Hoia Baciu Forest was a well-known location amongst the paranormal junkie community. A place supposedly cursed down to its very soil and housed malicious spirits. Rumor even had it that the perfect circle located at the center of the forest was a gateway to Hell itself. Of course, none of the rumors were true save one.
A vortex opened in the middle of the clearing just shy of the treeline. Mitsuki walked out, followed by Issei, Irina, Ingvild, and finally, Rias and her peerage.
"Where are they?" Rias asked, walking up to Mitsuki.
Mitsuki scanned her surroundings before removing her AS from her pocket. The small orb levitated into the air and let loose a small blue wave that dispelled the illusory cloak that covered the area.
"They already set up a camp in the few hours we were preparing. I gotta say that the Russian Division works fast," Ingvild commented.
"Gramps said that Lady Annalise was always a serious person. I guess we know exactly how serious she is," Mitsuki said.
"The others aren't here yet. We can go prepare inside that camp, yes?" Rias asked.
Mitsuki nodded.
"Issei, come. We need to prepare for this fight and you're a part of my peerage as much as you are an agent of this… dubious organization," Rias said, beckoning Issei to follow her.
Issei clammed up when he heard the tone of Rias's voice. It was not her usual gentle, playful tone. The tone was the same tone she used against Riser during their Rating Game. It was a tone that said that she was very furious and he was most likely going to be on the receiving end of some sort of punishment.
He looked to Mitsuki for help and she just shook her head with a smile.
"Mii-chan… you traitor," Issei said.
"Think of it this way, Aniki. At least you and your girlfriends have something to talk about while I take care of all the boring logistics," Mitsuki replied.
"You're cruel, I tell you," Issei wailed.
"Koneko. Grab him," Rias commanded.
"Don't rough him up too much," Mitsuki said.
"I won't. This is a talk best reserved for after the whole issue is settled," she replied.
As Issei was dragged away by Rias and her peerage, Mitsuki saw a flash of violet light from her left periphery. She and Ingvild turned to see Azazel arriving with Baraqiel and a group of people.
Their leader was a man with black hair, dressed in a black combat suit with a matching coat and pants. He had the air of a man three years younger than his appearance and an aura of confidence to match his imposing stature. And Mitsuki had to admit that he was quite handsome.
"That's…" Ingvild began.
"Tobio Ikuse. Age 19. Member and leader of Team Slash/Dog, a Grigori Strike Force, and one of their top fighters. Possessor of Canis Lykaon, one of the Thirteen Longinus," Mitsuki said.
"You really remember the information that well, huh," Ingvild said.
"I knew about him before I joined Blacklight. My family's ancient and so are the Shidous and Yaegakis. We knew about the whole incident revolving around him and Hanezu Himejima," Mitsuki said.
"Mmm… next up is," Ingvild said. "Lavinia Reni. Age 18. Vice Captain of Team Slash/Dog and a top-class mage who is affiliated with Grauzabaurer. Possessor of the Longinus Sacred Gear, Absolute Demise." She finished her recitation of the information while maintaining her gaze on the blonde woman before her.
The woman was strikingly beautiful. She had long blonde hair and dressed according to her role as the team mage, wearing a white witch's outfit complete with a pointy hat. Like Tobio, her aura was very easy to discern and Mitsuki and Ingvild were almost floored by how high her magical power was compared to Le Fay.
"Next is Kouki Samejima. Possessor of the Sacred Gear, Reckless Annihilator, which bears the soul of one of the Four Fiends, Taowu. Member of Slash/Dog… we know that so we might as well cut it from our recitation," Mitsuki said.
The man she was referring to was a tall man, taller than even Tobio. He had the standard appearance of a delinquent. His hair was spiked up and dyed brown and he was dressed in a red blazer with a white button-up and gray pants. His gaze met hers and he winked, causing a look of annoyance to manifest on her face.
"That happened. Next is Natsume Minagawa. Member of… well, we don't have to recite the entirety of her profile. We already left out the delinquent's age. Anyway, this girl is 19 and possesses the Sacred Gear, Tempest Fall, which houses one of the Four Disasters, Qionqgi," Ingvild said.
She glanced over at the tied-up light brown hair and hazel eyes. If she took her hair down, she and Mitsuki could be mistaken for sisters. She had a voluptuous figure that was hidden by her clothes.
"Next, Shigune Nanadaru. Possessor of the Sacred Gear, Hyper Digestion, which houses one of the Four Fiends, Taotie. She was originally from Ryuukou Academy but transferred to Nephilim Institute after the Utsusemi Incident."
The woman appeared to have heard them because she glanced in their direction. Her blonde hair, which was styled in twin tails, swayed in the breeze as she gave them a steely gaze with her mismatched eyes. After a few seconds, she turned her attention back to Azazel, who was speaking.
"And last but not least, Sae Toujou. Possessor of Cowardly Leo and Tobio Ikuse's childhood friend-"
"Aka, she's the Mitsuki of the relationship," Ingvild said.
"No, she's the Aniki of the relationship," Mitsuki argued.
"Is Issei the one taking care of you?" Ingvild asked.
"Er… no… fine."
Their conversation revolved around a plain-looking girl with green eyes and brown hair. She had a modest figure compared to the rest of the women on the team and had the least imposing aura about her.
"Well… that's them out of the way. I don't think I want to stick around for the others. Let's go see if Kazuha is here-"
"Already right behind you, Mii."
Mitsuki felt a hot breath whisper into her ear. She yelped and jumped, cursing herself for falling for another one of her tricks. Mitsuki turned around, annoyed at what had just happened, only to see the red eyes of the offender.
Kazuha Yaegaki was a woman approximately one year older than they were. She had short brown hair, reaching down to her neck, and a slender figure she did not dare to hide. She wore a black coat that hung loosely off her shoulder along with a white button-up long-sleeved shirt that was only buttoned at the middle, leaving a large portion of her cleavage and midriff exposed. Her sword, a nodachi, hung loosely to her side.
"Don't do that!" Mitsuki said, exasperated.
"It's been 6 months since you became a solo act and you're still falling for that. I'm surprised you're still alive, Mii," Kazuha said in a blunt yet playful tone.
Mitsuki's eyebrow twitched. "You're still as crass as always, Kazuha."
"Aw, don't be like that. If I'd known that you were still so jumpy, then I would have done more than just whisper into your ear," Kazuha replied.
"You… I can't believe I actually missed you," Mitsuki said.
Ingvild smiled wryly. She got in between the two and pushed them apart only for Kazuha to hug her tightly, pressing her chest against Ingvild's.
"H- Huee?" Ingvild let out a weird noise.
"Oh, Ingvi. I missed you so much… These haven't gotten bigger, have they?" Kazuha asked, reaching up to Ingvild's chest and giving it a squeeze.
Ingvild moaned at the stimulation, feeling a wave of pleasure creeping down her spine as Kazuha continued to play and fondle with her chest. "N- Not there…" she let out a breathy, husky voice.
"Stop doing that. We're at camp." Mitsuki pried Kazuha off Ingvild.
The older girl pouted at her action. "Aw, come on, Mii. It's not like Ingvild wasn't enjoying it, weren't you, Ingvi?" she shot a wink at Ingvild, causing the girl to blush at the sudden flirtatious attack.
"I… I see that months of observing and guarding the current Suzaku hasn't made you any better, huh, Kazu?" Ingvild coughed into her hand to slow her heart rate.
Kazuha sighed and nodded. She walked past them, placing her hands behind her head. "It's true. Slash/Dog being there is kind of annoying when I'm trying to keep getting in contact with Iroha. Haah, and since Tenmei is an all-girls school, I can't bring the whole team in," Kazuha said.
"Is Tenmei really that bad?" Mitsuki followed after her as she walked into camp.
"It's not as bad as you think. St. Lucia is much worse from what I hear. It's worse when you're trying to keep a low profile from the one girl who's not supposed to know you're spying on them and said girl happens to be one of the top mystics in the country. How about you? How are you and your nameless squad doing?" she asked.
"N- Nameless! We have a name!" Mitsuki said indignantly.
"Ehhh? You do? What is it?" she asked.
"By the way, Kazu. I finally understand how you feel," Ingvild said.
"Mmm?" Kazuha glanced over her shoulder, giving Ingvild an inquisitive glance.
"Your family's insufferable. I thought you hated the Belials but your mom's paternal descendants are just as worse. For a Prime Demon Family, they act like kids," Ingvild said.
"Are you still going on about how your dad made you sit in?" Mitsuki asked.
"That'll do it to you. Roygun-neesama is the only one with any sense right now in that clan ever since Uncle stepped down. It's kind of why I ran away. Anyway, Central Command is that black tent over there. Sirzechs and his peerage arrived about a couple of minutes before you guys so they should be in there," Kazuha said, gesturing to the large black tent across the campground.
They followed her to the tent where they were met with the comical sight of Issei sitting on the floor with bricks stacked on his legs. Rias stood next to him, arms crossed and eyes closed. There was an obvious air of jealousy and irritation about her as she opened her eyes and locked eyes with Mitsuki.
"Er…" Mitsuki shied away from Rias's intense gaze.
"I mean if I was Issei's girlfriend and he started spending lots of time with some girl, I'd think something was up too," Ingvild said.
"Heh? So that's Issei? He grew up nice," Kazuha said, licking her lips as she eyed the suffering Sekiryuutei.
"Mii-chan! Ingvild! Help-"
"Ise. This is your punishment for hiding things from me for weeks," Rias said, shooting an ominous smile.
"Hiiii-!" Issei shrank from her gaze.
"Come on, Issei-chan. At least she's not as bad as Hera," Mastema consoled.
[Don't think this alleviates your punishment from us.] Ddraig said.
Guys! My legs are going to get squashed! Issei groaned. If that happens, I'll really go before the year is over!
"Ah, it looks like the whole circus is here." the tent flap opened as Azazel walked in followed by Team Slash/Dog.
"Indeed. I had to drop some stuff off." Sirzechs walked in after him, followed by Grayfia.
Issei's eyes widened slightly. This was the first time he had seen Grayfia in something other than a maid outfit. She wore a black shirt with caramel-gold accents and split as it reached her waist, exposing her midriff. She wore a cyan scarf and blue and white jeans.
"Woah- Ow!"
"No looking." Koneko's monotone voice cut through Issei's cry of pain.
"Looks like we're only missing one more." Katsuki took the cigarette out of his mouth and threw it into an ashtray.
"Lady Gabriel and the other angels," Sae said as she mindlessly typed away on her AS screen.
"Sorry~!" the tent flap opened and an intense blinding light, accompanied by a high-pitched, grating screech, filled the tent.
Azazel sighed while everyone else covered their ears and closed their eyes. Those of demonic descent felt an intense burning sensation on their skin. However, as quickly as that light came, it vanished just as fast.
A woman walked in with blonde hair and ice-blue eyes. She had long wavy blonde hair cascading down her back. She had a voluptuous figure with large breasts and wore a white military uniform with a pencil skirt and black leggings. There was a blue halo above her head and Issei caught a glimpse of her twelve wings as they retracted into her back.
I feel like I'm looking at a blonde version of you… Mastema, Issei said.
"Lady Gabriel! Please don't do things like that!" Irina peeked out from behind Gabriel.
"Eh? Oh dear, I'm sorry." Gabriel bowed her head, projecting an aura of airheadedness.
"This is… Lady Gabriel?" Rias asked.
"Don't be fooled by her, Ise-chan. Gabriel is… how should I put this? A troll…" Mastema warned.
A troll?
[Did I ever tell you how exactly we were sealed into the Boosted Gear and Divine Dividing?] Ddraig asked.
No.
[It was that woman's schemes that stopped our rampage. Sure, it was a combined effort between the three armies but she was the only Archangel there to lend support and her schemes got Albion and I chopped up and sealed. In short, she mind-raped us into defeat] Ddraig said.
Issei said nothing as he continued to look at the woman, who he had learned had a very big personality. Yes, two very big personalities.
Her eyes shifted from the other leaders to Issei and for a split second, Issei swore he could see a curious but predatory gaze in her ditzy blue eyes.
"Good, we're all here." Sae's screen vanished as she pocketed her AS. She coughed into her hand, getting their attention before speaking. "Just know that by the end of this, some of you will have your memories wiped. I am Operative Blooming Orchid, one of the two people in charge of this operation. We are here for one thing and for one thing only, to slay the Lord of Hunger, Beelzebub.
"Our strike today will determine whether or not the Lord of Hunger can carry out his plans. As of right now, his armies have concentrated themselves around the clearing of Hoia Baciu Forest. Our objective is to prevent the swarm of devils from razing the entirety of Europe to the ground. The Greek and English Chapters are on standby in case we fall here. Black Wolf Squad and…"
Sae glanced at her niece.
Mitsuki blinked. She stared at her aunt confused before Kazuha nudged her with her elbow.
"Squad name."
"Lunar Raven Squad." were the words that came out of Mitsuki's mouth.
"Lunar Raven Squad," Sae articulated.
"You and Rias Gremory's Peerage will be part of the forward team and seek out Lance McArthy, one of the Fallen Humanity. We will provide you enough time to defang Beelzebub's entire operation. Meanwhile, the elite forces will actively hunt down and engage the Lord of Hunger in combat."
"Excuse me!" Rias raised her hand.
"What is it, Lady Gremory?" Sae asked.
"If… What if Beelzebub comes after Issei?" she asked.
Sae closed her eyes for a few seconds. "There is a high chance of that happening. If that happens, then fire your flare and retreat. Do not attempt to engage. He will be one of the hardest foes you will ever have fought. His power in his current form is only one tier beneath Sirzechs Lucifer's True Form and Ajuka Beelzebub's full power and his Qliphoth Form makes him even more dangerous as he is far stronger than either of the two previous mentioned entities individually. Not to mention that against most of you, Beelzebub will be the most dangerous opponent you've ever faced due to his Power of Sin, the Keter Shel Achlanut."
Power of Sin? Beelzebub's absorbing thingy is called a Power of Sin? Issei asked.
[Indeed. The Powers of Sin are the special abilities of the Seven Prime Demons. You faced it before in your Juggernaut Drive. Powers of Sin are… more akin to a God's Authority than Unique Magic from a Devil Family.] Ddraig explained.
Everyone shifted in their spots.
"Are you all ready? We move out in 15 minutes. Today, we hunt the Devil," Sae said.
Issei looked around as his feet hit the soil beneath him. The air around them had been heavy and the clouds hung low in the sky. Despite hearing that there would be swarms of devils afoot, Issei had yet to see any. However, from the way the others carried themselves, he wouldn't need to wait.
"Prez, do you…?" Issei asked.
"I do. Above. About a dozen or so, just watching us," Rias said.
"Maybe they're waiting for a signal to attack? Are they really just letting us through?" Irina asked.
Mitsuki nodded and kept her hand close to Yorihime's handle. "We're being led into a trap."
"You said earlier this is a trap we'll have to take," Rias said.
"I know. We have no other choice. The others are going to keep the Devils and Beelzebub off us while we go and retrieve Lance. But… this is probably what Beelzebub wants," Mitsuki said.
"Rias."
"Mmm? Onii-sama?" Rias placed a hand to her ear.
"Rias… we're- … losing… Rias…"
"Mmm? Onii-sama? Onii-sama?" Rias repeated.
"Our comms are being interfered with," Mitsuki said, pulling her AS out. She activated it only to see static on her screen.
"Should we fire a flare?" Ingvild asked.
"I-!" Mitsuki's body froze when she sensed a large demonic energy behind her. She quickly turned and jumped back upon seeing who it was.
The others followed suit, scattering as far as they could but still remaining close enough to maintain a visual lock on the newcomer.
"Apollyon," Mitsuki said.
The masked hooded Gremory descendant stood there, staring silently at them.
Her blue eyes glowed from behind her mask as her gaze traveled to each one of them. Her eyes locked with Rias's for a few seconds before she turned to Issei.
"Fire a flare," Mitsuki said.
Ingvild nodded and raised her hand into the sky. Fire coalesced into the palm of her hand and shot into the sky, exploding violently.
Apollyon tilted her head. Her aura flared slightly, sending them all into high alert.
"Where are they? They should have been here by now," Ingvild muttered.
"They're not coming," Apollyon said in a monotone voice.
"Not coming?" Issei asked.
"Most likely…"
A loud boom resounded through the forest. The others looked to the sky to see a plume of smoke rising into the air.
"The battle has already begun," she said.
"Be careful. She has the ability to phase through all of our attacks, physical and magical," Mitsuki said. Her eyes glowed a blazing red and she lowered her stance.
The groups stood off from each other as the battle raged on around them. Lights of various colors filled the entire sky as light spears, demonic magic, and the Power of Destruction shot streaked across the clouds. Explosions rang through the sky and the ground shook with the very tremors of the aura of the leaders.
Apollyon maintained her relaxed stance, not even moving an inch.
"What do we do, Mii-chan? Do we go…?" Issei asked.
"Issei is right. The more time we stay here, the more time we lose on getting our target. We need to do something, Adashino," Rias said.
Mitsuki nodded. She shifted her foot slightly when she felt the air pressure around her change. Her eyes widened as she ducked, narrowly dodging a hand swipe from Apollyon. A warm liquid trickled down her head and a few strands of hair fell from her scalp.
Her body flickered as she teleported a considerable distance away.
"I cannot allow you to interfere with the plan." Apollyon stood where she stood, hands out. The tree behind Mitsuki had fallen over, sliced down by the force of the swipe of her hand.
"Haaah!" Issei appeared above her and slammed his fist down on her head. His eyes widened when his hand went through her as if she didn't exist.
After his hand finished passing through her, Apollyon spun on the balls of her feet and kicked Issei in the side, sending him crashing through several trees where he landed with a loud boom deeper into the woods.
"Kh! Ise!" Rias called out.
Xenovia and Yuuto rushed forward, circling Apollyon and leaving several afterimages in their wake.
"Wait, your attacks won't work on her!" Ingvild yelled.
Yuuto darted toward Apollyon, swinging his sword at her head. His sword passed through her, hitting nothing but air.
Apollyon reached out to grab Yuuto's throat when Xenovia appeared behind her and brought her sword down in an overhead slash.
Durandal passed through her once more, slamming into the ground. Yuuto darted back as did Xenovia, seeing that Apollyon was unharmed.
"Wait…" Yuuto narrowed his eyes.
"What is it?" Rias asked.
"Her hand. It-!?" Yuuto pushed Rias and jumped from his spot, narrowly avoiding having his head caved in by Apollyon's hand. He felt blood trickle down his cheek as he jumped and flipped in the air.
"Yuuto!" Rias yelled.
"Hey! Over here!" Issei threw a volley of punches at her, all of them passing through her harmlessly. He cocked his fist and threw a powerful punch at her head. It passed through her skull and produced a concussive force that plowed a path through the forest.
Issei jumped back and landed next to Irina and Mitsuki.
"Kh! Can't we just go?" Issei asked.
"No. She can teleport faster than I can. There's no running," she replied.
"I cannot allow you to go on further, descendant of Dantalion. Fallen Human," Apollyon said.
"We have to do something," Irina said, brandishing Malkuth.
"We can stay behind. Issei, go with Adashino and finish this," Rias said, pooling demonic power in her hands, summoning the black and red flames of the Power of Destruction.
"But-"
"Unfortunately…" Apollyon's body flickered and reappeared above them. Red lightning coated her hands and shaped it into a large red blade.
She swung the blade, unleashing a wave of red lightning.
Rias and Irina raised their hands, erecting a layered barrier.
The wave of lightning slammed into the barrier, shattering it easily.
"Damn it! MOVE!" Mitsuki grabbed Irina and Rias's shoulders, teleporting away from the inevitable blast.
Issei ran and jumped out of the way, watching as the wave of lightning obliterate the ground and everything around it for dozens of feet in a straight line.
"The Trumpet must trigger without fail," Apollyon said.
Trumpet…? Mitsuki thought. "No time to think about this. Aniki!"
Issei nodded and was about to summon his Balance Breaker when a flash of red light engulfed Apollyon's entire body.
The ground around her was erased, reduced to nothing. Apollyon jumped out of the red light, completely unscathed.
However, suddenly, the dimensions around her were sliced in half. Apollyon's form was split into two before coalescing into a single form. She landed on the ground, turning in the direction of the attacks.
Her form flickered once more as Sirzechs's energy-coated hand passed through her head harmlessly.
She twisted on her feet and kicked him in the abdomen with such force that spittle was forced out of his mouth.
He flew through the air and righted himself with his wings.
"Rias!" Sirzechs landed on the ground along with Grayfia. "Go! We'll hold her off!"
"Onii-sama-"
"No time, Rias. Go!" Grayfia barked. Space-time splintered like glass shards around her fingers.
"Prez." Issei placed a hand on her shoulder.
Rias clenched her fists and looked at their assailant one last time. Her blue eyes met the star-patterned eye of the masked devil. An eerie familiarity befell her but she fought it down as she turned around and followed the others.
Apollyon took a step forward but stopped when she saw Sirzechs barring her path with his arm held out.
"Unfortunately, you cannot pass through," Sirzechs said.
Small red and black orbs manifested in the air and orbited his body.
"..." Apollyon stood silently, gazing into their eyes. She shook her head and let loose a flood of demonic energy. Her body was shrouded in a red aura. Lightning and fire blazed around her, incinerating her surroundings and raising the temperature to the extremes.
Grayfia and Sirzechs were pushed slightly back by her display of power. A bead of sweat trickled down their foreheads from the sheer heat.
"Very well then." The pentagram within her blue eyes spun lazily. Without warning, she vanished and reappeared in front of Grayfia. Her hands were coated in flames and she thrust her knife hand toward her chest.
"Grayfia!" Sirzechs yelled.
Grayfia reacted quickly, sending a wave of black ice toward her.
However, Apollyon passed harmlessly through the ice.
Before her hand could make contact, Sirzechs attacked her, passing through her body. His eyes narrowed as he watched Apollyon pass through Grayfia like a ghost.
The masked devil vanished in a burst of speed and reappeared in mid-air above them. She silently hovered, watching them unfailingly.
Her abilities… And her eyes… Sirzechs's gaze narrowed as he locked eyes with Apollyon.
"Sirzechs, her abilities are like…" Grayfia began.
"Yeah… they're like… Lise's." He clenched his jaw as he stared at the masked devil.
"How did you get those eyes if you don't mind me asking?" Sirzechs asked.
Apollyon tilted her head at his question.
"Those eyes. Those abilities. And that design. Those of the Gremory Family who awaken the Power of Perception all have unique designs once their eyes are fully matured. No two Gremory can be born with the same eyes so I'll ask again." His tone was tense and his rage began to bubble at the implications of what he was about to say. "Where did you get those eyes?"
Apollyon remained silent.
"You're not going to speak. Then you wouldn't mind if I asked you give those eyes back?"
"Give it back. These eyes are mine, Sirzechs Lucifer." Her cold tone sent shivers down his spine.
"They're not yours. They're my little sister's and I'd be damned if I let her eyes be used for something as atrocious as this!" Sirzechs roared.
His demonic energy surged from his body, sending tremors across the entire area. Winds began to batter the forest. Grayfia raised her arms to shield her face from the buffeting winds while Apollyon hovered in the air unfazed.
"Annalise Gremory, huh? Your younger sister died long ago. Those eyes no longer served her any purpose… Sirzechs," she said.
Sirzechs bit his lip before giving her a look of pure fury.
And with that, the two took off from their spots and charged at each other.
The group stumbled as they ran through the forest. The effects of Sirzechs's power-up was palpable as red and black lightning raced across the sky. A flash of light nearly made them stop but the mission ahead kept them going. A wave of wind sliced in the earth in front of them.
"Tch! Dad's Mangetsu!" Mitsuki said, looking up.
She watched as a red-headed devil engaged her father in combat. Her father slicing through a volley of spells that set the sky on fire. A single stroke had split the clouds and the oncoming fire in half.
"We're almost through the treeline, Mii-chan. Let's go," Issei said.
"Mmm." she nodded and ran to catch up to the rest of the group.
A swarm of black clouds charged toward them.
"Guys-"
However, the clouds' advance were halted as Kazuha appeared above them. She swung her sword furiously, using her demonic power to split the swarm into piles of minced meat. She glanced over her shoulder and smiled at them before flying toward an oncoming cloud.
"Just now... that was...?" Rias asked.
"Belphegor's Power of Crack. She still hasn't used her Power of Sin yet. We need to go. Kazuha is holding off the devils from getting to us."
Amidst the thunderclaps, explosions, and occasional tremors, the group broke the treeline into the clearing of Hoia Baciu. They were met with the screams of countless devils that circled the skies above. Unlike the Devils they were used to, these demons were disembodied, resembling smoke. Their mass created a veritable typhoon that spanned the entirety of Transylvania.
"Where is…"
"Get back!" Mitsuki grabbed Irina by the collar as a large chunk of Earth crashed down in front of them.
The group was blown back from the impact but landed relatively unharmed.
Issei dusted himself off and turned to face their attacker. His eyes shifted from hazel to blue and red. A violet energy began to waft off his body as [Opposition] unconsciously manifested itself on his arm.
"Lance." An animalistic growl came from Issei's mouth.
Lance stood there silently, hand outstretched. His sclera had turned black and his blue eyes were now violet. A black marking ran down from his forehead and through his right eye, giving off the appearance of a scar.
"Issei," he said.
Issei clenched his fists.
[Boost]
"I've been waiting for this," he said. His tone was uncharacteristically dark. His red and blue eyes glowed brightly as he began to walk forward.
"Wait." Issei stopped when he felt Mitsuki's hand on his shoulder.
Issei turned to see her shaking her head. She stepped past Issei and drew Yorihime from its sheathe.
"Lance McArthy. Surrender peacefully or we will be forced to use more lethal measures," she ordered.
"You…!? How are… Never mind that." he shook his head. How was she alive? He was sure that the energy blast punched a hole through her chest. There was no way she could have survived even if the other side had magic. They would have never made it in time to help her regardless.
"Surrender? There's no longer a surrender. This is here and now. I have to do this," Lance said.
Issei felt something inside him snap as he rushed forward. Mitsuki and Irina grabbed his arms to hold him back but Issei could not help but let loose a few choice words.
"You piece of shit! You're going to destroy the world for your sister? What world will your sister have left to grow up in! I'm sick and tired of your crap! You're too much of a coward to even stand up for yourself and you just let Beelzebub drag you around!" Issei yelled.
Lance's eyes widened before anger overtook him.
"This was the only choice I had. There was nothing I could do… Nothing any of you can do to fix her! This was my only out… the only way!" Lance said. His tone was a mix of defeat, anger, and self-loathing.
"Sure she will hate me for this. She will hate me for all the blood I spilled so she can live a normal life but I'd do it all again if it meant that she can! I'd rather have her hate me and be well than love me and be a hollow shell of what she was," Lance said.
His words struck a chord in Issei. He was not sure how to respond. Any response he could make would only come off as hypocritical considering what he had just done a few hours prior. His fists clenched and he opened his mouth to find a retort but Mitsuki had beaten him to it.
"You're not doing this for her. You're just being selfish. How do you know this is what she could have wanted?" Mitsuki asked.
"You… How dare you!" Lance yelled.
"I know because I'm in her position. I don't know anything about you or your family but I can at least relate to her in this manner. No matter how far gone I am or whatever I have, I would never have wanted something like this," Mitsuki said.
"You… How can you even say that considering what he did?" Lance said, glancing at Issei.
Mitsuki raised an eyebrow. "Whatever Aniki did… I'm sure it was just in self-defense from a psycho who's trying to convince himself that destroying the world is for the good of the family he loves most."
"Mii-chan…" Issei whispered.
"The difference between you and Aniki is that Aniki would never go to such lengths to commit such a drastic act of desperation! Aniki would keep fighting even if I were to end up in a position where I can no longer be there because he's stronger than you'll ever be!" Mitsuki said.
"Enough of this. I won't let you stand in my way. This paradise that they want to create. Even if I have to die, at least, I want her to live in a place where she can live without her mind being eroded away!" Lance lifted his hand into the air.
The ground trembled violently as fissures spread across the entire earth. Chunks of rock and dirt the size of houses rose into the air.
"His power has gotten stronger since you last saw him. To think that he can develop them in this short amount of time," Mastema said.
No kidding. Even I can lift a house with my brain, Issei said.
"Lunar Raven Squad, fan out now!" Mitsuki ordered.
"Everyone, annihilate the enemy!" Rias said.
The entire group scattered as Lance threw a building-sized chunk of earth at them.
Rias jumped into the air and held her hand out. "Koneko! Yuuto! Issei! Xenovia! Asia and I will cover you! Go and eliminate the enemy!"
Mitsuki drew Yorihime from its sheath and held it before her. "Aniki! Everyone! Be careful! His demonic power is rising by the minute!"
"Cassanova! Xenovia! Koneko-chan, watch out for him. He has Luxuria, the same power that almost killed me!" Issei said.
Xenovia, Yuuto, and Koneko nodded in response.
The two Knights vanished from sight, reappearing in front of Lance.
The surprised man stumbled back, taken aback by the sheer increase in speed. He frantically threw his hand forward, unleashing a wave of pure darkness at the two.
Xenovia swung Durandal, slicing the darkness in half. The force of her swing sent a gust of wind that knocked him off his feet.
She brought Durandal down onto him only to hit a force of resistance against her swing.
Lance's eyes glowed brightly as he shoved his hand forward, slamming an unseen force into Yuuto and Xenovia, and launched them into the air.
The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as he jumped into the air, narrowly avoiding being smashed to a pulp by Koneko's monstrous strength.
"Why can't you all just stay away!?" Lance yelled.
The storm cloud above boomed and thundered, responding to his unwitting command. Plumes of smoke began to plummet to the ground.
"Rias! Ingvild! Above!" Mitsuki yelled as she and Irina sliced through several dark tendrils.
"Got it! Ingvild-san!"
Ingvild and Rias raised their hands into the air. A stream of black and red energy spat forth from Rias's magic circle, peppering the oncoming swarm with several explosions that erased them on the spot.
A massive dragon made of water rose into the sky, chasing and eviscerating the remaining stragglers.
"Mii-chan! Irina! Cover me!" Issei yelled.
[Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker]
Issei was shrouded in his Scale Mail as he rushed toward Lance.
Mitsuki sheathed Yorihime. Lightning surrounded her body as touki and demonic power mixed together. "Futsukazuki!"
She launched several electric sword waves at high speeds toward Lance.
"Mokuren!" Irina slashed the air several times, unleashing flaming sword waves at Lance.
Lance raised his arms, condensing the darkness into a wall around him. But the attacks were too powerful. The gap between him and all of these people he fought was too much and he knew for certain that Issei was no longer holding back.
The attacks slammed into his barrier, shattering it completely. He was sent flying back from the force of the explosion. As he flew, he felt a sharp pain in his gut. Lance looked down and saw Issei's fist embedded in his abdomen.
"I'll pay you back a thousand times for what you did to Mii-chan," Issei growled.
Lance flew from Issei's fist and crashed into the ground violently. He shakily got to his feet and reacted in time, ensnaring Issei's fist with darkness just in time.
"You…" Lance looked Issei in the eye. Blood dripped out of his mouth and onto the ground. "What I did? She's clearly alive unless…"
Issei pushed forward, straining against the tendrils.
"You… You did it too, didn't you?" Lance asked.
Issei said nothing.
"I did what I had to," Issei hissed.
"I did too," he replied.
The tendrils broke as Issei charged forward. He landed a devastating left hook on Lance's cheek.
The other boy stumbled back, nearly falling from the blow.
"But… what you're doing… Mii-chan was right. You're just being selfish not even asking what she would have wanted," Issei said.
"And what about you?" Lance wiped the blood from his mouth and weakly raised his fists. He was tired. The constant fighting and running with no rest. But he needed to do this. He had to do this. "That girl was clearly dead. What you did to bring her back. Was that not selfish as well?"
Issei clenched his fist. "I had to…"
"And I have to do this too," Lance said.
"Ending the world is different from selling your soul. At least with this, no one has to get hurt," Issei reasoned.
"Is that really true… or is that a lie you're telling yourself?" Lance said. He levitated off the ground and into the air.
"It doesn't matter. I won't let you do what you're about to do," Issei said.
"I can't stop anymore, Issei. If I do, she dies," Lance replied. The earth shook around them as Lance ripped more chunks of rock out of the ground. Orbs of darkness manifested around his body and black lightning crackled across the air.
Issei closed his eyes and shot toward Lance, rupturing the ground with his leap.
Lance threw the chunks of Earth toward Issei.
Issei twisted and moved around the projectiles. However, a large rock the size of a small building flew toward him.
"Mangetsu!"
The rock was sliced in half.
"Mii-chan!" Issei turned to see Mitsuki jumping from rock to rock, keeping pace with him.
"Go! I'll clear the way!" she yelled.
Mitsuki held Yorihime to her side and landed on a piece of falling rubble. Lightning crackled around her form and her eyes glowed red. The bangles on her wrists began to shine as she tightly gripped Yorihime's handle.
"Haaah!" She pressed the trigger on Yorihime's sheath. Lightning infused into the blade, extending it. With a single swing, she sliced through the rain of rubble, clearing a path for Issei.
"Ise-chan, I'll grant you enough power to penetrate his darkness. All you and Ddraig need to do is deal the decisive blow!" Mastema said.
[Partner. I'll be with you for this. Don't hold back.] Ddraig said.
Issei nodded and held Opposition out. Black and violet energy began to coalesce and spiral around his hand.
[Boost]
The Boosted Gear began to announce numerous consecutive boosts, all of which Issei infused into his attack. The spiraling orb of black and violet energy grew larger and larger until it was the size of a basketball.
"You… I won't die here!" Lance held his hand up, summoning as much darkness as he could. He shaped it into a gigantic, crackling sphere and threw his hand forward. A beam exploded from the palm of his hand, cutting through the air and flying toward Issei.
[Final Dragon Shot] the Boosted Gear announced.
Issei thrust the black sphere forward before delivering a powerful punch with the Boosted Gear. The beam of black and violet energy shot forward, slamming into Lance's own beam of darkness.
The two attacks clashed for supremacy for a few seconds before Lance's own beam was cut down by Issei's stronger attack.
Issei's Final Dragon Shot sliced through the beam of darkness and pierced Lance's chest.
Lance gasped as he felt a pain in his chest. Blood spurt out of his mouth and he began to fall to the ground.
He landed on the ground with a resounding boom, gasping for air as blood poured from his chest and stained the earth red.
Issei landed on the ground, looking down at him with some pity in his eyes.
"You… At least it was you," Lance said.
Issei said nothing as he looked down at him. His helm split and opened, revealing his face.
"You're an idiot. Even if I understand why you're doing this, this wasn't the way. You could have… You could have…," Issei said.
"Hahaha, even now you say this, but it's fine," Lance said. "At least promise me… if you ever see her, protect her for me. Without me, he'll go after her."
Issei nodded and Lance closed his eyes.
"You need to go. He won't stop even if I'm dead," Lance rasped.
"He?" Issei asked.
"Beelzebub. He probably already knows you killed me. To him, whether it's you or me, it won't matter. You need to go before he decides to come back," Lance said.
"What about you?" Issei asked.
"I'm a dead man walking. Now go! Go before he-"
Issei's eyes widened as several dark tendrils erupted from the ground and impaled Lance, raising him into the air.
The young scot let out a pained gasp as a surprised look appeared on his face.
"Blah, blah, blah… he talked way too much."
The group took a step back as Beelzebub's presence swallowed the entire forest. He manifested in front of them, stepping past the dark spikes that had killed Lance.
"What a waste," he said, glancing at Lance. However, his disappointment was short-lived as he began to clap. He turned to face Issei, yellow eyes lighting up with malice. "Yo, Issei! You're here! I thought you wanted out but it seems that you can't stay away, can you? And…" his yellow eyes drifted over to Mitsuki.
"Oh, this is quite an interesting development. So this is what she meant when she said she was betting on you," Beelzebub said, rubbing his chin. "It doesn't matter. This plan can continue with you, Hyoudou Issei."
Issei glared at Beelzebub. "You killed him…"
"So what? You were going to do the same, no? If I didn't, he would have died to the wounds you gave him in the first place. This was simply a mercy," he replied.
"And now… I don't even need him anymore. I have you and that other girl. But since you're here, the plan can proceed as said."
"As if we'll let you do that," Mitsuki said. She pointed Yorihime at Beelzebub.
A warped smirk appeared on Beelzebub's face as he threw his head back in laughter. "Ahahahaha! Ahahahaha! There is no more stopping this little girl. This is the beginning of the end! A new world will be born from the ashes of the old one! The Lamb shall fulfill his destiny! The Fifth Trumpet shall sound!" Beelzebub turned his head to look at them. A smoky black halo manifested above his head and six pairs of dragonfly wings unfurled from his back.
His yellow eyes glowed. His irises divided, splitting into numerous yellow orbs that covered his eyes. Black and green demonic power exploded from his body, corroding his surroundings. Flowers wilted, the grass died, and the trees in the tree line began to lose their leaves and rotted from the trunk down to the roots.
"But you're more than welcome to try!"
Kazuha Yaegaki
The Leader of Black Wolf Squad and one of the most elite agents of Blacklight's Japanese Branch.
She is the backbone of the ongoing monitoring case regarding the Five Principal Clans.
A well-known outgoing delinquent from Tenmei Girls Academy.
Her background and childhood is one filled with many controversies.
[]
Blacklight File: Archive File #18272
File Name: Apollyon
One of the agents of the organization, Serpent's Seed.
There is not much known about her. Data gathered from her battle with Sirzechs Lucifer and Grayfia Lucifuge indicates that she possesses spatio-temporal abilities that can warp the fabric of the dimensions around her and the ability to cast hyperrealistic psychosomatic illusions. Coincides with previous data from her encounter with Lunar Raven Squad. Further data gathered shows that her Power of Perception, which is stored in the eyes, is that from Annalise Gremory.
Yes, to anyone who read Slash/Dog, I know that Team Slash/Dog's Sacred Gears aside from Sae, Tobio, and Lavinia are currently unnamed right now. I just simply gave them names. Just 2 more chapters left until this arc ends. After that, this story will go on break so I don't burn out like the damn Sun when writing this story. The next 2 chapters will be the final battle between Lunar Raven Squad and Team Gremory vs Beelzebub. Yes, they are called Lunar Raven Squad. For those of you who have been here since the olden... days aka my dark past, they were normally called Eden Squad and were led by Issei and then, Rika Kurokami. Remember her? The Hindu Demigod who was the daughter of the God of Fire, Agni? Or maybe not, I don't know how many of you were here for Til Midnight and the whole... well... anyway. If you get the reference to their name, then good for you, you are very yowai. Anyway, that's it for now. I'll be back with the new chapter at its regularly appointed time. See ya.