Chapter 13
I give men dreams and men are led by their dreams.
Attributed to Lord-Solar Macarius. M 41
An. When we get to battles from this chapter on we are using the mark system of the ultramarines. It will be expanded upon as battles take place. for now its just minutes starting at the right going up. so those reading don't get too confused. Especially those from the Dxd community.
Kuoh Academy Friday lunch.
Issei was incredibly happy when the rest of the student council smiled and then said that yes he could join. Sona had beamed so much at the rest of them. Ruruko had also smiled when she had heard from Tsubaki and Momo what her senpai had done for the other yesterday.
Saji had been happy because there was finally another guy in the club and that would be a wonderful way for him to get to know each other. Momo had looked at during the meal with something he could not place, but it was a good something.
Katase and Murayama had also been happy that their friend had gotten something he clearly wanted. He was still helping their club too. He had been there on Tuesday, and he had several spars against them and Kiba who had come looking for a good semi rival that would push him further.
They had all had a decent time.
Momo had been given a few small books to help with her mental control. She had paled when she learned that the only thing that had not turned her into a potential problem had been because she suppressed her gift. Momo was told by Issei before he and the kendo captains had left school that he was holding a small gathering of their kin tomorrow and that she was very welcome to join them along with Sona, Tsubaki and Ruruko. Momo hugged him again. He was so wonderful. She had meant it when she had called him her friend.
Saturday morning 10 am.
Sona and those invited to see this small conclave of psykers had arrived at Issei's home and the door had been answered by Freed, who upon seeing them just grunted and gestured to them to come in. Issei was talking with two others in the backyard. A blonde haired young woman and a tengu boy that was also around their age.
Issei had smiled upon seeing the others and had come over to greet them.
"Hello miladies. I will introduce you to the others."
The five had walked over to the two others and the tengu looked nervous, while the human was simply curious.
"Momo-chan this is Asia and this Ren. They are also psykers."
"It is nice to meet you Momo-san. Issei has said a lot of good things about you."
That had been Asia who had slowly been picking up Japanese. She was still better with Italian, however.
"It is nice to meet you devil-san. I do not judge. I am eager to learn too."
Ren had spoken softly his voice was very musically inclined. Issei had gathered them all under a tree and had set the psykers on a small introduction to the warp. Ruruko was still getting used to this as an idea.
"The warp is an extraordinarily complex thing. But a good way of describing it is as the sea of souls. Yes souls."
"Is that where we all go after death? Issei-senpai?"
"To a vast extent yes it is. However, in saying that whatever faith you follow is where a portion of your soul does go to. Places like Asgard and Heaven for the biblical faith as you know are very real places. But they are spaces in the warp. Gods are very real. We all know this. But have you wondered why they and the supernatural world are all so dependent on us humans?"
They entire group had nodded except for Sona who was seeing where this was going.
"The gods are warp creatures. As are all supernatural beings to a certain extent."
That surprised them before Asia frowned.
"But then how are beings like the angels, fallen and devils able to be in our reality?"
"It is because they can be here. For all it takes effort when you are a pure warp being. But we all here are very real material beings. All supernatural beings have at this point gone from warp beings to material. Because you all have adopted so much of us humans. You need us to believe in you."
More dots connected for everyone.
"I will be teaching you all mental control. It will help keep you entrenched here in the materium. You cannot let the warp control you. You must never let it do that to you. The sea of souls can be addictive. Let us start immediately. Asia is already a bit ahead of you Momo-chan and Ren-san. But you both should catch up fast."
Most of the rest of the first session was spent getting everyone up to speed to Asia and they all did get there by the end. The three non psykers were amazed by what Issei had shown to his first disciples. The three were somewhat disappointed to learn that they were all on the lower end.
"You do not want to be like me and be on the higher end. The lower you are the safer you are. The tree. If you do not have the mental control you can go insane. That is unbelievably bad. I have already seen that momo-Chan you see the tree a bit more clearly. My work with you will be to keep you from being integrated with it. Asia your talent is your increased empathy. You I will help make sure it never hits the other end. Ren-san seems to me to be leaning towards combat applications. I will teach you how to keep you here with battlefield mantras. But you all do not have to just specialize in your strong point. You can tell me to piss off and that you do not want to be where you are."
That was nice to hear. For all of them. After the session, the seven had entered the house and had gotten a late lunch that everyone had helped make. It was genuinely nice. The psykers had begun a bond between them. To know that you were not alone anymore. That you had others who were your kin. That had made their lives better.
Forge of dreams Saturday.
Akio sat in his office that was well hidden by psychic wards that kept his organization secret. Dohnaseek was busy getting weapons training and more espionage experience. The fallen had been truly surprised by the fact his new boss was right he was fitting in fast.
Akio had been in contact with his first loyal friend for almost a year. He had thought he was going crazy finally when he had a dream and there standing before him was his friend. He was older now. His hair was different. As were his eyes. But it was him.
"My dear friend. No, you are not going crazy. It is me. But I am quite different from the time you and I last met. You are too.
"You are alive. Or are you the ghost that will haunt me forever now. Now that I have unlocked my new gift."
Akio had seen the thing that wore his friends face. He was more than what he had been when they were kids. He had knowledge, wisdom, duties, a destiny he could not escape. He saw the apology. Akio would have slapped him and then broken the bones in his face.
That was what he would have done then. Now he just wants to touch his friend. And tell him he had forgiven him. Issei had seen that. He had smiled. Thankful for the forgiveness.
"We are kin Akio. You who has both my terrible genes. We who are immortal. And we who see the tree. I see where you fit in with the plan. Forgive me again for asking you to be this."
Akio had seen the tree. He saw the line. He saw the plan. He saw himself as what issei had need of him for. Inquisitor. Akio had grown to really enjoy detective novels. His aunt had given one to him after his mom. He saw what he would do. It was not pretty. It was of the shadows. He would not ever truly be remembered as a hero. Not like his friend. His friend would be the best thing that would ever happen to their species.
But he saw the one he could end up with. She was beautiful. She that was his other. He did not like her as she was now. But the future her was so brilliant. They would be happy.
She was like him. She had known pain. Her family was broken too. They were both creatures of the shadows. She who would be his acolyte then his equal then his true love. He saw that he would be the harbinger.
"I see it friend. I know what you are asking me. I will be your inquisitor lord. Please help me with her. She is not human."
"I know. I will help you always and forever. You who is my malcador. Not my sigillite. But you who will be our imperium's true hero. You who will be the watchman. She will be wonderful for you. And you for her."
They had rebonded. They were so close to one another. He that was his lord and his friend. They talked about everything. In the dreams they shared together that year. The plan. His work. Their duty. He was so close to the first head of the hydra.
This was broken as Dohnaseek coughed gently.
"Inquisitor. Here is more information on a base in South Korean. The cadre has been gathering people there. Argus is there."
"Triple checked?"
"Yes Inquisitor. Ten different witnesses. He has taken command there. My sister has turned each into command work. They are prepared."
"Excellent work Acolyte. I will inform the Emperor. You are granted to take a break. Do not drink. I saw a fallen angel who recently joined was looking at you last night. Talk to her."
Dohnaseek was happier than before. His drinking was getting better. He was greatly enjoying his new work. The Inquisitor had been right. He was good at this type of work. His battlefield was important. He would take the advice. That fallen was interested him. He would talk with her.
Forge of dreams the throne room. Saturday
Issei was looking at the report Akio had brought him. He was incredibly happy. Argus was spotted. They would get him. He would die.
Freed was wearing his new uniform the Aquilla was so proud. He was also smiling. They would get Argus. A member of the triad of evil would be killed.
"How many of my guard my Emperor? The base has many fallen and others. My scions are ready. The guard are ready. We who are your hammer. We are ready."
"Bring the first company. Those who are Alpharius in the country will be informed of us. This will not be quick. Daliea has made more hell guns for your scions. I will be with you all. We will be ready. I have already talked with Sona and told her that I will be gone for a few days. She said that I will be covered. I will tell her to speak with Daliea about future issues."
"Right away. When does the blow happen?"
"Monday or Tuesday. Have my hammer ready."
"At once! We know no fear. We will be ready."
Kuoh academy Sunday night.
Rias and Sona had both enjoyed a bit of tea together. Rias had been happily telling her friend that they were making a lot of satisfactory progress on getting ready for her game. Sona was much happier seeing the others less stressed smile. The red angel no longer being in the city helped a lot too. Rias and her peerage still feared him.
Sona was happy more of hers was not doing that anymore. Momo had convinced Reya that he was not pure evil. Tsubaki had finally made the connection herself today. She had hyperventilated before remembering the smile that Issei had sent her Thursday.
Tsubaki had asked why. Why did he hide that?
"Because how can he tell us that he is him. We tried to kill him when we figured he was just an agent. What would the others have done had he said that when we confronted him. We would have killed him in our fear. Even me. He is not nor will ever be evil. We are beginning to be his friends. Always remember that. He hates it so very much when we fear him. He does everything for all of us. Please do not forget that either."
"I will not. He is such a wonderful man. What he did for Momo. That is not the face of a man that is evil. That is the face of someone who should be a true leader of men and women."
"Exactly. That is why I like him so much. I want that in a partner. I saw a scene of me and him together. We had a son. I want that boy. I want them both. Just as much as my school. I can see I will not be the first. But I am most likely the second. I want it so badly Tsubaki. I want unification. But I want him too. I see the thing he is building. Our future. I know no fear and will help build it too."
Tsubaki had smiled at her king's words. She too had seen a line where he and she were together. But her king deserved the galaxy. After how the nobility had treated her.
"He is yours So. I want that too. He who is our Emperor. You deserve to be an Empress. He has my faith now. I will build it too."
That had made Sona blush so happy. She remembers what he had said. He would never play favorites. The first was needed just like she was. They each who would be Sigillite. She had heard Roboute's tale today when he had come over to the school to tell her that he would be gone for a bit.
He was so very right. She liked him a lot. That no longer forgotten son. The one who had known duty to the very bitter end of that tree. She would never forget him. Nor the others that he would tell her about. The next was called Lorgar.
Rias was saying excitedly that she had crossed a new point in her training regime that would make her power of destruction more deadly. That had broken Sona out of the thought bubble that she had been in.
"That is great Rias. I am sorry I was not paying attention. I was thinking of something else."
Rias had looked at her friend and noticed the slight blush that was there. Her smile turned teasing as did her voice.
"You like someone! That is great! Is it Saji? I can see that he really likes you."
"It's not Saji."
Rias looked surprised. Before true worry crossed her face.
"It is Issei is not it. Sona he is dangerous. He works for that thing. I do not want to have you get hurt because of that."
"Issei is my friend Rias. I trust him. He is dangerous. But he would never hurt anyone of us. He is amazing. I have faith in him like he does with me. My peerage likes him more too. He agreed to join the student council. I do not want him in my peerage anymore. I want him as he is. Rias he makes me so incredibly happy. I think he is the one."
That confession had made Rias's eyes wide open and shook. That Sona liked him this much. That had made her happy. Still wary but she could see the happiness on her friend's face.
"Ok. Please be careful. I do not want to see you hurt. Is he really that amazing that you are willing to say that?"
"He is that amazing and so much more. I am beginning to fall in love with him. I can see that with him too. He deserves so much more than what he has now. He is the thing I want almost as much as my school. Do not try anything Rias. You would not understand him easily. But I do."
Rias had wanted to be pissed with that last part. How was Sona supposed to find her possible other but not her! She wanted that look. Was he really that great?
Shame filled her. Sona had always had it rougher than her with boys. It was easy for her because of her beauty. She knew Sona did not have the same luck. That she really wanted this with him. The man who had calmed her and the others. The man who had mentioned her problem to that juggernaut. Sona was utterly correct. He was amazing.
She would give him a true chance. He who had given her one with her problem.
"Alright. Just be careful. Or who else is going to be my ear when my brother does his strange sis-con thing. Do you think Serafall would like him? I know how protective she is of you. Will you parents?"
"They will. Rias he beat me at chess. They will accept him, or they will lose me. That is how serious I am about him. I will leave that life in a heartbeat for him."
That made Rias gape like a fish. She was willing to do that! She was willing to throw away her nobility. To let her pillar, die for him. That was surprising in the extreme. But it was also romantic. He had beaten her at chess! That was her way of telling her partner. That was so very romantic.
"He must be super Sona. I am happy for you. Do not leave it, however. He cannot give you the safety that the pillar does. He is just a regular human. I am sorry to say that."
"He is and will never be just a regular human. He is the most amazing person I have ever met. He will help me with my school. He has already told me that. I believe in him utterly. Just like I do him. I will be careful. Sera and my parents will accept him. Because they will see what he can do too."
Rias did not doubt that. Still a regular human marrying into a pillar had never happened before in the history of their race. That was a mountain that they would have to climb. Together. She hates and loves how romantic their story was becoming. Fate had favored Sona for once. But she was now ok with that.
Forge of Dreams Monday morning.
The guard and current scions were ready. They were geared up with everything that they would need. Guns, explosives ammo. Everything. They were all just humans. The first company of the very first regiment that would be the future army of humanity and of terra.
They had repeated the words that were what they would be.
"Eternity I will embrace. For tens and hundreds more shall take my place. Though the wrath of gods we will incur we fear not because we are all the harbingers. For terra and the emperor of mankind! So, we do all swear!"
That had also been their oath of moment. Their future ruler had been with them in that moment. He would not leave them to fight and possibly die on a field of battle that he was not present on. He their emperor. He who was like they were with this to whatever end that was humanity's.
He had spoken with every single one of them. Asking their names. Asking them for everything. They who was his Astra Militarum. His hammer against the darkness of the world. Across the future world that they would settle and build as a people united.
He was not nor would ever be a god. Unlike what some were beginning to whisper. Those whispers were squeezed to death by those who knew the truth. He was a man. That was what was better than being a god. Because God had been perfect. He was not. He was the defender of humanity. But they would also defend him.
Freed was in his carapace armor speaking with the new Scion captain that had been appointed. It was Jen from one of the safe houses that had held Raynare flock. Jen was a good captain. She had been the first to go under. That had made the other five join her on the beds.
She was Tempestuous Captain now. The rest of the forty strong guard forces split into squads of ten and had their squad captains gathered for the brief.
"Our target is a base holding a cadre of fallen that are allied to the angel of the stars. The monster that wants a second Great War. We are outnumbered. But we are not cowards like they are. Their commander is for the emperor to deal with. Scion captain. Your people are to be split with the squads as a second heavy weapon support for that squad. Alongside the plasma gunners. You are to kill every single priority target that gets called over the Vox. No mercy. Understood?"
"Yes sir Lord-commander. My scions are ready for this. We will follow orders. Immediately."
"Good Tempestus Captain. Squad leads you are to kill every single person in that base who we fight. We have several people of ours there. They will make the sign of the Aquila that is unification. When they see you. You will have the basic descriptions given to you by Vox and your iff systems. Share them immediately with your guardsmen and women. We are to give no quarter otherwise.
Most of our foes are human. But there is a significant chunk of fallen. Highest is six wings most everyone else is two or four. Call them out immediately on sight for the heavy weapons. Your las- guns can kill them but will require more shots. If you cannot call them out use explosives. If that does not work pull back till a weapon is ready. Is this understood?"
"Yes Lord-Commander!"
"Be prepared. The situation might change. Be ready to adjust immediately if that happens. A group of four of our magicians will be coming with us to make the portal. They will be safe. Otherwise, we do not have an easy way to get back here. For the Emperor!"
"For the Emperor!"
That had ended the brief. The guard captains had left immediately. But Tempestuous Captain Jen stayed.
"I have two odd out scions where will they be?
"With the Emperor as his personal guards. Choose two of your best. They probably will not be needed. But he deserves to not be alone either. You are with squad one. We protect him too."
"Yes Lord-Commander! For the Emperor! For Unification!"
The scion captain had been ecstatic with those words.
Issei was wearing armor that was not his tried and tested carapace. It was completely new. It was like Sanguinius's just with less eyes of Horus. The armor had the Aquila on his chest standing proudly in gold. He wore no helm. Their enemies would notice that immediately. They would try to kill him that way. But a very modified Iron halo was behind his head ready to stop anything that got past his psychic guard. His face was for his men only. The enemies would only see their worst fears of the red angel come to life.
He met his two honor guards. They were both so very honored that he trusted them to defend him. Should he need it. They his scions of war.
They were a man and a woman. The woman was Clara. She had joined because she had wanted to save their world so badly. She wanted to protect the children.
The man was Yuri. He had joined because he had wanted to leave a better world for his wife and sisters.
Issei had made a second oath of moment for them personally. To protect them utterly like they would him. That had brought tears to both of them. They loved him.
As he did them. Freed was going to be running the operation from safety with the Magicians. He wanted the fight. But he understood why he was running command and control.
"Come back to us my lord. We need you."
"I will be back Freed. I will bring as many back as I can."
That oath was taken.
The troops got ready at the room where they had gathered. They all marched past the wall of martyrs.
The four magicians were gathering the magic for this portal and after a moment the bright white light covered the guard. Issei led them forward his two honor guards moving with him showing no fear. The small army moved forward with that same lack of fear.
Fallen base South Korea. Start of operation hammer fall.
The portal opened and the army made their way out ready to do their mission.
Support teams in the country had made the base camp with the command tent and four Vox operators that were from the country ready. Two medical personnel were there also from the country. One was a swan youkai and the other was a grim human that had joined because he was sick of the Korean government being so damn corrupt. He was a good doctor.
The company had formed up and squads had gotten ready. They were just outside this massive compound that's front was a doomsday cult. The first squad placed the explosives and were ready.
Issei stood with his guards and counted down.
Mark 001
Two regular humans were enjoying the sun filled day. They liked working for this cadre. The head was a fallen named Raziel, and he was very rare in that he treated them all very well. The new commander who was over him however was a massive asshole. He was human like them but the chip he had on his shoulder was horrible. Still, he was not the angel of the stars or his second. They would kill you just for fun.
A massive series of explosions hit several parts of the compound's gate and wall blowing the bricks and metal forward onto the lawn. What the fuck! The explosion had drawn the attention of the two fallen that had been in the building and near its door along with a horde of humans and other supernatural creatures that were all servants of the cadre.
Out from the holes made came soldiers wearing the armor of the red angel and with a snap hiss of a gun and the blast of a wind up other a red hot bolt of light slammed its way through the chest of the first fallen and that second shot hit the other turning her into a pile of white goo that sizzled. In the middle of the phalanx of enemy warriors was the monster of legend. He was not wearing a hem this time.
A very combat experienced youkai instantly shot a spell at that thing and as the rest of his comrade joined in on shooting with guns or firing spells of their own at the enemy army. The battle began.
Mark 002
The kills immediately began the goes of the guard began to die. Hot las fire claiming many. Just as many were falling to the white hot balls of death that were being used and if you were even remotely touched you died very quickly and painfully. The red angel had taken that first spell head on on it had splashed across a field in front of him. A bark had killed that youkai and the man had exploded into a million pieces showering his comrades in gore. The red angel's guards had also fired their weapons in support and had taken a kill against another fallen that had arrived and also against a grim looking wood nymph that had caved in her chest leaving a smoking hole of burnt meat.
Fire from both sides escalated further and a cry went up from the red angel's people out from the voice grills.
"For Terra in excelsior! Death to its foes!"
That had brought further fire from the attackers and more bodies began piling up from the defensive line that had barely been established by a fallen woman who had been smart and kept herself hidden.
"Kill the bastard and his men! For Kokabiel!"
The fight continues with shots and spells pinning off armor and the red angel moves forward with his guard. Another three barks from his gun slammed into three more strong figures that were holding that already weak line together. It was breaking despite more reinforcements coming from the building.
Mark 004
That fallen angel had died as a plasma shot finally destroyed her cover and second hell shot took her head. Grenades came from several different sources in the red angel's line and when they went off it was as if balls of napalm had gone off and cooked. More defenders alive. The line almost broke but an exceptionally good human magician stepped up and immediately took command of the defense.
"Fall back slowly and get to the building. Cover our people now! We will draw them in."
That order was barely made before a plasma ball hit him and he disintegrated. That action broke the line and command broke down. A possible organized retreat turned to a full route as more troops from that line fled. Their bodies clogged the way to the building.
Mark 007
The defense assumed a new position in the building and a kill box was set up by a fallen man who had seen the fight and the break down of the defense. His flock had restored order in those that got inside, and they had taken up positions with their new comrades.
The walls exploded and more holes were made with more grenades flying in and instead of fire this time they were plasma.
The grenades went off and a chunk of that new line was turned into white goo. The red angel came in and his sword flared red hot with his guards and the others taking up a new line of their own.
The red angel let loose a psychic scream that hit the already weakened defenses and the supernatural beings who made up the line were targeted down with hell fire and plasma shots.
Another cry went up from the Attackers.
"For the red angel and our people! For they we fight!
That cry had made many of the line waver and it had only been the fallen commander who had survived the first volley miraculously who kept that line together. He would only last another two minutes.
Mark 009
The second line finally broke as the red angel and his guards who had holstered their guns and drew their swords and hitting their activation switches made both swords roar and the chainswords were now ready.
That roar had made an Oni begin running away and he was joined by several humans. The red angel and his companions moved forward and spells that had been primarily focused on the evil guns that were causing such destruction were now focused on them. The speed casters had been hit dead center of mass and their fire lessened significantly enough for the grim melee to begin.
Mark 011
The last defenseman were now openly running as more of the red angels' warriors joined the melee and had claimed so many enemies. The fallen captain had his head cleaved off by one of the red angels' guards when he tried to get a kill on the warlord. The roar of the sword had made hunks of meat fly into his last flock mate and that man had finally run before another blade implanted in his chest. He was turned to ash by that sword.
The assault slowed as teams came in and commands over the Vox came in and now the teams split, and two squads made their way past the bodies. They were taking the first floor. The red angel and his guards moved, and the other two squads moved with them. The scions had their own second Vox channel and Jen had praised the one who had protected their lord.
"You did really good Yuri."
"I did my duty. I will not fail. For the Emperor who will be beloved by all!"
That war cry had leaked to the regular Vox and the cry was taken up by them too.
"For the Emperor who will be beloved by all! He who is our father!"
The grim work continues.
Mark 013-020 first floor.
The first squad was the wall, and they held their chainswords at the ready. Behind them came the second squad with las guns and pistols at the ready. They were ready. The force had begun the task of clearing rooms.
The first room had also held the first loyalists.
A fallen woman and four humans had instantly when the door opened, and three warriors had entered all made the sigh of the Aquila. The fallen woman was Alpharius in this cadre. The third Alpharius.
"Please do not kill us! We are true sons and daughters of terra!"
The man in the lead had seen the bird sign and was silent for just a moment before he spoke.
"I am Alpharius who is legion. You are on the list. Move out to extraction."
"Thank you Alpharius!"
The four had run past the man and his two fellows booking it out down the hallway. The work continues.
The next room entered was when the first kill was made. A guardsman had entered and was immediately hit by a fire spell the second the door opened. A fallen and two humans fired more projectiles at them and the roar of two chainswords muffled the screams.
The next door was the same. An ice spell hit the first in and a wood nymph with two humans made a break for the door. More roars.
The work continues and the rooms are cleaned one by one. Very few hold loyalists. Two more groups made their way out of rooms and went up the hallway towards the entrance and the exit.
The final room holds seven people, and it is there that the fight ends for the floor. The dead keep piling up.
Jen looks at their damage. The ice spell victim had been thanked the emperor saved by pure luck and her comrades had moved her backwards before a grenade had entered the room and the enemy died. The woman was ok just so very cold. No casualties.
Jen entered the command Vox channel and made the report to the lord commander.
"Excellent work. Cove the retreat path now our lord will finish the job."
Jen had given the order on her floors Vox channel established as soon as the two groups had split.
"We are done here. Move backwards and protect the route out."
The forces obeyed the order immediately and they made their way to the entrance with one squad holding the doors and the second had made their way past them and were now guarding the first entrance.
Jen had one of her scions immediately hack the camera systems and the man began destroying the evidence.
Mark 013-025 Second floor.
Issei led his warriors forward and they too began clearing out rooms.
The room entered by Issei and his guards had held the cowardly Oni and his friends and they ended the resistance.
Another room was opened and the fallen inside and his five comrades of which only three made the Aquilla and the other two were killed by las shots the looks of betrayal were very bitter. The first in a scion looked at the others shaking, and they nodded for the four to flee.
More death follows.
The warriors keep moving and the trio of the front begins moving down the hallway towards the final door that leads to an office.
Issei shoots his bolter down the hall and the round blows the door apart. Three fallen pushes out to stop them and with another bark and two snap hisses the three die. They all had four wings.
Mark 025 Main office.
Argus is quite impressed. This was because the red angel was here. That had filled him with so much glee to know that he was considered important enough for the red angel to personally come to kill him. That spoke about how much destruction he had caused.
He would if he survived this and killed the angel, and his men have to tell Pantier about it. The satyr would be so fucking jealous. He had wanted to kill the red angel in Kuoh, but fate had decided against that.
Next to him was the cadre head and four others. They were all shaking.
"Hold steady you fucking cowards. The door is down but my ward will keep us safe you curs."
That was proven false when the red angel had stopped before the entrance and with but a touch of his sword the ward collapsed. Argus was surprised and extremely impressed. The red angel knew wards. That explains why his wards were always fucked with.
The red angels' guards do not enter. He does. The cowards shake more now, and Argus sees his face. The blood in his veins runs as cold as hel the realm of the dead of the Norse faith that he follows.
The face is of the woman he had promised to love and protect. Back before he had killed her in vengeance when she had betrayed him by sleeping with Odin. That fucking one eyed bastard.
She had tried to claim it was not consensual. He had known the truth. She had lied to him. He knew because of a ward he had left at their home.
Using her soul and his newfound evil he used that home to turn himself into a draugr. That was why he lived for so long. He had been pagan and was not allowed to join the magician guilds because of that. Hypocrisy. They used devil magic the curs.
He hates them. Just like he hates everyone that was alive. Well, that was until he had joined Grigori and had met Pantier and Anavie. They who were his mood kindred.
He liked them. They were great! That is why despite the fact he did not like anyone else he had taken command here. Anavie has asked him to. She was the closest thing he had to a real friend. So, he had. For their new war. For the blood. For the death.
The red angel had looked at them all with disgust. And also, glee on her face. The face he had never forgotten.
It was also her voice.
"Argus. I finally found you. I have been waiting for so exceptionally long to find you. I am your end and the death you filth. Your wards are excellent. But the rest of you should be ten feet under."
"You are at least somewhat kind red angel. Drop her face you thing. She is dead and will never come back. I am extremely impressed that you know wards. It is a real shame you have to die. I would have enjoyed discussing them with you under other conditions. You must clearly be a master."
The face stayed. More glee now on it.
"I will not drop it. It is perfect for you. I see her story. She did not lie. Your ward was shit. But you were a novice then. How does it feel to now know that vermin. To know you killed her for nothing that she had did wrong. That all the suffering you inflicted on others was all for nothing. You disgusting monster."
A vision entered Argus's eyesight. It was their home. As it had been. This vision was too accurate for it to be a lie. The head of the reindeer that he brought down with his magic was there over the fireplace. He saw the scene of his wife. He saw Odin destroy their marriage. His ward. It had one scratch that was actually made wrong. It was such a rookie mistake. But he had been one then.
The angel was right. He was vermin.
Regret filled him so suddenly and so violently that his dead heartbeat once. He that was his enemy was so utterly right. He regrets everything. All the bodies. Her. The glee he had taken in when he and the others would torture and maim their victims. He felt such utter disgust at himself.
The room was silent. The only noises that could be audible were the distance roars of chainswords. The silence continued. One of the others a fallen man had suddenly made the sign of the aquilla, and the red angel let him flee. More barks happened. The others were now dead.
Argus just watches them die and feels the gore from the closet one hit him. He does not react. He was so lost in his new self hate. He did not want to feel anything anymore.
"End it. Please. I will not resist. You were right. I was so very wrong. Let me die as the monster I am and let Hela punish me for my sins."
That face still gazed at Argus.
"Not yet. Where are the others. And the angel of the stars. Tell me that. And I will make your end quick. Quicker than what I wanted to originally do to you. But you should suffer some for what you did for so long."
"They are all in separate bases. I do not know where Ana and the boss are. Pantier. I know where he is. He is in command of a Russian base that holds more of us. Here are the coordinates. You are right again. I should suffer. Make it extremely bad. She and everyone else deserves some solace in that suffering."
The dragur picked up a pen and then wrote the desired item down. He dropped the pen and then moved around the desk that was between them.
"Very well. Be ready. His sword was raised. The blade stabbed into the other's chest. The flames hurt. The blade hurt. But as the fire cooked Argus from the materium to release his soul in the warp. He knew fear for but a moment. Before it was gone. This was not true redemption. He could never be forgiven.
The moment that Argus died again fully had been the end of the mark.
Mark 000 for now.
The bodies were left to rot. They were sick dogs who needed to be put down. One of the Scions had dropped a Standard of the Imperial Aquilla here in front of the compound. They all then moved. The scene would be found the next day as two fallen who should have been there had been in Seol and had been bar hopping.
They ran after seeing the bird. It just glared at the cowards. It is eyes judging.
Underworld office of Lord Lucifer Monday evening.
The fallen who had spotted the aquilla had not been the first to see it. A team of devils who reported to Sirzechs had found the scene and had seen the bodies and the aftermath.
The devil captain had made a copy of the standard as was somehow permanently connected to its surface and they did not know if there had been survivors. Now the Standard was before half of the Satans and Grayfia.
"So, this is his banner. So much symbolism. Why our planet? Why the duo heads? What do you think Sera-chan?"
Serafall leviathan was dressed to impress in a suit that would not have looked out of place on a lawyer. She was in her mostly normal side.
"I do not know Sirzechs. But I will find out more. Sona sent me a message saying that the red angel wants to talk with me. She did not say what it was about. I am worried that she has been in contact with one of people."
"I have met him Sera. He does not seem all too bad. A little pushy but that is understandable when your making a deal with a satan. He is going to help Rias."
That was a surprise.
"How? He would never be able to be reincarnated by her. Fuck he could not even have that with me or you either."
"It is a secret. I am sorry I cannot tell you more. But the fire chickens have deep claws."
Serafall was not offended in the slightest. She and Sirzechs had fought on the field of battle together. Her water magic always in support oh his power of destruction. They had been monsters in the war. It is broke pieces of them both. Sirzechs was incredibly lucky he had Grayfia. She was amazing for him. She did not have that luck. It was why she had two splits.
"I get it. You know that Sirzechs-chan. Is he going to kill the Phenex? That would be bad and would leave us both with too much paperwork. I like Ruval. He is already in with us. The second brother and the daughter are ok too. Riser is just a regular pig. But he is not like them."
Them. The three knew who they were. The old satan faction. They were truly disgusting. All four of them had been worried when the OSF had begun to slow raids on the underworld from their remaining bolt holes. That means that there was something coming. Sirzechs nodded in acceptance at Serafall's words.
"Riser really is not as bad. But Rias hates him. My parents for all their forward leaning ways still included some very anarchic terms. But that is what happens with our people. We are so stuck in the past. Sera I sometimes feel like we are never going to win this fight. The nobility is so incredibly determined to see the status quo continue. Even some of our party see the futility sometimes."
"We cannot give up. I want to backhand the GKF because they keep telling my sister that she and her dream are worthless. They are mostly fuckers. My sister saw our society and wants to make it better. I will not say what Rias does. She longs for something that is hard, but it is not right. You should not want war."
"You should not. But my parents spoiled her. She was the second miracle child. They had an heir again. They kept spoiling her. She is a brat sometimes. But I hear that she is starting to improve. She asked Cleria for reduced contracts for two months. They are training. But they are in big trouble. Father and Lord Phenex have stepped up the arrangements again. She has a month now."
That was awfully bad. But Lord Gremory was trying to help the NKF. He saw the stalled momentum. Personally, Serafall supported the marriage. They needed the extra votes. Her feelings must have been observed by her dear friend.
"I know Sera. We need their votes. But I am willing to forgo them. Have your people been able to get that dirt on one of the key supporters? We could use that too."
"My agent close to him is close. So remarkably close. While the GKF is a lot like the OSF in so many ways. They hate it when there is an actual connection. He will do what he can. With that bastard gone it will weaken their voting block."
Serafall led two lives as Leviathan. She was the diplomat. But also, the spymaster. It was she who ran the westworks. Her other personality was usually out in full force there. It made people think she was ultra nutty. But it was the public face. She did get lost in it sometimes. But the big reason she was such a sis-con was that was her switch. She thought of Sona every time the switch was flicked.
"That is good. He is the strongest in terms of minor houses sworn to him. Cut them and the GKF will lose so much."
Serafall had nodded in agreement. This noble had spat at Sona's feet at a party. Called her a reincarnated lover. Sona had taken the hit, but Serafall had seen the sadness. She wanted him to fall.
"I have to get going Sirzechs-chan. I will see you tomorrow. Do not worry I will knock Fabium and get his lazy ass moving on a game plan should we have to fight the red angel."
"Good night Serafall. I was going to do that before I left the office. But I really appreciate it."
Serafall Leviathan had smiled at Grayfia and then made her way out the door. A privacy ward immediately went up. Grayfia had been nervous but understood what her beloved husband was going to ask.
"I will contact him tomorrow. Tell him the news. Tell our baby I love him just in case I do not."
"He would not kill you. It is just an inconvenience. Offer him another favor if you have too. That should tell him how serious I am about this. Rias should be at least a bit better off than before."
"I hope so. You know she is all but my sister. Riser is definitely a pig, but he will never be them. They who I once served. I love you and her. Please do not make a Faustian deal that will have bad results for us all. I accept your oddity because I support you and I know it helps on the days you are in a dark place. Like how you know the maid gimmick."
The redhead man slowly moves from his chair to hug his wife.
"I know. But what other choices do I have? The other mercs think that they can demand more from me. They who are all in high class. He is ultimately the only one who has been reasonable. I have faith in him."
The two quietly stay together for another 15 minutes. Enjoying the privacy between them.
Forge of dreams Monday evening after Operation hammer fall.
The troops were so glad the fight had been over. They had each been approached by their commanders and the emperor. He had made an offer to each of them.
"Tell me immediately if what was done today will haunt you. I will make the memories lessen significantly. I will never forget what each of you have done. Your service is out imperiums future. Say the word and I will make the pain disappear as much as possible."
Tears had been spilled by all of them. Their lord loved them all. He would never not love them. Some had taken the offer immediately. Others had shaken their heads and said they would not forget. The recent events had not shaken their faith in him. In Unification. No. It has strengthened it. They the hammer.
Yuri had fallen to his knees begging his lord to help him give more. To be like him that had not flinched.
"There are ways. But I will not ask them of you. I do not know if those paths are needed. Please relax and think about this. The pain you went through with the enhancements. It is so much worse. You all I will never ask you to do that. Those who might walk those paths will be different in so many ways."
"Please my lord! I want to do anything for our world! It is why I went under in the first place! I would bear a million years of pain just to protect my species. To protect our future! To serve like you. To be your honor guard. I spoke the truth during the battle. You will be beloved by all! You who will defend us. You who is our father! Let me serve more! The children of the omnissiah are right. We are all yours forever!"
"You sound like another. He who was the first. He was not given the choice. He served. He who was my captain-general. He who was my shield. Do not do it. You will sunder yourself from humanity. Do not leave your wife. Do not leave your family. Honor him by not going through what he did."
"What was his name?"
"His name was long. But I knew him as Constantine Valdor. He who was my Custodian. Honor him. But do not become him."
Yuri had been silent. He loves his wife and family. Could he truly leave them behind? The answer was clear. He would not leave them. He wept. He had almost begged for something he would never not regret. He now sees his lord completely differently. He wanted them all to be happy. Valdor. That name had invoked something.
"Let me wear that name. Let his name never be forgotten. We who will defend you. I will stay human. But let me be your first new Custodian."
His lord smiled and nodded.
"I will. Be my warrior. You will never be left behind."
More had heard the conversation. They all so desperately wanted to do more. But their happiness was also important. They loved him even more. They would do anything for him. For the imperium. He who loved them utterly. This tale would spread. He would truly be Emperor beloved by all. The greatest ruler humankind would ever have. One man however had heard the conversation. He knew he was willing to sacrifice himself on the alter.
He had approached the master of mankind after everyone had left.
"I will take the path. I am an orphan. I will give myself utterly to your service. Let me make the process of your most elite warriors. They who will be your true eternal custodians. They who inspire us mortals to be more than what we are. Let me be the first. I who is named Antony. Let me make the sacrifices."
His lord looked at him. He saw Antony's soul. He saw the willingness. The commitment. The passion.
"It will hurt. You who have not gone under. You will never be able to go back. You will not be human. You will be transhuman. You are certain. To have no regrets. You who should have a life where you are happy. Do you not want your other? Do you wish to give them up?"
"Without hesitation. I know no fear. I will serve. You protect us. Let us do so for you. I will take the pain. I will take everything so that you who does that and so much more. That you have a guard. Like Yuri is the mortal Valdor. Let I be the transhuman Valdor. Let I be the start of a new brotherhood. We who will be the Custodians. We who will never leave our oaths. We who will be your generals."
The Emperor looked at this one. This who would be his Valdor. This who would become a warrior unlike any other.
"Then protect me. Me and my family to come. Protect them. But we will consider you to be the children's uncle. So that you too will not be left sundered. That you too who is giving up family. Shall know it still. Relationships will never be weakness. Never forget that."
"Yes milord. Let me take that great man's name. Let it never truly be forgotten. Let I ever strive to be like him."
"Then let your name be Antony Constantine Valdor. You will earn more. But never sacrifice the first name. Be him but better. Do not ever lose sight of the humanity that you will leave."
Kuoh academy Student Council office. Tuesday morning.
Issei entered the offices early and surprised Sona and Tsubaki, who were talking together. They were the only ones who were here. Sona had upon seeing him rushed to him and slammed herself against him. She was so incredibly happy that he was safe.
"Ise! Your back already?! I thought it would be a few days?"
He had smiled at the concern. It was nice having someone else worry about him. He returned the hug.
"We were incredibly lucky. The first is dead. I know where Pantier is. He is next. Sona-chan. Thank you for being you. I am safe."
The two were so close together. Tsubaki saw how happy they made each other. Her king deserved him so much. It was so good for the two of them. They who had been strangers were now the closest of friends. Seeing her look Issei also smiles at her.
"I see you know the truth now Tsubaki-san. I'm sorry for scaring you."
"Call me Tsubaki-chan. I am sorry I was scared of you. You are an amazing person. Let us try and be friends."
That smile increases. The rest of the council come in and see their king and Issei together. Saji is jealous for but a moment before Momo had squeezed his hand. She was getting so close to him. She wanted him. He the four pawn man. He is the former newest. He squeezed it back.
Kuoh academy ORC building Tuesday morning.
Rias felt the hope she had been slowly getting back about her problem die an awfully bad death. She felt so betrayed. The marriage had been stepped up again. She had a month now. Her mother had broken her the news.
"I understand you hate this Ria. But you have to do it. For us and your brother. He needs you to help. Fix Riser. Give him a chance. Just try. We purebloods need good news. You will be doing so much good. You will come out of this happily."
Akeno had begun weeping. Koneko had just been silent. Kiba had looked at the three with such sadness. She was doomed. They all were doomed.
She had excused herself from them and had gone to an old bathroom in the building and had put up a privacy ward before unleashing her rage and hate against the items in the bathroom.
She screamed in such hate that she hurt her voice. She had been ready to kill her mother and father with a glee filled smile. She was very ready to do that. She so desperately wanted to do that. Why the fuck could Sona be happy but not her! Why did she have to suffer that pig why her friend had highly likely found her other!
Shrapnel flew everywhere. Glass from the mirrors, wood from the stalls, and the ceramic from the toilets and the sinks. The rage felt so fucking good. It almost replaced her primary sin. Greed for wrath. She wanted the red angel to kill them all now! Even his peerage! His family and their servants! She wanted them all dead and rotting.
How could she keep her promise to him that she would not be a burden! How! She was still trying so damn hard! Her rage grew further! This was not right. How dare her fucking mother guilt trip her like that and just casually said to fix him! That she said that Rias would come out happy in the end! How could you do that to her! Your daughter!
She hated them all so very much! Her brother had been the only one who had tried. He who needed the support badly for the party! He had still tried to help her!
She would never forgive her family! She would rather become a stray king! She would rather do a million other things than marry him! She could gut her family and there would be no regrets!
But the regret hits her full force. She could not do that. Her brother would lose his parents. Grayfia would lose the couple who had supported her through everything. Millicas would lose her and his grandparents. She had to think of them too.
She slid down the side of a wall near the entrance and with water hitting her from a destroyed sink she wept. She cried for the loss of her dreams.
She would have continued to weep had the bird that the red angel had left at his scenes and had worn proudly on his chest not spoken to her. Hope. A whisper from someone reaches her ears.
"Believe. You may not be my first choice but believe. He will save you and them. Have faith Rias Gremory. Have faith in him and yourself. Please have faith in him. The dawn is coming. You will be free soon."
"Who are you! Show yourself! Do not lecture me! How can I have faith! It is over! How can I continue living!"
"Believe. I promise you he will help. I who will not forsake you. Have faith one last time. Have it. You will get the help. As for who I am. Ask the agent. He will understand what you are asking for. I whom am the guardian promise this."
The bird again flashes back and Rias feels nothing but hope. She sees hope. Know no fear. That was what Sona had said. She truly embraces it now.
She would get her answers. She would not cower anymore. She needs to know. The other voice had been many. Her father when she was young. Her mother when she had asked about their family. Her brother when had offered his son for her. Fia when the two had sleep overs. Her nephew when he looked at her with adoration.
She had said she would give Issei a chance. It was time to back up the words with action.
Rias got up and took down the ward. She marched to her peerage and slammed the door to their club wide open the noise scared the crap out of them.
"This is not over. Riser will lose. We will be free. Know no fear! Practice harder than ever before! We must win this, or we are doomed. Have faith in me like I do in you and the red angel! Let us curb stomp Riser and his peerage!"
Her people did not know where that had come from. But hope flared brighter than ever before. Rias saw nothing but that Aquilla.
An there we have it. The game approaches. I hope the battle scenes were better and I did include the mark system that the ultramarines use for time stamps. More imperium building. Valdor. I like him as a character. He is another member of the war council being built. He will be something of a very background character for a very long time. He will not reappear until probably later arcs.
Argus. Yes he gave up quickly. I actually think of my triad of early evil characters. He is the least evil. Granted still very much mega evil. But he was the only human among the team. Pantier and Anavie are just as evil, but they will die in pain and agony. I actually hate out of the two of them Anavie. Pantier like Argus has a sort of reason why he is the way he is. But Anavie, she is very fucking evil because she actively chooses at the beginning to be the evil incarnation. You will see that when that fight happens.
the kind guest who i see is also a person of culture. Congratulations! you are right. here is a massive cake. the first xenos are indeed them. Very good catch. the race is indeed here. they are just ok beings in universe. the clues for others are in upcoming chapters. they like the race come from many sci fi series. They are all not entirely similar to their cannon depictions. The second xenos will have clues left for them. be ready to continue being surprised. And ill re state this. the orks and many other old one races which i am counting the nids too are not here. the tau are here. several small xenos races from the primary tree are also here.