Updates may start to slow. School starts soon.
Fuck me, only 2 months. They must hate us.
But anyway, I'm debating on when Issei awakens his powers. This arc or the next. Enjoy.
Also, more moody stuff at the beginning, as well as some pretty...nasty nasty stuff. As well as a continuously depressed Issei. This will improve in the future. Just not now, when he still hasn't gotten over his parents.
Midnight Sun
Chapter 5
Arc 1: Forsaken Utopia
Descend Once More
The ocean. Two young boys talked of this mystical body of water for hours, thinking that when they would finally reach the ocean, they would be as free as a bird, yet there they stand, caged to duty, slaves to their own complexities in within. The two boys dip their feet into the ocean. One is smiling, happy at last to live again and witness the wonder of the world he dreamt about so endlessly. One stands there, staring into the horizon where the sky kisses the sea, and he does not see the beauty yet the threat. The knowledge that the enemy was beyond the walls and beyond the walls was the ocean and beyond the ocean... was the enemy. And he wonders... If he kills the enemy, can they be free?
She descended upon the realm, looking for the one that had just recently been exiled.
It had been centuries since they have last seen each other.
She longed for him, just as much as she knew that he longed for her. Such was her nature as what Alaya had defined her as.
She searched for him. She looked through the flames, the ocean, the icy deserts. She searched for centuries for him, just as he had searched endlessly for her upon sensing her.
When two search endlessly, the miracle can never happen.
One must search endlessly, while the other must wait endlessly. Only then, can the miracle occur.
And so they did.
She searched, while he remained.
Through more centuries, they were forced to wait before they reunited. She continued to search, while he continued to wait amidst the hell he had created.
But they finally reunited after millennia. Despite so many years passing, their feelings had never changed. Upon seeing the other, their love blossomed once more, as the blessings God had cast upon them once again took effect.
Upon finding each other, were they able to find each other effortlessly once more.
They departed, and they once again, met at the same spot within the paradise.
It was much different from the Garden of Eden that they had once knew. But they knew it was because it was not the Garden of Eden. It was rather, a paradise of humans, one that mankind themselves had made after centuries of trying.
It was an attempted replica of the paradise God once promised to them.
God no longer promised the paradise, and only through attempts and good deeds would they be allowed to wander throughout the Heavens. However, even then, were they not allowed into the Garden of Eden.
For they were not the [Origin of Man].
They continued to love. They continued to depart and meet as few as years. They refused to be separated once more, for the centuries have not been kind to them. They knew the love was forbidden, but prior to his exile, God himself blessed their marriage and gave his blessings to him.
They continued to indulge themselves within their true love, a love that cannot be dispelled for it was not their sin. It was their blessing to have love strong enough to triumph God himself.
Until one such person had decided to reveal their forbidden love.
That was when Hell ascended, and the Heavens descended, reverting the efforts of the First and Last Star.
Issei and Irina sat at the pews once again.
"Are you sure you should be skipping school, as well as not going home for the past three days?"
It was a miracle that Grayfia had not managed to catch him the time he went back to his house to get a week's worth of clothing.
He wouldn't be able to search for Alaya thoroughly with the likes of [Star of God] Kokabiel in the area, who apparently had six Excaliburs, which would mess up his sense of magic detection. He would constantly be attracted to it, instead of any kind of presence of Alaya or Gaia.
He would assist the exorcists in their task to defeat the once mighty Angel, now warmonger Fallen Angel.
She had her head on his shoulder as she spoke. She was peaceful, with the person she has loved for the past decade. They had been apart for so long, yet she still held feelings for him, denying every male exorcist that sought her love.
She had been increasingly more affectionate, and Issei didn't try to stop her.
Their fingers were laced together, Issei's frighteningly cold fingers with her warm ones.
They looked like the perfect couple, but they were anything but perfect.
After all, Issei's heart was still glass. Any wrong move, and it would be shattered once more. It had already broken once before. A second time would cause the end of him.
He had built walls around his emotions to prevent it from happening.
These walls were the walls that prevented him from giving any love to Irina, who he had used to like from back then, despite the two being "guys". Issei was not gay back then.
"Yeah...it's fine. I have my own task to do while my two friends are away searching."
"Oh? Searching for this Alaya?"
Issei had told Irina about his quest to find Alaya to help Luna return to her world. Irina had never had any exposure to any Counter-Guardians, causing her to be surprised when Issei had told her many of this world's strongest figures had all ascended to the Counter Force.
However, Issei never knew that he was only told half the truth.
"Yeah. I will find Alaya. I will help my friend become apart of the Counter-Force."
Irina breathed gently, and Issei tensed at her sudden touch on the back of his neck.
"It's been so long, Ise." She was the only one allowed to call him by that nickname. "Ten years...and we've changed so much from back then."
He felt daring, and rested his cheek against the top of her head. He felt her tense the moment his cheek hit her head, but she did not protest against it. She knew that it was only to play along with her, not because he really wanted to.
After all, how can a caged heart still reach out and grasp love?
"Can you not love me?"
His eyes turned half-lidded. "You know the answer."
He knew that she frowned at his cryptic answer. It was what he usually did. Never gave a straight-forward answer.
"Have you ever?"
She gave another question, this time, one relating to their past.
"What brought this on?" He didn't give a smile, or any sign of any of his emotions.
"I was just wondering. You know how I feel, yet you have never left me, or berated me."
Issei's lips turned upwards from his frown, yet still was not a smile. It was a flat line. His brown eyes turned distant. "Back then...there was a time. My memory is foggy...I don't remember much from my childhood. But what I do remember, is that you were my closest friend. You stuck beside me all the way until you had to leave to the Church.
There was a time, where I did. So long ago, I can no longer remember. But no longer do I hold the same feelings as you back then."
He gave a tired sigh. "Maybe...someday. When I find peace. You are the most important person to me."
Irina's eyes widened, before they began to tear up. "Idiot...saying things like that. You shouldn't say that kind of stuff until you are ready to return what I feel. But...I'll allow you to continue this nonsense." She hugged his side as a few more tears leaked out of her eyes.
Issei was quiet. He knew that it was wrong to say it. But he still wished to.
She had a chance. She only had to wait for the time.
He knew that she loved him. Neither of them said it, but they both knew how strong her feelings were for him.
It was...a welcoming feeling. To think that she still remembered everything they had done together, ever since he had saved her.
Irina, Griselda, and a third hooded figure dashed through the woods.
"Remember the plan. We are not to engage against Kokabiel if we ever find him. We are to escape as best as soon as we see him. Us alone can not take him out."
"Yes Griselda-sama." The two responded.
Irina went to the left, while the hooded figure went to the right.
Griselda continued forward.
She spoke to herself in a low voice. "That boy...Hyoudou Issei. Irina doesn't realize it. She's too in love with him to notice. Xenovia and I were able to detect him the moment we entered the city. Something with that kind of power shouldn't exist among the humans."
She frowned as she continued to move.
The last remaining Excalibur fragment hidden inside of the holy sword she wielded hummed with power.
It continued to bless her.
It was sorcery. To be able to create a second sword around the Excalibur Fragment to hide the sword within an ordinary holy sword. It was some sort of magic. By the power of Griselda's will, the sword was able to switch between the a normal holy sword and Excalibur itself. Even with Excalibur sealed within the holy sword, it's passive effects still went through.
She gritted her teeth.
She sensed something ahead. It wasn't the same as Hyoudou Issei. It still held some sort of hope within. It was tainted, but not darkness.
Her sword shined brighter within its sheath as she pulled more of Excalibur Blessing's power from within it. She can feel it begin to strain, as she was not using its true form, but rather, only its basic form to avoid detection.
She didn't want to bring out the Fragment, it would cause Kokabiel to know where she was. Revealing her Fragment would cause the Devils within the city to also become aware of her presence. The church wished to keep the mission a secret, and had them work without the Devil's awareness.
If they find the power of a great Holy Sword such as Excalibur, even if it were just fragments, within their city, they would immediately believe it was a declaration of war and call their families. They would retreat, believing the exorcists were aiming to kill them.
Even she cannot defeat Serafall Leviathan and the damn Lucifer that she was terrified of. She had faced the Lucifer in combat alongside Dulio and a few other Guardians of Heaven.
It was an even fight, one against eight, until he unleashed the power that caused everyone to know his name.
She was one of the few Guardians of Heaven that knew the secret of his power. She didn't know what he had sacrificed, but she knew where he had obtained his immense power from.
The Power of Destruction that he wielded was not inherited from the Bael. The Bael's Power of Destruction was what he had formerly wielded. It used to destroy, and he had used it to annihilate those who opposed him. But the [Abyss]'s [Abyssal Works] was what he currently wielded. And it didn't just destroy. It REMOVED from existence. It completely erased everything it touched from reality itself, never to come back.
She and Dulio were the only survivors, only because he found them interesting.
She broke out of her thoughts as she arrived in a clearing.
Facing her, was a person she did not expect.
She had twelve wings of the purest white, and curly blonde hair that reached her thigh. Her voluptuous figure was able to attract men and women alike. Her eyes were closed, as if she were meditating in the middle of what may soon be the battlefield.
"Gabriel-sama?"
Irina dashed through the trees.
She knew her mission. She was to find Kokabiel, and escape as soon as she had caught sight of him.
But she wanted to fight. He was a heretic. He had fallen from God's paradise. He had discarded the love God had given to all of his creations, and sought sinful pleasure in place of the love from the Father himself.
Not only that, he had stolen the fragments of Excalibur. Stolen!
She believed the Excaliburs should have never been wielded again. They were for the one King that had built a kingdom that had almost rivaled His own.
Until his return from Avalon, there should be no wielders of the Excaliburs. The Church agreed with her thinking, and no exorcist had ever wielded the Holy Sword created by the Fae.
This was the first time since Excalibur had been wielded since its shattering and death of its wielder. It was an uncomfortable thought, as she knew that Griselda currently had the last Excalibur fragment. Griselda herself did not like to use the power of the Excalibur, as she too, shared the same thoughts as Irina.
None of them were worthy.
Much like the Sword of Choosing Caliburn, it should only be wielded by the one it was gifted to. And it was given to the King of Knights.
Irina pushed herself further. Her legs burned as she moved as fast as possible.
Her hands clutched at the weapon she knew was always beside her. It did not need to be physical for her to know it was there. It was waiting as always, obeying her every command.
She only needed a single command to bring it out.
Her eyes widened when she reached a clearing.
"You've arrived."
Fear overcame her. She had said that she would fight him, but facing him...was another different story.
His red eyes stared at her, a cold glint within it. His pale skin contrasted against his wings, which were the color of a dark night. It was akin to a crow's, compared to the usual ravens the Grigori head Fallen had. Ten wings spread out behind him.
"I have been waiting for you, exorcist." He spit out the words, as if they were acid in his mouth.
She couldn't bring herself to answer. Fear took over every part of her body as his power radiated. Considering how much power he had, it was a wonder how nobody was attracted to it.
"Oh...that's why." She muttered.
She knew where she was. Mist covered the forest, as the sky became a blur of colors. The sounds of the insects had disappeared, leaving only Kokabiel and herself in the clearing. She focused again on the endless blur of color that was the sky.
It was the work of the Longinus, Dimension Lost: Fog of Extinction.
Nobody had been attracted because it wasn't a simple barrier. It had moved the two of them into the Gap Between Worlds.
"Surprised at this?" Kokabiel chuckled. He was able to read her mind like a book. "You must be wondering on how I got my hands on a Longinus. I didn't. They merely cooperated with me. They are also interested in destruction."
"Oho? If it isn't Shidou Irina?"
Fear overcame her twice as much.
She knew that voice. And it terrified her. She knew of his past deeds. And she knew her position as a two versus one.
She thought that she would at least be able to be defeated and escape without any problem with Kokabiel. He was a Cadre, and he would refuse to touch an exorcist of the church. The second one however, was notorious for his passion for killing before being excommunicated.
The final straw to the church was on his last mission. The six man team was killed by the S class Stray Devil, with Freed Sellzen being the only survivor. However, the church later found out that the hunt had turned into a chase. In the middle of the chase, one by one, Freed had taken the female exorcists, and had raped them, before killing them. The only other male of the party was left alone against the Stray, believing he was the last one alive, only to be stabbed in the back by Freed.
Freed had easily taken down the Stray. He had purposefully killed every member of his own team for his own pleasure.
And that was why she was fearful for her own well-being right now.
"You can do as you wish Freed. I will only watch."
Freed laugh crazily, causing Irina to take a step back.
A brilliant light appeared in his hand, and Irina widened her eyes. Rage consumed her as she recognized the Holy Light.
"How dare you use such a weapon?! None of us are worthy!" She screamed as him.
"Hoh? A lowly whore is trying to lecture me on swords?" The mad exorcist laughed.
A sword of gold appeared in her hand. She swung it, and it clashed against Freed's. Sparks flew, as the two mythical weapons continuously struck each other.
Their strikes were fast for humans. In the span of three seconds, they had already exchanged nine blows. His eyes were still crazed, but there was a focus in it. He knew that if he made a single mistake, he would be killed.
He disengaged, and Irina shifted her feet. She stood held her sword in two hands, the blade pointed at him.
He grinned, and vanished.
"Excalibur...Transparency." She growled.
She didn't know where he was. The Fragment completely cloaked the wielder. She would not be able to sense the killing intent, the sound of his feet, or his breath.
It was one of the most powerful fragments. It completely left the opponent at the wielder's mercy.
Her fear came back.
She felt a smack on her arse causing her to growl in anger, lashing out with her sword.
She hit nothing.
Again and again, he continued to violate her. Touching her in places she had kept sacred for the one she loved. She could not keep him off of her, as she would waste extra energy.
She was cornered.
She did not wish to use the full power of her sword. Griselda had told her that no matter what happened, she must keep it a secret. It was one of their trump cards. They could not afford to use it recklessly, no matter how humiliating it was.
Eventually Freed got tired of it.
He smacked her with what she presumed was the flat of his blade. She slammed into one of the trees at the edge of the clearing. She was exhausted and couldn't move.
"That was some nice foreplay." He grabbed her wrists, and another flash of light appeared.
Excalibur Mimic was in his hands, in the form of three ropes.
He bound her wrists above her, and opened her legs, bounding them to two other Excalibur Fragments.
Her eyes widened as fear enveloped her entire soul once more.
He grinned at her expression.
"That's an expression I like." He said hungrily as he unbuckled his pants. "Now let me feel those places again."
A single tear rolled down her eye as he grabbed her clothing, and tore it.
Issei awoke with a gasp.
"A nightmare...?"
He shook his head. It was impossible for it to be a nightmare. It was...a memory. He didn't know what.
Thrice it had happened. This third time, he witnessed the forbidden love of a Devil and an Angel. The Angel did not fall, and he understood through the memories, it was because it was true love. An Angel cannot fall if it had not committed any sin.
Love was one of the many gifts that was granted to God's creations. He would not dare to keep it away from his most prized creations, the never-changing Angels.
He didn't know why...but he was able to recognize the Angel. His entire being longed for it.
But he could not remember her name.
Was he the Devil that he had seen?
He shook his head at the thought. The Devil was from long ago...he was only born seventeen years ago.
He looked at the clock, and saw it was two in the morning. Luna and Vali had not returned the previous night, so Issei assumed they will be back today or tomorrow.
It was Thursday.
He had just broken to Irina the previous day that he had forgotten many feelings for her in his childhood. It wasn't that he couldn't remember, but that he wanted to forget everything after that fateful day.
He wanted better for her. She still loved him.
Yet, he couldn't bring himself to push her away. He found comfort within her love.
He looked around the church. He frowned, noticing that none of the exorcists were back yet. "That's strange...it's got to have been at least ten hours. Why would be out for so long?"
The Church was empty, not even Asia was in it.
Issei sighed, as he wandered into the corner. It had been three days since he last went home. Irina had managed to convince the other three to let him stay. He stripped of his bed clothes, and turned on the faucet. Fresh cold water poured out, and Issei splashed it onto his body. It was what all four of them had to do. It wasn't the bast, but Issei wasn't going to complain. He had to be thankful for them to let him house with them until Kokabiel was dealt with.
Griselda had warned him that Kokabiel might go after him. The reason she gave was because he was affiliated with the exorcists.
Issei wondered how Luna and Vali were doing.
He let himself rest in the bath, which was just a smooth stone carved into the shape of a bath.
He stared down at his hands. He wanted to help the exorcists. He wanted to help Luna and Vali.
But he couldn't. He was powerless.
He was forced to stay behind by both the exorcists and his friends. The former to have him stay away from the battlefield with Kokabiel, the latter because he was unable to teleport, and he would be unable to leave his house for extended periods of time during the school year.
He hasn't exactly followed the last part by ditching school for three days straight, as well as leaving his home without telling Grayfia.
He blinked, as a feeling of hunger overtook him. He looked towards something beyond the walls of the church, as his eyes peered between the threads of reality. He saw her as she descended.
Their eyes met, emerald green against chocolate brown.
He knew who she was. Looking at her caused the weakened Alaya to give information to him as a natural resident of the World.
Something lurched inside of him as they continued to look at each other. His eyes were impassive, while hers were full of love and affection. She mouthed words at him, words only he can understand.
And she turned away.
The Crack that he had looked through closed, causing a pain in his head similar to a migraine.
He was left with a single question.
Who was she to him?
"Griselda."
The [Angel of Love] Gabriel descended into the clearing. The sun shined on her as if she was the Peacebringer herself.
Griselda knelt in respect towards the legendary Seraph herself.
"No need for this. I believe you were in the middle of a hunt?"
The Strongest Female Exorcist nodded. "Yes. I split our team up. Irina headed to the West, and Xenovia headed to the East. It was needed to cover more ground. The more time we spending the dark of Kokabiel's whereabouts, the more time he has to fuse the Excalibur Fragments together. He also knows where we are located as followers of God himself."
"Ah yes...my brother." The green eyed Angel nodded at the mention of the Cadre. "He is powerful, despite having less wings than both of my two Fallen brothers."
Gabriel had not mentioned the names of her other two brothers, but Griselda knew who she was referring to. Who else was powerful from the Fallen Angels besides the legendary Governor and Vice-Governor? Baraqiel was indeed powerful, but he had ten wings, much like Kokabiel.
Despite the wings of the both Angels being a measurement of power, it was still possible for Angels with less wings than others to be just as strong. One such example were the Royal Guards. They were mostly consisted of six-winged Angels, with the eight-winged Angels have command over the others. Despite only have six or eight wings, they were still capable of defending their respective Seraphim from either other Seraphim, or the Fallen Angel Cadres.
"Yes indeed. Is there a reason why you have decided to come down from Heaven?"
The beautiful Angel nodded, but did not care to share the reason.
She merely looked to the side, almost as if she saw something Griselda did not.
"Gabriel-sama?"
Gabriel blinked, and looked away. The female exorcist frowned at Gabriel's reaction.
"Is there something wrong?" Griselda asked in concern.
"I...saw something." She shook her head. "I merely got confused...I thought I was within one of [Delusion]'s dreams...for something so precious to me to appear once again after so long."
Griselda blinked in confusion. For some reason, she felt as if Gabriel was no longer talking to her, but was musing to herself instead.
"I must be going Gabriel-sama. Please excuse me."
Gabriel nodded, her mind in a different place.
Griselda dashed past [Angel of Love] Gabriel.
She pressed her pointer and her middle finger against her temple. She spoke with her mind. "Xenovia and Irina, please report."
"Nothing as of right now Griselda-sama." She heard the curt reply of the blue-haired exorcist, Xenovia.
"Irina?"
Griselda attempted to call out to Irina, but the chestnut-haired exorcist did not answer her call.
"Irina?!" She called frantically.
She gritted her teeth as she shifted her path. She headed straight to the west, hoping to hit where Irina was searching. She couldn't leave behind Irina. "Xenovia, please head directly west. I will release part of my Fragment's power. I do not wish to, but we must save Irina. Follow the power of my Fragment. If it is what I fear, be prepared to hold him off for a few seconds before we can make our escape."
"Yes Griselda-sama."
She called upon more power of her Fragment. The sword held within her grip vibrated with power, as she continued to draw out more than she could. If she wanted to release more of the blessings, she would have to abandon the holy sword it was built within.
Even with the threat of Irina's capture, she did not wish to release a power that did not belong to her. She felt as if Irina would do the same if they were within the same positions.
She hoped that whatever happened to Irina would not awaken the darkness that resided within her friend.
She feared for everyone within the country.
You reached the end. Congrats.
As of right now, I have 8 planned Arcs + Epilogue. Let's hope I can actually manage to reach the very end.
I don't plan to combine any Arcs, as that'll defeat the purpose of each individual one. It's meant to build character development as well as story, and I don't see how I can fit two Arcs under one title. It just doesn't work.
Hope you all enjoyed, and I'll be seeing you next time.
-Houvdon
Next Chapter: Raynare
Arc 1: Forsaken Utopia
Arc 2: TBD
Arc 3: TBD
Arc 4: A Hero's Regret
Arc 5: End of the Dream
Arc 6: Second and Last Sun
Arc 7: The Delusional Guardians
Arc 8: To the Abyssal Dawn
Epilogue: To the Tomorrow We Walk