"It's almost time," Issei said. He looked at Mitsuki, who had pulled him out of the room mere minutes before the start of the game.
Mitsuki crossed her arms and leaned against the wall of the Old School Building.
"Good luck, Aniki. Ingvild and I will be arriving in the Underworld shortly to watch your game. And don't worry about Khaos Brigade. If they do plan to attack like Grandfather said, Ingvild and I will help the Alliance clean up so you can focus on your game," she said.
"I feel bad for making you do everything all by yourself, Mii-chan," Issei said.
"It's fine. As your childhood friend, it's my job to help you right?" she asked.
"You're right though it's supposed to be my job as the oldest," Issei joked.
"Are you seriously doing this now? It's only three minutes, Aniki," Mitsuki said.
"Still older," he replied.
"Asshole," she pouted.
"Bitch," he replied just as fast.
Mitsuki let out a small laugh. She heard movement in the Occult Research Club's room and footsteps were coming to the door.
"Looks like that's your cue. I'll be there shortly," she said.
"Don't be late. You wouldn't want to miss out on me beating the shit out of Diodora," Issei said.
"You better," Mitsuki said.
"Issei, are you ready?" Rias asked.
She stopped upon seeing Mitsuki's hazel eyes staring her down. Rias tried not to make her discomfort of the Dantalion heiress known. But Rias knew those analytical eyes of the Dantalion probably already knew of the insecurity she felt in their relationship when it concerned her.
"Yeah, I'm ready, Prez. Let's go," Issei said.
"Lady Dantalion. We'll head out first," Rias said.
Mitsuki nodded and waved as the group left for the games.
"Ah, Mii-chan. You're here."
Mitsuki turned around and saw Ingvild walking in with Azazel and Irina.
"Has she been briefed?" Mitsuki asked.
"Only on the surface level mission. We'll tell her everything else after. Lord Michael expressed concern about sending his Ace into working long-term with us with her being in the dark the whole time," Ingvild said.
"Well, if you don't mind, we're gonna head down now," Azazel said.
"Wait… Mitsuki, what's going on?" Irina asked, looking at her friend. "What are you hiding from me that it has to wait until after?"
"It's a long story that we don't have time for. For now, we need to head to the Underworld to help, Aniki," she said.
"Azazel and Leviathan-san told me as much. Whatever, I'll get answers from you and Ise after all this. Another thing I don't understand is why you're hiding all of this, Azazel," Irina said.
"It's all a matter of subtlety. You don't tell the people you set as bait that they're the bait. It ruins the point of them being bait," Azazel said.
"B- Bait!?" Irina said.
"Bait?" Mitsuki raised an eyebrow.
"We know that Khaos Brigade is working through some forces within the Underworld in order to infiltrate the games and eliminate the Four Great Satans while they are all gathered within one place. Besides, it's all just a hunch based on information we got. If it turns out to be nothing, then we can cheer your friends on but…" Azazel trailed off.
"On the off chance it turns out to be something. Then, we'll need to intervene," Irina finished.
Mitsuki nodded.
"And Serpent's Seed?" Ingvild asked.
"We have no movement detected from them. Not for days. Ever since their little excursion in Russia, they've made no moves," Mitsuki said.
"Serpent's Seed?" Irna asked.
"Later," Azazel said. "Rest assured. Ajuka informed me that the barrier will act as a trap. The Rating Game Dimension will allow our forces to come in as well as the enemy in order to trap them. We can still phase in and out of it."
"Then, let's go. I bet Lord Lucifer is waiting for us at the agreed meeting spot," Mitsuki said.
Azazel smirked and snapped his fingers, causing the air around them to warp. With the sound of beating wings, the three disappeared and vanished as if they had never been there.
Issei blinked when they arrived at the chosen place of battle. It was an eerie location. An abandoned shrine with large rock formations that resembled spines. Broken pillars of antiquated design littered the area. The sky was an ominous violet with roiling clouds that let out the occasional bolt of lightning. In the distance, there was a path that led to a series of floating islands.
At the topmost floating island was a building whose design was a mixture of Islamic and Greek architecture. The telltale post and lintel form that can be found on Greek buildings were noticeable as well as the dome-like rooftop and minaret-like structures from Islamic architecture.
"What an odd place for a fight. This place gives me the creeps," Issei said, looking around.
Such a barren landscape looked like the place for a boss battle in a video game.
"Yeah, tell me about it," Xenovia said, taking a step forward.
"S- Senpai, are we going to fight here?" Gasper asked.
"This is weird."
Rias's tone of voice caught everyone's attention and instantly caused them to go on guard.
"The announcer should have announced our arrival by now," she said.
"Maybe something is wrong at the booth?" Akeno suggested.
"No, if there was, I'd have received a call from them as the participating King," Rias said.
Akeno nodded. She took a step, placing herself in the rear. Fortunately, no one noticed anything odd about it.
Hmm, any moment now… Beelzebub thought.
Akeno's eyes flickered yellow for a split second before returning to normal.
As the group looked around, Asia sensed something from behind and turned her head.
Her eyes widened when she saw an orange magic circle manifest in the air above them.
"Um… guys?" Asia said, tugging Issei's sleeve.
"Huh, Asia, what's wrong…" Issei's eyes widened when he saw several teleportation circles appear in the air.
"Are they bringing the fight close to us?" Issei mumbled.
Rias crossed her arms and a serious look appeared on her face.
"Those crests. They're not of House Astaroth," she said, clenching her fists. "Everyone, get ready! I don't like this."
"Those circles, Ise-chan. They're the circles of the Old Satan Faction," Mastema warned.
Ddraig. Mastema. I'll need help here, Issei said.
[You don't even need to ask, Partner] Ddraig said.
"[Boosted Gear!] [Opposition!]" Issei held his arms up and manifested both gauntlets into existence. He stood protectively in front of Asia as he watched more circles manifest above and around them.
His eyes darted around to see that everyone had summoned their weapons as well.
"If I remember correctly, from the reports I read with my brother, this crest belongs to the Old Satan Faction that is loyal to the Khaos Brigade," Rias said.
So they were right… Khaos Brigade… Issei balled his fists in anger.
One by one, from the several dozen magic circles that had spawned above them, Devils began to pop out like maggots from a corpse. Each one hovered above the peerage with malicious intent. Each Devil possessed power to a High-Class Devil. All of them were intent on killing them with extreme prejudice.
"Kyaaa!"
Issei turned around and saw that Asia was no longer there. He looked up, following the sound of her scream, and saw her being held upside down by Diodora Astaroth.
The young Astaroth heir had Asia telekinetically bound in front of him.
"Diodora!" Rias yelled. Her aura intensified as she glared at the man above them.
"You bastard!" Issei roared.
"Yo, I'm here to take Asia back from you," Diodora said, smirking arrogantly.
"Diodora! What are you trying to do to Asia? What the hell is going on!?" Rias demanded.
"Hmm? I don't need to answer the questions of a dead woman," he said, chuckling at Rias's words. His tone resembled that of an adult admonishing a child.
"What?" Rias asked.
"You see. You all are going to be murdered by the Khaos Brigade within minutes. I'll take this nun and enjoy her after watching you all get deliciously slaughtered," Diodora said, bringing Asia's face close to him.
He licked her cheek, savoring the discomfort and fear she felt when he did so.
"You bastard! Don't you dare touch her!" Issei yelled. He tried to move forward but he was held back by Akeno.
Akeno shook her head.
"You've sided with Khaos Brigade. You insolent bastard! You've defiled the sanctity of this game and betrayed the Underworld! Execution is the only fitting punishment for a traitorous snake like you!" Rias said.
"Hmph, good. A valiant last struggle against my allies. In the meantime, I'll go back to the temple and be united in flesh and soul with Asia. Do you understand the meaning of that, Red Dragon Emperor!?" Diodora cackled maniacally.
"You… You bastard! Give her back!" Issei yelled.
"Now then," Diodora snapped his fingers.
On his command, the Devils of the Old Satan Faction began firing upon them. Hails of green magical power rained down on the battlefield, forcing them to scatter.
Issei clenched his jaw and ran, keeping his eye on Diodora.
"Issei!" Xenovia yelled, running next to him. "Pass me Ascalon!"
"Got it!" Issei said.
[Blade]
Ascalon launched from Issei's Boosted Gear.
Xenovia caught the blade and turned on the balls of her feet, unfurling her wings. With a powerful jump, she flew towards Diodora. She brandished Ascalon and Durandal, thrusting the larger blade toward them.
"Asia is my friend! I won't allow you to have your way with her!" she yelled.
"Heh." Diodora swung Asia in front of him with the intent of using her as a shield.
Xenovia's eyes widened as she veered to the right, avoiding Asia.
"You damn coward!" she yelled.
"Hehehe. Farewell, Red Dragon," he said.
A magic circle appeared beneath him and the two disappeared from the field.
"A- Asiaaaa!" Issei yelled.
He fell to the ground, feeling the world being ripped right out from under him.
"I failed… I failed again! Goddamni!" Issei slammed his fist on the ground, sending spider web cracks spreading across the earth.
"Issei, you need to focus!" Yuuto yelled. He swiped the Sword of the Betrayer, slicing apart several magical blasts headed in their direction.
"You're of no help to Asia like this! Pick yourself up! The sooner we take care of this, the faster we can get to Asia!" he said.
"R- Right," Issei said, slightly dumbfounded by Yuuto's reaction.
This was the first time that the casanova had ever yelled at him. Moved by his words, Issei picked himself up and wiped the tears off his face.
Mastema. Ddraig. Please, Issei begged.
"Hold your head with pride, Ise-chan. I will not have my vessel acting so pitifully," Mastema said.
[Partner, as the Red Dragon Emperor, act with dignity. We'll stand with you every step of the way] Ddraig added.
Thanks, guys, Issei said.
"Still… I don't know how much Yuuto's words will mean, Ise. These numbers. I'm not sure Akeno and I together can deflect all of them," Rias said.
"..." Akeno remained silent. However, she let out a yelp when she felt her skirt being lifted.
"Mmm. Yummy. What a nice ass."
"H- Huh!?" Akeno turned around with a blush on her face.
"An old man?" Issei raised an eyebrow.
Behind Akeno was an elderly man with long white hair and beard. He had a golden and black hat on his head that was divided into five sections. There was a monocle over his left eye and wore a flowing blue and white robe. The sleeves had white embroidery on them and the rest of his robe was white, reaching all the way down to his feet. He wore shoes to match with his blue and white color scheme.
"This man… Lord Odin!? What are you doing here!?" Rias exclaimed.
Odin?
"The All-Father of the Norse Pantheon. I must say that I did not expect his appearance here. But, you know what they say, the more, the merrier, right, Ise-chan~!" Mastema chirped.
"Ah, that Gremory brat who fought the Great Evil of Destruction. Hohoho! I'll save the explanation for later since it will take too long," Odin said, tapping his cane against the ground.
A wave of divine power exploded from the cane, completely covering the area they were in. All enemy devils within the vicinity were instantly vaporized from the sheer potency of Odin's aura. The old man cackled as the pulse destroyed an entire wave of them without much effort.
The divine power remained around them, forming a shield that blocked the relentless deluge of attacks from the Old Satan Faction.
Issei watched in awe as the attacks were effortlessly repelled by Odin. The old man just stood there, smiling as the attacks worthlessly slammed into the barrier repeatedly. It was like watching a bunch of ants trying to take down a dinosaur.
"The game was taken over by Khaos Brigade," Odin said, stroking his beard.
"I see… it's as I thought," Rias said.
And exactly as the old man predicted… Blacklight's intelligence is truly terrifying, Issei thought.
"From what we can understand, Diodora Astaroth was making deals in the dark with the Khaos Brigade. The game committee and those of different factions are currently in the process of taking them on. And from what we know, Diodora received power… one of those snakes from the Infinite Dragon God, Ophis," Odin said.
Ophis… that name again, Issei thought.
"Then we are…?" Rias asked.
"That's right. You guys are the bait. That brat Azazel wanted to take them all out in one fell swoop. Though, you should count yourselves lucky. Despite the modifications made to the field's space, the barrier for the game was erected from the inside. Luckily, I can come in and out as I please," Odin said.
"Come in and out? How can you do that, Old Man?" Issei asked.
Odin grinned and turned to show Issei his left eye.
But there was a lack of one. It was merely a glowing crystalized orb inserted into Odin's eye socket. It had various runes floating within and Issei could sense the depth of the power. Even Ddraig was nervous upon seeing it and Mastema remained silent.
"When I gave my left eye to Mimisbrunr, I became familiar with all forms of magic and forbidden knowledge. Demonic power. Divine Power. Even barriers," Odin said. "My left eye can decipher magic and find its weaknesses. It is the ultimate magical scanner in existence with very few things it is incapable of cracking such as the…"
Odin scanned Issei's Sacred Gears. "Those."
"Still, to make a frail old man like me work this much. That brat never did learn to take after his older sister. The Great Evil of Rebellion would have been much more polite," Odin said, chuckling. "And let me tell you… she was a perfect 10 out of 10."
"Old Man, now's not the time," Issei urged.
"Yes, please don't slander my race's creator in front of me please," Rias scolded.
"Right. Here, take these." Odin handed Rias several earpieces.
"These are communication devices?" Rias said, handing them over to everyone.
"Yes. Azazel wanted you all to get them after the plan was set into motion. Now… that over there is your target, yes?" Odin asked, pointing to the large floating island with the shrine.
"Yeah," Issei said.
"Good. Leave this place to me. I'll be able to guarantee your protection until the shrine. After that, you're on your own," Odin said.
"Eh? You? Old Man, no offense but we can't leave you in a place like this!" Issei said.
A vein throbbed on Odin's forehead and he swung his cane, striking Issei on the head.
"O- Ow!" Issei said, holding his head.
"For a baby who has only existed nearly 2 decades, you sure are full of yourself. Heh, don't count this old fool out yet," Odin said, pointing to himself reassuringly.
Issei glared at Odin, who ignored the look on his face.
"Before you go, just know. Azazel suspects that Diodora is working with someone else. Someone higher up within the Khaos Brigade aside from Ophis so be careful," he said.
Issei and the others nodded.
"Now…. come forth! Your enemy is the Chief God of the Norse! Take my head and you will find yourselves blessed with glory and infamy to your names!" Odin taunted, holding his arms out.
The enemy troops exchanged glances before letting out battle cries.
The Gremory Peerage all took cautious steps back as the swarm of devils began charging at them like a swarm of angry bees. Spells and weapons were all charged and prepared to eviscerate them in the most brutal ways imaginable. The sheer collective murderous intent they exuded made even someone as composed as Rias Gremory sweat out of nervousness.
Odin smirked and held his hand out.
"Come forth, Gungnir!" he called.
A swirl of blue aura twisted around Odin, forming a vortex of pure power behind him. The eye of the vortex widened and a spear extended outward from it. The spear had a black handle with a golden three-pronged blade. Its design resembled that of a trident. The spear radiated an immense amount of power and Odin grabbed it, spinning it in the air before aiming it at the swarm.
Without a word, Odin channeled power into the tip of the spear, producing a bright blue light. Arcs of energy crackle from the tip, scorching the ground around them where it struck.
With a bright flash of light, an energy blast whose radiance could outdo that of the Sun's erupted from the blade's tip. The energy blast ripped across the sky, producing winds worthy of a hurricane, and tore the ground apart by sheer force. The energy blast pierced through the angry swarm of High-Class Devils, instantly erasing them as if they had never existed in the first place.
"W- Woah…" Issei muttered, seeing the aftermath of the attack.
There was a clearly massive hole in the swarm. Dozens, no hundreds of Devils were missing and the army had been scattered due to the sheer scale of the attack. A massive scorched trench was carved across the earth, parts of it still molten from the sheer heat of the attack.
"Go. Now," Odin ordered.
Rias nodded.
"Let's make a break for it. As long as Lord Odin provides us with cover, we can make it to the temple and face down Diodora's forces without much problem," Rias said.
"Yes, President!" they replied.
Asia… wait for me, Issei thought as he took off running with the rest of the peerage.
The attack had happened as expected. All areas of the game were hit, even the VIP lounge. The Devils that had come to watch were now assisting the armies of Heaven and the Grigori fight back against the terrorists that had come to invade their precious pastime. Of course, Azazel had planned for this as well.
Mitsuki knew that the Governor General was cunning but never to this extent.
She ducked underneath the swipe of one of the terrorists before following up with an upward slash, bisecting him.
Mitsuki swiped the blood off Yorihime. She looked behind her, seeing the dozens of carcasses she had created in her wake.
"Mii-chan, you're coming off really strong here," Irina said, landing next to her.
Malkuth burned brightly in her hands. Irina looked up and saw a Devil bearing down on them, preparing to skewer her through her skull.
She kicked off the ground, charging straight into his line of attack.
The spear pierced through her, destroying the afterimage.
The devil's eyes widened before he found himself staring at his body.
Irina's arm was extended, having severed the Devil's head from his neck with one fluid swing of Malkuth.
"Are we competing right now?" Mitsuki asked, sidestepping an attack before releasing an electric sword wave that killed several terrorists.
"Only if you want to lose. Besides, isn't it the fate of House Adashino and House Shidou to always compete?" Irina asked.
Tsubaki!
Irina sheathed Malkuth before dashing forward, spinning rapidly with her sword drawn. Several devils were cut down instantly, vaporized by the flames of her sword.
"Then I guess I'm-" Mitsuki jumped into the air and launched several electric sword waves, slicing two devils in half and cutting the cliffside apart. "Ahead by two."
"By two!?" Irina yelled.
"I guess if they're attacking, Lord Azazel's plan is in full motion. Issei and the others are now in hiding while we take care of Khaos Brigade's forces out here. Still… using them as bait, I can't agree with such a plan but I can see the merits behind it," Irina said.
"I never wanted to use Aniki as bait either but Azazel had a point. He and Rizevim both knew that the Gremory Peerage was beginning to become a thorn in the Khaos Brigade's operations. Taking out a problem before it can grow any bigger is actually an ingenious strategy," Mitsuki said.
"Still… haaah!" Irina raised her hand into the air. Several light needles appeared behind her. She threw her hand forward, firing them at the group of terrorists flying in their direction.
The needles all hit home, embedding themselves within their flesh.
Irina snapped her fingers, causing all of them to explode in a white light.
"What a brutal technique," Mitsuki said, hovering next to her. "But…"
Mitsuki held her hand out, creating five magic circles.
"That is…?"
"Ingvild stole my favorite spell. It's time I take it back," she said.
Moonshadow Beam!
A blast of violet energy erupted from the spell, slamming into a group of devils. A sonorous explosion that was the size of a three-story building appeared in the sky, creating a large shockwave that blew Irina's hair back and blasted the rubble around them away.
"It's like we're at war," Irina said, seeing the fighting going on around their own battle.
Explosions and blasts of energy streak across the sky as two opposing armies fought for supremacy.
An explosion in the distance caught their attention.
The Bael Heir, Sairaorg, swung his fist to create large vacuum bullet that took out an entire squad of terrorists.
"Yeah, now where's the enemy-" Mitsuki froze when she sensed a massive presence descend upon the entire battlefield. She gripped her sword tightly and looked up toward where Azazel and the others were.
"I think they're here…" she said.
"I felt it too. This demonic energy is massive," Irina said.
"Not just that but… someone else is here. Someone that I can't sense properly. Their power is…" Mitsuki activated Precision and scanned for the source. Her eyes widened and blood began to leak from the edges of her eyes. She struggled not to vomit right there and then, falling to one knee. The amount of power she had just felt. There was no end to it. It was like staring at the entire world itself.
"Mii-chan!" Irina landed next to her friend and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"This thing… it's… there's no end to it," Mitsuki said.
"No end…?" Irina asked.
Mitsuki wiped the bloody tears off her face and glared in the direction of Azazel.
"This enemy is someone we cannot hope to even defeat!" Mitsuki said.
"Then…?" Irina looked on with worry.
"We were never going to win from the start," Mitsuki growled.
Azazel sighed as he pulled his light bident out from the corpse of a Devil Terrorist.
Sirzechs hovered next to him, standing still. The attackers that attempted to take his neck were all wiped from existence, erased by high-speed Power of Destruction orbs.
"It seems that we're beginning to finish up," Azazel said, hefting the spear on his shoulder.
"It seems that way but… there's someone else here."
Azazel raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Oh, you mean him."
He looked ahead of him.
"How long are you going to stand there for… Raezavan Lucifer?" Azazel asked.
The man named Raezavan offered no substantial response. Instead, blue and violet were met with a mocking shade of red. The upper half of his face was concealed by a mask and his jaw-framing silver bangs and hair blew lightly in the wind. He wore a white suit with a cape that had a fur collar. The unmistakable power of the Lucifer Clan radiated from his aura, causing Azazel and Sirzechs to immediately go on guard.
"Raezavan, what are you doing here?" Sirzechs asked.
"Oh… nothing. Just watching it all unfold. But I'm really not the one you should be focusing on here," Raezavan said.
He pointed his finger up.
Sirzechs and Azazel followed it and saw a young girl hovering above them. She was dressed in a lolita-style outfit that exposed her bare front. There were only 2 Xs on her chest to cover her nipples and she wore white bloomers. Her emotionless black eyes and jet-black hair made her identity obvious to them.
"I was content with just watching. Spawn of Satan," she said.
"Hmph, you always were," Raezavan said.
"Infinite Dragon God, Ophis," Azazel said.
"Hello, Azazel. It has been a while," she replied.
Issei watched as Yuuto dealt the killing blow to Diodora. The path they had taken to this place had been long and arduous. Nuns that were impervious to his perverted techniques. A competition between Rias and Akeno over something so trivial as a date.
And now, they were in Diodora's throne room. A room brightly lit with blue flames and had decorations fit for that of royalty. The carpet was now stained a crimson red as Freed's blood seeped onto the stone beneath.
The sound of manic giggling echoed through the room as Freed breathed his last.
Issei's eyes widened as he recognized the voice. His fist clenched tightly.
"Diodora… I'll never forgive you…" Issei muttered, turning around to face him.
"Huhuhu! Ahahaha, that was quite the performance you put on, Rias," Diodora said, legs crossed and smirking arrogantly at them from his seat.
Asia was restrained above the head by skeletal tendrils that wrapped around her arms and legs. Her eyes were downcast and red-rimmed. Fresh tears were still present at the edges of her eyes. The green which had once shone like emeralds was now as dull as moss.
And that sight on her face made Issei's blood boil.
"Keep your anger in check. Not yet," Mastema urged.
Issei nodded and chose instead to direct the fiercest look of hatred he could muster at Diodora.
"Ahahaha… you all had a lot of fun. But guess what, I had some fun of my own. Ahhh, you should have seen the look of despair on Asia's face when I told her the truth," Diodora said, eyes lighting up with insane glee.
"Diodora Astaroth," Rias growled.
"Ahh, it never tires me to see the face of a woman of God in despair. As that trust she had, all that faith and hope crumbling away before your very eyes. It's almost orgasmic," he said.
Asia looked away in shame, tears falling freely from her eyes.
The sound of her quiet sobs caused Diodora to cackle even louder.
"Ahahahaha!" he laughed.
"Y-You… You bastard!" Issei yelled, stepping forward.
A pulse of black and red aura radiated from his body and his fangs became elongated. A flash of red light emanated from Opposition and a flash of green pulsed from the Boosted Gear.
"But it's not enough…," Diodora said, standing up and making a grand pose. He pointed at Issei and smirked.
"Because of you, she still has hope. This girl has all of you. Especially you, you filthy Dragon," he said, making a disgusted face.
Issei glared back.
"Do you remember the Fallen Angel Raynare, Red Dragon Emperor?" Diodora asked.
Issei narrowed his eyes.
"After that woman killed Asia, I was going to kill that filthy piece of shit and revive Asia with my Evil Pieces," he professed.
"W- What? What did you just say?" Rias demanded.
"What… Asia is…" Issei's anger began to slowly rise. The edges of his vision were beginning to become dotted by pinpricks of red.
"But dear me, who would have thought that the weak devil who jumped in was none other than the Red Dragon Emperor," his tone dropped considerably as he recalled the moment in front of them. He ran a hand through his hair and covered his face. After a few seconds, he took his hand off, showing a disappointed expression.
"It was my fault, yes. I was the one who decided to wait too long, thinking that the Fallen whore was strong enough to dispatch low-level garbage such as yourself. I guess the old adage of 'If you want something done right, do it yourself' rings true even in this day and age. Personally, I never like getting my hands dirty but…"
Diodora looked towards Asia, who recoiled at his stare in fear and disgust.
"I guess exceptions can be made," he said.
"Diodora… you bastard," Rias said.
"Ah, but there's more! To add insult to injury, you came in and stole her right out from under me, you pathetic red-haired whore," Diodora continued.
"It was you… everything was you… you were behind it all," Rias said.
"Ah… yes, it was me! Ahaha!" Diodora laughed. "That woman, Miyo, helped but in the end, she was just a pawn for someone else. But truly, I have to thank all of you. Now, with your deaths, I can truly plunge Asia into despair or better yet…"
A twisted smile appeared on Diodora's face.
"Ne, Red Dragon Emperor," he mocked.
Issei's eyes were covered by his bangs and he made no motion to respond. Yet still, Diodora continued to egg him on, oblivious to the growing pressure around Issei.
"Asia is still a virgin, right? Truth to be told, I don't do sloppy seconds. But… now that I think about it, stealing Asia from the Red Dragon Emperor sounds like a fun thought in and of itself! How about this, Red Dragon?" he said.
"Shut up," Issei said.
"After I kill each of your friends one by one in the most brutal possible manner, I rape Asia right here in front of you!" he pressed.
"Shut up." Issei's sclera began to turn black.
"Oh, imagine how fun it would be to hear her call out your name in despair as I take her over and over and over again in front of you while you're helpless to watch. And in the end, as she breaks, knowing that you will never save her. When she truly falls into the pit of despair and depravity, what look will be on your face when she finally calls out my name in pleasure and defeat?" Diodora mocked.
"I said shut up!" Issei roared.
An explosive amount of divine and demonic power burst from Issei's body, shaking the entire shrine violently. The power swirled violently, becoming crimson flames that then coalesced around Issei's body as blood-red armor.
"Oh? Hahaha! So this is the Red Dragon Emperor? I have to say that I'm not that impressed," Diodora said.
"Buchou," Issei said, taking a step forward.
Rias nodded, looking at Diodora with a scathing look of hate.
"Go ahead. Don't show any mercy," she ordered.
Ddraig. Mastema.
[I would be disappointed if you didn't do anything, Partner.] Ddraig said.
"Show this pile of shit true hell, Ise-chan," Mastema urged.
"But… Red Dragon Emperor. You stand no chance against me. I have a snake from Ophis herself. I am practically invincib-"
Diodora's eyes widened and pain erupted from his stomach.
Issei had taken off, using speed so immense that none of them, especially Diodora, were capable of following. The black armored gauntlet of Opposition was buried deep within Diodora's gut. The force of the blow had traveled into his liver.
"Wha- Gahk!" he coughed up blood violently.
Issei wordlessly grabbed his collar and threw him from the chair and onto the floor.
Diodora hit the floor violently. He coughed up a few more globs of blood before shakily getting on his hand and knees.
Issei slowly began making his way toward him.
"You… don't make light of me because of one lucky hit. I am a High-Class Devil! I am part of the bloodline of the current Great Demon Lord Beelzebub! There is no way that my noble blood can lose against the savagery of low-level insects like you!" Diodora yelled.
He raised his hand and created a three-layered magic circle. Bolts of green energy sprung forth and homed in on Issei.
Issei walked through them with Diodora's demonic magic uselessly bouncing off the armor.
"Tch! How… How can this be!?" Diodora fumed.
He created a multi-layered barrier in hopes of fending off Issei.
However, Issei ignored it. Instead, Issei cocked his fist back and punched through the barrier like paper. His fist slammed into Diodora's face with a sickening crack that echoed through the room.
Diodora slid across the floor and grabbed his face, howling in agony.
"It hurts! It hurtsh! You bitcsh! You broke my fucking noshe!" Diodora yelled.
"Your barrier is nothing like Vali's. Nothing like Kuroka's. And nothing like Mii-chan's." Issei's tone was cold as he grabbed Diodora roughly.
Red energy coated his fist as he punched Diodora once more in the gut, eliciting a cry of pain from the boy.
"H- How could I lose…?" Diodora groaned.
"I possess the snake of Ophis... I've gotten so much more powerful," he muttered.
He turned to face Issei with a look of insane desperation as demonic power gathered into the palms of his hands.
"HOW COULD I LOSE TO SOME PATHETIC LOW-LIFE DRAGON LIKE YOU!?" he roared.
Diodora raised his hand and created a massive green barrier that forced their separation. He landed on the floor and laughed.
"You see? You see this, Red Dragon Emperor? My demonic power is much more powerful than even a Longinus!" he said.
Issei did not respond to his words.
Ddraig, Mastema…
[All yours, Partner.]
"Don't hold back, Ise-chan."
"A power-crazy idiot like you can't defeat me, Red Dragon Emperor!" Diodora laughed mockingly.
"Then, do you want to see that stupid power?" Issei asked.
[Boost]
The Boosted Gear began to announce Boost repeatedly as Issei took off in a burst of speed and slammed his fist into the barrier. The barrier shook but did not give way.
"Ahahah! Do you see now!? Do you see the futility of fighting an omnipotent devil such as myself!?" Diodora raved.
The Boosted Gear continued announcing boosts as Issei pushed forward. Cracks began to appear on the barrier. Issei roared and pushed once more, shattering the barrier completely.
"Wha… Wha-!?" his words were cut off when Issei grabbed him by the collar and threw him at high speeds into the ceiling.
"This is for Asia. How dare you make someone as sweet as her cry!" Issei yelled.
Diodora impacted the ceiling violently, creating a crater within the marble. He fell down to the ground and coughed. He grabbed the pillar, using it as support as his mind tried to comprehend how he was currently losing.
"Impossible… this is impossible. I… I defeated Agares and I plan to defeat Sairaorg…"
Issei stared at him with an apathetic gaze through his visor.
"There's no way… There's no way I'd lose to the Gremory Household, whose Heiress doesn't even possess the Famed Perception of her late older sister and ancestors!" Diodora ranted.
Issei held his hand up, gathering black and red particles of energy into the palm of his hand.
"I… I am Diodora of the Astaroth Family!" Diodora screamed.
Particles of demonic power condensed within a magic circle in the palm of his hand.
"Insects like yourselves are meant to be squashed beneath our feet! Women like her are nothing but livestock for breeding!" Diodora ranted.
Issei said nothing in response and continued boosting the power of the small red orb in the palm of his hand.
"Now… suffer and die at the hands of your betters, you damn insect!" he fired a massive beam of green energy at Issei.
"[Dragon Shot]," Issei said tonelessly.
A small red orb jetted from Issei's hands and collided with Diodora's energy beam, piercing and dispersing it effortlessly.
"W- Wha!?" Diodora ducked out of the way as the energy sphere narrowly missed his head and tore through the thick marble wall behind him.
The orb traveled at high speeds and slammed into one of the massive stone spires, leveling it completely in a single blow.
"Haah… ahhh," Diodora let out unintelligible sounds, having lost the capacity for speech as his fear completely overrode any sense of logical thought. He backpedaled into a pillar and looked at Issei with terror in his eyes.
Issei grabbed him by the throat, squeezing it tightly and causing the young devil heir to gasp for air.
Issei's visor dissipated, revealing glowing black and green eyes.
"Don't you ever come near Asia again. If I see even a strand of hair from you, I will kill you!" Issei threatened.
"Ahhh…." was the only response a fear-stricken Diodora could manage.
No longer able to bear the sight of him, Issei dropped him on the floor and ran to where Asia was being restrained.
"Asia, don't worry! I'll set you free!" Issei said, attempting to pry the restraints off.
"Shit! Buchou, I can't break it!" he yelled.
"So… even the power of the Red Dragon Emperor can't break it?" Rias said.
"It…" he coughed "Is a special seal made for me against a certain Longinus wielder. It was set to disarm after everything was over but…"
Diodora grinned at them.
"On the off-chance that I lost, I had it set to devour her instead!" he laughed.
Everyone's eyes widened considerably.
"If… If I can't have her, I refuse to hand her over to anyone else!" Diodora laughed.
"You… You sick bastard," Akeno spat.
"Asia…"
Everyone turned to Issei, who had a small smile on his face.
"I- Issei?" Asia looked at him.
"Do you trust me?" he asked.
"Mmm. Of course." Asia smiled.
"Then… I'm sorry in advance," he said.
"S- Sorry?"
Mastema. Ddraig. I trust you.
"Eh? Whatever do you mean by that, Ise-chan?" Mastema said.
[I second that. Partner, what are you planning?] Ddraig asked.
"My worldly desires! My delusions! Amplify them all!" Issei said.
The Boosted Gear began to chant Boost and Opposition began to glow brightly.
"Boosted Gear Dress Break! Balance Breaker End Edition!" Issei yelled.
An immense amount of power poured from Issei into the seal, seeping into the very foundation of its magic and ripping it apart. The energy pulsed and slammed into the others, forcing them back considerably.
"I- Issei!?" Rias called.
In a matter of moments, the seal, along with Asia's clothes, were vaporized and erased into nothingness.
"Oh dear, this is terrible," Akeno said, running towards them.
"Senpai, you're the worst," Koneko said, watching Akeno run towards them.
"But…" A small smile appeared on her face. "You're also the best."
Asia landed on top of Issei, blinking as Akeno magically placed her clothing back on.
"Issei?" Asia asked.
"No way… the Longinus Seal…" Diodora said in disbelief.
"That takes care of that," Issei said.
Asia smiled at him gratefully before she was pushed back a little by the force of Xenovia's hug. Asia felt her shoulder get wet and she began to rub circles over Xenovia's back.
"Xenovia, I'm okay," Asia cooed. She frowned when she saw the shaking frame of the usually stoic knight.
"I'm glad. I wouldn't know what I would do if we lost you," Xenovia said.
"If I… lost you," she added.
"You won't. After all, you and Issei will be there to protect me if I ever get into trouble," Asia said.
Xenovia sniffled and pulled out of the embrace.
"Yeah, we'll protect you. Always," she said.
"I'm glad that you're safe, Asia," Rias said, walking up to her.
She placed a hand on Asia's head and ruffled her hair.
"President…" Asia said.
"Don't call me that. Just call me Rias. From here on out, you're going to be my little sister," Rias corrected.
"Mmm," Asia nodded as Rias ruffled her hair.
Asia turned to Issei and smiled. Issei smiled back at her and walked over to her.
"I'm sorry for being late like last time," Issei said.
"It's okay," she said.
"Asia?"
"I knew that you would come to save me like you did last time. I'll always believe in you no matter what… so please, trust me as well. Trust in me to always believe in you, Issei. We are family after all," Asia said.
"Asia…" Issei looked at her with slightly wide eyes.
A few tears threatened to spill and he quickly brought his arm up to wipe them off.
Asia smiled and reached out to wipe the tears that he missed.
"I'll never ever leave you, Ise. You're stuck with me forever," she said.
"Then let's go home. Lily's waiting for us back there." Issei smiled.
"Mm. But before we go, please let me say a prayer," Asia said.
"Eh? You're going to pray in a place like this?" Issei asked. "What are you even going to pray about?"
Asia looked over her shoulder and winked. "That's a secret."
Issei's breath hitched and his heart skipped a beat upon seeing her smile.
Asia walked a few feet away from them and knelt on the ground.
Heavenly Father, will you please listen to my wish? Please continue to protect Issei now and forever. Against his foes. Against the people who would try to harm him. Please allow his path to continue on and allow us to make many happy memories together…
As she prayed, a golden light enveloped her body, granting her an otherworldly divine appearance. It was as if God himself had decided to answer her prayer directly by shining his divine holy light on her.
Please, allow me to live with Issei forever and ever… Amen.
As her prayer finished, the light fully consumed her, and then, nothing. Asia had vanished.
Issei's eyes widened when he saw the empty spot. His breath hitched as he began to frantically scan for Asia's energy and presence. Anything. Even just a small trace of it.
No no no no no no! Issei thought as Asia's words ran through his head.
Can I stay with you always, Ise?
No… no, no. This can't be happening… Issei thought.
A massive presence enveloped the room. A pressure unlike anything Diodora ever exuded fell upon their shoulders, though Issei didn't notice. A bright green magic circle with the symbol of a fly with a crown appeared in the air above them. The circle faded to reveal a man.
The man was in his mid-twenties to early-thirties with light brown hair that reached down to his mid-back. His bangs framed the sides of his face with one bang covering his eye. His only exposed eye was light silver. He was clad in black armor with a violet gem where his cape began. His cape, long and black, billowed in the air behind him.
"Who are…?" Rias began.
"You've been fooling around for too long, Diodora Astaroth. Because of you, his plans are now behind," the man said.
"Who are you?" Rias asked.
The man turned to look at her with a disinterested look on his face.
"Sister of the False Devil King, I am the true descendant of one of the Seven Prime Demons and one of the four Original Devil Kings, Beelzebub. Shalba Beelzebub," he said.
Rias narrowed her eyes.
"Beelzebub…" she growled.
"Oi!"
Rias's eyes turned to see Diodora getting up.
"Shalba! Lend me a hand! If we of the new and old bloodlines combine our strengths, then surely-"
"You've been a nuisance for too long. My ancestor might have tolerated your presence but I will not," he said.
"Shalba, what are you saying-"
"Begone."
With those words, the same pillar that had claimed Asia had now engulfed Diodora, vaporizing him instantly. There was not a word nor a scream heard. Diodora Astaroth had merely been erased from the world as if he were a stain on the windshield of a car.
But Issei did not notice his death. His mind was too fixated on what had just transpired. Asia was still here, he thought. Asia was just hiding, his mind repeated. He took a step forward as Rias spoke to the descendant of Beelzebub, catching their attention.
"Asia…" he said, aimlessly walking towards Shalba.
"Issei?" Rias said.
"Asia, let's go home," Issei said.
"Issei," Yuuto called out.
But Issei did not hear him. No, rather Issei heard but instead, his mind rationalized it as static and unimportant to his current objective.
"Asia, let's go home. Lily's going to get worried if we don't get home in time," Issei said.
Rias felt her heart beginning to shatter at seeing Issei's distraught expression.
"Stop joking around, Asia. Come on, it's getting late. Mom is going to get mad," he said, laughing as if she were still here.
"We can play hide and seek later. Just the two of us, I promise."
"I- Issei…" Rias said.
"Asia… ASIA!" Issei yelled as the reality of the situation began to hit him.
Issei just stood there, mindlessly staring at the wall. Everything was beginning to fade away into the background. The sounds of Xenovia's screams of rage and despair barely registered in his mind nor did Rias's cry of worry for her. His mind struggled to grasp the reality that was presented before him and the moment of clarity that he had moments ago faded as his mind forcefully repressed the mere notion that Asia was gone. However, he did register someone grabbing his shoulders. He turned around and saw Rias staring at him with a worried expression on her face.
"Issei!" Rias said, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"President, Asia is gone. We have to find her. She's a precious member of our family," Issei said.
"Issei…"
"You, Red Filth. I have no clue what my ancestor sees in you but I should tell you this. I have transported that girl to a place far beyond here. By now, I estimate that the girl's body has expired. In other words, the girl whose name you are crying out for so desperately is already dead," Shalba said.
Issei's eyes widened as the words hit him.
Issei, I trust you.
Issei, we'll always be together.
You're stuck with me from here on out.
No…
Asia…
"This is bad…" Mastema said, hovering next to Issei.
The Boosted Gear flashed into existence. Power began to radiate from Issei's body. On his right arm, Opposition manifested and the gem began to glow.
"Issei…?" Rias asked.
Issei said nothing to her and began to walk toward Shalba.
The gem on the Boosted Gear lit up as Issei continued to walk forward slowly. There was no thought that dominated his mind. No superfluous perversions nor bawdy delusions of women and their breasts. There was but one thing he was fixated on.
[Rias Gremory] Ddraig said.
"Eh? The Red Dragon Emperor?" Rias said in surprise.
[If you don't want to die, then get out of here. And you, Devil. Whatever you have done, you will regret it.] Ddraig said.
"Whatever happens from here on out… is out of our hands now."
Wait… who's that second voice? Rias thought, seeing the red gem on Issei's right arm glowing.
A massive burst of energy burst from Issei, cladding him in a red and black aura. Swirls of power began converging on his body, creating razor-blade winds that sliced everything within Issei's range. The ground began to crack and the ceiling began to crumble. The pillars that were within Issei's reach began to break down and corrode. The mere burst of power threw Shalba against the wall, causing it to crumble down on top of him.
"This power…!" Yuuto said, shielding his face.
"We need to go," Koneko said.
"Issei! What's going on!? Issei!" Rias yelled, trying to get to him. But the ceiling caved and fell before her, barring her path.
Akeno watched intently, her eyes flickering between violet and yellow. None of them noticed her lips curving upward.
It's almost time for me to show myself, she thought as she took a step forward despite the intense winds and aura.
Shalba pushed himself up, narrowing his eyes.
This is the…
[I, who am about to awaken…]
"The Juggernaut Drive… if only I still had the…" Mastema bit her lip.
[Am the Heavenly Dragon who stole the Principles of Domination from God.]
Shalba grimaced as he took a step forward. This was what his ancestor had predicted. He clenched his fist.
Issei's neck elongated and his face began to take on more draconic features. The carapace of the Boosted Gear began to warp and fuse to his flesh.
[I laugh at the "Infinite". I grieve at the "Dream".]
A pair of skeletal wings burst from Issei's back, followed by a pair of mechanical avian wings. The green gems on the skeletal wings and the red gems on the avian wings began to glow brightly.
[I shall become the Red Dragon of Domination.]
"Issei… that's… my power fusing with the Boosted Gear?" Mastema wondered.
[Mastema, this power is not mine. It's…]
"So it is…" she bit her lip in worry.
[And sink you into the depths of crimson purgatory!]
Issei let out an animalistic roar. A storm of energy exploded from Issei's body, bathing the sky in bright green light. Tendrils of black and red energy erupted from his wings and from between the segments of the scales on his armor. The energy leveled the entire area, shaking the entire Rating Game space violently. Cracks began appearing in the sky around them as the dimension destabilized due to the unrestrained power of the Red Dragon Emperor.
"Tch!" Rias lowered the barrier and took a step forward.
Seeing the state Issei was in right now tore at her heart.
"Issei…"
The sound of footsteps caught her attention and she turned to her right and saw Akeno walking past her.
"Akeno? Where are you- …!?" Rias jumped back and stood protectively in front of her peerage.
"Who are you?" the Power of Destruction began to swirl around her body.
"President? Isn't that Akeno?" Xenovia asked.
"No. Dark. It's very dark," Koneko said.
"I guess this is my cue. Thank you for taking care of him all this time but now… I must come to claim what is mine," Akeno said.
Her voice was no longer just hers. It had been warped and took on a twisted demonic tone. Rot began to spread across the concrete, causing it to break down and corrode. Six pairs of dragonfly wings manifested behind her along with a black misty halo.
"You are…" Rias's eyes widened when she saw Akeno's now sulfuric yellow eyes.
Issei let out a breath of steam from his draconic mouth. His anguish had completely overridden all semblance of rational thought. All he could focus on now was tearing apart the man before him. The cowering, pathetic man that dared to take what was his.
Shalba narrowed his eyes.
Issei took off, shattering the ground beneath him with the force of his leap. He raised his arm, talons splayed and ready to shred Shalba into piles of flesh and bone.
As Shalba was about to defend himself, a shadow appeared in front of him, stopping the berserk Red Dragon Emperor.
The force of the impact shattered the ground and blasted away the rubble of the ruins.
"You… Lord Beelzebub…" Shalba coughed.
Akeno stood in front of him with one hand outstretched, keeping Issei's armored claws back with one finger.
He ignored Shalba and looked at Issei with an expression of glee. Years of carefully cultivating and planning the events of the world to converge upon this very moment. The efforts that they had put into this and the time they had spent.
"It's so good to finally see you again, Issei Hyoudou~!" Beelzebub said.
Issei growled and roared, trying to push against Beelzebub to no avail.
"Heh." A concussive force exploded from her fingers, throwing Issei through several pillars and off the shrine. He crashed through a stone spire and impacted the ground violently, creating a large dust cloud.
"Now…" Beelzebub rose into the air, wings spread and halo manifesting behind his vessel's head.
The world distorted and recoiled at his very presence. Rifts in the world resembling mouths appeared around him.
"Let's begin the harvest of Issei Hyoudou."
His toxic-yellow eyes glowed brightly.
Alright, kids. I'm back. I've... been gone for two weeks because I was preparing for the exit exam for my school and guess what? Your boi passed and just graduated. All I need to do now is to take my boards so if I inexplicably disappear again in the next few months or so, there's your reason. But for now, I'm free! This chapter is a bit long and I'll explain why. The next chapter is just as long as is the chapter after that. This is the longest part of the arc... and if you know then you know why. But to clarify to those who don't, we are nearing the end of the First Volume and the Second Arc. Beelzebub has made his appearance. Diodora died the same way he did in canon. Shalba admittedly... well Shalba is there. And if you're wondering why Creurserey wasn't there, Asmodeus is in the Underworld so the Asmodeus family never allied with the Old Satan Faction.
No one would have probably noticed this since buuuut, Issei's JD has an alteration to its design, namely in the wings. As you can see/read, Issei has a pair of dragon wings and a pair of bird wings underneath it. This is... a sneak peak into the new form Issei will get later. LATER. Not now. But later.
Anyway, that's it. Remember to review or not. And follow the story if you like it.