Hey all you beautiful people, here is a special ch of Kio and Kiyohime. These bond chapters will show Kio's relationship with a heroic spirit. Ill have an interlude ch. sometime next week and then we will be off into ch.3 for High school DxD to begin. Also it has been one year since I started on this Xover. Please leave a comment on your thoughts of the story and dont forget you can watch these ch. with narration on YT.
While exploring the upper floors of Dead Man Spire, Kio and Kiyohime are resting in the middle of a meadow. The boy laying his head on the princess' lap, she hums a ~soothing melody~ as she is stroking the young boy's black hair. While enjoying the tranquil moment, something dashes within the grass, hiding its existence. Unbeknownst to them, a sinister presence lurked in the shadows of the meadow, its eyes fixated on the unsuspecting duo. As Kiyohime continued to hum, her gentle strokes lulling Kio into a peaceful slumber, the creature in the grass remained still, biding its time.
With each passing moment, the tension in the air grew palpable, a sense of unease creeping over the tranquil scene. Suddenly, with a swift and stealthy movement, the creature emerged from its hiding place, its form revealed to be that of a canine. A wolf, to be exact; it had grey fur, yellow eyes, sharp fangs, and it was twice the size of Kio's small frame. The beast went for the attack, leaping in the air with savage killing intent, its jaws gaping wide to sink into its prey, a sudden burst of flames erupted from the ground. A serpentine figure made of fire coiled around the wolf, ensnaring it in its fiery embrace. The wolf thrashed and struggled against the searing heat; its ferocious growls drowned out by the crackling flames.
Kiyohime's eyes blazed with rage as she turned her attention to the trapped beast. With a terrifying calmness, she raised her hand and placed her finger to her lips, a silent command for the wolf to remain quiet. In the next moment, with a flick of her wrist, she unleashed a surge of flames that propelled the wolf skyward, sending it hurtling through the air like a fiery comet.
The wolf's agonized howls echoed through the meadow as it soared higher and higher, until finally, with an explosion, it erupted into a burst of flames, consumed by the intense heat of Kiyohime's wrath. She turned her attention back to Kio, slumbering without a care in the world. "Fu fu fu, Anchin-sama, You're so cute when sleeping so peacefully. You have grown so much since that day." Kiyohime murmured to herself, her tone a mixture of amusement and affection.
As she continued to stroke his hair, Kiyohime's thoughts drifted back to the day they first met, back when Kio was but a young boy undergoing rigorous training under Lord Leonidas, King of Sparta.
*Flashback*
"PICK-UP THE PACE, KID. YOU ARE ALMOST THERE. 1…2…3…4." The man with bulging muscles and copper like skin said with a thunderous roar. He waits for a younger Kio, strapped from head-to-toe with weights. Despite his exhaustion, Kio knew better than to disobey his mentor's commands. With a determined grunt, he forced himself to pick up the pace, each step bringing him closer to his physical limits. Finally, the workout came to an end, leaving Kio gasping for breath and covered in sweat. He staggered over to where the man stood, his body feeling like lead from the weights. Kio finally reached the designated spot—a cliff that overlooked the dense forest below—he collapsed to his knees, his chest heaving with exertion.
As the kid caught his breath, the master approached him, his expression unreadable behind his golden helmet. "Well done! My apprentice, can you feel the burn of that 500 km run? Hear the cries of your new muscles forming. This is the way of Sparta!...No, THIS IS SPARTA!" Still trying to catch his breath, Kio hardly able to speak. "I feel… (exhale) sick!… (exhale) Lord Leonidas."
With a hearty laugh, "Ha Ha Ha, that only means you need more training, kid." The king stands at the edge of the cliff, pondering. He turns back to Kio, helmet in his arms, a serious expression. "Have you heard of how lions test their cub's strength? Boy!" Trying to recover his bearings, "No? but what does that have to do with this?"
Leonidas approached him, his imposing figure casting a shadow over the young boy. With a firm grip, the Spartan king lifted Kio by the neck of his shirt, his intense gaze locked onto the forest. "Listen well!" Leonidas began, his voice commanding respect. "In the wild, lions test the strength of their cubs by tossing them off a cliff. Only the strongest survive the fall and emerge victorious."
Kio's expression widened in shock at the revelation, his mind racing with uncertainty and fear. He had come to the King of Sparta seeking training, but he had not expected such a brutal trial of strength. "Survival of the fittest," Leonidas continued, his tone grave. "It is a harsh lesson, but one that separates the weak from the strong. The first law of the world. Are you ready!?"
With a mighty heave, Leonidas threw Kio off the cliff, sending him hurtling through the air towards the forest below. "Meet me on the other side of the forest" Leonidas roared. As Kio plummets through the air, his senses overwhelmed by the rush of wind and the sheer terror of the fall, "(I'm Gonna Die! I'm Gonna Die! I'm Gonna Throw-Up and then I'm Gonna Die!)" dreaded thoughts runs through the kid's mind.
Kio plummeted from the sky, his body colliding with the branches of the trees below. With a thud, he was thrown off course, his momentum carrying him into a spiral. Limbs flailed as he tumbled, unable to regain control. Finally, his descent culminated as he crashed into the frigid waters of the river below, swallowed by its dark embrace. The river carried the boy's unconscious body to the unknown.
Meanwhile back at the cliff, Leonidas continues his watch over the forest. "He'll be fine, children trained in the way of Sparta are strong." A sensation runs along his neck, "Don't even think about it, Dragon!" The warrior king turns to face Ophis, energy crack all around her, her body poised to dive straight off the cliff "Sparta King, give me one good reason why I shouldn't turn you into void dust this instant?" Walking right past her, "This is the truth of Kio's training. If he can't overcome this, then becoming a warrior is not meant to be. Besides, you won't always be there to protect him. This is another lesson you both need to learn."
Ophis, impassive with a hint of annoyance, took one step forward, "DON'T YOU HAVE ANY FAITH IN HIM!" the king bellowed. Leonidas's words echo through the clearing, his voice carrying a weight that seems to reverberate through the very air around them. Ophis, her gaze fixed on the horizon, remains silent for a moment, her thoughts unreadable as she processes his words.
He takes a step closer to Ophis, his gaze piercing. "You brought him here to be trained by us, to become stronger. If you disagree with our methods, then take him back and never return." Ophis's expression softens slightly at Leonidas's words, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features. She takes a step back, her energy subsiding as she considers his words. "Very well," she concedes, her voice softer now. "But know this, Sparta King, if anything happens to him, you will answer to me." With a smile, "I'll take full responsibility." They both left the cliff side, unknown to Kio's unexpected detour.
In an old Japanese-style castle, Kio found himself in a futon. Getting up, he felt pain coursing throughout his body, searing every nerve, muscles twisting and contorting with merciless intensity. As he struggled to sit up, Kio was startled by the sound of the sliding door opening, revealing black-haired girl wearing a white top, purple skirt and a pink hoodie standing in the doorway. Her expressions softened with concern as they look at the sight of Kio's battered body.
"Are you alright kid? You were floating down the river until I pulled you out." She said after helping him up. "Thank you, big sis." Kio begins to tell the young lady about his training with Lord Leonidas. "How dare that miserable, muscle-headed, jock-strap, do that to a Bishōnen. Yeeting a child off a cliff, like the Mishima Zaibatsu, UNFORGIVABLE!" She yells out, cursing a man she never met. Kio couldn't help but chuckle at her colorful choice of words, finding solace in her unique spirit. Despite the pain, he felt a sense of friendship with this stranger who had come to his aid.
Over the next few hours, Kio found himself in the company of the black-haired girl, whose name he learned was Osakabehime. She tells him about herself; how she describes herself as a yōkai inhabiting Himeji Castle, her love for art and stories. Both of them enjoying the time they are having with each other.
Until "Osakabehime! Have you finished your transcript?" A voice called out to her. Ice ran down the girls back, terrified of the one who owns the voice. She scatters around in her castle, trying to get things in order, but it dawns on her, the special guest she has is in danger. "You must hide! The person that is coming is extremely dangerous." She takes Kio and places him in a closet. "No matter what, do not come out of this closet under any circumstances."
Kio nodes his head vigorously. Footsteps could be heard coming closer. The paper door opened.
A green-haired girl appeared, with two horns protruding from the sides of her head and wearing an elegant green kimono. "Osakabehime, have you finished your transcript?" she inquired, her voice calm yet touched with terror. Osakabehime forced a smile, attempting to mask her unease. "Yes, Kiyohime. It is nearly complete," she replied, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness.
As they discussed the transcript, Osakabehime couldn't shake the feeling of dread that lingered in the air. Kiyohime seemed to notice her friend's discomfort, her gaze sharpening as she questioned Osakabehime's behavior. "Is something troubling you, Osakabehime?" She asked, her tone gentle yet probing. "You seem... on edge." Osakabehime hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. Before she could gather her thoughts, Kiyohime's keen ears caught the sound of something amiss—a subtle breathing and heartbeat from the closet where Kio was hiding. With a sinking feeling in her stomach, Osakabehime watched in horror as Kiyohime approached the closet, her movements purposeful yet unnervingly calm. In an instant, she flung open the door, revealing Kio standing there.
As Kiyohime flung open the closet door, revealing Kio standing there, her body began to tremble with excitement. Without a moment's hesitation, she rushed forward and enveloped him in a tight embrace, her voice trembling with emotion as she exclaimed, "Aaaah! Anchin-sama, you finally return!" Kio, taken aback by the sudden outburst, could only muster a confused "What?" as Kiyohime continued to hug and caress him with unabashed enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Osakabehime buried her face in her hands, knowing all too well where this was headed.
"Anchin-sama," Kiyohime began, her eyes sparkling with fervor, "I've been waiting for you for so long. We have so much to discuss—our future together, our wedding..." Kio's face widened in disbelief as he tried to comprehend the situation. "Wedding plans? What are you talking about, Miss?" he interjected, attempting to free himself from her grasp. "Anchin-sama? What are you talking about?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of concern and bewilderment.
But Kiyohime paid no heed to his questions, her delusions taking hold as she began to ramble about wedding and their future together. "Oh, Anchin-sama, we shall have the most magnificent wedding ceremony! The cherry blossoms will bloom in celebration of our love, and we shall be together forever!" she gushed, her eyes sparkling with fervent devotion. "I'm sorry Miss, but I'm not this Anchin-sama. I'm –" Kio stopped mid-sentence, he felt an intense aura deriving from the young lady.
"Oh my, Anchin-sama, you shouldn't lie like that." She begins to laugh eerily. Kio broke into a cold sweat, unable to move a single muscle. Kiyohime continues to run her hands around Kio's body, heat coming off them. Osakabehime reacted quickly, turning herself into a cauldron of bats, flying around the room, distracting Kiyohime. She summoned an origami horse to haul Kio out of the castle.
Enraged, Kiyohime ruptured into flames; her fury knew no bounds. With a burst of flames, she pursued them relentlessly, her wrath fueling her pursuit. "How dare you take my beloved, you skank! Get back here!" she roared, her voice echoing through the sky. The chase led them through the entirety of the Throne, Kiyohime's flames licking at their heels as they raced for safety. Just as they thought they might escape her wrath; they were intercepted by a figure looming overhead—a towering woman riding a feathered wing creature and emitting a radiant aura.
She is a tall blond woman, wears clothing from the Aztec era, a plume on her head with a lot of orange and green feathers. She lands in front of them, causing the horse to collide, launching both Kio and Osakabehime into the air. Both of them were caught by the mysterious woman, "Oye, oye, ¿dónde está el fuego? (Hey, hey, Where's the fire?)" She placed Osakabehime down and set her sight on Kio; sparks of joy filled her eyes. "Oh Dios mío, ¿quién es esta monada aquí? no estás herido, ¿verdad? (Oh my ME, who is this little cutie here? You are not hurt, are you?")
Kio, still dazed from the chaotic events unfolding around him, could only tilt his head in confusion as the blond woman cuddled him affectionately. ("Oh crap, this is bad, this is very, very bad. We got HER attention, the goddess of the sun, Quetzalcoatl!") Osakabehime mumbling to herself, as she gets up from the ground.
As she continues to snuggle him, Kio, still dazed, snapped out of it, "Sorry Miss, I don't know what you are saying!" Hearing his plight, Quetzalcoatl stopped hugging him and pulled back slightly, a look of concern crossing her features. "Oh, my apologies. I forgot that not everyone speaks my native tongue," she said "I just got too excited", her voice warm and melodious. "Are you hurt? Did that fall injure you?"
Kio shook his head, still trying to process everything that had happened. "No, I'm fine. Thank you for catching us," he replied, offering a polite smile despite his lingering bewilderment. As they continued to talk, exchanging pleasantries and introductions, a sudden impact shook the air, and a fireball struck Quetzalcoatl squarely in the back of her head.
A beast in human form inches closer, "So, this is your goal! Giving my beloved to this… this hussy! I won't forgive you!" she roared, "My, my. What a passionate little snake we have here!" Quetzalcoatl states while she hands Kio to Osakabehime. The goddess walks toward the young lady, cracking her knuckles, "Seems to me you were tormenting this child for a while now. Someone needs to teach you a lesson." a wicked grin etched on her lips.
"Torment!? I was only trying to get my husband back from this thieving bat. We have a wedding to attend to." Quetzalcoatl gave her a confused look, looking at Kio and then looking back at Kiyohime, like she is looking at something bizarre. "With this child? Isn't it way too early for him to be married?
Kiyohime, lost in her delusion about Kio being Anchin-sama, paid little heed to Quetzalcoatl's words, her obsession clouding her judgment. "It doesn't matter! Anchin-sama and I are destined to be together, no matter what anyone says!" she declared fervently, her eyes burning with fervent determination.
Quetzalcoatl sighed, shaking her head in exasperation. "Very well then, if that's how you want it," she said, resigned to the inevitable confrontation. With a graceful movement, she positioned herself for battle, her gaze steady and unwavering. As the two women clashed, the air crackled with energy, their powers colliding in a dazzling display of light and force. Quetzalcoatl proved to be the superior combatant, her skill and experience giving her the upper hand against Kiyohime's relentless but graceful attacks.
With a swift maneuver, Quetzalcoatl pinned Kiyohime to the ground, her strength and determination evident in every movement. "It's over! You need to let go of this delusion and accept reality," she said firmly, her voice carrying a note of sympathy beneath its authoritative tone. Kiyohime, unable to process anything, starts to cry, tears run down her cheeks. "Why? Why? All I want is to be with Anchin-sama." Feeling Kiyohime's sorrow and desperation, Kio's heart went out to her. Despite the chaos and confusion surrounding them, he felt a sense of compassion and empathy for the delusional princess pinned beneath Quetzalcoatl's grasp.
As Quetzalcoatl slowly loosens her grip, Kio approached Kiyohime, kneeling beside her with a gentle expression. " Miss Kiyohime," he said softly, his voice carrying a soothing warmth, "I understand that you're hurting, and I know how much you long to be with your Anchin-sama. But I need you to listen to me."Kiyohime's tear-streaked face turned towards Kio, her eyes wide with desperation and longing. "Anchin-sama... is not me," Kio continued, his tone gentle but firm. "I can't be the person you're searching for. But... I can be your friend."
The goddess released her grip, lifting the girl back on her feet, but still on guard. Hearing the boy's words have somehow shaken the girl to her core, the image of a faceless monk, only she herself can see, becomes translucent. Leaving an outline of a young man and a child, overlapping. She wiped away her tears and smiled. "Yes, Anchin-sama! We will start over as friends and when you are ready, we will be married" Osakabehime and Quetzalcoatl facepalm themselves on how nothing changed with this stubborn girl, but Kio thinks otherwise.
Back at the entrance of the forest, Ophis and Leonidas wait patiently for Kio's return. Suddenly, wind blows around them, as Kio descends from the sky, accompanied by Quetzalcoatl, Osakabehime, and Kiyohime riding on the winged serpent, Ophis makes a small sign of relief. She rushed forward to greet Kio, her arms enveloping him in a tight embrace, still ever emotionless.
Kiyohime elicited a hiss of displeasure, but before she could escalate the situation, Ophis intervened. With a demonic glance, she silenced Kiyohime, asserting her authority in the moment. Kiyohime hiding behind the sun goddess. "You did well, Kio. Not only did you survive, but you also made comrades on the way. You did well, now your real training begins." Leonidas said with pride. "YES! Lord Leonidas. But no more throwing me off a cliff." Kio replied. "We'll see about that, '' the king said with a wicked grin.
*Flashback End*
"Wake-up, Kiyohime '' a voice calls out to her. The princess opens her eyes, she sees Kio stretching after his long nap. "Are you ready to go after the floor boss, Kiyohime?" She prepared herself to go off with Kio throughout the dungeon, "Yes! Kio-sama I am ready." Surprised by her, Kio smiled and grabbed her hand. Following the light of the souls.
Ch. End
Extra : After a couple of days, Osakabehime was in her castle, lying on the floor. "Grrrr, I can't think of anything. This sucks, writer's block sucks, and I am soooo bored." While whining, a voice calls out to her, "Big sis Osakabehime, I'm here" The princess rushed out of her castle, seeing Kio carrying two bags. She greets Kio with a smile, "What are in the bags, Kio?" she questioned. "They are a mangas, I brought them for you." She took one of the books and looks through it. She was amazed of the artwork and story, "Come on in, let's read them together!"