Fabricator - Chapter 21

Junichiro led Asia into another park, seriously why were there so many parks in Kuoh? Probably to have nice wide open spaces to seal off from civilians and fight in. Seeing as that was exactly why Junichiro was heading into the park himself, it made at least some sense. On the way inside, he bought some ice cream cones for himself and Asia to enjoy. Seeing the look of delight on her face as she licked away at the cold treat made Junichiro wonder just how deeply the Church had sheltered Asia. At this point he was even wondering if the way they had treated her was some form of abuse.

Despite his mind wandering to random thoughts, Junichiro kept a look out with his own senses and the power of his Psionic Gem. The gem was currently hidden under his shirt and located on his back. Nothing said he had to have it on his hand to use it. In fact, it didn't even need to be touching his skin for him to use it. All he had to do was channel some magical energy into it to make use of it. Though, the closer it was to him the more efficient that transfer of magic was so keeping it close was helpful but not completely necessary.

He could sense Raynare approaching him and Asia in her search for the 'missing' nun. He felt the exact moment she spotted him next to the little blonde. The Psionic gem wasn't one of his most powerful, not like the Ice gem that could potentially freeze time, or the Fire gem that could burn even magic. It was, however, one of his most versatile. Telepathy, mind reading, telekinesis, empathy, and just about any other mental power he could imagine went into the crafting of the Psionic gem. With it he could sense the emotions of anyone he focused on and when he focused on Raynare, her mix of emotions amused him.

Primarily Raynare was feeling annoyance bordering on anger, likely from having to search for Asia. The moment she spotted him with the nun though, her emotions went into overdrive. First, there was a spike of fear. Expected, honestly. But that spike of fear quickly morphed into rage and contempt. Those emotions were quickly followed by a smug confidence that seemed wholly unearned and even a bit forced. It made Junichiro wonder what the little crow was thinking. He was tempted to employ the mind reading capability of the Psionic gem but chose not to. Just feeling Raynare's emotions gave him a dirty feeling, he imagined that there wasn't enough hot water and soap in the world to come clean after reading her actual thoughts.

He felt the moment Raynare made up her mind on what she was going to do and came in for a landing. Already her magic was reaching out and touching the minds of civilians to keep their attention off of herself. No matter how arrogant she was, even Raynare wouldn't risk breaking the masquerade and revealing the supernatural to the world at large. Didn't matter who you were, breaking the secret was a death sentence. Every member of every faction would be after your head in an instant for such a transgression.

As Raynare touched down on the concrete path of the park, she made sure to make enough noise to draw the attention of Junichiro and Asia. It would, of course, be beneath her to have to call out to them to get their attention. Her tactic seemed to work, though Junichiro turned because he knew it was Raynare, and Asia just followed his lead. When Asia spotted Raynare in her BDSM-like getup and sporting her two black wings, her eyes widened in surprise.

Raynare chose to ignore Junichiro as she addressed the displaced nun, “Asia, I've been looking all over for you. Why didn't you wait at the airport like you were instructed?”

Though Raynare spoke in a soft and gentle tone that really seemed Angelic, the emotions she was feeling were anything but kind. After the discussion with Junichiro, Asia was no longer certain she wanted to follow the Fallen Angels. The only problem was, she didn't currently have any other options open to her. Other than living on the street. Still, she answered Raynare in a timid voice, “I waited for hours but no one showed up. I decided to walk to the church myself but got lost. Mr. Junichiro has been kind enough to help me out.”

There was just an instant of anger that flashed over Raynare's face, too quick for Asia to spot but enough for Junichiro to notice. He was pretty sure some exorcist was going to have a bad day when Raynare got her hands on him.

“I see. Well, come with me now and I'll take you to the church.”

As much as she wanted to rip apart Junichiro, Raynare decided it would be easier to simply get Asia to comply. She had no issue with imprisoning and forcing Asia to do what she wanted, she was going to kill the little nun after all. However, getting her cooperation was simply less work and effort than having to imprison her until the ritual was ready. Not to mention less annoying what with all the crying and begging for their lives that mortals do.

Seeing the hesitation written all over Asia's face, Junichiro hopped into the conversation, “If you'd rather not go with the fallen, there's plenty of space at my place. I even have enough sway to get you into school where you can learn and make more friends.”

That comment was enough to send Raynare way past 'cautious' and into 'frothing mad' territory. When she opened her mouth the other two could hear the acidic bile of her hatred for Junichiro, “As if she would want to go anywhere with you devil scum! How dare you try to come between an Angel and a nun! Especially after selling your soul to that Gremory bitch!”

Raynare's voice turned mocking as she continued her rant, “Besides, I know how you tricked me now! Red Dragon Emperor my tight ass, you're just a conman who probably has some shitty illusion based sacred gear. Like a knock off of Innovate Clear or something equally as crappy. I can't believe I fell for your crappy tricks! I should have known you were lying the moment you claimed to have the Boosted Gear, everyone knows that it just increases the users power and can't do half the crap I saw you do! It's just a crappy lie you used to try and intimidate me.”

Her face took on a snide look, “Well, it won't work a second time, so fuck off before I kill you the same way I took out the real owner of the Boosted Gear!”

Junichiro listened to the entire rant without saying anything, mostly out of sheer morbid curiosity. Raynare made a good point about his dimensional shenanigans not being a power of the Boosted Gear. She simply didn't know about everything else he had made with his original gear. Assuming he had some sort of advanced illusions or something made a sort of sense. Obviously she was dead wrong and just telling herself lies to get over her fear. However, the last thing she said got his full attention.

With a thought, he sent a query to his surveillance VI and had it bring up the files it had on Raynare. He'd had her followed and watched twenty-four seven for quite a while now. With that being the case, it was easy enough for the VI to find the information he wanted and stream the video to his cell phone, which he retrieved from his pocket. Lo and behold, there it was. A perfectly captured video of Raynare killing Issei Hyoudou in cold blood.

“Huh. You really did kill the perverted criminal. Nice job.”

Junichiro gave no shits about Issei, it's why his VI hadn't informed him of Raynare killing the little bastard when it happened. The VI judged the incident as unimportant and just filed it away. Now if Raynare was targeting someone on his list of protected people, such as Asia, the VI would have informed him immediately. Meanwhile, Junichiro had made his feelings about Issei perfectly known and felt nothing about his death. It had less of an impact on his life than hearing about a complete stranger dying on the evening news.

He slipped his phone back into his pocket and focused once more on Raynare, “Still, doing the world a favor and taking out a budding sexual predator isn't going to keep me from protecting Asia from you.”

Junichiro's grin turned slightly feral as he slipped his Dimensional gem out of storage and activated it along with his Psionic gem. He used the Dimensional gem to pull himself, Asia, and Raynare into a black box that was another dimension separated from the real world. Despite how dark the walls of the dimension were, there was plenty of light to see with. He then focused on the Psionic gem and formed a field around everyone that would force them to speak the truth. It even worked on himself since he had nothing to hide.

He turned to look at Asia who was eyeing him with some concern evident on her face, “What Raynare said is partially true. I am a reincarnated devil and Rias Gremory is the one who reincarnated me. I had many reasons for wanting to join her peerage, not the least of which is that I am certain I would have been forced to join a side before I was strong enough to remain independent. As I explained to you before, I believe the Fallen Angels are the worst sort. As for the Church, I know they've done extremely violent and unethical things that makes them as evil, or even more evil, than the Fallen Angels. I don't believe it's the entire church, but any religious organization whose leadership is decided by politics is not one I would ever trust.”

Raynare finally stopped looking around and focused on Junichiro and Asia, “I told you that your tricks wont work on me a second time!”

To prove her point the fallen walked over to one of the black walls and attempted to force her way through it. Unlike the Longinus class Dimension Lost, it would be a lot easier for someone of decenst strength to break out of Junichiro's little box. Raynare was nowhere near the strength needed so no matter what she did, she couldn't leave the box without Junichiro's say so.

After punching the wall a few times with her full strength, Raynare turned back to Junichiro with a bit more concern marring her features, “How are you doing this?!”

Junichiro grinned playfully, “Well, I have to admit that you were right about the Boosted Gear not being able to do the things you saw me do the night you tried to murder me.”

Hearing a soft gasp next to him, Junichiro glanced at Asia and smiled gently, “That's right. The first time I met Raynare here she was trying to pose as a high school girl and asked me out on a date.” He paused for a moment as he was almost certain he'd just seen a flash of jealousy from Asia, but he pressed on, “After taking her out for sing karaoke and eat at a wonderful ramen stand, we made our way to a park. When we were there she tried to murder me because of my sacred gear and the overtures that Rias and Sona were making towards me joining their peerages.”

Junichiro was smiling internally at what he'd said. The fact that those activities were picked just to torture Raynare didn't have to be said and he honestly had fun on the 'date' with her. Despite being a hole-in-the-wall place with a minimal menu, the ramen stand's focus on so few dishes allowed for them to be worked to perfection. He'd actually gone back several times since his first visit just to enjoy the food.

Raynare crossed her arms under her breasts and scoffed, loudly, “That date was pure tortureand one of the worst dates I've ever been on!”

“Well, just because you didn't enjoy it doesn't mean I did. Aside from you trying to kill me, I rather enjoyed myself. Your singing was actually rather beautiful.”

Raynare looked smug at the compliment to her singing, but quickly shook it off and glared hatefully at Junichiro, “You didn't answer my question.” Purple light gathered in Raynare's hand and formed into a wicked looking barbed spear, “Answer me or I'll make you suffer until you do.”

Junichiro snorted in contempt, “You couldn't hurt me even if I stood still and did nothing to stop your attacks.” His contempt turned into a playful grin, “Who knows, your attacks might even make me stronger.”

Raynare screeched in anger and threw her light spear at his head with all of her might. True to his word, Junichrio didn't move a muscle. Meanwhile, his clothing seemed to come to life and partially transform into a liquid that flowed up to cover his head in a seamless helmet. All in an instant in response to the threat the spear posed. Despite everything he had done to himself, he was still vulnerable to the damage of a light spear. Even one as weak as Raynare's. The spear slammed into the helmet protecting his head and burst into harmless particles that faded away a moment later. Once the danger passed, the helmet melted back into his clothing and left Junichiro's grinning face in plain view once more.

“Told ya.”

Despite the light spear being rendered harmless, Asia looked over Junichiro with concern, “Are you sure you're okay? That looked really dangerous.”

Junichiro smiled warmly at Asia, “Thanks for the concern, but the only way Raynare could possibly hurt me is if I did everything in my power to let her hurt me.”

That comment seemed to push Raynare over the edge. She let out a primal scream of rage and summoned spear after spear, throwing all of them at Junichiro without a care at all for Asia being nearby. She was blinded by her hatred of him and her growing fear that maybe the first time he'd scared the piss out of her hadn't been a fluke.

The moment that Raynare screamed, Junichiro used his Psionic gem to wrap Asia in a protective bubble of pure force that would reflect anything that Raynare could dish out. Meanwhile, his clothing formed into a full suit of streamlined armor that would have made Tony Stark file a copyright lawsuit. Though the coloring was pitch black with white highlights instead of the billionaire genius's customary colors.

Raynare's fit lasted a good ten minutes as she lobbed spear after spear at him. At first, Asia had been scared, but a whisper promise that he was protecting her settled that fear and left her watching the raging fallen angel with a look of contemplation on her face. To any observer it would be clear that Raynare was deranged while Junichiro was just calmly protecting himself and Asia from her indiscriminate attacks. Raynare didn't let up until she couldn't gather the energy to throw another light spear. She was left a sweating and panting mess while the other two were perfectly comfortable behind their protections. Junichiro's armor had even gotten just a tiny bit stronger against holy light attacks due to the sheer number it blocked.

While Raynare continued to try to catch her breath, Asia looked up at Junichiro, “Is this what you meant before?” She glanced at Raynare and had a concerned look on her face when she looked back up at him, “Seeing her like that... Before even talking to you I would have thought she was evil just from seeing the way she looked. The anger and hatred she showed...” Asia frowned, “Maybe you were right and the Fallen Angels are the most evil.”

Junichiro gave Asia a bright smile as she worked through her thoughts out loud, “That is what I believe. However, you should remember that just like humans, devils, youkai, and pretty much every other race in existence, there are both good and bad individuals. Raynare is one of the bottom of the barrel worst as she revels in killing innocent people. Even torturing them. But from what I understand, Azazel, one of the leaders of the Grigori, is a decent guy. Though he's apparently quite the pervert.”

Seeing the look of dismay on Asia's face at knowing the Governor General of the Grigori was an open pervert brought a smile to his face, “I believe that all three factions have made grave mistakes and have members that are pure evil. You should judge individuals not by their faction but by their character.”

Asia contemplated that for a moment and nodded, “You're a Devil and yet you've been nothing but nice to me, even though I'm a nun and serve God happily.”

Junichiro winced as he felt a spike of pain similar to a rail road spike being driven into his brain for a brief moment, though he didn't complain as Asia continued unknowing of the pain her casual words had caused, “Raynare pretended to be nice but showed her true self when confronted by you.”

Junichiro nodded in agreement and because he wanted Asia to know everything he spoke up, “I do have to confess that us meeting wasn't a coincidence.” When Asia gave him a confused look, he elaborated, “I knew you were coming. I have an army of small machines that I use to spy on enemies to keep a close eye on them and make sure they can't hurt me or my friends.” He gestured at Raynare, “After she tried to murder me, I made one hundred percent sure that one of them followed her and her friends at all times.”

He pulled out his phone and had the VI pull up a recording of Raynare talking to the other two female fallen at the church. He didn't use it yet though, it was his backup plan. His main plan was the truth field he'd set up earlier. He turned to face the annoyed and... pouting? Seriously? Raynare was pouting? What a child. He shook off the thought and gestured at her, “Why don't you tell Asia why you wanted to bring her here Raynare.”

Raynare's pout turned into a glare as she petulantly crossed her arms under her breasts and looked away. She wasn't sure what she felt at the moment, to be honest. Her emotions were roiling under the surface as she complained to herself about how unfair all of this was. She was trapped in a box with two people she planned to kill and she couldn't touch either of them. Of course, not being able to kill someone stronger than her was nothing new. It was just the casual and dismissive way that Junichiro protected himself and Asia that really pissed her off. She knew it was petulant, but she turned her head to the side with a 'hmph' and ignored them both. If she couldn't kill them she could at least try to annoy them.

Junichiro rolled his eyes and held up his phone so Asia could watch the video play out.

Raynare stood near a rather fat looking excommunicated priest as she asked, “Has the extraction device arrived?”

The priest gave a slight deferential bow to Raynare, “It has mistress. The others are setting it up. It is rather complicated and will take a week for it to be fully powered and ready for use.”

Raynare clicked her tongue in annoyance, “That means we'll have to deal with that little bitch Argento for a few days.” She glared at the priest, “Make sure someone is there to pick her up on time. I don't want to risk losing her and her Sacred Gear.” Raynare's expression turned ecstatic, “Ripping it out of her soul for my own use will finally give me the power to have Azazel-sama acknowledge me.”

The priest nodded, “Still, it's too bad that the process will kill her. She's quite the cute little thing and some of the boys wouldn't mind some private time with her.”

Raynare shrugged uncaring, “I don't care what you or the others do with her corpse, but no one is to touch her until I get what I want! I won't risk one of you accidentally killing her when you get too enthusiastic.”

Junichiro ended the video there. It was more than enough to show exactly what Raynare wanted from Asia. If the tears in her eyes were anything to go by, Asia fully comprehended what the fallen planned to do to her. Meanwhile, Raynare was once more impotently fuming in her corner of the black box. She had no idea she was being spied on and couldn't comprehend how she hadn't noticed. While she contemplated that, Junichiro turned to address Asia.

“So, like I said. I'll have plenty of space at my place and I can get you enrolled in school, if you want. I'll even give you a few things to help protect yourself from piece of slime like Raynare here. You can stay with me as long as you like and when you figure out what you want to do with your life, I'll gladly help you out.”

Asia looked at Junichiro with a soft smile and actually looked a bit hopeful, “I can do anything I want?”

Junichiro nodded, “Anything. It's all up to you and I'll give you all the support I can.”

He really would help her as much as he could. Asia was one of the few that he felt really deserved to have a good life. She hadn't suffered as much as some people around the world, but she was just so kind and pure that he couldn't help wanting to give her the life she desired and deserved.

Asia gained a look of determination and nodded to herself, “Alright, I'll come with you.”

Junichiro nodded and waved his hand off to the side to make a small portal right next to Asia. The inside of his apartment could be seen through it, “Go through there, it's my apartment. Once I finish with Raynare, I'll join you. Okay?”

Asia gave him a brilliant smile and stepped through the portal. He immediately closed it and turned to face Raynare, “Well, looks like it's just us now. I wonder what I should do with you?”

While Junichiro started to sport a wicked looking grin, Raynare started feeling a sense of deadly danger encroaching. She quickly uncrossed her arms and took an offensive stance while summoning one of her light spears. He glanced at the weapon and smirked, “That wont help you. You should have given up and run away when you had the chance. Guess you're not nearly as smart as you think.”

He gave her no time to do more than barely open her mouth before he pumped his entire supply of Demonic Power into his Psionic gem and used Telekinesis to crush Raynare into the smallest ball he possibly could. No final words, no fight, no excessive taunts, no talks of plans, he just crushed her into a compact ball of flesh, blood, and bones, the size of a baseball.

While the Raynare-ball floated in the air, Junichiro noticed that his Demonic Power hadn't been instantly refilled. It had been a while since he'd used so much power in a single go so he could be forgiven for not noticing sooner. It seemed his mana generator did, in fact, have a limit to how much it could output in an instant. That would be something worth keeping in mind.

He put it aside for now though and focused on pulling out his Fire gem to incinerate the Raynare-ball into ashes. He dropped the barrier they'd been inside of and let her ashes scatter with the wind. He paused to take several deep breaths before opening a portal to his apartment and stepping inside. It was time to help Asia get settled in.

AN

Okay, I'm not really happy with this chapter. It's been fighting me the entire time and I'm not sure why. I could really use some feedback and criticisms or advice or ideas or just... something. If you think it's good as is then please say so, I just need feedback of some kind to feel like it's not just... wrong.

Thanks!