Welcome to the next chapter!
phillyitalian; Yeah, it surely is~
insanecoop; Thanks! Glad you like it!
Darkwubs; Yeah, in these cases, Irina knows its not a good idea to do what Xenovia is doing~ But yeah, Xenovia is changing bit by bit. Zekram does yeah, he sees Zante as a strong future leader, and supports him in his own way. Zante could take over at some point~ Yup, the ships sailing for them~ That's Riser for you~ Yeah, they'll be finding her pretty soon. He'll be receiving his Evil Pieces this chapter~ Cool peerage! Yeah, we could get that~ Yeah, they could have those blades. Yeah, he could receive a power up like that. Thanks for the suggestions!
Silver crow; Thanks! Yeah, he's finally met Azazel. Yeah, they'll be wanting to join his group. I'm sure Ravel wont let Riser stop them. Irina knows not to do that yeah~ Yeah, they eventually got to enjoy their show. Magdaran isn't yeah. Ingvild has yeah, we'll be seeing her pretty soon. Glad you liked it. Zante's gonna have a diverse skillset. Thanks for the harem and peerage suggestions! Yeah, it would be nice if Elmen could do that. Yeah, I'm doing okay. He could find out about it yeah.
Guest 1; Thanks, here's the next chapter!
hawkeyestratos1996; Not entirely sure, either way Ingvild will be quite useful in the group~
ShadowUzumaki55; They have done yeah. They surely are~ Azazel was a good help. That's how Lord Bael is yeah~ That is quite like Riser for sure.
Akeno fan; He did yeah. He did for sure. It would be a fun fight. He is yeah.
Skull Flame; Xenovia thought so for sure~ Glad you like it. Zekram sees a good deal of potential in Zante for sure~
Guest 2; Thanks very much!
Lazymanjones96; Thanks, glad you're enjoying it~
georgiaboy; Yeah, we surely are~ Irina could be yeah~
Guest 3; Thanks for the harem suggestions!
Guest 4; Thanks for the vote!
Lightwave; Yeah, that's quite like Xenovia. Irina is yeah~ Lord Bael does for sure. Azazel's gonna try his best.
kurenai lui; Thanks for the vote!
Guest 5; Thanks! Yeah, at some point there will be.
Rox; Thanks for the suggestions! Yeah, they'd be good in the peerage. She could be the magician yeah.
Its time to start the chapter!
Chapter 7
Time had passed, and Zante was closer to locating the girl that he had been hearing, Azazel was using his methods, while Zante provided assistance with Vali since they both seemingly had some sort of connection with her.
Zante however currently had a big day that day.
"Zante-sama, the ceremony is about to begin…" Ravel greeted as she came into the small dressing room he had.
They were in a large ceremony holding building. A place where the Evil Pieces would be given.
"Yeah, I'm nearly ready Ravel-chan~"
Ravel showed a small delectable smile on her face. "Are you excited Zante-sama? You've waited for this day for a long time now."
"Yeah, been a long time coming. So, have many people arrived?"
"Its…hectic out there." Ravel admitted.
Zante remembered that Lord Bael had made it a huge event. Not only with having cameras inside of the giant hall they'd be having the ceremony in, but inviting many important people around the Underworld, so he wasn't surprised that it was indeed hectic.
Zante had wished to invite the likes of Vali and even Azazel as he and Azazel had begun becoming friends over the time they worked together. But because the Fallen Angels and the Devils technically were still warring with one another, it would be impossible to actually do such a thing.
"Sounds like I should be getting out there soon then." Zante let out a small chortle. "Anyway, after today, there's gonna be a good few things to do. Such as getting peerage members, and…" Zante paused, as he saw Ravel shifting side to side. "Something going on?"
"W-Well, there is something I don't know if you want to speak about it now, or later on…"
Zante cocks his head to the right. "Ravel-chan, its me, you can tell me anything. If its about the engagement, then it can wait until a later time if you're not ready to say anything about it?"
In the end, Zante and Ravel had decided for the time being, they would become engaged to one another, and see where it leads them and if it was right for them.
Ravel nods, and furrows her brows. "It isn't about that Zante-sama, we've decided that we would become engaged, and I'm happy to do that."
"Then what's it about?" Zante wondered.
Ravel folds her arms, wondering how she was even going to ask about joining his peerage.
The more she had thought about it, the more she thought it would be worthwhile. How they could truly do amazing things together. "Well, I was wondering, have you decided if anyone is going to be on your peerage yet Zante-sama? What I mean is, have you found anyone to join?"
"Well, I've been really wanting Vali-chan to join the peerage. But I don't know if she would be doing that or not. I suppose she'd follow someone that would have great strength, so I assume its going to come down to a fight between the two of us."
Ravel could see that.
She also thought having Vali in the peerage was a no brainer.
She was powerful, she had the skills to fight and win battles.
"Yes, Vali-sama would be a good choice. Is there, maybe anyone else you've thought of?" Ravel swayed side to side, acting like a cute maiden waiting for an answer.
Zante adopts a soft expression, pulling closer to the young girl, and placed his hand on top of her head. "There are a few more I've thought about asking. One of them happens to be in this room right now."
As he said it, Ravel double checked they were alone, so she looked around.
When seeing no one, she turned back to Zante with a small blush growing on her face. "Really…me?"
"Yeah, you. You, seem surprised?"
Ravel nods in agreement. "Its because well, this is an important decision to make. Your peerage, is going to be well known throughout the Underworld. Bael is a very influential clan, and I didn't know if I'd be good enough to join it…I'd want to try and enhance the peerage of course…"
Zante could see her nervousness leaking through her words. So he gave her a dazzling smile.
"Ravel-chan, you don't have to worry. I'd always want to have you on my peerage." Ravel's heart jumped for joy at those soft words echoing in her ears. "If you want to join me, then I've got no objections. Though for your family, would they be okay with you joining my group?"
Ravel fiddled with her fingers cutely. "Well, I have already talked to them about it."
When she admitted that, Zante held back a small chortle. "Seems like you're quite prepared huh?"
Ravel blushed a little. "W-Well, I suppose that in a sense I was yeah…"
Zante held back a small laugh, finding Ravel's ways to be genuinely cute. "Well, I'm sure we'll do amazing things together, Ravel-chan."
Ravel nods, feeling her flush growing on her face by the moment. "Y-Yes! Though Onii-sama might say something…so, I'll apologize in advance if he does say anything Zante-sama!"
Zante waved his hand. "Don't worry about that, Ravel-chan. I'm sure he's only looking out for you. I look out for my own siblings as well. Even with Sairaorg growing in strength often, and Magdaran, well I'm glad that he's doing at least a little better now, and doesn't listen to father as much as he used too."
Ravel was pleased to hear about that. "Its good that Magdaran-sama is able to begin moving forward with his life. Even if only a little. Time goes on, and hopefully he'll be able to become the person he wishes to be, and not someone who his father wishes to be."
Zante very much agreed with what Ravel said, then offered his arm, checking the time. "Ready to go?"
Ravel nods, and takes his arm.
The pair leave the dressing room, and head for the great hall.
As they walked the long corridors, Zante saw so many people, he lost track of them all. Cameras were shoved in his face, and people kept asking him so many questions. He did his best to answer them all, while making sure to be respectful and show elegance like one of the Bael clan would do.
Upon arriving in the great hall, Zante's eyes couldn't believe how many people had turned up. Though most of them, he didn't really know that well. He could see that they were the Old Devils, and Devils of importance.
"Geez, so many…" Zante murmured.
Ravel nods, grimacing. "I don't even recognize most of them."
"I recognize the Old Devils, but don't know their names. And I think some of these people are from large companies in the Underworld, and those from different noble clans. It seems that father went all out. I'd much prefer a private ceremony. But even Zekram was for this as well, so this time, I'll just go with it."
Ravel thought that would be for the best, as Zante's eagle eyes spotted people he knew, such as Sona, who stood with Akeno, Kuroka and Shirone. He did feel like Vali should have attended, but he wondered if she'd be watching at least since he saw huge cameras broadcasting this to every part of the Underworld.
He was glad that Sairaorg had attended, and could see Magdaran had attended as well. Though Sairaorg was with Rias, and the Gremory family, which disheartened Zante a little, since Bael was his family, but knew that Lord Bael, and even Zekram wouldn't have wanted him there. Lord Bael also seemed displeased with Magdaran being around them, but let it go for the time being.
He saw the four Maou's, including his cousin Sirzechs and Serafall who kept waving towards him with a large smile on her face.
He could only offer a small wave right back.
Zante then began walking through the area, his eyes being on those around him. His friends, and loved ones. His family, even those he wished weren't there such as his father, but he pushed it through and looked to the area where Ajuka was.
He would be the one presenting him with his Evil Pieces.
Ravel walked beside him, he had decided that Ravel would be by his side through his important moments if that's what she wished for, and she did, she wanted to be there for all of the important moments.
Getting to the front, Ajuka showed a relaxed smile. "Seems like a huge turn out, Zante-kun."
Zante suppressed a small smirk. "Some people get way too hyper about this after all."
"Indeed, your father, and Zekram it seems have decided it would be like this." Ajuka nods his head, and looks towards the crowds, then began doing the ceremony.
Supported by Ravel, Zante did as he was asked to do. He went through the ceremony, and when the large stone monument from the sky came flying down, his hand pressed against it, and it left an imprint of his hand on it, coated in black and purple, the same colour as his Power of Destruction.
After that, Zante recited a few words for the crowds, all the cameras were on him, and he himself wasn't exactly thrilled with it, but he did hope that Vali and the others would be watching right now, even if he couldn't see them.
After receiving his Evil Pieces, Zante looked to Ravel, who in turn nods, and stands beside him.
"Thank you everyone for attending this ceremony. Ravel-chan and I have an announcement we'd like to make. Ravel-chan?"
Ravel nods, and steps forward. "Our families have been in talk, for the past few months, regarding our plans so to speak. And we, as in Zante-sama and I, have decided that we are going to become officially engaged."
Gasps rang out throughout the hall, then lots of clapping filled their ears.
Zekram looked particularly pleased, while Lord Bael gave a happy smile on his face.
Sairaorg was thrilled to see it as well, glad that Zante had decided this, and not having been forced into it.
Magdaran was happy for his brother, seeing how he took his own destiny into his own hands, and therefore did whatever he decided.
Many Devils looked bedazzled by the news, but happy to see Ravel and Zante being happy about it.
Riser began yelling "Nooooo-" but was cut off when both his mother and father silenced him, covering his mouth, not wanting this to be ruined for Ravel.
After the announcement, Zante went around and greeted the guests, thanking them for coming to the event. His father looked on with pride, and kept nodding to himself, glad to see so many people having turned up for the event, while taking glances at Sirzechs scornfully, that Zante noticed, and rolled his eyes at.
But it didn't deter Zante, who thanked everyone for coming.
Then he came to Rias and Akeno. "Looks like there's more than one thing to congratulate you on Zante."
Zante nods. "Yeah, Ravel-chan and I have been discussing it, and right now, it feels like the right thing to do. We've made sure that if one of us doesn't wish to go ahead, we can break it off anytime, we both felt it was only right so neither felt pressured to do anything."
Rias wished her own engagement would go like that. "I'm happy for you, Zante."
Akeno giggles. "Ara, does this mean that for our love to bloom, we'll have to have an affair?"
Zante blinked, as Akeno winked towards him.
He then adopted a small smile on his face. "Seems like~"
Akeno loved how he could be playful and felt a surge run through her being. "That's good to know~ Also Rias, I didn't know you'd have sent one to Zante-kun."
Rias looked confused. "Sent what?"
Akeno moved her hand to the entrance, and Rias saw a camel stood in the doorway, with a tag on it from the Gremory family.
"Aaah!" Rias moved and pushed behind the bemused Zante.
"Rias-chan, don't be so scared. It wont come for you." Zante assured her.
"You don't know, they hate me Zante." Rias murmurs, her eyes peaking out to see the camel immediately glaring at her.
She cringed, and moved behind Zante once more, Akeno giggled sweetly. "Seems like you've got a camel Zante-kun. Who is Runeas-sama anyway? I can see that its from her."
"Its Rias-chan's ancestor." Zante explained.
Akeno slowly nods, as she looks to Rias.
But saw Rias had gone, and was running towards Sirzechs, while the camels eyes followed her dangerously. "Okay, what did she do to camels?"
"I don't know…whatever she did, seems to have had the whole species after her."
Akeno agreed with a bob of her head, watching with amusement as she and Zante chatted for a little while.
A little bit later, Zante continued greeting the guests, and went around to the different ones around him. That's when he saw Serafall approaching with a reluctant Sona, though the reluctance seemed to be that she didn't want to be in Serafall's arms rather than anything to do with him.
Standing before him, Serafall flashed an earnest smile, and winked happily. "Zan-chan! Did you like the box I made?!"
Zante nods, recalling the design of the box. With the love heart on the front, and the glittering hearts all around it, Zante couldn't deny that he found it to be very Serafall, and he adored Serafall, so it stood to reason he adored the box as well.
"Yeah, its beautifully made. Thank you Serafall-sama…" As he spoke, he saw Sona pushing back against Serafall's grip. "Eeh, Sona-chan, you alright? You're looking a little…worried right now."
Sona glanced at her elder sister, who in turn gleefully smiled. "…Onee-sama is being wild again. Like, she said that it isn't fair you and Ravel-san got engaged."
Serafall nods, and pouts. "Zan-chan! You'll still marry me and Sona-chan, right?"
Zante gave amused eyes. "Is Sona-chan okay with that?"
Sona looked at Serafall, who gave a huge smile on her lips. "You will, wont you Sona-chan? We will get married to Zan-chan and we can have our love grow bigger and bigger! I think that would be for the best~"
"O-Onee-sama, please don't say such things outlandishly. Z-Zante-kun and I are, f-friends, and you're trying to make it more than that…!"
Serafall nods. "Of course I am. You and Zan-chan would be the cutest couple~ Personally, I think you and Zan-chan can unite Bael and Sitri, and form a super love!"
Sona became flustered. "S-Super love?!"
"Yup. It would be a love that's both strong and cute! Fufu, Sona-chan, you're also thinking of your engagement, and you're thinking Zan-chan is also a good fit, right?"
Sona's bottom lip trembled, she felt increasingly embarrassed by her elder sister.
To the point she said "Uuuuh! Y-You're bad Onee-sama!" and ran off.
Serafall gasped. "Sona-chan! I'm sorry! I know you are secretly in love with-"
"Please stop talking!" Sona hastily got out, as she made for the exit.
Serafall winked at Zante. "Excuse me~"
"Sure…" Zante sweat drops, wondering what was going on with everything in his life right now.
Serafall took off running, yelling "Wait Sona-chan!" and disappeared out of the doors.
Zante looked bewildered, hoping Sona was okay.
Afterwards, Zante continued his greeting, and looked towards Sairaorg, who approached. "One step closer to becoming a true peerage. You have a fiancee now, it seems you've beaten me in that department Zante."
Zante chuckled lightly rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, Ravel-chan brought it up a while ago, and now…well, Ravel-chan and I discussed it, and thought for the time being, it would be good for our families. Not only that, well, I like Ravel-chan."
Sairaorg grinned, and nudged Zante with his elbow. "Well, I'm sure that you both would make a good couple together!"
Zante smiles sweetly. "Yeah…and, I'm glad I could gain my Evil Pieces. Now, Onii-sama. One day, we will be meeting in a field of battle. I hope you're preparing your peerage, because I'm going to be preparing my own for this as well."
Sairaorg was thrilled to hear that, and made an oath with his hand firmly out in front of him. "Yes, I swear one day, we shall meet in a field of battle for a Rating Game, and on that day, we shall go all out with our peerages. Either way, I want to fight you more than anyone. Keep growing stronger, and I shall do the same thing."
Zante gave a strong nod, pleased to hear that Sairaorg was determined a good deal.
He also was determined, and couldn't wait to see what their fight would truly be like after everything was said and done.
After that, Zante continued with his meetings of various people. He had to address the cameras in the Underworld, to who it was being broadcast to.
Zante didn't mind, and got through the event with a smile on his face.
Now that he had his Evil Pieces, many things were truly possible.
Returning home that evening, Zante went to his room, feeling two people already there.
So he walked inside, to see Kuroka casually wriggling on the bed, while Shirone was watching his TV, putting on Serafall's show.
Zante adopted a small smile, and moved closer to the bed.
When he did, Kuroka sat up, and allowed her legs to wrap around his slim waist, pulling him down onto the bed, and her head keenly nestled against his shoulder, showing a sweet expression on her face.
"Look at you, becoming all full Devil with a peerage~ So, who's in it Zante-chan?"
"Well, right now, Ravel-chan and…I wish to ask Vali-chan. And I have a few other potentials."
Kuroka purses her lips, as Shirone's eyes go towards Zante. "Ravel Phenex is in the group?"
Zante could see Shirone had the fire of passion in her eyes while her face remained stoic. "Yeah, that's right."
Kuroka smirked. "My, seems like Shirone isn't too thrilled with that."
Zante blinked, turning to Shirone. "How come?"
Shirone gave a slight embarrassed face, turning to the right with an awkward look on her face. "…No reason."
Kuroka knew better, and swayed her hands side to side. "Zante-chan, your peerage, what's it going to be filled with?"
"What do you mean?" Zante asked, not quite understanding her words.
Kuroka grinned bigger, and spoke in a delectable tone. "What I mean is that you're the Bael clan heir, and I've learned that's important. You'll be looked at by many people, what do you think your peerage is going to look like?"
Zante adopts a small smile, understanding more now. "My peerage, is going to be filled with people I want in it. Regardless of status, or anything else like that. My peerage is, gonna be like my family. The family I've created, and who I love."
Kuroka felt a pulse run through her heart, while Shirone's cheeks turned slightly red.
"Your family...love..." Shirone mused.
Kuroka showed a cute smile. "It sounds quite nice Zante-chan. Speaking of family, I've always wanted to ask since we came here. But, I think it might be rude, so I don't really know how to ask without making it sound bad."
Zante cocked his head back, and showed a delectable smile. "You can ask me anything. I really don't mind."
Kuroka nods, and runs a finger down her face in thought. "Then Zante-chan, your mom...I don't really know how to ask this nyaaa, maybe I shouldn't...but you said we could so..."
When Kuroka asked while trying to be kind, Shirone looked right at Zante, and saw his face dip.
Kuroka from behind him also noticed, and folds her arms. "I'm sorry Zante-chan. Is she dead?"
"My mom…she left."
Kuroka blinked. "Left?"
Zante nods, and explains. "Yeah. My father saw her power interesting for a child, so he forced the marriage. But my father, Zekram, and other things that weighed down on her, all caused her to suffer a good deal, both physically and mentally. So she left, and I've not seen or heard from her since."
Shirone adopted a sad face, pulling towards the bed.
She got to his right hand side, laying her hand on his own.
Kuroka moved from behind and got to the other side, allowing their fingers to entwine.
"I'm sorry Zante-chan… Do you think she wants to see you?"
Zante eyes lowered and he let out a disheartened breath. "I don't think so."
Kuroka gave surprised sad eyes. "But she's your mom..."
"I am a reminder of her forced marriage to my father. She never wanted a family with Bael, it was forced upon her, and she didn't love my father... I tried reaching out a couple of times, but I never got a reply, and now, she could be anywhere… I hope she's doing well, whatever she is doing in life now."
Kuroka, seeing pain and sadness in his eyes, embraced him tightly.
Shirone did the same thing, and didn't let go.
"I'm sorry Zante-chan, you've got us."
"…Onee-sama's right, and I think Zante-san is the kindest ever."
Zante smiled through his pain, and pats their heads. "Thank you, you're very kind. Don't worry about me, it happened years ago, so I've had time to process it. If anything, it only makes me want to change Devils society even more, so others don't end up like my mom did."
Kuroka allowed her fingers to run up and down his hand. "Zante-chan, I'm sorry I asked. I didn't mean to bring up hard things. I shouldn't of said anything."
Zante shakes his head. "No, really. Its alright. I don't mind telling either of you. We've grown close, of course you'd naturally be curious."
Shirone's fingers tenderly play with Zante's own. "…I'd be apart of your family, Zante-san."
Zante blinked, looking down at the tearful Shirone, and adopted a bright smile. "You would?"
Shirone nods a single time. "…Yes, I'd like to be apart of your family, Zante-san. If you'd want me to be."
Zante's smile grows bigger, and brings the young girl closer. "I'd be honoured if you became apart of my family, Koneko-chan~"
Shirone blinked. "Koneko…?"
Zante chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, it means little cat. Despite being little, you've got a big heart, Koneko-chan~"
Shirone quite liked the nickname, while Kuroka pursed her lips. "Zante-chan, I'd be apart of your family too~"
Zante turned to see her grin growing. "You would? I thought you didn't want to, after your experience with Naberius."
"Yeah well, Naberius sucks." Zante snorts. "I can see why you'd think that, I never thought I'd ever be able to become close to a Devil. But I have. You took us into your home, we live here rent free, and all you ask of us is to just do whatever we want and be safe. You never ask us for anything, its so wonderful to just live in a house…its already like I'm in a family."
Zante's lips curl upwards into a bright smile. "You could be, Kuroka-san. If you'd want to join my group."
Kuroka felt her heart beat rapidly beating, and she adored the idea of being able to be apart of his group. "Never thought I'd say it, but I'd be happy to be in your Devil family Zante-chan~ Plus, you need the neko neko girls~ If you've got bird-chan, then you're in need of neko-chan's too~"
Zante burst out laughing, while Shirone adopted a small smile. "Yeah, I guess you're right~ Well, I'm sure we're gonna have quite the amazing time together~!"
Zante's arms went around the young girls bodies.
They also hugged him tightly.
To be apart of a family, was all Shirone and Kuroka wanted.
They hadn't realized it for a while, but they already were in a family.
They were in Zante's growing family, and now would be in his peerage no matter what…
Days later, Vali had answered the request of Zante calling out to her. She came to an open field together with him.
"Vali-chan, I'm sure you're curious as to why I asked you to come here."
"I've got a few guesses. But I'd like to hear directly from you."
Seeing the strength in her eyes, he nods a single time. "I have received my Evil Pieces, and I'd like for you to join my group."
Upon hearing his words, Vali began to laugh. "Originally, we met because I came to a peerage meeting, so is this a so-called full circle moment?"
Zante looked amused. "Yeah, I suppose you could see it like that. So tell me, have you ever thought about it before? Even a fleeting thought?"
"I can't deny that I've thought about it. We work together pretty well, and have shown in previous fights that we can go up against one another very well. However, I'd only ever join the group of someone stronger than I am."
Zante nods knowingly. "I thought that might be the case. In that case, I wish to challenge you. A full on fight between us, and if I come on top, you know what I'd like. If you win, then…what would you want Vali-chan?"
Vali doesn't say anything for a few moments.
But then she nods, and smirks. "If I win, well, we'll see."
Zante blinks rapidly. "Ooh I see, so its a secret huh?"
"Exactly. Its nothing to worry about though. So we're in agreement." Vali's aura radiated around her a beautiful silver colour. "I should warn you, I have been growing in power since our first fight, and I have some hidden tricks up my sleeve."
Zante snickered. "Funny, because I was about to say the same thing."
Vali became intrigued, and showed her resolve. Summoning her Sacred Gear, she allowed her silver aura to fully wrap around her, directing her hand towards Zante, as her demonic power began to show itself in a violent nature.
"Then lets begin."
Zante nods, and with that, the battle truly begun.
Vali didn't waste time, unleashing a barrage of demonic powered shots. They sailed through the air so fast that it almost felt like Vali was shooting them at light speed. And speed didn't mean power either, as they were equally as powerful as they were fast.
"Fast, and powerful, I'd not expect anything different Vali-chan!" Zante spread his hands out, stretching his arms, and revealed a Power of Destruction omni directional shield that circulated around his body.
The demonic power of Vali's slams into the oval barrier of Zante's, and begins to be erased.
"Shit, seems like I'll have to become even stronger to get through it. Alright, I'll have to release more power…if I could touch him once, I'd be able to steal his power directly, and then weaken him. In terms of destructive power, he's probably got me beat. But, thanks to my Divine Dividing, I should be able to turn the tides…however, he'll know that, and he'll do whatever he can to make sure I can't touch him."
Vali knew she'd have to be creative.
So she cups her hands together.
"Have this." Vali unleashed a devastating shot of power that buried through the ground, creating a trail of broken earth.
Zante focused on defence, as the shield and demonic power met one another. Despite being erased, Vali's demonic power was still radiating so much power that the shield was breaking more and more until it fully was destroyed, but also Zante's power erased Vali's own, cancelling one another's out.
"Alright then, lets get serious." Zante coats his form in Power of Destruction energy.
The aura spreads around him, and he allows it to churn up the very earth itself.
Zante aims his hand outwards, and gathers his Power of Destruction energy. However, this time it turned into what looked to be blades of destruction, that could pierce, and erase at the same time.
Vali shot high into the air, as Zante released all of them.
They travelled at different speeds, and moved in an intricate pattern, which only added to the confusion Vali would have by how Zante's powers would come at different angles, hide behind other powers, so they would be truly devastated.
"So, its a weapon of destruction now, is it?" Vali mused.
She saw one coming for her, so she coats her fist in demonic power, and angles it to break through a sword from the side. She knew that sword would cut through her hand, so she moved, and punched it hard in the side.
When she did, her demonic power began to erase, but she used her Divine Dividing to half the power of the sword, and therefore she broke through it with pure strength.
However, when she looked down, she saw her hand was still bloody.
"Damn it, seems like his power wounded my hand enough that I'm bleeding." Vali knew she'd have to step up her game, so she spread her aura around her, and unleashed a heavy load of demonic power towards the incoming targets.
"Chase her down!" Zante skillfully began to manipulate the blades of destruction, and some of them avoided Vali's bombardment of demonic energy, so Vali combatted them head on, smashing her fists into them with her demonic aura surrounding her hands.
"I'll take that power." At the same time, using her Sacred Gear to cause the powers of the Power of Destruction to transfer to her, Vali's power increased, but at a loss of causing injury to her hands.
"Aaah, it seems this is going to be a good battle~!" Zante was fired up, and clapped his hands together.
When he did, the Power of Destruction swam all around him. He then kicked off the ground, Vali widened her eyes when realizing his speed had increased.
Like he was as light as the very air itself, his movements made him so fast that he appeared before Vali with his fist circulating Power of Destruction energy, and sent it right into Vali's body, who in turn was blown backwards.
"Gwaaaah!" Vali spat out blood.
She hadn't expected it, so she regained her senses, and saw him moving right for her through the air. He moved so elegantly, and his wings seemed to be moving rapidly.
That's when it clicked for her what he was doing, and scowled, sending a devastating demonic fist out for him. His own fist came out, and their powers clashed against one another, a shockwave rang out throughout the area, and caused the area to shake heavily, repelling one another.
"Haah! Haaah! Haaaah!"
Vali tried to shoot him down after pushing him back.
But his speed made him difficult to hit, he was able to navigate through the air, and then got in close from behind her, his leg coming up, and filled with Power of Destruction energy, swung it for her body, which she narrowly dodges.
"Not bad, seems you've increased your speed. Magic maybe? Demonic power? Or you've been training your body and have decided to surprise me now. Your Power of Destruction, its good that it can be wrapped around you now."
Vali wished to reveal her own powers. For a moment, Vali's aura vanished from Zante's sight, then he saw Vali's body rocketing off. Using the wings of Divine Dividing, she propelled herself like a jet towards him.
Zante smiled, and came right at her. Using their enhanced speed, Zante and Vali clashed violently against one another, their fists digging into one another's.
"Aaaah!" Vali's bled, while Zante felt his power being stolen through Vali's Divine Dividing, and adding it to herself, so he pushed further, increasing his aura, knowing right now she couldn't take the power more than once and only after ten seconds had passed by between each use since she didn't have her Balance Breaker.
Zante also made sure that she didn't touch his body directly, and only absorbed the power he used, and not half of his overall power as he knew that would be dangerous.
"Come at me then Vali-chan!"
"Right!"
Zante and Vali flew all around the battlefield, and collided over and over again.
If one was watching, they'd not be able to make out either of them so easily.
Even normal High Class Devils wouldn't have been able to follow their movements, showing their powers at such a young age.
"Alright then Zante, lets try this." She thought and she shot at the ground with her demonic power several times, creating a smoke screen around her.
Zante stopped fully in the air, knowing it would be wise not to go in blind, so his hand reached out, and propelled his Power of Destruction energy through the smoke, causing it to vanish out of sight, out of mind.
But Vali wasn't in it.
He looked around, then felt an aura behind him, widening his eyes, and muttered "Ooh shit." as he turned to see her fist coming right in for him.
"Have this!" Inches from his face, Vali's fist would impact him.
He couldn't fly out of the way in time, and his aura couldn't fully form either, he only managed to create a very thin layer of Power of Destruction to block her fist making contact, but she unleashed her demonic power up close, blasting Zante right to the ground.
His face bled, as he lands on the ground, and wipes the blood off of his cheek.
"Seems like you've upped your game Vali-chan. Not just the distraction, but your speed, you increased it even more too. You put everything into speed…simply incredible. I'm pleased you're going all out. I'll have to go all out as well." When he said that, Vali noticed something began to change.
The very atmosphere felt like it was changing. The sky began to darkened, and it looked like a volume of black and purple energy surround him, increasing it to high degrees that Vali thought that a High Class Devil would be erased if touching him right now.
"Lets do this, Vali-chan." The earth began being destroyed, as he formed a sphere before him. It was strong and sturdy, twice the size of Zante himself.
It was Zante's power, unleashed into a ball of destructive energy. The balls destructive potency was as such that Vali saw the very air beginning to vanish from the area. Being erased by Zante's power, it was outstanding to Vali's eyes.
Even how it moved in the sphere itself, it wasn't just a stationary sphere, it was a sphere that looked like a vortex, endlessly swirling and radiating destructive powers.
"So this has to be like the tornado destruction, and those bullets of destruction he fires. Maybe. Or…maybe he's doing it to throw me off, and this is just an upgraded form of the bullets of destruction. There's no doubt about it though, if I'm not careful, he'd erase my chances of winning just like that."
Vali knew she'd have to be cautious about this, or it could spell her end, and she wasn't very thrilled about that.
"Haaaaah!" Zante unleashed the ball, and it moved like a cannon ball.
Vali also noticed that it seemed to take up some energy and that Zante let out a small breath, so it showed he had put in a good deal of power into it.
So she unleashed a volley of demonic shots for the sphere.
"Shit..." However, she saw them one after another, being erased from existence, and did little to actually break through the ball at all. So she had to think of something or if she was caught by it, she'd be erased as well.
She decided to try and fly around it, but Zante moved his hands, and the demonic ball followed after her. Like it was honing in on their target, Vali saw it also travelled pretty fast, so she had to make a drastic move herself.
She turned around, and surrounded her hand with as much aura as she could do, knowing she'd only have a single chance at this, or she would lose instantly. She knew that ball could tear apart flesh, and she'd be no exception.
So she breathed in hard, and murmured "Balance Break." Zante watched with widened eyes as an aura of snow white surrounded the young girl. Her energies increased exponentially, and then an armour began to form across her skin.
"Balance Breaker…she's achieved it…" Zante hadn't ever witnessed this before, so to say he was super intrigued would be an understatement.
Vali's body was covered in a beautiful armour, and she launched herself at the ball.
Using her strength, she came at the ball, and punched it directly. She had her demonic power enhanced by her armour, and she used her Divide ability numerous times on the ball, until she couldn't hold anymore, and released the excess power through her wings.
Even then, Vali saw her armour was being ripped apart by Zante's Power of Destruction sphere. It truly was the embodiment of destruction, making her all the more excited to find out what else he'd do in his future.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Vali unleashed all of her destructive power into the sphere, and the power she took from Zante's sphere as well.
She managed to explode the Power of Destruction sphere, and sent a large shockwave miles around them. The ground collapsed within a two mile radius, Zante took to his wings to steady himself.
Vali burst through, and she rushed towards Zante.
She knew she didn't have long in her Balance Breaker, so she'd have to finish the fight here and now.
"Her movements are different." Zante thought, shooting off numerous balls of destruction for her, that she evades with her incredible speed. "Usually, she'd not approach me this directly, but if she's doing it like this, it means she's either desperate, or she has a full proof plan. Either way, Balance Breaker is going to be difficult to deal with…but it'll also drain her stamina, lets see if I can overcome this…"
Despite the prospect of facing down a true Balance Breaker, Zante was excited.
So he thrust his hand forward, releasing fist shaped waves of Power of Destruction energy.
"It wont beat me Zante!" Vali saw the fists of Power of Destruction coming for her, so she zipped through the air at blinding speeds. Using her wings to assist her, she managed to fly through the attacks, avoiding them better than she had done before.
But even then, she saw some of her armour beginning to break as the fists of Power of Destruction came at her, gaining speed as Zante pushed himself more, and then one managed to slam into her chest, propelling her back into the air.
When she was, Zante cups his hands, and unleashes a devastating twister of destruction right for her. Before she could move to get out of it, Zante waved his hands, and ropes of Power of Destruction energy sprang out, and bound Vali in the air, digging into her armour as it wrapped fully around her being.
"What the…"
"Got you!" Zante called, as his twister of destruction wrapped around her.
Vali watched as the twister of energy circulated her being, tearing pieces of her armour off. She had Albion fix the damaged parts, and felt her stamina drain kicking in more and more, as the armour was breaking.
"Shit, I don't have long left. I've got to end this now…!" Vali called in her mind.
She concentrated, and used her Divine Dividing on the ropes that bound her, breaking them off, but the vortex of Power of Destruction still trapped her inside, pulling her back to the centre of the twister, not releasing her.
She tried to touch it with her hand, but the Power of Destruction energy twisted so fast and hard, that when her fingers went out, she could feel it ripping into her hand, so she couldn't grasp it fully.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Vali unleashed all of the stored up power that she had.
It creates a bright flashing blinding light of demonic power, collapsing the twister, a giant explosion rung in the air, spreading dust and debris all around the pair of them.
Zante breathed hard, seeing Vali still standing.
"Damn, and I put a good deal into that too. The power of Balance Breaker, it truly is a scary thing to face down." Zante didn't stop however, and unleashed a volley of destructive shots.
Knowing that she now would have to come for him, he made it hard for her.
"Here I come!" Vali shot right down for him at full speed.
The shots of destruction collided with her armour, breaking it down and some touched her skin.
She came closer and closer to his body, and both felt the stamina drain of using their strongest attacks.
Vali in turn kept firing demonic shots right at Zante, forcing him to waste more stamina to defend against her powers.
When Vali got in arms length, Zante grits his teeth, and fills his fist with Power of Destruction energy.
Vali went to do the same, when her armour shattered all around her, surprising Zante.
"Time limit…" Vali murmured, but didn't stop.
She filled her own fist with demonic power, and sent it at Zante's own.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Zante and Vali's fists collide with one another with a battle cry coming from the two of them, pushing deep against the other, and soon an explosion erupts around them.
Smoke rose into the air, surrounding the two, covering them from one another.
Vali and Zante were thrown away from one another, digging into what was left of the ground, and wounds erupted across their flesh.
Vali pants hard from the ground, looking up to see Zante also on the ground.
"Ugh, damn it." She tried to stand, but her body gave out on her, and she fell flat on her face.
"Come on, get up…" Zante pushed himself further, and tried to stand, but he paused on bended knee.
Vali tried to pull herself up, but she lacked energy, and stopped.
Zante breathes harder, and pushes himself further, slowly moving to his feet.
His body shook, and his legs felt like giving in.
But he finally managed to get to his shaky feet, looking at Vali who stared back up at him, panting hard.
The fight ended, with Vali collapsed onto the floor, Zante pants hard, barely managing to stay on his feet.
Both exhausted from the fight.
Vali's eyes looked into Zante's own. "…Looks like you win."
Zante wobbles on his feet, seeing Vali acknowledged he won, so he collapsed onto his butt, releasing pant after pant with his head right back.
"Yeah, but that could've gone your way if you held Balance Breaker for a little while longer. And speaking of, Balance Breaker…you achieved Balance Breaker Vali-chan…!"
Vali saw the giddiness in his eyes.
She adopted a small smirk on her lips. "I did. So I could fight you."
Zante points to himself. "I feel honoured, just for me."
"Speaking of…I see, you've grown stronger. I used Balance Breaker, and yet, you kept going."
"I was nervous when you revealed that. Your aura increased, so I had to put my all into it. And even then, you broke out of my twister, its an incredible feat."
"Perhaps it was, but Zante…I want to join you."
Zante blinked. "Vali-chan..."
"I have always wanted to have a team, or be part of a team. I have to tell you, about my past a little. Because, I am aiming to kill my father, and my grandfather. What they did to my mother, and myself…I hate them with everything inside of me."
Zante could hear the pain in her voice, so he crawled over, unable to stand again, and got to her right hand side, holding her close, as his arms fully wrapped around her, her face began to tinge bright pink.
"I'm sorry Vali-chan that they hurt you. If you seek revenge, I wont dissuade you from it. But all I ask is that you don't let it consume you."
Vali adopted a small smirk. "Yes, my King."
Zante melted at her words, but then smiled, and brush her cheek tenderly. "My adorable Queen~"
Seeing her even a little flustered, Zante thought Vali was very cute, and was trying her best to stay stoic. But in the end, she couldn't fully, and looked at him half in the eye, and half towards the ground, she couldn't make up her mind on where she should focus, her face beginning to tinge red.
"You really are cute." Zante snickered, and pulled close to smile
Or that was the plan, when Vali turned, and their lips locked together, catching them both by surprise.
But neither pulled away, as they kissed one another, their arms wrapped around each other in a warm loving embrace.
When they pull apart, Vali peers into his eye once more. "…That was my first kiss."
Zante gives a heartfelt smile. "I'm very honoured~"
Vali shows a small smile, and her head leans on his shoulder.
Zante smiles softly, his eyes going to the sky.
He couldn't believe that now, he was truly building his peerage, and what more, he was so glad he could build a peerage with people he had grown to care for, and love.
When Zante returned home that evening, he went to his room, thinking about all of the people he was gathering into his peerage.
When he stepped inside of his room, he saw a flashing light where he kept the communications circle, so he walked over to it, and activated it.
He saw Azazel stood there, in hologram form, peering right at him. "Hello there Zante-kun, I heard you charmed Vali~"
Zante gives bemused eyes. "I don't know about charmed, but she has agreed to join my peerage."
Azazel laughed. "I'm not surprised, she does talk about you often. Anyway, I'm glad you've returned, because I have some news for you." Zante leans closer in expectation. "We've found the location of who's been contacting you."
Elation ran through Zante's heart. "Really?"
"Yes, and well, she's in a very hidden Leviathan territory, the original Leviathan territory. It took me ages to even see it was a Leviathan's territory, originally, it was just showing up as a normal piece of land, and had to do a lot of digging."
Zante cringed when hearing that. "That's gonna be an issue."
Azazel raises an eyebrow. "May I ask why that is?"
"Because, if the remnants of the original Leviathan faction feel about the Devils of our generation as they did back then, it'll be an issue."
Azazel grimaces, clutching his teeth tightly. "I see...well, I can understand the old faction might have been against Devils such as yourself, due to...well, I am sure you understand, Bael's name is..."
Zante nods in understanding. "I get it, still she's there huh...we'll have to find a way to get around this, I don't want to cause a war or anything, but she contacted me for a reason, right?"
"I would have thought so. Lets brainstorm ideas, and come up with something. First, lets think of how we can contact them, and go from there."
Zante nods his head, and now this girl was within arms reach.
The only problem being, getting to her, would be difficult without causing problems.
But Zante wouldn't give up, since this girl called out to him, he'd do all he could to find and save her.
Sometime after this, in another hidden part of the Underworld, the unknown girl of Leviathan laid sleeping.
She had been for so long, and nothing had changed.
The doctors around her couldn't do anything for her.
That was until, her hand began to twitch, as if she was reacting to something.
Her eyes stayed closed, but in her sleep, her voice called out "Zante…" as if she was in a beautiful dream.
The doctors around looked towards the sleeping girl, whispering "Zante...Bael?" and "Didn't that kid try to contact us?" among other things, watching the girls sleeping face, dreaming her endless dream.
A dream where she and Zante, would sing together happily.
End chapter!
So this chapter had Zante gaining his Evil Pieces, and began his recruiting of his peerage, including revealing a bit more about his personal history, and having a fight with Vali, going all out against one another, and showing each other their strength. Then at the end, it seems Ingvild's finally be found, so they'll be doing their best to deal with those that followed the original Leviathan Clan.
Well, until next time, thanks for reading!
Zante's Peerage.
Queen; Vali.
Bishops; Kuroka, Ingvild (mutation).
Rooks; Koneko, Free.
Knights; Xenovia, Irina.
Pawns; Ravel (x2), Le Fay (x1), Elmenhilde (x1), Rest Free.
Zante; Ravel, Serafall, Kuroka, Koneko, Akeno, Vali (fem), Ingvild, Xenovia, Le Fay, Elmenhilde, Irina,