Disclaimer: See 1st Chapter. I also do not own the Nasuverse or Boku no Hero Academia.
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
"Juggernaut Drive Incantation"
('Albion, mental')
(Albion Speaking)
[Ddraig Speaking]
{Vritra Speaking}
Just a reminder that this is a DxD story that is also rated M. It wouldn't be DxD otherwise. You have been warned.
Beta: Shad0wReaper133
Chapter 25: Kumbaya
Sunday. The day of the peace summit to be held in the Student Council room of the Kuoh Academy.
Each delegation from the three factions had come to an agreeable arrangement. Each faction would send two principal representatives as well as an aide. Beyond that, each was allowed a small security detail to be present in the room. And surrounding the premises were the elite of the armies of each.
As far as close security went, it was fairly balanced in terms of numbers and potential. As witnesses to the events, both the ORC and the student council were obliged to attend to give their testimonies. Issei and Kiba would be the devil-faction's security, more of a formality than anything else. Griselda and Irina were also going to make an appearance, though the Church group wouldn't be limited to them. From the Fallen's side, it was presumably the two Longinus wielders, Ikuse and the Red Dragon Emperor, Vali.
It was for that reason, and Issei shared some fault here, that the remaining security forces were not only there to defend the proceedings, but to keep them both in check. The historical rivalry between the champions of the Heavenly Dragons was too much to willfully overlook. Lock the two of each generation together and only one will leave the room alive if the other didn't kill him or her in their final moments. Despite Issei's willingness to ignore the rivalry and Albion's preference to ignore Ddraig's hosts entirely, the conflict was legendary for a reason. Avoiding anything and everything that could lead to provocation was paramount, especially in proximity to the conference.
And it was because of that, that Issei was slamming his head against the giant stack of rules and regulations that were the typical assumption when dealing with political talks. Knowing who went where, does what, says how, and hears naught. He had been desperately immersing himself in his studies, if only to dispel the negative stigma that he was nothing more than a combat-focused power-type. Like Xenovia.
It didn't help that the memorization was making his patience and self-control fly out the window. Or that Xenovia somehow seemed to have a clearer understanding of the planned proceedings than he did.
Hence his persistence in slamming his forehead against the damned book.
"It's not that hard!" Ravel frowned at his behavior. Since Rias and Akeno were preparing their own reports in collaboration with Sona and Tsubaki, Ravel had taken it upon herself to drill the etiquette required into the second-year in what was an obvious reversal of their typical teaching relationship. "Come on, this is simple. When the delegates arrive, they greet each other formally, then proceed into the meeting room where half their respective guards or witnesses will already be waiting, aligned against separate walls. From there…"
Issei listened with slight amusement and irritation that Ravel's voice seemed to speed up as if someone had taken the girl and pressed fast-forward, causing him to only understand every other word in increasingly high pitch.
"Got it?"
"Err…"
Ravel groaned and sat down. "You need to put in some effort," she said it in a resigned tone. "These are important, you'll have to relearn this when you become a high-class Devil."
"And I'm a proud member of a species with no definite lifespan," he retorted. "I have time."
The Phenex girl frowned. "Less than you think. Do you really think someone as strong or reputable as you would remain low or mid-class forever?"
He didn't have a comeback for that one. In truth, his ranking among the Devils didn't really matter all that much to him, but the certainty was that with his power, advancement was a given. And considering that Sirzechs had ordered for his presence on the advance security team with Kiba apart from the others, it seemed that he had at least one Maou's personal attention.
"Can we come back to this later?" He asked politely. "We have time, and I'd like to get some flying in before we're needed."
"It's only eight hours away!"
"Precisely. Eight hours. I'll be back before anyone misses me."
"This is important!"
"I know that. But cramming the day of the event is a bit much to ask right? If need be, I'll wing it."
Ravel groaned aloud again, this time not from annoyance at his lack of progress or haphazard logic, but at the terrible joke. She was slowly acclimating to his dragon-related jokes and how often he used them at the worst times. To make things worse, it wasn't like anyone had the power to tell him to stop.
When she finished massaging her temples, she was greeted by the sight of one of the windows in the ORC main room hanging open, the double panes swinging from the force of an exit.
"I swear, that idiot…," even though she ranted, there was still a smile on Ravel's face.
Flying in the day was trickier than at night on account of the whole 'keep the supernatural world a secret' thing. A teenager with scaly wings would cause either a cosplay frenzy or international monster hunt.
So instead, he was flying with Divine Dividing, staying hidden from sight by reaching the stratosphere. A trade-off that would have earned him so much trouble from Rias and the others, which was why he snuck out when Ravel hadn't been paying attention.
Diving and letting gravity take over, Issei fell at terminal velocity, then retracted the Longinus and flipped at the same time. He didn't crater the ground but caught himself on a power wire with both hands and using the slack as a way to swing and gain forward momentum down to street level. Landing lightly in a deserted alley, he grinned. For one, that was a move that regular people could only see at Cirque de Soleil. There wasn't even any damage to the wire or him in spite that it was live. Second, the lack of foot traffic meant there wouldn't be a crowd at his destination.
Stepping out of the alleyway and onto the proper sidewalk, Issei made his way to the shop Koneko had told him about a few weeks back. Small, a family business, they served excellent sushi according to the tiny Nekoshou. As a bonus, thanks to Koneko's contracts they were supernaturally aware, so they would have an inkling about how much to prepare.
Ah, there it was. And it appeared to have more than just sushi. The menu attached to the western style door depicted full course meals, lighter snacks, and his goal, all you can eat.
Pushing the door open he was struck by two different scents. One was the pleasurable smell of good food. A kitchen in use and one that prides itself on quality. He didn't think it would match up to the usual meals Rias and Akeno prepared, but if it got Koneko's high praise then it had to be good.
The other was a scent of the supernatural, which had him on high alert. Given that he knew everyone in the town that was connected to the occult in some way, this person had to be here for the summit. And though he smelled human, there was no hiding the scent of a brewing thunderstorm. While Akeno's power smelled distinctly like ozone, this was of a storm with the smell, sound, and feeling of the rage that came with it. A being on another level than his mate's intuitive skill. A Longinus wielder, like him.
Finding the individual in the restaurant wasn't hard. Japanese people had a tendency to distance themselves from anything that looked like trouble. The foreigner at the counter was no exception, with a few seats on either side of him vacant in the otherwise busy shop.
Issei decided that he was hungry enough that he wouldn't try his luck again elsewhere. And so, since there weren't many other seats available, he went for broke and sat beside the stranger.
The man was focused completely on his meal, allowing for Issei to silently evaluate him. Besides the overall sensation of a tropical hurricane, the man was dressed in a formal jacket embroidered with Holy Runes. Blonde hair, green eyes; for a moment Issei thought he was looking at Asia's long-lost older brother.
When the cook behind the counter approached him for his order, Issei ordered a simple meal, ramen. It wasn't the food of the gods, contrary to popular belief, but it was a quickly made meal and there was a lot of it here.
"You know, it's rude to not introduce yourself." The priest, exorcist, or whatever he was, said aloud without turning.
"Isn't it custom to introduce yourself first in Western countries?"
"Doesn't the host do it first when in Japan?"
"I'm notoriously terrible at being Japanese."
The exorcist shrugged. "Fair enough. Dulio Gesualdo."
"Issei Hyoudou."
"Pleased to meet you," Dulio took another bite. "I'd bless this meeting and the food, but I get the feeling it wouldn't be appreciated."
"Your courtesy is appreciated. Let me guess, you're here for the Peace Conference."
"I'm actually here for the food," Dulio raised his chopsticks to show the sushi he'd plucked from the platter. "But my boss rather politely requested I accompany him when he meets your faction leaders."
Issei nodded with understanding as he too dug into his own meal. "I assume you know about my Longinus?"
Dulio finished chewing and gulped the fish down. "Divine Dividing in the hands of a human-dragon hybrid. Said hybrid has been shown to naturally utilize Holy flames in addition to high strength, endurance, and skillset. Quite the package."
"The church has a file on me?"
"Miss Griselda completed it when she returned with young Shidou. We already knew about your Longinus and flame after your match with the Phenex, she, however, completed it with all the relevant skills and abilities you had after watching in person."
"Uh-huh. And the stormcloud feeling I'm getting off you?"
"The second-strongest Longinus, Zenith Tempest." Dulio turned to look at him directly. "While I'm here for general security, I'm also here to restrain you and the Red Dragon Emperor if things get heated during talks."
"You think you can take on one of us? Let alone both?"
"By myself? Maybe not."
"Yo, how's it going!" Issei had been so focused on Dulio that a familiar magician had snuck up behind him and pulled both into a headlock. "Been a while!"
"Good to see you again, Ikuse," Dulio ignored the arm around his neck and instead pulled up Yelp on his phone to leave an outstanding review for the establishment.
"Get off," Issei pulled himself free. "Keep your paws to yourself, Dog."
"That hurts, Lizard. Hurts right here," Tobio tapped his sternum. "Yo, chef! I'll take what he's having!"
"Three of us together for a few hours, each superpowered and from different factions," Dulio mused as he finished off his plate and reached for another. "I wonder what chaos will ensue."
"Dammit! Not again!"
"Thanks for the quick cash kiddo," Tobio reached over as he took the pot. "Pleasure ripping you off."
Saji slammed his forehead on the table. "You're supposed to be kind and understanding to those in distress!"
Tobio rolled his eyes. "That went out the window the moment you were dealt in."
Traveling magician and comedian he might profess to be, but Ikuse could certainly clear one out in only a few rounds of cards. Almost all the cash Saji had had on hand was now being tucked away in that guy's wallet.
It had been his idea hours ago to play in games of cards and chance, Kiba and Saji joining them shortly after they had started. Saji had terrible luck.
Issei and Kiba almost pitied the Pawn, were it not for the fact that the money they had previously lost to Ikuse had over time been partially recompensed by the amount Saji had lost to them in turn.
From where he sat, Dulio chuckled in amusement. "This is why you shouldn't waste your time and money on games of chance."
"Game of chance, my ass," Saji buried his face in his hands. "How!? What are the odds I'd lose so much!?"
The five of them were sitting outside the Student Council room as the so-called advance security team. Them, plus Vali, who had stepped out the minute Issei stepped in. The Longinus users of each faction, plus a host of a Dragon King and the wielder of the Holy Demonic Sword.
Dulio had abstained from the game, but he had watched with poorly hidden amusement. The four that played had made for great entertainment.
Their revelry came to an end when the double doors opened, and Sirzechs Lucifer and Azazel stepped in, followed closely by Sona. Each was dressed formally, though while the other two could go about in public without drawing attention, Sirzechs formal robes and ceremonial armor was certainly an eye-catcher.
"Any chance I can join?" Azazel asked longingly when he saw the yen being collected by Tobio.
"No!" Saji panicked. "No, you're not welcome!"
"Saji owes Ikuse more than his life savings at this point," Dulio shrugged. The impartial observer rolled his eyes. "Ikuse will probably collect his soul, emotional spectrum, and his firstborn sometime down the line. And here I thought taking everything was the Devil's work."
Saji almost teared up, but Sona took pity on him and rested her hand on his shoulder. "You'll be able to earn your money back in time. But I'd advise not playing with these three ever again."
"Why? Did they cheat?" The Pawn looked up expectantly.
"Formal magic is about intent and willpower, but even street magicians pride themselves in sleight of hand, counting cards and the like, while Ikuse is leagues above them. Kiba's undoubtedly played before, practicing his poker face against Himejima and Toujou, and Hyoudou's senses of smell and hearing can easily alert him of your intent or emotional state."
"YOU DID CHEAT!" Saji tried to leap across the table but he was held back as Sona gripped his shirt collar. "ALL OF YOU!"
"You're sitting at a table with two other Devils and a human specializing in deception." Issei counted his own winnings, begrudgingly tolerant of his losses in the end.
"Next time, bring something to the table to even the odds," Kiba wasn't quite even but his losses were acceptable.
"President! You can help me! Please! Think of my emotional state if you deny me in my time of need!"
Sona sighed, removing her glasses to pinch the bridge of her nose. "I'm not giving you lessons, nor will I invest my own money just for you to lose." She turned and nodded to the two leaders as she left to rejoin the other witnesses, a despondent Saji trailing her still pleading for aid.
Sirzechs sighed but smiled at the display. "A moment of silence for our brother in the friend-zone."
Issei and Kiba stood and bowed their heads to follow the order, joined by Tobio and surprisingly, Azazel who saluted instead.
"He does know he needs to be here, right?" Dulio mused aloud.
"Vali won't let him get far," Azazel's saluting arm wrapped around Kiba's shoulders as he drew him in for a one-armed hug. "But since he left and he's the only Gear holder here who doesn't have a Balance Breaker, can I ask the rest of you guys a question?"
"Sure?" Kiba asked, even though Tobio was frantically shaking his head no.
"Can I take a blood sample from you all?"
"Huh?"
"I'm working on Sacred Gear research, and I'm hitting dead ends, unfortunately. Specifically looking more into the human factor of Sacred Gears, using blood as a medium between soul and Gear. In particular, yours would be a great help, Hyoudou. Even if it doesn't work, dragon's blood is still a rare alchemical ingredient to find."
"Yeah, no. I like the red stuff to stay where I can't see it."
"Afraid of blood?" Azazel raised an eyebrow. "You? The Tartarus fighting champ?"
"Not blood," Issei shuffled in place, uncomfortable. "Needles."
Everyone looked at him as if he had grown another head. "You. Afraid of needles." Kiba had some difficulty keeping a serious expression. "Really?"
"I didn't always have a thick hide. I went to the doctor as a kid and freaked at the shots I got." Issei shivered as if he were a veteran reliving a traumatic battle. "Just cause I haven't seen a doctor since doesn't mean I'm over it."
There was a minute of awkward silence as none of the other Sacred Gear wielders could think of a response that wouldn't set off the sometimes volatile teen.
"Ohhhh-kay then," Azazel drew out. "Let's get this on with."
The four young men moved to enter the room adjacent to the Student Council office, footsteps behind alerting them to Vali and Saji drawing close. The six of them then spread out to the walls adjacent and opposite to the entrance.
On the right, Saji, Kiba, and Issei lined up, with Dulio by himself for the time being on the wall to Issei's right. To his right, it was Tobio and then Vali. The point was to keep the Dragon Emperors in opposite corners and with sufficient players between them to keep them separated.
A few minutes later, the delegates, their aids, and their additional guards entered.
Before the reincarnated teens, Sirzechs Lucifer and Serafall Leviathan sat side by side, with Grayfia Lucifuge just behind her King to act as an aid.
For the Grigori, Azazel and Baraqiel entered, the two sitting before Vali and Tobio. Their aid was a tall woman that Issei recognized from the briefing. Penemue, another Cadre and the only female Fallen among their leaders.
Then the Heavenly group entered. Michael was easily distinguished, even if the princely face and twelve wings weren't a clue, no other Angel in history had golden wings like his. By his side was a tremendous beauty, no, beauty was a mockery of this woman's…
Issei bit down on his tongue hard before his mind could wander in praise and adoration. He was spoken for.
Regardless, given that an objective observer would find her to be the perfect woman, he guessed that she was Gabriel, another of Heaven's leaders. The kindness in her face and smile, the complete embodiment of compassion. For a moment, he wondered if there was any blood relation between her and Asia, but he disregarded that after a moment. Asia wasn't an Angel obviously, and news definitely would have spread if Angels were capable of reproducing without falling.
Their aid and additional guard appeared to be Griselda and Irina. The elder nodded to him in silent greeting, while the younger hesitated slightly at his sight before taking her place next to Dulio.
Finally, the Occult Research Club and the Student Council filed in. The Kings and Queens stood in the center of the line before the entrance, with the remaining pieces lined up on either side based once again by Piece. Ravel was the exception, she stood between Akeno and Koneko, with her fellow Bishops on Koneko's other side. Understandable, she was technically a guest and therefore ought to remain as close to Rias as possible.
As Xenovia, being the last to enter she had paused to close the doors, laid eyes on Irina, her expression brightened with hope. Sadly, Irina looked away with a resentful look, and the blunette's fell with sadness.
"Well, we're all here. Let's begin."
"And that concludes our report." Rias stated, she and Sona finishing their joint statement on the events during the Kokabiel incident.
"Thank you, girls. Let the record show that both young Kings and their Peerages deserve adequate compensation for our failure to prevent such an event." Sirzechs ordered and Grayfia nodded.
"Good job, Sona!" Serafall cheered. "I'm so proud of you."
It seemed as the muscles in her jaw clenched at the praise but the Student Council President managed to nod and step back in line with her household.
"Now, any words from you, brothers?" Michael asked kindly.
"We didn't know of Kokabiel's intentions, and he certainly didn't have our support," Baraqiel rumbled, the air charging slightly with his poorly-hidden rage. "I would have killed him personally if I had known his actions would put my daughter at risk."
Akeno brightened at that, some good news at least.
"He never had my permission, if that's what you're asking." Azazel shrugged. "He knew my position on the war, and I knew his, but I didn't think he'd actually try to wage a one-man quest of vendetta."
"So you knew he had intentions?" Serafall frowned.
"We knew he was… erratic, unstable as of late. So you could say we knew what he wanted. You could also say you know the intentions and temperament of all your own would-be Strays. Either way, I'll take responsibility. With that said, why not declare peace and be done with it?"
The other leaders, save for Baraqiel, were all taken aback by the blatant statement. For his part, Baraqiel simply sighed and went along with it.
"That's an interesting take on this," Sirzechs began, hesitantly. "I honestly expected more."
"Is it an issue?" Azazel leaned back, resting his head on his hand and chair arm. "I for one don't need any unnecessary conflict in my life. And I'll bet Heaven and Hell aren't interested in continued hostilities anymore, so why not go ahead and turn the ceasefire into an enforced treaty?"
"This is quite unexpected but certainly welcome," Michael seemed quite interested. "So our desires are all in line."
"Maybe not all," Azazel shook his head. "Most of us do, but there are some among us that are practically nations unto themselves with the power and influence they bear."
"Ah, I see. So then, Dragon Emperors, what do you and the Heavenly Dragons wish for."
Issei had been paying attention, but he hadn't been prepared for this! To be an active participant in the peace treaty!
There may have been a part of him that regretted abandoning his studies with Ravel earlier that day. It had absolutely nothing to do with the stare of disapproval Ravel was giving him now.
"I, don't really have any grand ambitions." Issei managed to say. "I guess I'm good with what I have for now and confident in that I can work my way to whatever goal I might choose."
"No dreams of treasure, conquest, glory, women?" Azazel smirked at the last suggestion.
"Not really."
Focused as he had been on keeping eye contact with the leaders, he had missed the hope and elation the younger girls in Rias' party had, as well as their unhappy expressions. Rias and Akeno were not in the same mind for obvious reasons, but both felt apprehensive.
(I have no interests save to support my current host.) Albion made his desire or lack of known.
[Of course, you would wish for a thing like that, Albion.] Though Albion had spoken using a materialized gem, Ddraig fully manifested his wielder's gauntlet. [But even if you wish for such an insignificant thing, I will oppose it.]
"Honored Ddraig, as much as you are entitled to your opinion, this is a time for peace," Gabriel spoke, trying to soothe the Welsh Dragon. "Please, think of others as you dream of your ambitions, ours and your host's."
"Then you'll find yourself disappointed, Lady Gabriel," Vali shook his head. "For I only seek good fights in the pursuit of growing stronger. Declare peace or not, I will still look to challenge myself."
No one missed how he was looking at Issei while saying this.
"As for you, my rival, I find myself disappointed. Don't you want to grow stronger as well? You are a dragon, more so than I. You have power yet your ambition and desires are limited, it's pitiful."
Issei sighed. "Growing stronger is something one does look forward to, and I wouldn't be opposed to it. However, I simply don't see that drive as my singular purpose in life. I've had enough fighting and battle in my life already."
"Then you're a fool."
"Then be a fool yourself for contesting that, but I warn you, if your only goal is strength," Issei's visage hardened and scales began to grow around his eyes, "and if that goal threatens what I hold dear, then I'll end your pursuit for you."
The perimeter of Kuoh Academy was patrolled by soldiers of the Three Factions. Angels, Fallen Angels, and Devils flew and walked around in set paths, staying in their squads, never interacting with another. Purely professional, after all, until the talks were finished, they were still under the ceasefire terms.
Focused as they were with external threats, no one was prepared for an attack from within.
Just as one patrol ended and the guard pattern began to change, an explosion rocked the courtyard before the main entrance. Even before the smoke had cleared, dark-robed figures rushed into the school from a circle maintained by a short figure in white robes. Several of these magicians surrounded their benefactor, and began casting offensive spells and hexes at the responding guards.
Another figure stepped in, a taller one and undeniably female. With ribbons in her short hair, the woman spun in place and gestured rudely at the defenders. With her hand's path, a long trail of purple flame erupted and expanded to engulf them. A few moments, screams, and then the dark fires were extinguished. Of the Devils, there was nothing, not even ash, though the Angels and Fallen Angels fared only slightly better. They were naught but charred corpses, only slightly more identifiable.
"Let's get on with it," the elder woman put an arm around the younger girl and pulled her along as they walked around the schoolyard. "This will be a wonderful show."
"This is most disturbing," Michael mourned, for both his followers and their counterparts were fighting and failing all around the school. Purple flame soared through the air, cutting down fliers and decimating their forces.
"How did they get in?" Griselda asked, breaking her silence. "We planned for everything!"
"Everything we thought of, obviously since they thought of something else." Tobio's long nodachi was already out, Canis Lykaon transformed and eager to protect its host. "Well, Governor? What now?"
"Now," Sirzechs interrupted, "Now we push back. Tobio, these are Hexennacht mages, your style should counter the rogue group nicely. You're outside, Vali, with him, Dulio defending from here. Issei, of our Longinus wielder's, you know the school best, root out anyone that isn't one of our own."
"Who put you in charge of me?!" Vali frowned but took a step back at the terrifying-certain-death-glare Sirzechs gave him.
"Because we're doing what we can to preserve this peace, and if you're not onboard, I'll deal with you and then find someone else willing."
Vali looked as if he wanted nothing more than to slug the Devil King, but he turned away instead with a huff. "Hyoudou, keep count of your opponents. If I defeat more, then I'll consider this a win for me."
[Welsh Dragon: BALANCE BREAKER!]
The red-armored form of Vali shot through the window, sending glass raining. A brilliant meteor in the sky that the purple flames couldn't eradicate, followed by warping shadows as Tobio engaged those on the ground.
Issei turned to the door only to find every female in the ORC right in front of him, concern written on their faces. "Oh."
"'Zechs, please, don't send him out there," Rias looked at her brother and Maou. "If he's hurt again~"
"Given recent events, I think our dragon is more inclined to err on the side of caution in his fights from now on. He's in perfect condition, physically and mentally. Furthermore, I believe he's more motivated than ever to return to you in one piece." Sirzechs was weaving his hands in sync with Grayfia, a barrier coming over the room and windows to keep the conference members safe. Blasts of energy were already impacting against the shield. "Your mate has skill and power to his advantage, let him use it."
"But," Any further objections Rias had were cut off by the kiss Issei pulled her close for. Holding her close, he held it until she gasped for air.
"I'll be fine. And listen to the boss, I'm coming back." Issei reached out with another arm as Akeno threw herself into his embrace.
"You're coming back to us." Akeno whispered into his ear, her hand clutching at the collar of his shirt. "You'll come back."
"I will."
Akeno held onto him for a few moments longer. "I'll hold you to it."
As Rias and Akeno disengaged, it invited Asia, Ravel, and Koneko to hug him around his middle.
"Be safe."
"Please, don't get hurt Issei!"
"You'd better not get hurt, not that I care. It's for our sake, healing you takes a lot of effort!"
"I'll be fine. You stay here where the leaders are and I'll be right back." He embraced them, managing to get them all in one group hug, none of them complained. "Stay safe, and I'll be right back."
The first grunts Issei met were at least sane.
"Die, you damn freak!" The magicians all wove their hands in unison and fired orange bolts of energy at him. They each stood upon orange pentagrams, the placement of those were arranged so that some were upside down, many sideways but perfectly composed.
Their leader, well, the one closest to him and the only one to be 'standing' upwards, took a step back in surprise as the blasts pinged harmlessly off his armor. Before she could do anything else other than open her mouth to say "Oh," Issei's fist had already impacted lightly with her sternum.
As he tore through them, he was sure to measure each blow. Killing was a last resort, especially since they did need survivors to interrogate over this illusive Khaos Brigade.
Neatly dispatching the last spellcaster, Issei left the group of unconscious women just laying there in the hallway. He didn't have the time to properly bind them, and he was still resolutely refusing imprisonment in his Scale Array.
And so he sped through the halls, easily defeating the many women swarming the school in droves. He idly wondered how the Khaos Brigade was only sending in human women at the moment, and how each and every one of them not only wore the same getup but had the same skills and same damn measurements. He wasn't a pervert, just observant.
As he knocked out the last magician in the next group, he was surprised. In the time it had taken for him to throw her last comrade through a window, she had spread her arms and smiled. Far be it from him to pass up an opening.
She was still falling, smile still on her face when he was suddenly struck from behind and sent through a wall and the next one behind it. Despite the surprise, he managed to recover quickly as the dust settled and stood to observe his surroundings. The white helm tilted.
"The girls' locker room. So this is what it looks like."
A snarl drew his attention to the winged silhouette he'd made on the wall. A heavyset figure stepped in. Dark purple skin, torn tan pants, bulging muscles, a tooth filled beak and eyes set in one the sides of an exposed brain.
"Nomu?"
The freak of nature blurred, both fighter's fists smashing together in a flurry of blows.
He hadn't been kidding, his new opponent looked exactly like the hulking figure capable of fighting the Symbol of Peace in the anime and manga. Kohei Hirokoshi could sue. But as two gauntlets formed over the freak's hands, one red and the other purple and black, Issei realized that perhaps the famed author was at least supernaturally aware of Sacred Gear experimentation.
As they were understood, Sacred Gears were bonded to the soul of the human or part-human who received them. There were also certain theories accepted as law when it came to them, made from centuries of observation.
The most general rule was one Sacred Gear per soul. There were some exceptions, but it came from the understanding that the human soul could not support a functional strain of another of God's Artifacts.
As for the exceptions, they mostly had to naturally coexist and be received at the same time, meaning a human had to be born with both. Usually, they were complimentary, low-level Gears, like Sapphire Cosmic and Kaleido Ruby, so that the strain of the combination doesn't kill the host. You'd never see a Longinus-wielder have another Sacred Gear for a similar reason, even one God-killing capacity could sometimes be too intense for a single soul to sustain. Some fools continuously insisted that it was possible, like combining Boosted Gear and Divine Dividing into a single being; that was nonsense, if the burden didn't immediately kill the bearer in the womb or in infancy then the release of opposing powers certainly would.
To account for all this, the Heaven's System that bestowed Sacred Gears has several criteria apparently for who gets what. That hadn't stopped some studies in magic from extracting numerous Sacred Gears from unwilling donors and forcing implantation onto physically superior humans. Once the connection between Gear and original soul was severed, compatibility didn't matter. Raynare had tried it with Asia's after all, and her soul was hardly as pure as the gentle maiden. Implanting numerous Gears into a single subject only required the new host to be fit to the extreme, most capable of surviving and adapting to the immense burden the foreign power placed on the body.
Hence the Chimaera-like appearance of what must have once been a perfectly normal human being. Subsequent and secondary mutations from Gears not meant to interact with each other within the same human shell.
Issei's right fist crashed into the exposed brain matter of the monster before him, only for a toothed beak to clamp down on his shoulder pauldron. The freak twisted its neck, trying to tear at muscle and bone that was covered in metallic shell.
It went without saying that mental capacity of the new host also diminished in proportion to the number of Sacred Gears implanted. Thus these freaks were used as expendable living weapons. Though the term for these abominations varied across schools of magic, the term both Devils and Dragons used for them was Husks.
Although this one, this one Issei had given a name, as if somehow millions of fans worldwide agreed with him to enforce the name for this individual.
"Fuck off, NOMU!"
Teeth broke as the barbed tail of Issei's armor whipped forward, breaking the lower jaw of the Husk. Issei stepped forward and swiveled. Grabbing the monster's left arm and using his wings and tail to block off the creature, he pulled the arm before him and broke the bone in several places. To his disbelief, the red gauntlet before him still flashed. Twice Critical.
A clenched fist hammered into his crowned helmet, and Issei crumpled through the floor into the basement. He turned upwards to fire off a gout of his own signature flame, only for Nomu to ignore it, his arm already snapping back together. The other gauntlet shone now, a dark outline appearing over the Husk absorbing the flame. A Vritra Gear, Deletion Field.
The formerly broken arm finished snapping into place as another obscure Gear finished its work. Issei had to admit, this guy would be a grave threat above most Stray Devils. Not him. He reached up and grabbed the creature by the face with both clawed hands. Igniting his aura, he enfolded his opponent's head with Holy Flame. At the same time, his Light Wings glowed.
(Divide!)
The Vritra Gear failed to activate properly this time and after several long moments of flame and absorption, Issei stepped back and let his dead enemy fall to the ground, brain matter turned to ashes. He checked his reserves; with what little he'd expended so far, half the Nomu's Power was enough to put him back to full.
('A shame really. Sacred Gears are already so rare, to waste this many on a terminal foot soldier like this is beyond foolish.')
"Agreed," Issei knelt and without hesitation ripped the visible Sacred Gears from the corpse. Without time or skill needed to do a greater search, any others the Husk possessed would need to be abandoned. "How much would Azazel pay for these?"
('Huh?')
Issei sealed the gauntlets away before leaving the locker room. 'Azazel's researching Sacred Gears, right? We keep these, we get something out of it.'
('I'm not particularly enthused about giving him a portion of Vritra if I'm honest.')
The teenager thought as he kicked open a door into an empty classroom. 'Then we make it ludicrously expensive.'
('That seems fair.')
"Something's not right," Sirzechs murmured softly. "There's no order or cohesion in their ranks."
"Sir?"
"It doesn't make sense, Kiba."
The blonde Knight nodded, Sword of Betrayer in hand. He and Xenovia were watching beside their Maou, with Irina beside Michael and Gabriel. The others were fortifying the room with various spellwork, the exception being Gasper, who was back in his box, and Koneko, who was trying to get him out.
"Their methods are quite crude. They have basic support in play, but they have to know that won't work for an extended time," Michael commented as the magicians focused their firepower against the two agents; a living shadow and a red blur.
"There is no strategy, no compassion for those injured or dying." Gabriel mourned. "They are throwing their lives away."
Azazel and Baraqiel ceased talking with Akeno and both stepped up to the windows. "They think it's for a cause. I'll bet she's the one feeding it to them."
Those at the window looked to see where Azazel was pointing. High above the courtyard, there was a tan figure dressed in purple. Glasses, a haughty look, she'd be perfect for the sexy, mature, bitch-type schoolteacher to be cast in a porno, in Azazel's professional opinion.
"Cattleya Leviathan." Serafall drew out, pouting. "I took her place fair and square. And she wants to one-up me by throwing away the lives of minions! Minions are to be treated with respect!"
"Somehow, I think they treat her with fear." They watched as Cattleya waved her staff to form an enormous magic circle, one easily twice the height of their building. It hurt to look at, needlessly overpowered as it was.
It glowed even brighter upon activation.
A thick, scaled limb stepped through, followed by another and then the head and shoulders of its owner.
Or maybe the spell was not so needlessly enhanced.
The circle dissipated as the form of a massive dragon shook itself free of the spell. With a sinking feeling in their hearts, the leaders understood that the fight had become much more severe. Even if Sirzechs or the others could take on a dragon, the lives of those nearby would always be in danger.
The dragon reared its head back before vomiting liquid fire across the courtyard. The women attackers screamed as they were enveloped, both burning alive and drowning in flame that flowed like water. The mighty jaws clicked shut as the beast bellowed, the noise shattering windows across the school, and presumably all over town as well. The remote patches of flame that had already cooled into glass shattered as well, those incinerated within breaking too.
The rest of the yard was still a lake of fire.
"Irina, I think you'll be needed right now," Griselda whispered softly. Irina whimpered, but she held Ascalon in her hands obediently. Even though they trembled in fear.
Dragons, great and terrible creatures, in both strength and wondrous form. This one though was familiar to Akeno and Baraqiel, horrifically so. It had been years, but they remembered. However, the dried blood around its mouth, the scales dulled to a pasty white, teeth chipped and eyes filled with equal rage, cruelty, and madness; these were all too different from before.
How ironic that they hold the peace talks here at the academy, built upon damaged residences, only for an Evil Dragon to return to his old home now.
AN: It begins...
I do have a pretty good feel for how I want this particular arc to go. Problem is, with what I'm imagining it'll probably be about 30-45k words, though that number can climb. Given my horrible track record of updating, I've decided to cut down into smaller chapters for this and make adjustments along the way. Hopefully this way I'll get chapters out perhaps once a month and a half, rather than go dark for six or so to turn it into a colossal headache to finish.
One thing to note is I haven't followed canon by putting Gasper and Koneko in the old building to be rescued. That will have some effect, we're seeing it now as Issei has been given a different assignment than usual. Also relocated Michael's reasoning behind Asia and Xenovia's excommunication and Irina's reaction to a later chapter within the arc.
In the meantime, I've been a bit on craze for my other story, Future Taking Flight. Since it's all original content it's easier to come up with short contained chapters and write them up within a day or so. I have a few chapters for that in the wings and works, some even flashback and suggest what might happen in this story in the current arc. Two people have already guessed correctly.
Now, neither of the girls first seen helping the Khaos Brigade are Kuroka. So, save your pitchforks. Last we saw her, Kuroka still had some unresolved feelings for Issei, so she wouldn't chase Vali and join his team for the purpose of having a kid when she knows a dragon she's (or she believes that) that she's on good terms with.
This means, we get two canon characters with debuts sped up. One's easy to ID, the other is harder I'll admit. Please don't bug me if you can't figure it out, it'll be in the next update or the one after that at the latest.
Also had an in-depth Sacred Gear clarification. I've left the loopholes I need to maintain canon and in-story elements. For those who didn't get it, I disregard stories where the main character has both dragon Longinus Gears. It doesn't piss me off, just makes me sigh and keep scrolling. That's just my opinion though.
Bonus points if you can guess all the hints and references to other great fics I made this time.
Christmas Omake:
"Have a holly, jolly Christmas. It's the best time of the year…"
"Not to be the Grinch, but I'm not sure why we're celebrating Christmas when we're Devils." Issei handed Rias another ornament.
Rias stood on a stepladder in the main living room where she and the majority of the household were gathered. "Not the celebrating Christ's birth part. Though Asia and Xenovia might try. We're celebrating the traditional Roman end of harvest. Now, please…"
"I'm not singing along." Issei pressed a button on his phone, muting the carol before handing his crimson princess another decoration. Rias frowned, but took the ornament and hung it on the modest tree Issei had brought home by her request. A tap on her cell and the music began from the beginning.
"Fine. Now, for the top. Star, please."
"David, simple, or pentagram?" Issei held three different designs from the box he held. "Or should we kidnap an Angel to tie up there?"
"Very funny." Rias flicked her wrist, levitating the classic star up to her before attaching it. "And done. Coming down!"
Issei had a moment to look up, then immediately dropped the box of glass balls in favor of catching Rias as she fell backwards.
"You and your trust falls," he grumbled.
"Well, if you'll always catch me then why not?" She hugged her arms around his neck and drew her face close.
"Cup of cheer?"
Rias placed her forehead against his. "Dammit," she muttered. "Almost had it."
"Had what?" Issei tilted to let her stand upright as they both accepted steaming cider from Akeno's tray.
"Yuletide rules are in effect, and in this cheating is certainly not allowed." Akeno smiled as she set the tray down, a cup for herself in hand. She took a sip then frowned. "I'm not cleaning that up."
Issei looked and saw the box of broken glass. "Meh. I'll get it."
Akeno looked over to the media center, the one playing music. She frowned again, resetting the song. "Yuletide rules," her explanation when Issei raised an eyebrow. "Koneko, are you finished."
"Done." Koneko had wrapped all the presents, save for those to herself. She was good at it, and highly unlikely to blab about who was getting what. The stoic first-year finished placing the last wrapped box under the tree. She'd traded her usual wear for shorts and a cami, covered by a large apron with pockets for tape, glue, glitter, ribbons, wrapping paper of several designs, and string.
It looked like the weight would be enough to tip her forward and have her fall flat on her face. A flick and the apron fell to land with a clank. "Meh. I'll get it later."
"Koneko, you shouldn't leave a mess." Rias suggested with a bit of force. "You ought to clean up now."
The first-year looked at the stereo then back at the older girls. "Yuletide rules. I want in."
"No." Rias and Akeno agreed in sync.
Koneko clicked a button on her own phone. The music reset again.
"What's going on?" Issei asked, genuinely curious. "Yuletide rules?"
"Have a holly, jolly Christmas. It's the best time of the year…"
"Don't worry about it. Why don't you go give Asia and Ravel a hand."
Issei knew that look, even if he didn't know what he did his time, so off he went.
"Oh, Issei, perfect! Can you get those!"
"On it," Issei opened the oven, casually reached into it and pulled out the blisteringly hot tray of cookies. Barehanded.
"Thank you!" Asia called, busy from her position. She and Ravel were in the process of mass-producing sweets while Akeno and Rias would later take care of the main meals. "Could you set it on the stove to cool?"
Issei set it down, but not before plucking one from the sheet. "Almost finished?"
Ravel sighed, putting down the bowl she was using to mix the dough. "We have enough for everyone except you and Koneko. So not enough."
"Can I help?"
"Can you do so without eating the inventory?"
The guilty look was all Ravel needed to banish him from the kitchen, exiling him to the bar between kitchen and dining room.
"Everyone is going crazy," Issei dropped his head onto the marble surface. "Koneko, Rias, and Akeno, they're going nuts over some 'Yuletide rules' or something, and you two won't let me snack."
Ravel swiveled her head so fast, he could hear the crack as her vertebrae were strained. It healed immediately, not even needing her flame, but that didn't detract from the stare he received. "Yuletide rules? You're sure?"
"Yeah. You know what they are?"
Ravel was already washing her hands after putting away her apron. "On second thought, Issei, you can clean up. Asia and I have somewhere to be right now."
Asia blinked. "We do?"
Her fellow Bishop leaned forward and whispered something into her ear. She used a spell, a glow covering her hand as she carefully made sure to not allow Issei to hear anything.
Moments later, Asia's apron was hung up as well. "We'll be back, Issei! Don't you worry, I'll do our best!"
And then they were gone, leaving Issei alone in a kitchen filled with cookie dough.
"What the hell is going on?"
Rather than bother to put the dough away properly, Issei had just sealed it away. And without task to fill as ordained by the others, he was working on a personal project of his own.
"Blue, red, blue," he murmured, soldering the last wires together. "There."
"Do I want to know why you're holding a homemade landmine?"
Issei sighed. "Xenovia, please tell me that your brand of craziness has nothing to do with this Yuletide whatever or somesuch."
The Knight blinked. "Yulewhatnow?"
"Thank the Maou," Issei knelt and the IED went into the fireplace. "And since you asked, the chimney is a tactical weakness in our home's defense."
"And you think leaving a bomb for Santa will solve this?" The Knight raised an eyebrow.
"No, I think the next person who tries to show up uninvited and wearing a red suit will have a nasty surprise."
"But didn't Vali say he'd fight you later?"
"Now is later. He may come, so I'd rather be prepared."
"You'll get coal in your stocking." There were several above the fireplace, each hand-knit by Rias and embroidered with their names.
"I'm a pyrotechnic expert, coal is a gift to me, so that tradition would be useful."
"Well, far be it for us to trample on tradition," a voice spoke out from behind them. Xenovia and Issei both turned to look. Almost immediately, Issei turned back, face red and nose bleeding.
"Issei, you have…" Xenovia motioned to below her own nose; Issei felt the area above his lip and his eyes widened even further.
"That's never happened before."
"Then that means this works," Akeno singsonged. "Now will you deign to look upon us, my emperor?"
Rias, Akeno, Asia, Koneko, and Ravel were all standing there, decidedly not dressed. Each wore a red Santa hat and personalized red outfit. Normally, he'd have issue with the color but each outfit seems to have been bought from a lingerie shop.
"What the hell? Is this some weird Christmas tradition I didn't know about?" Issei collapsed backwards, almost falling into his own booby-trapped hearth.
"Just little things to make it interesting." Rias clapped her hands. "Ok girls, remember the Yuletide rules."
Asia sighed. "Kissing only."
"Can't sleep with him," Koneko frowned.
"And we can't make advances other than the goal," Ravel finished. "But we can chase him if he runs."
"That's right, only Rias and I can go further than a kiss," Akeno smiled. "Ready, Ise?" She clapped, the action unpausing the current song. At the same time, circles appeared on the ceiling, releasing green leaves and white berries.
"...the mistletoe, hung where you can see…"
They were everywhere.
"I want in!" Xenovia stripped down and redressed in record time, without care for her modesty in the presence of the others.
"Somebody waits for you…"
Wait...
"Kiss her once for me."
The girls leapt for him.
What…?
Gentle reminder that while entertaining, omake aren't typically considered canon. Nothing else to say. Please, leave a review! Whether it's about plot, plans or praise it helps an author out!
And Happy Holidays to all!
Updated: 12/19/17