DxD Fan - Yeah I haven't read the LN at all so I'm writing her character a bit differently, kind of my take on it so I hope it doesn't upset anybody too much. As for God...well, spoilers :)

Author's Note - I rewrote Kyoka's backstory a little bit but I haven't gone back to change it, so I'm super sorry! I'll go back and change it as soon as I can, but this chapter going forward will be official. So sorry, and I hope you guys enjoy!

8

The Holy Grail, the ancient relic that belonged to the son of God. The omnipotent wish granting device filled with an untold amount of magic and the potential to destroy the world, or rule it, or pretty much anything whoever got their hands on the Grail wanted. There wasn't a single mage in the world who didn't know of it's existence, very few more have ever been allowed to even participate in the time honored tradition of indiscriminate murder to take possession of the Grail. Kyoka knew of the Grail and it's power fairly well…but she never believed it to be real. She always thought it was some old story her father used to tell her.

"According to Archive," said Kyoka. "The Grail's been missing for over a hundred years. Ever since the end of the last Holy Grail War, the winner of the War made his wish and the Grail ascended into the sky and never came back down."

"So what the hell is it doing in Rome?" asked Ryusei.

The two of them were still atop the hill they had landed on. With the amount of mana leaking out from the Grail, going into the city right now could be dangerous. Who knows how many people down there have already been affected by it's miasma.

"Good question…" said Kyoka. "There's almost no data on the Grail. It's sentient and has a mind of it's own, that's how it's able to pick the masters for the War. It also has enough power to summon heroic spirits from the past into the modern world, though anchoring said spirits and giving them sufficient mana to fight was the duty of the masters."

"So the Holy Grail Wars were real too," said Ryusei. "And here I thought it was just a story."

"I'm really starting to think that every story we were ever told as kids were true Ryu-Kun," said Kyoka.

"Yeah I'm starting to think you're right," said Ryusei. "I doubt there isn't a single faction in the world who haven't already been notified of this. Rome is gonna be a war zone soon…"

The Holy Grail wasn't just some cup filled with magic, it basically is magic. With it's power, anybody who knew what they were doing can obtain anything they've ever wanted. The entire balance of power between the factions of the world could be upset, possibly broken, in a single day. If the Church were to get their hands on it…things could get bad quick.

"I've sent distress calls to the Captain and everyone back in Kuoh," said Kyoka. "All we can do now is wait and collect information as it comes by."

"Masamune?" asked Ryusei. "Any news on our vagabond?"

Kyoka shook her head. "He's still missing."

Ryusei clicked his tongue in frustration. "Where the hell is that idiot? We need him."

"Munecchi is smart," said Kyoka. "He knows the risks we're facing, we have to believe that he's doing something important."

"More important than…than that?" Ryusei pointed at the Grail. "There's a magic cup oozing out magic over one of the oldest cities in the world!"

"You thought the same thing about Houki didn't you?" asked Kyoka. "Have a bit of faith in our friends, Ryu-Kun. If we need him, he'll be here."

Ryusei sighed. "Fine, you're right."

Kyoka smiled. Ryusei was a bit rough around the edges, even after all this time, but he had his moments. There weren't that many people Kyoka trusted to have her back when the going gets tough, but Ryusei was definitely on top of that list.

"Ara," said a familiar voice. "It's so nice to see you making new friends, Kyoka-Chan."

Kyoka turned around to see her mentor, standing before them with a smile. Tall, with long silky blonde hair and clear blue eyes. She hadn't aged a day since the last time Kyoka saw her…five years ago. She wore a blue robe lined with intricate runes over what looked like a witch's outfit, fit with a black skirt and stockings and even a hat. She smiled graciously as she waved at Kyoka and Ryusei.

"L-Lavinia-San," said Kyoka.

Toshiro couldn't help but feel a bit afraid, standing in the Occult Research Club, awaiting for their departure for Rome. Rias Gremory was busy at work preparing Devils to go to Rome with them. While everyone was busy doing what they were supposed to be doing, he stood by the window of the club room looking out at the sun rising.

The end of the world…he never really thought about what it'd be like, but he knew he never expected the Devil to be back in the world. He didn't remember much about people, but he remembered the Bible. Armageddon was one of the things he'd rather not remember, seven trumpets heralding the beginning of the end. It was hard to believe that it was really upon them. And here he thought it was as simple as getting his memories back.

"If you always sulk like this," said Houki. "I will hit you."

Toshiro let out a relieved smile. "I can't really help it, can I? It feels like this is all my fault somehow."

Houki raised an eyebrow. "Oh? How so?"

"Well for one thing, it's clear that I wasn't entirely honest with everybody when I was myself," said Toshiro. "If my old self had told you all the truth to begin with, maybe things could've been different. Now, I don't even know what the truth is anymore."

"True," said Houki. "But killing yourself over it won't do anybody any good, will it?"

"Really encouraging Houki," Toshiro smiled awkwardly.

"She's right," said Jushiro, joining them. "We just have to keep moving one day at a time, and just make sure we don't make those same mistakes again."

"Stop trying to sound smart Jushiro," said Houki. "It's gross."

"You can be a real bitch, you know that?" Jushiro scowled.

"Why thank you," said Houki with a triumphant smile.

"Toshiro-Kun," said Issei, walking towards him.

"We'll give you two some space," said Houki. "You have a lot to talk about."

Houki and Jushiro left to join Rias and her Queen, while Issei joined Toshiro by the window. To think that a 17 year old high school student is in possession of a Sacred Gear with the spirit of a dragon sealed in it, but then again who was he to talk.

"I'm sorry to drag you into this Issei," said Toshiro. "I know this isn't exactly what you'd wanna do."

Issei raised an eyebrow. "What, are you kidding me? This is great!"

Toshiro blinked a few times. "It…It is?"

"Don't get me wrong, learning that I'm responsible for potentially waking up the Devil and ending the world isn't exactly the news that brightens up my day," said Issei, looking at his arm. "But at the same time, I know that I can also stop it. I have power now, I'm not some helpless kid who was tricked by a Fallen Angel anymore. I can help people, protect my friends, fight for my family. I'm scared, yes…but at the same time knowing that I'm not alone in this, that I have you and Asia, and Prez…it gives me some form of peace."

Issei was full of surprises after all. Toshiro's entire perception of Issei was completely. He wasn't just a kind hearted Devil, he was also hopeful and strong. Toshiro wondered if he can be like that too.

"You're right," said Toshiro with a smile.

"Guys," said Genta. "We're ready."

The two boys faced the group before them. They had Rias Gremory and her peerage: her Queen Himejima Akeno, her Knight Kiba Yuuto, her Rook Toujou Koneko, her Bishop Asia Argento, and her Pawn Hyoudou Issei. Not to mention Toshiro, Genta, Jushiro, Houki, as well as Xenovia, Irina, and Dulio. Kyoka and Ryusei will show up for sure, and not to mention there was still one member of the Generals Toshiro hadn't met yet. All and all…not a lot of people to go up against enemies they had no knowledge on.

"Most likely the Church will be there," said Dulio. "They think it's their ancestral right to own the Holy Grail."

"And not to mention the Mage's Association," said Houki. "They'll be there for sure."

"Along with a plethora of other factions we don't know about," said Rias. "This could be a blood bath."

Jushiro smiled wickedly. "Sounds great."

Houki chopped his head to keep him quiet.

"We have to fight the Church…" said Irina.

"We've made our choice Irina," said Xenovia. "If we are to die today, let us have no regrets."

Irina found her courage and nodded.

"I received the distress call from Kyoka-Chan, they're in Rome right now," said Houki. "We can head out at any time."

"Alright then," said Toshiro. "Let's go save the world."

"It's been a long time, Kyoka-Chan," said Lavinia. "You're all grown up now, aren't you?"

Kyoka was frozen in place. She couldn't move. Why couldn't she move? She punched her legs to try and get them to work, but…

Ryusei placed a hand on her shoulder. He shot her a smile before walking forward.

"Lavinia Reni I presume," said Ryusei. "A pleasure. My name is-"

"I know who you are, Arashikage Ryusei," said Lavinia. "And I must say, the stories don't do you justice. You're much cuter in person."

"Thank you," said Ryusei. "But I would rather you save your strength. I won't fall for any of your tricks."

Lavinia smirked. "Oh? What a surprise…"

"S-Shiro…" said Kyoka. "You stole Shiro's memories, didn't you?"

Lavinia smiled. "I did, but stealing makes me sound like a criminal doesn't it? Is it really stealing if he asked me to?"

Kyoka widened her eyes. "He…He what?"

"You're lying," said Ryusei. "The Captain wouldn't-"

"I met him when he landed in Kuoh," said Lavinia. "That man sure loves to make me wait, but I did as he instructed and collected his memories into a conceptual artifact. He said it was urgent that he never gets them back."

"Tell us why!" cried Kyoka. "Why would he do all of this?"

"Surely you must know of the Prophecy by now," said Lavinia. "The Prophecy of the Starless Night?"

"Lucifer's awakening," said Ryusei. "We know."

"Well in that case, do you know what 'the sins of humanity' means?" asked Lavinia.

The sins of humanity…Lavinia was right, that was a part of the Prophecy, but they had never deciphered it before.

"Lucifer's awakening is the endgame," said Lavinia. "You've read the Bible, have you not? Seven trumpets shall herald the arrival of the Beast…now what could that possibly mean?"

Seven trumpets…Lucifer…the Devil…

"You can't mean…" said Kyoka.

"The Sins of humanity," said Lavinia. "It's more than just a saying. The Seven Deadly Sins aren't just concepts anymore child, they are Lucifer's personal kill squad, created from Lucifer's own being. They will bring forth the Horsemen, and the world will be primed for Lucifer's awakening."

Kyoka took a second to process this new information. The Seven Deadly Sins were the vices of humanity: Pride, Wrath, Greed, Lust, Envy, Sloth, Gluttony. And the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Death, Famine, War, Pestilence.

"Oh my god…" said Ryusei.

"The Sins are one thing, but the Horsemen are a whole different breed of chaos," said Lavinia. "And unlike Devils and Angels, their original bodies were destroyed eons ago during the War. If they were to walk the Earth again, like Lucifer, they'll need vessels to possess and act as their own. What could be a better vessel than the Blue Dragon Monarch?"

"You're saying that the Captain knew about all of this," said Ryusei. "And he let his memories be stolen to prevent himself from being used as a vessel?"

"If his connection with Trishula is broken," said Lavinia. "Then all he has is Divine Sunderer, not the Blue Dragon Monarch. He'd be a regular Sacred Gear user, nothing to pop on the Horsemen's radar if they were to escape."

Kyoka would have been impressed with Shiro's plan, if it weren't completely messed up. He knew all of this, the Prophecy and all, and he still chose to kept all of it quiet. He chose to sacrifice himself to not let the Horsemen have a vessel they can fight with…

"Shiro's memories," said Kyoka. "Where is it?"

Lavinia held out her hand as a ball of blue light manifested. It was a crystal orb, but spiraling inside it was pure magic. Like neurons firing off, it almost looked alive.

"A conceptual artifact isn't easy to produce," said Lavinia. "But I am a genius after all."

"So what are we supposed to do?" asked Ryusei. "You're saying that no matter what we do, they'll still escape?"

"I don't know," said Lavinia. "I don't have all the answers I'm afraid, but it appears as though you have bigger issues to deal with then me right now…"

Archive's defensive system activated, materializing multiple monitors.

"W-What?" asked Kyoka. "They're here already?"

"Who?" asked Ryusei.

Ryusei got his answer when multiple arrows were shot from the trees. Ryusei jumped away, standing in front of Kyoka in a defensive formation, as individuals emerged from the treeline. There were three of them, five total including the two hidden in the trees. They all wore long white robes with the insignia of the church emblazened on their chests. On their backs were the Japanese kanji for two, encased in a black diamond.

"Yo," said the one in the middle, removing their hood to reveal the face of a young woman, with long brown hair and green eyes. "Long time right?"

"Captain Elizabeth," said Kyoka. "So the Church sent the Captain of squad 2 and her team to capture us?"

"Well not exactly," said Elizabeth. "Personally, if it were up to me, I'd have you both in chains and slugging you back to the Vatican, but I'm afraid the higher ups are after something far more valuable."

"You're here for the Grail," said Ryusei.

"Ding ding!" cried Elizabeth. "As clever as always Ryusei. Now, if you don't mind-"

Ryusei turned around quickly and charged at Kyoka, grabbing her by the waist and jumping off the cliff and down towards the ground.

"W-What the hell!" cried Kyoka.

Kyoka screamed as they ripped through the air and plummeted towards the ground, barely escaping death when Ryusei boosted off of the cliff side and jumped from tree to tree into the city.

"What are you doing!" cried Kyoka.

"We don't have time to deal with Elizabeth and her madness," said Ryusei. "We need to buy time, wait until the others get here. We can't take on a Captain by ourselves."

Kyoka gritted her teeth as she pulled up Archive once again. "I'll establish a neural link with Shiro. We can-"

"Ara," said a female voice besides them. "Why are running Ryusei-Kun? It's been so long since we've had a chat."

Kyoka could see how visibly distraught Ryusei was when he heard those words. Running besides them was the Lieutenant of squad 2, Jiu. Short purple hair with streaks of white, her eyes were always closed and had a playful smile on her face even in the face of absolute danger.

"You stay the hell away from me Jiu!" cried Ryusei, speeding up.

"Neural link established," said Kyoka. "Relaying message."

Something was wrong…

"I-It's no use!" cried Kyoka. "The Grail's completely disrupting Archive somehow, I can't contact Shiro or the others."

"Then we make our stand," said Ryusei.

Upon reaching the city, Kyoka noticed that something was wrong. All over Rome, there were unconscious civilians laying all around.

"The Grail's miasma," said Ryusei. "Looks like it was too much for them."

Ryusei arrived at a large open courtyard set with a fountain and four paths leading to other parts of the city.

The exorcists from squad 2 caught up to them in no time, surrounding them completely. Captain Elizabeth walked forward with a gleeful smile on her face.

"Come on Ryusei, Kyoka," said the Captain. "Don't make this any harder than it has to be."

A bright light materialized a long ethereal bow from the metal of Ryusei's bracelet. A long curved bow with arms made of concentrated hard light and no visible string.

"Don't think your little toy bow makes you an archer," said one of the archers, drawing back his bow.

Jiu shot out multiple blades from the inside of her cloak as they levitated and floated around her, encircling her like clockwork.

Kyoka knew about Jiu and her Sacred Gear, Blade Dance. An anti-army Sacred Gear capable of making unlimited copies of the wielder's chosen weapon, upon which the user can freely control.

"Here they come," said Kyoka.

Kyoka and Ryusei managed to dodge the incoming shots, as Jiu shot her blades, exploding on contact with the ground or whatever they pierced. Kyoka blocked some of the shots with multiple magic circles, however the movement of dodging the swords left her open to the arrows. She winced in pain as an arrow from the archers lodged in her shoulder.

"If you're gonna do something," Kyoka gritted her teeth, breaking off the arrow head and pulling the remainder of the arrow out. "Do it now."

Ryusei had a cold look in his eyes as he landed atop the fountain.

"Using swords as projectiles…" Ryusei materialized his own sword, using basic alchemy from the fountain and the ground. Lightning sparked as the atoms from the fountain bricks broke down and reconstructed into a spiral sword in his hands. Ryusei knocked the sword on the bow and pulled it back, the sword becoming an arrow. "Get on my level you half baked amateur."

Ryusei shot the arrow straight into the air as it broke apart.

Jiu placed a hand over her eyes as she looked up. "Looks like your little attack failed Ryusei."

"Scatter!" cried Captain Elizabeth.

Kyoka watched as hundreds of arrows rained down from the sky like an act of the gods, piercing the ground and elongating to trap anybody they touched.

"Ara…" said Jiu, struggling to move her arms. "Sorry Captain! Looks like I'm stuck!"

"Idiot…" Captain Elizabeth sighed. "I see you're still as sharp as ever, Ryusei. I never read anything about the Epirus Bow being able to do that."

"There's a lot you don't know about me, Captain," said Ryusei, pulling back on his bow and materialized an arrow of light.

"You know," said Captain Elizabeth. "I was going to peacefully ignore you guys and just take the Grail before the others do, you know earn squad 2 some points, but seeing as you've immobilized my entire squad…I can't just sit back and do nothing, now can I?"

"You're in no position to make threats," said Kyoka.

She wasn't exactly the best at it, but being in so many fights with Shiro…she figured it'd be easy enough.

Using the excess of mana filling the air from the Grail, she casted an ice spell that froze the particles in the air of the entire courtyard, creating a dense and foggy terrain.

She had fought alongside Ryusei for a long time, she knew that he was at his best element in darkness. Seeing as it was the middle of the day in Rome, the next best thing would be creating a smoke screen for Ryusei to play off of.

She knew that the immobilizing attack wouldn't last forever, the members of squad 2 were already beginning to break free of the prison. She knew she was almost useless in a straight on fight, but the least she can do is provide him with as much support as she can.

"Thanks, Kyoka…" Ryusei's voice echoed as he vanished into the mist.

Kyoka could hardly make out Jiu as she broke free of her restraints, her swords spiraling around her.

"You know you can't fight me Kyoka-Chan," said Jiu. "Just let me take you in, pretty please?"

"Not on your life you maniac."

Multiple magic circles opened up around her, encasing herself in a barrier made of lightning.

Jiu's swords basically stopped midair as soon as they made contact with the lightning.

"Ara," said Jiu. "Quite a bothersome spell, from a bothersome little girl."

An arrow of light shot from the darkness, hitting Jiu directly in her leg. Multiple more shot zoomed from the mist, taking down the archers one by one.

Kyoka had to keep up the mist, the more everyone moves the faster the mist will tear apart. She continued to freeze the air particles as fast as she could, but Archive was still buggy from the Grail…

"Dammit," said Kyoka. "Come on old girl…"

"I've had quite enough of this," said Captain Elizabeth.

The wind began to pick up, like a vortex of a tornado, pulling in the air. Surrounding Captain Elizabeth was an orb of air that completely blew away the mist with a single gesture of the Captain's hands.

Kyoka clicked her tongue. She knew that their odds of fighting a Captain of the Church's Inquisition Squads were slim, even more so with only one adept at combat, but this was too much.

Elizabeth Wayland lived up to her nickname…The Airwalker.

The Captain held out her hand as Kyoka dropped to her knees, the air virtually being sucked from her lungs. She grabbed her throat, trying to breath but it was like trying to breath fire. Her throat burned as the air was sucked from her body.

"Kyoka!"

Ryusei jumped down and shot multiple arrows at Captain Elizabeth, however they stopped before they could touch her. The Epirus Bow created arrows made entirely of light, infused with magic to harden and weren't affected by gravity. Meaning they would travel infinitely until they hit their target, however Captain Elizabaeth was creating enough pressure to counteract the arrow's own force, completely immobilizing them.

She turned the arrows around and pushed them forward. Ryusei would have been skewered if he hadn't shot more arrows, breaking the incoming projectiles.

The air began to swirl around Captain Elizabeth, lifting her up as she approached Ryusei and Kyoka, who could finally begin to breath again. Her body felt heavy, like she was lugging around double her weight.

"Forgive me," said the Captain.

The air shot at the two of them. Judging from their speed, it'd be the same as being strapped to the ground as a jet took off in front of them. They'd be ripped to shreds.

"Dammit…" said Kyoka. "So this is where it ends…"

She closed her eyes and braced for the impact, when a pair of arms wrapped themselves around her.

Ryusei stabbed the Epirus Bow into the ground, and shielded Kyoka with his back.

Kyoka watched in horror as Ryusei braced the force of the entire attack, and strapping himself in place.

"Y-You idiot!" cried Kyoka. "What are you doing! You'll die!"

"They…They need you…More than me…" said Ryusei, as blood began to drip from the edge of his lips.

"Stop it!" cried Kyoka, pulling on his collar. "Ryusei! Stop!"

"Just…make sure you get…his memories back," said Ryusei with a smile. "He's an idiot…if he doesn't have you."

"I'd be an idiot if I didn't have you!" cried Kyoka, tears beginning to form in her eyes. "You can stop Ryusei! Please…" She pressed her head against Ryusei's chest. "Please…don't die Ryusei…"

The wind finally died down. Captain Elizabeth looked down at them with pity as Ryusei dropped over, and unmoving. Kyoka looked at his back, her hands covering her mouth to refrain from screaming. His skin was completely torn to ribbons, gashes and slices so deep that she could see bone.

"It didn't have to be this way," said the Captain. "But now you return to the Church and pay for your crimes."

"Ryusei…" said Kyoka, shaking his body. His eyes were closed with a smile on his face. "Ryusei…Hey, come on. Wake up you idiot." She tried to hold back her tears. "Come on Ryusei…please…" He can't be dead, he can't be. "Ryu-Kun…"

Captain Elizabeth finally landed on the ground, walking towards them. She knelt down and placed a hand on Kyoka's shoulder.

"I will bring him home, and give him a proper burial."

Kyoka gritted her teeth as she shoved the Captain's hand away.

"You stay the hell away from him!" Kyoka covered Ryusei's body with her own, crying as she shot eyes full of hatred at the Captain. "I swear I'm gonna kill you!"

"Please Kyoka," said Captain Elizabeth. "Don't-"

Kyoka heard the sound of flapping wings, as a hand shot out and grabbed Captain Elizabeth's neck and lifting her up.

Standing before her and surrounding her…were her friends.

Jushiro stood tall, the tattoos on his body glowing a brilliant white as his grip on the Captain's neck tightened. She had never seen Jushiro's eyes like this, so full of hatred and contempt.

Genta wasn't the same either, drawing his sword silently as he walked towards the Inquisition Captain.

"What have you done?" asked Jushiro, eyes so full of rage and hatred…yet shedding tears of sadness.