Bare This Curse

Chapter 3: Overthrowing the Sister

*Click*
*BUMP*
I pulled out the can of Mountain Dew from the soda machine. It had been a long and exhausting day of fun for all of us, even Ophis, my supposed first Dragon servant, though I don't view her as one. I like to see everyone as friends, and even family if the friendship develops to that state.
"Y'know what? I can't remember the last time I had this much fun."
I grinned at Asia.
"Glad you had fun, Asia. Really. I'd hate for you to go through an entire day being bored."
I heard a yawn from Kuroka and sweatdropped.
"Let's settle down on the benches at the pond. It'll give everyone a rest, especially Kuroka there."
"Nya? What are you saying, Neito?"
"I'm saying that we all could use a bit of down time after the sh** you put us through when we were making a pit stop in the convenient store."
"Oh, come now, nya. It wasn't that bad."
"I had to pry your a** from the d*** cat nip and keep you under surveillance while in there."
She blushed, then huffed and pouted as we walked to the benches. I petted her as we sat down. She pretended to be made, but she couldn't keep the act up long as she purred and leaned into my hand. I smiled, then looked to Asia.
"So, tell me a bit about yourself, Asia. I never really got to know much of your backstory and this is as good a time as any."
She shifted a bit, then nodded with a smile. She looked to the water, her smile turning sad.
"When I was just a baby, I was abandoned by my real parents. They left me in front of a church in a small town in Europe. I was told that when they found me, I couldn't stop crying. The sweet nuns there took me in. One day, when I was about 8, a sad little puppy who was hurt real bad found its way into the church. I prayed with all my heart that God would spare him, and a miracle happened."
"Twilight Healing..."
"Yes. Because of my power, I was immediately taken to a larger church. Men and women from all over would visit me if they were sick or injured, and I was told to heal all of them. The idea that I possessed this power to heal others made me so happy. I finally felt like I had a purpose. But then, came the day I came across someone who had fallen and was in bad shape. I was able to heal him... but it wasn't a man."
'A Devil.'
Her smile faded.
"They said anyone with my kind of power was nothing but a witch and a heretic. I had no choice but to run away."
"And after you took off, you met up with the Fallen Angels...?"
"Yes. But... I'll never forget who I am. I say my prayers and try my best to live a good life, but those Fallen Angels... They're horrible. They do such awful and evil things all in the name of God. This suffering has to be a test of my faith, but if I can overcome these trials, someday, I'll know my hopes and dreams will come true."
"What are your dreams, kid?"
"To make lots of lifelong friends and get to know them and do cool things. I want us to have fun together, and care for each other. It's kind of silly."
She smiled up at me.
"Honestly, I'd be happy just to have any friends."
"..."
I looked to the others, seeing that they were thinking the same thing as I was. I stood up and walked to the edge of the pond. I took in a deep breath, then turned back to Asia.
"Y'know, there are many things I've grown to lose care for. I'm sure Ophis has filled you in on my Cursed Gear and it's affects."
"I've listened in on your conversations, rude as it was. You must be going through something terrible."
"It's an obstacle in life. I won't deny that. I've learned that I have to live with it and get over a rerun if it were to ever happen, but over the course of these runs, I started thinking to myself. 'What's the point of going on if it's all gonna rewind in the end?' 'I'm just going to die in the end, and all of this will be for nothing.' 'I don't really have the strength to care.' But even with this, I still persisted to move forward, despite the discouragement. There are still things in this world I care about, and no matter what others tell me, you're my friend Asia. If your dream is make friends that can hang out and do cool things with you; Then what about us?"
I motioned to the other girls and myself.
"We've hung out with you all day. We all had fun, and none of us ever felt down or excluded. After what we've been through, how can you say that we all aren't friends, even if some of us just met one another?"
Asia's face lit up, but was still surprised. I grinned at her.
"It's true. I'd say we've gotten to know each other pretty well. Wouldn't you all agree?"
The girls all nodded, all of them, including Ophis, smiling. I winked at Asia.
"And we all definitely care about ya, kid."
Her eyes welled with tears as she smiled back at me. After a few seconds, she looked down.
"We can't. I care about you too, but we can't. Neito, no. It's forbidden, and I don't want to cause you any trouble."
"Please. You think any of those Fallen Angels can handle a bada** Nekomata, a seriously powerful Dragon God, a Godling of Time, and a tough Fallen Angel?"
I walked back over to her, patting her head.
"I'm sick of people, Devils or Fallen, telling me what is and isn't restricted. This is the run that's going to be the last, and this time, we'll all live our own lives. We're all friends. Hell, I'd go as far as to say we're family once we get to that point."
Ophis watched my hand motion, then stood up on the bench and patted Asia's head.
"Pat. Pat."
I laughed.
"Seems Ophis really is takin' a shine to ya."
Asia seemed dumbfounded by the Dragon God's antics, then froze when a familiar laughter rang out the park area we were in. I sighed.
"I had a feeling she'd show up sooner or later."
I turned around, my grin growing darker as I glared at Raynare, who was suspended in the air above the water.
"Isn't that sweet?"
"Sister..."
"L-Lady Raynare."
Ophis jumped off the bench and casually stood in front of Asia as Kuroka and Yuuma took my sides. I stuffed my hands in my pockets as she rose an eyebrow.
"So the rumor about your cooperation with devilish creatures were true. And I had such high hopes. Don't even try to run, Asia."
"Begone! I won't have any part in what you or any of the other Angels are up to! Neito, I'm sorry. I ran away. I couldn't be around them anymore."
"Don't apologize, kid. I completely understand your way of thinking. You're too good for those wannabe Angels anyway. Ophis, keep her protected."
"Yes, Master."
"Ophis? Hahahahahaha! What a joke! You actually think I'll believe that you have the Infinite Dragon God on your side?"
Ophis's eye twitched as she pointed a finger at Raynare. I pushed it back down and I shook my head.
"Don't unveil your signature. Not yet."
She nodded and stood guard of Asia. I narrowed my eyes at Raynare.
"What do you want, Fallen Angel trash?"
"Hmph. Oh, don't worry, my business has nothing to do with you, little boy. Though, I guess I can finish what my little sister failed to accomplish. Let's have some fun.~"
She summoned her spear and grinned evilly at me.
"Tsk..."
I rolled my eyes, then looked back at Kuroka and Yuuma.
"Cover my flanks. If it gets outta control, not that it will, I'll need you to jump in."
They nodded and stepped back as my eyes glowed yellow. Raynare giggled.
"I always hate to see someone die a virgin."
"Hey, Ophis? You said I could control my Cursed Sacred Gear, right?"
"Yes. I recognize the, formula for this one in, particular. Imagine time slowing down, then see it as a reality. That is the first ability of your Cursed Time."
"Thanks, buddy."
Raynare laughed out.
"Are you seriously trying to come at me with nothing? You might as well be fighting me with sticks and stones."
"Eh, at least I can shove a stone in your eyesocket while sticking a branch up your a**."
She rose an eyebrow.
"Word from Freed is that you're a person to watch out for. He said that you're a force to be reckoned with. That's why I had my sister put on that dumb little girl act before she botched it up and developed 'feelings' for you. Ridiculous! You sure bought it though. Hook, line, and sinker."
My hair shadowed my eyes.
"Buddy..."
My eyes flashed yellow as my hands were outlined with the same color.
"You're gonna wish you stayed in Hell."
"You're an idiot if you think you can take me on all by yourself. Give me my sister and the girl, take what's left of your dignity, and go."
"If I leave her, my dignity dies with her."
"D-Dies?"
Raynare cringed at my wording as Asia gasped. I smirked.
"Oooooh, right. You never told Asia her place in your plans, did you?"
"Shut up."
I looked back at the nun.
"They're trying to rip your Sacred Gear from you, sapping you of your life in the process."
She gasped and backed away further behind Ophis. Raynare gritted her teeth.
"That was your LAST mistake!"
She threw a spear at me and I deflected it with a spire of stone. I tried what Ophis instructed and to my surprise, time slowed down immensely.
{Time Break!}
I rose an eyebrow at Tetra, then kicked up the spire and sent it at her, hitting her back into the fountain at the middle of the pond when time went back to normal. She flew back up, now angered. She summoned two spears and launched them at me. I covered my hands in the marble material that was used for the tile and caught them. I turned them back around and threw them back, sending one through her leg. She roared in pain by it.
"Yuuma!"
Yuuma summoned a blue version of the rose spear and threw it at Raynare, impaling her arm.
"Kuroka?"
The Nekomata smirked and concentrated her Senjutsu, sending bright blue flaming projectiles at Raynare. The combination of our attacks sent her into the water again. She floated back up, growling.
"How is this possible? I should be 10 times as strong as all of you."
"Seems you like to overestimate yourself, Raynare, and underestimate us."
Yuuma glared at her with newfound hate.
"You always thought everyone else as weak. Begone, sister."
She summoned another spear and pointed it at her.
"I will not tolerate your arrogance any longer!"
Ophis pointed her finger at Raynare.
"Retreat, or I shall erase, you."
Raynare widened her eyes upon hearing Ophis's voice.
"N-No way. Freed was right! You DO have the Infinite Dragon God! Impossible! That thing doesn't pick a side willingly! I'm going to need the whole fleet for this."
She turned and flew off, disappearing instantly. I glared grimly at the spot she fled from.
"Neito!"
I perked up at the familiar voice, then grunted when a familiar red head glomped me, crying.
"How dare you! How dare you worry me like that! I sensed several signatures here in the park and I find you with the Infinite Dragon God, two Fallen Angels, and one of the most powerful Stray Devils?! Do you realize how much you frightened me?!"
"G-Geez, red head."
I petted her head as I grinned sheepishly down at her.
"It's not like they're enemies or anything. They're with me."
"Nya? So this is my sister's new master?"
"Yup. Shirone, or as I call her, Koneko is with this one here."
I looked out at the pond.
"We probably don't have time for banter. We should get back to the ORC as fast as we can."
Yuuma nodded.
"Yes. We need to establish a post at the Gremory base and come up with a plan. My sister will be coming with an armada of Priests, along with the other three Fallen Angels."
Rias got off me and nodded seriously.
"Akeno, prepare the Circle."
"Rias, can you keep Asia safe in the interior of your Old School?"
"Asia? You mean the nun?"
"Yes. She is the reason they're attacking. They want to kill her and rip her Sacred Gear from her body. We cannot let that happen."
Ophis floated up next to me, pointing at Rias.
"You. You are the reason, my master feels so much grief."
"H-Huh?"
"Ophis, please. Now is not the time. Rias, I'll explain everything after we're done with the Fallen Angels, but for right now, none of us can get sidetracked, so if there are any complications between anyone, tell em to get over it."
"The Circle is ready, Rias."
"Thank you, Akeno. I will take Asia to the lounge in the Occult Research Club."
"Thank you. Yu-Yu, Ophis, and Kuroka. You three will be guarding the perimeter of the Old School."
"But what will you do?"
I grinned at Rias.
"Well, if I'm gonna take the role of a pawn in your peerage, I gotta get used to being on the front lines. If sh** gets criminally insane, I'll fall back to the perimeter and use the Balance Breaker. Does everyone understand what they need to do?"
They nodded.
"Alright. Ophis, could you please create a Magic Circle to the front of the ORC at Kuoh Academy?"
"Yes, Master."
Rias twitched at that, seemingly disturbed that Ophis called me that. The two Great Ladies led Asia into their Circle as we stepped into Ophis'. I pointed at Rias.
"I'm counting on you, Rias. You and your peerage."
She nodded.
"Be careful."
I snickered.
"Nah."
We teleported away and ended up at the front of the Old School. I looked up at the sky.
"Sunset. We're running out of preparation time. Take your positions around the Old School. Do whatever you need to do in order to keep them away from the entrances."
"""Yes, Master."""
"Please stop calling me that. It's Neito. I was given that name for a reason."
Ophis tilted her head.
"Alright then, Master Neito."
"I don't... Y'know what? Close enough. Let's do this."
I turned around and walked down the path as they spread out, taking positions around the building. I walked to the entrance of the forest, seeing a stump and sitting down on it. I looked up at the sky as Tetra sat down next to me.
{... 'For a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy, because thou, being a man, makest thyself God.' Do you know who said that?}
'No.'
{Neither do I. No entity knows who said this, but it's a quote shared and respected among Gods.}
'Is there a reason why you said it here?'
{There could be a reason, or it was just a waste of breath. Regardless, you should remember those words. They may improve your judgement in the future.}
'Right...'
I closed my eyes.
'That phrase says that there is no real God, but men who claim themselves all powerful deities wrongly... Am I one of them...? By the lengths of my judgement, and for what I've experienced and been through, I hope not.'
*BANG*
I shot my eyes open and stepped back from the stump, letting a holy bullet strike the top, putting a glowing white burn spot on it. I looked forward, seeing an army of Priests.
"Well, Yuuma did tell us about them."
{And we have faced them before.}
"You there, Demon lover! We demand the Twilight Healing user! Hand her over or be subjugated by our Swords of Light and punctured by our Righteous Guns!"
I took a deep breath.
"Shall we?"
{Let's do it, honey.}
A gold dragon aura burst from me, roaring around me like a flame. My eyes glowed a bright yellow as I grinned blood hungrily at the Priests.
-----
"Brother? What are you watching?"
I glanced at my sister, who was a beautiful young woman with curly blonde hair and a voluptuous figure. She wore a white robe and had 12 golden wings sprouting from her back.
"Ah, sister. Come. You must sit."
She blinked, then took a spot next to me in a chair. She tilted her head when she saw one boy opposing an entire army of Priests.
"Brother, what is going on here?"
"I have receivied word from one of my messengers that the Fallen Angels have been hunting down one of our former greatest nuns, Asia Argento for her Sacred Gear."
"Twilight Healing?"
"Yes. However, this boy and his friends stood in their way. One of the Fallen is actually on his side, if you can believe it."
"A traitor?"
"Yes. I've watched through this cloaked Magic Circle, and she has done more right than any Fallen Angel I've seen in a long time."
"Wow... So, who is the boy?"
"I believe his name is Neito Shumitto, the bearer of the Earth's Gear."
"The host of the Mother Earth Dragon?"
"Yes. I wanted to see what he was capable of. Would you like to watch this battle with me?"
"Of course, Brother."
I smiled and turned back forward, mentally pondering over him.
'Could he be the one? Is he the bearer of the Cursed Time as well? Neito... I shall be watching over you.'
-----
"FIRE!!!"
A series of bullets came towards me as several of their members fired their large pistols at me.
{Time Break!}
I sprouted my Devil wings and flew around them, getting behind them and pointing to the ground under the gunmen. A geyser sent them to the moon, ripping them apart as they flew up into the stratosphere. I saw one running up on me with a sword and backflipped over him. He immediately turned and clashed swords with me as I made one from solid iron. I blocked his strike, then smacked the sword out of his hands and threw mine at him as I parried a punch with the hilt from another. I threw my hand up, letting a piece of the ground strike him in the balls, then I put my other hand forward, throwing a large tree at him. I tore off the marble path leading to the New School, using it to deflect the bullets being shot at me. I flipped up a shard and sent it through the Priest's head, killing him. Just to be sure, I crushed him with the path. The other Priests backed away from the brutally quick scene as I smirked at them. They surrounded me, thinking they got an upper hand. I rose up my hand again, launching it to the ground. Two holes appeared under the groups of Priests at my back and front and magma lava burst from them, decimating them.
{Time Break!}
I flew up into the air, then pointed both my index fingers at the Priests.
{Earth Shot!}
A burst of Earth's energy collected at my fingers and ripped a number of the Priests apart within the blast. Time went back to normal and I swiftly sent two wood needles through another Priest's eyes. I flipped over a swing of a Light Sword and sent a precipice blade up, gouging out his inners. I ducked, dodged and weaved away from the holy bullets as the next Priest fired them, then jumped up onto an elevated piece of the ground, ramming through them like I was a finger knocking down dominoes. I knocked a crowd of them in the air as a result and sent spikes into each of their spines, paralyzing them and killing them on the fall. I brought both arms above my head, creating more spikes and needles. I threw them all forward, taking out as many of the Priests as I could see. None of them could so much as stand a chance when they couldn't even touch me.
"Bomb him!"
'Bomb me? What do they-?'
I saw a few Priests conjuring up a bunch of existing holy energy that was in the air.
"Oooooh crap."
-----
"Nya... How strange. Here we are, protecting the perimeter of my sister's master's headquarters and not a single noise has been heard, even by me. Wherever the fight is, it must be far away, nya."
*BOOM*
I stumbled when I felt a rumble in the ground. I looked out to see a blazing smoke cloud.
'Neito...?'
-----
I grunted when I slammed to the wall of the gym. I saw more magic coming and leaped away, rolling and jumping to my feet. I looked back at the white flames that came from the hole in the gym, then looked around when these weird types of Priests in white uniforms rather than the black appeared all around me.
"Oof!"
I flew back on a punch to the gut, then up when one of the Priests kicked me up. The white Priests teleported all around me, striking at me while I was airborn, eventually smacking me back down to the ground, making a cloud of dust rupture from the impact. A small shockwave hit the Priests unexpectedly.
{Mother Earth Dragon: Balance Breaker!}
I dashed out, drilling in the blade of a scythe. I ripped the head off the Priest clean off and it stuck to the diamond blade of the iron scythe. I looked up at the others and my eyes flashed.
{"Now I'm pissed..."}
-----
"Fallen Angel, Yuuma."
I perked up and looked over at Rias Gremory as she walked from the side entrance towards me.
"Gremory Heiress, what are you doing? You're supposed to be-"
"My peerage has her well protected in the deepest part of the Old School. I have decided to come out here and aid in the perimeter defense, if it's not too much trouble."
"I... Alright. Neito's not here to decide, but I have no objections."
She nodded with a smile, then our ears twitched at the sound of a voice.
"Ugh! This is the worst! Avoiding the fight and sneaking in is the most boring thing ever!"
I turned to one of my former allies.
"Mittelt."
She stopped and looked down at us.
"Oooh! Ask and you shall freaking receive!"
She touched down in front of us.
"Hi there, traitor and Devil. I'm Mittelt, and I'm totally the most awesome Fallen Angel in the history of ever."
I cringed in embarrassment as Rias gave a light snicker.
"She's quite full of herself, isn't she?"
"You have no idea. I take it you're here to try and retrieve Asia, Mittelt?"
"Of course! Although, we were never worried. We just need her for a super duper secret ritual we don't want those Devils to find out about."
"Hate to break it to you, Mittelt, but Neito already gave them the run down, and since Asia Argento now knows your intentions, she's being heavily guarded as we speak."
"What?! Are you freaking kidding me?!"
"Nope. He's known for... quite a long time."
"Rrrgh! I hate Devils! I just wanna squish their stupid ugly Devil faces!"
After coming out of her tantrum, she grinned.
"Whatever. Let them do their work. Not like you all can stop us. There are WAY more of us then there are of you. So why are you out here PROTECTING her? You know your job, Yuuma! You'd best do it! I may be small but I pack a big punch!"
I scoffed and smirked back.
"Asia is on her own."
"Huh?"
"It's not my place to protect Asia. It's only my place to make sure none of you get in. No, someone else has that objective, and I believe she's just about to enter the building."
"So, what? You're just gonna sit back and watch?"
"As your army is being brutally torn asunder, yes."
-----
'Nya. I can see why my master likes that Yuuma girl so much. She's definitely my type of mischievous. I ought to get her to help me play with Master sometime, nya.~'
I let out a snicker as I walked into the Old School. My goal is to fall back for now, as I sensed a Fallen Angel enter the building as the small one distracted them. And judging from the flow of chi around me, Ophis is on her way over to them. I... think she's actually just walking casually to them. I blinked, before shrugging and going inside.
-----
"Tsk. Protection or not, I can't let you go. The red head is like totally the captain of your loser squad AND if we take you both out, they're on a trip to useless town. Sorry, but I'm bringing friends to this party."
I looked up when I heard two flaps of wings.
"Good work, Mittelt."
"Sad to say we meet again, Lady Yuuma. You should have kept your 'boyfriend' in line."
"He stuck his nose where it doesn't belong."
Rias smiled.
"Well, well. I guess the gang's all here."
I smirked as I summoned a Spear of Light. Dohnaseek frowned.
"It seems very clear to us that your intentions for this defensive maneuver is to obstruct our ritual. That, we can't allow."
"You'll pay for it with your lives!"
I glanced at Rias and she nodded. Upon snapping her fingers, she trapped us all in a barrier of Magic Circles.
"A barrier?!"
"Uh-oh! We're totally screwed!"
"Gh-! This was your plan the whole time!"
"Yup. And just like Neito is with your army, I'm gonna take a whole lot of joy ripping you three limb from limb."
"That's so gross!"
They all flew up above us as Rias smirked.
"End of the line for you."
Karlamine scoffed at us.
"Go ahead and act as confident as you want. The ritual's going to happen, and once it's over, not even your precious boyfriend will have the power to stop us!"
The three of them threw their spears down at us, but a purple infinity Magic Circle blocked them. Ophis walked through the barrier effortlessly and didn't even damage it as she trotted towards me. She stood by me, looking up at the Fallen Angels. Mittelt, not knowing who this was, laughed.
"That's gonna get old, fast."
"And exactly how long do they attempt to hold their shield."
"Not a very well thought out tool, is it? That's gotta be draining you."
Ophis simply stared back at them. Mittelt laughed.
"Tell you what! Put those barriers down and we'll let you go! So KIDDING!!! Get comfy because you're gonna be here a while. Man, I bet those idiots thought you dropped them like a bad face lift. Oh my god. ESPECIALLY the perv boy dating Yuuma. I would have expected you to crunch his a** by now."
"If I were you, I would not, underestimate Master Neito."
"What?"
She looked out towards the carnage at the school field and pointed her finger loosely at it.
"Let's just say, he has the power to become the mightiest Baltic Time God."
-----
I threw a severed arm at a Priest, then shoulder tackled him away. I flipped quickly in the air, kicking the limb to a white Priest's face as he teleported in front of me. I slammed the blade into his skull and swung down again, pushing his head into his chest cavity. I turned and threw him off onto two others. I sliced down another Priest before throwing the weapon through the crowd, slashing through the lot of whoever was in the way of its path. One approached from the side, then lost his legs when the scythe came back around and took them off. We all stared at him for a while, as he didn't seem to feel it for some reason. I think he died the second the legs were gone. I rose an eyebrow and poked him, making him fall over.
{"Yup. He's dead. Let's continue!"}
The scythe circled around me like a boomerang as one out of the crowd charged at me. I grabbed his wrist, catching the strike of his sword. I pulled him over my shoulder, slamming him down on a white Priest that teleported behind me to swiftly strike. I ripped off the arm in the process and used it as a twirling whip to deflect the bullets. Stabbing the Light Sword into the next Priest, I used his body as a meat shield until they had to reload their arsenal. I kicked the body at them, making them fall flat on their a**es and backs. More of them dashed towards me, still thinking they can take me on. Truth be told, I was getting a little tired, but I persisted in the battle. I lunged up into the air and slammed down in the remains of the army, spreading them out. I ducked under a swipe and punted the Priest's head off to the next like before. I slashed him to the side and dodged a series of bullets before slicing out three throats at once. I elbowed the one behind me and rose up my gauntleted hand, impaling them. I wrapped my arm around the Priest's arm, then threw the Sword of Light at the group, stabbing one of them in the heart. I put the one I had in my grasp in a shoulder lock, then threw him into a group of 4. I looked around, seeing that the remains of the Priests were either knocked out or dead. I grunted when my helmet cracked. One final white Priest still had the gall to fight me. I was flung back to the stone wall of the school, then was held there by the Priest. I pretended to choke, lulling him into a false sense of getting the upper hand. I saw my scythe coming back and smirked. I grabbed the Light Sword hilt from his belt and stabbed him in the gut. He coughed out blood as I kicked him back and launched after him. I caught the scythe mid air and stabbed him in the ribs, grinding in and throwing him up.
{Time Break!}
I hopped to a tree branch and shot him down to the ground. I sped to the dirt faster than he did and pointed the Light Sword up, letting him fall right on it. Time went back to normal and he screamed in agony for a few seconds before dying. I panted as the Balance Breaker disappeared. I threw the last Priest down and took a few breaths as I discarded my nearly broken scythe.
"Guess even the toughest minerals break eventually."
{Well done, partner. Really! That was amazing, even for you to take on an army without even bleeding this time.}
"Heh, thanks, but I can't tell if that compliment is a** backwards or not."
She giggled before I felt Ophis's energy radiating towards me.
"Is... she calling us?"
{I believe so. We should head back to the Occult Research Club.}
I nodded and walked my way there, stuffing my hands in my pockets as warm sweat trickled down my head and soaked my body.
-----
"My, my. That was quite a show."
"Indeed, sister. He is, without a doubt, very powerful. He has the power to change this world."
"You mean because he has the Cursed Time Sacred Gear?"
"Yes. It is wise that we monitor him for a while... Hmm... Sister? Would you like to attend Kuoh Academy and personally watch over him?"
"Oh? My brother is assigning me my very own human to look after? I'd love to. He's such a cutie. I could just pinch his cheeks!~"
I chuckled at my sister's naive nature, then shooed her along.
"Alright. You should go get your things, then."
"Yes, brother. I shall be back momentarily."
She giggled as she walked out of my throne room. I smiled at my sister, then turned back to the screen projecting the Magic Circle.
'Yes. He is the trigger. Sister, please protect him. He must not die.'
-----
""A Time God?""
Rias and the Fallen Angels stared with wide eyes at Ophis as she said this. Kalawarner gritted her teeth, then shook her head.
"Impossible! He cannot-"
"He is. All kin to the Lithuanian Goddess of Time, Kruonis, is said to possess the Cursed Sacred, Gear and is to be the next God of, Time of Baltic Mythology."
"Wow... That's incredible. No wonder I sensed such power in him."
I nodded at Rias.
"And he's been through a lot, and I do mean a LOT of deaths, Rias. That's the whole reason he's gotten this powerful. He's rewound this world 3000 times over already because he died, mostly by your hands."
"W-What?"
"You removed your pawn pieces from him, killing him over and over throughout the many 'runs' he has. It's why he distrusts you."
"I-I... Oh my gosh..."
"But we should not focus on that right now."
Ophis nodded.
"Master wishes for these, Fallen Angels to stay out of the Occult Research, Club. The Nekomata has entered the building, to stop the forth Fallen Angel that has entered already."
"You mean..."
"I do. Your sister, has penetrated our defenses."
I narrowed my eyes, then shook my head and turned my attention back to the Fallen Angels above. They threw more spears and Ophis blocked them with ease.
"It doesn't matter what that moron's abilities are! He won't stand a chance against Lady Raynare once she gets her hands on Asia!"
"Even if he is the boyfriend of Raynare's wh*** of a sister! Hahaha! Oh, we've heard ALL the tragically lame things you two have been doing with each other."
Dohnaseek chuckled.
"Now, Mittelt! Stop! You're evil!"
Kalawarner laughed out with him.
"What a joke!"
They threw their spears at us again, but a flare from Rias's energy shattered the spears. I jumped and stepped back as she glared at them with glowing red eyes.
"He's not a joke. No one laughs at one of my juniors."
'Is... she really angry for us? I can't believe it.'
"God d***. You f***ers really got her steaming."
Rias's energy subsided and we all turned our attention to a sweating Neito. He chuckled.
"Guess she really does care about me enough to stand up for us. It's alright, Rias. Stand down."
"But-"
He waved his hand at her.
"Trust me, I got it."
"Got what? Wait a minute! How did you get passed all those Priests?! There were like a zillion of-"
"Severed head for your thoughts?"
*Splat*
Rias and I cringed as Neito threw down a severed Priest's head. The other Fallen Angels gasped in horror as Ophis simply stared down at it.
"Dear God! What did you do?!"
"Well... Let's just say that the entire school yard's been painted red... and is slightly destroyed."
"Neito..."
"OK, totally destroyed. I just used the Balance Breaker when they got me fired up. Time Break did me some favors too. I gotta learn more about the Cursed Time's abilities after this. How about it, Ophis?"
"You need, to shower first."
"Heheheheh! I know. I'm a mess, aren't I?"
"S-So it was true!"
"He really is a soon to be God of Time!"
"We have to warn Raynare!"
"Oh? Is she inside now?"
Ophis nodded.
"Kuroka is dealing with her, Master Neito."
"Alright. At least Rias's peerage isn't alone fighting her. Hopefully Koneko can get over her presence and work with her."
He shook his head, then yawned.
"Ah, OK. Let's get this over with already. I'm rather tired."
The three Fallen Angels flew down and groveled at his feet.
"No!"
"Please spare us!"
"We were only following orders!"
"Please don't kill us!"
"Following Raynare's orders, I assume?"
"Yes."
"You do realize that you're going to die anyway if you go back to Azazel. You disobeyed him, remember? So... I'm not gonna delay the inevitable. Say hi to Death for me."
He snapped his fingers and a cluster of stone spires impaled their vital body parts, killing them instantly. He took one feather from their wings and put his hands back into his pockets as he walked to the entrance of the ORC. The door opened and out walked Rias's peerage, Kuroka, and Asia. Raynare was being dragged by the legs by the neko sisters.
-----
""Someone order this?""
Kuroka and Koneko threw Raynare down in front of me and I noticed the bruises, cuts, and burns on her body. I glanced at the rook, knight, and my neko friend, suspecting they did the damage. I grinned at the S&M Fallen Angel fanatic.
"Well, hello again, Raynare. So nice of you to flop on in."
She looked up at me, glaring at me.
"You...!"
"I am Neito Shumitto. I am the bearer of the Mother Earth Dragon's Sacred Gear, the Earth's Gear. I am also the possessor of the Cursed Sacred Gear known as Cursed Time."
She gasped and her eye pupils shrunk in alarm. My smirk widened.
"Which means I am the Godling of Kruonis."
"T-The son of one of the Baltic Goddesses of Time!? You've got to be kidding me!"
"One of them?"
I looked down at Ophis.
"The other is Gegute, another Goddess of Time in the Baltic Mythology."
"Huh, well, one's better than nothing, I suppose."
I turned my glance back down to Raynare as I motioned to Rias.
"I'm sure you've known about Rias Gremory here."
"G-Gremory?!"
"It's nice to meet you, but it's a shame that we don't have time to chat."
I drew the feathers from my pocket, throwing them out at the air, letting them drift down to the ground in front of her.
"Raynare. It's time for you to join your army and friends in the void. I must say, they were rather rude to your sister and Rias."
"Oh? How hot.~ You took out an entire armada of Priests and destroyed three Fallen Angels and is only sweating like a pig.~"
"You got... some weird interests, Akeno."
"Why would the heiress of Gremory dare to side with the Godling?!"
"Well, since you asked. After saving Yuuma from Dohnaseek, I began to believe he was no longer just something that I could use like a toy. He was someone special that needed all the attention he deserves. Drawing Ophis is another demonstration of his power to attract others to him. I had discovered multiple Fallen Angels had decided to attack this town. Normally, I would have stayed out of it, but trouble seemed to follow my cute junior wherever he went, so I kept a close eye on him and protect him if he couldn't protect himself. Although, that wouldn't even be necessary with a powerful Stray Devil, a rogue Fallen Angel, and the Infinite Dragon God at his side."
"Speaking of Devil. Rias? Could I borrow that pouch you keep your Evil Pieces in once we're done here?"
"Oh? What for?"
"I never told you?"
My Devil wings, which were a midnight blue instead of a dark grey sprouted from my back.
"I'm a Devil as well, though not exactly under anybody's rule nor a Stray. Guess you could say I'm neutral."
Rias blinked, then fumed at me. I rose my hands before she started shouting.
"Now, now. There's no need for shouting, Ri-Ri."
She calmed down upon hearing her nickname. Yuuma pouted in jealousy and I rubbed my head, sighing at the two girls. The group gave amused expressions at the situation between the three of us.
"Sister, please!"
We all turned back down to the grounded Fallen Angel as she put on an act to try and trick Yuuma. It was an act I knew well. She looked like Yuuma, except older. THIS was the disguise she used to trick me in the very beginning. I felt Tetra's boiling anger rising inside me.
"I'm sorry! I know I said some mean things to you, but I didn't have a choice! I had to fulfill my role as a Fallen Angel!"
"S-Sister..."
"I mean... If I didn't care, why else would I let you go without hurting you! You're my sister! I can't fight you! Please don't tell me you forgot our promise!"
Yuuma cringed.
"That... stupid promise... Why would you bring that up...?"
"How could I possibly forget about it? We made it as a pledge to each other!"
'What promise is she talking about?'
I threw my hand to the side, telling the others to stay out of it. They backed down and let this carry out.
"You wouldn't let them hurt me, would you, sister?"
"Sh-Shut up... I don't buy it... You're not my sister. My sister died when she became engrossed with popularity and fame. You're a monster who replaced her..."
She turned around, facing away from her.
"Neito... Would you...? I don't want to look at her anymore... I don't want to see the face of my sister on that disgrace."
I nodded and put a hand on her shoulder.
"I don't condone promise breaking, Yu-Yu, but for things like this, this judge can accept one that's broken, just once."
She sniffed and wiped a tear from her eye as she walked over to Ophis, who floated up and patted her head.
"Pat. Pat."
I would have snickered if I wasn't so pissed at Raynare right now. I walked over in front of her, my eyes blazing a bright yellow glow.
"You have toyed with my girl's emotions long enough, b****. Drown in darkness!"
{Earth Shot!}
She screamed as the collective burst of the Earth's power blew her to nothing in an instant. I lowered my finger, then turned back to everyone.
"Right... I think our mission is complete, and a success. Rias? Can I see those pieces, please?"
She didn't hesitate to hand me her pouch. I picked out a spare king piece from her set and held it in my palm. I stared down at it intently.
"Ophis? Is there any way I can duplicate this into an Evil Piece of my own, so I can become the master of my own peerage?"
She tilted her head, then floated over, looking down at the piece. She took it, then nodded.
"Yes. Concentrate your energies into the king piece, then release that aura. It's like, summoning a Sacred Gear, except your expelling, your power to the piece."
"Neito? What are you doing?"
I grinned at Rias.
"I think I've had a change of thought, Rias. I want to keep the ones who were self proclaimed as my servants. One way to do that is to make Evil Pieces of my own."
"But I thought..."
"Hey, it's not like I'm not gonna be around. If anything, I'm gonna be joining the Occult Research Club."
"Really?!"
I smirked amusingly at Rias's lit up face.
"Yea. You've proven to me that you're worth hanging around again. So, I'll give you another shot, as you now already seem to know about my reruns."
"Yes, and I am deeply sorry for my actions."
"Nonsense, Ri-Ri. It's all erased, and we have a whole new world ahead of us. But first, before we do anything else..."
I closed my eyes and clenched my hand around the king piece, my power flowing from my arm and into the chess piece. I felt a burst in my hand and opened my eyes. Looking down at the king, I now saw it glowing an indigo color, and that wasn't all. There were now several Evil Pieces of the same color in both my hands; A full set, actually. The king piece floated into my body as the original king piece I used floated back into the pouch. The other pieces just stayed in my hands. I looked up at Ophis, Asia, Yuuma, and Kuroka, nodding to them as they did me. I held out their respective pieces. Kuroka was given the rook, Asia was given the bishop, Ophis was my queen, and Yuuma was my knight. When I was done distributing the pieces, the remaining disappeared in a new indigo Magic Circle with a clock symbol in the center.
"Amazing. By becoming the king of your own peerage, you gained the ability to summon your own Magic Circles."
"Huh, neat. Guess I'll have to take lessons with Akeno later."
I turned to my friends, raising my hand up. The pieces they held glowed.
"I, Neito Shumitto, who has become a recent king in the Devil world, grant you all a place in my newly made peerage. Accept these pieces, and serve me from this moment onward, my Devil's Servants."
""""Yes, Master Neito.""""
The pieces flew from their hands and into their chests, successfully adding them as new members for a new king. I took another breath, then yawned again.
"Alright, let's go home already. I'm tired..."
"I'd say. You have bags under your eyes."
"Heh, must be exhaustion, Yu-Yu. C'mon. Let's get Asia accommodated tomorrow. We all need our rest."
Everyone nodded and walked out with me. I smiled up at the night, more and more weights sealed around my heart being lifted off it. I felt... like myself again. Though, I knew who was coming, and I knew I had to prepare because there's no room for monsters like Raynare in this world, but there's a fire brewing one that's coming to the Occult Research Club soon...

'And it better watch it's f***in a**.'