This is the 58th chapter of the crossover story. I don't own the series of High School DxD or the videogame of Final Fantasy 13.

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Underworld

After the fight against Cao Cao which he was using his Balance Breaker to demonstrate his powers, but it didn't go his way because of the white-haired l'Cie, the Grim Reapers have arrived and they're surrounding the hotel.

"There were Grim Reapers in the car park." Kiba informed them, looking through the window. "There's quite a large number of them."

"That bastard Hades!" Azazel spat with disgust. "He's seriously making a move!"

A while ago, Rias, her peerage, Azazel, Vali, Virgil, Le Fay, Kuroka, Ophis, Ravel, and the babies were on the upper floor of the hotel that's located in the artificial space. The hotel was sixty stories high. They moved to the middle of the hotel, which is the 13th floor, and covered the whole floor with Le Fay's barriers in order to use it as a base. Even though, her magic has limits if she puts a defensive barrier on the whole area. They had one of them injured which was mostly Xenovia and Issei who had been injured are now completely healed. Asia was able to heal them completely and using 'Asuna' to clear the effects for Rias and Akeno. Koneko and Ravel were watching over the triplets. Vali and Azazel were furious of Cao Cao's transgressions against them by using Samael to try and take Ophis, but they're lucky that the white-haired l'Cie was able to prevent that from happening.

For now, they're resting up after the fight against Cao Cao and Samael, but they'll have to formulate a plan so they get out.

But now according to Azazel, this dimension was created by Georg, who possesses a Sacred Gear Dimension Lost. Dimension Lost's Balance Breaker was known as 'Dimension Create', an ability that can create a barrier. When Asia was kidnapped by Diodora, he made a similar thing. Including this hotel, Georg also created the car park and the nearby scenery. Apparently, the space Georg created in the town of Kyoto where it includes the surroundings of Arashima and having the Nijo Castle at the center was also because of the Balance Breaker. Of course, he also stole the devils technology for the game fields for the Rating Game and used it to create it which it comes to show that Georg's Balance Breaker can recreate the interior of the hotel, though the sensation of the bed felt real, but the electricity of the TV didn't work. The water didn't come out of the faucet and the fridge was empty. Georg's Sacred Gear can create things and things he can't. Apart from them resting, everyone was gathered around in the room.

"An official notification came from the main HQ." Le Fay said with a sigh. "To explain it simply said, 'The Vali team tried to do a coup d'état by deceiving Ophis and making the organization their own. Ophis was rescued safely by the Hero Faction. Terminate any remaining members of the Vali team when found'. That's how it is."

It got them shocked of Le Fey's report, but Virgil wasn't surprised about it since the Hero Faction plans ahead by marking Vali's team as traitors. Perhaps, the Hero Faction didn't want to mention where the part that Virgil killed Samael with ease and gone empty-handed.

"So, it turned out like that." Azazel said with a sigh. "The Vali is not only being targeted by the Hero Faction, but things turned out like this because they were trying to grant Ophis' wish. What hardship."

'So, the Vali team are being treated as traitors, and now they're being targeted.' Issei mentally thought which it didn't surprised him. 'Maybe the price for doing what they felt like finally came to them. Though, I couldn't forgive the things the Hero Faction were doing.'

"We checked on the mysteries of the World beginning from Great Red, looking for legendary strong people, and sometimes make Ophis' wish come true...But seems like the Hero Faction found us a nuisance because we have powers." Le Fey said with a downcast attitude. "Also, Seigfried seems to hate us a lot. Especially he didn't find it amusing that his former rival, my brother Arthur, came to this group..."

'Unbelievable, there were some petty quarrels over for recruiting someone with power.' Virgil mentally thought with a disappointed sigh.

"What are the mysteries of the World?" Issei asks curiously. "I also can't understand what you're doing about the legendary strong people."

"Yes. We started off with the secret about Great Red swimming in the dimensional gap." Le Fey explains. "The extinct civilizations. The technology of the lost continent of Mu and the continent of Atlantis. We also searched on parallel universes. We also went to look at the Yggdrasil from Norse mythology. Also, the anecdote of legendary strong people and the search of the heroes or creatures whose status, either dead or alive, is currently unknown. Sometimes we do terrorism."

"You guys are like adventurers." Issei states.

"Yes and no, Issei." Virgil told him. "They have a sense of adventure, but they also fought against strong opponents which it's mostly Vali's idea."

It got Kuroka and Le Fay giggled of his remark along with Issei, who's chuckling a bit. Vali grumbled, but he knows that Virgil makes a valid point.

"That's not the only thing that Vali did. He also tried to find where the beings referred to as dragons originally came from." Le Fay adds. "Also, he's looking into the reason behind the big fight of the Twin Heavenly Dragons. Also, it we can find a new Longinus. That is also one of the things we searched for!"

Issei was shocked while taking back of his words. Basically, they're not adventurers, they're just the group who has nothing to do. Maybe Vali's goal is fighting against Great Red, but apart from that, they're just going around looking for things that interest them.

"I think Vali's purists on things is an influence from Governor." Le Fay continued.

"Gee, I wonder why." Virgil said sarcastically with a deadpan expression, causing Issei to snicker.

Hearing that causes Azazel to sigh and put on a lazy eyes. His face looked like that of a father who heard a report on the actions of Vali.

'For someone who took care of Vali, he's sure is lazy.' Virgil mentally thought with annoyance.

"By the way, Governor." Le Fay called her, earned his attention. "It has been a Longinus parade lately, hasn't it? Is the person who is in possession of 'Canis Lykaon' that is staying with the Grigori doing alright?"

"'Canis Lykaon'. Slash Dog, huh." Azazel said with a hum, looked up at the ceiling. "He's out on a different mission. That's also quite a troublesome case. He hated Vali."

"Yes, I've heard." Le Fay agrees with a chuckle.

"By the way, Azazel." Issei called him, earned his attention. "If Cao Cao has the strongest Longinus, then someone has the second strongest Longinus, right?"

"Yeah, 'Zenith Tempest' That's the second strongest Longinus." Azazel explains. "The Top-Tier Longinus are the four known as the True Longinus: Zenith Tempest, Annhiliation Maker, and Dimension Lost. The possessor of Zenith Tempest is already known and the Heavens are mainly governing it...So, Irina. How is he...How is the Brave Saints 'Joker' doing?"

It got Irina and Tosca's attention when Azazel mentioned the Brave Saints 'Joker'.

"Do you mean Lord Dulio?" Irina inquires, earned a nod from him. "I hear that he wanders around the places, searching for delicious food..."

Azazel seems to be speechless from that answer.

"Wha...He's a genius reincarnated angel who might be picked as a candidate for the Seraph!" Azazel exclaims in disbelief. "He's a Joker!? What are Michael and the Seraph guys are doing?!"

Both Irina and Tosca mumbled after hearing of Azazel's question.

"Is that person also strong?" Issei asks curiously.

"He's someone who Vali lists at the top of his 'wanting to fight' list, besides Virgil." Le Fay cuts in. "He's apparently the Church's strongest Exorcist."

'Church's strongest Exorcist?!' Issei mentally shouts in shock.

Apparently, Dulio must possess quite a lot of strength. He's the possessor of the second strongest Longinus, he's the strongest Exorcist, he's a reincarnated angel, and he's the Joker. Virgil can tell that Dulio has quite an achievement.

"Dulio Gesualdo, he's also famous within the Church." Xenovia said. "I never met him, but he's sent out mainly against High-Class devils and really evil creatures even though, he's just human."

Virgil wasn't surprised about it, and figured that Dulio was like Cao Cao. Though, Dulio must be able to do that because he's a Longinus possessor.

"Longinus possessor, huh." Azazel said with a sigh. "There are 13 Longinus: True Longinus, Sephiroth Graal, Boosted Gear, Divine Dividing, Regulus Nemea, Innovate Clear, Absolute Demise, Dimension Lost, Zennith Tempest, Incinerate Anthem, Annihilation Maker, Canis Lykaon, and Telos Karma. Put that on your memo carefully, Issei."

"Y-Yes!" Issei replied.

"What we've encountered those Longinus possessors besides Issei who wields a Boosted Gear and Vali wielded a Divine Dividing." Virgil told them. "So far, we've only encountered Cao Cao, Leonardo, and Georg of the Hero Faction while hearing of Dulio and the Nemean Lion from the House of Bael. So far, we only met 6 possessors of Longinus."

Issei was shocked that Virgil remembered the Longinus possessors, but because of that, the Red Dragon Emperor didn't have anything to write on. Just thinking that there was another half of those Sacred Gears with abnormal abilities gives him chills. Azazel stood up all of a sudden, as if he realizes something.

"Ah! I found the similar points between the Longinus possessors...Each and every one of them is hard to predict! We have a boobies-brain and a battle freak and they're all selfish guys who have weird motives! I'm going to write that down afterwards! Dammit!" Azazel mumbled, causing Virgil, Ravel, and Kuroka to snicker. "I also found one more similar point. The way they use their Longinus isn't the same as how it was until now. Most of the possessors are finding different ways to us it and it is increasing their strength...Have the current kids surpassed our expectations? No, but still..."

Azazel is thinking himself again. Once he goes off into his own word, Azazel doesn't come back easily. That's what Issei thought, but he seemed to have finished his thinking. Only because Ophis entered the room.

"I'll go around the floor." Ophis said as she left before for a few seconds and came back.

"Ophis, there's something I've been meaning to ask." Virgil said, earned her attention. "Why did you save Asia and Irina? Thought you're not interested in anyone besides Great Red and Ddraig."

Issei and the others are thinking the same thing since Georg released a fireball against Asia and Irina immediately after they arrived at the lobby. Ophis acted as their wall and protected them. It got them wondering why would Ophis save the two.

"They gave me tea, they played cards with me." Ophis answered simply.

"T-That's it?" Issei asked in a dumbfounded look on his face, earned a nod from her.

"Thank you very much, Ophis!" Irina thanked her with a smile.

"If things were a different, then Samael would capture Ophis and took her powers which it explains why the Hero Faction unsealed it and sent it here in the first place." Azazel states with a sigh. "Anyway, we're lucky that it didn't happen, and the Hero Faction left empty-handed along with Samael dead."

"That and Cao Cao thought he and his group would betray me after what I have learned from him." Ophis adds.

"It would explain why Vali's team came to Issei's house in the first place was because it'll provide some protection and to keep things under wraps from the Three Factions." Virgil points out with a ponder. "And its word got out, then things will get hectic, and the Three Factions will be pissed if they found out about it."

"Right, exactly." Azazel nods with a confirm, but decided to change the subject. "Anyway, if the Grim Reapers are here, then they have predicted certain types of resistance from Ophis. Also, the current Ophis is still infinite. It's obvious for us to be still and careful."

'Dealing with Cao Cao is one thing, but the Grim Reapers? This'll be a pain in the ass.' Virgil mentally thought in annoyance.

"Le Fay, you are talented in using magic related to space like Kuroka, right?" Azazel asks. "Is there any way to get help from the outside world? Or is there any way to get at least a few members out of here?"

"There is, but there's a limit to it if it's us." Le Fay explains. "There is a magic where others can leave this space with me...But the number of people that can is 2 at most. Since we performed a swapping transportation with Vali and Fenrir, I think the barrier on this space became even stronger. I'm pretty sure that it's impossible to perform the swapping transportation once again. I think Georg knows the majority of the formula used by our magic, so there's one more chance where I can use a very special transportation from here."

Even though, they can escape, but only three including Le Fay, and there's only one chance.

"Are we going to make Ophis escape while fighting the Grim Reapers?" Issei inquires, causing Azazel to shook his head.

"That would be impossible. Judging from what we learned right now, this space has a special barrier, and the Grim Reapers are preventing us to get out." Azazel explains. "Normally, we would have no problems with Virgil around, but right now, it's different. We need to destroy the barrier somehow and escape from her together. And Grim Reapers are more dangerous than you think. In terms of potential, you guys are stronger but it's bad if you get cut with their scythe. Grim Reapers trim down life spans along with giving you damage. If Issei, who's currently healing his lifespan gets hit by it, you will end up dying because your life span will go down to zero. In other words, we need to protect Ophis at all cost."

"And if the Grim Reapers somehow managed to take her powers away, then the problems will increase drastically. Even if our opponent is Hades." Virgil guessed with a sigh of annoyance. "The Hero Faction and Hades are a royal pain in the ass than I thought they would."

So, it means that they'll have to make sure they don't let the enemy take Ophis. Issei also needs to be careful about the Grim Reapers, because one hit from the scythe and he'll be dead along with his dream to become a 'Harem King'. Even though, Issei already has his hands full with the Mid-Class promotion test, and now, it all turned around into a situation where their lives are in danger because of the Hero Faction.

"But we also have to choose the members who should leave here to get help from the outside world." Azazel suggested, turns to Irina. "Irina, you'll go first. Go and tell the truth about the Hero Faction and coup d'état of Hades to Sirzechs and the Heaven Factions."

"B-But!" Irina exclaims shockingly. "I think it should be Ravel to escape first!"

However, Azazel didn't give her a chance to argue back.

"Ravel said before that we don't need to have her as our first priority if we are to escape." Azazel continued without pausing. "We are at a disadvantage here. They'll definitely come to take down Issei, Virgil, Vali, and Ophis. The Infinite Dragon, the Two Heavenly Dragons, and the l'Cie are things they'd want to take down definitely. If we have Hades tried to grab Ophis and try to make the evil 'Ophis' for the deed, we won't know what would happen to this World!"

Irina seemed like she wanted to talk back to Azazel, but she kept it down and nodded her head. She takes deep care of her comrades, so she must've wanted to fight alongside us till the last moment. But Irina understood her position and her role.

"Take Xenovia as your guard." Azazel suggested, turns to Xenovia. "The function of Ex-Durandal was destroyed, but Durandal itself can be used. There's a chance that reinforcements from the Hero Faction and the Grim Reapers are outside this space."

"A guard, huh?" Xenovia muttered, narrowed her eyes.

Just like Azazel said, her Ex-Durandal was destroyed. The Excalibur parts that were turned into a sheath were destroyed, leaving only six cores of the original holy sword. There's also a minor scratch on the blade of the Durandal. Cao Cao's ability was something that could destroy weapons, which it's one of his Balance Breakers abilities. In this situation, Xenovia can't fight with her usual powers which she understands that. Even so, she still had a frustrated face.

Virgil can imagine what would happen to the World, thinking that Hades and the Hero Faction will do the same thing as the Orphan would do to Cocoon.

"Guarding someone is also a splendid mission." Azazel continues. "Also, it's about time that the results of 'that' research will be made. Go and confirm that as well. Also repairing Durandal. I'm sending you there because of that as well. It doesn't seem like it will end well with only this battle, so go and repair it quickly."

Having Azazel saying that, Xenovia nods quietly. Like this, Xenovia and Irina will be leaving from here with Le Fay so they can alert the others of the crisis. Le Fay goes to another room so she could alter the formula of the transportation magic circle. Since she wants to insert the basic information of Xenovia and Irina into the formula, they also left the room with her. But before that, Le Fay lending Irina a sword.

"T-this is!" Irina said shockingly, noticing the last sword fragment of Excalibur, Excalibur Ruler.

"Please take this." Le Fay offered. "It's something that my brother asked me to take it with me. I couldn't find the right time to give it to you, but I think now is a good time. That sword is something that has no use to us anymore."

"Is it okay?" Xenovia inquires, earned a nod from Le Fay.

"We've obtained Fenrir." Le Fay explains. "Fenrir's power has decreased dramatically to allow us to control him, but even so there aren't many creatures that are more powerful than him. How about you use all of the Excalibur to repair Durandal?"

"T-Thank you very much! Le Fay!" Irina thanked her, bowing Le Fay. "I thought people who carry the blood of heroes are scary, but there are nice people among them indeed!"

"I'm honored." Le Fay said with a giggle. "Though I am called a weirdo along with my brother."

And with that, they went to another room, but the Ex-Durandal will have all of the Excalibur in it. Until now, it's only equipped with 6 of them. Even Issei can't imagine how it'll turned out.

"Now, Rias." Azazel called her, earned her attention. "We'll think about the plan to escape from here. Our aim is to escape from here along with Ophis and having all of us get out of here alive."

"Yes, that would be obvious." Rias agrees with a smirk.

While Rias, Azazel, and Akeno make a plan in the room, Virgil and Koneko were on their way to Kuroka's room to check on her and the triplets. Apparently, Kuroka was taking care of the babies by feeding them in breastmilk while changing their diapers. Right now, Kuroka was on the lookout to make sure nobody would be after Ophis, so she has been on alert this whole time. Because of that, Kuroka is very protective of her kids which Virgil though the same thing. Ravel was there to help her.

"I'm also an immortal member of the House of Phenex. I won't die that easily." Ravel responds.

"You think so, but Cao Cao's Sacred Gear says otherwise." Virgil points out, then turns to his wife. "How are they, Kuroka?"

"They're resting, love." Kuroka answered with a smile. "After what Cao Cao was trying to do, he made a big mistake."

"Cao Cao doesn't care, not even us." Virgil told her, sits next to her. For now, Azazel, Rias, and Akeno are discussing on a plan to escape while Le Fay takes Irina and Xenovia to warn Sirzechs along with the Heaven Faction."

"I hope so. Because the last thing we want is to have our kittens involved in a fight." Kuroka said with worry.

"I know, but with the Hero Faction and Hades after us, they're not making it easy for any of us." Virgil said as he comforts her with a hug. "But I'll promise you this, we'll get out alive, even if it means fighting the Hero Faction and the Grim Reapers."

Kuroka embraced her mate in return with a smile, wrapping his waist with her tails.

"Thank you, Virgil." Kuroka thanked him with smile.

Koneko then joins in by hugging the white-haired l'Cie from behind with a smile on her face. And for that, they decided to rest up until the battle starts.

Issei went to Vali's room, noticing that the White Dragon Emperor was also on a lookout with a scowl on his face. Vali couldn't believe that he underestimated Cao Cao's ability of the True Longinus' Balance Breaker. Luckily, Virgil was able to keep his calm demeanor while using his tactics to fight against Cao Cao, which not only he made a quick work against Samael, but he also managed to wound the leader of the Hero Faction.

"I never thought you would be so down, even you look down on your opponents." Issei states, earned his attention.

"Seems like I underestimated him." Vali said with a scoff. "I came here to take down Cao Cao, but we ended up having one of them injured, including you."

"Well, that's how Cao Cao got his Balance Breaker. Even though, his is incomplete like mine." Issei told him. "That and the Dragon Eater's curse is completely insane. I didn't think the Hero Faction would go that far as making a deal with Hades."

There seriously wasn't anything they could do. Getting surrounded by the Grim Reapers and the Hero Faction from the outside of the hotel which it burnt into Issei's memory. There must be a reason why Cao Cao used Samael in that situation besides try to drain Ophis' power and use it to curse the Two Heavenly Dragons. Even if that happen, it would have stopped Vali for using the Juggernaut Drive.

"Sounds like we're backing each other up." Vali said with a smirk.

"I come to realize how strong you are every time I get stronger." Issei told him seriously. "I'm frustrated because it seems like I still haven't caught up to you yet."

"I'm really looking forward to it. Catch up to me quickly." Vali told him.

"You sure are full of yourself, which makes feel sick of it." Issei retorted. "Virgil, I can respect that, but you are a different story. Did you obtain the power that surpasses the Juggernaut Drive?"

"So what if I did?" Vali counters with a question of his own.

"I feel relieved. It doesn't seem like you to not do anything against Cao Cao, right?" Issei asks sarcastically.

Vali nodded quietly, saying 'You're right' against his sarcasm.

"Cao Cao guarded Georg. He was about to stole the power of Ophis if it wasn't for Virgil killing Samael." Vali points out. "However, that still didn't stop him for fighting us all by himself and attacked us in a way that wouldn't kill us. Besides Virgil stopping him and win with strategy, Cao Cao fulfilled these four hard requirements while try to overwhelm us with the minimum amount of attacks necessary. Even if Samael's power was involved, you should also have realized his power. That's the leader of the guys who have their fangs raised against superior beings and who are just humans."

Issei even knew that. Cao Cao blocked the demonic powers from Gremory's group and Vali team while playing around with him and Azazel which Virgil was able to stop him. Even if Issei thought he'd pay him back with Triana at Kyoto, but he's so frustrated to find out that he's not anywhere near Cao Cao's level. Issei held his hand very tightly with frustration.

"They observe their opponents very carefully and research the weakness of their opponents without any blind spots." Vali continues. "On top of that, they look very deeply into the traits of their weapons. That's the Hero Faction. The one in the center of them is a man called Cao Cao, who wields the True Longinus, the holy spear. Remember that man's Balance Breaker very carefully, that's a subspecies Balance Breaker that he developed through research, and he still continues to do further research on it so he can take on the superior beings all by himself."

"And there's the thing called Truth Idea, right?" Issei inquires curiously. "How strong is that guy..."

"Truth Idea is something very similar to our Juggernaut Drive." Vali explains. "You could also say that it's the most far away from it as well. He can gain an onverwhelming power, though it'll come with the price of going berserk. I don't think he can control Truth Idea because he doesn't have that much demonic power...no, magic power as me..."

Issei then realizes that Cao Cao is trying to use it against him in Kyoto. It got him wondering if either Cao Cao did try to activate it because he's taken down by the Red Dragon Emperor and the atmosphere of the scene or did he have the method to control it.

"If it's defense, both you and I have higher defense than him." Vali continues. "His magical power isn't high either. If our attacks hit Cao Cao, he'll go down, but his techniques are too high. But he also realizes that he's a 'human' more than anyone else. In the Rating Games, he would be someone called the ultimate technique type. Well if he wanted to, he could have enormous amounts of aura emit from the spear to eliminate a section of an area."

The ultimate technique type, a technique and ability that specializes in attacking someone's weakness. An attack used after researching his opponents. Issei's Triaina Welsh Dragonic Rook damaged him in Kyoto which he could've defeated him if it hit Cao Cao directly. It was the same today as well, but Cao Cao is the exact opposite of Sairaorg and it's hard to tell what he's thinking.

An existence whom he can't come to understand, but there's one thing Issei needs to confirm.

"Hey Vali." Issei called him, earned his attention. "Why did you send Ophis to our place? Weren't you only trying to use her?"

"Me? To Ophis?" Vali said with a shocking reaction which it's something Issei didn't expect.

True that Vali used Ophis as bait to lure Cao Cao out, but he did think about the Infinite Dragon's wishes as well. Though, Virgil was able to kill Samael and stop Cao Cao for attacking Ophis.

"I was just someone who Ophis could talk to." Vali muttered. "She seemed lonely at times...No, it's nothing. I said something unnecessary. Forget it."

Issei knew Vali would say something like that, which he decided not to pry further. But Issei can understand what he means by Ophis being lonely. She interacted with Asia and Irina and saved them while warned Virgil about Bhunivelze. That alone makes Ophis someone who he'd guard with his life.

"Ophis is the boss of the Khaos Brigade. No, was their boss." Issei said. "Even so, I'll make sure she escapes from here."

"Yeah, you can tell that something insane would happen if she gets caught by Hades." Vali points out.

"After this, I'm going to participate in the plan to escape from here, Vali." Issei told him. "Are you going to rest?"

"I would want to rest, but I'm the White Dragon Emperor, so I can't help it." Vali answered. "Even if we're still in one piece thanks to a certain l'Cie, I can't be backing down from mere Grim Reapers. There was never a choice of just staying out of it from the beginning for me."

'An embodiment of pride, I felt very relieved to hear something that he would usually say.' Issei mentally thought with a smile. "Vali, let's finish our fight one day. Defeating you is one of my aims."

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it, Issei Hyoudou." Vali said with a smirk. "Both of us can't die in a place like this."

The plan to escape from here is getting closer.

That's it for the 58th chapter. Have a wonderful Merry Christmas everyone!