-Sona Sitri POV-
This is such a mess….
I can already see the amount of paperwork and a whole load of problems this will entail. Yet, there's nothing else to be done.
Fallen invading our territory and killing Sacred Gear Users. A missing exorcist with murder tendencies who vanished without a trace, somehow.
And not to forget the massive dragon that appeared in the middle of Kuoh's outskirts. Not only that but the 'how' it was dealt with is going to bring bothersome questions and prying eyes.
It's not that the thing was powerful; I don't think it even reached peak High-Class even if it was extremely durable and just kept regenerating its limbs with deformed, cancerous flesh.
No. It was the sheer aura exuding from it. Suffocating till the point of breaking in a sweat and going short of breath. Its whole purpose was to make everything and everyone around it surrender to its might.
And we still need to ask some questions to Zatren-San…
When he wakes up, that is.
I'm not surprised he ended up unconscious. I swear he almost gave me a heart attack the moment I saw him falling from the sky.
I'll have to reprimand him later. How can someone be so nonchalant at almost throwing their life away? As his King…
Well, I'm not his King yet, but he did say he was going to join up with me, right?
Can I even reincarnate him at this point…? The power needed to actually kill that beast, no matter how weakened, is surely a result of a powerful Sacred Gear. Does he have a True Longinus variant, after all?
The sound of my foot tapping against the floor is the only thing that can be heard in the Student's Council room. The office chair I'm sitting in moves from one side to another as I contemplate the options I have before me. The formal report I was writing was forgotten at the moment as the pen in my hand twirls at the movement of my fingers.
The survivor of the four invading Fallen… It's a good thing she didn't remain around here. Himejima already had a huge problem with the Fallen in general. Even after she told us what she knew, we don't know why Zatren saved her.
Mittelt is her name. She remains in Zatren's apartment. Constantly monitored by our familiars so she doesn't escape, but far enough to not cause conflict.
As for the other two...
Rias ended up reincarnating Genshirou and that excommunicated nun. The problems with the latter were… worrisome to say the least. In any case, she used up her last Bishop piece to reincarnate her.
Genshirou, on the other hand, used up four pawn pieces.
While I have to admit that Absorption Line is a really useful Sacred Gear with lots of potential, just how much would it take to reincarnate Fumigami?
I'm pretty sure Rias and I are pretty close in terms of power. Of course, she has a lot more destructive power, but I have her beat in terms of versatility.
Our demonic power reserves are pretty similar and so is our physical prowess. So, if Rias used up four points to reincarnate Genshirou, how many points will I need to use up for our resident mage?
Will a Rook be enough? Maybe my seven remaining Pawns?
If those are not enough… Maybe I can ask my sister to reincarnate him and trade him to me?
I don't want to depend on her for such things, even if I know she will do it in a heartbeat if I ask, but is there any other way?
…
Maybe…
No, that would be foolish. There's no way such a thing would be possible, right?
But if it was… not only would I have Zatren's help in achieving my dream, but Rias could have help with her arranged marriage.
I can only know the answer by asking the one who created the Evil Pieces in the first place. So, I still have to call my sister either way.
I needed to do that no matter what since I very much doubt Rias and I can deal with the fallout of today's events on our own.
Picking up my smartphone, I call my dear sister's number. The tone rings once, and there's not even time for another chime before I hear the voice of one Serafall Leviathan on the other side. One of the four Great Satans and my big sister.
''Sona-Taaan~ It's been so long since you last called. Did you miss big sis?'' A playful and silly tone is what I receive from the other end, and I can already feel years of life coming out of my being when sigh.
I love my sister, really, but she can be a bit... much.
''Sister.'' I greet her through the phone, and even if I can't see her, I know she is putting right now for not calling her 'Big Sis'. ''I… need your help. In a few matters, actually.''
''What happened?'' The sudden change of voice caught me off-guard. It's a wonder how my sister can go from a completely doltish and carefree attitude to a serious and dependable one in a matter of seconds, but she is one of the leaders of our race for a reason.
''First things first, there's been an infiltration of Fallens in Kuoh. They tried to capture and kill several Sacred Gear users-'' My eyes widen as a sudden chill goes down my spine. Why does my phone feel so cold to the contact all of a sudden…?
''They. Did. What?'' Her voice feels like cold needles on my skin. Even if her rage is not aimed at me, I can't help but shiver as if I were in the middle of a snowing field instead of halfway through spring.
Oh, that's not good at all.
-? POV-
Who knew that a visit to Kuoh Town would end up being so interesting~
Entering and remaining unseen was as easy as every other time. The heiresses may be prodigies in their own right and the sisters of Two of the Four Great Satans, but they were 'lacking'~
Illusions like this are a piece of cake, after all.
Unlike other times I've visited, there was quite the show for once!
A dragon, if it can even be called that, just appeared out of nowhere to destroy every-nyah-ting in its path. I was worried about the integrity of the town itself if that thing went on a rampage, you nyow?
Not like it would've gotten far.
The life force inside of it was way too little to maintain that monstrous form, it was also draining as fast as a ruptured dam. It was quite morbid to see. Like watching a car crash~
I gave it… 20 minutes TOPS before it died from running out of life force.
Even so, nyan. 20 minutes is a long time for that thing to wreck everything around it. I hid around the treetops to see if I could catch a glimpse of whatever was happening.
When I felt the Devils around it, I was about ready to bolt lest a strong contender appeared who could actually sense me. But I couldn't
Little Shirone was there. What kind of sister would I be if I didn't look out for her, hm?~ (Even if she doesn't see me as one anymore)
So, the dragon got bigger and bigger while chanting. Its power grew with every word uttered, and its life dried like a lush oak tree that appeared in the middle of the desert.
Then, a meteor fell from the sky!
Well, it wasn't a meteor. It was a person nose-diving (spear-diving?) from the sky directly at the abomination. I swear I could feel the shockwave ruffling my kimono when they clashed. It was quite intense, like a fairy tale, you know?
After all was done, I saw something… curious.
My dear Shirone rushed to save the falling Dragon Slayer. Desperation clear in her moves and even in her Ki.
Which was immediately replaced by relief and embarrassment once she had him in her arms.
Hmm…
I may have to stay in Kuoh a little longer, Nyahaha~
-Zatren Fumigami POV. Nighttime-
Ohh fffuck.
I just woke up, haven't even opened my eyes yet, and my head feels like freaking Donkey Kong used it as drums for a twelve-hour competition of playing bongos.
Thank Michael above that the bed is soft, and the pillow nice and fluffy. I open and close my right hand, feeling the handle of Jinzui in my grip.
Man, that's going to take a while to explain. Maybe I can pass her off as a non-discovered Sacred Gear?
Will that even work? With all of her abilities, she should be classified as a Longinous… I think.
I don't really remember all of the powers from the Longinus. I know that Boosted Gear is a Mid-Tier one…
Huh. Will Jinzui be anywhere near Longinus-Tier? I think she could reach it if I absorbed lots of powerful parts. Like blood from Longinus users. Maybe things like Ophis and Great Red's flesh? Ha! Good luck trying to get that shit.
Ah, fuck it. We'll see how it goes.
Opening my eyes, I'm greeted by a… purplish ceiling.
There's light, but it's as soft as a night light and emits a gentle glow across the bedroom. What I thought was the ceiling is actually an upper part of the bed frame. There are transparent curtains made of pink silk covering the bed from all sides.
And what a bed.
Man, this thing could fit like six people in it.
Sitting up, I can see that I'm still wearing the school uniform. My coat is nowhere to be seen. I can tell my armor's still on, so I store it in my inventory with only a thought.
My free hand goes to my head. The throbbing pain reminds me of the splitting headache I have right now.
My memory isn't hazy at all. I can tell that I killed off that disfigured Juggernaut Drive, flirted a bit with Koneko, and then just fell unconscious.
Truly, I may have to keep a record of how many times I just nodded off after winning, and not make it a habit.
If the night light is anything to go by, I may have been out for either half a day or more.
I went through this before. Let's just check the notifications now before I have a hundred screens surrounding me from all sides.
70.351 Weapon Experience.
20 Hero Skill points have been granted for killing 'Red Dragon Emperor (Fake)'.
By suffering through light-infused attacks combined with a Holy element, new Skills were created!
[Light Resistance] Lv 1 (0%).
Your natural ability to resist attacks with light attributes.
[Holy Resistance] Lv 1 (0%).
Your natural ability to resist attacks with holy elements.
[Spear Proficiency] has leveled up by 12!
[Electrokinesis] has leveled up by 4!
[Hydrokinesis] has leveled up by 7!
[Reinforcement] has leveled up by 10!
[Barrier Magic] has leveled up by 3!
…
Oh fuck me, the list keeps going.
All these numbers really don't help with my headache… but the rewards tickle the funny part of my brain~
Emergency Quest ''The Fall From Grace'' has been completed!
Defeat or Kill the four Fallen Angels. [4/4].
Save Asia Argento. [X]
Save Issei Hyoudou. [-]
Save Sachi Genshirou. [X]
You have failed all of the Bonus Objectives…
Yeah, yeah. I know…
I knew I was going to fail the 'no getting help' one right away, and maybe Freed slipping out wasn't that bad. I would have gotten way too many problems if that idiot didn't run off.
I don't think I could have defeated both him and Raynare before Dohnaseek showed his ugly mug and blitzed me along with his comrades.
No. That was fine.
It's not saving Issei that actually bothers me.
Say what you want about the guy. He's a pervert, a sexual harassment-inclined guy, and quite an airhead from what I remember, but two of those things can be attributed to what he was taught as a child.
Really, what kind of parents leave their son and friend alone with a strange old man at the park multiple times? No wonder he grew up a bit wrong in the head if that was how much his parents paid attention to him, dude.
I'm not justifying his actions. At 17 he should be more than aware of what's good or bad, and I can confidently say he even pissed me off a bit, but still.
I know he gets better as the plot goes on. Maybe not perfect, but at least I can give him some respect and credit.
And now none of that will happen because I was far too lenient on letting the Fallen start the 'Canon'. What's my excuse? Getting scared about just going up to the church and checking for any signature at all?
'What if I get caught up in a trap?' Or 'What if my presence alerts them and makes some things change'
Well, guess what? Shit happened differently either way, dumbass!
Haa… It's no use bashing myself like this. What happened is done and set in stone, and Canon is derailed as fuck. I don't think Kokabiel's attack would even be the same. If it was even going to be the same in the first place.
I'm just going to check up on the rewards…
You have made progress in 'The Rising Of The Spear Hero' Quest.
You rushed into the thick of the brawl with the lives of innocents in mind. Points have been added.
Even among the bloodshed, you found mercy in your heart to spare someone who was considered an enemy just because of their circumstance. Points have been added.
Putting your life on the line, you bravely fought against an Incredible foe. You came out as the winner against a 'Dragon' by technicality. Points have been added.
You're someone who relies on the people close to him but does not depend entirely on them. You believe in their strength, and they believe in yours.
Strengthening Method: [Trust] has been added.
Calculating total rewards for your accomplishments and unforeseen extra objectives…
Rewards:
Boosted Gear (Shattered).
The powerful Mid-Tier Longinus. The one who is in possession of this Sacred Gear is commonly known as The Red Dragon Emperor. You have managed to break this powerful weapon into pieces. You may connect this SG to your soul to gain its power.
WARNING: There may be side effects if you absorb a broken Sacred Gear!
Dragon-like materials have been added to your inventory along with a Loot Box.
Perk: [Dragon Slayer].
Right now, the weakest of dragons will feel threatened in your presence, while the average one may be slightly alerted. Nevertheless, draconic beings will know you have slayes one of their own.
You do increased damage to Dragons and Dragon-like beings.
This may affect future relations.
Your already unnatural voice capabilities due to being half-mermaid have been upgraded.
[Dovahzul] has been added.
For saving Asia Argento and Sachi Genshirou you gained one Gacha Token.
For killing Raynare, Kalawarna, and Dohnaseek you gained one Gacha Token.
For giving out a second chance to Mittelt, you gained two Gacha Tokens.
For killing a Boosted Gear wielder on his 'Juggernaut Drive', you gained four Gacha Tokens.
That… That's a lot of rewards.
Whatever the 'hidden objectives' may be. Isn't this way too much for basically falling half the mission?
It was probably thanks to defeating Dohnaseek in the Juggernaut Drive. I can't think of anything that may have pumped my rewards through the roof otherwise.
While all of these are amazing, there's one in particular that draws my complete attention.
Boosted Gear.
I'm worried about what the side effects are, but it's still a high-tiered Longinus nonetheless. If I want to get reincarnated by Sona, then I may need to wait before bonding it to my soul.
I really can't help it. My mind goes to the Gear's righteous owner once more.
I may not have been able to save him, but his strength just became mine. I will make sure to use it to the fullest.
Rest in Peace, Issei Hyoudou.
Before I can check up on any more notifications or take a good look at my obtained loot, a tired yet soft voice speaks up. ''Senpai…?'' The soft click of a door closing is heard before one of the curtains covering the bed opens, revealing a white-haired girl with tired, golden eyes staring right at me.
''Ah…'' I take a look at my hand. The spear in it vanished a moment later and reappeared as a chain around my neck. Then, I turn to look at Koneko with a little smile and give her a wave. ''Hey there, Koneko-Chan~''
The cat girl in question just looks at me with a pointed stare. The intensity of her golden eyes made me quite nervous, actually.
She climbs onto the bed, slow movements like a hunter stalking its prey. Yet, she doesn't pounce like a wild cat that just caught a tasty kind of fish. She just moves closer, hands and knees on the soft fabric of the bed until she's just at arm's reach.
''Koneko?'' I raise an eyebrow in curiosity. I could use [Observe] to see what's on her mind, but what's the purpose of that?
Really. Unless it's an enemy I'm looking at, I want to give people I know some privacy.
Except for the first time I 'Observe' someone, I mostly just check on their parameters instead of all the additional info after that.
She stays still while looking at me all over. Particularly, the hand that I was holding Jinzui with. It keeps that way until around a minute passes. Then, she sighs in relief, her shoulders slacking on her sides. ''You really are okay.''
''Of course, I am,'' I reassure her with a smile and open arms. ''Really, did you expect anything else? Oh, you of little faith-''
A sudden weight gets added to my sore body, making me groan. My back hit the comfy mattress below and I can feel something soft rubbing against the underside of my neck.
The cheeky girl just pounced to give me a hug. A firm but delicate embrace thanks to her supernatural strength. The smile on my face widens as I return the hug with equal affection.
''Dumbass…'' Her voice is soft, and now I feel bad for worrying her. One of my hands goes to her head, patting it softly. That makes her tense for a moment, before relaxing and I can hear a soft rumbling of some kind next to my chest.
Before I can look into it, there's a knock on the door, which makes Koneko tense and separate quickly, landing just at my side as I sit up.
''Koneko? I heard something. Everything alright in there?'' It's Rias behind the door. She sounds a bit worried but also a lot more chirp than I've heard her this past few days. Did something good happen?
''Everything's fine, Rias-Senpai,'' I answer in Koneko's stead. There's silence for a bit before the crimson-haired girl enters through the door. Eyes wide when she sees me fully conscious. That surprise is replaced a moment later by smugness at seeing her Rook at my side, frozen in embarrassment.
''Hoo, sorry for interrupting~'' The teasing in her voice makes me smirk, she approaches the bed and with a wave of her hand, the curtains around it are all opened, revealing the rest of the high-class room. ''Didn't want to interrupt the love-birds time, but I have a few questions~''
Oh? She thinks it's all fun and games, eh? Two can play at this game, Senpai.
''Not a problem. Actually, come on in. There's plenty of space for you too.'' The embarrassed Koneko turns to look at me with a deadpan expression and rosy cheeks, while Rias's eyes widen at my boldness.
She takes it in stride, however. Climbing into the bed and sitting cross-legged in front of us with a big smug smile on her face.
She's actually wearing pajamas. Weird, since I remember she liked sleeping naked. It's basically a full-body onesie, light blue in color and with cute little horns on the hood that's currently down.
''Cute~'' I wink at her, making her giggle. Koneko, not wanting to be left on the side, gets close to my side once more, grabbing and hugging my arm while looking at her King.
Is she actually jealous or is she just showing her claim? I think it's the latter, and it's incredibly adorable.
Before the conversation derails even more, I turn to Rias to inquire about her questions. ''So, you wanted to ask me a few things, right? Also, thanks for lending me a comfy bed while I was unconscious.'' It wasn't hard to discern this must be some sort of guest room at the Occult Research Club. Man, she really likes her luxury.
''Please, it's nothing much.'' She smiles with modesty before her eyes sparkle with emotion. ''It was really something what you did earlier today. I want to talk more about it, but I will just ask a few questions and leave you to rest. Hehe.''
With a nod as my answer, she clears her throat, a serious expression on her face this time. ''The first thing would be… That weapon you had before. No matter what, we couldn't take it off your hands. Is that your Sacred Gear?''
Oof. Right to the point, isn't she? That's something I like about Rias, she doesn't beat around the bush. If she's curious about something, she asks. It makes her appear a bit bolder, and maybe a bit socially awkward.
''Well. Yes.'' I have some explanation that doesn't require talking about the multiverse. ''I don't know her name, but I know it's a powerful spear that's bonded to my very soul.''
No surprise there. Every Sacred Gear is connected to the soul of the user. Rias focused on another thing entirely. ''Her?'' She tilts her head like a lost puppy in confusion.
''Hm.'' I nod with a smile, my free hand grabbing at the chain around my neck. ''There's an ancient spirit inside it. I think there's a few Sacred Gears with beings inside of them too, right?''
''Are you saying I'm old, Partner?'' The small gem in the middle of my collar brightens up in Crimson light. The ethereal voice of Jinzui speaks in slight amusement, making both Rias and Koneko flinch. The latter looked at my neck with a complicated expression.
''You know I didn't say that.'' Deadpanning while looking at the decorative chain with a spear around my neck, the crimson shine fades slowly, indicating Jinzui's 'departure'.
''I… I see.'' Rias nods with a frown on her face. ''What can she do?''
''Well… There are a few things, but the first and foremost is that she can absorb almost anything, as long as it's considered an 'object', to permanently unlock a 'Weapon Form' with its characteristics. Feeding her something coming from a powerful being will unlock a stronger form.''
''Oh. That sounds pretty good!'' Oh, you don't know half of it. I grin and change to the Red Dragon Emperor Spear. The crimson lance shone with power under the small light around the room. Rias looks at the weapon in curiosity, before raising an eyebrow at me.
''I got this one from absorbing some of that Dragon that the Fallen turned into. It's actually the one that let me kill him in the first place.'' I explain before making the weapon disappear, lest I damage the bed she lent me for tonight.
The effect it's instant. Her eyes widen while looking in surprise. ''Really? And you say you can absorb basically anything?'' I nod. A yawn escaped my lips just a moment later.
''Maybe I can show you tomorrow…'' Man, I can feel my eyelids getting heavy. I haven't tried that shit about 'not sleeping'. Maybe I don't actually need to with Gamer's Body, but right now I feel really tired. ''Any other question?''
''How did you know what the Fallen were planning?'' Rias asks. This one… I really don't have something to cover that up.
''Would you believe if I told you my life is like a game, and I got a Quest for it?'' I give her a wink while sticking my tongue out.
That makes her snort. Her head shakes while the smile on her face shows her disbelief. ''Alright, don't tell me then, oh mysterious arch-wizard~'' Yeah, even if I tell her the truth, it's not something you would take at face value.
''Hmm…'' The resident redhead gives out a yawn of her own. I can understand, today's events will leave anyone tired. ''Who are you really, Fumigami-Kun?''
Now that one gives me pause. The ocean orbs of Rias stare at me. Her eyelids are half-closed in drowsiness. There's really not much to it, it was just a really out-of-the-blue question. Is Rias quite perceptive or is it just my imagination?
''I'm just a guy planning to live life to its fullest,'' I answer honestly. I turn to look at Koneko, who hasn't stopped grabbing my arm during all this time, only to see she was sleeping soundly. Her chest rose slowly up and down.
I turn to Rias who looks at us with a little smile. ''If I end up meeting people, making friends, enemies, or getting a lover here and there along the way… Then that's fine, you know?''
''Yeah… I think I do.'' That's all she says before getting close and flopping to my left side. The curtains around the bed close once again, covering us in a blanket of darkness, as even the night light turns off. ''You don't mind, right?''
I shrug. Laying down with both Rias and Koneko at my sides. The sleeping form of Koneko snuggles up against me, making me chuckle and turn to an almost-asleep Rias. ''Want to snuggle up?''
She looks at me with a smile, shakes her head in amusement, and then also grabs onto my side. After a while, the only sound is the soft breaths of both girls sleeping the night away.
Huh. Cuddles achieved. That's nice.
My eyes close too. Hope that tomorrow will be a more peaceful day.
Hmm… Should I take tomorrow off…?
Maybe I will…
-OMAKE: Zatren Edgygami: Fallen Encounter-
In a single move, the head of our leader, Raynare, fell to the ground. The blood seeping from where the fatal cut was made.
What the fuck. HOW?!
Raynare was the strongest among the four of us. Not only that, but she had Twilight Healing to recover from all of her injuries.
''Come on… Were all of you really just exp points?'' A voice speaks with clear disappointment. The owner of which is a black-haired teenager with purple eyes. He's dressed in all black, a leather jacket covering his torso. Blood covers his otherwise clean clothes, not even a scratch in those pieces of fabric.
The sound of dripping liquid is his answer. Crimson red drops falling from the sword in his hand. It was a black blade with a white edge with an ocean-blue gem in the middle. It would be less disturbing if that was all there was to the sword, but no.
He pulled that up after feeding one of Kalanarna's wings to that round gem, saying something along the lines of 'free unlock' and 'farming experience'.
Terror filled my gaze as the human- no. The thing in human skin took a step towards me. An impassive look on his face.
Run. I HAVE TO RUN.
Huh...?
My legs, my wings... Why are they not moving...?
A shadow casts over my form, and when I look up, an impassive face greets me.
The black-haired person stared blankly at me. His purple eyes didn't betray a thing about his feelings.
Those same eyes that previously looked coldly at the bodies of my comrades after tearing the stolen Sacred Gears from their corpses. 'Free loot' he called it.
"I have a question, Fallen." His voice was cold, and uncaring, as if speaking with a bug.
What did he want from her? Information? Amusement? Why didn't he just kill her?!
"W-what is it...?" Stop sounding so pathetic, damn it!
Whatever, it doesn't matter! I will spill everything I know about the Grigori. What did those bastards do to help me, after all?!
A little laugh echoes in the abandoned church, and my eyes widen as a chill goes down my spine.
His expression changed.
Once cold pupils light up with a manic glint, and a crooked smirk replaces the "cold-beauty" type of face he was making.
His voice filled the room with a hidden glee.
"Does. It. Grip?"
.
.
.
Author's Note:
Huh. This chapter was pretty short.
At least to what I wrote this past month. But I think is a deep of fresh air.
A good and deserved rest for our MC. We'll call it a mental health day!
Anyways. Word spreads fast, and with meddlesome creatures who live long lives? New things are always a hot topic. We shall see how Zatren deals with a bit of 'popularity'.
We got them cuddles, that's nice!
Also, the OMAKE is in Mittelt's POV.
It's my take on what could happen with a more unhinged/detached Zatren. One who didn't have the hardships or the friends that Canon Zatren had and still thinks of this world as a selfish/wish-fulfillment fantasy, instead of a real world. (He is also a prick, probably). You can refer to him as Edgygami, lol.
Maybe I'll make another one from his perspective.
This last part is for FFN users. It seems that my DM's are either not going through, or not being sent at all. I'll try to hurry up the Discord Server so I can answer all your questions again (For those that can't wait or don't plan to join the future discord, you can still comment in Ao3. I post on both pages!). Have a nice weekend, guys! :D