Ride 13: Re:Venge
12th of April, 2019 AD
"Well," Turel grumbled as he reviewed the footage of the skirmishes that he and Lailah had arranged to deal with the Gremory Peerage while each of their members were separated. "... That was a spectacular failure."
"To be fair..." Lailah remarked as she and Mittelt descended to their secret base. "... The current Evil Dragon User has demonstrated an unknown power never seen before in the history of the previous Users."
"The ability to emit an infectious rage that drives even the ambient spirits insane..." Turel muttered as he took notice of the footage of Freed and his detachment being deployed to aid Pandora. "... A seemingly useless power that doesn't even benefit the user, but somehow, that maniac used it to his advantage."
"If by 'advantage,' you mean set an entire mountain ablaze and make our children fight like idiots, then I suppose that it makes sense from a certain point of view..." grumbled Lailah as she turned towards her subordinate. "... Speaking of, Mittelt, how are our survivors?"
"Of the 120 deployed, only 44 have returned," she answered. "Among those who have returned, a third of them sustain critical injuries."
"Noted," the Fallen Angel with three pairs of blackened wings replied. "... Moving on from the Evil Dragon User's bloodbath, how did the rest of the Peerage fare?"
Turel replays the footage of various members of House Gremory's Peerage fighting against their Stray Exorcists, with the following shown:
Rias' [Power of Destruction] utterly wiping the floor with whoever it touched, rendering the armor's protective measures utterly useless. Disregarding that busted firepower, her default firepower was nothing to sneeze at, her raw demonic energy pummeling their combatants that got too careless, nor their own firepower could even faze the scion of House Gremory nor her barriers. In short, a rising star among the High-Class Devils, as expected of the "Crimson-Haired Princess of Ruin."
"... Perhaps we shouldn't let our children deal with a High-Class Devil," Lailah commented. "... If it comes to it, I'll deal with her myself when the time comes."
"Don't count me out," Turel pointed out. "Just because I'm combat support doesn't mean I have the will nor powers to make her beg for mercy."
The two Fallen Angels nod in agreement while Mittelt nods in silence, knowing that even though she was lucky enough to not eat a direct [Power of Destruction] herself, she knew that the red-haired Devil was formidable, remembering how she was able to deal with her and Dohnaseek by herself.
"... What about the rest of them, Lord Turel?" asked the lesser Fallen Angel.
"Ah, right," the superior Fallen Angel remarked. "Thank you for the reminder."
He then replays the footages of Akeno, Yuuto, and Koneko fighting, with each of the clip showing the following:
The Gremory Queen was unleashing a barrage of elemental spells towards the Stray Exorcists, keeping them at arm's length and pinned down like some sort of one-woman artillery bombardment. Fireballs, earthen spires, cyclones, icicles, and blasts of thunderbolts, all of them were used prudently and tactically, wasting not a single shot as her prey cowered before their imminent demise.
"... Remind me, but she's Middle-Class, correct?" Lailah commented. "Because from what I see, she's edging towards High-Class with her prowess and mastery of the elements."
"Chalk that up to her personal experience, I assume," Turel semi-dismissively replied. "... Although with that said, I can't help but feel uneasy looking at her every time lightning flashes near her."
Mittelt nods in agreement, the footage, while an imperfect recreation of reality, couldn't help but remind her of a certain legendary figure within the Fallen Angel's collective subconsciousness.
Moving on, they then watched the Rook's combat performance, which could be demonstrated as a 1 VS 100 kumite-test with the odds completely in her favor. The little Rook's body was coated in ki, allowing her to shrug off some of the holy blades and bullets shot at her, giving her enough leeway to pummel them with her tiny fists that sent scores of them flying with a single blow, putting them into a dazed state before she picked them off one by one, whether by snapping their necks from behind or using their own firearms against them executioner-style. Combined with her small stature, she was both a tricky target to pin down and a lethal close-range combatant, causing some of the Stray Exorcists to flee from battle to not test their own luck.
"... That's Senjutsu," commented Lailah. "Granted, her application is sloppy, but the way she's using them... she shows great promise should she be allowed enough time to master them."
"... I'll put her on 'high-priority' of our list of targets," Turel informed as he took out his phone before tapping away for a few seconds. "... Be sure that the rest of our children are informed of this, understood, Mittelt?"
"Y-Yes milord," she stammered, admittedly a little terrified that someone equal to her stature could easily end her life in a moment of carelessness.
And finally, Yuuto's performance was evaluated by the three Fallen Angels. Unlike the rest of his Peerage, the Knight was about raw power and more about the sheer versatility of his Sacred Gear. [Holy Eaters] siphoned ambient holy energy directly from the Stray Exorcists' weapons and armor, [Gravity Nail] immobilized them with the increased gravitational pull on where it landed, and [Rust Order] ate away at their weakened weapons. All of them combined with the Knight's speed, the boy had made quick work of his weakened opponents with his regular swords.
"... The boy's no slouch himself," Lailah commented. "Compared to the rest of the Peerage, he appears to be a generalist who can adapt to any situation he finds himself in."
Turel nods. "That said, his lack of raw power is the sole grace we have when facing him," he pointed out. "... But I must digress, he appears to be the kind of Devil aware of his own limitations and works well within them. If there are the kinds of fighters that are competent, it is the ones that know their own boundaries."
Mittelt felt her stomach drop as that last part of her superior's words were directed towards her. "... I understand, milord."
"Good," nodded Turel as he turned around from his seat. "Now, we were able to extract the data from the survivors' armors, which means that our plan can move onto the next phase."
"... I'd like to address a few concerns." Mittelt raised her hand. "First... what do we do about that so-called 'superhero'?"
Turel sighs before making his answer. "... Lailah, that cosplayer who just pulled an Ultimate-Class Sacred Gear out of their arse and ushered the second iteration of Sodom and Gomorrah in less than an hour claimed that we only live because they allow us, correct?"
She nods, still a little uneasy about what they could do if they're unencumbered.
"Worst-case-scenario, we'll have to cut and run," Turel declared. "Not only they're the ultimate wild card in this dynamic, but they also have demonstrated to manhandle that Evil Dragon User with ease. At best, we'll have to modify our secret project's schematics to higher performance and hope that it's more than a match for them."
"I'd also like to point out the concern of letting our foes take the 'Calamity Witch' herself!" Mittelt pointed out. "Without her, all of our plans are for naught!"
"I know," Lailah acknowledged. "... But it's only a matter of time that she is returned to us. Our true masters shall make sure of that."
"... Right, forgot about that," Mittelt replied with a hint of embarrassment. "... Forgive me for speaking out of turn."
"You're still green, Mittelt," Turel pointed out. "... I understand why you're worried."
The three stew in silence before Lailah breaks it.
"... You know, an errant idea just came to me on how we can achieve our next objective," said the Fallen Angel. "... Why should it be that only the 'Calamity Witch' should be the main lynchpin of our plans?"
"What are you suggesting?" Turel asked as Lailah smirks with amusement.
"Some of our most zealous soldiers may be broken in body, but not in spirit," she pointed out. "... We still have loads of spare parts and competent staff. I take it that you know what I'm implying?"
Turel smirks at her admittedly-brilliant idea. "... Can you pull it off?"
"Without a doubt," Lailah answered.
"Then I'll leave that particular matter to you and our technicians," Turel remarked as he turned back around to his screens. "... Now, those Devils will begin seeking answers from those in power. And should the Grigori pick up upon our schemes, then all is lost. But luckily, our own leaders also hold some sway within their ranks. We can trust them to prevent our involvement being leaked to the greater public while the war hawks stir some shit up in our favor. And if we play our cards right... then our glorious war can resume."
Lailah sighs with disgust as she sits down on one of the sofas. "... Must I beget on how much I loathe politics?"
"So does the rest of our kind demanding justice, Lailah," Turel agreed. "... The world has become a sad place when our so-called leaders busy themselves squabbling like children rather than lead the people that they're supposedly responsible for."
Mittelt nods in agreement. "... Then it's up to us to make sure that we are owed our due diligence."
The three Fallen Angels then sit around in their compound as the night begins to settle in.
"... The night is still young." Lailah then gets up from her seat. "Come, Mittelt. I shall train you for our upcoming confrontation."
"Yes, milady." The lesser Fallen Angel then followed her superior outside.
But just before they could make their exit, the lead Fallen Angel stops before turning her head around to her compatriot.
"... By the way, has anyone seen Raynare?" asked Lailah. "She's not the kind of person who runs this late."
"That girl is incorrigible, I swear..." grumbled Turel as he continued reviewing the footage and collecting data.
13th of April, 2019 AD
Takeshi lets out a groan as his eyes flickered open.
"... Where am I?" he dryly heaved as his body was numb all over. "... What time is it?!"
Upon recovering fully, he then finds himself inside one of ORC's guest rooms, with Koneko sitting next to his bed.
"Morning senpai," she greeted before offering him a bottle of Pocari Sweat.
"Mornin'..." Takeshi then twists the cap off with his teeth before drinking from it. "... Pray tell, what time is it?"
"It's 10:44 AM," she revealed, causing Takeshi's eyes to widen. "Don't worry. President was able to spin up a cover story of you taking a bad tumble down the stairs and injuring your leg. Speaking of..."
She then hands him an elbow crutch and a leg cast brace.
"You'll have to wear these when you get out of here," Koneko pointed out. "Don't worry. You'll be able to take them off by next week according to 'doctor's notes'."
Takeshi grumbles before remembering something more important. "... Oh crap! What the Hell happened last night-?! GRENDEL!"
A wicked laughter bellowed from his waist as his [Cataclysm Zone] appeared. "Thanks for the meal, brat! Shame I never had my dessert, but I suppose there's always next time!"
Takeshi groans as he remembers his body trying to kill Rias. "... Son of a bitch. Why?!"
"It's honestly kind of worrying that your Sacred Gear doesn't have a kill switch in case of emergencies," Koneko remarked. "... Me and Himejima-senpai tried pushing every button on the belt while Kiba-kun and the President were holding you down. None of them worked."
"It's by design."
The two pivot their heads, spotting Re:Live leaning their back against the front door.
"Cooler-me?!" Takeshi blurted out.
"When did you get in?!" Koneko hissed in surprise.
"While you two were talking," they answered. "... I trained with ninjas for some time."
Both groan in exasperation for a short while. "... What do you mean that this thing isn't meant to have a kill switch?!"
"[Cataclysm Zone] is... unique compared to other Sacred Gears," the superhero explained. "Its innate hazard to the users is meant to incentivize hard work rather than gain immense power from the start."
"And how is that supposed to help anyone?" Koneko pointed out.
"A safety feature is a crutch," answered Re:Live. "It is the assumption of safety being the reason why the previous Users have lost their minds. Keep that in mind."
"Noted," grunted Takeshi as he looked down at his Sacred Gear. "... So what does the hard work pay off as?"
"By all estimates, it is the weakest Sacred Gear in terms of raw power, but in exchange, it possesses the highest potential for growth among its ranks," they explained. "It's just that no one has ever reached the peak of its potential, or rather, they were going about it the wrong way."
"... You mean... that your theory of 'synchronization' is the so-called 'correct' way?!" Takeshi pointed out.
"Ask Nidhogg yourself," Re:Live pointed out.
"That person speaks the truth," the Evil Dragon of Envy confirmed. "[Helfrost] wasn't even something that I was able to pull off on my own. I absolutely loathe to admit it, but it appears that our relationship has proven itself to be mutually beneficial."
"Pah! So you're saying that you're only able to get stronger just because you're now buddy-buddy with this fucking brat?!" scoffed the Evil Dragon of Wrath. "Get real! The strong are the strongest when they are at the top alone!"
"Oh really? Then why is it that you're ranked second to last, Grendel?" Re:Live pointed out, causing both Takeshi and Koneko to internally panic at this (maybe) deliberate provocation. "At this point, Nidhogg will soon surpass you because he now has tasted the pleasure of growth as long a you mindlessly self-indulge in your own echo chamber."
*rumble*
A faint tremor-like sound was heard coming from the Sacred Gear's green gem, not too dissimilar to a volcano that was about to erupt next-door.
"... You really don't want to see me when I'm truly angry," he threatened, barely emitting a growl.
"I'm counting on it," Re:Live retorted without hesitation as they then faced Takeshi. "Push the boy to his absolute limit. Get so angry that you give him a reason to get angrier. Together, your combined rage will set all evil ablaze."
Takeshi then momentarily snaps out of his funk before reaching out to Re:Live. "WAIT! WAIT! WAIT!" he cried out as the superhero left the door, causing him to take a bad spill as the sheets tangled up his legs. "... WHAT DO YOU MEAN, 'GET ANGRIER'?!"
Re:Live scoffs as they stopped before the open door. "... Find a proper reason to embrace your rage, Ryuugamine Takeshi," they vaguely answered. "... You'll know when the time comes."
Just as Koneko could peek out the open door as soon as the superhero turned the corner, Re:Live had practically disappeared. "... Asshole."
Takeshi grunts as he could feel his legs jitter like they were tased, unable to get up by himself. "... A little help?"
After School (that Takeshi missed)...
"Here's your homework for this week," Yuuto said as he handed Takeshi his papers. "... Also, Kiri-sensei and everyone else in class sends their regards."
"Oh, cool." Takeshi remarked as he looked at the assignments before getting to them. "... Speaking of, how are those three doing after, well... Okay, I may or may not have eavesdropped on Issei's visit to the faculty office."
Yuuto grumbles as he does his own homework while at ORC's main office. "... It's a funny feeling, but something's... different about them," he revealed. "... They're not as... talkative as usual. ... Except for Kiryuu-san. She's... herself. As usual."
Takeshi grumbles at her immutability. "... So, uh, you guys were busy dealing with your own share of the Church's own wayward reprobates?"
Yuuto nodded. "They were wearing the same armor as those corpses around you," he answered. "... Environmental damages aside, you were doing better than most of us."
"Is holy energy that dangerous?" Takeshi asked. "Stupid question, I know, but even after a day of holy energy resistance training, I'm shocked to find that I'm not suffering any long-term effects."
"Funny that you should mention that," he replied. "The thing about holy energy from Fallen Angels and Stray Exorcists is that their powers are dependent on how close they are to the Deus Trinity."
"... So you're saying that those assholes we've run into this week run on crappier substitutes compared to the real deal?" asked Takeshi.
"It is safe to say that comparing a Low-Class Angel to a Low-Class Fallen Angel, the former's holy energy is more dangerous to us," Yuuto answered. "However, the latter makes up for it through sheer aggression, unorthodox tactics, and getting outside help... like that girl you ran into yesterday."
Takeshi sighs. "... Pandora," he grumbled. "... How is she?"
"Her eyes are completely destroyed, but she'll live," Yuuto revealed. "Akeno and Koneko are watching over her condition while the President, Re:Live, and Sitri-san are collaborating their efforts to connect the dots between the various clues found in Chichibu."
The two boys sigh as they sit across from each other in the lonely office. "... Shit's rough, bro."
"I'm honestly surprised that you woke up within 24 hours," Yuuto pointed out. "The sheer amount of physical injuries sustained on your body was nothing short of harrowing. Nidhogg was working overtime trying to patch your body back together. I was expecting at least three days before you woke up, but you've proven yourself extremely resilient."
"Don't say that I didn't do anything for you," the Evil Dragon of Envy pointed out. "... 99,982 years left."
"Thanks all the same," Takeshi replied as he finished the last of his assignments as the sun began to set outside. "... And done!"
"Same here," sighed Yuuto as he finished his own work. "... So, how's the brace treating you?"
"Helluva excuse to stay home for tomorrow, but I know I have to get work done while this whole commission from Re:Live isn't even over yet," he pointed out. "... Personally, I really hope that those Stray Fallen Angels don't pull any shit on Sunday. Super Hero Time ain't gonna watch itself..."
"One can only hope..." sighed Yuuto before getting up from his seat. "Then again, given that they have the lowest population among the Three Biblical Races, I'd doubt that they'll act carelessly."
"So you're saying that there's not enough of those fuckers around to kill?!" Grendel suddenly spoke out from his prison. "Since when the Hell did they go around getting themselves killed before I could get my hands on them?!"
"Hey, first come, first serve..." sighed Takeshi. "Although, it could be a given that their low numbers may also account for them taking even more unpredictable measures... Sweet Satan, Fallen Angels are a tricky lot."
The two boys sigh again, utterly exhausted at the future prospects of having to deal with their future enemies.
"... By the way, Kiryuu-san said that a classmate going by Fukuda Futaba invited me to go to karaoke with her and her friends," Yuuto spoke as he brought up a different topic. "... I declined, of course. But at any rate, I'm running out of excuses to keep the girls away from me."
"Oh right, ORC is technically off the records, so you can't use our activities as an excuse," Takeshi pointed out. "... Speaking of clubs, I heard that club registrations are starting next week. Got anything in mind?"
"I have some ideas, but I'm afraid that I might end up causing a disturbance beyond my control," Yuuto sheepishly remarked as he and Takeshi remembered his reputation. "... What about you?"
"Something sports-related, maybe something low-maintenance," he answered. "... Track and field seems likely. Can't afford to train my body solely during combat."
The door behind them knocks. "It's me, Rias," the voice called out from the other side. "We're coming in!"
"Give us a second to clear out the desk!"
Both Yuuto and Takeshi clear off the coffee table as Rias, Akeno, Koneko, Sona, and two unfamiliar faces both wearing Kuoh Academy uniforms. One was a girl with a slim figure that had dark-brown hair that were styled into a pair of twin ponytails behind her head, a pair of olive-green eyes sparkling with life, and a confident smile on her face. The other was a young man with short blond hair and steely-gray eyes, similar in age to Takeshi and Yuuto, looking perfectly ordinary overall.
Takeshi lets out a whistle. "... New blood, huh?"
"My newest numbers of my Peerage," Sona pointed out as she faced her new subordinates. "... You may introduce yourselves."
"I'm Nimura Ruruko, First Year of Kuoh Academy's High School Division and the Student Council President's Pawn!" the girl energetically greeted with a large wave. "I was recruited after I accidentally clicked on the advertisement on my phone while I was at home, and I joined upon learning their circumstances! Nice to meet you all!"
Takeshi looked at Sona with a scrutinizing look. "... How?"
"Normally, a person of mundane ancestry would have to fill out a form to invoice us in advance..." the Student Council President pointed out with an embarrassed blush. "... So in my haste, I... made an exception for anyone who has a hint of arcane ancestry."
"She got chewed out by Shinra-san for three hours straight after she learned of that," Koneko snickered with a smirk. "... I wish I was there to watch."
"To request becoming a Devil without hesitation would be foolhardy... but I can tell that your soul is bright and strong-willed," Yuuto complimented. "Regardless, welcome to our world. We'll be sure to take care of each other. Okay?"
Ruruko chuckles with a toothy smile. "Thank you, Kiba-kun!"
Somehow, she needed less incentive to join this side, Takeshi thought as he recalled how he joined for power after nearly dying twice (to the same damn snake-kaijin) in a row.
"I'm next," the boy said as he stepped up. "My name is Saji Genshirou, Second Year of Kuoh Academy's High School Division, and the same status as Nimura-san. Unlike her, I have absorbed four Pawn Evil Pieces to her singular piece. I look forward to working with the rest of you in the foreseeable future."
"Hm, on the same boat as me," Takeshi remarked with a grin. "... And from the same year as me and Kiba-kun, huh? Four pieces too... Guess I have competition."
Saji then takes a wary posture against Takeshi. "... I have heard the rumors about you, Ryuugamine-san," he pointed out. "To think that you're a Devil before I was... Guess people's intuitions cannot be underestimated."
"Oi, oi, oi, I was only a Devil for like a month!" Takeshi rebutted. "And besides, the whole 'boogeyman' bullshit was beyond my control."
"I know," Genshirou consented, still keeping a serious expression on his face. "... You're the fiftieth recorded bearer of [Cataclysm Zone], the prison holding seven of the most vile Evil Dragons. Because of that, you're liable to go on a rampage from their influence. However, if you try to harm the President or to the rest of the Student Council... Then you'll have to get past me first!"
The gem around Takeshi's Sacred Gear then turns ash-gray. "Hey, Sitri-stelpa."
Sona then turned her attention towards [Cataclysm Zone], causing the two new Pawns to go into defensive positions to protect their King.
"Keep your damned dog on a shorter leash," he warned. "Or I'll put him down."
Genshirou pales before reddening with indignation. "Who-WHO ARE YOU CALLING A DOG?!"
"You, dumbass," Grendel pointed out bluntly. "... Given that you were notified of us ahead of time, I suppose you know what I did to that bitch last night, no? Perhaps you would like a demonstration?"
"You two, please shut the fuck up and stop adding gasoline to this dumpster fire..." Takeshi groans in exhaustion. "... Regardless of what my... guests say, I hope that we get along in the foreseeable future, Saji-kun."
The boy turns away with a huff. "... We'll see."
Rias' phone then vibrates before picking up a text. "... Meeting's about to start." she confirmed. "The Grigori are contacting us directly after we requested a scheduled meeting."
Akeno scowls slightly. "... Someone stand by and guard the door."
"Saji-san, Nimura-san, please provide sentry," Sona ordered. "As you two are recent additions, I'd like to keep you out of public view for now."
The two Sitri Pawns nodded as they exited the clubroom. As soon as they took position, Rias took out her laptop before turning on her ZOOM meeting call.
Rias and Sona took the main seating while Takeshi (putting away his [Cataclysm Zone], Yuuto, Akeno, and Koneko stood behind the two Kings as the meeting began.
"... Is this thing on?" the voice spoke from a blank screen reading "Official Grigori Line". "I can see our guests, but I cannot see my own face."
"Milord, your camera is off," the other voice replied.
"How do you turn the camera on?" The other Devils watched in confusion and increasing awkwardness.
"Right there, milord." The camera from the other side then turns on, revealing a tall man wearing dark robes with golden accessories around his shoulders and neck. He had long, black hair, blood-red eyes, pointy ears, and a pale complexion with a gaunt face.
"... Is he a Vampire?" asked Takeshi.
"Takeshi!" Rias hissed before turning back. "... Forgive me, milord, but he's still new."
The man on the other side shakes his head dismissively. "Pay no mind," he sighed. "... I get that a lot."
With that initial wave of awkwardness out of the way, the meeting begins.
"Greetings, Devils of Kuoh Town," the man said. "My name is Kokabiel, one of Grigori's Cadres. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Likewise," Rias replied with a bow. "I am Rias Gremory, representing House Gremory and the overseer of Nagano. Next to me is Sona of House Sitri."
"We thank you for the prompt response to our query," Sona remarked.
"Think nothing of it," Kokabiel reassured. "... After all, it is not only the Devils that are led astray from authority. And should our own rogue elements run freely any further, our relations between the Three Biblical Races would break down, and that wouldn't benefit anyone, now would it?"
No one speaks up, only as a show of silent displacement.
"... Tough crowd," Kokabiel grumbled. "... In any event, I've confirmed your findings with my superiors, and yes, it does match up with our own reports of several of our own prototype battle armors going missing from our inventory. Their motives are still unclear to us, but I suppose we'll never fully understand what goes on in the minds of those renegades."
"So you say," Rias replied with a nod. "... What about the Fallen Angel with three pairs of wings appearing with those lesser Fallen Angels? Any records of her?"
"Trust me, we'd be the first to know," Kokabiel pointed out. "... I can hazard a guess and say that she's a recently-fallen Angel, perhaps somewhere within the Second Sphere."
"A High-Class Stray Fallen Angel?!" Sona exclaimed. "Shouldn't that be of a bigger concern?!"
"Without her name and identification, we can't do anything save for issuing public warnings," Kokabiel pointed out. "... Thankfully, it's honestly a good thing that you were able to chance upon this during an officially-sanctioned commission."
"If you must know, her client has brought on my Peerage as backup," Sona revealed.
"Noted," the Cadre replied. "... Now, onto another pressing matter. Mainly, Pandora."
Takeshi's eyes widened upon the mention of her name.
Oh, this is getting interesting, snickered Nidhogg.
That wench is our meal ticket for a buffet of blood and death! Grendel cackled rapturously.
"She's under our legal protection before she disappeared one day," Kokabiel explained. "My guess is that some of our rogue elements took her for her powers... And I also heard that you have her with you. Mind returning her to us?"
Rias and Sona look towards the side. "We've... neglected to tell you something."
"What, exactly?" the Fallen Angel replied with a furrowed look.
Rias sighs. "... Takeshi, can you explain what happened to her?"
Takeshi then proceeds to explain to Kokabiel how Pandora's eyes... exploded mid-battle.
"Are you fucking kidding me...?!" Kokabiel now looks as if he needs a stiff drink right about now.
"In my defense, Kokabiel-sama, Grendel's a bit of a loose cannon every time I go into battle and/or get horrifically injured," the Evil Dragon User explained. "... In any event, I'd like to make a personal request for her sake. Can you... give us time to let her heal?"
Kokabiel then lets out the deepest and longest sigh that anyone has heard, groaning on for a whole two minutes before stopping.
"... The 19th of this month, 8:00 PM sharp," ordered the Cadre as he tried not to lose his composure. "I'll send Zephon to Hitsujiyama Park on my behalf for the retrieval."
"We understand," Rias sighed, admittedly also mentally exhausted at this meeting's rollercoaster-like frequency. "We'll keep her under tight surveillance at Kuoh in case those Strays get any funny ideas."
"Appreciated," Kokabiel remarked. "... In any event, I'll notify my subordinates to keep you updated on our own end of the investigation. I wish you all luck on your endeavors. May we meet again in more favorable circumstances."
The camera then turns off, but the meeting is still ongoing.
"SOMEONE GET ME A FUCKING BOTTLE OF JACK DANIEL'S!" barked Kokabiel's voice.
"Senpai, what are you doing?" asked Koneko as Takeshi took out his phone.
"Blackmail," he replied with a snicker as he recorded this profanity-ridden rant from the Cadre without his knowledge. "... I'm no politician, but I know how to play dirty."
"Fufufu... I like the way you think," Akeno giggled as she playfully slapped him in the ass while Rias silently turns on her mute button on her side of the video call.
"Milord, you forgot to dismiss the meeting," the subordinate pointed out.
"Wait, WHAT?!" From the blank screen, sounds of Kokabiel scrambling back to his desk could be heard before he turns the camera back on, slightly mortified that the Devils have overheard his tirade off-meeting. "... All of you heard nothing. Understood?"
Everyone nodded as the meeting ended, causing everyone to sigh in exhaustion and relief.
"... So, we officially have our deadline, everyone," Rias pointed out. "... Admittedly, I was afraid that we'd have to fight those Fallen Angels again, but alas, it's thanks to Takeshi's efforts, and Grendel for not killing the girl before we arrived last night, we now have a proper objective in mind. Keep her safe long enough for them to retrieve her, and hope that nothing dire comes out of it."
Everyone else stands in silence before Sona speaks out. "... I get a creeping feeling that there's a huge 'but' coming up."
Rias then looked back at her Peerage. "... Do any of you trust what that man says?"
"I have no reason to," Yuuto commented.
"That guy is sus as fuck," Takeshi pointed out. "... And not just because he looks like a cast member from The Lost Boys sequel that is 30 years too late."
"Nope." Koneko then ripped open her yatsuhashi from its wrapper before biting into the hard, cracker-like snack.
"I trust them as much as I trust my deadbeat of a father to strip naked and kowtow to my feet as an apology," deadpanned Akeno, barely hiding her displeasure. "... So President, why are we humoring that man's bullshit in the first place?"
"It's because of this innate need to keep the peace between races that some are willing to take advantage of."
Everyone then looks towards the door, spotting Re:Live leaning against the front door, causing everyone to yelp in surprise.
"PRESIDENT?!" Genshirou's voice cried out from the other side before the superhero opened the door to reveal themselves to the Sitri Peerage's new Pawns. "WHO ARE YOU?!"
"An ally," they answered. "... I'd also like to inform you that Pandora has woken up."
"Well what are we waiting for?!" Takeshi cried out as he rushed out the door. "Come on!"
As the rest of the Devils made their way out, Re:Live then grabbed Sona by the shoulder for a moment.
"I have the rest of the Sitri Peerage watch over her in my absence," they pointed out. "I apologize in advance for using them without your consent."
"I'll overlook it, given how high-priority our guest is."
Inside One of the Guest Rooms...
Her heart palpitated as her eyes couldn't see anything but darkness.
She tried to use the surrounding spirits to navigate her surroundings, but just remembered that she needs her eyes to detect the spirits in the first place.
All Pandora could remember seeing was her eyes literally burning out of her sockets before darkness welcomed her as its sole hostage.
"She's awake?!" an authoritative voice spoke out.
The other voices shushed the prior speaker. "... She just woke up," one of them spoke out gently. "Whatever you do, don't give her a reason to panic."
From the outside, all of ORC and the rest of the Student Council witness Pandora sitting upright, wearing her black dress minus the veil while her eyes wrapped around in a length of white bandages over her burn scars.
"... So that's Pandora?" Genshirou pointed out before turning his head towards Takeshi. "... You did this?!"
"In my defense, I was electrocuted, pile-driven, and shot a dozen times with holy bullets consecutively until I passed out," Takeshi defended before looking down. "... But seriously Grendel, what the actual fuck?"
"I, despise, magic-users," the Evil Dragon of Wrath snarled. "Cowards that do nothing but sit back and let their spells do all the fighting for them have no right to even breathe in my presence. The fact that I only stripped her of her vision is my way of showing clemency on the behalf of the brat's pleas. Pray that none of you test my tolerance any further."
"Noted," Takeshi answered before letting out a sigh. "... Hello, Pandora."
"... Evil Dragon User," she replied as her breathing quickened. "... Have you come back to finish what you've started?!"
"Sheesh, at least call me by my name..." Takeshi grumbled. "... Fuck, I can't be here. Not until she's calmed down."
"I'll watch over her," Re:Live suggested. "Everyone, get out."
Both Peerages were then chased out of the guest room where the "Calamity Witch" was in.
"... So," Sona remarked as she adjusted her glasses, "shall we call it a day?"
Rias nods in agreement. "I have to take Takeshi home soon. I promised his parents such."
Then suddenly, everyone phones vibrated at the same time, revealing that their client had DMed the following:
"I will make my leave around 12 hours to continue my own investigation regarding Chichibu. Until then, I'll keep watch over her. Can I trust all of you to take turns watching over her condition afterwards?"
Rias then texts back the following, realizing that they were now all in the same chatroom: "And pray tell, what about her eyes?"
Re:Live replies immediately after: "I know a few people who are well-versed in human transmutation. Granted, it's off-the-record, but one can't be picky, and I trust them to get the job done."
"Of course that person has friends in the underground..." grumbled Sona as she texts the following: "And how long will that take?"
"Before the 19th."
The reply sent shivers down everyone's spines of how Re:Live managed to pick up that particular date when they weren't even in the same room as them.
"... Call it a hunch, but is it possible that Re:Live bugged all of our phones?" Takeshi suggested.
"I'd be surprised if they didn't." Rias then turns off her phone.
14th of April, 2019 AD
... Brat, you're pissing me off on purpose, aren't you?
The whelp has his own ways of amusing himself, deadpanned Nidhogg. And besides, what else in this accursed world exists that doesn't piss you off?
You two had your fun two days ago, so let me have mine. Takeshi then scooped his Cornfrost cereal before shoving the spoonful into his mouth as he and his Evil Dragon guests watched Star Twinkle Pretty Cure's 11th episode, "Shine! The Power of the Southern Cross!" ... Keeping secrets sucks. I wish I could tell more people about you guys, but then I'm afraid that I might incur the wrath of the gods.
And that feeling tastes wonderful, Nidhogg chuckled as he watched through his host's eyes of seeing the Cures trying to keep the existence of their rocket ship a secret while repairing it.
What's there to be afraid of, brat? Grendel rebuked as the main character heads to the planetarium to collect her thoughts. Our existence is one that is an endless battle. What one god or a whole Pantheon of them makes any difference?
At least let me level grind before I take on final boss-material, Takeshi deadpanned as the main character's human mentor figure walked in to give her reassuring words and the legend of the Southern Cross. ... I ain't like a mindless battle maniac like you, Grendel. I rather have the freedom to pick and choose my own fights.
Grendel scoffs as the main villains show up and start causing some shit, using the corrupted MacGuffin from the previous episode to turn the three of the four enemy commanders into the monster of the week. ... We'll see how long you can keep clinging onto that privilege, brat, he growled as the amalgam monster began wrecking the rocket landing site where the suits were investigating. But know that peace is an ethereal lie, and the only truth in this world is hatred.
I'd be surprised if it wasn't, Takeshi answered as an all-out war commenced between the Cures and the giant amalgam monster of the week. ... But for now, let's enjoy our Sunday.
Both Evil Dragons scoff as the Cures perform their combined attack, the [Southern Cross Shot], allowing the heroines to reclaim the Taurus Star Color Pen from the villains as they make their hasty retreat.
At least you agree somewhat, Nidhogg pointed out. Good. It saves me from having to give you a refresher later.
I sure as Hell don't! Grendel objected. All battles are to be fought! None are to be fled from!
Takeshi grumbles before the doorbell rings. "Coming!"
He then opens the door, revealing Koneko behind it. "Sup."
"Hey yo." Takeshi then retrieves his girlfriend as she jumps into his arms like a cat. "How's your life treating you?"
Koneko snuggles against his chest before answering. "... Better now that you're here."
Takeshi smiles. "Likewise."
The two peck each other's lips before sharing the couch.
"Top of the morning, kiddo," Shiori remarked with a smirk as she came downstairs. "... Let me know if you two want something after I get back from work, alright?"
"'Kay," Takeshi replied. "Tell dad Koneko-chan said 'hi'."
"Be safe out there!" Shiori then made her way to her part-time job as Koneko waved her goodbye, leaving the couple to watch Kamen Rider Zi-O's 31st episode, which can be described as a "zombie apocalypse" of knockoff Kamen Rider Agitos.
Or rather, Another AgitΩs. Their bites infect whoever it bites and turns into them, so it counts.
Now this is more of my wheelhouse! cackled Grendel. Shame that it's nothing but play-fighting by a bunch of thespians. But I suppose it's the thought that counts!
I bet you'll love Amazons, then. Takeshi rolled his eyes before cuddling against Koneko. "... So I heard from the President that you were in charge of watching over Pandora this morning?"
She nods. "... She's kind of difficult. But given that she's blinded and all that... I can't blame her."
Takeshi sighs with regret as they watch Tsukuyomi freeze time while Schwarz is watching it unfold in secret. "... I don't know how I'm supposed to reassure her when I was the one who did that to her."
"If it helps, then I'll be there with you," Koneko pointed out. "Have to bring food for her as well, so I might as well get something for the three of us on the way."
Takeshi sighs as they watch Tsukuyomi get cornered by Schwarz now pulling her into his convoluted plans. "... The whole past week was nothing short of brutal, Koneko-chan," he remarked as he cuddled against his girlfriend. "Fallen Angels, Stray Exorcists, having to relive 2011, and Grendel coming out to play... I know my life isn't a cakewalk, but come on... give me enough time to come up with words to let me complain with."
If you can complain, then you can still proceed, Nidhogg deadpanned. ... Just confront her, whelp. If she's going to fear us, either dispel that notion or double down upon it yourself. I'll have my fill either way.
And if you want to feel a bit better, then know that I don't kill cripples, Grendel faux-reassured. ... At least, not on purpose.
Takeshi mentally curses himself as he was encouraged by the Evil Dragons themselves to visit Pandora. "... Alright, I made up my mind," he confirmed as Kamen Rider Agito himself shows up, all according to Schwarz's plans. "... I'm going to talk to her."
Koneko nods in approval before pecking his cheek with a kiss. "That's my Chūni Evil Dragon senpai," she remarked as the 5th Episode of Ryusoulger begins with Tankjoh ambushing Towa and Bamba while Kleon is conducting his own end of the plan by summoning a Cerberus Minosaur. "... That's... unique."
"Different from the usual three-headed dog monsters, that's for sure," Takeshi commented as the plans for this particular Minosaur were slowly revealed. "... Oh come on. Another dam?"
"Yep," Koneko agreed. "... You know, I have to wonder how last week's disaster will affect future episode filming."
Although I have to admit, poisoning the water supply with a venom that is able to persist long after the monster's death is quite effective, Nidhogg commented. ... Not many people nowadays appreciate the simpler plans of action.
I can do simple things better! Grendel huffed in protest. I punch, and I keep punching until I win! That's how I fight my battles!
Takeshi stares off into space as the episode ends with Towa getting poisoned after the Cerberus Minosaur was defeated. He then turns the TV off before the Crayon Shin-Chan movie could start.
"Alright, my brain is mostly checked out and I have nothing better to do today save for work," Takeshi remarked. "Mind taking me to ORC, Koneko-chan?"
She nods as she helps him out of the door, due to the Evil Dragon User being on crutches (as part of his disguise).
"... By the way, senpai," Koneko said as the two made their way to the secret magic circle. "... I know Himejima-senpai now got the hots for you."
Takeshi nervously chuckles. "... Shit, really?" he replied. "... To be honest, I was just being honest with her."
Koneko pouts before hugging his arm. "... Don't ditch me for prettier girls, okay?" she begged. "... I don't care if you're pursuing a harem, but you're my first, after all. And I won't forgive you if you leave me behind."
Takeshi nods before kissing her forehead. "Promise."
The two then warp to their designated location.
At ORC's Guest Room...
"Hey, we're here-"
*SHATTER*
Pandora had thrown her plate of apples across the room, nearly hitting Akeno.
"... That bad?" asked Koneko.
"She wouldn't even take a bite," Akeno pointed out as she left the room. "... Good luck, you two. You're going to need it."
As soon as the Queen had left her shift, Takeshi and Koneko came inside, finding Pandora balled up in the corner of her bed, wrapping herself around in her bedsheets like a protective cloak.
"... You," she shuddered as she vaguely turned her bandaged head towards Takeshi's direction. "... Evil Dragon User."
"It's Takeshi," he replied with a sigh, picking up an apple slice peeled to look like a rabbit before eating it. "... Someone's throwing a hissy fit."
"Kill me then," she hissed. "... I'd rather die than prolong this farce."
"She's serious," Nidhogg pointed out. "... There's nothing but despair in her heart."
Pandora was looking rather distressed, her body language signaling signs of great stress and anger, but almost akin to a wounded animal waiting to die rather than a human fighting for her very life.
"... I'm not going to hurt you," Takeshi reassured. "... And neither will Koneko-chan."
Pandora scoffs as she turns her head away. "... Big words coming from a damned man," she bitterly remarked. "... Your kindness is wasted on someone like me. Just leave me to die. We're enemies, aren't we?"
"You don't even count as an enemy, you dumb bitch," sneered Grendel. "I only enjoy killing people who don't want to die. If you're going to commit suicide, then do it while I'm not looking."
Takeshi grimaces as he looks down on his Sacred Gear. "... Not cool, man."
Pandora sighs with a hint of disgust. "... The whole world must be going to Hell if you're on a conversational basis with Evil Dragons," she deadpanned. "... Are you that starved of company to commit to such a bit?"
"Already going there with or without them..." Takeshi chuckled as he took a seat across Pandora. "... So, before we were here, did anyone from the President's Peerage ask you anything?"
Pandora shook her head. "... Nor do I have the means to tell them anything," she revealed. "... I have been kept in the dark for some time about the grander details of their plan, so unless you have something else to ask me about, I have nothing to tell."
"Then can we at least get names of who you know?" Koneko asked as she took out her store-bought bento box. "... We've received scant reports of a Fallen Angel with three pairs of wings, indicating that an unknown Cadre-rank might be directly involved."
Pandora scoffs. "... Lailah," she answered with a muted voice. "... I don't know where she's from, though. She just... appeared with the Stray Exorcists."
"A third party helping them out?" Takeshi remarked. "... Shit, why am I noticing a pattern?"
"It's like Hisaya's Yomi Faction getting help from... him," Koneko remarked as she remembered the old man who was watching over her after her abduction. "... And last month's Cluster with that Arachne woman and Dark Elf mercenary."
"Okay, so there's clearly someone pulling the strings from all the way back and manipulating the scenarios we run into," Takeshi hypothesized. "... Stray Devils, Stray Yōkai, and now Stray Fallen Angels with their rogue denominations, all of them getting involved with us for whatever cockamamy reason."
"... You chose to get involved with the latter," Pandora pointed out. "... I don't remember my initial captors coming towards you."
"So you just admitted that the Fallen Angels were behind Urayama Dam's collapse," Koneko pointed out, causing Pandora to flinch. "... You're not denying it."
Pandora bared her teeth. "... Clever, aren't you?"
"Okay, let's stop with the interrogation for today," Takeshi interjected. "... You're clearly stressed, Pandora-san. I won't push you when you're in distress, so for now, take care of yourself, okay?"
Pandora heaving slows down, but still a little apprehensive. "... Why?" she asked. "... Why are you going out of your way to treat me like this? Is it a sense of pity? Is it so you can have your way with me later?! Is it because you're the one who destroyed my eyes?!"
The girl then threw her pillow at Takeshi's face.
"... I don't need any of your pity," she declared before turning her back onto the pair. "... I don't care anymore. Just let me die."
Takeshi sighs. "... Is it really hard to believe that I'm doing this because I don't want to see a girl wallowing alone like this?" he pointed out. "... This side of the world has too many of those already. Circumstances be damned, enough is enough."
Pandora then lays down on her side. "... Leave the food here," she requested. "... I'll eat. But on one condition. The Evil Dragon User leaves."
Takeshi sighs. "... Easy enough."
He then gets up from his chair before heading out the door. "... Koneko-chan, you got her something to drink too, right?"
She nods as she pulls out a bottle of barley tea and a straw.
"Thanks." Takeshi then closes the door as he makes his way downstairs, utterly crushed at the result of his failure to get her heart to open up to him. "... I hope that you two enjoyed yourselves."
Nidhogg smacked his lips. "... A bit heavy on despair," he commented on the taste of the girl's turmoil. "... It's honestly a bit bland."
"Not enough pain to offset the dry aftertaste," Grendel criticized. "... I like my victims the more they resist. It draws out their agony for longer periods of time. Compared to that, that wench feels... too easy. There's nothing satisfying about kicking down a bitch that's ready to die."
"Glad to know that you two have some standards," scoffed Takeshi as he entered ORC's main office before plopping himself on one of the sofas. "... Dammit, what the Hell is going on and what do I do about her?!"
"I feel your pain, Takeshi."
He then turns his head towards the door to see Rias standing outside before coming in.
"... Hey President," he greeted.
"How's our guest?" asked Rias.
"... Good news, she gave us the name of who that Fallen Angel you, Kiba-kun, and Re:Live saw," he revealed. "... Bad news, I think she hates me. For the most obvious of reasons."
Rias sighs before shaking her head. "... Would you like some tea?"
"Yes please."
The two then sit back down after brewing a whole tea set for themselves. The leaves used this time were peppermint, good for the stress that is plaguing everyone regarding how they should deal with Pandora.
"... So her name is Lailah, then?" she pointed out.
"Sound familiar?" asked Takeshi, to which Rias shook her head.
"I'll notify my older brother to see if he could come up with any matches," she answered as she sipped on her cup. "... Still though, it's strange how a Fallen Angel with three pairs of blackened wings could be this elusive."
"Maybe she has a past that she would rather not disclose to the public?" Takeshi suggested. "I mean... we seem to run into people who have that kind of inclination."
"We'll leave the guesswork for a later date," Rias suggested as she set her cup down on the saucer.
The two Devils let out a cathartic sigh as they looked up towards the ceiling.
"... You know, with all the bullshit happening this past week, something came up in my head," said Takeshi. "... How did all of this crap come to be and why are the Fallen Angels pulling this kind of shit when they're not in the most ideal position to do so?"
Rias sighs. "... You know, when we first heard of the dam collapsing, a part of me was afraid that a member belonging to a rival faction might've been waiting for us to come to these disaster sites in an attempt to kill us," she explained. "... It happened a few times before you joined, but when I heard that Re:Live was the one commissioning us, I... felt relieved."
Takeshi groans in disgust at the implication. "... So you're saying that sometimes, those so-called 'natural disasters' and other shit-mixes are deliberate?" Rias nods. "... And to think that we Devils are the opportunistic lot."
"It's not without precedent," the King explained. "Various Pantheons despise us Three Biblical Races for stealing their faithful and watering them down into mere myths and legends."
"Sheesh, if it's that bad, then I'm beginning to think why I gave them the benefit of the doubt in regards to pragmatism," grumbled Takeshi as he sipped his tea. "... Come to think of it, how did Christianity really spread? You think given how much the polytheistic gods loathe us, you'd think they do everything they could to stop it."
Rias chuckles slightly before speaking. "Perhaps a little history lesson, then." She then drinks her tea before setting it down. "Before Christianity entered the world's collective consciousness starting in Europe, it was a bloody free-for-all between various pantheons. Zoroastrian, Egyptian, Babylonian, Norse, Slavic, and Greek gods were having their own version of the Titanomachy among themselves, until a certain agreement was made between the warring faiths."
"Which is?" Takeshi asked.
"Rather than sending the gods themselves to fight lest they want to continue fucking up the world where their believers live, they opted to instead raise certain exceptional mortals into demigods as their proxies," explained Rias. "Remember that fact, for that little clause is important. Anyway, once the representatives were chosen, a tourney between the various faiths began, and in the end, Alexander the Great, representing the Greek Pantheon, won by a landslide."
Takeshi takes a moment to connect the dots before coming up to his own conclusion. "... So Fate/Zero's Iskander being the son of Zeus himself was real?!"
"Why else do you think that he was never killed in battle every time he led his men from the front lines?" Rias remarked. "... Although I have to admit, I am a little befuddled on how he died when he contracted an epidemic from India or someone allegedly poisoning his wine... argh, I'm getting off topic. So aside from that little hiccup, the Greek Pantheon were the undisputed champions of Europe, winning every tourney in succession, even going as far to integrate themselves into Rome's faith and thus allowing that one small city-state to expand into a multi-continental empire."
Takeshi nods in acknowledgment as he then discovers what that loophole was meant for. "... Wait a minute," he said. "... The clause where the various faiths could enter the tourney... it didn't specifically bar any new, emerging faiths from entering, correct?"
"Funny you should mention that," Rias pointed out. "... Christianity itself started out as an obscure branch of the older Judaism, but they were relatively passive in those free-for-alls, preferring to keep their believers alive during those turbulent times and generally trying to integrate with the preexisting society. That is, until Deus Trinity got involved."
"The J-man himself?" Rias nods at Takeshi's remark. "... So he technically counts as a demigod despite being technically Deus Trinity's reincarnation?"
"It gets stranger still," Rias continued. "... Rather than a direct martial combat, Jesus opted for... a more indirect approach. Rather than fight the demigods head on, he instead targeted the people worshiping them, spreading his teaching and word throughout the populace in a sort of propaganda campaign. Rather than brute strength to make their opposition submit, Jesus' sheer charisma won over the hearts of the people yearning for something different. Something that will break them out of the perpetuity that they and their predecessors were trapped in. Then came his finishing blow, the Feast of the Pentecost, where the Twelve Apostles were gifted with the [Gift of Language]. In essence, it allowed them to destroy the Curse of Babel in order to reach out to the hearts of those who listened. Even after the Greek Pantheon caught wise of this deception and went as far as to turn one of the Apostles against their own, it was already too late. Deus Trinity's incarnation was made a martyr, then later resurrected, and finally ascended back to Heaven."
"A perfect recipe for immortalization..." Takeshi chuckled at how the gambit unraveled into a masterpiece of a plan to welcome a new age. "... Just by introducing a passage to break free from the curse of misunderstanding. But wait a minute, wasn't the old man upstairs the one who introduced said Curse of Babel in the first place?!"
"... Accounts are a little muddy, to say the least, but Heaven itself didn't exactly deny such a claim... So maybe?" Rias shrugged before reaching the same conclusion as Takeshi did. "... Oh, so you're hypothesizing that Deus Trinity might've planned all of this to happen since the beginning?"
"It seems rather in character for the Almighty, that's for sure," Takeshi smirked. "... After all, I did hear the notion that God is the world's greatest comedian. It's just that the rest of the world is too afraid to laugh at his jokes."
Rias chuckles at that imagery. "... You know, maybe that's why this next part makes sense," she remarked before she continued. "... Previous gods ruled through a measure of fear, even Deus Trinity to a certain extent. But the latter might've caught on that fear wasn't working anymore... so came the need to change the current status quo. It worked too well, given that once the polytheistic believers were converted, there was no turning back for them. Rather than subjugate free will through power over nature, Deus Trinity appealed to their desire to be free from fear. It is by targeting this human need to express themselves freely was what allowed the tourney system to end, and for the first time, everyone that were not human were introduced to this idea of 'possibility'. Once unimaginable and inflexible began to contemplate over their methods. Some gave it some thought, some doubled down, but everyone knew that the old age of divine contests of power was over."
Takeshi crossed his arms while thinking. "... Is that how the Renaissance happened?"
"Why yes!" Rias answered. "In fact, it was the Greek Pantheon who gave approval to the artists and inventors to 'reinvent' their concepts under the 'Classical' label. And since then, the Greek Pantheon sort of coexisted with Christianity, not as icons of faith, but as intellectual schools of how mankind perceived concepts outside of them."
"Granted, if I remember correctly, that was one of the few exceptions, no?" Takeshi pointed out.
"I never said the paradigm shift was instantaneous. didn't I?" deadpanned Rias. "Nero, Diocletian, the Nordic Kingdoms... and somehow, the Christians turned among themselves when they were split into several sects. Took a while for everyone to get the memo, but us Devils were just opportunistic pricks driving people to sin just for the heck of it. Ending chaos usually ends with introducing more chaos down the line, but such is life."
Takeshi chuckles. "... And to be fair, if it weren't for that rare exception, then other faiths wouldn't have survived to the modern day," he pointed out. "I mean, Marvel's Thor being a prominent example before the rest of Asgard got integrated into the superhero canon. And of course, Shin Megami Tensei."
Rias shudders at the mention of that franchise. "... I admit, humans are creative for a reason."
"Come to think of it, we're in that too, aren't we?" Nidhogg spoke out.
"If they didn't get me right, I swear to whatever god you worship, I will kill you!" threatened Grendel.
"Fine, fine, fine, here!" Takeshi then takes out his phone before typing in their names into the search bar.
"... Huh." Nidhogg remarked as he looked at his pale counterpart looking more akin to an eyeless wyrm. "... They actually got my color right."
"... Are you serious?" Takeshi remarked in surprise.
"My dark coloration comes from a composite refuse of rot and decay that I refuse to wash off," explained the Evil Dragon of Envy. "... And before you give me shit, does it look like that I'm the kind of person who wants or needs sunlight?"
Both Rias and Takeshi smacked their lips as they looked at the pale wyrm creature while suppressing their reaction to gag at the disgusting factoid about their version of Nidhogg. "... Fair enough."
"Only cowards resort to using camouflage!" Grendel huffed boastingly. "But enough of that last-placer. Show me my modern incarnation, brat!"
Takeshi grumbles before typing in the Evil Dragon of Wrath's name into the search bar... and comes up with a bronze-skinned giant-like creature with a single glowing amber-yellow eye from underneath its hair of chains resembling dreadlocks.
"... Acceptable," Grendel huffs. "At least that fucker looks like someone who can throw a halfway-decent punch."
Both Takeshi and Rias sigh in relief as Grendel wasn't driven to the point of having to make good on his threat.
"... Now I wonder how the other Evil Dragons would react to their modern interpretations," Rias commented. "... Or how the current Evil Dragons would react to their other modern-day representations."
"I think that's something we can worry about later down the line." Takeshi then put his phone away. "Well, thanks for clearing up the air. Now that we're getting somewhere with knowing who this week's enemy is, I think I can spare another moment of holy energy resistance training with Himejima-senpai."
Rias nods. "... I also know that she told you her background, correct?"
Takeshi nods in confirmation. "... I don't care who hurts her, you, or my friends," he said. "... Mankind, Gods, Devils, Fallen Angels, or anyone... I'll make them pay for their sins with my fists."
"You're not the only one, Takeshi," Rias pointed out. "... But whatever you do, don't you dare go off on your own, understood?"
Takeshi nods as he walks towards the magic circle in the room. "... I'll be with her, so if anything comes up regarding myself, just call me, President."
"Speaking of calling..." Rias then holds out her phone before placing her's over Takeshi's as it then conjures a glyph between the screens. "... There. Now the Fallen Angels' cyber warfare will be a non-factor. With that said, I'll still need everyone within reach so that our culprits won't isolate us unlike last week. Am I clear on that front?"
Takeshi nods before giving her a finger salute. "Ryuugamine Takeshi, heading to remedial training!"
To Be Continued...
And concludes the reboot's "Chapter 13."
Misleading title aside (unless one would interpret revenge as living well, in which case, Takeshi and Akeno are attempting to do so), this chapter is more or less a break before the shit really hits the fan.
And the main two reasons why this chapter is a bit short is that one, I've been a bit anxious of how long my chapters are and I don't want it to drag on for too long (one of my Black Clover AU-fic had a chapter that was over 50k words long), and two, I'm in an episode of seasonal depression, so motivation took a massive beating on my end.
My personal issues aside, this chapter's development took liberties from the original fic in regards to the following:
One, Pandora. Not only was she taken in by ORC a chapter early, but due to her eyes sort of... exploding and rendering blind, she's a bit surlier than her original meeting with Takeshi. This is for a few reasons, one of which being that I want her to give her a reason to get used to being around ORC and have her develop her feelings naturally through brief interactions with the Peerage members in the following chapter (and make it a pseudo-focus chapter around her). With that said, she will be retrieved on the same timetable, albeit specified to a certain date. To an extent, it's also because of that act Genshirou is also a bit more warier around Takeshi.
Two, the cut content. I may have moved around certain aspects of this chapter and other chapters from this arc's original iteration, if only due to the changes that my writing plans/context shifts demanded. At this point, a one-for-one recreation of this fic's source material is impossible (and piracy), so the least I can do for this reboot is to make it my way. That and I moved around some parts of this arc to different/previous chapters.
With that out of the way, ORC being an off the records-club makes that the other members will have to sign up for other clubs to kill some time and maybe develop some background skills.
One last note. For Kokabiel, I tried to make a Twilight OC reject-joke, but that was too low of a low-hanging fruit, so I settled for snark at The Lost Boys instead.
See you guys in the next chapter, where the final week of Re:Live's commission is fast approaching, and the Fallen Angel Cluster are going to reveal their move...