Draconis: Hrm..
Kenshin: Don't mind me, just dead over here. (enjoying a smoke)
Issei: Got any twos?
Kenshin: Nope, go groping.
Ophis: What are you two doing?
Issei: Kenshin had an Oppai Dragon themed deck of cards, so we're playing Go Groping. It's basically the Oppai (pauses)
Kenshin: Or anything really.
Issei: Right, version of Go Fish.
Kenshin: Why are you writing for this right now anyway, don't you still have a lemon to write?
Draconis: Yeah, but I'm debating on which one to write. I was thinking of writing one between you and Kuroka, but the conflict here is that she's apart of Issei's harem which means I would have to write out a lemon with Issei and one of Kenshin's harem members, barring Rias and Yukari. The latter for obvious reasons. The former because it would just feel weird to write Rias, who is deeply in love with Kenshin in my story, to be with Issei as she is in canon. So I wanted to ask my readers, should I do this, or scrap the idea? This is a one chapter review poll. If yes, I'll put a poll on my profile to decide which member of Kenshin's harem pulls a switch for a chapter. The other idea was more or less a lemon between Sona and Kenshin stemming from the scene in chapter 45.
Kenshin: Wait, where would you be posting this?
Draconis: Oh, the next separate lemon I write from this story will be posted in 'A Dragon of His Word' which I will convert into a one shot collection. Anyway. Wow kind of a weird thing to talk about considering the chapter I have to now write for this story as it is.
Dragon of the Elements.
Chapter 49
Separation.
Draconis: Begin!
(start)
Lights...above her face. That was the first sight that greeted Yukari's eyes as she awoke. "Hnn...?" She looked around. The calender read several days further than she remembered. All she saw was white, and there was no scent in the room. "...A hospital..." She thought. "Uggh..." She tried to push herself up, but her arms were weak. She turned her head to the bedside table and saw an orb. "...!" Her eyes widened, immediately recognizing it.
"Sorry...I messed up..."
"You always said my trying to do everything alone would..."
"Yukari...I'm sorry...you're just too precious for me to lose."
Kenshin's words to her, his last words to her replayed in her mind. She slowly grabbed the orb and clutched it tightly, her eyes squeezed shut. She let out a pained scream as she started to thrash around. Suddenly someone came in and restrained her. It was Kiba. "Let me go! ! " Yukari yelled.
"I can't you'll reopen your wounds at this rate!" Kiba said. "It took long enough to heal you after the Vessel of the Elements canceled out!"
"I don't care! I don't fucking care! !" Yukari screamed, tears flowing down her face. "You should have just left me to die! !"
"And then what? Would Kenshin's last actions had been for nothing? It's clear he gave you that orb there." Kiba and Yukari turned to find Raiser standing in the doorway.
"Shut up." Yukari snarled. "What would you know?"
"...What would I know...hmph..." Raiser kicked off the wall. "How about the fact that my little sister is crying at the loss of both the Sekiryuutei and the Dragon of the Elements? Or how about this for example...since this chaos started my Queen, Yubelluna has gone missing. She could be dead for I all I know. But sure, let's just pretend you're the only one, WHO LOST SOMETHING!" He shouts.
"YOU THINK I DON'T REALIZE THAT? !" Yukari shouts, getting in the Phenex heir's face. "He...He trusted me to protect his back for years, and I failed to do that! I fucking failed!"
"You were always going to fail! That man wasn't someone you could have protected forever!" Raiser said. "But now that he's gone. The bulk of his responsibilities now fall on your shoulders. Don't shame his legacy by getting yourself killed immediately after he dies."
"..." Yukari bowed her head. "...Khh!" She bit her lip, restraining a sob.
"...Mourn him and move on...we might not have started off on the best terms, but...he did become someone I could respect, and I feel like this is what he would want." Raiser said turning toward the door.
"...What do they think happened?" Yukari asked. "To your Queen?"
"I don't know." Raiser said. "We're looking into it as we speak."
Yukari nodded and looked around. "Where are my clothes?"
"Yukari you should be resting." Kiba said.
"I don't plan on doing anything strenuous but sitting in a hospital has never been my thing." Yukari said. She caught something thrown in her direction, it was a vial of Phoenix Tears.
"Your mother already paid for them." Raiser said.
Yukari nodded and poured it on her forehead. "Nngh!" She grunted as her wounds healed.
"You should still rest though. Phoenix Tears can't cure what's up here." Raiser said pointing at his temple.
"No...like I said before...there will be plenty of time to mourn after the job is complete." Yukari said.
"...Do as you wish." Raiser shrugged before leaving the room.
Yukari snapped her fingers and was dressed. "So, what's the situation?"
"Well, apparently the giant monster Kenshin-kun was fighting reappeared here, it must have either been remade or summoned here from that alternate dimension. We're calling it the Jabberwocky and the monsters that are smaller than it are called the Bandersnatch." Kiba said.
"I see." Yukari said. "Did Azazel just pull those from Lewis Carroll's work?" She asked.
"Yes." Kiba said as they left the hospital room.
"That's not what I mean however..." Yukari said. "How is everyone?" She asked.
"...Well...Miyuki-San's focusing on helping Vali recover. Xenovia and Irina still haven't returned from Heaven, so I don't know if the news has reached them yet. Same for Gasper-kun and Rossweisse." Kiba said. "Tamamo-San's been helping to heal the wounded as best as she could."
"Keep going, we've got time to talk." Yukari said.
"Koneko-Chan's...kind of bottled things up or was trying to anyway...Ravel as you heard has also been crying." Kiba said. "Asia...well." Kiba let out a sigh. "She's been fighting against her despair, but..."
"Yeah...that's grieving for you." Yukari said.
"...Kazumi-San's been helping the main force scout the monsters. Hikari-San's spending a lot of time with Azazel-Sensei, either helping with his research or trying to make a new shield. She's also been training with Evangeline-San." Kiba said.
"With Evangeline?" Yukari asked. "Hmn..." She went into thought.
"What is it?" Kiba asked.
"Huh? Oh nothing, just thinking." Yukari said.
"Chachamaru's also helping with the scouting, and using her Sacred Gear to blast them." Kiba said.
"Figures." Yukari nodded.
"Then...there's Vice Chief and Chief herself." Kiba said with a sigh.
"What's up?" Yukari asked.
"Well...Vice-Chief is really depressed, she doesn't respond to anything I say." Kiba said. "But at least you can get into the room she's in. Chief's locked herself in her room with Issei-kun's evil pieces and pictures of her and Kenshin-kun, and won't come out."
"..." Yukari went silent as she stared at the orb in her hand.
"What is that?" Kiba asked.
"I can only assume it's the last memory Kenshin had." Yukari said. "It must have been important if he needed this ferried off."
"Have you watched it?" Kiba asked.
"No." Yukari said. "This...isn't something I'm going to want to watch twice. I'll wait until everyone's ready then I'll watch it, and...Kenshin was also Sirzechs' pawn. So I'd like him to be there to see this as well."
Kiba nodded. "You know...we had talked about it before..."
"What?" Yukari asked.
"Kenshin-kun, Issei-kun and I. We had talked about the possibility of one of us dying." Kiba said.
"...if you're nervous about revealing this to me, don't be." Yukari said looking out the window. "Kenshin and I talked about it as well, mainly during our time in the past...our family's massacre, showed us how fleeting life can be, how easily it can be taken away...yet still..." She bowed her head. "I...I still can't accept it..."
"He was your brother, not only that, but someone you loved dearly." Kiba said.
"..." Yukari looked out the window again. "Can we just warp to back to Gremory Castle?"
"Of course." He laid his hand on her shoulder and activated a teleportation circle. They reappeared in the foyer of the Gremory Castle. They found Barakiel standing there, having just arrived.
"Yuuto Kiba-San, Tsuki Yukari-San." Barakiel said. He closed his eyes and bowed. "My condolences for your loss."
"Thanks." Yukari nodded. "You're here to see Akeno?"
"Yes." Barakiel said.
"Follow me." Kiba said.
Yukari and Barakiel did so, as they did they talked. "...I see." Barakiel said. "Then Akeno is..."
"Yes." Kiba nodded.
Barakiel nodded and turned to Yukari. "Lord Sirzechs wanted me to extend his thanks to you for helping with the evacuation. It's still not complete, but it's progressing better."
"Does he know?" Yukari asked.
"He does, but with the chaos right now. He can't give himself time to come visit." Barakiel said.
"I get it, being a Satan is hard work, especially in times of crisis." Yukari said.
The three arrived at the guest room and walked in, there was no light, but you could see Akeno sitting on the couch with a lifeless look in her eyes. Barakiel walked forward and approached her. He shook her shoulder gently. She looked up at him. "T..Tou-Sama...?"
"I heard the story already." Barakiel said.
"...Tou-Sama...I..." Akeno buried her face in her father's chest.
"It's OK. I am here for you, I won't leave until you've stopped crying, but you are also the Gremory Queen, who with the Kuroshi are becoming representatives of the young devils. You have to use your power for the Underworld soon, but for now. Just let it all out."
"Hee...Kenshin-kun, Issei-kun, why? !" Akeno cried in in her father's embrace.
Kiba and Yukari left the two alone. "..." Yukari stared on ahead and let out a sigh.
"What is it?" Kiba asked.
"It's what Barakiel said." Yukari said. "Sure Akeno can bounce back from this, but it won't mean much if Rias doesn't do the same."
"What do you mean?" Kiba asked.
"Can you guys really go into battle without your leader?" Yukari asked. "At least with Kenshin, he never really considered himself to be a leader, truly anyway. A group goes as their leader does. Even if it's just for a morale boost. Which after losing Issei is sorely needed for you."
"I think Kenshin-kun underestimated himself, on how much he truly led you all." Kiba said. "His strength and his very will stood as an inspiration to his allies. He wasn't a great strategist no, but not all great leaders are either."
"..." Yukari said nothing.
The two continue walking down the halls and run into Saji. "Yukari-San, I thought you were still in the hospital in Kaichou's territory."
"Phoenix Tear." Yukari said.
"Ah." Saji said. "How are you holding up?"
"..." Yukari looked out the window with a glare.
"..." Saji nodded. "I'm sorry for asking."
"..." Yukari nodded back and walked past him. "I'm going to train. Kiba, let me know if you need my help with anything."
"OK." Kiba nodded.
Yukari walked to the training area below the Gremory Compound and took out Ragnarok's scroll. "?" Ragnarok looked over at her as he emerged from the scroll. "What is it?"
"Training, now." Yukari said.
"Couldn't you ask Kenshin to train with you?" Ragnarok asked.
"Kenshin is dead." Yukari said with a scowl, not directed at the Kuroshi founder, but at the ground.
"..." Ragnarok stared at her. "And you're asking for training so soon...why?" He asked.
"Because I have to pick up where he left off." Yukari said clenching her fists.
"..." Ragnarok nodded, but snapped his fingers. Miyuki appeared next to Yukari. "E-Eh?" She said looking around.
"You are going to be joining your sister for one last training session." Ragnarok said.
"Last?" Yukari said.
"Yes, my scroll only has a limited number of uses, you're on the final one. I will try to impart as much knowledge as I can in that time." Ragnarok said.
"Alright." Miyuki nodded. "I'll join in."
"Miyuki..." Yukari said.
"I'm sick of being...this weak little sister Onii-Chan always felt he needed to protect." Miyuki said clenching her fists before wiping her eyes. "It pisses me off that I couldn't do anything for him!"
"..." Yukari closed her eyes and nodded. "I know...I know how you feel Miyuki."
"So it's settled then? OK..." Ragnarok extended his hand outward. A black nodachi appearing in his hand. "This is not Kuroi Jigoku, it is the blade I used before I killed the Spirit of Destruction and his body became the mineral I used to craft Kuroi Jigoku, by infusing it with an appropriate bone from my own body."
"Yuurei's body had the power to cancel out holy magic?" Yukari asked.
"All except for the highest levels of it." Ragnarok said. "Of course the holy canceling effect was diluted when I forged the sword. My guess is that only Lady Alipheese's bones could have kept it entirely. Now...Let's begin." He said diving toward the Tsuki sisters.
"Balance Breaker! Elemental Overdrive!"
"Hoo? Two of you can use it at once now?" Ragnarok asked.
"It was something that happened shortly before Kenshin and Issei perished." Miyuki said.
"Ddraig's host is gone too? A shame..." Ragnarok said. "Now, do not hold back. Destroy me if you can."
(break)
Yukari walked back to foyer of the Gremory Castle to find Sona leaving. "Sona?"
"Hm? Oh Yukari-San. You look...horrible." Sona said.
"Well I was training with Miyuki and Ragnarok." Yukari said.
"Ah." Sona nodded. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine." Yukari said.
Sona shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I find that hard to believe."
"...I'm just putting it off." Yukari said looking up. "After this is finished, and the Underworld is safe I'll let it out, this overwhelming grief..."
"I see, your will is almost as strong as his was." Sona said. "I wish you luck."
"What about you?" Yukari said. "I mean...I was under the impression that you and Kenshin were getting close."
"..." Sona let out a deep sigh and wiped her glasses with a cloth. "I feel...like I've lost a close friend..."
Yukari nodded. "I know Kenshin told you that if you needed his help with anything, you could call him. Well now you can call me if you like."
Sona nodded with an appreciative smile. "Thank you, I'll keep that in mind."
The doors opened and the two turned to find Sairaorg walking in. "Sairaorg? What brings you here?" Yukari asked.
"I called him." Sona said.
"And we used a private frequency so don't worry, the Great King Faction doesn't know what's going on right now." Sairaorg said.
"Yes, because I bet your father would just LOVE to rub Sirzechs' nose in it that the warrior he brought here is dead." Yukari drawled.
"?" Sairaorg looked at her in confusion. Sona whispered in his ear. "...Oh...well don't keep it in too long." Sairaorg said. "But...are you certain Kenshin is in fact dead?"
"..." Yukari sighed. "Every fiber of my being hopes that he's somehow still alive..that maybe, just maybe Ophis did something to save him, but I doubt it."
"You should loo-" Sairaorg was cut off.
"In Kenshin and I's former line or work, looking on the bright side got you killed." Yukari said.
"...I see. Well...I came to talk to Rias anyway." Sairaorg said. "Anything I have to say to you, would probably just bounce right off."
"Probably." Yukari said. "Here I'll accompany you."
"Very well. Sona-San, thanks for calling." Sairaorg said.
"Of course." Sona said turning and walking away.
Sairaorg and Yukari walked down the halls. "You know, being someone that Kenshin trusts completely, you must be pretty strong."
"Don't quite get a lot of opportunity to show it with Kenshin typically on the same battlefield as me, but yeah." Yukari said.
"Well, sometime in the near future, I'd like a sparring match with you." Sairaorg said.
"Anytime you feel like it." Yukari said with a shrug.
The two soon arrived at Rias' door where Kiba was standing. "Rias' Knight, stand aside I'm going in."
"Oh, R-Right." Kiba said.
Sairaorg opened the door and walked in. Rias was sitting at a desk. Issei's evil pieces, pictures of her and Kenshin together and the necklace and ring Kenshin gave her spread around the desk. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy.
Sairaorg let out a bored sigh. "You show me something very boring Rias."
"Why are you here Sairaorg?" Rias asked with an unpleasant tone and look.
"I received a call from Sona Sitri. She called me privately so the Great King Faction doesn't know I'm here." Sairaorg said. "Come on, it's time to go. What's the point of you and your strong servants sitting here and being useless. It's time we young devils demonstrated our power to those behind us and show the higher ups that they were right to believe in us."
"...That is none of my concern." Rias said.
"...So you would fall this low because your man and your servants whereabouts are unknown?" Sairaorg said before dodging a pillow thrown by Rias.
"A world without him in it, I don't care for a world without Kenshin! Losing Issei was bad enough, but Kenshin had to be lost too? ! He was the most important person in the world to me!" Rias shouts, tears flowing down her face.
"That man...the woman who Hyoudou Issei gladly served, the woman that Kuroshi Kenshin loved was not a woman like this!" Sairaorg said raising his voice. "Both of them kept standing up with courage one for your dream, the other for his own but both lived up to and for all I know, exceeded your expectations! How can you, the master, and the one that such a strong man loved have such a low capacity and appearance? !"
"..." Yukari stood next to the door, listening in.
"Besides, do you really believe that either of them are really dead?" Sairaorg asked. "Because I do not."
"!" Rias and Kiba both let out a gasp.
"Then that's something to laugh about isn't it? Quick question. Has Kenshin made you his wife yet?" Sairaorg asked.
"...No, we haven't gotten married yet." Rias said. "He...He even promised me he would come back."
"Then he will come back." Sairaorg said. "Him and Issei both. Just from fighting the former, I can tell he's a man who keeps his promises no matter what, and with the latter, there's too many people counting on him to keep him down."
"..." Yukari pushed off the wall and walked away. She stopped after awhile and looked out the window. "...One more time...Kenshin...can you defy death...just one more time?" She asked herself.
Later Yukari was sitting in the foyer when she was approached by Kiba. "Hey...how is everything?" She asked.
"Well, Chief's come out of her room, Vice-Chief is up and moving around. I think...we're finally starting to get back on our feet." Kiba said.
"Hn..." Yukari said.
"Also, Sun Wukong has helped lessen the strength of Samael's curse on Vali. So he should be getting over it soon." Kiba said.
"I see, that's good. Considering we're probably going to need his help taking down those monsters." Yukari said. "Miyuki should probably be a little relieved too."
"Yes. She's still with him, helping him with things until he gets his energy back." Kiba said. "Vali said it wasn't necessary, but she kept insisting, earning teasing from both Kuroka and Bikou."
"..." Yukari let out a sigh.
"I also asked Sun Wukong something about Issei-kun." Kiba said.
"Yeah?" Yukari said.
"Well as you know, Issei-kun's evil pieces didn't have any of Samael's curse in them, the only thing we were feeling it from was the Dragon's Gate." Kiba said. "Samael's curse attacks the soul, but if that stands to reason that if Issei-kun's soul was destroyed, the evil pieces, which connect to the soul and resurrect the body, would have been destroyed too."
"I see...so if I were a betting lady, Issei-kun's soul is probably safe..well as safe as it can be when it's in the Dimensional Gap." Yukari said with a sigh.
"I also asked about holy burn." Kiba said.
"? !" Yukari turned to him wide eyed. "You what?"
"I needed to know." Kiba said. "Sun Wukong also said that holy burning attacks the soul too, causing a soul drain, that would eventually destroy it if nothing was done about it."
"OK...?" Yukari said.
"I just don't think Kenshin-kun would let Shalba get the drop on him while Shalba was fighting Issei-kun, so...that leaves one person." Kiba said.
"I already know..." Yukari said letting out a sigh. "After hearing Sairaorg talk to Rias, I went ahead and watched the contents of the orb. I figured...I wasn't going to get a hold of Sirzechs any time soon."
"I see. Well that kinda what I wanted to bring up. If Kenshin-kun's soul was destroyed, wouldn't that orb crumbled to nothing?" Kiba asked. "Memories are part of the soul after all."
"..." Yukari stared at the orb.
"I'm not assuming anything, but...I think it is cause for hope." Kiba said.
"..." Yukari remained silent.
The two heard footsteps approaching them and saw Grayfia coming toward them. She wore a form fitting battle outfit, her hair tied into one braid. "You're going to the front line?" Kiba asked.
"Yes, the Lucifer Peerage is being mobilized to defend the capitol. If that holy spear makes an appearance, we need to be there." Grayfia said. "This would have been a prime opportunity for Kenshin to work alongside us, but..." Grayfria trailed off.
"Yes, I'm sure if you're out there you can handle it." Kiba said. "Tell Master Souji I wish him luck."
Grayfia nodded. Yukari glanced over at her. "What brings you here then? If you gotta head out soon, I can't imagine you have too much time to spare."
Grayfia handed a letter to Kiba. "This is from Azazel and Sirzechs-Sama. It contains the whereabouts of Ajuka Beelzebub. Take Issei's evil pieces to him. If anyone could detect any possibility from them, it's Ajuka."
"..." Yukari glanced away.
"Have him look at that memory orb as well Yukari." Grayfia said.
"Isn't this kind of out of his depth?" Yukari asked.
"No, now go." Grayfia said. "We will keep Kazumi, Chachamaru and Tamamo for the time being as they are a great help with the efforts thus far, but everyone else is welcome to go with you."
"Thanks. We'll be on our way soon, and good luck." Kiba said.
(break)
Later
"So...let me see if I got this straight. One of the Satans has a base of operations set up in Japan?" Evangeline drawled.
"I was kind of surprised by it myself." Kiba said.
The group of Kiba, Rias, Akeno, Koneko, Asia, Ravel, Yukari, Miyuki, Hikari, Sextum and Evangeline proceeded through the hallways of an abandoned building. "And apparently he spends his time here making 'games'?" Hikari said. "Huh..."
They were being led to an elevator by a woman wearing a business suit. After ascending upward using the elevator they found the roof to be a veritable garden with flowers and trees placed decoratively around. In the center of this garden was a young man sitting in a throne like chair, a mysterious aura around him. "Ajuka-Sama." Rias nodded.
"Ah, the Gremory group and the Kuroshi as well. I didn't think you'd all come." Ajuka greeted.
"Before we begin, can I ask you something?" Yukari asked.
"What is it?" Ajuka asked.
"Do you know of a Rizevim Rivan Lucifer?" Yukari asked.
"?" Rias, Kiba and Miyuki all glanced at her curiously.
Ajuka narrowed his eyes. "That name...it brings back memories, none of them good. How do you know of it?"
"Because that is the last person Kenshin fought before he succumbed to holy burning brought on by the Sixteenth Demon King using the Sword of God to stab him in the heart." Yukari said holding up the orb. "I'll let you look for yourself."
"...I see..." Ajuka said. "Well, I'll try to answer your question and look at that orb and the Sekiryuutei's evil pieces later."
"Later?" Rias asked, reaching for the evil pieces in question.
"We have company." Yukari said.
Several men appeared, each of them with a high level of aura. One of them stepped forward. "Didn't think we'd find you in the human world, Imposter Satan Ajuka." He said.
"Aaah Old Satan cohorts, always a displeasure." Ajuka responded coyly.
"Not just them." A man appeared near them. He wore a purple vest and matching combat pants and boots, but the most striking thing was the black mask he wore that covered everything except his chin and mouth. "I was sent by the Sixteenth King of Demons to assist these guys."
"Krh..." Yukari growled, gripping Kazeken.
"So, you serve that man then huh? The one who not only took my husband, but my son as well..." Hikari growled, her body quivering with barely restrained rage.
"That's right, while I can't say much about the first guy, having existed before my time, if the latter wasn't such an idiot, thinking he could take on a Demon King, wielding the sword of the Almighty. He might still be alive." The man said with a smirk.
"Grh!" Yukari seethed. "Who the hell are you?"
"I'm...just no one, and I'm just fine with that." He said, staring at Yukari with red eyes. "Though if you need a name to label me as, you can call me Neishin."
"...Betrayer?" Miyuki said with narrowed eyes.
"Why are you using voice masking magic?" Evangeline asked with a glare.
"Because I feel like it?" Neishin responded coyly.
"You know, if it weren't for the fact that I was asked to work alongside you, I'd have already killed you myself." Everyone glanced over to find Siegfried.
"How's the Annihilation Maker kid?" Neishin asked with a mocking grin.
"His wellbeing is none of your concern." Siegfried grunted.
"The ones who killed them..." Akeno spoke, scowling at them.
"Hold it back, let them make the first move." Kiba thought glancing at Yukari, who nodded back.
A cold aura starts to wrap around Sextum as she scowls. "They took him away...I...won't..." She thought, trying to hold herself back.
"Hm. I recognize the both of you." Ajuka said to Neishin and Siegfried. "You're the masked warrior that recently appeared. In fact I think you're the one who disabled Yukari over there."
"Yes, but she doesn't seem to remember me. I guess that blindside must have worked pretty well." Neishin stated blithely.
"?" Evangeline narrowed her eyes. "Yukari was blindsided in the Vessel form?"
"And you, you're the former warrior of the church, even before the alliance, our race had you labeled as a pretty big threat, Chaos Edge Sieg." Ajuka said. "So, I assume Neishin is here to provoke Kenshin's family, but why are you here."
"It's about the thing we asked you about before, how about we make an alliance, Ajuka Beelzebub?" Siegfried said.
"? !" Everyone except Ajuka, Siegfried, and Neishin widened their eyes in shock. Evangeline soon snorted. "Funny, you keep claiming the name hero, but you seem to have no problems allying yourselves with Demons and Devils."
"You are a part of the Four Satans, but you have a different ideology than Sirzechs Lucifer and you have your own authority, just as well your research relating to abnormal things surpasses other, I heard also that you can gather the same number of people as the ones that cooperate with Sirzechs.
"That's right, I had heard about that, the government is split into 4 groups and they are maintained by faction members of each Satan. The two with the most authority are Sirzechs-Sama and Ajuka-Sama. As far as the big picture they're all in agreement, but for small issues they are against each other and it comes up often in the news. They mainly have different views on technology organization." Kiba thought.
Ajuka let out a sigh. "I am certainly a Satan, a Super Devil at that. I have thrown out Sirzechs' requests numerous times and to be honest, when I read his and Kenshin's reports on the excursion to Mundus Magicus, and saw that Kenshin beat the hell out of Sirzechs. I laughed from a good, healthy spot. I realize that from the sides, it makes us look like enemies, but the 'Game' I'm currently working on is one of my favorite hobbies."
Siegfried let out a bitter smile while Neishin laughed. "So the current Beelzebub is a Game Otaku."
"Hahahaha." Ajuka chuckled. "Depends on the game really."
"We got in serious trouble because of those hobbies of yours." Siegfried said.
"Well, I can say the same to you." Ajuka countered.
Siegfried shrugged. "What attracts us the most about is that you're the only Devil who could compete against 'that' Sirzechs...not even the fourth Super Devil could say that."
"Fourth?" Rias asked with narrowed eyes.
"When Kenshin fought Rizevim, he went into the Vessel form. Rizevim went on to claim that Kenshin, in that form could stand on the same ground as a Super Devil." Yukari said.
"I wonder about that. I think a good amount of that might have been merely having nothing left to lose, because he was already going to die." Ajuka said. "Though I agree that he was getting there."
"Probably, and we could have asked him to join us if Sirzechs Lucifer didn't get to him first." Siegfried said. Yukari narrowed her eyes at him. "What, you don't honestly think that Sirzechs Lucifer was the only one keeping tabs on Ragnarok's heir do you? A lot of the factions kept tabs on him and watched him grow, Sirzechs Lucifer was just the only one to figure out that he went to the past." He turned back to Ajuka. "If we could turn one of the Satans, one of the Super Devils against Sirzechs, no amount of man power would be helpful."
"Hmn..." Ajuka nodded. "I see, it might be worth it to become a terrorist and oppose Sirzechs, just seeing the look on his face might be worth it."
"We will also give you the information and research reports, for someone like you who only makes new things, I can guarantee that this report will be something very worth your while." Siegfried said.
"I see, the information and research reports that the Khaos Brigade has, yes, it certainly does seem charming...however I don't need it, to me the alliance with you, while appealing, is something I'll have to decline." Ajuka said
"Hn...I would like a detailed explanation, but I will make my question simple, why not?" Siegfried asked.
"I am allowed to pursue my hobbies and my research, because Sirzechs considers all of my will and I have a long relationship with him, he is the only person I can truly call my friend. We both know each other better than anyone. I only became Beelzebub after Sirzechs became Lucifer after all." Ajuka said.
"I see, as a friend you decline us, I don't get that, but I get that there are ways to decline like that." Siegfried said with a sarcastic smile.
"Seriously, turning him would involve turning Sirzechs." Evangeline rolled her eyes. "Just like turning Kenshin would have involved turning Rias over there."
"I agree." Ajuka said with a nod.
"That's why I told you, this man and Sirzechs control the Underworld for their own purpose, no matter how much technology he has brought to the Underworld, we cannot let a Satan who is addicted to playing around rule any longer!" The leader of the Old Satan group shouts. "Now is the time to be eliminated you annoying fraudulent existence! We, who have inherited the will of the True Satans will kill you!"
"Phrases that I hear quite often, are you all saying this to all the people related to the current government of the Underworld? There's such inelegant anger in you words, and quite frankly...I find them boring." Ajuka said.
"Are you making a fool of us Ajuka? !"
"I know that it is pointless to talk to you, it can't be helped so I will do my job as Satan which I haven't been doing and...?" Ajuka blinked as the Old Satan reps were blown to the ground by a violent burst of wind. He turned to find Yukari in Elemental Overdrive, pointing Kazeken at them.
"Sorry Ajuka-Sama, I just got tired of hearing them talk." Yukari said.
"Hmn...I understand." Ajuka said. "If you want to take them out for me, feel free."
"...No." Yukari said as she turned to Evangeline. "I don't recall you getting to do much other than train Gasper, want to step in?"
"You want me to take out more small fry? Erg...fine." Evangeline said stepping forward.
"Small fry? !" The all said with matching glares.
"You really thought you could take out a Super Devil?" Evangeline said with an amused look. "What are you guys drunk, high, or a combination of both? Haa...no matter. Ajuka-Dono, you might wanna activate a barrier just if you don't want to have break out of ice."
"Very well." Ajuka said drawing a magic circle on the table in front of him.
Evangeline nodded and focused her magic. "Lic Lac La Lac Lilac: Heed the Contract and Serve me O' Queen of Ice. Come, Unending Darkness, Eternal Glacier. Bring Death to all that has Life! Eternal Rest!"
"..." Ajuka stared as ice formed from the very air freezing the several high class devils. "This woman, her power or her skill is immense, to cause such a thermodynamic change in the very air." He thought.
"Heheheh..." Neishin smirked. "You idiots..."
"Kosmikê Katastrophê!" Evangeline intoned, the ice shattering before everyone, taking the devils within to death.
"..." Evangeline glanced over at Siegfried. "You may think us to be weakened without Kenshin here, but we are not that much so. Kenshin built his peerage with the thought in mind that if he were to be taken down or indisposed, the rest of us could still carry on. Such a thing doesn't apply to these Rating Games that Devil society is so fond of, but in a real battlefield it's a sublime setup."
"Really because it always seemed like he just reincarnated whomever he wanted." Neishin said with a smirk.
"Picking soldiers is only part of building, making sure they're in the right roles is another." Ajuka said.
"Yes...now enough...I'm sick of hearing you talk as well..." Yukari said stepping forward.
Neishin extended his hand outward and a large claymore appeared in his hand. "Come on then, let's see if you can shut me up."
"Shut you up? Oh no no no..." Yukari said shaking her head. "Because I think I finally get it." Yukari said with her eyes closed.
"Oh? Get what?" Neishin asked as Kiba went to confront Siegfried. (A/N: Same as Canon)
"How furious Kenshin could be at times." Yukari said as her aura wrapped around her body and built strength as her body quivered in rage. "At our possessed father, at Hottan, at the King of Vespertatia, and most recently at Forbesii, but the person he most held with vitriol is himself, for his own failings...I know how he felt now...I finally get it...I'm not going to hold back, not this time...and you will die because of your master's actions." Yukari said.
"Hahaha! Come on then, let's see it!" Neishin said as the two took off at each other. An explosion of wind went off from them.
"..." Yukari narrowed her eyes as Neishin held her in check. "Grh!" Yukari growled and forced Neishin's larger blade off and pointed Ryuuga at him."Hellfire Flash!"
"Hmph." Neishin extended his hand outward, a burst of wind splitting the blaze apart.
"!" Yukari scowled. "How are you using the elements? !"
"Figure it out for yourself girl scout." Neishin said with a cocky smirk.
"Grrrhhh! !" Yukari snarled and dove at the masked man. "Ninefold Rakshasa!"
Neishin held his blade defensively and blocked each slash. Yukari rolled forward and slashed Ryuuga downward. "Heavenly Demon Revival!"
"Keep trying." Neishin said with an amused look.
"Yukari, calm the hell down!" Evangeline said. "You're being blinded by your rage!"
"..." Yukari stopped for a moment and took a breath.
"Heh, even if you approached me with a calm mind, you still wouldn't be able to beat me." Neishin goaded.
"..." Yukari scowled.
"Well? Come on, let's see you kill me girl scout." Neishin said.
"!" Yukari shot toward him, Kazeken clashing against his blade. She vanished in an instant and reappeared behind Neishin. "Flash Kill!"
"Grh!" Neishin grunted as Yukari slashed at his waist as she went past him. He fell to the ground. "...Hehehe..." He got right back up, his wound regenerating. "Just joking. You know, healing's OK for physical wounds, but only therapy can ease emotional and mental trauma...ah who am I kidding, there's not a shrink qualified enough to deal with that hot mess of a brain you got."
"Volcanic Blades!" Yukari shouts as Kazeken and Ryuuga both glew brightly and radiated large amounts of heat. She held them overhead and slashed downward. "Heavenly Demon Revival: Blaze!"
"Hrn? !" Neishin jumped back as his claymore was slashed in half. "Heh! Got another one in ya?" He said throwing his broken sword to the side.
"Plenty!" Yukari said.
"Alright then!" Neishin said he flexed his arms, and watching them transform.
"Dragonification? !" Hikari exclaimed in surprise.
"Oooh, yeah the elements and dragonification. Let's see you cut these with those glowing toothpicks." Neishin said.
Yukari appeared in front of him and slashed both swords downward. Neishin reached forward and grabbed them both and split them apart before driving his head into Yukari's. "Gah!" Yukari stumbled backward. Neishin stepped forward and dove his open palm into her chin, driving her into the air. He hopped up and drove his knee into her stomach. "Gulh!" Yukari growled and drove her elbow into the side of his head. Neishin was undaunted by the strike and rammed his palm into her chest and sent her flying downward, crashing into the roof.
Neishin landed on the ground and cocked his fist back. "Get a load of this!"
"!" Yukari's eyes widened as flames started spiraling around Neishin's fist. "That technique! !"
"Crushing Flame Profusion!" Neishin shouts, a burst of flames exploding from his fist.
"!" Yukari crossed her arms and took the attack.
Neishin rushed forward before the smoke could clear. "Did Kenshin really trust his back to someone like you? ! Someone this weak? !" He shouts, landing a barrage of blows. "Even in your rage your power is still not up to snuff. No wonder he died!" Neishin kicked Yukari back to Miyuki and Hikari. "Or is it that you're too afraid to go into that form again, should you fail again!"
"Grh!" Yukari staggered back to her feet, glaring hatefully at Neishin who smirked and glanced at Siegfried who had just hacked Kiba's arm off with a sword he referred to as the Gram. "Ah, I see, you're about done there too Siegfried."
"Yes..." Siegfried said. "Against the Chaos Break I've given to my body, and the Demonic Emperor Blade Gram...he didn't stand a chance." He said, his voice noticeably deeper that before.
"Yeah, and this bitch here is too demoralized to put up a fight." Neishin said with a smirk. "Maybe it's the same for his sister and mother. Maybe I should tangle with the vampire then?"
"You'd just be asking for a fresh grave to jump into." Evangeline said.
"Oh ho ho! Maybe I could put you into one, or maybe we could share!" Neishin laughed.
"In any case, this is pathetic..." Siegfried said. "This is the same Gremory group I fought a few days ago? The same Kuroshi group at that? I don't believe it, I figured you would have interfered in our fights, but to just stand there...Hyoudou Issei perished for nothing, dying in vain. If he had waited, gone back with you all and abandoned Ophis, he could have fought and killed Shalba later, but he made an impulsive decision, that's the bad part about this current Sekiryuutei..."
"I agree, and because Kenshin remained behind with him, his death could have been avoided as well, it's a shame really that he had to die vainly like he did. I wanted to fight him, not his puppet of a sister, who obediently does whatever her brother...no...her Master says. Now that the Master is gone, the puppet's strings are effectively cut."
"Krh..." Yukari scowled, but looked down at the ground. "Dammit...he pisses me off, but he's right...all my life I've been taking orders...like a damn puppet!" She thought. "But...to say...
Yukari started to see red as did Kiba. "That Issei-kun...that Kenshin-kun/Kenshin died in vain...is something...
"IS SOMETHING I WON'T STAND FOR! !" Yukari and Kiba both roar as they stand back up and go back to back. "You going to be alright with just one arm?" Yukari asked.
"Yeah, I'll be fine." Kiba said. "It's infuriating isn't it? To have them slander those close to us?"
"Like you wouldn't believe." Yukari seethed. "To say that Issei and Kenshin died vainly...I won't forgive that...not ever..."
"You fool, you mean to keep fighting me with your wounds? I'd rather not kick a foe when he's beaten, but if you insist on standing in my way." Siegfried said, readying Gram.
"That's the way, give me a real challenge this time, all of you!" Neishin said with a wide smirk.
"Fine!" A fist covered in flames crashed against Neishin's masked, sending him barreling away into the edge of the building. The fist, to everyone's surprise was connected to none other that Ravel.
"Ravel? !" Miyuki said.
"Good form, but it needs work." Evangeline said. "No worries though, we keep training, you'll get it eventually."
"Aah, thanks." Ravel said with a nod.
"Huh? !" Rias said as one of the evil pieces started to glow and levitate toward Kiba.
"Oh no you don't!" Siegfried said shooting toward her.
"I'VE HAD ENOUGH! !" Scores of ice lances shot toward Siegfried before the caster shot toward him wielding ice scimitars.
"The silent one finally makes a move?" Siegfried asked as Sextum slashed wildly, angrily at him.
"It takes a lot, and I mean a fucking lot to make me angry, but what you just said pushed me over the line! How dare you say that they, especially Issei died in vain! !" Sextum shouts. "Freeze!"
A cube of water over took Siegfried and froze. Sextum looked back at the Gremory and Kuroshi groups. "What the fuck are you waiting on? ! Get in the fight!" She said as Siegfried started to break out of the ice
"Out of the way Sextum-San!" Kiba said rushing toward Siegfried, wielding Ascalon with tears in his eyes as Siegfried broke out
"Right!" Sextum jumped back and let Kiba slash at Siegfried.
"Impossible, you can still move? !" Siegfried said. "Agh!" He grunted as Sextum sliced into his side.
Meanwhile Yukari looked down at the memory sphere as Ravel and Miyuki held off Neishin. "? !" It started to glow.
"Raise it up." Yukari heard Kenshin's voice in her head. "With both swords."
"..." Yukari rose the orb up with Ryuuga and Kazeken. "!" She watched in shock as the blades and orb glew brightly and combined. The next moment she was holding a blood red zanbatou with a dragon visage on the front. "...Zanryuu..." She whispered. Her eyes closed as they let out tears. "...I'm so sorry Kenshin...you wanted me to carry on, but I've hardly done that..."
"I wanted you to carry on, but how you do so is up to you. You are my sister, someone I love. Not a puppet on a string." Kenshin thought.
"Yes...forgive me, just lend me your strength one more time." Yukari said. "Ravel, Miyuki! Out of the way!"
"Right!" The two said.
"Flash Kill!" Yukari shouts shooting toward Neishin.
"No." Neishin stated blandly as he dodged. "? !" He was shocked as his feet were frozen to the roof.
"Nivis Casus." Evangeline intoned. "You idiot, did you think we would stand back forever?"
"Haa!" Hikari shouts, driving her fist into Neishin's stomach.
"Guah? !" Neishin spat out blood. "Huh..." Neishin said seeing a glyph on Hikari's hands as a dark aura was also wrapped around it. "When did you pick up the Magia Erebea?"
"That's none of your concern..." Hikari stated impassively. "My son did not die in vain, I will not forgive you for saying that he did!" She stabbed her hand toward Neishin's heart only for it to scratch past.
"Sorry lady, Draginfication." Neishin said. "Guh!" He gasped out as the wind kept being driven from his lungs.
"So I can't wound you, but I'll keep punching you until you've decided you've had enough, then I'll keep doing it!" Hikari shouted angrily.
"..." Yukari looked over, seeing Rias and her peerage and Sextum jumping into take out Siegfried, and Kiba had even stolen Siegfried's sword. She looked down at Zanryuu. "Mom!"
"Right!" Hikari said moving out of the way.
"Lets try this again! Huuuuaaaaaaah! !" Yukari roared charging Neishin. "Flash Kill!"
"Guah! !" Neishin gasped as Yukari ran him through the chest with Zanryuu. "...Shit...I guess the puppet has a will of it's own now..."
"Just because I chose to follow someone, does not make me a puppet." Yukari said with a scowl.
"No, it just means you chose to have your will subverted." Neishin said with a weak smirk.
"If you think that's what Kenshin did, you're a fucking idiot, now you're a dead idiot." Yukari said pulling Zanryuu out of his chest.
"I wonder about that." Neishin said. "Seeing as this is just a clone of me, at about...fifty to sixty percent power."
"That right?" Yukari drawled. "Then I'll be sure you kill you then too!" She said grabbing Neishin by the face and throwing him off the roof.
Yukari and the others approached the downed Siegfried who was staring at Gram."Hahaha...so the two dragons continue to fight even after they are killed..." Siegfried laughed weakly. "Gram belongs to you now Yuuto Kiba. It has accepted you."
"I see that." Kiba said as he took both Gram and Ascalon out of Siegfried's chest.
"Why don't you use Phoenix Tears to heal? You all seemed to have your own connections to getting them." Ravel asked.
"In this form, Chaos Break...we cannot be healed by your clan's tear potions, though the reason for it is unknown." Siegfried explained. "I knew it...the warrior from the church who was raised in that warrior institute can't have a proper life..." Siegfried said as his body crumbled.
"I think that applies to all those who walk the path of the warrior." Evangeline said.
"...Heheheh, I think you're right...in any case, this is...the end...I'll give your regards to the Sekiryuutei and Kenshin." Siegfried said as he crumbled away completely.
Yukari looked down as Zanryuu disassembled, returning to Kazeken, Ryuuga and Kenshin's memory orb. "..." She held the orb up and stared at it. "...Thank you." She whispered.
Ajuka cleared his throat. "Now that the fun is over, I can look at those pieces and that orb now."
Everyone walked up to him while Ajuka took out a chess board and set Issei's pieces where the pawn was supposed to go, Ascalon having reverted back into a piece. Ajuka analyzed them. "Hoo? How interesting."
"What?" Rias asked.
"The Sekiryuutei's soul, it's likely that it's still alive in the dimensional gap, even after his body was destroyed by Samael's curse and the soul should have followed." Ajuka said. "It is possible, if it is still alive that a new body could be constructed using pieces of his and his parents DNA." Ajuka said. "So, I wouldn't be overly concerned about Issei Hyoudou. If what I had heard from Azazel earlier is correct, Issei's soul is likely with Ophis so that raises the probability even higher."
A wave of relief washed through most of the crowd. "Of course, anyone who spends enough time around Kenshin develops his die hard fortitude." Evangeline said with a laugh.
"Yes, also on another note, Four of Issei's pawns have mutated." Ajuka said. "I would assume that did so to house the power of the Triana forms and the crimson armor Queen form. Also, the Sekiryuutei, Ddraig has not left him."
"I see..." Rias said breathing a sigh of relief.
"..." Yukari looked at the orb in her hand. "When I found Kenshin, he was with Ophis. Ophis was the one to bounce me back through the Dragon's Gate."
"I see, let me take a look." Ajuka said extending his hand.
Yukari nodded and handed the orb to him. Ajuka moved the chess board and set the orb down and activated a magic circle. "What are you doing?" She asked politely.
"First, I'm making a copy of the memories therein. If Rizevim truly fought Kenshin, Sirzechs needs to see it." Ajuka said. "Rizevim was more his opponent than mine." Yukari nodded.
"Now that can be done on the side." Ajuka said shrinking down the circle and moving it to the side and activating another. "Hmn..." Ajuka rubbed his chin in thought. "How strange."
"What is it?" Rias asked.
"Well the first thing I noticed was that Sirzechs' pawn pieces are all freshly mutated." Ajuka said.
"Kenshin did have a lot of power, but recently?" Hikari asked. "I would have thought they would have mutated when Sirzechs used them."
" Sirzechs is quite powerful, Kenshin's power would have been within his ability to control. Had Kenshin been using any other power other than the elements before he went MIA?" Ajuka asked.
"Touki." Yukari said. "It seemed to activate subconsciously in a moment of rage when he was fighting Forbesii."
"That's probably what did it then." Ajuka nodded.
"Is there anything else?" Miyuki asked.
"..." Ajuka stared at the memory orb.
"What? Please don't keep us in suspense." Rias said
"...Kenshin...I can confirm that he is alive." Ajuka said.
"! !" A shock wave went through everyone's bodies.
"..." Yukari's legs felt like they were about to give out as she stared at the orb in shock.
The first circle completed it's job and Ajuka took the orb and applied another circle to it. "What are you doing now?" Evangeline asked.
"I'm trying to access Kenshin's king piece remotely, to figure out if he's already got a body and if so, why he's not seen fit to return yet." Ajuka said. "...Ah. There we are." He said. "Hm...I see."
"What?" Koneko asked.
"I can only view part of Kenshin's memories, I can't see anymore than that." Ajuka said. "Using this orb I can overwrite the memories with these memories and then you can see them for yourself before you go. The spell doesn't take any real time does it?"
"No, mere seconds pass." Yukari said. "Do it."
"Alright." Ajuka said. A couple of seconds passed and Ajuka deactivated the circles. "Here." Yukari took the orb and held it. "There is one more thing you should know. The Four Spirits are not with him right now."
"I know that much. Sylph got in contact with me and said they were in Makai for the time being, I told her it was fine." Yukari said. "OK everyone sit down." Everyone nodded and did so. Yukari went into the incantation and threw the orb into the air. Everyone except for Ajuka's eyes dulled.
They found themselves in a white area. "This looks like the same Phantasmagoria Ryuushin yanked Kenshin into before." Evangeline said.
"It does." Hikari said.
"By the way Mom, before we progress, why did you learn the Magia Erebea?" Yukari asked.
"Because, aside from Kazumi, I'm obviously the weak link here, and there's only so much training that I can put my body through to keep up." Hikari said. "I did what I had to do."
"..." Yukari nodded. "OK."
"Hey." Ravel said seeing a figure standing off in the distance.
They approached it to find Kenshin standing there with a dull look in his eyes. They flickered to life and he looked around. "Huh...so this is limbo huh...I kinda expected to have to fight my enemies for all eternity, but...this kinda just feels like heaven for Ophis." Kenshin said.
"This is not limbo." A familiar voice called out to him. Kenshin and the memory viewers turned to find Ragnarok standing there. "This is one of those Phantasmagorias, similar to the one you used to train in when yours and the Sekiryuutei's souls were connected."
"Ragnarok?" Kenshin said. "Are you here to ferry me off then?"
"..." Ragnarok closed his eyes. "That depends."
"On?" Kenshin asked.
"Do you want to be ferried off?" Ragnarok asked.
"..." Kenshin narrowed his eyes. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Right now, as we speak Ophis and Great Red are constructing a new body for you." Ragnarok said. "But there is a problem."
"Being?" Kenshin asked.
"My daughters have left your body already, neither Ophis nor Great Red know this, but for you to be fully revived, you need elemental magic running through your veins, just like I did when I was alive." Ragnarok said. "My daughters took the elemental magic already in your veins when you perished."
"..." Kenshin stared at him. "Explain, I don't understand."
"Remember when you were a child..." Ragnarok said as the scenery around them changed. Kenshin and everyone turned their heads, seeing a younger Kenshin practicing the Ourania Phologosis spell. "No matter how hard you trained, the highest level of spells in Mundus Magicus was almost completely unattainable until you were well into your adolescence." He said as the spell blew up in the younger Kenshin's face.
"..." Kenshin narrowed his eyes at the memory. "Yeah, it was shortly after I freed Mom from Hottan's control." Kenshin said. "Unless I used one of my clans forbidden techniques...the spells would always do that, and that particular attempt landed me in the infirmary at the Welsh Magic Academy..." He closed his eyes and chuckled fondly. "I kept telling Negi I was fine, but she didn't believe me."
"I was the same." Ragnarok said. The scene changed again and this time is a young Ragnarok wearing a black yukata, trying to practice with elemental magic. "I couldn't control my magic either. It was difficult and earned me an lonely childhood, the only person willing to stay around me, my surrogate brother Draco." Ragnarok said.
"..." Kenshin watched as the elemental magic exploded in his face, sending him into a tree.
"That landed me in bed for a few days." Ragnarok said with a fond chuckle.
"..." Kenshin turned to him. "Ragnarok, what is it you are trying to say?"
"Think about it. We led similar childhoods, though I concede yours was worse." Ragnarok said.
"..." Kenshin narrowed his eyes in thought.
"We had similar problems with our power growing up, while others around us adjusted easier." Ragnarok said.
"..." Kenshin said nothing.
"What is he getting at?" Rias wondered.
"Have you figured it out?" Ragnarok asked.
"..." Kenshin didn't respond.
"You are my reincarnation, Kenshin." Ragnarok said shocking everyone watching the memory.
"...Why me?" Kenshin asked.
"You aren't the only one I've asked." Ragnarok said shaking his head. "I asked Heinrich Hein, Shin Tatsu, even your father...and they all gave me the same answer after I told them what their revival would entail. They refused."
"..." Kenshin narrowed his eyes solemnly.
"I do apologize, it was his decision." Ragnarok said closing his eyes. "He chose to believe in you to carry on."
"Krh..." Kenshin hunched over, wiping his eyes. "Damn...lazy old man..." He muttered.
"I think it's a wonderful thing, for a father to show such faith in his son, in his children." Ragnarok said with an admiring smile.
"I think part of him didn't want to have to face us again after what happened." Kenshin said. "...I guess...in the end I can't blame him."
"There are some things I need to tell you before you answer, but...first." Ragnarok said "To prevent any watchers from hearing this." He snapped his fingers and suddenly the scene sped up faster than everyone could see.
"What the? ! What are they saying? ! What is this? !" Rias said.
"I don't know, I can't stop it either!" Yukari said.
"Relax everyone." Evangeline said.
"If Ragnarok-Dono doesn't want this viewed. We have to respect his wishes." Akeno said.
"Yes." Kiba nodded.
"Still, it makes you wonder what the secret could be." Ravel said.
"Yeah, I think I'm OK with this...finding out that Kenshin is the reincarnation of Ragnarok himself while my husband was potentially...is a little much." Hikari said.
The memory stopped moving quickly and went back to normal. "...Man that is a lot you're trying to leave on my plate old man." Kenshin said.
"I'm sorry, but someone has to do it." Ragnarok said. "So, what is your answer?"
"Before I give it to you, I just need to know something." Kenshin said.
"What?" Ragnarok asked.
"What happens after this? Will I be any more powerful?" Kenshin asked.
"No." Ragnarok said. "This is strictly a revival, no boosts will be gained."
"Hn...I see." Kenshin said. "Also, if I were to refuse, would Yukari be next?"
"Yes." Ragnarok said. "If she wound up dead, the same thing would happen, I would exhaust all my options. Because my reincarnation is still in progress, multiple reincarnations can exist at one point in time, but when it's complete, the piece of my soul is consumed by the host soul."
"Hmn..." Kenshin stroked his chin. "What about the scroll? What happens to it?"
"It will become useless, if you ever read it, it's actually just my will." Ragnarok said.
"...So that's why he said it was the last time, he knew what to do..." Yukari said
"..." Kenshin went silent.
"So what will you do? This would be your third revival so I'd understand if you're simply ready to go to your eternal rest." Ragnarok said.
"..." Kenshin went into thought as everyone looked on. Finally he looked up at Ragnarok. "I want you to answer me one final question."
"..." Ragnarok smiled. "Kenshin, I already know what you wish to ask, so save your breath."
"..." Kenshin clenched his fist and looked down.
"You existed." Ragnarok said. "All you got from me was my power and a piece of my soul which regenerated and formed it's own soul when you were born. You are yourself, and I am myself. There is no need for you to think that you were just me walking around in a different identity. Now...is this the end of the line for you, will you rest? Or will you return to a world that still has need of you?"
"...How is what you're asking of me any different than what I've done up until now?" Kenshin asked. "If I am still needed, then I must return."
"That's awfully selfless of you." Ragnarok noted.
"It's not just that..." Kenshin said looking up. "I, myself need to continue on living, for my own reasons."
"Of course." Ragnarok said. "Everyone has there own personal reasons for wanting to return, but understand Kenshin, that coming back this time...is the final time. If you die again, that's it."
"You think I don't realize that?" Kenshin asked. "Now, lets go. I have a family to get back to, a Phoenix, a Nekomata and a Priestess that have all probably been crying about my death and an Obliteration Princess that I intend to make my wife one day, all to go back home to, among others."
"Aah..." Rias, Akeno, Koneko, Yukari and Ravel all said with matching blushes while Hikari and Miyuki wiped the tears in their eyes with a smile.
"Hmhmhm, very well." Ragnarok said. "But you forgot about some people there."
"No I didn't. I fully intend to reestablish contact with your daughters as well." Kenshin said. "As soon as I can in fact."
Ragnarok nodded. "Yes, you know. Aside from me, you are the only person they have ever shed tears for."
"...I know." Kenshin said. "I could feel it. What they felt...and...honestly...it's been awhile since I felt that damn low, for what I was doing to them. It...hurt."
"Yes, well you have time to make it up to them, now...it's time." Ragnarok said.
"Yes." Kenshin nodded.
"And Kenshin...thank you." Ragnarok said as he and the Phantasmagoria faded away.
Rias, Yukari and the others found themselves on top of a red surface in the Dimensional Gap. Suddenly a hand tore through it from below and Kenshin pulled himself out of it. "Haa...haa...haa...haa.." Kenshin panted. "What...the hell?" He stood up. "Where am I?"
"Great Red." Everyone viewing the memory and Kenshin turned to find Ophis who was currently punching the surface
"The guy you're trying to kill?" Kenshin asked. "What are you trying to do?"
"Defeat Great Red." Ophis stated blandly.
Kenshin chuckled fondly to himself. "How cute..." He whispered. "Ahem, so..uhm...Great Red huh?"
"...Don't ask." Ophis sighed.
"She couldn't go on living without her boy toy." Great Red said.
"Screw you!" Ophis shouts with the same impassive expression, shocking those who were viewing the memory. She turned to Kenshin. "Just...please don't ask..."
"Fine, you already look like you wanna start headbutting the ground in frustration." Kenshin shrugged. "Hm?" He looked up and saw someone falling, based on the trajectory, he saw that they were gonna land on Great Red. "Hold on a sec." Kenshin said walking forward and jumping up in the air and caught them. When he landed he looked down at them. "...what the?"
"Hey wait a second, isn't that Raiser's Queen?" Yukari said.
"How did Yubelluna get to the Dimensional Gap? !" Ravel exclaimed.
"A Devil?" Ophis said. "Impressive, her endurance or her luck, one of the two."
"I'ma go with both, she looks exhausted." Kenshin said.
"Hn...?" Yubelluna's eyes opened. "D...Dragon of the Elements?"
"Hey, you're pretty lucky you know that, you landed right on a Dimensional Gap safe zone." Kenshin said with a friendly smile.
"Is that what I am?" Great Red's voice boomed.
"I was more referring to being in contact with Ophis, but if the shoe fits!" Kenshin shouts. "In your case it'd be a size titanic!
"Hahahaha, I'll let that one go." Great Red said.
Suddenly the scene froze. "What's going on?" Rias asked.
"It's finished." Evangeline said. "Ajuka was only able to glean up so much."
Yukari nodded. "That's fine...but...hang on." She waved her hand. "What the...? Four days ago?"
"What?" Rias asked.
"This memory has two dates on it, but I can't quite read the other one, it's blurred out." Yukari said.
"Huh, strange." Rias said.
"So Kenshin-kun's been alive since for awhile? I wonder what his reason was for not coming back immediately?" Kiba said.
"I'm sure it was a good one, Senpai isn't the kind of person who would take off or not rush back somewhere without good reason." Koneko said.
"Maybe he was waiting for Issei." Sextum said.
"Issei?" Rias asked.
"Issei was said to be with Ophis, at the very least it was likely, so assuming he is, it wouldn't be too crazy to assume what they did to get Kenshin a body, they are also doing with Issei. They probably prioritized Kenshin though which is would explain why he's awake sooner than Issei."
"Uuueeeee! Onii-Sama and Issei-San are OK!" Asia cried in relief.
Sextum patted her comfortingly on the back with a smile. "I would assume so, yes."
"There's also the spirits to consider." Miyuki suggested. "Maybe Onii-Chan figured he wouldn't be much help without them, so he went to Makai."
"It's...possible." Evangeline stroked her chin in thought. "Alright though, let's get out of here."
"Right." Yukari said, ejecting everyone from the memory sphere.
(break)
Later
With Sirzechs.
Sirzechs stared a letter he had just received from Ajuka a short while ago. It read 'Our old enemy wasn't as dead as we had hoped.'
He had viewed the memory that Ajuka had copied. "So...Issei-kun gets taken out and Kenshin-kun had some of my old business come and bite him in the ass, just because it could..." Sirzechs said.
"Sirzechs-Sama." Sirzechs looked up and saw Grayfia approaching with a hooded man and three women. "These four have requested to see you before we headed out." Sirzechs glanced at the three women. The first wore armor and a plated headband. She had green scales running up her arms and legs stopping at her elbows and waist, save for going up her back stopping short of her shoulder blades. Her hair was short and red and she had vibrant yellow eyes.
The next woman wore nothing, because she was in fact a slime demon. She had a curvacious figure, large full breasts, her eyes were a deep shade of red. She had two pony tail like extensions going down her head all the way to the ground. Her slime was a deep blue color and she had an odd marking on the right side of her torso and just under her right eye.
The third woman had long purple hair, red eyes, fair creamy white skin, wearing a purple corset with lighter purple trimming It struggled to contain her large chest. A indigo thong and matching stiletto boots. In addition to this she wore a indigo mantle with gold trimming. She had two thick horns protruding from her skull, two wings sticking out from her back and a thick tail with a odd ending, looking like it could open.
"What is it? Please make it quick." Sirzechs said.
"Sorry this is on such short notice. My escorts and I were sent by the Demon Queen, Lady Alipheese Fateburn the Sixteenth to request assistance, as per the treaty your race has with the Youkai faction." The hooded man said.
Sirzechs let out a disgruntled sigh. "I'm sorry, but can this wait? We're currently in the middle of a crisis."
"I understand our timing couldn't be worse." The hooded man nodded. "But! As a gesture of good will let us assist you and your people with this crisis."
"Would that be OK with your Queen?" Sirzechs asked.
"Sure." The hooded man said. "She said to endear ourselves to you, so if you're having trouble we'd be happy to help."
Sirzechs let out a relieved sigh. "Thank you, we could always use more hands helping evacuate the capitol, but so I can let my forces know not to attack you, I'll need to know your names."
"Of course." The hooded man said gesturing his head toward the purplette.
"We look forward to working together with you, my name is Alma Elma." The now introduced Alma Elma said bending forward, showing off a generous amount of her cleavage.
"Uhm...Alma. I believe I heard that this Satan is married, and that is his wife." The slime woman said gesturing to Grayfia.
"Oh! Ufufufufu, my apologies, my Succubus instincts got the better of me." Alma giggled.
The slime moved forward and bowed her head. "Forgive our Succubus Queen friend here. I am Erubetie, the Queen of the Slime Demons." She introduced.
"Aww, Betie-Chan, you're no fun..." Alma pouted.
"Ugh, idiot. I am called Granberia, I'm not a leader of any particular race of demons, but I am a Dragonkin." She said. "My Ares and I shall cut down all those who get in our way." Granberia patted the hilt of her large sword.
"Funny, you claim to be demons, but I clearly sense devil magic from you." Grayfia said.
"Ah, that would be my doing." The hooded man spoke up. "I put them into my peerage" He laughed.
"Funny still. I don't sense any devil magic from you." Sirzechs said.
"Yeah, Lady Alipheese said that there was a seal on my person that pushed these out and that I became a demon again afterward." He said holding out a black king piece and four crimson pawns.
"!" Sirzechs shot forward and grabbed his wrist. "..." He stared at the pieces. "...K...Kenshin?"
"...Hey." He said taking down his hood.
"What took you so long to come back?" Grayfia asked. "And why didn't you reveal yourself to start?"
"I was planning to come back, but I heard someone calling for help around the time I was revived. Specifically from Tamamo, my Queen." Kenshin said. "There's also the fact that I don't believe I would have gotten in to see you right away and I also didn't want to use my connection to Sirzechs against him."
"I...I see.." Sirzechs said with Grayfia nodding.
"Besides, I can't use the elements right now, at least not as effectively as I did before." Kenshin said. "The spirits aren't with me right now. So..."
"We get it." Sirzechs said. "Your peerage has performed admirably in filling in for you."
"OK." Kenshin said. "So I guess we'll be on our way."
Kenshin left but Sirzechs stopped Alma, Granberia and Erubetie. "Wait, what are your positions?"
"Whatever you want babe~." Alma said with a seductive tone. Erubetie smacked her over the head. "Ow! Ok I'll stop! Kenshin-Chan said I was made into a Rook."
"I was designated as a pawn." Erubetie said.
"I am a Knight, fitting, considering I am known as the Dragon Knight in Makai." Granberia said. "Kenshin said he used the rest of his pieces bringing us back."
"I see." Sirzechs said. "Also, what did he mean by a month ago? He's only been gone a week here."
"Time flows differently." Erubetie said. "A week there for a day here. He arrived four weeks ago and returned to demonhood three weeks ago."
"So like Mundus Magicus." Grayfia nodded.
"Yes, though oddly enough the flow of time between there and our world is also warped. Two days in Makai for one in Mundus Magicus." Granberia said.
"The Dimensional Gap is a strange place, that's not really surprising." Sirzechs said. "That is all, carry on."
Alma Elma, Erubetie and Granberia nodded and left after Kenshin. Sirzechs sighed again and looked up at the ceiling. "So he's back, but not completely so."
"Who would have thought, the Dragon without the Elements?" Grayfia said.
"Well, let's get moving, Hades and that beast aren't going to kill themselves." Sirzechs said.
The King and Queen of the Lucifer Peerage left the room, they had a world to save.
(chapter end)
Draconis: And that's a wrap.
Kenshin: Lovely
Draconis: Alright, now with the addition of Alma Elma, Granberia, and Erubetie, Kenshin's peerage is complete. The full list is as follows.
King: Kenshin Tsuki Kuroshi.
Queen: Tamamo (Mutation)
Bishops: Hikari Kuroshi Tsuki, Evangeline A.K. McDowell(Mutation).
Knights: Yukari Kuroshi Tsuki, Dragon Knight Granberia.
Rooks: Miyuki Kuroshi Tsuki, Succubus Queen Alma Elma.
Pawns: Kazumi Asakura(x1 ), Chachamaru Karakuri (x3 ), Slime Queen Erubetie (x4 )
Draconis: Alright. I'll see you next chapter and please tell me if I should go ahead with that idea I mentioned at the start of the chapter. See you all then.
Draconis678 out.