The time to visit the Gremory household quickly came, Akeno and Ryu got dressed up and made themselves look presentable, Ryu dressed in an all black outfit.
Black pants, black button-up shirt, he left out the coat because it would feel a bit too formal, plus it was hot outside. (The same fit he wears in the manhwa, I'll upload a picture i guess.)
Meanwhile Akeno wore a purple dress and a grey top.
Both of them looked great, their attractiveness's and features were definitely on the same level as fashion models.
"So? How is it?" Akeno asked him with a smile.
"You look beautiful in anything you wear, this is no exception." Ryu responded with a smile.
"You sure know how to make a lady's heart race~"
"I'm being honest though, in my eyes you're the most beautiful lady I've seen." Ryu said with a smile, wrapping his arms around Akeno, who buried her head in his chest.
Akeno blushed a bright red, turned around and covered her face. Though she had the largest smile possible on it.
"I'm glad."
"I believe it's time to leave for the Gremory mansion."
"Don't be too nervous, they're good people."
"I learned my lesson not to judge a person before actually talking to them from Sirzechs, I think I'll be okay."
"Alright, off we go."
The two of them disappeared in a red light
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Ryu blinked once, and in front of him now stood a massive, and I mean a MASSIVE mansion. Heck calling it a mansion is an understatement.
"… I'm gonna need a map." Ryu muttered to himself.
"Come on, I think we're the last ones to arrive. We don't wanna keep them waiting longer do we?" Akeno said and grabbed Ryu's arm and led him towards the door.
They didn't have to knock because as soon as they got close to the door, a brown-haired maid opened it
"Welcome Lady Akeno, Sir Ryu. Lord Gremory, Lady Gremory have been waiting to see you." The maid bowed and led them inside.
Ryu glanced around the house as they walked, the building was well decorated and it was much more beautiful inside.
Akeno squeezed his arm to grab his attention and shook her head, signaling that he was being rude.
He smiled sheepishly in response. They walked for a minute before making their way into what Ryu assumed to be something like a massive living room.
"Akeno and Ryu have arrived." The maid spoke as soon as they entered, and suddenly all the attention was on them.
Seated at the table, there were Rias and other friends, but at the head of the table sat a green-eyed, red-haired man with a beard that was red as well and next to him a brown-haired lady, with purple eyes.
Though, for some reason Issei had his sacred gear on, and the gem was growing green.
Before Ryu could think further about that, the adults got up and approached to greet them.
"Hello Akeno, how have you been?" The lady questioned and brought Akeno into a hug.
"I've been well, Lady Venelana."
"I see, that's great. I believe this handsome gentleman is your boyfriend?" She glanced over at Ryu.
"N-No! H-He's not." Akeno responded with a blush
"True, I'm her Hubby." Ryu said with a smirk.
"Oh my! When'd you manage that?" Venelana smiled brightly looking at Akeno.
"He's joking! It's an inside joke between us." Akeno waved her hands frantically, trying to explain it.
"Hello, Mrs.Gremory, my name is Ogami Ryu, it's a pleasure to meet you." He stiffly bowed.
The man next to him chuckled.
"Relax a bit young man, you're a tad too stiff. I'm Zeoticus Gremory, the head of the Gremory clan." He introduced himself and reached for a handshake.
Ryu shook his hand.
"My apologies, as embarrassing as it might be, I struggle with manners and etiquette, so I'll apologize in advance in case I offend you."
The lady chuckled at his words and Lord Gremory just laughed.
"You're exactly like Sirzechs described you. Don't worry, you're fine."
Venelana observed the young man a bit more, despite his apparent nervousness, his body language suggested that he was calm.
"How intriguing, what an interesting friend you have, Akeno." She thought glancing at Akeno who turned away with a blush, avoiding her gaze.
"I like your honesty young man, It's rare to see youngsters who openly admit to their faults. Out of curiosity… why do you say that you struggle with manners?"
"Ah, it's because I wasn't taught about the... manners when talking to actual nobles, and right now I'm trying to imitate what I saw on the TV." Ryu freely admitted his faults.
Zeoticus chuckled and nodded in understanding, before smiling once more. "You're still a child despite your appearance, that's refreshing. You're a friend of my Rias, and her peerage so stop worrying about such things and let's go sit down, we want to get to know you better."
They took their seats, Ryu and Akeno were seated in front of Rias and Issei.
"Hey, Ryu how're you liking our house so far?" Rias questioned.
Venelana's ears perked a bit at her question.
"It's beautiful and… a bit overwhelming I guess."
"You'll get used to it, every noble devil clan owns such houses."
Suddenly, a rather deep voice spoke, right from Issei's hand.
"An interesting man you are." It said.
Ryu's and Akeno's eyes widened a bit, and the looked at Issei for explanations.
"Oh, I guess you still don't know, meet my partner and spirit of Boosted Gear, The Red Dragon Emperor, Ddraig."
"…I see, Nice to meet you… I guess?" Ryu said, still processing the information.
"Ryu, I don't like to beat around the bush, nor speak in riddles, so I'll ask you. Do you know what you are?"
"I'm afraid I don't understand what you're asking me."
"I guess you don't know then. Young man, it appears you have the blood of a dragon inside you. Specifically, a Red Dragon's blood, so in a way, you're my kin." Ddraig dropped the bomb on everyone.
The adults were shocked, the others were too but, Rias and Akeno slightly less.
"That… explains a lot." Rias spoke.
"It certainly does explain his strength, and immunity to fire." Akeno remarked.
"T-Then, that's why… Riser couldn't burn his hand, right?" Asia asked.
"Indeed, a red dragon is immune to flames, unless the flame belongs to another dragon, or a much stronger being." Ddraig explained.
Ryu brought a hand to his face, "You can't just…" he sighed and leaned back into his chair.
"That's… surprising I guess."
"But, the more interesting part is that, your blood hasn't awakened yet."
"What do you mean by that?" This time it was Koneko who asked.
"He may have a Red Dragon's blood, but he isn't using it, it's in a 'dormant' state despite that, he's still this strong. As you all know, Ryu has broken his limits. 'Threshold' he calls it, and what's so interesting is that he breaks his limits in a certain aspect, like Strength, and then another aspect."
"Yes, exactly as you said, but what does that have to do with my 'Blood'?" Ryu questioned.
"Everything, supernatural beings such as devils, angels, dragons have no limits they can grow continuously but that growth slows down, after they reach a certain level and that level is obviously determined by one's innate talent. Humans have biological limits, without the use of Magic, Senjutsu or other sources, they simply can't grow just with their body alone, but there are cases where humans break their limits. Unlike you, they don't break the limit of a specific attribute like Strength, Speed or anything like that, they simply 'surpass' it all at once."
Ddraig stopped, letting them digest this knowledge before he continued.
"What I'm saying, is that the limits you've broken so far, were the limits of 'man', and that's good. When you awaken your blood, your strength will soar to a whole different realm. I'm eager to see… what kind of a dragon you'll be, and when that day comes, I hope you'll grant me the privilege of giving you… a name, a name fit for a dragon."
Ryu gulped, now completely overwhelmed by this information, and the expectations The Red Dragon Emperor had for him.
"A-Alright, I'll try my b-best, to meet your expectations."
After hearing Ryu's words, the gauntlet on Issei's arm disappeared.
Ryu released a breath he didn't know that he was holding.
"Well… that was quite a surprise." Zeoticus noted.
"Surprise is an understatement." Rias responded.
"How do you feel? I imagine… that isn't easy to digest." Akeno voiced her worry.
"I'm fine, it was just…" he didn't finish, a laugh escaped him.
"He just dropped that information so casually, it caught me completely off guard." Ryu rubbed the back of his head.
"...That brings us, to another discussion that I've been putting off for a while. Who exactly are you, Ryu? We know next to nothing about you, so everyone is quite curious." Rias spoke.
"Ah... this is the part where you want me to explain everything right?" Ryu asked, with a smile.
"It's downright rude, but we're friends right? You've gained our trust over time, since we were still suspicious of you when you said that you had contact with Grigori."
"Oh, I remember Sirzechs mentioning Azazel's nephew coming to Kuoh." Zeoticus chimed in.
"You knew?" Rias turned towards him sharply.
"Sure did." Zeoticus shrugged.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Rias wanted to know.
"Sirzechs told me not to." Zeoticus threw the blame on his son without batting an eye.
A True Devil.
"..." Rias was silent.
Ryu was also surprised, he didn't know that Azazel and his father informed the Satans about him, but when he thought about it he felt stupid.
Azazel would risk a conflict if he didn't inform the Satans about Ryu being in Kuoh since The Lucifer's sister, and The Leviathan's sister were there.
"Well, Rias if you must know..." Ryu shrugged.
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BACKSTORY TIME!!!!!
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"NGH!" A black-haired boy was thrown onto the ground, he wore a simple gray shirt and black pants, he was about 8 years old.
He panted, trying to regain his breath which he did, then he stood up. clutching his stomach where he was hit.
"Again, Wolf." A voice commanded, and the boy now known as Wolf rushed towards him with a roar, raising his fist and swinging it towards the other party.
His punch was blocked, by a large hand. then he was lifted up and smashed into the ground rather forcefully.
The person had a stern look on his face, he was bald, a scar ran down his eye.
He wore priests robes and had a golden cross around his neck.
"Good, you've fought better than yesterday, your get to live. Rejoice." The man spoke, turning around and leaving through a door.
"Ouch, ouch... that fucking hurts." Wolf cursed and struggled to get up.
"I swear... I'll rip that bastard in pieces..." He muttered and dragged his aching body up.
He then left the room as well.
He was in a prison of sorts, there was dozens of empty cells, and some cells with kids the same age as him.
There were tables, for eating food, and showers as well.
Wolf dragged himself into the shower and washed away the sweat and fatigue.
His back was covered in scars.
This place was cruel, the adults would come and force the kids to fight, to train if they showed signs of improvements, they got to live. If not... they died, as simple as that.
Wolf arrived at his cell and obediently walked in, disobedience resulted in lashing.
"Hey, Wolf." His cellmate greeted him.
It was a boy with long hair,
"Hey, Wyrm."
"You alive?"
"Yeah."
"Cool."
"Yes."
The two didn't say much, both very tired. Ryu climbed into his bunk bed, and closed his eyes to sleep and rest before he was forced to train again.
"Hey, Wolf do you think there's a chance for us? Chance at freedom?" Wyrm asked.
"Do you want an honest answer?" Wolf asked.
"...Yes."
"Unless some miracle happens, these fuckers won't let us go at all." Wolf answered.
"...We'll survive."
"...Yeah, we will."
Time went by, the days turned into months, months into years.
Wolf was 10 years old.
He was fighting against that priest once more, Wolf tried everything he possibly could, biting, scratching, throwing dust in his ears, targeting the scrotum.
He was unsuccessful.
"...Still nothing?" The man muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing. He then scratched his bald head and turned around.
Wolf was left lying on the ground, beaten and bruised once more.
Then... all of a sudden, tears started streaming down his face.
"FUCK!" He smashed his fist into the ground, "FUCK!" again, "FUCK!!!!" and again, until his fingers were broken.
"No matter... what I do... no matter how hard I try... I can't... I just can't beat this bald cunt..." He cried because his efforts were in vain, not because of the pain.
He went back to the cell again, Wyrm was already there laying on the top bunk.
"Rough day?" Wyrm asked.
"...Yeah." Wolf muttered, laying down on his bed as well.
The next day arrived.
Wolf and Wyrm were woken up by the bell, the cell doors opened by themselves.
Wolf and Wyrm got up quickly and went into the hall, where other children of similar age were standing as well.
Wolf and Wyrm stood with them, they didn't know the rest of the kids because it wasn't necessary for them to know.
The same bald man, was standing there.
"Today, we'll be doing something a bit different." The man said, paused for a second before a twisted and cruel smile spread across his face.
"You've all been deemed... worthless, therefore! Instead of just slaughtering you useless sacks of meat... you'll fight each other to the death, and the person who survives will be granted freedom. Isn't that nice?!" The man spoke before laughing like a maniac.
The children were used to such things, instead of despair they were filled with hope.
"This fucker..." Wolf muttered to himself and narrowed his eyes.
"Now, BEGIN!" He screamed, and just as his voice fell.
A fist landed on Wolf's cheek, from the right.
It was Wyrm.
Wolf's face snapped to the left, before he jumped a few steps back bumping into another kid.
Wolf swiftly turned around and buried his fist into the kid he bumped into, then with a punch he crushed the kid's windpipe, leaving him to choke.
Wolf felt sick to his stomach, but he didn't want to die just yet.
He turned his eyes back to Wyrm who stood there and was looking at him.
"It was nice knowing you, Wolf." Wyrm spoke, sadness in his voice.
"No hard feelings, right Wyrm?" Wolf asked.
The other kids were too busy fighting each other, so the two were left to their own.
Wyrm nodded and they charged at each other.
Wolf's fingers were broken, so he begun to utilize his elbows instead.
Wolf unleashed a series of elbow strikes which were all blocked by Wyrm who landed a low kick on his calf, disrupting his balance and then delivered a right hook at his face.
Wolf managed to evade it, but the punch grazed his cheek, he then closed the distance and struck Wyrm in the solar plexus using his elbow, Wyrm managed to shield it and punched Wolf's face.
Wolf tanked it, grabbed onto Wyrm's face and smashed his forehead into his nose.
The kids in this place were all used to pain, so Wyrm was still able to react with a shout Wyrm struck Wolf's cheek with his fist.
Wolf's face jerked to the side, his grip releasing on Wyrm's face.
But he wasn't gonna let him escape that easily, grabbing onto Wyrm's shirt he pulled him close and managed to flip him on his back.
He then swung his elbow downwards trying to crush Wyrm's face, but his opponent managed to roll away at the last second, and quickly stood up.
Wyrm charged at Ryu intending to Knee him in the face, but the attack was blocked by Wolf using his forearms.
His forearms ached from that strike, Wolf jumped back and gained some distance.
Both of them were breathing heavily, and they knew that the next exchange would probably be the last one.
So they charged, Wyrm went for an overhand blow, while wolf went low.
Wolf struck Wyrm's solar plexus, knocking air out of his lungs before he smashed his elbow into Wyrm's temple and knocked him out.
Wolf let out a sigh, looking down at the body of Wyrm.
He then looked around, all the other kids were dead."
"Splendid fight!" The sound of clapping came from the man who was looking at him with a horrible smile.
His hands were bloodied, it seems that he killed some of the kids himself.
"I must say Wolf, when it comes to pure unarmed combat, you might be the best... but in the end, you're a failure." The man spoke, before pulling a pistol out from his robe.
"...Bastard, you never intended to free the winner did you?" Wolf growled out.
"Hehe, you guessed correctly Wolf! I just love watching hope disappear from the eyes of another living being, but how strange... you still look upon me with that defying look." the laughter abruptly stopped, and the smile vanished.
The bald man kicked him in the stomach, Wolf couldn't react in time and he kneeled on the floor gasping for air.
"DON'T..." He smashed his feet into Wolf's spine again, "EVER!" Again "LOOK!" And again, "At me with those disgusting eyes of yours!" At the last kick, Ryu managed to roll away.
His body was filled with Adrenaline, and unknown strength that had no explanation, with speed
"You rat!" The man yelled, pointing his pistol at the boy, but when he did he had already disappeared.
Wolf went in low, and elbowed the bald man in the scrotum,
"GRAHHHH!" He yelled out in pain, kneeling on the ground immediately almost loosing his consciousness.
Wolf took away the pistol from his hands, pointed at him and decisively pulled the trigger.
*BANG*
And the bald man was dead.
"Finally." Wolf shot him again.
"FINALLY! YOU FUCKING DIED YOU BASTARD!" Wolf in his rage emptied the entire mag into him.
Then he threw away the pistol.
He looked up in the air, and let out a breath before a satisfied smile graced his features.
And then the roof was blown open.
The noise was deafening, the whole revealed the beautiful moon and...
Two men, both had black wings.
Wolf, found the wings... strangely beautiful, and calming.
The adrenaline wore off, he swayed on his feet before falling down in a pool of blood.
Still with that smile on his face
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BACKSTORY OVER!
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Ryu finished telling his story.
Kiba's gaze hardened, fists clenched and gnashed his teeth, muttering to himself, "Of course… it's those bastards."
Those who knew of his circumstances looked at him worriedly, knowing that Kiba was a victim of the church as well
"…Must've been rough." Issei said, while looking away, he didn't know what else to say to him.
Ryu chuckled, "Somewhat." Before he continued, "Before you say anything, I don't need words of comfort or anything similar, I'm alright, I'd prefer it if we all move on from this conversation." He bowed after finishing what he had to say.
Those seated at the table sat in silence for a moment.
"Alright, we will respect your wishes." Zeoticus spoke with a serious face.
Venelana who sat beside him nodded as well.
"Even though you say that, if you need an adult's help we'll be happy to provide that."
"Thanks for offering, but my uncle and father were helpful in that regard, I owe everything to them..." Ryu spoke softly when remembering them.
Akeno who looked as if they really wanted to say something, decided against it. Ultimately choosing to respect his wishes.
Time passed by pretty quickly, they talked about rather mundane things, but The Gremory's didn't forget about Ryu.
They asked him about his grades, school, living conditions and such things as well as what he wanted to do after he finished studying, Ryu answered their questions truthfully.
This was their way of showing that he was welcome there, that the family accepted him as a close friend of Rias, and her peerage.
Furthermore, In Kuoh he now had friends, other than Vali of course. A kind and gentle girl, Himejima Akeno. His friends an actual Princess, Rias Gremory, The redeemed pervert, Hyoddou Issei, The pretty swordsman, Kiba Yuuto, The silent but brutally honest girl, Tojou Koneko, and the personification of Innocence, Asia.