Kasane Randall had been having quite the week thus far. What started with the nightmarish sight of her sister being shot and turning into a monstrous Other had eventually culminated in her travelling forwards in time to learn that the world was ending, unless she killed a boy who hadn't committed any crimes, yet.
That's not even to mention the issue of her being framed for murder and forced to defect to Seiran. She hasn't even had time to properly process the last occurrence, having been immediately put to work by Commander Travers. Was it any wonder then, that when approached by a youthful looking boy who stated that he knew she created the Kunad Gate, her first thought was, 'Of course, why not.'
She looked at the boy walking beside her. He looked young, but with the circulation of Anti-Aging Drugs, he might be older than her. Her was sharply dressed, his clothes of obviously high quality. He carried a hooded cloak over his arm as he walked, leaving his white hair free to be seen. She couldn't look into his eyes from her position, but she remembered meeting his friendly and excited gaze when he first approached them.
He broke her thoughts by speaking, his voice neutral, "The people here are very fond of you. I recognise the look, they view you as some sort of hero, or a figurehead they can rally behind."
She kept her face from reacting, but internally winced. She knew the looks he was speaking about, she did not enjoy them, "They look at me like that because they think I murdered someone that they hated."
He hummed, "A common occurrence in war. One side's murderer is another's hero, one side's dead monster is the others martyr. Perspective can be a hard thing to keep in a conflict."
"For example:" She could hear the wry grin in his words, "If killing one innocent could save the world, would it be the right thing to do?"
She stiffened. It's one thing for him to know about the Kunad Gate, but for him to know about her thoughts about killing Yuito… it spoke of him having a scary amount of information on her. For someone she is certain she has never met, him knowing all this set her on edge.
They arrived at a bench, to which he waved her to sit on. She did so, watching from the side as he sat after her, putting his cloak over a bench arm and staring straight ahead, his pale blue eyes not looking at her.
She decided to try and get answers, as vain a hope as that seemed recently, "How do you know all this? Who are you? Are you with the Seiran Government?"
Blue met red as he tiled his head, looking into her eyes and seeming to contemplate her questions.
"Bear with me." He began, "This will take some explanation. Let's start with your own experiences. The future you travelled to, where you met the older Yuito, was ending when you left. Just by him telling you how that future came to pass, he likely made it impossible for that future to occur in the exact same way."
Kasane wondered where he was going with this, noting that he even knew of her ability to time travel. She decided to make him get to the point, "Causing a paradox. I know." Arashi had spent some time theorizing the whole thing out afterwards.
"Not necessarily." He smiled, "Once you came back to this timeline and that one ceased being possible, it became an alternate reality. Everything that happened there still actually happened, but just because it happened there doesn't mean it will happen here. This might as well be a separate world entirely."
Kasane sighed thinking they were getting nowhere, "Is there a point to this?"
"If you can get to alternate worlds from this one." He explained, "Why couldn't people from alternate worlds come here?"
She paused. Is he implying…? Her thoughts stopped as the boy in front of her did something impossible. He leaned forward, clearing a space between the bench and his back, then grew wings. They looked batlike and appeared suddenly, as if they were always there but she only noticed them now. She thought them a trick, some sort of mechanical prosthesis, but then he flexed them.
The veins pulsed, and the muscles moved the limbs in a far too natural way for that idea. She discreetly palmed a knife into her hand, the situation a lot more dangerous than she originally thought, before asking, "What are you? What do you want here?"
He smiled that uncanny smile of his again, his wings disappearing as if they never existed, "I, Miss Randall, am a Devil. I came here to offer you a deal."
She had heard of stories like this, myths of Devils appearing to offer hapless souls poisoned bargains. She thought they were just that; myths. Still, there is one thing she knew from those stories, these deals were hardly ever in the favour of the non-devil and never ended well.
Still watching him like he was a dangerous predator, Kasane moved to get up an leave, "I don't think I will accept any 'deals'. Please leave me be."
He didn't stop her, only looking forwards again and asking placidly, "Even if I can save your sister?"
Kasane paused, her body already halfway off the bench. She knew. She knew this was a trick, but she still decided to sit back down anyway. If there was a chance, however small, that this strange boy could actually save Naomi… she should at least hear him out.
Taking her continued presence as consent to continue, he started explaining, "Let me introduce myself. I am Damocles Sagan, future Lord of House Sagan. Currently, due to several factors, I am in the position of needing allies and servants that are outside the sphere of my people's government. Us Devils have come up with a way to reincarnate others into being Devils themselves, in exchange for a period of servitude."
He reached into his pocket and took out a chess piece, a white marble Bishop, "The serum affecting your sister opened her up to the energies of the Extinction Belt, the source of the Others, causing her to mutate into an Other herself."
Kasane remembered how it happened. Her beloved sister's body morphing and breaking, shattering into the twisted form of a giant Other. It was the most horrific moment of her life.
Her attention was grabbed by Damocles as he finished, "Naomi's soul, however, remains human. Using this piece, I can reincarnate her soul into the body of a Devil, allowing her to regain her humanoid form."
Kasane tensed, "You want to turn my sister into your servant?"
He shook his head, "No. I want to turn you into my servant."
She blinked, surprised at that, while he elaborated, "You are an exceptional combatant and your abilities over time and gravity are unique. Even if you are unable to utilize them fully currently, with time you should become quite formidable."
Kasane understood now. "So that's your deal? Naomi saved in exchange for my service?"
"Exactly. Here is my proposal: I revive Naomi, then reclaim my Bishop, thus allowing her to live her life as a normal human, albeit with some Devil characteristics. In return, you will enter into my service and come back to my world with me. This will break your connection to the Kunad Gate, allowing it to disperse without you having to assassinate Yuito."
It was good a deal. The specifics needed to be confirmed, however, "I have questions."
"Of course. I will answer."
"How long will my service last? Will I be able to come back here? Will you be able to order me to do anything once I am your servant?" She wanted to make sure exactly what she was getting into.
He leaned back, seeming unconcerned with the questions posed, "Devils have functionally infinite lifespans, which you would share, so a good offer would be... 100 years of service. It may seem like a lot, but compared to eternity it's nothing. My powers are only good for one-time trips, but there are many mysteries of magic still unknown to the world. It's not impossible for you to discover a means of travelling back to this world and even if it takes hundreds of years you would likely be able to arrive just seconds after you left. As for orders..."
He regarded the Bishop Piece still in his hand, "These Pieces are not whips, or geasses. They are a leash or rather, a bond. A King cannot force you to do anything, but he can revoke his ownership over your piece. If he does so, the piece will remain inside you, and then mutate you into a monstrosity driven by your own sins. It's something I find abhorrent, and would never do to my peerage. I swear it upon the House of Sagan."
She believed him about that part, feeling the weight behind his oath. It reassured her that the Piece would not be used to control her, assuming he is telling the truth. Even if he isn't, so long as he could do the other things he promised, dispel the Gate and save Naomi... It would be worth it, only she would have to pay the price.
"Of course," The boy stated, "I would not ask you to take this all on faith. This is a bit of a stretch of imagination after all, so how about this. I will come with you to go see Naomi and return her to her human form. Only once that is done, then will you enter my service."
She narrowed her eyes in thought. His knowledge of her plans didn't surprise her any more, however he gathered his information had proven to be scary in it's scope and accuracy. The proposed plan was generous of him, with nothing compelling her should he not be able to do as he said... but...
"What if you just want to hurt Naomi?"
He laughed, "I've never fought an Other. Beside which, she's a Major Other right? There's no way I would be able to do much harm to her before you stopped me. There's really nothing I can say that will convince you, however. You'll just have to decide whether the risk is worth the reward."
They descended into silence at that. She knew he had a point. Hardly anything in life was perfectly risk free or devoid of danger. The past week had proved that to her in exacting detail. Still, if she accepted his deal, what were the downsides? Her, for the entire world and her sister? She viewed that as a fair trade. Even if he had nefarious plans for her to 'serve' him, she could just refuse. If he went back on his word and tried to threaten her to do it, she could just kill him, then either find a way to reverse the process he described or should it come to it... eliminate herself.
"Very well. I accept your deal. Once you save Naomi, I shall agree to enter your service." She kept her voice firm, despite feeling like this decision would change everything about her life. For Naomi, it was worth it.
Damocles smiled, then hopped up to his feet, "Excellent, then we should proceed to the facility holding Naomi with all due haste and inform your squad that I am accompanying you all, starting with the one currently spying on us."
Kasane blinked, looking in the direction that he had indicated, seeing nothing there. She sighed, "I ordered you not to follow me, Kagero."
The blonde man shimmered into view, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head, "Sorry Kasane. I just tagged along to back you up if he was sketchy. Should we go back to the others?"
She could see it in his eyes, he wanted to discuss whatever he overheard with her. He will likely try and bring it up with the other members and convince her to change her mind.
"Whatever, we have more important things to worry about than your insubordination. Let's go get the others." She knew that there would be a long series of discussions with the squad, but her mind was made up. This was merely an extension of what she had promised to herself, after all.
She would do anything to save Naomi.
I hummed to myself as I sat in the back of the transport. Kyoka had just switched out with Arashi so that the former could go up to the front with the rest of the squad, to continue with what seemed like an intense discussion. They had been leaving one member to keep me company (read: keep an eye on me) while the rest tried to talk Kasane out of our deal. I knew what they were up to, but I didn't really worry. Even if they convinced her, we were still going to the Other Research Centre containing Naomi, so I could just fall on my backup plan of hypnotizing them all and going through with it anyway.
After all, Kasane had agreed to serve me if I saved Naomi. It was a deal already made, so if she goes back on it the stamp should still take. Even if it doesn't, it's not a big loss as I would just have to wait another month before trying again, this time knowing which obstacles to eliminate. I had a plan for when I returned to DxD which should give me a lot more leeway in my comings and goings, with or without any new peerage members.
Arashi interrupted my humming with a question, "We don't know what we will face when we get there. Have you fought before?"
I smiled at her, "Just humans. If we run into Others, it will be quite the new experience."
She raised an eyebrow, "You're not worried about fighting Others for the first time? You must have quite the impressive power."
Oh, so this was information gathering, is it? In that case... "I'm pretty durable. I doubt we'll run into anything strong enough to break my defences in a research facility."
I spoke the truth. Unlike in the Anime, Devils are actually significantly tougher than humans and have a low level resistance to most physical damage. Of course, if anything was imbued with even the slightest magic power, it cuts right through that resistance, but in this magicless world that would not be likely.
Arashi nodded, "Makes sense. Still, even if you have a durability power, you shouldn't get cocky. If you can save Naomi like Kasane said, we'll need you to survive to fix the other victims."
Presumptuous of her to think I had any interest in saving anyone else. The only reason I'm saving Naomi and not just hypnotizing her and Kasane into accepting the stamp is because its great for me if they had a favourable view of me. Manipulation 101: If you are constantly beneficial and accommodating to someone, they are less likely to view you with suspicion. Doubly so if you made it clear you also got something out of it. That way you appear more honest then just helping because you like them or whatever.
Additionally, I wasn't sure the stamp would successfully take on someone I hypnotized. I would be glad to not end up in a situation where I had to test that.
Still, no reason to let Arashi know my thoughts on that, "Glad to know you are looking out for me."
She scoffed, "Just stick with us and don't wonder off alone. If we do run into Others, let us fight them, okay?"
I nodded, that sounded great to me, let them exhaust themselves fighting while I take a leisurely stroll. Especially because after I fix Naomi, they are obviously going to try and arrest me to stop me enslaving Kasane or whatever. Unfortunately for them, however, fighting someone who has perfect knowledge of your powers and how they work is incredibly difficult.
Glad I'm not in that situation. Sucks for them.
The conversation died a sudden and expected death at that point, the rest of the ride spent in un-companionable silence while we listened to the muffled argument going on up front. Eventually, however, we finally arrived at the research centre hidden in a museum.
The place was beautiful, with amazing architecture and well lit exhibits. It was also crawling with Others. The things were freaky enough in the game, but seeing them in real life, with their twisted bodies and jerky movements, was a little off-putting. They resembled what would happen if someone took people and melted them together with furniture and children's toys. When we ran into the first group, I hung back while Kasane's squad moved to engage them.
"Shiden!" Yelled Kasane as she burst forth, white hair fluttering behind her, "Guard Damocles! We'll rotate between groups!"
"Why do I haveta... Fine! I'll babysit." He shouted back, before falling back to stand with me, looking surly.
I would have comforted him, but he's an asshole, so eh, he'll manage. Instead, I watched as the squad engaged the teeming mass in-front of them. They moved like real soldiers, working seamlessly together to isolate and eliminate individual targets. Kyoka's clones weaved in and out, distracting and positioning different targets, while Arashi eliminated them with a super fast hammer strike and Kagero did the same with a sudden knife to the back.
They moved as a unit and were extremely skilled. Idly thinking about how I would do in a straight up fight against them, I came to the conclusion it wouldn't even be close, they would absolutely paste me. Good thing I'm going to cheat, then.
However, the real star of the show and the one who grabbed most of my attention, was Kasane. In the game, she was promoted to squad leader pretty suddenly, without any exact reasoning beyond, 'shes the protagonist, lol'. However, in the real world, I now knew why that promotion occurred. The girl was an absolute murder blender.
She floated around the room, all six of her knives moving independently to strike any Other in range in their exact weak-point. Some were held down by her power before getting slashed, while others were hit with lifted object that she threw into them. All the while, the deadly orbit of metal continued, mulching multiple targets at once. She even hit things behind her, without turning around.
In the time it took three other members to kill one Other, Kasane had eliminated three or four. I knew she was the strongest member of the squad, but I didn't know the difference was this vast. Watching as she used two knives to kill two different Others while she filleted another with two of the other pieces of flying metal, I had an epiphany.
Yuito fought this. Yuito fought this and canonically, he won. With a sword.
I call bullshit.
Unless Kasane was sandbagging, fighting this storm of metal with one pointy stick seemed impossible.
As they finished up, Kasane seemed to notice my staring. She fixed me with her red gaze, asking, "is there a problem?"
I shook my head, "No. You're just incredible to watch."
She seemed surprised at that, before turning a away with a subtle blush. I doubt anyone has ever been that direct to her before. As she didn't respond and simply indicated for everyone to follow her, I noted a few dirty looks were being thrown my way. Not that I cared.
Stay mad Shiden, tsunderes are bad civilization.
I floated above the ground, watching as the full squad took out the boss I remembered from the game. I would have preferred not to reveal my ability to fly, but even with a resistance to normal electricity it still hurt like a bitch. Eventually, they brought the thing down and I landed next to them, dismissing the appendages with a thought.
Kyoka gave me a considering look, "So you really aren't human."
"Nope." I popped the p. "Before we get into that, that thing you fought seemed important. Seeing as you broke it, people are likely to come and investigate. Shouldn't we go find Naomi quickly?"
Kasane agreed, "He's right, we're likely on a timer. Let's move."
We moved on to the hallway area, containing all the Other specimens being observed here. Unlike in the game, no one spoke, a thick tension hanging over them. We soon came upon Naomi's room, confirmed from the records Arashi hacked, before Kasane turned to the squad.
"Wait out here, Damocles and I will go in." Shiden moved to object, but Kyoka put a hand on his shoulder, shaking her head and whispering something to him.
Kagero just smiled his smarmy smile, "Sure, we'll wait out here."
Kasane seemed too distracted to notice the shiftiness of her squad, as she took in a shuddering breath and opened the door into the suite in front of us. In the far side of the room, lying down it's legs was a gigantic creature, resembling a amalgamation of a wardrobe and a human, with two hooded statues fused into its torso.
Kasane let out a choked sob, walking slowly towards it, disregarding the way the door slid closed behind us, "Naomi? Is that you?"
The creature perked up, before a young girls voice was heard, "Kasane! What are you doing here? You shouldn't be in this place!"
Kasane ran towards her, before stopping, fretting and not sure what to do with her hands, "I'm sorry Naomi, I know... I know you wouldn't want me seeing you like this. But! But, I brought someone who can help you! Damocles..." She turned to me. "Please..."
The Other, Naomi, turned to me in what appeared to be surprise, "Really? You can help me?"
I smiled and walked forward, time to work my magic, "Indeed. Despite appearing so, I am not a human, but rather a Devil. With your permission, I can attempt to raise you into being one of my race, which should reverse your transformation. Kasane has made a deal with me to do so, should you agree."
Naomi clambered up onto her feet, "Yes! If you can turn me back into a human, I agree. Even if there are side effects, its better than living like this..."
"Very well." With her permission gained, I stepped up to the giant creature.
Pulling out the ivory Bishop, I inserted it just below where the two heads sprouted from the main body. There was a convulsion that happened across her entire body, before a bright light started emitting from the area where I had placed the piece. Mass started to be pulled from other parts of the body as a shape started to rise under my hand, taking on a feminine, humanoid form.
A naked, feminine human form. I quickly took my hand away and hurriedly turned around to look at Kasane, not wanting her to get on my case for perving on her very attractive sister. Kasane shot me a grateful look before rushing over to Naomi, swiftly taking off her jacket and leaving herself in a tight white vest.
I waited as I listened to the rustling of cloth behind me, before Kasane spoke, "You can turn around now."
As I did, I beheld the sight of Kasane cradling Naomi to her chest, tears in her eyes as she looked down at her restored sister, relief on her usually expressionless face. Naomi had Kasane's jacket around her, the larger girl's garment enough to cover her modesty so long as she didn't move too suddenly. The blonde still seemed pretty groggy, which was to be expected I suppose after a transformation like the one she went through.
I knelt down, though that didn't equalize our heights that much (annoyingly) and spoke to Kasane, "We should wait until she regains her faculties before taking out the piece, it might still be working on repairing her. After you are satisfied she's back and won't revert, we can put your piece in."
Naomi blearily blinked, "Her... piece? What...?"
As I moved to reply, a banging was heard from the door leading into the room with a commanding voice following, "Damocles Sagan! Kasane Randall! Come out here at once! You are both under arrest."
I sighed. Really, they just had the worst timing. I looked to Kasane, who seemed to have a resigned look about her, before instructing, "Stay here with Naomi. I'll go deal with the others."
Kasane protested, "You can't fight them alone! You'd be...!"
I stopped her with a quip an a smile, "I brought Naomi back didn't I? I've already done the impossible, have a little faith."
Before she could decide between leaving Naomi alone to follow me or stay with her recovered sister, I had already opened the massive door and stepped out. Greeting me was Kasane's squad set up in defensive positions, as expected, but also something I didn't expect.
Commander Karen Travers, the final boss of the game.
He looked through the open door behind me, sucking in a breath before he whispered, "So you can reverse it..." Shaking it off, he drew himself up and exuded an aura of authority, "Damocles Sagan, for the crime of subverting a national asset and..."
He then proceeded to list off a long list of crimes that I honestly didn't bother to remember. I could have replied with a grandiose speech, I could have exposed him for all the freaky shit he's been up to, honestly I could have just ham it up like a complete lunatic.
I didn't.
Instead, I spoke a single word, one that guaranteed that the considerable force arrayed against me would be as useful as snowflake in Tartarus.
"Lock."
AN: Fuck me is it hard to find good porn of the SN characters. I wanted to get a picture of Naked Naomi but I couldn't find any I liked.
Hope you guys enjoy the chapter.
I am, as always, shit at writing dialogue.