Author's Note - Sorry for the hiatus guys! I had to deal with some family trouble so the chapters might be a bit late but I'll get back to writing more and more as the days go on. This chapter might be a bit iffy because it's somewhat rushed but I'll try and keep up with my standards for chapters in the upcoming ones. Anyways I hope you guys like it!

8

"Looks like Vali was dead on about that cup," said a tall young man with spiky brown hair and a tail, carrying a long staff. "Do you think we should call him?

Laying on a tree branch, watching the entertainment unfold in the city of Rome from a safe place hidden on the outskirts of the city, Kuroka yawned as she stretched her arms.

"We've been watching for hours Kuroka," said Bikkou. "All that's happened was a bit of wind started cutting an archer. Not too much to report back."

"Might wanna take another look Bikkou," said Kuroka, resting her cheek on her fist. "It looks like the fun isn't over yet."

Bikkou placed a hand over his eyes and gazed into the city. "No fricking way…he actually showed up?"

"I knew the Holy Grail would be too tempting for him not to come," said Kuroka. "Both of them honestly."

"Wait a minute," said Bikkou. "The Red Dragon Emperor's with them too. This could get kind of rough Kuroka."

"Then we are definitely not calling Vali," said Kuroka. "Three Heavenly Dragons in one city is bad enough, if we add an unknown variable like Vali…this beautiful city might not make it till tomorrow."

"So what, we just observe?" asked Bikkou. "The Grail is right there, why don't we just snag it?"

"Because it isn't a part of the Prophecy," said Kuroka. "Just sit back and watch Bikkou, things are definitely about to get more interesting."

Bikkou fell down on his butt and crossed his legs, looking out into the city. Truth be told, she was kind of irritated that Vali stuck her with a recon mission, and with an idiot like Bikkou of all people. If she weren't working for Vali, she would have snatched that cup and run off by now. But instead…she had to watch of prepubescent teenagers kill each other for it. But that would mean she gets to witness the Blue Dragon Monarch and Black Dragon King for a bit…maybe this won't be such a bad mission after all.

Toshiro's body felt numb. His ears began to ring as the voices around him dimmed and his vision growing black and white. He couldn't think about anything, any thoughts running through his mind were tossed out as all he could process was Ryusei's lifeless body on the ground.

"Asia!" cried Rias.

"I-I'm on it!"

Asia Argento knelt down and placed her hands over Ryusei's back as a green light glowed from the rings on her fingers.

"Oh no…" said Asia, panic in her eyes. "His tissues have been damaged way too much, all the way to his spine. There's too much internal damage to his organs and…his spine."

Toshiro saw Houki balling her fist, and glancing over to Jushiro holding that lady by the throat.

"Jushiro," said Houki. "Let her down."

"Are you out of your fucking mind!" cried Jushiro. "She just killed Ryusei in cold blood, if you expect me to not get payback you're-"

"I'm not repeating myself," said Houki in a cold voice. "That's an order."

Jushiro gritted his teeth before tossing her in front of Houki. The lady had long brown hair and green eyes, dazed over from the air blocking her throat.

"Captain Elizabeth Wayland," said Houki. "I'm going to ask you once, and only once. How many of the others are here? From the Church."

Elizabeth growled. "As if I'd tell you-"

Genta, without saying a single word, drew his katana and ran it straight into Elizabeth's leg, locking her in place. Elizabeth's screams rang and echoed throughout the city.

"Captain!" cried a girl with short purple hair, with streaks of white. "You mutt! Get the hell away from her!"

Houki held out her hand and shot a bolt of lightning from her fingertip. The girl was completely electrocuted and fell to her knees.

"Elizabeth," said Houki, her eyes growing colder as emotion escaped her. "You have a total of 206 bones in your body, a plethora of internal organs and most of which I can bend and break and you still won't die. That gives me a lot of toys to play with…I hope you're mental fortitude as strong as your magic."

This is the reality of your world, Ozora Toshiro.

"Trishula…" said Toshiro. "Is he…Is Ryusei-"

He is. I'm sorry my friend.

"Is there any way to bring him back?" asked Toshiro. "There's got to be a spell or something…He can't just-"

"Magic can do many things," said Rias. "But bringing a person back from the dead, and keeping them the same is almost unheard of. I can Reincarnate him…but-"

"No," said Houki. "If Ryusei is dead, then he dies as a human. Now Elizabeth, how many of the Inquisition Squads are here in Rome?"

Elizabeth gritted her teeth. "Never…"

Jushiro held up his leg and stomped down on the ground, creating a loud explosion. Elizabeth screamed as Jushiro removed his foot, revealing a crushed hand.

Toshiro knelt down and placed a hand on Kyoka, who had remained silent the entire time. He couldn't even begin to comprehend how she was feeling right now, but all he can do is be there for her.

"Kyoka…" said Toshiro.

"Three!" cried Elizabeth. "There's three squads from the Inquisition in Rome! Squads 2, 5, and 7."

Jushiro picked up Elizabeth's body and tossed her to the side, running over and checking on Ryusei's body.

"Asia…any luck?" asked Houki.

Asia shook her head. "I've managed to the stop the bleeding and cauterized the cuts, but he's already lost too much blood. There's nothing else I can…"

Houki stooped down and took Ryusei's hand. "Thank you my friend. Ave atque vale."

Those words instantly translated in Toshiro's mind. Hail and farewell.

Houki opened a magic circle as Ryusei's body was submerged in a cocoon of water, before falling into the circle.

"We'll give him a proper burial when we return," said Houki. "And we will return."

Toshiro didn't know what to think…what to say…he had never lost a friend before, at least not that he could remember. He couldn't feel sad because he was angry, he couldn't grieve because he couldn't process it.

"The Grail," said Houki. "Let's recover it quickly before the other squads get here."

"I doubt that," said Genta. "The other squads are probably here already, if anything we're probably surrounded right now."

Kyoka wiped her teary eyes dry and activated Archive.

"Genta's right," said Kyoka, her hands still shaking. "I sense multiple large groups converging on our spot."

Toshiro watched as the four of them began to strategize. How were they able to function like this having just lost a friend? They were able to compartmentalize and function according to the mission…they were amazing.

"I'm sorry Toshiro-San," said Asia. "I'm supposed to be a healer, but I…"

"It's okay Asia," said Toshiro. "You did all you could."

Time seemed to slow down. Toshiro's body reacted almost instinctively as he moved his head to the side and grabbed an arrow homing straight for his head. The arrow completely froze over.

Genta and Jushiro jumped at him, circling him.

"What now!" cried Jushiro.

"Nobody else dies today," said Genta.

Toshiro heard the sound of a maniacal laughter rang throughout the entire courtyard. The sound of it sent chills down Toshiro's spine…it was unlike anything he had ever heard.

"Finally!" cried a voice from the distance. "My brothers have finally gathered, the show can finally begin!"

Toshiro reacted on instinct, jumping at Issei and pushing him out of the way as a knife pierced his arm.

"Toshiro!" cried Houki.

"Toshiro-Kun!" cried Issei, helping him up. "Why did you-"

"He's here," Toshiro said, pulling the knife out of his arm. "Come out here you psychopath!"

The laughter came closer as a swarm of bats spiraled into a pillar, and bursting apart as the masked man materialized. He held his head and laughed, facing Toshiro and the others.

"That sick son of a…" Genta growled.

Toshiro then realized what he meant. In the man's other hand was the head of a person…freshly cut and still spewing blood. Toshiro assumed it to be an exorcist, a part of the group that was surrounding them.

"Trishula…Ddraig…it has been far too long since the three of us of faced one another," said the masked man. "Come now, let us put on a show worthy of the gods!"

Toshiro stepped forward. "Houki, Rias, you guys take everyone and secure the Grail. Issei and I will stay here and deal with this guy."

"You can't be serious," said Houki. "Even as you are, we have no idea how far Homura's integrated with this man."

"All the more reason it should be the two of us," said Toshiro. "What say you Issei?"

"I won't let anyone else die today," said Issei, standing besides him. "Prez, please go. Leave this guy to us."

"We'll stay with them," said Xenovia. "Irina and I have a score to settle with this guy."

Irina nodded, reassuring the group.

"You better not die on me, Toshiro," said Houki.

"We'll see you on the other side, Captain," said Genta, with a reassuring smile.

"Come on," said Dulio. "I can take us to the Grail, but we still have to deal with the other exorcists, not to mention any other faction who came here."

"We'd better hurry," said Akeno.

Toshiro didn't bother to glance back at the others as they ran away, doing so might have changed his mind and made him realize how terrible of an idea this might be.

"So you're the Black Dragon King," said Toshiro. "Does this mean you want the Holy Grail as well?"

"I have no need for such a chalice," said Homura.

"Then what do you want?" asked Issei. "Why are you doing all of this?"

Homura cracked up with laughter. "The world is far too small to let such greed conquer your being. It is much more fun to see the world burn. As you choose to fight for the light, I choose to kill for the darkness."

"So why exactly do you want to kill us?" asked Xenovia.

"Kill you? Why would I wanna kill you?" asked Homura. "You two mongrels aside, Trishula and Ddraig are my brothers. Why would I wanna kill you? You complete me."

Toshiro shivered. He never thought he'd hear those words coming from a deranged maniac.

"Come brothers! Let us enjoy each other to our heart's content!"

Toshiro activated Divine Sunderer, letting his body absorb the solar radiation from the sun. Flames burst from his feet, launching him forward.

Homura materialized a curved sword from his coat.

"Grow strong, my brother!" Homura swung his sword at Toshiro, but he used Trishula's authority over ice to fortify his forearms into hard crystal, blocking the attack.

Boost!

Issei caught up with Toshiro, appearing behind Homura and punching him forward. Toshiro used his hardened arm to attack with a lariat, slamming Homura into the ground into a large crater.

"D…Did we…" said Issei.

"I doubt it," said Toshiro.

Homura let out a laugh. "So strong…so magnificent…What splendid power!"

Homura jumped up to his feet. "Activate…Abyssal Madness!"

Homura's feet changed into an armor like pair of boots. Almost matching the style of Issei's Boosted Gear, two red jewels were stored into the sockets on his knees with spikes protruding outward.

"Hey Trishula," said Toshiro. "Does Divine Sunderer have a weapon like that too?"

Just call out its name and focus.

"Screw it," said Toshiro. "Engage, Divine Sunderer!"

A golden light glowed from Toshiro's right hand. His forearm was replaced with a similar design of Issei's left arm, the Boosted Gear, but it was on Toshiro's right hand. His fingers transformed into blue claws, with a golden jewel on the back of his hand. He wielded a long sword that seemed to have been built into the gauntlet, a long katana with a star shaped hilt.

"Holy shit…" said Toshiro.

"So that's Divine Sunderer…" said Irina. "I've never seen it before."

"You haven't?" asked Toshiro.

"You never materialized it in front of us before," said Xenovia.

Toshiro felt so…natural, holding this sword. He swung it around as if he had done it a hundred times before.

"Let's have us a show," said Homura. "Shall we?"

Houki was always good at compartmentalizing. The mere act of multitasking was what she was good at, keeping calm under pressure made her thrive. But there was always an extent to it. This…This was it for her.

She could see that Jushiro and Genta were trying their best to maintain their cool as they all ran across the rooftops of the roman buildings, making their way to the Grail. She had lost comrades in battle before, they all have. The day that they became exorcists was the day that they made peace with death, but seeing one of her closest friends dead on the ground was more than she could take.

"Dulio," said Genta. "How far?"

"It's just ahead," Dulio pointed up at the sky. The Grail was amassing power, siphoning all the magic in the air and releasing it at the same time. It was completely unhinged and uncontained, a ticking time bomb of pure magic power.

"If that thing draws enough magic," said Houki. "It'll blow with a force that makes the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs look like an ordinary grenade."

"How do we even deal with it?" asked Rias.

"We have to bring it to Heaven," said Dulio. "If I can get my hands on it, I can teleport it to Lord Micheal and the Archangels. They're the only ones who can safely contain its power."

"Then we have our jobs," said Houki. "The rest of us will create a path for you straight to the Grail. You get it to Heaven and we end this."

They were approaching the Grail at a rapid pace, but all stopped on the top of a building when they saw it.

"They're fast," said Jushiro.

Gathered below, several meters away from them, were the other two remaining squads from the Holy Church. They were preparing a ritual of some sort, drawing a magic circle directly underneath the Grail.

"Squad 5," said Houki. "They're all magic users. If they finish that ritual, they'll be able to teleport the Grail directly to Vatican City."

"Vatican City isn't far from here," said Rias. "Why haven't they sent more people here?"

"They can't," said Kyoka. "The more people they send here, the less people they have working the other end of that circle. The spell works from both ways, like a door…they need people to open it from the other side. With squad 5 here, they have even less mages to work from the other side."

"We have to stop that ritual," said Dulio.

"These were our brothers and sisters…" said Jushiro, balling his fists and anger filling his eyes. "People we grew up with, fought alongside with, cried with…and they killed Ryusei without a second thought."

"Houki," said Genta. "With our Captain out on his own fight and our Lieutenant gone…you're in charge here. What do we do?"

This wasn't how Houki wanted to take a leadership role in this squad. She wanted to lead them because they wanted her, not because there was no other option. But with Toshiro completely void of his memories and Ryusei…she was all they had.

"Genta, Jushiro," said Houki. "Destroy that circle. Rias, I'm leaving Kyoka with you. I want the rest of us to disrupt this spell. Dulio, as soon as you see an opening, you charge at that Grail like your life depends on it."

"Finally…" Jushiro slammed his fists together. "I can finally blow off some steam."

The boys dropped to the ground and immediately went to work on the magic circle, destroying the very ground the circle was drawn upon. Houki dropped down with Kiba Yuuto, Toujou Koneko, and Himejima Akeno to back up the boys.

Houki landed, and immediately realized something was wrong. These exorcists weren't high level exorcists, just common squad members. There wasn't a single of the two captains who were supposed to be here…

She stopped and scanned the area. Use your head Houki, low spec fighters who excel at magic have to use their heads. Be clever Houki. There were around 10 exorcist mages and 20 combat exorcists…yet there wasn't a single Captain level exorcist in sight. Which means that…

"This is a trap," said Houki in horror. "Jushiro! Genta! Get back!"

Suddenly, beams of light shot from the sky and locked onto Jushiro, Genta, and Dulio, completely locking them into cryostasis.

"What the hell!" cried Kyoka.

Houki gritted her teeth. She should have known they'd use that technique, one of the highest level of Holy Magics that the exorcists uses to save one of their own and transport them back to Vatican City.

"Come out Thalia!" cried Houki.

Descending from the sky was a woman in her late twenties, with long green hair and jade eyes, wearing the Church's white robe with the Captain's cloak tied around her neck.

"So the traitors really came," said Thalia. "I was wondering why I hadn't heard from Elizabeth…seems like she jumped the gun when she and her squad went to scout."

Houki began to think. There weren't many ways to break through the cryostasis spell…but she knew what she had to do.

"I wish I can say it was nice to see you again Thalia," said Houki, forcing a smile. "Does this mean that the Vatican is use the Grail for their own wishes?"

"What we do is no longer any of your concern," said Thalia. "Stand down traitors, I won't tell you again."

"Houki?" asked Akeno. "Who is this?"

"Captain of the 5th Inquisition Squad, Thalia Mackenzie," said Houki. "A real bitch if I might add."

"The towers of light?" asked Kiba.

"Impenetrable," said Houki. "They're locked on the inside, no way out from the inside."

"From the inside?" asked Akeno. "Then that means-"

"We can break them out," said Houki. "One of them…anyway."

Houki racked her head. The likelihood of being able to destroy all three towers was low, but seeing as Akeno was here with her…they might be able to break one of them out. The one they need is…

"Kiba, Koneko," said Houki. "Can you two by us some time?"

"What's the plan?" asked Akeno.

"You're going to break out Dulio," said Houki. "He's the most important person we need right now…he's the most strongest."

"But…the others…" said Kiba.

"They'll be freed once we take down Thalia," said Houki, trying her best to compartmentalize.

"I understand," said Kiba. "We'll do our best."

Kiba and Koneko broke out into a fit as they began to disrupt the magic circle spell.

"One highly condensed shot of magic to any Dulio will break him free," said Houki. "He's probably already trying to break it from the inside, but he has to break through dozens of layers of magic circles. You're going to the same from the outside."

"Got it."

Houki stepped forward and faced Thalia, the second greatest mage in the Holy Church. Houki had fought alongside her dozens of times, but Houki had never imagined she'd get to fight against her in a situation like this.

"You don't think you can stop me, can you?" asked Houki. "How many times have I properly whooped you in combat practice Thalia? And without even using magic."

"Combat practice isn't the same thing as the real deal," Thalia's fingers began to spark with lightning.

Houki opened a magic circle under her feet as her body was enveloped by a golden light.

"Meteor!"

Houki slammed into Thalia's body and shot her back, only to be stopped by a force of wind projecting from Thalia's hand.

"Heavenly Body Magic," said Thalia. "I haven't seen you use it in awhile."

"This'll be the last time you do."

Houki looked back at Akeno. "Whenever you're ready."

Her only goal right now was to keep Thalia at bay until Akeno can break Dulio free.

"I just wanna know Houki," Thalia regained her footing on her magic circle. "Why'd you do it?"

"Do what?" asked Houki. "We didn't do anything. We were framed. Do you really think we would kill Kyoka-Chan's dad? What could we possibly gain out of that?"

"Then why did you run!" cried Thalia.

"We were friends Thalia," said Houki, drawing two magic circles with both her hands. "I don't wanna hurt you."

"We were friends," said Thalia, holding her hand out towards Houki. "You broke that friendship when you betrayed us."

There was no use breaking through to her. Thalia was a woman of proud and noble tradition, she wouldn't be swayed by her words. There wasn't anything Houki can do to convince her.

A blast of lightning came hurtling towards her. Houki blocked the attack with a simple magic circle and gritted her teeth. Thalia wasn't an easy opponent to defeat…if she was going to be able to defeat her…she'd need to use it.

From the corner of her eye, Houki saw Akeno preparing for the attack as Kiba and Koneko guarded her. If she was gonna do it…it had to be now.

Houki crossed her arms and held out her pointer and middle fingers.

Thalia's eyes widened as she recognized the spell she was about to cast. It seems that Kyoka recognized it as well, as the girl's voice screamed at her in her head.

"You absolute moron!" cried Kyoka. "Are you actually out of your mind? What are you trying to pull here?"

"There's not much of a choice here Kyoka-Chan," said Houki. "If I don't do this, I won't be able to beat her."

"I already lost Ryusei today…I'm not losing you too!"

Houki forcefully closed the telepathic link created by Lost Archive and turned her attention back to Thalia. Seven magic circles began to draw themselves in the sky in a formation that resembled a constellation as they opened with a golden glow.

"You're insane," said Thalia. "That spell will kill you along with me."

"Those are the lengths I'm willing to go to," said Houki. "Our Captain is risking his life for us…and Ryusei sacrificed himself. If they're willing to go through those risks…I can't very well not do the same."

Thalia glared at her. "Say I believe you…If I'm going to die anyways, I might as well ask. Toshiro…is he really gone? His memories, I mean. I heard the reports but…I didn't want to believe it."

"They're gone," said Houki. "He's not the person you and I remember, but he's still Ozora Toshiro, our Captain. And I'm going to do whatever it takes to protect him and everyone I care about…even if it means I die dragging you to hell with me."

"You wouldn't…"

Houki smirked as she brought her hands together, clapping them on top of each other. Her left hand pointed out her pointer and middle finger while her right hand on the bottom was open.

"Let's see about that, shall we?" said Houki. "May you be judges by the Seven Stars…"

The sky above them parted completely, to reveal a cosmic sky filled with stairs and constellations. The seven magic circles began to gather magic, a massive amount of magic from the Grail. With the Holy Grail here, the spell would be twice as powerful as it would be if Houki had cast it by herself.

The Heavenly Body Magic that rains judgement down upon the target as well as the caster. A direct link Heavenly Body spell that kills the caster as well as it's target…

"Grand…" said Houki. "Chariot!"