A/N: Fuck me this chapter just didn't want to come out. I've also been having some problems with school -If I'm not careful I will be held back a year- so it has been a pretty shit period, anyway, here's the chapter, the writing style might change from time to time because I've been writing this on and off so yeah... I say that a a lot 'so yeah' whatever, I'm just rambling. It's fucking midnight, I have school tomorrow so I'm going to sleep. Enjoy it or whatever.
Issei, the church trio and Rias's peerage have been looking for Kiba all around town, they even went as far as disguising themselves as Exorcists but that had no effect.
"We should probably st-" Rias was about to say something but was cut off by Issei.
"Wait! There's something giving off a Holy aura nearby." Asia closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on the aura.
"Yes, Issei-san is right, it feels like Xenovia-san and Irina-san's swords."
"It's probably where Kiba is going or already is." Issei said as he started runing towards the source.
Issei and company had to maneuver themselves around many people, because, while it was close to night there we're still a lot of people on the streets.
After ten minutes of running they came up to the source to see a wounded Kiba being circled by a crazy man with white hair, Issei recognized the man.
Not wasting any time Xenovia and Irina shot from their spots to attack the man, Issei however had other plans. He quickly shot past by both of them and took out Ascalon, blocking the incoming strike Freed aimed at the downed Kiba.
"Dah shit! You again!" Freed yelled as he stared into Issei's eyes with his own red ones.
"Yes me." Issei said as he pushed against Freed and launched him back.
Freed quickly regained himself and shot back at Issei who apried his overhead strike.
"You're good..." Issei commented as he got into a heated exchange of parries with the white haired maniac.
Issei parried yet another one of Freed's frantic strikes and his eyes narrow like that of a predator spotting an opening. He quickly thrust Ascalon, he had managed to stab Freed in the side, if only a little bit.
"Fuck...You're lucky this time you fucker...I'd love to play some more with you shitty Devils and you...umm...Angel guy, but gotta go and stuff!" Freed jumped up and waved around his sword as he ran off.
Issei sighed in relief and turned around just in time to hear a slap. He looked on at the scene played in front of him, it was so familiar to when Gabriel slapped him he felt the sting on his own skin.
"Idiot! I will make sure to punish you for worrying me like that!" Rias yelled as she stared Kiba down.
Kiba looked worse for wear, it was clear by now he let his rage take him over and lost the fight with Freed. Thank the Heavens they arrived in time.
Suddenly something that resembled a blob of water rolled around Rias's legs.
"Sona's familliar?" She picked up the strange creature and read the note that it carried.
"We have to go! To the school!" Rias's suddenly shouted as she created a teleportation circled.
"What's the matter?!" Issei asked before she disappeared completely.
"Just hurry to the school!" Issei nodded and unfurled his wings behind him making Irina stare in awe. Asia did the same, this time even Xenovia looked awestricken.
"Come on, I'll carry Xenovia since she's heavier." Issei rushed and picked up Xenovia bridal style.
"What are you implying?" Xenovia glared angyly at him as they took off.
"Which one of you has the enormous sword on her back?" Issei shot back sarcasically.
"Point taken." She muttered in defeat.
While they weren't really that far from school it had taken them some time to arrive, especially with the added weight. They arrived just in time to see the situation was not that great. Kokabiel had forced them in a corner, Freed and some old man were smirking as they looked at Kiba, who was holding something, well, more like cradling it, like a newborn.
A strange power shot from Kiba and made Issei both relax and shiver at the same time, it was something he hadn't expected. It was demonic, it spoke of the dark past of Kiba and Devils in general. But it was also holy, warm, speaking of comfort and acceptance.
The strange phantoms that had been until now hugging Kiba had disappeared and the look on his face spoke of his relief and new found resolve.
Issei and Asia landed softly near Rias and her peerage, it looked like even Sona, the student council president and her peerage was here.
"I see. That sword you're holding is all the proof I need. In the end I really was right GOD IS DEAD! AHAHA-" The old man that was shouting up until now was quickly silenced by Kokabiel, who launched a barrage of feathers at him, driving them through his body, the weak human dying in an instant.
"I-I-Is t-this true, I-Issei?" Irina asked stuttering from the shock of the reveal, Issei nodded slowly while Asia looked like she was on the verge of tears.
"How nice of you, Angel, you not only brought me more people to help me start this war but also more pieces of the Excalibur. I give you my thanks." The way Kokabiel spoke made Issei's stomach turn and twist, he was like Rizer, arrogant and full of pride, only, ten times worst.
Issei spread his wings and floated until he was on the same level as the Fallen Angel Cadre. Said Cadre rose an eyebrow as he looked at Issei's wings, he then smirked.
"How nice of them, to send such a high-ranking Angel for me to kill. Now the war is sure to break out again!" Kokabiel cackled on his throne as Issei materialized Ascalon, which in turn only made Kokabiel smirk more. "And you can wield Ascalon! Truly wonderful!"
Issei shot at Kokabiel with incredible speeds, said Fallen Angel rose from his seat and blocked Issei's hit. He clicked his tongue when he felt the pressure behind the blow. This was no enemy he should underestimate. This was someone who was not only barely weaker then him but could also wield Ascalon, a Legendary blade. Pushing against him he sent the Angel back with enough force to make him stumble in mid air.
While his enemy was powerful in his own right Kokabiel was even more, if only by a little. He had something the Angel didn't. Experience. He had fought and survived the Great War after all.
"I always wanted to ask your kind something. Before I fell, I also looked up to God and all He meant, but after I fell, I realized He wasn't all that great, there are other Gods out there, ones that are far more powerful then him. So please tell me, what keeps you from falling? You don't look like the kind that succumbs to lust so tell me. What keeps you from falling?" Kokabiel wore the same know-it-all smirk as he spoke making Issei contemplate beating him a little more then was necessary.
"Lust isn't a problem for me. And to be fair the only reason I haven't fallen is because someone will probably kill me once she finds out." Issei spoke with a light smile. Yeah, that was true, if he ever even showed the slightest sign of falling Gabriel would probably beat it out of him.
"So the only reason you haven't given in is because of a woman. Can't say I haven't heard that one before. Anyway, Angel, we've talked for long enough, I believe it's time for you and your friends to die." Kokabiel moved at speeds barely traceable and tried to slash Issei in a overhead swing. Issei blocked it but the force of the blow made him lose his balance a bit.
Issei gripped Ascalon's handle tightly as he prepared a powerful blow. He moved with the same speed Kokabiel had been a second ago. When he saw Kokabiel twitch he knew he was prepared for the strike, he twisted his body around the parry that Kokabiel prepared and struck him with all his might, sending Kokabiel down to the ground.
Landing near the crater he had created with the help of Kokabiel's body, Issei waited for said Cadre to appear out of the dust.
"I'll admit, you are a great swordsman..." Kokabiel left the statement hanging as he shot towards Issei again, who blocked his strike. "But I'm still better!" Kokabiel smirked as he fired a volley of feathers at Issei.
So began their dance, both of them moving at speeds hard to describe. Sparks flew as metal meet metal in a cacophony of sound. Slowly Issei was beggining to get pushed back, no matter how much he tried he couldn't match Kokabiel's strength in his base form.
One final mistake from Issei allowed Kokabiel to push past his defense. He was struck hard and flew for a couple of seconds before hitting a wall.
'Damn, that hurts...' He slowly got up and wobbled on his feet before he fell down. 'Fuck, those blows of his drained my stamina! I can't use Boosted Gear even if I wanted to.'
[Don't lose hope partner, stamina isn't the only thing that can fuel a Sacred Gear, so can emotions and r-] Ddraig was stopped when they both him and his host felt a new power get angry. Well, not exactly new.
"Y-You will not hurt Issei-san anymore!" Asia shouted as she made a spear of light so big it lit up most of the dark school grounds. She had probably thought him ingured seriously when in truth he was just tired.
Asia had let lose all of her power and was now standing before everyone in all her glory. All of her ten-golden-winged glory. She moved her hands forward and so did the spear. If the spear was smaller, and had Kokabiel not been tired by his earlier fight with Issei he would have probably dodged the spear. But as it stood now, he was as good as fried.
And fried he was.
Every single one of his nerves screamed as the painful sensation of the cleansing, holy light passed through him. He felt like his entire body was burning. He was sure that if he was a Devil or a lesser Fallen Angel he would have probably died right away. Still just because he survived it doesn't mean he was going to do anything for the rest week since most of his skin had been charred.
"Impressive, to think someone who looks like they couldn't hurt a puppy if their life depended on it could hold so much power." It was a new voice that spoke. And as Issei rose slowly and looked up his blood turned to ice.
There stood a figure clad in white armor that seemed eerily familiar.
'Is that who I think it is?'
[Indeed it is.]
"Do not worry, I haven't come here to fight you, I came here to get rid of the trash, although I would have liked to pound him in the dust myself it was still fun to watch." The figure took Kokabiel's wounded corpse(?) and flung him over his shoulder, disappearing in a trail of white light, after he made sure his gaze lingered a bit on Issei.
"Issei-san!" He didn't have time to mull over what that gaze meant because in the next instant he was enveloped in a tight hug, curteousy of Asia.
"I'm fine. Asia, I'm not even wounded that much, just tired and a little bruised. Nothing a good rest can't fix." He smiled softly at her as she almost let her tears spill. Asia was just like that. Emotional beyond belief. But that was her charming point.
"Anyway, Xenovia-san, Irina, can I trust you will deliver those fragments back to where they belong, I'm too tired to move and Asia isn't good with heavy stuff."
"Leave it to us Issei." Irina said cheerfully, he could still see the awe behind her eyes however. Whether that awe was directed at him or Asia he didn't know.
"Let's go home, Asia... Jesus I want to lay in bed for the next century." He joked with a grunt as he stretched himself, his bones creaked in protest and his muscles were clearly going to be sore.
"...-san. Issei-san!"
"I'm... awake..." Issei rubbed his eyes trying to remove the crust that formed there. His vision was still blurry but he could clearly see Asia and someone else.
"Good morning, Issei, well, day would be more appropriate." Issei was slightly surprised to see Gabriel behind Asia, he smiled softly and greeted her as well.
"So what brings you here Gabriel-nee? Came to congratulate me and Asia for making such quick work of Kokabiel?" Issei asked in a teasing tone with a shit-eating grin plastered on his face.
Gabrile frowned and pulled Issei out of the bed.
"E-Eh? Gabriel-nee?!" Gabriel made quick work of his clothes until he was left in his boxers. Asia who had been watching the whole thing play out covered her eyes with her hands.
"I-I h-had no idea Gabriel-sama and I-Issei-san where in that kind o-of r-r-relationship. E-Excuse meee!" Asia ran out of the room as soon as Gabriel began touching Issei's skin.
"Gabriel-nee?! W-What are you doing?!" Gabriel closed her eyes and stepped back with a relieved sigh.
"Thank goodness, you don't have anything major." Gabriel smiled brilliantly looking in Issei's eyes. He fought a healthy blush as he looked at Gabriel.
"A-Anyway... What brings you here Gabriel-nee?" Issei asked her after clearing his throat.
"Well like you said I came here to congratulate you and Asia, I heard she used her whole power to burn Kokabiel." Gabriel said with a smirk not unlike Issei's before he was forcefully pulled out of bed.
"Thank you, I guess..."
"There's also the actual reason I came here. There will be a peace meeting between The Three Factions. I want you to accompany Michael. He might not need it but I've been informed that a lot of people are still disagreeing with it and there's also a troublesome organisation that we're sure will make their appearance." Issei rose an eyebrow at this.
"An organisation? Like the Magic Association or something like that?"
"No. We don't know a whole lot about them really we just know what they are called. Khaos Brigade."
"I see..."
"On another note, Asia said breakfast should be ready by now. Let's go, you must be hungry." Gabriel said with a glint in her eyes, a glint Issei knew, he had seen it before on Dulio.
'Are Angels really that gluttonous?'
Breakfast was the usual ordeal of teasing and jokes from his parents, except ten times worse now that Gabriel was here. After that Issei and Asia got ready for another day of school.
As Issei came down he saw Gabriel happily chatting with his mother, raising an eyebrow he asked her, "Gabriel-nee, you aren't going to head back?"
"No, until that issue I talked with you about I'm going to stay at your home until then. Aren't you happy, your beautiful older sister will stay at your house for a while!" Gabriel said in a teasing tone, one that for an Angel didn't sound all that innocent.
Issei giggled and replied,"Yeah, sure, it will be nice to have you here for a while, right Asia-chan." Asia nodded happily and Issei rubbed her head affectionately.
"Alright, we're going out!" Issei called as he and Asia left their home.
"Those two are so cute!" Issei's mother said swooning.
"I know right!" Gabriel nodded and replied in a high-pitched tone.
School went along easily enough for Asia and Issei. So as the school day ended the two of them were now heading towards The Occult Research Club Room.
Something ran up to them and hid behind Issei with such velocity in could only be described as light speed.
"Angel-sama, please save me." The figure that was hiding behind Issei spoke in a scared tone as they shivered.
"Gya-kun, come here, I have some delicious garlic for you." Koneko's monotone voice was heard next, she appeared from behind a tree waving a bundle of garlic and looking around.
"Koneko-chan, who are you looking for?" Asia asked making Koneko's attention snap to her.
"A Vampire, he's short, blond and a cross-dresser." As Koneko said this, the figure behind Issei shivered. Koneko noticed this and walked slowly towards it.
"Boo." While her voice was monotone and would not scare even a fly, the figure still jumped up and hid behind Issei even more, "Found you." Koneko waved the bundle of garlic in front of it's face.
The figure shot from behind Issei and using the same speed as before went straight into the club room.
"So that's the Vampire you were looking for?" Koneko nodded, "Why were you chasing him with a piece of garlic?"
"I was trying to make him sociable."
"By chasing him with garlic."
"Yes."
After this exchange Koneko lead them to the club room and went to find the Vampire by herself.
"Hello, Rias-senpai!" Issei greeted with Asia following his example.
"Hello, Issei-kun, Asia-chan!"
"So what's up with Koneko-chan and the Vampire she was chasing?"
"He's my bishop, he used to be locked away because I couldn't control his power but my brother tells me I'm ready. Because of that he isn't exactly the most sociable person. It's been a real pain just to get him out of his room." Rias rubbed her temples as she said this.
"Would you like a hand with that?"
Rias sighed and nodded, "Please." She said more of a statement then plea.
Issei nodded and exited the room looking for Koneko, he knew she would have a vague idea where the Vampire was hiding.
Spotting her in front of a door along with Kiba and Akeno he went over to them.
"Hello everybody, is he here?"
"Yes, he doesn't seem to want to get out though." Akeno said with a frown.
"I see." Issei muttered and crouched in front of the door, "Hello? I'm Issei, Rias-senpai asked me to help you, what's your name?" Issei asked in a tone one would use to talk to a child.
"I don't need help! I want to live here forever!" Came the Vampire's stubborn reply.
Issei frowned at this, "Are you afraid? You can talk to me, I'm an Angel you know, we're creatures of compassion and understanding, you know... well most of the time."
"I-I'm Gasper..."
"See wasn't that hard, right? Now, Gasper, could you please open the door?"
Gasper did just that, but only so that he could see who was on the outside.
"Now how about you come with me? Me and my friend will try to get rid of that shyness of yours." Issei extended his hand and Gasper slowly took it nodding.
Rias and her peerage were now staring at Asia and Issei, the two of them were under a tree with Gasper whom they have talked to for almost three hours.
"Is it just me or do those two look like a married couple teaching their child about life?"
"Fufu~! Lucky Asia-chan, I wouldn't mind being Issei-kun's wife."
"Issei makes a good wife." Koneko said making everyone turn their heads to her.
"What? It's true."
"For whatever reason I can't disagree."
