Chidoriprime: Exactly, Moloch knows how to manipulate in just the right way...hopefully Diehauser realizes that before the end. For now, it's time to see how Rias is faring in Romania and if the others can come to help in time. That is a good point about Vali, here's to hoping they aren't on his radar for ways to mess with them just yet.

Royalrain20xx: Einherjar are known for being berserkers, ignoring pain basically makes you a beast in combat so long as you avoid detrimental or fatal hits. Xenovia realized the lesson Ragnar was imparting way back when training her with Ygritte. I am so glad you caught that little echo of a voice Hecuba heard ;) . The effect of the nightmares are still with him, but with Iggy and the others, he has been able to keep it contained, with Kassaegtha now within her base body again, we'll see if he can keep strong. Thank you for the review and kind words! Wishing you the best and hope the wait to now wasn't too long. :)

avenger3576: Moloch knew enough of how events play out to use Cristaldi for an easy, disposable army. More of who he is and his role from the future will come into play later...super excited to get to that part :D . I never have set times for my post-arc hiatus, just until I am set to post again. I hope the wait was not too long.

OBSERVER01: Thank you so much! Vasco's age versus the determination Xenovia had and her youth just barely allowed for the outcome we saw. And I know what you mean...imagine realizing you are standing on top of THAT. XD

7: That is a good point, neither have very sturdy armor, though that can be said of a lot in DxD lol. I am glad you liked the fight, it is fun designing the choreography. Precisely, Moloch has that future knowledge and is resourceful enough to know when and where he can use that information effectively. Thankfully merging with the frozen Trihexa wouldn't do anything for him at present, if he did he'd just be frozen in place trapped the seals with it. Now if he ever finds a way to free it...hoo boy XD. It has been a big question how the Biblical God was so strong considering he did what every other god in canon DxD couldn't do combined. I hope you like the route I have planned. Thank you again and hope you have been doing well, my friend!

Ragna126: Thank you! He really is a great character, love when he gets time to shine.

fanficcyberman: Well said, religious fervor can make some hardier than most...but there is a point you gotta just say "We done goofed" lol. Oh yes, Moloch is very familiar with Vali's situation, let's hope he doesn't focus on it too much. Hehe, exactly, but don't tell the others what Vali did ;) . Ah, you will learn what Irina's father did, an act tied directly to why he fled Kuoh Town with Irina when she was just a little girl. Thank you so much for your kind words man, it always means a lot you have been enjoying it for so long. I've been doing great and wish only the same and best for you too! Roots of Hope Z continues now, I hope the wait wasn't too terrible. :)

TheLycan2026: No rush at all man, you enjoying it is what matters most :D If only I could write faster lol, hope the wait wasn't too long! :D

And with that...ONTO THE SHOW!

"We sure are high up, aren't we?" Bennia glanced over the side of the gondola heading up to the Tepes castle beyond. She took a steadying sip from a steaming thermos hidden beneath her cloak thanking her foresight of packing a good drink not finding any in the Castle Town they had just passed through.

"And very unwelcoming to outsiders," Kiba shivered in his thick coat and gloves looking over the town before them. He and Catherine sat on either side of Rias prepared for an attack while Gasper paced restlessly from one end to the other.

"I am not sure if this is wise, taking Gasper to the very people Carmilla wish him to fight against." Catherine leaned forward, twiddling her thumbs feeling naked without her weapons.

"King Tepes has assured that no harm will come to us unless initiated," Rias spoke calmly all the while stroking a black cat sitting on her lap. "Whether they will stick to that remains to be seen, but we will not be caught unawares."

"Father might be there," Gasper stopped while furiously tapping his foot again and again. He too had donned warmer clothes and an especially extravagant kilt for the occasion. "I don't even know what I'd say to him."

"You're stronger than you were when you became my Bishop," Rias stood, allowing the cat to bound onto Kiba's lap next. She laid a comforting hand on his shoulder, letting him see her smile. "I may not have been able to help you then, but that won't happen again."

"Thank you," he muttered, concern still on his face despite the kind words. "I-I know you won't, I just have a bad feeling about this."

"A castle full of upgraded vampires who may or may not be backed by a crazy group wanting to watch the world burn, whatever would give you that idea?" Bennia tried to look away before Rias' unamused expression reached her.

The gondola ground to a halt as dozens of vampire soldiers surrounded the entrance awaiting their arrival. Rias walked out first still flanked by her Knights with Bennia and Gasper side-by side behind. All the while, the black cat followed nearly unnoticed by the men focused on the devil heiress. Without a word, she was escorted through the main gates taking note of the formidable preparation as if expecting an attack at any moment.

"You used to live here?" Catherine's eyes widened at the grandeur of their surroundings. "Even in ages past, kings would have been lucky to live in such splendor."

"Not here, my family has their own castle but I rarely saw the good parts of it," he muttered before the door beyond opened to a spacious room filled with more fineries. Before them, an impressive red carpet led past a relief of a great beast shining gold. Between this, the ornate statues of ancestors past along with crystals everywhere they looked, it was clear no extravagance was spared. At the end of the carpet, a massive throne was placed on the highest floor propping the one upon it above all.

"So, our missing son returns home," the booming voice of the large man sitting on the throne reached them even at the end of the hall. He was imposing, shoulders broad enough to fill out the ornate pauldrons that were part of his attire. Deep red hair nearly the color of blood sat styled in a royal braid with a matching immaculately trimmed goatee. "Will you not kneel before your king?"

"You are not his king," Rias answered for Gasper. "I hold that title and he can stand as he sees fit." The king vampire narrowed his eyes in her direction.

"I see he gravitates to those with strong wills, such is fitting for the sister of a Satan." King Tepes gave her his full attention. "I also am aware that Carmilla's agents have sought his power against our 'uncouth actions' as they say."

"I believe they called it 'going against all that it means to be vampires', but am guessing you do not agree?"

"We are vampires to our core; actions do not dictate that." He briefly rubbed his nose to portray his annoyance at the repeated insult. "I am tired of this dance Queen Carmilla and I have been locked in these many centuries. With our new allies procured by my son, vampire-kind shall be united again. Even more so should your Bishop aid us."

"Under you?" Rias hit the nail on the head. "If your augmentations from the Holy Grail are that strong, then if Gasper did indeed help you…"

"We would utterly crush all opposition from the Carmilla Faction, yes. In time, ALL of our soldiers will be immune to the weaknesses that have hounded our kind and with our new weapon…"

"You mean Valerie!" Gasper stepped forward towards the 4th ruler of the Tepes faction knowing he was the one in charge during his time there. "I want to see her before anything is decided."

"Hmmm, you are more forceful than when last you walked these halls…good. Marius, do fetch the young woman."

"Yes, father," a young man with a doll-like face bowed courteously before leaving. He had been standing beside the throne, yet far away enough to denote a lower ranking.

"My second son, Marius," he proactively answered as if able to sense Rias' questions as to his identity before she could ask them. "It may take some time before they arrive, so…who is hungry?

Later, deeper in the castle…

Rias was quite perplexed finding herself dining around a spacious, extravagant table that could easily have seated a hundred people. Instead, Lord Tepes sat at the head with empty seats where his children and nobles would be. The Gremory heiress was seated on the side with Catherine and Kiba while Bennia and Gasper were on the other in places of prominence. The accommodations were hospitable, even bringing out food that they could partake of rather than blood, though Catherine did note how much of it was meat. Bennia's spells told them there was no poison, their hosts even laid out a bowl for their black cat who was lapping up the milk greedily.

"Your familiar is loyal indeed, not many animals can stand being near us."

"She is well trained," Rias set down a glass before wiping her lips as decorum demanded. "These talks are far-less open to the outside than the Carmilla's were."

"They say we spit on tradition, yet went to outsiders," the king continued, having already been fully aware of Elmenhilde's mission to Kuoh Town. "It goes to show that they are just as open to outside influence as any other. Had we known just how powerful you could become, the guards would have not been so lax the night you escaped."

"If not that night, there would have been another," Gasper insisted, the young man having calmed since they entered but still prepared to jump at a moment's notice. The promise of Valerie being brought to them was one of the few things that kept him willing to talk so openly. "Why don't you just sit down and talk to Queen Carmilla?"

"Talking implies the possibility that we could lose. With our newfound allies, there is no hope of that, even less so if you join us for the sake of your friend."

"The willingness to talk doesn't infer weakness," Rias interjected. "Though I have always been a mind that the lack thereof implies such that you worry what your enemies will say." That jab caused the king to slam his empty goblet down, denting the metal. "I surmise the Great War would have had far fewer deaths if such ideals had entered the minds of those in charge."

"If we…talk, then that leads to compromise in a best-case situation. Our ideals and traditions have been the foundation of our people for centuries. Do you think that if such a thing were possible, that we would have split in the first place?"

"Times change," Kiba respectfully added. "I have learned that in recent months more than I ever imagined."

"And some traditions aren't good just cause our moms and dads did them first," Bennia said less respectfully so. "You should hear some of the doozies Old Hades has going on. Though he did start offering really good vision coverage a few centuries back."

"I did not agree to allow you entrance to be talked down to by your servants. Confound it all, where is that boy?" King Tepes snapped, clearly displeased with how long it was taking to fetch Valerie as most had nearly finished their full-course meal. "You there, find Marius this instant and drag him here faster if you need to!"

The guard he referred to stood up straight and unmoving, completely unresponsive to his king's command. Rias tensed at the uncomfortable atmosphere that had crept into the room.

"What's the matter with you?" He glanced to the dozens of men scattered around as none were making any movements to obey. "Have you lost your senses? What are you waiting for?"

"This." Wrappings made of magic lashed out from the armrests of each chair, binding the occupants in place so they could not move. While suspecting betrayal at first, Rias noted that even King Tepes found himself similarly imprisoned.

"Marius!?" He growled as his son emerged from the shadows with an insufferable smirk on his face. "What is the meaning of this!?"

"This was a long time coming, father. These outsiders' arrival was merely the spark needed to set our plans in motion. I have ensured that everyone here is loyal to myself and the Khaos Brigade, they will not obey you any longer. The ones you thought of as your allies were always mine."

Many shapes appeared from the entrances leading to the room. Men, women, and some with traits of dragons sneering at their imprisoned predicament. The king recognized many, anger boiling within him as he tried to break the powerful shackles. It was a brown-skinned man adorned in black raiment standing beside Marius that sent even Kiba's blood cold, recognizing his sinister aura from the many Anti-Monsters they had faced only on a much greater scale.

"Him…he's stronger than anyone else in the room," Catherine agreed just by locking eyes. "If he is on the traitor's side…"

We had no idea the Khaos Brigade was so entrenched! Rias berated herself. The vampires stayed so secluded from the world that they were the perfect group to infiltrate and lay their plans. Just how many other xenophobic or smaller nations have they done the same with!?

"Oh, any resistance is already gone," Marius boasted at the Knight's words. "You had more loyalists than even I thought, but against us and the Holy Grail augmentations, they did not last long. You did ask for my dear half-sister's presence, did you not?"

"Valerie!" Gasper called out as he struggled, his shadows enveloping him to find any weakness in the spell. He spotted her standing beside Marius staring at him, sand-colored blonde hair tied in a regal braid. Despite being supposedly their trump card, her dress was strangely plain which fit with the gentle smile on her face. Her human-half features shined through as her beauty was more natural, less doll-like to those around her. "Oh no…your eyes…"

Her eyes were shining bright red, and yet looked so shallow compared to how he remembered her. The vibrant joy for life that he had tried to take on for her were gone, even her smile seemed empty.

"What did you do to her!?"

"Greetings," she bowed before speaking in a light manner. "It was decided that I shall become the head of House Tepes and Queen of this castle. "It is a pleasure to meet you, and Gasper…oh how you have grown."

"Valerie, I came to see you." He put on a confident smile despite the situation.

"And I was hoping to see you as well." She turned to her sibling. "Y-you promised you would not harm him."

"And he has not been," Marius stepped back, allowing her to stand ahead of him. "…my Queen. Go on, see your friend." Valerie followed his words, stepping up to Gasper whose chair was turned to face her. The half-vampire knelt down before embracing him.

"…I'm glad you are okay. Is that a fustanella?" She motioned to his garments. "How cute."

"M-Mr. Dorian called it a kilt."

"Same difference," her smile became a bit warmer in that moment but it was quickly gone in a flash. "And thank you for taking care of him," she motioned to Rias. "He needed friends, more than just me…"

"They're all my friends, and many more back home in Kuoh. You can come with us!"

"All of you and more? That is so good to hear. I…" Suddenly, she turned to her side staring off into nothing. "Oh, it's okay, he is a good one. What? I don't think so…" She continued talking to thin air before transitioning into a language no one recognized.

"I don't understand," Rias squinted, perplexed in the knowledge that as a devil she should be able to understand any language spoken in her presence. All the same, she could no longer make out Valerie's words, nor could anyone else.

"Ah, she gets like this," Marius started to explain. "A side effect of using the Holy Grail so often. You start seeing things you never should have and she has been using it so much on our behalf."

"See things? Catherine! Look away!" The former sword saint immediately complied as she felt a strange pull towards the direction Valerie was looking. "The Holy Grail can possess those who gaze upon it too long? Azazel theorized such a thing may be possible, especially to those of the Church or former members."

Kiba should be safer due to how long ago he left. Thank goodness I did not bring Asia.

"Valerie, my Queen, it is rude to just talk to those people when you have guests. Act in a manner befitting your station."

"Yes, of course," she stood back up before taking on a regal posture. "I am sorry for the violence, but I can use my power to create a peaceful society for all vampires as Queen. Even Gasper will be able to live here with me again. No one will bully us like before."

"Oh, come on!" Bennia struggled while flailing her legs. "I can smell the control-magic from over here! You're not the one saying those words even if you agree with them!"

"Valerie, you're being controlled?" The smug expression on Marius' face left it clear to all.

"You were commanding her all this time?" King Tepes accused. "To what ends? To make your followers strong enough to fight both me AND Carmilla? Were you so unsatisfied as fifth from the throne?"

"I do not seek the throne, that is Valerie's position now. I am mayor of the new government and chief advisor to the Sacred Gear research, positions which have given me far more influence than sitting in that chair. Is it so wrong to want to see my cute little sister in a position of power with help to not be so burdened by her new role?"

His cold smile told them everything he said was twisted for the sake of his image.

"Now that our little coup is complete, the Carmilla faction will see how easily it was done and know not to interfere with us. Whether they back off, try to form an alliance or keep fighting to the bitter end, I don't really care. I'll leave that to my comrades who are better at such things. Queen Valerie wanted to…"

The scene turned to chaos as King Tepes roared, breaking the bindings around him and reducing his chair to kindling. Turning, his very aura reduced the guards closest to dust before he aimed a sphere of dark energy squarely at his traitorous son. Without a word, he released the attack. The team could sense it was strong enough to level the building, surely it would not leave much of Marius who looked terrified at the unforeseen strike. Before it could connect, however, a hand appeared before him, stopping the attack with little effort until the ball sputtered and died to be crushed within its fingers.

"You…what are you?" It was King Tepes' turn to look scared at the complete ineffectiveness of his spell.

"One who has manipulated darkness far longer than you," the handsome yet terrifying foreign man remarked. "You were a fool to talk so long, Marius. Just end this…in fact, allow me."

The King of the Tepes Clain fell as a bolt of energy erupted from the dragon-like stranger. Blood spurted from his mouth, a mortal wound unless he received immediate healing. The king crumpled with all his defenses completely shattered, without action, the fight was already over.

"Kuroka, now!"

Rias' command was heard as the black cat that none had thought to concern themselves with suddenly became a buxom dark-haired woman. With a snap of her fingers, the chairs holding her team shattered, freeing them all.

"Sorry for the delay that spell was quite difficult finding the crack in its formula."

"SWORD BIRTH!" Kiba cried, erupting a mass of blades in the center of the room, shattering the table sending food flying in all directions and putting a barrier between the king and his would-be assassin. Slashing forward, he cut a nearby guard from shoulder to hip. "What?" His eyes widened as the wounds started closing with rapid pace.

"Stand back!" Rias blasted one away, her power of destruction causing the attacker's hand to disappear entirely. "They've all been augmented by the Grail! We're leaving, protect King Tepes!"

"Then some heavenly light should be more effective," Catherine's eyes lit up as her Holy Devil Form took shape, her Seraphim Gladios having been hidden in a pocket dimension within Bennia's cloak. She and Kiba became shields for the king as Bennia and Kuroka started knocking away guards with impact spells.

"I can…gah," King Tepes tried to counter but nearly collapsed with Kiba catching him. Without a word, he hoisted the wounded king over his shoulders. "Th…there is a hidden side passage to the gondola…that way."

"Valerie!" Gasper tried to reach her before being stopped by the powerful stranger who had wounded the king. "Get out of my way!" His eyes turned pink and swirling with anger, his time stop ability expanding to encompass them all. To his horror, the man continued to move.

"That may have worked on me in ages past, but not after tasting your little friend's Grail. Shall you contend with the Eclipse Dragon?"

"Eclipse Dragon…Apophis!?" Gasper could barely think, wondering why that name sounded so familiar within his very soul, but with the adrenaline pumping through his veins, he moved in all the same. Shadows entwined around him even larger than when he had faced Georg. His phantoms moved to engulf his foe, and yet before they could connect, Valerie stepped in front. "NO!"

Gasper pulled back; a move that left him vulnerable to a counter-attack. Apophis struck forward with a single punch that caught him in the chest, sending him sailing only to be caught by Rias' quick thinking flying on her devil wings. When he tried to stand, he staggered with the entire room spinning.

"We cannot win this," she whispered to him. "I'm sorry, but we have to go before we are surrounded. We WILL be back, she promised at the look of defeat in his eyes.

"VALERIE!" Gasper called out, her dull eyes perking up at such a booming voice unlike him. "I'll save you! I'll get you out of here and we'll go to Kuoh together, I SWEAR! There are people I want you to meet!"

"Gasper…thank you, I will wait for you here…" She raised her hand listlessly as if to wave farewell before he turned, fleeing with the others.

"What are you doing!?" Marius roared to Apophis at his side as they team disappeared down the passage. "You are letting them get away!"

"Do not blame your incompetence on me," he snarled, causing the traitorous prince to back off. "I was here as a bodyguard for our leader. "You played your cards before he could arrive. I was not commanded to do anything more than I wish. Chasing vermin is so bothersome."

"Then go after them," a voice called from the darkness. "I need no protection for now. Ensure the Tepes king does not reach the gondola.

"As you insist." With that single command, Apophis raced forward in pursuit. No vampire would stand in his path as his pupils warped into those of a true dragon.

Not far…

"They heal almost every wound so quickly," Catherine panted as they ran following King Tepes' direction of the secret passages. "We may have to fight to kill to make it past them."

"Allow me-nya," Kuroka leapt ahead already in her new form. Generating Kasha wheels in each hand, she hurled them like tires towards rows of vampiric guards. Upon contact, the soldiers burst into flames, forcing them to retreat and seek a means to extinguish themselves. "It doesn't matter how hard they are to kill; purification magics have always been very effective against vampires."

"Hit me up?" Bennia asked, holding out her scythe so that the nekoshou could leave a thin strip of power across the blade. "Thanks! Vampires live so long that even without those upgrades of theirs, Reaper magics to drain life never was as good to begin with."

"This way?" Kiba asked as he pushed on a brick that King Tepes pointed out. The wall slid away to let in a blast of freezing air. "There is the gondola in the distance!"

"Once we get past the castle town mountains, we'll make our escape to a distance where we can use teleportation magic again," Rias stood firm while watching for attacks. "We'll alert the others to this betrayal and come back with greater force."

"What if the new government doesn't like that-nya? This has been an internal vampire issue. Knowing the big wigs, they may worry of this inciting a war."

"A war is happening whether they do anything or not," Rias knew for certain. "This wasn't a simple change of leadership, the Khaos Brigade were behind it. That foreign man, he was an Evil Dragon without a doubt. Which means…"

"Which means they're the faction that empowered Leonardo's monsters." Catherine finished the sentence. "If they get a foothold here, they'll use the vampires as an army to bolster their ranks and continue their plans."

"And forcing Valerie to upgrade their soldiers over and over," Gasper was trembling with concern and growing anger. "If her using the Holy Grail too much is making her see things like she is, doing it to that extent could kill her or worse!"

"We cannot allow that," Rias nodded as the team reached the gondola. Fortunately, the operators were no fighters and fled at their approach. The controls were easy enough to set for automation as they piled aboard.

Kiba was the last to go, leaving a holy sword lodged in the controls as a means to deter them from being messed with until they could safely reach the other side. As the tram pulled away, he did a running leap clearing the sizeable gap and landing safely aboard. Kuroka had already worked to close the wound on King Tepes, having learned years ago how to manipulate the life energy even within vampires. Only the roaring winds of the growing blizzard kept them from feeling as if they could briefly relax.

"I'll kill him for this," King Tepes spat, pulling away a hand to see it covered in his own blood. "To think I have to flee from my own keep…"

"We have allies at the Carmilla Faction, at least we hope so," Rias tried to calm his rage. "Azazel will be waiting for us there, we won't let them harm you, though I feel they'd worry more about your son."

"What they would do with my kingdom…with my people." The king looked truly shaken, his previous bravado proven to be so shaky that he did not realize his own court turning against him. "His brother, surely he could have escaped as well, we must…"

"We got incoming!" Bennia shouted as she spotted their pursuers having finally reached the controls trying to destroy the blades that prevented passage. Arrows and spells rained upon them stopped by hers and Kuroka's shielding magic. "At this rate, we'll be over in no…!"

Their confidence was shattered as the foreign Evil Dragon, Apophis, stepped out from around the corner with a massive bolt of dark magic already in his hands. The look of joy at his intention was terrifying as, without a word, he hurled the javelin directly at them targeted squarely at King Tepes. The attack ripped through their defensive barriers with the greatest of ease. It would have killed the vampire lord in an instant were it not for a hand of pure destruction reaching out to halt its advance. Rias struggled as she focused her entire true form into just the hand, a massive crimson-black extension straining to keep the attack from reaching them taking everything she had.

"They are using flight magic to bridge the gap!" Catherine called out, seeing dozens of troops starting to fly toward their slow-moving escape vehicle. "We won't reach the other side in time!"

"…cut the line."

"NYA!?" Kuroka meowed in surprise as she heard the order. "But the fall will…"

"I SAID CUT THE LINE!"

Rias' command was instantly obeyed by Kiba who swung his sword with a frustrated grunt, his Holy-Devil blade cutting through the metal cord as if it were string. The effect was instantaneous as intended, the weight of the gondola dragging them down in a pendulum swing outpacing their pursuers. The last thing the Crossroad-Gremory entourage heard was the sounds of Rias shouting for them to brace for impact into the ice mountainside overlooking the castle town below.

Kuoh Town, Hyoudou Residence…

"Rias was right to leave us behind, if we hadn't been here when the Brigade attacked the school…" Issei pushed such thoughts out of his head quickly before they could bring him down. "But now, what does that say about what situation she might be in?"

"No word has come from Romania yet," Ravel tried to comfort him as they sat in his sizeable bedroom. "Mr. Azazel would tell us; we just have to wait."

"What is this one?" Suraiya asked as she plopped next to them with a sloshing sound. In her hand she held a figure that resembled Rias in a bright pink and red dress. She poked at it, checking the details being absolutely fascinated with something she'd never seen in the forest.

"That's a Switch Princess figure," he explained as he minimized the window on his computer. With Rias gone, he'd promised to finish editing reviews on Oppai Dragon products to upload on DeviTube. "Just don't press the…"

It was too late as the slime familiar depressed a switch on the doll's lower back causing both breasts to shoot out like projectiles that bounced harmlessly off Asia's shoulder. The look of confusion and shame from Ravel at the figure's features was almost too much for Issei to bear.

"Come on…it's not THAT bad, is it?" Her blank expression was all the answer he needed, sheepishly turning back to finish the still-positive review he was leaving. "Rias was okay with it, though I think that was more how much the fans seemed to like the promotional ones given out. Cat will be getting her own soon, Old Man Azazel said they wanted to include her on the show."

It's better to be distracted by this, Ravel rationalized despite how she saw such toys being made. Lord Issei has enough on his mind, if I can make him feel better, I will…a-as his manager of course. If Cat is getting included on the Oppai Dragon Show, I wonder if…

"I haven't said this enough," Issei suddenly spoke up, turning to Suraiya. "But thank you, if you hadn't been there on the rooftop…"

"It's the least I can do for my master," Suraiya smiled with a shining smile. "I protected your lover, and Asia protected you while you saved us all."

"I saw those arrows, that was kick ass!" Issei referred to the former nun. "Grendel tried to use them and you blew it up right in his face."

"W-well, I have been practicing," she poked her fingers together, embarrassed by the attention. "It certainly helped with the training from Azazel. He and I…"

"What are you doing just laying around?" The group spun on the door to see the silhouette of Vali standing in the doorway. "I thought you would have been packed by now."

"Packed?" Issei stood to face his rival. "What for?"

"For Romania, that has to be where Moloch's ally is. Arthur and Bikou will be heading out, don't you want to as well?"

"Rias wanted us protecting our home," he stood his ground. "If she calls, there is nothing that will stop me from getting to her."

"Then I'm leaving without you," Vali huffed in restrained annoyance. "He's there, he HAS to be…and after I defeat him, you and Great Red be my next big challenges."

"You want another fight?" Issei stood up, the dragons glaring each other down. "Then we can go right now!" For just a moment, they feared he'd take him up on the offer.

"Only after he's dead," Vali turned to leave once more. "I'll see you in Romania then, but listen well. Do not rely solely on your Gear. If you do, then he'll tear you apart."

"Who!?" Issei shouted out with no reply before his rival had already left. "Who the Hell are you talking about!? Damnit that guy loves to get under my skin."

"Don't worry," Asia attempted to soothe his anger, something she had a natural predisposition towards. "Though I wish he would let us in."

"Me too sometimes," Issei sighed while reveling in the warmth of Asia's embrace. With Ravel on the other side and Suraiya joining behind, he barely even realized they'd forgotten about the review work up until the moment they were called downstairs. "Come on, let's finish the reviews. Look at this, a wrist-mounted replica of the Boosted Gear that even has sound effects. Man, kids are going to LOVE this!"

Just outside…

"Vali?" Hecuba almost ran into the White Dragon Emperor as she rounded a corner on the way to give an update to Issei. In Rias' absence, he and Akeno were seen as temporary leaders of the peerage. "I didn't know you were back."

"Not for long, there is too much complacency here. I'll be in Romania; he has to be there."

"This person you need to fight?" She recalled his past words, a fact that seemed to surprise him. "Perhaps you should wait until we…"

"No!" Vali snapped, rounding on the Spartan, though she did not flinch. "I've waited years, following dead leads or missing him by mere days. No, I won't wait for your bureaucracy to let him slip away. I am heading out now."

"Then I will not keep you, but if you find the others before us…do make sure they are safe." Vali paused as he looked at her, clearly having expected resistance to his leaving or insistence he stay which did not come.

"Because it was you who asked, I will…consider it."

"If you're considering what I say, then listen to this last one." She approached the young man, pointing a finger directly into his chest. "Be careful. In my experience, working alone is seldom preferrable to having brothers and sisters at your side."

Insistent, is she not?

Albion, SHUT IT.

Crossroad Tower…

"An entire rebellion?" Rossweisse asked, absolutely shocked at the story told by Dorian and the others who returned from the city. "I can't believe Moloch could twist their goals for his own like that."

"Between what he did to Ophis and now this, I don't put anything past him."

"Emperor Diehauser said he was killed by you and Vali, is that so?"

"…I don't know," Dorian admitted hesitantly. "I saw him disintegrate, his coat left behind, but Ophis didn't get her powers back. All that Infinity had to go somewhere. Diehauser said he was sure, but…"

"If he is alive, wouldn't that mean he's in the city somewhere? You mentioned how even Indra's troops were nearly annihilated by the creatures there. Surely, not even he could survive there alone…right?"

"I hope not. But beside that, you're sure that you are okay?" He leaned closer finally getting to the point he'd been trying to reach since returning, she nodded assuredly.

"We drove off Euclid, he wanted me to join the Brigade and even asked directly. I can't imagine what would have made him think I'd ever say yes."

"Probably relying on fear," Suramar theorized as they all considered the situation. "After telling of what they did to your former teacher, they likely hoped you'd want to avoid a similar fate."

"They found Lady Eir, thank goodness," the Valkyrie sighed as she told them. "She is recovering now and Lady Freyja is scouring the Nine Realms to find how they got in."

Dorian had to restrain himself from grimacing with her, the welcoming face of Lady Eir being one of the first reassuring things he'd seen since becoming an Einherjar. It was a painful lesson that even with the Roads he couldn't be everywhere. He resolved then and there to repay the Brigade many times over in kind for what they did.

If only there was more time, I want to see her and give her my well wishes, but there is no time!

"They have no honor to do such a thing," Rossweisse continued. "I hadn't even spoken with her since I graduated other than to request your presence for training. We should ensure the copies of my essay are guarded. If information on the Trihexa is their goal, no written documents should be available for them to steal and the fewer who know about it, the better."

"Already done," Suramar stood proudly, his flames licking at the air. "All extra copies have been collected so only the originating members of the Crossroads have one. The rest will be destroyed or placed under guard in the depths of the Tower. Those who remained at the Underwater City with Lady Agares have returned their own."

Seekvaira had chosen to remain in the mysterious Old God city for the time being as the Nagalfr remained crippled within its borders. She understood Dorian's desire to return even as they planned to explore the strange portal that had opened as a result of their battle with Moloch, but all the same could not leave a ship of such technological marvel unattended. Dorian empathized and wished her to stay safe as so much of that place was still unknown. He had been surprised to see her embrace Irina prior to the young angel's departure, the two seemingly having grown closer in their brief time separated on the rescue mission.

"We never saw such a document, it will not be found among our followers," the young woman, Tosca, asserted from her sofa. While the rebellion traitors were being transported through the Roads to their imprisonment, she had been a pillar trying to ensure none attempted any suicidal or desperate acts in defeat. For that, she was permitted to be placed under house arrest at the Crossroad Tower. She was under guard, but had made zero moves that would imply anything underhanded.

"You helped stabilize Xenovia along with Irina's dad," Dorian nodded to her to placate her worry at being in the home of those her people had considered enemies only the previous day. "Living among the Nine Realms has given me appreciation for counting actions to judge someone."

"My Sacred Gear," she rubbed her arm nervously. "Its barriers suspend those within it in time. That is why I look the way I do, I'm actually about the same age as you. It was perfect for ensuring those with the worst injuries didn't get worse."

She's joking! I would have guessed she was Kunou's age at most.

"We have good medical facilities, they're in good hands now. Irina is watching over both," he frowned a bit seeing how sad the reborn angel looked with her father in a hospital bed. He hadn't seen Mr. Shidou in years since his time in England. Seeing him barely able to breathe from whatever Moloch had done was hard to look at. "What I am really concerned on is how you said this Euclid escaped…"

"Through the Roads, no doubt about it," Thrud asserted, leaning on Dorian's shoulder with an arm around him. "I thought only you and Rat could do that."

"Rat is asking Yggdrasil about this, that should be impossible or she'd be aware of anyone traveling the Roads uninvited. So far, she is completely in the dark. He has to have help of some kind. After we hear back from Romania, I'll start helping search. She's already got most of the animals looking for him, apparently the eagles and stags are actually setting aside their gripes to help. It's possible using that is how they got to Lady Eir in the first place."

"If only Midgardsormr would pitch in too. With his size, he could search far more than others."

"That'd be against the pact we made," Dorian shrugged in defeat. "He gives his power so long as we don't bother him, but I doubt he'd see any reason to help even if I did."

"And his brother?" Hecuba's question left the Einherjar uncertain how to answer."

"He's been…better since Lilith, but I don't know about giving him THAT much freedom," he rubbed his right arm, the pain of his bite still lingering when he thought about it too much.

"Excuse me," Zepar interrupted as he put a hand to his head. "My message to Lord…I mean Mr. Azazel seems to have borne fruit. He is requesting us to meet him into the conference room immediately and bring everyone still present in Kuoh. He reports that the situation has changed."

Crossroad Tower conference room…

"What do you mean the situation has changed?" Dorian asked once the room was calm. In the room, they had hastily gathered members of the Crossroads, Occult Research Club, Sona's Peerage and Griselda from Heaven. Dulio was going to attend, however, with the Underwater City being secured, it was felt his strength was needed more there.

"We aren't entirely certain, but it is clear that Rias' negotiations did not go smoothly." Azazel reported to them from the Carmilla castle through a magic circle hologram. "Apparently, there was a coup within Tepes territory, even Carmilla holdings along the border reported seeing infighting from their bases and castles. We haven't had word from her in over a day since then."

"Not even I can get through," Akeno lamented, concerned that even the personal communication network reserved for the Gremory Queen was silent.

"A coup d'état…" Koneko muttered worriedly, though it was Issei who jumped in next.

"What about the others?"

"We don't know, at least not yet," the fallen angel continued with his report. "Carmilla's informants confirmed that the leadership of the Tepes Castle has changed, however, their exact identity is unclear."

"What happened to King Tepes?" Griselda asked, her stoic expression betraying the worry racing through her mind.

"No idea," the frustration at the lack of information was evident to all on his face. "We are pretty sure he's alive as troops have been bolstered across the border. Not just normal regiments, but active searches and patrols. If I were more of a gambling man than I already am, I'd say they're looking for him."

"The Khaos Brigade must have intervened…they had to," Sona insisted while thinking with a hand under her chin. "For this to happen so quickly, surely the insurgents had powerful outside help."

"Like Grendel," Issei pointed out while massaging his jaw still able to feel the impact of the Evil Dragon's punches.

"Or others of his kind, I still can't believe you said they had one," the enthusiasm in Azazel's voice was tempered only by his concern upon hearing about the thwarted attack. "If one is alive, who is to say they don't have more? And Euclid to boot, I thought we killed him during the war centuries ago. Maybe they revived him too?"

"The Sephiroth Grail is incredible." Dorian asked, concerned with how casually he mentioned it. "To be able to revive someone that long dead."

"Not easily, but the Holy Grail can touch the principle of life. Officially, it can pull back anything dead that has passed to there but using it even once is taxing on the user's mind, going mad would be the least of their concerns at that point. I can see them forcing that Valerie girl to overuse it, but to think she even has the capability of using that power…"

"The Evil Dragons may have been revived, perhaps. But Euclid did not act like he had been resurrected, but rather in hiding," Rossweisse interjected while still uncomfortable thinking about that man stroking her hair. Dorian put a hand on her shoulder, his blood still boiling at the attack while he was away. "Perhaps the Khaos Brigade chose the vampires after hearing about the Holy Grail being found among them?"

"The Carmilla Clan agree, their division from each other and the outside world was the perfect petri dish to grow their influence while shielded from discovery. Even with extremists growing among them, they'd never have reached out for help until it was too late."

What moron puts their pride above their own people? Issei furrowed his brow but didn't say a word, too many concerns about what happened to Rias, Cat and the others for him to think straight. I need to get Azazel to let us go out there and help!

"And that's why I want you all to go out there and help," the Gremory Pawn blinked upon hearing the older fallen angel's words almost wondering if he could read his mind. "I'm calling all hands-on deck for this one to get some muscle. "We need to find a way into the country and to Tepes Castle, that's the last location we know they were at."

"I was waiting for you to say that!" Issei blurted out while smacking a fist into his other hand. "Right?" Akeno, Honda, Koneko and Asia all nodded confidently.

"The bulk of the Crossroads will remain in Kuoh," Dorian tried to add, his big-picture view of the situation kicking in. "If we go in full force and they choose to come back, we need enough here to defend. Especially if they go after Ravel again so she should remain. The Phenex daughter did not look happy, but agreed to watch things while they were gone. "Lady Griselda, can your troops stay as well and protect her?"

"Of course," she agreed. "I still have not received any word on vampires allowing our people into their territory. This way, they can remain at the ready. I have yet to inform Lord Michael of…of…" She paused, a look of hesitation and concern threatening to break through her stoic exterior.

Of Ewald Cristaldi's death, Dorian thought while holding back a frown. I didn't know him, but he was a high-ranking Church member and an inspiration to many, Irina and Xenovia included. If Moloch could get to one of the highest authorities of Heaven…they can go after anyone.

"We will stay too," Sona agreed, taking the attention off Griselda. "We are still recuperating after the battle and not everyone is fully healed. "We will reinforce the updated barriers around the school and town, nothing that was created with the help of the Lucifuges."

"That will put this old mind at ease," Azazel smiled in a relieved fashion through the hologram. "Now that we have more Sacred Gear users, splitting them for offense and defense is best. At least we got another Heavenly Dragon heading over there."

"Vali is on his way to Romania already!?"

"Not surprising considering how we saw him storming out," Hecuba remarked, the last sight of him leaving still fresh in her mind. "Bikou and Arthur too, is that where they went?"

"Bingo, they were bent on sneaking into the country but wouldn't accept backup. He looked like a man on a mission. I wonder if…"

"I won't believe the worst, not yet," Dorian stood up straight. "Bennia and Kuroka both have ways of getting out of tough situations to say nothing of the others. My team can be ready to go within the hour."

"Perfect, it seems you'll get your chance to see if that Qlippoth really started here. If we have any more, I'll share it when you arrive. Once you are prepared, let me know and I can bring everyone in on the Carmilla side. We have permission."

"We'll be there," Dorian looked to the room, everyone nodding with understanding of their rolls. "Pack light, I don't think we'll be staying long…at least I hope not."

"We get Rias and everyone else and bring them home, Gasper's friend too!" Issei's words got a positive cheer from many at the table.

Everyone…be safe until we get there!

Upstairs, not long after…

"Who knew you'd be accepting our offer so soon, and here I wanted to explore your town a bit more." Elmenhilde mused as she leaned on the doorframe outside Dorian's room. "The Tepes deposed by terrorists and subsequently invaded by outsiders. How unseemly."

"People are dying over there," Dorian shot her a fierce look seeing the smug expression in her eyes. "We're going to fight the Khaos Brigade, not conquer the Tepes Clan."

"In the end, the result will be the same. Their king missing, most likely dead, their court beguiled by your enemies and I'm sure you'll be after blood should we find the Lady Gremory and her escort dead."

"They won't be dead; you underestimate everyone just for not being one of your kind."

"Strength does not equal worth," she retorted without a hint of doubt. "That is one difference between us and others. Our leaders need to be strong, that is true, but we don't just go for who can punch the hardest. We follow those who will make the decisions needed…and face the consequences of it the next morning."

"I know a lot who would disagree, but that may be the most pragmatic thing you've said," Dorian's grey eyes locked with her red in that moment. "But regardless of their dedication, they must be a pureblood?"

"That is only common sense, of course. All within our domain are vampires, each of their lives are worth more than you understand. You would not follow a lesser being like a human, would you?"

"Humans are not lesser. I used to be one and you might have missed that Hecuba is leading the reformed Hero Faction."

"She is pure human?" Elmenhilde looked surprised. "And here I thought you had more clarity than that knowing the limits of the species. No matter, once we gather at our castle, we can take revenge upon…"

"Not revenge…justice," Dorian stepped closer, causing the pureblood vampire to hesitate, uncertain as to his next move. "We're going to help our friends."

"Justice, it's just a word that changes to fit the victor. But the Carmilla Clan hold to our oaths. Should Gasper Vladi be involved in defeating the Tepes and they are subjugated, then we shall build this bridge with your people. Who knows, perhaps I shall be the representative among these…Crossroads of yours."

"If you represent the best of your people…" Dorian turned before finishing knowing he'd say something he'd regret.

"What did you just say?" Elmenhilde's anger flared at his insinuation. "How dare…!" As quickly as her cold blood started to boil, it suddenly cooled. "You aren't worth my time, get out of my way!"

Her outburst was directed towards Zepar who had appeared at the door, stepping aside so she could storm out, face starting to redden from her frustration. The former attaché to Baraqiel glanced over at Dorian, realizing he'd clearly walked in on something happening.

"That peaceful aura of yours works wonders, thanks for that," Dorian nodded in appreciation to his friend, seeing the barest hint of soft pink light drifting down from above and his friend's wings unfurled. "So, it can work even on vampires?"

"At least when they are not expecting it," he shifted his tie to hide his nervousness. "We are just about ready. The bulk of the Crossroad members shall remain while we head to Romania."

"It feels like we're always fighting," Dorian mused as he threw the satchel over his shoulder. "Is that how it'll always be, fighting to keep the peace?"

"History would confirm that assessment," the learned fallen angel nodded solemnly. "Talks can come later, but it seems as though that is often the second option."

"It should be the first. Hades, Kassaegtha and Indra all believe that war and discourse is inevitable, but surely there must be another way."

"I would like to think so. My kind, barring a few, have become more peace-focused since the Great War. It shows that change is possible…"

"…change only after the vast majority of your kind were killed in a war," Dorian pointed out, the gears in his brain turning. "Does that just reinforce that outlook?"

"That was not my…" Zepar's lamentation at making a poor comparison was interrupted as Hecuba emerged next.

"We are prepared," the Spartan motioned towards the door. "We should make haste before the Brigade can do anymore damage."

Bifrost Chamber…

"Don't go dying on me," Saji and Issei shared a final fist bump with the black dragon Pawn forced to stay behind. "When you get back, we're comparing Balance Breakers!"

"Any day of the week," Issei retorted. "And be sure to keep that treasure safe, I only shared it cause you asked so much." Saji tucked a rolled-up magazine into his jacket pocket, the lewd contents clear as day if only from how he was reacting. "That's from my personal stash, won't be able to keep stuff like that laying around when you're teaching for Sona, right?"

"Damn, I didn't think of it like that, I'd actually have to be a good role model." The pair chuckled, Saji often commenting how he wanted to teach at Sona's school Sairaorg and Seekvaira were helping to fund. Issei was more than a little shocked to hear construction had already started and was expected to finish soon. "When we get to show you the new academy, you'll get to see my future office. Imagine…ME with an office!"

"The circle is ready, Elmen gave me all the details for my teleportation circles to go through their defenses and connect to the same Mr. Azazel has made." Rossweisse stood proud over a magic circle taking up most of the floor. "We can go at any time."

The Crossroad and Gremory Teams gathered on the spot prepared to leave. Ophis, Sona's team, Ravel, and Griselda stood ready to see them off with looks of concern. No doubt, they wanted to join them in a full-scale attack, but knew that would be too reckless. Issei couldn't help but think Rias should have done the same when she left instead of flying there in a plane but there was no helping it. The current situation was an emergency and it was doubtful that the Carmilla Clan would have allowed it.

"It'z been a long time zince I had to drezz for a plaze as cold az home," Volody announced wearing his fur coat and Russian-style hat. "Zis vill be a good opportunity to teach you about zpells to keep you varm Izzei."

"Though sometimes you can't beat that inner warmth from your ensemble!" Le Fay smiled innocently as she spun holding the staff she'd received from the future Yggdrasil. "Just knowing how cute you look can be better than any spell." Volody couldn't help but groan, yet still found himself smiling softly at her enthusiasm.

Everyone was dressed similarly ready for freezing temperatures even with their supernatural resistance to the elements. The Crossroad members wore their uniforms under their warmer accommodations, Thrud especially looking like a warrior Queen in a heavy fur cloak much like the one she'd worn to the festival so many months before. Le Fay did not exaggerate on the cute-factor she had tried going for hers with most lined in poofy fur. Rossweisse had gone with something similar, no doubt some clothing Thrud had shared with her. Dorian could not help but smile thinking the furred shoulders, cloak and long coat suited her.

"…stop staring," Rossweisse blushed with a smile as she noticed him. It took a few moments before he complied with her request.

"Send word as soon as there is anything," Ravel demanded with a twinge of restrained concern in her voice. "Lord Issei…"

"Don't worry, we'll bring EVERYONE back. Bet on that," Issei's confidence put her concerns to rest in that moment. "He was about to pat her head, but she stepped forward to fix his collar.

"There are tissues in the backpack along with pens but don't' sign ANYTHING they give you. Don't forget to brush your teeth when you get a chance, and don't you dare forget to wash…"

"I'm FINE!" He blurted out in embarrassment as he realized others were staring. "You worry about me too much."

"You all be careful," Ophis looked to everyone with a look of concern. "The Evil Dragons are persistent and no two are alike." Her prophetic statement of potentially meeting more beyond Grendel was not reassuring to the gathered forces.

"Don't worry about me, and I know you're both safe with Suraiya around." Issei patted her head, missing Ravel glaring with restrained jealousy. "Maybe we'll find a way to get your power back while we're there."

"We'll be ready," Dorian insisted, the infinite dragon not looking reassured by his words. "Okay, everyone onboard, our next stop is Romania!"

The collected magic users channeled their powers together to control the magic circle. In a flash of light, the room was suddenly far emptier as the two teams vanished into the thin air. The only sign of where they had gone were a few scattered snowflakes melting instantly upon reaching the warm floor…a small glimpse of the location to which they had departed for.

Romania awaits, the collected teams leaving their home behind to rescue friends and loved ones missing within the frozen mountains of that distant land. The Vampire Civil War and more continues next time. Until then, I hope everyone stays safe, Reads and Reviews…but most of all Enjoys! :D