Important Note 1: [Disgraced Devil] from Chapter 1 = [Personification of Evil] Satan =/= [Morning Star] Lucifer
Important Note 2: Why is Issei Satan, when almost everything pointed at him being Lucifer (and in this universe, Lucifer is not Satan)? Not a plot hole, will be explained.
Important Note 3: How does Issei know about Noble Phantasms when he isn't from Natsu-Verse? Not a plothole, will be explained.
Important Note 4: Luna and Vali will reappear. They are important characters to this story, and will not be used in three chapters only to disappear for the rest of the story and be insignificant.
Important Note 5: Counter-Guardians in this World, yet at the same time, none of the ones from Natsu-Verse have appeared? Slightly explained in this chapter.
Important Note 6: Kokabiel being stronger than God? Explained in Arc 2.
Semi Important Note 1: Issei and Gabriel's love story will be told fully soon.
P.S. Thank you for 200 follows
Midnight Sun
Arc 1: Forsaken Utopia
Chapter 9
EXCALIBURtheGlory
After losing, who's love did it touch my heart?
Time misalignment, who will remember whom?
Just like this you loved. Started after parting.
Who disappeared and left?
Who remained in the same place, silently crying?
It's you.
He was able to see memories.
Each shard of glass held his own precious memories.
Everything flashed, before he saw himself within darkness.
"Is this...my soul?"
His black eyes traced out the shapes within the darkness that even he had trouble seeing.
Before he had to squint his eyes as a single pillar of light flashed. He looked up, past the dark mist that parted at the arrival of such a bright light. He recognized who it was before she even arrived.
He spoke when her sandaled foot touched the invisible ground.
"It's been too long."
She wore white commoner's robes, tied together at her waist by a sash. Her emerald green locked onto his midnight black. She smiled gently at his words, and responded as such. "Ever since you sealed yourself, I searched the world long and hard for you. If you had died, you would've had to eventually come back to this world due to how many calamities occur."
He chuckled. "Indeed. Not only would I have to fight endlessly, I also wouldn't ever be able to meet you again."
"Such sweet words. You haven't lost your touch after all those centuries."
He held out his hand to her, and she took it. However, he raised her hand to his lips, and kissed her fingers gently.
She pulled it away. "You are disrespecting me. Don't do that again otherwise I'll kill you." She glared at him, and he only smiled gently at her.
"You wouldn't dare."
She gave another small smile to him, and this time, took his hand in hers, and kissed his fingers gently. "Come. We have much to discuss."
They walked a few steps, and the dark mist changed into a garden of paradise. In the middle of the beautiful flower garden, was a single stone table. Two stone stools sat opposing each other.
They sat facing each other, just like those thousands of years ago, when he was still an Angel. Just like those thousands of years ago when he sneaked into the Garden of Eden as the King of Demons.
"I'm currently rampaging, right?"
She nodded. "Yes. You had a forced awakening. The state of Irina Shidou cost you your human shell." He took note of the bitterness that was in her voice. It should've been impossible for her, the [Angel of Love] to become jealous of someone. She was meant to love all.
"You are mine." He reassured. She looked at him wide eyed. "Irina Shidou is someone important to my human self. His feelings for her may have sapped into mine. I might end up loving her as well."
He reached out and grasped her thin wrist. "You are forever in my heart, my love. I still haven't forgotten everything you've done for me. For us. But that doesn't mean that I love only you."
She pulled her wrist away. She grasped his fingers gently, but affectionately. "Let us not talk about this any further. We must talk about the issue at hand. What do you plan to do with Kokabiel?"
"My body is currently fighting against Kokabiel. I will surely be able to win, unless he manages to scratch me once with his light spears."
She rose an eyebrow. "What about if [Once and Future King] Arthur Pendragon arrives? How will you deal with him if you are fighting Kokabiel?"
"I won't fight the King of Knights. I will leave it to the rest of my group. I believe Yuuto Kiba, Griselda Quarta, and Xenovia Quarta are more than enough to deal with the Knight."
"But he is-"
"I know he is a Counter-Guardian. I am the only one there that can match him besides Kokabiel himself, and you. However, I don't think that he will be against my force. Freed Sellzen will be attempting to use the power of "Victory". King Arthur will do everything he can to defeat Freed to tainting the sword with his cruel ways."
Gabriel sighed. "That is true. It was Arthur himself who told us no one is worthy to wield the Pray Named Victory, not even himself. When the time comes, would he have to wield again the sword he had forsaken for the death it had caused."
"How is it from outside?"
He wasn't able to see the battle due to him being inside of his own soul. However, Gabriel was able to look out, for she was just a visitor.
"You are still fighting. Everyone is just watching you rather than fighting their own battle."
"I see..." Satan sighed.
They were quiet, as they simply looked at each other. Their eyes drank in each other, for it had been centuries since the last time they had met.
They stood at the same time, and she said, "How do you plan on defeating Kokabiel though? I doubt you will be able to beat him after he swore to become one of Delusion's Dawn Knights. Tempus Vernum Ruptor will be able to, but can you control it so it doesn't end up destroying the entire planet? I don't think you want the entire Counter-Force after you simply because of a single enemy."
He shook his head. "Of course not. I would never use the full power of Dusk Breaker. I can control it. If [King of Heroes] Gilgamesh can control the power of the Star that Split Heaven and Earth, then I can control the power of my own Noble Phantasm. Do you know how embarrassing it is if you can't control your own weapon?"
"You've had problems with it before." She noted.
"I haven't used it in so long. It grows with me."
"But you grew weaker. Centuries of not using your strength has weakened you." She countered.
He sighed as he touched the edge of the stone table. "I honestly don't know if I'll be able to defeat him. My power is running wild. I may actually call over some Counter-Guardians by accident."
"But you should be able to defeat them, no?"
"I don't know whether it'll be those from this world, or another. While Alaya may be injured in this world, he may not be in other worlds."
She froze. "So anything drastic we do, we can be completely killed?"
He nodded. "If it's something small, like this battle, only those from this world will come, such as me or you. That is the reason why both of us came here. I had the choice to fight against Kokabiel, or continue my search for Alaya. My human self chose Kokabiel, because his mind was attracted by the works of the World. Alaya knew that I would awaken myself once more in this battle, and knew I was able to prevent this calamity of the deaths of the siblings of the Maou. You came because you wanted to see me once again, but after centuries of searching, why now of all times? It is because of the same reason. Kokabiel will cause destruction in his wake."
She didn't reply, but only looked out at the field of flowers surrounding them.
He took a few steps to stand by her side, and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Don't worry. I'll survive against this. I'm sure [Dragon of Entropy] Vali is coming as well. Kokabiel cannot defend against three Counter-Guardians even if he is a Dawn Knight now."
She nodded, and placed her head on the crook of his neck. "We are so close to our reunion."
"Aren't we already reunited?" He tilted his head so it was leaning on hers.
She shook her head the best she could. "No. I want us to reunite not in your soul, but in the outside world, where anyone can see. Our love is already talked about. I want them to witness our love."
Satan pulled away, and tilted her head up. He gently traced her cheek. "I know that. But the time will come when it comes. We cannot force it."
She removed his hand, and said, "It is time for you to go back. Your soulless body cannot take anymore."
He kissed her forehead, and her cheeks turned a light shade of pink. She tilted her head away, attempting to hide her flustered expression.
"I will see you soon, my dear."
The garden of paradise slowly faded, and Satan closed his eyes.
Who was Hyoudou Issei all this time?
That was the question everyone was wondering.
Was Hyoudou Issei a fake? Did he always know of their intentions as the King of Demons?
Or was he sealed for his past sins, and only now, did he break out?
[Personification of Evil] Satan was barely able to be seen by all. In fact, Kokabiel and Satan's battle were difficult for even Grayfia to see, and she was the most powerful one there except for the currently hidden [Angel of Love] Gabriel.
The formless weapon within his hand solidified once more, taking on the appearance of a spear.
Kokabiel grunted, as he formed multiple light spears to counter a single attack from Satan's spear. Even then, the Cadre was forced to dodge, the spears doing little to stop the dark beam of plasma that shot out of Dusk Breaker.
"To think I am actually forced to draw this." He mused.
He stopped, and Satan stopped as well. It may have been a primal instinct of survival, but Satan suddenly moved. He appeared meters behind the area he once stood, which was now a trench, digging in many meters deep.
It happened so fast, that only after they comprehended what happened, did the rocks get sent into the air from the force of Kokabiel's attack.
Within his hands, he held a naked blade. It was made from a combination of both concept and perception. It was the signature of those within the ranks of the Dawn Knights, under Delusion's care.
It was called a Dawn Blade.
Kokabiel was about to launch another attack, but stopped, causing everyone to look from him, to Issei.
"I'm back." It was said in a low tone, yet still held so much weight.
"Brother. It really is you."
They both lowered their weapons. Dusk Breaker vanished from Satan's hand, while Dawn Blade was sheathed within an invisible sheath.
They stepped forward, and embraced each other's forearms. Kokabiel had to tilt his head up slightly, for Satan was a couple inches taller than him.
"It has been long, Kokabiel."
The Brothers gave each other a small smile.
"Issei, what are you doing?" Rias stepped forward. "Why have you stopped? This is your enemy, Kokabiel!"
They all felt it, the darkness that burst out of Issei's body. It flooded their senses, as a dark mist covered the ground.
"No." He stepped forward, and rose his hand. A ball of black flame appeared in his hand. "He is your enemy, not mine." His dark black eyes looked at each of them.
"Is Freed going to use Excalibur?"
Kokabiel nodded. "Indeed. I planned for Freed to jump in, but first, let me release my dogs."
He rose his hand, and the sound of howling echoed in the air.
In a flash, three dogs with three heads appeared in a flash of light.
"I thought you were a Dawn Knight. To think you'll be using things associated with [ABYSS]."
"They aren't associated with [ABYSS]. It's just a rumor."
"Cerberus!"
The dogs barked at the call of their name. It was not the bark of one responding to their master, but one of responding to a threat.
After all, it was Griselda who called it out, who held within her grasp, an Excalibur Fragment.
"Cerberus? The three headed guard-dog of the Underworld?!" Sona cried out in shock.
"I don't know how he got control of them, but they are dangerous." Griselda held up her sword. Her blue eyes narrowed at the mutts.
"Wait." Kokabiel held up his hand. Everyone turned to him, including Issei.
He gestured to the shadows. "Freed, come out."
The crazed exorcist stepped out. His red eyes looked at three people. "Hey Boss, I would like to fight those three." He pointed at Yuuto Kiba, Xenovia Quarta, and Griselda Quarta.
"Of course. It's not like they have a choice."
The swordsman and swordswomen stepped forward, each of them drawing their sword. However, Xenovia was the only one to reach out to open air. Even though she seemingly held nothing, those watching knew that she was grasping a weapon. What kind, they couldn't tell.
Only Griselda, Satan, and Kokabiel knew.
Freed dashed forward without a word, and the four of them engaged in combat.
It wasn't a team fight. It was a free for all.
Kiba fought against Freed and the two exorcists. He didn't work with the exorcists, and he also didn't work with Freed. His eyes were full of rage as he glared at the sword held within Freed's hands, as well as Griselda's.
She was, after all, wielding the full-fledged Excalibur Fragment: Blessing. It was no longer hidden underneath the blade of an ordinary sword. Xenovia's invisible sword caused both Freed and Kiba to get more agitated, unable to predict what kind of sword, and how long it was.
They didn't know how to get out of its range, when it seemed to have near limitless range.
Kiba's swords continuously shattered, and yet, more swords kept forming within his hands. Eventually, he was forced to stay out of the fight for a split second, for his swords shattered faster than he could make them.
His eyes narrowed, as sweat began to pour down his body.
He jumped back into battle as soon as his swords reformed in his hands.
Freed gritted his teeth as he blocked a strike from Griselda, before being forced to avoid a stab from Kiba, only to have to slide underneath Xenovia's invisible sword. The moment he regained his balance as he rolled upwards, he was forced to raise his sword to block Xenovia's strike. Luckily for him, Kiba had chosen that moment to engage against Griselda, his sword clashing against her Fragment.
Kiba was kicked to the side by Xenovia, only for Freed to take his chance to throw a wild slash at her, only for Griselda to block the strike. His red eyes met with her blue, and he had to disengage to avoid Xenovia's invisible blade. He had to suppress a flinch as he felt the wind pass by his throat, so close to the edge of her sword.
He knew the length of her sword now. In Freed's eyes, she should have overextended. Only then, would Freed have just been cut down. Now, she lost the element of surprise, only Kiba didn't know the length of her sword.
The four of them disengaged into a loose triangle.
Kiba was the only one breathing deeply, while Freed only took quick breathes. He wasn't tired, he was simply breathing quickly due to the rush of battle. Xenovia's body shook slightly, the stress of battle finally catching up, while Griselda didn't even look winded.
"You, boy. What do you have against the Excalibur Fragments?"
His grey eyes locked onto Griselda's blue.
"The Fragments are my despair. They are my hope, and yet, they are my defeat."
Freed narrowed his eyes at Kiba's cryptic words, and Griselda widened her eyes. "You...you were apart of the Holy Sword Project?"
"I was apart of that cursed project." He glared at the sword held within both Freed's and Griselda's hand. "My friends were all slaughtered for the Vatican's goal of attempting to obtain more holy sword wielders. There were more swords than wielders, so they attempted to create a way for humans to wield the swords artificially."
"It ended in a failure, no?" Freed spoke up. "Everyone ended up getting slaughtered because it was deemed a failure. No artificial wielders were made, so they had to get rid of the evidence. Reports were that only one child managed to get away. You were that child."
"I didn't get away." He looked up at the sun held up within the sky, almost completely covered in Satan's dark mist. "I died in the forest. However, Rias Gremory managed to find me. She gave me a new life in exchange for my service and utmost loyalty to her. I am Yuuto Kiba, the sole survivor of the Holy Sword Project."
Freed and Griselda met each other's gaze. A silent exchange went through them, both of them knowing what had happened.
Kiba didn't escape. They let him go. There was a reason why Kiba was the only one to escape.
It was a deal made with the Vatican. Allow the child named Isaiah go, for he was a rare natural dual-wielder. Natural dual-wielders were so rare, that it was almost a miracle that it would even happen. That was why it was said it was impossible to wield two Sacred Gears. It was meant to prevent the foolish from killing themselves in an attempt to harness two opposing powers at once.
The mad exorcist and the female exorcist had both seen the message sent to the one in charge of the project.
Let the natural dual-wielder orphan Isaiah go. Allow him to escape the purge so my sister can revive him.
They now knew the identity of the sender. The head of the project had also known who is was, but he did not share who it was.
Sirzechs Lucifer, the third King of Devils. He was so cold-blooded, he had allowed a young child be killed simply so his sister can attain a peerage member that had potential to become stronger.
Griselda sighed at Kiba. "Kid, don't you think it's time to let that hatred go? It's not doing you any good by trying to avenge your friends."
He narrowed his eyes at the older woman. "Forget? Forget about all of the sacrifices my friends did to keep me alive? I refuse to let my friend's sacrifices go in vain. I will destroy the Excalibur, and prevent this tragedy from happening to anyone else."
"I never said to forget their sacrifices." Griselda glared back at the young Devil. "But if you keep on going like this, their sacrifices will be for nothing. Look at you now. You can't even destroy my Fragment. How do you expect to destroy the real sword? Especially the one wielded by King Arthur himself?"
"I will find a way to destroy the Fragments, and Excalibur itself. It's the only way I can redeem myself from my past comrades." Kiba continued, his eyes blazing with hatred.
"I already told you. You can't even destroy my Fragment, and it's the weakest one. Excalibur Fragment: Blessing. The weakest of the seven Fragments, with only the ability to enhance my 'stats'. If you can't even beat me with the weakest, how do you expect to stand against King Arthur himself, who wields the full power of Excalibur? It's impossible."
"Nothing is impossible." Kiba growled out. "I will continue to strive for it. I'll defeat you, I'll defeat Freed. And when I hold the Excalibur, I will destroy it."
Freed spoke up. "You are disappointing brat. I'll show you your deepest nightmare. Only when you wake up, will you be worthy of fighting us."
Kiba widened his eyes at Freed's words, but before he can offer an answer, he was suddenly inside of a concrete room.
His grey eyes narrowed. He reminded himself, "This is just a nightmare. From Excalibur Fragment: Nightmare. This isn't real."
"Isaiah?"
Kiba froze, as all sense went out of his head. He turned, and saw the figure of his long time friend. She had her snow white hair in braided twin tails with a hair clip on the right side her bangs.
She was beautiful, just like all those years ago.
"Tosca?"
She smiled weakly at him.
"What happened at the experiments today? Why were they so mad when they went onto me?"
She gazed at him with her large eyes, and Kiba hesitated. "I...don't know."
"What did you do Isaiah?" She took a step forward, and Kiba took a step back. "Why does it hurt?"
Kiba's mouth gaped, as he struggled to give an answer.
She took another step forward, and Kiba hit the wall of the cell. He tried to move, but felt his legs stuck to the floor.
She continued forward, her beautiful face scarred by rage. She started to shed tears of blood, as her eyes widened crazily. Her mouth opened slightly, revealing a mouth full of fangs.
"They tortured me because you couldn't stop them! You should have been stronger, you should have been the artificial wielder so I don't have to suffer. Didn't you promise that you'll end my pain?!"
Kiba whimpered as she stopped right in front of him, her bloodied cheeks causing him to shake in fear.
But she spoke in a calm, delicate and soft voice. "You love me, don't you?"
"Yes." Kiba whispered. "I love you. I still do. I'll never forget you."
"Then why haven't you went back for me?!" She screamed. Kiba flinched at the sudden increase in volume. "I'm alive Isaiah! I'm alive! I've been trapped within the institution for years! If you loved me, why haven't you come back for me?"
"I-I..." He trailed off, as his mind was empty. He couldn't come up with an answer. "I thought we all died. I thought I was the only one who made it out alive."
"You never cared for me." She shrieked at him. She placed her hand on his cheek, and he felt something cold and wet on his cheek. He knew what it was without tasting the familiar rustic and steel taste.
"I do Tosca. I do. I love you." He replied weakly. "I just didn't know that you were alive. Trapped within this hell. If I had known, I would've jumped back in right after getting reincarnated."
They stared at each other, neither of them flinching. Kiba steeled his resolve, and he held out his hand. He grasped onto the naked steel that formed within his grasp, and muttered, "I'll prove my love to you."
Droplets of blood slowly dripped onto the floor, as the blade had stabbed through Tosca's heart, as well as his own.
"You...killed me." She muttered.
"No...I saved you. I saved both of us." He embraced her, and he felt her nails rip his skin like knives. He ignored the pain, and kissed the top of her head gently. "Tosca...I will save you. I will come back soon, and save you. I will sacrifice myself just like how you all sacrificed for me to live on."
"Liar."
He chuckled, as he felt his body grow weak from the blood loss. "Yeah. I lie about many things. But I'll never lie about my love, nor about saving you."
She coughed softly. "Isaiah...it hurts."
"Hush." He ran his fingers through her blood-soaked hair. His fingers trembled as he felt his body grow weaker. His fingers got stuck, but he continued to try to comb his hands through her sticky hair.
"I'm sorry for the words earlier. I'm just...scared."
"I know." He muttered. "Don't worry, I forgive you."
"Isaiah..."
"My name is Yuuto Kiba." He said in a hoarse voice. "I am a Devil, a Knight under the command of Rias Gremory. When I find you..."
This time, she pressed her finger to his lips. She smiled a mouth full of blood. "Don't talk anymore Yuuto. Just let me stay here in peace."
"Of course."
He closed his eyes with her, as she pressed her head against his chest. She listened to his slowing heartbeat, as blood continued to pool around them. The blood had slowed, showing how little they had left within their bodies.
"I'll be waiting for you..."
They drifted to endless sleep together.
"Damn, he broke out."
That was the first thing that Yuuto Kiba heard when he broke out of the darkness.
His grey eyes widened as he found himself within the battlefield he was in...
His mind blanked. He couldn't remember. Battlefield? Was he fighting?
He looked at Freed Sellzen, and remembered. He was fighting against Freed Sellzen and Griselda Quarta. They wielded the Excaliburs, and he would be the one who will break them.
He blinked once again.
He felt no anger at the thought of the Excaliburs.
Tosca...
He thought to himself. He looked upwards, and saw Satan's dark mist still high in the sky, covering the setting sun. How long had he been trapped within the dreams of Excalibur Fragment: Nightmare? Moments? Minutes?
"That was quicker than I expected as well." He looked at the two most powerful beings within the school's campus. One of them had his ten wings stretched out lazily, while the other stood next to him, his midnight black eyes staring at the four of them.
"Indeed. I supposed that's why he was saved. A strong mental state, as well as being a natural dual-wielder. He is indeed special."
Kiba glared at Issei...no, Satan. The entire time, he was Satan. He was their King, and yet, he had chosen to hide it from them all.
He was the only one able to defeat Kokabiel, but he refused to fight. They were standing next to each other, with their so called "brotherhood" preventing them from fighting to the death, unlike him and the three exorcists.
Just because he was a King, he thought he can befriend the enemy?
Rage fueled him, as he continued to glare at Satan. It was almost as if he wanted Kiba to fight until his death, offering no help against blades he cannot match against with only his Sacred Gear, Sword Birth: Demonic Sword Creation.
How can he destroy the Excalibur Fragments, and Excalibur itself if he only had low-class Demonic Swords?
He couldn't even save Tosca inside of the dream world. She said she was going to wait for him.
He gritted his teeth. In order to reach her, he must defeat the Excaliburs. He must be stronger than even King Arthur himself, and destroy them. Only then, can he save Tosca from the institution he had escape from all those years ago.
His rage was no longer directed at Excalibur. Now, it was directed at Satan. It was directed at the ones that could change the world itself, but refuse to. Why had someone as ordinary as he suffered at the hands of those unordinary?
Was it because he was ordinary that he was used as a test subject? Because he was an orphan, no one would miss him? The only ones who would miss him were those also inside of the accursed building.
He gripped his swords so tightly, the handle cracked, and the steel blade hummed with power. "Spirit" filled the sword to the brim, as his grey eyes narrowed at Freed.
"I will defeat you." In those few words, the atmosphere changed.
"Well, shit. He's serious." Freed remarked. "Looks like we'll have to defeat him together missy."
"Do not call me missy." Griselda remarked. "But I agree. Just like old times before you turned corrupt, eh?"
He chuckled. "I never turned insane. I'm just a little mad."
Kiba steel eyes sharpened into blades. The next words he spoke were filled with power fueled by Gaia itself. "Sacred Gear: Sword Birth"
"Wait, is that-"
"Balance Breaker: Prayer Named Salvation: Morgan"
"That's not Balance Breaker! What the-"
Freed's words were interrupted by a flash of light coming from Kiba's sword.
Within his hands, did he hold something twisted. It was made of the darkest night, and glowed red like the fires of the pits of Hell. Arcane symbols decorated the double-edged blade. It was a European-long sword, and it was made of polar opposites. Good and evil lingered within the blade, yet was still corrupted by all Evils of the World.
It was twisted, and it was never supposed to exist. Yet, it was the salvation that Kiba never had those years ago.
"That thing-" Griselda started.
"-is wrong." Freed finished.
Darkness darker than even Satan's mist had taken physical form, and was held within Kiba's hand.
Kiba opened his mouth, and what came out was similar to some sort of chant. "Cry out. It is time to fall to the ground. Hammer of the Vile King. Overturn the aurora. Swallow the light! Excalibur Morgan!"
Power coursed through the sword, as Kiba's spirit filled the blade.
"Excalibur...Morgan? Something so twisted is named, Excalibur?" Freed narrowed his eyes. "How can the Sacred Gear, Sword Birth, turn into something so powerful, yet so tainted?"
"Be quiet." Kiba's voice was as sharp as his blade. Excalibur Morgan pulsed in his hands, as he pointed it at Freed. "With this blade, I will strike you down."
Power exploded from the blade, as Kiba swung it once. An arc of pure darkness washed out, and all three exorcists rose their blades together to stop it.
Freed's fused Excalibur glowed a prismatic light, while Griselda's glowed golden. Xenovia gritted her teeth, as her invisible sheath created sparks. Her invisible sheath cracked slightly, and part of her sword's blade was revealed.
It should have been impossible, as her sheath was created out of pure wind.
The arc of pure dark energy slowly fade, and the pressure disappeared.
"He cracked Invisible Air?" Freed narrowed his eyes at Xenovia's sheath, which repaired itself and the small glimpse of her sword became invisible again. "But...Invisible Air is a C ranked Noble Phantasm, how can that be? Unless...Excalibur: Morgan is a A++ just like its counterpart?"
"Please speak in the same language as this world, and don't use an Outsider's words." Griselda growled. "Just because Dulio said it doesn't mean we should."
"[Bloodstained Calamity] Dulio Gesualdo, usurper of this world's Zenith Tempest: Prison of Bright Heavenly Thunder, and [Seraph of Delusion] Michael's Joker...he is an Outsider, just like the one who just recently came into this world...that Dragon Knight, Luna, was it?"
"Do not ramble on." She smacked the back of Freed's head. "You must not disclose too much information."
"Of course." Freed turned back to Kiba, who had taken advantage of their chatter to recover his energy. "Are you ready to fire off another thing like that kid?"
"I will do whatever it takes to reunite with her." Kiba growled. He rose his sword once again, and he felt his body tremble from the quick loss of energy. He rose his sword, but Freed did something different. He dashed to him, and clashed blades with him, preventing him from firing off the shot else he'll kill himself.
Freed locked Kiba's blade with his own, their hilts connected, and he used pure strength to prevent Kiba from being able to maneuver his sword else he'll lose his head.
"Here's the thing, you won't win."
Freed unlocked his sword and threw three quick swings at Kiba, causing the Devil to take steps back while being on the defensive. "You have a strong sword, something even I will have trouble going against, or even Durandal: The Peerless Sword, which can cut through anything."
"But a sword is only as strong as its wielder. So long as you are yourself, you will never win." His red eyes narrowed, and Kiba struggled against Freed's attacks. "Just because you hold the Prayer Named Salvation in your hands, doesn't mean that you will bring about the crystallization of that miracle. Only one person can possible bring about such miracles, and that person held the Prayer Named Victory.
But even Victory ended eventually."
Kiba jumped back, as Freed's sword swung in a large arc where he once was. Kiba was about the counter-attack, only for his body to move on its own accord, Griselda's sword swinging where he had stopped to avoid Freed's attack.
Kiba continued to dodge, his body straining against the constant pressure the two exorcists threw at him. Kiba's right arm groaned under the pressure of using the western sword similar to that of a katana, his arm strength unable to wield the sword single-handed for large periods of time, but Kiba continued to push through, his grey eyes glaring with sharpness.
He was no longer the Yuuto Kiba of the past. He was no longer controlled by his emotions. Instead, he was fueled by his desperation to reach Tosca once again. He wanted to see her, the one who he had loved in the past.
The one he still loved now, in his heart despite the female population of Kuoh attempted to gain his attention.
This resolution in his heart caused Excalibur Morgan to pulse in his hands, the blade lighting up a daunting violet. The red arcane markings glowed a red-orange, as the blade started to shutter, immense power forming within it.
"No, this is different." Kiba growled at Freed, as their eyes met. Steel against blade, two who only knew of how to bond through life and death. "This is Salvation. This is not Victory, where only one will be victorious. Salvation will come to everyone in one form or another. There is no loser with this sword. There are only victors, where everyone will attain salvation and reach their own version of a Utopia!"
"Salvation is something that can never be granted. Save? Saving who? How will you save all of mankind? You cannot ever reach what that miracle you hold does. Neither was King Arthur. In the end, Victory was shattered in the face of bloodshed, and Salvation will also shatter within the rage of those you attempted to save, just like those you attempted to conquer, and show what Victory was."
"Victory is something that nobody will ever attain eternally. It will always be everdistant, just like an utopia."
"Wrong."
All attention changed from Kiba onto the one that answered.
"You...!" Kokabiel started, stepping forward, but Satan put his arm out, preventing the Fallen from walking.
They all looked at the one who opposed Freed's words.
She was a young woman in her late teens, with a slender physique and green eyes. Her blonde hair looked as if it were sprinkled in gold dust. She wore a blue dress with thin black latex material covering her arms. The same material was on her chest, preventing any cleavage from showing.
She was beautiful, perhaps more beautiful than even the most beautiful woman in the Human World.
But she wasn't human.
They knew who she was. She was just like Satan and Kokabiel. They knew her, despite the legends getting the gender wrong. She was the one who brought Victory into the battlefield, the one who wielded the miracle that Freed currently wielded, but at a more elegant and powerful way.
Her name was [Future and Last King] Artoria Pendragon.
She was the wielder of Excalibur: Prayer Named Victory.
"Victory did not shatter." She took another step forward, not flinching as her bare feet stepped onto the hard rocks. "Do you wish to know why Excalibur had 'shattered' like so many thought?"
"It's conceptual." Satan spoke up. "It didn't shatter. It merely split."
"Correct, [Personification of Evil]. Excalibur split into different parts, because I realized something. Excalibur was not the crystallization of the miracle named Victory. It was merely Glory. I wielded a sword, that brought about Victory for me. It cannot be called Victory if there is only one victor, and multiple losers. It split, because there are many ways to define Victory, much like how there are many parts to Excalibur."
"What I wielded, was not Excalibur: Prayer Named Victory."
She held her hand out, and a shining bright light formed within her right hand.
"I wielded Excalibur: Sword of Glory. It was not a prayer. It did not need to answer anything. It was only meant to bring about Glory and Fame. And that was what it brought. I brought me glory as a King. I was King of Knights, the King of Britain, the Ruler of Camelot."
The bright light solidified within her hand, and she held something similar to Kokabiel's Dawn Blade. It glowed with the same bright light, yet was shaped like a western sword.
"This is the true Excalibur, the one that was crafted for me by the Lady of the Lake. This is what she wanted me to see."
It was beautiful. In fact, calling it even beautiful will stain its unrivaled beauty. Crafted by the finest of fairies, inscribed in Fairy Letters to show it was not crafted by mankind.
It was not a myth or inhuman work, but a "crystal trained by the heart alone", making it reign as the strongest fantasy. It was the crystallization of the prayer named "Glory" and everything etched in the hearts of those who are scattered at the sword's radiance; the nostalgic, sorrowful, and hallowed dream of those who were placed on the bloody hell called a battlefield, of all warriors past, present, and future fully exposed to the fear of death and despair, and who still cling to a desire: "to be exalted."
"That is-" Kiba started. "Is that...really what I wanted to destroy?"
He had to swallow his gasp as he stared upon the golden light that Excalibur bathed in.
All eyes were drawn to it. Despite being a Divine Construct, the pinnacle of holy swords, the crystallization of the wishes of mankind stored and tempered within the planet, it did not cause any of the Devils to recoil from its aura.
"My name is Artoria Pendragon. I am the King of Knights. And I will show you what glory is."
She tilted the sword slightly, the golden light purifying Satan's dark mist.
The ancient Devil showed no surprise at the Divine Construct, simply observing, even as she pointed the blade at him.
Tempus Vernum Ruptor "formed" within Satan's right hand. He pointed the formless energy at Artoria in return. Her Divine Construct against his own. His midnight black eyes stared at Artoria's emerald green.
They all looked upon the bright light that was called Excalibur.
Despite what Artoria had said, they still admired it. It was a sword of glory, meant to conquer. Yet, what they saw within the light wasn't the blood of those who attempted to go against the crystallization of glory itself.
What they saw was hope.
"EX-"
Artoria rose her sword high, drops of dew rising around her, each drop glowing a golden color.
Satan brought his arm backwards. Unlike Artoria, who rose her sword so she can slash downwards, Satan brought Tempus Vernum Ruptor back so he can thrust it. Satan remained calm, his eyes remained calculating, as he took in a deep breath.
Only Kokabiel knew that he had to restrain himself, else he would risk invoking the wrath of Gaia itself. Artoria merely had to invoke her Noble Phantasm's name, but Satan couldn't. If he were to, he would release the full power of Dusk Breaker.
The power of an Anti-Planet would call a Counter-Guardian beyond their universe.
It could potentially even be that accursed EMIYA. That was a terrifying thought. Kokabiel couldn't imagine what would happen if EMIYA came into their world. He could possibly defeat even Satan and YHWH together due to his endless arsenal.
It was even worse than Gilgamesh's Gates of Babylon. EMIYA was craftier, and knew how to utilize each and every one of his swords. The King of Heroes didn't.
Especially that Caladbolg II:The Fake Spiral Sword he traced and shot like an arrow. That arrow was an Anti-Army Noble Phantasm, at a Rank A++, similar to Artoria's Excalibur that she was about to use currently.
"-CALIBUR!"
Kokabiel did not move from his spot beside Satan. He knew that even if Satan was unable to control his "spear" to the point where their two attacks would cancel, the raw power would be able to overwhelm Excalibur anyway. There was no way for Dusk Breaker to lose. After all, Excalibur was only ranked A++, while Tempus Vernum Ruptor was ranked EX.
Thank God EMIYA had Artoria's Avalon, else he wouldn't be so sure about Satan's victory.
At the same time, the King of Knights and the King of Devils fired their attacks. The Knight swung in a downwards motion, an arc going directly towards Satan, while the Devil thrust, a beam of dark energy burst out faster than even Kokabiel was able to see.
It was what made Tempus Vernum Ruptor stronger than Ea. Ea needed time to unleash its power, but Dusk Breaker can instantly fire off its concentrated power. After all, Dusk Breaker was merely a concept of darkness. It was conceptual, while Ea was concrete.
Gold and Black clashed, a blindingly light filling the now destroyed clearing. The power from Satan had completely vaporized the ground, while the power from Artoria had merely scorched and charred it.
The female gritted her teeth, as her dress blew wildly in the wind as the powers continued to go against each other, neither of them seemingly more dominate than the other.
Until Satan pulled his arm back, Dusk Breaker taking on the appearance of a swirling dark aura. Despite Satan stopping his attack, the beam of darkness that had been unleashed from his spear continued to push against Excalibur's. Satan's spear solidified into the closest it can into a spear.
He took a step back, and watched as his own attack started to push Artoria back. Her feet created marks in the ground as she got pushed back.
Satan walked to the side, and moved forward calmly. He ignored the powerful energies to his side, and walked toward Artoria. Her eyes shifted from the dark beam in front of her, and shifted to the side, looking at Satan.
She let out a scream, as she swung her sword upwards. A second burst of energy erupted from her sword, sending it into the two energies. The moment the second arc from her sword hit the two beams of light, it exploded.
Space itself distorted, as the power of the two Noble Phantasms was too much for reality to handle. Artoria was able to see the cracks in the air that led to the Dimensional Gap, the World between Worlds, the Rift Between Realities that connected all worlds within the multiverse.
And yet, despite this, she was able to see Satan's glowing eyes. It should have been impossible, for eyes made of the darkest night to glow, and yet they still did.
Satan appeared right in front of her, their blades clashing. Her blade clashed against the shaft of his "spear". He gripped it with two hands and thrust it forward, causing her to duck as the conceptual weapon extended. A burst of power shot outwards, and Satan quickly twirled his spear quickly into a wide circle with both his hands, allowing him to block Artoria's quick two strikes.
He stabbed forward again, and Artoria was forced to block it rather than dodge. Their weapons made a loud sound, as the two Divine Constructs clashed. Despite the fact that Dusk Breaker was a literal projection of energy, made of pure conceptual ideas, whenever it clashed with Excalibur, it still acted like a normal weapon.
Artoria refused to give up ground to Satan, blocking and parrying rather than stepping back. She refused to give the Devil the satisfaction that he had managed to push back perhaps the greatest to wield a sword.
She brought up her sword, only for Satan to catch the blade with his bare hand.
She widened her eyes when she saw that despite it being a Holy Sword, it did not affect him.
That should've been impossible. Even Kokabiel's light spears had managed to damage him. How did Excalibur not-
Ah. That's why.
Their eyes met as they both came to a conclusion at the same time. Satan had grabbed her blade not because he knew that he would be unaffected, but because he was willing to suffer the burns of the strongest Holy Sword, rather than have to deal with defeating her in a battle.
She scoffed. He was beyond reckless.
"You have her protection." She spoke first.
"Will you retreat, King of Knights? I know not of why you have decided to come here besides to satisfy yourself by seeing the sword your Excalibur has turned into. What purpose do you have to come to a battle between two Counter-Guardians?" Satan spoke, ignoring Artoria's statement.
She rose her eyebrow. "I do not see a battle between two Counter-Guardians. I only see a battle between a single Counter-Guardian and natural denizens of this World."
Kokabiel shrugged. "I too am a natural denizen of this world. I have not yet died."
Artoria sighed. "That is very much true. You have also made a contract with Alaya. No...you have made a contract with [DELUSION]. Your contract with Alaya has been nullified."
"It hasn't. It is merely...an extension of a contract." Kokabiel clarified. "I am still bound to this world, and Alaya should I ever come to meet death."
She shook her sword gently, and Satan let go. He lowered his hand, but those who watched closely were able to see how it shook slightly.
Excalibur vanished from her hands, and she pointed at Satan. "You...on the other hand. How is it that you know of Noble Phantasms? It did not come from your world. It came from MY world."
"I can ask you why you have come to this world as well." Satan shot back.
Their interaction made no sense. Artoria had said one thing, and Satan responded back with a completely unrelated statement, but said with such confidence that it couldn't be anything but the answer to Artoria's own statement.
Her green eyes widened. "So...it is like that. How...unfortunate. So similar to my Shirou."
She closed her eyes gently, and she winced, almost as if she were reminiscing a painful time.
"Shirou, or EMIYA?" Kokabiel gave a question. The watchers did not understand the question. Artoria had only mentioned a single name, yet Kokabiel asked a question, almost as if there were two of these "Shirou"s, and both were known by different names.
Her eyes shot open, and she gave a glare at the Cadre. "EMIYA..."
"I wouldn't have thought otherwise. That Third Magic of your World. It certainly is strange. There is no such thing as the Holy Grail War. Yet, at the same time, there is one. These different worlds are certainly strange."
"Do not dare to say anything more about me or EMIYA." Artoria growled.
"I dare not, but I don't say the same about him." Kokabiel rose his hands in innocence, and pointed at Satan.
"So that is how it is..." Satan started. "There were two versions. The second, is the one right now. You have met EMIYA after you became a Counter-Guardian at the Fall of Camelot. You two met, and you two fell in love. Both of you were betrayed by your ideals. Both of you witnessed tragedy beyond your life time, and you have both accepted a second chance. The ending of your tale was different than what you both expected."
"We are not in love!" Artoria growled. Despite the tension, her cheeks had turned a very light pink, barely noticeable.
"However...the first version. The one that was supposed to happen. The Holy Grail War was made, and you wanted a second chance. You were taken into the Throne of Heroes, and were transported to the Fifth Holy Grail War. There, you were the servant of an amateur. He had no talent for magic, but one. [PROJECTION]. The one and only magic allowed to him by [Fate]. You two fought tooth and nail in the war, and in the end, you two were the victors, surpassing all expectation.
But...there was something that nobody expected. The Archer of that War, was secretly a Counter-Guardian, twisted by his own ideals, and broken by his despair. He had the very same dream as the amateur mage you were the servant of. You knew his identity before anyone else, for how does one not recognize their love?
Shirou Emiya of the Fifth Holy Grail War, is [EMIYA] Shirou Emiya. You two met in the Fifth Holy Grail War, and you two became Counter-Guardians after the events of the Holy Grail War. You ended up dying after being transported to back to your world after the destruction of the Holy Grail due to Modred's fatal blow. However, you got a contract with Alaya, which allowed you to travel across space and time. He remembered the love you two had all those years ago in the War. He didn't become the same [EMIYA] Shirou Emiya of the Fifth Holy Grail War, because he was saved, by you. The premise of meeting you once again after death was too overpowering for the betrayal of his ideals to overcome him."
"Do not say anymore Devil." She scowled at him, her beautiful face marred by her anger of Satan's words. "I can say the same for you. I know how you know of Noble Phantasms."
"My story is not as tragic as yours." Satan shot back. "Kokabiel and you already know how I have come across the same terms those of your world use. It makes no difference if everyone else here knows."
Their eyes stared at one another, neither of them flinching.
She sighed. She stepped away, backing off from Satan's declaration. "I will be leaving now, [Personification of Evil] Satan, and [Nova of Delusion] Kokabiel. I bid you two farewell. I suppose we will meet once again at the World's End, when Alaya calls upon all of its dogs together to fight."
"What an abrupt farewell." Satan continued to taunt. "Are you sure you don't wish to stay longer?"
"Watch your tongue, King of Devils. Just because you have provoked me with your words doesn't mean I can't do the same."
"I will be waiting." Satan gave a small smile at the beautiful woman. She narrowed her eyes, but bowed to him. Her beautiful blue dress was somehow unharmed during her duel with the King of Devils. She nodded at Kokabiel, before turning and walking away, disappearing into the shadows.
She disappeared as abruptly as she appeared.
Satan turned his midnight black eyes back to the now rested exorcists and Devil who wielded Excalibur Morgan. He did not miss how while Artoria had addressed the Sword of Promised Victory within Freed's hand, she had completely ignored the tainted Excalibur Morgan within Kiba's hand.
He wasn't surprised at her lack of response to the twisted wrong sword within an equally wrong existence. Yuuto Kiba reminded Artoria of [EMIYA] Shirou Emiya, just like how the sword he now wielded reminded Artoria of Morgan Le Fay.
Two of the closest people within her life, yet completely polar opposites.
He knew Artoria, just like how she knew him. It was to be expected, after all, they knew each other from long ago. She simply did not remember him because he had changed so much from the time long ago.
After all, her World was the first world that he had been transported to by Alaya to prevent from destruction.
Information packed chapter once again.
If it doesn't make sense at all, let me try to explain. It's difficult to in the actual story telling, so this may be the rare times I clarify in my author's notes. There are two versions of Artoria.
Artoria (alternate) = Fall of Camelot » [UNKNOWN] » Counter-Guardian » Meeting [EMIYA] » Transported to this World.
Artoria (TRUE) = Fall of Camelot » Holy Grail War » Meeting Shirou Emiya » Back to FoC » Counter-Guardian » Meeting [EMIYA-Alternate]
As you can see, two completely versions of Artoria/Saber. We are currently seeing Artoria (alternate), not Artoria (TRUE), which is Saber from F/SN.
That will be all for my author's note. Nothing else to really talk about since there was really mainly information in this chapter despite the long awaited start of Kokabiel fight, as well as Kiba's pairing.
See you all next time.
-Houvdon
Next Chapter: angel of the LORD
Important Question 1: How is Satan able to travel between space and time?
Important Question 2: How is Satan able to resist Excalibur: Sword of Glory's Holy Radiance?
Important Question 3: What is it that Kokabiel, Satan, Artoria, and all other Counter-Guardians getting ready for?