Chapter 19: Mysterious Hooded Visitors!
The morning sun rose up from the mountain sides, casting a warm illuminating light upon Kuoh town. And with the light, two very distinct shadows were seen from the top of a ridge just outside of the town. The morning wind blew away the fallen leaves from the trees, sending them whirling around two feminine like figures dressed in white hooded robes. The taller figure having a giant sword wrapped in bandages strapped to her back. "I can feel the presence of devils in this town all the way from here." The taller hooded woman looked down upon the town, her brown eyes looking down upon the town in distain. Bangs of blue hair sticking out from underneath her hood.
"Hey, you make it sound like the whole town is sinful!" The shorter of the hooded figures looked accusingly on her companion. Out from underneath her hood, chestnut brown bangs sticking out, and a silver cross necklace hanging out as well. The light of the sun reflecting from the silver cross.
"A town controlled by devils makes it sinful." The taller woman retorted back at her companion, her voice lacking emotion. "The way you speak of it, seems like you still have some lingering emotions for your hometown."
"Of course! I have many good memories of this place, even a dear childhood friend I cannot wait to see." The girl squealed in excitement, feeling like she was finally coming home after a long time. "Don't tell me you don't carry any feelings for your hometown?"
"… My entire devotion, and life goes to the church and our Lord. Anything else, is irrelevant." The taller figure silenced her companion and her excitement, her attention completely focused upon the town before them. "Enough sentimentality, let's focus on the task at hand. First step, finding and locating Itachi Sitri." The two hooded women made their way into town, beginning their search for our young Sitri heir. For what reasons, remained to be seen.
A few days earlier
Within the six-story mansion of the young Gremory heiress, and the two Sitri twins. Within the mansion, the joyful hums of the beautiful red haired Gremory heiress could be heard coming from a room on the second floor. Rias hummed as she brushed her long beautiful crimson hair. Rias was dressed in a light pink sleeveless turtle sweater that really brought out her massive bust. She had a short black skirt held up by pink belt around her slim waist, and with matching black high-heeled shoes. Around her neck she had a golden chained necklace, decorated with three blood red emerald stones.
Rias did a few poses in front of a mirror, wanting to be sure she looked good for her date. She then went to add on the finishing touches, putting on some lipstick for her soft lips. Looking satisfied with the result, she held in her squeals of excitement for her date with Itachi. Having dreamt of their first date for years now, she almost couldn't believe it was here. Just the two of them, together.
Itachi at the moment, was waiting for his date in the center square of town. He was dressed in a black short sleeved open shirt, with a white T-shirt underneath. He had dark blue jeans and black shoes. Itachi looked at the time, seeing that Rias was a little bit late, not that it bothered him. "Sorry I'm late." Rias called out to him, exiting from the railway station. Itachi looked a little stunned at Rias outfit, thinking she looked rather mature and beautiful.
Itachi regained his composure, and greeted her with a smile. "Don't worry about it. I haven't waited that long." Itachi took in the view of Rias, whom looked a little nervous, wondering if Itachi liked her outfit no doubt. "You look great by the way." Rias blushed faintly a little at that praise.
"T-Thanks… You look really handsome." Rias returned the compliment, fidgeting a little from feeling a mix of nervous and joy. Itachi held his hand out for her to take, Rias accepted to which Itachi gently held her hand.
"Shall we go then?" Itachi took the lead, leading her into town for their date. Both unknown to the fact that they were being followed. Hiding at the corner, stuck out the heads of Akeno, Kuroka, Eto, and Sona.
"There they go…" Kuroka was disguised in a white blouse with a short black skirt, she also wore black sunglasses and a black beret. While the rest looked more casual. Hiding behind the wall with them was Koneko leaning up against the wall, merely here to make sure her sister doesn't ruin this date for Itachi and Rias. And Raven standing next to her while reading a book.
"Raven, have you concealed our presence yet?" Akeno looked to the witch girl, whom casually looked to them with an emotionless gaze.
"I have, even Itachi shouldn't be able to detect us." Raven was purely brought with, to use her magic skills to hide away their presence so that Itachi and Rias wouldn't be able to spot them. Although despite her expression seemingly to not care, she did peek up from her book to look at the figures of Itachi and Rias. "Hmm…" Raven gave a hum as she went back to her book.
"And that folks, was Raven's way of saying she's jealous." Eto teased, despite Raven's emotionless expression. Eto was able to see through every slip of emotion that escaped from Raven' emotionless mask, and read those slip ups like an open book. Raven merely frowned a little, and pinched Eto's arm to which she flinched in pain.
"Owch, I made Raven-chan mad…" Eto squealed like a little girl, giggling at Raven's reaction.
"Shush, onii-sama might not be able to sense us now. But he can hear us if we are too loud." Sona shushed the playful Eto, whom held her hands up in a defensive manner.
"Scary." Eto sang in an innocent sweet childlike voice.
They ended up following them from a distance during their date. Rias and Itachi went hand in hand through the market, and eventually stop by a café. Itachi sat at a table, and then Rias arrived with two cups in her hands. "I can't believe you haven't tried bubble tea yet." Rias handed him a cup and sat in the chair opposite of his.
"Well, I didn't see it on the must to do list you gave us when we first came to Japan." Itachi responded in a slight jokingly manner as he took a sip through the straw. It was a little sweet, which was perfect for his sweet tooth. The milk in it and the tapioca balls really balanced out the rich flavor. "And now I must ask, why wasn't this on the must to do list? Shame on you."
"I thought it was common knowledge. Didn't think you needed a list to try it." Rias retorted with a small giggle, really enjoying this nice atmosphere. Just her and Itachi, alone, having a good time.
"Well anyways, thank you for dragging me here. And a toast, to your freedom." Itachi toasted that this whole Raiser business was finally over, and he and Rias playfully bumped their cups together. After having enjoyed themselves on the café, they went on to the cinema.
Itachi looked over the movies, seeing an action movie, a romance, and an anime one playing today. 'Hmm, Rias probably wants to see the romance one with this being a date and all…' Itachi thought, although he dismissed the idea, seeing Rias ogling at the poster for the anime movie. From what Itachi could tell it was about a magical girl, what is more one of Rias' favorite Mil-tan as she was called. Itachi smiled at seeing Rias admiring the poster, it was clear what she wanted to watch.
They were seated in the midrow of the theater, while the other girls tailing them were seated in the far back. Itachi didn't bother keeping track of the movie, and instead watched Rias' joyful expressions throughout the entire thing. From looks of excitement, to looks of angst when the enemy of Mil-tan arrived, to her waving with the rest of the audience pink glow sticks while singing along with the theme song of the series. Despite Rias trying to keep a cool and collected appearance at school, in many ways she was still a kid.
After the movie was over, they took a walk back home. "Mmm, I can't believe I acted like that in front of you." Rias hid her blushing embarrassed face from Itachi, to which Itachi just gave a light chuckle.
"It's fine, I'm glad to see you are comfortable being yourself around me. And it was cute, so don't worry too much about it." Itachi comforted the embarrassed Rias, taking his arm around her shoulder pulling her a little closer as they walked down the street.
"Mmm…" Rias was a loss for words, further embarrassed over being called cute like that by Itachi. Although despite the embarrassment she had a good time.
"So, how are things going with your peerage?" Itachi asked seeing as Rias had two new recruits in Issei and Asia.
"Oh, everything is fine. Asia still needs to adapt to this new life, and Issei still has a lot of growth to do. They both have a lot to learn about their own Sacred Gears as well." Rias spoke like a proud older sister speaking of her younger siblings.
"I see, maybe you should take them all on a little training trip. Give them a chance to improve their skills and knowledge of our people. And you could also grow your other peerage members strength as well. Might come in handy when it is your turn to have a Rating Game." Itachi suggested, thinking this would be a good time for Rias to not only grow stronger herself, but with her peerage as well.
"Hmm, I will think about it." Rias hummed over the intriguing idea, she could always arrange for a club field trip.
Unbeknownst to them, further behind them were the other girls. The emotionless Raven, now wearing a pink Mil-tan t-shirt while as well holding two pink glowsticks. "That really doesn't suit your facial expression…" Kuroka sweat dropped over the shock that the usual emotionless Raven, found that movie enjoyable.
"Mmm." Raven hummed, waving the glow sticks a little. "Go Mil-tan." Raven cheered in a monotone voice.
"I got some good videos of Rias." Akeno giggled going over videos she took of Rias unleashing her "love for anime" side in the movie theater. "And save…"
"I can't believe onii-sama managed to sit through that…" Sona uttered, looking rather disturbed and pale at all those colorful explosions and ridiculous childish plot points.
"Seems he was more focused on her than the movie if you ask me." Eto like Akeno went over the pictures she had taken of Itachi in the movie theater. Although, Eto's face wasn't what it usually looked like. She seemed rather deep in thought.
"If I didn't know any better, I would say you were jealous, Eto." Kuroka teased the half ghoul whom merely giggled.
"You sure you want to test me? I might just eat that boy up before either of your get a chance." Eto licked her lips, leaving everyone wondering what type of "eat up" she referred to.
"Shush! They are getting away. A-And I will have you know, if you want to "eat up" onii-sama in any way. You will have to get through me first!" Sona scolded them in a loud whisper voice, before moving on to follow Itachi and Rias.
""Brocon."" Kuroka and Eto both commented simultaneously, both also with smug smirks on their faces.
"I'm not! Argh!" Sona grew frustrated with them both, feeling like if she had to spend another moment with them, she would rip her own hair out of frustration.
Itachi and Rias had arrived back home, and Itachi decided to escort Rias to her room to end their date. As Rias opened the door, she looked to Itachi and smiled leaning her face in closer planting her lips on his cheek in a kiss. "I had a lovely time."
Itachi looking slightly taken aback at first as he now had a lipstick mark on his cheek, he smiled back at Rias. "Glad to hear it, I had a good time as well." Rias unlike Itachi managed to spot the heads of Akeno, Sona, Raven, Eto and Kuroka peeking out from the corner. She instantly realized they must have spied on them, to which she smirks a little.
"Goodnight." Rias looks to Itachi, and this time pulls him in for a kiss on the lips. Itachi doesn't deny her, just a little surprised seeing as she already kissed him on the cheek. Rias notices the look of surprise and giggles in her mind at also seeing the shocked reactions of the girls. Particular Sona whom looked completely white, while gaping. She clenched her hands on the wall so hard, she dragged up the wallpaper.
"Goodnight…" Itachi says the minuet Rias pulls away from the kiss, looking as calm and composed as always. Rias closes the door as she enters her room, giggling to herself like an excited high school girl feeling satisfied with today's date.
Itachi then heads back to his room, although the moment he walks around the corner he spots the girls. All besides Koneko looking shocked. Itachi seeing Raven amongst the group, and seeing she was dressed in a Mil-tan t-shirt. He realized they must have followed him and Rias on their date. Using Raven's ability to cloak their presence from being detected. Itachi smiled at the girls, whom didn't seem to know what to say now that he has seen them. "So, did you guys have fun today as well?" To this Itachi was meet with a few nervous laughs from Kuroka and Akeno. Sona was still pale from what she had seen and even unable make a sound. While Raven and Koneko remained stoic. And Eto merely nodded with an overly pleased smile spread across her face, not ashamed over having been caught spying.
The very next day, Rias had decided to take Itachi's advice and take a week's fieldtrip with her peerage for training. Well, minus Gasper seeing as he was still too shy to leave his room back at the old school building. She had taken her peerage to her family cabin/mansion up in the mountains, where there were no other people around to disrupt their training.
For the first day, Rias had Akeno show Issei and Asia the basics of magic, and control. And then have Akeno continue training Asia in the use of her Sacred Gear, while Issei trained physically with Kiba and Koneko.
Meanwhile, Rias focused on a training exercise she had from her training schedule given to her by her brother, Sirzechs. Sitting alone in the woods by the lake, with the full moon shining and reflecting its light upon the clear water. Wearing red sweatpants and a white t-shirt, Rias was sitting in a meditating position. Levitating over the ground, with a calm red aura radiating around her. And spheres of destruction spinning around her like planets revolving around the sun. This exercise was meant to improve her control over her demonic power. And for it, she needed to improve her focus which the mediating helped with.
Hiding behind a tree, was Rias' trusted queen Akeno. Whom had begun wondering when Rias had grown this powerful? It had been on her mind ever since the incident with Raynare, and how she easily saw Rias beat down the Fallen Angels with no effort. If Akeno was to make comparisons to Rias and Itachi and their sensation of power. Itachi's was at moments like a violent storm of raging fire threatening to erase any enemy, yet on others focused and calm like the ocean itself. Rias used to feel like this storm, mild but dangerous if underestimated. But now, now it feels more like a gigantic tornado threatening to destroy anything in its path. Akeno could still tell Itachi had the greater power of the two, but Rias' tornado kept growing every day and one day could potentially catch up. Whatever had changed in Rias, her power had without a doubt increased dramatically over the past year.
"Did you need something, Akeno?" Rias called out, looking to her queen with a smile.
Akeno let out a small gasp, she was certain she had concealed her presence. How did she notice her? If it was Itachi, Kuroka, Raven or Koneko she could understand. But, Rias managed to detect her. Just what has she done to improve this fast? "Umm, Buchou. I've been wondering…" Akeno approached her master, whom looked like she knew what her question was. "When did you get so powerful? You're completely different from what you were a year ago when we all fought Trigon and his forces."
"I suppose… I have been training for this past year after all." Rias replied, confirming the obvious answer. But training alone couldn't possibly have produced this kind of result in a year. "I asked my brother to help me train after the incident with Trigon." Rias revealed, wanting to reveal it once she felt like her training was complete. But seeing as Akeno had figured it mostly out, she saw no harm in filling her in.
"Sirzechs-sama… has trained you?" Akeno looked surprised that the prideful Rias managed to ask her brother for help. Normally she would have avoided asking her brother for anything like that.
"That day… I felt so helpless… seeing Itachi take on that kind of beating for us. Made me realize that I don't want to stay helpless… so that is why I swallowed my pride and asked my brother for training." Rias opened her heart up, haven't told anyone besides Sirzechs about this. And Itachi while he was still unconscious after the battle with Trigon.
"I see… why didn't you tell me sooner?" Akeno was slightly hurt over not having been filled in on this before now. Seeing as she was Rias best friend, and most trusted advisor.
"It might sound kind of stupid and selfish… but I wanted to surprise you all. With how much I've grown. It's as simple as that… but seeing as you mostly figured it out, I decided to tell you now." Rias looked with an apologetic smile at Akeno. "I'm sorry for not telling you before, Akeno." Her queen merely sighed and returned the smile.
"Honestly… Heh, you're forgiven. And I'm sure you will shock the hell out of Itachi with this." The two best friends shared a giggle at imagining Itachi's reaction. "Maybe I should also…" Akeno pondered on the thought of increasing her own ability with her lightning. But that would mean, she had to meet with him. And she wasn't sure if she was ready for that just yet. Thanks to Itachi's advise, Akeno had decided not to blame her father for her mother's death until she heard his side of the story. But it was the fear of learning that truth that prevented her from seeking her father out.
"So, how is Asia's training coming along?" Rias was curious to learn of the progress of their newest member. Asia's Sacred Gear would prove crucial for any battle they might have in the future.
"She's coming along nicely. She is quite the natural with magic. And the more she practices, the greater control and use she gains over Twilight Healing. She might be able to heal life threatening injuries now."
"I see… and Issei?"
"Mmm, his ability with magic is rather weak. But once he gains better control over his Boosted Gear, that will change. He is still no match for Kiba though."
"With a Sacred Gear like that, progress for someone like Issei is bound to be slow. But he will get there, he might end up becoming the strongest in my peerage sooner or later." Rias was pleased at how much her dearest servants had grown.
Meanwhile, with our little perverted Pawn. Issei had discovered a technique perfect for him while preparing dinner with Asia for everyone earlier. Now he just needed material to practice on. Maybe he could get lucky and maybe Akeno or Rias would be willing to let him test it out. Issei imagined with a perverted grin on his face, imagining the naked bodies of his two seniors. Although that image was replaced by seeing Rias kissing Itachi, which filled Issei with dread and jealousy.
He had been happy that the Raiser freak was out of the picture. But after some time to think about it, he really was jealous. After all, the girl he was in love with loved someone else. Maybe he could manage to win Rias over, and make her fall for him instead? 'Yeah, right… what girl would pick me over someone like Itachi-senpai?' Issei hung his head down, his thoughts really being like poison to his fragile mind. 'If Itachi-senpai didn't exist I might have a chance!' Issei thought bitterly for a second, although the very next he widened his eyes in shock over what he just thought. He didn't seriously think of that just now, did he? That settled it, after one more round of practice of this new technique he would go to sleep.
"Dress Break!" Could be heard echoing in the far corner of the hallway in the cabin where Issei had his room.
The days of the week went by, each member of the Gremory peerage growing stronger day by day. But for one certain pawn, something else happened every day. Or more specifically every night. Issei twisted and turned in his own bed, sweat pouring down his face.
Within Issei's mind, he was distraught, plagued by a nightmare. He was back in that abandoned church. And back face to face with his first girlfriend. "I-I like you, please go out with me!" Raynare in her Yuuma getup stood before a terrified looking Issei. "What's with that look?" After a mere blink from Issei, Raynare was in her true nature, the BDSM clothes, and that evil smirk on her face. "Scared? You should look happy to see your girlfriend." Raynare taunted him, cackling with a maniacal laughter.
"G-Get away from me…" Issei tried backing away, but his legs refused to budge an inch. Before he knew it a spear of light was stabbed through his stomach.
"That's not very nice." Raynare playfully looked hurt, followed by a menacing giggle. "Do you want to break up with me? For that blond nun, I'm hurt Issei." The innocent blond nun Asia appeared within Raynare's embrace, with a blade of light held to her throat.
"N-No please…" Issei reached his hand out, his eyes getting watery with tears seeing Raynare about to kill Asia. "Don't hurt her."
"Heh, okay. Whoops." Raynare casually slit Asia's throat open, squirting her blood out all over Issei's petrified body. "So fragile… oh, well. Guess I am all you have." Raynare's bloodied figure walked up to the petrified Issei, whom cried, looking angry at seeing Asia's corpse before him. "Come to me, little boy." Raynare reached out to Issei, a blade of light formed within her right hand. "If you do, I will help you get rid of him." Raynare giggled showing an image of Itachi with Rias embracing each other naked. Then Raynare with a wave of her hand, replaced the image of Itachi with Issei. "That's what you want, right?"
"N-No!" Issei roared and in response blazing flames appeared. Burning away the church, burning away Asia's corpse, burning away the image of him and Rias. And most of all, burning away the smiling Raynare.
"Pathetic, my partner afraid of a Fallen Angel that no longer exists." Emerging from the fiery inferno, rose a gigantic red scaled dragon. "I am Ddraig, one of the legendary Heavenly Dragons. The dragon that resides in the Boosted Gear."
"Y-You are the dragon in my Sacred Gear?" Issei questioned, as the dragon leaned its scaly face closer to him. His emerald green eyes glaring into his very soul. The dragon's hot breath blowing into Issei threatening to knock him over. "Why do you show yourself to me now?"
"I've always been talking to you. But you never heard me. Perhaps because you were too weak. Now as you can, I might as well greet you since we're fighting together as partners. Your fear, anger and hatred towards that woman really spiked up your power."
"Raynare…?" Issei kind of felt a strange sensation of anger at thinking that woman was behind him getting stronger.
"That's right, she who is causing those nightmares of yours."
"H-How can she… wait, is she still alive?" A mix sensation of fear and relief filled Issei. Fear over having the person he feared most alive, and a sense of relief over having the chance to finish this himself.
"No, without a doubt she died that day. Although it seems she somehow managed to latch a piece of her consciousness onto an object close to you, before her death. Lingering on like an evil spirit haunting those who wronged them."
"Is she, in my Sacred Gear?" Being the only object, that he could think of that was close to him. Issei summoned forth his Boosted Gear within his dream scape.
"No, if she were, I would have noticed her and erased her spirit by now. And unless you manage to get stronger, I won't be able to detect much on the outside and locate the source. You could always ask that Gremory girl, or that Sitri brat if they can sense anything wrong."
Issei clenched his fists, a fiery determination building up within him. "No, I will do this on my own. Ever since the thing with Raynare… I guess I felt kind of useless unable to finish her off myself. I had to rely on Buchou for that. So that's why, I have to do this by myself!" Issei felt a small sense of hatred towards himself, for not being man enough to finish Raynare off himself. He was thankful to Rias for doing it, but he still felt like he should have been the one to do it. That's why, he would make this his own problem, and not bother the others with it.
"Heh, very well. I look forward to working with you, partner." Ddraig didn't seem to care that much for his resolve. But the dragon did respect his fiery determination, as long as the boy would get strong enough to complete Ddraig's goal. Ddraig vanished back into the flames, and Issei woke up in his bed. He knew it wasn't a dream, that dragon felt too familiar and real. The determination was still burning strongly within him.
Present day
The two hooded young women took a look around town, mostly staying in the shadows to avoid contact with civilians. Both were on edge. They had gotten a report saying there were at least over twenty devils in this town. Yet unbeknownst to them, the entire Gremory group was out of town on a training trip. And one of the sins was overseas for a cooking competition. They still detected a good deal of devils in town, but not near the number they were expecting.
The taller hooded woman froze, detecting a presence nearby them. No, more like looming over them. They were being watched. She had felt something had been off since they got into town. "Irina, let's go." She called for her slightly shorter companion, now known as Irina to her side.
Having also noticed they were being watched. Irina and her companion nodded to each other, to which Irina took the lead. They moved at super speed through the forest, and their pursuers were hot on their trail. "Here should be good, Xenovia." Irina giggled while they jumped from tree to tree. "No people in sight." Irina landed before an old rundown building, which her companion Xenovia sighed over seeing.
"You sure have a strange sense of humor, Irina." Xenovia turned her back on the building, which was the very same abandoned church the Gremory group had faced off Raynare and her gang. Irina giggled and skipped herself to Xenovia's side, waiting for their pursuers to catch up. "Hn?" Xenovia looked up, her ice-cold emotionless stare visible under the hood. As out from the trees, shout out a rope of some kind. Wrapping itself around the two young women like a snake.
Xenovia flinched her hand, that had gripped onto the handle of the bandaged-up sword. And instantly the sword unleashed a small explosion that released them from the rope. The ground trembled, and frightened birds flew out from the trees as a result. Xenovia and Irina took a leap backwards, as before them landed four figures.
"Damn, guess we can't capture them that easily." It was Sona Sitri's Pawn, Saji Genshirou. A black gauntlet salamander looking like object attached to his left hand, the source of that strange rope that was a line of energy. With Sona's Rook Tsubasa, Knight Tomoe and second Pawn Ruruko at his side.
"So, some devils decided to show themselves. Saves us the trouble of hunting you down." Xenovia slammed the tip of her sword to the ground, making a large thud like noise. And Irina unwrapped a ribbon around her arm, to which it transformed into a katana.
"What are you Exorcists doing in this town?!" Saji glared at them, clearly on edge after what happened the last time Exorcists were spotted in town. 'This time, I will defeat some Exorcists and outshine that Hyoudou! And then the President will praise me!' Saji grinned from ear to ear within his mind at the thought, of the usual strict Sona giving him a praise for a job well done.
"You all got some guts, showing yourself in town after those last Exorcists went and killed some of our clients." Tsubasa cracked her knuckles, ready to throw down.
"Those were Stray Exorcists. Therefor not our problem." Xenovia retorted, looking like she hardly cared what they thought.
"Xenovia, come on now. People died…" Irina looked to her partner, looking a little disappointed that she didn't show much of a reaction to that.
"What is done cannot be undone. No use in overthinking it." Xenovia retorted, not paying attention to the devils before them. This only angered Saji, feeling like they were being heavily underestimated.
"That does it! Ruruko! Tomoe! Tsubasa! Let's chase them out of town!" Saji spread his devil bat wings and took flight to gain aerial advantage. Tomoe pulled out a black katana blade from a magic circle and with Tsubasa charged head towards the two Exorcists. While Ruruko took a leap backwards, as some pieces of armor appeared onto her legs. The youngest of Sona's peerage skidded a little backwards as her feet dragged up the earth beneath. Then with great force, she took a giant leap towards Xenovia and Irina.
Tsubasa raised her fist, and slugged it towards Xenovia whom without even batting an eye used her massive sword to block the strike. "Besides, those dead are now in the grace of our mighty Lord." Xenovia firmly stood her ground, and with incredible force was able to push Tsubasa and her Rook strength back.
Tsubasa stared in disbelief as she skidded backwards from the power unleased from that bandaged up sword. 'How did she…? What is that sword?' Tsubasa had a cold sweat running down her forehead, sensing great holy aura from the swords in the two Exorcists hands.
"Yeah, but…it's like still sad you know." Irina took a small break from looking at Xenovia to parry against all of Tomoe's attacks. Their katana blades clashed against each other, leaving sparks in their wake. Tomoe feeling the sudden power of holy energy from Irina's katana took a giant leap backwards.
"Always the sentimental one, aren't you?" Xenovia again without even casting a glance at her opponent blocked all of Ruruko's kicks. Each kick unleashed small shockwaves, if it had hit any of them. Irina and Xenovia would without a doubt take damage.
"Enough!" Saji with a swing of his arm, sent the energy line down like a whip. Both Xenovia and Irina leaped up in the air, both then took a backflip and gracefully landed onto the roof of the church, avoiding the slash of the whip by a mere inch. "Don't you mock us!" Saji fumed, unknowingly activating his Sitri clan symbol on his hand.
To this Xenovia looked with a curious gaze. "Sitri household?" Xenovia collected her thoughts, and looked with caution. 'These can't be the Seven Deadly Sins, could they?' Xenovia took note that they all had the Sitri household symbol. "Irina, seems we have to take this more seriously." Xenovia pulled her hood down, revealing her cute face and her short blue hair with a dyed green fringe on the right side. Her appearance screamed that of a tomboy.
Irina likewise pulled her hood down, revealing her cute childlike innocent face with her long brown chestnut hair tied into twin tails. "Agreed." Irina also having noticed the Sitri symbols on these devils, started looking like she took this seriously. Both their swords then exploded with golden destructive energy.
"This sensation… it can't be… holy swords?" Tomoe froze, her devil body screaming for her to run. The same appeared to be the case for her friends. "No, this is, Excalibur…" Tomoe dropped her katana onto the ground, clearly feeling outmatched.
Xenovia and Irina both readied their blades and blitzed the four devils with their super speed. Xenovia appeared above Saji, her right leg raised up in the air. Saji too frozen up at this holy aura couldn't react as Xenovia delivered a drop kick upon the Sitri Pawn sending him crashing down. Saji landed next to his friends, the impact of him hitting the ground creating a small crater.
"Saji!" Ruruko instantly went to Saji's aid, helping him back up. Tomoe was kicked to the side by Irina knocking her onto her ass before Saji and Ruruko.
"Tch!" Tsubasa grabbed onto Irina's wrist, and slammed her fist straight up into her gut. Irina's eyes widened, her body bobbing over in pain from the intense Rook strength of Tsubasa. Irina spat out a mixture of saliva and blood. Tsubasa then redirected her attention to the greater threat, Xenovia. Xenovia coldly stared down on the Rook, her sword raised up. Around Tsubasa expanded a golden barrier of energy, blocking Xenovia's strike. Although the sheer power unleashed from her Excalibur, caused the ground to explode into a giant crater. The sheer power of the tremor almost brought the abandoned church down to ruins.
Irina recovered from the punch, and gently graced Tsubasa's thigh with her katana. Tsubasa froze, feeling the scorching hot holy aura of the Excalibur burning her leg. The barrier around Tsubasa came down as she fell over, holding onto her leg that felt like it was being burnt away. Irina and Xenovia, on pure instinct acted like they were about to strike them all down with the might of their Excalibur.
"That is quite enough!" A voice screeched in anger, and the next instant both Xenovia and Irina were restrained by water made serpents. Xenovia in an attempted to break free, halted as a cold sensation of a blade pushed up against her neck. Xenovia looked behind her seeing Tsubaki Shinra with a naginata in her hands. Both Exorcists looked to the source of this demonic power where these water serpents came from.
"State your business." It was the youngest of the Sitri siblings, Sona. A book in one hand, and a magic circle in the other. Her chilling gaze digging into the very beings of Xenovia and Irina. Fighting against these two would not come without cost, was what went through Xenovia's mind.
"I see… these are your peerage members. Forgive me, for a moment I thought we were under attack by the Seven Deadly Sins. Considering your brother's reputation and presence in this town. I completely forgot about you." Xenovia lowered her sword, and Irina followed turning her blade back into a ribbon tied around her arm.
Sona glared at her for that remark, clearly angered at being looked down upon like that. "Answer the question before I start getting serious." Sona warned to which Xenovia merely gave her a smirk, as she unleashed a holy aura around her that blew away the water restraining her.
"Our business is with the leader of this town. Bring us to your brother at once, we have much to discuss with him." Xenovia glared back at Sona, clearly thinking Itachi Sitri was the one in charge of the town seeing as he was the stronger noble devil in Kuoh. Sona nudges to Tsubaki, telling her to go and heal Saji's group of their injuries. Of course, there wasn't much they could do for Tsubasa. As an injury from holy energy was too much for the likes of Tsubaki to heal. They would have to ask either Raven or Asia for that one.
"Know your place, this isn't the home of angels, nor your petty little churches. This is my family and the Gremory family's territory. So, show some respect." Sona closed her book, growing really tired of Xenovia's attitude.
"… Very well then. Devil or not, this is your land. So, I guess I will at least be a little more polite." Xenovia although still on guard took it a little easier, having analyzed the situation and realized that teasing a High-class devil might not be the best option right now. "Now, please, bring us to Itachi Sitri." Xenovia strapped her sword back onto her back.
"… As you wish." In return, Sona couldn't afford to risk starting a war with the church. These weren't Stray Exorcists after all, they had the churches protection should anything happen.
Sona lead the two hooded Exorcists through town, Sona and her peerage flying above in the sky. While surprisingly the agile Exorcists were able to keep up on foot. "Sona, are we really bringing them back home?" Tsubaki asked, for the first time unsure of her master's judgment.
"Tsubaki, trust me. From what I've seen they don't appear to be here for us. Otherwise they wouldn't have hesitated in killing Saji and the rest. What is more, they didn't attempt to attack us when we showed up." Sona kept a close eye on the two Exorcists from the corner of her eye as they jumped from building to building.
"But… maybe they didn't attack you because you are so much stronger than them President." Saji like Sona kept a close eye on the Exorcists, wary of their power and their holy swords. What is more he was angry over what they did to Tsubasa, whom he was carrying in his arms.
"To think that just a mere cut brought me to this state… Tch!" Tsubasa was shaking with disappointment in herself for being brought out of commission over something so little.
"Those Exorcists wield fragments of the legendary sword Excalibur. Tsubasa, try and not beat yourself too much over it. Any of us would have had the same reaction upon contact with one fragment." Sona attempted to comfort Tsubasa and her injured pride as a warrior. "Even I… wouldn't manage against two professional wielders of that sword by myself. Even with Tsubaki as backup, it would still be a rather unappealing outcome."
"No way…" Saji looked in disbelief, believing Sona to be one of the strongest people he has ever met.
'The only ones currently in town that probably could overcome such a challenge… would have to be onii-sama, Raven, Jack and Bob.' Sona tried to calculate the best move to make, should the meeting with these two Exorcist go badly. 'Eto and Kuroka… would have just as much of a good chance as me. No, probably even better.'
Sona halted in midair, signaling Saji, Tsubasa, Ruruko and Tomoe to go on ahead to treat Tsubasa's wound. While she and Tsubaki turned around to face the two Exorcists, whom at the moment stood waiting on the roof of a house. "Heh, quite extravagant… I would expect nothing less from noble devils." Xenovia commented upon seeing the six-story tall building where the devils lived in town.
"I suppose the chances of you leaving your weapons outside are none existent." Sona had to at least try, but the look Xenovia gave them said it all. No way in hell would they enter a house of devils without their weapons. "Very well, I had to ask… let's go." Sona and Tsubaki flew down to the entrance, and Xenovia and Irina took a giant leap from the roof and joined them.
The minuet they entered, they were greeted by Kuroka, Eto, and Jack. The tiny little assassin stood up front in the middle, glaring up at the two hooded Exorcists. And Xenovia upon seeing this little girl, glared back at her. Sensing she was the most dangerous person in this room. The tension around them grew thicker for every passing second. "Where is your master?" Xenovia grabbed onto the hilt of her Excalibur, ready to fight if needed. While Irina looked more on edge, trying to ease Xenovia so that she wouldn't be this hostile.
"X-Xenovia, we're here to talk, not fight… please lower your killer intent…" Irina pleaded, earning a small glare from her companion.
"Mama isn't home right now. Leave." Jack merely replied, her tone making it sound like a threat. Which erased all possibility of Xenovia calming down her killer intent.
"Mama?" Irina questioned, looking confused at that where as Xenovia didn't seem to care. Irina then leaned closer to Sona seeing if she could fill her in. "Psst, why did that little girl say mama? Does she think we're after her mom or something?" Irina whispered to Sona whom rubbed her temple over how tiring it had become explaining Jack's little nickname for Itachi.
"Mama is the word she uses when referring to onii-sama." Sone sighed while Irina blinked for a few seconds.
"Eh? Seriously?" Irina questioned looking rather dumbfounded.
"Seriously." Sona confirmed to which Irina blinked a few more times, before looking kind of grossed out as she covered her body with her arms.
"Just what kind of weird fetish does your brother have?" Irina shivered at the mere thought of a fetish where someone makes a little girl call them mama.
"I-It's not a fetish!" Sona lost her cool, and then coughed to regain her composure. "She is Jack the Ripper, the Sin of Wrath. She is a combination of the souls of aborted children. She went around killing women to return to try and get in their womb, the only place she used to consider a source of warmth. My brother provided warmth by giving her a damn hug, and she has called him mama ever since." Sona blushed over hearing her say does damn words, as the story in itself sounded silly. It was the type of story where you just had to have been there to get it. "J-Just deal with it okay… we've given up trying to convince her into calling him anything else."
"Huh, you must have it rather though." Irina looked with a little sympathy for Sona, whom at the moment hung her head in embarrassment.
"I don't care what stupid nickname you have for him. Where is he?" Xenovia wasn't having it, and slammed the tip of her blade to the floor making it crack.
Jack as a result gave Xenovia a dangerous glare, summoning forth duel wield daggers into her hands. "No one, threatens mama." Jack flared up in a dark aura, her eyes flashing red. Having taken that as a threat from Xenovia.
"Ohhh, this could be fun." Eto took a step back to get a better view of the scene, while Kuroka joined her while a drop of sweat ran down her forehead.
"Yeah, there is no point in trying to stop Jack-chan when she gets like this. Nya. Only the captain can stop her now."
"This won't end well for you. Sin of Wrath or not, as a devil the Excalibur is too much for you." Xenovia looked down onto the tiny assassin whom showed no sign of backing down. "But, you are welcome to struggle all you like." Xenovia swung the Excalibur down upon Jack, the floor erupting up from the intense destructive blow. "Hn?" Xenovia looked surprised thinking the whole floor would be nothing more but a gigantic crater by now.
"You think you can beat us?" Jack held the tip of Excalibur back with her two daggers in an x-formation. The two daggers unleashing a powerful demonic aura.
'I see, she used demonic blades to lessen the holy power of the Excalibur. Guess I should have struck harder.' Xenovia added more weight upon the blade, to which Jack was forced to leap back to avoid getting squashed underneath it. "You may be skilled with weapons, but you lack physical strength."
Jack's aura intensified as she glared down at her target. "Top speed…" Jack vanished in the blink of an eye, appearing behind Xenovia. Yet the holy sword wielder was able to detect her demonic presence, and managed to counter a strike from Jack's daggers. Jack looked somewhat surprised that Xenovia was able to predict her movement with her top speed. But could she keep up?
Jack began moving faster and swifter, and Xenovia retaliated using her maximum speed. Although Jack being smaller, and not to mention having the ability of a knight was much faster. Xenovia managed to block any fatal blow, but Jack managed to get her licks in. Cutting Xenovia in her legs, her arms, her hips.
"Oy, Jack! Remember no killing!" Sona felt the need to remind Jack that she couldn't kill Xenovia. Hoping Jack would remember that she wasn't allowed to kill without Itachi's permission.
"…" Jack however ignored her, and kept moving at blurring speed. Xenovia started growing frustrated, recognizing that Jack had the advantage. The one way she could manage was if she brought the entire building down around them to surprise Jack, and then deliver a fatal strike.
Jack vanished in the blink of an eye, and reappeared kneeling next to Xenovia with her dagger ready to deliver the finishing blow. Xenovia noticed the assassin, and raised her Excalibur in responds ready to use its destructive power to make the whole building collapse. Both then went in for their individual attack, although each blade was met with a wall of darkness.
"That's enough. I don't want any bloodshed in my house." Itachi and Raven both entered through the front door. Raven having trapped both Jack and Xenovia within a tiny sphere of darkness to prevent them from attacking each other. And while at it, Raven healed any injury Jack had dealt to Xenovia. "Raven, lower the one around Jack." Itachi walked up to the sphere with the little assassin, and Raven as told lowered the sphere.
Jack calmly looked up at Itachi, whom gave her a karata chop at the top of her head. "Owchy!" Jack fell to the floor, rubbing the top of her head. Looking like a child that was just scolded by her parent, she pouted with teary eyes as she looked up at Itachi.
"What have I told you…" Itachi had his arms crossed, while looking down on Jack with a disapproving look.
"N-Not to kill unless you say so…" Jack muttered to which Itachi nodded. "B-But we just wanted to protect you mommy." Jack looked up at him with big teary puppy dog eyes, Itachi sighed and knelt down gently patting Jack's head.
"I'm glad you wish to protect me. But you needn't worry. I can take care of myself." Itachi like a parent brought his child in for a hug, while gently stroking her hair. "Now, promise me that when I'm not around. You'll listen if Sona here for example, tells you not to kill anyone." Jack merely nodded while enjoying the warm embrace of her parent. Itachi then looked to Xenovia, still trapped within the sphere. "Now as for you, I don't appreciate guests who attack my beloved peerage members. Like we cannot carelessly attack members of the church, the same rules abide to you. Unless you wish for a war, I demand an apology."
"Tch!" Xenovia clicked her tongue in anger and strapped her Excalibur onto her back. To which Raven lowered the sphere around Xenovia, whom looked at Itachi for a few seconds. Taking in the awesome sensation of power radiating from him like a raging fire. Not to mention the way he carried himself, showed his years of experience and skill. Without a doubt, even with the Excalibur, she knew she could not win. Not even with Irina backing her up. "Very well, I apologize for acting irrationally." Xenovia lowered her head, which hurt her pride beyond anything. Having to lower her head to a devil.
"… Very well, now, what is it that you came here for?" Itachi decided to put this behind him, and accept her apology and get straight to business. Whatever made two Exorcists from the church get sent out here can't be good news.
"A few weeks ago, a group of fallen angels broke in and stole some of the Excalibur fragments within the Churches possession. After some searching, we tracked them to this town." Xenovia explained their reasoning for being here, they were sent to retrieve or destroy the fragments to avoid the Fallen Angels getting their hands on them.
"Fallen Angels?" Itachi questioned, his mind instantly going to Raynare's group that they dealt with a few weeks ago. The time matched up, and no other fallen angels had been in this town since. "Those Fallen Angels you speak of, have already been dealt with and killed. Although there was no sign of any Excalibur fragments."
To this Xenovia raised her brow, seeming slightly curious. "Did you deal with them personally?"
"No, Rias Gremory and her group dealt with them." Itachi revealed to which Xenovia looked slightly shocked.
"One High-class devil and her servants finished off four normal Fallen Angels and two six-winged Fallen Angels?" At this statement Itachi looked somewhat confused.
"Six? The Fallen Angels we encountered all had standard two wings. And there were only four of them." Itachi and Xenovia compared their reports. Xenovia's report from the church showed that four normal Fallen Angels and two six-winged Fallen Angels were behind the theft of the Excalibur fragments. There was even a photo, and Itachi recognized one of the Fallen Angels as Raynare. "I see, most likely those two six-winged Fallen Angels took the fragments back to their master. While the other four went into Kuoh town."
"I see… then without a doubt the only possible suspect with that much power in the Griogori faction…"
"Kokabiel." Itachi finished Xenovia's sentence, and she nodded in confirmation. "If I had known this then… I could have killed him then without any consequences for us devils." Itachi clenched his fists in frustration. If Kokabiel had openly been revealed in a plot against the church and God, then killing him would have been no problem. "So, you want our help in this?" Itachi looked to the two Exorcists, although their answer did not surprise him.
"No, this is our mission. We cannot allow the potential of you devils obtaining Excalibur either. Therefor we merely come here to ask for your permission to search the town." Xenovia revealed, to which those who knew what they were getting into looked a little concerned.
"You will be killed." Itachi calmly warned, his face showing no emotion and neither did Xenovia.
"If that is our destiny… then so be it. We trust in the guidance of our almighty Lord. We trust that God will see us through on this mission." Xenovia put her hood back on, and walked towards the exit with Irina. "Now then, that will be all. I assume we have your permission?" Itachi merely waved them off as a sign that they had his permission. To which without wasting any more time, the two of them went towards the exit.
"You have my permission that is. But Sona and Rias have just as much control over this town as I do. You will need theirs as well." Itachi halted them from leaving, to which Xenovia looked slightly annoyed.
"I also grant you permission, but you will have to wait for Rias to return. You can meet up with her at Kuoh Academy tomorrow after school. She should be returning home tonight, although she might want to rest when she does." Sona said, and although Xenovia wanted to just wait for Rias to return to get her permission. Irina convinced her of otherwise, as she also needed some rest.
"Very well… make sure she is there." Xenovia and Irina then parted ways with the devils, and left as the sun began to set.
After they had left, Itachi wasted no time and contacted the only reliable source they had amongst the Fallen Angels. And ironically enough, it was the Governor of the Fallen Angels. Itachi called for Azazel through a hologram in the palm of his hand. "Well, this is a rare surprise… Levithan's beloved younger brother. What can I do for you?"
"I have some rather disturbing news…" Itachi filled in Azazel on the whole matter with the stolen Excalibur fragments and Kokabiel. "So, you see… I was hoping you could contact your spies within Kokabiel's castle to figure out what he is planning."
"Hmm, actually, I discussed this with Sirzechs earlier. I can't seem to get in touch with my spies. Kokabiel most likely discovered our plan and took action. I will send someone to investigate his castle right away." After saying he would call Itachi back with an update, Azazel hung up.
And now all that was left was waiting to hear back from the Fallen Angel Governor. It took a few hours before he again made contact. "It is as I feared, my spies are dead. And the castle was empty, well minus the dead bodies anyway. Kokabiel must have acter earlier than expected after discovering that peace conference thing."
"Peace conference? What peace conference?" Itachi questioned, this being the first he had ever heard of such a thing. Azazel slapped his own face, obviously he wasn't supposed to tell this information to anyone.
"Argh! Me, Sirzechs, and Michael have been planning a peace conference. We want to end all conflict between our factions. After all, none of us will benefit from another war. We planned to hold the conference in a month from now, Kokabiel must have found out and acted out whatever plan he had earlier than he originally planned. It seemed like they left in a hurry after all, the whole castle was a mess. Most likely, he hopes to end all hopes of peace and start a new war. He must be planning to use those Holy Swords to bring the Angels in, and maybe target you and your town to bring the Devils in."
"Holy Swords? And a peace conference?" The door opened into the living room, diverting Itachi and the hologram of Azazel's attention. "My, my, it seems we missed a lot while we were gone." Standing in the doorway, was Rias whom gracefully removed her sunglasses and at her sides were Akeno and Koneko. "Good thing Yuuto decided to go to the convenience store. Otherwise we would have another problem at our hands."
"… Glad to have you back. I trust your training went well?" Itachi could tell their power had grown, although now that he first tried to detect their level. He couldn't help but notice Rias was concealing her power.
Meanwhile, heading back to their own home. Issei and Asia were walking through the streets of the night. Asia having started living with Issei and his family ever since the events with Raynare. "Did uhh, did you make much progress with your training, Asia?" Issei nervously tried to make small talk with the little innocent nun, whom smiled kindly upon him.
"Oh yes! Akeno-san was very helpful in teaching me! I can use my Sacred Gear much better now thanks to her." Asia for fun summoned forth her Twilight Healing rings, that illuminated in a green emerald glow. She quickly however deactivated the rings, since they were lighting up the streets like a flashlight.
"Really? That's awesome! I managed to get a lot stronger as well!" Issei pumped his fist into the air, feeling hyped up and proud at his growth which he considered quite the achievement. Although that sense of achievement was replaced by a creeping sensation of dreed and despair.
"Well, let's test that theory, shall we?" A sickening cackle of a laughter echoed through the streets. Upon instinct Issei instantly activated his Sacred Gear and stood defensively before Asia. They both recognized the voice, and it brought none but unpleasant feelings and memories. Coming bouncing out from the dark alleyway next to them, was a small ball covered in some tape. It rolled over next to Issei, and suddenly rays of light began emitting from it.
"Argh!" Issei and Asia both covered their eyes as the ball exploded in a brilliant flashing light, nearly blinding them. The next second Issei felt a scorching hot burning pain running across his back. His clothes getting drenched in the hot warm liquid that was his blood. Issei fell onto one of his knees, blood squirting out from a cut across his back. "You!" Issei snarled in a venomous voice, filled with anger and hatred as the light died down and he glared daggers at this figure.
"Yo! Mister devil! It is I! The great Freed Sellzen! And I am here to settle things." The psychotic former priest smiled down upon them, killer intent leaking out from his very body. And in his hand, he wielded a giant blade that gave a divine golden glow.
"So, you blindside me? Cheap shot you damn bastard!" Issei pushes his body up from the ground, his Sacred Gear unleashing a mighty green light followed by his red aura intensifying.
Boost!
"Oh, I see you have at least upgraded. Well as you can see, so have I." Freed called in a dramatic voice as he waved his new giant sword over his head. "I bet that lover boy of yours would die with jealousy over seeing this." Freed gave a sadistic chuckle, remembering the Gremory knight that bested him last time in the church. "Now you shall be the very first devil, to witness the amazing power of my new EXCALIBUR! I am pleased that your blood will be the first it has tasted in decades." Freed jumped at Issei, the Excalibur raised over his head. As he looked at Issei with crazed eyes and a wide-open smirk with his tongue sticking out.
Despite that terrible burning pain on his back, the horrified look of Asia kept him standing. No way in hell he would leave her at the mercy of this bastard again. Issei blocked the strike with his red dragon gauntlet, to which even Freed looked surprised. "Excalibur, huh? Too bad swords of light don't work that well on dragons as it does with devils!" Issei utilizing his superior devil strength pushed Freed away.
Boost!
"Come on! I will wipe that smirk clean off your face!" Issei clenched his fists, cursing himself over not being able to use Promotion. If he could, he felt like he would without a doubt be able to beat Freed.
"Interesting, let's see what ya got!" Freed charged at Issei, playfully swinging his sword around and Issei parrying it with his Boosted Gear. Yet despite not taking this seriously, Freed left no opening for Issei to attack through his guard. If Issei ever as much thought of throwing a punch, Freed would make sure to cut his arm off before his fist could even reach. Issei had only one hope of winning, using his new finisher move as he called it.
Boost!
'That's three… only a few more to go!' Issei attempted to dodge an elbow strike from Freed, although the pain in his back prevented him from leaning too far. Therefor Freed made a direct hit to Issei's face. However, Issei refused to fall and merely pushed back. Blocking each strike from Freed's Excalibur with his Boosted Gear gauntlet.
Boost!
Freed halted his laughter of mockery, as he noticed with each boost that Issei got faster and stronger. He was actually fast enough now to attack, although Issei unsure if he should wait for his momentum a little longer. "As much as I enjoy playing with you! I am afraid I have to make this quick!" Freed declared, increasing the ferocity of his attacks. Issei took a leap back to avoid getting another slice of that sword.
Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!
Freed looked on in shock as every ten second, Issei's power increased more and more. "What the?" Freed looked in surprise and therefor ended his attacks and leaped back feeling Issei was up to something.
"And that's twelve…" Issei's eyes for a moment flashed green as a violent tremor came from his Boosted Gear. The gauntlet began oozing with a ferocious red aura, and within the palm of his dragon hand appeared a tiny sphere of pure energy.
"Issei-san, you are not seriously planning to fire that off in town?" Asia looked with concern, making Freed realize whatever Issei had planned was destructive.
"Trust me, Asia… I know what I am doing!" Issei brought out his devil bat wings, firmly dragging his feet into the ground. He then took a giant leap forward, and with the added speed from his wings caught Freed a little off guard. "Take this… bastard!" Issei slid underneath Freed, aiming the energy sphere directly at Freed and the night sky.
"D-Damn it!" Freed actually began to sweat as he attempted to back away.
Dragon shot!
The tiny sphere then erupted into a massive red wave of energy. Blasting off into the night sky like a rocket, lighting the sky up in a fantastic explosion like the sun itself had risen. The blast could be seen for miles, acting also like a signal flare to the other devils in town.
"A-And people call me a lunatic…" Freed had survived, having fallen on his ass avoiding the blast by a mere inch. The edge of his coat's collar was burnt, his face had also suffered some minor burns from being that close to the wave. "You are a real riot!" Freed gave a maniacal laughter, wiping the cold nervous sweat from his forehead.
Issei fell to his knees, while giving a chuckle. "Although I aimed at you, I was just trying to see if I could get you caught up in it…" Issei's power began to fade as his Sacred Gear vanished in the blink of an eye.
"What?" Freed raised his brow, using the Excalibur to push himself back up. Then it began dawning on him, he looked up seeing the big smoke cloud left from the explosion still looming in the air above them. "I see, you tried calling your little group of friends to your aid." Freed laughed at how surprisingly smart Issei seemed, he at least wasn't foolish enough to think he could beat Freed alone. At least not with that bloodied cut on his back.
"Y-You better run…" Issei glared at him, yet Freed merely smiled. Despite sensing other devils approaching he smiled. He vanished in a flash, and suddenly Issei heard a scream. "Asia!" Issei turned around to see Freed holding Asia in a chokehold.
"I will just take this slutty sister and be on my way then. Her powers have some use for the big boss man." Freed gave a maniacal laughter at seeing Issei's attempts to get back up.
"Y-You won't be able to get away with her on foot!" Issei threatened, yet it didn't seem to work.
"Oh, I know devil boy. I know. But the boss has, alternate means…" Freed smirked as a portal similar to that which the Fallen Angels used. "See ya!" Freed laughed as he dragged the screaming Asia with him.
"Issei-san!" Asia reached out and Issei reached back.
"Asia!" Issei shouted, and just like that. She was gone, the portal had closed with Freed and Asia. Issei grinded his teeth, clenching his fists and slamming them into the concreate ground. "Dammit all! Just when I got me some power… it still wasn't enough!" Issei in his anger passed out in a pool of his own blood, as raindrops began falling around him. The rain washing away the blood into a drain.
"Issei-kun!" Coming rushing over, was Kiba. Having seen Issei's little signal earlier, he instantly went to his comrade's side seeing the sword cut on his back. Kiba took off his own blazer and used it as pressure on Issei's wound. Although, that is when he felt it. This was no ordinary wound. It had a strange energy lingering in it. "… Holy Sword." Kiba's eyes turned into that of anger, his hands clutching onto his blazer increasing the pressure on Issei's wound. The next moment, Rias and the gang arrived through a magic circle, surrounding the wounded and bloodied Issei. It was safe to say, Kuoh town was the target in Kokabiel's big evil scheme.
That's the end for now!
So, we've arrived at the Holy Sword arc now. I am thinking this arc will last two more chapters after this. Then we get to the peace conference arc. But, yeah what did you all think of this chapter? I could have made this a filler chapter with only centering around Itachi and Rias' date, but I decided to jump straight to the arc. The final confrontation against Kokabiel draws near.
Now, I originally planned to update multiple stories this week. But things happened, and I got sick with a fever. So, I ended up not feeling like working that much because of it. As I write this, I have a hard time focusing on writing this author note.
Anyway, leave a review!
-Later!
(responds to reviews):
Guest55: Thanks!
Novel GaRage: Maybe she is, her flames sure are XD But Itachi and his Mangekyou, I have the moment planned out, and sorry to say it ain't happening anytime soon. Planning for it around the events of the DxD Hero season.
Xenozip: Why thank you, glad to see a lot of you got that reference.
wildxhyena: Thanks!
Emn93: Well I hope to finish this one, have a lot of plot points planned out for the future of this story that I am really excited for. So I think it's safe to say I will do my best to complete this story one day.
TehStorm: Thanks! And I am actually planning for something like that with Issei. And as for Saji, well he is lucky Itachi doesn't know what his dream is. Oh, and that hatred the high-class society has for him will really show in the future.
andresskorskiruiz: Eto is a wildcard, although I don't think she would do that during their date. And it's not even clear if she loves Itachi, or just finds him to be fun and a useful tool for her final goal. We'll have to see how things go.
No-Named-Dude: Thanks! I thought that the Joker nightmare would work perfectly as an illusion for Itachi to use on someone. And that someone was Raiser.
EmilyGonzalez: Thanks! And the sins will gather together again one day, I have at least the moment where they are all together again planned out.
Gin of the wicked smile: Thanks! And I will think about it, but I am also intrigued with a potential Esdeath x Serafall pairing.
PsychoSync: Of course, one of my fav gaming series of all time!
fallendemon248: It sure was!
Ferocious Nightfury: Ouf, too late for those suggestions I'm afraid.
ahweilee1999: Will do, a moment between them is coming up soon.
Harambe: Glad you enjoyed it.
Las piedras: Glad to hear it.
merendinoemiliano: I thought so as well XD
DarkReaderSeiin: Thanks! Hope you will enjoy this arc as well.
Dracus6: I will think about it. Although right now I have too many story ideas to keep track of.
Blue-Eyes: I mean, although it would be a nice reunion between brothers. I'm not sure if it will fit in with what I have planned. There is a possibility for one certain arc in the future though. I will give it some thought.
Guest: I'm pretty sure no, considering they are both OC's.
Mr. Haziq: That pretty much sums it up. I mean, what other way was there to go when Itachi has a peerage like that?
Groman17: Yep!
Wolf1741: It should, I was inspired by it XD
Uday Sra: Thanks!
NazgulBelserion: That, would be overkill. The current Itachi is more than enough to kill Kokabiel.
TeraBaapBSDK: Well, how would you have done it? Itachi here has a peerage of monsters, Raiser's peerage members are all low level or mid-class level fighters. There isn't much chance of a challenge there if you ask me.
Chisaki Kouu: I can see where you are coming from. Although it is possible for him to move on and find someone else. And with the devil genes in him now, harems are not impossible since this is the dxd verse. But if you won't read any more of this story, then I will understand.
seant5054: Feel like you have asked me this before… I'm not that huge a Marvel fan, I am more of a DC fan.
Cloverhead123: Somewhere around the events of the DxD Hero season.
Pattou59: Here you go!
razmire: It certainly will take longer to recover than the trauma he had when he lost to Issei in cannon. But I feel like we will see that Phenex brat again one day.
CaptBurrito: I plan on him using some of Kisame's moves in the future. With Itachi's own little twists to them maybe.