Chapter 7: Nun
Issei awoke the next morning feeling the same way he had gone to sleep,ashamed. The fight he had between Rias' Peerage had at first been exhilarating to feel so powerful against a group of trained Devils was a powerful feeling but the look upon Rias face had changed that feeling of power to one of dismay. Rias herself had, had a look of stunned pride at his strength but it quickly shifted to disappointment and it hadn't been directed at her Peerage; no she had look at him with disappointment, he figured she hadn't liked the way he had just gone all out again her Peerage showing their weakness so clearly. Which caused Issei to admit something to himself. He had taken an unfair advantage against Rias Peerage by using his Scail Mail which in truth wasn't something he could rely on using in a real fight. He could currently only use the Scale Mail for a limited time and it needed three rounds of 'Boosts' to charge up which equated thirty seconds; A relatively short time in the grand scheme of things but in the perspective of a fight thirty seconds was a lifetime. Overall Issei felt he needed to correct his mistake but knew he had to follow up on the situation he had discovered.a Human girl that was a Sacred gear user, she was potential trouble especially if she was untrained or unaffiliated with a fraction as many would seek to claim her or simply dispose if she was too much trouble to claim, it was something Azazel had taught to him during one of the first lessons they shared together. So Issei planned to roam around town to see if he could locate the user and learn more about them, which in turn meant he couldn't spend time fixing things with Rias Peerage, At least personally. So as he got dressed in his Kuoh Academy Uniform by putting on a red t-shirt and simply pulled the academy shirt over the top leaving it unbuttoned; Something his teachers despised whenever they got a chance to glance at him long enough to notice, often giving him an earful. He asked Titus to go to see Rias and her Peerage in his place but asked him to join him once his message had been delivered so that they could spread their net wider. As it turned out Issei hadn't needed Titus as the girl bumped into him within moments of Issei starting his exploration of town.
Issei had been walking down a random alley leading to a large park, he hadn't really been looking where he had been going, too busy sensing for the Sacred gear user, something that in hindsight was pointless because he had no clue how to sense such a thing. Even so he had been surprised when a girl slightly shorter but of a similar age to himself bumped into him, but he reacted quickly, catching first his own balance then that of the girl's by grabbing her outstretched arm as she fell backward. His catch saved her stumble but they were pulled close to one another as the girl's weight had pulled Issei forwards slightly. Their closeness allowed Issei to get a better look at the girl. The first he caught sight of was her Nun outfit which made her standout from the crowds of Kuoh; it was what also caused Issei to believe she had been the one he had been looking for. Next he caught sight of her Blonde hair that peaked out from under her Nun veil, strands of hair falling down her shoulders and down her back. Her eyes though caused Issei to stare as they seemed to hold the same green as the gems of his own Sacred gear. So lost in his rupture of her eyes did Issei miss the girl's apology for bumping into him and it wasn't until the girl blinked and cocked her head in a cute manner did his mind start to work again or at least start tripping over itself to say something, so with a quick shake of his head Issei smiled at the girl. "It's no issue honestly I should have looked where I was going."
The girl beamed at him which made his heart race. "No really it's my fault, Honestly I've only been here for a few days and I've gotten a little lost."
Issei nodded his head in understanding. "I could help you out if you like, where you are trying to get to."
The girl turned, pointing off in the distance where an old church sat surrounded by its own small forest. "I'm staying at the church on the hill."
"Well then let's get you home, I'm Issei by the way." Issei smiled at the girl gesturing the way forwards as the pair began to move towards the park the girl had just come away from. His eyes caught sight of the holy cross that seemed to emphasise the bust of her slight chest but it also caused a flash of pain to flood through him starting with his eyes that caught sight of the holy object almost punishing him for looking.
The girl smiled brightly at Issei, missing the flash of pain that appeared on his face. "I'm Asia, Asia Argento thank you for doing this."
Shaking his head softly, Issei began to say it was no issue when the pair suddenly heard the cry of a young boy that had stumbled and hurt his knee. Issei was doubly surprised when Asia moved over to the boy. Seeming to offer words of comfort before a green light that matched her eyes appeared on her hands from her hands as did two silver rings, one on each of her middle fingers as the wound disappeared with a blink. The boy was then smiling and thanking Asia in amazement at the magic he had just witnessed before running off to play. Asia looked at Issei uncertainty clear on her face but Issei just smiled encouragingly at her which made her smile brightly the pair then continued their trip to the church talking all the while. As they approached the holy ground Issei felt waves of repulsion which eventually forced him to stop mid step, his heart racing with the need to move away, he smiled at Asia pointing ahead. "Here you are. I better go but I'll see you around."
Asia nodded but seemed to want to say something more to Issei as he walked away from the church at a quick trot. Once Issei was far enough that his heart settled he called out to Titus through the connection they shared. Feeling that he was close by clearly finished with his meeting with Rias, did Issei ask his familiar to keep a close eye on the church and for signs of Asia coming and going before Issei headed home to catch up on some paperwork and possible homework avoiding all thoughts of how quickly he was becoming protective on the Healer Nun.
The rest of the day passed peacefully as did most of the night until Titus sent Issei a flash of Asia leaving the turn with an odd looking man. Issei moved quickly out of his house and towards the church but slowed his pace as he got closer, waiting for a flash of direction from Titus. It took some time navigating the images Titus was giving him with their location in town but eventually Issei made it to a no descript home where Titus in serpent form waited in front of. Upon arriving the Basilisk seemed to shrink to half it's shadowed form revealed and latched itself onto Issei's right arm his head coming to rest on his shoulder well his tail coiled round Issei wrist then if there had been any onlookers the pair would have seemed to disappear from view as they stepped into the house.
Almost instantly Issei could feel something was wrong. It started with a familiar intense repulsion as he stepped further into the home followed by the smell of blood. Once Issei reached the living room of the home he found the odd looking man standing over another person. It was hard to tell their gender or any defining features as they had been butchered, their body seemingly sliced to shreds. Moving round the edge of the living room Issei could see the odd looking man more closely; he was young but older than Issei with shoulder length white hair and red eyes that matched the blood dripping from his blade. Blood that odd man licked away before laughing maniacally. "Now all we have to do my sweet is wait for the Devil scum to come and fulfil this poor fool's request. How do you think we should pass the time mmm? Perhaps I should punish you for disobeying me?"
Suddenly Issei's attention was drawn to the far corner of the room where Aisa stood head bowed, stricken at the sight before her. The odd man moved to her suddenly swinging his sword which made Issei take a step forward but he paused when he realised the man hadn't harmed her but his temper flares as he was exposed to Asia half nude form, his temper flaring hotter as caught the man grab her face and bring his tongue to her cheek licking away tears that began to fall down her cheeks followed by shoving her back against a wall holding both of her arms up he slammed his blade under her hands pinning her to the wall by the remains of her sleeves. He then drew a pistol of a similar design to a sword from under his black overcoat. He place the pistol again Asia's legs moving to upwards exposing her more and he groped her breasts smiling wildly "Our fallen Angel friends say I'm not meant to harm you but I don't give a damn about that, if you had just healed the man and let me punish him more we wouldn't be in this situation now would we."
"Boost!"
The man pressed himself closer to Asia and Issei snapped. He felt Titus slink off his arm as he moved across the room in a flash as his sacred gear powered his body, Ddraig no doubt sensing Issei's intentions. He was by the man's side in two large steps grabbing a handful of the vile man hair pulling off Asia and across the room towards Titus who waited in the corner ready to strike but the man had the foresight to reach for his blade which freed Asia who in turn crumbled to the floor. Paying her no mind knowing she was relatively safe now, Issei focused his attention on the vile man who got to his feet smiling wildly, he had the audacity to give Issei an open armed welcome sword in one hand, pistol in the other followed by a little bow. "Who do we have here? Freed Sellzen at your service."
Not giving Issei a chance to respond Freed simply shot at Issei three time, Issei in response raised his left arm summoning his gear physically and using it's armour to block the pistols shots, two of them reflected off the armour but one bullet had gone wide and hit Issei in his upper arm sending white hot pain through it. Ignoring the pain, Issei charged towards Freed and punched him with his right arm just as Ddraig's voice sounded in his mind. "Boost!"
Feeling Freed's nose break under his fist Issei smiled before he used his left arm to grab Freed's neck, clawed fingers pressing into flesh and drew blood when a soft hand touched his shoulder, turning his head. Issei saw Asia who looked sorrowfully at him. "You have to let him go Issei, you can't hurt him. They'll punish me if you do. Please just leave, I'll be Ok."
Issei looked Asia shocked then he looked at Freed who was grinning wildly which only confirmed Asia's words. Growling Issei threw Freed away before turning to Asia. "Tomorrow at the park near where we met, meet me there I'll wait until nightfall. If you don't I'll come and knock that church down and drag you out if I have to. You hear me Freed if she doesn't show I'll come and rip you apart along with your masters."
Aisa nodded softly, moving to Freed to heal him, Issei stood still watching her for a time before collecting Titus leaving the house. Rage flowing through his veins. That night sleep failed him and he spent the most of it training working his body past the point of exhaustion until he eventually passed out.
The next morning Issei ate little and headed out to the park, wasting no time wanting to know Asia was safe. He waited a few hours before feeling that nightfall was too long of a deadline when Asia came running up to him with a genuine happy smile on her lips at the sight of him. Seeing that she was OK, calmed him but didn't make him believe she was safe. Instead of acting on his feelings he returned her smile and led her away from the park walking with no destination in mind. An awkwards silence held the pair for a time before Issei broke it with the question that had plagued him since he had seen Asia in that house. "What possessed you to fall into working with a man like that?"
Asia shook her head. "I had nowhere else to go. I was orphaned in the church so it's all I've ever known. For a time all I felt was the love of God and believed I had been blessed with the ability to heal all afflictions but one day I found a man outside our church who was gravely injured. I couldn't just ignore him so I used my gift to heal him. It wasn't until the priest came well I spoke to the man that I learned he was a devil. The clergy who once called me god's gift ostracised me and cast me out calling me a devil lover, the fallen found me and took me in, sending me here. I don't know what they have planned for me but I don't have a choice but to obey them."
Issei rage bloomed again. "That's bullshit. Come with me, I'll protect you."
Asia shook her head sadly, "I wish it was that simple."
Growling Issei took Asia's wrist and led her to the shopping district. He knew arguing with her was pointless so he decided he was going to give a little bit of joy for the time that they had and tonight he was going to go to that church and rip the angels apart and give Asia her life back. Such as it was, the pair did have fun starting with a trip to the arcade where Issei learned that Asia had a fondness for cute stuffed animals. After a trying battle with a claw machine Issei finally was able to win an odd but slightly cute fox looking creature for Asia which made her smile brightly. Then he took her to a fast food joint and got them both burgers, or at least he got an Asia single burger and he got himself three. Asia began to delicately nibble her food well. Issei just smirked at her, taking one of his own burgers and puffing his chest up. "This is how you're supposed to eat a burger."
He then opened his mouth wide and ate it in three large bites exaggerating the sound of his first bite. Issei was rewarded with a slight giggle from Asia before she looked at her own burger and then at Issei before, with a slight redness to her cheeks, she too took a big bite from her burger sound effects and all well also getting sauce splashed along cheek. Issei pointed it out and she shyly wiped it away smiling widely. Following that the pair took a walk in another one of the parks around town, this one having a large lake. They talk about all sorts of small things smiling and laughing together when they were suddenly interrupted by a vicious sounding female voice. "You know when Freed told me about you I could hardly believe it. To think you really survived after all these years."
Stopping dead in their tracks the pair turned to find a scantily clad woman with black wings floating above the lake, a spear of light in one hand, with a single glance Issei knew he was looking at a fallen angel. "You know when Freed told me his tale I did not expect the boy who escaped us all those years ago to be the one to turn young Asia against us though I must say those Devils truly did incredible things for you, if things were different I might have made you my pet. Unfortunately things are already in motion and I have other plans that need seeing to…come Asia the time has come."
A look of confliction crossed Asia's face which gave Issei time enough to step forward. Putting Asia behind. "She's not going anywhere with you."
The fallen Angel looked at him as if he was some sort of bug before throwing her spear at him, piercing him in the stomach the sudden unexpected pain of which sent Issei his knees, the spear vanishing almost as soon as it hit him. He distantly heard Asia call out of him in panic the same moment he heard Ddraig voice echo in his mind. "Boost!"
Matching their voices the moment power flooded him, a feeling of bliss washed over him and his attention was drawn to Asia who crouched next to him, her plushy forgotten on the floor soaking in his blood. "What are you doing"
"I'm healing you silly." Asia's sorrowful and fearful voice replied, her eyes flicking to the fallen Angel who when Issei looked was gone, the sound of rushing air brought his attention to above and he saw the Angel above him throwing her spear at them both. This one landed between them but seemed to detonate like an air bomb sending Issei flying into the lake where the Angel once was but left Asia alone and unmoved. Getting to his feet he heard Ddraig call out again but ignored it, focusing solely on getting to the lost girl who was given the same raw deal he himself had delivered her life moving in a direction she had never Angel crouched over her holding her close, speaking softly before looking at Issei with a victorious grin the pair vanishing just as Issei reached the bank.
Falling to his knees, Issei cried out until there was no air left in his lungs and his throat was raw. Rage flooded him and his gaze turned to the abandoned church; getting to his feet Issei made to move when he heard Ddraig speak to him. "Partner no. you haven't got the strength, let us return home and recover come nightfall we hunt but if you go know the strain of stepping on church grounds ever as descrated as it is will still weaken you and in your current state it might be enough to finish you even with the Scale mail."
"Fine!" Issei growled after a moment of consideration. He matched home grabbing food from street vendors as he passed them his body demanding fuel for its recovery. Arrive him he ate some more before he put himself to bed and tried to rest but sleep eluded him until he eventually gave up seeing the shadows creep in through his window. Taking Titus round his arm the pair disappeared into the descending night. Issei marched unseen but all, right up to the church. As he approached the feeling of repulsion returned, getting stronger as he got closer right up until he passed the threshold then the repulsion was replaced by a feeling of weakness which was washed away by Ddraig echoing in his mind.
Walking slowly, Issei allowed his power to grow, once he heard the third and final echo he let Titus sliver off his arm and into the shadows of the church silently sending him orders through the bond in his mind. "Guard and keep watch."
With that done Issei closed his eyes and focused on his connection to Ddraig and the Sacred gear before he called it forth. A sharp red glow covered him as he slightly grew in height and his body was covered in thick red draconic armour then he punched the door in finding the inside empty and ruined. Stepping into the church proper his eyes scanning around his attention was drawn to a wooden cross that stood above an alcove, leaning on it with a smirk was Freed, his sword and pistol in hand. "You're late to the party Devil, but there's still time to dance."
Leaping from the cross Freed fired twice and raised his sword for a slash only for Issei to take the shots against his armour completely unaffected by their impact before sending Freed flying with a back hand slap. Gems glowing as Ddraig's voice echoed around him. With a loud crash that was followed by the found of crumbling stone, Issei ignored Freed heading deeper into the church where he found a path underground. At the end of the path he saw a space as large as the church filled with what was best described as henchmen, their attention shifting from the stage they were watching towards Issei, various forms of Spears of light being summoned. . Issei attention however was focused on a new cross this one looking to be made of metal rather than wood, upon it was Asia her clothes ruined with multiple chains chaining her to it like she was being crucified. The Fallen Angel stood before her hands outstretched like she was calling to something, shifting his focus to the henchmen that stood in his way. Issei raised his left hand and focused his power until a red ball of glowing energy rested in the palm of his hand. Pulling his hand back, Issei groaned with effort at the same moment Ddraig called out once more. "Boost, Dragon shot!"
The energy flew from Issei armoured hand shooting directly into the pack of henchmen who were instantly blown apart, some were decimated well others were simply blown away but it gave Issei the chance to move past them and arrive at the stairs that led to Asia's cross. Ddraig voice speaking to him. "Careful partner, that attack cuts your time in half. Four minutes left."
Issei partly ignored him, his attention on Asia who looked weak, the Fallen Angel however looked pleased with herself for in her hand a soft green glow floated and she slowly pushed it into her chest, Issei caught two silver rings flashing onto her middle fingers and the fallen Angel laughed maniacally. "Your too late Devil, the twilight healing is mine and I am invisible, my only disappointment is that we failed to get you all those years ago."
Pausing, Issei looked at the smiling Angel, "What do you mean?"
The fallen Angel laughed maniacally. "You don't know, we came here looking for you. We sensed your power and came to take it for ourselves. I sent my best man after you thinking it would be an easy snatch and grab who knew your pathetic human parents would put up so much of a fight but you…you left quite a mess didn't you. It truly is a shame the Devil's taken you. We could've had so much fun, you and I."
Years of question and loneliness suddenly flooded Issei in a moment, times of wondering what could have been and memories of that night returned to Issei in a single painful flash and all he saw was red. Launching himself at the Angel he grabbed her by her head and threw her across the room. Sending her sprawling to a dozen henchmen, then he turned and collected Asia, ripping chains away as he gently took her into his arms and he leapt from the stage making sure he landed on the Fallen Angel who cried out in pain as he crushed her underfoot but a green glow quickly covered her. Issei then charged out of the church only to almost bump into Koneko who was closely followed by Yuuto. He handed Asia to the short girl, he spoke two short words ignoring Yuuto completely as he turned to go back inside. "Watch her."
Charging back the way he came in, Issei saw the Angel smirking at him fully healed. She held her spear in her and moved to throw it. Issei moved to the right slightly before sending his left fist into her face, crushing her jaw. He then used his right hand to push her into the ground before he simply began to punch the one responsible for his life again and again slowly losing himself to it as they failed to die and red mixed a frustrating green light flared in his eyes, distantly he heard fighting before a sudden eruption. Yet Issei kept punching the Angel, who was now a bumbling mess begging him to stop, her words fell on deaf ears, as did the shouts of Ddraig that kept trying to warn him about somethings before he seemed to speak to someone else in the room, all of it was pointless. All that mattered was that the Angel died. Yet he wasn't strong enough no matter how hard he hit her she just healed but then without warning it all stopped. Soft but firm words he didn't hear fully washed over him and his body froze mid swing. He noticed absently that he held the Angel by the neck, his clawed tipped finger digging into flesh, blood drenched the Angel but she looked to be in perfect condition at least physically. Mentally she was broken as tears flowed from her eyes as she mindlessly begged him to stop before everything went black.
A/N: and there you go the second to last chapter of the prologue. I know I probably went out of character with Asia and probably Raynare. I also know people probably got annoyed with me calling her the fallen angel or simply Angel but in this fic Issei didn't know her name Asia never told him and I couldn't find a right moment to put it in plus her whole character has little importance…other than being the one behind killing Issei parents.
Anyway let me know what you thought with a review and follow and favourite if you like and I will see you in the next one.
