Lorenzo Macchiavelli: Dorian would certainly disagree I am sure. He may have learned the need to kill when the situation calls for it, but he'd never think sacrifices are necessary if he can help it. From a writing standpoint...we'll have to see ;)
German science: No one ever expects the Neko-Valkyries XD
Hollowreaper 93: I am so glad you do :D Imo when a series has a cast as large as DxD, each character should have some growth even if not a main focus. The finale of the battle starts now so you'll get your wish.
Bt 7274: I agree, double digits are definitely a bit much imo for a series unless it is SUPER long to give enough growth/time. He may not have intended it, but Dorian almost has that pantheon harem Azazel joked about at the peace summit.
Divine Blizzard: Very true XD As little as we know about Great Red, it was inferred he was much more laid back/rebellious like that than anyone expected of the world's strongest being. Haha indeed, the biology is very confusing. My intention is that Issei is essentially a reborn devil dragon from the flesh used to reinforce his body. And precisely, the nekoshou race can expand now without going the old fashioned way...though you better believe Kuroka will be sure to show Dorian the appeal of helping out that way ;) It means a lot you liked the growth I tried to work into both Dorian and Gasper...now I can't help but picture Gasper wearing really broad-shouldered gold shirts XD XD
horakthy baraq: Thank you so much! I've been planning out the big arrival moment for a while so it truly means a lot you enjoyed it. That, and I am a sucker for sweet family moments, even unofficial ones like Yggdrasil with GR and Ophis. Great to hear, I definitely need to have official Nagalfr art done someday if I can find an artist who specializes in ships/vehicles.
ahsoei: I totally get that xD Wish I could go faster than every 3 weeks, but that's a nice pace I've set up.
Okaze: Thank you! And yep, if you're bringing the help it's best to go big haha. I hope the wait wasn't too long ;)
michaelfriede61: It didn't pop into my head, but I am a HUGE fan of that moment. Been years since I watched that cinematic, wouldn't be surprised if it was in the back of my mind :D
fanficcyberman: XD Dorian getting protective big siblings he never expected. Rat and Iggy in matching pirate outfits lol. Ya know...they were VERY similar, that ability is something I brought over from canon so wouldn't be surprised if he was inspiration there. Just shows how terrifying he can be and helps hit home why he felt Rias had to seal him when she first made him a Bishop. Awww, I don't know what to say man, your kind words get me right in the feels every time. It's stuff like that which really make me feel inspired to continue...no stopping now ;) I hope nothing but the best for you as well my friend.
Just a reader now a writer: That is his hope ;) That glimpse into the future, along with his presence already changing things, has definitely put into perspective more of what he wants to accomplish in the Crossroads.
Guest1: Ingvild? Whatever could you mean (glances left and right super suspiciously) XD Admittedly, I always thought her inclusion to Shin was out of nowhere and sudden...what better than more time to develop? :) Well, they don't have to worry yet, she just got here haha. That being said...who knows as she spends more time around the Gremory team.
Ragna126: You better believe Kuroka will get more love ;) Can't have a love interest without enough development to warrant the feelings :D Definitely in my top 3 of the canon women along with Rossweisse and Irina for me too. I will most certainly keep going, and thank you so much for the kind words!
7: Precisely, Hades isn't an evil god per canon...but he just doesn't see the worth in others and thus essentially feels he and his reapers are the only ones who can do things right for the world. In regards to Cao Cao...that is a very good point, he likely sees it as a tool for his use but having that Medusa Eye in his head does add a supernatural element. For Gasper, we do know his power comes from Balor, though canon has only implied the extent but imagine even having a fraction of a god inside you. Considering how OP mixed-lineage children are, you are no doubt correct on Yasaka/Azazel's future kids...fallen angel foxes! xD As for your question of Leonardo...that will be coming right up. And I won't give spoilers, but I will say you are veeerrrryyyyy close to an intention I have for Xenovia and Irina, you aren't the only one who agrees they are like glass cannon swordswomen as they are now. ;)
TheLycan2026: Never any rush, what matters is you like it now :D I sent you a PM as requested.
Dragonx411: It took him long enough ;) And thank you! This will be the concluding battle, then an epilogue to round off the arc.
And with that…ONTO THE SHOW!
The Nagalfr continued its back and forth with the grandest of the anti-monsters created by Leonardo. Over and over again the battleship dwarfing any other defenders of the Underworld fired upon the monster whose regenerative abilities seemed infinite. Time was not on their side, however as the creature's boldness grew as the battle dragged on. With a bone-shattering ram, it crashed into their side, the protective barrier starting to flicker. It was only then that the abomination's eyes started to glow.
"INCOM…!"
A pair of shapes darted across the Jabberwocky's neck, explosions causing it to arc its aim upwards, a pair of beams missing the ship and disappearing into the sky harmlessly. Dozens surrounded them, bindings of every magical type trying to keep the monster unmoving as devils, angels, Valkyrie and Olympian magicians worked together.
"Pull us back, now!" Dorian commanded, Iggy complying while the two shapes landed in front of him with a graceful flourish. Lord Diehauser, Lady Grayfia!"
"You aid is appreciated, though seems to have the same difficulties as us," the emperor and top contender of the Rating Game circuit informed with a calm demeanor. "We can hurt it, but not do enough damage in a single shot to leave lasting harm. It regenerates far too quickly. That eye attack is devastating, two of my peerage were incapacitated from a direct hit."
"And one of my husband's pawns," Grayfia, the second, continued. "Is Issei safe? Rias was very concerned for him."
"He's fine last I saw," Dorian approached them both while catching his breath. "He's dealing with Cao Cao so we can handle this thing without him backing it up."
"That is a relief to hear," she sighed at the word of her future brother-in law's safety. "Then we must hurry to aid him, do you have any weapons aboard larger than these cannons? I fear nothing save a single immensely powerful attack will succeed in ending this."
"We came to the same conclusion, but are kind of new to this ship too," Dorian admitted while looking to Iggy for guidance. "The cannons are working, but as to something bigger…"
"Not that we could find," Despoina materialized to answer for her while the daughter of Yggdrasil focused on piloting the vessel. "The ship is massive; it will take a long time to learn all its secrets. For now, we have access to the conventional weapons and the energy reserves that seem to be channeled through every plate and panel. Perhaps that power could be focused to a single point."
"Dorian, we did such an action in Kyoto."
"Of course," Dorian shuddered at the memory of being trapped within his own rage. "I briefly took on a Breakdown Form that could focus all the power of the Ley Lines into a laser that even wounded Thrud without directly hitting her."
"And wrecked the entire Hero Faction," Ratatoskr reminded him. "You got that new form of yours, I'm sure you could do it again without becoming a prickly god of death."
"In theory," he had to admit the plan had merit. "But I'd have to use the power of the ship in place of the Ley Lines, we'd need the Jabberwocky to keep still."
"Leave that to us," Grayfia nodded confidently at the idea even as the creature shattered every binding used on it, casting the attackers away with ease one by one. "If we could not succeed in that, I would be unable to call myself Queen of the Lucifer Peerage!" Her aura blazed brightly even as the temperature around them seemed to drop while taking flight filling them with determination that it could work.
"My peerage will be out there as well," Diehauser remarked, raising his hand to channel unimaginable power in such a small space. "We will restrain it as long as our magics hold."
He's no Satan, but his power is incredible, even higher than Grayfia's. Dorian was awed by the champion of the Rating Games so close to him. Even with the threat of Cao Cao who can kill a Satan in one hit, he went out to fight. He seems like a good man.
"Souji!" Grayfia called out to a samurai knight of Sirzechs' peerage wearing a uniform belonging to the Shinsengumi of feudal Japan. "Remove its wings!"
"Yes Lady Grayfia!" He replied fast bounding up the nearest building to clear the distance between he and the monster slashing at any who grew too close. He was fast, his movements similar to that of Kiba reminding Dorian of who Rias had claimed helped train him in swordsmanship in the first place. Putting a hand on the katana located on his hip, only a flash alerted the others that anything had been done. In that moment, both wings of the Jabberwocky fell away cut cleanly as the monster roared in pain. Few could even see him draw the sword. The attack cost him, a great forearm backhanding the Knight into the very building he'd used to reach it.
The dismembered wings started regrowing the instant they were cut free with disgusting tentacles protruding from the open wounds, the Jabberwocky undoubtedly would be capable of flight before hitting the ground. The combined peerages of Sirzechs led by Grayfia and Diehauser surrounded it with a renewed assault, hundreds of spells assailing the creature to slow its regeneration and ability to move.
"Bring the ship beneath it!" Dorian commanded as he focused inwardly, his feet having become roots drawing greedily from the ship. "We only get one shot at this!"
"Yes Cap'n!" Iggy complied imitating Ratatoskr's mannerisms, Despoina withdrawing back into his mind knowing there was little more she could do. "I will try to hold it down once we are close enough, otherwise it will surely move to avoid the attack," she informed as the creature drew closer and closer with the engines bringing the Nagalfr up to meet it. "The power we used in Kyoto was terrible, but with our new waltz…we can keep it controlled."
"I know we can, Vaetta," Dorian took her hand clasping it tight. "I know it."
The woman who shared his soul kissed him gently before disappearing, the imposing armor he'd attained in the future now covering his body. Upon his breast, the collected gems came together to form an eye, the same that had sown such fear within friends and foes not long ago. Now, however, instead of consuming him within it, he commanded it. All the same, it was still small and he knew it had to be much larger.
"This ship has so much power," he chuckled feeling it enter him as his eyes went gold from the energy. "Get ready!"
Just as he had forced his armor to grow against Surtr, the eye on his chest expanded again and again before him until it towered over the deck. At last, the Jabberwocky slammed into the energy shield crashing through it and impacting the deck. As promised, tendrils courtesy of Iggy burst from every panel to cover the monster. Even with so many working to hold it, the impossible strength of the anti-monster tore them as fast as they were being formed. They would not last by themselves.
"Dorian, we can help hold it!" The mature voice of Yggdrasil entered his mind. "Open a Roads portal beside one of the monster's throats!"
"Won't you getting involved endanger the roads?" He thought fast while trying to gather the necessary energy for the shot all the while blocking the teeth seeking his flesh with a powerful barrier.
"Trust me, I am not the one who will hold the creature in place."
Without another word, trusting her completely, Dorian opened a portal directly beside one of the Jabberwocky's two necks. A moment before it would have pulled free, the head of an enormous wolf still chained burst forth and chomped down hard biting into its thick flesh. The strength of Fenrir's jaws could not be contested, the grand anti-monster now unable to escape the deck of the warship.
"Fire now, before it wiggles free and I seek another meal!" The son of Loki growled through his full mouth. Dorian did not need to be told twice.
"I'll loosen Gleipnir as far as I can if this works!" At last, the power in the eye was at its maximum, the time was set. As the energy built to an apex, every light on the ship shut down and the thrum of engines died. "You won't hurt anyone else!"
The resulting blast from the eye caused a resounding boom as it fired, warning all of Grayfia and Diehauser's men to immediately vacate its path. Rather than a beam of energy, it was like a giant condensed mass of power swirling green, silver and gold exploded from Dorian's armor. Fenrir ducked his head back within the safety of the Roads an instant before impact, the Jabberwocky was not so fortunate. The entire sky lit up as the projectile impacted its chest, detonating after several moments. Being so high in the air, the city was spared the worst of the backlash, lighting up all around like a second sun.
Hold on! Iggy begged as Dorian gripped the railing, the force of the attack blasting the Jabberwocky far from the ship so that when it finally detonated, they were mostly clear of the explosion. Without power to the engines, the Nagalfr plummeted like a rock crash landing atop one of the few remaining sky scrapers. At such speeds, they very nearly slid off the edge, thankfully stopping at the last moment to nestle soundly atop the sturdy construction courtesy of Dorian using Jotunheim roots acting as an anchor. The Einherjar dared not move until several seconds of silence had passed.
"It's…gone," Dorian muttered as he struggled on one knee, the light dimming as the power waned to reveal nothing at all remained. "Ha HA! It's actually gone!"
The Jabberwocky, strongest construct of the Annihilation Maker Sacred Gear and terror of the Underworld, was utterly vaporized without a trace. Seeing nothing but sparkles of light float down harmlessly to the ground below, Dorian started to laugh knowing there was nothing left for it to regenerate from. The defense forces of the Underworld found him that way leaning up against the steering column of his newfound battleship just laughing with a smile at how successful the attack had truly been. He would later be told by Thrud that, in that moment, he was much closer to the Norse warriors of legend she'd grown up on, finding enjoyment and fun even in battles that should have cost them their lives.
I did it Lady Freyja, I did it. No one can deny it after that display…the Crossroads truly can now be considered a legitimate military force to be respected. Without that thing, surely the rest of the invasion can be dealt with in due course.
Among the streets of Lilith…
He already uses flight, Issei thought as his fist connected with the True Longinus again. I'm not a woman, so he can't seal my powers. If I stick to melee then he can't redirect my own attacks or destroy weapons and teleporting me around won't matter if I face him alone. Vali said he has seven in total; guess I'll need to be careful with the last two.
Issei wouldn't have minded if Vali could have been there again, but knew the curse of Samael had taken its toll on him. He could help against the mass-produced creatures but little else with Hecuba fighting by his side. Cao Cao groaned as the attack hit, the same words being repeated over and over.
Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!
The Hero Faction leader had deflected his opening dragon shots, whether there were one or a hundred, his gear succeeded in redirecting them all. Issei took that into account, his mind racing faster than ever as strategizing wasn't a strong suit but he was making it work. Leaping back, Cao Cao created a new sphere and pointed to a space between them. Issei growled as dozens of humanoid fighters that reminded him of the terracotta statues he'd seen in textbooks materialized.
"Power number six, so, you like copying my friend?" Issei tried to get in his own jabs noting how similar it was to a certain Sacred Gear's knights. "Kiba did it better and look way more appealing." He risked a Dragon Shot aiming for them rather than their creator. The hit connected, vaporizing the entire force. "They aren't as good at tactics as his either."
Cao Cao vanished once more through his teleport sphere; Issei was barely fast enough to avoid the spear as it appeared directly above him. Despite barely grazing him, intense fiery pain shot through him at the point of impact on his back. His armor at that spot exploded, but he quickly reformed it, the power coursing through him channeled through Ddraig's concentration kept him alive and ahead of Cao Cao's assaults.
"It doesn't matter, seeing your ally Yuuto Kiba was what inspired me to force the Longinus to improve this skill at first. In no time at all, my guardsmen would have dwarfed his female knights. Upon seeing how easily I bested him before, however, I lost interest in tuning it to its ideal path. Like your teacher, the Governor Azazel, I will become stronger after witnessing each opponent. I surmise if we fought again, he'd have a few new tricks in store for me, I was taught by a powerful god to do the same."
"He's amazing like that and it sounds like your mentor was too," Issei admitted as he kicked, his blow deflected again. "I'm not a big thinker, but sometimes the simpler solutions seem to work best. I don't need to lose over and over to figure you out!"
"Then do try to keep up, Issei Hyoudou, this is where I plan to end the most troublesome of the Red Dragon's hosts."
Issei merely blinked and Cao Cao was gone, reappearing above him but disappeared again before suddenly appearing behind him. He tried to be alert, but it was obvious he was using his teleportation sphere at new speeds never seen before. Using the speed attributes of the Knight powers within his promotion, Issei took flight moving every which way he could to keep ahead. Thinking on his feet, Issei generated Dragon Shots in his hand yet did not fire them, instead placing them around his body like mines. His theory paid off as an orb engulfed his shot, yet merely deposited further up harmlessly.
"Ha! You can't redirect an attack that's not moving, can you!?" Issei swung at the sensation of Cao Cao to his right, the one direction he hadn't placed any traps. To his amazement, he connected with the hero's gut, drawing a cough of blood as he had not expected the quick thinking. The red dragon's follow-up kick was avoided as Cao Cao jetted backwards leaving flight-capable warriors in his path to fend him off. The Hero Faction leader growled, unwilling to admit his underestimation of Issei had led to the direct hit. He didn't need to, however, as his opponent pointed a crimson-gauntleted finger at him accusingly.
"Do you have any idea how annoying sparring with Goldie is and seeing him fight mixing all those powers into crazy combinations left and right? Try mixing up your powers all you like; I'll smash through each one!" He ignored the searing pain in his shoulder where one of Cao Cao's rapid-fire strikes had hit. Ever since his first encounter with Raynare, he'd gotten used to the agony of being struck by an instrument of light.
"Don't…compare me to him," he fired a blast of light directly into Issei's face.
STAR SONIC BOOSTER, SOLID IMPACT BOOSTER!
Issei disappeared as his high-speed ability kicked in, causing the force to annihilate the building behind him. He reached the front of Cao Cao only for another line of warriors to take the hit for him, utterly vaporized from the power behind it that still shocked Issei. The boost from the flesh of Great Red healing his poisoned body was beyond imagination.
Dang, sorry to whoever owned that building, maybe Rias' dad can build him a new one. He can dodge even that when expecting it, wait, didn't he say before that the auras of our attacks are easy to read? When I hit him before, I was barely thinking. Maybe…that's it!
Barely thinking partner? If that's what is needed to win, he doesn't stand a chance.
Hey!
"You are slowing down, growing tired!?" Cao Cao asked as the Medusa eye in his head glowed brightly. Issei gasped as his arms started to turn to stone. Quickly, he shattered the armor leaving his hand free only for it to reform quickly. It was a close process, even a second too late and his hand would join the gauntlet. Every time he stayed still for too long, Cao Cao tried to use the tactic only for Issei to shed the armor and keep moving. "How long can you keep ahead?"
He's trying to keep me off-balance, that's how he fights those stronger outright than him. I HATE this tactic more than any others. Is he getting used to my fighting style and new power already? I can't even get my best shot off without charging it up and he'll never let me do that. He's a regular human still, that's all I need…one good hit!
As Cao Cao readied another wave of warriors, Issei risked drawing the broken hilt of Ascalon for just a moment. Despite being shattered, he could still draw upon the dragon-slaying energy within hoping it may throw him off balance.
DRAGON SHOT SLASH! He shouted aloud as the wave of crimson energy cut through the shock troops between them. Cao Cao didn't even redirect the attack, choosing to step to the side. Issei's eyes widened as he released a high-energy intense nova of holy light similar to what had incapacitated Volody. The Red Dragon Emperor barely had time to barrel-roll to the side, though one wing was too slow getting out of the way and was completely burned to nothing. Issei dropped onto the nearest rooftop to prevent plummeting to the ground below.
"It seems one good hit is all either of us require," Cao Cao said aloud with more enthusiasm than he'd had before. "Your True-Queen Crimson Cardinal form against my True Longinus, I am actually getting chills each time you strike! Your attacks almost stack up against Vali now. It is fitting you can see my final gift. Parinaava Ratana!"
Issei crossed his arms, reinforcing his armor to the thickest he could muster as an orb flew straight for him. The object struck his defenses, instantly blowing him through no fewer than three buildings while exploding each one of them. Cao Cao's strongest ability short of Truth Idea itself focused solely on destructive power. As his momentum finally stopped, Issei laid there barely moving coughing blood. He couldn't feel his arms, knowing many bones were broken to say nothing of what else internal damage it caused.
"It was refreshing to use that ability after so long, it has quite the cooldown required to fire. How fitting that your resting place shall be a shrine to your accomplishments." It was only then that Issei realized he was in the remains of a toy store filled to the brim with Oppai Dragon and High King merchandise almost totally destroyed. "Now then," Cao Cao lowered down only a few yards away from the Red Dragon Emperor still trying to recover. "Shall we…?"
Cao Cao paused as he heard a voice on the wind, off in the distance standing amidst a destroyed fountain he could see a young woman with purple hair and orange eyes staring at him. She was singing a song he did not recognize beyond it being in the language of devils. She was looking directly at him, yet the song seemed to be directed at Issei beyond. His confusion got the better of the Hero Faction leader, causing him to relax for just a moment, the song's calming qualities beyond even him.
"GAAH!" Cao Cao growled as a sword bit deep into his shoulder, his quick thinking even when letting his guard down being all that prevented it from bisecting him in two. A dark blade made for cutting dripped with his blood, red and bronze armor shining from the one who had snuck past his defenses.
"He does not fight alone," Hecuba roared as she charged forward. Cao Cao retaliated, vaporizing her shield with a blast from the True Longinus, but it did not stop her. She slashed again, deflected by his spear yet she was in close now, a knee catching him in the gut paining his new injury.
D-damnit, I had grown accustomed to sensing powerful auras, Cao Cao staggered back. She is only human, her energy is so small, I can't…
He summoned the same power that had ended Ascalon, spinning it about to intercept her weapon. Expecting it to shatter in an instant, the blade passed clean through unharmed, biting a new wound into his thigh.
That sword, it's the one she has from Echidna! Don't tell me my gift doesn't consider it a weapon when made from living materials like skin and bone!?
Taking no more chances, a wave of light exploded from him sending Hecuba flying backwards. She disappeared through the nearest wall and was not moving.
"Damnit," he reached into his pocket for the last Phenex Tear. To his growing frustration, he realized the point that Hecuba had pierced was exactly where it was stored. The container was shattered, the precious contents wasted now soaking into his cloths and the ground below. "Is the Red Dragon Emperor so pathetic he needs you both to win?"
"You are the pathetic one," the young woman in the distance called out. "You relied on your monsters, allies and worse to wound and tire him while you sat back resting. We are here to make up for that lost stamina, nothing more. I know had he faced you at his best, you would have fallen."
"And what will you hope t…?" Cao Cao nearly underestimated the young woman beyond until eight enormous bat wings emerged from her back followed by a cascade of devil power. Raising the True Longinus, he stopped the blow but was pushed back, its power beyond what he'd intended. "That was on par with a lower Satan-class Devil, who are you?"
"I am Ingvild Leviathan of the House Leviathan and inheritor of our family ability," she proclaimed with only a bit of nervous hesitation. "It's been so many years since I was awake, yet that boy…there is something about him. You will not harm a hair on his head!"
Manipulating her hands, the newly awoken Leviathan formed a giant serpent dragon made entirely of water in her hands. With a roar, it moved over the debris like a tidal wave. To their disappointment, Cao Cao held his ground, firing a blast of light at the construct causing to explode into steam upon impact.
"Giant monsters are no threat without the strength to withstand the True Longinus," Cao Cao berated as he fired again forcing her to take flight as even a single hit would end her life. "If Jeanne's dragon could not contend with me, yours has no hope." He fired again, causing a skyscraper to collapse on top of her.
A moment before it would have come crashing down, Ingvild found herself in powerful crimson arms. Looking up, she realized a battered and bruised Issei was carrying her, setting her down nearby.
"Th-thanks for giving me a chance to catch my breath," he tried to downplay how wounded he was. "But I do need to fight him, check on Hecuba, please?"
"O-of course," Ingvild blushed as she took off towards the hole the Spartan had made from her sacrifice to destroy his last tear. Turning back to Cao Cao, Issei stood up as straight as he could knowing the end was at hand.
"Y-you are persistent," Cao Cao flipped the spear towards him noticing how he held his gauntlet as if wounded. "If you had learned to use that might without succumbing to the power of devils, we would never have lost. But even now, the Jabberwocky…" A flash lit up the sky in the distance forcing the pair to shield their eyes. Only a moment before, the Jabberwocky had been soaring high contending with the Nagalfr, however as the light dimmed, only the impressive ship remained as well as the defenders that had fought so hard for their homes. No trace of it was left.
"...is dead," Issei smiled seeing Cao Cao's confidence crumble. "Looks like Goldie took care of it, you and whoever else you got are all that's left. Once you're done, so is your annoying faction."
"Leonardo's best warped by the power that Moloch shared from the evil dragons…no force in the Underworld short of concentrated assaults by the Satans should have been able to deal with it!
"Well, you're right about that," Issei couldn't help but push further. "Considering he isn't from the Underworld. You're done."
DRAGON SHOT…TRANSFER!
Slipping a sphere from his pocket and remembering his time playing baseball with his father, Issei hurled it towards Cao Cao with the best pitch he could muster. At the same time, he transferred a sizeable porting of power to propel it all the faster. The object hurtled towards the waiting opponent at such speeds that it couldn't be made out anymore.
"Adding a physical component won't help," Cao Cao easily intercepted the ball with the True Longinus. He saw the liquid contained within too late as he shattered the ball revealing it to be hollow. The liquid traveled off the momentum of the throw, splashing into his face. "What..WHAT DID YOU DO!?"
The Hero tried to wipe it off, but it was too late as blood spurted from his mouth in painful coughs. He nearly collapsed, leaning on the True Longinus being the only reason he remained standing. No matter what he tried, he couldn't find the words, blood flowing from his lips as immense pain beyond any training he'd felt throughout his life wracked his body.
"E-even my time learning from Indra did not hurt this much. How d-did you get ahold of this substance?"
"It's what your creepy friend hit ME with," Issei proudly exclaimed as he used the time to reinforce his armor, Cao Cao looking on with growing rage. "Samael's blood taken out of my body thanks to Ophis and Iggy, it would have killed me if they hadn't helped. It even killed Ophis, you'll pay for that you bastard. If Goldie hadn't been able to bring her back, I'd be beating you to death right now." Issei breathed deep, trying to control his emotions, a lesson of Sairaorg's he took to heart. "But it seems to be doing a number on you, the wrath of god or whatever focused on anything like snakes or dragons…say, didn't your eye come from a snake lady?"
On cue, the Medusa eye shattered releasing a horrific scream from Cao Cao as pain and blood hit him anew. Issei grimaced a bit, having hoped per Dorian's request if they could recover the eye for return to Olympus, but there was no chance of that now.
Glad I won't be the one giving that news.
"I almost had them get rid of that shit; strategy isn't my strong point…but I learn. I used items against Riser when we fought, no reason not to do it again. I need to be capable of at least this to have my own peerage someday. I know that curse is best against dragons and snakes, but it's bad against anything pretty much I've heard."
"Indeed…it is," Cao Cao started to laugh while regaining what composure he could while still hacking. "No human, not even I, can withstand it. My Phenex Tear is gone, not that it would have any effect on this. "So, I am going to lose…because I am a human? The universe has a supreme sense of humor."
Cao Cao's Balance Breaker halo disappeared along with his seven spheres, there was no chance of summoning any of his powers again. Even the True Longinus' power had waned, now barely enough to fire a single attack at him, Issei had won.
"How about you call it quits?" Issei remarked as he stepped forward with his fists clenched. "I don't like hitting a guy while he's down, but your face is making me want to rethink that. Just…"
Before Issei could approach, the True Longinus sparked to life, spitting out a sphere far smaller than the others. With what strength he could muster, Cao Cao fell into it and disappeared in a flash, summoning his power to teleport one last time at great cost. He was gone in that moment.
"GET BACK HERE YOU FU-" The Red Dragon Emperor started before a sharp pain struck his side. He stumbled and fell backwards unable to move.
Partner! We pushed ourselves too far, Ddraig explained as their armor crumpled to dust around them. You need to rest, and me too, I can barely…
"Draig, Draig are you okay?" Issei called out sensing his partner weakening.
I just…used up a lot to win, holding you together as Great Red's flesh mended your wounds, I think I need to lay down for a long time…
"You should have told me! You don't mean laying down f-forever, do you?!"
Don't worry, you've gotten so much stronger, you can use the Boosted Gear even without me to help you. It was…a good…fight…best in years…
Tears filled Issei's eyes as his voice grew more distant and smaller. It felt so weak, he'd never heard Ddraig sound like that and it killed him that he couldn't help.
"No! I still need you man!" He begged trying to get him to perk up. "Didn't you call me your weakest possessor? You can't leave now!"
I'm not your only partner now. Those you seek for your harem, your friends, comrades, even the Crossroads and others. Tell Albion, we'll have to settle our fight later. Tell him…having a crush on Yggdrasil is so…
That was the last word before Ddraig's voice disappeared completely. Issei finally broke.
"Draig?! DRAIIIIIIII-!"
Snore
"H-huh?" Issei gasped as with the silence of his words were soon replaced by a resounding snore from within his mind. "Y-you're sleeping? YOU INSENSITIVE BASTARD! I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD! WAKE UP SO I CAN KILL YOU MYSELF!"
"He's exhausted," a gentle hand touched his own as if feeling for Ddraig. "All that effort, he'll be fine after a while."
"Ophis?" Issei smiled seeing her having come up on him without noticing. "So, he's just sleeping," he wiped the tears from his eyes. "Thank goodness, rest now man. You earned it. We had so much help for…OH! That girl!"
Issei gathered what strength he could and went to help the woman Ingvild who had emerged to help him in his moment of need. He found her resting near a crumbling wall, thankfully her injuries were minor and she seemed relieved to see him. Her orange eyes looked up into his as did Ophis'.
"Are you victorious?"
"We are," he proudly announced. "Just need to mop up these monsters and if any of his cronies are still standing, then we can go home."
"Home, to your house?" Ophis asked looking up at him with an adorable smile that made her seem like the little sister he'd start to look at her as. "Is that my home now?"
"For as long as it needs to be," Issei answered after a moment of contemplation. "That prick Moloch stole your powers, right? He was nowhere to be found; we'll need to get him back. Then you can go back to the Gap where you want to live."
"Where I want to live…" Ophis answered, but her face was awash with confusion. She'd spent so long running the Khaos Brigade trying to return to that place of silence, yet now she was not so sure. She shook off the moment by turning to the new woman. "You are a Leviathan, are you not?"
"Yes, I've been asleep for so long, over a hundred years according to those in the hospital. And now that I've awoken, though I've never met you…there is something to you," she looked at Issei with her mesmerizing eyes. "I do not understand, it only feels like this to you, not to this one, nor that Spartan…"
"HECUBA!" Issei only then realized she was nowhere to be seen. "Where did she go?"
Lilith main defense line…
"There are still a great many of them," Zepar had to admit while landing to take a breather. "A half dozen of those Bandersnatch remain, normal attacks will only slow them."
"Fortunately, we don't have normal attacks," Akeno ran her hand over the back of his neck, sending a spike of adrenaline through his body and allowing him to stand.
The last of the Bandersnatches had reached the city, their armies of lesser monsters pouring over one another slamming against the barricades of the city's defenders. With the majority of their strongest helping against the Jabberwocky, few were at or above high-class. This particular segment was one of their weakest with even the last of the traitorous younger devils putting up a fight.
"I understand your reasoning," Catherine muttered more to herself than them as she ducked and weaved between the stray devils. They were desperate with few being stronger than a single standard Pawn piece and stood no hope against her. "My former master was a monster…but you took your freedom to harm others. Not all were as evil as those few, I hope you learn that in time." After several intense moments, none remained standing against her.
"That just leaves them," Zepar looked over to the anti-monsters threatening to overwhelm the barricade. "Are you okay to continue?"
"Questioning my stamina?" Akeno teased, but was covered in sweat panting heavily from the time fighting in the streets against so many. "I haven't even used my last resort yet."
"Last resort? Akeno…did you manage to…?"
"The best of my people that you and father showed me, the bright side of devils that Rias allowed me to see since I was little. I used to be so ashamed of these mixed wings, but now…I cannot imagine myself without them. The holy lightning is within my blood and by accepting both sides, I can make it even denser."
The half-fallen angel stepped forward, kissing Zepar passionately upon his lips closing her eyes before they lit up with a bright light. An enormous bolt of holy lightning crashed down from above at the same instant their lips met, lighting up the night sky for miles around. Holding their embrace, the pair rose into the air with Zepar unfurling his four fallen angel wings. He gasped in shock as six wings spread forth from Akeno's back; three fallen angel ones and three bat-like devil wings. She looked almost like a top-tier fallen.
"You condensed your fallen angel blood?" Zepar clasped her fingers, feeling the warmth of her. "My calming light and your holy lightning, a boon to our allies and a nightmare to our foes. Let us show them!"
"Show them the smile you give to me every day!"
Akeno raised their hands high calling down a new bolt upon the center of the anti-monster's ranks. Everything at the point of impact was utterly vaporized with smoke rising from the ground left behind. It was not the only bolt, the battlefield filled with them eliminating monsters in droves.
"Valkyries…TOGETHER!" Rossweisse called out as she coordinated bombardment magic of the highest quality. Her armor was glowing with power, the magics she commanded more than she'd ever felt with her learning the ways of the High Queen piece. The resulting assault from dozens of her sisters left the enemy ranks thinning more and more, finally driving them from reaching deeper into the city.
Just a bit more time, she thought as the defenders pushed back with the new openings. This will give us a foothold, but unless we can stop Cao Cao and Leonardo, this will never end. Where could that young man be hiding, it MUST be close to produce so many so fast…
In an alley not far…
"D-damnit," Cao Cao spat blood again as he staggered through the streets of Lilith. In his wounded state, even his vaunted Balance Breaker gift could only send him a few blocks away with the rest having to be made on foot. Siegfried was down, Georg defeated and Leonardo would have been no help either. As far as he could tell, he was the last of the Hero Faction free.
I can…rebuild, he stumbled while trying everything in his power to slow the poison of Samael turned against him. The Underworld nearly fell, we NEARLY had them. If the Crossroads or Gremory find Leonardo first, they won't kill him. I can escape, rebuild and come back for him to…
His plans for the future were halted as he looked to the end of the alleyway seeing a figure block his path.
"Not…one…more…step," Hecuba warned with a scowl. She was bleeding, armor covered in blood and her left arm was clearly broken. All the same, she stood resolute, Monster's Bane hung in its sheath at her hip with twitching fingers begging for a chance to draw it.
"Y-you won't stop me," Cao Cao threatened while leveling the True Longinus towards her. "You aren't strong enough for me."
"Today, I feel like I am," she countered while spitting away blood from her mouth. They were both barely standing, nothing left for a protracted fight. The victor would be decided in an instant, they both knew it.
"Truth Idea," Cao Cao muttered as his spear began to glow. The strongest power left to him, the might of the last will of God himself etched within the blade. "Truth Idea, the true holy-spear that pierced through God's love, suck the ambition of a king of domination sleeping within me and pierce the gap of blessing and destruction. Announce the will and turn into light…"
The tip of the spear opened as it did when unleashing vast amounts of power, the light starting to glow brighter and brighter. Hecuba's eyes closed to slits as she sought to reduce the pain, but refused to look away lest Cao Cao take advantage of it. She had no idea what would happen, the talks of its power from Azazel and the other Church fighters running through her mind. According to them, at full power it could devastate the city and she was too exhausted to clear the distance between them.
The will of the God of the Bible…what would that even look like?
As she contemplated her fate, the blinding light suddenly died down, the spear closing up much to Cao Cao's confusion. Speechless, he started to shake his weapon as if that may help, a shocked expression breaking through his mask of confidence.
"Why, why isn't it working!? Surely this cannot be your will?" He spoke to it as if it were alive and could hear a voice coming from it. "You have walked with me before now!"
"Maybe it no longer thinks the path you walk will lead to a good end?" Hecuba asked, almost hoping he'd just attack her as she was getting woozy from blood loss. "You have done so much evil in such a short time."
"It shouldn't be that way," he insisted almost in a daze. "Truth Idea is related to the very will of God himself, an imprint that sucks the ambition of the wielder and responds in a way comparable to the strength of the opponent. It has no one ability, instead embodying the miracles and powers of God at his peak to become the absolute counter to whatever it faces. It can be a power to annihilate a foe, or to show what is needed to capture their hearts…and yet all it gives against you is silence?!"
"God made up his mind," Cao Cao nearly jumped as Vali appeared behind him, cutting off the retreat from both sides. He was still recovering, but stood strong despite his injuries and was adorned in his new Juggernaut Drive having slain many of the anti-monsters. "So, it chose Hecuba's will over your ambition? It makes you wonder just what she could be thinking that can change a fallen deity's mind."
"That armor of yours, I was right to target you first at the Hyoudou Residence. Are you going to divide me out of existence with that new move of yours?"
"Only if you approach me," Vali threatened, though even Cao Cao could see he surely didn't have the energy for it. "But I am not the one who has sought your defeat so ferociously." He motioned to Hecuba. "It is her you must now contest with."
"I don't think words will serve any longer," Hecuba took a step forward. "You have dragged the name of heroes through the mud, using your spear or that mask to entice them into your force with such selfish and short-sighted goals. You look at the supernatural world as they haven't been in so long…"
"Will they ever stop using humanity, really?" He coughed again, the poison continuing to ravage his body. "Without a force like the Hero Faction, we just aren't strong enough to matter in the long run."
"You are not wrong," both Cao Cao and Vali looked shocked at her statement. "The Hero Faction was a good idea, the best of humanity standing at the forefront to protect them from the less kind of the supernatural. But you saw enemies in everyone, sought to prove humanity strongest at any cost, even siding with the Khaos Brigade who would see the world burn."
"They were…a means to an end, I would have defeated them myself once we had Ophis' power…"
"But Moloch took it instead."
"That bastard, he did, and whatever he did to Leonardo made him so powerful but his anti-monsters became…twisted. He suffered for that power, the boy could barely stand when I last saw. When I find him…"
"You won't," Hecuba repositioned her stance. "You've done so much; I can't let you leave here. Go back and face Vali, or cut me down and fly to freedom, which will you do?"
"I will rebuild," He readied his spear facing her down as Vali watched curious to see how the clash would turn out. "The Hero Faction will never die."
With that last word, he pushed hard off his backfoot propelling towards the wounded Spartan awaiting him. His spear glowed brightly, its normal power still under his command. Angling it for a killing blow, he aimed right for her heart. Her armor would be unable to stop it, they all knew yet Hecuba remained unmoving. Unmoving, that is, until the last possible moment.
"Gaacchhh," the Hero Faction commander coughed crimson as Monster's Bane was drawn and swung in a flash, Hecuba moving only a single step forward and Cao Cao one past her.
They stood still a second as a bloody slash appeared across Hecuba's face, it would leave a scar without immediate attention but she didn't care. Cao Cao was worse, his chest bursting open in a shower of blood, Monster's Bane slashing him from hip to shoulder. His pained expression softened into one of understanding, her opponent sighing with a chuckling laugh.
"That swing of mine was perfect, yet it missed your vitals. Not only did the True Longinus prefer your will, it refused to kill you. I wanted to defeat them all; Great Red, Ophis, Ddraig, Albion, Asgard…yet in the end, it's another human who…"
There was no fanfare, no grand speech as Cao Cao slumped forward and was finally silent. Hecuba remained standing a few more seconds to ensure it was true before her legs would no longer support her weight and gave out. She would have slumped face-first into the ground were it not for the strong arms that held her. They did not hold her up completely for her, but rather eased the burden so she could remain on her own two feet.
"Thank you," she told Vali who had reverted back to his normal Balance Breaker. "You couldn't have compressed him, could you?"
"Your aid for my poison was appreciated, but insufficient. I could contend with the anti-monsters easily enough, but my new form could not be sustained long. I didn't even get a chance to use it against any true foes."
"I am sure you will get another chance, it looked…good," she admitted with a smile. "Come on, we need to get back to the others and…"
The pair froze as a light started emanating from Cao Cao's body, the True Longinus sliding from his hands to hover in the air before them. Neither had witnessed a Sacred Gear departing its master upon death, looking on curious to witness the return to Heaven to be redistributed. What happened next shocked both utterly as it instead drifted closer…settling into Hecuba's empty hand.
"What is this?" Hecuba found herself asking as her fingers closed around the haft that was warm to the touch. She knew it was impossible for one to wield a Sacred Gear from another without their approval, yet here she was clasping the strongest Longinus in the world. More than that, despite all the evil she had seen it do and what it was capable of…it felt right. That was the last thing she thought before passing out in Vali's arms.
Incredible, the White Dragon Emperor thought as he stood up making sure she was well-supported. It didn't even pass through Heaven to find its next wielder, the True Longinus chose her on the spot as its next possessor? How many can say they witness the moment a Sacred gear made its own decision?
You learned with Arthur and Tobio that humans are not to be underestimated. Albion remarked, doing his best to hold back any remarks at the fact his partner was holding a beautiful woman in his arms like a bride. She now holds the strongest Longinus in her hands while remaining completely human, another boon to the Crossroads.
"Yes, another one," he said aloud. "But I doubt even the strongest could break through HIS skills."
I know your mind, don't act like having a potential ally for when you fight that particular man is the only reason you grew interested in that Spartan. Not lying to yourself will go better in the long run.
Once again, Vali had no answer to his words, deciding instead to remain silent. Mustering his recovering strength, he started carrying Hecuba towards their allies, particularly those with healing talents. He didn't even look back once at Cao Cao's body lying on the ground. The strongest of the Hero Faction had finally fallen.
Lilith, city outskirts…
"It's somewhere around here," Iggy glanced left and right as she rounded another corner among the streets of the devil capital. After the Jabberwocky's defeat she'd split off from Dorian on her mission knowing he'd be fine helping clear out what monsters remained. She found the ancient architecture mixing the old and new, modern and gothic, absolutely fascinating. Were situations better, she could have wandered for hours. "With the direction the monsters are coming from…"
A shuffling sound nearby coming from something she couldn't see alerted the Sacred Gear spirit that she had found the right place. Holding her arms up, she breathed in deep and announced her power loudly.
"Alfheim!" The pulse of light that would break any illusion and reveal the truth did just that. In front of her, dozens of anti-monsters were gathered surrounding a young man leaning heavily on a walking stick so hard she feared it may break under the weight. There seemed little worry of that as the boy was noticeably thinner than he'd been in Kyoto. "Leonardo?"
He looks so frail, did overuse of his gear do this to him? The power of the creatures he is summoning is so great, does each one take a little from him?
"G-get away," the boy staggered back, waving his hands forward commanding the anti-monsters still around him to attack. Despite seeming helpless before the creatures, she did not retreat.
Laerad Ragnarök Infusion: Pantheon's Inferno.
Her white dress warped, transforming into a regal toga like those worn by the Olympian Pantheon. Her arms were covered in thin variants of the gauntlets she made for Dorian each time he transformed and a crown of laurels now sat upon her brow. Raising a hand high with absolute calm, Greek lightning rained down targeting each monster obliterating them on impact until Leonardo was alone.
"Y-you can manifest your own powers?" He tried to retreat again but lost footing and fell down. "Where is your wielder?"
So many possible variants of the armor. Dorian mastered Olympian back when he had to fight Issei's Juggernaut Drive and can do so with the rest. For each that exists, so long as it's not in his care, I can wear it myself.
"I had some inspiration," she pictured Ddraig's words while gliding towards him. "As long as he is not using it, I can don my own powers, as for Dorian, he is helping the others now that your Jabberwocky is slain and the Bandersnatches won't last long."
"So, you are here to kill me?" He coughed in a harsh manner, clearly not well. "End me and end my army here? You may be winning, but I still created thousands. It'll take a long time to destroy them all otherwise."
"A long time, and many lives of the normal soldiers and people would be lost before it is over," she knelt before him as the youngest member of the Hero Faction reached a wall and had no further to go. "I don't want that, so I ask…will you please command them to stand down?"
Leonardo was blushing hard at the innocent smile she was giving him, a hand now resting gently on his leg. His mind was racing at what her plan was, ever since tasting the dark powers that Moloch shared with him, his body had become frail with all his strength seemingly being channeled to his gear at the expense of everything else. If she wanted to, Iggy could have left him little more than a scorch mark on the rock in an instant, and yet she was not telling, but asking him to stop. Why?
"Why?" He repeated the question in his mind. "Why not just kill me?"
"I told you already," she insisted. "If this goes further it will cost more lives, yours counts among them.
"Cao Cao said…he said I would be a hero, that my power was one that could shake the world and make humanity a force to be reckoned with."
"And that can still happen, I am sorry but so much harm has been done by your monsters and you will need to answer for that. But, if you want a chance to live and do more, I beg of you to stand down. Your entire faction has been defeated, further bloodshed would just be…" she paused, holding back a tear at the thought of what she'd need to do if he refused. "…a waste."
"I'm so tired," Leonardo admitted. "And the nightmares I've had with this power of Moloch's…I haven't slept in so long. Can you make them stop?"
"I can try," Iggy risked inching closer, easing him down to the ground as his eyes grew heavy. "If you call them off, please."
"F-fine, I'll…" Leonardo collapsed, the green-haired woman catching and easing him back onto the ground, his eyes darting back and forth in troubled sleep. Iggy gasped in relief as she spotted a force of anti-monsters in the distance fade away like mist. All around her grew quiet to be soon replaced by the cheer of victory. With his command a moment before sleep, the army and remaining Bandersnatch had disappeared, the city of Lilith was safe.
"I helped give Dorian good dreams when he was younger, before my own nightmares mixed with his," she muttered while stroking Leonardo's hair like the child he nearly was. She still couldn't believe how young he was yet was capable of so much power. "We'll help you if you will work to repent for what you did. If the mists of Helheim can torment, then maybe…"
Waving her hands, a plume of purple light from Vanaheim swirled from her fingertips, traveling through the air and into the nostrils of the young man before her. With a single inhalation, the grunts and spasms stopped, his body relaxing in her arms, the very fringes of a smile forming on his lips. It was the first smile he'd made in so long not tied to being fed a sense of superiority to those around him. His breathing steadied and he grew calm, such was the scene as Dorian came upon them looking where Iggy had run off to.
"Iggy, is he…?"
"Sssshhh," she gently shushed him as she turned to the man she loved. "He is alive, he called off the army himself before he slept. "Rose can easily seal him for now to ensure no more can be summoned, though I doubt he'll change his mind."
"You are incredible Vaetta," Dorian knelt and brushed her cheek in a way that both conveyed his feelings and clear off some grime that had splattered on it from the battle.
I feared he'd fight to the bitter end, but who can possibly deny anything she asks?
"Come on," Iggy stood, lifting the young man as if he was like a feather. "We should make sure everyone is safe, the worst is over…I want to see the sunrise together with you and everyone else." Dorian was more than happy to accommodate her request, putting an arm around her as they walked out of the rubble towards the small crowd of friends and allies waiting just beyond.
Remains of Sitri Hospital…
"The worst of them are dealt with," Dorian looked around the destroyed hospital returning after cleanup had confirmed that Leonardo's incapacitation had caused all remaining monsters to disappear. "With the time difference, they should be ready to come out."
"And hope no one killed the others," Rat nodded. "The Roads are beautiful, but that Katerea lady looked like she was ready to strangle someone with her bare hands."
"Yggdrasil is good at defusing situations. They were only in there about a day or two by their own reckoning, hopefully…" Dorian paused as he flipped his gem to azure, the portal rippling into existence on the very spot he'd sent them away. People started walking back into the real world looking considerably more upbeat and vibrant than when they'd gone in. No doubt Yggdrasil had made sure they were comfortable. They almost grew worried as the physician and nurse emerged without a sign of Serafall or Katerea.
"Are they…?" Ratatoskr's question of worry was quickly shot down by the smile on his face.
"I am proud to say that all three of my patients made a full recovery." Behind him, a bandaged, but otherwise alive Serafall limped through grinning from ear to ear beside Katerea walking on her own power. In her arms, a small child was swaddled within a giant leaf fashioned into a breathtaking baby blanket.
Yggdrasil must have made that for her, definitely where Iggy got the love and talent from.
"Not a word," the Old Satan snapped. "He just went to sleep; it has been a trying day."
"But a good one," Serafall whispered. "He was so small, couldn't even breathe on his own at first but your tree granny saved him! If we hadn't been in the Roads…"
"Let's not think like that," the doctor sighed reaching for a bottle of scotch hidden in a surviving shelf. "But the assistance was greatly appreciated. He's frail now, but give him time. Surviving a birth like that, he'll be a strong one no doubt given time. Sirzechs may have competition in a few decades."
"Does he have a name?" Iggy glided closer to look the small child over noticing he had a small tuft of hair already matching his mother.
"Shalba had wanted Solas for him, but now I am not so sure." Katerea focused hard on her son, brushing his hair gently as if to test just how soft and fragile he really was.
"Well, the decision is yours now," Dorian remarked, carefully eyeing Serafall who obviously wanted to add in her ideas. "You don't need to make one right away."
"Yes, I do," she retorted. "A name is something that carries weight, defines you…to go longer than necessary without just leaves more time to pick the wrong one."
"Then…what will it be?" Serafall sheepishly asked, catching Katerea's gaze as the new mother looked up confidently."
"…Fänden," she said at last. Her knowledge of the old language surrounding the Nordic people was cursory at best, but considering Yggdrasil's part in her son's survival, it felt only fair to take her into consideration. "I will name him Fänden, a child containing the blood of the Old Satan families in one not too dissimilar from how Sirzechs is with Bael and Gremory…I hope for great things in the future."
Elsewhere…
"And in a startling turnaround, the monsters were slain thanks to the intervention of the Crossroad Team. Elements of the Bael, Gremory, Agares and Sitri peerages are currently sweeping the city to ensure all traitor and remaining Hero Faction members are apprehended. In addition, ensuring that civilians…"
"That could have gone better," a voice remarked while watching reports on the television. "Not one slain Satan, the Hero Faction shattered, and losing the Monster Creator despite the Evil Dragon's energy added to it."
"We know where the boy is should we need use of his armies," a shape emerged from the shadows, none other than Moloch himself. "That new weapon of Mr. Held's is an unforeseen addition, however, we already got all we need."
He held out his hand, a swirling spherical mass of energy vaguely resembling a self-contained universe hovering above the palm. The power from it left no question as to its identity eliciting a smile from both men.
"Ophis' infinite power to wield as we wish, we got it all?"
"Almost, only a sliver escaped which they wasted to keep her and the Red Dragon Emperor alive. All the rest is ours."
"Excellent, at least this time you didn't need to rely on our connection to survive," Moloch glared at his partner at those words, recalling his close call with the Gremory rulers not long before. "Then we may begin our preparations, let them relax as the chaos subsides in their homes for the time being. I am sure you have much to do, correct?" He paused as the third man in the corner did not reply. "Did you hear what I said?"
"Mhmm," the man muttered an affirmative as he watched the television monitor. On the screen, they were in the process of filming Rossweisse and Dorian helping those who had taken refuge in the Roads back into the real world. His eyes lingered on the silver-haired Valkyrie with an eerie smile creeping across his lips. "She is stunning. Such knowledge, and she looks so much like my dear sister too…"
The battle in Lilith is over. Thanks to the overwhelming reinforcements brought by the Nagalfr, the Anti-Monster army was delayed until the Hero Faction and those creating it were defeated. Despite the victory, Moloch along with Ophis' stolen power was nowhere to be found, the mysterious devil's intentions for the infinite energy unknown as his plans slowly go into motion. Next chapter is the finale to the arc and as always I hope everyone stays safe, Reads and Reviews...but most of all Enjoys! :D