Chapter 6: Sparks
"Talking."
'Thinking.'
Locations
Noises
The capture of the city was inevitable, and victory was within their grasp. The remaining devil garrison along with their leaders had been annihilated in combat by the superior fallen angel army. The only thing that remained was the Chimera that had broken through the ground previously.
Issei was on standby as order from Azazel. He and Malpas had decided to go to the reserves and visit Hanibal, Issei wanted to see for himself how his friend was doing.
Issei and Malpas walked through the temporary tents and camps for the army that had been set up. The massive number of tents and traffic seemed like a busy market in the human realm.
"You said that he was in one of the larger tents?" asked Issei. Malpas looked over towards him, a simple nod confirmed Issei's question.
"It shouldn't be far from here; I believe just around the corner."
Checking in on Hanibal was important, making sure that his friend would be able to get back into the fighting was something that Issei was hoping for. Hanibal wasn't as strong as him, but he was stronger than Malpas. That being one of the reasons that Issei chose to pair up with him since they could work in unison more efficiently, even combing their powers into joint attacks.
When they were first shipped out to fight in the war it was a walk in the park between the two of them in their ruthless conquest of devil territory. The battlefield would always have been scorched and left in ruin after they had engaged the devil forces much to the dismay of Azazel who wanted to make sure that they didn't lose themselves in the fighting.
During that time Malpas was left in the reserves making sure that the wounded were healed and taken care of, Issei had convinced him to join in the 'Fun' after the first year. Two years of fighting had honed their skills and instincts for combat. Even with the constant fighting and victories for him the conflict had sadden him due to the vast number of casualties and killed that he had seen the fallen angels suffer. He didn't let this get him depressed though, he used their sacrifices in order to keep fighting.
Hell was a beautiful place full of life and diversity, nothing like what was pictured in the bible. But the war had changed the landscape into one of fire and destruction. There were only a few spots that the war hadn't claimed under its machine, and Issei was keen on keeping his spots untouched.
"Hey Issei, I've been meaning to ask you something for a while now." Issei snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Malpas.
"That being?" Issei didn't know where this was going and stayed suspicious.
"What do you plan on doing after the war is over?"
"Well, my dad always had a fascination with sacred gears. As a watcher we are supposed to look after the hosts, so I might do something like that. To be honest I prefer the fighting, if there is no war then I would probably stay bored. There wouldn't be a point in training an army if there are no opponents to fight. My dad is different however, he wants to end the war against these bastards as soon as possible." Issei's expression shifted to one of anger.
"I don't think we should consider peace with anyone until we dethrone the Satan's and God, if we manage to get rid of them then I would say that we won and would be alright with a truce. Until then I'm going to continue to fight until I pierce the heart of the Satan's with my own spear." Issei was looking up into the air, Malpas looked at him oddly.
"What about you?"
"I just want to keep helping people recover from wounds and illness, joining the Grigori medical department is what I plan on doing after the war. To be honest even if the war doesn't end, I want to keep helping people anyway that I can." Malpas had a sad smile on his face.
Issei nodded his head, as long as he had a purpose to continue then it wasn't a problem to him.
"Noble goal, I wouldn't expect anything else from you." Issei shook his head. The two continued to walk until they arrived at the tent Hanibal was in.
Entering the tent, they spotted multiple high ranking fallen angels inside, Hanibal was in the back sitting up. He looked over towards Issei who was waving his arm to get his attention.
"Hey guys, what I miss?" Hanibal looked tired, it being evident in his pale skin and the bags under his eyes.
"Nothing much, Malpas was fighting three high-class devils with only one arm." Issei patted Malpas on the head, the latter having a look of confusion on his face.
"Really?"
"Of course not, he was busy making sure that you didn't die on us." Hanibal's expression shifted to a serious one.
"What of the devil who stabbed me?"
"I killed him, didn't last against the overwhelming holy aura that I released." Issei crossed his arms on his chest.
"Thanks, I wish I could have done it myself." Hanibal held his head down, this saddening Issei.
"Don't worry about it, we have a much larger problem on its way though. If you can get back in the fighting then I wouldn't worry too much, but if you have to stay here then I'll just take Malpas with me."
Hanibal looked up.
"Sorry guys, but they said I have to stay here until my body levels back out. They were surprised that I even woke up today." Issei shook his head.
"That saddens me, just make sure you can flee if it comes to that. I have a feeling that we are in for something big." Issei didn't want to say what was going to happen since I would cause a panic amongst his peers.
"Issei it's time to go, the nurse keeps giving me an odd look." Malpas seemed slightly afraid, Issei looked over towards the nurse who was looking at them.
"It would seem so, perhaps we may talk again later. I'll see you when your better Hanibal, let's go now Malpas." Issei looked over towards the exit and began to walk away with a frightened Malpas in tow.
"Bye guys, don't die on me." Hanibal gave a small laugh before Issei and Malpas walked out.
Ten Kilometers away from the city stood one of the largest forces in the underworld led by one of the most powerful beings in the underworld. The Satan Leviathan donned in a blue armor stood at the front of her massive army of two million devil soldiers. A devilish grin stretched across her face as she saw the chimera fall over dead.
Directly behind her were her strongest soldiers numbering in the forties of special elite devil soldiers. Each of them donned in a black armor and carrying scythes, the aura they released was ominous. Among the four Satan armies Leviathans was second in terms of size falling just behind Lucifers.
Battle between the leaders of a faction was one thing, but this Satan was here for other business. She was furious and wanted revenge for the death of her son during the surprise attack on the Grigori. She wanted to know who was responsible and when she found them there would be hell to pay.
In the city rested a large portion of the fallen army along with all but two of their Cadres. Leviathan knew that if they managed to defeat the fallen angels here then they would be knocked out of the war. An opportunity like this had to be taken, the only problem there was is that the other Satan's were busy on the other fronts.
The entire devil military was on the defense as God and the Angels were attacking on a different front, Lucifer and Asmodeus were sent to deal with them. Beelzebub had remained in the capital city on standby in case of any other attacks or if his army was needed elsewhere.
Leviathan however had her forces dig in and set up defenses outside the city, if the fallen wanted to attack they would be met by a powerful force.
She moved her forces accordingly for the mix of both defense and prepared assault.
Her formations movements didn't go unnoticed though, Issei and Azazel watched from high above the city.
"Say son what do you think of her so far?" Azazel kept his focus on the devil army.
"I feel bad for her husband, I don't think I could ever be with someone that dumb." Issei kept his arms folded as he looked at the formation shift.
"Why do you say that?" Azazel looked over at Issei curiously.
"From what I can tell is that she will be the only Satan that we will face for some time. Her force seems around the two million range, that should be the size of her entire army all together. If she in did bring the entire army then that would include her special forces which are around ultimate-class devils and for reference about as strong if not on par with Malpas. Those number around fifty if I remember it, along with that those scythes they use are the same kind that grim reapers use in Greek Mythology. I don't know how they obtained them, but they are as lethal as the others.
Her army may be large, but it isn't that strong when it comes to the standard soldiers, they are poorly trained and tend to have low morale. Our soldiers are significantly better and will be able to take them on without much problem. As long as we move our forces properly, we can wear them down and tear them apart."
Azazel looked over at Issei with his eyebrows furled.
"How do you know that?"
"Me and Hanibal use to sneak out and spy on the devil armies, between you and me just know that the Satan's are kind of douchebags." Issei gave Azazel a tired expression.
"I already know that; they all want world domination and to be the superior race." Azazel then pointed over towards part of the devil formation.
"You see that over there?" Issei looked in the direction that Azazel was pointing.
"The gap in the enemy formation?"
"Yep, what can you tell me about it?" Azazel asked Issei who began to somewhat scan it from a far. After a couple of minutes of silence Issei turned back to Azazel.
"Those devils in particular might attempt to flank early on in order to force us into retreating from the city so they can have a better defensive position. If I can predict the enemy movements then I would say that we should let them try an encirclement and then obliterate the city and its full." Issei looked back over towards the city, if an explosion were large enough, they could pull off scorched earth tactics well.
"Hmm, I can see that potentially happening. I'll run it by Kokabiel to see what he thinks, but I do have one question." Issei looked over towards Azazel.
"What about Leviathan?"
"You and the other Cadres can deal with her. I'm focusing on taking out the secondary threats. I know that I won't be able to defeat her on my own, I couldn't defeat her son. That angers me you know, I hate that I was too weak to win. I burned all my energy out unleashing my auras full potential. I was lucky that you arrived in time to save me, I can't make the same mistake twice." Issei's eyes could be seen burning a darker shade of red.
"Why not join us in the fight? If you had us with you then we could take her down quickly." Azazel looked genuinely concerned for Issei.
"I prefer to take on big game by myself, regular soldiers are fodder and don't mean much in terms of honor. I still haven't obtained my fifth pair of wings, that's a reminder to how I'm still over my head sometimes. I know you want me to be careful dad, but I'm a prideful idiot with the heart of a warrior hellbent on stabbing my light spear through the heart of every devil that I fight."
The air around Issei began to heat up, Azazel immediately felt the pressure. Issei's face explained it all that he wasn't thinking clearly.
"Issei what are you doing?" Azazel moved in front of issei, not losing his focus Issei let his aura continue to rise.
"I was going to die at the hands of such a pitiful creature because I was being cocky, Hehehe." Issei's eyes began glowing a malicious red color, Azazel covered Issei's view of the devil army.
"Calm down kid, you will get another shot at redemption later on. But if you don't stop right now then I will forbid you from fighting in this war!" Azazel countered Issei's aura with his own, using more power to cancel it out.
Issei lost his glow and the heat quickly faded away. Issei came back to his senses and looked Azazel in the eyes.
"You ok now?" Issei's eyes widened before returning to normal.
"Yeah, I don't know what came over me." Azazel began to examine Issei.
"Go rest, I'll take care of everything else."
"Ok dad." Issei then let himself fall out of the sky back first, he descended until he was close to the ground where he stopped himself before crashing. Landing on his feet Issei glanced up at Azazel one last time before entering one of the houses.
Finding a bedroom quickly Issei laid down on the bed, he looked around the room finding a few paintings along with some furniture. Nothing of much value was in the room, discovering this Issei fell asleep.
War, nothing but the chaos and destruction of the past two years of Issei's life. Control over the Underworld in order to establish dominance in the realm against the devils. The first battle is a remarkable one, it's the battle that either makes you or breaks you.
Issei was no different, a fifteen-year-old joining in the most devastating conflict known to all mythologies was not the best decision. Training and learning could only prepare someone for so much, that first battle was the key to what made Issei the person he is.
Morale was high and Issei was slightly nervous, standing behind his father as he was instructed what to do and when to retreat. Issei wanted to fulfil his role properly and try to gain some fame out of it, he had convinced Azazel to let him join which he did.
Like all young men Issei thought of it as an adventure, seeing the Underworld instead of being cooped up at the Grigori. But he was wrong, war was no game.
The explosions, dismembered corpses and the general fight for survival had gotten ahold of his mind after the battle was over. Seeing all his comrades be killed like sheep in a den of wolves terrified him, was it punishment for being too eager.
He was supposed to be eighteen before being allowed to join the war effort, he faced the consequences of rushing. Issei didn't sleep for days afterwards, he had to recover from the graphic images that constantly replayed in his mind.
It had gotten to the point that Azazel had kept him out of battle until he was fine to return to combat. His recovery however wasn't as long as Azazel had thought it would be, something happened to Issei one day. Soon after Issei walked into Azazel's office with one of the most vicious faces that Azazel had seen in a long time, he demanded that he was brought back to combat in which Azazel had one condition.
If Issei managed to defeat one of the other eight-winged fallen angels then he would be brought back into the war, Issei agreed and the next day everyone had gathered around for the duel. To everyone's surprise Issei had completely demolished his opponent in seconds through brute force.
Azazel had to act on his promise and Issei returned to the frontlines. Azazel had asked him what had happened that changed Issei so drastically, but Issei never told him what happened. In fact, he never spoke about it again, not even his best friends know about what had happened to him that day.
Even though it happened somethings never left, occasionally, Issei would get bad dreams about what he had been through. The most recent being the near-death experience against the Leviathan that he had fought.
It goes to show that no matter who you are even if you change some things will always stay the same.
Azazel descended from his position above the city, having seen the Satan Leviathans devil army take positions for long enough he had decided that it was time to prepare for an attack. Having sent Issei away it was the only time that he could do this quickly.
Azazel made his way over towards Kokabiel who was still resting with Baraqiel and Shemhazai, they were still recovering their energy after taking down the Chimera. A tough battle due to needing to completely annihilate it so that it couldn't regenerate.
As Azazel walked up to them Kokabiel was the first to take notice.
"What was the situation like with the Devil army?" The others looked toward Azazel, he put a hand on his chin and looked down.
"From what Issei could tell they were moving a small portion of the army off to the left, he predicts an encirclement of some kind. Along with that the Satan brought her full army, with elite soldiers as well that are low Ultimate-class in terms of power. That might be an Issue since most of our forces won't be able to fight against them evenly. Issei might be able to handle himself against a couple of them, but Malpas would only be able to take on one evenly."
"Sounds like we'll have to bring up the reserve forces then, Satanael should be in charge of a large portion of well-trained men. If we bring him and his forces up, we could manage to stop them." The one who spoke was Shemhazai.
"We should be able to handle them without bring up the reserves Shemhazai, with a little more rest we should be fine to go back at them. We have abilities that the devils can't defend against in our arsenal. Baraqiel alone could wipe them out with his holy lightning if he puts enough power into it." Kokabiel reassured Shemhazai.
Kokabiel then looked back over to Azazel.
"What did the boy suggest?"
"Giving up the city by wearing the devils down then eventually just blowing it up, not a bad idea but that wouldn't sit well with the soldiers that had fought for control." Azazel looked slightly ashamed.
"That could work, but it's better if we keep the city for logistical purposes. We're not trying to defeat them all here. Our plan is to drive them back to the capital and end them there, but it could always be a last-ditch effort if the tide of battle shift into their favor." Kokabiel then stood up from his seat and placed a hand on Azazel's shoulder.
"I'm gathering a force to meet the Satan on an open field, you can either join up or stay behind it's up to you." Kokabiel then walked away from the group.
Azazel turned to watch Kokabiel disappear behind a corner, the others looked on as the Governor General walked over toward them and took a seat. After a moment of silence, it was broken by Baraqiel.
"You shouldn't worry about him too much Azazel, Issei knows when he should and shouldn't fight. I know that he will make the best decisions and keep his mind focused." Shemhazai nodded.
"He's a warrior and skillful tactician, I say you should get him out of your mind. I trusted him during the battle at the Grigori and he held up his part as long as he could."
Azazel looked up at the two of them, a grin had made its way onto his face.
"I guess I can't stop it from happening then, he'll grow up sooner than later anyway."
(Scene Skip)
Hours had passed since Issei had went to rest in one of the nearby homes. The battlefield had remained quiet since the defeat of the chimera that had been holding off fallen forces for a portion of time. Since Issei had been asleep the fallen angel army had reorganized itself in preparation of a defense.
Issei had already woken up from his nap, the feeling of the incoming battle was something that made him anxious but ready for what is to come.
He looked around the home after leaving the bedroom. It wasn't the luxury that he had been staying in, but it was comfy. Surprising for such a desperate time amongst their mythology when you wouldn't know if you would still be living the next day.
That was the reality that was the lives of the soldiers and leaders of the Christian Pantheon. Major battles use to rampage the war ground during the first one hundred years of the war, these would have been three-way battles that lasted for weeks on end with each side retreating after a substantial number of casualties.
Azazel had told him about the war and the losses that the fallen have suffered during the early years, the fights with God and the Satan's that left millions dead. The worst day of the war so far was known as Black Wednesday, the number of casualties that had been suffered that day was in the fifteen millions. A number of Cadres and Seraphs alongside with Satan-Class devils had died in the battle that day, it was said that a full-scale retreat by each side occurred the day after.
Azazel had told Issei that if something like that were to happen again then it would mark the end of the war between the three great powers and would most likely destroy their mythology.
Issei looked over towards a picture on the wall, inside the picture was the image of a family of four. Two children and two parents. Issei looked at what would seem like the father. The devil had dark brown hair and blue eyes. Decorated in the common outfit of low-class devils made it easy to tell what the man was.
'Hmm, I wonder if he fled the city with his family. I hope so, his children look quite young. If they lost their father in this war, then I wouldn't want to see the wife.' Issei placed the picture down back onto the shelf that he had taken it off of.
Issei looked over towards the other side of the room, the simple furniture in the home seemed to appeal to Issei.
Issei hated the Satan's, an unending war with them was the life he had grown up in. The fight had been fierce and the number of dead still rising but he didn't hate all of them. There was no point in doing something that childish for no reason, his parents had taught him that.
Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmm
A series of explosions had let off in the distance. The ground began to shake as the explosions settled down.
Issei fought to keep balance as the décor around him began to fall to the ground and collapse.
"What the?"
Issei ran towards the door, using his strength to blow the door off its hinges. Issei ran outside and looked up into the sky, seeing the large number of fallen soldiers rushing overhead dodging enemy fire. Issei immediately took to the sky as he spread out his wings.
Flying into the air Issei went to intercept one of the soldiers.
"You, stop!" Issei stopped in front of a random soldier.
"Yes sir?"
"What's going on?" Asked Issei as he looked over in the direction that the other soldiers were heading.
"The enemy is attacking our position, under the orders of Lord Azazel and Kokabiel we are to fight off the invading army sir." The fallen soldier then moved past Issei back into the fight.
Issei floated there in his spot silently, the rising heat around him evident that Issei was increasing his power.
"I take a nap for a few hours, and we get attacked! Damn Satan!" Issei's aura then erupted around him, the ghostly red heat began to force the solders around him to move away as they passed by. Issei looked over to where the devil army could be seen attacking in the distance. The explosions and beams of magic attacks lit up the surrounding area, Issei's eye remained glued to the sight.
Slowly something within him began to let itself out as the look on his face shifted to one of a sinister grin. Opening one of his hands a red-light spear began to form in it.
"No mistakes this time Issei, today we drive the devils back to Lucifaad!" Issei then took off in a blinding speed towards the front line.
Alright that is it for this chapter, I apologize that it isn't that much in terms of combat. It might be a while before I update again since I got a job for now, but I will work my hardest to get chapters out. This story takes more time for me to develop since I have nothing but the basic details of what happened during the war aside from the dragons and the death of the Satan's and God. But I have finally made my decision in terms of who Issei will be paired with, it won't happen for a while though. How long exactly? Just wait and see.
I love writing for this story, I get to improve my fight scenes overtime since they are usually only focused on one party and not the surroundings.
I have another story in the making right now, and no its not some OP Issei like I usually have. I don't have a title for it yet, that's still in development but I don't know how any of you will like it but I think it might be good so when it goes up give it a read and tell me what you think.