Back again, fuckers! Okay, I haven't even written this chapter yet and I know it's gonna end up turning into a long one. Might end up having another "divide and upload" situation, there's a lot of content for this arc. But now we're getting into the exciting stuff. I can already hear some of you now: "FINALLY, some fucking action!" Yeah, yeah, I know, I know. But character shit is important too ya know! Which, by the way, there is WAAAY more of in this chapter lol. I'm not sure what the action to character development ratio is, but the character stuff stands out way more in comparison regardless. In fact, this chapter (or more specifically this entire arc) is a serious turning point for the character development of multiple characters. One of those obviously being Issei. In terms of Issei's character, I think this arc will be by far more important to his development than anything else he's experienced before. You'll see some of that in this chapter, but you'll come to truly understand it all once the arc is over. We still got a bit aways to go tho so don't get out of your seat yet!

By the way, I've gotten TONS of messages and reviews from people being slightly disappointed that Xenovia didn't die and only ONE review that was glad about it. Damn… Y'all really hate Xenovia, huh? Lmao. Guess I shouldn't be surprised. She's like one of the most disliked girls in the DxD harem. Well, maybe not disliked per say, but I've never seen anyone write home for her so far so… lol

As for those who love Irina however..…. I'm sorry. You may want to look away for this one….


GRIGORI

—One night, at a lake somewhere near the town of "Kuoh", there was a single man sitting on the shoreline, fishing quietly. The crickets from the woods close by chirped incessantly, giving the gentle environment around him a sense of life beyond its visual stillness. The moon softly reflected off the waters, giving the shoreline at his feet a calming glow.

All in all, it was a comfortable location to pass time. Especially so if you happened to be the "CEO" of an overtly boisterous "company" which was currently producing a subtle rumble throughout the entire "industry."

—The "company" being Grigori and the "industry" being the underground world of the supernatural.

"Hmm~ It's a nice place, isn't it? Compared to the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, this place is a lot more easy to kick back in. It's been a few years since I've been to Japan so I've forgotten how diverse it can be. Ah, since you went out of your way to give lonely little me some company, you might as well pick up a fishing rod."

The fisher said that as if speaking to someone, but there was seemingly no one in sight. —No, that's not quite right. There was someone around. It's just that their silhouette was difficult to make out against the backdrop of the moon.

It was a silhouette covered in a luminescent white "skin", after all.

"Ho? Are you the type that gets lonely easily?"

The figure descended, now appearing to be a handsome young man with particles of blue light sprinkling and dissipating off of his body, as if he had just changed form.

"I didn't expect you to come out here yourself. Did the antics of one of your "meddlesome" subordinates inspire you to finally leave the laboratory?"

The fisher sighed tiredly.

"Haah, what an unpleasant situation. Both of them seem to be planning something that will affect the supernatural world as a whole."

"So what is he doing out here, that guy? I thought he was wasting his time with Metatron and testing out the "Fafnir" item you're working on."

"Yes, well, originally, I wanted to have you handle this situation for me, but it seems like the actions of Kokabiel piqued that fellow's interest far too much. Now he's gone and went off on his own to poke his nose where it doesn't belong. This despite the fact I instructed him to leave it to you. Geez, what a troublesome bunch that I've come to father. I should've known better than to rally the likes of those cast out from heaven."

"Is there a point in sulking over mistakes made millenia ago? It makes you sound like a grouchy old man."

"I am an old man. I have been around since "long ago", you know? A century is like a decade to someone like me. Compared to a brat like you, I'm an old king to old men."

"Whatever you say. More importantly, let's get back to what Bal is doing. What do you think? Is he going to do something drastic while running after Kokabiel? Or should I say, to Kokabiel?"

"I can't say for sure, honestly. Just like you, he happens to be a wild card. He either keeps his intentions very honest or very ambiguous. Judging by the current situation, I'd assume that he's going after my general's head. Honestly, what a troublesome character. You two have too much in common. I might have a problem of taking rambunctious folks under my wings. What a bad habit to have."

"You asked me to bring the general back even if it took all of my strength. I thought I might have an interesting job for once, but if that guy is going to interfere, I might not get the chance."

"Well, that all depends. That fellow could end up handling the situation by himself. But I can also see him dropping the job off on someone else who runs that town nearby."

"In that town? You mean Gremory?"

"No. I mean the fellow who killed my thieving little subordinate and her three lackeys."

"Ah, that's the guy whose identity you're trying to hide from me. Even though I already told you I have no interest. Hmm... As I thought, is it somebody strong?"

"Well, I'm actually not sure at this point in time. However, I get the distinct feeling that Bal may be looking to test that out by using my general as a scapegoat. He could end up witnessing something interesting while also completing your mission for you."

"I see. In that case, I might just take up a seat and watch right beside him. I'm also interested in seeing what existence you sent Raynare to monitor. Although being able to kill that brat and her team isn't much of an accomplishment, if it's someone who Bal and Azazel are both interested in, then maybe it's worth a look after all."

The fisher made a somewhat nervous chuckle.

"Ahaha… This is seriously going to turn out to be something troublesome, isn't it…"

"What about the technology that they stole? Along with the Excalibur he stole from the churches, it seems like Kokabiel also took something else, something which belonged to you. What was it?"

"Two things. The first is a prototype machine. It was meant to be a derivative of the "Sacred Gear extractor" relic. It's similar in concept, but it was only intended for co-operative efforts involving "raw power transference." But I was having too much trouble with it so I scrapped it and went on with my Sacred Gear research instead. I should've known better than to leave it in such an easily accessible section of the base. If the information Bal collected before running off is true, then that general of mine really stole it at the perfect time. —No, it's likely an intended consequence rather than a coincidence. According to Bal, that guy is already in league with the "Archbishop of death." If that's the case, then they're going to utilize that technology's ability to the fullest extent. Because if there was anyone who could expand on my research further, it would've been the vile priest who created and perfected the art of "gene crystallization." Haah. There's a limit to how many times I can sigh, you know? I honestly can't think of a more ridiculous situation than this one."

"It seems like you have a bad luck streak when it comes to your precious little devices."

Despite what he said, the fisher sighed again.

"Haah… Yep. That guy even stole a "robotic prosthetic prototype" leg from the prototype limbs that I was developing…. Time and again, my technology just keeps on getting stolen. What is it, a new trend? At this point, I might have to start protecting it to the death.."

"Impossible. You have way too many possessions to your name. There's no way you could defend it all."

"Well, if it comes down to it, I may just have to assign security teams for every sector of artifact containment."

"For a bunch of worthless toys, what a waste of resources."

"There's countless valuable artifacts and technologies within Grigori, Vali. You shouldn't just discredit it because you're a battle maniac."

"If it can't fight, then it's worthless to me. At the end of the day, those toys are just that: toys."

"Now, now. Some of those "toys" have the capability to foster strong opponents, you know? Haven't you been paying attention to my research at all?"

"Aside from Bal, I've seen no other examples."

"Other examples? So just one good one isn't enough for you for now? You're a very greedy battle maniac, [Vali.]"

The handsome young man, named "Vali", smirked.

"Hmph. Of course, [Azazel]. I am part Devil, after all."

The man named Vali then turned towards the ever still lake that the fisher— The Fallen-Angel "Azazel"— was fishing into, with an intrigued gaze.

"Though, I do wonder who it is in that town that you've been trying to keep under covers from me, Azazel."

"Heh. Don't play dumb, Vali. You're a smart boy. I'm sure you already have an idea at this point."

Vali's gaze locked itself onto the reflection of the moonlight in the water, with his eyes growing an eerie, blue glow.

"Hmm. I wonder..."


Part 1

"This duel is only a duel of frustrations, not a deathmatch. Whatever you do, don't kill each other. It would be bad for all of us if that happened."

Rias made that declaration as the four fighters stood across from each other. Two on one side, two on the other.

—These fighters being Kiba Yuuto and Raynare versus the exorcists, Irina Shidou and Xenovia.

After what had transpired in the club room, Rias made a last ditch effort to quell the ever rising tensions between sides. As a compromise, she suggested having the exorcists face off against her knight and Raynare in a "friendly" duel of sorts in order to vent their grievances towards each other "amicably."

Although it wasn't the best idea she could come up with to calm the worsening storm, it was better than the alternative. That alternative being the inevitable, one-sided slaughtering of the two exorcists. At first, Rias wasn't sure the exorcists would even agree to these terms, but surprisingly, it turned in her favor. From what it looked like, the exorcist named Irina didn't want anything to do with the conflict, however, her comrade thought somewhat differently. Whether it was out of a sense of her pride as an exorcist or just because the girl assumed that it was the only way out of the current predicament, Rias isn't certain, but Xenovia nevertheless ended up accepting the offer. Although, the exorcist was still clearly reluctant to do so. It must've been only on account of the Sekiryuutei not being involved in the duel that Xenovia agreed. That was one of the terms that Rias proposed after all.

In truth, proposing that idea was what worried her most. In the state that he was in, the Sekiry— Issei, was not likely to agree.

Rias doesn't even know how she's gotten to this point. It must've taken all of her skills in persuasion to prevent what was about to happen. She never expected Issei to back off and allow these circumstances, she was sure it was an impossible expectation.

Yet, surprisingly, Issei allowed it. He stepped back and allowed Raynare to take his place as an opponent for the exorcists. It was odd. No, that's an understatement. It seemed like an impossibility. How could he have such restraint? Even if Raynare is the type to follow his orders and was even willing to assist Issei in this situation to any end, that doesn't mean Issei would let her take his place so easily…. would it?

No, that couldn't be. That would imply that Issei has a certain level of trust in Raynare that Rias isn't aware of. But it's illogical for Rias to come to that conclusion. There must've been some other reason that she simply can't understand. Issei is a complicated person, after all.

"T-There. It's all healed up now.."

Asia said that to Irina nervously, having finally concluded the treatment on Irina's nose. Everything happened so fast in the club room that she didn't have a chance back there.

Irina looked at Asia with a conflicted gaze, as if not knowing what to feel. She eventually averted her gaze without saying anything, causing Asia to feel unsure about her emotions as well.

"Asia, that's enough. Return to Issei-sama's side."

Raynare— who had shifted into her true Fallen-Angel form— commanded Asia with her unsettling, bloodthirsty gaze remaining glued to the exorcists. Asia, feeling what seemed to be a sense of guilt for the current situation, left the "battlefield" and made her way to Issei's side.

"...Thank you.."

Asia could've sworn she heard Irina mutter that in a quiet voice, but when she took a glance back at the exorcist, the girl still wasn't facing her direction. Asia returned to Issei's side without a word.

Unbeknownst to Asia, Irina's eyes followed her all the way up to when she reached Issei. Just as Irina was about to look upon Issei's face, she stopped herself just short of his chin. Whatever it was, she didn't want to see what sort of expression he was making. In truth, she was afraid of it. Only one more glance and the beloved memory of the "Ise-kun" from her past might be destroyed completely…

"—Raynare. Don't hold back."

The very person that Irina was thinking about then spoke sternly to his housemate. His voice sounded oddly monotonous...

But that wasn't the real issue. The bigger problem was that Irina's opponent was none other than Raynare herself. Meaning, Issei had no issue with commanding his supernatural roommate to fight Irina with her full might.

Some part of Irina's heart felt like it started to crumble, bit by bit… But she steeled herself for combat nonetheless.

"Yes, Issei-sama."

Raynare accepted Issei's command without hesitation. As the fighters prepared themselves for their own respective duels, one of the people on the battlefield began to laugh eerily to himself. Kiba Yuuto.

"Hm… Hehehe…"

"...Are you laughing?"

Xenovia asked her opponent, feeling unsettled slightly by his shadowy expression. Kiba chuckled darkly again before replying.

"...Of course. The shadow which I have been chasing constantly after in my dreams has finally appeared before me… I'm overjoyed."

His eyes were cold and dark, and his grin held a malicious sense of what appeared to be "happiness."

—Rias cursed herself internally for letting it all come to this. She felt even more like a fool now.

Initially, she thought that making Shidou Irina the opponent to Raynare and Xenovia the opponent to Kiba was the smart choice. Because if Raynare faced off against Xenovia, the Fallen-Angel likely would not have possessed even a shred of hesitation towards decapitating the exorcist. And in his current state, Kiba might not have reservations about doing the same to either one of them.

But now that she looks at it, the current matchup is practically no better. Kiba still won't care to hold back against Xenovia, especially considering that he's aware of her affront to Asia's life. And Raynare has just been given full permission by Issei himself to go all out, against his childhood friend of all people. Rias assumed beforehand that Raynare might have held back against Irina, maybe at the fear of incurring Issei's wrath, but now that idea was completely forfeit.

In the end, the worst case scenario still seems like the most likely outcome...

"..The way you speak, it's as if you recognize Excalibur…"

Xenovia spoke to Kiba in a suspicious tone. Kiba maintained his unnerving smile, but there was a grim tone in his voice.

"I've held one before, many times… I still remember. Each time I held it, my body lost all of its strength and blood would eventually pour out of my mouth. I could never hold back any of the coughing… Only Matthew had the strength to stand after any of that.."

Xenovia narrowed her eyes to Kiba's odd manner of speaking. It almost sounded as if he was reminiscing on something.

"I see… I think I understand now… You and your eyes full of hatred…. I had heard that there was someone amongst the "test subjects" of "that project" who managed to escape… Was that you?"

At the vague mention of the mysterious "project", Kiba's eyes darkened considerably more than before, if that was even possible. Perhaps for the first time, the malice in the knight's eyes may have equaled itself to the malice once shown in the eyes of Hyoudou Issei.

"SWORD BIRTH!"

Kiba howled and spawned various blades all around himself, choosing only two of the swords as his weapons. While wielding one sword of ice and one sword of fire, Kiba charged Xenovia and swung recklessly at her.

ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN!

With that, the duel between Excalibur and the Knight of Gremory began.

Meanwhile, Irina and Raynare stood across from each other in relative silence.

"...This Excalibur Mimic is deadly to all kinds of beings of "evil" or demonic origin. It may not have the same effect on Fallen-Angels as it does Devils, but it's sure to still deal damage to you… Are you two sure that making us your opponents is the best idea?"

Irina concluded somewhat hesitantly. In truth, she was more worried for herself and her comrade rather than their opponents. If Issei's strength was anything to go by, then the Devil Xenovia is fighting , and most especially this Fallen-Angel, are no push-overs. If that's the case, Irina needs to be extra wary.

..But she feels uneasy. For some reason, the Fallen-Angel doesn't answer or respond to Irina in any way. Instead, the woman is just standing there with hair draping over her eyes, not saying a word.

"...The word you used was "witch", wasn't it...? I called her that too, once..."

Raynare appeared to mumble something that Irina didn't quite catch. Yet still, Irina's growing sense of unease started to gnaw at her as the Fallen-Angel's creepy aura seeped off of her body.

DOOOOONNN!

—Out of nowhere, Irina's balance was suddenly thrown off by a random earthquake.

"This shaking..! Don't tell me..!"

When Irina directed her attention back to where her comrade was, she immediately realized it.

Xenovia had plunged her Excalibur Destruction into the earth, causing a large crater to appear below her and her opponent. Xenovia's opponent seemingly dodged the attack, letting him avoid the devastation that the weapon would've caused on his body. In return, the area in which the two were dueling was damaged severely.

"This is the power of Excalibur Destruction. It's name isn't only for show."

Although Xenovia's proclamation was made with confidence, her Devil opponent didn't appear to have a trace of fear in his eyes. His expression maintained its hatred, but at the cost of what might've been his caution.

"X-Xenovia! Warn me before you do something like that! You gave me a heart attack!"

Irina voiced her annoyance with her partner's actions. Xenovia apologized, albeit unregretful of what she'd done.

"Sorry, Irina. I don't have the luxury of constantly making call-outs during a battle. More importantly, you need to pay attention to what's happening around y— Irina!"

Xenovia shouted to Irina almost frantically. By the time Irina realized it, it was too late.

—Her enemy wasn't anywhere to be seen. No, she just wasn't in front of the girl. In truth, Irina's Fallen-Angel opponent had already appeared behind her back.

SLICE!

(—!?)

Irina suddenly felt a sharp, searing pain shoot up her spine, as if something had just slashed her back open. Well, that was exactly what happened, as Raynare had done just that.

"Aaah!"

Irina fell to her knees in pain, allowing the Fallen-Angel behind her to swiftly disappear again.

"Irina!"

Xenovia called out to her comrade worriedly, but she was quickly charged by Kiba Yuuto once again.

Clash!

"You shouldn't lose your focus to something else. A mistake like that could end up being fatal."

"Tch!"

Xenovia clicked her tongue in frustration, realizing that she didn't have a chance to be concerned about her partner. She had no choice but to continue facing her opponent and keep destroying his recurring arsenal of weapons.

"...Ugh… Ngh.."

—Irina stood back up unsteadily, holding an arm back to touch her gaping wound. The gash that ran down her back wasn't too deep, but it was still bleeding plenty into her rubbery black suit.

Irina heard the Fallen-Angel's voice before she saw her.

"I can't kill you. If I did, then Asia might be traumatized, and Issei-sama could punish me when he returns to his senses. In that case, I can hurt you, but only up to the point that Asia can still heal you. And unfortunately for you, that threshold is wide."

Swoosh!

Raynare appeared before Irina with a long, jagged looking spear of light in hand, ready to attack. Seeing no other alternative but to fight, Irina took the initiative and slashed at Raynare.

ZIN ZIN! DIN!

Although Irina was trying her best to make use of the adrenaline pumping through her veins, she wasn't able to land a single hit on Raynare. Every single attack was being deflected effortlessly by the Fallen-Angel. In contrast to Xenovia's battle with the Knight, where she and her opponent seemed to only missed each other by a hair's length each swing and ended up causing destruction to the environment, Irina's battle with Raynare was entirely one-sided. Even with how much Irina didn't let up, there was no proper opening for attack.

"Mimic!"

Seeing as there were no changes in the current situation, Irina opted to shift her strategy. She lunged forward at Raynare, expecting the Fallen-Angel to dodge her attack with a back-step. This happened, and when it did, Irina extended the tip of her malleable blade to reach Raynare.

"Elongate!"

The blade's tip shot forward, easily catching up to Raynare and even reaching her nose. Despite this, Raynare showed no change in expression.

—And before the blade even touched the Fallen-Angel, she quickly dodged the attack with the spin of her heel upon contact with the ground.

"Wha—?!"

Irina immediately retracted her blade after her failed attempt, not allowing her opponent to capitalize and counter-attack. Little did she know that her opponent had many opportunities for attack that she willingly chose to ignore. —Until now, that is.

ZIN!

As Irina swiped at Raynare's legs, attempting to debase her footing, Raynare dodged the attack simply by hopping. Thinking that this might be her chance, Irina reacted and brought her blade up to cut Raynare, who was floating in the air.

—Irina didn't know it, but this enemy was actually the perfect target for an attack like this, since she didn't have any wings to correct herself in midair.

If only her opponent wasn't someone also trained by the very Sekiryuutei who took her wings, this might've worked.

DIN!

Raynare somehow landed herself precisely on the blade with her heels, and then used the strength in her legs to kick the blade directly into the ground.

"Ah!"

The unexpected force of the kick caused the tip of Irina's Excalibur to be shot straight into the dirt. It was stuck, and she didn't have a chance to remove it anyway, since Raynare immediately took advantage of it and kicked her in the face.

BAM!

Irina was launched away from her Excalibur and rolled on the floor, defenseless.

"[A Fallen-Angel's body is still useful beyond its wings.] [Even without wings, you aren't defenseless while in the air]... It might be late, but I'm starting to understand it even more now, Issei-sama."

Raynare spoke to herself while approaching Irina. Irina, who felt as if her brain had been shaken inside of her skull by the Fallen-Angel's kick, stumbled to pick herself up off the ground.

Unfortunately for the exorcist, this was the end of her opponent's mercy towards her.

Zip!

—Raynare began zipping all around Irina, slicing and slashing at her skin, causing lacerations on every part of the exorcist's body. With no way to defend herself, Irina merely covered her face with her arms and suffered the painful barrage.

ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN!

"Aaaaaah!"

Her arms were cut, then her hips, then her shoulders, then her legs, and then her thighs. Every section of her body was cut into, not a single part of her was left untouched.

After the flurry of slashes concluded, Raynare launched herself all the way around Irina, finally ending up behind the defenseless exorcist again.

"I can't kill you, so I have to settle with teaching you a lesson. Then, I can teach your friend one too."

And with one swift motion, Raynare took her sharp, jagged spear and plunged it straight into Irina's right calf, piercing her through the leg and effectively pinning her to the ground.

ZIN!

"AAAHH!"

Irina fell to her knees with her right leg being impaled into the ground, unable to move it. More than that, there was an unbearable pain coursing throughout her entire body, and especially in her leg.

"Even if the holy element has no effect on humans, concentrating enough power into any holy spear will make them burn like hell. And that's not even counting the regular pain from being stabbed by it."

Irina could hardly register the words given to her by the Fallen-Angel. This was undoubtedly the greatest amount of pain that she'd ever experienced in her life. And it wasn't about to end any time soon.

ZIN!

Once again, Raynare pierced Irina's calf with another spear of light, but this time, it was in her left leg.

"AAAAAAH!"

Irina screamed in pain, causing her comrade to hopelessly call out for her in worry.

"Irina! —Dammit! You worthless Devils! I knew it would come to this! At this rate, I'll have no choice but to summon "it"… Damn it all!"

Xenovia ended her speaking with a mumble and a curse to herself.

Meanwhile, Irina's excruciating pain continued.

"...Ugh… Rggh…"

Irina grunted and gritted her teeth, doing her best to bear the pain. But, at some point, her pain felt too great and her will began to give way. The only way she could strengthen it...was by praying.

"..Our Lord…. Dear Father… W-We are humble in Your eyes…"

Irina struggled while bearing the unbearable pain, hoping to find some relief in the act of praying to her creator. Seeing this, Asia's heart began to crack.

"...Ise-san! Stop them! T-This is too much!"

Despite her pleas, Issei did not respond to Asia. Instead, his eyes remained on the scene ahead of him, his unreadable, emotionless expression not changing one bit. In desperation, Asia instead turned to Rias.

"B-Buchou-san! We can't let it go on like this! It's gone too far! W-We have to stop them, don't we!?"

Rias's expression was mildly disturbed, feeling overwhelmed by the situation and feeling even more guilty for having brought it about.

"...Y-You're right, Asia. It's gone too far… Raynare! That's enough. Your enemy is defeated. There's no need to go any further."

But Raynare didn't listen. Rias's command fell on deaf ears. Raynare forcefully removed one of the spears of light out from Irina's leg, only heightening the girl's pain and allowing her gaping wound to bleed freely.

"AAAH!"

Despite what was happening, Irina continued her hopeless prayer, causing Asia's heart to crumble even further.

"...Father, our Lord…. He who has blessed us with His unearthly grace…"

Asia pleaded one last time with the emotionless Issei, tears building up in her eyes.

"Ise-san, please!"

To no avail.

"Raynare-san! Stop this!"

And even to Raynare, there was no reply. The Fallen-Angel merely continued with her previous actions and removed the second light spear from Irina's other leg.

"AAAAAAH!"

Asia was at her breaking point. She couldn't bear to watch it anymore. It only took one last thing for her to break completely.

"...Uu…"

While praying, Irina released a small whine, and it was clear that she was holding back tears… However, her eyes seemed to loom towards Asia and her group. More specifically, her eyes came to look upon Issei.

Hyoudou Issei, "Ise-kun", her childhood friend. When Irina finally got a good look at his face, her pained expression changed.

—There was nothing in his eyes. His eyes were a black, icy cold abyss. Devoid of life and devoid of empathy. As he watched his own childhood friend be brutalized to such an extent, he felt nothing.

Realizing this, the walls inside of Irina's heart finally cracked and fell apart, and she wept sorrowfully into the grass.

"...Uu… Waaaah…!"

Asia's composure came completely undone, and she ran to Irina and held onto the girl's body with tears falling from her eyes.

"THAT'S ENOUGH, RAYNARE-SAN! STOP, PLEASE! I CAN'T WATCH ANYMORE!"

This managed to snap Raynare out of her bloodthirsty daze. She reached out for Asia.

"...Asia, are you—"

"Don't touch her!"

Raynare froze in place. Asia held onto Irina in a protective embrace, as if fearful of what may happen to the girl should she let go. Raynare could only stand there, dumbfounded.

"Raynare! Step back!"

Issei ordered Raynare sternly, seemingly also regaining a bit of his emotions. Although, there didn't seem to be any remorse in his eyes. Raynare, having no other choice, took a step away from the two girls.

Asia began healing Irina's wounds as a waterfall of tears poured out of her eyes.

"...I'm sorry… I'm sorry…"

That was all Asia could say in between the hicks and sniffles. Irina could do nothing but continue her silent weeping into the ground.

"How about this?!"

—In the battle between Kiba and Xenovia, neither of the two fighters seemed to have gained the upper hand on each other. It wasn't until Kiba, in his blinding anger, made a fatal mistake.

SHINK!

The sword that he formed over his head was a bulky, long sword with teeth on one side. It was clearly a blade he created with the intention of destroying Xenovia's Excalibur.

But Xenovia realized it immediately. With a Devil Knight who is granted the advantage of speed, this sword of his was nothing but a hindrance. His foolish decision was made out of pure anger.

"Take this! Haaaa!"

Because of this, the moment he charged Xenovia for an attack, Xenovia was able to maneuver it with ease. And the hilt of her Excalibur landed harshly in the Devil's abdomen, causing him to vomit blood.

BAM!

"—Gahaa!"

Kiba collapsed to the ground while holding his stomach. Even without needing to cut into his skin, the blade's hilt felt as if it burned his belly.

"Aren't you a "Knight"? What good would a sword of that size do you? For an existence that relies on the trait of speed like yourself, that destructive power is unnecessary. That sword was nothing but a handicap…"

Xenovia, almost in a hurry, sheathed her Excalibur in its blessed wrapping and retrieved the two white robes cast at the side.

"..Wa-Wait!"

Kiba attempted to stand, but his legs didn't regain their strength yet and he fell back onto the ground.

Xenovia ignored the Devil and went towards her downed comrade. Asia had healed the gaping wounds in Irina's legs, but she was still in the process of treating the rest of Irina's wounds, specifically the tall gash that ran up her back.

"...Let go of my comrade."

"E-Eh? B-But, I haven't finished healing her ye—"

"—I'll treat her myself so just get away from her already."

Asia's eyes widened in shock. For the first time in her life after leaving the church, she was being looked at as if she was a threat. Those eyes returned, once again…

Reluctantly, Asia backed away from the exorcist. In response, Raynare wanted to yell with anger, but…

"You—!"

"Stop, Raynare-san!"

Asia's shout halted Raynare in her step. She said it while facing away from Raynare.

"...Please, stay away from them… Just let them go…"

Raynare was able to do nothing as Xenovia stood her comrade up by holding her waist and the two began walking past her. Having regained some of the strength in her legs, Irina walked forward with Xenovia supporting her weight slightly and continued without turning around. Only Xenovia said one last thing to the group as the two of them walked away.

"...Don't interfere with our mission. Just let us do what we came here to do, so that we never meet again."

With that, the two exorcists walked away and left the occult research club's collective sight.

Raynare extended her arm, reaching out to the quivering Asia who was still turned away from her.

"Asi—"

But without Raynare having the chance to say anything, Asia wordlessly ran over to Rias and placed herself in her embrace. Although surprised, Rias nevertheless embraced Asia gently and comforted her. All the meanwhile, Raynare was left standing there, motionless.

"With your speed and abilities, you had a chance at winning, even against Excalibur."

Issei's tall figure appeared over Kiba, who was still kneeling on the ground with an unpleasant face.

"—But you let it get to your head."

"...What?"

"Your hatred. Rage and anger are a tool, a tool to sharpen your senses and focus on your target. They aren't meant to cloud your perception and thought process. Only "we", the strong, have the luxury of losing ourselves in rage."

Kiba chuckled sarcastically.

"Hehe… A "dragon's fury", is that it? I'm no dragon so I guess I don't have that right. Is that what you're saying?"

"Yes. But it's mainly because you aren't strong either."

Although Kiba was being facetious, Issei seemed to take his comments seriously. Kiba understood why when he looked up at Issei's relatively "hollow" looking expression.

"If you want to get it done, then don't lose yourself to anger. Let it enhance you, not consume you."

Kiba stifled an amused cackle before raising his head up at Issei and glaring at him darkly.

"...I don't want to hear that from you.."

Issei flinched. His emotionless exterior appeared to falter thanks to Kiba's words. Kiba stood up without saying anything else and turned away. Just like the exorcists before him, Kiba walked off without a word more, leaving the rest of the occult research club behind.

Issei glanced down at his hand with empty eyes. He then turned to where Asia was.

When he looked back, he could see Asia crying in Rias's embrace.

Part 2

After the incident with the exorcists concluded, Issei returned home with his housemates an hour later, along with Rias accompanying them. The four of them were quiet a majority of the time on their way back.

As soon as they entered the house, Asia increased her pace and ascended up the staircase, almost as if trying to get away from everyone. The other three followed closely behind as she sped up the stairs.

The first one to break the silence, right before Asia could open the door to her room and seemingly shut herself in, was Issei.

"...Asia. At times like these, it's best to talk about things."

Asia's hand stopped right as it hovered over the handle to her bedroom door. For a long moment, there was an uncomfortable silence that hung in the air.

Second by second, the atmosphere grew heavy. But unlike the pressure caused by Issei's influence, it wasn't an atmosphere of fear and death.

No. This was an atmosphere of hurt, and of sorrow.

"...Ise-san….do you enjoy hurting others..?"

—Out of nowhere, Asia asked Issei a question like that. But in reality, it wasn't out of nowhere. It was a long time coming.

Issei was taken aback, but he answered anyway. Or at least, he wanted to..

"...That's a…"

Issei didn't know what to say.

He recalls being asked a question like that once. Not by Asia, but by someone just like her, someone he loved very dearly. His old beloved partner..

And at that time his answer to her was…

"I...don't know…"

That was all Issei could say. Even to this day, Issei still has no answer to that question.

"...You know…. I don't believe that you do.."

As Asia began speaking, she turned away and wrapped her hand around the doorknob to her room unconsciously, squeezing it tightly.

"...I don't believe Ise-san enjoys hurting people at all….. I just think he does it because he thinks he has to….. And when he does appear to enjoy it, I think he's just fooling himself…. Because in the end, the smile fades away, and Ise-san is always left with empty eyes… That's why, even today, when Irina-san was being hurt by Raynare-san, Ise-san didn't smile…. If Ise-san enjoyed that, then he would have laughed or smiled… But you didn't….. You had no feelings whatsoever…. Because if you did, then I'm sure it would've hurt you…. In the end, Ise-san and Raynare-san only hurt those exorcists because of what they said to me…. But even someone as dumb as me can tell…that Ise-san, and even Raynare-san, don't enjoy hurting others…. You just do it because you think you have to…. You do it because of me…. But if that's the case, then why…"

Asia's hand— no, her entire body, began to tremble.

"...If that's the case, then why would you say something like "that"….?!"

—Finally, Asia whipped her body around and faced the others, tears running down her cheeks. For the first time in her life, she shouted with all of her heart.

"—"Don't hold back"?! How can you so coldly tell Raynare-san to do something like that?! How can you so coldly just watch her do all of those horrible things to Irina-san?!"

The three stood there in shock, but they didn't have a chance to process anything. Asia's vocal onslaught had just begun.

Without thinking, she let out everything that was trapped inside of herself.

"...How can you do such horrible things?! Is it for my sake?! Is that what you think?! Is it really for my sake, or is it just to satisfy yourselves?! And if it is for me, then how do you expect to make me feel?! How can you still cause that suffering, that suffering which you even subjected Raynare-san to in the past, on my behalf?! Even after how much suffering Raynare-san, my friend, went through, how can you still keep doing that to others?! —And how can Raynare-san herself inflict that very same suffering that she experienced onto others?! After everything that you've suffered from, and everything that we've tried our best to heal you from, you're still willing to inflict such cruelty unto others?! Why?! How can you both do such terrible things?! Don't you have any empathy?! Don't you have any guilt?! Ise-san tells me that he feels guilty for what he did to Raynare-san, and yet he is still willing to do those horrible things to others who are not her?! Even to his own childhood friend?! Maybe even to Rias-san one day?! For what, for someone like me?! If that's the case, then I don't want it! In fact, I hate it! I hate it with all of my heart! If it really is for me, then stop doing it! Because if not, then all you are doing is placing that suffering on me! All of that suffering is my fault, it's the result of my existence! Is that what you want?! I can't take it! I can't take it anymore! I can't bear to keep watching it! You promised me a normal, happy life, Ise-san! How can you give me that if I'm forced to continue knowing that things like that happen because of me?! I can't live happily like this! If all of that suffering is going to come to be as a result of my existence, then—! Then—!"

Asia shouted it with all of her might and all of her heart.

"—THEN I'D RATHER NOT EXIST AT ALL!"

….

….

….

In the overbearing silence and overwhelming shock, there was nothing they could say. Words completely evaded Issei and the two girls.

Never in her life had Asia shouted so strongly, or with so much heart, to the point that her voice cracked in its pitch.

There was simply nothing that anyone could respond with.

Dakun!

Without a word more, Asia turned into the bedroom and shut the door behind her, leaving everyone else gobsmacked in their silence.

SLAM!

….

….

Raynare lost the strength in her legs and backed up against the wall, sliding down until she sat on the floor. Of course there were tears falling from her eyes as well.

"...Ise."

Rias reached out for Issei, who stood there not saying a word, nor moving a muscle. Any longer than this and one would have assumed that he was nothing more than a statue.

"...Ise, she.. What she meant was.."

But Issei's body moved forward, approaching the door. Eventually, his hand came up as well, and Issei knocked softly on the door.

Knock, knock…

"...Asia.."

Issei's voice came out in a low tone, the lowest tone that Rias, or anyone for that matter, had ever heard him speak in. Issei's open palm gently rested against the door.

"...Asia..… If you're not willing to hear me out, I understand….. But at the very least, hear Raynare out….. If not me, then just her….. At the very least, give her a chance…. She… She, just like this entire situation, is only like this because of me…. It's all my fault….. So please, if not me, then at least…."

—Issei's quiet, heartfelt plea garnered no response. No answer.

"..."

Issei's hand slid down the door defeatedly. And in silence, he walked away, descending down the stairs.

"Ise…"

Rias could only watch him walk down the stairs, feeling entirely useless in this situation. Although Issei claimed it was his own fault, Rias blamed only herself. What else she could have done, she doesn't know. Even still, the guilt still lingers. And as for Raynare, she simply sat against the wall with a dead gaze, tears still streaming down her face. She looked as if she had just now lost everything that she cared about and lost herself in despair.

Rias only wonders now if the exorcists being slaughtered in the club room would've truly been the worst case scenario at this point….

….

Dakun…

Unexpectedly however, the door to Asia's bedroom opened ever so slightly. Asia wasn't visible, but the door was left barely ajar.

Raynare, realizing what this meant, had some life return to her eyes. She looked up at Rias, as if trying to confirm whether she was truly being invited in or not. Rias nodded, causing Raynare to stumble to her feet and walk towards the door hesitantly.

When Raynare entered, the door shut softly behind her, leaving Rias alone in the hallway.

"Haah…"

Rias sighed, feeling exhausted by the situation. But she took in a firm breath, preparing herself mentally, so that she may comfort Issei to the fullest of her ability.

"Alright."

After gathering herself, Rias descended the staircase.


After Raynare entered Asia's bedroom, the two of them sat side by side on Asia's bed with a gap in between them, in silence.

"..."

"..."

Which of their bodies was causing the bed to rustle with their trembling? At this point, who can even tell? Nevertheless, Raynare knew that it was her obligation to say something. And with a big gulp of the saliva caught in her throat, she spoke.

"Asia…. About what you said before…... You're right, Asia… You're right about all of it…... There's no reason to torture a defeated enemy… That sort of act is nothing but unnecessary cruelty…. An act of cruelty that I understand better than anyone, that shouldn't be done….. And even though we say that it's for Asia, the truth is…...in the end, it's only for ourselves…... Because we simply can't control our anger towards those who mistreat Asia…. We're weaklings… We don't have the strength to handle it…. We are…. No, I am….."

It must've been Raynare who was rustling the bed with her shaking, because the sounds only worsened when her body began to quake as it did.

"...I-I'm s-sorry, Asia!… I-I-I'm so sorry..!"

And of course, the sobbing quickly followed.

"I…! Never in my life have I had someone as important as Asia..! Never in my life have I cared about something as much as I care about you…! That's why, when someone or something threatens to take you away, I just…! I can't handle it! I don't have the strength to live with it! The thought is too much for me to bear..! And in my fear, in my anger, I react like— like that..! I force you to watch that! But, I..! I just can't lose you, Asia! After how much I've been through, after everything that's happened…..! If I lost you, then I would….! I would….!"

"—You won't."

Asia embraced Raynare gently.

"I'm not going anywhere, Raynare-san. You know that. So don't be afraid. I'm going to stay right here with Raynare-san and Ise-san, forever. Because this is where I belong. And this is where Raynare-san belongs. All three of us, we'll stay like this together, forever. So don't be afraid of losing me. Don't do those cruel things out of fear or anger. Let's just live on happily together without worrying about the rest of the world. Let's live a happy, normal life. Please?"

Raynare hugged Asia back tightly and continued sobbing incoherently.

"Asia! I'm so sorry..! I-I..! I am just..! I'm not..!"

"—I know. The things I said were out of emotion. I'm sure that there are reasons as to why Raynare-san and Ise-san act the way that they do. Those are reasons that I can never understand. But even so, we should grow past those reasons and learn to live on happily together. If we all love each other, then I know that we can do it. Even if you two don't pray to God, we can accomplish it with just our love for one another. If it's the three of us, then we can move on. We… We can be happy….. Don't you think so, Raynare-san?"

Asia asked Raynare, but she only continued sobbing and stammering incomprehensibly.

"Asia! Uu! A-Asia..!"

"It's okay. Let's stay like this for a while. It's enough that we're together."

And so, the two let their feelings pour out while in each other's arms.


Downstairs, Issei stood in the hallway that led up to the play room containing his parent's shrine. In that hallway, there was a cupboard with a mirror hung on the wall over it. Issei stood there in front of that mirror, hands against the cupboard, head held down.

It was bound to happen that he would end up looking into that reflection, no matter how hesitant he was.

—Once he finally gazed into that reflection, his eyes were filled with disgust, and his heart was devoured by an overwhelming sense of nemesism.

"...What the hell am I?..."

Once again, Issei found himself questioning his identity. But this time, it felt as if he was coming to a conclusion, brought about by a rude awakening from a terrible state of sleepwalking. The rude awakening that Asia dished out to him with all of her heart.

"...Rin.."

In Issei's mind, the images of his past began to run through like a slideshow. In every one of them, his parents were there, and so was Irina. Every memory was filled with light, filled with happiness. And yet, those memories seemed to be tearing apart in front of his very eyes. Like a fire that raged without discretion, those images were shrinking and burning before his very eyes, thanks to some non-existent flames from beyond. It was all being turned into nothingness, as if it all never existed in the first place.

'...When the hell was it… When was it that I became the type of person who could just discard his own friends like that..? When was it that I stopped caring where I came from? When was it…..that I just stopped trying to feel?'

Asia was right. This isn't who Issei is. It was never who he was. It's only what he tells himself to be. It's only what he believes to have been made into. But when did it happen? When did it truly change for him?

Somewhere along the line, there must be a point of origin. Although Issei was brutal even in the past, he could have never imagined himself as the person to cause direct suffering to those he called precious to him and feel nothing at it. There must've been a point in which he can connect this change to… There must have been a breaking point, somewhere along the line…

That's when his eyes landed on the reflection of the cross hanging from his chest.

"...Hehehe…. Hahaha!"

Issei laughed suddenly, but there was a stinging pain that he hid, lodged somewhere deep in his throat.

"Of course, haha! No fucking shit, right?! Hahaha!"

Issei laughed as Rias quietly entered the hallway. Somehow, the sight felt painful for her to watch. If only she could have known the pain that was threatening to burst out with every cackle released from Issei's throat.

"Hahahaha! You fucking idiot! You already knew, didn't you?! It was obvious where it started from! What the fuck are you even laughing for?! That's funny to you or some shit?!"

For some reason, no matter how hard he tried, Issei couldn't stop his laughter. Every cackle that came out of him caused him pain, like a knife stabbing deeper and deeper into his heart. At some point, he found himself clutching onto his— onto her rosario, and he felt something wet running down his face.

'It's obvious where it went wrong! It was all after that point! Even though it all seemed like a mess before, it was really back then when it all came down on me, wasn't it!? That was when it all started to feel like nothing! After that point, nothing hurt anymore! It was all just nothingness! Emptiness! Hollowness! And yet you still left me here, all on my own! Wasn't it you, out of all people, who knew me best..?! You knew, out of everyone else in the world, you knew best that..! Without you, I'm..! When I'm left on my own, I'm…!'

Issei's painful laughter continued to burst out from within him and even echoed in his thoughts, as did the tears which followed it.

"..I'M ABOSOLUTELY FUCKING HELPLESS, HAHAHAHA!"

'Yea, that's right! When I'm without you, I'm nothing but a fucking monster with no motive! I'm just a bloodthirsty moron with too much power for my own good! I'm a piece of shit! And the worst part is, I don't even enjoy it! I've never enjoyed it! Never once in my life have I enjoyed the feeling of killing something! Not the Nightwalker, not any stray devils, not even that bastard "Zealous!" Even when I was beating down that child-murdering piece of trash, I still hated every second of it! The feeling of bones cracking against my punches, the sounds of heaving and coughing, the glistening of crimson blood splashed against the grass, I hated every fucking moment of it! It was the worst feeling in the world! Even when I killed that stray bastard "Rize", the mad craze that I experienced was just the retaliation of the terrible onslaught of memories provoked by her words! In the end, I was just giving into my vicious tendencies to avoid facing my pain! I laugh all throughout and when it's over, I'm burdened with nightmares and disgust for myself! Even when I knew the truth about Gremory and how misplaced my hatred was, I still refused to confront it until the very last second! That's who I am now, just someone who runs from it all instead of moving past it! Because I'm a coward! That's right, without you, I'm nothing but a coward! And you know that! You always knew that! Even so, you still left me behind on my own! Don't you realize how fucking useless I am without you?! Don't you realize how little there is left of me anymore?! I don't even know who I am anymore! I'm just a piece of shit with nothing left to lose, waiting to die! Without you, I'm just…! I'm…!'

Issei's head came down again and his unnatural laughter finally died down. He still chuckled to himself, but this time, the sorrow in his smile was far more apparent.

"...I'm just so lonely..."

….

As Rias watched Issei laugh and sob simultaneously, she felt a sense of desperation. In her heart, she wanted to be the person to comfort Issei. She wanted to be the one and only person he could rely on and pour his feelings out to. But somehow, she felt as if that couldn't be the case… Although she didn't fully understand what Issei was currently going through, she was being given the sense that, for whatever reason, she couldn't be Issei's one and only at this time…. She felt as if there was someone else currently taking up the space in his heart, and she wasn't sure if she could change that… She hoped that the people occupying his heart, the people he was currently speaking to, were his parents, but inside herself, she felt like she knew better… And because of that, she didn't have the confidence to comfort him.

….As Issei looked into the mirror again, he looked at his face and saw the resemblance between him and his parents… Everyday since their passing, whenever he's looked at his reflection, he felt a sense of pride, because he realized how much he appeared to be a combination of his parent's features. His father's eyes, his mother's smile, his father's hair, his mother's eyebrows. He was proud of every bit of it.

And yet, now, he can only feel disgust when looking upon his own face… The pit in his stomach told him that he was dishonoring his parents. Instead of honoring their memory properly, what was he doing? He brutalized a person he once called a dear friend in his childhood with not a shred of emotion in his heart. He was only thinking of himself and what he'd lose, causing another woman who loves him deeply to feel despair at the terrible acts of cruelty committed on her behalf.

And most of all, he broke his promise to the partner that he loved and took the lives of every single last person left in Genesis, too many of which had no choice in whether they were indoctrinated into the savage cult…

….How would his partner look at him, if she could see him now...? What kind of face would she make, knowing he's done all of these things, knowing what's become of his life? What would she feel? Would she turn away from him?

"Hehe.."

Issei laughed. The answer is obvious, isn't it? But realizing this fact only brings up an even more despairing question.

What would his parents say, and what kind of face would they make, if they could see him now?

.

.

.

Issei's eyes inevitably led themselves down the hall, towards the shrine of his parents in the playroom. The moment his eyes caught a glimpse of his parent's photos, he averted his gaze.

….For a moment, he saw it….. The face that his parents would give him…. But before that image was fully formed in his mind, he destroyed it in fear of what he might see…... It was the last thing in the world that he wanted to imagine. If what he feared they might say was true, then he didn't want to know it. He simply didn't have the strength within himself to create that image….

Don't turn away.

—Then, a familiar voice came out from behind Issei. His own voice. But it was different. It was distorted, full of both hatred and sorrow. And most of all, it was the voice of a child.

When Issei looked into the mirror once again, he saw "himself." Standing against the wall behind his shoulder, holding onto a bloody cloth with a mysterious object concealed under it, was the visage of "the boy."

《Don't turn away, Hyoudou Issei. It was your own actions that brought you up to this point. Don't turn away from it. Face it. Look at what you've wrought. Reap what you have sown.》

Despite what "his own" accursed voice said, Issei didn't turn to look where "he" wanted. He didn't look towards the image of his parents…. He couldn't bear to face any of it.

And so, "he" said to Issei, to "himself", only one thing...

《—COWARD.

….

….

….

"...Ise?"

Finally, Rias approached from behind Issei and placed a gentle hand on his back.

"You're right...It's all my fault….. From the start….. No….. From the very beginning, it was always…..my fault…"

"Ise.."

The right words to say at a moment like this evaded Rias completely. If only she could understand Issei entirely, maybe then she'd know what to say. But what can you say to a man with so many traumas and so many layers to himself that you've never even known?

As Rias thought this, Issei's body started to tremble, shaking the cupboard he was holding onto with both hands.

"...But I'm tired of it..."

After a while of shaking, Issei's grip became firm and he held himself in place.

"...I'm tired of it already… I'm tired of turning away… I'm tired of being a coward…. I've had enough of it….."

Issei saw the face of Asia. He saw the face of his deceased partner. And he saw the faces of...

"I….. I refuse not to act…"

—With every bit of willpower that Issei could muster, he looked straight down the hall towards the photos of his parents. Somewhere, locked deep within his eyes, there must've been some form of determination.

"...I refuse to do nothing about it for any longer."

Part 3

"Are you sure you shouldn't be going up to speak with Asia right now, Ise?"

Outside of the Hyoudou household, Issei and Rias were on the small back porch of the house. Issei sat down on the edge of the porch with Rias soon following.

"..No, it's fine. As long as she's made up with Raynare then it's fine. Besides, I'm sure if it's that woman, she would've said everything I wanted to say to Asia too… There'd be no point in me walking in on them now, I'd just be interrupting."

What Issei said perplexed Rias. His words seemed to imply that he did indeed have a firm level of trust in the Fallen-Angel, a trust that Rias wasn't even aware of. Was she wrong all this time? Did the two of them have some sort of unspoken connection between them that she didn't know of? Raynare and Ise? It couldn't be, could it..?

...For obvious reasons, this thought process frustrated Rias a bit.

"Rias."

Rias was broken out of her train of thought.

"A-Ah, sorry. What is it, Ise?"

"Kiba's hatred seems to be directed at holy-swords…. It's a strong hatred…. Why?"

Rias appeared apprehensive in speaking about it, but she couldn't find a reason not to tell him either. If anything, not telling Issei might have unforeseen consequences whenever he finds out for himself.

"...It has to do with his past."

"It always does…"

"More specifically, it has to do with Excalibur."

"Excalibur?"

"Yes. Even the exorcists mentioned it during their encounter with him."

Issei smiled bitterly.

"Heh, that so? Didn't pick up on that…. Guess I was still off it.."

Rias continued.

"...Till some years back, there existed a project to raise children who could wield Excalibur….. Yuuto is a survivor of that project."

Issei's tone shifted in suspicion. Something about what Rias said seemed familiar.

"A project to raise Excalibur wielders….. What was the name of the project?"

"[The Holy-sword project], otherwise known as the "Massacre of Avalon"..."

Issei's eyes widened in shock before earning a grim appearance.

"...The Holy-sword project..! I should've known. Even with the connection to the Holy-sword, I somehow didn't realize it…"

"What do you mean you "should've known", Ise? Could it be that you're already aware of the project's history..?"

Issei nodded his head grimly.

"..Yeah. I learned about from... my friend."

Despite Issei's vagueness, Rias inquired bluntly.

"—Marie Bellerose?"

Issei's body noticeably flinched, but he maintained his composure and continued looking out into the night while holding his rosario.

"Yeah."

Rias ignored the unsettling feeling that was gnawing at her heart. Once again, she was left wondering to herself what exactly that person meant to Issei.

"I see… If that's the case, I suppose I don't even really need to explain it. If you know the story, then I'm sure you understand why Kiba's hatred for Holy-swords, and most of all Excalibur, runs so deep."

Rias was right. She needn't even explain it. Issei was already already on his way down memory lane, recanting the explanation given to him by Marie in the past...


—After a day of training, Hyoudou Issei and Marie Bellerose sat beside each other near a tree, somewhere in Nagoya.

At some point, Issei had asked Marie how she became a wielder of Excalibur, and eventually the topic of the nature of Excalibur users came up. It was then that Marie began to behave differently, prompting Issei to pry further into the subject. Marie appeared reluctant and uncomfortable, but Issei's hatred for the church fed his suspicion, and so he pressured Marie into telling him.

When Marie hesitantly agreed, she seemed downtrodden and unsettled in her explanation, as if some sort of terrible tragedy had taken place.

That's because it did. What she explained to Issei was the most horrific act of cruelty committed by the church he had ever heard, right up there with the crimes of Genesis.

Hearing all of it enraged Issei beyond measure. Although Marie didn't have the full details of the incident, it was enough to know that those children were used and discarded like tools for Issei to gain another level of ire towards the church and its God.

"So that was the failed attempt at creating Excalibur users, huh..?"

"Yes… Although, the research and technology for developing non-natural Excalibur users was discovered by the church without "that man's" help in the future anyway… So in the end, the project served no purpose.."

"...And this man…. This "Valper" dickhead…. He's the old fuck who did all that sick shit related to the [Holy-sword project]?"

Marie nodded her head grimly, almost appearing as if she was still hiding something. But in his disgust, Issei didn't notice it.

"Yes... The Archbishop of death, Valper Galilei.."

"..Ya ever see what that shitbag looks like?"

For some reason, Marie was hesitant to answer that question.

"...Non, I haven't."

"Tch. Fucking hell, man... If I could get my hands on that guy… He deserves the same terrible, gruesome death as the Genesis bastards... The non-brainwashed ones."

While Issei spat out his revolt, Marie looked down at the cross on her neck with a distant gaze.

"Oy, what's wrong? Ya look pale."

She seemed to snap out of her thoughts and waved her hands around frantically.

"Eh? A-Ah, no, no, nothing! It's nothing... Don't mind me, Écaille.."

But despite Marie's denial, the same distant look remained on her face.


After returning to reality, Issei looked out into his backyard and noticed his "pet" black cat sitting on the back wall. The cat lifted its nose up to the night's sky, prompting Issei to follow its gaze. His eyes inevitably landed on the full moon above. The same full moon that Issei saw the night that his parents met their fate, with the image of Lucifer's flowing crimson hair overlapping it.

But this time around, the image contained within that moon was the image of the "Knight" of Gremory, not its Devil-king.

"...Hmm. So that guy went through something like that, huh?"

Issei spoke to himself, and Rias seemingly did the same.

"...Yuuto.."

While looking up at the stars, she bore an expression of worry.

For all of the things that Issei could say about Rias, whether that was "spoiled", "naive", or "too touchy-feely"— Issei always had to acknowledge Rias's loyalty. She was someone who truly cared for her servants, they were like family to her. And from the impression that Issei's gotten over his time with them, this feeling doesn't appear to be one-sided. He's sure that they all must feel the same way…

If that's the case….

"...I refuse to do nothing."

"Hm? What was that, Ise?"

Rias was sure she heard Issei say something to her, but she was too lost in thought to catch it. Despite Rias asking, Issei didn't repeat himself.

"...No, it's nothing."

Issei's voice came out in a whisper, and Rias was sure that, for a brief moment, she noticed the same determined look in his eyes from earlier.

"...Just leave it to me."


—A day has passed since the incident involving the wielders of Excalibur, Irina and Xenovia. Inside of the Hyoudou household, Issei dresses himself to head out of the house for the day. It was a cloudy day outside and there was a high chance of rain. 'How fitting', Issei thought as he adorned an aged red hoodie with faded blood stains all over it.

He was alone in his room while he changed, so he decided to retrieve an item from underneath his bed. It was Excalibur Blessing, wrapped in some white cloth. After Issei had found the ceremonial cloth that Marie used to wrap her blade, Issei upheld the tradition and covered it. Thanks to that, he was able to keep it under his bed with no complaints from Rias or any other devils. Not that it mattered much, recently Issei's been kicking Rias out of his room every night she's gotten in anyway. Last night was different, but that was only because Issei was in a better mood after having made up with Asia.

Raynare and Asia's bond also seems to have strengthened further after their reconciliation. So much so in fact, that Asia wasn't even bothered when Rias invited herself into Issei's room to sleep with him, and she was comfortable enough sleeping with Raynare in their own room. Issei even found the two in an embrace when he woke them up the next morning. At this point, it seems like they're completely in love with each other, in a familial sense.

That aside, Issei unwrapped the Excalibur Blessing after bringing it out and inspected it closely. His hands caressed the blade and its scabbard lovingly, communicating wordlessly how much he valued the item. In his eyes however, there was a complex mixture of emotions. As Issei slowly removed the Excalibur from its sheath, he caught his reflection in the blade.

How many times has he looked back into his own gaze this week? Too many times to count. Some of those times through the glass of a mirror, and others through someone else's own eyes. In fact, he could see the face of the very person whose gaze reflected Issei's own the most, right there on the blade.

Trapped within the borders of this blade's reflection— Excalibur's reflection— there was the face of Kiba Yuuto, looking right back at Issei.

….

Shink!

Issei sheathed the sword in its cover and wrapped it in its cloth, once again returning it to its rightful place under his bed. With that, he exited his room and went downstairs, ready to leave the household.

"Raynare, Asia. I'm heading out with the two knuckleheads from class for the day. Keep a look out while I'm gone."

Issei announced his departure to his housemates who were enjoying the day off by watching television together.

"Okay, Ise-san, we will!"

"Say hi to the perverts for us."

After confirming his leave, Issei went to the house's entrance and started putting on his shoes.

"I never thought you'd give those two a chance, let alone hang out with them on a free day."

Rias, who had effectively "snuck up" on Issei from the living room, came out and addressed him. Issei responded while tying his shoes.

"They're not half bad when you get to know 'em, just troublesome is all."

"From what I remember, Ise dislikes troublesome folks."

"What, are you kidding? If that was the case, I would've killed pretty much everyone around me already."

For whatever reason, Rias appeared suspicious of Issei.

"...Raynare and Asia seem completely enamoured with each other since yesterday."

"Mhmm."

"...I wonder why."

"Well, you know what they say, "what doesn't break bonds can strengthen them" or whatever the fuckin' phrase was."

"Do people say that?"

"Probably."

As she thought, Rias can't hold back her suspicions after all.

"...I see… So it's because of that they're so attached to each other…. Is it also because of that they didn't even realize you were lying to them?"

Issei paused for a moment, but then continued tying his shoes.

"...Where are you going really, Ise?"

"Who knows. Maybe just for a walk."

"In this weather? It might rain soon.."

"Yeah. My father loved this kind of weather."

Rias felt that Issei was being honest with that answer, unlike the rest of what he said. But it was odd to hear him openly admit something like that when he was usually very private about his parents. Despite his uncharacteristic openness, she didn't expect to get anything out from him about his plans. As such, Rias had no choice but to leave him be.

"I see… Well, take care then…"

"Yeah."

But before Issei stepped out of the house, Rias asked him one last thing.

"Ise…. That jacket… You were wearing it during your fight with Raiser, weren't you?"

"So what if I was?"

"...You never told me why it was covered in blood stains."

Issei stood silently at the door for a moment.

When he finally turned to answer, he replied with an empty smile.

"—It's the thing I was wearing when I killed my best friend."

And with that, he left his home and walked out into the quiet streets.

"How're your wounds? Do they still burn?"

"...They're okay.."

Atop the ruined wasteland that used to be Kuoh's abandoned church, Xenovia and Irina prepped themselves for the second day of their mission work. By this time, the most brutal of Irina's wounds had already been taken care of thanks to Asia Argento's power, but there were still some left unattended to. The giant gash on her back being the most obvious one. For that wound, the best that they could do was apply the necessary first-aid and bandage it up, leaving it to heal on its own. It was the same for the many smaller cuts and slashes caused by the Fallen-Angel's barrage around her body. As a result, Irina was pretty much covered in bandages under her stitched up rubber suit.

Fortunately, since Irina's major wounds were already dealt with, none of these other wounds should prove a major hindrance in combat. However, Xenovia has certainly noticed the change in behavior from her partner. Although she was typically the optimist of their duo, she had become far more quiet since yesterday, for obvious reasons.

A few times, this had caused Xenovia to doubt Irina's will and faith. However..

"Hey."

Xenovia called out to her partner, waking the girl up from her daze.

"We're doing this, right?"

Irina appeared taken aback by her comrade's question, but she seemed to answer with a sense of determination.

"Yes. We are. As it is the will of our Lord and the will of the church, so it is to be done. We'll complete the mission. We have to…"

Xenovia nodded after confirming her partner's intentions. It seems she hasn't lost her will to fight after all. Her faith seems unshaken as well. That was a good sign. Irina had always prided herself as the one who held a stronger faith so it was good to know that she hadn't broken from the previous day's events.

Squelch..

Just as the two were preparing to leave, someone stepped onto the moistened dirt from the church grounds behind them. When they looked at who it was, their eyes widened in shock.

"...Exorcists.."

—With a hoodie pulled over his head, it was the Sekiryuutei who appeared, Hyoudou Issei.

[—!?]

The two girls immediately drew their weapons and took defensive stances.

"You..!? Sekiryuutei! What do you want? Have you come to finish us off?"

Xenovia maintained a firm stance and grip on her sword, but her tone was morbid. If she assumes the worst, then the Sekiryuutei has indeed come to kill them. In that case, the best thing to do here would be to bring out "that weapon" and use it as a means of defense. It was meant as a last resort in case they encountered the [Raven of Treachery] himself, but at this point, they might have no choice.

Despite Xenovia's pressing inquiry, Issei didn't answer them for a while. He simply stared at the two without saying anything. His eyes seemed to drift over to Irina, who flinched under his gaze. He looked down at her blade and noticed its trembling. And when he looked directly into her eyes again, he noticed her look..

It was a look that said she didn't recognize him at all.

"..."

For a brief moment, Issei's hollow gaze appeared to fill itself with shame.

"...I haven't come here to fight. I won't hurt you."

Issei stated it honestly, but Xenovia found it difficult to believe.

"How do we know you're not lying?"

"...If I wanted you dead, it would've been over already. You wouldn't even have known it until you were already gone from this world."

As grim as it sounded, Xenovia certainly believed that part.

"But that's not why I came here….. I came for a different reason."

"And what is that reason?"

When Xenovia asked that, Issei started approaching Irina wordlessly.

"..!?"

In her shock, Irina appeared to retreat slightly, signaling to Xenovia that she didn't have the willpower to face Issei head-on. Seeing this, Xenovia jumped in front of Irina and defended her using her Excalibur.

"Stay back! I won't hesitate to cut you down!"

Despite Xenovia's threat, Issei continued to approach, only stopping with the tip of the Excalibur at his neck.

"..."

The three were in a silent standoff with each other for a bit. As they stood there, the sky began to drizzle ever so lightly. Not a movement was made, not until Issei placed his hand into his jacket pocket and retrieved an item.

"Don't move!"

Issei continued his actions despite the girl's threats, taking something that looked like a piece of paper out of his jacket. He then held the item out, as if tempting either one of the exorcists to take it.

With great hesitation, Xenovia grabbed the item from his hand, hoping not to be decapitated suddenly in that moment. When she flipped it over, she noticed that it was a photo. A photo of two young boys playing together with a holy-sword in the background. One of those boys looked oddly familiar as well.

"...That's.."

Irina's attitude changed when she looked at the picture in Xenovia's hand. Her eyes lit up substantially. She then looked up at Issei with a somewhat heartbroken and confused expression. Xenovia followed her gaze only to be just as surprised.

Issei was looking at the two of them— No, at Irina, with a somber, guilty expression.

"...I'm sorry, Rin. I hope that you can forgive me one day."

Irina's eyes widened greatly, and Issei turned away from the two.

"...Don't worry about the situation with Excalibur, you two. I'll handle it myself… You can return home."

Issei said that and began walking away.

"Wha—?! Wait! What do you mean by that?"

Issei stopped and answered Xenovia's question without turning.

"You two don't stand a chance against "Kokabiel." From the beginning, this was a suicide mission. The church has a habit of doing this. Whether it be arrogance or risk assessment, who knows….. Anyway, it doesn't matter. You two can do nothing on your own. That's why, just leave the Excalibur in this territory to me. I'll make sure to destroy all of them for you. I know you want them retrieved if possible, but this is the best I can do for you so you'll have to deal with it."

Xenovia was deeply confused by Issei's words.

"...What are you talking about? Are you saying that you're going to complete our mission for us?"

"That's right, so stay out of it and go home. I'll make sure it gets done."

Xenovia's confusion then turned into suspicion.

"...That doesn't make any sense. Just yesterday you were ready to take our heads off, now you want to help us?"

"—I'm not helping you. I'm….helping my friend."

"...Your friend?"

Xenovia didn't look at Irina, but she had to assume that it was her that Issei was referring to. Whoever Issei was truly referring to, however, was something only known to himself.

"...Why?"

Out of curiosity, and out of suspicion, that was what Xenovia asked. Although she couldn't see his face, Issei seemed to lift his gaze into the sky.

"...Because I refuse to be a coward anymore."

Issei responded in a low voice, but his answer was too cryptic for Xenovia to decipher either way.

"..If that's the case, then wouldn't it benefit us to work together instead?"

Although Xenovia suggested that option, truthfully, she still didn't believe Issei's declaration. Even so, Issei rejected the proposal outright.

"No. Doing that would only put you at an unnecessary risk. At best, you'll die, and at worst, you'll be taken hostage and used against me."

"Why would that stop you?"

Issei went quiet for a moment after Xenovia's words. No matter the threat he posed to them, that was no reason for her to avoid verbal confrontation. If Issei really meant what he said, they would find out either way.

"Don't interfere. That's all I'll tell you. You can go home and take credit for it once it's over. "

"We can't do that. This is our mission. We have a duty to see it to the end, in whatever way that may be."

"You don't have a choice in this."

"Oh? And what will you do if we refuse?"

Silence ruled the air again and Xenovia felt tense. Surely what he said must have been a threat. In that case, they'll have no choice but to fight after all…

Despite Xenovia thinking this, Issei didn't respond outwardly. Instead, he addressed Irina one last time.

"...Irina.."

Irina flinched. She had been looking down at the photo of her and Issei for a minute now.

"...I'm sorry…. If the two of us ever meet again, I'll say it to you once more….. Or as many times as it takes, Rin….."

To that, Irina had no words, but her eyes became watery. Her voice came out in a quiet breath.

"...Ise-kun…"

Concluding with just that, Issei walked away from the two and disappeared into the treeline...

Issei walked down the mountain in silence, thinking only to himself.

"..."

'If we ever meet again', he said…. That's right… For the first time in years, the prospect of death finally hung over Issei's head. After so long, the threat of death is present once again.

Just like old times, he might end up facing a being much stronger than himself. A Cadre-class Fallen-Angel…. And with a being of that level involved in this situation, the possibility that he could die became real.

His once sought after, original goal when coming to Kuoh— it was finally a tangible, likely outcome.

….

"Haha…"

For whatever reason, Issei chuckled to himself. But as the sprinkles of rain slid down his face, his newfound look of determination returned.

"Bring it on."

It was just like old times.


—Somewhere in Kuoh, Kiba was standing near the fountain of a plaza. He came here after receiving a text from someone that told him to meet them here. Although confused, Kiba complied due to the name that appeared over the sender's header. Now, he was waiting patiently for the person who summoned him to appear.

And sure enough, they did.

Splash!

Someone approached Kiba from behind and stepped in a small puddle created by the sprinkling rain. When Kiba turned around, he saw the person he was waiting for.

"So, for what reason have we come here...Ise-kun?"

Issei appeared dressed in a red, dark-stained hoodie. Just from a glance, Kiba could tell that the darkly faded stains were old blood stains. If he recalls, that's the same attire Akeno described him as wearing during his encounter with Raiser Phoenix…

"Kiba... You want to destroy, Excalibur, don't you?"

Kiba's eyes widened for a moment before gaining a suspicious edge to them.

"...So you've heard... That's right. I do….. Why do you ask?"

After confirming it, Issei turned around.

"Alright. Let's go."

He then abruptly started walking away, confusing Kiba.

"Wait, what..? Go where?"

Issei looked back and proclaimed it outright.

"We're going to destroy Excalibur."

[—?!]

—And so began the quest of vengeance.


END

AVENGERS, ASSEMBLE! Wait, wrong line. Ah, whatever! It's happening! And this time, without anyone else besides "the vengeful ones" themselves! I suppose it's to be expected. LDE Issei is a different person than canon Issei, so his approach would obviously be different. Especially considering that he isn't a weakling, let alone a Devil of Gremory. No, this is simply Hyoudou Issei, "the boy", and the only one who truly understands the plight of Kiba Yuuto. As such, the boy who has a habit of taking matters into his own hands will act, and he'll take the lead on this one. This is his territory. Both figuratively AND literally.

This chapter was originally much longer, just as I predicted, so I separated it into two instead. If I didn't, it would've ended up being around 37 to 40k words long, lmao. This one focuses on character development, and the next will be filled with all types of content, most of it being plot centric. But shit is going DOWN next chapter. Chapter 24 will be the showdown and conclusion to this arc so it'll inevitably be long as fuck too. Except I won't cut that one down. I'll go full "A Fool's Heart" on that one. If you know, you know.

And if you're wondering how I know the numbers behind the chapters word counts, that's because the next chapter is already done. That's right. It's ready to go. You long time fans know what that means? UH-HUH, BITCH YOU GUESSED IT. YOU'RE ON A TIME LIMIT. YOU HAVE ONLY ONE WEEK TO REVIEW THIS CHAPTER. THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL COME OUT EXACTLY 7 DAYS FROM NOW. AND AFTER THE NEXT CHAPTER, THE NEXTNEXT CHAPTER WILL COME OUT WITH EVEN LESS OF A TIME LIMIT.

THAT'S RIGHT, BABY! I'M PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS FOR THIS ARC! GET YOUR DICKSI MEAN, KEYBOARDS READY! CUZ YOU NEED TO GET IN WHILE IT'S HOT!

What's gonna happen next? What's going behind the scenes between "Grigori"? What do these moments of introspection mean for Issei? What implications does it have for his future? How will this "quest" turn out? Will Kiba even agree to this? What the hell does Issei mean by "refusing to be a coward?" Who is having the worst time in this arc and why is it Irina? :(

Read, Rate, Review go CRAZY. Because otherwise, I will force you to. Soon.

Stay frosty.