Aika continued to channel her magic into the summoning circle she had drawn on the ground. A crowd of curious onlookers had gathered around her as she worked, chiefly of which was the young girl Alice.
"So what is that orb thing you're making?" The young girl asked curiously.
"It's a portal that will allow us to summon our friends here and rescue you guys." She explained, her attention remaining on conjuring the portal.
"So here's what I don't get." Matsuda, who was helping to keep the crowd back while Aika worked, finally spoke up. "If we can teleport these people to the school, why couldn't we have just teleported to the Church? Saved us all this trouble?"
Aika shook her head. "It doesn't work like that. The barrier that's being produced by Lucifer is causing some sort of temporal distortion effect. At least...that's how it was explained to me."
Motohama groaned. "Man...why does this stuff have to be so complicated? I always thought magic was all about saying a few hocus pocus words and just making shit appear."
"The Laws of Magic are just as set in stone as the laws of nature. It can only bend the rules of reality, not break them entirely. Every action you make, whether it's breathing or casting a teleportation spell, requires some form of energy in response. Nothing can be gained from nothing."
Matsuda and Motohama both turned to see that guy with the dirty blonde hair standing next to them.
"Hey...you're that dude we met at the entrance." Matsuda observed. "Zefford was it?"
"Call me Al." He insisted before inspecting her magic circle while she continued to channel energy into the orb above it. "Nice patterns, but I think I can make the flow rate a little sharper." He pulled out a piece of chalk and began adding his own sigils to the ones already on the floor.
"How is it you can do that?" She asked in disbelief.
"What, change the permutations of the spell? It's not that difficult if you know what you're doing."
"While I'm still casting it?"
He nodded. "You just have to learn to work 'around' the flow of energy."
As he made modifications to her magic circle, Aika found that channeling the magic was becoming easier. This guy obviously knew what he was doing and it made her suspicious.
"You seem to know a lot about this stuff."
"Maybe a little." He admitted after finishing his work. "It was my job to know it...a long time ago."
"Are you a part of Irina and Xenovia's order?" Motohama asked curiously.
He shook his head. "Not exactly. Though...we used to run in similar circles."
"So what's your story then?" Matsuda asked warily.
Aldin smirked at them and placed his hands back in his pockets. "Truthfully? I don't have a story. Never did. I like it that way. Stories are complicated messy affairs that usually only end in one of two ways. Tragedy or Comedy. There's never any middle ground. Me? I'm just another face in the theater. The guy watching the aftermath of a car crash. The one holding up the phone during a bar room brawl." Taking it a step further, he then began reciting poetry. "To see a world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour."
The group gave him confused and suspicious looks. What the heck was this guy's deal?"
"I'm just an observer." He continued. "Here to watch this Tragedy unfold."
"What's happening isn't just a tragedy it's a fucking disgrace." Matsuda replied sharply. "This ain't no damn theater, Bro. People's lives are at stake."
Aldin laughed heartily at Matsuda's youthful exuberance. "See enough shit in your lifetime, kid, and you'll learn that something like this is just par for the course for the beings you've joined up with."
Matsuda glared back at him in annoyance. This guy was starting to piss him off.
"I should clarify though. I don't consider what's happening here to be JUST a Tragedy. It's a lesson. One that the arrogant pricks fighting this war are long overdo for."
"What lesson?"
"The very same lesson I just taught you. That nothing can be gained from nothing. The Angel of Stars and the Great Lord Lucifer may be two very different beasts but they share one thing in common. Neither one of them wants to admit when they've lost control." He picked a piece of lint off his grimey lapel and used his shotgun like a cane. "Now that said, Lucifer would prefer if everyone just stood back and let him play CEO of Planet Earth in peace whereas Kokabiel would be content to let the whole world burn to the ground so long as he gets to rule over the ashes. This war is going to teach them both a lesson in the value of exchange."
His expression suddenly darkened.
"But a lesson without pain is no lesson at all. You cannot gain anything without sacrificing something else in return. I learned that one the hard way."
They just stared at him as he turned and walked away.
"It's a cruel and random world we live in...but the chaos can be beautiful, if you learn to appreciate it."
As he walked off, the group gave each other weird looks.
"So what was his deal?" Motohama asked.
"Dude's got a screw loose if you ask me."
Aldin smirked upon overhearing them before mumbling to himself. "You have no idea, Kid."
With that, he then found a nice quiet corner and warped away. He'd seen all he needed to see here.
Wind blowing through the trees around them. That was all that could be heard as Kiba stared down his archnemesis and the Fallen Angels who supported him. Valper glared back into Kiba's steely gaze searchingly. This was not the same Knight he remembered facing in the Lab. The man standing in front of him was completely in control of his emotions.
"So they managed to keep you alive after all." Valper spoke indifferently before pulling out the blood red crystal from his robes once more. "No matter." He channeled his magic into the crystal and it began to glow bright red.
Kiba smirked at him, completely unphased by the spell. "Looks like you need a new trick, Valper. That one's getting old."
The old man scowled nastily at him. He did NOT like this new development whatsoever. After a moment, however, he quickly calmed back down.
"So you broke free…" Valper shook his head at him with his eyes shut. "...and I suppose you think yourself invincible now. Oh but how you do entertain me, my dear boy." He turned his attention up towards the Fallen Angels in the sky. "Kill him."
The Fallen Angels around him summoned their Light Spears and charged. One by one they swooped down and stabbed at him before flying back into the sky and diving back down. They repeated this process over and over again, flying around like birds of prey diving onto a wounded animal.
Yet Kiba never moved once. The lances passed completely through him with each attack. A few yards back, Irina, Sammy, and Xenovia all stood in stunned silence at the spectacle in front of them.
"What's with him?" Irina asked, not quite getting what it was she was seeing. "Why isn't Kiba making a move? And why aren't they attacking him?" She turned and looked at her friends. "Xenovia what's going-"
Their faces said it all. Xenovia and Sammy were clearly seeing something she wasn't. What it could be, she had no idea, however.
One of the Fallen Angels landed and hurled their Spear of Light at him. The weapon seemed to pass completely through his body before coming out the other side. Yet still, he wasn't phased and no damage was done.
"What is this?" Valper snarled in annoyance. "What is he doing? Why is he just standing their and-"
As he turned to get confirmation from Freed, he stopped mid sentence. There was something in Freed's eyes that made him nervous. Genuine unbridled excitement. The normally unphasable psychopath looked to be, at that moment, at a complete loss for words as his insane grin grew wider and wider.
"If I wasn't seeing it with my own eyes…I wouldn't believe it." His voice quivered with unbridled glee.
"Seeing what?! Tell me!" Valper demanded angrily.
"Enough of this!" One of the Fallen Angels charged. "I'll not be made a fool of by a Devil Charlaton!"
The Fallen Angel passed right through Kiba before bursting into limbs, having been seemingly cut to ribbons in the fraction of a fraction of a second it took for him to pass through the Knight. Yet still, Kiba never once seemed to move.
More Fallen Angels attacked and more joined the pile of limbs forming around him.
"How is he doing this?!" Valper demanded. "Is it Illusion Magic? A trick? Tell me!"
Freed slowly shook his head, a newfound sense of admiration for the Knight in his eyes. "It's not a trick Valper. What you're seeing is the real deal."
He glared back at Kiba in disbelief. On the other side of the fight, Irina's group continued to marvel at the Knight.
"I don't get it." Irina was still confused. "Kiba doesn't seem to be fighting back but the Fallen Angels can't touch him. What kind of magic can do that?"
"It's not magic." Xenovia clarified. "Kiba is moving faster than your eyes can track." She then added with astonishment. "I can barely see his movements myself...and my reflexes allow me to keep up with creatures who can break the sound barrier in a single step."
She didn't need to explain any further. While it was impossible to calculate just how fast Kiba was going exactly, it was safe to assume it was far faster than anything any of them could possibly hope to match.
Kiba raised his blade and pointed it at Valper. "This is your only warning. Hand over that gemstone and get out of my sight. Otherwise, you'll share the same fate as these poor sods."
Before Valper could retort Freed stepped in front of him and drew his Excalibur Rapidly. "Hold up there, Blondie. I think you may be getting a little ahead of yourself. You seem to forget there are three of us in this marriage." An aura of power enveloped his body. "I'm curious to see who's faster. You or me."
"You don't want to do this, Freed." Kiba warned severely. "This is between me and him."
"Oooo." Freed cackled in delight. "Look who suddenly thinks he's hot shit. Don't think you'll scare me, Asshole. I've wiped the floor with that pretty face of yours once already."
The Knight quirked a brow at him. "You sure you wanna do this? Last chance."
"Oh fuck off!" He barked angrily, suddenly losing his patience. "I've heard enough talking out of you! Either shut up and fight or lay down and die with the rest of these scum!"
Kiba chuckled and shook his head. "Alright then. Have it your way. Just remember…" A vicious gleam shown in his eyes as he readied his blade.
"...I gave you an out."
The opposing forces vanished. Moving at speeds the others couldn't possibly hope to track as their duel to the death began.
"So that's it then? You're sure?" Asia asked Rias worriedly.
The President nodded in confirmation. "Kiba's at the Church. No doubt hot on Valper's trail."
"And he didn't try to contact you or anything?" Jon asked incredulously.
"Nope...not even one time." Akeno replied with a hint of annoyance.
"The good news is I don't think this will be like last time." Rias assured. "If the Torpor was successful then Kiba should at least be immune to Valper's Phylactery."
"Phylactery?" Asia quirked her head at the President. "What's that?"
"It's a form of necromancy that houses the souls of the deceased into an object of some sort. Usually a blood gem, or some sort of vial." Akeno explained. "Most Necromancers use this sort of magic to turn themselves into Liches, undead spirits with incredible power."
"But there are others uses for Phylacteries as well." Rias explained. "Necromancers can also use them to perform incredibly potent curses. Such as the one used on our wayward Knight."
"Even still, we need to get to the Church as quickly as possible." Jon insisted. "Not just for his sake but for the others as well. Matsuda, Motohama, Aika…" Pain gripped his heart. "...Irina."
His Treasure's frowned at him in concern.
"Our friends are out there fighting OUR battles for us. It's time we jumped in and helped them out."
Rias nodded vehemently. "I couldn't agree with you more, Jon." She then added with a devious little smirk. "Which is EXACTLY why I sent my familiar to track him down. At this very moment she's assisting the Survivors at the Church on opening a portal that will allow us to warp directly to them."
"How long before they can get it open?" Jon asked insistently.
"It shouldn't be much longer." She assured him. "The barrier my Brother has erected is causing a great deal of temporal distortion, but with my familiar assisting in the spellcasting, it won't be long before a connection can be established." Her expression darkened somewhat. "But Jon...I have to make a request of you. One I'm almost certain you're not going to like."
He felt a nervous pit form in his stomach. "What is it, Rias?"
She looked at him with sincere, apologetic eyes. "I need you to stay here while I deal with the situation at the Church."
Jon winced at her words. "How did I know you were going to say that?"
"I apologize Jon, but I fear I am partly to blame for this decision." Grayfia spoke up. "With the arrival of the Fallen Angels our ground forces are in mortal peril. Lord Phenex is currently working on efforts towards a counterattack and I need you to assist him."
"You want me working with Blue Blood?" He groaned at the very idea of it. "Rias, tell me this is a joke?"
"Please, Jon. I can handle the situation at the Church myself, but you are far more suited for assisting Riser. There's no point in us both being there."
"What if Kokabiel happens to show up?" He retorted.
"The Angel of Stars will not risk leaving his precious missile improperly guarded." Grayfia assured before turning to Rias. "However...there is a chance that his children, Tamiel and Ramiel may very well show up...if they have not done so already. Are you prepared to take them both on, Lady Rias?"
A devilishly confident smile spread over her lips. "I'm more than capable of taking care of a couple of Gen-Z wannabe brats." She then turned her attention back to her Peerage. "Asia, you will be accompanying me in order to help with the wounded."
Asia bowed respectfully. "Understood, Rias."
"The rest of the Peerage will be going with you, Jon. Leave the Holy Swords and the safety of your friends to me."
Every nerve in his body was telling him not to accept this. He hated being assigned somewhere else while so many people he cared about were in imminent peril.
With a heavy sigh, he smiled at his President. "Alright Rias. I'll do it. I already disobeyed you once, I ain't about to do it again. You have my word, I'll help Riser out. Just...promise me you'll get them all back alive? They're bozos but...they're MY bozos, life would be a hell of a lot more empty without them."
She nodded in understanding, a bright smile on her face. "You have my word, Jon. They'll all make it back alive."
"Alright, we best not delay." Grayfia insisted. "You all know what you must do. It's time for the ORC to join the offensive."
Freed Sellzen fell onto his back as he was knocked down yet again by Kiba Yuuto. At first it seemed like they were evenly matched. But as the fight dragged on it became clear that the Gremory Knight was simply far too nimble even for his Excalibur Rapidly to keep up with. As the wounded Stray Hunter slowly rose back to his feet, blood dripped from the many open wounds on his body he now possessed.
"So how many cuts do you think we're up to Freed?" Kiba taunted with a slick grin.
His opponent was fuming, never in his life had an enemy managed to get the better of him like this.
"I'd say we're up to twenty seven."
"DIE!" Freed bellowed before charging yet again. Swords clashed and sparks flew as Kiba proceeded to knock him down to the ground once more.
"Oh right... the Excalibur Rapidly. We don't want to leave without that, now do we?"
"This doesn't make sense." Valper was completely taken aback by the display. "How can a mere Devil stand up against the power of a Holy Sword?"
"Yeah, that blade is really only effective if you can actually HIT what you're aiming for." The Knight called out to Valper. He then turned his gaze back to Freed. "I'll admit, you were a good first test of my new abilities." Kiba then calmly stepped over Freed and raised his sword at Valper. "But now...it's time for the main event. Hand over that gemstone, Valper."
He was furious. To think that Kiba could gain this level of power in so short a span of time. Where did he go wrong? At what point had he so drastically underestimated the potential of his Sacred Gear?
Yet despite all this, Valper began to laugh. The one eyed Priest bellowed with mirthful vigor at Kiba before glaring at him with fiery rage. "You want to challenge ME, Boy?! To see my true power firsthand?! So be it!" Dark lightning appeared on his palms as he summoned forth his terrible power. "I'll teach you the hard way what it is to make an enemy of Valper Galilei!"
The Priest cast lightning at him which Kiba easily dodged out of the way of. Knowing an attack was imminent he raised his hand to cast a barrier to protect himself with...and received a deep gash in his arm for his trouble.
"What?!" Valper cursed in pain as he clutched his wounded arm.
Kiba reappeared in front of him, his sword at the ready, still calm and composed.
"What's going on?" He seethed as blood soaked the arm of his robes. "My guard was up, my barrier should have stopped you."
Kiba simply grinned at him in response. "Ready to give up yet?"
He growled in rage. "Enough of this!" Valper went to conjure another barrier whereupon he received another gash on his other arm.
With both his arms wounded, it was all but impossible for him to cast magic.
"HOW?!" He bellowed. "How is it you're doing this?! I know I cast the spell correctly! Why aren't my barriers stopping you?!"
"Oh it's not that your barriers aren't holding." Kiba calmly corrected. "It's just that I'm able to move faster than your spell does. It doesn't matter if the spellcasting is instantaneous, if the magic itself can't keep up with me it's a moot point. Your spells are simply too slow."
Valper blanched in terror. If what he was saying was true, then this fight was over before it even began. It didn't matter what magic he used to defend himself with, Kiba could simply attack in the miniscule amount of time between him casting the spell and the spell actually forming successfully.
He had no chance against an opponent like this.
"Do you get it now, Valper?" Kiba aimed his sword at his heart and slowly approached. "This was never going to end any other way but badly for you."
"S...stay back!" Valper backed away from him, tripping over his robes and falling to the ground in the process.
A few yards away, Irina, Xenovia, and Sammy watched as Kiba prepared to extract his vengeance.
"It's over." Xenovia spoke with finality.
Kiba raised his sword and Valper prepared for the end.
With a clean slice, he severed the blood gem around his neck from the chain it was attached to. The gem went bouncing off onto the ground but beyond that, Valper was not harmed in any way. As Kiba walked over to the gemstone and picked it up, the confused Priest silently glared at him.
"That's it?! After all your talk of vengeance you don't even have the guts to finish the job?!"
Kiba completely ignored him as he held the gem in his hands. There were so many emotions welling up inside him at that moment. Completion, understanding, pain, loss, grief, agony….peace. THIS was what he really wanted. THIS was his true objective. The thing that his own darkness tried to keep from him.
The Phylactery containing the souls of his lost friends. At last...he had found them.
"Come now, Valper." The Knight calmly spoke as he pocketed the gem and turned back towards his wounded prey. "We both know you don't truly fear death, you welcome it." He sheathed his sword and walked back over to him before kneeling down to speak to him face to face. "Death doesn't mean the same thing to a Necromancer that it does to us. For you, death is just a natural evolution, the next stage in your Psychotic Lord's grand plan. Which is why your punishment must be more severe."
"Torture then?" Valper laughed at him. "Do your worst boy! With the death magic I have at my disposal I can feel no pain!"
"Oh you will be tortured alright." Kiba spoke in a cold sadistic tone. "But it won't be of the body." He tapped his finger against his temple. "It'll be of the mind...same as me."
Valper was rendered silent.
He chuckled unsettlingly. "I know you well enough to know that death is not what you truly fear, Valper. What you fear...is insignificance. The idea that you could vanish from the face of the Earth and no one would even remember your name, THAT is what you fear most. That is what drives a man like you, Valper Gallilei. The Hope of being remembered for all time. That is what I will use to break you. By turning your hope...into despair."
The ruins of the Church were silent as the grave as Kiba continued his speech.
"It was my friends who taught me the truth of despair. A lesson I now intend to remind you of." He stood up and stared at the starlit sky. "Despair is not the absence of hope, it is the FEAR of it. Burden, reclusion, panic, guilt, self loathing. They showed me all of these things. There's a reason why the prisons we create in our minds are considered the worst form of hell a man can endure. Hope...ever dangling above their heads, yet just out of reach." He closed his eyes and breathed in the cold night air as if breathing it for the first time in decades. "Every man, woman, or child, who has ever felt the pain of Despair has gazed up at the light of hope and imagined climbing to freedom. So easy...so simple…"
He opened his eyes and cast his gaze back at Valper.
"And like shipwrecked men turning to seawater from uncontrollable thirst...many have DIED trying to reach that light." Kiba clutched at the gem in his pocket. "But thanks to my friends...my family...I have succeeded. I have reached the light." A sadistic grin formed on his features. "But I also acquired a very powerful weapon along the way, Valper. I learned how to turn a man's hope into despair."
The Knight towered over him like a shroud of death while the Priest trembled on the ground below.
"Such as the hope you kept us in for all those years. The hope of salvation, that our deaths would hold some meaning, even as you strapped us down to dissection tables and tore out our insides one by one, we STILL held onto that hope. And THAT was how we truly learned what it means to despair."
He knelt back down at his next words.
"I'm going to teach you how to despair just as I have. As we tear everything you and your conspirators have worked for apart, I will poison your minds with the very same false hope you once poisoned me with. I will let you believe you can survive, and delight in watching you clamor over each other to stay in the light."
Valper's blood ran cold and his face became clammy.
"And you, Valper? You will live through it, just as I have. Everything you care about, all your ambitions, all your dreams, everything that keeps you in the light...I will burn it. Your plague, your weapons, your legacy. I will burn it all. And you will watch me do it. You will watch as EVERYONE forgets who you are." His eyes turned towards the city. "And when it is done...when all your hopes and aspirations are nothing but ashes and you feel that very same level of despair as I have...when you are certain that you could vanish from the face of the Earth and not a soul will remember you...THEN Valper...and only then…"
He took one final breath and stood up.
"...will you have my permission to die."
With that he walked away, stepping over an angry Freed once again before rejoining his comrades.
From behind him, the sound of someone clapping slowly brought Kiba to a halt. A chill ran down his spine as he turned around to see who it was who was clapping.
"I've gotta say, that was quite the speech." Ramiel continued to clap his hands as he walked in front of Valper. "Wouldn't you agree, Sis?"
Tamiel kept her eyes on her phone as she walked next to him. "Ten out of ten. Would watch again."
"Oh shit…when did they get here?" Sammy took a step backwards as did the others.
Ramiel placed his hands on his hips and shook his head, tsking Kiba like a disappointed Father. "Kiba, Kiba, Kiba, Kiba, Kiba, Kiba, what are we to do with you? Lying to our faces, blowing up our lab, and now scaring the hell out of our stooges. We're going to have to have a word with Mommy Rias about your behavior young man. I just don't think you're playing nicely with the other children."
"Lord Ramiel...I can explain." Valper pleaded.
"Save it." Tamiel yawned indifferently as she sent out another text. "You two are donezo."
Ramiel nodded in agreement. "You had ONE job, Valper. Get the swords back. But you couldn't even manage that without cocking it up spectacularly. So now the grownups have to step in."
"For the record...I thought his plan was stupid too."
"Oh shut it, Freed!" Valper growled.
"I tell you what…" Ramiel reached in his pocket and pulled out a vape pen before addressing the four heros still defending the Church. "...we fucked up. I'll admit that. Sending Valper and Freed here alone with a detachment of Two Winged Angels was a major oversight on our part. You got us. Congratulations." He took a hit off his vape before continuing. "So...if you agree to bring us the swords right now, we'll leave. No questions asked, no more fighting, it'll be a done deal. All the survivors you've got hunkered down in that grimey basement will live to see another day." He then pointed with his pen at Irina and Xenovia. "Of course they'll have to surrender their swords too."
"And unlike these two idiots, we will stick to our word." Tamiel added. "We've got PLENTY of zombies, we don't need any more. Plus this way, we won't have to waste more time trying to figure out where the hell you hid them."
Kiba drew his sword and took a combat stance again, this time drawing upon the power of his Holy Eraser. "How long before that portal is ready?" He mumbled to his allies.
"It shouldn't be much longer...I hope." Sammy responded nervously.
Ramiel rolled his eyes at the gesture. "Tamiel, I think our generous offer is going to go unaccepted. You wanna deal with this one? I'm really not feeling it right now."
She shrugged. "Meh, it's not like I have anything better to do." Tamiel walked in front of Ramiel and faced Kiba, her nose still buried in her phone. "Go ahead and...attack or whatever."
Kiba gripped the hilt of his sword tighter and charged. As he went to swing his blade through her neck, however, he felt a sharp pain in his side and collapsed, sent tumbling across the ground. His own speed now acting against him.
"Kiba!" Irina called worriedly.
He tried to stand when another sharp pain hit him. Kiba clutched at his side to find he was very much bleeding.
"Not again…" The Knight grumbled as he struggled to stand up.
Ramiel whistled in mock impress. "Hey, you've gotten faster."
"He's almost as fast as you are, Bro." Tamiel commented while still playing on her phone.
"But that's…" Xenovia shook her head in denial. "...I didn't even see her move. That's impossible. There's no way in hell she's that fast!"
Ramiel shook his head assuredly. "Oh no no, you completely misunderstand. It's not that she's necessarily all that fast. In fact, getting her to move at all can be a chore sometimes."
She flipped him the bird while still texting.
"Right back at you, Sis!" He called to her before turning his attention back to the group. "See, it doesn't really matter how fast Homeboy is. Because my sister happens to excel at Time Dilation Magic. It's the one thing she's decent at that doesn't involve dicking around on her phone."
"You're just jealous because I actually have a social life."
He ignored her in favor of speaking with the group some more. "Look, you've gotten pretty good at swinging that sword around, I'll admit. But like...what the fuck is the point if you're going up against her, am I right? You can be the Devil equivalent of Barry Allen, it won't make a difference. Everyone Tamiel fights is only as fast as she wants them to be."
Irina took a step back and whispered to Xenovia. "Can you stall them?"
"Why?" Her partner asked curiously. "What are you doing?"
"Playing the only move we have left." She explained before running down the stairs towards the cellar.
Unsure what else to do, Xenovia turned and addressed Tamiel. Putting on a brave face. "So then why was it we were able to get away from you back in that underground bunker?"
"Oh that one's easy." She explained nonchalantly. "See...we're not used to doing the grunt work around here. If we have to lift a finger it's usually because something went wrong."
"Or because of gross incompetence." Ramiel spoke through gritted teeth, aiming his words at both Valper and Freed.
"So in other words...we got to ya." Sammy retorted with a slick grin.
He shook his head. "No, not really. Though I'll admit you've come the closest. Now you're actually in our way. That's certainly a new one."
"Why thank you." Xenovia added graciously.
He shook his head at her, a mean look in his eyes. "That wasn't a compliment."
"Liar." Tamiel teased him.
"Okay, you're right. It is." He laughed, his expression immediately softening. "But the flirting is over, Sweety. Daddy's had enough now." Ramiel slowly approached them and the group backed away. "We've shown you what we can do. So you know there's no hope in hell of you beating us. Really, right now, your best bet is to just go ahead and fork over those swords. The survivors will all go free, you have my word."
"Why should we believe you?" Xenovia responded coldly.
"Oh come on." He insisted with an insincere smile on his face. "Hasn't this been fun? Playing war. Moving human lives around like pieces on a chessboard." He pointed at Kiba and Sammy. "You two are Devils so you should totally know what I'm talking about."
"Thousands of people have died." Sammy growled.
"Oh Jesus Christ, that is what people DO!" He yelled.
"Ramiel, they're stalling." Tamiel commented bluntly.
The group all felt pits form in their stomachs.
He turned back towards his little sister. "They're what?"
She shrugged indifferently. "Just thought you ought to know. They've got a mage down their right now who's working on a teleporter. It's likely they've been at it this whole time."
Upon hearing this Ramiel reared back and laughed. "Good!" He nodded to the group approvingly. "Very good! I'll admit, you almost had me there. I see why your Masters like keeping you around." He then sighed in disappointment. "Unfortunately this does mean you've used up the last of your time. So I'm going to count to five and if the Holy Swords don't appear in my hand, we're going to make you watch while my Sister and I proceed to slowly tear each and every human down there apart."
That was it. They had no more cards to play.
"One." Ramiel counted.
"Any bright ideas?" Sammy whispered nervously.
"Two."
"I've got nothing." Xenovia insisted.
"Three."
Kiba tried to stand back up but couldn't.
"Four…"
"Take them!"
Everyone turned to see Irina standing at the top of the stairs, having successfully run down and grabbed the case containing the Holy Swords before making her way back up.
"Irina...what are you doing?" Sammy whispered severely through gritted teeth.
"Just trust me." She whispered back before turning her attention to Tamiel and Ramiel. "You promise not to hurt the civilians if we turn the swords over?"
Ramiel took a long hit off his vape before blowing a perfect smoke halo in the air. "You have my word as a gentleman."
Tamiel laughed derisively. "A gentleman? That's a bit of a stretch."
"Eat me, Sis."
Irina lowered her head solemnly before dropping the case to the ground and kicking it over to him. Ramiel caught the case with his foot before picking it up and opening it.
"Well shit, they're actually in here." He spoke in amazement. "You weren't even going to try a bait and switch on us or anything? I'm actually a little disappointed."
"If you give my partner a moment we can fork over our Excalibur Blades as well." Irina promised.
"Actually, that won't be necessary."
The group sharply turned around to see Tamiel now standing behind them, on her phone as always.
"We'll just take them off your corpse once we're done."
"You lying snake!" Xenovia seethed. "You swore to us-"
"That we wouldn't harm the CIVILIANS." Tamiel finished for her. "You guys are a different story."
Ramiel laughed heartily. "Oh right! So sorry, everyone. I have a tendency to paraphrase when I'm negotiating. It is a weakness of mine...but then again it is my ONLY weakness."
"You can't be allowed to report back to Lucifer." Tamiel calmly explained. "You just can't. My brother and I would try to convince you that this whole crusade of yours is futile, but everything we have to say has already crossed your minds, hasn't it?"
Despite the threat of their imminent destruction, Irina smiled.
"If that's true, then our rebuttal should have already crossed yours."
For the first time since she got there, Tamiel looked up from her phone. "Huh?"
She was then blasted in the back with a bolt of red and black lightning. Tamiel went flying into the air before landing hard right next to Ramiel.
From below, an aura of terrible power slowly ascended the stairs, flanked by a young blonde woman and a familiar with bat wings.
"My name is Rias Gremory. And I believe you have something that rightfully belongs to me."
Jon had almost forgotten how fun it was flying. Considering he was used to teleporting almost everywhere, actually getting to stretch his Dragon Wings out and fly around the city was a rare treat for him.
Koneko and Akeno, however, did not seem nearly as thrilled as he was.
"You never think about how much you miss teleporting until it's suddenly ripped away from you." Koneko groaned.
"This IS a tad tedious." Akeno admitted.
"Ah come on you two. Don't be like that." Jon insisted, clear excitement in his voice. "When do we ever just get to fly around the city like this?"
"We don't." Koneko replied bluntly. "The Underworld tends to frown on Devils just randomly flying around major population centers."
"Exactly!" He spoke enthusiastically. "Maybe this is boring for you, but I'm making eight year old Jonathan Hyodo very happy right now."
Akeno and Koneko both looked at him, then at each other, and then back at him again before bursting into a fit of giggling.
"What's so funny?"
"You know, Master…" Akeno continued to giggle as she spoke. "...you never cease to surprise us. One minute you're the most stoic, straight faced person in the room, and the next minute you say things that are just so completely adorable."
He turned away and scratched his head in embarrassment. "Ah hell, I don't know about all that now."
"It's true though." Koneko nodded in agreement. "Just admit it, Jon. Underneath all that tough guy talk you're a big old softie on the inside."
"You know damn good and well that ain't true." He argued indignantly.
"Softie." Koneko insisted.
"Tough guys are allowed to enjoy flying, dammit!"
"Softieeee." She teased him mercilessly.
He increased his speed. "This is me flying away."
Akeno and Koneko both snickered amongst each other once again.
"How long do you think before we drive him completely insane?" Koneko asked playfully.
"Give it another five or six years. He'll be in a padded room by then." Akeno replied just as playfully.
Off in the distance, hundreds of Fallen Angels soared around the city, doing battle with...explosions, apparently? It was really hard for Jon to make out from so far away, but they didn't actually seem to be fighting with anyone. They were all just sort of dancing around aimlessly while blasts of magic went off around them.
"There's Riser." Koneko pointed to a figure floating a few yards away, she then narrowed her eyes at the figure floating next to him. "Ah fuck…"
"Play nice now." Akeno insisted in a motherly voice.
Ravel turned to see Jon flying towards her and lit up into an ecstatic smile. She tugged on her Brother's coat sleeve before zooming over to the Red Dragon Emperor. Riser reluctantly turned around and groaned. He was nowhere near as happy to see Jon as she was.
"You made it!" She flew straight into Jon's arms and spun them both around. "I was so worried about you going on that risky assignment with Rias."
He chuckled awkwardly at her. "It's nice to see you too, Ravel."
Koneko cleared her throat abruptly and glared at her.
Ravel's elated expression immediately soured. "Oh...you brought HER with you."
The Rook smiled at her angrily and waved two little fingers at her. "Hiya, Bitch."
She scoffed at her in disgust. "As needlessly crass as ever, I see." Ravel then took Jon by the arm and tugged. "Come now, Darling. Let's leave this savage girl behind and go fight Fallen Angels together. I would so love to see how your prowess as a gunslinger has improved since I last saw you fight."
Koneko swooped over and took Jon's other arm. "Unfortunately Jon's already agreed to fight with me. Tough break, Chicken Girl."
"I'm sure he only said that so that he didn't hurt your feelings." Ravel spoke through gritted teeth while pulling on his arm. "Johnny clearly wants to fight with me."
"Make the right choice here, Jon." Koneko growled before tugging much more sharply on his other arm. "You've seen what I'm capable of doing to a man's testicles."
"Now you're threatening him?" Ravel tugged the other way. "Honestly, I don't know what he sees in a Barbarian such as yourself."
"Funny, I'm still baffled by the fact he would imprint such a self absorbed little brat like you." She retorted before tugging on his other arm again.
As Jon became the rope in an impromptu game of tug of war he cast a look back at Akeno that screamed help me. The Gremory Queen could place a hand up to her head and laugh nervously, clearly at a loss as to what should be done. Meanwhile, the two small women continued to bicker loudly amongst each other.
"Ladies, that's quite enough!" Riser spoke up sharply before clapping his hands together. "Ravel, stop this!"
The young lady peeped indignantly before letting go of Jon's arm and regaining her composure. Though her face was still bright red.
"Have you no sense of personal pride?" He lectured her sternly. "You're still a Pureblood of House Phenex, try to behave like such." Riser then turned his ire towards Jon. "And you...if this is the sort of company you keep around your person then you can forget ever coming near my little sister again."
"Watch what you say around, Kani, buddy." Jon's nostrils flared black smoke as he narrowed his eyes sharply at him. "Your Queen already hurt her once. I won't tolerate you insulting her in my presence."
Koneko grinned victoriously before casting an equally sharp gaze at Ravel. "I've been meaning to pay her back for that, by the way."
"Everyone, please!" Akeno finally spoke up. Attempting to be the voice of reason. "Now is simply not the time for this. Master, I understand how you feel but we must at least try to get along with the Phenex Peerage."
Jon took a breath and calmed himself down. "You're right, Ju'Kara. Forgive me."
She smiled and shook her head at him. "You needn't apologise to me, Sir. But it'd be remiss of me not to step in when you get...territorial at the wrong time."
Ravel smiled at him lovingly. "You give your Treasures nicknames? That's so romantic." She pressed herself up against him and fluttered her eyelashes. "So when I join your Peerage, what will MY nickname be?"
Koneko's eyebrow twitched angrily. "You already have a nickname. It's Chicken Girl."
Ravel wheeled around and flared fire through her teeth. "Call me that one more time, little hussy, and I will end you!"
She beckoned her forward undeterred. "Come get some, Little Miss Hoity Toity."
Jon brought two fingers up to his lips and whistled sharply. "Girls, come on! Now I get y'all can't stand each other but this is getting out of hand. Akeno's right. Now is seriously not the time to be at each other's throats." He turned towards the Gremory Rook. "Kani, please. We can discuss this later, but right now I need you to at least try to get along with Ravel. Just until the battle is over."
Koneko narrowed her eyes at Ravel spitefully, a low menacing growl that almost sounded like a cat yowl emanating from the back of her throat.
"Kani...I'll do that thing you like when we get back." Jon offered smoothly.
She immediately perked up. "You mean…"
He nodded. "Two hours of nonstop ear scratching and cuddling with the TV on."
Koneko grumbled under her breath complacently. "Fine…"
"Hmph!" Ravel crossed her arms and stuck her nose up in the air.
Riser sighed wearily before addressing Jon again. "We're dealing with about three hundred and twenty Fallen Angels. All of which appear to be two winged."
"That's it?" Jon sounded skeptical. "Hell, I could almost take care of that myself."
He smirked condescendingly at him. "That's an awfully bold claim, Ddraig. Even for a Dragon."
"Notice I said almost." He retorted just as condescendingly. "But seriously. This can't be all the forces Kokabiel has at his disposal."
"It isn't, I assure you. I'm not sure why Kokabiel only bothered to send this paltry force against us but as it stands this is what we're dealing with."
"He's buying time." Jon surmised. "This whole farce of a war is just one long delaying tactic."
"My Queen is currently leading our Peerage in a little diversion of our own." Riser boasted pridefully. "Her Bomb Magic has completely halted their advance."
He quirked an intrigued brow at Riser. "Not bad Blue Blood. Your team must have started working out since the Rating Game."
"It's due to the Phoenix Spirit inside him." Ravel explained just as pridefully. "Since his power has increased hers has as well."
"Evil Pieces gain power whenever their King increases their own strength." Akeno explained. "It's the same for us too. Since Rias has tapped into her full power we will slowly become stronger as well."
Koneko knocked her gloved hands together, creating a small shockwave.
"Each one of these Fallen has strength comparable to that of Raynare." Akeno warned. "They're a crafty lot, so keep your guard up."
Jon ran a finger through the black feathers in his hat before popping a smoke in his mouth and lighting up.
"Alright then. No more dicking around. It's time to stretch our legs and get in the fight."
Rias Gremory locked eyes with Ramiel, who continued to silently glare back at her. He blew a breath through pursed lips before shaking his head in exasperation.
"You know, I'm beginning to understand what Father means when he says we don't hurry enough." He then turned and looked at his downed sister. "You okay?"
Tamiel rose back up to her feet shakily, groaning in pain as red static sparked off her body. "Fucking bitch." She griped complacently before picking up her phone and checking it. "My screen better not be cracked."
While Tamiel and Ramiel regrouped, Rias spotted a wounded Kiba and motioned to her Bishop. "Asia, see to our Knight please."
"Right!" Asia quickly scampered over to Kiba and began using her Twilight Healing on him.
"The rest of you please stand back. I can take it from here."
As she spoke, a red and black aura surrounded her body
"Don't get full of yourself just yet." Tamiel sneered at her angrily. "You got me while my back was turned."
"I'm surprised the mage you've got tucked away down there managed to get that portal up so fast." Ramiel marveled.
"It would have taken longer had my familiar not been waiting on standby." Rias admitted before turning to the girl with bat wings on her left. Her familiar waved at them in a friendly manner before turning into a bat and flying away.
"You devils and your familiars, I swear." He chuckled in amusement. "It's so cute how you adopt stray spirits as pets."
"It's also cute how you two keep pretending you're adults." Rias retorted with a chiding grin. "Reminds of a five year old wearing their Father's clothes."
Tamiel's expression darkened further. "Okay that does it. Ramiel, let me shut this one up please?"
He shrugged. "Knock yourself out, Sis. You almost did already."
"Oh HA fucking HA!' Her eyes narrowed murderously at her opponent. "Now don't blink, or you'll miss it."
Three slashes punctuated the air around Rias, all of which immediately shattered upon trying to make contact with her body.
Tamiel took a step back. "Th...that's not right." She turned her gaze sharply to Ramiel. "Brother, why isn't she dying?"
He sighed wearily. "I was afraid of this. She's awakened the full potential of the Power of Destruction."
"You mean that thing that Salazar wouldn't shut up about?" Tamiel asked impatiently. "What's that got to do with anything?"
"The Power of Destruction is Demonic Energy in its purest form. Able to destroy both physical and metaphysical properties alike….including magic." Rias explained proudly. "Legend says that one who Masters it's full potential can even destroy the very fabric of reality. It is the ultimate weapon of Chaos." She then cocked her hip and taunted Tamiel further. "Your flimsy Time Magic can't hold up to my barrier. Not in a million years."
Tamiel growled in frustration. "I'll show you flimsy!"
"Tamiel, that's enough." Her Brother calmly insisted. "I'll take it from here."
"You think you're better than me, Slut?" She was completely ignoring him as she slowly brought her own terrible power to bare. "You're nothing but a third rate wannabe-"
Her Brother rolled his eyes. "Okay, we're done here."
He tossed Tamiel the Holy Swords and, with a snap of his fingers, a portal opened under her feet. She yelled indignantly as she was unceremoniously dropped through the floor to parts unknown. The portal shut behind her with another snap of his fingers.
Rias glowered upon seeing the Holy Swords disappear.
"Sorry about her. She gets a little cranky when things don't go her way."
"How the fuck did he…" Sammy shook his head in denial at what he just saw. "...there's no way he could have conjured a portal that quickly with the barrier up!"
Ramiel guffawed obtusely at him. "Maybe for you normies who use the leylines to get around. Me? I just bend two points in space together and connect them." He summoned his power and opened a small portal in the palm of his hand. "I possess Spacial Magic. The tricks I can pull off make that pocket dimension crap you Devils use look like analogue in comparison."
Rias chuckled in amusement. "Space and Time magic. You two make quite a pair." She then narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously. "Unless I'm mistaken, those are traits wholly unique to one particular clan in the Underworld. The Agares Clan."
At the mention of the Agares Clan, Ramiel frowned sourly.
"Agares…" Irina shivered at the name. "...ranked second among the Seventy Two Pillars of Hell. He who is under the power of the East. He who stops runaway persons."
"Aside from the Bael Clan, the Agares family are considered to be the most powerful and influential Devils in the Underworld." Rias explained. "However...there's an old legend regarding the Agares Clan that many in the family have tried to keep hidden. It's their dirty little secret as it were. Their bloodline...is tainted."
The more Rias talked, the darker Ramiel's expression became.
"Many centuries ago, the Head of the Agares Clan gave birth to twins. Two identical girls who were as powerful as they were beautiful. It was said that their Mastery over Space and Time was so great that they were even able to glimpse into the future in the form of prophetic visions. Though identical in almost every conceivable way, the two girls shared one major difference."
Rias brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes before continuing.
"The first twin, Maevra, received visions of a glorious future for their Clan. While the other twin, Eurus, foretold ruin and destruction awaiting them. What neither twin knew, was that they were both receiving two halves of a single vision."
Ramiel bit through his lip, drawing blood in the process.
"Both women could see the exact same scene play out with vastly different interpretations. Where Maevra saw hope, triumph, and fortune. Eurus could see only pain, suffering, and misery. As a result, one child became a gifted profit and the heir to her clan." With a sadistic chuckle she then added. "And the other...was driven mad."
"Uhh, Rias?" Sammy spoke up in confusion. "As interesting as this is I don't see how it's-"
"Let her finish." Xenovia shushed him.
"The visions Eurus received eventually became too much for her to bare. In a fit of madness she stabbed her own eyes out to get them to stop. Unfortunately, this only made the problem worse. Now her visions were the ONLY thing she could see."
"You don't know what you're talking about…" Ramiel spoke scornfully.
"Oh but I do. You see, it was my Brother's Queen who hunted down and KILLED your Mother, Ramiel." Rias taunted mercilessly.
Sammy went wide eyed at that statement. "Wait...Tamiel and Ramiel's mother is a Devil?"
"They're Hybrids." Xenovia declared. "Beings formed between the union of two opposing species. From what I understand it is considered to be INCREDIBLY taboo among the three factions."
Rias shook her head pitifully. "We knew she had gone mad, but to fall so low as to marry a wretch like Kokabiel, I'm not sure who I pity more. You or the Madwoman who gave birth to you."
"Shut your whore mouth!" Ramiel finally snapped. "You have no earthly idea what it's like to be cursed with these visions! They banished our Mother from her own realm and branded her a monster. All because they didn't want to hear the truth!"
Rias quirked a brow at him haughtily. "And what truth would that be?"
He smiled again. It was a malicious, scornful smile, but a smile nonetheless. "The same truth I see in my eyes every single day. A world on fire, heaven and hell burning, war, death, extinction." Ramiel chuckled and turned his bitter gaze towards the burning city. "What you see there, that is the future. And you may scorn us for bringing it closer to fruition but we only do what is necessary. The established order cannot continue. The three factions, the codes, the ethics...the justifications…the..." He slapped his head repeatedly to get the buzzing thoughts out of his brain. "The fucking bullshit! All of it! Nothing but air from an overinflated set of lungs!"
Ramiel quickly regained control of himself and continued.
"The dichotomy of it all...it makes me sick. Good and Bad are fairy tales. We have evolved to attach emotional significance to what is nothing more than a survival strategy. We're conditioned to invest divinity in utility. But 'Good' isn't truly right and 'Bad' isn't truly wrong. Boobs aren't really hot. The Beatles AREN'T the best band in the world! ALL of it is subjective! We are all just prisoners of our own meat!"
They were all looking at Ramiel in a completely different light now. He looked...lost. Like his own thoughts were slowly poisoning him.
"And Ddraig? Your little Boy Toy?" He seethed. "He's the worst of all. A being with the powers of a God who wastes his time collecting 'Treasures'. Tributes of flesh with which to amuse and distract himself with. All so that he doesn't have to face the inner turmoil of his own hollow existence. They say Fallen Angel's are power junkies but the REAL addicts are Dragons. Always chasing the next emotional high. Surrounding themselves with frivolous junk and cheap whores so they don't ever have to face what they truly fear most...boredom."
Now Rias was the one scowling.
"That's what Dragons are truly afraid of. Boredom, tedium, monotony. They sit upon their high mountain passes, sneering at the lesser beings whom they begrudgingly share a planet with, picking only the most beautiful and shiny things this world has to offer them to live in their world." He pointed at Rias accusingly. "That is what you truly are, Rias. A pretty, shiny, THING whom your precious Dragon has deigned to allow into his world."
He turned around and raised his hands up towards the sky.
"My Sister and I have done away with such base concepts of desire and want. I worship the Primordial Truth of the Universe. The answer to the unanswerable. The Great Force of Change….the Balance Breaker."
He turned back towards them and unfurled his wings. One Devil, and one Fallen Angel.
"I...am an agent of CHAOS." Ramiel declared. "Every moment of anger, hate, deceit, pain, suffering, pleasure, and desire is mirrored in the power of Chaos. When our legions march, they will do so to return upon this plain of existence a ruin which it has brought upon itself."
Ramiel cackled with delight. "Long shall be your suffering! Joyous shall be your pain!" He preached as if reciting to a congregation. "Your shrines burning, your streets run red with blood, your false idols shattered, your people slaughtered by the thousands, your very planet torn apart. We shall free ourselves of the burden of established order and purify this world in a baptism of hatred."
At last, he faced Rias again. Finally ending his long winded speech.
"You will be but the first. Once I've torn everything you hold dear asunder, then...only then will the visions stop. Only then will I know peace."
All was silent. No one said a word at the conclusion of his horrifying declaration.
Until at last, Rias smiled and spoke.
"Is that all?"
He glared at her in disbelief. As did everyone else.
"You're really finished then?" She continued undeterred. "That's everything?"
"Yes." He spoke with an annoyed edge in his voice.
"A shame." She spoke plainly. "I had hoped your motivations might be a little less predictable."
"The hell do you know?" He seethed. "You rich, spoiled, entitled, little-"
"You're absolutely right." Rias cut him off sharply. "About my status. About my privilege." She clutched a hand to her chest. "About Jon…"
Irina quirked her head at her curiously.
"I am a Dragon's Treasure. My heart belongs solely to him. Why? How should I know? Jon has power, he has charisma, and he has my undying love. I don't question it. I don't fear it." Rias turned and glared back at Irina hatefully. "And I don't run from it."
Irina cast her gaze away woefully.
"That's all the reasons I need." Rias continued. "Whatever grand visions for the future God, the Four Satans, your insipid order, or whoever has, I couldn't care less about any of them." She laughed. "Plot your little schemes, spring your little traps, I am above ALL of it. We are ALL above all of it. Me, my Queen, my Bishop, my Rook. We accepted this gladly because our hearts demanded it. We didn't ask why or how, it didn't matter. We don't CARE."
Asia smiled at Rias as she continued her speech.
"Because at the end of the day, whether we can explain it or not, Jon gives us all something that no one else can. He gives us Joy, he gives us peace of mind, but more than any of that, with Jon...we are content. With Jon, we feel ALIVE."
Rias pointed back at Irina again.
"I'm not some blind fool like you two are. I won't give up feeling alive just for the sake of my principles. What even ARE your principles anyway, hmm? Have they ever made you smile? Made you laugh? Made you cum? No? Jon does ALL those things for me."
The more Rias boasted the more livid Ramiel became. Irina, meanwhile, wasn't far behind him.
"Glare at me all you want, it doesn't change anything. For all your talk of being above the Three Factions you sure share a lot in common with one of them. Now granted, you are still different. That little trollope over there thinks the only way she's ever going to be happy is by pretending her feelings don't exist. Meanwhile, you won't be content until the whole world is as miserable as you are."
His whole body quivered in rage.
"But at your core, you're both the same. You and Irina, you'll both spend your whole lives chasing imaginary butterflies. Whereas I'm the kind of girl who enjoys having an expensive glass of chardonnay in one hand, and my girlfriend's breast in the other."
Asia turned her head away and blushed fiercely.
"The thing is…" Rias's wicked smile widened. "...I can have what I seek. Had it even. Plenty of times. But you? So long as you continue to be a slave to the rigid dogma by which you live your life...your hands will ALWAYS be as empty as you are."
Ramiel yelled with beastial vigor before taking to the sky. Two Swords of Light appeared in his hands as well as five floating above his head as his clothes vanished, replaced with black leather armor complete with shoulder spikes.
"Know this! I will destroy all that you hold dear! What has come to pass is no longer war! It is endless sacrifice! Blood for blood! LET THIS WORLD DROWN IN IT!"
Rias's body ignited with power and her hair blew up into the air. Her eyes glowed with demonic energy and her wings sprouted from her back.
He could bite and gnash his teeth all he wanted. The God he called Chaos did not scare her.
After all, it was nothing compared to the Chaos she now harnessed.
Jon fired off three rounds from Devil's Colt, hitting three Fallen Angels square in the chest. All of which fell to the city below.
"Great shot, Darling!" Ravel giggled at him with a hand up to her lips. "That's why you're my number one Hunter."
Koneko rolled her eyes and scoffed at the sappy display. "Hey Jon! Check this out!"
She hit another Fallen Angel with a spinning kick that formed into a hurricane. The force of the winds blew two more Fallen into its gust before sending them flying with her foot.
"Nice one!" He called back to her.
Ravel folded her arms and huffed. Suddenly, a wicked little idea popped into her head.
"Ohhhh…." She placed a hand on her forehead dramatically and began floating backwards into his arms. "...the battle fatigue is setting in. I'm suddenly so woozy."
"That's not a thing!" Koneko argued.
"Of course it is." Ravel insisted while making herself nice and comfy in Jon's left arm. "The same thing happened to me last week."
He sighed in weary resignation before popping another Fallen Angel in the chest.
"Oh no…" Koneko placed a hand on her head same as how Ravel did. "...suddenly I'm dizzy too."
Koneko sunk herself into Jon's other arm. Her acting was even worse than Ravel's was, though somehow he suspected she didn't care. Both girls locked eyes with each other spitefully as they clung to him.
"Jesus…would you two get a grip, please? Now is really not the time for-"
Before Jon could finish his thought the sound of Akeno crying out in pain caught his ears. He quickly swiveled his head to see his Treasure get knocked back by a spear of light detonating in her face.
"Akeno!" He left Koneko and Ravel behind and quickly soared over to her. Koneko was not far behind him, followed tentatively by Ravel.
"You alright?" Jon asked with grave concern.
"I'm fine Master." The Gremory Queen was still standing but it was clear she had taken a few hits. "But something isn't right."
Jon turned to see what it was she was narrowing her eyes at. A Two Winged Angel holding a Spear of Light grinned down at them snidely, a dark aura radiating off her features.
"She's way too strong to be a simple Two Winged Angel." Akeno insisted. "I'm afraid we may have stumbled into a trap."
At that moment another pained shout punctuated the air. Everyone turned to see the Bomb Queen falling from the sky, electricity dancing off her skin.
"Yubelluna!" Riser swooped down and caught her as she fell. "Mihae, Ravel, I need you here now!"
"Coming!" Ravel quickly dashed over to her Brother while the others regained their wits.
"What the hell is going on here?" Jon summoned Heaven's Revolver to his other hand.
"So at long last the infamous Red Dragon Emperor graces us with his presence. You certainly have been difficult to coax out of hiding."
A male Angel descended next to the one who had attacked Akeno, followed by a female directly beside him.
"My name is Batraal." The heavily pierced Fallen Angel introduced. "And these are my associates, Danel and Turel."
"We are members of the 200 Watchers." Danel boasted.
"Each of us is an elite without peer. The very best of Lord Kokabiel's forces. By our hand, you shall meet your death, Dragon Emperor." Turel finished.
Black armor formed on the three Angel's bodies. Along with three more sets of wings which sprouted from each of their backs. Revealing their true nature as Eight Winged Angels.
The power they radiated was ungodly.
"So Kokabiel brought some of his heavyweights out to play." Jon grinned before vanishing his guns and removing his hat. "About time, if you ask me."
Akeno glared coldly at the Watchers. "You are considered some of the most powerful the Fallen has to offer. Why do you follow the Angel of Stars? Semiazaz may have been a misguided tyrant but she was at least rational. Kokabiel is a mad man. Surely you must see this."
"Semiazaz would have left us to rot." Batraal snarled viciously. "Kokabiel understands what Azazel and the other members of our race are too weak and too blind to see."
"The Three Factions can no longer continue." Danel spoke up. "What those thick headed fools fail to understand is that not only can they never defeat us, but they cannot hide nor flee nor shield themselves from the triumph of Chaos."
"They are finite and we are unbound, undivided." Turel boasted. "They must not err lest they be labeled traitors and heretics. Yet those who fall join our cause. Every outcast who dares to open his eyes is a willing recruit. The Factions strive merely to hold back our might and it consumes them."
"Thus you can see." Batraal finished. "Chaos is inevitable. We lurk not only beyond their grasp and at their gates. We lurk within the darkness of their souls. We are them, but freed from the shackles of ignorance.
"We are them grown strong, evolved."
"We are them, but so much more!"
The three Watchers summoned a powerful Lance of pure light in one hand and a shield in the other. With their weapons at their sides, Kokabiel's Elite charged into battle.
Aldin Zefford walked out to the peer of his Summer Estate and sat in the folding chair that was still resting there. With a heavy sigh he cast his line and began to fish.
"Come to keep little old me company?" He joked to the figure standing at the very end of the peer.
"Funny, I didn't think a being like you needed company." The man with silver hair spoke, his face illuminated by the light of his phone.
"Still learning all you can about the big bad world?" Aldin asked before readjusting his line.
"If nonsensical slogans attached to idiotic pictures of domestic animals counts as the world."
He turned and quirked a brow at him. "Excuse me?"
The man looked up and showed him his screen. "Memes."
Aldin laughed heartily. "You've been out of touch with the world for awhile now. How's it feel to be back?"
"It's not like anyone gave me a handbook on how to live in the 21st century. I've been winging it." He looked around. "Speaking of which, can I assume all of this is the product of some incredibly depressing midlife crisis?"
"I'm extremely old. I think I'm entitled." He replied jokingly.
"I assume you've at least kept an eye on him?"
"Of course." Aldin recast his line. "You know he's sided with the Devils?"
He rolled his eyes. "Fucking typical. What about Lucifer? What's he been up to?"
Aldin shrugged. "Well there's only what we know. He pretty much runs the global economy now. He single handedly started WWI. Along with God only knows what else…probably Disco."
"Any good knews?"
"The human race is about to go extinct."
He gave Aldin a weird look. "Not sure you quite understand the definition of good news."
"I did say ABOUT to." Aldin chuckled. "Your favorite Superhero will be swooping in to save the day."
"Does he know you know me?"
He shook his head. "He doesn't even know who I am yet."
A wicked grin spread over his lips. "So you lied to him."
"I didn't lie." Aldin assured. "I just avoided telling him certain truths."
The man turned around and put his phone away. "Best keep it that way. At least until I've had a chance to say hi."
"Planning on helping?"
"No...just watching. Something you're already keenly proficient at." He checked the name engraved on the placard of the peer. "Take care of yourself...Mr. Zefford."
The silver haired man vanished in a portal of blue energy.
"You as well...Albion."
