Chapter 28

(3rd person POV)

"Oh, yeah… I forgot this was happening today." Issei said as a bead of sweat trickled down his forehead.

"Exorcists!" Kiba yelled with a distinct viciousness in his voice, that could make your skin crawl. He then summoned a demonic sword and prepared for battle. "Watch out Buchou!"

"Kiba it's alri-" Rias was interrupted as Xenovia stepped forward.

"So you devil wish to challenge me." In a flash of light the blue haired warrior summoned her strange sword and took a battle stance. "Then come at me, but I warn you that you won't survive."

With this, the whole room took up arms with the exception of Rias. Issei summoned his gauntlet as Irina drew her sword. Koneko took a martial arts pose and Raynare formed a light spear in her hands. Even Asia timidly rose her fists to fight, as Akeno rolled in with the drink cart.

"Don't tell me, those are holy sword you two are wielding." Kibas blade began to shake as he stared at the two opposing swords. "H-how did you get those?..."

"Yes, And you should be familiar with their potent effects on devils." Xenovia, looked to be itching for a fight and wasn't gonna be the first to back down no matter what. "I didn't come here looking for a fight, but I have no problem finding one. I suggest you back down before you get hurt."

"No." Rias interjected. "I suggest you all grow up and calm down before I'm forced to punish all of you. I don't want a hostile relationship to form, but I also refuse to be intimidated by the Church, no matter how many Exorcists they intend to send."

"Hah, you want us to back down?" Xenovia continued to show her authority, she had confidence that the whole situation was under her control as if she had nothing to worry about. "Even if you are a high class devil, these swords will cut you down just the same."

"Maybe." Rias replied. "But I don't think they'll work that well against him."

[BALANCE BREAKER!]

"Drop those swords ladies." An armored Issei said with an intimidating growl. "Don't make me shake you again." That was enough to get the two girls to lower their weapons and the room began to calm down a bit.

"Anyway, you were gonna tell me what exactly your business is in my town." Rias said with her eyes closed, as she assumed her business persona.

"We will, but she has to leave." Xenovia then fired an accusing finger at Raynare. "Devils are one thing, but I still refuse to trust a Fallen Angel with this knowledge."

"Ha! Typical." Raynare turned her head in disgust.

"Fine, Issei could you please show her out?" Rias asked with a wave of her hand.

"Issei do this, Issei do that." Issei mumbled in a high pitch mocking tone. He walked up to Raynare and placed a sympathetic hand on her shoulder. "Sorry, I wish I could say I never expected the Church to be full of judgmental jerks, but…."

"Yeah I get it." Raynare said with a wave. "I'll show myself out." With that there was one less person in the still crowded room.

"Alright, she's gone. Now tell me why you're here. I'm starting to lose my patience." Rias was getting frustrated, which wouldn't be good for anyone.

"We are here to track down Holy Swords. We know of the existence of six holy swords, three are in possession of the Church, but the other three were were stolen by fallen angels." Xenovia finally explained, causing Rias' eyes to widen in fear.

"So that's why you wanted Raynare to leave." Rias pointed out.

"Exactly. We didn't mean to be offensive, but we didn't know what to trust." Xenovia sounded almost apologetic, but not quite.

"About those holy swords, I think I found one of them." Kiba sounded off, as he leaned against a wall covered in shadow. "The other day I ran into a dishonored priest, he was using a sword that increased his movement speed."

"Yes, that would be Excalibur Rapidly. One of the ones that was stolen." Xenovia confirmed.

"So, what do you want us to do for you." Rias, who was still losing patience, started to move the conversation move along.

"Absolutely nothing." Xenovia said flat out. "We are confident that we've brought enough firepower to deal with this problem ourselves. We just want your word that you won't involve yourself in this, on either side of this conflict."

"That sounds like an accusation. I thought you didn't come here to offend, but it sounds like you think we'd be joining forces with the Fallen Angels." Rias smirked as she waited for Xenovia's answer.

"You're right I don't mean to offend, but if the shoe fits…" Xenovia smirked right back, as Rias' eyes began to light up a bright red.

"Woah! Rias, calm down!" Issei placed his hands on the devils shoulders, but she simply brushed him off and ignored him.

"I'll let you know here and now, as the sister of Lucifer. I would never risk tarnishing his name by siding with the Fallen Angels, that is one thing you don't have to fear." Rias was able to control herself as she delivered the message.

"Good, I didn't think so. I just needed to make sure." Xenovia nodded with a smile, her fears had been dismissed. "Well with that, we'll take our leave. It was good meeting with you." Xenovia stood up from the couch but Irina didn't, her face looked like she was burning to say something. "Alright, go ahead."

"Yay!" Irina jumped up and nearly tackled Issei, then she reached down her shirt and began to dig around in her chest. She then pulled out a small photograph. "See Issei look! It's us!"

The photo showed a young Issei and Irina sitting on the floor playing video games next to a fireplace with a large sword framed in the background. "See Issei, we totally were childhood friends." She pleaded with the boy.

"Oh yeah." Issei said genuinely as he took the picture out of her hand and carefully studied it. "So you were telling the truth, I guess you aren't crazy."

"So you remember?" Irina looked up, with hopeful eyes.

"Remember, no. But now I believe you." Issei said, still fixated on the photo.

"Oh, ok…." Irina sank back down and backed away from Issei. "I guess that's better than nothing." As she made her retreat something caught her eye and she made her way over to Asia. "Wait a second, your that girl. Asia Argento!"

(Issei's POV)

Irina was staring directly at Asia for a while, they did both come from the church maybe their frie….

"Asia Argento! You mean that witch!" Xenovia blurted out and I remember think. Holy shit! They're not friends!

Asia began to shake after being called a witch, as Xenovia took a few steps towards her.

"I heard she was kicked out of the church because she had a powerful Sacred Gear that lets her heal devils and fallen angels. I never thought she'd become a devil herself." Irina covered her mouth as if she was gossiping…. RIGHT IN FRONT OF ASIA!

"Truly disgraceful." Xenovia spat out, to Asia's face. "I can't imagine a more horrible betrayal, just disgusting."

"Hey watch your mouth!" I was about to go off on those church losers, when I felt a small tug on my leg.

"Dude! You really aren't helping!" Koneko whispered at me aggressively, that got me to calm down a little bit.

"Tell me Asia, do you still believe in god." Xenovia began to glare down Asia as she assaulted her with this strange question.

"What are you talking Xenovia, of course she doesn't believe in god. She's a devil." Irina whispered the last part, I'll give her credit. I don't think she's trying to be mean, at least not on purpose.

"Reincarnated Devils don't always lose their faith. And I think this is the case with Asia." Xenovia continued to press the issue. I wanted to get up and intervene, but I don't think Koneko would let me.

"Y-yes.." Asia fessed up, her whole body was trembling. It was clear she just wanted to run away, but for some reason she felt obligated to answer. "Even after becoming a devil, I cannot forget my faith. I still love god."

"Really? Good." Xenovia said as she began to draw her massive sword. "If that's the case, you should just let me kill you now. If you do that, there's a chance he'll forgive you."

Sorry, Koneko but I'm not just gonna watch this anymore. "Hey! Shut up!" I stepped in front of Asia and summoned my Boosted Gear. "I'm sick of hearing you talk shit! Just who do you think you are? Why the hell do you think you can talk to Asia like that!"

"Asia betrayed us, she betrayed her faith." Xenovia's eyes narrowed at me. "Killing her would be a kindness. It's the most we can do for her considering the severity of her crimes."

"Really? Well I wouldn't exactly consider myself devout, but-"

"You don't know." Xenovia interrupted me. "You don't know how insulting and humiliating Asia Argento's actions are to us and to god. Don't act like you do."

"Why you!" My gauntlet fired up with a red BOOST ready to as xenovia pulled out her sword, both of us ready to fight, but Asia and Irina stepped between us.

"Issei calm down! It's ok!" Asia cried.

"Yeah guys, we aren't here to fight!" Irina continued for her.

"Why not?" Rias spoke up, confusing both sides. "There's clearly a lot of animosity here today, so how about a little sparring match? It should do everyone some good."

"Yeah! Great Idea!" I immediately got excited at the prospect of fight Xenovia. "Alright I'm down!"

"Me too, this will give us a chance to settle things." Xenovia followed.

"Of course you two are for it." Rias sighed. "Well then I guess it's settled, a one on one match between Issei and Xenovia, we can use the field out back."

"Wait!" Kiba spoke up from the corner of the room "….Buchou I want to fight too."

"That's fine, Irina you fight too. We'll make this a two v two match." Xenovia instructed.

"Do I have to…" The brunette whined, sobbing a bit and the whole group of us moved out to the battlefield.

(Battlefield)

Kiba and I lined up across from each other, he drew a devil sword and my gauntlet was ready. I figured I wouldn't use Balance Breaker in this fight, that wouldn't be any fun.

Rias was the one supervising, she made it clear that this was strictly training so that meant no killing, which is fine with me I didn't intend to go that far anyway, this was going to be fun.

"Hey Kiba!" I called out to the Blonde Knight. "Let's give it our best!" I smiled, but he just looked down at his sword with intense eyes.

"The blue haired one is mine, you can have twin tails over there if you want." He replied in a dead tone.

"No way! I want the blue one!" I yelled back, but there was no time to fight about it.

"Ready!" Rias sounded off, waving a hand in the air. "Begin!" She dropped her hand and the battle began.

I charged forward for Xenovia, but Kiba was faster than me and got there first. "Ugh! Jerk!" I called out, but they were already clashing swords. "Haahhhh…. Fine! I guess I'll fight-AHHAA!" I turned to face Irina but she was already swinging her sword at my head.

I managed to move out of the way in time, but she followed up with a horizontal swipe of her sword that I blocked by holding my gauntlet up vertically in front of the swipe. CLANG!

I forced her sword off of me, and jumped backwards to create distance. And she began to... pray. "Dear lord, why must you test me so? Forcing me to come to blows with my childhood friend after learning he's aligned himself with devils, it's almost too much to bare…"

"Um….What are you doing?..." I interrupted, a bit annoyed at the distraction.

"Oh Issei… Maybe once I defeat you hear today, you'll return to the light of the lord." Oh…, It must be some sort of religious fight banter, I suppose that's okay.

"Ha! Defeat me? I'd like to see you try. I'm Leagues above you." I taunted back as I focused energy into my gauntlet.

BOOST!

"I'm just getting started." With that I rushed back into the fight. She's a swordsman so she should have the advantage in close quarters, but I liked the challenge. "HYAAAHHHH!" I fired a powerful fist that was blocked by her sword, but there was enough force to knock her back a few feet.

BOOST!

"Ugh…." Irina's feet slid across the ground, kicking up a trail of dust, before eventually coming to a stop. "Wow…. You really are strong. I suppose I should expect as much from the Red Dragon Emperor."

"I hope you're not done yet?" I called out, still anxious to continue.

"Ha! Don't go getting your hopes up. I'm not even close to done yet." She smiled.

"Good, I'm not done yet either." I rushed back in to fire another punch, but she saw this one coming and did a sweeping kick to my legs, knocking me to the ground. She swung her blade downward and I managed to block it once more with my gauntlet. A flurry of slashes began raining down on top of me I managed to block each of them but not without any effort.

She paused a second to catch her breath, and that was all the time I needed. I rolled out from under the line of fire and jumped back to my feet. And fired another strike which was blocked again and this time she was able to better stand her ground.

She swung back , and the force of her blow was able to knock me away. I can't tell if I'm upset or happy, but this fight has turned into more of a stalemate than I expected.

Swordsmanship against martial arts, my combos being countered by an intense barrage of slashes. In an up close quarters contest like this she clearly has the advantage over me, her sword has more reach than my fists.

We kept the close quarters brawl going until she was actually able to land a hit, cutting my cheek. "AAAAHHHHGGG!" I retreated slightly. " I should've have taken this more seriously, you're stronger than you look."

"Thanks! Now you know not to underestimate me!" We took a second to catch each of our breaths, before being distracted by the sideline.

"C'mon Issei, you can do it!" Raynare called out to me with encouragement. "If you win, I'll let you do whatever you want to me tonight!"

"EEHHHHH…." Irina and I said together in shared confusion.

"Hey!" Rias cried back with a red face. "Issei if you beat her! I'll.. I'll service you myself!" She yelled to me not wanting to be out done.

"Well….. Th-Thanks I guess…" I was struck out of nowhere but by the suddenness, but I didn't want to be rude, but it turns out I wasn't the only one thrown off by this.

"Y-Y-Y-Y-Y….." Irina began stuttering and shaking. "YOU PERVERT!" She finally exploded, before charging at me, sword in hand.

"You..Dirty!...Lecherous!...Depraved!...Immoral! IDIOT!" Each word came with a slash of her holy sword that I was starting to think were delivered with less than friendly intent, but I was able to dodge regardless.

"You know…. This is new for me, but I'm kinda getting over this fight." I said as I dodged more predictable slashes. "Yeah, they made it awkward. So I'm just gonna end this here."

BOOST!

[EXPLOSION!]

My gauntlet changed forms, growing larger and increasing in the number of spikes and jewels, and at the same time it released a powerful energy wave that blasted Irina away and knocked the sword from her hand.

"Sorry." I apologized as I picked up her sword and threw it away to the nearby bushes. "I didn't want the fight to end that way, but it got weird there. We should do this again sometime." I reached for her hand but she didn't take it, rather she got red in the face and turned silently away from me.

I looked back over to Kiba, who had Xenovia on the ropes, and with a powerful thrust of his sword, managed to disarm her as well.

"Yo Kiba, good job!" I ran over to the blonde, who was still making a sour face. "That sure was fun wasn't it."

Kiba didn't answer, he simply dispelled his sword and walked off the battlefield, he didn't go back into the ORC, he just walked away….

After recovering both oly swords Irina went to help get Xenovia to her feet. Xenovia didn't look to happy either, she was just glaring at me before she finally spoke up. "Alright Devils, you got the best of us today, but remember your promise. Stay out of our way…."

With that the two exorcist made their escape also. Leaving me on the battlefield…. Alone…. "well…" I said to no one. "I had fun…."

(Author's Notes

Hey guys I'm back! There are a lot of reasons for my recent absence, so I won't get into too much detail, let's just say after a lot of hard work, I'm going to law school….

I'm glad to see the support even in my absence. I don't know how much more frequently I'll be posting, but I'd still appreciate it if you could follow, favorite, and review please. Till next time, bye!