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Chapter 6
A single day had passed since the events of the Fallen Angels, and the Fallen Angels were bound in the basement, and awaiting for a time for them to either be taken to the Grigori, or they were taken by a representative of the Grigori.
For the morning, Kazuto spent time with Yumi, finally managing to go on the date that he promised her, though she had her Devil duties to do in the afternoon.
Kazuto looked over Yumi, and saw she was wearing a beautiful white dress, that was laced up at the breast area. It came down to her knee, looking like a beautiful summer dress, and Kazuto thought it looked mesmerizing on the young girl.
Kazuto took to a casual jeans and shirt look, though Yumi could see he had styled his hair so it looked windswept, and she always had admired his blue eyes, and blonde hair, she thought he looked handsome and cute.
"I have to admit Kazuto-kun, when I heard about the nun and seeing her going home with you, I was a little worried. Not that I thought she herself could do anything, I just didn't want anything to happen to you, especially since the Fallen Angels started all of this."
Kazuto adored her, she truly was a kind girl that did worry about him, and he wanted to make sure that she didn't have to worry about him anymore.
"That's really sweet. Though speaking of the Fallen Angels. Grams did a spell, and it seems like they did meet someone, but even they don't know who. Grams is getting prepared for the Incinerate Anthem user."
Kazuto's words did bring a little pause to Yumi.
"Incinerate Anthem."
"Yeah, Longinus territory."
Yumi nods her head. "Kazuto-kun, a holy item around you…truthfully, I've never been a fan of the holy side."
Kazuto raised a brow as they turned a corner. "How come?"
"Holy swords, one in particular, are the reason I died, and was brought back by Buchou."
Kazuto felt pain in his heart hearing her words. "You were killed?"
"Yeah…" She said sadly, looking down at the ground. "I was…young, when I was in the Church. An orphan, and I was drafted into a project…" Yumi's eyes begin to flicker with tears, so Kazuto gently takes her hand. "Kazuto-kun…"
"When you're ready we can talk about it if you want."
Yumi gives a thankful nod, and notices their connecting hands.
She felt the warmth of his skin, and she loved the feeling.
She allowed her hand to fully fit against his own, their fingers interlocking.
Kazuto and Yumi both smiled to one another.
"Kazuto-kun…thank you. Honestly, it was…a difficult time in my life, I even lost my life because of it."
Kazuto felt the hit to his heart.
He felt saddened to hear she had actually died because of this project she was in.
"Damn…I'm so sorry Yumi-chan."
"At first, I honestly hated being a Devil, I didn't want to be a Devil, because I had always been brought up to see Devils as the enemy, now I was the very thing that we're supposed to be scared of."
"Yeah, I get that, growing up hating Devils, now that's what you are…" Kazuto replies, squeezing her hand gently. "I guess Buchou was able to get through to you?"
"A combination of Buchou and my Master. Though I never forgot my comrades, those that lost their lives…"
Kazuto's thumb gently stroked her hand. "I'd love to hear about them."
Yumi's eyes become misty. "Y-Yeah?"
"They mean a lot to you, so I'd like to hear about these people you care about."
Yumi felt her heart flutter. "I'd love to tell you about them all. They were…they had good dreams, and I hate that they couldn't do what they wanted to do in life. They were…really good people, they didn't deserve to die…"
Kazuto, seeing her sad eyes, pulls in closer, their hands still connected, and held her in his arms, Yumi's face burning crimson as she felt his body against her own.
"I'm glad that you're here, Yumi-chan. And your friends…we can always remember them, if you talk about them, then there dreams aren't forgotten, and their lives can be spoken about happily by those that loved them."
Yumi truly loved hearing that, and felt her heart dancing in her chest.
"I'd love to tell you…"
So that's what Yumi did.
She and Kazuto went to a local restaurant and began talking about Yumi's friends, while Kazuto listened, and they kept their hands together.
She was so thankful to Kazuto, listening to her words, and offering his questions about her friends, asking what they loved, what they didn't like, who they were as people, as it meant the world to Yumi to speak about the former group of friends that she loved, with a new friend that she truly was beginning to have more feelings for the closer they became.
She wished that she didn't have to have contacts later on, as she wished to spend even more time with him.
But she also promised inside of her heart that she'd spend more time with him, and in turn to listening to her stories, she listened to the stuff from his past, and the dreams that he had.
By the end of their little date, Yumi did something unexpected, and gently kissed his cheek.
She blushed hotly, and whispered "Thank you for being with me, Kazuto-kun." while Kazuto felt his own face becoming redder at the touch of her soft supple lips, continuing the date until she had to go.
Later on during the day, like he had said they'd do, he went to a local park, and was beginning to pick flowers with Asia, both sitting on the grass, the light of the sun beams down on them.
While it wasn't really his thing, Kazuto saw that Asia was enjoying it, so he didn't mind doing it.
"Ooh wow, isn't this pretty Kazuto-san?" Asia says with a bright smile.
Kazuto nods. "Yeah, it is."
"What's your favourite flower?"
Kazuto hums in thought. "I've always liked the sunflower. Quite ironic, being a Half Devil and all~"
Asia giggled at his jokey tone, she was glad that he was laid back and earnest at the same time.
Hearing what he liked, Asia saw a few sunflowers growing close by, so she began to pick them. "Do you like being a Devil Kazuto-san?"
Kazuto, surprised by her question, answers honestly. "Anything in this world can cause troubles, so this is no different. At least with the powers I have, I can do something about the dangers I'm in, and protect others as well, so yeah, I'd say there's more up sides than downsides."
As he spoke, Asia felt like his words were reaching her as well.
She liked them, and she thought about her own past.
She looked over Kazuto, seeing his gentle smile, she really was happy that she met Kazuto.
"I hope that you remember everything you want to know, from your past. And even if there are bad things, I would...what I mean is, I would hear anything you want to talk about, Kazuto-san. Since you've been helping me too."
Kazuto adopts a wide smile. "Thanks, Asia-san."
Asia giggles a little, as a thought ran through her mind.
After all he was doing for her, she thought about her past once more, and wanted to share a bit more of herself with Kazuto, who had gone way out of his way to help her, and do anything needed to give her a nice place to stay and to take care of her.
"Kazuto-san, would you like to hear about my time in the Church?"
"I'd love too." Kazuto said with a refreshing smile on his face.
That smile caused Asia to feel comfortable, and comforted at the same time.
She thought she could truly open up with Kazuto.
Kazuto listened to her story.
From when she was abandoned at the Church by her parents, how her Sacred Gear activated by healing a puppy, and how her life changed. How people viewed her, how she was basically just a being that could heal, rather than a human that wanted to have friends, and be close with others.
Then it changed when she met a Devil.
How the Devil came in, and needed her healing power, so she healed him, which Kazuto thought was a very beautiful thing, though questioned why a Devil was around the Holy Maiden.
But the Church didn't view it that way, and thought her power was evil for being able to heal other beings, including a Devils, and therefore, they didn't want a girl like that in the Church, so she was banished.
Abandoning a girl that was naive of the world, and didn't have a place to go, nearly assaulted and killed by the Fallen Angels if they hadn't met one another, he was glad that they had their encounter now.
By the end of her tale, Kazuto gently overlaid his hand with her own, seeing her pained eyes.
Appreciation went to Kazuto, as she spoke softly. "…I wonder sometimes Kazuto-san, if I had prayed harder, maybe God would have…"
Kazuto let out a deep breath. "I can't say about God or anything. But the Devil, did you ever find out what happened to him? How he was wounded?"
Asia tilts her neck. "Erm…I don't really know. Why do you ask?"
"I was just wondering, a Devil turns up to a place a Holy Maiden with healing powers happens to be in, it sounds a bit strange to me personally. Though even if it was just a coincidence, the people of the Church shouldn't have blamed you for healing someone."
"Even a Devil…its against the Church, a healing power that can heal others apart from the followers is a sinful power."
"But God made it." Kazuto posed. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't Sacred Gears his creation? If he didn't want that Sacred Gear to do that, couldn't he have made it so it didn't do that?"
Asia's mind begins to work, and the more she thought about it, the more his words made sense.
Kazuto exhales, and continues. "Regardless, if the Sacred Gear could do that due to God, or you, or whatever…I think healing others, is a beautiful thing."
Asia's cheeks became slightly flush. "I don't regret it, Kazuto-san. Even though its…happened like this, I don't regret doing what I did."
"Plus, its given you a new lease on life, hasn't it?"
Asia smiles fondly. "A new lease…"
"Exactly, you can do what you want now. Plus, I'm glad that we met one another Asia-san. To me, it doesn't matter where you came from, if you're a former member of the Church, and I'm a Half Devil…we can be friends, and we can be there for one another, right?"
Asia felt his words touching her heart.
It sounded beautiful in her ears.
It moved her so much that she was moved to happy tears.
She held his digits tightly, enjoying the movement between their fingers.
"Yes…! I'm happy Kazuto-san! I'm happy that we met too~!"
Kazuto smiled brightly, watching Asia's eyes display the happiness that her smile was always showing for the first time.
He was happy that he was able to help her out, after all of what had been happening with her.
As they picked flowers, Kazuto noticed Asia's flower ring was made up completely of sunflowers.
He watched as she put on the last one, and smiles enchantingly towards it, before she turns back towards Kazuto, and shows it towards him.
"Kazuto-san, I made this for you. I, I hope you like it."
Kazuto felt touched she had made that just for him.
He reached forward, grabbing the large flower ring, and draped it over his neck, wearing it like a long necklace.
"Thank you, I love it Asia-san."
Asia's smile was like no other, and Kazuto couldn't help but feel that right now, after the Fallen Angels were finished and dealt with, that he was able to relax together with Asia, and the others, even if it was for a short time.
Meanwhile, Rias sat quietly within her club room in the Old School Building, and was going over a few things within her hands, when she felt something strange happen.
She looked up from her desk.
But she didn't see anything.
"Must be imagining it…I didn't sense anything." She thought, and returned back to her work.
Though she felt something a little odd, and she wondered if it might be Gasper.
So, Rias puts her papers down, and begins gathering her things to leave the building.
"I don't like this feeling, maybe its because of the talk we had last night about Incinerate Anthem…I'm going to head home, its been a long day. I'll check on Gasper before I leave..."
Rias takes her bag, and heads for the door, to make sure her Bishop was safe as well, as she didn't want Gasper to become worried while she wasn't around.
She grabs the door handle, when she caught the sight of light behind her, so she darts back.
She saw a magic circle appear on the floor, flames erupting from it.
"Okay...its just that family..."
She recognized the design of the magic circle, as well as the flames, so she pulls further into the room, folding her arms and looked apprehensive about what was going to be happening, she hoped that it wasn't who she thought it was as she didn't want to deal with him right now.
However, she saw that it was Ravel, who was looking around curiously.
"Ooh, Rias-sama. Kazuto-sama isn't here?"
"No, he's not here. Can I help you with something Ravel?"
Ravel purses her lips in semi amusement. "I do have a few reasons for coming. One is Onii-sama."
Rias let out a small breath, she didn't want to have to deal with him right now.
"Did you tell him that I have until I graduate before I have to decide anything?"
"I did, but he didn't take no for an answer."
Rias withheld her feelings for the moment. "I take it you also didn't come here for reasons to do with your Onii-sama."
"Yes, that's right. I've been asked to deliver information directly from the Maou-sama's to Kazuto-sama, did you know he's-"
"The Sekiryuutei, I know." Rias finished off.
Ravel face faults.
But then she regains her composure, letting out a few calming breaths.
"Yes, that's right. And I know a few more things, I have been sent by Sirzechs-sama personally, who wishes to speak with Kazuto-sama…"
Rias sat down and listened to what Ravel had to say, and became intrigued as she begun hearing stories about Kazuto.
While that was going on, Kazuto returned home with Asia, and found that Akeno was sitting in his living room.
"Ooh, hey Akeno-san. What're you doing here?"
"Ara, your grandmother asked me to keep an eye on the Fallen Angels. We got to talking, and...well, I think they're begun seeing the error of their ways~"
Kazuto looked on curiously. "So, did they apologize for what they said?"
"Ufufu, I think they're beginning to understand the gravity of their situation now Kazuto-kun~"
Kazuto nods, glancing at Asia. "Don't worry Asia-san, we can handle it. I don't want you to have to worry."
"Okay, I'll wait here." Asia went to the couch, and sat down.
So Kazuto went to where they held the Fallen Angels with Akeno.
Going into the room, Kazuto looked between the three Fallen Angels, and saw that they looked at Akeno with worry in their eyes.
"Nooo! No please! No more Baby Shark!"
Kazuto looked questioningly to Akeno. "Baby Shark?"
Akeno adopts a small smile, and leans closer. "Ufufu, we had a good time together."
"Baby Shark is...no, its, its...its difficult...!" Raynare yelled out defiantly. "Alright! We see what we did was wrong!"
Kazuto raised a brow. "Are you saying that to get out of Baby Shark?"
Raynare's eyes flutter.
Kazuto and Akeno looked to one another.
So Akeno went to the device to switch on Baby Shark again.
"Aaaaaaaaah! No!" Raynare yells defiantly. "Stop! Don't put it on! I promise you, I've seen the error of my ways! I, I'll even tell you, about why we came here! We were told to come here for Kazuto's Sacred Gear! I didn't know he was the Sekiryuutei!"
Akeno hums as Kazuto glances at her. "Well, it seems that they've had some kind of epiphany~"
Akeno agreed. "Yes, though there's something that's been bothering me." Kazuto nods for her to continue. "Why did this person use the Fallen Angels?"
"Unless it wasn't the ringleaders time yet." Kazuto mused.
Akeno folds her arms. "But that leads me back to why the Fallen Angels? No offence to them, but they couldn't take you out, not even hurt you. Even I can see that, and if they knew so much about you, why would they think the Fallen Angels would be capable of taking you out?"
Kazuto thought about what she was saying. "I don't think it was about taking me out, somehow I think they were using the Fallen Angels. I'm not sure if that's for intel gathering, or somehow the Fallen Angels were tests, though as you said it probably wouldn't be likely, or for some other unknown reason. Right now, we don't know. But, it seems that soon its going to be over, once Gram's finds this Walburga."
"Sounds good to me. I think your conversation with Raynare was also eye opening Kazuto-kun, she did look at least somewhat remorseful."
Kazuto was glad that he got something through to the Fallen Angel. "That's good. Well, for now, we just wait, Grams is currently using her magic to search around the town."
"And I have some duties to attend too."
Kazuto bows his head. "Thank you, Akeno-san for coming to watch over the Fallen Angels. Need any help please contact me. I'm just gonna do some research, I have a few ideas for when we confront this Witch."
Akeno agreed, and split from Kazuto.
Kazuto looked to the Fallen Angels bound, and exhales. "Sorry, it seems that you were used to get to me. But, Akeno-sans been telling me you're beginning to understand what you did was wrong. I hope its genuine, because there are different ways to find happiness, you don't need to harm others to do that, the same for love. Raynare, Kalawarner, Mittelt...you have quite a bond, from what Akeno-sans been telling me and from what I've seen as well."
Raynare, Kalawarner and Mittelt listened to his words, and understood what he was saying.
They all felt unsure of what to even think now, as Kazuto disappeared out of the door.
Meanwhile, back with Rias, and Ravel, the pair were conversing for a short time about a number of things.
But then they heard a loud thudding sound, igniting worry in both of their hearts.
"What was that noise?" Ravel asks.
Rias didn't know what it was, she felt her heart sinking. "I don't know..."
Ravel felt a chill go up and down her spine, she didn't like the feeling at all.
"…So, I think I should probably be going."
Ravel tried to activate a magical circle.
But she wasn't able to do anything.
She couldn't summon one without it breaking underneath her feet, shattering like glass, particles floating all around her in her worry.
"I teleported in here, so why can't I leave?"
Rias didn't know either, looking around the room. "Someone might be blocking teleportation techniques in here, perhaps if we leave to a different room then we can teleport out of here."
"Who would stop it?" Ravel asks, feeling a little worried now.
Rias didn't want to know the answer, as she felt like it could be a dangerous situation.
"…I don't know, but I'm getting worried. So lets leave right now."
Ravel didn't argue with that, and went for the door.
Rias also does the same thing, and grabs the door handle, opening it quickly.
"Hello, red head, blondie."
Rias and Ravel were greeted with a disgruntled smirk of Freed Sellzen.
Rias gasps, pulling back as he pulls out a blade of light.
"You're an Exorcist, one that Yumi spoke about, aren't you?"
"Ding, ding, ding. Red head."
Rias scowled. "And Kazuto defeated you."
Ravel was glad to hear that, as she hoped that it meant that they'd be able to defeat him. They were High Class Devils, Ravel thought they'd be able to defeat an Exorcist like this, though she saw a confidence in Freed that she didn't like.
Freed grins like a sadist. "He did, didn't he? He's a scary guy alright, I remember when we met when we were younger, he was even way scary back then, and now…But, its alright, I'm gonna make sure that you're put on a cross, burned at the stake, so to speak."
As he said it, he pulled in closer.
Rias didn't like it, so she allowed her Power of Destruction to be summoned, surrounding her fingertips, and she aimed her hands at Freed.
Ravel also summons her flames, allowing her hands to be coated in the beautiful fire of her clans power.
Freed looked between them, his lips grinning more and more, finding it hilarious that this was happening right now.
"I never introduced myself, did I? My name is Freed Sellzen, I'm glad that we're able to meet like this. Thank you, thank you very much for helping me lure Kazuto-kun."
"Lure him…" Ravel murmured, wondering what Freed had planned for them both.
"His Boosted Gear, its a strong power isn't it?!"
Freed launched himself at Rias, while Ravel fired her flames.
Freed dodged out of the way, though his coat was burned by her quick moving attack, his hand went out towards her, Ravel felt her heart being taken in that moment when she saw something that caused her worry.
Flames of purple began to manifest in the room, and begins heading for Ravel.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Ravel placed a barrier between her and the flames, feeling weaker by the presence of the flames.
Rias used her Power of Destruction energy that fired off in a block of power, wanting to make sure that Ravel was safe as well as herself, her feelings beginning to sink when she saw the purple flames.
The energy ripped through the air, smashing against Freed's upper body.
She thought that he'd suffer a good deal of wounds from that, no normal Exorcist would be able to take that, and was glad to see the flames stopped going for Ravel before they were able to burn her body.
But Rias was shocked to see that his body hadn't been hit, and a barrier of magic had been formed, shocking Rias a good deal.
"Ooh, that was mean Onee-sama. Firing your power at me like that, its a cruel twist of fate for me, isn't it? Though I have two girls right now, trying to harm me? That isn't nice, I thought you're supposed to want to take care of me, right? Don't you want to help me?!"
Ravel looked around, and towards the door.
She saw Freed stick his hand behind him, and flames of purple gathering around the exit, so they couldn't leave so easily.
Those flames, Ravel studied them, and felt violently disturbed by them.
Like shivers were running throughout her spine, and she hated it so much, and feared it at the same time.
"Those flames…"
Rias could feel her body beginning to shake at the flames like Ravel's did.
She could feel holy power radiating from them.
It caused her skin to crawl, her body to feel heavy, and her eyes to dull as she could feel herself beginning to succumb to the flames, and they hadn't even touched her, yet because they were the ultimate weapon against people like her, a Devil, she knew one touch from them, and she'd be killed immediately.
That's when Ravel figured out what they are. "It can't be…purple flames, a humans power…it couldn't be those dreaded flames…the flames that can burn even Ultimate Class Devils into ashes without worry…its Incinerate Anthem!"
Freed grins towards Ravel, and flashes her a thumbs up.
She felt disgusted with this man, and she hated that he kept smirking.
"Like these flames? Blondie there is right, this is Incinerate Anthem. I got them from a good friend of mine."
"So, its not yours?" Ravel challenged, which made her wonder how he was able to use them if they weren't his power.
"I said I got them from a friend, and they hate you a lot. In fact, if you didn't get involved, then things could've gone much smoother than this, you understand that much don't you? Sorry, speaking to Rias Gremory then, not you blondie. Though you're also a Devil, so I'm going to enjoy cutting into your body and delivering justice to you~!"
Ravel's eyes flickered, her face crumbling the more she thought about being killed by the Holy Flames.
Rias breathed in heavily, her heart palpitating by the second.
Raising her hand, she allowed her Power of Destruction to summon, aiming it right at the enemy before her eyes.
"So you're going to keep me here? Then what? Are you going to kill me?"
"Ooh, killing you, Rias Gremory, is a really good idea. I can't wait to have a lot of fun with you. Don't forget to scream."
Rias felt her fear deep within.
The holy flames were causing her to feel it even more than she ever thought possible.
But at the same time, she wasn't going to allow Freed to win either.
As it did, Ravel saw someone stepping through the flames. Making a pathway for her as if she commanded them.
It was a woman wearing a gothic lolita outfit with many ribbons adorning her clothing.
Her eyes radiated hate and hostility towards the two in the room.
"W-Who are…" Ravel tried to ask.
But the woman waved a hand, and casually set off a cross shaped flame blast for her.
Ravel dodged out of the way, missing the flames by inches.
"Ooh, you dodged. Aah well, gotta leave Freed with something to do, give Kazuto a little message, thanks for coming Phenex-chan~" Rias looked on in anguish, wondering what she could do, seeing the Witches eyes turn to her. "My name is Walburga, and you Rias Gremory, you're gonna be coming with me."
"And if I refuse?"
Walburga snorts. "Did you not see me wielding purple holy flames? You don't have a choice. Can't get to Kazuto, so Kazuto's gonna come to me."
Rias breathes more intensely, watching as the flames circulate Walburga's hands, looking more deadly by the moment, like her entire body was going to be reduced to nothing but ash right away.
Ravel watches with worry as Walburga came towards Rias, and laid a hand on her shoulder.
Rias looked on as Walburga adopts a dark smile. "Its time to watch Kazuto-kun die, Rias Gremory."
Rias felt her heart taken at that moment, as wild purple flames danced all around their bodes, Ravel's eyes widening in worry.
Meanwhile, Kazuto went into the living room, and sat together with Asia, while Akeno had gone back home.
The pair were watching TV together, and discussing what they could do together next.
As they relaxed together, Kazuto suddenly felt a presence coming from outside of his home.
"Kazuto-san?" Asia looked on with worry.
Kazuto scowled, and walked to the window, he looked outside, and saw something surprising.
"Asia-san, stay inside. We've got company."
Asia nods her head, and Kazuto throws himself outside.
When he does, he sees magicians, and beasts beginning to form all around the area. Along with that, a barrier formed around the house, Kazuto turned to the magicians, and adopted a small smile.
"What's this? The hit squad?"
"Look who's alive."
"Yeah, its the Sekiryuutei~"
"Aww, he's so cute, I wanna kill him~"
Kazuto could see the magicians were a mix of men and women, and all looked deadly and yet were wearing sadistic smiles.
He recalled his grandmother telling him about the magicians and how Walburga was associated with them.
So Kazuto exhaled, and tightened his hand, summoning his own demonic power. The aura of his power increased, radiating from his body, all the while Boosted Gear appeared on his arm, the signature sound of [Boost!] rang out, increasing his power.
[Partner, it seems that the time to act has come.]
"Yeah, I'll send Grams a message, gotta make sure the others are safe as well." Kazuto did just that, using magic his grandmother had taught him.
The magicians though looked ready to fight and kill him.
"Fire!"
"Lightning!"
"Kill him with light!"
Kazuto saw that fire, lightning, wind, water, ice, darkness, and light magic's were firing off towards his body.
Clasping his hands together, Kazuto summoned a wall of aura, defensive magic circles begin to appear from magic, and demonic power, mixed together, creating a large wall of mixtures of different types of barriers, all which the magicians were surprised at since magic and demonic power mixing was something difficult to achieve so easily.
The attacks bombard the barriers, all the while Kazuto glanced at the house, seeing Asia at the window looking worried.
He offered her a small smile, and returned his gaze to the magicians.
"Sorry everyone, but I've got things to do!"
Kazuto raised his hand to the sky, and from his extending fingertips, Kazuto's hand lit up with demonic aura.
The swelling aura surged all around his palm, and formed an orb of demonic power.
Kazuto exhaled, and then begins to weave a spell of magic into the demonic power, allowing it to become a combined power.
"What's he doing?"
"Mixing such powers...!"
"Watch it, he's the grandson of Augusta-sama, he's got strong powers!"
The magician's tried to form barriers, but when Kazuto unleashed his power, it got another [Boost!] making it the second one, increasing the incredible power it already was, firing it off in a heavy shockwave.
The demonic power, had been laced with an explosive spell, and caused a massive explosion that obliterated a good few beasts, wiping them off of the map.
Along with that, Kazuto's explosive spell shattered the barriers they tried to raise, and the demonic power added to it smashed into their bodies, blasting them all away from Kazuto and the house, shaking the very barrier that was made to trap him inside of.
"Come on, lets fight!"
Kazuto shot himself off, and his fists begin to slam into the beasts, one shotting them, breaking down their bodies as he unleashes demonic power enhanced fists at them.
The magicians look on in worry as Kazuto mowed down the beasts they had brought, his strikes being lethal enough to cause the enemies bodies to break down under his demonic energy fueled fists.
Then when he finished off the last beast, Kazuto rushed them rapidly, moving across the ground like a speeding bullet, so they wave their hands out, and create more circles of magic, lights beginning to form.
Kazuto was a Half Devil, so light wasn't as bad to him as to Full Blood Devils, though it still would be dangerous if hit by enough.
So Kazuto recalled what his grandmother had taught him, and called upon that knowledge.
His hand went out, summoning in his hand a mass of power, launching it at the enemies.
Despite them trying to block with their magic defensive circles, cancelling their light for the time being to focus on defense, the demonic energy shattered their barriers, and carried on, completing breaking them apart.
As he did, Kazuto saw the barrier trying to contain him, so he unleashed his destructive demonic power up like a giant arrow, slamming it hard into the barrier.
"Break!"
Kazuto saw the barrier shatter all around him, and his demonic power went into the sky, like a giant firework, exploding up in the air.
Returning to the house, Kazuto checked on Asia.
"Are you..." Kazuto went to speak, when he felt a feeling coming from the school. "Shit, Buchou! Its not far, I'll run-"
"Kazuto-san! Wait, I'll go too, people might need healing!" Asia chimed.
Kazuto nods, and takes her hand, jetting off to the school.
Along the way, Kazuto felt his grandmother's presence close by, so he changed directions, and shot off down the street.
Arriving at the park, he saw his grandmother engaged in fighting magicians, summoning what looked like a cyclone of spells, blasting back the magicians, and sending them to their deaths, showcasing her immense skill that not ten, or even twenty magicians could get through her techniques.
However, something else appeared behind his grandmother, while she was blowing the magicians away.
"What the hell..." Kazuto saw a number of giant Minotaur appearing behind Augusta, wielding what looked to be axes that had magic laced through them.
Exhaling, Kazuto darted across the ground, using his incredible speed, getting behind his grandmother, unleashing numerous barriers, blocking the strikes from the creatures.
Augusta looked back, and adopted a small smile. "Nice to see you."
"Nice to see you too Grams."
Kazuto threw his hand out, summoning his demonic power.
Augusta placed her hand out towards her grandsons demonic power, and combined her magical power with his own power.
Using a unique blast of magic and demonic power, the Minotaur's didn't survive long under the attacks, being completely destroyed the opposing forces, or what remained after the Minotaur's were vanquished.
Exhaling, Kazuto turned to Augusta as Asia came in close. "Grams, I-"
"Yes, it seems Walburga's made a move, but she chose to not deliberately go for you or me, but she has appeared in town. But something seems a bit off to me. She didn't even attempt to attack me with Incinerate Anthem, unless she's going somewhere else with it. And the magicians, she'd know this wouldn't stop me long. I also noticed she or someone put up a barrier around Kuoh, teleporting directly there would be difficult and would take too long to break."
"We gotta get the others, I'll head to the school."
"Then I'll round up the other Devils in the town. Be careful."
"You too." Kazuto turned to Asia. "Lets go Asia-san."
"Yes!"
Together, they ran off since they were only blocks away from the school, while Augusta watched for a moment, before vanishing with a magical circle.
Arriving at the school, Kazuto and Asia begin running through the gates, when he heard a screeching sound.
"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Kazuto and Asia both were shocked to hear a cry coming from the Old School Building.
"Who was that? Gremory-san?" Asia asks.
"I don't think so, but someone's in danger, stay behind me."
Kazuto went to investigate, and shot up to the building.
Asia stayed behind him, his hand in hers.
Bursting through the door, Kazuto felt holy energy sweeping around them, while Kazuto heard a crying sound coming from the right, the place Kazuto knew another member of the Gremory group was.
So he shot off towards it, and made it towards a door.
He saw that it had been busted down, purple flames flickering at the door.
Along with that, he saw inside of the room, was a coffin, and also a woman with ribbons walking forward together with magicians going for the coffin. "Be a good Vampire, and come with me-"
"Get away!" Kazuto slams his hand forward, blasting right through the woman's body.
But as he did, he saw that the woman's body seemed to vanish.
It was an illusion of the woman, and holy flames remained behind, scattering around the ground as Kazuto's aura split it apart.
He saw the magicians turn on him, and summons magical circles to fight him.
But Kazuto flexed his fingers, and burst the room, slamming his hands into the two men's torso's, ejecting demonic power, and slayed them without a moments notice.
"It seems close combat isn't your strong suit huh." Kazuto went further into the room once making sure it was safe, and looked around.
On his right, he heard "Please don't kill me!" catching Kazuto's eye was a shadow.
So he investigated, seeing hidden in the coffin, was a small body. Wearing a school girls uniform, and having a face like a doll, Kazuto blinks and moves closer.
"Hey, its alright..." Kazuto said soothingly.
The eyes shift back to Kazuto and begin to look worried.
She looked up at him, and let out an "Eeek!" and went to move away.
Kazuto vaguely felt like they had met before, and his mind began racing.
That's when he did fully recalled when. "You're Gasper-san, aren't you?"
Gasper nods quickly, still shaking.
Gasper looked afraid.
So Kazuto did his best to calm the situation.
"Its alright, you're among friends here. You don't have to worry about anything, no ones going to hurt you. But I've gotta check upstairs, please stay here, I'll be right back." He promised.
"O-Okay..." Meekly, Gasper whispered.
He went to the exit, and then placed his hand on the door, creating a barrier to seal the door in case anyone came back.
Asia looked on, as Kazuto looked up. "Shit, flames...right, Asia-san, lets go."
Kazuto and Asia take off for the stairs.
Meanwhile, in a ring of holy fire, Ravel watched as Freed was approaching her.
The only reason she didn't burn was because Ravel created a wall of flames all around her.
But she saw the holy flames eating away at it, and it was only a matter of time, seeing the entire floor of the Occult Research Clubroom was engulfed in fire, and the only places that it wasn't, was the area that Freed was standing.
"Walburga-chan said that I can do what I want with you. So, why don't we get to know one another even more? Wont you think that's the best idea in the entire world? We can become friends, and even more~!"
Ravel put on a disgusted face. "I don't care who you are, but touch me, and I'll burn you to a crisp."
Freed snickered at the threat. "If you're going to threaten someone, next time maybe don't shake okay?"
Ravel looked around, but the flames were weakening her.
She wouldn't be able to escape, no matter what she did.
Even as a Phenex she couldn't do anything.
Her regeneration wouldn't work with such a holy power, she'd be killed by the flames, and she knew it.
Freed skips through the flaming circle as if it wasn't there, bending to a degree to his will, and moved his sword of light through the flames.
As he did, Ravel saw the sword being ignited by the flames, coating the entire blade in such beautiful but deadly fire that Ravel didn't know how to feel, her heart sinking more and more by the moment.
"Don't worry, I do like killing Devils. I could use my fire to burn you to a crisp. It wont be that painful, you know?"
"S-Stay away from me." Ravel breathed hard, sweat glistening her brow.
She couldn't move right now.
The holy fire was weighing down on her, and she didn't know how she was going to escape this.
Freed made it towards her, his holy flame sword swaying through the air.
She then watched him raise the blade to the sky.
"This is Devil-chan, this is where you're going to have to end!"
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Ravel screamed.
Holy fire, was her weakness as a Devil.
And being in a ring of it, she felt weak.
But now with the holy flames coming for her in the shape of a large sword, she was going to die...
Ravel was blindsided when she saw Kazuto leap into the flaming circle.
She saw his legs caught by the holy flames while he did his best to use demonic power to combat it, but managed to stop the large sword of holy flames with defensive circles, protecting both her, and himself, unleashing his demonic power, and blasted right through it, the shockwave sending Freed smashing into the wall.
While he grunts in pain from the burns, he got before Ravel protectively while Freed comes to his feet.
"What? What are you doing here?! How did you get here so fast?! What about the magicians!?" Freed scowled, his anger increasing by the second.
"Sorry Freed, looks like you're out of luck!" Kazuto pushes him back, feeling the holy flames against his legs causing him pain.
But he also saw that Ravel was close to being engulfed, so he grabs her, and holds her Princess style, Ravel's eyes looking towards him in bewilderment, their eyes meeting, and Ravel felt her heart being taken for a moment.
"K-Kazuto-sama…"
"Don't worry, I've got you." Kazuto promised the young girl.
Ravel felt her cheeks beginning to turn red.
Kazuto then faced Freed angrily.
"You don't truly control these flames, right Freed?! I saw your little friends image before!"
"Your point?!" Freed snapped.
"My point is, you've got no upgrade since the last time we saw one another, so you're going to lose again!"
Kazuto slams his foot down into the holy fire, and released a massive pulse wave of demonic power all around him.
Freed watched as the flames were being destroyed before his very eyes, the flames tried to fight the demonic power, but Kazuto's energy output outpaced the flames.
Kazuto's demonic power amazed Ravel, who saw that even though his feet and legs had been bathing in holy fire, he was able to keep going, despite knowing how much pain he would be in right now, all the while keeping her safe.
Freed was caught up in the wave of demonic power, firing him into a wall, and he let out a loud cry.
"Y-You bastard!" Freed snarled, and raised his blade. "Y-You think you can beat-"
Before he could finish, Kazuto moved swiftly across the floor.
He was bleeding from his legs, from the holy fire.
Yet, he wore a grand smile that was causing Freed's world to shake.
"No escape this time!" Kazuto moved his injured foot, and Freed received a bone breaking blow to his stomach.
"Gwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" His eyes widening in pure shock, he coughed up a large amount of blood, smashing his body into the wall.
"This time, stay down, bastard." Kazuto cursed, using his strength to knock him out.
Once confirming he was unconscious and it was safe from any lingering holy fire he might have missed, thankfully he didn't, Kazuto let out a breath, and placed Ravel down.
Ravel looked bewildered by what she saw, and then looked towards the unconscious Freed.
"Shouldn't we kill him?"
"Need all he knows first, in case Grams and the others can't find Gremory-senpai. Also, Grams told me about her apprentice going for her as well. Seems like she couldn't get to me or Grams, so she came for Buchou. Damn Witch."
Ravel thought that was logical.
Kazuto then turned to the door.
"Its okay to come in, he's stopped."
No sooner as he said it, Asia came running in, and gasped when seeing Kazuto's legs bleeding. Holy flames were deadly to many Devils, so seeing him still standing was an achievement in Ravel's eyes.
"Kazuto-san! I, I'll heal you!"
"Thanks Asia-san. Damn, those flames hurt…guess that's Incinerate Anthem for you."
"Yes, I believe it was Incinerate Anthem." Ravel explained, her face feverishly red.
Kazuto glanced at her, and smiles. "You okay?"
Ravel nods, her face turning redder by the moment. "Y, Yes, I'm quite well, thank you Kazuto-sama for asking. B-But for now, I think we should concentrate on getting you healed, a-and finding Rias-sama of course."
Kazuto nods, and watches Asia work her magic, her green healing power washing over his burned legs, cooling his skin and beginning to restore his body to normal.
While that happened, Ravel explained what happened with Rias, and Walburga coming and taking her.
Kazuto clicked his tongue, and then sighed. "Right, first I've gotta go and see Gasper-san, make sure everything's okay. Grams sent me a message she's got the others, seems like only minor inconveniences came for them."
Asia and Ravel followed after Kazuto, moving to the room Gasper was in.
Kazuto went inside, when he heard the sound of a cry.
"I, I'm sorry..."
Hearing the apology coming from the coffin, Kazuto adopted a warm face as he approached.
"Why are you apologizing? Its alright, the Witch is gone now."
"B-But Buchou wa-was kidnapped, and i-if I, I was s-stronger, then maybe...t-the W-Witch said I w-was going to be a t-tool for her..."
Kazuto could hear the pain in Gasper's voice, and see pain on Gasper's face from what brief glimpses he got.
So he kindly smiles, approaching.
But Kazuto paused, noticing a pattern in Gasper's eyes, wondering what that was.
"Your eyes..."
"I'm sorry! M-My Sacred Gear! I, It activates when I'm panicked! I can't stop it!"
Kazuto slowly nods his head, and in turn moves closer, showing a friendly and approachable smile.
"Its alright. The Witch wont do that to you, seems I scared her off before she got that far. Don't worry about Buchou, we'll find her, the Witch wants me, and will use Buchou to lure me to her. I'm sorry she came here for you, but you're safe now."
He hoped that his words were helping.
Gasper sniffled.
Seeing Kazuto bend down towards the coffin, Gasper's eyes peek over the coffin, and into his own once more, seeing a kind gentleness that lowered Gasper's nervousness, as his hand came out, gently patting the Vampire's head.
"There, no worries now." Kazuto whispered kindly, looking over Gasper, and saw no injuries, which he was thankful for.
Ravel folds her arms. "What should we do now?"
Kazuto lets out a breath, folding his arms after he checked in with his grandmother. "First, the others are on their way so once we're together, we've got to work out where Buchou is, and then save her from this Witch. Even if she wields holy flames, she wont get away with causing this mass destruction and nearly killing innocent people. Can't leave Gasper-san here, it seems the Witch might try and make a play for Gasper-san, so until we've resolved this, Gasper-san, I'll make sure you're safe."
Gasper's eyes flutter, as Kazuto offered a kind smile towards the Vampire.
"S-Senpai...y-you're kind, l-like Buchou said..." Gasper's small voice reached Kazuto's ears.
He in turn gently pats Gasper's head once more kindly, while Gasper looks up with admiration.
Through his interactions with Gasper, Ravel thought how he came rushing right in towards her, taking those flames for her, receiving holy flames to protect her.
She couldn't help but feel a warmth flowing through her chest right now.
It was bright, igniting her heart with happiness.
Though she also wanted to help out, thanks for Kazuto saving her, she wanted to do what she could.
"Kazuto-sama, its going to be a trap. She must be confident, or crazy, perhaps both."
"Ooh, I'm sure it is a trap. But we've also got some plans for her too." Kazuto's words spurred a strength in Ravel's determination. "Taking Buchou's only made me more determined. She wants me, I'll give her everything I've got."
Kazuto was ready to go to war with Walburga to save Rias while being very aware her deadly flames could be truly devastating to him, but right now, Rias was his priority.
Even if he had to come up against holy flames, even if she wielded Balance Breaker, even an army of magicians, Kazuto was going to push through them, and get the win, regain his memories, and most important, save Rias from the deadly Witch.
End chapter!
So this chapter had Kazuto bonding more with Asia, growing their friendship, along with Yumi confiding in him more about her past, and Rias receiving an unwelcomed visit from Walburga which was hid from the others thanks to an unknown enemy, taking her to bring Kazuto towards her, though Kazuto also has some plans for her as well. Ravel also appeared back, and Kazuto saved her from the deranged Freed, and Kazuto's also met Gasper, managing to get through to the Vampire, despite being shy around many.
And thank you for the peerage suggestions! Any and all suggestions always welcome!
Well, until next time, thanks for reading!
Kazuto's peerage.
Queen; Lavinia.
Rooks; Koneko, Free.
Bishops; Asia, Ravel.
Knights; Xenovia, Free.
Pawns; All Free.
Kazuto; Rias, Vali (fem), Akeno, Asia, Koneko, Yumi, Ravel, Rossweisse, Xenovia, Irina, Kuroka, Lavinia, Ingvild,