Hey guys. Merciless Sun here with the next chapter of How To Stop A Devil Civil War! In the last chapter, Isaac uncovered that Raynere was working with the Khaos Brigade, and had his ass kicked by the White Dragon Emperor, Vali, and it was revealed that Kuroka has Grayfia captured. In this chapter, Rias and Akeno will start looking for Grayfia, and Isaac will communicate with Ariz. Enjoy!

-Isaac's Room, The Next Morning, Isaac's POV-

I woke up to Asia holding my arm, and both Rias and Akeno cuddling me on each side, and of course, with Isabel cuddling up to Rias. But what was new was Ravel was cuddling on my leg. I said, "Morning, everyone. What do you have planned, Rias?"

"I'm going to join my brother in looking for Grayfia. Isabel, I want you to help train Gasper."

"Will do, baby."

I said, "That leaves me with you then, Akeno."

Akeno said, "Sorry, love. I'm going with Rias to help."

"Oh, alright. Well, I'll take Asia and Ravel to visit Xenovia and try to get them in our company."

Ravel woke up, and said, "Wha.."

"You're coming with me and Asia today, I want you to experience a bit of the world instead of sulking around after your brother attempted that coup."

She smiled, and said, "Alright."

"Good, well, you all take a shower, and I'll get your breakfast ready."

They all got up, and I went to the makeshift kitchen, and started cooking with the Rebirth Gear. Who knew a sealed Phoenix would be so good for cooking?! Ariz then said, "We need to talk."

"What about?"

"I'm really worried about that White Dragon Emperor getting all the Glory Of Olympus Sacred Gears."

"Oh please. Azazel froze him in crystal, so we got nothing to worry about. But what are some of the pieces?"

"Well, yesterday, you saw the Rocksteady Minotaur, but that's just one of 9 Sacred Gears, and it's the 8th strongest."

"You're kidding?! Which one are you then?"

"I am number 2, right behind the Neverending Chaos."

"Chaos? Seriously? Did you sense it yesterday?"

"Yes, I did. But it's still unsettling that Vali was still able to collect all of them, and his Sacred Gear, which is in the Longinus line-up, is tied to being the strongest in that line with the Red Dragon Emperor."

"Shit. Then today, I'm focusing on increasing our power. Azazel said that if I truly communicate with you, then our true power will shine. Let's do it."

"Sounds good, partner."

"Well, looks like we're done here." I set the plates on the table next to the couches, reverted the Sacred Gear back to normal, and said, "Breakfast is ready!"

Rias and Akeno came out wearing some nice shirts, blue and light-green, respectively, and some jeans. I said, "Looks like you 2 are ready to look for Grayfia."

Rias said, "Of course, I owe Sirzechs and Millicas that much."

"Right. Well, you girls eat up. I'm gonna see Xenovia and Irina, but Ariz and I have agreed to actually communicate today so we can actually stand a chance against Vali."

"Sounds like you're determined to beat this guy, even though he's trapped in crystal."

"He's strong, and who knows, maybe he's got some people who can bust him out. That's why I need to get stronger: To defeat anyone who would threaten me or you girls."

They both smile, and start eating. Asia and Ravel came out wearing light-blue blouses and jeans. "You two are looking nice too. Is that what you got from the shopping trip yesterday?"

Asia said, "Yes. I think they look good on us."

Everyone then nodded, and I said, "Well, eat up. We're going to visit Xenovia and Irina today."

"Oh yay! I can't wait."

Ravel asked, "Are they the Exorcists who saved us yesterday?"

I replied, "Yeah, but they're cool. They won't kill you, and I'll make sure they'll be on the right side of this fight against the Khaos Brigade."

"Good." I sat down with Asia and Ravel, and we started eating. We got a call on the communicator, and Clark showed up. "Morning, everyone. I've got some news about Grayfia."

Rias excitedly said, "What is it?!"

"I did a complete scan in the Underworld, and she is not there. However, I sensed her energy in this town, but it's clouded by something vicious."

"I see. Thank you, Clark."

"What do you have planned, Isaac?"

"I'm going to communicate with Ariz and increase his power. Also, Ravel, Asia and I are going to visit Xenovia and Irina to get them on our side."

"Good work. Well, I'll let you continue your day. Good luck, Rias. I hope you find her soon, and unharmed."

"Thank you. Good-bye." The screen shut off, and Rias and Akeno finished up their food, and put the dishes up.

I said, "Good luck in finding her." Rias kissed me, and they left.

"Well, I'm gonna finish up here, and meditate upstairs. You girls can watch. I think it'll be worth it."

-Shrine, 20 Minutes Later, Isaac's POV-

Ravel and Asia were next to me as I meditated with the Rebirth Gear out.

-Mind World, Isaac's POV-

I found myself in a black room, and in the distance, I could see a small flame. No point in being in the dark, so I ran, and the light got closer and closer. Once I got to the flame, it turned into a giant orange Phoenix with rainbow tail feathers!

"You must be Ariz. Nice to finally meet you."

"That's correct. And I know all about you, after all, I'm in your head."

"Right….So tell me about yourself."

"Well, we'll have to go all the way to the beginning."

He then became an illusion of the Big Bang made out of a black void. "When time began billions of years ago, I was one of the first beings created as the personification of Fire itself. Chaos' power had been drained when creating the universe, and the many realms had been created along with the universe."

"So you are as old as the universe itself…. Have you been in any wars with other realms?"

"Of course. Where do you think Surtur got his control of fire? Muspelheim was originally my home."

"Damn. So you never actually belonged to the Greeks."

"That's correct. I have worked with Zeus a few times though."

"Interesting. Do you have any aspirations or goals?"

"I want to explore other universes and meet incredibly strong Beasts."

"Really? Why is that?"

"Because I was trapped by the damn Phenex family for 20000 years. Also seeing inside your head made me want to meet and possibly fight these warriors."

"That's pretty deep. So when I first got you, there was a complete suit of armor on me in the Mirror. What was that?"

"It's called the Titan Armor, and not many of my wielders achieved that power."

"Can I?"

"At your current power, no. You could, but it would have you sacrifice most of your body."

"Ugh, no thanks. Well, I think we made good progress, and when we finish up this mission, I'll make sure you get to fight lots of legendary creatures."

"Thanks, Isaac."

"No problem, Ariz." I then left the room.

-Shrine, Isaac's POV-

I opened my eyes, and saw lots of blue fire around me, and Asia and Ravel hiding outside. "Oh, crap!" I put the fire out, and walked outside.

Ravel said, "What was that about?"

"Oh, I just had a nice conversation with a Phoenix as old as the universe itself. I'll have to see if I got any stronger later. Sorry about that." I then chuckled.

Asia playfully said, "It's alright, do you feel any different?"

"Not really, but I'm not gonna focus on it. Let's go see Xenovia and Irina."

I then call Xenovia. "Hey, it's Isaac Fennis. I was calling to see if you and Irina wanted to hang out today with me, Asia, and Ravel Phenex."

She said, "Of course, I still need to thank you for protecting me last week."

"Great. I'll see you at the park in 30 minutes." I then hung up, and we started walking.

-Road 2 Blocks From The Shrine, Rias' POV-

Akeno and I were walking around, sending for about familiar energy signatures. She said, "Is something going on with you and Isaac?"

"No, why do you ask?"

"You haven't exactly been including him in a lot of events."

"Well, he has a lot to take care of, he's helping us getting allies, and I want to make sure I find my sister-in-law on my own."

"I see. You want to prove you can handle yourself. You have actually gotten stronger over the past week, so you'll be fine now. Just talk to him about it."

I smiled and said, "Thanks, Akeno. I think I feel….No."

We ran towards a house, and busted down the door. We then saw a woman with long black hair, a black kimono, black cat ears and golden eyes. "Hello, Kuroka. I thought you were dead."

"You would like that, wouldn't you?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Oh, just keeping an old friend some company. Would you love to come in and see them?"

We walked in hesitantly, and walked with Kuroka to the other room. As soon as we came in, we saw Grayfia chained up on the wall! "Release her now!"

Just then, Kuroka kicked a floorboard, which revealed a Magic Circle, and Magic Chains bound both Akeno and myself! She said, "No, she was merely the bait."

She then took my phone.

-Park Outside The Church, 30 Minutes Later, Isaac's POV-

I met up with Xenovia and Irina with Ravel and Asia. "Hey, it's good to see you both. How have you been?"

Irina said, "We've been good, just working on an investigation regarding some stolen Holy Swords."

"Really? Any idea on who is doing it?"

Xenovia replied, "Witnesses say they heard a maniacal laughter, so I believe it may be Freed Selzan."

I think I remember him…. "Oh yeah, he was part of the ritual to take Asia's Sacred Gear a while back. Did you want me to help?"

"I would appreciate that, be sure to come by the church tomorrow."

"Awesome. Let's take a walk around town, and see what's happening." We then started walking around.

-Forest Outside The Shrine, 4 Hours Later, Isaac's POV-

After walking around town, I decided to take Xenovia and Irina to the shrine and meet the others. But as we went through the bamboo forest, I saw Isabel sitting on a bench nearby. She came up to me and said, "Hey, Isaac. How'd the conversation with Ariz go?"

I brought out the Rebirth Gear, and a blue fire appeared. "I'd say it went really well. How'd the training with Gasper go?" I then put the Rebirth Gear away.

She said, "It went well. But he is still a scared kid, ridiculed for being half-human and half-vampire."

"Where'd you find that out?"

"Koneko was telling me that during a break. So have you heard anything from Rias and Akeno?"

"Not really. I'll check my texts." I pulled up my phone and nothing came up. I then called her, and there was no answer.

I pulled the holo-screen up, and Clark said, "Good afternoon, everyone. Where's Rias at?"

I said, "I don't know, she's not responding to my calls. You see anything on the sensors?"

"Odd. Let me see….Yeah, I found them. Looks like they're in some house, I see Grayfia is with them too, but also the source of that vicious energy. I'd suggest you get there now."

I said, "Just great. It's a good thing Xenovia and Irina are here with me. We'll check it out." Just then, I got a call from Rias. "Wait, she's calling."

I answer it, and an unknown woman said, "Hello, handsome."

"Who the hell is this, and where are Rias and Akeno?!"

"Oh, they're here with me and your Lord Sirzechs' darling, Grayfia. Meet me in front of Kuoh Academy with Koneko Tojo in 3 hours or they all die." She then hung up.

I then dropped my phone. Asia put a hand on my shoulder, and said, "Where are Rias and Akeno?"

Clark said, "Shit just turned sideways, didn't it?"

I said, "Some woman took them and demanded me and Koneko to come to the Academy. I need a good team to ambush her in 3 hours….."

Xenovia said, "You can count on me and Irina to help you. We'll be waiting outside the school so it won't alert them."

"Thanks. I need to call Azazel, I know he'll have some help."

Clark said, "Good. I'll contact Sirzechs so he can get help."

"Thanks. I gotta go save my girlfriends."

The screen turned off, and I said, "Rias, Akeno. I'll save you…. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" I screamed so loud and was so angry that a giant pillar of blue fire erupted!

Isabel then summoned some Ice Magic, used it on me, and I was frozen in place, except for my head. "What the hell!?"

She said, "You need to calm down! I understand where you're coming from, but this won't do us any good. You said we need to get Azazel. I'll do that, but you stay here with Asia and Koneko. Please, just trust me."

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and said, "Alright. I'll be with them. Please help."

"I will, I promise." She then used Fire Magic, and melted me out.

I then went down to the shelter with Asia and Ravel, and was feeling so….down.

-Underworld Prison, 1 Hour Later, General POV-

7 Fallen Angel guards were watching over the crystal prison Vali was trapped in. As they were standing watch, a man with blonde hair, glasses and a business suit came in and killed them all with a large 2-handed sword. He then struck the crystal with the pommel. It shattered, and Vali dropped to the floor. "Thanks for getting me out, Arthur."

"Of course, sir Vali. Now let's rescue our other companion."

"Can't believe we're going to save that arrogant ass. Whatever. We need help, even if it comes from Riser and Raze Phenex."

They then walked towards the main prison in the Underworld.

-Shelter Under The Shrine, 1 ½ Hours Later, Isaac's POV-

I was sitting on the couch with Ravel and Asia when I got a call from Clark. "Hey man. I got some bad news."

"What happened?"

"Well, a known member of the Khaos Brigade, Arthur Pendragon, broke out Vali, Riser AND Raze."

"What!? What's the point of fighting those assholes when some dick breaks them out!?" Blue fire then surrounded me.

"Dude, you have 2 Exorcists with parts of Excalibur, a nun, a member of the Phenex family and Koneko. Plus Azazel is coming by now with a new friend."

"Oh...Gods, I just want this done."

"I know man, but have patience. You'll get them back, and we'll find the next Parasite. Luckily, I calibrated the drones to actually scan their signatures."

"Sweet." Just then, Azazel came down the stairs with a tall man with black hair and beard, and wearing a set of light armor.

He said, "Hello, everyone. Meet Baraqiel, one of my fellow Fallen Angels Leaders."

I said, "You must be Akeno's father. I'm sorry about what happened to her. Had I been there-"

Baraqiel replied, "Please stop. Don't beat yourself up."

"Alright. So is that everyone?"

Clark said, "Looks like. Good luck on rescuing Rias and Akeno, and try to find that Parasite."

"Thanks man." We then walked towards the academy.

War is hell, some would say. So Rias and Akeno have been captured by Kuroka, and Isaac, after realizing some of Ariz's potential, is about to fight the Khaos Brigade with Baraqiel, Azazel, Xenovia and Irina. In the next chapter, will he be able to save them, or will all of his efforts be for nothing? Find out next time on How To Stop A Devil Civil War!

-Author's Note-

Well, I'm glad things are turning out this way. I actually came up with this story, and part of the next one on my drive to Tennessee on Saturday, so you'll probably see that maybe next week. But I'm glad you guys are sticking this out! Thanks for reading, and I'll see you next time!