Heyya Guys! Sorry for delay. No real excuse this time…I just did nothing…glorious nothing. Twas wonderous tho.
Hope you enjoy!
xx
I pointed at him, "So what if God is dead? So what if the Factions aren't as strong as they used to be? We are here, we are alive, and we sure as hell aren't dead yet."
I walked forward, power blooming off my form as I took the argument in my stride, and shattered the hopelessness my friends felt grip their hearts as I lit up the sky with white light and warmth. I pushed my aura outwards, the calm, the soothing, the kind that told you everything was going to be alright.
"Your little complaints are hardly valid justifications for the destruction of our homes and the deaths of friends! You want a War…fuck you."
I glared at him powerfully, "Fuck you and the wings you flew in on, Birdy."
XXXX
"What he said." I heard a voice behind me, and I felt another power surge, though it wasn't quite as visible…but definitely there. Issei stepped forward, his steps definitely commanding authority as he stood next to me, "None of this is going to stop my dream! I will be…the Harem King!"
God damn it. Can you not keep your raging libido in your pants for one second! I stared at him in stupor, before it smoothed off into a smile, and I ruffled his hair with a with a grin, "You idiot, that doesn't sound cool at all."
"Shut up!" he growled at me playfully, before turning to Kokabeil with a raised gauntlet fist. "I won't let you, or anyone stop me from achieving my dream!"
Kokabeil laughed, "Harem King? Ha! How easy! That's the Red Dragon Emperor's Goal? Then leave behind this fodder...Follow me."
Issie staggered, not expecting such a reply, and my smile melted off as I saw him actually falter at what he said next. "You'll be come the Harem King in no time." Kokabeil said with a wide smile, "Wherever you go, I'll provide you with the most beautiful women. They'll be yours for the taking…or anything."
"Those…those sweet words of yours…can't fool me!" Issei said, though one look could see a perverted grin trying to etch itself onto his features. I cuffed him right upside the head, shaking my head.
"Did you forget about Raynare already?" I asked him flatly, and his entire demeanor changed.
"No."
We stared at each other hard, "Was she real?"
"Yes."
"Was…it real?"
"…no."
"Then you know his offer is a massive load of horse shit."
Issei turned, his mood fouled by my bringing up the Fallen that led him to all of this.
"Then what of you, Human?...in fact, you hardly seemed surprised at the reveal of God's Death…did you perhaps already know?"
All eyes snapped to me, and I shrugged, "Call it an idle guess. I never believed in him anyway."
Kokabeil laughed, "You were born with such gifts, and didn't believe it was a sign of some kind! How arrogant!"
I glared at him, "These "gifts" never brought me fortune. How could I be thankful for a…curse."
Kokabeil regarded me, the first time I had ever seen caution…Issei's Guantlet was glowing a dangerous green.
"Then why not join me? Live past this War, live to see the greatest heights you can reach…Test yourself against the Gods! I can show you it! I can lead you all the way to the Gates of Heaven! An army behind you! We can-."
"Oh stop with this "we" shit." I said crassly, "you've sown enough damage for one day. Let's just settle this."
Kokabeil grinned, "Oh? A final attack!? I welcome it! Come at me, Strongest Human!"
Issei held his gauntlet out, "Here, take it."
"No."
Issei flinched, "No?"
I walked forward, "No, I can't handle that output, I'm not a Devil remember? I'd pop."
"Then what are you going to do!?"
I just smiled at him, "Watch."
I turned back to Kokabeil, "I'll make you a deal, Birdy."
"State it."
"Don't die, and I'll give you some bread."
Kokabeil glared at me, "Face it, your weakness is as clear as day, don't test me human. You had your chance and missed it!"
Kokabeil took to the skies, "I have had enough! Vanish alongside this trash!"
I called out, "Aella." Wind blew suddenly, and I felt her invisible presence wrap around my neck and shoulders.
"It's gotta end in this one attack, got any ideas?" I whispered, and Aella…was happy? I could barely get a word in before I lost contact with the ground as she shot high into the air, clouds raging as her presence magnified their energies. Shot straight into the clouds with me. her large foggy black wings almost staining the sky as they seemed to dissipate into the storm, enhancing it, making it darker, stronger.
'It's time.'
'It's finally here!'
'The culmination'
'The Peak!'
'The Greatest Display! The first of us to succeed!'
I felt confusion and worry seep into my soul as quite voices suddenly had a lot to say.
"Become one with me." Aella whispered into my ear, and I felt fire run to my face as we floated high in the air amongst the darkened clouds.
"U-Uuh, right now?"
This is not what I had in mind! I'm misunderstanding something!
"Fear not, it will be over in an instant."
I felt my mind freeze for a second, before her comment pinged off my realization like a rock on a windshield, a tick mark quickly forming on my head.
"I might be inexperienced but I sure as hell would last longer than a second!"
Aella…laughed.
I froze, tensing suddenly as lighting suddenly seemed to circle us, racing across the tops of these sporadic winds and clouds.
"Ready your fist, Ready your soul." Aella said powerfully, and her wings expanded. I looked up in shock to see her wings connecting with them, and her wings suddenly flowed into an angelic white, her feathers jagged edges of terrifying white lighting as she made the skies vibrate.
This is it.
This is the final attack.
The moment.
I will live!
I will go home after this!
I Will Not Die Here.
"Strike!"
I readied my fist on instinct, and I felt her wings suddenly snap, and time slowed. All my power condensed itself into my fist, my barrier shrinking off and my rage knitting itself into my knuckles. I felt electricity enter my veins, and space distorted. I felt reality ripple like waves as I broke through its constraints, I threatened the constant of time as I surpassed even its ability to measure my speed. All I could do was let lose my fist on my target. My voice ripped free from my lungs as I roared and screamed in fear and rage as I felt everything collapse. My ears popped, my fist crashed through, and my vision streamlined.
All I could see was my target.
A very surprised face.
A Heaven-shaking boom rattled the nation, public reports covering it as a tremor. It would later be known as the Ghost Quake, as it came, and left without warning, no trace of even an aftershock.
I was left panting on the ground, struggling to stand as I knelt, resting above a crater that undoubtedly held the body of my most recent target. I myself was blown away from it, the pure release of the stock piled power in my fist as well as Aella's insane speed and striking power, it was enough to make everything go white…and black.
I had been catapulted…It felt like I had become a bolt of lightning, thrown from a God of Thunder himself, and hit my mark true with all I had.
What a euphoric feeling.
I staggered to both feet, before I felt Aella's hold tighten around my neck as her presence around me seemed to minimalize as she hid herself amongst the folds of the air.
"Well Done."
I felt my chest swell with joy and pride at the latest achievement and compliment, and I decided that was all I needed. I fell backwards on my ass, completely and utterly drained for the time being. I would recuperate, but I just broke the broke reality's barrier, I hardly even remember what it looked like…it was just up, and then down.
It was like I was shot out of a slingshot, but I teleported from how fast I was flung.
'Beautiful'
'A joy to see'
'A spectacle I am glad to have witnessed.'
'Splendid work.'
I fell all the way back, unable to really stay up straight as I collapsed…the skies were clearing up.
I felt the ground vibrate slightly, and I looked up slowly to see Rias running for me, Kiba and Issei close behind her as Akeno and Koneko carried Asia over as fast as they could.
I saw Rias's face…interesting, she seemed really happy…why couldn't I hear her?
Rias practically dove onto my broad chest, and I let out a whuff of air as I didn't have the energy to really protest. She grabbed my face and made me look at her as she verbally reprimanded me.
I just pointed at my ears, and shook my head, a small rumble in my chest at my attempt to laugh. I had really no idea what she was saying.
She seemed to realize for a moment, and then practically hauled me up herself as if to drag me to Asia faster. I felt a strange feel envelop my head, and I looked up to see Asia's healing hands on either side of my head. I looked up at her curiously…she was afraid of me…but that looks like it's changed a little now. She wasn't trembling being this close to me. I saw Issei behind her, a steady flow of power being pumped into her as her Sacred Gear glowed powerfully.
Maybe it was because I looked beaten to hell?
I smiled at her as kindly as I could, and grunted with a thumbs up. I felt like my throat would betray my good intentions if I tried to enunciate words like "Thanks", or "Appreciated."
My ears popped, and I blinked, my jaw rolling as I clicked it. It was like I just came down from a high altitude, but it didn't hurt.
"Augh, man, being deaf is weird." I said with a hum, and I looked up at Asia again as her hands retracted themselves from my movement…not completely unafraid of me, but progress
"Gray! Are you ok!?" I heard Rias's concerned words, and I glanced to my left to see her grabbing my arm and holding it up for my attention. I blinked at her, "Um, not gonna lie, I took a few good hits. My Curse has some benefits for fighting angry opponents, but that guy just hit harder."
"That was reckless! Please be more aware of your own safety!"
"I heal."
"That does not excuse suicidal strategies!"
"We won."
"It is not a true victory if any of us die! Just because you're not a member of my peerage doesn't mean in the slightest I-"
"Rias." I said calmly, and confidently, "We won. Yeah, I cut it close, but I'm alive, as well as everyone else."
Rias hugged my arm, her emotions traveling through like an unfiltered conduit as I received them. Relief, joy, stress, and fatigue struck me hardest over the flow, and I brought my arm closer, reeling her in so I could hold her with my other arm. Rias let out a small sigh as I released my aura some more, and her beating heart slowed to a more calm state. For a princess, she was pretty good at keeping herself under control…but it was moments like these she couldn't keep her composure. It's a Gremory thing apparently from what I've heard. I let Rias simply have her small moment, and I looked back up at Asia, who was blushing slighting from Rias's lack of sturdy dress as she rested against me
"Thanks again, Argento-san." I said calmly, and I sat up, rubbing the back of my neck in stiffness. Whatever that last move was, it gave me one real case of whiplash.
"O-one moment." Asia squeaked, and I felt her powers suddenly on my neck, "It…swelled."
Ok, sure. I simply sat there calmly, remaining motionless so I didn't scare her off. Rias sat up herself, no tears this time, and smiled at me, "it's so hard to believe your human sometimes."
"Well, I am, don't hit me too hard." I said with a cheeky smile, and she just let out a few quiet breaths as her laughter didn't ignite.
I cleared my throat, "How's everyone else?"
"Koneko has already been tended too. Issei's stocked up power has been a huge help. Kiba was the least injured of all of us aside from Asia, fatigue is his only worry. Akeno took some heavy damage, but is also on the mend."
"And you?"
She blinked, before she clenched her fists into a ball, "I'm fine…I once again couldn't do anything."
I frowned, "You know, for someone who wanted to come to my evening training sessions, you haven't shown up to many."
"I didn't know if you wanted me there anymore…since your piece broke."
I let out a snort, "Rias, no offense, but when exactly did I give that impression?"
"When Eve appeared in your bed." She said flatly, and I stopped.
"Ok, fair enough, but Eve is Eve, and You are You. Come whenever you like."
She smiled at me brightly, and I smiled a little back, before rolling my shoulders to test the pain.
Ow ow wow.
I summoned up some power, something that didn't apparently "run out", but rather fluctuated. I brought it all to a palm, and held it on my ribs under my left arm…yep, that one really hurt.
"A-are you hurt there too?" Asia asked quietly, apparently not wanting to ruin the atmosphere, and I nodded, "Yeah, but I'll heal. Thanks for your help, gimme a few days and I'll be good as new."
She backed off at that, acknowledging it without a word, and backing up quickly to Issei, who was muttering congratulations to her. Good luck bro, she's a real skittish one.
I sat cross legged, concentrating power in the area. I didn't exactly use a healing power, but rather just power up the area specifically, and my natural regeneration was boosted. It was a simple and effective way at healing, it just wasn't immediate…looks like I cracked a few ribs and bruised the muscles even with barrier.
Kokabeil was one heavy hitter.
"So, Rias, I have one favor to ask you."
"What is it?"
"The next time an incredibly powerful enemy shows up, let's get the appropriate powers to come in and duke it out ok? I'm not ready for this."
"That's a shame." I heard a foreign voice, and I blinked. I looked up in alarm, before grabbing Rias and vaulting off to the side. I grew in size rapidly, and kicked off to increase my explosive speed, and skidded to a hault a far way away as the sky suddenly cracked, and shattered.
Sona's barrier was broken through!
From the sky, next to the great white moon, a blue star glowed, and approached. It came into sight, and my instincts were instantly on edge.
This guy was strong.
He was decked out in some crazy armor, white, with white wings of blue that stretched out to an insane wingspan. He floated down to the ground, descending into the crater as he regarded Kokabeil's downed form through cold yellow eyes.
"It seems I was not necessary."
I coughed, taking him for the apparent "Back-up" Azaezal was sending. I stood up, rising to my full height, and stood at the edge of the crater. The crater wasn't terribly deep, but it was still a good five to eight feet deep, twelve feet wide.
"I take it your Azaezal's…backup." I said carefully, trying not to sound in any way ungrateful...I mean he was here way to late and honestly did nothing in the grand scheme of things…but at least he could take Kokabeil away.
"Was this you're doing?" the man asked me, and I tilted my head curiously, "I had help."
He hummed, "I don't believe I've heard about you, what's your name?"
"Gray Fortis…I keep a low profile." I said with a shrug.
"Hmmm, another shame." He said, and I raised a brow, but he left it at that as he grabbed Kokabeil by the back of his wings, and socked him in the back of the head for good measure. I felt a little amused by that to be frank…I couldn't honestly tell if that was meant to wake him up to fight or make sure he was unconscious.
"Another time, Gray Fortis…I have some questions for that stray exorcist as well."
This mystery man jumped out of the crater, Fallen General in tow, and reached down to grab his other target by the back of his cloak.
Damn, Kiba and Xenovia really did a number on him, the dude looks out cold.
{Are you going to ignore me, White One?} A voice echoed behind me. It was deep, but honeslty somewhat bemused. I turned seeing Issei's gauntlet seem to flicker, the crown emerald jewel on the back of his fist glowing with red sparks like fireflies.
{So you were alive, Red One.}
{This wasn't the best time to meet, a shame Albion.}
{It changes nothing, We're destined to face each other someday…coincidences do happen Ddraig.}
"The Emperors of the White and Red Dragons meet." I heard Ajax say, and I blinked in surprise. I know he knew of them, but not them in actuality.
'You seem familiar with them.'
"I witnessed offspring of these two's previous bearer's fight in the Trojan War…Hector and Achilles were fine warriors."
'They were hosts! That predates Christianity!'
"Time is a funny thing…but no, they were not hosts, rather children of them. Achilles was the son of his mother, and Hector his father. Direct descendants of dragon blood…a match I will never forget."
I stared at the two before me…God-killers, like me.
Why do I feel so out of place? I guess I thought I would feel right at home with these individuals…
Why do I feel so…unafraid?
Am I an idiot?
I felt a burn in my chest, and I felt my eyes widen in shock as my Mark suddenly flared, its glow appearing in the dead of night, and drawing attention. I quickly turned, trying to hide it, but I too was glowing from the influx of power…was Wrath trying to be seen?
'Stop!'
Why? This opportunity could never come again.
'What opportunity?! I don't want to die.'
You face an opponent of significant strength, and bested him without even a major injury.
'I had a shit ton of help!'
You underestimate your own growth.
'If I die, that's it; you don't get to see how far I could have gone.'
…if you die, it wasn't worth watching.
I felt anger bloom in the pit of my stomach, and my will was dramatically reinforced.
'You've forgotten your position. This is MY body, and MY rules. Your grudges and boredom are secondary to my life. If you wish to seal yourself away till my death, FINE, if you want to work with me and bring about some serious change, FINE, but don't attempt to dictate my future. Now stop.'
Wrath was silent for a time, before he quieted, and the glow faded.
Interesting. You still play to your own whims despite my presence clearly allowing you all this freedom.
'Pick someone else for your host then next time, we all make mistakes.'
You are not a mistake
'Then respect it.'
Wrath remained silent for a time, before the glow completely faded, and I let out a slow sigh of relief.
'Thanks.'
I am eager to see your growth.
Hardly an excuse, but fuck it, I'll roll with it.
I turned back around, and both The White and Red were staring at me.
"Sorry, had a sneeze, looked like you were having a moment." I said blankly, and they both stared at me, clearly unimpressed.
{Many would consider this scene an honor to witness} Ddraig said in amusement, {I respect your manners.}
I laughed awkwardly, hoping not to draw more attention to myself, and the two Dragons faced each other once more.
{I'll see you again, Ddraig}
{Undoubtedly, Albion.}
Albion turned, and took flight in a bolt of light, ascending and disappearing into the night sky.
I watched him go with a sigh, before I felt something…slip.
I fell to my knees, the ground catching up with me as I felt a strange form of confusion catch up with me. I felt so…heavy…Aella must have taken back what little power she had given me…I'm so tired.
"My Wings are yours to use, but the power is mine to give." I heard her whisper, and I chuckled weakly.
"Yeah…thanks Aella…you're the…best."
I felt my eyes fog, and I could barely register anything as I just…relaxed into the ground. I didn't know it could be this comfy…
Mmm.
XXX
Tada! I hope you enjoyed, and look forward to the next chapter, things will start to turn. What does Wrath have planned? How long will he stay silent? What if the Khaos Brigade have something Gray wants?
Stay tuned if you give a shit ;)
Peace!
