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"Rias" - Speech
'Issei' - Thought
[BOOST!] - Sacred Gear Ability/ Ddraig and Albion Speech
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Something which had always bothered me when I heard the tale of the Nitenryū; what had happened to their bodies after they were cut to pieces and their souls sealed within the [Boosted Gear] and [Divine Dividing]?
My research was a hobby of sorts until after I became a Stray Devil. Then it became an obsession. I hunted and researched until I determined the location of the flesh and bones of Ddraig the Welsh Dragon and Albion the Vanishing Dragon. A sealed dimensional pocket locked tight by the powers of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, as well as several Devil seals underneath that.
Not that that stopped me from breaking through it of course.
- Mei Schwarzwald, the Queen of Blood and Betrayal
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Chapter 6: The Sixth Move: Forking
The large gate that was the Artificial Sacred Gear [Dragon's Tooth] started to creak open. As it did, both the gates and the archway grew to an enormous size.
"Issei…was that…?" Rias asked shakily.
"Yeah…that was the chant I once used to enter the [Juggernaut Drive]." Issei replied is slight disbelief, "How did she know about it? And why did she use it?"
"I believe we are about to find out." Sirzechs said grimly, actually moving to stand ready for the first time.
Finally, the door finished growing just as they opened fully. A large clawed arm emerged and slammed into the earth. It was red; with a single green jewel mounted above the wrist…one most of the Gremory Group had seen once before…
The head and body that followed the arm were also red, with green jewels studded here and there throughout its body. Two wing-like appendages flapped on its back, with a whip-like tail thrashing behind its two trunk-thick legs.
The head was draconic, with a pair of golden mandible-like protrusions on either side of the jaw. Its eyes blazed emerald green as it let loose a deafening roar, shattering all of the windows on the nearby school buildings.
"That's the [Boosted Gear's] incomplete [Juggernaut Drive] form!" Xenovia exclaimed in shock.
"Bzzzt! Wrong!" Mei Schwarzwald said with a giggle, "This is my [Red Dragon Golem], made from the collected power of my hundred-strong gargoyle army, my demonic power and the blood of Ddraig the Welsh Dragon."
[Impossible! No one knows what happened to the remains of my body after the Three Factions destroyed me and sealed me inside this gauntlet!] Ddraig roared.
"The Archangels Michael and Gabriel knew…as did several members of the 72 Pillars that died after hostilities resumed." Mei corrected him, "It took me quite some time to find it, and more to break through the various seals that were placed over the entrance to the storage space…in the ruins of Sodom, Gomorrah and Atlantis of the Sands."
"You…you broke through seals created by Michael-sama and Gabriel-sama?!" Irina gasped.
"I won't say it was easy, but I did manage to do it." the Stray Devil said, "In a world where there is no God of the Bible, there is nothing that is absolute."
"So you know about that." Sirzechs said with a frown.
"I was watching remotely during Kokabiel's little rebellion." Mei replied, "It isn't every day you see the creation of a brand new subspecies Balance Breaker, especially one that unites demonic and holy energy into a single blade… [Sword of the Betrayer]."
"Yes, well, the question now is what you plan on doing with that golem of yours?" Sirzechs asked.
"My baby here is going to keep you busy while I take my sister home." Mei replied, "The loss of a single vial of dragon blood is a small price to pay in exchange for getting Chiaki-chan back."
She held her hand out and the [Dragon's Tooth] reverted to being a small stone slab about the size of a credit card before flying to her hand.
"[Red Dragon Golem], hear the voice of the one who created you!" she cried out, "Bring me the beaten body of the Sekiryūtei! Let none stand in your way!"
With another deafening roar, the fake dragon started forwards.
"NO!" Rias shrieked. An explosion of immensely strong dark crimson demonic energy erupted from the Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess as she unleashed her rage. The strong gravity magic that bound her was blasted off instantly.
"Oh?" Mei looked at the enraged girl as she stood up, "Your demonic energy is quite powerful, Rias-sama. I must admit to being impressed."
"You will NOT take my Issei from me!" Rias hissed back before sending a blast of Power of Destruction at Mei.
"[Barrier of Solomon: Devil]." Mei said almost lazily, blocking the attack with ease, "As with a lot of [Kings] and [Queens], Rias-sama, your weakness is that you rely far too much on demonic energy. More than that, you are just blasting me with raw Power of Destruction instead of shaping it into something. If you don't change that, you will lose him."
"[Welsh Sonic Boost Knight]!" Issei roared, "[Armour Release]!"
[Change Star Sonic!]
The Sekiryūtei charged at Mei, shedding armour in order to gain the speed attribute of a [Knight] piece. But then…
"Arrghh!" Issei shouted as the [Red Dragon Golem] smashed him out of the air before he could reach the Queen of Blood and Betrayal, sending him smashing into the school building.
"Issei!" Rias and the rest of her Peerage screamed.
"Tsk, tsk. You shouldn't forget that your current opponent isn't me, Sekiryūtei." Mei tutted, "And that, unlike your past opponents, I will not underestimate you, nor will I overestimate myself. I have watched you from the moment you entered the supernatural world. I know all of your techniques and how to counter them. In short, I am the worst possible opponent you could ever have…much like Cao-Cao was. I'll come for you in my own good time, but for now, my sister needs my help."
Walking over to the [Gravija Sphere], Mei placed a hand on it and concentrated. Within moments, a magic circle with the chess symbol for the [Queen] appeared around her and the purple sphere.
"I will give you a week to set your affairs in order, Hyōdō Issei. Then I will come for you for real." Mei stated as she vanished, "Look forward to it."
With that, both she and Amakusa Chiaki vanished.
"Dammit!" Issei cursed as he forced himself out of the wall, "Have to take this thing out before it destroys the school! [Welsh Blaster Bishop]!"
[Change Fang Blast!]
The thinner armour of the [Welsh Sonic Boost Knight] repaired itself in an instant before returning to its original thickness, and adding a pair of large cannons to Issei's shoulders that began charging power.
"Go! [Dragon Blaster]!" Issei called.
Just as the shot was about to be fired, the [Red Dragon Golem] reared back and its chest opened up to reveal a large green jewel in the centre that was glowing with power.
Both blasters fired at the same time and clashed between them, bright red from the golem and deep crimson from Issei. After a moment, the golem's beam was pushed back and overwhelmed, making the golem become engulfed with the [Dragon Blaster].
After a moment, the blaster cut out, making Issei stagger as the downside of the [Dragon Blaster] kicked in…severe stamina and power consumption. The location where [Red Dragon Golem] had stood was concealed behind smoke and dust.
"So that was the [Dragon Blaster]…" Sirzechs muttered to Serafall, "A demonic energy beam attack powerful enough to warp space-time. Impressive."
"Still, he should diversify it. Look at what focussing all of that power into one attack does to him." the Maō Leviathan replied, gesturing at the clearly drained Issei.
A roar caught the devils off guard as the golem cleared the smoke away with one swipe of its large clawed talons. The surface of the golem was pitted, cracked and scarred, with one of the wings gone completely. Other than that, it was pretty much undamaged.
"It withstood that?!" Issei exclaimed, "Grrrrr…Rias, undo those gravity bonds on everyone while I hold it off."
Changing back to the basic [Boosted Gear Scale Mail], Issei spread the wings he had gained after the [Juggernaut Drive] and took flight just in time to avoid a blast from the golem's mouth.
The [King] of the Gremory Group started working on freeing her Peerage.
"Onii-sama, Serafall-sama, could you please lend a hand?!" she called to the two Great Devil Kings.
"Of course, Ria-tan." Sirzechs said with a smile, "You only had to ask."
He negligently waved one hand and the gravity bonds dissipated like mist.
Issei, dodging constant beams from the golem, grinned underneath his helmet. Now that the rest were moving out of the way…
He soared to the top of the barrier and came to a halt. Aiming at the golem, he tucked his wings in and started to dive at his target.
"[Welsh Draconic Rook]!"
[Change Solid Impact!]
As the [Boosted Gear] responded, the armour grew and thickened, turning Issei into a dragon-shaped missile aimed at the [Red Dragon Golem]. He cocked back both of his arms, letting the percussion hammers release.
The golem unleashed another blast of demonic energy from its mouth, striking Issei dead on. Unfortunately for the golem, Issei's defence had been vastly increased thanks to the first trait of the [Rook] piece, and he was about to show it the second.
"[Double Solid Impact]!" the Sekiryūtei roared as he struck the raised head of the [Red Dragon Golem] with both clenched fists, the percussion hammers slamming down and massively increasing the concussive force of the strikes.
{CRACK!}
As tough as the golem was, it was no match for such impressive physical punishment. Large cracks and fissures appeared all along its body and it started to crumble.
A glow appeared from the golem as it sluggishly tried to grab Issei, who had leapt back as the cracks had started to thread their way across the golem. Dodging the attacks was easy, but the intensity of the glow was beginning to be worrying.
"The energy inside is going to break loose." Sirzechs said sharply, "Issei-kun! Fall back! I'll deal with it!"
"Gotcha…if this thing will let me fall back!" Issei grunted as he dodged another swipe.
"Akeno!" Rias looked at her [Queen], who nodded back.
"[Holy Lightning]!" Akeno blasted the golem with her lightning at the same time Rias attacked with her Power of Destruction, rocking the crumbling Golem back on its heels and letting Issei withdraw to safety.
"Vanish!" Sirzechs, safe to act now everyone was clear of the golem, wrapped it in his Power of Destruction, consuming it faster than the glow could spread, until all that remained was a single gemstone the size of a clenched fist surrounded by both types of Mei's [Barriers of Solomon].
"So…this is the [Red Dragon Golem's]…core?" Issei said as he disengaged his Balance Breaker.
"Seems so." Azazel said as he crouched to look at it, "Unfortunately, Mei has taken the precaution of arming this thing with those barriers of hers, so we aren't likely to be able to destroy it or learn anything about it."
"Should an Artificial Sacred Gear be able to create something as powerful as that?" Kiba asked with a frown, "I mean, the [Down Fall Dragon Spear] was, but that had the power of one of the Dragon Kings behind it."
"Thanks for saying so kid." Fafnir preened.
"Theoretically, no." Azazel looked intrigued, "Most Artificial Sacred Gears have a limited effect, such as [Mirror Alice]. That she was able to create such a powerful and versatile Sacred Gear from an incomplete and faulty prototype is…intriguing, to say the least. I can only speculate at this, but she must need to feed it substances to use as construction materials, high quality stuff to in order to make those gargoyle golems. They were all High-Devil Class at least. Not to mention the addition of Ddraig's own blood as an ingredient."
"How long would you say it took her to complete the [Dragon's Tooth]?" Sirzechs asked him.
"I couldn't say without seeing Amadeus Bael's research notes to see exactly what he had in mind." the former-Governor replied with a frown of concentration, "I wouldn't bet any shorter than six months though. And certainly no longer than a year and a half if it was a particularly taxing problem preventing its completion. Mei is rather intelligent, if you will care to remember."
"I'll have the Bael family provide you with Amadeus' research notes at the same time as I find out who experimented on Amakusa Chiaki." the Maō Lucifer looked grim as he spoke, "Mei was right about one thing…Chiaki-kun was experimented on, likely without her consent. This cannot be allowed to pass without comment. Sairaorg, I'll need you to help me in rounding the ones who were Chiaki's previous [Kings]."
"I shall render what aid that I can." the Bael Heir nodded.
"Rias, I'm afraid your Peerage must stop your contracts until Mei is dealt with." Sirzechs said to his little sister, who did not look happy.
"But Onii-sama…!" Rias protested.
"That's an order, Rias." Sirzechs said firmly, "Mei will go after Issei-kun and take him if she can. Can you risk that happening?"
This question made a flash of pain go across Rias' blue eyes as she shook her head vehemently. "No…no I can't." she replied quietly, "Should we take time off school as well?"
"No. She seems to not want collateral damage among those uninvolved with the situation, so she's unlikely to attack the school when it's full of humans." Sirzechs demurred, "When at Issei-kun's home, and on the way to and from school however, I want at least one combat-capable member of your Peerage with him at all times. No offence to Asia-chan, but she has near to no offensive capabilities aside from her dragonling familiar and her contract with Fafnir."
"N-None taken, Sirzechs-sama." Asia said, before she looked at Issei, who had fallen to one knee, "Issei-san!"
[He's alright, Asia Argento.] Ddraig said as the rest of the Gremory Group looked on in concern, [He is merely severely drained from using all three of his [Illegal Move Tríaina] forms in close succession. [Welsh Blaster Bishop] is especially draining for him.]
A flash from the core of the [Red Dragon Golem] indicated its departure.
"A spy…how very tricky." Azazel chuckled.
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Later
Teleportal Room, Mei Schwarzwald's Base
A red flash indicated the return of the mistress of the castle. Mei stood tall, with the sphere containing her sister floating next to her.
"Haaaahhh…that was way too close for comfort." she muttered before turning to the sphere, "Better have a look at Chiaki-chan…"
With a gesture from the [Fatal Attraction], the barrier sphere melted away, leaving the comatose form of her little sister lying on the floor.
"Oh, Chiaki-chan…who did this to you?" Mei whispered before she dismissed her staff, gently picked Chiaki up in a bridal carry and carrying her off to the nearest bedroom.
Later…
Chiaki groan as she slowly regained consciousness. Her head was pounding and she had a dry mouth.
"Easy there, Chiaki-chan." a familiar voice said, making the [Pawn] open her eyes in a hurry. She was lying on a luxurious four-poster bed with silk sheets and soft pillows.
Sitting in a nearby seat was her former sister, Mei Schwarzwald. She was wearing the robes she had worn before the match, which meant…
"I lost, didn't I?" she asked hoarsely.
"You put up a valiant fight, but yes." Mei replied softly, "Here, you must be parched."
She handed Chiaki a goblet full of what Chiaki knew was fresh mountain spring water, her favourite after-spar refreshment. She greedily gulped it down, relishing the way her throat was simultaneously refreshed and cooled by the liquid.
"You remembered." she said after she finished the drink.
"Of course." Mei replied simply, "I do hate to ask, but…what do you remember about the end of the fight?"
Chiaki frowned. "We were fighting…you had just broken my arm with a kick…and then…nothing. The next thing I know, I'm waking up here."
"You awoke a Sacred Gear." Mei told her, "An Artificial Sacred Gear…remember the [Katars of Vāyu]? Someone implanted it within you and set it to awaken and control you if you were on the verge of losing to me."
Chiaki looked horrified. "But…who…?"
"Likely one or other of Amadeus' former friends and colleagues." Mei replied, her fist clenched in anger, "When I find out who did this to you, I swear to make them pay. You have my word, little one."
Hearing that endearment, Chiaki almost cried. Mei had addressed all of her Peerage as her little ones. Every time she heard it now was like a dagger to the heart.
"Can…can you tell me why? Why you did what you did to our sisters?" she asked.
"You already possess the knowledge that you seek, little one." Mei said quietly, "It is merely locked away, enclosed in a cage of amnesia…just as you asked me to make it."
"Wha-?!" Chiaki blurted out as a possibility occurred to her, "You didn't…you used Aria-chan's Sacred Gear on me, didn't you?!"
Mei assumed a stance that echoed the one she had taken when she summoned Morisato Natsuko's [Hunter's Chance].
"I call upon the noble soul of Makimoto Aria, my ever proud [Bishop]. Your Mistress commands your presence!" she chanted.
Darkness swirled around Mei and coalesced in her hands as a black scythe. The blade was wickedly sharp and had a golden aura playing over it.
"The [Memoriam Blade]…!" Chiaki gasped, her eyes locked on the golden aura around the actual blade, "That aura…it means…!"
"Yes…it means that it has been used on you once before." Mei stated, "Should I invoke its power upon you once again, the knowledge that you seek will be available to you once more. However…it isn't something I wish to do. I don't want to hurt you any more than I already have."
"I want to know." Chiaki said firmly, "I am sixteen years old and well able to protect myself, Mei-nee-sama. If you care about me in the slightest, please…give me my memories back."
Mei hesitated before nodding slowly. "Very well. I offer my apologies in advance for the pain you will endure, little one."
Without any more warning, Mei spun the scythe around and swiped the blade horizontally through her little sister's head. It didn't actually cut flesh or bone…rather, it phased through her head, the golden aura passing from the blade to spread over Chiaki's body. Once the blade had passed through Chiaki and the aura had spread all over her body, all that was left was one thing.
"Sto ónoma tis theás titánas tis mnímes, Mnimosýni, afíste na kykloforísei to klouví tou amnisía! (In the name of the Titan Goddess of memories, Mnemosyne, let the cage of amnesia be released!)" Mei chanted softly.
Thirty seconds later, a scream of utter loss and desolation ripped from Chiaki's throat.
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That Night
Issei's Room, Hyōdō Residence
"So Issei…when were you going to tell me that you were planning on taking my Asia and Xenovia from me?" Rias asked him in a faux-sweet voice.
"…err…well..." Issei chuckled nervously. He and his master were alone in his room, with Rias pinning him down and glaring into his eyes on the bed. In any other circumstances, they would be making out, but his girlfriend had cornered him here after processing something he had said to Fafnir, leading to his present situation.
"Well?" the elegant mouth moved and he was hypnotised. It was so unfair that this woman was so alluring.
He shook himself out of it and answered carefully, "I promised Asia that I would always be there for her and with her, which led to her asking me to [Trade] for her once I became the [King] of my own Peerage. Xenovia heard about it from Asia and asked me to do the same for her. This…this was before the others confronted me about the scars Raynare left on my heart, so I didn't entirely believe they actually wanted to be with me."
Rias' face tightened with the reminder of what that monster of a Fallen Angel had done to her Issei. Even in death, the woman caused no end of suffering and trouble for Asia and Issei.
"And now?" she asked quietly.
"Now…now I do believe they want to be with me, as odd as it may seem." her boyfriend said with a slightly unbelieving look in his eyes that make the Gremory Heiress list a number of tortures in her head that she would inflict upon Raynare, if someone ever resurrected her, for damaging Issei's self-esteem so badly.
How she had never noticed it was ridiculous in hindsight. It had taken Asia, Xenovia, Koneko and Akeno to notice everything and comfort him, while she had mired in jealousy and indecision. What a pathetic master she was.
"You do deserve them, my Issei." Rias said softly, "You deserve me, Akeno, Koneko…all of us decided that you are worthy of each of us. You have sacrificed so much for me…for all of us. Against Raiser, Kokabiel, Loki, Diodora and Shalba…you have saved us time and time again at the cost of your life force and body. The only reason I was upset was because you never told me before. I approve of trading them both to you once you become a High-Class Devil on the condition that our Peerages intermingle and socialise often."
"Of course." Issei replied instantly, "I wouldn't take them away from you…Asia loves you like a sister, and I know Xenovia respects you deeply."
Rias nodded. "I know…but in order to become their [King], you have to live, Issei. Please…losing you once was more painful for all of us than I can describe…don't make us go through that again…please…."
Issei gently broke his hands free from Rias' shaking grip and cupped her face, wiping away the tears that had started to leak from her eyes before drawing her in for a long, slow kiss.
She responded eagerly, drawing it out until they had to part in order to breathe. Breaking apart, they stared into each other's eyes as they panted.
"I promise Rias. I'll do everything I can to stay with you and everyone." Issei said softly, "Really."
"Issei…!" Rias clung to him like he was a lifeline.
Sometimes it just seemed like everything and everyone was trying to rip her and Issei apart. She understood her Peerage wanting him, although she was determined not to let Akeno have her way. Issei was Rias' first and foremost and his virginity was hers to take and vice versa.
Honestly, she had to practically beat them off Issei with a stick!
However, it was instances like this, with someone trying to kill him, that made fear rear its head in her heart. Last time, with Shalba, Issei had actually died, and it was only through the combined efforts of three of the strongest beings in the world that he was able to return to her side.
She would have to make certain that it never happened again.
'Mei Schwarzwald…come if you must.' Rias thought angrily, 'I don't care if you are the [Queen of Blood and Betrayal] or the [Untouchable Queen]. If you try to take my love from me. I will tear you down from your pedestal and rend you asunder! So I do swear as Rias Gremory!'
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Next Chapter: Seventh Move: Artificial Castling
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