Hello everyone! I'm sorry to keep you all waiting. It's been busy with the holidays and writers block being a problem as well. Nevertheless, its done and ready for you to read and review. Also special thanks to CyberIrona for beta-reading, editing, and advising me on my story. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.

Chapter 8 Hextin's hex

Kiba walked through the empty streets of Kuoh. He knew his actions would not go unpunished if Rias found him. Abandoning her during the fight was a one way ticket to going Stay however, this had to be done! He had a job to do, a job that he would not end until it was complete.

It was his burden to bear after what happened all those years ago...

He stopped when hearing footsteps nearby. Swiftly he made his way to sound and upon arriving his eyes narrowed at the backs of the two woman. Particularly, the weapons they were carrying…

"Excalibur...I've finally found you." He drew his sword and lunged!


"So where did your Knight run off to Gremory? Was he fed up with serving you and go Stray?" He laughed as the redhead glared at him. Rias didn't know what happened to her Knight or where he was, her worry blurred her thinking.

She looked at the wizard beside him. The hood didn't leave room to identify who it was. Her legs trembled as she stood up. She had no strength left. She needed time to regain just enough energy to assist Issei.

Hextin laughed at her attempt to stand up to him. Whatever reason the blonde had for leaving, it allowed him one less Devil to fight. He laid his eyes on Akeno, "I don't need to explain why I'm here because you already know that reason, and this time I will get what I want."

"I will kill you if you touch them!"

Hextin's eyes flickered to Issei. The Red Dragon Emperor's host stood in front of his friends with his fist clenched. Hextin raised a brow. "Brave but foolish, you have power but you don't use it a it's potential. Speaking of power, mine has doubled since the last time we met, boy!" Four raven wings from his back as magical energy coursed through his body. The Devil's mouth agape at the revelation."You're curious to know how I grew stronger. Alright, I'll tell you. After my fight with your friend, Price, I knew I was no match against any of you and so I set off to seek power. I admit it took time but I discovered incredible power not here in Japan nor the Underworld, but through the sorcery of a powerful wizard, Isengrim The Wicked!

"I admit I too was surprised to find the dark wizard still alive after his downfall. He was hiding in a fortress in the most desolate place in Russia making plans to reignite his conquest for world domination. I offered my allegiance to him so I may study the art of magic to defeat my foes, I told him. Quick I was to master the magic he taught him and while learning all I needed I did what Heaven so foolishly didn't. I, Hextin of Grigori killed Isengrim the Wicked who terrorized Europe for years. I took everything: his power, his knowledge, his strength.

Rias was astonished by Hextin's words, she never expected to hear Isengrim had been alive all this time. She heard stories of Isengrim the Wicked, how he once had been a sorcerer who fell into darkness when dabbling in black magic to use against his enemies, how he started a conquest to control the world and was opposed by Heaven and the Church. His skill in dark art was said to rival those of the Four Great Satans, and with that power, killed many who opposed him. But like all tyrants, he was defeated and stripped of his power. Everyone, including herself assumed Isengrim died, but Hextin claimed otherwise.

Was Hextin telling the truth? Had Isengrim the Wicked really been alive all these years? If so, he must have been well over a hundred years old giving that his date of birth was in 1896.

"I don't give a damn how strong you've become," said Issei, "I'll defeat you anyway!" He charged. The wizard rose a hand, sparks gathered on his fingertips, and it shot out. "?" Issei's attack broke as lightning struck him. "Aaaaaaaaaaa...aaaaaa...aaaaaa... !" he cried.

"Issei!" said Rias.

His body shook. It hurt. His body wouldn't stop trembling. It hurt. His head felt as if it was being pierced. It hurt. But even so, he didn't go down.

"Truly your bravery is something to admire, boy," said Hextin, "You're will to protect your friends is what drives you to win or is it the thought to touch your breasts?"

"Uuuuuuuu...aaaargh...b...both!" Issei said as he took a step, "I...love boobs, my friends and...I won't let you take Akeno as your plaything!" He teetered to the two. His anger only seemed to amused the Fallen; He was gonna punch that bastard's face when he gets close.

The spell stopped, and Issei came face to face with the magician with a sword in hand. He wasn't just skilled in magic, but martial arts as well? The magician swung the sword and met with the Boosted Gear. Issei punched the magician, but was blocked by a magic circle. "Damn!" Issei kneed the man's stomach when the magician jumped back and pressed his attack once more.

Issei resisted as the attacks came, but the man was too fast. A slash with a kick. A kick with a spell. A spell with a strike; Issei could only step back and defend. Issei saw his opponent jump above and launch a double kick toward his face, which he immediately blocked by crossing his arms above his head. When the second kick made impact Issei flung his arms out hoping to push the magician away, instead to his shock and amazement his enemy used the momentum of the push to kick off his forearm and go spinning through the air and land gracefully in a crouch!

'This guy's good! Did he take gymnastics or something?' Issei thought. Those moves were something only martial artists trained in something like Kung-fu could pull off. He had to be more prepared once he attacks again.

'Where the hell is Kiba?' he thought. They really could use his help now, but he had to go off on a quest of revenge to destroy those stupid Excalibur swords! "...Next time I see him...I...I'm gonna beat some sense out him."

Issei gathered his strength, knowing this fight would end when one of them fell, and one to fall would be the magician! He just needed an opening to land a hit oh him! He knew he didn't have long till his power ran out and he needed to finish this soon!

He closed the distance and threw a punch forward, it missed! He punched again that too missed! He tried again and again and again but couldn't touch him! He was at least putting him on the defense and if he played his cards right he could make him mess up and score a hit!

His opponent jumped away through a series of backwards cartwheels! Issei gave chase refusing to let distance come between them! Then the magic wielder performed a somersault backflip and in the middle of the spin threw his swords at Issei! The Red Dragon Emperor's host roared in pain as both swords dug themselves into each wings! Painful as it was he wouldn't stop, this was his chance, he had no weapons and was wide open… "Come on Ddraig give me a little more strength!"

Boost!

He shoot forward like an arrow released on a bow his fist going forward and finding its mark on the magician faces sending him rolling across the ground knocking up dirt everywhere!

Issei grinned victoriously he finally got a hit on him, "Gotcha bitch! What now you…" He trailed off as the magician rose to his feet. He had hurt his opponent for a bruise was forming where he hit him but that wasn't what made Issei go quiet. The hood fell off and he now had a clear look at the magician's face and he, along with his friends were sent into shock and silence, particularly Akeno.

"Gerard?"

It was the Gerard Price they knew. The same human, same black hair, same body shape, and same green eyes. No, his eyes were dull. The gentleman charm that he had before was gone

Something was wrong.

"What did you do to him?!" Issei asked. What the hell was going on? Why did he side with this bastard?

"Surprised?" said Hextin, "You should have seen him. He exploded with fury when I mentioned you, Rias. He said he hated Devils for killing Strays without a second thought."

"What did you do to him!?" Akeno glared at the Fallen.

"I hexed him," Hextin said, "When I met Isengrim, I told him about your friend and he was intrigued by him. I was ordered to bring him evidence of what he was capable of and to my luck I was given such a chance to see him in action when he fought that Lucius fellow. Isengrim was keen on capturing him but knew we couldn't do anything for he was too well protected within your territory. But like before luck was with us when we learned he had ditched you and wasn't anywhere in Japan. Imagine our surprise when we found him, Norway of all places, brooding in a pizza parlor about how you Devil's never spare Strays. It was so easy to hex him. Isengrim pretended to be a friendly old man to distract while I prepared my spell. To make it even better, he only follows my commands and I did so by ordering him to kill Isengrim. Of course I could have killed him myself, but what's the point when you have a powerful magician to do your work for you?"

"You bastard!" Akeno said. She raised her hand to cast lightning but stopped when Gerard jumped in front of Hextin. She looked into his eyes. There was nothing but emptiness in them. She lowered her arm. She couldn't do it, she couldn't bring herself to hurt the one she loved. He was a puppet under this bastards command and there was no way for them to save him unless…

Akeno rose to her feet and began trekking toward the enemy ignoring her friend's words. This may be the only way to save him. "Hextin, if I surrender to you, will you free Gerard?"

"Don't do it Akeno!" Issei said, and jumped in front of the priestess. "I promised I'd protect you! I won't let him take you!"

"I'm sorry Issei but this is the only way to save Gerard."

Hextin rose a brow. "You'd bargain yourself for your friends freedom?"

"You want me don't you!? I'm right here for the taking! Free Gerard and I'll go with you."

Hextin looked between her and the magician, and then to Issei. He wanted all three and he could have them, but the Gremory and Sitri were regaining their strength. "We will exchange at the same time. Move aside, Red Dragon Emperor, and do as your senior says."

"Issei," said Akeno, "do as he says. Do it!"

"I won't-argh!" a lightning blast sent his way paralyzed him, and sent him on the floor.

"Akeno don't," said Rias, "there's another way!" She lost Kiba, she didn't wish to lose Akeno. Her power was returning but she needed more to blast the crow into oblivion.

Akeno looked at her master. "I'm sorry, but to free Gerard I have to do this." She turned to Hextin. "One last question before the trade, did you send all these Strays after us?" she asked.

Hextin shook his head. "I have no knowledge of these Strays wandering around. I was in Europe while this was going on. Now, let us trade, you for Gerard." He motioned for the human to march over to the Devils while Akeno did the same toward him. As soon as she past Gerard, Hextin closed the distance between them and grabbed arm.

"Let him go." said Akeno.

His grin wicked as his grip tightened. "You think I'd give up such a powerful puppet? You're truly a fool to think I'd let him go."

"Damn you, Hextin!" Issei yelled. Dark wings wrapped his friend and they disappeared in a flutter of feathers.

All were silent, everyone stared at the spot where Akeno had been. First Gerard, then Kiba, now Akeno, had they already lost enough friends today!?

"...Damn it!" Issei punched the ground. "Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!" He failed to keep his promise. He failed to protect Akeno and prevent Hextin escaping. First, Raynare killed him, stole Asia's Sacred Gear which killed her too, and now Hextin captured Gerard and Akeno… He hated Fallen Angel's so much!

"What's going on here!?"

Irina and Xenovia rushed on the field with their weapons.

"What happened here?" Irina asked. She found her childhood friend crying and ran to him. He may be a Devil but he was still her friend. "What happened, why are you crying?" She cupped his face within her hands.

"He took her," His voice cracked, "That fucking Fallen Angel took Akeno!"

"Kokabiel!?"

Issei shook his head. "Hextin. He...he took Akeno. She bargained herself to have Gerard freed, but he didn't keep his promise. He took them both."

Xenovia looked around. "We sensed a great number of Strays around here and went to investigate, but it seems we were too late." She said, and looked at Rias. "And the reason for that is because your idiot of a Knight attacked us!" She pointed her blade at the redhead. "You promised you'd stay out of our business but your Knight attacked us saying he'd destroy our Holy Swords! You're lucky Irian only wounded him, had I fought him he'd be dead! You need to keep your dog on a tighter leash!"

Rias gritted her teeth. "Why you...!"

"Your friend, Kiba Yuuto, is alright, Lady Gremory," said Irina as she brought Issei to his feet, "He's wound was minor and I tended to it immediately. I apologize for Xenovia's harsh actions toward you."

Sona stepped in front of Rias. "Thank you for helping him, Shidou-san. On behalf of the Devil's, I deeply apologize for Yuuto's actions. What he did was his of his own accord and not planned by us. I assure you he will be punished for his actions."

Irina sighed in relief, for she feared the Devil's had broken their promise. The blonde Devil didn't say anything about that. He came out of nowhere and attacked them declaring he'd destroy their swords. "What exactly happened?" Irina asked motioning for Xenovia to lower her weapon, "Please tell us everything."


"This Hextin," said Xenovia, "who exactly is he? You speak of him but never have heard of him."

After Rias calmed down, the group tended their wounds. The church agents were told of what happened, from the surprise attack to the kidnapping of their friend.

"He's a rogue Fallen Angel," said Rias, "who, for reasons we don't know, wanted Akeno..."

"I'm sorry for what has occurred but this matter does not concern us," said Xenovia.

"Excuse me?" said Issei, "Didn't you accuse us for breaking our promise after Kiba went crazy over your swords? You should have dragged his ass back here so I could deck him in that pretty face of his for leaving! It's bad enough we lost Akeno to Hextin but now Kiba has gone stray to searching for you both."

"Irina wanted to, but all he did was curse us and vow to destroy our weapons." said Xenovia, "Best to leave him where he was to think over his actions. If you find him give him a satisfying punishment for what he did."

"I intend to," said Rias, "I'm going to look for him. You two will lead me to where you left him."

"He's probably long gone by now, Rias," said Sona, "It's best we start searching tomorrow when all our wounds are healed. Also, I am ordering a widespread manhunt for Hextin. His actions today will not go unpunished! We will find Price and Himejima and when we do. Hextin will brought to justice. The search begins tomorrow after school."

"And not alone," said Irina, "What has happened today has been tough on all of us. So as a member of the Church I would like to extend the hand of forgiveness and assistance in your search for your missing friends, Lady Gremory. Though we are still enemies, a temporary alliance can be formed." Irina extended a hand.

Everyone was surprised by the girl's words, Rias and Sona in particular. "What about your missions?" asked Sona.

"To tell you the truth," said Xenovia, "we've have had no luck in finding the stolen Excalibur's meaning Kokabiel either is no longer here or he has covered his track too well. As much as it pains me to say this Irina is right, we must put aside the trouble we've both caused today and join forces. Once we find your friends we will resume our search for the Excalibur's."

"We appreciate the help," said Sona, taking Irina's hand and seal the deal. Their offer to help them was a big surprise, but this alliance may be a foundation to prevent a war between the factions and bolstering manpower in search of their comrades.

"From here on out we are temporary allies," said Sona, "No tricks and deceptions will be made between either of us."

Irina smiled, "Agreed."