Welcome to the next chapter!
Darkwubs; Thanks! Yeah, Magdaran will have a role to play in the story as it goes on, as we see the three brothers interactions. Yeah, he's learned a bit from fighting Sairaorg as Sairaorg has him as well. Glad you liked the situation revolving around Vali. Ingvild, and what's going on with her, shall be answered pretty soon~ Ravel is pretty cool. Pretty cool peerage. Yeah, I'd say that's a good way to describe the strength of those people. Yeah, Zante's got counters to those different powers, and we'll see his ingenuity as the story goes on. We'll learn more about his mother as the story goes on. Ingvild would be yeah. Those would be pretty cool forms~ Yesh, by Kuoh, he'll have a good reputation. Yeah, he has different thoughts than his father and Zekram about the affair of Devils. Ravel is an awesome character, how she develops is really cool to see. Yeah, I've got a number of plans for those plot points as they come up. Yeah, even Dohnaseek wouldn't be so arrogant to think he'd be able to take Zante. Yeah, he could charm them. Azazel and Zante will have a fun banter. Cool peerages, and harems.
kurenai lui; Yeah, if he was to get one either of those would be best, or Dimension Lost, as that'd work very well with his powers. Pretty cool looking peerage!
Haseo187; Thanks very much! Glad you're liking it so far~!
ShadowUzumaki55; Yeah, it would be good if they could do that~ Zante is yeah. Vali is yeah, she got a compliment she wasn't expecting, but liked it very much. Ingvild seems to be yeah~ Pretty awesome peerage!
Cloud4012; Thanks! They'd be good yeah~
T.V. 2000; No problem~ We'll learn about his mother as the story goes on and her circumstances. His peerage is gonna be well rounded. Ravel would be a good choice for a fiancee. I haven't considered a name for him, since we might eventually get one, like we didn't know Issei's parents names for the longest of times, then we got them in more recent volumes. He'll use his powers creatively. Yeah, he wants to reunite his family.
Silver crow; Thanks! Yeah, seem that he did~ Yeah, Zante and Ingvild are connected~ Azazel did yeah, he's being cautious. Ravel tried her best for sure~ Zante cares for Magdaran, even if right now Magdaran's being coerced by Lord Bael. Rias is pretty durable~ Yeah, Vali and Zante had a good fight~ Zekram and Zante's relationship shall be shown as the story goes on. Yeah, they'd be cool ways he could use his powers. Zante will be very strong by the time Kuoh comes around. Zante and Venelana get on yeah. Thanks for the harem suggestions. That sounds cool!
Guest 1; Thanks for the peerage suggestions!
HolyKnightX; Thanks! Yeah, introduced two interesting characters~ Yeah, as the story goes on, we'll see them all breaking away from his influence. Glad you liked the fight. Xenovia would be definitely~ That'd be interesting to see what that dynamic would be like, thanks for the suggestions!
Guest 2; Thanks!
Skull Flame; Thanks! Yeah, Zante supports Magdaran, even if right now that isn't mutual, but we'll see them become closer as they go through things. No, it wasn't her, similar name, but just a character made for that part of the chapter, for a little fun moment with Ravel and Zante. Zante is yeah, he's hearing Ingvild, we'll be seeing how as the story goes.
Guest 3; Thanks for the votes!
Guest 4; Yeah, they'd be cool peerage members.
Neonlight01; Thanks, glad you like it. Thanks for the votes. Yeah, they had a good fight.
Anime PJ; Thanks, glad you're enjoying it! Yeah, that's how it is in the Bael, he's favoured, but he isn't loved by his father. Its going to be quite the journey~ Yeah, I could see Vali being like that too~
Guest 5; We'll see more about Zante's mother pretty soon~ Yeah, he could do that.
Akeno fan; Thanks! Yeah, he's thinking about Vali, and a Leviathan would be awesome for sure~ Thanks for the votes!
Guest 6; Here's more!
Mrgamerandwatcher; Thanks! Its great to be back~ Thanks for the harem suggestions!
Sekiryuutei; Thanks for the votes.
Guest 7; Thanks for the peerage suggestions!
Its time to start the chapter!
Chapter 3
Shooting through the trees, a young girl with long black hair had managed to escape being caught by her extended family.
The family she hails from, was one that she didn't want to go back to.
She was worried, and ran swiftly.
She didn't have a clue on how long she had been running.
She ran town to town, always staying in isolated places so she didn't have to get caught.
But what she thought was a mistake, was when she came across a human who was being contracted by a Devil.
When she learned the truth, she became worried that the Devils would kill her for even trying to help someone connected with them, she was sure that she'd end up dead now.
"Aaha!"
The girl fell flat on her face.
She grimaced, looking around and saw her foot caught a tree root.
She stood up, rubbing her leg, when she heard "There she is!" and "Kill the cursed child!" which drew fear deep into the girls body.
She saw in the distance people were coming for her, so she aimed her hands outwards, and unleashed a wave of lightning from both hands.
Her lightning collapsed two trees, and blocked off the road for the humans coming for her.
It was a few moments, but she made such use of those moments so she could get away.
But for how long, she truly didn't know…
Two weeks had gone by since Zante had first saw the young woman with purple hair. So, he did what he thought was best, and that was study about the Leviathan's.
So while he was casually reading a book, his fingers ran across the serpent like Dragon statue of the Leviathan clan, he could hear the girls voice as clear as day in his ears, and no matter who else he brought the statue too, no one else would get any sense of anyone singing.
Along with that, he thought about Vali, a Lucifer.
That was amazing in his eyes, he wished to see her again, and he wondered if she had come across any Leviathan before.
While he was in the middle of thought, his door was opened, and stepped in his father Lord Bael.
"Father, can I help you?"
"Yes, I've been thinking about your future…"
Zante let out a small sigh. "I've said I'm picking my peerage members, father, please respect that."
Lord Bael sharpened his gaze. "You need to pick-"
"I'm going to be choosing people I think would be for the best. This is about my future, I take it very seriously."
Lord Bael sighed. "Fine, however I wish for you to be in an engagement. You need to have a good wife beside you."
"Who?" Zante asked.
"We'll be holding meetings with various clans to find you the right one. We need one with good ties to strong families. Ideally, ones that would give birth to even more power for the Bael clan. Ever since Sirzechs…"
Zante could hear the jealousy oozing out of every word his father gave when it came to Sirzechs and Gremory in general.
"If I am to have a fiancee, I wont ever by any circumstance force anyone to be my bride." Zante stated it, showing that he wasn't going to budge on the matter.
"Is that how you are going to approach this situation?" Lord Bael locked eyes with Zante.
"It is." Zante didn't back down.
That's when a chuckling could be heard coming in. "Very well said indeed, young Zante-kun."
Walking around the corner, was a man that Zante at least found to be more respectable than his father, even if he didn't like him either, and that was Zekram himself, the man who really run the Bael clan.
Even if officially Lord Bael was in charge, Zante knew Zekram pulled the strings from behind the scenes. He knew his father well, and he knew Zekram well, and he knew how the dynamics between them are like.
"Z-Zekram-sama…its a pleasure to see you as always." Lord Bael greeted.
Zante looks on as Zekram walks inside of the room. "I respect a Devil that sticks by his own thoughts, Zante. However, your father is correct in that we need to be a clan that grows stronger. Regrettably, Sairaorg hasn't received the Power of Destruction, and Magdaran's abilities with it aren't up to scratch. That's why we're placing our future on you, Zante-kun. I'd like for you to choose your fiancee."
"Z-Zekram-sama…" Lord Bael couldn't believe his ears.
But Zekram was sure in his words. "Find a good fiancee. But I do wish for a fiancee that we can gain approval of. I'd like for my clans future to be secure, does that sound acceptable to you Zante-kun?"
Zante inhaled. "Yes, but as I said, I wont be forcing anyone into any kind of arrangement with me. I cannot allow it to happen."
Zekram loved to see Zante's more strong willed side, and wished that Lord Bael had as much as Zante had. "Yes, you're correct in saying that arrangements should be willing on both sides. I shall leave the arrangements to you. But don't take too much time, we'd like to make the announcement as you grow into a strong Devil for Bael."
Zante nods, as Zekram leaves the room.
Lord Bael looks towards Zante, who looks right back.
Neither exchanged words, and soon enough, Lord Bael left the room.
Zante rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair, his eyes shifting to the statue before him, along with lightly touching it with his fingertips, he could hear the voice once more.
Echoing throughout his mind, his eyes look out of the window, wondering where this girl was.
A while later, Zante was casually writing in his book about various potential peerage members, along with Ravel who came to join him.
"So, how does it go with Vali-sama?" Ravel asked.
Zante nods. "We've talked a few times, she rings me, I ring her, she answers pretty quickly. I'm thinking of meeting her again soon."
As they spoke together, they were surprised when Rias casually came into the room, and sat on the bed, folding her arms.
She said nothing, she was deep in concentration, Zante looked to Ravel, who shrugged.
"Anything on your mind dear cousin?"
Rias looks up, and faces Zante. "That obvious?"
"You're being quiet, so I'd say its either that something is troubling you, or you've had another run in with a camel."
Ravel stifles a laugh, while Rias looks on with big worried eyes.
Ravel grimaces, as Rias releases a breath. "I am thinking of something actually. It has to do with a girl."
When Rias said it, Zante raises an eyebrow. "You were thinking of a girl…erm, okay, what about a girl?"
"Well, it seems that lately, there's been a girl in my families territory in the human world. Even my fathers peerage member as well. Its troublesome, since we've been contacted by the Himejima family."
Zante hummed in thought. "Himejima? Hmmmm…correct me if I'm wrong, isn't that one of the Five clans in Japan?"
Rias gives an affirming nod. "Exactly, and it seems that a runaway from that clan escaped into the territory of Gremory, but they aren't the most, nicest of people, to put it mildly. For one, I've witnessed the leader of the group, a man named Suou, who is adamant to kill this girl."
Zante looks on with astonished eyes. "Why? What's she done?"
Rias took in a deep breath, and explained. "All I can gather is that her mother went against the clan and married someone that wasn't accepted by the clan. I don't know much more than that, my fathers peerage member who owns the territory is investigating, and to be honest, its intrigued me as well."
Zante rubs his chin, while Ravel sees a gleam in Zante's eyes.
She knew what this meant, and couldn't wait to see what was to happen.
"Well, a fine mystery to be sure. What do you intend to do, Rias-chan?" Zante asked.
"I'd like to know a little more about what's going on before saying anything else. But for sure, I'm surprised the Himejima even contacted us, I've heard they're not exactly the most open when it comes to other beings. Though the basically said to stay out of their business."
Zante slowly nods. "Maybe this girls alluding them more than they thought and was hoping to gain an insight to her with your family."
Rias thought that made a good deal of sense. "It could be, I guess we'll be seeing what's going on pretty soon. All they said is that they wish to deal with the problem child themselves, and asked we not become involved, that it is a clan matter. But, it feels wrong to me, to kill a girl."
Zante nods curiously, and wonders a little more about this.
So he begins delving into research to see what was going on with this Himejima family situation. If it was a mystery, then he definitely liked the idea of trying to solve it.
A few days later, Zante had delved into the mystery about the Himejima, and contacted a few people that might know what was going on.
Whatever he got, he passed onto Rias, since this was a problem involving her family. Like Rias, the more Zante learned about this girl, he could see she was a victim and he didn't want anything to happen to her.
He even contacted the family directly, but he hadn't received any response from them.
While mulling over the information he had received, he thought about Vali, and his other mystery, to do with Leviathan.
"Even if she doesn't know anything about Leviathan, I'd love to know more about her, and what she's been going through."
Having decided to phone Vali, Zante whipped out his phone and rang the number Vali gave him.
In Azazel's office, Raynare was casually tidying up the space, while Vali sat close by, reading from a book. Raynare looked fearful of Vali, especially since she had shown herself to be quite the powerhouse, and she was still young.
Then the phone rang, Raynare looked to Vali, who turned her eyes up. "Want me to get that?"
When Vali offered, Raynare flipped her hands side to side, shaking her head. "I'll get it! I'm his personal assistant!"
"Since when?" Vali wasn't sure Raynare actually had that title, it was more of a self imposed title Vali thought.
Raynare picked up the phone, and put on a sensual voice. "Hello, Azazel-sama's office. His personal assistant Raynare speaking, how may I direct your call?"
Zante on the other end of the line, became bewildered. "Erm, I'm looking for, Vali-san. Is she there?"
Raynare stared at the phone, hearing a male child's voice. "Who's calling?"
"Zante Bael."
Raynare's face paled to the degree she looked like a ghost.
Her heart palpitated, and her face became drenched with sweat.
"May I speak to Vali-san please?" Zante asked, after ten seconds of complete silence.
Raynare placed a hand over her mouth, staring at the phone with big wide eyes.
Her face crumbled, and she yelled "Noooooooooooo!" putting down the phone, Vali looked up at the distraught looking Raynare.
Zante looked at his phone, and wondered what was going on.
So he called again.
As the phone rang in Azazel's office, Raynare covered her mouth, Vali was confused. "Who rung? And why did you scream?"
"B-Because its that Devil boy! He rang here!" Raynare snapped.
She immediately recoiled when Vali narrowed her eyebrows. "Devil boy?"
"Y-Yeah, he asked for you. But don't worry, I got rid of him! T-Though, he seems to be calling again…" Vali's hand went to the phone, Raynare called out to her. "Don't answer that phone Vali! Its a Devil! You can't associate with them! Especially that one! He is destruction!"
"Raynare, stop overreacting and take your hand off the phone."
Raynare simpered, while removing her hand.
Vali picked up the phone, and held it to her ear. "Hello, this is Vali."
Zante felt relief flooding through him. "Hey Vali-san, its me, Zante. Seems like I got through this time. Last time, someone screamed down the phone at me."
"That was Raynare, she's…troubled."
"What do you mean I'm troubled!?" Raynare seethed.
But then grimaced as Vali stared at her.
Zante looked amused. "I see. Well, I was surprised to hear it was Azazel-san you went too, since you've always answered each call. When I heard you had a place to stay, I didn't expect the Fallen Angels, are you safe Vali-san?"
Vali was astonished he was asking about her safety.
But it felt nice all the same. "Yes, I'm fine. Did you need something?"
Zante was relieved to hear she was safe. "Can we meet up sometime? I've got a lot of questions for you, and I'll answer anything you want to know too. Promise, its nothing too heavy. I'm just so fascinated with you and your Sacred Gear, and I'd also like to know if you've ever come across anything to do with Leviathan?"
"Leviathan, can't say that I have. I can meet up the day after tomorrow, I'll ring where later. When Raynare isn't around."
Raynare scowled. "What?! Why?!"
Vali scowled. "Because you'd try something stupid for your love for Azazel. Don't interfere."
Raynare placed a hand over her heart, looking with a worried face.
Zante didn't know what was going on, but found it to be a good idea. "Sure, I'll be waiting~ Thanks again~"
Zante and Vali mutually ended the call, with Zante quite pleased how it went.
Vali herself saw Raynare looking on, so she spoke once more. "I mean it, don't interfere."
"But that was Zante Bael. Azazel-sama said not to contact him." Raynare stated strongly.
"Well, Azazel was worried about him being a Bael, but nothing has happened, I trust he's not going to tell anyone about me."
Raynare sighed. "Fine, but don't blame me if something goes wrong."
"Why would I blame you?" Vali asked, perplexed.
Raynare fumbled with her lower lip, as Vali takes off, leaving her alone.
Raynare placed a hand on her forehead, and let out a relieved breath.
She never knew where to place herself when it comes to Vali.
Later that day, as Zante was shifting through the information he had, he suddenly received a reply to a message he had sent out days earlier.
It was from the Himejima clan.
It was a young woman named Suzaku.
"Damn, I got a reply…" Zante wasn't expecting it, but he was happy all the same.
So he read the message and saw she was intrigued to meet up, so Zante replied to her just as swiftly, transporting the letter away and awaits the reply via a special magic circle.
Zante waited about two hours, and during that time, he managed to go over more information, when he received a reply.
He looked over it, and saw Suzaku was eager to meet, so Zante quickly collected what he'd need, and went to go and meet Suzaku in a mutual place.
He wasn't stupid, so he quickly called Serafall, and asked if she could come with him.
She was quite happy to do so, so they set off together.
They went to a place in the human world, deep in the heart of Japan. It was a simple restaurant, Zante knew it wasn't ruled by any Devil, nor was it occupied by any of the Shinto clans, not even the Church, it was truly mutual.
Zante and Serafall walked through the restaurant, and looked around. "Where is she Zan-chan?"
"She said she'd be at the back, on a table with the Vermillion bird statue resting on it. So its easy for us to spot her. Thank you for coming. I wanna believe this is a good meeting, but you never know what might happen."
Serafall stuck out her tongue cutely. "No worries Zan-chan, I think you did the right thing~ Always assume the best, but also expect the worst~ Plus I'm really good at dealing with affairs like this~ It is apart of my job after all. Though please say Gabriel isn't going to show up~"
Zante looked amusingly at her, and shakes his head. "No, I don't think she'll be coming, you're safe."
Serafall looked relieved, and walked off together with Zante.
They moved through the restaurant, until they came across a Vermillion bird statue, in the far corner.
So they moved towards it, and saw a young woman sat at the table. She looked a few years older than Zante, but still a teenager, and when she saw them, she greeted them.
"Zante-kun, I believe?"
"Yes, and you're Suzaku-san?" She nods. "Its a pleasure to meet you." Zante and Serafall sat down. "Sorry, this is Serafall-sama. I asked her to come."
Suzaku understood. "I was surprised when a Devil would contact our family. It is highly unusual."
"This is an unusual situation." Zante replied. "Thank you for replying. I've been made aware of a girl that's been on the run from your clan. She's going through my cousins fathers peerage members territory, and we've had some trouble locating her, along with your clan trying to hide themselves."
Suzaku let out a sad breath. "She is my cousin, Akeno." Suzaku lowered her eyes. "She's in danger, you see. My clan, wish to get rid of her."
"Why?" Serafall wondered.
Suzaku looked between them. "First, before I tell you, what do you intend to do with Akeno? I became suspicious when you contacted us, so I had to see for myself exactly what kind of person you are."
Zante figured it was like that. "It must be surprising. At first, I thought about why the Himejima would go into the territory of Gremory, for a girl. But, I've been doing some research, and…from what I've learned, you said Akeno-san, didn't you?" Suzaku inclines her head. "I've read up about a girl called Akeno, and her mother. They had a relation with Baraqiel, the Fallen Angel?"
Suzaku was impressed. "Yes, that's correct."
Serafall's face fell. "So, your clan was against it? The girl is alive, what about the mom?"
Suzaku gave bitter eyes. "…Dead."
Zante gave disheartened eyes. "I did read she was dead, but because it is a clan matter, I didn't know if that was simply a rumour. So she's dead, and now your clan, wish for her to die as well?"
Suzaku looked on, her bitter feelings for her clan clearly evident on her face. "Yes…to be honest, I'm not one of those that wished for anything like this. Banishment would have been enough. But, the current head of the clan, a man named Suou Himejima, isn't pleased with her existence, and will do what he can to end her."
Serafall placed her hands together, while Zante watched Suzaku's face contorting.
She was in pain.
She cared deeply for Akeno, and Zante was beginning to figure out why Suzaku wanted to speak with him.
"You said you wanted to figure out what kind of Devil I am, didn't you Suzaku-san?"
"I did."
"So far?"
Suzaku's lips curl upwards. "Not bad."
Zante chuckled. "Well, that's good~" Suzaku gave amused eyes, as Zante leans forward and they have a conversation.
They then began speaking for over an hour.
During that time, Zante could see she was quizzing him.
He didn't mind, it made all the sense in the world to him that she'd want him to be a decent person if he was going to help Akeno and make sure she was safe.
After the hour come and went, Zante held a question, seeing Suzaku was becoming more open, so he asked her directly. "You can't do as much as you like, can you?"
Serafall purses her lips, and carries on. "Your family, would stop you from saving her yourself. Zan-chan…could be a solution for you, even if he's a Devil, is that what you're thinking, Suzaku-chan?"
Suzaku's eyes became a little teary. "…I wish I could do more, but as my current status wouldn't allow, I'd only end up being killed as well, and then Akeno wouldn't last much longer against them. I've been trying to find her, and offering what assistance I could. But the reality is that Suou Himejima has better resources than I do, and even if I go off his resources…I don't want Akeno to suffer anymore. She's been alone for over a year now…I want Akeno to be free."
It was heartfelt.
It was honest.
As the tears rained off her face, Zante felt for her.
Zante and Serafall could see the love she had for Akeno being on display.
"I've heard of you, young Bael." Suzaku confessed. "I was stunned to see someone of your growing reputation reaching out. But, I have to take desperate measures. I wanted to see what kind of person you were, if I could entrust Akeno with you. Ideally, I'd have Akeno back in the clan, but if she could go to a kind Devil…then, I think she'd be happy. She could learn to be happy again."
"Do I fit the bill of what a kind Devil is? In your eyes." Zante asked her directly.
Suzaku looked him over, and after speaking to him…
She couldn't deny he was a good person.
He didn't seem to have any ulterior motives, and she had done her best to look into Zante's history.
"…Yes, I believe you do. Please, will you save Akeno?"
Zante adopted a soft smile, and nods a single time. "Yes, of course I will."
Suzaku felt her emotions bubbling to the surface.
She kept them at bay for the time being, and she placed a hand to her face. "Thank you. I'll, do all I can. If my family finds her, I'll send the information to you right away."
"Thank you, leave it with us. When she's with us, I'll make sure she's got her choices. She can do whatever she wants."
Serafall gave proud eyes to Zante.
Seeing his diplomatic side, and his caring side blending together, she was thrilled he was growing to be quite a good Devil, and she thought Sairaorg definitely would be proud to see his little brother being so kind and sweet.
Two days later, having met up with Vali in a neutral secure location, Zante was quite happy to begin asking her questions.
Vali was somewhat amused by the questions he had asked, as to her, such as "What's your goals?" and "Do you get along with the Fallen Angels?" among other things of that nature.
When Vali thought of a question, she decided to ask it directly to him. "So, what's the deal with Leviathan? Are you looking to fight all the Old Maou's descendants?"
Zante showed an amused smile on his face, folding his arms with an excited face.
"First of all, that would be awesome~ Imagine the challenge…" Vali nods strongly. "But no, its gonna sound like I'm a bit crazy. Just before I met you, I received a gift from the current Leviathan Serafall-sama, belonging to the Leviathan clan, a relic. When I touch it, I hear the most beautiful of voices. A song, many songs in fact."
"Singing from a relic?" Vali asked, surprised.
"Its weird to me too. I even see a girl now and again, purple hair, she looks cute. But yeah, she's singing and only I can hear it." Zante explained, trying to figure it out himself.
"Are you special in some way?" Vali wonders.
"If I am, I don't know how. Unless she took a liking to me and decided to sing. I can't think of anything else it could be." Zante replied truthfully. "She must be a descendant of Leviathan, whether pure blood, or like you, I don't know. I'd like to meet her, to see what's going on. Maybe she needs help, maybe she's lonely, maybe she saw something in me that's kindred to her. Whatever it is, its an intriguing mystery to be solved."
If Vali was honest, it did sound intriguing as well.
She thought that maybe it could be a good challenge for herself, if there was a being calling out to Zante himself.
"Huh…a girl only you can hear, and she sings to you. Well, I can't say I've ever heard of it. But if it is a Leviathan, I'd not mind finding them myself."
Zante gave amused eyes. "If I find her, you'll be the first to know."
Vali nods strongly. "Good. You know, Azazel said it would be dangerous to meet you."
Zante wasn't shocked. "Yeah, you're a Lucifer, I could see many people believing you're either too dangerous to exist, or you're a very valuable ally. I know some in my own clan wouldn't hesitate to…try something."
"Your clan, is it a bad one? I don't have many experiences with Devils, and know only little about the different clans."
Zante held a finger to his chin in thought. "Well, the clan is corrupt for sure."
"You admit that freely?" Vali asked in amazement.
Zante nods without a worry. "Because its true. Its a shame to say such things, as it is my clan. And I am proud of the power I wield, because while its meant for destruction, I can use my power for liberation."
Vali looked surprised with his words. "Liberation, of who?"
"Devils less privileged, those that have disadvantaged lives, even my own siblings. Neither are treated as they should be. I'm the clan heir, officially, but it should've been my elder sibling Sairaorg, since he's the first born. And my other sibling, is listening to the corrupted words of my father."
"Your father, huh. Sounds as if he's corrupt like my own."
Zante nods, hearing the annoyance in Vali's voice. "Your father, not on your nice list, I take it?"
"That's one way to put it. Yours?"
"My father, I've got many things I could say about him. How long have you got?" Zante lightly joked.
Vali felt amusement filling her. "A while."
Zante snickered, and edged closer, beginning to speak to Vali for a good while, about various things.
Zante thought it was pretty exciting, to hear about Vali's life experiences, and while he knew she held things back, he could see they were painful enough so he didn't ask anything about whatever would make her uncomfortable.
He could see she had painful memories, and in turn, Zante wished to help her if he could do.
In fact, Zante felt like he had a good time together with Vali, speaking to someone his own age was a rare thing to do, since he had quite a lot of different things to do as clan heir of Bael, so having times like this, Zante thought was truly amazing.
Arriving back home for the day, Zante went over a few of the usual letters, and duties that he had to go over.
He saw that they had narrowed down Akeno's location, so he made his way to Rias's place so they could go to the human world together.
"Hey, Rias-chan…" Zante trailed off, seeing Rias was sat in her dining room, her eyes cast outside.
Zante looked, and saw that there was a camel out of the window.
It was looking inside, right at Rias.
"Zante, that camel…" Rias shuddered, seeing the camel glaring at her. "I, I don't know why they've turned on me. A-Anyway, I'm glad to see you. My fathers Bishop is currently busy, but we've been authorized to go in his stead."
Zante gave an affirming nod. "That's good to know, since I think we've found the area she's in. When we've got her, are you bringing her here?"
"Not to yours?"
"She's a Fallen Angel human, imagine how my father would react to her. I wouldn't want her to feel anything negative."
Rias could only imagine. "True, yes here would be fine. Then, lets…"
As Rias was about to suggest they go, Zante received another letter.
Transporting to the table before him, Zante picks it up, and looks over it.
"Shit…" Zante cursed.
Rias blinked. "What's wrong?"
"Suou Himejima, and the others are in the location."
"Then lets hurry."
Zante nods, and together, they take off for the human world, sending word to her fathers Bishop to come when he's able to do so.
Having arrived at the area they thought Akeno would be, Zante and Rias casually had been transported to a forest, full of thick dense trees. Rias looks to her cousin, as Zante stretches his arms.
"Aah, the sun of the human world always feels nice~"
Rias gave amused eyes. "So, if this girl is here, I suppose we will be able to find her pretty soon."
Zante nods, and moves forward together with his cousin.
They walked through the thick dense trees, their eyes shifting side to side.
"I'm having a little trouble sensing anything around here. The girl that you've been looking for, seems to be able to hide herself. But, if the information we've got is correct, she could be around here somewhere. If she's hiding from Devils, then she'd be hiding somewhere the Devils might not go…"
Zante edges forward, Rias trailing behind him.
Looking around, they came to a clearing, and a small little shrine.
"A shrine…yes, that makes sense." Rias mused.
Zante was about to nod, when he saw out of the tall grass surrounding the shrine, creatures began to emerge.
Around them, there were a few small little creatures known as oni's.
Rias looks over them, then turns to Zante.
However, before she could get her words out, she saw from inside of the building, some kind of strange kind of light.
"What the…"
Before Rias could finish, the light sprang forward, revealing it to be lightning, and came for her quickly.
Rias barely could react, so Zante thrust his hand out, forming a shield of destruction before the young girl, blocking off the lightning all together. The swirling purple black energy formed a protective bubble around Rias.
Zante himself cracked his neck side to side, as another bolt of lightning came out, Zante avoids it with minimal efforts, only to see another heading right for him, so Zante snaps his hand upwards, shooting off a ball of destruction, colliding with the lightning and cancelled it out all together.
His eyes shift to the shrine, and edges closer.
"Please…I'm sorry, I didn't mean to help that human…" A whimper came from inside of the shrine.
Zante glanced at Rias who furrowed her brows. "We haven't come to hurt you."
Rias agreed with Zante, and expressed her own thoughts. "We have come to see you, please don't attack us anymore. We aren't your enemies."
A small sniffle came from inside the shrine, and soon enough, a small girl emerged.
Around Rias's age, the girl looked directly between Zante and Rias, seeing their Devils and held apprehension in her eyes.
"…What do you want?" She finally said.
Zante edges closer. "Your names, Akeno Himejima?"
Akeno nods. "Yes…you are?"
"Aah, how rude. Forgive me. My name is Zante Bael." Introducing himself, Zante bowed.
"My name is Rias Gremory, the human you were speaking about was a contracted human to my family." Akeno widened her eyes, as Rias held up her hands. "No, please don't worry. You did nothing wrong."
Akeno looked between them, trying to work out what was happening.
If this was a trap.
If she was right now in the midst of enemies.
"Then, why are you here? If not to kill me…what do you want?" Akeno asked, confusion on her face.
"Because we wanted to make sure you're okay. It seems that you haven't been reached by your clan, we got here just in time it seems." Zante replied.
Akeno couldn't believe it.
Why would a Devil bother helping her?
It didn't make sense to Akeno, and she kept her body stationary.
Zante could truly understand her worries, so did his best to ease them. "My cousin Rias-chan was contacted by Suou Himejima."
"Suou…he is my Granduncle."
"Regrettably, he's on his way here."
Akeno widened her eyes when Zante said that, and she began to move.
Zante could see the panic in her eyes, so he called out to her. "Where would you go?"
"Anywhere is better than here. If he's coming here, then I have to leave, or he's going to kill me like my…like my…" Akeno's eyes welled up.
Zante could see the pain building within her eyes, and she shook ever so slightly.
Zante felt for her, and moved closer. "Your mom."
Akeno shifted her eyes back, a stray tear fell down from her eye, and she gives a small nod of her head. "Yes…that's right. They killed mom, and I'm going to be next, for the blood of that man…runs deep in my veins."
Akeno's pain was quite evident in her voice, as she saw from a distance, that people were moving towards her. She could see leading the charge was Suou Himejima, her eyes felt like they were burning when seeing him, anger and pain in her eyes.
Zante saw them coming, so spoke up. "I'm sorry to hear what they've done. But, you don't have to run."
Akeno held a hand to her chest, feeling her heart beating rapidly. "I, I can't fight them, I can't defeat them. I have nothing they'd want in exchange. It would be useless to try and speak them out of it, they wouldn't listen to me. Granduncle, he wont stop until my death is confirmed."
Rias held a hand to her chest, feeling her heart ache a little. "I'm so sorry that's how it is for you."
Akeno was beyond surprised that not only Zante had given his condolences, but Rias would as well.
Zante nods, and follows through. "He wont kill you, with us here."
Akeno widened her eyes.
The implications alone told her they'd protect her.
But she couldn't figure out why the Devils would help her.
If they'd want something from her.
"What do you intend to do?" Akeno finally asked.
Zante smiles. "Well, I'd hope for a peaceful solution. But it really depends on what your Granduncle wishes to do. If he's going to attack, or what. Either way, as I said, running wont solve it. You don't want to run forever, right?" Akeno shakes her head, welling up with tears once more. "Then, let us help you. I also was contacted by Suzaku-san."
"S-Suzaku?" Akeno was in surprise.
Zante nods, and explains. "Yes, we've been talking, and she was the one who informed me that your clan would be here. She asked me to take care of you, and that's what I am fully intending to do." Zante brought out a stuffed toy, and passed it to Akeno. "She said, if I gave you this, you'd believe me. I assume its yours?"
Akeno looked at the stuffed toy, and remembered her mother.
Akeno looked to Zante, wondering what he was saying and if it was true.
Something about his eyes, told her that she was in safe hands, as she had seen how he dealt with her lightning and how easily he could've overpowered her attacks, so he'd have no reason to lie to her, as he could make her do whatever he wanted with his levels of power.
So she felt like this was genuine.
And along with that, she knew only Suzaku would help her now, even in this indirect way.
"…I just, I just want to live. Please, help me…" Akeno replied, a stray tear rolling down her cheek.
Zante nods. "Then, I'll make sure that happens."
Akeno felt a warm feeling spread down her body and her eyes went into his own.
She sensed no falsehoods in his words, and his gaze was rather gentle.
She couldn't remember the last time she had felt such gentleness.
So they waited for the Himejima family to come along.
Zante placed Akeno with Rias, inside of the destruction barrier, wondering when the peerage member of her father would be showing up. Until then, he'd make sure his cousin and Akeno were safe.
A gentleman carrying a step was the one who stepped up as the group arrived. Dressed in mountaineering ascetics, they all looked at Akeno, with disgust, no more so than their leader himself.
Zante could see their leader, an elderly man, moves his eyes between them all.
Settling on Akeno, his gaze was one filled with the desire to kill, so Zante immediately steps forward.
"So, you've chosen to go to the Devils side, have you?" Suou spat out.
Akeno lowered her eyes, as Zante spoke up. "We've come for peaceful negotiations."
"With a Devil?"
"Is this child joking?"
The other Himejima members were dubious at best, and increased their hatred.
But Suou on the other hand saw a wisdom in the boys eyes, and became intrigued. "And what would that be child?"
"That you stop your pursuit of this girl."
Suou scowled. "And why would we do that?"
"Because you've entered Gremory territory without authorization. If you don't wish to cause problems between our groups, it would be best to speak with us directly. Neither of us wishes to start problems, do we?" Zante shot back.
Suou clutched his staff tightly. "…Admittedly, I do not wish to directly anger Gremory, they are a strong group, with Sirzechs Lucifer being their head power. However, you are merely a child, I do not negotiate with children!"
Suou summons his flames, spiritual flames blessed right from the Shinto Gods themselves, and unleashes a devastating wave of it right for Zante.
Akeno gasps, believing he was about to be incinerated.
Zante cups his hands together, then after a few moments, he launches his hands forward, his Power of Destruction comes out like a tornado, hitting the centre of the flames, and spreads outwards as Zante moves his arms.
Suou was in amazement to see Zante's control over his power, and how the Power of Destruction dispelled his flames, just before they reached his body. They didn't even get near Rias or Akeno thanks to the barrier of destruction Zante had around them.
"Well, maybe its about time you negotiate with me."
Suou felt his words hit him in the chest powerfully, as his flames came up and shot towards Zante in a powerful barrage.
Zante spread his hands out, summoning what looked to be multiple bullets in the air, throwing them right towards Suou who clashed his own flames brilliantly.
As their powers collided, Suou turned his staff right, and launched a swirling flame to spin around and burn Zante from the right. "Burn."
However, as the flames neared Zante, he whirled his own hand, and summoned a tornado of Destruction, which drew the flames closer, and broke down Suou's flames eagerly.
"Hah!" Using this chance, Zante launches his fist forward, releasing a strong shot of Power of Destruction that moved quickly.
Suou attempted to block, only to see the first attack collide with his barrier, breaking it apart and another shot, hidden in the shadow of the first, collides with his upper body.
"Aaaaah!" Surprising the old man, Suou was blown off his feet, slammed into the ground, blood began dripping out of Suou's body, and onto the ground.
Suou panted, holding a hand to his wound which grew bigger, a biproduct of Zante's lingering destructive energy.
Suou grimaces as he thought "I underestimated this boy, and got careless. He's stronger than I thought, he even hid his power from my senses, distracting me with another attack...he's very skilled, and dangerous, I have to be cautious here. I can't make another mistake." wondering who Zante was, feeling his wound feeling painful due to Zante's destructive power having worked through his body.
"Y-You said, you wish to negotiate about Akeno?" Suou said through gritted teeth, hating he had to bargain with a Devil child.
But also knew, he might have to, as he was careless, and got hit in an area that would cause him to have difficulty fighting.
"Yes, to come to a solution that all sides are happy with. However, I will say now, anyone that tries to go for Akeno Himejima, or my cousin Rias Gremory, I will have to stop them by any means necessary. Is this understood?"
Rias slowly smiles, thinking "Damn Zante, that was pretty cool." as she admired his strength.
Suou looked profoundly upon Zante's form, pulling himself off the floor, grinding his teeth in pain. "I see, then…"
"You dare harm our leader!"
"You're dead Devil!"
The others with Suou weren't as willing to make speak with a Devil child like Zante, angered he had wounded Suou, so they began rushing towards Zante.
Despite Suou snapping "Don't!" but they didn't heed his words, and as they came at Zante, the young man flared his demonic aura.
It spread all around him, and eagerly began breaking down the ground around him. Suou felt his heart being taken at that moment as he stared at the young man, watching black and violet aura surrounding his hand.
"Die!" One member came from the right, imbued a sword with flames.
"Not today." Zante reaches his hand out, and as soon as the sword hits the Power of Destruction, the sword begins breaking down, along with the flames. Zante's fingers wrap around the blade, and runs his Power of Destruction through it, breaking it down completely, then his hand embedded into the man's torso, blasting him away.
"Y-You damn Devil!" Another said, surrounding his hands in magical fire.
"Enough." Zante warned.
The man snarled, quickly yelling "Don't you dare Devil boy!" as he saw another member forming a prison of magic around Zante.
Zante cocked his eye back, as the magic tried to form a cage around him, so Zante flexed his aura, unleashing it all around him, which met with the magic barrier, and destroyed it with a shockwave downing three humans trying to launch attacks close by.
At the same time, his hand snapped back towards the first attack, the flaming fist and Zante's Power of Destruction empowered hand collided, the Power of Destruction managed to crush the flames completely, and blew the man back a few feet.
"W-What the…" The man was in doubt.
But then received a sharp blow to the abdomen, a small sphere of Power of Destruction entered his stomach. Since Zante didn't want to kill them, he didn't wipe out the human, merely blasting him away and smashed him through a tree.
Suou watched as another tried to have their staff engulfed with their magic shoot off numerous bullets of magic for Zante, who flung his hand forward, releasing a multitude of bullets of destruction himself, colliding violently in the air, and blew all of the attacks away.
"Begone." Then, Zante unleashed a flash of purple and black energy for him.
The energy collapsed the man's stance, and left him with wounds scattered across his flesh, then he fell down to the floor, panting hard as his blood leaked from his body.
Suou watched in disbelief as a few men and women were blasted away so precisely, Zante's control over his Power of Destruction even surprised someone as experienced as Suou, who felt his hand clutching his staff tightly, his fingers shaking.
Akeno was beyond astonished, while Rias gave a strong smile.
"This boy…he's strong."
Rias nods at Akeno. "Indeed, he is."
"Who is he?" Akeno asks with bewilderment.
Rias shows a strong smile. "My cousin, Zante. Don't worry, Zante is smart when he fights and knows how to fight even if the enemy is stronger, I admire his strength and mind."
Akeno could only nod, wondering more about Zante as he dealt with the enemies before him.
Suou took in a few breaths, looking at the young man, who stopped his aura once confirming the attacks had stopped.
"Who are you?" Suou asks suspiciously.
Elegantly, Zante bows his body. "Zante Bael, heir to the Bael clan, at your service. Now, will you listen to me?"
Suou looked mildly surprised, and stepped back, looking into the young man's eyes.
"Zante Bael. The Prince of Destruction as I've heard."
Akeno blinked wildly at the name, surprise on her face.
"Yes, I've been known as that. Will you listen to my words now, Suou Himejima? As I said, we didn't come to start any problems, we simply wished to negotiate with you, and to cause this problem to be solved."
Suou weighed up his options, and ultimately, albeit with reluctance, agrees to speak. "Very well. I will listen."
"Wonderful, then please wait momentarily. I'm sure it would be wise to speak to the owner of this land, though if you have any questions in the meantime, direct them towards me."
Zante had an aura of calmness to him.
As a noble Devil, especially from the clan of Bael, he had learned quickly when to act, how to act, and how to begin making deals, and to find solutions, or in the most extreme, how to fight. Thankfully, it seemed Suou had enough sense to know fighting would do his side no good.
Soon enough, the Bishop of Rias's father came, and after hearing the situation with Zante, the man took Suou Himejima to a location a little further away's so they could discuss what was to happen, while Zante himself stuck close with Akeno in case anyone did try something.
Rias herself looked relieved. "Seems like negotiations are beginning rather well."
Zante nods, his eyes going to Akeno. "Himejima-san…"
Akeno looks towards Zante, and leans forward. "Akeno."
Zante smiles. "Akeno-san, are you okay?"
Akeno didn't know how to answer that. "…What do you think will happen to me now?"
"Well, if your Granduncle is wise, he'd not pursue you any longer. I'd imagine he'd probably want you to not go near the Himejima family anymore, perhaps to either stay with us Devils, or live somewhere else. Once this is over, you can decide what you wish to do now. I'll make sure you've got that choice."
Akeno felt a pulse within her heart.
She heard his wise words, and took in everything.
"If Granduncle had attacked me...you said that he shouldn't."
"If he had done, I'd have protected you."
Akeno felt her cheeks slightly redden. "All this, for me?"
Zante nods. "No one deserves what you've been through, Akeno-san. They already took your mom from you, they don't get to take your life too, for something you have no control over."
As Zante said it, his mind went to his own mom and what happened with her, and then looked at Akeno, saddened hers got taken from her.
Akeno felt her heart pitter patting.
Her eyes laid on his own.
She could see a compassionate look that drew her to him all the more.
Soon enough, Suou came back, and faced Akeno.
"…Promise me two things. I will swear to you that we won't lay our hands on you if you keep those promises. First, you must not step foot into the territory that is under our surveillance. Second, to stay with the Devils. As long as you keep these two promises, we will swear to you that we won't lay our hands on you ever again."
Akeno couldn't believe her ears, and thought she was hearing things.
She could only nod her head, seeing her Granduncle accepting that.
The group with Suou begin walking away, with Suou's eyes staying on Zante.
Zante looked back, feeling the annoyance rolling off of Suou.
"You are an interesting child. Zante Bael, I'll remember that name. I pray we do not cross paths again."
With that, Suou walked off.
Akeno felt a pang run through her, as she spoke up swiftly. "…May I introduce myself as Himejima from now on?"
Suou doesn't look back, as he replies to Akeno. "…There are many others that carry that surname. Do as you like."
With that, he vanishes from sight, limping away.
Akeno looks between Zante and Rias, and adopts a humble smile. "Thank you, Bael-sama, Gremory-sama. For coming for me."
Zante waved his hand. "Its okay. Rias-chan was the one who alerted me, so I guess she's to thank for it. If not for her, I'd not know anything about it."
Rias adopted a kind smile right back. "But you managed to fend them off. It was very well executed, Zante."
Akeno could feel a close relationship between them, she recalled Rias saying they were cousins, so it made sense to her.
Zante moves closer to Akeno, and adopts a small smile. "From everything that's been said, I think its time to head back. I think its best if you go with Rias-chan right now."
Akeno blinks. "I can't come with you?"
Zante chuckles lightly. "You could. But my household…well, its full of judgmental idiots, so I'd not want you to feel uncomfortable. But, I'll definitely come and see how you're settling in soon enough. I just have a few duties to attend to. Aah, the life of the Bael heir...ooh, the duties I've got today are so dull~ I wonder if Ravel-chan can get me out of them~" He finished off jovially.
Akeno giggles at his carefree and playful nature, and gives a nod. "Thank you, you fulfilled your promise."
"As I said, there's no need for thanks. I'm just glad you're okay and safe."
As he said it and Akeno's face flushed, Rias heard "Bring the camels for us to ride on!" from Suou in the distance.
Rias's eyes widen, Akeno noticed Rias subtly moving behind Zante fearfully, while camels in the distance begin looking at her with narrowed eyebrows.
"Erm...I'm missing something?"
Zante chuckles. "Rias-chan and camels don't mix~"
Rias flushes several shades of red, while Akeno adopts a teasing smile. "Ara, camels is it~? I'll remember that~"
Rias shakes side to side, feeling embarrassment rush through her. "I-I'm not that bad about camels…they just hate me."
Akeno stifled a laugh. "Camels…hate you? Why?"
Rias pouted, as Zante gives a good natured laugh, and pats his cousins head. "You're so precious Rias-chan~"
Rias looks at him with the same pout, but then her lips curl into a small smile.
Akeno thought Devils were scary, or evil.
Though she didn't have the full scope of them all just yet, she couldn't see anything evil about these Devils at all.
In fact, she thought they were the nicest people she had come across in a long time.
End chapter!
So this chapter introduced Akeno, and Suzaku! Wishing to help his cousin and hearing about Akeno, Zante went with Rias to confront the Himejima's, while he continues pondering the mystery revolving around the Leviathan statue, as he meets Suzaku in his quest to help out Akeno. He's also beginning to grow closer to Vali as they share their love of challenges, among other things.
As promised, here's the peerage and harem! It isn't complete yet, so I'm still accepting suggestions anyone has, and thanks to those who have so far! People such as Le Fay have been floated around by a few people, and she is a good magician so she'd be good. Irina also by a good few, for the Xenovia/Irina duo could be fun to play around with~ Asia's been floated around as well, and she'd be cool to see her dynamics with the others, especially the Xenovia/Irina/Asia potential. Bova's been suggested by a couple people, and would be cool to see how he goes along with the others.
Well, until next time, thanks for reading!
Zante's Peerage.
Queen; Vali.
Bishops; Kuroka, Ingvild (mutation).
Rooks; Koneko, Free.
Knights; Xenovia, Free.
Pawns; Ravel (2 pieces), Rest Free.
Zante; Ravel, Serafall, Kuroka, Koneko, Akeno, Vali (fem), Ingvild, Xenovia,