Merry Christmas to those who are reading, this chapter took to fucking long to write and that is partially writers block but also University and studying has been taking a lot of my time. Here is the chapter and probably the end of this arc I guess is the way to say it? Anyway enjoy.
He Did It
The barrier that had been used to protect Kuoh from damage had exploded into shards as it cracked under the sudden pressure and power of Juggernaut drive. Luckily they were shielded by a timely barrier from Grayfia.
"What was that?" Rias shouted in shock at their barrier suddenly cracking,
"Grayfia get our sisters out of there he has activated juggernaut drive!" Sirzechs quickly relayed to his maid
"It will be done" she replied calmly before creating a teleportation circle underneath them
"Grayfia we cannot leave! It's our town we have to protect it!" Rias shouted at the maid as she refused to leave her area
"Rias, he has activated Juggernaut drive. Your town may not be standing at the end of the day. Sirzechs and Serafall cannot fight to their best if they are worrying about their sisters. We are leaving and there will be no arguing" Grayfia replied calmly determined to carry out her order. Before Rias could retort her childhood friend clasped her shoulder standing her down.
"She is right this fight is out of our league. We can no longer protect our town but your brother and my sister can on our behalf but they cannot protect it if they are worrying about us" Sona reasoned with her friend who grit her teeth in a mixture of anger and annoyance.
"Rias! The exorcist won't survive at this rate! She needs proper medical attention!" Akeno who was healing Xenovia informed her King and this was one more reason for them to leave the area. Grayfia summoned a large teleportation circle beneath them as a large roar followed before they disappeared in a flash of red light.
Issei's form was distorted, he was now a hulking mess of limbs and large wings while where his mouth would be there was a massive set of sharpened teeth. A distorted and blood curdling scream emerged from his mouth a testament to the amount of anger and pain he was experiencing.
Kokabiel was cackling with joy, finally a fight worth his full might. While the leaders of the three factions watched on tense, Sirzechs expression becoming grim as did Serafall's. Gabriel attempted to deny it but she was no fool, she knew if Issei would not snap out of Juggernaut drive they would have to kill him. Vali almost seemed disappointed, if his rival would not snap out of Juggernaut drive then they would have their battle early a fight he sought to fight in the future where they would be more powerful.
Kokabiel flew up spreading his wings and throwing out his arms as light swords formed around him. All poised to strike down the enraged dragon, he snapped his fingers as the swords flew towards him covering the area in explosions of holy energy.
A dust haze began filling the battlefield before the enraged howling of angry beast echoed.
"Azazel, Sirzechs, Serafall Help me setup a barrier" Michael requested as he threw his arms out and a golden bubble began expanding to surrounded them and the general area. The three leaders and Gabriel immediately added their own might to barrier, reinforcing it.
"Raynare, Kalawarner leave this fight is out of your league" Azazel ordered his subordinates, Raynare was going to retort but a sharp look from Azazel silenced her while Kalawarner nodded and accepted his order
"Yes sir" she began summoning a teleportation circle, Raynare glanced desperately at Issei who was enraptured in his own anger and pain. She prayed for him to be safe as they were promptly teleported away. He shook his head the argument he had with Raynare still fresh in his mind but he turned back to focus on the barrier.
"What's the plan then?" Azazel asked Michael as they held up the barrier
"We have to weaken him before we can subdue him" Michael replied
"How do you suggest we do that?" Sirzechs asked, the sudden unfurling of wings drew their attention. As Vali smirked as they gazed upon Divine Dividing
"The white dragon emperor, so this was your trump card Azazel" Serafall added her thoughts, it was useful to know what Azazel had up his slevee.
"Nice to meet you white dragon emperor-chan" she managed to joke with a wave of her wand and a goofy smile. Vali simply ignored her,
"I will use Divide on him to counteract his boosts. You can use that opportunity to get him, make sure he doesn't die. I would like to fight my rival"
"Alright ya battle maniac sounds like a plan" Azazel interjected having enough of Vali's battle mania, they all nodded their agreement with the plan.
Serafall and Gabriel were standing side by side as they held the barrier up.
"What you did to him was wrong…" Serafall began
"I know it was, more than you can imagine" Gabriel whispered quietly and with shame
"He is a good person, how could you let it happen? Angels are supposed to be benevolent but maybe you are just as crooked as us devils" Serafall jabbed clearly unenthused by the angel's effort. Gabriel sent a glare to the Satan, she did not appreciate the accusations.
"You speak as if you knew Issei as long as I did but you don't. I stood by him from the beginning I saw him grow into the man he is, I saw him smile, I saw him fight his hardest so he could get stronger for the woman he loved. I saw him break, I saw him wracked by guilt and I know the wrongs he committed. I made a mistake we all do and I will atone for my mistake." Gabriel retorted her tone steadily rising as tools pooled in the corner of her eyes. Everyone had been listening in on their argument, Michael had a frown on his lips. He knew he had caused Gabriel the pain and she loved Issei but she never could admit it to him and now they may have to kill him.
"Serafall calm down" Sirzechs warned her although he was surprised at how much Serafall liked Issei, so much so that she was practically picking a fight with Gabriel.
"Focus Gabriel! You can argue later but right now we have to save Issei's life!" Azazel barked not having any of the argument, his words snapped Gabriel back to attention. An enraged roar drew them back to fight.
Kokabiels light spears struck the enraged dragon but practically bounced off his dragon scales and seemed to irritate him more than anything. Kokabiel was panting heavily as he exerted himself sending dozens of light spears and swords in attempt to kill the dragon but failing. A roar drew his attention back to the dragon before he quickly dodged a blast of green energy.
Narrowly managing to avoid it, it struck the barrier the leaders had setup and was subsequently absorbed. Kokabiel summoned another storm of spears and swords before summoning his own two handed swords. A flap of his wings propelled him forward before he willed the storm of swords and spears forward.
The swords exploded around the dragon or bounced off his dragon scales. Kokabiel came within striking distance his two handed sword poised to strike and he struck the first blow cutting a sharp slash across the chest plate but it was shallow. He glanced up to see the crooked disfigured grin teeth before an arm quickly swiped Kokabiel away cutting into his arms as he went tumbling away.
He managed to upright himself as he clutched his bleeding arm, his breathing was more laborious. He dropped down to one knee as he clutched a light sword. He clenched and unclenched his hands he could feel the adrenaline roaring through his veins, a laugh of joy escaped his lips before he began summoning more light spears. The dragon responded to this growing power with a grunt as his body shuffled to face the threat. A low growl escaped his mouth as if he was merely annoyed by the threat perhaps angry. Then began the powering up,
[BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST!]
An oppressive aura began expanding. The leaders responding by pushing more of their power into the barrier preparing for the new onslaught. Vali was laughing in joy as a grin formed on his lips.
"This is what I expect from my rival!" he practically cheered his rival on
"Kokabiel is so fucked…" Azazel muttered
"Bring it!" Kokabiel roared back as he began summoning more light spears while his opponent began charging up with his own draconic power.
The tension in the air was thick as both began summoning the full might of their power. Then the world seemed to freeze before they released their full might a storm of light spears meet a beam of draconic energy.
A blinding white flash covered the arena forcing the onlookers to shield their eyes a few tense moments passed before it cleared. A cloud of dust lingered before it lessened revealing the silhouette of an enraged dragon but no Kokabiel.
A faint gurgling was held as everyone looked to see a Kokabiel with his left arm and left leg gone as half his body was atomised as he lay on the floor in a pool of his own organs and blood. His attempts at breathing escaped as gurgles as he practically choked on his own blood, his chest heaving as blood continued spilling from his body as blood spluttered from his mouth as he tried to gulp for air but it was an exercise in futility. Within moments the light faded from his eyes as a smile of pure satisfaction remained on his face, he had died gloriously on the field of battle and he wanted nothing more.
A howl of satisfaction escaped the berserk dragon's maw he had finally had his vengeance. The leaders waited breath held, hoping he would snap out of the throes of juggernaut drive.
"Issei its done!" Gabriel called to him this earned the dragon's attention, Gabriel stepped forward as all eyes turned to her
"Issei snap out of it please!" Gabriel pleaded once the dragon paused as if it was contemplating the angel's words
"She wouldn't want this please Issei you have suffered enough, Irina…." Her pleading was cut off by an enraged roar the mention of Irina as the ground started shaking while his wings flapped in anger.
"He's gone berserk we have to restrain him" Serafall declared worry plaguing her mind
"Michael and Azazel you maintain the barrier. Serafall, Gabriel you two are with me we have to restraint him and Vali you have to weaken his power." Sirzechs ordered but as he did the dragon seemed to turn to them
"Vali now!" Azazel suddenly called
[VANISHING DRAGON SCALE MAIL]
This seemed to draw the dragon's attention as his face turned to his rival. Vali flew towards his enemy before stopping within a few meters and hovering above him.
"Let's see your true strength my rival" Vali muttered beneath his breath before he held his hands out
"I, who am about to awaken,"
"Wait he is going to activate juggernaut drive as well?" Serafall questioned with worry
"Vali unlike his rival he has complete control during Juggernaut drive" Azazel calmed them but they were still nervous but they decided to trust him.
"Am the Heavenly Dragon who has taken the principles of supremacy from God
I envy the "infinite" and I pursue the "dream"
I shall become the White Dragon of Supremacy
And I shall take you to the limits of white paradise"
Vali became a larger form of himself with his wings able to eclipse the moon.
"Show me your worth my rival, Issei Hyoudou…" Vali taunted his rival as he held his arms open completely relaxed. An enraged roar escaped his rival as he began powering up,
[BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST!]
[Well done Vali your skills at taunting are more impressive than your combat prowess] Albion commented sarcastically
A ball of green energy formed before it was promptly fired at Vali. He raised his hand out before he called out
[DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE!]
The beam shrunk into nothingness as Vali grinned under his helmet, he felt raw power coursing through his veins.
"Don't mind if I steal more of your power my dear rival?" Vali taunted before he began stealing his opponents power
[DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE!]
Vali glowed with blue energy, exuding raw power before he summoned his own two balls of blue draconic energy. He promptly threw them at his rival before Serafall added her own might freezing the dragon's legs while Sirzechs threw a sword of ruin magic while Gabriel threw three light spears.
Their attacks enraged the dragon and did damage him although it was promptly negated by the dragon powering up some more. Little did the fighters know that Ddraig was waging an internal war to save his partners soul and one word gave him a chink in the chains of rage that held Issei's soul.
Issei stood over the body of his enemy Kokabiel. His futile gulps of air echoing through his mind. Issei's heart slowed as he glanced down at his hands dipped in the blood of the person who murdered his girlfriend.
"You think you won?" the voice of his most hated enemy echoed, he glanced down to see a mocking grin on the half-dead Kokabiel.
"You're dead" Issei spat a chilling laugh echoed as Kokabiels only eye glanced up at him taunting him.
"So is she" Kokabiel still managed to lick his lips
"Her screams were the most beautiful thing, she screamed for you to save her but where were you? WHERE WERE YOU AS THE WOMAN YOU LOVED SCREAMED FOR MERCY, SCREAMED FOR YOU TO HELP HER, SAVE HER, HER CRYING FACE WAS SO BEAUTIFUL I COULDN'T STOP GUTTING HER! I WAS SURPRISED THERE WAS ANYTHING LEFT OF HER!"
Issei clutched his head in pain as he stepped back, Kokabiels laughs and words ringing in his ears. The pain in the head got worse, he couldn't handle it he fell to his knee's screaming as flashes of Irina lifeless body assaulted him, her organs barely staying in her body, blood everywhere, tears staining her cheeks. Her beautiful Auburn hair practically coloured blood red.
He could remember that moment exactly, he fell to his knees clutching her body shaking it while screaming her name. Xenovia a broken mess bawling in a corner none of his words could rouse her. His hands dipped in her blood as fruitlessly tried to revive her, him crying as he clutched her body.
Then came memories of the worst part. They stared into each other eyes, dark amber against brown before they both met in the middle their lips mashing greedily chasing some form of comfort. Issei's hands roving over her body prying off any article of clothing that got in his way, while she the same for him. Their lips never parting as they roughly fell on top of each onto the bed both of them seeking warmth as their tongues tangled greedily and with need. Issei's harrowing screams continued as Kokabiel continued laughing.
[ENOUGH!] Ddraig roared as he unleashed a long breath of fire burning away his fears, pain and guilt. Issei stood up his eyes wide as he witnessed his partner "Ddraig?" the dragon cracked a tooth grin
[Nice to see you again partner] Ddraig greeted before he found Issei hugging his chest or attempting to do so he was a 15-foot dragon after all. Ddraig allowed it for a few moments before his pride could no longer handle it [Oi Oi I'm a dragon not a cuddly teddy bear]. Issei had a wide smile on his face, it had been a long time since Ddraig had seen him smile as he did. While Ddraig's power was sealed off he could still see what his partner was experiencing and he always accepted his partner's decision to seal him but when Kokabiel stabbed him it had given Ddraig the needed impetus to break the seal but unfortunately Ddraig had used Issei's rage to fuel his power but it had subsequently taken him over.
"Been a while since I have been in here" Issei joked as he did a 360 while Ddraig couldn't help but chuckle, Issei was about to open his mouth to speak but Ddraig interrupted him. [We can talk later partner but right now you are going berserk]
"Juggernaut Drive" he muttered
[I have managed to at least gain back some of your conscience but not all of it. Albion and his host, Serafall, Sirzechs and Gabriel are trying to restrain you but its proving troublesome] Ddraig informed him before Issei clenched his fist "Where is Xenovia?"
[The devils took her away to heal her but besides that I am not sure] Ddraig informed his partner.
"So how are we going to take my body?" Issei asked turning to dragon whose eyes glanced away before looking back to his partner. "I know that look you have an idea but it may not be good" Issei caught on to the dragon's trepidation. [Since I have gained some of your conscience back you and I could forcefully expel the spirits controlling you but…]
"It's going to hurt like a bitch?"
[Painful was the term I would use but that is a good way of putting it] Ddraig admitted
"Well what are we waiting for? I want my damn body back"
Issei on the outside was a monster, he was taking blow after blow he was slowing down but he was still putting up a monstrous fight. Sirzechs was holding back with his power of destruction reluctant to use more as ultimately would rather not kill the red dragon emperor as he was a possible solution to his troubles with House Phenex also it would not do well politically with Azazel and Michael especially Gabriel. He glanced to his allies not sure how much longer they could afford to try and weaken him but they were too wrapped up in their own thoughts to entertain him with any response.
Gabriel and Serafall minds were in a frantic state thinking of the worst case scenario as the enraged dragon did not let up. In the heat of battle, they surprisingly worked together effectively where Serafall threw ice, Gabriel threw her weight behind the attack targeting the same point. Meanwhile, Vali was not disappointed the battle had his heart pumping and adrenaline flowing but he wished to fight his opponent when he wasn't in a berserk state.
The dragon suddenly paused before unleashing a scream of complete utter pain and agony and his wings began thrashing as he began stomping on the ground.
[Something is happening Vali! Get back!] Albion warned his partner who in turn warned Serafall, Sirzechs and Gabriel
"Get back!" the leaders heeded his call and backed off trepidation on everyone present before suddenly the dragon began shrinking.
"Azazel?" Michael asked hoping for an answer as he turned to his fallen counterpart
"I have no damn clue" Azazel admitted as he watched on with interest
The dragon continued shrinking the disfigured limbs started turning into his previous form in scale mail. The screams started becoming more human the distorted draconic voice gone, the screaming was Issei's voice. "Issei!" Gabriel and Serafall shouted in concern as everyone watched with trepidation and pity some flinched at the extent of the screaming.
The draconic scales of his balance breaker disintegrated to show Issei clutching his left hand which was pulsing scales and a flashing emerald stone as it thrashed in his grip. While his veins appeared as red or green lines pulsing with energy and his left eye flashing green as he fell to his knees screaming in absolute pain.
"He's gaining control of his body!" Azazel declared as the oppressive aura of juggernaut drive began receding
"AAAAAHHHHHHHHAHAHHHAHHHAHAHHAHAH!" Issei continued screaming as he continued fighting back for control of his body. Gabriel began walking closer her heart no longer able to take watching him suffer, she wanted to hold him comfort him.
"GABRIEL GET BACK!" Issei roared demonstrating he had semblance of control as he saw the blonde haired angel advance closer, glancing between his thrashing left arm and her. "I AM STILL NOT IN CONTROL GABRIEL!" He roared but she didn't care, she continued walking her arms outstretched as tears pooled in the corner of her eye, her heart beating in her chest with pity for the man she loved.
"I don't care!" she declared before she hugged him, he thrashed against her but she didn't care. "It's fine Issei everything is alright" she whispered as she held his head to her chest. His screams deafening, "GABRIEL!" He roared but she ignored him holding him even tighter and little by little his thrashing and screaming weakened before stopping. Gabriel glanced down to see brown eyes of the man she loved stare back at her, "Gabriel… Thank you…" he managed to utter before he suddenly had a violent coughing fit blood staining the angel's white robes while she glanced down to see that his chest wound had begun bleeding again his eyes flickered while he became weaker in her arms. Her eyes widened in horror "Issei! Issei!" she began shouting his name as she shook him, he seemed to become paler while he coughed more and more of his blood and he bleed out on the ground and the angel clutching him.
"MICHAEL!" She screamed for her brother as Issei continued coughing seeming not to stop, her brother running over as did the other leaders however none were faster than Serafall. "Issei stay with me it will be fine, I promise, please Issei I love you…" Gabriel pleaded as she lightly shook Issei who was on the edge of consciousness but it was no vain as he passed out in her arms his life in the balance. Gabriel began sobbing but as she did b she began applying medical care clutching his wound with both hands as they glowed yellow channelling healing magic but the fear was clear to see as her hands shook uncontrollably as she continued healing. Serafall reached first to add her own powers to the healing. The two exchanged looks before they continued healing him, his body limp beneath them as he was no longer conscious.
As Serafall tried to save her friends life, a feeling surfaced in her gut a feeling she didn't expect one of fear, fear that her friend would die but another feeling lingered in the Satans mind. Jealousy, absolute jealousy as she saw the angel hug her friend she couldn't explain why she had this feeling but it was of no concern as what was her priority was to save her friends life but such feelings don't go away they merely gnaw at the back of your mind.
This took too damn long to write (it shouldn'thave) and I apologize for that, I hope this chapter was worth it please drop a review leaving your thoughts, By the time you read this it will be Christmas so Merry Christmas and if I don't update one of my stories by new year's I wish you all a Happy New Year and thank you all for following and reading my stories your support is truly amazing and I appreciate it. So until next time Happy New Year and Merry Christmas!