Harbinger of Ruin: Ch.27

“So, does Rias know about this?”, I asked Akeno as we walked up the stairs, who was more than happy to link our arms with a blissful smile while Issei walked up in front of us.

“Oh, definitely. Sirzechs wouldn't do anything without her permission in Kuoh unless he wants to be in her bad books for the next decade,” Akeno spoke with a smirk and I chuckled.

“Oh, then I don't have to be so worried, then.”

“You don't, indeed. Anyway, why do you smell like a Fallen Angel?”

“Are you sure you're not smelling yourself?” I asked, snickering as she raised an eyebrow at me.

“Are you saying that I smell?”

“You said it, not me.”

“Uh-huh, you're lucky you're cute, Mr. Kiba, or else you would be a charred corpse by now,” She said with a huff, though I smirked as she just tightened her grip around my arm.

“I should be glad for my good genes, then.”

“Hey, can we pick up the pace? It makes me sick having to listen to the pretty boy flirt.”

“Jealous much?”, Akeno asked with a smirk and I laughed when both Issei and I nodded in unison.

“Of course, I'm a man dying of thirst watching another man drown.”

“…He is quite poetic when he's angry, isn't he?”, Akeno whispered to me and giggled as I nodded in response while Issei grumbled.

“He is indeed, but he is talking facts. We should get to Michael and see what he has to say to us,” I spoke and she nodded as we began to keep pace with the Pawn, making it to the top of the stairs within a few minutes.

While Issei went and put his bike near the top of the steps, I stared at the rather beautiful shrine in front of us, the blooming flowers on the branches of the trees around it adding this ethereal feeling to it while I could also feel the heavy pressure of holy energy in the air.

'Either that is from the deity that this shrine is dedicated to or Michael is stronger than I was expecting,' Azazel's aura felt more refined and controlled, but this one felt powerful and potent, which I think would fit that of Heaven's ruler.

“He is waiting inside for you two.”

“You're not coming with?”, I asked as Issei began walking, raising an eyebrow as she shook her head with a smile.

“Unfortunately not. I was told to let you two guys talk to Lord Michael on your own.”

“Ah, got it, Well, wish us luck,” I spoke as she smiled, turning and walking to the entrance where Issei was waiting with his arms crossed.

“You could have entered on your own.”

“And meet Heaven's leader on my own? Nope, I'm stupid, but not that stupid,” He spoke with a huff and I smirked as I opened the door, walking in with Issei following after before I raised an eyebrow at the smiling man waiting for us.

He looked like the picture-perfect image of an angel with his long golden blonde hair, sparkling blue eyes and the red formal robe he was wearing with golden shoulder plates and a gold cross on his white alb. On his back, twelve golden-feathered wings were spread out behind him and floating above his head was a radiant golden halo that was emitting the potent holy energy I was feeling.

“Is that like something you just have above your head or is it made out of your holy light?”, I asked the second we walked in, Issei looking just as curious as Michael chuckled at my blunt question.

“The former. It is good to see you are not as formal as what I have heard, Yuuto Kiba.”

“You'll find that unless you wish for me to be formal, I can be casual, Lord Michael,” I answered and he smiled before looking to Issei who stiffened as the angel's gaze shifted to him.

“And you must be Issei Hyoudou, yes? The Red Dragon Emperor.”

“U-Uh, yes. That is I, Issei Hyoudou, Lord Michael,” Issei nodded, glaring at me as I smirked amusedly while Michael chuckled and shook his head.

“You don't have to be so formal with me. Michael is more than enough.”

“Okay, good, because I don't think I can do all that formal talking and stuff,” Issei muttered, making me laugh as Michael smiled amusedly.

“You like to speak your mind. That's good for a Dragon-Type Sacred Gear wielder to have. It shows that you don't care that much for the rules and regulations that other follow.”

“Thanks and yeah, I'm more of a wild guy if anything. Like to live life at my own pace, you know?”

“You want to say that to Sona, then?”, I asked, smirking as Issei froze with the smug smile still on his face before slowly turning to me with a pleading look.

“Don't worry, I won't tell her. Besides, why would I waste precious blackmail material like that?”

“And here I thought you were just a pretty boy, pretty boy,” He said with a huff and I shrugged before the two of us looked to Michael as we saw him looking back at us with a soft smile.

“Irina and Nero had told me that you were one of the most lecherous devils they have met, but I must admit that the young man I've spoken to is quite the opposite.”

“Oh, he's behaving himself. If he wasn't, you'd listening and seeing someone completely different,” I spoke with a shake of my head, Issei rolling his eyes as Michael nodded.

“I supposed I would. Now, I'm sure the both of you are wondering why I called you here to day.”

“I am. Usually, I don't think the leader of Heaven would meet with a Knight and while I think you would want to meet the Red Dragon Emperor, I don't believe it would be without his King at his side.”

“What's that supposed to mean?”

“You have this tendency to insult someone if you don't like their attitude,” I answered with a shrug, to which Saji huffed before I looked back as Michael spoke up.

“What I wish to say is that I wished to both speak to the Red Dragon Emperor and to give you a reward for looking out for my exorcists during their mission.”

“Oh, is it like a monetary award?”, I asked only to be slightly disappointed as Michael shook his head with a smile while holding his hand to the side.

To my surprise and Issei's shock, we watched as a golden sigil formed in his hands before a European-styled sword with a reddish-purple grip and a golden hilt at the edges of the guard. The guard itself was styled like four golden dragon claws sticking upwards towards the blade.

“This is Ascalon, one of the few Holy Swords that the Vatican had in its possession. It was used by the great Saint George when he fought and killed a dragon. Now, since it was shown that the Red Dragon is still far weaker than the White Dragon, we leaders of the Three Factions found it necessary to hand this to the greatest swordsman currently in Kuoh Town so that you may help him.”

“And you want to give that…to me?”, I asked, wanting to make sure as Michael nodded with a smile while floating the blade towards me.

“We do. Since you are a devil, we first have to do a few ceremonies in order to insure that the holy energy of it did not hurt you, but with your track record, we believe you should be able to wield it in time especially with your new holy demonic blade.”

“You're okay with just giving a devil a Holy Sword like that?”, Issei sounding a bit confused and I didn't blame him as I stared at the blade floating in front of me.

“It is a bit unorthodox, yes, but times are changing and so must we. Ascalon's purpose is to serve as a slayer of evil and we believe that evil does not always wear the skin of a devil or the wings of an angel.”

“Also, I don't think my blades would be strong enough to face off against a guy with one of the strongest Longinus gears,” I spoke up, to which Michael nodded before I reached out and wrapped my fingers around Ascalon's hilt.

The holy energy from it felt a lot more foreign than I was expecting as I felt the crystal activating, my own unique holy energy synchronising with it before I smirked as I turned the blade and swung it slowly.

“Huh, it's a pretty light blade.”

“Indeed it is. Now, are you willing to accept it as yours?”, He asked and I snorted as I created a Gremory magic circle and slowly inserted the sword into the same pocket dimension that I had Arondight in.

“Most definitely, though I'm not exactly the 'holy knight' material this sword was meant for.”

“The sword chooses its wielder as much as its wielder chooses it. Respect it and it will protect not only your allies but also your pride,” He spoke and I nodded with a smile before Issei blinked as I patted his shoulder.

“I'll leave you two to talk alone. Remember, keep it cool.”

“Oh please, I can be cool,” He spoke with a huff, grumbling as I just raised an eyebrow before giving a final bow to Michael, walking back out the entrance door and closing it behind me.

“So, you're leaving Issei all alone in there? How cruel of you,” Akeno spoke with a mischievous smile and I rolled my eyes as I walked over and sat beside her on the front porch, letting out a soft sigh before raising an eyebrow as she scooted closer.

“Taking as much advantage as you can, aren't you?”, I spoke and she nodded unashamedly as she pulled my head down and let me rest on her thighs.

“I'm taking every opportunity I can get before Rias comes and ruins everything.”

“I expected that, to be honest. You were always the type to take advantage you could get,” I answered with a shrug as I made myself comfortable, humming with a peaceful smile as she softly ran her fingers to my hair.

“You girls really love playing with my hair.”

“it's the only time we see you being as peaceful as this.”

“That's not true.”

“Name other times.”

“When we're lying in bed counts as one. The others are when I'm just busy with my homework.”

“You mean the homework that you finish in five minutes?”, She asked with a raised eyebrow before nodding as I just smirked.

“But of course.”

“Sure and besides, we are automatically passed at the end of the year thanks to us being Rias' peerage so there's no need for us to even try.”

“Uh-huh, but unlike the lazy women in my life, I like getting my reward through my own hard work.”

“Are you saying we can't?”

“Hey, the last time you and Rias studied for a test was when Lady Gremory gave you one before you two came up to the Human World,” I spoke, smirking as she just huffed before I looked as the door opened and Issei walked out.

“Hey, how did it go?”

“It…went great, I guess? I don't know, the guy spoke some cryptic stuff, said I should start taking my training seriously if I wish to stop that White Dragon guy from doing anything and that I shouldn't tell you guys what we spoke about, but I'm confused as shit. What am I suppose to figure out when someone says that 'The world is watching your growth so be sure to set an example'?”

“Get strong to show everyone that tries to fight you that it's not a good idea for them at all,” I said with a smirk, shrugging as both Issei and Akeno looked at me.

“How did you…?”

“You forgot that I used to grow up with Okita. The man loves being cryptic for no reason other than causing me headache after headache,” I spoke to Akeno, who hummed in agreement while Issei scratched the back of his head.

“So, it's just him saying that I should up my training?”

“Pretty much, yeah, and since I'm no longer allowed to train you because Sona's mad at me for making you two train with me and learning all your strengths and weaknesses, that means you're left to her mercy.”

“That's…fun,” He mumbled and I couldn't help my laughter at his miserable tone while Akeno had a mixture of sadism and amusement in her eyes.

However, I blinked as a Gremory crest formed in front of the shrine, Rias forming from it with a frown on her face as Akeno rested a hand on my chest with a smile while Issei shuffled off to the side.

“I see you couldn't wait to get your hands on him.”

“Why not? You're not here to stop me.”

“And I see you are very comfortable there.”

“In all honesty, you know how sensitive my scalp is and she targeted it,” I answered, smirking as she just walked closer with a huff before smiling to Issei.

“You're okay, Issei.”

“Oh, thank the Satans. Well, if that's the case, I'm out. Good luck, pretty boy.”

“You don't mean that, do you?”

“Not in the slightest!”, He shouted from where he was picking up his bike and jogging down the steps, making me shake my head before I blinked as I found myself being lifted up and my head pulled onto another lap.

“You are one jealous woman, you know that?”, Akeno said with a giggle even as she picked me back up and I just sat there with a bored look as I got pulled back and forth.

“I am. Now, let go.”

“No, you let go.”

“Ladies, I got a better idea. How about we share the Kiba and don't rip his arms off, eh? How does that sound?”, I asked and watched as the two looked at each other before I found myself being pushed onto my back as both rested their head on an arm.

“You're right. This is much better,” Rias spoke and I just looked up at the porch ceiling with a sigh.

“…This would have been a better idea where we could see the sky, wouldn't it?”

“Yeah./ Without a doubt,” Akeno and Rias said respectively and I chuckled before pulling them both closer with a sigh.

“So, did everything go well with Michael?”

“Yep, everything went good. He just gave me Ascalon and said that he along with Sirzechs and Azazel wanted me to use it to help Issei against that Vali guy. Also, speaking of Azazel, the contract I had earlier was for him actually.”

“Wait one second. Firstly, you got Ascalon? As in the Holy Sword that the Dragonslayer Saint George used?”, Rias asked with a surprised look and I nodded with a smirk.

“That's the exact blade, yes.”

“Okay. Second thing…Azazel is where?!”, She exclaimed and I winced before noticing Akeno's frown.

“Don't worry, I didn't tell him or give him anything. He just wanted to see what my Holy-Demonic blades looked like.”

“Your…what?”

“Ah, right. You guys don't know. I can make holy-demonic blades now thanks to my Balance Breaker that's not actually my Balance Breaker. I just call it that,” I said with a shrug and both girls looked at each other before they turned to me.

“Start talking from the beginning.”

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“Well, this is a predicament,” I murmured as I stood in the training basement #1 underneath the Gremory Manor, everyone else sleeping peacefully as I had told Rias and Akeno that I wanted to get some training in before I went to sleep.

Mostly, I just wanted to test out both Ascalon and Arondight, both to see how cool it would be to wield the Holy Sword and Demonic Blade in unison but also to see how I could combine both blades with Sword Birth.

However, it was as I pulled out both blades that I came across a predicament.

Said predicament being the Holy Sword Ascalon that was exuding the same holy flames that Arondight had while Arondight itself had zero holy energy inside of itself.

“…Okay, this is weird. Why are the flames on you when they should be on you?”, I muttered as I lifted both blades, holding them in a light grip before slowly spinning them around my body.

To be truthful, both were extremely lighter than any of my demonic blades and they were a lot sharper too considering I barely felt any air resistance as I swung Ascalon forward with a left diagonal slash, stopping halfway before bringing it back up and stabbing forward with Arondight.

“What are you doing?”, I blinked as I heard a voice speaking from the elevator, looking over to see Xenovia walking in, dressed in a pair of blue shorts, a white shirt and Durandal over her shoulder.

“Why do you have Durandal out?”

“I was going to train with it.”

“And did you remember that your blade can create destructive shockwaves?”, I asked, smirking as she blinked before slowly putting the blade back into its pocket dimension with a sheepish smile.

“That may have slipped my mind.”

“Here,” I said as I put both Ascalon and Arondight away, creating a holy-demonic zweihander before tossing it to her as I created my own broadsword.

“The edges are blunted, but it still hurts to get hit with one.”

“You wish to spar?”, She asked as she tossed the sword from hand to hand like it was the weight of a feather and I nodded as I spun my blade before settling for a simple stance with the tip pointed towards her.

“Why not?”, I said and she didn't respond as her eyes looked me over before she lunged forward. Her first strike came in fast as a diagonal slash for my right shoulder and I met it halfway.

The force of it rattled up my arms as I turned my blade downwards, letting the zweihander slide to the side with a parry before I kicked at her side. As she went to block it with the flat side of her blade, I stopped the feint and slashed at her free side, lowering my leg with a smirk as she winced while frowning.

“You do not fight fair.”

“I'm a devil, remember?”, I spoke with a smirk, which she returned with a small smirk of her own before we rushed back at each other.

The next few minutes were filled with silence as the two of us decided to speak through our swords instead, the sound of metal against metal clanging in the air while my gaze were focused as I studied her form.

Unlike Okita's quick and precise style, Xenovia was more for brutal and overpowering sweeps to finish the fight in one blow and with how easily she was swinging the blade, I could understand how she got Durandal.

It was at the end of our duel that I feinted a stab at her leg, making her step back before I stopped and swung towards her neck.

“Point,” I spoke as I held the blade against her throat, but she smirked as she rested the sword at my waist.

“You can be far faster than that, can't you?”

“I can, but doing so may make having blunt blades kind of useless. Want to go again?”, I asked as I stepped back, Xenovia doing the same before we held the upper flat sides of our blades against each other.

“Ready…begin!”, I grunted as she immediately swatted my blade to the side, quickly bringing it back and holding it above my head as she swung down.

“You know, I was! Looking earlier and Arondight appeared to have given! All of its holy energy to Ascalon!”

“That's impossible! Holy energy is precise…and territorial!”, She grunted as I pushed her back, catching herself quickly before I leapt over her wide swing with a corkscrew.

“That's what I was thinking, but it looks as if Arondight had given its energy to Ascalon willingly!”, I gritted my teeth as I blocked and parried her attack, the force of it sending me skidding back as she looked at me before shaking her head.

“That is not normal. You need to test it by summoning one at a time instead of both.”

“What, worried I'm going to blow up?”

“No, I'm worried you're going to let that conniving mind of yours make up something new,” She said with a deadpan stare and I laughed as I dismissed our blades.

“Hey, I'm the versatile one of the group. Of course, I need to make these new and improved ways to ruin the days of our enemies.”

“…You're lucky Rias like you,” She said with a reluctant smile and I smirked as I shrugged.
“And you don't?”, I teased, watching as she looked at me before I grinned as she smirked and walked away.

“I'm still deciding.”

'…Man, if this was in the old world, I would be the biggest womanizer than I knew.'

A/N: I know I said that I was going to make Lord Gremory this chapter, but I've decided to have this chapter be about the peerage before I do the Parent-Teacher Conference next chapter and leading into the actual Conference arc.

Also, yes, Ascalon and Arondight for Kiba because I've decided that I want him to collect every blade that he can like Gilgamesh. Gotta catch them all~! That and I wanted to start the relationship with Xenovia while also having him start to deal with harem troubles.

Anyway, next chapter: Father-in-Law and three girls talking? That's not my problem.

As always, read, enjoy, review and until the next one…

Ba-Bye~!!