I was off on a job as usual, on my bike this time. It was dark outside and I had to make sure not to pedal faster than Issei so we didn't get separated.
Yeah. Us two ecchi bastards ended up being made to take up the same contract. Gremory-senpai and President were starting to get dissatisfied with our repeated failures in completing contracts. So they decided to put on the training wheels and send both of us so we could keep the other from screwing up.
"This sucks." I heard Ise complain next to me.
"Which part?" I asked. "The fact that our respective bosses think us so inadequate that we have to be sent as a pair or the fact we have to ride our bikes all the way to our client's house because your demonic power is too miniscule to let you use a magic circle?"
"That first one…" Issei replied. "...But damn… you sure know how to bring a guy down…"
After I unintentionally insulted Issei, he hung his head, an atmosphere of depression descending upon him.
I sweat dropped. "Sorry." I still couldn't shake this weird feeling in my gut. "Hey, Issei!"
Issei turned one eye towards me, but kept his overall gaze on the road before us. "Yeah?"
"You ever get a weird feeling in your gut? Like something bad's gonna happen?"
Issei laughed jokingly. "Come on, man, you're being paranoid!"
I considered his words. "Yeah…I guess…" I wasn't entirely convinced though. Issei and I haven't exactly had the best luck as of late. I had a few pleasant encounters, but overall, being stabbed and then attacked several times by enemies isn't what I consider "lucky."
Then again, maybe I AM just being paranoid…
It might be because I'm a Devil now. I know I've been one for a while, but how would anyone else feel if they woke up one morning and learned they were turned into a Devil. Maybe it's natural for me to feel a little paranoid considering what I've been through…
But I'm not complaining. With this Sacred Gear of mine, I'll definitely get stronger and fight stronger guys. I'll leave my rivals in my dust! I will become the Devil to surpass all Devils! I'll protect all of those dear to me no matter how cliche it sounds!
Issei and I eventually arrived in front of the client's house. There was something that bugged me though. Devils can only be noticed during Devil-related activities by people with some kind of supernatural sense or perception or had some kind of greed, but what would happen if a client just summoned me right in front of his family… that would be an awkward situation if they all saw us.
I was about to push on the doorbell when I noticed the client's door was open.
"Um…Issei…"
"What is it now?" Issei asked as he dismounted his bicycle, walking up to the door next to me.
He took notice of me staring at the door. "Maybe the client left it open for us…?"
Issei moved forward, but I grabbed his shoulder, stopping him in place.
"I dunno, Issei… maybe we should just head back, try another contract later…"
"I know it's weird, but trust me, not all of our clients are 'normal' per se…" Issei shivered, experiencing chills at some unpleasant memory. "You shouldn't get so shaken up because of an open door." He shook my hand off of his shoulder.
I couldn't help the paranoid feeling I felt becoming stronger. It was screaming at me, telling me something was wrong here.
Where was the client? Why was the door open? Why is it so quiet?
If I had to pick the thing I feared more than anything else, it would have to be the unknown. Not knowing what lies around the corner terrifies me sometimes. Not knowing what's going on here was just as terrifying. It didn't help that this feeling I had was starting to make me even more anxious.
Issei started moving forward, looking behind him at me when he realized I wasn't following.
For a brief second, his expression flashed to concern. "Hey, man, if it bothers you that much, you can wait out here."
I resisted the urge to laugh at that (sarcastically of course). Either go into the creepy house with no apparent occupants that's giving me a bad feeling or stand by myself alone in the dark, a sitting duck to just about any enemy who wanted to pick me off.
I sighed. "Fine. I'm coming." Issei nodded, going into the house first.
I poked my head inside, looking into my client's house…Nobody was around. Still uneasy, I followed Issei with uncertainty.
BADUM BADUM BADUM
I could feel my heart beating in my chest. Something… something was definitely wrong. I finally recognized this feeling I had… this awful anxiety…
It was the same feeling as when I entered the domain where the Stray Devil, Vizor, hid or when I had approached the church.
The feeling that I was walking towards inevitable danger.
A sense of foreboding filled my very being as we walked into our client's house.
The only thing that kept this from being breaking & entering is the fact that we were INVITED.
It was dark as I entered. No lights were turned on. There was a staircase, but no lights.
Even though I could still see, the darkness only added to my bad feeling. No wait… there was one room on the first floor with lights on. At the end of the hallway, I could see a faint light.
My uneasiness only increased when I realized I couldn't feel a human presence. None. There was a chance it could be another supernatural being, but then they would've disguised their presence rather than hide it entirely.
Even if they were sleeping, it wouldn't make any sense not to feel anyone's presence.
It was hard to hear my own thoughts as my heart started pounding harder and harder against my chest, almost breaking through my ribcage because of the stress this horrible suspense was causing. I just got this horrible feeling, that if we continued further, we'd end up seeing something ugly.
Issei rubbed the back of his neck nervously, mimicking me. "Yeah, I think I'm kinda starting to feel that bad feeling you've started having…" He admitted.
"Let's just go home, Issei." I suggested slightly more urgently.
Despite admitting to possessing the same feeling, Issei ignored me, moving deeper within the house.
I didn't take off my shoes as I made my way into the client's house. It may have been rude, but something was definitely wrong.
"Hello?" I called out. "Is anyone there?" I peeked through the door at the end of the hall which was opened just a crack. I still couldn't see anyone or anything because the brightness of what may have been candles was blinding me… but I could smell… then my heart stopped entirely. I recognized that horrible smell.
The smell of death, rotting corpses… and blood. A lot of blood.
I quickly opened the door and walked in, Issei following right after me.
What I saw was a living room with a television, a sofa, a table, and such. It looked like any ordinary living room…
And that was when I finally saw the body.
My eyes widened in absolute horror.
It was hung upside down and nailed to the wall with giant screw into the palms of his hands, his feet, and his torso. The corpse had been cut viciously. Something that looked like a giblet was coming out from the wounds…
From the way they were positioned, they resembled an upside-down cross. They probably never had a chance.
This wasn't murder. It was a torture-filled execution.
The smell of death seemed to enclose around me… its disgusting odor was horrifying… It felt like I was suffocating. Everything except the terrifying sight before me faded into nothingness. My body acted on its own in response to this moment.
I threw up. I emptied all of the contents of my stomach out onto the ground.
Issei also turned a sickly pale color, but he managed to avoid doing as I did.
It was bad enough when I saw the bodies of Vizor's victims, but this… this made her victims' deaths look clean by comparison.
The scent of death refused to fade away as I continued staring at the corpse in horror. I wanted to look away, but my eyes were glued to the terrifying sight.
What was left of the guy's face had an expression of absolute pain and horror etched into it. I couldn't help but wonder how long he suffered before death finally gave him a release from his pain.
While on all fours, I gripped my hands into fists. "Issei… Whoever did this…they're not human…"
Issei nodded, understanding how I felt about these kinds of things…
Fear… disgust… sorrow… rage…These feelings began to well up inside of me uncontrollably…
WHAT SANE PERSON COULD KILL SOMEBODY LIKE THIS?!
I felt like screaming, crying, and hitting something all at the same time.
Screaming for arriving too late, crying because of the horrifying sight before me, and beating the shit out of the bastard responsible.
I covered my mouth to keep from throwing up again.
"L-Look…" With a shaky hand, Issei pointed at something… I was uncertain what he was pointing at for a second, but then I saw it…
I could see blood pooled on the ground below the poor bastard, more of it leaking from his corpse. But what truly drew my attention was what Issei was pointing to: the writing on the wall… written in the victim's own blood.
If I had been any less distraught, I probably would've laughed despairingly at how cliché such a scene was.
...This… this is so wrong…
"What… what does it say?" Issei asked.
I've studied a little, so I know a little bit of the language it was written in.
Working up the courage to finally get back to my feet, I did my best to answer my friend with my shaky voice.
"I think… I-I think it's written as "Punishment for those who did bad deeds!"..."
"Ah! The first Devil-kun got it right. I just borrowed the sentence from someone important," said the voice of a man behind me.
Both Issei and I tensed.
Fuck! It never occurred to me that the killer could still be here. It was a stupid mistake.
I turned around to see a man with white hair. He was clearly a foreigner but still looked like he could still possibly be in his teens. He was dressed as a priest and may have qualified as a bishounen if not for the incredibly evil-seeming smile on his face when he saw me.
"Hmm hmm. Well, well, if it isn't a Devil-kun! Not one, but two!" He sounded disturbingly happy even though there was a corpse hanging on the wall beside us.
I immediately figured out what this guy was: An exorcist.
Friendly people from the church like Asia didn't seem to be a threat, but this was an exorcist. He is an enemy for sure. His power is supported by the prayer of God. He's a priest so he's related to the church. He even knew I was a Devil… In the worst-case scenario, we may have to fight this guy.
I darted my eyes in Issei's direction. He was freezing up.
I bit my tongue, resisting the urge to curse. I forgot Issei still hadn't learned to really use his Sacred Gear.
In the WORST-worst-case scenario, I could very well end up having to fight this fucker while protecting Issei. I had no doubt that if it came down to that, both Issei and I would die…
"I'm a priest. A boy priest, I cut down devil-like people, and I laugh at them, I cut the head of you Devils, and receive my meal. "
He…He was singing…W-What… What the fuck is wrong with this guy?!
"My name is Freed Zelzan. I belong to a certain Exorcism organization. Ah, just because I introduced myself doesn't mean you have to. I don't want to remember your name in my memory, so please don't. It's okay, since you are going to die soon. I will make sure of it. It might hurt at first, but later you will feel so good that you will cry. Now let's open the new door—ZE!"
He never gave me the chance to get a word in. He was unique, I'd give him that… Wait.
What was that about me dying now? Ah yes. He's an exorcist so of course he's going to try and kill me, a Devil.
But I had another question on my mind. My previous horror was replaced by a boiling anger. He was the only other person around… so I had to know.
I clenched my fists at my sides. "Tell me… were you the one who did this? Were you the one who murdered this guy here?"
The exorcist nodded cheerfully. "Yes, yes. I killed him. Because he was a regular criminal who had been summoning Devils, so I had to kill him."
Issei just stared at the Exorcist, eyes wide due to shock. "Y-You-! You monster!"
My sentiments exactly.
The Exorcist didn't even try to excuse himself. He showed no remorse for taking a man's life. A man who had hopes and dreams, wishes for the future.
"Eh?! Is the shitty Devil-kun here lecturing me?! What the fuck is that? Hahahaha! I laugh like this! You could probably get an award for best comedian! Okay then, listen carefully you shitty Devil. Devils also use humans's greed to survive. Relying on Devils proves you are no longer a human. It's the end. That's why I killed him. I make a living killing Devils and those that are contracted to Devils. That's my job."
"Who the Hell are you calling a shitty Devil, you shitty priest!?" I screamed out of anger. "How can you call Devils a shitty existence when even WE won't go as far as a fucking psychopath like you!?"
"Oho!" Freed exclaimed. "Who gave you permission to talk, Red-Haired Shitty Devil!? Who gives a fuck what you say?"
I flipped him the bird. "Fuck off! I would ask where you left your brains, but now I realize you don't have any! You're a fucking insane psycho who has erectile dysfunction so severe that you can't get it up unless you cut something, you fucking sadist! I wonder, considering what a shit you are, if you even have something to 'get up', you shit!"
The Exorcist blinked at my comeback, as if he expected me to wait while he finished his rant. "Oh ho! The shitty Devil before me has a pair of his own now, doesn't he?!" He said this with his previous sadistic grin. "The last few I killed immediately started to beg for their lives the moment I placed my sword at their throats. No fun whatsoever! Bo-ring! You at least have a mouth on you! I think I can get some fun out of cutting you up!"
I stared. I then realized that this man had to have killed other Devils before. I pictured people like Yuka, Akeno, and Koneko being cut down by this man who held no remorse. That pissed me off even further. Ruruko, Tsubasa-chan, Momo-chan… all of them… I pictured people like them being cut down before my eyes by a psycho like this sick fuck…
The exorcist then shook his head. "Anyway, as I was saying—"
It was at that point that my fist met his face, knocking him backward.
The shitty priest regained his balance and drew a bladeless sword and a gun. He looked like he was trying to decide whether he was pissed for being punched or excited to be allowed to cut me into little Devil pieces.
I glared at him. "I don't want to hear another damn word out of your rotten mouth, you shitty priest! I don't give a fuck if you're supposed to be a servant of God or whatever! You won't get any mercy here because I'm sending you straight to hell, you fucking psycho!"
I wasn't sure whether or not I felt justified in murdering this depraved bastard, but I couldn't stand to hear him talk anymore… OK, so maybe I wouldn't kill him, but I was certainly going to make him hurt like Hell.
I shot a sharp look at Ise behind me. "Issei! Leave this bastard to me! Get back to the ORC and tell our Senpais what happened!"
Issei, still frozen, looked from me to the shitty priest.
Absolute killing intent erupted from my body. "GO! NOW!"
Frightened by my sudden hostility, Ise swallowed once before nodding.
He ran right past me and the shitty priest, exiting the house.
Freed grinned sadistically. "Oh no you don't, Shitty Devil-kun! No running away!" But before he could even consider chasing after Issei, I whipped my leg around in another attempt to hit him in the face. The shitty priest, however, seemed to predict this attack and immediately leaped away, effectively dodging my attack.
"Nice try, Red-Haired Shitty Devil! While I'm really pissed off that the other one got away, I—Oh never mind! I don't know why I'm wasting my time speaking to a Devil I'm about to kill." He shrugged to himself. A strange sound vibrated in the air and the sword that was only a handle before somehow turned into a type of beam saber like what a Gundam would wield. "You kind of irritate me, so can I cut you? Can I shoot you? Is it OK? Okay then. Now I'm going to stab your heart with this blade of light, and I'm going to blow your head with this cool looking gun! Man, I'm seriously going to fall in love!"
…What the fu—
I didn't get to finish that thought because the shitty priest started to sprint towards me. He slashed at me. I leaned right and dodged his blade by an inch. I quickly rushed forward and grabbed the arm holding his sword to keep him from moving it as I brought my other fist around, slamming it right into the side of his face again. I jumped backwards just in time to avoid a bullet shot at my leg. It had to have been a bullet of light, too, considering this guy was an exorcist. A bullet that could harm a Devil…To a Devil, light is poisonous. Once hit, the pain goes through your entire body.
Thank Satan for a Devil's enhanced reflexes and instincts.
"Tch." I clicked my tongue. "It looks like I gotta get serious." I focused on summoning the power that laid dormant in my back. "Alright! Let's go! DIVINE DIVIDING!"
In a flash of light, the wings that made up my Sacred Gear appeared on my back.
"Wings, huh? How lame! That's stupid! You're stupid!" Freed exclaimed. "Ah well. Those wings can help you ascend to Heaven when I kill you—Wait! Haha! Forgot you were a shitty Devil for a second! Nope nope! Nothing but a shallow hole in the ground for you, Shitty Devil-kun!" Then he paused, noting my Sacred Gear. "So this Devil-kun is also a possessor of Sacred Gear! Now I REALLY want to kill you! Can I pretty please stab you and fill you with bullets?!" He sounded as if just saying 'please' would make me say yes to letting him kill me.
"No chance in Hell!" I screamed. "Now let's see how you like this!"
[Divide!]
I felt the divided power from Freed drain from him into my own body.
It was a bit more than I expected. More than Mittelt's at any rate.
After I absorbed some of Freed's power, I used my wings to levitate myself away from him just as he swung his light sword at me, almost bisecting me.
"Gah! What did this shitty Devil do?!" The shitty priest was clearly starting to get pissed off by this point. "Time to fucking cut you in half!"
I didn't have time to focus because the shitty priest was charging again. He swung his light sword at me, giving me little time to dodge. I managed to do so, but I cringed as the blade made a shallow cut at my side. I spun on my heels as did Freed in order to exchange more blows. He tried swinging again, but I dodged the worst part of the blade which barely missed cutting off my face, just scratching it. It still hurt more than it should have though.
I wiped the blood off my cheek, glaring daggers at Freed.
"Prepare to have your ass handed to you, shitty priest!" I closed my eyes and focused, just as Akeno-san told me.
Using the power of my [Queen piece, I called forth the speed of the [Knight piece.
Suddenly, Freed's movements started to slow down. They were still pretty damn fast, but I was able to start to keep up with him.
I swung my fists at him, attempting to clock him right in the face, but he caught my blows either with the hilt of his light sword or with the side of his pistol. Even with my Knight abilities, this bastard was still pretty fast. I swung my leg at him, but he ducked and tried uppercutting me with the blade of his light sword.
I tilted my chin upwards, just barely avoiding the blade from cutting my face again.
When he swung his sword, I dodged. When I swung my fists or my legs, he dodged. We ended up in a stalemate as I tried to wait out the disturbingly long ten seconds before I could use [Divide] again.
"Die, die, Devil! Die Devil! Turn to dust and disappear! This is all for my entertainment!" Freed's sadistic grin grew once more as he moved quickly yet again. I had been to focused on my Sacred Gear that I had once again stopped paying attention.
I slid to the side to once again avoid his blows.
Alright then—
[Divide!]
I once again cut the shitty priest's power in half, further absorbing his power as my own.
The shitty priest's eyes became filled with so much fury, that I thought he'd light me on fire.
"Die! Just fucking die, you shiiiiiit!" Freed pulled out his pistol and unleashed rapid shots of light one after another, trying to hit my with quantity rather than quality hits.
"Haruto!"
My eyes widened. Against my better instincts, I turned my head to the left to see Issei and—
….No… it couldn't be!...
"Asia?!"
The blonde-haired nun I had encountered before stood behind a shocked-looking Issei with her eyes widened and her hands covering her mouth either due to shock or horror.
Then a sharp pain ripped through my torso.
Still in shock, I slowly looked down at my abdomen to see a small spot of blood. It started to gradually grow larger and larger until it finally occurred to me:
I was hit.
The shitty priest across from me was grinning like the fucker he was, twirling his light pistol in one hand as he mentally celebrated finally getting a proper hit on me.
"Fuck! Haruto! I-I didn't! I just found this nun outside and!—" Realization dawned upon Issei's face as he figured out the distraction he caused. Then guilt.
I hunched over, clutching my wound, trying to suppress the bleeding.
"Time to die, Shitty Devil-kun!" Freed readied his sword to finish my life after the near crippling blow he landed on me.
"Please stop!" Asia begged.
"Well if it isn't my assistant, Asia-chan. What happened? Did you finish putting the barrier?" The priest asked.
No…No no no no NO! Out of everyone…It can't be… Asia… you're not really…
I was too shocked to finish a single thought.
If Asia had planned on answering Freed's question, I would never know because it was at that moment that she noticed our deceased 'friend' nailed to the wall.
She screamed in horror.
"Oh yeah, this is your first time seeing a corpse like this, isn't it, Asia-chan?" Freed asked. "Then look carefully. We have the humans that are entranced by a Devil die like this."
"…N-No…" Asia apparently couldn't believe what she was hearing. She was horrified not only by Freed's words but also the corpse present in the room.
This girl… why is she hanging around a sicko like Freed?!
"Haruto, are you alright?!" Issei, having finally snapped out of his shock, ran to my side, holding me upright while staring in horror at the gut wound I got. "I-I didn't mean to—I just—"
In deep and incredible pain not only due to light-poisoning but also due to the fact I GOT SHOT IN THE FUCKING STOMACH, I shot Issei a pained glare.
"I thought I told you to get the fuck out…"
Issei hung his head in shame. "I..I'm sorry. I found that nun outside and she said she had to get in and… I'm sorry…I just wanted to help and… I'm sorry…" He sounded like a little kid who just got scolded for breaking one of his parent's most important possessions.
It was then that Asia finally took in my presence. Her shocked expression once again returned.
"…Father Freed… that person…"
The shitty priest laughed at her attempted sentence. "Person? No, no. This shit here is a Devil. Hahaha, what are you misunderstanding?"
Asia stared at me. I couldn't bear to look her in those sad eyes of hers.
"Haruto-san… is a Devil…?"
Freed continued to laugh. "What, what!? You guys know each other!? Wow! Now this is a big surprise! Is it the forbidden love between a Devil and a Sister? Seriously!? Are you serious?!"
I frowned. I… I wasn't quite sure what to say. I had to at least explain. "Asia…I—"
"Leave them the fuck alone, you shitty priest!" Issei shouted out of anger. "That has nothing to do with this!
"Shut it, shitty Devil!"
Asia looked like she didn't quite know what to do…
I never intended her to find out. It would've been better if she had never known really. The two of us forever being strangers. At least then, it never would've ended up in such a situation…
It didn't help that Asia's eyes made me feel ten times worse. I felt ashamed for the first time for being reborn as a Devil.
Dammit…Damn it all…
"Ahaha! Devils and humans can never coexist!" This shitty priest was SERIOUSLY starting to piss me off. "Especially humans from the Church and the Devils who are the biggest of enemies! Also, we are a group of heretics that were deserted by God. Asia-tan and I are humans who can't survive without the support of Fallen Angels-sama."
"Fallen Angels?!" Issei exclaimed. He still had his hand on my shoulder, unintentionally jerking me and causing more burning pain in my wounded stomach. "You work with those guys?!"
"So we're supposed to KILL shitty Devils like this one right here! I need to kill this trash here or else I can't finish my job, so here I come. Are you ready?"
I tensed. Dammit! This really WAS the worst-case scenario! It was bad enough Issei was here, but there was also Asia I had to think of! There's no telling what could happen while she's around! There's also the fact I was badly wounded! If I didn't bleed out, the light poisoning would kill me.
I was outright fucked either way.
Then I was shoved back by a sudden force. I stared in shock as Issei suddenly leaped in front of me, a strange, red gauntlet on his arm with a green gem in the center.
"...Sacred Gear…" I uttered in pure shock.
Issei's gaze was filled with rage. "Bastard! I'm going to kick your ass for hurting my bro!"
Freed grinned maniacally "Ah! So it looks like a another Shitty Devil-kun wants to continue this for round two! Let's go then!"
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Issei charged in a half-assed fashion, probably too overcome with rage to actually plan an actual battle plan.
"Issei, no!" I called out, trying to warn him. "This guy! He's not an opponent you can beat on your own!"
Issei ignored me. He launched his left fist forward, ignoring all safety precautions.
SLICE
Issei hunched over in shock, perhaps feeling the pain caused by the light sword that Freed just slashed across his chest, opening a gaping wound that released a large amount of blood. Or maybe it was the bullet Freed put in Issei's shoulder immediately afterwards before delivering a powerful kick to Issei's stomach, sending him flying into a chair behind me, completely breaking it before smashing against the wall.
I began to cough up blood, trying to let out a gasp of shock at Issei's injuries.
"Ha." The shitty priest let out something that was somewhere between a laugh and a sigh. "Oh, how anticlimactic! I guess the Red-Haired Devil-kun was much stronger than the other shitty Devil, how disappointing. I was really hoping to cut up TWO people like you. Oh well, I can still just cut you up and pretend I'm doing it twice!"
I tried moving, but the pain in my torso was too great. I fell to one knee, unable to take this immense pain any longer. Freed approached at his own leisure, wielding his light sword with both hands.
I couldn't move as the shitty priest prepared to thrust his light sword into me one final time.
I was certain I was going to die… I wouldn't survive the fatal blow that was directed at me. Even if I could dodge it… I didn't have the stamina to fight anymore…Issei was down for the count apparently so I was on my own…
Not again… I was brought back to fulfill my dream and just as easily, the world was going to snatch away my life again!
While I was lamenting my imminent demise, I was snapped back to reality when a certain blonde Sister stepped between me and the shitty priest. Her arms were spread as if…
No… is she… protecting me?
The shitty priest put on a stern expression. "…Hey, hey. Are you serious? Asia-tan, do you know what you are doing?"
"…I do. Father Freed, I beg you. Please forgive this person. Please let him go."
I stared, speechless at Asia's words… even though I am a Devil and she is a nun, she was protecting me.
"I can't stand it any more… You can't kill people just because they are entranced to a Devil and you also can't kill Devils. It's wrong!" There was no fear in her words and I was rather impressed.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!?" Freed seemed to have an expression that was a mix of annoyance, confusion, and anger. "Don't talk shit, bitch! You also learned that Devils are trashes at the Church! Seriously, is there something wrong with your brain!?"
"There are good people, even among Devils!" Asia defended.
"There aren't, idiooooooot!"
Asia seemed to waver for just a moment, but she came back stronger than before. "T-That's what I thought until recently… But Haruto-san is a good person! That fact doesn't change even after I found out that he is a Devil! Killing someone is unforgivable! This kind of act! God won't allow such acts!"
I couldn't believe it…even after seeing the body and learning that I was a Devil, she was still so strong… I—
Then I saw the shitty priest bringing his gun around.
The shitty priest showed shock as I suddenly appeared in front of Asia, grabbing the arm that had been swinging around to strike Asia. My body had reacted on its own despite the pain I was in.
Somehow, despite the immense pain I was in, I still somehow worked up the strength to protect Asia.
"Now, Freed… Don't you know that it's impolite to hit a lady?" Malice dripped from my words. "I don't have many rules to life, but there is one I hold near and dear to me: Never—and I mean NEVER-hit such a cute girl like Asia!" I then delivered a quick punch to his face with my other free arm, knocking the shitty priest of balance again. This time I left a fairly large bruise on his face.
[Divide!]
I covered my mouth, feeling a new strain as my body was unable to handle the new power I absorbed from Freed. I could feel the wings carefully releasing all of the excess power, but it was still more than I could handle in my current state.
"Haruto-san…" Asia was still staring at me. Whether it was because of my wounds, because I was a Devil, or because I just clocked the guy she was assisting, I'm not sure.
I had a soft expression on my face. "You saved me, so allow me to repay my debt, Asia…I will protect you. I promise." In some part of my mind, I bet that I looked like a total badass.
But who was I kidding? I was in no shape to do anything. I had a few more punches left in me, but I was drained because of my Sacred Gear and my injuries. There was no way I was going to walk out of this alive.
The shitty priest once again recovered from my punch. "Eh? So the shitty Devil still has some fight left in him? You will die, you know? You will die with a lot of pain? I have no intention of killing you painlessly, okay?"
I figured that was obvious from the body pinned to the wall. I turned back to Asia and said in the sharpest of whispers, "Run! Please grab Issei and run! I'll hold him off! Just run!" I didn't wait for a response since Freed certainly wasn't.
"Now then. Let's see if I can make a new record for the smallest minced-meat!"
I'll protect Issei and Asia with my very life if needed! I can't afford to back down here!
The shitty priest was about to move forward when the floor began to glow with lights of blue and white.
"What is this?" Freed asked. He was just as surprised as I was. Then the light began to shape into a familiar magic circle.
No wait! TWO magic circles! One was a crimson red color while the other was more of an azure blue color!
There was a sudden huge flash of light that blinded all of the occupants of the room.
When the light finally faded, I was surprised to see several familiar people standing in the middle of both magic circles.
"Hyoudou-kun! Haruto! We're here to rescue you!" Yuka?
"Ara ara. This is awful." Akeno-san?
"…Priest." Koneko?
"What a troublesome situation you always wind up in, Namikaze-kun. So troublesome, making Rias and I need to collaborate in order just to extract the two of you." Sitri-senpai!?
"Sorry for being late, Haruto-chan!"
"Hey hey! Don't act so flirty with him!"
Momo-chan?! Ruruko!?
Is EVERYONE I know here?!
The shitty priest then started slashing his sword. "Hyahou! Here's a present for a group of Devils!"
Yuka rushed forward and blocked Freed's sword with her own.
"I'm sorry. He's one of us! We can't let you lay a finger on him!"
"Oh, oh! A mere Devil being concerned about their comrade? What are you guys? Devil Squadron, the Devil Rangers? That's nice. I can feel the heat. I'm getting turned on! So how is it? You bending over while he sticks it in? So are you guys in that sort of relationship?"
Yuka stuck out her tongue. "Well, I'm trying to make him lose all control and obey the will of my body, but that's still a work in progress."
I felt like whining due to embarrassment.
Yukaaaaa! Don't make me look like such a worthless pervert in front of the enemy!
That was when the blonde-haired girl noticed my expression and blushed lightly, laughing awkwardly.
"Um-Er-I mean— …What a vulgar mouth. It's hard to believe you are a priest… Oh, that's why you are a 'Stray Exorcist', right?"
Nice save, I thought sarcastically.
As the two spoke, they continued crossing blades. It didn't appear that either was gaining a clear advantage.
"Yeah, yeah! I'm vulgar! Sorry about that! That's because I strayed away! I was kicked out! That's why—screw the Vatican! I'm all right as long as I get to cut Devils whenever I feel like it!"
I really CAN see why this guy was excommunicated… As for Asia, not so much.
Yuka's expression was calm, but her eyes followed her opponent's every move.
The shitty priest seemed to really be enjoying the fight.
"You are the type that is the most hard to deal with. Someone who feels like they are living by cutting Devils… the one who causes the most harm to us."
Definitely. People who kill for fun are nothing but dangerous monsters.
"Haaaaah!? You know, I don't want to be told off by a Devil? I'm trying to live now just like other people! I'm not in a position where pests like you can talk down to me!"
"Even Devils have rules… you shitty priest…" I spat out at him. My blood loss was starting to make me feel dizzy. Not a lethal amount of blood loss yet, but it wasn't pleasant.
"Ah, I figured you'd be dead by now. Ah well! I can get back to you once I'm done, so wait your turn!"
"Now, I don't think I enjoy you threatening my adorable junior." Akeno-san said. Her eyes were serious and she showed clear hostility towards the shitty priest.
"For once, Akeno and I are in agreement." Sitri-senpai said, showing a disturbing amount of hostility hat I never thought I'd see while she usually wore her mask of seriousness.
Freed grinned. "Nice. I like those passionate eyes. Onee-san, you are the best. I can feel your urge of wanting to kill me. Is this love? No. I think it's a killing intent! Superb! This is great! I love the feeling of intending to kill and getting intended to kill!"
"Then disappear."
Well if it isn't the crimson-haired princess herself.
Our Senpai, Rias Gremory, appeared before our group, carrying the air of a leader.
Momo-chan suddenly appeared next to our group, having retrieved a half-conscious Issei.
I shot him a concerned look. "Is he alright?"
"Mmmm… yeah… I am…" Issei said, still managing to find the energy to talk.
Gremory-senpai looked back at us with concern and shame on her face.
"Haruto, Issei, I'm sorry. I never expected that a Stray Exorcist will visit this client's house."
Sitri-senpai shook her head, a look of shame matching Gremory-senpai's on her face. "No. We both must share the blame for this, Rias. I am just as responsible as you are."
"Can we please…play the blame game later?" I asked, starting to feel more and more light-headed. I felt someone put one of my arms over their shoulders.
I looked to my right and saw Ruruko with a serious expression on her face.
"Haruto's right. He and Hyoudou-senpai are both badly injured. That takes precedent here, right, Kaichou? That Stray needs to be dealt with quickly."
Sitri-senpai noted Ruruko's argument and nodded,
However, I noticed Gremory-senpai staring mournfully at the wounded Issei, as if she was staring at something she deeply cared about that had been torn to shreds.
How close were they?
Ruruko noted my expression of confusion and whispered into my ear.
"Something Kaichou told me about the Gremorys is that they are extremely affectionate with their servants. It's not too far off to say that they are something like a family."
Ruruko's explanation made sense. Despite having only recently gained Ise as her servant, Gremory-senpai already possesses a deep care for him. When I look at her eyes, I couldn't help but feel that it was a feeling similar to how I felt, seeing my brother related to me in everything but blood in such a sorry state.
"Looks like you have been looking after my cute servant?" I had to admit Gremory-senpai's voice was kinda unsettling and scary to anyone with a weaker will than me. She's definitely pissed right now.
"Yes, yes. I have been playing around with it. I was planning to cut his body all over but I was interrupted and it finished as a dream." The shitty priest admitted.
A second later, a huge area nearby the priest was blown away by my crimson-haired senpai's demonic power.
"I make sure I never forgive those who harm my servants. I especially can't forgive a lowlife like you damaging my personal possessions." Yep. I guess Ruruko's explanation was right on the money.
Gremory-senpai's killing intent flooded the room. It was much more powerful than anything I could manage at the moment. Perhaps it was more intense because of the demonic power surrounding Her.
I then felt the very air freeze.
"They're coming." I said in a soft whisper. I could sense their presences. At least several people were approaching and FAST. I could at least feel that.
Akeno-san noticed as well. "Buchou, there seems to be few Fallen Angels heading to this house. At this rate we will be at a disadvantage."
She was right. Both Issei and I were in bad shape and we would end up a burden to the others if they had to fight the shitty priest with reinforcements from the Fallen Angels all while protecting us.
Gremory-senpai gave the shitty priest one final glance and appeared to be thinking. She and Sitri-senpai both exchanged glances and nodded. Then my crimson-haired senpai turned to Akeno-san.
"…Akeno, we will return to our headquarters once we retrieve Issei and Haruto-kun. Prepare for teleportation."
"The same goes for us. Nimura. Hanakai." Sitri-senpai stated to her own servants.
"Yes." Akeno-san then did as instructed and began casting the spell.
""Right.""
For some reason, Momo-chan handed Ise over to Yuka and Koneko-chan before moving to my side, grabbing my other arm to help me move.
I turned to Asia and stretched my hand towards her, gesturing her to come. "We're taking Asia with us!"
I directed that towards both Gremory-senpai and Sitri-senpai. It wasn't a request either.
I WILL protect Asia!
"It's impossible." was Gremory-senpai's immediate answer.
I stared at her, wide-eyed. "What are you talking about?!"
"Only Devils can use the magic-circle to transport, Haruto." Sitri-senpai explained. She spoke with sympathy in her voice. "Also, this magic-circle can only teleport only me, Rias, and our servants, and you due to your special status."
I clenched my fists, trying to keep from stumbling as I removed myself from Momo-chan and Ruruko.
I coughed up blood, but I kept moving forward, walking towards a shocked Asia.
Shaking, I grasped her left hand in my own.
"...Then… I'll stay behind too… I'm not leaving Asia here!" I said, still resisting the urge to drop like a fly. I was suddenly jerked back by Momo-chan, who was firmly grasping my other arm. She had a stern look on her face.
"It's not up for debate! In your current state, you'll die for certain if you attempt to face the Fallen Angels's reinforcements!"
"AND I DON'T CARE!" I yelled back at her. I clenched my fist, yanking my arm free of Momo's hands. "If I just abandon my friends, then I might as well be dead! I won't leave anyone behind!"
Asia's… my friend…
Asia's eyes widened further. "Haruto-san…"
I don't know why I said that aloud all of a sudden, but it just felt right… even if we've only met once before, she was a kind, sweet, and innocent girl who saved my life…
It was a decision I made at that exact moment: Asia is my friend!
"It's not your choice, Haruto!" Sitri-senpai said.
"No…" The voice behind me agreed. "...It's not."
That was when a sudden shove jerked me forward. It didn't hold a lot of strength, but in my current state, it felt like I was like getting hit by the force of a truck.
I was knocked forward, surprising Momo who was knocked down under me, pushing both into the center of Sitri-senpai's magic-circle.
First thought: OWWWWW! FUCKING DAMMIT!
I landed right on my stomach wound. I rolled over on my side, clutching the bullet hole in agony. Momo-chan got blood on her clothes due to knocked against me, but she recovered rather quickly, getting back to her feet and rushing to my side, forcing my arms down to keep me from getting back up.
I managed to look up enough to see what exactly had shoved me.
Asia smiled softly, her eyes full of both happiness and sadness. "Sorry if I pushed too hard, Haruto-san…"
"A…sia…?" I felt myself getting weaker, barely able to form words.
I felt Momo-chan's soft fingers pressed against my throat. Whatever she had felt caused her to tense.
"President! We have to get Haruto medical attachment NOW! We have to go!" There was worry and fear in her voice.
Sitri-senpai spoke with urgency. "Right! Finish the spell!"
I noticed Ruruko kneeling by my other side, holding my hand in hers. She looked like she was getting ready to cry.
No! I can't… I can't leave like this!
Despite being held down by Momo-chan, I decided to go past my limit one last time… for something worth doing..
I forced myself upwards, staring right at Asia. "Asia… I promise… I'll come back for you… I promise…"
I turned towards Asia and looked her in the eyes. She… she was smiling. I tried reaching out towards her again, but we were too far apart.
I knew it was futile… but I wanted to let her know… I will come back…
"Haruto-san, let's meet again."
Those were the last words spoken between us in this place.
The magic circle started glowing again a Akeno-san and Momo-chan finished casting the teleportation spell.
"Like I will let you escape!" The shitty priest tried slashing at us again, but Koneko-chan threw a couch at him. He cut through it, but it stalled him long enough for the teleportation to start.
The last thing I remember before being swallowed by white was Asia's smile.