04/21/2012, Gremory's Training Ground, Early Morning.
The Gremory's magic circle just appeared in front of a luxurious massive mansion hidden in the woods located around Lake Kawaguchi. "That's Mount Fuji!" shouts excited Irumi, pointing her finger towards the snowy peak of the most famous mountain of Japan, clearly visible from the mansion during a clear day like the current one. Grayfia, who was waiting for Rias and her peerage, welcomes them with a respectful bow. "Welcome Young Lady, Lord Yuki and peerage" says the devil maid. Irumi gazes at the landscape around her. "We are near Fujikawaguchiko right? I always dreamt visiting it! I heard there is an amusement park said to be equal to Tokyo Disneyland, Fuji-Q it is!" exclaims the Red Dragon Empress. "Are you enjoying the view Ito?" asks Akeno amused by the girl's excitement. Irumi nods her head, lost in her thoughts. 'Partner focus, you aren't here for tourism nor this is a pleasure trip' admonishes Ddraig. "Sorry I got excited a bit too much..." apologizes Irumi to Rias. "Don't worry, we can come back another time after this matter is resolved and visit Fuji-Q together, what do you say?" says smiling Rias.
"You can acquaint yourselves with the Manor. Lord Yuki, may I have a few words with you in private?" asks Grayfia. While Rias and her peerage explore the manor and find their respective rooms, Grayfia approaches Makoto. "Lord Yuki, Rias explained to me you are going to train her and her peerage. If you need anything just let me know, I will stay here with you during these seven days. Lord Lucifer also thanks you for helping his sister, he'd love to personally thank you when this matter will be dealt with. Obviously when you both have time" says Grayfia, her too feeling gratitude.
'Lord Lucifer? If that usurper wants to thank us he can start to call himself in another way' growls the Morning Star. 'We've already been through this Lucifer, and Leviathan didn't seem to mind it when we met Serafall' says Kohryu hoping to calm down Lucifer. 'Leviathan is not me. I can tolerate these weaklings calling themselves devils, but one of them daring to use my name? Unacceptable' he says. 'Stop it. You're being ridiculous Morning Star' orders Izanagi-no-Okami. Lucifer does not respond; instead, he chooses to ignore him.
"I've already said it to Rias: I'm helping her because we're are friends and that's what friends do" says Makoto heading towards the manor where the others are. "I understand" says Grayfia, silently following Makoto. The maid, however, also had other orders, outside of assisting Rias and her peerage during their training. Sirzechs asked her to understand the nature and extent of Makoto's goodwill and, most importantly, if he has any resentments towards the Devil's Underworld that the Fallen Angels may have instilled in him. 'His answer seems genuine, but I understand Sirzechs' worry...' thinks the Lucifuge woman as she looks as Makoto casuallly walks towards the residence.
"This place is huge! I never saw an house so big!" shouts Irumi when she enters the mansion. "The rooms should be on the second floor" explains Rias showing where the stairs are. "I take the one closest to the stairs!" says the Red Dragon Empress launching herself towards the second floor. "She's enjoying herself" comments Kiba with a smirk on his lips. "Where are Lady Grayfia and Senpai?" asks Koneko. "They should be here any time soon" answers Rias. "I wonder what Grayfia wanted to say to Yuki," Akeno remarks. "It does not matter; we are here. Ehm... where has Ito gone?" Makoto asks, opening the door behind them, Grayfia following close behind him. Irumi hurries back to the first floor as she hears the door opening. "Sorry Senpai, I'm here now" she says. Makoto looks at the pendulum clock hanged in the back of the atrium of the mansion. "It's 8am... Give me thirty minutes and we can start" says Makoto.
Makoto is standing in the middle of the large grass field surrounding the Gremory's manor as he's studying the area. 'With whom do you want to start Universe?' asks Kohryu in trepidation. 'I will go with Kiba for starters, meanwhile I will leave you with the others' replies the boy. 'Makoto are you sure you can resist with almost all of us summoned at the same time?' asks preoccupied Messiah. 'Don't worry, it will also be some sort of training for myself, two birds with one stone'. 'Clever idea Universe' praises Odin. 'Just don't exhaust yourself Universe! Or else...' says Cendrillon, half joking and half threatening. 'What the girl is trying to say is: don't do like your usual. Not everyone was there, but I do remember well the conditions you forced yourself in after Shinjiro Aragaki's death' says Kohryu in a tender tone.
'Yes, hee hoo' says Jack Frost with a hint of sadness. 'I learnt my lesson' briefly replies Makoto, wanting to dismiss the topic as soon as possible. The blue haired boy focuses his mind and takes the evoker. He puts the gun to his head and after concentrating on the Universe Arcana he pulls the trigger. At the same time he summons Yoshitsune and Odin. "How are you feeling Universe?" asks the samurai getting closer to the boy. "Fine, two at the same time isn't too hard" answers Makoto. "Munnin" says meanwhile the All Father summoning his black crow who lands on his golden gauntlet. "Stay with the Universe" tells the norde god to his familiar crow. Munnin flies over to Makoto, resting on his shoulder. "We are ready" says Makoto to himself while looking at the crow on his shoulder.
Meanwhile inside the mansion Rias' peerage just finished preparing after gathering all their stuff. "Are we all ready?" asks Rias to them, receiving a loud confirmation for an answer.
04/21/2012, with Kiba, Morning.
"I'm in your care Senpai" says politely Kiba, bowing to Makoto. The two of them are gazing at each other standing on the levelled grass field behind the Manor, probably used usually as a picnic spot. "Before starting, Rias told me you had a Sacred Gear. What does it do?" asks Makoto. "It's called Sword Birth, it lets me create demonic swords of many types at will" explains Kiba, creating a normal katana in his hand, albeit with small traces of demonic power. 'It's similar to what you can do with the power of the Universe' comments Yoshitsune, who for now is back inside Makoto's mind. 'Test his abilities Universe, from tomorrow I will be the one sparring with him so I'd prefer to have a clearer picture of him' asks Yoshitsune. 'And Universe, don't go easy on him or else I won't be able to understand how to help him properly' adds the samurai.
"Can you make a sword for me?" Makoto asks, to which Kiba agrees and tosses him a short sword. "Now attack me" says Makoto. Kiba nods. "I'm coming Senpai". The blonde rushes at Makoto holding the katana with the blade pointed backwards using its aerodynamic to his advantage. Kiba reaches Makoto in few seconds and makes a rapid diagonal swing which is blocked by the blue messiah. The knight starts to attack with his sword again and again using the speed gifted by his evil piece to its maximum. 'Universe I said don't go easy' admonishes Yoshitsune seeing Makoto is just blocking Kiba's attacks instead of counterattacking. 'Imagine for a second to have a shadow in front of you. Not a boy' adds Yoshitsune trying to convince Makoto to not hold back. "Repression Calm!" shouts Kiba creating another sword in his hand. The new blade, ending in a triangular shape, holds a black orb on the tip which starts to absorb the air around it, creating a vacuum and a difference in pression. 'Smart, he wants to put you off balance' comments Yoshitsune, entertained by the fight.
Makoto hits Kiba's Repression Calm with the sword the blonde gave him disarming the knight. Kiba immediately reacts creating another sword in his bare hand to defend himself from Makoto's incoming attack. "Sword Birth!" shouts again Kiba summoning a sword which emerges from the ground standing between him and Makoto, using it like a shield. 'It has also a defensive usage. Interesting' says Yoshitsune starting to feel more and more interested. Makoto kicks the sword blocking his view breaking it, but Kiba already managed to get out of Makoto's range and steps to his side. Makoto turns his head, however Kiba is already above him holding a new sword. "Flame Delete!". The new sword in Kiba's hand is a sharp blade made of ice with a chilling aura. 'Now show him how it's done, I've made up my mind: he's not as bad as I thought, we can work something out' says Yoshitsune knowing what to do.
Makoto tosses away the sword Kiba gave him surprising the blonde knight. He immediately summons another one with the power of the Universe. The sword he created with his bond with Messiah, the Deus Xiphos. Kiba frowns at the sight of the sword, disgust and hate coming from his eyes. However, before he can process what he has in front of him, he sees the sword in his hands being shattered in hundreds of bright pieces as he feels Makoto's hand on the collar of his shirt. Makoto grabs Kiba by the collar and tosses him on the ground, quickly defeating him. 'Good, now I take the lead'. Makoto offers his hand to Kiba, but the blonde refuses it and instead gets up on his feet alone. "What is that sword?" says Kiba, his polite tone only a mask for his hate, a mask weak which betrays his unsettled voice. "Deus Xiphos" answers Makoto.
"Is that a holy sword?" asks Kiba, a clear frown on his face. "I guess you can call it one. A woman I fought when I first arrived here called it such now that I think about it" tells confused Makoto. Looking at the blue messiah's confusion Kiba snaps back to reality. What was he doing? It's not one of those holy swords... Senpai Yuki would never have one of them and he's not even from their world. "Sorry Senpai!" shouts Kiba with a deep bow, biting his lips from the shame causing them to bleed lightly. 'And I dare to call myself a knight? Jumping on conclusions this fast?' he thinks. "Why are you sorry? You did good" says Makoto, misunderstanding Kiba's excuse for a failure apology. "I... nothing, sorry for interrupting you" Kiba shakes his head and looks back at Makoto. "I'm ready for everything Senpai. I will train harder than anyone" says Kiba. 'With Senpai's help I could become strong enough to avenge my friends' thinks Kiba, remembering his old days as Isaiah. 'I will talk to Rias about this' appoints in his head Makoto before returning to Kiba's training.
"I am going to see how Irumi is doing, so I will leave you to someone else" says Makoto as he summons the samurai. "I am Minamoto no Yoshitsune, I will be your trainer for these seven days" seriously says the grudging warrior. Kiba's eyes widen at the sight of the persona. His master, Souji Okita: Sirzechs' knight, always told him about his idol: Minamoto no Yoshitsune; and now his master's idol is right in front of him. "It's an honour to meet a great warrior like you sir" politely says Kiba. Yoshitsune snorts. "More actions and less words blonde. Universe I will deal with this boy from now on" says Yoshitsune turning back to Makoto which nods his head and takes his leave. "Now blonde, just know that I'm not as gentle as the Universe" says Yoshitsune. "And show me the true limits of that Sacred Gear of yours".
04/21/2012, with Irumi, Morning.
{BOOST!}
{BOOST!}
{BOOST!}
Irumi's gauntlet is shining with red light as Ddraig just boosted the girl's power three times. In front of the Red Dragon Empress Fafnir is smiling with his metallic jaw, ready to start the 'little' spar. "Fafnir don't do as usual, try to contain yourself" says Kohryu in his human aspect. Grayfia watches the famous Boosted Gear in possession of Irumi, curious about its capabilities. However she's more surprised by the cyborg dragon standing like a giant in front of Rias' pawn. 'He's the Fafnir Persona? He's... strange, I bet Ajuka would love to meet him and probably analyze his body and studying it' thinks Grayfia as Irumi ends preparing herself. "Here I come Fafnir!" shouts Irumi rushing towards the dragon fist in air. 'Partner! Not like this!' says Ddraig, but the girl doesn't listen to him and continues in her run.
{BOOST!}
{BOOST!}
{BOOST!}
Although Ddraig's new boosts that makes Irumi faster and stronger, her punch doesn't even scratch Fafnir's scale. The dragon lowers his head to look at Irumi. "Magiiician you can't resolve fights with just puncheees" screeches the dragon. "Oh this was actually smart from you Fafnir" jokes Kohryu getting closer to them. 'Who's that man?' thinks Grayfia, still watching in silence. "Veryyy fun" shrieks the cyber dragon. 'I told you partner, try a different approach' says Ddraig to Irumi as the increased power effect of the Boosted Gear vanishes.
Irumi growls in frustration. "What should I do then? This is a gauntlet! Gauntlet are made for throwing punches!" protests the girl showing the Boosted Gear to Kohryu. "I'm sure it has other abilities, Ddraig?" asks the Yellow Dragon. The jewel of the gauntlet shines. "It has, the power stored inside the gauntlet can be transferred or shot" explains the Red Dragon. "Oh I have an idea!" says Irumi as her eyes shine. "Fafnir can you be my test subject pretty please?" asks Irumi with her hands in a pray position. "Of couurse Magiiiician" screeches the dragon, standing still like a punching bag. "They seem to be having fun" sighs Grayfia.
"How is Irumi doing?". Grayfia turns around to see Makoto, hands in his pockets, approaching her. "She just mentioned having an idea, but it seems she does not fully understand the Boosted Gear." Makoto nods his head watching Irumi pointing her hand like a pistol towards Fafnir. "Fafnir and Kohryu are there, I better take a look at Rias" says Makoto, with a bit of worry which doesn't go unnoticed by Grayfia. "Who's with the young Lady?" asks her. "Lucifer... yeah I better hurry" answers the boy, shocking Grayfia. "What do you mean?". Instead of answering Makoto starts running towards the manor, where Rias and Lucifer were doing her training: or whatever the Morning Star thought. "Stay here Grayfia, it's better if I go alone". The devil maid stops herself from following Makoto, fearing what the potential persona of Lucifer, the original one, might be.
'If the Great King faction comes to know of Lucifer's existence... I will inform Sirzechs about this, a new Civil War could be catastrophic'. She feels a chill down her spine, she met the Lucifer of their world and he was... evil, a devil in the true sense of the word. A madman full of himself who created an entire race just for his revenge and desire to rule over someone.
Meanwhile Irumi was thinking about a new use of her Sacred Gear. 'Senpai Himejima said magic is based on one's imagination, but I don't have enough magic power. Ddraig can I remedy that with the Boosted Gear?' asks Irumi to her partner. 'Yes, in theory. However your reserves are too low, it should require too many boosts and too much time' replies the red dragon. Irumi frowns, but doesn't give up as she tries to shoot the power stored inside the gauntlet. 'Ddraig can you boost me?' asks the girl.
{BOOST!}
"Magiiician time is our enemyy" says Fafnir who was cleaning his iron teeth with his claws in the wait. "Yes! I'm almost ready" says Irumi. The girl aims again her gauntlet like a gun trying to shoot with it. "Come on Ddraig do it!" shouts Irumi, the jewel shines.
{SHOT!} declares the Sacred Gear as a sphere of red energy is shot from the gauntlet. Fafnir lowers his head and opens his jaw, eating the sphere.
"Not baad Magiiician, I prefer foood more spicyy tho" he screeches after savouring Irumi's attack. 'He ate it?' reacts surprised Grayfia, her attention back on Irumi. 'That attack was... disappointing, but the idea wasn't bad' she thinks, the shot of power Irumi just launched wasn't even enough to scratch a middle class devil, but against Phenex's peerage weakest members should do something. "Ehy Fafnir you can't just eat my attack!" complains Irumi. "Excuse him, he gets hungry when he's bored" says Kohryu.
The Huanglong gets closer to Irumi, his walking stick hitting the ground. "Try to use more power ups and then shoot again. After discovering your limit we can start working on concentrating your shot in a more powerful bullet" suggests Kohryu. After giving a nod, Irumi resumes her work.
04/21/2012, with Rias, Morning.
At Lord Gremory's request, Ajuka Beelzebub personally constructed a special room inside the Mansion's basement. That room, a square of sturdy metal empowered by magic alloys and circles, is supposed to be a test chamber for the Power of Destruction able to withstand its basic forms. Inside it Rias is currently sitting on the ground in the middle of the room. A blonde man wearing a purple business suit with a yellow tie and black shoes is looking over the Gremory Heiress. "Mr. Cyphre, what am I supposed to do?" asks Rias, opening her eyes. "You are too eager little girl" harshly says 'Cyphre', or better Lucifer who disguised himself as Louis Cyphre. "You call your 'magic', Power of Destruction. Just know that to me, to the Universe. That is just a weak breeze" he snorts. "You don't have to say that Mr. Cyphre" pouts Rias.
"And what kind of Persona are you? I never heard about any Louis Cyphre in any mythology or folk story" she adds, oblivious of the man's true nature. "It's better for you if you don't know it girl. Now stop wasting my time, if you want to crush that vermin of Riser Phenex do as I tell you" says Lucifer with hate at the mention of Riser Phenex, an insolent brat talking about how much powerful he is without knowing the true depths of power.
Rias gulps and gets back to her meditation, why should meditation work? Her brother surely didn't meditate to become the strongest devil surpassing even the first Luci... why she's feeling a stare piercing her? Rias pivots her head towards Louise. 'Why is he looking at me like this? Can he read my mind?' thinks the girl a bit scared by Lucifer's sight piercing her soul. Rias tries to ignore him and gets back on her meditation, but she's soon interrupted again. This time by a knock on the door of the training chamber.
"Universe, what brings you here?" asks Lucifer without turning around, feeling the presence of Makoto. The boy opens the door. "Is everything alright?" he asks doubtful of Lucifer's ability to hold back. "Don't worry. I can contain myself when needed" remarks the Devil. "Don't bother us girl!" he shouts when he sees Rias losing her concentration to peek at them. "Yes, but what are you making her do?" asks Makoto. "I'm showing her the source of her power" says Lucifer, cryptic.
Rias was trying her best to ignore both Louise and Makoto. 'I never heard of devils doing meditation' she thinks, but shakes her head to kick off the thought from her mind. 'I need to clear my mind. No thoughts...'. Some more minutes passes, Rias doesn't hear Makoto's voice anymore nor Louise's one. 'Is it working?' she asks herself. Not hearing or feeling nothing the heiress decides to open her eyes. Instead of seeing the chamber she finds herself floating in a dark and empty space, no lights to be seen.
"Acceptable" comes the voice of Lucifer, still in his Louise persona. "Mr. Cyphre? Where are we?" asks the girl. "Inside the Sea of your soul, the source of the truest kind of power" explains the man in purple. "Sea of my soul? Elizabeth explained to me the Sea of Souls, is it related?" asks the red haired. "More or less. Power comes from within not without, the soul is the source of the power of persona users. Their strength of heart. In your world this doesn't apply completely, however the Sea of Souls remains" says Lucifer. "You being the Priestess of the Universe makes your soul closer to the Sea. I will awaken your true power girl. Behold".
The empty space where Rias is floating is illuminated by a massive star blazing in dark flames with a snap of Lucifer's fingers. "What is this?" asks Rias, looking in awe at the star in front of her. "This is your Power of Destruction, I just added a personal touch" explains Lucifer. Rias then opens her eyes, back in the training chamber with Cyphre in front of her. "I don't feel any different" says the girl, a bit disappointed. "What is that look of disappointment!?" asks disgusted Lucifer, shocking the girl. "Did you think I'd just gift power to you on a silver plate? I simply freed your innate strength" says Louise. Rias nods her head in understanding, she then notices Makoto is gone. "Where is Yuki?" she asks. "The Universe's location isn't of your interest now. Use your 'power'. Attack me, let's see if what I did was effective or you are just a blank tablet too hard to be written on" orders Lucifer.
04/21/2012, with Koneko, Morning.
"Come on! Throw a punch!" shouts Apollo blocking yet another fist from the sweating Koneko. The greek God and Rias' rook are exchanging punches near a creek which directly flows into the Kawaguchi Lake, but Koneko is struggling more than normal. "I don't see elegance nor power in these fists, show me something more" demands Apollo, disgusted by Koneko's lack of technique. "I'm sorry Lord Apollo, I'm trying to do it" says Koneko, knowing well she isn't trying her best and Apollo's demeanour isn't helping at all.
"Can't you at least get along with someone Apollo?" asks Makoto who just reached their location. "Ehy Universe it's not my fault if no one is worth of my radiant presence, except you obviously" replies Apollo. Koneko puffs. "Senpai why is he the one you assigned to me?" asks the shorter girl. Makoto glares at Apollo who pretends to not notice him. "Apollo? What is the problem?" Makoto's look doesn't leave room for objection as he demands a clear answer from Apollo. "This girl isn't trying it. Wasn't she a yokai of some sorts? That excuse of a goddess, what was her name? Inari, clearly recognised her as one" exclaims Apollo, making Koneko to look down in shame.
The rook gulps on the verge of tears. "I'm sorry..." she tries to say. Makoto gets closer to her, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Come back for now Apollo" says the Universe making the Sun God to delve back into his mind. "Do you want to talk about it?" softly asks Makoto sitting down next to Koneko on a rock on the creek's shore. The girl doesn't answer, lost in her thoughts. 'I'm useless...' she thinks in deep shame. "Sorry Senpai... you are doing this only to help us and I'm being a disappointment" tries to excuse herself Koneko. "That's not true, actually from what I saw you are doing the best out of you all. If it was for Yoshitsune I don't think Kiba would have lasted more than some seconds during our fist spar. Fafnir was just taking Ito's attacks without even moving an inch while Rias hasn't started her real training yet. On the other hand you were fighting at your best capabilities against Apollo without stopping. That's laudable Koneko, don't downplay yourself" says Makoto encouraging the girl with a tender smile.
"You are just saying this because you are kind Senpai" objects Koneko. She looks at her hands while wearing a dejected expression on her face. "I... I couldn't find the energy to fight... with each fist I felt more and more tired, faster than usual..." says Koneko. "What do you think is the cause of it?" asks the blue haired boy. Koneko pauses for a second, she looks at the creek's water flowing beside her and takes a deep breath. Her eyes meet Makoto's. 'Senpai's strong... he will stop me if I go mad' thinks the girl, afraid of going rogue due to using Senjutsu. She was afraid after her first attempt a few days ago due to the kegare she experienced from Izanami... and Inari's words of pity. Had it not been for Inari, her mind would not have resisted Izanami's kegare: she would have just become a mindless beast. That idea frightening her more than anything else.
"I'm scared. I fear using ki, that's why" she finally says, her voice barely audible. "I-I don't want to harm anyone Senpai, b-but I want to help the President... I-I hate being a burden" she sobs. Makoto stays there, waiting for Koneko to calm down. "Don't worry Koneko, rest for today. Don't worry about training, we still have the entire week in front of us. If you want we can visit the surroundings of this mansion" proposes Makoto. Koneko nods her head. "Thanks Senpai, but don't tell this to the President. I don't want to worry her" pleads the rook. "I wouldn't have done it either way. From the little I know about Rias it's clear she cares deeply for all of you" says Makoto.
"And I don't think Lucifer would like it" he adds, much quieter. "What have you said Senpai?" asks Koneko, not clearly hearing Makoto. "Nothing" dismisses the topic Makoto. "So do we have a deal? Wait for me and then let's go enjoy the place ok?" asks Makoto with a reassuring smile, his eyes giving off a strange sense of warmth. "Thanks Senpai" whispers Koneko.
'I am Thou. Thou art I. Thou hast established a new bond. Thou shalt have the Universe blessing when choosing to create personas of the Hanged Man Arcana'.
'The Hanged Man uh?' says Apollo not hiding his disappointment. 'Shut up, hee hoo' scolds Jack Frost angry at the music god. 'What have I done to you Jack Frost!?' complains Apollo. 'The fact that you don't realize it concerns me even more, hee hoo' says Jack Frost feeling indignation for Apollo's lack of self reflection.
Makoto then leaves Koneko alone for a while, saying that he will come back after checking on Akeno so the two of them could roam around the forest and maybe visit the nearby city. Koneko sits on the rock near the creek, she hugs her legs hiding her face. 'I am wasting Senpai's time right?' she thinks. 'I don't want to turn like Sister... I don't want to use Senjutsu. It was a mistake, a stupid mistake'. Koneko reflects while watching the stream of the water. The girl takes a small rock from the creek's riverbank and tosses it into the water. 'Senpai's a liar... everyone's so strong... Lord Apollo was watching me in disgust when I was... I wasn't even able to punch properly'. Koneko looks at her trembling hand, the memory of feeling the kegare scaring her. 'Stop. Don't think about it, don't let it consume you. Don't become like Kuroka!' orders to herself Koneko forcing herself to calm down with a couple of deep breaths.
'We need to do something Universe, hee hoo' says Jack Frost to Makoto as they walk towards Akeno's location. 'You mean about Koneko right? What do you think about it?' asks Makoto wanting to know the doll's opinion. 'She's scared, very scared, hee hoo. I've seen many kids like her during my existence, hee hoo. Child trauma is an ugly beast Universe, hee hoo' says saddened the demon doll. 'Yeah... I know it, I'll come back later, I want to see how Himejima is doing first' replies the messiah.
04/21/2012, with Akeno, Morning.
Akeno is sent flying back by a kick from the glass boots of Cendrillon, slamming her against a tree. "I'm so sorry Akeno!" shouts Cendrillon running towards the other girl. "I didn't mean to hit you so hard, sorry sorry. It's only that sometimes I can't control my strength" apologizes the dancer bowing deeply. Akeno coughs some blood making Cendrillon to wide her eyes in shock. "Diarahan!" immediately casts the persona healing Akeno.
"Thanks..." says the girl a bit annoyed by Cendrillon's excessive behaviour. "Come on Akeno! I said I'm sorry please forgive me, pretty please?" she asks making puppy eyes. Akeno sighs before getting up. "I forgive you, happy?". Cendrillon nods her head. "Ok ok now next phase of our special training. Or are you too hurt to continue?" asks Cendrillon, despite her tone she's genuinely preoccupied for Akeno. "I can go on" replies the queen fixing her typical japanese dress worn by the shrine maidens. 'Pain is nothing if I can finally repay Rias for everything she has done for me' thinks Akeno ready to start again.
Cendrillon jumps in excitement to take some distance from Akeno. "Ok now for the magi-" before Cendrillon ends her phrase she turns around and with a swing of her leg she redirects a lighting bolt coming from Akeno. "Akeno! Why would you do that!!? I thought someone wanted to harm us!" shouts the dancer persona. "I just wanted a little revenge" giggles Akeno contempt of Cendrillon's reaction. "Don't do it anymore! You never know when an enemy might be lurking waiting to strike us!" protests Cendrillon still nervous, causing Akeno to smile satisfied. "So? What is this magic part you were talking about?" asks playful the Gremory's queen.
To focus, Cendrillon gives herself a gentle smack on her cheeks. "We don't have enough time to improve your overall combat capabilities, so we must focus on one aspect: your magic" declares Cendrillon. "Go on Akeno, show me a real lightning. Not that weak zap from earlier". The challenge is gladly accepted by Akeno who starts doing her best to make thunders and electricity raining down on Cendrillon who dances among the lightnings avoiding them with grace. "The only way to perfection is practice Akeno! Don't stop!" encourages Cendrillon seeing that Akeno magic is slowing down as the girl is getting tired from overuse.
"Magic is like dancing. Like the greatest ballerinas hurt their feet as they practice, until they can't even move anymore. Magicians cast their spells until their energy is completely depleted, until their minds beg them to stop, until their spirits are on the verge of crumbling. Without pain, without sacrifice you can't achieve anything Akeno!" shouts Cendrillon. "And now! Admire the grace of electrons!". Cendrillon makes a pirouette, pivoting around herself at great speed. The effect of the spinning creates an electric field around Cendrillon, when she stops the sound of the electricity surrounding Cendrillon's body becomes more and more loud. "Ziodyne!" shouts the dancer who raises her leg pointing the golden tip of her boots towards Akeno.
All through the estate, one can hear the racket of Cendrillon's lightning and see its blinding light. Luckily Akeno is spared by the magic spell, which annihilates much of the forest behind leaving a long line of wasteland, igniting numerous trees. The queen looks behind her, panting heavily due to the great struggle she just went through. 'She did that with a dance move?' thinks bewildered Akeno. "I didn't want to do that I swear it!" shouts Cendrillon hurrying towards Akeno. "The Universe will never forgive me for this... I destroyed the forest" whispers the persona in shame.
"Was it necessary?" asks Makoto, who hurried too where Akeno and Cendrillon were. Cendrillon lowers her head, not daring to look at Makoto. "Yuki how are Rias and the others doing? I hope they're with someone more contained than Cendrillon" says Akeno. "I'm contained! I just got a bit excited seeing you so commited..." says embarrassed Cendrillon. "They're doing fine, it's just the first day after all" replies Makoto. "I can't wait to make that scumbag of Riser Phenex to suffer for all the anxiety he caused to Rias" says Akeno with a fake innocent smile, trying to conjure some sparks on her fingers. However her power reserves are too low to even use the littlest of magic.
"You're tired Himejima, rest for now. Cendrillon don't do anything reckless anymore ok?" tells Makoto restoring the order. "Yeah..." whines Cendrillon. "Thanks Yuki" says Akeno.
04/21/2012, Gremory's Training Ground, Lunch Time.
"Finally I really needed something to eat!" shouts Irumi at the top of her lungs as she launches herself to the first sit available around the large table inside the dining room of the mansion. For lunch, Grayfia made sure the table was set with all the delicious and nutritional food japanese cuisine could provide. "You seem satisfied Ito" comments Kiba, sitting down in a suitable manner, unlike Irumi. The girl nods her head already starting to eat. Rias smiles at the scene and looks at Akeno.
"And you, Akeno?" Rias inquires, drawing attention from every member of her peerage. "You didn't see it President?" asks Irumi. "See what?" asks back Rias with a look of confusion as she has just passed the last 4 hours inside that chamber. "There was a blinding light coming from where Senpai Himejima was" explains Kiba. "It was just Cendrillon being an exhibitionist" dismisses the topic Akeno rolling her eyes. "Oh Cendrillon? Like the tale Cinderella? The Little Glass Slipper?" questions Rias. "Yes the very same. Admittedly, I never would have imagined her to be so eclectic" comments Akeno.
"What about you prince charming?" asks Irumi friendly hitting Kiba's side. "Sensei is truly a paragon of sword and combat. An ideal warrior, I'm honoured Senpai Yuki assigned him to me" says Kiba, a huge amount of respect for Yoshitsune. "Sensei? Didn't you call only Souji like that?" asks Rias surprised. Souji Okita, her brother's knight, was the first person with whom Kiba opened up when he was reincarnated by her. Okita himself often referred to Kiba as a surrogate son of his. "That doesn't change my gratitude and respect for Sensei Okita" corrects Kiba, not wanting to be misunderstood.
"Souji Okita? You mean the famous samurai of the Shinsengumi?" asks Iruimi not knowing about his current devil nature. "Oh yes, he's become my brother's knight shortly before he died" explains Rias. While talking about her morning Rias notices Koneko being silent, more silent than usual. "Koneko? How did your training go?" asks tenderly Rias. "Fine." replies the short girl not leaving her sight from her plate. "Who was with you!?" asks excited Irumi unnerving Koneko. "Irumi!" chastises Rias silencing her pawn. "Lord Apollo..." answers Koneko hiding her uneasiness.
Meanwhile Makoto just returned to the manor after having a short talk with Kohryu about Irumi's training. "Lord Yuki, lunch is ready. May I ask where our other guests are?" asks Grayfia not seeing Makoto's personas anywhere. "They are here" says Makoto pointing his finger to his head. "Thanks for making lunch" he adds. "It's a pleasure, as I said we are very grateful of you helping the Young Lady" says Grayfia leading Makoto to the dining room. "Grayfia, why this marriage is being carried on even though Rias doesn't want it?" asks Makoto while walking towards the room. Grayfia stops and turns towards the boy, the question being a difficult one. "I don't want to bore you with politics Lord Yuki, but the reason is that both the Gremory and Phenex houses have many interests on this marriage. So Young Lady's will isn't taken into account" says embittered Grayfia.
"Isn't her brother one of your leaders? Can't he do something about it?" asks Makoto not understanding. "It isn't so easy Lord Yuki. If Lord Lucifer would step in then the other nobles may consider it an abuse of his powers as a Satan". In an attempt to be as recapitulative as possible, Grayfia adds. "We fought a Civil War against the descendants of the Old Satans, the predecessors of the current ones, to prevent that. When Lord Lucifer, but also the other Satans, took their new titles they cut every political bond with their former houses and swore to not do any kind of favouritism to appease the rest of the nobility".
Makoto, although understanding the reason behind it, can't accept it. "Is helping a family member, especially a younger sibling, really an abuse of power?" he rhetorically asks. 'He calls himself Lucifer and is scared of using his authority? Ridiculous' comments Lucifer. 'I will be sure that little brat can erase the insufferable chicken from existence as the real Lucifer would do' adds the Morning Star. 'Oh this is something unexpected. The evil and cold Morning Star has a soft spot for the Priestess' jokes Apollo. 'That is adorable Lucifer!' comments Cendrillon. 'I suggest you both shut your mouths or else the Universe will need to visit the Attendant sooner than expected to change his Personas' Lucifer threatens.
Grayfia doesn't answer for an instant, she agrees with Makoto. She sees Rias like a younger sister too, but the rules Sirzechs must obey are sacred. If Sirzechs had ended the marriage as he desired, the consequences would have been far-reaching. "This is why we are here Lord Yuki" eventually replies Grayfia trying to be diplomatic. Makoto just hums as he too arrives in the dining room. 'I know it's hard for you to accept it Universe, but we must tolerate it' says Kohryu. 'I know Kohryu' simply says Makoto.
"Ehy Senpai!" as soon as Makoto is seen entering the dining room he's immediately greeted by Irumi. Makoto nods his head, greeting her back, and sits down. "Yuki I want to ask you a question" says Rias. "Yes?". "Mr. Cyphre, who is he? All your other Personas are famous, but I never heard of someone named Louise Cyphre. When he ignited that star I thought he was related to the cosmos. Maybe a god related to celestial bodies, but I didn't find anything that could possibly be him" asks Rias, the identity of her mysterious 'teacher' spiking up her curiosity.
'I've already told the Priestess to give up on figuring that' grumbles Lucifer. 'Are you shy Morning Star?' mocks Apollo, making even personas like Kohryu and Odin to laugh. "It's not important" replies Makoto, not wanting to do anything else other than eat in peace. The effort of keeping summoned so many Personas at the same time hungered the boy. He spends the rest of his lunch answering briefly to some questions made by Rias and her peerage who continued to tell their mornings. 'They are a good group' comments Kohryu. 'They are indeed, hee hoo' agrees Jack Frost. 'This is the most important step, an harmonious team can go against everything' says Yoshitsune. 'Yeah, you are right' tells Makoto, with a nostalgic smile on his lips.