Phantom of the Underworld - Chapter 13 (Patreon)

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, Highschool DxD or any other anime I use in this story. They belong to their perspective owners.

Arc II- The white empress

Chapter 13- The vanishing dragon

"Seriously, Azazel," Baraquiel sighed. "You're the worst."

Baraqiel appeared to be a middle-aged, gruff-looking man with black hair, a matching beard and a muscular body. His attire appeared to be some type of black and gold bodysuit, with a brown cloak over the top.

Meanwhile, Azazel appeared to be a handsome looking man in his mid-twenties with dark hair, a set of golden bangs and a small goatee across his face.

"C'mon, Bara, I think you're exaggerating just a little." Azazel told him.

"You have literally been keeping a 17-year-old girl trapped in a cage for the past few days against her will." Baraqiel retorted, as he pointed to the re-enforced door they were currently standing around.

"Yeah, but… it can't be that bad," Azazel said in a pathetic defense. But Baraquiel only gave him a blank stare, causing Azazel to sigh.

"First of all, that 'cage' you're referring to, is just her room, so it's really not that bad." The leader of the Grigori refuted." I just made some special adjustments for it to withstand her keeping and keep her power in check, so I could keep her inside for a little while."

"You're not helping your case," Baraquiel retorted, causing Azazel to roll his eyes.

"Look, I did it for her own good, you know I treat her as if she was my own daughter." Azazel said.

Baraquiel scoffed, "if that's the case, then you must be a terrible father."

"Like you're any better," Azazel retorted instantly, but his comment only caused the general's anger to increase."Right, low blow," he admitted.

Quickly changing the subject, Azazel began to explain his reasoning for the situation they were in. "Ever since Vali awakened her scared gear, Divine Dividing, it slowly began to start changing her. Like most sacred gears, Vali's has the soul of a powerful creature within it, one of the heavenly dragons, Albion. You know this." And Baraquiel nodded, so Azazel continued. "Like most sacred gears, the soul sealed within started to influence her personality slightly. It happens subtlety, and over a long period of time, so usually this isn't a major enough problem."

"Vali's, Sacred gear is a Draconic-type, so naturally, she'll start to develop of dragon-like personality," He explained.

"So that's why she's so prideful and confident," Baraquiel realized.

Azazel nodded, "yes, but she's also inherited another personality trait… she's like, super greedy." He told him.

"Greedy?" Baraquiel repeated in disbelief, in all the experiences with the girl, she didn't seem like the type.

"I know it might sound surprising, but it's the truth. She's just been pretty good at hiding it till now," Azazel said. "And until recently, it hasn't really been a problem."

That's when something within Baraquiel's mind clicked. "Is this about that one boy in that Rating Game, Uzumaki what's-it?" He realized.

"Bingo," Azazel confirmed. "As you know, our little Vali has been a member of his peerage for a very long time. And as time went on, our resident empress developed a little bit of a crush on the blonde."

Baraquiel nodded, as he knew of all this already.

Azazel began to explain, "But that's not just it, her draconic side, physically, started to become reliant on him. As she fully believed that 'he was hers.' But usually, this wouldn't exactly be a problem, and had it not been for a certain 'incident' that led her to our care, it wouldn't have."

"But after they drifted apart, Vali began to physically restrain herself from Naruto ever since she's been here." Azazel said.

"I don't get it, why's this such a big problem?" Baraquiel asked.

Azazel sighed, "Because, dragons are essentially constructs of greed. A dragon restraining itself from its treasure, is akin to a the psychological trauma of vampire restraining itself from drinking blood." He told him, and it was then that the Grigori general was able to fully comprehend the situation.

"Vali's been able to resist through sheer willpower alone. Usually using the thrill of battle to take her mind off of him. But ever since she saw him during the rating game and how he seemingly 'moved on'" he said with air quotes. "It became increasingly harder for her to suppress her urges." He explained.

And Baraquiel began rubbing his chin gently, "I still don't get it, why did you lock her in her room?" He asked.

And once again, Azazel sighed, "Because if she's stuck battling she won't have any time left to think. Locking her in her room is to force her to come to her thoughts and make up her mind. Believe me, she needs this."

And it was then that Baraquiel began to see the full picture, but he still had one final comment to make.

"Azazel, you're still the worst."

XXX

(Inside Vali's room)

Vali began curling up on her bed.

Nothing she had tried to do to escape worked. She tried dividing it, tried blasting it, she even tried making some sealing tags Naruto had once taught her to blow this place sky high. That last one had been painful. But nothing she had tried worked.

… Naruto.

That was a name she tried keeping out of her mind for a long time now… but in reality she has thought of him every day since she left.

How she longed to go back to him. To see his face once again. To eat with him, to train with him, to fight with him, or even just talk to him one more time, but she couldn't. She couldn't do any of that

All she could do was lie on her bed, as a single tear dripped from her eye and think, reminisce of better times.

XXX

(10 years ago)

Smack.

"I don't understand, how can someone be so incompetent!?" A silver haired man yelled in anger, as he stared at the mess the young maid made in front of him.

The maid, a very young silver haired girl, around the age of 7, who didn't look too dissimilar to the older man, now held her reddening check in pain. As tears started to form in her innocent blue eyes. But she quickly wiped them away as she gave an apologetic bow. "I'm sorry, Father—"

Smack.

"How many times, do I have to tell you? It's Lucifer-sama to you." The man growled, as he smacked the young girl once again.

The girl recoiled in pain, but she quickly reined in her feels and gave another bow. "O-of course, Fa—Lucifer-sama." She apologized, she quickly cleaned up the mess she had previously made and left. Eager to leave the area with the man who caused her so much troubled.

The man, 'Lucifer' as he called himself, only stood back, glaring back at the girl all the while.

XXX

She had spent the last few hours of the day performing her usual duties as a maid within the Lucifer estate. Father— no! Lucifer-sama, had been particularly hard on her as of late, and that had caused her to mess up on her duties and make a small mess by mistake, which the lord had punished her over.

After that, she had quickly finished cleaning up, being careful to not show any weakness in front of her lord, and left. Quickly finished off her 'duties' and went off to her designated room.

Vali curled herself up in a ball on top of her bed, eager to gain what little sense of protection that could. As she held her swollen cheek, she could only wallow in her grievances.

'Why? Why does it have to be this way?' She thought to herself. While other kids got to play with their fathers, she was forced to clean perfectly, and when she didn't, her 'father' would be there to 'punish' her.

Abruptly, a knock came from the door, and a woman's face could be seen as it creaked open.

"Vali," The woman's melodic voice whispered into her room.

A smile graced her lips, as Vali voiced the woman's identity. "Mother…" she called out, as tears again formed within her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away before her mother could see them.

In stepped a beautiful woman, her hair was a snow-white, as it formed her face. And while her skin seemed pale, in contrast, her eyes appeared to be an almost unnatural red.

The woman, Irisviel Lucifer, was undoubtedly gorgeous, and it so as no wonder she had attracted the attention of the grandson of Lucifer. And that she was one of the many consorts Razevan Lucifer had collected.

"I wasn't expecting you to come today." Vali said, trying to change the subject, lest her mother notice the swelling within her eyes.

"Can't a mother check up on her children," her mother said, acting hurt.

But Vali quickly shook her head. "No, no, it's not like that at all," she denied.

"Well, okay, but if you must know… I have a gift for you," her mother told her. As she motioned towards the hidden object behind her back.

"What is it?" Vali asked excitedly.

"No, that's not how this game goes…" Iri put a finger up to her mouth, and winked playfully. "You have to guess," she told her.

Valiana only rolled her eyes. Honestly, her mother could be such a child sometimes." Is it… some new candy?" She guessed. Although it was rare, she was at times allowed some sweets. After all, mother was a kid at heart after all, and she would sometimes sneak candy into her room, much to her father's behest.

"Nope," Iri shot her down.

"New clothing?" Vali guessed again. Her clothing had been getting rather torn within these last few days. That, and coupled with her growing body, her clothes were due for new additions.

"Nope~," Iri repeated, this time melodically.

"Some of those new fruits that I heard the other maids talking about?" Vali asked, her eye twitching a little. She was getting a little angry at these guessing games.

"Wrong again~" Irisviel said.

Vali crossed her arms and pouted a little.

Irisviel frowned, as her daughter turned away from her. "Vali" Iri sang, as she pulled out the object from out of her back. "Want some ramen? I know it's your favorite" She asked.

As Vali finally noticed the heavenly scent that filled the room.

And Valiana quickly turned back to her mother, eyes sparkling brightly as she quickly took the delicious bowl from her mother's hands.

Irisviel sweat dropped at her daughter's antics, as she watched her quickly devour the large bowl within seconds.

But the white haired woman quickly stiffened in place, as she tentatively brought a hand up towards her daughter's cheek, causing Vali to freeze in place.

"Did your father do this?" Iri asked.

And Vali slowly nodded.

"I see," Irisviel said dejectedly. "I'll have to discuss this with Razevan." She told her, causing her daughter's head to snap up.

"No!" Vali yelled, her words leaving her mouth before she had time to think. Before, she quickly corrected herself. "I mean…" she said, before her mother cut her off.

"I know, you don't want your father to start punishing me too." Irisviel said with a sad smile. "You were always the strongest of the two of us."

She told her daughter, as she wrapped the girl in a tight embrace.

"But you don't always have to hold it in all the time, because I'm here for you."

It was finally then that all of Vali's anguishes were let out, as her tears drenched her mother's outfit.

She was a bastard child, born from the union of the infamous clan of devils known as the 'Lucifer' and an ordinary human woman.

She wasn't supposed to know love, compassion or care.

But to her, it didn't matter, because she would always protect her mother.

XXX

Two years later.

As the years went by, Vali's routine continued.

But it was on one fateful day that her whole life would change… because she met him.

It began like any other, where she continued the duties she was forced upon by her father. And despite her mother's suggestions, Razevan still treated her badly.

And just like before, she tried to hold it all in, but her mother could always tell how she was feeling.

As she dusted the halfway, Vali's head abruptly turned to the side, as a figure's footsteps could be heard.

Step. Step. Step.

A figure crept out of the shadows. It was a man, with long silver hair, not unlike her own, and a beard. He wore strange clothes, similar to the attire worn by Lucifer in the old paintings she had seen.

In many ways, she would describe him as creepy. But there was something else about his aura, it felt… bottomless.

It was as if he stood at a higher tier of existence than her. That he and her were from two different worlds entirely.

And as he walked by her, she froze.

No, that wasn't it… it was if her whole body refused to move.

But as he passed her, he turned back towards her, his cold Brown eyes seemed to bore into her very body instantly collapsed to the ground, refusing to move despite her protests.

Was she this weak?

If so, how would she be able to protect her mother?

She was supposed to be strong, she believed she was, her mother told her so.

That a mere glance from this man—no! Monster, was enough to send her tumbling to the ground.

She refused.

She refused to be cast down like this. To be seen as a mere ant in the face of this man.

It was through sheer willpower that she was able to get herself back up, shaking as she did so.

And the man passed her by, not a word was spoken between them.

XXX

"Ah, father, what an unexpected surprise, but it is truly not an unwelcome one," Razevan said. Trying to butter up his father.

"That girl outside, who was she?" Rizevim asked, skipping the useless pleasantries entirely.

"Girl? What girl?" Razevan asked in confusion, before quickly understanding who he was referring to." Oh, that was my daughter, Valiana. She is just the result of a fling I had with a human, nothing special. I only really keep around to help the maids. Although truthfully, she can't even do that correctly."He said offhandedly.

"That girl… she will surpass you." Rizevim told his son, surprising him.

XXX

Two years later.

The white haired woman traversed the halls of the Lucifer mansion, heading to her daughter's room. She had managed to procure another bowl of ramen for Valiana, which, knowing her daughter, she'd devour in a few seconds.

A soft chuckle escaped her lips. Honestly, she couldn't understand her daughter's fascination for the dish. But the fact that her daughter loved eating it was enough for her to love bringing it to her.

Her happy smile turned into a sad frown, thinking of the helpless situation her daughter was in now. How, despite her protests, it was nearly everyday she was left beaten and bruised in whatever foolish effort her father ordered.

Razevan Lucifer.

She had had met the man when she had been nothing but a foolish teenager. She'd often been rebellious and carefree, and she'd been attracted to the man in a nonsensical attempt to rebel from her own parents.

At one point, she loved the man, and she actually believed that the man loved her as well. But then he'd whisked her away, and her lover revealed the truth.

He didn't care for her in the slightest. And like the many others he'd enthralled, she had not been allowed to leave.

Many would often inquire if she ever regretted going off with the grandson of Lucifer himself.

And she would answer that question… No, she didn't. Going off with the devil himself has allowed for one shining light to be born into her life…

Valiana Lucifer.

Her daughter and the most important person to her.

The sound of footsteps knocked her out of her revery, and Irisviel froze in place.

"R-Rizevim-sama" Iri stuttered out, as she spotted the silver haired man obstructing her path.

"Hello, Irisviel, let's talk." The son of Lucifer said.

XXX

Vali's life after that day only got worse from then on.

What were once mundane cleaning activities were now gruesome training exercises. All on the orders of her so-called 'grandfather', which her 'father' reluctantly agreed upon.

One would assume that her life and the life of her mother would get better.

Wrong.

When she wasn't put through Rizevim-Sama's grueling training regimen, she was left to deal with her father.'s anger. It was by some miracle, along with her unique half-devil physiology, that she was able to survive all this time.

And it was on very rare occasions that she was allowed rest on days such as this.

As she lay in the set of barren walls that were her room.

Her mother rushed into her room, not even bothering to knock.

And as she shook Vali away, Irisviel spoke to the delirious girl in a hasty tone. "Vali, I can't explain everything at the moment, but the guards are away right now, here's our chance. You must come with me, now."

Vali only tiredly rubbed her eyes, not fully knowing what her mother was saying to her. "Mother? What are you…"

Her mother quickly grabbed onto her hand, and quickly rushed her out of the room. Her mother, not bothering to take anything with her.

XXX

Her mother quickly dragged her out of the Lucifer mansion, not bothering to stop for a second.

"Mother? What are we doing?" Valiana questioned as they ran through the wilderness outside.

"Vali, I know there are things at work that you don't understand. But right now, I can't say it, we don't have much time before the guards come looking for us. We have to—" Irisviel suddenly stopped, as a volley of daggers made of pure darkness was sent directly in their path.

As there, in the sky, with his 8 wings flowing behind his back, was a silver-haired man… her father.

"Well, of all the foolish and idiotic things that you could do, Iri, this is truely at the top of the list." Razevan said. "I'll tell you what, you've always been rather beautiful, it would be a shame for me to kill you. If you return to my mansion, I might forgive you." He promised.

Irisviel looked towards her lover, and then turned back to her daughter, gazing into her fear-filled eyes. As Irisviel felt Vali's hand that was interlocked with her own.

She pulled her daughter along, as she continued to run from her family's captors.

The grandson of Lucifer tsked, disappointed in the woman's decision.

What happened next was so fast that Vali was barely able to track.

Squelch.

Blood splattered throughout the air, some flying onto Vali's own silver hair, staining it a crimson pink.

Vali looked on in horror, as her father removed the hand that pierced through her mother from her chest, as life seemed to disappear from her mother's eyes.

"A shame, she was quite the looker too." Razevan commented.

"Y-You K-Killed her." Vali said in disbelief.

Her father only raised an eyebrow, "Huh? That I did, and what of it."

"Y-You K-Killed her." Vali repeated, the concept not fully registering throughout her mind.

Her father only got more irritated, "Y'know, I'm getting rather tired of you, the only reason I'm keeping you around is because Father wishes for it."

Razevan walked towards her, gripping onto her face, as he examined her visage rather harshly. "I don't get why. What is it that he sees in you? What is it that makes you so much better than me!" Each and every question he got more angry.

"Huh? Answer me!" Her father demanded.

But Vali refused to answer, as she kept silent, her hair shadowing her eyes.

"You think you're better than me? Is that it!" Her father growled.

Smack.

He sent a harsh blow onto her face, not unlike before. And as Vali was sent on to the ground, she didn't flinch whatsoever.

"Y-You K-Killed her." Vali repeated. "Mother!" She cried out, as tears fell from her eyes.

As she stared at her mother's corpse that now lay on the ground, and her hollow eyes now bore into her soul.

She now realized, the only light within her life, the person she loved more than any other… was dead.

And the worthless piece of scum she called a father was alive!

[Tell me, child, do you desire power?] a male's voice asked within her mind, , echoing throughout her very being. [Do you want to avenge your mother? To kill the scum known as your father?]

'W-who are you?' Vali questioned her mind.

[Does it matter?] the voice asked.

'I want... I want to kill him!' She mentally screamed.

Silence. That was until…

Vali's eyes fully morphed, changing into a bright blue with a geometric design. And a pair of machine-like dragon wings burst from his back.

Razevan's eyes widened in surprise, as the silver haired girl appeared right in front of him in a flash of light. A small palm grazed his abdomen.

[Divide], the voice said. As Vali felt an immense power being flowed within her.

Subsequently, Vali's father felt immensely weaker, as if half of his power had been stolen from him. Anger filled his very being.

"You think some pathetic little wings can make you better than me!" Her father growled. As dark energy flowed through his palm, he readied to strike her once again.

Swinging towards her, Vali dodged.

Vanishing and appearing to his side, readying to strike. But her father was able to block it, counter striking, as he sent her flying into the ground.

[Vali, you won't be able to beat him as you are now. I suggest you use this opportunity to run away.] The voice said.

'What? You want me to run away' Vali growled angrily, as she tried to get back up. Almost instantly falling pack to the ground in pain.

[You've managed to divide half of your father's power already, but your body is only barely able to withstand it. Had it been anybody else, I doubt you would've been able to handle the power he has, not until you master my power. There will always be other chances for your revenge, just as long as you make it out of here] it told her.

Vali huffed, as she tried to get back up once again. 'I get that, but—"

[Vali! You must go, now!] the voice echoed in her mind.

And it was then that Valiana caught another glimpse at her mother, and she saw her face.

She looked… at peace?

Why would her mother be at peace? Why would she be content with the fact that she had been murdered by her lover? Why would she be happy with the outcome?

Questions that will never be answered.

As Valiana looked down, and punched the floor in rage.

'Alright, we'll leave, what should I do?' She asked.

[Good decision, here's what you'll do…] the voice said.

Razevan looked down at his daughter, as she once again tried to get up. What motivated her? After all, he'd just killed her mother, she should be broken.

Was this why his father thought she was so much better than him? Was this what would allow this girl to surpass him?

Foolish.

This girl would never surpass him, he'd make sure of it. Forming a lance made from darkness, he readied to stab her fallen form.

And as he thrusted down, Vali jumped up.

A slash ran across Vali's face, as she was barely able to dodge her father's slash. As she made to grasp onto her father's arm.

[Divide]

Her wings glowed as bright as the sun. As Vali's entire body screamed out, as she now held three-fourths of her father's power.

From what she understood from the voice's explanation, had the power come from anyone else other than her father, her body wouldn't be able to handle it all.

Vali sped off into the distance, using her father's confusion at having his power stolen as a distraction to run off.

And as Vali's father made to follow, a voice stopped him.

"Razevan, what do you think you're doing?" The voice said, echoing throughout his very sound.

Razevan fearfully turned to his side, spotting a figure that appeared out of the shadows.

"F-father, I was just… just dealing with one of my consorts, and her pesky child attempting to escape." He fearfully answered.

Rizevim rubbed his chin in thought. "I see… well," he pointed a find towards his son.

Squelch.

Razevan widened his eye in surprise, and he looked down towards his stomach. As a long spear that his father had materialized from his finger pieces his insides.

"F-father? W-what are you…" Razevan stuttered out.

"Unfortunately I still have plans for Valiana, plans that cannot allow you to kill her just have served your purpose long enough." Rizevim told him. As the spear he sent into his son's abdomen dematerialize. It wasn't long after that his son collapsed the floor… dead.

It was then that a dozen devils appeared right next to the son of Lucifer.

And Rizevim only gave them a single word.

"Go." Rizevim ordered, and then they disappeared, following the silver haired white dragon empress.

XXX

Valiana soared through the air, crossing as much ground as she could.

She didn't know where she was going, as all she did was just soar through the forests of the underworld

She didn't know how long she had been flying aimlessly, but she could feel the power she had stolen from her father dissipating faster and faster.

[Vali, there has been a group following you for some time now.] the voice told her.

'They were probably sent by my father,' Valiana realized.

[Currently, the power you collected is running low, and soon, your body will give out from exhaustion. At this rate, you will surely be captured, and taken back to your father's abode.] The voice said.

'What should I do?' She asked. 'Should I confront them?'

[That may be the best course of action at the moment] the voice said, and Vali flew down toward a nearby clearing.

It wasn't long after that a dozen devils showed up behind her.

"Well, it looks like she decided to stop running. Good, that'll make things easier on us." The lead devil called out. He was the only one who was wearing glasses.

Valiana glared, "Who are you?" She asked.

"Who we are is of no consequence. We've been ordered to bring you back to the Lucifer residence. You can either come with use willingly, or we can take you by force." The lead devil told her.

Vali tsked, 'what are the chances that I'll be able to defeat them?' She asked.

[From what I can tell, a majority of these devils are around the level of a low-class devil, there are only two devils that can be considered middle-class. And that one with the glasses seems to be around a little lower than a High-class devil. Usually, you would be around the level of a mid-class, but since you divided your father's power, it may be possible for you to defeat them.] the voice explained.

"I see," Vali said with her head low.

Suddenly, a small volley of dark daggers were sent at the devils, taking out four of the lower class devils.

This was the Power of Darkness. When the original Lucifer was cast down as heaven, hid love for fox turned into an immense hatred. And so too did his angelic light begin to change. What was once a shining morning star was now an eternal darkness, and thus his Power of Darkness was born.

To contrast the angel's heavenly light, the devil's Power of Darkness also had an effect on the angels. Lucifer's hatred for god and his angel brethren gave life to a power capable of defeating them.

And it was this power that gave rise to the Lucifer clan. As those who inherited this foul power were given the name Morning Star.

The glasses wearing devil sighed, "they never go with the easy option." As he signaled to the devils surrounding him to fire at the girl.

Many of the low-class devils surrounded Vali and summoned magic circles. Firing a multitude of low level spells and projectiles.

Vali dodged to the side, dodging a fireball, as she summoned a long lance and knocked away the knives that were thrown at her. Throwing the lance at one of the devils so fast that it pierced his chest, killing him instantly, as she leaned down to pick up a few of the fallen projectiles off the ground.

As she rushed towards another devil and used one of the knives that had been thrown at her to stab another one of the lower-class devils.

The last three low-class devils were sent into a frenzy, and she was able to use that as distraction to take out one more of the devils with a well-placed darkened dagger.

And she was able to use her superior speed to take out the last two devils.

It was then that the heard clapping, and turned to see the glasses wearing devil, surrounded by the other two mid-class devils right near the end of the clearing.

"Bravo, bravo, that was quite impressive. It seems your Lucifer bloodline is quite strong." The lead devil complimented. "A shame that they were the weakest of us, though. We don't need to bring her back in one piece." he said, as he gave another silent signal.

It was then that the devil on his right rushed at her. And Vali widened her eyes in surprise at his speed, and she was only barely able to react in time to his strike. This devil appeared to be on a whole new level than the last group.

Using her last throwing knife to block a small sword that the devil appeared to be carrying.

But given the fact that the devil was older than her, along with the fact that he had the superior weapon, the devil was able to overpower her.

She ducked under his blade, as she went to grab at the man's leg.

[Divide—] The voice said, but it was then that Vali's entire body screamed out in pain, as she collapsed to the ground.

'What's happening?' She asked in worry.

[Vali, it appears that you've stockpiled too much power. Your body isn't able to handle so much power so soon after awakening my own. I must apologize, I may have overestimated our chances] the voice told her apologetically.

And he was right, as much as she tried to regain her movement, she found that her body wasn't able to move her body.

'It's alright, I guess it was just hopeful thinking that I would be able to escape that place, especially after…' she trailed off, refusing to finish that thought.

[Your mother will be missed, and believe me, in time, you will have another chance to escape.] the voice said.

That made Vali sad, but moreover she could understand it. 'Why? Why do you care so much? I don't even know who you are…'

But the voice was silent, before one of her questions was answered. [You can call me… Albion, The Vanishing Dragon.]

Surprisingly, she was able to move her head up just a little. As the devil above her raised his blade over her head. As he prepared to strike.

'Albion, huh? Well, it was nice to meet you.' She thought.

The devil lowered his blade, as Vali's world went black.

Squelch.

XXX

(Earlier)

Spinning red eyes surveyed the area from high up in the trees.

He had been completing a small mission, where he was ordered to clear a small bandit camp nearby. It had been rather simple and easy, where he'd barely even broken a sweat.

It was after he was done that he sensed a few bursts of magic nearby, which he'd tracked down to a clearing nearby.

He was there to witness a strange silver haired girl, who looked to be around his age, or perhaps a year younger. She appeared to be putting up a decent fight against a group of low-class devils. But that was when another trio of devils showed up, ones who were abundantly stronger than the fodder she had faced before.

It appeared that she wasn't able to keep up with one of them. And strangely enough, her body seemed to give out.

It was rather tragic.

But that's when he saw it… that look in her eyes.

"H… Help…me"

"I still… have things to do..."

"I don't… want to die"

Those were the words 'that' girl had told him , as the echoed within his mind.

It had been almost a year since that incident occurred, and yet it still weighed heavily on his mind.

But now, he saw a similar look in this girl's eyes to the one he saw in that girl. The same look he saw in the mirror.

It was a contradiction.

That hollowness that seemed to be devoid of life, and yet her eyes also seemed to be filled with hope… hope for the future perhaps?

Did she also have a goal that she hopped to accomplish in life?

He didn't know.

He watched as the devil lowered his blade, it was as if his body moved on its own.

XXX

Squelch.

A wind-coated kunai pierced the devil's skull, as he collapsed to the ground. Luckily, he fell in the opposite direction towards the silver haired girl.

And a cloaked figure with a three-eyed fox mask could be seen jumping down from the foliage.

As he threw another set of glowing kunai at the two remaining devils. One of which landed perfectly, while the other wasn't so lucky.

The glasses wearing devil turned towards him, as he observed the blade he'd caught within his hand.

"Well now, who are you?" The devil asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Who I am is of no consequence, given the fact that you won't be alive for much longer." The said, as he pulled out another set of kunai.

Throwing a majority of them, he used that as a distraction to close the distance, as he slashed at the man.

The glasses wearing devil was able to block his kunai with his own blade. It was a small sword, similar to the one he saw the devil he had killed earlier using.

"Well, isn't that convenient, how do you plan to accomplish that task?" The glazes wearing devil asked, their blades were caught within a clash.

"Like this." Naruto said, as his sharingan spun.

It was then that the glasses wearing devil widened his eyes, as a harsh kick impacted with his stomach. An attack he saw coming, but wasn't able to properly defend against.

Naruto sent another kunai at the man, which he was able to block.

"That was a cheap trick you used, I wasn't able to move my body for a second, was it some kind of illusion?" The man asked.

"Perhaps," Naruto said cryptically.

"You know, I have a question." The man suddenly spoke up, as he pointed his sword at the cloaked figure. " That girl, I know you've never met her, you couldn't have. You had to have just been passing by and saw our fight. So why go so far for her? After all, she has no one left for her, and honestly she is more trouble than she's worth." He told him.

Naruto slightly flinched at this information, as he took out another set of knives, throwing one at the man.

The man instantly blocked it, and sighed. "You know, that is getting really annoying," he hissed.

And Naruto only threw his other knife in response, "It should be, it wouldn't be a good distraction if it wasn't."

It was then that, out of the shadows, a three tailed Kitsune jumped at him.

The glasses wearing devil turned, as he slashed at the fox, "you won't catch me with an easy enough trick like that!" He shouted, as the fox retreated back into the darkness.

"I wasn't trying to, you took your eye off your enemy," Naruto said, as a magic circle appeared in his palm. As he cupped his mouth, a large fireball shot out of his mouth. "Fire style: Great fireball jutsu." Naruto said the name of his technique.

The glasses wearing devil grave a faint chuckle, "not bad…kid." he said, as he was engulfed in the flames, killing him in the process.

Leaving a frowning Naruto, and a grinning fox, in his wake.

It was then that the fox ran up to the silver haired girl.

From what he could gather, this girl was alone, and had nowhere left to go… just like him.

It was then that Naruto went to look at the unconscious girl, and sighed.

Shrugging, he found that the decision was already decided.

XXX

(With Rizevim)

"I have to say, that was rather cold-hearted of you," an orange masked man said, as he materialized in a spiral right next to the Son of Lucifer, as he gestured toward the corpse of Razevan Lucifer.

"My son has served his purpose, he was becoming quite the nuisance, this is a long time coming." Rizevim stated.

"I see, a pity, I was hoping we could use him for a little while longer." the masked man commented. "And when you withdrew the guards within the Lucifer mansion just long enough for Irisviel to escape. Only for you to allow her to be killed by your son. That move was quite devious." He said.

"She knew what she was getting into. Her life for the life of her daughter, that was the deal." Rizevim said, before he turned towards the masked man. "Is it done?" He asked.

The masked man nodded. "It is," he confirmed, "All the preparations have been completed…

Valiana Lucifer and Naruto Uzumaki have crossed paths. Just as we planned."

XXX

Distressed blue eyes opened in a startle.

It was highly likely that she had been captured by her father. She was probably in another one of his 'training' cells. If past encounters were anything to go by, he was probably around here somewhere, ready to dish out another one of his 'punishments'.

But as she observed the surroundings, she found that this wasn't like the other rooms that she's been in. Although it was dark, she could see the nice hardwood walls along with a few paintings to liven up the interior. Even the bed she had been lying in was a lot better than the ones she'd previously been subjected to.

'Albion, where are we?' She questioned.

[Truthfully, I do not know],the dragon told her.

It was then that Valiana re-surveyed the room, and spotted a still figure hiding in the corner.

It was a black haired boy, with blazing red eyes that into stared into her soul.

How long had he been sitting there?

A hollow voice reached her ears, he sounded much younger than she had initially perceived.

"Hey, you. You're finally awake."

XXX

Present (With Azazel)

"Alright, alright, she's been in there long enough, I think it's time we let her out." Azazel conceded to his subordinate's suggestions, as he twisted the vault-like door handle open.

It was almost in an instant that a bright light burst from the door on the other side. Leaving a shining blue ever glow in its wake.

"Ah… well, that can't be good." Azazel commented.

Baraquiel only slapped his forehead, "I'm serving an idiot." He muttered. "I don't get paid enough for this shit."

Elsewhere, a silver haired girl flew through the air, as hew eyes, sclera included, turned to a metallic blue… similar to that of the Heavenly Dragon's."

End Chapter.