Welcome to the next chapter of The Twin Dragons, but before starting. Let us answer some reviews:
Pawnofriasgremory: I apologize for that, but I thought that the two of them had chemistry.
Streetlife34: Thanks, I'm happy that I could make your day better by uploading this chapter. I thought that it would be a better match for him in this version and the fact that I thought about Sieg from the Fate Series. From my perspective, I think that it was more toward him making that trade with the intent of him gaining balance breaker for a short period of time. I thought about it and both of them had too much that they had in common for me not to add her.
KurokamiTendou: Thanks.
Gaim no Kaze: Same here. Both of them had too much in common for me not to put them together.
FateFan: Their harem was apart of the problem too. And you're talking as if their harems is the only thing that makes up the entire story and nothing else. The changes that I was talking about also included who ended up with them since it would end up in different problems.
Guest: I'm still thinking about whether or not I should add Koneko for different reasons.
Familiar Forest Trouble Part 1
Tomorrow after Issei and Kazuki fought against Riser and Yubelluna, which soon also resulted in the annulment of Rias' marriage to the third son of the Phenex Household. Earlier in the morning, there was another meeting of the members of the Hyoudou family in the living room. Rias sat beside Issei, their parents, Miki and Goro, on the other hand, sat in front of them.
"So, as I explained before. I, Rias Gremory, will also be living here as well," Rias said in a polite tone as she looks forward toward the patriarch and matriarch. "I may be inexperienced in this situation, but please take care of me, Otou-sama, Okaa-sama."
Rias bowed her head to them with Issei recalling the time after the battle ended, between him and Kazuki, there was a single statement from Rias.
'Like, Asia, I believe that I would love to live in the same home as Ise. Of course, I'll give a plausible explanation to your Otou-sama and Okaa-sama.'
Issei and Kazuki were surprised about those words, but the former was more excited about being able to live with the crimson-haired beauty. Since it didn't have anything to do with them exactly, Kazuki and Asia were watching it all from the sidelines. There was some silence before their parents started talking again, but their words were far more than he expected.
"Uh, I wasn't expecting to have two daughters if Rias-san starts living here with Asia-chan," Miki said feeling her heart becoming more sounder. "Of course, Asia-chan will become our daughter-in-law when she marries Kazuki. And our Ise is attracting the attention of a wonderful girl as well. I never thought that something like this would be possible for him, but it looks like my dream has come true."
"Yup, yup. This is a guy's dream after all. I mean, to have beautiful girls around you. If both Ise and Kazuki go on at this pace, then they could fulfill the dream that I couldn't."
Their father said as if admiring his two sons, both of them causing them to realize that there was one thing that at least one of them inherited from him.
"Well, I didn't think that they'd go along with it."
Issei said staring at the weird antics from his parents who still seemed in a daze focusing on their daydreams.
"I think that you're parents are amazing."
Rias said as she smiled at him holding his left arm, which despite being a dragon arm looked human right now.
Even though it did appear human, it was, in fact, a dragon arm, it was reverted into a human arm for a temporary amount of time. It was a relatively easy process that can be performed by high-class devils or at the very least someone on par with one.
"Apparently, the draonizing process can be stopped for a time by just having the dragon power from that part to be drained, which can turn Nii-san dragon arm into a human arm," Kazuki surmised as he glanced at the perverted look on his brother's face. "I don't know what the process is, but that look from Nii-san tells me that it's something erotic. Even though he didn't mention it, he did gloat a little."
As Kazuki thought about the topic, he wondered when it wouldn't be long until he started having the same issues since the dragon blood flowing through him was spreading across him at all times. It was two days afterward and he was able to tell the changes in his body. Kazuki felt more energized since gaining a dragon heart since nearly most if not all his internal organs were also being dragonized.
"I feel more energized than before, but it would be a problem when I start gaining outer draconic features such as scales and teeth," Kazuki mumbled to himself. "I can't ask either Akeno-senpai or Rias-senpai. Outside of them, I know other high-class devils such as Sona-senpai, Lucina-san, and Ravel-san. But, seeing the reaction from her after asking, I don't know what the method Akeno-senpai told Sona-senpai about."
After asking Akeno what the method was, she told me to ask Sona what it was since she was already informed about it. But, after asking Sona, she was oddly flustered about it and couldn't even give a single response to him, then avoided it entirely.
"Uh, but, there is a problem."
"What, Okaa-san?"
"Our home has four bedrooms," Miki answered her husband holding up four fingers in an attempt to further make her statement. "Our room, Ise's room, Kazuki's room, and Asia-chan's room. So, we don't have enough room for Rias-san to move in."
"Ah, that's true."
Goro replied realizing her statement was the truth and there wasn't enough room for all of them.
"Since I'm imposing on you all. I'm sure that my Otou-san wouldn't mind helping. He also works in construction."
Rias said as Miki started thinking about ways for Rias to move into their home with the current room, which their residence provided. Before a single suggestion entered her mind and she smiled brightly at the idea.
"I have an idea. But, it requires some collaboration from Kazuki."
"I don't know why, but I have a bad feeling about this."
Kazuki stated under his breath.
"Since we're planning on making Asia-chan Kazuki's bride, why don't both of them share rooms?"
"I knew it," Kazuki added. "Kaa-chan, wouldn't it make more sense for Asia-san to share rooms with Rias-senpai instead. Both of them are women, so it wouldn't be awkward for them to share the same room."
Kazuki tried reasoning with his mother, but she seemed to be already assured about her decision about both her and Kazuki sharing a room. He was further convinced by this as there was a glint in his mother's eyes as if ideas were already forming in her head.
"Now now, Kazuki. I think that it would further your relationship if you and Asia-chan shared rooms. I'm sure that Asia-chan wouldn't mind sharing rooms with you, right?"
Miki turned her attention to Asia who seemed a little bit flustered about the sudden suggestion.
"I-I wouldn't mind sharing a room with Kazuki-san," Asia said as she was starting to poke her fingers together in a nervous fashion. "Both of us are going to be married at some point in the future. I think that it would be good for us to practice sleeping in the same room…and in the same bed. I-I mean if Kazuki-san wouldn't mind."
After saying those words both Miki and Asia stared in his direction wearing the same look of anticipation on their face as Goro, Issei, and Rias also stared at the situation. Kazuki felt as if the entire situation was teetering out of control with him being the center of it.
"This isn't intentional, I know that, but it feels almost as if they're emotionally blackmailing me since I can't say no to either of them. I don't see a problem rooming with Asia-san aside from the usual issues and it would mean that both of us would wake up in the morning every day together and likely even share a bed. N-No don't think like Nii-san," Kazuki smiled nervously after realizing that no matter the situation, he wasn't able to say no to either his mother or Asia. "A-Alright, I wouldn't mind Asia-san and I sharing a room."
Hearing his response, albeit wearing a wryly smile caused a genuine smile to form on the face of Asia and Miki, the latter clapped her hands.
"Then it's decided, Asia-chan will move into the same room as Kazuki and Rias-san will take her room," Miki said in an excited tone. "So, Kazuki please assist Asia-chan in moving her belongings into your room and Ise will help Rias-san move her belongings into Asia-chan's old room."
"R-Right," Kazuki said wearing the same wryly smile. "Now, how is this going to turn out?"
"I-I hope that I won't become a bother."
Kazuki looked and noticed that Asia was shuffling in place a little nervously, but he could see that there were parts of her that seemed to be looking forward to it. Seeing that caused his mood to change a little bit wearing a more comforting one instead.
"Why don't we get started, Asia-san?"
Kazuki suggested in an attempt to make her feel better.
"Yes, Kazuki-san."
Asia replied feeling a little better smiling brightly, which made the entire situation a little more tolerable.
After that, Kazuki spent most of the time moving Asia's belongings from her bedroom, which would turn into Rias' into his bedroom. And Issei assisted in moving Rias' belongings inside of Asia's old bedroom, taking a little longer as the crimson-haired upperclassmen had a lot of belongings. Before anyone noticed time flew by with everyone inside of the house having a nice dinner with one another and talked about various things.
"Well, we're finished moving Asia-san's belongings inside of my bedroom."
[If you didn't want her to move into your room. Then why did you agree?]
"I don't mean to sound rude Albion, but until you had a mother, you wouldn't be able to comprehend the feeling of being able to say no," Kazuki replied taking a seat on his room floor recalling most dragons are being born from a mass of power and wouldn't have parents. "Well, I wasn't expecting to hear you talking at times like this."
[There isn't much for me to do since I'm merely possessing you through Divine Dividing.] Albion said in an almost joking manner. [But, I believe that I do find myself more and more interested in the manner that you're developing compared to other hosts.]
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say that was a compliment, Albion. Since training and battle against Yubelluna, I've been thinking more about the future battles that are going to be coming up in the future," Kazuki said staring into the ceiling wearing a wondering look on his face. "I think that I should form a team."
[Oh?]
Based on that slight sound, Albion seemed to be interested in that sudden suggestion.
"It was after seeing the people that were on Vali's team," Kazuki started before continuing. "All of them are powerful people on their own and fill in different roles. Arthur-san is an almost impeccable swordsman who wields two powerful holy swords and the right-hand man. Kuroka-san is a rare nekoshou proficient in senjutsu, youjutsu, magic, and can control space. Le Fay-san is proficient in different magic. I didn't believe that Bikou was related to someone as famous as Sun Wukong, but I have to admit that he's good in combat. And then there's Vali…there's no doubt in my mind that he is a cut above the rest."
[I know what you mean. Based on his demonic powers, I can tell that isn't merely a related to one of the families among the 72 Pillars and the second presence from him might end up making him one of the strongest beings in the world if he masters them.]
"That's my point. There are other powerful people out there in the world aside from Vali, but he also has his team to support him," Kazuki started to explain. "Rias-senpai and Sona-senpai have their peerage members who will be able to support them. And if being the Hakuryuukou attracts enemies and allies, then it wouldn't be strange for me to be able to form my own team as well, right?"
[I can see what you mean. You do seem to have the talent to be a leader and there have been previous owners who attracted the attention of various beings. I believe that two people have already presented themselves to be a candidate, more so the one I'm referring to.]
"And that would be?"
[That nun girl.] Kazuki wasn't surprised that Asia was brought up since she was the one person who was close to him and not affiliated with a peerage. [She has shown promise in using magic during instruction under that Witch Girl and there's something else odd about her.]
Hearing that caught his attention since it was the first time that Albion has taken this much of an interest in others aside from himself and Ddraig.
[She appears to be compatible with dragons so that could give her an edge in picking a familiar.]
"A familiar, huh?"
Kazuki heard about familiars before, hearing that devils would make magic binding contracts with them, then the familiar could perform various tasks for them. More so, it was a give and take relationship, meaning that with a lot of them there would need to be some form of payment.
"That isn't limited to devils, but magicians can also have familiars. If that's the case, then Asia-san can even have a bodyguard that could protect her on the battlefield. I know that she might end up agreeing with this, but I need to make sure that Asia-san…."
"Huh, did Kazuki-san need something?"
Asia walked inside of the room dressed in a nightgown staring at him wearing a curious look on her face.
"No, it's nothing…well, it is important, but I guess that can wait for later."
"O-Okay, so…."
Kazuki looked noticing that Asia seemed to be a little nervous as she was holding her hand behind her back with her eyes looking in various directions.
"You don't need to be so nervous. This is your room too now, you know."
"R-Right."
Asia replied as she took a seat beside Kazuki on the floor holding onto her legs as she continued sitting there far more nervous now that the reality that both of them were now sharing a room seeped into her head.
"I-I'm sorry."
Asia apologized for some reason catching his attention.
"For pushing you to think that we had to share a room when you looked uncomfortable about it," Asia started before looking to the floor. "After Okaa-san brought it up, I thought that it'd be fun living in the same room as one another since Kazuki-san has been doing a lot of things for me. I got too excited about it and ended up pushing it all on you."
Kazuki could hear the emotions and guilt in her tone, which only truly showed the kind of generous person Asia is to be concerned about something like this. He let out a light laugh as she placed a hand on top of her head with a warm smile forming on his face.
"I don't mind, Asia-san," Kazuki tried talking to her. "I mean, it does sound weird sharing the same room as a girl, but since it is Asia-san, then I wouldn't really mind. Though I can't help admitting that it might be a little awkward since I am sharing a room with Asia-san, I think that we can get used to it."
Kazuki tried reassuring her that it was alright, but he couldn't help being embarrassed about the fact that he was, in fact, sharing the same bedroom as Asia.
"Of course, there's no way I wouldn't be embarrassed," he started thinking in his head about the situation while a wryly smile formed on his face as he took a slight glance toward Asia. "Asia-san has too many charming features that'd attract the attention of anyone, she kind with a mixture of cute and beautiful. I couldn't imagine there being anyone who would reject…. Ah, what am I thinking?"
Kazuki found himself thinking more and more about the good points of Asia, which caused his cheeks to turn red as his heart started beating faster too. Noticing this caused Asia tilt her head to the side wondering what was wrong with him.
"Huh, is there's something wrong, Kazuki-san?"
Asia questioned as she started to approach him worried on her hands and knees until she was in front of him as her hand was pressed on his forehead.
"N-Nothing is wrong?"
"Huh, but your face does seem a little red."
Kazuki started turning redder as her face was closer to his to the point of their foreheads almost touching. Asia who was caught up in being worried about him realized the current closeness before moving from him wearing a similar embarrassed look on her face. Neither of them was able to say anything else until Kazuki looked noticing what time it was on his phone.
"W-Well, I think that it's time to go to bed."
"R-Right."
Despite them being alright with it, neither of them was prepared to sleeping beside one another. Kazuki was the first person to get under the covers after turning off the lights inside his room, then Asia followed behind him and got underneath the covers beside him. After laying on the bed, neither of them were too close to one another, but both their eyes were locked on one another.
It was awkward for them since it was their first time sleeping like this, but after taking one glance at one another, become more relaxed and closing their eyes.
The next morning, Kazuki, Issei, and Asia found themselves inside of their classroom, neither of them could see Raynare anywhere in the classroom. After waking up, although, both of them weren't sleeping that close to each other, Kazuki woke up with Asia clinging and snuggling with him. It looks that she did it in her sleep and wasn't at all aware of it after the fact, so Kazuki didn't inform her about it.
"So, what was it like sharing the same room with Asia-chan?"
Issei questioned somewhat perversely as he wrapped one of his arms around Kazuki who was sitting in his chair wearing a neutral expression on his face. Kazuki knew that Asia wasn't around them and was instead talking to a lot of the other female students in their class such as Katase and Murayama from Kendo Club.
"I don't like that question. It's not like we did anything that you're thinking about."
Kazuki pointed out sharing at his brother with a sideways glance.
"Well, I woke up sleeping beside Buchou!"
Issei declared silently to him as his expression started twisting more and more into a perverse one.
Kazuki could tell that Issei was starting to relive all the experiences that Issei was undergoing while waking up to find Rias in his bedroom.
"Wait, if she was going to end up in your bedroom anyway, then why did Asia-san need to move into mine?"
Kazuki questioned after realizing that Rias might end up sleeping in Issei's room even if she didn't take the room that belonged to Asia.
"I wouldn't complain if I were you. No one would complain if Asia-chan was sleeping in their room."
Issei countered.
"I know that he is Kazuki-kun's older brother, but I'm afraid that he might end up corrupting him."
"I know, right? But, would I wouldn't mind Kazuki-kun looking at me like that."
"Yea, that would be an interesting experience."
"Is it me or does Kazuki-kun look a little more confident."
"He does, doesn't he."
Issei almost twitched his eyes from hearing the various comments from the female students involving Kazuki, but his thoughts about Rias made things better for him.
"Asia-chan, how does it feel living with Kazuki-kun?"
Katase questioned staring in her direction.
"Oh, Kazuki-san and his parents have been incredibly kind to me."
"I'm super jealous. It was a dream of everyone here to be with Kazuki-kun."
Murayama added placing her hands on her flushed cheeks.
"Well, this seems to be an interesting conversation."
All the female students turned to see Raynare dressed in her school uniform and Aika trailing behind her.
"Ah, Ray…," Asia stopped herself after realizing what she said and Raynare's look. "Good morning, Yuuma-san and Kiryuu-san."
"Morning, Asia-chan."
"Hahaha, Morning, Asia."
Both Raynare and Aika greeted Asia who smiled in their direction with Aika pointing toward the initial source of all their talks, which was Kazuki.
"So, Asia, I was wondering something."
"Hmmm, what is it, Kiryuu-san?"
"So, have you seen 'it'?"
Aika questioned wearing a slight perverted grin, which caused Raynare to realize what she was referring to.
"Huh, 'it'?"
Asia titled her head to the side curiously.
"You know his package," Aika bluntly replied causing the girls around her to blush up a storm. "It may be just me, but I look as if Kazuki went through some growth."
Hearing those words from Aika caused the girls' cheeks to turn bright red from the mention of 'that', which caused Raynare to think about that topic.
"Could this have something to do with Kazuki-kun having a dragon heart? Azazel-sama mentioned that there may be some changes in his body in the future, could this be," Raynare thought before shaking her head. "Why am I thinking about that?! I've been hanging around Aika-chan so much my fallen angel instincts are raging."
"I-I-I…didn't…."
Asia's face was bright than anyone inside of their group as she recalled the incident from the bath where she and Kazuki saw one another stark naked. Seeing this caused several of the girls to wear a wondering expression on their faces wondering if Asia did, in fact, do what Aika mentioned.
"I feel uncomfortable for some reason."
Kazuki whispered noticing the stares being aimed at his back as the girls continued to whisper.
"Yo, Ise!"
Stepping inside of the classroom was Matsuda and Motohama who starred at him wearing their usual somewhat kind expressions while staring at Kazuki with some kind of idea popping up in their heads. Both of them arrived in front of him as the younger twin stared back at him wearing a neutral expression.
"What?"
Kazuki decided to ask knowing that whatever both of them wanted, he wasn't going to like it.
"You're popular with all the girls in our year and some of the upper classes, right?"
"Yes."
"So, would you mind hooking us up?"
Matsuda questioned wearing a smile that Kazuki didn't like in the slightest.
"No."
Kazuki bluntly and seriously replied to the request from them without registering the looks either of them sent him displaying sudden anger.
"Why not?! Aren't we friends!"
"We're not like you or Ise! Girls won't hang out with us like either of you!"
Both Motohama and Matsuda replied slamming their hands on his desk while moving their heads forward.
"We're not friends," Kazuki stated. "At best, we're minor acquaintances who don't like one another from the time we met in middle school and had no intention of hanging around one another. As to the reason why I won't hook either of you up with the girls that I know is that you once openly said that you'll rape them in your heads. If you want girls to look in your direction then stop being creeps. Look at Nii-san, he at least has a positive side that matches his negative one, but I can't defend the negative one."
Hearing that cold response from him caused both of them to continue staring at him annoyed with Issei feeling a little complicated about how to feel since he was complimented and insulted at the same time.
[Kyaa, that's our White Knight!]
The girls who heard the conversation swooned after hearing that with Raynare chuckling lightly.
"It's ironic that they're calling him the White Knight without knowing he's the Hakuryuukou."
Raynare mumbled under her breath.
Soon enough everyone in the class started taking their seats as the teacher arrived inside of the classroom, but there was still some tension Kazuki was receiving from his brother's friends, which he still ignored. Their lessons continued from there as their teacher seemed to continue until their lunch break and finally until classes were all finally over, then students had to leave for their club activities.
Although, posted on the Kendo Club door was a letter from their club adviser, Kaito which stated he wouldn't be there and everyone was free to practice however they liked as long as they didn't hurt one another. Seeing there wasn't a real reason for him to attend their meeting this time, Kazuki decided to instead visit the Occult Research Club to see what everyone else was doing.
As the three of them proceeded down the halls leading into the club room, Raynare brought up a topic.
"I'm wondering whether or not I should be coming with you two."
"Why is that, Raynare-san? Aren't you are friend, too?"
"Of course, I am. But, I have a feeling that Gremory and the others merely tolerate my presence since I assist the two of you from time to time. Besides me and Gremory don't really get along with one another."
Raynare replied recalling all the times that Rias and her peerage gave her different looks, but no one more than the King and Queen.
"Well, there are still some harsh feelings between devils and fallen angels. For Rias-senpai and Akeno-senpai, it believe that it could be more on a personal level."
"Well, I'm sure that Kazuki-kun will defend me, right."
Raynare stated as she wrapped her arms around his arm pressing her well-endowed chest against him causing a faint blush to form on his cheeks. In response to this, Asia puffed up her cheeks as she did the very same thing on his right arm causing him to let out a wryly laugh.
"If you guys are going to do that, then it'll be difficult opening the door."
He said as their group was proceeding to head in the direction of the door leading inside of the Occult Research Club, which neither of them seemed to respond to. But instead, Raynare reached one of her hands out, then she turned and pushed the door forward allowing them to enter inside the room.
"Alright, everyone, I have planned that we all take a trip to the…," Rias started before noticing the door opening. "Oh, I didn't think that you all would be arriving here today."
"I apologize for the late notice. Well, our club adviser wasn't there and he said that we were free to do whatever, whether it was training in the club room or leaving. And besides, there was something that I wanted to ask you."
Kazuki answered as Raynare and Asia freed him from their grasps, as Koneko and Yuuto greeted him using their hands.
"Oh, what did you need from me?"
Rias seemed surprised that Kazuki was requesting something from her, which stirred some curiosity inside of the crimson-haired upperclassman. All the other people inside the room were curious about the sudden request he was going to ask their king.
"Well, for certain reasons. I thought that it might be a good idea for Asia-san here to receive a guard for herself if she gets in a situation where no one else can defend her," Kazuki stated stepping inside of the room causing his next couple of words to surprise them. "So, I was thinking about getting her familiar."
Rias' expression displayed surprise alongside the others inside of the room, which wasn't from surprise about the solution he proposed. Asia though was surprised that Kazuki was thinking about such a thing for her.
"Is there something wrong?"
"N-No, not at all. It was just that I was planning on having Issei receive a familiar himself," Rias stated before she regained her composure and continuing before Kazuki and the others walked past the front door. "Well, Ise as I was saying, I believe that it is the right moment that you receive your own familiar. And I guess since Kazuki is planning on looking for a familiar for Asia, this is a perfect time."
"I see, but what is a familiar?"
Issei questioned.
"Nii-san, a familiar is a basic right of passages for devils. In essence, they're creatures who devils and those who uses magic acting as either bodyguard or using them to perform their tasks for them. So, they might have come in handy handing out all those leaflets that you used to do. There are several kinds of legendary creatures that a devil or magic-user could make their familiar."
"Kazuki is as always correct. Although not required, familiars are something that most devils such as high-class ones becoming our hand and foot," Rias started before snapping her fingers causing a puff of smoke causing a red bat to appear around Rias holding a noble atmosphere. "This is mine. But, I believe that you may recognize her in this form instead."
There was another puff of smoke that covered the red bat again, then once it vanished, it revealed a young girl in a red dress who appeared much younger than Rias.
"Huh, I do recognize her! She's the girl who handed me that leaflet!"
Issei pointed his finger at the young girl who smiled and waved her hand, she was, in fact, the girl who handed a leaflet to him during his date with Kalawarner which allowed him to call Rias. However, he still wasn't prepared to remember his time with that girl.
"She has been rather helpful to me and it was because of her that I was able to meet you."
Rias smiled as she petted the transformed red bat on her head, which she graciously accepted.
"This one is mine."
Akeno added holding out her palm, causing a palm-sized oni to appear in the palms of her hand, which began to wave around its small hand adorably. Following their lead, Koneko called out a small white kitten that has a collar with a bell attached to it adorably cuddling her owner's hand.
"…this is Shiro."
Koneko said holding the mewing white kitten.
"Aw, isn't Shiro adorable?"
Asia stated as she placed her finger in front of Shiro, who started pawing at her hands.
"Mine is…."
"Ah. You don't have to tell me."
"You are so cold."
"Don't be rude, Nii-san."
Despite the comment from Issei, Yuuto brought out a small bird that flew around his owner before landing right on his shoulder. Seeing that everyone revealed their familiars to him, Issei becomes more excited than ever to find a familiar for himself. Rias then started to approach him before placing a hand on his cheek.
"Familiars are meant to assist their masters. It is possible for them to be used for information transmission and all of them can also be rather persisting. Also, Kazuki is correct about Asia needing a familiar for herself as well. It'll be essential since Asia is defenseless as a support based combatant, so her having a familiar would allow her to adapt to certain situations whenever needed."
Rias said as Akeno was already preparing to activate the magic circle so that all of them could transform towards their intended location.
"I planned on merely going there with Ise, but since Kazuki and Asia are coming as well, Akeno will need to have the magic circle altered."
"Oh, I believe I'm coming as well."
Raynare pointed out causing Rias to act as if she noticed her presence.
"Oh, I apologize. I seemed to have forgotten, Raynare-san"
"Well, I wouldn't expect anything less from the airheaded heiress, Ojou-sama."
Both Rias and Raynare spoke in a tone displaying nothing but distaste for one another.
Rias and Raynare stood in front of one another wearing intense expressions on their faces and dangerous smiles as an equally dangerous aura radiating from them. Inside the room, everyone looked on as both the crimson and raven-haired young women stared at one another, their dangerous expressions getting more deadly. It continued to the point where a destructive aura and light aura started radiating from them.
"Uh, shouldn't we separate them?"
Issei leaned toward Kazuki, then mumbled to him those words.
"Yea, before those two attempts to kill one another."
Issei and Kazuki started to hesitantly approach both Rias and Raynare after noticing their powers were rising to dangerous levels. Soon enough, both of them grasped their shoulders, then started carefully separating them from one another and their presence being enough to quell their anger.
"Buchou, the preparations are set. All of us, including Raynare, will be able to enter the Familiar Forest."
Akeno stated as she activated the magic circle in the middle of the room, which caused all of them to step on the magic circle. Soon enough, it released a bright light and all of them were transported to the Familiar Forest.
As soon as the light faded, all of them arrived in a different location entirely, a dense forest that has giant trees all around them that blocked the sunlight to the point where it could be entirely dark if night fell without an alternative source of light and heat couldn't be felt by all of them. Various sounds from different animals could be heard from all around them, which could be the creatures living there.
"So, this is the Familiar Forest."
Raynare questioned making it obvious that she hadn't been there before aside from hearing about it.
Get daze!"
"What!"
"Kyaa!"
In response to both Asia's screams and a sudden figure appearing in front of them, which caused Kazuki to react immediately, causing him to aim a turning kick at the person who arrived.
"Wait wait wait, I'm not a threat!"
Kazuki stopped his foot mere millimeters from making contact with their neck.
Standing in front of them was a young man who appeared to be almost their age or even older dressed in rough clothing and a red hat. Both his entire demeanor and that catchphrase caused him to recall the primary character from Pokemon, but Kazuki removed his leg and placed it on the ground.
"I apologize for that. I wasn't expecting someone to pop out like that."
Kazuki apologized.
"No, I had thought that would make an interesting greeting and surprise for first-timers, but it seems that it isn't," despite saying those words, he still seemed shaken about the fact he was almost kicked. "Well, whatever, that is now in the past. My name is Satooji from Madara Town! And I am a devil-in-training aiming to become a Familiar Master! What's with that look?"
Satooji questioned as Kazuki stared at him questioningly.
"Is this guy supposed to be Satoshi from Pokemon?"
Kazuki questioned in his head.
"Well, Satooji-san, this is Ise, the person I was talking about. And this is a human-looking for a familiar."
"Hmm, I see. So, this is the pawn that Rias-ojousama chose and who defeated Riser Phenex," Satooji stated as he stared at him. "So, I'll have to find a familiar for this dull-looking person."
Issei was irritated he was referred to as a dull person by someone like him before turning his attention toward the lone blonde-haired beauty of the group.
"I'll be happy to find a familiar with this blonde-haired beauty."
Satooji stated as he approached Asia who stood close to Kazuki wearing an expression that seemed prepared to flirt with her, but a single look from him caused Satooji to relent.
"W-Well, what kind of familiar do you desire," Satooji said as he pulled out a catalog from inside his pockets, then started going through the pages. "Strong one? Fast one? Or one with poison?"
"Don't say something scary like poison type all of a sudden. So, what type do you recommend?"
Issei said not liking the idea of having a familiar who could potentially kill him using poison, which caused Satooji to take in his suggestion and recommend a familiar for him.
"Well, about this point," Satooji replied showing them the journal to a depiction of a beautiful blue western dragon in front of all of them. "This is one here is one of the Five Great Dragon Kings, Tiamat, the Chaos Karma Dragon and the only female among them. She is the Strongest Dragon King, but no one even one of the highest-ranking devils has been able to get her to agree to be their familiar. There have also been some who said she is just as strong as the current Maou."
"That doesn't look like the level of a beginning or a recommended familiar. It sounds more like the final boss from the last level of some dungeon. Not even the highest-ranked devils have been able to get this dragon to become their familiar, then what makes you think a newbie can?!"
Issei shouted as he seemed to start approaching Satooji who didn't seem fazed.
"That sounds good. It seems those two might get along since they're both legendary dragons," Rias said as stars seemed to appear in her eyes. "Ise, since you are my adorable servant, it might be possible that you'll be able to pull this off."
"It's impossible, Buchou! I can tell that we won't be able to get along even from this book."
"It's just your imagination, Ise-kun. Yeah, you can do it."
"Shut up, Kibaaaaaaa! You go and hunt it, damn itttttt!"
Issei received encouragement from both Rias and Kiba who seemed to believe in him, but Issei needs to use an incomplete Balance Breaker with a sacrifice to defeat a High-Class Devil, in addition to two blessed items. And at this time, both of them wanted him to make a pact with something on par with one of the Maou.
"What a legendary dragon? Ah, right, I forgot that Rias-ojousama's Pawn has the Sekiryuutei. It might be bad for him to approach Tiamat."
"Why's that?"
Rias questioned seeming interested in this.
"I don't know, but it seems like there was a falling out between both Tiamat and Ddraig."
"Huh, what's that about Ddraig?"
Issei questioned bringing out Boosted Gear.
[….]
That wasn't a single response from Ddraig, but he seemed to want to remain silent about the question.
[I believe that it has something to do with Ddraig borrowing Tiamat's treasures sometime before our final battle in the Great War. Since he couldn't return them, the treasures ended up being stolen by humans and scattered all across the Human World. So, if she finds his current host, then she might end up killing him out of spite.]
"What do I have to do with this?!"
"Well, you're Ddraig's host."
"I don't know where the treasure is!"
Issei countered as he made it clear that he definitely didn't want a familiar who could and would kill him.
"Alright, then how about this one? A Hydra."
Satooji suggested pointing the book toward him again, which depicted a multi-headed enormous serpent that has a set of sharp eyes and fangs, in addition to a poisonous mark with a skull and crossbones. From the image alone, it wasn't a cheerful creature in the slightest.
"This one here is amazing! The Hydra has a deadly poison that no devil in the world can endure. As well as it is immortal! The worst creature in the World which even kills its master! See? Pretty useful right?"
Hearing that explanation from Satooji caused Issei to stare at him wearing an irritated expression. First, it was a Dragon King who has a grudge against Ddraig. And now, it is an immortal multi-headed serpent with a poison no devil can endure and could even kill its master.
"Buchou, can I punch this guy?"
Issei said calling Boosted Gear once again causing it to let out its usual announcement meaning that Issei wasn't kidding about wanting to beat him up.
"Calm down, Ise. Hydra is rare so it would be wonderful. If I remember, there should be one somewhere deep in the Familiar Forest. We would be able to return by the end of today."
"You two are either messing around with him. Or being serious."
Kazuki wondered out loud causing neither Satooji nor Rias to show a single indication either of them was joking.
"Aren't there any cute familiars? Like girls."
"This is the reason newbies don't understand anything," Satooji stated as he shook his head. "Listen? You have to catch powerful familiars who have powerful abilities. If you're going to become a Familiar Master, then you have to catch the same one several times picking the strongest male and females. Finally, you have to have them both breed to produce a strong child with powerful abilities. Furthermore…."
"I want a cute familiar."
Asia said after raising her hand and asked cutely.
"I understand."
Satooji replied throwing out any kind of logic behind his reasoning for growing familiars.
"I believe there should be the perfect familiar around here for you somewhere around here. The Undines."
"Undine?"
"The Undine are water seirei, holy spirits associated with the water element. I believe for a beautiful blonde such as yourself, it would make the perfect familiar."
Kazuki started feeling more and more irritated hearing Satooji attempting to flirt with Asia, which all of them could tell based on his twitching eyes. As all of them remained standing there, Koneko stopped to turn another way for some reason as a different scent reached her nose.
"Is there something wrong, Koneko-chan?"
Kiba noticed her odd behavior as she continued looking around as the scent seemed to get closer and another sound reached her ears. At the same time, all of them started hearing the sounds of trees breaking and falling to the ground as something started getting closer to them.
"Huh, what's this now?"
Satooji questioned being confused.
"Something is coming in our direction."
Rias stated as she and the others started preparing themselves for anything that might come in their direction as Kazuki placed Asia behind him for her own good. Asia then started holding onto his arm worried about whatever was coming after them. Bursting through the trees was an enormous creature that hissing almost like a snake dangerously.
"W-What the hell?!"
Issei shouted as he realized what the creature was.
Standing in front of them was an enormous nine-headed snake that started at all of them with dangerous eyes.
"Why is there a Hydra here?!"
Issei started pointing at the creature that just arrived in front of all of them.
"This is perfect! Ise, attempt to capture it!"
Rias said pointing at the creature with stars sparkling in her eyes.
"Buchou, I don't want that one! It's an immortal monster worse than Riser!"
Issei replied not wanting anything to do with an immortal monster that high-class devils such as Riser wouldn't be able to withstand its venom.
"Hissss!"
The Hydra hissed dangerously at them as it snapped three of its heads forward, which caused them to move out of the way using their own methods. Kazuki grabbed onto Asia then jumped to the side avoiding one of the heads and Satooji jumped out of the way in a little goofier manner.
"Looks like a Wild Hydra has appeared. This could be your attempt to…."
""Stop ripping off Pokemon!""
Issei and Kazuki exclaimed angrily because of the situation and being annoyed about that fact, the latter set Asia on the ground as Raynare arrived beside them.
"Raynare look after Asia-san!"
"Alright!"
Raynare said as she created a light spear in her hands, then Kazuki brought out the light sword he received from Azazel and manifested the light blade.
"Ara, this sure turned into a mess."
Kazuki could hear Akeno as she flew into the sky where the Hydra wouldn't be able to attack her before creating lightning in her hands and brought it down on top of the nine-headed snake. Despite striking the Hydra it was continuing to attack all of them with whatever wounds Akeno caused already healed.
"Akeno, don't forget the Hydra is immortal!"
Rias warned as she summoned her destructive demonic power in her hands, Issei already prepared his Boosted Gear, and Kiba created a demonic sword in his hands.
"Buchou, permission to promote!"
"Granted!"
"Alright, promotion Queen."
Issei shouted as he felt the power of the Queen flowing throughout his entire body.
"Would a Hydra come out all this way to attack?!"
Kiba questioned Satooji who appeared to be avoiding the attack against him just fine as he avoided a tail whip from the Hydra and aimed a slash on its body.
"Despite being dangerous creatures. Under normal circumstances, a Hydra wouldn't attack someone until it sees them. So, it coming all the way here doesn't seem to be normal behavior."
[Boost!]
Issei heard the second Boost from his Boosted Gear as he ducked underneath one of its heads, which was going toward him. And Rias aimed a destructive blast at one of its heads as it made another attempt at attacking him a second time, which tore apart some of its scales that soon started healing.
"Why would a Hydra attack us?"
"Well, as I said. Even if it was in the area, it wouldn't have attacked us unless it was close enough to us. Or…."
Satooji was prepared to say something as one of the Hydra heads snapped at him again, but Kazuki appeared in front of him and activated a barrier in front of them.
"Or?"
"This could be a Hydra that was ordered by someone else to attack."
"Why would someone want to…."
"…Kazuki-senpai."
Koneko called out getting his attention as she preceding to head in his direction at a fast pace, but the Hydra had turned in her direction with deadly eyes. In an attempt to stop her from taking another step forward, then it aimed a tail in her direct pack, which blew her towards the sea of trees smashing through several of them.
[Koneko-chan!]
Issei, Kazuki, and Kiba called out after seeing their friend and underclassmen sent flying like that. Without waiting to hear anything, Issei started running in the same direction that Koneko was sent flying. Seeing him moving, the Hydra attempted to strike him from behind this time using two heads but was stopped as two individuals slashed at its eyes temporarily blinding it.
It was Kiba using the god-speed provided by his Knight Piece and Kazuki using the high-speed flight provided by Divine Dividing. The two of them had stared at the Hydra with anger in their eyes after seeing what it had done to their friend and kouhai. Using their speed and skill, the two sword wielders started aiming slashes directed at the eyes of the Hydra seeing that no damage done to its body did anything and decided to blind it to buy time.
Meanwhile, Issei ran to find Koneko, leaning against a tree that had fallen from the impact of crashing into it. He inspected her current condition, but she seemed fine because she was a rook with unbelievable defense, which would allow her to recover quicker than others.
"Are you alright, Koneko-chan?"
"…someone else."
"H-Hey, I know that you might not like me, but I'm…."
"…n-no, there was someone else here," Koneko spoke words that surprised Issei. "…before the Hydra came, I thought that I smelled someone else around us. …and after that, I heard something like a flute playing before the Hydra came forward toward us."
"You mean, someone sicked that Hydra on us. Why would someone do something like that?!"
Issei questioned before noticing that Koneko was worried about what might be happening back there then without wasting him assisted Koneko to her feet as gently as possible. Both of them were worried about whoever this person was and why they would send a Hydra at them.
Meanwhile, during the battle against the Hydra, Kazuki and Kiba were still avoiding snapping attacks from all the nine heads with relentlessly pursued them. Rias and Akeno, on the other hand, were both providing support from further positions since neither could react as fast as either Kazuki or Kiba.
"Fighting against this Hydra like this is getting us nowhere. It is way worse than fighting against Riser at least his own regeneration was limited, but the Hydra's sounds almost biological. And if any of the stories that I read about the last Hydra that Heracles fought against, then cutting off its head wouldn't be a good idea."
Kazuki questioned as he brought out the second light sword and avoided another head's attempt at biting him.
"What if we were to destroy its body completely using Buchou's Power of Destruction. When Ise-kun returns, then he could transfer what power he built up to her and she could release a powerful blast."
Kiba questioned as he jumped over one of the heads and landed on the ground.
"That might world since there wouldn't be anything left to regenerate, but at the same time, I might withstand that attack and regenerate. If that happened then Rias-senpai might not be able to release another attack like that for some time. And based on the previous battle, Nii-san can use release the built-up power from Boosted Gear three times, but I don't know how many times he can Transfer power to others. Even then against fighting an opponent that has an immortal body would be tasking."
"Kazuki-kun is really thinking about this tactically even in this situation," Kiba thought as he activated Sword Birth causing the springing swords to stab into the Hydra's flailing tails. "Then what are we supposed t do?"
"Fighting is pointless since it heals and there could be someone else here waiting for us to become exhausted for some reason," Kazuki said as he started thinking about what they could before getting an idea. "I thought about a solution, but it might…."
Bang!
"Kyaa!"
There was a sound that caught their attention as Raynare was smashed into the tree by a blast from an unknown assailant unable to fight back. Even the light sword in her hands vanished in light particles as she slumped to the ground groaning in pain. In front of her, the unknown assailant was holding up Asia roughly by her wrist as a look of pain started forming on her face.
"Well, that wasn't difficult at all. This was the easiest job ever."
The unknown assailant muttered as he intentionally tightened his grip on Asia's wrist.
"Kyaa! H-Help…."
Asia screamed and begged in pain as she felt the pressure on her wrist as the unknown assailant seemed to grin from that. As Rias and the others were beginning to move, Kazuki moved before either of them were able to take a single step forward close the distance between him and the assailant using his light wings. It was the first time that all of them felt this level of hostility from him as the light sword in his hand was already prepared in his hands with nothing but malice intent.
"Get your hands off her!"
Kazuki shouted after arriving in front of the assailant who showed no resistance or attempts to defend himself as a slight chill crept up his spine. Following that chill, he pulled back his light sword and instead wrapped himself up in his light wings in a defensive manner. At around the same time, there was an explosion where he would have been if he proceeded forward.
"Kazuki-san!"
From the smoke, the unknown assailant flew into the air using devil wings, meaning that said person was a devil and Asia screamed out of concern for Kazuki.
"Asia!"
Rias, Akeno, and Kiba who were worried for Asia prepared to move in an attempt to rescue her, but the unknown devil pulled something from his clock then placed it in front of his mouth.
"…a flute?"
Rias questioned as the assailant started blowing into the flute causing a mysterious tune to resound throughout the air around them. All of them could tell that it wasn't a normal tune, but it has some mysterious power inside it and in response to this, the Hydra started acting irregularly. There was a mysterious glowing light in all of its eyes as it started acting more erratic than it had before.
"I'll have you all play around with this new pet of mine. Please die and my job easier~"
Those were the last mocking words from the unnamed devil who carried Asia along with him.
"Kazuki-san!"
Asia called out as tears seemed to roll down her cheeks.
In response to that, the smoke cloud that manifested from the explosion he caused, white light wings brushed all the smoke away revealing Kazuki who looked nothing less than angry. A breath escaped from his mouth walking in the direction of Raynare who was downed by the attack from that unknown devil.
"Are you alright?"
"Y-Yes, I'm sorry about that. I couldn't protect Asia-san."
Raynare groaned feeling ashamed about failing to protect Asia from the unknown devil, but Kazuki merely looked down looking as gentle as possible. But, behind that gentle expression meant to reassure Raynare, deep down he was burning with anger that he hadn't felt before.
"I don't know who that guy is. Or why he kidnapped Asia-san," Kazuki thought as his heart seemed to be beating at a quicker pace than before from the anger and anxiety building up inside of him as his eyes seemed to shift a little bit. "But, I do know that he's dead meat the moment I find and get my hands on him."
A/N: And there goes chapter thirteen of The Twin Dragons, well Rias moved into the Hyoudou Residence after breaking off her engagement with Riser, of course. Asia ended up moving into Kazuki's Room in an attempt to make room for Rias and increase their bond. Well, Kazuki has started to think about forming a team of his own earlier on and appear to already have candidates in mind with Asia being the most likely in mind and thought about getting her a familiar to act as a bodyguard.
At the same time, Rias and the others planned on going to the Familiar Forest to get Issei a familiar, but it went different from their initial plans. A Hydra attacked them and someone a devil seems to have been hired to kidnap Asia. I'm sure some ideas have already entered some of your minds, but until then later.
Also, I thought about adding in two more people to Kazuki's harem: those people being the Chaos Karma Dragon, Tiamat from the previous one; and Lilith, Ophis' spawn/sister.
Issei's Harem: Rias, Akeno, Koneko, Xenovia, Lucia, Tsubasa, Kiyome, Aika, Elmenhilde, Yasaka, Kunou, Bennia, Roygun, Ingvild.
Kazuki's Harem: Sona, Raynare, Asia, Irina, Lucina, Mariah, Kuroka, Ophis, Rossweisse, Ravel, Le Fay, Gabriel, Jeanne, Lint.