The bed creaked slightly.

She reveled in the sound of his breathing.

All was right in the world.

No, not really. If A2's forays into the primitive digital space of this equally primitive time were any indication, plenty of things were wrong in this mad hellhole of a world.

The executioner unit still being out on whether this was the past of her world or she'd been thrown into another spacetime axis all together.

Hey, even someone as…martially inclined as A2 could pick up abstract concepts.

Mostly out of boredom.

Humans might dream of immortality, and rightly so as befits her creators, but few ever considered the potential downsides of what actually being an exiled immortal, without the need to eat or drink and wondering a wasteland filled with people who hated her guts and worse, machines.

Suffice to say, before A2 met, or rather was the recipient of that lovestruck duo stumbling into her life, again, executioner unit still out on whether the duo's intrusion was a good thing, she had plenty of time to scavenge and barter for scraps of knowledge.

The slight alteration of her human's breathing coupled with him mumbling some made her smile.

Smile and bury her nose in his black hair, inhaling his scent with both her old sensors and the new and still developing 'senses' courtesy of the blessing born of his blood.

Yes, she decided as she drew the child closer still, serving as the 'big spoon' if the nomenclature according to the data streams was correct. If A2 meeting the disaster duo was what led her to this? Then she was thankful.

Of course, she was considerably less thankful regarding the horrors she witnessed trawling through this era's digital space.

On the one hand she learned much and more about humanity, reconceptualizing a lot of the historian's theories and more importantly got a lot of ideas for the future and ways she could make certain Yuha was not…tempted by the impure.

Her cheeks felt warm for some reason.

On the other, who knew that a jar and—

Shuddering, the blush evaporating as she once again buried the forbidden under digital lock and key she listened to the sound of her human's heartbeat and started drifting slowly back to sleep.

Nobody had bothered them since the mess two days ago and the city wasn't on fire.

Yes, all was alright in A2's world—

The doorbell rang.

Yuha squirmed and mumbled, no doubt already starting the process of booting…waking up.

A2 took another deep fortifying breath and, ignoring the urge to throw her sword in the door's direction, through the wall, and to the trio she could see through the cameras instead, with superhuman control lifted the covers, leaving the precious source of warmth and made for the door with the nimble steps of a feline and not a rhinoceros as she dearly wished.


In the center of the Occult club's living room, the second newest member of Rias' peerage squirmed and stared at the target near one of the walls.

"Butchou…do I have to?" she asked with a whine, ignoring the deadpans and disappointed sighs from her new family with the ease of long practise.

The Red Dragon Empress she might be or something but, Issei still had her priorities.

And those included, boobs, thighs, feet, armpits…

"Yes, Issei," Rias said with a cute pout which combined with how the redhead's shirt struggled to contain the beauties massive, soft, and quite perky pillows, Issei could attest from experience. Only served to fill Issei's brain with all manner of interesting thoughts, causing a perverted chuckle slip past her lips.

"Senpai Ecchi." A cat is fine too. "…Senpai Hentai."

"But Butchou," she cried again. "It's haaaard, can't I get a day's rest, or three or a week?" even dropping to her knees and opening up the floodgates, fake tears gushing down her cheeks, again courtesy of long practice. After all her dream and line of chosen profession both, that is a super pervert with her own harem of nubile beauties, demanded no less than a complete absence of shame.

Being an actual adult and now a devil or something was a distant third or fourth in her list of priorities.

Shit, nobody seemed to be budging.

That's ok, Issei focused on the one who could decide her fate on this day.

"I d-d-died you know."

In the quest for booty there was no weapon Issei would hesitate to use!

Rias winced and took a step back towards the wall and the projected illusion, and Issei resisted the urge to grin as she felt the first crack in Butchou's defense.

Heh, nobody was immune against a girl's tears!

"Y-yes, Issei," Rias stuttered with a trembling smile, face slightly pale. "Perhaps you are right and we needn't rush things, we have time after all."

Why, if she played her cards right, perhaps today could end with another skinship session!

Things, it would seem, were coming up Issei!

"Fufufu~" Akeno's dark purr of a laugh caused Issei to shudder as her senpai started her way. "Rias, I think Issei is stronger than she looks," Senpai said, coming to a stop behind Issei who'd frozen like a statue, not daring to move a muscle.

"Eh? Akeno?"

But Akeno ignored Rias, reaching down and threading soft arms through Issei's armpits, lifting her up and making her shudder once more as massive gravity defying containers of hopes and dreams pressed up against Issei's back and she bit her lip.

"All she needs is a bit of motivation," senpai breathed into her ear, the hot gust making her knees grow weak. "A bit of force. To be whipped into shape."

Her panties grew dump as Akeno, fast as a viper nibbled onto the tip of Issei's earlobe earning a whimper.

"O-ok!" she squeaked but still Akeno did not stop supporting her. The arms serving more as a promise and a warning. "I-I'll do it!"

A budding super pervert she might be but even Issei drew the line at night after night whips and velvet cuffs and worst of all.

Edging.

Until she grew strong enough to be able to top Akeno? Issei planned to stay far, far away from her Senpai's 'gentle embrace'.

"Are you sure, Issei?" Rias asked, biting her lip and Issei felt the urge to scream for her own manipulations it seemed had worked a tad too well, what with Butchou, always overly caring, now hesitating to push her too hard.

"Yes!"

"Oh, if you are sure."

"Please!"

A dark chuckle caressed her ear as Akeno's arms released her and Senpai stepped beside her.

Would it really be so bad if she…no. No! That way lay hours of frustration. No matter how pleasant. No.

"Then, anytime you are ready, Issei!"

Ok, that's just not fair!

Why did Butchou's hopeful smile have to be so beautiful?!

For that if nothing else…

Issei squared her shoulders, settled her stance and glared at the illusion lining the far wall.

And stared.

And stared some more.

Starting to growl.

"Err, Issei-kun, are you ok?" She ignored Kiba-teme.

"Perhaps Hentai Senpai should add more fiber."

Ok, just for that she'll tie Koneko to a chair and eat a whole can of cookies in front of her.

"I-I'm sure Issei is doing her best!" Asia the light in her soul squeaked and for just a moment, Issei felt something flare deep within her.

And judging by the gasps all around her, it would seem it wasn't just her imagination.

Sadly, it wasn't enough.

With a gasp, and with no desire to push harder and risk proving Koneko right, she let go.

"I can't, it's too hard!" she whined.

"That's…that's ok, Issei," Rias said, expression crestfallen and that above all else hurt the most.

"Why did I have to be saddled with you of all people as my wielder?" ah great, baka red decided to make his presence known.

"Can I trade you in for your rival, I think I prefer Albion."

"W-why you—"

Unbeknownst to anyone there, in that moment, Vali and Albion sneezed.

"Fufufu~" Akeno's arm landing on Issei's shoulder made her tense. "I think its too early to give up yet, no?" and not just because she caught a glance of Senpai's glistening armpit and a whole lot of s-rank sideboob, courtesy of Akeno choosing to go with a sleeveless variant.

"—wouldn't you say, Issei?"

She nodded and whispered the answer befitting Akeno's words. "Boobs." Followed by immediate realization.

Not the chains and the scented candles!

"Excellent, I knew I could count on you Issei~"

She blinked with confusion, Akeno wasn't dragging her off to the dungeon. Still, what did she agree to?

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Rias," senpai said and with a wave of Butchou's hand the illusion near the far wall seemed to wobble before Akeno raised her own arm and it stabilized.

If for a moment, the illusion's form starting to shift as Akeno drew close, trapping Issei's arm between her valley of heaven making Issei gasp and then frown as the illusion settled into a familiar form.

"Him?!"

"Oh yes," Akeno purred close to her ear once more, the proximity causing blood to rush in all sorts of places and thus, causing Issei to feel lightheaded. "Why, he might decide revenge is in order, and decide to go on a…'training arc'."

"Shitty chicken…"

"And who knows, he might prove to strong for the rest of us once again, even for you."

Deep in the underworld, a certain blond man whimpered and hid deeper under the covers much to the chagrin of his sister but that is neither here nor there.

More illusions joined the image of fake Riser, the rest of the peerage, Issei's new family, in various state of undress, collared, and kneeling around the smirking figure with the oh so punchable mug.

Although, judging by the real Asia's sharp intake, some part of Issei had to agree, Kiba-teme looked good in such a position.

Blinking, Issei noticed a small discrepancy in the vision.

"Oh, I see you noticed," the demon in his ear purred with a voice like sweet honey as vision Riser tugged at fake Rias' collar, pulling her closer.

Where was she?

Not that she wanted to be in such a position of course, but super pervert and future harem empress or not, she had her own feminine pride and—

Akin to purple smoke clearing, near the corners of the illusion another appeared, namely Issei herself.

Tied to a chair.

Issei snarled and felt that curious new sensation rise up from the depths of her soul, rising in response to her need as her vision grew sharper, pulse quicker and Ddraig's gauntlet trembled with a curious sensation of weight.

"T-that. It can't be!"

Yet at the same time, the gauntlet felt lighter than ever.

And then Akeno leaned closer still, her full lips brushing her ear.

"And of course, given how ravenous his appetites are…" the faux shitty chicken smirked further and shifted his other arm, tugging at something behind his back.

Issei's breath stopped and her heart certainly felt like it did too as the adorable child that'd brought her back to life and alongside that scary, scary cyborg lady had helped theme here and there this past few weeks.

Stared up at her with red eyes and a gleaming colar round his neck.

And then spoke. "Nee-san…"

Faster than she could think, a furious roar flying free from her lips, Issei raised her gauntlet, the blue lines now coating her skin flaring brightly as the energy seemed to converge on said gauntlet and for a moment the very light around them seemed to bend and cave towards said arm as massive gathering of light in what could loosely be called an arrow formed.

And promptly speared through Riser, shattering the illusion.

And the wall behind him.

Aaand by the looks of it, where the arrow finally stopped, a deep groove in the dirt trailing behind it, the school's forest had a new glade!

"Well done, Issei~" Akeno said and licked her ear, not helping Issei's hammering heart while her cruel senpai turned towards Butchou.

"Rias?"

For her part, Butchou, staring wide eyed, shook her head and with a wary look approached the line stretching towards the forest, extending a dainty foot towards one of the fading embers of blue light.

Before wincing and drawing her foot back, the tip of her shoe smoking.

"I'd say that settles it, Asia?"

"I-it's slightly different but there is no mistaking the Light of the Holy."

Kiba-teme nodded. "I concur, well done, Issei-kun."

A devil that could, by the looks of it, freely wield the Light of Heaven.

Yeah, even a dumbass like her could see how that could prove interesting.

To say nothing of the fact that Issei had died a second time.

Nobody came back a second time.

Even the devils powers stretched only so far after all.

Not that either Butchou or Sitri-senpai intended to let said little fact become widely known of course.

Despite what the scary white-haired cyborg lady believed, Issei knew that Butchou and Sona-senpai spoke the truth.

And speaking of Sona…

Butchou winced as a scream of pure rage and despair seemed to fill the school grounds.

"Ah, it seems Sona has caught wind of our little experiment."

"More like the unplanned forest remodeling"

"Shush Akeno."

"Fufufu~"

Such matters were above Issei's pay-grade, what she cared about was a simple realization that came courtesy of the vision.

Issei, for once, could play the role of the wise senpai!

For Yuha had the potential to turn into a right cutie.

Yes, in honor of the old man who opened her eyes to the truth so long ago, so too, must she one day pass down her wisdom and who better than the one whom she owed her second lease in life too?

But did she really need to wait for the fruit to ripen? Perhaps Aika was on to something with her talks of hung shotas…

"RIAAAAS"

That is if they survived Sona-senpai's wrath.


Suffice to say things had been hectic for Xenovia these last couple of days and so she almost welcomed the seconds wasted standing in front of the hotel door.

And judging by how unusually quiet Irina was and the fact that Sister Griselda in all her womanly terror didn't bother to correct Xenovia's slightly slouched posture the feeling was shared.

From having to co-operate with the enemies of all that is good and just, the devils that is, to stop, heretics that till then had been lurking right under the good Church's nose.

To then, finding out that, perhaps, the devils, or at least the devils of today were not necessarily as bad as she'd been taught to believe and oh.

Lest she forget that itty bitty tiny, unimportant detail.

God is dead.

The source of Light, purity and all that is good gone, alongside the Son.

Oh, the angels remained and given how Xenovia despite how…intellectually challenged she was at times, nonetheless remained one of the Church's prized Exorcists and a wielder of a Holy Sword.

So for her to not have noticed or suspected a thing and her superiors to have felt no need to clue her in.

Clearly the angels most pure had been working overtime all these centuries, unlike Irina that lazy bug.

And yet, the fact remained, they were a flock without their shepherd.

Where did that leave them.

Leave her.

Sure, for now humanity would continue to remain protected by what remained of the Host and the good people both.

But even a simpleton like Xenovia could imagine a time in the future where unless things somehow changed, whether by temptation or attrition the gleaming spires of Heaven would lie empty, populated with naught but the echoes of the fallen and the lost.

A vision which filled her heart with terror and despair suffice to say.

But despite her heart crying for a way out, a way to change that grim future, Xenovia knew such to be beyond her means.

And a dark part within her, a seed recently planned and bloomed, one that she would have liked to blame the devils for and yet knew that would be unjust, whispered in her soul.

Would it really be so bad to just let go?

To give up and join the wining side?

If the Host is doomed what does it matter whether they continue to rage against the dying of the light?

But no, it wasn't what He would have wanted and were He still with them it would make Him sad.

So no, as long as the church will have her, Xenovia will endure.

Sister Griselda had done so already despite knowing the truth for far longer than both Irina and her have.

Still, had she not contacted the Sister two days prior, she couldn't help but wonder…

The door creaking open drew her from her musings as Griselda smiled in joy.

"Salutations and may the light of the Lord bless you this morning," Griselda said causing the white-haired woman clad in tight black shorts and a sleeveless crop top to blink.

"What do you want," the woman snapped, eyes narrowing before glaring in suspicion making to speak and pausing, realization dawning. "We didn't order no…escorts," she said, almost as if testing the word.

Irina gasped and even Sister Griselda seemed somewhat surprised, if her slightly wider eyes and the hue of her cheek was an indication.

For her part, Xenovia merely narrowed her eyes, meeting the automaton's gaze head on.

"We aren't escorts, malfunctioning robot," she said, and the robot woman's eyes narrowed further.

"…salespersons, then?"

"No, and stop pretending you don't know us…Sister Griselda aside," she said, nodding in deference towards her blue-eyed teacher who seemed to be regaining her composure.

Regaining her composure and turning her way, turning her way and smiling.

It was a familiar smile.

Xenovia fought the urge to whimper and run.

She failed and made to dart backwards but Sister Griselda's deceptively strong hands were once again faster, grabbing and pinching her cheeks.

"Xenovia, dear~"

"Y-yes?"

"Mind telling me why the good lady bursting with Holy Light seems to take offense at our, no, your and Irina's presence?"

"Ehe, its mostly Xenovia who A2 has it out for…"

"Thank you, Irina dear, but I believe I was asking my other oaf of a student."

"Eep!"

Xenovia gulped and glanced left and right for a distraction.

Sadly, if any other denizen of this fine establishment had previously planned to exit their room, due to perhaps sensing the imminent commotion, chose to remain within the confines of their room.

Which, alright, smart of them, but it didn't help Xenovia and Sister Griselda smile was starting to turn scary and her pinch painful.

"Hmm~ I thought the last lesson in manners took but it seems a remedial lesson is in order."

"Please no—"

"Right, I don't care enough," A2 said from with a sigh. "Whoever you are you can leave and—"

"Big Sis?"

Eyes flying wide open, a rare expression of surprise stretched wide across Griselda's face as the good sister whipped around and gasped.

Then again, understandable.

For even Xenovia, could sense the font of Light yawning cutely and coming to a stop next to the malfunctioning robot, clutching A2's leg as he rubbed his eyes.

In fact, the child was the reason Xenovia had contacted her scary, scary teacher in the first place.

Circumstances being what they are, if nothing else, and whether or not she managed to stand strong against temptation she could at least make sure a future saint, if her suspicions were correct would find safety within the hallowed halls of the Church.

"The light, its so pure…" Griselda said, a tone of wonder as she gazed at the shy child.

A2 blinked, and seemed to come to a decision with a nod.

She slammed the door close or at least tried to, for Sister's Griselda reinforced foot was there to stop it.

"All we ask is but a few minutes of your time, my good lady."

"Not interested!"


He set down the letter, blinked, rubbed his eyes, coursing some demonic energy through his body for good measure and then read it again.

The contents didn't change.

Coming from anyone else he would have dismissed said words as lies and folly.

But coming from the lips, or hands at least, of Lucifer's own sister?

That changed things and soon enough he could lord it over the idiot.

Wasting his time in such a lowly position was he?

No need to go so deep undercover eh?

He'll show her!

And winning their bet finally get to take her out on a date.

Cause he had his pride dammit, and if she won and got to take him out on a date…

Why it'd be too much, but no need to worry anymore.

Copying the contents of the letter and taking the time to painstakingly re-seal it, he set about delivering the original to its intended recipient, the picture perfect image of a lowly, and supposedly loyal servant of Lucifer.

The benefits of peace, or as the pets topside had called it a few decades past a 'cold war' had ensured that those with wit and patience enough could worm themselves into the hearts of even the most impenetrable fortresses.

"Thank you."

He bowed. "It is my pleasure to serve, Lord Lucifer," he said and the frigid bitch of a man sent a sharp nod of acknowledgment his way.

Being dismissed, he promptly set about to share this juicy info with those worthy of such knowledge.

Hail the Old Satans!


Despite her Eiditic memory A2 sitting on a chair with Yuha on her knees and hugger protectively still struggled to make sense of how the whirlwind of a blonde nun had used her words and can do attitude to badger past her and into their room.

A certain part of her was admittedly impressed and wondered whether she could learn from the blonde human, and in doing so improve upon her status and designation as a yorha 'Attacker'.

In fact, she still wasn't certain whether her optical processor or the maso senses, or the…spiritual one born from her human's gift were malfunctioning and the stacked nun and her charges were not, in fact, seated across her.

Ignoring the irritating, also stacked, failure of human designation Xenovia, she stared at Griselda.

Only, whereas Griselda stared at A2's human with wonder as she should, no doubt recognizing his majesty. Although the group's mumblings regarding 'purity', 'Holy' and 'Saint' were slightly confusing. And the implications and references to some of the texts she'd scanned during her data dives and the feathered mutants…unnerving. Perhaps Xenovia's words were not to be dismissed entirely despite the poor first impression.

But she could worry about all that later, right now A2 stared, glared really at a certain part of 'Sister Griselda's' anatomy, barely concealed by her form fitting black nun attire.

"A rival…"

"Eh? Big Sis?"

"It's nothing, Yuha," she said with a false smile, meeting Griselda's gaze and mirroring the woman's equally false own.

"I concur my good lady, but, are you certain we couldn't interest you in a paid trip to Italy?"

"No."

"We'd spare no expense."

"We'll pass."

"I insist."

"I don't care."

Griselda blinked, tapped on her chin with a hum and then with a smile very much unbefitting of a nun, reached into her dress and planted fat stacks of cash on the table.

"How about now?"

A2 blinked.

"No."

Why would she care for human currency.

Griselda seemed surprised. "Oh?" and then sent a curious smile Xenovia's way. "And you were so certain she was a cyborg."

"W-wait, I'm telling you teacher, she is! Actually, no."

"Mmh?"

Xenovia pointed an arm at the older nun. "How come when we asked for upgrades to our gear last month you said no due to a 'lack of funding'?!"

"Oh dear, the weather is so nice today is it not, Yuha-chan?"

"Y-yeah? I guess, miss Quarta?"

"Call me Griselda, dear. Or big sis. In fact, I insist."

"O-ok?"

Right, Xenovia being defective and A2 needing to kill the blonde nun aside. Why would A2 being a cyborg, despite not even being close to the truth matter—

Ah, right, artificial limbs and organs were still primitive in this era, and more importantly expensive, were they not?

A2 opened her mouth to tell the group of idiots to get the hell…she felt Yuha tilt his head in confusion. To kindly vacate the premises, but before she could do so…

A beam of Golden Light slammed down from seemingly the Heavens themselves, as well as a few floors above, and as the light dissipated, leaving another blonde woman, whose feathers this time shone white.

A2 had already jumped, placed Yuha behind her and whirled about, blade manifesting, humming, and its vibrating tip pointed at the blinking blonde who…who…

What are they feeding those mutants?!

The mutant, for her part, smiled and spread her wings wide, before blinking and noticing the previous group of awestruck irritants.

"Ah hello~!"

"An Archangel…"

"Woah."

"Maybe she can do some percussive maintenance on the toaster."

But the 'angel' merely smiled and turned towards A2, or rather A2's most precious person.

The feathery mutant seemingly about ready to launch herself forward in an attempt to, if A2's sensors were correct, to hug Yuha.

Only A2's pointed blade making her hesitate.

Sadly not enough to get the hint and vacate the premises.

"Aaah, an attack an attack!"
"The Americans came back, I was right, see, see!"
"Shut up grandpa!"
"Its the apocalypse!"
"Amaterasu is angry!"

Joy, it would the woman's flashy entrance had stirred the humans above in a state of full blown panic.

For her part, the newest pain in A2's ar…rear, merely dropped to one knee and spread her arms wide.

Causing the melons on her chest to bounce and threaten to overflow from her white dress.

"Michael was right," she said and tears glistened. "Brother, you have been dearly missed. Come, and let big sis give you a hug!"