Hello everyone! I hope you have been well and my apologies for delaying this release…but I promise it was with good cause. The artist ADSouto had been working on a commission depicting Dorian, Thrud, Ratatoskr and Rossweisse from this story and I wanted to await its completion before updating again. It is currently the new cover art for this story and I hope everyone enjoys it. :D I cannot praise how perfectly he got everyone enough!
FenrisFiltiarn: You wouldn't be wrong, having a new legendary sword that is a full weapon rather than a fragment of one would make anyone much more dangerous…Freed is no exception.
Piemaster 981: Thanks!
Slayer Cross: I am glad, hopefully I don't make you wait too long to find out what happens next :D
fanficcyberman: Thank you very much! I am so glad you've been enjoying it all this time. :)
Sakra95: Indeed, a 10-winged fallen angel that used to fight against God and the Satans themselves would most certainly be very dangerous to deal with.
naruto: It certainly seems that way, having 3 partial swords versus having 3 partial and a complete blade can make quite the difference…
guest: I've seen that website yet rarely visited it…I shall need to look into potentially creating a webpage. Thanks for letting me know that was an option as I've never created a wiki page before lol.
DJDrake: That is correct, though it's more about belief than being officially excommunicated. For example, Asia could not be revived as an Einherjar because despite everything she still truly believes in the Biblical God.
fabio mp19: That was a fast read! I am so glad you've enjoyed it so much. I hope to never disappoint and good luck with your own story :D
guest2: Thank you so much! Not to worry, the story continues...just had to wait for the cover art commission to be done for a nice surprise to the fans :)
And with that…ON WITH THE SHOW!
"Up ahead and make a left!" Ratatoskr called out, guiding the pursuing fighters after the combined smell of Hrotti and Freed. As it seemed he knew exactly where the insane swordsman was, the group had stuck together. Dorian could not help but notice Issei and the others left behind never attempted to catch up.
Where did they go? The murderer of people in their territory just ran and they pull back?
Freed seemed to be leading them into a lesser populated portion of the city. The fire from the apartment fire had spread, forcing many to relocate and the surrounding businesses had suffered the backlash. He was in the process of drawing his pursuers towards one of the larger structures in the distance.
"The Kuroh Memorial and History Museum," Kiba pointed out.
Sure enough, it was an old run-down structure seemingly foreclosed that hadn't opened its doors in months. From the look of it, the building had once been prosperous spanning three floors and several large warehouses no doubt for the larger exhibits. Now all were in the dark yet the front entrance was left open, swaying back and forth in the wind.
"You are positive he's in there?"
"Positive as half a battery," Ratatoskr assured him. "The smell seems to be getting more widespread, he must have spent a lot of time there."
"Their base of operations," Kiba asserted, gripping his demonic blade all the tighter.
"We stick together," Xenovia spoke what everyone was thinking. "Kokabiel could be here as well in which case it will take all of us to stand a chance."
Everyone formed a circle, moving slowly while covering each other's backs. If the situation had been different, Dorian could have appreciated the fact that an Einherjar of Asgard, a Spartan of Olympus, two women of the church and a devil knight were all working as one towards a mutual goal.
They took no chances, shattering the glass door so they could move inside unhindered. It lead into a large lobby though the front desk had been removed long ago and opened the room up considerably. All was quiet save for the soft whistling of the wind through the recently opened door. It was silent…dead.
Dorian glanced to Rat who could only shake his head solemnly; he could no longer narrow down the source of the scent. Either they had found a way to fool his nose, or the weapons and man had been around enough for it to permeate. He could be anywhere.
"We can do a grid search," Dorian offered. "Start with the lower floor then move to…"
Looking through the dark, Freyja's retainer could have sworn he spotted movement in the shadows beyond. It had been far too small to be Freed or any fallen angel; nevertheless he was certain he saw a small shape duck behind a pillar. It almost looked like…
A little girl? Against his own advice Dorian took a step forward, breaking the circle and drawing Irina's attention.
"SCATTER!"
Unseen by the others, one of the marble tiles had slid open, revealing a spherical device similar to the one Freed used to blind them and escape. This one however was larger with ominous red readouts covering the black surface. The tile had been within the circle, had Irina not looked they would never have seen it in time. Everyone dove in separate directions moments before the device detonated, sending a shockwave of fire in all directions.
Dorian leapt for the pillar he had seen the shadow, using it for cover though lost sight of the others. His last sight was Hecuba and Xenovia slicing the shockwave down the middle to split and miss them completely. He did not get a chance to call out to them. A massive slab of metal came down, sealing Dorian off from the rest of the lobby and trapping him in the new segment of the building which seemed to be a single series of long corridors. Dorian raised Twilight Star high, bringing it down on the wall. The isolated fighter was sent sprawling backwards as if he'd been run over, the force of his own attack returned to him.
"You won't get back out that way," a deep, gnarled voice mocked from nowhere, it was not Freed's.
"Where are you?" He yelled back in frustration.
"Deeper in, come and find me soldier of Asgard. Are you all the mighty Allfather could muster against the theft of their great treasure?"
Dorian channeled lightning from Twilight Star, launching it towards the wall. He barely managed to duck in time as it rebounded back against and again before sputtering out of existence. Whatever the barrier had been made out of, they were quite sturdy and reflected energy. He could escape via the Roads, but without Ratatoskr he couldn't guarantee a guide would be available to show him the way back. For the moment he would play along and try and rendezvous with the others.
"Kokabiel I presume?" He asked if only to keep the voice talking as he followed the dimly lit passageway.
"None other, it is good to know my name is so well known even among such distant shores."
"More like infamous, a fall from grace, losing a war, going against your own people just to start more conflict."
"Ah, but conflict is the backbone of progress," his voice condescendingly remarked. "You were a scholar once were you not? Have you never wondered on the history of war?"
A light snapped to life, drawing Dorian's attention as a display lit up depicting ancient samurai in armor. It seemed to be the earliest exhibit the museum showcased, despite the light fixture; no other part of the room was illuminated.
"Your ancestors were barbarians, regardless of the nation or peoples you fought with sticks, swords and clubs. Yet as you learned to kill each other more efficiently…" A new display showcasing a World War II fighter appeared above him, Dorian realized he must have wandered into one of the larger warehouses. The weapon of war hung over his head menacingly, a relic of past conflict.
"Humanity can improve itself without killing each other," he insisted while continuing to slowly rotate. Subtly he switched the gem on his gauntlet to a gold-lined white.
"Yet even you are such an example," Kokabiel's voice chastised. "An orphan going from country to country in the name of education and cooperation, yet it was only your death and subsequent battles that hardened you into the man who stands before me. Had it not been for me, you would still be a worthless boy studying in class."
Dorian's blood filled with ice at his words biting deep, he spoke as if he knew all about him. It was true that Freed had been the one fighting in the building to cause the fire, had he told him? Why would Dorian have stood out?
"And how do you know so much of me?"
"Because…"
Regardless of his answer, Dorian had been waiting for that last line as the voice was clearly closer. In a flash he raised his hand, releasing the light of Alfheim and bathing the room in its ethereal glow. As he thought, the lord of the fallen angels loomed not six feet from him, Dorian had Twilight Star raised to deliver a swift first strike.
His attack never fell, Dorian stood like a statue as he caught sight of the former leader of the Grigori. He had seen photographs of him in the files, even a description of his wings...but never a full view of him. The monstrous silhouette standing against the blinding light of Alfheim did not stagger or even flinch at the flash. He had been born in the radiance of Heaven after all, such a power was beneath him, yet that was not what held the young Einherjar in place. Rather, it was the realization that for the second time that day he recognized the silhouette before him. The same monstrous winged shape that had stood opposite Freed in that burning building…
"Because, I was the one who started the fight with Freed before we came to an accord. We had similar quarry yet became distracted by one another. I remember your face defending what we had come for. You have only I to thank for your death and subsequent growth."
Elsewhere within the building…
Freed had emerged from the shadows and slashed Xenovia across her arm as soon as the bomb went off. Rather than remaining, he immediately fled down a dark corridor cackling all the way. Frustrated and determined, she had pursued him with Kiba trailing and Irina behind him stressing caution. They were so focused that no one saw the wire she clipped with her ankles.
The explosion was devastating in such a confined space. Xenovia caught the worst of it, losing the grip on her weapon and sliding into the metal wall. She was still smoking from the blast, her blessings and battle suit the only thing preventing serious burns. Regardless, she was not moving.
"Whew," glad I got that one. Freed sneered while standing over Excalibur Destruction blown clear as he took it up. "It can destroy just about anything huh? Let's put that to the test."
Freed raised the sword high, bringing it down to release a shockwave toward the beaten Xenovia, she could barely look up at the attack to say nothing of moving. Before it could impact, Kiba leapt between them, stopping the blast at the cost of his weapons though he was already creating new ones.
"Stay safe," he shouted back before rushing their opponent. She just remained there to recover, captivated at his selfless defense of a former enemy.
Irina spun in close as Kiba dual wielded his demonic blades, with only a single weapon Freed could not stop them both. The mad cleric chose Irina, his Excalibur clashing with hers resulting in a grand explosion between them. He jumped clear from the smoke plume, using it as cover to get some distance. Regardless of his attempts, Hecuba and Kiba were waiting for him. The Olympian was first, scraping her sword down the parry to cut his arm much to his dismay. He flipped over Kiba's attacks and kicked Rias' knight in the face.
"You are all so rude, ganging up on lil 'ol me. You can play with friends of mine!"
A familiar wave revealed he had opened the gate to Fafnir's hoard once again, stepping back behind it as the three advanced. A great shape emerged from within, had they been with him, the team may have recognized it as a giant eerily similar to those faced by Dorian in Jotunheim during his Tafl challenge.
Kiba was undeterred, lunging forward he decapitated the giant and severed an arm, Irina did the same for the other arm while Hecuba rushed Freed. He swung down with Excalibur Destruction, impacting her shield blessed by Olympus with another colossal blast. Somehow the craftsmanship held albeit under great strain, he looked terribly disappointed that it had failed. Behind her, the dismembered giant stood strong, the limbs and even head separated from its body released a cloud of what appeared to be sand, tethering the pieces back to the whole. Over horrific tense moments it was whole and hale once more, red eyes focused on the others.
"Clay and fire don't mix!" Kiba shouted as a new sword constructed itself in his hands. It was a longsword coated with flames at the edges.
The devil was far too fast for the lumbering monster that swung for him and missed, catching Irina instead who misjudged the swing and was sent flying. Kiba brought down his blade, severing the arm once more. This time it did not reform, all that had touched the flames had been warped into glass by the heat to shatter on the ground. He quickly worked to continue dismantling the golem.
Hecuba ducked beneath Freed's swing gracefully bending her back just enough. She dared not clash with him while wielding Xenovia's choice of weapon yet he was not nearly as fast as before without Excalibur Rapidly.
"Yield!" The young woman proclaimed. "Once everyone comes down on you and your master…"
"Ohoho little Ms. Scarlet," Freed fired back. "I think you aren't realizing the gravity of your situation. "Do you honestly think I actually ever closed the portal to my treasure trove?"
Hecuba realized his meaning too late, turning around she looked in horror as another dozen giants emerged from seemingly nowhere. In a matter of seconds Kiba found himself surrounded, maneuvering aptly however he could to stay clear.
"Also," he continued to laugh as he pushed her back. "Did you honestly think I had used up ALL my tricks?"
Hecuba hadn't realized he pushed her back to a corner of the room the battle had not spread into. She barely had time to feel the soft twang as her boot cut a nearby wire laid across the floor. The unprepared Spartan never saw the shimmering explosion that followed…
War History Wing…
"RIDER'S REGALIA!"
Twilight Star clashed against a greatsword made of holy light many times stronger than Forcas' which withstood the blow though he succeeded in causing the Grigori turncoat to slide backwards from the impact. His swordspear was crackling with lightning yet it disappeared into the depths of Kokabiel's weapon without injury.
"Such power for one so young, an impossibility without the war that I brought to your life." The fallen angel seemed ecstatic at the situation.
"Shut up!" Dorian pushed back, his normally calm demeanor shattered at the prospect of fighting one responsible for his death, allowing the emotional anger of the teenager he was to burn through. As expected, where he had easily overwhelmed Forcas with his power, Kokabiel matched him at every turn even with his armor. The light of Alfheim did not faze him, the roots of Jotunheim disintegrated on contact with his body, and when he even thought of using the darkness of Nidavellir to cancel out his holy radiance…
Please don't! Iggy begged from within the confines of his mind. You used it so much in Olympus, I fear you may not return from that dark if used again so soon!
Dorian acquiesced at the pleading in her voice, settling on augmenting his strength and magic along with Rossweisse's magic seals. The two clashed powerfully against one another, just as with Forcas, Kokabiel utilized his wings as blades and Dorian could not stop moving lest he be overwhelmed. Kicking off the ground, all the blackened wings focused upon the young Einherjar as dozens of steel feathers rained from the sky.
The shield unfolded from the bracer at Dorian's wrist, having been replaced since its destruction at Olympus. Most of the projectiles were harmlessly deflected, however a few managed to bury themselves within the aegis, preventing it from retracting. The gem on Dorian's chest rotated magma red and black, a torrent of flame erupted from within, growing larger thanks to Vanaheim's influence. Even Kokabiel looked somewhat worried as it neared, his divine bubble surrounding him barely stopping it. The dark fire had grown much stronger from Dorian's additional training, succeeding in scorching the fringes of a wing though was quickly extinguished.
"The gall," He sneered as if still supremely confident. "I can see why your Allfather and his wife were so interested in claiming you."
"They saved me!" Dorian blasted after him, the Cadre keeping ahead while parrying his blows. "If it weren't for them I would be…"
"Dead? Perhaps that may have been better than to serve. Tis better to rule one's fate than follow another. The strands of destiny fascinate the soul do they not? That my conflict with a future ally would give birth to a new foe." His wings folded, body slamming Dorian who blocked with his bulwark though was thrown backwards from the impact. Javelins of Ice and fire fired from magic seals snuck onto the floor while fighting yet were noticed and deflected harmlessly.
"And you?" Dorian countered. "A traitor to his own people…" That was a mistake as Kokabiel's features warped in rage, raising his hands an immense sphere of light bubbled outward before being launched towards his enemy. Dorian scrambled to avoid it, barely leaping away as it obliterated the wall to the adjoining room.
"Do not compare me to those frauds!" He roared. "Azazel who defiles our kind with his Sacred Gears and sickening talks of peace with lesser beings!" A long pale hand pointed to Dorian's right for emphasis. "Even your mighty Asgard has succumbed to such tactics to remain relevant in a world that no longer cares for you! Without it, you would be a gnat before me…what does that say of your own strength?"
Eerily similar words of Hades echoed in Dorian's mind, calling other myths and religions lesser beings.
"And Baraqiel, polluting our perfection with his half-breed daughter and human wife. It was the Grigori who turned from our people, a mistake I shall correct with the renewed conflict. Michael may have only sent lowly agents to find his precious swords and the decrepit Allfather only fledgling recruits, but two sisters of Satans reside in this city. I highly doubt their siblings would take their…untimely demise so calmly."
Dorian's eyes widened at the reveal of his plans.
"The devils will descend upon this city! Angels as well with the failure of their exorcists for their weapons as well as my own people…even your realms and Olympus will seek retribution for your deaths and what wonderful conflict will ensue from such a clash! One without end!"
"That isn't going to happen! Not if we stop you here!"
"And what can you hope to do…alone?" Kokabiel pointed through the hole leading into the next chamber and what he saw caused Dorian's soul to plummet.
Irina, Xenovia, Kiba and even Hecuba were slumped together in the center of the room surrounded by numerous clay giants, the guardians of Fafnir's hoard. As far as he could tell they were battered, covered in bruises and unmoving. Hecuba still had a death grip on her blade but both Excaliburs were now in the hands of Freed. The insane swordsman was covered in slash wounds from his battle yet seemed to be ignoring the blood and pain.
"NO!" Dorian immediately abandoned his fight with Kokabiel, floating down and checking each of them one after the other. He breathed a sigh of relief as he confirmed they all still lived and were breathing steadily.
"Before this night is done," Kokabiel threatened as he advanced, the giants surrounding the beaten fighters. "Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri will be dead and set off the war to never end, that is my oath."
Dorian's eyes watered with frustration, he was already nearing his limit with his balance breaker. The giants and maybe even Freed he could handle, but all of them and Kokabiel at once…
"I can see why you would have proven troublesome for my Lieutenant Forcas," it seemed he was intent on mocking them further. "Tell me, which god was it who struck him down? Your mighty Thor? Perhaps the Allfather himself?"
The balance breaker dispersed leaving the young man in his Asgardian armor as he looked up into the red eyes floating above him with a grin, confusing the former Grigori.
"Sorry to belittle your great Lieutenant, but his killer was no god, but one of the most amazing Valkyries I've ever known. Though I was the one who beat him into the ground." He had to admit the foregone angel's look of confusion and rage was quite satisfying.
Chaos broke loose as Freed let out a shrill scream; he'd been so focused on Dorian and the others that he missed a red squirrel having finally rendezvoused with the others after being separated drop onto his face from the rafters. Sharp claws tore at his left eye, forcing the artificial Siegfried to drop his weapons, desperately attempting to stop the bleeding and alleviate the pain.
"Hope you got all your shots ya dick!" He jabbed while leaping away to Dorian's shoulder.
"Hang on!" Dorian focused his rage downward, opening a path into the Roads beneath their feet. The blue pool billowed outwards to encompass them all, dropping them within before it sealed shut behind them.
"FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK!" Freed screamed while fumbling with a first aid kit he kept in his coat. "THEY'RE DEAD…ALL DEAD…ESPECIALLY THE HAMSTER!"
"Calm yourself," Kokabiel recomposed himself at the realization their pursuers had all escaped. "They will be in time. Clean up and prepare yourself…I think it's about time we send our ultimatum to the young heiress, it was not an unproductive attack despite their escape...was it?"
"Not at all my lord," the chubby face of Valper Galilei remarked emerging from the shadows. Looking over the battle he saw that both Excalibur Mimic and Destruction were left behind, with the others it made five total in addition to Hrotti. "I believe we have everything we need to begin."
Asgard…
"And this is the most likely reason?" Lady Freyja asked Rossweisse for clarification before the thrones. She and her husband had been woken in the night by Rossweisse who stressed the importance of what she believed had been discovered.
"I can see no other reason for the Excaliburs being targeted specifically," she continued, Thrud and Bennia kneeling behind her in respect. "They were chosen specifically for being a fragmented holy sword. At this time it is the one with the most pieces accounted for save for one of the reconstructed blades that was lost during the war."
"And why would a broken instrument of war be of such great worth?" This was Odin's turn to ask questions.
"Because in such a state the power becomes malleable," the young Valkyrie explained. "Lesser legendary weapons lose the energy upon their destruction, yet those greater retain it within every fragment."
"But Excalibur was reforged."
"Into seven incomplete weapons each retaining a portion of the original, they may have been made into new swords yet were still pieces of a whole. Do you recall the Legendary Runic Blade Gram?"
The deities nodded in unison, her question was only to ensure all information was given as there were few to none who did not know the blade of the original Siegfried. The very same used to slay the dragon Fafnir in the days of old as such an act was required to snap him out of the curse of greed that had claimed even his immortal soul. The dragon king was revived shortly thereafter and while he retained the hoard he had amassed, did not let such greed claim him again up to the day he vanished.
"I remember well sundering the blade myself," Odin recounted of the past days when Siegfried's son had used it in his own conquests. "Long was it shattered before being made whole again…"
"And during that time," Rossweisse could scarcely contain herself. "There are no fewer than three accounts of pieces being used in great battles. The powers are implicitly stated, yet no true mentions of the pieces being made into a full blade like the Excaliburs. It is my hypothesis that it was the shards being fused with other weapons which allowed them to be wielded in such a way.
Freyja raised an eyebrow, betraying her curiosity at the accusation.
"Fragments can be," Rossweisse paused to select her words. "Sheathed over other weapons to meld powers together. It would give lesser swords powers emulating those of the shards…but if they should be grafted to a GREATER weapon…"
"Like Hrotti, or the Lightning Bolt of Zeus," Freyja fully understood where she was heading.
"Their powers, energies, maybe even abilities would be merged and create a weapon potentially the superior of both. "The shattered Excaliburs would grant a significant boost along with their individual skills. Add in Hrotti's access to Fafnir's hoard and the titan-slaying powers of the Lightning Bolt had they succeeded in stealing it…"
"And they would have had a weapon to hunt down any beings they wished, be they mortal, gods or anything in between," Odin gripped his armrest stronger. He was completely serious and focused at how close they had come to being hunted like animals should the Bolt have been taken. "The arrogant little shits," his demeanor reserved for when he was alone or out on the town started to bleed through from his anger.
"And even the Mimir scholars don't know how many Runic Blades are stored in the hoard of Fafnir. They could potentially have a nigh-limitless reserve of weapons to retrieve, shatter and use to augment others."
"A self-making armory of legendary weapons," Freyja deduced. "Enough to outfit an army for combat against whichever realm they wished. We must inform Dorian and Hecuba at once!"
"We haven't been able to reach him; Skilja has been separated and did not know where they were. The connecting lorgnette was not picking up either; either he is separated from them or…"
"Or something has happened," Thrud looked up from behind Rossweisse. "I request permission to head to Midgard at once and assist in the field."
"Me too!" Bennia raised a hand high as if she were answering a question in class. Freyja glanced back to Rossweisse; she didn't have to say a word. Her eyes looking back into hers expectantly told her the same. They wanted to help them however they could.
"And have you…deduced a way of dealing with such a weapon?" Rossweisse could not hide the small hint of pride at her countermeasure developed en route once she knew what to look for. She nodded slightly in confirmation.
Any contact with the Gremory family or Heaven in regards to their agents and requesting if additional aid could be sent would take time. Time they didn't want to waste especially with contact severed. Sending the remainder of the task force could be misconstrued and ruin all they had hoped to achieve. The goddess of life glanced to her husband who was massaging the bridge of his nose,
At last he made a decision, he may have wanted more than anything to return to his clubbing or other personal interests yet he was the chief deity of the Norse people. If nothing else, he knew his responsibilities when push came to shove.
"My Frigga, try all you can to contact the Gremory Matriarch, I shall reach Azazel, send messengers to Heaven in all haste and inform Olympus." The smiles of the three women before him grew wide at his next words. "In the meanwhile, summon Heimdallr and prepare the Bifrost. I can only assume with the loss of communication that our new Einherjar must have misplaced his lorgnette and a new one will need to be provided, I hope you three have no qualms about performing a…resupply run."
You have your moments my love, you have your moments.
Roads Between Realms…
"If you wanted to invite your friends over all you had to do was ask."
Ratatoskr whipped Dorian across the face with his tail, shaking him back to consciousness much as he had at their first meeting. In his haste to open a portal he'd deposited the group a few feet off the ground, the landing had not been graceful. Thankfully, the others were already up, the avatar of Yggdrasil administering some form of healing magic. She was as captivating as ever, her demeanor calm even as she helped an astonished Irina to her feet.
"We must hurry!" Xenovia stressed as she helped pull Kiba up. "The villain is sure to be…"
"You have time to address your woes," Yggdrasil assured her. "Time moves much faster here, rest while you can for it will not last." She moved on to Kiba, ensuring his many bruises were dealt with. Dorian released a familiar warm orb of fire from his Sacred Gear, within moments their stamina and energy had returned.
"So these are your Roads," Hecuba looked around the shimmering blue void of space surrounded by countless branching paths in all directions as she saw it for the first time. "It is incredible…and they even spread to my home?"
Dorian nodded, the oppressive nature of their defeat weighing on him. He almost didn't notice his hands were shaking until a soft hand was placed atop them. Irina looked at him, fully healed of her wounds, as if she could sense his trepidation.
"They…they started the fire," he whispered. "They killed me."
"Then we shall make them pay for their sins," the strong, resolute side of Irina he never saw in England was showing. "Amen."
"We will need help," Kiba stepped forward to Dorian. He stood tall in respect, recognizing how much help the stranger had been as they would all have been dead without him. "My mistress Rias Gremory will surely help now that Kokabiel has emerged with such intentions."
"Do you know where she will be?" He nodded as Dorian checked his pockets, realizing the ivory binoculars were cracked and powerless. He had no way of contacting Asgard without going there himself which would take too long even with the time dilation of the Roads. "Let Rat know, these paths can take us there in record time. We can recuperate en route."
"But…we lost our swords," Irina suddenly lamented. "He will have five Excaliburs now."
"I do not need Excalibur Destruction," Xenovia asserted despite her weaponless state. "Come, knight of Gremory," she motioned for Kiba to provide the directions to Ratatoskr for travel. "I…wished to thank you for protecting me while I could not fight. It was a shameful state to be in."
"It was the least I could do," he replied as assuredly as ever. "You may serve the Church while I am a devil, yet for this venture we are comrades. There was nothing shameful about how you fought."
"Yes…I suppose we are," she looked the blonde man up and down whilst his back was turned. "It will be an honor to fight by one as strong as you."
Irina did not look as sure as Xenovia, she had been trained in swordsmanship by the church and had no other weapons to aid in the war ahead besides lesser charms that would surely be useless against Freed and Kokabiel. Dorian came up with an idea right there on the spot.
"I…am sure they won't mind if you borrow one."
"One wha…" She started before realizing that Dorian had taken a knee.
Scattered around the ground were the dozen Runic Blades swallowed up by the Roads that Freed had used in his first strike after opening the hoard. He selected a thinner longsword as close to a katana in size as he could find. The blade was a dark blue with black and gold designs etched onto the ornate hilt shaped like two dragons facing either direction. He took several swings to make sure it was properly balanced before handing it to the Church agent.
"Ooooo, Dragvandil, good choice," Ratatoskr popped out of nowhere eyeing the sword. "Wielded by a warrior poet ya know. Egill Skallagrímsson, the words and mind of a genius but could never hold his liquor…you know it's bad when a rodent is drinking you under the table. He was almost as good with runes as our Rose."
"B-but that is a pagan weapon," she stressed, poking the weapon's handle as if it would burn her. "It doesn't feel right to…"
"It's just a weapon," Dorian assured her. "It may hail from a different source than the holy swords, but it won't affect your faith. That is part of you and if they try excommunicating you for picking it up they'll have me to deal with. If you are worried, I won't tell a soul, it'll have to be returned to Asgard when this is over anyway."
"We do not have the luxury of choice," Xenovia remarked, picking up a weapon of her own. It was a wide straight broadsword with three blades jutting out at the top glowing purple. The handle looked blazing hot yet was cool to the touch.
"Angurvadal," he advised. "According to the legends, the runes engraved will blaze when drawn for battle, yet cool when at peace."
"With any luck, it will not mind one such as I to hold it."
Irina tenderly accepted her own blade, performing a series of expert slashes to get a feel for it. The sword was a touch heavier than she was used to, but would more than do. Dorian barely noticed Yggdrasil's avatar approach beside him, her expression ever soft and gentle.
"Fare thee well Dorian Held," she bid him. "I sense the trepidation within you, do not let their deeds of ending your old life cause you strife. You are who you are now from that action, yet it does not give them power over you. Use my daughter's strength and that of the realms brought together through us; use them to defend her, yourself…and all those you hold dear."
Dorian stood a little taller as he bowed his head subtly at the neck. Unexpectedly, she stepped forward and wrapped him in a soft hug that reminded him of Freyja's embraces albeit less awkward due to Yggdrasil's more modest bust size.
"Thank you, one way or another…it will end tonight."
"Come on!" Ratatoskr called out from Kiba's shoulder as Xenovia had refused to allow him passage on her own. Thanks to Kiba's delightful smell to the squirrel's his nose, he did not mind too much. "Sunday studies can wait until we kick the ass of that Siegfried wanna be and his feathered-up sugar daddy! Get me close enough and I can rip out the little shits other eye!"
Issei's house…
Issei, Asia and Rias awoke with a start as the pressure of an immensely powerful aura alerted their devil senses. The Gremory heiress had not been aware of their full-day of searching for the Church agents to form an alliance and thus had been hunted down. She and her friend, Sona Sitri, another devil and sister to a Satan, had come across them battling Freed and prevented their pursuit. Sona had taken her pawn Saji away for punishment while Rias did the same for him, the perverted dragon had to put up with a thousand spankings from his master…his ass surely died that day.
Caring for Issei as Rias and Asia did, they both returned to his house and after an evening of trying to gain the young man's attention had turned in for the night. The pressure that awoke them was unlike anything they had felt, a power surpassing that of a high-tier devil. Looking upwards to the moon, they found its source.
"Ah, the young Gremory girl," Kokabiel mocked with his sharp smile, his ten wings unfurled. "I hope I did not interrupt you at an…inopportune moment.
Issei clenched his fists at the insinuation, more out of frustration that it had not been the case. They had started sleeping in the same bed together with Asia occasionally, yet that was all it was.
"I recognize the red hair of your family; it makes me sick how it reminds me of your brother." He spat out every word referring to one of the four Satans ruling Hell.
"And a pleasure to meet such an esteemed former leader of the fallen angels," Rias replied calmly, ever retaining her aura of command and surety. "Indeed, my name is Rias Gremory though I am afraid I have little political sway with my brother. If you are here to discuss such things you are wasting your time."
Kokabiel…that is him? Issei's mind was racing, if what the others said was true the three of them wouldn't stand a chance, his parents could be caught in any crossfire. Yet he remained calm, if nothing else he trusted his President.
"As if I would waste my breath on a Satan like your brother," he laughed. "Though toying with and killing his sister may draw his eye which will work out nicely."
Rias' eyes narrowed threateningly towards him despite the clear power gap, their resolute natures were evenly matched.
"Then what do you want?"
"To let you know your little strike force that came after me has been dealt with. They were quite skilled to be sure, yet made the mistake of facing the bear in his own den."
"Irina...Kiba…" Issei started yet was silenced by a wave of his master's hand.
"I will be destroying your little town starting at your base of operations, your little school. I am sure your brother will take notice of us then won't he?"
"And start the little war you've been slobbering over all this time?" The heiress' words bit deep.
"Precisely!" Kokabiel could barely contain himself. "Your brother, Michael and his angels, my own kind…perhaps even the decrepit Allfather and those on high in Olympus! You have NO IDEA how boring these years of peace have been!"
Rias clicked her tongue as Issei looked on shocked, he recognized the sound to mean she was pissed off. While her pawn was no expert on religions, even he recognized the names and groups being mentioned and imagined how destructive such a confrontation would be.
"You are nothing more than a warmonger."
"As it should be! Azazel and Shemhazai certainly weren't about to start it up and always focused on peace and their experiments with Sacred Gears to 'better' us…rubbish! Your pawn over there has one that might be useful, but only as a tool and not part of our glorious race." The pale-skinned former Grigori sneered at Issei who could feel his body shaking at the immense power before him yet somehow held his ground.
"So you want my Gear too?" He shouted back with determination in his voice.
Kokabiel warped his face and glanced up as if considering the question. "Not in the slightest, though you'd best watch out for Azazel if you survive, he may try nabbing you for his collection."
Azazel? Issei thought he recognized the name from a particular woman named Raynare not long ago. The memory of what she did to him was still fresh in his mind despite her death and brought shakes to his hands. Wasn't he the Governor of the fallen angels or something?
"In any case," he continued his rant, clearly trying to draw action from the sister of a Satan. "Your school will be our battlefield, a place where both you and the Leviathan bitch study. How much demonic energy is seeped into the very ground about that place? Enough to release the full power of the Excaliburs and Hrotti surely."
"You're fucking nuts!" Issei called out, Rias agreed with a single quick nod.
"Five of seven Excaliburs in one place, oh what fun we will have, if only my associate could enjoy it more. He earned a scar from your little friends but will be more than up to face you on our battlefield. The research of Galilei shall finally been used to its fullest extent."
"What do you mean release the power of Excalibur?" Rias demanded, but Kokabiel was through explaining. With a final smug sneer he took off towards the school at great speeds. They had no chance to catch him.
"Issei!" Rias commanded with a spin. "We are going to the school, prepare to…"
The two turned as a strange blue portal burst into life, causing Asia who had been standing nearby frozen to stumble back. The three had been confused but not for long as five forms walked through. Dorian, Kiba, Hecuba, Irina and Xenovia emerged into the young man's room.
"Kiba!" Issei called out as Rias' features softened at the return of her knight. She had been worried deep down that he wouldn't return and become a stray devil. He and his fellow peerage member had not gotten along much prior to becoming a devil, but he embraced him all the same. "What happened?"
"We got our asses kicked," Dorian muttered in a low tone.
"Correction, YOU got your asses kicked," Ratatoskr remarked, leaping to Kiba's shoulder before the Einherjar could round on him. "I took the nutjobs eye! If I was as coo coo as him I could have kept it as a ball and chain."
"Then you have a chance for redemption," Rias popped her hips to the side and leaned a hand on them. "Kokabiel is planning to start a war at the school…we can't let him have his way."
"I am still a knight of Gremory if you will have me," Kiba kneeled before his master once again, head hung low. He didn't notice Xenovia look the knight up and down, impressed that his strength of loyalty matched his sword arm.
"We shall discuss your punishment for running like you did later," Rias' demeanor of a high-class devil never faded despite the smile that quickly followed. "But, it is good to have you back. I'll summon Akeno and Sona; together we may have a chance of stopping him."
"He still holds Hrotti," Dorian stepped up, causing Issei to glare at the newcomer who had defiled his prized move. "I can explain its powers, and our blades are at your disposal as well."
The scarlet-haired devil raised an eyebrow at the young man already donned in his Asgardian armor, grinning back confidently towards him after a moment.
"Well, despite our previous outcome I suppose we can form a temporary alliance for this instance. I hope you bring a better game than before, we won't get another chance at this."
"Issei, what was all tha…"
The door to the room flew open as Mrs. Hyoudou peeked inside. Her eyes went wide and her complexion paled as she realized no fewer than eight people, three of whom were girls in strange foreign attire were just standing around her son's bedroom. In an instant her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she promptly fainted.
Rias sighed heavily, "I suppose we'll have to adjust her memory again." The distraction brought a round of silent chuckles from all save Issei who rushed to ensure his mother was alright. It was a much needed moment of respite from what was happening, the final battle against the General of the rogue fallen angels was about to begin.
The battle long in the making has arrived, Kokabiel lights the sparks of his grand war at Kuoh Academy where he will unleash the power of weapons across two mythologies of Legend. The fledgling task force allies with the Church and devils at last to stand against him. As Always, Read and Review…but most of all Enjoy! :D