New Devil of The Gremory House
Life 15: Battlefield
Yeah, splitting this up was the right choice.
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[Partner, do you feel that?]
"Y-yeah, but what is that?" He felt a strange unnatural power seeping out of the ball of light that suddenly surrounded the [Knight]. Everyone was watching it in shock. Even that bastard Fallen Angel, the shitty priest, and that fucking bishop were startled. Issei looked down at his gauntlet, "What is it, Ddraig? What happened to Kiba?"
[Something unprecedented, but spectacular.]
"What?"
"What's going on? I can't sense what's going on in that sphere." Naruto whispered to him, "Why are you talking to your arm?"
"Shut up, I'm listening!" Issei barked, "Ddraig, what's going on?"
[Balance Breaker]
The light finally faded away to reveal Yuuto standing on his feet. The young man ignored his injuries and lost blood as he looked up at the shifting red sky. A glowing weapon in his hand that slowly formed to shape a sword.
"Hahahaha!" Freed guffawed. He swung his blade out into an unsuspecting Xenovia as she was blown back by the sudden power. He turned to the blond and heckled him, "That was a sweet light show, but what happens now, hmm? Need me to put you out of your misery and gut you properly this time?"
Yuuto continued looking at his weapon, paying no mind to the priest.
"No? Nothing? No desperate retort? Ready to stay quiet and die?" No response, "Well fine! If you don't wanna play!" Freed raised his blade and charged, using Excalibur Rapidly to send him disappearing in a blur. He appeared over the distracted [Knight] and yelled with vicious grin. The others called out the [Knight]'s name as Freed screamed and brought his Holy Sword down, "THEN DIE!"
Excalibur turned into a golden blur, disappearing from the naked eye to cleave through Yuuto like butter.
But it never reached the Devil.
With startling composure, Yuuto swung his blade out and knocked Freed back with a single swing. The priest's eyes widened in shock and he flew through the air before skidding along the dirt. He grabbed the ground and came to a slow halt before looking up at what knocked him back. The light around the [Knight]'s sword subsided to reveal a spectacular long sword of black, white, and red.
Yuuto slowly raised it to his eyes and examined his new weapon. The injured [Knight] whispered, "This is something gifted to me by my long lost friends. Their blessing." Yuuto's hard blue eyes focused on Freed enough to make the priest look wary as the new blade was pointed towards him, "Sword of Betrayer."
"No! I-it can't be!" Valpar yelled furiously, "That sword has Holy and Demonic energy mixed in it! T-those can't be forged together! It's impossible!"
"Thank you, Valpar." Yuuto ignored the bishop's tirade as he gripped the sword tightly, "Thank you for reuniting me with my friends and giving me this new power. It's just enough for me to beat you and your new project."
"Oh?" Freed's unease had disappeared and another smirk twisted his face, even if it was less certain than the one a moment ago. He squared his shoulder and held up his sword with a snicker, "Do you want to test that theory?"
"It's not a theory. It's a certainty. You may have Excalibur...but now that I have this, you're nothing."
"SHUT UP!"
Freed dashed in and was immediately met with Yuuto's Betrayer. His fatigue having vanished after being encompassed by the light. The [Knight] gave a mighty roar and knocked Excalibur back. Freed gripped his blade again and screamed as he charged the Devil. Both blades clashed again and again in blurs and sparks around them.
Unlike last time, Excalibur did not break through this sword so easily. In fact even against the power of the Holy Sword, this new blade did not falter in Yuuto's hands. The poison in his system from the Light had vanished, and his injuries felt as if they didn't matter.
It was strange and unnatural to wield this blade. He could sense power similar to Angels and Fallen Angels brimming from the sword. But mixed and balanced with Demonic power as well. It felt like he was playing with fire.
But it felt right.
Like it belonged to him.
With this in his hand...this battle was over.
Excalibur Rapidly swung up at his head at blinding speeds. Yuuto effortlessly leaned back as the blade passed over his head, his skin crawling feeling Holy Power so close before he put some distance between them. Excalibur Rapidly was still faster than he was but now that he had calmed down he could react better. Notice the subtle movements and changes in the priest's actions before he moved. The direction he leaned and charged towards...he noticed them all.
Freed may have had the better sword and abilities...
But Yuuto had experience and swordsmanship. And right now that was all he needed.
Freed grew irritated with being unable to blindside the [Knight] as effectively as he had moments ago. He separating from his target, seething through his teeth, "Fine. You wanna play with hax? I'll play hax!" He turned Excalibur around in his hand, holding it in reserve as its length went invisible, "How about this?!"
He stabbed the invisible weapon into the ground as Yuuto narrowed his eyes. His reflexes kicked in and he immediately jumped back as Excalibur changed shape and pierced up through the ground. The invisible blade slipped back into the ground before popping up beneath Yuuto. The blond swordsman had to constantly jump back to avoid the point of the blade that burst and retreated back into the ground.
Yuuto kept dodging but noticed the blade stopped chasing him. However he felt something creep up behind him and looked back. Surrounding him were hundreds of deformed bodies, horrific monsters, and images that couldn't be described.
"Hohoho, how about now, sexy?" Freed's distorted voice garbled through the illusion as Yuuto heard it echo around him. He narrowed his vision and held his sword with both hands, "So, are you ready to forfeit yet?! Lay back and let me pierce the flesh? I can't promise it won't hurt, and I can't promise I won't find rapt enjoyment in doing it, but if you give up I might make it quick for you-"
The monsters and illusions cracked. Freed yelled as the illusion he created with Nightmare cracked apart. Flying through the illusion was the blue-haired warrior that skid along the dirt to Yuuto's side. Freed was left standing in shock as Xenovia slowly stood back up, a massive blade in each hand as the Church warrior let her eyes fall on the disgraced priest.
"W-what?!" It was Valpar that exclaimed in shock when he saw the new blade in the girl's hand. Unlike Excalibur Destruction, this blade was asymmetrical. Just as long as her other sword but blue and yellow in color, and the power coming off of it was much more potent than her Excalibur. The bishop gawked, "T-that's impossible! The Church wouldn't give a sword like that to just anyone!"
"They didn't." Xenovia clarified, "I was a wielder of a Holy Sword long before this mission. Before I was tasked with retrieving the pieces of Excalibur, I was the wielder of Durandal." The warrior let a small smirk take her lips at the sight of panic on Freed's face, "So tell me, priest, do you believe your fragments can hold a candle to a complete blade like Durandal?"
"Y-you whore! You want to test me! See if this blade is really the shit?! Fine!" He cackled, charging Xenovia who didn't react in any way as he ran at her, "I'm gonna cut you so deep-"
"Where are you looking, Freed?"
The priest's eyes widened as he quickly turned and blocked Yuuto's thrust. The priest was knocked back, his feet digging into the dirt as he was forced back by the power of his strike. The silver-haired lunatic tried to catch his breath-
"You are aware you're fighting two people, right?"
Freed blocked Xenovia's swing as the blunt edge of his blade slammed into his shoulder, knocking him away and sprawled into the dirt. His vision started to blur as he lifted himself up-
"It's true, Freed, that your blade is mighty." The priest screamed as he turned around and started exchanging swings with Yuuto. Despite Freed's pushing the [Knight] took it in stride as he continued speaking, "Excalibur is truly a magnificent weapon. But it is wasted in your hands."
"WHAT?!"
"He's right." Yuuto disappeared in a burst of speed and Freed looked up as Xenovia fell towards him. She brought one sword down as Freed blocked it, his shoulders and knees buckling as a crater formed beneath him from the force. She started swinging Destruction and Durandal against the pseudo-Excalibur as Freed tried to cope, "Its like giving a child the sharpest knife in the world. Something truly exceptional...but merely a useless tool in the hands of an infant."
"SHUT THE FUCK UP!"
Freed exclaimed and roared at the top of his lungs. A massive burst of aura from Excalibur caused the winds to pick up and shred through the ground. Xenovia leapt back as his power started releasing uncontrollably, "WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ME, YOU BITCH?! YOU THINK I'M A BABY?! LET'S SEE IF YOU STILL HAVE THAT THOUGHT WHEN I CARVE YOU FROM HEAD TO CUNT!"
"It's not that you're a baby, Freed..."
The priest turned around...and was slashed from hip to shoulder with Yuuto's Betrayer. Blood sprayed out from the wound as the aura receded and Freed toppled over. He dropped his sword and turned in the dirt before looking up at the Devil standing over him.
"But before you accept a sword like Excalibur, you should become a better swordsman."
The priest coughed up blood and reached out for his weapon-
Only for Excalibur Destruction to stab down and shatter the glowing blade into pieces before he could reach it. Freed looked up and saw Xenovia's stern expression.
"Oho, you cheeky bitch."
That was the last thing he said before passing out in the dirt. Xenovia took a deep breath before nodding to the Devil, "Thank you for your help."
"Don't thank me yet. We're hardly finished."
"No! NO NO NO NO NO! YOU DAMN BRATS!" Valpar angrily spat, "YOU TOOK MY GREATEST SUCCESS AND DESTROYED IT! YOU MISERABLE REPROBATES! HAVE YOU ANY IDEA HOW MUCH EFFORT IT TOOK TO FORGE THOSE BLADES TOGETHER?! THE PREPARATION! THE TIME!" Neither of them looked amused by his outburst and shared a look. They turned and started approaching him as the Genocide Archbishop realized his position, "Kokabiel!" Dropping all pretext of politeness, he yelled at the Fallen Angel, "This experiment has failed! If you still want my help then we need to leave-"
Valpar was silenced as a Spear of Light barreled through his head and burned it off his shoulders. Yuuto and Xenovia jumped back in shock as Valpar's body tumbled over.
Asia's scream and the corpse's bodily thud echoed through the dome.
The Fallen Angel silently hovered in the air with a still face. Even after obliterating the bishop's head, he did not look affected or burdened by the deed. Instead his eyes fell on Yuuto's sword. The pale man slowly lowered himself to the ground, "Boy, do you know just what it is you hold in your hand?"
"I have a faint idea." Yuuto looked at his sword again before holding the point out towards Kokabiel, "But I know for certain it's a powerful weapon, and I've been entrusted with it. Which means it's a blade I'll point at you, in service of my friends and my [King], Rias Gremory."
"Keh." Kokabiel scoffed, "I'd almost be tempted to offer you a chance to fight alongside me, but that silly fealty of yours is just too bothersome to deal with. Even though that ability requires a closer look, I suppose it can be inspected once we've fished your body out of the pile."
Yuuto stood beside Xenovia across from the Fallen Angel. Soon they both felt others fall into place around them. The ORC stood against Kokabiel as Rias stepped forward. There were rips in her clothes and she looked roughed up but the Gremory's heiress still exuded an air of regality and certainty. She folded her arms beneath her breasts and spoke, "What now, Kokabiel? Your forces have fallen and your 'secret weapon' has been destroyed. Now you are just a foreign agent in enemy territory, and the cavalry is coming. If you want you can still make the time to escape, the lingering reminder that you infuriated the Devils and will always have a target on your back with the Maous' fury focused on it...but I promise it will be better than the alternative."
She had to keep confident. Poised. She had to convince this madman that running away was the best course of action. Leaving now while he still could...avoiding a battle altogether...it was the best chance she and her team had of getting out of this in one piece.
But the smirk on his face...she knew she had failed. This man was content on throwing the worlds into chaos...that meant he was ready to accept the consequences as well.
"That's quite a warning, Little Sister of Lucifer. And I appreciate it." He smiled and ten black wings spread to their max wingspan behind him, "But I'm here for a reason. To ignite the flames of war."
"Why?" Rias shook her head. She grit her teeth, fed up with the madman's ridiculous repetition. She shook her head and yelled, "Why are you so set on waging war again?! What's wrong with this period of peace?! It may not be perfect but isn't that better than constant death and bloodshed?! If what Onii-sama and the others tell me is true, why would you want that to happen again?!"
...
"Heh. Hehehehe." Kokabiel started laughing. He cackled and shook his head like he had just heard a funny joke. The group of youngsters glared at the pale man before his laughter finally died down. He looked back up at them, "You don't see it, do you?"
"What?"
"What's wrong with this world. The reason why Sacred Gears are still appearing and passing around in this world even after the war has ended? The reason why that boy can create blades with the power of Angels and Demons? Why something like your [Queen], an abomination of Fallen Angel and Devil, continues to exist?"
Several of the Devils looked at Akeno in shock as the black-haired girl glared at Kokabiel.
"Why do you think we live in a world where Angels, Devils, and Fallen Angels choose to live teetering on the edge of war instead of fighting like we were born to do?"
"Why?"
"Because God is dead."
...
"W-what?"
"You heard me. God is dead. He died at the end of the war between all our factions. It wasn't just the original Satans and your Pillars that perished, but The Lord himself."
Their frames froze in shock and horror, a few of them shaking as they attempted to comprehend what Kokabiel had said. Rias snapped, "Stop lying!"
"I'm not." Kokabiel responded, "He died a long time ago. We haven't continued fighting because when we realized that if even the almighty God could die in this battle, what hope did we have? And if we continued, it would most certainly mean the end; not just for Earth, but all worlds."
Xenovia dropped her Excalibur as her legs buckled and she stumbled backwards. Koneko was quick to catch her waist before she fell over. But Asia's legs gave out beneath her as she mumbled under her breath, "N-no, that's not possible. I-it can't be. It just can't."
"It is. We are living in a world after the end of God himself. A world where Michael desperately tries to keep everything together after dear old dad passed away. A world where the Devils try to keep some form of control by finding gullible, expendable figureheads to lead the next generation as if everything is still fine. And a world where those that have fallen slowly await their extinction."
The nun clutched her head and started losing her breath. Issei tried to calm her but Asia continued hyperventilating, her eyes starting to water as the nun let out some strangled sobs. Xenovia looked like she was coming closer to doing the same. Even the Devils were shocked at this revelation.
To live in a world where an absolute being like God was dead...it was...
"It's wrong. This world is wrong. It shouldn't even still be around with him gone and yet here we are. Broken. Damaged. Becoming worse and worse everyday. But I'll fix that." He bared his sharp teeth and grinned, "This world shall pass with its creator. I'll start this war again. Properly this time. Our forces will fight...and the last of us will die out. I promise that I will prosper, and so will my brothers...in a world razed by the blood of Devils and Angels. In a world without God...our war shall prevail. Hehehehe...AHAHAHAHAHA-"
"HA!"
Naruto leapt over the field and kicked out for Kokabiel's head. The Fallen Angel was quick to dodge, gaining a good distance from the attacking blond to avoid the range of the invisible attack that followed. But the moment Naruto's foot touched the ground, he had leapt at Kokabiel. He covered the distance between them and threw a punch.
Kokabiel lunged a blade of Light out at Naruto's face as he forced the blond to dodge at the last moment. Naruto's fist still made to strike Kokabiel's face but the blond ninja screamed in pain when he felt a terrible searing pain against his forearm and forced him to retreat.
Naruto cradled his right arm, looking down at the burns and blood running over his skin. He looked up and saw Kokabiel had prepared a second weapon to drag over Naruto's arm when his fist came close enough.
Kokabiel smirked as he stood up with weapons in hand. Naruto grit his teeth and took a stance, inwardly cursing as he realized the Fallen Angel had already made a countermeasure to his fighting style. Kokabiel couldn't risk the strength or the followup of Naruto's punch, so he forced Naruto to back off or waver with his attack at the last moment. Those Light weapons still did damage to his body, so Kokabiel put them between Naruto's target and his attack.
He forced Naruto to stop or redirect his attacks, otherwise he risked seriously damaging himself.
This must be why Azazel warned him not to underestimate his former comrade.
"Quite a gun-ho reaction after hearing The Lord was dead."
"Yeah, that's a pretty big surprise." Naruto stood back up and swung his arm out to get some sensation back, "But that doesn't change the fact that right now we gotta kick your ass. Whatever reason you think you have, there is no fucking way I'm letting you start a war just because you're bored or you want to fight! I won't let you risk this peace for your goal!"
"Peace? Peace?! HAHAHA!" Kokabiel scoffed, "There is no peace! This is a time of mutually assured destruction! No one is making a move because if they did, that would be the end! That's why I'm making it! Because one move is all it takes! We can't live in harmony, it's impossible! We were born to fight! Bred to kill each other! It's in our nature - our very being! There is no world where the three factions can come together!"
"Devils!" Naruto slammed his fist against his chest before looking back-
"Church!"
Xenovia came out of her stupor and saw Naruto looking back at her. Seeing the look in his eyes, she felt something stir in her and her fallen posture straightened out. She still looked affected, her mind racing and her voice absent from her throat. But with some extra effort and a deep breath, her strength slowly returned to her. Her eyes hardened and her grip tightened around Durandal as she stood up straight.
Naruto turned again and looked at Akeno. The busty girl shied away from his gaze for a moment before realizing...he wasn't judging her or looking at her in spite. Even with his strange eyes she felt some sympathy - some understanding being conveyed to her. She looked around and saw the same looks from the ORC. The senior members conveyed their support, and even Issei and Asia did not look scared by her true heritage. She looked back up at Naruto...
"Fallen Angel."
Naruto turned back to Kokabiel, "All three factions are right here. Standing against you and trying to stop a war."
Rias' palms glowed as her Destruction gathered around her hand. Yuuto squared his shoulders as Xenovia slowly did the same. Akeno's form started crackling with electricity while Koneko's fists tightened. Issei helped Asia to her feet before glaring at Kokabiel and activating his gauntlet again.
"It may not be peace...but it's a start."
The Fallen Angel's panned across the faces of the children standing against him. Different powers. So much potential. Once upon a time, Kokabiel would have enjoyed a lengthy fight with them. A battle to push their limits and see what they could truly offer...
Maybe soon...he'll meet another group that could impress him like this.
"No, young fool." Kokabiel's hand waved out and a wall of Spears appeared in front of him, blocking the Fallen Angel from sight by their sheer numbers. The children in front of him jerked back in shock before he pointed forward...
"It's a delusion."
The wall of Light shot out towards them. Issei picked Asia up and ran while Yuuto carried Rias out of harm's way. Koneko and Akeno quickly jumped away while Xenovia dived to safety, abandoning Excalibur Destruction to dodge. The only one left facing the wall of Light was Naruto, charging forward with his eyes solely on where Kokabiel had stood. He weaved and danced through the openings between the Spears, some of them singeing his skin as he pushed forward.
He came out the other side but was immediately on the defensive as Kokabiel charged him with weapons in hand. The long conjured Lights swung out at Naruto's head as he was forced to duck beneath them. Any attempts for the blond to close in were thwarted as the weapons suddenly grew in length and made Naruto retreat further.
Naruto avoided the weapons as they became blurs around him, Sage Mode giving him the clarity and ability to dodge the Fallen Angel's reach if only by a few centimeters. He back-stepped and avoided a Spear stabbing by his feet, exploding and blinding him for a moment. He leaned back at a sharp angle to avoid the stab to his head before flipping back, gathering chakra to form a Rasengan. Kokabiel barreled through the dust and charged him by thrusting out his Spear as Naruto met its point with his jutsu.
The attacks burst upon impact, Naruto getting blown back as Kokabiel spread out his wings to halt his flight. The pale soldier gave a toothy grin as he flew in, chasing after Naruto before kicking him hard enough to send him across the field.
The Fallen Angel made to pursue further but heard a powerful crack over his head. He looked up just as he was enveloped by Holy Lightning. Akeno continued to bring the powerful electroshock down on him, summoning as much of her power as she could with a mighty yell.
But her attack started to change as Kokabiel easily barreled through and up to her. He threw the lightning off and grabbed Akeno by her arm and shoulder. She tried to throw him off her but he simply shrugged off her desperate attacks and strikes. He spun through the sky and threw her down into the ground hard enough to crater it as she yelled in pain.
"Damn you!" Rias yelled furiously after he had hurt her servants. She summoned her Destruction and released a massive blast at the man. Kokabiel palmed the destructive attack and soared through it towards the Gremory heiress with a cackle. Her attack evaporated as he grabbed her collar and pulled her back to attack-
But had to move his head as the short white-haired girl came flying up to them. She punched and kicked for his face as the Fallen Angel released the heiress in order to dodge. Koneko grunted and yelled while swinging at his head, the pale man not even looking concerned with her advance. He decided to stop playing around and caught her fist before slamming his elbow into her sternum. Koneko gasped for air before he spiked her to the ground as well.
"Koneko-chan!"
Yuuto came dashing in and caught the girl before she hit the ground, breath ragged and clutching her chest in pain.
"Hey asshole!" Issei yelled, getting the pale man's attention. His fury reaching its breaking point after watching the Fallen Angel pick his friends off. The brown-haired Devil raised his palm and conjured an orb of green energy. He clutched it with his gauntlet, "No more hurting my friends! Just stay still and die, you fucker!"
[BOOST][EXPLOSION]
"TAKE THIS! DRAGON SHOT!"
He released a massive green blast that covered the sky towards Kokabiel. He clicked his tongue and created a massive Spear of Light to meet it, "WRAAAHHHHH!" He slammed the point of his weapon down into the front of the blast and split it in half, wafts of green energy cascading and flowing against the dome above him. Kokabiel furrowed his brow before yelling and diving into the Demonic blast. His Spear disintegrated and he came out by Issei when the energy died out.
Kokabiel turned to the young [Pawn] before he could retreat. Kokabiel drove his fist into the pervert's gut. Issei's eyes shook and he coughed up blood, doubling over before his hair was grabbed and a knee slammed into his nose. Issei's head shot back with blood spurting out of his nose, falling back before he felt a powerful grip around his neck.
Kokabiel pulled Issei up as the young Devil gasped, choking on blood while struggling with the pressure around his throat. The Fallen Angel smiled, "We live in a world where Ddraig, the Red Dragon Emperor, has fallen so far." He tightened his grip and caused the boy to cough violently as Kokabiel pulled his fist back, "I may not get this chance ever again, so don't hate me too much for wanting to beat on the Sekiryuutei, okay?"
"HYAA!"
A blade came down behind him and the Fallen Angel summoned another Spear to his hand to block it. He felt the pressure coming off of the sword he had stopped and turned back to look at it. He looked down at the blue-haired girl wielding the Holy Sword and glowered at her, "You bounced back rather quickly."
"That's right." Xenovia growled, "I don't know whether what you said is true or not! But I will not let a mad man like you make me waver! WRAAAAHHHH!"
Xenovia gripped Durandal tightly as a massive aura started to cover the blue blade. Kokabiel felt the ground break and his weapon falter even as his grip stayed strong. His clicked his teeth in annoyance and released his grip on Issei's neck as he had to jump back when Durandal broke through his Spear.
He created another weapon and threw it at Xenovia, watching as the girl batted it away with Durandal. He continued throwing Spears as she charged through them. A few Spears singed her hair or grazed along her skin, burning it as she continued screaming towards him.
She came up to the Fallen Angel and yelled while bringing it down on his head. But he caught the blade on the palm of his hand and closed his fingers around it before she could pull back. The blade cut his hand and the aura burned his flesh but he didn't release his hold. Purple blood trickled down the length of the blade down to the hilt until it started covering Xenovia's grip. Her eyes narrowed as Kokabiel shrugged, "Admirable effort, girl, but you'll need more than that."
Xenovia's glare and scowl turned into a sharp smirk.
Kokabiel's other hand shot out and knocked the Holy Demonic Sword away before it could dig itself into his ribs. Yuuto's body jerked to the side after the sudden reaction before he caught his footing and charged again. His mixed blade disappeared in a flurry of blinding swipes but the sound of reverberating metal echoed around them as Kokabiel knocked the sword away with a fist to its flat edge.
Finally Kokabiel caught the blade between his fingers and held it so tightly that Yuuto couldn't pull it back. Kokabiel had both blades and both users in his grasp as they scowled at him. He found quite a bit of joy knowing that even backed with one of the Holy Swords and a completely new type of blade, these children had no hope of standing up to him.
That feeling faltered however when he felt something stab through his foot to pin him into the ground.
The Fallen Angel let out a strangled groan before looking down to see Yuuto had stabbed a Holy Demonic Sword through the bone. The Fallen Angel's grasp on the two swords faltered, giving Yuuto and Xenovia enough time to slip away and run.
Kokabiel looked down and tried to grab the sword through his extremity. He stopped however when he felt a surge of energy somewhere off to the side and looked up in shock.
"Are you sure about this?!" Rias yelled over the deafening sound as she continued to focus on gathering her Destruction into the attack. She looked worried, "I don't have much faith in this holding together!"
"Ara ara!" Akeno tried to sound unbothered but even she seemed concerned while adding her Holy Lightning into the mix, "What are the chances this will blow up in our faces?"
"Can you both shut up! You're worried about it exploding but I sorta need to concentrate so that doesn't happen!"
Naruto continued to focus on creating his Rasenshuriken as the elements of Lightning and Destruction gathered around it. His jutsu was covered with electricity as the black and red energy covered the spinning blade from the center.
Both girls stopped adding their power to his attack as it looked like it couldn't handle much more before it became uncontrollable. Naruto lifted their combined attack above his head as his eyes set on Kokabiel. The Fallen Angel was prying the sword out of his foot as Naruto twisted and yelled-
"TAKE THIS, YOU PRICK! GRAND STRIKE OF DESTRUCTION RASENSHURIKEN!"
Naruto threw his attack as hard as he could, a pocket of air blasting back over them as Akeno and Rias shielded their eyes. The jutsu soared across the field at blinding speeds, thunderbolts careening off of it while the Destruction around it obliterated the dust.
Kokabiel finally pulled the weapon out of his foot and tossed it away before spreading his wings to fly away. But the jutsu was already on him and he could no longer escape its range. The pale man created a massive Spear of Light to meet it head on as he roared, "RAAAAAAAHHHH!"
The point of the Spear pierced into the center of the Rasenshuriken as he attempted to push it back. The jutsu was refusing to yield as the force beneath it started to crater and furrow the ground. Kokabiel struggled to push it back any further before he increased the size of the Spear. The weapon grew to massive size and he started gaining some ground-
Until the Holy Lightning dancing around the justu started to chip away at the Spear. The Light construct weakened and buckled under the attack as the Destruction around it started to act up. The weapon finally shattered and Kokabiel's eyes widened as the jutsu started to expand and explode.
A dome of blue, black, red, and yellow energy violently exploded in the center of the field as the entire campus shook from the force. The ground splintered and winds kicked up with enough force to blow everyone off their feet. The sound of the attack was earsplitting, shattering any windows or glass that hadn't already been broken in the process of the fight.
It was like being on site of a bomb strike.
The blast finally disappeared as the energy from the combined attack died away. The ORC and Xenovia were left in the aftermath, a heavy cloud of dust and smoke filling the dome to the point where they almost choked on it.
"I-Issei-San!" Asia finally came back to her senses, a reprieve from her broken stupor after the immense explosion pulled her out of her shock. She spotted her friend in dire straights, sprawled out over the ground with bruises and blood over his face. She fell to her knees with a cry, immediately using her Twilight Healing to try and ease his pain as her eyes filled with tears, "I'm sorry! If I had moved a little faster-"
Issei coughed violently before attempting to give her an encouraging smile, "I-it's okay, Asia. That guy made you cry and that was enough for me to attack him. So no worries." His effort to relieve her worry didn't work perfectly, on the account his voice was strained after being strangled and his nose was bent, but Asia gave a sad nod and continued to help him through her tears.
"Did...did we actually do that?" Rias marveled at the results. The intensity of their combined attack still fresh in her mind before she looked over at her [Queen], "Did you think that would happen?"
"Did I think it would explode like that and ruin the field and school? No, no I didn't." Akeno moaned while wiping the dust and sand off her face. Her hair was loose and out of its ponytail but she didn't care enough to tie it back together. She sent a little frown back at the boy that got them to do it, "And what about you? Did you know it would - hey!"
Naruto collapsed on his hands and knees, panting heavily while his whole body shook. Rias and Akeno were quick to come to his side as the redhead panicked, "Naruto! What's wrong?"
"S-sorry." He said through his ragged breathing as he looked up at them as his eyes went back to normal, "I-I was really weak and tired after getting Remote Looper put in. I used Sage Mode to get up and come here as fast as I could. Without it, I'm sorta-"
"Surprised you're even awake?"
Naruto gave a small shrug and basically confirming Akeno's point. It hurt to move much but Naruto felt his head being cradled and gently pulled in to the side. His head was nuzzled between Rias' breasts and he felt his cheeks heat up from the sensation. But any embarrassment or wayward thoughts vanished when he felt her softly run her hand down his hair. He moved his head in her grasp to look up at her, holding him as if to affirm that he was really there as she smiled sadly down at him, "You make me worry so much while you're gone...now you're back but still making me worry. What ever am I to do with you?"
Naruto looked up at her in silence before lowering his head. He closed his eyes while feeling her hold him. It felt soft. She was warm. He opened his eyes, "I'm sorry for making you worry like that."
"I guess it would be too much to ask you never make me worry again, right?" His silence was a clear answer as she resigned to a small giggle, "Okay. Then can you promise to never disappear like that again? And to come back to me?"
"I will."
"Good."
"Ara ara~." Akeno let out an amused, teasing chuckle after silently watching the scene play out in front of her. Naruto jerked up in surprise as Rias simply turned to her best friend. The [Queen] smiled behind her hand, "Should I stick around or leave you two alone?"
"Not at all." Rias simply took Akeno's attempts in stride as she stood up. She attempted to fix her appearance despite her ripped clothing before looking down at the black-haired woman, "In fact Akeno, can you look over Naruto for a moment? Make sure he isn't hurt any worse than fatigue. I need to go check on our little problem."
"Of course, Buchou." Akeno smiled, "I'll take good care of him."
"Can I request someone else?" Despite his lack of energy, Naruto still deadpanned with an unamused look on his face.
"Oh, now don't be like that." Akeno smiled, "What's wrong with getting looked after by me?"
"Besides the fact that last time you did you made me painfully aware about your S&M fetish?"
"Oh, I didn't know you were that sensitive about discussions like that, Naruto-San." His eyes narrowed at the mocking nature of her tone before she shrugged, "Well if you feel like that then don't worry. I'm sure Asia-chan will come help out once she's done checking up on Issei-kun. Or not."
"You're a monster."
Rias walked off while they had their little back and forth. She looked around what remained of the field to see her peerage collecting themselves. Asia was fixing poor Issei's face after the beating he had received. Yuuto was reconvening with Koneko while that Church girl searched the dirt and dust for her Excalibur pieces.
Rias approached the smoking crater where Kokabiel had been overwhelmed by their combined attack. She couldn't sense anything but still she approached with caution. Her hand started collecting a small ball of Destruction-
Two things whipped by at blinding speeds on either side of her head. Her hair flapped back a moment later from the wind pressure as the cloud of dust in front of her buckled under the sharp wind.
"GAH!"
"AHHH!"
Rias' eyes widened as she looked back in horror. A Spear had lodged itself in Naruto's gut and Akeno's shoulder. They both toppled over, grasping at their wounds in agony as the others screamed their names in shock.
Rias heard the same sound behind her as more Spears flew out of the dust cloud. One hitting Yuuto in the leg, another in Xenovia's arm, and another grazing Koneko's side. Asia screamed as Issei collapsed in front of her, using his body as a shield to guard her from two constructs that now stood out of his back.
Rias looked on in horror as her peerage cradled their bloody wounds in an attempt to relieve their pain.
She felt something suddenly appear behind her as she turned back to face it.
Kokabiel had survived.
But he was not unharmed.
He was missing an arm. His right appearance burned down to the bicep after trying to halt the attack they had used against him. Even if he did avoid being destroyed in the explosion, he did not fully escape it. Burns had covered nearly half of his body now, cooking his once pale skin into a nasty pink meat scab that continued to bleed and bubble. The right set of wigs had been burned down to half their wingspan, and most of his hair was gone. Only a small fraction of the once silky curtain now rested on the back left of his head.
Half his face was burned away, skin and some bone peeking out. But even in a horrific state like that, the Fallen Angel didn't scream. Rather he silently looked down as both eyes focused on her.
Rias tried to swipe at him with her power but his hand immediately wrapped around her wrist before she attacked. His grip tightened and the Gremory heiress screamed in pain while she felt something crack under her skin. His hand released her, waving up and striking her across the face before firmly latching itself around her mouth. The redhead choked as she was lifted off her feet and in front of the injured soldier. Her legs kicked out and knocked into his knees but he took it in stride.
Considering the pain he was withstanding, that must have felt like nothing.
"I've decide...to change my plan." His voice was calm as he looked around the field at the young warriors he had felled, "I was planning to kill all of you to instigate war...but not anymore. The war will proceed...but you will not see it. I'll take you all back with me. Have my time with you. My fun with you. I'll subjugate each of you to pains and miseries worse than you could possibly imagine. And when I'm done, I'll keep doing it. Until I kill you out of boredom. Except I can't do it to you." His eyes landed on Akeno as she gasped and held her bloody arm, "Baraqiel would never stop hounding me if I killed you, so you'll live. I'll keep you updated. You can't get out of this so easily. And I'll do the same thing to the peerage outside. But you..."
Kokabiel pulled his arm in and looked Rias in the eye while she tried to pull his hand off her mouth. He spoke while a sick smirk took place over his disfigured face, "I won't kill you. Or Leviathan's sister either. You two are special. Not because you have any information for me...but because you matter to them. I'll do special things to you two. I'll pull out your teeth. I'll cut off your fingers. I'll whip you both naked and pull off the skin I cut. Then I'll flay the rest until you both are left in your muscle fibers, scream for death as a mercy. And when you do...I'll fix you up. Make you good as new...before we start again, using new and exciting things to make you scream. And when I don't feel like torturing you, I'll rape you. I'll come back from the battlefield, and cover you in your siblings' blood before we start again. And then I'll offer you to my soldiers. My servants. Any passerby. Even the livestock. You'll both be toys of the Fallen Angels while we massacre your kind."
Rias' eyes narrowed in defiance as Kokabiel smirked, "I'm so lucky you have such a long lifespan. I'll get to see how long it takes each time for me to break you over and over and over and over."
Naruto groaned, feeling blood fill up his mouth as he coughed it out. He looked to the side and saw Akeno struggle to lift herself up with a large, bloody hole in the side of her shoulder. He struggled to lift his head and look down at his own injury.
He sorta wish he hadn't now.
It hadn't gone through him completely. But it did bore through into his stomach, and he could plainly see that. He took sharp breaths through the pain and tried to lift himself up but found no strength in his limbs. He fell back on the groan in pain even as his eyes locked on to the struggling redhead a few meters away.
Rias was in trouble.
She needed help.
So it didn't matter if he couldn't move! He had to do something! Anything dammit!
"Issei-San!"
He looked over and saw Asia over the pervert and trying to heal his back of the gaping holes in them. He saw what was happening and immediately shielded Asia. Dammit...Fuck-Face was starting to get his respect.
With Asia's healing in effect, Issei shifted on the ground. He barely lifted his head and rested in the dirt even as his brown eyes locked in with Naruto's.
They shared the same look. One that said even if they couldn't move, that wasn't enough to stop them.
Naruto nodded and Issei returned it.
"Hey!"
Naruto yelled at the top of his lungs even as he started coughing up blood again. Kokabiel stopped whispering his plans to torment Rias as his gaze fell on Naruto instead. The whiskered man yelled from the ground, "Is this it? You planned to kill us but now you're going to torture us? What changed your mind? Be honest."
Kokabiel slammed his knee into Rias' stomach before tossing her to the ground, stopping her from getting up or running. Naruto wanted to roar and punch the Fallen Angel to death for that but right now he had to settle with keeping his attention, "I bet I know! It's because we beat you, wasn't it?! You're just a sore loser! Can't handle the loss so you gotta get even! Man, you need to get used to not winning all the time! Now that you're down an arm and most of your working body, you'll be losing a lot more! But you gotta tell me, with how much of you got cooked, did we accidentally boil your-"
Naruto didn't get any further as Kokabiel slammed his heel down on the wound.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"BASTARD!" Akeno yelled and threw a bolt at Kokabiel who merely caught it and sent it back in one fluid motion. Akeno was blown back while the evil solider continued to dig his heel into the wound.
Naruto let out a bloodcurdling scream while red coated Kokabiel's foot, "I'm not killing you because I'd be denying myself the joy of toying with all of you. I did underestimate you lot, and I've payed a heavy due for that mistake, so now I'm treating you like true warriors back in the day. Small cells. Latches and chains. Blood and screams. And a slow...agonizing death."
"Y-y'know, A-Akeno might actually enjoy the first two." Naruto screamed again as Kokabiel pushed down harder. His eyes nearly rolled back as his vision went dark but Naruto remained conscious to keep attention on him, "S-so you admit it was a m-mistake to underestimate us, b-but you're still doing it now!"
"Now? Hehehehe." Kokabiel chuckled and he leaned on his knee, pressing the heel further into the blond's stomach as he let out a strangled gasp and coughed up more blood, "Boy it was one thing when you were able, but you're broken. You must be an idiot if you believe you can still fight."
"Y-yeah," Naruto stuttered, "W-well that's the thing. You see what you don't understand about idiots...is that we never stop trying."
[TRANSFER]
A bright green light shined for only a moment but Kokabiel panicked. He dug his foot out of Naruto and looked back to see Issei back up on his feet. But even more shocking was the fact that his left arm was now completely transformed into something similar to a dragon limb.
[There. You sacrificed your left arm for a temporary boost of my power. I can only promise you 12 seconds of use, considering how weak your body is, so make good use of it.]
"Yeah. Thanks Ddraig. Thanks a ton." Issei muttered while holding his new arm. The Dragonification already taken place over his once normal arm as the pervert grinned, "I won't waste this."
[WELSH DRAGON OVER BOOST]
Issei yelled at the top of his lungs as a deep red aura covered his entire body. The aura solidified and formed a massive suit of armor that covered his entire body. Kokabiel's eyes widened, sensing the power coming off of the [Pawn].
"Set!"
Kokabiel was suddenly struck with Holy Lightning when he wasn't prepared.
"5x!"
The attack struck him over and over as the Fallen Angel was left screaming in pain. The thunder finally vanished only for a giant gauntlet to dig itself into his cheek.
[10]
"HAAA!" Issei yelled as he followed through with the strike and sent Kokabiel flying across the field. He quickly chased after him, not giving the beaten man a moment to recover. He went in to attack again but the Fallen Angel's remaining wings spread out and maneuvered him as Issei passed. He moved before Issei could recover-
"AHHH!"
But felt two swords stab into his back while he attempted a strategic retreat. He turned to see Xenovia and Yuuto catch him by surprise before Koneko leapt up and dug her fist into his cheek. He was knocked off their skewers-
[7]
The hulking red armor came back around and dug his fist into Kokabiel's stomach, doubling the man over before he was blasted up into the air. Massive green flames burst out of Issei's back and sent him flying upwards to catch the Fallen Angel. Kokabiel gathered himself again and created a massive Spear of Light before throwing it down at Issei.
This time the Devil had no trouble facing the attack, taking it in one hand and shattering it completely before continuing to fly up. Kokabiel panicked, starting to flap his remaining wings in an attempt to escape-
But failing as a wave of Destruction flew upwards and annihilated the wings before they could help him escape. Kokabiel looked back down and saw Rias on the ground with one hand extended, "YOU FUCKING-"
[3]
Issei appeared above him and spiked him into the ground, cratering the earth from the force as Kokabiel gasped in pain. The Fallen Angel struggled to his feet-
[BOOST][BOOST][BOOST][BOOST][BOOST][BOOST][BOOST][BOOST][BOOST][BOOST][BOOST][BOOST][BOOST][BOOST]
Kokabiel looked up and saw a massive green light expand and recede from the jewels of the red armor as its power grew to unimaginable heights.
"Set."
He looked over and saw Naruto reaching out with his Sacred Gear. The blond grinned, "I warned you...don't underestimate idiots."
[1]
"DRAGON SHOT!"
[EXPLOSION]
The massive green blast came falling down and overwhelmed Kokabiel in an instant.
"10x!"
The explosion from the impact repeated ten times, growing larger and larger and more powerful as it ruined the remainder of the campus with ease. The green energy finally disappeared as the injured ORC looked on silently.
Issei came falling back to the ground but just stopped himself from crashing with help from his wings. He stumbled to the ground and took a sharp breath, gripping his changed arm in pain.
"Looks like you made a stupid move."
Issei looked aside and saw Naruto sitting up with some help from Akeno. His gut was blood red and their was even some leaking out from his right arm after overusing his freshly implanted Sacred Gear.
Issei chuckled, "Takes one to know one."
"Fair enough."
"Issei-kun," Akeno looked worried for her junior, "Your arm?"
"I-its okay, Akeno-San! No worries!" Issei tried and failed to look unaffected by the new state of his limb, "It doesn't even hurt really."
"Enough." Issei's head was bonked as Rias stepped past him and looked down sternly at the two idiots, "You two are going to need some serious treatment after this."
"Rias." Naruto asked with worry in his voice, attempting to stand up but failing on account of his wound, "Are you-"
"I'm fine. Sore and a little disturbed by that man's mindset but nothing too horrific. I'm more worried about all of you." Her eyes landed on their wounds before she turned, "Asia!"
"Y-yes!" The nun came running to her [King]'s call.
"I know you must be tired, but can you give them some treatment. They need your help."
"O-of course!" The short girl nodded before kneeling down and holding her hands over Naruto's gut. A green aura covered her hands, "I'll do my best."
"Good." Rias looked over at the smoking crater and slowly approached it.
"Is he-"
"Not dead. But he's done." Rias looked in, spotting the downed form of the Fallen Angel after he had finally succumbed to the damage. His body was hidden under a layer of dirt, so she didn't know what was missing and what wasn't. But honestly she didn't care.
She wished she could have caused him more pain.
But she would have to trust that to her brother and the higher-
The dome above them shattered into pieces as something collided into the crater in front of her. Rias was nearly blown back by the force of the wind and tried to shield her eyes as well as catch a glimpse of what had caused the strange occurrence.
Her eyes widened when she saw an almost exact replica of the armor Issei had worn a moment ago. But this one was a sparking white, with massive wings made of bright blue energy spreading out from its back. The being reached down and picked Kokabiel up by the nape of his neck before turning to face them. Rias blinked in shock before demanding, "Who are you? Identify yourself!"
"..." The figure remained silent before its gaze turned to look behind her, "So...finally confronting my nemesis...and he's too exhausted for us to have our first match. How disappointing."
Rias' eyes widened and she looked back at Issei as he looked just as confused by what was happening, "Who? Me?"
"I suppose a better time will come soon enough. At the moment I have to take care of this man."
"Wait." Rias' voice was stern even when faced with the powerful entity before her as she glared, "Are you planning to revive that man?"
"No." The armor shook its head, "Not at all. In fact he's being taken to be properly punished. Seems he angered a lot of friends with this stunt. His idea was fun but I suppose it was poorly executed."
Her eyes narrowed, "So you're allied with the Fallen Angels?"
"Who knows?" His response was ambiguous but condescending as he started taking off, "I suppose you'll just have to wait and find out."
Rias looked up and watched the white armor fly off into the sky at blistering speeds.
The White Dragon Emperor.
She didn't like the pit in her stomach that formed at the idea of facing a monster like the Hakuryuukou so soon.
||||||||Devil||||||||
"O-okay." Asia mumbled after she finished the final round of healing her friends. She stumbled back on her feet and nodded, "I-I think that's the last of it."
Koneko gently rubbed her arm and felt the area that had once been burned by the Light attack. She looked up at the nun, "Thank you, Asia-senpai. I'm sorry for making you heal me when you're so tired."
"That's fine, Koneko-chan." The tired girl assured her junior before giving a firm nod with a kind smile, "This is my duty as a healer. It doesn't matter what kind of injuries you may get, I promise I will fix them as best as I can!"
"She's not kidding." Naruto smiled and lifted up his shirt to inspect where the hole in his stomach no longer existed. Even the pain in his arm was gone as he lowered his ruined uniform back down, "Just wish you could fix cloth too."
"I-I'm so sorry!"
"Hey, c'mon Senpai! Don't make Asia feel bad! She's fixed us all up in no time flat!" Issei reprimanded the older blond and waved his still mutated arm up in the air.
"Sorry sorry. I'm sorry for making you feel like that Asia."
"I-it's okay, Naruto-San. I'm just glad I could help." The meek blonde smiled, "A-and I'm glad that you are okay." Naruto smiled as well and patted the girl's head as she happily accepted the show of affection.
Issei glowered and wanted to argue again but Akeno pulled his arm down, "Don't move too much. I still need to fix your arm, Issei-kun." Her hands started to glow as his left arm started looking distinctly more human, "It'll look normal once we're done but we can't change it back. Unfortunately-"
"It'll be like that forever. I know. Ddraig gave me the same warning." Issei nodded and smiled, "But it's fine. I knew the consequences but it was still worth it to teach that prick a lesson."
"Thank you for your sacrifice, Issei." Rias thanked her [Pawn] as she entered the room again with Yuuto following behind her. Her peerage turned to her as she smiled, "Onii-sama's people are fixing the school now as we speak. It'll be back to perfect condition by tommorw for us to go to school."
"Hooray." Not a lot of enthusiasm at that update.
"And what about Xenovia?"
"We sent her off after she was done being healed by Asia-San. She took the pieces of Excalibur with her and thanked us for our help." Yuuto answered, "She'll probably be heading home by tomorrow."
"I'll be honest. With how this all started, I never believed it would end with us working alongside her to fight that enemy. But she was quite impressive. And intriguing." Rias noted as she sat down on the couch and leaned back with a sigh, "But I am glad it is over."
"Yes." Akeno nodded with her smile, "It's been quite a long night."
"Yes it has. And it is going to get even longer."
...
Naruto realized how silent the room went and looked back to see all eyes on him.
"Now?"
"Seems as good a time as any."
"Well yeah I guess but aren't we all tired?"
"We are. But is there a reason you can't tell us now?"
Naruto blinked and thought for a moment before shaking his head, "Nope. Now is fine. In fact it's perfect. Because I don't just want to tell you how I got this Sacred Gear." Naruto walked around the couch and looked between all of them before his eyes fell to Rias, "If you're willing to listen...I'd like to tell you a little about myself."
"Finally!" Issei exclaimed, "Been waiting to hear from what's up."
"I will absolutely listen to your story, Naruto-San." Asia sat down and looked up at him expectantly.
"After your help, I would be honored." Yuuto gave a small bow and smiled.
"Well I suppose we should listen in case you cause anymore trouble." Akeno laughed at his frown.
He looked to Koneko who had her gaze lowered for just a moment. The little freshman looked back up at him with a guilty expression before steeling herself and nodding.
Finally he looked towards Rias to see her smile.
"I want to know everything about you..." She repeated to him, "If you're ready to tell me."
He smiled and leaned against her desk while the club members took their seats. He took a deep breath and scratched his head...
"Well...I guess I should probably start by telling you...I'm not from around here."
||||||||Devil||||||||
Done
YEEEEESSSSSS! TOOK ME FUCKING FOREVER BUT I FINALLY FINISHED THIS GODDAMN ARC! FUCK EXCALIBUR! WOOHOO!
Sorry...just needed to vent.
Happy Holidays~.
So, I'll just say this now. No, the next chapter isn't going to be Naruto explaining his story. It'll be after he's finished.
I've read too many stories where Naruto tells his life perfectly from beginning to end. There's nothing wrong with this when necessary, b it's usually not that necessary. It's good for him to tell his new friends what's happened in his life. But I always find two problems with it.
1) We know the story, so I don't wanna spend a chapter reading about it. If it's a new backstory or something you changed then by all means. But if it's canon then don't bother. I spent 15 years reading about it the long way. I don't need a condensed version.
And 2) Who can actually listen or tell a story like that? Who would listen if someone started the story off like, "It all started the moment I was born." I know that actually applies to Naruto, but to follow up with 17 years of it? Plus, to be fair, has Naruto ever struck you as the kind of character to remember his life like that in perfect detail? He needs people to use simplified terms when they train him and he remembers his efforts learning the Rasengan as sensations and sounds. Maybe important, stand out moments he could remember to himself, but not to such detail that he could retell a whole story about his life.
I remember key moments in my life, but can I remember everything about them and explain them in a story? No.
Naruto isn't telling them his whole story because he can't recall all of it. Just the important things and how he got there.
See? Just saved us a whole chapter.
Anyway, enough of my bitching. I hope you enjoyed your holiday and are having a great time.
Please be safe and happy.
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Thank You and Bye