I do not own Highschool DxD nor do I own Diablo. All rights respectively go to Ichiei Ishibumi, the series' creator, and Blizzard Entertainment, the company who made Diablo.
BEGIN DREAM…
Akeno found herself in some sort of dark temple deep underground. By the looks of it, the temple seemed to be desecrated in more ways than one for its walls were smothered in corruptive black, filled with such hatred. She walked through its corridors and felt a dark chill in the air, her pulse accelerating quite a bit as sweat pours down her face.
She had no idea where she was nor could not conclude if this was real or not. It seemed and felt real as she traversed deeper and deeper, wondering where everyone else was. As Akeno gets to the heart of the temple, she hides behind a pillar out of sight to witness some sort of ceremony happening.
In the deepest recesses of the temple, she had found a dark gathering. There was a hooded figure in black, whose face revealed to be Aidan's with the black vein corruption over his face and the red soulstone evident on his forehead. Most likely of the fact that Diablo has asserted control over him once more.
Next to him was some sort of gaunt figure wrapped in mummified wrappings. The back of his head had multiple tendrils writhing off of it yet the wings on the back seemed shriveled up and had no feathers, showing only bones. Yet she recognized this figure as the archangel Raphael, one of Michael's siblings. But why would he be here as a shadow of his former self? Did he represent Baal, the Lord of Destruction, as a servant or as a host?
Akeno soon looked upon the third figure. A Great Evil whom she recognized from the pictures in the Horadric books. The figure had no legs and its spine, longer than usual, showed below. He had four arms, two smaller than the other main arms, and his skull-like face had two large horns at the top. He levitated above the ground yet gave off a blue mist of demonic energy.
Akeno realized who it was. Mephisto, the Lord of Hatred and the eldest of the Three Prime Evils. Bats flew around him before they dissipate.
Akeno soon heard the voice of the Demon as she turns back to the pillar to hide, holding her chest as she felt that Mephisto's cruel and malevolent voice was like a thousand needles in her heart.
"My brothers, at long last we stand reunited. The Infernal Gate has been prepared, and the time of our final victory is at hand. Let the way to Hell be opened!"
Upon the proclamation, all three of the Prime Evils channel energy into the ritual, Aidan's being red, Raphael's was yellow, and Mephisto's blue. The Infernal Gate behind the Brothers soon activated, screaming like it was powered by human souls.
"And the Evil that was once vanquished shall rise anew." Aidan raises his hands during the ritual. "Wrapped in the guise of man, shall he walk amongst the innocent, and Terror shall consume they that dwell upon the Earth." Raphael follows the same as Aidan, raising his wrists upwards.
Akeno soon feels something within her breast pocket. Taking it out, she sees some sort of pendant with a downward moon crescent, covered and smothered in blood by five bones that make up half of a star. On the middle were three rotting and blood-soaked skulls.
*FWOOM*
The ritual creates a massive column of souls and lightning in a blue color as the bones of the dead rise forth from it.
"The skies shall rain fire; the seas will become as blood. The righteous shall fall before the wicked, and all of Creation shall tremble before the burning standards of Hell!"
As Akeno turns around to witness more of what she was viewing, it became a regrettable decision for what she saw then was not meant for mortal eyes, not even hers.
"The Gate stands ready!" Mephisto announced.
Akeno suddenly heard and saw Aidan scream as his eyes glow orange with light and multiple holes like that of pimples start to burst and pour out blood. Pain wracked all over him as he is forced onto all fours, with some sort of hideous amalgamation forming onto his back that gives off waves.
"Now my young brother, the time has come to assume your true form!"
Spikes suddenly emerge out of Aidan's back, glowing in red from the thrust. Akeno was visually stunned to see the transformation become complete to reveal a familiar tall red Demon of imposing aura. The Demon growls as it stands up, ready for the Infernal Gate.
"Arise Diablo, Lord of Terror!"
Diablo casts aside his ripped-up cloak and makes his way to the Infernal Gate. Each step the Lord of Terror took was a loud and booming one, even as he crossed over the bones lying on the blood river that act as a bridge, crushing them in the process despite taking his weight. He was about to enter the Infernal Gate as the souls scream but stopped to hear Mephisto's voice.
"You are the harbinger of our return, Diablo!" Mephisto told the Lord of Terror as the two Prime Evils turn around to meet. "Send forth your Terror into Hell!"
And with that, Diablo takes his leave through the Infernal Gate, leaving Mephisto and Baal behind to continue whatever ritual they were concocting. Akeno slumps back to the pillar, too stunned and shocked to comprehend what she just saw on Aidan, as if she was reliving one of her worst nightmares of seeing Diablo fully take over Aidan like last time.
She then raises her right hand and stares at the pendant in her hand, glowing in a demonic blue color, signifying Mephisto's aura. The Infernal Gate shakes and screams with the souls of the damned.
END DREAM…
Akeno wakes up with a small gasp. Her head was sweating a bit as the morning rays shine through her window. That was a terrible dream, and one she did not want to experience again. It was all fresh in her mind, every single moment of it.
Looking at her right hand as if she held something, Akeno only saw her empty hand. But she could have sworn she held the pendant in her dreams. Yet there was nothing.
But that moment she saw of all three Prime Evils untied brought her dread. She did not know what all of this meant but she feared this was a bad sign of a future to come. She could still hear Mephisto's voice ringing in her head, like a thousand needles in her heart stabbing her.
She then looks over to a picture on her right that showed a woman who looked exactly like her, holding her up on her lap while smiling. She held up a small child on her lap, smiling with her.
"Mother…" Akeno replied.
OP: GARNiDELiA – Ambiguous (Kill la Kill OP)
Unmei no ito wo tachikitta sono saki ni... (The universe is shown as the camera zooms in onto Sanctuary before it zooms even further to Kuoh Academy, then to Aidan, and then to the Red Soulstone from which two demonic eyes show from within the crystal)
(Title reveals itself as Highschool DxD: The Prime Evil)
Senobishiteitanda (Aidan is shown walking to the Academy in his school uniform with sakura petals blowing from the west)
Kutsuzure darake no semai sekai de (Aidan continues walking before he looks up and briefly, his form as the Dark Wanderer emerges)
RUNWAY wo aruku egao no uragawa (The ORC are shown one by one starting from Koneko who eats snacks, Asia who prays in a nearby church, Kiba who walks down the hallway with the ladies oogling over him, and Akeno on the rooftop overlooking the school)
Kakushita tsumori de (Rias is then shown by her desk in front, smiling as she looks at the camera)
Dakedo itsumo kimi ni wa (Aidan walks on one side of the road glaring at his rival Sinestra with his allies right behind him)
Minukareteshimatteite (Sinestra walks on the other side of the road glaring at Aidan with her allies right behind her)
Konna no wa hajimete de tomadou kedo (Three figures are shown on high, revealing to be Kokabiel, Freed Selzan, and Valper Galilei as the shadow of Mephisto looms behind and over them. Sinestra and Aidan come face to face, ready to battle as a tearful Rias is pulled back by Akeno and Kiba from the fight)
(The Angels of the High Heavens behind Sinestra and the Demons of the Burning Hells behind Aidan clash on Sanctuary in a fiery explosion)
Hoka no darenimo kikonasenai (The Eternal Conflict rages on as Angels and Demons clash across Sanctuary, with the Three Factions caught in the middle)
Nandaka wakaranai atsusa ga mune wo kogasu kara (Sinestra and Aidan spot each other on the battlefield as the former empowers herself with her wings whilst Aidan charges, hopping over floating stones before he clashes blades with Sinestra)
Unmei no ito taguriyoseta sono saki ni (The clash of blades delivers a massive shockwave onto the area, leaving Aidan and Sinestra alone as they activate their Balance Breaker and battle one another, each carving wounds onto each other's flesh)
Ima atarashii yoake ga kuru (Aidan and Sinestra back off briefly before they empower themselves up and fight again. As they do, the silhouetted figures of Diablo and Imperius respectfully linger above, fighting one another)
Yeah, yeah. Ay, yay (The camera zooms up on a painfully screaming Aidan chained up in black chains as the Seven Evils watch over him whilst a pained Sinestra is also held by gold chains with her arms bound upwards as the Angiris Council look down upon her)
Omoi wo kitto hitotsu (The ORC, the Student Council, the Four Great Satans alongside Michael, Azazel, Tyrael, and Deckard Kain; and Kokabiel with Mephisto right behind him are shown in flash images before it ends with Sinestra and Aidan glaring up close at one another before it turns black)
(The final scene ends with the King piece and the Red Soulstone)
When Aidan woke up from the sunshine rays, he felt his arms pinned by something as he couldn't move. Yet he knew the reason why which bore a smile on his face.
To his right was Rias, lying on her left side and facing him while using his arm as a body pillow of sorts. Asia, on Aidan's left, was in the same position as Rias but lying on her right and facing him. Both of them were asleep yet Aidan felt content and happy, even as they were naked without anything on. Well, except for Aidan who had his boxer briefs on.
While any man would either freak out in pure panic or drown in their lust and perverted fantasies, Aidan remains calm, maintaining a gentleman persona as he moves his arms a little.
"Girls. Come on. It's time to wake up."
Rias moans and opens her eyes before she sits up and rubs them, looking at her nephalem shortly afterwards with a smile. "Good morning, Aidan."
Asia woke up and followed suite, sitting up as well.
"You two sleep alright?" Aidan asked in concern as he sat up to join them.
"Well, when you told us that we'll be sleeping together, we weren't sure if this was going to work or not," Asia said. "But honestly, it was very comfortable."
"I agree," Rias concurred as she and Asia look at one another despite being naked. "We both got even more comfortable by using your arms as a pillow."
Aidan smiles at that notion. Finally, he could enjoy a morning without jealous bickering happening between the two. Asia then notices the time.
"We should go get ready," She said. "It's already late!"
"Oh, right!" Rias quickly gets off the bed and takes the blanket to cover herself. "Thanks again for having us, Aidan." She gives one quick kiss on his cheek for gratitude.
Asia slips on her pajama wear before she turns to Aidan with a smile. "I hope we can continue with this." She too gives a kiss to Aidan on the other cheek, leaving the nephalem almost stunned.
With the girls out of the way and him all alone in his room, Aidan decides to get ready, getting his school uniform out of his wardrobe.
Aidan's phone suddenly starts to ring. He answers the call to see who it was.
"Johanna?" asked Aidan.
"Sorry to call you this early in the morning," Johanna said while she was eating breakfast at her table in her shop. "I just wanted to check in with you to see how you are doing."
"Doing well," Aidan replied as he gets his school uniform out and puts his phone on speaker. "Getting some much better sleep after the hell I went through."
"You deserve it a lot," Johanna said. Then Aidan heard something loud on speaker. "This is the wrong hammer, Karlamine! I need the bigger one and check the temperature on the forge!"
"Right!" Karlamine apologized. "Sorry, ma'am!"
Aidan could not help but chuckle. "How goes the apprenticeship?"
"This Devil here is good and sweet, but she is still learning. I'm doing what I can though."
"Well I'm sure you can manage," Aidan said, giving support. Johanna then moves to a different topic.
"Word is you have some girls living with you and Deckard," Johanna said. "And you are sleeping with one of them almost every night."
Aidan was surprised. "How did you know?"
"Well, you aren't the only nephalem to have ever slept with women," Johanna quipped. "There are some throughout history that have done the same, even with members of the Three Factions."
"How so, may I ask?" asked Aidan.
"The reason you are attracting the ladies is not because of your personality and good looks, but rather due to your power."
"My power?" Aidan slips on his pants.
"The power of the nephalem, in any shape or form, has the potential to trump even powerful beings like the Red Dragon Emperor," Johanna revealed. "After all, being half Angel and half Demon from the High Heavens and the Burning Hells respectively is something everyone fears. Two primordial forces combined to create something more powerful than the two."
"Interesting," Aidan puts on his shirt. "What else did you come here for?"
"I needed to give you a warning," Johanna got serious, catching Aidan off guard somewhat.
"What are you talking about?" asked Aidan.
"With the power of Diablo coursing through you and your nephalem powers unlocked, everyone, including the Angiris Council, is keeping a close eye on you. It's gotten to the point where my friends and I cannot sleep."
"Are you saying there is someone spying on me?" Aidan asked. "Or perhaps I am being hunted?"
"Precisely," Johanna confirmed. "It may get to a point where the Council will send their Angiris Apostle against you."
That made Aidan stop dressing up as he turns his attention over to the phone.
"What else do you know of this Angiris Apostle?" asked Aidan, feeling uneasy by the sound of the name.
"Very little, I'm afraid," Johanna said. "But I do know that it is not an Elder Angel, nor a Fallen Angel, an Angel, or a Devil. It's not even human. All I know is that this individual has been trained and blessed by the Angiris Council to be the extension of their will, to fight in places they cannot interfere on Sanctuary."
This troubled Aidan greatly. If the Angels of the High Heavens are able to subtly interfere in mortal affairs, then they could not do so in a direct manner, unlike Tyrael who has done so. They needed a method of which they would all agree on in order to enact their plan. An agent who answers only to the Council.
But the presence of this Angiris Apostle is not what was troubling Aidan. The real question is why would the Elder Angels decide to interfere and bend or break their ancient laws that they hold so high in regard over mortals? Why interfere with Sanctuary now after all this time?
"The Angiris Apostle is not alone," Johanna snaps Aidan out of his thoughts. "Word is the Vanishing Dragon, the white dragon, is also here and is partnered with the Apostle."
This troubled Aidan even further. "A Dragon and an Apostle working together and coming here to Kuoh? This doesn't sound like a coincidence."
"True," Johanna agreed. "The Two Heavenly Dragons, the Red Dragon Emperor and the White Dragon Emperor, have fought each other for many centuries. Those that have a Heavenly Dragon living within them are destined for conflict."
"Issei…" Aidan realizes, knowing the host of the Red Dragon.
"Correct. Best to keep your eyes and ears out for him. It is likely he will also know of his predicament."
Aidan groans a bit, yet he understands why the Council would send someone like their Apostle or even why the Vanishing Dragon has decided to show his face. "So…what now?"
"For now, continue living your life as normal. I and the others will try to search for anything else that may demand your attention."
*CLICK*
The phone call ends as Aidan finishes getting dressed. Yet in his mind, he cannot help but be worried.
Once school had ended for the day, and the sun began to set over the horizon, Asia and Aidan walked into the old school building where the Occult Research Club is usually held. Since the renovations and cleanup were complete, the ORC can finally use the building and not Aidan's bedroom.
"Wow!" Asia was impressed of the new floor now clean and shiny, enough for her to see her won reflection. "Look how shiny the floor is."
"The cleaners must have been thorough," Aidan noted, as they walk up the stairs to the second floor where the meeting room was usually held. They turned down the hallway that would lead them to it until Asia spotted something.
"What's that over there?" Asia asked, pointing over towards the doors that were locked by chains and yellow police tape that said DO NOT ENTER!
"The forbidden room," Aidan said. "It's never been opened as far as I know."
"How come? What's inside?"
"I do not know. Best to leave it be though."
The two turned around and walked towards the clubroom. Entering, they found Rias and Koneko sitting on a sofa.
"They did a good job cleaning the place, didn't they?" Asia asked smiling. "Feels like we're getting a fresh start."
Aidan nodded in agreement and with a smile. But right afterwards, he noticed that there was still someone missing.
"Kiba not here again?" He asked.
"…Looks like someone decide to take the entire day off," Koneko said while taking sips. "…Must be his lucky day."
"I hope he's okay," said Asia in concerned.
Aidan notes Rias' troubled expression. He hated to ask this, but he had to for the truth. "It has to do with his past, doesn't it? The Excalibur project?"
Rias didn't respond, only lowered her head in melancholy. Aidan was right in that he didn't need to hear a reply of confirmation back. The nephalem takes a seat next to her right and allows her to lean into him for comfort.
"What else can you tell me about this project?" Aidan asked.
Rias didn't speak until she knew she had to control her emotions. With Aidan here, his presence seemed to have helped her sort her feelings out.
"As you know, Kiba barely survived the project, being the only survivor that escaped the execution." She stated. "What I did not mention was that they were all the same age as him. They were all just children, raised for one purpose: to wield an Excalibur."
But Aidan, confused about something, asks, "I thought there was only one Excalibur like the legends. Was the blade shattered?"
Rias nods, "There was one but when the original blade was destroyed in a war, its fragments scattered into seven pieces. The Church tracked down these pieces and used alchemy to create seven entirely new swords."
"And Kiba could not adapt to the use of the swords, right?" asked Aidan. "Hence why he was discarded and executed the failures?"
"They were already on the verge of death," Rias angles herself to make sure she was leaning her back towards Aidan, the nephalem holding her. "I can still remember that cold, snowing night in the forest when I found him," she whispered. "He managed to get out of the facility when they were given the orders to…murder him."
"And then you brought him back as a Devil," Aidan concluded. "Made him discard his old name and gave him a new one."
Rias nodded in confirmation.
"So what now?" asked Aidan. 'We can't just sit idly by and let Kiba go astray."
"I know," Rias said as she looked at her nephalem above her, trying to stay positive. "But we'll just have to wait and see. Give him time to sort himself out."
A second later, the doors opened, following with Akeno and two guests, Sona and Tsubaki. "Fantastic! Looks like everyone is here," Akeno exclaimed.
Rias gets up from her cuddling with Aidan. "Akeno, why are you late?" asked Rias.
"Why, I brought some guests and was leading them here," Akeno explained, gesturing for Sona and Tsubaki to step forward.
"Excuse the interruption," Sona apologized.
"Sona? Tsubaki?" Aidan saw. "What brings you here?"
"There is an urgent matter to discuss with Rias," Sona explained. "At my house right away. No offense, but there are too many eyes and ears everywhere."
The way she said it had a sense of great importance, enough to bring a serious expression on Rias' face. "You make it sound like it's a complicated situation," she said.
"It is." Sona confirmed.
LATER...
"I wonder what Sona meant by the complicated situation," Aidan asked as he, Asia, and Koneko walk back home. They stood waiting at the corner of a sidewalk.
"I do not know," Asia said.
"What about you, Koneko?" asked Aidan. "What do you make of all this?"
"Don't know," She responded. "It's not like there is anything wrong with Buchou speaking to Kaichou. However…" The two notice the small amount of worry in her voice. "I am more worried about Kiba."
"Agreed," Aidan concurred. "From what I have gathered from Rias about Kiba's past, he seems to be consumed with the need for vengeance. And he is trying to do this all alone without backup."
"…Yeah."
The light changed to green and allowed Koneko time to cross the street.
"…Well, see you guys later," Koneko said before walking.
"Bye, Koneko," Asia waves. "See you tomorrow."
Aidan merely stared at the cat-like girl, not bothering to say goodbye as he was too in deep thought about something.
"What's wrong, Aidan?" asked Asia.
"Just wondering," Aidan said. "I joined the Peerage after the battle with the Fallen Angels and for proving the 'Devil Mythology' was in fact real. You joined because you wanted to be friends. Kiba joined with the intention for vengeance on the Excalibur."
Aidan paused briefly as he continues to watch Koneko walk back home.
"I wonder, what are Koneko and Akeno's motives for becoming Devils?"
MEANWHILE…
Within the home of the Sitri Family, Rias and Akeno wore towels to cover up their bodies as they walked down the narrow pathway to a large, circular sauna. Once there, the two Great Ladies of Kuoh observed the hot and steamy environment as they enter. Like any steam room, most of the interior was made of marble and concrete, with large colorful crystals circling around the area.
"It's been a long time since I last came here," Rias said as she takes off her towel, exposing herself.
"I thought you use to come here a lot in the past?" Akeno inquired, following suite.
"She did," Sona said behind the two when they turned to the sound of her voice. "Rias and came here together all the time to share each other's secrets."
Sona soon removed her towel and handed it over to the naked Tsubaki behind her. Afterwards, they all took a seat at the U-shaped bench that circled the room.
"This sauna was installed for my personal use," Sona told Akeno as sweat formed on their figures, dripping down on their bodies.
"It is connected to Sona's stronghold," Tsubaki informed her fellow Queen. "So even if it is closed, no one else would be able to gain access to it.
"Well, that explains how you can tell your secrets," Akeno said as sweat drips down to the tips of her breasts.
"All I ever complained about was getting in trouble with mother. Silly stuff like that," Rias said humorously with closed eyes. "And I think Sona only complained about her sister."
"Oh my," Akeno giggled. "I didn't realize the two of you were so close."
Sona closed her eyes, blushing in embarrassment. "That's all in the past now," she responded.
"True," Rias opens her eyes and turns to her friend. "So what are we here to discuss about? Something tells me this secret's a good one."
"Before we begin though, I need to ask," Sona looks at her best friend, whilst opening her eyes. "How are you feeling, Rias? Concerning Aidan and the recent events?"
This question caught the redhead off-guard. She almost spoke and stuttered her words immediately. Though it has been months since the events of Diablo and Aidan, they only felt like recent days. And the events were as memorable as stone.
"I'm good, Sona," Rias said after she regains her footing in her mind. "Thanks for asking. As for Aidan, he's doing well. I'm keeping an eye on him for his safety and comfort."
"I heard you started living with him and Uncle Deckard," Sona said. "Moreover, you've even slept with Aidan."
Rias did not deny that as she smiles. "It gives me comfort when I am with him in bed. Helps relieve our nightmares whenever we have them. Why do you ask though?"
"Just concerned for you is all," Sona said. "Especially when I later learned of the terrible future thwarted by Aidan."
Rias could remember that. The future in which she was possessed by Diablo and subjugated the Underworld as its demon queen. And that Sona and Akeno formed a rebellion to resist her.
"You carry with you a person greatly admired, yet also dangerous," Sona said. "Everyone, even those outside the Three Factions, will want his head just because he is a dangerous person."
"I won't let that happen," Rias replied. "Not after what he had been through because of me and my foolish actions."
"I thought you wouldn't," Sona accepted with a smile. Rias had been through a lot since the day the terror was unleashed. All of it beginning with her betrothal to Riser Phenex and ending it with the battle underneath Tristram Cathedral against the Lord of Terror. Since then, she has changed quite a bit, for better and for worse.
With that out of the way, Rias can reconvene them back to the present situation.
"Now then…" Rias said. "What was it you wanted to speak to me about?"
Sona didn't respond for a moment, trying to figure out her words to use correctly. Then she begins. "This morning, two people from the Church contacted me."
This aroused the two Great Ladies of Kuoh. "How so?" Akeno asked.
"It's been some time since they came to this part of town," Rias concurred. "Did they tell you what they wanted?"
"They did," Sona told her. "They said they wanted to speak with you about something urgent."
Rias was surprised as she gasped. "Members of the Church want to speak with a Devil?" Sona took off her fogging glasses. "What do they want? There's no reason for them to be here except to stir up trouble."
"I accepted their request," Sona told her, cleaning her glasses with light blue magic from her fingertips. "I told them where they could find you, so after school tomorrow they will be paying you a visit. But they also informed that they have another member joining them. Who it is, I do not know." Sona slips her glasses back on. "There is one other thing you should know. They were carrying Holy Swords."
This troubled the two Gremory members.
"This is…not a coincidence then considering recent events," Rias said as she puts a finger to her chin in thought. "Why would they come to this town though? It's to as if…" Suddenly, the picture of Aidan and the girl flashed in her mind, making her gasp.
"Somnus…!" She whispered.
As Aidan and Asia entered into their home, they suddenly felt a powerful and terrible shiver down their spines. Like there was a signal within them warning them of something imminent lying within.
"I just got chills for some reason," A frightful Asia said, grabbing Aidan's hand with her shaking hands.
"I did as well," Aidan concurred. "Stay close to me. This feeling is somehow familiar."
"Familiar?" asked Asia as she looked up to him. "How?"
But just as Aidan was about to answer, he smelled something coming from within. And almost immediately, fear took hold of him.
"Uncle!" He exclaimed in fear and terror as he rushes in, dragging Asia with him.
MEANWHILE…
Rias quickly stood up and looked at Sona. "I'm so sorry, Sona, but I have to get back home as soon as possible. Aidan and Asia are in danger."
Sona nodded, understanding the situation. Rias lost Aidan before, and she doesn't want to again.
"Go from here," Sona urges. Akeno and Rias then leave the sauna.
BACK AT THE HOUSE…
Aidan and Asia run up to the front door at high speeds, the former slamming into the door and breaking it off of its hinges. Not even bothering with the shoulder that was blunted in the process that he bolted through, he and Asia enter in the house.
"Uncle!" Aidan calls out to Deckard. The inside of the room was mostly dark with the lights off. But they could see that the light of the living rom was on out of the corner of the wall.
"Aidan?" called out Deckard from the living room, confused. "Are you there? You have a couple of visitors. One of them knows you."
Aidan and Asia run over and stopped to see who they were.
They were surprised to see two unfamiliar women in white cloaks sitting on the opposite sofa from Deckard, with a large weapon wrapped in white cloth. Xuelan, Karlamine, and Yubelluna were serving tea whilst Grayfia stood by Uncle Deckard's side.
Aidan held a hand up to Asia, prompting her to stay behind Aidan and close to him. Both of the guests held rosaries around their chests. For all of their beauty beneath the cloaks, Aidan can feel danger emanate from them.
"Uncle?" He called out. "Who are they?"
"They came in about ten minutes ago," Deckard explained. He then pints to the young woman with chestnut hair tied into twin tails and violet eyes. "You remember her, don't you?"
"That's right," The woman in question said with a cheerful voice. "I remember when we were just children." She then held up the photo of her and Aidan and pointed it to the nephalem.
Aidan was shocked. "Irina? Irina Shidou, is that you?"
"Yes, it is!" She confirmed with a happy nod. "Bet you couldn't tell the difference, huh? Especially when I said I wanted to visit you!"
"Visit me?" Aidan was still surprised. "Irina, I didn't even know you were here."
"Oh, well just the same, Aidan," Irina replied. "I left that tomboy look along ago. Now I'm all grown up and it can't be helped since I was a troublemaker. I guess we both have changed in time we haven't seen each other."
"Ten years," Aidan clarified. But then his attention was drawn to the other woman with chin-length blue hair with a dyed green fringe on the right side and dark yellow eyes. She stared at him with hard eyes.
"Irina," the blue-haired spoke as she stood up and grabbed her weapon. "We should get going."
"Oh, right!" Irina and the girl started making their way around the living room. However, they stopped when the chestnut girl turned to Aidan, who was watching warily. "Don't worry. We're already heading home for today. It's been ten years since we last saw one another and I haven't been in this neighborhood for a long time, so I wanted to drop by and say hello to Uncle Deckard. But it's time for us to say farewell, Xenovia."
"Yeah," said the other girl, Xenovia.
"Take care, Irina," Uncle Deckard said, looking from his seat. "It was good to see you again!"
"Thank you, Uncle Deckard! We'll be seeing you and Aidan again. But I can stop by and hang out with you if you want. Bye!"
However, Xenovia said in a dark tone, "At last…" Holding her weapon up to her chest level with both hands. Aidan did not like her one bit, especially with the way she was looking at him with contempt.
Soon, they closed the door behind them on their way out.
LATER THAT NIGHT…
"I'm so glad you two are safe," Rias exclaimed as she hugs Aidan and Asia tightly. They were all in Aidan's room as they reconvened about what had just occurred. "Are you two alright? They didn't hurt you, did they? I think they knew about us being Devils, but I don't think they would lay a hand on us in a normal residence and in front of your Uncle who is a normal human being."
"Aidan and I are okay, Buchou," Asia said, trying to remain calm as the redhead holds her to her right breast. Rias hugged Aidan and her even tighter, being so precious to her and having lost them on two separate occasions.
"I'm so glad," Rias sighed in relief. "When I learned what had just occurred, I was afraid of what might have happened. If something terrible would have happened to you two, I thought…" The memories of losing Aidan came back to her swiftly. "I prepared for the worst scenario; you know…? For what it is worth, I am so sorry. I could not bear losing you two. I should have known they would drop by."
Aidan felt a little surprised, hearing this from his master even as his face rested on top of her left breast.
'Sirzechs was right. The Gremory Family truly does care for its servants.'
But sadly, now was not the time to get kinky. Clearing his throat, Aidan asks, "Rias, your breast."
"Yes, I understand." Once she lets go, she unties her ribbon on her shirt. "Oh, Aidan, you're really becoming spoiled with me, aren't you?"
"NO!" Asia separates Aidan from Rias, making the redhaired girl sigh before having them sit.
"So why did they come to your house, speaking to your Uncle?" asked Rias.
"Not sure, I'm afraid," answered Aidan. "I don't even know how they found out where I lived. But one of them, Irina, was the girl in the picture. Why she was here, I do not know. Maybe she wanted to catch up with me and Uncle given that it's been about ten years since we last saw one another. I doubt she and her other companion, Xenovia, know I am nephalem so they'll assume I am Devil. Yet Xenovia glared at me with such spite for some reason."
"That is troubling," Rias deduced. "For all we know, given of their affiliation with the Church, or the Zakarum, they have an ulterior motive. But we won't know until we speak to them tomorrow."
"They want to meet with you?" asked a surprised Asia.
"That's right. According to Sona, we are to meet with those two, along with another late guest, after school. They want to negotiate with me given that I am in control of this territory."
"I don't know, Rias," Aidan voiced his concern. "This sounds like a trap. Devils and Zakarum devotees don't exactly have mutual trust with one another."
"I agree, but I must nonetheless comply," Rias said with a sharp and serious face. "They made promise to their God that they will not attack and that they are coming to request something from the Devils, ironic considering they do so with us as the evil beings. They seemed to be under pressure from their mission, whatever it is. I have a bad feeling about all of this… From their story, the priests that come to this town keep getting murdered."
"And what is worse, Kiba is caught in the mix," Aidan said. He looks outside to see a storm on the horizon, indicating a dark omen that may herald in for tomorrow.
The next day arrives and after school, Aidan was ordered to wait at the entrance for the three representatives of the Church to arrive, then escort them over to the old school building.
The sun had begun to set over the horizon as Aidan leans against the side of the hate, patiently waiting for the girls to arrive. Aidan hopes that this meeting between Devils and clergy does not turn to be messy. Zakarum devotees always leave an impressionable mark.
"Heya, Aidan!" Irina's voice was heard as he looked to his right, seeing her and Xenovia walking towards him and crossing the bridge. Aidan met up with them and stood in the middle of the open gate.
"Irina," Aidan greets with a smile. "Where's your third member?"
"They are not here yet," Xenovia informs coldly. The two walk to his left before stopping and turning away to face away from the school.
Aidan looked at them for a moment before looking out at the neighborhood with them. Thing s were already beginning to feel awkward as the two girls looked as still as statues. Aidan could see Xenovia make quick glances at him with a glare, making him all the more suspicious of her. And Irina was not much help either considering she did not notice or perhaps had the same hidden suspicious agenda in her mind but didn't show it unlike her companion.
"So…" Aidan breaks the silence. "Any of you know who it is?"
"No," Xenovia simply replied.
"All we know is that they're important and powerful," Irina informed him.
Silence again followed until a figure was shown towards the school. Initially it was hard to make out what he looked like with the sun's setting light being the source of the problems. But as soon as the figure stood in front of them and blocked the sun's rays, Xenovia and Irina were shocked.
"…Master?" Xenovia gasped.
Aidan looked at her with a raised eyebrow and saw that Irina bore the same expression. Then the two girls got on one knee to bow before their so-called master. When Aidan looked, he could understand and see why.
This was no priest nor a crusader of the Zakarum but he did have the appearance of a warrior despite his somewhat shaggy look. He was human with brown/black skin and a bald head, no hair whatsoever. He wore golden armor that was covered up in green clothing that looked something one would wear from medieval times. A sunspot emblem was on the right side of his chest that held up his black cape. A white sash was wrapped around his waist to hold up his skirt-like pants that covered the lower leggings of his golden armor. Oddly enough, the shoulder pauldron on his left shoulder was shown, but the bracers and leg armor that looked something angelic shown, decorated in runes of angelic making. The rest of his golden armor was covered up by his clothing.
Aidan felt his eyes widen a bit, seeing that this Zakarum warrior was indeed strong. The sight of his armor could mean this is no ordinary member and may explain how or why he is seen as a master by the two Exorcists.
What disturbed Aidan though was that he had seen those runes before. They were runes of the High Heavens, of the Elder Angels themselves. So what would a man of Zakarum be doing wearing armor of that making?
The man approached the girls and stopped before them. "Rise up, Xenovia Quartet. Irina Shidou. There are no need for formalities here."
The two girls stand back up, still with shocked expressions. "Master. We didn't think to see you again," Xenovia said.
"I thought you were on a different mission," Irina inquired.
"I had just finished it recently and came here on the Church's orders to assist you," Their master said. "Do you have the weapons?"
"We are armed with them," Xenovia answered.
Xenovia and Irina's master then noticed Aidan, looking at him. Aidan expected for him to be cut down to size or be given such harsh hostile treatment at first glance.
But the master bore a small smile as he went to greet Aidan. "Well met, friend."
Aidan was surprised. "W-Well met indeed." He then bowed his head. "Forgive me. I mean no disrespect. I am Aidan Kain, Pawn to Rias Gremory. I am here to escort you three over to our clubhouse."
"I highly doubt that will ever be necessary from a Devil," Xenovia retorted but stopped going any further with future insults when her master raised his hand up, motioning for her to be silent. She lowered her head and stepped back.
"Forgive me and my students," The master apologized. "They are still in training and their years and experience of fighting Devils have somewhat hardened their hearts."
"All is well, friend," Aidan nodded. "Shall we make our way to Rias?"
"Lead the way," The man ushered as Aidan leads them over.
LATER ON…
Once they arrived at the clubroom, the room was split down the middle, with each side having one half of it. One were the members of Rias Gremory's Peerage. Rias sat on the sofa with her arms and legs crossed, staring at the Church representatives with a serious face. Behind her were her servants Asia, Akeno, Koneko, and Aidan. Kiba was left absent.
On the other side were the trio representatives. Xenovia and Irina's master sat on the sofa with a straight back and one hand on his knee while the other was on the sofa. Sitting beside him were his Exorcist students, Xenovia and Irina, the latter resting her weapon on her shoulder.
"On behalf of the three Churches, I humbly thank you for allowing us to speak with you, Lady Rias Gremory," The master began. "Allow us to introduce ourselves."
"My name is Xenovia Quartet."
"I'm Irina Shidou."
"And I am Inquisitor Tyrannus," Their master introduced himself.
This caused Rias, Koneko, Akeno, Asia, and even Aidan to be in shock in awe.
"I thought the Inquisition of the Church was disbanded two centuries ago," Akeno inquired.
"They did," Inquisitor Tyrannus explained. "But a new one was formed a century later in secret as a means to physically counteract the corruption through the use of forceful means. It was also meant to track down and destroy any demonic corruption lurking within the clergy and laity, luring out dark cultists to stop them from making ritual sacrifices to their dark masters. It is one of the Church's best kept secrets away from the public and only a few know of its existence."
"And that's why it's always fascinating why the followers of God would want to meet with a Devil," Rias said. "But with your appearance, Inquisitor, I have to say that it is more serious than what I am about to guess."
"That is correct," Inquisitor Tyrannus nodded. "In the most recent events, the Excalibur swords were stolen from the Vatican, the Protestant Church, and the Eastern Orthodox Church on three different occasions."
At his gesture, Xenovia took the sword she had off her shoulder and held up out to them. "Out of the six we have accounted for; these are from the three swords we have left." She said. "This one I hold is called Excalibur Destruction."
"And then there's the one I have here," Irina said with pride, extending her arm out and out of the cloak she had on to show a piece of string tide to her arm. "Mine is Excalibur Mimic. I can change its shape into anything I want so it's really useful to carry around."
The ORC then see the Inquisitor who, instead of looking proud at his students, bore a rather downward scowl, making the two students flinch a bit in surprise.
"Why the long face, Inquisitor?" Rias inquired.
"As someone who has been in the service for a long time, I have seen them fall so far from grace time and time again, never knowing the repercussions of their actions or even looking at their own scars to see how far they have come. I did not agree with their decision to slaughter the blessed children of the Holy Sword Project that I condemned so long ago."
Aidan looked at the Inquisitor with surprise and sympathy. For someone who works in the New Inquisition, whose members of old have set to have been harsh and ruthless in their zealous methods, he understood why he felt that way. "Has anyone claimed responsibility for the theft?" He asked.
"From the evidence we have gathered, we believe it to be the work of the Fallen Angels," Xenovia answered. Rias widens her eyes in surprise. "And there is reason to believe that they're taking them to this town. We've sent priests and exorcists to this town in secret, but every last one of them were killed before we even contacted them."
"If that is the case, what is it that you would like for us to do then? Rias asked whilst retaining her confident tone.
"Stay out of it," Xenovia plainly yet rudely answered. "Plain and simple."
Rias' eyes somewhat changed after hearing that rude tone. "Such manner of speech. I wonder if it is restraint, or are you thinking that we might collaborate with those crows? Perhaps that we might team up with them to do something with the Excalibur?"
"The headquarters think that it might not be impossible that you would."
Rias' eyes started to glow red. Aidan and Asia felt the chilling pressure from her and knew she was getting angry. But for the former, he could feel the soulstone sliver inside of her chest glow, as if feeding on her own wrathful feelings within.
"That's enough!" exclaimed Inquisitor Tyrannus, silencing Xenovia with his glare that made her stand down. "My apologies, Lady Rias. Xenovia is still in training, young and arrogant as usual. But what you said is a possibility in the Church's view. If you are in league with the Fallen Angels, then we have no choice but to terminate you. They are afraid that even Sirzechs Lucifer's younger sister could prove to be a threat, and not just based on your power alone."
"If you have already figured me out, Inquisitor, then I assure you that there is no way I would ever think to join the Fallen Angels," Rias said with a smirking glare. "I would never do anything to soil the name of Gremory or even my brother."
"I thought not," The Inquisitor smiles. "The House of Gremory would never resort to such low means in the first place anyway. I know that for a fact."
"Good to know. But you should also know that I will not provide aid to your side as well."
"I am not asking for it nor was I expecting it considering the circumstances. Do I have your word?"
"You do."
Xenovia and Irina looked at one another and nodded. With their master here with them, their second mission can begin.
"Then we are done here," Inquisitor Tyrannus said. "Come along you two."
The three stood up and began to take their leave, but Xenovia and Irina stopped to look towards Aidan until the former noticed Asia.
Inquisitor Tyrannus stopped and looked back. "What's wrong, you two?"
"Excuse me but are you Asia Argento?" asked Xenovia.
"Ah, yes," The blonde Bishop answered.
"It's alright," Inquisitor Tyrannus reassured the young one, humbly smiling at her. "You could not have made it this far without hope to guide you along the way."
"Th-Thank you, Inquisitor," Asia replied.
"But she's not okay, Master," Xenovia continued. "She went from being a saint to a Devil."
"It was her choice, Xenovia," Tyrannus defended. "You do not get to decide that for her, not before and not now."
But Xenovia ignored her master's wisdom and continued asking Asia, "Do you still believe in our God?"
"Xenovia. There's no way that she, who became a Devil, still believes in God," Irina said with an amazed face.
"If you do not stand down, you two…" The Inquisitor showed disapproval to his students, seeing the former nun panicking.
"Master, with all due respect, there are people who betray the teachings and still have guilt within them because they couldn't forget them." Xenovia said with sharp eyes. "I can feel something similar coming from her."
"Really? Is it true, Asia?" Irina asked genuinely with interesting eyes. "You still believe in God, even if you have turned into a Devil?"
"…I just can't put it aside," Asia replied with a sad expression. "I believed in Him for my whole life…" But then her expression changes to one of hope. "But I do believe in one thing: Hope."
"Is that so? Then you shall be executed this instant," Xenovia declared as she approaches Asia with her Holy Sword, showcasing the Excalibur Destruction.
It was a two-handed sword with a grip long enough that can be held with two hands with a cross in the pommel, an ax-like guard and a second grip with a chain-like formation connecting the guard with the blade. The blade itself was huge, ending with three points.
"Stand down, Xenovia!" commanded Inquisitor Tyrannus. "We are not here to kill innocent people!"
"I agree," Rias concurred, standing up from the sofa and glaring at the blue-haired Exorcist. "If your business is done, then I'd advise you take your leave now and stop harassing my servants."
"You both misunderstand me," Xenovia said to the Inquisitor. "As one of God's servants, Master, I feel it is my duty to save her soul from damnation."
She raises Excalibur Destruction with such speed and ease that surprises everyone, even Irina. Xenovia then swings her sword down on the defenseless Asia. The former nun raises her arms up and closes her eyes, waiting for the end.
*CLASH*
Before Xenovia's sword can cut down Asia though, it was held up by a left hand with a Sacred Gear deployed. The Al'Diabolos Terror Claws, with the Red Soulstone shard pulsating in red. In front of Asia stood Aidan with his left arm up. The force of the attack drew blood as he grasped the weapon, but he did not lash out in pain, even as the blade was near his left shoulder.
Aidan glares daggers at Xenovia, his red demonic eyes glaring at her with fear as the black veins show themselves by his neck. While the blue-haired girl was surprised at first at her weapon being halted, she then smirked. "So it's you."
"Xenovia, stand down!" Inquisitor Tyrannus demanded. "What is the meaning of this aggression!?"
"We're sorry, Master," Irina apologized. "But we also have another mission."
"Another mission? The Inquisitor asked in confusion.
"That's correct," Xenovia said, taking Excalibur Destruction away. "In the name of our Lord and Savior…" She pointed her sword at Aidan. "Aidan Kain, surrender and come quietly with us."
Asia, Koneko, Akeno, and Rias were completely caught off-guard. Even the Inquisitor was surprised.
While Aidan would normally be confused at the notion, he only said one word in a dark tone. "Never."
"Aidan, please," Irina pleaded. "We know of a way to break you free of your curse. We've been given special orders to come and retrieve you to bring you back so that the priests can conduct a ritual to separate you from Diablo."
"Save me, Irina?" asked Aidan, keeping his sharp expression. "By imprisoning me in a makeshift soulstone?" That shocked everyone in the room, especially the Exorcists who wondered how he had managed to figure out their plan. "I was given a hunch by Johanna today before the meeting. It is true, isn't it?"
Inquisitor Tyrannus merely shook his head and scowled in disapproval at his two students. He had a feeling that the higher ups from the Vatican have deceived them with something out of fear. Even the New Inquisition would have been barred away from some secrets forbidden to them by their authorities.
"Yes," Xenovia confirmed. "Your very presence brings only terror and destruction unto all. By releasing Diablo, you have ensured the doom of this world and all of humanity. Come with us now and we will set you free."
"I'm sorry, Aidan," Irina said. "But the Church had been keeping an eye on you since you first revealed your true power. And by holding a Sacred Gear that contains the soul of a Prime Evil, the Church has decided that you must be exorcised in order to set you free."
"You are an existence of pure evil at its heart," Xenovia continued after her. "You unleashed a terrible evil on the world that must be contained and locked away as before, or the world is doomed in hellfire. Therefore we seek to imprison and contain you once again."
"I've been down that road before, Xenovia," Aidan said with arms crossed over, remembering the events of Tristram Cathedral. "It didn't work and only brought more pain. What makes you think your crude copy of a soulstone can contain something like a Prime Evil when all attempts in the past have failed?"
"Because the Church knows the truth," Irina said. "When word reached to us of the terrible evil walking on the earth and sowing terror amongst the populace, we knew that it could be the real Devil himself."
"That's right," Xenovia said. "The Dragon from the Book of Revelation was in fact the very Demon you now carry inside of yourself. And we have perfected the soulstone this time to the point where we can contain you permanently. Never again will the world suffer from your vile influence."
What fools they were. Clearly, they have been kept in the dark about the whole truth of Creation. They do to know of the existence of the High Heavens, the Burning Hells, and the Eternal Conflict. If they did, then they all pointed it to the Three Factions and the Great War. It may have been a form of indoctrination used by their superiors at the Church to keep the truth hidden from them. If that is true, then they are also lied to about the creation of the world. Of the fact that god did not create it nor humanity, but rather Inarius and Lilith did.
Aidan then glares at his childhood friend in disappointment, "You wound me grievously, Irina. When I first met you, I saw a young ecstatic girl full of adventure and who wanted to travel the world with Uncle Deckard and me. But I never thought that after ten years or so you would fall to the point of zealotry in your faith. What I see before me now is nothing more than a twisted perversion of someone I once called a friend, a young woman full of potential yet indoctrinated by lies and deceived by those who use her as a puppet for their own means."
"What do you mean?" asked a confused Irina.
Aidan replies, "Your heart is darker than even Diablo himself. And I could say the same to you, Xenovia Quartet."
His words were cold and pierced Irina's heart like she felt hurt. But Xenovia felt unconvinced.
"Is that so?" Xenovia's eyes sharpen. "Then are you willing to declare a one-man war on the Church?" She asked with a smirk while raising her sword. "Some big talk coming out from a single Devil. Gremory. I don't think you've educated him enough."
"Then why do I sense fear?" asked Aidan. "Why is your hand shaking slightly?"
It was hard for anyone to see but Xenovia was shaking a bit in fear, facing the host to Diablo himself.
"I wonder… How tastes your fear?"
Rias then saw Aidan's eyes turn red as the black veins slowly return upwards to his face, signifying his rage. She was about to calm him down but was stopped by another voice.
"This is perfect," Kiba showed up all of a sudden, leaning against the door and carrying his sword. The enormous aura of his vengeance and hatred illuminated like a lantern. "If you are the Inquisitor, then I will be your opponent."
Inquisitor Tyrannus looked over to Kiba and faced him. "Isaiah…"
Kiba's eyes narrow in anger, hearing that name once again that he discarded.
As both sides converged outside of the ORC building, Rias, Akeno, Koneko, and Asia stood at the side near the edge of a tree line whilst Kiba and Aidan stood against the Inquisitor and his Exorcist apprentices.
"Let us begin," Xenovia said, before she and Irinia took off their white cloaks, revealing themselves in black, skin-tight, short sleeve unitards with pauldrons, matching fingerless gloves that extended to their biceps, and thigh-high boots, adorned with straps. Irina's look slightly different as the gloves were more closed up and her shoulders more exposed.
"I am going to make this clear," Inquisitor Tyrannus said to Rias. "This is a duel that is off the record. Nothing will be told to the Church." He then turned to Aidan. "And you will not have to come with us even if you lose."
This shocked his two apprentices. "But Master, we must capture him!" Xenovia insisted. "We've been given directs orders from—"
"I will not hear it!" The Inquisitor Tyrannus looked sharply at them, causing them to flinch. "There is no justice in this foolish endeavor and as your teacher, I am in command. We will not take him back with us!"
Xenovia and Irina flinched at his tone. Glancing at one another, they did not know what to do. They were told to retrieve/capture Aidan by any means necessary and was said to be a mission received by God, but Inquisitor Tyrannus outranked them at everything. Sighing in defeat, they turn to face Aidan and Kiba, swearing to have another chance soon.
Xenovia brandishes out her sword and gets into a fighting stance while Irina pulls out a white string off of her arm. It transforms into a katana with a round gold guard and a long enough grip to make it a two-handed blade.
Aidan summons up Silentium while brandishing his Sacred Gear on his left arm, the Red Soulstone shard pulsating with energy in a red glow, feasting on fear.
Kiba on the other hand chuckled at the Inquisitor.
"Why do you laugh, Isaiah?" asked Inquisitor Tyrannus.
"Because you insult me, Inquisitor," He responded with a cold smirk. "The one thing I always wanted to destroy more than anything has appeared before me, and you dare not to fight me with your Excalibur?"
Tyrannus was undeterred as he pulls out his blade, which looked very angelic. It was a large sword whose golden handle has a large sunburst pattern with a blue gem at its center. The blade was oddly shaped despite looking like any other normal sword, but it glowed blue and emanated strong angelic magic.
"El'druin is all I need to defeat you," Inquisitor Tyrannus said as he draws it out. But the name El'druin caught Aidan off guard.
He would know that sword because that was the sword of Tyrael, the Archangel of Justice. Yet why would an Inquisitor of the Zakarum faith be carrying El'druin with him? As far as Aidan knew, only one other mortal in the history of Sanctuary had carried El'druin before Tyrael retrieved it.
"You feel as though you must fight me if I ever use an Excalibur sword?" asked Tyrannus. "That is only reserved for those worthy to wield it. But El'druin, a weapon of angelic making, is the only weapon I have ever wielded."
"And yet you call yourself an Inquisitor of the Church, right?" mocked Kiba. "When the Inquisitors were disbanded long ago? By defeating you while using the Excalibur, then I am worthy to destroy the others."
Kiba soon sprouts multiple demonic swords from the ground for him to use.
"Sword Birth…" Inquisitor Tyrannus noted to himself. "A Sacred Gear where the user can create any demonic sword they imagine in their head." He then gets back to the subject at hand. "I am well aware of your past, Isaiah."
Kiba didn't respond back, only glaring with the intent to kill.
"The Church may have considered you a failure and cast you aside, but not to me, though not for the reason you may be thinking of." Tyrannus gets in position with El'druin. "Yet now your rage and hatred have consumed you to the point they have made you weak. I will teach you the lesson about justice that I myself had learned so long ago."
"Oi, Aidan!" Irina shouted to him with stars in her eyes. "It's totally you!"
But Aidan scoffs and mutters, "Idiot…"
"My faith is making fun of me right now!" She exclaimed. "A dear friend of mine has become a Devil. What does this mean?"
Xenovia looked deadpanned at her.
"I went to England because I found out that I can use Holy Sword, and I thought that I could be a representative of God! Ahh, this must be a trial that the Lord has granted unto me! But if I can move forward with my faith, I will turn into someone with the true belief towards God!" Her expression, fully showcasing her zealous faith, becomes so ecstatic and annoying. "Now Aidan! It is time I grant judgment unto you with this Excalibur! Amen!"
Aidan was right. Irina had changed and her heart, despite being pure of faith, was darker than even his own.
She and Xenovia soon charge in. But only halfway there, and they stopped. For what they saw left them feeling with dread, their faith now shake with what they saw.
Aidan was then consumed by a black shadow as his form takes shape of his Balance Breaker, Primal Terror Vengeance, showcasing his armor and of the parts of Diablo sprouting from him.
"I wonder…" Aidan said in a somewhat demonic voice as it echoed in his helmet. "How tastes your fear?"
Not much to say really but what better way to start the chapter than with a cinematic from Diablo II called Enter Hell where instead of Marius, it is Akeno. Why Akeno? Well she will play a big upcoming role in this arc but I will not reveal it just yet.
We get to learn more about Kiba's past regarding the Holy Sword Project and we also get introduced to the three representatives of the Church, along with the Inquisitor and a familiar blade to those who have played Diablo. I will leave it up to you to speculate in the meantime.
And now we know the other mission of why the other two were here: to seal away Aidan because he has the Prime Evil inside of him. Pff, yeah because that works so well yet fails utterly. Besides, what's the point of soulstones, makeshift or not, if they will keep failing to contain a Prime Evil over and over again? But now the conflict has escalated to the point where a duel must commence. I am pretty sure we all know how this is going to turn out.
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