italics - Thoughts
Bold underlined - Spells/Sword Skills
[Bold] - Ddraig
[Ddraig] - Ddraig mental speech
{Bold} - Albion speech
[Issei] - Issei mental speech with Ddraig
[Issei] - Issei speaking with Ddraig
Underlined - Timeskips/Flashbacks
"Bold" - Rating Game Announcement
Disclaimer: I do not own Highchool Dxd, Sword Art Online, or any of its characters. All rights belong to their creators.
Chapter 19: Their battles for personal gains Pt.6
When Issei and Co. arrived at the end of the long hall they had traversed, the first thing they saw was a shrine like structure. Then-
"ASIAAAA!" Issei shouted out.
-they saw Asia, strapped to a large machine before the altar. It's a circular device which is carved into the wall, there are jewels located in various parts, and it also has mysterious symbols and letters in it. Is this supposed to be portraying some sort of magic-circle? Issei thought, before he shook his head. No, I have to stay focused!
Issei ran forward, ready to help her out of the machine. But then he stopped. Eyes widening, he took in her state.
Her clothes had been ripped in places, including her chest area. And even though with the machine covering her body somewhat, it did nothing to protect her modesty. And there were also... a small welt on her left cheek.
-As if someone had struck her-
Issei's blood roared in his ears.
"You finally came." Appearing from the side of the device was Diodora Astaroth, the traitorous devil. The gentle smile on his face served to anger Issei further, but he calmed slightly when he saw the devil's state.
Diodora had small nicks here and there, with the most obvious one being the small line of blood on his face, and the patch of blood on his right chest, where a person's heart usually was. It looks like Asia gave that bastard a good hit or two! Looks like the lessons that Asuna-san gave Asia for self-defence came in handy again!
"…..Ise-san?" Asia looked at Issei's direction when she heard Diodora and Issei speak. When he looked closer, Issei could see that her eyes were swollen.
She had cried. It was a truth that struck Issei in the heart. And that could have only led to a single conclusion.
A single, sick conclusion.
"….Diodora. You told Asia about the whole thing." It was a statement.
"Yeah. I told everything to Asia." Diodora's mouth shifted into a wide, self-satisfied grin. "Fufufu, I wanted to show it to you as well. The moment she had the best expression. The face Asia had when she found out everything was going according to my plan was simply the best. Look, I even left the video of it." He took out a crystal. "Should I play it? She really had a splendid face. The expression of the women affiliated with the Church falling, no matter how many times I see it, I never get bored of it."
Asia began to sob once more. Issei gripped his fist so hard, he could feel his nails digging into his flesh, blood started to slowly drip out of his fist.
"But I think it's still lacking." Diodora hummed mockingly. "Yes, Asia still has hope inside her. I'm talking about you guys. Especially that filthy Sekiryuutei over there. Because you saved Asia, my plan turned into a failure. That fallen-angel woman….Raynare. I was supposed to appear and kill Raynare, after she killed Asia once and I was planning to give my evil-piece then. I thought you wouldn't win, even if you were to interfere. Then I found out you are the Sekiryuutei. It's an interesting occurrence. Thanks to that my plan was postponed quite a lot, but she finally returned to me. Now I can enjoy Asia." Diodora snickered, his closed eyes opening up to reveal the yellow and red coloured eyes of his.
"Shut up." Issei's words came out before he could think. His rage was at a all-time high.
"Asia is still a virgin, right? I like to train them from virgins, and I will hate it if she was already 'used' by Sekiryuutei." Diodora continued on, his sick smile becoming even wider than before. "Ah, but maybe it might be fun to NTR from Sekiryuutei? Maybe it would be good to forcefully have sex with her while she screams out your name…"
"I SAID SHUT UPPPPPP!" Issei finally snapped.
[Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker!] Ddraig announced.
Almost immediately, Issei was covered in his Scale Mail, the trigger having been pulled. I knew you were a villain! Ever since we met, my gut has been saying that you were something like Riser, but I couldn't tell why.
Now, I do. You are worse than Riser. He just wanted to show Buchou off as a trophy, but he was not inherently evil. Just super arrogant. But you…you aren't just a villain! You are scum who far surpasses that! A brute, a shit who just talks about love, but is nothing more than a traitorous piece of scum lower than trash!
Issei was even more enraged than when Vali had once said that he would kill his parents. In fact, Issei had the feeling that unless he beat Diodora within an inch of his life, he would not be able to keep calm.
"Diodoraaaaaaaa! You…you are one person I will never forgive." Issei's voice calm, yet it spoke volumes of how utterly pissed he was. "Buchou, everyone. Please, don't interfere."
Rias was silent for a bit. Then-
"I would like to say that 'Ise, we should defeat him together,' but it looks like you will not hold back."
"…Thank you, Buchou." Issei bowed his head towards Rias slightly. Ddraig, would you allow me to do as I please for today?
[…Go ahead partner.] Ddraig broke his silence.
Thank you.
"Ah ha ha ha!" Diodora chortled as he looked at the armoured form of Issei. "So this is Sekiryuutei! But I also powered-up! With the snake Ophis gave me that is! I can kill you instan–"
*GOON*
Issei's aura flared up, causing Diodora to cut himself off immediately.
"Tsk." Clicking his tongue, Diodora wrapped his entire body in a dark aura, before quickly shooting large masses of demonic energy at Issei.
…pathetic. Wordlessly, Issei flicked the large masses aside with Dress Coat.
Like a candle under a large gust of wind, the masses of demonic energy flickered in the air, before fizzling out of existence, Dress Coatalready working its unique nature.
*Thoon*
With a whooshing sound akin to a sudden large displacement of air, Issei appeared before Diodora, sword at the ready to swing downwards and cleave him in half!
"Ku!" Recognizing the danger, Diodora blasted large masses of demonic energy before him, forcing Issei to block it with his blade, and allowing Diodora to escape. Barely.
"I'm a High-class devil! The blood relative of the current Maou Beelzebub!" From how close he was, Issei could see that Diodora's eyes burned with a fire. And it was not one of courage-
"There is no way that a noble high blood like myself will lose to a lowly, filthy, and vulgar reincarnated-devil like y–"
*shnk*
-only disgust for the other, and the feeling of superiority. And Issei quickly put a stop to that.
By thrusting Ascalon through his gut.
"Kaf!" Diodora stumbled backwards, shock filling his entire system as he registered the foreign object that had just entered his body. "You…lowly…dragon…!"
"…" Issei stared at Diodora impassively. He had mixed feelings running through him, but at the same time, he was unsure of WHAT exactly he was feeling at that exact moment.
Oh, he knew he was feeling rage. He would not have been able to contain his rage when Diodora kidnapped Asia. Him hitting her only served to make his rage grow. Yet, instead of the narrow-minded tunnel vision he had once experienced in the past, all he had was an odd clarity at that moment.
"… …" Issei kept quiet, merely watching as Diodora weakly tried to get away, only to have his attempts foiled by the blood his hands were getting soaked in. You know, this guy is an idiot. All he has to do is just take a few steps back. I only pierced his stomach, not run him through. Yet, he is acting as I had killed him, or come close to it. Issei felt a twinge of disappointment run though him. This guy is supposed to be more powerful then Buchou, but compared to Old Man Tanin, he is not scary at all…he is too weak…a quick death is too good for him. A beating would do the trick instead.
Mind made up, Issei not-so-gently kicked Diodora off Ascalon, before flicking off the excess blood that had coated its tip, not deeming it worthy for Ddraig to have to taste, or heavens forbid, be covered in this idiotic, traitorous and way too prideful devil's bodily fluids. Weakly, Diodora attempted to retaliate, only for his eyes to widen in horror when the bullets of demonic energy simply bounced off of Issei's armour
[I am inclined to agree with you partner.] Ddraig agreed in his mind when Issei thought about that. [In terms of battle power, you are quite the opponent. Especially since this time, you have no restrictions placed on you. This one just antagonised a dragon, one of the most powerful non-devil species. Even if you are my weakest host in history, you are growing stronger with time. And whoever tries to insult the Sekiryuutei who has achieved their Balance Breaker is just looking for a death wis– Partner, look out!]
"Gaah!" Issei felt many things pierce him through his armour. The smaller projectiles had penetrated his armour this time! This is...I see, so he gathered all the demonic power to the tip of the projectiles... Quickly, Issei judged that despite the stinging pain, the sharp, pointy things had just broke his skin, but not doe any major damage. Luckily for him.
Not so much for Diodora.
"You…" Issei growled out, putting away Ascalon. Freeing his hands, he brought his fists down.
"Waa!" Panicking, Diodora quickly brought his hands up. Infusing his hand with demonic power, multiple barriers of demonic aura manifest themselves between him and Issei, tinting the devil in a light yellow colour. "I won't be defeated by a damn rotten dragon like you!"
"HAA!"
*Crack crack crack thunk!*
Issei's fists, which had been breaking through the barriers smoothly, was stopped by the final barrier, which was much thicker compared to it's earlier counterparts.
"Ahahahahahaha! Did you see! I have higher demonic-power than you! There is no way that a power idiot Sekiryuutei can defeat me!" Diodora boasted.
It would be more effective if you were not sweating like crazy, or if I had not broken through most of your barriers. Issei thought. "How about I show you the power of the power-idiot then?"
[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!]
"ORA!" Issei allowed the boosters on his back to flare up, increasing the already Boosted punch he was unleashing.
*Crack~*
The area around Issei's fist started to crack. Then-
*Shatter*
-the wall broke, perishing under Issei's fist. With one swift movement, Issei grabbed Diodora up by his shirt.
"Hee~!" Diodora's expression morphed into one of fear as he let out a short scream. Issei nearly winced, but kept his face impassive. Geez, this guy screams like a girl.
"Sorry for being a power idiot then." Issei's face was impassive when he spoke towards Diodora at first. But, as he spoke, his face slowly became more angry…more vengeful. "But, you see, I won't be satisfied unless my fist is in your face!"
*Tuk*
"GOFUH!" Spittle flew from Diodora's mouth when Issei's fist impacted Diodora's stomach.
*Tuk*
[Boost!]
"UGH!"
*Tuk*
[Boost!]
"Kah"
*Tuk*
[Boost!]
With each impact, Issei's Boosted himself, increasing his attack power.
With each Boost, Diodora's defences slowly fell away, his mind in no shape to maintain them.
With each Boost, Diodora's face and body became more bruised and beaten.
*thunk*
After dozens of seconds, Issei stops the brutal attack, dropping Diodora's body to the floor. Issei could sense that the devil's reserves were low, having been used to try and mitigate as much of the damage that Issei had dealt to him as possible.
"…"
"…"
"…" No one said anything s they observed the beaten form of Diodora. Amazingly, he was still alive, despite the beating that Issei gave him. A testament to how durable he had made himself, and how good his skill on healing was.
"…why?" Diodora croaked. His throat was filled with fluids(most likely snot, Issei thought), so his voice came out nasally and rather hard to hear. But, amidst that, Issei could detect a tiny hint of arrogance. "I was supposed to have my power increased drastically with Ophis's power! I should have been able to crush the Sekiryuutei… …I won against Agares! I'm also planning to win against Bael! There is no way I will lose to the untalented heir of the Great-King! Gremory who holds affection can't even be my opponent! I'm Diodora from the House of Astaroth!"
As Diodora spoke, his voice became clearer and clear, and his pride became more and more evident. By the time he was done, his face had regained some of his original colour. His eyes, too were wide open, showing exactly how distraught he was, before they became their usual nearly closed state.
" …'Why?' you ask?" Issei scoffed. He could not bring himself to hate Diodora anymore. He had reached his limit long ago. "Because even if you get a significant increase, my Sacred Gear is the 'Boosted Gear'. I can constantly increase my power, you dumbass. I can reach your limit, and beyond that, with how far I have come." Staring down at the snivelling devil, he thought of something for a split second, before he nodded his head faintly. Yosh!
"Joan-san, Xenovia, Buchou, anyone else want a go at this pathetic devil?" Issei dragged Diodora over to Rias, dumping him on the floor before them.
"…No." Rias stated coldly, causing Diodora to shiver a little from her tone. "This devil does not deserve to have words wasted on him."
"Neither do we, Ise." Akeno stepped forwards, her face set in a frown. "You helped convey all we wanted to."
Issei nodded his head as he listened to his King and Queen. Then, he faced the last person that had yet to speak.
Joan. A Rook from Diodora's Peerage.
"…J…Joan-chan?" Apparently, Diodora had only just realised the presence of his Rook.
"…Hello, Master." Joan spat out the words like they were poison.
"J-Joan-chan…" Upon seeing that there was one of his Peerage members before him, Diodora started to grin. But it was not borne out of happinness.
It was out of slight madness.
"Is this my redemption? For being treated so harshly by these weaklings?" Diodora asked to the air. "That Gremory heiress should have been bowing towards me for being more powerful than her and allowing her to live, yet she is glaring at me. My Asia is finally with me, but because of these weaklings, my time with her has been short. And that filthy dragon should be grovelling at my feet, yet he is making me do it instead?" Diodora's voice started to get a tinge of hysteria in it as he shook his head rapidly at the end of his sentence. "No no no no no no no! This does not make sense! It should not be true!..."
"Joan!" He snapped towards the blonde. "Help me! Be my shield while I deal with those peasants again! This time, I will not fail!"
"…why did you do it?"
"…" Diodora merely stared at the girl. "What did you say?" He growled.
"Why did you do those things to us?" Joan nearly screamed out her question, fresh tears streaming down her face. "Why did you torture us, punish us, take us against our will? Why?"
"…Because it was fun of course!" Diodora allowed a maniacal grin to appear on his face. "Why would us devils do something that is not remotely fun for us at all?"
"All you nuns are the same. 'Praise thy Lord!. 'He is all We need!' 'Father in Heaven, please give us guidance.' Pah!" Diodora spat to the side. "It makes me sick to see you all so devoted to someone who is dead! But, it is so much fun to see them break!" Diodora giggled like a mad person. "It gives me a high, you know? To see these bitches being forced to do immoral acts against the one that they hold so dear! Their faith being tested!"
"Oh, it is so wonderful to see them slowly lower their guard, slowly lose sight of what they should be doing, before I come along and reveal to them the big truth after making them mine! Their expressions! Their broken will! Kekekekeke" Diodora laughed. "Then, to see their 'holy blood' being spilled, their unblemished skin splitting under my bare hands, to see their crimson life, tainted with that of our enemy's lord, being spilled and desecrated by the acts I do! Ha! Ah, it gives me the best feeling! The best sort of high! To see someone so pure, so innocent, become he thing they are to hate and kill, and to see their faces! Oh, it is like the feeling of release! If you know what I mean! Hehehehehe~"
Outside of his vision, Issei could see Asia turn her head away. Well, I would do too, if the person I had healed turned out to be like this.
"… …I see." Joan whispered quietly. "If that is the case, then Master, I am sure that when the Church and Maou know about this, they would be quick to grant you a heavy punishment."
"…what?" Diodora was confused, as was many of the devils there.
"Well, your statement was just recorded earlier." Joan held up something. When Issei focused on her hand, he realised it was a crystal of some sorts. A crude recording device?
"What is the meaning of this?" Diodora's voice came out harshly, grating against Issei's ears. You dare betray your Master?"
"I did no such thing." A smirk, albeit a small, shaky one, was on Joan's face. "This device was something I made in my spare time as a hobby, for I wished to listen to some old songs I once loved. But, when I failed to follow through with your instructions, the enemy ransacked my clothes and found this among them. After they interrogated me, they found it to be a recording tool that would be useful in punishing you Master. Should any of this get out, you would no doubt face the death sentence, regardless of being the current Maou's kin or not."
"You are just a mere servant of mine!" Diodora roared. He would have moved to grab her, had Issei not stomped down on Diodora's back, forcing him to the ground. Yet, he acted as if he did nothing, choosing instead to shout and scream at his Rook. "You do not have the need, the right, to betray your Master! The one who gave you a new lease of life! The one who brought you back from the brink! You should be grateful-"
"For what?" Joan cut Diodora off. "Why should I be thankful? WHAT should I be thankful for? My friends dying? My name being dragged through the mud so that you can have a new toy? You breaking my heart?" She sniffed, a smirk on her face. "Those are not things I wanted at all. Besides, who said I betrayed you? The Gremory Knight was the one who recorded you, not me."
"GRAH!" Diodora tried to lunge for the blonde, only to be forced back to the ground.
"Issei-san." Issei looked at Joan, who had called him out. "Could you do me a favour?"
"Sure."
"Gift me a Boost, and make Diodora-sama stand up." She hissed Diodora's name out like it was acid in her mouth.
"O…kay?" Blinking in confusion, Issei grabbed onto Diodora's collar, lifting him upright. A firm hand was also on his shoulder, preventing the devil from doing anything. Removing the hand on his collar, Issei brought his hand up, pointing it towards Joan.
[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Gift!]
5 Boosts later, Joan was looking over herself with awe, her body giving off a faint red outline.
"That Gift would only last for a minute at best." Issei warned Joan. "So whatever you want to do, do it quick."
"Thank you, Issei-san." A soft smile, unlike the ones she had worn earlier, made its way onto the woman's face. Issei was momentarily taken in by the beauty that Joan excluded, his face one of calm-
"HAH!"
-before it quickly turned into a wince.
Joan had lashed out with her leg, aiming for a very specific place. One that she hated with every fibre of her being.
With a dull sound, the Boosted leg, with all the force that she could muster as a Rook, met every male's private and most sensitive area of their body.
"… …." Diodoa did not say anything.
He COULD NOT say anything. The last attack had made his face blue with pain.
Releasing his grip, Issei watched as Diodora slowly collapsed to the floor, his hands clutching his 'little Diodora', groans of pain slowly wrenching itself out of the devil's mouth every now and then.
"Hmph." Joan let out a satisfied grunt. "Been waiting to do that for a while now."
Oh Lord, please allow whoever is with this woman to be spared her wrath. Not for the first time, Issei prayed to the ones above, ignoring the twinge of pain as he did so.
..
Issei knew that he should have left Diodora alone now. After all, he had been humiliated, beaten, and properly punished for what he did(except the major one of kidnapping and forcing humans to become devils). Plus he was in loads of pain for what Joan had done to him. But his rage would not be quelled, lest he does it.
With one hand wound behind him, Issei used his other to grab onto Diodora's clothes, forcing the poor devil to stand. Unsteadily, Diodora did so. So focused was he on tending to his bruised(extremely) groin, that he did not notice what Issei was doing until it was too late.
"Don't make our Asia cry!"
At the last moment, Diodora looked up, his eyes meeting Issei's. With a satisfying sound, Issei's fist met Diodora's face.
"Guah!" Diodora collapsed onto the floor once more. This time, he made no move to get up.
Kicking him such that his back lay on the ground, Issei opened the mask part of his helm, glaring at him with his exposed face. Coupled with his red aura being emitted violently, it made for quite the fearsome scene.
"Don't ever get near Asia again! The next time you show yourself before us, then that time I really will blow you away!"
For the first time since the fight(if it could even be called one), Diodora's eyes were wide open. Issei could see that they were dyed with the colour of fear…
[Partner. His heart is already crushed. –His eyes are that of those who have become ingrained with the fear of dragons.]
…I see. Thank you for telling me, Ddraig. Issei felt his rage subside. The roaring of blood in his ears faded to a dull hum. Satisfied with the level of damage he had inflicted on the traitor, he stepped away from Diodora. By now, the devil was shaking from a mixture of pain and fear.
"Wait, Ise." Xenovia hefted her sword, pointing it towards Diodora. "Aren't you going to finish him? He might approach Asia again. Don't you think it will be better for the future if we cut off his head here?"
Wait wait wait! Issei nearly took a step back when he saw Xenovia's eyes. They were dangerously cold, filled with killing intent. If there was a gauge, Issei would have no doubt it would be showing her killing intent at MAX!
Calming himself, Issei shook his head. "…This guy is also a relative of the current Maou. Even if he assisted the terrorists, it would cause trouble to Buchou and Buchou's brother if we kill him. I already beat him enough." He gave a small grin. "Plus, Joan-san kicked him rather hard, so I think he would be unable to do anything against us right now."
"…" Rias raised her eyebrows, then closed her eyes. Issei could tell that Rias was incensed at Diodora, but she decided to let the higher-ups handle Diodora's punishment. Well, that is if he does not get the death penalty first.
…plus, he could tell that Rias was a little satisfied by the small tugging of her lips when she saw Diodora's pitiful form. Now then…
"Asia, are you okay?" Issei turned his attention back to the machine. Now that Diodora was settled, they could focus all their attention on the contraption that Asia was in without fear of being interrupted by the heir of the Astaroth clan.
"Ise-san!" Asia's eyes glimmered. "Diodora-san…he…he…"
"Shh…" Issei gently patted Asia's head. "It's okay. We came to rescue you, Asia. I kept my promise to protect you."
"Ise-san…" Asia bowed her head slightly. Small droplets started to run down her cheeks. Issei could tell that it was a mixture of joy and sadness. Joy from Rias and Co. coming to rescue her. And sadness that the one she rescued caused so much pain towards others. It's okay Asia. Once we get you out of this thing, we will escape to the basement of the shrine, and wait until Sensei and others take care of everythi–
"…I can't take off the restraints on her limbs." Kiba's voice stopped Issei's line of thought.
…what did he say?
Issei turned his attention to one of the clamps that kept Asia's hands. Using his clawed hands, he attempted to take off the restraints connecting Asia to the device, to no avail.
Now panicking, Issei took out Ascalon again. "Ddraig!"
[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Transfer!] The green gem on his gauntlet shone, signalling its use.
"Hah!" Slicing downwards with all his might, Issei looked up…and saw that the restraints did not even have a scratch on it!
Impossible! They could not get the restraints off of Asia, no matter what they did. They tried Kiba's Holy-Demonic blade. Then, Rias's Power of Destruction. Akeno's lightning. Koneko's strength. Xenovia's Durandal. Then, all of them again, this time Boosted as much as possible.
None of them worked.
"Shit!" Issei swore. "Was this thing specially made? The restraints won't even budge!"
"…It's useless." An extremely high-pitched voice told Issei.
AHH? Issei could have sworn that he heard someone ask if he was a Yakuza, but he ignored it in favour of looking at Diodora with a fierce glare. "What did you say?"
"I-it's useless." Diodora flinched when he saw Issei's glare. "T-that device can only be used once due to its mechanism, but it is made s-such that it won't stop unless you use it once. –It won't stop unless Asia's ability is activated."
"What do you mean?
Timidly, Diodora responded. "T-that device is one of the special barriers created by a Longinus possessor. T-the strong barrier protecting this field was also made by him."
"Dimension Lost. I-it is the ultimate barrier-type Sacred Gear among all the a-available Sacred Gears. With the possessor in the centre, i-it is able to spread an unlimited amount of mist. It can s-seal everything inside its zone and e-even teleport it to a different dimension. When it reaches B-Balance B-Breaker, it changes its ability to be able to create any t-type of barrier device the possessor wishes with its mist. I-I was told that this was called Dimension Create. O-once the activation requirements are f-fulfilled, won't stop doing what i-it was made for."
Kiba sternly asked Diodora. "What's the requirement for activation, and what is the ability of this device?"
"….The activation requirement is either I or someone affiliated with us gives the signal to start, or if I was to be defeated." Diodora's words were getting less high pitched and steadier, indicating that his body was healing his damaged body. Although he made no move to stand up. "The ability of the barrier is to increase the power of the one in the restraint, in this case Asia, and reverse its effect."
Reverse? Issei was a little slow on the uptake, but he quickly realised what was going on. Hold on...in our match against Sona-kaichou and her Peerage, Asia's healing was reversed at the last minute...and in that instant, our super effective healing became super effective damage...
Realising it as well, Kiba questioned Diodora again, beating Issei to the punch.
"What about the range of its effect?"
Reluctantly, he answered. "…..This field, and the viewing room where the observers are present at."
"""!"""
Everyone got shocked by the answer. This is bad! Issei thought worriedly. Asia's Sacred Gear can heal not only humans, but also Devils and Fallen Angels! This means that Asia can heal quite a number of mythological figures! If this was too be amplified and reversed, and its range of effect increased to that of the observing room...
"….The leaders of each faction might be eliminated…!" Rias finished Issei's thought, her face turning blue.
The rest of her Peerage, Joan included, was in a similar state of mind. Although, Issei had one question.
"Oi, traitor." Issei nudged the still kneeling devil. "How would you have survived?"
"… …ah…"
"Don't 'Ah.' us!" Issei wanted to facepalm himself in exasperation. "Are you an idiot? You would have been caught in the blast too! Even if you had won against us, then what? The main reason why the Khaos Brigade allowed you to join was because this would be an easy way for them to attack the faction leaders! They would have activated the device regardless if you won or lost against us!" Issei shouted at Diodora.
Words could not describe what he was feeling. After all, even an idiot like him could see that the Old-Maou faction would kill Diodora once had outlived his usefulness. And his usefulness ended once they managed to secure Asia into the device. They were probably going to wait until Diodora tried to get Asia out before activating the device, or charge it up before activating it. But still…
"…they thought of a plan like this with that match against Kaichou?" Issei muttered.
"…No…" Diodora slowly shook his head, hands still covering his throbbing wound(?) from the attack his Rook dealt to him. He was a bit more forthcoming with information, now that he knew the situation he was in. "The possibility of it was predicted quite some time ago. Except, since the ones in the Sitri group used it, the plan was proved to work…."
"So the traitor in the Fallen Angels remained in the organisation, let Sona borrow the Reverse Sacred Gears, and gathered data from their usage and are now able to use it for this plan!" Rias's face was full of anger. "We were too careless!" They were behind so many things…Issei grimanced. …The House of Glasya-Labolas. The match against Sitri. Diodora…the Khaos Brigade did all that under our noses…
"Ddraig, can't you do something about this thing?" Issei asked his partner. "You are also a Longinus, right?"
Everyone looked up when Issei aksed the question. But sadly, they were disappointed.
[No. Unfortunately, Dimension Lost is a higher rank Longinus than the Boosted Gear. And if it reaches Balance-Breaker, its near limitless. Please remember that there are Longinus more powerful than the Boosted Gear. Boosted Gear and Dividing Gear are powerful, but nowhere near the higher end of the category known as the Longinus.]
"Damn it!" Issei cursed. Of all the places, why is such a bastard with that powerful of a Sacred Gear in the Khaos Brigade!? "What can we do?!"
It's impossible to destroy this th–
…
…
…hang on…destroy?
When Asia was first captured by Diodora, she knew she would have to act in order for her to be less of a burden for her Peerage members.
So, when Diodora's attention was not on her for a split second, she chose to run and hide.
…At least, that was the plan until he caught her just before she concealed herself.
In the past, that would have been the end for Asia, who would become a hostage for her Peerage members until they came.
But as for the her now? She decided to utilise the self-defence technique she alone could use.
Gathering her demonic energy, she formed a dagger in hand, piercing it into Diodora, before she attempted to escape. Of course, while said attack managed to make Diodora bleed, it did nothing to help her escape.
Rather, it made the handsome devil angry. So angry, that he had attempted to start early in his plans to break her in.
…the flying daggers aimed at him managed to persuade him otherwise.
With that avenue closed, he decided to tell her a story. A story about a meeting between a devil and an innocent nun.
Oh, Asia had heard this before. She had lived it after all. Only this time-
-not a single fact was left as she had thought it was.
..
Her chance meeting with Diodora, who was on death's doorstep?
A staged encounter.
Her excommunication for being able to heal a devil?
A rumour that was started by one of the higher ups, which had been paid to start said rumour and kick her out.
Her being sent to the Fallen Angels in Kuoh, and later on, being forced to go through that painful ritual to have her Sacred Gear extracted?
They were directed to do so, unknowingly influenced by a third party.
And all of them, they were all orchestrated.
By the hand of the very devil that she had saved.
And the cruel irony? She was not the first one, and the ones that did his bidding all went through the same process she had went, only without the interference of an outside Peerage.
..
When she realised what had happened, she had done the one thing that Asuna had taught her not to do: She let her guard down, shock at that the people who had once praised her were the very reason she had been put through the harrowing experience.
And she vey nearly paid for it to, were it not for the fact that Rias was close. Too close for Diodora's comfort.
So he decided to just be satisfied with a hard punch to her face, dazing her long enough for Diodora to lock her into the strange machine that had been before the alter. And not a moment too soon, for her Peerage members burst through the doorway but a mere minute later.
Then, she saw the cool figure of the one she loved beat the one who had caused her, and so many others like her, so much pain.
She would admit that she felt the tiniest bit of joy at seeing the pitiful figure that was Diodora once Issei and Joan(Who was she?) were done with him.
Then, revelation after revelation piled up, eventually leading to this situation: She was to be used as a weapon against the people she worshipped, people she loved, and people that were very important.
"Ise-san, please, destroy this along with me."
-Thus, she decided. That no deaths would happen because of her.
Especially Ise-san…
"Don't say something stupid Asia!" Xenovia stepped forwards, her eyes wide with surprise. "We WILL get you out of there!"
"B-But at this rate, Sensei and Michael-sama will….with my power….. If that was to happen I would rather….." Please, I don't want anyone to die!
"We won't let that happen, Asia!" Rias stepped up, her eyes firmly on hers. "There is still time."
*GUUUUN*
With a start, Asia realised that the machine had started to vibrate. …Oh no…
"No!" With a battle cry, Xenovia haphazardly swung her Durandal. Every time it met the machine, it simply bounced off with the sound of pulsing energy, not even making a dent. "No, no, no, NO!"
"Xenovia-san..." Asia allowed her tears to flow again. "Rias-onee-sama, Kiba-san, Gasper-san, Ise-san…Please, kill-"
"Don't say something so stupid, Asia!" Issei suddenly shouted out. Moving forward, he placed his hand on Asia's shoulder. "You will be fine! I...I made an oath that I won't let Asia go through sadness again. That I would protect you!"
When Asia looked as Issei's eyes, she could not help but gasp a little. Her heart clenched itself painfully. Ise-san…you look so cool…
Yeah, it is directly attached to Asia.
"That's why, let's go home together. Mum and Dad are waiting at home." When Issei spoke that, Asia started to cry. Most of the people around him looked at him with disbelieving faces.
"Ise…" Rias asked the boy. "How? We can't stop the machine, nor can we break it-"
"We can." Issei knew that he was being rude, but time was of the essence. "Ddraig, I believe in you."
[What do you mean, Partner?] Ddraig asked, confused.
Issei ignored him for the moment. Touching his other hand against one of the metal restraints, while keeping the one on Asia's shoulder, he visualised in his head. What he wanted to do. If it is impossible by using Ddraig's power directly, how about a special move in which I use Ddraig's power on my imagination?
"Asia. I will apologise beforehand." Sorry Asia, but this is all for the sake of saving you!
"Eh?" Adorably, Asia tilted her head to the side in confusion.
"Rise, my worldly desire! Dress Break!"
Issei's gauntlet emitted a green glow. "Balance Breaker, Dress Break Boost!"
[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!]
Issei saw that all the jewels on his armour started to glow, power flowing to his hands.
Imagine it! Concentrate on it! Issei closed his eyes. Asia's naked body! Yes, the appearance of when she was born wearing nothing! I saved that on my brain before!
Remember the smooth, white skin! The soft, beautiful body!
Impose that imagination of mine over reality!
"Hah!" Filled with fighting spirit, Issei pushed all that power into the mental image he had conjured. Strip her, make her free from any confines!
SAVE ASIA!
*Crack*
"Impossible…" Faintly, Issei could hear Diodora's whisper.
*Crack, Crack~*
Opening his eyes, he found that the glow his armour had emitted had died down. Asia was no longer being bather in the green light. But there was a visible change. Now, the machine had numerous cracks running all over it.
As he watched, even more cracks started to appear. Then-
*Rii~p!*
"Iya!" Asia instinctively covered her chest, making herself as small as possible. Seeing as he was the closest, Issei instinctively dispelled his armour, allowing Asia to be held in the warm embrace of his body, instead of the cold metal that his armour was made off.
Within the span of a few seconds, the unbreakable machine had broken slightly. Cracks were running along the areas which held Asia's body. Asia had been freed from the machine, her restraints blown to scrap metal…but her nun clothes were in a similar state, exposing her bare body for the world to see-
Yes, a Success!
-Although…Issei allowed the fact that Asia was naked and currently resting in his arms fly out of his head for the moment. It looks like what Kirito told me worked for this as well!
[Worked…ah, so that boy helped you grow once more, eh.] Ddraig sounded confused at first. but he quickly regained his composure. [Looks like you are steadily becoming more and more powerful, Partner.]
Issei did not know what Ddriag meant, but he did not care for the moment. To him, all that mattered was that Asia was safe.
*GUUuuunn…*
At the same time, the machine's hum dulled to a lull, before fading away. looks like without Asia in there the machine stopped working.
"Ara ara." Akeno appeared besides Issei. "Ise-kun, could you release your hold on Asia for a bit?" The moment he did, Asia was immediately clad in the Kuoh uniform through Akeno's demonic power.
"Issei," Rias asked, a shocked look on her face. "How did you come up with the idea that Dress Break can destroy it? Can that destroy anything which is attached to the woman's body?"
"I-I'm not really sure on the specifics." Issei admitted. "Kirito once told me that since my Dress Break and Billingual were created from my imagination, I could alter how I use it. So I thought that maybe since the restraints were on her ankles and wrists, it would be counted as part of her clothes. I then remembered about Asia's naked body within my head, and imagined seriously that I want to turn her into that state. Maybe it wouldn't work if I did it normally. I think I succeeded because I was in Balance Breaker state and because I increased it with Boost version. It feels like I cleared the grey zone. If you want to know more, you could ask Kirito. He came up with that idea in the beginning."
"Achoo!" Said black haired boy sneezed, before he sniffled. Is someone talking about me?
Issei knew that that was a bad explanation, but it was the best he could come up with. It is better than saying I felt that it would work. Besides, I am not the type of guy able to explain his every action properly. I just do it and think of things and try to make them work.
Rias tilted her head in confusion when she heard the explanation. "Hmm, maybe Ise's imagination and wild ideas were also a factor for it? I'll ask Kirito later then."
"Yeah." Well with this, Asia is safe! The device is destroyed, Diodora is now someone who won't go against us, and we managed to defeat Diodora's entire Peerage as well so Buchou won this game! Mission complete!
"Ise-san!"
"Asia!"
Asia who is a new nun costume hugs Issei, who manages to react in time to catch her hug. Thank goodness I dispelled my armour already! I can feel Asia's small body press into my- oops, better stop there. Otherwise, Kirito and Asuna will beat me again for allowing lecherous thoughts to enter the battlefield.
"I believed in you… That Ise-san will come to rescue me."
"Of course. But I'm sorry. You heard something painful right?"
Asia shook her head to the side and then says it with a smile.
"I'm alright. I was shocked that time, but I have Ise-san with me."
Such an adorable girl! Issei wanted to cry in joy. Your brother(self-named) isn't ever going to let you marry ever! They would have to go through me first!
Unlike him however, Xenovia allowed tears to gather in her eyes.
"Asia! I'm glad! If you were to disappear, I…"
Asia smiles while wiping Xenovia's tears.
"I won't go anywhere. Since Ise-san and Xenovia-san will protect me."
"Yeah! I will protect you! Definitely!" With that, Xenovia hugged Asia tight, taking care not to hurt Asia with her strength or Durandal.
Oh, best friends are hugging. Issei could not help but smile a little when he saw that scene. Asia and Xenovia's friendship is so beautiful. Kiba and I….. Issei grimaced inside when he glanced at said Knight out of the corner of his eye. Fuck, I definitely don't want to hug him.
"Buchou-san. Everyone. Thank you very much. For doing this for me…." Asia bows towards everyone with a smile.
"Asia. It's okay for you to not call me 'Buchou' at home you know?" With a smile, the red haired girl continued "You can think of me as your older sister."
"-! Hai, Rias-oneesama!"
Ah, Buchou and Asia are hugging. It is an emotional scene!
"Erm, but I was wondering…" As Asia pulled away from Rias, she glanced at Joan, clear confusion in her eyes. "Who is this person, Rias-oneesama?"
Xenovia nudged Joan a little, forcing her to step forwards. The Rook took that as her cue. "My name is Joan. I am…was, I suppose, because of this incident, Diodora-sama's Rook. But before that, I was a nun at a small Church, and I was a friend of Xenovia." Joan huffed, poking Xenovia's cheek. "Even if she did not realise or acknowledged it at the time."
"I said I was sorry!" Xenovia pouted a little as she spoke.
Erm, sorry Xenovia-san. But you don't look sorry at all.
"I'm so glaaaad! I'm so happpppy that Asia-senpai returned!" Gasper sniffled as he spoke, tears threatening to start running down his cheeks. A troubled look on her face, Koneko started to gently pat his head. Looks like we would be able to return safely after all this is over. The device is destroyed, so this should be the end. Ah, I should also reactivate my armour until we hide in the basement. It would be bad if someone attacks us after we just settled this. Hmm, maybe we should drag Diodora the Trashy devil along with us as well. If Koneko gives him one of her poisons, we should be able to turn him into a prisoner of war until all of this is over.
"Now, Asia. Let's go home."
"Yes! But before that, I need to pray." Asia bowed her head slightly towards Rias, before she made her way towards the altar. Keeping within their sights, she quickly kneeled down and prayed something to the sky. A minute later, she got up.
"Asia. What did you pray for?" Issei asked, curious as to what she prayed for.
Shyly, Asia fidgeted on the spot. "It's a secret."
Smiling, Asia started to run towards Issei. Then-
*Flash!*
-when he looked at her, Asia was surrounded by pillars of light. When the pillars of light disappeared…..
"…Asia?"
No one was there.
..
Oh dear Lord and Micheal in Heaven, couldst thou please listen to mine hope?
Please protecteth Ise forever.
And also…
Please alloweth me to continueth to stayeth with Ise's side...
And for all of us to be happy
..
AN
Oh my gawd, this was painful.
Like seriously, painful. I was at a roadblock for writing, have exams going on, and I have to submit like three projects by the end of the week?! How I managed to cobble this together, I would never no. (Thank goodness for energy drinks…)
Anyway, here we are. Asia's 'death'. The anime managed to make it somewhat bearable. Buuutt, I prefer the novel version of this part. It's a bit more heart clenching. And because of this, I shed a few tears when I was writing the end segments...waaaaaa~
I made the final part a mixture of old English(Shakespearean actually) and Modern English. This actually makes Asia feel like she is part of the Church, complete with some of the ways that some of the scrptures are written. IBelow are alternate versions of the speech above
..
..
Oh lief l'rd and micheal in heaven, couldst thee prithee hark to mine own wisheth?(Oh dear Lord and Micheal in Heaven, could you please listen to my wish?)
prithee protecteth ise f'rev'r. (please protect Ise forever)
and also…
prithee alloweth me to continueth to stayeth with ise's side. (Please allow me to continue to stay with Ise's side...)
and f'r all of us to beest joyous(And for all of us to be happy)
..
(Old English)
Oh dear lord and micheal 'i heaven, could thou please hark to mine hope?
please protect Ise forever.
and also…
please allow me to continue to keep with ise's side.
and for all of us to be fortunate
..
..
Anyway, sorry for the late update. As I just said, I have exams going on. By the end of February, I should be free!
…until I start working and my driver lessons….and then the chaos will descend once more….sigh…
That said, I would try to go back to my usual posting of once every two weeks soon. I want to finish this fic as soon as I can. I have waaaaayyy too many things I want to add in. Namely, the GF and BF shiz with Issei and Rias(Let's face it, I am not the only one who wants to see the harem shenanigans in fanfics.)
My next chapter would be at the earliest in the 3rd week of February. So, come check again around then!
As always, please review, and Anime is Life!
