Hope you enjoy the chapter, Readers! ^.^
A Cyclop collapse to the dirt ground, its one large eye is pop out from the socket by huge blow it receives from the back, shown by how the back of its head is curve inwards. "Interrupting my lunch, not cool, you one eyed dickhead" Lock comments, looking at the dead Cyclop while holding a large tree trunk on his shoulder before tossing it away and head back to take a seat back on a log, at the small camp he made.
Lock grab a cut griffin's leg that's been cooking on top the fire and munch on its rich meat. "You were an easy catch" he comments, chewing on the meat while looking at the head of an Old Griffin that he hunted down "Stupid town, they put this up on the billboard and had the gull to only pay me a hundred gold and promised me it was a tough Griffin... lying out of desperation, fucking idiots. I have the half of mind to go back there and show them true terrorizing" Lock said out in clear irritation and anger at having his time waste.
"Lock Jons" a smooth and alluring voice speak from behind the blonde warrior "Another interruption, do you want to die?" Lock sighs loudly and glare back to see Ophis in her child form, walking towards him. The Deity raise an eyebrow in slight amusement at having someone speak to her in such tone "Do you know who you are talking too, boy?" "All I see is a stupid child, so get lost or I will crush you. Don't think for a second just because you are a child I won't" Lock reply with a snarl.
Ophis's pupils sharpen "You are pushing my buttons, Devil" "Screw this" Lock throws the half-eaten griffin leg down and stand up "If you want to fight, Child, then just bring it" he said and grabs the log that he used to sit on and throws it to the deity.
Ophis didn't bother dodging as the log is inches away from her, it abruptly explodes into tiny pieces by an unknown force. Lock is already up in the air and bring both his hands down on top of Ophis, who jumps back to avoid the attack. The fists smash to the earth and cause the whole area to explode into rubbles and dust. "Mighty strength you have there" Ophis comment monotonously as she lands on the creak earth ground "You gonna be one of those who cowardly dodges all the time?" Lock questions and dash toward the deity, throwing the right jab that miss when Ophis bend her upper body back and move it to the right "You want me to take offence?" she said and thrust her right hand in front of the blonde's expose stomach "I'll grant you that" a purple orb powers up on the god's palm.
Ophis thrust the orb to Lock's stomach and sends him away with it. Lock grunts in pain, feeling his stomach being rib into shreds, so he quickly smashes the orb away with his right hand which allow him to land on the ground while the orbs continue its path, smashing through countless of trees before igniting into a large explosion that shake the whole forest. Lock curse and grip his heavily bleeding stomach "Not bad" Ophis claps slowly "Any longer and that orb would have gone straight through you" she informs, looking at the wobbling blonde, standing back up.
"Don't try to fight me" Ophis warns as she sees Lock taking a step forward, ready to strike again "I came to see you for one reason" "What? You got a contract for me?" Lock said in sarcasm, but he is surprise to get a nod "Something along that line. Get rid of that look of disbelief, I am no ordinary child as you can tell. Will you accept?" "You just damaged me... I rather rip your head off" "Then go ahead, but even you aren't stupid enough to think that's a good idea... I can eradicate you, boy"
Lock's face twitches in annoyance and he snarls "Fine! Whatever, what the hell do you want? I ain't accepting shit until I know what it is and how much I'm getting paid" "Oh, it will be a simple task and that is in need of your skill. You are quite the master of stealth, correct?" "I'm good at it, but always prefer a more frontal style" Lock stand up straight and hold his stomach with his right hand while replying "I'm more of a brawler and rarely use magic, so it's natural for me to make my mana signature kept low, even well hidden from close-range contact" "Perfect, that's what I want to hear. If you complete this task, you will be heavily rewarded. Here is just a small sample" Ophis snap her finger and a medium-size sack of gold faze to existence and fall in front of the blonde's feet. Lock look at the gold coins and take one of it near his mouth "Hmph" he bites the coin and find it legit "Alright" he grins "Let's hear this contract".
Antarctica
"Ain't you just a big fella!" Lucy with her arms cross, staring at the twenty-foot tall humanoid made of complete ice, courtesy of the Leviathan's ice magic. The Ice Giant let out a deep roar and brings both its hand down "Oh nooooo" Lucy said slowly in fake worry as she simply side step to avoid the attack "You all are just a bunch of slow tall bastards" Lucy comment, glancing back at the pile of broken ice laid on the ground.
The Ice Giant open its mouth to let out a large freeze blast which makes the Makasha speed forward, under its leg and jumps up to the back of its neck. "Goodnight" she smirks viciously and kick the Giant's neck with much force that it sends the head flying away into the distance. As she goes down, Lucy poke the Giant's back to make it collapse forward on the ground before she herself lands down on her feet.
'She's getting more... violent and developing a bit of an attitude. I wonder which side of her parent did she get that from' Serafall thinks, though have an idea which one of the two it is. Serafall stare at the blue flames swirling around the Makasha, it's bright color, and the melting ice underneath the blonde's feet shows just how hot it is even at the current subzero temperature.
'That insidious nice girl mask is breaking... I knew her true personality would be quite... outgoing, but I didn't expect her to be like this' Serafall shakes her head 'It doesn't matter, I have already seen her power gradually growing. Now it's only a matter of time before it creaks all the way'.
Serafall lift her right hand up and flick her index and thump finger together. "Hmm?" Lucy turn around when feeling the whole ice ground shaking. An Ice Serpent explode in front of her "Bring it!" Lucy smirk, summoning a flame scythe and waste no time to sprint toward the Serpent.
The Serpent hiss and opens its mouth to fire a smoking ice bomb down to the blonde. "Missed!" Lucy slide around the bomb "Let's cut you down a size" she grabs the scythe's long handle with both hands and about to swing it, when the Serpent's sharp and hard tail shoot from the right and smash at Lucy's side, sending her barreling away.
"Oh, you done it now" Lucy growl while having her right hand hold her side that will inevitably have a bruise tomorrow. The Serpent hiss and slither toward the blonde in terrifying speed with its mouth wide open "Have some treat!" Lucy wait for the last second and jumps up while secretly throws a small ball of fire into the Serpents mouth as she raises up to its face, narrowly passing it's whole head to dodge from being eaten.
The Serpent moves it's head up and about to strike as the Makasha is wide-open in the air, but before it could, its mouth explode, dislocating its jaw that goes crashing to the ground while it's whole body is stun for momentarily which give Lucy enough time to come down and swing her scythe at the Serpent's neck, cleanly cutting it off.
Lucy lands on the ground and dispel the scythe as the Serpent head falls in front of her while at behind its whole-body collapse to the ground with a loud thud. Lucy turn around to face Serafall, holding a big grin "How was t—" Lucy pause and abruptly drops to her knee then about to fall face-first to the ground until Serafall appears and stop her.
"Been going on for almost half a day and in this kind of climax... it's a miracle she lasted this long" Serafall state, picking the blonde up and gently carrying her in arms "Let's get out of here" she utters as the Sitri crest appear underneath and teleport them away in blue light.
Kuoh Academy
"Huh..." Akeno release a sigh while staring at the quiz paper that she just finished answering. The Himejima glance around and see lots of student still haven't complete it yet though there's still time 'Feel's weird being back here, learning after being away for so long. Doesn't matter, it's our last year here anyway... the test will begin about a week before my birthday and depending on the results, by the end of the year I, Rias, and Nawin-kun will be out of school'.
Akeno glance at the two-empty seat on her left, each seat belongs to Nawin and Asia. 'Asia is now in first-year with Koneko and Gasper... I guess that's for best, Koneko will be there to help her with the lessons. Asia won't be able to read the papers to answer its questions, along with other activities'.
Akeno pulls a paper out from her text book and look at the title 'Future Career Survey' it reads. Akeno stare at the paper that got handed out by their homeroom teacher earlier this morning. 'Future... I kind of envy them' Akeno glance back to see some of the students that finish the quiz is already start writing down on their survey 'Some of them already have their ideas set for the future on what they want to do or to be... I wish it would be that simple for us' Akeno glance at her bracelet 'My future... our future'.
A scene starts playing in front of the Himejima's eyes. It shows her in a kitchen, cooking breakfast for three "Morning, Akeno" a loving voice said from behind then she feels a strong arm around her waist "Morning, Nawin-kun" she replies with a bright smile and glance at right to see the Makasha resting his head on her shoulder and gives her a kiss on the cheek "Smells lovely" he commends, looking down at the two pans, one cooking sunny side up eggs and other cooking bacons.
"Mommy! Daddy!" a squeaky and cheerful voice shout from the top of the stairs then a loud footstep can be heard coming down. Akeno glance back to see a dark figure coming, before the whole scene fades away. 'That's... that's all I want' Akeno smile as she looks down at the survey paper and slips it back inside her text book. "Alright! Time is up, hand me the quiz papers" the teacher orders and a few groans can be heard around the room from the people who most likely didn't finish in time. Akeno glance at her right, the person sitted next to her is Rias who's already done with the quiz and looking at it to recheck all her answers.
The bells suddenly ring to signal lunch time and immediately most of the students get up and leaves the class to grab some of the special and limited desserts that are only serve on Mondays and Fridays. Akeno and Rias are the few still in class, and neatly place all the textbooks in their bags before leaving the classroom together.
"You ok? You were dazing at the end there" Rias ask her friend, shooting a glance at her "I'm fine, just thinking about the Future Career Survey. You give it any thoughts?" Akeno ask and sees the Gremory shrug "I honestly can't think of the future right now with the current event we are in... being honest and as depressing as it sounds, but by the time we can start thinking about our future, most of our human classmate would probably be living their dreams and starting a family. We live in a completely different world from them, Akeno" Rias reply in straightforward tone, giving her complete thoughts on the matter.
Akeno sighs, knowing what the Gremory saying is fact "At least in the upside we won't be growing old by the time that day comes" she said in jest which gets Rias to giggle and nod "That is fact, there's always a Brightside and no matter what happens, we all will stick together and walk through it" she said, "Very true" Akeno reply with a smile.
Akame exits her class and makes way to the roof, but she perks up when hearing some whispers from her classmate 'She's so weird' 'Yeah, like she's cold... emotionless even' 'She's pretty damn cute though! I totally would ask her out' 'I know right! She may be cold, but she got a cute face, ashamed she doesn't smile more!' all those comments coming from the boys and girls.
Akame shrugs the whispers away, not the slightest bother by either one of them 'Like I care what people think of me to begin with' she thinks and calmly make her way up the stairs. Akame glance down at her bag to see her two lunch boxes that she personally cooked for herself 'Another lunch by myself... I honestly wouldn't mind having even that annoying Hydra's company... it has been a while since I've seen her' she thinks when reaching the metal door and grab the handle to push it open.
The blinding light from the bright sun blinded Akame for a moment until she is able to adjust by blinking a few times and sees something that surprise her. Misako and Wendy sitting at the only table on the roof, setting their lunch down and seems to be waiting for her. Misako looks up and sees Akame, she smiles brightly and waves at the Knight "Hello Akame-chan! We were waiting for you" she said while Wendy who is sitting beside shyly nods and waves.
Akame surprise expression change into a warm smile "I see... sorry to keep you two waiting" she said, walking towards the table and take a sit on the other side of the wooden chair, in front of the two girls "It's alright! We just finish setting up our lunch box. Oh, you brought a lot" Misako looks at the two large lunch boxes that Akame place down on the table.
"I have big appetite" Akame said shamelessly, unlike most girls in school who are overly sensitive of their weight and what they eat 'Probably to try to look their best to gain Nawin-kun's attention. I've seen some even skip lunch' the Knight thinks and mentally roll her eyes on the mindset at some of the girls in school.
Misako looks at Akame's lunch box and see most of them involve small amount of white rice and lots of meat ranging from pork to beef and some chicken 'Guess she likes meat' she comments mentally before letting out a giggle. Misako and Wendy have the usual bento and quietly though peacefully, the three digs in their own individual lunch box.
"So, Akame-chan how did you become Nawin-kun's knight?" Misako ask, looking up and choke on her sushi when seeing Akame's mouth full of meat and rice. The Knight stare at her blankly and chew before swallowing all of it "I was attacked by a Ghoul... Nawin-kun came and save me. Then I joined him" she answers. "I see, glad to hear you made it out ok" 'She wasn't joking about big appetite' Misako notes in her mind and let out a giggle seeing the Knight's cute, disappointing expression when looking at her now empty lunch box.
"Here's some beef and rice" Misako smile and offers her box "Just do—" Misako open her eyes "Wahh?!" she sees her now empty lunch box and look up to Akame giving her a gracious smile "Thank you for your generous offer, Misako" she said and use a napkin to clean her mouth. Wendy quietly giggle at her friend's stupefy expression "You want some of mine, Misako?" she offers "N-no" Misako shakes her head and regain her bright smile "I'm good, I already had a big breakfast".
"Ahh, peace and quiet" Elise sighs pleasantly while chewing on some garlic rice in her bento that Kokoro has wiped up for her this morning. The Princess looks around at the Occult building room and slowly inspect its Victorian style interior "This feels a bit like home for me" she said with a nostalgic smile. Rias, who's eating at her desk smile at the Knight's word "I'm glad to hear. I decided to design this place in a older style... modern style can be quite bland" she state.
Koneko helps opening Asia's lunch box and gently set it down in the blonde's hand "Thank you, Koneko-chan" "No problem. Ga-kun, stop hiding in the box and eat" Koneko turn to the carbon box laid in front of the girls, the three are sitted on the comfortable carpet floor near the television while the others took the couches.
The box's top open and Gasper's upper body sit up to grab the lunch box in front of the box "Thanks for the food, Kone-chan" he said with a smile and begins digging in while still sitting in the box.
Yuuto let out a pleasant sigh as he sits comfortably on the couch and eating a rice ball "Something wrong, Yuuto-kun?" Akeno ask, sited on the other couch and sees the blonde's sudden relief expression "He's got a headache" Xenovia inform, sitting beside her fellow knight "Being out of the sun must have eased it" "It's rare for us to get headaches" Rias point out, eyeing her blonde Knight in curious "Did you do something to acquire it?" "Probably those late-night gaming with Issei-kun, Nawin-kun, and Gasper-kun on the beach trip" Yuuto reply which cause the girls to giggle in amusement.
"Yo!" the door slams open to reveal Riser coolly walking in with Ravel next to him, both wearing the Kuoh Academy uniform "Riser! Where were you? I didn't see you in class" Rias questions, glaring at her friend "Woke up late" Riser shrugs and plop himself on the couch where the two knights are seated though he set on the other end while Ravel joins the younger group near the television.
"Don't let Sona take notice of your lateness" Akeno warns, closing her now empty lunch box and takes a drink of a bottle water "Yeah, I wouldn't be surprise if she forces you to stay after school and gives you some extra class taught by herself" Rias said and smirk when seeing Riser shudder a bit and his expression grimace "... You two brought up good points".
"No lunchbox?" Xenovia points her chopstick to the Phenex "We already eaten on the way here. Seeing that Nawin and Hyoudou isn't here, they are off training?" he asks, turning to Rias and sees her nod "Yes, they will be away for the next two weeks... the latest we will see them is in the conference" "I still have a feeling this conference is going to go out of control" Kokoro comment out and everyone nods in agreement.
"Egos will clash and most will head in there with their own intensions" Rias said while seeing Koneko looking on in slight jealously at Ravel and Asia giggling at some joke been made by the young Phenex. "One thing I am concern about is the Councils" Riser brings up and catch the other's attention "What about them?" Akeno ask with slight worry, anything involve with the Councils, especially the old ones are usually bad and it doesn't help her mind knowing her lover loathe them for reason she still yet aware of.
"You got some intel on them?" Rias ask, leaning forward and rest her chin above her hands "From my father, yes. He said that the Old Ones are going to keep their eyes very close on Nawin during the tournament" Riser said and quickly Rias and Akeno find that unsettling. "... Being honest with you all" Rias speak up "I asked Otou-sama and Onii-sama to do in whatever power they have to keep Nawin-kun hidden from the Old Geezers sight. The last thing I want is to have their disgusting hand touching Nawin-kun. I'm greatly concern because of Nawin-kun raise in popularity and his success... it's inevitable that the Old Geezers will take notice and will do something" she said with dark tone.
"Are the Old Council member really that bad?" Asia asks, turning away from listening the television to face the others "I never know why Onii-chan hates them" "No one knows why" Akeno adds in after getting some expecting looks.
Rias send a force smile at the young Makasha "The Old Council holds lots of unknown but dark background... I always had a bad taste for them ever since I... We," she glances at Riser who nod back "Met them when we were young... they gave off such an ominous aura that it haunted me for numbers of nights and ever since that day I stayed clear from them" "Doesn't help our already negative view on them when our family encouraged us to do so" Riser speaks up "They are bad news and the annoying thing is that we can't get rid of them without igniting a Civil War. The Old Farts have most of the civilian side of the underworld in their corner".
"I'll give you guys a story I heard about the council" Riser continues and immediately everyone pays close attention "Do you guys remember the Buer Clan?" he asks and gets a nod from most "They are one of the 72 pillars clans that survived through the Great War. Though in a still mysterious circumstance... all in one night the whole clan of twenty member disappeared and never been found... it's been almost three decades now" Akeno answers with troubling expression, since the case was rarely brought up by how unsettling it is.
"They just disappeared?" Xenovia ask "What, like they left?" "That's the weird thing" Rias speaks "The search party searched every inch of the mansion and found all of the family belongings still there and the house wasn't ransacked or showed any signs of battle... it was like they disappeared in thin air at night" "Spooky" Asia utters and shudder, making Koneko rub her back in comfort.
"Yeah, but what's this have to do with the Old farts?" Kokoro question "I'm getting there, calm yourself, sweetcheeks" Riser said with a smirk and gets a middle finger from Kokoro for the nickname. "You are going to bring up Lord Buer son, aren't you?" Rias questions and gets a nod "Yeah, it still bothers me" "Yeah... same here" "Don't keep us in the dark! Tell us!" Xenovia shouts impatiently.
Riser sighs and nod "Right, here's what so suspicious. Folant Buer is the prince of the Buer clan, he is their first born after the Lady and Lord of the house decided to start a family after the Peace Treaty was signed" "The Great War may have ended nearly three hundred years ago, but the Peace Treaty wasn't created until only Fifty years ago" Rias adds in.
"Going back to the story!" Riser cough and send a glare at Rias for interrupting, the other just childishly stick her tongue out in response "Folant was a prodigy since birth, he was one of the most gifted new born in a generation and he continue to strive strong until he turned fifteen" Riser grimace "The Old Farts where close to the Buer family, specifically Lord Buer and it's obvious to everyone that they had their eyes on Folant and they even suggested to Lord Buer that they would like to personally train him".
"That's when things became eerie" Rias decide to pick the story up "It was a slow progress, but it became apparent to Lord and Lady Buer when they see their son being away from home more, giving the excuse like he wanted to continue getting stronger. He started spending more time in one of the Old Geezer's home, the one that took him under his wings than he spends back with his family. The weird and unsettling thing is that Lady Buer started to notice her son changed, he became more... as she puts it robotic, almost blank, but he did get stronger than he ever would if he had continued training alone which is why Lord Buer dismissed his son changed and saying he's just growing to be a strong and experience warrior".
"Then one day the mother had enough and shouted at the Old Fart that was teaching Folant and she took her son back, forbidding him to ever go near them." Riser said, "But it wasn't that easy, Folant continue on going to train with his teacher in secret and not long before that... the whole Buer clan disappeared and the son was the only one remaining... while he was out training with the Old Fart... save and sound".
"Rumors from the people living close the Buer mansion said that they heard that the Lord and Lady were about to bring this case up to the other Clans after Lady Buer discovered her son sneaking to go train at night. What bothers me is that the very day after that... they were all gone... the day they were going to confront the Council about it" Riser finish telling the story and the uncomfortable and heavy silence pours around the room, with everyone deep in thought at this unsettling story.
"How do you know all of this?" Xenovia ask after a minute of silence "Lady Buer suffered amnesia at her last battle in the Great War, ever since she recovered, she start gaining a habit of writing dairies that tells pretty much everything about her day in life, since she was worried she may forget them someday. Those stuff we just told you were in her last dairy. I and Riser took a peaked at the dairy when we were sneaking around Onii-sama office. Onii-sama back then must still be on the case since the dairy was placed on his desk, but I guess he like the rest have gave up now... I don't know where the dairy is anymore" Rias answer.
"Where is Folant currently residing?" Akeno question "He became one of the Old Geezers Elite Guards... more reason to be suspicious" Rias said with narrow eyes "I mean with those story in the dairy! They must have questioned them" Elise ask in anger, can't stand such injustice act and already taking a huge dislike to the Old Councils "They have, Onii-sama personally did and there's really no real evidence to say it was them and Folant voted them innocent. For all we know, they might have been innocent and the timing is just coincidence. I didn't really investigate deeper into it since it was a very ominous case so I steer clear, and Onii-sama told me to drop it because it wasn't my concern. But, to the main point" Rias looks up at everyone "I personally think they are involve in some way" Rias gives her opinion.
Kokoro cross her arms and turn to Riser "And you are saying that these people are having their eyes on Nawin" she said and everyone feel a wave of concern wash over them. Rias silently grits her teeth in seething rage, her eyes flash in crimson 'Why... why is it always him! Doesn't he already have enough to worry about!' she exclaims mentally, a picture of Sayomi, Schnyzel, Kaizen, and the draconic mark that has been a curse on his side, appear in her mind and 'Ophis The Infinite Dragon God. Nawin-kun... I promise as long as I live... I won't let them get their hands on you'.
Rias looks at Akeno and sees her dark expression, knowing full well what's going through her mind 'We will protect you from them, Nawin-kun'.
Outside Lockhert
"Haaah!" Issei sprint forward, toward a dummy and circle around it to attack at its neck with the boosted gear sharp, long claws, cutting right through the dummy's neck, causing the head to fall to the ground. Issei backflips and fires up the rotation and sprint to the right, where another dummy is placed. The Hyoudou jumps to the right and left like trying to dodge an imaginary attack, before taking a step forward, when a couple of paces away from the dummy and disappear to reappear at it's right and strike the rotation toward its stomach which sends the dummy flying away and crash into a large tree.
Issei jumps back and point the boosted gear to the right, in blinding speed and fires a dragon shot which vaporize another dummy at the distance. 'Not bad' Ddraig commend 'Your speed and reflex are getting faster. Got to praise Hunter style of teaching, those weight seal really do wonders after you took them off' 'Yeah, after dodging her attack all morning with one ton of weight strapped on each of my arms and legs... it would be criminal if I haven't got any good results' Issei reply back and wince at the aching pain in his wrists and ankle. 'Uh... it's almost lunch time and I already feel like I'm done for the day. Hunter-sensei wasn't joking when she said this would be a brutal two weeks' 'Quit whining and just think of the result by the end of those two weeks' Ddraig scold at his wielder complaint.
Issei drops to the ground and lean his back on a tree "When will Sensei return with the food, I'm starving" he groans and right on cue, a sound of a stomach growling echoes around the quiet forest. Issei hung his head down and sigh while holding his sad stomach 'She should be back soon' Ddraig answer monotonously.
"Little Red Dragon is hungry? Oh dear, your day is about to get worse" Issei freeze in horror and shoot his head up to see the unmistakable black cloak in red roses. 'No, no, why is she here?!' Issei looks at the grinning Kitomi standing just a few paces away from him. Issei feels his heart rate increase when he looks at Kitomi's golden eyes with cat-like slit pupils and can see playfulness but also insanity in them, like it's waiting to be release and when it does it will cause immense destruction at everything around it.
'Partner... run, get out of here and head to the town! FIND HUNTER!' Ddarig shouts in anxious tone, something Issei rarely hears 'R-right'. Issei summons the boosted gear and to the surprise of the Nekoshou, he blasts the ground to create a large cloud of dust. Kitomi just chuckle then whistle, strolling toward the direction the Hyoudou just left.
Issei jumps on branches after branches, deciding not to fly since it's too expose and decide to go through the dense forest and try to lose the Akumi member. 'Why now?!' he curses, cold sweat dropping from his forehead. The immense terror is shown on the Hyoudou's face and he feels his heart beating in insane speed 'A-am I really this afraid o-of them?'.
'I-I better teleport out of here!' the fear was too much and Issei stop on top of a branch and begin to focus. A picture of Kuoh Academy appears in his mind and the Gremory crest glows brightly, beneath his feet. Issei smile in relief but that is quickly dash away when a red-light lance smash through the branch, causing him to fall and the magic crest shatter by the interruption.
Issei crash to the ground on his back and quickly, he gets up to see the other member standing in front of him 'Akeno-senpai lookalike... shit' he said in fear when seeing her slit violet eyes looking calmly and ominously at him "Issei Hyoudou, you're coming with us" she states those familiar words.
"The plan worked! Well done, Partner" Issei freeze cold when hearing a voice from behind, and before he could move, his wrists is grab and hold behind while a powerful kick to the back of his shins send him to his knees. "Shall I break his arms and legs? It would make his escaping impossible and his squirming more tolerable" Kitomi ask her partner while Issei stop cold in terror at the suggestion and look up at the brown-haired woman.
The brown-haired simply shrug and look to the right "Do as you wish, just keep him alive or we will have to wait for unknown amount of time for another Boosted Gear User to rise" "I got it. You hear that, boy" Kitomi leans down to the Hyoudou's shoulder, her cheeks touch his "We gonna have some fun" she said and creepily lick his cheek before leaning back up.
"Let's move" the unnamed one said "No!" Issei shouts and in his last desperate attempt to escape, he fires up his mana, causing red aura to explode around him. "Oh?" Katomi watch in fascination at the violent aura trying to push her back "That's cute, kid, but you are way out of your league" Kitomi grins menacingly and blast her own aura. The white aura overpowers the red and completely overwhelms Issei that he falls to the ground and gasp for air, trying to get air into his lungs, but the heavy pressure pushing on him is proving difficult "That's true power" Kitomi state, picking the temporarily incapacitate Hyoudou and sling him over her shoulder.
"He won't be moving for a while after that, his body is in shock" Kitomi informs her partner, who's been watching silently "Good. Let's move" "Alrighty". Issei grits his teeth as tears start dripping down his eyes, he curses at his cold body and curse at the Akumi 'Partner...' 'It's fine... guess this is it for us' Issei reply solemnly and close his eyes to accept his fate.
"Wipe that stupid sad look out of your face. No student of my gives up that easily" Issei snaps her eyes open and see Hunter is now holding him beside her side. Kitomi blinks and look at her right arm to see nothing "How?" she slowly turns to Hunter with her once golden color eyes flashing into blood red. "Illusion" the brown-haired answers, turning around and stop beside the Nekoshou "You were in a trance for only a few seconds, so it become virtually unnoticeable and gave her enough time to fetch, Issei".
Hunter throws Issei to a tree at behind, he crashes not too harshly and slide to the ground. The Archdevil stare the mysterious brown-haired woman with caution 'I need to keep an eye on her' she notes and move her right hand back to grab the handle of the massive sword. "You were able to escape the Illusion my partner put up?" Kitomi ask and takes a step forward "It did derail me a couple of times, but I was able to see through it after I noticed that I was going in circles. I got a sorceress as a friend and they are the Master of Illusions" Hunter reply and pulls out her sword.
Kitomi stare at the intimidating massive blade with caution 'That sword reeks of countless of blood' she thinks as her noise twitch in disgust at the scent of the repulsive old blood. "Lord Sirzech has warned me about you and your criminal group," Hunter speaks and point the blade forward, holding the heavy blade with only one hand "Akumi" she said staring at the two with dark expression plaster on her face.
"Issei Hyoudou is now under my protection and I know your group are after him for his sacred gear, so I'll give you a heads up" Hunter place the blade on her shoulder, a gust of wind blows around her that pushes the dirt and rubbles away "If you want him then you'll have to get through me" she states. Issei looks at his Sensei with slight awe while Kitomi scratch her ear in annoyance and glare at the Archdevil.
"Don't, Kitomi" the brown-haired finally speaks up, stopping the Nekoshou while Hunter stare back at her with slight curious "We aren't here to fight" she state and receive an annoying glare and hiss from the Nekoshou "We are just going to leave empty-handed again?!" "We are in no hurry; the time hasn't been set yet" "Grrr" the white-haired woman growls in displeasure.
Kitomi suddenly sprint forward to Hunter and shoot her right hand forward, which the other response by bringing the sword down with such force that the sudden movement cause the ground to explode, creating a dense dirt smoke. Issei watch in anxious, waiting for the smoke to fade away while the other Akumi member just watch on in calm expression.
When the smoke clears, it shows Kitomi sharp nails of her right hand leaning inches away from Hunter's neck "Not bad" she comments with a smirk, glancing at the right to see the large blade resting on her shoulder "..." Hunter remain silent and just stare down at the slightly shorter woman.
Kitomi quickly retract her arm and turn around to send a surprise back kick which hits Hunter in the chin, knocking her to the air. "Sensei!" Issei shouts in worry "Kuh!" Hunter curse and lands on her feet "You Nekoshou have great agility and fast reflex... should have saw that coming" she admits, stabbing the blade down and rub her jaw.
Hunter snap her eyes open and untie her cloak "It seems you want to go for a round? That tenseness in your body is just begging for some" she points out, throwing the cloak over the sword's handle "I am aching for some decent sparring after a long journey. The question is can you provide it?" Kitomi challenge with a playful grin.
Hunter simply gesture the Nekoshou to bring it. "Hyaa!" Kitomi sprint forward and sharpen her hands to strike forward, intending to cut the Archdevil. Hunter lean to the left and send a palm to the Nekoshou's striking elbow, redirecting the attack away and send a powerful knee to the stomach. Kitomi cough but didn't lesser and send a surprise back elbow from the side, by the hand that just got redirect.
Kitomi's sharp elbow smash at the left of Hunter's head, causing her to stumble away but she regains her footing and block an incoming kick to the face with her right arm, then she uses her left hand to grab the Nekoshou's ankle and pull her in to deliver a brutal right hook, but Kitomi use her flexibility and send her other feet to Hunter's head, which knocks her away, setting the white-haired free.
Hunter flips in the air to land on her feet. "Hmm," she touches the left of her head and look at her finger to see blood "It's been a while since I've bled" she states truthfully and calmly "That so?" Kitomi smirk sadistically "How does it feel?" "It feels... exhilarating" she replies, surprising everyone.
The brown-haired pupils narrow in caution and was about to speak when Kitomi once again continue her assault. Hunter looks closely and sees the Nekoshou about to strike with her right hand, so she shoots her own right hand forward and snatch the wrist. Kitomi was about to counter when a powerful kick smash to her shoulder from the left, sending her flying back to her partner.
Kitomi cuss in pain and shoot up, but instead of standing like normal she drops to all fours like a cat and her eyes now shine bright red, white flames start bursting around her body. "Enough, Kitomi!" the brown-haired said in louder voice, different from her usually cool and quiet one. Hearing her partner voice risen, Kitomi calms down, closing her eyes and take a few breathers before reopening them to show it's back to golden as she stands back up on two feet.
"You had your taste at the Archdevil, now we leave" she said though more like command which gets a glare from the Nekoshou "Don't boss me around, Partner!" Kitomi hiss back, but the other just stay silent. Kitomi turn back to face the Archdevil and smirk "That was a fun spar, you prove to be a dangerous adversary. Pity that we can't go all out" she states and pulls the hood over "I'm sure we will meet again, Hunter... take good care of that student of yours" she advises in an ominous tone.
Issei watch the two walking away "W-wait! You, the brown-haired one! WHO ARE YOU?!" he shouts and sees her pause "You looks so much like Akeno-senpai! D-do you know her?! Akeno Himejima is her name!". "Oh?" Kitomi glance at her partner in fascinate "... I know her very well" is the brown-haired reply after a minute of silence, a flock of feathers faze in existence and start swirling around the two. Kitomi glance back and send a sadistic smile to Issei, frightening him to the very core, before they disappear in a blink of an eye and the feathers scatter away with them.
Issei watch the spot where the mysterious group just left and for that moment he feels his heart finally start calming down and beating in steady pace 'I-I... was that afraid?' his body start to shake and unknowingly, tears start dripping down his eyes. The image of Kitomi statistic smile and craze eyes is burnt into his mind as well as the mysterious brown-haired member who just oozes ominous aura around her.
'And there's more of them... they are after me and I am supposed to fight them and protect the group!' an emotion of helplessness and fear is what the Hyoudou is currently feeling, knowing it's inevitable that the Akumi will strike again and it's a good chance the Occult Group will be drag in. Ddraig sees the state in his wielder's mind and can't find the right word to comfort the boy, the only thing he can hope is for the Archdevil to say something.
Hunter watch her student weeping student and sees fear and defeat in his watery eyes 'This kid... he's too young for this cruel path, but his journey has placed him in this path' she thinks and start walking forwards him before kneeling right in front. Issei head is snap to the right, a burning sensation explode on his cheek that will surely leave a mark "Get your shit together and keep your emotions in check" Hunter scold though not in a harsh tone, but more even and calm one.
Issei looks at his Sensei and sees her yellow eyes, see the stoic emotion in them, but he also finds warmness by just how calm and collective she is "You fear them?" she asks and receive a weak nod "Then use that as a motivation, you fear them then continue on training until you stop fearing them. I'm not going to blow smoke up your ass and say don't worry and everything will be fine because it ain't, you are walking in a very dangerous path that will put you on the radar of the Akumi and other adversaries who will be even stronger and fearsome than them. If you can't continue walking on this path, then sit there and rot, wait there in the cold until they snatch you up" with those words said, Hunter stand back up and walk to her sword.
After putting on the cloak and place her sword to its holster, Hunter glance back and see Issei still hasn't snap out of it. The Archdevil shake her head and decide to leave the Hyoudou 'By the end of the day, if he doesn't step up then I'll take him back to Lord Sirzech' she promise herself and continue walking back to the village.
An hour has past by and Issei is still sited on the ground, leaning on the tree as his dried-up and dull eyes stare toward the spot where the Akumi has long left. Issei close his eyes for a minute then opens them to find a beautiful figure glowing in bright crimson standing on the spot, the glow died down and it shows Rias standing there, looking at him with concern in her breathtaking turquoise color eyes.
Rias steadily and elegantly walk toward him "Issei" she slowly and lovingly speaks, kneeling in front of him and cup his cheek with her hand. Issei close his eyes and lean in the softness of her hand "I'm scared... Rias-chan" he utters softly "I'm scared of being capture by the Akumi and I'm scared of not being able to protect you and the others".
"Fear is something you have to overcome, Issei" Rias starts off "You're so young and was brought into this world so abruptly... I never took to mind that it will be hard for you to adjust to this life. I can't blame you for feeling this way, but it's something you have to overcome, Issei" Rias bring the Hyoudou's head to her chest and hugs him in comfort "I know it's selfish and harsh of me to say this since ultimately, I was the one who brought you to this world, but you have to be strong, Issei. I know you have the strength in you to do so, you have such a strong and passionate heart and gutsy will that everyone admires".
Rias pull the Hyoudou back and lean her forehead against his, looking directly at his eyes, she smiles "Will you sit here and continue to have such stupid thoughts about failing or will you stand and continue on training to become stronger and stop that event you are so afraid of with your own hands. Will you continue to sit here like a weakling" Rias lets go and stand back up, taking a few steps back "Or stand up and show me that fire of determination in your eyes, with that big grin of yours I've grown to love. Which will it be, Issei? Sit here in your lonesome and sulk or stand up beside I, Nawin-kun, Akeno, Kokoro, Elise, and everyone else to fight back!".
Issei stare at Rias in silence, with his eye wide open "I.." he slowly speaks "I'll..." red aura starts leaking from his body and swirl around violently "I'll fight!" he shouts. Rias smile and look at the blinding red light explode around the Hyoudou, her smile widen more when the light fades away to show Issei standing back up with overwhelming aura surrounding him that cause the ground to creak and trees to shudder.
His once dull brown eyes now shine brightly in emerald and his signature grin is back on his face. Rias walk forward and embrace him "Glad to have the man I love back, always know you are never alone in this" she said and let's go. "I love you, Issei. Stay strong and continue getting stronger" Rias said with a smile and takes a few steps back to creating space for the teleportation spell "I love you too, Rias-chan and thank you" Issei reply and watch crimson sparkles start glowing around her body.
"How did you know I was here and in that state?" Issei ask and gets a giggle and smile from the Gremory "I felt your pain, Issei. They say soulmates will feel each other's pain, no matter how far away they may be... when I felt you were suffering I came right away. On the subject of how I know you were here" she grins childishly and winks "That's a secret" she said and teleport away.
Issei chuckle at his lover reply and smile lovingly "Thank you, Rias-chan" he whispers, then turns around and sprint back to the village.
Time Skip: Lockhert
Issei runs into the Inn that they are currently staying and speed up the stairs to the third floor and turn to the hallway before stopping at the door on the right end. "Hunter-sensei!" he shouts, entering the room and stop in the middle of the living room to see the woman sitting at the dining table, eating some fried chicken on a stick while reading a book, that is hold in her other hand.
Hunter chew the last piece of the chicken and toss the stick down to a bowl that holds more empty stick "You're back..." she states calmly, not taking her eyes away from the page she's currently reading through "Got your mind out of the gutter?" "Yes!" Issei walk forward and stop at the other side of the table "I rather stand back up and face my fear instead of running or hiding away from it. I know the Akumi are a dangerous adversary and I will have to face them, so for myself and for the people I care for... I will not be intimidated by them, I will not cower away from them, I will not lay down in defeat when I didn't even bother fighting first. What I do is I will train with the time I have, train nonstop until I am strong enough to face them!" he exclaims with fire in his eyes.
Hunter pause at reading; her lip twitch upwards "That so..." she slowly said and slide bookmark into the page before setting the book down on the table. "Rather than hearing it from words" she said and abruptly toss a black leather sheath that holds a medium-length sword to the Hyoudou. Issei gasp in surprise, but successfully catches it and look up to his Sensei "Show me that you really have move on and it's not all talk" she challenge, getting up and grab her sword that's leaning on the side of the table.
Issei grins at the challenge and holds the sheath in his right hand "I'll show you, Hunter-sensei that I am worthy to be train by you! I won't back down... ever!" he swears. The moment is interrupt cut short when a loud stomach growl around the room. Issei blinks and blush when it became aware to him that's it's his stomach making the noise. Issei suddenly hears a chuckle, which makes him look up to see Hunter stopping in front of him and hold a chicken on a stick "Here" she offers with a faint smile.
Issei's surprise expression turn into a grin "T-thanks, Sensei!" he said and gently takes the stick and immediately bites the meat "Let's eat first before we head out, sounds good?" "Yeah!" Issei reply happily and follow the older woman back to the table.
Rannovag Village
Nawin walk around a lively park with his hands in pocket. Number of bandages is wrap on the Makasha's arms, wrists, hands, and a small one under his right cheek 'Being strike by a holy weapon... these wounds won't heal as fast compare to normal wounds I had sustain" Nawin notes, looking at his arms before changing his sight forward and sees kids running past him, playing tags.
In the far north shows the Artes Mountain 'Amazing... from here I can finally see how gigantic it really is' Nawin notes, staring at the Mountain he's been training at. 'Hopefully Azazel returns back from whatever business he had... It sounds urgent so I won't complain... plus I can't really do much right now, my body is already aching from just walking around'.
Nawin smile when seeing number of family enjoying picnic 'It's great that we had one. Akeno, Lucy, Asia, along with Mom and Dad really enjoyed it, same can be said for the Oldman'. The Makasha continue walking aimlessly until he stops on an empty spot at the large park. The place is surround by trees and in the middle, is just an even cut grass ground 'Special hidden place for lovers, probably'.
"Not looking so hot there, my dear" a familiar voice comment in jest. Nawin's body freeze in surprise, he quietly gulps and slowly glance backwards to see Sayomi walking out from behind one of the trees. "You..." Nawin snarl in disgust with his eyes glowing in red "What do you want?" he said with shaky tone, trying to control his emotion, which holds nothing but rage and hatred.
Sayomi chuckle deeply and gracefully but also seductively makes her way to the Makasha and stop in front of him "Would you believe me if I say I just come here to chat?" she said with a vexing smile and place her index finger at the boy's cheek to pull his face up, letting him to look her in the eye.
Nawin didn't give a response and stare at the pureblood with coldness in his red eyes "Those cold eyes... so different compare to before" Sayomi said softly, moving her right hand higher to cub the Makasha's cheek, but he stops her by grabbing at the wrist "... Who are you?" he asks, looking at Sayomi's face and can't help but get frustrated. He hates the woman in front of him for what she did and the suffering she rain on his life and to the people he holds dear, but he can't help but wanting to know who she is, it's like he knows her but no matter how deep he tries to dig into his memories, it comes back blank.
Sayomi smile and opens her mouth, but before she can utter a word, a weird and complex purple symbol glow on the ground, beneath them. Nawin and Sayomi goes on alert and about to move until it's too late and they disappear in blinding purple light.
When the light dies down it shows an empty spot where the two used to be, "That went easier than expected" Lock release his camouflage spell and walk away from the tree to look at the spot where the two once stood. Purple aura swirl menacingly around the blonde's hands before fading away. Lock expression harden "That silver-haired woman... she's dangerous, her power is comparable to the one who hired me to do this job. Well, whatever... though it's a shame on my behalf with ridding the Makasha off like that. I personally wanted to fight him in the tournament" Lock smirk and begin walking away "Oh well, you win some you lose some. On the bright side, I'll be rewarded kingly for this job".
Next Chapter: Stranded! Nawin and Sayomi Team-up?!