DxD: Celeste 20

DxD: Celeste 20

…

Commissioned by Chaosbrain           

Wordcount: 3000

…

Azazel gave me the briefing, while we walked towards my dropship.

“It’s Asia Argento. Female in this universe and with Twilight Healing. No signs of her being a host to a whole pantheon of divinity regarding the divine… but she was just excommunicated for healing a Devil.”

“Remind me to make contact with them once I have enough power to hold my own.” The Church and Heaven would change drastically once I stepped in. It’d send alarm bells throughout the world, so I abstained. Instead, I worked with Azazel to stay in the shadows and get things done, as well as facilitated efforts to stabilize relations with Hell. Overall, my goal was to get all Three Factions on decent terms with one another. Since the Church and Heaven needed the most work, since in universe they lost the Great War instead of the Devils, I wouldn’t be able to remain discrete once I started helping them out. “Let me guess, though. It’s some sort of plot to acquire Argento’s power and blame it on Devils.”

“Exactly. Some Fallen under one of my generals were in the region. Kokabiel’s people. Do you know him?” Azazel asked, as the hatch to my transport opened up, and we boarded it. Homunculi filtered in after us and the hatch closed and we ascended after the stealth systems came online. We were off to intercept. “He do anything crazy in your universe?”

“I don’t recall, but you purged your ranks and the Grigori were a lot smaller back in my world. Here you have enough people that you didn’t think of making Homunculi.” The shuttle was about the size of normal shuttle craft and capable of carrying a shipping container in its hold. It was just the right size to deploy a rifle team with some light drone support or a single armored vehicle. Though I could’ve made something of my own design, the shuttle was meant to be a workhorse and it did its job well, so I hadn’t needed to make anything on my own. “Kokabiel could’ve died in the war, or been killed in a purge, or just died somewhere without being known.”

Azazel frowned and nodded, while we went off into the hold of the Vimana in high altitude.

Once we got into the craft, I spoke.

“Clara, please search for all flights leaving Vatican City. Also, access surveillance systems in the city to trace Asia Argento and give me a layout of her movements.” Back in my world, a drone would’ve come up to me and projected the information. Or, it would’ve been sent to my Communicator and I’d see it just as well in a smart lens. Here, I had to walk towards a meeting room and get to a war table. I really needed to mass produce and manufacture a whole lot of tech and industry that I took for granted. Making a giant ship with big guns just took precedence. “Overlay. Timestamps. Financials, if you can find any.”

“Clara?” Azazel asked with a frown. “An AI?”

“No, just a very clever assistant with a lot of computational power and very, very good programing. I’ll need a Homunculus core to make a real AI. I’ll elevate Clara once I’ve got one.” The skeleton and the brain were there, but the Homunculus core was necessary for the soul portion. I could make my own, but I’ve been abstaining from that for a long time given my track record. Using an existing technology to create a soul? Sure. Making it myself from scratch like I did with Lucifer and everyone else? No. “If Clara had a soul, it’d have this all ready now… and would be complaining about having such a slow chassis.”

“How large do you intend the computational unit to be?”

“At least the size of a warehouse, and with connection to the internet, so that we don’t bore her to death and the right to make her own programs and entertain itself.” Azazel’s eyes were large. I guess that he understood now. These weren’t just artificial people. They were artificial gods. Humanity used them to govern arcologies, lead armies, and create what they desired with access to fabricators. “Yep. Back home, humans made it all on their own. Granted, there was interdimensional invasion ongoing and a constant shadow war between literally everyone to galvanize them.”

Humanity here didn’t have the same supernatural organizations protecting it, but there weren’t as many horrible things happening to warrant their existence either.

The map came up just as I finished talking.

And, with great luck, we found her flight.

“Looks like she’s headed for Japan… to Kuoh?” Was it some sort of pseudo-quantum fuckery that was sending Argento straight towards Issei? The two were as sweet as can be. In fact, Argento was right at home with the Tuzi-style harem and large family that Issei ended up having. Maybe, this was the multi-verses’ way of saying that the two just always end up with each other? If I tell Argento this, I’m sure there’ll be another kid on the way pretty soon. But that’s enough levity. “We’re going over there now and investigating. The Fallen under Kokabiel or whoever are probably waiting there already.”

“Send the target far from home, beyond any ally willing to break convention, and then abduct them out of sight before anyone starts thinking instead of feeling. Standard Grigori tactic.” Azazel had a frown on his face. He didn’t like his ideas being co-opted like this. “I think we should just smash the trap apart. Don’t let it get sprung by the girl in the first place. I don’t care if it causes Kokabiel to shut up and shut down and wait a few centuries.”

“Or, we can just beat him up regardless. That’s the whole reason why I built this thing, remember?” Azazel blinked as I tapped on a nearby wall. His eyes widened.

That’s right.
This is a warship.

…

Interlude: Issei

…

My new phone rang and Celeste-sensei’s voice reached out.

“Ise, going to need you to go to Kuoh airport. Someone got caught up in a bad scheme that might lead to war.”

I shot out of bed.

“Eh!? War!?”

“Yeah, sorry. That’s why I’ve been so busy. Keeping track of things and making sure everything’s alright.” There was a little hint of irritation in her voice. She seemed just a little angry, but more than anything her determination was clear. It was a little scary, but I nodded and started getting dressed. “Bring along… hmm… what’s their names again?”

“Jeanne and Le Fay, Celeste-sensei. They’ve been training hard, too.”

“I bet that’s not the only thing they’re doing.”

“Sensei!”

“Yeah, yeah. If you can trust them, let them have their sealed weapons back and undo their restrictions. You remember the codes, right?” I nodded, before saying yes across the phone. I went to my computer… and opened up the side of the desktop to access the little slip of paper with Velcro inside. Celeste-sensei told me that it was the best way to keep secrets. I moved it every month. “Alright, you’re probably going to encounter some High-class opponents. If your life is in danger, I want you to value your life over theirs. But, if you can beat them and capture them, do that instead. Understood?”

My blood went cold and my silence spoke for me.

“…Ise-kun, the people being sent to abduct the girl, Asia Argento, intend to rip her soul apart for her Sacred Gear and kill her in the process. They’re people who see humans as creatures to be exploited.” Celeste-sensei’s voice was cold, but I could hear her concern for me. I knew that she didn’t like telling me all of this. That she wanted me to not have to take lives. That made everything just a little better. “Alright, if you can’t capture them or defeat them without killing them, take Asia and run away to one of my safehouses. I’ll be there within an hour.”

“Hai, sensei. Don’t worry, I’ll run away if I have to actually kill.”

“Hmph, you know what? I like the sound of that. Keep yourself safe, Ise-kun.” There was pride in me in her words, and I felt something strange in my chest. It was between not wanting to let her down and wanting to be praised, but more… serious. Conviction to make her proud of me? That sounded right, if not completely correct. “Stay safe, and see you in an hour.”

With that, Sensei closed the line, and I grabbed the codes to speak to Le Fay and Jeanne.

A part of me trusted them, but in the back of my mind I wondered if they were willing to help me and risk their lives in the process.

…

“Three Fallen? Just regular Fallen? Yeah, we can capture them.” Jeanne shrugged. She whistled and shrugged, still watching television from the sofa.  “Without our weapons, either.”

“If they’re just regular Fallen Angels, Ise-kun, there’s really no need to remove our restrictions and return our equipment. Celeste-san is just being too cautious.” Le Fay stated with a frown. She seemed affronted at the thought that she’d need to be released and equipped to handle the coming threat. She carefully turned off the stove. “I’ll start working on getting a summoning circle to the airport. I’ll have it ready in a few minutes. Get dressed, Jeanne-san!”

“Yeah, yeah. Ise-kun, I’m borrowing one of your tracksuits!” She got up and moved to leave, but noticed the surprise on my face. She chuckled and reached up to tussle my hair. I’ve grown quite a bit since Celeste-sensei started training me and gave me the improvements that I agreed to. “It’ll barely be an inconvenience. Unless they’ve got a fallen Archangel with them, we’ll be able to capture them and save this Asia no problem.”

I blinked and followed her up the stairs.

“Wow, you’re really thinking hard about this, huh? You’re not staring at me at all.”

“Oh, sorry. I’m just… worried that we’re being too confident. This sort of thing can get us hurt or killed, too.” Jeanne nodded at my words. Surprisingly, she seemed to understand my concerns. We reached my room, and with practiced ease, she took one of my fresh tracksuits and swaddled herself up in them. She also got a hat and a pair of sunglasses from my closet. She almost looked like a stalker, or someone going incognito. “I think we should bring everything just in case and get rid of your restrictions.”

“What? Are you confident you can beat us both up?” Jeanne said it jokingly, but there was also an edge to her voice. She felt like I’d challenged her and thought I could beat her and Le Fay. “Won’t it be safer to keep us disarmed?”

I knew how to answer.

“Jeanne-san, I trust you and Le Fay-chan.” My words made her face go red instantly all the way to her ears. I matched her gaze, as she did her best to not look away. I took hold of her shoulders. “You’ve told me that I’ve got good instincts whenever we fight. Well, they’re telling me that I can trust you. Is it wrong?”

“I… Hm… that’s cheating. I was going to get angry about you thinking you can beat me and Le Fay!” Jeanne stomped her foot, her face red, while her blonde hair fluttered behind her just a bit as she placed the cap on her head and tried to hide her face behind the lid and her hand grasping it. “…you’re not wrong, though. I wouldn’t hurt you and I wouldn’t leave either. I like it here and… it’s better than what I used to do.”

I didn’t hesitate and gave Jeanne a hug.

“Thank you. I really appreciate hearing that. And, when we meet Celeste-sensei, I’m telling her that we can trust the two of you.”

“I-idiot, what if you’re being tricked!?”

“You haven’t lied to me. Not once. Ever.”

“!!!” Jeanne’s eyes were a bit watery as she looked at me, while her lips were desperately trying to resist a smile. The noise she made was different from anything I’d ever heard before, but it was nice to hear as she launched herself at me and hugged me. For a few seconds, we stayed that way, until she pushed me off. “Later. We have a fellow Sacred Gear user to save.”

My brain froze as she walked out of my room.

Later!?

What did she mean by later?!

Somehow, you’re capable of realizing how people feel and tell if they’re lying or not, but communication eludes you. It’s almost impressive.

Ddraig, don’t just muse! Help me!

Sorry, playing a ranked match. Talk to you later.

Ddraig!

…

I’ve been to the airport before, as a kid, and the last time I recalled that it was like a big bus terminal with walkways for planes. There were a few restaurants and some chairs and restrooms, but besides that there wasn’t much else.

However, even with Kuoh being a small city, it had people.

There was no one here today.

“I detect magic in the air. A ward against people entering… the Fallen doing this are idiots.” Le Fay grumbled and groused. I looked at her as we left the circle we teleported through. She whispered some words with her staff, while wearing her cloak and hat over her uniform. In a few moments, something flowed over the three of us. She glared upward. “They don’t even have a detection web. They only warded it and left!”

“Well, we’re overprepared, but it’s better to be such than not.” Jeanne had some light armor over her chest and shoulders, along with some pieces on her arms and legs. She had a rapier sheathed at her side. The rest of her outfit was just a purple colored dress uniform, which she told me was enchanted and protective as well. “Can you locate them?”

Le Fay nodded and gestured between the three of us. Four signals came alive in a perfect see-through simulacrum of the airport with us at the center.

“They’re covering the exists from above while one is inside stalking through the place. Guess they’re just watching the outside. Might not be as stupid as we thought.” Jeanne muttered with her chin between her forefinger and thumb. She looked at me after a moment, while I looked at the map. “You want to take the lead, or should I, Ise-kun?

I shook my head.

“I don’t have any experience with leading. I can fight, but that’s about it.”

“Got it. I’ll take the lead, then. Le Fay, start setting up bindings. Make them strong and ones that last at least two hours.”

“Got it.”

“Ise-kun, you’re with me. We’ll take them out as a team.” Jeanne had a fierce smile on her face, as she drew her rapier and her free hand manifested a dagger. “You go high, I’ll go low. Just hit them hard and keep hitting them.”

Mhmm, classic human tactic. Outnumber the opponent and beat them up together. I approve.

I thought you were playing?

Lobby’s filling up.

Ah.

We walked and I followed after Jeanne towards our target.

It was a bearded man with a hat and a large coat reading a newspaper. If not for the fact could detect magic coming off of him, I’d have thought him a normal, old man—

“Now!”

Now!?

 Jeanne launched herself forward and I followed half a step behind. Power surged from her and she was like a rocket and I followed in synch, trying to keep up. What I had in raw power, she made up in skill and speed and prediction. She perfectly lined herself up so that the Fallen was right where she wanted him. She slid between his legs, and just as his wings unfurled, she cut through the back of his calves with her rapier’s tip and pinned his foot to the ground with the dagger.

The Fallen cried out in pain, just for his eyes to widen as I reached ‘infighting’ distance.

Celeste-sensei told me that I learned Tuzi techniques as my other self, which was apparently a martial art dedicated to killing gods.

Unfortunately, as cool as that was, she didn’t know it.

She did know, however, that I was good at fighting with martial arts, so she threw as many of them at me until one stuck, while teaching me how to hit and control my strength.

I struck the Fallen in the stomach first, to prevent him from chanting anything. It was like hitting stone rather than flesh. However, with my fist covered in my Sacred Gear, I did just fine. His wide-open arms surged forward to try and rip me apart, but I was faster and shook his brain with a clap-like strike with his head in the middle. Still, I ducked beneath his now-frantic lunge, and put four straight punches after another into where his liver should be, until he yelled out in fury and tried to tear me apart with his wings.

Fallen and Angels alike had wings with sharpened feathers that they could use to tear apart knights in armor.

Jeane, however, was waiting for the exact moment he wasn’t covering himself with those appendages any longer and with her Sacred Gear sliced through both of them.

The Fallen barely had a moment to cry out in pain when a magical circle came to being right beneath him and I took a step back as he was placed in stasis by Le Fay-chan.

I was ready for the other three to come our way, to come in through the windows and attack us while in-flight… but they never came and stayed where they were on the map.

A frown formed on my lips, even though I didn’t know why, until Jeanne put a hand on my shoulder with a smirk on her face.

“Yeah, that’s how it feels to be disappointed in a fight.”

Huh?

Did I really feel disappointed that the fight didn’t last longer?

The thrill of combat isn’t just a saying, kid.