Disclaimer: I do own nothing, nor High School DxD, nor the image or any non-original concept I will put in this fiction. They belong to their rightful owners and I am not making a profit by doing this. Since when we can do profit anyway. Just wanna have some fun writing this.

There will be many reference or concept from other animes and games.

But before we start. A thank you to Darklord331 for beta reading my chapter.

Chapter 9 – Brave Vesperia

Previously in Hallowed Blade

She protects, she attacks, she heals but most importantly ... she will boost the morale of our team with her cuteness.

And this is how we decided to train Asia to become the mascot of our team.

It's been two weeks since I resumed my duty as an Exorcist and the beginning of Asia's training.

We managed to teach her how to store objects with magic and the basic of Elemental Magic. Unlike me who only has an affinity with Lightning and Light, Asia can use other elements.

It's not that I'm jealous, I'm rather proud of her. For now, she will stay with the basics. We don't want her to hurt herself, especially with Advanced Magic.

Griselda agreed to teach her how to make barriers which Asia was pretty good at. I don't really need barriers as I can use my swords to protect myself.

When Xenovia and Irina came back from their missions, Xenovia tried to teach Asia how to use a sword but we stopped her.

We were more scared that Asia hurt herself with it instead of her enemies. And she is clumsy so no.

Xenovia was a little disappointed but a quick spar with her cheer her up.

We once went on a mission with Asia once she learned how to make a barrier but I think it didn't went well.

It involved a low-class Stray Devil, Asia and us four who went with her.

We didn't let him attack Asia once but Asia, in the end, did nothing because we killed him the moment he saw her.

But at least, she saw for the first time the World outside of the Vatican so she was happy.

But recently, it seems that there is trouble with the higher-up so we were ordered to stay at the Vatican.

So I sparred against the three girls at the training ground with our Holy Swords. Any injuries would be healed by Asia who was watching over us. Of course, I didn't use Strengthening Magic or else I won't be able to train myself against them.

"Does anyone know what is happening right now?" Irina asked the group.

"""No""". The three others didn't know but I had an idea. It's time for the Excalibur Arc.

"Well, it must be important if the whole Church is like that. All we can do is to wait for Sister Griselda to call for us." Even if the order comes from the Church, Griselda is the one supervising our group so it's from her that we got our missions.

"I'm beat... You sure became strong, Sakuya." Irina said sitting on the ground exhausted while I smiled at her. Jeanne was faning herself and Xenovia was eating a banana... Where did she get it from?

"Are you okay?" Asia came soon after to heal our injuries.

"While I think about it, we should also train Asia to heal multiple persons at the same time and at distance."

I said as I look at Asia healing Irina.

"I never tried before..." Asia replied meekly causing me to pat her head.

"Asia, if you never have done it then you can try it now." She nodded at me. We all had some scratch on us so it's perfect.

"Asia, Sacred Gears can adapt and evolve based on the thoughts, needs, and feelings of its wielder. So instead of healing one person, think that you want to heal us." She started to make a complicated expression but I can understand that it's difficult.

If she spent all her time healing people by being near them. The transition will be difficult.

"Asia, close your eyes." I said to her and then I took her hands with mine.

"You don't need to think too much about it. Just relax and concentrate like how you heal people normally."

She took a breath and then she used Twilight Healing like as usual, two silver rings with a blue-green gem on each ring appearing and shining on her fingers.

"Now, just think you want to heal everyone here. Xenovia, Jeanne, Irina and me. Wish for it to happen." As I softly spoke to her, the light on her fingers shined even brighter and a green dome appeared around Asia.

This dome began to grow more and more until it covered us all and our scratches started to heal.

"You did it, A-chan" "You did well." "Good job, Asia." The three girls congratulated Asia.

"I did... it..." Asia started to collapse but I caught her in my arms.

"You did great, Asia." She smiled briefly before falling asleep on me. She exhausted herself.

"Looks like healing four persons at the same time was too much for the first time."

"But she did great so it's fine." Jeanne and Irina sit down next to Asia to take care of her.

"For now, let's just focus first on healing at distance. What is it Xenovia?" She was staring at Asia with her hand on her chin.

"I wondered if an enemy was to be in that dome. Will he be healed?" We took a moment to think about it and we had the same answer.

"""Yes."""" Because of Asia's personality, there is a chance that she would heal both allies and enemies. She is the kind of person that would harbor no hate toward people, even Devils.

"So, it was here you people were." From the hallway was Griselda. She rose her eyebrow when she noticed Asia sleeping on me.

"Has something happened to Asia?" She asked as she approached us.

"She just exhausted herself by training with her Sacred Gear." Irina explained to her while we nodded.

"I see. In any case, I have something important for you fives so please come to my office tomorrow morning." And with that, she left us.

"A mission?" Jeanne asked while tilting her head.

"It seems like that. She said it was important so better get some rest for tomorrow. I'll take Asia back to her room." I said, carrying Asia in my arms and went to her room.

"Wait, I'll come with you." Jeanne followed me.

"What do you think about tomorrow?" She murmured as she looked at me.

"I have a bad feeling about this." I never fought against a Cadre before so I may need to use all my strength against Kokabiel.

The next morning, we went to Griselda's office to see what she has for us and like I thought, it was about the fact that the Excalibur's fragments got stolen.

"I will make it simple for you five. The remaining Excalibur's fragments were stolen from the Church by a Fallen Angel and you were chosen to retrieve them." We were speechless.

How she told us that in the same way that if she said 'The sky is blue' left us speechless and she said that with her usual smile.

"I assume that you didn't understand me from the face you all have. I will explain so listen well.

A few days ago, the remaining Excalibur's fragments were stolen from the Protestant Church, the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church by a Cadre of Grigori, Kokabiel." When Kokabiel's name, the girls were shocked.

Well, Kokabiel has his name in the Bible and he fought in the Great War.

"Does that mean it was an act of Grigori?" Xenovia asked to which Griselda shook her head.

"No, the higher-ups had contacted Grigori about the action of Kokabiel. They denied that his actions were because of the Grigori but himself. So he can be considered as a Stray.

But the problem is the location he is right now. He is in Japan, especially in Kuoh Town." Irina freezes up like a statue and I couldn't help but to wince.

"Kuoh Town is the territory of Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri. Both of them are the little sisters of one of the Four Satan. Sirzechs Lucifer, formerly Gremory and Serafall Leviathan, formerly Sitri."

"Then do they have an alliance with Kokabiel?" Wondered Irina but again Griselda shook her head.

"No, Kokabiel is known for being a racist and thirst for war so there is practically no chance that he will ally himself with Devils but that is to be confirmed.

We had sent Exorcists to Kuoh in secret but they ended being killed. It seems that Kokabiel is allied to the stray exorcist, Freed Sellzen, and the Genocide Archbishop, Valper Galilei."

I completely forgot about Freed and Valper, it seems he was excommunicated before I met Dulio.

I did travel with Dulio when I accompany him during some of his missions.

He wanted to see where the 'Holy Sword Project' were experimented so he could pray for those who died.

It was the first time I saw him really depressed and it was saddening to see him like that. Dulio who became an exorcist for the sake of children and orphans while Valper experimented on them.

Either way, Valper Galilei will die for his sins. Be it by my hand, Kiba Yuuto's hand or even Kokabiel's hand like in the anime.

"We can't send Angels that easily into the territory of a Devil as it can be seen as a threat toward them and a declaration of war. We can't contact the Satan that easily so we have to send instead Exorcists."

"What about Dulio or Vasco?" Jeanne asked to which Griselda once again shook her head.

"Dulio and Vasco are famous figures of the Church. They would be seen the same way as an Angel which means as a threat. So we have to send Exorcists who can fight but are not famous in the supernatural world.

And so, it was decided that you five will go on this mission. You five are the most capable exorcist available right now.

The objectives of this mission are simple. Retrieve or destroy the Excalibur's fragment that was stolen from the Church."

"""""Yes, Ma'am.""""" As we prepared to go, Griselda stopped us.

"I almost forgot something, Sakuya. I want you to act only if the situation demands it." She confused us.

"Why? It's not like I'm famous." She shook her head again. How many times will we get things wrong?

"No, contrary to what you think, there are a lot of rumors about you for being Dulio's apprentice.

Luckily, you always kept your identity hidden with your white robe during missions. So there are very few people who know of your identity. So this is why you must stay hidden until there is urgency." I nodded at her and left her office with everyone following me.

We are on a plane in direction of Kuoh planning our plans.

"So as Griselda said, I will act if there is urgency. So you three will have to take care of diplomacy with the Devils supervising the town." I said to them who looked confused.

"Us three? But we are four."

"Asia will stay with me. Even if she can protect herself, she won't be able to fight so she will stay behind until it becomes dangerous. We will enter the enemy's territory. We don't know if they can be trusted so it's better to hide Asia from them. And stay together at every moment, we don't know about the movement of Kokabiel and his allies." They nodded at my explication.

"Oh, I see." Looks like they understand.

"Also, the Gremory Group know me but they don't know that I am an exorcist so no matter what don't mention my name. Act as if you don't know me in the presence of Devil and no matter what, don't go to my house."

"Why?" Irina looked a little sad, I guess she wanted to visit my family.

"I sort of showed them photos of us when I came back for vacation. So they will know that we know each other. I just hope they didn't tell Ise anything about it."

"Is that a problem?" Irina asked me making me wince.

"Yes, Irina. Don't be shocked but Ise has become a Devil. For those who don't know, Ise is my twin brother." At this, their eyes widen and more especially, Irina's.

"I see. So if we go at your house and that your brother is here, there is a chance that your cover would be blown-up because your parents know that you are related with us." I nodded at Jeanne's deduction.

"Don't worry, leave it to us." Xenovia, with your personality and blunt honesty, I don't think I can trust you.

"Also, Jeanne. Here." I gave her a ribbon.

"That ribbon has a transmitter so we will be able to listen to your conversation with the Devils." She nodded and took it.

"It's nice, I too want a present." Irina, don't start to whine.

"I'll give you something once we're done with the mission and we can visit my parents if you want after that." She smiled at my response.

Asia, Xenovia, why are you looking at me like that? Don't tell me...

"You two also want a present?" Asia blushed while Xenovia remained calm.

"A spar is enough for me." Typical Xenovia. I nodded at her.

"Asia, once we are in Kuoh. I'll take you somewhere, okay." She nodded at me.

"Before that, we need a name for our team." Irina, is there really a need for that?

"How about Celestial Beings?" Jeanne, do you want to pilot a Gundam?

"I was thinking of White Sheep." Asia, it's too cute for us.

"Devil Slayer." Irina, only I and Asia really use magic in our group.

"Destroyer of Evil." You don't really hide your desire, Xenovia.

"Sa-chan, what about you?" A group name, huh...

"Brave Vesperia."

"What does it means?" Asia asked me with curiosity. The other girls were also listening.

"It's from a story I heard when I was young. In this story, the world was in ruin because of a great cataclysm.

And one day, two brothers appeared, then they fought against the cataclysm and saved the world from annihilation.

One brother who was known as 'Brave Vesperia' ascended to the skies to watch over the world.

And then, he becomes the brightest star in the sky. That's the meaning of 'Brave Vesperia'." I liked that name and the game where it's from.

"A star that watches over the world, I like it." Jeanne said with everyone nodding.

"Then looks like it is decided, our team's name will be 'Brave Vesperia'!" Irina yelled ... in a plane.

"Irina, we are on a plane. Don't bother other passengers." "I'm sorry." We chuckled at her.

During the rest of the trip, I taught Asia the magic translator. Although the Devils also have the same magic translator, she won't be able to speak Japanese with normal persons without it.

Once we arrived, we separated from each other. Apparently, they saw first Sona Sitri and her peerage. It seems that they will negotiate with Rias tomorrow.

What are Asia and I doing? We are exploring the town. We have some time to kill before tomorrow and Asia never went out of the Vatican so it's good.

Right now, we are in the arcade playing some games. What if someone recognizes me? No problem.

Unlike the three girls, we didn't wear our white robe or our priest and nun outfit, we disguised ourselves.

I also bleached my hair to a white blonde color so people don't recognize me that easily.

I had a black tank top, black jeans, combat boots and a white long vest coat with a hood on me.

Asia had a sky blue dress and a white summer hat with a sky blue ribbon.

"Did you have fun, Asia?"

"Yes! It was very fun!" She smiled at me but then she looked toward a plush inside a crane game.

It was a counterfeit of Pikachu, Rache-kun.

"Do you want it?" When I asked, she shook her head.

"No, Sakuya-san already got me Aya so I'm fine."

"Aya? Do you mean the blue-eyed white dragon plush?" She nodded but she still looked at Rache-kun.

"Then, wait a moment. I'll get it."

"But..." She hesitated but I ignored her as I put a piece and started to pick up a plush.

"Asia, it's fine to say if you want something. When you want something, ask. Don't keep it for yourself." I took the plush I just won.

"Also your birthday is pretty soon, right. So you can consider this as an early birthday present." I gave her Rache-kun to her who takes it in her arm.

"Thank you very much. You always do so much for me I don't know how to repay you..."

"Do you want to repay me?" She nodded quickly and I sighed.

I looked at her and pat her head while looking at her in the eyes.

"Then I want you to live your life with happiness. Fully live your life without regrets and with a smile. That's all I'm asking you."

She looked at the ground, holding tightly at the plush but I could see the smile on her face.

"Let's go, Asia." I handed my hand which she took with a smile.

"By the way, why did you name your plush 'Aya'?" She chuckled before looking at me.

"It's a secret." And we went to the abandoned church waiting for the girls.

Tomorrow afternoon, Jeanne and the girls went to see the Gremory Group while Asia and I went to the forest next to the old schoolhouse enough to see their conversations.

We are far enough so they don't notice us.

Let's see what will happen.

The conversation was simple or rather blunt thanks to Xenovia.

It was basically something like 'If you're not with Kokabiel, don't get in our way.'.

Of course, Kiba provoked the girls. Well, in front of him were three Excalibur's wielders and they showed the Devils their Excalibur's Fragment to show off.

Just like in canon, Kiba fought against Xenovia.

"Why do they have to fight?" Asia asked me worriedly.

"It's because of hatred. Because of Valper's actions, Gremory's Knight has an extreme hatred towards anything that is related to Excalibur and Holy Swords. Do you know what Valper did?" I said to her to which she nodded while making a sad face.

"Well, Gremory's Knight is a survivor of Valper's experiments. You can imagine the rest." She remained silent, then she took her cross and held it firmly as if she were praying for him.

I patted on her head to try to cheer her up while looking at the fight.

At the side, Rias's peerage, Irina and Jeanne were watching the fight. Wait, since when Jeanne has a flag with her?

The fight in itself was pathetic. Kiba who kept summoning sword and tried to destroy Excalibur Destruction and Xenovia who didn't move at all.

If Kiba was thinking straight, he may have a chance to beat Xenovia with his speed but his anger towards Excalibur made him weak and stupid, only targeting the sword and not its wielder.

Sighing, I left with Asia following me.

The next day, Irina told me that Ise wanted to cooperate with us if we let them destroy an Excalibur.

She and Jeanne were skeptic about that but Xenovia agreed to their help.

I just told her to accept their help, having an Excalibur destroyed is nothing for us. I warned them to no separate from each other and always stay together. We don't know of the location of Kokabiel so it's dangerous to act alone.

For now, we can only wait for them to make their moves.

It was only a few days later an afternoon when Jeanne called me that they lost Excalibur Mimic to Kokabiel.

It seems that they invaded his base but they met him. Although they managed to escape, they lost an Excalibur and they're injured but if you want my opinion, it was more Kokabiel who let them escape.

They soon joined us in the church and getting healed by Asia.

Xenovia was apparently with Kiba chasing after Freed and Valper and Ise's group are with their King.

As soon they were fully healed, they went to Kuoh Academy where Kokabiel was waiting. I also made a katana for Irina since she lost her weapon.

It has the appearance of a normal katana but it was entirely white with a white ribbon was attached to its pommel.

A few minutes later, I saw a barrier being created from the church. It must be Sona and her peerage's doing.

"I guess it's time for us to make our move. Let's go, Asia." "Yes." We waited long enough and they won't be able to beat Kokabiel alone.

And so we also went to Kuoh Academy.

- With Unknown -

"You don't mind that I stop Kokabiel by myself?"

"No, even if the Gremory girl and her peerage can't beat him. I'm more interested in this boy."

"What is interesting with him?"

"He is apparently the Strongest Exorcist's apprentice and the rumors say that he possess four pairs of wings."

"Dulio Gesualdo's apprentice and four pairs of wings... Did they managed to reincarnate Humans into Angels?"

"No, they don't have the means to do that and he's a pure human, not a Miracle Child.

But he possesses more Holy Energy in him that a normal human. That's why I'm interested in him."

"So do you think he can win against Kokabiel?"

"Yes, he can. That's why you don't need to intervene."

"Interesting, I can't wait to fight him one day."

"You never changed."

A/N: And that was the ninth chapter of Hallowed Blade.

I wanna say thank you all for the reviews and a great thank you again to Darklord331 for beta reading my chapter.

And now, I will try to answer to the review.

Dominus1389: Watch out for upcoming chapters.

GGPD: Now, the Excalibur Arc has begun. As for Xenovia, watch out for upcoming chapters.

Lio4567892012: Thank you.

Morregen: Thank you.

Lewsx: Thank you but you exaggerated. The work of God, it's not at that level.

Sonic: Thank you.

Crainium9: Thank you, I will fix that.

Raphaim: Thank you for you comments, I'll try to take up on your advice. As for my beta, he fix what I can't see so if he miss something. I won't know.

Raidentensho: Maybe at formal events or occasionally, I don't know.

It may be fun. If I do it, every girls in the group will have their hairs attached.

Unlike canon, Xenovia still has her ponytail from Chapter 6. Irina her twintails. Jeanne has her hair tied behind her head just like in canon.

Nobody won't be able to resist Asia. It's an universal truth. Seeing Asia's puppy eyes or teary eyes will always give you diabetes because of how sweet she is.

Bevim23: I wrote in Chapter 2 that I won't do lemon scene as it will be off-screen.

It is my first fanfiction and I have never written any lemon scene. Should I write that kind of scene is up to you guys.

So I shall ask you all. Do you want lemon scenes? I made a poll in my profile so go check it and vote.

Thanks for reading and see you next time.