[The Beginning of Change: V]
|: Two Weeks After - Night : {Masaru} :|
"Megumi..."
From behind his modest nightgown-covered wife, Masaru embraced his beloved 'angel' as he got into bed.
"Why does he feel... different?" Even the half-naked Masaru wasn't sure what exactly he was feeling around his son. It just felt strangely odd being near him, and he hadn't said a word since his return in fear of reminding his wife.
Megumi, in turn, bit her lip, unsure what to say. "I'm not too sure if I understand either, but his 'radiance,' it's... stronger?"
Masaru laid silently, for a few moments before muttering, "...Gabriel... You may not realize, but Gabriel is a rather specific name, a name for the one of the greatest of my partial kin."
Megumi blinked. "I-"
Masaru "Hyoudou" was mostly human, and only a half angel, technically a miracle child. He was born in the Dimensional Gap, where his parents consumed their pure love, far from their original dimension. Even to that day, Masaru had no idea why he everything was everything but he grew up around his lone mother, a pure human, without questioning her judgement. She soon died since she succumbed to the strain of the Dimensional Gap, which Masaru had overcome by perfecting the spell for himself and his wife. Or, perhaps, it was his wife's power that prevented her from succumbing from the pain.
He was only seventeen, barely out of school one day, going back to his sick mother.
"Masaru... Y-Your father and I love you... " She gave him permission to go to the room where she had all but banned him from entering.
"...Masaru..." Megumi knew all about his past. She was a shrine princess, not maiden or priestess. Perhaps, she may only be a fourth-Godling, but she was much like a Halfling. That also partially explained her miscarriages, she soon learned, which only to push her not only limit her power but almost raze herself.
Unconsciously, he grasped his wife tighter, "He feels like her... I don't know how to describe it. That... Mittlet girl too..." He couldn't lose anything else; he could afford his wife to lose anything either. It went against his belief
"What do we do?" He couldn't let his family get dragged into the supernatural. All both of them wanted was a normal life.
Masaru only knew who to use his power for a few things. Two of which were a spell that hid his angelic aura, and a transport spell to a certain space. Other than those and the others he learned, he didn't need his powers. He didn't find it a necessity to understand them nor did he ever want to.
Megumi feared her unique powers. She ran from home, ran from her title as a "Shrine Princess," and ran into Masaru. Touching him had all but undid his seal, and started their eventful school year together.
Neither them were suited for the risk and nor did they want to. Training for the risk, would only... cause problems. Their high school life only added to that fact.
Megumi shook her head, leaning back against her lover, "...I want to ask Issei, I trust him, our beloved son." She smiled, at her thoughts, her mind drifted to her high school years, "Your being too paranoid, Masa-chan~"
"Wha-"
"He is our son, if anything, I should reprimand you." Turning in his arms, Megumi hugged her husband, tears streaming down her face. "He's only been the same, if anything, the only thing I really notice is that he smiles more. Like I said before, we should thank Gabriel-chan."
She paused, allowing for a pain breath to slip from her lips. "I felt a cut in our link... I didn't say anything when I felt it... But I should've-"
*Creeeak!*
"...Kaa-san, Tou-san?" Turning back, Masaru saw his cherished child, rub his eyes as if he just woke up. "Can I sleep with you?"
Glancing up and over to her son, Megumi rose from her spot, rubbing at her eyes much like Issei was. "Y-Yes, we would like that." She smiled at her son. Issei was dragging his red blanket, cutely looking at them with half-closed eyes.
"C-Can I get a pickup?" He raised his arms at his question, as if he expected a 'yes.'
"I got this, wait here, Mei." She pouted at the name though she couldn't really say anything. After all, she did called him Masa-chan.
Once he got his son in his arms, he aimed Issei to his wife. "Look at Kaa-san, isn't she pretty?" Megumi with her white nightgown simply sat watching the two boys interact. "Kaa-san could be the most beautiful woman in the world." She didn't have a large chest, but her lightly tan skin shined in the moonlight as her amber tresses laid over her left shoulder. It also framed her head perfectly.
"Kaa-san is pretty!" Issei said as his father placed him on the bed and soon was followed by his father.
Megumi's blush darkened as she heard her son describe her. "Come over here," with that she held her arms open.
"Kaa-san!"
...
Masaru smiled down towards his wife and child, who both slept soundly wrapped in his arms. In between his own and his wife's arms, Issei slept peacefully, moving every once and awhile.
"..."
Masaru couldn't sleep. Why, was what he couldn't understand as he felt a strong urge to go outside. He ignored it at first but he soon relented.
...
Sitting at his doorstep was a blond girl who looked faintly familiar. However, hearing the door click and open, the person turned. A sugary voice soon filled his ears. "...I apologize for waking you at this time, but I... I had to talk to you."
"I wish to start all over."
Eh?
"I'm sorry, but I don't think I understand." Her presence wasn't hidden at the least but he didn't feel threatened in any way.
"I'm the-your child's... friend, Gabriel, a... Seraph out of Nine. I wish to make amends." His eyes widened, at her ten wings.
I wasn't wrong...
Masaru collected his thoughts before speaking, "Do you... Is there a barrier?" The woman, Gabriel, looked at him in surprise, before she nodded, slowly.
"...{/-Release-/}..." Gabriel looked surprised as he freed his wings, his four wings.
"I am the child's father, Masaru, a... what's it called again? -Ah, a 'miracle child,' right?" He made a gesture towards the ground next to Gabriel. "May I take a seat?"
Blinking, Gabriel barely responded, "This is your home."
"I take it that 'miracle' children are rare?" He watched her nod solemnly; her thoughts were on her father.
"Your parent? Who-"
"Dead."
Masaru sighed, "If it weren't for the fact that you 'saved' my son, I'm not too sure what I would do." He stopped, and simply staring up at the sky.
That made Gabriel remember her original reason for going to the house."It's all my fault! I-"
"Was being a little girl." He glanced at her. "I don't think Angels are good at acting, 'cause I, for one, can't act on my life. You really did look... curious and all that childish... stuff."
He bowed. "Gabriel, thank you for saving my son."
"I-N-No, please raise your head." She looked at the sky in a similar manner as Masaru did. "I took his freedom and my presence cause him and his family unheeded and unnecessary pain."
"You protected my son in my place. I can't forgive myself." He stared towards the heavens again, clinching his hands into almost blood-drawing fist. "I have a few questions, if I may ask."
She shook her head in a dismissive manner. "You don't need to be so formal with me. But, ask away."
"How did you revive him?" The question shocked the, dubbed, "Strongest woman in Heaven," but she knew she should've saw it coming.
She shook her head. "I apologize, I don't think I'm allowed to answer that question..."
He nodded, "I understand." Another girl came to his mind. "Why did Mittlet come in the place of you?"
Gabriel tilted her head for a second, "Ah! That was Issei's idea. However, I'm not sure if I understand too." She put a hand to her lip, "But, I think he was trying to protect you, somehow..."
Silence took over. Gabriel unused to speaking to people only waited. Masaru mulled over his conversation with his wife.
"...What do I do now?"
Gabriel bit her lip, a sign of nervousness. "I don't know if you'll permit it, but I promised that... I'll 'teach' him." She stole a glance to the man, if he wasn't willing, Gabriel wasn't sure what to do. She didn't want to break her promises.
"Is that so?" Masaru found himself chuckling slightly. "I'm a bit 'tempted' to join and I should've seen it coming."
"Will he... change?"
Gabriel smiled at that phrase. "I don't think that child will ever change; he has an unbendable spirit, that's what kept him from... changing."
"Is there anything I should know or should do?"
Gabriel's smile softened, "I don't believe there isn't anything else Issei wouldn't tell you." She looked at him, As for your second question," Her wings left her back and her halo blinked as if were a dead light bulb, before it fade away entirely. "Just do what you think is right, after all, you haven't fell."
Since Masaru was a half-angel, Gabriel knew he had less restriction placed on him by God's system. However, ever since He had perished, the system wasn't as strong as it was before. Whether it placed more or less restrictions on him, Gabriel didn't know.
But, she did know that he had yet to fall.
Finally, she spoke with full conviction, "All your decisions were pure, and I most certainly believe that."
†
|: Sunday - Morning : {Issei} :|
"Eeeeee... Kaa-san... I'm cold! The water! I-It's too cold!" Issei shivered as he sat with his mother washing him.
Megumi only smiled awkwardly, "It's not even that cold, I don't get why you hate 'warm' water..." She shook her head. A great smile appeared on her face, "We're almost done, Ise! Then, I'll make the 'Ultimate' meal for you!"
"O-Ohhh! The 'Ultimate?!'"
...
Walking with a piece of toast bread in his hand, he followed his mother who stood at their door. "Kaa-san, who's at the d-" Issei stopped at the sight of a certain "old" female.
With a smile, the not-so stranger waved, gently, "Good morning, Ise, Megumi-san."
Issei's mother blinked, that hair... It couldn't be-! "Gabriel, Is that you?!"
"Ah, good morning, everyone-Gabriel." Megumi turned to see her husband make his way behind her. "I spoke to her last night."
"B-B-B-But!" She didn't continue, only gapped in shock.
Suddenly, the blond woman interjected, "Megumi, can I talk to you?"
"Eh?"
Gabriel then shook her hands in front of her. "I mean, it doesn't really matter if everyone's there, I..." Her expression went south, "...just wish to apologize."
"N-No, everything's fine, just, please, come in, first." Megumi allowed herself to touch the beauty and tug her in, lightly. She stuck her head out the crack her door made, and allowed herself to look both ways, before shutting the front door.
...
"Ah, t-thank you for the tea." Gabriel felt herself shy from the family before her as she failingly hid behind her cup.
Gabriel was seated at the far end of the dinner table, having Issei, who was confused and quiet as if he noticed something, seated adjacent to her. Next to Issei was his mother and across Megumi, was the father.
"So..." Megumi started, unsure how to address the timid girl. "G-Gabriel-san, what's the matter?"
Gabriel couldn't understand how they treated her so normally. Or even forgave her so easily. She stole their son from them.
Gabriel bowed, a notion she learned from watching Issei. Before she spoke, she felt her throat dry. Her voice cracked as she spoke, "I-I'm s-sorry! I c-couldn't protect I-Issei!"
Masaru opened his mouth but his wife cut him off, making him take a side-glance towards her.
Megumi was taken aback, but got to her senses first, "G-Gabriel, please raise your head." Megumi smiled at the girl once Gabriel looked her way. As Megumi spoke, she felt her eyes water. "If you haven't been there, I fear... no, I dread what I couldn't do."
"If anything, I wish to express my eternal gratitude. You saved my son, in my place."
She bowed in a similar manner to Gabriel. Almost chocking on her emotions, Megumi allowed herself to finish, "Thank you so much."
"B-But I didn't..."
"...This will just go in circles..." Masaru sighed, "This isn't healthy." It caused Megumi to smile and Gabriel to become... confused.
"Ne ne, Issei..." Megumi stopped seeing her young child "Ara ara, how cute..." Her child slept with his head tilted, almost straining his neck. "Let's let the child sleep."
The other two nodded in agreement, as Megumi lifted Issei into her arms and walked to his room.
After a moment of silence, Masaru left his seat. "It was never you to blame. It wasn't your fault." As he passed the "young" woman, he grasped her shoulder, lightly. "Feel free to visit whenever or stay until my child awakes."
"..." Gabriel simply watched as he passed by her. "I... Don't know what to do either..." A pout overtook her for a few moments.
She kinda missed her "child." However, she decided to leave, feeling she would be intruding.
†
|: Three Days Later - Late Afternoon : {Issei} :|
"Gabriel, eto... What do we do here?"
On a large rectangle plain of freshly cut grass, surrounded by various trees, Issei stood at the center, holding Gabriel's left hand.
"I'm going to teach you 'super powers!'" She smiled towards Issei. She waited for the excitement he was sure to give off.
Looking at his "guardian," Issei was jumping in childish anticipation. "What! Really! Like shoot dragon balls!"
She felt herself grow excite too, as his excitement was pretty much contagious. "Un!" She nodded. "Okay, Ise, come stand before me and close your eyes."
Issei obeyed and shut his eyes. "I did it."
She bent down to his height. "Think of the strongest thing you ever seen and really picture it." Immediately, the effect was instant. She saw Issei's brow furrow and his face twitch.
I wonder what he's thinking.
"Do you have it in your-"
*Chhhhaank!*
Without realizing it, Issei whispered to himself, "That Red Dragon!" His left hand cut into the sky, shining red all the while, almost scaring Gabriel.
A red gantlet almost overtook his entire arm (since he's small, compared to his teen). The red draconian glove left his fingers exposed and a had two long yellow spikes coming out the side. A green gem glowed lightly on the backside of his hand.
[Boost!]
Suddenly, he felt like he could do anything! "Whoa!" He looked at the red glove thing. "What is this?"
"...Ddraig..." Gabriel realized that Ddraig must've overexerted himself, helping her revive Issei. She smiled, gently, "Please rest if you need it..." Gabriel shook her head, clearing her thoughts. Issei, too busy ogling his arm, didn't notice the action. "It's a [Twice Critical], a [Sacred Gear]."
He looked out at her with a troubled face, "A sac-cred-what?"
"A [Sacred Gear], Ise." Before he could ask what it does, she spoke again, "It doubles your power for a certain amount of time."
"So, I could be super strong! That's totally awesome!" Issei started to run around and punching air like the hero, he saw that destroyed enemies with one punch! "Awesome!"
"But, if you become stronger, it becomes the [Boosted Gear]," she did owe Ddraig after all. If training Issei and his [Sacred Gear], sped up the awakening of the blood Legend, so be it. It would still also help Issei growth, and get him used to his powers, killing three stones with one. "It makes it so you will be able to double your power many times over."
"Really!" He huffed as he stopped before Gabriel.
"Okay, Ise!" She crouched down next to him. "Let's used your doubled powers and practice summoning your holy energies."
"Yatta! Let's!"
"Okay, to start summoning you should focus in your palms." Putting her hands together, cupping them, she nudged towards them with her head. "Like this."
"Okay, I got it!" Issei followed quickly, staring down intensely at his hands.
"Pour you emotions, but they must be pure of intent like love, not lust, and-"
Again, the troubled expression replaced his excited face. "Eto, Gabriel, what is 'lust?'"
She didn't know why but her cheeks went warm and she stopped moving for a moments. "...It's... like loving someone, but it's because you only love that person for not who they are or what they have. That is lust, unjust love."
"Does that mean I love Gabriel?" Issei blurted.
"I love everyone, therefore I must love Ise!" She ruffled his hair, fighting her open expressions. "So now that you understand, you mustn't taint your emotions, ne?"
"Un! I definitely won't!" With a nod, Issei returned to his focusing, although he didn't really understand.
...Slowly, but surely, a ball of light slowly lit into life. In awe, Gabriel simply stared with Issei. Soon, it grew to the size of his head.
"I did it! I did it, Gabriel! L-Look!" The child placed the ball of holy light in front of the crouched girl.
"That's really good, Ise! But if you don't..."
*Pst-Psss*
The ball lost its radiance and fade from the physical plane.
"If you don't focus, that'll happen, so you have to learn how to multitask, okay?"
"I will!" Child Issei placed his hands together, and focused with his utmost abilities.
"Let's do it again! I'll do it too!" She summoned her own energies and made a ball.
...
After summoning his ball of light multiple time, the one before a bit smaller than the next, Issei finally opened his eyes to se Gabriel's energies take shape.
"...G-Gabriel... That's so big! Really big!"
The ball overshadowing the area, swallowing everything with its revitalizing radiance, yet it didn't do anything but speeding up the growth of flowers, along various other plants, and empower Issei.
"Whoa!"
[Reset!]
...
"I'm tired already..."
Before he fell, Gabriel caught him. "You aren't used to your gift from Father." Lifting him into his arms, Gabriel blushed as she remembered her mother held him in the same manner. "It's really good you could even use it for that long."
"Gabriel, can I sleep in that bed again?" Before he knew it, his world went dark. "Gabriel..."
"Would..." She stopped, seeing his sleeping face. "I guess it's time." She glanced past the six-year-old Issei, over the trees and saw the sun setting, turning the sky various shades of red and yellow.
"Father, please watch over all your children."
|:[TimeSkip : Seven years : "Living With Change I"]:|
Vorpal: Does this style feel different? I'm trying to speed up the pacing, somewhat, maybe ?
I feel like everyone was waiting for a time skip...
Then, the Rias problem... I kinda want to make Issei fight Riser, as a sign of peace for both fractions...
But, that's kinda dumb... I dunno, is it?
I have no idea what to do if so...
...Rias x Riser? ...No?
...Kiba x Rias... 'Kay, I'll shut up now...
I might go to the Danmachi section...
So, 'til next time, ne?
More Importantly, Please,
"Have a Nice Day."
[Words: 3,949]
Final Harem: (Main) Irina; Gabriel; (Exile-Nun) Asia; Xenovia; (Tsundere Seraph/Archangel) Sariel*
* = She replaces Mittlet in the future. I technically don't own her, as she does exist in the DxD universe but isn't really mentioned. (DxD-wiki) Technically a Fallen (from what I've read)... buuut, whatever, DxD says she's a Seraph.
†
Sariel
Appearance: (Basically, Touhou Fan-art 'cause I'm lazy and only felt like changing a few things)
Eyes: Sharp crimson.
Skin: Pale complexion like any other Angel.
Hair: Knee-length orchid/cyan (Depending on her 'state').
Wings: A silver lining, but white like any other. Six pairs of wings.
Body: A small and pale body [Loli]/a taller than the average college student body, more develop in her feminine regions (Depending on her 'state').
Clothes: Often seen in a frilled blue dress with long white sleeves/Mirror-like silver armor glittered with blue designs (Depending on 'state').
[Coloring is on purpose]
Background: "Command of God/The Command"/"Angel of Death"/*The System*
Only natural Angel with blue hair/(Besides Samuel) red eyes, often hailed as an Archangel, Acts stiff and powerful but is rather girly and expressive, (un)surprisingly [Tsundere]
Sacrificed herself, "The Command," so that Michael, "The Prince of Heaven," may be able to manage the "system" in the Heavenly Father's absence. One day is reborn, unknown to Heaven and is found by a certain teen.
By her Heavenly Father, she was replaced by Azazel. She never knew his reasonings until she gained [Systematic Knowledge]. She vows to finish what her Father started, no matter the consequences...
Inventory/Skills: (1)
God's Command: As the one of angels of Death and as her Father's "command," the enchantment allows her to gain the strength needed for almost any endeavor. However, there are drawbacks.
Powers of Light: An Angel's most basic magic, allowing them to conduct light into the desired object, including clothing, and to fly. [Enhanced xSystem xSeraph]
Systematic Knowledge: From her rebirth by and from the system, she contains the entire knowledge of the system. However, she vowed to never give any information unless the topic is known/"released" by the system through a certain angel.
Affinity: She inspires strength and knowledge into her kind and most humans. [Enhanced xCommand]
Sword of Command: A simple golden claymore with no other purpose to follow/"obey," birthed from her shield, blessed by God. Its limit is unknown. [Enhanced xShield xCommand]
Shield of Radiance/God: Blessed by her Father, the shield can be used as a weapon and as a object to protect. It's completed by/completes when casting [Light Seal] or [Final Truth] [Enhanced xSeal xTruth x Command]
Fallen: Reborn from a Fallen (Mittlet), she is unable to fall. [Enhanced xKnowledge]
Life & Death: It allows her to "transfer" two things of equal value [Enhanced xCommand xKnowledge]
Light Seal: A system spell that is to seal. Potentially on par with her Father's seal on 666/Trihexa [Enhanced xCommand xSystem xSeraph xTruth]
Final Truth: "A system spell that will bring the end of the..." - the entry was never finished. [Enhanced xCommand xFallen xSystem xSeraph xLight xShield xSeal xPeace]
(1) = My twist of (Wikipedia, lol) religion and/or DxD
Fun, eh?
Seems like much,
hue hue.