Hey everyone. Hope you're all doing well. I sure am. I saw Avengers and it was amazing! It was so amazing i'm going to see it a second time! Speaking of Avengers, it's giving me the inspiration to continue working on The Devil's Sorcerer's so rejoice those who love that story, it's coming back!
I just need a little time to finish the next chapter and post it. Now lets site back and enjoy.
talk
Flashback
Demon
Chapter 25
This was not good. This was definitely not good! Azazel though as he looked at the battle displayed on the view screen.
He and the other Cadre had been told a war meeting was being secluded to talk about evacuating the cities, when the alarms suddenly began blaring about the attack.
He had to admit sipping magicians into the city to create teleportation circles to let troops in was one hell of a surprise attack they pulled off!
The five minutes of the invasion were a massacre of troops and citizens by the Grigori-Old Satan alliance. With troops forced to retreat into the city, the outer defense was easily overwhelmed that allowed the enemy to spill into the city and move beyond Lilith to attack lands owned by the Pillar houses, like the Beal's and Gremory's.
The first reaction by the researcher was to send Slash Dog out to find and capture Vali by any means necessary.
Azazel could have, and should have, done it himself since he saw the White Dragon Emperor as a son he never had. However, he had to stay in the headquarters at Lilith to coordinate the defenses since the Satan's where leading other defenses within the Underworld. Plus, Tobio Ikuse was the only one that could defeat Vali easily. Especially considering he's not only the strongest human Azazael knows, but capable of forcing Vali into Juggernaut Drive.
So yes, sending Slash Dog after Vali was the best option.
After he sent his most loyal agent, the researcher quickly came up with a counter attack that not only halted the advance of the Fallen-Old Satan forces, but allow the evacuation of the civilians still inside the city.
Soon the battle within Lilith came to a standstill but fighting continued in and around it.
Being the genius Azazel is, he began rummaging through his brain to try and figure out how exactly they succeed in not being detected. Guards and sensors had been placed everywhere around the city to detect anything unusual. So how could they get past all those?
Either they had really good infiltrators or…
His eyes narrowed at the second idea which was the only other possible explanation for preforming the attack so flawlessly.
They had a traitor in their midst!
The question was, who? Who would betray them?
Falbium Asmodeus? The lazy master strategists hadn't shown up to the meeting which he arranged to happen.
When he was twenty minutes late, calls where sent to him but not a single one was answered. This prompted Sirzechs to send search parties to look for him. Yet even with their best scouts, there wasn´t a trace of him to be found anywhere. It was almost like he just disappeared.
Azazel began to get suspicious of the Satan and it still plagued his mind now during the battle.
But Falbium would never betray them. He fought on the Anti Satan Faction side, leading many tactical victories in the Civil War. The likely hood of him betraying them was very unlikely, but that didn't mean he couldn´t have had a change of heart. Or that he had simply been ambushed before the actual battle started, Azazel added another thought.
Could be Alistair Beal? The Lord of the Beal clan, like many nobles, still clung to the old ways of Devil society and was, from Azazel's point of view, the cruelest, most arrogant, son of a bitch he ever knew. Exiling his wife, calling both sons failures for not turning out how he wanted made, and saying they shouldn't change the old ways made it plausible that he's a spy to help the Old Satan Faction to return to power.
He could think of many other Devils that could being a traitor, but Lord Beal was the prime suspect for now.
Deducing who the traitor was one of many question's thought by Azazel. His most important one was where that war mongering bastard Kokabiel was.
He hadn't heard or seen him one bit during the battle. Baraqiel said he saw his son giving orders upon a ridge before disappearing.
Where the new Governor General and Vice Governor on the frontlines fighting in other parts of the Underworld?
If they were word would have spread quickly of it.
Had they gone to Khaos Brigade to request more assistance?
Powerful as the enemy was, it paled in comparison to the Four Great Satans, the Strongest Queen, and especially Slash Dog.
"Azazel-sama!"
The duel haired man turned to his compatriot. An expression of worry on his face.
"I can't get in contact with our base or Lucifer's sister."
Can't get in contact with the base?
Violet orbs widened in horror before sharpening.
Kokabiel… that bastard was going after the children!
He had to get word out to—
The Fallen Angel's thought where cut short by an explosion! Sending him crashing to the ground, along with concreate and dust being sent up flying everywhere, obscuring his vision.
Regaining his bearings, he blew it away with a might flap of his twelve dark wings and found someone he did not wanna see.
"Katerea, what a pleasure to see you," he said sarcastically.
Leviathan's ancestor smirked at the casual greeting given to her. "I was wondering where you were hiding. You always did try to avoid battle since the Great War ended Azazael."
"I was a different man back then." Azazel said with a shrug. "Besides, I find war to be so distasteful. It's no fun taking lives or plundering lands. I prefer researching and tinkering with non-violent devices."
"Which is why Kokabiel is much more suited to lead Grigori then a foolish peace lover like you," Katerea said while adjusting her glasses.
"Speaking of that backstabber. I see he likes killing children now does he?"
"Smart as ever." The Satan laughed. "You figured out he went after the Gremory and Sitri brats. Well do you know that we sabotaged your plan to teleport the town?"
The calm demeanor Azazel had flipped to surprised then anger.
They sabotaged his plan!? That meant the traitor had been spying on them at the base in Kuoh!
Shit! They were one step ahead of him in everything! He had been outplayed!
"Our little inside man did a job well done in telling us everything that happened down here. Along with those petty humans in your Fallen ranks. They were so easy to persuade."
Spies within his own base? Humans truly are weak minded. Azazel thought grimly. He had to go help those kids against the Cadre. But he was needed here to lead the defense, since Falbium wasn't here. Plus, Katerea, and hordes of Devil's coming to support her, wouldn't let him go that easily.
He looked back over his shoulder. The war room was in pieces, tech was broken, corpses lay everywhere.
"Kokabiel wants you alive. So, I strongly suggest you come quietly since you're all alone. I also don't wanna harm that handsome face of yours," said Leviathans descendent while pointing her staff at him.
Charming as the compliment was, he couldn't take it from someone as evil as her. Not to mention that Kokabiel clearly only wanted him alive to torture information out of him... and then kill him anyway.
"I will admit Katerea, you do have me outnumbered. However, I didn't become the Governor General of Grigori just for my smarts, and charming looks." A brief smirk spread across his lips while reaching into his coat and pulling out a golden object that looked like a mix between a lance and a dagger with a purple jewel at the end of the handle. "I have power and skills you can only dream of having!"
He raised the dagger and the jewel glowed brightly!
Shock.
The cause to feel surprised and upset.
Those were the emotions running through everyone, save Kokabiel, Hazael, and Valper.
This couldn't be true. God… the all mighty lord in Heaven… was dead!?
Whispers began spreading through the Grigori army ranks of this surprising news.
They and their Devil rivals were shocked. But the agents of the Church however…
"G-God is dead?" Xenovia muttered feeling her legs wobble.
"No… no it can't be!" Asia screamed, tears filling her eyes.
They were shaking with horror at such a revelation.
Even Rika, calm as she was, couldn't comprehend such a shocking discovery. How could the Christian God have died in the war? More importantly, why had the Angels lied about it!?
Angels were supposed to be honest! Yet here they lie to all their follows who pledge their loyal to thy king in heaven about him still living!
Was this why prayers weren't being accepted?
Rethinking Valper's words, it didn't seem impossible.
The Satans where powerful beings and they all perished. And even Gods could die too so the real question was; how did God die?
Out of everyone here who discovered the truth, Akeno Himejima and Asumoto took it with very little shock. Since neither where Christian followers, the death of the Biblical God wasn't that great of an impact to them. Nevertheless, they were still surprised to hear he died.
"Shocking as this is," said Asumoto in a hushed tone to his fellow Shinto follower, "it isn't impossible. All things die eventually. Nobodies immortal."
"If that was the case, then how could Ophis, Great Red or even the Phenex house, still be alive?" retorted the Priestess.
"Long life spans."
"Riiiiight," Akeno said with a roll of her eyes.
"You're lying!"
Both turned to Irina. She was grief stricken. Her whole face was red, and tears flowed from her eyes like a water fountain. Her body was shaking unconformable and will to fight was shattering.
"It's no lie," Hazael said calmly. "The Four Great Satans and God of the Bible are dead. Why do you think prayers aren't received by Heaven? It's not God who commands the Angels, but his right-hand man — Michael."
"God is dead…" Sona whispered while still trying to regain her bearings at such a discovery.
"Asia!"
The former nun had collapsed and was caught by Issei. The poor girl wasn't strong enough to bear the horrendous truth that the one she prayed to was dead.
"Hazael!" Kokabiel called to his fellow Cadre once he ceased his laughter, "shouldn't you return to overseeing the invasion?"
"I should," replied the stronger Fallen, "but I'd much rather see what these kids can do against you."
"Lord Hazael? You won't help?" Zion asked in surprise.
"My quarrel is with our Angel brethren. Nor our Fallen Comrades, nor the Devils that you wish to obliterate," Hazael said, as he crossed his arms and retreated a few steps back. "Besides that, you would hardly need me against a group of children, would you?"
A sigh of relief passed over the Devils. At least they didn't have to worry about another Cadre joining the fight. Nevertheless, he was still an enemy and had to be defeated!
Valper continued laughing, as a sinister smile spread across his lips. "This…this is such a wonderful discovery! Oh, what a wonderful day! I wonder how the rest of the world will react when I tell them such secretive information…"
Irina's eyes sharpened at those words. She brandished her Holy Sword Mimic tightly. If such information was released to the public there would be wide spread pandemonium all over both the human and supernatural world!
She would not allow that to happen!
With a reignited desire to fight, she rushed the researcher in hopes of kill him before this was leaked!
"Not again!" Asumoto groaned as he summoned his Naginata. "Back me up you three!" he said before taking flight and charging straight for Kokabiel.
He wasn't sure if Akeno would use her full strength or not, but if she did… it would give them a slight advantage.
They needed to end this fight ones and for all! "Well everyone! You know what to do! Good luck and don't die!"
His action was soon followed by the others. Wings spread, magic flaring, everyone who could fight, charged forward to challenge Kokabiel and his remaining army!
Asumoto weaved around spears and spells that aimed at him. Sparing a quick glance to see that Kuroka, Akeno, Sona, and Tsubaki were following suit.
Their friends were also beginning anew their battle with Kokabiel's forces on the ground.
Sensing danger to the left, he turned his spear to block a large axe of light aimed at him. It was the Fallen dressed like a Viking.
"You're in my way."
"I'm not letting you pass boy," Zion snarled. "I've waited for too long to spill Devil blood and now I'll finally get to do that!"
Deciding words would not be necessary anymore, Asumoto shoved the Fallen away and thrusted his weapon forward. But Zion reacted and parried easily, his axe once again clashing with the samurai´s polearm.
"I´ve told you boy, Devils will die here... and you might very well be the fir... argh..." In that moment he was hit by a blast of lightning from Akeno.
Asumoto whirled around, Akeno's outstretched hand still had lightning dancing around it. He had noticed that when the lightning zipped based he could sense holy energy within it.
Could this be the power of Baraqiel she was using?
"At last, the daughter of Baraqiel uses his power! Holy Lighting!" Kokabiel exclaimed with excitement.
So that's what it's called. Holy Lightning. The powers Baraqiel's children inherited form him. One blast had sent that Fallen flying into the earth, who he saw was about to rejoin the fight.
"If you wish to fight me!" Kokabiel said with a malice grin while waving those who surrounded him away with a casual wave, "then you can try!"
Raising his hand, he unleashed a blast of light at the teenagers! His attack was countered by Akeno firing another blast of lightning at him. The two light attacks collided in midair each trying to overpower the other.
While he battled to obliterate Akeno's spell, he used his free hand to summon a light spear and threw it at the samurai. The weapon was quickly intercepted by a water dragon by Sona. The dragon's fangs chopped down on the spear, shattering it before turnings it body to charge the Cadre.
The Fallen Angel prepared to continue this assault but noticed two black blurs move to either side. Kuroka´s flaming wheel and Tsubaki's water torrent sped toward Kokabiel! As the spells drew closer he ceased his magical duel with Akeno and encased himself within his wings!
The spells collided but had little effect. The Cadre had hardened his wings to be as tough as diamonds! Spreading them, he dispersed the attacks and unleashed volleys of feathers onto the enemy, forcing them to dodge.
Ending the rain of feathers, he flew back as another blast of blue fire and lightning came towards him. Both attacks however... He swatted the Nekoshou's away with his wings, he raised his hands to easily catch Akeno's and threw it right back at her!
Kokabiel smiled gleefully. There was no way she could—
His thoughts stopped with Sona's Queen suddenly appeared in front of Akeno and from her outstretched hands appeared a mirror! The lightning bounced off the mirror right back at Kokabiel, who was unprepared for such a move.
The lighting hit him square in the chest, emitting a grunt of pain from it.
"You have a Sacred Gear?" Akeno exclaimed, surprised that the former human possessed one.
"That's right Akeno-san," Tsubaki answered, "Alice Mirror. All attacks hit by it are deflected with twice the power. However, I have not fully mastered it, so it takes time to recharge it."
"That's why you should use it whenever it's needed," Sona said.
Kokabiel recovered from the attack but couldn't hide the excitement filling him. They not only reacted quickly enough to counter the attack but managed to land a hit on him! By using a Sacred Gear!
The Red Dragon Emperor, the nun with the Twilight Healing, the Holy sword project survivor, and now this girl! That was a total of four Sacred Gears! Four Sacred Gear possessors in one place! This was truly a glorious day for battle!
Before he could attack his opponents, danger was sensed coming from behind! He spun around while summoning a sword of light to block the Naginata. The samurai pulled away and began his assault, hoping to breach his defense, but no matter what he did, it was having no effect. Each move the Queen did was easily blocked. Still, this Queen of Gremory's was very fast.
Spotting the symbol of a spell appearing out of the corner of his eye, he raised a hand and fired a beam of light at Kuroka. The spell that was supposed to be an attack quickly changed to a defense at the last minute.
The light hit the barrier but dispersed. Nevertheless, it did leave cracks in it.
Blocking another strike by the samurai. He pushed him away easily before throwing his sword at, yet another water dragon cast by Leviathan's sister. It cut through it like it was nothing.
Tsubaki and Asumoto flew at Kokabiel from either side, each having their pole-arm reared back to slice into the Fallen Angel! Before they could even hit him, he spread his wings to full length and, like before, used them as shields to block their attacks.
"Tch. This asshole is barely putting up a fight and where using all we got against him!" Kuroka growled with a click of her tongue.
"Then he's merely toying with us," Sona replied.
While her brain tried working out a strategy they could use to beat Kokabiel. Her eyes glanced to the ground.
It looked like the fighting was even. But as she saw from some of their dead Fallen comrades, it would—
"Tsubasa-san, behind you!"
The warning she heard Saji yell was too late! Sona could do nothing but watch in horror as her blue haired Rook was cut down from behind by a Fallen.
Her Rook stumbled before falling to the ground. She was not moving anymore. They could no longer sense any energy from Tsubasa Yura anymore. She wasn´t moving. And by what they saw, it was clear that the blow had cut through her neck. She was dead. Even if Asia had still been able to use the Twilight Healing. It was clear that it was too late.
Sona wanted to go to her servant but had to steel herself. This was no time to mourn the dead. It would be after the battle.
Like most of her peerage, she had known Tsubasa for years and she was her friend. But if she let herself get distracted now, she endangered everyone else.
Refocusing her attention on the fight with Kokabiel, to see Asumoto change tactics to bombarding the Cadre with arrows. Which was however proving futile. This short lived long-range assault was changed back to short range, by summoning his spear.
Kokabiel saw the attack coming miles away and with a swipe of his wings, broke the head of the spear´s tip off! With the shock and angry reaction by the samurai was clear that he wasn't happy to have one of his weapons broken.
Asumoto retreated quick enough for only the tip of the light-sword to cut through his armor and leave a narrow cut across his chest. The spear thrown from Kokabiel´s other hand however was faster than him. He yelped in pain as it buried itself into his left shoulder! Gripping the spear and hissing in pain at the light burning his flesh, he wretched it out of his side, that now sported a large bleeding hole.
"Asumoto!"
Asumoto looked up to find Akeno zooming towards him, while the others continued battling Kokabiel. When she closed the distanced she began pouring all her magic into healing the wound.
As his wound was being treated by the priestess, he took his time to look at the battlefield and could see things were not looking good.
He had been so focused on fighting Kokabiel he hadn't noticed that Tsubasa Yura was dead. The blue haired Rook wasn't the only dead Devil on the field of battle. Sona's dark haired Bishop Momo Hanakai lay a few feet away with multiple stab wounds all over her body.
Poor girl' he thought bitterly, 'hopefully her death was swift.'
He also saw Xenovia clash with the Cadre from earlier that had been blasted by Akeno. He was impressed by the bluenette´s skill with a blade. She was holding her own against him and four others. Nevertheless, she was still covered in wounds. But their weapons were being destroyed by Excalibur Destructions devastating power.
He saw the human dodge a strike by a brutish Fallen, but was unable to block the Viking dressed Cadre, Zion was his name if remember hearing correctly.
The swing was so strong he knocked Xenovia off balance, which allowed him to knee her hard in the stomach and punch her in the face.
The three-hit combo sent her rolling across the ground which caused the Excalibur to slip from her hand and get snatched by Zion.
Asumoto growled in anger. Valper now had another Excalibur! That left only mimic. Irina had to be carefully.
"Hahaha! What now holy girl! You've lost another Excalibur and are defenseless!" One of the Fallen yelled gleefully.
"You say I'm defenseless huh?" Xenovia asked with a confident smirk, "I'm actually not!"
Then she clasped her hands together. "Peter. Saint Basil the Great. Saint Denis. The Blessed Virgin Mary. Please hear my prayers."
As she chanted the space beside her distorted. Xenovia put her hand in the middle of the distorted space. From the dimensional gap came a large blue sword with a golden hilt. This was no ordinary sword by the holy aura it gave off. Xenovia grasped the handle and pulled it all the way out. "In the name of Saint whose spirit resides in this blade I call upon you and set you free! Durandal!"
Akeno and Asumoto shared a look of surprise and awe at this revelation. They had heard of the legendary Holy-Sword wielded by Roland of the Holy Roman Empire, who's said to have fought an army of one-hundred thousand men to showcase its immense strength. Its strength was said to rival the true Excalibur, so if Valper did fuse the Excalibur fragments then they would have a Holy-Sword equal in power to it.
By the surprised looks the Fallen Angel's wore, as well as Xenovia's confident one, it was the real Durandal.
It was also said only a natural born Holy Sword wielder can use it. And since the bluenette was holding it. This meant Xenovia is one of those beings.
Impressive. Most impressive.
At least she had a backup weapon.
"Are you alright?"
Asumoto turned back to the black-haired beauty and gave a reassuring smile to her concerned question.
His thoughts were broken by Akeno's concerned question.
Stuffing his worries away, he turned back to the black-haired beauty and gave a reassuring smile.
"I'm fine thanks to you Akeno. With your magic it should heal just fine. I'm just glad I'm not in the same state as Kiba," the samurai said while examining the wound. It was big, but not big enough to sever his arm thankfully.
A tiny smile spread across her lips before returning to a frown as she looked at the fighting against Kokabiel. "We've thrown everything we got at him and only managed to land one hit because he didn't expect Tsubaki-san's Sacred Gear."
"What would you have in mind?"
"Is there any spell you or Kuroka know that can paralyze him and give us an opening?"
"Kuroka dose…" Asumoto started, watching the Nekoshou unleashing a barrage of Senjutsu blasts at the Cadre, "but we'd all be affected. And I doubt it would have much effect on something as powerful as him."
"I thought her power was equal to an ultimate class?"
"It is. But your forgetting we're fighting a war veteran. Kuroka is the strongest among us. However, her skills in battle are nothing compared to his. To put it simply; we can only give him little scratches. But seeing the situation we are in I think it's time to tell the Red Dragon Emperor to—"
"Transfer!"
The conversation stopped at the announcement of the Red Dragon Emperor and a massive spike in magical power building up form below.
Looking down they saw Rias standing tall with the Gremory symbol, larger than ever, glowing brightly beneath her feet and smaller symbols within her hands! Their crimson light was out shinned by the green glow of Boosted Gear surrounding her!
Asumoto swore. What the hell was Rias thinking!? Their plan was for Issei to transfer his power to Gasper to stop time to allow them to achieve victory when they started losing!
Now Rias ruined it!
What did Rias say to make the boy change tactics!? She did not seriously believe she could harm the Cadre did she!?
Noticing the power up of the redhead, Kokabiel knocked his opponents away to give Rias a clear shot.
All eyes were on Rias. Watching, waiting for when she'd unleash her attack on Kokabiel... who however only found it very amusing.
"You think you have the power to vanquish me Lucifer's sister!?" Come, hit me with everything you got!
As Rias prepared her attack, Akeno whispered to Asumoto: "Kokabiel has left himself open. This is a perfect opportunity to attack him. Use your arrows."
"I would if I had a second arm. Plus, with Rias aiming at him, that chance is gone."
Akeno frowned. Just because Rias was going to attack didn't mean the others could join in. "I'm not going to argue on this with you Asumoto. Bring your bow and arrows out. Now."
"But—"
His sentence was cut off by the wind picking up. Rias was about to respond to the Fallen's challenge.
Unsure as to why Akeno wanted him to use his bow with a wounded arm and seeing no point in arguing. The samurai complied and called his bow and arrow. To his surprise, Akeno grabbed the bow and primed it with an arrow. An arrow aimed at Kokabiel's exposed back! Akeno knew archery!?
"Learned it from uncle. Said I should expand on my skills. And now it would finally come in handy!" The Power of Destruction within Rias hands charged to max and unleashed upon Kokabiel like a pack of wolves hunting their prey! The black and red mass soared through the air toward its target.
The attack collided with Kokabiel. But to the heiress horror he caught it with ease. Looking closer, they could see he was struggling. Nevertheless, his smile widened making it look as if his face would split in two.
"Hahahaha! Yes! With the Red Dragon Emperor's power, you have gained much needed strength however…" He started to lift the attack high above his head, shaping it into a ball! "You are still—AGH!"
Pain shot through the Cadre as something struck him in the back that was filled with an electrical shock! He managed to glare over his shoulder to see an arrow logged near his upper left wing! He growled in fury that the shooter just so happened to be Baraqiel's daughter! Turning on the spot he threw the ball of destruction he caught at them!
It was by mere second before the attack was thrown that Asumoto grabbed Akeno by the waist and dodged the spell. He wasn't however, able to get all the way out of its path. The tip of his wings where caught in the attack. It may have missed it´s intended target, but it still hit something. That being auditorium! The build was reduced to nothing! It's very existence vanishing from the strength of the spell!
Kokabiel glared at the teen that managed to wound him. He had been careless in his challenge to face Lucifer's sister, by not thinking of who could try to attack him with his back turned. More importantly, why didn't his men intercept it!? Had their feeble minds tell them to stay back and not help him!?
It didn't matter. This measly attack wouldn't hinder his fighting capability! He would still kill them all!
Meanwhile at ground level, Rias was seething with anger. She not only failed to hurt Kokabiel, but had her own attack turned on her friends! All that power transferred was wasted, and now she had no more power to use.
How could that be? She was the heiress of the Gremory clan!? She possessed the Power of Destruction! How could her magic not harm him, but a simple arrow could!?
"How pathetic! Did you really think you could harm the Governor General just because you had the help of the Red Dragon Emperor?" Zion laughed as he took pleasure in seeing the red head in such disarray. His insult was followed by more laughter by the other Fallen. "For the sister of the Strongest Satan, you're so weak! Hazael's sister is stronger than you! Hell, it looks like even your own Queen is stronger than you."
"Shut up," Rias yelled at him angrily.
"Is it so hard to accept that even your own servants have been more useful than you in this battle?" the Fallen mocked her.
"That's enough Zion," Kokabiel cut him off. "It is time to stop playing around with them. We will attack them together now. And get the last Excalibur for Valper."
`Oh, when your men were dying in the dozens you didn´t care. But now that they have managed to hurt you, you suddenly want to work together? ´ Zion thought cynically.
But at the outside, he only answered with: "Yes Sir."
Rias was fuming with anger at failing to harm Kokabiel, as well as being insulted. How dare they call her weak! She's a King of her own Peerage! She'd show that filthy crow Zion who the real weakling was!
Charging her Destruction magic once more. She began a new the battle with a blast aimed at Zion. Her spell was only halfway toward its target, before it was countered by the Fallen simply summoning two very large spears that he threw in the attack´s wake. The spears pierced through the wave of blackness, before exploding and disbursing the magic.
With spells exchanged, the fighting began a new once more! Fallen Angels of both sides exchanged weapons of light, while the Devils released demonic attacks.
At the back of the Fallen army, Valper was getting anxious. Questions where running through his mind as the battle rage in front of him.
How long had it been since arriving in this town?
How much longer would it be till they conquered it?
How many soldiers did they lose?
How long would it be till the Satans realized their siblings were in trouble and came to save them?
He did not really wish to know the answer to the last question. His most important question however, was when was that last Excalibur fragment going to be his? The exiled researcher only came along with the invasion to oversee the obtaining of the Excalibur fragments. Now that he had Destruction, all that remained was Mimic.
But now that a true - a whole - Holy Sword was here, maybe he could try pleading with Hazael to capture the sword and wielder of Durandal. If he could fuse the fragments with Durandal, it would make a sword strong enough to shatter even the Pendragon families famous Sword in the Stone, Caliburn.
Kokabiel meanwhile had set his sights on Akeno for wounding him. He raised his hand to obliterate her with a blast of light.
"Nya!'
He quickly changed targets to the Nekoshou. His light overpowering the Senjutsu spell easily. But it's caster had moved to fire another spell even before his own attack hit her first one. Grunting in annoyance, the Cadre rained feathers of steel down upon the cat but, she was proving to be more of a challenge than he thought. His spear like feathers bounced off the barrier she cast.
He turned his attention back on Baraqiel's daughter, only to find a large water dragon surrounded by lightning come flying right at him!
He quickly threw a spear of light at the dragon! His weapon however, was intercepted and shattered by the lightning! It was acting as a shield of sorta to protect the dragon form any harm that came at it!
It drew closer and closer to Kokabiel until it opened its mouth wide to eat him! Creating yet another spear, ten times bigger than the last one, he threw it with all his strength!
He smiled like a maniac as the dragon was obliterated by the light weapon. However, it was wiped away at what happened next!
The lightning surrounding the monster was still coming at him. He moved his wings to protect himself but was too late!
Mere seconds before his wings covered him. The lightning slipped between them and hit him square in the face! Kokabiel growling in pain as the electricity zapped him!
"Very clever of those two!" Kokabiel thought while glaring at Sona and Akeno. They had cast their spells at the same time in hopes of confusion him. Which had worked.
But ultimately this only made him angrier. With a tad bit more excitement. They had managed to hit him twice now! Perhaps now was the time to get serious!
Sensing more danger, obviously the Nekoshou and Sacred Gear Devil, dived to the ground to dodge their attacks, all while smiling malevolently.
These kids, were proving to be more and more of a challenge. Lucifer's sister was pathetic. Leviathan's on the other hand, she was proving to be an excellent tactician and spell caster. As well as level headed. Even with her servant's dead, she didn't let her emotions run wild like Gremory did. Sitri's Queen, along with the Nekoshou, Baraqiel's daughter, and Gremory's Queen, were also stronger than he thought.
He had to give them all credit for holding out this long against him.
As he neared ground level, he felt another presence quickly approaching him. He looked up in time to see Durandal's wielder come flying at him.
Kokabiel quickly answered her challenge by calling forth a sword of light and block her massive sword with ease.
"Impressive holy sword girl. The last time I faced this blade, was when Vasco Strada defeated me in World War II!"
The surprise Xenovia showed was the chance Kokabiel needed. Raising his foot, he kneed her in the stomach and quickly switched hands with his sword to parry the polearm Sitri's Queen used. He spared a quick look to Gremory's Queen, who was right now getting his arm fully healed.
He had hoped his spear would take the arm off or at least keep it out of commission. Instead he would keep his limbs, unlike the failed Excalibur test subject.
"That should do it!"
Asumoto sighed in relief when Akeno had finally finished healing his shoulder. The wound was gone. But unlike Twilight Healing, he was left with a scar on the left shoulder, due to the magic having light properties.
Why was that though? He wondered. Why did Twilight Healing have the power to heal anyone, when it was clearly made with light magic, which was harmful against Devils and other demons?
Asumoto set the thought aside. There was no time to think of Sacred Gears when a battle was going on. He had to keep his concentration in the here and now.
He grimaced when yet another attack by Kuroka failed to hit Kokabiel.
They had so far only managed to land four hits on him. And even thought all four had been done by Akeno, the first was redirected back to Kokabiel due to Tsubaki using Alice Mirror. Which had failed in its second use due to the Fallen now knowing how it worked.
Was he really just this powerful? Or where they all doing it wrong? Could they maybe find a way to get behind his defenses, if they used their powers differently? If it was the latter question, then what could be done to fix their tactic? What would help them deliver a more punishing blow to the governor general?
Their original plan to have Gasper freeze time was now blown due to his master being the arrogant fool she was! So what type of plan could work against Kokabiel now?
His musing was stopped when he saw a magic circle appearing close by. It was green and beard a familiar Devil house symbol -
Astaroth.
Was Ajuka coming to help them!?
The hope of having the Maou Beelzebub coming was dashed and replaced with displeasure, when instead of the Satan who ran the technology department, it was the Devil who stalked Asia at Rias victory party against Riser - the younger brother of Ajuka and heir to the Astaroth clan.
"Diadora…" The name slipped form Asumoto's lip with anger he was desperately trying to contain.
Out of all the Devil's Asumoto had met, Diadora was the one he can truly say... hates. His pride and arrogance are but a few reasons as to why he hates the blonde. The way he talks, walks, and dresses is a disgusting reminder to the reincarnated Devil that even today, Devils of the next generation still held onto the old ways.
The appearance of Diadora had catch the other's attention as well. They were surprised, the heir of the Astaroth family and his peerage were not exactly who they had expected to come as reinforcements. But they were glad that someone - anybody - had arrived from the Underworld.
"Diadora-san!" Rias called in relief at seeing her fellow noble. "Please help us fight Kokabiel!"
Diadora however, stayed where he was while observing the battlefield with a frown.
Many Fallen Angels on both sides littered the field, with two Devils dead.
"Diadora-san did you—?"
The blonde said nothing and instead raised a hand and fired a spell. A large green magic bullet streaked across the sky towards its target, which just so happened to be—
"Irina!"
The warning from Rika came too late!
The spell hit the back of the girl with the force of a car going over a hundred miles!
The brunette screamed in pain, but no sound could be heard over the explosion! She was sent flying through the air; the entire back of her battle-gear was ripped to shreds. The spell had done more than ruin her suit, it had burnt the skin beneath. It had also destroyed the ties holding her hair together in their pigtails, making it go flying everywhere.
The attack had done more however than hurting the Exorcist. It had thrown Excalibur Mimic out of her hand and getting snatched up by a Fallen, who quickly handed it off to Valper before it anyone could stop him.
"No!" Rika yelled. They had lost the last Excalibur! Valper had all five fragments now!
"What are you doing? They're on our side!" Rias protested.
"I know," the Astaroth heir answered, a sinister looking smile spreading across his face. "For a holy sword wielder, she didn't stand a chance against me if I have to say!"
"Now why is our spy within the Underworld doing here?"
The question by Kokabiel sank into the Devils like a stone.
`Spy within the Underworld…´
"Traitor!"
It was Asumoto who declared the words they were all thinking.
Diadora ignored him, but nevertheless let a laugh escape between his lips. "It isn't a surprise that your Queen is the one to call me such a thing Rias. Yes, he always did hate me. By the way Kokabiel, I should tell you that Asmodeus has been taken care of and that I've waited long enough to collect my prize."
His eyes fell upon Asia, who flinched in fear at his gaze. The last time he spoke to the nun, was when he revealed he was the Devil she saved all those years ago. And now he would not let Rias or anyone else stop him from getting her this time. Especially Asumoto.
Rias felt a shiver run through her bones. Maou Asmodeus, the greatest tactician of the Underworld - dead!? How? Who killed him? Had he been assassinated by Diadora? Or did one of the Old Satans kill him in combat?
How many more surprises are to come forth today!? Rias thought angrily. First Valper taking souls from children. God of the Bible was dead. Now Maou Asmodeus was dead and Diadora was a spy leaking plans to Kokabiel and the Old Satans all this time!
"At last!" she heard Valper cheer in excitement! "I have all the fragments! I can now fuse them into one!"
Kokabiel's laugher soon joined in. "Excellent! Now fuse those swords so we may have a weapon to destroy these Devils, Valper!"
But he either seem to not hear or ignore the Cadre's words. He still looked at the two new swords, his smile seeming to brighten each second. "This is incredible! Oh, I can't wait to see the expression on the Grand Master´s face!"
"Grand Master?" Kokabiel asked with a frown. Who was that?
His question was replied with a howl of laughter. "K-Kokabiel. You actually believe I got these swords for you!? I only needed you to get them for the Grand Master! You are such an arrogant fool!"
"What was that!?" Kokabiel growled in anger at the researcher's words. "A fool you call me? How dare such a lowly human like you call me that! I am superior to you! I am the Governor General!"
"And yet you let yourself believe a human like me would serve you! Hahaha! I, like the Order, only wish to see the Church burn for their crimes! And to do that, we needed the Excaliburs and you were the perfect tool to be used in getting them for us! So, I thank you on behalf of the Order, Kokabiel - fool of fools."
This was a shock for everyone, even the traitor Diadora. Valper had used Kokabiel to get the swords for his true master? Who was this Order? And why did they wish to see the Church burn? Where they demons or former followers of the Church?
Those questions weren't thought of by Kokabiel however. He was, for the first time for the Devils since seeing him, seething with rage!
"You filthy fucking human!"
He roared while throwing a spear of light at the researcher.
"Guess it's time to go!"
The spear wasn't the only thing going after Valper.
Asumoto flew as fast his wings could carry him! The Knight trait tripling his speed! He had to get to him before the spear did! He had to get the Holy Swords back before Valper escaped or the Fallen managed to kill him and get the swords from him!
He drew closer and closer to the researcher, with his hand extended to grab the weapons! He didn't care if Valper died, so long as he could get the swords. Even if he could get one, hopefully Destruction, then at last one would be saved!
"If something happens to me, you will never learn who was behind the death of your Clan." Nothing could have prepared him for this sudden, calmly spoken, words by Valper.
Silver eyes dilated at those words before scrunching in anger. How did he know of that day!? Was this Order he was allied with the ones who slaughtered his clan!? If so, then Valper must be teleporting to them right now! He knows where they are!?
A new resolve fueled his drive to get to the researcher before the spear did! He had to get to him to know who and where this Order was! If he could…. then he could exact revenge on those animals for murdering his family!
"What do you know about it!?" Asumoto yelled as he was a foot away from Valper who continued to smile.
Closer! Just a litter closer…
Pop!
A bright flash engulfed the researcher! He, along with the magician disappeared from his vision!
Asumoto quickly pulled up from his dive, narrowing avoiding the spear in the process! He stared at the spot Valper had been in. His smile still imprinted on his mind.
An uncontrollable rage began to fill Asumoto at that moment. He got away…
He wasn't quick enough to catch him.
Now Valper would be able to reform the Excalibur! And more importantly… he - Asumoto - wouldn't know the identity of those who murdered his clan…
"Yah!"
Exorcists and Fallen Angels surrounded him! Weapons all poised to kill him! Arrogant smirks on their faces that the Devil heathen was—
Shing!
Steel cutting through cloth and flesh was being heard. A split second after that, it was raining Fallen and Exorcists. The swords in Asumoto's hands dripped with their blood.
Angry as he was, he couldn't let rash behavior cloud his mind from thinking clearly. Nevertheless… he had to vent his anger… and what better way to do that then take it out on the Cadre who tried to kill Valper.
With an exhale of breath, he threw himself onto Kokabiel. His movements were a red blur that cut and slashing at the Cadre.
Skillful as he was, his swordsmanship was blocked by Kokabiel's swords of light. However, that didn't mean he was not at least able to slip passed the war veteran´s defenses and draw blood from him.
The lessons of Musashi Miyamoto proved valuable in this battle. Use the long sword to parry and block while the short sword dose the attacking.
Kokabiel now parried attack after attack by the samurai, grunting at each strike that managed to hit him.
Impressive as the samurai's skills were, he had more important things to focus on.
Such as the Red Dragon Emperor.
That boy had not once set off upon the battlefield. In fact, he had stayed behind to protect the nun Beelzebub's brother wanted. His power transfer to Lucifer's sister had been a brave but foolish mistake.
Her ability to use the Beal clans Destruction magic was insignificant next to the powers of Baraqiel's daughter. She had mastery over her Holy Lighting, which was very powerful.
If that boy transferred magic to her, Leviathan's sister, and the Nekoshou, they would be a triple threat that even he - Kokabiel of Grigori - would have trouble dealing with.
Yes, he did not wish to admit it, but if that were to happen, he wouldn´t be able to win here without help. But that was something he wouldn´t let happen.
So, the wielder of the Red Dragon Emperor had to die.
"A-A-A-Asumoto-senpai is scary!" Issei heard Gasper wailed behind his pant leg that the boy was clutching tightly.
Scary? That was hardly the word Issei was thinking. Asumoto was-there was no other word to explain it- cool! He was wise and friendly as well as smart and powerful.
The skills he witnessed today were incredible. He had no idea Asumoto was so veritably medieval with weapons. From bows to spears to swords, each one was deadly in the hands of Asumoto.
"Should w-we help them?"
The question asked by the Dhamphir made Issei grimace. He had been thinking on that for a long time.
Should he help his friends?
Like Gasper, Issei, had not joined the battle. Well - except for the ambush in the forest. But that was all he did. He wanted to help his friends. But he had been told that he and Gasper were the secret weapons to be used against Kokabiel when things looked sour.
He would have boosted to max and then transferred his power to Gasper to freeze time.
Rias however, had other plans. She ordered him to transfer all his charged-up power to her - so she could annihilate Kokabiel, which she failed to do. Now that her plan failed, what then? Was he supposed to try boosting once more? If he boosted twenty times again, it may very well drain him of energy.
And what about Diadora? His appearance alone made Issei angry. He was one of those rich kids would saw himself better than anyone. But knowing he was a traitor, as well as being the one who had Asia kicked from the Church made his blood boil with anger. This guy had to be stopped from getting Asia-chan, and Kokabiel had to be stopped too. He was practically trapped between two villains.
What to do now? He had agreed to go along with the plan, even if he didn´t like it - that pretty much meant he would stay back and provide energy for the others. But now, with Rias failure, the plan had already pretty much gone to hell anyway. He doubted that he could transfer that much power again, even if he tried.
But maybe he could still do something by himself...
"Watch out!"
He didn't know who said that. But when he looked back, he saw a light spear come right for him at blinding speed! It was already two feet in front of him before something got in the way!
Something?... No, Someone. Issei felt his body freeze in shock. Someone with black feathery wings and matching hair. Issei´s brain only needed a split-second to realize who had been blocking the spear´s path. But in the same moment he saw that it had now hit her instead.
"Raynare!"
Issei caught his lover as she fell backwards. His hands being soaked in blood - her blood.
Everything was happening nearly exactly like before with Rias protecting Asumoto. Only this time, Asia was unconscious and couldn't use her magic.
This meant the wound, which was gaping in the Fallen's chest, couldn't be closed.
"Akeno," he called out. He had seen her heal Asumoto earlier. But he doubted that her magic was enough for a wound like this. Not to mention that her own energy might be exhausted as well at this point. But at least they had to try.
She was already trying to get to them and blasted an Exorcist, who was standing in her way with holy lightning.
A second later she was kneeling next to Issei and Gaspar beside Raynare´s body.
The others were distracting the enemy, so that they were relatively safe for the moment.
"Hold on," she said to them as she tried to use her healing magic once more.
But like Issei had secretly feared, it was barely showing any effect. Not only was the wound too leather for her, she had also already used too much of her own energy for the battle and to heal Asumoto.
There was no way to save her. She was dying!
"No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! Raynare! Hold on! You're gonna be alright!" Issei repeated hysterical. Hands holding her tightly as if to prevent her from bleeding more.
"Do something," he yelled at Akeno.
"I am sorry. My magic isn´t strong enough for a wound like this. I knew it wouldn´t work, but I was trying anyway," she apologized.
He couldn't let her go! He couldn't let his girlfriend die! Not when they had so many fun places to visit!
"Hush, Ise-kun," Raynare soothed while blood leaked from her mouth. "Don't fret. I feel no pain."
"Why!?" Issei screamed. Tears forming in his eyes. "Why did you do that!? I'm supposed to be the one to protect you!"
"I am sorry," she said. "I saw what happened and I just acted without thinking. Before I met you, I had been miserable and - and I would never want to go back to that. I love you. Without you I am lost. I just couldn´t let y..."
"What? You just couldn't let me what? Raynare-chan!?"
But no reply came from the Fallen Angel.
"Raynare-chan…"
Again, no answer.
The hand that was caressing his cheek dropped to the floor. All movement become still…cold…
…lifeless… No, this couldn´t be. She couldn´t...
She... she was...
A long loud scream of agony was let loose as he held his girlfriend close to him while more tears fell from Issei's eyes as the horrible truth began to skin him. She was gone. He had lost her. Issei felt as if something cracked inside him. He would never see her again.
Akeno felt tears fill her eyes. Her sorrow about the pain Issei was feeling was heart-rending, but it was nothing compared to hate she felt towards herself.
She failed to save Raynare. The very Fallen she had resented since she moved to Kuoh. Something that she now deeply regretted. Among many other things. She had only recently apologized to her for her behavior, hours before the battle began, which Raynare had accepted. Akeno had hoped to try being friends with her when this war was over. But now that would never happen. She was dead… all because of that bastard. In this moment she wanted nothing more than to kill Kokabiel herself, for all he had done to Raynare, to Issei, to Asumoto and all the others.
"Agh!"
Akeno spun her head around in time to see Asumoto come crashing to the ground and roll several times before coming to a stop. He scrambled back onto his feet. A trail of red armor fragments littered the ground from breaking off during the crash leaving both shoulders, throat, left thigh, and right arm unprotected. His helmet though, now sporting cracks, had saved his skull from being broken.
It didn't however leave his face undamaged. Blood streamed from wounds on his forehead and right cheek, as well as his mouth. Hopefully he hadn't lost any teeth.
Still, he looked better than he had after the Rating Game. Akeno would rather have broken armor and cuts than torn clothes, burns and broken bones.
Before she could ask if he was alright the maniacal laughter of Kokabiel rang through the sky. Glaring at the Cadre, she saw he was sporting some cuts on his arms and chest, with a long deep slash running across his face. His once magnificent robes where ribbed to shreds by Asumoto's onslaught.
"Poor Raynare. She had such potentials," he said in a mock sad tone, thought his murderous grin said otherwise. "But now she's dead. Because you couldn't save her Red Dragon Emperor! No actually, she had to save you... and threw her life away for a useless weakling like you."
Weak…
"It is a shame actually. A Fallen Angel killing herself over something like you. I have to say, you are the weakest Red Dragon Emperor I have ever seen. You could never hope to stand up to the White Dragon - or even anyone. You're just a pathetic human! Why Raynare fell for you I won't know, nor care about!"
Pathetic…
"But don't worry boy, you'll be joining her right now…" Kokabiel formed another spear of light and aimed it at Issei with the intent to finish him.
Akeno gritted her teeth when looking at the situation they were in.
Valper had escaped with the Excalibur fragments, they were starting to lose energy, and many of their Fallen allies and two of Sona's servants were dead. Akeno watched helplessly as her friends were overwhelmed by the enemy. Pushed back to the where she stood. Everyone was panting, sweating, and covered in dirt and blood - their own or the enemies, she didn't know.
She looked to Asumoto. Even with all the wounds he sustained, and defeat inevitable, he still stood tall against the enemy. The bravery in his silvery eyes to keep fighting burned brightly in them.
He would die on his feet.
Like a true samurai.
But even he, like the others, would reach his limit very soon.
And it was all Rias Gremory's fault!
That stupid girl let her pride as a Devil get the better of her and would now it would be the death of them all! There was no way they would survive this. Had she not wasted Issei´s Transfer power on herself, instead of giving it to Gaspar as planned, they would have had a chance.
Kokabiel threw the spear. It zoomed at the remaining defenders at blinding speed.
Kuroka, Akeno, Asumoto, Tsubaki, Sona, and her remaining Bishop, Reya Kusaka, moved forward to cast as strong of a barrier as they could with the remaining magic they had. Their attempts to counter the Cadre was stopped when a massive surge of power erupted from Issei, blowing everyone away! It swirled around him like a red hurricane!
The spear aimed at him hit the red vortex and shattered to pieces in an instance.
Everyone stared in awe and shock at the Red Dragon Emperor's host.
"I-Issei?" Rias asked, concern filling her voice.
But Issei did not reply. He still held Raynare's lifeless form in his arms. Eyes concealed by his hair, but tears could still be seem rolling down his face, and teeth gripped in rage. Rage that was started to make his body shake uncontrollably.
"This… this power…"
The tone Kuroka said it in was something nobody, not even Asumoto, would have excepted to hear from her.
Fear.
Fear that began to spread amongst them.
"What's happening to Hyoudou?" asked one of the surviving Fallen who was clutching a bleeding arm.
All eyes zeroed in on the Red Dragon Emperor. Shock, confusing, and fear where etched on everyone's face. All except for Kokabiel and Hazael.
Both Cadre's wore looks of interest at what was happening.
Asumoto felt his heart pound like thunder within his chest at what he was seeing. He had seen pictures of this in his studies in the Underworld and was sure what was about to happen.
'Please!' Asumoto thought as he edged closer to his friends to protect them. 'Please, Amaterasu, don't let it be what I fear it is!'
His fears where correct when a loud, deep, voice rent the air.
"I who am about to awaken!"
End
That's right. I did it. I killed Raynare. And you all know why I did that.
I've also killed two of Sona's servants, Tsubasa and Momo. You thought I was gonna leave Sona's peerage undamaged? Nope.
Don't like it? Too bad. This is war, people. Casualties where meant to happen and I'm trying to take this segment as serious as possible.
Anyway i'm gonna get started on my next chapter. See you later.