I've been planning this chapter for forever. Goodness, it feels great to finally get this chapter out!
Chapter 69: Debris Field
The party for the Lucifer family's clearance was happening in the blitz of an eye. Even Adelaide was allowed to go out for it. Streamers and decorations were neatly placed around the mansion as the Vali Team waited for the return of its owners.
The moment the door opened, they were met with the faces of Rizevim, Ezagyra, Rintilr, and Ileana. Vali made a b-line for them, giving them all strong hugs.
"I'm so glad you're all home." Vali laughed with all the glee that was possible.
"We're glad to be back." Ezagyra gave her granddaughter a warm embrace as everyone settled in.
"So, what's happened while I was gone?" Rizevim sat himself down to some tea.
After Vali explained the events of the past few weeks, Rizevim only looked more and more troubled.
"Bastards took a good shot at us."
"I still don't understand why they'd go after Sona's school." Kuroka spoke up.
"Several of the traditionalists hate Sona's dream. They think it ruins the prestige of the Rating Games by allowing commoners to learn about them and take part. They're purists who want the novelty and history of the Rating Games to stay with the higher echelons of our society. If Sona's school is removed, then that part of the system remains untouched and the High-Class can keep their claws in the Rating Games." Rizevim sneered as he sipped his tea.
"It's becoming more apparent that the Rating Games have shady dealings happening behind the scenes. Illegal gambling was taking place between several of the High-Class devils. They were settling criminal activities through rigged Rating Games but made it look legal." Ezagyra also chimed in.
"Is that why you all were framed? You were looking into things?" Vali's gaze darkened.
"I believe so, yes. For a while, we've noticed that the Khaos Brigade had to have had support from within our government. They were getting funds and items from somewhere, some sources being close to us. When the fence-sitters caught onto us, they set their plan in motion to remove us, but the plans weren't too well thought-out."
"Enki told us that Sun Wukong and Azazel were the ones who helped clear your name."
"Well, Hades, Odin, and many others helped out. We had debts to cash in on."
"How'd you get help when you were arrested?" Issei shrunk back.
Rizevim merely winked.
"Sometimes, walls have ears."
That did well to unsettle Issei.
"Anyways, enough about all that dark stuff. Let's celebrate and unwind." Rizevim returned to his cheery mood.
All their friends had been invited over. Rias, Sona, Sairaorg, their peerages, and everyone else who'd been with them throughout this whole wacky adventure was here.
(Doctor Who OST – Clara. Play Song.)
"Man, can you believe it's gonna be a whole year since we all met?" Sairaorg stretched before taking another sip of his drink.
"I'm feeling old." Issei groaned.
"I hope we'll still be like this another year from now." Vali chuckled.
"Count on it." Kuisha clinked glasses with her.
At another table, Adelaide was alone, thinking to herself. She'd wondered what to do at this point. How was she going to get through to her friends from her life as Aria?
"Sitting alone?" Ileana seated herself next to her.
"Just relaxing."
Adelaide expected the adults to steer clear of her. She was the very thing that caused their deaths in the original era.
"Don't be so uptight. It's not like you're the one we have a grudge against."
When she caught Ezagyra staring at her, Adelaide could feel her discomfort escalate so horribly, she wanted to move.
She could already tell what Ezagyra was thinking. Adelaide had heard so many people comment how much she looked like Vali or Aria that it'd gotten stale. She was Adelaide, not the other two.
"You have very pretty eyes, almost like aquamarines. That reminds me…" Ileana began rummaging in her pocket.
She produced a small box to reveal a pair of earrings.
"Consider it a welcoming gift."
"Huh?"
Adelaide was perplexed.
"I've heard the stories. You worked with Vali to help get rid of the Void. You didn't intentionally hurt Issei. You've also helped out the others here and there. Besides that, you're a part of the Team now, so it's customary to give you a gift."
"Aren't we supposed to be wary of each other?"
"Maybe, but when you think about it, we're devils. We're the bad guys in all the movies and games and stories. Yet, look around you…" Ileana gestured around.
"Can't say evil's a standard way of life for us anymore. The fact that we're not in the original Hell also means hope isn't lost."
"You're right, thank you." Adelaide nodded gratefully.
"Come here and let me help you put them on."
When it was done, Adelaide certainly felt prettier, but not in a vain way.
"You may look like my daughter, but I don't consider you two the same. From now on, you're on this team as your own person. Don't worry so much about the past that's been shoved on you. I speak from experience."
"Thank you, Madam."
"Just call me Ileana. Now, do tell me about yourself."
After Adelaide explained her past, she'd finally noticed the many people who'd gathered around her.
"Oh, you poor thing." Ezagyra's eyes were like hoses after hearing the sad story.
"Let's adopt her, dear." Ileana turned to her husband.
"Here we go again." Vali sighed at her family's antics.
(Doctor Who OST – Clara. End Song.)
Adelaide couldn't help but laugh with all the light in the atmosphere. How long had it been since she'd been around anyone that treated her closely?
The party had crossed over into the night, with food and drink aplenty. Laughs and howls were everywhere. Adelaide had eaten so much that she felt the need to mask herself so that Ileana wouldn't keep trying to shove food down her throat.
It struck her as odd that these people had known her for only such a short time but they'd already put so much trust in her. After so much time being alone and being looked at with paranoia, Adelaide couldn't deny how refreshing this all was.
"So, how do you like the whole family?"
Adelaide turned around to see Vali walking over.
(Doctor Who OST – Rose. Play Song.)
"I think they're wonderful."
"I know it's overwhelming, given how they just come at you like a huge wave." Vali handed her a goblet of water.
"I don't mind. It's kind nice. My family wasn't really around when I was a kid. After they died, I didn't have anyone. I appreciate all the stuff you guys are doing for me."
"So, I've been wondering, what does this make us? I mean, how do we address each other?"
"Same as usual?" Adelaide gave Vali a confused look. Where was she heading with this?
"I mean, since everyone calls us twins, do we acknowledge it?" Vali chuckled.
"If you want. I've never had siblings, either."
"I mean, it's a hassle to explain to everyone that we're both the same person but not really."
Adelaide couldn't help but laugh.
"Imagine having to explain every time."
"Do you miss it? Your old appearance?"
Adelaide inspected her white hair, which used to be golden blonde.
"Not really. To me, it's just hair, so there's no sentimental value. I'm grateful for all that's happened after my change. True, if I hadn't changed, I'd be living a quiet life, but I'd never have met any of you and experienced all this if I hadn't."
"I see, then I'm glad."
"Mind if I interrupt?" Rizevim walked over.
"What's up, Grandpa?"
"I just wanted a chance to speak to our newest friend, one-on-one."
Vali knew that was her cue to leave. When she was out of earshot, Rizevim smiled.
"I take it that you're adjusting nicely."
"I am, thank you. Issei's told me a lot of how hard you've been working to give me this much freedom."
"Of course. I gave my word."
"May I ask why you're going so far to help me?"
Rizevim wouldn't treat her like a child who didn't understand anything. She was much more direct than either Issei or Vali, after all.
"When I heard about you, I wasn't so sure of you. You've been reborn with the spirit of an Avitur inside you. That makes you dangerous. I still remember the very last moments of the past era. The explosion that killed us all…"
Adelaide winced at the implication.
"I remember all the tears that my granddaughter shed when you took her beloved away from her. For a moment, I truly had no good impressions of you."
Adelaide inched back a bit as Rizevim stepped forward. Was he about to take his chance to harm her?
"Then, I saw how much Issei cared about you. He loves you just as much as he does Vali. That means a lot. He died for her and the family's happiness. I had to think on why. Then, I understood that you're a victim of circumstance. If you were truly a threat, then the Abyss would've struck you down or taken you when you were in its presence. I banked on the same thing with Issei. At the end of the day, I've chosen to have faith that you're both just victims of chance inside a game that's bigger than all of us." Rizevim stroked his beard.
"I see. So, you took pity?"
"I guess, if that's how you want to word it. You're all just kids. If it were the old world, I'm sure you'd have been used as weapons, but we've all had a chance to wise up. If we don't, then another person like Bahamut will come along and who knows if we'll be lucky to be reborn a second time. We got lucky to live new lives, so let's do the best we can with it."
The two clinked glasses upon the agreed sentiment.
(Doctor Who OST – Rose. End Song.)
(Gundam Unicorn OST – Banshee. Play Song.)
"Now, let's party till we drop, Adelaide." Rizevim chuckled as he turned back toward the mansion.
Adelaide paused after Rizevim said those words. For her, it felt as if time stopped. She could even feel her consciousness fading away but was helpless to do anything against it.
"Yes, let's party…" She mumbled. Her tone shifted, sounding almost robotic.
The sound of Adelaide's glass shattering stunned Rizevim, who turned around to see what caused it. The moment he faced her; he already found an arrow of mana embedded in his chest.
"What?"
When he looked her in the eyes, he saw that her icy-blue eyes had lost their luster. He was so confused but the pain that was searing through every atom of his being was too much for him to think clearly. He'd been struck by some kind of light weapon and whatever it was made of, it was intended to kill him quickly. Rizevim tried to stay conscious but even then, he failed. He dropped to his knees before his face met the floor.
When he also dropped his glass, everyone came to see the cause of the commotion.
"Hey, is everything alr-" Kuisha stopped her sentence as she surveyed the scene.
She didn't even get to make a sound before Adelaide struck her with a blast to the chest, piercing her with a blade of light.
One by one, everyone processed what was happening as Rizevim and Kuisha fell to the ground. Before any other action could be taken, Adelaide launched a second attack, aiming right for Rizevim again, only for Lefay to block her attack.
"What are you doing?!" Kuroka roared.
As if to retort, Adelaide's aura erupted, obliterating the Lucifer Mansion. There was no restraint in her attack. If Issei hadn't quickly blocked most of the blast with his shields, the constant exposure to Adelaide's light could've grievously wounded the others.
Issei took a moment to look at the disaster. Everyone was down except for Vali, Ileana, Rintilr, Ezagyra, Sairaorg, and himself. He looked ahead to see that Ileana and Sairaorg were already attacking her.
"How could you?" Ileana growled as she struggled against the lock she put her in.
Adelaide's aura began to shine as her armor materialized. Issei could tell that something was wrong, given how silent she was. He also knew that she was going to fight without pause. Talking wasn't going to work this time.
"Restrain her, don't kill her!" Issei hoped the others would listen.
Issei was genuinely terrified of the situation. Not a single person looked like they were ready to use sense right now. Rizevim had just been struck down in front of them by someone they'd all begun to trust. There was almost no way there'd be a calm person here.
Rintilr stopped Adelaide's magic with her own ability before Ileana, Vali, Sairaorg, and Ezagyra bashed her into the floor.
Sairaorg didn't even stop. He kept pummeling away at her armor mindlessly like a frenzied beast. His punches grew more erratic as rage overtook him. His lover had been struck down right before his eyes by someone he'd grown to respect. The betrayal, grief, and shock overrode any chance of thought.
By the time Sairaorg was restrained by Ezagyra, there was just a massive crater where they were. Panting, he finally regained his bearings and realized the destruction that he'd brought. To his greater fury, Adelaide was still considered to be fine. However, she'd lost consciousness.
"That's enough, Sairaorg."
He was about to protest until he saw the murderous glare in Ezagyra's eyes. She was barely restraining herself from killing Adelaide.
"We need to get the others healed." She then turned to Adelaide.
"Don't move. You're under arrest." She warned.
Adelaide merely twitched, only to be punched in the chest by Ezagyra. The force was so great that it completely shattered Adelaide's armor and parted the clouds in the sky. The young lady gurgled out blood but was still alive from the former Queen of the devils' attack.
(Gundam Unicorn OST – Banshee. End Song.)
As soon as the Alliance was contacted, Adelaide had been sent to a maximum security compound, complete with a cage and magic seals. As for the others, the results varied. Rizevim was barely clinging to life, along with Kuisha. Several others had varying injuries from Adelaide's attack, namely broken bones, and torn muscles.
The only ones who were okay were the ones who attacked Adelaide plus Issei.
Said boy was hunched over in a seat, trying to process how and why this all happened.
'Damn it, damn it, damn it all. How did this happen? Why?!'
Rizevim and Adelaide had spoken alone for just a few minutes and the next thing they all knew, Rizevim was in a puddle of his own blood. Adelaide made no sound and even seemed like a machine.
This made Issei feel horrible. This was all his fault. Was he wrong to have protected her? Had he been played for a fool? His judgement had brought them to this situation. Issei clutched at his hair in frustration. What else was there?
'What have I done?'
"What happened?!" Enki came rushing over.
Issei gave him a short explanation of the events, shocking Enki.
"That makes no damn sense. I thoroughly scanned her mind and soul. There were no traces of Avitur control in her. We spent months checking her." Enki coldly recounted the details out loud.
"Yet, here we are. You failed." Ezagyra glared at him.
"This can't be. Why now? She could've easily done this before if she wanted to."
"We're going to find out as soon as she wakes up." Ezagyra sat down, waiting for the other conscious people to enter the hallway of the hospital.
Issei got up. He had to figure out what was going on. He sped over to where Adelaide was being detained. It disheartened him to see that so many guards were standing in his way.
"No entry is allowed." One of them stopped him.
"I need to see her. We need answers."
"We have strict orders not to allow anyone inside." The guard adamantly stepped forward, as if daring him to try him.
"Let him go in."
Issei turned around to find Hades standing there.
"Your Excellency, the Council-"
"I am a part of the Council. Let him go in." Hades sternly put down his foot.
The guard looked terrified for his future but ultimately relented.
Hades proceeded to accompany Issei inside the chamber. Issei was honestly uncomfortable. It wasn't Hades' reputation, either. It was the pure power that Hades radiated. It was like being inside a crypt and he could be buried in it next when he stood with Hades.
"Why did you let me in?"
"You're not the only one who wants answers, boy." Hades coldly responded, not even looking at Issei as he opened the locks to the dozens of doors in the hallway.
"Make your piece and quickly."
Issei hated to agree to the silent terms Hades made. It was as if he was saying that anything Issei had to say would be listened to.
Issei walked into the detainment chamber and found Adelaide inside an invisible barrier. When she noticed him, she dashed right for the barrier.
"Issei!" The moment her fingers touched the walls, she was shocked backward.
She winced, trying to shake off the pain.
"What happened?" She pleaded.
She scanned his face and was taken aback. He looked hurt and betrayed.
"What happened last night? Why did you try to kill Rizevim?"
Adelaide's surprise was profound. She had no clue what he meant.
"What're you talking about?! I tried to kill him?!"
"Adelaide, if you're lying, then now's not the time for that. You tried to kill everyone. Why else would you be in here?"
"I didn't! I swear I'm not lying! Rizevim and I were just talking and after he said something, I blacked out!"
Adelaide's distress was growing by the minute. Not even when she'd been controlled by Vetrazin, did Adelaide get such a look from Issei. It was tearing her apart to be the reason that made him look at her with such disbelief.
"That doesn't explain anything, Adelaide. I need more than that. What did Rizevim say that made you almost kill him? You've been scanned, monitored, interrogated, and examined by so many people. You've got no trace of Aviturs on you anymore. We even put down Vetrazin's mind. Even now, Bahamut isn't reacting to you. How do I know you're not lying?"
The tears began to fall as Adelaide trembled. The last thing she wanted was to lose Issei's love and trust.
"I swear on my life that I didn't do it willingly. Rizevim just told us to party till we dropped. Immediately after that, my mind went blank. I've got no idea what's happening, Issei." She begged him to understand, to believe her like always.
"Adelaide, we all trusted you but how can we keep doing that when we don't even know what's going on, anymore?" Issei's voice became so low that it was as if he was in pain.
He wanted to believe her so much but reality refused to allow that. Rizevim and Kuisha were both clinging to life and his friends were all in shambles. He couldn't just ignore that.
"Issei, I love you so much. I'd never do anything like that. Please, I don't know what caused me to do it. I can't tell you anything else because there's nothing else. If I did it, then I don't know how or why! I'm so scared, Issei!" Adelaide was shaking, tears endlessly falling down her face.
Her worst nightmare had resurfaced. If what Issei was telling her was true, then perhaps Vetrazin was still alive, after all.
"I'm sorry, Adelaide…" Issei was getting nowhere here.
"No! Please, don't leave me alone, Issei!" Adelaide shrieked.
Issei found it unbearable to hear her cries. He had to step away to sort himself out. He couldn't do that if being constantly near her made his heart ache. The last thing he heard as he left were Adelaide's restrained sobs.
When he exited the doors, Issei was met by a score of the Alliance's leaders. Michael gave Issei a guilty look as Zeus stepped forward. He was a burly man of gargantuan size. His hair was long and white with a long but neat beard. His eyes were purple, with parts of it becoming grey, like lightning amongst clouds.
"Issei Hyoudou, I presume?"
"Yes."
"Come with us."
Issei was brought into a room that he knew to be where trials were held.
"We've been informed of recent events. As of last night, Adelaide Motoié attacked and nearly killed Rizevim Lucifer as well as Kuisha Abaddon. She also seriously wounded members of the Vali Lucifer Peerage, Sairaorg Bael's Peerage, Rias Gremory's Peerage, and Sona Sitri's Peerage. The known facts of her are that she is the current host of the Avitur of Light's mind and soul. You and several others also vouched for her, correct?" Indra echoed from his throne above in the room.
"Yes."
"This has proven that your faith was misplaced. Against all your words and the words of others, she has caused considerable harm. All of this, because of your decision. What do you have to say for yourself?" Athena calmly inquired. Her words were blunt, but she seemed to desire his reflection, not to salt his wounds.
"I have nothing to say. I genuinely believe that Adelaide Motoié is innocent. However, I don't know about the part of her that is Vetrazin. I don't believe she needs to die, but as for myself…" He trailed off.
"If you have nothing to say, then let there be no waste. Until we can deliberate a sentence for Vetrazin, you will be placed under house arrest. You also bear responsibility for this turn of events. Until our next meeting, you are forbidden from leaving your designated area." Thor was the one to deliver the sentence.
Issei couldn't fight back. How could he? His mind was a mess.
When he exited the room, Issei crossed paths with Vali. He averted her gaze in shame. He was scared of seeing the look on her face. He'd completely blown her trust again. He'd just failed everyone who believed in him.
"Vali, follow us. There's something we need to check." Enki walked up to her along with Azazel and Artemis.
"Right."
Vali cast one last look at Issei's back, unsure of what to think now. Was she angry? Was she understanding? She didn't know. All she knew was that she wanted to strangle the life out of Adelaide.
She too was brought to Adelaide's chamber. The moment they locked eyes, Vali wanted to carve her throat out with a blunt knife. Adelaide flinched from the pure rage in Vali's eyes.
"Why am I here?"
"I wanted to see if this would change anything." Enki held up a magical radar between Vali and Adelaide.
The radar began to glow and beep as numbers and charts appeared on the screen.
"I don't believe it. Void presence…" He mumbled.
Vali looked darkly at Adelaide.
"So you hid it."
"I wasn't! I swear it!" Adelaide protested.
Adelaide once looked regal and strong but now, she looked like a scared and helpless young woman, cut off from all support and kindness.
"I don't understand. We spent countless sessions checking. Even if you'd suppressed it, I should've been able to detect it."
"It doesn't matter anymore. It doesn't change the fact that she has Void energy now." Artemis kept her eyes on Vali. She could sense how much she was holding back.
"We need to act quickly. We might already be too vulnerable if the enemy is able to observe us through her. Vali, come with me. We need to make sure you haven't been corrupted." Enki sped out of the chamber.
He led her down countless flights of stairs to his lab. He took her to a room with his assistants and in the center of the room was a machine like a bed. He'd used it several times before to monitor her for any trace of Void energy.
"Get strapped in. We need to make sure Adelaide isn't exploiting your link to do something to you too."
Vali did as told. As soon as the machine started up, Vali felt something strange this time. This time, something wasn't right.
"Do you feel anything strange?"
"Yeah, what's going on?"
"Enki, the process is ready. We have a 15-minute time frame. It starts in 4." One of his assistants whispered to him.
"Time frame?" Vali asked, but Enki seemed to ignore her.
"Begin with Adelaide's chamber. We'll start here in sync." Enki whispered back.
"What time frame?" Vali asked louder but once again, Enki and his assistants ignored her.
'Vali, get out of here right now! Something's wrong!' Albion could feel a terrible premonition coming. This time, the machine they'd hooked her up to was different. Albion felt like someone was trying to invade her mind.
The moment she tried to sit up, magical chains binded her down with magic circles. Electric shocks began coursing through her as she yelled.
"AAAGH!"
"Don't struggle, please. We only have a few minutes to get this done. The less you struggle, the easier it'll be for both of us. It wasn't easy conditioning Adelaide with trigger words. However, since you're less sharp, I'll expect you to be easier to control. I've been spending a long time working on this plan."
Vali gasped as Enki confessed under his breath. This was all Enki's doing.
"You bastard! AAGH!" Vali yelped as she was shocked again.
"Like I said, you need to be quiet. The last thing I need is your boyfriend sensing you two. Now, be a good girl and let your mind go away. It'll make securing you three so much easier." Enki and his assistants all stood at attention at their machines.
"BALANCE BREAK!" Vali tried to escape, despite the excruciating torture done to control her.
"Stop her!"
"Enki! The window's here!"
Chaos erupted as Enki activated his machine.
"Keep her restrained! I'm triggering the mind control! Adelaide already used her conditioning. We need to apply a new spell on her."
At the same time, both the machine Vali was hooked up to and the chamber around Adelaide activated. Their connection activated, causing both to feel the same pain from Vali's torture.
"AAAH!"
"AAAAGHH!"
Both screamed as their own pain linked up to the other's, amplifying.
"ISSEI!"
"ISSEI!"
They echoed, hoping he could hear.
Issei was walking with an escort of guards through the halls. He froze as he felt a sharp pain hammer his heart and pierce his mind. He nearly fell over as the responses reached him.
'Issei!'
'Issei!'
He'd been in enough situations to recognize this feeling. Something insidious was going on. He could hear Adelaide and Vali calling for him.
"Keep moving." One guard nudged him forward but Issei didn't budge.
"Your situation's already horrible. Don't make it any worse." Another guard coldly warned him.
Issei was already uncertain of too many things, but this time, he knew they were in danger. The pain and fear he was sensing from them was too great to just be a fluke or imagination. Issei then realized what was going on. He'd been hoodwinked.
'Issei, if you do this, you're going to become an enemy.' Rexis warned him.
'It's already too late for that.'
His resolve grew even stronger as he felt Bahamut's rage flare to life. There were only two things that angered the ancient dragon: the Void and its spawn and injustice. Issei's fury erupted as he processed everything that led up to this moment and all the clues he'd missed. Vali and Adelaide's constant agony only made things worse.
Two guards gripped his shoulders.
"Turn back around."
"I don't have time for this. I need to see Vali and Adelaide."
"Turn around and head to your designated holding location. This is your last warning."
"Sorry, but that's not an option."
Issei spread his wing and flew past the guards. Issei could feel Bahamut's rage grow stronger as he sped to Adelaide's location. He went into Balance Breaker, blasting away all the walls around him.
He flew faster than he ever had before, punching through floors as he made his way to Adelaide's chamber.
"Halt!" Guards pointed their weapons at him, only to be thrown aside with brute force.
Issei gripped the doors and tore them open with all his strength, ripping them off their hinges. He lunged into the room and saw Adelaide howling in misery. His rage exploded the moment he laid eyes on her. Bahamut could feel this and began fueling his power. He fired beams at the barrier and chamber around Adelaide, spreading his wings, he fired in all directions. Explosions boomed here and there as the entire room nearly collapsed. When the barrier around Adelaide disappeared, he grabbed her and flew off.
"Issei…" Adelaide weakly clung to him.
"I'm so sorry, Adelaide."
Issei wanted to say more but he had to move quickly. He had to find Vali and get her out as well.
He was stopped as Asia and the others headed him off. Rias, Akeno, Asia, Sona, Izalana, Kuroka, and Gasper were standing firmly in place.
"Issei, what're you doing?! Is she controlling you?!"Asia's eyes trained on Adelaide.
He moved to attack her, only for Issei's aura to push him back.
"We've been duped, Asia."
"How the hell do you know? She's been playing us all this entire time!"
"I can tell. I share a link with her and Vali. I could sense their screaming and pain minutes ago!" Issei tried to step forward to get past them. Even now, he could sense Vali's pain. This was pissing him off even more. He couldn't waste time while Vali was still being tortured.
"I can't let you walk away with her, Issei. She's a prisoner that tried to assassinate Rizevim." Asia mournfully shook her head as she got ready for a fight. The way Issei was looking at her was unlike any expression she'd ever seen on his face before. This was the only time she'd seen him enraged to the bone.
"I don't have time for this. Vali's in trouble and I can't waste any more on you."
"This has gotta be another trick, Issei. Wake up!"
"Gasper, freeze them." Rias whispered to the small boy.
The moment Issei locked eyes with Gasper, he projected so much rage and fighting spirit that the vampire whimpered to hide behind Rias. Everyone stepped back as they felt his suppressed rage leak out.
"I'm giving you all ten seconds to move out the way."
Issei's wings spread as his cannons aimed at the hallway.
"Issei, calm down!" Rias pleaded for him to see reason.
"We were all tricked and instead of seeing to Vali, who's not ever here, you're trying to impede me. I am not going to stand still!" Issei's cannon barrels began to glow, his aura focusing.
(Attack on Titan OST - YouSeeBIGGIRL T:T. Play Song.)
Issei knew this to be the only answer to progress. Adelaide tried to muster up some strength to make a less destructive solution but she was just too weak.
"Then you leave me no choice."
Issei fired his beam, blasting everyone back. Their defenses meant nothing as his attack broke all their shields as they were thrown aside. Asia threw a punch, only for Issei to catch it. With one attack containing all the power he could safely muster, he struck her in the chest, causing her to gag and shudder as Issei gently set her aside.
Issei grabbed Adelaide and continued to Vali. He blasted his way through to her location, leveling and obliterating parts of Headquarters. If he'd been in his right mind, he'd have done less, but with Vali and Adelaide threatened, Issei's sense of reason was almost cast aside.
When he got to her, he eyed the many assistants to Enki, with the aforementioned deity staring him down. To think that there were so many who'd been in on this scheme.
"Arrest them!" He ordered.
"DISAPPEAR!" Issei bellowed.
Issei unleashed all of his firepower on Enki. The blast was so catastrophic that the buildings above them were thrown askew. The resulting shockwave was so great that the ground around Headquarters cracked from Issei's rage. When the debris fell and the dust settled, Enki had lost an arm from Issei's fury.
"Y-You stray mongrel!" He stifled his breath as he held onto his now-missing left arm.
Issei wasted no time in cutting Enki across the chest with all his strength, delivering a blood-spraying gash to the god's chest.
"I didn't think Bahamut would lend you strength." Enki groaned as he fell down, blood sputtering from his mouth.
Issei made a mad dash for Vali, who nearly fell over. He grabbed her and Adelaide and shot a hole into the open sky. He broke into the air and flew off, only to be intercepted by Sairaorg.
"Would you just stop and tell us what's going on?!" Kuroka winced, having flown there despite her injuries.
Issei could already see the hundreds of Alliance soldiers gathering. He had no time for this. If they got cornered then there'd be no escape.
"Get out of the way. We're leaving." That was Issei's only demand.
"Issei, do you have any idea who you're carrying? That woman nearly killed Rizevim and Kuisha. She severely wounded everyone else and destroyed your home." Sairaorg glared at Adelaide, each of his words laced with venom.
"If you want answers, ask Enki. He's the one behind all of this, boy." Rexis broke his silence.
"What?!"
"That god perfectly aligned events for this very moment. Now, step aside."
Sairaorg was at a complete loss. He wanted to believe Issei. He wasn't the kind of person to act this impulsively without reason. He didn't get this angry over small things, either. Even so, there were so many things that they didn't know to be truth. Sairaorg had wondered for a very long time since Issei's return if he'd been controlled by Adelaide. If she also had the power to control Bahamut through song like Vali, then that meant that he could be under her spell at this moment.
"She's controlling him! You have to stop them from escaping!" A random god could be heard screaming from the rubble where Enki's lab once was.
Issei turned his attention to him. He was so enraged that he could kill him right then and there with his current power. Issei couldn't deny it. Bahamut was giving him power, combining it with his own increase of strength from his rage.
"Issei, stand down. We don't need to come to blows over this. First, I need you to hand Adelaide over."
"That's not going to happen." Issei shook his head.
"Issei, don't." Adelaide didn't want this to get worse for him.
Issei was running out of patience. Anxiety and anger were washing over him. He could feel Bahamut's outrage bleeding over to him. His sense of reason, compassion, all of it was being dyed red with the Abyssal Wyrm's thirst for blood.
"Enki brainwashed Adelaide and was trying to do the same to Vali. If you have any ounce of independence, you'll get out of this mess or find the right people for help. We can't stay here. This is the last straw. We're not weapons. We have every right to exist and make our own choices. Enki wormed his way in and tried to control me through Vali and Adelaide. None of us noticed till now because of his façade. Now, move out of the way. That's your last warning. I don't have time to keep talking." Issei glared dangerously at his friends. Whether or not they'd stay that way was unknown.
Lefay looked ready to break down from the stress. No one knew who to trust anymore.
Issei could see the closest exit to the Alliance's Headquarters just a few miles away. The only way to escape was to get out of the barrier and teleport since the barrier only allowed sanctioned ones.
Sairaorg only sighed. There was so little time to digest everything and so much to try to comprehend.
"I'm sorry, Issei, but Adelaide made herself an enemy. I want to trust you, but actions have spoken for her. I'll get the story out of you after you've woken up."
Issei merely narrowed his eyes.
"Get back and watch out for Vali." He whispered to Adelaide as he gave her to her twin.
"Issei…"
Adelaide had no idea what to do. Everything was escalating so quickly and there wasn't a single calm person here. She could've made everything easier if she used [Limit Law] and [Rejection Zone] but she was still too weak to make it worth it. Just like Vali, she'd been tortured to make her weaker.
By the second, more people were arriving to arrest the three of them. Issei had only one shot to make and it had to count. Issei called upon the darker emotions within, tapping into his anger.
"I am of the Abyss from eons long lost. I have walked the ages with no sight in end. I shall rise once more for the final toll. I shall transcend this existence as the Bane of Beasts. I shall claim victory for the final time. I am the Calamity Catalyst." Issei chanted.
"Calamity Catalyst, Primordial Ascension! CALAMITY SAVIOR!" Rexis announced.
Issei's aura flooded the entire area, washing it dark with navy-blue mana. Bahamut's aura wrapped around him, solidifying into armor that closely resembled the Abyssal Wyrm. This time, Issei's eyes glowed brightly red, his aura pulsating so strongly that there seemed to be a barely noticeable rumble in the air.
When Ezagyra looked at Issei, she froze. For one brief moment, she thought she was looking at Bahamut in humanoid form, not Issei.
There were no words from Issei when he attacked. He spread his wings, which shimmered with navy light as he fired beams in all directions, battering the protective dome around Headquarters. He let loose a hail of homing blasts, striking and exploding all over the place as several dozens of Alliance soldiers were knocked down.
"Issei, stop!" Lefay shrieked as the chaos unfolded.
Sairaorg went into Balance Breaker, propelling himself at Issei like a meteor. When Issei finally made a sound, it scared him witless. The Host of Bahamut roared so intensely, that the Bael heir was sent flying backward like a ragdoll. Issei unleashed another wave of sound, knocking away everyone coming towards him and his two beloveds.
Azazel rushed forward, hoping to restrain Issei, only to swatted away along with countless others as Issei's aura shattered the protective dome of Headquarters.
When Issei turned in Adelaide and Vali's direction, Adelaide nearly screeched in intimidation. The way he looked at her behind his helmet…was he looking at her as an enemy? Before she could notice, he grabbed her and Vali, flying off into nowhere with a sonic boom that merely left shrapnel in his wake.
Adelaide could only look back at Headquarters with regret.
"What have I done?"
(Attack on Titan OST - YouSeeBIGGIRL T:T. End Song.)
The moment they were far enough, Issei teleported them to some random location in China, hoping to take advantage of the large atheism there. Despite Kun Lun being the base for Wukong and his pantheon, their actual sight into the land wasn't as powerful as other pantheons.
Issei dispelled his Balance Breaker, panting from the toll it took on him. His head was spinning from fatigue as his muscles started burning while his legs threatened to give out. It didn't help that Issei was fighting Bahamut's destructive urges.
"Issei!" Vali and Adelaide caught him before he could fall over.
"We've gotta hurry. They're gonna be searching all over for us."
"You're too late."
Issei growled in frustration as the trio turned around to see who had found them.
A tall man with curly brown hair and golden-eyes was blocking their path in the alleyway they were in. He wore a black leather jacket, complete with a red button-up shirt and black pants and boots. Behind him, were several armored soldiers from all sorts of pantheons.
"Damn it."
None of the three were in prime condition. Issei had to give his all to escape while Vali and Adelaide were still winded from their torture.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Heracles, the original demigod son of Zeus. These are my cohorts, the heroes of olden tales from our respective homelands."
Vali cursed under her breath. Among their ranks were the original Beowulf and Siegfried. To boot, the descendants of Hua Mulan, and Nefertiti were with them.
(God of War PS4 OST – Deliverance. Play Song.)
"Please don't resist, Vali. We don't want to be forced to hurt you." Nefertiti was the first to offer a gentle tone.
"Can't do that, Nefertiti, not after what the Alliance tried to pull."
"Our orders are to capture you and take you back to stand trial, specifically you." Heracles eyed Issei.
Heracles snapped his fingers, forming a barrier around the alleyway. Everyone already knew that a fight was coming.
Heracles grabbed Issei by the neck, throttling him into the ground. Issei dodged his fist, avoiding a punch from him. Vali tried to blast him back with magic to the chest, only for Beowulf to take the brunt of his attack. Vali had nearly forgotten about the original Beowulf's unnatural durability.
Adelaide slammed the enemy back with [Rejection Zone], even forcing Heracles to release Issei.
Issei donned his Balance Breaker, punching Heracles so hard that the former demigod was plastered to the barrier he put up. He merely smirked as he dusted off his clothes.
"Yes, that's more like it. I've heard stories of how strong you are. I've been dying to see how well you fight."
Heracles charged like a raging bull, delivering a punch so hard that Issei's armor could be heard clinking. Issei aimed his cannons point-blank at Heracles, firing two beams that engulfed him. When the dust settled, Issei got another fist to the face.
Heracles hadn't escaped unscathed from Issei's attack. He had blood trickling down his face with some bruises here and there. That was the least of worries. Heracles sported a gleeful grin, clutching Issei's neck with a vice-like grip.
"Come on, is that all you've got, boy? You were the one who blew up Headquarters. The least you can do is give me a better challenge." Heracles taunted him, hoping for a bigger fight.
Issei sputtered for air as he kneed the hero in the chest, causing some audible crunches. He followed up with a powerful strike to Heracles' jaw, knocking him back again.
It hadn't been easy for Vali and Adelaide, either. The pair had been fighting off the other four heroes. They dodged and weaved back and forth, barely avoiding projectiles and the slashes of swords.
Beowulf and Siegfried grappled Vali's arms, holding her still as Nefertiti approached for a decisive hit. Adelaide stomped her foot on the ground, knocking the Egyptian descendant to the side as she elbowed Mulan in the ribs before lunging her into a wall with magic.
Issei aimed his cannons at the barrier, blasting at it with whatever energy he had built up. Even now, the price for using Calamity Savior was hampering him. He switched into [Blitzer] mode, shedding his bulkier armor for a slimmer form to enhance his speed. With sword in hand, he darted around the alleyway, knocking the other heroes and heroines back.
"Don't get cocky, boy!" Heracles punched the ground, ricocheting Issei into the air before he hammered him into the ground with both arms.
Vali and Adelaide crashed him into a wall with combined magic, infuriating him. Heracles began to turn red with fury as he charged the two.
"[Divide]"
Heracles faltered as Vali took some of his energy before pelting him with [Stardust], cascading him with explosions. Heracles was like a blind animal, merely charging at the two like a beast. Adelaide took full advantage, sending him flying with [Rejection Zone]. She then turned around to use [Limit Law] to negate Heracles' barrier.
That moment of distraction was all Heracles needed to turn the tide in his favor. He hooked his arm around Vali, slammed her into Adelaide, as he clutched Issei's face, bashing them into the ground. They couldn't even react because of the pain before he struck them again with all his strength.
The shockwaves of their fight were so strong that the entire city they were in was trembling.
Issei was choking up blood as he collected himself. Heracles was panting, still heavily wounded from Issei's direct attack.
(God of War PS4 OST – Deliverance. End Song.)
"I'll admit, boy, you're far stronger than I expected. If you were in top condition, I'd have definitely been in worse shape. You even managed to anger me. I've intimidated and defeated even gods with my strength. Yet, you forced me to be direct. You have my highest praise." Heracles gave Issei an acknowledging smile.
Issei tried to move but was binded by magical chains by Beowulf and Siegfried from a magic seal.
"These chains can contain Fenrir and have been blessed with dragon-slaying magic. It's pointless to resist." Siegfried spoke with such finality that it gave little reason to doubt him.
"Be thankful it was us and not gods. Of course, given your states, I'm not quite sure if even we could've captured you. Still, it's sad. You two were looked upon with such expectations that I was sure you'd become legend." Beowulf sheathed his sword as he continued wrapping the trio in chains.
(Naruto Shippuden OST – Hyouhaku. Play Song.)
"I don't like hitting children, but you three need to answer for what happened at Headquarters." Mulan also continued wrapping another layer of chains around them.
The three tried to resist but were just too exhausted to keep going. These chains were sapping away their strength by the minute.
Just then, they all paused. The noise of footsteps was approaching. They shouldn't have paid it any mind, and yet, they felt compelled to. The resonance of these footsteps made them feel odd. Their instincts told them to stand alert.
The footsteps grew louder and louder but that was inconsequential to the pounding in Issei's ears. What was going on? Bahamut's rage was dying down, replaced by an emotion that Issei never expected from the dragon. His blood ran cold as his stomach turned into knots. His heart felt as if a block of ice had been grown inside it.
What made Bahamut feel fear?
"Issei, what's wrong?" Vali could see the nervousness on his face.
"I-I don't know…For some reason…" Issei struggled to find words.
"Bahamut's afraid." Rexis finished Issei's thoughts.
Heracles looked at him.
"That thing is afraid?"
This feeling felt so familiar to Issei, yet it felt so foreign. The moment of truth came when a hooded figure in black clothing turned the corner. The Figure snapped his fingers, forming a new barrier.
Siegfried tried to teleport the group out but was baffled by being blocked.
"What?!"
"I don't want things to escalate, but I must ask that you release those three." The Hooded Figure sounded calm, but his voice resonated with primordial authority.
"Name yourself." Heracles demanded.
"A friend of yours?" Nefertiti turned to Vali.
"I don't know him."
When Vali turned to Issei and Adelaide, she got two very different reactions. Issei was calm but was sweating profusely. Adelaide looked as if she was going to faint from terror. Her eyes were wide, tears threatening to corner her eyes. She was even quivering with cold hands.
"I-Issei…w-we need to run." She muttered, barely louder than a squeak.
"Those three can't go with you. That'll only make things worse for all of you." The Hooded Figure resounded his demand.
"You have some nerve to make demands of us." Heracles clenched his fist.
"We'll ask again; name yourself." Siegfried had a hand on his sword.
(Naruto Shippuden OST – Hyouhaku. End Song.)
(Naruto Shippuden OST – Kokuten. Play Song.)
The Hooded Figure sighed.
"I'll make this quick." He muttered.
The Hooded Figure disappeared in blue flash of particles. Suddenly, he was behind Heracles.
"What?!" The god didn't have time to react before he was struck in the head.
The action seemed small, but Issei could feel the power behind each strike. In a way, this stranger's attacks were like Shirone's. His attacks had energy imbued into each movement, dealing internal damage as well as physical. The most striking thing that helped him realize what this hooded figure was, was that he was using Abyssal energy.
Siegfried was flung into the wall invisibly without anyone touching him. It was done with so much force that Siegfried was knocked unconscious. Mulan rushed the Figure, her sword aiming for his arm. Once again, the Figure disappeared into particles, appearing behind Mulan. His arm was covered in cerulean electricity. Mulan jittered and sputtered as the lightning magic coursed through her entire being.
The Hooded Figure tossed her aside into the wall as it teleported in front of Beowulf. He clutched his face, slamming his head into the ground before blasting him with a powerful wave of mana. Nefertiti dived from above, her golden staff aimed for his head. The Hooded Figure teleported in front of her face, kicking her into the ground before slamming his heel into her stomach, causing an earthquake on contact.
Heracles picked himself up, shaking off the disorientation from the attack.
"What are you? You're not a god…"
The Hooded Figure didn't say a word. Instead, he held his hand up. Heracles was puzzled by the pose before he was flung miles into the sky by an invisible force. Heracles shocked scream faded as he disappeared from sight.
(Naruto Shippuden OST – Kokuten. End Song.)
Issei and the others were left speechless by the ease in which this stranger defeated the team sent to capture them. However, those concerns shrunk in the face of his approach.
The Hooded Figure materialized a black sword from thin air, poised to strike them. Contrary to their suspicions, this man destroyed the chains binding them instead.
"What?" Issei was dumbstruck by the action.
"W-Who are you?" Vali shakily stood up.
"Call me Viatorus. Consider me an emissary from the Abyss." The Hooded Figure never lost his calm tone, despite the Trio's suspicious stares.
"Come with me. There's a lot we need to talk about."