Outsider Chronicles: Devil's Advocate
Getting reborn as a Devil was unexpected, but I'm certainly not gonna complain! Between being practically immortal, a noble and having the power to make time my bitch, I wasn't even going to complain about being reincarnated into the DXD world...then again, I also wasn't expecting to get order to investigate another world infested by an oversized space worm. This...could be awkward.
Well...this got a lot more attention than I was expecting. I might have to continue it now...eh, could be fun if nothing else. Anyway, enjoy!
Chapter 2
"Master, our guest is here," said Sella, making me look up from the paper I was reading.
"Alright, show her in," I said, tucking the paper away.
Sella nodded and vanished out the door, returning a moment later with a very nervous looking Sveta, who was now wearing a...I turned my head slightly and fixed Sella with a glare. The maid simply smiled demurely as if she had nothing to do with Sveta wearing a gothic lolita dress, complete with headband and stockings. I sighed and rubbed my eyes.
"Thank you Sella," I said, "Do you mind going and helping Leysritt with the refreshments?"
"Of course sir," said Sella with a bow.
She left the room, leaving Sveta and I alone. I indicated for the girl to sit in the seat across the desk from me, which she did, nervously twisting one of the lacy frills of her dress between her fingers.
"T-thank you," said Sveta suddenly, her voice no longer quite as rough, but still very soft and carried a hint of a slavic accent.
I raised an eyebrow.
"For what?" I asked.
"F-for giving me control," said the girl, "L-like your...friend told you, I completely lacked control over my own body. It was like a nightmare, waking up in that snowfield without any idea how I got there or even who I was and with little to no control over my own body. I-I'd already killed a few people before you found me and my...my power, well...lets just say it wouldn't let me starve."
She shivered violently and burst into tears. I quickly rounded the desk and hesitated. I wasn't exactly the best at comforting crying girls, mainly because the ones in my acquaintance weren't exactly...typical.
Sona and Rias both had overprotective siblings who tended to pop up out of nowhere when something upset them (I strongly suspect that they somehow attached monitoring spells to them) and my own sister wasn't the type to cry, not when she could take her aggression out by being cold, sarcastic and rip apart whoever annoyed her with a razor sharp tongue which had once genuinely made Grayfia give her a standing ovation once she was done with one particularly dim witted Devil who couldn't take no for an answer. And when that wasn't enough, a quick application of mecha anime was always enough to cheer her up. Something told me that that wouldn't work here though.
After a second, I put a comforting hand on her shoulder, reasoning that she probably wouldn't appreciate me hugging her out of the blue and, control or not, I didn't fancy risking those tendrils of hers. What I wasn't expecting was to end up with an armful of Case 53 sobbing into my chest. Then again, maybe I should have considering what she'd just told me. I didn't say anything and just stood and carried her over to the sofa where I sat down with her in my lap and held her as she sobbed into my chest, running my fingers through her hair as she cried herself out.
Eventually, she stopped crying, although she didn't seem like she really wanted to let me go and considering that her tendrils were also wrapped around me, I wouldn't be going anywhere. She wasn't holding me hard, but I could still feel the strength behind them.
"You should thank Ajuka, not me," I said, "I...wasn't exactly enthused about the idea of the method we used. Not that I regret it since it worked, but I didn't know it would and if it hadn't, we'd have had an out of control Devil with stupid strength stuck with us in an extremely enclosed space."
Sveta looked at me with large, watery eyes for a moment, before she shook her head.
"You still did it though," she said, "A-and you've given me food and clothes and a place to stay..."
She shivered.
"You have no idea how much it means to me," she whispered.
She frowned.
"Wait, Devil? I...I know that word…"
She whined as she clutched at her head as if she had a sudden, painful headache. A moment later, she yelped as her wings suddenly snapped out. She stared at the bat-like limbs for a moment, before looking back at me. I sighed.
"This is going to be a rather long explanation," I muttered.
I was completely correct. Sveta's lack of memories meant that I had to give some background, as well as explain that, despite our negative reputation among Humans, Devils aren't evil, the nature of Parahumans (not including Scion or the fact she was the victim of the Cauldron. I currently had no idea how Magic would affect Precogs and I didn't fancy fighting Contessa or whoever the Cauldron would send if they did see me), Evil Pieces and the fact that, despite appearances, she was now less Human than she was as a 'normal' Case 53. By the time I was done, she'd got off my lap and Sella and Leysritt had returned with the refreshments and agreed to help me fill her in.
Eventually, we wound down and silence fell. I sat back in my chair, having moved from the sofa to an armchair partway through the talk, and steepled my fingers as I watched Sveta, who was staring down at her hands. It was for this very reason that I disapproved of Reincarnating the deceased or those who didn't agree willingly. Oh, I'd Reincarnate someone who had died if they Summoned me with a wish to live, but otherwise, I wouldn't do it, even if it meant losing a potentially powerful Servant. It was better to have willing Servants than those who only served due to having no choice. The Agares Clan didn't have the same reputation of the Gremory's for treating their Peerages like family (although my sister did and I planned to), but as the ones responsible for dealing with traitors and Strays, we knew better than anyone what drove said Traitors to flee.
As it was, despite her obvious gratitude, I had no idea how Sveta would react to learning she was now bound to me. I had my doubts that she'd do anything foolish, but I didn't want the poor girl to resent me. She deserved better than that.
"I'm...not Human," she muttered.
"Not anymore," I said, "Does that bother you?"
"You weren't Human before if what I've heard is anything to go by," muttered Leysritt.
I ignored her as Sella drove a sharp elbow into her sisters side. Sveta apparently didn't hear her though as she kept staring at her hands for a moment, then looked up at me.
"You saved me," she said eventually, "Even if I remembered being Human, that would be enough. Human or not, I don't care. I'll serve you happily Master."
I stared at her for a moment as she bowed as best she could sitting down, before letting my head drop back with a groan.
"Damn it Sveta, I don't need slavishly loyal Servants!" I groaned, "Some Devils might get off on it, but I don't!"
I sighed.
"I appreciate the thought, but I'd much rather have a you as a friend and colleague than a slave, even a willing one."
Sveta looked up, a strange look on her face.
"What did you call me?" she asked.
I blinked and thought back over what I'd said and...oh crap, I'd called her by name without thinking! I shoved down a moments panic and shrugged.
"You need a name, right?" I said, "And Sveta seems to fit for some reason."
Sveta looked thoughtful, mouthing the name, before she smiled.
"Yes, I like it," she said, "Thank you Master."
I grumbled under my breath. Something told me she wouldn't stop calling me that and I could already see that it would cause me trouble.
"Master, with your permission, I'd like to make use of the Time Compression Chamber you created," said Sella.
I blinked and looked at my 'head' maid (although that was mostly just because Leysritt was to lazy to argue).
"Why?" I asked.
"I'd like to try and get her up to speed on the world and possibly see if we can get her up to the correct level of education," she said, "You know that your Father doesn't want you attending school without a bodyguard and Sveta would be a good choice without having to empoy Magic like we would have to with Len."
I scowled. My Parents were incredibly over protective, although they did at least put enough faith in Seek and I that they trusted our Peerages to be able to keep us safe, completely ignoring our own abilities. As I didn't have a Peerage, Father had insisted that I take my Familiar, Len, with me when I went to school, but that was a massive problem because few schools would allow a cat to follow students around and her Human form was way too young. And yes, she was indeed a shapeshifting Succubus with the form of a cat and Human girl.
"Alright fine," I grumbled, "How long do you need?"
Sella looked thoughtful.
"Can you give us about two months?" she asked, "That'll give us time to see how much is left hidden in her memories and we can always go in again later."
I nodded.
"Two hours for two months," I said, "Just...don't teach her anything weird, OK?"
Sella just smiled innocently.
"Whatever do you mean?" she asked.
I just glared at her and waved her off. She bowed and guided Sveta out of the room.
"You might regret that," said Leysritt.
I sighed.
"Probably, but shes not wrong," I said, "Still, I can't help but think that attending school with a Case 53 who calls me Master will bring the PRT sniffing around."
"We can handle them," said Leysritt.
"I know, but I'd rather not have to get into a war with the PRT," I said, "It'll make doing my job...rather difficult."
I sighed.
"You'll manage Master," said Leysritt, "You always do."
I smiled slightly.
"Thanks Leys," I said.
The Maid just bowed and excused herself, leaving me to think deep thoughts about the inevitable fallout that would come from some of the people I planned to recruit suddenly gaining new powers. I had a nasty feeling I was going to get labeled a Master/Trump if I wasn't careful…
Two hours later, I was finishing up some paperwork relating to recruiting new Peerage Members (because of course there was paperwork for that!) when there was a knock at the door.
"Come," I called and the door opened to emit a very smug looking Sella.
I narrowed my eyes at the Maid.
"I don't like that look on your face," I said, "What have you done?"
"Nooooothing~," said Sella in a tone that told me that the truth was the exact opposite, "Although I am pleased to say that Sveta will have no problems getting into Arcadia with you."
"Thats good," I said, "Now why do you look like Len after Leysritt gets done with a round of baking?"
Sella didn't say anything and just stepped to the side to reveal a blushing Sella looking absolutely adorable in the same uniform as Sella. Her tendrils were tied up in a high ponytail that still reached her feet I stared at her for a moment, before turning a basilisk glare on Sella.
"It wasn't me," she said, "She was the one who suggested it, I just provided the uniform."
"You've given me everything Master," said Sveta, "I owe you more than I can ever repay, but this is at least a start."
I sighed and rubbed my eyes.
"You don't owe me anything Sveta," I said, "But if this is what you want to do, I guess its fine."
Sveta gave a radiant smile and bowed.
"Thank you Master," she said, "I look forwards to serving you."
I sighed as the two females left the room and glanced at the black cat with a large bow around its neck who was curled up on my desk.
"Why do I get the feeling that this is going to be a thing?" I asked.
Len just opened one eye and flicked an ear at me before going back to sleep.
A week later, the paperwork for Sveta and I to transfer into Arcadia was done (with a bit of money and Magic to grease the wheels) and Sella was dropping the two of us off at the school.
"Have a good day you two," said the Maid, leaning out her car window, "And be good."
I rolled my eyes.
"You of all people have no business saying that," I said.
Sella just grinned and put the car in gear as Sveta and I waved goodbye. I sighed and shifted my bag on my shoulders.
"Well, lets go I guess," I said, "Oh, and please don't call me Master in school, K?"
"Yes Ma...Kervius," said Sveta, ducking her head slightly in embarrassment at her near slip.
I sighed and patted her on the head, which got another blush from the girl. We headed up the steps into the school, with me pointedly ignoring the looks we were getting and Sveta shifting slightly closer as the stares focused on her, particularly her hair and the tattoo on her cheek. I had offered to remove it, but Sveta had decided not to do so or even cover it up. Her hair would get enough attention anyway and the obvious tattoo would (hopefully) get people to avoid asking any sticky questions.
Amy Dallon sighed as she dropped into her seat and started getting out her books for class. It was a sigh that conveyed many emotions. Boredom, exhaustion and just the slightest amount of depression, not all of which came from teenage angst. She hated to admit it, but after a year of being Panacea, the Greatest Healer in the World, she was bored. At first, it was exciting and interesting, to know that she finally had a way to help people like her family and the Human body was a truly amazing thing.
Unfortunately, the excitement and glamour of being a Hero quickly faded, especially after she first attended an Endbringer fight. That had...not been fun and she'd had nightmares about it for weeks afterwards. It certainly didn't help that, once the initial excitement had faded and she realized just how her power actually worked, she got scared. Biotinkers and Biokinetics had an (admittedly well earned) bad reputation with the public and PRT and her powers had the potential to make Nilbog look like a child with playdoh. That realization certainly hadn't helped her nightmares, which now featured the PRT breaking down her door and dragging her off to the Birdcage.
As a result, she'd stopped all the experimentation she'd done with her powers (mostly on her own gut fauna and the bacteria on her skin) and limited herself to healing. The problem was that, no matter how interesting it was, after a year of healing, she'd basically seen everything. Oh, occasionally something odd turned up, like the Case 53 Weld from Boston who was basically made of living metal, and she'd yet to see a case of Lupus, but theres only so many cases of cancer, broken bones and various forms of organ failure you can see before you get utterly sick of it. The problem now was that by this point she'd developed her reputation to much and now she felt guilty whenever she wasn't healing people, so she still found herself going to the hospital whenever she was free and even late at night when she couldn't sleep.
It certainly didn't help that Carol often went on about their responsibilities as Capes.
She sighed again, before shaking herself and smacking her cheeks to refocus as the teacher came in.
"Good morning class," he said as he set his bag on the desk, "Before we begin, it seems that we have a new student joining us today. Shes...ah, a little unusual, but I ask that you try not to stare or bombard her with questions."
A low buzz of confused chatter erupted for a moment as Amy lent forwards slightly. What could be so different about the new girl that would warrant a warning like that? A moment later, she got her answer as the teacher called the new girl in. She looked normal enough at first, albeit with what appeared to be insanely long dreadlocks that reached her feet, despite being tied up in a high ponytail. She was pale, with dark eyes and features that suggested northern european descent and was rather short, with a thin frame that suggested that she was recovering from a long bout of malnutrition, if her experienced medical eye was anything to go by. She was wearing a high quality white shirt with a symbol she didn't recognize on the sleeves in gray, a black skirt and flat shoes. Then, she reached the front and turned, revealing the small C shape tattooed on her cheek, standing out rather starkly against her skin.
The sight of the well known sign of a Case 53 made the class start up into a low level muttering of surprise and curiosity, before the teacher silenced them with a glare. Amy however, kept her mouth shut in favour of examining the apparent Cape with interest. She didn't look entirely comfortable, shifting under the gazes of her new classmates as her hair moved unnaturally. No, not hair. Amy's eyes widened as she realized that what she thought were dreadlocks were actually pencil thin tendrils.
"Everyone, this is Sveta Tian," said the teacher, "Please make her feel welcome and help if she needs it."
There was a general mumble of ascent as the teacher looked around and pointed to a seat next to Amy.
"That seats empty," he said, "Take a seat Sveta and we'll begin."
"Yes sir," said the girl and took the indicated seat, everyone's eyes following her as she crossed the room.
The eyes all snapped back to the front however when the teacher cleared his throat and started Homeroom. Amy however kept one eye on Sveta, more than a little curious as to why she was here. She didn't recognize the Case 53, so she clearly wasn't affiliated with the Protectorate and the fact she was here indicated that she wasn't affiliated with any Villains or Faultlines Crew. It also suggested that whoever was helping her (because someone HAD to be considering the amnesia all Case 53's suffered from) was well connected and had the resources necessary to get her up to a high school level, despite the aforementioned amnesia.
Sveta noticed her looking and smiled at her.
"Hi, I'm Sveta," she said, offering one of her tendrils that could apparently move independently.
"Um, hi," said Amy, slowly reaching out to politely shake 'hands', "I'm AmYEEP!?"
The moment she came in contact with the Case 53, she went rigid, her eyes going round as her power gave her an excellent view of the other girls biology.
One of the more esoteric parts of her power was the fact that it always gave her the exact species of whatever living thing she touched and even some dead ones. It generally wasn't that useful, but it did ping all of the other Case 53's she'd examined in the past as Human, including Weld who was otherwise completely immune to her power. However, Sveta gave her complete gibberish, almost as if her power had no idea what she was. She looked Human, but there were a few differences. Her muscles, bones and organs were all stronger, as were her senses and her tendrils were so even stronger, to the point that they could probably crush steel without difficulty. There was also something rather strange about the language center in her brain and, unless Amy was completely off base, she had retractable wings. Finally, and strangest of all, was the object deep in her chest made of some kind of crystal that was glowing with a faint, brown light while somehow not interfering with any of her organs, despite the fact it should have destroyed her Heart. As if that wasn't enough, it looked almost like a…
"Why do you have a chess piece in your chest?" she asked without thinking.
Sveta went still and her tendril tightened slightly, making Amy stiffen and gulp. Those things would be able to completely crush her with no trouble at all and it was rather apparent that she'd noticed something Sveta didn't want becoming common knowledge for some reason. After a very tense moment, Sveta relaxed and smiled.
"I have no idea what your talking about," she said.
She was lying of course, but Amy more than got the point.
"Huh, I must be imagining things," she said quickly.
"Hmm."
Sveta let her hand go and Amy snatched it back and returned her attention to the front as the teacher started reading out some notices, her mind spinning. It was just her luck that the first interesting thing to happen in what felt like forever happened to involve a girl who could, and likely would if it came to it, break her in half, Rules and her reputation or not, if she pushed to far. That said, she was just as stubborn as her sister when she found something that interested her, so she wasn't about to give up quite yet. She'd just have to be careful not to annoy the obviously strong Case 53 with her inquiries.
She smiled slightly. Maybe things were looking up a little.
Victoria Dallon let out a sigh as she slumped in her seat. The day hasn't even started yet and she was already bored, largely because she'd been grounded for a week after her latest little screw up and hadn't been able to go out on patrol. Still, she'd be going out tonight, so if she could just get through today she could work out some tension on some idiots.
She shook her head and sat up straight as the teacher entered the room with her usual severe expression on her face. The low buzz of chatter vanished immediately as she reached her desk and scanned the room.
"Good morning class," she said, "Before we begin, we have a new student joining us. Please refrain from asking him anything too intrusive."
She glared at a few people who were known to do just that, mostly in an attempt to figure out if the new kids were Wards or not, before turning to the door.
"You can come in now!" she called.
The door opened and a young man walked in. Despite the rather formal title, Vicky found that she was unable to think of any other description. He certainly didn't look much like most of the boys in the school, although exactly why she thought that she wasn't sure. He looked like a normal teenager at first glance, with the only unusual thing about him being his nearly white blonde hair and light purple eyes. He was wearing a white button down shirt and black slacks under a black long coat that had a crest of some kind on the back.
"Hi everyone," he said with a pure white smile, "I'm Kervius Agares. I hope we can all get along."
There was a low buzz of chatter, both at the teens rather odd eye colour and his equally unusual name, before they all shut up as the teacher glared.
"Thank you Mr Agares," she said, "Please take a seat next to Miss Dallon."
She pointed at the window seat next to Vicky. Kervius nodded and took the seat, smirking ever so slightly for reasons Vicky couldn't destern, although she did get the feeling that he was the type to smirk a lot. Or glare. His eyes looked like they were good at glaring.
I couldn't help but smirk as I took the seat beside the window on the second to last row to the back. You know, the seat virtually all Anime characters sat in for some ill defined reason. Maybe it was so they could stare out the window longingly without immediately getting caught? Not that I'd be doing that since this teacher looked about as strict as could be.
I was also more than a little amused that I was sat next to Glory Girl. While she wasn't really someone I planned to recruit (although I certainly would if the situation presented itself), she was still someone I'd very much like to get to know, if only because it would give me an in with Panacea, who I DID plan to recruit. What? I needed a good healer and Asia wasn't really an option.
I grinned at Vicky, who was eyeing me in a way that made me feel like a slide of beef, before turning my attention back to the front of the room before the teacher could throw her chalk at me or something.
Later, after class broke up for lunch, I found a table and got out the lunch Leysritt had prepared for me. The silver haired Maid was lazy, sarcastic and blunt to the point that she could casually insult the Devil Kings without realizing, but she was also an incredible cook. I was just about to start eating when Sveta arrived, bowed slightly and sat down when I glared at her and nodded to the seat across from me.
"Please try not to act like that when we're in school," I said.
"Sorry Ma...Kervius," she said as I glared at her again, "Force of habit."
"A habit you've had for all of a week," I grumbled, "Nevermind, not important."
I glanced at my Pawn and frowned. She had an odd expression on her face and looked worried about something.
"Whats wrong?" I asked.
Sveta twitched slightly and looked a little uncomfortable.
"Well, I was sat next to Amy Dallon in my first class and, well…"
"Ah, you touched her, right?" I asked, "Did she faint or something?"
"No, but she clearly saw something," said Sveta, "I think she should brush it off as me being a Case 53, but...she somehow saw my Evil Piece."
I paused, my fork near my mouth, before I slowly put it back on my lunch box.
"She did did she?" I muttered, "Interesting...I was honestly expecting you to no-sell her powers completely, although you did used to be Human so that could be why…"
I trailed off, tapping a finger on my chin in thought.
"What should we do about it Master?" she asked.
"Nothing for now," I said, "Honestly, I highly doubt she'd ever jump to the conclusion of 'Devil' and even if she did, its not like she'd catch the attention of anyone dangerous to us. More likely, she'll assume its a strange effect of your mutation."
I smiled a little evilly.
"Plus, it'll make her curious and that will only help bring her closer."
Sveta eyed me worriedly.
"What are you planning Master?" she asked, "That smiles scary…"
I snorted and switched to a more normal grin.
"Don't worry, I only intend to try and recruit her," I said, "See if you can get a Summoning Flyer into her possession once we get some made."
"Yes Master," said Sveta, ducking her head.
"And stop calling me Master!"
And that'll do. Hoo boy, I see no way that a Case 53 calling someone Master won't cause trouble further down the line! Possibly leading to someone getting beaten up by a Maid…
I...honestly have no idea exactly HOW I ended up with the idea of Kervius' Servants ending up working for him in a literal way. Not all of them will of course, but some will.
On the subject of his Servants, I'm replacing Riley. I had a better idea for who should be her Master, so now I'm torn between Canary and Aisha as her replacement. Which would you prefer? Ideas welcome, but I might have a better idea in the future.
Amy is a way's from the damaged girl on the path into hell she was in Canon, although shes starting on her way down it. Fortunately, the introduction of the mystery that is Sveta will derail that. As will Kervius Reincarnating her at a later date.
The reason Sveta didn't no-sell Amy's power is because Devils are descended from Humans. My understanding is that the Devils were originally Humans who were modified by the original Satans, resulting them technically being a separate species of Humans. Scanning their DNA would result in some odd results, but they would register as being a branch of Homo Sapiens. As a result, powers can scan them...to a degree. Magic is completely outside the Shards field of experience, so they simply cannot modal it. As a result, Precogs will start getting some very odd results when the Devils really start messing with Earth Bet.
That said, Sacred Gears, Angels, Gods and those who have nothing to do with Humanity will completely no-sell any power that isn't modified by an Evil Piece/Brave Saint.
I'm...not sure what I'm going to do with Vicky yet. I don't really want to add her to Kervius Peerage, but its not impossible that I'll change my mind or give her to someone else. Possibly Seekvaira. Not sure yet.
Why did I use Len as his Familiar? No idea. My original idea used Papi the Harpy, but I thought I might as well continue with the Fate theme.
I'll leave it to you to decide what Sveta's new surname of 'Tian' means. I can assure you that it'll be fun though. The other name I could have used was Carmel.
Before I go, a short Omake based on an idea I've not completely tossed, thats based on a conversation I had with Quatermass, so thanks to him for the idea.
Alexandria stared at the person in front of her, completely and utterly stumped. On the surface, it was like looking in a mirror...but theres no way in hell that she'd ever be caught dead in pigtails or an outfit like that!
"Who the fuck are you?" she asked, her mind still not fully in gear.
The girl giggled and spun around, flailing her wand and somehow releasing sparkles as she struck a pose right out of a Magical Girl Anime and winked, a pink heart appearing as she did.
"I am MAGICAL GIRL SERA-TAN, AT YOUR SERVICE!"
Alexandria started.
"...What."
'Sera-tan' pouted and fixed her with a cutesy glare.
"Come on, Alexy-chan, smile, sparkle, strike a pose!" she yelled.
Alexandria stared.
"...You can't be me," she said, still not convinced this wasn't a dream, "No version of me would ever be that insane."
Sera-tan blinked and tilted her head on one side.
"Umm, this coming from the one working for a worldwide conspiracy?" she asked, "Hello Miss Pot, I'm Miss Kettle, did I mention how black you are today?"
Alexandria stared for a moment, before opening her mouth. Then she closed it again and stomped away in search of alcohol.
Considering what my muse is like, there is a very strong possibility that that will become canon in one way or another. At the moment its not, but still...
Anyway, I'm done and its late, so I'm gonna sign off. Don't forget to leave a review!