this as something to learn from, there is always room for improvement, perhaps now would be the time to act on it." Sona advised.

"Yeah, though we have fought strays before, this is probably the first time my peerage has had trouble handling one, maybe we got to comfy dealing with trash. It's time that we took some time to train and get stronger." Rias agreed.

"Does this mean that you will also take 'you know who' out for some training." Sona said as she looked at Rias seriously.

At that Rias couldn't help but frown before sighing in exasperation. "While his powers are invaluable, the problem is that the boy just lacks confidence in himself. I've tried time and time again, but…sigh, I don't want to say he's a lost cause but, it's going to take time to get Gasper to break out of his shell." Rias stated.

"Hmmm, well, it's a thought, you still have time, but, take it from me, it would be best if you start early, the longer you wait the less he'll want to do it." Sona advised.

"I'll see what I can do." Rias affirmed.

"I'm sure you will." Sona agreed.

"Now then, from some reports I've gathered, it seems that Fallen angels have been spotted in our territory, they seem to have taken residence in the abandoned church outside of town, though, they have been strangely silent." Sona switched topics.

"Is that so?" Rias questioned.

"Yeah, for now, I'm having some of our familiars keep an eye on them, though it's been a couple of days and they haven't spotted anything, perhaps they are waiting for something." Sona reasoned.

"Well whatever the reason, as long as they don't cause trouble in our town, there is no cause for concern, though on the off chance they start to act up." Her power flared a little as a confident smirk appeared on her face. "We'll take the chance to remind them just who's town they're messing with." Rias stated.

Like that, Rias and Sona discussed further topics about the on goings of the town.

---

Classes came and went and soon enough it was the end of the day, the whole time Ichigo couldn't help but feel a slight disappointment at not having seen Rias the whole day, though he found out she had excused herself from school due to personal reasons, whatever they may be. Oh well, Ichigo was sure he would see her soon, it wasn't like her to miss more than a couple days.

On that thought, Ichigo soon focused on other things that have started to draw his attention. Mainly, his body, or more specifically, the way he moved. Ever since he experienced those memories, the ingrained experience within him had started to have an effect on him. Primarily with how his body seemed to move more efficiently, less time and energy wasted, like a trained warrior. His senses have also become sharper, to the point that the world felt differently to him, like his body had finally awakened from a long slumber.

Add to that, the knowledge and experience of years of training and combat. Hell, he even learned to sense the energies of the world around him. the mana in the air that he couldn't feel before, the spiritual energy within him that he could now excess, so many possibilities were now opened before him.

"Damn, I'm like a superhuman at this point." Ichigo muttered to himself, a satisfied look on his face.

"And there will be more where that came from." The Monarch stated.

"Really?" Ichigo questioned.

"Yeah, after all, don't forget that we have years and years' worth of knowledge, you will become aware of many secrets, of many trials that we have faced, of the ancient foes, and powerful beings that make this universe." The Monarch explained.

"What about the seal within me, when will I be able to remove it?" Ichigo asked.

"…The seal is something you'll only be able to remove after you have regained what you have once lost, when you fully grow into your role of Monarch, only then will the seal be broken. After all, the power within you is still too dangerous for you to wield, just a single mishap and well…the end of this world is more than likely." The Monarch explained after a moment of hesitation.

"…I see, well, I guess I still have a long way to go then." Ichigo said after a moment as he mulled over that information.

"Worry not, our return is already predetermined, it is inevitable, and soon the world will know of our existence." The Monarch stated as if it was an eventuality.

"Till then, simply carry on as you are Ichigo, live your life, cherish those close to you, because soon enough, you might not have a choice but to leave them behind one day." The Monarch said, his voice carrying a hint of melancholy.

"What do you mean by that?" Ichigo asked, frowning somewhat at the thought of leaving his home, his family, his friends behind to carry out an unknown mission.

"…You will find out at the end of your training, till then take heed to my words Ichigo, live your life as you want, because soon enough, you won't have the chance to do so. For ours is to answer to a greater purpose, one that will have us pitted against powerful beings that will stand in our way." The Monarch warned.

"You know, you're really vague about all this stuff you keep mentioning. Of great battles, powerful beings, and a mission that must be fulfilled, wouldn't it just be easier to tell me all this beforehand to prepare better." Ichigo reasoned.

"Hahaha…I guess it would wouldn't it, but, no, it's still too early for you, besides you wouldn't understand even if I explained it to you. Also, you'll learn of it eventually anyways, experience it at that too, so what's the point in me giving you the answers you'll discover with time, when you are ready." The Monarch pointed out.

"Hah…Fine." Ichigo gave up, after all, it's as the Monarch said, he would learn of it within time, when he was ready.

"Good, now then, I'll talk to you-huh?" It was at that point that Ichigo felt something cross his senses at the same time the Monarch experienced it.

It was like an everlasting fire, burning destruction and harsh heat. Yet controlled and refined, a pillar of security and hope, its radiance signifying confidence and friendliness. It was an odd feeling, though pleasant to be around when tamed and not angered.

Ichigo looked around for the source before eventually seeing a young woman come out of the convenience store next to him. She was a beautiful girl, long white hair tied into a ponytail, blue eyes that shined with a luster in them, and an aura of confidence that enveloped the woman. For a moment Ichigo stared at her in slight amazement, before a part of him soon noticed a hint of familiarity, like he had seen the woman once before.

"Ah right, it was that time…" Turns out it was one of Bronya's friends, uhm, what was her name again?

Lost in thought Ichigo failed to see the woman turn to face him, recognition and confusion flashing in her blue orbs as she looked at the orange haired boy. Though soon they shifted into an excited and mischievous look she usually carried. Putting her charming smile on like usual, Kiana approached the distracted Ichigo.

"Hey~" Kiana called out to the orange haired boy, breaking him out of his thoughts as he turned to face her.

"Uh, H-Hey." Ichigo hesitantly waved back to the approaching woman.

Meeting face to face like this after their last meeting that felt like ages ago, Ichigo didn't quite know how to act around the ever-smiling woman, it was rather infectious if he had to say, her smile full of sincere excitement and happiness, like that of a child, yet, kind and unique in its own way. It made the awkwardness and caution within him fall away at the disarming smile.

"Fancy meeting you here, Ichigo." The Woman said cheerfully, clearly remembering his name.

"Yeah, it has…" he trailed off a little as he couldn't think of her name, god, how awkward. Ichigo thought to himself as he tried for the life of him to recall her name.

"Sigh…Kiana" The Monarch said amusedly.

"Thanks for the save." Ichigo thanked him.

"…Kiana." Ichigo said after a moment of hesitance.

"Oh my~ you remembered my name after all, looks like I had nothing to worry about." Kiana said cheerfully, clearly pleased that Ichigo remembered her, despite how brief their meeting was.

"Yeah, kind of hard to forget someone like you to be honest." Ichigo said amused by her reaction.

"Hard to forget huh~ my oh my, if you say such things someone will get the wrong idea." Kiana teased as she held a hand to her mouth to hide her amused expression.

Hearing that Ichigo couldn't help but go red in the face. "No! I didn't mean anything by it, what I meant to say was that…that, you're easy on the eyes?" Ichigo at this point didn't know what just came out of his mouth as he tried to look for a convincing excuse.

"Nice save." The Monarch said sarcastically as he gave him a mental thumbs up.

Seeing that he only buried himself in a deeper hole, Ichigo looked at Kiana who was strangely silent. "Huh, is she blushing?" Ichigo thought to himself as he saw Kiana's widened eyes and blushing face. After all, it's not every day a stranger compliment someone on their looks, especially one as handsome as Ichigo.

"Ehem, how bold~" Kiana said after a moment of surprise, yet, unbothered by the comment, after all, it was nice to receive compliments from time to time, especially if it comes from a handsome man.

"Sorry about that. It just kind of slipped out like that." Ichigo said bashfully.

"Don't worry, I don't mind." Kiana winked.

"So, what brings you around this part of town?" Ichigo asked after a moment.

"Nothing much really, just wandering around town, doing some exploring. See if anything catches my fancy." Kiana said. Though in reality she had been out since morning to investigate the disturbances that had been happening around town. Namely, the devils that had caused extensive damages outside the city. As well as monitor the increasing fallen angel presence in the city. Though the main mission still remained to locate the suspect that caused the surge of primordial energy, so far, they hadn't had much luck, almost as if the being just up and vanished.

Though based on the sample taken, it could still be narrowed to the city, as the sensors seemed to detect something within its boundary, however weak the signal was. Which it came as such a surprise when the signal suddenly started fluctuating after a couple days, like an interference had been placed on it. Now the signal could no longer be detected, much to their disappointment.

As such all progress had been halted, and they were to remain on standby after submitting a weekly report back to the Monarch of Reason. Hopefully, whatever interference was messing with their sensors would soon be over, but for the time being, Kiana, Mei, and Bronya had no choice but to sit back and wait. Not that she minded it, it was almost like taking a vacation, though a bit boring, still, she was happy to hang around her friends like they used to back at the Academy.

"What about you?" Kiana asked.

"Me? Well, classes are over, and I was heading back home after a long day." Ichigo explained.

"Oh, what school you go to?" she asked.

"Kuoh Academy, heard of it?" Ichigo said.

"You mean that all-girls school that recently turned co-ed." Kiana said surprised.

"That's the one." Ichigo nodded.

At that confirmation, Kiana couldn't help but burst out laughing. Seeing this Ichigo raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"What's so funny?" Ichigo asked as he saw Kiana clutch at her waist.

"Haha, sorry, it's just, forgive my assumption but, you don't strike me as the type to handle being in a school where the majority of the population is probably female very well." Kiana said as she wiped a tear from her eye.

"…" Ichigo felt like he had just been exposed as he let out a sigh of defeat.

"Well, you wouldn't be wrong, it was quite awkward in the beginning." Ichigo admitted.

"Heh~ is that so? What year are you by the way?" Kiana said, her voice carrying a hint of amusement.

"I'm a third year, though funnily enough, I'm also the only guy who is a third year as well." Ichigo chuckled a little at that.

"Well, that must be awkward." Kiana commented, though the clear amusement on her face showed how she found the whole situation to be hilarious.

"That would be an understatement, I basically became infamous on my first day of school." Ichigo explained.

"Sounds like an interesting story, how'd that happen?" Kiana asked, intrigue in her voice.

"Aside from my obvious looks and hair color, most people tend to find me intimidating at first glance, doesn't help that I'm not exactly the friendliest person either." Ichigo admitted. "That and I'm known as the "Delinquent of Kuoh Academy" or "Bad boy of Kuoh Academy" honestly the girls come up with a new title every other week." Ichigo said, honestly, he didn't mind the stupid title he received anymore, if anything he just found them to be both amusing if a bit exasperating at times.

"Hahaha, I can only imagine your face when you first heard it." Kiana chuckled, clearly finding his situation amusing.

"Yeah, well, I've managed to lessen that image a little as of recently, though it was annoying the first few days when I found out." Ichigo sighed.

"hmmm, not to rile you up or anything but I can see where those classmates of yours are coming from." Kiana said as she eyed him up and down.

"How so?" he asked, somewhat amused at what her answer would be.

"Simple, imagine this, a young woman nearing the end of her school year, a single step away from adulthood, and the responsibilities that come with it. Having spent years at an All-girls school, with the only male interaction being that of their own family. Some have more than likely lived sheltered lives, then one day, the school decides to turn co-ed, and all of a sudden, they are thrusted into more male interaction than they have had in their entire lives. Finally, in enters Mr. Bad boy, hair color brighter than anything they've ever seen in their lives, a fierce look in his eyes that could freeze anyone in place, and lastly, exposing more collarbone and muscle than they've ever had the chance to see." Kiana said as she eyes his uniform that did nothing to hide his musculature, in fact it only enhanced it as it left something to the imagination.

"…Well, when you put it like that it almost sounds like it's my fault." Ichigo said as his cheeks reddened a little.

"haha~ I can see why Bronya likes you so much, you're an interesting individual Ichigo." Kiana giggled finding his blushing expression to be amusing.

"Bronya? Oh, that reminds me, how is Bronya by the way." Ichigo asked.

"She's fine, me and Mei and have been staying at her place, and we'll likely stay around for the time being, seeing as we got some time off." Kiana informed him.

"Oh, you're on vacation or something?" Ichigo asked.

"Something like that yeah." Kiana said vaguely.

"I see. Well then, it's been a pleasure Kiana but, I really should be going now, perhaps if we meet again like this I wouldn't mind talking more with you." Ichigo said, having enjoyed the time spent with the woman.

"Whaaaat~ leaving already?" Kiana whined as she pouted a little in disappointment.

"Yeah, got exams in a few days, got to take the opportunity to study a bit." Ichigo informed her, though he found Kiana's expression to be amusing.

"Ugh, exams, the vain of my existence, thank the Monarchs I no longer have to deal with them anymore." Kiana huffed.

"…"

"Huh, you alright there Ichigo, you look surprised." Kiana pointed out after noticing his face shift into surprise.

Hearing those words, Ichigo snapped out of it.

"Sorry, I suddenly remembered something I had to do, I'll see you around alright." Ichigo said as he took his leave.

"Eh? Sure, see you around." Kiana said with a confused expression before watching him walk away.

---

Currently Ichigo's thoughts were a whirlwind of questions. After all, Kiana's words at the end were surprising to hear, especially since most beings shouldn't be aware of the Monarchs, or so he thought.

"She said thank the Monarchs not Thank the Gods like the idiom goes, was that just a coincidence or does she know more than she lets on." Ichigo thought to himself, after all, there seemed to be some sort of power that raged within the girl, so he knew she wasn't a normal human.

"To think that the cold bastard would have descendants, my how the world never ceases to surprise me…" The Monarch stated within the confines of his mind.

"What do you mean by that?" Ichigo questioned, it would seem that the Monarch knew something.

"Just reminiscing about an old friend, it would seem that in the time I have been gone, they have found a way to strive forward, its…wonderful actually, now I'm even more excited when we finally meet them." The Monarch stated.

"Meet them? Wait! Are you referring to the Monarchs…" Ichigo asked before sudden realization smacked him in the face.

"Wait you called Kiana a descendant, does that mean what I think it means." Ichigo asked.

"Sigh…I knew you would catch on, yeah, her name is Kiana Kaslana, the only other person I know with that last name would be the Monarch of Finality, Kevin Kaslana." The Monarch revealed.

Shock colored Ichigo's face for a moment before he composed himself once more.

"Should we…you know, get in contact with them?" Ichigo asked, seeing that this was a chance for them to come into contact with the rest the Monarchs.

Though contrary to his thoughts, the Monarch only sighed forlornly before remaining silent.

"What's wrong, shouldn't this be what you-we want?" noticing the shift in the Monarchs voice, Ichigo asked sensing that something was wrong.

"No, now wouldn't be a good time to contact with them, it's too soon for us still, besides I…" Taking a moment to clear his thoughts the Monarch proceeded.

"…They shouldn't see us like this."

There was hint of sadness in the Monarchs voice as he said that, like he was reluctant about something.

"What do you mean by that?" Ichigo asked calmly, though a little confused about what the Monarch meant by that.

Sigh*

"Ichigo, who are we?" he asked a question in return.

"Um, aside from the obvious, then I think you are referring to our title, The Monarch of Victory." Ichigo said after a moment, not understanding what the Monarch was getting at.

"Exactly, we are the Monarch of Victory, the pillar of hope, vanquisher of evil, and hero of the Great war. That is who we are, a figure of strength that others can rely on when they can't place their faith on anything else." The Monarch stated solemnly.

"Regardless of how we feel, of how bad the situation may get, we stand tall no matter the situation, to guide the way forward, to lead, to destroy what comes our way no matter the odds." He continued.

"We bear it all silently, we always remain strong, and we will always emerge Victorious." He finished.

"…" sudden understanding emerged within Ichigo, the words striking a chord within him.

"I see now…you don't want the friends who have fought alongside us to see us in our diminished form, of how weak we have become since we last met. You fear that they would pity us. That their image of us would diminish in their eyes." Ichigo said, understanding the situation.

"…Although it's a stupid if not childish worry, I can't help but agree with you on that, I know what it's like to want to remain strong in front of the people you love." Ichigo nodded in understanding.

"As the eldest, as the first amongst out number, I wish for us to return at the height of our power, it would…be better that way." The Monarch stated.

"Don't worry, at the rate I'm going, it shouldn't be that long now." Ichigo mentioned, trying to cheer up the older him.

"I'll hold you to that then…and thanks, for understanding, though you and I are the same so it doesn't surprise me that we can agree on this," The Monarch smiled.

"Yeah, I guess we would."

With that, Ichigo's will to get stronger once more reaffirmed itself, he would do his best to restore his power, and one day, sooner or later, meet the friends that he had left behind.

---

Heading back to one of the facilities of the organization. Kiana went to see how Bronya was doing on those sensors and see if she managed to clear the interference. Letting the door slide open, Kiana walked in slowly as she saw machinery, wires, and flying code, all of it being used to tap into the orb in the center of the room that showed the entire area of Kuoh town. The image was a real time view of Kuoh town, with nothing amiss, even people inside buildings could be viewed if switched perspectives as well as detecting magical beings or other such anomalies.

Still, despite that, the image seemed to flicker from time to time, as if something was interfering with the sensors.

Sigh*

Walking over to the hunched girl that was typing away at the screen in front of her in frustration, Kiana could already see that the problem has still not been resolved.

"So…no luck." Kiana said as she took a seat next to Bronya who had her eyes fixed on the screen in front of her.

"Sigh…No, No I have not, it's like whenever I have the sensors on trying to find the suspect, they just stop working and fizzle out, like something is messing with it. Though whenever I have it any other setting, it works perfectly. Here let me show you." With that Bronya set the sensors to track the devil activity in the area. Soon images of the town appeared from a bird's eye view before red dots appeared on the map, before shifting angles and zooming in on an old school building of Kuoh academy. Hitting another few buttons, the inside of the building revealed itself to see a group of teenagers sitting around and talking to one another. The same group of people Kiana had met the day she arrived on this town. It also had another shot of the student council, with Sona Sitri and her peerage talking with one another.

"See it works fine, now I shift back to the sample we took." Once more it changed back to a bird's eye view, only this time instead of detecting anything, it just…flickered, like static, something was interfering with the signal.

"By the 13 this is pissing me off." Bronya said frustrated. In fact, she looked ready to kick the machine to relieve some of her stress.

"Yeah, I see your point, still, I'm surprised you and the staff have not yet figured out what the source of the interference is yet, you're usually good at this sort of stuff." Kiana said as she looked at the contraptions around her.

"Hmph…clearly not if whatever this 'bug' keeps messing with my stuff." Bronya punched the counter as she said that.

"Heh~ easy now, don't want break some more things. Though, where is Mei anyways?" Kiana asked as she couldn't sense her friend nearby.

"She said something about cooking up something to eat," Bronya mentioned to her.

"A meal prepared by Mei! How exciting, I can't wait." Kiana cheerfully said.

Nodding along, Bronya went back to work.

Seeing this, Kiana put on a devious smile before opening her mouth. "You know, I met a certain orange haired boy while I was out investigating the disturbances." Kiana said with a knowing smile as she looked at Bronya who suddenly stopped working as she turned to face Kiana with a curious look in her eyes.

"You met Ichigo?" Bronya questioned.

Yeah, it was by pure chance that we happened to cross paths, and after a pleasant conversation with one another, we parted ways." Kiana explained.

"What did you two talk about?" Bronya inquired, putting the tablet down for a moment.

"Oh? Interested now are you, Bronya~" Kiana teased.

"Shut it, just spill the beans already." Bronya frowned.

"Haha, Ok, don't get angry, anyways, it was just mundane things, still I can see why you like Ichigo so much, he seems like a pleasant person to be around." And she wasn't lying about that either, Kiana genuinely enjoyed being around the boy, though she was usually friendly with most people, for some reason, Kiana just felt 'better' when she was around the boy, like she could be more open with him. perhaps it was his unique aura, like meeting an old friend she hasn't seen in a long time as strange as that sounded.

"I wonder, should I have asked for his number, or given him my number~" Kiana said as she faced Bronya who suddenly sported an annoyed look on her face.

"Refrain from fraternizing while on a mission." Bronya chided.

"Pfft. You're so cute when jealous Bronya~" Kiana said as she suddenly hugged Bronya.

"You Dolt! Remove yourself from me at once! Also, who said I was jealous!?" Bronya said as she tried to shake Kiana off her to no avail.

Though soon enough, Kiana remembered something as she released Bronya from her grasp. "Though back to the topic of Ichigo, I do suddenly remember feeling something strange from him that wasn't there previously." Kiana mentioned, a contemplative look on her face.

Bronya's annoyed expression at Kiana's actions soon shifted into slight concern as she heard her words. "What do you mean?" Bronya asked.

"Well, surprisingly, Ichigo had a draconic aura surrounding him, though somewhat subdued, it was quite powerful. Though it's strange because the last time I met him he didn't have such an aura, he was just a normal human back then, so what changed, I don't quite think he is a dragon in disguise so that only leaves…" Kiana trailed off as she turned to Bronya.

"A sacred gear, you think he could be a possessor of a sacred gear of dragon origin." Bronya speculated.

"Perhaps, though I'm not sure." Kiana shrugged.

"Hmm, I'll look through some files and see what sacred gear it could be, easier to narrow down since you said it was of dragon origin." Bronya said as she picked up her tablet.

"If it turns out to be a sacred gear, should I attempt to recruit him." Kiana asked as she looked at Bronya.

"…" freezing in place, Bronya mulled over the question, after all, despite sacred gears being creations of God, they were for all intents and purposes created for humanity to use to defend themselves against greater beings, a way for humanity to fight back against other supernatural forces, as such the organization also placed value in recruiting such individuals to the cause. Yet, doing so would mean that she would be exposing a normal human to the supernatural world, and a friend no less.

"It would be at your discretion if you think he is worthwhile." At that moment Bronya made her choice, though she found Ichigo likeable, she had to put the organization first, and if Ichigo could make a fine addition to their numbers, then so be it. Though on the other hand, a more selfish part of Bronya could not help but get excited of having to work with him side by side.

"I see, if that's what you want, then don't get mad if I decide to bring him into the fold." Kiana said as she got up to leave.

"Well, I'll talk to you later, see ya." With that Kiana left to look for Mei, leaving Bronya behind to work on her project.

---

Now that Ichigo had excess to certain abilities as well being able to perceive things much easier, imagine his surprise when he discovered a teleportation circle within the confines of his room. Despite the concealment spell on top, it could not hide from his senses.

"How did that get here?" Looking at the crimson red magic circle, Ichigo looked at it with a hint of weariness. Like he expected something to jump out of it and attack him any moment.

"Hmm, that crest at the center, I recognize it." The Monarch said after a moment.

"Oh, then who is it?" He asked.

"The Gremory's emblem" The Monarch informed him.

"Gremory? Wait…so Rias put this here." Ichigo realized

"It would appear that is the case." The Monarch agreed,

"…Do we get rid of it or…" Ichigo trailed off near the end as he wasn't sure.

"Well, that depends on you, she is your friend after all, do you trust her enough for her to do this, based on what I'm seeing, it's a personal teleporter, meaning only a specific person can use it, she probably noticed something to keep an eye on you." The Monarch informed him.

"Could it be that she felt Ddraig's presence." Ichigo thought to himself.

"A possibility, a Dragons presence is not very subtle, for those capable of sensing such things, we are like beacons of power, it would be strange if the Gremory girl didn't notice a thing." Ddraig who had remained silent the whole day finally decided to speak.

"Oh, look who's awake." The Monarch said.

"I see, then I'll leave it be for now, after all, I don't want to alert Rias that I know what she is and besides, I doubt Rias means me any harm." Ichigo said, convinced that Rias probably had a good motive, they were friends after all, she wouldn't try to harm him without a good reason.

"If that's what you think, I'll refer to your judgement." The Monarch said indifferently.

"Devil nature is very whimsical, but, even I can see from your memories that the Gremory girl is far more 'humane' than I'm used to seeing from their kind, perhaps she's an outlier." Ddraig commented.

"I'll just ignore this for the time being then." With that Ichigo turned his mind away from the circle to the pile of papers and books on his desk.

---

Later that night…

At an Abandoned church near the city, three fallen Angels were standing around the Altar, the group consisted of one man and two women.

"I Don't understand, it's been a couple days, were could she have gone?" Dohnaseek said in exasperation.

"…" Mittelt the shorter of the two had a slight worried expression to her face.

"Hmm, she was just out on a mission to kill a human with a potentially dangerous sacred gear, still, the target never showed any signs of having awakened it, so I don't understand what the holdup is either. Raynare wouldn't take this long even if she decided to play with her target first." Kalawarner explained, though she agreed with Dohnaseek that Raynare had been absent for far too long now.

"I went out to look for her after she failed to pick up on my calls, yet I couldn't find a trace of her within the city, and I doubt she has been recalled do to the importance of this mission." Dohnaseek frowned.

"…You don't think she's dead right." Mittelt said with some hesitance.

"…"

"…"

At that Dohnaseek and Kalawarner remained silent. Raynare had been the leader of the group, of this operation, they just followed her orders, now with her gone, the 3 of them did not know what to do from this point on.

"…It's a possibility I'd rather not entertain, yet, at this point in time, it might be the case." Kalawarner sighed.

"Still, the target Issei hyoudou was neutralized before she disappeared, so I guess the mission could be considered complete, though what happened after is still a mystery." Dohnaseek informed them.

"…Though I think I have a hunch on who it might have been, if Raynare in fact was killed." Dohnaseek continued.

"Who?" Mittelt asked in curiosity.

"The first suspect being the Sitri or Gremory peerages that govern this town, though I wouldn't hold my breath on that cause they would also try to march up here and eliminate us if that was the case." Dohnaseek explained.

"Hmph, Dirty devil scum, as if they could beat us Fallen Angels." Mittelt scoffed.

"The second, the Stray devil that has been prowling around this town, from the reports I've seen, it was given an A-class rating, meaning it's probably as strong as a high-class devil. This is also the most likely individual if Raynare was indeed killed while out on town, after all, Strays can be quite unpredictable and dangerous." Dohnaseek said with some weariness.

"…And the third?" Kalawarner asked.

"The third, well, this one is the least likely of the three if not just my nerves getting to me. But, and I say this with some hesitance, the anomaly responsible for the power spike that washed over this town a week ago." Dohnaseek said, though even he doubted it.

At those words, Kalawarner and Mittlet couldn't help but shiver a little, after all, it was quite an unexpected and terrifying experience, add in that they had to keep their heads down for a while as the Gods that came rushing over started to hunt down for the anomaly. Still, the two doubted that was the case as whatever it was that caused it, soon disappeared without ever being discovered, and they doubted Raynare was unlucky enough to encounter it.

"So, I guess that leaves us with two suspects than." Mittlet pointed out.

"Yeah, though I doubt we can just go to two devils and ask them if they were responsible, after all, their kind is not known for their trustworthiness." Dohnaseek shrugged.

"Regardless, new orders have come from the top and we are to remain here to receive more manpower as well as another potential sacred gear wielder. A nun from a faraway monastery, capable of healing both humans and devils apparently, one of the reasons she was exiled from the church." Kalawarner announced.

"Oh yeah, now that Raynare's gone, I guess that leaves you to pick up from where she started." Dohnaseek announced as he looked at Kalawarner.

"Guess so, though I don't mind, soon we will have a sacred gear in our hands as well as increase our presence here in this city." Though they didn't know who was pulling the strings behind, the trio didn't really care all that much, after all, their role was merely to do as their leaders told them.

"Well, if there's nothing more to discuss lets go back to-" It was at that moment that the doors to the church creaked open as a shadowed silhouette walked in.

Startled, the three Fallen Angels turned to look at who just walked into the abandoned church.

"Who goes there!" Dohnaseek called out as he formed a light spear in his hands and pointed it at the intruder.

Unbothered by the display of aggression, the shadowed form soon stepped out into the light as they looked at the three fallen angels.

"Oh my~ I didn't know this building was taken, how silly of me, guess I'm still a bit out of it after that little mishap. Still, I guess you three will do." The white-haired woman said with an eerie smile.

The trio took in the stranger's appearance. Not only was the woman naked, but she had white fur covering her appendages, minus the left arm that looked like it had been torn up and at the shoulder. The two cat ears and tail also stood at attention as they twitched at every noise, glowing yellow cat like eyes that shined with hidden cruelty within them showed the intent of the stranger.

"Who are you!? How did you get past the barrier?" Dohnaseek called out once more, finding the stranger to be dangerous just based on what he could sense from her.

"Hmmm, call me Evelyn, this towns resident stray devil-chan~" she said cheerfully as she summoned two shadow swords in hand, causing the three Fallen Angels to shift into battle mode.

"And sadly, for you three, I'm taking over this church from here on out, so beat it, unless of course, you want to become my food." Evelyn smiled a sharp toothed grin.

"Like hell we will just leave you damn Stray! In fact, it's you who will meet your end here for daring to show yourself in front of us, if you had been smart, you would have found a dark hole and stayed there." Summoning their wings, the three Fallen took to the air, though the church wasn't very big, the roof was high enough to give them some maneuverability to perform air attacks.

"I was hoping you'd stay and fight, it's been a while since I had a decent meal."

"Die!" with that the three Fallen Angels and Evelyn battled it out.

If one were to look at the church that sat at the top of the hill, some would have noticed strange flashes of light, as well as slight tremors, before ceasing after sometime.

And then all was silence.

---

Authors Note

Hello guys, sorry for the long wait, recently Destiny had dropped the new DLC with Season of the Deep, and well I've been playing the last few weeks. So not much time to write, still, I pulled through and here is the next chapter.

Now then off to some questions.

1st: I hope you guys enjoyed the Rias Vs Evelyn fight, I tried to think on a twist to Rias battle potential, and well the Crayon eater Titan within me could not help but draw inspiration from the striker class in envisioning Rias battle berserk style. After all what greater power lies in the ability of "Catch these hands"

Just imagine, Rias drawing the absolute destructive potential of her lineage into a menacing destructive aura, with every part of her body coated in it. A simple slap or punch and most are fucked, add in the slight Voidwalker and Rias can spam AOE attacks if someone so much as gets close to her.

Though I played with the idea of her switching from the berserk style to a mage style do to her finding it uncouth for someone of her stature and prestige. Just for a little fun.

2nd: How Strong is Ichigo Really? At the moment, after experiencing his memories and training he underwent, he pretty much has excess to spiritual based abilities, magic abilities, hand to hand mastery, as well as an Arms master since he trained in all sorts of weaponry. As well as passive abilities he has for being the Monarch of Victory, though much of his power still remains locked away.

As for how much stronger he can become? You'll just have to stick around and find out.

3rd Kiana and Bronya are now aware of Ichigo being more than just a regular Human, I wonder how that will go with him, what plans they would come up to recruit him.

Alright, that's it for now guys, I hope you enjoyed this latest chapter and will continue to enjoy my work.

I wish you all a great day and till next time.

Peace.