Disclaimer: Nothing is owned by me except the OC's that appear. Everything else is owned by their rightful owners.
They say that time is short when you are happy and long when you feel bored. Which perfectly explains why the last month passed so fast.
A month has passed since I was introduced to the Supernatural world and learned about my Sacred Gear. Ever since then, I have been having every two days a lesson on the Supernatural world and what it contains by Touji. I would also receive lessons on controlling my Sacred Gear.
At first, someone would have thought it all would have been boring. And, it was at the start, especially the lessons on control. But the more time passed, the more I found enjoyment in the lessons. The fact that Irina was also with me during those lessons was also a huge help.
Speaking of the exorcist-in-training, which was a surprise to me but I guessed it explained her tomboyish appearance and slight mannerisms she had, she turned out to be a rather competent if not eccentric senpai/senior. If I had any questions and Touji wasn't available, she could answer them. Well, not all of them, but most of them.
She was also a huge support when it came to my Sacred Gear training, mostly because we had so much fun creating all kinds of creatures that came to our mind. I still didn't manage to get a grasp on giving said creatures their abilities (like a Pikachu the ability to shoot lightning), but I figured that would come later. But I had a pretty big range of creatures I could summon now.
Regarding my sleeping problems and the weird dreams I had, they were for the most part gone. After the night I was formally introduced to the Supernatural world, I went to ask Touji if the dreams had anything to do with my Sacred Gear. He was unable to provide an answer, so I turned to the next person.
And that was Griselda. I tried to call her a few times, but she didn't pick up. Only after a few days did I get a call from her and I explained the problem to her. She assumed it was simply a coincidence that I had those dreams, but in case it continued I should call her.
Now, regarding my sleeping problems, that is where it got tricky. I stopped waking up feeling drained unless I made a bunch of creatures the previous day. But I started waking up in the middle of the night. Not every night thankfully, but 3-4 times a week at least. I would wake up in the middle of the night feeling sleepy and tired, and stay awake some time before going back to sleep till early morning.
I just assumed it was some sort of side-effect from the previous problem so I didn't give it much thought. And I got used to it after some time so I didn't see a point raising any alarms.
Anyway, right now I found myself in the backyard of the Shidous house with Irina. It was the weekend, meaning no school or lessons, so we had two days to ourselves.
"Would you rather fight a Hydra or a Nuckelavee?" was Irina's question in our game of "Would you rather?" we frequently played in the last few days. It started as a small exercise for me, but we turned it into a game soon after.
"Hmmmm." giving the question some thought, answered. "I know how the Hydra was defeated. And I know nothing about the Nuckelavee, so I would rather throw hands with a Hydra."
Irina nodded at my answer with an understanding expression. "Fair enough. Your turn."
Pondering what I could ask her what we didn't already ask, I came up with some random question.
"Would you rather ... hunt a wendigo or a yuki-onna?" at my question, Irina went deep into thought.
"Wendigos are the cannibals that can possess you and turn you into one?"
"I think so, yes."
"Then I would rather hunt the yuki-onna. Unlike the wendigos, not all of them are evil."
"You speak like you met one before."
She waved off my claim. "Nah. But I did read a lot about yokai." she then gained a disgusting expression. "You won't believe what kind of creepy yokai there are."
"I'm aware of it." I shuddered at the memory of some of them. Especially those two spider yokai.
"Hey Matt." Irina called for my attention. "You sure you don't want to work on your Sacred Gear more?"
"What is wrong with my latest creation?" I said as we looked at my latest creation, which was innocently munching on grass. While being surrounded by broken training dummies. "I put extra effort into making this one."
"It's a rabbit." she noted duly while giving me a deadpan look.
"A rabbit that can and did send fully trained exorcists running. You saw it yourself."
Irina nodded at that, a smile on her face. "That was pretty funny. At least tell me you have a good name for it."
"Of course." I saw her giving me an expecting look to which I answered with a rather proud look and tone. "The Beast of Caerbannog."
Should I have been ashamed that I was blatantly copying a movie creature? Yes.
Was I actually ashamed that I was blatantly copying a movie creature? No.
When you are given the chance to make creatures from your favorite movies, cartoons, games, and so on so forth, you just have to take the chance and enjoy your greatest fantasies.
Granted, I couldn't make something more ... complex or with fancier abilities, but I will get there. Sooner or later.
Plus there were no copyright laws for these situations, so I don't have to worry about any legal problems.
"Why not just Great Rabbit? Or Oousagi, how it is in Japanese?"
"It does sound pretty nice, but I have my reasons for the chosen name."
She shrugged at my claim. "Suit yourself."
We continued to observe my killer rabbit for a few seconds as it innocently ate grass, the will to continue with our questions gone.
That is until Irina came up with a better idea of how we can spend time.
"Want to try and see if you can make Pokemons?"
"Sure."
And that was how we usually spent our weekends.
The evening soon came and I went back home. When I got there, my parents informed me that they would be going out for dinner. Apparently, they have been invited by some other friends.
Which would mean me and grandma would have the house to ourselves. And we decided to take advantage of that. We made a small deal.
Grandma invited some of the other older ladies (thankfully, that fucker Eugene was not available) here for a game of cards so they would occupy the ground floor, while I would have the entire first floor to myself.
Honestly, I just needed my room and a bathroom, but an entire floor is always welcome compared to just two rooms. Plus, I got a TV in my bedroom so the need for the living room was gone.
So, before the other grandmas came over, we had a small dinner and I packed snacks and drinks for myself before retreating to my quarters.
Now, having an entire floor to myself with a 99% guarantee that nobody will disturb me has another perk. I could experiment with my Sacred Gear as much as I wanted.
I know I did some experiments with Irina a few hours ago, but it is always better and more fulfilling when you can create the creatures you personally want to see.
And that brings me here. Sitting in my comfy bean bag chair (a present from my parents), TV turned on for when I want to take a break and my personal notebook in hand.
The notebook was first used to write down hints to figure out where I was, but seeing that I didn't make any progress, I turned it into where I kept my notes on the creatures I wanted to summon.
Thankfully, I remembered a lot of them so I wasn't exactly out of ideas and inspirations. Plus, I was thinking of taking art classes in the future so I can draw them to see if there is anything I could improve or make look cooler.
"What next? What next?" I repeated to myself as I tapped the pencil on the open notebook. I wrote a few ideas, mostly for smaller creatures like the Beast of Caerbannog or the Bamfs.
"Thousands of possible ideas and yet I'm having a block." I muttered to myself in annoyance.
It was not like I didn't have any ideas, but there were so many of them that I just didn't know when to start. And even when I narrowed my search down to only small creatures (mostly due to the fear that a bigger one might cause too much noise or fall through the floor), I was still nowhere near a final decision.
"Ugh, maybe it would be best I take a small break." I say to myself as I set the notebook aside and lean back into my bean bag. Turning my attention to the TV, I saw it was currently airing Doctor Who. Not a series I was overall familiar with, but I knew a few things about it.
"Wonder if I could make Weeping Angels? Give them as a present to the Shidou's and watch them freak out whenever it moves." I randomly thought about the idea before noting a flaw in it. "If I can control them to not kill anyone."
As I watched the TV show, I heard some noise coming from the window. Turning my attention to it, I observed it a few seconds before the noise was heard again. This time, I saw it was made by something small hitting my window.
Being the curious kid I was, I decided to investigate it. So I peeked outside of my window, only to be greeted with nothing. I waited a few moments, only to see a tiny frame slowly climbing onto our roof and making its way to me.
Usually, I would have hidden myself and started making something in case things turned ugly, but I knew for a fact that thanks to the Shidous and the people of the Church, our town didn't have any 'dangerous' creatures. So, that relieved a lot of my worries.
Plus, I soon saw what the tiny figure was.
A real-life Ewok just climbed the roof of our house and walked till he was a few steps away from my window before noticing me. It gave me a small wave and was trying to tell me something, but I didn't really hear it.
It apparently noticed my confused expression when it began rummaging through the tiny bag he had before taking out a piece of paper. Turning it around, it showed me what was written on it in really messy handwriting.
"Wicket." I read aloud what was written as the Ewok pointed at the paper before at itself. "So your name is Wicket, huh?"
At that moment, I remembered a dream I had a while ago.
"Wait, are you the same Wicket I saw in that dream?" I asked the creature as I opened the window. The now-named Wicket nodded his head enthusiastically before it started making some motions like he was writing on the paper.
Understanding what he meant, I went to my desk and tore out a piece of paper from my notebook along with grabbing a pen before walking back to the window and giving them to Wicket.
The Ewok began writing something, but I could see he had some trouble with it. In the end, it came out as really messy, but I could easily make out what he wrote.
"Meet the others." I read aloud as he handed me the piece of paper before pointing to the forest near our house.
A child of 12 years alone in the forest sounded like the perfect beginning of a horror slasher movie. It had a creepy atmosphere, gave a sense of loneliness, and the forests were generally scary at night.
The reason why I wasn't shaking in my slippers was because I was being escorted by the tiny and cuddly killer machines known as Wicket the Ewok.
I know it would probably be suspicious for any person if they got visited by an Ewok and told to follow them to the forest to "meet the others", but I didn't have any worries. But one good look at Wicket and I immediately knew that he was one of mine creatures. How, you might ask?
Well, it was something I noticed with every creature I summoned thus far. Whenever I laid my eyes on them, I would get this feeling like I was meeting an old friend. And the same feeling I got when I looked at Wicket. So I knew he wouldn't try to harm me. I mean, I made the Beast of Caerbannog and it never tried to bite me, while it gave a mad chase after anyone else that tried to touch it.
We walked a little while before we stopped in the middle of a small clearing. Not too deep into the forest, but enough deep so that nobody would hear or see us.
I might have to rethink about this not being a horror slasher movie situation.
Almost as if he sensed my unease, Wicket gave the "don't worry" hand gesture before turning around and giving a loud cry. Soon after, a similar cry echoed all around us as I began noticing tiny shadows surrounding us and approaching fast.
Soon they were near enough to us so I could identify them and it was a sight to behold. A small crowd, maybe around 20, of Ewoks surrounded us and looked at me.
They were more or less the same as Wicket, except that some of them carried guns and ... were those lightsabers?
Putting that question aside, I looked at all the gathered Ewoks. Every single one of them had the same feeling I got from Wicket.
"Are all of you ... my creations?" I asked the horde. I got many different shouts, but from the nodding of their head, I knew they were saying yes.
I tried to recall if I ever actually tried to make Ewoks, but came only with a blank. The only recent memory of them I have is when I first had that dream around the time my sleeping problems began.
Wait a second.
"It can't be right." I muttered to myself before focusing on the group once again. Might give it a shot. "Did I make you a few weeks ago?"
Again I got various shouts and nods as my answer.
"And you all have been living in this forest in the meantime?" again a nod. "Without being caught?"
This time they nodded and also waved the weapons they had. Guess that would be their way of saying "We know how to defend ourselves".
"Did any new Ewoks join your group over the last few weeks?" A few Ewoks raised their arms at my question.
Thinking about all the info I got, it started to make a little sense.
Every time I would use Annihilation Maker, I would start feeling tired. But since I have now been more actively using, I started to feel less and less tired.
It is a possibility that somehow I would have used Annihilation Maker in my sleep and thus created the Ewoks. Which in turn would leave me feeling drained and tired. Why they went and hid in the forest, I have no idea. Maybe just it reminded them of their home planet.
Whatever the case, I think I might have now an idea of what caused all my sleep problems. And a possible solution.
"Alright people, I know this might not please all of you, but I will need to ... recall you." I tried finding the right word for what I was about to do. "It's not that I have anything against you, but apparently you are the indirect cause of my sleeping problems. And I can't exactly live my whole life with it."
As soon as I said that, the Ewoks gained a sad expression and from the tone of their voices as they tried to say something, I noticed that they didn't sound sad. It was almost like they sounded regretful.
So soon after they turned to me and awaited my next move. Wicket patted me on my leg. Looking at him, he said something and bowed like a knight. An action that soon all the other Ewoks copied.
I don't know why, but it made me smile slightly. It was almost like they placed my well-being over their own.
"You are all good kids." I said so all of them could hear me before focusing. The familiar shadow-like portal appeared before expanding so it was underneath all of the Ewoks. Said Ewoks soon began sinking into it. Some of them remained in the bowing positions while some waved goodbye to me, to which I waved back. The last to sink was Wicket, and before he could sink, I heard him say. "Bye-bye."
Once all of them were gone, the portal also disappeared. I noticed that the guns and lightsabers they were carrying laid on the ground. Guess they were busy these past few weeks.
Ignoring that, I looked around only to realize that I was now completely alone. In the forest. In the middle of the night. With nobody nearby.
On second thought, maybe I should have left a few of them to escort me back home.
Once I made my way back home, I managed to sneak back into my room without my grandma noticing I was missing. To be fair, I was away for like 20 minutes and no sane person would think their grandchild would have sneaked out and gone to the nearby forest.
Anyway, once I sneaked back I thought that I had enough for that day and went to sleep. Surprisingly, I fell asleep in a matter of seconds. Morning came and I woke up feeling refreshed like I hadn't felt in a long while.
Deciding to test something, I also noticed that when I used my Sacred Gear I was feeling less tired. Guess my theory was right in that once I recalled all the Ewoks and Slimes I might start feeling better. As a bonus, my Sacred Gear also didn't drain me as it used to.
All of that happened a few days ago and I could feel myself being in a much better state. No longer was I having trouble with sleep and the training with my Sacred Gear went along swimmingly.
Now for obvious reasons, I couldn't tell the truth about my 'recovery' to my family since they weren't a part of the Supernatural World. And I couldn't tell the Shidous due to a small suspicion that the Ewoks and Slimes did something other than wait and live in peace while they were in the forest. That more being something that might bring me into trouble if the left behind weapons were anything to go along.
So for the time being, the explanation for how I suddenly feel better is a combination of the medicine starting to kick in for real and the prayers (mostly Irina's) finally reaching the Big Guy upstairs.
This brings us to this moment: me and Irina walking back from school. Since we were in different and years, our school days lasted differently with Irina usually being the first one to get free. Which didn't stop her from waiting for me so we could go home together.
Even tho I told her multiple times she didn't have to wait for me, she insisted it was no problem. And I wouldn't lie if I said I didn't like our talks, especially if it considered of some mischief we could do with my Sacred Gear.
Honestly, at this point not only was Irina my best friend, but also the closest person outside of my family I could talk freely with no fear of any ill thoughts. It was ... a nice feeling.
But she was still a 10(soon to be 11) year old, meaning that any secret I told her would sooner or later be found out. Sure, I knew she could keep a secret considering this whole Supernatural thing, but with some secrets, I would rather not risk it.
Back to the matter at hand, the two of us were walking back from school and talking about the upcoming Easter break.
"What are you going to do during the Easter break?" asked Irina as we walked towards her house. She had an upcoming exam that she asked me to help her study for.
"I have no idea. Probably just relaxing and messing around with Annihilation Maker. I kind of doubt my parents have anything planned. Unless some relatives decide to visit us for Eastern." I answer, hoping we won't be getting any visits. Not that I hate them, but I would have preferred to work on my Sacred Ger. "How about you? Anything planned?"
"Nothing except the usual preparations for Eastern and church activities." she answered simply. "Mom was talking about having a family trip, but something came up so nothing about that."
"Bummer. Guess we both are stuck home for this break." I said as we neared her house. "Wanna do something together then? Maybe we can convince our parents to take us to London for a trip if nothing else."
"Sounds like a plan. We can plan how we would do it once we get to my room."
Just as she was about to open the front door, her mother opened it and she seemed like she was about to walk outside before noticing the two of us and getting a smile.
"Welcome home, Irina. How was school?" Maria asked her daughter as she hugged her.
"Tiring." answered Irina as she returned the hug. "Have an exam I need to study."
"Is that why Matt is with you?" she asked Irina before turning her attention to me. "How are you, Matt?"
"All good, thanks for asking. How about you?" I greeted politely as we entered the house.
"Same. I was just about to go and see if any of your parents were home to ask them something?"
"Ask them what?"
Maria smiled widely. "You see, some things have happened and we have been asked to go to the Vatican. And we have been asked if we could bring the Annihilation Maker user with us."
I was about to respond when Irina yelled a loud gasp before she gained a bigger smile than Maria and I could have sworn her eyes were glowing. "You don't mean-"
"Yup." Maria answered with a cheery tone. "If everything goes right, the Shidous and Ainsworths are going to be spending the Easter holidays in Italy!"
That seemed to be the final straw for Irina as she released a loud and high-pitched squeal of pure joy before racing upstairs to her room. Leaving the two of us to look at her in amusement in Maria's case and surprise in my case.
"I don't think I ever saw her run that fast." I muttered mostly to myself, which caused Maria to chuckle.
"You have to understand that for someone like her, visiting the Vatican for the first time is a huge thing. Especially if she plans on continuing being an Exorcist like Touji and me." said Maria before looking at me. "You think I can convince your parents to go on this trip? If not that, then at least take you with us?"
I thought about it for a moment before answering. "I don't know. I know Grandma would agree in a heartbeat since it is Italy, but I don't know about Mom and Dad. This all seems a little too sudden about it."
"Because it is. We don't know the details, but it seems like some higher-ups want to see this generation's Annihilation Maker user." answered Maria as she gave me a warm look. "You don't need to worry about anything. We will probably get there, they will ask you a few questions and we are done."
"If we manage to convince my parents to either take the trip or just send me with you." I reminded her of that small roadblock in her plan.
She chuckled at that. "You know," I didn't like the voice she was using. "I think there is a good chance we might see Griselda while we are there."
"Leave it to me." I was surprised at the speed at which I responded, something Maria noticed if her impish smile was anything to go with.
"Good boy." she patted me on her head. "I will now go to your house and see if I can convince your parents. Touji should be also back soon, so you and Irina should be fine alone till one of us gets back. If either of you two gets hungry in the meantime there is food in the fridge."
"Yes, ma'am." I saluted her as she left the house.
If I had to be honest, something told me that Maria would find a way to convince my parents to also take the trip. There was just something about her optimism that made her easy to get along with people. No wonder where Irina gets all her optimism and cheerfulness from.
But a trip to the Vatican, what I assume is the HQ of the Church, and possibly Angels? That is bound to be an experience I will remember for a long time. Who knows? Maybe I'll even get a chance to meet other Sacred Gear users. Maybe even get a few tips from them.
Maybe I'll even be lucky and meet an actual angel. Or I will be even more lucky and get to see Sister Griselda again.
As I was making my way to Irina's room to start our study session and maybe calm her down, a thought rushed through my head as I thought a little more about the place we would be going to.
I better start preparing some plans in case some priest tries to get too friendly with me.
2 year. It took me 2 years to finally get an interest in this story (and the DxD fandom overall) back and write it again. But now I'm back and with how things are looking lately, hopefully for good. Unless my bosses decide to give me extra shifts or something like that.
Regarding the story, I looked over what I had planned for it, and after some thinking (and even thinking about rewriting it completely), I decided to change a few initial plans. Like how long it will take till we reach canon time, who will he all meet (both canon and non-canon character). Luckily, it is still early in the story so I don't really need to go back and change some things. Just need to worry about the future ones.
Overall, don't expect me now to write 30 or so chapters just on his childhood, but I will also try not to rush anything. But we will see how it all goes.
With that being said, follow and favor this story and review, because that is something we authors love to see and gives us motivation.
See ya all next time. Peace out.