Chapter four.

Trust in steel and Mars.

Thursday morning was off to an incredibly strong start with more weights and more anvil practice. I made more bolter rounds and another practice chair so that I can get the basic stuff down because the reader can perhaps do more than just find the dark age of technology stuff. Hell, we might be able to be extremely disgusting and pull from other realities too and there are ones with very broken things. Koriel salivating at that idea. We could have an unlimited amount of knowledge that can be innovative and with that we can never stagnant again and we could innovate forever. Oh, if there are Eldar here we can steal their technology and then fuck over the stupid elves! Damn bastards are arrogant and deserve to be fucked with.

I did get a text from Issari around noon asking if I'm free for running in the evening. I responded with a yes as of now because I need to get the teleportation machines ready for the new base. I think I'll do more fortifications there to prepare for a possible attack by another foe. This weekend I was going on a stray hunt. I will see if I can get more information about the underworld and hopefully confirm if the world is truly grim dark or not. I'm leaning more towards yes it is and that might have horrible things to say about Rias. Because she could be extremely different here, and that makes me nervous. I had also checked what my perpetual gene strength could be at.

It involved pain, and a lost finger. I screamed loud and horrible by using a chainsword. There was lots of blood whenI had cut the thing off to see how fast the regeneration was. Oh, it fucking hurt so much, but my finger came back after a minute. My blood flow had stopped after a half minute. I prepared myself to do more experiments there, because I need to know how strong I had made the serum and if perhaps we can improve it further. I had been picturing John Gramaticus and Vulkan when I did the serum and I eventually do want to get to Emperor strength, or Erda, I tossed my prior finger into an atomizer to keep the finger from rotting and if found having someone asking very bad questions.

I did my early morning run and then I checked out the temple exterior again to make sure it was safe, Looking for more potential exits. I see another exit and mark it, it being a very well hidden window that was broken and covered by a bush that was very overgrown. Midway through the search of the exterior I think I feel something watching me and I look around to perhaps see what it is. There is nothing obvious and I look harder. Before I see a small flash of orange among the bushes near the ground, and I narrowed my eyes towards it. It was so fast that I don't know if it was real or not, and better safe than sorry. With how fox Youkai are a thing I'm not taking a chance.

The approach towards the orange was made and I watched more intensely, the sea of deep green was nice to look at. The orange didn't flare again. I hear a small yip that was so very soft, and I smile gently, there is a fox here. The yip was dampened by the bushes, and I ask to the general direction of the noise.

"Are you spying on me little fox?"

The noise quiets down. Before there is no response. I however don't buy the pretense that this possible Youkai is putting up.

"I know that there is the other side. If you are from there you have nothing to fear from me as long as you don't try anything funny."

There was no response again, but I see out of the corner of my right eye another flash of orange. I turned towards it slowly so as to not spook it. Though why a possible Youkai is perhaps afraid of me right now is strange. I keep my eyes open and then see the flash for a third time. The fox is definitely watching me confirming my suspicions. A very likely Youkai. I made my way into the temple and make the offer I have been thinking up.

"I'm willing to talk to you. Inside the temple if that is good enough for you. I really am not hostile. But the choice is yours."

I enter the temple past the rotting doors and then sit in the courtyard facing the door. I don't see anything enter in behind me. But there is a small noise and I look to the right near the entrance of the temple proper and it's then I see my potential stalker.

Standing there near the doorway is a young woman in her early twenties. She is wearing a traditional white and gold dress and her hair is a blonde orange, she does have two tails out and they swing lazily around. Her eyes of green are focused on me intensely. She doesn't move towards me. We just gaze at one another in clear suspicion. She studied me in meticulously detailed looks. I do the same and Koriel is interested in the tails. We spend five minutes watching the other before the woman speaks to me.

"You're extremely confident for a mere human. Usually, your kind don't openly challenge those like me out."

Her voice was very musically gifted. A titillating of bells and she was incredibly watchful of my response. I let loose a small smile that was relaxed.

"There are worse things out there then you."

The fox woman doesn't know what to say to that. Her head tilted to the left still watching me, before a small frown was made.

"Are you implying that I am weak human. I'm much stronger than you, I can kill you easily."

The threat was clear, but I don't back down.

"You probably could, and I'm not implying anything. Just stating a fact. You have the luxury of being stronger than regular humans. I have to climb up past them to possibly face things like you."

That seems to make her blink in surprise. Before she looked at me again more critically. She moved from the door to the other side of the courtyard. Her forest green eyes never leaving my light red ones. She sat across the way from me on the bricks and then we watched each other again for five minutes. Before she spoke again in a lazy voice.

"You are indeed strange like I was informed of. However, you are not the total enigma I was told of by my lady, who asked me to investigate. How do you know of the hidden side?"

I smile and then raised an eyebrow. She was confused more. I finally replied with an amused tone.

"It's in the family, but I only recently learned about it. May I have the right to know your name? I'm Gregor."

The fox woman kept looking at me. Before she answered back wary now for some reason.

"I see. Since you seem to have manners human I'll show them in return. I am Himura. Cousin to Lady Yasaka of Kyoto. She who is Champion of the Shinto. Your brave human to enter one of their temples and attempt to use it as one of your own. This temple is not up for whatever use you want."

She is a bit arrogant, but it's understandable because she thinks I'm just a regular human who is being an upstart. Which I am. I tilted my head to the right.

"Even if I seek to use this temple to hide from the devils?"

Himura frowned more. It was barely hiding her now revealed disdained for me. She seems like a bitch. Her eyes narrowed on mine.

"Even then. I'm surprised a human is against them. Your kind usually jumps at the opportunity for more power, and the opportunities that becoming one brings."

I shrugged.

"There is power that way, but it might come with many chains. No power is free, and I am not sure if I'd trust something called a devil. I expect devils to be like their creator in the Morning Star. He who was the greatest of liars. If the tales of him are real."

Himura eyed me critically. Before a ghost smile entered her face.

"So, I have found a human who thinks deeper. A true rarity. Devils are not trustworthy sources of information. They feed their sins openly and often. Some in productive ways, but many in nonproductive ones."

I raised an eyebrow.

"No one is a trustworthy source of information. We all have bias and agendas hidden away. I'm sure a devil would say the same thing of Youkai."

Himura let's lose a real smile there showing her white teeth and some are very pointed incisors. It's not friendly.

"A scholar too, but one who is young. You are correct human. They would say the same of me. Yet my kind doesn't hurt humans as much as they do. My lady tries to protect even things like you. A waste of time in my own opinion. You humans burn everything you touch, but Lady Yasaka speaks for the Youkai, and we obey. Your still not welcome to use this temple for your own use."

I shrugged. I'm not able to fight her yet. I'll look for another place. I don't want to be making a possible enemy of Yasaka.

"Very well. I accept the order, but there will come a time when you Youkai won't be stronger than humans."

Himura grew still. Before her smile turned feral then softly growled.

"Brave words from a human who is at the bottom. Where your kind has been for several thousand years. Nothing will change that. Even the biblical god can't do that, and he loves you things. Be wary human. Because we are not shadows of the past like they teach in the schools, but I'd expect nothing less from one who comes from them."

I raised my eyebrows further. That last part is not a good implication. Himura continued arrogantly.

"You're a human who will eventually learn the lesson all of your kind learn. That we are above you. You're nothing in comparison to us. Now get out and don't return. Or I will enjoy hanging you on the door of this temple."

I nodded gruffly.

"I won't return. Good day."

I get up and watched her again. Before making my way out. Himura is a Youkai extremist. Her hate for humans is clear and logical. There is more there. I however don't want to test her now. Should she ever cross me as the Warrior of Mars. I will kill her easily. She has earned a possible foe in me. I'm going to make Youkai extremists like her eat my shorts, but her words make me think that maybe there is more to my mom. She said them and there is only one them that Youkai hate more than devils.

The Five Principle Clans. Why would my dad a possible devil and a human woman from the clans who have an extremely long history of killing members of their clans who accept the supernatural world get together? I mean look what they did to Akeno. They killed her mom and then tried to brutally murder her. I froze outside the temple on the sidewalk. Was the car crash that. A real crash or one designed to kill Alex and the rest of the family. Oh, that's very grim. I must find out why Alex hated his grandparents.

I take one more look at the temple and I see on the temple steps the fox is back. It's watching me with barely concealed hate. I will not back down on the threat. It growled again in warning. I say to it again.

"I will never be scared of you or them again."

I then began to jog away without looking back.

I spent the rest of the morning looking for a second base and didn't find anything that was potentially as good as the temple. The only one that had a hint of being good was an old subway station entrance and I didn't want to go inside unless I had a weapon. I will investigate it with said weapon. I think it could be a stray nest. Maybe I'll do my hunt tomorrow night. I need to get home and find the box again. I don't want to be related to the clans. They are usually depicted as solely xenophobic and extremely hostile. Some members of them are good people like Suzaku and Tobio, but they usually are antagonistic. I frown again thinking something. That can't be it can it? I think I remember something about Suzaku, but I can't remember it all the way. It was a distinct feature of hers, and no, it was not her chest. I can't remember what it was and it's bothering me. I think I need to devote more of today to searching for information on my mom. When I get to my room after I quickly jogged home, I searched for the box and then picked it clean of everything. I couldn't find my mom's last name. I reread through the diary and when that didn't turn up a hint either I looked up my birth certificate. I don't see my dad's name either and I am very confused and a bit more cautious, but finally, I find something and that makes me freeze because I was correct. It was a series of photos hidden in a very small book in the very bottom of the box.

It was a picture of my sixth birthday, and I see faces that are not good. One is Akeno. She is cute as a kid with her long black hair. The other is Suzaku. She has the same eyes as me. My dad and mom are watching the activity of me blowing out the candles on the cake and my mom is talking with Shuri Himejima. Baraqiel is glaring at my dad and my dad is looking at the fallen in amusement out of the corner of his eye. That means my dad is very likely a devil.

Machine God damnit. Akeno is my cousin, as is Suzaku. I now perhaps have a hint of why Alex hated his grandparents. The Himejima are bastards, and they might have tried to off me. I will find the police report and see what I can dig up. Because they if they learn of me might try again if Suzaku doesn't take control. Koriel is a bit amused.

"Your family sucks."

I snark back.

"Fuck you sis. They are your family too now."

Koriel is just amused.

"I'd turn them into servitors. Make them be useful. It's funny because your cousin is a Dark Eldar girl. You are the only sane one in the family so far."

I shiver at Akeno and her fetishes. Oh, I don't want to know what she would do. I'm not built that way, but I shiver again wondering if my dad and mom were like that. Koriel continued to be amused.

"You should stop hoping for a normal family. They are very rarely real."

"I hate this universe. Driven by the horny and not by logic and reason."

Koriel keeps being amused but sighs in agreement. We continue to investigate the Himejima, and I finally get the full confirmation. My mom was Nomie Himejima. Fuck dude because her listed sisters are Shuri Himejima and Sakane Himejima. That's very likely Suzaku's mom. Machine God Damnit. Why must I suffer the horny and now Akeno. She is going to hate me. I don't blame her I'd hate me too if I was her. Our family are bastards, and I don't want to get to know them. Akeno if she doesn't hate me will possibly upon learning of me try to get Rias to 'save me' from them. By trying to get me made into a devil.

Fuck dude. More problems and or people trying to kill me. I finally found the reason Alex fought to stay free. In a small note there was the reason written clear as day. He was beaten by his grandfather while his grandmother held him down. To as he said. Drive the evil from his body. That made me sick. Suzaku had found that out and stopped it immediately. Leading Alex's parents to leave the country for the United States. That horrified me more because Alex said that his biggest regret from that was leaving Akeno behind. They had been extremely close. He implied that they tried that on her too, but that Suzaku stopped that again being clan heir. That my grandfather was high in the ranks of the Himejima was horrible.

Oh, Machine God. That means they might have actually tried to kill him and his family. I'm pissed. I feel horrible for Akeno. I'm not her cousin. I'm a stranger and I don't know how I would connect with her if I know nothing of their history. Or if she really remembers Alex at all. She could have suppressed the memories. No wonder she had looked at me more closely yesterday.

This just tells me the world is not going to be lighthearted. This and Himura makes me mad. For Akeno and for Alex. He had wanted to find Akeno again. He was hesitant about ever getting close to the Himejima in anyway. He probably didn't know they tried to kill her. He was so determined to find his Keno. I feel my heart break there because he had made a small picture of him and her on the back of one of the photos. It was extremely badly done but he had wanted that. I took his body. I'm using his money and home. I never asked for his stuff. Koriel stayed silent. Before she softly spoke.

"Don't do this. It's a weakness of the flesh. Be the machine. Deny this and don't attempt to build anything that will just hurt her more."

I nodded. This is logical. It makes sense, but I picture Akeno who has not had family in over a decade. Who hates her dad because she believes he didn't care. She, however, has something I need to get to. The name of my dad. She might know it. With everything I'm seeing is pointing me towards one family and a possible candidate. I don't want that either, but it might be the key to the puzzle and the last piece.

"I might have to. She is real and not a fan service character and or a fantasy for people. Can we truly not try this if it has the possibility of my dad's name, and possible survival? She might have answers that we need badly."

"But you would be living even more of a lie. You would be leading her on. Pretending to be him but never truly him. How can you explain that to her? Or how you are going to change reality. That you are in direct conflict with her king and herself in many ways. How can you justify that?"

"I can't, but we might have to lie. We might have to do this. Because I don't want to be related to him."

Koriel is silent. Before playing devils advocate again.

"He might be your family. Why we need more information. You're right she might be the key."

I nodded sadly. Alex got screwed heavily. I now understand why there was a scar that had been near his right shoulder blade. It was fading thanks to being a perpetual, but it had been deep. I finally answered.

"I will not seek her out openly, but should we truly meet I will claim I have extreme memory loss. The best lies are half-truths. I will do more research on this, but this is a possible way to find out. I'll hold off on it."

Koriel smiled slightly at the plan. We need to get back to work with weightlifting. Then I go to get ready to visit the dojo again. Hopefully I can get more practice in. Sadly, for my potential sparring partner it has become a way of releasing this rage. I'm beyond pissed for Alex and Akeno. They got a shit deal.

When I enter the dojo I saw Ohashi helping out Murayama with several stances. Katase was not here apparently and that is good news for me. I don't know if I will like her. I softly approach the two and wait till they are done with their work. Murayama caught a glimpse of me and brightened. While also blushing slightly. It was not too noticeable but that's expected. Ohashi caught the look and welcomed me to the dojo.

"Gregor-san. I apologize for not welcoming you. My niece was explaining to me a new style she wants to try."

Ok that's interesting, but now seeing them closer together I can see the similarities.

"It's ok Ohashi-sensei. I didn't want to disturb you or Murayama-san. I would like to spar with Murayama-san if she would be agreeable to that. If not I can practice against a dummy."

Murayama brightened and immediately answered.

"I would be happy to spar with you Gregor-san. Can you give me ten minutes?"

I nodded slowly.

"I can thank you Murayama-san."

Murayama went to her bag that was resting on a bench outside the dueling ring and grabbed water. Ohashi looked at me and studied me critically. His face was still ice cold. He, however, prepared to watch more. He handed me the wooden sword that he had been using to show Murayama stances. I take it and began my warmups. Ohashi watched with interest. He didn't say anything about the moves and was just learning the movements himself. I unconsciously started to fall into my sword paths. Ohashi did finally comment.

"Your style would benefit more from a rapier, but the fact you make it work with the current swords shows you adapt fast. Have you held a sword before yesterday Gregor-san?"

I fall out of the stance that was my finisher. Turning to the man.

"No, but I was very interested in sword work for a long time. I am other than that completely new to swords."

Ohashi studied me again. His eyes are not leaving my face.

"Your determination to learn is admirable. I think you have potential to be a good swordsman. Possibly better than many of my students. You will go far, and I am willing to if you impress me enough sponsor you for Kuoh Academy. The kendo teacher is an old friend of mine, and she is interested in what she has heard about you so far."

I surprised him when I reply.

"I plan to be an engineer Ohashi-sensei. I appreciate the opportunity but will let my grades speak for themselves. If the kendo club does decide to recruit me, I'd be happy to join."

Ohashi actually smiles there.

"A dedicated person indeed. I will be watching you with interest Gregor-san. Because this speaks well of you more. Many would jump for a free recommendation to the best school in the city. You want to earn your way up. You are going places with an attitude like that."

I smile. Before replying.

"To Mars and beyond."

The man chuckled good naturedly.

"Perhaps you will. It's nice to see a dreamer exists under stoicism."

I prepared to reply but Murayama coughed gently to get my attention. She is ready to fight. Her eyes wandered over me slightly perversely and I shake my head. I might have found Issari a second friend. Ohashi just raised an eyebrow at his niece making her blush more. Before we assumed stances at opposite sides of the circle.

After two hours of spars with two fifteen minutes breaks in the middle I am impressed with Murayama. She's good. She and I come out equally in wins and losses. However, the final match sees her victory due to her experience over me. Murayama didn't gloat about the final victory. She had been enjoying the fights immensely as I had. She was now looking at me in more interest and a bit more lust. She controlled herself well. Ohashi had left half through to help a family that had entered the dojo.

Murayama smiled wolf like in her happiness at winning the prize.

"That was incredibly fun Gregor-san. You could be an extremely good swordsman if you keep going down this path. I understand you want to be an engineer."

I smile before bowing to her In defeat. I'm drenched in sweat and my lungs hurt.

"I enjoyed the spars too Murayama-san. You're extremely good as well. I learned much from these matches."

Murayama smiled gently there.

"Your friend from yesterday. She was strange. I didn't recognize her at all. What is her name?"

I cracked my back and replied.

"Her name is Issari."

Murayama frowned hearing that name. Thinking over it for a minute.

"I have heard that name before. I don't remember from where though. My friend didn't like her at all. Said that she needs to be watched and possibly isolated."

I frowned because that's not good.

"Did she say why?"

Murayama kept thinking over the name. Before her eyes widened in recognition.

"That's the infamous pervert!"

She now watched me warily. I spoke up softly.

"She doesn't peep and I'm guessing that is the reason Katase-san doesn't like her."

Murayama looked at me in betrayal and a bit hurt. She however more curiosity there.

"Yes. Katase said that she heard that your friend put cams in a bathroom in one of the schools."

I grew grim. That means that the scouter or the bald kid has been spreading that in retaliation for Issari's dad trying to do the right thing. I repeat my statement.

"She doesn't peep, and that was someone else who is probably spreading that rumor, Issari-chan is not a bad person nor am I. I'm not one in any way. Have I tried to be that when we fought?"

Murayama looked at me again. Before her face softened more.

"You didn't do that at all, but you would be better off leaving her behind. Even if she is telling the truth she is a pervert. You seem nice and not bad in anyway."

I don't like that thought. Issari alone on that bench wondering if I lied to her.

"We each have flaws Murayama-san. Do we judge each other based only on rumors and hearsay? Or do we judge people based on what might be beneath the mask we put up to the world. Issari-chan is not a bad person. Just open on what she wants. I don't judge her for that. If she does peep I'm not helping her. She does seem to want to be better. Can you blame me or her for that?"

Murayama looked down in a bit of shame. Ohashi surprised both of us by speaking up. He had snuck into the area while we were talking.

"The girl is a pervert, but she isn't the one who did that Murayama. I know this because it's an open secret in this half of the city that the true one who did the cams was a boy. Not a girl. The girl's father is a good man. Gregor-san is welcome to keep coming back as is the girl. I assume you watch her closely Gregor-san?"

Murayama looks down more at the dressing down by her uncle. I don't gang up on Murayama.

"I do Ohashi-sensei. The one who did the cams has powerful connections. Why it happened and why they got away. I will make Issari-chan follow her promise to me to stay straight. I can't make her be anyone's friend. If my presence and hers bothers you and your friend Murayama-san that much we will leave."

Ohashi doesn't support either side. Murayama looks so torn she softly asked.

"You really mean that?"

I nodded sadly.

"I do. I understand that her reputation will follow her. I accept it will taint me too, but I will not leave someone behind who has tried many different ways to make friends and each time been screwed over by people pretending to care. I do care. Why I will leave if it bothers you both that much."

Murayama is clearly hurt and relieved by that admission. She doesn't say anything for a bit. I bow to Ohashi-sensei. He looked more impressed at me. Kept it under wraps but there were hints of it. I prepared to leave the building.

"My thanks for letting us be here yesterday Ohashi-sensei. I understand and appreciate the help you gave Issari-chan. We will not cause problems for you."

Ohashi acknowledged the thanks and the acknowledgment that we might cause problems for him.

"You are like I said welcome to keep coming here. You're an interesting man Gregor-san."

Murayama doesn't say anything for a second. Before she said in a small voice.

"I will try with her. If she peeps on me I will crack my sword on her head. I will talk to Katase. I really enjoyed our spars Gregor-san."

I stopped from leaving.

"I'll help you with that. I enjoyed our spars as well Murayama-san. I know it's an uphill battle for Issari-chan, but I will fight it."

Murayama looks at me with new eyes. There is the beginning of hearts there along with caution.

"You're a good person Gregor-san. Please don't leave because of me. I have learned much about you in those fights. You do things for a good reason. Every move is calculated. No movement is unnecessary. I will have faith in you and to a degree her. She did seem nice. Just."

I smile a bit and teased.

"Focused. Yes she does that. It can apply to many things. She learns fast when encouraged correctly."

Ohashi speaks up there.

"She does learn fast. Given enough time and experience she could be almost as good as you Mura. I will throw her out if she does attempt anything. As I will with Gregor-san. I see two young people who are interested in learning. Teaching is and will always be my passion. We doing that should set aside preconceived assumptions about people. I immediately saw she was a pervert but she was truly interested. I have followed that story closely. What little information there is supports what I heard from Gregor-san. I suspect that the real problem one is indeed well connected. Because the incident was covered up fast. The girl's father tried to reopen the case. Not something most people would do. I know Gorou Hyoudou, and the man is a pillar of the community. He truly is a good person. That is why I am giving the chance. Katase-san is an excellent swordswoman, but she listens to too much gossip. Research is better than blind hearsay."

Murayama blushed but nodded knowing that now. I offer her something.

"Try asking Issari-chan next time you see her. She is very talkative once you get her going. We are all biased. She hasn't lied to me yet."

Murayama smiled more there.

"I will try that. I. I can relate. Katase is my best friend. You two seem like that."

I chuckled there.

"Possibly one day. Would you like to spar more Murayama-san? I have a few more hours before I need to go home."

Murayama nodded eagerly. Before remembering something.

"I can't today. My dad is getting his brother from his friend's place then we are going out to eat. I'm sorry Gregor-san. I would like to keep sparring with you."

I smiled understanding.

"Family is important. Perhaps this weekend?"

Murayama nodded more at the suggestion.

"I will be here Saturday around 1 pm. I would like to fight someone who seems to be close to my level. Katase always destroys me before I even get a chance. She is, however, interested in sparring with you. Said that she would be interested in perhaps letting you join the kendo club. If you get in."

I take the challenge.

"I will. Thank you again for the spars Murayama-san."

I bow again before leaving. I catch Murayama asking her uncle something as I leave. On the way headed towards my home I don't see devils thankfully. I don't know if I can face Akeno today. I mentally prepare a story for her should she try to initiate something. I don't think she will but with everything it's better to be prepared. I just don't like the images of her hiding her pain behind that teasing smile that isn't even real.

The shower was a big depresso expresso before getting ready to head to the park to meet Issari. I hope that her day has been better than mine. Because getting threatened by a bitch fox, learning your family tree and then most of all being denied a safe haven from the devils hurts. I thought the Shinto had been alright with me but that just makes me not like them more. Himura is a bitch, and I will enjoy making her scream. Yes she is Yasaka's cousin but there seems to be tension there. Maybe I can get my revenge on Himura if she is helping in the Chaos Brigade coup this year. Oh, I want to gut that bitch and make her see my face. Knowing she a mighty 'superior' Youkai dying to a human. Oh, that feeling is wonderful, and I get the Hero Faction more than ever.

They have a goal I can understand. The supernatural world does screw with us too much. The Hero Faction are bastards because they do brainwash people and send people into fights that either get them balance break or death. They see the rot that is the supernatural world and their bullshit. They are probably grimdark here but perhaps I will help them. Because they are the only ones who try for us humans. Yeah, they are curs but sometimes you have to be that, and the world might need that.

Koriel likes the Hero Faction given what I have shared with her on them.

"They understand sacrificing things to win. They are using what they have access to in order to fight things that are disgusting. They are like this Imperial Guard you admire. They just don't pretend to play nice. Eventually you will have to accept that."

"I know. I can't ever kill that part of me completely. I don't agree with them but their goal is a noble one. Just might be horribly perverted into true evil. Like Chaos. Those fucks burn everything they touched. Made us suffer for their amusement. They promise freedom to you, but enslave you to them and make you dance like a monkey. The Imperium was horrible. However thy don't lie to you about that, or hide it much. You might be a slave in the forges and smothered by religious indoctrination but you don't cause billions to suffer worse fates till you try summoning a daemon and then the Inquisition has to nuke the whole planet to stop the spread."

Koriel was also a big fan of the Inquisition as am I. They were truthfully the ones keeping the Imperium functioning enough to not totally fall apart. They were vilified for that. They stopped trillions of cults. Trillions of Xeno plots. Trillions of other threats from destroying the Imperium. They were also utter bastards but they were the watchmen that did that without complaining most of the time. Even Kryptman was right, the cordon stopped the Tyranids from spreading so fast to Terra that the Imperium would have been destroyed in decades rather than centuries. He however also prepared the seeds for the destruction of the galaxy with the Orks and Nids showdown in Octarius. I have my sad heightened because there are places like that which are real.

I kept the depresso espresso going strong as I entered the park. I don't see Issari yet, so I began to do warmups near the fountain. Not many people are here tonight. I am surprised when I hear a small cough near me. I look behind me and my eyes widen seeing who made the noise.

It's the redhead herself in Rias. She was wearing a summer dress and was extremely pretty. This is suspicious. Rias smiled pleasantly and her eyes look me up and down in interest. Not all of it in a person looking at a prize. She is looking at me probably trying to find possible gear. She seems to finally find something that she was looking for.

"Hello. I noticed you doing warmups for exercise. I'm interested in eventually getting more into that. I'm Rias Gremory."

Someone spotted me. Probably Sona or Akeno. Hate you cousin if it's you. I however don't run like I want to instead replying.

"I was. It's nice to meet you Rias-san. I am curious about something however."

Rias is a good actress. She doesn't back down when I turn my suspicion on her fully. She instead looked me up and down. Not perverted but in something else.

"What are you curious about?"

I watched her more than ever and people are still moving around us and seem to be real. No noise canceling bubbles. No people acting weird. I simply ask her.

"Do you go up to complete strangers and ask them things often?"

Rias frowned a bit before she returned to that pleasant smile extremely fast.

"I don't, but my best friend is nervous about talking to you. She saw you yesterday and you caught her attention. I apologize if this seems strange."

Fuck it is that damn traitor cousin.

"I understand, but it's still strange you have to agree."

Rias nodded in understanding.

"It is. I get the attitude sir. I only did this because she swears she has seen you before."

That's not good. Rias is cunning. Using that as her in.

"I don't recall seeing anyone who was familiar to me. I apologize if I seem rude, but this is weird."

Rias doesn't break the act.

"I understand. It's been a rough week for my friend. She has been having trouble with family and she has been making my week not fun. I'll let you go. I'm truly sorry."

Fucking rat bat. Trying to play that card. Hate that you're my preferred type. That hair is so good.

"I understand that. I have had an interesting day too. Now if you will excuse me I would like to get ready for my run."

Rias smiled a real smile. What the? She nodded her head with her hair swinging a bit into her face. She is playing up her nature and her looks. Probably thinking I'm a horny boy with nothing better to do.

"I'm sorry again. I'll let you go. Have a good night sir."

She then did a very well-practiced turn and glided out of the center of the park. Right to an exit where Akeno is watching me intensely. I don't catch Akeno's eye but she as soon as Rias gets to her squints at me again. She broke the mask, and I don't like that look at all. It's a broken woman who probably thinks I was her childhood friend and cousin. I'm not Alex. Maybe Rias used this to get an extremely close look at me. That's especially cruel if she thinks I have gear. To use that as an excuse to look. I don't like Rias more if that is the case. The two leave the park with Akeno looking at me wishfully. She will probably try to follow me around more.

Issari showed up after the two left. She was her knucklehead self and beaming broadly. Not perverted. She was wearing a form fitting brown shirt and jogging pants. She saw my frown. That dimmed her smile. She has courage because she doesn't hesitate.

"Rough day?"

I watch Akeno's back slowly moving away and I feel horrible for her and Alex. Issari didn't catch the exchange but the silence was enough of an answer.

"I'm sorry Gregor-kun. I didn't mean."

I looked at her face and reassured her.

"It's not you Issari-chan. Today has been a not great day. I do have something that might make you happier."

Issari blinked.

"What's that?"

I smile a very soft smile.

"You might have a possible new friend. However they do know your history. I didn't say anything about that. They figured it out and your former friends in the duo are bastards."

Issari beamed so hard at a possible new friend. Got extremely concerned when knowing that the possible new friend knew the past. And then very concerned at the end. We started jogging around the park. Issari asked me the question.

"This person knows and is giving me a chance? Why are they bastards other than their normal stuff?"

We jogged well and I keep watch for Akeno. I'm very convinced this was round one.

"They have probably been spreading a very bad rumor about you. The pink hair swordswoman doesn't like you because of said rumor. That you're the one who put the cameras in the restroom."

Issari widened her brown eyes horrified. I make it better.

"Ohashi-sensei knew you straight off the bat, he has told me we are both still welcome at the dojo. He did defend you to the other one from yesterday. He wants you to know that if you peep in anyway you and I will be thrown out immediately. The other one is giving you a chance like I did. Prove her and the one with a stick up her ass wrong. We can gloat about it."

Issari was horrified as things seemed to fall into place for her. Then she grew hopeful at Ohashi-sensei defending her. More determined to prove people wrong. Then smirked at the part of us gloating.

"Things make sense now. That fucker if he did that along with his friend are going to get more hurt than ever before. I want the harem but that's second now to vengeance against them. I'll help you beat them black and blue if they really have been doing that. Teach me the style entirely. I want them to suffer if they have been making it harder for me."

I smirked thinking of Himura suffering along with Himejima. Issari in thinking of the size scouter. Mood kindred are wonderful when you get that. Koriel joined in this by thinking of the spiteful way she gets her dream against the Mechanicus of her reality. We three feed each other. I promised her a style that was extremely brutal. Used by the World Eaters.

"The style I will teach you is very aggressive. You are a knucklehead so it will work. You get that one part that I can't do to another man because it makes me wince."

Issari nodded her head.

"I heard that it's extremely painful. Like with us and my favorite part. Teach me to go full out on them. The bald one is not terrible. He is just a hanger on. The scouter is the brain there. Matsuda was uncomfortable sometimes too. He just didn't show it as much as me."

I noted that down and caught a hint of long black hair behind us. Following at a safe distance. I was right. Akeno is that desperate. I prepare for the encounter. I'm not ready to break her heart again. Issari surprisingly had noticed our stalker too, and for longer apparently.

"She's been following us for the last ten minutes. Do you know her? Because she is focusing solely on you."

I continue to act nonchalantly.

"I'm pretty sure I don't. There was a strange thing that happened before you arrived. A redhead a year older than us came up to me and asked if I was someone the likely stalker knew."

Issari grew grim.

"That's extremely weird even for me. I won't leave you behind if she confronts us. She has been getting closer."

I prepare us.

"She probably isn't a bad person, but she isn't going to be reasonable. Let me do the talking. Please also don't stare."

We get to a small point where the trail splits and I keep us away from the forest part of the path. That seems to make Akeno mad because she got even closer by the sound of her shoes. We don't pay attention to her, and I don't see the rest of them yet so Akeno might have done this without Rias's permission or she is watching through a familiar. We finally prepared to take a break and that's when Akeno finally caught up to us. She is very pissed and there is the very very large amount of hope that I'm Alex. Issari is about to confront Akeno when I stop her with a tap on her shoulder. That stills the pervert. Akeno finally spoke and it's heartbreaking because she is that horribly desperate to know.

"Alex? Is that you?"

It hurt because it was that desperate and broken. I however turn to face her. The pure hope in her eyes is the worst thing I have ever experienced yet. Same with Issari who now isn't pure mad at Akeno. The pervert doesn't stare as asked. I looked at Akeno and I softly said with a smile that makes her understand I'm not angry with her for the stalking.

"My name is Gregor madam. I don't know any Alex."

Akeno has tears fill her eyes. . They are horrible to see, but she searched my face again. Then grew sadder and then grew incredibly angry.

"You look exactly like him. You have to be him! I demand you do a DNA test! Alex don't play this with me. It's me! Keno! We did everything together! Please don't play this. I know it's you."

I feel Issari grows angry there, but I softly spoke up making the pervert stop.

"I'm not this Alex. I don't know you. Please don't make a scene. Your hurting and I don't want you to do something that you will regret."

Akeno doesn't calm down.

"I won't regret finding the person who made the last decade of my life passable! Alex please. It's you. I know it is. Please don't do this I beg you. It's me. You have the same everything. I'll do anything! Just please drop the mask."

Koriel herself is horrified by how desperate this is. So is Issari. She is looking at Akeno with true pity. I don't want to do this I prepared to do the deed, but Akeno says something that makes me hesitant badly.

"Anything you want. I will give you anything! Alex it's truly me or was that time after they did that thing to you with the brand nothing! You took that for me. You who was my junior didn't back down when they tried that."

I crack. That's how that scar was there. No wonder he fought so hard. Why he hated them bitterly. He had done that for Akeno. Why she was so desperate. I tell Koriel I'm sorry. She judged me hard but can't blame me. Because that hurt. She had come from a reality that was not the base Warhammer world. Why she was more human than the base her. Arkan Lan had a massive following there in that reality and had urged many of his compatriots to stay mostly human. Issari is horrified by that open admission. She looked sick. I finally say softly.

"I don't remember you. I was in a car crash and most of my memories of early life, but that one I do remember, just not your face. Please don't hate me for that."

Akeno finally wept openly and grabbed me and pulled me to her chest. Her sobs of pure relief were horrifying to hear.

"Oh, thank you! Oh, thank you! I promise to call you whatever you want! Please don't leave me again! You who kept me sane! I have missed you so badly! Oh, this day is the day that I have long hoped for. I will protect you from them. Like you did me so long ago!"

I let her weep. Because she was more broken than I had ever thought. She thinks I am nothing because of not knowing. I can't correct this. She kept weeping into my hair. Before whispering something that surprised me.

"I'll even protect you from her. The one who tried earlier. She's not bad. I'm not either. Please don't hate me either. I didn't have a choice.

I can reveal I know. I can kickstart the timeline. Issari deserves the right to choose if she wants that. I stand on a cliff. Both ways are bad equally. Rias will do anything it seems to get strong pieces. That her queen will say that. That's not good. I don't see a way forward. So, I don't say anything. Pretending I didn't hear that.

"You said your name is Keno?"

She wept more hearing our apparent close name.

"I did. I'm so sorry. For everything. For being weak. For letting them do that to you. For stalking you. I'm sorry for the millions of other things I will do. Please don't leave me again."

Issari looks at both of us with true pity. She had been good the whole time. Not understanding till now how hard this was. I will live the lie. My story prepared for this was good. I pat my cousin. She snuggled into my hair now whimpering softly. We are all quiet while this happens. I finally say something ten minutes later.

"I do remember that I was not ashamed of you. We were kids. What could we have done then? I'm sorry you feel that way Keno. I'm probably not who I was then. I had to slowly build myself a new life. I took this name because I saw that Star Wars movie in the hospital, and I liked the name of the actor who was the diplomat like person. Please don't cry anymore Keno."

Akeno finally stopped whimpering. She still shakes a bit. She finally said while still shaking.

"Ok. I will call you Gregor in public. Please let me call you Lex in private. I want that at least. I promise to help you with anything you want. Just please be my cousin who is my hero. That's all I want."

I could abuse that horrifically. I won't make her do anything that will get her in trouble with Rias but this could help Issari out more. Along with possibly doom her to possibly something she doesn't want.

"I'll try to get used to that name. Keno. I'm still trying to figure out things. I don't like your friend. She was eyeing me like a piece of meat. I will try for you. Please don't judge my friend either. She is not what you might have heard about. She took a chance on me, and I would ask that you do the same for her."

Akeno nodded her head into my hair.

"I will talk to her. I will try with this friend. Lex I promise to protect you. I'm different now too. I will do anything for my cousin who didn't run away even though you so badly wanted to. I will be anything you want me to be. I'll do anything for you."

I softly say.

"I just want you to be happy. That's all I want. I don't want to get you into trouble. I never want to get you into that. I will have many questions. I think we can build this slowly. Just don't try to force me into something or my friend unless we want that. I understand we are strangers now. We can make this work if we establish boundaries we are both comfortable with. I don't think I will be leaving you ever again."

Akeno brightened so much there. Her smile was beautiful. There was clear relief and more there. I make the bridge for Issari.

"Keno this is my friend Issari. Issari apparently this is my cousin Keno. I'm sorry you had to learn this all with me."

Issari smiled a wet smile. Getting what I'm doing and offering her.

"It's wonderful to meet you Keno-san. I'm sorry but I don't know your full name."

Akeno isn't offended at all.

"It's Akeno. Drop the san. You are my cousin's friend, and I will try to get to know you too. I'm sorry for stalking you both."

Issari surprised me and my influence showed.

"I will call you Akeno-san until I earn that right. Your cousin is my best friend. He who is a wonderful person. Even more now that I learned that."

Akeno smiled at me fondly.

"He was always wonderful. Lex. Please let me walk with you. You share something with me again. You liked walking then too. I'd be happy to join you again in doing that if you both let me."

Issari nodded her head. I did too.

"You're welcome to join us Keno. We can exchange phone information before we each go home. Just please accept I need time to adjust to this. Please accept that I'm private. I'll invite you in more when I'm ready."

Akeno hurt a bit hearing that. She smiled softly.

"Always the logic man. You didn't lose that. I understand Lex. Just please don't judge me if I'm clingy. I have you back. My hero that was my light this last decade. I will never stop being proud of you for that day. Even if you don't remember all of it."

The three of us move together and enjoy the evening. Now that we dealt with that. I smile gently on the outside. But panic on the inside. Canon is dead. I however have made another two beings' lives better. Empathy sucks ass. Koriel doesn't judge me. Too much.

"We likely destroyed it as soon as we talked for the first time. You're still an idiot that feels too much and has embraced that weakness of the flesh. You are a better person than I ever was. I don't regret getting to know you. Fleshbag."

I snarked back to her.

"Fuck you too sis. It could be worse. We could be in a place that has world ending threats almost daily. Here it's only monthly. But I don't regret knowing you either. Just don't torture me too much for having a heart."

"You are like Arkan in so many ways. He was many things. An asshole who was always a stuck up prick but he kept us who were beginning to lose total faith in flesh here. I respected him for being a person who never backed down on his beliefs. Even when he was being his prick self. I think he would have enjoyed you being his student too. Like how I do. You could have demanded me to be at your beck and call. Yet you don't. You're working with me on my goal. You won't get much nagging from me here. I reserve the right to nag every so often."

As I watch Akeno leaning onto my right shoulder in pure happiness. I mentally say to my partner.

"Agreed. Arkan always seemed to be an ass. But I will take the compliment. I trust in Mars and steel but the mask will fall eventually. I will plan for it. You're welcome sis. Just be ready for an idiot who isn't like Cain. He actually was a hero. I'm not."

"Apparently the other you who I'm very certain Alex was is one. Heroes are not born. They are made. Your other self-trusted in steel as well. Just not the steel I'd prefer. I guess try for this person. But be ready for if she eventually finds out the truth. Till then."

"Fake it till I make it. Cain was that too. But he was the one I want to be like. Just a bit more mechanical at some point."

Akeno smiled more on my shoulder. She was shorter than me by three inches despite the year difference. She was also very lost in her dream made manifest. I want to do this for Terra. Issari is looking at me with more admiration that I don't all deserve. But she doesn't be her pervert self-much. She does glance every so often at Akeno and her chest. I give a pointed look to Issari. The chestnut blushed and mumbled sorry. Akeno just giggled.

"I'm not offended. You don't have to protect me as much Lex. I appreciate the thought. You're still a dweeb."

I raised my eyebrows.

"I'm not going to ever stop doing that. I'm some big hero apparently. So, I will start living up to that. You will get used to Issari-chan. She used to be worse, but she is making steps. We all have flaws. I'm happy to be the dweeb."

Akeno laughed a belly laugh. As did Issari who retorted to me.

"You are indeed that Gregor-kun. You and your machines."

Akeno gets that she won't know about the reference yet. She smiled more than I ever remembered seeing her smile in the beginning of the series.

"He always liked them. He would play rocket ship with me when we were young. Said that he wanted to explore what's up there. You still want that Lex?"

I smile genuinely.

"I do. I'd love to hear more stories about us as kids. Just not them. I don't remember their faces or their names and so much more."

Akeno grew angry at the mention of them, but she relieved too.

"They don't deserve names. They deserve to be forgotten. They attempted to do more horrible things to me and mom. He did something there at least. Took us away from them more."

I know that he. I can't fix that yet.

"Then never tell me them. I will never let them rule my life again."

Akeno softened her hate for her dad seeing me.

"I'll try to help you with your dream Lex. I know that you really wanted that. We would gaze up at the stars together. I miss those nights. We can have that again."

I just smile gently. We are reaching the park and I don't see Rias, or anyone else from the peerage.

"We can. I got to go home. Here is my number, Keno. I'll text you when I want to meet up with you again."

We exchanged numbers and Akeno nodded again.

"Alright. I would like to see you again tomorrow. I really am sorry for stalking you. I just needed to know."

I smiled again.

"Your forgiven. Just please don't do that again. Have a good night, Keno. Issari-chan."

Issari nodded her own fair well and dashed off home. Akeno hugged me one last time before waving goodbye.

"Good night, Lex."

She then walked off into the night. I then began the slow walk home.

Rias was busy enjoying a nice bit of relaxing with her new anime book. She didn't get this often. She was worried about her friend. Akeno had been acting extremely weird this week. But this had turned out to be good because Rias had found a potential new piece. This person Akeno had seemed so certain of knowing had a very likely sacred gear, but one she had never felt before or read a description of feeling like. It was like being near a blast furnace. Extremely hot and that was unusual. It must be something interesting. She had asked several other people about that if they had seen this person before. Green hair is very distinctive. Koneko had remarked that she remembered the green hair and the eyes but didn't feel that at all. She had been on the other side of the store with this person, so it was understandable there.

Sona had said when Rias had mentioned that to her friend that she didn't feel that either and she was closer than Koneko. That intrigued Rias more because Sona had let her get the next potential piece. A reward for a bet Sona lost. Rias was interested in this person. He was handsome and was not looking at her with the typical looks that boys their age did. He had kept his face and eyes to hers the entire time. He was smart too because he had immediately put together her attempt. A major kink of hers was intellectually gifted people. He was younger than her by a year but that would mean nothing when she found a way to convince him to join her peerage. He moved well and she was considering that he would make a very decent knight, or if that didn't work, she would use all the pawns.

Rias was brought out of her thoughts by a portal opening and then Akeno stepped out of it. Rias noticed that Akeno was extremely happy. That meant that something was confirmed. She didn't order Akeno to do or not do something about this. Rias did truly care about her peerage. A rarity amongst devils.

"Is he your cousin Akeno?"

The relationship they had was something that was different to many people. For some it appeared antagonistic, but they really were good friends despite everything that had happened and the circumstances of how they had met. Rias trusted Akeno almost implicitly but something crossed Akeno's face that made Rias blink badly. It was righteous anger. Akeno saw the greed on Rias's face. Her major sin.

"He is and you will not attempt to do anything to him. He has gear, but he is free to do whatever he wants Rias."

Rias doesn't like that. Especially with their problem. Riser was trying to push the arrangements up again. There were things in Rias's favor this time. Rias didn't back down.

"If he has gear then I will make sure he joins. That way you don't have to watch him die from old age."

Akeno grew even more angry. Because she saw the barely hidden eager tone in her king's voice. So certain that would work and the very clear manipulation. Akeno made lightning jump between her hands and that shocked Rias because Akeno had never done that before to her. Akeno growled very low.

"You will leave him alone. He that didn't ask for that. He who is my hero who didn't have to do what he did. My cousin deserves the world, Rias. I have never been too mad at you for when you recruited me. When I had no other choice, but he will have one. If you try to recruit him, I will go stray for him. I don't care about the consequences. He doesn't deserve the shit that our world does. He lost more than I thought."

Rias widened her green eyes horribly. Akeno would go stray for him after just one night of knowing him! What did he do to earn that. Akeno kept her eyes on her king. They are stone cold. Rias finally asked.

"Even with our problem with Riser, you would deny us the chance to win?"

Akeno grew even colder.

"I'd rather be Riser's favorite then let or allow that. He doesn't like you at all. You abused my situation with him to get closer. I'd not care if it was anyone else but him. He, however, is willing despite his very clear reluctance to be near you. He said he would try for me. He who is incredibly good. Don't try or else."

That threat was clear. Rias tried a new approach.

"What do you want me to do then Akeno? Just accept Riser and his pig pen of lust. Your cousin could be our ticket to freedom."

Akeno growled again seeing the angle Rias was playing.

"How about you fucking train. You don't do that unless your brother or sister push you to. I trained to become stronger to protect him from the bastards and I will protect him from you too. Your greed for a single knock out piece that will magically solve our problem is stupid."

Rias looked down in shame. It was true. She needs that piece or something else badly. They were four against fifteen. Almost a full set. Riser was missing a single piece. He kept that one in reserve. Just in case, and the case was bad. It was for Rias if she ever tried to break free from him after the wedding. Even though it would doom Akeno, Kiba, Koneko and Gasper to mutations. Reincarnated were still the bottom and Riser didn't care much for them. Rias hates being a third child and not heiress. She was only lucky enough to have her peerage because of her oldest brother's title and her sister's fame. Her sister was the Heiress, and her sister was spared this because of her success in the games. The line was secured with Milicas making the family stable after her sister. Rias was the horrible extra spare and why the contract was real. Her dad and mom loved her. They were determined to get this for Rias because it gave her a way to move up the ladder for the extremely rare third children. Riser was the very likely next heir. Because his older brother was in a very poor position.

Rias understands all of that, but she wanted someone to see her for her. Not as the third child overshadowed by her brother who was Lucifer. Not the younger sister of Heniya Gremory who was in the top ten of the ratings games. But as Rias the weeb. Rias the woman who wanted true love. Akeno saw the growing depression that showed itself now. Rias had a very bad case of it. Like how Akeno does. They had been reluctant with each other upon first meeting, but that trait had bonded them together with the precision welding of steel. Akeno softly made a concession.

"He is a good person, Rias. Maybe if you explain a bit, he will help you. If he doesn't that is still his choice. I'd ask as the person I know you are but do not push it after if he says no."

Rias felt tears in her eyes there. She was desperate. She needed that piece, and she would do almost anything to win. Even betraying her best friend's wishes. Akeno had offered that. She clearly understands the situation they are in and how the peerage was even lower on the pole than she was in terms of what they would be to Riser when they lose. Rias let out a soft whimper.

"I need him Ke. I need help and no one is actually trying for me. I only won the last bet with Sona because she purposely threw it in pity. She who is safe. We are not. I will try to respect your wishes. If I must do the thing we all despise I will. The only way I was able to stall the arrangement was because my sister is governor here and I'm here at her pity knowing I hate him. Riser plans to do things to me I can't say of because of the contract. They are bad. I'll do anything your cousin wants from me. Even giving myself to him completely as a toy. I'd rather do that then be with Riser."

Akeno saw her friend and her very clear depression and there was the thing they all hated. Forceful reincarnation. Rias had asked each of them. Even Kiba. That was the uncommon way of doing it and it was only now two decades later becoming the slow norm. The norm before was forceful reincarnation. The evil piece system lessened that fact significantly. A very unintended side effect that wasn't discovered till later. The Satans hated that. Ajuka had fixed the system immediately after learning that flaw. However that didn't stop the huge number of early pieces with said flaw.

They couldn't do much to help those pieces because of the politics of the underworld and because they were very close to being almost puppets. The Satans didn't make smart moves in the beginning and that had come back to haunt them. They had been new to power then. They tried to do what they could do. Families like the Gremory and the Sitri did care about the reincarnated who were technically mind controlled. Rias cared and wanted to help reincarnated. As did Sona. Why the two plus two others who were heirs had started to secretly meet. Akeno finally after being silent said.

"He would never ask you that Ria. My cousin is a man who looks below the surface. I think he might know about the other side. I caught him looking at me more critically. Might just be extremely quiet about it. I think it might be him. He was extremely private when our families mingled."

Rias thought for a moment. Then she felt it fall into place. Her eyes widened more because she had almost done something horrible if it's from them. Along with very likely burning hope if that is the case.

"You might be right. He looks and thinks like him."

Akeno grew grimmer. Because this was bad and possibly their way out.

"He has been extremely isolated since the incident. It's not a well-hidden secret and the story lines up with what your brother has shared. It might be him. You think your brother can get in contact with him? If it's the case?"

Rias felt bad for them both now more if this was the case. He all but believes his son is dead. Had embraced solitude almost completely and had tried twice to end it.

"It will be extremely hard to do that. He refuses almost all attempts to talk to him. I really will do anything to be free of Riser. Ke please. If he is his and does free me, I'll give him whatever he wants. He probably is against me. I got that feeling from him."

Akeno said softly.

"He just seems very scared Rias. Can you blame him if he is only a regular human? We abuse them regularly. You have never denied that. If he knows the other side now, it's because he has done extensive amounts of research. Probably furthering the fear. He said he will give you a chance. Rias have faith in him like I do. He stopped being a kid when he was six. He knows the world is not perfect."

Rias hasn't had that in forever. She had experienced too much pain to have that.

"I can't. Please make him see I'm not bad. He saw me fully. Everything that I am in just a few minutes. He is what I want so desperately. I have poisoned the seed by my nature. If he is him, he can save me and all of you. I'm weak and nothing Ke."

Rias lets down tears finally succumbing to her depression. Akeno held her friend and her sister of choice. She knows Rias is in a hole. As is Alex if it is true. Because it could either save a hero of their race or be the final straw that leads him to the void if the hope this might bring is false. Akeno will be like Alex. She will trust in steel. She will get a DNA test done.

An. Welcome to the family Gregor. Enjoy the cousins of fire and lightning. And more information on Rias. A harem of guns. that is something and very possible in the future. And as for the duo they are darker here or real just one and Issari really is a good person and only hung out with them for the acceptance to feed the dragon. The shit talk was on base Issei given Gregor didn't not know what and who they would be. Base Issei is something and Issari is much more intelligent. As for the last part of the review that's a surprise. For titans and knight the gear can't make them fully. But it can build the parts to the forges that will make them in the future. Xenos will not be making a big impact till midway through or much later as this will be very long. Gregor being the intelligent one is great. He does have future problems that are not great. You will see them in future chapters. Kastalans are a bit harder to make right now due to the size and the limited space right now but will come in the future. As for Koriel just because you need a psyker for the original reader doesn't mean you like them or even accept them. Psykers are sus in so many ways.