Gan315: Thank you so much for the detailed review! :D I am so glad you liked the chapter despite its length and liked the little nods I have to set up events later ;) I sent a full reply on your review via PM
TheCarlosInferno: I try to update every 2-3 weeks time permitting :) Tbh I didn't even think of that when I wrote that part lol, her glass ended up better than Thor's XD
Hollowreaper 93: Well, the first battle starts...not quite at the one he lost his eye at lol but I hope you like it all the same. I'll admit I was never fond of him either, a "Love to hate" character similar to Diodora.
theLawbringer: I never played Warhammer, let me look at...AAAAHHHH MY EYES, THEY BURN! XD Thanks :D I try to build all the fluff around them.
FateBurn: Thanks
fanficcyberman: Moloch showing his age you say...how mysteries *glances left and right* I am doing fantastic and hope the same is true for you! And thank you, in canon the fact Rias was dealing with an OSF protest was a single line from Azazel as to why she couldn't help. I wanted to expand on that not only to have Rias be more proactive than she becomes in canon, but to also tie in to future arcs ;)
OBSERVER01: That is true, in canon we know nothing of Rossweisse's parents but they are alive...I have plans for that eventuality of meeting Dorian in the future hehe.
ITSyndicate: You are so welcome! I hope my update wasn't too long in the wait :D
King0fP0wers: Lol precisely XD I imagine both have had the thought in the past, Dorian almost did the same thing after they first moved into the tower lol. And drunk Rossweisse is funniest Rossweisse, now that she has a boyfriend and love she goes from being a bitter drunk to a giddy one XD You are so right on those 2, it's built up that they have among the strongest Longinus ever...but because they're so young they can't go god-tier fighting lol. I am so glad you like the extension I did for Rias and co. I am with you in how it just seemed like the longer the series went on, the less she could do without Issei. Here I show a bit of what she can do. And not to worry...more Kunou incoming, I hope you enjoy it ;)
Spectrvs: XD My apologies on the shorter chapter lol, I hope the next 4 will make up for it...some are among the longest I've ever done. As usual, I have sent a PM with the full reply to your in-depth review. Thank you again and hope you are doing well too! I've been safe and sound :D
Dagen: Well, we can't have Ragnarok (yet) over Thrud's love life now can we?...I have a feeling you won't be disappointed in the near future ;)
WinterRuneWolf: Who ever said they weren't affected? ;) The Hero Faction can choose who they pull into their little zones and who they don't...sounds like a plan of 'divide and conquer.' I hope my story is a good introduction for you to the later stories after Season 3 ended!
And with that...ONTO THE SHOW!
"Where is everyone?" Issei called out, realizing along with the rest that the other students around them had mysteriously vanished leaving the area ominously empty. Everything looked the same as it had, until a strange purple mist started to roll in, covering the entire area and forcing those caught within it to form up defensively. Kari shielded Kunou as best she could, the young fox girl standing resolute with the rest.
"I-it's just like when Diodora took me!" Asia informed them, her voice slightly trembling with worry at the resurging memories. "The device that he strapped me to, it had this mist!"
"Dimension Lost?" Kiba recalled what had created the domain where the ill-fated Rating Game had taken place. He tried to touch the mist, his hand failing to pass through it forming a barrier around them. "A Longinus Gear."
The one who kidnapped Asia for that bastard? Issei's anger flared at the news. Whoever the wielder is, I'm going to punch his face in!
"Everyone! Are you okay?" Azazel called out, landing not far from them with his full twelve wings extended. "Thank goodness, when you disappeared, I feared the worst, it seems we were pulled forcefully into this place." He glanced around cautiously while taking in their surroundings. "To think they were actually able to recreate the entire area. I guess they didn't want too many guests, our Crossroad friends were not invited."
"Just like how they made that Rating Field?" Issei spoke up, confirming what Asia had informed them moments ago.
"Right you are," Azazel was proud they weren't totally in the dark. "This is why Longinus are so dangerous, able to pull myself as well as most of Ms. Gremory's team in with nary a warning or chance to stop it. I'd bet good money he could have dragged every student in here if they had half a mind to."
"A mist," Kunou trembled a bit, only Kari's hand keeping her calm.
"Just as father described before he…" Kari's hand shook with rage, drawing her blade as she prepared for whatever was waiting within the miasma. She dared not say what she and Kunou both suspected.
On the day Yasaka's husband and his entourage were killed, there was a thick mist reported which delayed reinforcements. At the time it was theorized to be mist from the Black Tortoise or steam from the Vermillion Bird, she pondered what had drawn them to blame the Shinto Clan's Sacred Beasts now feeling uneasy at another possibility.
"Pleased to meet you," a new voice called out from the other side of the bridge. "Especially the Red Dragon Emperor and Governor-General of the Grigori. Thank you for accepting our humble invitation."
A dark-haired man who couldn't have been more than a few years older than the students wearing a standard Japanese school uniform approached. Wrapped around his clothes was a robe unique to ancient Chinese attire. Issei's mind scrambled, remembering seeing photos of similar wear from a teacher fascinated by the culture as a kid. Hefted over his shoulder was a dazzling spear, its very presence sending a painful shiver down the spines of all the devils there. It was clearly a powerful holy tool. Two others flanked him on either side, men wearing similar uniforms, though the second was overlaid with a priestly robe bringing back unwanted memories of one who wore a similar coat.
"Humans one and all I see," Azazel called out in a purposefully mocking tone. "So, you are the infamous Hero Faction? Some friends of ours ran into allies of yours but I don't believe we've been introduced."
"My name is Cao Cao, descendent of Cao Mengde recorded in the illustrious records of the Three Kingdoms."
"The Three Kingdoms?" There was no one there who did not know the story. Issei may have fallen asleep more than once when learning of it, but the stories of the Han period of ancient China was required classes.
"Everyone, don't let that spear touch you!" Azazel shouted loud enough so that all could hear. "I didn't think I'd see it again in my life but that is the True Longinus, the weapon that pierced the son of God from which all Longinus are named."
"THAT is the True Spear?" Catherine muttered with a shaky voice. Before being excommunicated she had a full education within the Church. Tales of the weapon had been fanciful stories for the boys to share claiming they would one day hold. Asia clearly recognized it as well.
"We are in the presence of the Lord's blood," she performed a gesture of the cross despite her devil-status. "The mightiest holy weapon among Heaven and Earth," she knew full well that every Holy Sword in existence and even the hybrid ones created by Kiba were useless before such a power. They stood before something with roots to the very beginning of Christianity itself.
"Don't look at it for too long!" Azazel warned, speaking from experience during his time among the servants of Heaven. "Many a faithful man and woman have gazed upon them for too long and gone mad. The fact that it has fallen into their hands is…more than disconcerting."
"Speaking of Monsters, Leonardo I leave the devils and youkai to you."
The smaller boy beside Cao Cao with darker skin and blueish-grey hair stepped forward. Based on his appearance he was quite young, possibly even Bennia and Koneko's age. With a subtle nod of understanding he held his hands forward. A cascade of darkness beneath him rippled out in all directions like a wave towards the team encompassing the bridge and beyond until the entire dimensional faux of Togetsukyou was engulfed in it.
Issei quickly drew Ascalon, summoning his Balance Breaker armor as shapes began to rise from the pools beneath their feet. Kiba and Catherine stood back to back with Kari standing guard over Asia and Kunou, eyes widening at what they faced. Monsters in the tens, then dozens then hundreds arose around them vaguely in the same shape of humans but clearly were anything but. They stood upright with black skin glistening like hardened leather, stocky powerful limbs denoting the strength of the beasts. Sharp claws extended from each finger and fangs gnashed around them. Within the confines of Dimensional Lost, they now covered the bridge billowing through the streets in all directions, the group utterly surrounded.
"Dimension Lost, the True Longinus and now Annihilation Maker?" Azazel's veiled frustration was palpable. "Just how many goddamned Sacred Gears have you been hoarding?" Cao Cao laughed in response, clearly taking in the sense of superiority at the hopelessly outnumbered students.
"Humans are stronger than you supernaturally born beings can comprehend. Indeed, Leonardo carries a very powerful one. Not quite the threat of my own, but no less destructive."
I hate not knowing these things! Issei gritted his teeth, trying to comprehend as much of what was being said as he could. They mentioned Longinus Gears before, but to face three in one day? They are becoming a real pain, if these are the guys who kidnapped that hot fox mother, I am going to beat them down no matter the cost!"
"Issei, this is different from Shalba or Diodora," he warned those among them with Sacred Gears. "Your gears maybe powerful, but these are among the thirteen confirmed Longinus. The Grigori has the most information on such gears and even own a few, but some were lost in the war. Annihilation Maker in particular can create an infinite number of demonic monsters by sheer willpower. With time and skill, the user can create whatever type he wishes no matter how large, combined with Dimension Lost, which can cover entire countries. Imagine if he wanted to transfer everyone within it into the Dimensional Gap."
Issei swallowed hard while Kiba and the others looked on horrified. The Dimensional Gap was deadly to all life and would kill anything without protection within seconds. Hearing that an opponent stood before them who could teleport all of Japan inside it given enough growth was terrifying, even more so with the thought of how easily they themselves had just been pulled within. His own Boosted Gear, despite all he had accomplished, felt almost childlike in comparison.
"And you put such users as us under surveillance do you not?" Cao Cao called down mockingly. "You see if we can be pawns in your games and conflicts, if not, we are disposed of to hope the next randomly chosen is more malleable. Such a reason alone would give humans cause to fight you; how many children have died for such a reason? And how many have you manipulated the minds of to keep your secret?"
Issei froze and Azazel saw it. The vision of a dark-haired woman laughing at him claiming to bring about his death under her lord's orders, Azazel's orders.
"Issei, don't list…"
"I died because of that, didn't I?" He muttered under his breath to his teacher whom he'd grown so close to in the recent months. "Raynare thought that is what you wanted, that I was too weak to use the Boosted Gear safely."
"Issei," Azazel started, his voice sounding truly remorseful. "She was nuts, and that's a fact, I told you the fall from Heaven affected her mind I was just too blind to see it. I never gave the order, nor would I have. You were a kid, not some Hero Faction whack job bent on bringing down everyone around them. You were only dangerous if your gear had awakened. Ironically, Raynare took a bigger gamble killing you than just leaving you to live out your life as an ordinary human. The Longinus started as tools in God's plan, but over the years have been getting stronger, an evolution perhaps or a bug in the system getting bigger like the Balance Breaker. I theorized that because of you and Dorian, your gears are different, undergoing changes and greater power than seen before. The Boosted Gear's abilities have only grown and Laerad Ragnarok never existed before Seventeen Years ago as far as I can tell. All he needs is a bit more time and power, and I have no doubt his little lady would be considered a Longinus as well if she isn't already."
"We would have approached you in time," Cao Cao asserted while enjoying the discord slowly growing between them. "That is until you were reincarnated as an evil devil. You are no longer human and unworthy to stand in our presence. Though that does assist with being rid of you."
With a snap of his fingers, Leonardo commanded his monsters, revealing a flash of light from their mouths rocketing towards the stationary Red Dragon Emperor. Issei raised Ascalon, deflecting the blow at the last possible moment which left a searing wound on his arm as it passed by. The replica of the shop they had just been eating at exploded into a thousand pieces scattering wood and debris over the area.
"Past foes we researched did not take you seriously, believing you a non-threat. We know better, Red Dragon Emperor. Your power, while tied to a worthless host, is legendary for its ability to make even gods tremble. We will crush you with all our might, only you and the Fallen Angel are any true threats."
"Anti-monsters?" Azazel realized what the creations were from the attack. "I guess your current user doesn't have quite the imagination yet or our alliance would be drowning in beasties." Leonardo gave a spiteful pout at the jab of his abilities compared to past wielders. "That explains why you haven't moved yet, building up your repertoire for the big war to come?"
"Anti-monsters?" Kunou repeated in a trance behind them. Such creatures were monsters created with specific powers to use against the various supernatural races. The blast just used had been of holy light but surely, they had others in reserve against fallen angels, dragons…and youkai. "YOU, BOY!"
Cao Cao turned to her voice looking more surprised than intimidated as the young fox girl stepped forward, anger in her eyes as a thought entered her mind.
"The little princess," he bowed politely. "Of course, if you have ANY questions, I'd be more than happy to answer them."
"You are the one who took my mother?!"
"Indeed, that much is obvious, we need her for a little experiment. Our benefactor's wish was VERY insistent and your mother's unique power over Ley Lines is required."
Benefactor? Ophis you mean, who else could it be with her controlling the Brigade?
"You took my mother," she asserted again. "But these monsters, this isn't the first time you've unleashed them in Kyoto, is it!?"
"My lady…" Kari only then started to realize what she was implying.
"Clever little fox."
"Huh?" Leonardo asked with an aloof tone without a shred of emotion. "You mean that old dog we butchered before?"
"Old…dog?"
"Now now Leonardo," Cao Cao tutted. "They weren't supposed to know that part." There was an absolute silence as the information was processed by Kunou, the young woman's entire body trembling as the emotions flooded her she had been restraining. The memory of her father's funeral thrown to the forefront of her mine, his body lying in the casket.
"You…YOU BASTARDS!" Fangs erupted from Kunou's mouth as her rage peaked. The ones who had taken her mother now revealed as those who had killed her father, fostering a misguided anger for the Shinto Clan and Suzaku within her. Tears glistened as orbs of fire larger than any she had ever produced emerged in each hand, launching them furiously towards the opponents across the way. "You won't take her too! Give her back, give her back to me NOW!"
Her fury paused a moment as her attacks were effortlessly deflected by Cao Cao, his spear cutting through the fireballs with ease. Refusing to be stopped, she hurled her follow-up attacks towards the oncoming monsters, incinerating the first wave. Several fired a strange magenta beam towards her cut aside by Kiba and Kari, the latter wincing as the attack struck her blade.
"Energy directed against youkai specifically?" She shook with restrained rage knowing these men had killed Kunou's father and her own. "Is that why you have stayed in the shadows with these assassins? To collect data?"
"That we have," Cao Cao bragged further as if the thought of defeat was a foreign concept. "Olympus, Asgard, Kyoto, Heaven, Hell, we have our agents across each and more. We may have lost our Olympian infiltrators, but we still recovered their data, nonetheless. Your lady's good father gave us such a good fight that we had all the information we needed against his people."
"And that's the best you got?" Azazel mocked in retaliation, only then causing Cao Cao's grin to turn. "That attack was mid-level at best, a true wielder of Annihilation Maker could threaten Gods. Yours is still a young punk. Based on your current outlook, if you could start killing gods, they'd be dropping left and right by now. In that case," he formed a grand spear of light in his hands, signaling that battle was all but inevitable. "Do as the young princess says and return the Lady Yasaka. It would be very hard to convince them of our little alliance if she were to die."
Everyone else dropped into their stances ready for the impending battle. The Gremory family and youkai were clearly tense, watching for the slightest movement of their opponents. In an unsettling contrast, each member of the Hero Faction stood stoic leaving it ambiguous if they weren't taking them seriously or had stone-like composure.
They're looking down on us, they will regret that!
"Do not look at me so, Red Dragon Emperor. We shall give you and all your ilk the death you deserve, to be slain by the power of humanity. Too long has the supernatural trampled us underfoot. You devils shall be first, then the youkai princess. Once you are all dead, we'll pull in your Nordic friends to follow in your footsteps."
"ISSEI! CATCH!"
Issei spun, grabbing the hilt of a sword that Kiba had fashioned and thrown to him. To his joy, it was one of his Demonic swords created specifically to devour light-based attacks. Already, the devil knight was handing them out to the others, each now armed with a weapon to counter the attacks of the anti-monsters.
"KILL THEM!" At his leader's command, Leonardo held his hands out, ordering his creations to advance from all directions. Beams of light and dark streaked across the field raining down upon the defenders.
Catherine replaced her short sword with one of Kiba's light-devouring blades, using it as a makeshift shield to protect against the worst of their barrage. The Gremory knights moved in tandem, dancing aside one another as they cut through the first waves. The monsters were numerous, but not powerful individually. A single cut from Catherine's holy blades or Kiba's demonic ones was sufficient to destroy them. The rays of light were deflected one after another, reducing buildings to rubble around them.
"Good thing this is just a copy," Azazel playfully teased his opponent as he and Cao Cao squared off. "The repair cost for this battle would be ridiculous otherwise. If you want to slay a god, I'll happily be your stand-in." His Fafnir-powered Sacred Gear armor formed around him in a dazzling display of golden light, his twelve wings now covered in matching plates.
"So be it, come then Fallen Angel of the Bible!" Cao Cao's Spear reverberated as the blade seemed to grow releasing a shockwave felt by all. The devils among them staggered, covering their ears as hymns played in their minds. Noses bled from all save the formerly devout, it was without a doubt a holy weapon beyond compare.
The Katsura River shook as ripples disturbed the surface with each strike. Azazel had formed, the strongest spear of light he was capable of. Somehow, it allowed him to parry and counter the blows of the True Longinus. Each clash sent torrents of water to crash in all directions as if a tornado had struck forming a perpetual rainfall over the battlefield.
"Protect each other!" He called out as the duel with his foe swept him downstream. As subtly as his personality would allow, the Grigori leader purposefully led Cao Cao away from the others. He could possibly survive a blow from the spear but knew if any of the others were caught in between it would be a death sentence.
"Will do!" Issei called out determined to protect his friends. Their team was split without the ones who hadn't joined the school trip, but they could make do. Kiba and Catherine were holding the frontlines while Kari defended Kunou and Asia who healed the injuries from the attacks that made it through.
Think Issei, think! What would the President do? She always had a knack for strategy, we need a new battle line. If I'm going to have my own peerage someday, I need to think! Maybe…
"Ddraig, can we merge Kiba's sword with Ascalon?"
[Done, I can use its light-devouring powers for a time but don't leave it that way too long.]
Issei inserted both weapons back into his Sacred Gear, drawing the Dragonic Holy Blade alone, the hilt shifted into a new form mimicking Kiba's power. Blasts of holy energy from the anti-monsters now disappeared within the blade, even the pommel had gained its properties. As long as the Red Dragon Emperor kept the sword raised, they could not harm him.
"Dragon resilience to both light and dark, consider alternatives," Leonardo muttered, adjusting the powers of the monsters, even mid-battle. Azazel had been correct in his assessment of the boy's powers, however despite being young, he was one of the most naturally promising of all whom had held Annihilation Maker in the previous centuries.
"The monsters in the front are mostly using light," Issei noticed from his vantage point and formulated a quick idea that felt out of place for us usual battle tactics. "Kari, could you give us a hand? Kiba, Cat, can you keep an eye on Asia and Kunou?"
"Kari, help them," Kunou commanded, her guard turning with wide eyes of surprise. "That's an order, they will keep me safe. I trust them. You are not weak to light."
"Very well," Kari reached up to her face, removing the mask which had obscured her visage ever since the students met her. "Please do not be afraid Ms. Argento."
Asia gasped but did not fear as her red eyes stared back, along with six more scattered around her forehead and brow. The tailored kimono made for combat fell away as four long hairy legs emerged from within having been obscured within her very flesh. Rows of fangs now filled her mouth, sword disappearing within her skin only to emerge at the end of each limb, her appendages becoming blades all their own.
"She's a Jorogumo?" Issei blurted out as he channeled a Dragon Shot through Ascalon. With a slash of his weapon, the blast was fired like a wave, eradicating dozens of monsters. He had a fear of Jorogumo when he was a boy, that the spider demons would seek him in the night, a jest his father chuckled at years later. The fear had long since fallen away but seeing one of their kind before his eyes was no less unsettling.
"Keep the mistress safe, these ones are MINE!" She roared, her voice raspier and more terrifying as she leapt towards a group of monsters approaching from the river. Strings erupted from pores on her body, cocooning them with a shell not even their strength could pierce. Once secured, the youkai bodyguard used them as projectiles and weapons to crush their fellow horde troops. She was in no worry of running out of volunteers as her claws tore through their dark bodies.
Well, we have offense and defense lines now. Kari is going all out, Kiba and Cat are guarding the others and hitting back where they can, teach is taking on their big guns, that leaves me to do some damage!
"Asia! Promote me to Bishop!"
"You got it!" The young woman held out the badge provided by Rias, bathing Issei in a green glow as he obtained attributes of the Bishop pieces, those suited most towards proficiency in magic, Issei's weakest trait. He was more than fast enough to keep ahead of their attacks, what he needed was the extra reserves to keep up his flurry of magic attacks merged with Ascalon's power.
BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST!
"Let's go!" Issei roared with confidence as he took off, practically disappearing from the naked eye.
Explosions signaled his location as monsters were destroyed by each swing of Ascalon, his time training with Kiba and Dorian not wasted. Crescent-shaped waves of power from his new move, dubbed the Dragon Shot Slash, tore through the ranks of anti-monsters, the two remaining members of the Hero Faction effortlessly dodging each wave ever analyzing their configuration. The ranks of foes continued to advance despite the damage done, Annihilation Maker replacing all lost seemingly without end as the minutes dragged on.
That kid must be the weakness, Issei thought his time watching the President rubbing off on his strategic thinking. He's making these things faster than we can kill them, Asia can heal us up from all hits no problem, but she has her limits. When are we going to reach his? Those two are just watching, is this all just a big test?
Issei rocketed towards the boy Leonardo controlling the monsters, intent on taking him out to stop the endless tide. Before he could connect, a sword intercepted Ascalon, knocking him to the side.
"As long as Leonardo keeps this up, we need not do anything," the stoic man mocked. To Issei, he almost looked like Kiba except for his paler complexion and white-blonde hair. "We won't be careless against a Red Dragon Emperor, even one with as little natural talent as you. Your aptitude for power won't save you here. That aspect causes others to underestimate you, we will not be so foolish. That very lack of obsession with your might makes you more…tempered than past iterations of your kind."
Geez, I normally like praise but not coming from terrorists! Who is this guy? He looks like Kiba. And what is that sword he used? It parried Ascalon without a problem, it's not normal!
"But you are doing better than we thought. We should shake things up, perhaps severing your allies among the youkai?"
"What?" The nearest anti-monsters turned their heads, dozens of beams of the magenta energy targeting youkai physiology took aim directly at Kunou and Asia's location. "You cowardly asshole!" Issei fired multiple slashes, deflecting most of the beams. Despite his best efforts, several got through rocketing for the young women, Kari and the two swordsmen too far to help.
"NO!" Kunou screamed as she raised her hands in a fruitless defense. Even her best attack could not deflect such a volley.
"And here we come to save the day!"
A blue void opened between the women and oncoming projectiles as Ratatoskr's announcement rang through the air, a wheel of youkai magic known as kasha rolled through the opening to shatter many of the remaining attacks. The last beam was parried by a familiar teal-crystal blade stepping through.
"See boss, I told ya a little something like a dimensional barrier was nothing to Iggy!"
"Kuroka! Make sure everyone is topped off, protect the rear and non-combatants," Dorian called out as the ancient squirrel did cheers from his shoulder with fans he had somehow procured. "Hecuba, take Xenovia and Irina to reinforce the front and tank those light attacks. Focus as much as you can to make for the Hero Faction agents in the back! If anyone is wounded, withdraw back through the opening!" He left the pathway to the Roads open albeit minimized to lower the chance of a stray shot traveling within. "Let no one through! Is everyone okay?"
"Y-yea," Issei answered with Kunou nodding in agreement. "These bastards wanted to split us up, let's show them a thing or two!"
That will keep them safe, Dorian mused. Rossweisse is sleeping off her drink in the Roads and the offensive line has backup. And as for me…
Twilight Star crackled open, the Einherjar raising it into the sky to call the Olympian lightning down upon the immediate area, clearing it of monsters, though more poured through to fill their ranks. As before, the Hero Faction members, both the two in the front and mysterious silhouettes in the distance remained unmoved by the display.
"So, the shining beacon of the North has come to play?" The Hero Faction swordsman turned to face Dorian. "Then introductions are in order, my name is Sig, descendent of the hero Siegfried for whom my team also call me. I heard you dealt with the blades of my ancestor; I suppose some thanks are needed for that."
"Siegfried? As in…?"
"Freed," Issei finished the sentence with a growl, the resemblance to the insane clone now beyond question.
"He's another of the gifted Exorcists!" Irina called out from the back. "Xenovia and I heard of him in training! They called him Demonic Emperor Sig; he must have been in the same experiments that created Freed."
"How many of these bastards did they grow?" Issei growled as Dorian stared down the legendary swordsman.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" He grinned with a smug expression wholly different from his deceased brother's madness. "I don't see why you are so upset, even with my leaving, Xenovia's defection to the Norse and Irina's reassignment, the Church has plenty of strong fighters and still does quite well. Besides," he glanced down at the impressive blade in his hand clearly more than a normal holy blade. "Gram has been temperamental of late; I must know why, and the Brigade was the perfect opportunity to research."
"Gram?" Dorian stared at the sword, the reason for such an odd sensation from it being revealed. "The weapon that killed Fafnir? But that is a Nordic Rune Sword, how is it using devil power?"
"The Khaos Brigade has quite the collection of forbidden knowledge. I don't see why you are so surprised, you yourself wield an Olympian Blade of Asgardian forging not to mention that little trick Valper did mixing the Excaliburs and Hrotti."
He knows about Twilight Star and the Excalibur incident to that degree? Just how much have they learned about all of us?
"You can all challenge me if you like," his confidence never faltered. "But you will never defeat our army, Leonardo can create them with virtually no loss in stamina. How do you intend to defeat a city of foes?"
"This entire place is just a copy, right?" Dorian asked subtly, not fully knowing the abilities of Dimension Lost. "What happens here has no impact on the real world?"
"That's right, in here no one can save you."
"Oh, thank goodness," Dorian sighed at his answer with a gentle chuckle. "That means there won't be any collateral damage. Ms. Suzaku, you are clear!"
Not even Leonardo's emotionless expression or Siegfried's smug surety of victory could prepare them for what happened next. The portal to the Roads Dorian had left open ballooned to enormous proportions heralding the arrival of a giant bird. The avian creature was colossal, majestic, and covered, no, made of fire itself. Its wingspan encompassed the area lighting up the sky as if it were the crack of dawn. Behind it, the Himejima Clan Head walked through full of grace and elegance.
"Ara ara, how long has it been since he had a chance to stretch his wings." She looked up, directing her Sacred Beast, the Vermillion Bird, forward. "Do try not to hit us or that admirable Fallen Angel down the way. The rest is yours!"
"MOVE!" Siegfried called out as the Bird's molten wings lit up, immense meteors of fire and lava dripping from each like a runny faucet. In the blink of an eye, hundreds of fireballs rained down over the area beneath the soaring bird.
It was like a fireworks display turned to deadly proportions. The Sacred Beast, one of the five worshipped by the Shinto Clans, performed akin to a heavy bomber laying waste to the area outside the border it had deemed necessary to protect its allies. The anti-monsters were swept aside, their attacks completely ineffectual against a creature that surpassed an Ultimate-Class Devil. The fiery rainfall decimated the army even faster than Leonardo could keep up, pushing him and his creations back leaving only Siegfried and the shadowy Hero Faction members standing.
"It seems that our battle is to come sooner than expected," he remarked almost cheerfully as he rushed Dorian, Gram held forth to battle.
He didn't get the chance as Kiba intercepted the blow cutting off Dorian from the attack pressing against the immense power of the Nordic-Devil Sword.
"Oh? The Gremory knight wishes to play?" He raised an eyebrow, the two looking far too similar so close together. "Gram seems to sing for a chance to face you, all the more that those mass-produced Holy-Demonic swords could survive contact with it. Shall we dance?"
Kiba swung with god-like speed, his opponent somehow answering in kind forcing Dorian to leap back lest he be caught in the exchange unprepared. Their clashes were chaotic, each moving at their limits of speed, the clang of their weapons too slow to keep up with their movements. From an outside view, one untrained in swordsmanship may think both were performing admirably, however to Dorian's eyes it was painfully obvious.
Kiba was losing.
A stern expression had creased upon the young man's brow. No matter what he tried, no matter the feints, counterstrikes, maneuvers or head on clashes, nothing he did could phase his opponent. Siegfried, through years of practice against the worst the supernatural world had to offer, was familiar with such styles to the point he could accurately predict his movements. As a result, he was using much less movement than his devil opponent, retaining much of his stamina while Kiba slowly whittled down his own. A Balance Breaker was losing to a human.
"How disappointing, will you even make me use my Sacred Gear?"
Kiba gasped as he missed a feint of Siegfried's in his frustration, a blade closing in on his throat. Only Catherine's quick intervention prevented his death, her twin swords holding off Gram at great effort nearly forcing her to her knees.
"I…I know him," she groaned. "Back when I was a saint, he escorted me to the Vatican. The others claimed he and Arthur Pendragon were equally renowned! I won't let him harm you!"
"Ah, the fallen saint," he looked at her remembering her face from the years past. "You grew up since last we met."
"Arthur from Vali's team?" Issei couldn't believe his ears, this Hero Faction member was that strong?
"Oh, this simply won't do," Siegfried chastised his foes. "This was supposed to be an honorable single duel. Of course, if you all believe otherwise, I suppose I must oblige. Are you so weak you need to rely on this woman to help you?"
Kiba's scowled at the insult to his skill yet a smirk broke through, upsetting Siegfried's intent.
"An invaluable friend taught me long ago there is no shame in relying on those I trust," he answered calmly as Xenovia, Irina and Hecuba lined up alongside he and Catherine.
"We will handle him," Kiba assured the three Sword Sisters of the Crossroads. "Find the one creating this fog, he will need to be dealt with if we are to escape.
Holy, Devil and Olympian swords were raised in opposition. Dorian could not have been happier, seeing such a display of their alliance in front of his eyes as he cleared out another group of monsters aiming for Leonardo.
"Call off your monsters!" Dorian commanded as he landed in front of the young man who scrambled for an exit he would not give. "Right n-"
The Einherjar rolled to the side as a new combatant dropped down on top of him, missing his colossal form before it shattered the pavement beneath their feet. Drawing Twilight Star, he whirled about to face him, eyes widening as he realized his identity.
"Heracles!" The traitor to Olympus he hadn't seen since the battle among the gods stood before him again. They'd never had a chance to finish the score of the giant beating him senseless while paralyzed by Despoina's sneak attack. He still remembered his eyes staring down at him while he couldn't move.
This cretin, the fact I ever worked with him turns my stomach…well, it would if I still had one.
"Heh, looks like the runt is back," he mocked as he dropped into a combat stance. "I'm surprised you can still walk straight after the beating I gave you last time."
"Oh, how terrifying you were, only attacking after I couldn't move," Dorian fired back sarcastically, his determination peaking. "Or are you so pathetic that you can't even win your own fights? Thrud mentioned something about needing Amazons to do your job for you." The look of rage on Heracles' face made it all worth it.
"I will find that woman and beat her to death after I show her your broken corpse!"
Heracles lunged forward; fist extended. Dorian did not try to move, his Balance Breaker already shimmered to life. As the first wielding a demigod's might hurtled towards him, he reached out and caught it mid swing. As the traitorous Olympian had done against Thrud, his Sacred Gear activated causing an explosion at the point of impact. The blast engulfed the pair, his sneer of victory unwavering.
"She didn't have a counter for this, that bitch actually kept wailing on me again and again no matter how much I burned her. She…"
Heracles' smug confidence shook as he realized Dorian was unfazed from the blast beyond a minor scuff mark, a hand far stronger than he remembered closing around his fist tight. Dorian's eyes were covered by the helmet of his gear but there was no mistaking the rage and pure anger focused on the man before him. Memories of the burn marks along Thrud's body and arms after the battle swirled in Dorian's mind, the same that caused her to wear long-sleeve clothing for days after. He could never forget, filling him with a fury as if he'd harmed Rossweisse herself, the recollections made him want to rip Heracles' arms off.
"I've gotten stronger since we last met, and I've fought bigger fish you son of a bitch," with that he swung upward, cracking Heracles upside the jaw with a shattering boom lifting him off his feet. Following up with a spin, he extended Twilight Star's haft, catching him in the gut and blasting him across the field into a nearby building collapsing it on top of him.
With a moment to breathe, Dorian surveyed the area. To his horror, Siegfried was not only withstanding Catherine and Kiba's assault, but he was pushing them back. The newest knight nursed a bleeding wound on her arm while Kiba had replaced one of his weapons, the first's shards scattered broken across the ground. They were all moving at such speed that afterimages were being produced yet the Demonic Emperor of the Hero Faction kept up. It was clear how he held such advantage as another Sword of Nordic origin was drawn in his offhand.
"Balmung," Dorian muttered recognizing it from his old Valkyrie classes. A blade in no way inferior to Durandal itself. Just how many such weapons did he have? He worried at what else he hid beneath his coat, the shape of other swords protruding from it unused. Dorian resolved to finish his fight quickly and help. At the rate things were going, those two wouldn't last long enough for the others to find and deal with Dimension Lost's owner.
As Heracles extricated himself from the collapsed shop, he leapt back at the return of Azazel. The Fallen Angel landed just in front of Issei who was protecting Kunou and Asia from a fresh wave of monsters emerging from the river. In a true display of his powers, all the area downstream and where he had fought with the Hero Faction leader was utterly destroyed. Even the flow of water seemed to have been diverted by their destruction.
"Glad you could make it," he remarked to Dorian. His golden armor was cracked in places and at least two of his wings were broke and bleeding. "I got him as good as he gave me. That spear is as dangerous as it ever was."
Cao Cao had returned as well, taking up position and preventing Heracles from moving forward. He glanced back at the wall of muscle clearly upset he had joined the battle. His clothing was similarly tattered, and a wound ran blood down his face. His stoic demeanor was unshaken, the leader cracking his neck before speaking.
"The Gremory family and Crossroad Alliance. We had expected to kill you both one by one with little effort, yet it seems you have fared quite well. The legendary power of the Red Dragon Emperor and now this unknown Gear Laerad Ragnarok from Asgard. You breached the veil of Dimension Lost so easily," he looked Dorian square in the eye. "Able to bypass all barriers and borders without effort, that is a truly dangerous gift. To think someone other than the Grigori Leader and Red Dragon could be a threat here."
"Surrender now," Suzaku stepped forward from the rear. She had been directing the Vermillion Bird which now had left all of Arashiyama in flames and was turning back towards them. "I doubt your little spear will protect you from the fire." Her tone had become quite terrifying, all around could see the resemblance to her cousin Akeno.
"Suzaku Himejima, leader of the Himejima Clan and owner of the fabled Vermillion Bird," Cao Cao spoke with complete understanding of the foes arrayed against him. "I had hoped our attack on the youkai last year would have you at each other's throats," Kunou moved forward, restrained only by Kari against attacking him again. "It matters little, you are of no consequence."
A series of orbs appeared out of nowhere surrounding Cao Cao glowing bright. Only Azazel recognized the thrum of energy and what it meant.
"He's activating a Balance Breaker!"
A pulse ebbed from one sphere in Suzaku's direction, passing through her seemingly without effect. The reaction was obvious within a matter of seconds as the flames in her hands were snuffed out unceremoniously. To the team's dismay, the Vermillion Bird screeched loudly in the distance. The once radiant being's flames started to burn low, the wings folding in on itself before disappearing entirely back to the realm from whence it came. Their ultimate trump card was gone.
"What…what is this?" She demanded, extending her arms again and again in an attempt to reproduce the flames to no effect.
"Women are powerless before me," Cao Cao explained. "This is my Balance Breaker, or one of them at least. I can seal the powers of women for a time. You are no longer a threat."
"What kind of sexist bullshit is this?" Ratatoskr demanded, emerging from his hiding place. "Cheating prick, I call hax!"
So that's how he kidnapped Yasaka? Is there a limit to who he can seal? If it was infinite, he would just lock the powers of every woman here. Dorian gripped his own weapon tighter.
"Just what are you hoping to accomplish with this?" Azazel asked perplexed. "If you serve Ophis, then the Dimensional Gap is no doubt your goal. Why are you going down such a path of war?"
"Why, to test ourselves," he answered in complete honesty. "In every legend, tale and myth it is humans who slay the monster. Humans who defeat the supernatural and we want to be those humans, we who will free our kind from the threat of you."
"You are no heroes!" Hecuba cried out louder than the rest. "Kill every supernatural being on this planet, but go about it like this, you will be the monsters here regardless what you call yourself."
"Hecuba, it is regrettable you refused Perseus' offer. I don't know what you said to him, but he chose to retire after returning. He earned it for his service, but it just shows how incredible a member of our ranks you would have been. Would you change your mind at this time?"
"Never, I will show what it means to be a hero…even to you." She turned to the others beside him and shouted loudly like the former leader of the Spartans of Olympus. "Your status as humans doesn't make you heroes by divine providence! It is your actions, how you choose to use your gifts that warrant such a title. Does that mean nothing to you?"
None answered, her words falling on deaf ears as the depth of their devotion to Cao Cao sunk in.
"A pity and shame to see such a traitor to their own kind," Hecuba's face was locked on Cao Cao, no one else distracting her ire.
"Good grief, you are worse than the Old Satan Faction," Azazel groaned. "They were absolute nutbars, but they didn't have an arsenal to hunt gods. It's no wonder Vali switched sides if you types were his allies."
"That is the appeal of the Khaos Brigade, working independently from the less than savory divisions. They will all fall to the strength of humanity in time, until then we will use their resources as needed." He suddenly glanced towards Suzaku and Kunou. "Hmmm, slaying one of the Shinto Clan Leaders AND the current youkai princess, that cannot be passed up."
Tilting his spear downward, he fired a radiant burst of light that blinded those with devil blood and forced all others to glance away. A spiraling beam of holy light on par with Azazel's strongest spears hurtled towards the two women and Asia.
Without her powers, Suzaku can't survive that, and neither Kunou nor Asia ever could!
Issei rocketed towards them far too slowly, Azazel deflected the tail of the beam, but the front continued its course unabated while shifting course avoiding further attempts of its targets to evade.
NO! Dorian screamed, getting between them standing over Kunou to shield her utterly. Sensing the power before him, the Einherjar realized he could not hope to stop a blast from the True Longinus and had no time to don his Olympian Balance Breaker. If both sides lose a leader it will bring about the very chaos they are looking for! If only I had more power I could…fuck it.
Dorian slammed his hands into the ground in prayer imitating Suzaku's motions at each shrine he had seen. The bridge was not a place of worship, but the music Iggy could hear was still there in the back of his mind like a forgotten dream. Time seemed to slow as he focused, his thoughts moving faster and faster looking for options. If the music was truly the Ley Lines, perhaps that meant it ran through there even as a copy of the real area.
Iggy, please, whatever you can get! Midgardsormr! We had a pact; ALL YOU CAN GIVE ME!
{So greedy} The dragon speaking from the Roads boomed. {But a deal is a deal and I rest peacefully, try not to die.}
I…I can feel it Dorian, it's not enough but I can sense more.
YOU TOUCH OUR POWER YET DO NOT FOLLOW OUR WAYS OF PURIFICATION OR ONENESS WITH NATURE. The same voice he heard the previous day at the shrine thundered. DO WHAT YOU WILL NOW, BUT JUDGEMENT MUST BE RENDERED. SPEAK TO US ERE THE NEXT SUN RISES. IF THIS IS NOT DONE, NO OTHERS SHALL HARNESS OUR GIFT. HEED OUR WORDS!
Well that can't be good.
Dorian felt a surge of power surpassing any he had felt before, a light pulsing up his legs from the ground below. Time resumed as he planted his feet, the gems across his Sacred Gear glowing brighter than ever turning him into a prism of energy.
"BIFROST BARRAGE!" He roared as the rainbow beam fired from his chest augmented by cannons made of vines emerging from his torso, instantly intercepting the holy light aimed at Suzaku and Kunou. The beams clashed for a moment, just a moment vying for superiority. Were his attack any weaker even by a little, it would have lost and dispersed uselessly. Instead, the multi-colored light engulfed the gold, driving both into the river to explode in a dazzling display that ruined what was left of the area, the rainfall from the uprooted water settling an uneasy silence over the area.
"Did you just…?" Cao Cao started to ask before he targeted the spear once again preparing for a second shot.
No! I can't do that again, if he fires once more…"
The Hero Faction leader was interrupted as a large magic circle danced into being knocking him off balance and drawing their attention. Inside was etched a crest most did not recognize, only Kuroka did as she smiled knowing who was coming.
"See," the first newcomer through the unexpected portal bragged looking like a young girl of European descent. She was quite cute with blonde hair, dressed up in a robe and hat that were unmistakably those of a mage. All the same, the skirt was shorter, and her blue hat and flowing cloak were most certainly not standard issue. "I told you that an inverted seal adjusted for the EXACT coordinates mixed with some time-space magic was all that was needed to break through. You were worried for nothing."
"I vas vorried for EVERYTHING! You vere NOT zertain ov zat Mistress Le Vay," her ally, the second one summoned through, chastised acting as if he'd been scared half to death. "One mere discepanzy and ve vould have been blown to kingdom come if not further!"
"And that is why you'll miss out on so much if you don't take a risk! It had at LEAST a 65% chance of success." She turned towards the group, bowing politely like the new student in a class. "Hello everyone, Kuroka you are looking well!"
"Le Fay," Kuroka nodded with a cheeky smile. "Flashy entrance as ever."
"KUROKA! I wanted to do full introductions!" She pouted a bit before clearing her throat. "My name is Le Fay Pendragon of the Vali team; it is a real pleasure!"
"Le Fay? Pendragon? As in both King Arthur and Morgana Le Fay?"
"Arthur's little sis," Kuroka explained. "Isn't she the cutest, dunno who her friend is though."
"Volody?" Dorian recognized the Russian mage from his second trip to Olympus. The feathered mantle was ruffled, and his hair disheveled from the blast, but it was unmistakably him.
"Yea, it'z me," he called down as the Hero Faction looked confused at the newcomers. "Olympuz waz good to me. I gave them all I knew of the Brigade in exchange for freedom, I am done with zem. Though with Mistress Le Vay I might have stayed in prison. Percelos zends his regard."
"Hey, it's that guy," only Irina recognized him as she stopped to turn recalling their brief meeting. Seeing her eyes lock with his, he gave an awkward smile and wave. In her distraction, she did not see a magician, the wielder of Dimension Lost in the distance, summon a seal of magic launching a barrage towards the angel.
"Ah ah ah," Volody raised his gnarled staff, a condensed shockwave blast erupting from the shining jewel at the end to intercept the projectiles of light at the last moment with a smile. "It'z quite rude to vire upon a lady while her back iz turned. Show zome class."
"Th-thank you," Irina blushed a little at the surprisingly suave reply and timely save. It still amazed her how one carried the name Baba Yaga could be so attractive, the fairy tales of the women of his family telling a different story.
"Um…um," Le Fay drifted down to Dorian and Issei, her demeanor suddenly turning timid and shy. "I saw the pilot episode of your show and…COULD I HAVE YOUR AUTOGRAPHS!?" She suddenly screamed the last part, holding a pen and paper out to the two confused men. "I am such a fan! The dichotomy between the Oppai Dragon and High King is Shakespearean! Who does your script writing?"
"You've gotta be kidding me." Volody facepalmed at her request. "Iv you could stop fangirling for two minutes…"
He was too late, Dorian and Issei had already awkwardly accepted the paper, handing back the signed documents. Le Fay's eyes were sparkling brighter than stars, only after safely storing the priceless items away did she return to a focused expression, turning to Cao Cao.
"Is Vali getting involved here as well? There are so many more distractions than expected," the Hero Faction leader glared at the girl still unshaken.
"Just a message for now," her enthusiasm and cheer were undeterred by his lack thereof. She cleared her throat and deepened her voice as if imitating the Dragon Emperor. "I thought I told you never to disturb me, to leave us be and we do the same. That's it," her voice softened back to normal at the end. "And some payback for trying to get your little friend data on us the other week."
The collected teammates stumbled as the bridge shook, a rumbling coming from the very Earth itself shaking loose what little rubble was still standing. Kari had to swoop back to her post, using the multiple arms to prevent Asia, Kunou and Suzaku from falling over, the tremors growing stronger and stronger as what caused them drew nearer. With a surge of power, what remained of the river split open, the fissure draining all that remained of the water within the dimensional construct. From within the crevasse, a mighty creature rose towering over Cao Cao, the students and bridge itself glaring down at the lone human.
"WHAT THE FUCK NOW?" Ratatoskr blurted out with reckless abandon. The being looked to be made of stone or rock only far sturdier having taken no damage from its arrival. It was formed in the shape of a human with bulging arms and legs looking almost musculature in appearance.
To think, a toy of my people has re-emerged. How serendipitous. Dorian shook his ear, almost thinking he heard someone.
"Gogmagog!" Azazel yelled, recognizing it much to Le Fay and Volody's pride.
"Indeed, zis is one of ze strongest of our little band."
"Gogz-kun," Le Fay announced proudly, bringing her companions hand to his own forehead with a resounding smack once more at the cute nickname that did not fit such a brutish being.
"Toy soldiers to your little scary Old God friend," Azazel explained while referring to Dorian. "Ancient gods created legions of them in the Dimensional Gap. Every single one we've found so far was deactivated; I wonder how they got this one working. I have so many questions, maybe if I take it apart and put it back together…"
"Don't you DARE touch Gogz-kun!" Le Fay looked as if she may strike the teacher right then and there as she clutched the automaton like an oversized teddy bear.
"So, it's a golem?" Issei simplified for the rest, eyeing Azazel worried for the fascinated gleam in his eyes at a working one. He reminded him of a kid being given the pick of all the candy he could hold. It was in line with his fascination with Sacred Gears and other ancient constructs.
"He found this in the Dimensional Gap while spying on Great Red?" The Grigori Leader somehow recomposed himself.
"Thanks to Ophis," Le Fay confirmed. "As a reward for our past service she guided him right to it, hope she doesn't mind using it against her this way. And you'll love this next part!"
Slowly raising its arm, the golem brought a fist down hard on the spot where Cao Cao stood. The bridge shattered, killing every monster on it and forcing both teams to scatter. Heracles was the last to withdraw, but even he would not stand alone against it, falling back beside Leonardo leaving only Cao Cao upon the precipice.
"Then our enemies are both Dragon Emperors? Perfect!" The True Longinus glimmered brightly as he laughed, aiming squarely at the new golem.
"Ah zhit!" Volody grabbed Le Fay, pulling her off the construct to safety a moment before the power of the Sacred Gear was unleashed.
The same blast which had nearly killed Suzaku and Kunou earlier struck the golem clean in the chest. The armor and stone cracked, bits flying apart as the colossal being fell back into the now-empty river. The impact sent a tremor across the land affecting everyone still on their feet. Despite the impressive entrance, Gogmagog was down for the count from the look of it. Already, the Hero Faction was gathering on the opposite side prepared to strike.
"Form up!" Azazel tried to reorganize the scattered children. "It's not over yet!"
"Kiba! Cat!" Issei made sure his friends were alright before checking on Asia, she stood ready to heal any who needed it. "Let's get ready!"
"Frontline fighters first!" Dorian fell back into the role of reforming their lines, he had hardly noticed how much more comfortable he'd become with it since his first time organizing the defense at the ice rink. "Ms. Suzaku, if your powers are still gone please fall back to Asia. Kuroka, without Bennia you'll need to hold down the rear guard and…"
"Yher all too loud…hic"
"Huh?" Dorian turned at the voice he knew better than all behind him. To his horror, Rossweisse was stumbling out of the Road's portal he had left open. Her steps were uneven, suit disheveled and hair messy from having been lying on it awkwardly since passing out. "Ross…weisse?"
"I SHAID YU WERE DOO LOUD!" She screamed again, now becoming the center of attention to both friend and foe. Even the Hero Faction were uncertain what to make of her. "Whatsh with that luuk?" She seemed to take insult at Cao Cao's raised eyebrow of confusion. "You wana fight aboud id?"
"Rose," Dorian whispered, trying to get her to calm down. He worried in her current state she was in no condition to fight "It's okay, just step back while we…"
"DORINA!" She gripped him in a powerful hug, rubbing her face tenderly against his with the biggest smile the others had ever seen. "Weye are you hiding back thsere? You don't havesh to hide from me, not anymoore. I wash just thiking of yhou."
A beam of light from a stray monster across the bridge came out of nowhere towards the couple. Despite her intoxicated state, a magic seal burst to life deflecting it from them into the riverbank. Dorian's blood turned to ice as he saw the absolutely infuriated expression of Rossweisse turn towards the source, her joints snapping unnaturally loudly.
"YOU!" She screamed, half pushing Dorian into the nearby wall without realizing her own strength. "The noishes were YOU! I wash tryig to get some sleep…and I was having sucsh a good dream too. Dorin and I were about to…about to…AND YOU RHUINED IT!"
"EVERYBODY RUN FOR THE HILLS!" Ratatoskr screamed in tandem as magic circles beyond counting appeared all around her cascading into the sky. She was tapping into every variant of every design of every seal she had in her repertoire. In her current state she couldn't even feel the strain it put on her body.
"No fairenesh, no mercy, TASSSTE MY POWER BEYOND ALL THAT EXHISTS!"
Light, dark, gravity, ice, fire, Earth, ethereal and every other power of every type imaginable erupted from Rossweisse approaching the Hero Faction. No matter what angle they were fired at, they altered course aiming straight for them. All was obscured as every remaining scrap of rubble, debris or building was utterly reduced to dust, the resulting plume of smoke stretching high into the sky. The young Valkyrie's allies barely withdrew scrambling back to their side of the bridge before suffering the same fate.
"She can do that?" Kunou called out shocked and amazed at the raw display of magical power.
"She's pretty incredible," Dorian remarked with a goofy smile, letting himself take pride that someone as talented as her was dating him.
The rain of destruction persisted for almost a solid minute before finally dying down. Her energy spent, Rossweisse drunkenly toppled back over into Dorian's waiting arms, a final grin of satisfaction crossing her lips as she started to snore loudly.
"Whew, she's a keeper alright," Ratatoskr patted her on the head. "Make sure you never cheat on her boss; she'll blow off your bal…!"
Across the bridge as the dust settled, a mist receded around the completely unharmed Hero Faction. To their dismay, the power of Dimension Lost had deflected every projectile fired, powered by a young man in a mage robe and feathered cap it was seemingly impregnable. As it moved, the shielding mist covered the men once again like a cocoon.
"To think so many would interfere, and breach Dimension Lost in one day?" Cao Cao sighed. "This was fun, but too time consuming, we must get back to our experiment. If you can find us, please participate…until later."
The mist enclosed around them, a wave of the same miasma rising over the team like an approaching wave. Everyone raised their hands to shield themselves before being consumed and losing track of everything.
"Where'd they go, come back and…!" Dorian started before realizing the sun was back. In a quick flash, he dematerialized his weapons and armor, they had returned home.
The class was across the intact bridge looking around at the sights, Le Fay, Volody and their golem had vanished. Fortunately, all the damage done was restricted to the dimensional copy leaving the real world untouched Based on the other student's position and lack of worry, it appeared that only a few minutes had passed at most. Their own disappearances hadn't even been noticed. One by one, everyone put away their weapons and armor, the only out of place appearance being Rossweisse asleep in Dorian's arms.
"Geez, someone is getting bold," Matsuda scowled at the sight. "Better watch those hands or Mr. Knight in Shining armor might get upset," it took Dorian a moment to realize they were referring to the mysterious individual who had given her the promise ring. He felt it best not to say a word.
The mood as they continued was heavy. Gone were the jubilant carefree eyes of students on a school trip. They had nearly died, could have died if the Hero Faction had anything to say about it. Hecuba was fuming, trembling at having seen Cao Cao with her own eyes and his uncaring nature to what he was doing was without a doubt. The others were checking for injuries as Kari tended to a scuff on Kunou's face caused from a near miss.
"I'm FINE!" She shouted almost loud enough for others to hear as she slapped her guard's hand away. She couldn't recompose herself as quickly as the others, no girl her age could have. Tears welled in her eyes she couldn't stop, her mouth trembling as she tried to hold them back in front of everyone.
"Kunou, please don't cry." Dorian tried to think of something to say as he knelt. She had just learned that her father's killers were who also held her mother, there was no chance she was okay. "I know what you are feeling, a bit. My parents aren't around anymore; I couldn't save them but Yasaka is still alive, he confirmed it. I'm sorry for what happened to your dad but…if there is ANY chance in the slightest, we'll get your mom back, I swear. Our people may be so different, but there those little similarities that bring us together."
Her proper outward appearance crumbled as the young fox girl fell into his chest crying. Her tears kept flowing onto his shirt and wouldn't stop. The pair were relatively hidden behind a shop, but Kari made sure no one else saw her mistress in such a state. Dorian was barely able to ease Rossweisse to the ground at his side before Kunou impacted him, holding onto both he and the sleeping teacher for support. It was clear she had been withholding it all day even during their tours.
"M-mother didn't do anything," she wept openly, Dorian's only recourse to soothingly pat her head and fox ears, gently wrapping her in a reassuring embrace. "Father too, why…why are they doing this?"
They are working for Ophis, but what could they need Yasaka for? Ophis wants into the Gap, but she can enter on her own anytime. She is looking for a way to get Great Red out to fill his place. Maybe…
"You heard them," Suzaku appeared having evaded Kari. Kunou was so beside herself she didn't even react to her presence, she didn't care. "You heard the voice of the gods. More than that, you tapped into a Ley Line and used the energy even if but a little. You, with no training who is no youkai nor Shinto. What did they say?"
"They said," Dorian strove to recall their words. "That a judgement is to be done? Apparently, I need to speak with them before tomorrow morning. If not, they threatened to prevent anyone new from harnessing their gift, the Ley Lines…"
Our heroes survive their first encounter with the faction claiming that status in Kyoto but the battle is not done. Retreating to an unknown location, the Crossroads and their allies must track them down before their nefarious plans are complete. In the meanwhile, Dorian must begin preparations to meet with the Shinto gods and discover their judgement in his usage of their ancient power. Until then, I hope everyone stays safe, Reads and Reviews but most of all Enjoys! :D