Just finished binge re-reading There's Always a Tomorrow (Chronicles of Vladimir Tod by A.M.C. Theaters) and Broken Wings (DxD by bluePrintLV). Man, both of those stories are emotional roller-coasters. Like, I swear, I teared up a little, especially near the end of BW, such a depressing yet satisfying ending, taking the same route as Akame Ga Kill. Nobody is invincible.
I have recently started school again, so updates may slow to one update per month, hope you are all patient enough for that. If anyone else can recommend me a story with as much emotion as TAAT or BW, I will gladly appreciate it. A bit tired of stories where everyone lives happily ever after. I can literally predict the endings because it's always the same, the main character/MC's friends don't die. Only ones to die are the antagonists, which I dislike.
Makes no sense how you can fight someone more powerful than you over and over again, and still have zero deaths, while the OP people are the only ones to die, usually through an asspull, or some weird power-up (which I will do, I assure you, but not in the same way as DxD does it where Issei randomly gets this weird extension of the Boosted Gear somehow). If I'm being honest here, I can even fathom how the Boosted Gear managed to have so many different functions on Issei specifically simply because he was a Pawn. Are you telling me that the entire time there were wielders of Ddraig, not a single one of them were a Pawn that can use that Promotion thing that Issei does? I think it's the Illegal move, I don't know the full name, and don't care enough.
Anyway, enough about me ranting. Onto the chapter.
Last but not least, Irina is finally back.
Beware of the first scene. It is very graphic. I still recommend reading it as its needed to understand some...developments with certain characters, but it may be very uncomfortable for some of you. Including myself. It is needed though. No joke, I need to have this scene simply because it furthers the plot as well as some development between characters.
Also, Grayfia is NOT part of the harem.
Midnight Sun
Arc 1: Forsaken Utopia
Chapter 8
Dusk Breaker
Roses are red
Violets are blue
My heart is dead, I'm such a fool
Why did I fall for you?
Irina awoke groggily.
She felt...disgusted. She felt as if she were tainted, and no amount of anything would be able to clean her.
She blinked, as her eyes adjusted. She was currently chained against a wall, the room dimly light by torches. By the looks of it, it was a dungeon.
She was not the only one in it. There were others crying for salvation, others crying for help. Others merely begged to be killed already.
She looked down at herself and upon absorbing her appearance, and remembering what happened, she looked to the side, and threw up what little she had in her stomach.
Her clothing was shredded, no trace of it left on her, leaving her completely nude, her breasts out for her rapists to see. Her body was sticky, covered in substance she didn't know at first, until she remembered Freed's actions.
Most of all...her lower parts were sore, both her bottom and the front, which gave the message on what had happened to her while she was unconscious. Slap marks and bruises littered her skin, her limbs sore as the imprints of hands and whips were scattered throughout her body.
She cried. Tears of emptiness poured out of her eyes, as she lost something important to her, something she retained for her love. She lost it in such a malicious way, simply because she wasn't strong enough. She couldn't match up to Freed, because she was weak. She had lost her purity, because she wasn't strong enough.
She had made a mistake in not using her Sacred Gear against Freed. Because of that, she had ended up losing her virginity in such a defiling and disgusting way that might cause Issei to look away from her forever because of its taint.
The tears continued to pour, as she struggled to get control of her breathing. She had no idea where she was, only that she was not the only one suffering from the same fate.
She clawed her body, as if tearing apart her own skin would cleanse her from the fluids that coated her body. When was the last time she was able to shower? How long has she been covered in such a disgusting fluid?
She heard the footsteps come, and she attempted to cover herself. She wanted to retain what little purity she had left. She wanted to at least have some kind of purity left to present to her love.
How was she supposed to tell him of what happened?
She flinched when she was the one who looked into her cell. There were two exorcists, both of them leering at her.
"Hehe, she certainly is a beauty. It's not fair how everyone else got their turn."
"I hope she is still tight. I hate to fuck a girl who doesn't grab onto my dick."
Their voices haunted her mind, once again reminding her that she wasn't pure. She was tainted, and nothing could change that.
They unlocked the cell, and laughed at her, jeering and mocking.
"Not so high and mighty anymore are you?" He laughed as he licked her cheek. She shivered in fear, as he groped her breasts.
The other grasped her thighs, attempting to reach closer to one of her violated spots.
"Now just be a good girl, and spread your legs for us."
She refused, and attempted to close her legs, preventing them from entry. It also trapped one of their hands within her legs, causing his sneer to grow perverse.
"S-stop." Her voice was hoarse.
"You hear that? She's telling us to keep going."
They spread apart her legs despite her attempt to stop them. She was tired and weak. She was barely able to move, as they continued to violate her. They groped her breasts, sucked her nipples, and touched her ass. More tears leaked out of her eyes as she attempted to stay strong.
They unbuckled their belts. And she was forced to look at their genitals. She closed her eyes in disgust, as they attempted their perverse talk to her again.
"Hey sexy, if you beg us, we'll make you cum quick and you'll be all fine."
One of them forced her to open her mouth, and stuck it in without a warning. She choked, and she spit. She attempted to shift away, but he grabbed her head, forcing her to continue sucking.
"Holy shit, her mouth is so warm. It's so fucking tight. And her tongue against my tip, ohh fuck, I don't know how long I can last in here."
The other grabbed her sore lower parts, and started to finger her. Her body arched, as a disgusting feeling was sent through her body. She hated it. She hated them. She wanted to return to Issei's side. She wanted to be pure again.
She didn't want to be touched by any but her love.
The exorcist that was forcing her to take his cock eventually erupted in her mouth, his fluid causing her to choke. Some of it dribbled out of her mouth as it overflowed, and he spoke to her. "Swallow it."
She was forced to swallow his semen, her heart feeling wretched in pain as she was continuing to be tainted further. More and more, her soul became more blackened, straying further away from God's grace as she was defiled. The disgusting fluid went down her throat, worse than anything she had ever drank before.
All the while, the second exorcist continued to touch her, rubbing her clit and fingering her hurt vagina.
Her body reacted against her will. Her fluids ran down his hands, as her body automatically loved the attention it was getting.
But she despised it. She wanted to be safe. She didn't want to be trapped in a dungeon, being used as nothing but a toy. She wanted to be loved. She wanted to be back with Issei.
They touched her. They forced her to open her eyes whenever she attempted to close it. They flipped her over so that they would both be able to enter her at the same time. The one behind her smacked her ass twice, causing her to flinch from the immense pain from the already sore butt.
"Embrace it bitch. You just have to please us whore. You'll become our own personal toy. Once you let go and allow us to pleasure you, you'll be begging for more."
Rage consumed her. It overpowered her fear and powerlessness. She refused to be defiled any further. Her defiant violet eyes stared into their perverse brown. Her eyes flashed in power, as they were forced away from her as a surge of power erupted from within her.
"Sacred Gear: Fragarant Olive Sword"
The golden sword appeared within her grasp, and her violet eyes showed no remorse.
"Balance Breaker: Blooming of Aurum: Osmanthus"
The golden blade glowed brightly, before shattering. However, the shards of the blade continued to break apart. With each shatter, two more resounded, as the tiny pieces increased exponentially.
The two exorcist's eyes widened in shock and fear as they continued to watch such a spectacle.
But she would not show mercy for those who attempted to defile her further.
Their screams echoed through the chamber, as the tiny, yet sharp flowers pierced through their bodies, completely shredding them. The flowers moved at her command, moving in all directions, no longer restricted by the shape of its blade and its weight.
The spinning flowers moved with no restrictions, hence why she was able to use it to not only destroy the chains that bound her, but also wrap around her similar to a cloak.
Her ears picked up the sound of a single man's footsteps. He was calm and collected, taking his time making his way to Irina's cell.
She was about to attack, but recoiled when she was him.
"K-Kokabiel."
[Star of God] Kokabiel's red eyes looked at the blood that pooled on the ground. His pale skin reflected the shine of the torches on the wall, and he sighed tiredly. A light spear formed in his hand, and he slashed open the cell.
Confusion washed over her, as Kokabiel could've simply walked through the door instead of destroying it.
He bowed to her, increasing her confusion tenfold. "I will take you to your love. I apologize for what has happened to you, and I know not of what happened myself, besides you were defiled. How many, I know not. I feel sorrow for you child, let us hope the one we all depend on can wash away the taint that not only lingers on your skin, but also within your veins."
"Depend on...Issei?"
Kokabiel nodded. "Indeed. We all depend on him for this fight. I apologize however, for I must have you unconscious. I will however, attempt to cover what little you have left with my cloak."
He stepped forward, and two dozen light spears formed by his side.
He threw his hand out, and the last thing she saw before the second light spear struck her after the first, was Kokabiel's red eyes, looking for an apology from her.
Issei awoke, his brown eyes looking at the cracked ceiling of the abandoned church. His back was sore from sleeping on one of the pews, and attempted to stretch it.
He felt four presences.
The first, was the one in the closest thing they had to a bathroom. The second, was in the room they used as a kitchen, currently preparing food that he was able to smell from the main room of the church. The third was sitting near him, and the fourth was right next to him, or rather, under him.
His head was using Grayfia's lap as a pillow.
"Grayfia...?"
She pressed a finger against her lip to hush him. "The battle is almost upon us. Asia Argento is making some food for you."
At the thought of the battle, his thoughts went back to Kokabiel.
His brother...the dream he had told him just yesterday.
He was going to have to fight someone he didn't want to. He was going to have to kill someone with a dream that was so impossible, it was nothing but everdistant. And yet, Issei wanted to help him achieve his dream.
For he remembered Gabriel and his own's impossible dream.
He slowly got up from his position, and looked around him. Griselda was meditating, her body relaxed and seemingly at peace. Griselda slowly opened her blue eyes, and locked onto his own. "I see you have finally awoken, Hyoudou Issei. How was your rest?"
"Dreadful." Issei sighed. "It's getting worse and worse...memories are starting to flow into my head. I don't know whom...but I do know it's mine. The past me. It's starting to change from a flurry of images and only a single one standing out, to me actually seeing the entire memory."
Grayfia ran her hands through his hair. "Do not worry, for you will remember yourself in time. I am not allowed to defy [Fate] and tell you who you are, but we knew each other from the past. That, I can assure you. I will always be by your side."
She leaned down, her long silver hair that was not in its usual braid creating a curtain around him. She kissed his forehead with care, and stroked in cheek. The entire time, his cheeks turned a tinge of pink.
Grayfia noticed it, and celebrated in her success at slowly turning Issei away from the dark path he was walking towards, and back to his present human one. She had no intention of taking Issei away from Gabriel, Luna, or Irina.
Though...there was a selfish part of her that wanted to be apart of his harem once more.
She smiled gently at him, and he gave her back a small smile. He reached upwards and stroked her cheek. She froze at his cold touch, despite it being fairly warm inside the church. His thumb brushed just under her eye, and he said, "I remember you."
Those three words froze her heart. He remembered their time together during his rule.
He made her feel elated, but at the same time, nervous. She was his caretaker, his mother figure. She couldn't be both his mother and one of his concubines. She refused to fill in one of the humans' most ridiculous perverted desires.
"I'm glad you do." She chose to respond with an answer that can be taken any way.
He removed his hand, and stood. She looked up, and saw Asia just leaving the kitchen, holding a tray of sandwiches. "Ah, Issei! You are finally awake!"
He nodded in response. "Yes, I am. Where have you been this entire time? I haven't seen you since the time I lead you to the Church."
She looked nervous. "Well...I have been around. I've been setting barrier around Kuoh Academy. We believe that is where the location of our fight will be, as it is where Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri are usually located."
Issei blinked in thought, as he took the offered tray from Asia. She then went to the so-called bathroom he assumed Xenovia was currently using. Right before he took a bite, he said, "I didn't know that exorcists can also make barriers like Devils."
Griselda chuckled, as she stood up. She stretched, and she closed her right eye, and responded to Issei's unspoken question that was twisted into a sentence. "Us exorcists cannot make barriers like Devils. In fact, many of us don't even know how to make barriers. Asia is special, mainly due to her Sacred Gear."
"I thought her Sacred Gear healed?" Issei remembered the time when they stopped to help the boy who had fallen on his knee. She had managed to heal it without a single scratch.
Griselda shook her head with a smirk on her face. "That's not all Twilight Healing does. There are other things it does. More importantly, have you regained your power?"
"How do you know about that?" Griselda felt his aura sluggishly rise up. It wasn't enough to threaten her, but she knew how potent and strong his power was. It was enough to ensnare Gabriel herself, as well as be seen as the same level as a Cadre, judging by how Grayfia had recounted their meeting. She had always thought that Kokabiel was a warmonger, but to think that he was able to be respectful and civil was an amazement.
"No need to feel threatened. Grayfia had only told me that you were temporarily without your power. Something about fighting someone who managed to seal it away for a small bit in an attempt to let their allies defeat you, and the seal is slowly being broken now."
Issei felt relief when Griselda didn't know the full story. It would've been embarrassing if she knew the full story of his fall from rule, and he didn't know it at all. Then again, Kokabiel and Grayfia both know how he lost his rightful place, and who he was before he became Hyoudou Issei. He didn't feel embarrassed, just confused.
It was different with Griselda.
Issei suspected it had to do with knowing Grayfia and Kokabiel in his life before Hyoudou Issei. Grayfia was apart of his harem alongside many others. From what little he knew about the Underworld, only two of his rather large harem were alive today. Grayfia and one other person who was no longer the head of the family, but had given birth to one of the heiresses today.
"I...see." Issei nodded as he went along with Grayfia's version of the story. "I'm not sure myself on how much longer it will take before it completely unseals, but it will not take longer than a month I suspect."
"A month we do not have. We must use what little you have now." Griselda spoke. "Whether you like it or not, you will have to put yourself at risk by fighting Kokabiel. If you don't fight Kokabiel, then we might lose. You have the most potential out of all of us."
"What makes you think that I can actually defeat Kokabiel?"
Griselda's blue eyes narrowed at him. "You can't. I know you can't. I just need you to hold him off. He might spare you simply because he doesn't want to anger Gabriel by killing you."
Issei's eyes opened wide, but they looked at her in suspicion. "How do you know of me and Gabriel?"
"I don't." She answered simply. "I merely suspect that you two have some sort of relationship. After all, from what you have told me of your report on your meeting with our enemy, Kokabiel seemed to have no hostility towards you, and simply engaged in casual conversation. He also seemed to mention Gabriel a lot to you, both in the forest and at the park. And...he called you 'Brother'."
"Yeah...he did." Issei scratched his head. He still hadn't told Griselda about Kokabiel's dream. He hadn't even told anyone of his and Gabriel's shared dream.
All three of them were similar, and they were all fools to believe they can accomplish it. But it fueled them to perform a miracle, an impossible that was never meant to happen.
"It seems to mean something to happen, your relationship with him. Otherwise, why try to have you remember him and Gabriel?"
Issei blinked. He had never thought of it like that. He did try to get Issei to remember, despite not telling him anything directly. When he looked back, almost the entirely of their conversation was trying to get Issei to remember his past life.
He didn't remember everything yet. So far, he was only able to remember small bits, such as his times with Grayfia as her master. He remembered their times late at night together, how they would share secret smiles and kisses throughout their meetings. How they would meet in secret atop of his castle, and exchange sweet words. He was also able to remember part of his powers.
Just because he knew what they were didn't mean he knew how to use them.
He also knew that as of now, he was no longer [Personification of Evil] █████. Before he had remembered parts of his memories, he thought that he wasn't him. But...after recovering it, he knew he was wrong. Back then, he was the person he denied he was in the present. However, all he is now is Hyoudou Issei, not what he remembered he was. But...he knew he would eventually be pulled back into the world he had left. Alaya had recognized that he had lost the majority of his power in his sealing, but will regrant him his former position should he choose to unseal it himself, or have it forcefully unsealed.
Hence why he had faked his death those centuries ago. He refused to have anyone trying to remove the seal, so to suppress his power, he was forced to remove the power completely. He wished for peace, but peace was not possible in his position, so he had decided to fake his death, and attempt to reach his dream from a lower position.
After all, for him to wish for peace? Such was nonsense for someone like him. They would say he had grown soft with his interactions with not only [Angel of Love] Gabriel, but also [Angel of the Stars] Kokabiel, or [Star of God] as he was known as now.
"I remember a bit..." Issei said, and Griselda perked up, but Issei shook his head. "I only remember bits, such as my power, and Grayfia. Even then, I don't remember all of either. Only small parts."
Griselda deflated. "I hoped that you had remembered something such as his powers, or his relationship with you."
"Not yet. But if I do remember, it may be too late." Issei shook his head.
"I see..." Griselda sighed. "That means that we will still have to fight him without any knowledge of his intentions or his powers. We only know he can control light spears, like every other Angel. However, we don't know the extent of which he can control. It's been centuries since the Cadres used their full power, the last time being the Great War. Grayfia, do you remember?"
Grayfia shook her head. "I never fought in the Great War. Our King kept me inside of Castle Lucifaad, knowing I would risk my life to save him. I know nothing of any of the Cadre's powers."
The exorcist let out a groan. "So...we really are heading in blind."
"Perhaps..." Grayfia put a hand to her chin in thought, before widening her eyes. "No...what if Kokabiel has ended up obtaining ancient artifacts in order to challenge Issei's...spear."
Issei's eyes widened. Grayfia was right. His spear was something that none else can wield. The only one that can challenge his spear, was [Omnipotent God] YHWH's sword, Aurora Diemque. The Dawn Bringer.
His own spear was called Tempus Vernum Ruptor. The Dusk Breaker.
One of them brought about the dawn, while the other ended the dusk. Two opposites, one a spear of concentrated energy, taking no physical shape or form, the other a naked blade of immense power, it's light never faltering under anything.
"No. It's impossible." Issei blurted. The two powerful beings looked at him, with Griselda studying him. "I mean...nothing can compete with my spear. It's impossible. He above is the only one that can rival the power of my spear, and that's with his own weapon that allowed him to become a Counter-Guardian himself. Both of our weapons are unrivaled, even against the Excalibur [Once and Future King] Arthur Pendragon wielded. While Arthur's Excalibur is a Noble Phantasm of A++, both YHWH's and mine are Anti-Planet, at a rank of EX, which is even stronger than the Star that literally ruptured Heaven and Earth, which is an Anti-World, also an EX rank."
The two of them blinked in confusion, as they lost Issei the moment he mentioned Excalibur. The moment he mentioned such a term. A "Noble Phantasm." They had never heard of it before, almost as if it were a different world.
But...that should be impossible, for Issei to be able to travel to a different world. Dimension even.
"I'm sorry. I don't quite follow, and I doubt Grayfia does either."
Issei blinked, confused now. "What...? I don't even know what I said either."
While they weren't able to understand the majority of what Issei said, they were able to understand the key details, which was the power of his, God's, and Arthur's weapons, as well as the Star that Ruptured Heaven and Earth that was so spoken in the legends of the creation of the worlds they knew now.
"Ah!"
The sound of a soft voice broke the three out of their confusion and discussion.
"Are you two finally done with the bath?"
Xenovia and Asia finally stepped out into the alter room. Xenovia wore a skin-tight black leotard, while Asia wore her nun outfit that Issei saw her wearing the first day that she had arrived.
How long ago was it? Had it really only been a week?
"They obviously are. For a powerful exorcist, you certainly are dumb." Grayfia remarked playfully.
Griselda narrowed her eyes. "Watch it Grayfia. I'm only asking because I need to bath now."
"Are you sure you don't want to use our house? A shower would feel better than the cold bath here." Grayfia cocked her head to the side.
Griselda's blue eyes locked onto Issei's own brown. He nodded. "I feel like it'll be better. I need to get something from my house anyway."
She nodded slowly. "I guess...Xenovia and Asia, pack. We leave in ten minutes."
The exorcist and nun pair nodded, as they dashed off to meet Griselda's time demand.
She stood, and looked at the duo. "I will need to pack my own belongings." Her gaze lingered on Issei, her eyes shining with an unknown emotion, before turning around.
Issei stood, and held out a hand to help Grayfia up.
"Thank you. What a gentleman." She said elegantly, yet playfully.
Issei gave a small chuckle. "I try to impress."
Grayfia pointed at the pew. Issei looked down, and saw the sandwich that Asia had made. He had only taken a single bite out of it. "You might want to try to finish that, else Asia may get upset." She gave a small smile at the end. "Better impress me with your eating skills."
Truth be told, Issei was not a fast eater.
At least, not under pressure to finish a plate of sandwiches in ten minutes.
Issei showered at home, and quickly changed. He put on a pair of dark sweatpants, and slipped on a black long-sleeve. He looked at himself in the mirror, his hair wild.
He walked downstairs, and saw the three exorcists, and Grayfia waiting for him. He saw how tightly Xenovia gripped her invisible sword, and how Griselda would tap her fingers against her knee in nervousness.
"I'm ready."
He rubbed his wrist, where a bracelet rested. It was a bracelet gifted to him all those years ago, by the very person that he was going to save today after he defeated Kokabiel.
It was a plain braided bracelet made of the same material as a shoelace.
It was a symbol, meant to seek the positive.
His memory was blurry, but he was able to remember Irina's smile as she gifted him the necklace. The sun setting behind her, as she was just about to move to Europe to serve in the Vatican.
His head began to pound, and he pressed his palm against his forehead.
Grayfia looked at him in concern, but he shook his head. telling her not to ask or say anything. She frowned in response, but turned away.
"Let us head to Kuoh Academy."
Grayfia and Griselda stood from their seats, and the group of five quickly headed to the school. The sun was high in the sky, and it would be a few more hours before they would face the decisive battle.
Sona was at the gate to welcome them.
Her violet eyes narrowed at Issei, who hadn't come to school for the past week, but she refrained from saying anything. "Come, follow me. It is still school time, so we must not disrupt the classes."
They filed into the Student Council Room, and Sona gestured to the chairs and sofas that were scattered throughout the room. "Please sit until class is done. There should be about two hours left."
Sona walked out the door, and they heard a click, the door being locked. The three exorcists sat down without a word, while Grayfia and Issei sat down on a sofa on the opposite side of the room. Issei sat down, and he looked at Grayfia confused as she remained standing.
Her silver eyes were distant, before they blinked. A second passed since her unnatural freezing, and she joined Issei on the couch. She lay her head on Issei's lap, causing him to tense, before relaxing. Such a thing should be expected, with him remembering their time together.
Issei loosened the braid in her hair, and the maid's beautiful eyes closed, as she drifted to sleep quickly. Issei attempted to smooth out her hair, but being in a braid for so long, it wasn't possible. He settled with just keeping it all down at least, and stroked her cheek gently.
He closed his eyes, and let himself drift to darkness.
He dreamed of nothing. It was a peaceful sleep.
He was woken up, by the sound of the door opening. His eyes shot up, and his body tensed up, reacting the way it would have those millennium ago, as nobody would enter his chambers without permission.
Sona and her peerage walked in, alongside Rias with her own peerage.
The three exorcists had woken up at the same time he had, but were having trouble getting alert in the same amount of time it took for him. Issei looked down in concern at Grayfia. She still slept peacefully, not even waking up despite three humans waking at the same noise that he had.
What was it that had Grayfia so tired?
He saw one of the only two boys had glared at him in jealousy at the beautiful woman that he was currently giving a lap pillow. Usually, the genders were swapped, but he was comfortable with the way they were now.
Issei ignored him. He didn't know his name, meaning he wasn't important.
"Hey you!"
Of course he had to open his mouth.
Issei's turned his uninterested eyes at the blonde who spoke. Well...both Yuuto Kiba and this boy were blonde. His eyes bore into the grey of the one who had spoken to him.
"What?"
Everyone flinched at his cold, yet bored tone that he had used.
The blonde was taken aback, before speaking again. "W-where have you been this past week Hyoudou?! Why haven't you been going to school?"
Issei's eyes narrowed at him. He knew he shouldn't antagonize him, but he felt as if he should. "I don't recall having to explain my actions to someone so insignificant."
The entire Student Council's eyes widened in shock at the words of someone from the Perverted Trio, who were the significant ones. Not only that, it was from a human, according to his words all those weeks ago.
He knew they were Devils, and they knew he knew.
"Why you-!" The blonde started to respond back, but Sona rose her hand.
"Yes...Kaichou." He muttered, as he stepped down, and Sona took his place. "I would like to know the answer to Saji's question as well. Why haven't you been to school for the past week, and why are you here with the exorcists?"
"Issei, I already explained to the Devils before that we are associated with you." Griselda spoke up.
"I would still like to hear his side of the story."
Issei looked down at Grayfia's peaceful face. He noticed how Rias tracked their every movement, possibly because Grayfia was Sirzechs's wife, and in turn, her sister-in-law. She was most likely making sure that he didn't do anything to Grayfia.
"My name is Hyoudou Issei. I died three years ago, and was reborn from fire. I have recently discovered the one who caused the deaths of not only me, but my parents, is going to be here in Kuoh. I have teamed up with the exorcists because of my childhood friend, who is currently captured by the same person who killed me."
"That doesn't explain why you missed school, only of why you are associated with the exorcists."
His brown eyes flashed a dark black, and everyone in the room flinched as they felt power starting to stir within him.
"I wasn't finished."
The Devils were silent for seconds, before Issei continued. "I have spent the past week looking for him, and I haven't had any success until just recently. Kokabiel will be here today, and we will fight. I will be the one to kill Kokabiel, just as he would be the one to kill me."
They were quiet for a bit longer, before Akeno spoke up from Rias's right side. "Why would Kokabiel want to kill you?"
Issei gave a smile. A sad one. He decided to not tell them the truth. He didn't want to share the story of the young hunter. Devils wouldn't understand the struggles of naivety that Bell Cranel of Hestia Familia had to go through. After all, they were the ones who tempted, not the ones who didn't know of the World.
"He knew who I was." He was vague in his response.
"Who you...were?" Sona attempted to come up with a response.
"That is all I am willing to tell you. It is up to you to decide whether you wish to let me fight Kokabiel, or to get in between our fight and die as a result of thinking that I am unable to fight him."
Rias spoke up. "Why should we let you fight? If anything, Saji is the most qualified out of all of us. He wields the Vritra Sacred Gear, Absorption Line. He is an Evil Dragon, and a Dragon can defeat a Cadre. That's why a Dragon is the strongest out there!"
Saji perked up at the sound of the Princess of the Underworld praising him.
"The power of what one wields depends on the power of the wielder."
It was as if something had switched within Issei. His eyes narrowed at Saji. Griselda recognized this as the ancient being that Grayfia and Kokabiel both knew, and to an extension, Gabriel. This was the being who was related to Kokabiel.
"I can see that none of you have ever fought in a real battle of life or death. The only ones who have are Grayfia, Griselda, Xenovia, and I. Those stray Devils are nothing compared to something of Kokabiel's caliber, but I don't expect you guys to understand what exactly we are facing. You can send Saji after Kokabiel, and hope he can defeat him simply because he is a Dragon. I will not help him if you decide to deny the fight that Kokabiel had requested of me."
"W-who are you?!"
The one to have spoken was Tsubaki Shinra, from Sona's peerage. She was the only one able to speak after Issei's words. Everyone else was full of fear.
"My name is long forgotten. All that matters is my ability to fight Kokabiel. I am something older than all of you combined, even including Grayfia." His brown eyes glowed with power.
He saw them all shiver in fear, but he felt a hand brush his arm.
He looked down and saw Grayfia.
"Dear..." She muttered, only loud enough for Issei to hear.
He sighed, as he closed his eyes.
The switch was flipped once again, and no longer was he the ancient being. He was back to being Hyoudou Issei, a boy of seventeen years who had witnessed his parents' deaths, and had recently been placed in a situation that he was barely aware of.
"Let us forget this, get on with our plan to defeat Kokabiel."
Grayfia stood up, and then stood behind Issei, causing Rias to narrow her eyes at how she treated Issei like her master, unlike her, who was the Princess of the Underworld. Issei was just a human!
"What do you suggest?" Sona spoke up. "Do you honestly expect us to just stand there and watch?"
Issei shook his head. "No. There will be others with him. There is an exorcist named Freed Sellzen. He will be wielding a fused Excalibur. He will be wielding six of the seven fragments at once." Issei glanced at Griselda, and she nodded at him. She motioned at her sword, and he gave the slightest of nods back.
He now knew that she wielded the final Fragment.
"Excalibur...?" They all turned to the second blonde in the room. His grey eyes were full of hatred, as he looked at Issei.
"Not Excalibur: Sword of Promised Victory. He will be wielding a sword that looks like Excalibur, but made up of the Excalibur Fragments. I know not of its powers, only that it has the powers of all the Fragments."
"It is still Excalibur." Kiba growled. "I swear I will destroy it."
Issei nodded slowly. "Xenovia, Griselda, and Kiba will fight Freed. He will also have a Fallen named Raynare. She is a four-winged Fallen. I don't know how powerful that is, nor if all of you will be able to defeat her. Wings don't usually calculate how powerful a Fallen is. It only counts their raw power, not their mind."
"We should be able to overpower her." Rias spoke up. "But that leaves most of us still have nothing to do. I believe Akeno, Sona, Tsubaki, and I are more than enough to deal with Raynare."
"You still need to set up a barrier." Grayfia spoke up. "Otherwise, the town will be alert of our fight."
"No." Once again, all attention was on Issei. "They have the power of Dimension Lost: Fog of Extinction on their side. We have no need for a barrier. But beware...I doubt it is only Freed and Raynare. He surely has more. He may be strong, but he knows that even he cannot fight me and anyone else at the same time. If he fights me, he will be sure to have everyone else occupied, because he knows any of you will try to step in despite me saying that he is mine."
He gave a small knowing nod at Saji. "I know you will go into a fight. I will not stop you, but I will not be able to stop Kokabiel from killing you. I will be focused on myself. As of now, I am weaker than Kokabiel, and he knows that. He will show mercy to me, but not to anyone else. You will need to do something similar to Vali if you wish to fight Kokabiel."
"Vali? As in...the Vanishing Dragon Vali?"
Issei nodded. "Saji isn't ready to fight Kokabiel. He has no knowledge of the battlefield. Kokabiel is an ancient being, similar to me and Grayfia. Us three are the only ones who can fight against each other. Anyone else will be defeated in an instant."
"But you are human!" Rias protested. "You are speaking of all of this, and saying you are this ancient thing, despite the fact that you carry absolutely no power. Just a few weeks ago, you were nothing to any of us. Now, all of a sudden, you are so confident in yourself simply because you have stolen Grayfia's heart from my brother?"
Issei narrowed his eyes at her. "I do not love Grayfia. At least, not anymore. Her heart belongs to your brother. Us two will always cherish each other, but we do not love each other."
"You lie!"
Issei was about to retort, but closed his eyes and breathed deeply. He offered no reply to Rias, and turned to Sona. "It is your choice on whether or not you wish to have Saji fight Kokabiel, or to fight with you guys. I will not be having Grayfia fight. Kokabiel has assured me that he will not attempt to attack Grayfia unless she attacks him that happens, Grayfia has no chance of winning."
They all looked at Grayfia, and she nodded in agreement. "I cannot beat Kokabiel. He'll simply bypass all of my spells, and simply skewer me with a light spear. Kokabiel knows this as well, hence why he told us that he has no intention of attacking me. It's a warning."
Sona sighed. "That severely limits our power. Let's review. The exorcists and Kiba will be against Freed. Tsubaki, Akeno, Rias, and I will be against Raynare, you and Saji will be against Kokabiel, while the rest will be against whatever else Kokabiel throws at us."
Issei resisted the urge to kill Saji just to have them stop talking about Saji fighting Kokabiel. It was impossible. The boy wouldn't be able to even survive for a few seconds. Him being a Devil simply made it more difficult for him to live.
He accepted the fact that they were sending Saji to his death simply because he was a "Dragon". He wasn't a Dragon. He was a Devil who wielded the power of a Evil Dragon. He was different from Vali, who was a full-fledged Dragon after he became Albion itself. Vali was Albion, just like how Albion was Vali.
"So that is the plan." Issei concluded. "Now let us prepa-"
Something screamed at Issei, warning him of the danger that was fast approaching. Issei didn't think, he let his body take over.
Glass shattered, as a spear of light flew through. Issei rose his arm, and caught the light spear in mid air. He felt his skin start to char at the immense heat.
Issei also knew that this was because of his status. He wasn't human from the start, hence why the light spear can affect him the same way it affected Devils.
The rest of the windows of the Student Council Room shattered, and Issei jumped into action. He dashed in front of Sona's peerage, as they were more numerous, and swung the spear. He didn't know the motions himself, he let his body simply carry out his intention.
He deflected at least two dozen light spears, and he heard the sound of steel deflecting steel.
He risked a glance at his right side, thankful to Kokabiel that he had stopped firing his spears.
The mad exorcist Freed clashed blades with Griselda. Freed's sword glowed the brightest of gold, while Griselda's hummed with power. The sword slowly cracked, as it revealed a similar glowing sword underneath.
"What?! You have the final Fragment?" Freed shouted in shock.
Griselda kicked Freed off of her, and dashed toward him just as he recovered. Their blades clashed, as they danced. Griselda would only parry the mad exorcist's swings, choosing to not become overpowered. She would quickly lose ground, but she was able to throw kicks or furniture at the same time.
The entire time, the Devils looked on in shock, as they realized how close they were to death. Without Issei and Griselda, they would have been cut down in an instant, Freed's speed bypassing even their Devil's eyesight. The spears also flew faster than their eyes can see.
The lightspear within Issei's grasp faded, and the brown-haired boy looked at where he knew where Kokabiel would descend from.
"I wouldn't have guessed you would attack us this suddenly." Issei spoke softly.
Yet, the mighty Fallen Angel was able to hear him. He simply gave a small smile at Issei. "Freed, pull back."
"Griselda, don't chase."
The two exorcists split apart. Freed returned to Kokabiel's side, and Griselda went to Issei's side, panting. Her blue eyes glared at Freed's red.
"Do you realize what just happened, Devils?" Kokabiel asked gently, as if he were a teacher speaking to his students. "If Issei hadn't recovered even a small bit less of his power, your entire peerage would have died right there Sona Sitri. Your attempt at getting Saji to fight me would have ended right there. He would have died before you all even realized what had happened."
His black wings were spread out behind him, and power radiated from him.
All the Devils took a step back in fear, but Issei, Griselda, Xenovia, and surprisingly, Kiba stepped forward.
"You will fall here, Brother." Issei spoke. "You are no match for even us three."
Kokabiel threw his head back and laughed. "Indeed. I am no match for you." His red eyes shone with amusement.
Issei noticed one person was missing. "Where is Raynare?"
"Right here." The violet eyes girl slowly drifted downwards from the sky, stopping when she was right beside Kokabiel. "Hello Issei."
"Hello Raynare." He smiled at her. She smiled back at him.
"So!" Kokabiel spread out his arms dramatically. "What will it be? Are you all prepared? Or will you just stay down and let me kill you to make it easier for both of us?"
Now that the mighty Fallen was in front of them, the Devils suddenly looked nervous. They glanced at Saji, and weren't sure if he would be able to fight Kokabiel himself after his display of his lightspears. Weapons so fast, they couldn't see them, yet Issei was able to react to.
They knew how outmatched they were.
"If we don't fight, we won't win."
Saji stepped forward, his eyes wide in anger, but also nervousness.
"If you don't fight, you'll lose. If you fight, you'll keep on moving forward." Power gathered around Saji, as his grey eyes glowed purple. A gauntlet made of the darkest night appeared on his right arm, and he pointed his armored finger at Kokabiel. "I refuse to lose simply because I didn't try."
Kokabiel laughed. "Admirable. But...you'll lose. I'm pretty sure Issei has already told you on what would happen if you tried to fight me. You won't only lose, you'll die Devil. You'll just fade into nonexistence because you refused to listen to your superiors."
"I won't die. I refuse to be killed by people such as you, who kill for no reason."
"No reason?" Kokabiel rose his eyebrow. He turned away from Saji, and looked at Issei. "You still haven't told them Brother?"
"There is no reason to share such a foolish dream." Issei smiled slightly. "Only a fool would believe that they can achieve such a thing, but I too, am foolish for believing in the same thing."
"Hyoudou? What are you two talking about?"
Sona finally spoke after she was split seconds away from death at the hands of the Fallen that currently stood facing them.
"No matter." Kokabiel interrupted. He gave a wink that only Issei saw despite everyone looking at him. "There is no use giving such information to those who will die soon. It will always be something that is forsaken from us."
His jet black wings spread, the sun shining behind him, still high in the sky. He hadn't even waiting for the cover of the night. He was fully confident in his ability to beat them in broad daylight.
"Now come! I will permit you a single attack from you, Prison Dragon. I would grant the same offer to my brother, but I'm afraid it may cause my death." He gave a smile that did not calm any of them.
Saji widened his eyes in shock at this strange offer from the Fallen Angel.
But Kokabiel held up his hand.
"But first, just in case a miracle happens and you manage to slay me in a single strike, I must return something of great importance to Issei. It is something that cannot be ignored else the situation will get worse."
A crack opened up beside Kokabiel. The crack consisted of many geometric shapes, as the colors of the Gap Between Worlds was revealed to the outside world.
A single figure wrapped within a cloak came out.
"I-I..." Issei's voice didn't work, as he looked at the girl held in the sky by invisible hands. His eyes widened in shock, fear, anxiety, guilt, and others. Her brilliant violet eyes were closed, and the breeze blew gently, her hair moving gently in the wind.
"Irina?" He managed to choke out, barely above a whisper.
Kokabiel threw her at Issei, who caught her in his arms. His red eyes observed, as Issei adjusted her into a bridal carry.
"Irina?" He asked once more with more certainty.
He hadn't seen her in a week ever since she got captured by Kokabiel, and now, she was in this condition. He was able to feel her body through the cloak, letting him know that she had nothing else under the cloak.
His mouth gaped, as he took in her appearance. She was pale, and had sunken cheeks. She seemed to be skinnier, and seemed way too light. Issei reached underneath her cloak, and touched her waist. He felt how sticky it was, and knew exactly what it was.
Why else would she be naked?
"Issei..." Grayfia stepped forward.
He felt rage. He was angry at Kokabiel for not keeping her safe. He was angry at the ones who did this to her. He was angry at himself for not being able to keep her safe. He felt responsible. He could have prevented this if he could've killed Kokabiel the very first day he had arrived, instead of staying back at the Church because he was a "human".
How laughable.
He felt something within him break. A sudden headache erupted in his head, but he dealt with it to hold onto Irina. His grip tightened, but only slightly. He didn't want to hurt her.
And suddenly, almost as if a miracle had been granted, he remembered.
He remembered everything about him.
He remembered his fall from Heaven.
He remembered his love with Gabriel.
He remembered his fight with [Omnipotent God] YHWH.
He remembered their fight alongside Azazel and Michael to defeat the [End of All Things] Trihexa.
He remembered the cause of his own sealing.
The seal he placed on himself.
He placed Irina down onto the ground, after he gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead.
He stepped around her, only stopped a single foot in front of her prone body.
And it was then, did everyone know who he was. He was once again, registered by Alaya once he had become what he once was.
His eyes flickered between the chocolate brown, and black. Power radiated out from him, as tendrils of darkness danced wildly around him. When his eyes solidified into the darkest of nights, did a surge of power cause the ground around him to push outwards, rocks flaring out in jagged shapes.
Despite it being the early afternoon, the sky turned dark as the darkest night. Despite this, the sun still hung high in the sky. A Sun in Midnight. It was only a matter of split seconds, before the sun too, was covered by utter darkness.
Despite the sky being utter darkness, and the entire area being cloaked, they were all still able to see, including the exorcists.
█████ opened up his hand, and dark energy gathered around it, solidifying into a long polearm. Despite turning solid, it still retained its form made of pure condensed energy. While █████ was able to grip it, it took no real physical form. It was everchanging, never the same existence it was once.
This was the weapon that was considered Anti-Planet, enough to destroy the entire World if █████ so wished.
It was Tempus Vernum Ruptor, Dusk Breaker.
His black eyes glowed despite it being like the entrance to the darkest pit of Hell itself.
He opened his mouth, and what came out, was not words. What came out, was a roar of pure rage.
It shook everyone, as they all covered their ears, but even that did not prevent the long roar from almost ripping apart their mind. The ground itself cracked at the sheer volume, as the mist that the participators of the fight barely noticed had gathered around the school, from the work of Dimension Lost, was literally blown away from the force of █████'s roar.
"To think that-"
"All this time..."
"-he was-"
"...he was..."
They were able to hear the shaking voices of...someone.
They were looking at Issei, and his transformation.
His hair had grown longer, reaching his lower waist. It blew wildly under his own power. His skin had turned darker, and his clothes turned into a set of armor. The armor was dark, darker than even his eyes, absorbing the light from what little there was. The plates interconnected, forming a single piece of unbreakable armor, and yet, █████ was still able to move unhindered, which should not have been possible.
A flowing red cape blew behind him. It was tattered at the end, and littered with holes from flames long ago.
It was a gift from-
"I'm glad, Brother." Kokabiel gave a confident smirk. "I was afraid you were too lost."
█████ did not offer an answer, but merely stared at Kokabiel.
Kokabiel rose an eyebrow. "I see...rage has overcome you."
He stood, his wings unfurling. He settled a steel gaze onto his brother. His true brother-in-law.
This was the one who had married his sister, even if he was currently lost in his rage. His power was the same, and there was no mistaking the weapon held within his hand. Even he would be able to identify the weapon that is both physical and conceptional.
After all, one cannot simply break night.
"I am glad I managed to gain Alaya's favor once more before our fight." Kokabiel smiled. "Because of that, my power has risen to a level never seen before by those who reside within this World."
After all, when was the last time two Counter-Guardians fought in this world?
"I am no longer [Star of God]. I have risen to something even higher than our almighty [Omnipotent God] YHWH!"
[Nova of Delusion] Kokabiel formed a light spear within his hand.
"Now come, Brother! Show me the fight you have promised me! Fulfill the dream you wished for so much that caused you to betray your own people!"
█████ charged, and all were able to register who he was, the shock going into their head, once again.
It was almost like a video game, where they were able to see his player name and status over his head. It would have said, Level Unknown, Maou-Devil Class. Title: Disgraced Devil.
Even then, they didn't need it. They heard of him. They heard of the stories.
It only all made sense. The mysterious disappearance of their King, as well as his connection to Gabriel. They had all heard of the forbidden love between the two. Not a single soul in the supernatural world hadn't heard of their tragic love story.
Issei was strange. He had such a dark power within him because it was sealed. Kokabiel had called him "Brother", with him only recognizing Gabriel as his family. And since Gabriel was married to their King, it only made sense for Issei to be-
[PERSONIFICATION OF EVIL] SATAN
End Chapter 8
Boom. Done.
This chapter set off the beginning of the entire story. Now that Issei has been revealed, I can finally make the chapter better. It's super difficult to write an adventure/fantasy story if the main character cannot do anything against all of these OP characters. I know Fate did that with Shirou, but come on. It's Fate. I can't do the same thing as them.
Also, yes. OP. Literally everyone in this story will be overbuffed. Basically imagine an already difficult mini-boss that requires a specific tactic, along with RNG in your favor, becomes buffed so you depend entirely on RNG, and even then, you only have a small percentage of succeeding because the RNG will cuck you hard.
That's how most of the main antagonists of the arcs will be. Super OP, and extremely difficult to beat.
It'll almost always be Counter-Guardian vs Counter-Guardian, or beings on par with Counter-Guardians that aren't Counter-Guardians.
I'm sorry for what happened in the beginning part of the chapter. I needed to insert that horrific scene to set off events in future chapters that'll happen on the character development side, rather than the plot side. But Arc 1 will be over soon. Give it 5 or so chapters, depending on how I want the Kokabiel fight to end. I have two possibilities.
Until then, let us proceed to Chapter 9.
-Houvdon
Next Chapter: EXCALIBURtheGlory