-=Here I Stand=-

Waking up with the scent of sex and sweat was something that seemed surreal for a second before I remembered what happened last night. There was no way I was going to trust Kalawarner, everyone her group was at least some sort of messed up. Though, that could be attributed to the fact that I haven’t watched the show in a while and what I remember is from the fics.

If I could give her the right incentive to not leave me and grow some loyalty with her, then I could have some use for the fallen. Though, I may have gone overboard with her. In my defence, I blame the lust that had built up.

Not enough of an excuse but I don’t care.

Slowly moving her out of the way, I got up out of my bed, only to feel the intense burning of my pelvis. She was much rougher than I thought she was. Granted she wasn’t in the best...mindset. Yeah, let’s go with that.

I opened the door to the hallway...only to immediately slam it again.

I can’t be dealing with this first thing in the morning. I can feel a headache erupting already and it’s only the start of the day. It’s just going to get worse, isn’t it...?

I reopened the door with a sigh as I stared upon [Friend Like Me], he was dressed in an Akatsuki robe whilst hugging the wall beside the door.

“What is it this-” Immediately [Friend like Me] put a hand over my mouth and put a finger over his lips. There was a strange expression on his face as he tried to be serious...it obviously didn’t work.

Right as he noticed that I was quiet, He started to sneak away, keeping close to the ground. Another sigh escaped my lips as I stared at the ceiling, as if calling Go-Micheal, he’s the one up there now, right?

Simply walking behind him, I watch as he stopped me and checked around every corner before dashing over.

He...He wasn’t even being quiet.

We ended up at the bottom of the stairs, Instantly I noticed that the kitchen was clean. I’m guessing that was his work, I guess I have to thank him for that. Maybe even get him something?

But what would I get a stand?

That’s...not a thought I would have ever thought I would think. Huh...just really shows how weird my life has been recent. The fact that- ”Who the hell are you?” I couldn’t help but blurt out as I stared at the man that had taken a seat at my couch.

Of course, I know who he is, if you read or watched DxD, you know who he is. His trademark brown hair and golden bangs.

“Me? I’m no-one special…” Azazel started with, a somewhat infuriating, smile. “I’m just here to ask a few questions.”

I stepped down from the stairs with [Friend Like Me] floating behind me. He couldn’t tell that my stand was there, I knew the way that his eyes roamed around my body, he knew he was there. Not really surprised, appearances aside, he fought in the great war. A leader in fact, if he was strong enough to lead a faction then he must have some sort of way to see [Friend Like Me].

“A few questions?” I asked. “May I at least get your name? It’s weird to call you creepy old pervert.”

“I’m not that old.”

“That’s the part you focused on?” I couldn’t help but facepalm.

“I’m not going to take much of your time...I know you would rather use your weekend doing something more fun than humouring me.”

It’s the weekend? I didn’t even know...that means I woke up early for nothing.

“Right….and what is it you want to ask?” I questioned.

“You see, a had a little team here...for lack of better words.” He started “I had them watching a resident here in my stead.”

“Issei, right?” I interrupted. He most likely knew what I did and if he didn’t he would have known soon enough, better to tell him on my terms and get this done before it comes to bite me in the ass.

“Correct, but for some reason, he had gone missing.” he stated. “It was around this time that you were also around, care to tell me why?”

“He’s dead.” I replied. “Simple as that, I never liked him and, honestly, couldn’t care if he was dead or alive but I wasn’t the one who killed him. Raynare did.”

Azazel’s eyebrow raised at the confession “I’m not surprised, that would be something that she would do.”

“I guess…”

“Right, that will be all.” He stated getting up.

“Wait…” I found myself dumbfounded. “No ‘You killed my people, I demand retribution.’. You’re just going to leave?”

“Of course...why would I stay?” He chuckled. “Baraquiel was already chewing me out for holding back on the paperwork and I doubt we won’t see each other again.”

“Huh...I guess if you put it like that, that makes sense.”

“There’s no need to doubt me. After all, The White Dragon Emperor is just for a good fight.” He replied. “Well, enjoy the rest of your afternoon”

I knew it, he knew that I have the [Boosted Gear]. What’s the point in coming here if he knew what happened?

Before I could gain an answer, he left as a large magic circle appeared beneath him.

With Azazel.

Azazel found himself back within his workshop in the underworld, the area that the Fallen controls. The room was filled with various smut adorned on the wall and papers covering the wooden floor. Immediately upon coming back, he headed towards his desk before pulling out a microscope-looking contraption that had been hidden under it. Pulling out a small crystal, he placed it upon the observation deck and activated the machine.

Right as he flipped the switch, the door slammed opened revealing the silver-haired teenager that Azazel had implied before.

“Tell me all you know.” he demanded, much to Azazel’s amusement.

“He’s smart, I can tell you that, Vali.” He started. “From everything I found out, he played the previous Red Dragon like a fiddle. Had it not been for the healing of the Gremory Heir, then I would say the same thing for the team that I had sent. Though he still did a great job in playing them along.”

Vali paused at Azazels’s words. “And how would you class him? High? Ultimate, even?”

“Bah…” Azazel “He’s barely even middle.”

Vali seemed to deflate slightly, even as his hands clenched at his sides. “Then what’s the point of this new Red Dragon?!”

“The point is that this one is much different to every other Red Dragon Emperor, much different to any other sacred gear user in fact.” Azazel replied.

That got Vali’s attention, even if his anger was still prevalent, albeit slightly. “How so? He doesn’t sound all that special.”

“Yet you’re the one who still has scars from crashing trying to fly.” Azazel reputed, making Vali click his teeth in annoyance. “Still come look at this.”

Vali walked up to Azazel and peered down the microscope “I don’t see anything weird, everything seems to be floating around everywhere.”

“That’s the weird part…” Azazel started. “A sacred gear should be stationary, for lack of better words, as if they had bonded with it. This helps the system upstairs keep a track on the sacred gear without having to adjust for everything little thing that it and it’s the user does whilst also keeping limitations depending on the user’s body and strength.”

“Yes, I know that,” Vali replied, now facing Azazel. “But why is that important? And how does that make him special?”

“The gear is changing, modelling itself to the user, much more than what it would if it was normal. This means that both he and Ddraig would have more power and fewer limitations. It could be the perfect symbiosis between the gear and the user. “

“So he would be stronger than the previous one?” Vali asked.

“Yes, Vali…” Azazel sighed. “He will.”

-=Here I Stand=-

I had a plan for today, now that I know that there’s no school. I immediately headed off towards the church. Considering it’s already 3 PM, (I know, where the time fucking go?) The various priests that had inhabited the church wouldn’t be around for long. Considering that fact that the fallen won’t be arriving anymore and they won't get any more orders, I doubt that they would stay.

As I stared upon the doors of the church, I thought to myself, how I would do this. I mean I had a plan but if I executed this wrong, I would have to run away. I’m not stupid enough to fight these people, they have strength, speed and skill way beyond what I currently have.

Though I do have something that one else has.

First things first, I slipped around the back to get into the back entrance. I was looking for one of the rooms where I would find some sort of clothing that would help me blend in.

The only thing I was able to find was the patrols of priests that combed through the back, near-empty halls of the church. Hoping this would work, I walked up to one that was alone.

“Brother…” I started getting his attention. “I was wondering where I would be able to find a spare cloak, my previous one was destroyed by a stray.”

“I understand.” That worked? I was planning on taking him out with my light magic but I guess this would work as well. “They do not like our garbs with their weaknesses and lack of faith.”

I nodded my head whilst trying to hide the smirk at the irony of his words. I didn’t say anything as I followed him back to a random room. Across the walls were multiple different sizes of cloaks and different pieces of clothing. Some had various stains.

“These are from other priests, right?” I asked getting a nod from him.

“They feel it would be better to allow others to use what little resources we have then throw it away.”

These seem like good people...better for me I suppose.

I grabbed one of the cloaks of the rack and pocketed a few of the crosses, they might come in handy later on. I sent a small smile as I walked out of the room. A little bit of faith and these people believe anything.

-=Here I Stand=-

I walked up to the podium, wearing the stolen priest garbs. It wasn’t hard to get past everyone, they gave me glace and then continued doing what they were doing before. I guess these guys don’t really care.

Cool, works for me.

“Hello, everyone…” I called out, getting all their attention. “I’m here today because I want-”

“Who the hell are you?!” Someone in the crowd called out, much to my irritation.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

I guess they’re more attentive than I thought. Now looking back they are priests, even traitorous ones, would be good enough to notice something off. At least some level of competence would be needed to become a priest, especially in this world.

“Me? I am Father Alexander.” I replied, cooling my features. “I’m here because of the little crow infestation that I happened to come across.”

I could see many of them tense up, their eyes started to dart around looking towards the area around them, looking for the fallen that had hauled up with them. I let them marinate the fear that they had been creating for themselves, it was fun watching them squirm as the thought of being killed by the Fallen.

“Do not worry, my brothers and sisters, I have already dealt with our problem.” A wave of relief passed through them as they heard my words. I felt their eyes lock onto me with an intensity that I’m not really sure how to describe.

“Hey, do I know you?!” Another voice called out, I knew this one. He was the same person I saw when I had met Kalawarner for the first time.

“Hello, Brother Freed. It is good to see you again.” I called out, a soft smile appearing on my face.

“You’re a priest?” He asked, eyeing me up and down in a way that made my skin crawl. “I swear that you were a student at that devil school.” I heard our audience fall into whispers as they heard his words.

Goddammit, Freed. You just had to open your mouth.

“That is incorrect, I had spoken to a non-believer as I headed up this way, he was insulting our way of life and our people…” I started, gaining everyone’s attention again. I tugged on the heartstrings of those who’ve been attacked for being a priest in this world of demons and monsters.“...I was going to educate him, however, I noted that he had the stench of a devil.”

“A devil?! Man, these devils are getting better at what they do.” Freed sighed before his eyes had this...strange glint. “What did you do? Did you kill him? How did you do it? Did you make people watch? What about-”

“I killed him, yes, but I made it effortless.” I cut him off, mid-rant.

He didn’t like that, not one bit, yet I didn’t care. I merely put my hand up to silence him and turned to the crowd that had watched our discussion.

“I know some of you do not like the idea of killing devil worshipers mercilessly.” Some of them booed at my words. “That is understandable but you do have to understand that he had no choice in the matter.”

Again, the room was silent. They expression showing that they were attentive to my words. Hell, If you threw a pin, you would be able to hear it from across the room.

“The devil, these days, do not care about the consequences of their actions. Every person they get their disgusting little hands-on only prove to show it. This boy was a believer of the faith, as many of you were, but the temptation that the devils wormed into his mind had broken him out of his love for God. I’m sure that many of you understand that feeling.” I stated, the last line hitting many of those hard as they refused to continue their eye contact.

“All those families that the devils had infiltrated, all those lives they have ruined, all the futures that have demolished, all because of their undying greed and their need to satisfy it.” I called out, regaining their attention. “And what has it cost you all? The same people that they have used and battered only to be thrown away like yesterday’s trash. It’s simple, everything.”

The anger that started resonate in this room almost seemed visible. A few of them were standing up, their bodies feeling the adrenaline pumping through their veins with their fury.

“To you, they are the scorn of your existence. The people that have taken everything from you. Your family, your friends, your respect. To them, you’re merely a number, a simple number that they brush off since they forget about you and the injustice they do to you.”

Their anger skyrocketing, it’s simple really, most people don’t like being treated less than anybody, myself included. Freed was there standing at the front, leading the people on.

“And where has that landed you? The Fallen, a race of fake angels that have rid themselves of the Lord. A race that has no reason to care for humans, the time before I came here, many of you have already been killed.” That was a guess but the way they held their heads down proved my point. “Will this injustice never end?”

“That’s why I ask of you…” I calmed my voice and immediately the feeling in the room changed, yet it was still as tense as ever. “ I have killed the fallen that have plagued this church but that had only created a bigger problem. More Fallen have arrived in Kuoh, they merely wait upon a single word and they will strike upon this church, killing all its inhabitants. Now tell me, do you want to die like the pathetic bugs that they think we are?”

“No way!” Someone called out.

“I hear the voice of only one supporter. I repeat myself, Do you want to die like the pathetic bugs that they think we are?!”

“NO!”

“Are you willing to take your life into your own hands?! To kill those that oppose you?”

“YEAH!”

“Are you willing to fight with me, side by side, to defeat those that oppose us?”

“YEAH!”

“Will you give me the strength to defeat the bastards that think they can take us down?”

“YEAH!”

“If I lead you out of this building, will you give me your strength? Your prowess in battle, your skill in weapons, your knowledge of magic?”

“YEAH!”

“Well then…” I stated, jumping down to the same level as the audience. They parted, like the red sea, as I walked through. “...Follow me and I’ll lead you to your new life.”

...Unbeknownst to them, [Friend Like Me] was giggling like a schoolgirl upon a loose railing as he watched the priests follow his user, it was times like this that he loved his user. He munched on his popcorn as he waited for the show to really start.

I opened the large doors of the church, the dipping sun shining down upon them. “Come, my brothers and sisters, to create your new life.”

I stepped outside waiting for them to follow me, one by one they did. Their adrenaline fueling their desire to fight, it was funny seeing as they won’t be getting that far.

“Honestly…”

*Thud*

“...You’ve got to really understand what you agree to.” I finished, watching as the priest fall one by one after they all exited the church. “You never know what you might lose.”

“What’s going-” *Thud*

“My heart is going to-”*Thud*

“Bastard...what the hell...did you do?” Freed called out, his voice betraying his usual anger.

“I’m not going to explain it to you,” I stated as his body, the final body, dropped upon the floor. “I’m not stupid.”

And with that, the overload of memories and the immense power coursing through my veins, I pass out again.

-=Here I Stand=-

....I really gotta stop doing this to myself.

‘Ddraig, you didn’t do anything did you?’ I asked within my mind, calling out to the dragon.

Funnily enough, He was quiet, something that I’ve rarely ever had the chance to deal with Not only that but for some reason, surely not of my own, I found myself looking up at an unfamiliar ceiling.

Right, first things first, what happened to me and what did I gain? Best to check out the goods first.

Leaning up, I find myself without clothing. Not only that but my physique has changed. I was slightly bulkier like all the muscle I gained condensed as much as it could. In curiosity, I lean over to grab the side of the bed I was currently on push down as I get up.

Huh...It broke within my hand without me noticing.

Cool.

Looking around, I find that my clothes were draped over a chair in the far corner. Seems like whoever found me is trying to act like an ally. A bit paranoid but I’d rather be paranoid than relaxed.

Tapping into the sense that Ddraig taught me, I feel the signature of someone outside the tent. Though it wasn’t one that I am familiar with, they seemed more calm, in a sense.

Not really sure what else to say.

I could feel one of them already heading my way. I braced myself as the door opened.

A large and bulky man appeared before me, his eyes taking my form, I couldn’t tell what was going through his mind but I could tell that I shouldn’t mess around here. All across his bare arms and torso were scars, scars that looked like they came from all sorts of battles.

The thing that stood out was the ears upon his grey head and the grey tail that swayed behind him.

“How are you? I found you resting at the church on the outskirts of Kuoh.” He stated, much to my amusement.

“I wouldn’t really call it ‘resting’ per say.” I chuckled. “I practically collapsed.”

"I thought as much, however, I was unsure.” He replied.

“May I ask, why were you in the area?” I asked.

“You may.”

…

“...Why were you in the area?” I asked, facepalming.

“A stray devil was seen in the area and we were tasked to exterminate it.” He stated, confusing me again.

“Isn’t that the job of the devil heirs?” I questioned.

“That would be the case however the devil in question was a sibling to one of my subordinates. They would have run out to take her down themselves, even if as I forbade it.”

“So you came to help him?”

“Incorrect.” The Yokai denied. “They have validated the conduct to which they had agreed on when they joined this task force, I am here to take them back.”

From what I can tell, this man was a stickler for the rules. Seems like a nice guy, he was rushing to get his subordinates and wanted to get them back home. Guess there must be a reason for doing so, I wouldn’t go after them. They were the ones stupid enough to go.

“I guess I will be taking my leave then,” I stated. “I don’t really want to get in your way.”

The man grabbed my arm as I made to get up. “I cannot allow that to happen.”

Am I going to be dragged into this mess? “And why’s that?”

“Section 3, Humans. Sub-Section 4 dictating humans that are aware of the supernatural.” He’s reciting it off by heart? “Paragraph 1, Whenever a defenceless human that has been found and has no clear ties to a faction, the Yokai must escort the user to their home and keep them safe until then.”

“I am not defenceless,” I stated. I had both [Friend Like Me] and Ddraig by my side.

“If that is so, why is your magical power erupting as it is now?” He stated. “I can feel it even as I do not actively look for it. If I leave you alone, many eyes will set upon you instantaneously. I fear that I may not be able to protect you.”

My magical power? Is he talking about what I did earlier? I asked for their strength, their skill and their knowledge. Did I gain more than that?

I wouldn’t be surprised, after Kalawarner, I guess I took their concept of strength instead of their actual strength. That makes [Friend Like Me] all that more powerful. Guess his potential is an A then.

“May ask something first? You said subordinates, would that mean that you already have a team? And are they not strong enough?” I questioned.

“My team is the best choice in finding and killing stray devils…” I could hear the pride in his voice as he said that. “But...this is a secret operation, many of them do not know of this. The sibling of this devil already left with one other and I was left to chase after them. I did not have time to call upon my squad.”

Is that it though? And why is he telling me this? Had I been in his position, I would have just demanded my help as he helped me. Everything here seems very fishy and something is telling me to not follow them.

‘You can’t resist, can you?’ Ddraig called out, feeling my internal struggle. ‘I would feel the same way after gaining such a powerup.’

‘I think there’s a secret battle junkie within me. I want to be able to fight that stray without running away.’ I replied.

“I’ll guess I’ll stick by you, maybe help you out if I can...it would be improper for me to not do so after what you did for me..” I stated, holding my hand out.

The Wolf Yokai smiled and grabbed my hand, “I thank you for your generosity. This will not be forgotten.”

“...Can I get changed first?”

-=Here I Stand=-

First thing I noticed was how the tent was much smaller on the outside, bullshit magic again so I didn’t question it. The next thing was how fast I was, I almost ran into a tree when I first tried running. [Friend Like Me] helped a little to keep up with the Yokai by manoeuvring me out of the way of any trees as we ran.

I couldn’t help but feel at peace as we ran. To see the trees blurring past me as we ran made it all that much better. I could see leaves falling in slow motion as we ran, it was like something out of anime, it sounds like I’m repeating myself, but it really puts into perspective on how different this world really is.

“We’re not that much further, I can smell their scents and...blood?!” The Yokai doubled his speed, the ground cracking where his speed increased.

What I’m guessing is that the two people that had run off are either dead or have been injured. If so, this man would be running to his death. I guess I got to help him now...still this is quite fun.

Though it still amazes me that even with the strength I have collected now, someone like this was still stronger than me. It makes me buzz with anticipation with all the power that I could collect in this world.

Breaking me out of thought were the sounds of metal clashing against something...I’m not really sure but the sight before me explains it.

The Wolf Yokai was fighting a large version of an orange fox girl waifu...well if that waifu was 8 feet tall, had razor-sharp nails, a weird tongue that couldn’t stay inside her mouth, bloodshot eyes, a weird stinger like appendage coming from her back and an expanded right arm, big enough to drag across the ground as she dragged her feet towards the Wolf Man.

I just noticed that I don’t know his name.

From my cover, I let my magic blossom again. This time it was much easier to shape my light as it rushed out-No, it was like it demands to be used. It was weird but a good weird.

I shaped the light as a bow with an arrow already nocked. Immediately, both Dinnerbone (Yes, I’m calling him that.) and sexy Cthulhu lady snapped towards me. The light bow was burning dark red, illuminating the battlefield. As the light shone upon them, I could see the blood that had dried upon the floor. Must be from the victims before.

Letting go of the arrow, I feel my body push back slightly at the force as air whips around me. The arrow hit the stray, it’s body almost crumpling against the pain of the light that had now poisoned its veins.

‘...It was that easy?’ I thought to myself as I approached the body of the stray devil.

“Your skills are more commendable than I thought. Well done.” Dinnerbone praised as I watched the twitching body of the stray.

Thoughts were running through my head. The main one was how the devils could create something like this. If someone ran away from your ENSLAVEMENT then you make them a monster so they get hunted down, even by their own people, those they share blood with.

Something like this disgusted me.

‘Hey, Ddraig...I got an idea.’ I called out.

‘Whatever you are planning...’

‘We can boost Ddraig, can you pass it on to other people?’ I asked, interrupting him.

I wasn’t sure that I was able to do so, in the story, sacred gears worked on the basis that they would grow and work in order to fit the user’s wishes. It would make sense that Issei would gain the power transfer ability because he wanted to help Rias and others around him.

‘...I do not see why not.’ Ddraig replied I guess that my theory was wrong. ‘Merely tell me where to go and I’ll send it off.’

...I guess that would work.

Summoning up the light magic from before, I started to push it out from within. Again, I immediately noticed that more was coming out than the amount from before. With that in mind, I slowed down the process.

The magic itself was seeping around my body, much to the discomfort of the stray devil. It started to thrash around with insane strength, Dinnerbone, who was standing behind me, had rushed in to hold her arms down.

It was weird how he didn’t try to stop me. I waved it off for later and kept it going.

I pressed my hand towards its stomach, it already started to thrash around even more. The light upon her body sounded like an egg sizzling on a hot pan...with that metaphor, I guess it would hurt.

‘Ddraig, you ready?’ I called out to him.

‘If your plan is to kill her then you’re already halfway there.’ He replied, yawning.

‘I want you to boost and send magic to its yokai side, can you do that?’ I asked. The head of the yokai had broken free, it’s elongated tongue already trying to grab those around it. I was wondering if he could do something like-

‘Can I do- Of course, I can!’ He seemed actually angry at my words, I guess he can then. ‘It’s my ability, of course, I can do something as trivial as that.’

This is trivial? I wonder what it would be like if he went all out.

“[BOOST]”

The [Boosted Gear] appeared again on my arms and legs. DinnerBone round me sent glances to pieces of armour that I had been equipped with but said nothing as he focused their energy into keeping the stray devil down.

“[BOOST]”

‘That should be enough, we may need more later so I limited it to two.’

“[Transfer]”

A flash of light and the smell of burnt meat impacted my nose, the enhanced smell making me cringe back as I took it. Whilst it was an annoyance to me, it must have been hell for the devil. The bellowing cries started to drift in and out as it’s consciousness did the same.

Instantly, the body became deathly still. No more was the screaming that I could feel in my bones or the intense thrashing that had tried to force me off. The body started to slowly return to what it was before it had transformed. As per usual, the body was of a very...busty female. A brunette...not really sure what it was. I’m not too caught up with yokai, to be honest.

‘Ddraig? I think...I think we did it!’ I couldn’t help but let the glee slowly bleed into my words. ‘I can’t believe this worked.’

‘You know, had you had the same amount of control as before you little escapade at the church...

Behind me, I could hear the disappointed sigh that came from Wolf Yokai behind me.

‘You wouldn’t have killed this woman.’

What-No, I couldn’t have killed her. I felt my magic getting too much-Too powerful, I controlled it, I didn’t do anything wrong.

‘You killed her, simple as that.’

I admit I felt a large amount of disappointment from myself, I honestly believed that I would be able to heal this devil. It seemed so easy in my head.

All I had to do was use Ddraig and send his power into her and let the yokai side take over the devil. What I planned was the yokai to use them I had given it to overwhelm the devil side and take it over in a sense.

How could it not work? I had more than enough power and...I don’t know what else could have gone wrong.

All these questions and no answers.