Coming Storm
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Chapter 11: Coming Storm
(Que Seven Deadly Sins Ost "Sky Peace")
Kiba's challenge was met, and Issei had joined him to make sure his fellow swordsman did not die due to his stupidity. Ruby and Rias both agreed to the match and would act as referees. It was two vs. two, with Xenovia facing Kiba and Issei facing his childhood friend, Irina Shidou. Issei kept a professional attitude, but Irina looked torn at facing her friend. As for Xenovia and Kiba, the former was still shaken up while the blonde was blinded with anger. Neither of them was going to perform at full capacity. Issei's peerage and Rias with her peerage as well were standing at the sidelines.
The two exorcists unveiled their white cloaks, revealing them to be in black, tight body suits that hugged their figure. Issei's perverted thoughts rose to the surface on sight of Irina, but he ruthlessly pushed it down. He's the Sin of Lust, not the victim of it. The mood however was broken when Ruby stared at the suits of the exorcists with her eyes twitching and a raging holy aura around her.
"Uh, Ruby-san, are you okay?" Irina asked meekly, a bit shaken by her power.
"I am going to purge the whole church of every pervert there is." Ruby muttered before taking a deep breath. "No, Irina, just thinking of bringing divine punishment on whoever gave you those outfits."
The exorcists, Asia, and the devils sweat dropped at the Ultimate class angel before going back to attention. As soon as Rias gave the signal to start the match, Kiba and Xenovia were already clashing steel against steel. Though it was obvious both of them were not fighting at their peak. Kiba's swings were too aggressive and telegraphed than usual but Xenovia's attacks were lacking as much strength. As for Irina and Issei, the former was struggling to come to terms that she was going to fight her best childhood friend.
"Don't worry, Irina-chan." Issei assured, giving Irina a smile. "I've always wondered how you've been doing ever since you moved to England. Right now, show me how much you have grown."
"A-Are you sure, Ise-kun?" Irina said, unsure how to go about this.
"Don't hold back." Issei said, raising his voice as he withdrew his gladius. "I can take it, trust me."
Irina composed her featues. "Okay, Ise-kun."
The bracelet on her arm glowed a bright light before it transformed into a katana held in her hands. The sword lived up to be an Excalibur fragment as the katana even was more ornately made than even the average blade with the hilt and tsuba gilded in gold. Taking a traditional kendo stance, Issei responded kindly with his gladius held at his right with armored left arm forward horizontally to act as a shield. With a silent signal, the two dashed at each other and steel clashed against steel in the middle. The fight between Xenovia and Kiba wrought with emotion did not compare to the dance between Irina and Issei testing their art with a blade.
Meanwhile on the sidelines, Murayama and Katase were sharing worried looks towards Kiba. To see him so angry instead of his chivalrous self-did not compute in their minds.
"What's happening to Kiba-kun?" Katase asked Rias. "I've never seen him this angry."
"Rias-sempai, do you know what's wrong with Kiba-kun?" Murayama whimpered.
Rias sighed heavily and told the Knights of Issei the past of Kiba, including his time in the Holy Sword Project to create artificial wielders for Excalibur fragments and even the traumatic experience of Kiba watching his friends die. At the end of her brief explanation, the Kendo girls were teary eyed, but they had a fiery vengeance toward the church for doing such a crime against Kiba of all people.
Their opinions of the church itself had dropped considerably and even when taking glances at the Excalibur fragments the pair were tightening their grip on the hilts of their Sacred Treasures.
"Those utter scumbags." Murayama hissed in anger.
"Heaven had no idea of the experiments of the Holy Sword Project until it was too late." Ruby added her piece. "When the Seraphs learned of the use of living sacrifices, they went on a purge to annihilate the project entirely to make sure the church never had the idea to do so again. Lord Michael himself was deeply ashamed for letting such a sin going under his watch."
"Even us devils have our own boundaries." Rias agreed.
Ruby nodded and watched the fight between the devils and the exorcists. The fight between Irina and Issei seemed even, but Ruby could tell that the latter was holding back and rather was enjoying the spar. As for Xenovia and Kiba, she had to resist glaring at the former for her earlier actions. She knew that the church was falling down in its once noble prestige, mainly the Vatican and Iscariot organizations. It sickened her so deeply and she knew none of Heaven would approve of this. The best Ruby was have a very much needed to talk with the student of Griselda.
Then, something clicked at Ruby's senses from the Knight of the Gremory heiress. In response, the angel stretched out her senses deeper into Kiba and found a very unusual holy signature. It was even with the demonic signature of Kiba's Sacred of Sword Birth, but for some reason seemed to be dormant or rather locked away.
"That Knight of yours is something else." Ruby noted.
Rias smiled pride. "Kiba-kun is wonderful servant of my peerage with his talent with his Sacred Gear, Sword Birth."
"So you don't know." Ruby stated.
Rias blinked. "Don't know what?"
"Kiba-san in fact has two Sacred Gears." Ruby revealed, drawing wide eyes from the devils. "I can sense the demonic signature of Sword Birth but I also sense an equally powerful holy signature that seems to be locked away. If I were a betting girl, I'd say that is Blade Blacksmith, the Sacred Gear that creates Holy Swords."
Rias' pupils were so small her eyes would be considered white. Her pride as a King took a blow from not noticing this, but that did not stop the shock from the revelation nonetheless. Her Knight had two Sacred Gears to produce swords of both demonic and holy, an aspect that's considered invaluable. But then the serious question hanged in her head.
Did Kiba know about his second Sacred Gear or did he refuse to use it?
"Kiba-kun has two Sacred Gears?!" Murayama exclaimed, remembering Issei telling her about them. "That's amazing!"
Xulean shivered. "I'm actually sort of glad Kiba-san never used Blade Blacksmith during that Rating Game."
Back with the spar, Irina and Issei were still going at it. The Red Dragon Emperor never let an opportunity passed his defenses and was content to just enjoy his spar with Irina. In one exchange, he parried Irina's blade and twisted his gladius to redirect the blow to the ground. The result was Irina losing his balance for an arm swipe to the back. More of a tap, and he may or may not have touched her ass. Irina let out a grunt of pain before working through it to perform a flip to get back on her feet.
"You're quite good, Irina-chan." Issei complimented.
"Says you." Irina whined with a pout. "How did you get this good?"
"Let's just say I fell under the tutelage of the greatest master of the blade in history." Issei said. "And I'll say even as I am now, he could still beat with me with nothing but a broken blade."
"Wow, I didn't know so much happened to you after you left." Irina gasped then readied her blade again. "But I'm not losing here."
"Then prove it." Issei exclaimed, making a gesture to come at him.
Irina jumped high in the air with her sword raised above her. As gravity took its control, Excalibur Mimic morphed into a hammer of all things. Issei smiled internally at his friend's clever mind using gravity to add into the effect. In response, Issei made a stance as though mimicking holding his gladius from his sheath. With a cry, Irina crashed down the warhammer upon Issei who didn't move. At the last inch before impact, Issei swiped his arm so fast there was a silver lining and a clink of steel.
"Full Counter."
All of the kinetic force from Irina's attack was blown back at the exorcist like a raging wind. Irina let out a cry as she was assaulted with the force of hurricane. She flew back, tumbling off the ground a little before crashing into a tree. Before she could get her bearings, Issei had already pinned her down with his gladius resting at his neck.
"This is my win, Irina-chan." Issei announced before holding out a hand for Irina who accepted it graciously.
"What was that just now?" Irina asked curiously.
"That was my magic, Full Counter." Issei explained. "Took me years to get the speed and reaction right. Basically, it reflects any physical and magical attacks with double the impact."
Irina widened her eyes before sparkles appeared in her eyes. "That's amazing, Ise-kun."
Issei nodded and glanced to the fight between Kiba and Xenovia.
The fight was much more close due to the fact neither of them were in their right mind. As such it alarmed him when both of them were going for fatal blows and neither of them was going to defend themselves. Before his feet could spring himself between them, a red blue trailing rose petals instead got between Kiba's sword and Excalibur Destruction. The sound of steel being hit resonated through the area and all eyes widened at the sight.
Ruby had stepped between Kiba and Xenovia faster than anything Issei had seen besides Meliodas. With her left hand, she had completely stopped Kiba's blade and cracks appeared on the demonic steel. As for Xenovia's Excalibur, Ruby merely blocked with a sword of white light.
On sight of pure white light, Ddraig in the Boosted Gear was having a meltdown, which he kept separate from his partner. [W-WHAT!? TTHAT LIGHT!? H-How is this possible!? But he is dead, yet this is his aura! How does this Ruby carry the same light as him?!]
"I've seen enough. The match is a draw between you two, but Irina has lost." Ruby announced, and the two she held back settled down.
"It was nice meeting you, Rias Gremory, but my compatriots and I will retire for the day."
Rias bowed her head in acknowledgement. "It was my pleasure as well, Ruby-san. If I may ask, do you know who took the Excalibur fragments?"
"It was Kokabiel." Ruby answered. "That's why I was sent to guard the exorcists."
Ruby nodded and then her eyes settled on Issei. "I have something to tell you for your ears, Red Dragon Emperor. I hope you are ready because the White One has awakened."
Issei's eyes widened in shock and he meekly nodded his head that he got the message. Ruby gestured to the exorcists and they made their leave from the ORC grounds.
(Later)
Ruby, Irina, and Xenovia were walking on an empty street with the latter trailing behind the other two with shame riddled on her face.
The sky was shining gold as the sun was just setting down below the horizon to the west. The entire time, Xenovia could only look at her past actions today in shame and was haunted by the fact an angel of all things, the being she looked up to, berated her for her actions.
Xenovia could not see Ruby's face, but she could feel the angel's blank look that expressed her displeasure towards the bluenette. In the end, the nerves got the better for her.
"Angel-sama," Xenovia cried, making Ruby and Irina pause in theirstep, "please forgive me."
"Stop!" Ruby exclaimed sternly, making Xenovia freeze in fear. "That! That right there is what I despise about some of the church. Your damn blind faith is nothing but a maddened devotion. You think that because you are faithful to God means that you can do whatever you want as long as it is in his name?!"
"Angel-sama-"
"Stop calling me that!" Ruby almost shouted. "Do you think it makes me happy of the stuff that you do in God's name? The fact that you had no second thoughts to killing Asia just because she was expelled absolutely sickens me. We are far passed the point of forgiveness, Xenovia."
"I'm sorry!" Xenovia whimpered. "I didn't know she was an angel."
Suddenly, Xenovia's blood went cold when the sound of wrenching metal came from inches of her right ear and silver eyes inches from her own glaring daggers of white hot rage. Xenovia was standing right next to a lamppost, and her eyes trailed to her extended fist that sunk into the steel like it was paper. Her golden eyes widened in fear as Ruby picked her up by her collar and slammed Xenovia against the wall.
"I would have saved the maiden even if she was a devil." Ruby roared. "You had no right to condemn Asia like that. You didn't know her outside of the venomous words the church spoke about her. In Heaven, we mourned for her because she was abandoned by the very people she was raised by.
"And your actions would've spelled far worse than you can imagine. You knew that Asia was part of Rias' peerage, and in turn she is part of the Gremory's family which may I remind you the new Lucifer, the most powerful devil in the world that not even Lord Michael can stand up to, is a member of. An attack on her would be attack on the
Lucifer's family as well. If you had cleaved Asia's head off, you wouldn't have killed one innocent person. No, you would be sorely responsible for the loss of billions when you plunged the entire world in another Great War. Wars have been fought for far less."
Through Ruby's entire tirade, Xenovia's emotions flashed through misery, shock, and then finally horror as the realization dawned on her. Ruby dropped her to the ground like a sack of potatoes, but Xenovia had no strength in her legs to stand. Instead, the bluenette could only stare at her hands and upon knowing she would have caused another Great War. All she could see on her hands was blood of the billions that would have died as such. And earlier today Xenovia had no care for even the consequences of such and it made bile rise in her throat.
"I feel as though punishment is necessary here for your carelessness instead of blatant forgiveness." Ruby announced, drawing wide eyes from Xenovia. "The two of you are no longer partners. As of now and forever Irina is your superior, Xenovia Quarta. At least Irina knows when to avoid an unnecessary fight. Are we clear?"
"Yes, Ruby-san." Irina replied.
"… I understand." Xenovia muttered miserably.
"Don't think I take enjoyment from this." Ruby said. "C'mon, Irina wants to go to an exhibitionist show."
"Thank you!" Irina squeaked before suddenly pulling both Xenovia and Ruby by their arms as the Protestant had sparkles in her eyes to see any paintings. Ruby chuckled amusingly at the joyful exorcist. It was far better than Xenovia who lacked the capability to be so happy so casually.
Huh, why did that remind Ruby of snow for some reason?
(The Next Day)
"Excuse me?" Issei asked incredulously.
"You heard us!" Exclaimed Murayama with Katase beside her. "We want to help Kiba-kun destroy those Excaliburs!"
Issei was standing outside under the walkway on the school grounds when he was suddenly cornered by his Knights. He sighed to himself in exasperation in the fact that he should have seen this coming from the Kendo girls. In fact, Issei was going to do this himself, despite the fact that Rias would look down on this, but he was his own King after all. His actions no longer had to take responsibility to Rias. The morning, Issei had already explained his intentions to Xulean, who readily agreed to move with her King.
"I don't like seeing Kiba-kun like that." Katase said. "He's always so cheerful and nice, but if this mess with the Excalibur fragments is making like this then I want to help."
Issei sighed. "Fine. Though, we are not doing this alone so I am going to call in a favor from a friend. Just-"
"ISSEI, YOU BASTARD!"
"HOW COULD YOU!? NOW YOU HAVE THE KENDO GIRLS WITH YOU?! FUCK OFF!"
Those two shouts came from Issei's former friends Matsuda and Motohama. Ever since Issei started dating Asia, he grew more detached from the pair until they were now known as the Perverted Duo. Every time he met them, it would always be because Issei was not sharing in the 'goods' and referring to anyone of the girls, especially Asia, like that made him bulge a vein. No one calls them property. They are people.
"Fuck off." Issei hissed.
"DAMN YOU, ISSEI!" Motohama cried. "You've been different ever since you joined the ORC. Now you have girls crawling at your feet."
"Yeah, and now we see that the Kendo are about-"
They didn't get a chance to finish before the Perverted Duo was met with feminine fury. From… somewhere… Murayama and Katase pulled out a shinai and started ruthlessly beating on the pair, not even holding back on their devil enhancements.
"Fuck you, you perverts!" Murayama cried. "We'd never go out with Issei."
"Our hearts will always belong to Kiba-kun." Katase proclaimed.
Issei could only watch his Knights with a huge sweatdrop. Turning back, he decided to prevent Ajika from corrupting Asia and then go back to business.
(Cafe)
"Ah Issei-san, what is it that you had to call me?" Greeted none other than Saji Genshiro, taking a seat at the round table Issei himself was seating. Murayama, Katase, and Xulean were with him as well occupying the rest of the table with drinks of their own. Issei, Katase, and Murayama had glasses of iced tea while Xulean settled for green tea.
"Saji-san, I'm not going to lie, we are in some deep shit." Issei said.
"In short, we are dealing with a situation consisting of two exorcists, an Ultimate-class angel, Kokabiel, and seven of the Excalibur fragments."
"Fucking shit." Saji swore as he laid back in his chair. "Guess I'm not expecting a quiet week, am I? What's the plan?"
"Kiba left Rias due to going a bit ape shit upon destroying the Excaliburs." Issei explained. "Our only plan to get him back is to destroy them as well. First, we need to get into contact with the exorcists and the angel, then find Kiba so we can work together on this."
Saji sighed. "This is going to be tough, even for us Issei. Do you think Meliodas-sensei knows about this?"
"No doubt about it, but he hasn't said anything." Issei said. "Are you in?"
"As much as I detest it, but I am the only one responsible to keep you alive." Saji answered with a smirk. "So I'm in, but about your Knights? Didn't you just reincarnate them?"
"I did, but I wouldn't be able to order them away from this." Issei answered. "Besides, I trust them to handle on their own. And Xulean can handle herself as she is Mid-class."
"Thank you, Issei-sama." Xulean said in a neutral tone.
"I see." Saji replied. "Well, even more of a reason to stick with you guys."
"I'll join you as well." The surprising voice drew wide eyes to the speaker known as Koneko.
"This just got a whole lot interesting." Issei mused. "Now we just need to find the exorcists and that angel. They could be anywhere around Kuoh."
(Later)
Apparently, it wasn't that hard to find three people in cloaks on Main Street. Irina and Xenovia were hosting a charity for money while they had a stand for a portrait of some sort. Ruby was sulking a little ways away, her red hood covering her face full of shame. Issei could roughly hear the cries of their empty stomachs and knew exactly what was going on. It put a dent even in his funds as an Ultimate class devil for the meal he paid for the three. Irina and Xenovia gorged through dozens of bowls each, and Ruby got a corner to herself and stacks upon stacks of plates that used to hold all sorts of sweets ranging from cookies to anything that was strawberry flavored. He had to wonder how is that Ruby didn't get fat from that until he found himself staring at the E-cup that were coming from her outfit.
With her red cloak parted, it revealed Ruby in an outfit of white and red consisting of a corset with a golden cross emblazoned on her chest. On her shoulders were armored pads painted red with a white rose and red sleeves going down her arms. On her hip attacked to a black belt that held two sheathed katanas that for some odd reason were chained down to the sheath. A loincloth hanged from her behind and front displaying a white cross on a red background with a golden rose above it. She wore red pants lined with white stripes on the sides stuffed into black boots with steel plating.
'Whoever is able to score her is one lucky bastard.' Issei thought.
Somewhere, a silver-haired teen with blue eyes sneezed.
After the disaster of a bill later, Issei with Koneko, Saji, Murayama, Xulean, Ruby, Katase, Xenovia, and Irina found Kiba and managed to join him to destroy at least one of the Excalibur fragments. Then, they made a plan to go to two separate locations of where the culprit known as Freed who holds Excalibur Rapidly. Ruby, Irina, and Xenovia went to one location while Issei took the others to another.
They were the lucky winners when they found Freed. Issei's eyes twitched at how lively the maniac was. How did his punch not dislocate the psycho's jaw he will never understand? Kiba engaged Freed in battle, but it was obvious that he was being outplayed in the speed category, and whatever swords Kiba created would not get passed the Excalibur fragment. Thankfully, Kiba was using his Reinforcement magic to at least push back against the blade and was able to land a few cuts in.
"I think it's time I make sure that psycho is actually dead." Issei said as he summoned Herritt. "Hey, Kiba get out of the way so I can skewer the fucker!"
Kiba looked back and widened his eyes as a rain of magical arrows went sailing towards the rooftop where Freed was. Despite his insanity, he still had a sense of self-preservation and used Excalibur Rapidly to either avoid or deflect the barrage of arrows.
Saji sighed as he summoned his Sacred Gear. "You need to work on your aim."
He used four Absorption Lines to tether Freed's limps down and let his arrows rain pain upon the psycho priest. He made sure to keep him alive since Issei wanted to know where Freed got the Holy Sword. That was when Valper made his appearance, making Kiba freak out.
"You're Valper!?" Murayama cried, withdrawing her Sacred Treasure.
"You're the one that made Kiba-kun's life hell?!"
"Why yes I am." Valper admitted shamelessly.
Murayama could only see red and her blade sparked in blinding blue as lightning itself surged in the blade. She raised her blade over her head, lightning lashing out at the ground. Her eyes only spoke of murder for the bastard that wronged Kiba.
"DIE!" Murayama cried.
Bringing down the sword, Murayama unleashed a crescent wave of plasma intent on obliterating the crazed archbishop. But for such an old man, he was awfully nimble and avoided the blast. That however cut the bindings that trapped Freed, allowing him to get to Valper and escape with a flash bang.
Kiba gave chase to them immediately, but before the rest could follow them Rias and Sona made their appearance.
'Damn, why did we have to have such rotten luck?' Issei thought
(Meanwhile)
"LET HER GO!" Ruby roared while her hands were lit with holy fire and lightning.
How she have let this happen? The exorcists were her responsibility to protect. She was ecstatic to receive a mission to the human world, but Mother did remind her to keep herself professional.
Ruby couldn't help but have her form shake in frustration at being so caught off guard like this. Xenovia, Irina, and herself went to this location, but when the found nothing they decided to rendezvous.
That's when he attacked. Kokabiel of all people ambushed them, and to Ruby's horror had snatched Irina and taken her Excalibur fragment. Now here she was, stuck on the ground while Kokabiel levitated in the air while holding a badly wounded Irina by the throat.
"Ah, it's nice to see such fire in an angel of Heaven." Kokabiel mocked, not bothered by the elements that Ruby was wielding. "In fact, they only Seraph I know with that look was Eliza. I can remember the warrior she used to be. That face reminds me so much of her in the old days before she became a coward."
Ruby had to use all her will to not shout about to Kokabiel of daring to call her mother a coward. She dedicated her existence each and every day to help the people around her. It's far easier to take a life than to save them.
"Tell me, how are my brothers Michael and Mael doing?" Kokabiel wondered with half-sincerity. "I wonder how they would see it that you failed in such an important mission such as this."
"Let - her - go!" Ruby snarled, an aura of white lightning and fire surrounding her.
Kokabiel smiled. "How about we make a deal? You give me Excalibur Destruction and I'll let the girl go. Simple as that, little angel."
"Don't… do…" Irina gasped before Kokabiel tightened his grip around Irina's throat.
"Shh, shh, shh, the adults are talking here." Kokabiel whispered. "So, what will it be, angel?"
Ruby was now having a cold sweat on deciding what to do. Her mind went a light-speed going through the scenario to find some alternative way, but nothing came up. Her thoughts went to what her mother would do, and the answer was obvious. She lowered her aura to Xenovia's shock, and her hood shadowed her face.
"Give me the Excalibur." Ruby said just above a whisper.
Xenovia reluctantly handed the Holy Sword to Ruby, who then threw it up to Kokabiel. The fallen angel smirked as his right hand snapped to the hilt of the Excalibur fragment then his eyes settled on Irina.
With a shrug, he merely loosened Irina from his grip.
"I kept my promise." Kokabiel said before forming a devious smile. "I never said in one piece though!"
"NO!" Ruby shouted, unleashing her silver wings to catch up to the falling form of Irina.
She was not going to make it as Kokabiel already threw a light spear to kill Irina. Ruby's silver eyes burned a bright light in grief that she was not going to make it. However, from the trees came a blur of black that came in between the spear and Irina.
"Full Counter."
All eyes widened when the spear of light was instead redirected back to Kokabiel, twice as big. The fallen angel decided to make his exit and quickly escaped from the area. The giant spear ascended through the sky before exploding in a brilliant light show. Ruby's eyes blinked the daze and focused on where Irina was. Her eyes instantly locked on the familiar brunette who was now out cold from her injuries. But Ruby's silver eyes settled on the curvaceous woman that was holding the exorcist. Violet eyes met Ruby's stare back with equal power, and a waterfall of black hair went down her back where four pairs of raven black wings sprouted. Power and confidence were evident in the violet orbs but also a lack of hostility that didn't make Ruby attack instantly.
"Who are you?" Ruby asked cautiously.
The woman responded with a smile. "Someone who wants to shove my foot up the dick's ass."
A bit short and admittedly not the best chapter I've done, but I'm kind of in a rush. The swords that Ruby carries are Jito and Koma, elemental holy swords of fire and lightning. Hopefully, I'm able to get my shit together to get a proper chapter out that isn't shitty. A lot of stuff is going down, including the reforging of Excalibur, the awakening of Kiba's Sacred Gear, Vali's appearance, and a cataclysm none of you will see coming.
Up next is Chapter 12: Legend Works
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