Echoing Thunder

Vali, and More Pieces

I stared up at the White Dragon Emperor.

Eko: So why are you here?

Vali: I came to retrieve Kokabiel, but it seems you beat me to it.  You unlocked your Balance Breaker as well... quite impressive.

Eko: Yeah, well tell your great master Azazel to keep his pets on a tighter leash, would you?

Vali laughed, before directing his attention towards Issei.  I walked over to my peerage.

Eko: Is everyone alright?

Sabito: We're all fine.

I nodded teleporting them all home, before walking over towards Sona.

Eko: Sona, is there anything you need me to do?

Sona: No, thank you Eko.  You've done more than enough.

I nodded, kissing her, then summoned the Bifrost and left.  I reappeared at home, where someone was waiting for me already.

Sirzechs: Welcome back, Eko.

Eko: Sirzechs?  How'd you get in?

Thor: I invited him, boy.

I turned around, seeing my master there.

Thor: You've grown much stronger.  You defeated Kokabiel, even unlocked your Balance Breaker.  I'm proud of you, Eko.

I smiled at him, sitting down and looking towards Sirzechs.

Eko: Alright, so what do you need from me?

Sirzechs: Ah, well... there is a peace talk taking place in a few weeks, between the leaders of the three factions.  It will be held at Kuoh Academy.  I would like to formally ask that you attend.

Eko: Why me?

Sirzechs: Well, it isn't an invitation from me.  You were recommended to be one of the representatives of the Norse Pantheon.  By Odin himself.

My eyes widened as I turned towards Thor, who nodded.

Eko: In that case, I accept your invitation.

Sirzechs smiled as Thor nodded standing up.

Thor: I'll see you there, boy.

He vanished in a flash of lightning as Sirzechs sighed.

Sirzechs: He has a flare for dramatic entrances and exits.  Now...

He pulled out a box, pushing it over to me.

Sirzechs: In addition to the peace talk, I was asked to give you this.

I opened the box and it contained... Evil Pieces?

Eko: Who... who asked you to give me this?

Sirzechs: Serafall Leviathan... after she heard about your engagement.  Congratulations, by the way.

Eko: Thank you, Sirzechs.  Please tell her that I said thanks-

Serafall: NO NEED!

Serafall appeared behind me, hugging me.

Serafall: I'm so glad you and my sister are getting married!  But I'm here to tell you...

There was suddenly a menacing aura around her.

Serafall: If you hurt her... I'll kill you.  I'll follow you to Hell and back if I have to...

I was scared for my life at this point, but swallowed my fear.

Eko: I would never hurt Sona.  I love her, and I don't plan on changing my mind, now or ever.

Serafall smiled, hugging me one more time, and vanished.  I turned to Sirzechs who was trying not to laugh.

Eko: Oi!  What's so funny?

Sirzechs: Nothing, nothing...

TIMESKIP

I sat on my bed, staring at the new Evil Pieces I'd been given, when there was a knock on my door.  Kall walked in, followed by... Xenovia?

Xenovia: Hello, Eko.

Eko: Hi Xenovia.  What are you doing here, weren't you on your way back to the church?

Xenovia: I... I can't go back.  Now that I know God is dead, I'd be labeled a heretic and thrown out.  So... I would like to become a Devil and serve you.

I was surprised, to say the least, but I fulfilled her request.  I gave her my third knight piece, accepting her into the peerage.  She smiled, hugging me, and left.  Kall smirked at me, pinning me to the bed.  I flipped her over as she squeaked in surprise.  I smirked, kissing her, before standing up.

Kall: Aw, that was getting fun...

She pouted and I smirked at her.

Eko: Later, Kall... but right now we need more members.  Wanna come?

She nodded enthusiastically as we teleported into town.  We walked around for a while before Kall stopped, sniffing the air.

Kall: I smell blood...

We ran in the direction of the scent, turning into an alley... and saw a boy with blonde hair in a braid laying against the wall, a massive gash going across his stomach.  He looked up, seeing us, and his eyes widened.

Eko: Hey, we're not gonna hurt you.  What happened to you?

???: F-Fallen Angels... about thirty of 'em.  I finished them all off, but... well, you can see the damage.

I stepped forward, placing my hand on the wound as it closed up.  He stood up, surprised.

???: How... thank you.

Eko: Don't mention it.  Now... would you like to join my group?  Be part of our family?

Edward: The name's Edward Elric.  And sure, why not.  It'd probably be more interesting if my brother and I had more family.

Eko: Brother?

???: H-hi.

I turned towards the new metallic sounding voice.  It was a massive suit of armor, but the voice coming from it sounded like a child.

Al: My name's Alphonse Elric, but most people call me Al.

Edward: And before you ask, no, he's not wearing armor.  He is the armor.

They explained their backstory to us.  They were alchemists who tried to use alchemy to bring their mother back to life.  In doing so, Edward lost his leg and Al lost his entire body.  Edward sacrificed his arm to bind Alphonse's soul to the suit of armor, saving his soul but not his body.  I ended up giving Edward a bishop piece, and Al got a rook.

Al: Thank you for taking us in.

Eko: Of course.

I teleported us home.  Makomo walked in, staring in awe at Al.

Makomo: Whoa...

Al: Hello.

Makomo was surprised by the talking suit of armor, and the fact that the voice was that of a child, but I asked her and Kall to show them around.  I sighed, crashing onto the couch.

Eko: Finding peerage members is tiring...