Disclaimer: I don't own either "High School DxD" or "The Familiar of Zero"

Chapter 23: Spirit of Fire and Conflict with Darkness

(Saito)

When I woke up I was laying in a bed.

Turing my head to the side, I saw that Louise & Tiffa was asleep beside me.

I looked around and saw that I was inside my cabin on the Ostland, wondering why I was here, when it hit me. The battle with the Evil God Faction. Julio sacrificed his life to save me from those gods. He even went as far as to give me his runes.

I got up, which woke Louise and Tiffa. Seeing me up, they rushed over and pushed me back down.

"Saito-san, you should rest. Azazel-sensei said that combining the powers of Void and Dragon King Fafnir put a lot of strain on your body. It gave you enough strength to fight a god."

"That's right Saito! Only Longinus wielders have the capability to do that. And that's because they train their bodies to get use to the power. So no more trying to match that perverted dragon!"

I could only laugh at that. At least they haven't changed.

After that, they told me what happened. They brought me to the Ostland to rest then sent Julio's body to the Church, for prober burial rights. They wanted to attend his funeral, but had to find the Valley of Hestia. Rias convinced Xena to join us on our journey, since its safer then by herself.

Now, we're flying around the surroundings of Romalia, looking for that the fields of Hestia could be. Once we found it I, as the new Windalfr, would speak to the Fire Spirit and learn the location of the Wind Spirit.

It's a wonderful plan, isn't it?

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

After finally convincing Louise and Tiffa that I'm fine, I headed out to see how everyone else was. Issei was standing next to the girls bathing room, trying to will a peephole to appear. Didn't Louise throw him overboard before for this exact thing? Still amazed that Kiba managed to catch him in time.

Not wanting Louise to find me here with him, I quickly left, and just in time, too.

"What do you think you're doing, you perverted dragon!"

"Ah, Louise-sama! It's not what it looks like!"

[EXPLOSION!]

Louise appeared dragging a chard Issei over to the deck. Right behind her was Kiba. He looked over and smiled that pretty boy smile at me, then left. He must have seen what was going on and decided to follow Louise, in case she throws him off board, again.

I continued to move forwards and found Xena and Yosette talking with the Asia and Xenovia, which Tiffa joined in. Rias and Akeno, well, they must have been who Issei was trying to peek on. Gasper was in his box and Koneko was taking a catnap. As for Azazel, well, he's in the room he converted into his laboratory. No one was brave enough to see what was going on in there.

I then decided to go to the one place I can think with a clear mind.

Making a few turns, I found myself inside the room where we kept the Zero Fighting. I started working on it, which always let me sort my thoughts.

"Hey, Derf."

"Yeah, partner."

"You think Julio knew what he was doing?"

"Yeah, partner, he knew what he was he was doing. He knew what was going to happen, but he still did it. A true hero, if you ask me."

"Yea, a hero."

After that, I just stayed in that room, working on the Zero Fighting.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

(Issei)

Why does Louise-sama keep throwing me overboard? All I want is to enjoy Buchou and Akeno-san's naked bodies! What's so bad about that?!

I'm just glad Kiba was able to catch me before I fell to my death.

Anyways, after we finally landed at a site that Sensei was positive was the Valley of Hestia. Why was he certain? Well…

"Why is there a mountain size fire sitting here?"

Sempai was the one who asked the question we were all wondering. He seemed fine for someone who just lost a friend, but I guess he's just putting on a strong face for us.

I then put my attention back at the mountain of fire in front of me. How could this thing exist and yet no one in Romalia knows about it? It just doesn't make any sense? And yet here it is, and here's a map of the Romalian Empire in my hand.

Yep, no giant fire anywhere.

"So, now that we found it, what do we do with it? Where's the Fire Spirit?"

"Don't know, and don't care. But I will be taking those Void girls, if you don't mind."

Hearing a voice, we turned around, and I suddenly regretted it. Standing there, was Angela Satan herself. A direct descendent of most famous and powerful devil of all time. Satan himself. It also doesn't help that she has the save Sacred Gear as Kiba, but with a different Balance Breaker. Speaking of which, she currently has a creepy looking sword in her hand right now.

Sempai stepped forwards, Derf drawn. Seeing this, Angela smiled.

"Well, I suppose I wouldn't mind a little sparing session before I capture the void users. Still need to pay you back for the lightning dragon instating."

With that, she jumped at Sempai, her sword cracking with dark, electric, power.

That's the end of this chapter. Sorry it took so long to finish. These chapters are getting harder and harder to write. Well, at least the next chapter's going to be easier. Anyways, in the next chapter, it's the rematch of the century. Angela Satan vs. Saito Chevalier de Hiraga de Des Ornières (yes, I needed to put in all of that). We'll also be meeting the Fire Spirit in the next chapter. Well then, please continue reading.

Crimson Dragon Emperor.