CHAPTER 26
As the italian nun screamed in absolute pain, Dohnaseek basked in his victory to have aclaimed her Sacred Gear, Twilight Healing.
Thus, he was smirking smugly when two rings fell into his awaiting hands in a soft green glow.
His victoriously smug gaze changed from the already unconsious, soon to be dead, nun to the barely conscious Raynare, who had her wrists and ankles chained to the wall behind Asia. Yet, the female Fallen Angel, even in her state, she looked at him with a gaze of pure hatred.
He put on a show as he put on the rings on each ring finger, his smirk widening as he felt the power of the Sacred Gear enter his body.
Yes, this power, even if it was solely for healing, shouldn't be used by humans. More so when it was an innocent nun that wielded said power up until just a few seconds ago.
Then, Dohnaseek turned towards the commotion he had heard just before the ritual came to its end.
If it was possible, he felt even more smugness upon the sight of a wide-eyed in shock and horror Issei Hyoudou and the stern gazes of the Devils, led by the notorious Rias Gremory as they were just a step behind the brunet teen.
However, just as he was about to gloat at them, specifically the boy, Dohnaseek noticed something on the brunet's left arm that hadn't been there the last time he had seen him, which stopped him dead in his tracks.
The gauntlet of the Red Dragon Emperor.
"The Sekiryuutei?!" he muttered under his breath in astonishment.
If he had paid attention anywhere that wasn't the brunet's arm, the Fallen Angel would have seen Raynare's expression matching his own upon seeing Issei and the Devils there, albeit hers also had joy and hope mixed in, as well as the surprise of the brunet being the Red Dragon Emperor.
That, and the brunet's expression being hidden by his front hair.
Even Asia regained consciousness for a second and managed to get a glimpse of her friend through her bleary eyes. She lost it immediately after, but there was a smile on her face, probably happy that her friend kept his promise.
Dohnaseek shook his head to regain his composure and, once that was done, his expression returned to what it was before. Especially since the forty-something exorcists brandished their weapons towards the small group. "It seems you're a little late, Sekiryuutei. Although, even if you are the Sekiryuutei, you're just a human. Therefore, had you come here any sooner, you wouldn't have been able to save little Asia." he gloated smugly, ignoring the dark crimson aura appearing around the brunet.
The boy didn't respond to him, like he hoped. The Fallen Angel wanted the human to wail and plead for Asia's life and Sacred Gear like the helpless teenager that he was.
Instead, he saw Rias Gremory step forward in an elegant way, standing on the brunet's left side as she addressed him in a professional tone. "Greetings, Fallen Angel Dohnaseek. I am Rias Gremory of the House of Gremory and this" she gestured at her entourage. "is my Peerage. Ise is my contracted magician, as I'm sure you know."
"Indeed, I do, Rias Gremory." Dohnaseek confirmed, his smug expression turning a little malicious. "As I do know that you're in charge of Kuoh town. That said, unless you want to start a war between our Factions, I would advise you to take your leave."
The Fallen Angel didn't expect the redhead smirk knowingly at him. "I'm not so sure about that." she dismissed his unsubtle threat. "In fact, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the Archduke's orders. After all, according to your own organisation, the entire group here is considered a rogue one." she revealed nonchalantly, her own expression becoming a little smug at the end. "And, even if I wouldn't be here, my contracted magician would have come, regardless of my wishes on the matter." she added as an afterthought, ignoring the irritation she felt at her own words, especially since they were true.
For the second time that night, Dohnaseek lost his smugness, overcome by shock at the revelation about the group.
Then, a thought crossed his mind. One that managed to make him forget his shock and replace it with pure malice.
Rias noticed his change in demeanor and she, along with her servants narrowed their eyes suspiciously at the Fallen Angel.
The group of Devils were also internally surprised that the brunet had stayed silent up until this point.
That said, they were the only ones in the surprisingly wide room that were unnerved by the dark crimson aura around Issei. And Rias had taken it upon herself to do the talking, since the brunet was in some kind of turmoil that he didn't seem able to escape from any time soon, thus buying him as much time as she could.
"Then," Dohnaseek's dark tone drew the Devils' attention. "since we are to be exterminated anyway, I suppose that taking down the sister of Sirzechs Lucifer with me won't affect the Fallen Angels and, therefore, there won't be another Great War." he thought aloud, glaring at the redhead from his position like a predator as he revealed his black feathered wings.
The Devils showed no reaction at the sight of his four wings, indicating that the Fallen Angel had gained more power. The output he was giving off was something the group of four would be able to handle just fine.
That is, if there weren't forty-something exorcists just waiting for the signal to pounce on them and Issei being motionless the moment he stepped into the room.
"Kukukuku! Hahahahahahaha!" Dohnaseek's maniacal laughter drew their attention off of the brunet once again.
"Ise, whatever is going on in your head, it's time you snap out of it." Rias whispered to him as she prepared herself for battle, a crimson and black aura around her, with her Peerage coming on either side of her and Issei, taking their own stances. She had done what she could to buy some time. Now, it was time for her magician to snap out of whatever was happening to him.
Akeno had even changed to a miko outfit, one that shrine maidens wore. Kiba had produced a sword with his Sacred Gear, Sword Birth, as he took a basic Kendo stance. Koneko just cracked her knuckles.
All four Devils glared at everyone before them, with their adversaries wearing matching expressions directed at them.
The tension in the room reached its peak.
And that's when it happened.
There was no warning, no move, no anything.
A shockwave of something engulfed the entire room in less than a second. Yet, noone moved from their positions.
There was a moment that time seemed to stop.
Then, it returned with unprecedented results.
THUD THUD THUD THUD THUD THUD THUD THUD THUD THUD THUD THUD THUD THUD THUD
One by one, all the exorcists fell to the ground like sacks of potatoes, unconscious, their eyes rolled to the back of their heads and foaming at their mouths.
Dohnaseek, who was trembling because of the shockwave that had passed over him, could only look in shock and horror at the sight of his subordinates somehow getting out of commission. He knew that the silent Sekiryuutei had something to do with this development, but he couldn't even think as to how exactly it happened.
The Devils were understandably shocked as well. Koneko more so than anyone else as she looked at the brunet boy in a mixture of awe, amazement, comprehension and fear.
Raynare, who was fully conscious, despite her beaten up state and the chains that held her on the wall, was also shocked about what just happened, if her wide eyes in disbelief, that matched eveyone else's, were any indication. "Wh-What happened?" she was the only one to voice in a whisper, that was heard throughout the deathly silent room, what was on her fellow Fallen Angel's and the Devil's minds.
"YOU!" Dohnaseek seethed in utter rage as he glared hatefully at the brunet boy, making the Devils and Raynare jump a little in surprise due to how loud he was. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" he demanded with a scream, flaring all his unholy power towards the boy and, by extension, the Devils around him.
Said Devils suppressed a shiver, since the Fallen Angel's power was their weakness and their insticts reminded them of that little fact.
step
Despite how light it was, that one step forward made by Issei was the loudest one he had made in front of people ever since Rin left.
It made the Devils and Raynare shiver in visible terror just by hearing it.
Dohnaseek was in his own world of pure, unadulterated fury to even care about such a small detail.
step
Another step, followed by the dark crimson aura around Issei intensifying in a significant amount, almost to the point of solidifying like an extra skin.
Again, the delirious from anger Fallen Angel ignored that detail as he breathed harshly and gritted his teeth.
step
The third step was the final one as Issei stopped moving, making the already thick tension in the room reach unbelievable levels.
[Fallen Angel Dohnaseek.] Ddraig surprised everyone with his grim, stern, booming voice, the green jewel on the gauntlet glowing erratically as he spoke. [You have made a terrible mistake. Yet, I should thank you for your foolishness. Because, even if it was an extremelly painful experience for my partner, your actions have managed to help him.]
"What are you talking about, Heavenly Dragon?" Dohnaseek voiced the confusion he and everyone that wasn't Issei felt at the Dragon's words, his enraged eyes never leaving the brunet in question.
[The nun.] Ddraig explained, his voice sounding stronger than before, although it still carried its grim and stern tone. [By extracting her Sacred Gear and by extension killing her, was the catalyst my partner needed to reach it.] he emphasized his last word, albeit in a cryptic way.
"It?" Rias inquired in confusion, tilting her head a little to the left to have a better view at the gauntlet.
"It?" Dohnaseek parroted, sharing the redhead's sentiment on the matter.
Kiba was the only one that understood what the Dragon was implying, but he was unable to say anything due to the shock he felt. After all, he and his comrades were about to be whitnesses to an once in a lifetime spectacle. His eyes reflected the awe and disbelief he felt about what was going to happen in a few seconds.
[Give him hell, partner. And, even though the circumstanses are not favourable, congratulations are in order.] Ddraig ignored the two that voiced their confusion as he spoke in a strong, proud, yet a little remorseful tone.
As soon as the Dragon finished speaking, a bright, blinding crimson light enveloped the brunet teen, making everyone shield their eyes with their forearms.
Raynare just forced hers shut tightly.
Then, a wave of unparalleled power washed over the entire room, feeling like gravity was reversed in a violent way.
The Devils and Raynare felt a small weight drop on their shoulders, which surprised them, considering the sheer amount of power Issei emanated through the blinding crimson light.
However, since Dohnaseek was the one this feeling was aimed at in the first place, the Fallen Angel fell flat on his stomach, forming spider webs around his body from the force that fell on his being, the air in his lungs vanishing in a violent way. His expression was that of shock and horror and his mouth was opened in a silent scream of agony.
Just when the power, seemingly, rose to its peak, Ddraig made a booming announcement that sent shivers down everyone's spines.
[WELSH DRAGON BALANCE BREAKER: SCAIL MAIL]
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In a relatively remote area of Kuoh town, two certain individuals played a fighting video game at one's home.
Both were dressed in their pajamas and wore competitive smirks as they tried to beat one another, smashing buttons left and right in an attempt to do so.
Suddenly, however, both stiffened at the feeling of power that washed over them and most likely the entirety of Kuoh.
"So, it seems that Dohnaseek's plan, while a success, backfired on him in a spectacular fashion!" one of them said in a laid-back, yet excited manner.
"Yeah." the other agreed simply. "Hopefully, Hyoudou will be a challenge when we fight!" they grinned in anticipation.
"At least, you have some self-control!" the first teased in a sarcastic tone.
"Much more than you do when you encounter peculiar Sacred Gear holders. I'm the prime example of that." the second deadpanned.
"That's true!" the first laughed shamelessly.
The second person shook their head, before both returned their attention to their game. "I'll smash your face in!"
"In your dreams!"
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Sona and her Peerage were at the SCO, finishing up their paperwork, while also waiting for Rias' news about what was happening.
Apart from Tsubaki, Yura, Momo and Reya, Sona had added three more Peerage members, whom she made part of the Student Council.
Tsubaki was her Queen, Yura was a Rook, Momo and Reya were both Bishops.
The three additions were Tomoe Meguri, a second year student, Genshirou Saji, same age as the former and a first year girl, that went by the name Ruruko Nimura.
The latter was a Pawn, plain and simple. Saji, due to his Sacred Gear, Absorption Line, which was one of the four or five parts of the Dragon King Vritra, took four Pawns, leaving Sona with three more. As for Tomoe, she became the first Kight of the group.
Just as they finished their tasks, a wave of power washed over them and they all shuddered, Sona included.
"Wh-What was that, Kaichou?!" Saji exclaimed in a mixture of shock and worry with a small stutter, staring at his King with a matching expression.
In fact, everyone, even Tsubaki, looked at Sona the same way, who was the only one that was calm and collected, despite her earlier shudder.
"That," Sona fixed her glasses, making the light in the room reflect in an ominous way that matched her tone. "was Hyoudou Issei releasing his full power as the Sekiryuutei. Whatever happens in that church must be bad enough to make him do so." she analysed clinically.
Not too far from the truth, but she was smart enough to come close to such a conclusion.
"Seriously...?!" Saji muttered under his breath, but was easily heard in the silent room, his voice showing a mix of awe, amazement and fear.
Sona understood those emotions. Despinte not showing it, she felt the same way as her Pawn. After all, the amount of power she and the others felt, completely surpassed their combined might by a large margin. "Yes." she confirmed in her business-like tone.
Then, in the same tone, that held a hint of warning in it, she reminded them a small fact that sent shivers down the spines of her servants.
"Keep in mind that Hyoudou-kun is still a human, which makes the fact that he has so much power an extraordinary one in its own right."
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