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: ChouCho – Asterism (Fate Kaleid Prisma Illya 3rei OP)

(Camera opens up to the gray sky as it pulls out when the song begins. In three quick-time images, it shows Aidan on a nearby cliff before he jumps off of it and summons his phantom horse Luna to ride on once the instruments start playing. As he rides off into the empty battlefield of Pandemonium before him, the rest of the nephalem; Alrik, Johanna, Li-Ming, and Kharazim; join in on their horses. The camera is pointed to their point of view as they ride off before it zooms right past them to showcase the Pandemonium Fortress in the distance.)

(Title reveals itself as Highschool DxD The Prime Evil)

tooku hibiku dareka no ashioto (As the title changes to the next screen, it showcases Aidan and Asia walking down the streets of Kuoh in his school uniform)
kodoku no kehai wo tokashite (Aidan looks up at the sky before it changes to one of winter where snow falls and he turns around in a hurry to leave for somewhere, with Asia right behind him. Koneko, Kiba, Rias, and Sona are shown in flash images in that order, with the latter two ladies together)
hoshi furu yoru (Akeno, in her shrine maiden outfit, walks down the stairs of her shrine before stopping)
shikai yokogiru hikari niwa (She looks up in sorrow as her eyes begin to tear up, apparently still in shock over the truth of her mother's death and father's capture)

negai takushite (In her bedroom all alone, Akeno wears a beautiful dress before she raises her right arm up to the ceiling looking at it, before it flashes into one of a Demon's. Baraqiel's image of his imprisonment is shown briefly before it changes to Asia's Familiar Raiden and Aidan's Familiar Sethraliss playfully hissing at one another in a cute manner)

onaji sora miageteru (The villains are introduced in the form of the Seven Evils, beginning with the Lesser Evils Andariel, Duriel, Belial, and Azmodan. Then the Prime Evils Mephisto and Baal show up alongside the Lesser Evils before it ends with the eyes of Diablo lording over his brethren)
anata no tokoro made (Aidan looks out to Kuoh in the winter from a tree with the camera behind him)
toki wo koete (The camera zooms in to Aidan before he activates Primal Terror Vengeance, encased in his armor as he jumps into the air with Silentium in hand and charges down towards the earth)

yozora irodotte (Aidan and Sinestra do battle in their Balance Breaker forms within Tristram Cathedral before their final strike turns the screen white. It then switches to Koneko, Kharazim, and Xuelan fight the Demons surrounding them, each using their martial arts skills as they cut down the Demons to size)

yobiau seizatachi (Kiba, in a dungeon cellar of Tristram Cathedral, comes in with an empowered Sword of Betrayer and cuts down Demons before Alrik assists, but not before he brings out a Call of the Ancients, summoning forth the ancient Barbarians Talic, Korlic, and Madawc to fight alongside him)
porarisu tayori ni (Rias blasts away at the Demons with Asia supporting her from behind with An'Naresh, not noticing an incoming attack from their blindspot. Luckily, Li-Ming teleports in and brings up a large shield spell to block the attack, to the girls' satisfaction)
unmei no nami ni nomaretemo (Johanna the Crusader charges in and, with her shield, blocks all the incoming attacks directed towards her while cutting down a few Demons with her flail before Xenovia jumps above her and cuts down some of her own)

ima, mitsuke ni iku yo (In front of Sinestra and Vali, a blinding red light that cackles with lightning shows before it shows Aidan with an empowered Armiger and Silentium in hand, charging up as the holes in his helmet begin to glow red)
anata to iru (The power up reaches to its final peak as Aidan's eyes glow red with Terror, signifying Diablo within him)
mamoru beki hoshi ga tsumugu sekai (Aidan unleashes Armiger and Terror Blade simultaneously towards his targets. Then the next scene shows Aidan and Rias together but are then separated from a large red sphere of power as the camera spins around them. The camera zooms to their conjoined hands before they are pulled further away to their fingers before being forced to finally let go as the screen turns white)

"Both God and the Devil Kings are no more, the former destroyed by Malthael and the latter killed during the Great War," Michael said to everyone in the room. "The War had eliminated most of our renowned generals, and turned many more to side with the Demons due to the poisonous influence wrought by the Prime Evils. If we continue this violent war as before, we may drive ourselves to extinction and Sanctuary will be under threat by the High Heavens and the Burning Hells. To that end, a permanent alliance must be forged if we are all to survive in the dark days ahead."

When Michael had confirmed the existence of the death of God, Aidan looked to see Asia depressed once more. But when he turned to Irina, her face bore complete sadness and dismay. He may have felt pity for his one-time childhood friend for being blind in her faith but now he could not help but feel sympathy.

Xenovia too also noticed Irina's mood, looking at the chestnut-haired girl with a remorseful expression. Irina's faith was stronger than hers and she remembered how weak she felt when Kokabiel explained it to them. But even the strongest of faith believers can break easily. It is possible, according to Xenovia, that their master, Inquisitor Tyrannus, had shown his true form as Tyrael to Irina but whether it had shaken her faith or strengthen it is unknown. Whatever the case, the fact that God was killed by the fallen archangel Malthael was not a lie but truth.

"Michael is right," Sirzechs said, sharing the archangel's opinion. "If all of us are to survive in the Eternal Conflict, we must move on. We can no longer afford to be the puppets to the High Heavens or the Burning Hells anymore and wage a war over the Earth for nothing, not even for the nephalem's power. Even the Devils would not want a war and would rather protect humanity from the darkness."

"So that's it, huh? No war, we all unite against the Burning Hells and protect Sanctuary?" Azazel asked in a casual smile. "I'm all for it, but we have a complication. Once again, it's not our three powers nor is it having to deal with the Demons. But rather something more destructive: The Red and White Dragon Emperors."

Everyone's gaze turned towards Issei, before the Red Dragon Emperor turned towards Vali. While Issei scowled, the silver-haired only smirked.

"You're not really suggesting that they fight, do you Azazel?" asked Sinestra next to her brother.

"No, no. I'd just simply like to hear their thoughts," Azazel said.

Vali closed his eyes in an egotistical way. "What I want is to fight someone who's as strong as me," He told the Governor-General.

"Heh. Yes, but you can still find a lot of powerful opponents without having a war," Azazel told him, but Vali's expression did not change in the slightest.

"I suppose."

"And you, Red Dragon Emperor? Thoughts?"

"Huh? Me? Well, I—"

"Actually, Azazel, I want to hear what Somnus has to say about this," Sinestra interjected before Issei could even speak. "Clearly he is more formidable than the Red Dragon Emperor in terms of strength and power, so I want to hear his thoughts."

All eyes turned towards Aidan, surprised at the sudden move by Sinestra if not a bit irked off by the Angiris Apostle's motivation whatever it was. While surprised, it did not deter him fully from answering her request of his thoughts. Still, he could see from the corner of his eye Issei's anger, who was even more pissed off at Sinestra for intervening before he could answer the question.

"What I want, more than anything, is for all of us to work together," Aidan answered. "We all knew this day was coming, when the Burning Hells would return and the High Heavens likely to destroy the world outright. And like Sirzechs said, if we all want to survive in the days ahead, then we need to forge a permanent alliance. Continuing this rivalry will only serve the true powers' motivations, whatever they are. That is why, as a nephalem, I am going to do whatever it takes to protect this world and to help Rias and my friends."

Rias smiles lovingly at him, proud of her nephalem.

Then Aidan turns his attention over to Michael. "Michael. I have a question that has been bothering me for quite some time."

"Speak freely, nephalem," encouraged the archangel.

It did not take long for Aidan to ask this question. "Why did you excommunicate Asia from the church unfairly?"

In his question to Michael, everyone had the astonished expression as they quickly turned their heads to Aidan. All thinking why he would ask that question, almost as if it was some form of accusation, to the leader of the Lower Heavens. The remaining leaders just stared with interested looks.

"Even now as a Devil, even now after learning God was killed by the Angel of Death, Asia loved Him more than anything. Despite her deed which she could not have foreseen, you decided to excommunicate her on the basis of heresy when she was never a heretic. So why?"

There was a present silence in the room for a brief moment. Then Michael began his explanation.

"After God was killed, only the System had remained behind," He said.

"System?" asked Aidan.

"The only thing that had preserved the faith was our power to administer divine protection, mercy, and miracles. This System is, to put it simply, the structure to perform the miracles that God had performed. When God created the Lower Heavens, He first constructed the System to bring about miracles above ground. And also to perform the effects of certain rituals like the exorcisms, or even to bless objects deemed holy."

"Is it similar in a way to the Crystal Arch in the High Heavens?" asked Aidan.

"Not exactly," Tyrael interjected. "But its architecture is fashioned from a small shard of the Crystal Arch itself, used to fashion a throne that would act as the heart of Heaven, thus the System. From it, Anu was able to command the Lower Heavens during the Great War and conjure miracles as Michael said though not as powerful as he once was in the course of the Eternal Conflict. And with Anu gone, such a system would be in great danger."

Michael nodded. "It takes a big toll on anyone who uses it with the exception of God. Even with me as the center, the church is barely functioning right now. Even if I were to place an Elder Angel on the throne like Tyrael, it would not be enough. Since Mephisto's reemergence, the roots of corruption that he sowed long ago in the faith have started to grow once again. Compared to the time God existed, the divine protection and mercy to those who still believe is not complete. While unfortunate, those who can be granted salvation are limited."

Aidan recalls back to Kokabiel's words of how there is now a limit to how many people can be saved. If an Elder Angel were placed on the throne, perhaps more could be saved but even so it would not be enough.

"Consequently, there was a need to avoid anything that could negatively affect our system, lest we subject it to demonic corruption," Michael said.

"Simply put, to you and the rest of the Lower Heavens, Asia was a loose thread," Aidan speculated. "Her Twilight Healing ability allows her to heal Devils and Fallen Angels on top of humans. And because of her good heart, she'd be willing to do it."

"Exactly," Michael said, "The faith of believers is the reason those of us in Heaven exist. A threat to the System is a threat to our survival. Therefore, anything that could negatively affect it had to be removed, no matter how miniscule it was."

"Of course, that's why I suffered Asia's fate as well," Xenovia interrupted Michael as she walked forward. "Along with others who found out the truth."

"Indeed," Michael said, as Irina stared at Xenovia with shocked and widened eyes. "To lose you was a serious wound even for us, but if, apart from us Seraph and a part of the archangels, a fair amount of people who knew about the death of God approach a place with a direct connection, then there is a huge effect on the System. But now we've come to understand that our methods were not full-proof, for the Demons had taken advantage of our fear and influence those we had come to depend on. In time, I sought counsel in the High Heavens with Auriel, the Archangel of Hope."

"What did she have to say?" asked Aidan.

Michael recalls his meeting with Auriel in her domain, the Gardens of Hope, walking alongside the archangel amidst the beautiful blue trees of harmonious light that covered much of her domain.

"After I told her of Asia's excommunication, she just told me to leave her fate to her. I didn't know what she had meant at the time, but I then witnessed her bringing Asia back from the dead and restoring her Sacred Gear, making it stronger and imbuing it with the power of Hope itself. It was then I realized a stunning truth: Asia has been chosen by Auriel as her vessel for Hope on Sanctuary, that she may carry the archangel's personal will and spread the compassion she has for all."

Asia was perhaps the most stunned. Her eyes widened in disbelief. Yet now she understood why Auriel had favored her so much from the beginning: she had been chosen. What this meant for her she did not know exactly but instead of hatred, she instead found comfort in the truth.

She places a hand on her heart, feeling its trouble beating slowing at ease, as if she could feel the power of Hope flow within her to calm her senses.

Michael then stood up from his seat, turned towards Xenovia and Asia, and in a stunning move to the two of them, he bows his head in regret.

"Somnus is right," Michael said. "What we did to you was unforgivable. The two of you were hardly heretics and instead of finding another way, we allowed terror to grip our hearts. While I fear it may be too late to ask, I beg for your forgiveness."

Irina looked in shock and wonder due to seeing Michael bowing his head in forgiveness. She was shocked that Xenovia was innocent in all of this and that what Inquisitor Tyrannus spoke to her when they returned to the Vatican was right all along. That Xenovia was innocent and that she never betrayed anyone.

Xenovia shook her head and smiled. "Apology accepted, Michael," She said as she places a hand on her heart. "Looking back when I grew up in the Church, I'll admit I have a few regrets. But to be perfectly honest, I am more satisfied with my life as a Devil, having learned the whole truth of it all."

Everyone from her group smiled, even Inquisitor Tyrannus who gave a smile of proudness for his student.

"While I am saddened for other believers, I do not hate them nor blame them," She said as she glanced at Irina, the chestnut girl filled with shame for how she had treated her former friend.

"As am I," Asia said with her hands together with Xenovia by her side. "And I am so much happier as a Devil, too. I've met people I cherish who also care about me. And they alone give me hope that the world can be a better place with a smile."

Upon hearing their words, Michael showed an expression of relief. "Both of you have forgiving spirits and you are blessed by two Elder Angels who do not hold contempt for humanity. I am so grateful for your hearts."

Aidan looked over at them with a smile, happy to see their hearts filled with happiness. It gladdened him to know that for all their choices and mistakes, there was always room for forgiveness.

"Oh, right. I've heard about her." Azazel ruins the moment, making him look at Asia. "Wasn't one of my underlings responsible for killing you?"

Just the mention of Raynare's action made the blonde's body tremble in fear, as if she was experiencing a flashback. But a hand is put on her shoulder by Aidan, whom comforts her while scorning at Azazel. Issei, being the first victim of the mad Fallen Angel, wanted to speak up but was held back by Sona, who ushered him a no lest he lose control of his emotions.

"You mean the fact that she was killed by a Fallen Angel and turned into a Demon of the Burning Hells?!" Aidan clarified harshly. "What the hell were you thinking sending in one of your kin, corrupted by Mephisto, to kill Asia in the first place?!"

Rias walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder, making the nephalem turn to see her expression that begged him to calm down.

"Naturally, I take full responsibility," Azazel told them. "I had no idea she was even corrupted, for she was one of the few dozen Fallen Angels that escaped from corruption."

"What do you mean by corruption?" asked Aidan.

Before that question could be answered, Akeno interrupts the two by stepping forward in front of him.

"Umm…" Akeno hesitantly said. "Azazel-sama, there is something that I want to ask."

Azazel turned her attention over to Akeno. "Sure. Go ahead."

Akeno was at first hesitant to ask her question but by Aidan's reassurance, she calms herself with a deep breath. "Is… is it true about my father? Has he been…captured by the Demons?"

This question made Azazel bear a serious expression, as if he knew this was coming. One would think that he would be surprised at such a question being thrown at him out of nowhere, as if he had no idea what Akeno was talking about. But from the look of it, it was as if he knew something.

Instead of not answering right away though, he waited for Akeno to finish speaking from her heart.

"I…had heard from Mephisto, about the truth of what had happened." She said. "All this time, I hated my father for not protecting my mother. For so many years that I could not even count how long I harbored it. But now…" Her hands begin to shake. "I need to know if this is really not true. You were my father's closest friend so you must have known something. I thought it was all a lie, something for which Mephisto tempted me to believe. But the more I think about it, the more I want to know if this really happened. If my mother was killed by Demons and my father captured. So I must ask: is it all true, that my entire life had been manipulated by Mephisto from the start?"

The atmosphere was tense. All eyes dawned onto Azazel, waiting for his answer. He stared directly back at Akeno yet it was hard to tell what his expression was for it was remote and inscrutable. He didn't show his usual casual and "lazy" face that is for sure. Which also meant that he knew of something relating to Akeno.

Azazel soon sighs heavily, bearing his serious expression if not an inevitable defeat. Clearly he knew something about this, and he had to come clean.

"So, Mephisto had the nerve to tell you, huh?" He asked. "Truth be told, I never wanted you to know this. And I am pretty sure neither did your father. But to answer your question… Yes. It is all true." Azazel nodded upon confirming the truth. "Your mother was killed by Mephisto's lackeys, who had possessed members of the Himejima Clan, and your father in turn ended up captured by the Demons."

Akeno, upon hearing the confirmation, felt a great weight lifted from her heart, only for it to be replaced by another heavier one.

She then asked, "What happened?"

Azazel answered, "When your father discovered your mother was killed by the Demons, he came to me about the news. Full of grief and a desire for vengeance, he told me that he was going after Mephisto alone. I tried to stop him, telling him that this is what Mephisto wanted for him to do, but your father wouldn't listen."

Azazel soon recalls in a flashback of his last meeting with his best friend.

FLASHBACK BEGINS…

"Baraqiel, please!" Azazel pleaded. "Listen to reason! You're only going to walk into a trap."

"I don't care!" Baraqiel stated, his eyes filled with hatred for the death of his wife. "They killed Shuri, Azazel. And I cannot just sit idly by while her killer is out there, waiting and plotting. Who knows when he will come after the rest of my family?! If I sit and do nothing, Akeno will be next. I have to go!"

"I won't let you do it, Baraqiel!" Azazel defiantly said. "You don't understand!"

"I understand more than you suspect, old friend," Baraqiel countered, stubborn to listen to reason. "Perhaps in time, you will too. Take care of my daughter."

And with that Baraqiel turns around, unfolds his wings, and takes off into the night sky.

"Baraqiel, wait!" Azazel cried out, only for his best friend to ignore him and fly off, leaving the governor of the Fallen Angels to watch helplessly.

FLASHBACK ENDS…

It was then that Akeno realized one thing. Not only could her father not save her mother from being killed but also that Azazel could not save Baraqiel from his own hatred.

"About one week later, I had lost contact with your father, which led me to correctly deduce that he had been captured and dragged down to Hell," Azazel said to Akeno.

And now Akeno knew. The truth was now evident and confirmed right before her eyes. Her father was indeed captured and has been tortured ever since. All of these long years since she was a child.

"After you were kicked out, I kept watch over you from the shadows, planning to eventually take you in until Rias showed up instead. And that would actually work better for me; you'd be kept safe in the Underworld, sheltered by the Gremory Family while I searched for your father. I gave orders for Sirzechs to never tell you what really happened. Though you had to live on a lie, it was the only safe option for you until I could find your father."

From behind Akeno, Rias could only look at her friend in a mixture of emotions. She could still remember that day when she saved Akeno from being executed by the Himejima Clan but never knew of the corruption that had happened beforehand. Like her, Akeno never knew that one of the Prime Evils was behind everything.

"After you were taken in, I decided to clean up the mess the Himejima Clan made and purged them, save for a small few that were yet to be corrupted."

"You mean…?" Akeno was surprised.

"Yep," Azazel nodded. "The Himejima Clan is no more. You are one of the few remaining and alive."

"So, it's all true then," Michael said solemnly. "Mephisto was doing all of this just to lure out one of your best Fallen Angels."

"There is more to it than that," Azazel said, making everyone look at him. "Over the course of my research of the Himejima Clan, I figured out why Baraqiel's wife was killed in the first place. And it wasn't just to draw him out into the open."

Akeno could not understand. "What do you mean?"

Azazel then asked, "Akeno, you inherited much of your mother's appearance and powers. But have you ever wondered just why Mephisto killed her first in order to lure out your father?"

"What are you talking about?" asked Akeno.

"During my purge, I looked into the Himejima Clan's archives and delved into their personal history. And I could now understand why your mother was able to sense Mephisto's influence and purge it. Not only that but she was also someone who proved immune to the corruption."

"Immune to the corruption?" asked Akeno. "What exactly did you find out about my mother?"

Azazel answered, "She is a descendant of a nephalem. As are you, maternally speaking."

A shock came all over the room, even to the Satans and Michael. But Akeno was the one most surprised yet confused.

"Nephalem?" She uttered. "How…?"

"From what I had found, one of your mother's ancestors was a nephalem who could find and purge dark spirits that came to haunt the Himejima Clan," Azazel revealed. "Once every fifty generations is a female of the Himejima Clan born with the gift passed down from her ancestor. Pure and graceful, she was to keep the Clan pure from those that would seek to destroy it. But when she met Baraqiel…"

"The others felt she was being manipulated. Tainted…" Akeno correctly deduced.

Azazel nods. "Yes. The Himejima Clan feared that, if your mother fell in love with a Fallen Angel and produced a child from that union, it would mean the end of their traditions. But that fear is what ultimately made Mephisto corrupt them."

Now it came full circle for Akeno. It was now complete. And she finally understood her entire family history all in one nutshell and the truth of her maternal lineage. Her legs would have given way had Aidan not been behind her to hold her steady. She looked behind her briefly to meet Aidan's eyes with hers and smiled in appreciation.

"Tell me something, Azazel," Serafall said. "You said Kokabiel was the warden of Mephisto's soulstone. Yet he fell to corruption by the soulstone itself. Combined with Baraqiel's injuries of how he ended up at the Himejima shrine, along with the Himejima Clan corrupted by Mephisto, does that mean…"

"That the Fallen Angel race is also corrupted?" asked Azazel. "That our numbers are now reduced to the point they are on the same levels as the Devils? That I had to hide from the rest of my corrupted kin along with any others yet to be corrupted? Yes."

Another bombshell was dropped into the room. Both Rias' and Sona's Peerage had jaw dropped expressions, all except Aidan who merely squinted his eyebrows a bit.

"What…did you say?" asked a frightened Rias.

"The Grigori are corrupted," Azazel revealed. "As they have been since the end of the Second Dark Exile. The first to fall was Kokabiel, and then one thing led to another to the point where only a cadre of Fallen Angels who resisted Mephisto's influence had fled."

"So they're now a dying species?" asked Serafall.

"I wouldn't say dying, per se, but our numbers at this point are dropping. So I have had to devise a way to reincarnate Fallen Angels as well."

Azazel then holds up a few pieces from the game of Shogi. Whilst the Devils use chess pieces and the Angels use cards, Fallen Angels are revealed to be reincarnated via Shogi. Everyone looked surprised.

"Shogi pieces?" asked Aidan.

"Experimental for now but are reaching its final stages," Azazel said as he puts them away. "All I need is a human to reincarnate. As of now, I have yet to find one."

"All three races reincarnating humans to replenish their numbers…" Xenovia said. "It's almost mind-blowing. I thought the Devils were the only one."

"The Three Factions have all been hit hard by forces beyond their power, being pulled by the strings in the process," Sirzechs said. "They wanted our numbers reduced to this state for us to be weakened in preparation for an invasion."

"If an invasion from the Burning Hells occurs, then humanity will not stand a chance," Serafall said. "They don't have the power to go against such an ancient foe and will be slaughtered like lambs."

"And we cannot exactly show ourselves up to save their asses," Azazel casually said. "I mean, they'll think all of us are the enemy to them."

Michael solemnly agreed. "Things are not like what they were in ancient times. Yet the goals and plans of the High Heavens and the Burning Hells remains the same for mankind: destruction or subjugation respectively. All of it for their nephalem power."

"Then our goals are aligned," Tyrael said as he stood up, drawing everyone's attention. "All Three Factions have shown adversity and hardship in these dark times and before. You've all managed to overcome your personal grudges and realize the truth of everything, of who has been manipulating you all the entire time. And now, it is time to do more."

"What are you trying to say, Tyrael?" Serafall asked.

"That if we are to work together to protect Sanctuary, then a new order of old must arise. An order that I created so long ago. One that had mirrored both of the Dark Exiles."

To everyone, they didn't understand what the mortal Elder Angel had meant but to the Satans, Michael, and Azazel, they knew what this meant. Some widened their eyes a bit while others nodded in agreement.

"On this day, the day that a peace treaty is formed between the Three Factions, I hereby decree that the Horadrim are reborn. And our first mission together is the rescue of the Fallen Angel Baraqiel from the Burning Hells."

Everyone was stunned to hear a proclamation. A second founding of the Horadrim order but in the form of the Three Factions. Even Aidan felt shocked to hear that, given that he and his Uncle are the remaining two members of the original Horadrim. So for a second founding to occur means that for Tyrael, the Horadrim must be reborn into something better than the old. Traditions must be replaced, and internal conflict must subside for the sake of all who live.

"And so it shall be," Sirzechs said. "From this moment forth, we are all Horadrim."

"Sounds good for me," Azazel said.

"Yes," Michael nods his head. "We must all partake in the safety of this world and of God's children."

Suddenly, both Vali and Sinestra sensed something. And it was felt by Aidan, Kiba, and Xenovia. Their body functions stopped for a brief moment, as if time suddenly slowed or stopped on them.

That's when they felt the same sensation when they received Gasper's time stopping ability. A feeling that went away shortly afterwards.

Aidan and Rias then noticed that the former had his Sacred Gear summoned, the Red Soulstone shard glowing within the Sacred Gear. But that is when he noticed it at the voice of Rias' gasp.

Aidan looks to see that the interior of the staff meeting room had changed, now covered in a purple aura. He looked back at Sona and Tsubaki, only to find them frozen in time as well, alongside Akeno, Asia, and Koneko.

For some reason though, Kiba and Xenovia were not affected, and they both had the Sword of Betrayer and Durandal out with both blades glowing.

As for the leaders of the summit, all of them were unaffected by the time stop, including Irina and Tyrael with their swords out and blades glowing. Vali and Sinestra were also unaffected. But the Phenex maids were not so lucky.

"They're frozen," Kiba said, stating the obvious.

"As if time had suddenly stopped," said Sirzechs, as the leaders stood up from their seats. "Fortunately, those of us with superior power were not affected."

Vali continued to lean against the wall with a look of confidence, not appearing to have been bothered by what was going on. That is when he turned to Issei, who was confused about what was going on.

"Thank the dragons. They protected us," He said to Issei.

Sinestra then looks at Xenovia and Kiba. "You and the others are protected by your Holy Swords."

"What? I don't understand," said Irina.

"How are you not affected as well, Rias?" Aidan turns to his beloved before she places a hand on his left gauntlet.

"Unlike the others who were not strong enough, I would've been frozen had it not been for you," She answered softly. "You did it again."

Simply put, if Rias had not touched him prior to this, she would have been paralyzed as well.

*BOOM*

Suddenly, a loud explosion was heard from outside. Everyone who could move ran to the window to see what was going on.

To their shock, human-like silhouettes had arrived in the school yard from the air. Exiting from a giant orange magic circle, they were dressed in black robes with three eyes on their hoods, floating on smaller magic circles that they stood on.

From the biggest eyes on their hoods, the invaders started firing magic bolts at the school. Luckily, thanks to precautions, shields were put in place as the damage was kept to minimal. But those shields will not last forever.

"What the hell?" Aidan asked, staring at the window. "Demon cultists?"

Serafall walked over to stand next to him. "Magicians," She said, looking upset at them. "They use a kind of magic that was originally interpreted from the magic system of Devils by the legendary magician Merlin Ambrosius and reconstructed as sorcery." She then got into a pouty mood. "And they're so rude! I'm a real life MagiGirl, and they're flat out ignoring me!"

"Not sure if they're here for an autograph," Aidan quipped, patting her on the shoulder.

"B-But what is this power?" asked Michael.

"It's the half-vampire boy," Azazel revealed. "He must have been coerced into creating a Balance Breaker condition for them."

That surprised Rias' Peerage and the redhead herself. But that is when Aidan realized something to his horror.

Conjuring a Familiar summoning square, the green magic circle pops up from the ground to reveal Sethraliss, still in her humanoid form but she was badly wounded and bleeding. With a broken spear and a myriad of wounds all over her body, she collapses in front of her master.

"Sethraliss!" Aidan yelled with worry, kneeling down and hoisting up his Claw Viper Familiar. The female queen opens her hazy eyes in relief to see her master.

"It's best you allow her to rest for now," Rias said, glaring out the window with fury in her eyes. As Aidan does so and makes Sethraliss disappear as sand dust, a red aura gushes out from Rias' body; the soulstone shard in her heart glowing as well. "Terrorist magicians dare to kidnap a member of my household? They will pay for this insult!"

As the magic bolts flew, some of them manage to hit some of the security forces outside, dispersing them into a cloud of sparkles and dust.

"Our shields will not hold long," Tyrael stated, observing the battlefield. "The magicians are using teleportation magic, which means that someone is connected to the Gate within this barrier."

Grayfia said to them," And, unfortunately, our magical transport troops are completely sealed off from us."

"So, we've been cornered," Azazel deduced.

"Yes. And their timing along with their use of Lady Gremory's Bishop could not have been more perfect," commented Michael.

"We've been betrayed," said Irina in disbelief. She saw Xenovia stare at her in disbelief, remembering how she believed the girl was a traitor as Irina looked away in guilt.

"Could they be working with the Demons?" Aidan asked as he eyes on the magicians.

"Possibly, but we'll have to figure that out soon," said Sirzechs. "I recommend we take action soon. If they've somehow found a way to make Gasper even stronger with demonic magic a possibility, then none of us will survive."

But that didn't make sense for Aidan. "How can no one beat Gasper if he has that much power?"

"He is a Mutation Piece," Kiba told him.

"Mutation Piece?" He asked.

Rias explains," A special piece that causes many strange phenomena. The Bishop piece I used on Gasper to turn into a Devil should have required several of my chess pieces, much like you. However, only one ended up being used. A Mutation Piece."

"Which explains the source of his power."

"His potential is utterly incalculable, hence the reason why he was sealed away."

As the magicians continue firing at the shields, one of them was destroyed. With one destroyed shield, parts of the building were being hit.

"If we don't do something about this half-vampire kid now, it'll be far too dangerous to fight back," Azazel said with a fearless smile.

Rias turned to Sirzechs and walked up to him. "Onii-sama. I have an unused Rook in storage where my Peerage usually holds meetings."

"A Rook piece?" Sirzechs asked. "Yes, Castling could work."

"Castling?" asked Aidan.

"A special rule in chess where you can switch the places of the King and the Rook in one move," Kiba explains to him.

"I'd rather not send you in alone," Sirzechs said, being the good brother. "Somnus should accompany you for protection."

"Yes," Rias agreed. "Gasper is a member of my household. It is my responsibility to take him back."

Sirzechs nods in agreement, trusting Aidan to protect his little sister from harm. He then moves into Azazel's direction. "Azazel, according to a rumor, you've been researching how to freely handle Sacred Gears for a fixed time, right?"

"Yeah, that's true, but what about it?" asked Azazel.

"Is it possible to control someone like Somnus given the fact that Diablo lingers inside of him?"

Azazel fell silent in response to Sirzechs' question. However, the Governor of the Grigori reached into his breast pocket and pulled something out.

"Oi, nephalem!" Azazel called out to Aidan, getting his attention. "Take this."

Azazel throws the object into the air, making Aidan catch it. When he looks at them, they seem to be two wide bracelets to attach to the arm with multiple layers of strange runes carved into them.

"A little something of mine that I developed," Azazel said. "Bracelets with the power to control a Sacred Gear to some degree. If you find the aforementioned half-vampire, put one on him. That'll help control his power somewhat."

"So why are there two then?" asked Aidan.

"The other one is for you," Azazel said. "Considering the nature of your Sacred Gear, you haven't fully mastered its power. With that bracelet, you should reach into your Balance Breaker state without going on a power trip nor Diablo taking control."

"And the drawback?" Aidan asks for the catch.

"As a side effect, you'll also temporarily undo the seal that's been applied to you. Your Pawn power has been blocked, along with your inherent nephalem power."

This made sense to Aidan. Even though he has all eight Pawn pieces inside of him, he didn't yet possess the strength to cope with that power. Both it and his inherent nephalem power were being suppressed by Rias for good reason.

"This is only my personal opinion, but in terms of piece distribution, Diablo is seven and you're one, right? No, it may be 7.9 and 0.1. Promotion also builds the necessary foundation for the sake of manifesting your true power. Either way, it's a fact that releasing the Sacred Gear's power will also release the seal holding Diablo as well, right, Rias Gremory?"

Rias just narrows her eyes in response to Azazel's question and gives no particular answer.

"Use that ring as a last resort. Since it cannot regulate its consumption of stamina, you'll just exhaust yourself wastefully if you activate it suddenly. It will consume an intense amount of stamina and power while in your Balance Breaker mode."

With Azazel having finished his supplementary explanation, Aidan understood that for now, he will have to rely on his sword Silentium and whatever power he could freely access right now.

Azazel spoke again to reinforce his point. "Remember this well. You are a nephalem, half Elder Angel and half Demon. Even if you possess a power unseen for generations along with a powerful Sacred Gear, there is no meaning if the host is useless. If the opponent against you is inexperienced, you can just tap into a sliver of Diablo's power and win, but it's a traceable thing regarding those with greater power and those who understand who you are. At any rate, you yourself are your Sacred Gear's weak point, and Diablo's source of power. The cluster of your weakness is assuredly your inability and fear to master it. If you cannot tame that power nor control it, you will die."

Aidan nods in acknowledgement, aware first-handedly that such power comes a terrible price. If Diablo possesses him, it is only a matter of time of how long he can possess him before Aidan breaks free of control.

"Wouldn't it be easier to just take out the half-vampire with the terrorist?" Vali asked with a natural smile, easy for him to say. "If you like, I can do it for you."

Aidan glares angrily at him for such a suggestion.

"Come now, brother, try to be more considerate," Sinestra told him with her usual smirk. "After all, the leaders are trying to make peace here."

"Sorry, sis. It's just hard for me to do nothing like this."

"Then let's go give these foolish magicians a warm welcome, shall we? Upset their ranks a bit. Let them see the White Dragon Emperor and the Angiris Apostle should intimidate them a bit."

"Understood," Vali agreed to Sinestra's suggestion while letting out the breath. The two siblings walk to a window and open it before they spread their wings and ascend to the sky.

They zipped past some of the magicians, blasting and knocking them out of the sky with the winds created by their speed. Some of the wind was so strong it cut some of their legs like butter, making them fall.

With the rest of the magicians distracted and bearing down onto them, the two siblings stopped, right in the center of the action.

"Here we go—Balance Break!" Vali called out.

"Let's do this… Balance Break!" Sinestra followed suite.

[Vanishing Dragon BALANCE BREAKER!]

[Angiris Apostle BALANCE BREAKER!]

After the call was made, a snow-white aura and a radiant light covered Vali's and Sinestra's forms respectively. Once the light dissipated, their bodies were wrapped in body armor that emitted a white radiance. Soon the two work together to eliminate the magicians, showing no mercy as they cut them down.

As the two siblings annihilated the magicians, Rias received the special technique formula from her forehead by Grayfia via a magical transfer of knowledge. She had already done Aidan before Rias.

"After you, we'll prepare a magic circle to depart," Rias said to Grayfia.

But just as she finished, Grayfia gasps and looks to her right, making Aidan and Rias look in her direction. At an empty shape in the room, to everyone's shock, a magic circle emerged from the floor of the meeting room. It was a Devil circle, but one Aidan has not seen before.

When they saw it, all the leaders of the Three Factions were shocked, including Rias.

"What is she doing here?!" She asked.

"Who's she?" asked Aidan, staring at the circle with everyone else before that person appeared from the circle and gave a smile of defiance. She was a tall, bespectacled woman with a voluptuous figure, tan skin with long brown hair tied into a bun with a headset and blue-grey eyes. She wore an extremely low-cut dress and it had a high slit which exposed a large portion of her breasts.

"Well, if it isn't the unworthy Satan Sirzechs and Little Miss Serafall," The woman greeted mockingly.

Aidan glares at the woman, ready to draw out Silentium at a moment's notice.

"So where is this cursed nephalem I've been hearing so much about?" asked the woman, looking around the room before she spots Aidan, making her smirk in a mix of sinister and seductive intent. "There you are. So the legends are true after all."

Aidan continues to glare at the woman as she reaches for her neck, grabbing onto something.

"It's a shame you could not align with us," The woman said. "After all…"

The woman then holds up a necklace that had the insignia of a hooded skull with two low horns, a dagger pointed down behind its head, and two axes crossing each other behind the head in an X-formation.

The woman said, "Excidium sends his regards."

That is when, to Aidan and Tyrael, they knew of the name. Much to their horror.

"Baal, the Lord of Destruction," Aidan realized. "He's the one that sent them!"

The sight of the necklace and of the name of the last Prime Evil shocked Rias, Kiba, Xenovia, and even Sirzechs.

"Explain yourself; what are you doing here? And with the Demons?!" An angry Serafall yelled at the woman, knowing full well what the necklace meant.

"Grayfia, transfer Rias and Somnus immediately!" Sirzechs ordered his wife as Grayfia conjures a small magic circle on the floor beneath the feet of the two, enough for them to be sent away.

"Not so fast!" The woman exclaimed as she raises her wooden staff she had with her to the ceiling. From the tip of the weapon, a small ball of intense Devil magic appears.

Rias yells, "W-Wait, Grayfia!? Onii-sama!" Aidan and Rias were soon enveloped by the light of the transfer.

*KABOOM*

Aidan and Rias were startled by the sound of the explosion, coming from far way. Having been transferred to the club room, they looked to see no one was around.

An orange light was seen from the corner of Aidan's eye, looking to its source and saw it coming from a window. He and Rias ran to it to see that there was an explosion right where the new school as.

"No…" Rias whispered with worry, fearing the worst.

Her beloved nephalem places a hand on her shoulder to comfort her. "Your brother and the others won't die from something like that. It will take a lot more than that to kill them."

Rias was silent for a moment, before nodding. Looking at him with a serious expression, she said, "You're right. There are other things to take care of first. Somnus, I want you to promote yourself to Queen."

"On it!"

As it turns out, Aidan was right. When the smoke from the explosion cleared up, a shield conjured by Michael, Azazel, and Sirzechs was deployed to protect the other frozen people and themselves.

But the woman found that amusing.

"How adorable; the Three Factions putting up a defensive barrier together against such powerful demon magic," She mocked and laughed at them. "Adorable and pathetic!"

Sirzechs glares at her and demanded, "Katarea, what are you thinking, siding with the Burning Hells?"

Katarea smirks egotistically. "What I am thinking is the complete opposite of everyone at this disgusting meeting. If God and the Devil King are not around anymore, then the world is ours to claim! You would settle for an idealistic and temporary peace instead of taking what is rightfully ours! That is why I now serve our true masters!"

"Katarea, stop this right now!" Serafall yells at Katarea, the latter showing such hatred for the young Satan. "How or why would you dare do such a thing!?"

"How dare you act so shamelessly as the one who stole the position and mocked my family name!" Katarea fired back. "I am a descendant of the original Leviathan, a true heir to be a Satan!"

"Katarea… I—I!"

But Katarea chuckles mockingly. "Oh don't worry, my dear. Once I kill you today, I will take back what is rightfully mine for myself!"

"Of course, I see now," said Azazel with his fearless smile. "So it's not too much to think that this isn't just a simple Devil's coup d'état."

Michael agreed. "To ally with the Burning Hells of all things… She has reverted herself to what her ancestor once was: a slave."

"You nailed it, Michael… mostly," Katarea said. "No one wants a world where God and the Satans' deaths are covered up. And no one especially does not want a world where they believed they are free from the Eternal Conflict. That is why I pledged my allegiance back to the Burning Hells willingly as a faithful servant, not as a slave like my ancestors before. Baal came to me with an offer I could not refuse: to destroy the Three Factions at this crucial moment. In return, we are given Sanctuary for ourselves and with it, the power of the nephalem. All worlds will fall before the burning standards of Hell as was foretold!"

Azazel soon starts laughing.

"What do you find so amusing about this, Azazel?"

After a good laugh, Azazel shows a wicked smile. "Really? Baal promised you all of that?" He inquired with a vixen smile. "Has it ever occurred to you the reason why your ancestor rebelled against the Demons in the first place during the Revolution? Or perhaps that Baal was using you all along, just like how his brothers operate beforehand? Can't you do something else with your miserable lives other than going back to be a slave on the pretense of being a faithful servant?"

Katarea, for all of her pride, was not going to let that slide and was enraged. "I will teach you the meaning of mockery!" She hissed as her body cloaks in an intense and powerful aura of power that would send lesser beings running for the hills.

But for someone like Azazel, he was far from being lesser. He releases a gloomy aura from his body, similar to doing a battle enhancement of sorts.

"Oh, will you now?" He asked. "Sounds like fun."

Sirzechs gave one final warning to Katarea. "Katarea, do you honestly have no intention of backing down? Even after resorting yourself to be a slave once again?"

"Not at all, Sirzechs," Katarea responded with arrogance while adjusting her outfit to cover her breasts better, making them jiggle. "Don't get me wrong, you were a good Satan. But you won't have that title much longer, unfortunately. Not while I command the endless armies from the depths of Hell itself."

"Doubtful. Shall we, then?" He asked the others before another dome barrier was deployed to protect them.

Azazel then unfolds his twelve black wings before he and Katarea ascend into the sky at a high enough altitude, staring face to face while meters away from one another.

"A descendant of the former Satan Leviathan," Azazel said. "A monster nearing her end that unlike her ancestor, willingly joined the Demons instead of rebelling. Not a bad opponent. I think I'll treat myself to some Armageddon."

"Surprise. You don't scare me," Katarea smirks.

And then, the two powerful begins clash.

MEANWHILE…

"Rias, who was that women?" asked Aidan as they walked down the hall, looking for Gasper. "From what I've heard, you are familiar with her."

"Katerea Leviathan," Rias answered. "Remember when the first Devil Kings were killed during the war, they were placed by Devils who earned instead of inheriting those titles?"

"Right," Aidan nodded. "But if someone like Katerea bears the last name Leviathan and Serafall has it…"

"Correct. Throughout the long years of fighting, the Devils were almost completely decimated. If the new Satans had not end the war, we would all be extinct. But even then, the direct descendants of the original Satans still retaliated, declaring themselves to be the rightful successors, so they were chased into hiding. Katarea, being a part of the resistance at the time, is a direct descendant of the Leviathan family."

This made Aidan concerned. "Sounds like Katarea and the others were enthralled back into the service of the Demons. Yet it seems as if they became willing servants instead of slaves."

"Her tone probably supports as much," Rias agreed.

After walking down the stairs, they stopped in front of the large door.

"They're here," She whispered before turning to Aidan. "Are you ready?"

"Let's do this," Aidan said as he takes out Silentium.

*BAM*

With a kick to the doors, Aidan breaks them down and spots Gasper tied to a chair with rope and surrounded by female magicians wearing robes.

"Impossible! They've transferred here!" cried one of them spotting the two.

"Damn Devils!"

Aidan moves in and kills the two women that spoke with Silentium.

"How did they get here?" Another one questioned before being cut down. With Aidan dealing with the magicians, Rias strides over to Gasper to confirm his safety.

"Don't worry, Gasper. We're here," She said to him.

Once all the female magicians were easily taken care of, Aidan walks over to Gasper and cuts the rope holding him down. Rias catches him and adjusts the armband on Gasper's right arm.

"There you are. This should keep you more in control," She told the young boy. But Gasper was not responding, merely looking down at the floor. "Gasper?"

Gasper soon broke into tears. "Why didn't you just kill me?" He asked.

Both Aidan and Rias looked surprised at the question. "Why would you ask for death, Gasper?" Aidan asked calmly.

"Because it would've been better for everyone if I was dead! I'm a useless coward, and not only that—look what happened. My stupid power caused it… I don't deserve to live anymore!" Gasper raggedly said.

Rias gently cups Gasper's face to have him look at her while wiping his tears. "Don't be so dramatic. Remember what I told you when I made you one of us? That now that you've been reborn, you will live for me, and at the same time, you will find a way being that which will make you happy. You are my servant and a part of my household. I made a solemn vow. And I will not abandon you, like I nearly did for Aidan."

"She's right, you know," Aidan came over and kneeled down beside Rias, looking at the vampire bishop with comforting eyes. "I was in the same position as you, Gasper. All I wanted was to end the pain, even wanting to kill myself. But a good friend from our household told me a few words that would forever be entrenched in my heart. He said, 'You and I… we don't get to hide.' Everyone out there is trapped right now, and they will be appreciative if you rescued them now. So, don't be afraid. We stand by you now and forever. As does Akeno, Asia, Kiba, Xenovia, and Koneko. We're all your friends, and we believe in you. We want to help you. So I ask of you… rise."

Gasper looked at him in amazement. He then quickly wiped away his tears and put on a brave smile.

"All right, let's go save everyone!"

"We are outnumbered," Michael told everyone inside the shield. "But a war of attrition must still be avoided."

*BAM*

One bolt of magic hits the shield, causing a bit of an opening.

"Grayfia is currently analyzing the gate the Demons are using," Sirzechs said as his wife scans using a small magic circle in her hands.

"Which means we need to buy her some extra time," Serafall interpreted.

"Leave that to us," Tyrael said as the two Satans and Michael look at him, seeing the mortal Elder Angel with El'druin in hand. Standing beside him were Kiba with his Sword of Betrayer, Xenovia with Durandal, and Irina with her Excalibur Mimic. "We'll buy you all the time you need."

"Can you work together?" asked Sirzechs.

"Yes," Irina nods confidently. "Xenovia and I became friends when we were Chief Michael's guards and Tyrael's students. The four of us have teamed up before against the Demons."

"In the meantime, let us hope Azazel can stand against an empowered servant of Baal," said Michael.

Xenovia gave him a small smile. "I don't think we need to worry, Michael. He is not alone out there."

"Right. He's got Rias and Aidan," said Kiba.

And so, the leaders nodded in agreement. With the enemy magicians, corrupted by demonic magic, closing in on their hovering magic circles, a small opening in the shield dome was opened. Tyrael, Kiba, Xenovia, and Irina then set out, ready to cut down the demonically corrupted magicians.

*SLICE*

*SLASH*

*SLING*

Kiba uses his speed and zips from magician to magician, cutting them down one at a time. He was too quick for them to notice, even as they were cut down and engulfed in flames of death.

Alongside Kiba was Tyrael, charging at a group of enemies with El'druin in hand. No matter how many magic bolts came after the former archangel, he either dodged or swapped them away with his sword. Bearing a serious face, he comes across four male magicians.

*SLIING*

And cuts them down in one horizontal swing, killing them instantly.

Xenovia lets out a war cry as she swings Durandal around, taking out many of the magicians. Some of the terrorists turned to her and started firing teleportation magic at her, forcing her to use her large sword as a shield against the bolts.

But in the time she focused on her defense, she didn't see one fo the female magicians sneak up from behind.

*WHISH*

Suddenly, before the magician could even blast Xenovia, Excalibur Mimic wrapped around her torso as Irina lands a few feet away and tanks on the rope, sending the magician off in a circle and defenseless in the air.

"Xenovia!" Irina cried.

"Irina!" Xenovia cried.

*SLASH*

Xenovia jumps upwards and cuts the bonded magician in half, making her disappear. Afterwards, she lands to Irina's side, their backs against one another as they prepare for another assault with the magicians surrounding them.

"Thank you," Xenovia said.

"Why?" Irina surprises her with that question. "Why didn't you tell me the truth, Xenovia? That you weren't a traitor but had just been exiled?"

"In order to tell you that, I would've also had to tell you that God didn't exist and was killed by the Angel of Death, Malthael," Xenovia explained. "Plus, you needed to hear it directly from our master, who is an Elder Angel made mortal. I couldn't do it as I didn't have the strength to tell you. But for what it's worth, I am sorry."

Irina gasped, having now fully grasped why she lied to her from the beginning.

"Irina?" Xenovia asked.

Steeling her resolve, the chestnut-haired girl smiled. "Well, come on then. We can't let these talks be thwarted, right? Because if peace gets established, then the Devils won't be my enemy anymore and we can focus on the real enemy, the Demons."

Xenovia smiled, happy that her friendship with Irina was still salvageable.

"And neither will the believers in God," She said. 'Then let's do this. We can fight for the sake of our friendship!"

"All right!"

The two friends reunited charge in.

MEANWHILE…

"Are you excited about your final moments as I am?" Katarea mockingly asked Azazel as the two faced off. She then holds up a hand and a small magic circle appears over the palm. From it, snakes made of black energy with an orange glowing outline, comprised of the power bestowed to her by Baal, start shooting out from it.

Katarea starts laughing as the snakes wrap around her body, increasing her power tenfold and causing her skin to turn purple with energy for a moment before it subsides.

Azazel was confused by this. "A snake?" He asked.

Katarea summons tow magic circles, and shoots a large column of demonic power in the form of snakes. She grins with satisfaction, seeing that Azazel was nowhere to be found.

"We should clear something up before moving forward." He said.

Katarea gasps when she hears Azazel right behind her. Enraged, she charges her left hand with the same new power before attempting to swing at him.

*BAM*

Azazel uses his left hand to easily block the attack, keeping a calm smile.

"You've got a lot of aura, that's for sure. Seems to be more than a Satan's descendant should possess." He said with a smile. "Where did you get this power?"

"I would love to answer the question, but why waste so much breath when you are just going to die?!" Katarea asks as the two continue their fight.

Back on the ground, the fighting continued. All the sword users were doing everything they could to hold off the magicians. But they were outnumbered and not given a moment's rest.

Tyrael procures a shield with El'druin as he stabs his sword to the ground, shielding everyone else from the blasts. But his barrier was thinning.

That however gave him time to sense a new source of power behind him.

"Krisol'fak Aram! Terror Blade!"

*SHIINK*

A powerful vertical red and white beam of attack cuts through the air and wipes out the magicians. Tyrael was surprised to see the attack before he turns around with a smile, recognizing who it was.

"They're here!" He cried.

Aidan stood, holding his stance with Silentium after sending out the attack. Behind him stood Rias, impressed with Aidan, and Gasper who tried to be brave.

Rias then noticed Aidan ready to take to battle with Katarea, prompting her to place her hand on her lover's shoulder, stopping him before he could go.

"I know that you want to fight her, but even with your power, you aren't strong enough," She said soothingly. "Besides, we've still got a job to do."

Aidan nods in agreement to her logic as the three ran to the dome shield. Some of the magicians tried to barge their way but Aidan cuts them all down.

Sirzechs and Michael create an opening for the three. Rias ushers Gasper inside the shield while Aidan watches her back.

"This is getting out of hand," She said, looking at her brother. "I need you to take care of Gasper for me."

"Will do," Sirzechs said before he closes the shield. But even as he stood in the protection of the dome, Gasper looked hesitant. He turned his head and watched as the redhead walked to stand with her boyfriend.

"We need to protect this area until the gate closes, so let's focus on that first!" Rias said to Aidan, looking at the army of magicians with determination.

"Right away!" Aidan says as he charges into the fray, joining Kiba, Xenovia, Irina, and Tyrael in the fight.

Rias stands a few feet away and summons a large crimson magic shield to protect herself and the shield dome behind her. The magicians turn their attention to her and start firing. Rias stands her ground despite the struggle.

Gasper watches the fight with Sirzechs right beside him.

"The only one who can use strong protection magic is Rias," Sirzechs said.

*SHATTER*

Rias screams as she was thrown to the ground after her shield broke under the impacts of stress and the damage from the magic bolts.

Gasper trembles at the site. "This whole thing is all my fault."

"Rias!" Aidan cries. Roaring to empower himself, he slices his way through a magician that was about to cut her in half and tends to her aid.

Gasper's eyes well up in tears before he shuts them. "I should help them. I want to help them."

He then opens his eyes with a look of determination.

"RIAS! AIDAN!" He cries forth, drawing their attention to him. "Please listen. I can fight as well. I want to be a hero just like Aidan is. I want to make you all proud of me, and I want to be worthy of you."

Aidan was dodging attacks before he cuts down another magician.

"I will fight. I just have to." Gasper then rolls up his sleeve to grab his armband. "I'm gonna do whatever it takes to protect my friends!"

*BREAK*

That is when he broke the armband, alerting and frightening Rias of this. "Gasper, you can't!" She then turns to her brother who just stood and watched. "Onii-sama, you have to stop him! Do something!"

"I can do this! Watch me!" Opening his eyes, they had changed color and glowed with slit pupils. "I can be a hero, too!" He unleashes his power and was engulfed in a bright and blinding pink light.

"GASPER!" Rias cried.

Then everything went white.

And then it was over.

High up in the sky, Azazel and Katarea paused their fighting for a moment and watched as the effects of the enemy using him had backfired. Katarea looked shocked whilst Azazel was pleased.

All of the portals used by the enemy disappeared one by one, dispersing into light particles.

Everyone, including Aidan, was surprised at Gasper's power. Somehow, Gasper was able to reverse time back to normal. And with the portals gone, all that was left were the rest of the magicians.

"He did it," The nephalem said.

"What was that?" Akeno asked as Aidan turns his head towards the sound of her voice. Everyone affected by the time freeze were free.

Sona turned to Tsubaki. "Any idea what just happened?" She asked.

"I don't have a clue," Tsubaki shook her head.

Serafall then caught her little sister by surprise by running over and throwing her arms around Sona.

"Welcome back, Sona-chan~!" She chirps happily while Sona blushes in embarrassment.

"Will you get off me!?" She demanded.

The Phenex maids, once they manage to get their legs and eyesight back in place, saw the situation around them and wasted no time in preparing their armaments. Gasper wobbled a little on his legs before he began to fall over, prompting Grayfia to catch him and lay him behind a wall to rest for a bit.

"Everyone…" Rias calls out to her Peerage as she deploys her wings and flies up into the air. "I need your help."

Akeno got the memo and uses her magic to change into her miko outfit. "You got it, Buchou!"

Yubelluna takes off to join with Akeno, summoning her scepter in the process. She conjures up many magic circles all over the sky in the form of her bombs in preparation for the attack. Rias summons one of her own magic circles to enhance Yubelluna's. Akeno shoots lightning at the circle, and through it, the bolts were charged and spread to some of the bomb circles, enough to set off a chain reaction that destroyed many of the magicians.

Xuelan turns to Karlamine and Koneko with a grin. "Let's do this!" She exclaimed, making them nod their heads and charge forward. Tsubaki and Sona followed soon after.

"For Sanctuary, attack!" Aidan gave his war cry as the rest resume the fighting.

MEANWHILE…

"Well then, why don't we start getting serious here?" Azazel asked Katarea as he reaches into his jacket. He pulls out what looked like a piece of jewelry in the form of a lance-like golden dagger with a purple jewel at the end of the handle. "I'm so bored right now, aren't you?"

Katarea looks at the dagger with suspicion. "What are you holding?" She demands.

"Something much more interesting than war," Azazel answered. "Call it my hobby."

Aidan, from the ground, takes note of Azazel's artifact, wondering what it was.

"This is the Downfall Dragon Spear," Azazel said, holding up the dagger as the purple jewel started to glow. "An artificial Sacred Gear developed by yours truly. Balance Break!"

The dagger transforms into a large ball of light that shines so bright, enough for Aidan to see as he recognizes that eerily glow similar to the green jewel on the Boosted Gear. Looking back at Azazel, he was shocked to see the Governor General of the Fallen Angels reappear after the light dissolves. He was now covered in golden dragon armor with purple gems, similar to Vali's dragon armor.

"Armor of the Fallen Dragon," Azazel announced with a pitchfork shaped Spear of Light in his right hand. His twelve black wings sprouted from behind him. "Downfall Dragon Another Armor."

Azazel then mocking ushered Katarea to come. "Now, come here."

This enrages Katarea as snakes form around her back. "I'll kill you!" She growls as she launches herself towards him.

*SLASH*

"AAAAHHHHH!" Katarea screams in agony as Azazel zooms past her, using his Spear of Light to cut into her left side cleanly. As blood shoots out of her gaping wound like a geyser, her hair came undone, and her scepter and parts of her clothing were destroyed. Azazel felt satisfied upon seeing her in pain.

Faced with no other option and realizing she stood no chance now against Azazel, Katarea had only one last stunt to pull. Using her powers, she stretches out her arms far and wide, elongating and enlarging them and her fingers.

"I am not necessarily needed for the return of my masters!" She yelled while wrapping her tentacle arms and fingers around Azazel's left arm. "If I can take out one of the Three Factions, then I welcome death!"

Her face began to turn more and more demonic, as parts of her skin turned purple. It became evident she was going to go kamikaze.

"I'll destroy myself for the glory of the Burning Hells!"

"Destroy yourself?" Azazel mocking asked. "Ha! I don't want to mock your hopes and dreams, but it doesn't seem worth it, especially when consorting with Demons."

Azazel uses his Spear of Light to cut off his left arm, making Katarea shocked as she backs away. Azazel however won't let her leave with her life and threw his spear.

"You'll still die!" He said.

*STAB*

The spear penetrates through the left side of Katarea's head. She screams a wail of agony so high a pitch that her body is enraptured in flames before it dissolves and disappears away. The last true descendant of Leviathan was now dead.

Azazel remained in the sky as his arm stump bled out, but he felt no pain.

"I'm only willing to give up an arm for you," He said while reverting back to normal and using his magic to close off the wound and stop the bleeding. The dagger was gone and only the purple jewel of it remained, landing in Azazel's hand. "And yet there is still room for improvement, but I guess I could use you for a while longer, Fafnir."

The Fallen Angel gave the jewel a kiss.

Aidan bore a surprised expression. "He sure does stand out a lot," He whispered.

"It's not over yet," Rias said as she flies by him, "We've still got these guys to take out."

"Right," said Aidan, before holding Silentium in his left hand and stretches out to his left side. With the Al'Diabolos Terror Claws deployed, its Red Soulstone shard glows in power to enhance Aidan's sword. "Everyone! Get down!"

Everyone fighting turned to Aidan and saw him release his attack. With them safely evacuated, Aidan releases his final blow as a large arch of red demonic power streaks across the sky, taking out every magician caught in its path.

The arch continued onward until every last magician was gone. It then slowly disintegrated and disappeared.

Aidan sighs in relief, the battle finally over.

Or so he led himself to believe.

*CRASH*

Something suddenly crashed behind Aidan, almost making him lose his footing as he turns around to see a large crater with a dust cloud emerging from it.

"The hell was that?" asked Aidan.

Out of the crater crawled Azazel. Though it seemed like he wasn't surprised by the ambush.

"You got me good. Must be my losing edge," He said to himself before looking up at the sky. "Not cool, Vali."

Aidan whips his head around to see that the White Dragon Emperor was floating in the air in front of them. With him and his sister Sinestra gone for so long, he had the gall to show himself like this again.

"Sorry, Azazel," He said. "But things started to look more interesting on this side."

That is when Issei's eyes widened for a moment before glaring at Vali. "It was you. You're the traitor!" He accused.

Azazel stood up and dusted himself off. "While it may seem like that, I am not convinced that he is working for the Demons," He said, surprising Issei. He then sprouted his wings and flew into the air. "Which does lead me to only one question."

He stops when he was hovering just in front of Vali a few feet away.

"My Vice Governor General Shemhazai informed me of a faction that is comprised of not just the Pro-War Satan Faction but have gathered new members from the dangerous elements and members of the Three Factions. To build an army from other factions that have started to pop up. The Khaos Brigade."

That surprised many on the ground. "The Khaos Brigade?" Aidan asked as he looked up at the conversation with widened eyes.

"So, the Demons are just the distraction in the Eternal Conflict," Sirzechs interrupted. "It makes sense, with them reforming and coming back. And just by the title, they've become more powerful than before."

"Whoever is in charge must be strong," Serafall said. "But why would anyone gather such dangerous people together?"

"I bet I can guess who is leading you," Azazel said with confidence. "It is Ophis, the Ouroboros Dragon, right?"

Rias was shocked by that name, even afraid. "Ophis?! Impossible!" She exclaims.

Issei looked at Aidan with confusion. "Is that another dragon?" He asked warily.

"Ophis is the Infinite Dragon God," Aidan revealed. "A creature so strong even a powerful being like God was afraid of him."

"And Vali is in league with this Khaos Brigade?" Issei asked.

"Correct," Vali confirmed. "It is true that I sided with Ophis and we've formed the Khaos Brigade. But believe me, neither one of us has the slightest interest in the Eternal Conflict or world domination. We're just in it to use our power. And that's all."

"And the Demons just had to come in during that process. Of course you helped them in a way, which makes more sense," Azazel said. "Conspiring with Katarea seemed a little beneath you, but even so. Both of you had your Devil Titles stolen, so I wasn't so sure."

Serafall asked in shock. "He's a Satan descendant, too?"

"What are you saying?" demanded Rias.

That is when Vali proudly revealed his real name.

"My name is Vali – Vali Lucifer."

That revelation sent a shockwave that rocked the hearts and minds of all, except Azazel.

Beneath his helmet and mask, he smiles wickedly. "I am a direct descendant of one of the original Satans. My mother was a human, so I am of half-blood. My father was the grandson of the former Devil king Lucifer, the very one who began the Revolution years ago."

Rias looked shocked, unable to believe what she was hearing. "No… It can't be true."

"How is this possible?" asked Aidan in shock.

Sirzechs frowned. "Half human. There was no way we could have known."

"While you have the blood of the original Lucifer in you, since you are also human, you just happened to be able to be possessed by the Vanishing Dragon," Azazel said before shrugging his shoulders. "So basically, your very existence is a joke."

"I would go with miracle personally, but to each his own," Vali said before proving his lineage by sprouting several Devil wings from his back, the same amount as Michael and Azazel.

"Look at his wings!" Asia exclaimed with fright.

Michael grimly lowered his head. "Heaven help us."

Even Azazel looked a bit troubled as Vali retracts his wings. "I have a feeling this one will be the best White Dragon Emperor the world has ever known. Past, present, and future."

Vali soon turns his head towards Issei to bring him out of his thoughts.

"Issei Hyoudou," He called. "Fate can be so cruel, wouldn't you agree?"

Issei scowled at him but didn't answer back.

"I am the strongest dragon, and I carry within me the blood of one of the first Devils in existence," Vali continued with his dragon wings glowing brightly. Issei could see a silhouette of Albion appear behind. "But you are just a lowly human who has turned into a Devil. And you believe that you were the strongest Devil in existence just because you possess a powerful Sacred Gear. Take away the Boosted Gear, you are nothing."

Issei merely glares at Vali.

"It is disappointing really, yet also humorous. Even though we are rival Sacred Gears – you and I are as the sky to the earth. No more, no less. You really should try harder to be a protector and fighter, but you are still too weak. You want to be strong just like your nephalem friend Aidan. Perhaps, you should try being an avenger? I could take away your family if that would help."

Issei's eyes widened.

"If I take something as precious as your family away from you, surely you would be able to act on that tragic fate."

Vali continued antagonizing Issei as the latter's body began to tremble in rage. The wind blew through his hair as his eyes were shadowed over and he grits his teeth in rage.

The atmosphere grew very intense, as if the two Heavenly Dragons were about to do battle with one another as their predecessors have done in the ancient past time and time again.

*STAB*

Suddenly, a loud sound was heard for all to hear as a blade was found in Vali's chest, revealing he had been stabbed from behind.

To say that he was shocked was an understatement. Rather he felt confused, as if he didn't know what was happening nor how he didn't anticipate an attack from behind.

''Wha…?" He whispered, seeing the blade through his chest. For a brief second, he felt no pain, only for it to burn him inside and out. Blood sprouts out from his mouth and chest almost instantly.

Everyone from below was so stunned, even Azazel. Nobody even saw this ambush coming, no one even predicted Vali would not know. Their expressions of shock were all that remained on their faces, especially for when they looked to see who it was that had stabbed Vali in the back.

Vali looks to see who it was that thrusted their blade at him. But as he turns to look behind him, his eyes widened with fear at his backstabber.

"S-Sinestra…?" Vali could barely mutter a word.

"I'm sorry, big brother," Sinestra said in a truly apologetic and sorrowful voice, still in her armor but with her helmet missing. "But I have my loyalties as well."

Vali was even more stunned to see that of all the people to stab him in the back that he least expected, it was his sister Sinestra. She was holding her scythe in her hands as she did an underhanded strike directly into Vali's chest, like she caught a fish onto its hook.

And she was the last person Vali would think that he would expect.

Grabbing the handle of her scythe with both hands, Sinestra pulls her weapon out of Vali before she raises it high to her right with both hands.

*SHIINK*

And cuts Vali's dragon wings clean off, with blood flying everywhere from his back. Her strike, though intentional, contained regret yet was essential to her plan.

"GAAAAAAHHHHH!" Vali screams as he feels his wings severed and his back scarred. While this was not enough to kill him, it was enough to put him out of commission for a while and the fact that his wings were severed meant that his Sacred Gear, the Divine Dividing, was now severely damaged.

Vali fell from above with blood trailing behind him and fast. Everyone could see him fall as Issei, without thinking, rushes in to catch Vali before he hit the ground hard, dragging himself across the floor a bit before stopping and holding Vali up.

"Oi, are you okay?" Issei asked but Vali was barely cognitive, keeping one eye open in fear as he looks up at his betrayer. Blood filled his vision and if he didn't receive healing, he could very well perish.

"S-Sister…?" asked a weakened Vali, reaching one bloody hand out to her before it slumps, along with his head.

"Asia!" Aidan cries out. "Get your Braid, now!"

"R-Right away!" Asia answers as she uses An'Naresh to wrap Vali in and using her Twilight Healing rings to start his healing process.

Sinestra meanwhile had grabbed the wings of Divine Dividing before she brings them together and they glow. She fashions them into a jewel similar to Vali's and then raises the jewel in front of her eyes, gazing into it intently.

That is when she did the unthinkable.

*SHATTER*

Crushing the jewel in her right hand, she crushes it more and more before it shatters into tiny crystals. Then a surge of power rushes through her body as a blue light surrounds and sparkles around her. While it didn't look like it, she was in incredible amounts of pain. However, she had adapted to pain long ago, and this felt nothing.

Her right arm starts to glow a bright blue flame. For Sinestra, she keeps a firm look onto herself

"What's happening to her?" asked Issei, yet no one could explain.

Once the flames had died down, everyone was shocked to see what appeared to be a right gauntlet in white, similar to Vali's armor and holding a bright blue gem on top of the hand.

[Vanishing Dragon, Power is Taken!]

On the jewel glowed a yellow insignia, which was very angelic-like, like that of the High Heavens.

Aidan knew what that symbol was.

"The insignia of the Angiris Council," He saw.

A voice soon cried out in pure shock.

[Impossible. This is impossible.]

"Albion?" asked Aidan.

[Yeah. Something like this shouldn't be possible at all.] Ddraig agreed with his wounded rival.

"What do you mean, Ddraig?" asked Issei.

[What Sinestra did was incredibly risky, taking away Albion's power of dividing his opponent's power in half and increasing her own with it. For dragons I could perhaps understand but for someone like her… it doesn't make sense.]

"Sinestra…" Azazel called out, making the one in question look at him who looked perplexed. "What is this? How could you betray your own brother like this?"

"I suppose you all deserve the truth," Sinestra said. "Of who I really am."

Sinestra thus had a tale to tell.

"Long ago, the descendant of Lucifer himself had a human wife whom he had abused constantly, along with her child. After the descendant was killed, the human mother was left all alone, her child having run away. Desperate and on the verge of death, she was found by a man who had nurtured her back to health. Slowly but surely, she had recovered and soon fell in love with her rescuer, marrying him and from their union, a child was born. A child born with a great power and destiny, one that surpasses even the mightiest of Angels, the fiercest of Devils, and the most cunning of Fallen Angels. That child was soon taken into the High Heavens by the Angiris Council; trained by Valor, tutored under Fate, meditated with Hope, brought judgment with Justice, and gleaned for Wisdom. For many painful years beyond the mortal realm, she had emerged from a simple child to a warrior, chosen and blessed by the Council with the power of the Crystal Arch. The first mortal to ever act as the High Heavens' chosen, with a power to command even the Heavenly Host to descend!"

"What…?" Aidan fearfully asked as Sinestra's angelic wings flare out with bright intensity, like the light of the High Heavens gleamed down upon her. She then declared who she really was in a loud and booming voice from the helmet of her armor.

"I am Sinestra, the Angiris Apostle, half little sister to Vali Lucifer, champion of the Angiris Council, student of Imperius, and a nephalem of Sanctuary! And I know no hatred! No remorse! No fear!"

The shock of revelation pours over everyone's hearts and minds, even to the Three Faction leaders. Even Azazel was surprised. In all of his time knowing Sinestra, he knew of her to be an enigma but never knowing of her true origin nor her disposition. It would be something he would be forced to tell Vali later on since he knows about the circumstances of his biological mother's current life.

The ORC, the Student Council, and even the Four Great Satans were all stunned. Here stood another nephalem, a being of legend, but imbued with the powers of the Angiris Council. They had no idea what to say. Just like all the other times before, it was taking a while for them to comprehend just what they had heard.

To Aidan, it all came full circle for him. His encounters with Sinestra, the reason why she has called him brother, her Armiger, and her title as the Angiris Apostle. They were all not simple taunts or lies but truths that your average ordinary person would not believe. Standing before him was another nephalem, but chosen by the Angiris Council to be their champion. How that was even possible was beyond his comprehension,

Although there was still one problem that had yet to be answered.

"But, that doesn't explain how you are related to Vali," Aidan said. "If you're his sister, then how…?"

"Vali and I were born of the same female mother," Sinestra revealed. "But our fathers were different. After our mother left after Vali's father died, she was left alone, wandering the human world in despair and solitude until someone came to her help. That was my father, who was in reality a nephalem. She gave birth to two children, one of which was meant for a great destiny while the other was meant to live an ordinary life. That was later when I learned that I had a half-brother and I have been with him since then."

Everyone looks at the unconscious and wounded Vali in Issei's arms as Asia uses An'Naresh to heal his wounds. It was already taking a toll on her using much of her strength and power to heal Vali.

"Then why betray him?" asked Sirzechs. "Why see him only as a tool to you?"

"Regrettable as it was to view him as such, he stood in the way of my destiny. My true purpose in life, as told by the Archangel Itherael, is to prepare and fight the Prime Evil," Sinestra said.

"The Prime Evil?" asked Rias.

"The sum total of all Seven Evils housed within one body," Tyrael explained as his eyes narrowed in seriousness. "Essentially, Tathamet reborn."

The dread shock enveloped everyone around.

"What?" Rias gasped. "Tathamet…reborn?"

"So… The Dragon can come back to life…?" Kiba asked in shock.

"But how can that be possible?" asked Michael. "The Dragon is dead, its essence divided into the Seven Evils—"

"If the souls of the Seven Evils are ever reunited into a single host, then the Prime Evil is reborn," Sinestra intervened. "And the Prime Evil's chosen host is already here. The Evil that was once vanquished shall rise anew, wrapped in the guise of man walking amongst the innocent."

A quote from the prophecy, one all too familiar unto everyone present.

All eyes turned to Aidan, and that is when the realization was dawned unto them all, to Sinestra's satisfaction as she smirks.

Aidan, as Diablo's host, is meant to become the Prime Evil, Tathamet reborn.

A fear of shock and revelation sweeps over the land. But Aidan seemed unconvinced, glaring at his fellow nephalem turned rival. He had time to think for himself about Sinestra's proclamation.

'God was the only one to defeat the Prime Evil. If Sinestra is meant for that destiny when the Dragon returns, then that means… she will be the next Diamond Warrior. The next Anu. The next God.'

Seeing Sinestra as a threat to him, to Rias, to his friends and family, and to all those he wanted to protect, Aidan decides to step forward and face her. Rias wanted to hold him back but saw the look on his face which intimidated her a bit, making her hesitant. She could only watch as Aidan came face to face with his rival in a distance far from the crowd, knowing that this battle will get bloody.

Sinestra soon summons into her hand from the air a large weapon in the form of a scythe with a silver handle. Blue runes, written in an angelic tongue no one could translate save for the Elder Angels, glowed on the blade and shaft which spelled the different virtues of the Angiris Council.

"This is Elun'tara," Sinestra said as she marvels the blade. "A scythe forged from the core of a dying moon and imbued with the essence of the Crystal Arch."

Aidan then draws out Silentium before encasing himself in his armor, his Balance Breaker, Primal Terror Vengeance. Secertly, he taps into a small portion of Diablo's power, allowing the corruption in his arm to spread and feeling a twinge of Diablo's influence. While not enough to control him, it was enough for him to hopefully be on the same power level as Sinestra.

(Author's Note: Insert Soundtrack: Final Fantasy XV Episode Ardyn OST – Regis Boss Fight)

"And now, brother, everything begins just as was foretold," Sinestra said.

For once, Aidan agreed with Sinestra, now knowing of what laid before him.

*SHIING*

At that moment, both Sinestra's and Aidan's Armiger were conjured, their phantom weapons pointed at one another like before at the bridge.

For the two of them, they knew this was coming. This was where they will at last battle as destiny had predetermined.

"We end this, right here and right now," Aidan said. Sinestra laughs a bit, finally eager to embrace her destiny.

"At long last, brother…" Sinestra declared. "Our Eternal Conflict finally begins!"

Both of them release their Armiger at the same time, pushing each other back before they gain their ground.

"Dance!" Aidan cries as he unleashes Armiger again onto Sinestra, as thousands of phantom swords charging at her like a volley of arrows.

Sinestra evades most of them, along with destroying any swords near her with her scythe. Aidan wastes no time in flying up and striking at Sinestra with a downward strike. The two lock blades instantly and get up close and personal.

"Hear me, Sinestra!" Aidan called out. "On my honor as Pawn to Rias Gremory, I will vanquish you!"

"Oh dear," mocked Sinestra. "What an awful thing to say to your own flesh and blood."

Aidan acts quickly and summons another phantom sword in his hand, swinging it at Sinestra's head. But Sinestra ducks down then kicks Aidan away from her. Aidan regains his footing before the two charge at each other again. Aidan charges and swings Silentium, only for Sinestra to block and parry with Elun'tara.

Sinestra switches between offensive and defensive, using her scythe to give off a flurry of attacks and dashes to Aidan, who can just barely block them.

"Such power…!" Aidan realized.

"Yes. I'm afraid that trait seems to have skipped a generation or two." Again with Sinestra's mocking.

Sinestra fires her own volley of Armiger as Aidan does his best to dodge, but unfortunately, some of the blades hit his armor, chipping it away as he tries to regain his balance and footing in the air. He eyes on Sinestra charging at him, blocking her incoming thrust with her scythe and her underhanded strike.

"You are but a monster that must be contained…" Aidan said. "You're too dangerous! And you must be stopped!"

"Must I? Really? By whom, may I ask?" Sinestra mockingly asked.

The two charge at one another again, in a violent eruption of energy that could very well tear the heavens asunder.

"Somnus!" Rias shouted to her beloved nephalem and was about to run to him. However, she is halted by a hand grabbing her arm, by none other than her brother Sirzechs. "Onii-sama, let go! He needs me!"

"Both of their auras have passed beyond their limits," He explained to her. "This is a battle even the Two Heavenly Dragons cannot stop. If you get too close to either of them, you'll burn and die."

"But I—" Rias turns her head back to the fighting in the sky, eyes widening in concern of the two nephalem fighting one another, their primordial powers unleashed. "I can't just sit here and watch this!"

Aidan charges at Sinestra and swings Silentium at her, but Sinestra easily blocks the attack. They go back at it again until…

[DIVIDE]

In an instant, Aidan's movement slowed as his power was divided.

*BAM*

"GAH!" Aidan coughs up blood as Sinestra moves in to use the other end of her scythe to bash into Aidan's stomach. She then downward kicks him down to the ground, making him crash. Struggling to crawl back up to his feet even with Silentium to use as his support, Aidan cursed himself. Sinestra had just taken Vali's power, but what was more surprising was how she was able to adapt and use its power so quickly.

"What a shame, brother," Sinestra insulted as she lands in front of him. "I expected more from a cursed nephalem like you."

"Well, I would certainly hate to disappoint!" Aidan retorted as he prepares his Armiger, with all the phantom swords conjured up around him. "No quarter for you!"

With everyone cheering him on, Aidan notices that the power Sinestra took with her Divine Dividing was being sent off in tiny particles into her wings.

'She's sent all that extra energy she stole into her wings. By doing that, she can maintain her power at the upper limits of her capacity, just like the White Dragon.'

Sinestra conjures up her Armiger as the phantom weapons surround her.

"During the fight with Kokabiel, brother, you fought for the sake of those you care for," Sinestra said. "But is your conviction as strong as your heart? Let's find out!"

She then commands her Armiger to fire upon the group of Devils, specifically at Asia.

*SLICE SLASH*

Aidan was able to jump in front of her and cut down some of the blades, but a few manage to penetrate through his armor.

"Or perhaps her?" Sinestra exclaimed, directing her Armiger at Rias.

"NO!"

*BASH*

Using his power to thrust himself over, Aidan charges and tackles Sinestra, with Silentium's blade meeting Elun'tara's. The two of them were thrusted up into the sky.

"Are you all right, brother?" asked a taunting Sinestra. "You're beginning to look the worse for wear."

Aidan grunts, "No worse than you will once I've defeated you for good!"

"Ah, youth. So confident and yet so misguided."

Grabbing Aidan's head, Sinestra headbutts him and fires a powerful beam of light, separating the two. But Aidan was not done yet.

Empowering Silentium, he goes in and cuts across Sinestra's face, shattering parts of her helmet on the left side. Then, he stabs his sword into Sinestra's shoulder, breaking off the armor and drawing blood as Sinestra grunts in pain.

[TRANSFER]

"He's transferring power to Sinestra?" Rias exclaimed in shock.

Aidan pushes Silentium deeper into Sinestra's shoulder. Sinestra tries to counter up close with her scythe, but Aida holds it back at bay with his other hand.

"You can only handle so much power, Sinestra," Aidan said. "I wonder though what happens if you go beyond the limit of your control."

Sinestra's wings start to take on a dark and blackened glow as Aidan pulls out Silentium and slightly cuts the chest of the Angiris Apostle's armor before kicking her away.

"Taste this! Armor Breaker!"

Aidan soon snaps his fingers and then a massive explosion of pure Demon magic occurs. Sinestra's armor was destroyed completely, making the female nephalem yell in pain as her chest was now ravaged and horribly wounded. Turns out the transfer of power was meant more than just an overload of her power but also as a devious trap, a means from which to implode from the inside.

Falling to the ground, Sinestra clenches her wound in pain, looking up just in time to see Aidan land in front of her.

"Now that's more like it," Sinestra was impressed as she coughs up blood. "You blew away my armor completely. But even so, that is not enough."

Aidan watched as Sinestra rose to her feet, but then gasped in shock as her body glows and her armor quickly returns.

'As I thought, so long as she lives, she can reform her armor at any time. Stealing Vali's power must have granted her abilities similar to his, not just dividing an opponent's power in half and storing it for herself.'

But Aidan's body was soon exhausted of stamina and strength. Unable to stand, he collapses and coughs up blood, spewing a large amount.

"Aidan!" Rias cries, wanting to run to him but is held back by her brother.

Aidan was forced to lie on his back, drained of power as his armor dissipates away into red lightning particles. While he wasn't dead, he knew that he was still weak in comparison to his angelic nephalem counterpart.

Sinestra sighs, "Well, brother. It seems this must be where our fun must come to an end. A shame. Give yourself a few more years and you may actually have been a challenge for me."

Aidan knew she was right. At this rate, he wouldn't last much long given of the intense fight. Upon second look at his Sacred Gear on his left arm, the glow of Diablo's soulstone shard was beginning to fade, indicating his limit. He silently cursed to himself for his weakness, if not taking in more power.

The only way he could counter that was to let Diablo take full control, but that was not an option.

"Control…" He said to himself. "Control… Yes."

That is when however, he had an idea.

"You see, the goal I seek is not upon you as a nephalem, brother," Sinestra said, walking over towards a downed Aidan. "I only wish to destroy the Prime Evil inside of you before it flourishes to life."

Sinestra presses a heel into Aidan's chest, pinning him down as Aidan twitches and struggles.

"You're certainly taking your sweet time ascending as its host, though," Sinestra mocked as she takes her foot off of him. That is when she raises up Elun'tara, ready to strike at Aidan. "Would there were a way to expedite the process!"

*DING*

Aidan rolls over to his right before Sinestra had the chance to skewer him, her blade striking the ground. But when she looks at Aidan and what he held out in front of him with his right arm, she was shocked to see something, gasping in the process.

A blue crystal. But not just any blue crystal. It contained the soul of Hatred itself within it. Sinestra was shocked to see it, never knowing that her nephalem brother had held onto it all this time.

The Blue Soulstone of Hatred. The prison of Mephisto.

Everyone was so stunned to see the Blue Soulstone in Aidan's possession. Rias was horrified to see it, reminding her of what the power of a soulstone can do if one is not careful. Thus questions ran through her head as to what Aidan was even thinking.

"This war means nothing to me, Sinestra," Aidan said as he stood up. "Do with it as you wish."

"…How did you get your hands on that?" Sinestra demanded to know.

"But I refuse to be sacrificed to become the Prime Evil," Aidan ignored. "I won't let Diablo's plan, nor your dream come true! Even if it costs my own life to save the world…"

As he said that, images of his friends and family pop up in Aidan's mind, thinking of them one last time. The last image showed of Rias, of her loving smile for her nephalem.

A smile he may never see again if he dies. But he was set in his ways of what he must do.

Roaring, he yells, "…I will pay that price!"

And with that, Aidan raises the Blue Soulstone with his right hand, its jagged tip pointing downwards. He then thrusts it into his left hand where Diablo's soulstone shard was.

"SOMNUS, NO!" Rias shrieked at him, realizing what he was about to do.

*SHATTER*

All were extremely shocked when Aidan smashes Mephisto's soulstone into the back of his right hand straight into the Red Soulstone shard, driving the two together as a burning sensation of pain occurs. A white glow with a blue and red hue followed, showcasing the dark and demonic power.

Aidan screams out in agony as the lights surround him. It had hurt more than any pain he has felt, almost as if the time where he had imprisoned himself beneath Tristram Cathedral. Of all the wounds he had from the Spears of Light to Riser's attacks, they were nothing in comparison to this.

Sinestra looked amused, watching everything unfold.

"Ah-ah-ahhh!" She mockingly advised. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

In pure anguish and pain, Aidan grabs his left hand hard, trying to endure the painful process as he feels the soul of Hatred enter into the Sacred Gear, and to an extent his own body. He knew that he was doing was suicidal as no person in the history of the universe has ever held two Prime Evils inside their own body.

But even a fool, much less a nephalem, can make the impossible possible so long as he never gives up.

Aidan screams at the top of his lungs as his body starts to change and deform to take on a more demonic appearance. Contrary to his kind and well-mannered aura and physical appearance, it soon turned into an abomination, twisting and perverting him inside and out.

A massive buildup of energy rings out as the jewel from his Sacred Gear glows brightly. It increases and increases, as if ready to implode.

*BOOM*

A massive implosion occurs, and smoke is all that remains. Everyone takes cover but the dust settles quickly. Yet as they looked afterwards, no one can find where Aidan was.

Soon, a voice was heard, something similar to one of the Prime Evils.

[Welsh Dragon, Power is Taken!]

"What?" Rias was shocked. "He's taken the Red Dragon's power?"

"First Sinestra, now Somnus?" Sirzechs was also surprised.

The next voice heard was Diablo's uttering a familiar word that only the wielder of the Boosted Gear would use.

[BOOST]

[It can't be!] Ddraig was perhaps the most surprised of all. [I should have known!]

"What, Ddraig?" Issei asked, raising his left gauntlet.

[When Diablo wounded me years ago, he must have siphoned some of my powers off in the process to become his. I didn't think that was possible.]

"What?" Issei was surprised. "He can do that?!"

Everyone's attention was brought back to the smoke where Aidan was.

From within the smoke, a dark voice soon spoke out.

"Imprisoned within the soulstone of a Prime Evil," Aidan's voice spoke up from the smoke.

[BOOST]

"Banished to a land of exile."

[BOOST]

"And now, you dare enter MY realm?"

[BOOST]

He then added one more line.

"You are not prepared…"

From the smoke, a figure had emerged in the form of Aidan in his Balance Breaker. While the armor looked mostly the same, there were some notable differences. The spikes grew larger and more demonic. His left arm was more flesh-like, destroying the armor braces. Red veins of power flowed throughout his body, coursing with great power. His eyes glowed a white and red glow that looked like staring at evil itself.

But the most intriguing factor were the large wings now on his back. They were demonic, not like those of Devils where they were bat-like but rather of a true Demon.

As Aidan stands up, he uses his new wings to fly high up into the air, faster than anyone can see, and brings out his Warglaive Furies. Aidan was directly in front of the moon, looking down on Sinestra as the darkness radiates from him.

If one could comprehend this, it felt as if they were looking at a small snippet of the Prime Evil.

Aidan once again repeats his phrase in a booming demonic voice.

"YOU ARE NOT PREPARED!"

[BOOST]

But Sinestra smirks in response while everyone is drowned in fear and trepidation.

"Yes!" Sinestra was ecstatic as she prepares Elun'tara in her hands. "Finally, a challenge!"

Both combatants race in, empowered by their aura as they clash blades. A shockwave is created from the result of the impact as Sinestra smirks at Aidan while the latter glares and grits his teeth.

Sinestra then summons a small knife in her left hand to take a left wipe at Aidan, making him back away as he dodges the strike. While he was not wounded, a small chink of his armor was clipped off.

*SHIING*

Sinestra summons her Armiger and sends it directly at Aidan, much like he did in the beginning of their fight. Aidan takes a swipe with his Warglaives to destroy the phantom swords coming towards him, only to find Sinestra up close to him.

"Taste this!" Sinestra reaches out her left hand to unleash a point blank blast of magic. Thinking quick, Aidan uses his right warglaive to cut off one of his armor braces to act as a small shield against the Angiris Apostle.

*SHIING*

When it connected to Sinestra's hand, it instantly freezes. She must be able to use some form of frost magic if it is her specialty.

Aidan and Sinestra destroy the ice block between them, only for Aidan to be gone as he flew high into the air and then, plummeting down at speeds faster than anyone can see, he makes a strike at Sinestra's back. For any normal fighter, this would end the fight.

Or so they would like to believe.

Aidan was surprised to see Sinestra use her scythe to block the attack, hoisting it behind her vertical to her body to block the strike from the warglaives. She smirks as Aidan backs away to get some distance.

"Impressive, brother…" Sinestra compliments as she turns around. "This is fantastic!"

Aidan soon stands up. "Sinestra, why continue this war that man has no wish to be a part of? What will be left in the end if all worlds burn?"

"The winner, of course," Sinestra answered. "Only one side can win in the Eternal Conflict."

"You'd stand over a mound of corpses to claim victory?" Aidan asked. "If you decide to just destroy everything you find evil, you'll rule over nothing. What's the point of it?"

"Your words do not offend nor persuade me in the least," Sinestra said. "We may both be nephalem but we have both chosen whose side we believe will win. If you value your life, brother, along with your comrades, drop your blades and surrender."

"Never," Aidan immediately responds coldly.

"Either way, you will die," Sinestra said, noting his growing power. "In this world, there is only hunter or hunted. You know this to be true."

"No!" Aidan denies as he charges in, with both Sinestra and he trade blows with their weapons. "Everyone wants to live…"

Sinestra kicks Aidan back, only for him to flip backwards and then jump immediately into the air. He spins in the air as he comes down to strike at Sinestra, with the Apostle holding her scythe against the strike that contacts her staff.

"Just because we have a great power does not mean we must not take responsibility!" Aidan said.

"Your words are incomprehensible to me!" Sinestra said, keeping her arrogant smile. She pushes Aidan back before slamming Elun'tara down to the ground. From that, a large pillar of ice shoots out from the ground right at Aidan. He had just enough time to use his warglaives to block the attack, even as he was pushed high into the air and left hanging.

"Pierce through!" Sinestra commands as more ice pillar spikes emerge and come charging at Aidan. With him hanging in the air upside down, Aidan he dodges a couple before slicing through another.

*WABAM*

Sinestra came up and ax kicked him down to the ground. Then, with a snap of her fingers, a humongous ball of ice emerges and falls right on top of Aidan. He rolls and jumps out of the way just in time as the ball lands.

*WABAM*

Only to receive another brutal kick from Sinestra, sending him flying and dragging to the ground.

"Was that really all you had to offer, brother?" Sinestra asked as she then brings down Elun'tara.

*SHINK*

"GAAH!" Aidan screams as the blade enters into his stomach, piercing through his armor.

"Aidan!" Rias screams.

"The weak have no right to stand before me," Sinestra proclaimed. "Those without power do not have hopes and dreams to accomplish their goals. So lie down and die before me, like any Demon would."

Aidan opens his left eye to glare at Sinestra. "What are the nephalem to you then?"

Sinestra lifts up her scythe, bringing it out of Aidan's gut with blood spurting out. "I have no interest in those who are weak."

She takes another opportunity to strike at her fallen opponent. That is when Aidan snaps though, realizing just how callous Sinestra is compared to her half-brother.

"Sinestra!"

*BOOM*

Unleashing a powerful blast from his Red Hose Lightning at point blank makes Sinestra back away. The dust gives way quickly as it shows Aidan struggling to get up.

"A war of attrition then, brother…" Sinestra's voice was soon heard.

Aidan thrusts Silentium into the ground for him to bring himself up to his feet. But every second he pushed himself, more blood only spewed out of his mouth. It felt like he was trying to push up against a mountain that sat on top of him.

"Look around, brother," Sinestra urged. "The Ancients of yore are on hand. They call you forth… to oblivion."

Aidan knew that at this point, he would be no match for his rival. He needed more power. And the only way to do that was to tap deeper into his Sacred Gear, into Diablo himself. He would use this power not just to protect Rias and the others, but also to defeat his rival once and for all.

He knew then way to do.

Bringing the warglaives to his neck, Aidan was prepared to do the unthinkable. Sinestra looked intrigued.

*SLING*

And with one swing of his warglaives, Aidan cuts his neck. While it was not enough for him to be killed or dying, it still drew blood. Sinestra looked surprise while everyone else looked shocked. But that was when Aidan drops to his hands and knees.

A heartbeat pumped faster on an irregular beat as Aidan struggles of letting the darkness into him. Even so, the power courses through him like a violent raging river. His screams turn demonic as he is enveloped in shadow. Demonic runes appear in bright red, burning onto his armor as it takes a more darker appearance.

The process was painful as Aidan could feel the souls of Mephisto and Diablo crawling up into him, teeth are at the ears as fingers were on the spine. Aidan's wings soon spread out as he releases one final demonic roar, his power granted to him.

Standing up with his warglaives in hand, Aidan's armor takes on a dark appearance of a demonic knight from the Burning Hells. Runes traced in a tongue no one could interpret appeared on his body, runes that spelled the traits of the Seven Evils.

Hatred, Terror, Destruction, Pain, Anguish, Sin, and Lies.

Aidan's eyes soon open and form behind his multi-holed helmet, they glowed a demonic red with a white light. Everyone was instantly scared at the sight, paralyzed in fear to see this demonic entity right before him, thinking that this was once Aidan.

Sinestra was amazed. "So, this is your trump card, brother. Most impressive."

"I was born cursed with a power unlike any other…" Aidan said. "Through all my grief, sorrow, rage, resentment. I remember all the lives I've taken." Aidan then makes his stance with his warglaives. "I accept responsibility for all of them."

"This is the turning point," Sinestra realized with glee. "You are no longer nephalem. A trump card worthy of the power of the Seven Evils."

"Even if the Evils within consume me, even I do become the Prime Evil, I will defeat you."

*DASH*

Aidan dashes in a blink of an eye, ready to strike with his warglaives against his opponent. Sinestra was briefly caught off guard in surprise of his swift action.

*DING*

A strike was made to her helmet which sliced off the left half of it, making Sinestra stunned as she saw only stars briefly.

"HAAH!" Aidan cries as he goes for another strike. Sinestra barely blocks it, trying to comprehend Aidan's new power. The dark warrior spin kicks at Sinestra, making her fly far before he dashes and goes for a strike, only for her to counter.

He goes for another as Sinestra blocks before disappearing. Sinestra tries to swing a couple times but misses.

"Why, you…" Sinestra creates eight ice pillars high in the air towards Aidan, only for those pillars to shatter easily. She then takes flight to get to where the demonic nephalem was.

The two clash blades once again, back away as Sinestra summons her Armiger and sends at Aidan. Aidan deflects them all easily with the Warglaive Furies as he charges again at his opponent.

Sinestra attempts an underhanded strike with Elun'tara, only for her scythe to miss as Aidan went over her, and then plummets down. The two's clash was so violent that they immediately fell fast to the ground.

Aidan was on top of Sinestra, trying to cut her neck but was just barely blocked with the Scythe of Solace. Their blades create sparks from the metal contact, making a screeching noise that sounded like nails on a chalkboard. The two were trying to push against one another but were deadlocked.

Sinestra summons one of her phantom swords to fire at Aidan, making him back away. She then stands up, chuckling in amusement.

"Ufufufu, how interesting," She said. "How very interesting! This is the fight I had long wished for, the one I had seen in my dreams. Let's do this, brother. Let's fight each other to the death!"

Sinestra empowers herself once more as the two dash in again and clash blades for a few times. Laughing maniacally, Sinestra loved this fight. She then uses her wing tendrils to strike at Aidan's helmet.

*CHING*

Just like how her helmet was severed in two, so too was Aidan's as the left side of his face was exposed. Stunned and distracted, he is then spin kicked by Sinestra.

*BAM*

Sinestra jumps up and goes for an overhead strike with her scythe, but Aidan moves out of the way. But that is when Sinestra drags her scythe across the ground, creating a valley of ice which forces Aidan to take flight once again.

They dodges each other's strike before Sinestra fires a phantom spear from her Armiger which destroys with the warglaives. They land on the ground again as Aidan moves out of the way from Sinestra's dashing strike. But with Elun'tara, she fires from her scythe two light beams, but Aidan destroys easily with one warglaive for each.

*BAM*

Again Aidan is kicked but not as bad as before. Aidan dashes in again, only to meet a pillar of ice between him and Sinestra. With his warglaives he deploys a flurry of attacks before finally destroying it, forcing Sinestra back.

Aidan was now exhausted, nearly reaching his limit.

'This form won't last much longer. I must finish this with my next move!'

"You have my full attention, brother…" Sinestra said as she stands up and prepares her scythe. "Come."

Aidan complies as he dashes forward. Sinestra, all of a sudden, throws her scythe in a spin to Aidan but he parries it away.

Aidan then dashes and then, just when it seems he would strike her, he disappears. He goes again but disappears once more. He repeats this process about five more times. For Sinestra, she either conjures an ice shield or attacks with whatever phantom sword she could conjure from her Armiger. But she could not land a single blow on Aidan nor feel his strike on her shield.

As she blocks, Sinestra deduces what Aidan was trying to do: keep her distracted long enough for one last final blow from him. A bold strategy but wild behavior can also backfire.

"HAAH!" Aidan cries for one last attack.

In an attempt to make Aidan think this will work, she brings up her ice shield that Aidan strikes.

*SHATTER*

She stumbles backwards as Aidan moves in for the kill. His warglaives were right up front for an X strike frontwards, ready to cut down his now defenseless opponent.

But then, Sinestra smirks, ready to play her final card.

"TEMPUS GLACIO!"

*FWOOM*

Instantly, a massive bubble of time expands, stopping all time and space within, including Aidan. Like the Forbidden Balor View from Gasper, Tempus Glacio froze space and time, and allowed only the user to move within for a short period of time. But unlike the Forbidden Balor View, this power was not used in terms of sight but as a trump card.

"A time spell?" Rias exclaimed. "No way!"

"Just like Gasper's," Kiba saw it too. The half vampire quivered, reminded of his own Sacred Gear.

Sinestra leans up with a smile, staring at the frozen Aidan.

"This is the second time I've been forced to use my trump card," She said before summoning Elun'tara in her right hand. "I applaud you, brother. It was fun while it lasted."

She then thrusts Elun'tara straight into Aidan. However as her blade went through, there was no contact with him, which stuttered and confused her as she gasps.

"An afterimage?" She realized. She looks around to see where the real Aidan was, as her Tempus Glacio's time soon ran out. "Where did you go?"

He was not around her anywhere. Nowhere, except…

"Above—"

"HAAAH!"

*SLICE*

Aidan suddenly came down with the Warglaive Furies, slicing straight through Sinestra's chest in one final strike, carving a deep and corruptive wound into her. Sparks from her armor fly as it shatters, and blood is drawn as it flies everywhere.

Wounded so suddenly, she asks, "How… could you break through my Tempus Glacio?"

"I warped and flew to the highest point possible outside of your time bubble, enough to not be caught in it." Aidan answers as he stands up, his demonic aura dying down as his armor cracks and shatters bit by bit. "I then converted all the power I had boosted up into one last strike, hoping my timing would be right. I had a small feeling your one trick was something related to time, like the Archangel of Fate."

As his armor shatters, Aidan's wounds appear from using up so much demonic power from his Sacred Gear. "The afterimage you saw was your bloodlust. I took a stab at your inflated ideal of hunting."

With his power died down, the fight was finally over. Aidan collapses to his knees with the Warglaive Furies still in hand, spewing up blood from over exhaustion and depleted stamina. He overdid it again.

With that answer though, Sinestra smiles in satisfaction, chukling as well.

"So, that is how you would end it," Sinestra said. She then takes a few steps back as she collapses to the ground, gravely injured and sitting on her bottom.

Aidan was on the same page as her, his power exhausted and his stamina run dry. Yet still, the dark influence of the Demons lurked in his mind compelling him to finish off the Angiris Apostle. He struggles to stand up, but it was getting too difficult, overworked and way too tired to fight. Yet for all of these setbacks, he was one stubborn person.

Rias could not bear to sit and watch anymore as she runs to her beloved.

"Aidan!" Rias calls out his name as she rushes to him.

Aidan could only look up to see his beloved redhaired Devil on the verge of tears, wanting the fight to stop out of fear of losing him again.

"Rias…" Aidan muttered. "I must…"

"Somnus, you must stop now!" Rias urged. "Don't let her make you fight just for the sake of fighting!"

"Don't waste your breath," Sinestra said as she gets up. "Get out of the way, Gremory. You cannot stop this."

Rias looks back and, with a defiant look, stands right in front of Aidan, determined to protect him.

Sinestra however was not amused. "I will not let you stand in the way of this destined battle."

Again Rias continued to be defiant, standing in the way. But then, she feels a hand on her left shoulder, revealing Aidan with his right hand onto it. She looks back to see his scary face once again, his eyes locked onto his rival's.

"Rias, please…" Aidan pleaded.

"No!" She denied. "I won't let you continue to hurt yourself!"

But Aidan was not having it as he trots himself forward with small steps. "If I don't end this, she wins. And you will be in danger."

"But…" Rias could only watch her Pawn move forward with such great struggle that the urge to help her coursed through her like mad. It pained for her not to do anything, knowing that Aidan was sometimes a stubborn man.

"Come now, brother," Sinestra urged. "It is time that we…"

"Ended this," Aidan finished as he prepares himself.

With Elun'tara in her hand, Sinestra conjures up the last remnants of her power and dons on what remained of her armor after it was destroyed. Aidan likewise did the same for his armor, which was now mostly destroyed yet he still wielded the Warglaive Furies.

Both of them reform their nephalem armor, but with both of them heavily wounded and their powers near exhaustion, they could only conjure up what little remained. Their armor was broken and tattered, cracks everywhere on the body and helmet, and even slash marks made for where they cut each other.

"If this continues, the two of them will be comatose," Sirzechs said. "But we cannot stop this…"

"That's the problem of dealing with nephalem," Azazel said. "They are always beyond our control."

A few moments of intensity seemed to last for an eternity as the two stare down at each other from opposite sides. Rias stood with the others worried for her nephalem, believing that this fight has gone on long enough. Though it pained her to just stand by and not do anything, it would be worse if she intervenes. Still, the thought of it grinded her gears a lot.

The two of them then charge right for each other at the same time, ready to meet that final strike.

*BOOM*

Just as Aidan and Sinestra meet in a middle, a powerful beam of orange light blasts between the two and sends them flying back right back onto the ground, in pain and their armor dissipating almost immediately.

The light was so blinding that everyone had to cover their eyes. Some of them stumbled back to the ground at this unexpected event happening, wondering what that was or what was even going on.

As the light dies down, smoke covered the area, only for it to reveal a figure from within. But once the smoke disperses, the figures rises up and stands upwards.

He was armored from head to toe in golden armor, with a sun symbol planted on his chest. A few waist robes were seen by his waist and his helmet looked like a soldier's helm, but his eyes and mouth were nowhere to be seen. One of his two prominent features were the halo over his head as it floated just above while the other were his bright luminescent wings that burned bright orange. The tendrils were not flowing like before but were rather firm in place, showcasing the shape of wings yet each strand was present to see. He carried with him a large and intimidating spear that had a sun symbol near the base of the blade.

It was an Elder Angel, one that brought only fear into one other Angel present among the group.

"It…cannot be…" Michael was shocked to see.

"What?" Xenovia asked, confused as she was. "Who is that, Chief Michael?"

"Imperius…" Michael fearfully saw, making everyone hear the name and shocked to see the Archangel of Valor in person. "The Archangel of Valor. Leader of the Angiris Council and all the High Heavens."

"That's…him?" asked Asia fearfully, intimidated by the archangel's presence.

"What is he doing here?" asked Sirzechs in disbelief, shielding his wife and little sister from behind in fear.

Imperius looks around briefly at his surroundings, as if he was surveying the area around him. If one could tell the expression he bore despite being featureless on the face, he seemed rather irritated. And if one knew about Imperius personally, it is that he hates the mortal realm with a passion, seeing it as some sort of Demon-infested world needing to be purged.

Ironically though, this was his first time setting foot onto it.

That is when he spots Sinestra on the ground, struggling to her knees to bow to him out of respect at her master's unexpected arrival. Imperius walks over to her, and with every step taken, it was audible for all to hear, like a soldier's boot walking on metal.

His shadow looms over his student, and if he had eyes, they were pointed sharply at her in pure fury. Imperius may be the Archangel of Valor, but it comes with a fatal flaw of pride, one of which can lead to wrath. A trait Imperius is known for so long.

"Sinestra…" Imperius' deep and booming voice was heard. From the tone of it, he sounded mad and disappointed. "What is the meaning of this…betrayal?"

"Lord Imperius!" Sinestra looked fearful and shocked at the archangel, hearing his booming voice weigh down upon her like a mountain. "I only—"

"I did not permit you to interfere in the mortal world all for a chance to linger here amongst these demonic filth, but you have done so – brazenly!"

"But, master, with all due respect, I only sought to destroy the Prime Evil! Like you have trained me for!"

"And I did not permit you to go after it by leaving the High Heavens!" Imperius berated loudly. "You are far from ready to confront even a Lesser Evil! And if I wanted to, I could have destroyed the world instead of sending you!"

Imperius' voice shook with a weight like a mountain, enough to send utter fear into everyone. His blazing orange wings that looked like they were on fire was intimidating enough, along with the rest of his appearance, but his voice was booming. He may be the Archangel of Valor, but there is also one other trait that Imperius is known for: wrath.

"You have utterly disgraced the High Heavens with this treachery!" Imperius criticizes Sinestra. "But it matters not. I will finish what you cannot."

Imperius then spots a wounded Aidan on his back, barely moving if not also paralyzed by fear due to Imperius' presence. The archangel soon makes his way over to Aidan with Solarion in hand, and everyone knew what might happen.

Without thinking, Rias rushes to Aidan's aid, calling his name. "Somnus!"

But then…

*SHIING*

A large protective magic wall was conjured up, separating Rias from Aidan. Much to the former's horror, it was summoned by the latter desperately, as if telling her to stay back. She could only watch as Imperius stopped and looked down on Aidan, meeting his eyes with the nephalem's.

"That was a foolish mistake, nephalem," Imperius called out.

Aidan briefly looks at Rias from behind the shield, with a look of pleading to be with him. Fear grips her heart tightly as her legs buckle and her hands shake.

*STAB*

Imperius thus swiftly stabs Solarion deep into Aidan's chest. Blood almost immediately spews out of Aidan's mouth as a face of pain envelops him.

"NOOOOOO!" Rias shrieked from behind the barrier, seeing her beloved nephalem impaled by the archangel.

Imperius pushes Solarion deeper into Aidan's chest, making more blood sprout out from the nephalem. The Spear of Valor then gives off an angelic heat that begins to burn Aidan inside and out, a fire that was not like that of Hell but rather more radiant and pure. Heaven's fire wielded by the Archangel of Valor whose wrath is unquestionable.

"I've wanted to do that for a long, long time," Imperius said, as if taking in satisfaction of the kill.

But Aidan, much to the archangel's ire, was still squirming, even under the immense pain of being stabbed by an angelic spear. His vision was getting a bit blurry as he glares at Imperius.

"Killing me…will not end the Eternal Conflict, Imperius," Aidan grits his bloody teeth.

Imperius, whether he agreed with Aidan or not, responded, "No. But that is why I will never tire of killing you again and again!"

Imperius drives his spear deeper into Aidan's chest, making more blood spurt out from the wound and his mouth.

*SKIISH*

"Gghkaaah!" Aidan screams as Solarion skewers and burns him inside and out.

Rias had enough. "STOP IT!"

Enraged, the soulstone sliver in her chest glows brightly as her hair flares up with power and her eyes turn red. Swiftly, she summons Heres Ultio, her sabre.

"Rias, no!" Sirzechs cried.

But Rias, in her somewhat maddened state, did not listen as she raises her sabre and shatters the shield wall separating her from Aidan.

*SHATTER*

Like glass from a wine cup, the barrier shatters as Rias wastes no time flying in towards Imperius with her sword in hand.

Imperius looks up in time to see Rias come after her, enraged and full of wrath. He brings up Solarion to block her initial strike.

Sparks fly as the weapons make contact, but Imperius barely budged if not only took one step back from his position. Rias lands right in front of the barely breathing Aidan, gripping her sword tightly before a ringing noise was heard.

"You won't get away with this…" She said, as a dark power suddenly erupts within her. "Never… Never, ever… You'll never get away with this!"

Imperius took note of Rias' growing power. "So this is your true power. A power I know all too familiar. No matter, you will be cut down like the rest of them."

Rias could not hold back the dark and poisonous influence as she yells, allowing the darkness to swallow her and give her the power she needs to protect Aidan. She screams as she is empowered by the darkness enveloping her.

"Rias, don't!" Sirzechs cries out. "Don't give in to it! You must control it!"

But his words fell on deaf ears for her. All Rias cared about now was striking down Imperius, making him pay for what he did to Aidan. Raising her sword, she swiftly charges at Imperius. But the Archangel of Valor, having had an eternity of experience of war, blocks her initial strike, only to be pushed further back than usual.

"This power…" He noted. "Is this what you had planned, Diablo? For her to be your host?"

He was almost surprised to see that Rias' speed had increased and her attacks were relentless, as if he was dealing with a berserker. While he easily blocks all of her attacks with Solarion, he could not find a single opening from which he could strike back. He needed to get some distance.

Using his right hand, he conjures up Solarion's fire in his right hand and fires directly at Rias, the crazed redhead using her own power as a shield to block the flames.

Imperius soon takes to the skies with his wings, but Rias would not give him that chance. Using her wings, she takes off after the Archangel of Valor, bent on revenge. But Imperius was also adept at air combat and soon, he and Rias trade blows and strikes with one another in the air.

Rias strikes overhead and thrusts from the side, but Imperius easily counters with his own, trying to use both ends of his spear to injure the damnable Devil. He soon empowers his own armor, called Molten Armor, which allowed flames to directly emanate off the wrathful Elder Angel and burn Rias, striking her.

"This ends now! Imperius said, taking the chance to stab at Rias.

But Rias empowers herself and conjures up many mirror images to strike at Imperius from every single direction, hoping to catch him off at a blind spot if he has any. Imperius however, an Elder Angel that has been around since the beginning, blocks every strike and soon flares up his wings to match Rias' power level.

The two of them then made one final strike as Heres Ultio and Solarion's blades make contact with one another. A violent power surge builds up from light and darkness combined.

*BOOM*

Aidan struggles to sit up, bleeding and severely wounded as he was, yet he mustered enough strength to stand. Despite Imperius' stab, along with the fire that burned a part of his insides, he still lived.

"Rias…" Aidan knew of the situation and it was not good. Off from the distance, he turned to see Rias chase Imperius back to the earth, still intent on killing him. "No—Rias—Don't…"

Despite his wounds, Aidan makes his way over to where the two combatants land. Both hardly have a scratch on one another, but if this continued any longer, the entire school area would be obliterated.

Both Imperius and Rias arm themselves, the latter breathing erratically as she readies her sabre.

"Rias… you can't!" Aidan begged, catching her attention. The crazed redhead turns around to see her beloved nephalem standing before her, in pain and coughing up blood, pushing himself over his limit.

The sight of him like that sent Rias in a rage, having a clear flashback to the Rating Game against Riser Phenex. Immediately, the darkness within her mind returns as the soulstone sliver in her chest grows brighter, signifying the connection to Diablo's influence.

Enraged and lost in her madness, she brings up her saber and charges forth at Aidan, who did not seem to put up any sort of defense, even as she closes the gap between them. The others try to yell at Aidan to get out of the way, but he does nothing. He just stood there, as if waiting for Rias to come to him.

But even as Rias' sabre meets up with Aidan's left shoulder, cutting into him, he takes it in stride and gets up close and personal to hug Rias. The maddening Rias still screams, lost within the darkness of her mind, her fear of losing the one man she loves more than any other. Yet here he stood, hugging her despite his injuries.

"Rias… that's enough," Aidan pleads. "I'm not dead, my love. I'm alive."

Rias continues to struggle against Aidan's grip, raising her sabre in her right hand ready for another strike.

"Please… come back to me, Rias!" Aidan continues to reach for her, shouting her last name hoping it would be enough to snap her out of her madness.

And sure enough, it did.

Hearing the voice of her beloved nephalem, Rias' eyes revert back to their normal blue color as the dark power and influence of the soulstone shard in her chest dissipates. Her aura dies down almost instantly, replacing it with only dread in her body.

"S…Somnus?" Rias' first words were.

"Yes," Aidan confirmed as he releases the hug yet stays close to her. "It's me."

Rias however notes his wounds as she looks at his chest, realizing that she caused that slash mark over where Imperius stabbed him.

Gasping, she fumbles over her words. "Somnus… Somnus, I.. I—"

"I made a promise that I would not make you alone again," Aidan told her. "That I won't ever leave you again."

Rias looks up to see her nephalem and begins to start shedding tears. He smiles just as she cries in regret over her actions, but she is relieved that Aidan is safe, back in her arms.

From behind her though, Imperius still had that intensive look to kill the both of them as he prepares Solarion.

"Do not think that just because you halted her rampage means that you are spared from my wrath, nephalem," Imperius threatened as he points his spear. "If you wish to die with her, then so be it."

"Lord Imperius!" Michael suddenly intervenes between Rias and the archangel. "My lord, what is the meaning of this? The High Heavens were not meant to interfere as per the ancient law!"

"I only came to retrieve Sinestra, but it seems from what has happened here today, you have clearly lacked defense measures for this foolish summit."

"My lord, with all due respect, we had no idea we would be attacked at this critical moment," Michael pleads.

But Imperius was not swayed. "Which demonstrates to me the cost of your naivety and your false sense of security. Have you learned nothing from your betters, Michael? Or must I walk in your Heavens to teach your siblings about the concept of order!?"

"You will do no such thing, Imperius!" Tyrannus steps forward with Michael. "We agreed to let the Young Angels find their own path, much like how we unanimously decided the fate of mankind!"

"Tyrael!" Imperius saw. "I did not agree to spare this mortal world in the first place. Had you not sided with them; I would not be here to correct one of your many mistakes."

"We have argued for thousands of years—" Tyrael said.

"And we have also saved each other's live on the battlefield countless times," Imperius intervened. "But you decided to leave us. Lingering with the mortals that you once condemned so long ago!"

"You cannot judge me, Imperius," Tyrannus said. "I am Justice itself!"

"Brothers, enough!" A female voice suddenly bloomed. Everyone looks to see Asia with white glowing eyes like the sun and her six tendril wings sprouted from behind. Her Braid of Longing, An'Naresh, also glowed.

To everyone, they realized that Auriel was here, using Asia as a host. Her voice was mixed with Asia's as a conduit.

"Must I always interfere like this in troubling times when we must work together?" Auriel/Asia had asked.

"Auriel!" Imperius pointed. "You dare have the foolish nerve to possess this mortal as your host? First Tyrael, now you? How much more must Heaven rot with your so-called compassion for these mortals?"

"It was my choice, Imperius," Auriel/Asia said. "But that is irrelevant at the moment. We are only here to recover the champion."

Arguments between Tyrael, Michael, Imperius, and the possessed Asia bicker back and forth and back and forth, each of them trying to prove their case and justify their actions. Imperius opted to eradicate everyone while Michael and Tyrael try to defend their situation regarding security. Auriel was the compromiser, seeking reason and balance and would, sometimes, use Al'maiesh to wrap around her fellow Angels to give clarity.

Those that watched were beyond belief. Xenovia and Irina were stunned, mainly at Michael. They never knew he was a servant of the Angiris Council for a leader of the Lower Heavens, yet the way he pleaded with his superiors was very much something akin of a servant to a master. Usually, he would be calm and graceful, rarely in anger. Yet here they saw him trying to defend everyone from Imperius' wrath.

For the Devils, they never think that the Angiris Council would appear. If one would likely guess, they'd imagine this is what Angels would do if they are not worshipping or praising the light. Although surprisingly for them, they have never seen Angels bicker and fight with one another, let alone an Elder Angel and their subordinates. They were not so sure what to make of this dilemma.

After five minutes of arguing and bickering back and forth, finally all of the Angels came to a compromise.

"So it is decided," Imperius declared with a slight hint of bitterness unbecoming an Elder Angel. "But what do any of you now suggest be done to prevent the Burning Hells from spreading their taint across the world you have saved again? Are we to have a host to stand guard over this...this Sanctuary?"

"The world will be left to them, as decreed, to choose their own fates," Auriel/Asia said. "We will watch, we will observe, and in time, we will make another decision."

Imperius begrudgingly was forced to accept the change, turning his attention away as he makes his way over to Sinestra. It was then that Auriel/Asia turned over to Michael and Tyrael, facing the former first.

"Maintain this permanent alliance that you have made, Michael," Auriel/Asia requested. "If the Great War ever resumes once again due to infighting, we will interfere and resolve this our way whether you accept or rebel."

Michael agreed to it, not one to argue against the counsel of the Archangel of Hope. Auriel/Asia then turned over to Tyrael.

"In your heart, Sanctuary was always where you wanted to be, brother," Auriel/Asia said somberly. "While many angels did not agree with your choice to become mortal, it did not mean it was the wrong one. You are no longer welcomed back home, but you will always be one of us, mortal or not. Continue this path you have taken and do not look back."

Tyrael, having known his fellow Elder Angel for many millennia, takes the words into consideration. Shortly thereafter, Auriel releases her hold over Asia, the young nun's body slumps to the floor but is caught and held by Tyrael.

Sinestra soon walks over to the unconscious Vali, looked after by Azazel. Upon seeing one of his former students, Azazel glares at her.

But Sinestra, knowing full well of her intentions, takes something out of her pocket and tosses it to Azazel for him to catch and examine.

"Give this to him," Sinestra urged. It was a small vial containing a light blue liquid of sorts. "It should help him in the long run."

Azazel did not know what to say, other than looking at Sinestra as she rendezvoused back with Imperius. Once assembled, they all quickly vanish in a blink of an eye, returning back to the High Heavens in a flash of light.

Everyone watched as they disappeared. But Rias soon turns her attention back to her nephalem, his head close to her breasts.

"Somnus…" Rias said lovingly and gave him a kiss on the head, relieved that her nephalem was still alive.

Once the battle was over, and the Angiris Council departed from Sanctuary along with their champion, all Three factions came in and carried out the process of cleaning up the school. Sirzechs, Serafall, and Michael could be seen giving orders to subordinates of their respective races. With some restoring the school to its normal appearance, and even repairing the gym that was destroyed in the chaos. The corpses of the magicians were carried out of the old school building and burned, as was the mess cleaned up inside.

"Finally, a joint effort between all of us," Rias said as she, Akeno, and Sona stood beside each other.

"It does look like we really have achieved peace this time, doesn't it?" Akeno asked.

Sirzechs, Grayfia, and Michael walked over to the Governor General. "Apologies, Azazel; Katarea was one of our internal issues," Sirzechs apologized.

"Vali from our side caused problems, as well," Azazel responded. "And, it was my mistake not to nip that in the bud a long time ago. But I did not expect Sinestra's drastic action of all people."

Michael agreed, "Yes. Her betrayal to her brother is a deep blow. And the Angiris Council's arrival, I did not expect. But even so, everything is starting anew."

After Vali was healed, a member of his group named Bikou came to pick him up. But Vali was quiet this entire time, not speaking a word or even giving a farewell to Issei, his rival. Sinestra's betrayal to him must've struck him hard to the point he was damaged emotionally. It was a bit hard to tell what he was feeling in the midst of it. Of his half-siblings from their biological mother, he was closer to Sinestra. And now her backstabbing betrayal, along with her true allegiance and role as the Angiris Apostle, has cut a wound in Vali deeper than the abuse he had suffered as a child.

But one thing is for certain: he does not take too kindly to treachery, especially amongst kin.

Aidan was fully healed of his wounds thanks to Asia's healing, along with help from Grayfia and the Phenex maids, but the horrible burning scar on his chest from where Imperius stabbed him with Solarion would be burned forever. It was an X-shaped scar that, whenever he looked at it, would make him constantly remember of how he had experienced just a small sliver of the Archangel of Valor's wrath. He was still sore unfortunately, so he had not fully recovered yet.

With support from Rias, he makes his way over to Michael and stands before him.

"Pardon me, Michael? But I have a request to make," He said.

"Michael turned and smiled, "Of course. How may I help you, Somnus?"

Aidan then said, "I know that Asia and Xenovia have forgiven you, but I just want to know; do you want to make it up to them? For their excommunication?"

His face turned solemn. "As long as it is within my power, I'd do anything to right our wrong," He admitted, as Asia and Xenovia were standing by and listening.

Aidan smiled in response, "Then you should know that it would mean the world to them if they could pray again, even if they are Devils."

Both of the girls gasped as Michael showed a surprised expression before giving a thankful and happy smile to Aidan, realizing his selflessness as a nephalem.

Michael turned his head to the two girls and asked, "Well, ladies, is that true?"

"Yes," Both nodded simultaneously.

"I want nothing more than to give you that chance again, but let me ask you this. Would you still pray, even though you know God is no longer here with us?"

"Yes," Asia said honestly. "Even if there is no God, I would love to be able to pray; it brings me comfort and hope."

"Same for me," Xenovia said with a hand over her chest. "I'd appreciate the chance to give thanks to God as well as to you, Michael."

Michael then asks his superior, "And what say you, Tyrael? Would you approve of this?"

Inquisitor Tyrannus immediately nods his head. "I do. Anu is not necessarily needed in terms of prayer, but if it brings them a sense of peace, then let them have it. And I am sure Irina would also like to be a part of it as well."

Xenovia was surprised as the chestnut-haired girl looks at her friend in guilt. "I didn't know the entire story, and I was so devastated when I thought you had betrayed us," Irina apologized. "I am truly sorry."

"Well, don't be like that; there's nothing to apologize for," Xenovia told her friend with a smile.

Irina then turned to Asia. "Asia, what I said to you was mean-spirited and just plain cruel. I am so sorry."

"Oh, not at all, I'm used to it anyway," Asia said with a small smile.

The chestnut-haired girl then turned to Aidan. Her look of guilt grew, and she looked like she was going to start swelling with tears. "Aidan, you were my one-time childhood friend, yet I've said so many horrible things about you. I was even willing to kill you…" Tears then began to form as Irina was beginning to choke on her words. "I… I am so… so sorry…"

Before she could start bawling, she felt herself wrapped up by Aidan, using what strength he could to pull her into a hug. She blushed brightly, confused at first before she found a small sense of comfort in his large arms.

"All is well, Irina," Aidan reassured. "While I was disappointed at first, nothing will change the fact that you are still the same girl Uncle Deckard and I met in Rome all those years ago. You didn't know because you were deceived, yet your heart is still in the same place."

Irina gasped in surprise at his words, letting her tears fall from her eyes as her lips formed a big smile. Slowly but surely, she hugs back, having re-established her friendship with Aidan.

"How cute," said Serafall with a smile as she stares at Aidan. "A friendship between the believers in the Devil and God, and childhood friends united again."

Sirzechs then turned to Michael and asked, "Michael, can you do it? Perhaps granting them their wish would be a symbol of our peace"

Michael nodded and smiled. "Yes. Besides, I seriously doubt two Devils that don't receive damage when they pray will mean the end of the world."

All three girls put their hands together and bowed their hands to pray, yet both Xenovia and Asia yelped in pain when they were zapped and had a headache.

Michael chuckled a little. "Give it time, ladies. I have to return to Heaven and change the system first. Tyrael, if you could visit the Lower Heavens to help me adjust, it will be much appreciated."

"Of course, Michael," Tyrael acknowledged. "But once I am finished, I must return to Sanctuary and start reforming the Horadrim."

Aidan's attention was then turned to Azazel with the man smirking.

"I think I'll stay for a while," Azazel said. "I can't believe how much I like this place. Besides, if we are going after Baraqiel in Hell, I will need a quiet place from which to plan out and strategize."

"Azazel…" Aidan calls out to the Fallen Angel just before he turns to leave. "Thank you."

Azazel smirks before he conjures a magic circle that takes him out of the picture, along with the rest of the uncorrupted Fallen Angels in his group.

Aidan then faces Michael and leans himself in a bow. "Thank you, Michael. For correcting this mistake."

Michael smiles. "Thank you. You were right to call us out on our failures, and have done a distinguished service. It is I who should be hoping to repay your actions today."

Aidan lifts himself up and smiles. "Just be sure to keep a watch on the High Heavens. They have not forgotten and never will."

A few feet away, Xenovia was speaking with Irina and Tyrael, overhearing Aidan's talk with Michael and listened in. She was amazed by his response and finally understood that for all of his power as a nephalem and of his curse by Diablo inside of his Sacred Gear, Aidan was still human, which attracted people like Rias and Asia to him.

Michael spreads his wings and prepares to ascend with the other Angels.

"And so, I must return to Heaven to report on the peace agreement," Michael said as he and the rest of the Angels turn into blinding lights, rising up into the sky. Tyrael, temporarily taking his angelic form, ascends with them in the process. "When next we meet, nephalem, we will work on measures against the Demons. Farewell."

And just like that, the lights disappeared, along with all the Angels.

"Aidan." The nephalem turned around to see Asia running towards him, her face blushing red and tears of joy in her eyes. She then rams herself into Aidan, hugging him. "Thank you. Thank you so much!"

But that may have been the wrong move.

"OWOWOWOWOOW!" Aidan cries in pain comically, apparently because his chest was still sore from the stab wound.

"Woah, hey, Asia!" Rias demanded with a raised eyebrow. "He's still wounded! He needs a more comfortable hug!" She then brings Aidan over to her breasts, hearing a MMPH?! From him.

"Ara ara!" Akeno said as she pulls Aidan away from Rias and smashes him into her own breasts. "Asia, I like how bold you're getting to be, but I think my nephalem prefers big breasts like mine. Ufufufu~"

The other members of the ORC and the Phenex Maids watched with smiles.

Sirzechs and Grayfia watch from agar. "Well, I guess it was an important factor after all, wasn't it?"

"What do you mean?" asked Grayfia.

"Somnus. The true source of his power. A power that his mother also had."

Aidan manages to slip out of the quelling argument of the three girls wanting to see whose breasts would make Aidan feel better and recover from his soreness. He then notices Xenovia lost in her little world.

"Xenovia!" he called out. "Why aren't you happier? You can start praying again!"

Xenovia stumbled with her words at first. "Oh. Yeah. But um—" She stopped for a moment to look at Aidan, wondering how handsome he looked. But then she blushes and averts her eyes. "No. I—I mean thank you."

Aidan could only smile and nod. Starting tomorrow, the ORC would resume their club activities.

When the next day came, after school was over, the Occult Research Club arrived at the old schoolhouse with Sona and Tsubaki to discuss the next order of business. But what they got in return was a surprise.

"And so, starting from this day forward, I have become the advisor for the Occult Research Club," said Azazel as he sat in Rias' desk with a smirk. Everyone in the room was staring at him with unpleasant faces, wondering what he was doing here of all places.

Rias frowns with her arms crossed under her breasts. "You've got to be joking."

"Oh, but I am not; I asked Sirzechs and everything. He told me I should talk to Serafall's little sister about it."

Aidan and everyone else looked at Sona. "Sona? Care to explain kindly?" Aidan asked.

Sona closed her eyes and looked away with a light flush of embarrassment. "Look, I didn't have much of a choice; if I didn't agree with it my sister threatened the worse."

"Such as?"

"She'd…come instead."

That was enough to convince Aidan. "…Right. Say no more."

But Rias glared mocking at her best friend. "So basically, what you mean to say is you sold us out."

Sona adjusts her glasses. "Anyway, I'll leave the rest to you," She says in a hurry as she leaves the room with Tsubaki in tow.

"Hey, Sona!"

But she was soon gone with her Vice President. Aidan sighs and slumps his shoulders, now having to deal with this trickster. Aidan then notices that Azazel's arm was back, figuring he must have used some advanced magic to regenerate it again.

"Understand this, boys and girls; Sirzechs had one condition for me," Azazel stated as he stood up. "I cannot stay here unless I provide a gift to you."

Gasper pops his head out of his box on the sofa. "Yeah? What kind of gift?"

"As long as I am here, I'll help you develop your immature Sacred Gears." All the Devils except Aidan gasped, making Azazel smirk before he points to Aidan. "The Al'Diabolos Terror Claws with the soul of the Lord of Terror and its unexpected evolution," then to Kiba, "The Holy Devil Sword blessed by Tyrael, Aspect of Justice," and finally to Gasper, "And Forbidden Balor View. I can use the research that I've done to evolve them on an individual level. So, from now on you can call me Mr. Azazel, okay?"

Aidan scoffs, "Not happening."

"I'm looking forward to working with you all."

Azazel walked away from the desk to the windows as Rias started to protest. "Hold it; I never agreed to any of this how can we even trust you?!"

"Oh yeah," Azazel turned back to the others, ignoring Rias' protest. "Sirzechs gave me another message for you, as well," He said directly to Rias.

She was taken back by this with a raised eyebrow. "And that is?"

"It seems when he stayed at Aidan's house previously, he learned the importance of a nephalem's love for a woman. Your passion for your girlfriend and friends is what allows you to tap into your inherent nephalem power, and that is what will keep Diablo contained."

"Meaning?" Aidan asked.

"This is an official order in the name of the great Satan Lucifer. All of the current female members of the Occult Research Club are hereby directed to move in with Aidan immediately. There you go."

In that shocking moment, Aidan felt like all color left him as he soon fell backwards and passed out comically. He was not so sure if this day, along with the announcement, got any better or worse.

All things considered though; everything will go back to normal. For now.

Whew! This is the longest chapter to date, about 27k words. I know it sounds like too much but I wanted to wrap up season and make it as epic as possible by combining the crossover universes together.

To sum all this up in a nutshell: Three Factions make peace, Azazel confirms Akeno's worst fears, Horadrim reborn, Khaos Brigade revealed to be aligned with the Burning Hells, Vali's allegiance, Sinestra's betrayal, the existence of the Prime Evil: Tathamet Reborn, two nephalem fighting at their peak, Imperius, the leader of the Angiris Council arrives and nearly kills Aidan, engages with Rias, argues with Michael and the other Council members, repair and rebuild, and every girl in the ORC is to move in with Aidan to his shock. Everybody up to speed? Good!

This one took a really long time to build since the fight scene between Sinestra and Aidan was similar to Issei and Vali's fight for the first half and the second half being Esdeath vs Akame from Akame ga Kill. It took forever but I had finally managed to do it. And I do not care what you all may think about the scale of it as long as you leave good reviews and not shitty ones. If you don't like this story, you're free to drop out but do not go making complaints about it like an idiot. It's pathetic.

I am most likely going to take a break from this story as there is a lot going on in my mind right now, and I do mean a lot. Mainly family matters but also of an internship opportunity in Japan, the heart and home of Highschool DxD. I may work and live there from now on possibly.

Next chapter will be a chapter of its own. No fighting, no Diablo, no action, nothing. Just rest and relaxation, along with a shocking discovery, another Lemon scene, and a callback to one more reference I will put in. Hint: Harth Stonebrew!

Like, favorite, follow, and review at your leisure! If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.