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.
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)
"A Devil wearing priest clothes," Saji said as he and the others stood outside the Church, waiting for Inquisitor Tyrannus. This was the same Church that Raynare had used as her base of operations long ago. Both Aidan and the Devils wore clothing representing the clergy and wore fake crosses since the real ones would likely injure the Devils. But not everyone wore priest clothing as Aidan wore the simple black cloak he wore back in Khanduras when he was the Dark Wanderer.
Who and why did they wear these items? It was a part of the Inquisitor and Aidan's plan to lure Freed out into the open and kill him.
"Not without kicking and screaming about it," Irina joked.
"Nothing will stand in the way of my vengeance," Kiba said as he buttons his outfit.
The Church doors open to reveal Inquisitor Tyrannus stepping out, catching the group's attention as he walks towards them.
"We will need to split into two groups to cover more ground," He told them. "Nephalem, take your Devil friends and cover the eastern grounds while my students and I take the West. We will contact you if we find anything."
"Sounds good to me," Aidan nodded. "We'll do the same in case we find something. Let's get to it."
But before they could leave, Xenovia stops him. "Hold on. Before you go, there is something important I forgot to tell you."
Aidan, knowing that they have some time to spare, responds, "Speak quickly."
"We appreciate being taken such good care the other day. As compensation for your hospitality, and with talks to our master, Irina and I have decided to no longer continue our second mission of taking you back to the Vatican."
Aidan was a bit surprised yet, suspicious of their intentions and not trusting their word, he asks, "Why the change of heart?"
"When we were given this task, we were told not to reveal this mission to anyone, not even to our master on the premise that if told about your existence, more priests and Exorcists would come to try to kill you. Our numbers would dwindle so they just sent the two of us to handle it."
Aidan then turns to the Inquisitor. "Tyrannus. What do you make of it?"
"I found this news to be disturbing," The Inquisitor stated. "I suspect that a foul play is at hand here and that the Church sent these two knowing that they would most likely die, thereby continuing whatever schemes they had behind their walls. While there is no evidence of such a thing, I thought such information should be presented to you, the target in question."
Aidan lowers his head a bit. He now understands that once again, the Zakarum have been crippled with fear. Since Diablo's awakening and roaming the earth, they feared that such an evil must be extinguished before it has the chance to sew chaos among the populace. Whoever gave the orders to Xenovia and Irina on a suicide mission clearly did it with the intention of killing them. Who it was exactly is an unknown.
"I understand," Aidan said. He then directs his mind back to the mission at hand, leaving the other situation behind for now. "We'll contact you when we find something."
Yet as the two groups separated, Kiba, Saji, Koneko, and Issei looked at the nephalem with worry, knowing how much he has been through already. Even Irina could not help but worry.
Once they left the Exorcists, the nephalem Pawn and the Devils begin their search within the east. Both the Dark Wanderer and the fake priests walked in numerous places where the population was less dense, in areas the priests were murdered.
Aidan knew that this gamble was built on a huge risk and they will likely face severe punishment from their masters. But at this point, there was no turning back. If he wanted to keep Rias and the others safe, then he would need to confirm and confront this evil alone.
Rias' image burned within the Wanderer's mind. For nearly a year, Aidan had gotten to know of Rias in terms of personality. For all the trauma she had been through concerning him, there has not been a single moment where Aidan has not seen her bravery and her despair. Since sleeping together, they have become much closer not just as servant to master, but also as best friends and close confidantes.
As Aidan remembers Rias, his heartbeat accelerated somewhat. He can see her long crimson red hair, hear her lovely voice, feel her smooth skin and lustful body, and understand the willingness to sacrifice herself for him. Her will had become as hard as iron since the events of Tristram, showing to Aidan that despite her fears, she is more than willing to fight.
Perhaps, in his heart of hearts, Aidan felt it was time to act on those lingering feelings in his heart for her. But a majority of him felt unworthy to make such a proclamation, mainly because of what he had done.
"Fuu. We're making no progress," Saji groaned as he started to lose interest, snapping Aidan out of his thoughts.
"I agree," Issei said. "We've been walking for hours and found no sign of this mad priest."
It's hard to believe but in the time Aidan had gotten to know his fellow Pawns, Issei and Saji, he found them to actually be nice people. Granted they were still envious of him due to his attractive looks and how he has gotten the best ladies of Kuoh with him. Despite their initial impressions at first glance of them, they were actually good people trying to do their best as Devils to their master, Sona. Compared to them though, Aidan trumps them in power but they have yet to prove their match in a fight.
"Is there any place you two can think of that they could be?" Issei asked the Gremory servants.
"There may be once place," Kiba said before walking in front and leading the group.
After about another three minutes of walking and following the dark Knight, the Devils and the nephalem found themselves in front of a large abandoned building on the outskirts of the town. Aidan and Koneko recognize it as the place that they fought that one Stray Devil, the one where Kiba was not paying attention to.
As they were about to walk into the building, they felt a chill in the air. Someone was watching them, ready to kill them. They all huddled close, back to back with Aidan in the middle of the group. He then looks up and sees something peculiar. Then he saw a silver shine from what appeared to be a sword.
"Above us!" Aidan cried as he fires a powerful red lightning blast.
*BOOM*
"GYAHAHAHA!" A familiar freak shouted in laughter as he moves out of the way of the blast and comes out in the open.
"Freed!" Aidan saw. The psychopath, still laughing, comes charging in with his sword.
*KACHING*
Freed's sword makes contact with Kiba's demonic sword as the Knight blocks the attack. The crazed priest jumps and flips backwards, before landing on the building.
"I wanted to thank you earlier," The psychopath told Kiba.
"Thank me?" Kiba grits his teeth.
Aidan comes up by Kiba's side and draws out Silentium in his right hand while deploying his Sacred Gear on his left. He discards his Dark Wanderer form to reveal himself.
"Ooh… it's you!" Freed saw Aidan. "Heee. And look, you also brought the little midget and friends." Koneko's eyes sharpen in anger. "Whoops, I meant little lady. Well, isn't this a lovely family reunion!? Do please forgive me, but I was looking forward to a little priest hunting tonight, but all I find are a bunch of Devils in costumes. How about that? Is it alright to kill you now!?"
Freed gives a lick of his sword, illustrating his crazed mind. Aidan looks to see Freed wield some sort of Holy Sword that may resemble an Excalibur, but he was not sure.
The rest of the Devils join up, discarding their disguises and donning their Sacred Gears.
"Careful with that sword," Koneko warned. "It's powerful."
"Just stay out of its reach, all of you," Aidan advised. "I will keep him distracted."
"Oh, my, oh my! Five of you in one night? I'm overwhelmed by my own popularity," Freed exclaimed.
"Don't get too excited," Kiba said, readying himself. "I'm your only opponent."
"We'll take him together," Aidan said. "Saji, try to restrain him. Issei and Koneko, I want you two—Wha-? Kiba, wait!"
Kiba rushes on ahead, jumping high into the air and landing on the building while rushing into the psycho priest, giving out a war cry.
"Hi!" greeted a grinning Freed. "What's hysterical is that no matter how many brave little Devils fling themselves at me, they are no match for this sword!" Freed jumps into the air, surprising Kiba as he had to land on his right hand before using it to launch himself into a front flip. He was able to turn around in midair, before landing on his feet in a crouch.
Kiba looks up to see Freed coming down with a downward vertical strike. "Thanks for playing!"
*KACHING*
Kiba blocks the attack as sparks fly. "Some have called the heavenly sword of heavenly flashes the Excalibur Rapidly, but I don't!" I call it the super-fast sword," Freed said before moving away from Kiba that seeds that were on par with the Knight's. The blonde was stunned for a moment, before he charges in and using his speed.
As the swordsmen duel, down below, Saji and Issei watch in awe as they move all over the place with blazing speeds that were made of nothing more than short blurs. Sparks ignited wherever they were as blades clash.
Koneko and Aidan though were not happy.
"Ugh, Kiba's going to get himself killed," Aidan said. "Freed is moving faster than him."
"Worst…night…ever," Koneko said before pulling out her phone to dial.
"Aww, is someone feeling out?" Freed taunted them, before letting his tongue hang out of his primal grin. "Don't worry, I have enough for all!"
"Thanks, but no thanks," Issei said, before he gives a Boost on his Boosted Gear.
Aidan then had an idea. "Issei, charge up enough power and be ready to transfer to Kiba. Koneko and I will keep Freed busy while you, Saji, prepare your Absorption Line to hold him down."
"Are you sure?" Saji asked.
"Just be ready," Aidan charges in with Silentium as Saji holds his arm out.
"Line on!" He chanted, causing a bright purple light to come from his arm that summoned the small and black Chameleion-like lizard bracer to appear on his arm.
On the building, Kiba lands after another clash with Freed, panting in slight exhaustion. However, he was more surprised when Aidan stepped in front of him, placing himself between the crazed priest and the Knight. He holds SIlentium at the ready.
"So you want to due first, huh?" The psycho asked.
"Armiger!" Aidan summons a multitude of demonic swords that point towards Freed, each of them emitting a red light and were made of some form of light. "Now, dance!"
Aidan thrusts all swords at Freed, but the crazed Priest manages to dodge and elude them all whilst closing in for the kill. He eludes the blades and raises his sword above. "DIE!"
However as soon as his sword was raised high, it was caught by a thin blue line by none other than Saji, holding it in a vice grip.
"Hey! Let go! Let go! LET GO!" Freed cried like a child as he tries to pull his Excalibur away.
"Absorption Line! As long as this line is connected to you, your power will continue to be absorbed by my Sacred Gear until you lose consciousness!" Saji exclaimed.
"Now, Koneko!" cried Aidan.
Koneko soon charges in and delivers a gutblow over to Freed, making the air leave his lungs and flinging him back. Aidan then telekinetically catches him and brings Freed forward before he unleashes red lightning.
*SCHBOOM*
"ARGH!" Freed cries in pain as the lightning takes a direct hit and is flung backwards. He flips and lands on his feet but is pissed off. "Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!" He exclaimed. "Pesky line must be a dragon brand."
[BOOST]
Another cry of Boost from the Boosted Gear was heard as Koneko holds up Issei, doing the lifting.
"…Go to Kiba." She said before the small girl flings Issei up in the air with her super-human strength.
"Uooooooooo! Konekooooooooo!" Issei yells in fear for being flown across the night sky. But luckily he saw he was getting closer to Kiba as he sticks out his left hand.
[TRANSFER]
"Okay, Kiba!" Issei yelled as his hand touched Kiba's back. "Go get this loser!"
Issei lands on the roof a few feet behind him as Kiba closes his eyes and smiling, feeling the power flow into his body. So much in fact that it covered him up.
"This power I have been given is a gift," He said before opening his eyes with newfound determination. "I will use it gladly.!"
Freed saw this and became nervous when the Gremory magic circle appeared over Kiba's head. "Why can't I get this thing off?!" Freed tried to free his sword from the Absorption Line, but it was proven to be impossible to cut.
"Sword Birth!" Kiba called out as he stabs his sword into the stone roof. From the ground, a variety of swords appear in different shapes, popping all over the place.
As the swords pop up one by one, they all travel to Freed who was then tossed away by the impact of it all. Saji's Absorption Line is released.
"Hmmm. Sword Birth, huh?" The voice of another person spoke. Aidan warps over to Kiba's position as he stood and looked down. He glances over to the direction of the voice where a short, bespectacled elderly man with gray hair, a moustache, and black eyes stood wearing priest clothing. "A Sacred Gear that can have an infinite numbers of powers depending on the possessor."
"Is that you, old man?" Freed asked as he stand sup and gets the man's attention.
"Freed. What are you doing?"
"Old man! I can't run away because of these fuckin' Devils!" Freed exclaimed as he was pissed off, still mad of that red lightning attack from Aidan.
"Hmph. You still can't use the Holy Sword perfectly yet. Use the 'element' I gave you more wisely. That's the whole point of my research. Gather the holy element that is running throughout our body to the blade of the Holy Sword. With that, you should be able to beat them."
"Yeah, yeah!" Freed did just that, and it caused the Holy Sword in his hand to gather auras and started glowing. "Like this! Hoorah!"
With sufficient power, he charges into Aidan and Kiba. "Now I'll cut you all into pieces!" Freed exclaimed in bloodthirsty glee as the boys ready to block his attack before a familiar figure pops in front of them.
*KACHING*
Surprise surprise, that large figure was Inquisitor Tyrannus, blocking Freed's attack with ease with El'druin. When the Stray Exorcist realized who he was, he let out a fearful yelp and jumped away.
"Inquisitor!" Aidan exclaimed.
"Yahoo! Aidan," called a familiar cheerful voice, making Aidan look behind and seeing Irina and Xenovia running towards them without their white cloaks.
"What are you two doing here?" Saji asked.
"We came as soon as you contacted us," Xenovia informed them before her attention was caught by the sight ff the elderly man staring at her master in fear, confusion, and anger. But his presence startled her. "You?!
"He then grins with a small smirk. "Looks like my cover has been blown," He said.
"Who is he?" asked Aidan.
"The one who gave us the mission to hunt you down," she said.
The old man saw the Inquisitor, Kiba, and Aidan on the roof before he eyes the latter, grinning. "So this is what a nephalem looks like. The legends are true."
This however shocked Aidan as he demandingly asks, "How do you know of the nephalem?"
The old man continues to grin at him as eerie silence settles into the area.
"Yeah, come on! …Wait, what's a nepha what now?" Freed asked in confusion.
Inquisitor Tyrannus glares at the elderly man, seeing the one who was responsible for the Holy Sword Project and also the one who gave his students the mission to hunt down Aidan Kain.
"Valper Galilei, the Genocide Archbishop," Tyrannus reveals. After a moment of silence, Valper's grin widened as he took off his glasses in his left hand before pulling a mask off of him with his right. Everyone was surprised to see the mask was nothing more than rubber.
Placing his glasses back on, he smiles at Aidan. "Allow me to properly introduce myself," He said. "I am Valper Galilei. What a pleasure it finally is to meet you face to face, Aidan Kain."
"The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," Aidan sarcastically says as he glares.
"VALPER!" Kiba roars in rage as he glares at the man with hate, ctaching the old man's attention.
"This doesn't make any sense," Irina said, still shocked to see it was Valper that gave her the order to bring her childhood friend back to the Vatican. "You weren't that nice priest!?"
"You were excommunicated," Xenovia stated indignantly. "How you were able to get back into the Church?"
"A new face and a simple name change, my dears," Valper explained. "It really wasn't that hard after all, especially when I had a few contacts within to help me."
"But why me, Valper?" asked Aidan. "What am I of interest to you?"
Valper turns to him. "Is it not obvious? You carry within you the blood of the nephalem and the soul of a Demon. Although I had nothing to do with it, it was my employers that wanted you dead." He then reached into his outfit. "However…" He pulled something out of in his fingers and held it out towards Aidan. "…I was told to show you this."
Aidan looked shocked, as did Inquisitor Tyrannus. In Valper's fingers that dangled was a necklace with three skulls, a crescent moon pointed downwards behind them surrounded by six bones that made up the end points of it. It was held together by red string to symbolize human blood.
Aidan was shocked to see it for he recognizes that symbol. "That is…"
"Odium…" Tyrannus whispers. "Another name for Mephisto, the Lord of Hatred and the eldest of the Three Prime Evils."
"No way!" Kiba exclaimed, equally surprised to see that Valper is now aligned with the Burning Hells.
But Xenovia and Irina were confused, never hearing the name of Odium before.
"You sold your soul to him," Aidan realized. "Became an agent to the Lord of Hatred!"
"Precisely," Valper confirmed with a nod.
"But why?" asked Aidan. "Why join the Demons? Why send them after me?"
"I didn't tell those fools anything they didn't know," Valper said, tossing the necklace over to Aidan as he catches it. "Those contacts of mine that helped me back into the Church were actually priests corrupted by Mephisto. All I did was tell them that Diablo had been freed thanks to you and began to spread fear and panic to the higher ups about you so that you will forever be hunted down for the rest of your life and the Church exterminated from the world, all according to Mephisto's plan."
"And that's when we started killing the priests with the Excaliburs!" Freed shouted in murderous glee before laughing again.
Aidan's body trembles in anger, wanting to cut down both the crazed psychopathic priest and the Genocide Archbishop. He now had the information needed to know that the Demons were once again involved in this plot, this time in the form of Mephisto, the very same Prime Evil who had corrupted the Zakarum eons ago, the same Church that Xenovia, the Inqusiitor, and Irina belong to. He was about to release the demonic power of Diablo within, but a hand stopped him, from Inquisitor Tyrannus. The Inquisitor bore a face of sympathy and understanding but asked him to let him handle it. Not one to disobey, Aidan allows it with a nod, knowing of the risk he will do if he releases his ultimate power on impulse.
"Freed Zelzan. Valper Galilei," Tyrannus spoke while at the edge of the building. "You are both condemned for betrayal against the Zakarum and humanity! Judgment has come for you in the name of God!"
"GRR! How dare you say that?" Freed said in anger as he jumps towards the Inquisitor. "Don't ever say that disgusting name ever again!"
*KACHING*
Inquisitor Tyrannus blocks the attack easily with El'druin before he kicks the mad priest hard in the chest, sending him backwards and onto the ground next to Valper.
Freed growls in anger as he is on his hands and knees, holding his stomach with one arm and glaring at the Inquisitor! "Motherfucker!"
Koneko, Saji, Xenovia, Issei, and Irina surround the two excommunicated priests, not allowing them to escape.
Freed stood up again, getting ready to fight. "No, Freed. We're done here," Valper told him, puzzling him as Valper smiles. "All you have to do was get rid of the vermin from the Church we had tricked to come here. Simple enough." He then looks to the trio on the roof. "But you're outnumbered, and I was not counting on the arrival of the Inquisitor, especially him. We must pull back."
"Aww, so soon?" Freed asked before pulling out a small ball. "That's all, folks! See ya!"
"Flashbang!" Aidan cries to the group but it was too late as it was thrown to the ground, causing a large bright light covering the whole area and blinding everyone's eyes. Once their sight was regained, Freed and Valper were long gone.
"They're gone!" Xenovia saw.
"They couldn't have fotten far," Inquisitor Tyrannus said, jumping down to the ground and running towards where he was sure they went, dashing through Kiba and Xenovia, looking to the latter and Irina. "Come on! We must pursue them!"
"Okay!" Xenovia and Irina said as they took off with him.
"I'm going after them too!" Kiba said, joining them. "I won't let you escape, Valper Galilei!"
"Kiba, wait!" cried Aidan as he warps down to the roof and runs after them, only to stop when he sees that they are too far away.
All that was left were the Devils and the nephalem Pawn.
"Dammit," Aidan cursed. His weapons dissipate as he looks off in the direction Kiba went. Though he had everything he needed to confirm of the Burning Hells' movements, he wanted more.
"Uh… guys?" Saji said to his fellow Pawns. When Issei turns around, he bears the same expression as Saji, one full of shock and fear.
Aidan can presume what this meant.
"Let me guess… Rias and Sona are right behind us and they are angry."
"Y-Yeah…" Issei replied. "Well, angry is not the word I'd use to describe it."
Knowing of what comes next, Aidan sighs in defeat. "Oh well. Let's go then. No one ever said being a Devil was glamorous."
"In your case, being a nephalem," Issei tried to quip to him, yet was now afraid of the worst to come from his Master.
Inside the building, Rias and Akeno stood in front of Aidan and Koneko and Saji and Tsubaki in front of Saji and Tsubasa. All four members of the guilty party were sitting in a seiza with their heads bowed down.
"…Destroying the Excalibur. You two…" Unhappy would not be the exact term to describe Rias. She wasn't pleased of what her servants had done behind her back. She had put her hand on her forehead whilst she sat on top of a table with her legs crossed and Akeno stood next to her. Aidan had explained willingly of what had happened but had yet to tell her of the Demons' involvement, especially of Valper's allegiance. "I know we told the Inquisitor that we would not interfere, but I would at least want to know what was going on. Therefore, Akeno and Tsubaki will be keeping an eye on them."
Aidan agreed to that silently. If Akeno and Tsubaki needed to inform their masters on the Inquisitor and his Exorcists, then it was best to spy on them, at least for the time being.
"Saji. Issei," Sona called out strictly, startling the two Pawns after a moment of silence. She glared at them with a cold expression. "You two were doing something like this behind my back? You are such troublesome kids, you know?"
"Auuu…I…I'm sorry, Sona…" Saji's face became so blue with fear that he bowed his head down. Issei also had the same expression and bowed as well, apologizing in advance.
"So Kiba went after the person called Valper?" Rias asked Aidan.
"Yes," Aidan confirmed. "He is with the Inquisitor and the two Exorcists. But I doubt at this point, they will not last long against the enemy, especially with Kiba still consumed with vengeance and hatred."
When Aidan said that, he briefly looked to his left at Tsubaki, who held a face of concern for the Knight.
Rias then turns to her Rook. "Koneko. Why did you do this?"
The cat-like girl closed her eyes, willing to tell the truth of her heart. "Because… I don't want Kiba to go away…"
Rias seemed content with the answer as she sighs acceptingly.
"I know you wanted us to stay out of this fight, Rias," Aidan said. "But the situation has changed drastically."
Rias was not convinced. "I thought I made it clear that—"
"I know you did," Aidan abruptly cut her off. "But there is more to it than you think. Valper Galilei has aligned himself with the Demons, specifically to Mephisto, the Lord of Hatred. The eldest brother of the Prime Evils."
This brought gasps out of shock and horror from the two Kings and their respective Queens.
"Are you sure?" Rias asked as she stood from her seat, upon hearing the Demons involved in this scheme and being led by another Prime Evil.
To show proof, Aidan holds out the necklace that Valper held. "This necklace bears the symbol of Odium, another title for Mephisto. Valper must have struck a deal with the Demon for him to have regained some connection back to the Church, allowing for Mephisto's influence to poison it from within."
Akeno took the necklace from Aidan and looked at it in her hand. It was the same one she had seen in her dream of the gathering of the Brothers. She stared at it with seriousness, yet her hands tremble slightly a bit just by looking at it.
"But didn't the Inquisitor say that it was the Fallen Angel, Kokabiel, that was stealing the Holy Swords?" Sona asked.
"He did," Aidan remembered. "But I am not sure whether he took that same deal that Valper did or not with Mephisto."
"I've done some research on Kokabiel," Akeno said, making Aidan turn to her and see her serious expression as she puts away the necklace. "He's a warmonger who strongly believes that the Fallen Angels are the strongest race and strives to prove it. I suspect it is possible he may have fallen in Mephisto's league as well. But he was a member of the Second Dark Exile."
Aidan could not deny that. Though what Akeno said was true, it didn't help their peculiar predicament that they were all now in. "Now Kiba, Irina, Xenovia, and Inquisitor Tyrannus are out there fighting Demons. My own enemies."
"That's not true," Rias told him as she took a step towards him and Koneko. "You're forgetting that where there are Demons, we too are involved with them as well. They're not just your enemy, but ours as well. But saying this when it has already happened won't change it I guess. I just want you two to remember that what you did could have affected the Underworld in more ways than one. You understand that, I hope?"
"Yes. We're sorry, Buchou," Aidan and Koneko bowed their heads at the same time. Aidan's gamble may have pulled off, but the risk was too great, enough to cause instability amongst the Three Factions. It could have even grabbed the attention of the High Heavens themselves possibly, along with other factions in Sanctuary like the Wizards of Xiansai. But now with the Demons involved once again, this time in the form of the Lord of Hatred, this was a situation that got from bad to worse.
*SLAP*
The sound of being slapped caused Aidan to look at the direction that it came from. But just as soon as he saw it, he turns away immediately, not wanting to bear witness what was happening.
Saji was on his hands and knees, getting his butt spanked by Sona. A scared Issei was restrained by Tsubaki and brought to his knees, aware of the fate that was presented to him. Sona's hand had her family's magic circle embedded on it, infusing it with her demonic power.
"Looks like you need to reflect upon your actions," The Student Council President said.
*SLAP*
"UWAAAAAAAAN!" Saji's cries of agony were heard. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please forgive me, Kaichou!"
"Not until you've had a thousand spankings. And the same goes for you, Issei."
*SLAP*
More loud slaps were heard, perhaps the most embarrassing thing to ever happen for a high school student. Aidan dreaded on what his punishment will be, thinking he will not get the spanking.
"Aidan," Rias calls out to her nephalem, grabbing his attention. "I sent my familiar to search for Kiba. Once he is located, we will join him along with the others. After that, we will decide what to do from there. Okay?"
"Yes," Koneko and Aidan replied in affirmation.
Rias then walked towards them, before kneeling down and pulling them into a hug.
"You two…" She said in a gentle voice while patting their heads. "You had me so worried."
Aidan could feel his heart filled up with a little bit of guilt. In the event he and the others failed, he didn't want Rias, or the others, involved considering how they had barely survived an encounter with Demons beforehand. And with Mephisto in the game, he never wanted them involved with fighting another Prime Evil. His gamble though to look for clues as to how the Demons are involved paid off at least. Still, he made the one woman he cared so much about worry again, making him wrap his left arm around her back to ease her.
"Uwaaaaaaaan! Kaichou!" Saji whined with tears streaming down his face. "How come they get hugs and I get this!?"
*SLAP*
"That's them," Sona replied.
*SLAP*
"This is us."
*SLAP*
Rias soon lets go of the hug and turns to Aidan. "Now Aidan… strip yourself down to your boxer briefs."
"…uh, what?" Aidan looked at her with confusing eyes. "What did you say?"
"You heard me," She replied as she conjures up what appeared to be a black whip used for BDSM purposes, shocking him with the fact she knows such a thing. "Strip down to your underwear. Now."
"Uh oh," Aidan quietly replied as he is forced to strip himself down. Once he does, he stood with a bit of trepidation, fearing what was coming next.
"Now then, Akeno, tie him to the desk," Rias ushered.
"Yes, Buchou," Akeno happily complied, bringing the nephalem over to the desk and pushing his chest down onto it before tying him to the corners with magic.
"Uh, Rias?" asked Aidan. "This isn't a spanking, isn't it?"
Rias could only smile as she empowers her whip and presents herself in a more…fashionable state in terms of BDSM, wearing a black, skin-tight bodysuit outfit that exposed much of her skin like her stomachs, cleavage, buttocks, and even thighs.
"No," She giggled before she stretches out her whip, making a cracking sound. "This… is much worse."
Aidan gulped in dread, not ready to take his punishment.
LATER THAT NIGHT…
Aidan struggles to walk in a straight line since his back was all red and scarred up from a thousand whip lashes. While this was not your traditional flagellum whip in that it carves flesh, this one was more of a severe beating during erotic plays. Aidan was a bit surprised Rias would not give him the spanking, figuring that he is too mature enough for that childish punishment unlike Saji and Issei. So she adopted a more…stable approach.
It was nearly midnight by the time both King and Pawn arrived at the latter's home, parting ways with Koneko along the way who apologized to Ria until she left despite having no regrets for her actions.
Aidan opens the door to his house, "We're home!"
"Welcome home, master!" Asia, Xuelan, and Karlamine greeted them in the kitchen and living room. Once again, Grayfia was not present and neither was Uncle Deckard, though the old man must be asleep by now or in his private study room.
When Aidan and Rias entered the living room, they stopped and were jaw dropped of what they saw. Aidan's face turned pink as he saw all four girls wearing nothing but white aprons. They were naked underneath, no swimsuit or underwear to cover them up. Asia's fitted nicely, but the others' barely had their cleavages covered and their hips were shown.
Aidan felt his nose give way to blood from the heat and he turns himself away briefly to plug it up.
"You must be so exhausted after work today," Asia said with a Xuelan and Karlamine came over to him.
"Here, let us help you get comfortable," said Karlamine with a smile before taking his hand over to a chair in the living room. Then Xuelan walks up in front of him and helps take off his white dress shirt. Aidan remains calm and collected yet struggles to focus on Xuelan's beautiful face despite seeing her cleavage up close, feeling something bulging in his pants. She then proceeded to take off his shoes.
"We were just about to start cooking," Yubelluna told Rias and Aidan from the kitchen, her naked butt in plain sight as she is by the pot stirring something. "Are there any requests you have?"
"Just a question," Aidan said, his blush still showing as he tried to keep his eyes on their faces and not at their cleavages. "What is with the outfits?"
"It was all Asia's idea, and Head Maid Grayfia approved of it," Xuelan revealed, making the nephalem look at the bishop who went red in embarrassment.
"…A friend of mine in our class told me to wear nothing under the apron when working in a kitchen in Japan." Asia timidly said. "It's…e-embarrassing, but I have to get used to Japanese culture."
Aidan can guess who that "friend" was.
'Kiryuu… If Issei has a perverted counterpart, it is her.'
"…I see. So there was a strategy like that," Rias said with a regretful voice before smirking. "I'm so proud of you, Asia. Continue this lecherous path you've set for yourself, and you will no doubt become a wickedly sexy Devil."
The blonde girl was stunned with teary eyes and a troubled face. "Eh!? But I don't want to become a wickedly sexy Devil!"
"It's not all that bad," Xuelan told her as she places a hand on her shoulder. "You've already got a great body, enough to attract someone like Aidan. Give it some time, and he won't be able to keep his eyes off of you."
"I guess I will do the same. Asia, Karlamine, Xuelan, Yubelluna. You all have done well by making the first move," Rias said as she turns around and leaves the scene quickly. But Aidan was afraid that she was going to put on one as well, perhaps trumping over the others.
"Aidan… do you… not like what I am wearing or…" Asia asked the nephalem with a troubled expression.
"No, no! Of course I like it, Asia. All four of you look so beautiful in it," Aidan reassured with a smile. This caused all of them to blush and smile, whole looking shy as well.
"If those people come after you, Asia, I will protect you. Always," Aidan promised to the nun before looking towards the three Phenex Maids. "And the same goes for you. I will drive away even Riser if he intends to show his face again to get you back. And I will never be like the coward he is."
The maids looked at him with amazement before the blonde Bishop hugs him silently.
"I don't regret becoming a Devil," She said in his arms with a small trembling voice. "And I won't forget my faith in God despite the truth I have seen. But I have gained something more important than my faith. You, Buchou, everyone in the club, our school friends, Professor Kain, Xuelan, Karlamine, Yubelluna, and even Grayfia."
Aidan looked down at the top of her head and pats her gently. She continued saying, "Everyone is important to me. I don't want to lose them, not even you. I want to be with them forever. I don't want to be alone anymore!"
Xuelan then took after Asia, "The same could be said of us. You've been nothing but a great master to us. And not just as a master but also a person. You treat us as equals instead of servants despite our roles, yet we enjoy it fully to the letter."
The maids then came over to Aidan and hugged him. Despite feeling their breasts hit him on all sides, Aidan was happy as he hugged them back despite them being naked underneath. He could feel his urges build within him, imploring him to take their innocent right here and now. But Aidan was better than that and resists, keeping them at bay though a but of blood escapes his left nostril. However, he sniffs it up in time before it began to pour.
Once they let go of the hug, he heard footsteps coming from the shadows.
"Aidan! Look, look!" Rias soon came out, grabbing everyone's attention as she wore a pink apron with white laces and a heart where her breasts were. She was also purely naked. "I am also wearing one! What do you think of it?"
Aidan was silent yet as he looked, he could no longer take it. Blood soon started pouring out of his nostril once again but on a more gushing pace.
"It's so…perfect…" His last words were.
*SPLURT*
And a moment later, his nose explodes with blood as he faints to the floor with a thunk.
Dinner was quickly made thanks to the efforts of Rias, Asia, Grayfia, and the Phenex maids. Aidan was surprised to think that the Phenex maids were getting along well with Rias and Asia considering their history as part of Riser's Peerage at one time. Perhaps time and talk were all that were needed to mend the bridges and wash away the bad blood made from it all.
Once dinner was finished, the dishes were washed. Uncle Deckard was already in his study room accompanied by Grayfia finishing up the last of his notes before retiring for the night. Once the dishes were cleaned, it was time for bed.
"I'm going to go take a shower," Asia said as she turns and heads for the stairs.
"I'll take one after you," Rias said and was about to leave when Aidan stopped her.
"Actually, Rias… Do you mind if we talk, in private?" He asked.
Rias stopped and looked at him with confusion. She saw the look of fear in his eyes and could see a hint of anxiety in him. While it made her curious, it also made her concerned so she decides to stay.
Aidan looks at his three maids and orders, "Leave us."
All three left for the stairs, leaving the nephalem and the Gremory heir alone.
"Is something wrong, Somnus?" asked a worried Rias.
Aidan crosses his arms and looks downward as if he was in deep thought about something. He could not lie to Rias as he knew what he was getting himself into.
But just as he was about to speak, a ringing noise was heard in his head. It was mind throbbing, as if he suddenly started to have a headache. It was irritating, like nails on a chalkboard. He held up his right hand to his head, almost grasping it.
Rias, worried, came over and asked, "Somnus? What's wrong?" She then notices the chunk of the Red Soulstone still inside Aidan's forehead glow a somewhat bright light, its red veins glowing outwards from the point of entry. "Is it the soulstone?"
"It's as if it's speaking to me," Aidan said as he tries to gain control and clear his mind, but the pain wouldn't stop. The stone flashes again as Rias cups her dear nephalem.
"You can hear it, can you?" Rias asked. "What's it saying?"
"It's saying that Mephisto is close," Aidan revealed. "As if an encounter with the Lord of Hatred is imminent. Given of what we know of, I fear it may be telling the truth."
Rias was so worried she keeps Aidan focused on her, as if trying to help him cope with the pain. Eventually, it subsides enough that Aidan can take a rest. He plays with Rias' right hand and snuggles up against it before he takes it and places it on his forehead.
"Tell me what you feel," He said. Rias acknowledges and, with her magic, taps into the soulstone chunk in Aidan's forehead. The shard buried in her heat also glowed, but it was not painful unlike Aidan's.
After only a few seconds, Rias replies, "I just feel you."
The two just stare at one another, lovingly. Despite not having confessed feelings for one another directly, their bond was so close and great that they would not want to live in a world without each other. Aidan had learned that the hard way, and it was perhaps the hardest lesson he had to endure.
They lean in for a passionate kiss that was small and brief but nonetheless loving.
Rias giggles a bit. "I never get tired of that."
Aidan in turn smiles, "Neither do I."
But then Rias moves on to something more serious. "So, what's the matter, Aidan? Why did you want to speak to me?"
"It's just two things," Aidan said. "One of them is the soulstone. If what it is telling me is true that Mephisto is near, then it is possible that Mephisto will try to bring back his brother Diablo from the Sacred Gear if I am in his presence. By then, I will not be able to resist the call and he could very well possess me."
Rias was shocked yet understood the situation Aidan was now in. Because of the soulstone's corruption from Diablo, it could be possible that Mephisto could be reaching out to him. Since the Prime Evils are all brothers, they have worked together on a few occasions whilst maintaining an illusion of their discord through conflict to keep the deception onto their enemies.
But the truth that Rias knew was that Aidan will likely become possessed again by Diablo through the command of Mephisto. Whether this time would be permanent or not, no one knows for sure.
"If it comes to that, Rias, then I need you to kill—"
But Aidan's lips were stopped by a smiling Rias, who held up one index finger onto them. This surprised Aidan immensely. He had thought there was going to be a slap in the face for what he was about to propose but perhaps Rias had come to terms with her grief. Any rash anger would simply be a waste for her.
"I can't, Somnus," She said, still keeping that smile.
"…Why?" A stunned Aidan asked hesitantly.
"Because if I did, I will only be running away and leaving you behind," She said. Aidan could not respond due to his stupor. "See? I knew it. You always go silent when you don't know what to do."
The two were silent for a brief moment as Aidan turns his head away briefly with eyes closed, remembering the time when Rias fought Diablo single handedly and almost lost her life due to his own foolish actions.
"Rias, if Diablo emerges again, he may be unstoppable," Aidan pleads. "And you may not be able to defeat him this time, even with the aid of the others."
"Yeah, I can imagine."
"I saw it all, Rias…" Aidan said, as flashbacks emerge in his mind in flash images.
The redhead nods, "I know."
"One Prime Evil was rough for you to handle, but against two it is nigh impossible. That's why I want you to—"
"I told you, I won't!" She remained firm as her hands gripped. Fighting against Aidan's stubbornness, she lowers her head as her front bangs cover her eyes. She tries to keep calm, but her body begins to shake out of worry for her nephalem. "Because… I don't want to go through that again!"
Rias goes up to Aidan and softly hits his chest with her left hand. "You'll abandon us again… Try to seal yourself away in a place beyond our reach to help you. And… you know… I'll be all alone again… it'd be… devastating…"
Rias struggles with words trying to maintain the happy mood, but it was already crumbled to the point it could not be repaired. Tears started to form from her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Somnus…" Rias said. "I know I'm being selfish here…"
It was too much for Aidan to bear as his heart could take it no more. His head falls down in shame for trying to ask a selfish request for Rias, which was to kill him before Diablo takes possession. Yet he knew Rias would never accept that. It was a gamble though that he had to play off of.
"I'm sorry," Aidan sorrowfully apologizes. "I just… I don't want to lose you again, Rias."
"And I do not want to lose you either," Rias said as she gently brings her hands under his chin to lift his head up. "Whatever comes at us, we will face it, together."
With her magic, she plays the music from her Horadric necklace as it plays her song and Aidan's. The two drowning in its gentle melody as they stay close.
After calming themselves with the music, if not dancing to it for a bit, Aidan takes a deep breath for he still had something else to say.
"Rias…" He gets the redhead's attention. "These past few months with you and everyone have been the best moments of my life. I found out so much about myself and met so many great people. Including you, above all else."
Rias giggles with a timid look, blushing a little. "Thank you, Somnus. That's sweet."
"No, thank you, Rias. If it wasn't for you, I would very much likely be dead. I wouldn't have found out about who I really was and how much I meant to you and everyone else. Not only did you give a second chance, but also a third when I found myself lost without you. You are special to me, Rias. More than you can possibly imagine."
"Somnus…" Rias stares back with loving eyes.
"We've only known each other for months yet have done so many memorable moments together. We've slept in the same bed, fought side by side, rescued each other from fates worse than death. And I…" He paused for a moment just as the locket music from the Horadric necklace ends. "I want to be more than just your Pawn."
Rias looked at him with hopeful eyes. Was this it? Was he really going to ask? "What are you saying?" She asked in a soft tone.
"What I am asking is… will you go out with me, Rias?"
That one question was finally asked as Aidan asks the woman he loves out on a date. Rias stared at him with her eyes still as wide as they could be, sparkling with joy as her smile widens. A tear of joy goes down her left eye as the man she loves most, her nephalem, finally asked him out.
She had only one response. "Yes… I will—"
*KABOOM*
The entire house was shaken by the power of the explosion that came out of nowhere. Startled and scared by it, Aidan and Rias looked towards the stairs where the detonation was coming from.
"What was that?" Rias asked.
"Come on!" Aidan didn't waste time running towards the stairs with Rias behind. Once they reached the second corner, he makes a sharp right turn down the corridor, stopping by his Uncle's study room where they all convened. He opens it frantically.
"Guys!" He called out. "Uncle, are you alright?"
But the moment he opens the door, it was disastrous. Aidan gasps as he sees the destruction done to the room. The first thing shown was the back wall destroyed in the explosion and the outside scenery was shown with the moon in full views. Papers and scrolls scattered about, some of them burned or burning in the process. The walls were scorched and the furniture within was either flipped over or destroyed.
On the floor were the three Phenex maids, unconscious and injured. Their maid outfits were somewhat torn up, exposing some of their breasts but without the nipples.
"No…" A horrified Aidan saw as he tends to Yubelluna. Rias was shocked at the damage done to the room and as Asia soon joins in from the commotion, she was left terrified.
Just then, a familiar voice cropped up. "Well, well, well~ Would you look at that? This is where you have been hiding with the Devil bitches, huh?"
It was Freed.
"You!" Aidan growls as he gets up and summons Silentium. But then…
*POW*
Aidan is suddenly hit in the back by a large mace, forcing him to the ground and knocking Silentium out of his hand that dissipates into thin air. He was then forced to the ground as multiple hands shove him down.
"Aidan!" Rias and Asia cried but they too were subdued by dark purple and black chains that held them together and back.
When Aidan got a good look at who hit him in the back of the head and who was holding him down despite blood running down the left side his face, he saw a large humanoid undead-like creature that seemed to be a reanimated corpse of sorts. Yet Aidan could sense the unholy bloodlust within them as they growled demonically, their forms burning with fire within as a symbol of their hatred.
"Morlu," Aidan muttered, realizing who they were.
The Morlu were once men, great warriors of old. But each of them had darkness within his soul, and Mephisto, the Lord of Hatred, used this flaw to trick them into his service. Mephisto's fury slowly burned away their mortal forms, leaving them fiery apparitions who know no pain, fear, or doubt.
As for Asia and Rias held together by dark magic, they're two captors looked like Morlu as well, but they seemed to be more of a spell caster type. Unlike their warrior brethren, they were adorned in a more ceremonial outfit that was twisted to match the darkness of their hearts. Yet as ever, they appeared as flaming reanimated warriors of undead, bound to the service of the Lord of Hatred.
"Freed…" Aidan said. "You would stoop so low to the point you would ally with Demons? Where's my Uncle? Where is he?!"
"I didn't do anything," Freed said with an exaggerated shrug. "But my boss can answer that for you."
He points above to a figure who was a Fallen Angel descending from on high. It was a man with black hair, pointy ears, and red eyes. He wore a black robe with detailed accessories. As for his wings though, instead of two like usual, he wore five pairs of them, making for a total of ten.
"Kokabiel…" Aidan muttered venomously, seeing who it was.
Behind him was Deckard Kain, incapacitated by some form of demonic magic held by a Morlu Caster.
"Ahh, the daughter of the House of Gremory," Kokabiel spotted Rias. "Such lovely crimson hair. It reminds me of your brother that I hate enough to make me want to vomit despite working together on one occasion in the Exile." Though his words were of mockery, they were also filled with hatred, even as he grins sinisterly with his eyes glowing red. Rias could only stare at him with a cold face, even as she struggles against the Demon's magic holding her and Asia.
Kokabiel then spotted Aidan, held restraint by the Morlu. "Well, if it isn't the nephalem. It is an honor to finally meet you, Somnus."
That shocked Aidan. "How…do you know my name?"
"Word travels fast of your deeds and who you are," Kokabiel simply said. "Keeper of Terror. Warden of Diablo. Cursed Nephalem. I had expected so much more."
Aidan immediately growls. If news really did spread to others about his involvement in releasing Diablo, then it was not just the Three Factions or the High Heavens watching him. It was everyone in all of creation, even one such as Kokabiel.
"Watch your words more closely, Kokabiel, lest you provoke his wrath and mine," Rias said in a confident tone as if giving advice, but there was so much anger behind it. "I should add one more thing. We and the House of Gremory are the closest to one of the Four Great Satans, and also the furthest from it. If you are here to discuss politics with me, then it's no use. Not after what you've done to Uncle Deckard."
"Then accept this as a gift." Kokabiel moves his right arm out from behind his robe, showing he was carrying another person, unconscious and unable to move. He violently throws it to the floor.
The body tumbles over to its backside, revealing Irina, mortally wounded as she was barely breathing and covered in a myriad of wounds.
"Irina… no!" Aidan horrifyingly saw.
"She came into my hideout, thinking her narrowminded faith would sustain her," Kokabiel said with a laugh. "I couldn't catch up with the other three, so I decided to give this one a warm welcome."
On closer inspection of Irina's body, it showed that her Excalibur Mimic was gone. Though she was kept barely alive, she had only minutes before she is gone for good.
Rias continued glaring at Kokabiel with eyes of hate, the Red Soulstone sliver in her heart glowing as she can feel its heat.
"So why go out of your way just to contact me?" She asked.
Kokabiel decided to answer that question with joy, "I will be enacting a demonic invasion in this town using your base, Kuoh Academy, as my starting point. Once I have caused enough damage and bring my master here, then Sirzechs and the other Satans will also appear, right?"
Aidan then asks, "Your master? Dul'Mephistos?"
"Oh?" Kokabiel was intrigued. "I'm surprised you know. And yes. He is my master. Granted, I was his enemy during the Exile, but in my time guarding him within his soulstone, I saw the truth he wanted to show me and decided to switch sides accordingly to a power beyond even God Himself."
Rias was shocked yet she kept it cool under her despite the sliver intensifying its heat. "You intend to start a war again between the Three Factions?"
Kokabiel chuckles. "Oh no, my dear. I wish to bring the Eternal Conflict to Sanctuary once more. I had hoped that by stealing the Excalibur, Michael would resume the Great War, but all he sent were some Exorcists and an Inquisitor. How boring. I was hoping for a much bigger challenge. That's why I'm going to rampage at Sirzech's sister's base. All in a part of my master's design."
"So what does my Uncle have to do with all of this?" asked Aidan venomously.
"That old man?" Kokabiel pointed to Deckard. "As the Last Horadrim who is quite affiliated with the Three Factions, it was my master's wish to be rid of him, seeing as how it was those vile Horadrim responsible for his imprisonment the first time around. After the Exile, I got bored and bored! Azazel and Shemhazai weren't that keen on the next war, too busy having us guard the Soulstone of Hatred. They then started to collect something boring like Sacred Gears and doing research on them. What an awful waste of time and resources! Of course, I was surprised to learn that Diablo himself created a Sacred Gear, with its power level nearly equivalent to that of the Boosted Gear of the Red Dragon Emperor."
Aidan's Sacred Gear glowed from its Red Soulstone shard and the black fog-like aura emanated around it. If he was carrying a Prime Evil within him, why would Demons attack him? It could not be because he was nephalem and that he held great power for that was not the only reason.
Almost immediately, he remembered why. The Seven Evils often took to fighting with one another as per their kind and the Prime Evils were no exception. In regard to Mephisto, he was most adept at pitting his brothers against one another to which they chafed at it. But more often than not, they complied due to the fact that Mephisto may have provided them with ample opportunities to pursue their ambitions.
That being said, it is likely Diablo may have to battle Mephisto soon.
"At least I am not interested in it," Kokabiel then said. "But Azazel might be, even though he was the one that called for all sides to come together to hunt down the Brothers. Either way, I'm going to reignite the Eternal Conflict using the Holy Swords, Rias Gremory. For starting a war! A school where both little sister's of Sirzech's and Serafall's go to. It must be filled with demonic powers so that I can enjoy the chaos! It is also the best place to release the real power of Excalibur and corrupt it per my master's plan."
"Hyahahaha!" Freed laughed with his tongue out. "Isn't my boss the best? His craziness is the best. I am so eager to do this that he even gave me these treats." He then takes out another Excalibur, holding two in each hand and having two on his hips. "Excalibur Rapidly. Excalibur Nightmare. Excalibur Transparent. And finally, Excalibur Mimic from the girl over there! I also feel like getting Excalibur Destruction that the other girl has. Hyaa! Am I the first person in the world to be in possession of this many Holy Swords of Excalibur? I also received an element from that geezer Valper. Right now I am in hyper mode that allows me to wield them all! I'm invincible! Wonderful! Strongest! Hyahahahaha!"
"As for the question about your uncle, Somnus," Kokabiel said, ushering the Morlu spellcaster to bring over Deckard, dragging the elderly man. "I do not want to get rid of him just yet. Freed!"
Freed comes over with the swords displayed. Everyone was confused as to what was happening until Kokabiel explains.
"I wanted for him to fuse all the swords together so that we can create Excalibur as a whole," Kokabiel revealed. "Sure we don't have all the swords, but these will do for now."
Everyone was then shocked. Kokabiel's goal with the Last Horadrim was to not just steal but also restore the Excalibur sword combining all of them together. And what better way than to use Horadric magic. If the Church's magic is unavailable, then they will turn to the one person that could potentially repair it.
"Uncle, don't!" Aidan cried but he was viciously held down by his Morlu captor.
"It's your choice, Kain," Kokabiel offered. "Either use your Horadric arts to repair the Excalibur sword, or your dear Aidan dies a horrible death!"
Deckard however resisted the offer and merely asked while in agony, "All this pain… this destruction… what is the sword to you?"
"To me, nothing," Kokabiel plainly said. "To my master – Mephisto - everything!"
*PSSHH*
To the shock of everyone, Kokabiel unleashes a blast of his magic at the old man, severely injuring him and shocking everyone.
"Argh!" Deckard screams.
"UNCLE!" Aidan shrieked in horror. Then he suddenly felt a surge of power swell within, like a seal was shattered instantly inside of him. "Hrrrrrrrrgh, aaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
*BOOM*
An overwhelming burst of power destroys the rest of the room, killing all of the Demon captors as they were obliterated into ash. Kokabiel procured a shield to defend himself and Freed. Asia and Rias were freed from their chains from the blast that surprisingly did not hurt them.
Aidan, due to the sudden power burst, collapses in exhaustion, making Rias run to him. "Somnus!"
"Your rage is overwhelming, boy," Kokabiel noted. "You win this round. But the next time we meet, I will take pleasure in your demise! In the end, the blade shall be mine!"
*FWOOM*
Kokabiel soon teleports away with Freed, leaving the scene with a laughter echoing before it dies down.
"Uncle!" Aidan rushed over to hold up the Last Horadrim in horror. "You can't die…"
"Nothing can stop that now," Uncle Deckard replied as he sits up with his staff to support him. "But there is one last thing I must do… impart whatever is left onto you…"
With that, Uncle Deckard uses his right hand and places two fingers on Aidan's forehead. They glow yellow with pixie dust as the Last Horadrim gives Aidan the last of his power. The light dies down as the old man's hand slumps.
Deckard sighs in relief. "There. All of my work is now yours. Mephisto awaits you at the Academy! As do the others! Heed the journal… The truth… lies within… Ahhh…"
Deckard Kain soon passes out, breathing his last as his staff falls from his hands.
"Uncle…? Uncle Deckard! Uncle Deckard!"
But there was no response.
"No…" Aidan whispered. "NOOOOOO!"
Aidan once again screams, much like how he had mourned for Asia's death at the hands of Raynare months prior. But this was more emotional. His only family that he knew all of his life was now lifeless in front of him. Tears fell almost immediately, as he cradles the Last Horadrim in his hands.
The Phenex maids wake up yet were all heavily injured, their clothes ripped apart. Once they get up though, they surveyed the area and understood what had happened.
Yet they also saw their master, Aidan, cradling what appeared to be a dead Deckard Kain. All three seemed shocked; Xuelan holding her hand to her mouth, Karlamine's jaw drops to the floor, and Yubelluna's body shakes in horror.
Asia is left crying at the sight of Kain's still body. She had grown close and fond of the old man, remembering how he had taken her in to live with him during the Fallen Angel incident. She had listened to his stories and his counsel of how to help and protect Aidan. His voice, though raspy and old, become memorable in her mind. Yet now it seems she will not hear it anymore.
Rias slowly approached Aidan from behind, wanting to hug him in comfort. After Aidan laid Uncle Deckard on the floor, he was left in a slump, his spirit crushed. Rias could not take it anymore as she embraces her nephalem Pawn from behind. She too sheds tears for both him and losing the one professor she liked. Like Asia, she had listened to his stories and cared for him when he was having trouble due to his age. It was almost like how she lost her grandparents due to age.
All hope seemed to be lost.
*SHIING*
"Grayfia?" Rias saw as she turned around, seeing a red portal emerged on the floor, showing the silver haired maid rushing towards Uncle Deckard, lying next to a spiritually broken Aidan.
"Grayfia… He's…" Aidan murmured, still in sorrow of Uncle Deckard thinking he is dead. But Grayfia runs her magic over him with her right hand, her eyes closed as if she was looking for something within.
Then, to her ears only, she heard a heartbeat. A faint one. It was enough for her to open her eyes.
"He isn't dead," Grayfa revealed, shocking the others. "He's just unconscious. But I must take him to the Underworld to heal. Only our magic can save him."
Rias agrees. "Then take the other Exorcist with you as well. Take her to Sona's for treatment."
Grayfia nods as Yubelluna conjures up a portal to the Underworld while Karlamine and Xuelan hold up the unconscious Irina, each taking an arm around their shoulder. They went through the portal first before Yubelluna follows.
Grayfia was about to go next, carrying Deckard with her.
"Grayfia!" Aidan calls out, making the maid turn her head to him. "Thank you."
Grayfia merely smiles in return wholeheartedly, as if she felt proud for her teacher's son. She then goes through the portal with the maids and then it closes.
With the enemy now revealing himself and his allegiance, it was clear that the Lord of Hatred has now revealed his pawns and his moves. Being behind the Excalibur plot made this mission all the more drastic. If the Lord of Hatred reveals himself, then Xenovia, Kiba, and Inquisitor Tyrannus will not stand a chance. A demonic invasion of Sanctuary will occur and no one can stop that.
Aidan then turns around and looks at Rias. But to Rias, she could see that his eyes turned red, burning with vengeance on what had happened to Kokabiel. Normally, Rias would take this as a bad sign but seeing as to how Uncle Deckard, her professor and someone she considered family, was wounded and of Aidan's reaction to it, she felt the same thing.
"Rias…" Aidan said, getting her attention. "Let's head to Kuoh. It's time to end this…once and for all."
In that moment, Diablo's soulstone shard within the Sacred Gear pulses with power, as his shadow envelops Aidan.
The big battle is about to commence soon. With Kokabiel showing his hand, along with his minions Valper and Freed, working under the allegiance of one master: Mephisto, the Lord of Hatred and the eldest of the Prime Evils. Diablo was tough to deal with. But Mephisto? Everyone is going to need a strong and cunning mind to win against a Demon like him.
Deckard Kain comatose? Brings back memories of Diablo III, except Deckard Cain died in it. I was tempted to have Kain killed off but realized I will be killing him too quickly as I want to explore more of him. But for now, due to his elderly age, we will just have him in a comatose state. Don't worry. He will come back.
The next two chapter will be a two-part battle but it will not be like in the anime. The first chapter will combine the two anime episodes together and the second will be a special fight. Also the enemy minions will change where instead of cerberus dogs, you get Demons from the Burning Hells. Will Diablo come back again? Well, you will have to wait and find out. Next chapter is going to be big, perhaps my longest in terms of word count. But I will try to make it easy to follow as possible.
Let the Eternal Conflict begin once more!
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