3. The Night Before
"Damn him! Damn him to hell and back— Urgh!!!" Raynare slammed the underside of her fist onto a stone table, sending a spiderweb of cracks down its legs.
Her supernatural strength received a greater effect when accounting for her anger, which nearly boiled over completely. The base of operations she was able to procure— the abandoned church, shook at her enraged touch.
If rumors were to be believed, the church itself was several hundred years old, at least over a century. A mere one tenth of her own age and shameful in its appearance compared to her radiant beauty. Nevertheless, she would likely regret destroying it due to her own misplaced anger.
But could one blame her? Even now, she could still see those red eyes. They were piercing. They were absolute. They were everything she desired; they were Anos Voldigoad's.
Raynare, let out a deep, bated breath. Her throat still hurt.
Being so engrossed in her own self loathing and partial... something for the man who so thoroughly trounced her pride, it left her unaware of her allies or better yet, closest friends looking on at her in concern.
"I guess now isn't the greatest time to—"
"Shut it." It annoyed Raynare to explain things she didn't understand herself but their dumbfounded looks were at the very least amusing.
"Someone's pissy."
Now, Raynare fully turned to her small posse of fallen angels. The short sadistic blonde of the group always had something to say at someone's expense. This time it was hers. Mittelt clamps her mouth shut when Raynare sends her a glare.
"Raynare." An older voice took her attention. She was a blue-haired buxom woman of tall stature, Kalawarna was what she went by, "we can't just look the other way. This human as you put it. He bested you and used unknown magic. He's a threat. More than that, we can't let him live after doing this to you."
Kalawarna was the first to greet Raynare when she returned.
Raynare; who was covered in dried blood and dirt, audibly sobbing.
Raynare; who seethed in anger after retelling the events that led her to this sorry state.
Kalawarna had never seen Raynare like that before, and the two fallen had known each other for half a millennia. This is where they are now.
Raynare carefully heard the older fallen's words. There were few things in the world that Raynare would attest to and that was the honesty of her friends. Kalawarna was willing to avenge her humiliation and the blue-haired fallen would no doubt make good on her promise.
"I know," Raynare bit her lip. She looked at the two, "but forget about him. Don't pursue him. Don't engage with him. Don't even think about him. He's strong. Too. Damn. Strong. I fear he has the strength to defeat Lord Kokabiel... maybe even Lord Azazel himself."
"That's crazy talk, Ray," Mittelt reasoned. She trusted her friend but that did not mean she would be so easily convinced. He was a human, without a Sacred Gear. He couldn't be compared to a twelve-winged fallen angel. The founder of the Grigori no less.
Mittelt turned to Kalawarna who also wasn't one to one with such a claim. It was... rather hard to believe such a thing.
However, Lord Azazel is someone that Raynare idolizes. Someone who she would never ever disappoint or diminish. To hear her friend admit such a thing was cause for concern.
"Listen," Raynare warned them, not because she needed them for her plan but because she genuinely cared enough to let them know. They were all weaved from the same clouds and ether of heaven— all once pure angels who shared the first layer of paradise as family.
But they were fallen now, they only had each other.
"Stay away from the man with red eyes and black hair. He's a demon in disguise, so promise me."
"But Raynare—"
"Promise me!" Raynare raised her strained voice, the same voice that the demon nearly silenced. Upturning even that was the silent plea in her amethyst eyes.
"Fine," Kalawarna finally answered for herself and Mittelt. Her tone made it clear she wasn't happy about the decision.
"Thank you," Raynare took a breath after rubbing her still sour neck, "Where is Dohnaseek?"
"Right here." A gruff voice made itself known. Dohnaseek held his fedora in hand. He looked to be in a bad mood. No doubt did he overhear the news that a human stirred up all this rowdiness. Going out and killing any potential strays he could find tonight would better his disposition.
"Were you listening? And I mean really listening?" Raynare asked.
Dohnaseek was a battle-driven man. His greed for war was the prime reason he fell so she needed to make sure he didn't throw his life into the wind. She knows he would go after that demon in a heartbeat if given the slightest chance.
Once again, she did it because she cared for her family.
"I did. I don't like it though. Laying low because of a few peerages of devil-scum and a mere human. How far we've fallen." He couldn't help but laugh at his own joke, which no one else but him would classify as one. At least not a very good one.
Raynare ignored his poor taste at comedy and settled to ask what she needed to know for her plan to finally get out of the woodworks, "Is she here yet?"
"The exorcists are in town," Dohnaseek put his hat back on and a crooked grin followed, "and so is the maiden."
—————
Rias woke up the morning after, and honestly, she had never slept better. Strange as it sounds. She'd be lying to say a certain black haired, red eyed man didn't have anything to do with it.
She should have been worried about Anos Voldigoad. The new anomaly that showed himself on her radar and gave her red flags left and right. She should have been scared of him, at the very least wary, but she was not. She couldn't even force herself to seem worried.
Clutching a Pokémon plush doll to her bare breasts. Rias had a surreal feeling tingle throughout her body. She felt brighter than she had in a while. The red-headed King even got up from her bed earlier than usual.
Maybe it wasn't just Anos that struck her fancy this morning. He'd certainly left a mark but he couldn't be the entire reason for her mood.
It could be the other reason.
Last night, Rias sent her peerage a short message on their new member after teleporting her Pawn to his residence. She'd explain everything to him after school today.
'Eight pieces,' The chocolate-haired boy was strong. Rias felt like she had won the lottery three times over. Issei Hyodou had power and potential. Rias was also thankful that the other owner of Kuoh, Sona Sitri, didn't take the boy into her own peerage. They were friends since childhood; Rias and Sona.
Rias ate a light breakfast. Usually her Queen would be with her during this time but she found herself at her shrine more often than not these days. The fallen angel influx might have something to do with it.
Early in the morning, the crimson King arrived at Kuoh academy. Her walk to school was what she came to expect with gawking passerby and the few fellow students who came to school earlier than most.
Quickly, Rias walked past them and organized her locker before making it to her first class of the day, haste in every step. She made it to the history room and walked right through the door into an almost empty class. Her eyes fell onto one man.
"I'm glad you could make it so early, Gremory," Anos gave his signature look of self-assurance, unwavering in his words and oh so confident.
Rias fumbled in her mind on what to do. She didn't want to come off too eager so she eyed him for a bit. Anos did the same, but spoke nothing of it.
Light blue clashed with deep red. Rias felt choked up when he stared at her, this would be the only time Rias could say she was uncertain. His gaze was absolute and his eyes felt like they could destroy anything with a glance.
"What are you waiting for?" He asked, having enough of this petty stand-off. Anos would have to reassure her that they weren't enemies.
"Forgive me," Rias quickly made her way to his desk, "I'm just a little surprised you kept your word."
"Being a no-show serves us no benefit. I think we can agree to that?" Anos kept his grin as he spoke.
Rias wasn't surprised. She was sort of getting used to the way he carried himself. She dragged a seat to his desk and sat down, "I suppose you're right."
She remembered that his magic binding contract was still in effect. She couldn't analyze the magic that well, it was far more complex than she thought, and while she thought this, Anos raised a hand between them before exercising a bit of magic. The Zecht requirement was complete.
"Should we take turns asking questions?" Anos felt that was the most appropriate way to go about this but as he lowered his hand, Rias grasped his wrist softly. Her milky hand was smooth and lightly rubbed into his skin.
"Actually, I thought we could talk first. Get to know each other," Anos' eyes narrow, Rias could feel those red orbs going straight through her. She was about ready to fiddle with the end of her school uniform but she caught herself, "we could still take turns if you'd like."
In all honesty, Anos expected this. It was just a bit of interrogation that would benefit both sides.
"Ah, so a date." Anos replied without much to his voice, it did make the redhead blush.
"You didn't have to call it that of all things." Rias was charmed by his words nonetheless.
"I'll allow you the first question then." Anos could see her smile brighten when he said what he said. She pushed her chair closer to him and leaned in. Someone was certainly getting comfortable. She folded her arms on his desk and rested her chin atop them. She looked up with tantalizing eyes.
"I heard you ran a restaurant in town. Why's that?"
Anos gave a wistful expression. He did recently start a small restaurant that catered mostly to mushroom gratin lovers, it was three months back when he opened it. He called the place: Wind of the Sun.
The name felt appropriate; it felt right.
"I have a soft spot for mushroom gratin so I merely expounded my tastes and shared it with the populace." It was also a decent way to make some honest money. There was not much that needed to be said and Rias seemed to accept the answer. She even offered to come by and see for herself. It was his turn now.
"Why were you at the park the night before? Your appearance and timing were too convenient." Anos was just the least bit curious.
Rias pouted, as if she were a child. She herself wanted to ask a similar question. Beyond that, she didn't think Anos would jump to ask about the night before so early into their pseudo-date.
"I was caught up with work regarding the Underworld. A peerage member of mine alerted me of the events and I was just a bit late," Rias spoke a half-truth. It wasn't a complete lie but she wasn't going to spill all her secrets so easily. What kind of King would she be if she did that?
Anos could tell there was truth to her claims but the hints and specks of lies were caught by him in that same instance. He accepted the answer, for now.
"Are you human or devil?" Rias fixed her posture for this question. To her surprise, Anos took some time to answer.
For Anos, it had been eighteen years since his rebirth. He was no longer Demon King Anos in a sense, and what was eighteen years in the face of two thousand?
There was a possibility he could also pass himself off as a devil, but that avenue opened for further skepticism. The reincarnated man closed his eyes, when he reopened them, he gave his answer.
"Human."
No need to sugarcoat it. He was simply Anos Voldigoad, a student of Kuoh Academy. Setting that aside, being a devil in this world pales in comparison to being a demon in his.
"I see," Rias narrowed her eyes slightly. She wasn't sure she could say anything else about his answer.
"You look disappointed," Anos commented, his eyes boring into Rias' turquoise orbs. She looks away, flustered.
"Our brief encounter last night led me to assume otherwise," The young devil found herself peevishly brushing aside a loose lock of hair. She shouldn't be getting this flustered, "That's all."
"Well," Anos began slowly, "if you'd like to know. Being a devil or human hardly matters to me."
It was true. Anos could have reincarnated into any supernatural existence. Be it angel, fallen, vampire, dragon, deity, etcetera. He could have been any of those and it would not have changed anything for him. At least not much. That's why he never bothered to confront any of the devils in his time at this institution.
However, if Anos was going to be fully part of this world then he'd need to dip more than just a foot in the untouched waters.
"Hmm," Rias felt her attention to his words sharpen, "you said it hardly matters? What do you mean by that?"
Anos believed it was his turn to ask a question but he wasn't going to correct the young redhead. Her question and voice just now expressed one hundred percent genuine curiosity. It was a far cry from her attempt to lead their conversation.
"It's exactly as I said. I don't see how you or the other devils should be treated much differently from the humans here. For example, disregarding your magic, I would never have noticed you if not for your hair."
"My hair?" Rias repeated, his words sounding more and more fascinating to her, "Is my hair a bother to look at?"
"No, it's beautiful." Anos clarified and Rias felt her face burn at his response.
His bluntness struck her heart in a pleasant manner. He didn't even look at her in awe nor was there any interest that went above a simple compliment. It was the easiest thing for him to say and Anos may have underestimated just how much it meant for Rias to hear.
Believe it or not; this was the first time someone complimented Rias' hair in specific, and actually meant it with no other motive behind it.
"Do you need some time to yourself? You seem a bit agitated." Anos was genuine in his concern and Rias realized that he was actually treating her like a normal person. For about as normal as a devil could be.
"No. I was just reminded by something you said," Rias felt her blush finally die down as she settled herself. It was just a compliment, plenty of boys gave her those. None so authentic about her hair though, "I believe it's your turn to ask a question."
"Earlier you mentioned a peerage member. Does that correlate in any way with those chess pieces?" Anos got right back to business. He didn't really pick up on the fact that he just so happened to flirt with her. Rias felt a bit disappointed it didn't mean anything to him.
"They are called Evil Pieces, used to reincarnate those as a devil. It offers a chance at a second life while giving the individual attributes and status as a devil. Additionally, the spell caster gains a servant who fulfills the role of either a Queen, Rook, Bishop, Knight or Pawn, all coming with their own specialized abilities." Rias explained herself further and Anos could tell she was fully truthful with this response. Some bits of info she could let go.
"That clears up a few things, thank you." Anos showed his gratification outwardly and Rias nodded. A certain question bubbling within her.
"Anos, just how powerful are y—" Suddenly, the first bell rang and noise erupted. Students trying to get to their classes on time and other like-natured reasons. Rias felt her mouth close reflexively and Anos almost laughed at her expression. She was an adorable one. Pure in a few ways, for as much as a devil would have you believe.
"I assume we will continue this after school?" Rias had to know.
"I don't see why not." Anos replied. She nodded and sat up, dragging the chair she sat on back in its place.
"We'll also have to talk to the other devils that attend Kuoh as well. They have the right to know. I do owe them that much." Rias felt her smile widen again when Anos accepted the news.
He turned to stare out the only open window of the classroom when Rias sat down in her usual spot.
"Oh, and Anos," Rias calls from her seat.
Anos gave a soft hum. Leaning his cheek against the top of his hand, glancing in her direction.
"Call me Rias," The redhead smiled when Anos gave her acknowledgment at the affable gesture. He had a smile, but it wasn't his signature smirk, a more authentic tight-lipped grin if anything.
Rias drinks in this new expression, she looks away only when students pile into the room. Needless to say, the day went about as it usually would.