talk
Flashback
Demon
Chapter 24
Vali stared down his opponent with amusement. His Sacred Gear armor´s wings spread wide, arms crossed, and a smirk upon his face.
He always knew joining Kokabiel's side would allow him to fight strong opponents and had hoped to fight Sirzechs or even Sairaorg. But this man would do just fine, at least for now.
"I'm not surprise to find you here. Have you come to stop me, Slash Dog?"
Tobio stared right back at Vali. He still couldn't believe the man he saw as a younger brother would go this far just to fight strong opponents.
What pushed him to fight the top ten strongest beings in existents? Was he that obsessed with being the best wielder of the White Dragon Emperor?
Or was it something else?
"You disappoint me, Vali. Betraying Grigori, killing those who you called comrades, and threatening my nieces means I won't hold back."
His words sent a chill down the silver haired boy's spin. But it wasn't of fear, it was excitement! Excitement that he would finally get to fight Tobio all out!
"Finally! I've waited for this moment for a long time!" roared Vali as a bright light engulfed him before faded to reveal his Scale Mail.
"Prepare yourself, Slash Dog!"
But what Vali didn't know, was that Tobio also wouldn't hold back in breaking some of his bones
Asumoto felt his jaw slack, but he didn't pick it up. He was too shocked at the action and words of Rias Gremory.
The King must protect their servants…
…and she had done that very thing. By pushing him out of the way of an attack he hadn't seen coming till it was too late.
His grip on her form tightened as his mind looked back on the relationship shared with the red head.
When he was resurrected by the Devil, he felt nothing but hate and disgust toward her for turning him into, as he used to call it, her slave. He was convinced that she was interested in nothing but power and saw little in this time that changed his mind.
And so, he showed little to no respect for her in first two years of knowing her.
After being reprimand by her for never even giving her a chance to prove herself, he gave a vague description of his past. Which she, along with Tsubaki, Akeno, and Izumi helped him overcome.
He still didn´t like the idea to have been forced to become someone´s servant, not to mention a Devil, without ever giving his agreement. In fact, he hated it.
But Akeno and Tsubaki had brought up one good point. If he truly didn´t want to live as a Devil, why had he not taken his own life? Why had he not simply cute the queen piece out of his body and become human again at the cost of his death?
Instead he kept on hating her but stayed a Devil and part of her peerage.
When he was victorious in that fateful battle, he made his deal to try and become a human once more. But so far things weren't going as they should. Ajuka's experiments for it where taking longer than expect and now that the war was going on they would be delayed further.
Even if Ajuka could get the experiment to work, Asumoto would first have to win the deal made between master and servant. Which was having Rias trying to earn his trust.
In the weeks before and leading up to the war, he had started talking to Rias, to get to know her for who she truly was.
That didn't mean he still didn't trust her.
Her idea of forcing Issei into the Devil life had still lingered in his mind. Which he confronted her about today and promised to not do it again.
But now that promise seemed unlikely.
Akeno saw what had happened. After she had just watched Rias fall, taking an attack meant for Asumoto... she had, in a wild rage, nearly disintegrated the Fallen who had thrown the spear.
Kiba had watched it as well, unable to do anything, and was now starring at the bleeding form of his king
Why didn't he act before she did!? He should have jumped in the way of the attack aimed for Asumoto. While he was obsessed with destroying the Holy Swords, Kiba was nevertheless grateful to Rias for saving him.
Now that she was dead—
"Uhhh…"
!
Grey eyes widened at the faint moan.
Leaning closer to his King he listened careful and sure enough, he could still hear her heart beating, very faintly.
She still had life in her which meant…
"We need Asia!" He said franticly. He nearly forgot they had Asia in the panic of Rias getting hurt and her Twilight Healing could save their master.
It's no use, Kiba!" Asumoto countered with a shake of the head. "Asia is too far away." Thought he too was surprised she still had life in her, it wouldn't last. The wound was too fatal. She'd be dead by the time Asia got here.
Before an argument could commence a green glow and surge of magic from below caught their attention.
Looking at the sour, the trio were in disbelief at what they saw.
Asia Argento was releasing a large amount of magic form her Twilight Healing and, to their great surprise, was taking the shape of a bow, which soon was followed by an arrow primed and ready to fire. It's target being Rias.
It didn't take a genius to know what Asia was about to do. The real question though was, when and how had she been able to do it?
Was it due to her mastery of Twilight Healing? Or perhaps the powers of her Bishop trait doubling her power?
When she released the magical arrow, she collapsed to the floor, panting heavily from performing such a feat. The arrow soared through the air and upon hitting Rias, encased her in a green aura.
Akeno, Kiba, and Asumoto, watched the wound that surely should have ended the Devils life begin to slowly close.
Realizing he was leaving Rias dangerously exposed floating in the air with a healing wound and wanting to know Asia's secret. He descended to where she was, leaving Akeno and Kiba to continue battling the enemy.
"Asia. How did you do that? Where did you learn archery?"
"Yeah, that was awesome Asia-chan!?" Issei exclaimed, still in awe at what she performed.
Though she was exhausted from depleting all her magic the blonde nevertheless gave an answer.
"From you Asumoto, senpai."
Seeing the confusion on her friends faces she continued.
"I took to heart what you said about choosing who I must save. I have to use Twilight Healing for my friends. But..." she paused to regain some air in her lungs before continuing. "I knew I had to do more. I couldn't sit back and wait for people to come to me. If I was to help you all, I knew it had to be a way for me to stay out of the fighting while able to heal you. And I remembered the times you fired your bow and arrow. So, I practiced remembering how you used it, as well as shape my magic into it."
Ah- so, that's where the idea came from. It also explained why she rarely was with them for meetings. This girl was smarter than she appeared to be. The Church truly where fools to exile her.
He really was grateful to Raynare for trading Asia for Issei. Without the kind girl, he wasn't sure where they would be right now.
However, seeing the condition Asia was in meant she had depleted all her magic on that one act. Meaning she would be out of commission for the rest of the battle. \
Rias would be same until the wound fully healed. When it did she could rejoin the fight.
Before that could happen thought…
"Retreat! Everyone! Retreat!"
"Look at that! Their running for the forest!" Zion exclaimed, watching the teenagers flee.
When Rias Queen announced those words, everyone turned and began a mad dash or flight toward the trees. Trying to gain as much distance between them and the Grigori army. The Twilight Healings possessor having to be carried, just like Lucifer's sister.
"Send the whole army after them."
"With pleasure," Zion said with a satisfied smirk. At last he could finally kill Devils! He blew his horn and rushed forward, the veterans of the task force held back followed suit. Screaming and waving their weapons.
Kokabiel was no fool. These kids were preforming a tactical retreat this meant they were going to use the terrain to their advantage to launch sneak attacks on his men.
He was also quite certain more enemies where within that forest waiting to pick their troops off when they enter. Perhaps that was where the Sitri group, along with the other Nekomata may be hiding. This could explain why they weren't present on the battlefield.
`Nevertheless, even if they have a trap,´ Kokabiel thought by himself. `It will fail. They are doomed.´
He turned to one of his lower ranking Fallen. "Send word to Hazael, I have Lucifer's sister cornered. And I want an update on the invasion as well."
Then he turned his red eyes back to his army. "Retrieve the Holy Swords and kill them all except Gremory, Sitri, and Baraqiel's daughter. I want them alive! For the moment," he added.
Alive? Tch, yeah right! These Devils wouldn't surrender. Zion knew Kokabiel wanted to kill them personally, but he should have done it himself instead of sending his men to capture those three.
As he drew closer to the forest he saw a handful of Fallen and Exorcist rush in. Hoping to be the first to fine and kill the enemy.
Zion slowed his paced and glided pass trees while keeping an eye out for any movement.
"Stay close! They're here somewhere!"
The question was where? Further in the forest, or perhaps to that old school building, or maybe even into the academy
"Ara!"
Everyone stopped at the voice. Weapons raised and in battle positions.
"Ara. Ara. Ufufuf!"
Spins tingled at the laugh. It was the Yamato Nadeshiko - The Priestess of Thunder - Baraqiel's daughter!
"Do not fret.," Zion reassured. "This is merely a trick to scare us! These Devils are trying to play dirty!"
Just then, a hazy mist began to slowly appear. It passed by feet like a river. Getting thicker with each step further into the woods.
"Wah!"
A scream of terror came from the left, followed by another from the far right.
Zion's eyes flickered left and right, trying to see through the fog for any movement. But only could hear more screams emanating further in the forest. Followed by yelling.
"Where are they!?"
"I can't see anything!"
"Fly above to get a bird's eye view!" Zion ordered one of the soldiers.
But before his subordinate had any chance to do that, Zion heard a gasp followed by a thud next to him. He turned to find a Fallen lying dead in the dirt with an arrow through his head.
Only after another laugh of the priestess did it dawn on him that these kids didn't come here to hide. They lured them into a trap!
No sooner had he realized his mistake in charging in, the sound war cry's rent the air followed by a barrage of magic.
A large water dragon with thunder surrounding it smashed into a huddled group of Fallen, too slow to react to it's sudden appearance.
The magical attacks where followed by the sound of flesh getting sliced open by weapons. The Knight and Church argents no doubt.
"We gotta get out of here!" a panic-stricken Exorcist yelled, turning and running from the fight as fast as he could.
"Stand your ground you!" ordered Zion. "Whoever runs away has to answer to me." He would not let a bunch of kids send him running.
"Zion! In the fog!"
The shout and finger point shifted Zion's gaze back forward. He could see specters in the fog charging them.
Their they were!
Summoning a light spear, he threw it with all his might at the one charging, who obviously had to be Gremory's Queen. The armor was a dead give-away, even in the fog.
The spear of light hit the samurai, but he kept charging. Zion's eyes widened in disbelief. How was that possible!? That should have knocked him off his feet!
Zion threw another spear, but still the Devil didn't go down. Why was he—?
Raw!
Out of the fog came a large water dragon towards him!
Reacting on instincts, the Cadre spread his wings to fly away from the dragon while throwing large axe made of light at the dragon to stall it.
It smashed into the dragon's head which cause a bright explosion to occur.
Now out of danger for the moment, he turned and flew as fast as he could out of the forest while signaling the retreat. He wasn't sure how many had fallen in this trap, but if they moved fast enough they could...
"Look out!"
"Agh!"
He watched the Exorcist, trying to escape, run right into the Devils of not Rias, but Sona Sitri's peerage! With then, he noticed, where Fallen Angels wearing the letter A on their outfits!
This was their plan wasn't it!? They lured them in and have Sitri's peerage and those traitorous Fallen ambush them. Very clever.
Weapons of light, magic, and swords, hit Exorcist after Exorcist that tried to flee, while their Fallen superiors flew through the tree tops to escape the slaughter occurring in the forest.
Unlike most of his fellow Fallen, Zion was one of the lucky few to not sustain any wounds in that ambush. When he returned to Kokabiel. The Cadre was grinning from ear to ear like a madman.
"What are you smiling about!?" Zion roared with fury. "You knew it was a trap didn't you!? You knew and send us in anyway, so we could get slaughtered! You think this is funny to send your men into suicide missions!? Why not you go in there and—?"
"I think you should be more worried about what's behind and not in front of you Zion," Kokabiel said without a care in the world that he was being yelled at by one of his subordinates.
Zion did and what he saw made his brow raise in surprise.
Like a hoard of zombies searching for brains, the peerages of Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri, along allies came marching out of the forest. Leading this small army were Baraqiel's daughter, the Nekoshou and samurai.
As angry as he were at his leader right now, it had to wait, Zion realized.
"I must admit this new plan worked perfectly," said Sona with a half smirk.
This had been Asumoto's plan all along. Weather it was against Kokabiel and his Fallen or the Old Satan Faction, Asumoto planned for Sona's peerage to lie in wait for the enemy to be lured into the forest to surround them. This trap, coupled with Sona and Kuroka casting illusion magic shaped like them, and knowledge of the terrain, was calculated to deliver a major blow to enemy numbers.
And it had done just that. Thought most of the Fallen escaped, many rogue Exorcist's that went into the forest wouldn't be coming out ever again
Those that did, as Sona saw, where still running as fast as they could to get back to friendly territory.
What none of them counted on was the assistance of the Fallen Angel's still in Kuoh. When they got word of what was about to go down, every one of them came to the school to help defend it against Kokabiel.
Their help was greatly appreciated. This strengthened their numbers and gave them a bigger force to ambush Kokabiel's forces.
"Asumoto-san sure is a genius."
"Indeed, he is Kaichou-sama," Tsubaki agreed. "However, I am concerned that Asia-chan, and Rias-sama won't be of help."
Sona looked over her shoulder. At the back of the group was Rias and Asia, both supported by a Fallen Angel.
The Sitri heiress had been horrified when hearing her friend had nearly died saving Asumoto's life. Thought she was sure now that she was safe. For now, this would earn Asumoto's trust in her.
What surprised her was how quickly Rias awoke from such a serious wound. Then again, Twilight Healing dose have the benefactor to restore one's energy and being hit by such a concentration of magic by that Sacred Gear would have that effect. Or it should have.
Asia had focused all her magic into healing the wound, not restoring stamina. So, Rias was needing help to walk.
Until she regained her stamina and magic, she was useless.
Sona frowned. This was indeed bad. Not only had they lost their only healer, but as well as the King for the Gremory Peerage, thus leaving Asumoto to take command. It was planned for the kings, queens, Kuroka, and Akeno, to fight Kokabiel while their allies dealt with the weaker Fallen and Exorcist.
In Sona's eyes, six against one was a very uneven fight. But since they were going against one of the Fallen Angel leaders, they'd have no choice.
Unless Rias recovered before fighting began once more, it would be five. Rias Power of Destruction was beneficial to fighting the Cadre. It wouldn't obliterate Kokabiel but wound him - hopefully.
Asumoto however reassured even without Rias they would have a chance since Kuroka's power was the closets to Kokabiel's. Would that still be enough? Could the Nekoshou with the power of an Ultimate-class Devil have the strength to go toe to toe against the new Governor General?
"Kaichou," Tsubaki said, interrupting her thoughts, "I believe in Asumoto-san. Even if we can't beat Kokabiel, we can still stall till Hyoudou can transfer magic to double our power. Or at the least until Lucifer-sama or Leviathan-sama arrive."
Sona nodded grimly. "Despite my sister's childish behavior, we could really use her help right about now. I do not think anyway of us are weak. But I doubt even if we all fought that monster, we wouldn't stand a chance. And Kuoh would fall to his mercy."
"Don't worry Kaichou, as long as one of us still stands the battle isn't over," the former Shinra clanswoman reassured.
The rest of the march was silent until they were finally a good distance away from the enemy. Each one starring the other down, waiting to see who'd make the first move to restart the battle.
"Are you sure it was wise to bring them?" Kuroka whispered to Asumoto.
"While it would be smarter to keep them in the school building, they would be vulnerable to attack. It's best to keep them surrounded by us. They'll be better protected."
"As long as we keep Kokabiel's attention on us. That should allow Rias to regain her strength and join us," added Akeno.
The trio kept their gazes on Kokabiel who looked back at them.
…
"You know I was told Fallen Angel's where supposed to be beautiful. But you…" Asumoto couldn't hold back to laugh or cheeky smile, "I don't know what you are. You look like the offspring of a Fallen Angel and Vampire trying to be an 80's rocker."
If he was trying to make a joke. It wasn't funny.
Kokabiel didn't reply to the samurai, but to the redhead in the far back.
"Sister of Lucifer. You truly should be commended for that clever tactic within the forest."
"It was not I who devised it Kokabiel, but my Queen Asumoto!"
Kokabiel looked back to the samurai. Ah so it was he who planned the trap. Skillful in battle, and clever with tactics. Perhaps he should focus more on him.
"Valper!"
Kiba stepped forward, sword pointed at the murderer. "You said you'd tell me what that conclusion was you found if I survived! Well I have! Now tell me!"
Might as well tell you since you'll all die anyway," Valper shrugged. "The conclusion I reached was that we take out the holy-elements from those who have them and crystallize them. Just like this."
From within his robes he pulled orb that was giving out light. It was a shiny orb. Within it was the holy aura.
"With this, the research on holy-sword wielders improved. Even so, those fools from the Church banished me for heresy and took away my reports on my work. But, thanks to Kokabiel-sama's help, I've not only reclaimed my results that the Church stole, but can do more research and fuse the Excalibur's together! Michael made me look like a criminal and this is the outcome? Well it's that Angel we are talking about. Even if he takes the elements out from the test subjects, he wouldn't go as far as to kill them. In some sense I guess that part only would make him more human than me."
Valper laughed pleasantly. Everyone understood now. At present, to create holy-sword users artificially, it required a sacrifice. So, Kiba and his friends were victims of the project started by Valper.
"…You killed my comrades and took out the elements needed to wield the holy-swords?" Kiba asked Valper with his shaky voice filled with killing intent.
"Of course. That is what I meant by you still being helpful. But now my research has reached the stage where it is possible to mass produce them in the right environment. Which means…" He dropped the orb and, to the Devil's horror, crushed it under his food with a loud crunch, "... your friends are no longer needed."
Rika was astonished by the man's words and actions. She knew he was a madman but this… this was too much! To hell with orders to capture him! He needed to die! Someone like him had to die!
"…Valper Galilei." Kiba's hands were shaking and there was an aura of anger coming out of his body. Tears were on Kiba's cheek. His expression was filled with sadness and anger.
That… that bastard…. he killed them… and now crushed their souls! He took away their childhoods! Their happiness!
"YOU BASTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARD!"
The aura exploded outward like a violent hurricane as more demonic power consumed the blonde! Everyone could feel the power erupting from Kiba!
The anger… the hate… the pain…
All of his negative emotions he had felt and suppressed during the years, were now pouring out with each burst of magic. Another wave of power flowed off the boy as the sword in his hands started to change in shape and size.
"Well…. that Knight of Gremory has now done what you haven't partner."
Issei's eyes widened at Ddraig's voice. He knew what the dragon was talking about. It was a skill Raynare had tried making him achieve before this battle occurred. A skill said to have the power to break the world.
Balance Breaker!
The light soon faded and what the Devil's saw shocked them. What once was majestically crafted European sword now was a long, double edged, sword. Its center was black with red lining on the edge, which where jagged points in a wavy shape.
It looked like batter worn flame-bladed sword.
And it was aimed at Valper.
"That moron!" Asumoto cursed, "he's let his rage get the better of him!"
"Sometimes our anger is too uncontrollable," Rika said somberly, before rounding on Rias. "This is your fault Gremory. If you had better control over your servant—"
"Do not lecture me how to handle my servants!" snapped Rias. "I did my best to help Kiba! And I thought he had gotten past it!"
"Which he clearly hasn't. And now while it's impressive that he's obtained Balance Breaker, he has shaped in into a crude thing."
Rias didn't say anymore to the Saint. Her gaze shifting to her Knight, a worrisome looking taking over her face.
It was her duty to stop her Knight from doing anything stupid. But in her weekend state, she was useless.
"Valper… you - me, my comrades… you destroyed our lives…"
Kiba stared at the new sword before shifting his hate filled eyes to Valper. Now… he had a weapon worthy of killing Valper. It was time to end the b***'s life and take revenge!
With great speed, he charged at him, ignoring his friends cries to stop and cutting down all who got in his way!
"I'm going to kill you!" he roared as he drew closer and closer to Valper. The closer he got the more his lust for revenge increased, along with his blinding hatred.
Suddenly his path was blocked by a number of Fallen Angel's and Exorcists.
"Out of my way!" he roared.
His order, however, was denied. Weapons of light blocked his Balance Breaker sword with a loud clang!
Kiba gritted his teeth! If they would not move, he'd make them!
Dodging a spear thrust, he stabbed his blade into ground and used the power of his Sacred Gear, causing a literal forest of more crudely made swords to rise up everywhere around him and pierce through the bodies of the dark winged angels.
Valper wasn't scared at the boy's words, but rather in awe at the display of raw power and witnessing firsthand the activation of a Balance Breaker. And why should he be scared anyway? He was surrounded by Exorcists, as well as a powerful magician, and Kokabiel himself.
There was no way this boy would—
"Valper!"
The blonde was now right in front of him! Sword posed to strike!
Kiba stared the murder head in the eye! This was it! He would finally get his revenge!
"For my comrades!"
He brought his sword down upon the man!
"Kiba!" someone shouted.
CLING!
"So, you're the one I sensed activating a Balance Breaker. I'm impressed to have felt it's power all the way down in the Underworld."
Kiba stared into the violet orbs of the man who had just stopped his strike.
H-how did this happen?
One minute he was staring down Valper, then this man appears in front of him, faster than he could see and effortlessly catches his sword by the blade... with one hand.
"Kiba! Get out of there!" he heard Akeno scream, her voice filled with terror. Something he never thought to have heard from her until now.
Why did this man make Akeno so scared?
He studied the stranger's features. He looked like a younger version of the Cadre and Akeno's father, Baraqiel. He could sense the same power within him and he had twelve wings—
!
! …twelve wings…twelve black feathered wings!?
Grey eyes grew wide upon realizing who this man was. Why Akeno was telling him to run!
He was a Fallen Angel and not just any Fallen Angels!
It was Akeno Himejima's brother.
Hazael!
Beads of sweat began to pour down Kiba's face. His anger replaced by fear, now knowing that he stood before the Fallen Angel with the strength to match Sirzechs. He had to get out of there as fast as he could! He tried to pull his new sword away but Hazael's grip was too strong. It wouldn't even budge!
"If this is supposed to be your Balance Breaker, I must admit it's very poorly designed and weak," Hazael said calmly, while inspecting the blade still tightly gripped in his hand.
"Lord Hazael," Valper breathed in awe at the timely arrival of the Cadre.
"A pleasure to see you as well, Holy Sword Researcher," Hazael commented. "I believe you have a problem here, I need to get rid of."
Kiba barely had a moment to register those words, but it was enough to make his face pale.
He noticed the small smile on Hazael's face... just before the Cadre suddenly moved his hand.
Then all Kiba could still feel was pain.
As the Gremory Knight´s eyes fell once again on Hazael´s hands, he saw him holding his sword in them... along with his ripped-out bleeding arm.
Rias screamed her Knights name but Asumoto couldn't hear it over the sound of his own beating heart.
He had seen many gruesome things in his life.
Beheading enemies.
Rotting corpses left by Stray Devils.
Rias diving in the wave of an attack aimed for him.
Watching Kiba get his right arm ripped off like this… Was up their next to his family getting massacred!
Kiba was standing there for a short moment, looking pale. It was clear that he was in shock. As his eyes wandered to his side, where his arm had been one moment ago, he could only see his ripped open shoulder, where it had been torn out of its socket...
... blood gushing out from it like from a fountain, splattering the ground everywhere around him.
Asia gasped, while Xenovia recoiled in shock at the strength shown by Hazael.
He just pulled Kiba's arm out of his socket, with a move that looked as if he were not even trying…
"You should have let go of your sword boy," Hazael said, still inspecting it. "Life is more important than a weapon."
"He wanted to kill me for killing his friends I tested upon."
The Cadre looked at the researcher than to the boy. Ah—so he was out for revenge and it ended miserably.
Hazael then turned his gaze to the Devils staring in shock what he just did. So those where Sirzechs and Serafall's siblings, along with their peerages, and Church allies, and…
…his sister.
"I believe this belongs to you."
He grabbed Kiba by the throat and threw him back to his comrades, blood flying everywhere.
Rias pushed her way to the front and caught Kiba, moments before he hit the dirt. Aside his missing limb, he looked fine, except for his ever-paling skin from the loss of blood.
"B-Buchou…"
"Shhh." Rias combed her Knights hair, doing her best to sooth the pain, which she knew was useless. If Asia could only heal him.
"Move aside!"
Rias was suddenly shoved away by Akeno. She glared at the priestess as she moved her hands over the wound, which she noticed was started to stop bleeding.
"You know healing magic?" the heiress asked in surprise.
"To an extent," she replied, "but he needs more than this. I've stopped the bleeding but due to his stupidity he can no longer fight with her."
"No!" Kiba gasped, trying to stand, "I need—"
"What do you think you are doing you idiot?" Akeno suddenly yelled at him. "Stay down or do you want to bleed to death?"
Everyone was shocked at Akeno´s hard words and her sudden anger. Her eyes were narrowed in rage, not just at his stupid actions, but what her brother did to him.
"In case you haven't noticed! You've just lost an arm due to your quest for revenge! Is this what your friends would want!?" Her tone had now changed and was more like a mother scolding a child.
When silence was her only reply she sighed while helping him to his feet and handing him off to Rias. "He's your servant, Rias. Maybe you'll have better luck with him."
Rias nodded. She was his master, it was her duty to oversee him. "Kiba-kun."
"I…. I…. I failed…." she heard Kiba croak, tears welling up in his eyes. "I couldn't avenge them…"
"Kiba… Akeno is right. You have to let it go. You will only get yourself killed. You just nearly did. Your friends wouldn't want you going down this path."
"That's right!"
Thought restricted by movement, Kiba's eyes move to where the voice emanated from. Beneath Valper's boot was a glow. A glow that soon began seeping out and fly toward the wounded Knight.
Whatever action that was about to take place was halted by the sudden appearance of the blue glow.
Soon the glow changed into a bright light that started to spread out and covered the whole school yard. From the ground, there were lights coming out and it started to form a shape. Then, it formed into a proper form. It took the shape of people. There were boys and girls who were giving out blue-white lights and they were surrounding Kiba.
"The various powers that are present on this battlefield making the spirits within the orbs appear," Said Akeno. "The demonic-swords, holy-swords, Devils and Fallen-Angels. Everything present here is the cause for it."
"Incredible," Asumoto muttered watching the spirit look at their wounded friend with a dear and saddened expressions.
"My… my friends," Kiba gasped weakly, while looking at the old faces he hadn't seen in years. "I… I! I have always… always thought about it. About avenging your deaths! Was it right that I was the only one that survived?!… There were those who had more dreams than me. There were those who wanted to live more than me. Is it all right that I am the only one to have a peaceful life…? A life at all," he said with heavy regret and sadness.
`Why was it him, out of all of them? ´ he asked himself silently.
"Isaiah."
Kiba snapped his head toward the spirit who said that name, his real name.
"Don't worry about us. We knew the risks but took them anyway. We gave our lives so that you could survive."
"We want you to be happy," said a girl.
"Don't let your hate consume you Isaiah!"
Tears began coming out of Kiba's eyes. All his life he had wished to destroy the swords, to avenge them... and, at last, when he was so close… he lost an arm.
He thought he failed, but his friends…
His dear friends from all those years ago didn't want him to be angry….
They want him to be happy.
Then, the spirits of boys and girls started to move their lips in a rhythm. Were they singing? everyone who was watching asked themselves.
Asumoto felt something wet form in his eyes. 'Tears? Why am I crying?'
"…The sacred song," Rika mumbled, crying as well.
They were singing the sacred-song… Kiba started to sing while shedding tears. When they were going through the painful experiment, this was the only thing they obtained to keep their hopes and dreams. This was the only support they had to continue living during their harsh life.
Kiba and his comrades had the smiles of innocent children.
Their bodies started to glow blue-white. Those lights were getting brighter, with Kiba in the center.
"We want you to live Isaiah."
"We didn't have enough elements to wield the holy swords. But."
"It will be okay if we are together."
"You have to let go of your hatred."
"Accept the holy-swords."
"It's not scary."
"Even if God is watching."
"Our hearts are always…"
"ONE."
Their spirits went up into the heaven and they turned into a big light that fell to Kiba.
The light grew brighter and brighter, blinding everyone, and hurting the Devils. As it faded, his Sacred Gear, that still was clutched by Hazael shattered to pieces, before it's fragments started flying toward the spirits.
He was right. The ugly weapon before to form a new shape. The shape of a smoother sword. Kiba looked at the newly forged weapon before grasping its hilt with as much strength as he could must with his left arm. He felt an incredible power flow through him. It felt like-
"Incredible!" Valper shouted, "the sword and spirits joined together to form a new blade! But how is that possible!? Demonic and the holy power shouldn't be able to fuse!?"
His question was answered by a dark laugh from Hazael. "Valper, you're a smart man. I think you'll discover why."
"What do you mean!? It shouldn't be!? Holy and demonic shouldn't be able to fuse together!? There's no way it—!" He stopped as a thought crossed his mind. "Unless…"
"Unless?" Hazael asked, intrigued at where this was going.
Whatever was going to be said by the Holy Sword lover was being carefully listened to by everyone. Heroes and villains alike.
It took Valper a mere second to come to a conclusion. He started to laugh like a madman! "Hahaha… I… I see now… hahah! It all makes sense! No wonder they were able to fuse! I finally realize now! Hahaha! The Great War didn't just take the lives of the original Satans! They weren't the only ones!"
Hazael turned his head to Kokabiel with a deep frown. He had sensed the Cadre's power charging up before he could cast the spell that would end Valper's life.
"Don't do what I think you'll do Kokabiel. Remember, Valper still needs those Holy Swords! Let him reveal the truth to these kids."
"Truth?" Rias asked while helping her Knight to his feet. Her eyes flickering to her Knight's missing arm. Even though he obtained a new Sacred Gear, he wouldn't be able to contribute to the battle anymore. But what she was more interested in right this moment was this truth Valper spoke of. What was it?
What is Valper talking about!?
"It's something all the higher ups of every Faction where to keep secret," Hazael added to help. "The Original Satans weren't the only ones the perish in the war."
"No…." it wasn't Valper who answered, but Irina. Her eyes looked dead. Her whole body was shaking in horror.
It couldn't. It had to be a lie!
"What is it Irina!?" Xenovia asked.
"God…." Irina whispered, her voice was barely a whisper.
"God is…"
"What of God?"
"God is dead!"
A sharp gasp was the response of the Devils, followed by the manically laughter of Kokabiel and Valper!
End
I know what you're thinking, why did you do a cop out for Rias!? Because she's important to the plot of the story.
Kiba, on the other hand, no pun intended, won't be as luck as Rias as you just saw. He won't be getting treatment from Asia because it was used all on Rias.
I know it was mostly talking for this one but i will make sure to make the next part action filled as best I can.
As for that beginning. I think we all know who's gonna win that fight.
Anyway, i'll see you guys next time!