Lawgane - Masamune's injury will be explained in this chapter. I'll be giving Dulio more characterization after the time skip, however until then he's more of a temporary member of Masamune's faction until he figures out whether or not he really wants to officially join. The same thing with Gabriel. I'm planning for Masamune to use the Evil Pieces he received, but I won't touch on that until after the time skip for now. There will definitely be more guys in the faction though, but I haven't decided if they're going to DxD characters or OC. Thanks for the encouragement as always, I appreciate it immensely. :)
14
"Don't think a change of clothes is going to help you win," said Loki as he descended to the ground. "After I'm done with you, Ragnarok will consume all of Midgard."
Masamune walked forward and twirled the Master Bolt until it took the form of a spear with a lightning spearhead. "Don't think ending the world will make you any less of a psychopath."
"You call me a psychopath, yet I will be one to usher humanity into a high state of being," Loki declared with his hands held out, as if expecting a warm embrace.
"You think ending the world will be good for anybody but yourself?" asked Masamune. "Don't be so arrogant Loki. You're nothing more than a power hungry maniac who has extreme daddy issues."
"Mind your tongue you abomination," growled Loki.
The god pulled a book from a Nordic circle and opened it. Multiple swords and lances of all shapes and sizes and all pointed at Masamune. In seconds, they fired and launched at the God Slayer like heat seeking missles.
Masamune used his spear to deflect the weapons and smash them apart. The God Slayer charged at Loki. "When the flower wind rages, the flower god roars. When the wind of heaven rages, the god of the underworld sneers."
Furious winds lifted Masamune up and shot him towards Loki. Masamune managed to slash at Loki's hands, making him drop the book, however the god jumped and took to the skies. He opened six Nordic circles that shot out beams of light that focused into another Nordic circle.
"Master!"
Masamune waved his hand as the elongated and covered his body. The beam of light blasted at Masamune. The mantle completely blocked the attack, however Masamune's body was plunged into a crater in the ground.
The God Slayer held out his free hand and activated Hestia's Heavenly Fire. Magnificent orange flames shot from his hand, counteracting Loki's beam attack and forcing Masamune closer and closer to Loki.
Loki's attack began to weaken, which gave Masamune a chance to spin and fire the Bolt that ran Loki through the shoulder. Again, the Heavenly Fire launched Masamune to Loki and threw him directly to the crater.
Masamune dropped to the ground and held out his hand as the Bolt returned to his hand.
"So…magic doesn't work on you, huh?" asked Loki as he got up. "You're getting pretty confident there, God Slayer."
"Get up," said Masamune. "I'm not done with you yet."
Loki stood his ground. "Do you think…that my death will be the end of it all? I am nothing in the larger scheme of things."
"What are you talking about?" asked Masamune.
"The Apocalypse is near, God Slayer," said Loki with a smug smirk. "Your sins will be your undoing, and Midgard will be swallowed by eternal darkness."
"I've had enough of your pointless ranting," said Masamune. "Do you really want to die that badly, Loki?"
"You understand nothing! Nothing at all, you battle crazed maniac!" cried Loki. "It's already too late! The wheels have begun to turn and nothing you or I can do will ever stop it!"
"Shut up!" Masamune launched at Loki.
Loki smacked away the Bolt's tip and punched Masamune's stomach. He manifested an overly large sword with a curved blade as he swung it, attempting to slice off Masamune's arm, however Kuro's mantle stopped the attack.
"That won't work!"
Masamune slammed the spear into Loki's foot. He grabbed the god's head and kneed him in the face. With the Bolt still lodged in Loki's foot, Masamune held Loki's hair by the fistful and went off at his body, pouring every single ounce of strength in every punch.
"Enough!"
Masamune took the Bolt and jumped away.
"I am a god, you dull creature!" Loki declared. "I will not be bullied by a lowly animal!"
Loki held out his arm and manifested a golden spear, almost identical to the one Odin has. Masamune almost buckled at the sheer divine power radiating from that spear.
"How did you get that spear?" asked Lord Gremory.
"You insolent fool! Do you realize what that is?" cried Odin.
Masamune didn't know what it was...which completely irritated him. Not knowing something made him feel like an idiot, a feeling he hasn't had in a long time.
"Master," said Kuro. "Be careful. That spear…it's the one that killed Jesus Christ on the cross."
"That's the Longinus?" asked Masamune. "The Spear of Destiny? How did an idiot like him get his hands on a weapon like that?"
"I borrowed this from a friend," said Loki. "Once I told him that I would be able to kill a God Slayer with it, he couldn't resist. That Cao Cao and his insatiable blood lust."
"Cao Cao?" asked Masamune. "The Chinese warlord?"
"No you idiot," said Loki. "But I guess there's tons of things you don't know about yet…and doesn't that make you frustrated?"
Masamune gritted his teeth. "You think that pointy toothpick is gonna do anything to me? Come and get some trickster."
"Master," said Kuro. "That isn't just some Divine Weapon…it's different, as if it's existence is tied to something."
"We'll worry about that after," said Masamune. "You and I have a god to kill."
Loki unleashed a massive amount of divine power combined with the Longinus. Masamune did the same and poured every ounce of magic into the Master Bolt. Truth be told, Masamune didn't know if Zeus's Bolt could match up to the spear that killed Jesus Christ, but this was not the time to be worrying about whether or not he'll live. All he had to focus on right now was ripping out Loki's heart.
"I call forth the power of lightning," Masamune lowered his stance and pulled back the Bolt. "Fast and eloquent are these strikes, for they are powerful and bring forth victory. For they are powerful and bring forth justice!"
Lightning sparked from his eyes as lightning struck from the sky and gathered at the tip of the spear. Loki harnessed his magic as the tip of the Longinus began to change shape into a large and more refined weapon. Why was it responding to his magic like that? Could it be that Loki couldn't control the Longinus? There were some variables to consider, but now wasn't the time.
"Die, God Slayer!"
The two charged at each other. The clash of their spears created a massive area of bright, blinding light that seemed to pillar high into the sky. When the light faded, Masamune found himself bound stiff by the golden chains. He coughed up blood as a searing pain rang out from his chest. Looking down, he saw that Loki had pierced his heart with the Longinus. Of course he would…Aegis can't negate divine attacks from gods, only pure magic attacks. However…
Loki spat up a large amount of blood. The Master Bolt ran right through Loki's chest. Masamune could hardly move now that these stupid chains were bounding him. What were they anyway…They felt familiar.
"So…" said Masamune with a smirk. "You've gotten your hands on the Chains of Enkidu, huh?"
"So…you know about them," said Loki. "The golden chains that can bind even the gods in heaven...what a perfect weapon to defeat you."
"Masamune!" cried Sera from behind him.
It seems the others have returned when they saw that light. Masamune stood his ground and stared Loki in the eyes.
"You may have Longinus, but…you're not the first person to use a Divine Weapon to try and kill me," said Masamune. "And you forget, that I'm not alone here. Ready?"
"Ready!"
The black mantle evaporated as Kuro manifested behind Loki. His shoulder was punctured from the Longinus, but he could still move.
"W-What?" Loki gritted his teeth. "You fool, as if I didn't prepare for a sneak attack!"
Multiple swords appeared behind Kuro and jammed themselves onto his back. This bastard…he knew that Kuro's Divine Steel was weakened from the Longinus.
"Kuro!" shouted Masamune.
"Die!" Kuro jammed his claw into Loki's back and pulled out his heart.
Loki buckled and coughed up more blood, falling to his knees. The golden chains vanished as Masamune and Kuro fell to their knees.
"Well…Well played, God Slayer," smirked Loki.
"You just…don't know…when to give up…do you?" smirked Masamune. "What's the matter? Feeling tired already?"
"As…if…" Loki forced himself up. "My death means nothing, Asa Masamune. The dominoes have already fallen…and it all started, with you?"
"W-What?" asked Masamune.
"It won't be long now," said Loki. "Once the Apocalypse Emperor awakens, nothing will remain of Midgard."
"Apocalypse…Emperor?" asked Masamune. Dammit…his regeneration wasn't kicking in. That stupid spear temporarily negated his divine healing. He won't last much longer.
"The Apocalypse will soon begin," said Loki as his eyes began to fade. "Let your sins be your undoing…God Slayer."
Loki collapsed as his body began to glow.
"M-Master…" Kuro croaked. "Y-You have to…"
"I know," Masamune forced himself to his feet and stared down at Loki's lifeless body.
He opened his mouth and took in a deep breath. A magic circle opened at his mouth as a vacuum sucked in the essence that Loki left behind. Slowly but surely, the miasma that Loki left behind from his body. In seconds, Loki's essence vanished as Masamune dropped to his knees.
"M…Master…" said Kuro. "Are…You…"
"I'm alright," said Masamune.
"Masamune!" cried Sera as she and the other rushed over. "Talk to me Masamune!"
"Hang in there!" said Gabriel as she used magic to try and heal him.
"You have to…give…Kuro my…blood," said Masamune.
"What are you saying?" asked Kuroka.
It was no use, he couldn't remain conscious. It's been too long since he's absorbed a god, he was slipping away. He saw Kuro struggling to crawl towards him, bloodied and skewered, before everything went black.
…
Masamune really hope he was dreaming right now, because if he wasn't…this was one sick joke.
He stood in the middle of a desert wasteland, the remains of what used to Tokyo. He recognized the divine miasma here, filled with the magic particles possible through the deaths of countless gods. The very air was stained by poison from war and the sun was beating down on the Earth with intense rays that could scorch anything. No doubt about it…this was Masamune's world.
What was he doing back here? Suddenly, his head began to ache. Memories began to bombard him in barrages. He was in Asgard, fighting Loki…and then…
"You died," said a familiar voice.
Masamune turned around to see Athena…his Athena. A tall blonde woman with gray eyes, wearing a long white dress with golden armor plating around her body. On her back was the original Aegis, the shield made with the head of Medusa. It also held her spear.
"Athena…How are you here?" asked Masamune.
"How have you been?" asked Athena with a smile. "I hope you're not that brooding shell of a man anymore."
"That's harsh coming from a goddess of wisdom," Masamune smiled.
"I was never one to hold back against you," said Athena as she crossed her arms.
"What happened to you?" asked Masamune. "Kuro told me that Olympus was attacked."
"We were decimated," said another familiar voice. Masamune turned to see Hermes. A tall and lean man with slicked back orange hair and beady golden eyes. He wore a long white coat with boots that had golden wings. "Though I can't say it wasn't as expected."
"So…you're all-"
"We're all dead," said a deep voice. Masamune saw as a man materialized next to Athena from a bolt of lightning. A tall and muscular man wearing only a pair of white cargo pants with a golden belt. His upper body was muscular with tattoos running from his chest and down to his arms. His long white hair was tied back with sky blue eyes and wild smirk on his face.
"You seem rather happy for a dead guy, old man," said Masamune.
Zeus let out a loud laugh. "You never cease to amaze me, Masamune. Even with us gone, our powers still exist within you."
All around him, the twelve Olympians appeared to encircle him. Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Athena, Aphrodite, Ares, Hephaestus, Dionysus, Demeter, Hestia, Apollo, and Artemis. They all turned into white orbs before converging into his body. The Omega symbol that made up the Blessing of Olympus appeared, before returning to his body.
"I see you're a rather interesting man, God Slayer."
A booming voice erupted that broke the land apart. Masamune managed to stay afloat as the entire land was set on fire, a righteous and burning flame that consumed the entire land. Soon enough, Masamune was trapped in a sea of flames, until what looked like a massive golden eye opened itself in front of him.
"What the hell...What is this?"
"To think you would not only kill Loki, but steal his Authorities as well," said the voice.
"Who's there?" asked Masamune.
A loud roar tore apart the flames, giving view to the head of a massive dragon. Rough yet hardened scales covered the head of the dragon with twin rounded horns. The yellow of it's eyes faded to reveal a massive green eye with vertical pupils. The size of this thing was unfathomable…it's eye was 20 times the size of Masamune's body. He couldn't even see the top of it's head. The single horn coming from the tip of it's nose was easily taller than any skyscraper he had ever seen.
"I am the Dragon of the Apocalypse, the Great Red!" The dragon roared.
Masamune had to brace himself for the gust of wind from the roar, it was almost like a hurricane had blasted at him.
"Great Red…Are you that thing Loki was talking about?" asked Masamune. "The Apocalypse Beast?"
"Don't lump me in that monster. I may be a Dragon King, but that creature is more of a monster then I am." said Great Red. "Which is why I have chosen you, God Slayer from another world."
"Chosen me? For what?" asked Masamune.
"You're very arrival in this world has upset the balance of everything. Your vast divine power has begun to unravel it's seals."
Michael had said something like that before. A great evil that was sealed away by God…
"The Trihexa…"
"So you've heard of it, from that Michael I assume."
Masamune nodded. "I still don't know what it is though."
"Trihexa was a being that God did not create, much like myself and the Dragon of Infinity," said Great Red. "It was sealed long ago by God and the original Archangels. For many millennia, the 666 seals kept it deep within Purgatory, away from all existence. However your divine power seems to have broken at least 10 of those seals. Trihexa is already amassing power to free itself. To think 10 seals was all it took."
"So you're saying…this was my fault?" asked Masamune. "Because of me?"
"Indeed," said Great Red. "So the responsibility of resealing it falls to you, wouldn't you agree?"
Masamune smirked. "That makes sense, but what the hell do I do? How am I supposed to seal it again? What if it breaks free?"
"If the Trihexa breaks free from Purgatory, it will swallow the planet you call Earth whole, and move onto the next," said Great Red. "And those bunch of misfits are dead set on freeing it."
It was beginning to click. "So Loki was working with them. That's how he got his hands on Longinus…and that Cao Cao."
"You're smarter than you look," said Great Red with a slight chuckle behind his voice. "There appears to be a faction forming with the sole purpose to freeing the Trihexa from it's seals. They had planned on using you as a medium to unravel all 666 seals, however there appears to be other things in this world that may very well have the same affect."
"The Divine Artifacts," said Masamune. "The ones set loose in this world because of the portal that brought Kuro and I here."
"You and I know that there are artifacts out there that have the potential to destroy worlds and create life, as well as everything in between," said Great Red. "If this brigade of chaos bringers gets their hands on enough artifacts, breaking the seals and freeing the Trihexa is the least of our worries. They'll be able to rewrite history, alter reality. In the hands of experienced magic users, the possibilities are endless."
"Well then why don't you do something about it?" asked Masamune. "You seem powerful enough to take them out, right?"
"As capable as I am, one of them has trapped me in this Dimensional Gap," said Great Red. "I was able to communicate with you because you are one of the few beings with enough divine power to come close to my own. However the connection won't last long. Do you know what you have to do, God Slayer?"
"Yeah," Masamune balled his fist. "I know."
"Then I shall entrust you with this task," said Great Red. "Without the assistance of those artifacts, we have maybe 8 years until all 666 seals are fully eradicated."
The flames suddenly consumed him.
…
Masamune shot out of bed and almost fell over, gasping for air. That wasn't a dream…but those flames felt practically real. It was so hot, and it felt like Masamune's body was burning from the inside out. He had never felt like this before. It's been a long time since his body's been affected by such magic before, he was having a hard time getting accustomed to it.
"Master?" asked Kuro as he sat up next to him. "Are you alright?"
Kuro looked pale as all hell, his body wrapped in bandages. He must have gotten some of Masamune's blood in his body, but his system was still processing the divinity in his blood so it won't be awhile until his body's back to normal. Luckily he didn't fully die, or else Masamune would have to deal with a baby Nemean Lion all over again.
"You're okay…" said Masamune, panting. "What happened? Are we still in Asgard?"
"I don't know," said Kuro. "It feels like we are…I only just woke up."
This was definitely Asgard. Masamune recognized this room. A large barrack with beds lined up next to each other, one after another, and yet somehow Kuro was in the same bed as him.
"We've got a pretty important mission, Kuro," said Masamune.
"What is it?"
Masamune proceeded to tell Kuro about the dream he had, and about Great Red and his task.
"I see…" said Kuro as his eyes sunk with sadness. "So Lady Athena and Lady Aphrodite really are gone…"
"Yeah," said Masamune. He patted Kuro on the head. "But we don't have time to mourn yet. There's work to be done."
"Trihexa huh?" asked Kuro. "So what Michael said was true after all."
The doors to the barrack opened. Masamune heard a loud bang as he looked and saw Sera and Kuroka drop a big pan of water.
"You idiots!" cried Sera as she and Kuroka ran over and jump into bed.
"Don't you pull a stunt like that ever again!" Kuroka and Sera wrapped their arms around Masamune and Kuro and squeezed.
Masamune could have sworn he felt something break.
"K-Kuroka…My…back…" Kuro croaked.
Sera and Kuroka pulled back and sat down in front of them as Gabriel and Rossweisse entered the room.
"Good to see you two up again," said Gabriel.
"You two were out for such a long time, we thought you two had actually died," said Rossweisse.
"How long were we out?" asked Masamune.
"Almost a week!" Sera wrapped her arms around him. What the hell was going on…was she always this intimate? "You two were knocked out for almost a week, I thought the Longinus had actually killed you."
"So that's what happened," said Kuro. "No wonder it took us so long to revive."
"What do you mean?" asked Kuroka.
"Longinus is a true Divine Weapon," said Masamune. "Aegis doesn't work against divinity so it was able to stop my heart. Once it was removed, my body began to absorb magic again, though at a slower rate because of it. Kuro was pierced as well so it had the same affect. You guys gave him my blood right?"
"Yeah, but I don't know why," said Sera.
"Master's blood has divine healing properties," said Kuro. "It speeds up the divine healing of Ra's Authority. If I can heal my wounds before fully dying, I won't have to be reborn."
"Yeah," said Masamune as he rubbed his head. "It was such a pain to take care of you the last time you were reborn. I had to deal with a baby Nemean Lion for weeks."
Kuro blushed. "I…I apologize."
"Whatever the case," said Kuroka as she wrapped her arms around the two of them. "I'm glad you two are alright. You really scared me."
"Don't hog them to yourself Kuroka," said Sera.
"Looks like you two are awake," said Lord Gremory as he and Odin entered the barracks. "No wonder I heard such a ruckus."
"Good to see you're up and kicking, God Slayer," said Odin. "I must apologize for forcing your hand with Loki. It pains me to see one of my own go rogue like that."
"No, it's me who should be sorry," said Masamune as he bowed his head. "I didn't want it to come to that. I guess something just took me over…"
"Whatever the case," said Lord Gremory. "I think you should go on home now, Masamune. I'll be staying in Asgard for a few more days to help with the rebuilding process. We can hold the meeting you want tomorrow, I shall let Sirzechs know."
"Yes sir," said Masamune as he climbed out of bed. "However, there is one thing I need to tell Lord Odin."
"What is it?" asked Odin.
"The Rosary of Amethyst, in your armory," said Masamune. "Please keep it safe. If it comes down to it, you must destroy it before anyone can get their hands on it. It's very powerful."
"So that's what it was," said Odin as he stroked his beard. "Very well, I understand. As long as I am on Asgard, no one shall lay a hand on that treasure."
Masamune let out a sigh of relief. "Let's get going then. There are a few things I have to do when we get home."
"Allow me to thank you once again, God Slayer," said Odin. "If it were not for you, Asgard would be in ruins now. I heard from Lord Gremory that you were building a faction."
"Yes sir," said Masamune. "But it looks like I have a long way to go."
"Then consider Asgard your ally," said Odin as he walked forward and extended a hand. "I hope you rely on us when you're in need."
Masamune smiled. "Thank you, All-Father."
Odin smiled and looked to Rossweisse. "Well Rose? Will you be going with this God Slayer?"
Masamune looked to Rossweisse, who was fidgeting and blushing. "A-All-Father…I cannot abandon my post here with you."
"Oh please," sighed Odin. "I told you to look for a new master, didn't I? A God Slayer might be the best option you have right now."
"Oh c'mon Rose," Kuroka wrapped an arm around her. "Come with us. The Jaegers could always use a Valkyrie. Right, Masamune?"
Masamune smiled. "I've got no problems with it, as long as it's something Rossweisse is okay with."
Rossweisse walked over to Masamune and dropped to one knee and bowed. "I swear my allegiance to you, Asa Masamune…my Master."
"W-Wait a minute!" Kuro fumbled and fell out of bed. "I'm…the only one…who gets to call him Master."
"Oh can it Kuro," sighed Masamune. "Save the protesting for when you can walk straight."
Kuro growled and bit his tongue.
"Rossweisse," said Masamune. "Welcome to the Jaegers."
"Rose," she said. "Please, feel free to call me Rose."
Masamune smiled and gave her a hand up. "Rose it is then."
Kuroka helped Kuro up and plopped him on her back. "Try not to squirm too much, will ya?"
Kuro almost teared up. "This is…so….humiliating."
Sera laughed and patted his back. "Isn't this a good thing though Kuro-Kun? We're getting more and more friends."
"We?" asked Kuro. "You're not even a Jaeger, Sera."
Sera fumbled and smiled awkwardly.
"We'll deal with that later," said Gabriel as she placed a hand on Sera's shoulder. "Shall we head back then?"
Masamune nodded as he and Rose joined the group. "Thanks for everything, Lord Odin."
"I wish you luck in your future endeavors, Asa Masamune," smiled Odin. "Make sure you watch his back, Rose."
Rossweisse placed a fist over her heart. "I won't fail you, All-Father."
Kuroka opened a magic circle as they were swallowed up.