TheLycan2026: I get that being so slow with this virus, hope you are staying safe! I am glad my story could bring such a smile lol
Rebell 01: One is coming up, lots to fight when Diodora springs his plan ;)
Hollowreaper 93: Yea, Diodora is the kind of villain you just want to see have a REALLY bad end. Not quite yet, but I hope what happens this chapter is satisfying for now.
deathwing17: The goddess of death secretly a dork beneath lol, you never know in the DxD world :D Thank you, I hope you're staying safe too :)
reality deviant: Don't worry, Diodora is Issei's foe. I always felt those 2 had a special synergy as enemies and I wouldn't want to interfere with that. Dorian will be sure to help knock him down a few pegs though.
King0fP0wers: You too! And thank you very much!
Fish on Land: Thank you for the kind words :) Mental battles are always tricky to balance between the believable and ridiculous. I am glad I got it right.
CaedmonCousland: I get that, don't worry I won't do that too often but the development with Despoina and Iggy was perfect for that setting. Actually, that mention of Vidar and Fenrir was a nod to canon where they said Fenrir feared Vidar which I found odd as Vidar was not in the top 10 while Fenrir was. My theory was he fought him before he was full strength. Ragnarok is a name in DxD but no specific prophecies like in real life, so who knows what could lead to it ;) And I agree, there is just something that makes you want truly despicable groups like Diodora's to just be crushed, I am glad you liked my explanation as to how they learned Diodora's plans. In canon they just knew which I thought was a little anti-climactic. You stay safe and thank you again for such an in-depth review :D
Roseisbest: Love your name btw lol. It's great to meet another Norse Mythology fan, I agree we know so little of it in DxD. Before Volume 25 Rossweisse and Odin were basically all we met from that group so there was a lot of freedom to add. I totally agree with Rossweisse's standing lol, she was portrayed as so mature, smart and focused when first introduced. I'll admit I wasn't a fan of how they simplified her in Vol. 17 to add her to the harem, but when first shown was such a good character. Nothing against the others of course. Oh wow, I don't know what to say for such kind words, I am red from ear to ear lol. I will continue to do my best and hope to never disappoint ;)
Anonymous: Well, it won't happen this chapter yet, but Diodora's fate will be changed. I hope you enjoy it when it comes and the absolute smackdown coming the Old Satan Faction's way lol.
OBSERVER01: Yep, Loki is bested for the time being...time to go after the devil who set his sights on Asia, Rose and Thrud.
giovvaniauditore: Thank you very much! I've always believed the best stories are those laid out far in advance so that points, hints and foreshadowing can be paid off later (fun fact, Dorian's grey eyes were even made to be a nod to Rossweisse being the one he loves lol). You saw that mention? Lol, yep. Indeed I do have a plan for an Egyptian arc to occur after Kyoto leading into the start of the Trihexa mystery. I hope you like it when I get that far :D
fanficcyberman: Lots of fighting for them lol, at least he gets a few hours sleep before the Rating Game. Thank you again for the review and kind words, you stay safe as well!
KurokamiTendou: Thank you.
naruto: You stay safe too :) Exactly, the traitorous Astaroth is next ;) I am so glad you enjoyed the chapter as I felt it was almost the end of an era finally besting Loki who'd been lurking in the shadows since the start.
FateBurn: Thanks!
kpop1392as: Lol, Bennia got him good, she's never reaped a soul that big. Thank you, I agree it has a nice feel to it when you find a way around a deal rather than just ignoring or breaking it. Plus Hela still gets a friend to watch her movies so it works out for her.
Slayer Cross: Exactly, a glimpse of the potential future if he maintains his path to gaining more power to protect those he loves and bring the myths of the world together. Pretty much, Despoina will be a voice and able to see/interact with him in his mind. I have contemplated if she can hijack Iggy's materializing but no set plans yet. Sorry, praying won't help Diodora at this point lol. You stay safe and healthy too :D
God of war: Awww, that is so sweet. I'll have to have art made of her sometimes so you can see her :)
WinterRuneWolf: I hope you like the conclusion of this arc...though for Thrud's feelings I will warn you must wait 1 arc more. No spoilers...but Kyoto will be a biggie ;)
ahsoei: He was a persistent foe lol, at least his daughter is his jailer for the time being.
Critias204: You are so welcome! It means a lot that you loved it so much to read through it all so quickly :) Hmmm, that is an interesting question. I plan an...update to the Hero Faction later. Who knows, Gilgamesh's descendant could make an appearance ;)
DJDrake: Waaay ahead of you lol, been listening to their old and new stuff for quite some time. Brothers of Metal are SO good at what they do :D Your guess is close. I mean, after Diodora they'll have to celebrate that win AND the defeat of Loki after all... :D
And with that...ONTO THE SHOW!
"So, this is the combat area?" Kiba asked as the Gremory team materialized within the appointed Rating Game. "This is not what was decided."
The surrounding region, unlike the King of the Hill contest that had been decided, looked more akin to the natural state of the Dimensional Gap with few adjustments. Spiked mountain ranges of a rock-type not found elsewhere surrounded them preventing escape, a magenta-hued sky greeting them ominously. Far in the distance, an imposing fortress not dissimilar from the Agares family's floating island loomed overhead.
Diodora should have started at the same point as us, Rias mused noticing they were alone. Has the location been moved without us knowing?
"No word from the referee," she finally spoke remaining calm before her servants and friends once certain an announcement to begin should have been received.
"Maybe something happened?" Gasper asked nervously while glancing in all directions, Issei and the others doing the same as the feeling of trepidation only grew. They did not need to wait long for their answer.
"On your guard!" Rias shouted as dozens of magic circles appeared dotting the landscape. "Those aren't the crests of Diodora!"
Akeno's lightning crackled to life as Rias' aura grew. Koneko's tail and ears popped out from her skirt and hair as Honda took up a defensive stance between them. Covering their flanks, Kiba drew his demonic holy sword, Issei alongside them calling for his Boosted Gear. Only Rias and Akeno recognized the seals, but those that emerged made their allegiance obvious.
"The Old Satan Faction," the Gremory heiress confirmed at last. Hundreds of devils emerged utterly surrounding them adorned in dark armor and horned masks obscuring their faces invoking the image of their cruel forebearers. Each of them was no weaker than Mid rank or higher.
"This day ends the pretender house of Gremory," one towards the front announced with his magically enhanced voice. "Your line dies here as is earned for your transgressions while the next will begin."
"As if we'll let something like that happe…scatter!"
A magic crest had appeared beneath the team glowing from green to yellow and shifting to orange. Rias immediately recognize the power building to an apex, her command coming just in time as the trap exploded moments after the others had heeded the warning.
"That bastard, where is…ASIA!?"
High above, the Astaroth heir known as Diodora drifted lazily with hands outstretched. Within them held unceremoniously upside down without a care for her modesty was Asia having been claimed as she leapt clear of the blast. Her body was surrounded by a strange aura pacifying her despite the humiliating way he carried her. Issei's eyes burned with anger, the collected opposing peerage members and hordes of devils all that prevented him from charging Diodora head on.
"I'll be taking Asia Argento from here," he announced with absolute certainty. "It took a bit longer than expected but not entirely unpleasant."
"Explain yourself!" Rias commanded in a voice showing her station as the next heiress to the Gremory family despite the odds against her. "If you back down now we may spare your life!"
"Oh my, how bold," he replied with a pompous grin. "The explanation is that you are all about to be murdered by these fine gentlemen of the Old Satan Faction. Asia will be coming with me, we have so much quality time to make up while she's been lounging in your little club. I'll put her to MUCH better use in my family."
"You besmirch that word!" Rias countered, hoping it would hold Issei from doing something rash as his rage only peaked each new moment. "Not only have you allied with the Khaos Brigade, but you use them to defile this game, games created by your own brother! You are the worst and death is the only punishment suitable! And for touching Asia…"
"I'll touch her as much as I like from my little castle over there," he grinned wider at Issei's eyes widening with those words. "And as for family, don't talk to me of that sniveling excuse for a Satan. My brother is no better than you Gremorys fraternizing with foreign powers and treating your servants as if their place isn't beneath your feet. He underestimated me like all the rest, thinking I wasn't learning the little secrets to his system. I may not have been able to act as subtle as before, but this field has been moved from any aid and sealed by the old Satans themselves. No one is coming to save you. I'll be sure to ask Asia to regale me with how much greater I am than you Red Dragon Emperor!"
"YOU BASTARD!" Issei roared as Ascalon emerged from his gear shining bright constantly infused with more power. Issei extended his devil wings and took flight blade in hand.
BOOST!
"I'll cut your damn wings off you little…!"
"Ta ta," Diodora waved mockingly as he dematerialized Asia in hand along with his peerage. In a flash he was gone, Issei's attack passing through where he had been to cut empty air.
"Dammit!" Issei growled as he held back tears of frustration. "I promised to protect her after Raynare, but now…again!"
"Issei! Get ahold of yourself!" Kiba laid a stern hand on his shoulder to shake his friend back to his senses. "We must deal with these enemies first; we'll rescue Asia as soon as we break through!"
"Right," the young Red Dragon staggered back to his feet. "We'll take out all these bastards then that prick is next!"
They say that, Rias thought with a sigh as the hundreds of devils turned their attacks and weapons toward them. But with this many, how can Akeno and I hope to defend the rest long enough to go on the offensive?
"Kill them all!" The lead devil commanded as the sky turned into a blaze of red. A blast from each of their numbers soared towards the few defenders left below, each one bracing for the barrage to come.
An Azure ripple unfolded between the Old Satan Faction and Gremory team in the middle of the group, the first wave of attacks disappearing harmlessly inside. The teenagers were unharmed, an uncertain silence spreading between them and devil troops alike. None said a word until a loud voice shattered it with a resounding command.
"STOP BLOWING HOLES IN MY HOUSE YOU LITTLE SHITS! Show them what if feels like!"
Lights beyond counting returned through the portal to the Roads to impact the Old Satan soldiers forcing them into defensive positions and driving them back. Odin was the first to emerge alongside an armor-clad Dorian holding Twilight Star to the heavens. Behind them, Modi, Ragnar and Ygritte led a force of Einherjar, giants, Valkyries and other assorted warriors through. The members of the Crossroads who were not tending to wounds from Loki covered their flanks erecting a barrier curtain to protect them from the return fire. The turnabout was so chaotic none caught Odin ogling Akeno, hand reaching towards her skirt.
"Allfather," Dorian muttered softly as he alone saw his intent. "Please don't make me summon Lady Freyja, we JUST got here."
"Spoil sport, all combat needs some balance, you'll learn that in due time."
"Odin?" Rias called out in surprise.
"Goldie?" Issei wasn't sure whether to be upset or ecstatic at their sudden arrival. "What are you two doing here?"
"We recently caught wind of Diodora making deals with certain individuals behind everyone's back," Odin explained. "It was the perfect opportunity to lure them all in and crush them in a single blow!"
"The Crossroads have chosen to be your escorts," Dorian bowed his head slightly while glancing at the attackers from the rear not yet engaged by their reinforcements. "Did you have an idea how to draw their focus?"
"Just a one, follow my lead son," the older deity straightened while holding his arms out wide and an overjoyed grin on his face. "HEAR ME! I am Odin, Allfather of the Norse gods! And this is my wife's former ward who has now twice over bested a god of our own ranks! Kill us and your name will be remembered through the ages!"
They have no idea; Dorian could not help but grin as a hundred foes turned towards them firing while completely ignoring the Gremory Team.
"I believe the first volley is yours."
"Yes!" Dorian shouted, raising Twilight Star high.
The beam crackled, catching the first wave of advancing devils in a wide arc. They fell from the skies but did not deter those behind, the prospect of slaying a legend such as Odin beyond their ability to resist.
"You spared them? You are still so naïve. At least the rest will have a well-deserved death. COME FORTH…GUNGNIR!"
Wheels of water encircled the Allfather forming a portal at his wide. Without even glancing towards it he reached inside, withdrawing the only weapon among the Norse which may grant Mjolnir pause. Dorian recognized the spear from its last use annihilating the forces at Olympus, a feat he would be repeating again. The team was forced to glance away as the shining blast ignited making Dorian's appear tame in comparison. In an instant the majority of those enemies on their rear frank ceased to exist only then those remaining finally began to question their decision.
"I'll cover your withdrawal," Odin announced proudly happy to stretch his limbs again. "That young pup Azazel was very insistent on making sure you all made it out alive."
"But we can't just leave you here old timer," Issei looked worried, not knowing exactly who he was speaking to. "We can…" He was silenced by a playful blow to the back of the head from the butt-end of Gungnir. Odin could only tut the young man as he rubbed the pain away.
"A little snot who hasn't yet seen two decades is a thousand years too young to be worrying about a warrior such as I! Mr. Held, I believe this is where your team can take over."
"Of course," Dorian stepped forward to those of the Crossroads who had come through with them. Bennia along with the Valkyrie trio had remained behind to lick their wounds but the rest were well enough for a fight he was more than happy to oblige. "Rossweisse, Kuroka, provide what support you can to our troops and nuke anything as the openings allow it. Hecuba take Irina and Xenovia to protect the Gremory Team's retreat at the flanks. Seekvaira, can you coordinate your peerage and house's soldiers with the rest? And Thrud…"
The golden warrior's eyes lit up as his order fell upon her. It was hard to hide but she quite liked the sudden commanding tone he had adopted for the battle. Given more practice she wondered what he'd look like at the head of a true column.
"You are our hammer, cover us from the air. Blast a path clear or crush whatever enemy lines you see buckling."
"You know how to show a girl a good time," she could not help but gush before taking off. "We can compare notches afterward!"
"Thrud..." he smirked as the teams broke towards their respective goals. With the battle lines drawn, the team started running towards a zone cleared of foes further into the Rating Game Field. "Lady Gremory, I can open a new portal once we are a safe distance…"
"We aren't leaving."
"Please do as he says," a familiar voice reached their ears. The raven Skilja fluttered onto Dorian's shoulder with violet eyes staring back. "This is going to get nasty before it gets better."
"Mr. Azazel?" Issei called out to his self-proclaimed mentor. "You're here too?"
"And Sirzechs, even Serafall. Your field wasn't the only places attacked by the Brigade. The VIP boxes, audience stands, everywhere are facing similar forces. Fortunately, we were well-prepared on every front. Devils and angels are defending the bystanders, Serafall is going all out protecting her sister while Olympians and Norse are covering the field and surrounding barrier. Considering the levels that had been infiltrated by spies I didn't want to risk warning your team when we discovered this a few hours ago, my apologies."
"But what if something had happened to us?" Gasper asked hesitantly.
"Mr. Held may have given us the information that led to this joint operation, but I was the strategist. I would take full responsibility for your anger or that of your families if anything had happened. I was prepared for this."
You were willing to die? Dorian didn't know what to think of the Azazel he thought he knew.
"So please just lay low until we mop the floor with these guys. They came in ridiculous numbers, fortunately ours were the more ridiculous. Got all the big guns, even Sairaorg is around here somewhere."
"We can't do that!" Issei blurted out without waiting for Rias. "Diodora kidnapped Asia before you guys arrived!"
"What?" Dorian and Azazel shouted in unison.
"We can't just sit this out and leave it to you!" Issei started sounding more like the Red Dragon Emperor he was meant to be. "We have to save her, to keep her safe! I promised her and so far, have done a shit job at it!"
"We WILL save her," Rias announced. "Diodora took a member of my house, he will die this day."
"I guess I would have expected nothing less, are you happy with your change of marching orders?" Azazel referred to Dorian with the final remark.
"We were tasked to escort the Gremory Peerage and that is what we'll do. It's just a change between where we are escorting them to." He glanced up at the castle looming in the distance where the traitorous devil had withdrawn to remembering the innocent expression of Asia. "Modi's force will keep anyone from escaping the castle…let's go knock."
"Excellent," he concluded before the eye color faded from Skilja. "In that case we have already removed any limiters that had been in place for the game. Rampage to your hearts content."
VIP Seating…
"Kat-chan, I don't care if it's you…NO ONE hurts my beloved sister!"
Serafall Leviathan rose above the VIP stands set to watch the upcoming Rating Game. Just as the Gremory and Astaroth teams had vanished upon being teleported to the field a swarm of Old Satan Faction troops arrived to take their place. As expected of her superb little sister, Sona had organized her peerage into a defense team protecting the other civilians trapped in the crossfire. She performed admirably befitting her station, that is until a blast had vaporized her section of the seating. She would surely have died were it not for Serafall's intervention, looking up to who had projected the attack.
"Always in the way," the former Leviathan heir glared her down as Sona retreated with her peerage to assist elsewhere. "Asmodeus knew what you were really up to and now he's dead."
"For the childhood we shared, stand down please," the Satan pleaded even as both powered up in preparation for the confrontation. "Did it mean nothing? Our rivalry with Gabriel, all the lessons we learned watching Magical Girl Milky together, the cosplays…"
"Don't bring that up!" The co-leader of the Old Satan Faction's face turned beet red as the memories flooded back. "We were children then! That…is long gone."
"Where is Shalba?" A deep voice asked beside Serafall as Sirzechs floated down. For a moment, Katerea looked worried.
"He has his part to play, I have mine. This would have been simpler if that fool of a Lucifer joined us but that traitor can burn for all I care. Am I to face both of you?"
"Please, let me," Serafall begged to her fellow Satan. "I have to try."
"Very well," the current Lucifer nodded with an understanding gaze. He knew that if Ajuka were in Katerea's position he would seek to do the same. "Do your best, but don't be blinded by hope that may be gone."
"He has great faith in you," Katerea complimented as he departed to other parts of the battle raging about them. "I thought that sort of thing was for those Heaven fools."
"Insult me all you like; I don't care but you will not win here Kat-chan. I'd much prefer to see you back with us, with me."
"Stop calling me that!" Her aura flared in tandem with Serafall's, the two vaporizing everything by proximity. "Enough talk, come show just how much you want to defend your family!"
The resulting clash was cataclysmic as the VIP stand ceased to exist, the twin Satans colliding with everything they had. None dared to draw near, the former childhood friends expressing all the frustration and dark thoughts that had separated them in a display of destruction threatening to consume all nearby.
En Route to the Castle…
"They are borrowing power from Ophis?"
"That is what Azazel mentioned," Dorian reported. "That explains Diodora's sudden boost against Seekvaira as well as the insane levels the old Satans had back at the Peace Summit. From the looks of it Shalba and Katarea are back still working together. They even disabled the retirement systems so don't count on it to help. Ajuka is trying to bring them back as we speak but I guess the battle will be over by then."
Ophis, the Ouroboros Dragon and current head of the Khaos Brigade who hasn't been seen in years. A being so infinite that they could literally share pieces of their power with no detriment to themselves. Those augmented by potentially infinite power both intrigued and terrified them.
"The shrine!" Akeno pointed ahead to an archway leading into the castle from a lower level. A group of Old Satan soldiers blocked the door, clearly the only way into the fortress.
"Get out of our way!" Dorian rushed forward seeming to disappear for a moment from the men's perspective. In a single blow each both had their armor shattered, weapons dropping to the ground along with their unconscious bodies allowing the group entrance.
"Welcome friends," the smug voice of Diodora echoed in the hall as they entered the shrine. The first room was vast with decaying pillars scattered throughout providing haphazard cover. "I saw how disappointed you were in our canceled game, so I prepared this room JUST for you…your uninvited associates notwithstanding."
"What are you playing at?" Rias was not having it.
"Quite simple, the rules of the Rating Game are still active in here just without that pesky retirement system. I was thinking we select our piece to face one another in combat. Those pieces who fight once cannot do so again, is that not fair?"
"If you think for a second…" Issei started, holding up Ascalon. "…that we will play your stupid game you have another thing coming!"
"That, or I can begin my ministrations with the Ms. Asia right now while you are out there. Your choice." Issei had to bite his tongue at that last threat. "Excellent," he took their silence to know they had no way out. "Your heathen friends will need to sit this one out, they are NOT pieces after all. They must leave, NOW."
Heathens again…from a devil this time?
"Dorian, your escort was appreciated, but this is the true rating game," Rias announced loudly before lowering her voice to a whisper. "If it keeps Asia safe, I won't risk it."
"Don't worry," Dorian assured her with a confident grin. "We'll find another way in, kick their asses."
"If I may," Xenovia requested as the Crossroad members withdrew. "I would like to guard the entrance, ensure their match is kept fair between them.
And to make sure Kiba is okay along with Asia? He did not need to ask her; Dorian was more than aware of the advances she had made on Kiba along with the friendship mending past wrongs with Asia.
"Okay, go right ahead. With any luck we'll meet all of you in the throne room. Diodora doesn't know about my Roads I think, that can lend to a surprise or two for him."
"Now that they are out of the way," Diodora clapped his hands together. "I was thinking our pawns and rooks could duke it out. That can leave the Queens and Bishops to do the same, you are free to join one of the matches to even things out Ms. Gremory."
"Koneko and I will be fine with Honda," Issei immediately promised without hesitation. "You help out Akeno and Gasper."
"Issei, it'll be ten against three."
"Exactly, I've been called the weakest Red Dragon Emperor ever, let me prove that otherwise. If I'm wrong, I'll die and remove a useless pawn."
Oh Issei," Rias would never say with so many around. He didn't' act that way often and while she had no qualms about his more perverted side, it was refreshing to see him act so selfless every now and then. A quick scream of pain erupted from Issei as Rias pulled on his ear in a chastising manner, she did not need to say a word as he read her eyes perfectly.
"How dare you suggest the possibility of failure, I chose you as my pawn after all."
"I'll back you up Issei," Koneko stepped forward with Sage Art energy in each hand. "Honda, are you okay with the Rooks?" The armor just slammed its fists together in confirmation.
Eight women stood before the pair in various stances prepared for combat. None were armed all arrayed in body-obscuring cloaks with the Astaroth symbol adorned upon them with a familiar eye etched within.
The same ones those mages had at the summit, Issei realized. Must have been prepared in case we sent in Gasper.
"Bring it on!" He held Ascalon out threateningly. "I won't let any of you keep me from rescuing Asia!"
The Red Dragon Emperor charged in slashing at the nearest girl who aptly leapt away with his blade only cutting part of her robe. Two more moved in to flank him but Koneko unleashed a sphere of light at each forcing them to withdraw knowing even being touched by them would disrupt their bodily functions. The remaining five moved in, three of which were trying to distract Koneko from helping him.
"Alright, time for my trump card!" With surprising speed, Issei dashed between each of the eight tapping them lightly on the shoulder, a magic circle appearing wherever he touched. Once finished he took a knee dramatically, snapping his finger with a smirk. "Dress Break!"
Koneko could only groan as the robes and undergarments of the women exploded into scraps leaving each one of them utterly naked. Issei made sure to save each of their exposed bodies to memory, reveling in the vision of feminine beauty standing before him. Blood ran from his nose as a goofy smile became transfixed on his face.
"There, now none of you will be able to…" He started to announce his triumph until a foot slammed into the side of his head to send him flying. A sturdy punch connected with his gut as another utterly naked woman moved in. It was not long before Issei found himself assailed from all angles by the very women he had disrobed with two launching magic assaults from afar. "Wh-what's going on?"
"Did you honestly think the attempt to shame my servants with modesty would work?" Diodora laughed all around them. "They have absolutely no qualms against fighting naked or in any other fashion I desire, but how distracted are YOU now?"
He's right, I'M the one who can't focus! Issei realized, his eyes drawn to the bouncing breasts and spread legs of the women as they delivered blow after blow to him, not all the bleeding from his nose due to the perverted thoughts any longer.
"Issei! Wake up!" Koneko called out realizing how far behind he was falling even with his boosted power. "You really are the worst of mankind."
"I thought it would work!" He tried while under the fury of blows. "That bastard thought of everything!"
"We both really know that wasn't why you did it, Dorian's never letting you live this one down."
Not far, Honda stood its ground against the two other Rooks. Due to the suit of armor's recent addition to the team they had not had as much time to prepare countermeasures and were forced to fight conventionally. Even without anyone inside, the Dullahan fought ferociously parrying their blows as the women struggled to find a weakness in the metal. Seizing the wrist of the latest attempt, Honda barreled one into the other slamming them through the wall.
D-dammit, at this rate we won't get past these women in time, if only I knew what their next moves are…wait, that's it!
"All you magnificent jubblies, tell me what you are thinking!" Koneko's expression dropped and even Honda staggered a little as he shouted those words loudly without a hint of shame. Once again he utilized the power he had developed during the fight against Sona's team, hearing the thoughts of the women around him centered on their breasts. A power Dorian continued to deny was him reading the mind of their chests.
"The…absolute…worst…"
"Koneko! The pair on the left are planning to cycle around while a third is distracting you. And Honda," Issei paused as he realized Rias' second Rook was effortlessly beating them, using one to knock the second through a wall like a bat. "J-just keep it up."
Issei's words rang true, allowing Koneko to avoid the sneak attack countering with a solid blow to each of the attackers. The pawns were strong but each being a single piece could not protect against the Sage Art's debilitating effects. One strike was enough to render each unconscious, half down by her hand alone.
"I don't like hitting women," Issei admitted as he wielded Ascalon to shatter the barriers of the three rear pawns acting as magical support. "That is one thing Goldie and I have in common, but I won't let you get in my way."
"Then why are you crying?" Koneko asked upon realizing streams of tears were falling down his face.
"Because I have to harm such amazing breasts!" He cried out truthfully. "How will I live with myself?"
"Idiot," Koneko muttered, casting an energy sphere at the now defenseless pawns, rendering them all unconscious. Having absorbed all eight pawn pieces of Rias Issei's power was surprisingly high. Once able to get past his improper thoughts of their attire he could overpower each individually. In due course they grouped the bodies together with a simple seal to prevent movement and any of them following. "Come on, we can keep moving. I wonder how the President is doing…"
In the next room…
"Their combination abilities are incredible," Rias admitted amid a storm of magic and power. "Even better than Riser's Queen and Bishops."
Rosalina stood before them with hands outstretched blocking a combined holy destruction strike from Akeno and Rias with apparent ease. The young woman alone was not capable of such a feat which had annihilated a Midgardsormr clone, however was having her own impressive abilities augmented by the power of her two Bishops. Their abilities had the added bonus of healing any injury she sustained almost instantly, negating any gains the Gremory casters could make. She was stoic and silent focusing utterly on the victory at hand, the oldest and most practical of Diodora's peerage. Kiba gripped his blades at the side infuriated he had not been chosen to assist. Per the Rating Game limits of the room he could not step in without at least one of Diodora's knights present and neither were anywhere to be seen.
"Gasper, can you freeze any of them?"
"I'm trying!" The young vampire's eyes lit up with his gift he had started tapping into more often. "It's the same as the mages at the summit, nothing's working!" Before the battle even started, Rosalina had targeted the vials at his belt, shattering them and Issei's spare blood to prevent the power that had however briefly held a god.
"They must have limits!" Akeno called out over the rampaging tempest building between the magic users. "Gasper, if your Sacred Gear won't work fall back to support and seals!"
"R-right," the young dhampir sighed with frustration. He had felt so useful being the one to slow Loki to teleport him to the chosen battlefield but now his unique ability had been rendered useless. Before he would have been content that he could no longer hurt the others with his lack of control, now though…it irked him he couldn't do more.
"Akeno, we need to use more!"
"I am trying President; we could be stuck like this for hours with their energy output!"
Is he feeding power to them through a snake as well?
"But if we take too long then Asia will…"
Unnoticed by the four locked in combat, the lighting dimmed around them consuming even the ambient rays of their attacks. Rias was the first to see as a shadow extended from beneath the young Bishop's kilt along the ground towards their opponents.
"Shadow manipulation? Gasper have you been practicing?"
"A-a little, but it's…a little hard to concentrate."
"That's our little Gasper," Akeno called out like the big sister she was to the team. "If you can break their focus for even a moment, we will have an opening!"
The shadow crept unseen before merging with the Queen Rosalina's. As a half-vampire, Gasper inherently had the ability to control shadows of objects or people. In his attempt to remain nonthreatening he had foregone any training to control it. Ever since he met Dorian, got his new clothes and heard those words of wisdom from he and Issei, Gasper had started to grow in confidence. He lacked the power to summon beasts or truly manifest the darkness yet, however he could tap into theirs on a mental level. It would be unpleasant but all he had to do was disrupt her just a moment.
"I-I got her!" He concentrated as his shadow wove into hers, a sickening feeling akin to the need to vomit overtaking him as her emotions washed over him. It was worse than any sensation he had ever experienced.
If I do this, her mind came in clearly, he'll be pleased. Perhaps his reward will not be so unpleasant. If he focuses on the others, I will take their place, it's my burden.
Hi, Gasper replied sheepishly to her voice. Are you Rosalina?
Vampire? What are you doing in my soul? If you seek to overcome my thoughts, my Lord Diodora has trained us against such tactics!
I never thought about that, but why does your soul feel so dark when you think of him?
You are mistaken! He is our true lord, my true lord and l-love, even Gasper in his naivete caught her hesitation that no training of the mind and body could obscure in the mind. He has commanded your deaths.
But we don't want to kill you, we want to save our friend Asia! Please let us pass. An overriding wave of fear swept through her being, she was utterly terrified of failing his orders especially done willingly.
I cannot do that; I have an obligation to him and my sisters. I will not allow them to die by your hand or his.
Rias is a wonderful person! She won't kill you; I swear. Please, I don't want to see her hurt. The honesty of his innocent and being bled through, allowing Rosalina to know he told the truth.
He'll kill all of us.
We won't let him. If we stop him, he can't do anything to you ever again. He did bad things didn't he?
G-GET OUT! She roared, throwing the dhampir's essence out of her body back into his own. The force sent him reeling the ground head spinning.
That was the instant they needed; the effort required to expel Gasper caused the surge of power from the combined trio to flicker. A single tear ran down Rosalina's cheek at what she had been forced to see within.
"Akeno, full power!"
The holy lightning and destruction energy crashed down upon the three with renewed vigor tearing down the crest of the Astaroth clan. The combined assault continued its path towards the three now utterly defenseless, they did not even flinch full prepared for death.
"President!" Gasper called out. "Don't kill them please, they are as much victims as Asia!"
She heard the plea of her servant clear as day and acted accordingly. The power reared back, still smashing into the three but with far less force than was originally intended. The explosion decimated the chamber and all the pillars found within, the ceiling only remaining standing by the power infused into the fortress. As the smoke cleared the Bishops and Queen could be seen beneath the rubble all twitching and groaning in pain but still alive.
"Gasper?" Rias turned to the exhausted vampire cradled in Akeno's arms. "What did you see?"
"Terrible things President," he gasped while being helped back up. "We need to get to Asia fast before he does the same to her!"
"I will secure the three," Akeno assured while weaving imprisonment seals. "We can get them afterwards."
"So, he did that to them?" Rias could see the despair and pity in Gasper's eyes. "That Diodora, even if Ajuka doesn't forgive the death of his brother, he does not deserve to leave this fortress alive."
"President!" The voice of Issei caught up to them approaching from the first room. He was covered in bruises and blood but still held Ascalon and looked in high spirits.
"Issei!" She had to resist the urge to embrace him. "Are you all okay?"
"The perv got a bit of karma but otherwise we are fine," Koneko coldly answered with only a hint of a smirk.
Thank goodness.
"Come on everyone, we are almost there. At this rate nothing can stop us!"
Across the Battlefield...
Kat-chan is stronger than she was at the summit, did Ophis give her another snake?
The field around the warring Satans had been cleared from the fury of their conflict. Only scattered bodies from both sides littered the ground, many were already obliterated from existence as they clashed. Each of the women contained the power to destroy a nation, together they threatened to rupture even their region of the Dimensional Gap. With a powerful blow to her chin, Serafall was sent flying onto a small isle amid an artificial lake.
"Devils recognize strength," Katerea smirked as she drifted overhead. "Your title as strongest female devil will be lost today. You should have accepted Sirzech's help."
"No," Serafall staggered to her feet. "You never knew him like I did, he would have annihilated you. I didn't want that to happen if I could make you see reason. I am sorry I didn't speak to you before Creuserey did."
"If you swear to serve me, admit your entire charade of our friendship I may let you live," the former Satan offered. "Things can be…somewhat as they once were."
"I could never lie to you like that Kat-chan, not even to save my life. You are stronger in devil magic right now, but that is not everything."
"What are you…!" Katerea's eyes went wide upon realizing where she stood. Below them rested an immense body of water Serafall was perched directly in the middle of. Serafall was the proclaimed strongest female devil in the Underworld particularly in a single field native to her family.
Ice magic.
Katerea was too slow for all her powers as the liquid solidified with a flick of Serafall's hands. A tidal wave of snow and ice surged high surrounding her on all sides so there was no escape. The entire deserted region of the battlefield had been transformed in an instant into a wintry wasteland, all frozen and dying such was her skill. The wave transformed into a wall of jagged spikes each larger than trees all focused on Katerea whose best attacks slowed but could not hope to stop the advance.
"I am sorry Kat-chan, forgive…"
The wall of death stopped at the last possible moment, dozens of razor-sharp tips pressing against Katerea's flesh but not enough to pierce. Serafall had steeled herself, prepared to end the life of her former friend who showed no remorse in her actions. And yet, as the final blow was to strike, she had heard a thump, then another and another in rhythmic fashion unmistakable to her ears. Her head tilted as the spikes receded.
"Kat-chan, you're pregnant?"
"Yes," she admitted with a hesitant tone. "And far enough along."
"Why?" She struggled to find an answer being completely unaware that the woman had ever found interest in a man. "How?"
"Shalba and I have sown the seeds of the future," she clutched her stomach protectively. "The old Satans were more intertwined than you knew, Lucifers and Leviathans, Asmodeuses and Beelzebubs, they had mixed roots going far back to the beginning of our kind. By conceiving a child between the Old Blood of our two families we reconnect the traits, think of it Sera, a child with the lineage of all FOUR Old Satans!"
"I…I…I'm so happy for you!"
"…what?" Katerea's expression drooped in absolute confusion. The prospect of a child with all four Satan's blood could lead to a revolution in Hell or outright civil war. Even with that possibility, Serafall was practically glowing.
"Oh, I never imagined you'd be the first of us to have a kid!" The aura of ice and cold remained around the Satan but her demeanor had changed to that of a giddy schoolgirl. Katerea was having flashbacks just looking at her. "Please come back to us! I'll be the best auntie, you'll see!"
She hasn't changed, but it was all an act…wasn't it?
"You are NOT an aunt!" She snapped harshly. "My child will be the next true Satan! They will…"
"…have your eyes no doubt."
A slight blush crept up Katerea's cheeks, she had been so caught up on what her child would be capable of it had completely gone past her what they would even look like. Tall or short, boy or girl, her hair or Shalba's. It took more self-control than she was willing to admit to force the thoughts from her mind and focus on the here and now.
"You had your chance and you wasted it," her aura flared anew. "I won't give you a second."
"But we can't keep fighting with your condition!"
"Then you will perish! My child gives me strength, tonight I am stronger than I've ever been!"
Diodora's fortress…
"The last pieces to use are knights," Rias remarked as they entered the last chamber before the throne room. There they were greeted as expected by the pair of female knights led by Catherine. Beside her stood a raven-haired beauty wearing robes of the Astaroth clan without armor. "I can stay and back you up Kiba like I did with the Queen and Bishops."
"That won't be necessary," her lone swordsman assured her as he stepped forward. "Asia will need you most of all, leave these two to me."
"Kiba?"
"He means it," Koneko backed him up as she looked stern and longingly to her long-time friend. "I'll explain later, come on, let's ruin this guy's entire day. Take it easy on them."
"You'll miss out," Issei fist bumped Kiba as he rushed past. "I won't leave any part of him for you."
"So, you run from us Red Dragon Emperor?" Catherine taunted calmly. "I would have thought you'd want to take my head yourself. Afterall, I am the one who delivered the wound to my master which required her Twilight Healing."
Issei paused, his admirable but predictable temper flaring at those words. Asia had been excommunicated from the church after being caught healing a devil later turning out to be Diodora himself.
"What are you saying?"
"The Lady Argento's corruption was planned from the beginning, a plan I helped fulfill. We were to collect her after she was crushed by the weight of what she had lost for an act of what she saw as good. Our lord would then…save her, as it was with each of us."
The hesitation combined with her sudden inability to look him in the eye said all it needed to for Rias, the same Rosalina had shared. The Gremory heiress was well-aware of the peerage member's former affiliations in the church. Considering what he was intending to do with Asia and what Gasper had learned, the connotations to the rest of his servants was clear. She would never show it, but she pitied them.
"He took each of us. He will do the same to her and she will thank him for it after."
"You bi…" Issei started only for Kiba to bar his path with his hand.
"This is my fight Issei, she is trying to delay the rest of you, didn't you notice this room doesn't have the same restrictions as the others? Do not give her that satisfaction, though I would guess she feels none regardless of the decision you make. I will contend with her."
"He's right Issei, don't keep Asia waiting." Akeno spoke up this time, choosing the words she felt he needed to hear to make the right decision.
"F-fine," he acquiesced. "But you crack her one for me!" With that final word, he rushed past the women who did nothing to bar his path leaving them alone with the blonde knight.
Kiba stood up straight blade in hand as the twin knights stared him down. Cautiously, each of them drew their weapons; Catherine's dual swords and the second's axe nearly the size of Kiba's body. None moved a muscle as the seconds ticked by.
"Diodora wanted you to say that didn't he? There was no true malice to your words. If there were, I doubt my own could have reached Issei as they did."
"Any final words?" Catherine asked while ignoring his question, her voice teeming with the slightest hint of spite no doubt in memory of his words at the press conference. "You will die for the glory of our master Diodora."
"If that is your supposed reason for wanting me dead, then I have nothing to fear." He answered calmly. "You can't kill me with a goal that you despise."
Anger flashed; Catherine shot forward with her companion close behind. Kiba backflipped barely avoiding her initial strike and kicking off the giant axe-head nearly cleaving his leg off. Kiba had grown far stronger since obtaining his Balance Breaker against Kokabiel without adding in his weapon containing an element poisonous to the two devils. They were skilled and powerful; he would never deny that. All the same, there was a slight unbalanced nature to their steps and that was all he needed to see through their moves.
The following act was so fast an onlooker would have questioned anything had occurred at all. Kicking off the axe, driving it into the ground, Kiba shot forward like an arrow, sword cutting through the air and all that lie in between. Catherine fell back as sparks flew from her blades barely parrying the ferocious counterattack. Her compatriot was not so fortunate, crumpling to the ground with an ugly slash across her chest.
"She will live," he assured his opponent. "I am surprised you were able to block that; it is a testament to your skill despite that emptiness in your eyes."
"Shut up!" Catherine's composure faltered, prompting the young woman to unleash a flurry of attacks between both weapons at her foe. She moved like a whirlwind, yet it did not avail her, adding to her frustration as the blonde man backstepped blocking and parrying her strikes with apparent ease. She overextended a swing, leaving herself wide open for a strike of his pommel against her exposed stomach.
"I told you before," Kiba relented as she doubled over. "I know that expression in your eyes. That sorrow, that reservation that nothing else matters on a single focused goal that will destroy you. I was that way for the longest time, obsessed with destroying weapons I believed caused all the suffering of my friends. So too now it is here, serving that monster with a loyalty he doesn't deserve."
"He SAVED us!" She screamed, sword clashing weakly against his again and again as tears streamed from her eyes trying to convince him with an argument she didn't have. "I was a holy swordswoman of the Church raised since I was a little girl, I was a knight! Yet, the day I saw a young man being attacked I leapt to defend him without a second thought. Why? Because it was right, his devil status be damned!"
"And they excommunicated you for it." He didn't ask, remembering the overly secretive methods of the Church to hide God's death before Michael stepped in.
"I had nothing left, forced to scrounge for what work I could…until he came," her eyes lit up like in a dream but only for a moment. "He took me into his peerage, gave me a home. He came to me each night and…and…" The tears fell faster down her cheeks staining her armor and floor below. "He saved all of us like that, all of us, we have nothing without him!"
"You can!" Kiba slashed back knocking her off balance. "He has blinded you to anything beyond his sniveling agendas. "How many times has he done this? Again, and again, you can break free. Show me your knightly spirit if it still burns within you!"
"My knightly spirit?" Her tears slowed, a look of ferocity replacing sorrow. "I NEVER lost it! It will burn forever!"
Kiba planted his feet forced to block an attack faster than all that came before he could not dodge. Eyes wide at her sudden boost in skill he focused, parrying each blow with more uncertainty as her techniques became more varied, calm and exotic. A clear sign of her training from years past.
"My knightly spirit is what I am!" She asserted again; the veil of despair having dropped in the heat of the moment as she spoke without reservation. "I will defeat you, not for him but for myself! You will kill me, or I will kill you after which I must die rather than return to his arms again."
So that is the depth of her despair? She wants to die…
A slash appeared on Kiba's arm drawing blood, a crack in Catherine's armor, more and more wounds appeared as the two traded blows far more evenly than before. The young Gremory knight could only be impressed at the level of skill she had left behind wasted without the drive to full tap into it. Shed of the reason for slaying him being but a command of her cruel master, the former holy knight had risen high driven to best the man before her.
"THEN SHOW ME!" Kiba roared as the two kicked away for room, a mutual charge towards one another ending with a brilliant shining slash as four blades clashed. Keeping momentum, they crossed past each other, pausing in their final completed attack pose.
"Absolutely amazing," Kiba gasped as an ugly gash appeared from hip to shoulder staining his uniform in blood. "I told you, you are an incredible knight. Just a little bit more and you would have had me. I am sorry…"
As his words concluded, half of Catherine's armor along with her winged helmet shattered. The tainted knight collapsed to the ground eyes glazed over spitting blood, her swords clattering along with her as her grip loosened.
"I am sorry, but I could not give you the death you asked for," he hobbled over to her dragging his sword with one hand while gripping his chest with the other. Dropping the unnecessary weapon to the ground he proceeded to shred bits of his sleeves to bandage her injuries. Kiba just barely finished before his vision started to blur, the blood loss more substantial than he thought.
Across the room, no longer obscured by the Rating Game barrier, a familiar blue haired Einherjar rushed forward with concern in her eyes. Xenovia's weapons were drawn clearly having been fighting in the battle outside. Heedless of anything else, she raced to ensure his own wounds would not be fatal.
"She took her first steps to true freedom," he weakly muttered before collapsing into Xenovia's arms. "Just l-like you, just like me." With that final word he lost consciousness feeling more at ease with his head resting upon her soft lap.
Diodora's Throne Room
The Gremory team blew open the doors to the final chamber, a grand throne room filled with tapestries, statues and other bombastic displays of power and wealth. Along the far wall behind the throne was what looked like a large device carved into the back wall filled with jewels and symbols etched into it. Their only guess was it was an elaborate magic circle for an unknown purpose, but they did not have time to dwell on it as they caught who was imprisoned at its center.
"Asia!" Issei cried out as he spotted her. The former nun appeared unharmed but was unable to move as tendrils were wrapped around her arms and legs.
"Ah, glad you finally made it," Diodora smugly chastised the team. Issei did not hesitate, immediately starting the buildup of his Balance Breaker he had saved for him specifically. "It seems you were right my dear, my peerage was woefully inadequate to stop them. No matter, I will simply replace them when this is over. With the battle occurring outside I will have ample choices for new women, possibly those delicious Valkyries. The silver and gold ones."
"Issei, Rias, thank goodness," Asia smiled weakly. She was not harmed but her eyes were puffy and red having been sobbing just before they arrived. Rias knew she was stronger than that, realizing what he must have done.
"You told her all about what you do to claim your servants didn't you?"
"Indeed, I told her everything. I do not lie to my women after all," he acted as if it was a noble trait. "The expression she made when I described how many of her former sisters in the Church fell to me, why it made dealing with you vermin almost worth it. I have video if you would like to see it as well, I can rewind."
"Shut up," Issei was boiling as fresh tears fell from Asia's face.
"But it wasn't enough, unlike the others she still has hope," he ignored Issei's demand entirely. "She is stronger than she was when I first found her. I was the one meant to kill Raynare and 'save' her, but your troublesome group got there first. I made the mistake of waiting hoping you would be killed. I am glad to see it merely delayed my plans."
"I said SHUT IT!" Issei's calm started to erode at the reminder of the fallen angel Raynare, the one who had slain him at the start of the year and started his path down the supernatural. His breathing quickened a bit as the memory returned, the blood on his hands. His tone was truly terrifying, even Rias and Koneko could not think of what to say to calm him. He was even more angry than when facing Vali at the summit, worse than against Riser.
"She is still a virgin, yes?" Diodora asked suddenly. "I would hate to have used goods but I do suppose even if you found a way to woo her I could get some satisfaction in hearing her scream out your name as I…"
"SHUT YOUR FACE! I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU EVEN UNTIL THE WORLD ENDS!"
WELSH DRAGON BALANCE BREAKER!
Issei's burning frustration took form engulfing him in a red aura of power even before his countdown had finished. The same brilliant crimson scaled armor he had unlocked against Kuroka to protect Rias and Koneko covered his body even more powerful than before. The helmet closed around his face leaving a menacing visage with glowing green eyes boring into the haughty devil upon his seat of power.
"Issei, we will fight him together," Rias saw his rage reach a point. "Keep Asia from harm and…"
"He is mine President," he replied coldly in a tone unlike his normal aloof one. "You can punish me later for disobeying, please don't interfere."
"In that case…make him pay."
Just what I wanted to hear! Ddraig, can you hear me?
[Of course partner]
Let me handle this part, he's mine.
"You've grown up a bit," Akeno complimented with a smile.
"Holding the others back won't help," he sneered. "I have a barrier around Asia that even Ajuka would have trouble getting past. With Ophis' power I far eclipse your little light show, if I wished I could kill you in an insta…"
He did not finish his sentence as Issei seemingly vanished from Rias' side, his boosters on his back kicking in and blasting him into Diodora who couldn't even react to his speed. A red-armored fist buried itself into his gut forcing him to double over in pain hacking up what he had recently eaten. Issei took great pride in his look of utter shock.
"An instant kill you say? I'd like to see that."
"I-I am a high class devil!" Diodora called out as if it would change the situation. "A relative to the current Beelzebub! MY power is beyond anything you can concei...GAAAHHH!" His boast was cut short as Issei slashed Ascalon, severing his wing just above the point it left his back. The blade had fed on the power he was emitting, growing to more broadsword size in stature.
Issei grabbed his skull, pulling the small man off his throne and chucking him across the room much to Asia's elation. His look of confidence had completed vanished. Holding out his hands, bullets of demonic energy beyond counting took shape and fired at the Red Dragon Emperor. They were as inconsequential as rain drops to him, Issei simply walking through them without even thinking of dodging while deflecting the occasional burst with Ascalon. His training in the mountains and unlocking of his Balance Breaker had given him a new pinnacle of power he could barely recognize.
He's supposedly stronger than the President, but his attacks aren't scary at all.
[You couldn't use my power with the game limitations against the Sitri group, here all have been lifted. Use my strength to your fullest!]
Thanks Ddraig, you almost sound a little happy to be my partner now. The proud dragon did not answer.
Issei closed the distance with ease, Diodora's frustrated expression only growing as his vaunted power proved utterly useless. He was so focused on his opponent that he did not notice an azure light shimmer into being just behind his throne. He pressed the attack, slashing Diodora across the chest while delivering a bone-shattering uppercut to his chin to send him flying while spitting blood and tears. The perverted Red Dragon did not let up, following the sailing body to strike him again and again.
"Why does it hurt so much? My demonic power was beyond all others! I even had a way to beat Sairaorg!" He did not find an answer as Issei picked up his small body, hurtling him across the room into a new pillar. "I WON'T LOSE TO A DAMN DRAGON LIKE YOU!"
Focusing all his newfound power, a wall of energy several feet thick erected between Issei and the battered devil. Issei pressed his attack, striking the wall with his fist utterly stopped.
It's thick, but Vali's was worse, is he just turtling at this point? I can do this!
Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!
"E-even if you kill me," Diodora suddenly blurted out. "Asia will be mine! The device she is strapped to was created by a powerful Longinus Sacred Gear known as Dimension Lost! Did you think I brought you all to this place just out of whim?"
He's so battered he's trying to scare us to backing down? Rias took more than a little satisfaction in seeing his terrified expression. But still, to think such a powerful Longinus user is affiliated with the Brigade, perhaps that Hero Faction?
"Th-the mist around this whole area is within its reach! Teleporting here was only a piece of its power! When it reaches Balance Breaker under the right conditions its power changes again!"
"What conditions?" Rias asked as Issei's power continued to boost behind the impressive barrier.
"My command," he sneered past the blood dribbling from his mouth and nose. "All I need to do is say the word and…"
Diodora's renewed bravado broke as he turned to gloat at Asia, only now realizing she was not alone. From within his own impregnable barrier a young man with golden hair and his silver-haired target were analyzing the tendrils imprisoning the Bishop's arms and legs with a focus of experience and dedication. Rossweisse and Dorian Held, along with the squirrel Ratatoskr were busily working to free the young woman.
"They actually are roots," Dorian muttered to Ratatoskr without paying attention to Diodora. "They are growing from the device utilizing Asia's own strength sapping it like nutrients to hold her in place. If they wanted, they could absorb her entire twilight healing ability in seconds."
"And look at these symbols," Rossweisse pointed out. "They would augment and reverse the effects. If this device went off it could kill everything within the radius of this realm not inside this castle. Even the Satans would not be safe!"
"But they chose the restraint system to be root-based? It's like they wanted you to be the one to free her," the furry companion jabbed as he patted Asia's head. "Don't you worry your pretty innocent head miss; we'll have you out in two shakes of…"
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Diodora roared at seeing his master plan to kill all the Satans and their troops explained so casually.
"Thwarting your most intricately-planned machinations with ease," Ratatoskr answered flatly. "Duh."
"GET AWAY FROM HER!" A blast dwarfing his previous barrage erupted from his free hand towards the pair.
Dorian calmly held up Twilight Star, his Musphelheim-Lightning blast tearing through the incoming attack like paper. The stream of energy followed through to the devil, catching him in the chest and slamming Diodora into his own barrier, cracking it.
"I heard what you said about Rossweisse and Thrud," Dorian half-growled with a low tone. "Feel lucky Issei is the one tearing you apart or I could think of about a dozen things to do to you for even considering it." A dark haze filled his thoughts even considering utilizing Helheim's mists on him. From the other side, Issei pressed his assault, shattering his final defenses into shards.
"NO ONE MAKES ASIA CRY! YOU WILL NEVER TOUCH HER AGAIN DO YOU HEAR ME!?"
As Issei continued his savage assault of fist and blade on Diodora, Dorian returned to his work missing Rossweisse's shy expression at the anger he felt with Diodora's plans for her and Thrud. Working fast, the pair analyzed the device's construction.
"If we try to break it, it may go off and kill Asia or take this castle with it," Rossweisse warned.
"With enough power we could overload it, but that'd be dangerous," Dorian concurred as Ratatoskr grinned with the intellectual back and forth between the couple. "What if we think of them as actual roots, they are taking her energy so let's give them something they won't like instead."
"Redirect the flow of absorption? To what?"
Iggy, I need to try something risky.
Nidavelir? She saw her partner's thoughts clearly. Nothing can survive off the energy of that place but if you must PLEASE open it just a sliver and only a moment!
That should be all I need.
"Asia, don't worry, we'll get you out," Dorian smiled as he gripped the base of the device from whence the tendrils originated with his right hand, Laerad Ragnarok fully deployed. "Don't be scared."
"O-okay," she pushed back her tears trying to be strong as Rossweisse held her hand comfortingly.
"I hate this part." Dorian's eyes turned inky black like bottomless voids as his Sacred Gear shifted to the same color. The sudden influx of power did the trick, jumping the flow of energy from Asia to him, the roots born of Dimension Lost greedily sucking power from his gem and in turn, Nidavelir.
Just…a few…moments. When this is done, I can rip that Diodora's spine from his body, his plan was quite ingenious though. The thought of controlling so many just…
DORIAN!
Dorian shut off the flow of darkness permeating his heart, eyes returning to normal as he fell backwards out of shock. Once more he was reminded why he forsook the power of the home of the dwarves. Even with Midgard's power still eluding him and Helheim's difficult to control, he'd rather go without than risk that darkness infusing with him permanently.
"Asia, is she…?"
To their amazement, the roots holding her had shriveled under the deadly nature of Nidavelir. Without a true source of nourishment, even the construct of Dimension Lost had withered, allowing her to struggle anew. With a resounding crack, Asia wrenched herself free of Diodora's trap to be caught in Rossweisse's arms. The former nun sobbed tears of joy into her chest at her freedom, the cruel fate Diodora had planned for her thwarted.
"She's free Issei!" Dorian called out with a cry of victory while delivering an Asgard-fueled punch into the horrific device obliterating it. "He has no trump cards left!"
"Asia!" Issei ceased his merciless punches as his heart soared. Even Diodora welcomed the turnabout if only to give him respite from the savage beating he'd been enduring. His face was purple, black and covered in blood, if he survived, he would forever fear the name of dragons. "Don't you EVER come near her again," Issei threatened while removing his helm to look the beaten devil square in the eyes, Ascalon held to his throat. "If you do, I will blow you away!"
He dropped the broken Astaroth heir to the ground shaking in terror. All bravado or ideals for power had been utterly beaten from him along with his broken bones. He just curled up in the corner as Issei rushed to Asia's side.
"Asia," they embraced near the throne. "Let's go home, mom and dad are waiting for us, they'd never forgive me if something happened to you."
"What should we do with the little shit?" Ratatoskr clambered over to Diodora who drew back in fear even of him in an attempt to escape. "I've seen his type before, he'll find his balls again and come back with something even more twisted."
A trident head extended to bar his path, Dorian blocking the weak retreat while Rias, Akeno, Honda and Koneko rushed over to comfort Asia. He had no fight left in him to contend with the Einherjar already having felt a portion of his wrath once.
"Just one stab," he muttered aloud. "Just one would be enough to…no, I won't kill a man on his knees, not even one as detestable as you. Besides, he is the brother to Lord Ajuka, I doubt relations between our people would be fully stable if we just murdered him like this."
"The president would be in trouble too," Issei confirmed. Her brother and his are Satans after all. We swore to rescue Asia and that is what we did."
"We take him then," Dorian slammed a fist into the ground causing Diodora to jump as tendrils of Jotunheim coiled forth to seal him in an unbreakable grip. "Give him a taste of his own medicine. Without their nuke plan the Old Satan forces outside won't stand a chance against our numbers."
"Thank you Issei, Mr. Dorian, I knew you would save me." Asia wept tears of joy to replace those of sorrow. Rossweisse breathed a sigh of relief as Xenovia entered the room helping a hobbling Kiba.
"Asia, you're alright!" The Einherjar swordswoman smiled, her beloved devil-knight doing the same. "Thank God."
"Ara ara, our family is back together," Akeno remarked warmly as Kiba rejoined them. "What shall we do next?"
"Mr. Azazel and the others should have the battle well in hand," Dorian explained having been out in the thick of it before traversing the Roads to get around Diodora's barriers. "The Crossroads are still meant to escort you after all. You can lay low in the fortress until the fighting stops."
"Asia," Rias stepped forward and hugged her. "You are like a little sister to me; we would never abandon you. It's okay for you to not call me President any longer if you wish."
"Y-yes, Rias," She smiled, Issei unable to contain his joy at seeing the two embracing. He did not see Rias' gaze move to him for a moment.
I can say that command to her so easily but not him? Some devil I am. I will need to work on that.
"Come one Asia, let's go home."
"Yes, but before that I wish to pray," Asia stepped back a bit to interlock her hands, bowing her head low. "God, hear my plea…"
The hair on Dorian's neck stood on end putting the young Einherjar's senses on alert.
Dorian, what's wrong?
You don't sense that? That rise in energy, it almost feels like the path to the Roads opening.
"What did you wish for Asia?" Issei asked as she concluded.
"It's a secret," she shyly replied before racing towards him once more. Her features were awash with joy completely certain where her home was, that she would never be alone again.
There! That feeling, that tingling up my back focused on…ASIA!
Dorian dove forward with blinding speed nearly knocking over Rossweisse who turned with a stare. He rushed into Asia in an attempt to push her to the side, he did not succeed. The moment he neared the girl, pillars of light surrounded the pair paralyzing their movements and preventing any escape. Before another word could be uttered, a flash of light blinded the room forcing everyone to cover their eyes for only a moment, but only a moment was needed. When they looked again no one was standing where the two had been but a moment ago.
The two had vanished.
"Asia, ASIA?" Issei started shouting frantically looking down every path in the hall. "Where are you?!"
"Dorian?" Rossweisse joined in the concern as her magics of detection were instantly put to work in vain. No matter what she tried, there was no sign of the young Bishop or strong Einherjar. "I don't understand…where are they?"
Diodora has been bested, the Old Satan Faction on the verge of defeat. On the cusp of victory, Dorian and Asia vanish in a flash of light leaving their friends behind. Sorry for the slightly delayed update, I was a bit slower on writing and the timing was too perfect so I wanted to put it out on my Birthday. The arc concludes next time. Until then I hope everyone stays safe and healthy, Reads and Reviews but most of all Enjoys! :D