Kuroka could feel it. The immense magic released from the activation of the Blade of Olympus. She grew up hearing stories of the ancient gods from her mother, who always believed in the gods. She and Shirone would always be enthralled by stories of ancient heroes who saved the city by slaying monsters and won the heart of the princess. Eventually they grew out of such fairy tales, watching him now...Kuroka could feel her heart pounding with the thought of seeing such a hero.
She could hardly move her body. It felt like her legs were made of stone and her arms were just lifeless. Breathing was hard enough let alone concentrating on the fight ahead of them. But for some reason, whenever she's around him, Kuroka felt powerful. She felt invincible even, as if she could do anything and everything in the world, so long as master was by her side.
She clutched her heart. "Master..."
She felt a hand on her shoulder. "You talk big Kuroka, but have faith in him." It was Gabriel. Kuroka had never interacted with Angels before, but Gabriel definitely broke the stereotype that Kuroka always heard of. Gabriel was much more down to earth, kind hearted and free. She heard that Angels were more...divine, seeing humans as nothing but toys or insects.
"Winning this won't be easy," The valkyrie, Rossweisse, got on her feet and clutched at her arm. "Uriel aside, Loki isn't someone to come into a fight unprepared. He has to have something up his sleeve."
"Agreed," Lord Gremory grinned. "But for now, why don't we just see what this young god slayer can do."
Kuroka looked on. Asa Masamune, he had such a confident smile on his face. It was the first time she had seen him look so...happy. Covered in blood and bruised, yet radiating such confidence. He made it look so easy to be strong...
"Nice trick," Uriel said. "But don't think you'll win so easily."
In a flash, Uriel created multiple light spears that surrounded Masamune in a sphere. However, just as quickly as they appeared, they were destroyed in an instant.
"You know," Masamune said. "Ever since I arrived in this world, I felt a need to hold back. Everything here felt like it was made of paper. Try too hard and everything would crumble...but you two," He pointed the sword at the god and angel. "You two have given me an opportunity to do something I haven't had the chance to do in hundreds of years."
Loki gritted his teeth. "Enkidu!" Multiple Nordic magic circles opened up and shot golden chains at Masamune, constricting his arms, legs, and even the sword. "Today you die. I don't care what happens anymore."
Masamune smirked. The chains began to glow, and suddenly began to loosen. The Nordic circles began to shift, moving behind him. "Enkidu, the divine beast sent to kill the hero Gilgamesh by the gods. However, the two recognized each other's strengths and became friends. Defying the gods meant death, but he didn't care. Throwing caution to the wind, the beast left the gods to join his friend. The Golden Constrictor, Enkidu."
Uriel stepped back. "Y-You...How!"
In a flash, Masamune disappeared. It took Kuroka a few seconds to realize that he had reappeared behind Uriel and Loki, with his sword stained with blood.
Suddenly, blood shot from Uriel's chest. Loki suffered a blow to his left arm. "He's fast...I didn't even notice him move." Loki winced.
"That sword," Uriel said, regaining his ground. "I've never seen it in action...so this is the power of Olympus."
Masamune raised his sword, and with a swing to his side, created a wave of energy that instantly sliced through the hordes of frost giants, instantly dwindling their numbers.
"Loki," Uriel said. "Retreat."
"What! You dare tell me to retreat?" Loki cried. "I am a god, I retreat from no foe!"
"Remember the plan!" Uriel snapped. "Have you forgotten why we wanted Asgard in the first place?"
Loki gritted his teeth. He looked to Masamune with distain. "We will meet again, god slayer. And next time, you will die." A Nordic circle swallowed him up.
"Was it okay to let him leave?" Kuroka asked.
"With him gone, at least the coup can be ended rather quickly," Lord Odin said.
Masamune looked to Uriel. "I don't want to kill you. I'll give you this one and only chance to leave, and never set foot back here or in Heaven." He narrowed his eyes. "You disgrace the name of Angels."
"Don't act so high and mighty," Uriel smirked. "Even if you kill me, you won't be able to stop what's to come. This world is as good as gone when it wakes."
Masamune narrowed his eyes. "It?"
Uriel smirked, before lunging forward with light spears. Kuroka watched as the angel and god slayer engaged in close combat. It was nothing she had ever seen before. Each time they clashed blades, magic poured out and created waves that knocked everything surrounding them back. Kuroka could feel it even from this far away.
"I thought he was a pacifist at first," Sera said with a smile. "But turns out he's just an idiot who was looking for someone to fight that wouldn't lose so easily."
"An idiot, indeed," Gabriel sighed.
"I will slaughter everything you love!" Uriel clashed blades with Masamune, manifesting blades in the air above him. "The Devil King, Gabriel, even that little cat of yours. I'll kill them slowly, making sure they feel every second of it before sending them to hell!"
"Like hell you will!" Masamune pushed him back. "I'm tired of seeing people I love die. I'm...I'm going to..." He raised his sword over his head. "I'm going to protect, everybody!"
Over his head, Kuroka witnessed as an Omega symbol appeared. Smaller circles surrounded it, individual insignias of the twelve Olympian gods.
"Fear me, for I am the king!" Masamune recited. "The strongest in all the worlds! The thief who stole the heavens, the warrior who sits at the top!"
"Die!" Uriel charged at him.
Masamune shouted as he ran towards the archangel. In an instant, it was over. Both warriors stood on opposite sides. Kuroka couldn't peel her eyes away. Her heart began to race as she saw how it concluded.
"The day of the Apocalypse draws near," Uriel said as his arms fell off. "Even you won't be able to stop it. Let your sins be your undoing," He fell on the ground. "God slayer..."
Masamune panted. Lord Gremory and Lord Odin grabbed the girls and teleported them over to the battlefield. Kuroka finally managed to get on her feet. She watched as Masamune stood over Uriel's body.
"This world is my home now," he said. "I'll protect it no matter what."
Uriel's body began to glow and slowly vanish. In seconds, the angel's body was gone.
"W-What just..." Kuroka was at a loss for words.
"Purgatory," Gabriel explained. "The dimension between dimensions. God created it to perserve the lives of angels who fell in battle. He'll be trapped there for eternity."
"Munecchi!"
Kuroka looked to see Masamune falling to his knees and passed out. Kuroka and Sera rushed to his side. She used her senjutsu to examine his body.
"Incredible," she said. "His body just used up an enormous amount of magic, but it's regenerating at an incredible pace."
"It must be the Blessing of Olympus," Lord Gremory explained. "Immortality...you're really no joke, Masamune-Kun."
Kuroka placed a hand on his cheek. She knew without a doubt now that this was the man she was supposed to have met. She remembered her mother telling her that she'd meet her own hero one day...
"Thank you," Kuroka leaned in and kissed his cheek. "my hero."
"K-K-Kuroka!" Sera blushed. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"
Kuroka placed a hand over her mouth. "Just a good luck charm."
…
Fire. That was all he saw in that dream.
It was a world composed of fire. Fiery flames surrounded him. If he hadn't been completelt fire proof due to Hephaestus's Authority, he would have been toast by now. These flames were nothing to laugh at either. It made the Underworld of Hades look like a fireplace.
"What the hell..." Masamune scratched his head.
"You did well," A booming voice spoke. "I wouldn't have believe someone like you would be the one."
"Who's there!"
He regretted those words as he looked above him. It was a dragon, an enormous dragon easily 30 feet tall stood over him. It's wings spread open as it let out a thundering roar. It was a large western dragon with crimson scales and golden eyes.
Slowly, the dragon's head lowered and faced him. "Child, what is your name?"
Masamune gulped. "A-Asa Masamune."
"Masamune, huh?" The dragon scoffed. "I sense immeasurable in you, the potential is completely limitless."
"Who are you?" Masamune asked.
"I am the Dragon of Dragons," The dragon declared. "The Dragon of the Apocalypse, Great Red!"
"A-Apocalypse?" He remembered Uriel's words. "A-Are you going to end the world?"
The dragon laughed. "Why would I go through such a tiresome task? No, god slayer, but it will."
"Who?"
"It's name has been long forgotten throughout the eons," Great Red said. "But you would call call it 666, or Trihexa for short. The Beast of the Apocalypse, the devourer of worlds."
Masamune gulped. "It's going to eat the world?"
"Indeed," the dragon said. "In the years to come, the seal keeping it at bay will weaken. Your arrival in this world has tremendously weakened the seals, soon it will be set free into this world."
"How long do I have?" Masamune asked.
"At most, 8 years," Great Red said. "In 8 years time, the world shall be swallowed by that thing and everything will end. No force on this world can stop it."
Masamune smirked and pounded his chest. "Don't understimate me old man. I'm not from this world."
The dragon was speechless. Suddenly, it broke out into laughter. "Indeed! I was right to choose you afterall."
"Choose me? For what?"
"In time, you will realize," Great Red said, his voice getting distant. "A number of Divine Objects have appeared in this world, god slayer. Those Objects will prove vital in the years to come. Now go! It's time for the Campione to reveal himself to this world!"
All he heard was laughter as everything became white, and Masamune opened his eyes. He saw a ceiling, or was it a bed frame. Sitting up, he rubbed his head and looked around.
"Munecchi!" A pair of arms wrapped around him. "I was so scared you wouldn't wake! It's been 2 days!"
He realized he was still in Asgard, in a golden room on a king sized bed. Surrounding him were Sera, Gabriel, Kuroka, and even Rossweisse.
"Your body was absorbing magic from the air itself," Gabriel said. "But it still took you a few days before you woke up. How are you feeling?"
"Like I had a spear in my heart," Masamune sighed. "What happened after? Is Asgard safe?"
Kuroka nodded. "Lord Gremory drove the rest of the frost giants back to Jotunheim. He's helping Lord Odin with the rebuilding plans. Looks like the Asgardians aren't moving anywhere thanks to you." She climbed in bed and leaned on his arm.
Rossweisse dropped on one knee and bowed to Masamune. Blushing, she looked at him. "Asa Masamune, I thank you for saving my home. If it had not been for you..."
He smiled. "There's no need to thank me, Rossweisse. And you don't have to be so formal, we're all friends aren't we?"
"F-Friends?"
"Yeah," He extended his hand. "Friends."
She gracefully took his hand and stood up. The girls smiled at him. Even after such an ordeal, and him actually dying, everything seemed okay.
"Looks like you're up," Lord Gremory and Lord Odin entered the room. "Looks like we can go home now. The Asgardians are rebuilding as we speak. They'll have the city back in no time."
"Rossweisse," Lord Odin said. "I want you to go with Masamune. Think of it like a mission."
Rossweisse blushed heavily. "L-Lord Odin, I think my place is here, rebuilding with the others."
"Don't be silly," The old man smiled. "It seemed to me like your place is with them. You had a lot of fun fighting alongside them, didn't you?"
Rossweisse looked to Masamune and the girls. "Well..."
"Do what you think you must," Odin said. "I'm merely suggesting an option for you."
"L-Lord Masamune..." The valkyrie rustled her hands between her legs. "If it's okay with you, will you-"
Masamune smiled. "Of course."
"Speaking of which, Masamune-Kun," Lord Gremory said. "I think it's time you move out of the Gremory manor."
Masamune raised an eyebrow. "Y-You're kicking me out?"
Lord Gremory laughed. "No, nothing like that. I actually own a hotel in Kuoh, how about you and your team move in? It might be better for you guys then staying with us."
Masamune couldn't help but feel sad. All he had known since he came to this world was that manor. Sirzechs had welcomed his so warmly, but he did know that he had to move on soon. But he still felt an attachment to that place…
"Y-Yes, I understand," Masamune mustered a smile. "I'll take you up on that offer, Lord Gremory."
…
"This place is huge!" Sera dropped her bags and gazed in awe of their new home.
Masamune had to agree. He had a hard time believing this was a hotel room. Upon opening the door, they were greeted with an enormous living room. There was already furniture decorating all the rooms.
The living room was easily equal to the Gremory manor's. Towards the far back wall was just a massive window that gave view to the veranda. A couche was set in a U shape that faced the window with a coffee table in the middle. A chandelier hung from the ceiling, which was already very high up, and lit the room. To either side of the front door were stairs leading to the second floor which had easily 7 rooms. The entrance to the kitchen and library were on either side of the living room and made this place feel even bigger then it is.
"I can't believe Lord Gremory actually owns this entire building," Gabriel said.
"T-This place is huge…" Rossweisse ended up echoing Sera.
Masamune walked forward. "I guess we're home."
From the library, Sirzechs walked out and greeted them. "Oh? You guys made it!" He smiled. "I hope everything's okay. Ajuka and I didn't know how you guys wanted to decorate so we did the bare minimum."
"You guys did more than we expected," Masamune smiled.
"I'm gonna go see my room!" Sera ran upstairs.
"S-Sera!" Gabriel quickly followed her.
"Sirzechs," Masamune said, walking towards him. "I need you to do me a favor."
The Devil King raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"I need you to convene a meeting with Ajuka, Lord Gremory, and anybody else you think is important," Masamune said. "But keep it to a minimum if possible. I don't want this getting out too much."
"Masamune-Kun…" Sirzechs definitely had questions, but thankfully he didn't push yet. "I understand. Everything will be ready tomorrow, come by the Manor tomorrow morning."
Masamune smiled. "But I gotta say, you did an incredible job here. Where's Ajuka?"
"He's with Lord Gremory in Asgard," Rossweisse interjected. "It seems the two have no intention of leaving until my home is rebuilt."
"I'll be in the kitchen," Sirzechs winked at Masamune before walking off while whistling.
Masamune turned to Rossweisse to see her blushing and shy. "Rossweisse? What's wrong?"
"Um…Masamune," She said, her face as red as a beet. "D-Do you really think it's alright for me to be here? I understand it was an order from the All-Father, but still…"
Masamune sighed and placed a hand on her head. "Don't be silly. You heard him, he said it was just a suggestion. I'm not someone who gives people orders so I won't tell you what to do if you don't want to do it, but…" He looked around. "This is a good place to live, isn't it? Regain a bit of normalcy in the chaos that is our lives."
Rossweisse smiled. "I've often heard from the All-Father that Campione were once fearsome demon kings who commanded attention and were unwavering in their power. But you're nothing like I heard in the stories…"
He raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"You're much kinder…much more kind hearted than I thought," She said. "You're one of the strongest beings on the planet, and yet you treat yourself as if you were an ordinary human."
Masamune blushed. "I-I guess it rubbed off on me…" He stuttered. "I knew someone, a Campione like myself, who never wanted this life. He just wanted to be a normal boy, going to school and enjoying his youth. But this life was thrusted to him, but he did his best his to accept it. I guess I learned to follow in his footsteps."
Rossweisse just looked at him, shocked and speechless. "I see." She smiled at him. "I look forward to working with you, my king."
Masamune blushed. "You don't have to call me that…"
"Hmm?"
"It's nothing," Masamune sighed. He began to look around the room. It's been a long time since he truly had a home, but he was oddly looking forward to this. "Wait a minute, where's Kuroka?"
Rossweisse raised an eyebrow. "Lady Kuroka? I don't know…I sent her the address but she hasn't shown up yet."
Masamune sighed. "Don't tell me she got lost." He walked to the kitchen to see Sirzechs, wearing an apron, and cooking. "Sirzechs? Do you know where Felix Naberius is? I'm afraid Kuroka might have gotten herself in a bit of trouble."
"Naberius…huh?" Sirzechs set his tools down and walked to him. He pulled out a paper with a magic circle drawn on it and handed it to Masamune. "This magic circle will take you directly to the Naberius house. Felix is the only one living there, you might find her there."
He took the paper. "By the way, is he okay? He did something unforgivable, I would have thought Sera would have killed him by now."
"As much as I wanted to agree with her," Sirzechs sighed. "We can't end his bloodline. The number of pure blooded devils have greatly dwindled over the centuries. If we kill him, it would mean ending another blood line and decreasing our numbers. We've taken great precaution, however. He won't be doing anything without us knowing."
"I see," Masamune smiled. He walked back to the living room to see Rossweisse. "I'm gonna be stepping out for a bit, tell Sera and Gabriel so they won't be worried."
"Y-Yeah…" She said. "Be careful."
Masamune nodded and looked at the circle. He poured his magic into it as he closed his eyes. A magic circle formed to his side and swallowed him whole.
He opened his eyes to see a rather dark room. It was…horrifying. Once his eyes adjusted, Masamune could see torture equipment hanging from the walls and several tables around the rooms. The smell of burnt flesh filled the room.
"W-What the hell…"
A scream echoed through the darkness and caught his attention. He quickly ran out and hid behind a wall as he witnessed Kuroka, on the ground, bleeding and bruised and covering someone. Felix Naberius stood over her, anger filling his eyes and a whip with blades at the ends.
"You dare say you want to leave?" Felix shouted. "You couldn't do anything against that brat and then you have the nerve to say you want to leave me, for him! I gave you two rats a home, welcomed you in, and you want to leave me!" He slashed Kuroka's back.
Masamune balled his fist. He was about to jump in, but he noticed what Kuroka was doing. She was covering a girl, a much younger girl than Kuroka. She had snow white hair and blank, empty golden eyes. "I…I can't thank you enough for what you've done for us, but it's time for us to leave."
"As if!" Felix whipped her again. "You two rise me through the ranks…I'll even overthrow that no good Sirzechs…"
"I'm fine with you doing whatever want to me, but you had no reason torturing Shirone," Kuroka looked at Felix with nothing but spirit in her eyes. "I won't let you take away her childhood!"
Felix smirked. "What childhood? Look at her…she's nothing but an empty husk, there's nothing left."
"You're wrong!" Kuroka cried. "She's my sister…my only family…she's stronger then you think. I'll save her from you, and we're going back to my real master!"
"You…Little…" Felix had nothing but rage filling his eyes. Just as he was about to slash once more at the two girls, Masamune jumped in. His aegis protecting them, he glared at Felix. "You! Why are you here!"
"I'm taking them home," Masamune said.
"Are you mad! This is their home!"
"No," He turned around to look at Kuroka, who was speechless and looking to Masamune. "This hellhole is not their home. Her place isn't with you, you delusional psychopath."
"You…What gives you the right…" Felix unleashed a large amount of magic. "What gives you the right to take my belongings!"
He charged at Masamune with demonic power. "She's not your belonging!" Masamune punched him in the face, pushing him back. "She's just a girl looking for a place to belong! If you really cared about her, you'd let her go!"
"Shut up!"
Kuroka broke the fight by taking Masamune's hand. She stood up, carrying Shirone on her back.
"Masamune…" She said, crying. "Thank you…"
"Kuroka…"
She walked forward and faced Felix. "Lord Naberius, I thank you for taking care of my sister and I up until now, but it's time we take our leave. Farewell."
"Kuroka…wait!"
Kuroka raised her hand and swallowed them up in a magic circle.
…
Ajuka stood in the war room with Lord Gremory, Lord Odin, and Thor. The majority of the Asgardians were outside rebuilding, but the All-Father had convened a meeting here. Ajuka wondered if it was about Masamune-Kun, but he had a feeling something much more was about to be discussed.
"Father," Thor said. "Why have you called us here?"
Ajuka looked to Thor. Despite never having actually met him, Ajuka knew of the Mighty Thor. A tall, muscular man with long blonde hair and wearing chain mail and Asgardian armor.
"Uriel's last words…I'm guessing," Lord Gremory sighed.
"Indeed," Lord Odin said. "The day of the Apocalypse draws near…"
"The Apocalypse?" Thor asked. "Ragnarok of the Bible?"
Ajuka nodded. "It's said to bring destruction to the world, a beast will rise and consume the world. Do you really think he means to bring the Apocalypse?"
"He couldn't have been working alone," Lord Gremory said. "I fear that there's a group out there that wishes to bring the world into untold destruction."
"I will convene with the other mythologies," Lord Odin said. "Surely we can figure something out."
"I'll convene with the other factions," Lord Gremory said. "Ajuka, do you mind filling in my son? I'm sure Sirzechs will want to know what's going on."
Ajuka nodded. "Of course, Lord Gremory."
"Thor," Lord Odin said. "Gather the others, I want you to lead a team to the other realms and gather information if you can. We must know as much we can before it's too late."
Ajuka looked behind him to the golden city. What have you gotten yourself into, Masamune-Kun.
Author's Note - Sorry for the late upload, I've been feeling writer's block lately and haven't written as much as I'd like. This chapter is kind of…subpar and not as good as I'd like it to be. It feels kind of rushed, but I'm hoping next chapter will be better. Anyways, I hope this is okay and I'll see you guys soon :)