Hi, folks. It's been about a month and I found the time and motivation to do some writing. My thanks to everyone who's been enjoying the story and expressing it. I'm glad that there are people who still enjoy the story, despite how long it's been going. I know it's been a long road, but like I said before, I don't like rushing out chapters because quality will always suffer.
On another note, after enough references to the training and the Trio growing stronger, I decided to actually show and not just tell with this chapter.
So, I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 75: Lunar Madness
If someone had told Issei that he'd one day go to the Moon, he'd call them insane. Upon setting foot on the luminous sphere, Issei couldn't believe that he was actually here.
"A small step for man and a big leap for supernatural-kind for this is no moon, it's a magic station." Issei proudly looked at the Earth from where he stood.
"Okay, I see why you all said he lost his marbles when he was dying." Adelaide blankly looked at her lover.
"I think he's drawing a smiley face on the moon." Vali looked closely as Issei dragged his foot in the dirt.
"Issei, focus." Adelaide dragged him back toward the direction the Third Atlantean Key was pointing.
The search was expected to be difficult, given how there was no civilization on the Moon. The only thing to be found were small craters, broken down rovers and drones, and rocket scrap left behind.
Even so, the three knew that there was so much more to the Moon. They could all feel something humming beneath the ground. A gentle vibration of the air surrounded them all, as if something old and lost was truly here and no one had noticed them before.
Issei noticed something on the ground: a gem. He quickly pocketed it. He hoped that once this was all over, he'd be able to tell stories of this someday.
"We found something!" Vali called over to him.
The Third Atlantean Key pointed downward.
"There's something in the core of the Moon. We might change history with this."
The implications weren't lost on anyone. Who knew what would happen? They could accidentally cause it to explode or darken it forever.
Adelaide pressed the Third Key into the ground, causing a magic circle to glow radiantly purple.
"Hey!" Adelaide tried to pry the Third Key out of the ground when it suddenly sank in, absorbed into the Moon.
Vali felt a change in the air, grabbing Issei and Adelaide.
"Get back!"
The ground trembled, as if coming to life. Purple light erupted from where the Third Key went. The power that the Trio felt was inexplainable. It felt so ancient that words may well be unfit to describe how old this sensation felt.
Slowly, a metal construct emerged from the ground, sparks and electricity crackling as it floated into the air. The Construct shined different metallic colors as the position of the viewer changed. It radiated an ancient aura and was shaped like a sphere. It was riddled with mystical markings, with parts obviously meant to click and link apart.
The Trio circled it. They could see the Third Atlantean Key inserted into it, with two other crevices for the other Keys.
"Can either of you read this?" Issei had no idea what any of these markings meant.
"A little. I took a rune and translation class when I was a kid." Vali observed what seemed to be the main console of the Construct. It protruded where one could interact with it as it floated.
"When the World cries, the Dragon will roar. When the Beasts stir, the era will be made four. When the stars, the Moon, and the Sun align, only then will I open the Door." Vali read the console.
Issei could only laugh at the implausibility of the situation…and the corny text. The Atlantean who left all this behind really was able to see into the future.
"Then the Fourth Key is the gateway itself?" Issei took a wild guess.
"That's a problem. That means we've gotta protect this thing for six days until the galactic alignment." Adelaide groaned.
"We don't have a choice. We'll have to try and push this onto the ship and stay on the move." Issei knew that they'd already spent too much time here after the little light show the Construct made.
He stopped when he heard footsteps approach. Issei turned around to see Kilesis standing a few feet away. It was odd that not a single ship was accompanying her. Instead, it was Italna, Arya's former maid in the previous Era.
"It took a lot of work to get here, but I had a feeling you were the reason there was a light show on the Moon. What're you three up to?" Kilesis circled around, inspecting the floating metal sphere.
"Our own business. Where's the rest of the party?" Issei was trying to sense around.
"They don't know I'm here. I'm not looking for a fight." She noticed the looks of paranoia they were giving her, causing a chuckle.
"You should know me well enough that I mean what I say."
"That was Kilesis. Who're you in this life?" Adelaide hadn't assumed an aggressive stance even once.
Kilesis' gaze fell down, her eyes closing to reminisce. She scoffed, though she looked fond of her memories.
"I was born in Germany. I was a teacher. Hehe, how bout that?" Even in another life, she was a mentor.
"I regained my memories three years ago and met up with others who remembered their old lives. We built up wealth and resources over the years and eventually, we are who we are now."
"It was surreal. We were living our own lives, blissfully unaware of who we were. Even so, we all knew that something wasn't right our whole lives. We felt like the wind passing through the crowd." Italna clutched her heart, as if to steady it.
"How're you getting all this tech? I doubt all this magitech is just lying around in the bottom of the ocean." Adelaide refused to believe that it was so easy for the Novella Caelum to pull things from the previous Galaxy while they needed special keys.
"As it so happens, that's exactly it. Constant exploration allowed us to find just enough to reverse engineer magitech and reproduce it from memory. You'd be surprised by how much we remember." Kilesis smirked.
"You're stalling." Vali glared at her.
"Stalling?" Kilesis actually looked offended.
"You're not moving and just talking. I'd expect your friends to be here any second now." Vali stepped over to the Atlantean Construct.
"Kilesis, is this another attempt at getting us to join you?" Adelaide truly hoped that this would be the time to come to an understanding.
"We heard about the incident. A stray god tried to brainwash you all and Ar-Issei caused a scene." Italna had to catch herself, knowing that he preferred to be called by his current name.
"Yeah, it wasn't something I wanted to really do."
"We can offer you shelter, Issei. I don't mean this as a member of Novella Caelum. We know you're being hunted and we know you have nowhere to go. Our end goal is to just get back home and rebuild our world."
"Then why go to war?" Vali felt annoyed. They were being treated like fools.
"Because if the gods knew about it, they'd make a grab for power. You know their history and what they're like. They can spout pretty words and mean them for a time but eventually, they relapse. Isn't what happened to you three enough proof?"
Vali couldn't refute that.
"We went to war because we know what they're like. History repeats itself. If we try to go back home, they'll pursue and they'll try to take what we have and more. You're not the only ones who got betrayed." Italna looked calm but her eyes told stories that the three didn't know.
"You don't know this because that's how the gods want it. Just like how Zeus wanted fire for the gods only, the Alliance's top heads have been working towards magitech. The origins of the Khaos Brigade weren't what you think. In fact, their origins were the same as your Alliance and just like how it is now, worms crept amongst them and nested into their soil, rotting it."
"I'll take over, Kilesis." An echoing voice reached the Moon. It was calm, yet eerie.
The hair on everyone's bodies stood up. Shadow and smoke formed from nothing. It was so silent how the shadows gathered and yet, the power permeating from the clouds roared like thunder.
A hooded figure finally arrived. It was none other than Irae.
"Since so much has happened, perhaps it be best that the truth come to light."
Issei instantly went into Balance Breaker. The only thing that caused him to feel this much fear were the Aviturs and the Void.
"I'm not here to fight, not after some thinking of my own." Irae could be seen smirking from underneath his cloak.
"I guess it's time to part with our secrets." Irae's form melted away, a dark purple cloud dissipating from around him. In his place, stood a tall woman with long black hair and grey eyes that seemed to fade into purple. She wore a black dress with purple frills. Her beauty was beyond a mere god's, matching the massive weight that her presence brought.
'Whoaaaaa…' Even Rexis was entranced. Issei could imagine his jaw dropping to the floor from the beauty.
"I am Ophis, the Infinity Dragon god. This is my true identity, Issei Hyoudou."
Vali gasped upon hearing her name.
"So, the strongest dragon next to Bahamut." Issei remarked.
"Indeed. Since the Abyss's agent has come here, it means that the situation is far more serious than even I had anticipated. I had hoped to contain the damage to some extent, but it would seem that has failed." Ophis derisively chuckled.
"Issei, stay far away from her." Vali defensively stood in front of him.
"Even though Kilesis and Italna went behind my back to see you, it's of no sin. This would've happened sooner or later. Sit." Ophis snapped her fingers, forming chairs from thin air.
Everyone knew of the legends of Ophis's unrivaled power. Not many gods could do anything to her, as many sayings go. No one could refuse her. Ophis waved her hand through the air, creating a pot of tea and cups.
"What did Kilesis mean about the Khaos Brigade?" Vali didn't touch her tea, glaring at Ophis only.
"I formed the Khaos Brigade with the same purpose as the Novella Caelum: to go home, our true home. You may not remember it due to the cycles of reincarnation, but I do. This galaxy pales in comparison to it because the powers that be saw it fit to limit its splendor as punishment. I admit, it truly is everyone's fault, myself included. We may blame gods, but mortals, and even I share the same sin, though it is hard to admit. No one likes being wrong and then admitting it." Ophis bit into a cake, looking downcast.
"Getting off topic." Issei quietly reminded her.
"When you get as old as me, you tend to drift off topic. Now, the Khaos Brigade was formed by members who largely shared my view. We wanted to return home. For a time, that was what we did, searching for magitech and trying to find ways to open a functional gateway to the original Galaxy. Soon enough, hearts hungered for power and abandoned that original purpose. Instead, the descendants of the founding devils began their own plans to attack the Alliance and form a new world order. At that moment, I forsook the Khaos Brigade to their destruction."
(Rurouni Kenshin 2012 OST – Korosazu. Play Song.)
"Why didn't you do it yourself?"
"That's the sad part. I cannot." Ophis lifted her arms, revealing ghostly transparent chains sparkling to life.
"When the previous era ended, the Abyss binded me. I had played a part in the War's opening days. I had stepped in and tried to put all of the mythical faction into my fold. I thought since I was above others, it was my whims that were right and just. I saw the wrong being done but the moves I made were done out of hubris. I thought not of what I did and even spurred others forward, driving the world faster into ruin."
"But, Bahamut did the same thing, didn't he?"
"We've all been punished in our own ways. Bahamut lost his mind and attacked everyone. Thus, he was sealed away. As for me, I can only watch in stagnation, despite representing infinity."
"So, you formed the Khaos Brigade to find a way back to our original home and when that didn't work out, you began work on the Novella Caelum. What about all that propaganda against the gods if your goal was so neutral? What about the Cult of Bahamut?" Vali still had no trust in Ophis' words.
"My chains forbid me from armed intervention through myself. I knew that the roots of evil in the Alliance went deep. I sought to inspire people to think deeper and try to see past that divine justice that the Alliance always put on airs with. As you have experienced, I was right. If my message was any lighter, then none would listen. As for the Cult of Bahamut, I knew they were delusional. I'd hoped to bring them into the fold and change their fanaticism with time and showing them a more enlightened path. Religious fanaticism has never done anyone good." Ophis stirred her cup, as if stirring memories.
"And all those attacks with all those innocent people?" Issei was the one to speak this time.
"An unfortunate circumstance that I couldn't move around. Of course, I have connections to the Mortal Realm. I tried to have my forces limit all casualties to none or the absolute minimum. In case you doubt me, do recall how that search and rescue party suddenly appeared in Denmark when you were evacuating that town. That wasn't the Alliance, dears, it was me." Ophis smirked.
"So many coincidences…" Adelaide voiced her thoughts aloud.
"You can call everything a coincidence, child. Like how your memories awoke after meeting Issei. Yet, you'll call it fate because it led you to your star-crossed lover. Issei's power awakening in this life and previous lives can be called coincidences. Everything can be called contrived and yet, it will not be called that when it's something that the accuser prefers. It's all subjective and none of us will ever truly be right because we don't have that sway over fate." Ophis had once again silenced the Trio.
"That doesn't explain why you attacked all those Alliance bases. There were good people there." Issei glared at her, waiting for her justification.
"That was my fault. In war, you cannot see and know everything. The gods are expected of being omniscient, but they are not. Odin wouldn't have lost an eye. Myths and legends serve to give wonder to listeners or teach them fear and to empower the subjects of those tales, whether or not they're true will always vary."
"This is all a pretty story, but your troops sure have a funny way of trying to do good and getting others to go along." Issei scoffed.
"That was always my biggest problem. I gave too much freedom but even then, it's only through reputation and limited power that I can try and fail to keep them all in line. It's as I told you earlier. I put my faith in the wrong people and I ended up back at square one. The people in the Alliance were amongst the first group I'd formed in the original galaxy. Their hubris and arrogance won and the chain of events led to everyone's destruction. We betrayed each other and our own ideals." Ophis took a large bite of cake, almost as if hoping the sweetness would wash away the bitterness of the past.
"Why go so far for something that's lost? Even if you found a way back, there could only be rubble."
Ophis looked saddened, genuinely.
"Look at the Earth. What do you see?" She asked.
"I see a world of potential; a world of beginnings and endings that has a chance, however slim." Issei's response was almost immediate.
"I see a world that constantly stagnates and repeats as a failed imitation." Ophis's voice cracked. She stood up, stepping closer to the Earth.
"The world we came from was so much brighter before war took it all away, before people tasted too much freedom. There was so much more beauty and understanding. People were allowed to dream amongst the stars and reach for them if they tried. In this world, all we can do is dream. Yes, time will afford the chance to us, but we can only dream and then die in order for those that come after us to reach for those dreams. We had it so good and we didn't realize it." Ophis reached out, her hand shaking.
"This world is so small and thus, the minds of those that live in it are small. If they could remember who they were, they would grow but they cannot. Ideas are dangerous and can create a whirlpool of tragedies. That's why I want to bring only those that would actually understand what we've lost back to our true home."
No one could see her face, but Issei could feel that Ophis meant some of what she said, at the least.
"Even now, the Novella Caelum grow drunk on their power, growing so bold as to repeat history despite all the lessons laid before their eyes in their books and in the graves of their forebearers. This world is just a big loop that never ends."
The Trio appreciated her point of view, but they wouldn't allow themselves to be swayed so easily. The bitterness of betrayal was still lingering in their hearts as scars.
"I want to leave this all behind. I want to leave all those who just can't see past their own ambitions behind. I can't do that without fighting but because of my own limitations, I am forced to have others do so on my behalf. Whether you join us or not is up to you. I merely came here to see what you were up to and to clarify where we stand in all this." Ophis resumed her cool demeanor.
"We came to you because we want you to be with us again, Issei. It's not that we're just obsessed over the past. After all that's happened and all that keeps happening, we just can't do it anymore. We're ready to leave and never come back to this place. Sure, the place we'll return to will be an asteroid belt, but we've been preparing for it. With Ophis's power, we'll be capable of restoring the planet. We'll be living there with lessons taken to heart and leaving behind everything and everyone who keep bringing us back to square one. I know the methods we used were crazy but trust us when we say that we've already tried other methods." Kilesis went to Ophis's side.
"You say all this, but the attacks will still continue. You didn't hesitate to threaten the school when you attacked." Vali angrily glared at Kilesis.
"People do crazy things when pushed to their limits, whether or not they're proud of it. Vali…you've lived a privileged life in this cycle. You've never been pushed to those moral extremes. There's a reason why Issei's been so quiet. Isn't that right?" Kilesis looked at him.
Issei couldn't refute them because everything they pointed out that was wrong with the world were factors that drove Bahamut to madness. His hands weren't clean either, in his past lives. Still, that didn't completely justify them.
"Issei, please think about what we've said. If you wish to see examples of what I mean, then I shall withdraw the troops loyal to our original vision. You will see just how tiring this all is." Ophis turned around to leave.
"If you saw all this coming, then why didn't you nip it in the bud?" Issei stood up.
"That would've meant civil war. It'd have made us too weak to complete our goals. We'd have been made easy pickings for the Alliance."
"Italna!" Adelaide called out to her former maid just as she was leaving.
"Everyone has their own justice, Milady. Everyone has their own belief in what is right and wrong. It's up to each individual to decide what must be done and how it must be done. I hope that the next time we meet again, it'll be under happier circumstances. Know that I enjoyed the life I lived as your maid. I'll keep a pot of tea waiting for you." Italna turned away without another word as she departed with Ophis and Kilesis.
The Trio were left in silence to ponder Ophis' words. It was so much to absorb. Doubt and cynicism felt like a wall in their minds that didn't want them to accept nor understand. Yet, Ophis' words weren't something they could completely brush off.
The world kept repeating over and over and it was indeed so tiring. Issei knew exactly how she felt.
"If you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." He muttered to himself.
"Issei, you're not seriously…"
"I know we can't get persuaded by anyone who uses pretty words. Still, I didn't just die to circumstance in past lives. I didn't just die to the Aviturs, those deaths were the only ones I've mentioned. I've been betrayed and been a victim of casualties from the world's pettiness. I don't like adding to her point, but Ophis isn't entirely wrong."
"Issei!" Vali turned him around to look him in the eyes. They'd come too far just to be turned into another direction.
"It's no sin to try and understand others, Vali. I'm not saying I'm going to just side with her after this one encounter. I'm just admitting that I've begun to understand where she's coming from is all."
"What do we do?" Adelaide asked. There were so many meanings behind that question.
What did they do now? Choose a side? Stay neutral? Continue their mission? Abandon it and embrace a new one? Wander aimlessly?
"We do what we originally set out to do. I won't rest until we rid the Void's taint from your soul, Adelaide. After that, we'll do as we've always done. We'll find a way to make things work out."
"Let's get the Construct into the ship and keep moving. We've spent too much time in one place."
(Rurouni Kenshin 2012 OST – Korosazu. End Song.)
After summoning the ship to their location and pushing it into the Bastion's hangar, Issei, Vali, and Adelaide prepared to leave.
All at once, dozens of magic circles appeared. They recognized many of the symbols in those circles. The Alliance had come.
"Computer! Get us out of here! Set destination as far as possible!" Vali screamed.
It was too late. A massive bolt of lightning struck the ship.
"Shield integrity at 84%." Red lights blinked and alarms blared as the ship rocked like a hammock in wind.
"Damage report!"
"Left Thrusters slightly damaged. All functions still operational."
"Teleport now!" Adelaide demanded.
"I don't think so!" Another bolt of lightning struck the ship.
They all turned around to see Gabriel, the Archangel. She unfurled her wings as she stomped on the ship's deck.
"We can't let you escape this time." Her tone was soft and apologetic.
The Trio instantly went into their armored states. It was time to put all their training and research to the test, despite their preference not to.
"Juggernaut Imperial Overdrive – Argent Raiment!" Vali's white armor turned silver, the sapphire gems in her armor constantly glowing.
"Advent!" Adelaide became clad in her white and gold armor, her metal wings brimming with light.
Vali put a hand on the Atlantean Construct, teleporting it away with [Transcendence].
"What was that?" Gabriel referred to the relic that the Trio had sent away.
"It must be pretty important for you to whisk it away." Baraqiel floated down.
This was going to be a problem. As things stood, the enemies sent after them were all impervious to light or were heavily resistant to it. Supernatural beings of light and lightning began to pour in around them.
"Surrender yourselves and your possessions. Don't make us use force." Baraqiel's warning was stern but his eyes looked reluctant. It was no surprise, considering Vali was good friends with Akeno.
"I'm sorry, but I can't do that." Issei unfurled his wings, exuding his aura.
Baraqiel clenched his fist, reading Issei's strength. It was no small feat do defeat six out of seven Aviturs in their human forms, even if they weren't at full strength, Issei had also been dying and was human at that point. Baraqiel knew that underestimating any of them could be fatal.
"I'll handle Vali." Gabriel gently made the decision for the fallen angel.
"Thank you." He silently whispered to his former sister.
"It's no use trying to run, Issei. We've now sealed off teleportation." Baraqiel reiterated the situation.
"You already know my answer." Issei stepped between Vali and Gabriel.
"Do you have any idea how much destruction you caused back at Headquarters?" Serafall sighed like a disappointed mother.
"I'm well aware. That was pretty much the point of escaping." Issei dangerously growled.
Baraqiel had grown tired of beating around the bush. They had a mission and time was short.
"This is your last chance. Come with us quietly or we'll use force."
Issei and the others had no choice but to fight. They needed to get out of here and use the Atlantean Construct, which they'd sent away somewhere safe.
"Then let's stop wasting time." Issei took a deep breath.
(Megaman Zero 3 OST – Cannonball ~ Mythos. Play Song.)
In an instant, his aura burst to life, drowning out the sight of the enemy. When Baraqiel, Gabriel, and Serafall saw him, they jumped. All they could see aside from the navy aura were two glowing red eyes. Combined with Issei's aura, it felt like staring at Bahamut again.
Issei dashed in front of Baraqiel, punching him square in the gut. Baraqiel knew that the youth of this generation had much potential, with many of them already surpassing High-Class beings and reaching the cusp of Ultimate Class. How long had it been since someone's punch hurt this much?
"Blitzer!" Issei's armor thinned as his speed rose exponentially.
Issei disappeared from sight before Baraqiel could react. The fallen angel threw his guard up, blocking punches from Issei. He watched Issei's fighting pattern and movements, using barriers of light to block.
Baraqiel had to watch closely and make a move quickly. Even if Issei was hitting weaker, his hits were noticeable. When Issei appeared in front of him, Baraqiel laced his own body with holy lightning to grab his punch.
When he tried to retaliate, Issei dodged to the side, as if predicting him. He kneed the fallen angel in the stomach before punching him in the face, knocking the fallen angel general aside.
"Not bad." Baraqiel brushed his clothes off before rushing at Issei.
He formed spears of light, volleying them at the host of Bahamut. Issei punched and knocked them aside with punches and kicks, only to recoil from the electricity imbued in them.
Baraqiel clapped his hands together, with Issei finally noticing why he'd flung so many spears at him. The spears had arranged themselves around Issei. Bolts of holy lightning sparked between the spears, zapping Issei.
Issei jittered as the electricity flowed through his armor but he mustered the strength to flare his aura into an explosive burst, dispersing the spears of light.
Baraqiel clicked his teeth in annoyance. He was going to have to go all out to subdue Issei. He lunged at Issei again, only to get a foot to the face, being knocked away.
Issei then turned to see the advantage waning on Vali and Adelaide's side. He aimed his back cannons at the ground, firing beams at the ground that tunneled between Vali and Gabriel.
With the chance given, Vali punched her in the face, finally establishing physical contact.
"[Divide 10x]"
Gabriel groaned as she felt a portion of mana get ripped away. That did nothing to slow her down, however, as she fired a rain of light swords at Vali. The White Dragon Empress ducked and weaved between them, firing back orbs of mana.
"[Division Slicer]" Vali swiped her hand through the air, firing a thin crescent of mana that cleanly cut through a formation of rock next to Gabriel.
Gabriel pointed her finger at Vali, launching a tiny bolt of holy lightning that split into dozens, all of them homing in on her.
"[Transcendence]" Vali teleported behind Gabriel, only for the Archangel to grip her arm tight.
"Vali!" Adelaide shot Gabriel away, knocking her into a wall.
"I wouldn't take your eyes off me if I were you!" Serafall gestured her hand upward, causing ice to encase Adelaide.
Serafall smirked, only to falter as Adelaide broke free.
"[Rejection Zone]" Adelaide's magic circle pushed their pursuers away, giving them a chance to run.
"[Transc-" Before Vali could finish invoking her teleportation, she was hit from behind by Serafall.
Serafall snapped her fingers, circling snowflakes and frigid mist around them. Issei looked at his legs to see ice encasing them.
"[Fortress Maker]" Issei's armor shifted and changed to become bulkier and thicker.
He surrounded them shields and metal fortified with his magic. He could feel the ice eating away at his defenses, the frost growing thicker. Immediately, the dome he made trembled as their pursuers kept pounding away at the shield.
"Even if we run, they'll keep pursuing." Vali knew that they could teleport but realistically, there was no getting out of this situation by running.
"Then we go all out and take them down, sentiments aside. Just avoid killing them."
Issei returned to his default Balance Breaker – Onslaught.
He dispersed his shields, firing on all cylinders the moment they disappeared. Serafall, Gabriel, and Baraqiel immediately defended against the violent bombardment. While they were distracted, Issei grabbed Vali and Adelaide, throwing them at Gabriel and Serafall respectively.
Vali hit Gabriel point-blank with [Morning Star], propelling her into space while Adelaide used [Limit Law] to negate Serafall's ice magic for a few minutes.
"Damn it!" Serafall was genuinely stunned when her signature ability was rendered powerless.
Baraqiel saw the state she was in and barreled straight for Adelaide. The moment they were close, Vali grabbed Adelaide and teleported out the way.
"[Skyfall]" A massive wall of light crashed down on their pursuers like a hammer, flatting a square crater onto the Moon's surface.
While they were down, Issei put just enough mana into his cannons to knock out the opposition.
"Clench your teeth." He warned.
Vali and Adelaide stepped far away as the beams from his twin shoulder cannons howled at Serafall, Baraqiel, and Gabriel.
Before the attack could connect, it was stopped by something. Something was parting the beam. Issei charged another blast but was stopped when he noticed two glowing eyes. He felt a slight twinge of fear fester in his stomach. The dust settled and the one standing there was none other than Athena, followed by Artemis, and Amaterasu.
Athena had long brown hair tied into a braid, a war helmet covering her head. Her white dress was replaced by golden armor that radiated with a grey aura and in her hands was a shield with the face of Medusa, the Aegis, and in her other hand was a spear.
Amaterasu had long red hair and golden eyes that were like the sun. Her kimono was red with golden embroideries of sunlight carefully sewn into them. She deserved her reputation as one of, if not the highest deity of the Shinto, if looks were the only qualities to go by.
(Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood OST – The Intrepid. Play Song.)
"This has gone on long enough." Athena's gaze was stern and cold. When Issei looked into her eyes, he could see the confidence. There wasn't any apparent arrogance, no, she came here with at least three plans should any one of them fail.
Athena was famed as a goddess of wisdom and none of the Trio knew to underestimate her.
"The boy may have Bahamut as a power source, but he's not capable of the same level of destruction that Bahamut is. We can't afford to wait him out. If our records are correct, his regeneration isn't something we can tire out, either. We'll have to focus on containment. Amaterasu, use your powers to stall for time while I use Aegis to weaken their willpower. Artemis, make sure to immobilize them. The moment they make a move, target the boy first."
Athena stamped the bottom of her spear into the ground, holding up Aegis to project its aura. The Trio averted their gaze. If they looked at the shield when its magic was cast, they'd lose their courage and willpower.
Amaterasu clapped her hands together, ghostly stone mounded around the Trio, with golden light encasing them.
Before the gods could take another action, the prison Amaterasu made began crumbling, navy light peaking through the cracks. In an intense explosion that threw dust everywhere, Issei's attack blinded the enemy's sight. Vali and Adelaide rained a storm of light spheres at Athena and her team, only for the goddess to block with Aegis.
Amaterasu raised her hands to the sky, forming a colossal sphere of golden fire.
Vali swiped the incoming attack away, though it charred her gauntlet, even melting some of its layers.
"[Half Dimension]" Vali spread her wings, shrinking down the area where Athena and her team were standing.
Artemis shot an arrow at her, only for Adelaide to block it with a barrier. The arrow shattered into particles, each one turning into dust. The Moon goddess snapped her fingers, causing lunar light to erupt from the ground underneath the Trio while her team gained a pale white aura.
Once again, Amaterasu tried to trap the three. Luckily, Vali teleported them out of the way before they could be caught.
Athena jumped in front of Issei, using Aegis' magic to try and demoralize him and drain his willpower. The moment he made eye-contact with the shield, Issei felt Bahamut react. The moment his drive began to falter, the Abyssal Dragon's rage took its place. His aura burst, slamming Athena back with unprecedented power. Everyone around him was sent flying away as Issei roared. He had no control of himself, power overloaded his instincts as he felt Bahamut grappling for control.
Every cell in his body tingled, his heart pounding as he fought to control himself.
"Bahamut…" Athena stood still like machine, analyzing him.
Issei looked around. More and more enemies were pouring in. At this rate, Bahamut could kill everyone, rather than merely injure. He had to try and regain control.
Athena looked at Aegis and sighed. Bahamut's power had done something to her shield's potency. She pointed her spear at Issei, firing a white beam at him. Issei blocked before flapping his wings. Howling navy mana rushed at her, only for Athena to block again. She slashed at the air, directing two waves of energy at Adelaide and Vali, who jumped out the way, only for Artemis to rush back into the fight. She fired arrows that homed in on them, just for them to be swatted away.
Now that everyone was stuck in motion, Amaterasu slapped her hand onto the ground, causing an eruption of golden fire from the ground. Adelaide brushed the fire away with [Rejection Zone]. Athena pointed her shield at her, jinxing her with Aegis' debilitating magic. Adelaide immediately felt the will to fight leave her, dropping to her knees. Artemis capitalized on the chance, slinging a massive arrow of silver mana at her. Vali stood in front of Adelaide.
"[Compression Divider]"
The arrow was rapidly reduced to nothing, but Vali didn't stop there.
"[Spirit Division]"
She also targeted every enemy around her. Enemies began fainting, their weapons being reduced to nothing.
"Get behind me!" Athena stood at the forefront of Vali's magic. Aegis, Amaterasu's and Artemis' magic combined to stave off Vali's new technique. Just from what she was seeing, this spell drained enemies of their fighting spirit, mana, and reduced their weapons to nothing. An oddly peaceful measure despite all the reports.
"No more holding back, take them down!" Artemis invoked her full power.
She rained hundreds of energy bolts down on the Trio while weakening them and strengthening her team with the Moon's power. Issei used Fortress Maker to erect barriers while Vali divided incoming attacks while mitigating whatever strengthening Artemis was trying to cause. Adelaide, who'd managed to recover a bit, prepared [Limit Law].
"Hang on, Issei." Adelaide watched through the cracks of Issei's shields, waiting for an opening.
Athena and her team combined their attack, launching it right at the three.
"Vali, compress that!" Adelaide turned to her other half.
She did as told, rapidly dissipating the attack before it could it them. Issei dispersed the shielded dome around them so that Adelaide could fire her spell.
"[Limit Law]"
A white burst of mana washed over the area and the moon, banishing all of the Alliance's forces back to Earth. Adelaide dropped to her knees.
(Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood OST – The Intrepid. End Song.)
"They'll be away for a while. I managed to banish their presence from the Moon. We should run now." She panted.
"How're you holding up?" Vali brushed sweat off her forehead.
"Fighting six god-level people really tires you out. Limiting abilities is one thing but banishing their presence and sending them away is another thing when they're gods." Adelaide took Vali's hand to stand up.
"Let's not waste any more time." Issei scowled as he felt more divine presences.
He turned around to find that a score of new enemies had arrived.
"Issei, at this rate, you're all going to get run down." Rexis had been monitoring Issei's condition and new he wasn't going to be in a good shape to fight even stronger enemies. If a leading god attacked now, the Trio could lose.
Rexis had a point. Issei looked to the other two, trading glances. They knew that they'd get captured at this rate. They needed a distraction to escape. Sadly, that went out the window with the arrival of their new opponents. Two entities emerged from gigantic portals.
"Of all people…" Rexis muttered.
One of the pair was a woman adorned in a dress that shimmered different colors with each movement, akin to a Greek design. Her eyes were glowing green lights, with gemmed jewelry adorning her wrists and ankles. Wrapped around her waist were belts of several animal hides.
Next to her was a man similarly dressed to her, wearing pants made of various creature skins, a belt made of the same material, with gauntlets and armored boots. His eyes were like fireballs, his hair was constantly moving as if underwater.
"Typhon and Echidna." Albion groaned.
"Listen thus. Lay down your arms and go with us to the Alliance. You will be given all rights entitled to your position and circumstances. Any further struggle will only worsen your fate." Typhon's voice was loud and clear like thunder.
The Trio looked at one another. Holding back was no longer an option. Typhon was the strongest enemy of the Olympians, with Echidna being an equally dangerous threat.
"Now." Vali decided. They were already tired after fighting so many opponents, three of them being goddesses. They had to pull out all the stops now.
(Genshin Impact OST – Dance With the Great Vortex. Play Song.)
The three began powering up, their auras dyeing the moon in navy, white, and light blue.
"Calamity Catalyst: Calamity Savior!" Issei's armor grew eight metallic dragon wings, his armor becoming more angular and sleeker.
"Juggernaut Overdrive: Argent Ruler!" Vali's silver armor gained golden accents on the hems of her armor, an armored skirt draped around her belt while Another pair of Divine Dividing sprouted from her back.
"Advent: Astral Arbiter!" Adelaide's armor had become more intricate, with golden accents across her adornment. Her wings were purely made of light now, with a ring of light behind her back.
Typhon grew to his full size, taking on a monstrous form from legends. His eyes became complete fireballs, a ring of clouds came about him and his legs became serpentine. Echidna followed suit, her lower end becoming serpent, her hair shimmering different colors as her nails became talons.
The Trio flew into the air, eager to end this as quickly as possible. Vali zipped between the pair, slashing at them with her wings of light.
"Divide!" Albion declared.
Typhon's clouds volleyed dozens of lightning bolts at her. The moment he turned away, Adelaide attacked, firing rings of light at him. Typhon dissipated into cloud, her attacks passing through him.
Echidna swatted at her, only for Adelaide to duck and weave.
Issei tossed hordes of weapons form his arsenal, drawing small drops of blood from the enemy duo.
Echidna pointed her finger at him. Snakes sprung to life from her hand, all hissing and trying to devour him. Split seconds determined Issei's fate as he maneuvered as quickly as he could, firing back beams at the serpents.
Typhon reformed behind him, his mouth open, a bright light growing from it. Vali stood in between them, using [Reflect] to bounce his beam back at his face. Typhon staggered as the shockwave cracked the moon's surface. He nearly doubled over as he took a long pause to shake off the pain.
Vali hurled into the ground from the resulting attack, her armor dented and ashen. She knew Typhon was one of the strongest creatures ever, but she'd underestimated how much reflecting his attack would hurt.
"Your training's paid off. Before all this, you would've been killed if you'd tried to reflect that level of attack." Albion sounded proud and scared.
Elsewhere, Adelaide was flying back and forth, cutting at Echidna with blades of light.
'I can definitely use Limit Law more often. If I can get the chance, I can charge it quick enough to send these two out of here.' Adelaide knew that to end this fight, either she did this or Issei blasted them full force.
Echidna whipped at her with snakes from her flesh, only for Adelaide to use [Limit Law] on it, negating her ability to sprout snakes from her skin. Echidna opened her mouth, spewing swirls of fire from it. Were it not for her aura protecting her, Adelaide would've been burned.
Adelaide circled around her, attacking with light and deflecting with [Rejection Zone]. Yet, the resulting aftershocks rattled her less-durable frame.
Issei flew higher into the air. He deployed all of his wing [satellites] and aimed his shoulder cannons. He summoned the spirits of the Knights of the Round Table, all of them taking aim at Echidna and Typhon.
Vali and Adelaide flew to his side, both preparing their own attacks.
"[Astral Blessing]" Adelaide used her new powers learned from Atlantis' archives to increase Vali and Issei's destructive power.
"[Star Divider]" Vali's attack was like a swarm of stars clustered into a comet. The moment it touched Typhon and Echidna, the individual stars divided a portion of Typhon and Echidna's strength.
With their own attacks out the way, Vali and Adelaide put their power to use. They used their Songstress powers to further increase Issei's strength.
"[Legion Burst]" Issei and the spirits of the Knights of the Round Table bombarded Typhon and Echidna with stunning beams of navy.
The mother and father of Greek monsters were unable to fight back in their weakened states. They could only sink to their knees against a taste of Bahamut's power.
(Genshin Impact OST – Dance With the Great Vortex. End Song.)
When the dust settled, the Moon looked as if it were on the cusp of cracking apart.
Issei, Vali, and Adelaide nearly collapsed upon going back to their normal states. Issei felt his body locking up from the soreness and overuse of his powers.
"Vali, can you teleport us out of here?" Adelaide asked.
"I don't know, maybe. I'm so tired I can barely stand." Vali coughed as she tried to get her breathing under control.
The Trio felt an incoming attack, with Issei diving forward to shield Adelaide and Vali. The resulting attack exploded, knocking the three unconscious. The sheer power and their own exhaustion made it impossible for any other outcome to happen. The attacker soon revealed himself to be Enki, levitating from afar, having watched the entire situation unfold.
"They did better than I'd hoped. They managed to win against Typhon and Echidna. They're worth my time, after all." Enki couldn't have hoped for a better display of strength from them. Typhon alone had been a match for Zeus.
"Restrain them. We have work to finish." Enki could only smile.
It wasn't easy for me to pick out the opponents for this chapter. The Trio needed to grow stronger and prove it and I didn't want to just use monsters. I figured it was time to actually make them fight with deities, especially Issei.
If Baraqiel, Serafall, Gabriel, Athena, Artemis, Amaterasu, Echidna, and Typhon had gone after them at the same time, it's have been a different story. Unless Issei tapped into more of Bahamut's power, and thereby tapping into his insanity, they'd have lost.
As a special treat to the readers, I will reveal Viatorus' identity in either Chapter 76 or 77, depending on how I pace it and the length.
Now, as always, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I'll see you all next time.
