[A.N. Please remember to Review after you read the chapter. Also read the Author Note at the end, it is Very Important]
A True Devil
Chapter 8 – Sword Fight
Previously on A True Devil
"Fine I'll be there, but if you want to make sure they don't become a threat then don't say anything stupid, actually make sure Issei doesn't say anything stupid" Kai explained as he hung up the phone before Rias could answer. "I fold" Kai said as he put his card face down. "So tomorrow I'm meeting with the exorcists at the clubroom, Layla you will be joining me and so will you Ethan" Kai said leaning back. "If anything goes wrong I want you to secure the swords" Kai said to Ethan who nodded.
~o~O~o~
Now
Occult Research Clubroom
The next day after school everyone was in the clubroom, Kai sat on one of the couches with Layla and Ethan behind him. Rias sat at her desk with her peerage behind her. The only one that wasn't present was Issei since he was bringing the exorcists to the room. "So what do they want?" Kai asked looking at Rias. "I'm not sure, they came by Issei's house last night, apparently one of the exorcists is a childhood friend of his" Rias explained making Kai chuckle. "That's one health relationship" Kai said with sarcasm in his voice. The door to the clubroom opened and Issei walked inside.
With him were two girls. Both were wearing cloaks but the hoods weren't covering their heads so they could see their faces. The one on the right had chin length blue hair with a green fringe on the right side and dark yellow eyes. The girl on the left had chestnut coloured hair reaching down to her waist tied up in twintails and violet eyes. "President I brought them" Issei said as he walked over to stand beside Rias while the two exorcists sat down on the couch opposite Kai.
There was silence for a few moments when Kai decided to break it "Are you going to talk or waste my time, I have better things to do" Kai said leaning back. "Alright, I'm Rias Gremory, so what are two exorcists doing in my territory" Rias asked her eyes narrowed. "We were sent by the church on an important mission, we are asking you to not interfere" the blue haired exorcist asked. "Well before you start demanding things it's proper manners to introduce yourself" Kai said looking at the two girls opposite him with a bored look on his face.
"Very well, I'm Xenovia Quarta" the blue haired girl introduced. "And I'm Irina Shidou" the chestnut haired girl then said. "I'm Kai" Kai replied as he leaned back. "Now that that's out of the way what are you doing here, and why do you have Excalibur fragments with you" Kai said with narrowed eyes shocking the two exorcists. "How did you know?" Irina asked shocked. "I've dealt with those swords before I know their power" Kai said looking at the two opposite him.
"You're right, a few days ago someone stole three of the swords, it was a fallen angel and we tracked it back here" Xenovia said making Kai nod. "We have been sent to retrieve them" Irina added making Kai raise an eyebrow. "And you're telling me to not interfere when this is my territory" Rias said with narrowed eyes. "We don't know if you would ally with the fallen angels against the church" Xenovia said making Rias's eyes turn red from anger. "I would never put my family to shame by working with them" Rias said dangerously.
"So who stole the swords?" Kai asked before Rias destroyed something. "It was Kokabiel" Xenovia said. There was silence for a few seconds. "HAHAHAHAHA!" Kai started laughing. "And you think that you two can defeat him" Kai said laughing harder. "We know the risk, there is only a 30 percent chance" Xenovia said glaring at Kai. "I'm sorry but it is far less than that, maybe 1 percent if you're lucky" Kai said turning looking up. "You are basically giving them the swords on your back" he added then looked at Irina "Or that little string of yours right" he said making Irina's eyes widen.
"Don't criticize our beliefs" Xenovia said still glaring. "I'm not, I saying the truth, what is the church thinking sending the two of you, Kokabiel was in the war so he is over 1000 years old, he has a massive advantage over you two" Kai said with a smug look on his face. "Besides, there is another sword in your possession right" Kai said looking at Xenovia who narrowed her eyes. "How do you know about that" she asked putting her hand on the hilt of her sword that was on her back. "Because just like Excalibur I've dealt with that sword as well" Kai explained.
"Okay, I think that we are done here, do we have your word you won't interfere with our work" Xenovia asked Rias who sighed. "Yes" she said then Xenovia turned to Kai. "I'm not promising anything, I do what I want" Kai said making Xenovia narrow her eyes. "Fine, come Irina lets go" Xenovia said standing up. She stopped when she passed Asia then turned to face the blonde.
"Are you Asia Argento, the Witch" Xenovia asked and Asia's eyes widened. "So it's true, you because a devil" Irina cut in looking at the blonde who had her head down. "Do you still believe in God?" Xenovia asked. "She can't she's a devil remember" Irina cut in again. "I still do, even though I became a devil I just can't let of my beliefs" Asia said looking up at the exorcists. "I see, then I think true mercy would be to kill you now" Xenovia said as he pulled up her sword from her back.
"STOP!" Issei yelled as he ran in front of Asia before the blade came down on her. "You have no right to call Asia a witch after you kicked her out of the church alone without anyone" Issei said his Boosted Gear showing on his arm. "A true believer doesn't need anyone else if they have strong faith in God" Xenovia said her sword still facing Asia. "That is bullshit, you always need someone" Issei said protecting Asia by raising a hand to block her. "Then what are you to her?" Xenovia asked. "I'm her family, her friend, and I won't let you hurt her even if I have to face the church" Issei declared raising a fist.
"Is that a challenge?" Xenovia said with a raised eyebrow. "Issei, stand down" Rias said in a commanding tone. "I'll fight you" everyone turned to the door where Kiba was standing. "Who are you?" Xenovia asked lowering her sword. "I'm your superior, but apparently I was a failure" Kiba said glaring at the sword in Xenovia's hand. 'He's not thinking straight, if he fights he'll most likely get himself killed' Kai thought looking to Ethan who nodded. Chop. Ethan ran forward and hit Kiba at the back of his neck knocking him out. "He wasn't thinking straight" Kai explained to Rias who had wide eyes at what just happened.
"I think Ethan can take Kiba's place" Kai said getting a nod from Ethan who placed Kiba on the couch that was unoccupied. "Layla, put a seal on him, when he wakes I don't want him to leave this room" Kai said and Layla used her water magic to imprison Kiba so he couldn't move. "Then I will fight you Issei, I can't believe you became a devil" Irina said heavy emotion in her voice. "Fine, but this is an unofficial match, so no killing" Kai said creating a magic circle below all of them sending them to the same arena when Mia had fought Saji and Issei.
~o~O~o~
Battle Arena
On the grass below were Ethan, Issei, Xenovia, and Irina. Above on a barrier looking down at them was Kai, Layla, Rias, Akeno, Koneko, and Asia. "ISSEI BE CAREFUL, THAT IS A HOLY SWORD!" Rias yelled looking down at her Pawn but her yelling made the others around her wince at the sound. "ALRIGHT!" Issei yelled back as he made the Boosted Gear appear as he was about to face off against Irina. "HAVE FUN!" Kai yelled down at his Knight getting a nod from Ethan.
"So where is your weapon?" Xenovia asked holding up her sword so the point of the blade faced Ethan, her opponent. "I'm trying to decide which one to use" Ethan said "I know" Ethan said as he raised his hand. "Very bright was that sword when it was made whole again, the light of the sun shone redly in it, and the light of the moon shone cold, and its edge was hard and keen. I call forth Andúril, Flame of the West" a large flame erupted around Ethan's hand and once it died down in its place was a sword. [It is the sword from Lord Of The Rings].
"What sword is that? I've never heard that name before" Xenovia asked as she looked at the sword in Ethan's hand. "I wouldn't expect you too, it's not very well known" Ethan said as he swung the sword around getting the feel of it. Swinging the blade forwards, it sent a powerful wave which cut through the earth below them. Ethan smirked seeing the shocked face of Xenovia at the power of the sword. "Whenever you are ready" Ethan said as he did a 'come at me' finger sign.
Kai looked down with wide eyes. "I didn't expect him to take out Andúril, I thought he would make a sword to fight her" Kai muttered. "By create a sword, so he does have a similar ability to Kiba, so he can create swords when he wants" Rias asked and Kai shook his head. "No, he can create any weapon he can think of, swords, spears, knives, and even armour if he wants" Kai explained watching the fights below them. "That's amazing, but what is that sword?" Rias asked Kai who just grinned. "That sword is very powerful since it can control the dead" Kai said with an evil smirk. "What?" Rias asked surprised and afraid. "Yeah, it's awesome" Kai said.
"Why did you become a devil, oh life can be so cruel, this must be a challenge from God to test my strength of will" Irina preached as she held onto the cross hanging around her neck. Reaching to her cloak she took off the string that was clipped onto her arm and it transformed into a katana. "This is Excalibur Mimic, I will use this to save you Issei. Amen" Irina said as she ran forward swinging the sword making Issei jump backwards just missing the blade.
"I'm surprised that you have Excalibur Destruction" Ethan said resting his sword on one of his shoulders. Xenovia ran forward her bringing her sword down which Ethan just blocked. The ground below the two created a huge crater because of the pressure of power. "Impressive" Ethan said as he swung forward pushing Xenovia out of the crater sending her flying in the air. "But it is nothing compared to Andúril" Ethan said smirking. Xenovia looked down at the blade making her eyes widen since there was a small chip in it. "How?" Xenovia asked shocked.
Ethan just slowly walked forward his blade at his side. "Because you can't use the full power of the sword, it is just a toy in your hands" Ethan said swinging his sword forward hard which Xenovia blocked but the push sent her tumbling backwards. "I'm just getting started" Xenovia said as she rushed forward sending a barrage of swings which Ethan blocked each one easily. Swinging upwards Ethan was able to cutting Xenovia's cheek sending her upwards. Xenovia was breathing hard as blood poured out of her cheek. "This was boring" Ethan said with a sigh when his eyes narrowed.
"Why would they give you Durandal if you can't even use an Excalibur fragment correctly" Ethan said looking at Xenovia who was glaring back at him. "Because I'm a natural Holy Sword user" Xenovia said as she got up. "Oh really" Ethan said with sarcasm in his voice. "Then show me" Ethan's entire attitude and posture changed to complete seriousness. "Fine, but you asked for this" Xenovia said as she put her sword down then put her hand to the side.
"Oh Peter, oh Basile and Denise, and the blessed Virgin Mary. I ask you to please hear my prayers. In the name of the Saint living within this blade, I hereby set you free" Xenovia chanted and a golden symbol to the side appeared. Slowly coming of it was a sword which was held by chains but broke when Xenovia grabbed the hilt of the sword. Pulling the sword away so it was ready to attack Xenovia smiled. "The reason the sword stays in the other dimension is because it doesn't always listen to me" Xenovia said as she ran forward. "And because it destroys anything it cuts" she said swinging the large sword down.
A massive shockwave was released making some of the grass pull up sending it backwards while a large cloud of dust covered the two. "Destroys anything it cut eh" Ethan's voice said. When the dust cleared Ethan stood there unharmed while holding Durandal between two fingers making Xenovia's eyes widen. "How? How can you touch a Holy Sword?" Xenovia said as she jumped backwards releasing her grip on Durandal which stayed in Ethan's fingers. "That's my secret" Ethan said as he turned Durandal around holding it at the hilt.
The devils watching from the barrier above had wide eyes, all except Layla and Kai, who was smiling. "How is that possible?" Rias said watching as Ethan held the Holy Sword. "Like he said it's his secret, but he's always been able to do it" Kai said with a smirk. 'Oh yes, he even has a few other Holy Swords in his collection' Kai thought watching the shocked look on the exorcist's face. "I can't believe this" Rias muttered as she looked at the scene below her.
The other two fighting had been blown away once Xenovia attacked Ethan with Durandal. But got their bearings once the wind stopped. When they saw Ethan holding the Holy Sword their jaws dropped "EH!" Irina yelled watching Ethan as he inspected the sword without getting any burns or anything that should happen when a devil touches holy weapons. "How… how… how..." Irina stuttered as she continued watching.
"This is how you really use this sword" Ethan said as he raised Durandal, slowly his power started to gather inside the sword making it glow a dark blue because of the blade. Swinging the blade down a HUGE wave of wind appeared cutting through the ground below them going a couple hundred meters deep and over a kilometre in length. "LORD KAI CAN I KEEP THIS SWORD?!" Ethan yelled up at his King. "You can't" Xenovia said getting over the shock of seeing the destructive power of the sword that she was supposed to be able to control.
"I'LL ASK MICHAEL ABOUT IT!" Kai yelled back looking down. "AND FIX THAT MESS!" Kai added as he pointed at the enormous cut in the ground which Ethan had caused. "SORRY!" Ethan yelled back with a guilty look on his face. "This is the main reason why I decided to send them here and not in the human world, if this happened there, questions would be asked which I don't want to answer" Kai said to Rias who nodded with the shocked expression on her face.
"So, will you surrender or do you want to try what little luck you have against me" Ethan said as he swung Durandal around easily. "I admit defeat" Xenovia said bowing her head. "Now give me back the sword" Xenovia said glaring at Ethan who raised an eyebrow. "Not yet, it depends on what Lord Kai says" Ethan said as he leaned on the sword watching as Xenovia stood up and put Excalibur Destruction on her back again.
"AAAAHHHH!" all the attention turned to the other two fighters. Issei stood there with a large grin on his face while Irina was on the ground… completely naked. "I WIN!" Issei yelled with a lecherous look on his face. Ethan walked up to Issei then punched him in the face. "Disgusting" Ethan said as he walked over to Irina grabbing her cloak then covered her with it. "You really have no shame" Ethan said to Issei who had blood running down his nose. "I still won" Issei said glaring at Ethan who just turned away. "Pervert" Ethan muttered watching as the others that were on the barrier above them jumped down.
Kai walked up to Ethan holding out his hand. "I want to check something quick" Kai said and Ethan handed him Durandal shocking everyone. "How can you also hold a Holy Sword?" Rias asked shocked seeing the same thing again. "Oh, that's my secret" Kai said with a smile as he looked over Durandal. "So you noticed it as well" Ethan said and Kai nodded. "Yeah, some of the power has been forcibly removed so it isn't at full strength" Kai said as he handed the sword back to Xenovia. "I'm guessing that's the only reason she can hold the thing" Ethan said. "What a waste, I would have loved to add another sword to my collection" Ethan slightly pouted.
"I think you have enough, I guess I'll ask Mia to fix this up" Kai said looking at the damage done to the field from the Holy Swords. "Now Rias, I want you to tell me what made Kiba act like that" Kai said seeing Rias sigh. "He was part of the Holy Sword Project" Rias explained making both Kai and Ethan's eyes widen. "Well, that explains everything" Ethan said and Kai nodded. "I didn't know there were any survivors though" Kai said. "I think I know what he true goal is" Kai added. "Ok we can head back now" he said creating a magic circle below them all taking them back to the clubroom.
~o~O~o~
Occult Research Clubroom
In the clubroom Kiba had woken up when the magic circle appeared which he glared at. "Oh it seems that sleeping beauty is awake" Kai taunted as he sat down on the couch opposite Kiba then looked to the two exorcists. "Layla can you please heal up those two in the back room along with clothes" Kai said getting a nod from Layla who escorted the two out so they could get fixed up. After about 10 minutes they came back better. "Sorry for what Issei did to you" Rias said to Irina who just nodded. "We should get going" Xenovia said as she left the room.
When they were gone Kai turned to Kiba. "Now, what in the world where you thinking challenging those two in your mindset" Kai asked getting a glare from Kiba who couldn't move because of Layla's spell. "I have to destroy Excalibur" he said and the room went silent. "Please tell me you are joking" Kai said with a raised eyebrow. "That sword is the reason my friends died, so I will avenge them" Kiba said struggling to move. "So you want to destroy a sword, an object. I think your anger is misplaced at who did the Holy Sword Project" Kai explained rubbing his forehead.
"Ethan who was in charge of that project?" Kai asked his Knight. "Um… it was something Galilei" Ethan said trying to remember the first name of the man who was the leader. "Yeah, it was something like that" Kai said turning back to Kiba "So you should focus on that person instead of a sword" Kai said seeing the realisation in Kiba's face. "Besides, if you left you may be considered a stray devil then we would kill you and you would never get your revenge" Kai added. "You're right" Kiba said and Kai turned to Layla who nodded then removed the spell making Kiba able to move again. "Now that you've cooled your head and got some sense back in that brain of yours, what do you want to do" Kai asked.
"I'll go after this Galilei person and make him pay" Kiba said with determination in his eyes. "Alright, I'm tired so I'm going home" Kai said standing up then turned to Rias. "You really have an odd bunch for your peerage, I just hope the others don't have a backstory like his since it could be holding them back, but I don't really care about that, everything is just so entertaining here" Kai said and the three vanished through the magic circle he created. 'If only you knew' Rias thought as she looked at Koneko and Akeno who seemed saddened.
~o~O~o~
~ Until the Next Chapter ~
Alright some huge changes from the canon in here but I think it fits the story. So I introduced some a different sword the one from Lord Of The Rings for Ethan. I also had Durandal come in early since Kai and Ethan were able to sense it but I wanted there to be something strange, that some devils can hold Holy Swords. The reason will be explained later in the story. Also I had Kiba become calmer before he has to fight.
So for the next chapter I was thinking of going straight to the Kokabiel part or a little before when they ask to join the exorcists to fight because of Kiba. Since there have been many changes I want you to tell me which one you think would be best. I didn't get reviews for the last chapter so please REVIEW!
~o~O~o~
IceQueen In The Summer