Dragons vs Epitaphs
ESKK:
(Start Kuoh Academy Rias)
Rias was having one of those interesting mornings to say the least. After she brought Issei back to his house and they were found by his parents the morning was interesting. The pair had walked to school and had apparently missed Haseo and his group on the way. How she knew this was because Haseo and his group had walked not the gates after Rias had parted ways from Issei.
So, looking down upon the scene Rias saw Haseo leading the group as they were talking. No doubt discussing what had happened and the details around it. Rias sighed a bit as she knew how things were going to turn out, but Haseo needs to know this since the target on his back had just gotten a lot larger.
"This is going to a little tough." Rias muttered to herself as she walked away. Issei had taken being her servant into his stride, though she knew it was because of his perversion and the fact that she saved his life, but mostly because he was a pervert.
Soon enough a new voice drew Rias out of her thoughts opting her to look towards the source. "Looks like they're off the market, huh?" Souna Shitori, real name Sona Sitri, said, while speaking to her friend. "So, they're all Devils?" Sona asked though she already knew the answer to this.
"Since the day before." Rias said confirming what had happened prior.
"And they're all a part of your peerage, I presume?" Sona asked a bit annoyed that Rias got to Haseo first.
"No." Rias denied and which surprised Sona.
"But they died, didn't they?" Sona asked trying to make sense of this.
"Yes." Rias responded knowing where this was going but still tried to walk away.
"And you revived them?" Sona asked trying to get the facts which changed things a bit.
"Look," Rias began as she stopped walking and looked at her fellow King in the eye. "It's complicated and I'll explain later but right now I need some time to think." Rias said as Sona looked at her friend for a couple of seconds before nodding, "Thank you." Rias said and with that, the bell rang, and it was time to start another school day.
(Later at Class)
The school day came to an end as Haseo was grateful for it. So as everyone was preparing to depart Haseo sat with his meager friend group. "So, Rias was the one to do this shit to us?" Alkaid asked as she sat with her chair facing the group displaying bad posture.
"Apparently so." Haseo said after explaining the situation to his friends once more.
"Damn." Alkaid said as Atoli found this odd.
"But why did she do it?" Atoli asked wanting some answers.
"Better question who is she and can she change us back?" Silabus asked having concern over what was happening to them.
Just then the door opened and a familiar young man with blond hair walked in. "Hello, I'm looking for Issei Hyoudou, Ryou Misaki, Yuuichi Morino, Kouta Maki, Chigusa Kusaka, and Chika Kuramoto." The young man Kiba Yuuto began as he entered the room. "Has anyone seen them?" He asked looking around for the students in question.
"Well, if it isn't the handsome prince…" Issei said tonelessly while glaring at Kiba. "What do you need us for?" Issei asked his glare never leaving his face.
"It was Rias-senpai who asked me to find you all." Kiba answered with a smile.
"So, I'm guessing this is the explanation I was going to get... great there goes some shut eye." Haseo said as he then got up and stretched a bit.
"Oh my god is Kiba about to walk out here with Weasel Boy?" A girl asked as Haseo heard her.
"But at least they're walking out with Haseo to even things out." Another said as Haseo sighed in frustration to it as he really wanted to get out of here fast.
"But what is Issei makes Haseo a full pervert!?" Another complained as Issei heard this and sighed.
"Everyone simmer down I promise not to drain either of their pimp juice." Issei said as they began to take their leave as Haseo then looked to Issei.
"Hey Issei." Haseo began as Issei looked.
"What?" Issei asked only to be smacked upside the head by Haseo. "Yeow!" He yelped as they made their way out.
(Scene Break Old School Building)
The group arrived the Old School Building which Haseo was fully aware was a Devil Meeting Place but since they don't bother him, he didn't bother them. As they entered it didn't take them long to arrive at what Haseo saw from the sign as the Occult Research Club while they made their way inside. As they were inside Haseo also took note to the candles lighting the room and such while also noting the sound of a shower somewhere in here.
Haseo of course had learned earlier that Issei had woken up to Rias breasts in his face the same way he himself awoken to his head shoved into Akeno's this morning. But what he noted was the petite girl in the room eating chocolate as Haseo saw them. "Isn't that Koneko the quote unquote Schools mascot?" Haseo asked as he saw here there.
"Why yes that is I'm surprised you heard of her Haseo." Kiba said as Haseo sighed to this.
"Gaspard hangs around her more then I do." Haseo said pointing his thumb to Gaspard. "It's a given." Haseo added which Kiba understood. "By the way, Issei, shield your eyes we got a shower here." Haseo said as he pointed to the shower curtains not too far from them.
"You're kidding!" Issei called out as he then saw the curtains in question. But before Issei's thoughts could derail to perverted antics Haseo acted and grabbed Issei covering his eyes. "Hey no fair!" Issei called out as Haseo smirked to him.
"Sorry no eye full for you." Haseo said as he was keeping the pervert on a leash.
Just then a new voice was heard which Haseo, Alkaid, and Atoli all recognized. "Your clothing is all set out for you when you're ready Ms. President." Akeno said as Alkaid glared at Akeno while Atoli was blushing again.
"Are you two, ok?" Gaspard asked noticing the looks they had.
"Thank you, Akeno." Rias responded as that sealed it for them.
"Wait, there was someone else behind the curtain?" Alkaid asked when she heard Rias's voice while she was surprised to hear someone was in the shower.
"Oh, who is that?" Akeno asked as she saw them after she entered the room. "I didn't see you all." Akeno flirted as Haseo pointed torts Issei hoping to divert her away from himself while Issei flinched a bit. "No need to panic I won't bite. So, you're the new guys huh?" Akeno greeted as Haseo saw this but opted to stay quiet.
"Sorry for the wait." Rias apologized as she pushed the curtain away, "I stayed over at Issei's place yesterday, so I didn't get a chance to bathe, you know?" Rias said while Haseo raised a brow to this and then looked at Issei.
"What did he get dirt on you or something?" Alkaid quipped causing Atoli to elbow the red head.
"Anyway, your Akeno, right?" Atoli said as she turned to one the Great Ladies of Kuoh,
"Heard of me before, have we?" Akeno said with a teasing tone. "Well, let me formally introduce myself. My name is Akeno Himejima, pleased to meet you all." Akeno said as she bowed as she smiled with a small blush. "Please take care of me." Akeno said which made Issei react.
"Ah, I should be the one saying that!" Issei said as he looked to the young woman. "Please take care of me!" Issei said which got Akeno to playfully smile.
Haseo though decided to cut the small talk and get right down to it. "Ok so I'm guessing Rias here is the one in charge as in the president." Haseo said as he looked to the Devil's in question.
"That would be correct Haseo." Rias said as she walked out fully clothed now. "Now allow me to be the first to welcome you all to the Occult Research Club." Rias said as she looked to the dup as Haseo saw this and saw how unaware Issei was.
"Occult Research Club?" Issei asked as he heard this.
"So, any time you guys going to confess this is a cover for Devil Activity?" Haseo asked as he looked to them as they were all surprised by this.
"Oh, this one is just full of surprises." Akeno gushed as Haseo saw this.
"How did you know?" Kiba asked as Haseo heard this and sighed.
"Simply put I was already on to you guys the moment I first walked into the school during 1st year." Haseo said as Rias chuckled a bit as Issei was surprised as well. "See when guys from all three factions are after my ass for so long you start picking up a few tricks of the trade." Haseo said as he looked to them. "Rias Gremory Heiress to the house of Gremory right?" Haseo asked as he looked to Rias.
"Yes, and I supposed your Haseo the Terror of Death." Rias answered as Issei heard this.
"Terror of Death?" Issei asked wondering how Haseo got such a kickass title like that.
"Well of course considering he's one of 8 very unique and rare beings even more so then a Longinus user." Rias said as she looked to Haseo. "An Epitaph User am I right?" Rias asked as Haseo looked to her a bit confused.
"Epitaph?" Haseo asked as Rias nodded to him.
"It's the only reason the factions would take such extreme to either recruit or kill you on the spot." Rias said as she looked to Haseo as he tried to make sense of all of this.
"Ok and how does this directly involve me again?" Haseo asked as Rias was heading into the preverbal mind field now.
"Ok um what is going on here?" Issei asked as he wanted to get some answers.
"To make a long story short, Issei." Atoli began as she cut in for the explanation. "Rias and her club members are Devils and the guy who attacked us is a Fallen Angel." Atoli said making it clear over what was going on to the pervert.
"That's right." Rias said cutting in on the explanation. "Fallen Angels are the Angels originally from Heaven that served the Gods, cast out and sent to Hell due to their wicked nature. We Devils want to retain control of Hell, and we've been battling Fallen Angels ever since." Rias explained, before noting something. "I'm guessing Haseo told you all?" Rias asked as she looked to the group.
"Yeah, we kind of got dragged into this mess when Haseo originally awoken that power of his." Silabus said recalling that incident.
"I see." Rias said before carrying on the discussion. "Anyway, we Devils make pacts with humans for a price in order to obtain power, whereas the Fallen Angels take control of humans and use them to destroy Devils. Moreover, the Gods have tasked many Angels of destroying Fallen Angels and us Devils, making the situation a three-way standoff. It's been like this for a very long time." Rias explained to Issei and to those who were not in the know. "Do you understand what I've said so far?" Rias asked but Issei was still skeptical about this.
"Er… so this is an Occult Research Club's discussion forum?" Issei asked which served to annoy Rias.
"Everything I've said is the truth." Rias said, looking a bit miffed that her explanation was not believed.
"So let me see if I got this right, this club is a front, and this place is your base of operations." Haseo said which meant they were at the heart of possible enemy territory.
"Well, your quick on the uptake." Kiba said impressed with Haseo and how he figured everything out.
"Wow this can't be real." Issei said which opted for Rias to pull out her ace in the hole.
"This girl… you must recognize her, right?" Rias said as she pulled out a picture revealing it to Issei and the others.
"Wait I've seen this girl." Haseo said recalling Raynare and her actions.
"Yuuma-chan!?" Issei exclaimed when he saw the picture causing Haseo to jump in shock. "How did you get this anyway? All the photos we took were gone and… no one seems to remember her." Issei said as Haseo found that out from his investigation as well.
"Well, to put your mind at rest, that girl certainly exists." Rias said, confirming that Issei did get a date. "She's a Fallen Angel, just like the one who ambushed you and Haseo yesterday." Rias explained to the group which Alkaid smirked a bit.
"Yeah, until Haseo send him running." Alkaid said with a cocky grin on her face.
"So, I've seen, and rumors tend to spread, you've gotten a reputation Haseo killing 100 Fallen Angels by yourself truly impressive." Rias said praising what Haseo managed to do by himself. "Anyway, after she and her Fallen Angel friends killed you guys, it seems like she erased everyone else's memory and records." Rias said getting back on track. "That's why no one remembers the girl named Yuuma Amano." Rias continued which made sense.
"That probably isn't even her real name." Silabus said as he had played a few games with this premise. "Why give someone you're supposed to kill your name when they're just going to die anyway." Silabus guessed, which everyone agreed on.
"My thoughts exactly." Rias replied with a calm tone.
"But wait, we're all alive and well right now!" Issei exclaimed, noticing a clear plot hole in this. "Also, why would she want to kill us?" Issei asked which Haseo sighed to this.
"Someone gave out orders for her to kill you for your Sacred Gear." Haseo said as he knew what happened more or less. "We got in her way, so she and her friends killed us all." Haseo said cursing himself for being dumb enough to drag his friends into this problem.
"More then that, with your Epitaph you're a high valued target Haseo." Rias said as she recalled one tidbit of information suspecting another in Haseo's group had an Epitaph.
"What is so valuable about my Epitaph that people want it so badly?" Haseo asked as this question had plagued his mind for years. Rias looked and then sighed a bit knowing this explanation was coming.
"Alone its powerful even capable of going toe to toe with one of the Heavenly Dragon's even a Longinus, but if one were to gather all eight and unite them then the Key of Twilight will be born and whoever holds it will either destroy the world or bring forth the inheritor of the Holy Father's throne." Rias said as she looked to Haseo as Issei saw this.
"Wow by the vagueness of that you sound like you don't really know yourself." Issei jested as soon the entire room went silent in response. "Wait you don't really know what could happen?!" Issei cried out realizing the silence was the sign on which he was spot.
"Understand Skeith is considered among the strongest and the fact that Haseo has used it so well till now has placed a target on his back." Rias said knowing Haseo had to fight for his life almost constantly since awakening Skeith.
"Tell us something we don't know." Alkaid said knowing full well the number of times Haseo had gotten himself into trouble over the Epitaph Gear.
"Question." Issei called out raising his hand. "What's a Sacred Grear?" Issei asked wanting to know more about this power.
"I'll explain this." Akeno spoke up and gained the rooms attention. "A Sacred Gear resides in special humans, giving them abilities far above normal." She began as Atoli was making mental notes of this for later research. "Although most of them can only take effect within human society." She said and thus it began to make sense.
"And Issei, you have that kind of power within your body." Rias finished off causing Issei to look down his body.
'Within my body…' Her thought before it suddenly, it hit him, "Wait! I know I'm a super healthy, virile guy, but that thing is actually a super famous tool nicknamed the Sacred Gear!?" Issei exclaimed as he grabbed his 'Sacred Gear'.
Silabus chuckled nervously, Gaspard was surprised, Alkaid facepalmed herself, Atoli blushed at the implications, and Haseo just smacked Issei upside the head.
"Idiot." Haseo said as he glared at Issei after slapping him.
"No…" Rias said with a small sweat drop. For a moment she was questioning why she had even revived him. "Just… listen, okay Issei?" Rias said and thus Issei stopped what he was doing and nodded. "Good. Now, close your eyes and strike a pose that makes you feel like you could draw out a strong power from within." Rias said trying to help Issei out with this task.
"Um… okay…" Issei said as he tried to do a powerful pose. 'Why am I doing this?' Issei thought as he felt sort of stupid doing this right now.
"Dude come on why are you doing a Dragon Ball Z?" Alkaid asked with a raised brow over the scene.
"It doesn't look like you have any power…" Rias admitted as she looked at the strange pose wondering if a mistake was made.
"Yes, I do! Watch this!" Issei said with a cocky smirk, "Ka… me…" He began as Haseo saw where this was going.
"It isn't going to work." Haseo said seeing enough anime to see where this was going.
"Ha… me…" Issei continued trying to ignore the peanut gallery here.
"Oh, what is he going to do, blast a hole through the building?" Alkaid joked, as she agreed this was going to flop.
"HA!" Issei finished off as he aimed at Haseo who glared at Issei, but nothing happened.
"I told you it wasn't going to-" Haseo said with a smirk but was then interrupted as Issei's left hand started to glow. "What the Hell!?" Haseo asked when he saw he was wrong.
"What is this!?" Issei exclaimed as some sort of gauntlet started to form around his hand,
"That," Rias paused for dramatic effect as the Sacred Gear finished forming, "Is your Sacred Gear!"
"Amazing! This looks awesome!" Issei said as he admired the newly activated Sacred Gear.
"I guess hanging around me gave you an edge." Haseo said suspecting the previous attempts may have awoken it.
"Wait do any of us have a Sacred Gear?" Alkaid asked as she looked curious if she had a sacred gear of her own.
Haseo recalled something Raynare how she sensed a second Epitaph Gear but that may have been a mistaken due to his own being there. Still, it might be something worth looking into which Rias sighed a bit.
"Alkaid if we had one, we'd have probably noticed it by now." Atoli said as she didn't want Alkaid to get her hopes up.
"How would you know?" Alkaid countered as she wanted to try it at least. "We haven't tested it. It could be as simple as-" She began but suddenly, she paused her sentence as she stared blankly into space.
"Uh Alkaid?" Silabus asked as he got a bit worried for the girl.
"It can be as simple as…" Alkaid repeated as she balled her right arm into a fist, "As simple as…" She trailed off as now everyone was worried.
"Alkaid?" Haseo asked as he was now worried for the red head.
"AS SIMPLE AS THIS!" Alkaid suddenly shouted out and punched her fists forward causing a flash of light to shine and from it Alkaid's right hand was covered in a bracelet with a bluish hue and a set of runes around it.
Everyone started at the scene in shock as they tried to make sense of what had just happened. As Haseo saw it he felt a pulse resonate through him and off to the side Atoli felt the same. "Holy cow?!" Gaspard gasped when he saw the bracelet appear.
"What? This is it? My sacred Gear?" Alkaid asked clearly disappointed with what she got for a Sacred Gear. "Well at least I have a gear." Alkaid said with a grin on her face.
"Of course, you do." Rias muttered as she rubbed her temples. 'I was this close to getting another one.' Rias thought clearly frustrated before continuing the explanation. "The Fallen Angel Yuuma Amana thought Issei's Sacred Gear posed a threat and when you all decided to intervene in her mission, she decided to kill you all." Rias said as Haseo figured that was the case, but one thing still perplexed him about this situation.
Thankfully the ever-dull Issei was the one to ask the question. "But… we're still alive." Issei stated making it clear that there was a plot hole here.
"Really? I haven't noticed." Alkaid said sarcastically, showing she had a certain distaste for perverts like any other girl around her.
"Well, when you took your last breath, you summoned me." Rias began her explanation before directing her attention to Akeno. "Akeno, give Issei a simplified pentagram." Rias ordered and with a nod from Akeno she gave Issei the flier.
"Yeah… I think I've seen this before…" Issei muttered, recalling his date when a lady had given him the contract.
"As you were told prior: A Devil requires a signed contract in order to utilize a human's power." Rias said as she continued with her explanation. "They forge an agreement based on the fulfillment of a human's wish, taking power equivalent to the wish they grant." Rias said before getting to the big part of it. "But these days, humans who can draw this kind of pentagram have become almost non-existent." Rias said which got Haseo to speak up next.
"So, you decided to adapt and do it for them." Haseo said which Rias smirked.
"Quick on the uptake." Rias said before Atoli had to ask.
"So, what was Issei's wish?" Atoli asked curious as to what Issei would have wished for to be granted.
"To at least die in the arms of a beautiful girl." Rias answered with a wink at Issei. Now he was glad he was a pervert. Because his perversion saved his life. "So, when I was summoned, I discovered that Issei possessed a Sacred Gear, so I saved his life. I made him a Devil, becoming an underling of Rias Gremory and live again!" Rias explained but then another plot hole was spotted.
"Wait, what about us? We were there right next to him!" Silabus said as he pointed out this clear blank.
"Someone had saved you girls before I could." Rias said as she got Akeno to retrieve the chess set. "I believe this is yours." Rias said as Haseo recognized the chess set.
"Hey that's mine!" Haseo called out as he then took the chess set back. Opening the set Haseo saw that the cheap white plastic pieces were gone and a few of the black pieces were gone too, "Wait, where are the white pieces? Where's King, Knight, Queen, and both Bishops?" Haseo asked noticing the pieces were missing from the set.
"Well, why don't we properly introduce ourselves?" Rias said as everyone in the ORC stood up and revealed their wings.
"My name in Kiba Yuuto, second year and a Devil." Kiba began as he introduced himself.
"Koneko Toujou. First year. Devil." Koneko greeted while she stood there.
"I'm Akeno Himejima, the Vice President of the Occult Research Club, a third year and a Devil." Akeno said introducing herself like her friends.
"And I'm your Master, Rias Gremory, the heir to the family title of duke. We're all in your care, Issei." Rias said and in response Issei's wings appeared, looking smaller than the other Devils wings.
"One problem." Haseo said as he cut in again. "You revived Issei but who revived us." Haseo asked as he wanted the facts now.
"From a certain point of view… you did." Rias said as she began her explanation to the group.
"Wait what?" Silabus asked as he was confused just like Haseo.
"Haseo, you wished to not let your friends die. It was you who saved your friends." Rias began her explanation as Haseo began to put the pieces together. "There was a pentagram inside the chess set of thought extinct family." Rias said as the puzzle pieces fell into place for Haseo.
"I… saved my friends." Haseo said as he was happy for that but there was still one loose end. "But that would mean I wouldn't be here. I would've stayed dead." Haseo said knowing that his wish was granted so he should be six feet under.
"But they would need someone to lead them, right?" Rias said and thus his group began to see where this was going.
"Wait you don't mean?" Alkaid asked as she saw what this meant for them.
"Yes, I do mean." Rias responded and got down to it. "As eyewitness of your revival, I can safely say this." Rias began as she walked over and stood across from Haseo. "You are not part of my peerage." Rias stated as she and Haseo stared each other down. "You are not my underling you are my apprentice." Rias said which Gaspard then had to ask.
"Apprentice of what?" Gaspard asked wanting answers as much as the others.
"Apprentice of a King." Rias answered giving clarification before focusing only on Haseo. "You're a King, Haseo your friends are your servants, and you have power beyond what you know." She said causing Haseo to hold back a scoff as he may have a pretty good idea. "Congratulations of gaining your own peerage, Haseo the Terror of Death, the first ever Human King." Rias said and thus it was clear where tis tale was going for them.
Then on que Haseo sprouted devil wings just as his friends did the same. They were all shocked by this as it was clear that things had changed for them. "Wait so we're devils now as in spirits of evil and blight?" Alkaid asked as she had some issues with that.
"Devils aren't evil, they just represent evil and punish those who commit sinful acts." Rias said as she sounded so done with that stereotype from the humans.
"I don't know whether to be pissed off at you or the guy who did this to us." Haseo said as he figured Rias may know who this guy is.
"It isn't all bad." Rias said hoping to lighten the mood for the newly reincarnated devils. "If you do well, everyone here could potentially gain their own servants!" This actually sparked interest in newly reincarnated Devils.
"Yeah, I don't know how I feel about that." Silabus said as he had a few objections.
"They're not the kind your thinking about." Rias said assuring Silabus that it was ok. "Servants are people who will obey your every whim, no matter what it is." Rias clarified as she smirked in a sexy way to the group.
'That's exactly the same thing.' Alkaid thought with a slightly annoyed look on her face.
"'Every whim'?" Issei repeated before snapping out of it and back to the conversation at hand. "Anything? No matter what it is?" Issei asked with a smile of excitement on his face.
"Well, if they're your servants, then yes, of course." Rias answered, though wondered why that needed clarification. Rias soon got her answer when she saw how Issei began to grin.
"UOOOOH YEEAHH!" Issei cheered as he could already see it now. "I WANT TO BE A DEVIL!" He proudly declared as he took a victory lap around the room while Ruby and her teammates could only just stare at the biggest pervert they knew.
"Simple-minded." Koneko simply said while Kiba just chuckled at his antics.
"Well at least he's taking this well." Gaspard said as he looked to how excited Issei with this new development.
"I CAN THROW AWAY ALL OF MY HIDDDEN PORNO MAGS!" Issei shouted out while Alkaid's eye twitched at the sentence, before going into a depressed state. "…No, I can't do that. They're my treasure and this and that are two different things…" Issei said only for Alkaid to bonk the boy over head with her fists. After she left a bruise Alkaid cracked her knuckles with her eyes closed.
"Pervert." Alkaid growled as she was not happy to have Issei here spreading his pervy aura.
Rias chuckled a bit before she began to approach the group. "So, what do you think? Are you willing to become my servant?" Rias asked with a smile, directed towards Issei.
"Yes, Rias-senpai!" Issei answered with a salute. Rias' smile quickly turned into a stern frown.
"No! Remember, you have to call me 'Buchou' or 'President' for now on." Rias said to the pervert making him aware of this. "That goes to you as well." Rias said as she looked over to Haseo and his group.
"Yeah, good luck with that." Haseo said showing he would not say it.
"So, what do we do now?" Silabus asked before Haseo says something else that could cause the group. any unneeded issues.
Letting go of what Haseo had said Rias began her explanation. "Well, first off, all of you must start accumulating achievements." Rias explained to the group so they can understand what was going on. "The price paid for signing a contract with a human. This is the route Devils take to gain power." Rias began as the group paid attention. "If your achievement is acknowledged, you may be awarded a title of nobility, enabling you to receive servants or peerage members, if you so incline." Rias said which made sense but not explain why the devils needed this promotion system.
"There are structured ranks among Devils, being separated between four classes: Ultimate-Class, High-Class, Middle-Class and finally Low-Class Devils." Rias continued her explanation making sure Issei and Haseo's group understood. "My family's title is Duke, meaning we're Ultimate-Class Devils. Though the title is usually related to your family, there are some Devils who achieve the title on their own." Rias added which mean Rias inherited her rank as a Duke or in this case Duchess.
"Humans like Issei, who also became Devils, also have a chance." Koneko spoke up before going back to her sweets.
"So do things and get noticed by the higher ups seems simple enough." Alkaid said but Rias chuckled at the simplistic way of seeing the process.
"It's a lot more complicated than that but yeah, that's the basic gist of it." Rias said while rubbing the back of her neck. "So, from now on, all of you have to start working hard." She said with a wink at the group. "Especially Issei and Haseo." Rias said which made Rias raise a brow while Issei cheered.
"Wait what me?" Haseo asked as he figured since he was a king, he already got the rank.
"Well, here is the awkward thing." Rias said trying to find the best way to explain the situation. "See Haseo you were revived in a very unique way, and you see…" Rias said finding it hard to get the words out.
"Well come on spill it out." Alkaid said as she wanted answers.
"Is Haseo ok?" Gaspard asked worried for his closest friend.
"See Alkaid, Atoli, Gaspard, and Silabus are your underlings, your peerage." Rias said as Haseo nodded to this.
"I get the gist of it." Haseo said but failed to see where the here issue was. Kings are the leader of their peerage and it's the peerage's job to protect and serve the king. "I'm the master and they're the servants." Haseo said being blunt with how it worked.
"Yes but…" Rias began before she sighed a bit. "I think you should let me command the peerage until I'm sure you can handle it, Haseo." Rias said as she wanted to avoid unwanted tragedy for them.
"And why is that?" Haseo asked trying to get all the facts on this situation.
"Well, Haseo, you aren't ready to lead a peerage yet. You don't have the strength and experience. You shouldn't even have a peerage yet." Rias said opting to be blunt and stop beating around the bush.
Haseo, you've been a Devil for only a few days, making you a Low-Class Devil, the first in fact and here lies the problem with your revival." Rias said moving on to why Haseo shouldn't have been made a king.
"Humans aren't meant to be Kings yet. Usually, only High to Ultimate-Class Devils can get their own peerage and usually, they have become strong enough to get a King piece alongside the piece they may already have." Rias said which meant Haseo basically did the impossible and got his peerage from the get-go.
"That means those who receive their King piece are already strong and do not require a lot of benefits and changes that usually entails when getting an Evil Piece." Rias said which began to put the puzzle together. "Maybe a large boost in how much Devil Energy they have, stamina and enhanced senses. But other than that, nothing really. Which means…" Rias said as it was Alkaid who said it.
"Haseo is still only as strong as he was when he got changed." Alkaid said realizing what this meant for them.
"Exactly." Rias said as that made Haseo the most vulnerable of his own Peerage. "Don't get me wrong his Epitaph Gear grants Haseo a huge advantage here that should help balance it out but." Rias trailed off as the way she did it showed if Haseo was not careful he could die again and this time he would not get a revival from it.
Haseo paused during this as he considered what was going on and then sighed in frustration. "Where do we begin?" Haseo asked not wanting to end up six feet under here.
"Well, this is a task of great importance and is vital to both of our peerages. Failure and it could spell doom to not only your lives as Devils, but the entirety of our operations here in Kuoh." Rias said and this caused Issei and Haseo's group to look at each other before nodding,
"We won't let you down, Buchou! Give us the mission!" Issei said proudly, with a smile on his face.
"Okay, your first ever missions as Devils of Rias Gremory & Haseo if you choose to accept it…" Rias started dramatically as they all leaned forward. "Is to pass these out." Rias said as she showed them the boxes of Simple Pentagrams in the room which caused the newly reborn devils face faulted at that, "You know what they say," Rias began to say but Alkaid cut her off.
"Yeah, journey begins with a single step just give us those fliers." Alkaid said snatching the box from Rias to start the delivery.
(Later that same evening)
Issei was a bit over excitable about this, so he had done this on his bike. Haseo did similar but more like a newspaper run on a bike as he didn't want to wake the neighborhood up with a motorcycle, he was still getting developed. It didn't take Haseo long nor did it Issei as soon the two were able to return back to Old School Building in the club room as Haseo yawned a bit.
"Tired already?" Issei joked as Haseo shrugged.
"No... just seemed a bit boring then what I am used to." Haseo said as he and Issei entered.
"Oh, good you two are back already." Rias greeted as Haseo nodded to her. Atoli, Alkaid, Silabus, and Gaspard were already back as Haseo had them split up to cover more ground to finish the job.
"Yeah, we handed out the flyers like you asked so what is next on the agenda here." Haseo said as he wanted to get all of this moving along for his sake at least.
"Ok good then that means we can begin." Rias said as Haseo sighed as he looked to them and noticed a circle. "Akeno is the summoning circle ready?" Rias asked as she looked to Akeno who smiled.
"Whenever you are." Akeno replied as Haseo saw this as he and Issei approached the circle in question.
"Now then I'm sure Haseo is aware in some way, but Devils make contracts with humans to help boost our standings. They summon us and in exchange for our services we are given a payment that both find agreeable." Rias explained as Haseo saw this and nodded.
"So, it can be anything from money to even worldly items." Haseo said as Rias nodded to him.
"Exactly we Devils stopped taking souls as payment long ago, but rare occasions and I mean very rare a soul may be the only acceptable payment for certain services and that's if the Devil agrees to carry the contract." Rias said as Issei nodded to her.
"Alright then let's get started!" Issei called out as he was ready for his contract.
"Ok then step right here then." Akeno said as she gestured Issei to step forward.
"Good luck." Haseo said as Issei walked over to the summoning circle ready to roll.
"God it buddy." Issei said as he stepped onto the circle.
"Ok then we got a bite so get ready Issei." Akeno said as she stepped aside to allow Issei the passage to the circle.
"Ok let's do this." He said as he was fully ready for this.
Soon the circle flashed as it glowed bright as Issei had his eyes shielded from the light of it. Once the circle died down Issei saw smoke and blurs for a minute before he figured this may be it. "Ok Devil here's what I want... I want you to open your eyes and look around." Haseo spoke as Issei then went wide eyed as he saw he was still in the club house.
"What the? Haseo!" Issei called out as Haseo shrugged a bit.
"Sorry I'm innocent here." Haseo said as Akeno saw this.
"Huh well what do you know it seems you're not powerful enough to make the trip, but the summoner did summon you." Akeno said as Koneko saw this as well.
"So, we can't have a devil not answer the contract, but we need you to get there somehow." Kiba said as Haseo then sighed a bit and patted Issei's shoulder.
"Get some good gluts in." Haseo said as Issei knew what this meant.
"I hate you." Issei said as he had to take his bike to the contract location to answer it.
"Well then while Issei is going to do his your next Haseo." Rias said as the Terror of Death nodded and stepped onto the circle.
"Now then here is another one so be ready Haseo." Akeno said as soon the circle activated and from the ORC perspective, they were surprised to see he had vanished from sight through the portal.
"Huh stronger then he looks." Koneko said as she knew it was time to get to work.
(With Haseo)
Haseo appeared as he looked around and saw he was in a Dojo of sorts as this was ok for him as he looked around a bit. "Hey, I'm the devil you summoned here so whoever summoned me I'm going to answer your request." Haseo said as soon a throat cleared.
"Down here." A female voice was heard as Haseo saw a midget girl standing there with large pig tails dressed in a training Gi.
"Well... not what I was expecting." Haseo said as the girl saw this.
"Neither are you; I was hoping for Koneko but guess I got a new guy." The girl said as she then sighed a bit.
"Ok so what do you need?" Haseo asked as he looked to the girl.
"Well, I was hoping to get some training in but since you're not Koneko I'm going to need you to do something else." She said as Haseo saw this and sighed.
'Why do I get the feeling this will be like one of Issei's porno's?' Haseo wandered before he caught a stick thrown at him revealing it to be a mop.
"My classes ended today as with my students leaving for the day problem is they didn't clean up after themselves, so I was hoping you'd be willing to help me get this place cleaned up." The girl said as Haseo looked to her seeing she was in fact a midget.
"Ok before we do that lets talk payment what you willing to give me for this help?" Haseo asked as the girl sighed and then smirked.
"Despite being a new guy, you know to ask payment first before getting to work. Ok how about this." She said taking out some books with combat forms inside. "I'll give you some books on Rengeki which is a school of combat here in exchange for you helping me clean this place up." The girl said as Haseo looked to it before nodding to her.
"You have a deal." Haseo said as the girl nodded and in turn the two began to clean up the dojo as luckily Haseo had to clean up the classrooms when his idiot friends played hooky for it leaving him to do the work alone.
Haseo of course immediately got to work as he swept and mopped up the place and even went about cleaning the place up with the midget girl helping him. He clearly saw she had some cleavage, so it narrowed out on her being a toddler which, was strange and at times gross. Then he figured it wasn't his business how old she was as he saw if she was old enough to run this place then she was clearly old enough for some adult activities. Haseo honestly didn't care as he just kept at it.
About a good hour later they were done as the girl sighed a smiled to this. "Ok then we're done here." She said as Haseo nodded to her.
"Ok then. I'll take these books then." Haseo said as he took the books on Rengeki as the girl nodded.
"Sure; and be sure to stop by once in a while." The woman said with a smirk on he face. "The punks I work with don't know a chop from a punch." She said as Haseo saw this and shrugged to the girls offer.
"I might just do that." Haseo said as he then took his leave through the front door now that the contract was complete.
(Later down the street Haseo)
Haseo as reading up on the Rengeki as he noticed a lot of these skills seem to rely on a small bit of magic to utilize as he saw this. As Haseo walked he became suspicious of it as he looked back to the midget girls dojo wondering how she got her hands on something like this. Sure, she summons Devils, but this doesn't explain anything for him.
"What would a Dojo have need for this Rengeki stuff if no one can properly utilize it?" Haseo asked as he looked to the book wondering how it even got there to begin with. "Supernatural just when I think I have you all figured out you throw me a curve ball." Haseo said as he looked back to the house before continuing his trek back the Clubhouse while he continued reading the book.
(Later ORC Clubhouse)
Haseo walked in as Kiba saw Haseo was here as he noticed he was late. "Haseo your back but your late did you get the contract?" Kiba asked as Haseo showed the Rengeki book.
"Yes, I did, and I call dibs." Haseo said as he sat back down to continue his reading.
"Well good news the others made it to their destination though Alkaid had to walk." Rias said with a small smile recalling what had happened.
"Which reminds me what jobs did they get?" Haseo asked curious to hear what they got.
(Meanwhile with Atoli)
"So, if I do this…" A boy said as Atoli sat next to him as the boy was studying.
"There you got it." Atoli said showing that she was summoned to help tutor a boy studying for his exams.
"I did!" He said happy that he got the answer right. Atoli smiled happy to see the boy was improving already.
(Silabus)
"Alright here you go." Silabus said as he brought a woman some food. "Sorry for the wait I know how exhausting work can be." Silabus said kindly as a woman smiled happy to have gotten some help.
"Thank you." She said tired as all hell from a long day at the office. Silabus set the table to so the woman can sit down and eat at her own leisure.
(Gaspard)
Gaspard was making funny faces to a little kid while his parents were out of the house. The young man turned Devil was clearly babysitting the little tyke as the little boy laughed at the faces Gaspard was making.
(Alkaid)
Alkaid stood in shock as she stared at a large man dressed as a magical girl. The look Alkaid made was a truly horrified one as she saw the dark skin male was very much out of touch with reality right now. Alkaid really wanted to get out of this situation and punch Rias in the face for not warning her about this creep.
(Back at the Occult Research Club)
"Your first successful contract well done Haseo." Rias said as both Haseo and Issei saw Rias walk out of the shower in nothing but a towel as the two saw this. "Now then I just have one more job for you to do today see it seems Koneko is double booked with two summon requests take one of them and get some practice." Rias said as she looked to the two boys.
"Here you go It's all yours Issei." Haseo said as he got up again. "Besides, I need to head home got homework and the like." Haseo said as he needed to head home now.
"Good." Issei said as he was jealous of Haseo. Not only can he make the jump, but he also has a super awesome Epitaph Gear, and he doesn't even care about becoming a High-Class Devil.
"Issei see you tomorrow." Haseo said patting his friends shoulder as he decided to give Issei this one for tonight.
"Yeah, see you man." Issei said as he knew Haseo meant well a lot but how can this guy just shrug off a possible Harem and still call himself a man.
(Scene Break that Night with Haseo)
As Haseo walked about he had decided to take the long way home as he had saw Issei ride off on his bike not too long ago to get his contract as Haseo wondered when Azazel would respond to his message. After all no doubt once Azazel is made aware of the splinter group among his faction, he'll move his ass to press down on it and remove it.
As Haseo walked about though he was soon met with Issei who was walking back to the Clubhouse as Issei saw Haseo walking by as the two met. "Oh, hey Haseo!" Issei called out as he looked to Haseo.
"Hey Issei." Haseo said as the two met at the crosswalk.
"So, what are you doing out here did Rias send you for me?" Issei asked as he looked to this as Haseo sighed a bit.
"No finished with my contracts for the day so I was heading home." Haseo explained as he spoke to Issei. "Are you heading back to the Research Club, Issei?" Haseo asked as he looked to Issei.
"Yeah, but I um..." Issei said as Haseo sighed and rubbed his eyes to this.
"Jeez please don't tell me I have to carry your weight here." Haseo said as Issei glared at him on this.
"Hey don't be rude Haseo." Issei growled as Haseo the sighed in response.
"Well, whatever I'm heading home anyway, and you should probably hurry on up." Haseo said as Haseo glared but submitted to defeat anyway.
"Fine." Issei said as he then glared at Haseo. "But if you don't want to be a Harem King then I'll be a Harem King for the both of us!" Issei called out as he then left leaving Haseo alone who then sighed.
"What am I going to do with that idiot?" Haseo asked as sometimes he wonders why he's even friends with the perverted trio.
"Haseo?" Atoli was heard and thus the newly reincarnated Devil looked and saw Atoli was there.
"Atoli what's up?" Haseo asked curious as to why Atoli was here.
"Oh, I'm just heading home, my contract was an easy one but took longer then expected." Atoli said as the boy truly was a gifted learner if he applies himself.
"That's good to here." Haseo said happy to hear this." Haseo said happy that Atoli had an easy time with her own tasks.
"Hey if we're all going in the same direction we can travel together." Haseo said offering to walk Atoli home and thus Atoli smiled.
"Sure, we can do that." She said and in turn the pair began to make their way through.
As Haseo and Atoli continued to walk about though he soon felt an energy go through the air as he looked around a bit before sighing and turning around and in turn saw a woman in a revealing dress that made her look like a hook or even an exhibitionist as her coat looked to me for that sort of thing seeing as it showed off a fair amount of cleavage of her shapely breasts.
"Haseo…" Atoli warned as she felt this woman. She was giving off the same feeling she got from Raynare and the other Fallen Angels.
"I know." Haseo said before he directed his attention to the Fallen Angel. "Can I help you?" Haseo asked as he glared at the woman in question.
"So here he is the infamous Terror of Death." She asked as she looked to Haseo as he saw no one else here.
"Well, it's what people seem to call me these days so yeah that me." Haseo said as he looked to the woman in question. "Who wants to know?" Haseo asked as he glared at the woman in question sensing the supernatural energy, she had around her.
"Kalawarner of the Fallen Angel faction and I'm here to clean up Raynare and Milltelt mess with you." Kalawarner said as Haseo glared at her as he knew this time, he can fight without worrying over Issei or some other civilian.
"Well, your friends got lucky last time you won't." Haseo said as he glared at Kalawarner as he got ready for battle.
"So smug and arrogant but for how long!" Kalawarner roared out as she then summoned her Light Spear and charged forth as Haseo acted quickly.
Haseo jumped away as he was int he air for a moment before he felt the current for when battles like this commenced.
"TERROR OF DEATH!"
With that cry Haseo's form changed to his Terror of Death form as the small back tail of cloth his armor came with fluttered a bit as he landed on his feet and drew his chainsaw claymore weapon out. He swung it about before glaring at Kalawarner who glared back at him.
"Let's have fun!" Haseo called out as he charged at Kalawarner as Kalawarner roared out with her own attack as the two then met blades as Haseo swung and slashed against Kalawarner who did the same as he was with attacks.
Blade met spear as the two struggled as against each other. But then Haseo smirked as the chainsaw part of his claymore grinded the spear of light to shards ad Kalawarner was caught off guard.
She then flew back as she threw more spears of light at Haseo. But Haseo was ready as he pulled out his twin pistols and began firing at Kalawarner who dodged it as best she could. The Fallen Angel cursed as she then flew upward and fired off more spears of light as Haseo then switched to his duel swords as he had an idea.
Haseo then ran up a wall and jumped off as Kalawarner fired another attack. "RENGEKI!" Haseo began as he deflected the spear by catching it and forcing it away with his swords. "SPARROW COUNTER!" Haseo roared out as he attacked with his skill as Kalawarner was caught off guard as her clothing was shredded from the attack.
Haseo wasn't done as he then switched to a new weapon as it was a long sword but then it flipped out like a whip and grabbed Kalawarmer before he slammed her to the wall. Haseo wasn't done as he then switched to his long swords and pinned Kalawarner to the wall as he glared at her.
"Talk who ordered you all to attack and kill both Issei and I!?" Haseo yelled as he glared at her interrogating her.
"As if I'm about to tell you!" She yelled summoning a Spear of Light forcing Haseo to jump back. The battle continued as Haseo and Kalawarner clashed blades with each other. This went on but Haseo was having some difficulties knowing that the Spears of Light were poison to Devils and thus had to be avoided at all costs.
"Atoli go!" Haseo ordered as he knew Atoli would get in the way.
"Haseo, but!" Atoli began only to be cut off by Kalawarner herself.
"You think I'll let either of you get away!?" Kalawarner asked as she came in for the attack on them. Haseo stopped Kalawarner but she used her flexibility to flip over her attacker and gun for the weaker of the two.
"Atoli!" Haseo cried out knowing he was too slow to save her.
"Haseo!" Atoli cried out just as she felt a shift in her body.
"DIE!" Kalawarner yelled only for a new yet powerful voice to call out.
"MIRAGE!" The voice called and suddenly a staff appeared in Atoli's hands. Atoli moved back and in her place was an exact replica of herself that took the attack from the Fallen Angel for the girl.
Haseo was surprised by this while Kalawarner saw this as well as Atoli held the staff that radiated a familiar power. "What?" Atoli asked as she held the staff in her hands shocked over what she had.
"Impossible is that her Sacred Gear?" Kalawarner asked as she saw what it had done for the girl. "I'll just have to take you all out then!" Kalawarner roared out but before Haseo could attack Atoli acted and sent out a reflective shield from her newly acquired staff.
Kalawarner flew a bit only for Haseo to summon his Chainsaw Claymore and hold it to her neck. The nude Fallen Angel was wide eyed as she felt fear as she saw the face of the Terror of Death.
"Start talking now!" Haseo demanded as he glared at Kalawarner. "Who sent you?!" Haseo yelled wanting answers from the woman.
"It... it was lord Azazel!" Kalawarner confessed oy for Haseo to slap her as she cried out in shock.
"Bullshit I so happen to know Azazel and he'd never order a Sacred Gear User to be killed he'd only have them observed so who gave the orders!" Haseo demanded as Kalawarner saw a phantom image appear behind Haseo one with three glowing red eyes. This image this shadow of death filled her with true terror and fear as the visage glared at her inspiring fear from her.
"I'm telling you it was Azazel his messenger went out and informed us of his orders!" Kalawarner yelled as Haseo looked to them.
"But who was the messenger, who told you these orders came from Azazel!" Haseo yelled as he glared at Kalawarner who was getting afraid big time.
"Dohnaseek! He told us about the messenger and told us Azazel's orders!" Kalawarner cried out her confession as Haseo saw this.
"Anything else?" Haseo asked as Kalawarner gulped a bit.
"Another Sacred Gear User was acquired and is due to arrive soon! Raynare wants to take her Sacred Gear but she's holding off to prepare the ritual!" Kalawarner yelled as Haseo looked to her and needed more.
"AND!?" He demanded as Kalawarner gulped at this.
"I... I watch BDSM porn and getting really wet and real turned on right now!" She added as Haseo then let her go as he walked away getting everything he needed.
"Beat it." Haseo said as he looked away. "Clearly you're just a pawn in all of this so be careful who you trust." Haseo said as Kalawarner was shocked at this.
"Wait your letting me go?!" She asked in shock covering her breasts and dripping folds.
"Yeah, don't make me regret it." Haseo said as Kalawarner wasn't going to waste this miracle. Thus, the fallen angel quickly flew off and as she flew away Haseo kept walking before he got to Atoli.
"Ok now we have an informant and proof if a splinter cell hidden among the Grigori ranks." Haseo said as he then began as he spoke to Atoli.
"What should we do?" Atoli asked but Haseo sighed to this.
"I need some sleep." Haseo said while scratching his head a bit. "But we should probably report this to Rias as well." Haseo added which Atoli agreed with.
"Its' probably smart of us." Atoli said and in turn she held the staff. "Plus, we need to discuss this thing." Atoli said showing her new staff as Haseo noted that it had a design similar to one of his own scythes.
"Right." Haseo said and in turn they began to head back to the school to report this.
(Later back at the ORC)
"I see then." Rias said with a calm tone as she sat behind her desk with a calm look. Atoli had placed the staff in front of Rias to allow her the chance to look at it. "So, the Fallen Angels weren't that far off about another Sacred Gear Wielder." Rias said as she took a moment to inspect the weapon.
"But why did it appear now?" Atoli asked with concern in her voice.
"Its hard to tell, Sacred Gears can be unpredictable at times." Rias said as she looked to the staff. 'I swear I've seen this somewhere before.' Rias mused before taking a gamble. "Haseo." Rias began getting Haseo's attention. "There's a story that the Epitaph Gears have a special weapon to allow the user to better focus that power… may I see yours." Rias asked and thus Haseo thought it over.
"Fine." Haseo said and soon enough the scythe showed itself in a flash. Rias looked at the scythe and in turn began to draw up her own conclusions on it. "What is it?" Haseo asked with the faintest hint of concern.
"I need to do some research I think I might know what this gear is, but I don't wish to alarm or excite anyone." Rias said making it clear that whatever this gear was, it could mean trouble for both her and Haseo's peerages. If her hunch was correct, then the two peerages will have a much larger target on them from even members of their own devil faction. "Head home you two I should have an answer by tomorrow." Rias said and thus the pair turned and left with Haseo waving her off and Atoli just bowing to Rias. The scythe and staff had vanished and thus Rias was left with Akeno.
When they were gone Akeno approached and whispered to Rias. "Rias, if that staff is what I think it is…" Akeno began as she looked to Rias with a look of concern on her face.
"Then we may have two Epitaphs amongst us." Rias said her voice deep in concern knowing the level of trouble an Epitaph User can cause. Like Longinus an Epitaph can kill a God, their basically Longinus Level Weapons created by a God for this sole purpose. The mere fact that they so easily jump hosts between life and death makes them impossible to pin down much like a Longinus. But the drawback of such power makes it so anyone in the factions can acquire one. Most Devils go their entire lives without ever realizing they have an Epitaph until its too late to be of use. Still Rias could not take risks and she knew that sooner or later the Underworld will catch wind of this.
(Scene break the next morning)
Issei and Haseo were walking to school as Haseo yawned a bit while walking. "You ok Haseo?" Issei asked as he and Haseo walked.
"Yeah, just had a bit of a night." Haseo said as he walked with his friend.
"Really? I got a lecture from Rias about the contract and more so been hearing you got attacked." Haseo said recalling that talk from last night. "Rias lectured me for leaving you and Atoli alone when you were jumped." Issei said as Haseo sighed a bit and rubbed his eyes to remove the sleep from them.
"I'll explain everything at the clubhouse but until then please wait." Haseo said as he had enough to deal with these past few days. Haseo then went wide eyed as he felt his body pulse as well as a resonance of sorts as soon, he heard a yelp with someone falling as the two looked and saw a pair of panties that Issei smiled lustfully.
"Oh, I fell down again I'm such a klutz." The girl said as she was dressed as a nun which didn't hide her panties as she was on the ground. This girl had blond hair and green eyes. As the girl was in a sitting position her suitcase was nearby with her cloths spilling out of it as Issei had one question.
"Wow who is that?" Issei asked as he saw the nun with Haseo also there.
(TBC)
ESKK: Well, this took a bit but here you go chapter 3 now if anyone needs me, I'm going to crash. Leave a review before you leave and until next time I will once more say to you guys, ja-ne.