Hollowreaper 93: We can certainly hope it will ;) Indeed, due to the earlier conflict involving her father, she hasn't been flirtatious with Issei to try and drive him away like she did in canon, though what that can mean for her love life in the future is still open. I am so glad you liked them, I contemplated the best appearance forever XD

fanficcyberman: I was a big fan of that interaction in canon as well, not enough Vali Ophis moments imo :D I am so glad you liked it!

ahsoei: Right you are, she had more on her mind earlier on...

GunBlade2019: Thank you! I can't give that away yet ;) But I can assure that Rossweisse is the woman for Dorian and Thrud has been seeing him in a new light since he arrived in Asgard... the artist ADSouto did magnificent on the cover!

Advent of Shadows: I most certainly will! :)

Slayer Cross: Oof, sorry it has been so grating on who she is...though I guess that is a good thing in terms of buildup lol. Hopefully someday I will have a commission made of the uniforms so they can be more visualized.

OBSERVER01: Thank you very much! He did not see it coming a mile away XD

FenrisFiltiarn: You are probably right on that lol. Yet he cannot help himself, when he sees something wrong, he has to try something at the risk of making it worse. Thrud is a lot of fun to write for, it means a lot you've been enjoying it :D

naruto: Thank you! Helping Akeno become more independent from how she was portrayed in canon was a big goal of mine for this fic. I hope I pull it off well.

PixelatedWriter342: It means so much you've been enjoying it for so long! Glad to hear from you. It will have main canon plots going forward with original arcs added as well as changes to the story due to the inclusion of the new characters and details. Your review was very well received, I always accept words and criticism from fans and hope to never disappoint as I move forward :D

Vandenbz: I am so glad you've been enjoying it for so long. I hope you like the slow but meaningful development between our Einherjar and Valkyrie :D

And with that...ONTO THE SHOW!

The assembled angel, devil and fallen angel troops stood down as Dorian and the rest of his team entered. He had to keep telling himself that over and over…"His team." It was an odd feeling no matter how often he thought it. Everyone had accompanied him to the peace summit save for Ratatoskr whom he felt was best kept out of the events. He seemed okay with it, opting to lounge with Gasper and Koneko at the Occult Research Club's headquarters not far.

The new school building had been turned into a veritable fortress. Not only had an immensely powerful barrier been erected around it, but a small army from all three groups was gathered. Once their identities had been confirmed, they were allowed entrance. The team would need to await everyone to be gathered before it could begin and would give them time to be unofficially introduced to the others present, which meant going through the organizers…

"Rose!" Dorian called out as he saw her. The young woman took a moment to acknowledge him, adjusting a strand of hair behind her ear as she was in the middle of going over a series of stipulations from the documents to a familiar Norse Goddess already present.

It had been weeks since they last saw each other in person, but she was just as beautiful as before, the real thing infinitely preferable to Skilja's projections. Her hair was a touch longer; she had new bows, he could tell although they were the same color and type as her old ones. On top of that, she wore a pristine grey suit ensemble that she pulled off flawlessly as always to show her post as Odin's bodyguard temporarily assigned to his wife for the duration.

"Dorian!" She spun on a dime, holding her ground as they approached.

We keep getting separated, Dorian thought as they neared, recalling back to her incarceration, Kokabiel's attack and now their excursion to Kuoh. Hopefully after this is over that won't be necessary.

She was standing beside Lady Freya who was leaning back with a thick folder in her hand. Dorian knew full well she would have the entire thing read in a matter of moments and was likely more paying attention to them. With the collected room of representatives and their retainers having already arrived, he had to remain frustratingly proper around her. To his relief, she did the same with a smile.

"It is agreeable to see you again," he started, catching the attention of those closest. "I hope Asgard has been well, I heard how much you did to help prepare for this."

"I have been very well," she smiled back, knowing his true question was focused at her. "Indeed, such a gathering does not happen easily. If the winds hold true, this will all have been more than worth it." It was only then she took note of his new attire, answering with a blush. "The uniform suits you well."

"Dorian Held," Lady Freyja stood to her full height, prompting Rossweisse to step aside for her to approach. "I am glad your team made it safely, I hope you found the documents I sent all in order?"

"I am prepared to continue my services of retainer," he smiled with a short bow.

He spotted the three who had been filling in for him, Brynda, Herja and Misty standing at the far end of the room. They quickly filed alongside the other Crossroad members, their numbers fully gathered in a single room for the first time since departing for Kuoh. Each were adorned in matching attire for the summit with the new Crossroad uniforms. All three had selected full-length gowns as the bottom that reminded Dorian of the one Thrud had worn the day he met her. He rubbed the back of his neck subconsciously, remembering the thrashing she had given when he tried to flee from her.

Michael had already arrived with a team of a half dozen exorcists in tow. Dorian did not recognize any save the girl in the front, her twin tails clear from a mile off. Irina Shidou stood in her cloaked Church attire, her eyes perking up at the realization that Dorian was present. As with Rossweisse, they could not act on their reunion due to the position of those present though he was relieved she had not been punished for discovering God's death. She looked apprehensive as she saw Xenovia, eyes glancing downward without a word; though her shifting gaze made it obvious she wanted to say something. The ribbon wrapped around her arm was unmistakably her Excalibur sword, though the design was larger and more ornate, causing the Einherjar to question what could have brought about the change since last he saw the shattered fragments.

"You know the Governor-General of course," Freyja motioned to Azazel leaning on an elbow lazily across the table. He gave a quick wave and smile that looked positively smug beyond words.

"But he doesn't know my own attaché," he motioned behind him.

Dorian saw Vali, light-grey hair and all leaning against the wall looking bored to tears. His eyes narrowed on Dorian slightly as if analyzing him, but it was the two newcomers flanking him on either side that drew his attention more.

"Allow me to introduce Bikou, the current Monkey King." Azazel motioned towards a tall man with brown hair adorned in modified ornate Chinese armor indicative of the third century, more specifically the war of the three kingdoms era.

"Yo," he answered quick and short, raising a casual wave.

"And this is…"

"What is she doing here?" Rias demanded upon noticing the second member of Vali's team.

On his opposite side stood a woman who could not be described any way other than beautiful. She had a voluptuous, shapely figure accentuated by her dark black kimono matching her hair wrapped in a yellow sash. Dorian sighed as he realized the top portion of her garb was quite loose, giving an ample view of her bare shoulders and impressive cleavage. As he glanced up to escape the lure, he noticed another defining feature, a pair of black cat ears and behind her a concealed tail swishing back and forth. Thrud's fingers flexed as she restrained her love of traits of the feline persuasion.

They're both youkai?

"Kuruoka has… a bit of a spotted past," Azazel remarked calmly.

"She is a criminal!" Dorian could not help but feel the Gremory Heiress' frustration was personal against the newcomer.

"In the Underworld, you are correct. Then again all those exorcists over there are considered the same among my people and yours. And my own are seen in the same light among Heaven and Hell. I thought this summit was supposed to bridge such gaps between us, or was I mistaken?"

Rias stepped back, the rest of her peerage doing the same, this was not the time or place whatever their relationship was to this woman. Dorian had no way of knowing Rias was silently thankful that their petite rook had elected to remain behind with Gasper. Just as the tension seemed to be thicker than the mists of Niphelheim, the aforementioned youkai pushed herself off the far wall, walking towards the gathered teams.

"You," she pointed at Dorian who glanced left and right to ensure she was referring to him. Her nostrils flared as if she had caught wind of something; sure enough, she was directly in front of him uncomfortably close within a matter of seconds, continuing to sniff. "You have a Balance Breaker don't you? The power is all over you."

"I…do," he answered slowly, growing self-conscious of her proximity and how his nearby friends were watching as the delegates returned to their preparations. "Why do you ask?"

"You must have gotten pretty strong to have one, surprising you smell just like a virgin too. What do you say we have a kid or three together? They'd be guaranteed to be quite powerful with energy like that." She smiled seductively, tugging at her kimono playfully while adding a lick of her lips that made the team leader's cheeks flush.

Behind him, the entirety of the Crossroads was glaring daggers into the forward-speaking woman. The clipboard in Rossweisse's possession cracked slightly from clenched fingers while Thrud's hands sparked with the slightest bit of electricity unnoticed by everyone. Bennia and the trio wore the same untrusting expression, even Xenovia had raised an eyebrow while taking mental notes. None could believe what she had just asked so casually to a man she'd literally just met. Issei's face had turned red, a perverted look taking shape no doubt at the mental image provided by Kuroka. Rias and Akeno could only sigh as Asia flushed with embarrassment.

"I…must respectfully decline," Dorian slowly answered, choosing each word with absolute precision as Issei looked horrified at his response until Rias elbowed him in the gut. "This is hardly the place for…"

"Oh, if you wanted privacy we can wait until the old fuddy duddies are done with their talks," she ran a finger up his chest. "Then we can slink off somewhere just the two of us. No time like the present to start rebuilding a species."

Dorian couldn't believe what he was hearing, he was so flustered inside he almost missed the last part of her sentence.

Rebuilding a species?

"Though, if you aren't interested…," her eyes glanced over towards Kiba standing in the back, the scent of his Balance Breaker reaching her honed senses even so far away. "Maybe that one will."

"Kuroka," Vali interjected with a harsh tone. "That is enough, have your fun another time."

The black-eared youkai sighed, nodding obediently she took her position at his side once more, throwing a final suggestive wink Dorian's way before acting as she had before, aloof and uncaring.

"Well that was fun," Azazel beamed at the entertaining spectacle he had witnessed. "If my new aide had been a little faster he could have seen it too."

"New aide?"

The answer presented itself as the doors flew open to reveal the final group of delegates. Leading the way was Sirzechs Lucifer with a silver-haired woman who oddly reminded them of Rossweisse wearing a maid uniform. Most knew this was his wife Grayfia, an immensely powerful devil. Serafall Leviathan was close behind with her sister Sona and her peerage in tow. However it was the last member of the group bringing up the rear to whom Azazel had been referring.

The tall imposing form of Baraqiel strolled in, a bespectacled fallen angel, Zepar who Dorian almost did not recognize walked beside him. He had not seen the young assistant since before their first excursion to Kuoh Academy. Dorian had known Baraqiel would be there, having made the last minute request of his presence the night before. From the narrowed eyes and piercing glare of Rias' queen, she deduced he was responsible for the new addition as his name had not appeared on any previous lists of attendees.

Maybe something can happen between them…anything, was Dorian's hope when he made the request. Situations like this could seldom be helped by outside parties, though that didn't mean they couldn't help the two from afar.

"Are you going to be alright Akeno?" Rias whispered low for only her to hear, fully aware of the history between them.

"I…will perform my duties as your queen," she replied back. "When it comes to that man that is all I will do."

"Akeno…" Issei muttered, utterly baffled on how he could help the situation, wondering if there was anything at all that could be done.

"Excellent, all are present then," Sirzechs smiled as he took a seat. For the first round of talks, only two of the four Satans would be present.

Without additional prompting, all the delegates took their seats as the assorted bodyguards, retainers and attachés remained standing around the meeting table. One by one, they each introduced themselves and those with them. Michael with his elite exorcists and Excalibur wielder, Azazel with Baraqiel and the team of the White Dragon Emperor, Serafall with her sister Sona's peerage until finally it came to the final groups.

"This is my sister and her servants," Sirzechs announced. They fought against Kokabiel recently at this very school."

"As did Lady Leviathan's sister and as our own retainers," Freyja motioned to each in turn. "The first of hopefully many such joint ventures together."

"And we owe each of you for that," Michael added. "We could not have recovered and reforged Excalibur as much as we have without your help.

Excalibur? Dorian could not help but notice the singular, not plural, use of the name.

"Ah yes," Azazel spoke next, his town seemingly downplaying the danger they had all been in. "One of my former associates gave you a spot of trouble. For that I apologize again."

Issei and his friends tensed up, still untrusting of the Governor-General for his shadier actions of the past few days getting closer to Issei prior to the summit. Dorian had not been aware of them, but didn't put it past him to have deeper plans.

"We can discuss that particular point after we begin," Sirzechs interjected. "Including Asgard's role in dealing with his follower Freed."

"Excellent," Lady Freyja's booming godly voice claimed the attention of all in the room. Holding out her hand, as in the early days, Dorian slid a folder into her waiting fingers. She scarcely had to look down, fully certain he had given her what was required. "In that case, I declare that this unified grand summit…has begun."

Occult Research Club…

"The new Red Dragon is that bad huh?" Ratatoskr asked hanging upside-down from an especially tall lamp.

"He is the worst of mankind," Koneko replied flatly from the nearby sofa. Gasper, still taking refuge in his cardboard box playing a handheld game Issei had given him, was feeling more comfortable than ever in the knowledge the rest of the mansion was empty. Since she stopped chasing him with garlic, the timid vampire had grown accustomed to her nearby.

Koneko had been wary of the talkative rodent, his reputation well known by this point. Nevertheless, other than a few remarks at her adorable nature he had been civil and, compared to Issei, was a saint. She had since started to relax and was enjoying a box of pocky. They were passing the time with stories and Koneko had plenty to provide of Issei.

"A slime? He wanted a clothes-eating slime as his familiar? Maybe the kid has some potential in him after all." Ratatoskr quickly looked away with a nonchalant whistle as Koneko turned to glare in his direction.

"But…they all might be in danger!" Gasper blurted out, unable to contain his fears even from the safety of his box. "What if the summit fails, war would break out and…and they might all die!"

Ratatoskr swiped the young vampire across the face with his tail, causing him to blink and focus more, his video game forgotten.

"I got to see a bit of the war between Freyja and her cultured husband's people myself a ways ago kid," he started. "The Aesir and Vanir were at a point not too dissimilar than those three are now. Armies broken, leaders slain or worse, I thought for sure when they sat down to the table the old codger would try to get vengeance for his daddy dearest."

Gasper was locked onto him; eyes wide, even Koneko glanced back nonchalantly to listen in.

"We have this old guy, old even by Odin's standards. Mimir is his name, has an entire collection of protégés and apprentices, smart bastard, despite his lack of lower extremities he could tell stories that'd make your…" he froze at the cold threatening stare of Koneko once more, clearing his throat before continuing. "The point is, one day as they were getting ready to slaughter each other, AGAIN, he'd had enough and basically said 'hey! Ya right bastards! If'n ya don't put yer differences aside there won't be enough of any one of you left to flip Ragnarok the bird!' That got them shutting up and actually opening their mouths for more than spells. It wasn't long after that our good Allfather and buxom Queen sealed the deal."

Gasper went silent, stunned as ever by the squirrel's brash nature.

"My point being boyo, even the harshest of hatred tends to see a sliver of cooperation in the face of mutual annihilation. Freyja is there, which means she can share this unique perspective from her own younger days. I got a good feeling about this, you trust me don't you?"

Neither Koneko nor Gasper said a word, leading to an insulted "humph" and crossing his tiny arms.

"Thank you Mr. Ratatoskr," his tail wagged back and forth a little faster at Gasper's polite use of his name. "No matter what they say about you, you're nice."

"We can only be true to our true nature, wouldn't you agree Ko-NEKO," his emphasis on the end of her name was obvious. She turned towards him, face awash with her usual calm nature and just a hint of true annoyance.

"I don't…" She started before freezing, glancing up at the ceiling, eyes narrowing with suspicion.

"Ah for fucks sake," Ratatoskr sighed, his nose only now picking up an incredible spike in magic. Unbeknownst to them dozens of teleportation runes were appearing all over the old school building utterly surrounding them. "What now?"

Back at the Summit…

"And your Evil Piece system can be reconfigured for other races?" Michael asked, clearly interested in repopulating their number in Heaven. It was pseudo-common knowledge that angels were only made by god. They could reproduce naturally, however without exceptionally complicated, time-consuming purification processes and lack of any desire beyond procreation they would fall from grace and become fallen angels if attempted.

"Ajuka seems to be fully certain so long as their physiology is similar enough to humanity," Sirzechs assured him. "I trust you understand why it would need to be used on a limited basis at first until we are certain no complications arise."

"And let us not forget the matter of Sacred Gear exchange," Azazel interjected, glancing at those around the room with such devices. "Devils have quite a monopoly on those in this age it seems, though our friends further north have one now."

Lady Freyja snapped her fingers, Dorian quickly providing the folder on what they had learned of his gear during observations in Asgard. Opening it, she started reading aloud possible ideas for exchanging knowledge as well as users providing services to those curious to see them used in the field. The collected delegates had been having such talks for hours by this point starting with a recap of the Kokabiel situation.

All that had occurred was gone over in detail with assurances that the Grigori leadership, Azazel included, had no part in his machinations. The Governor-General replied with confirmation, in his usual smug attitude, that he had sent in the White Dragon Emperor specifically to show the sincerity of his words. Kokabiel was currently frozen within the lowest layer Cocytus under the watchful gaze of Hades. Dorian shifted uncomfortably at mention of that name again.

"Oh yes, we would be very interested in an exchange like that," Azazel agreed with Freyja's assessment on Sacred Gear distribution for research purposes. "It is most of the reason why I've been gathering my own little collection for the past ten years. What, did you think I was stockpiling for another war?" He relished the apprehensive look on the other leader's faces before continuing.

"It was a concern, I will admit," Michael finally broke the silence.

"There are mutual foes out there beyond our petty squabbles. Never too late to learn too much, but before we do, I wanted a few confirmations on the extensive injuries my wayward brother took before Albion got involved."

Issei stiffened as their eyes met, passing over to Dorian as well but Rias stepped forward to take charge.

"We have compiled what we could," Akeno stepped forward, holding the report she had painstakingly worked on in preparation for the meeting.

"Excellent, Baraqiel my good man, if you would?"

Akeno's calm fluttered for a moment as Azazel unexpectedly requested her father to retrieve the documents from her. The tall ten-winged fallen angel took powerful, heavy steps to her side of the room, only stopping once he was within arm's reach. The two just stood there, staring at each other, Baraqiel's features stoic with just a single sweat drop down the side of his face betraying his uncertainty as Akeno stared a piercing gaze through him. Despite the restrained terrifying visage hidden behind the mask she put on, it was not so great as it had been the night before, giving Dorian a sliver of hope that he had not made the wrong decision.

"The paperwork, please Ms. Himejima," he held out a hand, awaiting her reply.

"Of course," she answered calmly, passing the folder to his waiting fingers. Bowing politely as was expected, he returned to Azazel's side, laying the information down though the Governor-General scarcely glanced at it.

"Considering they were both involved and their power is undeniable, I would like to hear the Red and White Dragon Emperor's opinions on our little summit," Azazel spoke up at last as the tension between the two subsided with distance between them. "First our good Vali, what do you think?"

The grey-haired teenager just smiled, looking down as he crossed his arms.

"I don't really care what you decide, as long as I get to fight someone strong. If peace, then I have more time to locate them…if in war, then the strong will come to me."

"As expected," he sighed. "And you Red Dragon Emperor, what do you think?"

Issei scratched the back of his head awkwardly. He was no grand thinker, mighty warrior or visionary hoping to change the world. He was a teenage boy with a single dream of being a harem king; the thought of how a larger conflict could affect such a thing rarely entered his thoughts.

"I don't really think about that kind of stuff too much," he tried to blow off the question. "I don't really have a strong opinion in either direction."

Surely he should think peace is the better option, Dorian thought to an agreeing Iggy. Vali is more focused on himself, but at the bigger picture…

"I see, well then let me explain it to you VERY clearly. If there is war, then you will never get to sleep with Rias Gremory."

Dorian's jaw hit the floor along with Rias' and half the room. The rest were silent or incredibly confused and in the center of it all was Issei, a blush and incorrigible smile spreading across his face.

"Wh-what do you mean?"

"If we make peace, then repopulation will become the priority," Azazel explained as Michael and Serafall attempted to maintain their composure. Lady Freyja had already failed, rubbing the bridge of her nose at the man who sounded all too familiar to her. "Truly, if she prefers it you could try every single day, whereas if we go to war then battle will be how we spend our nights…no baby-making time in that instance."

"PEACE IS THE BEST OPTION!" Issei half-shouted much to Rias' reddening face. She could not deny the feelings that had grown for her pawn since they met. Al the same, hearing it spoken of so freely in front of family and the most powerful members of four major powers was almost too much even for her composure to bear. "I want to do things to Presid…" Only then did the young Dragon realize her brother Sirzechs was sitting right in front of him looking flatly with a raised eyebrow. Quickly, he coughed to try and obscure what he almost said. "In any case, whatever is chosen today, I will use the power I have to help my friends despite how weak I am…but thank you Mr. Azazel as there is something I did want to ask." He turned towards Michael who realized he had become the focus. "Why did you exile Asia?"

Everyone looks confused that he would bring that topic up now, Akeno and Dorian realizing this must have been what he forgot to ask Michael at the shrine. Both of their demeanor softened that he thought so highly of them to bring it up during the meeting. Dorian had heard further details since spending time with the Occult Research Club. Specifically how Asia, after healing a devil with her Sacred Gear had been exiled for the act. As a result, she had eventually found her way to being killed by a fallen angel and reincarnated as Rias Gremory's bishop. Issei would not elaborate, apparently having a personal stake against the event that he refused to speak of.

"I…apologize," Michael's eyes lowered in shame. "When God was slain, the system he set up from Heaven governing his miracles, blessings and protection continued but none could operate it as he could. This is the same system that causes our powers to counter devils as it was created shortly after they first started appearing.

Dorian took note of his words, fascinated at the window into the beginning of the factions. So angels came first? Devils showed up later and God developed a way to counter them, but didn't foresee his own angels falling from grace for a third group. I wonder if the Aesir and Vanir had a similar common ancestry as well.

"I did as best I could, but using the system takes a great toll, even one of the archangels can barely get it working a fraction as well as God could. There are gaps, holes that can be exploited if known about."

"Like Asia healing a devil, or Kiba's Holy-Devil sword."

"Precisely, as well as Balance Breakers if you can believe they were never foreseen. Those who found those gaps were deemed dangerous to keep close lest the faithful realize the discrepancies. Asia had to be labeled a heretic…and Xenovia did that herself as she was reincarnated as an Einherjar." He looked over to her. "The fact our questionable alternatives shook your faith to such a degree is on my shoulders, please forgive me."

"Irina knew, and I see she has done quite well for herself," Azazel pointed out. For the first time Michael almost looked annoyed.

"Indeed, the same fate was nearly dealt out to her," he explained as the young girl looked very nervous at Michael speaking of her so personally. "But…I could stomach such a thing no longer. I was not personally involved in the exile of the others, but in this case I stepped in to prevent another wrong. Her faith was as pure as either of yours; to cast another such out was beyond my soul to bear."

Irina's face was beet red, steam half-erupting from her ears as she strove to maintain her composure in front of so many. Dorian glanced to the blue-haired swordswoman who had found a home among Asgard, looking shocked at the head angel's heartfelt apology towards the two. To see Irina not being punished only exemplifying Michael's assertion of regret.

"You don't need to be," she replied at length. "It is true I fell on the battlefield and am an Einherjar now," she looked down at her hands as if analyzing them. "But the faith isn't wholly gone." Irina's gaze caught hers, the glistening of restrained tears obvious. "I have found a good home and kind people among those of the Norse followers, yet it does not prevent my belief in God even in his death. My faith was shaken in that moment, yet as I am I can see from multiple points of view. You need not be sorry, for I am happy with my life Lord Michael."

"A-as am I!" Asia added. "I have met so many important, kind and wonderful people since I was exiled. Horrible things happened…but so much good came from them, I even got to meet you Lord Michael."

The highest archangel almost looked as if he would shed tears of relief, the pure and forgiving hearts of both women lifting the burden of guilt that had claims his thoughts.

"That eases my heart more than I can say; despite everything you both are pinnacle examples of forgiveness and love. I wish you both all the best in your new lives and I assure you to keep Durandal," Michael preemptively headed off Xenovia's next question. "Especially as part of these Crossroads, I can think of few places more fitting for it to be."

"Oh right, one of my subordinates killed her while in exile, just like our young Issei, Raynare was it?"

Raynare?

Issei's face paled, Dorian caught it instantly, his features warped in rage, fists clenching despite Rias' attempts to calm him.

"She murdered me…murdered Asia for your sake! She said she did it all for you!"

"That may be so," Azazel replied, allowing Issei's rage to fire at him. "But she did not do so by my order. Her mission was observation if you two were a true threat to the Grigori. The command to end either of your lives did not come from me. She seemed to think the power of the Boosted Gear could not be contained within a normal human. Can you say she was incorrect?"

"No," the Red Dragon Emperor admitted with a frustrated sigh. "I can barely control it as a devil, as a human…I don't want to think about it. But what she did before…what she did…"

He WANTS Issei to get angry, Dorian realized. He's never been so heartless before around me.

He is giving Issei what he needs, Iggy explained. He wants him to be mad, hate and yell at him; surely he has wanted to do this if his feelings around Azazel before are to be interpreted.

He wants to give Issei closure for his death?

"Raynare's mind was…chaotic in recent years," only now did Azazel's expression soften. "Her fall from Heaven was not as smooth a transition as most. I should have seen the warning signs beforehand but I was," he paused briefly. "Preoccupied, for that reason I feel I owe you something. After this summit is concluded, regardless of outcome I have something that may make your life more bearable." He ended his statement with a wink, eliciting a confused glance from Issei.

That Issei, his simple question led to so much resolution. I have never wanted to both punch and congratulate someone at the same time, Dorian sighed, feeling a little better about the perverted ally. He pushed his questions of Issei's relationship with this fallen angel Raynare to the side for the time being, barely noticing Azazel's gaze fall on him last.

"And you, Mr. Einherjar? We got a little sidetracked, but what do you think of our proposition of war or peace?"

"Me?" Dorian pointed as the entire room fell on him next, drawing attention from Issei who received a frustrated elbow from his President. "What do you mean?"

"Well, they may be dragons, but you are now the head of the first unified fighting force since the Heavenly Dragon's assault on all three factions. That would give you quite a bit of pull, if we join then you'd have jurisdiction within our territories as well."

"War would not serve anyone," Dorian spoke his mind as best he could despite how simple it was. "As has already been discussed in part tonight, mutual cooperation can promote growth among all parties." He did not see Freyja's smile of pride at his words.

"No doubt, I feel we should just hurry to the peace already. Of course, such ties need to be reinforced and you will have to build as many bridges as possible."

"I think we can find a way to…"

"You could always go the fun route and claim a blushing bride from each myth in our little alliance," he winked as Dorian stiffened, sighing internally as he should have seen it coming. "Between Olympus and Asgard, add in our three and you have got a good start there champ."

Serafall gushed at the prospect, clearly behind it as Sirzechs chuckled awkwardly, having barely stifled it after Issei's ridiculous proclamation. Freyja glanced to the side, sensing the killing intent rising from the Crossroads. All were glaring daggers at the Governor-General though the bulk of the malice seemed to be emanating from a certain gold and silver Valkyrie pair, their eyes turning red with restrained anger. It drew away the room so none spotted Kuroka practically purr at the idea, smiling hungrily at the Einherjar.

"That proposition…will have to wait for another day," Freyja swooped in for the save, not even Azazel wishing to nonchalantly challenge THOSE eyes. "Rooting out any remaining traitors such as your Raynare, Forcas and this…Old Satan Faction that assaulted my home will be instrumental in ensuring a lasting peace. I have come up with some ideas for ways of cross-checking our own internal groups for such dissenters, if you would flip to page seventeen…"

Occult Research Club, not long ago…

Beams of yellow light sped towards the lounging rook and bishop. Koneko thought fast, hefting the cardboard box containing the cowering Gasper over her shoulder and dodging the attackers while scattering, losing sight of Ratatoskr in the chaos. They had struck suddenly without warning, but she recognized their robes. The assailants were human, but no ordinary humans…they were magicians.

Magicians, spellcasters that utilized magic from every region and style to improve their powers and expand knowledge. The ones currently pursuing the fleeing servants were adept at reworking the devil magic in the air itself for their own purpose, reconfiguring it into energy they could manipulate.

"Give up the Dhampir if you value your life!" The lead magician called out once their attempted first strike had failed. They all continued to fire their blasts of stolen magic after Koneko who avoided them aptly, leaping over tables, sliding through doors and otherwise staying one step ahead.

She raced through the hall, finally getting a good look out the windows. Dozens more, perhaps hundreds of magicians were appearing across the surrounding area and courtyard, far too many to fight or escape from. Their only option was to hold up in the library. At that thought, the glass windows exploded inward, razor shards raining around her. Koneko avoided many, but soon found herself covered in scratches and wounds as the mages floated inside the new breach.

They knew I'd go this way?

"There is nowhere to run, give up Balor's vessel and we may…"

The ceiling above collapsed as a squirrel the size of a large gorilla fell through, flattening the magician mid-sentence. Spinning around, the now-giant Ratatoskr clipped three more with his tail before grabbing the heads of another pair and slamming them together.

"Keep converting magic ya pansies!" He called out, not having been able to retain a shape-shifted form for so long in ages. "Fun fact, when you break it down to use you leave the energy open for any old rodent to use!"

Holding out his hands, acorns the size of footballs materialized in each palm. One after another, he fired them like bullets towards the airborne magicians. Some managed to deflect them while others, no doubt utterly perplexed by his choice of projectiles, were too slow and plummeted to the ground below.

"Get out of here little kitty," Ratatoskr winked back. "I'll keep them here while you go hunker down with short and pasty over there."

Koneko nodded, turning to flee towards the library protected by wards set up by Akeno herself. The ally from Yggdrasil was still cackling with glee by the time she had gotten inside and barred the door.

"Don't sorry Gaspy," she opened the box, letting him peak his head out though he refused to leave. She had developed the nickname to help him feel more comfortable around her. "We can hold out here a little while, once the others hear what happened I am sure they'll come help us in time."

"Oh little nekoshou, time is the one thing NOT on your side."

Koneko turned, barely withstanding a barrage of magic bolts striking across her tiny frame, barely protecting Gasper from taking a hit. Seemingly from the wall itself, a cadre of female magicians emerged, eyes atop their hoods glowing bright for another volley.

They even knew about here?

Kicking Gasper's box, she sent the cowering vampire sliding under the safety of a cubby space between bookshelves. Pushing off the ground, Koneko twisted in mid-air, dodging a renewed hail of magic before planting a foot into the face of the closest magician. As expected, from a distance they were formidable however close-up they were quite vulnerable. Their power was equal to that of a mid-tier devil, but their defense capabilities were still in the low range. Now in such close proximity, they could not easily fire without harming one another.

The white-haired student planted a fist into the second conjurer, expertly pirouetting to avoid attacks from the others remaining. Using the first's body as a projectile, she sent the others crumpling into the wall, slumping down unconscious. Not all of their blasts had been completely dodged, leaving Koneko panting in exhaustion covered in welts and bruises.

"D-did you get them all?" Gasper finally asked.

Koneko turned with her usual stoic expression, giving him thumbs up while allowing a restrained smile of confidence to cross her face. It did not last as the door to the library exploded inward, the carefully reinforced wards of Akeno blown apart in an instant. A wave of demonic aura caught Koneko in the face, so powerful she was immediately knocked out despite rook reinforcement. Her body limply crashed into a bookshelf before crumpling to the ground.

"Koneko!" Gasper called out before the terrifying silhouette entered the room. By reflex, his powers engaged, freezing the army of magicians in their tracks. His eyes went wide, watering in terror as he noticed the menacing shape did not stop.

"Very impressive," the feminine form waved a hand, dispelling the effect so that the other forces could move again. "A bit more power and that may have stopped even us. To think they may not have even unsealed you were it not for their fear of me. Is it only your direct vision affected or your peripheral as well? What if you break contact or…?"

"Enough!" An annoyed older woman entered, void-black devil wings surrounding her body. "I have dealt with their defenders well enough, start the ritual!" With a flick of her hand, a tiny figure was thrown into the room. Ratatoskr had been reduced to his standard size, his fur blackened from combat with obvious bruises.

"Yes Mistress," Ona reached out, gripping Gasper by the collar.

A loud screech drew their attention as a shimmering raven swooped through the breach. Weaving past them, it claimed the incapacitated squirrel and banked, avoiding half a dozen magic blasts in the process. The elder Leviathan raised a hand, detonating an ultimate-class burst of demonic energy. At the last possible moment, the fledgling raven of Asgard broke left hard, allowing an entire row of shelves to tank the blast before disappearing out the shattered windows to freedom.

"Tch," she growled in frustration. "No matter, he won't get far once we begin." She turned back towards Gasper still frozen in fear. With his powers ineffectual against the pair of women before him, he had no defense remaining as they advanced, the surrounding magicians preparing their spells and bindings for the ceremony to come…

Peace Summit…

"…which would include Olympus, Asgard as well as the nine realms as a whole within these talks," Michael concluded his speech. He had been going for quite some time on how including Asgard in the cooperation agreements would expand the summit's purpose far beyond the original scope, even more so with the previous agreement with Olympus.

"Zeus will be pleased," Freyja assured him. "They have as much to offer in exchange as they have to gain themselves."

"Including participation in your Crossroads?" Sirzechs asked for clarification. "The concept intrigues me; it would certainly prevent confusion of jurisdiction in the future. I trust you have details of their responsibilities along with the checks and balances of power?"

"Of course," she nodded with a smile. "Mr. Held will provide it," she glanced back to her retainer whose heart skipped a beat for a moment.

The young man had not expected the Crossroads to be brought up on the first day. As a result he did not have the document himself, instead leaving it with those he had planned to discuss the following days...in Rossweisse's keeping. She was already fully aware, producing the required document and holding it out to him. Dorian reached out and gripped the sheet, his hand brushing against hers by the slightest margin. They smiled at one another, holding that moment longer than was necessary, but neither minded in the slightest.

"Wha…?" Dorian gasped as a strange feeling passed through his body and into Rossweisse through their touch, sending a shiver up his spine. Rossweisse felt it too as she jumped back, looking herself up and down for the possible cause.

It did not take long to see what occurred, many of those in the room were surrounded by a familiar-looking aura and were completely unmoving. The leaders of the major factions were unaffected as well as Rossweisse, but few others. Xenovia clutched Durandal which had ejected itself from the dimensional bubble to protect its wielder; Irina was holding her own sword both glowing with holy light. It was only then Dorian realized Irina wielded an Excalibur eerily similar to the one held by Freed though the shape and light were more rounded and calm. She was the current Excalibur wielder chosen by Michael himself to hold all currently in their keeping merged into one.

Issei had been unaffected as well as Kiba, of his team; Rias was standing free with a hand on her pawn's shoulder. Unfortunately, all the rest of her peerage and the entirety of Sona's were frozen in time. Vali was walking normally as well as his allies who only then subtly removed their hands from their leader's back.

Dorian spun, shocked that his team was affected as well. Hecuba, Bennia and the Valkyrie trio were locked in the actions taken a moment before.

"Thrud, what…?" Dorian was confused as he saw the strawberry-gold beauty looking at him confused yet still moving. "What happened?"

"We are under attack by terrorists," Baraqiel announced, glancing away from his paralyzed aide Zepar towards Akeno, the concern present even through his features as he approached his daughter. "Look."

Outside the window, lights began to form beyond their barrier. Teleportation seals heralded the arrival of an army of magicians and devils, based on their powers they were low-mid tier at best though their numbers were the most imposing aspect of all. The impressive numbers of three faction troops brought in for defense were within, yet obviously affected by the phenomenon as well. None rose to defend as bullets of light impacted the field again and again. The barrage appeared to have little effect, yet all knew it was a delaying tactic with no defenders.

"Balor's view," Michael sighed, recognizing the attack. "Lady Gremory's bishop must have fallen under enemy control."

"He's strong enough to do this?" Dorian asked, his armor already materialized along with Laerad Ragnarok."

"Yes," Rais answered. "His power was always great; normally he would have required both my bishop slots but I was able to bypass it with a mutation piece."

"A what?" Issei was lost.

"A mutation piece is a special kind of Evil Piece," she explained quickly. "One that is very rare and saved for exceptionally powerful servants. If I had a pawn version for instance, I could have resurrected you for the cost of one instead of all eight."

"They must have devised some means of forcing his balance breaker, expanding his field of influence beyond simple field of view," Michael grimaced. "Only those of us with immense power surpassing him remained unaffected along with those who achieved Balance Breakers. Holy swords have special blessings that seem to have held out as well."

"And those in direct contact with them," Sirzechs glanced to Rias contact with Issei, realizing that Kuroka and Bikou had their hands resting on Vali's shoulders when the event occurred.

"Thank you," Rossweisse whispered, realizing Dorian was the reason for her remaining mobile. She gripped his arm tenderly to which he reciprocated, cupping her hand with his own.

"Then," he turned to Thrud. "How are you…?"

Thrud just stared at him flatly; insulted the obvious answer eluded him. Flicking Dorian in the forehead, she pointed to herself condescendingly while placing a hand on her hips and popping them to the side.

"God…remember?"

Dorian could have kicked himself, he saw her so often that he had grown accustomed to seeing her as a normal woman all the while forgetting her godly heritage. She may have been far younger than the others gathered, yet her genetics were beyond reproach.

"Our reinforcements will be unable to enter, nor any of our contingency plans," Freyja growled in frustration. They had been prepared for a full invasion with reinforcements waiting to crush them at a moment's notice as they had at Olympus. For all their preparation, with Gasper's power being wielded, their carefully laid machinations were utterly worthless. "That barrier won't easily fall, but while it's up we cannot leave either, our enemy has learned from past defeats."

"I can get help," Dorian remarked, generating a portal to the roads in front of him. "Be back in a…"

The Einherjar's head twisted in confusion as the portal shimmered to life with a burst of static, a sickly orange color instead of the vibrant blue. Hesitantly, he ducked inside. The same strange aura stretched as far as he could see, some paths were still open as always while others were similarly discolored. It was as if a wall of crystal sealed off most of them leaving a scant few traversable.

Iggy, what…?

Those are pathways leading elsewhere, those open are all areas relatively close by. I cannot hear mother, perhaps the vampire's powers has sealed us within locations also affected by his Balance Breaker?

But his power didn't affect us before.

It has not affected us…only mother's domain to an extent.

Let's get back in that case, not much we can do without a plan.

Dorian returned to a war zone, ducking to avoid a blast of energy nearly taking his head off as soon as he dropped in. Despite having been gone only a few seconds, the meeting room was now littered with dozens of magician bodies with more fighting. Every single one was pierced by holy spears, the Governor-General standing over as clearly the one responsible. A few more were appearing within the barrier, clashing with Irina, Kiba and Xenovia defending their frozen friends.

A portal opened beside Dorian, a pair of invaders appearing with light bullets firing ahead of them. He didn't even need his gear; Dorian raised a hasty defensive seal to absorb the blow. After only a second or two the blasts rebounded, taking out the first of them much to the surprise of the second.

Is that it? Their magic isn't even in the same ballpark as Rose's.

The second magician raised their hand to perform a more powerful spell however stopped suddenly. His eyes rolled into the back of his head, revealing a battered and very pissed off looking squirrel hefting a giant acorn over his head.

"No peanuts on the ride here ya cheap prick?" He demanded, cracking the beaten sorcerer in the head again for good measure.

"Rat! How are you still moving?"

"Extraplanar being, remember? Time is funny around me and the others in Yggdrasil at the best of times." He chastised before leaping up to Dorian's shoulder and slumping on it in exhaustion. "The vampire trap is theirs alright. That Ona nutbar and her boss were there, ruffed me up good before Skilja got me outta dodge. Unfortunately when their little moment in time kicked in he wasn't so lucky, have you ever seen a raven frozen mid flight stuffed in a bush to hide him? Neither had I but it was damn funnier than I would have guessed. I had to bum a ride with one of these guys to make it the rest of the way!"

"Their numbers appear endless, but their individual strength is quite low," Azazel remarked as the last dropped. "Wish I knew how they were managing teleportation within a barrier designed by all of us, perhaps we have a little pigeon feeding information?"

A traitor, half the room thought at once.

"The vampire boy must be recovered before they find a way to augment his powers further and affect everyone…us included," Freyja remarked, healing those who had taken injury in the skirmish. "Mr. Held, you were unaffected by his powers before is that correct?"

"Right," Dorian confirmed. "But how can we reach the old school building through that?" He motioned towards the steady flow of magicians and devils outside testing the barrier.

"Castling," Rias announced immediately. "He is my servant, that makes him my responsibility to rescue. I have an unused rook piece in storage at the old school house."

"Switching locations between king and rook?" Sirzechs mused at his sister's strategy, recognizing the maneuver from chess. "Grayfia, can you swap her location?"

"I can Lord Sirzechs," his wife answered obediently, currently in the role of maid and nothing more. "We can muster enough energy for her and one other, no more."

"I'll go," Issei volunteered. "I'm pretty useless here to begin with. Gasper is my underclassman…I'll bring him back."

"In Tafl," Dorian interjected. "It takes two to capture an opposing piece. If a pair move as one they are easy to avoid and counter, but a third maneuvering around to pincer can go unnoticed. My roads seem to be restricted to places affected by Gasper's power," he looked to a nodding Ratatoskr who understood what was happening in them a bit more. "If you two can get in your way, I'll use my own and find Gasper."

"Don't think we'll just sit here and do nothing," Xenovia asserted, glancing to her friend Irina who after a brief hesitation smiled back.

"I knew the belief wasn't gone," she whispered under her breath only for Xenovia to hear. "We can begin this miracle of cooperation between groups early, amen."

"None of you are immune to the little guy's power, the closer you get the greater the chance your godhood or Holy Swords won't protect you," Azazel warned. "Best to stay here and help us clean house. I figure if we stay hunkered down long enough then their leaders will have to come out to do the dirty work themselves. Although," he looked over to Vali and Thrud. "Though I imagine if the White Dragon Emperor and Daughter of Thor took to the field they could really throw their ranks into chaos. What do ya say?"

"My strength alone is sufficient for that," Vali remarked dryly. "I do not need some girl…"

Gullbjorn sang, crashing through a nearby wall causing debris and smoke to fly past the White Dragon Emperor whose composure only faltered a moment in surprise. Thrud was arrayed in her full Valkyrie armor and winged gold circlet, hefting the legendary weapon over a shoulder already crackling with lightning.

"In that case, you won't mind letting the lady go first, I'd hate for all that strength to be wasted helping a little girl like me. We'll hold them here while you work," she gave a confident head-nod to Dorian before turning towards the breach.

Bikou let out a long impressed whistle, a blush spreading across his cheeks from how she spoke to his leader. Kuroka just chuckled at how he was acting. The two would remain in the meeting room in the likelihood of anymore teleports inside their defenses.

With a deafening blast, she took off shattering the ground beneath her. Taking flight, Thrud swiped her axe forward, causing an electrical shockwave that tore through an entire line of mages. Their bodies exploded in a shower of light, revealing their numbers were mostly magic-reinforced doppelgangers which explained their immense military force. With a renewed burst of energy, the daughter of thunder slammed Gullbjorn into the ground, rending the Earth asunder and all that stood before her.

New forces advanced to fill the gap only for a forked trail of white energy to rip through them, annihilating a full column.

VANISHING DRAGON: DIVINE DIVIDING, BALANCE BREAKER!

A now-winged Vali arrayed in the same armor he bore against Kokabiel swooped in, tanking dozens of magic bullets to seemingly no effect. The two were a force to be reckoned with, as Vali cleared the sky Thrud tore through those below. Their numbers continued to reinforce, however they could get no closer to the summit leaders protecting the frozen spectators and their own immobilized armies.

"Another Balance Breaker," Issei muttered, looking at his arm in defeat. "And here I'd need to sacrifice a limb to command mine like that for only ten seconds…"

"Well, that's bought us plenty of time," Azazel turned to Issei who had started assuring Rias that they would rescue Gasper. "For you Red Dragon Emperor…I have a little something."

"Keep everyone here safe," Dorian half-begged Xenovia and Rossweisse as he summoned Twilight Star, prepared to enter his unstable Roads. "Their magic is nothing compared to yours Rose," the adrenaline pumping through him caused his more casual name for her to come out despite the situation.

"You are the leader of the Crossroads," Xenovia smiled coyly. "It would be insubordination to do otherwise."

"Good luck," Rossweisse proclaimed loudly. "May the winds of fortune go with you in this." It took all her sense of propriety to not embrace him, instead laying a confident hand on his shoulder.

"I'll be right back; we've spent enough time apart." Dorian took her and, kissing it before leaping through his portal with his rodent guide in tow, with the time dilation he would arrive not long after Issei and Rias.

In a flash of light, the Gremory heiress and pawn vanished to be replaced with a powerless rook piece clacking to the ground signaling a successful swap. Only once she was gone did Sirzechs somewhat relax, letting the restrained worry for his sister show through. A gentle pat on his back from his beloved wife helped alleviate it somewhat.

"Is this why you have been gathering Sacred Gears?" Michael asked Azazel bluntly once the children had departed. "These mutual foes?"

"Not just to us," Azazel turned to Freyja and Rossweisse. "I believe our friends in the Old Satan Faction got some bigger allies of whom you are quite familiar with."

Freyja understood immediately, though Rossweisse did not until she uttered that familiar name that sent chills through her.

"The Khaos Brigade."

Almost as if the universe heard the thunder of anger in Freyja's chest, a whistling sound warped by unnatural means could be heard from outside the window. At quick glance, a crackling sphere of blackened purple energy was careening towards them focused on the immobilized participants. Akeno was the closest to the attack. Baraqiel moved faster than even Sirzechs or Azazel could have in that moment, putting himself between the attack and his daughter. All ten of his black wings expanded as he tapped into his full power.

The explosion detonated, reducing much of the building to splinters as the various observers worked to shield themselves. The leaders created an impenetrable bubble around who they could and quickly moved towards the defenseless students. They extended the field around them, but as the smoke cleared, Baraqiel was revealed. His feathers were scorched and twitching, the attack being far beyond even a ten-winged fallen angel to the point it reduced him to such a state. Freyja moved to quickly begin stabilizing him lest he pass away in that moment, so close was he to death all to protect his daughter.

"Such a united front from the leaders of all three factions," a condescending voice broke through the darkness followed by laughter. "And even an outsider deity, how utterly unsightly."

"Those with such impure blood and alliances are not fit to rule," came another beside her.

"The True Satans shall take their place at the thrones of Hell, to expand until all are beneath our shadow," echoed the final opponent.

A trio emerged from the destruction, led by a bespectacled woman with purple eyes and brown hair tied into a bun, standing where the wall of the new school building had once resided. She was tall with a figure that would have made Odin jealous and Issei blush. Her dress was so low-cut it boggled the mind how her impressive assets did not spill out for all to see, the attire of devils was a mystery to Freyja even then. The devil leader held a deceptively average-looking wooden scepter with a pulsating blood-red and magenta gem perched atop it clearly amplifying her already enormous power many times over.

Beside her was an admittedly handsome older man adorned in foreboding black armor and fur-shouldered black cloak flowing behind. He had respectably-lengthy brown hair matching his eyes though the right was often covered by its tangled nature. He appeared the calmest of the three, though the killing intent was obvious.

Lastly, the third had a pale-grey complexion and wore a black and red tunic of high quality, no doubt the attire of a high borne who sought so show off that fact wherever he went. His hair was immaculately styled into a black pony-tail nearly hiding his pointed ears which contrasted with his deep violet eyes. Almost in perfect counter to the other man, his face was warped in anger and frustration without subtlety.

The three silhouettes were utterly terrifying as twelve devil wings could clearly be seen looming around each of them brimming with power and malice.

"I see you all have been busy," Sirzechs spoke first, recognizing the former denizens of Hell. "Katerea Leviathan, Shalba Beelzebub, and Creuserey Asmodeus…whatever have you each been up to these many years?

The familiar enemy makes their move on the summit with an attack that renders our heroes most well-laid plans useless. Dorian and the others move to free Gasper and lift the moment frozen in time from their friends. As they do, foes far beyond their comprehension seek to finish the task to shatter any hope of peace among the warring religion. As Always, I hope everyone Reads and Reviews...but most of all Enjoys! :D