The following day came rather quickly as Issei reached Yumi's apartment. The surprise was when he arrived he saw Koneko standing next to the door. "Didn't expect to see you here."
She nodded "I want to help Yumi." Issei saw a desire in her eyes to do good.
Issei nodded hearing that "Sounds good to me." Issei walked over to the door and knocked on it.
They waited a bit as the door opened as Yumi walked out closing and locking the door. "Morning… did the pain go away?"
"Yes it did… now let's go." Yumi face scrunched as she still wasn't happy to speak about it
After a brief walk, they made it into the downtown section of the city. "So what are we looking for?" Yumi asked.
"Nothing in particular." Issei said as they walked around "But you will know about it when you see it."
"That wasn't helpful." Koneko pushed on Issei's arm.
After 20 minutes of wandering around, they found it. "We're looking for that weren't we?" In front of them in the square were two girls dressed in white cloaks.
"Bingo." Issei headed towards them as he overheard an argument that the two girls were having.
"That can't be Saint Peter everything about him looks wrong." Xenovia was arguing with Irina over a painting they were holding.
"No, he looks just like this. I saw a painting of him in the church and he looks the same."
"You Protestants are heretics for a reason, this painting is a disrespect to the saint." Xenovia was getting hot
"Catholics are far too hardline in your beliefs. Times have change get used to it."
The two of them argued until a rumbling was heard from them "So." Issei's voice startled them as they turned around "Not only is the church too stingy to pay me from the sounds of it they forgot to give you money as well."
"No we had money but Irina spent it all on the fake of a painting." Xenovia said after she calmed down.
"So your broke in a country that isn't popular with the church. But fortunately for you, we need food." Issei turned around as he smiled at them.
After a bit, they were in a restaurant eating food as Irina and Xenovia were devouring food at an alarming rate. Issei set up a small barrier around the table so they could talk about a sensitive topic and not have others around them listen in. "We sold our souls for food." Irina said as she continued.
"If this is how we finish the mission then it's fine." Xenovia looked up to them "So why did you find us."
"The two of you came here to retrieve the Excaliburs." Issei pointed to his left as Yumi was sitting there. "And she is going to break one so she isn't in a grumpy mood for the rest of time." Issei picked up his fork and shoved food into his mouth not worry about what was to come.
"It might be okay leaving a single sword for her to destroy. That is if you can even destroy it but secrecy is at its utmost. The two of us don't need the high ups or enemies thinking that we are connected to the devils."
"What higher-ups?" Issei asked "You two are the only from the church's supernatural core in Japan. The only way they find out is if you talk. And if it comes down to fighting Kokabiel it's going to be a combined force anyway. Your notions of needing secrecy are beyond paranoia."
"Are you sure about this Xenovia the two of them are devils?" Irina looked at Xenovia after hearing that.
"The minimum objective is to destroy the three swords or bring them back. If our blades are stolen then we need to destroy them. It's a 30% chance to succeed in our mission if we use that."
"Even then we thought 30% was enough of a chance to succeed. It's almost self-sacrifice."
"Suicide." Koneko corrected them.
"As followers isn't that what we desire?"
Xenovia looked at Issei "I changed my mind, I believe I can be flexible in my faith so I can act in a way for the best results."
"Good." Issei said looked at her "Faith is what you make of it. There is no solid way about it, it is what you make of it."
"Your not wrong." Xenovia said "But I never thought I would meet the Sekiryuutei in the far East. I know that your no longer human anymore that much is clear. So the legend of the Boosted Gear is true then you can raise your power to the level of Lucifer?"
Issei nodded during most of her speech as he heard the end. "Are you referring to the original Lucifer or the current on the red hair one?"
"The Red One."
"Hell no." Issei waved her off. "That dude is a freak. I can go past the Original lucifer."
"Before we agree to this I have one final thing. In the Vatican, there are rumors that many years ago a small red dragon would appear with the Archangel Gabriel…"
"Yes" Issei knew what the rest of the question was as he didn't bother listening.
"Then we have come to terms."
"I don't like getting permission to destroy a sword." Yumi wasn't pleased with everything that transpired.
"Good thing they didn't give it to you and I did." Issei said cheerfully as he poked her a few times in the side trying to cheer her up.
"Yumi do you hate the Holy Sword Project that much?" Irina asked.
"Of course." Her voice was dark and almost downright murderous.
"But that project showed results. It created people like Xenovia and I who can you use holy swords." Irina tried to justify its actions.
"And you think it's a forgivable act to kill the test subject because we were thought to be a failure. All for you to be able to use those blades."
"Valper Galilei. That's who headed up the Holy Sword Project." Xenovia shared a tidbit of information regarding the project.
Yumi felt better knowing that she had a name to go after. "2 days ago I saw one of your priests die." Irina and Xenovia were surprised to hear it. "It was by a person named Freed Sellzen. Sound familiar?"
"I thought he died." Koneko thought back to when she last saw him.
"Apparently not."
"Freed Sellzen was an exorcist for the Vatican. A genius at the age of 13 earned the rank of exorcists due to his achievements in eliminating devils and beasts. But he never believed in the lord and just wanted to kill things even his allies. They cut him loose after he was charged for heresy." Xenovia told them.
Issei grabbed a pen and napkin and jotted down a number and passed it to them. "Anything you find you call me."
"We already have your number Issei." Irina smiled at him as she took out her phone and pushed some buttons as Issei's phone rang.
The two girls slid out of the both "Thanks for the meal, Sekiryuutei." Xenovia said as Irina winked at him and waved as the two of them left.
Once the two exorcists left the restaurant Yumi looked over at Issei and spoke with a quiet tone "Why did you do this for me?"
Issei wrapped his arm around her "I cant harass a corpse, and then I cant harass Rias if you're dead. You have a group that cares about you and you need to see that."
Yumi and Koneko made eye contact "If you're gone then I would be lonely." Koneko put on a sad expression that Yumi couldn't ignore.
"Okay." Yumi deflated when she saw Koneko like that. She looked up to Issei 'So what do I owe you for all of this."
Issei only smiled "Oh nothing… for now."
A few days passed as each night they went out patrolling around the city looking for clues only to come up empty-handed. Unfortunately, the exorcists had plenty of free reigns while Issei was still bound to school. "Issei you okay?" Issei heard getting his attention as it came from Motohama, a brown-haired pervert with glasses.
Issei was snapped out of his thoughts and back to reality "Yeah yeah." He waved it off. "I was just thinking about something."
"I bet it was something about Rias and Akeno's breasts."
Issei shook his head "I don't have those outlandishly perverse thoughts like the two of you do. You could just look at them nod your head and go yep those are huge breasts. But you always have to bring it up instead of keeping to yourself."
A bald man next to him stuck his hands out like he was holding something "But 99 and 101cm."
Issei saw some of the girls in the class groan hearing that. "And now you ruined every man and some ladies guessing game Matsuda. Look, guys, you already get beat up by Katase and Murayama every day for trying to peak, have you thought about I don't know not doing that? You don't see Kiryuu getting caught every day being a pervert."
"Don't drag me into this." The aforementioned girl looked back at them as she pushed up her glasses.
"Everybody can see that you're drooling over Asia." Issei said as the two perverts tried to stop Issei from speaking "Don't get her started." They tried to stop Issei but it was far too late.
Kiryuu's glasses had a shining moment as she looked at the three of them as an odd aura washed over them. She smiled at Issei but was disappointed at the rest "You know just as Matusda knows about us ladies sizes, I can do the same for men." She pointed at the two perverts "You two at full mast couldn't even pleasure any woman." There was a laugh from the remaining class members "But you Hyoudou, I wish I was Asia now as no girl can resist that monster."
Laughs and whispers were heard from the students "That's not the first time I've heard that."
"Wait you've done it?" Kiryuu was shocked as she said that.
"You said that not me" He pointed at her while out of the corner of his eye he saw Asia standing there "yes?" He asked her.
"It's time for club Issei." Asia informed him as she was standing there with her bag in hand ready to go.
"Oh okay." He gathered up his stuff so they could leave.
Kiryuu tugged on Asia's sleeve as she whispered into her ear. "I wouldn't mind borrowing your boyfriend if possible." He grabbed hold of Asia making sure to separate her from the bad influence that was bound to happen and they made their way to the club room.
Club activities for the day consisted less of devils doing work but more of a search party as Katase and Murayama tackled their demonic powers. Issei Yumi and Koneko met up in the park with Xenovia and Irina. They were given clothes to get changed into as the plan was to walk around the city dressed as members of the church to try and attract out whatever their target could be.
"I understand this city is big and the two of you have had free reign for the last few days. But nothing has been found?" Issei asked as they walked around in the fading light as they came to an area on the outskirts of town.
"So far no." Irina said as she looked somewhat depressed from the lack of anything as Yumi stopped walking causing everyone else to stop.
"Yumi…" Koneko was only about to utter her name as a wave of blood lust washed over them.
"Up," Issei said as a white-haired man dressed in a priest outfit came crashing down between them. Yumi drew a sword as she deflected the incoming strike. "Who is this weirdo?"
"Freed." Yumi stared him down as she was trying to decipher what sword he was carrying as it was radiating holy power.
"The psychopath Sellzen?" Issei asked as he hadn't seen him before.
"Yes, that's him. The former exorcist Freed Sellzen." Xenovia drew her Excalibur Destruction as Yumi and Freed had started going at it trading blows.
"Too bad little girly." Freed swung down his mutated-looking sword as a crack was heard as Yumi's blade was sheared off.
"A single swing broke her blade, impressive." Issei said as the top of the blade was sent flying into the wall behind Yumi.
"My Excalibur is far too much for your puny demonic sword." Freed stroked the blade and licked a part of it.
Yumi summoned a vast amount of swords as they filled the area. She charged towards Freed pulling a sword out and slamming it into the so-called Excalibur. She swapped her tacting from head-on to guerilla warfare as she used the power of the knight piece to bounce around attacking him with a new sword every time.
"You can't use circus tricks to beat me." Freed swung his blade around deflecting Sword attacks. "My Excalibur is faster than you are." The top of the blade began to rotate like a propeller at a high rate of speed as he thrust it at Yumi. She put up an admiral defense but she was outclassed as the mutated Excalibur bore a hold into her sword breaking it with ease.
Issei stepped forward as he watched Freed get ready to swing his blade down on Yumi. He was there in front of Freed holding the blade stopping it from hitting Yumi. He could feel Freed doing all he could do to push the blade down. "You're going to need much more than this." Issei tapped his fingers on the side of the blade.
"Some shit head like you caught my blade." Freed gritted his teeth as he tried to push down even more trying to muscle the blade around.
"Okay look." Issei said as he moved his hand back and forth jostling Freed around as he wasn't going to let go. "I know psychopaths like you generally want to reproduce but have you ever thought about just not?"
'What the…" Freed only got out the two words as was sent flying backward into the entrance of the building behind him.
"Freed!" A new male voice echoed from the building as out came and an older man dressed in priest robes.
"Valper Galilei." Yumi glared at the old man, seeing him behind freed.
"That's who I am." He answered as he turned to Freed. "What's the holdup? Use the element and deal with this. You have already wasted enough time here."
"Fine." Freed focused on the blade as a white hue glowed around the blade.
"Freed Sellzen, Valper Galilei. In the name of God, I will cut you down." Irina yelled out as she rushed towards Freed ready to strike.
The two blades clashed as Xenovia picked up her Excalibur and made her way into the fight. When Valper saw that two more Excalibur blades were entering the battlefield he reached down into his robe. "Plans changed, we need to report to the Boss." Out of his pocket, he had his fist curled and threw something at the ground. When it hit the ground it cracked open creating a burst of light.
"Get back here." Irina yelled as she saw them running away and with Xenovia chased after them. Yumi was no better as she ran off with them to chase after them.
"Oh, she is going to get it." Issei said as he looked over at Koneko.
"And just what do you think you're doing?" They heard Sona as he looked over and saw her and Tsubaki walking towards them.
Issei flicked his finger and nodded at Koneko "Head home, we humored the exorcists with their plan for the night." Koneko did not object as she teleported away leaving the three of them.
"The exorcists had their fun. Now I have to deal with the problem." Issei moved towards the two girls.
"And how do you plan on dealing with it?" Sona asked him
Issei got in front of her and put his index under her chin and thumb on chin lifting it to look at him "Something is going to happen tonight, so be prepared for anything." He let go of her face "It's unfortunate your not as eccentric as your sister. But that's not honestly that bad of a thing." A red magic circle appeared under him as he teleported away leaving them there.
Tsubaki looked over at Sona in awe of what she just heard "Did he just try to hit on you?"
"I...I think he did. What any of that has to do with my sister is beyond me." She shook her head "Head home for now, and let's see if his words have any truth."
Issei teleported back home with no fuss about anything that happened tonight from Rias. Dinner was had and after some time the three of them went off to bed. Sleep didn't last long as Issei expected as tonight was somewhat special as Rias and Asia were both in his bed tonight and he felt them both get up at the same time. The girls were out of bed and Rias was looking out the window as Issei made his way over to them "Oh it's freed." Issei said as he yawned out his words.
"There's a fallen angel as well." Rias saw the barrier around the area and a man floating in the sky nearby.
"Awww did I interrupt your fuck? I was never good at reading the mood." Freed was licking his lips as he had a smile on his face.
Rias changed into her clothes in a matter of seconds with magic as Asia put on her clothes that she had in the room. Issei followed Rias out of the house as he also made a quick change of clothes with his magic. When they got outside the Freed had backed away from the house. Looking up from Freed the fallen angel was hovering above them with ten black wings and a black roble suit combination. "Daughter of house Gremory, this may be our first meeting. But that crimson hair of yours is enough to make me hate you even more."
"Nice to meet you Kokabiel Cadre of the fallen angels. I am Rias Gremory a clan near and far from a Satan. Discussing politics with me is not worth the time."
Kokabiel smiled hearing that "Here." He threw something down at them as Issei focused on what it was. When he saw hair flying around he moved to intercept it as he caught a bloody but alive body of Irina. Issei looked over some of her wounds and saw cuts and bruises on her body as she was in rough shape. He took her over to Asia and laid her on the ground "She came into my base. It was only fair I welcomed her with an equal response of self-defense. Those other two that came with her got away."
Asia got to work healing Irina as she was missing her weapon. Rias was glaring at him as she wasn't exactly happy to hear about this. "What's your goal?"
"I want to start my rampage right here. Your academy will be my starting point and that should kick start the end. I could rape you and get your brother angry at me. But there's no fun in that when the war starts here."
"You do realize that you would be starting the Great war all over again."
"That's what I want." Kokabiel was all too eager to answer her. "But Michael only sent these small fries and two swords and that's boring. But if I start everything here it gets much more interesting and I get excited. And starting it right here will draw the ire of Sirzechs and draw him out."
"You're an insane battle freak!" Rias shouted at him.
Kokabiel laughed hearing that and with a smile on his face, he looked down at Rias "Yes, yes I am. Azazel and Shemhazai aren't for war. Azazel started collecting sacred gears and doing research. But none of that is useful. It's a kill or be killed world." Kokabiel noticed that Issei wasn't paying attention to him. That battle will be commencing real soon. The school of the sisters of Satans will be the battleground. A place where the power of Excalibur can be the leader of the war."
"Isn't my boss just crazy?" Freed laughed as he heard Kokabial's plan.
Wings flapped pushing the air down the ground "Come to your school and we will have a war." Kokabiel said as his voice got distant as he flew away. Freed ran off right after leaving the four of them.
"We need to get to the school." Rias turned around looking at Issei and Asia.
"She needs some help." Issei pointed down at Irina.
Rias nodded as she formed a magic circle getting everything ready for the upcoming battle.
Ten minutes passed as a small group of people were gathered outside of the school gates. "The school and surrounding area have been covered, there should be no damage outside of the barrier." A blonde hair man named Saji informed Rias.
"I'm not sold on this one Rias." Sona said to her "If Kokabiel fights seriously this whole area will be turned to nothing. But for now, my servants and I will maintain the barrier to reduce the damages as much as we can. I don't know how long we can hold it but we will."
"Very well we will deal with it from here."
Sona was getting ready to walk away. "Your opponent is a cade well above ours. It's not too late to call your brother."
Rias shook her head "Did you call your sister?"
"My sister is… your brother loves you very much so he will make the appropriate plans."
"I already called Sirzech's." Akeno got their attention.
"Akeno! Why would you do that."
"Rias I know you don't want to cause problems for your brother. But this is a problem that is well beyond us. Kokabiel is a leader of the Fallen Angels. There is no shame in calling in an appropriate strength to match what is in here." Akeno told her.
"Fine." Rias exhaled letting her shoulders sink "How long do we have to hold him off?"
"One hour."
"Great" Rias shook her head as she looked at her servants "One inside the barrier we need to hold Kokabiel's attention." She pointed towards the school "Let's go!"
Rias Akeno and Koneko made their way as Katase and Murayama lagged behind slightly with Issei as they made their way. "Don't worry" He told them "This will be your first real combat test with sacred gears. Just use them and do whatever you can."
Everyone crossed the main gate to the school and passed into the protective barrier as they saw Valper standing in the middle of a large magic circle. The circle took up most of the courtyard as Valper was working on some swords. "What is he doing?" Katase asked.
"I'm turning these four swords into Excalibur." Valper answered her.
"How long is the process going to take?" Kokabiel asked as his voice towered from above as he was sitting on a throne that was floating in the sky.
"5 minutes? It should be real quick provided there are no interruptions."
"Get to work then." Kokabiel's focus shifted to Rias. "So who did you call for backup? Sirzechs or Serafall. Oh please tell me you called both of them."
"We will be fighting you on their behalf." Rias said as a large explosion rocked the area as they looked over and saw that what was the gym building was now missing.
Smoke was rising from the ashes of where the gym was as Kokabiel yawned hearing that from Rias. "Very well then, but if you want to survive you better entertain me."
[So what did you get yourself into now.] Issei heard a groggy voice in his head
'I did nothing. Kokabiel however wants to start a war tonight.'
[Kokabiel. I guess the warmonger wants a fight so what do you plan on doing?]
'We have one hour till somebody arrives, so I plan on watching.'
[Even tho you can….] 'Yep'
Kokabiel snapped his fingers as the ground started to shake as a crack in the ground appeared "I brought something to start this entertainment." Out of the ground crawled out a massive dog-like creature with thick stalks of legs covered in jet black fur. They towered over them as there were three heads on each dog and each out the heads perked up and let out a massive howl.
"Cerberus" Rias said not liking what they had to deal with.
"As in the three-headed dog from hell?" Murayama asked Rias needed confirmation as what they were seeing was real.
"Yes, it's the famous creature know as the Guard dog of Hell." Akeno answered them
"It lives at the gates of hell. But bring it into the human world is unheard of." Rias added on.
"That bad?" Katase looked over to Issei.
He shook his hand back and forth "Kinda, there are worse things that you can do. Let's just say that's not exactly the Cerberus your expecting. But when you attack it you might want to use all you got as you should be able to use the flame aspect of your gears."
"Wait your not…" Rias snapped her head over to Issei
"He said to make it interesting." Issei's right hand shooed them away "Plus I kinda wanna see what you can do together."
Rias turned back to face the Cerberus. "Akeno" She said as the two of them extended their wings as they lifted off into the sky. The lone Cerberus let out a deep grow seeing that the two of them. The center head breathed out a wall of flames as they danced in the air avoiding it.
Around Akeno's right-hand electricity wrapped around it as she threw it towards the Cerberus. A bolt of lightning crashed down into it as Rias backed her up with a large ball of black energy the size of a few basketballs. The magical attacks hit Cerberus as two balls of fire were sent towards them.
Koneko made her way to the Cerberus as it was distracted by the airborne targets. "Perfect" She jumped up and sent a punch into the left-most head. When it connected the head recoiled smashing into the center one toppling it over for a moment. Katase and Murayama looked at each other as their blades emitted flames as they moved over to the toppled Cerberus and slashed away at the padding on the paw. They laid down ten hits each into the left foreleg's pawn cutting into the skin drawing blood from the Cerberus. "Get back," Koneko said to them as a flash of light appeared as another bolt of lightning struck the exposed belly of Cerberus sending a black blood-like substance flying everywhere as the chest deflated.
Another howl was heard echoing through the school grounds as out of the ground climbed out another Cerberus. "There's another one now." Murayama said as she and Katase made their way towards Koneko as the new Cerberus was making its way to Asia.
The three of them ran to intercept it as the sound of a sword cleaving through flesh was heard and a small dent in the ground appeared on the other side. "Looks as if I made it in time." It was Xenovia standing next to a decapitated head of Cerberus. She stabbed Excalibur into the toppled Cerberus as it let out another howl as holy energy flooded into it. "A wound from a Holy sword is a critical wound to unholy beings." The Cerberus turned to ash as it was vaporized instantly.
Kokabiel snapped his fingers as out of the ground climbed up out many more Cerberus, two for each of them even Asia. Issei saw the battlefield flood with combatants. He jumped into the air behind Rias and Akeno and poked them in the back touching their spines right above where their bra straps sat "Show me something interesting." He said to them as he fell back down to the ground.
Rias and Akeno were overwhelmed with power as the two of them looked at each other "We can do that." Rias started to throw her power of destruction at targets as Akeno followed suit with thunder striking Rias's targets as they backed each other up.
"Sit still!" A familiar female voice was heard as one of the wounded Cerberus legs had blades puncturing it and anchoring it to the ground as more of that black blood spilled over the floor. Thunder kept raining down with precision striking each Cerberus, some exploded electrocuting their insides and others just keeled over and died from the impact of the thunder. Akeno had enough power coursing through her body to destroy the Cerberus for as long as they kept coming.
"Kokabiel," Rias yelled out as she was holding onto a mass of her demonic power the size of a small car only round.
"That's massive." Katase was in awe of the sheer size of power that Rias was holding onto as they could feel the power that radiated off of it.
Rias threw the ball at Kokabiel as it was no slouch moving at a good rate of speed. It lurched towards him looking as if it was going to swallow him in the energy. He raises his left hand as the energy touched it and flicked his wrist up sending the demonic power up into the air shattering it into smaller pellets of energy that hit the barrier as if it was rain. "Unfortunate that the Red Dragon had to give you that kind of power."
"I'm done." Valper said as a white light began to overtake the field. All the girls covered their eyes as it was there was a singular holy sword in the field letting off a blue and white hue as it consolidated. "This town will be destroyed in two minutes now that the blade has been formed." He said looking at the blade.
"Freed" Kokabiel called out as the former priest appeared from the darkness.
"Yeah, boss?"
"Take Excalibur and but the final entertainment for the night."
Freed rubbed his hands together as he walked towards the blade "Sounds like some reckless fun." He grabbed hold of the blade and started swinging the blade around "Now I can chop up some devils."
Xenovia moved to the middle of the field as did Yumi. "Knight of Rias Gremory. If you still want to cooperate we can destroy that blade.
Yumi looked over at her still somewhat surprised "Now it's okay?"
Xenovia laughed hearing that "I was tasked to collect fragments of Excalibur. That thing Freed is holding is no longer Excalibur nor is it a holy sword. That sword is heresy if I were to bring it back."
Laughed was heard as Yumi pointed her sword at Valper. "Valper Galilei. I am a survivor of the Holy Sword Project. But I continued to live as a Devil."
"A survivor? How unfortunate to meet you in a country like this." Valper looked at the swords that were being brandished on the battlefield. "You know I like holy swords. I'm fascinated by the legends of Excalibur, but then I found out I wasn't able to wield them. So I made it my goal to wield that blade. That's when I started the experiment to find a way. Thanks to you and the others I was able to complete it."
"Complete? You called us failures and disposed of us." Yumi yelled at him as she doubted his words.
Valper shook his head "No, there is an essential factor or a code needed to wield holy swords. And there are many of them, but most subjects only had the elements to use them but not the factor to active it. That's when I found out that that there was a way to gather the two of them."
Xenovia ground her teeth hearing that "So that's what's inside of the blessing."
Valper smiled hearing that "Yes that's right, I took out the holy elements from those children and turned them to crystal." He pulled a light blue crystal out of his pocket and showed it off. "With this, I advanced the research that could be done on the swords. But those fools in the church banished me for heresy and took my research. But Michael wouldn't go as far as to kill them to progress. If Michael did that he would only more human than I ever will be." Valper continued to laugh
"You killed my friends… just so you could get enough element to wield holy swords?" Yumi asked him as she was radiating off killing intent as she looked at him.
"Yep yep. This is the last of my research, I had three more but Freed used them."
The sword in Yumi's hand was shaking as she heard Valper gloat. "You…. How many lives did murder for your greed."
"Here" Valper tossed the crystal at her as she caught it "My research has reached a stage where mass producing them is possible. But this town will be destroyed and I will gather the holy swords stored in the vaults around the world. After that, I will take this war to Michael and the Vatican with the combined Excaliburs to prove to those fools that my research was supreme.
In Yumi's hands, the crystal glowed as it started to float. The light of the crystal spread across the field as the light formed the children that surrounded her. "Your…" Tears began to drip down her face
"To think that the souls of the dead could appear on the battlefield." Akeno said as she touched the ground as everybody had gathered up awaiting the next move.
"Everyone I always…" Yumi said to them as they shook their heads.
~Dont worry about us.~ ~It's far too late for us, but your alive and that's what matters.~ The figures linked hands as they swayed in unison and began to sing.
As they were singing Asia's eyes perked up hearing the song. "That's the sacred song." Asia was all too familiar with the song that they were singing, Issei knew it as well as he remembered Gabriel singing it from time to time.
Yumi had joined in the singing as one of the children reached down to her ~We have already accepted our fates. You have to accept the holy sword.~ The spirits began fading away as their light moved towards her. The crystal floated to her chest sinking in her as the light intensified.
[You wanted to know what it looks like from the outside. That's what the peak looks like.] Ddriag said to Issei as was watching Yumi. [Balance breaker changes the flow of this world. They are neither good nor bad but in the end, it still relies on the user.]
Yumi stood up and faced Valper as the light faded away "My friends that you killed don't wish for vengeance. But you will die tonight, you have brought pain and suffering to plenty across this world. I am a Knight a Servant of Rias Gremory and I will not lose to a mere Excalibur!" She held her hands out as if she was to grip a sword. "I am a shining sword in the darkness. The sword Rebirth." A basic blade took shape as the metal was all black until half of the metal took on a white hue. A gold wrap appeared around the connection of the bladed and the hilt as a white light emitted from the jewels encrusted on the blade. Down the spine of the blade glowed red letters from the devil's alphabet encrusted into it like runes.
The now completed blade was giving off its normal demonic presence and now an almost equal amount of holy power as she grabbed hold of it. "My Balance Breaker Sword of the Betrayer." She rushed towards Freed swinging the blade at him as he was only just able to dodge and parry the attacks. The real problem for Freed was each time the two blades came into contact the holy aura of the amalgamation of Excalibur had its holy aura trimmed away.
Freed caught onto that real quick as he was losing power. "This blade should surpass the original!" He shouted as he lept back as part of the blade created limbs at moved towards her. Yumi ran towards the limbs are they went to attack her while flailing around trying to distract her.
"It's useless!" She raised her blade diagonally as one of the limbs bounced off then swung it in an arc above her deflecting another one. The attacks were parried with no problem as Freed was getting more and more frustrated as each one of his attacks was failing.
Xenovia saw the fight that was happening as she shoved her Excalibur Destruction into the ground and held out her right hand "Saint Peter, Saint Basil the Great, Saint Denis and Holy mother Mary. Please hear my voice." A blue magic circle appeared near her hand as the space around it was distorting. She shoved her hand into it and yanked revealing a massive blue blade. "I release you Durandal." She held up the sword showing it off, it was a massive blue and gold-trimmed blade fit for a massive two-handed hold.
"Durandal?" Valper was surprised to see it.
Kokabiel looked down seeing the blade in her hands "Are you not the wielder of Excalibur?"
"I am the wielder of Durandal. I was chosen to hold onto Excalibur Destruction." Xenovia said as she pulled Destruction out of the ground holding one in each hand.
"That's impossible!" Valper shouted "The Vatican cant have researched a way to make a blade-like Durandal useable artificially. It's not possible!"
"Make's sense." Xenovia said "Unlike Irina, I'm the real deal. Durandal chose me." Valper didn't know what to say seeing her holding onto both blades. "Durandal cuts anything it touches and it doesn't even listen to me most of the time. So I keep it hidden and locked down, but now that there is a chance to use it I will." Xenovia looked at Freed "Try not to die in one swing."
"How the fuck is that even fair?" Freed shouted as he moved his attention to Xenovia. Durandal started to glow golden as she swung the blade at Freed. Freed sent out some of the twisted blades to her as she slashed down slicing through them. In his hand, Excalibur shattered from the pressure as parts of the ground were uprooted sending dirt flying into the air.
"Oh, that's no fun. Your sword can't keep up with Durandal."
Freed was in shock seeing that "Valper explain this what the fuck went wrong? Why isn't this legendary sword all-powerful." He dropped the blade as he had no clue what to do with an overwhelming force in front of him. Yumi took it onto herself as she ran at him slicing part of his shoulder and slitting the side of his stomach knocking him out of the fight.
"It's… not possible. A Holy demonic sword. It's impossible for those two things to merge." Valper was talking aloud.
Yumi moved in closer to him as she pointed her sword at him "Prepare yourself Vaper."
"That's it! There has to be a power balance." Issei heard his ramblings as he was paying attention to what the man was rambling on about "The balance must be gone so the Maou and God must…." Valper eyes went wide as he dropped to his knees as a hole in his chest opened up and a spear of light was pinned to the ground.
"AH, Valper" It was Kokabiel voice as he looked down from his floating throne "You came to the correct conclusion. But it matters not as you were only part of the entertainment, this is still all about what I want." He stood up from his throne and lept off it floating down to the ground as the throne disappeared. "Red Dragon transfer somebody some power so we can get on with this."
Rias was not happy to hear that "Are you giving us a chance? Don't play games!"
Kokabiel laughed hearing that "You are the one playing games. If the Crimson Ruin Princess or the Daughter of Barkiel cant defeat me then you are the ones playing games."
"Do not speak that name to me." Akeno shouted at Kokabiel with venom in her words as it got Issei, Asia, Katase, and Murayama to look at her as this was a new thing for her.
"The do something about it spawn of Barkiel." Kokabiel grinned from ear to ear as Akeno held up her hands as a massive thunderbolt came down to strike him. The bolt hit him as he stood there glowing from the attack as there was no sizzling or burning skin and clothes were still on him. "You have to do better than that."
Kokabiel dusted off his shoulders as Yumi and Xenovia rushed towards him. Yumi jumped in her stride as she flew towards him in an attempt to slice his face. As her blade neared his face he leaned back dodging most of the blade as the tip scored his right cheek ever so slightly. In Kokabiel's right hand he crafted a spear of light as with his left hand he punched Yumi in the stomach with an open palm sending her flying. Raising the light spear up as he guarded against the attack of Durandal. Xenovia was muscling the blade as much as she could as she wasn't making any headway.
"How unfortunate" Kokabiel said unenthused as he held off her attacks. "That old man was much more interesting during the second world war. You however have failed to show that prowess." He pushed on Durandal with his light spear as if he punched it sending Xenovia sliding backward for a few feet until her foot dipped into the ground and sent her tumbling over. "Is this all you have?" The light spear in his hand faded away "A miserable showing of devils and an Exorcist that cant use the power of Durandal. This says so much about losing your masters and even the followers of God."
Issei stared at Kokabiel seeing the wicked grin on his face "Don't you dare."
"What are you talking about?" Rias shouted at Kokabiel
That grin was now in full effect hearing Rias speak "They didn't tell you? I guess you lower levels do not need to know about it. But during the war, Lucifer and God died." Kokabiel's words hit them hard as everyone froze hearing that. "The best-kept secret in the supernatural world. No Fallen or devil would tell you about this. The three powers don't even talk about it and even other factions keep quiet. But the Fallen can expand if an Angel falls. Pure devils may be rare but pure angels don't exist without god."
"LIES!" Xenovia shouted as she tried to stand up using Durandal for balance but her legs were giving out.
"Far from it, and the fact that there never be another war unless it's started on purpose irks me. The three factions fought and bled in the last war and then everyone decided in the middle of it that continuing the war was pointless after God and the Satans were dead."
"But…" Asia tried to speak as she was on the ground "If god… is dead. There where does his love come from?"
"There is no love no divine protection from him. He's been dead for thousands of years. Michael is doing his job keeping the system from falling apart. But everything from blessings and the number of believers is dwindling. That's how a holy demonic sword has come into existence, the two powers shouldn't exist yet here we are. Valper figured it out right before he died."
Issei stepped forward as the Boosted Gear appeared on his left hand. "So how do you want to do this?" He asked Kokabiel
"War is the answer boy."
Issei smiled hearing that as it felt like a bomb went off right where he was. A massive pressure wave extended out from him as the dust was kicked up everywhere and glass was heard shattering. He was engulfed in the deepest of red flames "The world is on fire and you are here to stay and burn with me." The heat from the flames was radiating out as everyone had to shield themselves just from the radiating heat. The flames seeped back into his body "This place will be your grave."
Issei put a foot down sending him flying at Kokabiel as he sent a flurry of punches into Kokabiel's midsection sending him sliding backward. "Swinging for the gates already." Kokabiel had a smile on his face seeing that there was a worthy fighter in this group of mediocre.
"You want to start a war and send this broken world over the edge. You're going to get somebody who can fight you. Regardless of the fact that you broke the sacred truth."
"Like that matters, in the end, it just accelerates how I can enjoy myself. But you are the Red Dragon Emperor, your name has come across every faction in some way or another. But I've watched you for a while now and I know you're not as powerful as you claim to be."
"Is that so? Should we skip the warm-up then?" Issei asked him ready for what was to come.
Kokabiel extended his wings and pulled off his robe showing a black suit as he floated in front of the moon. "Let it begin.
[WELSH DRAGON BALANCEBREAKER!] Ddraig yelled out as red armor formed around him and the excess energy flooded the battlefield sending shivers down the girls' spines.
Seeing Issei in his armor Rias remembered what she was told later on in private as she drew a magic circle that floated in front of her. 'If Issei were to fight, record it if possible.' They heard a cracking noise as everyone looked to see the top of the barrier was cracking and there was no stopping it.
"Well, Kokabiel having fun now?" Issei leaped into the air as he was gone in an instant appearing in front of Kokabiel throwing a punch right into his jaw. The blow connected as he recoiled back creating a light spear in his hand and threw it at Issei while repositioning. The Spear bounced off the left shoulder plate of his armor as the light fragments scattered as it broke apart. In his left hand, a large sword appeared made from his light power.
Kokabiel moved just as fast and if not faster than Issei as he swung the massive blade around with a single hand. Issei had to duck and weave in the air as this sword was more of the real deal compared to the spear earlier. Gliding backward Issei inhaled a massive amount of air as the part of the faceguard opened as he exhaled a massive fireball.
Seeing the fireball oncoming Kokabiel slashed away at it with his sword in an attempt to break it up into smaller more manageable sizes. Not only was he successful at cutting it apart the heat from the fireball rose rapidly finishing off the last of the barrier as it shattered. Fragments of light rained down on them as Issei charged back into the fight. As he got close Kokabiel swung his blade down while Issei leaned to the side just enough to dodge the swing and punched him in the hand. Kokabiel let go of the blade as there were sounds of breaking bones and his fingers contorted.
Issei made an overhead swing combining both his fists together and going to slam into his shoulders. But Kokabiel's wings surrounded him in a cocoon as Issei's hands slammed into the feathers as they let out a metallic ringing noise as Kokabiel was sent to the ground. Issei followed as when he reached the ground he saw that Kokabiel was trying to fix his hand but it was useless. When he landed Issei walked over to him getting ready to strike once again as Kokabiel had his wings around him.
Making another swing he changed from a close fist to a flat hand slicing motion at the wings as Ddraig was heard again [Penetrate]. Like a hot knife through butter Issei's hand-cut into Kokabiel's wing scattering feathers over the ground as blood spewed out followed by the smell of burning flesh.
The barrier team had moved in with Rias as they watched what was left of the rest of the fight. "Rias what happened?" Sona yelled out as her peerage followed her as she saw the mess that was being made.
"You cut my wing!" Kokabiel yelled out as Issei reached out a began rapidly punching him in the face as blood was covering Kokabiel's face and Issei's armor.
"Never" A punch echoed through the area "underestimate" another one "your opponent" A third punched hit him as Issei dropped him. "No one cared that Akeno is part Fallen but you had to bring it up."
"Don't you think you've had enough?" A figure in white was hovering above them wearing armor similar to Issei's only white.
Issei slammed his foot down on Kokabiel's stomach and part of his groin stopping him from moving. "Azazel's a day late. Let me guess he wants you to bring him back alive?"
"He wishes that he is brought back alive so he can be interrogated."
Issei looked down at Kokabiel as he ground the heel of his right foot into the groin "Do you hear that Azazel wants some information." He lifted his foot off him as he kicked Kokabiel, sending tumbling across the ground as the white armored person descended down to grab him.
Kokabiel struggled to get back on his feet as he felt the cool metal touch his back {Divide} He dropped to his knees instantly as the wings emitted a blue light. He picked up Kokabiel as Issei looked at him "Tell Azazel I want some information for this. He will know what I'm talking about."
The armored figure took off after Issei finished speaking as he turned around and saw that Sona and her peerage were with Rias. He walked towards them as his armor faded away. "That was fun, kinda short didn't expect Kokabiel to be such a pushover."
"How strong are you?" Tsubaki asked him
Issei shrugged hearing that as he had fully reverted to a normal state. "Don't know, once you get past a point it's hard to figure out." He pointed his index finger up at the sky "I see the barrier is gone."
"And did you expect them to keep it up?" Rias asked him puzzled to think that Issei could even be serious.
"Ehhhhhhh" He shook his hand "I mean if Serafall is to be believed Sona could flood the world."
"Please tell me you don't believe her outrageous claims." Sona said to him.
"No definitely not, but considering who your relatives are the way you two are looked at is skewed."
"Enough about that." Sona shaking her head "Why did you let the White Dragon Emperor take Kokabiel away?"
"Oh Azazel wants Kokabiel back." Issei's words did not comprehend well with everyone.
"Why would you do that?" Rias shouted at him
"My guess is Azazel is going to torture him for some information. One man alone doesn't try to start a war. He needs backers to finance, soldiers to fight in said war. One man army is far from reality and not possible for even somebody like Kokabiel." He waved off the rest of the questions that were bound to come. Looked over to Katasae and Murayama "You two were able to damage a child Cerberus not bad. Not something you expect to see every day." The two of them were somewhat happy that he acknowledged them.
He looked at Yumi as he pointed at her blade and motioned for her to give it to him."Issei… I" She placed the sword in his hands.
"Save it, what you have to say to me matters not." He examined the blade trying to figure out how the blade was exactly working without the host. "I only stopped you from going off the deep end. Your apology is best directed at somebody else."
Yumi understood it all too well as she moved in front of Rias and kneeled down "I'm sorry, I was blinded by vengeance and after everything that happened I still ran off to deal with it. I should have asked for help from everyone earlier, but even now I don't know how to ask for forgiveness."
Rias put her hand down in front of Yumi as she took hold of her and stood up. She pulled Yumi in and wrapped her arms around her "What matters is that you're alive. You also reached a new level through your Balance Breaker and I'm proud of that." She let go of Yumi and smiled at her "But I can think of some punishment later." The other however saw Issei trying to poke and prod the blade trying to figure out its secrets. They quickly figured out that Issei wasn't a researcher by any stretch of the imagination or would he most likely ever be.
A few days of relative silence passed as Issei and Asia made their way to the club room. When they opened the door they saw everyone else already there as there was a new person there, a blue-haired girl with a green strip wearing the school's clothes. "Hello, Red Dragon Emperor or should I call you Sekiryuutei as this is Japan?"
He shrugged his shoulders "I take it your."
Xenovia stood up as out of her back popped out two black wings. Asia's eyes went wide seeing that in front of her "I had no choice after I was excommunicated from the church. I was able to become a devil with only a single Knight piece all while still holding onto Durandal." She tilted her head to the side "So let's get along Ise." She tried to smile and be like Irina's perky attitude.
"Don't try to copy Irina, it's not the same thing." Issei looked back to Rias "You good with having four swordswomen now? Maybe I need to teach everyone how to punch things?"
Rias shook her head hearing that "No having Durandal on the team is an amazing boost. Katase and Murayama always have flexibility with magic so were not so lopsided as it looks." Rias reached for some papers on her desk " There's going to be a meeting between the three factions. Azazel has called for it and Heaven and the Underworld have agreed to it. And we have to report about the incident at the meeting."
Issei held out his hand as a few envelopes appeared in all with different designs. "I guess that explains why these were sent to me directly today instead of the house." He looked through them seeing who they were from.
"Issei" Rias was pointing at him "Why is there lipstick on that one?" She wasn't exactly too happy to point that out.
"Maybe Rias is jealous of a love letter." Akeno said to her with a big smile on her face.
He looked at the letter "That's just Amatarasu trying to tempt me… I think" Putting the letters away he refocused his thoughts on the matter at hand. "You have something you want to say Xenovia?"
"I do" she nodded as she looked at Asia. "I wish to apologize for the things I said about you. It wasn't right of me to make light of your situation."
Asia for all she was worth only knew one way in life and stuck to it. She was nothing but a small vessel of happiness as she smiled "I enjoy my new lifestyle. I've made friends and important people to me. So I'm happy with where I'm at."
"Very well then. I have some things to get ready for transferring here." Xenovia moved towards the door as Asia held her hand out trying to reach Xenovia.
"Ummm," Asia said, getting her attention as she turned around. "Maybe we can go out and do something on the weekend?"
"Maybe next time." Xenovia said as she flat attempted at a smile as she saw Asia deflate a little. "How about you show me around the school sometime?"
That brought Asia right back up "Yes."
"Before you leave." Issei said to Xenovia "Did you report in that night or later?" He asked Xenovia.
"After the fight ended."
Issei nodded hearing that "Continue on then."
As Xenovia walked out of the door Rias clapped her hands together "With all of that put aside, for now, we can get back to club activities." The cheering was heard as there was a sense of normalcy being returned to.
After a few hours of after-school activities, Issei made it known that he had to take care of some business. That business was more personal than normal as he was walking into one of his all too familiar places in the main halls of the Vatican. When he entered he saw that the pope was at the top of the cathedral as Issei pointed to the side of the building as he walked up the main aisle. "Now" He said leaving no room for discussion as everyone watched him.
The pope made his way off to one of the offices in the backroom as Issei followed behind and slammed the door shut when they were in. "Do you have any idea of the stupidity you have created? You must not because a few nights ago says otherwise." Issei's voice carried through the halls as everyone gathered around to hear what was happening but no one dared to interrupt them.
"I did what was necessary." He tried to defend himself.
"Yeah sending two poorly trained girls after Kokabiel who stole fragments of Excalibur. TO START A WAR WITH THEM. And you sent them off with two more fragments and Durandal. Shidou was badly injured and Quarta was excommunicated because of you. Do you understand what would have happened if both of the dead?" He waited for an answer that he knew he wasn't going to get. "Kokabiel would have had 5 blades and even Durandal in his possession allowing The Genocide Archbishop to experiment with." The door hinges creaked as his head snapped back to see who would open the door.
It was a large elderly man who had plenty of muscle that would make a bodybuilder blush. "You are far too loud Issei."
"That's the point, Strada." The door clicked shut as Issei went on again. "He sent two underpower exorcists to Japan to fight a Fallen Angel that even you couldn't beat. There are ways to get a hold of people and ask for assistance. But it seems as if he doesn't know how to inform Heaven, even Gabriel knows how to use a cell phone and she is as naive as it gets."
"The loss of Exorcist Quarta is unfortunate." The pope tried to defend his actions.
"It's called hypocritical, I'm not some lost lamb. I'm also well aware of the pedophilia in the nonsupernatural side." Issei held up his right hand as Black flames appeared in his hand "Clean it up before I do." His hand snapped shut as the flames fizzled out and under his feet, the crest of the Red Dragon Emperor appeared as it engulfed him leaving the two of them alone in the room.
"That child," The Pope said as he wasn't happy with what just happened.
"It's the wrong way to go about it but he is correct sir. The church authorized a suicide mission without Heaven's knowledge or assistance." Strada said to him as he shook his head.