IluLugal: They are both pretty great :D I am glad you've been liking my portrayal of them. Indeed, Katerea is WAY over her head.

FateBurn: Thank you.

Namedarknss: Thank you, I hope you like this one ;)

AJR333: Good eye ;) , lol, I don't really see Dorian and Rosswiesse as the type to start "shagging" right away considering their relationship isn't even official yet XD They are both much more focused on showing their feelings first.

tamagat: Considering he is strong enough to face an 8-winged Fallen Angel in his balance breaker, he is very strong considering how long he's been an Einherjar. If he were too strong the battles would have no weight. Yggdrasil is accommodating, but too much time training to fight in the roads can risk damaging the paths…which take a VERY long time to regrow. In a true emergency she may have a different outlook, however…

Jwebb96: You know her so well XD

FireFox614: Well, no spoilers…but she is keeping something a secret…however it is not something in terms of being ready for Dorian or not. Rather, it is something more personal to herself she was referring to. In terms of the future nightmare she is as much in the dark as Dorian, though her case is more out of fear of the truth than ignorance. And I agree, all the fluff to bring up the tones after serious conflicts. :D

Ronmr: I do have the particular arc it occurs in planned…the time away all depends whether I go Loki or Diodora arcs first.

Hollowreaper 93: I am so glad you liked his signature move, he finally got one to use XD Thank you for appreciating the title I went with, that can be the trickiest part of an update lo.

Grimraven V: That…means so much to hear you say that :D You do me too much honor at such words

Fish on Land: You are very welcome! And that is fair, the anime version would need cleaned up if I went that route.

Slayer Cross: That was one of the trickier parts to write, keeping it interesting without having a one-sided battle in either direction. Wou…truly a word for the ages XD

naruto: If she were still fighting, he likely would have killed her at need. However, he saw how broken and shocked she was, he wouldn't kill an opponent on their knees. Healing is not currently a power of one of the 9 realms. You may be thinking of the fires of Hestia he learned when Iggy linked with Olympian magic, but that only replenishes stamina and lifts exhaustion slowly, it does not heal physical injuries.

ahsoei: Thank you for your input :) though I do ask no spoilers for Avengers as I have not gotten to see it and it is possible others have not as well.

fanficcyberman: Exactly one year old today! Bringing a smile to people's faces is one thing that brings me true joy, it makes me happy beyond words it has done so for you since chapter 1 :D You are VERY welcome!

GunBlade2019: Such is the burden of being a protagonist lol, always needing to keep up with those that seek to destroy your happiness. Thank you very much for your kind words!

OBSERVER01: Lol, finally Katerea met someone who shows her that all her power isn't as unbeatable as she assumed.

StraxyX: In record time too, welcome to the latest chapter. We've been expecting you XD

Guest: I am so glad you enjoyed it so much up to this point. I hope to hold your interest for another 39 chapters to come lol.

I wanted to also thank everyone who put a vote towards the next order of the arcs. It is appreciated as both routes have merit and I love hearing my fan's input. I will consider during my downtime after the arc on which flows best.

And with that…ONTO THE SHOW!

Bikou swung his staff, barely noticing the time dilation seizing his body and then releasing. The blow had been calculated perfectly, he and the absolute vision of perfection before him would strike each other at the same time for a titanic clash. He didn't care about the pain, he welcomed it as he got another chance to trade blows with the woman who had hidden among the Norse pantheon his whole life. The current Monkey King's confidence dropped when suddenly, as if in an instant, his staff adjusted itself and passed harmlessly over her head, missing completely. In return, Thrud's axe buried itself in his chest, his armor preventing it from entering his sternum by the smallest fraction of a hair's breadth. He dropped his staff, slamming into the wall behind him with the axe still buried in his breastplate.

"Guess you got sloppy," she remarked, taking a breather though resting a hand on her hip to maintain an aura of superiority.

"That I did, that I…" Bikou coughed, releasing a quick spurt of blood as each breath allowed him to feel the blade of Gullbjorn pressing against him. The axe may not have pierced his flesh, but he felt the full impact all the same. "I suppose I must have been blinded by your radiance…"

Thrud held out a hand, summoning Gullbjorn back to her grip, wrenching it from the mangled steel and cutting off his latest attempt to woo her. Bikou's works sputtered into a pained groan that lessened as the pressure abated, leaving him slumped against the rubble weakly.

"Another round?" She asked, leaning down towards him while keeping a distance in case he had any other tricks up his sleeve.

"Ya know what," he sighed, trying to keep his own composure despite his situation. "I think I might sit this one out, a bit winded, got a headache, not really in the mood just yet." Even as beaten as he was, he still kept the coy remarks.

"It happens to everyone, one out of five men from what I've heard," Thrud provided some merciful retort, keeping Gullbjorn trained on him while looking back to survey the rest of the battlefield.

To her joy, Gasper's Balance Breaker had lifted from the entire area, freeing the trapped attendants to the Peace Summit. Sona had rallied her peerage and with Michael's entire squad of exorcists were already pouring out of the rubble of the school building. She smiled as Hecuba took the lead, shield deflecting their spells as Bennia harassed their flanks unpredictably in their bid to reach the other three who continued their advance, Ratatoskr cheering from Xenovia's shoulders the whole time.

They assailed the various magicians, several already noticing the glowing aura of those marked by Rossweisse's spell and targeting them first. The Old Satan Faction's troops could not hope to repel them; it took a moment for her to realize that Rias' peerage had not yet taken to the fight…

Inside the Rubble…

"Wh-what happened?" Akeno shook her head, glancing about to see Asia doing the same while trying to determine what had occurred. Only once her vision had focused did she see a familiar ten-wing fallen angel resting at her feet being watched over by his now-freed attendant.

"My lord took grave injury," Zepar explained while adjusting his glasses. "He intercepted a blast meant for you at the start of the battle without hesitation according to Lord Sirzechs before he departed for the battle. If my lord had not acted you would have been vaporized, and were it not for the Lady Freyja he would not have survived himself."

Akeno's eyes widened as she glanced back towards her father Baraqiel, lowering down to kneel beside him.

He wouldn't do that, he…isn't that kind of man, Akeno tried to convince herself of those words. For the first time since her mother's death, she failed to do so.

Her parent's union had been condemned by her mother's side, the Himejima Clan, who thought she was brainwashed. So many times they tried to end it, only for all to fail in the face of the love they shared. Somehow former allies of her family had found out where they lived and one day while Baraqiel was away attacked, killing her mother Shuri in the process. Akeno had blamed him for not defending her mother, for being away when it happened, for everything…she had to if only to cope with her loss. Over the years, that hatred caused her to push him away at every turn until she was taken into the Gremory family at barely the age of 11, meeting a young Rias and beginning her new life.

"Regardless of your beliefs Lady Akeno," Zepar spoke politely and to the point, ever told by Baraqiel to do so if he conversed with her. "Your father loves you dearly; it pained him for years that you wandered the world while shunning his aid. His joy was beyond words when you found a home in the Gremory Clan which he could not give you after your mother's passing."

"And you believed this when he told you?"

"He never said a word, there was no need to."

Something in Akeno's mind changed at those words, her blind anger at Baraqiel cooled for a moment as Dorian's words resurfaced. With them came old memories she had buried, her father and mother playing with her together, sharing a bath while laughing, so much she wished for more of yet stopped sinfully short. Falling to her knees, she laid a soft hand on his head, wiping away a bang along with beads of sweat as he stirred in his restless sleep.

I…can't face him, not yet. It was that Dorian that had him here in the first place. If he hadn't been…

"I-," she hesitated as Zepar looked at Rias' Queen. "I will sit with him, until the battle is over and ensure he is not attacked further. It would not do for a representative at this Summit to come to harm."

Zepar let a smile escape his lips so subtle they could not even tell if it was there for certain, the first any had seen since he arrived from Grigori territory. He let out a soft nod to Akeno who once more stroked her father's face with clearly restrained worry and conflicted thoughts.

"I am sure, that is all he would ask for most of all Lady Akeno. "You may watch over him, and I shall watch over you." His four wings unfurled menacingly to deal with any potential threat. "Fear not, I will not say a word of this act when Lord Baraqiel wakes unless you deem it so. To break your confidence would shatter my lord's in me."

At the Main Fight…

Katerea stumbled back coughing blood. She had foregone all boasts of superiority after Freyja broke her arm and buried a blade in her gut. Three of her wings were gone, twitching stumps all that remained, her power utterly sapped including that received from their would-be dragon god Ophis.

Azazel had long since left the fight to her as he approached and tinkered with the staff Katerea had started with. He was fascinated by it, a strange red gem emanating power he did not recognize, which was a new but welcomed feeling for him. It thrummed with incredible power as he knew it should, considering what a single blast had done to his friend Baraqiel. His strength was still sapped from Vali's attack and he was useless in the matches above at his current power level.

Hmmmm, he contemplated. No magic I've ever seen of the three factions nor even of the Norse people. Greek, Hindu, Shinto? No, it doesn't feel right. If only I had a few hours to look it over.

"Speak quickly any final prayers in your mind," Freyja boomed towards the Leviathan as her wings extended to their full length and she closed the distance for a final change. "For I shall give no further reprieves."

"My death is worth taking the Queen of Asgard with me!"

Katerea roared with manic desperation as her right arm suddenly stretched, extending forward and coiling around Freyja's own like a snake. It squeezed tightly, causing the goddess to flinch, immediately bringing her rainbow blade down upon it again and again though each was as ineffective as the last beyond minor bruising.

"Not even you can break my skin in this state before my body becomes a bomb and detonates. We shall see your husband's reaction to such a fate."

Freyja scowled, her blood-haze lifting as she thought fast. Her swords were the mightiest instrument of war on her in that moment. Based on Katerea's words she did not have time before the devil exploded, taking Freyja and who knew who else with her. The Asgardian Queen's wings unfurled further, attempting to drag the Old Satan leader up into the sky.

Of course one such as them would have a final contingency. If I cannot save myself, at least I can drag her skybound to protect…

"Your love of other life including my own is appreciated your Ladyship, but perhaps you could give this old bastard a shot to not be totally useless in this fight."

The two women turned, only then spotting Azazel holding aloft the scepter, Katerea's eyes widening as she never imagined it could be used so quickly. Pushing his Balance Breaker to its limits, Azazel channeled his focus into the gem, dispersing his armor. The jewel burst into light, amplifying the energy dangerously so it focused on the pair, he'd not had enough time to analyze it as much as he would have liked. Planting his feet, Azazel fired the instrument of unknown design toward its former wielder.

The crackling funnel thundered through the air, dispersing the smoke and air along its path as a sonic boom followed close behind. The energy was a deep purple swirling within black and unlike other attacks it did not shine, rather the opposite as it appeared to absorb light around it. The emission of eldritch power focused like a laser, cutting clean through Katerea's "unbreakable" arm as it surpassed even the power of the gods, freeing Lady Freyja from her suicide attack.

The Grigori Governor-General looked down as the staff clattered to the floor leaving a now-sizzling stump that was once his left arm. The magics had been unpredictable, raw, shifting in an unknown spectrum that he did not understand. It had been simple enough for him to determine how to cause the energy to spike, but would take far longer to do it safely.

The original Leviathan descendant fell back with a scream, blood dripping from her scorched stump. She was utterly tapped; broken bones, bruises and slashes littered her body, the formerly proper and tied brown hair now disheveled and unkempt. Her eyes glowed red, burning the feelings of absolutely rage and hatred into her opponents, especially the Goddess Freyja who still seemed barely winded beside a few scuffs on her armor, such was the gap in power. Despite these crippling disadvantages, she grinned with some petty satisfaction at the realization of the cost Azazel had paid firing her unstable weapon.

"What a…," she hacked painfully, hiding internal injury. "Pitiful sight you are, you couldn't even finish me."

"Of course not," falling to a knee in exhaustion, Azazel acted strangely nonchalant about his lost arm to remain tough in front of his enemies before cauterizing it with a seal. "Lady Freyja had you WELL in hand; I just couldn't help but notice the placement between yourself and your 'allies."

Katerea spun at the understanding of his words. Sure enough, behind her Serafall Leviathan wrestled with Creuserey Asmodeus slowly losing her initial burst advantage. The strange beam produced by her staff which had nearly killed Baraqiel in a single blast now made a straight line for the two exhausted Satans with only Serafall positioned to see it coming.

"This is for what you did to Kat-chan!" The current Leviathan kicked gracefully off her opponent with a wink to safety like the magical girls she adored watching.

The Old Satan turned too late for it to be of any use, his features warping into a silent scream of frustration, rage and terror all rolled into one. The light consumed him in a flash, the tunnel of destructive, shifting darkness passing through the devil with ease. In his exhausted, wounded state his natural aura could not protect him. The attack kept going, striking the barrier above, actually succeeding in causing a crack to form despite the monumental effort made in its creation. When the void abated, all that remained of the would-be ruler of Hell was black ash falling from the sky like snow along with a pair of dark wings that had been outside the blast's circumference.

"CREUSEREY!" Katerea shrieked, realizing what had just happened as the would-be ruler ceased to exist. She was blinded by her utter anguish at how quickly their plans had spiraled. "Sacrifice every limb you have, I will not rest until…"

Katerea's eyes went white as the next breath was driven from her lungs; Shalba Beelzebub had appeared out of nowhere, delivering a titanic blow to her gut which shook the air. Without another word, she slumped forward into him.

"Know when you are beaten and fight another day," he whispered to her softly a moment before she lost consciousness. With an unexpected gentleness, he lifted her in his arms, only then revealing his maimed, bleeding right eye from Michael's attack.

"You won't get awa…"

"Pursue us, or help your 'ally,' you have no time for both." Shalba motioned over towards Michael lying battered and unmoving not far. The new Beelzebub had dominated their fight as fatigue set in. Victory would have been all but assured, were it not for his move to forestall his ally's death at the realization their goal was now impossible.

Freyja stared him down, fingers clenching tightly around her blades. She was fully prepared to rush forward and cut his head off; Michael would need to fend for hims…

No, his life is more important. Don't ever think like that again.

Sheathing her blades, Freyja maneuvered around the pair, moving towards the defeated archangel, her hands preemptively glowing with restorative magic.

"Your hold on the underworld is weak Sirzechs," he remarked to the pair of leaders not far. "The thrones shall be in their rightful hands in due time. Gather whatever allies you like, and we shall do the same in kind. If devil kind will not accept their true rulers, then all shall be laid to waste in our place."

Not waiting for a reply, a bubbling pool of black opened beneath them, Shalba and Katerea sinking down into its depths.

"Stop!" Serafall cried out, firing a burst of energy into the retreating duo. A moment before the attack would have connected, a swarm of previously unseen bees gathered between them, taking the hit at the expense of all their lives. These ones were significantly larger than the normal breed, a demonic aura of strength emanating from them supplied by their master to shield their master from harm.

That old power of the Beelzebubs, Sirzechs mused internally. He recognized the family trait of that dynasty to command any family of bees with whom they were mysteriously linked. That moment of delay was all they needed to fully retreat, the puddle evaporating to prevent pursuit.

"Tch," Serafall groaned in frustration as she lowered to the ground, only now revealing the onset of utter exhaustion as she collapsed to her knees. Lady Freyja was stabilizing Michael who yet lived; neglecting to remove her blood-stained armor as she quickly healed his wounds. "Did we win?"

"Very nearly," Sirzechs glanced off to the brilliant explosions being watched by his sister who had not taken her eyes from the struggle. "The clash of dragons yet continues…"

Across the field…

"I'll just boost the energy going in and out of your wings until they can't handle anymore!" Issei roared, grabbing ahold of each of the White Dragon Emperor's wings with a secure grip, refusing to let go.

During their battle, resulting in the entire area being scarred as the leaders fought not far, Issei had realized the power of his rival White Dragon. Albion halved power to feed his own, channeling it through the wings on his back. Upon realizing a forward confrontation would get him nowhere and dwindling time on Azazel's device for temporarily unleashing his Balance Breaker, Issei had taken a step back to find an alternative to win. Against a usual brute-force reaction, he had come up with the current strategy of his own…overloading the radiant wings of Vali's Sacred Gear.

BOOST! BOOST! BOOST!

Issei's plan was a success, the stolen power bleeding out of the wings, leaving Vali powerless for a moment as the Dividing Gear reset to zero. Taking advantage in that instant, Issei buried a fist with Ascalon extended into Vali's gut. The blade shattered his Balance Breaker utterly, heralding a gush of blood from his opponent's mouth as blue and green shards rained from the sky, the gems across his armor shattered to pieces. Despite the injury, Vali could only chuckle as he wiped a trickle of blood from his chin.

"You blew my Balance Breaker away. See, I told you it could be done if you just tried."

"That…was for the crack about killing my parents," Issei panted, exhausted from all the boosts. "If you do that again I'll…"

His heart sank as Vali stood back to his feet, his Dividing Gear Balance Breaker instantly reconstituting itself back to full power.

[It was a good effort] Ddraig sighed to his wielder. [But it won't work that way, overload it all you want but it will merely reset. This fight will not end until one of you can no longer lift a fist.]

Damnit! There has to be something we can do!

[Nothing, your time limit is nearly up and the gap between your strength on the whole is large. You should retreat and…]

"I won't!" The devil pawn roared in frustration. "If I leave, that bastard will…" He looked over to Rias within the barrier her brother made before heading to assist the others before panning to his other friends back at the school building ruins fighting for their lives. He could barely stand, the wounds from his previous back and forth with Vali catching up to him as the adrenaline abated. "He said he would kill my family and the others if I failed. I won't back down even if it kills me!"

"It was more interesting than I thought Hyoudou Issei," Vali sighed, his new armor just as strong as the other, even his shattered gems were already remade. "But if that is the extent of your resolve…"

The white-blue wings flared as the renewed power within them spiked, the White Dragon Emperor took off towards his weakened opponent. His Balance Breaker radiated with light, preparing to halve Issei again and again until he could not stand.

A resounding clash of metal on metal shattered the air as a mass of swirling green intercepted the strike, Vali's ivory fist impacting a shield of dazzling gold and silver.

"You?" He asked before pain assaulted his shoulder. The blade of an extended spear sheathed in holy light nearly the equal of Ascalon pierced his armor and bones near the collar.

"Goldie?"

Dorian had dropped down between them to halt Vali's advance, falling to a knee as pain spiked through his ankle though Rossweisse's seal held the bones in place. Twilight Star extended, the Einherjar having assumed a defensive posture not dissimilar from the formidable shield-wall of Hecuba's Spartans. It was a tactic he had witnessed her use many times and, though he was one man, was enough to block the advancing Dragon Emperor's attack.

"You would interfere with our battle?" Vali's face darkened at the newcomer, gripping his new injury with a free hand to staunch the bleeding. "Heaven and Hell themselves quaked beneath the Heavenly Dragon's rivalry. How dare you come between us?"

"Heaven and Hell maybe," Dorian stared him down. "But they never picked a fight with Asgard, and you lost any right to an honorable fight when you involved threatening innocents. Issei, can you still continue?"

"Of course, it's not like I can let you take all the credit!" The Red Dragon Emperor took a stance beside him; twin Balance Breaker armors shining in the light of the glimmering gems. With a grunt of determination, Issei slammed his fists together in preparation for the united front against the White Dragon.

"This isn't how our fight was meant to be," Vali looked truly angered by what he saw as interference, ruining the long-awaited rivalry he had planned in his mind for years. "The White fights the Red, which is how it has always been. Yggdrasil has no place, though I will gladly prove my superiority over you before finishing with him. I only needed to touch you once to assure your defeat…" Vali raised a gauntleted fist, opening it towards him and flexing his fingers in a familiar fashion. Dorian groaned as he fully realized what he was doing.

DIVIDE!

Not far…

Rossweisse spun, gripping the light rook hard she threw her full speed toward her waiting sister. Kuroka raised her arms, senjutsu augmenting her strength enough to block the attack, spinning to catch Koneko in her gut with a kick. She grunted in pain as the heel dug into her stomach but was able to land on her feet. The two had been covering each other's backs as the battle continued, Koneko on the frontlines with Rossweisse in the back. They were doing well, though between Koneko's youth and lack of experience compared to her sister and Rossweisse's ailment, they were losing ground.

"You'll never touch me like that little sis," Kuroka leaned forward, swishing her tail in a mocking tone. "You could always try something with a little more…kick," she grinned at the obvious pun.

"I won't," Koneko clenched her fists so tightly Rossweisse could make out the shaking. "I won't become like you. What you did…"

"Was necessary, such is the burden of being the bigger sister. It pains me that you have hidden away who you truly are."

"I'm not…"

Koneko turned as Rossweisse fell to a knee beside her. Her complexion had paled, she was sweating profusely and pupils were dilated. It may have taken longer to spread, but Kuroka's mist was doing its work. The secret Nekotama caught the thrifty Valkyrie as she slumped forward, all strength drained.

"I…I can't," was all Rossweisse could utter before she fell silent. Koneko gently lowered her down as she looked over her, mind scrambling on what she could do.

"I guess my mist was better than I thought," Kuroka sneered. "She won't last until your leaders can make it over. You might as we…"

Kuroka spotted the tears in her sister's eyes and stopped talking. She maintained her aura of smug aloofness; however behind it all was the clawing sense of regret. Not that either of those who could have seen it had to skill to interpret its meaning.

"Rossweisse," Koneko whispered low, gripping her hands powerfully. She remembered how she had been there to help defeat Freed, giving Kiba a sense of peace he had not known in years. She was forever grateful to her and her allies, willing to go further than she had in a long time. "Please don't be scared of me."

The delirious Valkyrie didn't get a chance to ask her meaning before, quite unexpectedly, a pair of white cat ears popped into being atop the rook's head with matching tail emerging from beneath her skirt. It all suddenly made sense; Koneko was indeed one of the near-extinct Nekotama, a subspecies of the Nekoshou cat-youkai. She must have been suppressing her power, hiding her ears and tail as well as the aura about her indicative of her people. With the partial release of her form, Koneko's hands started to glow as she quickly placed them upon Rossweisse's chest.

Senjutsu? She can do it as well? Rossweisse weakly thought, recognizing the simple healing technique she was performing. She felt better at first, only for her vision to blur again a moment later, nearly losing consciousness.

"You are out of practice, if you ever knew it," Kuroka waltzed over fully assured of her safety. "You can heal but not purify yet. You'll be at that all day fighting my poison…or until you pass out."

Koneko ignored the true words, even as Kuroka approached directly beside her she would not acknowledge her, instead focusing all she had to help Rossweisse. It was a losing battle as her sister had stated, as she made progress the poison sapped it all away. Despite this knowledge of the futility of her actions, she would not stop, hoping to buy time until the others could arrive.

"Working so hard," Kuroka mused, glancing between her sister and the Valkyrie. Sweat was already breaking out on Koneko's brow as the effort was far greater than normal when in conflict with the mist. "Is she really worth it?"

"I won't be like you," she replied quickly without looking away, tears threatening to fall. "I won't, I never wanted to use my powers again, but if I have to it will be to help someone else and not to take a life whatever the reason."

Koneko's back was turned, but Rossweisse, even through the haze, saw Kuroka's face soften uncharacteristically. She quickly recomposed herself, groaning with a huff of utter annoyance and frustration as she rubbed the back of her head.

"This is painful to watch," she knelt down beside Koneko, placing a hand over hers. "I'll give you one more lesson little Shirone, but you owe me for this. You have to focus on the poison, not the patient. Use the energy to find the foreign particles and…"

The light from Koneko's hands flared as she unconsciously remembered Kuroka's words as a little girl and adjusted per her sister's instructions. Rossweisse's pale complexion lessened as the senjutsu worked its magic and her skin lit up pink once more. It was slow, and the white-eared Nekotama was still getting back into the rhythm, but the Allfather's bodyguard was stabilizing.

"Th-thank…"

"Don't you dare," Kuroka cut off Rossweisse's words with a snide head turn. "I wouldn't be much of a big sister if I let Shirone embarrass herself using our powers. As soon as this is over, we'll be right back to vying for your dashing Einherjar's bed." She prefaced her statement with a coy wink.

"That is…none of your…," she started but was still weak from the effort as her body fought the vestiges of the poison mist within her. Rather than giving Kuroka the satisfaction of seeing her flustered, she leaned back, pondering what kind of person the Nekotama-devil was.

She poisoned me, but she saved me? Hide it however she likes, her feelings for her sister are stronger than anything else. Dorian won't believe it when I tell him, that the allies of the White Dragon Emperor were not all wholly on the side of chaos.

Back at the main battlefield….

Dorian slid backwards as Vali impacted his shield again, bending the steel backwards even further. It became obvious that, as he could halve someone's power, the White Dragon Emperor could also have the size, density and strength of materials. As The Einherjar grew weaker and weaker, so too did all his equipment save for Twilight Star whose impossible status seemed to grant resistance.

He and Issei had taken up a unified front against the traitorous dragon, Dorian covering him as Issei's anger towards his threatened parents fueled him with little inclusion for strategy or tactics. They clashed again and again, Issei holding strong thanks to his Boosted Gear offsetting the Divide. Dorian was not so fortunate and grew weaker with each push. He lost count if his power had been cut in half three or four times before a renewed blast from Vali sent him plummeting to the Earth, shattering the ground and sending a renewed surge of pain through his broken ankle and straining bones. He could not stand and Issei fell beside him amid the broken fragments of Vali's first overloaded Balance Breaker.

Dorian quickly erected a shield of Hel ice to reinforce his collapsing steel, falling into a Spartan phalanx posture once again. In a moment of desperation, he contemplated if evaporating it into the nightmarish mists would stop him but quickly dismissed the thought unless all hope was gone. The idea of unleashing that force again on purpose turned his stomach.

[The armband is nearly spent partner] Ddraig warned Issei as he landed beside Dorian. [As long as we have a time limit, we can never beat Albion, not yet.]

"I'm too weak again, just like always," the Red Dragon Emperor groaned in frustration. Vali's dividing powers had become a moot point against him as Ddraig doubled his powers to keep up and was making progress, too slow unfortunately as his timer would run out long before he grew strong enough to challenge the White Dragon alone.

"I'm the one dragging you down," Dorian lamented, fully realizing that after so many divides he would be unable to scratch Vali even if he could land a blow. "That damned ability of his, if only…"

A crunching sound like glass caused Dorian to look down; he had stepped on broken pieces of the azure orbs that adorned Vali's white armor. It had broken away and was slowly crumbling into dust, no doubt within the hour each fragment would cease to exist.

That would be a good idea, right?

Iggy, back at Olympus you absorbed a bit of ichor to increase our power. And the light spears entered the gauntlet to give you the knowledge to use the holy element. Could the same work with that?

I do not know. I normally gleam my insight through studying the home realm of the magics I encounter. Heavenly Dragons do not have such a home that I am aware; I am uncertain how easily I could interpret it from an individual…

If you have any other alternatives I am welcome to them…but I trust you Iggy. If anyone can figure out something it would be you.

There was silence before a sudden surge of determination and courage passed over Dorian through Iggy's own emotions. She was prepared to try.

Place the shard upon the gem.

Dorian complied, setting the piece onto the back of his palm being watched by Vali and Issei. As if the gem itself were made of liquid, the fragment of Vali's power sunk into its depths and disappeared from sight. Vali's face warped in anger at the action.

"You dare to try and steal my power?" His aura flared, kicking off the ground so enraged he did not even try to halve Dorian again. Instead, the only thought in his mind was to blast the daughter of Yggdrasil's wielder from existence despite Albion's internal protests.

"Don't forget me you bastard!" Issei slammed into Vali, pushing him far back and giving Dorian the room he needed as he fell to a knee, focusing hard.

It's been weeks since Olympus, we don't have time to analyze it too much Iggy. Can you get anything from it?

Pride, she answered briefly. So much pride in himself and his wielders, ages of possessors since he was sealed by the God of the Bible. Their magic is…distant from the understanding of the realms I have visited. I cannot mimic its power without much time of contemplation, if at all.

Then we're sunk? He asked with a heavy sigh.

I would never give up on us so easily Dorian; she almost sounded a little hurt at his insinuation. But like one who can understand a language, yet not speak it, I believe I can interpret why his power acts the way it does…

As Dorian and Iggy conversed, Issei was struck full in the gut, cracking his armor, driving a distance between him and Vali.

"So this is the extent of your dedication to your friends and family?" He asked with a snide remark that assuredly hid a disappointed face beneath the helmet. "With such pitiful motivation, it is no wonder you are the weakest Red Dragon Emperor in history.

"Nah, he just needs a bit more motivation."

The Heavenly Dragons turned as Azazel and Rias called to him, the fallen angel one arm short though he breathed a sigh of relief that Rias was unharmed. He actually looked happy at Vali's words, knowing exactly what to say.

"That Dimensional Dividing," Azazel referred to the attack which had reduced Dorian's indomitable shield to flimsy metal by dividing its mass and density. "Reduces anything it hits by half. Can you imagine the crime against beauty when Vali decides to turn that weapon on your President's breasts?"

"What?" Rias asked dumbfounded, clearly not having been privy to his plan. "What are you sa…?"

Issei had gone white, eyes wide with absolute terror as the outcome presented by the Grigori leader passed through his mind again and again. Rias had the second largest chest of anyone he knew after Akeno, and the idea that they would be reduced smaller than perfection meant…

"You…YOU BASTARD!" Issei screamed, the dying embers of his Balance Breaker reigniting into an inferno as his aura spiked, releasing a tidal wave of energy forcing Azazel to shield Rias from its torrents of power. "I'll protect the President's breasts from you!"

Vali's mouth opened to say something, only for Issei to seemingly teleport beneath him, uppercutting with strength impossible for him a moment before.

BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST!

"For the President's boobs!" He punched Vali, cracking his armor slightly. "For Asia's which are still growing!" He delivered a powerful right hook. "All the others of our team who one day I will make sure to see no matter how hard Goldie blocks me, even those in his impenetrable tower!"

With each proclamation, Issei's strength boosted and grew. After a few hits, Vali spit up blood, amazed by the gargantuan growth in his opponent out of nowhere.

This must strength…for something so ridiculous?

"Akeno's are the largest, but half would still be a sin! And Koneko's are so small that…"

Issei's rage was halted as Vali seized his fist, managing to stop his rampage though it was clear he struggled to restrain the blow.

"That hurt, but I am still stronger," he kneed Issei hard, shattering his helmet and driving him to the ground once more with a double-fist overhanded blow. He sighed with relief upon realizing that despite the considerable power-up, Issei was still below him. "At least you made this a more interesting fight."

Vali held out a hand, releasing the same white lightning he had torn apart waves of magicians with toward the still-recovering Issei blinded by rage. The devil pawn crossed his arms in a feeble defense as the blast impacted, sending out a plume of smoke as the energy exploded around him. A second attack followed while he was on the defensive.

DIVIDE!

"Issei!" Rias called out but Azazel held her back, for a moment he looked worried that his plan had failed, but only until the smoke cleared.

REBOUND!

A shockwave parted the dust, striking Vali in the chest. He immediately felt weaker, clutching a flickering blue gem as his face contorted in anger upon the realization that the power that struck him was his own. Between Issei and he was Dorian, Laerad Ragnarok rotated to the swirling ice-blue of Hel but within lay a deeper azure color matching Vali's. His mask was half broken, a single eye staring up with determination, Twilight Star raised and ready to fight.

"You again?" DIVIDE!

A pulse of energy echoed out from Vali's outstretched hand, passing over Dorian and Issei. Issei was halved, though his near-constant boosts lessened the effects once more. Dorian, on the other hand, raised his shield once more, the word REBOUND booming in his voice and Iggy's as the attack flew back at its creator who only narrowly avoided it.

"How…how did you do this?"

"By learning," Dorian raised his weapon high. "Moving forward by fighting smarter and harder rather than choosing one over the other. Anything can be understood if effort is made, I can't divide you, but neither can you divide me any longer as long as I use this shield. You WILL fight me as you are."

"That cannot be all that makes you so interesting to her; the infinite Ouroboros Dragon is not so easily impressed."

The Ouroboros? Is there anyone else with a weird fascination in me, what is going on?

"In any case, you are pathetic as you are," Vali pointed out. "Divided so many times already, dealing with you and returning to my true battle will be a simple…"

TRANSFER!

Issei's hand on Dorian's shoulder sent a surge of new strength into the Einherjar, returning him to very nearly how he had been at the battle's beginning. With only an acknowledging head nod, Dorian launched himself, Issei beside him with Ascalon drawn, face gritting with anger over the perceived threat Vali posed to the women in his life.

Vali responded in kind, smashing into Dorian whose strength groaned beneath the Dragon's fury yet held. Jabbing over his shield, he slashed across the white and blue wings. As the traitor pushed forward, about to break his defenses, Issei was there, Ascalon biting into the gut of Albion's wielder. Vali whirled about, going for his rival only to be caught in the side with a blast of fire from a seal Dorian had conjured right before Issei nearly landed another right hook. As it seemed his rage would consume him, the White Dragon Emperor leapt to a safe distance, breathing deep.

"You are both still beneath me, I just need to calm down. Even together, I hold the advantage."

"Not as long as their breasts are at risk!" Issei roared, eliciting a slight sigh of embarrassment from Dorian. For the moment, however, he held his tongue if it helped them win. "I don't care how high you are above me, NO ONE threatens them!"

Issei took off fueled purely by willpower, awful though its source. His punch was intercepted, releasing a shockwave of energy and air. With his composure restored, Vali pushed back, slamming both feet into his chest and sending him careening to the ground. In that moment, Dorian took advantage of the opening, thrusting forward with his weapon, only for it to be knocked aside. Even weaponless, Dorian rammed his opponent in the gut, knocking the wind from him while they flew through the air.

"You are the sapling of another power, not worthy to face a Heavenly Dragon."

"Worth or not doesn't matter," Dorian wrapped tendrils of Yggdrasil around their wrists to prevent easy escape. "If you could do as you pleased, people die, I won't allow that..."

By some horrific twist of fate, Dorian got a clear field of vision across the battlefield as they tumbled together, spotting Rossweisse far in the distance lying prostrate on the ground. Her skin looked sickly, Koneko and Kuroka standing over her hands pressed upon her breast.

"Ro…"

Vali slammed his hands together on the sides of Dorian's neck, causing a gasp of blood through a pained gasp and dripping from his nose. Still tethered together, Albion's wielder started viciously pummeling his opponent, each blow cracking his Balance Breaker and echoing in their ears with a resounding boom.

"You forgot about me!" Issei cried, bringing both fists clasped together onto Vali. The force shredded even Yggdrasil's bindings, freeing the two and driving Vali into the ground once more. Despite their efforts, he got to his feet again.

"So annoying," Vali groaned, standing strong yet clearly pained by his injuries. "This is not how our fated struggle was supposed to…"

As he hit the ground, Vali realized that an unnatural fog had rolled in; blanketing the ground like a cloud had drifted down from above. The unfamiliar mist obscured his vision, causing him to wave his hand, failing to notice one of Dorian's gems had shifted to a ghostly white-grey. Within a matter of seconds, all were hidden within its depths.

"Well this is just great," Issei groaned as he sought their opponent. "How are we supposed to find him before my timer runs out?"

Dorian smiled as he clenched a fist, in an instant the fog parted to form a small bubble around them, leaving them in a field of clear air. In response to his action, his swordspear soared into his hands, gripped tightly with purpose.

"Chemistry Issei, we had a test on it last week don't you remember?" Dorian remarked with a wink as Twilight Star split into a trident crackling with Olympian lightning. "Niphelheim's mists are extraordinarily high in moisture." Using a portion of his remaining strength, he reformed the helmet acting as a blast shield over his eyes, Issei quickly followed suit just in time.

The blast of lightning struck the clouds, conducting them magnificently as all within the swirling confines were shrouded in the electrical energy. The following thunder shattered the eardrums of those closest but they withstood it, ignoring the deafening ringing. The earthbound cloud lit up visible from across the battlefield as the cascading poured through the lone occupant within with the force that would reduce a normal man to a blackened husk. Thrud gave Bikou his reprieve as she watched, Kuroka and Koneko doing the same over a stabilizing Rossweisse who did her best to twist her head in its direction. The wounded, exhausted faction leaders rushed that way immediately, realizing the battle was not yet done. Dorian maintained the energy as long as he could until he was forced to cease the attack, leaning forward onto his weapon with a huff of exhaustion.

"You okay dude?" Issei laid a hand on his shoulder.

"Just fine, will need a nice loooong nap after this. Thanks for the concern, however. See, Azazel was right; you had some strength in you…though your motivations are still terrible."

"H-how unexpected."

The two defenders of the Peace Summit groaned as the electrified fog dispersed, revealing Vali who was still standing. His armor was scorched, equal parts black and white, his legs wobbled and an eye twitched uncontrollably. Despite this, he had a growing smile on his lips.

For the love of...!

"To think I'd actually need to show you my Juggernaut Drive. This is quite an occasion; Ophis will need to seek another source of entertainment before…"

It all happened so fast, before Vali could finish, a crack formed in the sky above. The barrier directly above their heads shattered to reveal a newcomer Dorian did not recognize. He was a blonde man who did not appear much older than the others. He wore glasses and was adorned in a proper black business suit carrying an unconscious Bikou over a shoulder. No matter how much he moved or jostled the sleeping Youkai, not a single strand appeared out of place. Issei's mouth fell agape at the ornate blade he held, clearly a Holy Sword which had so easily pierced the barrier.

"Do not show that here," he warned the wounded Vali. His voice was calm and collected with the utmost composure. "You may not have noticed, but we are quite…surrounded at this moment.

Only then did Vali glance about, realizing that on top of Dorian and Issei that others had entered their field of battle. Azazel and Rias were off to the side, Serafall hovered above with Sirzechs at her side. Freyja approached as well adorned in her armor, floating a groggy Michael atop a stretcher of light. Not only the leaders, but the full Crossroads led by Hecuba having finished with the magicians was present, Rias and Sona's peerage, even an angered Thrud that the new swordsman had scooped up Bikou from under her nose so easily. Vali looked back to his ally, the flat expression screaming what he meant.

"Even if you win the battle, the war is lost."

"Tch, very well," Vali lamented, slouching forward as a new portal opened over his head. "We are leaving."

At those words, his final ally, Kuroka, appeared at his side, letting him lean on her shoulder enjoying the sensation more than she should have. She made sure to lock eyes with Dorian again, giving him a coy wink.

"Who the hell are you?" Issei demanded.

"Arthur Pendragon," Azazel answered his question. "Descendant of the Legendary King Arthur Pendragon and his formerly mortal enemy Morgan LeFay. I guess your sister pulled a few strings for the magicians here I suppose?"

"King Arthur…," Dorian had no words. The legendary king's knights were among his idols growing up. Never once before that moment had he contemplated to ask if they were real and opened far too many questions than he was prepared to ask in that moment.

"I heard you had fled your family, if you joined the Khaos Brigade then things must be serious. Whatever could have driven a human of your prestige to such a path?"

"One that goes beyond simple good and evil," was all the bespectacled Holy Sword user would admit. Raising his sword high, he formed a portal through which the four started to rise in retreat

"I am glad we could meet Red Dragon Emperor," Vali glared at him before looking to his companion. "In preparation for our next we fight, I shall make sure we have no additional interruptions, of that I swear."

"Don't think you can just run!" Thrud roared from the sidelines. Gullbjorn lit up crackling with explosive lightning in her hands. With all her strength she hurled the enchanted weapon spinning head over haft towards the withdrawing opponents.

HALF DIMENSION!

The axe seemed to slow, the energy noticeably lessening from Albion's power. Before the weapon could find his skull, the White Dragon possessor backhanded it, sending her weapon flying into the ground, burying itself within harmlessly. Even with the apparent ease of his action, Vali's gauntlet was clearly scuffed as it passed through the portal and vanished from sight. The battle was over.

"Hey, wai…" Issei started before his armor shattered along with the bracelet provided by Azazel. The young pawn collapsed forward in exhaustion, barely able to stagger back up to a knee.

"Issei!" Rias rushed forward to cradle him in her arms, Akeno, Kiba, Asia and Gasper walking forward with content smiles, a look that Dorian could not share after the last image he saw amidst the battle.

"Rose!" He rushed to her side with Thrud close behind, Koneko still applying Sage Arts to her. "What happened?"

"My s…Kuroka poisoned her in their fight," Koneko answered. "The poison is slowed and almost purged, as long as we get her to more professional healers within a few hours she will be fine."

Remember this well Shirone, Koneko recalled her sister's parting words well. I will bring you back home with me someday. Your precious master's peerage is quite strong; as it stands you are the weakest by far now. I am certain they would not miss your absence, but as your big sister I most assuredly would. She had then turned to Rossweisse before withdrawing to Vali. Good luck my love rival, I won't make it easy on you to bear children of the north.

The first-year student was so lost in thought she almost didn't see Dorian step forward, gently lifting Rossweisse into his arms and carrying her as a man would his bride. He was focused only on Koneko's final words, that Rossweisse needed professional help. The young man did not care that they had all the time in the world to do so, he only knew she needed help. It was clear his own injuries would not allow it, before he could get far Dorian staggered to a knee, his broken bones and exhaustion rearing their ugly heads.

Thrud was there in a flash, taking an arm she pulled her friend and pupil to his feet, leaning him on her so as to keep weight off his bad leg. He could carry Rossweise, and she would support him.

"You just tag teamed a battle with the Hyoudou boy," she pointed out. "How about giving me a chance?" She winked playfully as she had done so often back in Asgard.

"Lady Freyja is nearby; we can get Rose to her." The Einherjar stuttered out at the caring smile she flashed him. Koneko did not even get a chance to tell them to calm down before they were rushing to their Queen. Even had he not been so focused, he never would have seen Thrud's expression beneath her concern as she supported a great deal of his weight. The daughter of Thor looked truly envious of her childhood friend now cradled lovingly in the kind Einherjar's arms.

They moved as fast as they could could, even as his strength faded, taking what was left of his Balance Breaker with it, he did not stop. After a grueling several moments, the three found themselves at the Queen of Asgard whom was resting since the fight.

"My lady, you need to help Rosswiesse," Dorian called out as she turned to face him.

He froze; gazing upon the gentlest woman he had ever known standing before him. To his unexpected shock, she was decked out in her Valkyrie armor covered in blood. The sight looked so wrong, the goddess of life and fertility, who had pulled him awkwardly into a motherly hug many times arrayed for warfare as Katerea's blood stained her plate.

"Dorian, thank goodness you…," halting her movements, she saw the sense of uncertainty in his eyes. She stopped, glancing down at herself, realizing what gave him pause. "Oh, my word I am in no state for such a reunion." With a snap of her fingers, her armor dissipated, leaving her in the flowing gown of green and purple she had started the summit with. The only sign of her struggle that remained was a streak of red across her arm that had not faded with the rest of her armor. "That is much better, please bring her here."

Dorian quickly did as was commanded, staying by her side while the other Crossroad members gathered around. The various scattered faction teams also started taking count of the damage and wounded, a combined effort even working to repair the school. He started to grow worried as the minutes ticked by awaiting his Queen's update on her ministrations.

"That was potent poison indeed," she spoke at last. "I would suggest taking her back to Asgard overnight for observation. If all goes well she may be discharged in the morning." She saw the look of concern still on Dorian's face; laying the gentlest of hands on his head, sparing him the embarrassing embrace with so many watching. "Do not be worried, she will be fine, of that you have my word."

"I can come with, maybe…"

"The Crossroads need a leader here," she interrupted as both a Queen and mother. "I can get her back faster on my own, and you will represent our unified Crossroads here on Midgard as bidden."

Dorian didn't like it, but she acted certain and if he trusted anyone, it was her. With a silent nod he relayed his understanding. Pressing a gem affixed to the pendent around her neck, Lady Freyja vanished with Rossweisse into a personalized tunnel of the Bifrost previously blocked by the barrier, disappearing from sight.

"She will be fine," Thrud reassured him again, shoulder bumping him in a friendly manner despite her bruises and injuries; both winced in pain at the impact. "If it will make you feel better, I brought a good keg of mead from home for visits from father. We could crack it open later."

"Isn't the drinking age here much higher than Asgard?" He could not help but joke.

"Regardless, that sounds…ugh, splendid." The remark was from the beaten archangel Michael, leaning on Irina and Xenovia's shoulders as his injuries against Shalba had not fully healed. Nevertheless, he maintained the polite smile, wincing with each step he took. "We owe you all a great debt. Our retainers and your Crossroads performed amicably.

"Lord Michael," Dorian bowed slightly for the highest representative of Heaven. His eyes glanced to Xenovia, reminding him of a prayer session he'd witnessed in secret with Bennia. "There…was a favor I wanted to ask you if possible."

"Of course, in the spirit of cooperation I hope that I can help."

"It…is about prayers being received from those outside Heaven's system. I know that it is meant for those who believe among your followers but…could it perhaps allow outside prayers in as well?"

Xenovia looked up at Dorian, realizing what he was asking. A light blush spread across her face as she smiled.

"She's not the only one," Issei added, walking up alongside Asia looking very apprehensive behind him at standing before Michael to whom she had such admiration for. "I meant to ask you back at the shrine but was too late before you left.

"You…both would want this?" He asked while glancing between them. "After all we did to you and knowing that God is no longer there to hear them?"

"I…I do," Asia admitted first. "I look up to you, even after becoming a devil. I know God is dead but," she paused a moment, "I do wish to keep praying my wishes for my friends and everyone I've met since becoming a devil." She looked over at Rias and her team, though lingered on Issei a bit longer at that final line.

"As I said before," Xenovia stood straight to continue. "The belief is not gone; I cherished them all my life. The reality may not have been what I was expecting, but the spirit of it is true. I may serve another power, but the purpose to do good will always be there…like my faith."

"Of course," Michael lowered his head in as good a bow as he could muster in his current state. "I am sure it would not cause any harm, as soon as I return to Heaven I shall make the adjustment. Asia shall no longer feel pain for her prayers, and the interference with Xenovia's will clear up before week's end. You have my word. With our new alliance, we need not fear receiving prayers from trusted devils and pagans."

You always have to call us that.

"Oh wow," Asia held back tears at the knowledge she could pray again, gripping her hands together to begin. "Oh lord, thank you for….OW!" The pain spiked as she had forgotten in her joy that the change had not been implemented yet. It took all his willpower for Dorian to not laugh, grinning internally as he stumbled backwards, Thrud catching him as he finally succumbed to the exertions, passing out into a content and well-earned sleep.

As one slumbered, another awoke. In the rubble, the friend and compatriot to the Governor-General of the Grigori stirred. Baraqiel's eyes fluttered open, taking in the blurred image of his aide Zepar standing watch. There was no one else there; however he spotted his estranged daughter's hair standing off with her friends not far away. He had no inkling that she'd remained by his side until he started to wake. He didn't know for sure, yet found it odd when he discovered several strands of long black hair that had fallen upon him along with a wet stain on his breast that looked oddly enough like a tear drop…

Not Far…

"That was one hell of a fight…no offense to your home of course," Azazel chuckled to Sirzechs as they watched cleanup crews and reinforcements secure the grounds and repair the wrecked school. Thanks to the barrier which had remained standing up to the last moment, the outside world was none the wiser of what transpired that night.

"The Old Satan Faction, Khaos Brigade and others were here tonight," Sirzechs agreed alongside his wife Grayfia. "I am relieved our unknown visitor played no part."

"So you sensed them as well?" Azazel's voice lowered to barely audible volumes. "I almost missed the breach entirely, whatever it was just walked right through as if it wasn't even there…maybe it wasn't. Maybe it was one of them."

"Whoever it was, it's gone now and did not aid our enemies. For the meanwhile, I think it is best we be vigilant but not take any direct action against them. It seemed they were watching us…watching only.

"Or watching one of us in particular," Azazel glanced subtly to Dorian sleeping soundly being carried to the makeshift first aid station by Thrud who would never tell her ward how she carried him just as he had Rossweisse moments ago. A familiar rodent rested atop Dorian's head, unwilling to part from him until he awoke. "At least the summit was a success."

"Indeed," the Lucifer Satan allowed a slight smile to cross his lips. "For the first time in millennia we can concentrate on more than conflict with each other. This Khaos Brigade threatened the Olympians and nearly won. With our five powers working as one, our odds of challenging them have significantly increased, especially with the unprecedented strength shown by our new Red Dragon Emperor as well as the Herald of Yggdrasil. I have a feeling that the foreseeable future will be particularly…fascinating.

The Next Morning…

With a yawn, Dorian found himself along with many others gathered on the first floor of the Crossroad's tower in a meeting hall meant for a large number of people. He was nonchalantly massaging his ankle, healed by Asia as he slept for two days. He was grateful for her incredible gifts which had removed all wounds and injuries from his body. Despite assurances that her powers were flawless, he retained a slight phantom pain of the stabbing sensation from the break which had yet to fade.

Sona with Tsubaki, Rias' peerage were already present as well as the bulk of the Crossroads force which had grown larger than Dorian expected. He'd had no word on Rossweisse since Freyja disappeared with her back to Asgard. He hoped she was alright, ideas of when and how he could see her once the meeting let out already swirled in his mind. The group had been summoned by Azazel dressed in a worn suit who had showed up unexpectedly and was currently sat in a comfy easy chair on the other side of a large oaken desk, the reason for his presence a mystery.

"Our little alliance thought I was a good choice to assist with the growth of so many potentials in their midst. Odin and I go way back so I had good references, which is why as of today I will be staying at your school as advisor to the Occult Research Club."

The room stood in shock at the proclamation, unamused and with a look of growing suspicion in her eyes, the Gremory heiress was the first to speak.

"Why are YOU here specifically?" She knew full well there were other potential candidates beyond the leader of the fallen angels.

"Well, Serafall's little sister apparently requested it of Sirzechs. Who was I to refuse such an enticing offer?"

"Sona," Rias glanced to the Student Council President as if she had just stabbed her longtime friend in the back. "Why?"

"If I did not," she replied with a pushup of her glasses. "My sister threate…I mean, begged me to come to school instead."

Rias let a smile slip as the true intentions became obvious. Dorian fully understood, imagining the chaos and horror that would follow if the current Leviathan had been allowed to attend Kuoh 24/7.

"So you sold us out…"

"Don't knock me till you try me, I can be a pretty cool guy if given the chance. Just ask your little Einherjar pal about how much fun I am out on the town. We go way back."

"Please don't associate with me," Dorian half-begged as the eyes of the room fell upon him. It took a moment for him to spot something out of place at almost the same time Issei did. "Mr. Azazel, your arm!"

Sure enough, the Grigori leader had both his arms despite clearly having lost one in the battle. He looked oddly proud of that fact as he held up his new left hand and rotated it around. At a glance there did not seem to be anything special about it.

"Indeed, a true artificial arm! I built this baby during my time looking into Sacred Gears and was hoping for a field test, this time was as good as any. I designed it for any contingency, laser beams, tiny missiles, and drill arm, hell I could even dictate and record my last will on it if I wanted!"

Before everyone's eyes, the arm shifted to show off each feature Azazel listed, finishing off with a demonstration as it exploded forth from his arm. Poor Gasper and Ratatoskr ducked as the rocket appendage soared through the air, doing a lap around the room before returning to its owner, reattaching without a visible seam.

"That thing comes anywhere near me again and I'm taking it," Ratatoskr threatened, poking the top of his head to ensure all his fur was accounted for. "Use it for a back scratcher if you're lucky!"

"And what a scratcher it would be! I was given special dispensation from all of your factions to remain here under the condition I assist with growth of the Sacred Gears of the Gremory Family and Crossroads," Azazel continued unbroken despite Rat's threat. You will need quite a lot of training to get stronger. How long can each of you remain in your Balance Breaker?"

"One hour," Kiba started.

"As of my last test, about three max," Dorian sighed. It felt much shorter when said out loud despite how proud he'd become of lasting so long.

"After sacrificing an arm," Issei's voice grew quiet with embarrassment. "Ten seconds…"

"Whew," Azazel leaned back with an exhale to emphasize his surprise. "We'll have to work on each of you; Vali can hold his Balance Breaker for almost a month without serious exertion."

You could have heard a pin drop in that moment at the difference between them.

How did we actually stand a chance? Dorian asked himself over and over again.

"Thankfully little Asia's Twilight Healing is overpowered so she is pretty solid though can always improve. Mr. Blonde Knight seems to need standard training, lots of opportunities for that. Your gear Mr. Held," he swiveled his chair to face the Crossroads Leader. "Training has served you up to this point, but as we've seen to date your little lady Iggy is quite the thirsty maiden is she not?"

Hey!

"Norse, Olympic, now holy energy all drunk and interpreted for your use channeled through her. How long before you consume all there is? Even I get tingly all over just thinking of how terrifying you would become."

"I don't want to be terrifying," he replied simply. "But if I can fight against the Khaos Brigade and others, I'll gladly take on all the powers I can handle."

"Well said!" Hecuba called out from the back quickly followed by smiles and nods of approval from the rest of his team.

"You help bridge the divide between us all," Xenovia remarked. "It is only fitting you should link the powers unique to each as well."

"And our resident Red Dragon Emperor, your goal is to have a harem is that right?"

"Yes!" Issei shouted an affirmative, standing up straight as if a private in the army. Dorian could only groan at his enthusiasm.

"Then I'll teach you of women, show you how to draw as many as you can to your side. I used to have hundreds of harems back in my day, it was even the reason most of us fallen angels fell from grace. By the time I'm done, you'll have so many you won't…"

"Is that really something you should be teaching a student?" Brynda asked with a look of horror on her face, drawing their attention. She enjoyed the occasional teasing, but this was another matter entirely.

"Under the circumstances this topic feels right at home, he and Dorian actually stood up to Vali when they worked together; Dorian with his gear and Issei fueled by the power of concern for his master's breasts. Missions for our Crossroads are already pouring in from the various member mythologies, I'll have to make sure they don't interfere with your studies. And Ms. Gremory's team would do quite well in the upcoming Rating games with a bit more training. With our new alliance, I suppose devils won't be the only ones enjoying the Rating Game anymore. I also suggest finding potential candidates for your open knight and rook pieces. Rias lowered her head yet nodded all the same, fully aware of her still-empty roster.

Rating Game?

"Which is also part of why I am here; first to officially welcome the new members of the Crossroads to Kuoh," he turned to Brynda, Herja and Misty with a polite bow. "Everyone is certain you'll fit in wonderfully at the college-level campus."

The three smiled at each other, more than pleased with their decision of how to gain the experience beyond their previous Valkyrie classes.

"Also, by order of the Devil King Sirzechs Lucifer himself," Azazel boomed loudly as if it were the highlight of his day. "I hereby command all members of Rias Gremory's Peerage to move in with Issei Hyoudou!"

"Whhaaaat?" Was the expression resting on the faces of all those present. Issei's nose dripped a little blood as his brain tried to process what was said.

"It seems your Red Dragon Emperor grows considerably stronger in the presence of ladies of the fairer sex. With that in mind, we felt it may be best to surround him with as many as possible on top of those living next door," he glanced to the Crossroads members who narrowed their eyes towards his machinations.

"My teleportation mines are still in place along the bridges," Bennia teased as a warning when Issei's eyes fell on her. "And Hecuba's will do far worse."

"Us as well?" Gasper asked, noticing the order had included all members.

"I hadn't planned on it," Azazel admitted. "However Lady Freyja felt it would create 'undue risk' to have the team split up over such a large distance. I have a feeling she wasn't a fan of my idea, but there was no changing her mind. So yes, you and Mr. Yuuto will be joining them at their new abode."

"B…but…." Rias' eyes quivered, clearly hesitant for so many to be living under the same roof as she and Asia had been doing. Akeno appeared to have no qualms against the arrangement, glancing over to the Crossroads whom she'd be living next door from. She had not yet forgotten their leader's attempt to bring her and Baraqiel together, an act she was not entirely certain whether it had succeeded or failed.

Koneko only sighed as she heard the orders, coming from Sirzechs himself they could not refuse. Asia had already been living at his home with Rias and so was ecstatic to have more of her friends close by.

"That is a lot of students living so closely, and once she is on her feet, I am sure Rossweisse will love to see our accommodations," Thrud remarked, glancing to Dorian who was deep in thought.

But she's Odin's Bodyguard, which was the reason she couldn't come initially, too many duties back home. The young Einherjar barely realized he had referred to Asgard as home, the first place he felt as such in a long time. Maybe the Roads can take me back on a regular basis, I can get a chance to…

A sound like fireworks crackling drew the attention of the room as a magic seal of Vanaheim materialized near the entrance to the meeting hall. Dorian recognized the passenger before even her legs took shape as she appeared from the ground up feet first. Within a matter of seconds, Rossweisse was standing in the room carrying a rather large suitcase that looked to have been quickly packed as sleeves and other clothing appendages could be seen sticking out of it. His heart soared until he saw her eyes, obviously welled up tears barely held back as she took a shy step forward.

"A-all my time of service, the things I did for my work..for him!"

"Rose!" Dorian hopped the sofa to reach her first and lay a comforting hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong?" He smelled the slight odor of alcohol too late.

"I…I…" she sniffed back tears before finally dropping the briefcase and throwing her arms around Dorian as she bawled slurred words into his shoulder. "I vass fired! Dat ohld ghood fer nothig codger Odin canned me!"

The Peace Summit arc draws to a close, the situation of the Crossroads changing along with it. Cooperation with the various powers has succeeded and will continue forward, how will our young Einherjar and his team handle the unheard of unification of age-old rivals and enemies? We shall wait and see. Until then I hope everyone Reads and Reviews, but most of all Enjoys! :D

One year anniversary since I started this story, 39 chapters and thousands of readers. I never imagined it would get anywhere near close to this and I have all of you to thank for it. To everyone who has been enjoying this I give my most sincere thanks. Per usual, I will be going on a hiatus with the end of an arc to rest, recuperate and plan the next couple arcs. I apologize in advance for the time until the next chapter, but rest assured it will be coming…and as always I hope to never disappoint ;)