Hello everyone! To those who celebrate Easter, I hope you had a wonderful time as I did. Today is, you guessed it, another chapter for Second Coming. I will be honest I was torn on whether or not to split the chapter like before but I chose to split it, if I didn't then chapter 29 would be at 13,294 words, which I am not sure many of you readers are willing to sit through. Plus a lot happens and it would be a shame for you to miss it. Anyway time to answer reviews.
merendinoemiliano: For this chapter, they'll be used a lot, especially our favorite blonde Knight.
Guest: thank you, I'm glad you liked these changes. Fanfics are always fun when changes happen. A thing many DxD fanfic writers do not do, well except for one who I am close friends with...
Guest-Questioner: The anime is NOT a bust, if it wasn't for a DxD anime we wouldn't have gotten fanservice of our favorite waifus! XD (that's a joke lol)
Optimus470: It sure did go from bad to worse. If you mean adding a whole army I'm afraid that wouldn't have worked since, if you recall, those who broke away were dealt with by Asgard and Kokabiel was one of the strongest Fallen Angel leaders and, this is my opinion, he felt confident in his own power that he didn't need more help. Ares' reasons for joining I hope are justifiable since he is after all a God of War and has become board with peace.
Lockdown: Sometimes that happens to people. Those who did not wish to partake in the war were all killed off as Ares explained it, those who wish to fight and die for their father are left. I am sorry but not everyone gets a happy ending.
Vulcan: Yeah Rias and her Peerage have never dealt with something like this before. As for Thor being strong enough to face both the Cadre and the God of War; that's an overstatement. He may be strong but even he isn't strong enough to face the two of them at the same time, especially without Mjolnir.
And with that on with the show
"Are you sure you can't help us? We could use your help."
"If you wish to have all of Kuoh know Supernatural beings exist then we will drop the barrier."
Thor gave a long sideways glance at the dusty blonde to the left, Saji was his name if he recalled. After the encounter with Ares, Rias contacted her fellow pureblood Devil and friend, Sona Sitri, the student council president and younger sister of the current Leviathan ruling as a Satan in Hell, who acted fast ordering her Peerage to erect a barrier around the school. If she was scared to know the God of War was in that barrier she hid it well.
"Will do what we can to keep the barrier stabilized. Although I don't think it will hold those villains. To think Kokabiel would ally with Ares is unexpected for him. This won't be easy, Rias."
"Well, we have the God of Thunder. That's got to count for something." Issei said, unaware of Thor shifting uncomfortably.
"We won't fail, Sona." Rias reassured before turning to Thor, her demeanor and aura one of a leader rather than a high school student "What can we expect of your people?"
"We will fight at your side or we may not need to. Azazel should have called to know Kokabiel is here…right?"
Azrael and Henrietta said nothing, the former rubbing his head as a look of shame spread across his face.
"Uhm…"
"You forgot to call your father!?" Thor's eyes bulged in anger.
"I'm sorry my prince, I forgot to call my father because a God of War was standing before me!" Azrael shot back sarcastically.
"And due to how close we are to the barrier our contact with Asgard has been severed." Henrietta said, trying to call Azazel or Odin, "Even if one of us managed to get to Asgard and send reinforcements as quickly as they could it'd be at least an hour."
"What luck, that's about when our reinforcements will get here," the cheerful tone of Akeno Himejima interrupted, appearing behind the group.
"What reinforcements?" Rias turned to her Queen, eyebrow raised.
"I already sent a message to Lord Sirzechs."
"You what!?" Rias' calm features snapped at those words, "Akeno I don't…"
The Priestess of Thunder's features darkened like when meeting Azrael, "I know you want to handle this yourself, it happened in your territory in your base to your servants…but this is beyond us and you know it. None of us are strong enough to face Kokabiel and Ares is a God of War. Don't let your pride or the fiasco with your parents prevent your brother from aiding us. We need his help."
"But-"
"But what? Do you think foreign aid and the God of Thunder will stop them? Maybe but that's a chance I'm not willing to bet my life on. We stall Kokabiel and Ares for one hour."
Rias' mouth dropped open as if she wanted to say something, but quickly closed it. She knew Akeno was right, finally acquiescing with a nod to her long-time friend. The dark-haired beauty's original comforting smile returned along with the nod.
"One hour then," Rias repeated. "We have that long to hold out."
"Before we throw ourselves into the fray, what is your plan for the Red Dragon Emperor? He wasn't very helpful to us." Henrietta said with a scornful look at the Pawn for using that lewd technique.
Issei felt his shoulders slump, the blonde Einherjar's scolding had struck home at Issei. Being looked down upon and saying his technique was useless brought a memory he hoped to forget.
"Just because my adorable Pawn is a pervert doesn't mean he's useless." Rias said, coming to his defense, although his technique was useless against the Amazons, he still tried and that was good enough for her, "He can transfer power three times. I intend to have him use it on Akeno and myself-"
"And I." Thor added, getting a questionable look from the heiress, "I'm a God too. If he boosts my power the three of us may stand a chance against them."
Rias nodded hoping the God of Thunder's aid would be valuable in the fight. He was supposed to be among the top ten yet his power seemed to be slightly above her own and why did he have an axe instead of the legendary hammer Mjolnir? She shook her head casting the questions to the back of her mind, she needed to focus on the battle.
"Are you ready?" She asked the Exorcists who stood a ways away from them.
"We are.
I hope… the Heiress thought, remembering Xenovia losing her Excalibur, what was she going to do now, borrow one of Kiba?
"Come." Said Thor, "We have a battle to win."
The collected fighters entered as one, going straight through the main gate without opposition. Once inside, everyone readied themselves, Kiba summoned his blades; Koneko took up a combat stance while Issei promoted himself to Queen though it was far inferior to Akeno's. The Exorcists stood back to back though the blue-haired Church agent's still remained weaponless. Rias and Thor led the way with Akeno and Henrietta by their sides, both ready for anything as they beheld the odd sight ahead.
The entire front concourse was glowing as an enormous magic circle had been drawn into the surface. There was no doubt it was incredibly advanced. Standing in the center, guarded by the Amazons with varying weapons, was the stout man Valper Galielei holding Excalibur Destruction in his hands with the other stolen swords floating around. Next to him was a woman dressed in an elegant black dress exposing her legs and shoulders holding an ornate staff its tip touching the Excalibur in Valper's hand.
"Who is she?" Issei asked, unable to take his eyes away from the black-haired beauty.
"She's beautiful," Asia admitted.
"Eris!" Thor called out to the girl, instead of acknowledging the Aesir she turned away refusing to look at him.
"Eris? As in the Goddess of Chaos Eris?" Akeno asked.
"As well as a Daughter of Zeus and my old friend now enemy," Thor answered, taking notice she had her fallen angel wings hidden.
"Another God!?" Exclaimed Irina as sweat formed on her brow, one God was bad but two meant they were doomed to fail!
"What…is going on?" Issei asked, unable to contain his question as waves of magic buffeted the assorted students and fighters.
The old man glanced over to them, that infuriatingly smug smile as if everything he did was completely justified.
"I think it should be obvious that I plan to make the Excalibur hole once more. Each fragment will complement each other quite nicely." His eyes flickered to Thor then Eris, "That red-haired boy seems to know you miss?"
"He did…once," Eris said still refusing to look Thor in the eye.
"Valper, how much longer?"
The booming question had come from high above, only then did they notice the floating throne with the moon looming overhead menacingly. Had he angled it that way on purpose? The fallen angel leader was just lounging on the imposing seat, head resting lazily on a hand with his legs crossed very confidently. Flanking him were Saul and Malak and next to Kokabiel on another throne was Ares dressed in the Greek armor, a spear and shield on his back with a large two-handed version of the Greek sword girthed at his side.
"No more than five minutes," Valper replied with utter certainty.
"Excellent, then proceed. I leave the rest of the ritual up to you." He turned his attention to the group, specifically Rias. "So, is Lucifer coming, or maybe Leviathan? Or will the Allfather send one of his esteemed Valkyries?"
"Our esteemed siblings won't be here," she announced clearly and with defiance. "Instead, we will…"
Kokabiel groaned in disappointment, with a snap of his finger the largest spear of light any of them had ever seen materialized in his hand. Seemingly without effort, he directed the spear, which could almost have been mistaken for a pillar, down upon a nearby building. The explosion was enormous, forcing everyone to ground themselves to resist the backlash as the wind tore through them following the blast. When Thor raised his eyes he realized the true power of their foe.
"The gymnasium…" Issei gasped. For indeed, the entire building that the light had struck was just gone without any debris or evidence that it had once occupied that spot remaining save a deep crater.
"How unbearably boring,"
"Boring, I'm looking forward to what these kids can do. Why don't I send some of my uncle's pets to test their strength?" Ares question.
The team stepped back as a black void opened beneath their feet, a great inferno bubbling up from the depths. Five great pillars of fire erupted into being before twisting and taking the shape of an immense beast with three enormous heads from which two glowing blood-red eyes stared through them from each.
"Not these guys again!" Thor shouted, remembering the demon dogs back on Olympus.
"I can't believe he'd actually bring them to the human world," Rias stepped forward. "We'll have to deal with them first!"
"I'll face them," Henrietta said, stepping forward, sword drawn.
"Alone!? They outnumber you five to one!" Asia protested, fearful for the blonde woman.
Henrietta looked back, a smile on her face, "Then this will be a challenge I revel to win!"
The buxom blonde rushed the dogs of Hades realm, all fifteen heads eager to eat the Einherjar. Henrietta dodged to the left avoiding a massive paw from the first Cerberus to reach her, she ducked, dodged, and rolled, through the paws and heads of the monsters with the grace of a dancer, impressing the God of War. Landing in a squat she ran her left hand along the blade, the runes lighting up as ice formed around it before stabbing it into the ground bringing forth massive ice pillars, a technique Thor recalled Sigrun using at Olympus. One pillar skewered the left head of a Cerberus leaving a trail of blood to flow down it, the dog broke free but the dead head limped lazily with the pillar still stuck in it. Landing on the neck of another she stabbed her sword into the beast ice spreading around it making it look like a collar.
Before she could look for another target all three heads of another Cerberus came crashing down upon the woman and the frozen necked one, the impact shattered the ice, severing the heads and sending ice shards everywhere. Thor was prepared to rush into aid but stopped when he saw the ground rumble, and from beneath a paw, Henrietta Berg lifted it, muscles tensed with the strength being applied. Her title as the Champion of Valhalla was not one to brag. Free of the paw she rushed the next Cerberus striking the right head with a hard punch.
"So this is what the Einherjar are capable of. The warriors of Asgard are quite impressive." Ares commented as Henrietta defeated the next Cerberus leaving three left. The God of War addressed his Amazons, "Daughters! Rip these kids from limb to limb!"
The Amazons broke rank rushing the teenagers for whoever they wanted to fight, Freed stayed behind with Valper waiting for the Excalibur to be reforged.
"Rias!" Thor warned.
"Kiba, Issei, help Henrietta! Koneko, you are with the Exorcists to deal with the Amazons."
"I'm not staying out of this." Xenovia scoffed.
"But-"
"She is not unarmed." Nero grinned as Xenovia clasped her hands in a prayer,
"Saint Peter, Saint Basil the Great, Saint Denis and holy-mother Mary. Please hear my voice!" A portal shimmered above her giving pause to the charging Amazons. Stretching high, Xenovia reached within, drawing forth a sword radiating a holy aura. "In the names of the saints whom reside within this blade, I will release it. Durandal!"
In her hands, she held a uniquely shaped single-edged broadsword with a half circle handguard. The entirety of the blade was a deep blue with the edges shining gold along with the guard. The power coming from it was undeniable.
"Durandal!" Valper exclaimed, recognizing the blade. "How can you even hold Durandal? Weren't you an Excalibur wielder?"
"No," Xenovia proclaimed with pride. "I was ever originally the current wielder of Durandal yet was given an Excalibur for this task." Despite the size of her weapons, she held each one with a single hand. Unknown to all save Irina, it was her preferred style to dual-wield, she would be even more dangerous.
"My research never even touched upon how to allow others to wield Durandal! How is that possible?" It was not fear they heard in the old man's voice but curiosity.
"Unlike Freed and Irina, I am a natural-born wielder; the blessing to use such weapons was my very birth! Durandal can cut anything it touches, even I can barely control it, the dimensional pocket is its sheath.
"How incredible! If your sword can merge with the Excalibur fragments it may very well make the ultimate sword!" Valper's excitement was skyrocketing at the desire to get his hands on the blade and research it.
"There's no time to waste, Valper. Finish your work." Kokabiel commanded, as much as he too wanted to add another sword it would take more time.
"Thor, I recommend Azrael and Havarti, protect my Bishop, Asia. Akeno and I will deal with the Cadre!" Rias continued giving orders then spread her wings and took to the sky with Akeno. Malak and Saul floated forward to meet the King and Queen.
"You heard her, you two. Protect Asia but give us long-range support via magic." The God ordered before he picked his target.
In the sky
Rias cast the first spell, her demon black and red magic flying towards Saul which he countered with a blast of light magic, the spells erupting in a violent explosion when meeting. Beside her bolts of thunder were fired at Malak, the second aide blocking each one with defense magic. None of the Priestess spells were able to break his defense. Rias poured more power into her spells, the Power of Destruction still never reaching the Cadre as he unloaded spears mixed with feathers at her attempts frustrating the heiress at the lack of progress. These were six-winged Cadres they should be equal in strength to her how could she not overpower them?
"Kokabiel is right, you are boring." Malak taunted Akeno, his words receiving a nasty glare and more thunderbolt.
Don't let them get to us, Akeno, focus! Rias scolded herself mentally as she racked her brain on how to defeat the Cadre. She couldn't ask Issei to transfer power yet, not unless she had no choice. There had to be a way to defeat these Angels.
Suddenly an idea clicked in her head, casting a glance at Akeno she mouthed her plan to the black-haired beauty who acknowledged it with a nod. Channeling her magic once more she prepared to duel Saul then as she threw her hands forward she twisted her body sending the spell not at Saul but Malak at the same time Akeno unleashed a fire spell. The double attack caught Malak by surprise and couldn't hold back the power. The barrier shattered as fire crashed into Malak sending him flying back. They had scored a hit but it was minor, his suit was signed with a slight burn on his exposed chest nevertheless it still was a victory for the girls.
"So it's a tag team battle huh? Ok… will play your game." Malak growled.
On the ground
"Sword Birth!"
As soon as the sword was buried into the earth a wall of blades appeared beneath a Cerberus that tried to snatch Henrietta by the leg while she slammed her fists down upon the current one she was fighting with. As soon as Kiba's Cerberus was mobilized Issei followed up with a powerful dragon shot, the beast crashing to the floor with a large hole in its body. The last two Cerberus roared definitely as they rushed the Devil's and Einherjar, one having its heads shoot fire from its mouth. Henrietta countered with a thick wall of ice which surprisingly held against the flames. Catching movement from the left she saw Kiba summon another sword and leap over the wall and unleash a flurry of slashes at the middle head cutting its right eye in the process.
"You fight bravely Kiba! You would have made a great Einherjar!" Henrietta praised the blonde boy's skill once the Cerberus retreated from the onslaught.
"Thank you, Miss. Berg." Kiba said, wiping sweat off his brow.
"And manners. How kind of you."
Issei dove to the side as a paw stood where he previously was cursing himself for trying to take the last Cerberus alone. No! He could do it, he's the Red Dragon Emperor, he could take this stupid mutt. Rolling to dodge again he pointed his fist at the animals center head just as it opened its mouth to release a torrent of flames
"Ddraig!"
Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!
"Dragon Shot!"
Another beam of pure reg energy shot from the gauntlet, this one bigger than the previous. The beam cut through the flames like a knife through butter engulfing the beast and leaving nothing to remain of it.
"Well done, Issei! That's what I like to see!"
Issei's cheeks grew red at the praise by Henrietta. Maybe if he kept impressing her he could get a book hug or even a kiss!
"It's not over yet!" Kiba said, pointing towards the Excaliburs, the blades floating began to spin going faster and faster until a bright light enveloped it. Valper's excited shouts were unheard over the sound of battle but they didn't need to hear them. The former priest had restored the Excalibur, albeit it was incomplete but still the weapon would not be easy to overcome.
"That's not the only problem," Henrietta added, positioning herself between the boys and ten Amazonas charging them.
Near the center of the battlefield
Koneko Toujou ducked beneath a fast punch from the Amazonian she traded blows with, of all the fights she faced this woman from Greece proved to be the toughest, for now. The white-haired girl's small form gave her the agility to dodge some attacks but when the buff woman landed a hit it felt like a freight train crashed into her. This, however, didn't deteriorate the tiny Rook's morale to save the town she called home, she took the hit like a champion, glared, and throw a counter punch. As she felt another punch brush past her hair she aimed a well-placed kick to the knee earning the grotesque sound of bone break and the leg bending the wrong way. This severe wound however did not stop the Greek woman from launching a counterattack with a double-hand slam on the girl's head sending her face forward into the ground and getting kicked hard into the side sending her rolling across the pavement.
As Koneko struggled to her feet she saw the woman come straight at her, albeit slowly due to the broken leg, this Daughter of Ares was hell-bent on killing her, and so was Koneko to her. Behind the limping warrior-woman Nero, Commodus, Irina, and Xenovia fought the other Amazons displaying the teamwork the two teams were known for among the Church. Irina danced around each attack with elegance using Excalibur Mimic to weave the blade around weapons and armor to hit vital spots while Xenovia hacked and slashed her way to victory with Durandal. Commodus and Nero fought like Koneko with fists and feet, one attacking the other defending. and yet despite all the punishment they dished out on the Amazonians, all the wounds they gave them nothing seemed to slow them down except a death blow which only three had taken so far. The Daughters of Ares fought like lions, like the Spartans.
Suddenly she noticed five of them break away and head for Kiba, the pervert, and the Einherjar, five Cerberus' lay slain behind them. That buxom woman, Henrietta Berg, was quite a warrior, but of course, she was, the Einherjar, elite warriors of Odin's army were among the strongest warriors of the mythological world from what she recalled learning. She knew how to use a sword and fists, if she ever returned perhaps she could teach her the style known as Glima. Returning her attention to the approaching Amazon she readied herself before a light spear soared overhead embedding itself into the woman's head sending her crashing to the ground. Whipping her head around she saw the outstretched arm of Azrael a look of concentration on his face as he jogged forward with Havarti and Asia in tow.
"Koneko, are you okay?" The Nun asked as she applied her Twilight Healing to the girl's wounds.
"Fine." She simply said the Rook had not in fact been fine before the healing. Had she taken any more hits she may have died.
"This isn't good." Havarti said noticing the attack group going after Issei and the others, "I fear we may not last long enough until-"
The crack of thunder alerted him as a massive axe came crashing into the side of the lead followed by a red blur colliding into another. Thor had picked his targets and commenced an all-or-nothing brawl with all four women giving Henrietta and the others time to recover. That time however was cut short as she saw a white-silver blur rush towards them, that bastard Freed now had the fused Excalibur and was going after Kiba! She winced watching Issei getting sliced across the stomach and sent flying by the effects of Excalibur Destruction. Despite her disgust for the pervert, she felt sorry for him.
"Help him!" She forced herself to bite out watching the trio rush to Issei's aid to tend to him. With her wounds healed and strength recovered Koneko charged back into the fray ready to punch more buxom bitches.
Elsewhere
The Knight brought his sword down upon the psycho clashing against the renewed Excalibur and watching in horror as his blade simply shattered upon impact. Freed's prepared taunt was cut short by Henrietta's attempt to drive her blade into his head. Summoning a new sword the Knight readied himself for the next clash of blades but knew it would do no good against the Excalibur.
"Miss Henrietta-"
"Not a chance, boy. I'm gonna be honorable and sit this out! You NEED my help to take this copy of Siegfried down!"
"Why do you keep calling me Siegfried!?" Freed demanded, getting annoyed at the wrong name.
"Not gonna tell."
"Tell me bitch!"
Henrietta merely inclined her head at the insult, "Get used to disappointment, argr."
"What did you call me!?" Freed shouted.
Henrietta answered by rushing the Exorcists rolled at the last second to dodge his swing and aimed to remove his legs from his body but missed due to Freed flipping over to get behind the Einherjar. Realizing she would be vulnerable if she dodged, she crossed her arms and awaited the incoming attack. The force behind the attack coupled with each fragment's effect sent her slamming to the ground, the armguards scratched and dented from the blow. Despite that, the Einherjar resisted the pain to keep fighting.
"Oh? Your one tough hottie! I guess another strike will leave you open to ravage that hot body!" Said Freed, eyeing her figure and raising the Excalibur to strike again.
"I'm your opponent, Freed!"
The rogue Exorcists spun in time to block and shatter two more swords Kiba had ready, his expression annoyed at having the chance to defile the woman interrupted.
"Freed, remember what I taught you. You must channel your power through the sword to make it stronger." Called Valper, staying a good distance away from the battle. He hadn't wasted the three weeks waiting for today to be ruined by a bunch of snot-nosed kids. Once this was over he would continue his research on the swords and take Durandal to fuse into Excalibur.
"I know, old man, no need to remind me!" Freed yelled, never taking his eyes off Kiba. "Ok blondie, let's see how you like reliving your nightmares!" Channeling his magic into the sword, a black mist surrounded the blade before he swung hard, sending it forward.
Kiba jumped out of the way, refusing to let Nightmare's power touch him, refusing to see his friends die again. Dodging another attack, he rushed forward aiming to close the gap between them but was stopped and forced to duck the quick counter Freed performed. The speedy Knight sent a quick glance to the blade watching Freed bring it back around to strike his back but Kiba was quicker, dodged to the right he prepared to attack again Freed's blindspot when his foe suddenly slammed the sword into the earth sending rock and concrete everywhere making the Knight lose his footing and be sent skidding with sharp-edged rocks cut against his skin spilling blood from his small wounds. Slowly getting to his feet he tried attacking again. Summoning a second sword he threw it at the priest while enhancing his speed to close the distance, it sored toward Freed hoping it would distract him. It did! Freed was forced to block the projectile weapon allowing the Gremory Knight to get close and hit him.
Time to end this! He thought swinging hard!
Gray eyes widened as pain shot through his body. Looking down, he saw the large blade sticking through his stomach, Excalibur Rapidly's power had given Freed a few seconds more! The holy power from the weapon doubled the pain he was in, it was like he was being stung by thousands of wasps! Yet, he couldn't stop himself from smiling. While not a serious wound, he finally managed to land a hit on Freed, blood leaked from his right shoulder.
"So what if you hit me? You've just been run through like a shish kebab!" Freed retorted with an annoyed look before slamming Kiba to the ground, sword still grinding into the blonde's stomach. Even with the sword burning his insides, he didn't stop smiling "So, how does it taste being Excalibur's first victim, you shitty Devil!?" Freed sneered with a harsh kick to the Devil's bleeding wound. Enjoying the scream he let out. "Look at you, thinking you could defeat Excalibur all by yourself!"
"Yes, while admirable, it was foolish of you, boy," Valper added, commenting on the boy's bravery.
"Guess you're right about that…" Kiba let loose a weak laugh. "Still…it was worth a try. However, I won't let you get away with your scheme's Valper!" Kiba struggled to stand but Freed's foot and sword prevented any movement. "I…ugh…I swore to stop you after what you did!" He yelled while glaring holes into the crazed man.
Valper gave a questioning look to the down blonde, wondering what he meant. He stared at the boy long and hard before memories of old came flooding back. "It's you! I thought I recognized you. You're the boy who escaped the Holy Sword Project. I thought you died from the poison gas." Valper said, a little shocked that this boy survived his demise and was now a Devil.
"I did…" Answered Kiba with a growl, finding it hard to breathe. "But as you can see, I'm a Devil and have vowed to stop you once and for all, Valper!"
"Well too bad! You won't live long enough to see that happen!" Freed laughed, raising the sword high. "I'll make sure to piss on your grave once it's made!" He promised before beginning to bring his blade down.
Kiba glared at the priest, waiting for the inevitable. If he was to die by Excalibur, then so be it.
I'm sorry my friends! The faces of those from the past and present flashed through his mind. A small tear ran down his face.
Suddenly a blue blur jumped before Kiba wielding a sword of light. The fused Excalibur clashed with the light sword, shattering it to pieces and cutting into Azrael's flesh spewing blood everywhere.
"The fuck!?" Freed yelled in surprise before retreating from the wounded Fallen Angel's sudden punch.
Azrael went to a knee and panted as blood leaked from the wound but refused to fall. Unlike Kiba the wound wasn't as serious, meaning he would keep fighting until the battle was one. New light swords appeared in his hands as he steadily rose to his feet, mentally cursing himself for the actions. He knew he was the only one who would reach Kiba in time but instead of attacking Freed took the final blow for Kiba leaving him with a bloody wound, not that it really mattered since Asia could heal any wound.
"You alright?" He asked Kiba who rose to his feet. "You're lucky I saved you. I hope you can still fight because that sword needs to be destroyed."
Freed laughed, "Oh this is rich! First a Devil now a Fallen Angel! Didn't Kokabiel call you the son of the head honcho of Grigori? Are you gonna run back to daddy to fix your booboo?"
The Fallen Angel ignored the taunt choosing to cut to the chase, he drew his arms back and swung hard. Sparks flew as his swords of light clashed against Freed's large disfigured Excalibur. The Fallen performed a full-body spin attack that was followed by a stab that almost got through Freed's defense. He had to turn the tide and put him on the defense otherwise he may actually land a hit on him. As Freed stepped back he saw his opponent jump above and launch a kick toward his face, which he immediately blocked by raising the sword. The second foot made contact and, to Freed's surprise, used the blade as a springboard to kick off and go spinning through the air before spreading his wings and raining spears of light down upon him.
"The boy had remarkable skills. Don't take Azazel's son for granted, Kokabiel." Ares commented on the fight.
As Azrael backed away to gain distance a lull fell upon the battlefield, both sides pausing to recover from the fighting. Among the slain were five Cerberus' and eight Amazon's leaving seven remaining of Ares' daughters.
"Valper!" Thor suddenly shouted out to the madman. "What did you hope to achieve with that project of yours? Why sacrifice all those innocent people?"
Valper stared at the God of Thunder, his eyes had never left him throughout the battle. The power displayed was incredible and would be a great asset if he could just get his hands on it. The more he looked at him the more he recalled that memory from so long ago.
"You are the Pagan God Thor are you not?" He asked, pointing at Thor, "I've seen you long before I was exiled. Yes…I was there to hear about Erikson's plan and…his inspiration of my own desire."
"What plan! Who's Erikson!? What are you talking about!?" Thor demanded, hoping this old man would have the answers he sought.
Valper hummed then shook his head, "No. I don't think I will share the ideas of a dead man. I didn't quite care about his plan anyway. Interesting as it was, I knew it was doomed to fail…" He paused for a moment then began talking again, "You see. I like holy swords. No - I LOVE Holy Swords. My heart has been fascinated by the legend of Excalibur since I was a child. That's why, when I found out that I can use Excalibur, I went into despair. I held admiration for those who can wield it because I couldn't. That feeling became so powerful that I started an experiment to create those who can use them. Then it was complete. It's thanks to you and the others."
"What? Complete? You disposed of us after finding us to be a failure." Kiba lifted his eyebrows, seemingly in doubt. In the pause of the battle, Asia had managed to make it to the blondes and tend to their wounds. Didn't they dispose of them because they found them to be a failure? But Valper shook his head.
"I realized that there was an essential factor needed to wield holy swords. So, I used the numerical value of the "factors" to investigate its capability. Most of the test subjects had the 'elements' but they didn't have the numerical value needed to wield the Excalibur. Then I reached a conclusion. Is there a way to take out the elements and gather them?" He asked, a sick grin on his face.
"I see. I understand now. The thing that is put inside the holy-sword wielders when they receive a blessing is…" Xenovia gritted her teeth hatefully.
Valper nodded at the blue-haired girl's guess, "That's right, holy-sword wielder girl. We take out the holy elements from those who have them and crystallize them. Just like this." Then he took out an orb that was giving out light. It was a shiny orb. It has the so-called holy aura in it.
"With this, the research on holy-sword wielders improved. Even so, those fools from the Church banished me for heresy and took away my reports on the research. By looking at you, I see that the project was succeeded by someone. That Michael. He made me look like a criminal and this is the result? Well, it's that Angel we are talking about. Even if he takes the elements out of the test subjects, he wouldn't go as far as to kill them. That part only would make him more human than me."
Valper laughed pleasantly, everyone, even Issei, understood now. Creating Holy Sword users artificially required a sacrifice. This meant Kiba and his friends were victims of the project started by Valper.
"…You killed my comrades and took out the elements needed to wield the holy swords?" Kiba asked Valper with his shaky voice filled with killing intent.
"That's right. This orb is from back then. I have used three of them on Freed though. This is the last one." He smirked, holding up the orb.
"Other fools beside me died because their bodies couldn't synchronize with the elements! Hmmm. If I think like that, that makes me special." Freed said happily.
"…Valper Galilei. How many lives have you sacrificed for your greed and experiments…" Kiba's hands were shaking and there was an aura of anger coming out of his body.
"Enough," Valper answered, throwing away the orb as if he had lost interest in it. It rolled on the ground and went to Kiba's foot. Kiba leaned down silently and picked it up. There was a tear on Kiba's cheek. His expression was filled with sadness and anger.
"My research has reached the stage where it is possible to mass-produce them in the right environment. First, I will destroy this town with Kokabiel. Next, I will gather the legendary holy swords stored around the world and mass-produce holy-sword wielders and start a war against Michael and the Vatican with the combined Excalibur's. I'm going to show the result of my research to those foolish Angels and their followers who have convicted me." He said with anger at the Church.
What an animal' Havarti thought glaring at the priest, this man had no place in the world of the living.
Suddenly, the orb that Kiba held started giving out shallow lights. The lights started to spread and eventually covered the whole school field. From the ground, there were lights coming out and it started to form a shape. Then, it formed into a proper shape. It took the shape of people. There were boys and girls who were giving out blue-white lights and they were surrounding Kiba. Were they perhaps…
'What the? Are the various powers that are present on this battlefield making the spirits within the orbs appear?' He asked himself.
As if Ares had read his mind he called out to him. "Correct young man. The Demonic Swords, Holy Swords, Devils, and Fallen Angels, Gods. Everything present here is the cause for it!"
"Incredible," Thor muttered watching the spirits look at Kiba with a dear and sad expression.
"Everyone! I…I! I have always…always thought about it. Was it right that I was the only one that survived?!… There were those who had more dreams than me. There were those who wanted to live more than me. Is it alright that I am the only one to have a peaceful life…" He said with heavy regret and sadness.
"Isaiah." Kiba snapped his head toward the girl who said that name, his real name. "Don't worry about us. We knew the risks but took them anyway. We gave our lives so that you could survive."
Then, the spirits started to move their lips in a rhythm. A soft melody came forth, the sound was soothing, almost as if Heaven itself was singing.
"What is happening?" Havarti asked as he wipe a tear away.
"This is the sacred song," Asia mumbled, tears welling within her eye, "They are singing the sacred song…"
Kiba started to sing while shedding tears, when they were going through the painful experiment, this was the only thing they obtained to keep their hopes and dreams. This was the only support they had to continue living during their harsh life. Kiba and his comrades had the smiles of innocent children.
Their bodies started to glow blue-white. Those lights were getting brighter, with Kiba in the center.
"We were no good alone."
"We didn't have enough elements to wield the holy swords. But."
"It will be okay if we are together."
"You have to accept the Holy Sword."
"It's not scary."
"Even if God is watching."
"Our hearts are always…"
"ONE."
Their spirits went up into the heavens and they turned into a big light that fell to Kiba.
"Partner." Ddraig said to Issei, "That Knight has reached it."
"What do you mean?" He asked the Dragon.
"Sacred Gears change and evolve while using the feelings of the possessors as a key. When the feelings and the wishes of the possessor do a dramatic change that changes the flow of this world, the Sacred Gear reaches it. This is…Balance Break."
The light that split the abyss-filled night looked as if it was giving blessings to Kiba. As it faded, his Sacred Gear and the spirits of his comrades began to join. It started to align and form a shape. The shape of a sword. Kiba looked at the newly forged weapon before grasping its hilt tightly. Feeling an incredible power flow through him. It felt like-
"I-impossible!? Incredible!" Valper yelled. "Demonic and the Holy Power shouldn't be able to fuse!?" The man was unable to comprehend such an event, even though he was seeing it with his own eyes.
"Guess what Valper. It just happened!" Henrietta yelled, "Looks like you got yourself a new toy, Kiba. Would you like to test it out on this argr?" She motioned at Freed.
Kiba looked at the teacher, then Freed, then to Valper. "Valper Galilei, all my life I plotted to take revenge on you but now I see that isn't the way. No, I won't take revenge but vengeance. Justice will be served to you for what you've done! I will avenge my fallen comrades and prevent others from suffering my fate! It's time you feel the power of my Balance Breaker! Sword of the Betrayer!"
"F-Freed! Kill him! Kill this lab rat!" The scared priest demanded.
"Like hell he is! I still have unfinished business with this bastard!" Azrael said, intercepting the priest who charged at Kiba. "Valper's all you're Kiba!"
"God damn it you fucking bird brain get out of my fucking way!"
"Make me!" Azrael said dodging a wide swing, "If that sword wasn't so big I'd have broken your defenses ages ago but you know, you're boring me. I've seen Kiba fighting and he's proven to be a better fighter than you." Azrael commented watching Freed dodge the storm of spears, "You have no talent. Come on, even little Koneko would prove to be more of a challenge than you ever could!"
"Shut the fuck up, bastard!" Freed yelled, swinging wildly, combining Rapidly and Destruction's power to shatter the weapons easily, "You think I'm weak!? I hold the ultimate sword!"
"If it's so ultimate, why haven't you killed anyone with it? And you're a human too! What you're holding is a cheap copy!" Azrael taunted back, a smile briefly showing on his face at the enraged expression, "Come on I was expecting more of a challenge."
"Challenge! Challenge!? I'll give you a challenge, you piece of shit!"Nightmare!" He shouted, calling upon the fragments of power, six identical clones of Freed appeared.
The clones rushed Azrael who sent another storm of spears at them. This time however the clones disappeared in a burst of speed with two appearing beside him. Mentally telling himself they weren't real but just images, Azrael dodged one strike and blocked the second clone's attack only to see the clone's Excalibur shatter his blade and nick his thigh.
Impossible! Images can't hurt people!?
"I forgot to mention…Miss Eris' unique powers gave the Excalibur, particularly Nightmare, a boost in power allowing solid copies to be created. Those are not mere illusions you face, Son of Azazel but solid clones of Freed!" Explained Valper.
Her mixed God and Fallen power no doubt. Thor though.
"You have fun with them! I'm about to score a blond bombshell and kill this annoying Kight!" The original said turning his red eyes upon Kiba who helped Henrietta to her feet, blood pouring from the wounds on her arms and head. "You know you'd look just sexier without all those clothes. I guess I'll have to keep pounding you with Excalibur then I'll really pound you."
Freed was on them in an instant, sword poised to strike again, as he brought it down on Kiba to deal the death blow the sound of thunder caught his ears and a giant axe intercepted the strike knocking the blade away and not breaking from Destruction's power. It took Freed time to regain his footing from the spin he was sent into from the axe's impact. He saw the axe used by the God of Thunder and spotted him uppercutting an Amazon then slamming her head into his knee and finishing with an elbow strike to the back of her neck. The God of Thunder seemed unstoppable; it would take an army to beat him.
Wait… an army…
Freed raised the weapon high, unleashing the power of Nightmare once more, and laughed as hundreds of Amazons started to appear around the battlefield, each grinning just as sadistically as Freed, each eager to break bones and spill blood.
"Impressive." Kokabiel said, "Making an army of your daughters was quite useful. Now let us see how they handle this."
High above Rias watched the attack of the clones upon her servants and allies with horror, the battle was going well for them, they slain enemies, and Kiba awakened his Balance Breaker only to have it be snatched away by that bastard Freed creating copies of Ares' daughters. How were they supposed to win now!? Her heart sank as the clones began overwhelming her servants and allies. Issei and Havarti were doing their best to keep Asia away from the fighting, the Dwarf standing his ground protecting her Pawn and Bishop with every spell he knew but the enemy kept slowly advancing. She spotted Thor among the Amazon's every punch had the power of a shotgun behind it sending clone after clone flying reminding her of her cousin's raw strength, his axe was back in hand now chopping limbs and heads with each strike followed by the crack of thunder yet the mighty Thor was beginning to get swarmed by the clones.
"Do you see, Rias Gremory?" Asked Saul, "Do you see how futile it is to resist? Surrender and maybe I can convince Kokbiel to spare your lives?"
Blue eyes hardened, "Never! I'd rather die than be a hostage!"
"So be it," Was all he said, reading himself to do battle with the heiress once more.
On the ground
"How pathetic!"
"He can't beat us now!"
"We are the Daughters of Ares' we are unbeatable!"
Each taunt by Amazonians was followed by an attack on the young Aesir, his armor was dented, his body bruised, and his face bleeding by a punch to it followed by another to his ribs and a stab to his armored shoulder, a kick to the knee, and so on. Yet even though he was surrounded, outnumbered, and wounded, Thor kept fighting, refusing to fall down on his knees. Batting aside a sword strike he lopped off the arm belonging to its wielder only to see the image fade away revealing yet another clone among the mob assaulting him.
"You won't make it, handsome!"
"You're going to die here!"
"You're not a God but a boy trying to be one!"
"Will show you-"
The taunting ceased as a sudden surge of power was felt outside the barrier giving pause to the battle once more. What was this incredible power felt outside the barrier, had Sirzechs come early? They were answered by a large hammer flying into the battlefield slamming into the Amazon's surrounding Thor knocking many to the ground and giving Thor breaking space. Thor recognized that hammer, it was not Mjolnir but a lesser-known hammer by the name of Bone Crusher leaving Thor to come to one answer, an answer that made his heart sore with joy.
Asgard had arrived!
Like Rohan answered Gondor's call for aid so too does Asgard to the Devils of Kuoh Academy!
I say again I SPLIT this chapter because 13,294 words I fear would make it too long for readers. Anyway, since I split it into chapter 30, the Holy Waltz Encore will be following right behind it.
P.S. What did you think of the battle? What can or should be improved or fixed for the next chapter before it's posted? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! By the way, for those who follow my friend's story, The Roots of Hope, his birthday had just happened and I chose to do an audio rendition of his first chapter. The link is down below for you to copy and listen to. I hope you all give it a listen and support his story!
P.P.S Love you Dunedane!
watch?v=FOk1ec9LzDM&t=2s