Highschool DxD is not my Property
"He… that bastard is here?!"
"Yup…" I popped the p loudly. "The Grigori provided the information that the filth is working with Kokabiel for a project so to speak."
"Fufufu… as expected of the Grigori; welcoming strays no matter the reason why they turned astray." Akeno commented sarcastically, "If you have killed him, maybe there won't be an issue in the first place."
I observed Kiba on the ground as his killing intent grew, but more sharply and finely, like a blade being sharpened. "Yeah… if you hate the bastard why didn't the church did execute him? What? Turn your other cheek to your offender?" he asked bitterly
"Who said we did not want him dead?" I asked
Kiba looked at me with bitter eyes and a bit of empathy, "So it is the higher-ups who let it go; not caring if someone died for their cause…"
"No, the higher-ups of all Abrahamic Faiths want him dead."
Kiba became confused, "But he has been excommunicated; banished from the church!"
"Hmmm… that info was only used to make an excuse for the 'ordinary' church members who will wonder why the once good bishop is not around," I said, "but for those who know of the other side, we basically placed a bounty on him and both ordinary and supernatural are more than welcome to claim their prize. The Grigori also agreed to never make contact with him because, according to them, 'he has no morality when it comes to research. We condemn that as scientists.'"
"But that facts Kokabiel is working with him means that something is really wrong," Sona commented at the side.
"Yeah", I said while observing Nero teaching Yura how to dodge, "so are we in an agreement in our temporary alliance?" I turned and asked the two kings.
"Yes. I Rias Gremory, agree to this alliance." Rias said with confidence
"I, Sona Sitri, also agree to this alliance." Sona later said.
"Alright," I beamed at them, which made that girl with green socks narrow her eyes at me, "by the way, our church has ordinary satellites spying on this town, I hope you don't mind."
"Hmmm… well…" Sona was about to say something, but held herself, "I think that is alright since we need the surveillance, but I will we should send our familiars to scout around."
I nodded at that, I check my watch and see that it is already 7:00 am, "Well, we have to get going and do some manual search, and I believe you guys are late for school."
Sona sighed, "Well we have our priorities."
I smiled at them and called Nero, "C'mon Nero, we are done here for now. Devils, see you all tonight."
"Hmmm… can we meet you at this Café? It is called Café de Ria." Rias asked us.
"Hmmm… well, I am craving some cake and that Japanese tea; sure, why not."
-LineBreak-
The four of us were around town to find any clues and eliminate potential places for our enemy to find in plain sight. We went to the mall, school district, and the residential area of the town, and fortunately found no enemies in hiding.
"Looks like our theory is correct." Anderson spoke through our earpieces, "the enemy is most likely in the abandoned industrial area of the town or the forest.
"Well, I am happy" Irina commented, "we don't want any bystanders during our fight."
True, we exorcists prefer to fight in the shadows and away from the populace as much as possible considering the destruction the supernatural can make.
After a long day of making sure that there won't be a firefight in urban or resident, we arrived at the Café de Ria; it has a Victorian ear vibe and looks expensive. Well, their treat.
We entered the Café and noticed that there is no customers around, only the two peerages in their school uniforms waiting for us at a huge table.
"Good evening, Lady Sitri, Lady Rias" Xenovia greeted them
"Hello, good evening to you all." Sona replied, "since there is still daylight let's make our game plan over cake."
We took our seats and I pulled out a pocket-sized projector, "By the way, no one of the ordinaries will come in here right?" I asked.
"No, and the staff are from my clan," Rias replied. I nodded and placed the projector on the table.
It glowed once, and a real-time hologram of Anderson and Clara appeared.
"Hooo… it is nice to meet you Lady Gremory and Lady Sitri, I am Dr. Anderson of the ACF." Anderson greeted
"Dr. Clara" Clara simply said.
"Interesting, ohh, it is nice to meet you two," Sona said, "it is just interesting that you have this kind of technology."
"Hard work and centuries' worth of science." Clara dully commented
"So!" Anderson, "we will be our literal eyes in the sky for this mission!"
"Satellites? Will it work on Kokabiel?" Rias asked
"Yes Lady Gremory, although there are normal, we are looking for unusual or suspicious activity. And there is the benefit that he can't even tell that he and his friends are being spied on from orbit."
The devils thought deeply about how effective the satellites are before Sona asked, "so, what did you find?"
The Anderson and Clara disappeared and were replaced by a digital map of the city, later it zoomed in to the untamed forest North-East of town, "There are two places we believe he is hiding; this is a picture of the forest today, and here is a picture of it last month" The projector showed another picture of the forest which looked fuller and thicker than the current one. "It is not obvious from a perspective on the ground, but from the sky, the forest looks like had some trimming for activities to be conducted without being too obvious."
The projector zoomed into the south part of the map which is the old industrial district, "Our best bet is that he is hiding here; with a picture of this district from the last month as proof." Then multiple pictures of the zone appeared on different dates, but the presence of different materials and equipment in each picture is proof that there is activity.
"I see." Sona said, "so we have two places to raid. I suggest that we split into two to strike these areas."
"And literally walk into our deathbed?" Nero asked
"I believe Kokabiel won't even be either in these areas, he might be somewhere else comfortable and let the grunts do the work here. Our familiars, although has sensed some magical activity in different parts of the city, have not detected someone as powerful as Kokabiel." Sona explained, "and two things can happen at once: destroy their operation in one swoop and smoke out Kokabiel. We pull the tail; we see who bites."
I honestly did not expect something like this from Sona but considering that we are fighting a being that is basically an end-game Resident Evil boss for us, it is understandable why the best move is a simpler one.
"And… we must inform Heaven and Hell about this so that we can coordinate with them. Once we raid and collect the Fragments, Kokabiel will surely come out. We will do some fighting, dangerous, but we do not need to fight like it is the last round we just need to be seen that we are fighting together. A representative of Heaven or Hell sees this, and we will become proof that all side does not want war."
"Hmmm… that is an interesting way to see it like that. But there is so much risk to that approach." I commented, "I know that we are fighting an uphill battle, but I was expecting some more maneuvers or tricks from a chess master like you Lady Sitri."
"True, but I took the liberty to contact the Leviathan about this issue. She approves of this risky plan and told me that her peerage will be waiting and observing our fight as witnesses. She is contacting Heaven and Grigori if they can give a representative to be witness too."
Hmmm… so the higher-ups are moving too. As scummy as it sounds to use us as bait, or turn into a demonstration that the Three-Factions want peace, it is the only logical solution in this Three-way cold war.
"So, we split into two groups; one bigger than the other. The bigger one will go to the industrial zone since we believe that has more activity and security, while the other will do some reconnaissance in the forest." Rias suggested
I nodded, "Xenovia and Irina will go to the industrial zone while Nero and I will go to the forest. So, who will go with who?"
The two Kings considered their formation for the raid.
-LineBreak-
"So, Anderson, is there any heat signature here? Or do you have any recommendation on where to search first?" Nero asks through his earpiece as Kiba, Sona's Knight Tomoe, and I stand at the edge of the forest."
"No, aside from little critters living in the forest, however, there is a clearing with a building just a click away from you, I suggest go there first"
I nodded and turned to the Knights, "we are going to a building in a clearing of the forest. Just follow us."
Then we started to sprint into the forest. Everything was a blur in my perspective, but I was not running too fast to avoid too much noise.
"Woah! You guys are fast!," Tomeo commented as she sprinted effortlessly with Kiba "I have heard about the AFC before, but I did not know you guys were this cool because of your age!"
Nero and I did not say anything as we continue to breathe properly to maximize our performance.
"Mou* Did I offend you guys?" Tomoe commented on our silence
We finally arrived at the edge of the clearing as a view of an abandoned building presented itself.
Once we halted, I took a deep breath to regulate my energy from our long sprint. "No, to answer both of your questions, we use special training and breathing to maximize human performance," I answered Tomoe.
"Hmmm… so are you guys are genetically modified humans? Sorry if I offend you, but I do not think humans as young as you and him can be that fast." She asked as we are walking into the clearing and to the building.
"No, well, not all of us," I answered her as I smell something, or someone familiar. the coincidence of her question is amusing, "you can say we are decedents of heroes."
"Asia, Nero, your 6 o'clock," Anderson said.
"Really?! Who?" She asked
"HAHAHAHAHAHA WELL, FATHER ABRAHAM AND KING DAVID!" a familiar voice declared.
My muscles tensed as a white silhouette holding a familiar blade descend on Kiba and Tomoe before they can react.
I dashed into the new threat as I met familiar deranged eyes which hurt my heart more than it should. Nero pushed the devils away as I threw a roundhouse kick aiming at his neck.
FWOOMMM BOOM
Freed blocked my kick with his sword, but my Sacred Gear protected my leg. I twisted my legs and arms to create force midair and drove Freed into the ground hard.
"Argh!"
I kneeled on his back with my entire weight as Freed gripped his sword and it glowed orange but was struck to the ground by a black demonic blade with red runes, as shadows coated it removing its power.
"God Damn it!" Freed roared as another demonic blade stuck into his arm, pinning him to the ground.
"AHHHHH!"
Freed groveled on the ground as the three of us pinned him. He struggled as blood poured out of his arm by Tomeo's katana.
"Stay still Freed. Please" I said
pant* *pant* Freed stopped shaking harshly and started to do our standard breathing exercise.
"God that still hurts…" he whispered, "How the hell did my siblings use demonic blades without pissing themselves?"
"Pure fucking will?"
"Like I don't have any?" he said to himself…
I glanced at Nero and see that he was on the lookout, checking if there are more threats. I turned to Freed as he looked at me sidewise while half of his face is pressing on the ground.
"Freed, calm down," I asked him…
"You wanna know where the Genocide Bishop is?" he asked us. I felt Kiba killing intent rise a bit. "He is at that old warehouse right now."
I raised my eyebrow at that and the two devils did the same.
"My my, I did not know you are feeling generous today."
Freed's eyes got bitter and hollow, "Like what you said to me all the time: 'Count your blessings, I suggest you do the same". Then he let go of the blade as Kiba slide it away from him. Knowing that Freed lost, I summoned my gear as he glowed green. Tomoe pulled out her sword from his arm.
He gained a sleepy and relieved look, "Damn, I missed this."
"Freed… why?"
"You know what is wrong with me doc. And so did he…" then his eyes started to water, "like the ass he is, he used kids as tools. And I am just another experiment for his 'Phase Two' project" he closed his eyes. "He brought me hopes up; that I am not just a failed clone and that I can be like Lint and Sieg. That bastard is a psycho. He almost killed me with the amount of light he injected me so that I can be the next 'Arthur'"
The killing intent of Kiba vanished and was replaced by sadness and frustration.
I immediately scanned him to see if he has any brain damage due to light poisoning.
I made a sad smile, "So that joke that the Vatican is using children has some weight?"
"HAHAHAHA… more ways than one. But I am just thankful that he did not touch me. But it fucking hurt when he injected more than 5 light crystals in me"
"And you didn't explode yet?" I chuckled at that; it just shows that Freed has his own kind of talent. Consuming too much light will kill you. But we need to get serious.
"Freed, what is the plan of…"
"EVERYONE! A BOGEY JUST APPEARED!" Anderson announced, "XENOVIA, IRINA! YOU GOT THE FRAGMENTS?"
"SOMEONE TOOK THE SWORDS WHEN WE ATTACK. I am currently chasing him." I heard Irina in the line
"What?! No, they are currently at Kuoh Academy now! They have been an hour ago!." Freed said below me. "The only reason why I have Rapidity is to bait you all…"
"Wait? Irina! It's a trap be careful!" I yelled at my earpiece
"No worries, I will…"
BOOM
An explosion was heard at the other end of the line.
"We are seeing an explosion guys!" Anderson yelled.
"Irina! Respond! Irina?!"
I stood up and look at the rest who were all uneasy. "Anderson, where is Irina?!"
"South of the Academy, 2 miles away near a park."
I simply look at the rest and started sprinting. I turned into a blur as I raced through the forest and then streets to get to Irina as fast as possible. I later felt the presence of the rest, including Freed catching up with me.
While running I picked up a familiar smell. An angel; so is the representative of Heaven on the scene?
I stopped at the edge of the park with the rest stopping beside me, as I see a horrific scene in front of me.
Irina was carried bridal style by an angel floating in the sky. But something is really, really wrong.
I see 10 black wings on the back of an elf-looking man but has a dim halo above his head as he radiates power and holiness reminding me of Angel Sarapiel when we first met, but still hold the tainted energy God cursed them with when they fell.
But I know who this man is even without meeting him before.
"Kokabiel!"
The angelic man faces us; I was expecting red mad eyes similar to Freed's, but what I saw were the eyes of an elderly gentleman you might meet at a bar drinking whiskey. The kind of man who went through life and hell and is equipped with wisdom for the next generation to learn.
If it is not for the situation or the fact I know who this is, I would have thought he is your cool whiskey godfather type.
Something is wrong. He is a walking contradiction
"Hmmm… good evening Saint Asia. Freed? So, I see you picked your side" He smiled at Freed, "I felt that you were really a confused man manipulated by the good Bishop. Well, I am happy to see that you found your way home."
Is this the type of Kokabiel I read about in my last life?
"Kokabiel!" I heard Rias scream! "Let go of that girl!"
"Oh, well it is nice to meet your Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri" He greeted them, "As for this girl here, I had to use some force to get her weapon. But it will be useless if I lose another, so how about it Freed? Your sword for her life?" He lifted Irina's body to emphasize how much danger she is right now,
Suddenly Freed was under the limelight as he slights froze at our stare. But it didn't take too long to make his decision.
"Here! Take it, you bastard!" He presented Excalibur Rapidity
"And I would like Excalibur Destruction too Slashing Princess" Kokabiel added, " I believe you are too spoiled to have that and Durandal" he chuckled at this joke.
Without hesitation, Xenovia offered her sword.
A gold glow appeared around Irina's battered body as she gently floated from Kokabiel's arms to me, at the same time, both Fragments gain the same glow and floated to Kokabiel.
When Irina arrived at my waiting arms, Kokabiel clasp the swords' hilt, "I will be waiting for you all at your school. Be there if you want your town to survive." Then with a clap of his wings, he vanished.
Irina was bleeding everywhere is her clothes were practically scraps, but unlike in the anime where her boobs and curves are shown for fanservice, all we see is blood and pain; she is missing an arm and my gear told me that most of her bones are either broken or fractured.
[BALANCE BREAK - EDEN'S TWILIGHT BLESSING]
Flower petals and leaves made out of pure energy floated as Irina shone green with a tint of gold. All of her wounds were being healed rapidly and her arm slowly grew back. But the bastard left her in a critical state where her organs, bones, and even her brain has damaged due to light poisoning and tainted energy the fallen are known for.
"This will take a while to get rid of the light in her system," I announced
"What? But isn't she human?" Tomoe asks
"Yes, but the human body is fragile to anything too much in amount; what is tricky is that the human soul absorbs light like a sponge, so it cannot dictate my gear on how to remove the excess light. I need to do it manually." I said with a serious tone, "EVERYONE! GET TO THE ACADEMY! ALSO, YOU NERO AND XENOVIA!"
They all nodded and ran away
-LineBreak-
Five minutes have passed, and Irina is now in a stable state. The amount of light and the quality is too much; How the hell can a Fallen get Pure Light like this? And how did he get his halo?
Is this my fault too?
"Do you think the Cherubim stationed at our home should train us for light resistance?"
"Is that a joke or a serious question?" I asked with an annoyed tone.
"A serious one," Freed calmly answered, "The fucking amount he injected me made me feel like a was a light bulb than flesh. It is a miracle I am alive." He then looked up to the sky, "Heh, maybe God is watching over me."
"God is dead"
His head snapped
And so, did mine
Tears fall from Irina's eyes as she slowly opened them.
"God is dead. Kokabiel told me the truth and why he is doing this…" she weakly continued, "our world, our life has been Godless for centuries."
I am almost done healing her, but I didn't know how to reply.
"Hey Irina, I think you are still dizzy from the poisoning" Freed shakingly said
"BUT IT IS TRUE!" Irina glared, "YOU THINK THAT I JUST TOOK THE DAMAGE FROM HIM? I FOUGHT GODDAMIT AND HE TOLD ME THE TRUTH WHEN I WAS DYING" Irina screamed, "HE ASKED WHY I AM FIGHTING SO MUCH AGAINST A FOE SO STRONG, AND HE TOLD ME THAT MY SPIRIT IS FOR NOTHING!"
Irina's body was fully cleansed and healed up after she said that. I, I really do not know what to say.
I know that the bastard will tell the truth, but somehow I relied on how Xenovia took the truth in the middle of the battle; she was crushed, but she still fought.
"Can you still fight?" I asked
"Can you still fight?" Irina mimicked me, "NO! Why will I even fight? They lied to us, Asia! Our devotion! Our faith! Is all for nothing! The humans are now doomed by the supernatural!"
Tense quiet grew for a moment
"I do not want to disturb the moment, but they need you, Asia. ASAP!" Anderson said in my earpiece
"Wait? Anderson, Clara, how much did you hear?" I asked worriedly
"All of it," Clara said, "Don't worry, Nero and Xenovia were not connected at that time."
"Listen, guys… I know how bad it sounds…"
"But that is not the priority." Clara interrupted, "Allah is dead? Alright. Give me damn proof! And even if he is dead, then I guess he will rise again later.."
"That sounds like Christian logic Clara," Anderson commented
"So? We are a Jew, Christian, and Muslim working together… our beliefs are bound to merge into our logic, do not tell me you believe this crap…"
"Well.. even if Yahweh died, He only did so for a good reason. Besides, God is a quiet and mysterious God; maybe Kokabiel is mistaken and thinks God is dead."
I look at Irina who was now shaking while crying.
"I need to go Irina." I turned to Freed, "Will you fight?"
He just looked at Irina and said, "I will watch over her. This is my fault"
I didn't say anything about that, so I just ran.
-LineBreak-
I arrived at the school and see the Sitri peerage forming a barrier around the vicinity. And what is interesting is Saji has multiple blue cords attached to the ground and lamp posts, as electricity travels through them and into, and he has two cords from him connected to the barrier, as the electricity is converted into mana for the barrier.
"How is Irina?" Sona asked while floating and enforcing the barrier.
"She is okay…" I answered.
"They are inside; they will need you to survive the demonstration"
I nodded and ran towards the school
"Saint Asia" Sona called me.
I turned to her
"Please protect my best friend and her family. Please."
I look at Sona's eyes and see fear in them.
"I will"
Author's Notes
You are wondering about Kokabiel... later. Hahahahha
Also i will not dive too much about the backstory of Freed, but I will flush out his relationship with Sieg.
Anyway stay safe and God Bless
