Gan315: I am doing well, thank you! I hope the same for you too :D Well, in Rose's defense the scene is only about 4-5 hours after the previous so it wasn't a full day. I've known people hit longer with drinking too much lol. As for Kuroka, thank you. I always felt her depth towards her past and such really took a backseat to Koneko's despite both having similar histories. And yes, she always has to tease XD it's her default setting. I sent a full reply to you via PM :D

King0fP0wers: Good summary :D I hope you like the follow-up chapters to come ;) Precisely, that is part of what I liked about him as a villain. He has a point in a way, but is too narrow minded to see the larger picture in regards to all the other supernatural beings. He is the descendant of a historical figure while Issei was just given his powers at random without any past lineage...yet Issei acts more heroic than he on a regular basis. For the Shinto Gods, I felt the same as all God's have a different view on what being godly means. Not all are as active and that would frustrate others...Dorian included. I am so glad you caught that detail of Moloch ;) Exactly, only OSF devils have more than one pair of wings. And yes...patience...but I hope my update wasn't too long in coming lol.

Hollowreaper 93: Thanks XD I can understand hating Cao Cao, he makes it easy with how he acts lol.

Gzilla54: I am glad you liked it :D As for my RWBY story I have not set a return date. I may await Volume 8's end to see where they are going before planning that far ahead.

fanficcyberman: Precisely, in my opinion if a character is introduced and given weight they should never fall to the wayside. And in regards to Iggy, exactly, what affects him does the same for her and vice versa. The harae ritual brought out the sins that burdened them evne if they did not remember them...most of all for her... I am doing very well, thank you for asking and I hope the same is true for you :D

ahsoei: You mean Moloch? ;)

Spectrvs: Thank you :) I've always been of the mind that all story arcs, even filler or downtime, should advance the story or characters in some way so tying them together always felt right to me. Lol, nah the Ecofriendly joke by Azazel wasn't meant as anything political XD More that they need to make sure not to harm any of the Roads while in there...all of which are basically giant branches of Yggdrasil lol. That is the main reason Dorian doesn't do training in there or bring in others regularly as damage to the paths take a long time to heal. I sent a full reply via PM but I will say don't worry, plenty of Kuroka teasing to come...she just watched intently as he disrobed XD I am glad you liked Moloch...and no reason to say he won't be able to continue in one form or another... And you stay safe as well :D All the hugs!

Supremum Rex Stulti: I get that, I knew with a fight happening just last chapter than another right after would sacrifice development and build up...but combining this and the next would have made a chapter more than double as long as my previous longest lol. It was a difficult choice.

WinterRuneWolf: Sorry about that, as I mentioned above I had to choose either to have a buildup chapter or combine the battle and buildup into one...which would have been a BEAST in terms of length lol. I hope it wasn't too frustrating nor the wait too long though I am touched you like my works so much :D

OBSERVER01: That...is a VERY good point LOL. I don't think Azazel's genderbend ray was built this early, but in theory that should nullify Cao Cao's power against women if they temporarily turn them into men. You just broke canon on how the women can keep fighting even against foes they stack to force Issei to fight LOL.

And with that...ONTO THE SHOW!

"My lady, stay down!" One of her tengu warriors had time to shout before a ball of light slammed into his chest. Their barriers were useless against the projectile sending him crashing into the wall unmoving.

Kunou huddled behind an overturned table beside one of her few remaining men. Shortly after Dorian had entered the pool, they were beset by strange tendrils of shadows that picked her guard formations apart. It was the same person they had identified having fought Dorian the previous day only he was far stronger than before. Accompanying him were three unidentified women, however based on the clothes matching the other heroes they could only be other members. The trio had such uniforms with frayed tabards overtop them bearing the emblem of an ornate cross. It wasn't the Church cross, however but rather one used centuries before by a very specific branch of the French military.

"All for one!" The first girl with brown pigtails called out as she fired another round from her uniquely designed musket. The bullet flew towards the makeshift fort before darting to the side and zagging around it, forcing Kunou to leap away. Her fellow guard was not so swift, launching a final burst of lightning before being struck in the back.

"And one for all!" The second finished, raising her hands to reinforce the barrier being used to defend her fellow squad mates. As had been the case with all previous attacks, she protected them aptly, all attempts to pierce her shield in vain. She flipped her red braided hair, proud of her accomplishment.

"Your Nordic friend shall not return to this realm," the last with long dark hair threatened Kari. The two were locked blade to blade pushing against the other. Their goal was clearly the shrine, if destroyed Dorian would lose his anchor to the mortal world.

Kari did not answer, seeing any discussion with the trio as pointless. Sliding her blade up her opponent's rapier, she leapt away after freeing up her extra spider arms, the new sword managing to score a deep cut against the Hero Faction woman's face. Holding out her hand, the spider-youkai gathered a mass of webs in her palm before expelling it as a solid mass towards the woman. She growled in frustration as a barrier erected by the second girl blocked it once more.

They aren't overly strong, but their teamwork is exceptional. Just what is in those muskets? No barrier any of our men can create even slows them down! Maybe…

Webbing grew from Kari's pores again to form a shield stronger than steel in her offhand. Emerging from her hiding place, she purposefully did so in a way they would spot her. Taking aim with most her men already down for the count, a pair of rounds rocketed towards her. Kari raised the web shield, the first bullet ripping through it head on, the bodyguard barely avoiding the shot. By luck of angles, the second skirted off the edge to imbed itself in the floor.

I knew it, they're more magic-focused, not as unstoppable against solid objects. But the difference is marginal.

"You are the last true foe left," the lead woman called out. Porthos, Athos, flank around and don't let her escape. She cannot hope to touch us behind my barrier. Once she is down…"

"GET AWAY FROM HER!" A barrage of fox fireballs landed at the women's feet. Had it struck their barrier it would have dispersed harmlessly. Instead, Kunou had aimed to set the floor beneath them aflame, forcing the trio back.

I need another shot, Kari thought as she pondered how to pierce their barrier. She launched another round of web bullets, each to no effect. If we don't take these three out, can Kuroka take him alone?

Not Far…

"Keep running, it only will tire you faster!" Connla shouted to Kuroka who had completed an impressive backflip to avoid his latest assault.

"Nya," she coyly replied with a wink while leaping away. At the same time, she released wheels of Sage Arts and Devil magic that he dodged to the side. With an exasperated sigh she realized it had done as little as before.

It seems his tussle with Dorian-nya made him quite resilient. He has that effect on others. She glanced to an unconscious Suzaku, having been taken out almost instantly without her powers. If I keep him infuriated at me, he won't remember to hurt her.

Unlike the description of the battle at the temple, the Hero Faction member was covered from head to toe in black shadows that moved as if alive. She could practically smell the power emanating from him, had it been years ago she may have considered taking him up on having a child or two. From his back, a mass of tentacles made from the same substance protruded and were hounding her every step. Not only that, but he seemed to still maintain the power to manipulate shadows throughout the room. She had nearly fallen prey to a patch of darkness from which dozens of blades had emerged, leaving a nasty rip across her beloved kimono.

"Night Reflection: Death Cross! If I'd had this back at the temple, that Einherjar would be dead!" He shouted while boasting of his new power born from the burning frustration of defeat. In that moment, the first thing he had thought of was the nightmare-inducing shadows that consumed his friends in Olympus. Seeing no greater source of power he could command, his gear had evolved, adapting to wield that very fear he held. "I was hoping to fight him like this but killing you and destroying that shrine will have to suffice!"

"So, you got a Balance Breaker and think that makes you a man?" She taunted some more; it was her most effective weapon. Even with his eyes covered by the undulating shadows, she could tell he was getting angry and therefor sloppy while she analyzed a weakness.

An aura emanating white and purple energy surrounded her as she spun to face him. Touki was a powerful technique augmenting her physical strength far above normal. Mixed with a collection of Sage Art energy in her fist, she could fully disrupt any part of the body she touched, even stopping internal organs if she wished. Ducking beneath the latest lashing of tentacles, she delivered an enhanced blow right to his gut with a follow-up of spiritual bullets.

"Shi-!" She almost shouted as his body reformed itself to avoid her punch, bullets disappearing into the darkness. She had assumed he was covered in shadows like an armor similar to Issei or Dorian's own Balance Breaker, this was not the case as it was made evident, he had become the very shadows themselves. There was nothing physical to hit beneath.

A dark appendage used that instant to ensnare her, wrapping tightly around her waist as Connla laughed in triumph. It was short-lived as Kuroka suddenly faded away into a pale mist leaving him standing empty handed. Looking around, he realized there were no fewer than a dozen of the elusive nekoshou surrounding him.

"Now now, is that any way to treat a lady?" She maintained her confidence despite running out of effective options. "Tentacles can be exciting, but you have to ask permission first."

With a great exhalation, a purple mist flooded from the various clones to encircle Connla. It was the strongest concoction she had ever brewed even making up for Issei's previous immunity to it as a dragon. A human like Connla would be lucky to survive but after how far he had gone she held no sympathy if it did worse than theorized. She missed the sneer obscured by his armor as her mist suddenly started to disappear, absorbed into his body itself like wind being drawn into a fan. Within a matter of seconds, her expertly made miasma was gone, Connla's entire body now glowing an eerie matching shade.

Well shit, did he just absorb the stuff? Good thing I take the anti-toxin, but I can't let him get near the others. I made that to work on youkai just as much as anyone else!

Kuroka held out her hand, unleashing a barrage of bullets with minute traces of Sage Arts within them. A complete round could render a normal body immobile but of course they tore through his shifting body with ease leaving no clear injuries behind. She was so focused, that the pool of darkness creeping behind her went unnoticed until it was too late. A familiar hail of bullets she had unleashed before returned, being held in some dark dimension until they could be turned against their own mistress. She dodged the first wave, but the second caught her in the back, sending the nekoshou Bishop sprawling to the floor.

Dorian, she glanced towards the shrine's waters with concern as she picked herself up. This grunt is so easy to rile up, if he targeted the shrine there's no way that I could stop him from destroying it. Get your ass back here before they lock you in the afterlife for good!

In another Realm…

He couldn't breathe, the water was suffocating, and his air had run out long ago. Dorian struggled to swim yet felt as if he weighed a thousand pounds. He clawed grasping for the surface that seemed so far away unable to think or speak leaking bubbles containing his muffled cries for help. He was starting to inhale water, feeling the pressure as it entered his lungs…

Dorian popped above the surface with pained gasps reaching for the nearest land. Grasping forward, he pulled himself onto a solid surface retching up the water he had taken in. It was painful, burning with each cough leaving him panting on the ground for several minutes until he found the strength to look up.

I…don't think this is the right place, he deduced as he looked upon the landscape before him. It was dark causing him to squint trying to make out even more than a few feet in front of his eyes. There was a sun in the sky, but it was black casting shadows in place of light swirling in the air like an ominous miasma. The young Einherjar waited for his eyes to adjust, but it was not happening, worst yet, he could not trust his senses as he struck his foot on a rock only a few steps from the shore. An unease coursed through him at the realization that once he was out of the water it was impossible to see it, even the smell of moisture and sloshing of waves was absent. Had he not just emerged from it; he'd never have known there was such a lake nearby.

"Alfheim!" He cried out, creating a sphere of energy from that ancient realm to light the way. Even so, it only illuminated several feet in each direction, the blackness scraping at its edges. "Iggy, are you alright, Iggy?" He thought her name hard, spoke to his internal mind which she lived within and even shouted it out loud. No matter what he tried, she would not answer.

Iggy, what happened? You were screaming, are you alright? Please be alright. Maybe if I can find the gods they can help. This can't be Takamagahara, we got dragged down, could that mean this…is Yomi?

Yomi, the world of darkness where the souls of the departed are sent according to Shinto belief. Unlike other mythologies with a Heaven and Hell, all souls were destined for Yomi save the gods and their divine attendants. Akeno had spoken briefly of such things when time permitted, Dorian cursing the fact he hadn't listened closer or asked for further education before then. All he could recall was the basics, his memory reaching for any tale or legend he had heard of how to escape that desolate land. All came up empty.

Everything outside his bubble was unknown to him, the bright light having the side effect of his eyes being unable to perceive the darkness even a little now. He could tell the land was very similar to Kyoto itself, cobbled streets and grass could be seen as he passed over them. Where it differed from the Earth he knew was its vibrancy. Nothing he saw had any life to it, for lack of a better word, all appearing drained and muted. Even colors did not seem to hold any power here, the shadows having seeped into everything without exception…except him.

The gods invited me, he rationalized to keep calm as time dragged on. Even that had become diluted, the passage of the minutes or hours being indistinguishable from seconds. He could never have guessed how long he walked passing nothing higher than a rock to stub his feet once again. They must know I am here, surely they will have a path to them.

His belief in that statement waned as nothing appeared, leaving him to wander aimlessly with only Alfheim's grace to show the way. He attempted to leave breadcrumb trails of light on the ground, but it was a wasted effort as once he walked far enough, they would be snuffed out by an unseen source. After the fourth attempt, he became certain something was doing it with purpose, the feeling that he was being watched growing by the moment.

"Hello?" He called to the darkness as the clear sound of footsteps reached his ears. "Is someone out there?"

"Dim your light, it is too bright," a low whisper from the black called out.

"I cannot see without it," he replied with caution. "Where are you?"

"By the hearth," the voice replied. Almost as if appearing out of this air, Dorian could suddenly make out the vague shape of a chimney not connected to any house at the edge of his vision. It stood alone and untended as if the home it had once been attached to was snatched away in an instant. "I have been so lonely."

Only at the last line did he dare to lower the brightness of Alfheim, though only a little. Sure enough, beside the darkened hearth did he see the silhouette of a person. Guessing from the voice and slender frame, a young woman.

"I am looking for the Shinto Gods," he started. "But I don't know the way."

"They will be here," the woman whispered again, her voice sounding so frail and weak. "Come, take a seat. You must be hungry."

Dorian sat close enough that he was certain he'd make out more of her features yet was mistaken. No matter how he tried, her appearance remained obscured in shadows as if she was made of them. As he attempted to peer closer, a single apple rolled into his barrier of light, stopping at his feet.

"It's my last one," she muttered. "You need it more than I."

"I shouldn't," he tried to refuse while eyeing the colorless fruit. "Time is of the essence, if you can tell me the way…"

"You want to leave me too?" Her voice sounded sad yet with the twinges of rage hiding behind the words. "You come here, and I offer a meal but all you think of is departing?"

"It is no insult to you, but I NEED to meet them. My friends are waiting for me…"

"You aren't going anywhere."

With those ominous words, the light of Alfheim spiked, its innate ability to reveal hidden magics activating. The illusion dispersed; allowing him to make out an entire army of shadowy silhouettes surrounding the hearth. They stared at him with empty eyes utterly still, only the shifting clouds of their bodies in motion.

I knew this felt wrong.

"Once that foreign light of yours fails, you will be ours." The shadowy woman promised, her voice growing gnarled and harsh. "Invoking the god's name here, you know nothing. The sin about you is so…blinding, I must have you."

"You can't make me stay," Dorian readied himself for battle but clung to the hope of negotiations. "I may not know much of this place, but I am bridging such realms together. Tell me your name."

"You will know it in time," she threatened. "After my mists have snuffed out the light that does not belong."

Dorian gasped as the edges of his bubble started to erode. As she promised, the shadows were encroaching even upon the fabled light of Alfheim eating away at it like termites through wood. He put more energy into it, but that only seemed to cause the dark to devour faster.

It looks so familiar to what I saw in Olympus. But Alfheim should be more than this…I should be more! He could never forget the brilliance that he could summon through Laerad Ragnarok, nor the towering pillar of radiance he witnessed during their vacation that felt so long ago.

The enshrouded woman leapt back as the light pulsed, illuminating the region before condensing down smaller and smaller. After several seconds, the brilliance of Alfheim was surrounding Dorian a hair's breadth from his body, wrapping around him taking on a new shape. The woman growled as she realized what was happening, the glow had engulfed his body creating a form of armor never before seen. Dazzling white-gold light armor had molded with ornate shoulders and a brilliant helm that despite its hardiness still allowed his face to remain visible through the visor. Understanding the power of the realm had granted Dorian greater means to manipulate its usage, tempering it against the blackest dark.

"I looked into Nidavelir for a time, even faced a shadow like that in Olympus on my second trip," he stood stalwart against her, shining bright. "It devoured everything it touched and predated our era, yours doesn't seem so bad in comparison."

Could I withstand Nidavelir while wrapped in this? Something to consider for later.

"KILL HIM!" She shrieked, her command pushing the shadows to action as they shot forward like the wind. "Then he may never leave!"

Dorian swung, his light-infused fist shredding the first that impacted him. The same result occurred for each that reached melee range, the Einherjar using what he knew from his many unarmed bouts with Thrud and a few he had seen Kuroka or Sairaorg perform using their touki skill. His newfound Alfheim Armor kept her eroding mist at bay while allowing him to fight the seemingly endless parade of ghosts. Rolling over the shoulder of one, he flew into another cracking it in the chest with a powerful blow.

"You can't hide any longer," he slammed his hands together, Alfheim reverberating outward as it became both light and sound at once. Every shape surrounding him was obliterated, leaving him standing strong and tall, the rest hesitant to advance again even at their mistress' order.

"You fight in vain Einherjar. They are endless and your reserves finite. Give in, eat the apple and join…"

She would not finish her sentence as a glow rivaling the sun exploded across the landscape illuminating all for miles for an instant. Another such flash came and another each time clearing out entire armies of shadows. Dorian turned towards his savior emerging over the nearby rise.

"The gods be praised, I made it in time," a dark-haired woman in a robe so white as to be utterly pure without flaws walked barefoot towards the revealed hearth. "He is not yours Izanami, but a guest of Takamagahara. Leave the boy be."

"He entered my domain, I have every right to…" she tried to argue only to be met with a renewed burst that drove her back. Her appearance was revealed with each flash showing a decayed corpse covered in maggots. Dorian almost prayed for the obscuring darkness to return with each glimpse, even with having seen worse there was something primordial about the fear that coursed through him at her appearance. "Damn you, and damn all the cursed spawn of Izanagi!" With a final spat, the denizen of Yomi disappeared over the horizon leaving the pair in utter silence. The shadows returned but could not envelop them again, not so long as the radiant aura of the young woman remained.

"Th-thanks," he sighed still apprehensive of the woman who shone so brightly he could not see her face. "I do not know how I came here, the gods…"

"The gods invited you, but you were dragged down here. Most curious as you performed the harae superbly, Suzaku saw to that, and yet great sins weighed so heavily upon your soul. Izanami was quick to try and claim you, had you eaten food of Yomi not even I could have guided you out. What sin could draw her here so quickly? A question for later, take my hand," she extended it to him which he accepted, deciding to trust upon realizing his armor of light did not harm her. "We are below the Earth but follow me and I shall lead you above. The gods sent me when you did not appear, and it is very rude to make the hosts wait."

Nijou Castle…

Rossweisse doubled over to vomit once they cleared the gate. The collected Gremory Peerage along with Saji and Crossroads had followed the Hero Faction leader deeper inside in the hopes of stopping them. The speed at which they ran was a bit too much for her even with the medicine she'd taken. No matter how hard she tried, she could keep nothing down. The Crossroad Valkyrie gripped the pouch at her side, ensuring she held the assigned vial of Phenex Tears, Issei had the one given to his team.

"Please hang back," Irina begged. "You are in no condition to fight."

"I have to try," she wiped the last bit of dribble from her lips. "They know we're all here and no matter where we stand in this place, we are in their territory."

"They are looking down on us it seems," Kiba sighed. "They even opened the gates to Honmaru Palace."

"We hold the numbers," Hecuba helped Rossweisse stand up straight. "If they have truly sent someone after Dorian, we have to press our advantage. We won't have another chance."

"But…" The young angel was outvoted as the others pressed forward. She shared a concerned glance with her partner, Xenovia, neither liking the look in Hecuba's eyes.

The group continued through the inner gardens swept clean and proper just like their real-world counterparts. It seemed almost like preparations had been made for their arrival with lanterns illuminating the area so there was nowhere to hide. The moat was full of water, bringing a refreshing smell of moisture into the air. It would almost have been peaceful if not for what awaited them ahead.

"Congratulations," Cao Cao announced with a clap of his hands. "You discovered our location and made it this far in one night. I surmise our newer members who have not yet obtained their Balance Breakers could not defeat any one of you. The Kyuubi has been waiting."

The Hero Faction Leader stood ahead amidst the flowers of the garden. Several prominent members flanked him including Heracles, Siegfried, and an armored woman they had not seen at the bridge. In the distance atop the upper floors of the Castle were others wearing only the uniform watching from afar, the weaker members he had referred to no doubt. Beyond them, a beautiful golden-haired woman with fox ears and many tails stood within an open clearing.

"R-Release her at once!" Rossweisse found her voice despite the drums in her head. They had finally located Kunou's mother, yet she was unresponsive. With the blank, emotionless expression in her eyes it was clear she was being manipulated somehow. "Lady Yasaka, can you hear me!?"

There was no reply.

"What have you done to her?" Issei called out, his temper flaring at the sight of a beautiful woman being held against her will combined with the image in his mind if her daughter saw this.

"We invited her to help in our little experiment, she was cordial enough to assist. With our efforts over the last weeks, we have more than enough energy to attempt our grand finale." Finishing up his line, he tapped the True Longinus upon the ground several times.

Yasaka screamed in absolute pain, falling to her knees prompting the team to run forward only stopped by the advancing Hero Faction members. A great light exploded from her very core, causing her body to expand and change in an entrancing dance of magic and ki. Her tails ballooned to enormous proportions matching her new size, her nose expanding into a snout full of rows of enormous fangs. From the maw, a shattering howl rang out through the air, signaling the disappearance of Yasaka to be replaced with a mighty golden fox.

"She's as big as Fenrir," Issei gasped, Yasaka having taken her true form for which she was known among the supernatural world. Even transformed, her eyes remained empty and devoid of all life. Mind control was no longer a question, the means by which they could stop such a powerful being racing through their minds.

Cao Cao smiled at the shocked expressions among their opponents. "She'll be perfect for bringing out Kyoto's true purpose. You may think these gods of yours provided a grand gift, but it's more simplistic than that. These Ley Lines, they are the cogs making the city an immense magical device. Those shrines you've been seeking out nothing more than hotspots of power filled with more energy than ever capable of being generated by anything short of the gods themselves."

"You act as if you know this for a fact."

"I do," he snapped in Hecuba's direction. "To slay a foe, you must know them, and my allies have more information than you know. The Shinto Gods wanted nothing more than a massive power they could mold on Earth, the city of Kyoto itself. To what end, we may never know. But Dimension Lost creates a pocket realm infinitesimally close and yet immeasurably far from the actual city…thus the Ley Lines now flow through this place rather than its real-world counterpart."

So that is what they were redirecting the shrines towards, adjusting it slightly to reach this dimension.

"And with the Kyuubi's intrinsic link to the city, she can gather AND harness all of it, enough to sunder this world if we wished. But that would be the goal of villains, we are the heroes here. We will gather every scrap of power the Ley Lines have in order to…"

"Open the Dragon Gate, you are using the city as a massive battery with Yasaka and all that power as a substitute for other Dragon Kings and Emperors to summon Great Red."

"So, you are as intuitive as we've been told," his eyes narrow towards Rossweisse who had revealed their entire plan so unceremoniously. "It sounds so unsatisfying when you say it."

We were right, Rossweisse somehow held her composure at the assurance her and Dorian's theory on the Hero Faction's plan was correct. At the end of the day, Ophis was the leader of the Khaos Brigade with her ultimate goal being theirs. She wanted in the Dimensional Gap, but for some reason that still eluded them, she could not take up a place within at the same time as Great Red. Therefore, her first step would be to force him out but not even the Hero Faction could easily capture enough Dragon Kings and Emperors to open the Dragon Gate normally as the alliance had done for Midgardsormr against Loki.

"So, that Ophis wants him out?" Issei said aloud what she was thinking. "But all he does is fly around in there, you'd do all this just to summon him?"

"Once he is out, our leader can move back in," Cao Cao clarified. "She has no care for whatever effects his removal may have but we shall deal with them as they come. We believe her presence will restabilize it and keep our world safe. She will have her home back, and we'll have the opportunity to slay the strongest dragon ever known."

"You could never succeed," Hecuba pointed out knowing full well Great Red's legend. "You are strong, but you'd stand no chance against the Dragon of Dragons."

"We have…a contingency," Cao Cao flexed his hand, a small rune flashing into existence for a fraction of a second. Rossweisse recognized it as a summoning rune but it was unfamiliar to her. "The Dragon Eater may be sufficient."

What is that? It almost looks like one from the Olympian book Zeus granted me…

"Who knows what will happen if you pull him out of the Gap!" Issei stepped forward. "We'll beat you and get back Kunou's mother!"

The entire team nodded in determination; stances taken against the full group of Hero Faction members standing across the garden. Irina had drawn Excalibur, Xenovia the same with Angdurvadal and Durandal. Monster's Bane flashed with Hecuba's mighty Spartan shield, even Ascalon was ready from Issei. He and Saji had summoned their Sacred Gears with Asia hanging back generating her Twilight Healing to prepare for the worst. Kiba and Catherine's holy and demonic swords shining in the light of the garden.

"My team isn't here, but I'll keep anything from happening to them," Saji announced as he held up his arms covered by black snakes as Vritra took over as it had done to help fight Loki's children. "Issei, Hecuba, I'll leave these guys to you…this is why Mr. Azazel wanted me involved. I'll keep Ms. Yasaka from moving! VRITRA PROMOTION!"

His body became enshrouded in black flames as he leapt into the air, the shape of the Dragon King Vritra merging with him once more as his eyes became those of a snake. With the extra pieces of Vritra's soul provided by Azazel, he could control the manifestation, though could only summon a pale comparison to the strength wielded in their halcyon days.

EXCELLENT PARTNER, the booming voice of the dragon boomed for all to hear. THAT FOX WILL BE A SUBLIME OPPONENT, WE SHALL CONSUME HER WITH BLACK FLAMES!

"No," Saji put his foot down to show his side in their mutual existence. "We will capture her; you are good at that right? We take enough of her power and she won't be able to move."

"How fascinating, the younger generation is growing so quickly? If you were to survive this day, I surmise you could become Rating Game champions in no time. Is that why Vali turned on the Old Satan Faction? With their archaic pride they were doomed to defeat. And you Crossroads, just what kind of growth are you making? No matter, we should begin quickly," Cao Cao tapped his spear, eliciting a bright glow to emanate from Yasaka's body. "Begin the ritual Georg!"

High above the field, they caught sight of the mage who had been generating Dimension Lost during their last fight. Amazingly, magic circles nearly matching the number Rossweisse had summoned appeared all around him glowing in tandem with Yasaka. They began to spin, the power of each ramping up to their apex.

"He is that skilled?" Rossweisse gasped at the power he wielded in his hands. He was younger than her, yet she made out devil, angel, fallen, black, white, fairy and even Nordic seals within his repertoire. Just how long had he been preparing for that day? Both a skilled mage and wielder of a legendary Sacred Gear. The many seals worked together overlapping with one another to create an even larger one beneath Yasaka's feet, the culmination of their efforts using power from the stolen Ley Lines from across Kyoto. Those who had been present at Midgardsormr's summoning recognized the symbols created, an artificial Dragon Gate had formed.

"It is done," Georg called down. "The bait is set, and gate opened, now we need only wait for Great Red to appear. I have expanded the seal to allow the Red Dragon Emperor and Vritra's presence to be sensed within the Gap, that should entice him even more. I shall hold it open from here."

"He will be unable to fight!" Rossweisse informed the others. "That level of focus will prevent him from doing anything else."

"Then I can do my part!" Saji called out from within the mass of black flames. "Vritra, we have to break the youkai's power!"

The towering black serpent heeded his words, colliding with the mind controlled Yasaka, the pair tumbling together far in the distance causing the ground to shudder with each throe. She seemed to find her footing, planting her feet to grapple with the dragon king desperately trying to drain her energy. Dark flames collided with orange ones from Yasaka's mouth, clearly the conditioning they had performed allowed her to defend herself, their titanic battle rocked back and forth. There was no time to watch, however as the others took this act as the start to the battle.

"The Valkyrie is mine!" Heracles charged forward with colossal speed, clearing the distance in an instant. In her hungover state, she could not react quickly enough to evade, her barrier taking his attack and subsequent explosion head on. Rossweisse was sent hurtling through the air, barely righting herself midflight to begin a counterattack. She was utterly focused, recalling how he had fought evenly with Thrud. He pursued her, leaping across the walls to keep up.

"Rossweisse!" Irina rushed to assist, only for the armored woman to step between, preventing her or Xenovia from reinforcing their teammate.

"He is so reckless," the newcomer chastised her ally who had inherited the soul and will of Heracles. "He never quite got over his loss at Olympus, even knowing how strong each of you are he has been hoping for revenge against those Norse fighters. "My name is Jeanne, you're an angel, right? Little angel, you're so cute!"

Unsettled by her cheerful smile, Irina took flight as Xenovia charged her head on, her twin blades clashing against Jeanne's rapier somehow catching both.

"I heard you two were among the Church's best upcoming swordswomen!" She sounded like a fan rather than opponent. "You seem slower than I expected though."

Xenovia generated energy within her blades, leaping back to deliver a cross-shaped slash upon the Hero Faction woman. To her shock, she spun with a slice of her sword, shattering the energy into nothing.

"Xenovia, get down!" Irina called from above having used the distance to summon spears of light far larger than she'd been capable of in the past. With a flick of her wrists, she commanded them to rain upon the ground, her partner aptly moving at the last moment. To her dismay, Jeanne was just as swift, lightly dodging them as if the easiest of movements.

"How? It doesn't matter," Irina shook off the failure. "Nightmare!"

A dozen copies of the young angel appeared in the sky, each plummeting earthbound to crash down upon Jeanne. She was unprepared for Jeanne's counterattack, holy swords erupting from her hands and feet to skewer each of her copies, blasting them from existence before rising to meet the real one. She hadn't been fooled in the slightest. It pained Irina that even after all her practice, she could still only use one power of Excalibur at a time.

"That was so cool looking!" Jeanne called out cheerily as she leapt up, parrying a follow-up by Xenovia with another set of Holy Swords summoned from her elbows. "Your teamwork really is top notch, it's so great you two stayed together even in that Crossroads team."

"Stop looking down on us!" Irina called out in frustration that their best maneuvers were being treated so lightly. "I was reincarnated by Lord Michael himself! I am his Ace to represent Heaven!"

"Michael did it? Oh wow, maybe I should show off then! My Sacred Gear is Blade Blacksmith, just like that cute knight's over there," she seemed to know those words would bring a scowl to Xenovia's lips. "But I make Holy Swords instead of devil ones. They seem pretty weak to yours, so let's shake things up…BALANCE BREAKER!"

She has a Balance Breaker? The pair dove back before the mountain of swords could emerge from the ground beneath her feet. They both succeeded in evading save a scratch on Xenovia's leg, staring wide-eyed at what she had done.

Hundreds of holy swords crafted in every size and shape erupted forth, yet unlike Kiba's that did no more, these ones started to move, stacking atop one another, and interlocking into place. Once finished, a massive dragon the size of the castle walls stood before them made entirely out of the numerous blades summoned. To their horror, it moved as if alive, even roaring in challenge as their opponent leapt atop its shoulders.

"My little baby," she rubbed a blade's flat edge as if it were its cheek. "Stake Victim Dragon, a subspecies Balance Breaker. THIS is my creation granted by God!"

"She truly is the inheritor of Jeanne d'Arc's soul," Irina could not help but remark. She knew the name well but could only be sure it was her through battle. The spirit of a Saint standing with the Hero Faction and Khaos Brigade, it nearly brought her to tears. "It doesn't matter who you are! If you are with them, we WILL fight you!"

"I would hope for no less," she giggled again before issuing her child forward with a victory sign. "I was hoping to slay some devils, but a pagan and her ally will have to suffice. "Let's all do our best!"

Not Far…

"I want to face them," Siegfried pointed his two formerly Nordic blades towards Kiba and Catherine respectively as they turned their attention from the opening fights. "She interrupted us, and I haven't had a chance to even the score. Just what does Gram find so fascinating about you?"

"Very well," Cao Cao agreed. "That leaves the Spartan and Red Dragon Emperor for myself. This will be quite the night, if Leonardo is able to hold off their allies outside, we can have all the time to fight these monsters."

"We shall fight further from the others," Kiba told the clone, the man looking impressed by his forwardness.

"Of course, we can't have any interfering this time. Invite your lady friend."

Sparks instantly flew as the trio drew their weapons, Siegfried falling back into his skilled counter to all four of the blades being leveled against him. As before, he kept his movements to a minimum, somehow evading each strike while countering with his own thrusts. This time, however, the pair were prepared for a match utilizing tactics covering for the other's blind spots while providing openings for the other and slowly backing Siegfried into the corner.

"SWORD BIRTH!" Kiba called out, expanding the range as holy-demonic swords exploded from both the ground and walls around the Hero Faction swordsman. He had only a single avenue of escape covered by Catherine prepared with a slash that was sure to take at least a limb.

A resounding clang signaled the end to their assault. Despite both of his blades being tied up deflecting the prison of swords, a third and fourth had somehow deflected both of the former Saint's strikes with a fifth slashing across her back as she passed. A mighty pressure was coming from Siegfried, his murderous aura growing ever more ominous.

"Balance Break!" He called out as four extra silver-scaled arms had erupted from his back each to claim another of the legendary swords beneath his coat that had been lying unused before. "Gram, Balmung, Nothung, Tryfling and Dainsleif," he presented each sword with one made of light to fill the sixth slot. "My Chaos Edge Asura Ravage, the Balance Breaker of my Twice Critical Sacred Gear. With this I can wield each of the Nordic-devil weapons I accumulated since my time serving the Church. You don't hold the number advantage any longer…can you keep up?!"

He charged forward, weapons slashing through the air like a horrific whirlwind. Kiba and Catherine were immediately forced into a defensive gesture desperately deflecting each blow they could. Kiba's holy-demonic blades could be imbued with special powers, but he had never seen a special ability of Catherine's own weapons. The devil knight feared she would be outclassed by so many that rivaled or surpassed Durandal and Excalibur itself.

"Be careful," he warned. "Those blades can cut through normal swords easily."

"Mine aren't normal," she asserted despite the worry in her voice. "But I fear I cannot wield them fully as a devil."

"What?" Kiba did not have time to ask further as Siegfried pressed his attack. Even with their knight-enhanced speed, the cloned hero kept pace and pushed them further. The blonde fighter knew how skilled Catherine was, having been on the receiving end of her attacks, unable to comprehend why she would withhold the powers of her swords. For the first time in many years he prayed, prayed that either they wouldn't be needed or she would find the resolve to use it before they were overwhelmed by the half dozen weapons of legend aimed solely at claiming their lives.

Back with Cao Cao…

"Promote me to Queen!" Issei shouted at seeing his friends slowly losing ground around him, Asia giving a resounding shout of approval as she released the badge given by Rias. The dragon-devil wings on his back exploded outward with power as the augmenting powers filled his body. It was his first time tapping into Queen status, but a real fight felt like the right place to use it. "He's the closest to a boss enemy among them. Stay safe away from the rest but help everyone where you can!"

"I-I will!" She promised, retreating as Hecuba and Issei approached Cao Cao still standing totally uncaring at their united front.

"You won't succeed," Hecuba held her shield aloft for defense, dropping down prepared to advance. "Issei, try to back up the others and…"

"Don't think you can take me alone!" Cao Cao rushed forward, his spear clashing against her defense. To the Olympian's absolute horror, even a single slice was enough to leave a deep gash in her bulwark, it was nearly useless.

Issei found it hard to find an opening and assist as Hecuba clashed with Cao Cao. The fierce expression in her face grew only worse as she fought, completely disregarding her ally's presence. Monster's Bane fared better than her shield against the True Longinus, the Spartan deflecting blow after blow. Using her shield as a base, she brought her legs up to dodge his last swing, catching him upside the head. Cao Cao flipped from the hit, rebounding off his spear into a standing position. Casting her useless shield towards him like a discus, he still managed to deflect it with a twist of his spear, cutting it in half and sending both pieces flying into the wall.

Even Cao Cao was shocked as Hecuba appeared before him having remained perfectly within the blind spot created by the thrown shield. Monster's Bane caught the True Longinus, the Hero Faction Leader tilting his head amazing it was holding together despite its lack of unique abilities. He had not delved deeply into the Spartan's recent history, unaware that the blade was made from bones far predating his weapon's forging. Sliding up the length of his weapon once more, she slashed her weapon, the blade being parried but he could not stop the hilt impacting his jaw.

"You would have made such an ally," Cao Cao tutted as he wiped the blood from his mouth. "To fight this well with no Balance Breaker or advantage against the supernatural other than your body and will. "Your skill is superb, possibly beyond even mine with a weapon, however…"

The Hero Faction leader sped forward floating slightly off the ground with such speed Hecuba barely got her blade up to parry in time. She was too slow, blocking the first blow turning out to be only the haft, allowing Cao Cao to tilt the blade upwards. She kept up, stepping back to put some distance between them. Seeing there was no escape, she aimed Monster's Bane downward…

Blood dribbled down the handle as Hecuba's breastplate was cleaved through, their blades crossing with the redheaded warrior losing out. The tip of the ancient spear had pierced clean through her and out the back just below her sternum, her armor useless against the weapon of God. She was only able to release an audible gasp before stumbling backwards.

"Bastard!" Issei jetted forward using the boosters on the back of his armor, a powerful punch impacting Cao Cao and forcing him to withdraw the blade from her chest. "Hecuba? Hecuba don't move. Asia! We need healing!"

Asia quickly answered, a green glow encompassing the her body. Issei carefully laid her down as easily as he could astonished how easily she had been countered and beaten. His hands were covered in blood mixing with the red of his armor.

"I-Issei," Hecuba coughed, gripping him weakly. "Don't…let him go…"

If we attack recklessly, we'll all end up that way, he tried to comfort her until Asia's Twilight Healing had closed the wound. With the gravity of the injury, even with her miraculous Sacred Gear it would take time. He very nearly decided to use the Phenex Tear in her pocket, deciding instead it may be needed elsewhere as the danger passed.

"Her skill is superb," Cao Cao concluded his previous statement. "But without the power to back it up, it will avail her little, much like that little Valkyrie against Heracles. I was curious how your power is compared to Vali, we had quite a few discussions how to deal with you, Red Dragon Emperor. You are the opposite, all power but no skill or technique to it. I decided from this that a direct attack is the best way to slay a monster such as you. You are quite wary of technique types like those of your Einherjar ally."

"I don't like being analyzed!" Issei brought Ascalon up, his Dragon Shot Slash missing Cao Cao who ducked lightly at the last moment before they came together with a clash.

"That temper and knack for rushing in is your greatest weakness," Cao Cao's smug grin just made Issei all the angrier. "That along with your devil and dragon nature. Two immense powers but each with set vulnerabilities…and you have them both."

Cao Cao allowed Issei to push forward, easing his spear to the side to avoid Ascalon entirely. As expected, Issei followed up with a punch from a hand releasing the hilt. Hoping to throw him off, Issei set off one of his boosters, causing his fist to rotate in the exact opposite direction. Despite the attempted feint, his opponent avoided that too.

"Who is predictable now!" Issei cried figuring he could dodge it again. A Dragon Shot powered up within the blade of Ascalon, erupting forth to cover not just where Cao Cao had moved towards but most of his avenues of retreat. To his growing frustration, he merely twisted his spear, the holy-infused weapon cutting the wave in half to miss him entirely all with the least amount of movement possible. "You're wide open!"

The swing to split his attack was wide, leaving him vulnerable for a fraction of a moment. Issei used that chance to catch Cao Cao in the gut. His swing was shallow as the backend of the spear parried his arm at the last moment, their dance back and forth coming to a climax.

TRANSFER!

Ascalon disappeared up Issei's left hand to reemerge out his right elbow. Cao Cao saw it, turning to intercept only for a sharp jab of pain to paralyze his movements. The delay allowed Issei to score a hit, burying itself deep in his thigh and drawing blood.

What happened? Cao Cao groaned in anger as Issei withdrew the weapon to a fountain of crimson. I knew it was coming…Looking down, he realized the intense pain had come from just beneath his armpit, more blood seeping through his robe from a different wound he had not seen. The Spartan! Did she do that with the final attack? How precise and fast did she have to be that I couldn't even feel it!?

From the back, Hecuba grinned in pain and satisfaction. Realizing she couldn't deflect his weapon again, she had aimed just beneath his arm where if done precisely enough would not be noticed quickly. In Cao Cao's overconfidence, he'd been unaware of the injury she'd dealt him just waiting to debilitate him.

"There is more to a person than can be analyzed on the surface you bastard. Please hurry Asia," she whispered low. I can't let this keep me down."

"Your spear may be a True Longinus!" Issei proudly announced, his adrenaline pumping at his successful attack. Neither Kiba nor Dorian could question his training with them to become proficient with his sword. "But you are still human!"

"I…am," Cao Cao admitted. "Just a normal human body before a devil and dragon. "Therefore, I believe an equalizer is in order. Reaching into his vest, he produced a glowing vial of a substance Issei was well-aware of, having one of his own beneath his armor.

"Phenex Tears, even with the shortage? You have them too? How!?"

"We are everywhere," he answered vague and ominously as he dabbed a drop on the deep wound. With a gentle pink glow, his injuries, including from his bout with Hecuba, were completely healed, the descendant of heroes standing tall once more. Even his stamina had been renewed. "Now then, I see a little bit more of how you fight. Think you can do that a second time before my spear finds you?"

High in the skies…

Rossweisse turned, generating bombardment magic that had reduced Forcas to dust and concentrating it entirely upon Heracles' position. Her vision blurred from the concentration required, the young woman downing another bottle of the medicine to help her hangover for as little as it did. She was certain her eyes were playing tricks on her, no matter how much she unloaded into the stationary hero, he emerged utterly unscathed.

"Aw, what's the matter?" Heracles mocked as the last struck his chest to equally little effect. "Those magical attacks were just starting to tickle!" Upon closer inspection she could see minor burns and wounds appearing across his body, yet he still mocked her as if they meant nothing to him. "Too afraid to come down and fight like a real warrior?"

Rossweisse did not take the bait, remaining at a distance per her strength along with the knowledge of his bygone battle with Thrud. His Sacred Gear created explosions wherever they struck powerful enough to put her long-time friend on the backfoot for a time. With her flight, he could not reach her.

"It seems all my allies have done the same, so it is only fitting I do the same…BALANCE BREAKER!"

Despite the grandeur of his announcement, the transformation was relatively simple as jagged objects appeared upon each of his arms. The glow of power was the greatest indictor of the danger Rossweisse found herself in, the pressure reaching her even in midair. As the light faded, enormous points jutted from his arms and shoulders. It took her a moment to associate them with what they looked like; her face paling even more than it already was.

They were enormous missiles emanating tremendous power.

"Balance Breaker, Mighty Comet Detonation," Heracles announced with a roar. "Do not worry, I won't kill you immediately. I want you alive when I drag you to your Einherjar toy. Either he'll be dead, and you can watch, or you'll die first. Your golden friend will be next, the rage I felt at that loss allowed me to unlock this power! Not even the daughter of Thor can compare!"

I need to stop him, but how? The calculations ran through her head far slower than usual, the choice of drink earlier in the day dooming her efforts. My best attacks don't even faze him, sealing is my best recourse!

"There is nowhere to escape," he threatened as he pointed both hands towards her. With a final maniacal laugh, every missile on his hands and back blasted towards her. It was immediately apparent they were too fast to outrun.

Hoping to draw him from her friends, Rossweisse blasted off away from Honmaru Palace, magic circles forming around her with offensive blasts sent to intercept the projectiles. En route, the giant missiles divided to become dozens beyond counting. Her first volley set off many, lighting up the night sky to be seen for miles around. It was not enough as multitudes more slammed into her defenses. The concussive blast and resulting shockwave flattened the trees around, sending her careening back towards the Earth, even her seals of flight destroyed in the blast.

He's…so strong, she gasped, gripping her side in pain certain something was broken. I was never a match for Thrud, and he fought with her before his Balance Breaker. I need to try to think, focus and…

"There you are," Heracles broke through the trees, the missiles on his body having magically reloaded since firing the first salvo. 'Go ahead, pick yourself up. If that was enough to end you, this wouldn't be any fun at all!"

But I have to keep fighting, the battered Valkyrie struggled to her feet. With a renewed surge of energy, seals erupted across her body and in both hands of offense and defensive powers. If we don't stop them here and they succeed, who knows what will happen to not just Kyoto, but the entire world? Dorian, please, be safe.

Takamagahara…

"This way," the priestess in white ushered Dorian forward. He had been hesitant to trust the woman after the run-in within Yomi, yet it seemed that was unnecessary, finally reaching his destination.

Since taking her hand, all fatigue seemed to have fallen away with him feeling more vibrant than in many days. The darkness of Yomi had faded with her touch, opening up what was surely the fields of Takamagahara, realm of the Shinto gods. Everything glistened with a gentle white light from the dazzling sun over the fields of flowers so low to the ground it tickled his feet with their passing. The robes provided for the purification ritual and bare feet now made more sense beyond the aesthetics. Far in the distance, a humble building that reminded him of the older dojo behind Kuoh Academy came into view. It was simple without any fanfare or overly ornamental design. It matched the look of the conduit shrine perfectly if it had not been ravaged by time.

"The gods live there?" Dorian finally asked as they drew nearer.

"Indeed, it is from there they oversee their followers and their works. I ask you to be cordial with them, they are not all in agreement regarding your transgressions."

"I saved Kunou's life!" He asserted with a hint of exasperation in his voice. "Are they not aware of what's occurring in Kyoto?"

"They are," she admitted, her face hidden by the blinding light, yet he could hear the uncertainty in her voice. "All the same, to partake of their gift to their followers must be judged."

"My friends are waiting for me," Dorian explained as they crossed the threshold. "Yasaka, the youkai leader is in danger. Their gifts are being misused as we speak!"

"You speak too loudly for one who is a guest in our home," a deep yet polite tone warned him they were no longer alone. "Thank you for bringing him."

"Of course," the priestess bowed while motioning for Dorian to do the same. Following her example, he sat in a kneeling fashion he had heard called the seiza posture. Looking up, he saw three chairs flanking his position each with a different being sat within. The Three Principal Shinto Gods.

On the far left was a burly man with messy black hair so grand he mistook parts wrapped about his face for a beard. He was adorned in a dazzling mixture of armor and robes, a breastplate and shoulders made of golden light carved with depictions of dragons and other serpents. He had a mighty sword at his hip and was portrayed as a war god without a doubt. Across from him sat another man wearing a black and purple tunic with gold inlays. The attire noticeably clashed with the humble nature of the structure; his dark hair expertly tied up into a grand top knot held in place by a crescent moon hairpin. He fanned himself with a wide hand fan matching the color of his clothes with a long staff resting against the seat, his gaze clearly analyzing Dorian with intense scrutiny.

Between the two men sat a woman who was the embodiment of the term 'Japanese beauty' even beyond Akeno herself, the very definition itself. Her skin was pale as the moon, lips bright red to possibly be mistaken for the color of blood. She bore a snow-white kimono that glistened with red and gold patterns that he would have sworn shifted each time he blinked. Her hair was styled with a headdress of immaculate design set with jewels and other valuable gems. Despite the colossal amounts of hair tied up, she still had enough to spare that it fell down her back to the floor, even longer than Rossweisse's.

"Dorian Held," the priestess motioned to each from left to right. "Allow me to introduce my Lord Susanoo, Lady Amaterasu and Lord Tsukuyomi. I apologize for our lateness; he was beset by Izanami before I could find him."

"Thank you, priestess," Susanoo nodded to her. "Your service was exemplary, take your rest. And as for you Mr. Held," his expression darkened as he focused upon the young Einherjar. "You have been brought here for tapping into the Ley Lines of Kyoto without leave as a follower of our realm nor a natural recipient of the youkai.

"Natural recipient?" Dorian did not quite understand.

"The youkai embody a core of our will," Tsukuyomi clarified, his voice gentler, almost melodious. "A oneness with nature, appreciating it and honoring its contributions to life without becoming completely beholden to nor forsaking it. They may not follow our rituals, but we allow their usage due to this fact."

So that is how Yasaka can use it without hearing the gods directly.

"I had to tap into it to save a young woman named Kunou," he started to explain. "She, along with my friends, were being attacked by a faction of the Khaos Brigade known as the Hero…"

"We are well-aware of this Brigade and Faction," Tsukuyomi continued as the other two listened. "We have been watching their involvement; however, they have not dared to try to claim our power."

"But they have!" Dorian interrupted. "Yasaka was kidnapped recently and they are manipulating her to use your power! We were going to confront them tonight to get her back."

"Yasaka wields the power, not they."

"…what?"

"We gifted the Ley Lines towards our purpose for the land, this one in particular now called Kyoto," Amaterasu spoke at last. "It was determined these conduits of power could benefit those who see us as their guardians. Thus, it was deemed they could use it as they so wished. So long as Yasaka wields it, we will not interfere."

"But…but she's being used against her will! If you just prevented her from using it for a little while…"

"You ask such out of ignorance for the consequences," Amaterasu spoke calmly though it was clear Susanoo was angered by his words. "To strip someone of their ability to use the Ley Lines, even for an instant, would irrevocably cripple their soul and ability to use magic. Would you truly ask this of us? To sacrifice her to save the rest?"

An image of Kunou sobbing into his chest flashed in Dorian's mind, his heart plummeting at how she'd be if her mother was maimed in such a way. The words of his promise to save her echoing louder than ever.

"No…no I wouldn't."

"How she uses the power, by the will of others or not, is not the reason for bringing you here," Susanoo boomed loudly, the floor vibrating with each syllable. "It is the danger posed by you being able to wield such energies. The harae ritual proved as much."

Dorian squinted his eyes with a confused expression; he didn't understand.

"The sin surrounding you is strong," Tsukuyomi continued. "Even going through a ritual with Suzaku's oversight, it was enough to drag you down to the depths of Yomi that we almost could not reach and draw Izanami to you instantly. One with such darkness surrounding them with the power of our land…"

"But I could sense my sin lifting," Dorian assured them. "I felt light as a feather until…until…"

"Until the sin of your companion pulled you beneath the waves."

Iggy? Iggy is that true? As before, the woman who shared his soul was ominously quiet, even Despoina did not reply to him.

"She isn't a danger to anyone," he pleaded her defense. "She's been able to understand magic ever since I was able to speak with her, but she watched over me even before then. She would never misuse your powers; I swear my life on it. We are trying to bring everyone together, it's the entire purpose of the Crossroads. I have not been able to hear her since the ritual."

"She is facing those sins surrounding her, she will emerge when she comes to terms with them. We have kept our rituals to our followers since our conception," Tsukuyomi spoke up again, his voice full of an almost mocking inflection making Dorian feel he was being treated like a child. "No devils, angels, Einherjar, reincarnated beings or Sacred Gears to mar the purity of our beliefs."

"That is short-sighted, and you know it!" Dorian was getting angry at the semantics they were arguing, the tone in his voice unmistakable. "I have a friend among Rias Gremory's family who went through a lot because of that! It's no different than the Hero Faction's obsession with humans only! By working together, we can share our knowledge and improve ALL sides. The youkai and Shinto have hated each other for years, if there was even a chance that could end…"

"Silence!" Susanoo's voice caused Dorian's own to be drowned out in a boom of thunder. "We are NOT discussing the notion of an alliance, but of the fate of an individual. If the instability of your companion were to be augmented by our Ley energies, it could cause catastrophe greater than what the Hero Faction currently plan. You are clearly too young to wield such powers nor are you worthy with such a loose outlook on belief and faith."

"I believe," he stood to his feet despite the priestess reaching out to try and request him to stay seated. "I have seen so many gods, Norse, Greek, Shinto, even the Biblical God was real. I believe because I KNOW. If that isn't enough beyond blind faith and devotion to the detriment of all else, then I don't know why I even came here. Keep your powers, I never wanted them. But I am going to help my friends to save Kyoto, if you want to stay sequestered as the Brigade tries to destroy all, that's your decision but I will NOT let others suffer for that choice. I am leaving."

"You speak from the heart, not mind," Amaterasu softly replied. "If our power would allow you to save even a single life, you would use it despite any oath you make today. We saw it in your ritual, you cherish life to the point you haven't even slain a single foe."

Dorian clenched his fists without saying a word. He couldn't refute her statement in earnest, she was right.

"The judgement has been made, to ensure you will never hold the Ley Line energies again, you shall be stripped of the capacity to wield them for all time." She looked sorrowful at her statement.

Wait, but they said doing that would…

Dorian leapt to his feet as a glow emanated from the three deities. He prepared to summon seals of defense. Fighting gods, whether he had a chance to win or not, he wasn't about to let them cripple him out of fear of what he may do in the future. The atmosphere between them had turned dark in the blink of an eye. The three stared him down, Susanoo reaching for his hilt.

"PLEASE! My Lords, my lady!" The priestess who had been silent through the exchange suddenly leapt between Dorian and them, prostrating herself on the ground in the ultimate show of servitude. "I beg you to reconsider your judgement!"

"Wh-what are you doing?"

"I have seen this man when looking upon the world," she continued without acknowledging him directly. "He may be of another realm and not holding true faith in any single place…but I have seen what he is prepared to do. You showed me Kyoto's Ley Lines were placed to safeguard humanity for the day when your power would not be enough, even for those who live there and do not believe. He too wishes to protect everyone, he showed it now willing to defy your judgement to defend those among the city!"

"What is it you ask?" Susanoo asked with an oddly gentle tone as his hand drifted from the sword, the harshest of the gods had his fury tempered by her selfless impassioned display.

"I ask of you to allow him leave to depart as he is and prove himself. Whatever sins have surrounded the soul of his companion, he can jail the shadows as he wields the light, keep them from rising as we feared. If nothing else is asked in my service among this divine realm, let it be this."

An all-consuming silence settled upon the chamber, the three gods of the Shinto people glancing to one another. Despite the lack of sound, it was clear they understood the other's thoughts, finally turning towards Dorian and the priestess.

"Very well," Amaterasu spoke for them. "Your service in life and death has been beyond reproach or question. If you truly feel so strongly for this boy…then by your words we shall allow him the opportunity to prove his worth. Mr. Held!"

"Yes?" He stood down from his battle readiness, hesitantly looking into the eyes of the central goddess.

"Our new decree is thus; you may depart as you are to do as you wish. You shall keep the capacity to access the Ley Lines beneath the city of Kyoto, however, be mindful where you walk and how you use our power. We grant this boon to our followers in the hopes they better and protect one another but we will not interfere to change their nature. Never use our might beyond these purposes and you may retain it as such. Use it for personal gain or dark ends and we shall rip the ability from you without hesitation. Are we clear?"

"Crystal," Dorian replied, his temper simmering low but not abating. "My previous statements of cooperation remain, however. The Brigade has already tried to kill one pantheon at least and is set on disrupting the peace we have. We work better together than divided."

"Your words have been heard and shall be considered," she turned to the priestess. "Shinshoku Shuri, take him back to his home. With the events transpiring there, we may see a result of our judgement quite shortly."

"Right this way Mr. Held," she reached out his hand again, the light around her face dimming just enough to make out her features. "I will show you the fastest way, we should hurry."

"Shuri…?" Dorian turned with a look of wonder as her light brown eyes and long black ponytail became visible to him. For the second time since arriving in Kyoto, he was perplexed as to how he could be coming face to face with someone so eerily similar in appearance to Rias' Queen Akeno Himejima.

Gremory territory…

Koneko slammed against the wall, her attempts to restrain Moloch utterly fruitless. Even using touki to augment her strength and attempts to disrupt his bodily functions, the terrorist leader had thrown her away with absolute ease. His latest punch had been so powerful that it shattered every window remaining in the train.

"Please, is that all it takes to stop you? I made sure to only break three ribs," he mocked as Thrud emerged behind him. With all her strength, she angled a punch into his gut only to be met by his own fist. "Ah ah, no being sneaky now."

Moloch coughed up spit as her second fist cracked him upside the head and causing him to stagger. It was clear Thrud was more comfortable in close quarters with the elder devil lashing out with his razor sharp wings and magical circles each intended to blow her head off. His power was undeniable, however as even the slightest hit broke her armor where it struck and knocked her off-balance, her battle mania the only thing allowing her to ignore the pain. The daughter of Thor bobbed and weaved around him, scoring blow after blow into his chest where a rune of protection shimmered. It got brighter and brighter before finally cracking outright, the young goddess flipping over him before he could counterattack to grip him from behind locking his arms at his side.

"DO IT!"

At her cry, Rias and Akeno combined their powers as they had to annihilate a clone of Midgardsormr refined since then and far more potent. A dark dragon wreathed in holy lightning traveled the course of the train car, the walls bending outward to accommodate its passing. At the last possible moment, the daughter of Thor dove out one of the broken windows, bounding to safety at the waiting stations. The others similarly abandoning the train, gathering Koneko's battered form as they did.

The car exploded in a vibrant display of power, black lightning catching fire as a result burning high into the air. Thrud recovered Gullbjorn now free of the seal as she slumped back with a huff. Moloch had proven to be far stronger than even herself, a feeling she despised except when sparring with Dorian. Glancing to the side, she was relieved to see Koneko leaning against the wall, a soft glow emanating from her hands.

"I-I'll be fine," the younger nekoshou bit through the burning sensation. "Gi-give me a f-few minutes…" She cried in pain as her hands glossed over the ribs.

"Try to hurry," Rias stood to look over at the car still melting from the heat of the fires summoned from her destruction magic. "I am doubtful that worked."

"And right you would be!" The ever-grating voice of Moloch announced as he walked through the rear entrance to the car. His clothes were singed, but he was otherwise unharmed. Removing his hat, he patted it to knock of a pile of ashes that had accumulated upon it. "The new generation is quite rambunctious. Care to try again? No need to answer, I believe it is my turn."

"You've already lost," Rias stepped forward if only to buy time. "The civilians are long gone; your men are beaten and the rest facing my family are soon to follow. There is nothing left for you here. Even if you kill us, your goals are done."

"Oh, my dear Lady Gremory, I thought you were more intuitive than that. Did you honestly think I cared about snuffing out a few insignificant beings who can barely call themselves devils? Your foes will not make everything so cut and dry, I did, however, lure your entire family here apart from your brother."

"You…wanted us all here," Rias started to compile the information in her mind. "We brought an army, my parents, enough power to…"

"…to be of no use elsewhere," he started to laugh in a manner bordering on the manic. "Well done! If only you had determined that yesterday, I may have a chance of failing."

He acted faster than they could have imagined, a trio of seals dwarfing any he had done before appeared over his head, the family insignia distorted and undiscernible. Massive pillars of dark magic erupted from each toward the women. In that brief opening, Akeno barely had time to erect a defensive barrier that cracked the instant they made contact. Thrud held aloft her hands, reinforcing her efforts. She was not as talented as Rossweisse, not by a long shot, but magic seals were a requirement to Valkyrie training. She prayed her brute strength would be enough to make up for the lack of skill. Rias added her own power to it, the three together barely standing before the gargantuan energy wielded so easily by their opponent. He did not even look like he was sweating.

"Impressive, you may stop them, but how about this one?" He asked in a mocking tone as a shimmering black sphere appeared above his head to drift towards them, the power within it greater than the previous attacks combined.

"No!" Thrud drew the bow of Heracles from her back, nocking an arrow the size of her body upon it. With a grunt of effort, she drew it back to its full length, the lightning of her family crackling upon the tip as she let it fly.

Soaring just through the three beams assailing them, her bolt flew over the devil's head, striking his sphere dead center. The collection of energy instantly exploded, destabilized by the inclusion of a foreign power. The pressure of the remaining trio of attacks seemed to stop, the force guiding them interrupted.

"Now's our chance, PUSH!"

Rias' command was followed, those who could still stand repelling the assault. Without its master's constant orders, the beams were easily redirected into various walls of the station. All struck by the attack ceased to exist, their very building blocks broken down to imperceptible sizes. As soon as the barrage was stopped, the three collapsed to their knees, all energy drained as they gasped for respite to catch their breath.

"H-he's too strong," Akeno gasped. "If that didn't do it…"

"It did not, but that…HURT!" Moloch stepped through the smoke, his face was blackened, a hole burned through his shoulder to reveal scorched flesh and bone beneath. Against their best hopes, his wounds were already in the process of closing, within a matter of moments he was whole and hale again. Their best consolation was the observation that the process looked incredibly painful. "I hope you were proud of that little maneuver; I won't give you a second chance."

The level to which he'd been toying with them became evident as a half dozen new spheres exploded from his chest. Unlike the slow approach of the previous one, these blasted towards them almost instantly. There was no chance to move or formulate new barriers, Rias could only watch as their doom approached, striving her last thoughts towards an apology to her servants and solace in the knowledge they had protected the people. She delved deep within herself, hopelessly striving to find a new avenue of power, some means to save her friends as Issei had in the past. There seemed to be something there just beyond her reach.

"You will not TOUCH my daughter!"

A wall of light appeared between the peerage and Moloch, the six spheres slamming into it with a gargantuan explosion. The power behind Moloch's attack was greater than before, the aftershocks cracking the ground beneath them to be felt miles away. All the same, the shield created held strong with not even the slightest blemish appearing. Even the terrorist leader turned to the voice, an amused smile creasing his lips at the sight.

"Ah, the Gremory Duke, Madam of Extinction AND the Queen of Annihilation? What an honor to hold such an audience.

"You made it," Rias gasped, realizing that her parents Zeoticus and Venelana stood behind them with Grayfia bringing up the rear. The three held their hands aloft, the barrier having been made through a joint effort of the three powers. They left not even the slightest chance that an ounce of magic may get through to harm her.

"Are you alight?" Venelana asked without giving up her position. Instead, Grayfia was the one to kneel, performing a healing seal of magic upon them. It was only a temporary measure, but it was enough to get them back on their feet.

"W-we are," she looked back at the others, sighing with relief that Koneko was back up and tending to the others now. Since Kuroka's return, she had improved phenomenally with her Sage Arts. Gasper staggered over but was clearly uneasy from the blow while within Honda's armor, the Dullahan still unmoving with the power keeping it going disrupted from the blow.

"Thank goodness," she smiled one last time before rounding on Moloch, all joy and happiness drained from her expression. Much like her husband and daughter-in law, she had grown quite serious, totally focused on their enemy. Her aura blackened with roots of red piercing through it, the absolute destruction she commanded turned upon the terrorist leader again. "Run along now Rias, we will handle it from here."

The energy moved as if alive in a control Rias could scarcely imagine as Venelana moved forward in the blink of an eye. Moloch spun, his own aura shielding him albeit barely, the look of true worry on his face for the first time. Not even his barrier could hold her wrath completely, a wisp of darkness piercing through to ensnare his ring finger. Without hesitation, he ripped the digit free, the destruction power consuming it upon the floor before it could take the rest of him with it.

"So, YOU are the one causing such trouble in our territory," Zeoticus mused with joy at his beloved wife's attack, hefting his impressive greatsword over a shoulder. "Your men are all dead or surrendered, you are the last and we will deal with you ourselves."

"I would have it no other way," Moloch threw his hands out, his ten wings unfurling in anticipation. His composure had returned despite his lost finger. "Come then, elders of the Gremory Family, let us see if your dynasty deserves to survive this night!"

Shinto Mansion…

Kari deflected another bullet still shredding part of her arm due to the control maintained by the Hero Faction women. Somehow, she had succeeded in drawing the attention of all three of them yet even in her for Jorogumo form, she couldn't get close. Kunou huddled beneath some rubble across the room, her best fox fire blasts useless against their barrier. Holes now riddled Kari's shield of webs, but she held strong refusing to kneel even as blood dropped to the floor from many wounds.

"Together!" The leader known as Aramis pointed. "FIRE!"

The others of their trio took aim and unleashed twin magic bullets towards her. The first struck the bulwark while the second caught her in the gut. The spider-youkai flew backwards into the wall still gripping her swords and shield refusing to release either until all life was spent.

"Kari!" Kunou gave up her location out of concern for her safety but the three barely paid her any attention. She was young without the power needed to help; they could deal with her after slaying the last of her guards. "Please run! You can't beat them!"

"My…family has served yours for generations," she gasped through the pain, every word choked with agony and rage. "My father died for your mother and if need be, I will do the same for you, but I am not…done…yet!"

The young woman wove more webbing into her shield, repairing the damage and causing bulbous sacks to appear upon it. They resembled the projectiles she had been firing at them before, but these were far more numerous. Holding it aloft, the bullets exploded from the surface to bombard the barriers the heirs to the Three Musketeers had erected.

"Please!" Aramis mocked with laughter as they struck harmlessly one after another. "You could fire a thousand of these and not one would break through. I defended my comrades as they fought your kind last year! None could pierce this aegis against what lurks in the dark! A million wouldn't be worth even one of our own bullets…urgh!"

"Aramis!" Athos shouted as her friend suddenly fell backwards, catching her commander and friend who was now bleeding from her abdomen. Somehow, one of the web bullets had pierced the barrier, shattering it instantly and punching through her. "What did you d-?" She gasped as a powerful blow struck her gut, Kari had closed the distance and buried four elbows into her stomach. She didn't have time to think before she collapsed forward.

"How did you break our barrier?" The last demanded, drawing her rapier due to the close quarters. She lunged forward only to be blasted in the back before she could complete a single step. Kunou dropped down upon her unleashing a fury of fireballs on her head. Even so young, with no protection the last Hero Faction woman dropped unconscious still smoking.

"Kari!" She rushed to her bodyguard, shredding bits of her wide robe sleeves to bind her injuries. "What are you doing?" She was shocked as the young spider did the same for Aramis, weaving her webs around her foe's wound so it would not prove fatal.

"We…are not them," she explained the reason for her mercy before collapsing. "I just…need a rest." She had to admit, letting them die for the faction slaying both their fathers was tempting, but the satisfaction of seeing they were better won out over vengeance, albeit barely.

"But how?" The princess demanded again. "How did you break through their shield? Your webs…"

"…were insufficient," she could not help but smirk despite her father's insistence that they not take pride in doing what is expected. She pointed to the bullet that had broken through, the webbing ripped and torn, revealing a soft glow deep within its confines.

"You…are a genius!" Kunou exclaimed with childish glee as she realized the plan. Nestled within the webbing was one of the Musketeer's own bullets. Knowing her own weapons couldn't pierce the barrier, she had caught one of the bullets upon her shield, wrapping it tightly within a cocoon and fired back with none the wiser. She had cast their own projectile back with devastating effect, the trio not overly strong without their vaunted teamwork. "I'll go help Kuroka."

"Don't!" Kari seized her wrist. "Those three were nothing special without their teamwork, but that one is something more." She watched across the massive room at Kuroka's battle, the fellow youkai losing ground by the second. "Help me up, we can protect the shrine, but with a Balance Breaker at his disposal, we need reinforcements to win, or a miracle.

Near the Shrine…

Kuroka was sent flying, her latest attempt to pierce the shadows failing once more as Connla redirected her own blast back at her after absorbing it. Slamming into a wall, she managed to cushion the impact somewhat with her strength still augmented by touki. All the same, she was covered in bruises, her kimono torn in places and she was finally starting to show signs of exhaustion with the defeat of her last clone. The power of a Balance Breaker, even a freshly unlocked one, was impressive to behold.

"Given up yet?" Connla asked, his bravado soaring as she had not managed to land a single successful attack on him. "All those advanced techniques, mists and kasha wheels are worthless."

"I get…the feeling you had some self-confidence issues you're working through. You don't have to ask your lady friends for a progress update every five minutes," she threw one more insult and a smug grin. Even losing as she was, the incorrigible nekoshou would never give him the satisfaction of enjoying it.

At those words, a dozen tendrils exploded from a shadow to Kuroka's right that, in her exhaustion, she had missed. She found her arms and legs bound and her waist seized, there was no get of jail card for her this time. Her only saving grace seemed to be that, driven half-mad by her insults and evasive tactics, he was in no rush to finish her off. Hoping to humiliate her, he hoisted her up beneath the trickling waterfall of the shrine causing her hair and face to become drenched with water.

"Ha, got you!" He tightened his grip on her to painful levels, bones groaning under the strain. "I told you, Lord Cao Cao's faith in me was not wrong! Even if they summon more guards, they'll be no match before I destroy this little temple. You could have easily escaped; how foolish you were to stay!"

"Hyp…ocrite."

"What did you say?" He pulled her a little closer.

"I said you are a hyp…o…crite," Kuroka repeated with an added spat that landed on his cheek. "Trying to shame me into not having run, wasn't your whole faction about standing up for your allies? Or those three and their little sunshine teamwork?" She motioned towards the now-defeated Three Musketeer women. "If you're gonna hate me and try to break my spirit, use a better argument that doesn't apply to your own side!"

"You filthy…"

"You think I'm the kind to hang around a lost fight?" She ignored his upcoming insult, blowing right past it. "I only joined these Crossroads for a chance at having a few brats with the Einherjar, clearing my record and that Evil Piece system idea. You honestly think I give a damn for other youkai? I get turned into a devil and murder one goddamned slime of a master and they cast me out! I don't know why I'm even still here; I haven't done a selfless deed since…since…"

Since I killed my master, he gave me everything I wanted; Power, position, but...

But he'd wanted to experiment on Shirone, her beloved little sister the others called Koneko who could barely walk at the time. As two of the last known nekoshou in existence, he wanted to use her in all his little tests. He had a goal in mind and that damned devil of the house Naberius had no qualms against doing anything and everything to his in pursuit of that goal.

So, I killed him with the power he helped me learn. I couldn't hide it; I became a criminal that day, but Shirone didn't have to. Leaving her for the devils to find was better for her, better than the youkai that shunned us in the first place. It was better for her, better for…me? The water splattering her face seemed to sparkle, Kuroka looking up as she realized where she was beneath the falls of the shrine. I haven't been here since that devil took us in, did Kyoto always have such a nice smell? I should bring her here again sometime. Maybe she'd look at me like a real sister then. Listen to me, I'm starting to sound like that goody two shoes angel…

The light from the water started drifting over towards her as if drawn like a magnet, she recognized its glow now. Nature-based ki in quantities she'd never seen before tied to the god's conduit directly. The shrine glowed brightly, the purification process activating despite the lack of a proper ritual. Connla could only stare confused as the swirling vortex of energy encircled his foe, finally entering her and removing the ambient light from the area.

"GAAHHH!" He screamed, an aura of blinding light exploding from Kuroka's very being to obliterate his tentacles and free her. Rather than falling, she softly glided to the ground, her feet touching down softly in the grass surrounding the pond. "What did you do?"

"I'm not sure," she admitted while turning to gaze into the still waters. She looked mostly the same yet seemed so different, noticing her features had smoothed, her playful expression focused and gentler. It was something alien to her, she looked more mature and calmer than she could ever remember being. The older nekoshou sister wouldn't have recognized herself if not for the reference she had still in her mind that had never faded.

I look like mom if she had black hair.

"I quite like this form," she flexed her fingers. "Everything feels so clear, especially you," she stared back at Connla who only now looked apprehensive. "I just realized; you ate my bullets like all you can eat buffets to throw back at me, but not my kasha wheels. Now why would that be?"

Connla swallowed noticeably, not even his Balance Breaker alleviating the worry at what she had realized.

"Got a little problem with flames?" A satisfied sneer stretched across her face from ear to ear, generating renewed wheels of fire. They were larger than before, the blue flames exploding with each pulse with the new power Kuroka tapped into within the palm of her hands. "I don't know what that nature-ki did to me…but I think I am going to have fun finding out."

The battles within Kyoto and beyond reach their apex with both sides taking losses and victories. Dorian hurries to reach his friends as the Hero Faction surrounds them, will he arrive in time to make a difference as the Gremoy Clan faces potential destruction? Until next time, I hope everyone stays safe, Reads and Reviews...but most of all Enjoys! :D