(Quick Author's Note:)
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I had hoped to cover Raynare and co's punishment in this chapter, but that's been pushed to either the next chapter or one after it. This isn't even really a chapter so much as a place for me to develop certain characters and relationships before the chapter to officially introduce you all to the Riser Arc. I may end up merging them towards the end though, just depends on how much content I can cover here.
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(Rias Gremory's Estate, Kuoh Town, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, Earth, DxD / Draconic Deus Universe)
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(Rias Gremory POV)
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Her dreams about a certain Fallen Angel were getting worse. She was having dificulty concentrating on a variety of things, from her classes to her responsibilities as heiress. She'd checked for signs of Magical interference, and found none. Was she really attracted to a Fallen Angel of all things?
Granted he was quite handsome and…NO! She can't go back down that…too late. She felt her face flush with embarrasment. Even in the privacy of ber own personal estate in Kuoh, it was embarrassing.
There she was on the chair having breakfast, when she felt a certain puddle form between her legs.
This was getting ou of controll really fast.
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(POV Shift: Ryūjin Himejima)
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Ryūjin poured a cup of steaming hot tea for Asia. The tea was from the same batch he'd given Arthur Pendragon. Except this one was distilled with hints of jasmine and lemon mixed in.
He'd already explained the circumstances leading to her reincarnation. It'd been about twenty six and a half hours since then. But now came the crucial part where he needed to teach Asia about her new life as a Fallen Angel.
And the knowledge that God was dead was something that the senior members of his deck knew, but they were restricted by the fact it was an EX-Ranked secret. He'd pointedly warned Kuroka not to even joke about it. The others knew better than to talk about it, but, Kuroka could be something of a blabbermouth. She took it, as she usually did, with sarcastic wit and biting charm. But he'd been pretty insistent. Better to leave the world-ending secrets to Kokabiel.
''So, you've had some time to sleep on your new reality, and acclimate to the knowledge that you are now a Fallen Angel. How do you feel overall, Asia?'' He asked the beautiful young blonde.
''My body feels different. But it feels good.'' He knew well enough what she meant by different. Much of the pure Fallen Angel population of Grigori had fallen due to lust. And since Azazel was a pervert, the Fallen Saints cards had various effects when used on men and women of the church or women who were typically not perverted. His King's Card let him know whether a member of his deck was under these effects as it was crucial information in a combat situation.
Even as their numbers swelled slowly, but surely, their population still couldn't sustain an open war without help. That wasn't even accounting for the fact their infrastructure however advanced it was, could only sustain the burdens of war for a short-time. Even before the Great War, the Fallen Angels had thd smallest population, and that was half the reason why they'd been the first race to pull out the Great War. The other was the reason why the Special Operations division existed. Azazel, Shemhazai, and Ryūjin's father Baraqiel were all war weary. They wouldn't shy away from it if their hands were forced, but they did not believe in a war-focused economy or iinfrastructure. The Fallen Saints was as much a solution to their population issues as it was a source of strength.
The reincarnation of exceptional and skilled individuals helped them grow. Ryūjin took this belief to heart. Reincarnating Tobio, Lavinia, SS, Valerie, Meredith, Le Fay, Shigune, Natsume, Zekka, and now Asia all led to the belief of diversity and evolution.
Tobio had - through Suzaku - acquired knowledge of Shinto rituals, Japanese Magic, and had evolved the Canis Lucaon through the access to Holy Power he now had. The Cursed Blade was doubly more dangerous to Devils, Vampires, even their fellow Fallen Angels now. Lavinia, who already boasted an impressive magical library, had had her magicraft improved significantly, she was capable of throwing a great deal more power behind her use of Fallen Angel, Angel, Elemental, Grey, and Runic magic abilities now. The ability of Senjutsu, which all members of his deck learned to varying degrees had served to make her use of White Magic both stronger and less taxing. In Tobio's case, Senjutsu allowed him to determine where his opponents were weakest, through fluctuations in their life-force. Tobio's Touki gave him the option of whether or not to damage the life-force of an opponent in the weaker areas to quicken the end of the fight.
Little things like that. That was part of the reason his Deck was in the higher part of the rankings.
But even despite the Kings Card was a vital security measure. As much as it served as a means of identifying members of his Deck and their overall status, it was the ability to let him know how effected his Deck members were by their emotions that could be most useful.
Asia - pure and chaste as she was - was now a Fallen Angel. Her body had been opened up to a new demand of existence. As a creature of sin, her Body was now attracted to power. Well not so much attracted to as attracted by. It would eventually settle when she fully acclimated to her new abilities and body. But as the strongest person in the room and from prior experiences with Shigune and Natsume… He knew the signs well enough. The fact that how she felt and perceived the emotions of herself and others was now enhanced, made it doubly important to stay aware of what she was feeling.
''That's good to hear, Asia. Now, I'd normally give you several days to acclimate to things, but unfortunately we're pressed for time. So, first things first. You're not alone, there are others who can help you with the transition phase, as well as teach you new things. We'll start small and simple, with the introduction of you to everyone. But that will have to wait until after I explain two more things. First, don't let Kuroka boss you around. Everyone is equal and everyone pulls their weight. Second, you are now part of the top team in Grigori's Covert special operations division. We'll take our time with you, but you're part of our family. Being part of our family means that for as long as you wish it, There is a home and a room here for you.'' He explains, and Asia's eyed well up up with tears.
''Thank you!'' She hugs him, and after a few minutes, pulls away, wjping her eyes. He hands her a few tissues which she used to wupe her eyes and nose. ''Ever since my… excommunication, I've not had a proper home. This means do much.'' She says gratefully.
''Don't worry about it. Now then, shall we meet the rest of our group?'' He asked, offering Asia his hand. Which she soon took.
She blushed slightly, but he paid it little mind. He lead her to the Lounge area.
''Asia, this is Lavinia Reni, Tobio Ikuse, Valerie Tepes, Shigune Nanadaru, Natsume Minagawa, Le Fay Pendragon, Zekka Miyamoto, Meredith Ordinton, and Shooting Star. Everyone, this is Asia, our newest member.'' Says Ryūjin.
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(POV Shift: Rias Gremory)
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She thought she'd have more time…
But she was out of it.
Maybe these dreams would make things easier. Lilith willing, Ryūjin wouldn't turn her down.
As much as she needed this…
A part of her really wanted it as well.
''Ryūjin…please make love to me…'' She said, wearing the Red Lingerie she recently bought and little else.
The hungry smile he gave her filled her with satisfaction.
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(POV Shift: Grayfia Lucifuge)
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Rias must truly be desperate if she went to Ryūjin Himejima of all people.
Sirzechs contacted her, and after checking on Rias, she'd determined Ryūjin was the only Persons he could reasonably go to for sex.
Which is how it came to be she was trying to break the warding on his door to his bedroom.
It was insane.
The amount of warding and Runic protection on it. If she didn't get in soon it'd be too late.
Suddenly the wards broke.
Quickly, she opeNed the door. She'd previously tried transporting herself in the room but the wards blocked her way.
''Ahh, just when it was getting good.'' Said Ryūjin, a slightly satisfied look on his face. Turning away from the nakedness of the Fallen Angel, Grayfia is less than pleased to see his seed all over the chest and face of Princess Rias.
''Don't worry, we didn't get that far. Gonna have to check my wards though. Thanks for that.'' Though he sounded dissatisfied, she got the impression he had actually helped her.
The sudden breaking of the wards didn't make sense. She could very well have been out there for several hours.
''Come with me, Princess.'' Her tone left jo room for argument. With a wave of her hand, Rias reluctantly cleaned herself up and clothed herself.
Rias slipped past her wordlessly.
''Bring him to me, once she's home. I'd say it's time to talk.'' Says Ryūjin.
She nods.
Oh boy, this just got very complicated, oh so very very complicated fast indeed…
Damn.
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(Author's Note:)
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Originally I would've included the full scene with Rias and Ryūjin getting at least something on. But that first Ryujin part took much more of the chapter than I originally expected.
Given what I've planned for next, it seemed prudent to push that plan back a bit And swap some things around. Anyway, I've got a few things to bring up, first I've got a germ of an idea for a new DxD story so to speak.
For several Years now, I've been a fan of Rosenkretzs's DxD fic Anomaly on Fanfiction.net. It's truly One of a kind. As far as I'm aware, no one else has the patience or skill to do what he's done with his DxD fic. In his most recent chapter, a particular word of dialog ought my attention.
Suffice to say I'm going to run with it and see where it takes me. Don't know if it'll be as good as this, and I doubt it'd ever be half as good as Anomaly, but the idea in question seems pretty solid. I do have two other unpublished stories for DxD, but I might just end up combining the three to a degree.
I'm not really too sure right now. Right now I've got a really busy two weeks coming, so not a Hole lot of time to write and think. In any case, see you guys next chapter
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