The conclusion to the world changing event. The other side, the full truth, it is all being revealed here.

There is nothing more to say. Watch closely— Chaos is born from balance.


"You, Hyoudou Issei, who was once human and once Devil…...you are an existence which defies nature…...your very conceptualisation of power denies "God" and "order" alike…...You do not realise it yet…..but you have opened a door….a door that has no key to its lock….and now your example…...is one that will breach the laws of this world….your Gear…...It has become that key…. In some ways…...you have created a Ragnarök far greater than the one of legend foretold."


[We have two objectives for this expedition.

[1] Rias Gremory.

And [2] ….]


Asgard— 1000 hours— 52 minutes before the [UNKNOWN] is released.


RAGNARÖK—

BOOOOOM!

[—?!]

An explosion?! What is—?! The statue of Hodr..! It's tipping over!

I heard Azazel's voice transmitted through the communication device.

[Ise! What was that?]

"It was an explosion! The statue of Hodr has fallen!"

[What?!]

"Everyone, speed up!"

My squad members increased the speed at which we were progressing. We were closing in on the statue.

[Kiba!]

(—?!)

"Azazel! What's wrong?!"

[Tch! The enemy! They're here! Everyone, get ready!]

"What?! Where's Kiba?!— Kiba!"

I received no answer from them.

"Dammit!"

We continued our flight until we finally reached it.

—We reached a large clearing within the snow covered forest. There was a pillar of smoke arising from where the statue of Hodr had been struck. The giant statue finally crashed onto the ground as we descended, falling into the forest.

DOOOOOONNNN!

Our vision was blocked as the entire clearing was covered in smoke and mist, from the impact of the statue into the snow. But I can feel it….. There are people in front of us….. in front of the base of the statue…..

Odin's watcher raven flew off from my shoulder to land in a tree away from us, as if to observe us..

A short silence was left in the air as the silhouettes became visible within the smoke. 5 of them...

…...

"O' Jaysus, they're here already? 'Almost like they knew we were here before we even did that, ey?"

I heard the light tone voice of a young man with an Irish accent….

"It looks like that. Maybe it's an ability that Sekiryuutei has? They say he is "unpredictable", right?"

The voice of another young man with no accent, a bit deeper than the previous one.

"It matters not. All that matters is whether the [God of Light] has come to us, or, to our leader. But if the dust clears, and he is there before us, then that means..."

A final voice with more authority and formality than all the others…. The smoke finally began to clear…. What stood before us was five figures…. Five young men…...

—And through the smoke - was a set of glowing, golden eyes.

"...We've won."

These are….the terrorists.

—The dust and mist was finally clear from the area, allowing us to meet face to face with our enemies. 5 unrecognisable young men.

The first one to speak— was a man with green hair and dark coloured armour. He also has an interesting looking spear in his right hand.

"Hoho! That's..! —Is that him? Is that them? Not only did they bring the God of Light, but they also brought the God of Thunder & Lightning as well! Interesting. That'll make things much harder."

The spearman said that, but he seemed enthusiastic about being overwhelmed. All of these terrorists end up being the same in nature...

"HAHA! It's a jolly card, in't it! We're suckin' diesel now, we sure are!"

The one who responded to his ally, with an overly lighthearted tone— it was another young man with an Irish accent. He had orange or ginger coloured hair, dark purple eyes, and his attire resembled some casual winter wear that a person would adorn in colder climates. Ah, from Ireland, I suppose?...

Although he spoke in a truthfully happy tone, with a jolly smile, somehow, there was something about him that was….off… Something about him unsettled me… Perhaps it was because his attitude was so unwelcome in this current atmosphere, but…. It felt more like my instincts were trying to warn me about him…

In fact, I couldn't help but feel a deep chill when looking into his dark, and hollow….purple eyes… Even with the colour being obvious to me, I somehow felt that those eyes were pitch black instead…

Or maybe…. Whatever is "pitch black"...is what's inside….

"So, how should we start this? I'm sure, by now, the others have gotten their start on things. Though, knowing them, they've probably started with "introductions" or something of the sort. Should we do the same?"

The spearman asked, though I'm not sure who. Most likely, the one who answered him. Which was….

"No."

—The man in the middle.

"We aren't so grandiose as to waste our time with such trivial matters. Our objective is not to haughtily announce our presence to the enemy. We simply do what must be done. That is all."

The man in the middle. The man with sharp, golden eyes, as gold as the sun. Black-curly hair on his head, like the men of Greece or similar plains, and armour of a similar type as well. —Young, handsome, refined, straightforward, and most of all, with the authority of a leader. This person, without a shred of doubt in my mind, I can easily identify him as the "leader" of this group. That's simply the type of feeling he gives off.

Yet, despite that, just earlier, when we appeared, he said: "or to our leader"— Which implies that he is not the leader of the entire team. But, for this group specifically, I have no doubt that he is leader. Even if he wasn't, his attitude overpowers any sort of authority that the other four could bring about.

From my left, Thor spoke out to the terrorists.

"The gall to present your insignificant forms in my homeland is not lost to you, and yet, you lack the false courage to identify yourselves, unlike your allies, it seems. —Find your honour, scum. If you bear the audacity to step foot in our land, then follow it with the grit to show some valor in our presence."

In other words, according to Thor: if these terrorists have the guts to invade Asgard, then they should have the guts to state their identities. I agree. If the scum wants to step into this place without being "invited", then they should go ahead and let us know who they are before they get beaten down.

The spearman smirked at Thor's intimidating threats.

"Ha! Well, I certainly can't say I dislike that. I honestly must say that I agree. So while I can't speak for my comrades here, I'll at least speak for myself and say: It is a fine day to meet with all you "legendary" folk. I am known as [Achilleus]. Descendant of the great Greek hero, Achilles. It's a pleasure, Thor the mighty, God of light, and Welsh Dragon."

[—?!]

I was shocked by the announcement of the spearman. So this man is the descendant of Achilles! Damn.. Looks like the Khaos Brigade doesn't have any shortage of big names within their ranks, huh. That only has me wondering about exactly who it is that the rest of them are…. Or even more, who is on the "other team"….

Even though the spearman known as "Achilleus" identified himself, the rest of his comrades seemingly refused to do so, and said nothing after him.

"..."

One of the men I noticed, he was young like us, and he honestly had a close resemblance to Kiba. He was blond, handsome, and had green eyes. He was wearing glasses, black gloves, and wore a gentleman's attire that looked like he belonged in 19th century Europe with a black coat attached over his shoulders.

He didn't speak at all, but… His expression was unlike the others… Rather than having an expression of enthusiasm, or intimidation, his expression seems….hesitant? Or more like, it seems like he is displeased somehow. Almost as if he doesn't want to be here….

No, I can't think about it for now. It may come to be something later, but right now, there's still one more guy left unidentified.

That guy is….

"Huu…"

The last man let out a hot breath from the cold weather. His face, or rather, his entire body was being obscured by a dirty cloak covering him. The most I could tell was that he had dark brown hair that almost looked black, and had dark coloured eyes to match. He also seems to be the oldest one of them all, seemingly being a middle aged man. There were marks on his face, and dirty spots all over his brown cloak. His appearance gave the impression that he's been travelling across deserts or something.

Though, I'm more concerned with the chilling atmosphere around him… It almost feels...holy… But somehow, in a "twisted" sense…

"So, it seems like the rest of you have nothing to say for yourselves. I'll take that silence as a resignation to death."

Feeling fed up with these terrorist events, I decided to give them no leeway and announced their "sentence" right then. As a faction leader, I have the proper authority to make such decisions now. Moreover, even if I didn't, I'm sure that Thor and Baldür would take up that responsibility as Asgardian defenders. And I don't think they would be showing mercy.

"Hoho! The Sekiryuutei seems gung-ho about taking us down for good! Interesting. Looks like this'll be a more fun time than I anticipated."

The spearman Achilleus was already cracking his neck in different places in preparation for a fight. Following his action, the rest of the terrorists seemed to be preparing themselves as well. Looks like we won't have to waste our breath this time, huh.

"Brother. You stay out of this. We'll handle these wretches. Your strength would be wasted on the likes of them."

Baldür gave that suggestion to his brother, Thor. True, Thor is powerful enough to defeat all of these bastards on his own. But is it really okay to handle these guys without him?

"Hmph. You are certainly correct that these fools would bear no challenge to me. —Very well. I will allow you the glory of "Asgard's defender" for today, my brother. It is a title that is not sparsely associated with me, after all."

Thor was actually able to agree with Baldür's suggestion. Baldür seemed happy about that.

"Thank you, brother! Now, I'll make sure to honour that title by properly "reprimanding" these lowly, common fodder."

Achilleus snickered at Baldür's insults, already preparing himself for battle with his spear.

"Common fodder, eh? Well, certainly to a God, we may seem that way. I suppose my objective then is to hopefully prove that notion wrong."

"Hmph. I expect nothing extraordinary from any louts naïve enough to trespass these lands."

No matter how you look at it, it seems like Baldür will be fighting that terrorist. Should we assign opponents then?

"Issei-lad."

Baldür caught my attention just as I was thinking that.

"I will handle the spearman. Considering your position, it's best if you were to handle the lout who thinks himself leader. The rest may go to your comrades, or to me, as supplementary."

That was the game plan that Baldür gave me. So Baldür takes Achilleus, I take the big fish, and Rossweisse-san & Xenovia take the other bastards, while Asia and Thor sit back? Well, that's definitely something we're capable of. And there's no one else I'd rather have protecting Asia. In that case…

—But just as I was putting together the roster, the leader of the terrorists interrupted my train of thought.

"Deciding things on your own, do not make lightly of us, "legendary" warriors. The order that I shall follow— that is none but my own."

Just as he finished that, the leader pulled a circular, golden shield from his back. Then, he unsheathed a similarly golden sword from his hip. A sword and shield both made of what looked like pure gold. In every way, this man seemed like he was honouring the sun. But that equipment of his…. Macedonian weaponry?...

The leader then pointed his sword to the side, giving an authoritative gesture.

"[Qayin]. Remain unharmed until the time has come. [Salamander], you will make yourself useful and take the allies of the Sekiryuutei. Achilleus and the "boy" may face the God of Light. —I will take the Welsh Dragon."

So this bastard is trying to give orders now? To the leader's orders, one of the terrorists gave some sort of grimace, though it was said in a eerily happy way. The Irish man.

"Oy, there! What about that deal o' ours, eh! I dearly hope yur' not tryin' to shaft me, ey, Greek boy!"

"Silence. You are but a rabbit in the face of lions, Catholic boy. Cooperate, and your "chance" for whatever it is you seek to attain, will come. But you will wait. Until that moment comes, face the opponents I have set you to."

"Right'o! I knew I could count on yeh! —Yur' right, [two lads shorten a road], ey? Alright then! I'll make me-self a wee bit patient till then! For now, I'm going to put on some rags! It's quite nippy out here!"

When the Irish man finished that, he jumped away to the right of our group, to which Rossweisse-san and Xenovia separated themselves to fight him.

"Heh! Looks like it's really starting now! Let's go, Henry!"

Seeing his ally's actions, Achilleus followed suit and created a similar gap as well, in the opposite direction. The boy with blond hair followed him. So he is called "Henry", then. Then that would make the last bastard in the cloak "Qayin"...

Baldür also made his way to the same spot in a leisurely manner.

Shiiin….

With a soft blue glow, and the sound of ice hardening, the tattoos and markings on Baldür's body began to shine. The snow beneath Baldür began to blow around his feet like in the beginning of a small blizzard. His power is going to be released on them.

"Hoho, the power of a God, huh. It's amazing. It certainly gives me chills just feeling it from here."

Achilleus was getting excited from Baldür's power, but his blond ally had the opposite attitude.

"...Be cautious. He is a God…. I don't think we can win… Though, it isn't our objective to..."

The boy, Henry, ended that with a mumble. He's certainly right about not winning. I'm sorry, or rather not at all, to say that you have no chance. You can only hope he won't kill you immediately. Or, maybe you should hope he does instead.

(—!)

—Then, suddenly, I felt my instincts pick up on something unique.

Looking to my right, there was an odd coloured aura rising from the Irishman, the one the leader called "Salamander"...

"Hello' girls! What's the craic, ey! How's the whore been treatin' ya?"

Xenovia, who had already brought out Ascalon and her Ex-Durandal, made an extremely confused expression at the man's speech.

"...Rossweisse-san. I don't understand his speech. Isn't this man Catholic? I remember there being a few people in the church who spoke like him."

"Aye, that's right, girly! Ya' bet your arse I'm a Catholic man! Even if I didn't want to be, I was already born with a cross in me hand! Bein' the man I am, it's inevitable after all!"

"Rossweisse-san, I still don't understand him. What does he mean?"

To Xenovia's confusion, Rossweisse-san communicated to the man herself.

"Who are you? Are you a former member of the Catholic church? A former exorcist, perhaps?"

At that, the Irish man cackled.

"HA! Well, I suppose ye' could call me a former member of the church. But, I'd rather say that it was me great and far off granpappy who was a member of sorts!"

"Great "granpappy"…? Could it be, you're the descendant of a prominent church figure?"

"HAHA! Oh, come on, deary! Can you not guess it? Oy, blue! Yur' a church woman, ain't ya! Take a gander at who's loins I've stemmed from! Bein' an Irish, Catholic man, ey?"

Xenovia's eyes widened in apparent realisation.

"Irish Catholic…. You…! Is it— you're the descendant of Saint Patrick!?"

(—?!)

The Irish man did a quick spin in a happy manner.

"Aye! That's right! I am the "Patrick" that Patrick left behind! [Aiden O'Connell], that's the name my shite of a mother gave me! But, ye' all can call me "Patrick", for convenience!"

This bastard..! So he's the descendant of a saint, unlike Jeanne. A famous one too. They really don't have a lack of big names, dammit. Xenovia made an irritated scoff.

"Tch! To see another saint's relative falling to such a low place…. Not only the one who inherited their spirits, but even their successors..! You disgrace the great name of the saint, your ancestor."

As if exhibiting no other emotion besides joy in his life, "Patrick" just laughed again.

"HA! 'that so, girly? Well, yur' quite the unpleasant geebag, ain't ya! Hangin' out wit' the Devils now, I wouldn't want to hear the yapperin' from you, now would I?"

"...I'm not sure what you're saying, but I'll be taking all of it as insults. If it's from the mouth of a terrorist, then it's probably nothing good. I'd rather talk with swords."

"HAHAHA! Well, she's got the lookers, but not the brains, ey? Ah, well, that's just the sin of women, I suppose. Too bad. Yur' lookers and yur' knockers may not come out lookin' so pretty after today..."

—When Patrick finished that, he gave a hollow look with a smile that sent another chill down my spine. Even though he was looking at Xenovia, I was somehow feeling that he was looking straight at me instead…

"...Right?"

Then, the dark aura around Patrick's body exploded, and he was covered in a brief light.

Ooooooooohmmmmm!

"Ah, what's it called again, that power….. Oh, right!"

Shiiiiiiiin!

"[Balance Break]~!"

With the quick burst of power, Patrick was obscured by a cloud. When he finally appeared…. He was covered in armour.

[—?!]

"Tch! So this bastard had a Sacred Gear too..! Of course.."

Xenovia clicked her tongue in frustration.

—When he appeared from within the smoke, Patrick was covered...in a full body armour! It's armour! It's an armour that covers his whole body, aside from the lower half of his head, which is open like a helmet. The armour is coloured orange, and…it has a green jewel in the center.

In fact…. It's not absurd to say that his armour is comparable to mine and Vali's… Although, unlike ours, this armour is more "round". Rather than having sharp edges or points, it has rounded joints and shoulders. Overall, it looks more like it's specialised for defence, compared to Vali's and my own.

Most of all, it has the motif of a lizard holding the green jewel in its mouth, right in the center… No, wait… That's not a lizard…

"That armour is…"

"Looks familiar, don't it! A bit like the Heavenly Dragons, you'd say? Well, I'm on the different end, ya see! I'm no Dragon, and I'm surely no reptile! I'm close, but also, the opposite! Ya see, I'm kind of what you would call an antithesis to the Heavenly Dragons! That is…!"

Patrick gave another creepy smile while pointing at the motif at the center of his chest armour.

"I'm the [Salamander]!"

[—?!]

I felt a shock in response to Patrick's declaration. "Salamander"... In the human world, they are an interesting, but inconsequential creature… But in the underworld, the magical beasts that are called "salamanders" are considered a creature that is the opposite of a Dragon. It's common that many of their species are even preyed upon and eaten by Dragon species as well…

Even though it seemed like something that didn't matter, especially to Xenovia and Rossweisse-san, to me it was like some sort of irony… I still remember being taught about those by Ddraig and Tannin… If this guy has a Sacred Gear that is based off a salamander, and it resembles the Heavenly Dragons' Balance Breakers…. Well, I don't know, but…. Considering all of the complications relating to the current Sacred Gear system, I could only feel a great sense of unease thinking of the possibilities….

Xenovia only made a scoff at Patrick's announcement.

"Hmph. As if I care about any of that, Heavenly Dragon wannabe. Rossweisse-san."

"Right."

Without caring to spare any time on him, Rossweisse-san opened her wings and took to the sky. She outstretched her hands, and above her head, hundreds of different types of magic circles suddenly appeared.

Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin Shin!

"HOHO, HA! Jaysus! Well, here it comes then!"

Patrick laughed excitedly, and Rossweisse-san bombarded him with an entire magical barrage that covered him in smoke.

"Take this!"

DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON!

The battle has begun! —Taking that as our cue, the rest of us started our respective battles as well. Starting with Baldür, Achilleus, and the boy named Henry.

"Alright, Henry! Give me the best support you can! I'm going in!"

"..I will.."

Achilleus quickly shot himself towards Baldür while Henry stayed back. As soon as Achilleus and Baldür's clash began, Henry removed his glasses and started whispering about something.

"...I was born as "Thomas"… But my soul is that of "Henry", therefore, I am referred to as such…. But, in the end, it doesn't matter…. Because the one who always comes out in my stead…"

He retrieved a small bottle from his pocket and drank what was inside.

"...it is not Jekyll.."

Then, suddenly— his features, like his hair, began to sharpen, as if the result of some greater power - and his eyes began glowing a deep red.

"—It is Hyde!"

[—?!]

This man..! He's…! He's a spirit inheritor! Just like Jeanne! Just like me! He's the spirit inheritor of [Dr. Henry Jekyll]!

With a maniacal smile on his face, Henry— No, "Hyde", threw his hands together and created multiple magic circles in front of him. Those same magical circles then appeared over the various body parts of Achilleus.

—They're magical enhancement seals!

Oooooooooooooooohhhhmmmmm!

The body of Achilleus started to glow a deep, purple colour. Wait, that colour… It's the colour of Ophis' snake power?!

"Ohohohoho! So this is the power of Ophis' snake, huh! It's ridiculous! To believe that you were able to take all of the snakes provided to us, and convert them into magical seals— you and Judar are too great of magical geniuses, Henry!"

Converted into magical seals?!

[Partner! That man has the power equivalent to five total Ophis snakes contained within his body!]

[—?!]

WHAT?! That's impossible! He's a human! It's impossible for him to hold that much power, let alone more than one snake! It can't be!

[The power which was converted into seals— there must be something greater at work here! The magical prowess and skill necessary to do such a thing is unfathomable! In normal circumstances, it would have killed the person wielding the immense power! It could not have been that young boy alone! There must have been more hands than just his own at work! They may possibly have the power of something that can accomplish such tasks for them, somehow!]

What is it?! Is it a God?!

[I do not know. The ability to convert that amount of power into magical enhancement seals— it is a power you can only wish for. I wouldn't be able to imagine many beings who could have the natural skill and knowledge to perform such a task. But the fact that this boy can even implement those seals, it means that he is certainly a magical genius, just as his ally suggests. Possibly even more so than that boy with Dimension Lost.]

You've got to be absolutely fucking kidding me!

—Achilleus then exploded with power.

"Alright, I'm going in! Give me magical support, Henry!"

"Shut the fuck up! Don't order me around, I'll kill you!"

Having a total attitude shift, Henry, who became Hyde, shouted back at his ally in rage. But, while maintaining his crazy smile, he still supported Achilleus with magic by putting different magical seals on his spear.

"This is the spear of the original Achilles, which I received from my leader! Should we test out how it fares against a God?!"

DON!

—With that, Achilleus launched himself back Baldür again, lunging his spear forward for an attack. Baldür guarded against his attack with a thick wall of ice he spawned up from the ground. The wall was easily destroyed by the attack.

DOOOOOONN!

When I could finally see the two again, Baldür had caught the spear in between his hands, but much of their environment was destroyed by the shockwave.

DOOONN!

"Let's see if this power is enough to give you some fun, God of light!"

"Nay! Instead, let us see whether it's enough to maintain your life, scum!"

Right then, the two began clashing at an unreasonable speed. No doubt that speed is only possible for Achilleus to reach because of the insane power boost. It's a speed that is close to Baldür's Godspeed, and a speed I would have no chance against without Ultra Instincts. Not to mention, his power…. As much as I hate to admit it, it's a power that is too high for someone of my level now!

[—Partner.]

—I was snapped from my observations by Ddraig. That's because there was still one enemy left. The one left right in front of me.

"...You…"

The leader of the terrorists…. The man who's name I still do not know… He looked at me with an expression that was seemingly devoid of emotion, yet in every way, it seemed like he was silently announcing his authority over me…

"Hey, bastard. It's about time, isn't it? You still haven't told me who you are. As a terrorist, I'd expect you to take more of a prideful attitude towards your identity."

I said that with a look of contempt, while also preparing myself to fight. Even with my remarks, the leader didn't answer my question properly.

"Hmph. My greatness is one that can be understood merely through my presence. Though, I suppose many of you commoners would erroneously refer to me as "Aegus". As for you, Devil, Sekiryuutei— "Welsh Dragon of golden light"— Hyoudou Issei."

The leader pointed his golden blade towards me.

"I shall come to punish you for sullying the great legacy of the "sun". Holding you as the representative for all things bathed in "golden light"— it shall not stand."

This bastard sure likes to praise the sun, huh. Looks like he's got a thing for it. "Golden Light", huh…. I only have one of those, and it ain't me….

"Heh.."

—In fact, it's all of those who stand behind me that make me the "Golden Light" that I am!

"Well, if you're so concerned about who gets to be "golden light" around here, then come and fucking take that title from me, damned terrorist scum!"

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

My body burst with power. The leader finally took his stance for battle as well. The battle stance of a Greek warrior.

"—Come."

[Jet!]

—I blasted straight towards the leader. Finally, our battle had begun.

SHYOOOOM!

The moment I reached him, we clashed. I sent a relentless flurry of attacks to the leader, to which he parried or defended against with his sword & shield, using almost perfect reflexes.

DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON!

This man..! Rather than being someone with absurd strength, it's his skill in combat that is unbelievable! His weapons themselves can withstand my attacks, but, the fact that he can fend them off so easily..! It suggests that he's been fighting a lot damn longer than I have! Looks like having to use Ryu style wasn't even a choice for this one!

—However!

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

In the end, he is still just a human! With no great Longinus to defend himself with, like Cao Cao, so long as I'm able to push forward using my strength..!

DON!

—I sent a right hook to the leader's face, but he blocked it using his shield. Then, from beside his shield, his sword came to stab at me from his other hand. I used that chance to grab onto his arm, and hold onto his shield with the arm I punched it with, so that I was holding him in place. Then I quickly sent a "uppercut kick" to hit him in the chin, but—

Whish!

He threw his head back at the perfect time to dodge! And just when I thought we were about to be stuck in this stalemate position, he pushed against the grip I held on his blade and swiped up to slash me. I dodged by jumping back at the last second.

ZIN!

Shit! That was close! His attack didn't land properly, but it still left a long scratch mark on the left side of my armour. I imagine he just made that move to get out of the trap position I held him in. He's definitely gotten the instincts of a seasoned veteran fighter. Especially since his reflexes are ridiculous for a human! At least with Cao Cao, it could be understood, because he wielded True Longinus.

But this guy…. Something is off. I don't know why, but my instincts keep screaming at me about his nature. As if they're trying to tell me that he isn't just any human… That should be obvious, since he is in the Hero faction, but….

Moreover, this guy's golden sword was actually able to leave a scratch. No normal weapon can accomplish that. In all aspects, it seems to just be an ordinary sword, but if it was then it wouldn't be able to do anything against me… It has no aura or special attributes, as far as I can see… In that case, that would likely just mean that it is a weapon which was once wielded by a great warrior and surpassed that of normal weaponry. Just like that spear of the original Achilles.. Which then has me questioning who those weapons belong to..

—In the end, all of my questions are being led back to the same place. They all have me wondering about who the hell this guy is..

"...Oi, terrorist leader! I'm going to ask you one more time… Just who the hell are you? You're the descendant or spirit inheritor of someone, right? So…. Just who the hell do you take from?"

When I asked my question, the terrorist leader went silent. Earlier, he said that some would call him "Aegus"... That sounded familiar to me, but I couldn't figure it out. Not to mention, his golden sword and shield— his equipment…. It feels like I've seen it somewhere before, but I just can't pinpoint where exactly….

Finally, the leader answered me...

"Do not compare me to the likes of those who cannot even be deemed successors…"

CHILLS!

Just from glancing at his dark expression, I could feel the unbelievable killing intent being sent towards me. His golden eyes pierced through me, like the sun.

"I am he who is the true successor to the "Great Conqueror". Do not compare me to Gilgamesh. I do not chase greatness, I am the progeny which greatness seeks itself. Do not compare me to these "heroes". I am no mere "descendant" who bares false name of their predecessors. I am the "direct result". I am a TRUE successor…"

—The leader pointed his blade straight at me, and I felt as if I was being blinded by an incomprehensible light - the essence of an all too golden imaginary sun itself, right behind his figure.

"I am [Alexander the fourth, of Macedon]. I am the son of my father, the True Conqueror Alexander The Great. And I am the one who will carry on the legacy of [The Warrior Bathed in Golden Light]."

[!?—?!]

…..

—I was left speechless in my shock…. I remember it now…. The Warrior Bathed in Golden Light…. That painting sitting in the Gremory castle…. The man who was being shown with a golden sun behind his head, bathing him in light…. The man who wielded golden sword and shield, and a golden helmet to his side, not wearing it on his head, as if to say that he does not need it….

….Now, that glorious image stands right here before me…. As if come to life….

—Feeling that words began to evade me, I could only question the most obvious details about the man.

"...You…. You're supposed to be dead…. Alexander IV was poisoned…. He died as a boy…."

To my denial, the terrorist leader— Alexander IV, scoffed.

"Such is the tale of my betrayal at Cassander's hand…. However, the truth is even more regrettable."

Alexander said that as if there was a darkness in his heart, not spawned from hatred, but rather, a deep regret. Even still, I was left unable to understand it.

"...But… Even so, Alexander is…. That was a long time ago…. It's not possible for you to be alive….. A human's lifespan is…."

—That was when Alexander gained an expression of great contempt, a deep seeded grudge against a being I could not see.

"...My father was "blessed" with an eternal youth…. But it was nothing more than a farce…. Instead, he died a peasant's death, from mere sickness, caused by that dreaded "blessing"…. And, in the end…. It was I who was left in a form I cannot escape…. With a mortal coil that shackles me to an existence of misery….. Such is my curse…"

—I was then reminded of Sakuya's words, that day, in the Gremory castle.

("..And instead of him being granted with immortality, his bloodline was what ended up being immortal, or rather ended up possessing [eternal youth].. Essentially, Alexander was cursed.")

…...This is…. I couldn't understand it… It's all unbelievable to me… That's why, I kept questioning it..

"Wh… Why are you with the terrorists?..."

—"Why is this person with the terrorists", that was the only question I could come up with next. Why is the son of Alexander The Great working with the Hero faction?...

To my question, Alexander gave an even more exasperated expression.

"Tch… The goals and objectives of these worthless groups of fools are none of my concern. I am not interested in the ambitions of false "successors". To call them my allies is a fallacy. They are my pawns. They are the army of sheep that I lead by lion's mane. There is a goal they seek to reach, and for that reason, our interests meet. But, only temporarily."

..So he's saying that he's using them? But what is he using them for?..

"...You… If your interests only align temporarily, then what are you aiming for?..."

—At that moment, there was a glint in Alexander's eye, as if my question sparked a fire within him.

"What I aim for… That is…."

He was looking straight through me with his eyes, as if his gaze was locked onto something far greater than myself.

"...My will…"

...His "will"?... I was left confused by his words, again…. But, before I could even ask, he had already begun clarifying…

"...Devils… Dragons, Angels…. The likes of you beings could not understand…. You, Hyoudou Issei— who is both Sekiryuutei and Devil, you can no longer understand. Because you are no longer human.."

While explaining his motives, Alexander gained a distant look in his eye.

"..I am cursed to remain in this form… And for over a millennium, I have…. Yet, you cannot understand my plight. You who is naturally granted the lifespan of millennium upon millennium... I bear a burden which you would call a "gift"..."

..He's… saying that his long life is a curse… I guess he doesn't want to have eternal youth, but… I'm not sure what's so wrong about it…

[...That seems to be exactly his point, partner..]

..Ddraig?... What do you mean?..

—Before Ddraig gave me an answer, Alexander had done it for him.

"...Because you are a Devil, you cannot possibly understand…. You may have been born as a human, but you are one no longer…. I am naught but a man in flesh and bone. Born as a man, and cursed as a man… This existence of mine… It is one that I can no longer comprehend, precisely because of my humanity… My life…. My comprehension of it, it is one that is now beyond me…."

I still didn't understand what he meant…. It was all too cryptic…. But…

[Partner…. He is a man that is trapped within an existence of eternal youth. He lives for millennium, yet he is but a man…. It is exactly the same as the tale of the "Holy grail's curse"...]

Ddraig? I still don't understand. What do you mean by that?

[...His mind, partner. Think of his mind. Humans…. You are the species which is doomed to live such short lifespans. Therefore, whatever perceptions your fickle mentalities may concoct, they will only be maintained for a temporary time…]

...Perceptions?

[Time…. Partner, the human mind cannot comprehend an existence that reaches beyond the folds of 200 years…. This man, who has lived almost two millennium is…]

I finally began to realise it with Ddraig's words…. And, with Alexander's further explanation, the realisation hit me like a truck.

"...My past…. History…. To me, it is nothing but a dream…. Reality, memory, thought— these are things...which I can almost never distinguish…."

—A human who has lived passed 200 years cannot comprehend the passage of time. They can no longer retain the memories of their childhood. Whether their memories are real, or simply something they dreamt up, they can't tell. Whether the information or stories told in history books is reality or fiction, they can no longer remember. Even if they know who they are, or where they come from, they cannot tell how long ago they were born. They cannot tell their own age. They cannot believe their own truths.

Because humans were not built to last for so long, their minds, having no mental fortitude to comprehending their existence— are forced to resign to madness.

[—?!]

"...I have nothing left…. I have no past to which I can cling to, for I cannot remember where the truth in it lies… I have no identity, for that was stripped of me, now that I have long been "dead"... I have nothing left…."

—Alexander held his sword in between both of his hands and declared it.

"...Nothing, but the very thing that makes me human… My will…. This will of mine that was passed down from my father, and unto me…. That is…. The will to conquer."

This man…. Not being able to comprehend his own existence, he could not prevent himself from going mad…. His mind has no "stable" foundation for his sanity. No perception of time, age, or even consistent memory…. The only glue that holds his mind together, is his unbreakable will to….

"...Conquer?..."

I muttered that in confusion. Alexander answered me immediately.

"That's right. It is I who is the true successor to my father's great legacy. With his will that was passed onto me, I will fulfill the conquest that he could not. I will bear the legacy of conquest by ripping witless kings from their thrones, and spineless deities from their legend!"

—He declared it with absolute certainty, and absolute authority. I was left easily speechless.

….Alexander The Great… A man who was thought to conquer the world…. A military genius. A legendary king. An unstoppable conqueror….. Now, his son continues his legacy...by invading the Norse land of Asgard, and declaring war on the mythologies of the entire world…..

It was….all too much for me to process at once….

[Partner.]

...Ddraig?...

[Remember who you are, partner. Do no feel dwarfed by the intensity of the situation. There are many times in which the weight of your reality may be too heavy to bear, but, you mustn't falter. You are now a leader. You have a duty to your people, and a promise to uphold with the Lords of the Norse. —You are the Luminary Sekiryuutei, are you not?]

"...Promotion— Welsh Sonic Boost Knight!"

[Change Star Sonic!]

"Armour release!"

OOHHHHHMM!

—Power burst forth from my body, and my armour began to change forms. When my armour was finally shaved off to take a more aerodynamic shape, I fixed myself into a proper battle stance.

"...Sorry, Ddraig… I lost my head for a moment. Thanks."

[Of course, partner.]

Witnessing my actions, Alexander also fixed himself back into his former battle stance.

"So you've steeled your nerves, I see. Very well. I would have been disappointed to watch the "legendary" Sekiryuutei do nothing but stand in shock like a buffoon."

"Yeah, sorry about that… I have trouble wrapping my head around complicated things sometimes, and when I do, they usually shock me. Even as a leader. But, that's why I'm not going to think about it. Because I don't have to. In the end, you're just a damned terrorist, just like all the other ones. And as a faction leader, that means that I have to take you down. That's all that matters."

"Hmph. Fool. Do you really believe I would start a war that I cannot win? I may possess my father's will, but I am not my father. It is as I said before. This battle— has already been won."

"We'll see about that!"

[Jet!]

—And just like that, out battle started itself back up all over again.

SHYOOOOOOOOOOMMMM!

With a newfound determination, I blasted straight towards Alexander with blinding speed! Within a second's time, I reached him, and we clashed. But this time, I'm much faster than before!

DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON!

Thanks to my speed, I can launch way more attacks than I did before. You may have great reflexes, Alexander, but it's just as you said. In the end, you are only a man. If I land a good amount of attacks on you, you are sure to go down easily. Earlier, you were able to defend against my attacks thanks to your skill. But those reflexes can only hold up so much. At some point, my speed will surpass your ability to defend. And when those slight openings show themselves, that is when I will win the battle!

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

—For every attack I sent, Alexander parried it with both his sword and shield. However, with each time, the gap was getting closer. Each time is a closer call than the last. At this point, he is only defending against everything at the last second. Which means my chance was close. Closer than I expected….

DIN!

I was able to counter one of the parries that Alexander did with his sword, throwing his arm back. An opening! There it is! Wasting no time at all, I took the opportunity to strike at Alexander, and sent an uppercut to his chin. His sword was already close to coming back down on my neck, but, my fist connected with his chin first.

DOON!

The strike lifted Alexander off the ground a bit, so I took the opportunity to follow that up with another hit to his chest. This time, he blocked it with his shield. But that didn't matter, because even though he blocked it, the force of my lightning fast punch still sent him flying high up into the air!

DOON!

[Jet!]

I blasted off towards Alexander, who had been shot up into the sky. I used my speed to zip behind his flying form. But right before I could strike him back down, Alexander spun in midair and blocked my strike with his shield. However, that didn't matter either. Because, just like the last time, the force of the punch still transferred— and he was sent crashing back down to the ground.

DOOOOOOONNN!

Alexander crashed straight into the ground, on his back. The crash blew up a plume of snow upward and formed a crater 10 metres wide underneath him.

"Kah—!"

Upon landing harshly, Alexander choked out some blood. But I can't let up! I can't give him the chance to get back up! Take him down, no mercy! Or at least, no mercy for high level threats like you lot!

[Jet!]

SHYOOOOM!

I came straight down to slam down on Alexander, but somehow, he was able to throw himself out of the way, dodging the attack.

DOOOONNNN!

Damn! He dodged it! Even though I'm this fast..! He must have anticipated it. As I thought, his battle instincts and reflexes are both top notch. So even though he has problems with his memories, he can still retain his skill in battle... He must train so often that's it's practically all become muscle memory, at this point, especially after so many years.

His "will", huh… As much as I hate to say it, I can't help but want to respect it. His will may be even stronger than my own. If he had a Sacred Gear, I could imagine this battle would not go so smoothly….

"Faye!"

Finally, I called out to my blessed weapon.

Piiii!

Light blue particles burst out from my chest and formed into an axe in my right hand. There you are, my beauty! Now, change!

"Faye, blade!"

With my command, axe Faye changed form and became a sword in my hand. But the transformation wasn't over, because then it increased in size and power, changing from a normal Viking blade into a larger, "ice" coloured sword, with a thick Dragon-slaying aura around it.

—Faye, hold back on the Dragon-slaying aura, it's not necessary in this fight. Instead, focus the minor 'Ice power' into fortifying the blade even further.

{Yes, my master.}

Ddraig, how much stamina do you think I will have left if I keep boosting my power, after my Triaina runs out, I mean.

[I wouldn't suggest it, partner. I would say: avoid expending too much stamina. You may have gained a larger reserve of stamina thanks to the training you've been attempting with Ultra Instincts, but even so, it's best not to take it too far. Especially considering that you have not had many chances to train in the Triaina forms at all. You may end up accidentally expending too much, and the adverse effects could put you out of commission at an important moment, especially considering Freyja's rejuvenation spell.]

You're right, Ddraig. Thanks!

[Let's defeat the "Son of the Great Conqueror", partner!]

Hell yeah!

[Jet!]

I went towards Alexander again, this time with my sword in hand. By the time I reached him, he was already up and ready to receive my attacks, casually spitting out some blood from his mouth. Unlike Cao Cao who has a Longinus, your body doesn't have an item with which to take the brunt of the damage. Even so, you still stand as if it doesn't affect you! Even if it hurts like shit, you still get up! If only you had ended up being an ally instead..!

—Alexander and I clashed again, but this time, while I used my sword as well.

ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN!

Fucking hell! As I thought, his skill with the sword is far beyond mine! Most of my attacks are just fended off like if I was a child! The only advantage I have in this fight is my ability to surpass his natural stats like speed and power. Because otherwise, this fuck is simply too skilled! Comparing him to Kiba feels like it's unfair, as much as I feel absolutely disgusted saying it!

It should come as no surprise, since he's lived over a thousand plus fucking years! He has more combat experience than I could imagine! But damn, if it isn't irritating! I'm sure if he ended up being the one who possessed True Longinus, the Hero faction would be in much higher places already..!

But that doesn't matter! I just have to keep pushing! Even if I don't have the skill, I will overwhelm him with speed. In the end, he is still just a huma—!

DIN!

—Immediately after I thought that, my sword was struck from out of my grasp by Alexander, essentially disarming me.

"Tch..!"

I clicked my tongue in frustration, and had no choice but to catch Alexander's weapon in my hand again.

"Gotcha!"

As soon as I got a grip on his sword, I also grabbed onto his shield, putting us back into the stalemate position from earlier. But, before he could do anything about it this time, I made my move.

"Faye!"

ZIN!

My sword, which had been knocked away, immediately changed form into an axe, and subsequently flew back towards us with a crazy momentum. Or rather, it was flying towards the back of Alexander's head, in order to decapitate him while I held him in place!

"...!"

—But then, just as the axe closed in, Alexander suddenly lifted his legs off the ground and placed them up against my chest. He then used my chest as leverage to pull away from me, ripping himself from my grip, and rolling away to a perfect stance!

ZIN!

I caught Faye's axe in my hand as it finally reached me.

"Fuck..!"

This son of a bitch..! How versatile can you be?! Why can't you just be a shit fighter?! Goddammit! And, damn me and my warrior instincts, why can't I help having such respect for it..?! Aaaah, if only you were a good guy!

[It's only wishful thinking, partner. Someone like him can never be reasoned with. Or at least, not in the way you would hope.]

Yeah, yeah, I know! Just...grimacing, I guess… But damn, if he ain't a fighter…

[I understand your feelings, partner. It's a shame, I suppose. The only thing we can take from this is the honour of at least being able to fight with him. But feeling that honour does not him any less an enemy.]

Well, you're damn right about that. And I certainly am not gonna regret taking him down either.

[Aye, well said.]

[Jet!]

Alright, let's try this again!

SHYOOOOOM!

Once again, I shot myself at Alexander with sword in hand. And once again, we clashed.

ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN!

Shit! He's getting fierce..! Seems like he's trying harder and harder to cut my head off the more we clash! And with my average swordsmanship skills, he's gaining progress the more our clash continues! The only thing I can do is rely on my speed to keep me from being hit, and hope that speed will also find me an opportunity to strike, like the last time. I only need a few good hits! Just a few, and I'm sure he'll go down!

ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN!

—Just as our clash began to become fiercer and fiercer, with our strikes causing minor shockwaves in our immediate vicinity, I was disarmed once again.

DIN!

"Shit..!"

—My sword was thrown away from my grip, but before I could do anything about it, I was stabbed on the left side side of my abdomen.

PIERCE!

"Guh..!"

"Ise-san!"

I heard Asia scream out my name, and I could feel Alexander's sword plunge into my left side. My amour and my flesh was pierced, and his blade emerged from my backside. He got me.

—BUT!

Grip!

I caught onto Alexander by his neck with an iron grip!

"Guh..!"

"I've gotchu too, fucker!"

—Now, Faye!

ZIN!

My sword, which was flying away, quickly shifted forms again and flew back in our direction. But this time, with no indication to its return, Alexander could only realise it at the last second.

"..!"

You thought I only used my voice to her call back, didn't you! Yeah, that's called misdirection, junior! And being crafty is the one thing I'm good at!

WHOOSH!

—But just when I thought I had him—

SLICE!

—The man in the dust covered cloak jumped behind Alexander and took the hit, the axe landing straight in his chest.

[—?!]

"What?!"

And in my shock, Alexander took the opportunity to remove himself from me and kick me away from him.

DON!

I flipped over and caught myself on my feet, while holding my side which was in pain. As soon as I landed on my feet, Alexander and the cloaked man were standing together, ready to fight.

"Faye!"

I called back Faye and returned her to her dematerialised form.

—Ddraig! Did his sword pierce anything vital?

[No, partner. It was a perfect cut through, but nothing fatal. Though I'm sure it doesn't hurt any less.]

You're damn right it doesn't..!

"Ise-san! Here!"

Jiii..!

I heard Asia call out to me and my body was covered in a soft green light. Asia's healing aura! Maybe it was a good choice that she came along… But I just can't help feeling that maybe everyone else could get hurt. Damn..! Who the fuck is on the other team?!

More importantly, who would've thought these fuckers were actually teammates enough for one of them to take a hit for the other?!

"Tch..! Looks like even terrorists can act like comrades, huh?"

Just as I was giving them a sarcastic smirk, Alexander lifted his chin at me…. It was a gesture that exuded authority, and somehow…. It seemed like he was declaring victory over me…

"...What the hell are you lookin' so smug about, junior?"

To my question, Alexander simply scoffed...

"Hmph. —[αίμα]."

Wha..? "αίμα"?... That's Greek…. But, that just means…

—And from out of my chest, that very same thing burst outward.

Blood.

SPUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURT!

[—?!]

DON!

[Partner!]

I fell to my knees as blood spewed from out of my torso. W-What..?! What happened?! I was struck?!

[Partner! I don't know, but it seems as if you were struck by some unseen force!? Yet it doesn't seem possible! Nothing has touched you! It must be some sort of special ability!]

Just as I was holding my chest, which had a large, deep, profusely bleeding gash in it, Alexander said it to me.

"Have you realised it, Sekiryuutei? This ability— is not my own."

Immediately after Alexander said that, the cloaked man from before, he stepped in front of Alexander to face me. Speaking in a low, raspy tone, I could finally hear his gruff voice.

"...[ "If you till the soil, it shall no longer give you strength. A restless wanderer you shall be on the world." And cain said to the Lord, "My punishment is too great to bear. Now that you have driven me this day from the soil, I must hide from Your presence. I shall be a restless wanderer on the earth and whoever finds me, will kill me."]..."

...He's saying bible verses…?

—But just as I was wondering what he was doing, he removed the hood of his cloak from his head.

"...[And the Lord said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain shall suffer sevenfold vengeance." And the Lord set a mark upon Cain so that whoever found him would not slay him.]..."

—And on his forehead, there was a mark. A mark with a deep, red glow.

"...[Min-ha-adamah]..."

—A mark none other than the mark of God, the holy cross, standing on its head, and releasing an aura of holiness that felt corrupted.

"...All who lay their blades upon me, [Qayin]— the inheritor to the spirit of Cain, the first murderer— shall suffer sevenfold vengeance of the pain that they have caused me."

[!?—?!]

—I was in absolute shock at what I had just heard.

...Cain?... The first murderer?... His spirit rested within this man… The man with a holy aura that was somehow "twisted", and almost felt evil… And the reason I took this damage, was because I tried to kill him….

...It's not possible…. Something like that…. The soul of Cain should be unattainable...

"..Uaah!"

My blood froze over when I realised that the healing aura around me dissipated, and I heard a loud yelp. It was Asia's.

(—?!)

When I turned back, Asia had fallen to her knees while gripping her chest.

"ASIA!"

I shouted with terror. Thor took to Asia's side, searching for external wounds. While I was in shock about the events, the man— Qayin, spoke once again.

"...[Adam and Eve, who had found the body of their son, Abel, held his lifeless form in their grasp. And Adam clutched at his heart, for he loved his son truly, and he was burdened with the anguish of losing his child.]— Those who lay blade upon me shall suffer sevenfold vengeance. And those who truly love them, they who witness it, will feel that pain their loved ones have been wrought in their hearts."

—Asia was being subjected to the pain of watching me being hurt, by sevenfold.

[—?!]

"BASTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARDS!"

OOHHHHHMMMMM!

—I felt my aura explode due to the unyielding rage I felt in all of my being.

"YOU MOTHERFUCKERS! I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU, YOU TERRORIST SCUM!"

THESE BASTARDS..! Son's a' bitches! I'll fucking kill them! Fuck this! Fuck honour! Ddraig! We're using Ultra Instincts!

[Very well, partner! I am ready when you are!]

I was completely enraged and fed up. No longer being able to control myself, I called out to the beloved son of Odin.

"Baldür! Enough of these bastards! We're taking them down, now!"

—Looking to Baldür, his fight has just finished.

With his right arm, Baldür was holding up Henry's body by the neck. Judging by his features, Henry was knocked out of his "Hyde" form. Meanwhile, Achilleus was on his knees a few metres away from them. His body was covered in wounds and his armour was cracked or dented in many places. Even though he was wiping blood from his mouth, on bended knee, Achilleus was still smirking, as if satisfied with his own defeat. And there was even still power leaking from his body.

Baldür tossed aside the nearly unconscious body of Henry with an insulted scoff.

"These are the louts which have pressed filthy soles upon my homeland? HA! —What disgrace to bring upon Asgard! The likes of you wretches could not even withstand the weight of Magni's spit!"

It looks like Baldür defeated the two terrorists with not too much trouble. Though his body was covered in blood from being attacked, all of his wounds healed anyway, so he wasn't affected in any significant way.

Good. He seems to be done with his battle then. In that case...

"Rossweisse-san! Xenovia!"

I called out to Rossweisse-san and Xenovia. Since Baldür is finished, we'll take the chance to just end these bastards here by going in full swing. Rossweisse-san and Xenovia should be finished as well, after all.

…..

"Hm?"

I raised a brow when I didn't receive a response. I turned my head to the place in which Rossweisse-san and Xenovia should be fighting that Irish bastard. But when I looked, I noticed that the area was covered in dust.

DOONNN!

An explosion was heard from that place and something flew out. It was the body of Rossweisse-san.

Bam Bam!

[—?!]

What the..?! Just now, Rossweisse-san flew out of the dust cloud that was in their vicinity! She's covered in wounds and bleeding from her head!

Just as I was questioning what happened, the other two figures in the dust cloud were revealed. Xenovia and Patrick….

"...Why?... I… I don't understand.."

When the smoke had cleared, Xenovia was standing there with Ex-Durandal in her hand and Ascalon somewhere else due to being knocked away. But, more importantly, Xenovia was holding her Ex-Durandal up against Patrick's armour with a shocked face…. I began to realise just then..

"...Why doesn't any of it work on you?..."

—Patrick was standing there with his armour intact, completely unharmed.

[—?!]

"Ah, a'm afraid that's not yur' revelation to have, wee lass!"

Patrick then sent Xenovia flying away with a punch to the face.

DON!

"Xenovia!"

Xenovia's unconscious body was caught by Rossweisse-san.

What?! They were defeated?! The magical expert Rossweisse-san and the powerhouse Xenovia?! How?! There's..! There's no way! That bastard was able to come out of a fight with them completely unscathed?! Even if Rossweisse-san's magical attacks didn't work, it's not possible that Ex-Durandal did absolutely nothing, right?! I mean, just look at the environment around them! It's nothing but a wasteland due to the damage they've done to it!

I narrowed my eyes to focus my vision on Patrick's armour….. No, there were what appeared to be scratch marks on it, so he did take a little damage… But, is that it?! Just some fucking scratches?! From Ex-Durandal?! Even my armour would be destroyed by a strike from that! It's a weapon that specialises in destroying things after all! Just how the hell did he manage to come out unharmed?!

—While I was left befuddled about Patrick's physical state, he and his allies began having an argument. Patrick spoke in an annoyed tone, but was still smiling oddly.

"Mn…. Oy, Greek-boy! I'm right tired o' this song and dance already! I came here for a reason, and that reason wasn't to play around with some Valkyrie and a blue haired lass actin' the maggot! I came here for the Dragon! And if I can't get you to agree with that, then I'll do it on me tod! Ya got that, yah pretty little gobshite?!"

Alexander answered him with slight irritation.

"Salamander. You have been tasked with an objective and you will fulfill that duty as promised—"

"—Aye, I will on me arse, ya big bollocks! I said what I said, I meant what I meant! I'm not doin' anything for the lot o' yah! I'm doing this for me! So if ya wanna get in the way o' that, then I'd rather rip ya insides and turn them into outsides! And I'll betcha' that''ll give me a right gas, that will!"

"Hmph. Foolish boy. You…."

Alexander stopped himself there and made an expression of contemplation. After a few quick seconds, his eyes shifted to me for one moment, then to Baldür…. Then, he said it.

"...Salamander. You are correct. You have every right to pursue your interest. Very well. Let us rotate positions. I will face the God of Light. Salamander— You, do what you have come here to do."

Alexander agreed with Patrick's original grievances… He agreed to let him do as he pleases? Even though he seems like the authority figure, type who doesn't take shit from anyone…. Somehow, I felt uneasy about it. It felt more like something worse was to come with this…

Patrick hopped with glee closer to my position.

"[Sláinte], Greek-boy! I knew a' could count yah! Alright then! It's just me and you now, Welshy boy!"

The Irish bastard Patrick gives me a wide grin. These fuckers…! Deciding things all on their own again! More importantly, what about my friends!

"Rossweisse-san!"

I turned back to Rossweisse-san, who had returned to Thor's side While carrying Xenovia.

"How is Asia?!"

Rossweisse-san answers while looking her over.

"She is unconscious, but she seems to be alright. Xenovia is more hurt then her, but neither of them are in critical condition. It's just worrying to have our healer out of commission..."

I see. So they're both okay, for the most part. Good. That could've ended up being another mistake I never wanted to make… Baldür stepped up beside me and taunted the terrorists.

"Hmph. So it seems that the group of cretins has been reduced to a mere pair. Your folly now becomes clear to you, does it not, "heroes"?"

As soon as Baldür said that, we heard a voice from the place he left behind.

"..Hehe. Who said it was just these two left?"

It turns out that Achilleus was still conscious since he walked over from their previous spots. Even though he was wounded, he was still up for a fight, and his body was still covered in Ophis' power.

"Sorry to say, but power like this doesn't just fade away easily. I've gotta burn it out and it's not burned out just yet. Though, that was quite the beating. It still hurts like shit to move. But, you gotta do what you gotta do, heh..!"

The Henry Jekyll boy also looked like he was conscious, but he was laying on the sidelines, too hurt to fight. Meanwhile, that bastard Qayin was still sitting in the back, as if waiting for something again.

Alexander spoke as the leader again.

"Achilleus. You and I shall face the God. Salamander, you have your objective to complete. Qayin. Do not interfere with either of these battles. Unlike before, if you interfere, you will die. The strikes of a God are not something you can use your power against. And the foolish Salamander would not care for you to defend him, rather he would kill you for doing it. Not that he requires your defence. So for now, wait until your role is required, just as originally planned."

Qayin nodded in agreement with his superior's orders. So even his ability has limits, huh. He can't fend off the strikes of a God. Of course. He is just a human after all. But that being said, the threshold for attacks that he can take must be high, considering that he was able to take a strike from the Kykvendi axe. So he's still a legitimate threat.

Wait…. "wait until your role is required, just as originally planned"?... Wait, hold on…. But, doesn't that mean that Qayin has a different role than just taking damage?... I would've thought that his whole role was just making sure to his allies didn't die or take fatal damage, but….. You're telling me that's not what was "originally planned"?...

Speaking of which, what are these fucks even planning? They never said a word on their plan, not even once…. If anything, it just seems like they came here with their own personal agendas instead of some concrete plan… But, I refuse to believe that. There must be something more sinister here at work. My instincts tell me that. They're planning something we still don't understand, and it's bad…. But what could it be?...

Damn..! I should've used [Read] to listen to Alexander's true intentions. Though, I'm not sure it would've worked, since that power tends to be less effective against those who have honest hearts, whether bad or good…. And if the plan was too complex, then I might not have gotten an answer that helped us..

No, there's no time to think about that now..! What's more important is that we finish them while we have the chance.

"Baldür. If things become too hectic, we'll bring Thor in. But for now, you should be able to handle those two. I'll see what I can do about this one.."

"Aye, I'm with you, brother."

"Oho! Looks like it's startin', ey! I'm right and ready when you are, Welsh emperor boy!"

I scowled at saint descendant's annoyingly jolly attitude.

"I'm gonna wipe that lousy fuckin' smirk right off your face, you damn evil leprechaun..!"

"HAHA! That's a new one!"

Tch. What an irritating bastard…

"Give 'em hell, Baldür."

"Aye, you too, Issei-lad."

As I wished Baldür luck, his battle with the two Greek warriors immediately started.

DON!

Achilleus lunged at Baldür, creating a shockwave with his strike. But Baldür caught Achilleus spears and held it in place with no trouble. Then, from behind Baldür, Alexander came up to stab him. But Baldür planted his foot into the ground and the markings on his body shone blue light. Immediately after, a large amount of ice spikes sprouted from the ground below Alexander to pierce him.

ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN!

Alexander had thrown down his shield and stood on it, using it to defend him and replace his footing. Baldür then punched Achilleus in the stomach, sending him back by a few metres and destroying the environment past him.

DOONN!

Achilleus spat out a wad of blood and regained his stance. Alexander landed beside him.

As I thought, Baldür should be able to handle those two on his own. If they can't damage him, then there's essentially no way they can win.

Shii

(—?)

Hm? What's…. What's that? Something's gathering around the tip of Achilles' spear that Achilleus is wielding…. It's something small and purple. Those look like...butterflies?... Purple little "butterflies" were gathered around his spear?... Where did they come from?... No, wait, is it some sort of magic? It's not a type I've ever seen before…

Shii

Before I could question it any further, the butterflies...disappeared?... They're gone. They don't seem to be there anymore…. It doesn't look like they did anything… Though, am I seeing things, or has the tip of Achilles' spear looks like it's gotten a bit darker in colour?...

"Oy, red boy! How're ya! What's the story horse, ya cheeky cunt!"

Patrick called out to me in an infuriatingly enthusiastic manner.

"...Alright then… Just you and me, you Dragoruny fuck. I'm gonna lay one into ya' for what you did to both of my girls."

"Aye? "Dragoruny"? That's interestin'. What does that mean?"

"It means Salamander, dipshit."

"Ah, that so? HAHA! Sorry, I don't talk "moonspeak", am afraid!"

Tch… Racist fuck. Ddraig, how much time will I have until my stamina is totally depleted, if we're to use Ultra Instinct like planned?

[The best strategy is still to avoid using Ultra Instincts and Triaina simultaneously. If you are to use them simultaneously, then do not boost your power. It will exhaust you too quickly and you will certainly suffer some critical effects. Otherwise, use Triaina and boost your power at a steady pace. No enormous bursts which are expelled too quickly. That may also affect you severely. All in all: if you wish to use Triaina and UI simultaneously, then you will likely have around 10 minutes of stamina thanks to Freyja's spell.]

Alright! In that case, we're going with it how we planned! Ultra Instincts and Triaina, let's go! We're going all out on these fuckheads!

[Understood!]

—With that, I dumped my consciousness into the depths of the gear and focused my latent power.

….

….

[(—)]

SHIIIINNN!

—I opened my eyes as I felt my power concentrate all around me. I could feel my consciousness being connected to Ddraig's in only a few moments.

"Woohoo! Shite in a bucket, look at the state o' you! That's the dandy ticket, isn't it?! HAHA!"

Ddraig, are you in? I can feel you.

[Yes, we are connected, partner.]

Then let's go.

[Right.]

—With my world painted in gold and my enemies being highlighted, I reached a new level headed focus that usually isn't attainable for someone like me. I quickly changed into a more effective form for the enemy I was facing.

"Welsh Dragonic Rook."

[Change Solid Impact!]

I wasted no time in my assault and blasted straight at the Salamander, Patrick.

[Jet!]

"Oho! No rest for the weary, ey!"

Despite my bulky transformation, it didn't take me long to reach Patrick. The moment I made it in front of him, he sent a strike towards my head. Slow. Much too slow. And his form is terrible. Just by that one punch, it looks like he hasn't fought professionally in his life at all.

I dodged his attack with a simple cock of my head and prepared a strike for his abdomen. The piston like mechanisms in my armour locked in place, adding to effects of the punch. A powerful, direct hit.

DOOOOOOONNNN!

…..

…..

Wha….

—I felt confused when impacting the armour. The area around me was covered in dust so it was a bit difficult to tell, but… something seemed wrong. Despite being a direct hit, it didn't feel as if the feedback I was expecting ever came to me. There also wasn't any sound of the armour breaking. Nor the sound of painful grunts…

The dust that was around me quickly dispersed, revealing both the Salamander and I. But…

"HA! A good ol' knock, I would say! Too bad I couldn't really feel it, ya know! Did give me a good ol' shake though!"

….The punch was ineffective…. So much so, that…

—Patrick and his armour were completely unscathed.

[—?!]

"Alright then! I'll give it a good ol' swing too!"

Patrick took a swing at my head while I was in momentary shock. But the strike was easy enough for me to read in and out of this form, so I dodged it without trouble.

But that was… My strike didn't affect him? Was it that I hit him in a place that was more heavily fortified than others? Perhaps Xenovia didn't actually hit him as many times as I think?

I put those thoughts aside and decided to let out a flurry of strikes at Patrick's armour, all in different places, to test the effectiveness of his defence.

DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON!

I wasn't able to strike him as much as I wanted because of my lower speed, but it was good enough amount in a short enough time span. But even still…

—There was no effect. His armour wasn't being dented or scratched by my strikes almost at all. I felt that it was something ridiculous. Could it really be that this armour was taking direct hits from Ex-Durandal and it was having no effect? If that was the case, then I would have terribly low chances in damaging him, since the Ex-Durandal releases powerful attacks way above my physical limit.

But that can't be it. It's not possible that he could withstand that. There's no normal Sacred Gear that could. Only something like Longinus, or other legendary weapons, could possibly take those attacks head on. In that case, what is going on?...

[Partner. Something is odd about this armour… I have noticed that there are indeed places in which damage can be indicated, such as on his arm plates. Those seem to be the places where the woman Knight struck it. However…]

Ah, now that you mention it, I can see it. It's something I have to look at closely, but it certainly is there. There is indeed an indication of damage in certain places. But, that can't be it, right?... Those are practically hairline fractures… It's not possible that the powerful Ex-Durandal which did so much damage in Kyoto could do that little… But then, even if that is true, where is the damage that Rossweisse-san inflicted with her magic?... Don't tell me he took none….

[Partner, this armour is wrong. It feels...unstable.]

What do you mean? "Unstable", how exactly?

[...I mean that in the way that it reminds me of your amour.]

My armour?

[Well, rather than your armour, it's more like your entire gear…. It feels just as unstable as your Sacred Gear does. In other words, it feels like there are things about this armour that are not the way they should be...]

Ddraig was giving me all of those information that was making me suspicious. But, I wasn't even able to think about it for long, because I started to realise something when I was fighting Patrick.

DON DON DON DON DON DON DON!

"AHAHA! Shaky! It feels like a'm being stirred in a pot!"

Patrick cackled as I landed successful after successful hit on him. I noticed it just then. This man….. He's sloppy. He's incredibly sloppy. He has no proper form, his attacks are too easy to read, his reflexes aren't anything spectacular, and he misses a lot of attacks… It doesn't feel like this guy is a warrior or fighter at all… He just feels like some sort of amateur street fighter…

If it wasn't for the fact that he seems to be taking almost no damage anywhere, there's no way he would have a chance against any of us, let alone Rossweisse-san and Xenovia. But that's the problem. Why isn't he taking any damage? It doesn't make any sense. There must be some sort of weak spot somewhere.

DON DON DON DON DON DON DON!

"HA! That's feistier, ah!"

—Nothing. I can't find any weak spots. I don't understand. There's should be something… Somewhere...

[Partner. We should use this chance to find out any of what they're planning. Their objectives here.]

Ddraig suggests that.

You're right. We need to find out why they're here. All the time we've been facing them, they've given no indication as to why they've come. It feels almost like they're not fulfilling any purpose at all and are just here to distract us. Which, in that case, would then mean that whoever is on the opposite team is the one handling the real objective. These guys could very well be the diversion, or the "filler" squad.

But then, what exactly did Alexander mean by "Qayin's role" then?... What is it that was "originally planned"?...

"Hey, Dragoruny."

I decided not to dwell on it and instead asked Patrick in a straightforward manner, while activating my ability.

"Why are you here? Why are you terrorists attacking us. —What is your objective here, in Asgard?"

[Read!]

While ignoring whatever it was that Patrick responded with in the real world, I concentrated on what his heart was saying instead…

….

….

….

[Kill~! Kill, kill, kill~! My brother, come join me~! In battle we are stronger~! It feels like it's our time to die~!]

(—?!)

—In the end, that was all I interpreted from his heart. This man…. He was telling the truth when he said that he didn't care for the lives or the objectives of his allies. He doesn't care about the terrorists or their plans. The only thing he truly cares about is fighting— no, killing. But even more than that, the only thing he seems to care about, in his heart, is….

[Take the Dragon head, take the Dragon head~! Picked apart by Dragon teeth and eaten alive~! Rip up its stomach and kill it from the inside~!]

—Killing me.

[And just like that—!]

Without realising it, I was somehow face to face with Patrick while listening to his heart. And with a hollow smile, and an unfathomable darkness present in his eyes, Patrick finished his little song out loud.

As if he knew I was listening.

"—We both die."

CHILLS!

—I suddenly jumped back on pure instinct. Without even thinking, my body had moved itself away in fear and shock. The shock was so strong that it broke my concentrated state and I lost my Ultra Instincts form in an instant.

"Haah…. Hah.."

[Partner! Are you alright? We lost the form due to a sudden disconnect between our consciousness. You couldn't maintain the form in your shock.]

—I realised it upon Ddraig's words.

I was now over 10 metres away from Patrick and our initial spot. I was breathing heavily and there was sweat running down my neck. Even the hairs on the back of my neck were standing up.

...I had reacted completely on instinct. My instincts, which were at their max due to UI, all suddenly screamed at me to get away. In almost every way, it felt like I was being told to run from the enemy in front of me…

..I have never seen such a pitch black darkness like the one in his eyes before… It was pure darkness…. There was no single virtue or morality that I could interpret from his being…. Not only his heart, but his mind— no, his very soul…. Every single part of him…. The hollow, empty ovals that were his eyes portrayed the freak inside…. They conveyed the message to me… That there was not a single shred of anything besides madness within him… Every fiber of his being is nothing but insanity…. There was no light…. There was no kindness…. No innocence… My instincts could only imagine the most terrifying and deplorable acts being committed by him… My instincts told me that, no matter how much stronger than I am or could be than him, he...will always be a threat…. He will always be more dangerous….

….Without even needing to think about it, or even having to see it, I knew…

—This man is surely the most frightening opponent I have ever faced.

[Partner. This person is pure evil…]

...Yeah. I think I noticed….

"Oy, what's wrong! Yur' suddenly far away from me! Ya want me to come to you?"

Ddraig. We'll hold off on Ultra Instincts for now.. It doesn't seem to be that beneficial in this situation, not against this guy... I can hold him off just using Triaina. It's better if we try to utilise boosts for more slamming power instead. The best thing we can do against him is pack a bigger punch. It's better than wasting this much stamina needlessly.

[Right on that, partner. But, be cautious. He is a truly malevolent existence…]

...Yeah, I know….

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

I felt power flow through me and the bulky armour. Let's see if this will be enough to have any effect on that tough shell of his..!

[Jet!]

Despite my hefty armour, I was still able to fly towards Patrick fast enough to catch him off guard. I've gotta aim for the parts that would seem the least protected. There's a few places like that. But the number one place is that damn head of his! See, unlike my and Vali's masks, Patrick's doesn't cover his whole head! Instead, it only covers his head like a helmet and it's shape is the motif of being a Salamander's head, with a green visor lense over his eyes. But there is nothing guarding his mouth and chin!

That's why, the number one place I'm aiming for right now, is exactly that place!

DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON!

I sent a bunch of attacks at Patrick that all landed perfectly, while dodging his amateurish attacks, but my hits still had no effect. So even this much power isn't enough to dent that fucking armour after all?! As I thought, if it really did defend against Ex-Durandal, then it's got to be an amazing creation..! But that still leaves some possible weak points, just like I said. And that would be..!

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

This damn face of yours!

"OAH!"

—Just as Patrick realised it with a maniacal smile, he was too late to guard against my attack, and my fist connected with his chin. He was sent flying up into the air, just like his leader Alexander before him, but this time, with much more force.

DOOOOOOONNN!

[Jet!]

I quickly followed after Patrick's body which was launched up to the sky. Unlike Alexander, he doesn't have spectacular reflexes, so when I reached him, I was able to attack him. I sent three attacks in quick succession of each other, all of them landing in his stomach. Then, I lifted my hands above my head and brought them back down on Patrick's back with a slam. He was sent flying back down into the ground.

DOOOOOOONNNNN!

After Patrick crashed into the ground, I followed him down, bringing my own body on top of his with a harsh slam. I heard the clashing between our armours in the smoke, indicating that he was still donning it. Then, I waited for the dust to clear so I could finally see him…

….It was quiet for a moment…

"...Hehe…"

(—?)

"...Hahaha…"

The air then finally cleared, and I could see Patrick below me.

—His face was covered in blood that leaked from multiple places. His nose, mouth, ears, and his head itself. Considering that he was a human, it was lucky for him to have survived such an attack head on. Almost any other human would be dead entirely. I'd say that it was only because some of his armour took the force of the impact that he survived at all. So it wasn't wrong to say that he was almost at a near death state just from that.

But that wasn't what I was concerned with. What really froze me for a moment— was the fact that this psycho bastard was giving me the broadest bloody smile I've ever seen in my life.

"..HAHAHAHA!"

—Then, suddenly my head whipped back with great force.

DOOONNN!

I had been punched. And my helmet had completely shattered. But before I could even register it, another hit landed in my abdomen and I was sent flying away.

DOOOOONNNNN!

[PARTNER!]

My body was sent flying and I crashed into the treeline of the forest, bringing multiple trees down with me before stopping.

DON DON DON DON DON DON CRASH!

…...What?...

[Partner! Partner, are you alright?!]

...Ddraig? What just happened?...

[You were attacked, partner! You must get up. The enemy is making his way here..!]

That's when I heard the cracking of trees ahead of me.

"WAHAHA! HAHAHA! AHAHAHAHAHA! THAT'S A RIGHT GAS, ISN'T IT?! WAHAHA! OOOOH, WE'RE SUCKIN' DIESEL NOW, I TELL YA! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!"

Patrick was walking towards me with a mad cackle and grin. The irises in his eyes seemed to resemble spirales as they span and jolted around from his sheer insanity. It looked like he was on death's door, yet, it felt like that was giving him even more energy to move forward.

—It was also then that I noticed the the armour surrounding my torso had been destroyed by his strike.

[—?!]

H-He destroyed my armour?! How?! His strikes weren't that powerful before! Don't tell me he just wasn't using that much force!

"AAAAAAAALRIGHT CHUM! I'M PLENTY GIDDY NOW, I AM! YOU'VE GOTTEN ME WELL EXCITED ENOUGH! ECSTATIC EVEN! LET'S PLAY A JOLLY CUNT GAME NOW, YEAAAH?!"

[Partner, he's coming!]

After finishing his cackle, Patrick came at me with a crazy speed. I brought myself back to my feet and reformed my armour. When Patrick reached me, he took the offensive and started sending attacks to me first.

He's fast! Way faster than before! But his aura doesn't seem to have gained any significant boost. Which means that he was just holding back all this time!? No, his movements have gotten way crazier. All of his attacks are quick and sporadic with no pattern of any sort. If it's this fucker, then he's probably just going nuts on me! He's letting it all out, despite the state he's in! No, if we're talking about this guy, then it's because of his state that he's turned out like this! So even being near death gets you excited, you sick fuck!

But since he's attacking so crazily, it makes his attacks hard to read! Out of all times, it would've been best to use Ultra Instincts at a time like this! But even so, that wouldn't help me damage him, so I'd be fucked anyway!

Speaking of damage, I need to attack his vulnerable spots! That last hit I gave him was almost enough to kill him! If that's the case, then I just have to hit him there one more time!

"Die, you fuck!"

I tried hitting Patrick's mouth again, but—

DOON!

—A plate of armour suddenly connected itself to his visors, covering his mouth and completing his helmet.

(—?!)

What?! This fucker had a mouth guard this whole time?!

Patrick said it while laughing.

"HAHAHA! WELL, TOO BAD, LADDIE! I CAN'T HAVE YOU DOIN' THAT JUST YET! I'D DIE TOO QUICKLY! WE CAN'T HAVE ME DYING ON ME OWN, NOW CAN WE?!"

Patrick's punch landed in my sternum and I spat out some blood.

"Kah—!"

This fucker—! He had a fucking mouth guard and just chose not to use it?! Even though he could've died so easily..! He's out of his fucking mind! Fuck! That leaves me no choice..! I gotta look for a different place to hit now!

Looking at his armour, the only possible spots that could work are the sides. His sides seem to have a black under armour, just like around his joints! It must be to allow for better movement, like with me and Vali! If that's the case, then the place I gotta aim for is there!

—While dodging all of Patrick's uncoordinated strikes, I looked for an opening to attack. I found it soon after he tried punching my face and I ducked under his strike. I aimed for his left side with the full force of my solid punch.

This is the place where Xenovia used Ex-Durandal! I can see the small cracks in his armour from it! Which means, it can be broken if I punch— RIGHT HERE!

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

DOOOOOOOOONNNNNNN!

The power of my punch sent a shockwave around the area, causing some trees to break and fall over. The ground below us turned into a crater.

Did I do it?! Did the attack work?!

"WAHAHAHA!"

I heard Patrick give another wild cackle of joy. The attack— was not successful. It didn't even dent him.

[—?!]

YOU'VE GOT TO BE FUCKING KIDDING ME!

DOOOOOOOONNNNN!

—I was sent flying again by a kick in my side. Luckily, my armour did not break this time, but the distance I was sent flying was equal to before. I was now back in the forest clearing we all started in.

"..Aah! Fuck!..."

I stood up from the spot I crashed into and spat out some blood.

Even those attacks had no effect?! Fuck! What do I do now?! What sort of approach do I go for now?!

[Partner. I have an idea.]

Ddraig? What is it?

[Do you recall that shadow user from the first heroes assault, in Japan?]

In Kyoto? Yeah, I remember that guy. What about hi—

(—!)

Ddraig, you're a genius! Of course we'd have to try that!

"Promotion— Welsh Blaster Bishop!"

[Change Fang Blast!]

As Patrick finally came out of the treeline to stand before me, I shifted forms. I changed from Rook promotion to Bishop in a flash. I felt magical power flow through me. Magical power which, in this form, I would usually channel to the blasters on my back. But not this time.

Actually, my real intention is much different!

"AHAHA! That was a jolly ol' play, wasn't it?! HAHA, how fun! —Oh! What's this! Chagnin' yur' approach, ey?"

While Patrick was smiling giddly, I started sucking in a big belly of air.

"..Suuuuuuuuuuu—!"

And while boosting the small flame in my belly...

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

I unleashed an overwhelming blanket of flames over Patrick and the forest behind him.

FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMM!

—That's right! This was my plan! Just like in Kyoto, it may be possible that direct attacks don't affect you, but if they affect your body that's on the inside, then I've won!

FOOOOOOOOOMMMM!

My flames covered the entire area surrounding Patrick, reaching up to 20 metres in the forest behind him. Many trees behind him were set ablaze and burned, while the snow around was quickly covered in soot or melted away. It may not be anywhere near the level of Tannin's blanket flames, but it's damn well good enough! Or at least, in comparison to most Dragons!

"AHAHAHA! That's a burner right there! It's toastin' me all the way to me loins, HOHA! Feels like a'm cookin'!"

I could hear Patrick's annoying voice as flames stopped spewing from my mouth. So you felt that, didn't ya, fucker! I knew something was good enough to work on you! Looks like Rossweisse-san didn't try flames, huh? Or even if she did, they may not have been powerful enough to bother this fuck.

While Patrick was seemingly being burned inside his armour from the flames, I heard him saying some odd stuff.

"Ah, ah! This just won't do, will it? Lit like a match in a colonel's smokin' hand! Well, we'll just have to fix that, won't we?"

"Huh? What the hell is this bastard saying now—"

—Before I could finish my question, a dark aura exploded from within the raging flames.

OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHMMMMM!

[—?!]

What?! What the fuck?! What's happening?! What is this aura?! It's..! This is the aura that Patrick was releasing earlier, when he activated his Balance Breaker!

"Alright then! Let's see… How do we do this… Ah, just like last time, I s'pose!"

Suddenly, the flames around began to die down as a result of the aura overpowering them. The flames were being snuffed out. And Patrick's dark purple coloured aura started to concentrate itself at a certain point in his armour. It's….concentrating around the green jewel in his chest….

OOOOOHHHHMMM!

"...So, then…. Give me what I want."

At that moment, the aura all focused itself and disappeared into the depths of the jewel. The jewel turned black for a moment.

Then— a bright light was released.

SHIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNN!

….I was left blinded for a moment. When the light died enough for me to see, I noticed Patrick who was standing there…

Ooo

..I started to feel an ominous chill as I realised that there was a change in details regarding him…. His armour… It changed a bit… It's...a brighter shade of orange now?... Before, it looked like a darker shade of orange… But now, it's a bright shade. Like the perfectly dynamic version of orange you would usually think of….

[Partner…. His armour is different… Something has changed…]

..Ddraig said that in a suspicious tone…. Yeah… Somehow, I was getting that impression as well...

"You…. What the hell did you do?..."

When I asked that, Patrick looked up at me with his psycho grin, but it started increasing in length across his face…

"Who, me? A'm doin' nuthin' but paying homage to you, of course!"

…"Paying homage"?... What is this son of a bitch talking about?..

"What are you talking about?... What did you do to your Sacred Gear?... What ability did you just activate?.."

To that, Patrick gave a mad cackle of amusement.

"HAHA! Ability? Well, if yur' askin' me about abilities, then I can tell ya that I just made it so that I'm not cookin' anymore!"

"...Not "cooking"?..."

(—?!)

"You..! You activated an ability that made you fireproof!?"

I said it with shock as I realised the fires around him had been snuffed out, and the last flames that sat on his armour were completely ineffective.

"You bastard..! Even now, you have an ability to be fireproof and you didn't use it! How many fucking things about that armour are you hiding anyway?!"

While maintaining his smile, Patrick raised a curious brow at me.

"Hm? What're ya—"

But then, he paused. And suddenly, he burst out into a mad fit of laughter.

"OH— BUHA! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! BUHUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!"

H-He's laughing..! This son of a bitch is laughing at me again..! What is he—

—At that moment, Patrick's ear to ear grin became dark, and the look in his eye seemed maniacal again.

"Oh, you've got that wrong, Welshy. I didn't have any ability to resist fire. Or at least— not until a few seconds ago."

…..

He said something that had me frozen for a second….

…..Not until...a few seconds ago?...

—Patrick laughed again at my reaction.

"Sorry, do I hafta' make it more clear for ya? Well, ya get the basic idea, right? After all, yur' kinda one of the ones who made it popular. That is— the idea to create abilities."

(—?!)

"...Create abilities?..."

"HAHA! That's right! After all, I never had an ability to oppose fire!—"

With Patrick's twisted smile, I felt a chill run through the very fiber of my being.

"—I just created it right now is all."

[—?!]

….

….

...Created?...

"...You… You can't possibly mean…"

"HAHA, that's right, ya nasty little gobshite! I realised that you were probably gonna burn me up inside, so I decided to make it so that I won't! In other words, I just made myself a tad bit inflammable is all!"

….

...You're saying that, he just made himself inflammable in response to my flames, right here on the spot?... He created that ability…. In an instant?...

—I was in total shock. It was something that was not possible. Even I, who has created many abilities for my Boosted Gear, took time to develop those powers on the mountain. It wasn't something that could be done on a whim. And even then, all of my abilities had drawbacks that would hold me back from using them freely….

"Wait…. That's right… An ability like that can't exist without some sort of drawback…. That's how Sacred Gears work… You can't create an ability like that out of nowhere with no repercussions…."

I said that with disbelief, hoping that Patrick was about to tell me I'm right. He did. Unfortunately, it did not ease my worries.

"AHA, that's right, ya cheeky cunt! Ya can't! It's not possible to! Ah, but that's just the t'ing! It does have a drawback! In exchange for almost perfect fire resistance, I get no ice resistance! So while yur' flames won't work on me anymore, yur' ice might just do tha' trick!"

[Partner! Did you hear that! We can use Kykvendi! It should be the perfect match for this fight now! Partner!]

—Even though Ddraig was trying to call out to me, I didn't respond. I couldn't. I was still left in a state of shock.

...That's because…. Even if it has that drawback… He created that ability within an instant….. Creating abilities foreign to one's Sacred Gears is a task that requires an immeasurable willpower. Not just anyone can do it. If you don't have the willpower to change it, then you will just die trying. If it wasn't for my willpower during the first fight with Vali, I would've died when I placed his jewel in my armour. And even after I was successful, a chunk of my lifespan was removed due to how taxing it was….

But this man…. He just created an ability like on the spot, with practically no struggle... That…. It can't be possible…. The amount of willpower it takes to create an ability alone is…. But, to do it in mere moment…..

What…. What sort of willpower would it take to do that?...

"Oy, Welshy!"

I found my answer when I looked into Patrick's dark and deranged eyes.

"What's wrong? Cat eatin' yur' tongue, lad?"

The absolute will to destroy.

CHILLS!

This man…. He doesn't care if he lives or dies…. He doesn't care if he's successful or a failure…. He doesn't care if his attempts are fruitful or worthless… He doesn't care about anything…..

—He just cares about killing, or being killed, in battle. The most true definition of "battle maniac" that there could ever exist. And he's willing to do anything for his goal.

…..This…. This is unreal…. To believe that someone like this existed…. It's like a fucking bad dream…. It's the faction leaders' worst nightmare…. This team of heroes…. Even more than the ones in Kyoto….. This is the worst outcome we could've predicted….

"HAHAHA! What're ya standing there gawkin' at me like that for! To begin with, this was all a situation of your makin' in the first place!"

—Patrick then said something that momentarily pulled me from my shock and made me raise my head up a bit.

"...What did you say?"

"OOH, come on now! Don't go actin' like ya don't understand where I'm gettin' at here! You know what I mean! All ya got to do is think back to that little fight you had with the four eyed lass in the underworld!"

…"Four eyed lass"?... Sona?...

—I felt a jolt in my body upon realising it. The match with Sitri.

"AHA, ya look like you've realised it then! That's right! It was that game that was shown to all in the underworld! The news of that fight went even past the underworld too, ya know! I was able to watch that fight too! And, ya know— I learned a lot from that match."

Patrick said it in an ominous sounding tone… It started to feel like the hairs on my body were rising...

"No…. You mean…"

"Aye, that's right, laddie! What, did ya really think that I got all of this power out of nowhere? My Sacred Gear didn't start out bein' this strong ya know! Hell, before a little while ago, it didn't even have armour! It was just a little watch lookin' thing! The only reason it's almost indestructible is 'cuz I made it with the condition that if the armour ever fully breaks apart, I'll die instantly! HAHA!"

...The sweat began to run down my neck and my body started to shake. My bones felt cold and my stomach felt sick. Even the world in my vision began to tilt to the side the more the seconds passed….

…..No….

...It can't be…

"My Sacred Gear was something I didn't even know I had! It was like it popped out of nowhere!"

…..No….

"And when I got it, all I could think about was playin' third fiddle to the Heavenly Dragons! I mean, it's so boring that there are only two, right?! So I decided that I would expand the roster! Although, I'm not a Dragon, I hope it still counts! At least if I can't be a Dragon, I'll be the common enemy that the Dragons both want to kill, HAHA!"

…..It can't be true…..

"Ah, but in the end, it was all possible thanks to you, laddie! If it wasn't for ya lecture during that match, I wouldn't have learned what I've come to learn now!"

"What are you saying…. Are you saying that...you know all of this….because of me?..."

—I asked that, but I knew the answer to my bones. Because it was true.

"Course I am, ya red ciotóg! It's all cuzza' you, Hyoudou Issei, that most of us even got this information! Thanks to yur' speech, I know all o' the ins and outs! Same with everybody on me team! I did want to become the rival to the Heavenly Dragons, after all. So a'course, I just took your advice and did well with it! To think that that little speech o' yours would've had this kinda effect, irony is a cruel geebag, isn't she? Well, pride is a deadly sin, ya know?— But I betcha never saw it comin', didya, ya little gobshite?"

—And in that moment, I heard the words of that Evil-God ring in my head, once again.

"Everything I know, the reason I'm even here— it's all thanks to you. Hyoudou Issei."

("You, Hyoudou Issei, who was once human and once Devil…...you are an existence which defies nature…...your very conceptualisation of power denies "God" and "order" alike…...You do not realise it yet…..but you have opened a door….a door that has no key to its lock….and now, your example…...is one that will breach the laws of this world….your Gear… It has become that key…. In some ways…...you have created a Ragnarök far greater than the one of legend foretold.")

…..

…..

…..

…..

Thud!

—I felt all the strength in my legs disappear, and fell to my knees.

..This is all….because of me….

…..

…..

[Partner…]

...Because of that stupid "pride" and "confidence" that I had…. Because of my one rash decision during a rating game…. I caused a spiral of events that led to people like this growing in power…. There's probably more like him out there….

And the reason that he knows all of this stuff about Sacred Gears, and people like him, is all because of me…..

"Aw, don't feel too down now, Welshy! Pride is as deadly a sin as they come, but it is also the fatal flaw of Dragons. 'Tis only a stepmother would blame ya for it. But me? Oh, a'm thankin' ya! There ain't no greater day in my life than this! I can only hope that it gets better, now that I've made me mark here! I wonder who'll come choppin' at my head next! Just thinkin' about it is giving me a stiffy!"

Patrick was left rambling on about things I didn't care about, but my attention was then caught by an overwhelming power.

[—?!]

[Partner! Did you feel that? To the north!]

I stood up from my spot and looked off into the direction Ddraig indicated. It's the direction we originally came from, where all of our allies are at. Over there, out in the distance, I could feel something dark and powerful moving…. But even more than that, I could see it…. Far away from us, there was a large pillar of smoke rising up into the sky…. It was the source of the power… Is that...

"...Kets?.."

DOOOOOONNNN!

While I was in wonder about the odd power in the distance, a shockwave of power sent wind into my face. It came from the battle that was still sparking between Baldür, Achilleus, and Alexander.

DON DON DON DON DON DOOOONN!

Achilleus and Alexander were both attacking Baldür at the same time with full force. The two of them were on full assault, but, even when their attacks landed, they had seemingly little effect due to Baldür's invulnerability. From the both of them, Alexander seems to be the one who lands more hits. Many times does Achilleus lunge his spear at Baldür, only for him to dodge. Alexander then follows his ally's action with his own attack, which, tends to be successful.

But all of the wounds they inflict on him just heal anyway. Albeit, not instantaneously, but still quite quickly. Maybe not as quickly as before even… No, that's just my imagination. Whatever the case, it doesn't look like they'd be able to win their fight against him.

What did you expect? He is a God after all.

…..

(But is it just me, or have Baldür's movements become just a tiny bit slower?..)

DOOOONNN!

Achilleus was sent flying away by a kick to the stomach from Baldür. He was sent crashing violently into the ground and picked up snow as he bounced. If it wasn't for the fact that he had all of that concentrated power from Ophis' multiple "snake seals", he would be dead, without a chance. Even if his armour is good, and with Baldür holding back, he'd still be toast. There's no doubt he's alive because of the enormous power boost. And at this point, I'm sure he's down to the last spurts of it.

DON DON!

Baldür then focused on Alexander, who had no choice but to defend against Baldür's attacks, as to avoid death. But even with being on the defensive, it didn't make a difference. Just like with me, the force of Baldür's punch transferred to Alexander's shield and sent him tumbling away, while the environment behind him was blown by a shockwave.

DOOONNN!

Alexander was sent rolling away. He stabbed his sword into the ground to stop himself and quickly used it as leverage to flip onto his feet.

"...Hah, hah! Ptu!..."

From way behind Baldür, Achilleus stood up from the ground with weak legs, using his spear as leverage to stand properly. He was covered in blood from being beaten to a pulp in all different places and his breathing was ragged. For a human, being able to stand up after that is admirable. Unlike with the psycho Patrick, Achilleus stands because he is a warrior. So at the very least, he can be commended for his tenacity.

Baldür spoke to the terrorists with a huff.

"Heh. I commend your efforts, "heroes". You did well for mere humans with no signature Sacred Gears. But, I'm afraid your efforts are all for naught."

Alexander scoffed in response to Baldür.

"Hmph. Is that what you believe, Asgardian?... Achilleus. How much of the "snake's" power remains in you?"

"...Heh. Enough for one last good hit, I suppose…"

"Good. You've done well. In that case…"

Alexander then snapped his fingers.

"—We've won."

Shiiiin!

After Alexander snapped his fingers, a magic circle appeared beside him. Wait, it's Henry! He's the one who spawned the circle! So he was still conscious, huh..! But what are they bringing here? Is it an item? Is it another ally? What is it?

Right as I was about to guess it, something appeared from the magic circle…. It was….. A man with a bag over his head.

Shiiin!

What appeared was…. A man with a some sort of cloth or sack over his head…. His body was scrawny and naked aside from some black, ripped shorts…. His hands are tied up behind his back and he's on his knees….

...But most of all, he had some ominous but subtle aura around him…. It was an aura that made me think it was unrecognisable in every way…. The aura itself literally gave me the impression of being "unknown"...

What the… Who is this?... Could this be some type of hostage play or something?...

After the man appeared, Qayin brought himself up next to Alexander and stood there. It looked like he was waiting for something…. I also noticed that Patrick wasn't trying to attack me anymore and was just grinning widely…. Even him?...

Alexander spoke to me.

"Sekiryuutei. I will ask you this. Do you know what a "Kishin" is?"

He's asking me…. A Kishin?... I do know what that means, but I'm hesitant to answer….

—While trying not to play into whatever they're plotting, I answered cautiously.

"...A malevolent God…"

"Correct. A wrathful deity. Or rather, a fierce God that resembles a demon above all…. Though, in this context, it more refers to a "demonic being of unknown origin". Regardless, it is an existence which does not adhere to the laws of this world. For that reason, even certain Gods can be vulnerable to its influence…"

Alexander said that with an ominous tone that set off my nerves. What the hell is he….

—Right after he finished it, Qayin, who was behind the captured man, turned the body of captured man over to us. The captured man's back was now visible to us, displaying that he had likely been beaten while in their custody. Then, something disturbing started to happen…

"...Guh! Ah!.."

The captured man made a sound of pain and hunched over. He looked like he was struggling with something, despite nothing taking place… But then, a disgusting sound was made.

Crack!

An odd noise. It sounded like the cracking of someone's bones. Or rather, like they were breaking…. When I looked closer, I noticed it… The captured man's back had started moving… No, something was moving underneath his skin… With a disgusting sound of bones shifting in place within his body, we could see something moving beneath the skin on his back… The man grunted and twitched in what seemed to be pain….

Crack!

But, with one last crack, his body stopped moving entirely. The sound and movement ceased, and it was quiet for a moment…. Looking closely at his body, nothing seemed to have changed… Save for the fact that there was now a line running all the way down the middle of man's back…. A scar?... A cut?... It's just a line running down along his spine….

Sluu….

But that was when I noticed something was leaking from that place…. Blood?... No, that is a black substance… It cannot be blood…. What the hell….

—Then, it happened in an instant. While I was staring at the bleeding mark, something happened. With a disgusting sound, black blood poured out from that place. And...

A large, red demon eye with an iris resembling flames snapped open.

CHILLS!

—IT'S AN EYE! An huge eye appeared on the man's fucking body! His skin split open to reveal it while bleeding some black substance! Rather than being disgusted, I was even more shocked wondering what the fuck this was!

"God of light. Sekiryuutei. Your attentions are focused on the wrong place."

Upon hearing Alexander's voice, I realised that he was no longer standing in the same spot. He stood out in front of all of us with his sword raised above his head, as if pointing up into the sky. Just then, his sword began glowing a bit.

"This shield. This sword. —Both of these weapons belonged to my father. They were gift to him from the Gods, as commendation for his great accomplishments. The God who gifted him such weaponry, it was the God he soon began to honour in battle. Do you know which God that was, Sekiryuutei?"

Alexander asked me specifically. But then, light suddenly burst out from his sword and blinded me.

"It was the sun God, Helios."

SHIIIIIIIIINNN!

[—?!]

My vision was blinded by a bright golden light! The Greek God of the Sun, Helios..! That is why those weapons are like that! That is why they can pierce my armour! They are weapons gifted by a God! The reason that Alexander The Great called himself the Warrior Bathed in Golden Light..!

When I was able to see again, Alexander had a light shining over his head. His sword..! It's releasing pure light from its blade! And all of that light is building up over Alexander's head, taking shape! It's forming into the shape of a ball! It's..!

[—!]

—It's a "Sun"!? A mini sun made of pure light formed over Alexander's head! It's a small sun the same size as a soccer ball!

The power of the small sun seemed to be creating sharp winds that cracked the trees in the forest around us. It's generating a blinding light that makes it hard to look at it, and makes the silhouette of Alexander appear covered in shadows. The only part of him I could make out were the golden eyes that matched the light above his head. I could only cover my eyes while trying to look at him.

"Baldür. The Norse God of Light. Let us see if a light of this magnitude would blind even you."

Saying just that, Alexander whipped his sword in the direction of Baldür, and the ball of light launched towards him.

"A challenge from a fellow God of light, ey! Very well! I'll take you up on that regard!"

Baldür exclaimed with no hesitation. And in the next moment— he caught the sun right in between his hands.

WHOOOOOOOOOOOSH!

The sun released cutting winds that began destroying the immediate environment around Baldür! We couldn't get near him! And the light between his hands was so blinding that it was hard to see!

Baldür held the mini sun tightly, to the point in which it looked like he was squeezing it. No, he is! He's crushing the sun in between his hands! But the more he crushes it, the brighter it shone and the more power it started to release! It's power was starting to become unstable and Baldür's flesh was melting in various places. —It's going to explode!

"Achilleus."

In the midst of all the loud noise spawned by the mini sun, my instincts were somehow able to pick up the sound of Achilleus and Alexander's voices.

"Have you the power needed for the final shot?"

"..Yeah.."

The last thing I was able to see before being totally blinded by the explosion of the mini sun—

"I do."

—was the form of Achilleus jumping into the air, and throwing his spear.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

The explosion of the mini sun blinded me, turning the world into nothing but white. And the wave of power knocked me off my feet.

…..

"Ugh.."

I held my eyes as I struggled to open them. They hurt. I can't see anything… Many long seconds passed before I was able to see anything.. Is this what it's like to be flashbanged?...

"Ah… Damn… Are you guys alright? Asia? Baldür? Guys?"

Slowly but surely, my vision began to return… I could make out the shapes of things, and the silhouettes of people… Then, the colour came back…. After a few more seconds, the colours started to adjust and become less overexposed…

"Ah… Fuck… I think, I think I can see now… Guys?"

Finally, my eyesight returned, and….

"...Baldür?"

Shii...

When I looked, Baldür was glowing… Baldür was looking down at his body in a confused manner… The markings all over his body are glowing blue, like when he is releasing power… But this time, the blue particles are floating off into the air and disappearing, as if they're leaving him….

Then my vision moved down. And that's when I saw it.

—Achilleus spear was pierced through Baldür's abdomen. It looks like Achilleus used the last of his power to launch the spear at Baldür. But rather than focusing on the spear itself, my vision was locked onto the tip of the spear, which was sticking out of Baldür's back. The tip of the spear looked black. As if being covered in some black liquid or powder or something.

…...My eyes slowly widened as Alexander spoke.

"It seems the God of Light is not as observant as he believes. It must be as a result of his invulnerability dulling his senses. He failed to notice that his movement was decreasing in speed during our encounter. So was his healing. Though I suppose, at this point, it makes no difference…"

The thing that was spread over the tip of the spear, the thing that those magical butterflies from earlier were spreading on the spearhead— a substance that was crushed into a black liquid, and spread over the spearhead—

"..Does it.."

—That was—

"..Sekiryuutei?"

BLACK MISTLETOE.

[!?—?!—!?]

"BALDUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUR!"

[Jet!]

PSHYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

I blasted towards Baldür as he fell to his knees. I caught onto his body before he could fall back and ripped the spear out from his belly.

"BALDÜR! HANG IN THERE! BALDÜR!"

"Kah..!"

Baldür coughed blood while holding his stomach. His wound was not healing. None of them were. The blood around his wound looked like it was starting to change into a black colour, and his power of light seemed to be exiting his body.


Every moment that passed, from that second onward, felt like minutes on their own. But, in truth, they all took place in the span of seconds.


"NO! BALDÜR!"

I was left in a state of shock as time slowed to a halt around me. Baldür was dying in my arms. His life, and his power, were both leaving him.

I remember having a dream. A dream of being in a cold, snowy forest. In my arms, there was the body of a man with tattoos and Nordic clothing. His head was concealed by a black fur pelt. And soon after, a figure with overwhelming power appeared above me through the dark grey skies. With the mighty swing of his lightning struck hammer, his godlike wrath was brought down, and the world around me was destroyed.

I could envision it as if it was happening right in that moment.

Baldür would die, and Ragnarök would begin. And with that, the "Twilight of the Gods", the "fall" of the Gods, would begin.

That was no dream. It was a vision.

A vision… of my future failure…

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

NO.

SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNN!

—Suddenly, my armour began shining a brilliant golden light.

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

—I raised my hand above my head.

"...I REFUSE…"

—And flames burst out from my gauntlet.

[Partner!]

"...I REFUSE..!"

Give me a fire that burns it away.

"...I REFUSE TO LET THAT HAPPEN..!"

Give me a fire that burns it to the last drop.

"...I REFUSE TO BREAK MY PROMISE..!"

Give me a fire that will expel all of it, until there is nothing left.

[Partner! This power..! It resembles..! It's almost like..!]

Give me a fire…

"..I REFUSE DESTINY..!"

..That will burn forever.

"I WILL CREATE MY OWN REALITY!"

—And so, I plunged my flame ridden gauntlet into Baldür's stomach, and a pillar of fire burst out from his abdomen.

FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMM!

"AAAAAAAAHH!"

Baldür shrieked in pain as my flaming gauntlet burned his insides. But—

"HAHAHA! What is he doing?! Is he trying to kill the God of Light himself?!"

"...No, you fool! Something's wrong..! He's..!"

The fire that burned in Baldür's stomach began to gradually change colours. It was shifting from a red-orange colour, all the way to a light green, then finally, to a light blue.

FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

"This is..! He is..!"

It was just as Alexander exclaimed.

"He's burning away the cells of the mistletoe?!"

FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMM!

"HAAAAAAH!"

—Baldür sharply inhaled a gasp of air. The light on his body— was no longer fading away.

"WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Patrick hopped on his foot ecstatically.

"OHOHOHO! That's a right gas, I tell ya what! Alright! The Welsh boy is mine! Don't nobody go laying their grubby little fingers on—"

But before he could even finish…

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNN!

He was suddenly blown away by some unbelievably powerful force. An invisible force, like the wind, that came from behind me and Baldür.

It was the sheer force of Thor whipping his hammer in the direction of the terrorists.

"You will all die here."

TOOOOOON TOOOOON!

The skies above us suddenly turned into a dark grey, being completely covered by clouds. Thunder roared and lightning cracked in those clouds. And then, from right beside us, the forest was suddenly destroyed.

TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNN!

When I was able to see again, the forest leading all the way up to where my other friends were, was destroyed, in a straight line. What appeared at the end point of the destroyed terrain, only a few metres away from us, was a black figure, floating in the sky.

Surrounded by a dark aura that exuded the intent to kill beyond what I could comprehend, a figure with a glowing eye was there. The figure of an enraged God.

—The figure of the Norse Allfather, Odin.

"YOU WILL BE ERASED."

The sheer power being exuded from both Odin and Thor felt like it shook the very core of the earth beneath us. All of the ground in the forest became nothing but a crater with cracks in every direction. The winds each wave of power that blew around us were greater than a hurricane.

[—?!]

"QAYIN!"

Alexander shouted to his comrade, displaying desperation for the very first time. The moment he shouted, Qayin placed his hand upon the head of the captured man.

And the very next moment, the eye that was on his back— released a powerful shadow that looked as if it was made from darkness itself.

SHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMM!

A powerful shadow like no other burst out from the eye's pupil and began spreading throughout the land. The wave of darkness spread up and outward, but also straight towards us.

[—?!]

[Shot!]

I used my power to shoot at the darkness that was fast approaching us, but it had no effect. My attacks disappeared into the darkness, as if being eaten, or simply turned into nothingness.

And just as I was about to feel despair—

SHIIIIIINNNN!

"Baldür!"

Baldür had brought himself to his knee and used his power of light to prevent the darkness from touching us.

"Stay back, Issei-lad! Without the wicked mistletoe, a wound like this shouldn't be enough to kill this God! At least, not for now! But I don't know how long I can hold back this darkness!"

Baldür said that while holding his arm up and shining his light. But his light was flickering.

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

I boosted my power even further.

"Baldür!"

And then transferred it to Baldür.

[Transfer!]

With that, the light from his body shone ever brighter.

"Well done, boy!"

The darkness continued to surround us and even spread beyond us. It would soon reach my friends behind me.

"Asia!"

But when I turned around, the darkness was being kept at bay by powerful lightning strikes that surrounded their group.

TOOONN TOOOON TOOOON TOON TOOON!

The darkness could not touch them. The powerful lighting of Thor prevented it. It merely continued spreading around them, like it did with us.

Looking towards Odin, the sheer force of his power was what was halting the darkness around him. As if he were the eye of a hurricane itself, the winds of his power that span around him, kept the darkness from touching him.

Yet still, the darkness continued to spread to other places. It spread up into the sky, and by this point, it had already shrouded the entire forest in darkness. We were like sitting ducks in the midst of a blizzard of darkness.

—But I did not fail to notice the darkness spreading out into the distance, all the way to a certain place.

"Baldür! The darkness! It's spreading to the mountain! We were right! Their objective—"

"—It was to free Loki!"


Höðr

RUMBLE…!

From within the lonely mountain, only two men were present. No. Two gods.

"...This noise…"

Loki, the Norse God of Mischief. He was bound to three separate stones with red chains. This place, this cave, was his prison. The only other person contained within this prison with him was another God.

Hödr, the blind God, second son of Odin, and the God who is tricked by Loki into killing Baldür, his own brother. In his hand, there was a red stone. A stone of fire and rock. A stone that was created by Surtr from the hottest depths of Muspelheim.

The purpose of this stone is to prevent Ragnarök. Should there ever

come a day in which it seems that Loki will escape, Hodr will crush the stone, thereby destroying both Loki and Hodr together, preventing his escape. However, this was meant as a failsafe, should no other method work, not the first option. So the chances of it being used are….

RUUUUUMBLE!

The mountain began to shake, as if it was being attacked from the outside. Though they did not know, it was the black power that had made its way onto the mountain's peak, trying to break inside.

"...Hehe.."

Loki smirked.

"..It seems I do have some allies after all. Though, I certainly did not expect it. I wonder if they will have any success breaking their way through here. Though, I have high doubts."

Loki spoke seemingly to himself, as Hodr was not listening. Instead, he was looking up to the rock above them with a distant gaze, despite having a cover over his blind eyes.

—He knew. Without needing to be told, he knew. He knew what had to be done. He felt it in his bones. And he knew what would take place if he did not do it.

"...So it is time.."

"Hm?"

Hodr said it without fear. Loki narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

"What do you plan to do, old man…"

"Loki."

Hodr raised up his hand from his side, revealing the stone to Loki.

"You will never escape this place."

[—?!]

Loki's being was stricken with shock when realising what the object was. He exclaimed with a rage stemmed from fear.

"You..! You blind fool! You can't mean to..! Have you gone mad! They won't be entering this mountain! They cannot enter this place! Not so long as Odin or Thor do not allow them entrance! To do this would be simply ludicrous!"

What Loki did not know was that he was wrong. Neither did Hodr know. However, that spared him no hesitation.

"That may be so. However, I refuse to leave such a decision up to "fate" or destiny any longer. A Norseman creates his own reality."

Hodr tightened his grip around the stone, and the stone— began to crack.

"You fool! You blind, old fool! Don't you realise it?! Your sacrifice will have been in vain! Your sacrifice will have been for nothing!"

Loki howled at the blind God with desperation and terror finally being portrayed in his being. Hodr only tightened his grip further.

"Nay… Not for nothing.."

And finally, with one final squeeze..

"For Asgard."

—The stone was crushed in his palm.

"HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"


Saji Genshirou

"Kiba…"

Through all of the absolute chaos, I spoke to Kiba with my weak voice.

"...What is happening?..."

He looked up to the sky in absolute horror…

"...Rag…narök?..."

TON! TON!

Thunder roared and lightning struck in various places of the sky, and the forest in the distance. But most of all, I noticed something…

That aura of blackness… It's making its way towards the mountain!

"Kiba! Look, the mountain!"

I pointed towards the place where Loki was supposedly being held prisoner.

"That dark mass is heading up towards the mountain! That had to be their objective! We were right! They're trying to release Loki!"

I watched the mountain become obscured in darkness.

But, in the next moment, the mountain...


Hyoudou Issei

"Their objective! It was to free Loki!"

Of course! It was as we thought! The objective they were aiming for, it had to be Loki! Along with killing Baldür, their next move was to release Loki, thereby jumpstarting Ragnarök 100%!

"Shit! Baldür, what do we—"

It happened while I was watching the mountain become obscured in darkness.

In the very next moment, the peak of the mountain…

—Exploded.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!

[—?!]

Right before our very eyes, the peak of the mountain had exploded like a volcano. But that was no volcanic eruption. That was an explosion of sacrifice. The realisationsent chills to the depths of my being.

—Hodr, and Loki, were no more.

SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNN!

Baldür released a bright light like no other and slammed his fists into the ground, cracking the broken earth beneath our feet even further.

And from out of his mouth, he released a powerful lamentation of sorrow.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"

—His brother, Hodr, was gone.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"

Using all of his force and power, Baldür slammed his fists into the ground once more. From out of the ground before him, a long line of spikes emerged. They were shining brilliantly with blue light, despite being made of ice. Baldür had combined his power of ice with his power of light and created a row of spikes to keep the darkness away. The spikes allowed us to see the terrorists which were farther ahead. He created a path right to them.

He then shouted to me with a sorrowful rage.

"KILL THEEEEM!"

[Jet!]

I wasted not even a second and blasted my way straight towards them. They realised my approach and made their decision to escape.

"Now, Henry!"

Alexander commanded Henry who jumped to his side. Henry then placed his hands together, and a large transportation magic circle appeared below the terrorists.

"I won't let you get awaaaaaa—"

Then, suddenly, my world was frozen.

…...

"Eh?"

—My vision was caught onto by the captured man with a cloth over his head.

Through the bag wrapped around the man's head, there was a small hole in the front. Through it, I could see the man's eye. It was nothing but a plain black eye, not uncommon of many types of humans. But—

That eye was—

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

"...Koji?"

SHIIIINNN!

—The magic circle beneath the terrorists' feet shone brightly.

"Ah, it's like we thought, this man was related to the Sekiryuutei, ey! Looks like we made the good choice back then, ah? Ah, but I r'ully still wanted to attack "Kuoh" instead. That would 'ave been more interestin'! Cuz' if this guy was around there, then that means he's going to be close to the Sekiryuutei's house, right? We should've kept looking around!"

"..Don't be foolish. That place most likely would have been impossible to find due to being protected by a barrier of some sort. Even if we did find it, attacking the Sekiryuutei's home, let alone the place of "Kuoh", it surely would have resulted in death for the lot of us, since the might of the Underworld was sure to follow. Gilgamesh was right to make the decision that we take this boy instead. From what he could tell, the boy possessed a high spiritual affinity for supernatural beings. He was a good enough pick for the "curse" of the Kishin. It's honestly the perfect outcome that he did indeed end up being related to the Sekiryuutei, as we suspected. So, we shouldn't complain..."

[?!—?!—!?]

[JET!]

—I blasted forward with every bit of my might.

"KOOOOOOOOOJIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

—I boosted every ounce of power I had left into the jetpack. Despite launching forward with what felt like the most absolute speed, I couldn't catch up.

SHIIIIIIIIIIIINNN!

The bright light from the magic circles started to shine beneath their forms even brighter.

The world around me felt as if it began to move in slow motion. With every passing moment, I could only inch closer and closer, reaching out with my hand.

—Yet, my reach would never catch onto anything.

"...Sekiryuutei. We shall certainly meet again."

"Bye, ya daft cunts! I will definitely kill ya the next time! Let's die together when we next meet, ya!"

Despite the world moving so slowly, I could hear their words as if it was in a normal state. As if my world was the only one frozen in time. The light continued to slowly envelope their forms and blind my vision of them.

"KOJIIIIII!"

I called out one last time. My voice echoed through my mind, silencing the entire world around me. My hand, so close, yet so far from reaching. The last thing I could see, through the gap between my claws, and the hole in the cloth, were his eyes.

—His fear ridden eye which had tears falling from it. Yet, there was a gentle light within them.

.

.

.

.

.

.

"..Stay away, Ise..."

—And within a momentary flash, they were suddenly ripped from my sight.

SHHHIINNN!


Saji Genshirou

But, in the next moment, the mountain…

—Had exploded.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!

[—?!]

"...T-The mountain! It just— It just exploded! Kiba! What does that mean?! Is that bad?!"

I tried asking Kiba, but he was looking up at the mountain in utter shock.

SHHHIIIIINN!

I noticed it when looking up at the terrorists. They were still being covered by Lucoa-san's flames, with seemingly no escape possible. But….

"Hahahahahahahaha!"

Despite being contained in a barrier of magical circles, Gilgamesh gave a hysterical laugh. A magic circle unlike his or Judar's suddenly appeared under all of the terrorists, individually.

"Well, then. It seems like our allies survived! Hehe. In that case…"

Gilgamesh gave us one last evil smirk.

"We've won."

And just like that, without any chance for us to retaliate, the terrorists and the dark mass of power— disappeared.

SHIIIIIIIIINNN!

…..

…..

…..

…..

"...You're….joking, right?..."


Hyoudou Issei

"..Stay away, Ise..."

—And within a momentary flash, they were suddenly ripped from my sight.

SHHHIINNN!

…...

—My jetpack lost any of the power that was set to propel me forward. My body lost any sort of momentum it had been maintaining. Slowly but surely, my wings gave and body fell face first into the ground, with no sound to follow my tumble. My world was utterly silent.

I slid across the snow, only coming to a stop in the place from which they disappeared from, the spot he was in previously.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

My arms struggle to lift my head from the ground. I staggered in place, on all fours. My arms lost their strength, and my forehead planted itself in the white snow below.

"...A…"

….

….

"...Ah…."

….

….

….

….

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

—My cries of anguish echoed throughout Asgard, only to be forgotten in the overbearing silence of the world.

Little did I know, at the time, that my cries were not the only ones to fill the sky.


"Ise-kun!"

… I don't know what happened, but somehow, I was walking towards my group of friends in the place we left them in. The girls from my group called out to me, along with Kiba and Saji…

..I was walking while lending a shoulder to Baldür… Following me was the rest of my group from the forest, including Odin… Every one of us was caught with expressions of despair..

Saji and Kiba approached me first…

"...Oi, Hyoudou… What just happened?... Is this all some kinda bad dream?..."

..I was left silent with his question, unable to respond… I could only say..

"...I don't know, Saji…"

—Then, we heard a sound that reverberated through the skies of Asgard. The deep bellow of a horn.

VOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMM...

...That was… The horn of Hermod? No… It sounds different…. It sounds deeper…. It sounds lower…. It sounds….

...Melancholy…

"...The song of hollow victory…"

Baldür said that with a weak voice from next to me…

"...What?"

"...It's the horn that is sounded at the fall of a great warrior…. In honour of the Gods…"

...Ah, I see…

"...So it's for Hodr then…"

That's what I thought. But, for some reason, Baldür stood up with his own strength and looked out to where Valhalla was…

"...No, it's not..."

...Baldür said that with a foreboding tone…. No, it can't be…. It's over, isn't it?... No…. No….

—Again, there was a gap in my memory.

I couldn't remember how, but we ended up in Valhalla. We appeared before the main gates, and they were opened upon our arrival.

DAGOOOOON…..

The gates opened before us, and the courtyard of Valhalla was revealed. Many Gods and other beings were present there, those who did not return to their realms. But, for some reason, those who were gathered around, were kneeling and holding their heads down. On both sides of us, there were a different amount of beings kneeling. They all seemed to be facing a certain direction.

It was when we looked forward that we saw it.

Looking straight down the path, leading up towards the bottom steps of Valhalla's main stairway, there was someone sitting there.

It was Magni, oldest son of Thor.

We saw him sitting there silently, with his head down, on his knees, facing our direction. But when our vision shifted down, the world froze over.

He was holding a body in his arms. It was the body of a man with tattoos over his body. A black pelt rested over the man's head, obscuring his face. But, as we came closer and closer, his identity became as clear as day to us.

It was the body of his younger brother, Módi.

…..

—Once again, the speed at which my reality moved was decreased to slug's pace.

The figures that had run past me were that of Thor, Odin, and Baldür… All three of them knelt down in front of Magni. For the first time, I witnessed what I believe was Odin weeping, as he hunched forward and began to quiver… Thor shook the body of his young boy, as if attempting to elicit some sort of response from him… Meanwhile, Baldür was left with his head touching the ground, as if curling up into a ball…

I remember having a dream. A dream of being in a cold, snowy forest. In my arms, there was the body of a man with tattoos and Nordic clothing. His head was concealed by a black fur pelt. And soon after, a figure with overwhelming power appeared above me through the dark grey skies. With the mighty swing of his lightning struck hammer, his godlike wrath was brought down, and the world around me was destroyed.

The body of that man in my arms was not Baldür. It was Módi.

Losing all of the strength in my legs, I fell to my knees. Azazel knelt down beside me and began shaking my body. He was saying something, but all of his words were escaping slowly, and with no sound to follow them. It seemed like he was trying to snap me from my shock to say something, but it was for naught. I was left with a hollow gaze, staring at nothing but the floor beneath me.

Módi. The second son of Thor. A young God who was prophesied to survive Ragnarök and lead the future of the Æsir alongside his brother— was dead. Destiny was denied its Ragnarök, and in return— it created its own.

….

—Then, before my eyes, a pair of feet appeared in front of me. I recognised that appearance. But, even if I didn't, it was soon made clear to me who was standing above me...when I heard that voice.

["You, Hyoudou Issei, who was once human and once Devil…...you are an existence which defies nature…...your very conceptualisation of power denies "God" and "order" alike…...You do not realise it yet…..but you have opened a door….a door that has no key to its lock….and now your example…...is one that will breach the laws of this world….your Gear…...It has become that key…. In some ways…]

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

[...You have created a Ragnarök far greater than the one of legend foretold."]


MÓDI

….

Vooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo….

The horn of sorrow sounded off into the quiet, beautifully coloured sky...

We were in Alfheim now… All of us…. Many leaders and their greatest warriors were gathered here, in lines, standing together…..

We're gathered here because….

—Just in front of us, the funeral of Módi is taking place.

Voooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo….

Once again, the horn sounded off…

Just ahead of us, there was a pyre…. On top of that pyre, laid the body of Módi…. And before his pyre, stood 4 men. Thor, his father. Baldür, his uncle. Odin, his grandfather. And Magni, his brother… And in their hands, they each held torches made of gold, with a brightly burning flame at their tops… Flames which belonged to the realm of Muspelheim.

Together, they were going to give Módi a proper Norseman's send off, here in Alfheim….

That's because….

("As I thought, Alfheim truly is beautiful..! Don't you agree, Welsh Dragon?")

...It was his favourite place to be….

Voooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo…..

With one last sound of the horn, the four men lifted their torches high into the air…

..And with only a few seconds of pause, starting with Thor, they finally brought their torches downward, and lightly placed them against the pyre...

—And just like that, the funeral pyre was quietly lit ablaze.

Vooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo…..

The horn sounded off again and again, as Módi's peaceful form was slowly engulfed by flames….

…As if all the strength had left his body, Baldür, who stood before the pyre, fell to his knees…. He held his hand onto the pyre, despite it being set in flames…. The flesh on his hand began to burn away, but he still did not remove it…. Even though his regeneration abilities are gone, and he is no longer invulnerable, it made no difference….

...The pain in his heart, from losing the precious nephew who so dearly looked up to him, was greater than any sort of pain that could stemmed from physical wounds….

Vooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo….

With one more sound of the horn, the flames on the funeral pyre shifted to a light blue colour, and similar looking particles floated off from the fire… It was the essence of Módi that was leaving him…. And that essence, quietly began to spread throughout the land of Alfheim, so that he would always...remain here…

Vooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo…..

The final horn sounded off, and with it, Módi's essence disappeared into the lands of Alfheim….

….He was gone…

….

—I felt something brush my face… It was a light blue particle… A small piece of Módi….

"...Goodbye…"

I whispered that as the particle flew off to somewhere I could not see….

...But I felt another light touch on my face again…

"Eh?"

This time, it had come from the sky… I looked up, but…. There was nothing up there…. The sky was empty…. It wasn't Módi…. This little thing that touched my face was…

"...Snow?"


THE ALLFATHER

…..

…..

"...Odin.."

"..."

"...There are no words of sorrow that could convey my sympathy… But, at the very least…. The alliance should—"

"—There are no words that need be spoken, Tannin…. Do not worry….. This does not change anything…. The alliance will not be "disbanded", nor will it affect our relations….. If we were to allow such an event to affect us in such a way, then we would only be allowing those vile….. We would only be allowing them to win…."

"...I see….. Then, in that case, I am to assume that Asgard… No, all of the nine realms, are going to become more active in the efforts to stop the Khaos Brigade?..."

"..."Stop"? Spare me your jesting, Dragon-King…. Nay, we will not stop anything…. "Destroy"... "Eliminate", "annihilate", "erase"... These words mean nothing…. What we will do to the Khaos Brigade, that is something which will be conveyed through actions only…. Something which they all will come to learn….once they no longer exist…."

"...Very well…. Should you ever need our assistance, we will heed your call."

"...Aye, it is the same with us…. That boy of yours, I want you to protect him…. That boy…. He saved my son…. My beloved son, who I was so desperately fearful of losing….. Though it is wrong of me, I can feel that, beneath my sorrow, there is a great relief….. Tannin….. Do not let him blame himself…."

"...Yes, I know…. Of course….. He is my boy, after all…."

"...Fare thee well, Tannin…."

"...Yes, farewell for now, Odin…."

…..

…..

"...So this is the Ragnarök that you present before me….. Not only one of my sons, but my grandson as well….. Very well…. I will face it…. I will turn away from this reality that has befallen me…. Lest you kill me where I stand, I will not fall… Nay…. Even if you kill me, I shall die standing against you."


The team of "Babylon".

Through a meticulously constructed, elaborate plan, they were able to successfully complete an [Assault on Asgard].

The steps of their plan went as followed:

1. Separate into two teams, and locate the God of Light

2. Use the genie's power to prevent Odin or Thor from potentially interfering with the plan

3. Distract the enemy until the "Kishin" vessel is ready

4. Use the black mistletoe to kill Baldür

5. Use Demid and the genie's power to "infect" Rias Gremory

6. Release the "Kishin" using the vessel

7. Combine the Kishin's power with the power of Qayin

8. Release Loki using the Kishin's power

9. Escape

The specifics to their plan, in execution, went as followed: Luck was on their side. Odin was the only God with the group of Gremory. So they used the genie's power to prevent him from interfering. Then, they created chaos as a distraction, making it seem as if it was all just a random attack meant to disrupt the summit. The truth was that they were buying time until the vessel for the Kishin was ready— the boy that was identified by Qayin as a relative of the Sekiryuutei. So they bought time for the vessel to be ready by distracting the enemy with a chaotic battle.

When the time was right, the second phase of the plan was in effect. Judar used his magic to transport the Black Mistletoe to Alexander's team. Achilles' spear received the Black Mistletoe directly and Achilleus used it to gradually whittle down Baldür's strength during their fight, without him noticing. They released Odin to allow Judar to make another wish with the genie's power. Judar used the genie's power to instantly transport Demid from his place to Rias Gremory. Demid was then supposed to "infect" Rias Gremory with the "Devil's plague".

After that, the Kishin vessel finally established a proper connection to the power of the Kishin, and it was ready to be used. Alexander used his power of the Sun as a diversion for Achilleus to land a fatal attack on Baldür with the Mistletoe spear. Then, the Kishin's power was finally released. Hodr, realising that Loki would inevitably be released somehow, sacrificed himself alongside Loki.

The terrorists then used the chaos of the Kishin release to escape. Which was Henry's original purpose: to transport them away. With that, they escaped successfully.

Out of all the steps to their plan, only one, the step to release Loki, failed. Though every member of the team had their own reasons for participating, Gilgamesh, who was the leader, only did it for one. To assert his dominance over Cao Cao— As a leader, as an intellectual, and as a warrior.

Overall, based off of just their primary objectives...

[We have two objectives for this expedition.

[1] Rias Gremory.

And [2]..

—The attack on Asgard—

...Begin Ragnarök.

—Was a marvelous success.

….And it all took place within the span of only 54 minutes.


INTERMISSION


|Ise|

"...Please…."

—It has only been a little over an hour since the attack on Asgard happened. My group and I were gathered here, in the Grigori medical institute. We came straight here after the funeral of Módi was over and left Asgard. Tannin stayed behind to speak with Odin privately. The rest of us, aside from my Dragon forces, came directly to Grigori. And we were now in a waiting room of the top medical institute owned by Grigori.

The reason is because….

Shii

The door to the waiting room we were all in opened, and Azazel stepped in, followed by four other Fallen Angels in medical uniforms.

We all immediately stood up when seeing them.

(..Please..)

—Then, Azazel looked at us and said what we wished so dearly to hear.

"...It's alright. There were no detected traces of the disease anywhere in her body. Rias is going to be okay."

—The moment he said that, every single one of us felt an overwhelming wave of relief wash over us.

Rias was going to be okay.

"...Thank goodness… Thank goodness…"

Akeno started crying tears of relief on my shoulder, while Asia was hugging into my arm. In fact, most of the members from our group were crying. Even some members of Sitri group were crying. Whether that was from relief, or just letting out all of the emotions from the day, I'm not sure.

"Can we see her?"

I asked that to Azazel. He gestured towards the room Rias was in.

"Yeah, just go ahead and—"

I didn't wait to hear the rest of it before striding right past him and walking into the medical room. It was a medical room filled to the brim with technically advanced equipment and a complicated medical table. When I walked in, Rias was standing up from that medical table that was she was laying on.

"Ise..!"

"Rias!"

She came up to me and I immediately took her into my arms and held her tightly. I could finally feel the tears of relief escaping from my eyes.

"..I'm glad… I'm so glad…"

"I'm sorry, Ise… I'm so sorry.."

"No… I'm the one who's sorry…"

The members of my group all walked in soon after me.

"Rias!" "Rias-onee-sama!" "Buchou..!"

"Everyone..!"

Everybody started hugging Rias, still crying from the relief of her being alright.

"Hey, you all."

Azazel showed up next to me while addressing all of us and placed his hands firmly on my shoulders.

"—Go home. All of you need to rest. You have been through far too much in one day. You need to go home and rest, now. Go straight home. Don't worry about school, or anything else. Go home, and rest. Do you understand?"

Azazel said that to us with a stern expression. Even if I wanted to, which I don't, I don't have the strength disagree with him.

"...Yeah..."

I turned to everyone in my group.

"...Let's go home.."


Shiiin!

When we opened our eyes, we appeared in the space beneath my house. We had already separated from the Sitri group earlier at Grigori. Now, it was just our group.

My group and I….were finally back home…

…..

…..

Not a single one of us said a word. We just stood there. There was nothing we could think to say or do. It was almost like the world had completely ended.

…..

"...Neh, Aniki…"

Kiba called out to me in a weak voice…

"...Did today….really happen?..."

That was what he asked me…

"...I don't know…. But…. I suppose, we'll know when we wake up…"


-Two days after the attack on Asgard-

A "Cross" displaying a bright light. The Holiest of symbols portrayed with an absolute, holiest of lights shining brightly from behind its form. The cross would then slowly morph itself into a different form. A dove.

This was nothing more than a simple image. However, its symbolism was something truly significant. It was a vision. Undetailed and inexplicable. Yet it was somehow possible to understand it with only a mere glance.

There were 4 who were graced with this vision. Four beings representative of differing existences. Yet all were seemingly of the same origin. Or at the very least, of the same mythology.

Along with the vision, came a message. One simple message….with the sound of a million voices at once.

It is the dawn of the 31st day…. Now, come to me.


|Ise|

"Haah!"

I was suddenly woken up from my slumber by a jolt in my body. When I looked around, I realised that I was alone in my bedroom.

"...Everyone?"

...No one was here… But I remember falling asleep with most of the girls…. Looking out towards the large window covered by lavish curtains, there was a bit of light peeking through.

It's early morning… But, it's too early in the morning for everyone to have gotten up…. And we aren't going to school for a while, so…. Where is everyone?...

"...Ddraig?"

I tried calling out to my partner, but, there was no response….

"Ddraig? Ddraig..!"

—Nothing.

….This is…. The more I thought about it, I think I started to understand…. This is similar to that "dream" sequence I had with those beings in the "desert plain"... Ddraig said my presence was gone when I woke up… And, it also reminds me of the time with that God named "Shai", in Alfheim….

...I realised it with the surfacing of that detail.

—This is another encounter with a God.

(—!)

—Suddenly, I "heard" something calling out to me. It was a call made without words or sound. But I still somehow knew it took place. As if I could "feel" it calling out to me. A beckoning.

Without even thinking about it, I made my way out of my home. As if being overcome with the instinct to leave. The moment I opened the door to leave my house, I was blinded by a bright light.

Shiiin!

….The light died down, and….

"...The church?"

...Without even taking so much as a step outside of my home, I was somehow standing in front of the abandoned church of my town…

DAKUN

Then, without even having to touch the doors of the church, the entrance slowly opened…


|Azazel|

For some reason, I, Azazel, found myself in an abandoned church. It is the abandoned church of Kuoh, my students' town. I was just previously in Grigori, but then, after closing my eyes for a bit, I opened them to realise I was sitting in the clubroom of my students. I then felt the instinct to step outside, and once I left the clubroom, I was standing in the church.

"Michael, Sirzechs."

And right after appearing here, I realised that I wasn't alone. The other leaders of the Three powers, my two allies, were here as well.

"Azazel and Michael… So you were both here too.."

Sirzechs walked up to my left, and from my right, Michael also approached.

"Yes… It seems we've all been brought here.."

We all wore serious expressions. We were on high alert.

The fact that we were brought here not of our own accord, it was a big concern, to say the least. Moreover, putting aside how we got here, if we are to assume that something brought us here forcefully…. We, who are the leaders of the Three great powers…. Then, whatever brought us here, must have a great influence...

DAKUN

A loud sound came from behind us. It was the sound of the doors to the entrance opening. The person who appeared there was…

"...Wha… Azazel?"

—It was Hyoudou Ise. One of my students, and our ally from the Dragon Faction.

"Ise.."

Ise approached us while looking around suspiciously.

"...Sirzechs and Michael too?... What the hell is going on here?.."

Before any of us could give any input, the inside of the church was suddenly illuminated.

SHIIIIN!

When we turned back around, there was a bright, white light shining down on us. It was coming from….

—The large holy cross standing at the altar at the front of the church.

SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINN!

The bright light blinded our vision and we could not look directly at it. But, what was truly bothering me was the feeling that the light was giving off. It was a holy feeling. But it was at a level unlike any other you could imagine. It was far too holy. The purest of light was being exuded from the tip of the cross, along with the purest of holy auras. An aura that even surpassed Michael, who was right beside us. An aura that should be destroying Ise and Sirzechs without a chance, yet they were left unharmed. As if it was being controlled somehow.

…..It was a familiar aura….

"...This feeling..."

Sirzechs said it while widening his eyes at the light. He recognised it. Despite my disbelief, I could not deny that I also recognised it.

"...T…..This is…"

As the light shined even brighter, Michael said it with a small voice.

"...My Lord…"

This was the light of God.

SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINN!

Michael fell to knees while gazing up at the light with tears in his eyes. The next moment, we were able to hear a voice boom throughout the silent world we inhabited.

—No. It was not one voice. It was a voice that sounded like it was a million voices, speaking all at once.

Michael, the Archangel. Sirzechs Gremory, the Devil. Azazel, the Fallen Angel. And Hyoudou Issei, he who was once man.

Sirzechs said it in disbelief.

"...It can't be… You are…"

The disembodied voices spoke again.

I am the last remnants of the Holy Spirit of Yahweh— Allah— Jehovah—God of the bible.

[!?—?!]

—And in that moment, it was confirmed to us.

…..

…..

The Holy Spirit of God of the bible….. My creator…. The former Lord of Heaven and creator of mankind…. It was here, in our presence…

"My Lord..!"

Michael exclaimed with tears of joy in his eyes and holding his hands clasped together.

The "Holy Spirit" responded forthwith.

I am not your God. I am nothing but a meager remnant of the representation of his knowledge and power. In this form, I have no power. I have only knowledge. And that knowledge is limited. Limited only to events regarding the event you refer to as "Ragnarök", that which has brought me forth.

—That was what the Spirit responded with.

Knowledge related to Ragnarök? —No. Before that, we have to ask the main question. I'll have to ask it, since the other three seem to be too shocked to ask questions.

As much as I'd like to be shocked, it is my instinct to learn. I must ask it as many questions as I can. We don't have the luxury to be shocked. Because being shocked won't change anything.

"How is this possible? God of the bible is dead. Has every remnant of his existence not already disappeared?"

The Spirit responded to our questions almost immediately.

No. God of the bible is dead. However, his presence cannot disappear. A remnant of his existence will always be left behind. Whether that be power, knowledge, or simply his will. Something must always remain. God is a concept. He cannot be erased.

So essentially, God can never truly die. And this Spirit is proof of that? But what is that worth?... "Knowledge relating to Ragnarök"...

"Why is it that we are here? Why have you brought us here?"

This form cannot be maintained for much longer. Soon, I will be drawn into a vessel. And, the time in which I will reappear may be long from now. That is why, I must bestow the knowledge I can, before I am drawn towards that vessel and no longer attainable before the "event".

"A vessel..?!"

Michael exclaimed it with shock. But before that, we need to ask about what's most important. We need to ask about why it brought us here.

"You said that the reason you brought us here was to bestow knowledge. That is, knowledge relating to Ragnarök? So then, what is it? Why is it so important? Has Ragnarök begun? Is that the event?"

The "Ragnarök" that you believe in no longer exists. It was prevented by the Spirit inheritor of Odr, the Red Dragon Emperor's host, Hyoudou Issei.

[—?!]

To that, Ise lifted his head with hope in his eyes. But, that hope was short lived…

However. The event known as Ragnarök has taken different form now. Rather than being the Twilight of the Norse Gods, it has simply become the "Twilight of the Gods".

I became suspicious after hearing that.

"...What do you mean by that phrasing?"

The current "Ragnarök" that has begun is not a Ragnarök specific to the Norse. This "Twilight of the Gods" is one that seeks to reach the Gods of every mythology. To summarise, this "Ragnarök" that was started— is the "Fall of ALL Gods".

[!?—?!—!?]

—We were subjected to hearing something beyond shocking. At that moment, Ise fell to his knees and his eyes were coloured with absolute horror.

Thud!

"...No… Please…."

This "Ragnarök" was most certainly as a result of the changes made by Hyoudou Issei. Though, not single handedly. There were many factors at play. However. In that same respect, Hyoudou Issei is likely one of the only beings capable of preventing this "Twilight". That being the reason as to why he was brought here.

—Ise is the reason that a "new" Ragnarök has started. Loki was right. However, Ise is also the one who can stop it. Because he's the one who is changing fate and denying destiny.

"In that case, what is the reason for the three of us being here as well?"

You three are beings of similar origin. Of the same mythology. Two of you were created by God, and all three of you have been in his presence. You are also the allies of Hyoudou Issei. This revelation was not one that he could fathom on his own. You three are necessary not only for Hyoudou Issei, but also because you are those who stem from the same origin as God himself.

—So we're here for those reasons. We're being tasked with preventing the "fall" of the Gods of this world?

"Have you brought us here so that you can tell us how to prevent this "Twilight"?"

The very reason that I, the remnant of knowledge, have resurfaced, is precisely as a result of this event coming to be. God of the bible had created a failsafe that, should the world ever come to be threatened in its existence, a remnant of his will resurface. Should all of the pillar Gods of each pantheon fail, the world will descend into chaos, and very likely cease to be. The foundation of the world will crumble, and if there are any Gods left, they may not be the Gods who are best left to lead the world out of darkness.

So it's true. We've been tasked with a "world saving" objective. Or rather, we have to stop whatever sequence of events in this "domino effect" that threatens to kill major pantheon Gods.

"Then how do we stop it?"

You must not allow the actions of the "Khaos Brigade" and their leader to go unchecked. Those "prominent figures" must be stopped The descendant of Gilgamesh. The descendant of Cao Cao. The son of Alexander III. Rizevim Livan Lucifer. The Greek God Hades. The Greek Goddesses of fate, the Moirai. And the Egyptian Gods of Chaos and Evil, Apophis and Set. Along with this, there are also those you must prevent from dying. The descendant of the Devil Lucifer. Michael the Archangel. And Gabriel the Seraph. The Norse God Baldür has already been salvaged. But most importantly, you must protect the vessel which I am to transfer to soon.

Finally, we reached the question Michael had been waiting for.

"And who is this vessel?"

The only being capable of maintaining this Spirit and its knowledge. The descendant of the "Wise King"JedidiahSolomon.

[—?!]

The descendant of King Solomon! I see! The descendant of the wise king who was named God's "friend" and blessed with knowledge. Of course he would be the only one capable of being a vessel.

This form will not last much longer. Ask what you must. I will soon be no more.

So our time is running low. Okay. We have to make this quick. What questions do we need answered most right now?

—Before I was able to think of anything to ask, Ise asked the Spirit with an almost robotic voice.

"What is the "Kishin"? What mythology does it come from?"

Ise asked that to the Spirit. That's right..! There was something that Gilgamesh and his group said about a "Kishin". And Ise himself said that the black shadows that were released were the "Kishin".

The "Kishin" is a nameless being of darkness. It's name is "unknown", and those who learn it would be driven to madness, even deities. A pure representation of the concept of "Madness". It is not one of this world. The same as with your God of the bible.

—We were left not understanding what the Spirit's cryptic speech was referring to. A being not of this world? The same as God?

"What do you mean by all of this?... The Kishin is not of this world?..."

This is not something which can be discussed here. It is a subject which cannot be explained in such short time. Perhaps when I am transferred to my vessel, it can then be discussed. But now, your time is running short.

Our time range is too small to be discussing it. We don't have much time. "Beings not of this world", I was left to ponder that with suspicion.

Ise was the one to ask questions in my place.

"How was Módi killed? We still don't understand. The hole in his stomach…. The weapon that pierced his body was supposedly his own… Was it the "Kishin's" power?.."

The Kishin is a being of madness. Whatever, or whomever it touches, will be infected by its madness, very possibly with no return from it. When releasing the Kishin's power, the spirit inheritor of Cain placed his hand upon the vessel, using his influence to release it. As a result, the powers of the two were combined, and the "madness" that was released by the Kishin was a specific madness that compelled those who were touched by it to commit fratricide. And the original aim of the terrorist group was to use this power against Thor, so that he would kill Baldür once vulnerable. However, that failed because of the Sekiryuutei and Thor's power. The dark power which was directed at the mountain then reached the sons of Thor. Magni, who was more proficient in using a power of lightning, protected himself. Unfortunately, Módi could not protect himself and was infected by the madness. This madness compelled him to kill his own brother, Magni. Magni refused to defend himself against his own brother, and the result would have ended with Magni's death. However. Módi, through all of his madness, realised his love for his brother, and to prevent killing him, took his own life without hesitation. Hence, his death, and the beginning of the new Ragnarök.

[—?!]

The cruel reality of the situation was revealed to us. That was the truth. The Kishin's power was meant to infect Thor with the madness to kill his brother, but it failed. Then— The Kishin's power which was combined with Qayin's power, aimed to release Loki, shrouded the mountain in darkness, along with Magni and Módi who were sent to defend the mountain. Magni could save himself, but not his brother. Módi was infected by the madness that compelled him to kill his brother.

But, using only his willpower and love for his family to overcome the overwhelming power, Módi took his own life. In order to spare his brother, Módi sacrificed himself, and died by his own hand, in the arms of his brother…

...In the end, Módi and Hodr died for the sake of their kin...

"...The Salamander… Does he a possess a Longinus?..."

Ise asked that with his head held down, too overcome with emotion to hold himself up properly.

The Sacred Gear of the descendant of Saint Patrick has not yet evolved into a Longinus. However, that potential is high. It is very likely that, with one more evolution, the Sacred Gear known as [Urodela Unbreakable] will become the first Sacred Gear to evolve into a Longinus Class Gear on its own.

I found myself raising a brow at the name of the "Salamander" Sacred Gear.

"[Urodela Unbreakable]?... I have never heard of such a Gear…"

It was a Gear that did not exist until but a few months ago. It was a spontaneous creation by the currently dysfunctional Sacred Gear system. There are many other Gears like it that have begun to surface. However, I do not know of them, as some do not pertain to directly affecting the Twilight.

Ise spoke again, before I could say anything else.

"What is the secret to the Salamander's power?..."

The power of the descendant of Saint Patrick's Gear is not one that was naturally inherited. At first, it was nothing but a small hand cannon. However, the descendant, being obsessed with the legend of the Heavenly Dragons, forced his Sacred Gear into an evolution that would resemble the Heavenly Dragon armours. First, he created a sub-species that changed his hand cannon into a chest plate armour. Then, he reached Balance Breaker, and the armour was what he envisioned it being, causing it to appear as so. After that, he evolved the armour so that it would be nigh indestructible. In exchange, he made the condition that, should the armour ever be broken apart by something, he would die instantly. As well as shaving off 50 years from his short lifespan as a result. As of now, it is very likely that the armour can only be broken by the direct attacks of high level artifacts and beings. And if there are powers that can affect the body underneath the armour, then that will also be effective. The body of wielder has no natural ability after all. All of the destructive power that comes from wearing the armour, is simply as a result of the armour being so heavily fortified. But if something stronger than the armour itself were to hit directly, then it would crack.

—So these are the specifics behind the new Sacred Gear which has the potential to become Longinus? I'll have to make sure that I record it when I return to Grigori…

Then, Ise abruptly stood up with desperation in his voice.

"What about Koji?! How did they find him?! How did they get to him?!"

The boy known as Koji Aikawa was captured in Kuoh, by the arabian magician, Judar, and the spirit inheritor, Qayin. During their mission to search for the possible location to the home of the Sekiryuutei, which was guarded from being found by magical concealment, Qayin detected a presence related to the Sekiryuutei. Because of his power, Qayin possesses the ability to detect any one person's familial connections. That power allowed him to identify a loose familial connection with Sekiryuutei. And the boy, at the time, had apparently left his home during in an emotional state. He made his way all the way to the home of Sekiryuutei, from Nagoya to Kuoh, by taxi. He was then captured by the terrorists when they realised his presence. When they captured the boy, they were unsure of whether he truly was related or not, due to the connection being so light. Gilgamesh decided that it mattered not, as the boy possessed an odd spiritual affinity when it relates to the supernatural, and was then used to receive the curse of the Kishin, regardless of his connection to Sekiryuutei. In their eyes, it was merely not but luck that brought them to the boy.

—So that's what happened. Ise had told me about his family member that had been captured and used as a "vessel". The boy had run away from home, and on his way to Ise's home, the terrorists, who happened to be quietly surveying Kouh, found him by chance. He was then captured, likely tortured, and used for their own devices. It was the result of just being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

After hearing that, Ise burst out with a furious roar.

"Where did they take him?! What did they do to him?! Where is he now?!"

As soon as Ise asked those questions, the light in front of us began to shine ever brighter, blinding us.

SSSSHHHIIIIIIIIIIIINNNN!

I'm afraid that the time has come. I can no longer maintain this form. I will appear within my vessel in the coming months. Until then, you must not allow the "Khaos Brigade" to continue with their plots.

Realising that we had no time left, I tried asking the very last questions I could.

"Where is your vessel located?! Where can we find him?!"

That is something which even I do not know. You must find him yourself. Use the power of the Heavens. If the four great Seraphs combine their powers, they may be able to find him before the opposition does.

—With that final answer, the presence of the Holy Spirit of God spread a light that consumed us, and the whole world around us. We were only left with one final warning.

"My children"... Creations of the Holy God…. I leave you with only this….

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BEWARE OF "NAGA"


"Huuaa.."

"Ah, good morning, Asia."

"Good morning, Rias-onee-sama."

"Is Ise still sleeping?.."

"Yes.."

"I see… Let's let him rest… He still needs it..."

"Yes… Would you like some help with loading the laundry?"

"No, I'm alright. Thank you."

"Okay, in that case, I'll get started on breakfast."

"Alright. I'll help you when I'm done."

"Okay."

"..Cough.."

"Hm? Rias-onee-sama? Did you say something?"

"Ah, it's nothing. Just clearing my throat."


END

There it is. Ragnarök has begun. A true Twilight of the Gods.

Ise's personal analysis on the enemies:

Alexander IV: The son of Alexander the great. Age [1,700+] Sacred Gear [None] Power level [Above High-Class Devils]Driven, focused, skilled. Due to the amount of years he was alive, Alexander seemingly lost his mind somewhere along the line. The only sanity that seems to be maintained is due to his strong will to conquer.

(A/N: Oh, how long it has been that I have been foreshadowing him. Do you remember that time in Gremory castle when Issei was looking upon Alexander's painting? You all probably thought that was just a throw away detail about heroes, but no. There's a reason why there was so much focus placed on it, even back then. Now, another warrior comes to claim the title of "He who is bathed in golden light". No reference for appearance. He's a complete original character.)

Aiden O'Connell A.K.A "Patrick": The descendant of Saint Patrick. Age [18]?Sacred Gear ["Urodela Unbreakable"]Power level [Above High-Class Devils]A true battle maniac. Obsessed with legend of the Heavenly Dragons. Does not care if he lives or dies, his only goal is to die fighting against the Heavenly Dragons. Equipped with a Sacred Gear that did not exist, spontaneously created by the Sacred Gear system. Willing to sacrifice anything for the sake of satiating his wicked bloodlust, hence why his Sacred Gear became so powerful, in exchange for placing harsh conditions that cannot be removed, and losing half of his lifespan.

(A/N: This is another character that was foreshadowed just as long ago as Alexander. In fact, he was foreshadowed in the very next chapter after Alexander was. And biggest fun fact of all: he is the very reason this story exists. That's right. Well, I mean that in the way that, when I first thought of making this story, Ise vs Patrick was the very first scenario I envisioned for this story ever. The very foundation of this story has always been based on two main things: the theme of identity and someone to rival the Two Heavenly Dragons. And this is that character that I have been so dearly waiting for to appear. The only appearance I can think for him is [Arthur from Nanatsu no Taizai] because, despite being a good guy, something about the art style makes his design so fucking creepy. Especially when he's smiling...)

Achilleus: The descendant of Achilles. Age [19]Sacred Gear [None]Power level [High-Class Devil level]?Warrior type. Has an honourable side. Skilled spearman. Wields the spear of the original Achilles, grants him the power to throw his spear with extreme precision and over long distances. He is not invulnerable like his ancestor, but he apparently cannot be pierced by arrows.

(A/N: Not much to say on Achilleus. He was only foreshadowed once. I just used [Achilles from Fate Grand Order] as reference for his appearance to keep things simple. Other than that, he's completely original.)

Thomas Hall A.K.A "Jekyll/Hyde": Inherited the spirit of Dr. Henry Jekyll, or rather, "Hyde". Age [16]Sacred Gear [None]?Power level [High-Class Devil level]?Quiet. Well spoken. English. The most mysterious character behind "Van Helsing" and Qayin. Can switch between his spirit or the spirit of Hyde being in control by drinking a special vial of poison. The form of "Hyde" naturally has high poison resistance. A magical genius, though not anywhere near as powerful as Judar, arguably just as knowledgeable. Ise noticed his hesitation during the attack, whether that means anything or not, is still yet to be seen.

(A/N: Again, I just used [Dr. Henry Jekyll from Fate Grand Order] as reference for appearance to keep things simple.)

Qayin: spirit inheritor of the first murderer, Cain. Age [Unknown] (likely very low)Sacred Gear [None]?Power level [Unknown] Undoubtedly the most mysterious character. Practically nothing aside from his abilities are known. His very existence indicates that the systems in Heaven are in complete disarray.

(A/N: Completely original character. The Heavens systems have been in disarray since God's death. But now it's all starting to surface. All at once.)

Author's Notes:

So yeah. Holy shit. That all just happened. This chapter truly leaves you all with something to talk about, I'm sure.

First off, sorry it took so unreasonably long to get this out, a lot of life shit didn't want me to get this unbelievably chapter out. For example, my car being stolen, and then getting it back, lol. But hey, now it's out. And fuck if there's a lot to talk about here.

Second, if you're worried about these terrorists being too grossly overpowered, don't be. Trust me, there is a reason a lot of them have question marks next to their power level descriptions.

So, yes. The true Twilight of the Gods of the DxD world has begun. I've gone on record saying that the canon timeline was disappointing and nowhere near epic enough, so I'm changing that shit. This arc is a long one. There may be some calm points along the way, but the chaos has just begun. And it will get bigger from here. Don't fool yourself into thinking I can't top this. I already know how to.

So yeah, tell me everything you thought about this, and what else you could possibly think is to come. Take your pick:

What the fuck just happened? What do you think about these terrorists, "Team Babylon"? Do you like them better than Cao Cao's team or not? Did Gilgamesh prove his superiority over Cao Cao? Which terrorist character is the most intriguing to you? What does the attack on Asgard mean for the future of the Norse? Which part of this chapter was the most shocking or interesting to you? What does this Twilight of the Gods mean for the world? What is the "Kishin"? What does the ominous warning from the Holy Spirit remnant mean? What the actual living fuck is going to happen?

Let me know!

(P.S. If there are things you wish to suggest to me or discuss with me, PM me. Otherwise, don't bother. You guys already know my opinion on not creating official profiles, since it's stated in my profile. And also, don't fuckin post more than 5 reviews on one chapter just because you're a guest reviewer, that's just spam and I'll delete them. Especially if they don't add anything to discuss.)

Read, Rate, Review go crazy.

Stay completely frozen solid. Not cuz it's christmas, but cuz this shit is fucked, lol. Merry Christmas. And happy late anniversary to this story and me as a writer I guess.