Hello fellow Masters, welcome to a new ch. the beginning of the DxD storyline. leave a comment on your thoughts so far on the story, your feedback will greatly improve my story telling. I do not own any characters in this story except for my OCs'
Chapter 3: Homecoming
In the dead of night, amidst the desolation of a desert, a small facility stood engulfed in flames. The crackling of the fire echoed across the barren landscape, casting eerie shadows that danced with the flickering light. Fallen body parts littered the scorched earth, their lifeless forms stark against the orange glow of the inferno. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and ash, a haunting reminder of the violence that had unfolded in this dismal place.
A being wearing white armor drags a fat, chubby, disgusting-looking piece of shit behind them. They threw him in the air, his robe and jewelry fluttering in the wind, on the ground he yells at the assailant. "Do you have any idea who I am, of what you have done?" They continue walking closer to him, unfazed and silent. Hesitant and out of options, the ugly bastard got up on his stumpy legs, unfurling four black wings, conjuring a sword and shield made of light.
"I am a subordinate of Azazel-sama, part of his inner circle. You'll suffer the full force of the Grigori for what you have done!" The white armor's voice starts to break through, a rough but feminine voice can be heard. "Hahahahaha, you must be a really special kind of stupid! How did you even survive for this long?" The fallen angle clenches his sword and rushes forward, preparing to thrust into the enemy. "Don't you dare make a fool of me!"
"Divide!"
A deep, powerful voice echoes out. The fatty face planted into the ground, struggling to get up. "This?... This power! You're…!" in shock. They stand in front of him, deactivating the armor, light silver long hair tied in a ponytail, hazel eyes, leather choker, black shirt, brown leather jacket, and dark blue jeans. "At least you have some brain cells left. The reason we are doing this is on Azazel's orders! He knew about your black market dealing since the beginning, and is not too keen on the idea of potential Sacred Gear users being sold off as slaves. So, he sent us." He was shaken, his body trembled, he realized that it's over.
The girl grab his face like a vise, "Any last words before I end your fuckin' life?" she said, squeezing ever so tightly. "I…I…I did this for his glory, so that the might of the Grigori wou-"
"Divide!"
*Squash* His head imploded from her grip, blood and brains burst out like confetti. Wiping off the blood, the girl made a call, "This is Valencia, mission accomplished, send them in." As she finishes cleaning herself, the deep voice calls out, "Excellent work, Vali. A marvelous display of power as usual."
"Thank you, Albion. Now that all taken care of, where did that little bastard run off to now?" She questioned herself as she began her search. After a while, she found a child sitting by a roaring fire, devouring a large piece of meat of a chimera skewered over an open flame. The boy with platinum-white hair with red highlights, wearing a black cloak, and wolf mask besides him.
Vali raised an eyebrow, watching the child tear into the meat with savage enthusiasm. She marched over and smacks him over the head, causing him to yelp and drop his meal. "Seems like you have a lot of free time on your hands, don't you Nanashi!?" she demanded.
Nanashi rubbed his head, not moving from his spot, but full of annoyance. "Yeah, yeah, I did my part long ago," he mumbled, his mouth still full of meat. "I got hungry right after, so I roasted this thing. It's good, want some?"
Vali sighed, shaking her head. "You know you're supposed to report after completing your task, not have a barbecue in the middle of mission." She glanced at the skewered chimera, then back at Nanashi. "And eating weird shit like this."
Nanashi shrugged, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "I inspected it, tastes like a mix of goat and snake."
Vali couldn't help but to place her hand on her head. "Whatever, let's just wrap this up and head back. The cleaners are here." She turns back to rendezvous with the others, but before that, she blasts the skewered chimera to bits. Pieces of roasted meat scattered everywhere "Was that really necessary? I was eating that." The boy gets up from the ground and place the mask on his face. "Fine!" He let out an annoyed sigh "Let's head back, she's waiting for us anyways."
A group of people in hazmat suits clean-up the area, putting out the fire, and gather up the body parts. Inside anarmored vehicle, Vali and Nanashi are relaxing, "*Slurp*, That hits the spot." Vali said with a content sigh, setting down her fifth empty bowl of ramen. She glanced over at Nanashi with a deadpan expression, who was in the process of finishing his tenth bowl.
"Even after eating earlier, you still have room to spare." she stated, her tone a mix of amazement and mild reproach. "Even if you eat that much you won't be able to grow taller" she chuckle as she pats the kid on the head. Annoyed, the boy retaliates, "I don't want to hear that from a ramen fanatic, if you eat nothing but ramen you will never develop into a proper lady at this rate!"
"YOU LITTLE SHIT!" enraged, Vali tackles Nanashi to the ground, wrestling each other, "Hahahaha, tiny body but big mouth. You two fight like you're siblings!" Albion's voice calls-out. "Shut-it, you overgrown cum-stain lizard!" they said in unison. "Well, that's uncalled for!" he responded.
An electric whiling sound hums in the air, *ZAAAP* Vali and Nanashi were hit with an electrical current, causing them to convulse wildly. "That's enough you two. You're both adults, start acting like it." A little girl comes into the room, wearing a maid uniform and a metallic arm. Vali and Nanashi groaned, slowly recovering from the shock. They looked up at the girl, their faces a bit frustrated.
"Come on, Azazel and Baraqielhave arrived. They are upstairs." Both of them get ready, but with some sore spots. "Dumbass!" "Bitch!" They cursed at each other before going up. Entering a room full of books and a single desk, a middle aged man reclines in the chair, reading a book and another man stands near a window. "As impressive as ever, I expect nothing less from a prodigy like yourself." Says the man wearing a dark gray kimono.
The little girl gives him an innocent smile, "Get off my chair!" Feeling a bit cumbrous, the man gives off a goofy smile, "Oh come on Lilyo, don't be like that. Here, have some candy." He hands her a jar of candy. Her eyes went bright as she cradled the jar in her arms. Starts eating them, "I'll accept this, but I'm still not happy!" chewing them oh so happily.
"Now that's settled, with this mission success, your debt has been paid in full." Both Nanashi and Lilyo sigh in relief. "With that being said, why don't you both officially join the Grigori? Both of you would be a great help to us and we also give great benefits and a large salary for all employees." Lilyo pondered for a moment "It's a very tempting offer, but I believe Nanashi and I want to retire from being mercenaries for the time being." Azazel gave a disappointed, but accepting nod.
"Alright, that's your choice. I have no right to interfere. If you don't mind me asking what are your plans now?" Lilyo looks at Nanashi, giving her a subtle nod; she proceeds to answer his question. "We are heading to Kuoh for a bit of R&R for now." The man next to the window, who was built like a tank, shifted his posture, looking intently at the children. Azazel prepared to leave the room, signaling Vali and the other man to follow. He turned back to Lilyo and Nanashi. "You do know what is in Kuoh, correct?" he asked.
Lilyo smiled smugly. "Who do you think I am!" "That's my girl. Lilyo, K-… Nanashi, take care of each other." Azazel said, a proud smile on his face. "Since when was I your girl?" she retorted. Vali followed Azazel, glancing back at Nanashi. "I'm looking forward to seeing you get stronger, Nanashi. We still have unfinished business." Vali smiled. "Looking forward to it, take care of your mother. And if you see Tobio, tell him I'll be waiting for that cup of coffee he owes me!" The kid said coldly. Baraqiel, walks up to Nanashi and Lilyo, handing a letter to the boy. "Would you give this message to my daughter? She lives in Kuoh. She is a third year at Kuoh Academy. Her name is Akeno Himejima."
Nanashi took the letter with a solemn nod. "Affirmative." "Thank you," Baraqiel said, his voice heavy with emotion. "Take care of yourselves and each other." Azazel, Vali, and Baraqiel left the room, leaving Lilyo and Nanashi to their thoughts. The room felt a bit emptier without their presence, but it also felt more serene, a place where decisions had been made and futures decided. Lilyo turned to Nanashi. "Ready for a bit of normalcy?" Nanashi nods. "As ready as I'll ever be. Let's go."
In the starlit night sky, Lilyo piloted her armored vehicle, now transformed into a sleek plane. She set it to autopilot and turned to Nanashi, who was gently petting a black cat on his lap. The hum of the engine provided a soothing background as they soared through the night. "Finally," Lilyo said with a relieved smile, "after a whole year of working off that debt, we can return home, Kio!"
The boy remained silent, as if lost in thought, an uneasy and tense feeling course though him. "Guess you are still not used to heights! I know how you're feeling, in more ways than one, Kio. It will take some time, but I believe that everything will be alright. Just like the Count always says 'Wait and Hope!'" The plane continues to fly towards their destination.
Town of Kuoh, located in a rural part of Japan, is a quiet and relatively peaceful town, especially when compared to the big cities of Tokyo. As the plane descended toward Kuoh, Lilyo set it to land mode. The quiet town came into view, its serene landscape a stark contrast to the chaos they had just left behind. They touched down gently in a secluded area, transforming it back into a land vehicle far from prying eyes.
They arrived at a newly refurbished house, one that had been completely destroyed years ago. The exterior was pristine, with a garden that had begun to bloom, hinting at a fresh start. Lilyo and Kio disembarked, taking in the sight of their new home.
"Welcome home, Kio," Lilyo said with a hopeful smile.
Kio, however, remained silent, his expression somber. He walked towards the house, each step heavy with the weight of his past. Entering the house, he stands still, feeling the emptiness that echoed within its walls.
"It doesn't feel like one," he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. "This is just an empty house where there is nothing here for me." With that, he headed upstairs to his bedroom, closing the door behind him with a soft thud.
Lilyo watched him go, a pang of sadness in her heart. She knew that it would take time for Kio to heal, to truly feel at home again. She sighed, determined to be there for him no matter how long it takes. She turned to the black cat that had followed them inside. "Well, it's just you and me for now. Let's make this place feel like a home, shall we?" *Nyā* The cat meowed softly in response, rubbing against her leg.
As the night settled in, the house stood silent but hopeful, a place where healing could begin.
The sun rises in the cool early morning, Kio wakes up groggy trying to leave his room and bumps into a a chair, forgetting that he was in his childhood home. Descending the stairs, Kio followed the enticing aroma to the kitchen, where Lilyo was putting the finishing touches on a hearty breakfast feast. Plates of eggs, bacon, toast, pancakes, and fresh fruit were laid out on the table, a smell that made Kio's stomach rumble. Lilyo turned and smiled warmly at him.
"Morning, sleepyhead," she greeted, calling him to take a seat. "I hope you're hungry. Did you sleep well?" Kio shrugged, still waking up. "Morning, Leonardo. It was... okay, I guess." He took a seat at the table; the aroma of the food filled his senses. "It smells great. Thanks." "Itadakimas" all three of them enjoy a peaceful meal, the clinking of cutlery and joyous purrs are the only sounds in the room.
After a few moments, Leonardo broke the silence. "So, what's the plan for today?" she asked, taking a sip of her coffee.
Kio paused, considering her question. "I'm going to survey the town. Getting familiar with it would be the best possible course of action." Leonardo ponders for a bit, "That would be the most logical thing to do, but you don't need to say it like that. You are not a mercenary anymore!"
"Duly noted! Question: does Ane know of our current location?" the boy asked.
"Yes, I told her of our new home and she will arrive here in a few days after completing her mission." She replied.
After a while, Kio and Leonardo prepares to go out. "Alright, here is your bento. Be careful out there and if you go by the academy, don't stay around there for too long. We don't need the unwanted attention right now." Kio accepted the bento with a nod. "Understood. So, what are you planning to do today?" Listing her plans. "Grocery shopping, running a few minor errands, and some research. Just the usual. And, please for the love of all that is beautiful don't do anything stupid!"
Kio, playfully poking fun at her cheek. "Yes, ma'am. Anything else, Little Lion Cub?" A cub roar could be heard in the background, an imaginary pair of ears and a tail grew "*Roar* Don't call me that!" She pouted all cute like.
As Kio headed outside, the black cat jumped onto his shoulders, settling comfortably. He gave her a gentle scratch under her chin as he walked down the path leading to the town. The early morning sun was warm, and the streets were quiet, giving Kio a sense of calmness he hadn't felt in a long time.
Kuoh was just waking up, with shopkeepers opening their stores and the first few customers of the day wandering the streets. Kio took his time, sensing the city and the people, making mental notes of key locations. He walked past residentials, cafes, and small businesses, each one a potential piece of his new life puzzle.
As he approached Kuoh Academy, Kio remembered Leonardo's warning. He stood at a distance, hearing the students chatting and laughing as they entered the school grounds. For a moment, he felt a jolt of energy coming from the school, an amalgamation of different forces: magic, devil, fallen angel, nekomata, dragon, and vampire. It overwhelms his sixth sense a bit, but it's nothing he can't handle. He turns to another direction and starts walking away from the academy, "There is no way in hell or any other variant of it will I ever get myself involved with that!" *Nyā* the cat in agreement.
In the academy, the occult research club room, two third-year girls look over paperwork. One is a strikingly beautiful with long, flowing crimson red hair that reaches her thighs, an ahoge on top of her head, and captivating blue eyes. She has a voluptuous figure, accentuated by her curvaceous body and ample bust. The other is equally stunning with long black hair in a ponytail that almost reaches the floor, and violet eyes. She too has a voluptuous body, heightened by her curve and bust. They wear Kuoh Academy girls' uniform, that consists of a white long-sleeved, button-down shirt with vertical linings, a black ribbon on the collar, a black shoulder cape and matching button-down corset, and a magenta skirt with white accents.
The black hair girl looks outside the window, as if she had sensed something. The other girl noticed her, "Akeno, is something the matter?" She asked. "I don't know!? Rias, I thought I felt something familiar, but it was probably my imagination." Akeno replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
While they talked, two others entered the room. One was a handsome boy with short blond hair, blue eyes with a mole underneath the left one. He had a charming and polite demeanor, his features almost princely. The other was a petite girl with white hair, gold eyes, and a black cat hair clip. She had a stoic expression, and her small frame contrasted with the powerful aura she exuded. They wore the Kuoh Academy uniform as well, the boy in the male version with a black blazer and pants.
"Koneko, Yuuto good morning." Rias greeted them as they walked in. They sat around each other and had a social chat. The air around them started to get tense, "Is there anything to report on the current situation, Koneko?" Rias called-out. Koneko steps forward. "Buchou, a fallen angel has made contact with Hyoudou Issei."
I see!" the president said. "Was there anything unusual about their interaction?" Koneko response in a monotonous way, "She asked to be his girlfriend!" Everyone in the room was dumbfounded; they couldn't believe what they just heard, especially the red-head, who seemed ticked-off. "Four fallen angels have infiltrated this city and one of them is looking for a hook-up. There has to be more to this then they're letting on?" the president questions herself. "Alright, Koneko continue to keep an eye on Hyoudou Issei and the fallen angel. If anything happens, report back immediately! Everyone else will be ready on stand-by." She proclaimed.
ROGER! They respond to her command. Their voice steady and composed.
-Line Break-
Later that day, Kio walked through the town, taking in the entirety of Kuoh through his heightened senses. "Well this has been kind of a peaceful day, except for that run in with the cops. Hope to never live through that again." His last destination was a serene park with a large, ornate fountain at its center. As he stood by the fountain, a wave of nostalgia and a hint of pain washed over him. His stomach grumbled, reminding him of his hunger. "Hey, why don't we have lunch?" he suggested. The cat gave a small, agreeable meow.
He finds a good spot to set up at, a small bench under a tree. He takes out and opens the bento that Leonardo has given him and starts eating. As the cat was enjoying her meal, she jumped off the boy's shoulder and bolted out of the park. "Hey, where are you going? The boy said confused as the cat did not return when he called. "What is her deal, is it the food?"
As he questions himself, someone jumped down from the tree he was at. The petite white-haired girl in the school uniform stands in front of him. She circled around the tree, sniffing the air as if she were searching for something. Turning her attention toward Kio, she narrowed her eyes. "You! Why do you smell like a Nekomata?" she demanded.
A bit surprised by the sudden question, Kio remains calm. He notices the energy that the girl is emitting, "So, that's what that was about!" he thought. The girl gets close to him, "Hello!?" she asks, trying to get his attention. Annoyed, he knew he has to put *THAT* act up again, "Ne-ko-ma-ta? What's that?" he asks innocently, feigning ignorance. The girl remains guarded, like she is not buying the act.
"A type of cat yokai, and that smell is coming from you." She said in a slightly irritated way. The boy took a few minutes to think, then an idea comes to mind. "Well, I did see anything like that since I am blind, but there were a few cats around me and we were enjoying this delicious lunch that my mommy made!" (Kio was killing himself on the inside.) He lifts the bento up to the girl; the assortment of different sides, the aroma of the cooked entrée, would make anyone who laid eyes on it hungry.
The girl's eyes widen, her drool starts to escape her lips. Her stomach growled so loud that they both heard it. Embarrassed, she took a step back, getting ready to leave. Kio, knowing better not to get involved with anyone from the Gremory family, decides to share his meal with her. "Here! Come sit with me. I have enough for the both of us." A bit hesitant, she sat next to him "My name is Toujou Koneko. Thank you."
"Kagemaru Nanashi, Nice to meet you. (Well I just shot myself in the foot. Fuck it!)" They started eating the bento together, hearing nothing but students on their way home. "Do you come to this park often?" Kio asked, trying to make casual conversation.
Koneko nods her mouth full of food. She chewed and swallowed before answering. "Sometimes. It's a good place to be when I want some quiet." They ate in silence for a few more moments before Koneko spoke again. "Do you have any family around here?" Kio hesitated, then shook his head. "Not really. My family situation is... complicated." he paused, then added softly, "I have people I consider family, though. They're important to me."
Koneko nods understandingly. "I know how that feels. My situation is kind of similar. I lost my family, but I was found by someone who took me in and she gave me a home. It's not the same, but it's still something." The boy's expression softened slightly. "I guess we have that in common," he said quietly.
The peaceful solace between them was interrupted when Kio felt two distinct energy signatures approaching. He stiffened, his heightened senses alerting him to the presence of something unusual. Koneko, focused on her meal, didn't notice the change in Kio's demeanor. She continued to eat, seemingly oblivious to the approaching energies.
Kio turned his head slightly, trying to pinpoint the exact location of the signatures. He recognized one of the energies as distinctly human but with a hint of draconic aura, while the other felt rotten, blend, both of wicked and vicious intentions.
Before Kio decides to do anything, the two figures comes walking though. One was a boy with short brown hair and brown eyes, wearing the Kuoh Academy boys' uniform. He has a goofy smile on his face, but a relaxed demeanor. Walking arms locked with him was a girl with long, black hair and purple eyes. The boy, thinking of what is the best course of action, "This will not end well!"
Chapter End