Chapter 3: The Calm Before the Storm
"Talking."
'Thinking.'
Locations
Noises
Underworld- Grigori
Issei sat in a room with other high ranking fallen angels, in front of them was a board which displayed the redone version of the attack plan. This involved multiple fallback lines and key points to target. Issei looked over the plan, this one actually seemed possible.
"After we capture the southern sector of the city then another attack will begin on the northern sector. This will cause the devil forces to pull back units and allow us to use the main force to break through the center defense, the devils will be under too much pressure and surrender the city to us. Any questions?" asked the instructor.
One fallen in the back raised his hand.
"Yes, you in the back."
"What units will start off the offensive?" asked the fallen.
The instructor walked over to his desk and grabbed a clipboard. Flipping through it he found the page he was looking for.
"By the order of the General of Military Affairs it states that the units directly under the Cadres will be the first in the fighting. Along with those are the units under Hanibal, Issei and Malpas. All other units are to remain with the main army until the two sectors have fallen to us."
Issei looked over to the two others that were called out, the two of them looking kind of shocked.
"W-Wait! Why am in charge of leading a unit?" asked Malpas in a scared voice. Everyone including Issei looked at him and have him a glare. The instructor looked over at him and spoke.
"You three have been hand picked by our leaders to command a unit for this offensive, this goes with your training to be Cadres in the future."
The other fallen in the room looked towards the three, the atmosphere in the room being weighted by the expressions of the three hand-picked.
"Enough, we have a job to do soon, and we need to take care of it. Focus on the Offensive for now, I'm sure the Cadres know what they're doing picking us to lead. Now pay attention to the instructor and stop looking at us, and Malpas?"
Malpas looked over towards Issei with a concerned face.
"Grow a pair already, do your duty as a Fallen Angel and forget about Heaven already." Issei then got up and left the room. The others looking at him as he left, the air heating up as he walked by.
Malpas face looked horrified. Issei didn't like the guy very much since he would always try to run away under pressure, that being something you couldn't do when it came to being a leader. That was most likely due to his fall from grace, he used to be a pure angel. Yet he was one of Issei's best friends, so he felt as if he was to help him become determined and confident as a future Cadre. Issei would have seen where he was coming from if not for the fact the guy was a decent fighter when it came to the end. Issei having bested him in combat multiple times.
Issei made his way through the numerous halls of the Grigori, the building felt like a labyrinth. He walked for fifteen minutes pasts countless guards and soldiers preparing for the assault.
Issei arrived at the place he was trying to get too soon after. His father's office, the most secure area in the entire building. The only reason of going there was to discuss something important.
When he arrived outside the door, he put his hand up to knock. But he could hear someone talking inside. Being curious he decided to put his ear up to the door.
"I'm not letting my son go back out there! He just got out of the infirmary a few days ago, he almost died!" shouted a very worried mother. The voice of his mother was easily recognizable, she seemed worried about him again.
"Azza listen, Issei is my son as well. I have trained him to deal with things like this for years now. I know you are worried about him after what happened but rest assured. The devils launched a surprise attack, and every sector was under heavy assault. Issei and Shemhazai were able to hold off two Satan-Class Devils long enough for us to relieve them." Azazel sounded annoyed.
"HE ALMOST DIED AZAZEL!" his mother shouted out.
Issei lowered his head, he was disappointed in himself.
"Hundreds of fallen angels died! The battlefield around him was covered in the corpses of hundreds of fallen angels. We're in a war, things like that are bound to happen. I was scared to ya know. I don't want to lose my only child because of something like this but he's able to watch over himself. I put all my trust into him and so far, it has paid off. Just believe in him." Azazel sounded tired, the argument between them had been going on for some time now.
Issei chose this time to walk in.
Both his parents looked over at him, his mother had tears in her eyes.
"Issei don't go, please!" begged his mother. She pulled him into a hug, crying into his chest.
Issei looked over to Azazel seeking some sort of assistance. Azazel just shook his head and leaned back into his chair with his hands on his face. Issei now knowing he was alone in this looked down at his mother.
He then pushed her away from his chest gently, his armor being wet from the tears.
"Mom, I have to. It is my duty as a future leader, and I have to avenge the men who died during the attack." Issei then put both his hands on her shoulders.
"I'll be fine, I promise." Issei then pulled his mother back into a hug.
"Issei, I don't want to lose you. I don't know what I'll do if you're gone." His mothers cry became louder, Issei now felt bad.
"I'll come back; you shouldn't worry about me this much." Issei began rubbing the back of her head. His mother tightened her grip.
"Please come back, ok?"
"Ok mom, I will." Issei's mom loosened her grip. She gave Issei a forced smile before walking out of the room.
After the door closed Issei looked over to his father, Azazel was still leaning back in his chair.
"How long were you two going at it?"
"Two hours before you showed up, I honestly don't think I could have lasted any longer by the way she was going at it. I was about to tap out."
Both men started laughing, the pain in Azazel's voice was evident from the argument he had. Issei leaned up against the wall, letting his wings free.
"I was at the briefing for the Offensive, I have one question though."
Azazel leaned forward with one hand on his chin and an eyebrow raised.
"Why are me and two others leading the assault on the north sector? No Cadres?" Issei asked as he walked over to Azazel's desk.
Azazel leaned forward and put his hands together.
"You're proving yourselves that's why, and we plan on drawing out their defenders before launching the full force. Think of it as a scouting mission, but you'll end up engaging the enemy in open combat. Once we have a clear picture of the devil's defenses in the city of Mordith then we can get revenge for the attack on our home."
Issei looked to the side as he began thinking, the facial expressions he made amusing Azazel.
"What's worrying you kid?" Azazel stood up from his desk.
Walking over to where Issei was he put a hand on his shoulder. Issei broke out his thoughts.
"Bad feeling about something, it feels like the same feeling I got earlier. It's most likely nothing to worry about, I'll go inform the others of what's to come."
Issei opened the door.
"Hey kid!"
Issei turned back to Azazel, only to find a grin plastered across his face.
"You're close to getting your fifth pair of wings, keep getting stronger and they'll come in. When they do, I'm treating you to the best night you'll ever have." Azazel then waved Issei off.
"Alright it's a deal." Issei walked out of the room smiling, sometimes that old man was a pretty decent father.
Outskirts of the Grigori
Issei sat in the silence of the later parts of the day, unlike the human realm the Underworld didn't possess a day and night cycle. Why you ask? It was due to it being the home of the "Evil" beings and the fact that devils didn't do as well in sunlight as they did when it wasn't present.
The human realm was a complicated place, and a violent one. A war was currently going on up there as well, so far it wasn't coming to an end either.
There was always hope though, Azazel believed that if they defeated the devils here then a peace negotiation or surrender would occur. Something like that seemed out of grasp for Issei. The devils have suffered a great deal of casualties as well, some sources stating that a number of clans have been eliminated completely.
If that was the case then they could destroy the rest, but that only depended on how many more Lucifer could make. Same thing goes with God, Heaven was attacked multiple times by both sides. Issei hadn't been born yet to see those fights, it still fascinated him though.
The only way angels could replenish their numbers was by God creating more, which would be beneficial to the Grigori. More angles meant potentially more fallen angels, and if it was to save his race then he would make heaven fall with his own hands.
"Hehehe." Well, that was the plan anyway. Issei was not sure if he could actually do it.
He looked over to the tree that was on his left, words were carved into its trunk.
'Imorailater Destiuos Hernucil Valaxity' What did that mean? He had no idea. Those same words have been on that tree since he first found this spot. A mystery? Yes. Something worthwhile to investigate? No.
He looked away from the tree, calming his mind he let his aura loose. The purest red light coated his body as the ground around him began to char. Slowly the ground began to catch fire as the area around him heated up.
Issei then unfurled his wings, all 8 coated in the red aura that the rest of his body let off. The air while being heated was perfectly still, the surrounding area not affected by the aura he was releasing.
"To have full control of oneself is almost impossible, almost. Mastering the balance in this world is a far more difficult challenge that breaking it. Pushing yourself far enough is one thing but shattering your limits can only happen when you are at the end. Desperation and sheer will are the only things that can shatter your limits, fighting is the key to it all."
Issei sat in his meditative position with his eyes closed, only slightly twitching when his aura moved in a different direction.
Issei then began to inhale a deep breathe. Waiting a few seconds he exhaled, he then opened his eyes.
His aura then increased drastically, the light becoming erratic. His irises began glowing as did his red bangs. His wings began moving as the air became hotter.
The ground around him now disintegrating beneath him as a fire encircled him. His aura then began swirling around him, Issei keeping his focused expression as he increased his power.
He then began moving his right arm, positioning it directly in front of him as he opened his palm.
In a matter of seconds, a deep red-light spear began forming in his palm. The spear let of waves of power as it began taking its true form. Extending its form until it was complete the spear stabilized. Issei looked at the creation with a smirk, the power radiating from it was brilliant.
"Let this mark a new peak for myself, with this spear I shall pierce through the heart of the Satan's!" Issei then threw the spear into the air, he felt the heat let off as it flew through the air. He let the spear reach a safe distance.
Issei then flicked his wrist, the magic still attached to the spear.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM
The shockwave from the explosion made the ground shake violently as an intense heat scorched the earth beneath it. Issei shielded his body with his wings, the force from the shockwave slightly pushed him back.
"Hahahaha, now that was truly something wouldn't you agree?" asked Issei to the person who had kept their presence hidden for a while now. Issei had noticed them the moment he began to meditate.
"That was phenomenal yes, I had to reveal myself due to the heat that released." Malpas then walked over towards Issei, the two men stood next to each other as the dust from the explosion settled.
Issei looked over to Malpas, the blonde-haired fallen angel brushed himself off.
"Sadly, all the dirt has stained my uniform." Malpas kept brushing himself off. His white armor stained by the dirt and dust.
Issei put his wings away and stretched out his arms. Issei then let his aura die down, the red fading away quickly as the heat dropped. His began breathing hard as his aura became stable once again.
"Using that power greatly drains my energy and magic reserve, luckily I didn't need to use the holy ability alongside it this time." Issei then put his hand on his stomach, a sharp pain spread from where he was wounded previously.
Malpas put both his hands together, a green glow then came from his palms. The magic he summoned found its way towards Issei.
Issei looked down as his stomach began to glow a bright green, slowly the pain began to fade away.
After a few minutes Malpas stopped using his magic.
"Thanks, the pain hadn't fully gone away. Magic was only a temporary solution until a more proper healing solution was presented. Your abilities are truly something that many can envy, your power to heal is a blessing." Issei felt like being nice to Malpas today.
Perhaps it was due to him being able to increase the power of his spear, or the kindness of a fellow Fallen Angel. Issei didn't bother with trying to determine why.
Malpas smiled.
"It was my job in Heaven to heal all who were injured, it didn't concern me if they were friend or foe." Malpas face then became one of sadness.
"Because of that I was casted out of Heaven by God himself, it's funny to think that I was betrayed for helping people." Malpas let one tear fall from his eye, Issei patted him on the back.
"Don't worry about it too much, I'm sure that one day you can be forgiven. You might not be let back in Heaven, but forgiveness is forgiveness." Issei then led him away from the spot he was previously in.
The two fallen walked back towards the Grigori in silence, the long walk was a moment to think.
Upon returning to the main building of the Grigori they ran into someone. The person was leaning up against the wall next to a door. Issei waved over at him, the fallen angel then walked over to the pair.
"What's your smug ass doing out here Hanibal?" asked Issei as he and Malpas began laughing. Hanibal flipped the bird to Issei as he began laughing as well.
"Just waiting for you guys to get back, Baraqiel said we had to report to our new units so that we can get familiar with them. Personally, I don't think it matters since they're most likely to die anyway."
Malpas looked at him with a horrified expression while Issei smacked him across the head.
Smack
"Ow, what was that for?"
"Have some sympathy will ya? A lot of people are expected to die, don't just toss it aside as if it was nothing." Issei walked over to the door and opened it while the two behind him followed. Hanibal was still rubbing his head where Issei smacked it, Malpas followed behind with a frown on his face while he tried to heal Hanibal.
After walking for a bit, they arrived in the training grounds to find 3 different battalions of fallen angels lined up. Issei looked over to the left and spotted Baraqiel giving out instructions to them.
"Hey Uncle Baraqiel!" shouted out Issei as he and the other two approached him.
Baraqiel looked over to them and smiled.
"I see he found you, that's good. Your just in time to instruct your new units, go over the plan with them."
Issei nodded as he looked towards the center battalion.
"I'll take center, Malpas you're on the left and Hanibal you're on the right." Both fallen nodded and began to take their positions.
Issei walked to the front of his battalion and scanned over them. Looking for the strongest out of the pick, only realizing that they were all low level fallen angels.
'This is not going to end well, oh what the hell.'
"I am Issei, I was put in charge of commanding you for our next major assault against the devils. I can guarantee that I will do everything in my power to lead you properly and try to keep order amongst our ranks. My colleagues and I will be the leaders in the assault on the north sector of the devil city of Mordith." After finishing speaking Issei looked over towards Malpas.
The poor guy was nervous, Issei watched as Malpas struggled to give a proper introduction. He then turned his attention towards Hanibal.
The fallen under him seemed more eager to get to the fighting.
'Nice, my friends are polar opposites.'
Issei shook his head as he chuckled.
"Malpas and Hanibal over here!" shouted Issei as he went towards the display mechanism. Both fallen quickly walked over towards it and looked at Issei.
"What is it Issei?" asked Malpas with a frown on his face.
"I can already tell that leadership between the three of us will cause a miscommunication between our units if we act as a single force. Malpas, you don't seem capable as a leader right now. So, I'll be the commanding force behind our assault. Hanibal, you seem more capable than Malpas. Even so you don't have the strategic thinking when it comes to an entire unit of soldiers since you tend to fight alone. I will only ask that you two listen to my direct orders when it comes to an all-out attack or my judgement will prove a better solution towards one of yours."
Malpas nodded as Hanibal grunted.
"Isn't this supposed to be a test for the three of us?" asked Hanibal.
"That is correct yes, but I'm only doing this so that we can bring as many people back as possible. Knowing you I don't expect survivors from either side." Issei's glare met Hanibal's.
"Well, I guess that's true boss man so what's the plan?"
"I can't formulate a true plan since we don't have much on the city in terms of knowledge. I can plan for the worst which would be running into Satan-Class devils or a Satan themselves, with them would be an entire army. If that was the case then the Cadres would move to intercept them, but I do believe the three of us working together would prove enough."
Malpas looked worried, Hanibal nodded.
"What is most likely to happen is the devils are holding out in strong fortifications, not only buildings but underground as well. That can be taken care of with bombardments and flushing them out with magic. I do believe that we can expect a heavy resistance, due to that I think it's best if Hanibal and I lead the charge. Malpas, you should stay on standby until we deal with most of the enemy defenses."
Malpas nodded.
"Wait a second. What about our units are they going in with us or are we just spear heading alone?" asked Hanibal as he looked back over his shoulder towards the battalions.
"That will depend on how much resistance we encounter, if a lot then we will go in alone. If minimal then we will bring in our units. I say this because we can take blows and deal them back, they however can't."
"Alright."
Issei stood tall.
"If we encounter an encounter an enemy in Ultimate-Class or higher leading an army against us then Hanibal and I will deal with the leader quickly, once that is taken care of Malpas will give the order for our men to attack. With that the enemy will be forced to retreat due to the lack of leadership. That's how we are going to win this war, if we can take out the enemy leaders the rest of the pillar will crumble, and we can sweep it up."
"You always do have such a talent when it comes to battle tactics Issei." Malpas was smiling again.
"I've been taught them since I was a child. Now that I think of it that doesn't sound like a good childhood, hahaha." Issei laughed as he put his hand together.
"You had us." Hanibal retorted, being childhood friends with Issei was something he was happy about. Malpas joined them later on after falling from grace, that was around five years ago.
"That only makes it sound worse, Hehehe." All three of them chuckled. Issei then looked over towards the fallen soldiers.
"Let's debrief them on what I told you and call it a day, the offensive starts tomorrow." The other two nodded their heads and walked back to their units.
After debriefing their men, the three fallen angels ordered them to prepare. After waiting for some time, they decided to go to the food court within the Grigori.
"What should we get to eat? I could go for anything." asked Hanibal as he held a hand over his growling stomach. Malpas looked around towards one of the restaurants, the menu didn't seem appetizing.
"They serve dragon here?" asked Malpas as he continued looking towards the menu.
"Yeah, they hunt down the weaker ones and use them for food. They have stew, sandwiches and steak. Personally, I think it's a little to tough for my liking, but it is high in protein." Answered Issei as he pulled out an apple. Hanibal looked at Issei with an eyebrow raised.
"Where the hell did you get an apple?"
"My mother brought me a basket, I just stored them in an artificial space."
Hanibal looked impressed.
"Steak?" asked Hanibal as he pointed towards one of the restaurants. Issei nodded as Malpas looked on in wonder.
"Alright let's go."
That is it for this chapter and I might say this was pretty fun to write. Yes, he has friends. Next chapter comes the storm, I look forward to writing it. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I hope you enjoyed.