Chapter 21: Changes Part 1
MEETING THE TRIPLE DEMON Location the Underworld, Bael Territory: Belladonna's Mansion, Theater Room
A couple minutes have passed since Cerberus was summoned and reincarnated as Laharl's second rook. He took them home and introduced the triplets to the girls and mom. Cerberus the always excited girl, practically bounce around, they spoke in unison, "Hi!! We're Cerberus nice to meet you!!" This confused the girls and Belladonna, especially after she did a basic scan of the triplets, she was shocked to find them sharing the same rook piece. Seeing their confusion, and since Cerberus was distracted with the Playstation, playing Crash Bandicoot 2...he decided to explain her origins and what they are exactly.
He told his mom and girls that Cerberus is a really special care. While they are triplets and three bodies, they are still one entity that shares the same thoughts, feelings, memories, and sensations. As unbelievable as it may seems, Belladonna's initial scan over the new girls prove exactly what her son said to them. He went on to tell the edited story on how he meet them. Saying that he'd meet them before in the woods, they were playful and adorable, but not yet strong to handle things that he and the girls might face in the future. Then one of the triplets leaped onto Laharl's back and said, "Since he is are chosen mate and master. A spark lit up in me. (As another of the triplets, standing on the sofa in a flashy fashion and continues) I trained, and trained until we've felt our muscles and bones ache. All to prove were strong enough to be by Laharl's side!! (As the triplet playing the PS1 finished) Now strong, I tracked his scent and found in the woods. I was soo happy we've jumped him, and finally we've became apart of his peerage and pack!!" Belladonna was amused by their extreme presentation, and could tell these girls are a sweetie, but she couldn't understand the references to mate, pack, and the need to pet these girls. That's when Ruby said, "Ha!! Their dogs. They are literally if you took a cerberus, split in three and made them into girls!!" saying this while she smashed one her fist into the open palm of her other hand.
Now all made sense to Belladonna. And even why they were named after a three-headed infernal hound. Along with the cute doggy ears that they all have. They're somekind of rare devil with beastkin lineage in them. Regardless she and the girl welcomed Cerberus to their home and family, but then Kyoko brought up important point, as she mentioned, "Ummm... Since they are all Cerberus, how would we able to differentiate, or communicate with them?" Kyoko was completely right. While true that they are the same entity, what would happen if they are separated, and need to talk to one specifically. True her ability to relay communications would be unbelievable asset to them, if they don't know which of the triplets they talking to would prove a challenge. That's when Laharl spoke up, "We'll call the Cerberus when their together or if theirs two of them present. As for Kyoko's worries. Name and give them a accessory exclusive to that triplet." They agreed it was the best way to solve the issue, but as soon as the triplets heard that their each getting a name for body, they'd practically jumped in front of Laharl, and demanded excitably for him to name them.
Laharl, scratch the back of his head since he'll admit his not good at naming. But he decided just to use simple names, and face the ridicule that his mom and girls will throw him for his naming sense. He named them, Kii, Mii, and Vii...but no one started to talk negatively or comment on his names, Cerberus was overcome with joy, at their names, and the girls actually found the names cute, so did his mom...Laharl, though he must have gotten lucky, that time. With that Cerberus, Kii, Vii, and Mii were apart of the family.
A couple days later, his mom gave Cerberus a special black collar. Each one had a gold small pendent with a red letter, K for Kii, M for Mii, and V for Vii, they absolutely loved their gift, and rubbed their head onto his mom, like happy dogs. Belladonna, found it adorable and couldn't help but pet them making them soo happy, that made clear that Cerberus, has already won his mom over. And soon after many servents as well they became the mansion's beloved puppies.
LEVEL THREE OF THE FIELD DUNGEON Location Field Dungeon Area 3
Some months passed. Laharl decided it was time to hunt again. To not only gather monsters to sell but increase stats of the newest to the dungeons, Albedo and Cerberus. Albedo already has her poleaxe out, but not her armor, deciding to fight her iconic white dress. While Cerberus they were throwing practice punches and kick, clearly excited to fight and venture fort. As Laharl lead them into the entrance of the Field Dungeon, just out the limits of the backyard of the mansion. And once the seven devils passed through some bushes they appeared into a open green field, with bright blue skies above.
He decided they'll traverse the Field Dungeon from the beginning. This let them enhance their stats even if it's small, and collect more monsters from the level. Pulling out his Zanbato from his scarf storage, Kyoko drew her kabar knives, and Ruby her Faust like huge sword. They were ready to hunt. Laharl along with the girls devastated through the hellhounds allover the first area of the Field Dungeon, by far the fastest and most bountiful hunt to date on this level.
This allowed Ruby to finally break through the next level of her speed stats having absorb enough Blue Exp. Albedo and Cerberus rised their strength level with the amount of kills and Red Exp that they gathered. Easily over a hundred hellhounds were hunted by them, and stored by Laharl. Whats more Laharl, Kyoko, and Ruby felt even a slight bit stronger than before but a lesser extent to Laharl, having used the level upgrade from the reward from the Rating Game. For a couple of hour they continued to hunt in the area, and collecting a lot more hellhounds, before they all decide it was enough and went to the waypoint of the level.
As they used the waypoint to go to cave system that is the second area. Cerberus complain in unison that the caves were to scammed to run around, and enjoy themselves. Making the group laugh at their comment, Laharl, was glad that Vii, Mii, Kii were getting along with the other girls, and quite naturals in fighting in teams. With their mood improved they went ahead deeper into the cave system of the area.
Together they took out a huge amount of Ghosts and even snagging some Gremlins as well. With the huge amount of Green Exp from the slain ghosts both Albedo and Cerberus leveled up their mind stat, quite quickly. Thank to Cerberus speed and coordinating with Kyoko the gremlins that they faced were easier to take down, especially when a three dog-devil girls were wailing down punches and kicks with relentless force. After a couple more hours, they ended with a couple hundred ghosts and a few dozen gremlins. Ruby along with Cerberus were getting bored with taking out weaklings, Laharl he'd agreed and suggested, "While we have more enough materials, to call it a day. Do you girls want to check out the next area? Not going deep but see what is waiting on ahead." Ruby and Cerberus they immediately were pumped and eager to go, Kyoko was okay with going onto the next level, and Albedo smiled and said, "My, my darling. Seems that we share a bit of hunger for a better challenge." it be a lot more sweeter if her poleaxe wasn't covered in blood, and her yellow eyes didn't show some murder intent... But since everyone was in agreement, he placed his Zanbato over his shoulder, and led the way to the next waypoint.
The seven devils all appear in a flash of blue and white in a brand new area. It was a stone ruin with old withered and broken down structures everywhere. Possessing a Aztec-like vibe, but without the jungle aspect of it, as there was overgrowth everywhere. From vines, weeds, and other plants growing on the columns, walls, and the cracks on the stoned floor. Laharl, he looked up to see that they were still in somekind of cave but much bigger and wider than the previous level. Whatever monsters and exp-drop that they can get from there he hopes it be valuable. Cracking his neck, he said to his girls, "Shall we?" with a chuckle or smile they started following their lover and king into the ruins.
After a couple steps they found a monster, new for the girls but familiar to Laharl. A blue furred, night hound slightly bigger than the hellhounds in the first area, but as he saw the growling monster, that was soon joined by two more night hounds, his suspicion grew. This level could have repeated monsters of the previous level but in a higher rank, or like many RPGs are known for, after progressing some in the game, bosses become average encounters. Whatever the last night hound, sold for a pretty penny, now they have a area to farm them, made thing better, as he lower his massive Zanbato and got to his usual stance, he said, "Girls, ready?" They smile in excitement and rush in as the night hound howled and leaped at them.
Few hour went by and the hunt proven great. The night hounds while they didn't give as much exp-drops like the First Boss, their drops were clearly of a higher level. After a couple of them were hunted, Cerberus and Albedo easily broke through their speed stat level, and a welcome surprise Kyoko broke the threshold to the brilliant black crystal of strength, or level 3 in strength being at same level as Laharl in that stat. And as much as the girls wanted to venture on, they already hunted for hours and gotten great results in this dive. Now with them stronger they can start the hunt in second or go straight to the third area whenever they want. But beside that they called it a day, and started making their way back to the waypoint to exit the Field Dungeon.
ELEVENTH YEAR Location the Underworld, Bael Territory: Belladonna's Mansion
Time passed by and Laharl, Kyoko, Ruby, and Cerberus were now eleven while looking fourteen. And Albedo just turned fourteen and looks sixteen. After the last dungeon dive, and Laharl gave all the spoils to his mom, she was impressed with the huge amount of hellhounds, ghosts, gremlins, and was pleased that they found some night hounds as the 72 Pillars have been demanding more of those. They spent the rest of the previous year doing some things around the mansion. Kyoko started to sell some her sown creations along with the monster material, gaining quite a following especially with ladies of the Pillars, placing special request for the ninja girl.
Albedo has dedicated herself to learn under Lady Belladonna, to become a worthy and dutiful queen and future daughter-in-law. Showing her incredible intellect, and administration skills, helping Belladonna drastically reduce her workload. Earning much respect amongst the servents of the house, and Marron, seeing her as a fine queen for the young lord and maybe a worthy Lady Bael to serve under in the future. As she worked, Laharl also tasked her with finding where the Nekomatas were and make a meeting with whoever in charge of them. As Laharl, he always though the nekomata and nekoshou extermination was waste. If he can secure them under the direct service and protection of House Bael, then when Shirone or Koneko is found by Sirzechs and given to Rias, the only nekoshou blacklisted would be the Itachi knockoff Kuroka.
Cerberus has gotten quite adjusted to their new life. Helping out where she could, along with messing around with the maids, stealing broms like a dog taking a stick. She would also run around on all four when they are very excited. Cerberus has also developed a huge friendship with Ruby, as Cerberus loves meat, they'd openly drowl at the smell of freshly cook meat, since Ruby was a big eater they would be either been seen sparing or eating together around the mansion. Like Kyoko, Cerberus loves the Crash Bandicoot games even managing to 100% speedrun the first game in a couple of hours...quite impressive for a first attempt. They swore once they broke the top record, they beat all the other additions records...it was quite hilarious since such a bold and serious declaration from a silly, hyperactive, doggo girl.
Aside from that it didn't take long for Cerberus to join in sleeping in the same room, as Laharl and the other. But they would huddle together like a couple dogs sleeping together in the foot of the bed. Pretty soon, Laharl, he knows he'll need to big a bigger bed to accommodate so many people, and so they can sleep comfortably, snuggled all together. Another addition to the mansion was a special punching bag, design to willstand unbelievable amount of punishment and force with magical enchantments. It was place in the training field, so Cerberus can beat it up, the three of them with punch, kick, and beat that bag to kingdom come. Apart from that they'd occasionally train with the rest of the peerage to improve their teamwork and dungeon dive a couple times during that time, and that how the rest of the year went and turn to year eleven, since Laharl has been born in DXD, only five more years until Rias and Sona leave to Kuon. Then two more years for the story and all the chaos of DXD official starts...