Disclaimer: Ditto for pretty much everything I've said in the previous 9 chapters, lol. I don't own anything.
Author's Note: So much has happened. Don't kill me for being late. On a more serious note:
Chapter revamps are also in session to make them not as cringe in terms of flow and characterization.
I also decided to make an opening for fun too, lol. This is for the celebration of the tenth chapter, which is going to be long. Like pretty dang long.
Of course, I won't count the words in my author's notes as part of my total.
Try listening to the song mentioned (DxD NEW 2nd OP) while reading. XD
As a piece of advice, only read the bolded text. Otherwise it would be absolutely impossible to follow the song.
Enjoy this tenth chapter!
"Ddraig talking"
"Albion talking"
[Sacred Gear Talking/Juggernaut chant]
"Voices of past possessors talking"
"Thoughts of characters"
[Rating Game system speaking]
"Spell activation chant"
"Great Red Talking"
[Vali's Juggernaut Drive] (NEW)
Chapter 10: Gekijyouron/Passionate Argument (ZAQ)
(Instrumental)
A light gets gradually brighter in the darkness, before Issei suddenly breaks through it in his Balance Breaker form. He flies into the clear, blue skies. Stardust trails behind him.
(Taka ga shireteta terai ga... Uzumaite.)
Raynare is sitting on the bench where she and Issei had their first date. It's raining, and she is soaked. Her face is shadowed by her hair.
(Oisugaru, koto mo dekizu ni ita yo?)
A hand is then reached out to her. She looks up, seeing Issei smiling gently while holding an umbrella.
(Namida no wake, kimi... Ni ienai mama de...)
The scene changes. Emilia and Sadao step out from behind Alas=Ramus, who has a faraway look on her face. They are all standing on a cliff, overviewing the ocean.
(Kuchibiru wa itsumo sora o nirandeita!)
Rias and her peerage are all seen in the ORC room, chatting. Tiamat, Irina, and Xenovia are also there, enjoying their cups of tea.
(Kuzuoreteta, yamiyo ni kimi ga koetekita kyoukaisen...)
Azazel flies while he brandishes a small, yellow spear. Vali flies out from behind him, transforming into his Balance Breaker mode.
(Sekai shisutemu wa kakumeiki ne!)
Issei faces him, also going into Balance Breaker mode.
(Kaikan itami, hakai souzou...)
Vali and Issei respectively charge up energy blasts of blue and red.
(Kaeteiku watashi no yowasa mo? We go harder than never!)
Both Dragon Emperors fire the large blasts at each other, creating a huge explosion that turns the screen white.
(Ima... Oshiyoseru kanjouron!)
Order smiles insanely as he transforms, his pupils now red. A massive, black spectral dragon with red eyes suddenly takes his place.
(Inochigake no ai wa amaku nai wa tsuyoku... Motto tsuyoku!)
Issei faces him stoically. His Scale Mail glows bright red and expands, before also shifting into a spectral form.
(Donna... Uso ga matteita to shite mo!)
The scene changes again, with Vali and Issei soaring in the air clashing in their Balance Breakers.
(Eranda michibiki shinjite!)
Ophis is seen standing on a cliff with a forlorn look, closing her expressionless eyes.
("Furumau koto wa nai" to.)
Issei's fires a Dragon Force Striker towards the screen in Balance Breaker mode.
(Yasashii akuma no hohoemi wa.)
Ophis deflects the attack with a snake-shaped energy blast and they face each other.
(Hakanaku subete o terasu no!)
Issei charges up and explodes with crimson energy, enveloping the entire screen.
Yuuto sighed sadly as he walked through the heavy rain.
The bishonen was glad that it was a good rain to help cool his head off. By running away, the Knight of Gremory acknowledged that it was the first time he had rebelled against his master; the one who had saved his life.
It was a failure as Yuuto Kiba.
However, he had never once forgotten his vengeance towards the holy sword Excalibur. The carefree life at school was making him senile. Yuuto had made new friends, finally received a lifestyle, and obtained a name.
But asking for more happiness was a bad thing. Until he has achieved his purpose, the sacrifice of his deceased comrades will never let him be at peace.
"Splash!"
"Who's there?" Yuuto heard a sound of water that was different from the rain. Looking up, the Knight felt his face tighten as he was greeted by the sight of a priest.
A cross hung across the man's neck, radiating the holiness of the God he despised. Yuuto felt no remorse about killing the man if he were an exorcist. However, the priest had a blood patch on his stomach as he suddenly coughed out blood, slumping to the soaked ground.
"What? Was he attacked by someone? Who? An enemy?" Sensing an abnormal presence behind him, Yuuto instantly created a demonic sword to parry away the attack.
Jumping back, Yuuto came face-to-face with a white-haired man who was dressed in the same clothes as the fallen priest. He carried a large longsword, and killing intent rolled off the man in heavy waves. He also wore a sickening smile that angered Yuuto to his very core.
"Ah, a devil! I was getting bored of priest hunting, so this really is a good timing. Very good. Nice timing indeed." The maniacal priest chuckled. Yuuto's eyes widened in shock and anger as the longsword in the man's hands began to emit a holy aura, responding to his demonic sword.
"My Excalibur and your demonic sword, can you let me check which one is stronger?" The man continued to laugh insanely. "My name is Freed Selzan. And I will repay your gratitude by killing you."
Raynare looked up from her housework as she heard a knock on the door. Frowning, she took off her apron as she wondered who could be visiting at the current time. The rain was unusually strong today.
Alas=Ramus had already told the household members, both old and new, on how Issei probably won't be coming home until late. He had called beforehand and notified her that he'd be late with a supernatural errand. Raynare had laughed at how the elder sibling pouted angrily as she delivered the news.
"Yeah, he'll be late." Alas=Ramus scowled with the traumatized Mittelt in tow as she headed out the door. "I need to also meet with someone I know who can help with this midget's current state. I should be back before Issei and the other dragon."
Tiamat had to run off as well for her administrative duties in the Rating Games. She said she would be back around the time Issei did, maybe later. Raynare currently had to watch over the house by herself.
"It's certainly nice to be able to have a family..."
Clutching her head, Raynare winced as a sharp pain suddenly stabbed in her mind. The fallen angel was still unable to recall anything, only remembering how somebody had given her a mission to kill the Red Dragon Emperor. Her personality and memories were completely twisted from what they did to her.
"Oh!" Raynare's snapped alert as the increasing knocks on the door grew louder. Biting her lower lip, she slowly stepped up to the door and looked through the peephole, preparing herself in case it was an attacker.
She was surprised to see that it was a rather handsome man who looked to be in his early twenties, with black hair and golden bangs. The man was soaked from rain, and he had a strange look in his eyes that were filled with a emotion that Raynare couldn't place.
Raynare didn't feel any dark intent from the man, so she thought that answering shouldn't cause any problems. Opening the door, the fallen angel was completely caught off guard when the stranger suddenly embraced her in a strong hug. Her eyes widened from the familiarity of the contact.
"Who... Who are you?" Raynare stammered out as she felt warm tears soak her hair with the rain outside. Feeling too awkward to break away, she decided to stay in place until the strange man finally stopped crying.
"Forgive me, I had forgotten that they had taken your memories as well." The man finally released Raynare, allowing the fallen angel to see his face. She was shocked when she realized they both had identical eye colours.
"I am your father, Azazel. I have finally come to take you home, my daughter."
Yuuto panted as he backed away, exhausted. Freed laughed, willing his Excalibur to burst into flames, approaching the Knight of Gremory like a cat cornering its prey.
"Did you know?" Freed taunted as he swung, forcing Yuuto to catch the strike defensively. "Your pretty face is getting all messed up. It's starting to look like it was made to be prey of the holy sword, Excalibur!"
"Shut your hole!" Yuuto pushed free back with a powerful swing. However, even he couldn't last much longer in this battle. The holy aura of the blade was sapping away the remaining reserves of his strength.
"That's such a dirty mouth for a pretty face." Freed now wore a sardonic look as he continued to provoke the bishonen. Growling, Yuuto swung his weapon in its Holy Eraser form, hoping to devour the holy energy.
However, the Excalibur dissipated the demonic sword's attempt like it was nothing. Chuckling, Freed went back into a battle position. "Yeah, that's not gonna work, you shitty devil. Sorry!"
Scoffing, Yuuto lowered his sword as he backed away to a safe distance. "I was just testing your sword, because I had to see if it was real. Now, I won't hesitate to break you or your sword!"
"Goodness!" Charging the priest, Freed was now forced on the defensive by aggressive strikes from Yuuto. However, seeing an opening, he landed a slash on Yuuto's right arm. The Knight screamed as he dropped to his knees in agony, demonic energy flying out from the cut like a gushing fountain.
"Didn't I tell you? This sword was made for killing you devil shits." Freed approached the fallen devil, taunting him as he hiked his sword over his shoulder. "Capiche?"
"I know... As if I'd ever forget!" Eyes burning with anger, Yuuto rushed and tripped Freed backwards, grabbing his own demonic sword at the same time.
"You cheater!" Freed complained as he landed onto his behind. He watched nonchalantly as his opponent rushed him.
"Devilish, aren't I?" Yuuto lunged into the air, intent on finishing the fight as he chopped downwards. Lunging to the side, Freed managed to avoid the powerful attack as he got back into a ready position.
"Touche." The priest was distracted momentarily as a spell circle appeared beside his face. Taking the opportunity, Yuuto attempted to impale his opponent who dodged and retreated by jumping into the air.
"Well, someone's calling me. Smell ya later!" Throwing a flashbang at Yuuto, the Knight was forced to shield his eyes from the powerful explosion of light. Seeing Freed had already vanished, the devil's face was now a expressionless mask.
"I... I will kill you."
"Guess you were really able to hold your own, although for only awhile." Yuuto jumped as a familiar presence spoke out from behind him. Turning, the blonde found himself face-to-face with Issei in his Balance Breaker mode. "Looks like you finally have shown your true face."
"It was right for me to not to have interrupted, but I hope you understand that you were being toyed with the entire time." Issei's words caused Yuuto to stiffen angrily.
"You'll need your companions to support you. You can't do this alone."
"S-Shut up." Yuuto's calm demeanor was replaced by one that resembled more of an insane fury. He clenched his fist tightly. "What could you know about me? What could you understand of losing everyone you cared about? That they all had to die in a horrific way?"
Issei's face was expressionless as he allowed his helmet to deactivate, also feeling the cool rain soak through his hair. The Red Dragon Emperor watched silently as Yuuto slumped to his knees, before beginning to cry.
"It's not good to judge someone before you actually know them." Yuuto felt a firm, but comforting hand placed on his shoulder, causing him to look up and stare in the cold hazels of the Red Dragon Emperor.
"I might not have had my family killed, but I certainly lost the person that I cared the most. She betrayed me." Yuuto was shocked as Issei's eyes darkened, and the swordsman swore that he saw a flash of red from the brunette's irises.
The Red Dragon Emperor now wore an unreadable expression as he stood up.
Looking away, Issei closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before speaking again. "Either way, it is up to you. You can seek revenge by walking down a path of self-destruction, or seek revenge with comrades you can count on. It doesn't matter to me."
Staring into Issei's cold hazels as the teen turned again, Yuuto felt a chill shoot down his spine from the menacing look. "However, since I promised Rias that I'd bring you back, you might as well as save the decision for later. You can choose what you want to do after she sees you again and I leave, but right now, you're coming with me either willingly or I'd have to use force."
[Boost!]
Sighing, Yuuto dissipated his demonic sword as he held his hands up, causing Issei to lower his Boosted Gear. It wasn't technically his fear of Issei that compelled him to make the choice, but rather that his fellow second year's words were logical and correct. He was straying the wrong path in order to avenge his comrades.
Also... He certainly missed a cup of Akeno's tea.
"Dear Father, why are you letting all of this happen to your only son?" Issei grumbled as he trudged through the pouring downfall with the wanted blonde following slightly behind.
After returning to the clubroom with Yuuto, Rias had given the blonde Knight a good scolding before trying to glomp Issei. Unfortunately for her, the Red Dragon Emperor had already left having predicted the redhead's advances.
"This rain's also getting harder." Issei continued to complain as he walked in the direction of his neighbourhood. As much as he would have liked to use his Balance Breaker, he didn't want to cause anymore commotion in the town of Kuoh.
It was also wiser to walk to conserve energy in case he met up with any enemies along the way. Not only that, Issei bore an uneasy feeling on the inside. Something didn't feel right in the air to the teen.
"I agree, I also sense something wrong." Ddraig commented in Issei's head, who in turn took a deep breath to clear his mind. "I believe that we should hurry along the way, in case that a strong enemy has finally decided to show themselves."
"Alright." Issei began to pick up the pace as he started to jog. He passed the familiar park as he ran down the street. "I really hope that everyone is okay. Supernatural events are occurring more frequently now, thanks to the stolen Excaliburs."
"Not just the Excaliburs. Your involvement with Rias and her peerage as well." Ddraig reminded him, causing Issei to chuckle lightly.
Seeing the familiar sign outside his house, Issei breathed a sigh of relief. Everything seemed quiet, minus the pouring rain and lightning that continued to occur above him.
"Well, it looks like everything is alr-" Issei was cut off when a loud clashing sound reached his ears from within his home. Sensing bloodlust, he immediately ducked behind a telephone pole to observe the situation.
The door flew open, with a wounded Raynare landing painfully on the sidewalk outside. The Red Dragon Emperor's eyes narrowed in shock and anger as two men flew out from his house as well. Both of them also bore pitch-black wings.
"Fallen Angels."
One man had twelve wings and sported black hair with golden bangs, wearing a black trenchcoat. The other, instead, had only ten wings, and wore a black robe that was trimmed with intricate designs. However, the twelve-winged angel gripped at his bleeding shoulder, which was currently impaled with a yellow light spear.
"It's over for you and your heir, Azazel!" Issei's eyes widened as he heard the Fallen Angel with ten wings gloat triumphantly. Azazel, the governor of the Fallen Angels, was struggling to stay standing from his injuries.
"No... Stop." Raynare strained to pick herself up, bleeding from various cuts. "Leave him alone, Kokabiel!"
Kokabiel laughed manically as he conjured up a large, yellow light sword. "Shut it, you useless princess! You are no longer the heir to our race once I dispose of your father! I will restore the Fallen Angels' past glory!"
"Princess? Well, that's certainly interesting to find out, but I have to step in now." Issei activated his Balance Breaker as Raynare threw a light spear at Kokabiel, angering the Cadre as a thin line of blood appeared on his cheek. Kokabiel stepped back from the collapsed Azazel.
"Now you've done it!" Kokabiel wound back and threw a large light sword at the female Fallen Angel, who braced herself for the oncoming attack. Thinking she would be dead in a matter of milliseconds, Raynare prepared herself for the worst.
[Boost!]
"It's okay, Raynare." Hearing the familiar voice, her violet eyes teared up with emotion as she tackle hugged the armoured Issei. Turning towards Kokabiel, Issei's eyes burned with a suppressed fury as he glared at the warmonger.
"I'm here now. Go tend to your father." Nodding tearfully, she ran off towards the wounded Azazel.
Kokabiel was impressed from his light sword being crushed in Issei's hands. "Interesting, the Red Dragon Emperor. This generation's Boosted Gear wielder might not be as useless as its predecessors."
[Boost!]
"...Shut up. I will not allow you to talk about my senpais in that manner." Issei let his fury charge up the Longinus, intent on killing his opponent. The Red Dragon Emperor allowed his full aura to be briefly unleashed without restraint. "You will not leave here alive, Fallen Angel."
The immense, momentary shockwave that radiated from Issei caused Kokabiel's eyes to widen in shock. The shock soon turned into terror from the incalculable pressure the teen exerted from his presence alone.
"Impossible!" Kokabiel's voice was now a whole octave higher. His malicious eyes were now wild and filled with terror. "You shouldn't be an existing being at all! What are you?"
[Jet!]
The Red Dragon Emperor's eyes were dark as he suddenly appeared in front of Kokabiel, with an armoured fist drawn back. "I'm simply a mistake."
"Vali!" Albion immediately snapped awake from sensing the titanic shockwave of power.
Vali Lucifer's light blue eyes slowly opened as he awoke from his nap. The overarching roof had been a great structure in keeping the rain away, and it was here that Azazel had told him to wait while he went to search for his kidnapped daughter.
"I know, Albion." Vali's cold eyes brightened with excitement. He had been searching so long for his destined nemesis, and finally they can have their showdown into oblivion. Azazel was insignificant to him when the Red Dragon Emperor was so close by.
[Balance Breaker!]
Laughing, The White Dragon Emperor emitted a shockwave of his own. Vali then immediately began to fly towards the direction of the power source at a sonic speed, intent on finding his target.
"Let us fight, my destined enemy. Let us enjoy ourselves to the death!"
Issei grinned as his punch caused another spray of blood from the Fallen Angel. He enjoyed the satisfying cracks and snaps Kokabiel's face made as his armoured fists made contact with the bare flesh.
Fighting with a cold, controlled fury, Issei continued to send a flurry of strikes on the unconscious Cadre that kept him propped up in the air. Deciding that it was about time to end the one-sided fight, he prepared to deliver a final strike.
[Dragon Shot!]
"Issei!" Ddraig warned.
Issei's attack was paused as he also felt the immense aura given off in a nearby distance. No longer being kept up in the air by the Red Dragon Emperor's relentless assault, Kokabiel began to plummet to the ground at a rapid pace.
The Prince of Devils ignored the sickening thud that soon followed from the Fallen Angel's hard contact with the pavement. Instead, he knew that he had a much larger issue to deal with judging from the rapidly approaching source of power.
"He's here." Issei commented stoically as he blocked the armoured punch thrown by the figure that suddenly appeared right in front of him.
"We're late." Rias grimaced as they exited the magic circle. She and her peerage had sensed Kokabiel's presence in Kuoh nearby, and the exorcists have also regained consciousness to be able to join them in hunting the Grigori leader.
"Is that... Issei-kun?" Irina asked timidly in shock as she pointed above them. Following the direction of her finger, the others looked in shock to see the fully-armoured figure in red pummelling the Cadre with no mercy at a speed barely visible to even their heightened senses.
"Yes, that's Issei." Akeno commented with a small smile. "I feel that he is the strongest in its history of wielders."
"A-Amazing." Even Xenovia couldn't help but be astounded at Issei's true combat prowess. If he had been actually trying during the spar they had and did not hold back, she was sure both Irina and her would easily be killed in a matter of seconds.
The devils and exorcists could only watch as Issei wound back to prepare a final blow. Suddenly, all of them felt a tremendous wave of power coming from another source. The power seemed to make even Issei pause since he turned towards the general direction of where the power came from.
"V-Vali." Rias noticed the man on the ground who was being supported by another familiar Fallen Angel. Noticing the twelve pitch-black wings on his back, the redhead placed him immediately.
"You're the governor of the Fallen Angels, Azazel!" She exclaimed. The rest of the group turned towards them once they heard her recognition of the wounded man on the ground. "And you're... Raynare."
Raynare nodded shyly as she kept the injured Azazel sitting up. Rias noticed the complete 360 of her personality ever since their first encounter that day in the park. Their second meeting was short lived though, since two armoured figures landed near them with enough force to shatter the pavement of almost the entire street.
"Issei!" Raynare called out worryingly to the teen that stood between them and the white armoured figure. She recognized the longinous that the other individual had, which was the destined nemesis of the Boosted Gear.
"Divine Dividing. The White Dragon Emperor."
Looking back, Issei smiled gently underneath his helm. "I'll be fine, Raynare. Take care of everyone else."
Freed Sellzen grunted as he picked up the unconscious Kokabiel.
He had watched the Cadre take on the merciless beating from that bastard. It was lucky that Asia had intervened that last time after he had killed those people. If she didn't, he most likely would've suffered worse from that piece of shit than what he had gotten away with that night.
"Oi, Asia. Help heal this man." He commanded the blonde nun that was taking shelter underneath a nearby tree with a frown.
"Y-Yes Freed-san." Asia's hands glowed as she began to fix Kokabiel's injuries. She couldn't believe that Issei was such an evil person, enjoying torture and beating others to death.
However, after catching a glimpse of Issei cruelly beating Kokabiel, Asia had no choice but to accept the harsh reality in what she witnessed.
"You there, stop!" Freed turned back to notice two robed figures behind them. Taking off their hoods, both Xenovia and Irina got into ready positions with their excaliburs.
"Well, well, well!" The stray priest immediately got excited as he recognized the swords. "Two Excaliburs coming to me all by themselves! This is quite the treat, and it isn't even my birthday!"
"The stray priest, Sellzen. May God forgive you for your sins." Xenovia immediately recognized the man. Noticing Asia healing Kokabiel, she grimaced. "I will assume that is the cursed nun beside you."
"I-I..." Asia couldn't formulate a proper reply from Xenovia's aggressive tone.
"Ah, I'm flattered you know me so well." Freed grinned madly as he took out Excalibur Rapidly and Excalibur Transparency from under his cloak. "I'll be taking those two delicious treats you have now."
"So fast!" Xenovia grunted as she blocked the lightning fast strikes from the stray priest. Irina tried to slash Freed, but he immediately disappeared from their vision thanks to Excalibur Transparency.
"Too slow!" Freed taunted as he continued to send a flurry of strikes towards them. Forced on the defensive, both Irina and Xenovia could only back away while Freed threw wave after wave of attacks.
"Irina!" Sensing an opening, Xenovia swung her Excalibur Destruction sideways. Freed yelped as the flat of the blade smashed against his exposed lower back, causing him to lose concentration and become visible again.
"Got it!" Irina willed her Excalibur Mimic to wrap around Freed. The stray priest howled as he was binded together, causing him to drop his swords. He paled as he saw Xenovia lunge into the air, her blade raised over her head.
A light sword zipped through the air, impaling Xenovia through her stomach and causing her to puke blood. The exorcist fell face-first, collapsing onto the grass as Excalibur Destruction slipped through her grip.
"Xenovia!" Irina cried in horror from seeing her fellow exorcist in grave condition. Freed took advantage of her concentration slip and broke free of Exaclibur Mimic's bind, although he still suffered deep cuts from wrestling away from the sharp blade.
Picking up his Excalibur Rapidly, he dashed to Irina and slashed her across the chest before kicking her against a tree. Seeing that both exorcists are no longer a threat, Freed picked up both Excalibur Destruction and Excalibur Mimic and limped back towards Kokabiel and Asia.
"You managed to wake back up, Kokabiel?" Freed commented as he crashed beside the wounded Cadre. He noticed that Asia had completely fallen unconscious, probably due to overusing her sacred gear.
It was so easy to manipulate the girl to help them by using her ex-communication by the church. Her Twilight Healing had been very useful so far.
"That Red Dragon Emperor is too powerful." Kokabiel scowled as his gently touched his face. It was now very deformed from the beating he received, marred with numerous scars that lined deep into his flesh thanks to the armoured gauntlets.
"I see you're both looking well, Freed, Kokabiel." A third figure appeared close to them from the distance. He was an old man with grey hair and black eyes, but his archbishop clothes were easily recognizable.
"Valper Galilei." Kokabiel scowled from the ex-communicated bishop's greeting. Freed was cut up pretty badly from wrestling free of Excalibur Mimic, while he himself was still recovering from the fight with the Red Dragon Emperor.
Bowing, Valper smiled enthusiastically as he saw Excalibur Destruction and Excalibur Mimic in Freed's hands. "It seems that you've managed to pick up five of the seven pieces, Freed. How about we retreat for today so I can fuse them and continue my experiments?"
The stray priest turned to Kokabiel, who nodded. Both of them were injured fairly severely, and would stand no chance against the Red Dragon Emperor if they were to fight him again in their current conditions.
Putting away Excalibur Transparency and Excalibur Rapidly back into his cloak, Freed allowed Excalibur Mimic to wrap around his arm while he carried Excalibur Destruction.
"I'll come to get you next time with my new toy, shitty devils." He giggled as he stepped into the teleportation circle conjured up by Kokabiel.
"He's good!" Vali was getting more and more ecstatic from fighting his counterpart dragon. His thrown punch was dodged again by his opponent, who threw a retaliating front kick that he knocked away with his elbow.
"What is your name, Red one?" Vali deactivated his helm as he stared face to face with the Red Dragon Emperor. "I'm Vali Lucifer, and it pleases me that you're my destined opponent to the death."
"A direct descendent of Lucifer." Issei recognized the name.
"Issei Maou, and I'm not pleased that you're wasting my time." Vali was momentarily surprised by Issei's cold, hazel eyes. "There's no such thing as destined enemies, Vali. Fighting without purpose is meaningless."
Hearing those words, Vali laughed arrogantly as he re-activated his helm. "Fighting is meaningless? Fighting strong opponents is my only sole reason in living!"
"Let's go all out." The White Dragon Emperor activated his Divine Dividing, which extended as blue, crystal wings behind the back of his Balance Breaker.
[Divide!] [Divide!] [Divide!] [Divide!]
"So much power..." Vali murmured as excess energy was expelled from his wings once he hit his limit.
Issei frowned from feeling his strength being drained by Vali. He couldn't hold back if he was going to win this battle, even if he didn't want to fight.
"So be it."
[Boost!] [Boost!] [Boost!] [Boost!]
Charged back to normal, Issei shot towards Vali at a supersonic speed with his fist drawn back.
[Dragon Shot!]
Vali dodged the powerful energy blast that tore past him. He smirked under his helm as this was getting more and more exciting.
The Red Dragon Emperor frowned as his attack missed his opponent. He knew that his counterpart dragon wasn't going to be a cakewalk, but to have evenly matching speeds was quite a nuisance for his style of combat.
[Dragon Shot!]
[Divide!] [Divide!] [Divide!]
Vali opted to instead shrink the power of Issei's attack rather than to dodge it this time. The energy blast shrank and shrank until it was the approximate size of a softball, which Vali crushed in a gauntleted hand with minuscule effort.
Issei was getting more annoyed now by his opponent. If long range attacks were ineffective due to the Divine Dividing's power, he'll have to rely on close combat instead.
[Dragonic Slasher!]
The White Dragon Emperor watched with interest as crimson blades made of pure energy extended from Issei's gauntlets. Slashing with them, Vali couldn't help but feel slightly intimidated by his heavenly counterpart.
Grunting, Issei charged at Vali again who had to lunge backwards to avoid the maelstrom of slashes. Seeing how he was about to be hit sooner or later by the menacing blades, Vali needed to pull out one of his trump cards or he would be eventually eviscerated.
[Half Dimension!]
Feeling a wave of crushing force, Issei's assault was interrupted as his blades began to shrink and evaporate. He noticed that the area around him was also beginning to shrink at a rapid pace.
"Oh no, the others." Issei looked back to see Raynare and everyone else in pain from Vali's area of effect ability. He himself wasn't affected as much by Half Dimension, but the others caught in the crossfire between their conflict would eventually be reduced to nothing.
The Prince of Devils also noticed that Rias and her peerage had been doing a good job in maintaining a barrier up. There was another group of devils helping them in maintaining it, and he recognized them as members from the student council.
However, even with the extra help they were struggling to maintain the powers of the two Heavenly Dragons. He needed to end this fight, and fast.
"Dragon of Dreams, I call upon our contract of blood." Issei began to chant the familiar spell. "One who has rejected God, lend me thy sword of illusion."
"It's that spell again!" Rias recognized the words immediately, even under the intense pain from Half Dimension. She immediately pushed Azazel and Raynare down to the ground with herself, with the rest of her pieces following her actions. "Sona, get everyone in your peerage to lay down now!"
Feeling a sudden increase in the surge of power from his opponent, Vali became hesitant in continuing to use his Half Dimension. Divine Dividing's power was effective over time once it kept draining power from others, but it's much harder to stop a sudden burst attack where there wasn't enough time for him to weaken it down.
"To think that he can use magic as well. I wonder what exactly is he? However, this... this is truly the battle I've been waiting for!" Vali decided that he needed to pull out another trump card to match the Red Dragon Emperor. His strongest trump card.
[I, who is about to awaken...]
"Show me a beauty indestructible, unassailable." Recognizing the start of the chant from Vali, Issei grimaced internally.
[Am the Heavenly Dragon who has taken the principles of supremacy from God...]
However, since he has already began the god-class spell, Issei thought he might as well as finish it and see if it'll be effective enough to take Vali out before he completes his Juggernaut Drive. "I reject understanding, I seek perfection. How despicable!"
[I envy the "infinite" and I pursue the "dream"...]
Issei watched calmly as Vali's Balance Breaker became more and more bulky, the scale-mail turning dragon-like.
"I long for a silent world where creatures are buried and closed off!"
[I shall become the White Dragon of Supremacy...]
Vali's Divine Dividing expanded in size as well before moulding into the shape of dragon wings. His gauntlets also slowly morphed into sharp dragon claws.
"The inescapable deeds of the past life declared by God! Activate!"
[And I shall take you to the limits of white paradise!]
Vali's head was still shifting into a dragon's when Issei launched the massive energy dragon at him.
[Dragon Force Striker!]
The crimson dragon of pure-red energy flew towards Vali and swallowed him upon collision.
[Juggernaut Drive!]
The resulting explosion was massive, sending huge chunks of debris flying in all directions. A rain of mud also began to rain on them from the amount of dirt that was sent into the air.
"Is it... Over?" Sona Sitri asked once the shaking stopped. The rain that had been falling on them was now muddy instead of clear water, thanks to the spell used by Issei.
Sighing, Rias picked herself up off the ground. She had protected both Raynare and Azazel out of a moment's worth of altruism, even though the Devils and Fallen Angels were rival factions.
"T-Thank you Rias-san." Raynare meekly thanked the redhead. A splotch of dirt was streaked across her cheek and she was dirty, but it did little to hide her features of innocence.
"You're... Welcome." Rias cautiously replied. She was still wary about the complete transformation in Raynare's personality. Seeing Issei standing in front of them in his Balance Breaker form, she decided to approach and ask.
However, Issei noticed her approach and signalled her to back away. "All of you need to get away from here. This fight isn't over yet."
As she was about to ask, the muddy downpour cleared to reveal a large, armoured white dragon standing in the middle of the crater. Appearing undamaged by Issei's spell, it growled as it turned its glowing, yellow eyes upon the Red Dragon Emperor.
AN: Chapter done. Holy shit, that took a looooooong time hehe xd.
I guess it's mostly due to the quality of chapters I was pumping out was NOT up to the quality I actually write. Trying to rush out a chapter in 4-6 hours during my free time without going back and doing some repeated edits really demotivated me.
Not only that, I've been really busy wth a lot of other things in life too. Finals are this month, and it's been a lot harder to write for a fic with plot that needs to go with the alternate canon timeline.
Needless to say, I'm NOT abandoning this fic at all. However, I will be doing revamps on past chapters as the quality has been degrading in my eyes. Please don't expect fast chapters, I'll just be walking the quality road at this point.
Thanks, and reviews are ALWAYS appreciated.
P.S I lied about the official appearance for Sona's peerage. They did appear though, but they'll officially be introduced in 11 once it comes up. =,)
Until next time, folks.