A Mortal Amongst Myth is a work of fiction. I do not own any of the Highschool DxD or Fate characters, nor do I own the original stories, only the plot of this fanfic and my OC. The DxD and Fate characters and original storylines belong to Ichiei Ishibumi and Kinoko Nasu respectively. This is written solely for my own entertainment and as such I do not reserve any rights because I ain't dumb enough to try and call the original author's bluff, nor do I feel like getting smote by the DxD fandom if I mess something up. The fate fandom can run me my fade though, cause I ain't scared of yall. You'd have better odds of explaining the moon than beating me in a fight.
" " Speaking
' ' Thoughts
Bold = Strong Attack
Prologue
'I'm so Tired...'
My name is ▇▇▇▇, and I'm a broken man.
How strange. I thought my name, but despite knowing it, it doesn't render.
Well if I'm being honest, its probably because even now my guard hasn't lowered enough to where I can admit my true name to strangers just yet.
Strange. After all, I'm making a story where my name should be important right?
But not to me. My name is a source of disgust and ire to me. So you can call me...
Let's go with Kuro. Its a nickname I've had for a while, but I like it more than my actual name and it sums up the total of my parts so it'll suffice.
My name is Kuro, and well? I'm a broken man, or at least... Different.
I never lived up to the expectations of others, nor did I seem to mingle well with them either.
Actually, I'm pretty sure most of the people I interacted with were weirded out by me, or at least somewhat offput.
Can't blame em, I didn't exactly exhibit stellar friendship material after all. Most of my time was spent trying to figure out if smiling at a person's funeral could be misconstrued in a negative light.
Yeah I uh... I wasn't too good with that human expression thing. I'm still not actually. I can barely understand why people cry when a loved one departs this mortal coil.
Shouldn't you be pleased they're gone? That they're no longer here?
Er.
I mean that in the manner that they are no longer suffering on this earth.
Unless it's my Aunt Petunia. She deserves to burn in hell.
But yeah, I'm not exactly good with human expression or emotion.
In fact, my smiles have been described as outright creepy, if not terrifying. I don't really get why...
Maybe its because I don't understand what it is to be truly happy?
Regardless, I'll admit I'm a bit weird.
Yet despite everything, I didn't think that would lead me to here. Drowning at the bottom of this lake, without a single friend or family member to come and help me. Not that I think they would.
Now I'm not anyone special, far from it actually, I must add with extreme emphasis....
But if there was one thing that always stuck with me, one thing that sunk into even my emotionally stunted skull, its that I wanted to be a hero. Or at least, someone who could help others in the pursuit of perhaps learning happiness myself.
A hero of justice if you will, much like Shirou Emiya, although not to the same extent.
After all, while I am extremely unreasonable, I am also incredibly self aware.
There are several key differences between a Magus and myself.
For starters, Shirou lived in a world where magic and myth still ran rampant under the wool of normalcy shrouding the mundane.
That boy was able to use that magic, sorry... Magecraft and eventually become a unit capable of standing on his own two feet.
There's a clear difference here.
One boy could harness miracles to achieve or at least influence an outcome to the desirable end.
The other? He could only force his way through various means to grow stronger in a vain effort to change the tides of his world.
This is a person who spent hours devouring books on martial arts, absorbing their knowledge and practicing those skills in day to day.
A person who went out of their way to learn pressure points, so they could incapacitate without harm.
A person who was forced to decide whether giving up school work or late night endeavors was more worthwhile.
I was a person who sacrificed every hint of normalcy, every hint of mundane pastimes as I dug deeper into more and more weird methods of strengthening, only for them to fail time and time again just short of being what I needed to make a difference.
Before I knew it, my life had been wasted damn near, because I had spent all of it in the pursuit of living for others.
And despite all that, not once did I get closer to understanding happiness. To feeling human.
In fact, the more I saved, the more I helped, the more it felt like I was wasting my time.
But nonetheless I tried.
I kept pushing, charging forward recklessly to try and save one more life in front of me.
When a building spontaneously caught fire, who did the firefighters see but me?
Face blackened and bleeding from debris, but otherwise unharmed as I cradled the residents I could salvage from harm.
The people I saved were happy and thankful, but me?
I was dissatisfied.
These people were able to laugh and cry tears of joy, thankful they had another chance. Meanwhile, I would be forced to bear this pain while not having such feelings.
Whatever.
Time spent lamenting my burns and bruises could have been spent saving more.
I resolved to do better. Maybe I'd feel something next time.
When a robbery took place, who did they find but myself at the crime scene, bruised and nigh unconscious but, standing over the would be robbers triumphantly.
I was promptly taken to the hospital and berated all the way for being reckless, but I didn't care.
My mind was on how I could have minimized the danger to myself and the bank inhabitants.
Myriad situations like this, all expanding to cover the course of my teens and part of my college years.
Years of a life, focused towards a goal, a goal stripped from a fictional character in a vain attempt to find some... Purpose. Some reason for living.
But now, what was once a beautiful goal, a dream I couldn't help chasing, now?
It was something different.
It was shackles. A reminder.
A whole life wasted in the pursuit of making a difference. The pursuit of being a hero.
What was once a dream, had instead become a curse upon me.
Maybe it was my punishment for being different?
...
I don't know.
Now one could argue that such a life lived, was somewhat fulfilling right? After all, helping others can never be considered inherently wrong. In fact, most would say its inherently right to help others.
Do onto others how you would wish to be done upon thyself, and all that.
Surely that goal, that life, it meant something right?
Maybe when all was said and done, this person could stand at the end and shout with confidence: "My life was a fulfilling life!"
Eh, who knows? Everyone has a different opinion.
But to me?
Whether I lived a fulfilling life or not.... It didn't matter.
All that mattered, was that for a brief instance, I had felt something for the first time during the pursuit of that goal. Or rather, the sparks of something.
Hope.
Passion.
Happiness.
In the years spent towards reaching that ever distant, and ever foolish goal, as the time passed and the physical toll stacked, I had felt my own emotions for the first time.
Satisfied when I came home after a successful night of work.
Rage when I had been shot trying to protect an old lady from a trigger happy teen who had gotten drunk and thought he was king.
Bitterness when I was unable to save everyone in that burning building.
Throughout my life lived up to that point, I was able to briefly experience my own emotions.
Was my life fulfilling or not?
That's not that important to me.
It doesn't really matter if it was or wasn't, because at the end of the day...
I'd probably do it again regardless.
And as I sink to the bottom of this lake, there's only one regret that fills my mind.
I don't have a friend to delete my search history, nor one to maintain my FGO data.
I know I know. Highly improper considering I'm ya know, dying. But once again, I've never been normal no?
Now most of you would think people like me, idiots who can't find meaning in their life unless its in saving someone else's, would be ignored for their savior complex. We'd be ignored, because realistically? We're not a threat to anyone but ourselves.
You'd think that such people would be avoided. And you'd be right.
Well people with good luck at least.
I however, somehow managed to get shoved headfirst out of a window, fall into a street, get hit by a truck, and then tossed into a lake by the impact.
And all this because I had decided to save a girl from being slammed into the afterlife by a car when crossing the street.
It was easy to do actually, I just palmed her face while lifting her out of the way, and ignored her rambling as she berated me for touching her with my 'filthy commoner' hands.
The urge to throw her back into the street was immense I tell ya.
But I didn't, and just moved on with my day of debating the merits of making a particle accelerator to try and become the flash.
But that girl I saved?
Turns out she was the daughter of some bigshot who wanted her gone because less heirs meant he'd have more money for himself.
How laughably pathetic.
There are other ways to go about that, and murdering me because you're incompetent is just cruel.
'Was it wrong of me...?'
This question ruminated through my head as I slowly sank ever deeper. Seriously though, how does that even work? That's a different level of unfortunate.
I tried to think it over.
Knowing what I know now, would I do anything different?
...
Nah.
Probably not.
And so I sank ever deeper, fully aware of the futility of my life.
But as I lay there dying, I felt a fervent desire, a strong wish that persisted no matter how much I tried to avoid it.
Was it to have better luck next time?
No it wasn't about having better luck, after all I had gotten used to dealing with my own streaks of misfortune. Some of them were even humorous actually.
Was it for my family to not be sad?
No it wasn't about my family. Not that I had known them much considering they abandoned me to foster care without a doubt. Although I wouldn't be too upset to have a chance to experience actual warmth...
No see, it was something else.
It was something rather deep, rather meaningful to me. The very wish that seemed to keep me warm on cold lonely nights.
It was dumb.
It was irrational.
But, I strained my hand towards the sky and began to wish deep in my heart...
'If it's possible... I want to go somewhere... Somewhere with all sorts of fun people. Somewhere where my bad luck doesn't matter. Somewhere where laughing with others can be something I actually get to experience for myself instead of only dreaming about it. Somewhere I can make a difference. Somewhere I can be a hero. Somewhere... where I can have my own, small, warm share of happiness.'
And as this wish echoed fiercely in my heart, my eyes slowly closed as every single one of my bodily functions began to shut down. And then without preamble, my heart stopped beating, lake water flooded my lungs, and I knew no more.
~~~~~~~~~~
Now then. A lesser known tidbit.
Upon death most souls go into the cycle of reincarnation of their world, and must be cleansed of their past life, before they are eligible to be reincarnated.
That's most souls, but not all of them. Sometimes souls have a fervent wish to do something. A wish so strong that it causes the preestablished rules to bend. If their wish is strong enough, it can rewrite or overturn the rules of the world, allowing entities to take notice. But such odds can often be considered astronomically low. And in the event it does happen, most would consider it extremely unlucky due to the scenario tending to progress to the extreme depending on what entity takes notice.
Surprisingly, one such entity took notice of this soul in particular.
It was not acting like other souls. Others were moving with the current and awaiting rebirth, but this one? This one was stubbornly refusing to get in line. When the entity checked why, it saw the soul was unsatisfied.
'I want to be a hero! But I also want to try living for myself and others!' Is what it seemed to cry out.
A desire so pure, so untainted by malice, that it shone with a radiance unseen here before.
Intriguing.
That was what the entity thought.
And who was the entity to refuse such a request? So using some of it's power, it reached out and grabbed the soul. It sent it to the domain of another world. But not without gifts, ones it was certain the soul would find both ironic and curse it for.
But it gave them nonetheless. After all.
It wouldn't do for its amusement to die so easily after begging to be a hero.
Of course the entity wasn't entirely benevolent.
It had to have some fun. After all, it was being disturbed from tortur- ...
Er, helping its own people repent.
So it may or may not have made the world a wee bit more accurate to the LN...
Now then. What world did it send them to you ask?
A world of mystery and magic.
A world where monsters and men mingle without issue.
A world where figures of legend and myth hide in plain sight.
The world of dragons and gods.
Draconic x Deus.
Highschool DxD...
2 years later...
Moving under the cover of darkness, a figure could be seen. Her face and form were concealed by a cloak, but she was moving fast, silent, but mostly with stealth. In her arms was a small basket.
Despite her pace, she held the basket gently and not once did the basket shake. One could infer the contents were of utmost importance to her.
Soon enough she arrived at her destination.
A place in Kuoh Town, Japan.
A two-story terrace house with a light blue exterior, a balcony on the second floor, and a brown roof. It was the Hyoudou Residence.
Making her way to the doorstep, she put the basket down before hesitating. Reaching down in the basket after a moment, she pulled out what was inside: A small sleeping boy of no more than two years of age.
She kissed his forehead then put him back in the basket gently. Reaching in her cloak she pulled out a letter and put it with him, as well as a necklace which she put around his neck. Then, with no small amount of regret, she rung the doorbell and disappeared into darkness.
A few minutes later the door was opened by the house owners: Gorou and Miki Hyoudou. Looking around for a little bit they seem confused until seeing the basket on ground.
Bending down, they noticed the letter and begin to read it.
" Dear Mr. and Mrs. Hyoudou,
I apologize for intruding upon your evening but mostly for interfering in your lives. I would love to say that I just left you a gift, but that would be a lie.
This request is inherently selfish, but I must ask it nonetheless. In the basket is my son. I would ask that you take care of him in my stead, and treat him like your own. I ask that you raise him with all the love I myself cannot give him. I wish I could be there to see him grow up. To see him take his first steps and even see him get his first bruise from doing dumb childish stuff.
But I can't.
I can't give the reasons, but just know it would be dangerous for him to be with me while so young. I wouldn't even be asking this of you if I wasn't recommended to you by an associate who holds you dear and says you are beyond trustworthy. Once more I implore, take care of him.
You have a son of four years correct? Maybe he could be a big brother to my boy?
Regardless, when my son is old enough, tell him I love him and will hopefully meet him soon. I have also given you enough money for yourselves as a sorry for intruding.
And if you're reading this my dear Orion... I will always regret not being here. I'm sorry for being such a terrible mother but know this. Above all else, above even my own life, I will always and forever love you..."
Finished reading the letter, the couple pick up the basket with the boy inside as well. Nodding to each other, they bring him inside to the living room, where the two parents began debating on how to take care of their newfound child.
Yes. Their.
Though the two were strangers to whoever that lady may have been, they weren't so cruel as to leave a newborn to fend for themself.
The boy, now revealed to be called Orion, had by now woken up and was crying up a storm. Almost as if he knew he had lost something irreplaceable.
Try as the two Hyoudou Parents may, the boy wouldn't stop wailing.
Their efforts were met with vain, and the raucous wailing was bound to wake the inhabitants of the house awake.
"Mom, Dad, who's this?"
A brown haired boy asked, as he descended the stairs rubbing his eyes sleepily.
Issei Hyoudou, 4 years old and future (proclaimed) Harem King.
But for now?
A very confused kid wondering why it seems like his home had become more lively.
Smiling and picking up Orion, Miki turned to Issei with a small uncertain grin. She wasn't sure how he would react considering he was an only child moments before.
"This is your new little brother Issei. His name's Orion, so make sure to take care of him alright?"
Hearing this, Issei walked closer and Miki hands Orion to him. He stares down at the younger boy silently for a bit, as his Mother watches with bated breath, unsure of how it would go.
Orion, who was crying, stops for an instance as he looks up at Issei.
Smiling he reaches for Issei's face while trying to say the boys name.
"Ise, Ise, Ise!"
He failed miserably, but it still made the older boy smile as well.
"Sure!" Issei says confidently, "I'll be the best big brother anyone can ask for."
And that was how a reincarnated boy, became the younger brother of the future Sekiryuutei.
The Red Dragon Emperor.
But most importantly...
He became my closest confidant.
And the person I would burn the world for gladly.
10 Years Later
My name is Orion, and I don't think I'm like the other kids.
Or at least, I think I'm weirder than most.
Today was my 12th birthday, yet I was nowhere to be found during the celebration.
At least, that's what my parents were complaining about when they finally found me, sitting alone upstairs reading a book.
What was the title you ask?
I don't remember if I'm being honest, I think it was some book about the son of the ocean or something.
Anyways, the point is, birthdays for me were a....
Hectic affair.
Not in a bad way, but moreso in an exasperating way.
I didn't really like the things other kids liked, so that removed a lot of options for planning.
Not to mention I was quite perceptive for my age.
Sneaking around didn't work out to well, because I ended up always helping them plan for a party, while somehow not knowing it was for me.
By the third time, I think they gave up on sneaking around and just started asking me up front what I'd like.
But regardless, this time was a bit different.
A girl had come over, our neighbors daughter Irina, I think that's her name at least?
She had come over and was very insistent on throwing an actual party for me.
Poor Issei. Bro got dragged into her flow without having a chance to put up an ounce of resistance.
I wonder if he knows she has a crush on him?
Probably not.
The guy is too darn dense.
Well that, and he still thinks she's a boy.
...
Pff....
Anyway, we're getting off topic.
Point is, my Ma and Pa were exasperated that I was hiding away upstairs instead of being at the celebration.
I'd argue I wasn't hiding but rather catching up on reading but I digress.
With a bemused expression, my parents swiftly betrayed my trust and called upon the one person able to make me listen.
Irina.
As she dragged me out of the house with one arm, and Issei with the other, I made sure to shoot a stare that promised retribution back towards the adults of the house.
Small may I be, but I will not forget this travesty this day, ya hear?!
_
About 27 minutes later I was still pouting as we played DDR.
"Moping isn't going to get you back in the house anytime soon ya know?"
"Doesn't mean I can't keep lamenting what I'm missing out on... And question why you're so good at this frickin game!"
Ding~
"F$%^#@!"
"Language!"
"English. Or I guess Japanese....? Issei you give it a go."
He rolled up his shoulder sleeves with a cocky smirk.
"Watch and learn."
Ding~
"Motherf%#$^@!"
"Wheeze"
So context is needed no?
Apparently, Irina's brilliant solution to celebrate was, drumroll please, take all three of us to an arcade.
I don't know what her plan was, but I hope to god crushing our hopes and dreams in every game was not one of them.
As we left the arcade, thoroughly traumatized I might add, Issei was near catatonic, and my eyes were trembling as I struggled to reconcile all the numbers I saw.
"Zeroes..." I muttered as we walked out, "I didn't know a machine could render that many zeroes..."
"Ahaha..." Irina at least had the decency to look sheepish as we walked.
...
Soon enough a comfortable silence fell as we walked, not even quite paying attention anymore to where we going.
On one side of me, a chestnut haired girl I considered like a sister.
On the other, my brown haired brick for brains idiot of a brother, who was trying his hardest right now to avoid saying something.
Jokes on him, Irina and I both already noticed you were struggling to speak.
We ain't helping ya though.
Finally after a bit of time, Issei finally couldn't take it anymore.
"Alright! That does it! When were you going to tell me you were leaving Iri?!"
I blinked.
Ya know, of all the things I expected him to be biting his tongue on, that was not one of the things I had in mind.
I expected something more random, but that definitely veered out of left field.
But nonetheless, I can't wait to see her answer to this.
Fin~
Author Notes: This is my new story. Thoughts? Just leave a review! If you have other ideas on fixing this don't hesitate to tell me.
Suggestions are welcome as well. Just don't be too harsh, my self esteem is fragile after all.
And yes, its a self insert to a degree, because I don't have one yet, and I would like to do one as a result.
As such, there are bound to be some pieces of truth about me in the character of Orion.
Because I am Orion!
Er...
Orion is me?
Meh.
Regardless, yeah. This character is me. And as such will react as I would, and say shit like I would and so on.
He'll rant and monologue like me, and so on, so on.
And he'll spill bits and pieces of himself whether in his head or while confessing to someone else.
No, I will not say how much of it is true, but do know I wasn't kidding about being broken.
I don't feel emotions as easily as the rest of mankind.
Each emotion I project is something I've seen and thus copied.
I never really felt anything, unless I was helping someone.
But far from being good, I am most definitely Lawful Evil, or Chaotic Neutral if put in DnD terms.
But yeah.
We'll see how this goes.
Odds are someone will humor me and read it.
Oh yeah.
Depending on how this book does, I'll probably release a book about his years as a kid, cause this prologue is the last we'll see of him as a preteen.
But yeh.
Comment.
Vote.
Something.
Author out yo!