Chapter 31.5: Murayama's True Test
I don't own DxD; I just use its characters and techniques. All credit goes to its creator. Same applies for anything that I used from other animes. Warning, other animes' techniques will appear.
Regular humans speaking
Real Issei and all members of the order of Draconis when they're speaking.
Draconis himself talking
Ddraig and other dragons talking
Welcome to the 2nd part of the twin dragons special. In this special, Murayama and Katase confront their past traumas in order to gain the true power of their Sacred Gears. '
Outer world:
Murayama and Katase have been sent to a dream world where they'll face off against traumas that have cursed them in the past. Issei and Asia watch along.
"Issei-sama, I have a question." Asia asks curiously. "Do you know what Murayama and Katase are dealing with right now?" It bothers Asia how Issei is doing this and seems to have little remorse.
Thinking about the best way to answer this question, Issei pauses. Once he's decided how best to say his response, Issei speaks to the young blonde. "Okay Asia, here's the deal. Murayama's trauma to me is pretty easy. She remembers the powerlessness she felt when Gin went to attack her. Murayama is aware of the fact that if I hadn't stepped in when I did, Murayama would be dead."
This shocks the pure Asia while Blue Eyes is calmer. "The boy is right. I've sensed her anger about that day. The powerlessness she felt. Whenever she fought, there was hesitation. Once the fight against Joey began, I could tell she was unsure of what to do. I believe she hasn't gotten over that, and once she does, she'll be able to deal much better with her issues."
"What about Katase?" Asia asks timidly. "What's her situation?"
"That I don't completely know, and Stardust won't tell me. I have my sneaking suspicions, but I can't be sure and I won't get involved." Issei says with a half grin.
Stardust looks at the man shrewdly. 'He truly is the owner of my father. That shrewd nature; the cold stare; when the decision came on which girl would receive which gear. He gave that Katase girl to me immediately.' He must know what she's going through. Stardust thinks calmly.
The group stands and watches the girls go through their greatest challenge.
(Murayama's Test)
Murayama has just spoken with Issei and now she's incredibly irritable. "Just great, Issei has sent me back to that night when he saved me from that freaky werewolf. Now what am I supposed to do?" Murayama whispers to herself. She leaves and makes her way home, hoping that things will work out kindly this time.
"That should be rather obvious, silly little girl." To Murayama's shock, her Blue Eyes Gauntlet appears on her arm and starts to speak to her. "One of the reasons you fell in love so quickly with that young man is you know that Gin would've killed you if you hadn't done anything. Even when you first trained with your master after you got my gear, there was hesitation and he knew it. Since you knew he wasn't going to harm you, the battles went smoothly. Unfortunately that damn Red Eyes reignited your trauma. It's the first time you've faced an opponent who actively tried to do you harm."
"You're telling me that the reason I'm here is to defeat Gin without Issei's help?" Murayama asks shocked at what's been implied.
"That's right." Blue Eyes says with a cold voice. "Your task is very simple. Use your determination and willpower to defeat Gin and unlock the true form of my sacred gear. If you fail, well let's just say you don't want to fail."
With Blue Eyes cryptic words, Murayama makes her way home. Before long she's arrived at the clearing where Gin attacked before. This time she can sense supernatural energy so it's a bit easier. She can sense that two figures are fighting far away. She notices that one figure flees the area quickly and makes her way towards her. Unfortunately the second figure doesn't quite notice what's happening. A brutal realization hits Murayama.
'He's not coming this time, is he?' Murayama thinks to herself.
"Nope, he isn't. You must defeat Gin on your own." Blue Eyes tells her harshly. "Well, if you're going to fight, I'm gonna help you slightly. Focus your magic and imagine yourself holding one of those kendo weapons of yours."
Murayama does so and to her shock, a blade of pure lightning appears at her hands.
"Impossible. During my training I could electrify my bokken, but never this." Murayama looks with shock.
"Yes, I know. By the way, tell me, why didn't you electrify your bokken against Joey?" Blue Eyes lectures harshly. "Well forget it the wolf is here."
Gin has arrived but with a very different look then Murayama remembers. "Hmph so that monster had a partner. Although from the looks of it, you're much weaker then he is." With Gin's smile, he quickly transforms into his werewolf form and goes on the attack.
With a quick speed boost, Gin gets behind Murayama and slashes her in the back, ripping off the back of her uniform.
"Owww! That hurt." A shocking realization hits Murayama. "Blue Eyes, what's going on?"
"Again, this is obvious." Blue Eyes sends in condescending way. "You're in actual pain. Hopefully your body outside doesn't feel what's happened, but for now kid, this is life or death."
(Outside)
Looking at the slash mark that appears on Murayama, Issei is amused.
"So it looks like it has begun for Murayama." Issei smirks as he notices the cuts appearing all over Murayama. Turning to Asia, he gives out orders. "Listen Asia, for right now I don't want you to do anything. Murayama and Katase are in the middle of a dangerous trial. Wait until I give the orders to heal them." Issei says harshly. Turning to Katase, she's still just fine.
(Murayama's inner world)
"Dammit! This guy is strong!" Murayama curses as the battle continues. With her electrified sword she's managed to get a few hits on the werewolf, but they're all shallow cuts. Murayama meanwhile is cut all over, her uniform is in shreds.
"Hahaha! I'm a werewolf girlie; you'll need to do better than that. Your hits hurt, but it's not nearly enough to kill me." Gin says smirking. He goes in for another attack and slams Murayama straight in the gut.
'Ahh! That definitely broke a rib or two.' Murayama realizes, unfortunately, she's powerless to stop Gin. As she sits on the ground still reeling from the earlier attack, Murayama watches helplessly as Gin makes his way towards her, going for the kill.
"Well well, girlie you lost. I guess I should kill you and get going. Amazingly, that bastard hasn't found me yet.
'Not again! I can't believe this is happening again! Forgive me Issei, I failed. Sorry Katase, I guess we won't be able to fight for Lady Rias after all.' Murayama thinks resigning herself to her fate.
"PATHETIC!" Blue Eyes shouts in her mind. "I thought you were going to fight!" Another shout appears. "What about your friend Katase? What about wanting to repay Issei for what he did for you? What about serving that redhead, Rias." The insults continue to fly as Blue Eyes berates his host for her display. As the insults continue in her head, Murayama finally snaps.
"Shut up!" Murayama says with anger as she quickly dodges Gins attack. Murayama's eyes turn an icy blue for a moment as she is determined to prove herself. "You were right, Blue Eyes, I was pathetic." Murayama shouts more as she starts to get up.
"Heh, so you have some fight in you after all, girlie." Gin shouts with amusement.
"That's right!" Murayama says determined again. "Lightning Blade!" Murayama shouts bringing her weapon back. "I am Murayama!" More power fueling through her body. "I am a member of Rias's peerage." Power flowing through her more and more. "I am a member of the legendary order of Draconis." As her power hits its peak, Murayama cries to the heavens. "I AM ONE OF THE TWIN DRAGONS!" With one final shout, a surge of electric energy appears around the girl.
"That's my girl!" Blue Eyes shouts.
(Outside world)
"Seems Murayama has done it" Issei says noticing the electric energy around his pupil. "Asia, come heal her. It seems Murayama has passed her test."
(Murayama's inner world)
As the energy fades, Murayama is revealed. Small armor appears on her shoulders and feet and a chest plate appears on her armor. In addition, electrical energy surges around the young girl and power is spread all throughout her body. This new appearance shocks Murayama. "Hey Blue Eyes! What's this?"
"It's a battle armor of sorts. It may not be a true scale mail like your master, but for you this will work nicely. In addition, I've now given you true access to my power." Blue Eyes says to Murayama.
Turning to Gin, the newly focused Murayama is ready to battle. "Alright then Gin, get ready because it's time to duel."
Completely stunned Gin seems to change his stance. "Seems it's time to get going." Gin goes to escape but Murayama is there ready.
"Where do you think you're going, mutt?" Murayama hits gin with a lightning slash.
"AHHH!" Gin screams as the attack cuts deep into his skin.
All of the sudden a large growl is heard from Murayama's gear. "DUEL!"
"Hey Blue Eyes, what's with the duel." Murayama asks curiously.
"You may not know this, but every 10 seconds my dad's gear doubles in power. In my case, every 10 seconds the electrical energy in your armor increases, giving you a chance to use more of my power. Try this.." Blue Eyes whispers into his master's ear.
"DUEL!" The gear shouts again increasing more electric energy. The electrical surge increases. With her new power, Murayama quickly gets behind Gin and attacks him again.
"THUNDER WAVE!" With this latest shout, Murayama grabs Gin and to his shock, paralyzes the young wolf.
"What the hell?! I can't move!" Gin screams.
"Well now, looks like it's time to finish you off!" Murayama shouts cockily. As she rises to the air her gear shouts again "DUEL." "Sit there, dog boy, this won't take long." Murayama shouts. Placing her hands together Murayama charges a boost of electrical energy.
'EXPLOSION."
"Take this "WHITE LIGHTNING!" As the charged electrical energy is released at Gin.
The poor wolf can only sit paralyzed as the electrical energy blows him to shreds.
As the gear seems to reset, Murayama comes to the ground exhausted. "How was that, Blue Eyes?" She shouts before fainting.
(Outer world)
Waking up Murayama is shocked to find herself back with her master. Surprisingly, her dragon partner is gone.
"Well done, Murayama. You passed your test." Issei sits smiling at the confused Murayama.
"Where is Blue Eyes?" Murayama says confused.
"I'm right here, Brat." The gear shout as the regular gear appears on her arm. Unlike before, the gear has more spikes on it matching the regular appearance of her master's boosted gear.
"So wait, what was that armor?" Murayama shouts.
"Simply put, the armor is a battle gear. When you want it, simply yell for the battle mode and that will appear."
Murayama looks over at Katase who is standing solemnly upset about something
"What's going on with Katase?" Murayama shouts concerned.
"Let me worry about that." Issei says amused.
"Katase, I hope you're doing alright." Murayama says worried.
That's it for Murayama's test. So to explain, the simple version of her new armor. It's not balance breaker, I'm not going to give her that yet. Instead I gave her a battle mode of sorts. Think of it like a shikai from Bleach instead of a Bankai-esque balance breaker. Gotta have progression of some sorts. Anyway, in the next special, Katase will have her challenge. As for the next regular chapter, Rias and gang complete their training on the Dragon's Path.