Fate: Bonds Beyond Humanity

by Apprentice of Life

In a world where all can be real, what does it mean to be human? What is the meaning of humanity? A meeting between a human and a devil will have them discovering the truth while chasing their dreams. My take on the combined worlds of Fate and DxD with characters from other franchises if they can be adapted to it. Harem.

42. Chapter 42

Fate/Bonds Beyond Humanity

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42- The King's Sword: End of a Long Day

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"Do any of you have any idea of how much effort I put into this plan?" Kokabiel cleaned his face and noticed some blood on his hands before vaporizing it with the pressure of his power. "Do you? Maybe time seems like an irrelevant concept because of how old I am but I actually had to build all this up for decades! Centuries!"

The golden aura around the fallen angel began to grow and spread with a darker tone coloring it to match the expression on the man's face. However it didn't reach those weaker than him as Yoruichi's own presence worked as a barrier as she glared at Kokabiel with hatred.

"Ever since the Great War ended I waited for my chance, sharpened my weapons and gathered allies. Using my resources I had a hand on every pocket, all just to wait for the right opportunity!"

More of Kokabiel's power was unleashed and Yoruichi let out some of her own to protect her friends. Gold met gold but where the fallen angel's had a dark hue, the nekomata's power was similar to lantern banishing the night.

"When I finally had my chance, when the stars finally aligned, then what happened?" Full red eyes turned to Shirou in fury. "A human capable of fixing an incomplete sword shows up! A human capable of rebuilding Caliburn when one of its pieces was missing was an impossibility that I couldn't take into account." He then looked at Yoruichi with less hatred but hatred all the same. "And now I have one of the Kings of Kyoto, right when I was about to do everything by myself! What are these odds?!"

Impatience and fury, those were the only emotions in Kokabiel's face as it turned more and more monstrous with his turning completely red. Were him a normal being that would be the sign of something terrible wrong.

There was definitely something wrong when Yoruichi punched him in the face. "Talk to someone who cares." She moved to deliver another punch but this time Kokabiel blocked the attack. "Oh~"

"Don't you have any tact, woman?" The fallen angel asked in fury but Yoruichi didn't care, she just delivered a knee to his stomach. "Oof."

Faster than the fallen angel could blink, Yoruichi was delivering a sequence of punches on his upper body before throwing a kick to his leg. Kokabiel began to fall but his instincts, honed by milenia of combat, reacted and he began to to fly away from his opponent.

He was fast but Yoruichi was not called the Goddess of Flash for nothing and was already on him again. Kokabiel raised his defenses and blocked the first jab only to get a kick on the side of his head. Feeling his natural defenses challenged by Yoruichi's power, Kokabiel created a Light sword to cut the yokai.

Yoruichi evaded the blow and turned to deliver another kick but Kokabiel grabbed her feet with his elbow and attacked in two fronts with his sword in one hand and light energy on the other. The nekomata used his tenue hold to raise her other feet to redirect the sword, the light not harming her thanks to her Ki.

Both separated as Kokabiel turned his sword into a spear which he throwed at Yoruichi. Since if she moved the spear would fly in her friend's direction, she deflected the weapon with a hand as electricity began to run through her body.

"Lightning Claw." The nekomata's nails seemed to grow with energy that took the shape of the claws. Unlike Akeno's constructs that seemed to brim and fluctuate with energy, Yoruichi's were perfect and only looked like cat-like claws.

Then she did a slash and the claws emitted energy that seemed to cut the air and fly towards Kokabiel in five streaks of lightning. They destroyed many of the swords on their way and reached the fallen angel just as he created a shield made of Light to block the attack.

It was a square shield that protected him head to toe based on the one the Romans used and successfully protected its creator. He still felt the power pushing him but easily pushed it back only for Yoruichi to already be attacking him from the side, claws ready to rip out his eyes.

At that point Kokabiel had to retreat and take flight but not without taking a cut on his face. Some of the fury of the fallen angel had disappeared and he smiled derangedly. "At least this will be a good fight!"

Ten wings opened and dozens of Light spears formed above Kokabiel before throwing them all at the nekomata. Yoruichi began to dodge them easily as she focused some power on her left hand to have more claws to work with. "Lightning Claw!"

Ten slashes flew in Kokabiel's direction but he also dodged and made more spears. "What is wrong? Can't fly?" He threw them all again and kept making more around him to follow up only to then realize Yoruichi had disappeared in the smoke. "What the-?"

Instincts warned the fallen angel in time as Yoruichi showed up to his side and managed to cut his wings and reach his waist, piercing his flesh. Kokabiel felt the lightning disrupting his body but bit it off before hitting Yoruichi's back with a spear. Despite having reached the fallen angel she still couldn't fly so she took the hit and fell down.

Rolling around the ground, Yoruichi recovered faster than Kokabiel who was still feeling the effects from the lightning in his body. Senjutsu wasn't something he was used to fighting against and every hit the nekomata was delivering did more than just superficial wounds. He felt as the foreign Ki affected his body, forcing him to slow down.

The fallen angel was so slow that he gave Yoruichi enough time to charge more power on her two hands to send two huge lightning bolts in his direction. Fortunately for the fallen angel he could still fly and moved out of the way of the attack as his body and power began to stabilize.

Only his experience in reading expressions and the twitch of Yoruichi's lips warned him that he wasn't in the clear and Kokabiel flew higher as the lightning bolts had turned around to hit his back.

"Damn!" Yoruichi cursed as she grabbed the lightning with her hands and absorbed the energy. "I hate flying types!" She began to run again and Kokabiel struggled to follow her as she ran up to the roof to use it as a platform to launch herself. "Gotcha!"

"You think so?!" Kokabiel formed another shield and sword to block the nekomata.

When the blow came Kokabiel flew back but held his position enough to counter with his sword. Yoruichi used her claws to stop the blade of Light and the two powers collided in the air as a flash blinded everyone.

"I knew she was strong but-"

"This is ridiculous!" Ise and Saji commented but the Sitri Pawn was clearly more in disbelief than his Gremory counterpart. "Who the hell is she? If she was around, why didn't she show up sooner?!"

"It is because she is a yokai." Shirou replied easily as his vision returned and he watched Yoruichi do a flip and block the sword going her way before kicking Kokabiel away. "Like devils she also would have been affected by the Sanctuary."

"How is she that strong?" Tsubasa asked in clear interest. "She can't fly and even then she is giving that bastard a run for his money."

Koneko was the one who replied. "Senjutsu." Her voice was soft but showed no fear. "She is a master."

"Oh… Can I learn that?" The blue haired Rook asked.

Landing on her feet, Yoruichi watched as Kokabiel let out more power. "Already got rid of my Ki, huh?" WIth a fist on her palm and both at her right, she began to gather Ki, Touki and youki for a stronger strike. "Let's see how you deal with this." Her hand began to open as a sphere with a lot of Ki and a little youki took shape before she launched it at the fallen angel. "Storm Sphere!"

A sphere pulsing with lightning wasn't what Kokabiel was expecting to face that day but he easily dodged by moving to the side, watching it for a moment to make sure it wouldn't turn towards him. Yoruichi took advantage of that to jump at him faster than before and throw a flying kick but the fallen angel was expecting that and moved again.

With another sword he tried to cut the nekomata but Yoruichi parried with her claws as she began to fall down. Kokabiel saw his chance and created one hundred spears of Light to overwhelm the woman. He had to work quickly, before she landed, because she was much faster than he was, so once he had close to thirty he already began to send them.

Yoruichi blocked the weapons of Light midair and even used one to jump away from another. That was fine with Kokabiel as more and more spears followed the first volley in a wave of Light that threatened to crush the nekomata.

Then he felt lightning hit his back and his whole body felt like it was about to burst. Kokabiel was confused from the sudden attack and his concentration slipped making his weapons disappear. He tried to keep going while looking around to find who attacked him but the Cadre was hit by another bolt and began to fall.

Yoruichi landed safely and began to run around the battlefield, picking up two of Shirou's swords on the way. Her eyes never left Kokabiel as most of her concentration was on bringing him down with her surprise attack. Like before her lightning was disrupting his senses only on a smaller scale since she had no direct contact with him.

Took Kokabiel being hit two more times before he figured out that the attacks weren't coming from the students and Exorcists but from above. A single eye managed to glimpse the sphere that Yoruichi had made before throwing another lightning bolt in his direction. Fighting the numbness and forcing his power to move, the fallen angel managed to hold up a barrier with a hand before getting hit by Yoruichi from the sides.

Her two swords pierced the man's chest and stomach, Kokabiel feeling immense pain. 'When was the last time I was hit like that?' He wondered as the nekomata used her Ki to send more lightning while she moved to rip him apart.

Normal beings would be dead just by the swords but Kokabiel wasn't normal even by the moonlit world's standards. He isn't only a fallen angel but one of the first angels and with a howl of fury he pushed Yoruichi back, swords still lodged on his body as he flew away.

Her hands free, Yoruichi took direct control over her orb and had it fly towards the fallen angel once again. All the energy that it had stored was ready to blow up.

Kokabiel had to think quickly as his condition was deteriorating. He needed space and the first thing he did to get it was to fly away from Yoruichi.

The nekomata gave chase with her sphere and began to run in Kokabiel's direction as well. She knew he was suffering from her previous attacks and like he knew that he needed to get some space she knew that victory was close. The sphere moved faster and was about to get Kokabiel when she suddenly undid its existence.

"You coward!" Yoruichi kept it high in the sky as Kokabiel landed close to the group of Kuoh students.

Most were afraid by his presence but Kokabiel just laughed. "'All fair in love and war' or so they say." The man held the swords sticking in him as Yoruichi grew closer.

Kokabiel ignored the frightened and indignated looks as some of those who he was using as shields were getting ready to attack. None of them was a threat so he focused on his real opposition as ripped off and then threw the blades Yoruichi had used before at her.

Before the Cadre couldn't even fully extract the swords, Shirou was already willing them to disappear. The fight was too fast for him to keep up so he got working fast into neutralizing any advantage Kokabiel could have because of his weapons.

Yoruichi noticed how the traced weapons became mottes of mana just as they left Kokabiel's hands and let more of her youki flow. Soon cat ears and two tails showed up and she accelerated further to hit the fallen angel on his face with her elbow, doing a front kick after as a follow up.

Not having an opportunity to use someone as a hostage, Kokabiel let Yoruichi push him away with the kick. He was paying special attention to the nekomata's hand as she moved from her elbow blow into a Lightning Claw with far more energy than before.

That was why she was trying to push him away from her friends, this attack was going to be far more devastating.

Fortunately for Kokabiel he was already prepared as a shield of Light barred the attack.

The shockwave that was unleashed proved Yoruichi's caution right as those who just managed to stand fell down again. Still Kokabiel couldn't stop himself from being pushed back. The claws of Lightning threatened to break his shield and cut him in half so Kokabiel put all his power on the barrier.

It held but Kokabiel still flew all the way until he hit the gym, opening a whole as the attack kept pushing him inside until it exploded away from everyone's view.

Yoruichi made no comments and gave no warnings, she just accelerated towards the gym as fast as she could. She also shouldn't stay close to them for long in the middle of a fight while going all out as some of them could get seriously hurt. In her proper form she could feel her youki empowering every motion and move which made things more risky.

The very air around her was charged with electricity because of her claws and she planned to let Kokabiel feel every single volt from them. Yoruichi reached the opening she made in the gym faster than most people could blink but Kokabiel was already standing with a magic circle in front of her.

A magic circle with symbols Yoruichi didn't recognize. "Smite!" A strong golden Light was unleashed and the nekomata had no chance to react. Her whole body was covered with whatever spell Kokabiel was using and she flew back and hit the ground hard with smoke covering her body.

Slowly Yoruichi started to stand up as Kokabiel exited the gym and flew to the rooftop with a bloodthirsty smile. The nekomata felt that her body was stunned by whatever that spell was and her energy felt disturbed.

When Kokabiel made another magic circle of the same kind, Yoruichi turned to Senjutsu as everything else felt unbalanced. She was preparing to block or dodge whatever spell Kokabiel was using.

"IT IS HOLY ENERGY!" Sona screamed with all the air left in her lungs and Yoruichi immediately began to move to the side. She wasn't as fast as her usual speed but still fast enough to barely dodge the attack.

With a frown, Kokabiel tried to keep up with the nekomata but even after taking damage with Holy Energy she was still fast enough to dodge every shot.

Xenovia jumped in front of the devils while flaring Durandal's aura to block any stray shots. "Fallen angels shouldn't be able to use Holy Energy!" She complained louded. 'Is this because God-'

"The magic circle! That is Valper's magic circle!" Sona had glared at the blasted thing on the air for hours during her attempts to take down Kokabiel. Between the pauses, the moments of planning and the many failures, she studied it as much as she could. "It is not real Holy Light."

But its effects were close to the real thing. Close enough that it could kill any of the devils or weaken someone as strong as Yoruichi.

Kokabiel saw how Yoruichi was more wary of his attacks now that his triumph card was revealed. While true that a fallen angel couldn't use Holy Energy anymore, Valper's research gave him ideas.

Angels in general were always stagnant beings, at least when it came to power. They were created perfect in appearance, power and intelligence. While they were all different in a way or another every single one of them started as the definition of 'perfect'.

However, remaining perfect in an ever changing world was an impossible task even to the creations of God.

That turned out to not be a problem for the Angels of Heaven, not while God was around to actualize their existences. Holy Energy came from that, an actualization from what Angels originally were since they started as beings of pure Light.

Even with His death the access to Holy Energy was kept open by the system He had created.

And it stopped being a fact to the ones who fell. Without God's protection they found themselves without some of their powers and access to the Holy Energy that closed the gap against some of the beings who came close to them. Fallen angels didn't grow weaker per say but they lost some abilities that Holy Energy gave them like healing, greater manipulation of their Light and blessings.

Most would expect the fallen angels to be extinct after the first few were exiled since they still had the weakness of their pure counterparts and a slow growth in power. Instead they faced the odds and managed to survive thanks to many factors which included procreation.

Fortunately for the species as a whole the hybrids, born of the union between fallen angel and human didn't have that problem but they were born weak and in need to grow and few really had the potential to be as great as the originals.

However the world was still passing by them and Kokabiel hated to thank Azazel for having found the real solution; learn from humans and adapt.

Some protested but in the end Azazel was right and the magic circle Kokabiel was using was just one of the many things that he learned since his Fall. Unlike many of his brethren, Kokabiel had no interest in science or magic in general unless it was associated with combat or could be used for that in some form.

That was why he was one of the fallen angels that mingled most with humans, especially in places where there was war. Because of it he accumulated thousands of years of experience and strategic thinking which he was using to keep Yoruichi at bay since the combat began.

Even as his hands prepared for his next maneuver, Kokabiel worked on the Holy Energy flowing from the magic circle to keep the nekomata distracted. She was still much slower than before but the Holy Energy he used wouldn't be fatal for her even if he used all his mana to power it.

For it was not real Holy Energy, just something that Valper managed to concoct after years of research; Holy Energy without the backing of a god.

Most pantheons, not all for some had no need for it, created their own alternatives if not Holy Energy in the form of prayers, sutras, runes and many other methods. Every single one of them had a 'flavor' that marked which pantheon of god started that tradition and much like Holy Energy could be used through certain artifacts and prayers, those alternatives had their own sources.

What Valper did in his bid to rebuild 'Excalibur' was figuring out that they needed a power similar to God to execute the process. Ironically he only reached that conclusion because the Church had excommunicated him since when he was a follower the idea was too blasphemous for him to consider even when he didn't hesitate to use children in his experiments.

That was what convinced Kokabiel that the time had come and he set the plan into motion. It might have failed but he that didn't annulled the hours he poured studying Valper's research for the idea of utilizing Holy Energy again would be a great boon to any fallen angel.

His hands separated and another magic circle showed up just to fizzle out. Kokabiel frowned as magic wasn't really his forte and he didn't have much time to perfect the process.

"Angels can use magic?" Ise asked in frustration as the fallen angel kept their last hope at bay with a hand while the other worked on something. And all knew that whatever it was wouldn't be good for them. "Wasn't that supposed to be a devil thing?"

"Most magic is just manipulation of mana." Momo from Sona's peerage replied. "In theory anyone can use magic if they can feel mana."

"Yoruichi needs help." Rias pointed out but did nothing. "But we would only get in the way."

"We just need to make an opening for her." Sona looked at Xenovia with intent and the girl nodded in understanding.

"That won't work." Shirou stopped them before they could get any plan in motion, his eyes locked in Xenovia.

"Why not? I'm the most healthy here and the only one with a weapon that can harm Kokabiel."

"If you had already mastered Durandal, sure." Shirou replied with a frown.

"How do you know I haven't mastered Durandal yet?"

"I have a Reality Marble."

"I still don't understand what that means."

"It doesn't matter!" Sona interrupted the two as they watched Yoruichi jump to the side to dodge a spear of Light and rush towards Kokabiel. "Do you have any better ideas, Emiya?"

The magus nodded. "Actually I do. If Xenovia can use Durandal as a charm to protect us then Yoruichi can go all out." He saw that the bluehead didn't understand what he meant. "Yoruichi is having to protect us from Kokabiel's presence while she fights because if she doesn't some of us will be crushed by his power. If you take away that weight from her, she can fight properly."

That wasn't what the Exorcist didn't understand. "How am I supposed to make a charm?" Xenovia looked at Durandal with intrigue. "What do you mean as a 'charm'?" She read every document the Church had on Durandal and none spoke of it being used in such a manner.

"Durandal was forged using Holy Artifacts. Its power goes far beyond being just a sword." Shirou began to explain before an explosion caught their attention.

Yoruichi had managed to reach Kokabiel but the fallen angel anticipated her maneuver from the right. The fake Holy Energy that was restricting her was gone and she was once again fighting at full power, lightning coursing around her as her claws looked ready to rip Kokabiel apart.

The fallen angel wasn't afraid even if Yoruichi was much faster than him. She wasn't fast enough to escape his senses and when she came from an angle he knew exactly what she was planning to do.

"You are still far too young to be facing me." Kokabiel spoke with jest, his mood improving by the good fight and every advantage he found against the nekoshou. "But thanks for the experience of fighting Senjutsu. It has been fun."

The swipe to his side missed as once again Kokabiel took flight, his motions were followed by another magic circle showing up between them and the nekomata quickly changed course and dodged to the side as he unleashed another blast of Holy Energy.

Like he expected she began to circle around again, the rooftop of the gym being destroyed as he pursued her with one hand and worked with another. As a magic circle slightly different was finally completed, Kokabiel made it disappear as he figured out the necessary equations for what he wanted to do.

Yoruichi suddenly threw a lightning bolt in Cadre's direction, too fast for him to dodge, and Kokabiel used his wings to block the attack. He felt it anyway even if the damage was limited. His wings absorbed the energy much better than the rest of his body would but the pain was still tremendous.

It was enough to make Kokabiel flinch and Yoruichi saw it as her chance as she moved to attack him again from the back, moving as fast as she could so as not to give him a chance to find her and react.

But Kokabiel had thousands of years of experience in combat and the moment he didn't see Yoruichi in front of him was the moment he took flight again and dodged the attack within inches of crushing his spine.

Despite how much Kokabiel was enjoying the fight, he knew his time was limited. "I grow tired of this game."

"You and me both." Yoruichi began to prepare another lightning bolt when the magic circle returned in front of Kokabiel. She immediately dropped the attack and got ready to run but instead of shooting anything the circle floated in front of its creator almost inert. 'What now?'

A spear appeared on Kokabiel's hand as he studied the magic circle with a smile. "It has been long, so long since I could use Holy Energy." There was no melancholy there, just rage but not at the people in the area. It was his Father he hated the most. "Now let me show you why I am the Angel of the Stars!"

The powerless audience could only watch as Kokabiel threw the spear towards the magic circle and how it broke into hundreds of smaller spears of Holy Light. It was like the stars were falling from the sky in waves or a meteor shower that threatened to swallow Yoruichi.

With the addition of Holy Energy to his repertoar the fallen angel was able to break apart and use his energy for many more attacks. That was the power that Kokabiel had in his prime when he was one of the Angels of Heaven, a power that could compete with gods that could only belong to a ten winged angel.

The shower of Holy Light was much faster than any attack Kokabiel had unleashed before as his power seemed to gain more life by the addition of the element. Even the power of the spears was not the same as the smaller constructs were as strong as any of the bigger ones he used before.

Yoruichi tried to dodge but, as the rain of Light poured around her, she saw herself with no places to escape and had to dodge every single beam of Light individually. She successfully managed to evade the first few but they were too many and she was hit several times even as she kept moving constantly.

In the end it was the gymnasium that gave in first.

There were no explosions as the energy was too controlled for that but the building couldn't take that many hits. It just felt into itself as the structure took hundreds of spears that broke it apart with their overwhelming number.

The result was that not only Yoruichi was dodging a rain of spears but also struggling to keep her footing. Thanks to her agility and skill she didn't fall even once despite the many spears that hit her.

But they did hit her and Yoruichi had to keep moving despite the accumulating wounds. Only her skills kept her alive as she used senjutsu to neutralize most of the damage while her speed let her dodge anything fatal.

Finally she escaped the cage of Holy Light but it wasn't for free as she ended up hitting the ground hard, blood pouring from everywhere. She recovered quickly and managed to get to one knee before Kokabiel came at her with a sword of Light ready to cut her head and blocked it with a lightning charged hand.

There was no Holy Light in the sword so it was easier for her to stop it but the many cuts and wounds she had accumulated in her arms, back, legs and face made things tougher. Her orange shirt was damaged enough to reveal her bare back and black undershirt beneath but her eyes remained fierce as she jumped to the side, grabbed one of Shirou's swords and used it to stop another blow.

Kokabiel, much like the others watching, knew that was a sign that Yoruichi was losing and Shirou pleaded to Xenovia again. "You have to use it."

"But I don't know how!" Xenovia understood when he talked about the movement of mana but failed to apply his instructions. "Most of the time Durandal doesn't even obey me. It's just too powerful and when I try to force it-"

"'It acts like a wild horse that refuses to be tamed'." Xenovia's eyes widened as Shirou quoted her word for word.

"How did you-"

"You heard Kokabiel; my Reality Marble is connected with swords. You could say I am a sword but that doesn't matter." There was no time to debate philosophy and he approached Xenovia to place a hand on her shoulder. "What matters is that my friend is trying to save our lives and is losing because some here may die if Kokabiel's presence reaches us."

During the fight they stopped feeling Kokabiel's overwhelming power because Yoruichi was keeping it at bay. Even wounded and fighting for her life, her protection continued which made some of the devils, those that like Asia and Riruko, look down in sadness as they knew they knew it was mostly for their sake.

"Because of my Reality Marble I can read all the history of a sword, including yours. That is how I am able to make so many, I have the history of every single one of them in my mind." Cue to some to remember that there were thousands of swords around the battlefield, Yoruichi even grabbing a second one to help in her defense.

Xenovia understood that Shirou knew about her comparisons with Durandal because that was something she mused from time to time. The Exorcist didn't hesitate to offer him the sword. "Then do it."

"I can't." Not even because of the exhaustion since Durandal had its own power. "I am not the owner of the sword." His grip on her shoulder was gentle but firm. "That is you."

Looking at her weapon and seeing her reflection, Xenovia didn't know if she could believe Shirou's words.

So far since coming to Fuyuki she had run around in an empty chase, failed in her mission and had her worldview shattered by learning of God's death. Physically and spiritually Xenovia was beyond exhausted and part of her just wanted to crawl into a ball and die with how shaken she was after everything.

Despite that, duty kept her going as much as her moral compass. Xenovia didn't want to allow the suffering that Kokabiel's actions threatened to unleash. But Shirou could see in the Exorcist's eyes; she was done and barely hanging on by a thread.

"Do you think Durandal chose you by mistake?" Even with all that Shirou refused to give up on Xenovia. Not only she was their best hope besides a suicidal attack, he knew her history with Durandal and how dedicated she was to the path of the sword. "Do you? Because I am sure it didn't." He saw how she looked at her weapon in disbelief. "Or you thought God chose you?"

"Yes." Xenovia admitted as the sounds of the battle echoed around Kuoh. Shirou could feel his swords breaking but focused on Xenovia. "I thought that God had… recognized my faith."

Shaking his head, Shirou placed a hand on the sword. "Maybe God didn't, but Durandal did." Her eyes grew wide. "Don't think that it is alive by any means. It can't talk, react, or fight by itself like you or I."

A loud echo came from his soul as the pegasus agreed. It was close to the Durandal inside his Reality Marble and Shirou felt both blades react.

"But it has an echo, a will of some sort that I find hard to explain. Maybe it is the will of God," he could see her hopes growing but had not finished, "or maybe it is the will of the Noble Phantasm. Durandal was the one who guided me to Caliburn's fragments after it told me its history with barely a glimpse."

All of that spoke of an intelligence of some kind, maybe not rational but able to make certain decisions.

"Besides, Durandal chose you." Shirou smiled gently. "Of all people from the Church, Durandal recognized your potential. Right now you aren't at the same level as your predecessors but this sword, a sword that was wielded by heroes, decided that you could keep up with them."

Xenovia looked at her sword once again, the battle behind her forgotten even as the loud sounds proved it was still happening. Then she looked at Shirou and saw the poor condition he was in with a body much more hurt than her own and exhausted after having a city worth of mana run through it.

"A hero?" She remembered how Shirou referred to God in the same vein and a feeling of determination blossomed from her chest. "Like Cardinal Strada and Sir Roland."

"Or Hector of Troy." Xenovia looked at Shirou in surprise as something seemed to stir in her sword. "That was his weapon first. It might have changed shape and hands but it is still Durandina." He could see she was almost convinced. "I know you are upset about God but even if you can't live for Him, I believe He would be happy if you lived for yourself."

"That is right, Xenovia-san." Asia stepped up to get close to the Exorcist. She seemed to be shivering and afraid but gathered her courage to talk. "When I became a devil I knew I didn't lose our Lord, God's love, because I knew he would want me to be happy." Already exhausted she almost fell back only for Ise to catch her up.

Rias touched her Bishop's forehead and muttered "You shouldn't say the name, Asia. You already are too weak as it is."

"But I wanted to give Xenovia my honest feelings… I should have talked to her earlier today." And it was working as Asia had all of Xenovia's attention. "He loves us and even if He is gone He did it for us. How could we deny His love by not living the best life we could?" She touched Ise's arm with a smile. "I wouldn't trade those I met here for anything in the world."

From pride of having Durandal, Xenovia soon felt shame. 'She is a devil, God is dead and yet… Since when am I a coward?'

Once more she looked at Durandal and Xenovia could see another version of herself looking at it in the past; brave, determined and eager to prove herself. When she told Vasco that she planned to surpass him the old Cardinal had smiled with approval before starting to teach her some tricks to control Durandal.

Xenovia turned to Shirou, determination renewed. "What do I have to do?"

"Durandal can produce miracles to an extent. What we need is a wall or barrier that can protect us while Yoruichi goes all out." And they needed it fast as from the corner of his eye Shirou could see that Yoruichi was barely holding Kokabiel back. "But ever since Durandina became Durandal it started to respond to the will and wish of its weirders."

"Shiro, get to the point." Rias suggested, worried about her friend who was running away from Kokabiel who kept throwing Holy Energy at her.

"Right… you pray."

"Pray? That is it?" Xenovia suddenly found Shirou's expertise doubtful.

"Well, we do need a miracle." At those words Xenovia couldn't stop herself from laughing.

"Very well. Let's hope for a miracle then." Xenovia turned to the battle and raised her sword. "Are you sure that I can't just swing it at Kokabiel and kill him?"

"You could but I don't think you can control Durandal enough to do that." Shirou admitted with a frown. "The sword isn't the problem-"

"It 's me. I know." She smiled at Durandal. "Compared with those legends like Roland or even Hector… I am lacking." Xenovia spoked respectfully but had no hard feelings about that fact. "But that is fine." Her smile grew as Durandal's aura was unleashed. "That means I just have to catch up with them!"

Kokaibel stopped his attack when he felt Durandal's power pouring out. He expected an attack and immediately turned only to see Xenovia standing still with the sword's power almost out of control.

'A distraction?' He turned to look at Yoruichi who was looking at the same event with worry. 'No, she didn't know.' But it was clear Xenovia was planning something and while he couldn't reach her and the others with his presence, he could reach them with his power. "Not like I need to let them live anyway."

The fallen angel spoke out loud to force Yoruichi into action and the nekomata didn't disappoint as she threw the swords she was using at him. That gave him an opening that Kokabiel moved to capitalize and Yoruichi had no choice but to jump away from him or be hit with his spear.

But the Cadre didn't give chase and instead pivoted on his foot to throw the spear towards Xenovia. His previous advance was a feint and Yoruichi couldn't stop him anymore, out of position as she was. She began to let out more power to speed up further but Kokabiel was already making another weapon to intercept her.

Yoruichi moved for a kick to push the fallen angel back again but Kokabiel already anticipated that with a shield that stopped her. An explosion of light behind Kokabiel interrupted their fight and the man began to laugh.

"I win!" Declared Kokabiel with a sense of victory but Yoruichi's frustrated face gave way to a smile. "Don't you care about your allies dying? Or have you started to feel the thrill of combat."

Yoruichi laughed a little "With you? The only thrill I'm going to feel is going to be when I'm ripping your eyes off." Kokabiel laughed at her declaration even if he didn't understand why she was so cheerful. "Also, unlike you, I can feel the Ki of everyone here." That made the man pause and blink before he looked back to the dissipating smoke.

"Impossible!" Kokabiel had put a lot of his energy in his spear and yet when the dust settled he saw that none of the humans or devils were harmed.

On the contrary, one of them looked much stronger than before, covered by an energy that seemed to spread and protect those behind her. Standing proudly with Durandal raised in front of her was Xenovia Quarta and she had a curious look on face. She almost didn't recognize the sword in her hand but her eyes weren't being deceived and her soul told her that it was Durandal.

Except it had changed in presence as the aura it was letting out wasn't the white from typical Holy Energy nor the gold that the Fused Fragments produced.

It was bronze but a kind of bronze that Xenovia had never seen before. Quickly her mind drew comparisons with relics she had seen in the Church and Sir Gaheris armor from earlier on that day

But the bronze leaving Durandal looked more ancient than any of those. There was an ethereal quality to it that many could admire but not recognize.

She turned back to look at Shirou with a confident smile, moving the transformed Durandal towards him. "Looks like I made a miracle."

"That is incredible, Xenovia-san." Asia looked much better than before as the aura seemed to involve her kindly.

Shirou chuckled. "That you did." He, like everyone else, was surprised by Durandal's new form. However he could understand where it came from. "It looks like Durandina's power." Which made sense to him.

One of the things Shirou learned by studying Noble Phantasms was how they really grew with time by using Muramasa, Caladbolg and Hrunting as references. His Muramasa wasn't actually a legendary sword but was a Noble Phantasm due to who made it and the man's own legend, that was why it was weaker and flexible compared with the others as it wasn't fully crystalized.

Caladbolg on the other hand was an old weapon with a definitive legend which gave it a considerable destructive power. Turning it into an arrow wasn't that complicated once Shirou got some practice but the redhead always knew that if he used Caladbolg there would be no holding back its explosion.

Then there was Hrunting, which was an ancient weapon that in the past was able to always seek the vitals of its owner's enemies. Even Shirou was surprised by the strength of its blast which showed it was a high grade Noble Phantasm but its purpose wasn't to be destructive in the first place.

Hrunting's purpose was to hunt and its age made it so that once the weapon was turned into an arrow it actually became even better at its job, never losing sight of Freed even when Shirou himself couldn't find him.

Same thing applied with Xenovia's sword. "Durandina is the core of Durandal, the first weapon. Its original goal was the defense of a city." Shirou felt the aura around him and how it wasn't empowering him or anyone else, it was just protecting them. "It was once said that 'if Hector hadn't fallen then Troy wouldn't either'. That is what this is; a defense similar to the walls of Troy."

"So it remembers being Durandina?" Xenovia looked at Durandal again. "Nice." She then turned to the two combatants and pointed her weapon at Kokabiel. "While I'm here, you aren't hurting anyone else!" The fallen angel looked legitimately taken back by the declaration but Xenovia ignored him. "Shihouin Yoruichi, I'll protect everyone so fight as you please!"

That earned a loud laughter from Yoruichi. "Nyahahahaha~ That is great! Thank you, Xenovia Quarta!" Her eyes grew even more feline as energy began to build up around her. "I will hold you to it." Lightning began to surge around her but her opponent wasn't focused on her anymore.

Kokabiel ignored how much power Yoruichi was letting out now that she wasn't bothering to hold his own power back. Taking the chance he threw every little bit of his presence at the devils' direction to try and crush Rias and Sona before something else went wrong.

But only Xenovia reacted to his presence by falling to her knees. Everyone reacted by trying to help her but the bronze aura formed a wall and stopped them from advancing much like the soldiers and civilians of Troy couldn't reach Hector during and after his duel with Achilles.

"So I can't protect myself? Like I care!" Xenovia smiled as she stabbed Durandal to help her get up. "You aren't passing!"

"That is the spirit!" Yoruichi shouted in approval and Kokabiel immediately turned to defend the next attack only to fail and a punch threw him all the way back towards the rubble of the gymnasium. "Good job, Xenovia!" The nekomata stopped close to her allies and all admired how lighting covered her form but the power was still being built up. "You alright?"

As she got closer, Yoruichi noticed that Xenovia looked worse than before but the younger woman smiled again. "I don't think I can deflect another direct attack but besides that…"

"She's barely standing on her own." Koneko revealed. "Too much energy on the wall."

"She wasn't fully healed either." Rias commented.

Yoruichi took all the information and nodded. "Don't worry. I will finish this soon enough." More lightning emerged from her form as Yoruichi tore out the rest of her orange shirt to reveal her black undershirt that exposed her back. When she smiled it revealed sharp fangs. "Just keep up for a few minutes."

"Let me help!" Kiba stood up, volunteering immediately.

"Kiba, no!" Ise couldn't move away from Asia but Saji had the same thought and moved to stand in front of the Knight.

"You aren't in your right mind, man."

"This has nothing to do with the Exca- that sword!" Personally, Kiba didn't care which sword it really was, he still hated it. But that was far from his mind at the moment. "Please, let me fight. To atone for my mistakes."

Guilt and fury ran as one in Kiba who couldn't believe he ended up doing nothing even with the object of his hatred to his face. The worst part for him was that instead of keeping control he lost to rage again and put his friends into danger by just charging like an insane bull.

Yoruichi barely gave him a glance before ignoring the Knight and turning to Xenovia. "Can't that thing hold?"

"Kokabiel's presence won't reach anyone else. Not while I'm standing." The nekomata was grinning.

"It isn't just his presence you should worry about." More lightning covered Yoruichi as her power began to skyrocket and Xenovia felt the pressure coming from it. But the Exorcist didn't fall and was relieved when Yoruichi's power stopped fluctuating as she controlled it more. "Good. Keep going like this. I will finish him in a minute."

With practiced maestry Yoruichi kicked her footwear off her feet just as her nails became claws and they began to be covered with black fur. It wasn't just her feet as her bare arms and back also had black fur growing on them as her fangs seemed to be a little sharper.

Those behind Durandal protection couldn't feel the massive power right on their faces but Xenovia was sweating as she felt insignificant before the nekomata who now had fur on her arms, back and in some part of her legs that all could see thanks to some tears on her pants.

None of that detracted from Yoruichi's beauty as her face, while looking a little more wild like her hair, remained human even if her eyes became more feline.

"What the actual fu-"

"Saji, language." Sona protested weakly as even if she couldn't feel Yoruichi's power she could see how the lightning around her seemed to tear the place apart.

"So that is what happens when a yokai masters their youki." Rias whispered so softly that she believed no one could hear her.

"That is right." However Yoruichi could as her senses grew even sharper. "Most yokais can only return to their original forms or hide themselves by removing or adding extra appendages." She posed and could notice some men and women blushing in her audience. "But the same way I can turn into a full cat, I can also mix it perfectly with my nature thanks to my mastery of Senjutsu."

"I see…" Rias kept her face flat while she observed Yoruichi from head to toe. "Well, don't let us keep you. He is getting up."

"Nya~" With that Yoruichi charged at a furious Kokabiel who made another magic circle and began to prepare another spear.

The fallen angel was sure that Durandal's protection was superficial and weak. He could see that Xenovia barely knew what she was doing so all he needed to do to accomplish his goals was to throw more power at it.

When Kokabiel noticed Yoruichi's new form, he raised his guard and turned his magic circle to her. Only for her claws to sink on his chest before he could even understand what was happening.

All watching stood admired at Yoruichi's speed as an after image disappeared an instant after she had connected the blow. "That was-"

"Fast! So goddamn fast!" Tomoe stopped her Queen from speaking but no one blamed her.

Kokabiel watched as if in slow motion as Yoruichi real claws left his body. She was going slow for his 'benefit', enjoying the suffering in his face. It was hard for her to not do it as her instincts were far more attuned to a cat's than even in her cat form and she wanted to play with her prey a little.

So when Kokabiel fought back with the spear of Light he had already formed, Yoruichi did a flip backwards to give him some space. The fallen angel had a hand on his chest as his heart was wounded and exposed. His natural healing was fixing the damage but there was no way he would be ready before Yoruichi attacked again.

And attack again she did, leaning left and right playfully before disappearing right before Kokabiel's eyes. His senses were more advanced than anyone else in the area bar the nekomata herself but even he was having problems keeping up.

He heard something from his side and threw his spear as fast as he could before making another one. His attack seemed to land only for Yoruichi to disappear. 'An after image!'

Then felt a hit land on his side and turned to see a smiling Yoruichi as her fist sunk in her gut before she disappeared and only the phantom pain remained.

Not allowing it to distract him, Kokabiel moved his hand to create a magic circle with the other turning his spear. Focusing all his senses and power he managed to find Yoruichi's fast moving presence moving to attack his back.

There was no thinking as the spear stabbed the magic circle and it began to pulse as the fallen angel turned it in that direction and unleashed a cascade of Holy Light.

A flash turned the night into day one more time but while that blinded everyone else, Kokabiel's eyes were unaffected and he created another magic circle just above his chest when he noticed that he had hit nothing.

'I need to heal! I need to heal quickly and then-' A fist made contact with his face and Kokabiel stopped in the middle of his work.

"Nya~ You aren't fixing that." Yoruichi commented before accelerating again, avoiding a sword of Light aiming to her chest. A claw made contact with Kokabiel's face and he failed in counter attacking after. "What is wrong?" She kicked him before her claw sunk in his back between his wings. "Cat got your tongue?"

Letting out a lot of mana, Kokabiel made dozens of spears that Yoruichi easily dodged. He summoned some more to force her to move the way he wanted, to force her into a path for a trap. He could see the path she fell for his feint and prepared another magic circle for another one.

The blast of Holy Energy was brighter than all the others and it flew in Yoruichi's direction followed by four of his spears. His plan was to use the more dangerous Holy Energy to distract the nekomata while the spears blew up around her.

He was already making another one for his next attack when he got interrupted by Yoruichi simply charging at him surrounded by lightning. 'Holy Energy doesn't work anymore?' Was all he had time to think before his body was electrocuted. 'No- this is- stronger than before- many times stronger!'

'This is getting boring- No, focus!' Yoruichi managed to direct her mind even as the instincts she amplified with the transformation were taking hold. She moved her hand and her claws almost ripped Kokabiel's eye off as he flew back in retreat. 'Oh good~ No, I have to concentrate.'

She could feel the excess of Ki enhancing her instincts as they enhanced everything. That catlike nature that all nekomata had demanded to be let out and it took considerable effort to not give in.

Senjutsu allowed the manipulation of Ki and with it Yoruichi could do wonderous things including her new form or shrug of Holy Energy.

'I shouldn't have done that.' Creating a lightning barrier to bounce off Holy Light and other things was an idea she always had but she shouldn't have tried for the first time in real combat. 'It was an impulse. Just an impulse.'

All she wanted right then and there was to surrender to these impulses and keep having fun by jumping over Kokabiel and stomping his head on the ground. The fallen angel recovered and tried to spear through her only to hit another after image before Yoruichi showed up by his side and kicked his face.

'I sound like a junkie and I can't let Koneko-chan see me like that.' Especially not now when she recognized Yoruichi as something like a sister. She could already see the little devil's disappointed face by how she was acting. Her transformation even made the image more livid. 'I wasn't lying, Koneko-chan. This isn't a Senjutsu thing but a me thing.'

Yoruichi kept running laps around Kokabiel, from time to time throwing a punch while the fallen angel failed to hit her. She was over the hundredth lap when a thought came to her mind.

'This guy sure can take a hit… A lot of hits. He just isn't breaking.' And then a smile began to make her way, an innocent but feral grin. 'Can't I play with him… just a little bit? I mean, everything is under control, right.'

Sliding her leg between his, Yoruichi pushed Kokabiel down and expected him to fall as she channeled another lightning to throw at him. However he used his wings and retreated a step before Yoruichi's lightning connected with him. Her smile grew bigger as the fallen angel seemed to grow more desperate.

'I can play with him a bit, right?' When he landed, Yoruichi charged towards him at full speed and watched when he lifted his spear to make her impale herself. 'Nyaa~' Only for her to stop suddenly into a running position.

Kokabiel was surprised but closed the gap as fast as he could before she disappeared again. Another after image had tricked him and he was so distracted by the pain that he failed in keeping up with the nekomata.

Looking around, the fallen angel felt a chill running through his spine, an almost forgotten sensation running through him similar to the lightning Yoruichi had used since their fight began. 'Am I afraid?'

'Yes' was the answer that Kokabiel reached but he refused to show it, focusing on the fight and the Light spear in his hand. Twirling his weapon while looking around, he tried to find the nekomata. A sense of dread had him quickly turning around and swinging his spear only to find no one.

Except Yoruichi had been there as those watching could infer when they saw the tall woman move behind Kokabiel just as the man began to attack. Once again Kokabiel was looking around but this time when he moved they could see Yoruichi moving with him like a shadow.

In this case she was too fast for him to catch and his wings worked for his detriment. With how Yoruichi was moving there was no way the fallen angel could catch him and that began to affect the man.

Nobody could see or had the means to know that Kokabiel was starting to panic but he was and he knew it. Fear began to take hold the moment that he saw Yoruichi's new form but only settled when she showed her real power and he realized that previously she was putting most of her effort on protecting others and not fighting him

While Xenovia's newly acquired protection also released Kokabiel from needing to keep pressuring his 'hostages', the power he could bring to bear was falling short. HIs years of experience were rendered useless against someone with a power many times greater than his own.

And upon understanding that he saw no choice but to run away before things went worse for him.

Kokabiel opened his wings and began to fly only to find himself stuck barely two meters off the ground. "Sorry but this is officially a 'no fly zone' right now." Yoruichi revealed herself, Kokaibel's leg bleeding because of her sharp claws that also sent pulses of electricity though his system. "Don't worry. We are going to give your money back." As in she planned to make him pay for all he did by dragging him down and hitting him on the ground face first. "Oops! Looks like you forgot your baggage!" She lifted him up above her head before throwing him down once more on her other side. "That is it. Make sure to look through. The nekomata airlines won't be held responsible by any teeth," she hit him on her other side, "blood," repeated the process, "or feathers you lose in our planes!"

Once again Kokabiel's eats dirt as his Light spear was long gone and he tried to focus on protecting his head. He was succeeding only because Yoruichi was just using brute force and the earth but every second that passed he also felt great agony since she was sending more and more electricity through his leg little by little.

'Never before-' Kokabiel felt the pain on his back, his wings retreating to spare himself from more. 'Never I had-' He could barely form the thought before his arm met with a piece of wood as he protected his face. 'I should-' Again pain on his back. 'I ha-' It was starting to get difficult to think.

From the back the students of Kuoh and Exorcists couldn't help but feel a little nervous at Yoruichi's definition of fun. "She is playing with him."

"We can all see that, Sona." Rias replied with a chuckle that had her fellow King glaring at her.

"This!" The Heiress of Sitri motions to the fallen angel being manhandled. "This is why when a person like her shows up in town we have to report it!"

"But you won't~" Rias teased and Sona knew she couldn't really reply.

"Okay, that is cool and all but a question; what is going on?" Tsubasa, Sona's Rook, finally asked. She liked that Kokabiel was taking a beating but was confused by all that was happening. "Who is she again?"

"Shihouin Yoruichi, one of the Four Kings of Kyoto." Shirou was the one who replied, noticing that the other bluehead, Xenovia, looked to be struggling. "You can drop the barrier now. I don't think Kokabiel can do anything to us at this point."

Xenovia nodded and did as suggested, almost falling down only for Durandal to help her stand up. "I'm really thirsty after this."

"Okay let me see if I got this straight!" Ise pointed at Shirou after Rias' short explanation. "The cat that hangs out with us is actually a big shot from Japan's faction and she wants to get into Shirou's pants?"

Rias shrugged. "A crude way of saying it but sure."

"And you have no problems with this, Buchou?" After she shot her head, Ise looked at Shirou with envy. "Dude, are you kidding me?"

"Isn't he supposed to be the one trying to make a harem!" Saji commented while pointing at Ise but the brown haired Pawn wasn't offended.

Shirou turned to Rias. "Did you need to tell them everything?"

"Of course I did. They deserve to know~" Now that most of the danger seemed to be gone, with Yoruichi playing with Kokabiel, Rias felt more relaxed and wanted to have some fun.

"How is she winning so easily?" Issei asked with a blush after he fixed his uniform. He had a similar opinion to his namesake and fellow Pawn but decided to focus on the fight.

"Because she is one of Kyoto's Kings." Rias felt that explained everything but all the reincarnated devils and Exorcists looked confused. "Right, pretty much they are the representatives of the Japanese pantheon on Earth."

"But Kokabiel is a ten winged angel." Irina flinched as the man's face was bleeding because of what Yoruichi was doing. The nekomata even stopped to look at her handwork."They are below only the Seraphs and are able to face even pagan gods."

Xenovia knew her partner wanted her to agree but after learning about God's death she didn't feel like believing in anything.

Noticing how Irina still referred to other gods, Shirou turned to see that Medusa had passed out due to her efforts before replying. "The families of the Kings of Kyoto have a pact to train each other and help their members to reach a suitable level of power to represent their gods. The strongest ones."

"And despite how powerful a ten winged angel is, they always had only the power of minor gods while Yoruichi-dono would be on the same level as someone like Tsukiyome or maybe even Amaterasu." Sona clarified his words so Shirou nodded only to notice the harsh look she was giving at the 'fight'. "Why isn't she killing him?"

Shirou knew the question was for him. "When she transforms into that form she becomes much more… playful depending on her mood."

"You two talked about it?" Rias didn't know about Yoruichi's true power but her lover apparently did as he nodded once again.

"She never showed it to me or anything like that, something about jumping my bones too soon." He felt Ise and Saji's glare because they all knew what those words meant. "It isn't something every yokai can do, just a trump card that she worked on with Senjutsu."

Rias looked at Shirou, really looking at him with the goal of making him squirm. "You aren't telling me something about it."

"Nothing bad…" Shirou replied slowly. His face was the same as the steel of his blades, firm and unchanging. 'Can't tell her that Yoruichi described that form in detail.'

Lots of detail by taking off her clothes and moving her hands to show exactly where the black fur which was as tough as armor would grow or how she could use her claws to tear most things, like clothes apart.

Suffice to say that it was before Shirou and Rias became a thing but the magus was sure that if Yoruichi had advanced first then and there then his lover wouldn't be a devil but a nekomata. Then Rias smiled and Shirou used all his will to not react.

"But she should kill him." Sona's voice brought both redheads back to reality as the Heiress of Sitri's glare remained firm. "Every second Kokabiel lives is another chance for him to do something."

"That is hard to believe when this Yoruichi is throwing Kokabiel around like a ball, chasing the fallen angel on all fours." Nobody really could disagree with Xenovia as her legs finally gave in and she sat down. "All that I know is that I'm spent, hungry and can't wait for all this to be over."

Meanwhile the others talked or debated one thing or another, Koneko kept watching the fight eagerly. Her attention was on how Yoruichi was moving and how the power was circulating inside her.

With Durandal's barrier gone, Koneko's senses could perceive everything her mentor was doing and she couldn't help but wishing to keep up with every detail. She also knew that Yoruichi was having a lot of fun with what she was doing. The Ki leaving the nekomata was practically chipper while she played with her new toy.

At that point even Kokabiel knew he was just a toy, his body was badly wounded and blood was pouring all over. 'Where did everything go wrong?' He managed to think while the nekomata gave him a small tap to throw him around again. There was little the fallen angel could do to protest since almost all of his bones were broken and he couldn't move. 'I was never… humiliated in such a manner.'

The only reason he was alive was because he was amusing a more feral Yoruichi and Kokabiel knew it. For someone that loved to dominate the battlefield and show his power now he was impotent and vulnerable. When he stopped moving he watched as Yoruichi skipped close to him before sending him flying again.

He could barely feel himself falling into a hole and rolling before Yoruichi hit him again. She wasn't even using Senjutsu, just her strength to play with him until he died.

Because Kokabiel was already broken, both in spirit and in body as he was missing most of his teeth, blind from one eye and bleeding all over. Many of his bones were dust and had he been any other being lesser than an angel he wouldn't even be able to feel pain anymore.

This time his nature was against him for he was still a fallen angel and still felt everything happening, much to the yokai's delight.

Despite his current predicament, Kokabiel couldn't stop himself from trying to figure out where his plans failed. 'A Reality Marble…' His mind managed to muster enough hatred to remember that. 'Of all things… How could I plan… For a Reality Marble?' His fingers grabbed some dirt in rage.

If there was one thing that he couldn't anticipate, counter or even see coming was a Reality Marble. They were so rare that someone like Kokabiel, a being that has been alive for eons, had only seen one fully realized. After the user of that one died the gods, fearful of their potential, started to hunt potential Reality Marble owners.

With the research of Reality Marbles considered a taboo in the moonlit world it should be impossible for someone to have one. None had showed up, the some gods being fearful and diligent made sure that the potential would be untapped by all beings.

'Yet I found one…' Kokabiel's rage helped him get up as his power began to escape in waves. Yoruichi sat back and watched curiously, not caring for any tricks as her rational mind was buried beneath the playful cat. 'A human with one… at that… one with swords… one that could reforge Caliburn!'

Kokabiel's power flared but while that was enough to worry almost everyone, Yoruichi wasn't impressed. If anything she watched the bright lights with some childish glee in her face.

'My plans… were perfect… everything was set up…' He remembers the deals he made to reach this far, both inside and outside his Faction. Kokabiel knew that even if he survived this was his best shot at restarting a war. 'But now… now everything is… ruined.'

Playing it back everything he did over the last few centuries just to reach this moment, Kokabiel felt his rage grow even stronger.

'All because… of a human… an impossible human…' More power was let out despite the man's body almost breaking apart. 'If it wasn't for him!' The moment that Kokabiel turned to glare at Shirou, Yoruichi moved and slapped him on the back of his head.

The fallen angel lost his hold on his power and fell down again as the nekomata watched him with some wariness. She was still in her more feline mentality but all her instincts screamed 'protect' when Kokabiel sent the least bit of aggression towards Shirou.

The man managed to turn up to look at the sky, his blazing fury held beneath an even greater degree of caution.

'There is also the yokai… had you not been dead… I would think you planned this… Father…' Looking at the stars he named himself for, Kokabiel knew he couldn't win the battle but his mind still worked to try and find a solution. 'Can I kill the Heiresses? Just one…'

Denial came as the fallen angel failed to get up. Looking around he could see that Yoruichi was still on guard and there was no way for him to reach them and even if he could there were others still ready to fight.

Sacred gears and weapons were out as the devils stuck because of the Sanctuary were free to intervene if he attacked. Of them he counted two dragon type sacred gears and upon seeing one in specific he had an idea.

'A long shot…' A deranged smile came to his lips. 'He must be… close… Azazel trusts him.'

It was a gamble so unlike every other plan he had before that Kokabiel knew he was desperate but in his condition that was the only play he had left.

Since he fell from Heaven, Kokabiel saw himself as a strategist who minimized the influence of luck as much as he could. Counting on it against a Gremory also was conventionally a bad play to make. However he also knew that luck was part of the battlefield.

'If there is something humans taught me… is that sometimes you need to count your 'lucky stars'.' Kokabiel managed to drag himself to his knees. His broken bones stopped him from getting up.

He had no guarantee that it would work or even if he was right and his brother sent the right person to look for him close to Japan but he refused to accept defeat.

'One way… or another…' His power rose again as he turned to Yoruichi. The nekomata looked ready to pounce but Kokabiel's smile unnerved her enough to have her stop. "One way… or another…" He powered himself more as his wings expanded from his back again. "One way or another! I shall have my war!"

Unleashing all his power at once, Kokabiel created a pillar of Light that reached the skies. The boundary field around Kouh became visible as the fallen angel's power collided with it and the area started to shake at the beginning of an earthquake.

"What is he doing now?!" Ise asked while helping Asia to stay on her feet as the land began to shake intensely.

"I…" Rias turned to Sona who also looked towards her.

It was the Sitri who voiced their thoughts. "I don't know."

The boundary field held Kokabiel's power for as long as it could. It was designed to stop people from using mana like this, both to protect the area but also to keep the secrets of the moonlit world. When people just left Kuoh on foot it didn't stop anyone unless certain conditions were met but pure mana was another case entirely.

And Kokabiel just unleashed his power in the form the boundary field was made to counter, an immense use of mana in a form that could harm Fuyuki and expose the truth about the world. The earthquake was the result of too much power being used at once to keep the pillar contained on the inside as the ley line was being used to its full capacity.

Or it should have been if not by the fact that the ley line from Kuoh in particular had been battered into a state of exhaustion by the efforts of combining and then reforging Caliburn. More power could be pulled from other branches but that was a risk for Fuyuki's population so most boundary fields were designed to use that ley line but to not go further.

In most circumstances it would be enough to stop someone with the power to destroy an unprotected city but Kokabiel was even stronger than that.

The Angel of the Stars may have fallen, beaten to an inch of his life and with foot on the grave but he was still the Angel of the Stars and by pouring all his fury in the last of his power he succeeded in opening a hole on the boundary field that allowed his power to escape.

…

All around the town many watched as a pillar of light illuminated the night for a moment before disappearing. Some believed it was fireworks, others an hallucination and others just shrugged it off.

None of them belonged to the moonlit world who felt the power and began to move around to prepare themselves for an attack or to hide. Something was wrong and calls needed to be made.

"Setsuna-sama, maybe we should return to Kyoto." Jaken, the ever faithful servant approached his charge who was looking at her school's direction with worry.

"Are you sure that Sitri-done said that the Exorcists would be taking care of the situation?"

"Yes, ojou-sama." Both of them knew that such power escaping Kouh wasn't a good sign for the Second Owners.

Moving towards her room, Setsuna pulled out her phone and saw that she had no calls. A frown made its way to her face before she shook her head. "Call the yokais around the area to see if any of them are hurt." As the daughter of one of the Kings of Kyoto she had a duty.

Pride and worry were mixed in the kappa but he nodded. "As you wish."

Looking out from the window of her luxury apartment, Setsuna couldn't stop her worry. 'If something was happening they would call me, right?'

…

Those that were aware of the moonlit world also were running around to control the information. "Fireworks! Until we have confirmation that something happened, those were fireworks!"

In the police station the phones were ringing non stop as the officers and detectives tried to stop things from spiraling out of control without necessity but people were curious and if it wasn't for how short the pillar was then there would be thousands of videos on the internet already.

To a normal officer of the law they just had to reassure the population but to those in the know they had to get into contact with others in their group and try to coordinate with the residents of the moonlit world.

The police force wasn't alone in that plight as most agencies and contacts the moonlit world had in town began to move; the director of a certain hospital ordered more ambulances to roam the streets, the firefighters also were sent out by their captain who contacted the other battalions in Fuyuki, the news of the next day was already being written to talk about an accident.

Many pieces of a giant machine moved frantically with the goal of hiding the truth about the world from the masses. They were unsure of what was happening but every single one of them was fairly competent and knew that something was going on in Kuoh, the devils' headquarters.

Coordinating the best they could, everyone was on the same page to stop the crisis until they got into contact with the Second Owners or anyone of similar rank. It was the kind of situation they were all in as they had few contacts directly with the moonlit world besides the devils but they would hold the fort until they showed up.

Until then questions kept pouring in as the city itself tried to understand what was the majestic light that banished the night. Even one moment was enough to capture the hearts of many but those who knew the truth also knew that things would pass, they just had to hold.

'Where are the devils?' Was a question that many asked when another bright light descended on Kuoh.

Before it was a dull golden light but this one was shining even more and was completely white.

…

Back in Kuoh, Kokabiel had just spent the last of his energy and opened a hole on the boundary field. Had he been in better condition then that would barely require any effort but with his wounds it took everything he had just for a small opening the size of a big pipe.

"He used everything he had." Koneko informed everyone. A wave of relief spread over the students as the Rook's senses were always right on those matters. "There is just… so little left."

"Then we won, right?" Irina asked with a little uncertainty.

Kiba was the one who replied. "If you consider all this a win." He sounded bitter but relieved at the same time.

"I don't know about you guys but I'm ready to fold." Saji commented as his Absorption Line disappeared.

"You did nothing since you got here, Saji." Tsubasa commented with a chuckle.

Looking a little offended, Saji avoided commenting since he saw his classmate and colleague's uniform that showed how many wounds she had before being healed by the damage it took.

Moving closer to Medusa, Shirou tried to scoop her with his arms but was too weak to do so. His body was practically protesting every move and it was just by his strength of will that he was even conscious.

"Let me help." Koneko offered and Shirou stepped back. "Is it still time for dinner?"

Shirou chuckled as he helped Koneko place the goddess on her back. "Unfortunately I think that at this point we will need to eat take out."

But any relief and celebration slowed down with a question. "Why did he do that?" Rias asked with a frown. "He must have known that unless he broke the whole thing, the boundary field would regenerate."

Everyone could see it happening as the hole the fallen angel had made was growing smaller by the second. "Was he trying to damage the city?" Issei asked and his King shook her head.

"No, the boundary field's destruction wouldn't affect the rest of Fuyuki." Although she lacked the understanding of Kokabiel's goal, Sona knew that there was something behind his actions.

"Maybe he just lost his mind?" Ise tried to be optimistic but he was as anxious as his namesake.

"Possible but I doubt it." Rias wished that Yoruichi had just killed the fallen angel but by the way she was admiring the pretty lights it was clear that the cat was still on the metaphorical wheel. "Can we do something for her to go back to normal? After all the damage Kokabiel took, a normal Yoruichi could just deal with him."

Shirou understood what his lover meant ."Sorry but she said that in this case we would have to wait her out." At least that was what she told him. But observing Kokabiel he felt relieved. "I think at this point any one of us could finish this."

It was clear to all to see that Kokabiel was done when his arms fell to his sides and the man didn't move anymore. Even the more feline Yoruichi was watching him with a certain degree of disappointment as her fun was over.

Any hope of everything ending quickly was subdued when a bright white light arrived in the area. It was a pure light that could easily be confused with one coming from a Holy Sword or similar despite lacking any traces of Holy Energy.

[Grr…]

"Ddraig?" Ise turned to his sacred gear as he heard the dragon on his head.

[Pay attention, partner. Maybe this is the day you die, after all.] Outloud he said. [The White One is here.] Just the way he said it was enough for the members of the ORC to understand who he was talking about.

The Exorcists catched up a second after since there was one being Ddraig called 'White One.' "Out of the pan and into the fire." Xenovia commented with a bitter chuckle.

Some were concerned by how massive the power felt but took solace in the fact it wasn't as massive as Yoruichi's and it lacked Kokabiel's malicious pressure. Instead there was a deepness to it that seemed to have no end as the white light began to approach the ground and everyone began to see its true form.

A majestic armor white with some shades of grays in the hands and arms, there were also several blue gems on the arms and the chest with the main one being in the center and much bigger than the others.

There was some bulkness in the armor that indicated that it could tank many hits but also looked sleek. The better comparison that some could come up with in their minds was a robot from an anime but the design still offered maximum protection and didn't hamper movement. Taking it in completely Shirou knew that a smith would find it extremely hard to forge that armor.

Especially the helmet since it not only seemed practical but also gave off the image of the head of a dragon that had no weaknesses. Truly it could only be a creation of a sacred gear.

What really captured everyone's attention were the dragon-like wings with a deep crystal blue that seemed to transcend existence. "That is it… Divide Dividing." Irina barely spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.

"The White Dragon Emperor…" Ise couldn't help but gulp at the presence of his 'Destined Rival'. "How is he so strong?"

[That is because, unlike you, he is already fully realized.] Ddraig sounded upset at the notion. [What? You thought that fallen angel was some hot shit?] There was no doubt the Welsh Dragon was pissed. [He is barely a speck of dirt before my real form and not worthy of cleaning a true Heavenly Dragon Emperor's feet.]

Ise couldn't really complain or disagree as he had felt Ddraig's full power once when he dived into his soul. He knew the Red Dragon Emperor was that strong and by default his rival would be just as strong. Yet standing there with said rival in front of him made Hyoudou really understand how weak he was.

[Want to hear the worst part?] And Ddraig was fully aware of what Ise was thinking. [That is not even half of our full power. Be glad neither you or your rival have access to it.]

During the White Dragon Emperor's descent Shirou began to hear the pegasus on his soul grow agitated and act out with excitement. 'What is wrong? Why are you acting like this?'

He never got an answer because the new arrival spoke and not in a way anyone was expecting. [Are you aware of the work you gave us, Fallen of the Stars.]

"Albion… Have I truly infuriated you two that much?" Kokabiel asked sarcastically and that confirmed that the voice wasn't from the sacred gear host but the Dragon itself.

Albion's voice was eerily similar to Ddraig's and his tone carried the same gravitas for those used to hearing the Welsh Dragon. It gave off the same impression of wisdom and power while also carrying a certain irritation.

"Is it just me or does he sound… annoyed?" Asia asked as gently as he could.

The White Dragon Emperor landed and Yoruichi jumped a few steps back, instinct telling her he was dangerous even if her mind was still fogged due to the transformation. The armored form gave her a glance with blue eyes before their attention turned to the fallen angel before them.

[Oh but you did, Fallen of the Stars.] The title was clearly a jap that Kokabiel didn't like but could do nothing but glare at the armored being. [Because of you, the Crow had us flying around two continents trying to track you down! Two continents!]

The rage was palpable as a wave of hatred escaped the armored form all focused on the fallen angel even as everyone else could feel it.

[Don't buckle down now, partner. Not before the White One.] Ddraig chastised Ise but the brown haired Pawn didn't need that.

"Don't plan to." He was still standing in front of Asia and even with the wrath of Albion around them it was less direct than when Kokabiel did the same.

Still the power was impressive and Sona was furious. "The Vanishing Dragon here too." Tsubaki looked at her friend and noticed how her hand was bleeding.

"Kai-"

[Part of Europe and all of Asia! That is the extension of the goose chase you had us sent in.] The one who felt most of the dragon's wrath was Kokabiel himself.

'He is even stronger than the last time we met.' The fallen angel fought to keep his head up but he was too weak. 'He is letting Albion vent but the dragon is still held tightly on the sacred gear. This is his power alone.' He knew that the silent treatment of the owner of the sacred gear didn't mean he wasn't the one throwing his power around. "I would apologize but you don't care for empty excuses. What I can give you… is a reason."

A tilt of the head showed that the host of the Vanishing Dragon was intrigued and Albion stayed silent for a moment of clear deliberation. [We are willing to hear your reason.] The dragon spoke again after a few seconds .[And please do include why you used your energy as a beacon. We are anxious to hear about that.]

"What you see, great Vanishing Dragon Emperor, is a defeated man who had all his plans spent and was forced to go for a far more unreliable resort to accomplish his objectives." He wasn't even making an effort to hide the fact the recent arrival was that new resource. "You see, I unveiled a plot between the Heavens and the devils to destroy the Grigori."

"You got to be kidding me!" Rias complained, already seeing where that was going.

"He wouldn't dare." Sona voiced her disbelief.

"He would. The son of a bitch definitely would." Rias added.

"What is going on?" Ise asked for many as some were catching up with what was happening.

Shirou tried to explain. "He is about to pin everything-" But Kokabiel recovered enough to keep going.

"They made a deal to pretend to steal the Excalibur Fragments and managed to reforge it in a single sword!" Bloodied and with almost all of his bones broken, Kokabiel still managed to point towards the blade which still emanated an ethereal presence. "Behold, Vanishing Dragon, the legendary sword Caliburn the Golden Sword of the Victorious! With it they have the means to extingue the fallen angel race and divide the world between them."

"Son of bitch just pinned everything on us." Saji couldn't help but comment in full agreement with Rias' earlier words.

Meanwhile, Rias took a step forward. "That is all a lie!"

"See, the sister of Lucifer herself is on the plot! They even got one of the Kings of Kyoto to make sure things went smoothly!" He made an exaggerated motion to himself with a bitter laugh. "Look at my condition. See how far I have to go only to fail and they complete the sword."

And the Vanishing Dragon was paying attention, looking between Kokabiel, Yoruichi and the sword with apparent intrigue.

Albion said nothing for a few moments and Kokabiel took it as a sign to keep going. "We must destroy them and confiscate the sword. It is the only way." But he knew that the sword wouldn't budge or move, he just needed the White Dragon Emperor to kill everyone else. "That is why I called for help. I knew my brother would have sent you to look for me and that you would be around somewhere."

The last part was the only true statement but if the Vanishing Dragon believed on anything or not was up to him. He didn't know any of the citizens of Kuoh or the Exorcists and it was true that Caliburn was reforged and Yoruichi was around so there was plenty of evidence that supported Kokabiel's version of events.

So it was surprising to some that the armored form's shoulders began to shake a little, premeditating Albion's loud laughter. [Hahahahaha! Do you expect us to believe that pile of crap? There are so many holes in your story that it hurts to not laugh! And I don't even have a body! Hahahaha!]

"Thank God he isn't an idiot." Xenovia flinched when she noticed what she said and looked out at the devils who flinched as well. "Sorry."

"It is fine. I can't blame you for your relief." Because Rias and everyone else was relieved too. "I confess that I was also afraid he was some sort of… gullible idiot."

"It would be a trend with dragon based sacred gear holders." Koneko commented from the side.

""Hey!"" Said holders protested.

Even Yoruichi seemed to be powering down after the declaration that Kokabiel wasn't believed. She still held her transformation up and the power was still flowing but her rational mind returned to the forefront at the moment.

All the while the dragon laughed and it took a few seconds for the ancient being to recover. [I swear that if I had lungs I would have died suffocated! Also, for someone who loves theater so much, your act wasn't even passable.] Kokabiel felt an eyebrow twitch. [You want us to believe that Heaven could come up with a plan with the devils just like that? Chances are that you were the one trying to remake the sword for a reason or another.]

The fallen angel tried to shrug but he found himself unable to move his shoulder. "Guilt as charged." That silenced the Vanishing Dragon and the rest of the audience.

[Did you just admit to being the main responsible for the Exca- I am sorry, Caliburn's fragments theft? You do realize Azazel suspected that and asked us to collect you, right?]

"I do and I did." Kokabiel found himself chuckling despite the pain he was in.

[And you expect us to fall for your… I can't even call that acting.] Albion failed to find a proper word.

Despite the irritation at the criticism and the fact that the holder of Divine Dividing seemed to refuse to direct a word towards him Kokabiel knew that the White Dragon Emperor was still his best chance.

His last chance. "It would be much better for me, us, if we could get into the same page. The reason why I did this was to restart the Great War." Once again all were shocked by the blatant reveal but the White Dragon Emperor seemed to lean in to hear better. "To ensure the future and the supremacy of all fallen angels I orchestrated the theft of the once known Excalibur Fragments, allied with humans to have the sword reforged and planned to use it to kill the Heiresses sisters of Maous and restart the conflict."

[A confession, even if overly dramatic…] All the fury had left Albion's voice to give way to curiosity. [And you want us to be your accomplices on this?]

"I heard that your partner likes fighting. Can he think of a better place to find strong opponents than the middle of a war? The Greatest of Wars?" The fallen angel's tone sounded sweet even if to many they could only hear poison. "If you, Azazel's protege, kill them, that would accomplish the same goal. Not as beneficial to the Grigori as my plan was, a great plan by the way that was ruined by chance, but it will restart the Great War all the same since we can pin everything on them to be at fault for trying to reforge the sword."

[Hmm. No.]

Kokabiel didn't want to believe his ears. "No?"

[No, my partner doesn't want to start a war based on a lie, especially a bad one at that.] Suddenly the White Dragon Emperor was face to face with Kokabiel, just a couple of inches keeping them apart. [When we decide to start a war, it is going to be on our terms, not yours or anyone else's.] However Kokabiel's face didn't show fear.

Despite Albion's crushing presence of the Vanishing Dragon's power, the fallen angel remained calm and was even smiling. "Pity, it would be a good way to keep me as a protagonist. It seems I really lost the part." His eyes held the same mania they had previously and thought the day. "However I am pretty sure you are about to start a war and it won't even be because of a lie."

Another moment of silence passed as the White Dragon Emperor deliberated. For some reason the holder of the sacred gear wasn't talking but was still in contact with the dragon who was acting as the mouthpiece of the duo.

Either way both looked at Kokabiel with intrigue. [What do you know?]

"Hmm… Maybe not enough if I were to go by your tone." Kokabiel admitted, only for an armored hand to grab his neck. Already weak, the fallen angel felt the specter of death even closer. "Nothing… from you… but from them…" His eyes traveled to the group behind Yoruichi and the nekomata began to prepare more Ki in her hand. "A… impossibility…"

[Interesting. Maybe we should hear him out.] Albion suggested but it took another moment before the hand let go of Kokabiel's neck. [You are lucky Azazel wants you alive or else my partner would have already taken your head. We don't like you thinking that you can control us.]

When the Vanishing Dragon floated one step or two back a claw of lightning took shape to the left, aiming to Kokabiel's head.

Yoruichi had realized what the fallen angel intended to say and the information was really something capable of starting a war. For the people she cared about, the nekomata couldn't allow that to happen. Ki was already prepared and she waited for an opening from the Heavenly Dragon before attacking.

Sure she would take some flak and have to explain her presence in Fuyuki, something that with the White Dragon Emperor's presence she would have to anyway. What she couldn't allow was for the fallen angel to keep talking or he could give the fresh power fighter a reason to really fight.

With all that in mind and her instincts still mostly in charge, Yoruichi attacked with the intent of silencing the fallen angel forever.

The claw of lightning made contact and an explosion of light shook Kuoh once again, this time expelling out a massive shockwave that the boundary field almost couldn't hold. If there were any windows still standing after the events of the day then now they were destroyed as those away from the center of impact flew from their feet once more.

When the light disappeared a wide eyed Yoruichi couldn't believe that anyone could manage to intercept her attack at full speed. [One of my hosts once heard about the Kings of Japan, now Kyoto. How they were able to fight on par with the gods.] The crystal wings had struggled to hold the claw back even as the nekomata kept trying to reach a smug looking Kokabiel. [You will soon learn that a god can't compete with a Heavenly Dragon.]

Instinct took hold once again as the nekomata hissed at her challenger. She pushed the wing to the side and threw another attack at Kokabiel only for a magic circle, blue and almost white, to stop her.

Logic and instinct met as Yoruichi turned to the Vanishing Dragon. The magic circle had no indication he had made it but she knew it was his.

The armored figure was still silent but there was an aura of excitement around him. [You could speak now instead of letting me do the talking.] Albion commented out loud and that was all he had time to say before his partner was punched in the face.

The Scaled Mail, Albion's balance breaker, was as strong as the real White Dragon Emperor's scales and she knew it would take too much to break past it. Even her instincts knew it would be a waste of energy to use her claws in this fight. Maybe she could break it but as a sacred gear it could regenerate and she had no guarantees of a quick victory.

But the flesh beneath it was still weaker and by using Senjutsu she could bypass most of Scaled Mail's defenses. And she also added lightning for good measure

Her fist didn't sink in the armor, didn't even make a dent, but the holder felt it and the magic circle fell apart. Immediately Yoruichi prepared another punch with as much power as the last and threw it at Kokabiel. The Cadre still couldn't move and believed he was a goner only to have his life extended again when the Vanishing Dragon pulled him out of the way.

[You are so lucky Azazel wants you alive.] Albion repeated as his host threw the fallen angel back. He raised an arm to stop another punch and his mana flowed to fight back against Yoruichi's Ki.

More lightning spilled out as Yoruichi punched the armor again, easily the guard and connecting with the Vanishing Dragon's face.

Since the White Dragon Emperor was going to protect Kokabiel, Yoruichi threw another punch. And another. And another. Soon she was blitzing him with a rain of punches each charged with gold lightning before then going for a kick to keep the Heavenly Dragon's host unbalanced.

He was pushed back, raising his arm to block another punch faster than the eye could see. His reaction speed was slower than Yoruichi's but unlike Kokabiel he was able to block some of the strikes either with his arms or with magic circles. Those were much smaller than the normal ones, the size of a child's hand, but were efficiently blocking the nekomata's attacks.

Still Yoruichi was much faster than the sacred gear user and a lot of her punches and kicks were connecting. Even the white armor began to crack at the power blows from the nekomata and the Vanishing Dragon made another big magic circle to push her back.

Instead of retreating, Yoruichi dodged the blast of white magic and connected another punch on the armored warrior's head. A surge of lightning escaped the fist and the White Dragon Emperor found himself flying towards the school building. Their whole combat lasted only an instant and Kokabiel was open once again.

Before Yoruichi could reach the fallen angel her instincts warned her of something dangerous coming. "You are pretty good."

Finally the holder of the Divine Dividing talked to reveal a voice which indicated he was a young man of some sort. It was the sort of voice that revealed determination, strong will and a degree of enjoyment that made it seem like he was having fun.

Yoruichi didn't know what her instincts were warning her off. She was stronger, faster and had more power than the White Dragon Emperor. She kept moving towards Kokabiel knowing that she was too fast for the armored warrior to stop her.

"But I am better."

[Divide]

Then she wasn't as fast anymore as Yoruichi felt the moment her energy seemed to abandon her. From feeling all powerful to feeling much less, the nekomata kept going and threw a Lightning Claw in the Cadre's direction only for blue crystal wings to stop her once again.

Yoruichi finally realized how slow she was as her mind returned to her. Her Kii and mana were all less than they should have been but she knew she shouldn't be surprised considering who she was facing.

[Weren't you planning to let me take care of talking because of-]

"She is worth that much, at the very least." There was some struggle despite Yoruichi being much weaker. Wings and fists kept pushing each other back which pleased the Vanishing Dragon. "Fighting like this means she wants to protect whatever Kokabiel has to say desperately." He took a step forward and Yoruichi was forced to step back. "Must be some interesting secret."

Yoruichi glared as Kokabiel laughed. "That is right! The truth is-"

In the interval between the words Yoruichi was already moving again. One benefit for the reduction of her power was that she could execute some more elaborate maneuvers to compensate for the lack of power.

There was only one energy that she could use to its maximum efficiency and so the Vanishing Dragon found himself being kicked by a Senjutsu powered leg. Yoruichi kicked the man again four times in quick succession, explosions of lightning escaping their point of contact as she dashed towards Kokabiel.

The nekomata was sure she was still fast enough to reach the Cadre-

[Divide]

-until she felt more of her power leave her.

It was worse than before as the fur covering most of her body receded to reveal her skin and her eyes returned to a more human-like state. Only the cat ears and the two tails still revealed her real heritage but Yoruichi felt more sluggish and tired than she ever felt before in her life.

The only time she felt something similar was years before when she began training to become one of the Four Kings. After she learned how to use Senjutsu she never really felt exhausted again. Once she mastered the art it got even better as her body felt light as a feather most of the time.

Now her senses were numb as she didn't have the same awareness she should, even her connection with Ki was weaker. She was surprised when a hand grabbed her shoulder, the shock from being powerful to weak completely messing her head as she almost forgot where she was.

It was the Vanishing Dragon who reminded her that she was in a fight when he pulled her back and slammed her down.

[Divide]

More power was lost as blood left Yoruichi's mouth. She focused Ki on her feet and used it to kick the armored warrior and the man grunted at the hit.

Despite having lost most of her power, Senjutsu wasn't something that could be neutralized that easily as it dealt with the energies of the surroundings and the combatants. Upon making contact, by using her Ki, Yoruichi managed to turn some of her enemy's life energy against him.

"Impressive." The white armored warrior recognized. "You are a little better than her."

[Hard to judge when we already Divided this one so much.] Albion added with an amusement that pissed Yoruichi off as she did a flip to stand on her feet and prepared to keep fighting. [Still can keep going?]

"Must be a really dangerous secret." He sounded even more excited at the prospect. 'Things are starting to get interesting.'

Raising a hand, the armored form gems began to glow in the same ethereal light as its wings. [Divide] And Yoruichi felt herself grow weaker once more. [Divide] And again. [Divide] And again before the Vanished Dragon started making a magic circle.

The nekomata saw the build up of mana and surrounded her body with Senjutsu to dodge the blast. Her moviment was better than before thanks to Ki but she knew her speed was leaving a lot to be desired.

On the other hand her opponent created another three magic circles at the same time and shot from them all at once. It was an attack which would usually be slow for Yoruichi but in her actual condition it was faster than her and she got hit by all three beams.

Rolling back, Yoruichi used a hand to stop herself as she prepared more Ki. There was plenty she could take from the area thanks to the events that happened earlier. The ley line may be damaged but she just needed to avoid taking enough to not make the situation worse. Every little bit of it helped her keep going-

[Divide]

-and by not absorbing it directly she also avoided the power of the Divine Dividing.

With a smile that told the Vanishing Dragon she was prepared, Yoruichi moved her hands in a motion to charge more energy before throwing a sphere of Ki towards the armored figure. The attack was fast and she doubted he would dodge in time.

He didn't even bother to move and when the ball connected it exploded. His lack of an attempt to move worried Yoruichi and she quickly began to concentrate more Ki on her right hand while surrounding her body with as much as she could to disguise.

Her concern was warranted as the White Dragon Emperor flew out of the smoke at high speeds. He didn't bother trying to Divide her power anymore since she had almost none to spare.

No, what the nekomata had was just her Ki and whatever scraps she could get from the area, not something Divine Dividing was affecting.

Taking aim he unleashed three magic circles once again and all of Yoruichi's focus was on dodging. This time she had a few more instants and managed to avoid them all while keeping the power on her hand hidden.

Another barrage of white light was unleashed, a little faster than before and the nekomata had a distinct feeling that the Vanishing Dragon wasn't really trying to hit her. Either way she couldn't risk it as the power of those blasts could still kill her.

Yoruichi jumped back as far as she could but it wasn't very far at all and explosions followed her for a few seconds. Her muscles were losing strength, most of the energy within her was gone and she saw how the wings were letting out particles of blue energy with a signature similar to hers.

She realized it was the excess of her energy, she was stronger than the host of the Vanishing Dragon and he had to discard most of the energy he took from her. But not without using a great deal of it for himself as he seemed stronger and faster than when he first arrived. She had heard about Divine Dividing powers but didn't expect it to drain her so fast

'Must be the Balance Breaker. Otherwise it would have the same rule as Boosted Gear and activate every ten seconds.' It was the only explanation she could think about much to her frustration. 'I practically lost the fight the moment I touched his wings.' Gritting her teeth, Yoruichi knew there was little she could do about that fact. If she paid attention she could tell there was a connection between her and the Vanishing Dragon but could do nothing to break it. "Heh, what an annoying ability you have there."

"In a battlefield the word 'annoying' means that the opponent can't figure out a counter to it." The host replied while crossing his arms. "But your use of Senjutsu is interesting. You are using it to compensate for the power I already took and in creative ways. Even managing to bypass my armor's defense."

[She is more skilled than the other black cat.] Albion added with a chuckle.

"'Other black cat'? Do you know any nekomatas?"

"Yes, I do. Although she is more of a practitioner of Youjutsu." He commented while cracking his neck. "Well, time is up. Have you prepared your trump card?"

"You noticed?" Yoruichi's right hand began to glow with a strong lightning that seemed as intense as the ones she used when transformed.

The Vanishing Dragon shoulders trembled as he held back his laughter. "Hide your energy as much as you like, I am quite good at detecting Ki thanks to my friend." He chuckled. "Had to learn how since she has a penchant for pranking anyone too unaware to detect her."

"Nyahaha. Looks like someone I would like to meet." She hid her nerves with a smile. 'Low energy, Senjutsu is almost neutralized and my opponent can fly.' He wasn't doing it much, floating just above the ground, but that was something that never escaped her mind.

While Yoruichi prepared some more, the Vanishing Dragon glanced at the immovable Kokabiel. It was clear that the fallen angel couldn't escape and was counting on him to finish everything.

[You know that by killing her you may be walking right into his plan.] Albion commented on his partner's mind but there was no reaction.

Instead there was a reply. 'Let him hope. I have no intention of killing one of the Kings of Kyoto… not when we caught her by surprise and already weak.'

[I agree with you but we still don't know what she is protecting.]

The armored head turned to the other side to see people approaching. 'I believe we will know soon enough.'

The nekomata saw that the White Emperor wasn't looking her way and began to advance, "Yoruichi stop!" Only to do just that and hold herself back at a familiar voice.

"Goddamned Shirou! He was open!" Noticing those approaching, Yoruichi let go of her Ki.

"No, he wasn't." The magus replied as his lover had a hand on his back to stop him from falling as Shirou was walking with some difficulty. 'The fact she didn't notice us getting closer shows how out of it she is.'

Because Shirou wasn't getting close to the battlefield alone; not only Rias was right behind him, ready to catch her lover if his body gave out, Xenovia and Sona were also with them, the Exorcist walking closer to the pair with Durandal at ready while the Sitri King looked frustrated but resolute.

Behind them the other devils kept their distance with Koneko and Kiba standing in front of Ise to block his Destined Rival's view. Not only the members of the ORC were working to keep the Red Dragon Emperor out of view but the Student Council, under orders of their King, also took up the job.

Most of them just made sure he was one with their group and that he would advance while Saji stayed in front of him with his sacred gear visible and also tied at Kiba's hand. The Knight insisted that precaution was unnecessary but after some of his stunts no one was trusting him to keep a cool head.

Things would certainly be easier if Ise could make the Boosted Gear disappear but Ddraig was being stubborn. 'Come on man. You said so yourself; I ain't ready for this fight.'

[Where is your pride as my host? Even if you are going to die doesn't mean you should hide!] Ddraig tried to voice his thoughts through their gem but Ise managed to keep him quiet on the outside. [Since when have you been able to silence me?]

'News for me too but I can't really make you shut up.' Ise figured out that it was mostly a matter of desire and will to keep Ddraig's voice just inside his head. Unfortunately for him so far he failed to find a way from isolating Ddraig for good even if just for a few minutes. 'Stop complaining! I'm not ready to die.' That left him with an ancient dragon who refused to stop complaining.

The dragon roared and the Student Council saw Ise wince. [I refuse to be considered a coward in the presence of the White One. Go there and introduce yourself at least!] The roar grew louder and Ddraig tried to unleash his power forcefully.

Surprising himself, the Pawn managed to hold the power back. 'What was that about not being ruled by your anger again?' Ise hoped Ddraig would listen to reason.

Obviously by the loud roars and the power threatening to spill out, he didn't. [This isn't about anger! It is about pride! Where is yours?!] Ise almost let the power escape which showed how furious Ddraig was. [You are my partner! The Red Dragon Emperor! Show some spine!]

Ise was getting upset with his said partner because of how hard it was to keep him quiet. 'I hope Shirou's idea works because I don't think I can stop this overgrown lizard for long.'

[I heard that!]

'Good!'

Unaware of the battle inside the Red Dragon Emperor, Shirou took another cautious step towards the White Dragon Emperor only for Rias to pull him back. Both could see each other's intentions and it was clear for Shirou to see that she didn't like the risk he was about to take.

Even Sona's presence failed to stop Rias from trying to stop Shirou despite the Sitri Heiress agreeing he was the one with the best chance of ending everything without further violence. There was logic in his plan and before the Gremory Heiress had agreed as well only to hesitate at the last second.

It all hinged on Shirou because they all knew he was the one with the secret that could bring out a war. A secret that practically wasn't a secret anymore with how many knew about it but the potential was still there. For those reasons he felt responsible and had an idea of what to say to stop the Vanishing Dragon from harming anyone else.

What went unsaid and what Shirou accepted but Rias refused to was that anyone else would be mostly safe but him. The best idea he had would still leave him at the mercy of the armored figure and that was a risk he would have to take.

But that would only work if Shirou was right and Rias didn't like to take such a risk with his life. It was her eyes that made her lover stop for a moment before he touched her hand and took it off his arm. She didn't want to let him go but knew that holding him back would only make things worse.

So she let Shirou go but stayed close while he advanced towards the White Dragon Emperor. With the helmet on it was hard to tell what the person was thinking but his head remained fixed in Shirou's direction which told the magus he had his attention.

Then Xenovia stepped besides Shirou and he couldn't help but ask. "What are you doing?"

"If you are going to fight I'm here to offer some support." Rias raised an eyebrow at the bluehead's words but Shirou didn't react much.

He still said "Neither of us is in any condition to fight anymore. Besides, no one else needs to risk their necks either."

"Maybe. But that doesn't sit well with me." Xenovia stabbed Durandal on the ground, her eyes locked in the white armor. "If you fight, I will watch your back."

Rias smiled at Xenovia's words, pretty much forgiving the girl of any misgivings in that moment. Shirou for his part just nodded and took another step closer to the White Dragon Emperor.

Despite the constant support from Rias or Xenovia's words, Shirou doubted he had much to give if there was a fight. 'We are all exhausted even though we are mostly healed. I must avoid fighting anymore at any cost.' And he meant any cost.

"So, are you going to tell me a secret?" Asked the Vanishing Dragon, his voice revealing the amusement hidden behind his helmet. "I hope it is a good one. The suspense is killing me."

"I have a Reality Marble." The silence that followed Shirou's declaration was music to his ears. He couldn't help but turn to look at Kokabiel who seemed to have swallowed a sour lemon. "I am sorry, did I ruin your grand reveal?" Despite how messed up the fallen angel's face was the magus could see the realization followed by frustration in it.

Both of them know that by just spouting out the existence of his Reality Marble, Shirou had directed any potential aggression just to him. His life may be important to the people who cared about him but not enough to start a war between the Three Factions. Just by revealing that Shirou had taken away Kokabiel's power in the situation.

And given it to the new arrival. "Reeeeeeeaaaaaaaaally?" The Vanishing Dragon sounded even more pleased than before. "I suppose that is a secret worth killing." He glanced at Yoruichi, who glared at him, and the devils, where Rias was also glaring at him, before looking back at Shirou. "You repaired Caliburn."

"Guilty as charged." He made a show of bowing like a show man which made the White Dragon Emperor laugh and applaud. "Thank you, thank you. You are too kind."

If anything, the attitude just raised the White Dragon Emperor's interest more. [Much like Kokabiel, his body was pushed to its limits and clearly can barely stand.] The dragon also showed interest inside his host's mind. [Both are beaten and bruised but this one isn't broken.] He hummed with approval.

The armored man stopped applauding with a chuckle. "I don't know if that is true yet but from what I can see," he looked around for the first time paying attention to the hundreds of different weapons in the area, "I can believe it." His shoulder shook and the man laughed again. "Hahaha! A Reality Marble! You don't hear about that every day!"

[Even I, despite my age, never met someone with a Reality Marble.] Albion was as amused as his host.

"And you did all this?" The White Dragon Emperor waves around them for the field of swords that all could see.

"The ritual they used was a… the best description I can give you is 'a mess' made to force the Fragments together without a care." Shirou noticed that the armored posture grew rigid but that could either be good or bad. "The whole thing was an attempt to fix the sword by mashing the parts together while using the mana of the town to keep it… I wanted to say 'stable' but that is too generous. Because of how it was made the sword was also unstable and the spell was still active to turn Fuyuki's mana against itself."

"Therefore destroying the city." Shirou nodded at the Vanishing Dragon's deduction and a hand moved to the armored man's chin. "Continue."

"A characteristic that I have is that I never forget a sword and that I can learn all its history by just… glancing at it?" Shirou shrugged. "Sorry but having a Reality Marble is technically still new to me. I always could learn a weapon's history by touching them but today I learned that I only need to look properly and my mind can process all the information by itself."

It was something he always could technically do but once he accepted he had a Reality Marble, Shirou found the whole process much easier. Without the awareness of it he always had to sort the information by himself and while he still needed to do it to an extent after he accepted he had a Reality Marble his own soul seemed to help him or to be better directed by his mind.

Those were things he still was unsure but he would meditate on later. "With my Reality Marble I was capable of diving in the whole history of the Fragments. Thanks to it I discovered they were not Excalibur but in fact Caliburn and I learned how it was forged." Shirou could see the Vanishing Dragon was leaning in to show his curiosity. "However since there was a Fragment missing and with a spell threatening to destroy the city I took some shortcuts."

"'Some'?" It was Yoruichi who asked with a deadpan stare.

After sighing, Shirou recognized "Fine, a lot of shortcuts."

"You use the mana of the area, by yourself, without proper preparation?" Nobody could tell if the Vanishing Dragon was dumbfounded or impressed. "How are you still alive?"

"Reality Marble?" Shirou sounded uncertain and shrugged at the thought. "Thanks to it I managed to produce a lot of swords to redirect some of the mana but…"

"But you exhausted yourself on every level." The White Dragon Emperor concluded with a nod before laughing. "And let me guess, Kokabiel's plan was to have the sword blow up, killing the heiresses and restarting the war."

"From Kokabiel's own words he planned to have a human kill us with it to turn the Underworld against the Church and Heaven." Sona tried to take over the conversation if only to take Shirou off the limelight but it was in vain as the man didn't take his eyes of Shirou. She tried again. "He described everything to us and I am willing to sign any contract to prove my words."

"That won't be necessary. I believe you." The White Dragon Emperor turned to Kokabiel, half expecting a complaint.

The fallen angel barely reacted with anything other than a glare as he tried to get up. "Listen here-"

"No."

[Divide]

The same power that had defeated Yoruichi crushed the remnants of Kokabiel strength and the Cadre fell down before spitting more blood. He had been using whatever energy he had left to keep himself conscious but the Vanishing Dragon just cut his reserves by half.

"Whatever you have to say is mostly irrelevant now and you know it." The Vanishing Dragon informed with distaste. "Starting a war by attacking someone weaker and threatening a town to keep them around until the sword was ready. Such a cowardly act." He still looked at Shirou who nodded to show his deductions were mostly correct. "Before Azazel was just going to have words with you but after all this I doubt even he will let you out without a severe punishment."

"Doesn't… matter." Kokabiel managed to say after lifting his face just enough to glare at the White Dragon Emperor and Shirou. "He has a… Reality Marble…" The fallen angel felt his power come back with his rage. "His very existence… is a threat to the status quo."

Turning back to Shirou the armored man added "He does have a point."

"That he does." And everyone knew that and Shirou couldn't deny it. Rias began to prepare for a fight and Xenovia charged Durandal's aura to support her before Emiya raised a hand. "Except that the Underworld, the devils, have no gods to take advantage of my power."

"But a Reality Marble is still something that can shake the balance of the world!" Kokabiel raised a counterpoint but this time no one looked at him. "The gods will hunt him once the information is know-"

"If it is known." Shirou interrupted the fallen angel. "The only people that know about my little dirty secret are here."

"And you want me to keep it as well." The White Dragon Emperor sounded even more amused than before. "That is bold, really bold. Especially when I have no reason to do it."

They had nothing on the White Dragon Emperor, they didn't even know his name and Kokabiel began to smile again because by the way things were going Shirou would have to die to stop a war or Rias would intervene and possibly die as well.

Best case scenario for the fallen angel included Sona dying as well, his message delivered and the devils looking worse by the fact he had someone with a Reality Marble around. Worse case for him was just Shirou dying but that was fine with him at this point. One way or the other Kokabiel would get some revenge and maybe even his goal.

Which Shirou had no intention to allow. 'Time to see if I was right.' Not that he had many other alternatives that didn't involve dying and while he was fine with it for himself he had people who cared for him and so he would fight to the end. "You like fighting, don't you?" A tilt of the head was the reply he received. "I could tell by how you are giving Yoruichi too many openings."

A chuckle escaped the white armor. "Elaborate, please." He liked where this was going.

"When you arrived you could have grabbed Kokabiel and left. None of our fliers are in any condition to follow you and Yoruichi can't fly, something you noticed earlier when the fight began." The Vanishing Dragon nodded in confirmation. "You weren't toying with her, if you were you would do what Kokabiel did earlier during their fight, fly around to keep your distance while forcing her to find ways to reach you."

"That would be no fun." The White Dragon Emperor crossed his arms and relaxed. "Not when there was such an… intriguing opponent to deal with. Never saw anyone overcharge themselves with Ki to the point of becoming more animalistic. I was curious."

"Thanks for the compliment." Yoruichi commented sarcastically.

"It is deserved. You were… almost as strong as the strongest Senjutsu practitioner I have ever met." That made Yoruichi blink in surprise together with many others. "And no, I am not talking about my nekomata friend. Although she will be happy to know I met you." He chuckled again. "But I am rambling. Please continue, Reality Marble owner. How do you plan to convince me to keep your secret?"

Before doing just that, the magus couldn't help but be polite. "My name is Emiya Shirou, nice to meet you." He even offered his hand for a shake, surprising the White Dragon Emperor and those watching.

Rias tried to stop him. "Shiro, don't-"

"You do realize that if I tough you my sacred gear will form a connection with you until I let it go, right?" The Vanishing Dragon sounded amused once again. "If you are planning some kind of last stand, that is the worst idea possible."

"If you wanted to kill us, you would have done so already." Shirou kept his hand up. "I understand that you may change that because of my Reality Marble but every single one of us is low on energy or, like in my case, dead on our feet." The armored man was taken back by the admission. "But if I could have my way I would prefer if no one else died today."

Apparently the sacred gear owner found that attitude so funny that he couldn't hold back and began to laugh out loud. "Hahahaha! I heard that Reality Marbles seemed to consume the sanity of their owners but I always thought that was some god's propaganda! Hahahaha!" The White Dragon Emperor laughed for a few more seconds before controlling himself. "But fine, since you are being polite."

Just like that the armor disappeared to reveal a young man, not much older if not the same age as all the students present. He had light silver hair and eyes that fit with his handsome face. Dressed in a V-neck shirt with a leather jacket his build was lean and seemed unable to fill the bulky armor he was using before but was attletic with a strong posture.

He was also wearing burgundy jeans with a silver chain drooping down over them and black leather chaps with three bands encircling his right calf, and black shoes with black buckles but the majority was paying attention to what was on his back.

Even if the armor was gone there were still wings behind the young man, the pair still flowing with power. It showed that even without most of his protection the silver haired man was still prepared for a fight or to respond to any kinds of tricks. Still the air around him didn't speak of caution but confidence that he could take down everyone else without trouble.

All together it passed the image of a bad boy, his confident and arrogant smile seemed to support this but when he extended his hand and shook Shirou's he spoke respiectifully. "You can call me Vali, the White Dragon Emperor." They shook hands for a moment. "Nice to meet you too."

"Vali, huh? No last name?" Shirou asked with a chuckle as they separated as the newly introduced Vali scoffed.

"Not one I am willing to say at the moment." There was no bitterness in his voice even if his words said otherwise. "And this is my partner." He motioned to his wings giving the dragon inside them his cue.

[I am Albion, the Original White Dragon Emperor. A treat to meet someone with a Reality Marble.] The ancient dragon chuckled. [Truly these are interesting times, Vali.]

"Indeed they are, indeed they are." The white haired man agreed before looking to the side with a frown and getting close to Shirou to whisper "I had a better plan to introduce myself to my Destined Rival." The redhead couldn't hide his surprise that Vali knew about Ise already. "Tell me, is he strong?"

"He only awoke his sacred gear this year." He noticed Vali's frown but it was the truth. "You look disappointed."

"For more than one reason." Vali stepped back and turned with a shrug. "Now that we have formally introduced ourselves, go on. Continue to explain why you think I like fighting?"

"Do I need to?" Not only Vali asked about his Rival's strength but his whole demeanor carried an air of someone waiting for a fight to happen at any time.

While Shirou found it unnecessary to continue his observations, Vali just smiled with his head turned and sharp eyes looking into the magus. "Humor me."

Again Shirou didn't have much choice. "When Yoruichi made contact with your wing, you already had a connection. If you wished you could have Divided her power from the very beginning."

Vali turned back to Shirou. "Maybe I was just being cautious."

That made no sense to the magus. "Have you ever met someone who was immune to your power?"

"Actually yes, I have." Vali took pleasure in seeing the audience's eyes grow wide. "The world is a big place. Full of mystery. Thinking that sacred gears are infallible is a childish, naive, fantasy."

Still Shirou didn't buy that explanation. "Even if that is true there was no reason for you to not immediately try to use it instead of letting her hit you as much as she did." Vali chuckled at that as he couldn't disagree. "I will repeat that you could have just flown up to avoid her, stay safe and bombard her with magic which is your speciality-"

"Why do you say that?" Vali interrupted.

"Your control of magic circles is… one of the best I have ever seen. I think only Rias' method can be called more advanced." Both Rias and Vali traded looks and the white haired man looked impressed despite the Gremory glare. Shirou took a step closer to Rias to calm her down before continuing. "Not only you avoided using your sacred gear but when it came to use your magic offensively you were clearly holding back. Also supporting the fact that you are more magically oriented you barely threw a punch, focusing on defending with your arms instead of countering even when Yoruichi was open."

Vali nodded a couple of times. "Fine, I will admit I am more focused on magic. I can give you that." Shirou nodded as well, accepting the information. "But I also had to try to protect Kokabiel."

"Don't make me repeat myself, you could just have taken him and left."

"Without even examining the situation?"

"You came to collect him, whatever else came after you could have asked later."

"That implies I trust him."

"So if I had shut up and not admitted I had a Reality Marble you would write it off?"

"No. Caliburn being restored and these many weapons around are suspicious by itself." Vali's line implied that he knew more about the sword than he was letting on but Shirou couldn't focus on that.

"But you agree your first mission was to rescue him?"

"That is right… Ah, I see what you did there." The Vanishing Dragon mused with a smile. "There is no argument for me staying since I should have just picked the weak and defeated Kokabiel and left. Is that what you are getting at?" Shirou nodded and Vali was pleased. "I still want to hear your logic for me to like fighting. I could have stayed out of pure curiosity, after all."

'Why is he making this so difficult?' Shirou suspected Vali was amused by his attempts since he wasn't bothering to deny his taste for combat. "After you Divided her power once, you only did it a couple of times after because you noticed that she is better with Ki. Did you deduce that she would fight better without her youki on the way?"

"The grandfather of a friend, the best Ki user I ever met, is a little like her." Vali commented offhandedly. "When using everything he has he can be a little savage, not as much as she was, mind you, and when I noticed her Ki and youki actually working together to give her power but take away her mind I thought that maybe I could take the mana out of the equation."

"Is that why you didn't Divide the Ki completely?" Many looked at Vali surprised but Shirou's question earned him a smile from the White Dragon Emperor.

"What gave it away?" It was Vali's turn to ask.

"Divine Dividing can Divide the very soul of a person and yet you chose to leave her only with her Ki, indirect as it was." Shirou smiled as well. "Also you just admitted that you let Yoruichi fight mostly unimpeded on purpose."

Sighing a little, Vali shook his head with a smile still in place. "Damn, I thought I could play with you a little more." He shrugged. "But it seems like I slipped."

"So you admit you like fighting."

"Love it." Vali replied with a huge smile. "I love testing my strength against others, adore how my heart pumps against a strong opponent and the thrill of combat." The man seemed really content talking about it. "To me there are few things better than a good fight; the trading of blows, the revelation of secret weapons, the tests of skill, might and intellect."

Then Vali made a show of looking around, taking into account every sword and weapon spread around the Kuoh's property.

He counted many weapons of great power, some Noble Phantasms and even those that made a shill run down his spine. Vali smiled in excitement as he turned to Shirou. "And I have to say that by what I am seeing here, maybe I lost the main part of this fight." Before the redhead was a dragon in human form. "Don't you agree?"

"Maybe for today but there is always the chance for another fight." Shirou spoke vaguely but didn't allow himself to be intimidated.

Which pleased Vali more. "Good. It would be boring if this was just a one time thing."

'Is he some kind of battle manic?' Ise couldn't help but think and that gave Ddraig the opening he needed.

[Hey, White One! Are you going to ignore me?]

"For fuck's sake!" Rias swore then and there to find a way to shut up Ddraig on command.

Under Vali's sharp gaze everyone automatically stepped aside to give him a clear view of Ise. [Kukukuku. What is wrong, Ddraig? Your host is so weak that I almost haven't noticed you.]

Shirou and Rias both noticed Vali's eyebrow twitch as he glared at Ise for a moment before interrupting Albion. "You know… I had this whole introducion that I wanted to do and was even willing to ignore you until a proper time." Ise gulped hard but the white haired young man just smiled. "Don't worry, I won't kill you… today, that is. Can't be killing my recently awake Rival before he can be able to give me a proper fight."

Taking that as his cue, Shirou moved to stand between Vali and Ise. "Good, then you can focus on dealing with me first."

[Don't you dare to interrupt my meeting with my Rival, boy.] Albion grunted in a tone of warning.]

[That is right! Even if we aren't fighting today-]

"Then you can cut off the posturing." Shirou interrupted Ddraig with a glare at the gauntlet. "If Vali was a more unstable individual you would have thrown away Ise's life." With that the Welsh Dragon actually fell silent while the magus turned to a surprised Vali. "Where were we?"

Chuckling again, Vail decided to cut all charades. "I believe you were about to offer me a fight… right?"

"Not going to lie; I just accepted that I had a Reality Marble a few minutes ago. Before that I was a little in denial because of the problems the whole thing could bring to everyone." Shirou's confession surprised almost everyone who understood what Shirou had done, even Vali, Kokabiel and the dragons listening.

But not Rias. 'With something like a Reality Marble it is possible to reach the same levels of the gods. Just the idea of having a power like that and not using it…' She looked at a shocked Sona and a confused Vali with a smile. 'They can't process why someone would give up their potential like that. But Shirou would… for our sake.' Which concerned her without end.

"Well, I suppose you are right. I suspected there would be no more fighting today, pity." Vali shrugged nonchalantly, apparently dropping his guard and relaxing.

Things seemed to be going as Shirou planned but the redhead didn't look pleased. "Why play twenty questions?"

"Haven't you figured that out? Maybe I was giving you a little too much credit." Vali replied playfully.

It was Sona who realized the truth. "He was testing you." They all turned to look at the Sitri Heiress who fixed her glasses out of habit. "All this conversation was to judge your skills with observation in a fight… He never planned to kill any of us from the beginning."

While everyone was surprised by the revelation, none was more so than Kokabiel. "What?" He whispered weakly as his last play, and his plans, fell apart before his eyes.

Vali laughed a little. "That is right. It would be a botter to mark a fight with someone and they are not worth the effort. Especially when you present me with a scenario like this." He waved to the destroyed battlefield, dozens of weapons and the promise of a war born from one man. His smile turned feral. "Glad to see that someone with a Reality Marble is also a capable fighter or else our future match would end too fast."

"That is it?" Shirou asked incredulously.

"Do you really think I will throw away the chance of fighting someone with a Reality Marble? Do you even understand what you have?" The Vanishing Dragon asked with some wonder. "They are the taboo the gods fear and hate, the power to change the world."

[You just want to fight something no one else has ever fought against before.] Having recovered from Shirou's challenge to his authority, Albion commented. [Not that I can blame you. I am curious about such a spell myself. I wonder what a Divided Reality Marble looks like.]

Vali didn't disagree with his partner. "It is a unique opportunity and if it really is something worth fearing by the gods then I must fight it." He pointed at Shirou. "So you are lucky that I am the one finding out you have a Reality Marble because there is no way I am telling anyone else until we have a proper fight."

"And by that point Shiro will have enough power to keep even the gods at bay." Now that Vali wasn't a threat to her lover anymore, Rias was more relaxed. "But I hope it won't be a fight to the death or I will join it."

"Rias…"

"The more the merrier but that will depend on the fight itself." Vali interrupted Shirou with an anxious smile. "I just can't wait."

"You do realize I am working blind with it, right?" Shirou could already see the expectations that Vali was placing on their future fight and was starting to get nervous. "I don't even know how I am going to make it work."

That sobered up Vali a little. "How long do you think it would take for you to master your Reality Marble?"

"No idea."

"That is… disappointing to say the least." Vali looked frustrated again and Shirou feared he may change his mind.

So he threw in another offer. "But I can promise you a fight you won't ever forget."

"Really?" Vali studied Shirou for a moment. "Huh, possible. You did survive having all the mana of a town shoving into you." His smile returned.

There was something about Vali's smile that carried a childlike innocence while at the same time having the bloodthirst of a veteran who could only live through combat. The contrast was something that put some off but others could understand that it was more honest and kind than the ones Kokabiel or Freed had.

It brought relief to many, including Shirou who didn't mind the potential future fight. "So it is over? We aren't fighting today, right?"

"You only collect the fruit once it is ripe and ready so yes, I suppose you guys are done for the night." It showed how many were revived by the idea of not having to fight anymore when most devils and Irina fell from their feet. "Congratulations, you stopped a war. This time."

"No! I won't accept that!" Kokabiel protested, new strength helping him stand up with some herculean effort. His body was still breaking apart and he had lost too much blood but the fury inside the fallen angel had him on his feet again. "I won't have it! Even if Vali won't tell anyone I will-"

[Balance Breaker! Scale Mail!]

Albion's voice announced and in a second Vali was covered in his armor again before disappearing only to reappear before Kokabiel and slam the fallen angel down.

"Now listen here, I don't like your methods or your attitude. The fact that you just threatened to steal a future fight from me just makes me very upset." Vali began to crush Kokabiel's skull on the ground to many's horror as they watched their former enemy suffer. "Know this, Fallen of the Stars, the only reason you are still breathing is because Azazel would be upset if you died." He slowly lets go of Kokabiel's head to allow the man to breathe freely. "So count your blessings."

Now that all had seen Vali without the armor they could tell how intense the Balance Breaker was and how powerful it made its owner. The very presence of armor brought out an intensity that many failed to describe.

To those weaker it was really like a dragon was watching them, waiting for any provocation before devouring everyone.

"I… *cough* will still… tell… someone." Kokabiel managed to say and everyone grew nervous at his words. It was impressive he could still speak despite the mighty form above him.

However the Vanishing Dragon didn't sound concerned when he talked. "The only person you are talking to after this is Azazel. I am taking you directly to him." Vali turned to Shirou. "Don't worry about that guy starting a war. If anything he will just want to meet you." He chuckled. "Probably run some experiments as well." Rias stood in front of Shirou protectively but that only made the Vanishing Dragon laugh a little.

"That is…" Kokabiel tried to speak but failed and Vali turned back to him.

"You know that he wouldn't start anything. Azazel hates war, ironically enough." He saw despair starting to settle in the fallen angel's red eyes. "Do you understand? You lost and your cowardly acts were for nothing. When Azazel hears all you did and the devils ask for compensation they will hear that you were punished and that will be the end of the whole thing." Amused, Vali got closer. "All you did was give the Grigori some headache. There will be no war, or at least not one because of you."

"That is impossible." Denial came easily. "I have followers… allies. They will continue my work." Bargaining came next. "You won't-"

Vali hit the man down again, not patient enough to have to deal with anger. "You seem to forget something, most of your people love Azazel." He wouldn't deny he found pleasure in seeing Kokabiel's desperate look. "Despite how ecentric he is, most of your people jump when he tells them to jump, without fail. Only a couple of them, mostly the other Cadres, are the exception."

Vali leaned in closer to the fallen angel's ear.

"Can you see any of them starting a war in your place?" Even the whisper reverberated with power.

It took a second, just a second for the despear to fully set in Kokabiel's face but the fallen angel couldn't stop it. "No." All watched as the Angel of the Stars, one of the names in the scriptures and one of the oldest beings in the world, broke.

"Then it is settled." Vali standed up straight again, his hand creating a magic circle. "Now you are going to take a nap and when you wake up Azazel will be there and you can direct all your grievances to him. Sounds fair?" There was no reply. "Sounds fair."

Without fighting, Kokabiel finally gave out and fell unconscious. There was nothing else for him to fight. His plans were ruined, his power broken and his goals impossible.

In the end the Fallen of the Stars realized that the White Dragon Emperor was right; no one else would fight as hard as he did in the Grigori, he was the only one that sincerely wanted a war that would do something about it and the moment he lost, the moment Vali showed up, all he did was for nothing.

Kokabiel fell and had nothing to show for it.

[A job well done, partner.] Albion praised.

"Well, I should get going." Vali lifted Kokabiel and placed the fallen on his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He spared Ise a glance before commenting. "You know, I had a lot of things that I wanted to say to my Destined Rival." The Red Dragon Emperor flinched but the White Dragon Emperor shook his head. "But you still need some time to mature. In that case I will depart with this." He pointed at his Rival. "Grow strong or else I may decide to kill you just so I can try the next one later."

"That isn't going to happen." Rias challenged but Vali didn't bother with her.

His eyes were still firmly in Ise when his partner talked. [You better prepare, Red One. Because next time we meet we may end up killing before things get going.]

[Just make sure to wash your neck for us, will you? This kid may not be much now… but he has potential.] Ddraig words sounded reassuring but Ise couldn't shake the feeling of dread.

"For now you better train to give me a challenge later." Vali turned to Shirou. "Same to you. I will remember your promise."

"Even if I can't master my Reality Marble I swear that when we fight it is going to be one fight you will never forget." Shirou didn't flinch when Vali kept looking at him for a few seconds before chuckling.

"I sure hope not." The White Dragon Emperor looked around to everyone else but felt nothing from them besides Yoruichi who he saved for last. "And you better learn to control that form. You fight better when you have your wits."

"Like I haven't been trying for the last few years? Since when I stumbled on it when I was barely a teenager?" The nekomata asked with a mix of rhetorical and sarcastic. "Sure, easy peasy."

Vali wasn't impressed by the attempt of giving him cheek. "Then dedicate yourself properly to your power. While you may have responsibilities as one of the Kings of Kyoto, that is no excuse." He began to float as Yoruichi glared at him. "Speaking of which, the whole country and some of the continent felt Kokabiel's last burst of power. I am sure that some also saw me coming here."

In other words they couldn't use Vali as an excuse to why Kokabiel sent out the equivalent of an SOS to most of this side of the globe. It was a disappointing notion for both Shirou and Rias who looked at Yoruichi with some sadness but the woman made her cat ears and tails disappear while waving him off.

"Yeah, yeah. I got it. Political consequences and all that. I knew the risks." She still felt disappointed with herself but hid it better than her friends. 'Looks like my easy time in Fuyuki is coming to an end.'

It wasn't like anyone else could be considered responsible since she was the only powerhouse around. Shirou was the only one they may pin as someone capable of forcing Kokabiel to call for help but Yoruichi knew that if people looked too deep they would figure out he had a Reality Marble like the fallen angel did.

If it was to choose between spending less time with her friends and newly acquired little sister or risking Shirou's life, Yoruichi already knew what she would choose.

But the plight of the nekomata wasn't the Vanishing Dragon's business, he just wanted a good fight. So he turned away from her ready to depart since if she listened to him that would be excellent in his opinion and if not there was little he would be willing to do.

For the moment at least. "With all said and done, we shall see each other again." His eyes were fixed in Ise. "Count on it."

With his piece said and his mission accomplished, the White Dragon Emperor took flight and disappeared in the night sky.

For a few seconds everyone looked around, nervous and on guard. "Are there any more surprises today?" Sona was tired of everything. "No Seraph trying to start something? Maybe a God of War wishing to claim the apparent Reality Marble that has been in town for at least a decade now?"

"Now, now Sona. Calm down a little."

"Don't even start, Rias. Don't even." Sona pointed at Yoruichi who waved in her direction. "I don't even know where to begin with you. A King of Kyoto running our town and I wasn't aware of it?"

"To be fair I gave you some hints." Sona began to fume as Yoruichi chuckled only to notice Koneko running in her direction and preparing herself for a tackle. "Hey Koneko-chan… How are you?"

Koneko hugged the holder woman with all her strength. "Thanks for coming."

Yoruichi smiled softly. "Sure. I will always be there for my siblings. Even when I shouldn't." Koneko's hug grew tighter and Sona felt her anger melt away.

Taking a deep breath, the leader of Sitri in the region began to feel every bit of the exhaustion she accumulated through the day. "Are you alright, Kaichou?"

Looking at her Queen, Sona let out a sigh. "Just… thinking about the work we are going to have to fix all this."

"We can leave that for tomorrow." Rias informed her friend as she returned to her peerage with Shirou, Koneko and Yoruichi in tow. "For today we should rest."

"I couldn't agree more." Xenovia admitted as she sat down on the ground.

"This mission was a disaster." Irina felt awful and irritated but found some relief on Ise who got close and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you alright?"

Giggling, Irina asked back "Are you? I wasn't the one who got a guy declaring he wanted to fight me." She giggled again at Ise's face.

"I prefer to ignore that."

[That is the spirit partner. Ignore the problems until they become bigger problems.]

"We are in this mess because of you, you overgrown lizard!" Ise complained to his dragon and everyone laughed at the back and forth that followed. Asia tried to calm the Pawn down but the Welsh Dragon began to talk about pride and the thing devolved into a shouting match.

"Hahaha! Kinda glad my dragon can't talk." Saji commented before laughing a little more with everyone.

Only Kiba wasn't smiling, still dealing with his own emotions but no one noticed as they all were too relieved and happy to pay attention to him. They had just survived the toughest ordeal of their lives and the Knight, while partaking in the same relief, had his mind elsewhere.

Even Xenovia couldn't help but chuckle a little herself before looking at Durandal, still at her side. She shook her head upon realizing she still had a long way to go with the sword.

And that she also had no place to put it. "Can any of you spare me a mantle or something?" She pointed to her weapon with a blush. "I kinda… can't put it back where it was."

"Why? Can't you access the pocket dimension you used before?" Rias kept a considerable distance between her and the sword, a Holy Weapon like that could annihilate her even by accident if she wasn't careful.

"No, unfortunately I needed some priests' help to access it in the first place." Xenovia couldn't tie Durandal in chains, summon the magic circle and then place it there by herself. "It doesn't need to hold Durandal, just to hide it while we… go to a hotel… Which we have no money for…"

"We forgot about booking a hotel!" Irina realized in horror.

"We didn't forget about booking a hotel! You spent all our money!"

"I am sorryyyy!"

Seeing the Exorcists' plight, Shirou turned to Rias with a simple look that had her raise an eyebrow in question. He pointed at them with his head and she got the message, letting out a sigh of exasperation mixed with resignation. She wasn't surprised by what Shirou was proposing and waved at him to go ahead.

"You two can stay in my house for the time being." Both Exorcists stopped screaming and everyone turned to him. "We have a couple extra rooms you can use."

"Still picking up strays, huh." Yoruichi commented while using Ki to help recover her strength.

"You tell me." Shirou replied with a chuckle before turning to Koneko. "Speaking of strays, can you carry Medusa? I don't think she will wake up any time soon."

"Aren't we going to intrude?" Irina asked delicadely. "Isn't a magus' home their safe place or something."

"Doesn't matter. He is offering and I'm taking it." Xenovia replied bluntly. She could see her partner was nervous about the idea but the bluehead found herself trusting in Shirou. "Besides, maybe he can give me some advice about my sword. He seems to know more about it than the Church anyway."

"Reality Marble."

"I still have no idea what that means." Most of the explanation flew over her head. "Don't bother explaining either. Give me something to eat, some rest and then you can try explaining."

Rias nodded in acceptance of Xenovia's stance on the matter, finding cute how Shirou was utterly baffled by her not caring about something that was so important. "Anyway we need to find Akeno to make sure she is safe."

"Oh she is up there on that roof." Shirou pointed to the precise building she was in despite the distance between them, much to the confusion of many.

After a second Ise was the first to ask. "Okay, how do you know that? I'm pretty sure you were too busy when that bastard took senpai somewhere."

"I saw her when I was connected to Fuyuki's ley line."

In an instant Yoruichi was grabbing Shirou's coat and making sure they were face to face. "Are you telling me that you had an out of body experience while connected to a ley line?" He nodded slowly, much to her disbelief. "How are you still alive?!"

"Reality Marble?"

A pause later, Yoruichi let Shirou go with a sigh. "Sad thing is that there is no way to know if that is a fact or not. Hell, what can a Reality Marble really do anyway?"

"Ultimate taboo and all that aside, it must be feared for a reason." Sona commented with a wary glance at Shirou. "You are telling our siblings, right?"

"I-"

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" A scream of effort caught everyone's attention and they turned to look at someone they forgot about.

"Valper." Kiba spoke bitterly but Ise and Saji were quick to move to his side and hold his shoulders. "Let me go!"

"Oh no, not this time." Ise and Saji trade glances.

"You can let go if you want." Rias commented with a glance to Xenovia who was quick to nod.

"The Church gave all authority to punish Valper to the Devil Faction-"

"UUUUUUUaaaaaaaaaHHHHHHHHHH!" Valper interrupted again with screams of effort as he kept trying to pull something from the ground.

"But Kiba-kun wants to kill him…" Tomoe pointed out and the blond didn't even turn to acknowledge she was talking about him. "I mean, should we let him do that?"

"That is right, regardless of Valper's crimes he deserves a trial." Issei fixed his glasses before looking at his King for clarification but Sona disappointed him by shaking her head.

"That isn't how things work for a criminal like him."

Rias saw how some of the reincarnated devils seemed to react negatively at Sona's statement with a roll of her eyes. "You want a trial? Fine. As future Head of Gremory and Second Owner of Fuyuki my word is law and I call him guilty for the murder of children, conspiracy to start a war and many other crimes I can't bother to remember right now. Need evidence? Everything that happened today is more than enough" She looked at Issei and her friend's Pawn seemed to retreat at her glare. "Does the defense want to add anything?"

When the Pawn shook his head Rias began to look at everyone else in the area with a raised eyebrow.

"Anyone else?"

"Stop bullying my peerage, Rias." Sona massaged her temples to call down. "Ryuudou, what Valper did was criminal beyond redemption. Not only that but we have a victim of said crime here." They turned to Kiba, ignoring how the old man was still shouting to try and pull something from the ground. "Since the Church gave us the authority to punish him, Rias will demand that Kiba get some satisfaction-"

"You got that right."

"-and I have no intention to stop either of them." Sona could see many still didn't like it. But as a devil and a person, she believed that Kiba had a right for revenge. So with a heavy heart she stayed faithful to her principles. "He is all yours if you want."

Before Kiba could say anything, Valper turned to them. "You! Heathen!" He pointed towards Shirou with a glare full of hatred and disgust. "Undo the spell!"

Since nobody said anything, Shirou decided to ask "What spell?"

"The one you placed in Excalibur!" The Archbishop moved to reveal what he was trying to pull out and it was Caliburn itself, still stuck where Shirou left it. "You think you can fool me?! You can't! I won't fall for your illusions!" He tried to pull the sword again to no avail. "I was so close! So goddamn close! I won't let a brat ruin my plans!"

Curious, Yoruichi turned to Shirou. "Mind filling me in now that there isn't a fallen angel trying to start doomsday?"

"The fragments were actually from Caliburn." Valper screamed again while pulling harder than he did before. Shirou ignored him. "His plan was to reforge the sword with brute force but it ended up a monstrosity." The old man wasn't giving up. "So I fixed it."

Both Yoruichi's eyebrows were raised at the implications. "Reality Marble, right?"

"Right."

"Great… Good to see you kept that promise." The nekomata concluded.

"That is it?" Sona couldn't help but ask, her composure already shot. "He reforged a legendary sword and that is how you react."

Shirou and Yoruichi traded looks before she replied. "Pretty much."

Rias giggled at her friend's face. "You are really done with this, aren't you?"

"Absolutely!" WIth an exasperated sigh, Sona turned to her Pawn. "Let Kiba go. If he wants to kill that old man, let him do it so I can go to bed." Just thinking about the work she was going to have the next day was close to giving her an aneurism.

Saji obeyed but Ise refrained despite Rias giving him a look. "I don't think he is in the right condition to do it." Before anyone could protest he added "Not that the guy doesn't deserve it but Kiba is just…"

"Kiba-san is too angry right now." Asia spoke in support.

"I am fine!"

"No you aren't." Ise surprised himself by how calm he sounded. "Dude, all this run we had today was just-"

"Give me the sword!" Valper shouted out loud before his hands gave in and he fell on his back. Faster than someone his age should be able to, Valper grasped the weapon with his shoulder and began to push. "Let it go! MAGUS! UNDO THE SPELL!"

Shirou shook his head before starting to walk towards Valper. "Where do you think you are going?" Rias' concern was visible but she didn't move. "You are exhausted. If you are thinking about using magic, forget it."

"I agree with her." And Yoruichi's opinion was heavier since she could feel his Ki and how much damage Shirou's body took.

"Just going to finish what I started. No magecraft, I promise." Both Rias and Yoruichi studied him.

"Tsk. Fine." Rias gave in first. "But if you use mana I will make sure you live to regret it."

"Thanks." Shirou had to walk slowly because of his condition but no one tried to stop him. Instead he stopped himself, close to the Gremory Knight. "Kiba, before you do anything, just give me a minute."

Ise saw the look Shirou was giving him and let his friend go, much to Kiba's surprise. The blond looked at the redhead and considered the request, his rage was still strong and he wanted Valper's head. However he didn't forget what happened when he lost himself neither early in the day nor a few minutes ago.

"Fine, one minute." Shirou nodded in appreciation and Kiba looked around before picking up one of the traced swords in the area.

Calmly, or as calm as he could in the condition his body was in, Shirou approached the still struggling Valper. "It isn't going to budge."

"That is why I need you to undo whatever spell you placed on Excalibur!" Even with his shoulder on the blade, Valper wasn't being cut. The old man didn't realize that and while some noticed once they were paying attention, Shirou knew he wouldn't be harmed. "So stop stalling and undo it!"

"That isn't Excalibur."

"Of course it is!" Valper kept pulling and failing. "I studied its fragments my whole life! I know how they work better than anyone! If you hadn't ruined my work… If I had the last Fragment, Excalibur would already be resurrected!"

"If Excalibur is so great… how did it break?" For the first time Valper looked at Shirou, his eyes filled with horror. "Well… I am waiting."

The old man turned to try and push the sword off the ground again. "It doesn't matter! I shall reforge Excalibur!" But it was still useless, the sword wasn't moving. "All I need… Is the last Fragment… and a better ley line! And to get this sword out of here!"

Shirou was willing to let the man struggle for nothing but that wouldn't be satisfactory for Kiba. "It won't move and I think you know why."

"Shut up!"

"You recognized the weapon, you know it isn't Excalibur."

"I said shut up!"

"If you have studied Excalibur, King Arthur, as much as you claim, you know why you can't pull it off."

"Because of you!" Valper turned to Shirou again, this time looking desperate. "You put a spell in the sword-"

"It is a Noble Phantasm and it has one of the highest grades of Noble Phantasm that I have ever seen with a long legend and empowered by God." Shirou took a step to the side that was slow for him but it was still faster than Valper who tripped and fell. "You know the legend the same way you know Excalibur's. When Artoria drew it, she stopped being human."

"I refuse to believe it! This is Excalibur! The Holiest of Holy Swords!" The Archbishop dragged himself back to the sword and began to push it again. Only this time he was embracing it more than actively trying to dislodge the weapon. "I will bring it back! I am the only one who can!"

"It isn't just a Holy Sword anymore. It is a Noble Phantasm now, with all the benefits and burdens that come with it. Now that it was returned to its original state and recovered its name, Caliburn isn't limited to what you all tried to force it to be." Shirou explained but the man didn't want to hear. Valper just shook his head and kept embracing the sword. "You know why you can't pull it out."

"Shut up, this sword is too inferior to Excalibur. It can't be a Noble Phantasm." Valper sounded meek. "You robbed it of its Holy Aura and true power. No longer it can be called the Ultimate Holy Sword because of you!"

Ignoring the accusation, Shirou watched the man grow older by the minute. "It never needed all that and it was never part of it or the original Excalibur. Most of the other attributes you all placed on Caliburn belonged to other weapons, weapons that like it also are part of King Arthur's legend and must be Noble Phantasms of their own."

Even if he had never saw one, Shirou was sure that many of Artoria's weapons could be elevated to Noble Phantasms without a shadow of a doubt. In his mind he saw that young girl who looked like a fairy ready to take up a fate full of suffering and isolation. Looking at Valper grabbing her sword felt wrong and infuriating but he held that in.

"As a Noble Phantasm, Caliburn now is deeply connected to its origin and legend. You know that, don't bother to deny it." Valper just hugged Caliburn even more tightly. "Before you, before her, hundreds tried to pull off the Sword in the Stone. Nobles, knights, wannabe kings and every manner of man and woman who thought themselves great. Morgan le Fay herself tried and failed." Shirou got closer to the sword, standing with it between him and Valper. "Its function was always to choose a proper King and to protect them. Someone deserving of the ideal that God envisioned."

Valper stayed motionless, just embracing the sword.

"There is no spell." Shirou said definitively and Valper knew it was the truth. "There was never a spell. This is just Calibur's function, finally active as it has recovered its name and real power… But you already knew that."

The old man still refused to move.

"Because it can't be anything else, despite not having the last fragment I managed to repair the sword and you know that, because you dedicated your whole life to it. And now, on the final stretch, on the final moment of your long journey you know the truth."

"You are lying." It was weak as the old man began to shake and tears began to form in his eyes.

Yet there was no pity in Shirou's heart, not for this man. "After all those you killed, all the suffering you inflicted, this is all you have left." For the man before him was a monster. "That all you did was for nothing and you have no one else to blame. This sword will never, ever, accept you."

Valper couldn't take it anymore and began to really cry.

Shirou, knowing his work was done, began to step away from the sword and the man whose obsession led him to ruin. There was nothing else that needed to be said between them and the redhead knew his mission was accomplished with Caliburn restored and the threats dealt with.

And for all his evil, Valper Galilei was no threat. "He is all yours." However there was another reason why Shirou did all that, to give Kiba some degree of satisfaction. 'Any idiot can kill but killing alone is never enough.'

The blond Knight looked between Shirou and Valper with shock. 'He isn't going to try to stop me?' That was what really was messing him up, he expected to argue with Shirou or something and yet the magus just walked past him.

Tightening his grip on his sword, kIba remembered that it wasn't one of his before marching towards Valper. The old hatred was there, burning brightly and threatening to consume him if something didn't happen and the target of most of it was right there, alone, kneeling before a sword and completely exposed.

'This is for everyone.' Kiba told himself. 'For all he killed, for all he tortured in his sick experiements.' Every step felt like he was climbing a mountain and he couldn't stop shaking. 'Finally I am going to finish this… Finally the nightmares are going to stop.'

When he reached Valper, Kiba felt the weight of every decision he ever made in his life until he was back there on the day it all started. He hadn't seen the man that day, just a few times before it when he claimed that the experiments were almost over and all of the children had done wonderfully.

Remembering that grandfatherly smile and how well he seemed to treat his family had Kiba close to puking. Instead he focused on his rage. "Valper." The name was whispered with as much poison as he could but the old man didn't react. "Look at me." Still no reaction. "I said look at me!"

After some sobbing, the Archbishop of Genocide turned to Kiba and the Knigh almost winced at the sight.

Gone was the grandfatherly smile or maniacal attitude, gone was the pride in his projects and gone was the joy he had on them. Everything was gone but a deep sadness and desolation marked by tear tracks that sickened Kiba.

'This coward.' For the first time Kiba knew he was seeing the real Valper, not the proud priest or the mad scientist "You are pathetic." Of all things the Knight thought he would say or do, there was nothing left, only rage.

He raised his sword above his head, his eyes locked on Valper's as he brought the weapon down with all the strength of his arms.

Only to stop short just before cutting the old man's head in half. "You aren't afraid of dying?" Valper didn't reply and Kiba felt his fury swell. "Answer ME!" The bloodshot eyes just looked at him with deep despair. 'I still want to kill him.'

A fact that Kiba could easily accept as after everything Valper had done that remained in him, the anger demanding to be used and the thirst for vergence giving it a target. However he knew that if Valper wasn't afraid, wasn't feeling anything, he knew that his revenge would end unfulfilled.

'Killing him now would be a favor.' A moment of clarity came. The rage had not subsided but the nightmares wouldn't stop if he killed Valper now.

Retreating the sword, Kiba noticed how some life had returned to Valper at that point. He expected to die and some life returned to him almost to beg for death.

'This would be mercy.' Not in a million years Kiba would see himself in this position, sparing someone's life out of hatred. "You aren't worth it."

With those words Kiba saw for the second time how Valper bowed to the sword and began to cry out loud. His rage was still there but his revenge felt fulfilled even if incomplete.

All the Knight did was turn around to the witnesses of his actions, most almost jumping in shock when he threw the sword to the side and declared. "I am done."

…..

Technically this chapter is late because I was and still am a little sick. My supporters on a certain website already knew that but I am recovering and so I managed to finish the chapter in what I still consider a timely manner especially since this is the second chapter of the month.

Regardless this was a fight of power vs experience; Yoruichi opening moves were all about distracting Kokabiel so he didn't remember he had 'hostages'... That lasted until he remembered he had hostages.

The guy just had the chance to show all that his experience was worth, using it to adapt Valper's experiments, avoid Yoruichi, keep up the pressure on everyone else and still stay on top.

Sadly for Kokabiel he picked up a fight with Durandal around, one Noble Phantasm with such a long history that can be extremely versatile in the right conditions. Conditions that Shirou can't enact himself but Xenovia was chosen by the weapon so she has potential and only needs training.

If you can please consider supporting me so I can continue to deliver this story in an expedient manner.

P a treon

Apprentice of Life or

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Until next time.