A number of new names join the story. This is not a slash fic.
Also,
Alcoholic simulator 2019
Azazel
With the traps set and everything else prepared to the extent that was possible, all Azazel ended up doing after returning to the student council room was take part in the so-called 'cultural indulgence', as Cato put it. It wasn't productive, but Azazel trusted to do their part. After all Rias and Sona were the sisters of two of the most powerful devils in existence. They would be at the conference, and the devils would spare no expense in protecting them. All that remained for Azazel before the conference was talking to Vali to make sure they were on the same page and prevent the young devil from doing anything foolish.
Getting ahold of Vali would be harder than setting up the meeting with Michael was, though for the exact opposite reason. Michael was hard to reach because he was busy; Vali was hard to reach because he was free to do anything and, by extension, could be anywhere. He was bound to show up at some point before the conference though, so all Azazel had to do was remain available until the youth made his unannounced visit. With only two days left until the conference and nothing more to do, Azazel went fishing. He tried to invite Cato along for the ride seeing as their objectives with the factions were already completed, but the man had declined because he was still busy doing something or other, whatever that meant. It was fine. Fishing alone was an underrated activity anyway.
He ended up down by the piers, looking out over the water while trying not to think too much. Normally, trying not to overthink things would result in the contrary, but he managed just fine. Since it was late morning, he didn't get the quiet solace that the place offered at night. The bustle of the streets could be heard along with the boisterous obnoxious talk and laughter of drunks. In other cities, drunks at this time of day was rare and frowned even more upon than general inebriety, but of course, drunkards had to do their thing during the day in Kuoh, none were out at night. Azazel took a swig from his hip flask. He wasn't one to criticize them.
As morning turned to noon and the heat became unbearable, Azazel briefly considered jumping in the filthy water just to get out of the oppressive heat and humidity. He smiled at the thought. It was the line of thinking of a human child more than anything. Maybe he could swim around a little with the ducks. Instead, he pulled in his line and packed up his things, taking another swig while he was at it. It was about time for lunch anyway, and for once, he was bored of fishing. There was a restlessness there within him. Anxious anticipation at the coming battle. He'd never experienced it before, at least not like this, but he'd heard about it in movies and stories. Uncertain waiting worse than the battle itself…
Well, he would have to keep waiting at any rate. He couldn't go to his lab as Vali wouldn't be able to find him there, so he went to his office instead, playing around and fiddling with the trinkets that lay about the place. There were more trinkets in his lab than his office, though his lab-work of late had been centered around making the magic disruptor crystals. Sacred gear research had mostly been on hold since the whole Kokabiel incident because his mind had been too occupied with other things. At the thought, he let his eyes drift to the strange gemstone dagger that still lay ominously on his desk. He picked it up, watching its strange tendrils play around in idle annoyance. He never did figure out what it was all about.
By nightfall, Vali still hadn't turned up.
Azazel stayed up with drinks out, hoping for the boy to come.
He drank alone.
The next day, Azazel woke up at noon. He'd had trouble sleeping the night before, and though his body felt fine, there was a sluggish discomfort in his mind. Shemhazai and Baraqiel would be showing up at his house some time throughout the day. He'd contacted them back when he first called the peace conference. Baraqiel was meant to be there mostly for appearances, while Shemhazai was a master of politicking and other such nonsense. After Cato revealed the strength that the Khaos Brigade were bringing to bear, Azazel had tried to bring more fallen into the mix. Armaros, a fellow researcher, had been the only one to voice his approval for the peace conference and chimed in, though he refused to show up. It was with his help that Azazel had designed the magic disruptors that now littered the ground around Kuoh academy.
In the end, Azazel offered them all an open invitation, hoping that some would show up, but expecting only Baraqiel and Shemhazai. It wasn't that the rest of them opposed peace. They just didn't care enough. For them, there was no reason to pick a side until the negotiations were over. Putting in work was for people who wanted change, and fallen were notorious for rolling with the tides, not struggling against them.
By the time he got out of bed, it was raining hard, and the humidity was so bad that he imagined he could swim through the air. Azazel opted not to put on a shirt until he had to leave. Damned Japanese summers. It would be like this for months. He went through the living room and into the kitchen for something to eat. Breakfast or lunch? He grabbed a beer and some breakfast cereal, flicking off the cap of the bottle with his thumb and taking a long draught before going back to the living room and sitting down in the couch next to Cato. He took another swig of his beer and a few bites of the cereal before his brain finally processed the world around him properly. He turned his head and promptly spat out half of his mouth's contents and got the other half down the wrong pipe. Hacking and coughing, he pounded his chest, knocking his beer over but somehow managing to set his bowl down on the table without spilling.
"Jesus-cough-"
When he regained his bearings, he turned with teary eyes to see Cato looking down at his ruined shirt in disgust.
"Wonderful. Cereal and beer on my shirt."
Azazel shook his head, feeling no sympathy for the intruder. "What the fuck, Cato? Don't just break into my house and lounge in it!"
"You didn't open when I knocked. Get me a towel or something."
"Get your own damned towel, you fool," Azazel said, as he went to get Cato a towel. Damned guy always just strolling around like he owned the world. When he got back, Cato had taken off his shirt as well, stained as it was with beer and cereal. Azazel threw him the towel and ruffled his own hair, trying to gain some semblance of mindfulness. "This morning sucks."
"It's past noon."
"Damn."
He stood there, pondering for a while what to do before finally just plopping down next to Cato again. Cato was looking at him strangely as he sat there.
"You don't get to judge me."
Cato shook his head with a smile on his face. "You look less like someone about to take part in the most important meeting of the century and more like a greasy uncle using beer to cure his hangover at a festival for teenagers."
Azazel frowned at the beer bottle that had somehow made it back into his hand. "I'm not greasy," he said, sounding like a petulant child. He sat there sulking for a while, trying to ignore Cato's judgmental gaze while he nursed the rest of his beer. He looked to the floor where he'd spilled his beer, then back to the one in his hand. When did I…?
"Azazel." Cato's voice sounded oddly strained.
"Leave me alone."
"What happened?"
"Nothing…" Azazel sighed. Once more, he sounded like a sulking kid, even if what he told really was the truth this time. Cato's skeptical gaze made him feel even worse. He would need to explain himself. "It's true. Nothing happened. That's the problem."
His guest nodded at that, accepting the answer but clearly wanting him to go on.
"It's Vali," Azazel continued. "I haven't seen him since… whenever it was I saw him last. I need to speak with him before the conference, and I was certain that he'd show up for a chat, but he just never did. He never showed up."
Cato looked away, taking in the information.
"I'm worried about him. Not worried that he's hurt or anything like that. Of course not," Azazel stopped, an inkling of hope dawning within him as he realized just who it was, he sat next to. "Cato. Do you know where he is?"
Cato didn't answer for a while. It was a stupid question, of course, and he couldn't keep relying on the man. He wasn't certain that Cato had even met with Vali – did he even know how the boy looked? Still, that inkling of hope was alive and well.
"I don't."
And it was dead. Azazel sank back into the couch, wishing it would swallow him up until some good news came along.
"That's not why I'm here."
"Why are you here," Azazel asked, the words leaving his mouth before he could spare it any thought.
"The truth is that I thought you'd be worried about me. But I see another man occupies your thoughts."
Azazel frowned.
"Relax. Don't look at me like that. I think I have an understanding of your worldview, Azazel. I can tell – you think I'm going to be in mortal danger at the peace conference. You think I'll amount to little more than a target dummy for the ruffians."
Azazel refrained from voicing his approval. The thought of denying it never crossed his mind. He'd tried to talk Cato out of attending, but the man wouldn't have it. Instead of trying to beat that dead horse, Azazel looked to ensure his safety.
"Since we're friends, I wondered if you might try to look out for my safety at the conference. No, I'm confident that you will," Cato said, not meeting Azazel's eyes as he spoke. "Don't. Worry about yourself first and foremost; I will be fine no matter what, I promise. I know the nature of our enemy. I understand my own position according to them. And you will need to watch your own back out there. No one else will."
"Cato…" Azazel felt a stir of something within, a warmth that he hadn't felt in an age. Before he knew it, his hand rested on the man's shoulder. Perhaps it was the beer getting to him, but words started forming in his mind. The moment was ruined when Shemhazai burst through the door, giving them a look before paling comically.
"I'm so sorry," he said before bowing and easing himself backwards out the door. Azazel sat there dumbly wondering what happened and, to his great comfort, found that Cato was doing the same. Without a shirt on. With Azazel's hand on his shoulder and surely an embarrassing look on his face. Azazel retracted his hand as if Cato was a piping hot stovetop. He jumped up and ran out the door after Shemhazai to clear up the misunderstanding.
It took a bit for him to fully explain what had happened to Shemhazai and assure him that he hadn't walked in on anything inappropriate. Cato did not help the process along. In the end, they all sat in the living room together. Azazel on the couch with Shemhazai and Cato in an armchair. With shirts on. Cato borrowed Azazel's loosest shirt, which was still much too tight on the man and unable to cover the entirety of his stomach, but he looked like he didn't mind. What a weird way to start the day.
It turned out that Cato really had only broken into his house to tell him not to worry. Heartwarming, yes, and a little unnerving in what it said about his opinion on trespassing. Cato left shortly after Shemhazai arrived, and then the final preparations for the fallen angels' role in the peace conference began. Shemhazai was an impressive individual, and certainly not one to take a situation like their current one lightly. With only a few words from his fallen brother, Azazel's fears about too few fallen angels showing up for the conference were assuaged, though it was a cold comfort. The fallen were the least trustworthy faction, and everyone knew that to be the case – the Kokabiel incident hadn't helped one bit in that regard. Bringing too many fallen would be troublesome and put the other factions on guard, rightfully so.
As night fell and none of the fallen that Azazel had invited showed up, it became apparent that only three fallen would attend. Shemhazai, Baraqiel, and Azazel himself. A trio, but a mighty trio. Loathe as Azazel was to admit it, he was undoubtedly the weakest of the three. Even with their combined power, they wouldn't stand much of a chance against the Khaos Briagde though. They had to place their faith in the other factions. Shemhazai was unhappy at the prospect, and Azazel imagined Baraqiel would be much the same. None of them liked to work together with devils, and working with the Church was a strain for any fallen – no one liked to be reminded of their shortcomings or sins, yet that was the trade of the Church.
Day and night both passed in something of a daze for Azazel. Baraqiel showed up during the night and let himself in making Azazel wonder why he even bothered having a doorbell, but there was no sign of Vali until they were ready to depart. At that point, he just showed up with no explanation or excuse, and Azazel felt inclined not to press the issue with Baraqiel and Shemhazai there.
They stood out spectacularly as they went to Kuoh academy. Azazel himself rarely drew attention, but a band of four people who each looked so different was bound to make people look. Azazel wondered how many of their onlookers were just innocent rubberneckers and how many were with the Khaos Brigade. It was a chilling thought. His heart beat faster at the reality that his future soon depended on the strength of not only himself but of people he considered his mortal enemies until recently. He clenched and unclenched his fists a few times to feel that reassuring strength, and before long, they stood in front of the academy gate. He stood there looking at it for a moment, sensing that his two fallen brothers did the same. Just a few more steps and they would enter a warzone on which they would either emerge victorious or not at all. Vali exaggerated a sigh and went in ahead of them.
"It's time," Shemhazai said. He was right. Azazel could only wonder if he'd done enough.
Baraqiel didn't voice his agreement, but Azazel felt the weight of his gaze on his back. In formation, they went in. The school halls were ominous, devoid of students and instead filled with devils, some of whom he recognized as the peerages of Sona Sitri and Rias Gremory. There was no sign of the Church as of yet, though Azazel doubted that they would've helped with the atmosphere. Adding the Church for warmth in a room had much the same effect as adding gallows. The student council room served as the meeting place. They were greeted by a Sirzechs Lucifer without any of his usual cheer. Even Serafall Leviathan, a certified eccentric and airy girl, looked serious, though she still wore her trademark magical girl outfit. Those two were the only of the four reigning Satans present. The lord of the Phenex clan was also present, and Azazel wondered if that was perhaps the first time the ancient devil had ever stepped foot in the human realm. They really went all out. If they had planned to take over the world, they could have brought a lesser party to do so.
By comparison, his own entourage was embarrassing, but then again, that was rather the point. They passed the time with some small talk which failed to dispel any tightness in the room. At some point, Issei showed up with the rest of Rias's peerage, and Azazel gave him a lighthearted smile and a wave, earning a surprised expression and strained wave back. He'd probably been warned not to speak out of turn, though Azazel wagered he was sure to do that eventually. The boy really wasn't one for etiquette or propriety.
If the atmosphere was tense when they arrived, it redoubled when the Church arrived. They were only two angels, though those were not to be scoffed at. Michael was expected, and in hindsight, Azazel should also have expected the seraph at his side. He was one who rarely left Heaven since the Great War, and he was one whose gaze now sent a chill down Azazel's spine. Metatron. As the angel's gaze passed over Azazel and his fallen brothers, it hardened. He was an angel who hated the fallen above all else. Had Kokabiel not fallen, those two would surely still stand side by side.
What the Church lacked in angel numbers, they made up for with humans. Though Michael wasn't one for acting out of spite, it seemed he had taken the notion that the Church did not represent humanity seriously. Enforcers from all three Church branches were there, though only the archangels themselves went into the student council room. The rest were left to mingle with devils in the school corridors where the atmosphere was growing even tenser than it was in the council room. Cato was somewhere outside, waiting for his formal introduction. Azazel didn't know how Cato planned to make his entrance, since the man had just told him not to worry when he broached the subject. Azazel was forced out of his thoughts when Sirzechs spoke and the peace conference finally began.
"Welcome." The room quieted down and all attention went to Sirzechs. He was at the end of the table, alone. Serafall, Grayfia, Lord Phenex, and Rias's peerage were across the table from Azazel, to the right of Sirzechs, while Michael and Metatronwere at the opposite end of the table from Sirzechs. Vali stood leaned up against the wall behind Azazel, having chosen to forgo a seat presumably to look cool. "We were called here to discuss the terms for peace between the factions following the Kokabiel incident. At the time, that alone warranted a discussion between us, the leaders of the factions. Unrest within each of our factions needs to be our primary goals in order to seek stability between us, and a permanent peace treaty is the proposed solution."
No one voiced any disagreement or dissent. Everyone present were either established veterans or too green to dare speak up. Even still, Sirzechs gave his statement some time to sink in before he grimaced and continued.
"However, I understand that everyone here is now acquainted with the threat that is the Khaos Brigade. It's a threat that we only recently became aware of. Because of this threat, the peace that we had planned to discuss has been established in somewhat uncertain terms already, and the purpose of our conference here is changed." Once more, Sirzechs paused for dramatic effect, and for just a moment he looked unsure of what to say. "Two things are our order of business: first, the assent of the two celestial dragons to seal our peace treaty; and second, the addition of a new major faction, however small beginnings it may have."
Azazel turned to look at Michael and Metatron at that. Michael visibly furrowed his brows, but Metatron didn't react at all – not to the statement, nor to the attention.
"It won't be long before the Khaos Brigade make their move, so let's be quick about this. Issei Hyoudou and Vali Lucifer, the terms of the peace treaty between our factions was put in plain terms to you both. The three factions will respect each other as sovereign entities with restrictions to espionage, trespassing, and resources both mundane and magical. Policies regarding the evil piece system are undecided, but nor do they concern you. Any threat too great for one faction will be fought in cooperation with the other factions to prevent a collapse of any faction. While this was agreed to as a basis for us to fight the Khaos Brigade, it also means that if one of you goes rogue, all three factions will fight with their combined strength to stop you. Do either of you have any objections or additions?"
The terms were too rugged to be considered anything close to ideal. The issue had been that their focus changed too close to the actual conference, and the wording was left intentionally vague to allow for amendments or later editing once the immediate threat was dealt with. Issei looked out of depth only for a moment after the attention shifted to him. His expression turned serious and he looked to Rias before stepping forward.
"For now, I accept your terms," he said.
Azazel grimaced. He should've put more work into manipulating the boy. For now simply wasn't good enough. It was impressive that the boy had the nerve to speak up in present company, assuming he understood the implications. Too bad being impressive also meant being a nuisance. "Issei, keep in mind that love blooms in times of peace-"
"Azazel, we're short on time. Your agreement is noted, Issei. Now, Vali Lucifer?" Despite the indignity of being cut off, Azazel knew that Sirzechs was right. There were more important things to get to.
Vali was smirking from his position against the wall. His eyes were closed, and his smugness rivaled Cato's on a good day. "All I care about is getting to fight those that are strong. I won't interfere with your machinations, of course, and even if all three factions turn against me, that only accomplishes my goal. I have no objections."
Azazel had to bite his tongue to avoid making a comment. This 'assent' from the two dragons was a joke. I should've sought out Vali harder. But even then, Azazel knew it would've made no difference. Vali truly was a carefree, or even careless, free spirit.
"Good." Sirzechs apparently harbored none of the misgivings that plagued Azazel. "Then to the final order of business. Before we begin, tell me, who represents humans here at the peace conference?"
Michael frowned again. He was aware of Cato, of course, but he didn't have to be happy about the whole thing. "We do."
Sirzechs nodded. "And yet, the faction with the most human representatives present here is ours, is that not so?"
Azazel almost grabbed his jaw to prevent it from hitting the floor. The reincarnated devils? His eyes snapped to Rias and Sona's peerages. Many of the devils in their respective groups were originally human beings, people who had died and been resurrected as devils or simply turned freely while still alive. What was Sirzechs's game plan? It made no sense to rile up the Church faction while the Khaos Brigade were ready to ram down the door. Fearing what his eyes would find, Azazel's gaze left the young devils to look at Michael and Metatron. The latter was the one he feared the most.
"You dare?" Michael said. To Azazel's relief, Metatron was completely impassive beside him, neither voicing or displaying any objection with his features. "You steal away humans barely caring about their consent in the matter and then claim these thralls to represent the humanity which they lost?"
"They are free, not thralls. But you misunderstand me. Our faction doesn't represent humanity – of course we don't. Under our rule," Sirzechs gestured to himself and Serafall, "our relationship with humans has been amiable, mutually beneficial. Our commitment to avoiding the atrocities of the old Satans is to be seen in the fact that we now make peace and seek compromise. So, it's a shame that the strongest human presence in this room is one that bears the devil label, do you not agree?"
Left unsaid was the fact that the angels had left all their humans outside. Michael was fuming but somehow managed to avoid erupting – or perhaps he was too angry to even speak. Azazel couldn't tell which. Metatron put a hand on the archangel's shoulder and addressed Sirzechs in Michael's place.
"I believe you cut off the fallen earlier for the sake of saving time. So, tell us, what's your point."
Sirzechs nodded, his face serious. "I'm not here to insult you. We need a human to speak up for the humans. We're in devil territory, but this world is made up of humans. Whether through their faith in your system, angels, or their role in the future of devils as reincarnated devils, we all depend on humanity. And yet, the Khaos Brigade, uninvited as they may be, are, by virtue of sheer numbers, the true representative of humanity here at our peace conference. That's why we need a human here at the table." No one voiced their objections. Even Michael's anger defused somewhat. "Grayfia, invite Cato in here."
Grayfia nodded and left unimpeded. There was a brief interlude of silence before some murmuring broke out among the gathered parties. Sirzechs's statement had undoubtedly placed Cato in a favorable position. Azazel shook his head. He'd been certain that the idea of a human being the true head of a faction was moot, but for some inexplicable reason, Sirzechs voiced his unilateral support for the idea and even challenged the angels to contest it.
"What now?" Baraqiel whispered in his ear.
Azazel hesitated. They just had to wait for Cato or the Khaos Brigade, whichever one came first. The sound of running footsteps was heard in the corridors. The atmosphere in the student council room turned tense. It seemed the Khaos Brigade made their move first. Azazel looked around the room. Everyone else was doing the same, no one voicing any fears as they all tried to listen to find out what was going on.
An explosion released the tension.
Azazel was caught unprepared as the roof collapsed down on them all, but Metatron was ready with a protective barrier. Azazel had a moment of beautiful stillness to admire the gentle glow of the barrier before it cracked, and the sounds of battle reached them. By the time Azazel was standing again, he could hear Sirzechs already dosing out calm orders to everyone gathered. He and Serafall would guard their two sisters. Vali was already gone off to fight somewhere. Remembering Baraqiel's earlier question, Azazel finally deemed fit to respond.
"Now, we fight."
They took to the skies to survey the extent of the assault. There was nowhere else to go, as the student council room was levelled. A large group of human mages were attacking from the direction of the courtyard entrance and were engaged in bloody combat with the Church. Spread throughout the forest area of the school in direction of the Occult Research Club house were a variety of human attackers. The heroes, then. They posed a greater threat than the mages, but Azazel paid them little mind, not even caring to check their numbers. His eyes were searching for the true threat, the Old Satan faction.
"Above us," Shemhazai said. Azazel's eyes shot skyward to see three faces that he knew well. Hovering in the sky above them were the hateful faces of Leviathan, Beelzebub, and Asmodeus's descendants. Their role in the great war was limited, but the three were notorious as the losing party of the devil civil war. Even without that knowledge, the ruined school building below them was the only introduction they needed. "Three fallen for three devils. Need we any further invitation, brothers?"
Baraqiel conjured a spear of light in his right hand in wordless agreement. Azazel nodded. "Don't die."
Whether the devils had heard their conversation and agreed with it, or whether it was their strategy to begin with, they split off in three different directions. Azazel chased Katerea Leviathan down to one of the few places among the trees. Azazel looked around, trying to understand why the devil had chosen this exact spot for a fight. The hero faction was close, he knew, but hopefully, his allies could keep them at bay and prevent a collapse on him. Aside from a few trees and relative distance from the battle, he couldn't think of any advantage that the devil might have. If worse came to worst, he would escape.
Wherever Katerea'sinterest lay, it wasn't with conversation as the devil took a mage's stance and blasted some destructive energy at him. Her blasts were powerful – more powerful than he imagined they would be – but she was too far away for them to present any real challenge for him to avoid. Azazel responded with a short barrage of light spears for propriety's sake alone. The only damage so far was to their surroundings. He imagined that it wouldn't be long before the entire academy grounds, perhaps the entire city, was little more than a ruin.
Though the destruction itself was irrelevant, Azazel gained nothing from the two of them throwing attacks at the ground and trees. He needed to get close. Using his wings for extra propulsion, Azazel burst forward, a spear of light forming in his hand as he was about to reach Katerea. She jumped back, blasting the ground to obfuscate his vision and made it out unscathed, putting some distance between them again. She was trying to buy time for something, but for what? Azazel had gotten close enough to her to see her face clearly, and it was far from the expression of calm calculation that one would expect from someone trying to buy time for reinforcements from the get-go. Her face was twisted in a hateful snarl as though she loathed every second that she had to breathe the same air he did.
He felt the same way about her.
The Old Satan faction were a blight even before the Khaos Brigade. This was a chance to end it.
Though Azazel might not be the strategist that Kokabiel was, he understood the conditions for victory all the same. If his opponent was trying to buy time, he needed to go all out. A golden conical dagger appeared in his hand. The greatest creation he had ever made. A sacred gear hosting the soul of a dragon with the strength to stand among the mightiest of the original sacred gears, the Longinus-class. Katerea's stance stiffened when she saw it. Downfall Dragon Spear was the name he gave it. So damn cool.
But that wasn't enough. If he just attacked her head on once more, she would continue to dodge and divert. The gear glowed and spread a golden light around him and encompassed him in a golden plate armor. Every sacred gear had the power to break its own limits. This was the balance-breaker of his sacred gear modeled after the balance-breaker from Vali's Divine Dividing gear and given a stylish recolor. The dagger elongated and turned into a forked spear of light that he flourished as he took up a stance. The feeling of the power from the sacred gear flowing through him was intoxicating.
It was time to go all out.
He spread twelve black wings and burst forward at blinding speed. Katerea stumbled to dodge. Azazel swung his spear as her form closed in rapidly. She couldn't dodge in time, but somehow managed to deflect his spear by blasting it with another wave of energy. Azazel followed the momentum of the explosion into a spin, directing his spear into an overhead strike. Katerea screamed and unleashed a massive wave of destructive energy. Azazel was blasted back, breathing a little harder but otherwise none the worse for wear. Katerea stood slowly, a thin line of blood trickling from the side of her mouth. She had taken serious damage from her own explosion.
"Even with her power, I still can't…" Katerea's voice was low as she spoke, barely audible over the distant sounds of battle and the rush of blood in Azazel's ears from his own bloodlust.
"Her?"
Katerea scowled at him so darkly that he almost took a step back. "As if I'll tell you anything, dog. You will all burn."
Azazel shrugged. If she was unwilling to tell him, there was nothing he could do save follow the initial plan. It was possible she had spoken only to buy more time, but the look on her face told Azazel otherwise. He whipped his wings, taking into the sky above Katerea. She eyed him warily but made no move to stop him. And indeed, what could she do? Azazel held up his left hand, willing into existence a hundred spears of light ready to rain down upon the old Satan's descendant. The area of the forest that they were in lit up under their radiance.
In response, Katerea began charging yet another blast of energy. She lacks experience. Using the same tool over and over will not net you a different catch.
There was a moment of stillness before Azazel bore down upon the devil. Spears of light followed suit. With a roar, Azazel lunged his spear at her form with certainty of victory in his mind. Meeting the devil's energy blast head on, he powered through it, trusting the power of his armor to prevent the worst of the damage. His vision was blocked but he was locked on his target. Instead of feeling the tearing of her flesh and hearing her final scream, the sound of weapons colliding rang out. Heavy vibrations shook his body as he was thrown back and his armor disappeared.
Something had knocked him out of his balance breaker.
"A hero saving a devil. Imagine that." The voice was filled with such arrogance that Azazel thought for a moment it might be Vali, but Vali would never refer to himself as a hero. When the dust settled, Azazel's stomach sank. Katerea's face was as full of hatred as ever, but she didn't speak out against the newcomer. "Azazel of the Fallen. You die today."
Azazel didn't recognize the man. In fact, he barely even looked at him. His eyes were locked on the man's weapon, a long, thin spear with a bladed end and two vines curling up its shaft in a growing spiral. The True Longinus. Even in the hands of a human, it was enough to end his life easily, such was its power. Being hit meant the end of the line, and with one against two, Azazel stood at a distinct disadvantage. Katerea alone might even be able to challenge him now that his balance breaker was no longer active. Retreat was the only wise option. But he couldn't allow these two enemies from hitting his allies unaware. It was his turn to buy time.
"Interesting weapon you've got there, kid."
"You think stalling will save you. Or perhaps you just want to buy time for your allies, is that it? A noble sacrifice to redeem your tainted soul."
Azazel grimaced. Not exactly going well.
"I suppose I'll humor you some." Or maybe it was going well after all. "My name is Cao Cao. I'm the leader of the hero faction and the strongest human alive. Say your last prayers, if you still have any with those disgusting wings of yours."
Despite the threat, Cao Cao made no move. Azazel shifted his weight back and forth. He was still in fighting condition, but he had to get out of there. Question began storming through his mind. He desperately needed to know how the fighting was going – had Shemhazai and Baraqiel succeeded? Were Sirzechs and Serafall fighting? Where was Cato? Could he force a tactical retreat here to regroup without dooming them all?
"Nothing to say then?" Cao Cao supplied. The man cracked his neck and began strolling lazily toward Azazel. Azazel inched backwards in response. Footsteps behind him made him freeze where he stood. Another enemy would mean the death of him for sure. He turned to face the second newcomer. No, not an enemy. Reinforcements. Azazel regained his hope. There was no better person for the situation. He would make an excellent opponent for Cao Cao and Katerea both, and Azazel would be able to assess the situation in the downtime. Azazel smiled brightly.
"Vali!"
The young devil smirked. "That's a lot warmer than you usually greet me. Someone giving you trouble?"
Azazel turned back to Cao Cao and Katerea. The latter looked livid, but Cao Cao just stood there with the same arrogant look plastered on his face as he had since he first showed up. "Do you think you can take them both on?"
"Naturally. Are you going home?"
"Don't be absurd. I need to get a better idea of what's going on." Azazel kept his eyes locked on Katerea, the only one of his enemies that looked poised to attack. After having experienced the power of Katerea firsthand, he didn't worry for Shemhazai and Baraqiel, only whether they had killed their respective opponents yet. But there was someone that he did worry for. "Have you seen Cato?"
Vali didn't answer.
Azazel gasped. His hands reached to his abdomen where a cruel blade was protruding. He fell to his knees, feeling his strength fade away. His eyes met Vali's as the young devil pulled out the blade. Azazel coughed blood.
"Oh I've seen him." Vali's eyes were manic, his voice only a whisper. Vali reached out his hand and turned Azazel's head toward the trees before pointing at a small figure that stood among them. Azazel's eyes widened in a fear that went beyond his fear of dying as he finally understood just who pulled the strings of the Khaos Brigade. "Ophis sends her regards. You wouldn't have made a worthy opponent anyway."
Ophis. The infinity dragon.
He tried to move, to crawl across the ground. He registered that someone was talking, perhaps even laughing at him, but he couldn't make out their words. The voices sounded distant, like he was hearing them from underwater. His body felt cold and slow. He could barely feel the ground beneath him as his hands clawed at the dirt.
I have to warn them. I have to find Cato!
Azazel's vision faded to black.
Most names should be familiar or at least somewhat familiar from DxD canon. Metatron isn't really an explored character in canon, but the way that the angel-faction is presented and used in canon won't cut it for this story, so I'm adding Metatron as a prominent angel within his respective faction.
The start of this chapter might seem a little weird. If you thought so, bear in mind that I had intended it to be directly connected to the end of the last chapter, and the break between the two chapters changed the dynamic of the structure quite a bit. I always try to structure my chapters so they're complete on their own, so this is the first chapter with an abrupt and unplanned cut (where I then tried to band aid the cut, of course).
Exams and Christmas are coming up, and whether that leaves me with more or less time for writing remains to be seen.
I hope you all have a wonderful December and, if I don't post again before then, a lovely Christmas.
