Back to Issei
"WHY DON'T YOU DIE?!" Raynare screamed at Issei when he avoided the light spear being thrown at him. The spear stabbed into the wall behind him, erupting into a human sized explosion of light that left a small crater behind. A crater which soon got filled by trails of blood resembling waterfalls from the fleshy prison that was this underground Screaming Gallery.
"YOU TOOK THE ONE THING PRECIOUS TO ME, BITCH! HOW ABOUT I RETURN THE FAVOR!" Issei shouted back at Raynare, forming another fireball in his right hand and then hurling it towards her like he were a pokemon trainer hurling a pokeball to catch a pokemon.
In response, Raynare flew to the right avoiding the flames… though that action ended up doing very little thanks to it briefly singing a part of her right wing. A searing pain coursed through her thanks to the struck area being a rather sensitive one, prompting her to scream before dropping down to the fleshy ground, splashing blood all over her.
The fallen angel growled before reaching to her burnt wing and restoring it back to normal with her new Sacred Gear. She then shot up into the air again (avoiding another fireball from Issei, completely this time) like a bullet before extending her wings, trying to show dominance to Issei.
However it did little to him aside from make his flames burns hotter on his hands, face and wings in response to his fury. This fiery aura also wound up burning the flesh around him, making it look like delicious food cannibals would eat.
Raynare glanced at Asia peaceful form and snarled. "All this over some dead girl? Well fine then!" She conjured a light spear before aiming it at the corpse. "Lets see if you can try and protect her cold mangled body!"
"NOOOOOOOOOO!" Issei screamed in retaliation, trying to fly towards Asia's figure before the light spear could reach her. However the light spear shot through like a bullet. It was close to Asia's body which Issei stretched his hand out towards her as if trying to reach her. Raynare smile maniacally before conjuring two more light spears before she aimed at Issei opening when he left himself defenseless
When time was slowing and the light spear almost touched Asia while Issei was close to her figure. It was about to be skewered by Raynare and she would've thought she had her victory.
That is however did not come true when Asia glows all of a sudden, surrounding her before shining brightly.
SHHIIINNNNG!
"HUH?!"
"WHAT?!"
Both Issei and Raynare were taken back at the sudden brightness took over the platform. The brightness almost blinded the both of them. Thanks to them covering their eyes, they didn't see how the light spear that was about to butcher Asia got dispelled into nothingness when the brightness acted like a barrier around her.
"WHAT IS THIS!? THIS SHOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE! HOW IS SHE EMITTING HOLY LIGHT!" Raynare shouted in fury while covering her eyes around her elbows which covered the bright that almost blinded her.
Issei had his flaming hand covering his eyes with one hand before looking intent at the light. He squinted his eyes a bit, before he finally saw Asia form rising upwards, levitating in the air as if some invisible hands were holding her above the ground. Not only that, but her body was being transformed into something judging by the light spreading across her body like the flames that had previously consumed him. Widening his eyes, Issei then slowly lowered his hand before staring at Asia's transformation, the brightness not affecting him for some reason.
Over to where Asia's form was, she began to transform while the brightness died around her. Her figure began to waver like a flickering light, before the brightness finally died down completely, revealing that she was still being covered in holy light. Soon however, that light around her begin to turn into particle that encircled her like a dome, slowly revealing her new figure.
Asia floated above the platform, her form clad in an aura of light. Her hair having turned from physical into what looked like pure light energy with what looked like a spiked halo ring floating behind the back of her head. Her eyes, currently closed, then opened in the following seconds to reveal how they had become a brilliant golden color with a pair of pure white pupils.
The light particles around her then began to apply themselves to the rest of her body, solidifying into her new outfit. Instead of her previous nun robes, she wore more… angelic clothing, showing more skin. Her hands and arms were adorned with bicep-length white evening gloves alongside a pair of gauntlets reaching from her hands to her elbows, ones resembling the medieval knights of old. On her neck, she wore white present ribbon white with a blue gem in the center, acting as a necklace. Across her chest looked to be a white crystalline bodice of sorts, from what could be seen behind her chainmail-like breastplate which completely hugged her torso and streamlined her curves. On her waist was what looked like a multi-layered, frilly skirt that reached her thighs in length, whereas it also came with a pair of ribbons attached to her hips shaped like flower petals. From these ribbons, she had a beautiful long, transparent dress skirt that reached her ankles, somewhat resembling those a wedding dress would have. Her legs had skin-tight white long leg stockings, as well as a pair of matching white greeves similar in appearance to her gauntlets that ended in high heels. Finally, protruding out from her back were a pair of wings made entirely from light energy, shaped like bird ones only they had a golden frame to them where the bones should be, and they easily rivalled a wind glider in full length.
All in all… she looked absolutely breath taking.
The emotion that Issei's feeling, the overwhelming rage that clouded over his mind, quickly vanished upon seeing the sight before him. There Asia was floating there, resurrected from the dead. The fires around Issei still burned, but they were getting dimmer and dimmer by the second alongside his vanishing rage. "...Asia?" he whispered in a quiet voice, somewhat still in disbelief over what he was seeing. His eyes widened into a pair of circles, his hands lowering to his sides.
'This is quite a predicament. Seems that God was kind enough to hear your wishes and transform the fallen nun…..into something far holier.'
The deep muscular voice echoed on his mind. Apparently according to it, God had heard BOTH their prayers and decided to be a decent guy for once by answering them. Though he didn't know what the voice meant by becoming 'something far holier' than what she was before… honestly, if one asked him nothing could have been holier than Asia in his eyes.
This feeling however was not shared with Raynare, shaking from intense rage and insanity from the things she has witnessed. "Why…..your Sacred Gear was torn apart away from your very soul, it should have killed you! So why…..?" she whispered under her breath, her hair shadowing her eyes for a moment before she raised her head. Her eyes had turned completely red like Issei's had once been before yelling towards the newly ascended Asia with a look of rage and insanity. "HOW IS IT YOU WERE RESSURECTED FROM THE DEAD?! GOD SHOULD'VE TAKEN YOUR SOUL INTO HELLLLLLLLL! WHY DID HE NOT DO THAT WHEN INSTEAD YOU GET TO ASCEND SOMETHING THAT SHOULD'VE BEEN ME?! I SHOULD BE ASCENED! I AM AN ANGEL, NOT TO SOME LOWLY PATHETIC HALF DEAD HUMAN! HOW DARE YOU TAKE AWAY SOMETHING THAT SHOULD'VE BEEN MINE! MINE I TELL YOU MINE! MINE! MINE! MINE!"
"Oh shut up will you!?"
BAM!
"BLERGH!"
Issei had enough of Raynare's ranting, and thus promptly slammed his Tail right into her gut to launch the insane Fallen Angel far away from them. Unfortunately she had managed to recover before she could implant herself into the wall, but his attack had indeed left her in a bit of a daze so she wouldn't be striking (or better yet screech like a banshee like before) any time soon.
Once she had been dealt with for the time being, Issei floated in that spot for a moment with his Tail flickering behind him in a calm manner, all the while Asia raised her head towards the said brunette's position. Issei felt Asia was still staring at him, but nonetheless he remained in this position, unwilling to look at her in the eyes thanks to the wave of shame that washed over him. Now that Asia had somehow returned, he didn't want her to see his current state, looking like a monster to her in her eyes. He could still feel the crimson flames crackling around him like blazing bonfires bathing him in their glow..
Down below, Asia didn't show any signs of feeling afraid or scared of Issei's state, nothing of the sort could be seen on her face nor any other section of her body. Instead, her angelic wings gently started flapping to help her climb upwards, the blonde former Nun slowly rising towards him. Even though she had never truly flown before when she'd been a human, the way she moved with her wings made Asia resemble a graceful dancer or professional athlete whilst she seemingly glided through the air with supernatural levels of grace.
Once she got within speaking distance of him, she called out his name. "Issei." her tone spoke in angelic grace, providing a soothing river which doused a large portion of Issei's residue fury.
Even though his heart SUNG at being able to hear her voice, the ashamed Issei didn't turn around to face her when even she called out his name. He kept his head facing away from the blonde, trying to keep a straight face to hide what he felt inside.
"Do not be ashamed of yourself Issei, I know its you. Please don't be afraid."
"..."
'Don't be such a dramatic boy, she's calling out for you. She's not afraid of what you are, if she would then she would've not spoke a word to you nor would she have called out to you.'
Once again Issei heard that strange deep voice from before, however it wasn't encouraging him to embrace his bloodlust with stuff about dragons or whatever. Instead, it encouraged Issei to not be ashamed of what he had become right now: a monster he may have been but he seemed to not be one in Asia's eyes.
While he didn't know why, he would NOT be complaining about it.
Slowly turning around while gathering what courage he still had, Issei wound up showing his flame appearance and his arms which were slowly dying down. Issei had his head down while not looking at Asia's soft eyes or seeing her expression. "I'm sorry Asia." He apologized to Asia. "I…..lost myself when I saw you take your…..last breath. I….was filled with…..pure rage and I couldn't control myself." shaking his head while looking at his fiery hands in regret and despair. "And I….couldn't keep my promise to you-"
"You did keep your promise Issei." Asia interrupted him, getting closer to Issei before she grabbed his fiery hands. Despite the intense heat from the crimson flames which briefly roared, almost returning to their states when Issei'd been at his peak previously, they didn't burn her at all nor scorch her hands. Though that was also likely due to her hands being covered by a mixture of gloves and gauntlers. Smiling at him, Asia then spoke as soothingly as she could for his troubled soul. "It's not your fault Issei. I know you couldn't control your rage after seeing my dead body. I know that I would have been affected too, if I saw you in that position."
Taking her hands off of his hands, Asia then reached out to grasp his cheeks with them, bringing his gaze up to her so they could have eye contact.
This also allowed the brunette to witness the pure, sweet smile that formed on her lips. "You don't need to be angry or sad anymore, let it go. Let it all go. You are not a monster, you're a special person. My special person and my first….best friend." Whispering this at a volume only barely audible for even the two of them, Asia then leaned forward to touch Isse's forehead with her own, the one currently engulfed in flames.
As for the brunette, new tears began to shed forth from his tearducts as he tearfully reciprocated the gestures. His hands, covered in the dying flames still, then wrapped around her body to give her an embrace long overdue. He momentarily forgot that he could have hurt her in this state, though in fairness he'd seen how her new form protected her from such happenings.
Soon the flames that enveloped his head, arms and formed his various extra appendages began to finally dispel in their entirety, completely disintegrating into nothingness. The rage that had empowered them before could no longer sustain them thanks to it being pacified by the blonde girl before their master.
However, what they left behind would be QUITE the legacy.
Issei's body looked to have gone through quite the transformation. His hands were now covered with red mechanical-looking gauntlets that almost looked like they came from some futuristic sci-fi movie. Each red Gauntlet had a green jewel in the back of their palms and 2 golden spikes, with the gauntlets themselves covering everything below the elbow. Protruding out his back were a pair of large crimson wings with lighter red webbing, wings that were currency unfurled outwards. Embedded within the 'bones' of each wing where the 'palms' would have been, were additional green jewels while the 'thumbs' took the form of golden curved spikes. Out the base of his spine protruded a multi-meter long, crimson tail coated in matching armor plates that only exposed it's underside. The Tail ended in a sharp, golden trident-like tip for slashing and stabbing. Finally, Issei had what looked like a jaw of crimson armor plates covering his chin and jawline, several 'claw' shaped extensions grasping onto each side of his face.
When Issei felt the heat was no longer there he opened his eyes and looked down at his hands before breaking the head lock. He looked at himself in sheer amazement by the sudden awakening while constantly turning his hands around, admiring them like he had never seen them before. 'Holy… these look freaking badass as fuck…!' The brunette thought in sheer awe, actually feeling a little giddy like a child at the new 'toys' he had in his possession. Was this supposed to be his Sacred Gear or something?
It wasn't long before he noticed the tail and the wings though, and as such he had the following reaction:
"Woah!" He shouted in amazement before spinning around, looking at himself before glancing at his shining crimson gauntlets, or to be more specific the jewels embedded within the back of their palms. "Is this…..my sacred gear?" Issei asked himself, not expecting any kind of answer.
He really should have though
"Yes you are indeed partner. You possess the Longinus Sacred Gear: The boosted gear."
Out of nowhere, the left gauntlet's jewel started flashing when the same deep voice from before spoke to Issei out loud, instead of speaking in his mind like previously.
Widening his eyes in surprise, Issei looked taken back of the sudden speech. Even Asia beside him looked a bit surprised, although she seemingly recomposed herself rather quickly which only added to the brunette male's surprise and confusion about what had been going on here. "Wait, you spoke in my mind before!" Issei exclaimed, recognizing the voice as the one who had been guiding him in this fight. "Who are you and why are you talking through my sacred gear?"
"That is because you are my host and I reside inside of your sacred gear. My name is Ddraig, the red dragon emperor! My title is shared with you as you possess the boosted gear."
"I have a dragon inside of my sacred gear? Cool!" Issei said in excitement, smiling at the imagination of a dragon being inside of his soul and sacred gear.
"Hahahahahaha I'm sure it is, but now its not the time for introduction, you have other problems to deal with right now like a certain fallen angel."
No sooner had Ddraig said this, did both Issei and Asia look towards where Raynare had just finished recovering, having healed her prior injuries… as well as formed a Light Spear as large as one of those night Lords. She had a downright deranged look in her eyes right now, her teeth like fangs as she made the following declaration. "YOU TWO SHALL DIE HERE! IT MATTERS NOT WHAT THAT BITCH NUN'S BECOME, SHE'LL NOT BE ONE FOR MUCH LONGER!" She bellowed, flinging the Light Spear at them using both hands due to it's size.
What that thing's size did NOT hinder in any capacity was it's speed. The whole thing sped through the air like a whizzing bullet, headed straight for the floating pair with the intent being to impale either one of them, ideally the pair so it's master could improve her standing in the eyes of her peers. In about 2 seconds, the large Light Spear would be at it's destination and would be claiming one of their lives…
That is, if what happened next didn't do so.
"Asia, hold on! I got-" Issei quickly took action upon seeing the large crimson Light Spear being thrown at them. Instinctively, he knew that should that thing hit either of them they likely wouldn't be emerging unscathed, from what he was feeling from that thing he saw it as resembling a blow from one of his mentors back at Hellsing. Therefore, he made to get in front of Asia to protect her from the attack, to blast at it with his own power and hopefully negate it…
But then, Asia suddenly put her hand on Issei's chest and gently pushed him back, stepping in front of him. She briefly glanced back at him to give a reassuring smile when Issei had been about to question her…
Until she then turned back to the approaching attack and held up her right hand, catching the thing by it's tip.
BOOM!
A massive shockwave erupted through her thanks to the collision and force built withing the crackling crimson light spear until Asia had caught it. It briefly blew her hair backwards as well as knocked Issei a few feet away from her (the male yelping when he rolled backwards a couple times) until he righted herself. But in the following moments it all settled down and Asia kept a firm grip on the Light Spear's tip, holding it in place as she stared at it intently for a few moments, running her gaze up and down it's form.
Her gaze then rose upwards, meetingthe maniacal one of Raynare's which had the additional HARPIE-like fury etched over her face. It looked rather ugly right now if one were to be honest, yet instead of being angry with her or disgusted by the look on her face, Asia gave a small soft smile with a warm light emitting from her golden white pupilled eyes. "Thank you, Raynare."
"WHAT?!"
"Asia…?!"
Keeping her gaze focused on the Fallen Angel who made that exclamation in sheer disbelief at the same time that Issei did, the blonde girl elaborated on her statement. "If it weren't for you, in a way, then I never would have been graced by the Lord after all this time. Nor would I have met so many wonderful people, my Issei most of all." she explained, still keeping that smile on her face and that warm gaze she directed at her and Issei's foe.
Yet, even so, Asia started increasing her hand's grip strength which could be seen when her armored fingers started clenching tighter around the light spear. As the seconds passed, cracks started spreading down the weapon to the rear end, until the blonde completely SHATTERED it like a mirror in front of the two gobsmacked individuals. "I also must thank you for giving me some inspiration for something. All Angels look to wield the light against those who've strayed from God's grace, but what about me…? Thanks to you, I have my answer."
Before anyone could ask her what the heck she meant by that, Asia held out the same hand to her side, like she were waiting for a relay to be passed to her for the final stretch of a relay race. In that moment, a brilliant white flame BURST forth into existence within her hand, it's intensity no less than what she had seen from Issei's flames moment's before. The flame extended upwards and downwards, the downward end twisting in on itself like some kind of spiral until a shape had been formed out of the white flames.
That shape turned out to be a Lance… a throwing Lance, just as long as the Light Spear had been yet still capable of being held in one hand.
However, the moment that she had manifested this Lance Issei and Raynare gawked at the sheer intensity that it radiated, it's white light illuminating everything within the immediate vicinity while pushing out this soothing presence. Like everything would be alright and everything would play it's part in the world's order, heck around them the many screaming and moaning faces were rendered silent before that light, as if their suffering had been soothed out of existence before it giving the underground chamber a silence that it had not seen in some time.
Slowly Asia reared her arm back, similar to how Raynare had thrown her normal Light Spears earlier. In the following seconds, Asia hurled it forwards with enough force to create a sonic boom upon releasing the holy object.
"SHIT!"
Raynare, the recipient of such an attack, only had a couple microseconds to recognize the attack and get the fuck out of the way. She did… but one of her arms got caught by the Lance of fire when it just BARELY nicked her across the back of her forearm. That brief contact proved to be all that was required however… for the entire arm then burst into white flames with an intensity that rivaled a volcanic eruption. "KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
A loud, shrill shriek erupted from Raynare's lungs as she fell towards the ground, trying to use her stolen Sacred Gear twilight Healing to try and extinguish the flames… however, the healing only prolonged it since the flames burned away at her newly healed flesh almost as soon as it had appeared, creating this neverending cycle of agregious harm and rapid recovery which kept the pain in a constant state of maximum effect.
Not something that the Fallen Angel was a fan of, naturally.
"Whoa… holy…"
Issei on the other hand, couldn't believe what he was seeing from his vantage point in the airspace above, watching the Fallen Angel he'd been struggling against writing away like a rat on the floor beneath them. What's more, was that Asia still had that serene smile on her lips like what she was seeing wasn't something to be shocked or appalled by… it kind of unnerved him a little, as well as made him wonder what the heck was going on.
'Are you going to wonder all day and not do anything? Go partner, your woman is showing you up. Can your pride allow that to come to pass? Will you stay behind her or fight ALONGSIDE her?'
Fortunately, Ddraig snapped his partner out of such thoughts for the time being, as evident by how Issei shook his head and tried to form another flaming sphere once more. There was a time and place for everything, including questions, but right now he needed to help Asia take Raynare down. He wasn't foolish enough to think that that hit would be enough to do that bitch in. "Asia, I'm moving in!" he told her, already thrusting his fist forwards and launching the fiery sphere.
As for the blonde girl, she aimed that serene smile his way and nodded, casually strafing to the side to easily avoid Issei's launched attack.
Down below, Raynare raised her head with eyes as large as dots when she felt the familiar scorching heat rapidly approaching her. Out of instinct, she unfurled her wings and flapped them to take to the air once more, quickly forming a Light Spear in her non-burning hand to then slice it through her arm right through the shoulder socket, essentially severing her arm to leave it to fall into the fiery explosion Issei's attack made on the ground beneath them instead of hitting her.
After rising to a similar height to her enemies, now down one arm, Raynare looked like a downright banshee crawling out of the grave with her currently insane expression that wouldn't look out of place on someone like Freed. "YOU FUCKING BIIIIIIIIIIITCH! HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO YOUR SUPERIOR!" She screeched, holding her weapon up to manifest MULTIPLE Light Spears around her, forming a 6 cornered ring that started to circle behind her.
The various weapons then launched themselves towards the duo like homing energy rays, intending on burning them to ashes or at least knock them out of the airspace. Their speed rivalled that of the crimson spear she had launched previously, to which a deranged laughter erupted out from the Fallen's throat with some mocking jeers that came out too fast to be audible at this point.
Looked like she had truly lost it from the searing pain her stump and previous experience had left her.
Nevertheless, Issei gritted his teeth at the sight of the approaching attacks. 'Damnit, those things're moving too fast!' he thought, wondering what he could do to protect them. Instinctively, he glanced behind him at his Tail and narrowed his eyes. 'That might work!'
His plan in mind, Issei looked towards Asia to see if she had anything in mind herself, although he soon saw he needn't worry due to seeing her holding her hand out before the approaching Spears. In front of her, another white flame manifested into existence for a few seconds… until it erupted and reformed itself into a flaming church cross, one large and fat enough to cover her from Raynare's sight.
This Cross successfully deflected each spear which shattered upon impact, prompting Issei to enact his plan too when he saw the others coming his way. The Red Dragon Emperor then crouched slightly while his Tail curved around so it's tip hovered next to his shoulder, until the spears got close enough. Just when they were about to impale him…
His Tail lashed out like a flailing whip, swatting each one away from him with enough speed to make it look like a blur.
"GODDAMN YOU!"
Utterly outraged that her attacks were apparently not working, Raynare decided to go for broke and just close quarters combat the two of them. She released a shriek that sounded goddamn inhuman at this point, before flapping her wings and taking off towards them with her Spear reared back, her eyes like dots as saliva flew out of her gaping maw. "THIS ISN'T HAPPENING! YOU CAN'T BE REAL! I'M-!"
"Going to be sent flying, ya damn crow!"
WHAM!
What Raynare had neglected to realize, or perhaps she had been so far gone that she simply didn't have much cognitive ability no more was that Issei and Asia together had already closed the distance between them in response to Raynare's charge. The brunette male had reared his right hand back with his companion doing the same with her left instead of forming any more weapons from those white flames of hers. As a result…
They had both grabbed Raynare by her face, the left side for Issei and the right for Asia, to then SLAM the psycho being straight into the fleshy wall behind her with enough force to create a large crater instantly upon impact.
Now at this point the battle to remain conscious had been lost for Raynare, her mouth open in both disbelief and anger whilst her eyes had turned completely white which the duo had seen the moment they took their hands away. They then let their hands fall to their sides, allowing the Fallen Angel to 'fall' (pun intended) to the ground below.
Both Issei and Asia stared at her pitiful state, one with utter blankness whilst the other started with sadness and understanding.
Soon the green orb that surrounded Raynare's index fingers started to glow before floating away from the fallen angel.
Upon seeing this, Issei descended downwards and then snatched the sacred gear from it's hovering place before it could potentially go anywhere. He stared at it for a while before he spoke. "You know, I did know that if the sacred gear is torn apart from the user…what would happen now if you're still alive?"
"Hmmmmmm, my predicament would be this: the sacred gear would return to the heaven's system where it will choose another host. However, in cases of resurrection, the original user would lose the sacred gear because its no longer in the soul… but here, the fallen angel stole her Sacred Gear, and judging from what I'm sensing its still resonating with her. At this point it can go either of two ways: back to it's original user and be re-bonded to her soul, or it can still go back to the reincarnation cycle."
His left Gauntlet's jewel flashed several times while Ddraig answered Issei's question, though he never said what to do with it himself. The draconic being believed that choice lay with Issei and Asia themselves, he himself had no say in this matter.
As for Issei himself, he stared at the sacred gear for a while before glancing back to Asia, seeing that she too was looking at it after having descended down to his level. "Well, its your choice Asia. Do you want your Sacred Gear back despite obtaining that awesome power you got from God or not? Its your call." he questioned, tilting his head in her direction before awaiting her answer.
In his opinion, Issei would have just sent this damn thing on it's merry way and be done with the pain that it had brought his friend. This Twilight Healing had been the main reason Asia had been both elevated to a standing that had isolated her from making any proper friends or living a normal life in the Church. Then when she had used it out of her own faith in the biblical teachings, those bastards threw her down into the dirt to be trampled upon without any remorse. All because of this Sacred Gear's damn healing ability.
At this point Issei didn't give a shit about the biblical God any longer. What was the worth of God to a non-believer like him? He'd probably just go to Satan if he had a choice between the two, and although he wasn't sure if God was even real at this point but he felt certain that Satan definitely did with all this horror, tragedy and death surrounding them.
The newly ascended girl looked closely at her twilight healing, debating her choices before she spoke. "My Sacred Gear, despite me awakening it. Everywhere I go and the people I heal distance themself away from me. Looking at me like some kind of…..freak. It caused me so much grief." She stopped for a moment.
Issei took this moment to speak. "Sooooo you don't want this then?"
"Who says I didn't want it Issei?" Again Asia smiled aimed at Issei before walking to him. Taking the green orb from his hand, she brought it close to her. Staring at twilight healing. "But its been with me for my whole entire life. God has gaven me this sacred gear for a reason and this must be one of them. If I hadn't been born with this ….I wouldn't of met you or the rest of Hellsing." She lifted her head, smiling at Issei to which he responded the same after a brief moment of surprise.
She pushed the green orb to her chest, inserting it before her hand glow. It shone brightly for a while, although if one asked Issei it paled in comparison to the light of Asia's heart, before a pair of rings appeared on her index finger.
Lifting her hand up to the air, admiring the sacred gear before putting it close to her chest. "Thank you for being with me all these years." she whispered to herself but it was aimed at twilight healing. On her index finger it dimmed for a bit before it glint as if responded back to its users gratitude.
Issei smiled at this before his happy expression faded away, the male narrowing his eyes and sharpening his gaze before he did a 180 degree turn and focused his attention to the unconscious Raynare. "Yuuma, Raynare. Whatever you call yourself I don't care. I will not lie, I enjoyed our time together. I was shocked that a girl like you confessed to me, a literal pervert from outta nowhere. Maybe should have expected that it's too good to be true, but you know me I was too much of a simp to see it. I never even DREAMED that someone would asked me on a date. If you didn't manipulate my feelings, then I would've become a better person, throw away all of my perveyness just for you." Issei stopped, closing his eyes and turned his head away before showing a tired expression. "But now…I'm not exactly sure what to do."
"Kill her partner."
"Huh? Kill her?" Issei blinked owlishly a couple times, not having expected his new companion to intervene in this moral dilemma.
"Listen to me partner, she is a fallen angel. Once someone irks them, they keep their grudges for a very long time even amongst other supernatural races. One of the few races that compares to them with grudge holding would be the Devils or the Vampires. They will not stop until they have their vengeance against those who slight them, remember how she was acting? That's actually TAME for their kind. She will prove to be a danger in the future and sooner or later, so you'll regret leaving her alive."
Issei gripped his gauntlet hands hard for a while, internal conflict racing through his mind whether to kill Raynare or leave her alive. If he let her live, he knew from the faces the Fallen Angel had made to realize how insane she was. Insane, obsessed and power hungry. She would not stop her goals, and would definitely torment him and his loved ones in the future. He had internal conflict for a while before he stopped shaking, standing straight and breathed a sigh for a moment before regaining his stoic expression
Turning to Raynare, Issei's eyes narrowed having already decided his choice. Putting his right hand forward, Issei called upon the dragon flame he had unlocked. Flames started to generate from his gauntlet, crackling as a fire sphere formed before Issei said the following. "Goodbye Raynare. I hope that in your next life you'll be a better person. Right now, rot in hell for what you have done."
WHOOOSHHH!
Issei red flame started to streamed endlessly like a flamethrower, enveloping Raynare completely and devouring her whole figure. This lasted for quite a while until Issei stopped conjuring his flames, revealing nothing but scorched ground with a few residue flames crackling around it. Not even ashes of her remained.
Issei stared at where his former girlfriend once lay, taking shaky breaths. This after all pretty much constituted as his first kill. Nervously breathing, nausea almost filled his mind before he spoke. "I killed her, my god I just killed her with my hands. Oh my god this….I can't." Almost fainting if he kept standing straight, sweat started to drip down his forehead.
Before he could completely hyperventilate however, Issei lightly gasped when he felt a pair of hands on his face. Though he didn't need to wait for long before he heard Asia's soft voice. "It's alright Issei. You made your choice and your decision."
"But I killed her Asia! I had a difficult time to decide, but I still did it! It was either her or for my family!"
"Issei, remember what you said before, we're not perfect." Asia repeated what he said before during their activities when he made that outburst, cutting Issei's deprecation short. Issei struggled to speak for a while, opening and closing his mouth for a few times. His brain set about debating on what to speak or choose his sentences, but before a conclusion could be made Asia gave him some enlightenment. "Killing a person is not considered evil nor retribution, only those who have malice or deceptive intentions. It what makes us human just like being happy or sad. God gave us free will, to do what we think is best."
A short moment of silence passed, during which the brunette mulled over her words in an effort to process them. The more he tried to refute them or find some kind of logic to go against them, he found that there wasn't anything he could use… something which brought him comfort instead of anxiety.
In the end, Issei nodded his head while taking her hands away from Issei face. He let out a low sigh of relief, now feeling much calmer now thanks to his friend's comforting words. "I think I get what you mean Asia, thank you." Issei said in gratitude to Asia.
Asia smiled at him before she put on a soft and sad expression, one aimed at the screaming victims around them. "These poor people... Their souls are in constant agony. I can feel their pain, suffering and torment they are experincing." The blonde girl remarked, casting her gaze at all the screaming faces of those who had been reduced to this state thanks to the Night Lords' machinations. She couldn't help but shed a few tears from the sight exposed to her, one that made Asia's heart feel like it was being wrenched at the plight they were experiencing.
By her side, Issei stayed silent and watched her with a wince on his features. Compared to the former nun, he had gotten used to the screaming and had he option of using his rage as a distraction to keep himself focused. That and his own desire to save Asia had outweighed practically everything else. Nevertheless, now that things had calmed down he finally saw in it's fullest twisted splendor, the horrible area they were in. As such, he can't help but to feel uneasy about the shrieking.
However, unlike him Asia seemed intent on doing something about it given the way her features hardened after a moment where her eyes had seemingly rolled to the back of her head like someone had just cut her strings or something. Afterwards, she returned to herprevious state and set her lips into a firm line, a sense of purpose erupting from her presence. Extending her wings, the blonde took flight till she had reached the centre of the chamber's airspace.
Briefly Issei had wanted to go after her, but a mental prodding from Ddraig had stopped such efforts. Before he could ask the Dragon spirit what his game was, Issei's gaze got drawn to the levitating girl.
Stretching her arms in a presentation mode and emitting holy light around her, Asia closed her eyes as she made the following proclamation. "No longer shall all of you suffer any more. No longer shall any of you be in torment..." While she spoke, Issei had to shield his eyes with his claw-like gauntlets when the brightness around her started to increase gradually, coinciding with every word uttered from her mouth. Bringing her hands up, Asia hummed a biblical hymn to herself while she called upon the holy energy surging within her. "I shall free you. Let the guiding like be your shining beacon, let the gates of heaven open! Let your sould be free from your unsanitary prison! Let the curse that plagued all of you disappear! OH MIGHTY LORD, GIVE ME THE POWER TO FREE THEM AND LET THESE SOULS BE LAID TO REST!"
SSSSHHHHIIIIIIINNNNGGGGG!
Finally at the end of her incantation, Asia's wings unfurlted completely as the light rapidly increased in it's intensity, like a beast being finally let off it's chains after being held back from delicious meat for so long. All around her, the various groaning and moaning faces that composed the Screaming Galllery started glowing just as brightly as the former nun herself, each one starting to shift into a more peaceful expression. At that point, instead of moans and screams sounds of joyous sighing filled the air as those tormented souls started feeling the soothing effects from Asia's light.
In moments, the faces transformed completely into balls of white-goldish light, similar to what the blonde girl was emitting. These balls slowly lifted themselves out of their fleshy prisons, floating over to the praying girl to then encircle her like she were the centre of a whirlpool. These many balls spiralled around her seemingly trying to thank her, before they started rising upwards towards a much brighter light, one where in it's core a pair of brilliant, golden doors could be seen opening up to receive them. Each ball soon promptly started spiralling upwards, retaining a pillar-like shape as they shot through those gates into the afterlife they so richly deserved after being purified of their previous torment.
Issei was stunned and amazed by this ability that Asia had apparently acquired, likely another one of those granted by whatever God had transformed her into. The male stared at the sight intensely, the lights from the balls reflected in his own irises of which a mesmirized expression soon took hold. "Woah…..its so…..beautiful." Issei whispered under his breath to himself as the victims' souls left. Heck, he barely noticed when some even flew around him as well, as if they were expressing their graitiude to him as well as Asia for their freedom.
Asia smiled as she puts her hand together at a floating soul orb which floated on her hands. Asia spoke to the soul before lifting both of her hands to the air. "Go on now, join the rest of your family." the ascended girl said to the soul that still floated in her hands, before complying as it joined the rest of the souls.
Staring at the ceiling which soon returned to its normal state after all the souls had passed on to their afterlife, Asia began descending down towards the platform, letting her heeled armored boots touch the hard concrete before looking at Issei with a happy expression. "Lets go home Issei."
Issei mimicked her expression, having descended down next to her with his draconian Tail swishing happily behind him, sort of like a dog having his or her day. All the while he took her hand and descend down the stairs of the platform with her, side by side.
Both of them were just glad that everything had ended, and they could emerge from this ordeal stronger than ever…
Somewhere
"Well, looks like we're in quite of a predicament here." A familiar black hair girl commented. She gaze upwards towards the abandoned church while hearing multiple noises from inside. Though most of those came from either the buzzing of chainsaws and some boom noises.
Beside her, her partner looked towards the church after walking up to her, looking rather impressed. "Wow Shizuku! You think something big is happening in there right now?" this partner, a girl with a feminene priest clothes, questioned with her mouth forming a 'o' shape at the thoughts about what may be going on inside. Though judging from what their senses were telling them, going inside would be too risky.
Shizuku glanced at the girl beside her. "It might be Kaori, still its best we don't get involved with them."
"Eh? Why not Shizuku? People are getting hurt over there!" Kaori argued, passionately. Each sound just screamed at her instinctual drive to go and help as many people as she could. Each one tugged at her heart strings, resulting in a conflicted yet urgent expression on her face.
Compared to her however, Shixzuku still looked pretty impassive however. "People we don't know Kaori. We can't just go inside and just help the injured, considering there is one army inside of the church facing another, we are at a disadvantage. Even if we were to help one side, the other will target mostly us." She explained, shaking her head before placing the back o her hand on her hip and leaning on one leg, jutting that same hip out. "We'll be dead the first moment when we attempt to escape or continue to be at the opposite sides." Shizuku explained to Kaori. Considering her friends nature she wants to help as much as people she could. They ma ybe powerful but from the sounds of the battlefield and the carnage she's hearing, she and Kaori were not prepared to face an entire army.
Even when hearing these words, the priest-like girl still couldn't accept it. "But-but…!" Kaori attempted to speak, trying to form a sentence though this ended in vain since she couldn't argue with her friends reasoning.
"I know how much you want to help them Kaori, but we have to fend for ourselves. Its not wrong to not intervene." putting her hand on the priest girl's shoulder in a reassuring manner, a matching supportive smile on her face. "I know it's hard, but don't worry. I'm sure there is not that many people are getting hurt right now."
VVVRRRRRRROOOOOOMMMM!
Die traitor!
For our lord!
BOOM!
RRRRAAAHHH!
Let Gods judgement sent you to eternal hell!
Die in the name of the holy son and the holy father!
YYYAAAAHHH!
Distant war cries filled their ears, all of them originating from within the abandoned church and causing the two girls to sweat drop. "Ohhhh." Even as these sounds raged from the church, Kaori struggled with her internal conflict about what to do for a while, debating on whether or not to try and intervene.
Seeing this indecision written all over her companion's face, Shizuku decided to add in another assurance. "If it helps it looks like they are winni-"
Your false God cannot help you!
He does not give you salvation, only death awaits!
Embrace the eternal void!
Accept your death!
Let him witness the fall of a great warrior!
"...Ok, lets just forget what I said before." Shizuku expression turned rather… comedic after hearing creepy dark war cries inside of the church which gave both Shizuku and Kaori the more chills than standing naked in the north pole… or perhaps alaska.
Shaking her head, he soic woman turned serious upon addressing the main subject they were here for. "This all happened all because you could not do your duties right." she turned around and glared at the three figures nearby who were currently forced together and sitting on the cold ground, trapped by a magic rope that bound them. The rope itself seemed to be made from pure light, and not the normal angelic kind.
Those three figures? Mittelt, Kalawarna and Dohnseek.
"Not only did you disobey Azazel's orders, but you caused a mass disturbance to both the human world and the Grigori as well." Glaring at the trio, Mittelt tried to glare back at Shizuku but the intense aura and power the girl gave back to the blond-haired Fallen Angel flinch from it. "What in the right of mind were you thinking?" pointing at the church for example where they used to be at which now turned into a battlefield. They were very lucky that the church was abandoned and nighttime so no onw would get suspicious.
Dohnseek attempts to speak. "W-we didn't disobey the governor-generals order! We followed exactly what he has told us to do!"
Mittelt joins in Dohnseek reasoning. "Y-yeah! We didn't cause all this! I-it was all Raynare's fault! She's the one who did thi-"
SHING!
In an instant the duo who had tried defending themselves shut up thanks to the stoic woman unsheathing her waist-strapped Katana of which she pointed it's tip towards their faces. "Be quiet. The both of you." Shizuku declared after she had narrowed her eyes in anger. "I do not want to hear any of your excuses from your mouth. The governor-general will have a word with the both of you."
Seeing this and fretting that their bickering would drive her friend to follow through on her unsaid threat of poking them wit her sword, Kaori stepped up and tried to intervene. "Don't be so hard on the three of them, Shizuku." she lightly scolded. "Surely they have an explanation for their actions."
"They caused lots of issues here Kaori, if they at least followed their orders then this wouldn't have happened." Shizuku argued back at Kaori, still glaring at the Fallen Angels who cowered under the woman's blade-like gaze. After a short intense moment of silence in which the trio had felt closer to death than an American to being obese, Shizuku eventually pulled her sword back and sheathed it. She then took a step away from the trio, each Fallen Angel giving a unified exhale… that is before they tensed back up when she said the following. "We'll speak more of this back in Grigori." she said. She puts her hand forward and conjured a magic circle below the whole group.
Kaori nodded her head in acceptance of this, causing the magic circle below them to go up and envelop the group before it disappear along with the magic circle.
Hellsing manor
One could say that the Hellsing Manor had seen better days. The building itself looked relatively intact for the most part, yet there were places which looked to have been the victims of bombs or other explosive devices. Most of these areas were located on the rooftop, which had several pieces of it blown off completely whilst others had holes struck through it. Additionally, on the ground one could see countless areas which had been charred to ash like they'd been hit with a massive bonfire, resembling a volcano's interior while for those who could sense supernatural energies would be able to sense the ambience of the residue magic in the atmosphere.
Combine this with the fact that Michel and Kuroh (who looked to have been bandaged up by the said Doctor) were helping Vali and Kuroka repair the building… one can guess what had happened while everyone had been busy over at the abandoned church.
Within it's living room (most of the interior had remained untouched, thankfully. This had to do with the defenses set up by the Hellsing members) sat Aymir, The Exorcist Legion's leader who had taken a seat on a couch that to everyone's surprise had the ability to withstand his weight. The man still had his helmet on, while his mouth looked to have been restored back to normal.
Behind him stood Sabiazus who had his hands crossed behind his back, staring forth with a blank gaze that his helmet's lenses only added to it's intimidation factor. Beside the said man, were a few of his fellow red juggernauts who took either side of him, each sporting helmets on their persons which resulted in a bunch of inhuman, monstrous gazes to bear down on their topic of interest.
Currently, they sat opposite the other sofa who had one person sitting in the middle of it, that person being the Japanese Hellsing branch leader Meredith herself. The said woman had crossed one of her stocking-clad legs over the other whist her white-gloved fingers remained interlocked atop her lap. Her features remained impassive, a complete wall of composure which could be commendable given the damn titans that she was currently about to deal with.
Behind her stood Theseus who sat on a chair while having his Trident attached to his back, arms crossed over his chest while he regarded their 'visitors' warily. Added to the fact that he has blood over him still.
Next to the male, stood Asia who was currently no longer in her angelic form. Apparently, not long after leaving the abandoned church her power had reached it's limit and thus, she had returned to her human form until her energy would recover. Well, that had been the explanation given to her by Ddraig at the time, however the transformation had left it's mark on the former nun. For one, her long blonde hair had turned a brilliant blackish purple color, while her eyes had turned bright blue, with the said Dragon explaining that these were side effects of becoming what she had. Asia of course, hadn't really minded so much since she saw it as a symbol of her life's next chapter.
Additionally, the transformation had destroyed the plain white dress she'd been wearing as a sacrifice, her previous nun outfit having been destroyed beyond repair by the Night Lord's as some twisted middle finger to the biblical god they hated. As such, the former Nun now wore a new outfit that had been prepared for her by the same people who they currently stood with. This outfit consisted mainly of White robes atop a set of blue garbs with golden outlines, the two sporting two thigh-high slits for ease of movement. These slits also exposed the white thigh-high boots she now wore over her legs alongside the black dress she wore that ended around her thighs like bloomers. Atop her head, she now wore a white cap with blue ends and golden outlines, fully completing her saintly look.
Issei had compared her to a girl of similar appearance to her original one in a rather… messed up show about goblins.
Speaking of said red dragon emperor, Issei beside her. Fortunately, those additional armaments that came from his Sacred Gear the Boosted Gear, had all vanished from his person not long after Asia had lost her angelic form, so he didn't have to worry about accidentally causing further damages to the Hellsing Manor upon their return. Additionally, Ddraig had explained that he could call on the Boosted Gear at any time now and when he did so, those armaments would all manifest at once.
Unfortunately, Issei hadn't inquired if his Sacred Gear had awakened strangely or not, since Vali had given him some strange looks when he first returned from the Abandoned Church.
Both looked equally uncomfortable judging from their nervous expressions over the both leaders meeting each other.
It was silent for a few minutes before Meredith ended the silence. "I am not rather pleased that the church factions decided to interfere with these matters on their own, especially those called the Exorcists."
"As I said to your agent, we are no longer allflied with those Catholic fools they dare call their pope highest in the order, the same as Jesus Christ, the son of God." Aymir replied back to Meredith.
"That still doesn't answer my question, I don't know who and what all of you are? You've intruder the Hellsings territory uninvited, and as you can see we have just survived a little incident of our own, so forgive me for being paranoid. Nevertheless, I do find it likely that you are here for a reason." Sharpening her eyes while speaking in a high mighty tone.
"One of those statements is almost correct, young lady." Aymir mouth formed a thinline, not showing any amusement or joking as he speaks to Sir Integra's student with the same diplomacy as other politic would say. "But I can assure you this, we are not your enemies and we do not seek any bloodshed. I swear it on the bible itself."
Meredith was silent, not speaking a word back to the legion master. Despite their juggernaut appearance and their intimidating figure, it was not enough for Meredith to accept his reason or trust him. Normally she would refuse and demand them to leave but that would be irrational. Having a heavy thought about this before she made her decision.
"Very well then, I will overlook this. But know this Exorcist, if there is a single shred of lie, betrayal or deception…..You will answer for your crimes and God won't be merciful to you or any of your companions." Meredith said in a intimidating tone.
Aymir nodded his head to Meredith, having seemingly been about to mention something but decided against it at the last second. "I promise I will not take advantage over this, you have my word."
"Speaking of God." She said before turning to Asia, overlooking her form. Meredith could sense the abundance of holy power radiating from her being, with more pooling deeper within her very soul. To a sensor like the auburn haired leader, Asia had a goddamn LAKE's worth of energy, which she did NOT have previously. As far as she can tell the nun has ascended somehow and it must be related to the Christian God. "It seems that you've gained the grace over God himself. Which is very rare, him taking action over the mortal realm I mean." Meredith complimented the former nun.
Meredith wasn't the only one who had noticed either, Theseus also glanced towards Asia with an intrigued expression. From what he had been told by Issei, it seemed that something had happened at the Abandoned Church that had been like finding a needle in a haystack. "If you don't mind me asking Asia, but…..how did you gained this amount of power? Forgive me for being blunt but there is no way for you to just… you know, hide this power and until this moment in time." Theseus asked Asia, though he tried his hardest not to sound as blunt as he normally would.
There was no way Asia was like those overpowered Shonen protagonists who looked weak and wussy but held extraordinary powers hidden inside of them while trying to live in a normal life, trying to avoid attracting attention. Naturally, as someone who had much more twisted experiences Theseus found such attitudes to be very stupid, fucking cowardly, and most importantly pointless since most of the time they get drawn into things regardless.
In response, Asia made to open her mouth to answer Theseus' not-so-blunt question, when Aymir intervened and spoke first. "I can answer that. She was able to ascend into a Living Saint."
The words 'Living Saint' caught everyones attention, even some of the crimson-clad Exorcists who apparently weren't in the know of this.
Meredith widened her eyes in surprise and bafflement. "A…..Living Saint?" She muttered to herself. That sounded almost cringly similar to a title for a female protagonist for an Otome Game, but she had a feeling that wasn't the case here. Shaking her head, the woman calmed and adjusted herself before hardening her expression once more. "Care to clarify what this 'Living Saint' is all about?"
"I will gladly do so." An instant Aymir responded Meredith question. Putting his hand in front of his mouth before clearing his throat. "(CLEAR THROAT)! Gather around children, this will be quite a tale to explain."
Asia and Issei took a seat where Theseus sat, Meredith leaning more closely while paying her full attention to Aymir. His fellow battle brothers still stood but multiple of them subtly shifted their gazes towards their leader.
Now that he had everyone's attention, Aymir started his tale. "In the beginning, the Lord himself wanted to spread his word and love to the land's people, wanting to end humanity's wars against each other, to cleanse their souls and absolve them of their sins. His love exceeded over any other Pagan Gods who dared use them as their toys for entertainment, such actions sickened and saddened the almighty God. Though in his omnipotent power and presence, he devised something to give hope for the people, something to look up upon, someone who could lead them. Like in the bible Samuel asked God for a leader for his people who would help them prosper. As such he observed humanity, looking for someone to lead his believers before he found one, a person who had worshipped him from nought but the age of a child. She had resisted evil's temptation, never gave in to the devil promising her it'd make her a monarch of her kingdom. As such he choose her as his new messenger, the first among of all that predated the word Saint. The first 'Living Saint'."
"Interesting." Meredith muttered under her breath in intriguing of the tale Aymir was currently regalling. She heard stories of several Saints whenever she research about the history for her assignments. It never got to her mind before since the topic of saint was just a title but now, there is more to it than she knows. "Several documents and history tell us about how each one interacted with God, proving themselves to him and in turn they became these 'Living Saints'. What is special about them?" She questioned, recalling a few history books she had read which had references to these beings. However information about them had been scarce, so she'd simply forgotten about them.
Fortunately the Legion Master had EVERYTHING needed to explain the following. "What you say is true young lady, every saint has been granted audience with the Lord, yet some unique individuals even by saint standards were granted ascension. They all were given a pool of abilities which proved unique to each individual. Each Living Saint got tasked with understanding and developing these powers in whatever way they saw fit, for God believed that 'change' to be humanity's greatest gift."
"I see." Theseus quickly deduced the ability and the power God has granted them. "So in sense God allowed these saints to have their 'humanity' evolved to a new state which resulted in them having a pool of abilities unique to them. For example, lets say Saints like Jeanne could have a bunch of army-based abilities as well as a couple combat ones?" Theseus intelligently said to Aymir.
"That is correct young man." Aymir nods at Theseus intelligence. Taking a glance at Asia once more. After briefly looking at her, Aymir continued his tale. "From then on, the Lord himself decreed and judged those worthy to potentially become a Living Saint. Nothing can corrupt them or their faith in God himself, not even Lucifer the most wicked Devil of them all could achieve such a task. Ever since their inception, no saint has fallen to a Fallen Angel's temptation. Not even Azazel, the most….vulgar one could do so. As such, there has been very few that have ever had the honor of ascending into a Living Saint. Saint Mary, Martha, Rose of Lima, Celestine and Saint Jeanne are examples of those who met the criteria. Each Saint used their powers to affect the world in their own ways, leaving their marks on history that would last throughout the ages, forever more."
The way that the man explained about the Living Saints and their prior history before the modern era sounded quite like an ancient epic, many of the Hellsing Agents thought to themselves. However, it was also a fact that such stories usually deserved to be embellished or exaggerated, and despite all that there was always some truth to it. In this case, it had been made apparent to them (especially Issei who'd witnessed first hand what one was like) what their power was like and what it could potentially be. Suffice it to say that the Hellsing members could comprehend that they had just witnessed the birth of a powerful new being which could potentially reshape the world as they knew it.
At that moment, Aymir looked down and in an instant everyone got the feeling of sadness from his posture. "However, in current times barely anyone or any believers can meet the requirements to become a Living Saint. The Heavens rarely interact with the church other than the highest ranking and the Pope, which fosters resentment amongst the ordinary believers resulting in a few abandoning their faith alltogether. There have been no Living Saint candidates that God chose to ascend for centuries at this point, with one reason for this being that people have bent history to keep others from discovering the importance of God's Chosen. There were also those that were jealous of the Living Saints rapid rising and their power, whereas a rare few desired the saints as their… 'personal' concubine or better yet, wanted to make them fall into the temptations of Lust." Aymir spat those last few words starting with 'personal' with enough venom to take down an elephant.
Darkness envelop Theseus face and sharp green eyes glint in frustration. "Figures." He spat in a scathing tone. Breathing out cold air as he gripped his biceps with his hands. It seemed almost like a universal fact of life that people were easily enhanced by the beauty of hot women, especially the 'pure' ones which invoked a desire to corrupt them.
"… until now, that is." Aymir directed his attention to Asia, revealing what she has become.
Asia looked at her hands, the two of them dimly radiating the whitish gold power that signified her status. They gleamed for a while before the former blonde shifted her attention back to Aymir. "I'm…a Living Saint?" she questioned.
Aymir nodded his head, gazing at that glow as well though his expression remained hidden by his helmet. "Yes you are Asia. you have been given the highest honor God could ever grant a mortal. A gift he personally gave you as a reward for your unquestionable faith. Congratulations, my dear."
"Huh, well if you put it that way it seems she does deserve to be called a saint." Issei remarked while throwing a genuine compliment towards Asia, putting a hand over her shoulder while offering a wide, toothy grin. "You hear that Asia? Your now an important figure! Imagine those assholes who kicked you out realizing how ROYALLY they fucked up! Haha! I can imagine their expressions already! A sweet taste of revenge feels so good!" Issei exclaimed. Alongside Ddraig who chuckled in amusement within his mind, the brunette laughed at the irony over the fact that if those bastards in the Catholic church realized their biggest mistake. He'd SO rub it in their grubby faces for a very long time.
"I agree." Theseus agreed with Issei with a nod of his head. He also grinned wickedly, showing his sharp, pointy teeth. If he had a say in it, He'd make SURE that those assholes would forever regret ever excommunicating her from the church.
Normally, Meredith would have loved to join in their little fun and all, a small grin having appeared on her face at the vengeful thoughts in her mind, but she forced it down. Reacting like the leader she was trained to be, Meredith looked at the bigger picture here and came to the conclusion that things would get needlessly complicated politically and otherwise if the church fond out about Asia's ascension. Honestly, it seemed similar to how Mio would have been viewed by the rest of the devils if they found out that she was Satan's daughter.
At this point, the revelation of just how complex the situation had become finally dawned on her, and Meredith had to force herself to remain composed as to hide the sudden irkness that blossomed like a flower within her chest. 'Oh great, now two more politically problematic people we have to deal with...' Meredith complained to herself mentally while preparing for another incoming big headache.
Unbeknownst to the auburn haired woman, Aymir had just briefly glanced over to his second and other escorts, the lot of them having seemingly conducted a silent conversation about something. Judging from how Sabiazus had clenched his armored elbows slightly tighter than normal, it seemed to have been an important discussion. Now confirmed in their course of action, Aymir then directed his attention back to Meredith. "Although my Battle Brothers and myself are formidable warriors, we are but a small group and low in manpower. Thus, we ask of you if me and my legion could stay at your territory. In return, we shall endeavor to both protect your subjects alongside you, and train Asia in her new power." he requested
Meredith raised her eyebrows in intrigue when the Exorcist they call themselves asked if they could stay at Hellsing territory(Even though they had intruded upon it for a while), her curiosity got to her. "Oh? A former Legion of the Catholic Church… is asking to stay in Hellsing's territory?" She questioned with interest. Similar to her teacher, shadow covered her face before her eyes glint with seriousnness. "Care to explain why you would request such a thing? I understand that Asia needs to get used to her new power, which is acceptable, but why stay here? I want to hear it from your own words." Meredith respond to Aymir with a request before taking out a cigarette holder. She then lit it up, inhaling it's contents before exhaling to release the smoke from her mouth.
For a moment, the Exorcist group remained silent with their helmets concealing their faces so that Meredith couldn't tell what they were thinking. After that moment passed, Aymir finally elaborated in a slow yet measured manner. "The Saint power hasn't matured yet and she hasn't gotten used to it nor the abilities that it grants her. Myself and my Legion however, have experience with supernatural entities like this so we can help guide her. Additionally, we looked into your group so we know for a fact you, or any of your fellow members of the Hellsing, have zero knowledge about Holy power. Do not take this as an insult or the wrong way, barely any of you know how to deal with holy magic."
Meredith acknowledge that part to be true. "That is true, I will not deny that. And the other subject?"
"I am not like those corrupted fools within the catholic church. We do not tolerate heretics nor Pagan Gods, but we are not extreme enough to be into killing those who believe in different gods. Neither do we discriminate against them. Between sides, me and My legion would choose the Protestant: the England side of Christianity." Aymir explained his reason to Meredith.
"Hmmmmmm." Meredith hummed underneath her mouth. Still holding on to the cigarette holder while thinking of the legion's reasoning. It seems to be a wise and debatable, enough explanation for her to almost be convinced.
Sir Integra's student suddenly got a hidden meaning behind their words after some seconds of pondering, in sense they were asking to stay at their territory and choose a different side of Christianity compared to their original one. They would be joining the London sub faction, Hellsings organization, as for why that was the case perhaps it had to do with the fact that the protestant faith believed solely in jesus christ and the bible's teachings, NOT the words of a pope who was constantly changed over generations.
Using a little manipulation on her words, she replied to Aymir. "If I were to accept your presence here, you will be under my orders and my leader as well. That also includes the Queen of England herself. Whatever I say or what the queen say you will follow it. Do you understand? In return you will be granted sufficient benefits, more manpower for your group and a backing of the London faction."
Aymir stayed silent for a while, looking over his battle brothers, they stared at each other in a silent conversation before they come to terms. Getting up from his couch, taking out his sword. Meredith does not flinch from the sight of the mechanic sword. Flipping down the blade and stabbing it to the ground as he kneels, followed by his fellow battle brothers as they too stabbed their chainsword in a similar fashion. Sabiazus mimicked his captain's action.
"I, Aymir Vasaphon, chapter master of the Exorcists, hereby accept your proposal. If we are to protect the Living Saint we shall be under your rule. Our soldiers are yours command, our blades are yours to execute anyone that dares to disgrace or deceive you. God himself witnesses our actions and his all-knowing sight, so he shall be the judge of our actions. Amen." Aymir announced his declaration of joining the Hellsings faction.
""Amen.""
His legion followed him as well, following their intentions of their chapter master.
Meredith still glint her eyes over the darkness before putting on a mischievous and dark grin.