Fate: Bonds Beyond Humanity

by Apprentice of Life

In a world where all can be real, what does it mean to be human? What is the meaning of humanity? A meeting between a human and a devil will have them discovering the truth while chasing their dreams. My take on the combined worlds of Fate and DxD with characters from other franchises if they can be adapted to it. Harem.

93. Chapter 93

Fate/Bonds Beyond Humanity

…..

93- Harbinger of Doom

…..

The sky started to grow dark as the clouds grew heavy by the time they arrived at the Fuyuki Central Park. It was like the area had its own mood and tone, the streets around it as empty and dark as the park itself.

Even from a distance one could see the effects and even if the buildings in the area were new, rebuilt after the fire, somehow they looked far older or weared down than they should as if the area itself was draining them of their color.

For even as they got closer to the park the trees stopped having leaves until there was none to be seen. Certainly not on the sight of Fuyuki's greatest tragedy which looked like a stain of browns and grays.

Those who lived in its vicinity would claim it got worse every year.

Once they were close enough, Emiya Shirou was the first one to jump out of the car and look at the empty land with his own eyes. 'Back here again, huh.' Opening and closing his hand, he felt a connection of sorts with the park. His vitals began to change and for a second it was like his heartbeat was going to stop before he began surrounding his body with Touki. "Thank you, Yoruichi."

While the connection hadn't been broken and the Mage of Swords felt something in the periphery of his consciousness, he found his body free of its influence. Nonetheless he was still carefully keeping his Ki flowing by wrapping himself in an extremely thin veil of steel so no bystander would notice it.

"I thought they fixed this place." Odin commented as he stepped out of the car.

"They did." Shirou retorted, his eyes staring at the desolate land.
"You call this 'fixing'? We are in Summer and this place looks more desolated than a desert. Calling it a park is a lie so bad it is almost a joke." The Aesir waved around to the dead land where not a spec of green could be found. Turning to Rias, he asked, "You sure they got the right people on this, lass?"
The Heiress of Gremory nodded with a conflicted expression. "For almost ten years Fuyuki's administration has been fighting a losing battle to restore this place."
"And no progress was made." Azazel lamented.

"I did say it was a losing battle." The devil retorted as the Valkyrie of the group suddenly advanced and raised her hand with caution as if to block something.

Both Shirou and Odin watched as Rossweisse stared at Fuyuki Central Park entrance with confusion, sadness and caution. Didn't take long for others to notice the silver haired woman was doing something, or feeling something, and that they shouldn't interrupt her.

Didn't stop some of them from making their own observations. "This land is dead." Baraqiel affirmed, feeling nothing in front of him. Not birds or even the plants that should be around. "When I lived in Fuyuki… this wasn't like this… This park used to be…" Looking at his daughter, the man quickly composed himself before saying, "Shuri and I used to spend our afternoons here once in a while. It was so bright and beautiful. Akeno, do you remember? You used to love playing-"
"On a swing that way." The hybrid pointed in a direction where there were some dead trees and little else. "You used to push me high and I pretended I could fly…" Looking around the park again, she took a step forward. "This is my first time here in a long time too… What happened? What sort of cursed ritual could do this much damage?"
Medusa watched her High Priestess' angust for a moment before her eyes shifted to her fellow god. "What do you say, God of Magic? Any clue?"
"If these were something involving runes, a single glance would tell me everything." He replied with an analytical stare as he looked for said runes. Yet he found nothing of the sort, the magic used was strange to him. "Unfortunately it won't be that easy. A more thorough inspection is required."
When the god took a step forward, everyone began to follow him including a half distracted Rossweisse who kept waving her hand around and looking everywhere with angust as her eyes saw something nobody else could.

She was skittish, looking to the side at every moment while the others talked. "I agree with you, Odin: this is really more of a desert than a park."
"First time here, Lady Medusa?" Baraqiel questioned which had the deity nodding.

"Yes. I looked at it from the side once or twice but never had I ever stepped foot in this place." Shaking her head, the purple haired goddess felt a discomfort she couldn't explain. And the hiss of a giant serpent, her Gorgon form which she thought lost, managed to reach her ears. "We aren't welcomed."
"Certainly we aren't." Azazel commented, a similar discomfort on his shoulders. "Question is why? A spell alone can't do that. If it was a boundary field at the very least…" His curiosity was almost strong enough to drop in his lab, grab some equipment and fly back just to get more data. "It wasn't just the deaths either."
Rossweisse flinched when the fallen angel finished his sentence, her eyes jumping around before she grew engrossed with something a few meters from them that was slowly approaching.

Both Odin was paying attention to her reactions since the silver haired woman looked far more uncomfortable than the rest. Everyone else noticed too but only the Old Man of the North knew exactly what was going on.

"Is this land really cursed?" Akeno asked aloud.

And the Aesir paused. "That is complicated." He resumed his walk an instant later. "But the reason for it may not be the spell." Soon enough they found a road of cement with a few benches which went ignored.

"How are you feeling, Shero?"
"So far, so good." He was actively looking around, his mind failing into old traps and rebuilding his trauma with every step he took. The smell of death and smoke, albeit absent, managed to greet him regardless. "So far, so good."

"Maybe we already went far enough." Rias suggested but they didn't stop.

Not with Odin leading. "We aren't at the center of the park yet. If there are some traces of the original spell, it is going to be there."
"My Champion, if you need, turn around." Medusa offered without hesitation.

Making Shirou scowl for a moment before he took a deep breath. "I am fine. This isn't my first time back here. Something tells me it won't be the last."
"Well, I hope it is the last for me." Luvia shivered and hugged herself. "This foul air is so…"
"'Foul'?" Akeno forcefully jested but her expression remained serious. "Can't disagree. I know places in the Underworld better than this place."
"You are right. Few places in the World are worse than this." Baraqiel added to his daughter's thoughts while looking around. "It gives an eeriness that is similar to the one found in graveyards. Just much heavier."
Rossweisse knew exactly why. "Gravesites are usually full of grief… this place has…" She shook her head and looked around, mostly focusing on Shirou which got her a look from her. "This place is full of regrets and…"
""And'? Spill it out, woman." Odin really wished to hear what she had to say. Or what sort of connections the place had with the redhead. He could tell she was trying to preserve his privacy.

But her reactions weren't helping much as she couldn't stop herself from watching the Mage of Swords with deep concern which couldn't be any sort of good sign. Still he could be patient and it was only a matter of time before someone questioned her attitude out loud while the Aesir avoided showing too much interest.

"I think I get what she means." Akeno commented while looking at her feet. "Every step I take, it is like there is something dragging me down."
The surprised silver haired woman looked at the ravenhead. "You can feel it too?" After a nod, she looked around. "Does anyone else?"
Since nobody answered positively, Azazel decided to say, "Probably because you two are special. Unless our pair of gods can say anything otherwise."
"No, feeling nothing." Odin said crudely as Medusa shook her head. "Hmm, Rossweisse's feelings are not a surprise but-"
"Akeno is a really special devil." Rias interrupted, cutting off any avenue of questions.
"And a goddess' priestess." As she was getting used to, Luvia was quick to support her King.

Fortunately for them the Aesir wasn't interested in the hybrid, not even bothering to guess what she was. His attention was on the area, in his bodyguard and Shirou who Rossweisse kept watch like a hawk.

"I think I am starting to feel something." Baraqiel commented, not giving the Old Man of the North to think about his daughter too much.

He wasn't wrong either as everyone had a strange feeling of wrongness moving around their stomach and spine. 'It is worse than last time.' Luvia had just been in the park a few months ago and she could already tell something was off. More than normal. "Are we safe coming in here?"
"Good question." Medusa looked around as snakes formed in her hair. "Are we safe? Every step feels like we are walking inside a huge trap."
"There is no trap." Odin spoke with conviction before making a rune and allowing it to pulse, unleashing a gold wave around the park. "See? Nothing at all… Not even worms in the ground…"
"... And you think that made our steps less foreboding?"

"More than you think." Rossweisse couldn't help but say as she glanced at Shirou again and avoided his eyes which confused the redhead.

Things got worse for the Valkyrie the deeper they went as she looked everywhere and nowhere seeing things nobody else could. But she was seeing something, that much was obvious for her eyes were sharp and cautious no matter where she looked. Especially when she focused on the Mage of Swords.

Something didn't go unnoticed. "Rossweisse-san? Would you like to tell us why you are staring at my Shiro so much?" Rias' careful call had the silver haired woman freezing in place with her spine straight. "Jokes aside, especially where we are, tell us if there is something wrong."
Pretty much everyone stopped to look at Odin's main bodyguard who took a deep breath to center herself. "Shirou, are you feeling anything?"
The magus blinked before looking at himself and an idea popped into his mind. "Maybe I should clarify something. Usually when I walk around this park I have those… episodes that mess with my head… and my heart."
"Is that why you are surrounding yourself with Ki?" Baraqiel questioned with a raised eyebrow. "You shouldn't be here then, this place obviously is dangerous to you. Of all the irresponsable-"
"What my brother wants to say is that maybe you should… you know, wait in the car?"
"That is why I learned Touki. To stop that from happening." He jumped a few times in place. "See? I feel fine." All eyes turned to Rossweisse. "Shouldn't I?"
"... The spirits of this place are reacting rather strongly to your presence…"

"I am not seeing anything." Rias immediately retorted even as she approached Shirou and raised her hand ready to call her Stand. "No lower spirit or ghost would be able to hide from us."

Stabbing his cane on the ground, a rune suddenly appeared and vanished making Odin frown. "You are overestimating yourselves. This isn't a case about being part of the moonlit world or not." He turned to the Valkyrie who shook her head. "Hmph. Rossweisse can see more than any of us. It is both in her blood and in the rituals that welcomed her as a true Valkyrie." Revealed the Aesir. "If she says there are spirits around, then there are spirits around."
"You make it sound like Valkyries have a perception superior to even gods." Medusa's eyes began to shine yet she failed to see anything. "Tsk."
"The Original Valkyries, my daughters, were equal to angels. NO, they were superior!" Azazel and Baraqiel wanted to argue but held their tongues. "Unlike many other divine messengers, they are more connected to death in a manner only Gods of Death could claim have archived." He sounded rather proud of that accomplishment. "And Rossweisse here is the granddaughter of one Original. Her magic didn't need to be shaped into a Valkyrie's so she had a leg up on the competition, her blood making her as strong as any True Hybrid even if she is just a demigoddess."

Nobody said anything about the 'True Hybrid' comment as he was just indicating either he knew Akeno's nature or suspected it. Nevertheless Luvia commented, "Just a demigoddess? How is someone 'just a demigod'? Those are really strong."

"Because Valkyries are just better."
"Someone is the proud parent." Rias commented with some exasperation. "But back to the matter at hand, if there are spirits here, why can't we see them? I am a pureblood devil! Azazel is a Cadre! One of the first angels! Connection to death or not-"
"Because they aren't proper spirits or ghosts." Rossweisse interrupted before her god did so and to finish the debate once and for all. "They are just… barely spirits. Or specters if you want to give a name…" She raised an arm to try to grasp something.

From the Valkyrie's point of view she tried to take hold of a malformed branch of bright air or even colorful smoke with tones of teal and white. Only it wasn't a branch but an arm, or something that should be an arm but she could only describe as deformed or malformed when it disappeared in her hand.

Nobody else could see but all over the park there were several other spirits, or specters moving around in place like sheets of paper in the wind. Some of them looked like how ghosts would to the average person, masses of white without form. Others were skeletons, or images of skeletons, that the silver haired woman could easily see through.

While it was safe to say the whole park was filled with them, there was a huge amount of specters around their group. Or to be more precise the Valkyrie could see a huge amount of specters trying to push or pull Shirou around.

Just looking at the redhead magus was enough to hurt her sight and open a pit in her stomach. "What are you seeing?" He questioned after a few beats, knowing something was definitely wrong. 'Maybe it is the reason for the problems I had every time I stepped foot in this place. Not my past but the present, its present.'

"... There are so many of them around you, Shirou. So many. I can't even count…" Shaking her head, she pointed at the Mage. "And they are attracted to you, Shirou. In fact, they are trying to do something to you."
"His Touki must be stopping them." Azazel began to see the pieces of that puzzle. "Yoruichi was wrong. Controlling his vitals isn't protecting him from the curse. Touki, his natural spirit, is keeping these specters at bay."

"But when Yoruichi did it… she was using her natural energy to protect me indirectly." Shirou quickly understood. "That way, they couldn't harm me… But then…" Realization set in just as swiftly. "They are the victims."

"Victims? Of the fire?" Rias asked with growing concern. Raising her hand, a magic circle was already prepared to unleash Destruction. "Then we should finish dispatching them-" A gentle hand stopped her. "Shiro?"
"No, Rias. Please. They already have suffered too much." Memories flashed on his mind, of leaving people behind, of people dying everywhere. "If they were also there… I didn't save a single one of them. I left them all behind."
"Shirou-kun, you were just a child."
"Akeno, I just kept walking!" It was his greatest shame. "Child or not… maybe I could have done something… Maybe I could…" Rias hugged him and held his face.
"You were… what? Eight, nine?" Baraqiel scowled. "No child should be in that situation… expecting you to do anything is unreasonable."
"And quite foolish." Luvia added before turning back to Rossweisse. "Besides that, did my King's actions have any effect on those specters?" Her question surprised a few but had Odin chuckling. "She didn't unleash her power but there was enough demonic energy going around to scare some ghosts."
The silver haired woman shook her head. "No, there is nothing there to scare." The Valkyrie allowed her words to sink in before elaborating. "These specters… they aren't souls, spirits or ghosts. They are the remains of those who are gone, stripped down of everything they ever were." She turned to her god with a worried look. "Much like one would be if assaulted by the Winds of Hel…" The Aesier's eye grew wide as she turned back to the Mage. "You were right, Shirou. Whatever that spell was, that fire was, it literally unleashed a version of Hell on Earth. Everyone who died to it…"

"Wait, are you saying…" Baraqiel's face only held disbelief before shifting to pity.
"A Fate worse than death." Azazel said with a shiver. "Unlike the actual system, created with several treaties and watched over by Hades, these souls suffered what one would if they fell into the old Hell."
"The old Hell?" Luvia questioned.

"... The complete decimation of a soul until there was nothing left but the angust they inflicted on others and the memory of their crimes. Father judged it was too much and-"
"Can we save them?" Shirou asked in a panic, looking around everyone in the area. He moved towards Azazel and placed his hands on the older man's shoulders. "We have to save them. We can't leave them like this!"
Closing his eyes, the fallen angel placed his hands on his friend's shoulders as well. "... There is nothing to save… Their lives, memories, their very souls are gone. Even if we resurrected them… they would die an instant later and get back here." He did so to stop the magus from falling on the ground. Which he almost did but the Cadre didn't allow that to happen. "Sorry Shirou."
"There must be something we can do!" He turned to Rossweisse, the only one who could see the specters.

And she shook her head. "Like Lord Azazel said, only these people's feelings remain. Much like it would be if they were sent to one of the old Hells." Anyone could see the sadness in her face. "Whatever that spell did, it took everything from its victims. Without mana, dead as they were and no ties to this place besides their demise… nothing could protect them when the ritual just kept taking and taking."
"And so only a few feelings are left…" Medusa concluded with sadness and bitterness.

"Is that why…" Shirou touched his chest almost in despair. "Is that why my heart almost stops when I am here?" The reveal shocked almost everyone but Rias was already by his side to give him strength. "Are they angry at me? Because I survived?"
"Don't go there, Shiro. Don't you dare to go there."
Akeno was right behind her friend, holding his other side. "She is right, Shirou-kun. It wasn't your fault. You were saved."

"Malice, hmm… that is possible." Odin began revealing a theory growing in his mind. "If their feelings are still around, and the ritual is not really over, these specters are probably waiting for it to end… or trying to stop it. Which should only motivate us more to go to the center of the park." The Aesir pointed out while slamming his cane, the disguised Gungnir, on the ground. "If what you want is to free them, we must uncover the mystery of this spell."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Chill out a bit, Odin." Azazel suddenly spoke with a panic. Even if the words had managed to motivate his lab partner, he saw the truth of what they were. "God of Magic or not, you shouldn't make promises you can't keep." The fallen angel approached before hissing in his ear. "What is the play here, Old Man?"
"Play? There is no play." The Aesir chuckled. "And I am offended if you think I can't undo a half broken spell."
The Cadre grabbed the god's arm. "The devils had other gods check it already. None succeeded." His eyes looked remorseful as he let go of the deity. "I am sure we all appreciated the confidence but that isn't something you can just break. Nobody can."

For a moment the Aesir looked irritated. "Hahaha! And you shouldn't underestimate the mighty Odin!" However that vanished in a flash as he resumed his advance. "Sometimes you just need the right God for the right Miracle." His remaining eye landed on Shirou. "And the right sort of power."

After that it only took a moment for the group to follow Odin's stride as walked fully energized and even excited for reasons nobody could guess. Didn't mean any of them really believed the Old Man of the North could truly solve the problem. Specialists from all over the World had already failed.

One last question left Medusa's lips. "And you can't do anything, Rossweisse?" Yet the younger deity focus was on the being who claimed to have a stronger connection with death. More precisely to ferrying souls. "Can't you just guide them to an afterlife or another?"
"The problem is that they aren't really here." The Valkyrie repeated a little forcefully. "A soul… is just complicated-"

"Trust me, I know."

"-and the victims of the fire just had theirs torn apart and eaten for this ritual. It is them who are making the park like this." She waved her arm around, catching the group's attention again, especially Shirou's. "I am not even sure the spell is a curse now. Malicious and evil, sure, but a curse? It isn't doing this, sucking the land dry. It is them, the specters, who can't allow new life to blow because their grudge is all they have left."
"A grudge so strong? Is Odin-sama right? Is it all just malice?" Akeno questioned while looking around. "Are those emotions so negative that they could just poison the land like this."

Her father placed a hand on her shoulder. "The manner of death also matters. The ritual didn't really just rip them apart… the fire must have been very painful too…"

Rias gave the fallen angel a look that threatened to blow up his head if he didn't measure his words but Shirou was already moving ahead with an expression of sadness and loathing.

Despair hadn't taken hold yet but it was close.

"Almost there…" Odin muttered as he kept advancing before feeling something as they approached the center. 'Finally.'

Suddenly all of them were hit with a familiar sensation to anyone who lived in the moonlit world for any length of time: they had crossed some sort of boundary field, one which hid things from sight and disguised a location.

While that part of the park wasn't any different from the rest, the presence of such a barrier was extremely peculiar. "Did you send someone to guard this place?" Azazel asked while fetching his weapon.

"Why? There is nothing here." Rias replied as mana gathered in her hands and everyone raised their guard.

"You are right! There is absolutely nothing here." A man's voice caught their attention and everyone turned to see a man wearing black and silver, leaning on a dead tree. "I was wondering what sort of spell backfiring could create such desolation. Unfortunately, its traces must have vanished with the wind."
Confusion settled on some of the party but not for Rossweisse who was suddenly enveloped in her white and blue mana before standing in front of everyone in her armor, ready to send her spear straight towards the unknown man's chest.

"What are you doing here, Lord Loki?" She questioned, refusing to waste any time.

"Loki? As in the Aesir of Trickery?" Luvia questioned before pulling out some of her jewels. Asgardian or not, if the Valkyrie was hostile to him that was a reason for concern.

A thought shared by almost everyone in their group even if Odin did little but smile at the other man's presence. "God of Trickery. Of Lies. Of Fire. Of Giants! Father of Monsters!" Loki chuckled at the last Title, his gaze shifting towards Medusa beneath his hood. "And here I am with one of my peers. Lady Medusa, apologies for not calling ahead but I have very important business to deal with Odin. I hope you don't mind."
"By King Balder's decree you are to remain one continent of distance from Lord Odin at all times, Lord Loki!"

"That doesn't sound good." Akeno commented as her father immediately moved beside the Valkyrie.
"No, it doesn't." Baraqiel began to take out his suit revealing a jet black combat outfit beneath that had the same proportions of his normal clothes but with a dark gold emblem above his heart. It also had shoulder patrons and arm bracers for close quarters combat. "Should we assume that you are here with bad intentions, Loki?"
"Are you Odin's extra bodyguard? Baraqiel of Lightning, right? The second strongest fallen angel." The man crossed his arms and chuckled. "At least we can say that the Grigori, or is it the Three Factions now, know their place and send out a proper help."
With a flick of his arms the man lowered his hood to reveal a chiseled handsome face and long silver hair, longer than Luvia's and just shy of Rias, completely pulled back except for three streaks symmetrically spread over his forehead.

His blue eyes were the same color as Odin's but held none of the curiosity and instead exhibited an underlying cunning and mischief that surpassed the Old Man of the North, Azazel or anyone else they ever met.

In a sense it was fair to say that particular god wasn't just a schemer but he was constantly making plans and barely thought about anything else. No, everything was a step or a ploy, for good or ill, and he was there for something. Unlike the retired king, there was nothing whimsical about that deity.

Opening his black cloak, he revealed a silver silk undershirt while saying. "For that respect alone, I will say this: leave. Odin and I have Asgardian business to deal with."
Rossweisse held her spear firmly and her aura showed she truly didn't trust the silver haired Aesir. "Whatever your plans, Lord Loki, I must insist you depart Asia immediately. You aren't allowed to speak with Lord Oding in any capacity unless on Asgardian soil."
"She is right, Loki." The Old Man of the North decided he needed to say something. "In order to prevent Ragnarok, many sacrifices were made, including our bonds." The old Aesir reminded the younger one who just raised an eyebrow before smirking. A smirk perfectly reflected by Odin. "If you have something to say, say and go. Or let's get back together in Asgard. It has been a while since we shared a drink."
"Fufufufu. Fine, if you answer me positively… or rather, negatively, I will go away like a good boy." Those words were enough to calm down the devils and fallen angels. Yet Rossweisse's spear remained high, firmly aimed towards his heart. "Let's cut to the chase; stop trying to get Asgard together with this lackwits."
"Excuse you?" Rias' pride had been poked in a bad way.

However Azazel, while also offended, quickly understood what the god wanted. "Are you talking about our possible treaty?"
"Oh great! Didn't arrive too late. Fantastic!" Loki clapped with excitement. "Yeah, treaties. Forget about them. Asgard doesn't need to mingle with weaker factions." That earned a glare from almost everyone. "We are perfectly fine how we are. We even prevented Ragnarok," his smile disappeared for a moment, "and are growing stronger each day. Besides, the Three Factions of Christianity are having some new issues recently."
"If you are talking about the Khaos Brigade, they are everyone's trouble!" The Heiress of Gremory informed the deity with a cold stare. "Their plan is to upheaval the World's order. Sooner or later, they are going to be Asgard's enemy."
"Rias has a point. It would be best if we all banded together to crush that possibility first." Azazel assumed a more casual posture to try and settle things through a dialog. "And even if Asgard doesn't want to participate on the fighting-"
"Ptf. Are you hearing that, Odin? They don't even know us."
"He is just trying to be polite and butter you up."
Medusa had enough of that situation. "Loki, I am going to ask you nicely: get out of my town." The goddess demanded with an aura of murder around her.

One familiar to Shirou. 'The Gorgon? No, it is lighter but this intensity… is she as strong as she was as the Gorgon already?"
"Depends on Odin." Loki replied with a casual wave. "Is he going to insist on mingling with the Three Factions?"
Odin paused for a moment before chuckling. "Why, of course I will. They are fun and Asgard needs some changes."
Suddenly Loki's posture shifted to one far less welcoming. "Then I see no choice but drag you back, Old Man-"
Wasting no time once negotiations fell apart, Rossweisse rushed at the Trickster God, power pulsing around her body. She had realized that the younger Asgardian deity could only be there for some mischief of the violent kind. As Odin's bodyguard it was her duty to keep any threat at bay, especially that particular god.

Nobody predicted her surprise attack but Loki still had an instant to react which was enough for a god like him. He first took a step back before raising a hand and creating a barrier strong enough that the land beneath his feet broke with the impact but the Trickster barely moved from place.
"Hmm, Valkyries have certainly grown violent since back in the day."
"By order of King Balder and to prevent Ragnarok, I, Rossweisse, shall dispatch you here if you don't retreat, Lord Loki."
"Kakakaka! You are a thousand years too young to say something like that, girl!"
Her actions confused the others present. "Wait a minute! I know that Loki is the main instigator of the Ragnarok but doesn't he need to kill Balder first?" Luvia questioned as the Valkyrie kept trying to push her spear and pierce the god. "The Legends say-"
"Do you think Fate cares about the order of things?" Baraqiel summoned a bright spear of gold light very similar to the ones his daughter's. In fact the ravenhead could feel the Holy Lightning pulsing from the weapon, his magic calling to her. "The order of factors doesn't change the equation in this case!"
With that said the Fallen of Lightning charged forward to support the silver haired woman, something she felt coming and quickly dashed to the side giving him space to throw his weapon at the god.

Loki's brow rose as he felt his barrier struggle for a moment before waving his hand to push the attack away with raw power alone. "Seems I will have to teach these fake gods," he quickly leaned backwards, avoiding Rossweisse's thrust towards his neck, "some manners!"

Mana pulsed around the god and a wave of energy sent the Valkyrie flying before he raised both hands to fire a blast towards Baraqiel who placed his majestic black wings on his path to absorb most of the blow, protecting close behind him.

"Otou-chan!"

There was an explosion as Azazel shouted. "Akeno, get Medusa out of here!" He ordered while drawing his sacred gear. "Rias-"
"Born To Be WIld! Act II!" The Heiress of Gremory and her Rook charged to the right, a rifle in her hands while she repositioned. Once she caught a glimpse of Loki, there was no hesitation. "Destruction Bullets!"

The Trickster God noticed the attack flying in his direction and immediately began to sweat knowing it wasn't the kind of energy he could deal with easily. Surrendered by enemies, he knew to not take risks. However while the Power of Bael was troublesome, countering it wasn't something beyond his capabilities.
"You newer devils really forgot your place, didn't you?!" Questioned Loki while opening his arms wild and unleashing dozens of streaks of mana against Rias' bullets.

Pound for pound the powers clashed and disappeared as her demonic energy ran exhausted with every contact against Loki's Divinity. In some cases, his power even surpassed hers and several attacks broke through the Power of Destruction, ready to rip her apart.

"Aries!" Luvia called forth her spell before slamming a gem on the floor and raising several walls on Loki's path. It was still devastating and both devils found themselves dodging several lasers still. 'This is the power of a god!'

"Father dammit! You shouldn't fight him!" Azazel warned while calling Fafnir's power. "Get back! Let us handle it! Balance Breaker!"

[Scale Mail!]

Down Fall Dragon Spear quickly covered its owner with Fafnir's scales as he called forward a polearm made of Light. All the Cadre's wings opened as he dashed through the smoke from where his brother exploded, finding the man a little wounded but otherwise fine, straight towards Loki.

"So comes the leader of Grigori!" Who unsurprisingly took flight as well but was moving backwards. "Perhaps all I need to convince Odin is to show your inferiority!"
"Why don't you try?!" Azazel closed the distance faster than the god expected and threw a swing towards his chest that had the silver haired man raising both arms and a shield of mana between them.

And still sent flying downwards where he would have slammed on the ground without a quick recovery. "Huhuhu. Not bad for someone who competed with 'God'!" He said the name sarcastically while Azazel was already approaching. But before the follow up made contact Loki's body began shining. "But still naive!"

Instead of a man, a serpent jumped on Azazel who swiftly moved to cut it down only to see his weapon go through nothing. "What? Aghh!"

Behind the fallen angel was Loki who apparently appeared from nowhere and threw a blast on the man's back.. "Like I said, 'naive'."

"Loki!" Rossweisse used her spear to create dozens of runes surrounding the man before slamming a bright one close to her feet. "Be Sealed!"

Primeval Runes came to life and tried to tie the god up only for him to spin in place and unleash several spheres of mana to destroy the runes. Then, as he finished the motion with a hand raised towards Rossweisse, a cloud of mana birds left his palm and crashed on her position pushing her around even as she raised her shields.

The sound of thunder echoed in the park as Baraqiel came from beneath the god with his Holy Lightning unleashed in a magnitude that made his daughter pause to watch as it struck Loki who had to stop attacking the Valkyrie to defend himself.

Giving her enough space to call for another set of runes before Lightning began flying in her direction. "Baraqiel!"
"He is deflecting it!" The fallen angel had to stop attacking and they saw how the Trickster was using his hands to create waves in his own barrier.

Waves he used to redirect the Lightning. "Hahahaha! You think I don't have to deal with enough of that from Thor? Weak! Compared to him, your Lightning is weak!"
"Sorta unfair," Loki's eyes grew wide as Azazel made his return with a giant Light ax at his back, "comparing my brother with other men!"
From his position all the god could do was fortify his aura and barrier but nevertheless Azazel's strike broke through both managing a huge slash on his left shoulder. Yet his form began to shine before several tentacles of energy began pushing shoving him away.

Only for them to be Destroyed by crimson bullets, courtesy of Rias Gremory. "Get him! Azazel!"
"You bitch!" Loki raised several barriers just in time as the Cadre's attacked to demolish them all. "Hmph. Seems I can't go slow against you."

"I am the Governor General of the Grigori for a reason!" Azazel replied while turning around for a follow up with his ax which he made twice as big. Yet his opponent didn't stay in place and the Trickster escaped by first flying higher in the air.

Before his body began shining and transformed into a huge deer with several horns that made him look like the King of a forest or something similar. Shirou's eyes widened at the imagery. 'That appearance? Is he the one Illya was talking about?'

Suddenly he felt an itch to race home to check the Holy Grail but held back while glancing at Akeno who was speaking with Medusa. "We have to get you two out of here!"
"What do you mean two?" The purple haired deity protested as her aura pulsed. "I can fight and should do so. That worm dares to invade my land! I need to teach him a lesson!"
Odin frowned at that declaration. "Usually I wouldn't tell a fellow god how they should act but you fighting Loki is exactly what he wants." When her eyes shifted to him, he added, "Think we can have any sort of alliance if an Asgardian kills our allies' deity? He may hesitate with me but he will definitely go for the throat against you."
"He isn't strong enough." Medusa declared as they watched Azazel shove Loki to the side and the man spun in the air before ending his transformation with a new murderous glare on his face

Then he sent out several beams all around towards everyone shoving Azazel away with just as many explosions while Rossweisse ran towards Baraqiel's side to protect him and Luvia raised several barriers of earth and mana to do the same for Rias.

However the attack was truly omnidirectional and even those far away were in its area of effect. "Trace on! Rho Aias!" Shirou unleashed the Noble Phantasm just in time to block all hits. "Medusa is right. This feels rather weak…"
"But Loki is the Trickster for a reason." Odin reminded the Mage who nodded in agreement, having read enough of their Legends to know that as fact. "He wouldn't have come here without something to force me to capitulate. For a long while now, Asgard has suspected him of breaking some Oaths that should be keeping Ragnarok at bay."
"Meaning?" Akeno questioned while holding an EM to heal Shirou with a hand at his back, ready to support him if Rho Aias started having trouble.

Fortunately the attack ended soon as the God of Mischief saw himself free from pressure despite being surrounded by two fallen angels, a Valkyrie and a pair of devils, all pointing their weapons at him.

"Meaning that even if he didn't come to kill me, he is ready for it." Both Shirou, who knew the Norse Legends thanks to prior research, and Medusa, who was a fellow deity and knew their nature, understood what he was talking about.

"You are talking about-"
"-your Weakness. The one Destined to be your killer."

Before they could elaborate further, the park heard Loki's laughter. "Hahahahahaha! Oh my goodness! This is good Really good! So good!" His humor surprised even Rossweisse who suddenly was filled with dread and took a step back when his eyes landed on her. "Congratulations! You deserve the job! But playtime is OVER!"

Azazel charged towards the god like a bull, each hand holding a spear of Light ready to skewer the man. An excellent idea on Rossweisse's opinion because she did the same thing less than a second later. Rias opened fire with her gun while Luvia shot a spell from her fingers while Baraqiel unleashed several sparks of Lightning between his fingers.

Every single attack was so fast that it would take a top notch camera to capture the images and even then most people would only notice blurs and flashes. Still too slow for Loki not because of skill or ability but because the man had prepared for such a situation.

For there was no value on a plan which didn't consider seatbacks. Not one of Loki's who knew he would be facing resistance. Prideful and confident as he was, the God of Mischief was actually one of the less arrogant Aesir. Mostly because the others were too arrogant and several times his pranks landed him in all sorts of troubles.

But it was his own intellect which got him away from any serious repercussions, including shaving Thor's wife's hair and later commissioning a full mane of gold from dwarves who he knew could take upon the task.

Sif was so impressed with their work that she stopped Thor from outright killing their fellow god. Didn't stop the initial beating, the woman had a right to be mad, but Loki was left breathing thanks to his foresight.

That same foresight allowed him to predict Odin's bodyguards and their prowess, sure he didn't predict Rias, Azazel or Luvia but Baraqiel and Rossweisse would be formidable by themselves nonetheless.

If anything, the extra help only made Loki activate his spell sooner rather than later. "Gate Open!" A small magic circle suddenly swallowed the Trickster leaving the group to almost hit themselves.

Almost but not quite, Azazel dismissed his weapons, retracting his wings allowing Rias' bullets to pass around harmlessly.

Luvia's spell also disappeared before making contact with Rossweisse who had her aura up nonetheless but thankfully didn't even have to use it against Baraqiel who directed his Lightning downwards.

Yet the portal vanished and all he got was a cloud of dust. "A teleportation spell?!"
"No!" Rossweisse shivered since, just for a moment, she felt something terrible from that gate.

A gateway suddenly opened several meters away from them, right in the center of the park. Loki had prepared it beforehand and hid the spell a few minutes before the group's arrival. Once he defined it would take a little more effort to deal with them, it only took a small spell and a few words to activate it.

With the bonus of shifting his location to inside the realm where he could quickly recover by getting rid of every speck of blood in his person and emerging from the gate fresh and fit like he wasn't in a scuffle just a few seconds prior.

Not that anyone could notice as the whole park fell completely silent because of the mass of power and bloodlust pouring from the gate which presented them with two yellow eyes that looked like fireballs that gazed outside with hunger.

"By the Stars…" Azazel couldn't help but take a step back.

He wasn't the only one. "Goetia, save us." Rias wasn't religious but nevertheless fear made her one.
"That- that- what-" Luvia found herself without words and retreating at a faster pace than anyone else.

"Azazel, this fight…" All Baraqiel wanted was to grab his daughter and run.

Rossweisse gathered all her courage to ask. "Loki… you truly broke him free?"
"One of the Banes of Asgard and Heralds of Ragnarok…" Odin's booming voice filled the park, instilling the warriors with courage. It helped with their nerves but the news he had weren't good for that wasn't a being any of them could face. "One Destined to Eat the Moon and can block the Sun with his size."
"Your slayer…" Medusa understood why he didn't want her fighting that thing. Every bone in her body told her that while that wasn't her Destined enemy, it could easily rip her apart. "A God Slayer!"
"Fenrir!" As if to answer Shirou's calling, the wolf jumped out of the gateway and unleashed a howl that broke the courage Odin gave them, his huge size easily taller than a five store apartment and yet he felt much larger.

"Odin-sama, you need to get away from here!" Akeno was panicking and nobody would blame her. Fenrir was a creature capable of killing the bravest men with fright. "If you fight him-"
"Do you take me for a fool? Why do you think I have stood back all this time? Even my Oaths to Loki would have let me do something otherwise." Another howl filled the park and everyone felt the boundary field in the area bend while making the courage Odin gave them suddenly grow thin. "I knew he had Fenrir so fighting him will only bring my demise."
"You knew?" Medusa questioned in disbelief.

"He wouldn't be here otherwise!"

'If that is the case it isn't for nothing Loki is confident.' Shirou remembered his fight with the Gorgon and the luck breaks he had during it, including breaking his limits to explode his Noble Phantasms for the first time. 'And Fate can't favor me like it can Fenrir. He is Destined to devour Odin whole, a complete victory by any means, during Ragnarok. No! In this case, it was safe to say that Fenrir could start Ragnarok!'

Because Asgard wouldn't let their retired king's death go on unanswered and even if they didn't blame the Underworld or Medusa, the Norse Faction would be too busy dealing with Ragnarok to do anything.

Not to mention the damage that the end of their world could and would mean to the World in general. "Fly Beyond the Heavens! Bellerophon!"

Considering all that, it wasn't strange for Shirou to Trace Kanshou and Bakuya to immediately go into his Ascension.

"Serpent Eye!" Akeno had the same idea and activated her Noble Gear to gear up in her princess-like miko outfit, the crown-like headdress hiding her fear as the colors of her goddess gave her strength.

Then Fenrir's eyes locked on them and the giant wolf fully jumped out of the gate revealing his midnight dark fur but brilliant under the sun despite the clouds. His fangs and claws were huge, each as tall as a man and shining dangerously as the Wolf of Ragnarok moved towards the group previously attacking his father.

Before trampling them, sending devils, fallen angels and the Valkyrie away like as if he was an out of control train just shoving everything aside, aiming only for his destination. When considering his destination was an almost literal date with Destiny that involved Odin in his belly, the target was obvious.

"I am going-"
"He is a natural God Slayer! Get out!"
"You shouldn't be using Bellerophon either, my Champion!"
"Orochi!" Akeno ended up acting first, channeling her gifts into a giant serpent made of Lightning and Thunder which pulsed with enough energy to light up a city.

Fenrir barely noticed the facsimile of Susanoo's enemy and only paid attention to it just as the great snake was about a few centimeters of distance. Then it shocked everyone but easily brushed it off with a paw and little regard as Loki's laughter filled the park. The next moment had the wolf resuming his charge.

However he wasn't an enemy they could face and Shirou made a hard decision. "Last Stardust!" Accelerating beyond all reasonable limits, the Mage of Swords collected both Odin and Medusa and ran away only to find himself crashing against something. "The boundary field-"
"Think I am letting you leave so easily?!" Loki questioned as his son ignored Akeno, not even noticing the priestess dashing to the side and unleashing a Lightning Spear on his side.

Which went completely unnoticed as all Fenrir saw was Odin. With a snarl and a half howl, the Harbinger Of Ragnarok set his fangs on the Old Man of the North. To his credit, the Aesir didn't look either concerned or phased, instead he just extended his hand waiting for the rescue.

"Last Stardust!" The last second one that came when Shirou renewed his spell, grabbed Medusa by the waist and took the Old Man's hand before the three of them ended in the other side of the area leaving the wolf to bite his dust.

Loki couldn't help but whistle in amazement. "That is fast."
"Loki! Do you really think you can get away with this?!" Rias asked while aiming a sniper rifle in his direction. She fired once and missed as the Trickster's body was translucent and he appeared a few meters to the left where he was. "What?"

"My son is a God Slayer of the kind not even Thor wants to mess with. Come here boy!" Loki waved his hand back, calling the wolf like one would a dog. The act was as casual as it could be, especially considering Baraqiel was flying straight towards the god with a Light Spear.

Fenrir lifted his neck first before his ears turned in his father's direction. The body moved soon after, a blur of black crossing the browns in the park. His huge mass clashed on the Cadre and sent him flying back and the wolf stopped beneath his father, eyes locked on Odin.

Neither acknowledged the runes around the wolf's feet before they suddenly spanned chains to tie the Legendary creature up. For either surprise or another reason, the Wolf of Ragnarok found himself on the ground while his father chuckled.

Slowly the Aesir turned to Rossweisse while also sending a blast towards Rias which had both her and Luvia raising several magic circles to stop it. Unfortunately the two weren't strong enough so it was up to Azazel to save them with Fafnir's scales.

Meanwhile the devils struggled, the Trickster laughed. "Hahahaha! Do you really think those frail chains can keep my son down for long?!" Like a maestro in an orchestra he raised his arm dramatically. Fenrir's eyes shone ominously before his body suddenly grew in mass, freeing himself. "Last time it took specially made chains to keep him in place."
Fenrir, twice the size he was from when he first showed up, howled again and glared at the Valkyrie with hatred for a second before his eyes moved back towards Odin.

"Can we negotiate?" Azazel called out before the wolf charged again.

"Son! Stand down!" Fenrir looked ready to charge again but apparently Loki's words had an effect. "Negotiate, you say? Why should I? You are stuck in my trap and I can easily kill any of you with a flick of my wrist."

To prove his point he threw a small wave and the Wolf of Ragnarok looked ready to jump at Odin again even if he stayed in one place. There was no denying the giant canine's power nor his bloodlust as he began to walk around his father while keeping eyes on his real target.

'Hostility doesn't cover what that guy feels for Odin.' Azazel didn't blame Fenrir. He knew the reason and could even respect it. "Doesn't mean we can't solve our issues with a nice little chat. No need to sick the World's Most Dangerous Wolf on us."
"You attacked first."
"The Valkyrie attacked first. Someone from your faction." While that was throwing Rossweisse under the metaphorical bus, the Governor General needed some sort of footing in that negotiation.

She didn't blame him and was perfectly justified in doing so because, "Lord Loki committed several crimes and unleashed a beast so dangerous that anyone in Asgard even coming close to him can be condemned to death." Fenrir's glare shifted to her and while she trembled, she neither retreated nor averted her eyes from the Wolf of Ragnarok. "Even with a deal, he will be punished whenever he sets foot in Asgard again."

"So, as you heard, I have nothing to lose!" Loki declared with an uncomfortable amount of pride. "Even if everyone in Asgard hates me, this is for their sake. So as the good parent I am, I shall offer them the bitter medicine to keep our Pantheon safe and sound."
"Lord Azazel, be honest, what are our odds?" Luvia questioned with a whisper.

Taking advantage that the Trickster seemed to be musing something, he replied. "Bad. Fenrir isn't an opponent anyone here can beat. Even if Loki choses to stay on the sidelines, our odds of winning are pretty in the negatives."
"He is that strong?" Rias' pride tried to bite back against the statement but her trust in the Cadre kept her silent even if she was managing the fear Fenrir forced on all present.

"Not just strong. He is one of the Strongest Beings: Fenrir of Ragnarok, the 10th Strongest Creature in Existence!"
That made a shiver run through everyone who could hear him and thanks to his shout that was pretty much everybody on his side. The reveal only made Loki look more smug as he took pleasure in the situation and basked in their growing panic. It wasn't like they could escape so he could take his time.

"About the negotiations… I think I have a perfect idea that will not only keep Asgard outside other Pantheons' affairs and I pretty much will get away with it." He snapped his fingers playfully but a new sort of malice grew in his eyes. It was pure murderous intent. "I just have to kill everyone else!"
"Are you insane?!" Rossweisse questioned and while many looked at the Trickster God with horror, the fallen angel brothers just looked at each other, understanding that insanity or not, the silver haired man was going to try either way.

Further proving that were his next words, "Fenrir, forget about Odin. We need the Old Man to clean the mess later." The Wolf of Ragnarok looked at the Aesir and tried to charge at him again but a magic blast from Lok kept the Divine Beast in place. "Not today! Kill the others! Now!"
Fenrir glared at his father before lowering his head and growling as he turned to his enemies. Contrary to his divine parent, the wolf's bloodlust actually diminished quite a bit because of the change of strategy. Sure he was still dangerous and everyone felt fear creeping in but it wasn't as oppressive as before.

Then the Wolf of Ragnarok moved, reminding everyone they should still fear him.

His target was the closest thing in front of him who wasn't Odin. It ended up being Azazel.

For his part the Cadre wouldn't complain and strategically speaking him being attacked was the best choice. It was the reason why despite protecting the devils a few moments prior he had positioned himself ahead of everyone. Fafnir wasn't one of the Strongest and compared to certain other dragons he wasn't even close.

Nevertheless his scales, his defense, was still considered one of the most formidable so the fallen angel was somewhat confident in his odds of survival if he made a mistake. And that was a very big 'if' because he really didn't want to be hit with god slaying powers, much less Fenrir's.

Azazel advanced sharply to meet the wolf head on, using his wings to push himself upwards once noticing the giant canine's maw opening. He evaded a bite that certainly would be fatal while channeling a huge quantity of mana in the palm of his hands. A flash of pure Light hit the Wolf of Ragnarok in the right eye, startling him.

That brought everyone else a second to move, Rias and Luvia pulling back for safety while Rossweisse and Baraqiel moved around trying to attack the Wolf of Ragnarok from the sides to little result.

Especially when his vision returned and Azazel could see Fenrir really didn't appreciate the sudden flash. The Divine Beast renewed his assault with greater fervor, fully focusing on the Governor General while ignoring the rest. The fallen angel managed to avoid the second and third bites but not the huge black paw came in and smacked him on the ground.

Coughing blood, Azazel felt how several bones and organs were damaged. 'He ignored- my armor-'

[Get away! Get away! Get away!] Fafnir ordered while repairing the Scale Mail leaving the fallen angel to escape on his own.

Which Fenrir wasn't going to just allow to happen, his bloodlust returning even if less intensely compared to when he was targeting Odin.

"Run, Azazel!" Baraqiel jumped on the wolf's neck and unleashed a huge Holy Lightning point blank that managed to force a sound from the Divine Beast's throat.
A sound less of pain and more of anger as the Cadre did his best to wrap his legs around the Wolf of Ragnarok's legs in an attempt of squeezing the air from his lungs. He wasn't even close to the throat but the maneuver helped him lock himself in place to grab some fur to focus his power into Fenrir.

Yet Baraqiel could already tell, 'My Lightning isn't breaking through!' Be it from a direct attack or via transmission and contact, his Holy Lightning, the Gift he received upon birth from God Himself, utterly failed to damage the Divine Beast. 'I know he is one of the Strongest but-'

The Wolf of Ragnarok began throwing his body around, shaking his head and neck in an attempt to get rid of his opportunistic rider. The fallen angel tried to sink his fingers on the wolf's flesh but all he managed to grasp was the fur which he pulled with every shove and swing.

It was starting to bother Fenrir who accelerated his movements to get rid of the unwelcome passenger and until he got irritated enough to just lift a paw to scratch the man from his back.

Knowing how dangerous those claws were, Baraqiel let go of the giant wolf and launched himself backwards until he was holding on the back of the Divine Beast's fur on the ribs' area.

Regardless of how strong he was, Fenrir could feel the flea who dared to hold his body and began moving at an even faster rate to shake him off, making Loki laugh at the show while the Aesir watched Rias and Luvia prepare something from the side and noticing how the gods weren't making any attempt to run.

"Good. Things are going as we envisioned." His attention shifted back to Fenrir who tried to bite Baraqiel off but failed to reach that particular spot. "Do you think that will save you from my son for long? As amusing as this is, I can just-"

Suddenly the Trickster had to move his neck out of the way from a Bullet of Destruction. "Tch." Rias' Stand changed shapes and turned into a less precise rifle as she traded looks with Loki. The Tricksters chuckled again and waved her away like a petulant child. "Is he really underestimating us like that?"
"Buchou, no offense but if someone can, it is a god like him." Luvia commented with bitterness and several gems between her fingers. "If you want any advice, we should focus on Fenrir first. If Loki is willing to let his son play, we can ignore the threat he can impose, at least for a while."
'Easier said than done.' Yet Rias couldn't disagree, giving her Rook a single nod before both opened their wings and began moving around for an opportunity to strike the Wolf of Ragnarok.

Who lost all patience with Baraqiel and rolled around on the ground to force the Cadre out. Much to the Divine Beast's displeasure the fallen angel knew he was more troublesome to the wolf on his back. So he quickly shifted to the side, waiting for the wolf to finish his roll before trying to grab his back again.

Fenrir wasn't going to let it happen and tried to rip Baraqiel apart with his claws, missing by an inch thanks to the man's combat experience. Yet he found himself face to face with a God Slayer who opened his mouth about to eat the fallen angel.

Azazel and Rossweisse saw Fenrir's somewhat frenetic movements, the latter advancing from the side while the former went right in with a huge Light Spear ready to save his brother with a stab to the wolf's muzzle.

Sound finally escaped the Divine Beast who roared in fury and jumped to get the two fallen angels who began flying higher to escape the danger. Which was useless because all the Wolf of Ragnarok did was grow in size to catch up with them, his fangs about to bite someone.

However the two had been fighting together since the Beginning of Time and so saw the peril they were about to get in if something wasn't done. "Flare!" Ordered Azazel but nothing needed to be said Baraqiel already had a sphere of pure Light in his hands.

Each brother had the mass of mana ready and crushed it at the same time unleashing a blinding flash that managed to stun the 10th Strongest for a second. Long enough for them to suddenly fly downwards and back to the ground which Fenrir immediately noticed thanks to his sense of smell.

He also noticed several runes pulsing around him, Rossweisse dancing with her spear while writing a complex array made to trap the creature. A barrier of whitish blue mana wrapped itself around Fenrir who suddenly found it difficult to move. It was nothing compared with his chains so the wolf quickly broke the veil.

Only to find another one wrapping itself around him, the Valkyrie was sweating heavily while trying to keep Fenrir contained. "Fast! This won't hold him for long!"

"On it!" Azazel summoned dozens of Light Spears while Baraqiel charged the strongest Lightning he could. Close to their location, Born To Be Wild changed into a huge bazooka and Luvia raised eight gems full of mana. "Rain of Heavens!"

"Holy Lightning Flash!" The Fallen of Lightning unleashed the full might of his Father's Gift. And they weren't alone because devils and angels fought together in that battle.

"Destruction Missile!" An advanced ballistic missile flew from Born To Be Wild which was in the form of a rocket launcher on its creator's shoulder.
"Taurus! Stampede!" Several gems pulsed and flew towards the Wolf of Ragnarok as mana took shape around them forming a herd of angry bulls.

All attacks hit their mark unleashing a huge explosion that should be seen by every city around Fuyuki but nobody had time to worry about the consequences of the attack if it would be noticed by the masses.

Their opponent was Fenrir, Wolf of Ragnarok.

If they held back, he would kill them all.

Clouds of dust were raised around the wolf which soon vanished when the Divine Beast howled with fury.

Definitely because their attack didn't do as much damage as they wished it did. "Unbelievable." Rias knew there were stronger people around, raw powerwise. Yet she never saw anybody nor anyone shrug off as much energy as Fenrir did. "There isn't a single scratch!"
"How? All that combined could have sunk a country!" Baraqiel looked at his brother who just shook his head. There was no way for them to be certain yet the facts remain the same. "I knew the distance between us and the Strongest was huge but…"

"Even the weakest of them is out of our league…" Azazel commented somberly as he prepared for the worst.
Because in front of them stood the mighty Fenrir, truly unharmed and glaring at them all with much more hatred than before. He didn't even have an aura of his own manifested, the glow around him actually being the veil of runes Rossweisse used to try containing him. And she had to fix it up constantly because of how strong the wolf was.

The silver haired woman felt her energy getting drained again as the veil fully fell apart. She chose to let it go since her allies needed time to gather their energy for another try. Fairly enough, so did she because every rune she wrote over the last few minutes was to lock the wolf down.

Since the Valkyrie was changing her strategy, she would need a few seconds to catch her breath and write the new runes. Unfortunately Fenrir wasn't going to give those spare moments for free and the moment he broke the veil of runes he was already launching himself at Azazel and Baraqiel.

Once more the armored fallen angel made sure to position himself in front of his brother but he should have taken heed of Fafnir's warnings. Fenrir's claws finally got a clean hit and the man could almost feel his armor being torn to shreds.

Unfortunately he was too busy screaming as his chest was torn open from hip to shoulder.

Both fallen angels were also sent flying from the Wolf of Ragnarok's hit, Baraqiel doing his best to hold on to his brother while trying to make sure his wounds wouldn't get worse. He successfully protected Azazel despite his back getting dragged on ground for several meters before finally stopping.

There was so much blood around him but the Fallen of Lightning knew none of it was his. No, his brother was the one bleeding from three huge gashes on his chest. There was only one single occasion where he had seen Azazel with similar if not worse wounds.

God died that day. "Azazel!"
"Is there really anything you can do?" Shirou couldn't help but question but Odin just stared at him in silence. He couldn't blame the Old Man for fear or caution, he knew the Legend and it was Vidar, one of Odin's sons and God of Vengeance, was the one Destined to kill Fenrir only after the wolf killed his father. "Tch! Damn it!"

Deities and priestess watched the Mage flying towards the battle. "Shirou-kun!" Akeno was about to follow but stopped and looked back to Medusa.
"Go! All our lives are in danger!" Permission given, the hybrid took flight while hoping the Wolf of Ragnarok wouldn't attack the gods. Leaving her goddess to question Odin, "Why aren't you breaking the barrier?"
"And have Loki sick Fenrir on me? I want to help, I don't want to die."

'Selfish bastard!' Because the purple haired deity knew the Aesir was choosing himself over everyone else in the park. "You shouldn't trust Loki's words."
"Oh, I am not." Odin replied with a grin. "But I am sure your Champion and the others will deal with this. And if they don't, the Oats in blood I have may keep me alive." He frowned. "Maybe. Honestly, I shall bet my survival in the Mage of Swords' capability more than in my fellow Aesir's mercy at this point in time."
Those words, how he emphasized her Champion, forced Medusa to focus on the fight and how Fenrir renewed bloodlust wasn't diminishing at all despite the grave wound he inflicted on Azazel.

Because the Cadre wasn't the one who tried to limit his movements, to rob his freedom.

The first to ever do it was Odin, Tyr was also involved but the wolf knew who was really responsible.

The mastermind who ordered those unbreakable chains, who planned the trick and sacrificed his subordinate's hand.

And tarnished, utterly ruined Fenrir's trust just because of paranoia.

Loki was stopping the Wolf of Ragnarok from pursuing his real target, the Origin of his rage and the one who he was Destined to devour even if that would lead to his death by the Aesir's son soon after.

That was their relationship with Fate and what would cement Vidar as God of Vengeance: Father would perish to the wolf and so the son would gain the power needed to kill the creature in just retribution.

However events couldn't play out as proclaimed, the Trickster kept his son invulnerable to Fate by protecting the Old Man and giving him other targets. No matter how much Fenrir wanted to kill the One Eyed God, that wasn't his target. His betrayal would go unpunished as the wolf's golden yellow eyes shifted to another target.

Rossweisse had tried to bind Fenrir, to deprive him of the little freedom he had left. Worse, she tried to do so with Odin's magic: Primordial Runes, those the One Eyed God discovered by sacrificing one of his eyes. That sort of Magic was inherently his and could only be learned or taught with his permission.

Adding that she was a Valkyrie, indirectly his descendant no matter how many generations removed, it only served to boil the Wolf of Ragnarok's blood further. She wouldn't be even a snack or appetizer, nor would be enough to satiate his anger, but the creature still wished for her blood.

Preferable after mangling her body beyond recognition.
Rossweisse realized the peril she was in, Fenrir's eyes indicated she would be nothing but a corpse the instant he managed to catch her because unlike the fallen angels he was really interested in her demise.

Which forced the silver haired woman into spinning her spear, writing three quick runes while raising her free hand to channel a smaller and more insignificant one. One which she had written the rune for 'Sun' to unleash another flash in the battlefield. It had worked well for her allies before and she needed time.

The flash happened and she was confident to have bought herself a second or two.

However Fenrir wasn't any stupid creature, he was a Divine Beast and smart enough to recognize the rune for what it was due to previous context clues. He also lived in Asgard for a number of years, his original prison was once in Odin's halls for it was there they managed to trick him.

Nevertheless the Wolf of Ragnarok understood that the people around him weren't enemies; they were prey. Prey that was just barely strong enough to bite back if he let his guard down but prey all the same. Azazel showed signs of being the strongest among them thanks to the huge attack from before and that wasn't enough to even harm him.

So the silver haired prey would do what she could to escape which was a repeat of something he had already suffered twice since Loki dragged him out of whatever cave the Aesir saw prudent to throw the wolf in.

But Fenrir was a wolf, the biggest and strongest wolf of all myths and Legends.

If his lesser kin could hunt without eyes, so could he and the Wolf of Ragnarok could smell Rossweisse's fear when she noticed her gamble had failed. Immediately she super charged her incomplete array of runes to force them to explode and send her flying to the side.

Not far enough as Fenrir was already on her and bready to bite her in half, the woman seeing her life flashing before her eyes-

"Last Stardust!"

-only for everything to become blue for an instant before she found herself dozens of meters away from Fenrir who looked in front of himself with confusion.

"Whaa-" The Valkyrie found herself in someone's arms, recognizing the figure she saw fighting the Red Raging Dragon back in the Underworld. Even if she didn't, she would know that was Emiya Shirou because, 'The specters! They are all trying to possess him? There are so many!'

She didn't know if it was because of his Ascension, its Divinity or because of how close Shirou was from the epicenter of the ritual but his body wasn't just drowning in specters as much as that every corner she saw there was something grabbing him.

If those specters had flesh of any shape or kind then the Mage's body would be ripped apart no matter how much power he had. There was just so much, enough that she would be dragged and shredded just by being in his proximity. The Valkyrie, mesmerized, tried to touch one of the specters again only to come up with air.

"Are you alright, Rossweisse?" Shirou's voice snapped back to reality where they were still in grave danger. "Hold on!"

His order wasn't without merit as soon they found themselves into a high speed chase between the Mage and Fenrir with the Wolf of Ragnarok coming too close for comfort more times than the redhead would like to admit.

Shirou knew he was faster but there was a relentlessness from the wolf's part that pushed him beyond his limits which were considerably tall considering he was the 10th Strongest. It wasn't enough to fully close the gap between them but every time the redhead paused to study his opponent it was all he needed to get close again.

Which was fine with the magus who noticed Fenrir was targeting Rossweisse in particular. Either her or him because he chose to interfere, in any case that was fine with the redhead. So long the Wolf of Ragnarok's attention was on him, it gave time for everyone else to recover.

Already Rias and Luvia were rushing towards Akeno who landed beside Baraqiel and stabbed Azazel with EM. "Come on, brother. Stay calm! Stay calm! You are going to heal from this!"

A groan escaped the Cadre's lips. "You are panicking… more than I am." He tried to chuckle but ended up coughing more blood. "Hey, Akeno… did I ever tell you… your father is a worrywart?"
"You can tell me a few stories later." The priestess offered a reassuring smile even if he couldn't see it but deep down she was panicking as well. 'Why is EM healing so slowly? These are just a couple of cuts! Giant, huge, human killing cuts but still cuts!'

Yet the wounds from Fenrir's claws were closing at a snail's pace despite how much mana she was pumping on them. There was nothing wrong with EM itself yet the Mystic Code wasn't working optimally.
"Akeno, Shiro needs help!" Rias arrived after shooting a few bullets at their enemy to no effect. "He needs- What is wrong with Azazel? Why isn't he healing?"
"Because Fenrir's claws… are really dangerous…" The Governor General managed to say through the pain. His Scale Mail finished falling apart as Fafnir's orb fell by his side. "I am out… that is- that is just how dangerous a God Slayer really is…"

Because fallen angels were still somewhat Divine albeit in a very reduced manner. Fenrir's claws weren't unlike pouring battery acid on the grass against them. It was one of the many reasons why the Wolf of Ragnarok was the 10th Strongest.

One that kept those above him in the ranks like Thor or Indra from trying to tame the wolf; against gods, their creations or those empowered by them, the God Slayer attribute was just something too dangerous for anyone of Divine inclining to mess with it.

"Make no mistake… a God Slayer… is dangerous against anything…" He coughed up more blood and hissed in pain.
"Save your strength, brother!" Baraqiel added his mana to his daughter's but the healing was no faster than before.

"I need to- to warn you…" Azazel focused his gaze on Akeno. He already knew she was the next one to enter in combat. "A God Slayer… they are technically strong- strong against everything!" He grabbed her arm. "Don't let him hit you! Whatever the cost…" His limb fell to the side as the man started panting for air.

"Are you going to be alright?" Luvia asked what nobody else wanted.

"Probably… Fafnir saved my life again…" They heard a huge crash and watched as an annoyed Fenrir started growing further in size while pursuing the pair of Mage and Valkyrie. "Baraqiel… You got to help them-"
"But you need-"
"I will be fine! All of you go!" In his mind the Cadre knew they had to keep distracting Fenrir until reinforcements showed up. One person in particular. 'Am I going to gamble in Ise and Juggernaut Drive? Am I that desperate?'

Nobody knew his thoughts as Rias was already rushing back into the fray to help her lover. Luvia drew out some gems and her own EM to help with Azazel's healing. "Go! I will take care of him!"
The former Heiress of Edelfelt knew she was outgunned and outmatched against the Wolf of Ragnarok. At least compared to both the Fallen of Lightning and his daughter who were leagues above her in power. Rushing carelessly was what Reincarnated her into a devil in the first place so she learned to pick her battles.

Unfortunately Baraqiel looked too worried about his brother to fight. "We need to get Azazel closer to the gods. Maybe Odin can do something!"
"Maybe but we don't have the time!" A howl of fury made the four of them shake as they watched Fenrir's form grow even larger. "Is he planning to swallow Fuyuki whole?"
"It won't get to that! We won't let him!" Akeno declared while standing up only for her father to grab her hand.

"... That isn't an enemy we can face… We should-"
"If you ever suggest that I abandon my friends I will never acknowledge you as my father."

"No! I wouldn't! But we can't fight to win!" Knowing his daughter would return to the fray with or without him, Baraqiel handed his brother to Luvia with as much care as he could before standing up in his daughter's direction. It was with pride and sadness he noticed how she had no issues with the blood on his clothes. "Survival is our 'ideal victory' in this scenario. Do you understand, Akeno?"
She did. Didn't like it but she did. "I don't think Fenrir of all things is just going to let us leave." There was also Loki's boundary field to contend with but neither could focus on that for the moment. "But yes, I shall follow your lead. Just don't ask me to stay behind you."
Baraqiel couldn't help but smirk at the comment. "That goes without saying." He was going to throw himself in front of her whenever she needed to regardless.

Either case both opened their wings, purple and black, and flew past Rias who couldn't help but stare at their backs with wide eyes. It was a reminder of her own limits that the Heiress had no choice but swallow while she directed herself towards the ground to change Born To Be Wild once again.

A huge sniper rifle took shape in her hands. 'Going to channel as much Power of Destruction as I can…' Her eyes went to her best friend and her lover. "Please, stay safe."
None could hear her, certainly not Akeno who channeled a huge amount of mana around her body before directing every drop of it into her hands to then unleash two giant serpents made of Holy Lightning.

"Orochi!" The ravenhead roared as her attack sailed through until it made contact with Fenrir who was certainly surprised by the pair of Phantasmal Beasts trying themselves around his body.

He could almost hear their hiss before biting one's neck, the Lightning failing to do nothing more than tickle him despite the energy inside the Orochi's being more than enough to illuminate New York City by themselves.

But just as he destroyed one, his nose detected the growing familiar smell of ozone as Baraqiel made a Spear of Lightning just as tall as the Tokyo Tower. Thanks to his growth it was just a few meters taller than the Wolf of Ragnarok but it was clear the fallen angel had put a lot of power on it.

"Holding him still!" The Fallen of Lightning ordered his daughter, fearful of the damage he could cause Fuyuki if he somehow missed.

"Serpents of Storm~ Orochi!" A small verse later and three more giant serpents were wrapping their bodies around Fenrir, one biting his neck to unleash its energy while the others bit his front legs.

It was distracting enough to overwhelm the Wolf of Ragnarok's senses, stopping him from just breaking free with brute force for a few seconds. Enough that time for Baraqiel to throw his attack with a roar that was deafened by the another explosion which definitely should have been seen by the whole Fuyuki.

Landing close to the barrier trapped there, Shirou mused, "Is Loki even trying to keep the moonlit world hidden?"
"Probably. He isn't a reformist as much as a moderate. He wants the status quo to keep Asgard away from everything else." Rossweisse didn't know if he was asking her or not but answered anyway. Landing back on her feet, they all watched Fenrir do the same with renewed bloodlust as he glared at Akeno. "We have to-" Before she could finish, the Mage was already gone to help the ravenhead. "Damn it! Fenrir is too much for us!"
"Orochi!" Akeno saw the danger coming and quickly summoned another wave of serpents to entrap the Wolf of Ragnarok once more. Yet she found herself surprised because just when her spell was about to wrap itself around him, the wolf vanished from her sight. "What?"
"Akeno, look out!" Baraqiel dove down to protect his daughter who failed to see where Fenrir had gone.

Her spell was too big, too bright and left too many openings. If anything it was perfect for cover when used against certain sorts of opponents. However the same could be said in reverse which the Queen of Gremory didn't consider since she had fired her attack at a giant wolf.

Only he wasn't giant anymore, instead changing his height to one comparable to a warhorse's which was still considerably big. Just much smaller than Akeno's Orochi which he used as a trampoline, quickly reaching the ravenhead.

No matter the size, the wolf was faster than she could anticipate, only noticing him when she could clearly see his yellow eyes.

"Overedge!" Fenrir's head moved towards Akeno savior who had seen death approaching her and threw his preparations to the wind in an attempt of a rescue. While running from Fenrir, the magus had Traced several copies of the Married Blades all over the park in preparation for a truly devastating blow. "Kanshou!"

And so the white blade in his hand attracted dozens of its black pair to form a giant blade taller than the smaller Fenrir. Its form pulsed with Bellerophon's aura and dozens of swords carrying enough power to take down a building with ease, first cutting it down then blowing it up.

Fenrir's fangs crushed the metal like paper, breaking the construct apart. Fortunately he needed to turn his attention to the blade upon feeling some sort of danger which saved Akeno's life. She was still tackled by the wolf's body while he and Shirou allowed gravity to drag them down as the serpents around them fell apart because of their clash.

Yet the Mage of Swords wasn't done, his other hand already had an even bigger white blade reaching completion as he used his own wings to increase the quantity of swords and its power.

"Bakuya!" Fenrir felt that blow more than many others, his body being swallowed by the overloaded Noble Phantasm's explosion and sent flying in the same direction he sent Akeno. "Shit!"
While Shirou realized his mistake, the priestess wasn't panicking at the shadow of Fenrir moving in her direction. Despite still recovering from being tackled by the wolf, it had been just an over-glorified shove and an accidental one at that meaning she could get to her feet quickly.

Then bend her body backwards and around Loki's son letting him sail away freely. 'Those dancing lessons are paying themselves back tenfold.'

"Akeno!" Baraqiel landed by herself and grabbed her shoulders in a panic. "Are you alright? Did it-"
"We don't have time!"
Just as she finished speaking those words the three watched as Fenrir rolled on the ground before standing in his four paws to glare at the group. Yet something was different in his posture and demeanor as he began growling while lowering his head. He failed to hide the wound on his right side.

'He is hurt?' Baraqiel was legitimately surprised since even his strongest attack did little but ruffle the creature's fur. 'He isn't really bleeding but…'

There was a wound to the side badly hidden by whatever was left of the fur in that area, a faint trace of red that showed the skin was irritated from the hit, nothing bigger than a billiard ball if that much.

Almost imperceptibly as well but the three could see it and, most importantly, the wolf could feel it. His yellow eyes turned from the ravenheads towards the Mage who immediately

"Sorry about that, Akeno." Shirou apologized for throwing the Divine Beast her way before dashing to the side and shouting. "But you two need to cover me!"
Just as the redhead moved, Fenrir did the same with renewed intensity, jumping towards the black and white clad fighter who accelerated further to not risk being hit. Yet the magus knew he was much faster than the Legendary wolf so the risks weren't that high.

'As long as Loki doesn't get back into the fight, we have a chance…' From a second his gaze shifted towards the Aesir whose expression had lost much of his mirth, growing more neutral. Then his eyes turned back and found Fenrir close to him, uncomfortably close. 'Shit!'

Bellerophon moved before he did, his Divine aura channeling on the redhead's hand waiting just for the right trigger. He had no time for arias or even mutter words, Kanshou and Bakuya were needed or else he would lose his life.

The wolf came to take a bite of his arm but the black blade stopped the hit because he couldn't ignore that sword. His instincts kept telling him those weapons were dangerous, as dangerous if not more dangerous than some used by gods back in Asgard. Not in power because they broke rather easily but in some fundamental way the wolf couldn't understand.

What Fenrir did understand was that when the smaller Bakuya came in aiming for his eyes, he needed to run, to escape. The Wolf of Ragnarok rolled again but didn't resume his attack immediately as the armored magus flew backwards in a calm but cautious retreat.

A few beats passed between the two as the Mage brought up and crossed his swords. 'He isn't attacking.' No, the Legendary Beast began walking to the sides while trying to fall into the role of a predator again. But he had retreated for just a moment which gave Shirou time to think. 'You are a God Slayer but I am not a god. And neither are the Married Blades divine weapons.'

He pointed the white sword towards the wolf while positioning the black one closer to his chest. The new Bakuya had the wolf glaring at them with a colder look than the magus expected but he could recognize the caution and understanding.

Even if Fenrir didn't understand anything about Noble Phantasms, he couldn't ignore Shirou's weapons. Or at least he couldn't ignore Kanshou and Bakuya because they had traveled around History, together or apart, slaying all manners of creatures while seeking each other.

Thanks to the sacrifice in their creation there were purifying elements to these swords; a sort of Anti Monster ward that could affect anything which wasn't classified as human per the parameters of the life used on them.
Even if not the most powerful Noble Phantasms in Shirou's arsenal, 'Kanshou and Bakuya are the best weapons against Fenrir.' The Mage of Swords concluded before crossing his weapons again and changing into a more aggressive stance. 'And once he is out, Loki won't be able to threaten Odin again. Better yet, Ragnarok will never happen!'

The gods couldn't change Fate, only a human could and Shirou was willing to do everything to stop a war which could kill hundreds of millions.

Including facing Fenrir, Son of Loki, Wolf of Ragnarok and God Slayer.

A roar left the Mage's throat as dashed towards Fenrir with his right arm pulled back. Bakuya came down with a wide swing that had the wolf retreating but the redhead wasn't done. He started flying to get more speed while executing a short spin to cut the Divine Beast who dodged the attack.

Or at least that was what Shirou wanted him to think. 'I need more.' For at every moment he was Tracing more of the Married Twins. 'Over a dozen swords can ignore the fur and hurt the skin but to kill…'

So his initial goal wasn't a real hit which was why he immediately took flight above the Wolf of Ragnarok before descending into a telegraphed move giving both enough room to dodge when he took another wide swing.

Fenrir dodged a couple more times as his eyes grew colder and he began growling with rage. Immediately those actions had Shirou retreating a little and not a moment too early as the wolf lunged at him with fangs dripping with saliva. The magus used his superior speed as leverage and quickly escaped several meters away only to be chased.

No, the wolf had turned around and chose to attack his previous target; Akeno.

"Orochi!" The ravenhead didn't miss a beat and unleashed the powerful spell to counter the wolf but he was still only the size of a warhorse and jumped in the serpent's mouth, destroying it from the inside.

Baraqiel moved next and created a huge shield of Light but before the wolf's claws could tear it open Shirou had returned with his swords to stab the Divine Beast's side yet his Noble Phantasms failed to do the slightest damage.

While his maneuver left him vulnerable because Fenrir was expecting that exact sort of attack. Another bite went in the redhead's direction as the fangs turned to him in less than a second because their owner had smelled his approach and planned for it.

A blur of black and white exploded with movement, everyone watching as Shirou suddenly crashed on the ground almost half a kilometer away from his previous location. The magus had panicked a little and threw himself away with as much speed as Bellerophon could muster which was enough for him to kick up some dust, forming a small crater.

On the next instant he was already back on his feet and tracing new swords which he would need. Fortunately Fenrir still had him marked so he abandoned his pursuit of Akeno in favor of finishing off the person who actually had the means to fight back.

Fine with the redhead who opened his wings fully. "Trace on!"

Dozens of Married Blades formed around Shirou by the time Fenrir closed the distance between them, enough that he felt confident in challenging the Divine Beast. Without wasting a motion he pulled his arms back and threw a set of Kanshou and Bakuya while spreading his Divine aura.

Still cautious, the Wolf of Ragnarok jumped over the first set only to glare with more rage upon seeing the other swords starting to ignore gravity to fly in his direction. His eyes began shining and his body grew at a rapid pace, so fast that by the time the first blade finally made contact it wasn't on a warhorse sized wolf.

No, it was on a skyscraper sized wolf who kicked the ground to cover the remaining distance between him and his prey faster. Especially since the extra size gave him more muscles and in turn more defense, not one of the Married Blades Shirou had Traced managed to reproduce his previous success.

"Last Stardust!" He enacted the spell again, quickly gaining attitude to escape the wolf who kept growing bigger by the moment in an attempt to catch him. As expected. "I am the bone of my sword! Gathering Stars!"

Because despite the extra defense, the Mage knew he would need hundreds of swords to even have a chance to harm his opponent. Loki generously had made his boundary field huge so the magus could use the skies for retreat while forcing Fenrir to grow larger.

Obviously an easier target.

"Overload!" More mana exploded from his body as he summoned another few hundred swords. "Meteor Rain!"

From anyone else's perspective it was indeed as if stars had started falling down towards Fenrir in a meteor rain of the ages as the huge black shadow of the wolf kept growing larger until there was only it and the lights who dared to challenge him.

Challenge they did, the rain of light crashed against the shadow with pegasus' aid and gravity's influence. Yet the wolf just kept growing and taking away Shirou's space who kept flying as high as he could until his back finally hit something. Funnily enough the magus was just short of leaving Earth's atmosphere but it made sense Loki contained his son like that.

He wouldn't want nobody else to interfere while giving the wolf as much space as required.

'Is this enough?' The Mage of Swords wondered as he saw his Married Blades bouncing off Fenrir's fur without even messing it up. He needed to combine the swords, increasing their power exponentially, to draw blood from the wolf. 'It will have to be.'

Because time was running out because Fenrir's size was enough to almost cover the whole park. While he was safe in the air, the same couldn't be said about everybody else and he couldn't risk their lives. So the magus dove towards the Divine Beasts fangs who opened his mouth willing to give him Odin's place.

However Shirou didn't have any intention of being devoured. "Steel is my body! Fire is my blood!" Another wave of swords descended from the heavens to hide their creators in its glamor. The Wolf of Ragnarok wasn't having none of it and used his gigantic paws to bash many of the swords away. 'Smart but not enough!'

Allowing the redhead to approach Fenrir away from his sight, avoiding the paws at least five times taller than himself. Of course that wasn't all he was doing since every new Noble Phantasm strengthened the others. Already he was making more and more while traveling closer to Divine Beast's neck.

Thanks to the difference in size the Mage managed to get close to his target unperturbed, several copies of Kanshou and Bakuya connecting to his blades to make even taller weapons.

An instant later the magus suddenly accelerated vertically, the Overedge versions of his swords growing larger as the weapons were repelled by Fenrir's fur connecting. At that point those swords were the size of boats and in the next second they were comparable to buses.

Taking another sharp turn, the magus let loose the giant Bakuya first only to hit nothing when Fenrir's body suddenly shrunk and the wolf's eyes landed on his form. Hiding as well as he did, Emiya Shirou forgot what sort of Divine Beast he was dealing with.

A wolf. Not just any wolf but arguably the Apex of all of the species.

As a canine, Fenrir's nose was extremely sharp.

Sharp enough that even if Shirou smelled like metal already, he could still be found through the smell of sweat and blood, things his swords lacked. Sure his trick worked and the Wolf of Ragnarok lost sight of him until that point but Loki's son knew where he was at all times regardless.

However that wasn't the biggest problem Shirou had with the situation since Fenrir's body had shifted completely while he shrunk in such a manner that both of them found themselves in the air.

For a moment he could only contemplate, 'He can shrink to whatever point his body was on?' Because just a millisecond ago the magus had a clear target for the wolf's neck. Yet what he had in front of him was still the wolf's head so he kept the swing going and lost the giant Bakuya in the process against another destructive bite. 'I already know-'

Then Fenrir's body once again grew into a giant, his mouth opening to receive the magus who found himself inside the giant maw ready to swallow him whole. He correctly assumed the wolf would deliver on him the Fate reserved to Odin when the mouth began closing. Hard not to when finding himself surrounded with rolls of extremely sharp teeth.

Shaper even than his swords and if his priorities weren't straight he would actually pause and admire them, maybe even try to make a sword from those.

However the Mage of Swords' ego was in check. "Trace on!" Increasing the number of swords in his wings, Shirou used them as leavers to keep his exit open. Unfortunately they almost fell apart just by touching the God Slayer's teeth but the magus wasn't done. "Overedge! Kanshou!"

Fenrir fought to close his mouth until he felt a huge amount of pain and the urge to vomit which had the wolf coughing, releasing the Mage of Swords who lost his wings and most of his armor from the experience.

'Harmed but not wounded.' Even inside the creature, Shirou found himself unable to hurt the Wolf of Ragnarok. Calling more of Bellerophon's aura, he quickly recovered his wings before calling for more Married Blades and preparing his bow with a pair. "Caladbolg!"

Taking advantage they were on the air, the Mage let loose his most powerful attack carrying his pegasus' aura. Space bended and turned when the Spiral Arrow made contact and the whole park could hear a wince of pain from Fenrir. Soon they all saw some blood dripping from his side revealing a relatively small wound.

"Keep going!" Medusa shouted in support and the magus didn't need to be told twice.

He Traced another copy of the Spiral Arrow and fired it in a following motion only to miss when Fenrir shrunk himself back to a horse's size. The next second saw Shirou start flying again while preparing another Caladbolg but the wolf grew faster than he could act, his paws touching the ground close to Akeno and Baraqiel.

Almost as if in challenge the Wolf of Ragnarok glared up towards the Mage of Swords, daring him to repeat his previous attack on the ground. Father and daughter tried to fly away but lunged at them without looking, almost crushing the fallen angel who only survived because most of the creature's attention was in the sky.

"Tch!" Seeing no other choice, Shirou changed tactics. "Overload Meteor Rain!"

Hundreds of swords began falling from again, their creator with them.

"Is he trying to kill us?" Baraqiel questioned as he tried to fly away.

"No! That is the only attack we can survive!" Akeno replied nervously, not sure if they could actually survive that. Which was why she lit up her circuits with a flourish of her arms to call her strongest spell. "Orochi!"

Immediately the creature made of Holy Lightning took shape above their heads to block as many swords as it could as they escaped. While that spell wasn't defensive by any means, the snake was big enough to protect the pair from the stray Married Blades bouncing from Fenrir.

Who patiently waited for Shirou to get closer as he wasn't going to allow the intact magus inside his mouth again. If he was going to eat the armored warrior he would only do so when the former was dead.

Something the redhead understood and, not willing to underestimate Fenrir's intelligence again, he threw more swords while charging them with mana. While triggering the smaller versions of the Married Blades to explode wouldn't be as effective as the overloaded ones, he needed something to distract the wolf.

Also giving them more of Bellerophon's aura had the side benefit of strengthening their 'magnetic' properties so they would only target his opponent. Yet that was all part of the wolf's trap, the ploy he concocted once he understood the Mage's nature as prey.

Perhaps the magus himself didn't notice but his attack reeked with despair. Fenrir could smell fear, the small bouts of panic that the redhead was controlling. It made his attack somewhat reckless as the best move on that occasion would be abandoning the priestess and her father.

Shirou wasn't the sort of person willing to sacrifice anyone so he approached the Wolf of Ragnarok rapidly only to grow surprised when the giant canine dashed towards the Orochi to crush it with a paw revealing the True Hybrid and fallen angel it was protecting.

Immediately several Married Blades vanished which reduced their power considerably but that wasn't all. His Ascension also grew weaker even if slightly because of the smaller number of swords present to fortify their connection. Regardless, the main swords eventually reached Fenrir who didn't need to dodge anymore.

Contrary to that the wolf unleashed another furious howl as his body grew massive once again and slashed with his claws at Shirou The Mage spun in the air and managed to barely avoid them even if the Kanshou wing he had ended up destroyed. Quickly fixing it up, he also took advantage of his position to use his wings to send a wave of swords at the wolf.

But the Divine Beast's preparations paid off because the few swords he had left were barely enough to disturb the fur but the magus didn't give up so easily. "Trace on!" Fully unleashing his wings, he sent dozens of blades at the wolf's body in less than a second. He could almost feel his attack piercing his defense yet he heard something odd. 'What?'

With how close he was to Fenrir, and his armor weakened due to prior damage, sound managed to reach him. A sound that he could recognize anywhere, anytime; the distinctive 'clang' of metal hitting metal. It was also absolutely odd because he only heard it a total of two times even while unleashing hundreds of blows.

Unfortunately the Mage was too close to the wolf's body which proved to be a huge problem when the Wolf of Ragnarok shrunk again so they were face to face. Loki's son unleashed his claws first while the Magician of Gremory reformed his wings to escape. He ended up sacrificing them to block the blow which pushed them further from each other.

Yet, in the blink of an eye, Fenrir closed the distance again by becoming huge for a few milliseconds where Shirou tried to counter with Kanshou and Bakuya. The Divine Beast didn't give him the chance, his body shrunk just enough that the swords missed leaving the Mage open for a huge bite.

Bellerophon managed to redirect his rider's body just enough so the wolf missed his head; however the pegasus was basically working with scraps since the armor was already damaged and their wings were missing.

Sure enough he still managed to save Shirou's life but the redhead couldn't help but scream in pain when Fenrir's fangs ripped his right shoulder apart and almost tore off his arm, much to his friends horror.

Both began falling as the magus used his left arm to try and stab the wolf but the creature's claws almost ripped off his hand, moving to take a bite of his torso.

"Lightning Chain!" He only failed because Akeno was already moving to get him away from Shirou who ended up crashing on the ground back first while his attacker dealt with the Lightning around his neck.

When he turned to attack the True Hybrid, he found Baraqiel with his hands together in prayer as his body pulsed with energy. "Begone fiend!" He unleashed a huge blast of Holy Lightning channeled into a train sized attack. "BEGONE!"

The roar of thunder filled the area and blinded most of the present except for Akeno who was coordinating with her father. His attack wasn't going to be enough to deal with Fenrir but it bought her a few seconds to move around the battlefield and reach Shirou.

However Fenrir's eyes could be closed, his anger boiling because of another flash bang in his face and yet his sense of smell wasn't going to fail him. His focus was still on the one who harmed him just a couple of seconds ago and the Mage was close enough that his death was all but guaranteed.

Akeno channeled her Lightning and Thunder, chain and sphere taking shape in her hand. "Raiden!"

The attack sailed through the air and hit the Wolf of Ragnarok right on the face and, reinforced by Serpent's Eye, the strike actually managed to stun the Divine Beast long enough that she could get to Shirou.

Wrapping his body with another chain and her right arm, the young woman soon was once again eye to eye with the 10th most powerful creature. Her body began shaking as she felt like a meal ready to be served to the wolf

It certainly looked like it when Fenrir lunged at her but for a split second it was like something jerked his neck back giving the High Priestess enough time to fly away. However she wasn't fast enough, Loki's son was about to get on top of them only for Shirou to roar and kick the ground with all his strength sending them flying.

Once again the wolf was about to pursue only for his head to be jerked back thanks to a bullet of high concentrated Destruction. It was the sort of attack that could kill High Class devils and rip them apart like butter and a headshot would even kill an Ultimate Class.

Yet Rias, wearing sunglasses she retrieved from a magic circle once she understood how her best friend and lover were fighting, knew it wasn't enough to deal with the 10th Strongest.

No, her bullet was just enough to distract him for a second, even less when the creature realized what was happening. His glare turned to her for a moment and while fear almost consumed the redhead devil it soon vanished when the hunter's attention shifted back towards her loved ones.

"I won't let you," charging even more mana on her Stand, Rias made the sniper rifle so big she fell on her stomach to retain her aim, touch them again! Born To Be Wild!"

A Destruction Bullet taller than a ruler, hit Fenrir's right side forcing the wolf to let out a second whine of pain. He was wounded once again with the bleeding from before having grown bigger and visible enough that even in his shadow-like fur it was possible to see blood.
Rias wanted to shoot again, she really did, yet the rush and adrenaline that allowed her to push her Stand to its limits began to fade and together with her energy. She had put a lot of her mana and focused so much on that attack that once unleashed it made her body want to fold with exhaustion.

Another howl snapped her back conscious and restored some adrenaline but it wasn't enough because the Princess of Ruin still felt tremendously exhausted. It was safe to say she wasn't shooting another bullet like that again anytime soon and she even smiled when Fenrir glared at her.

'I am going to die…' Rias tried to summon her usual fire to keep fighting but her body was starting to shut down. 'No! I still have a lot to do! I need to-' Cracks began appearing in the sky which were heard by everyone. "Fucking finally."

Relief and terror poured on her body at once; the former because the cavalry had arrived.

Unfortunately she had more of the latter because she doubted anyone could stop Fenrir.

And she knew the ones arriving were most likely her peerage.

"""Buchou!""" "Onee-sama!" Ise, Asia, Kiba and Ravel's voices reached her eyes as they charged forth with the rest of their team, sacred gears already called.

"Peerless Armor!" Xenovia was already ahead, blue, green and bronze covering her form. Bringing her blades up, she channeled their energy for the first strike against the obviously dangerous wolf. "Twin Slash!"
Fenrir jumped back to avoid the swords, two slashes of energy opening huge gashes between him and the armored woman. Yet that temporary retreat was exactly that and he dashed back in with his fangs ready to rip the warrior and her armor apart. Only to find the blue sword crashing in his mouth and sending him flying backwards.

The Wolf of Ragnarok found himself confused when he standed back up in his paws and saw that the sword didn't shatter like the rest. It was the first time since the chains which had imprisoned him that he found something that he couldn't chew into oblivion.

"So that is Durandal. Careful, son! That sword is said to be indestructible!" Anyone watching could see Loki's amusement and Fenrir's growing anger at the challenge.
"What is going on?!" Liz asked as she found and rushed towards Shirou with Koneko in tow. She dropped to his side, watching as Akeno tried to heal the redhead but her EM wasn't functioning properly.
"Loki! Fenrir! Stay back!" Azazel, who was in Luvia's care, informed. Asia reached him, noticing how the Cadre's wounds were the more urgent ones. "We need Ise to-"
"I got that!" The Pawn didn't wait for further explanations. He didn't know anything about a 'Loki' or 'Fenrir' but he trusted Xenovia and the bluehead had attacked immediately. "We're gonna-"
[Call it!]

'Ddraig! You back?'

[No time to mope about! This isn't an opponent you can win on your own!]

With a nod, Ise shouted. "Balance Breaker!"

[Scale Mail!]

The familiar red armor soon covered the Pawn but it had some differences; the helmet looked even more like a dragon's head than usual while his wings looked slightly taller and wider.

Not that anyone had time to notice as he accelerated like a red streak to hit a punch on Fenrir's face that unleashed a huge shockwave in the area. Unfortunately it didn't do much more as the Wolf of Ragnarok grew taller than him and then some by the time the attack connected.

"Don't let him touch you!" Medusa warned and Ise was already retreating because Ddraig had the same idea.

But they were slow, needing to be rescued by Baraqiel who unleashed a storm of Holy Lightning on Fenrir's form. While the Cadre failed to wound the Divine Beast, he could see how the wolf glared at him with annoyance for a short moment.

"Balance Breaker!" A moment Kiba used to call his warriors. Knights of ruby, silver, emerald, sapphire, bronze, gold and pure steel-like metal took shape. "Blade Brotherhood! GO!"

Most of them charged the wolf without hesitation while the gold knight stayed back to watch over their creator as the rest raised their swords with obvious killing intent. Yet their target didn't even look cautious as he stood firmly in place until he saw Xenovia advancing faster than the others with her sword ready to stab him.

Using his hind legs, the wolf who had grown to the size of a bus rose himself high before going down and crushing two of the knights as his body kept getting bigger. The former Exorcist barely saved herself from the same fate by twisting around and going beneath the creature.

She threw an upward slash to his chest and while Durandal could survive Fenri's fangs that didn't mean the sword was strong enough to harm him. In fact he barely felt the attack so instead of countering the bluehead, he leaped towards Ise and Kiba who were his closest targets.

[Partner, this guy is almost as strong as I was in my prime!] Ddraig warned out loud allowing Kiba to also hear. Both devils quickly started to fly away as the remaining armors from Blade Brotherhood threw another wave of attacks. [Better if you all start running away! Fast!]

"You think I will allow that, Red Dragon Emperor?!" While his son dealt with the new arrivals, Loki prepared several magic circles. Soon another boundary field began surrounding the park. "You shall not leave without my permission-" His spell suddenly halted by someone's hand. "What?"
"This is my town!" Medusa declared as bright purple mana flowed from her body and her hair danced. Blood dripped from her wrists as she also started creating her own boundary field. "I won't let you do as you please!"
Clicking his tongue, for the first time Loki showed some frustration. "Odin can't even stop me without technically entering combat which would empower Fenrir so this small goddess decided to sacrifice her blood to make a counterspell? Foolish!" In truth he wanted to curse the woman since her efforts were bearing fruit and he failed to immediately rebuild the trap. "Even if you aren't exactly powerful," and he could see the anger in her eyes at the taunt, "I shall commend your use of blood into boundary fields." The silver haired Aesir smiled. "Is that something you learned during your time as the Gorgon, Medusa?!"

He didn't get a response nor he needed, either way the group wasn't going to leave immediately as they were still trying to gather the wounded. However, while he was distracted by the new arrivals, someone else began making her move.
Rossweisse moved like a flash as her spear began shining with power. 'I need to force him to retreat! Either that or create an opening.' She doubted her capability of killing the Trickster God so she would use Primal Runes to either seal or weaken him. 'Keep Fenrir busy! Please keep Fenrir busy!'

Kiba winced at watching his family's effigies falling apart. The loss hurt him more physically than sentimentally and cost him quite a bit of mana. Calling a few more armors was possible but his reserves were dwindling fast.

"What do we do?" Ravel, who had been sent to check Medusa and Odin under Xenovia's orders, arrived at the epicenter of the battlefield. "I don't know if any of you know this but that is Fenrir! We need to run!"
"We need to buy time so the others can get everyone else. Blade Brotherhood!" The huge emerald armor, the ruby and gold one, took shape once more. Yet the blond knew if they fell a second time it would be the last for a while. "I will go and get Buchou-"
"Already did it. Gasper is escorting her towards Azazel's position ." And Asia who was still taking care of the fallen angel. Ravel tried not to think how his wounds weren't healing and instead drew out Kanshou and Bakuya. "Look, I won't lie; I have no idea if the Power of Immortality can… stop a God Slayer…"

They watched as Akeno unleashed several Raidens and Raijins towards the Divine Beast who tanked most of the attacks even when Xenovia added more damage with Durandal's aura slashes.

[Gift!]

"Orochi!" In an attempt to increase their odds, Ise had lended the Queen of Gremory a huge Boost of power. The Lightning snake actually managed to be bigger than Fenrir, rising to its full height before crashing on him from above.

It wasn't the first time the Wolf of Ragnarok found himself staring at something above him and compared to his brother that serpent wasn't even tall enough to warrant him to use his full strength.

So Fenrir didn't even bother to change his size, choosing instead to jump on the Orochi and ripping its throat off with his claws making the Lightning explode before being met with the Red Dragon Emperor who was hiding behind it.

"Scarlet Mail!" Body enveloped in flames, Ise collided against the giant wolf to shove him back on the ground. Their foreheads met each other as Legendary canine's paws landed on the ground and he moved not a millimeter further, refusing to submit to the dragon. "Oooooooooohhhhhhhhh!"

The Pawn of Gremory pushed harder as Ddraig's power pushed him to new highs. That technique also was more complete and refined, using almost no energy.

Yet it wasn't enough. 'He isn't moving a muscle. Hell, his fur isn't even burning!'

[That is why you all need to escape. Can't you see that…] Ddraig grew mute as a horrible thought popped into his mind. [Our only chance of winning is…]

Juggernaut Drive.

But the Red Dragon Emperor refused to say it. He just couldn't bring himself to, leaving Ise to deal with the Wolf of Ragnarok with just their Balance Breaker.

Kiba and Ravel wouldn't let their teammates' efforts go to waste, the Knights advancing quickly while Blade Brotherhood's remaining armors followed their lead. They weren't alone as Xenovia began combining her swords' power together and flew towards the wolf's heart with a double thrust.

Fenrir smelled the powers coalescing in his direction and quickly moved his head in a motion to first give the Pawn some ground before slamming him down. His nose focused on Ravel first, the Originals Kanshou and Bakuya giving him a bad feeling. Worse even than the ones Shirou was using even without Bellerophon's Divinity backing them up.

Which was why he was quick to attack the Daughter of Phenex with his claws and she was only saved from being cut into ribbons by her Knight speed. The young woman channeled Fire into her weapons before throwing a fireball that surprisingly managed to burn some of the wolf's fur.

It also made him mad. "Ravel! RUN!" Shirou shouted with all the strength of his lungs, understanding that it wasn't her flame which really harmed Fenrir but the Married Blades. 'If he gets her,' neither his shoulder or hand was healing and he could feel Bellerophon trying to help but failing to access those areas, 'she is going to die.'

"Shirou, you need to rest!" Liz ordered while keeping him down. "And we need to run." The maid moved to grab his body. His Ascension vanished an instant later even if Bellerophon's aura remained. "Hold on. I will get us closer to the gods."
"But they are going to die." The earth trembled as Fenrir raced to devour Ravel, only being slowed down by Ise's punches and Akeno's chains. Just barely and it was only a matter of time before he got someone. "Liz! Let me go! I still can-"
The homunculus, who had the magus in a fireman's carry, hit his head. "Forgive me, Master, but your life is my priority."

"Liz!" He tried to fight but even with the pegasus' support, his body took too much damage even if the God Slayer's claws had barely grazed him for the most part. But the real issue was his shoulder which was missing a huge chunk of his muscles and pulsing with the worst pain he ever had in his life. 'Damn it! I can't break free.'

"Shiro! Liz!" Rias called their names as the King of Gremory was carried towards them in a cloud made of dark fog. She looked utterly exhausted, exactly how she felt. "The others- Oh my Goetia, your shoulder!"
"Xenovia-senpai told us to get you all to the gods then get you out of the park." The cloud, Gasper in truth, infomed the redheads about the knight's plans. "Don't worry, Senpai. I am sure Durandal-"
"Even if Durandal can't break, Xenovia's body can!" They learned as much when they fought Gilgamesh and the blond managed to defeat his lover by bombarding her until her body was too injured to fight.

And the Mage of Swords also wasn't sure that the Peerless Armor could actually survive Fenrir's fangs like Durandal could. In fact there was a chance that if Fenrir got a proper bite on Durandal, with his full size which he could one day use to devour the Moon whole, he could really break the Noble Phantasm.

Sure it was still an impossibility since Durandal's greatest Blessing and attribute was its durability but their opponent was the Wolf of Ragnarok who just didn't grow to the size of a continent to crush them all probably because Loki was holding him back.

"Besides, I think there is a way to… stop Fenrir…" Rias looked at him with confusion and he could feel Gasper's gaze even if he lacked eyes. Leysritt didn't care, she just kept running.

"How?" Finally the white haired woman asked as she saw Koneko approaching their position. The nekomata was rushing in all fours and probably looking to join the fight.

Upon hearing the question, Shirou paused to think. "If I am right I think Loki is forcing Fenrir to fight."
"Shiro, that is the Wolf of Ragnarok. A creature Destined to kill gods. I think it doesn't have any problems fighting." Rias retorted calmly before fixing her gaze on Koneko and shouting. "Koneko-chan! Stay back!"
Unfortunately the Rook didn't reply and instead accelerated further for her gaze was on her friends risking their lives to buy everyone time. All her instincts screamed at her to run in the opposite direction but the girl charged forward while covering her body with Ki. With a mighty leap, she charged two basketball sized spheres of white flames in each hand.

Her presence barely registered on Fenrir's radar, his nose warning him of the new arrival and his ears hearing her shout. Yet the wolf was unphased against it, focusing more on destroying Kiba's gold armor and pushing the Red Dragon Emperor back. Akeno quickly moved with several dozens of Raijin's to stab and tie the Wolf of Ragnarok.

Leaving his body open for both Koneko and Ravel who joined in at the last moment.

Orange and white flames attacked in sync at different parts of the Divine Beast's body but he wasn't truly bothered even when Kanshou and Bakuya managed to slash his flesh. Because that blow wasn't as strong compared to Shirou's who had Bellerophon's aura and more than a pair of Married Blades fortifying their existence.

Sure the Originals were more powerful than any weapon the Mage could reproduce but that was only individually. When it came to the whole, the Married Blades alone couldn't compete with hundreds of the same weapons nor was their current owner strong enough to be relevant.

Regardless, Fenrir didn't want those swords around so he broke Akeno's chains and completely ignored Koneko's attempts to harm him. His target was Ravel because he wasn't going to risk her pulling the same stunts Shirou did and somehow manage to harm him.

His paws terraformed the park, ripping it apart in his chase.

Ise flew straight towards the wolf's face and unleashed a Dragon Shot that ended with him beaten aside for the trouble. Kiba was missing his Balance Breaker but a new sword, a claymore he called Beast Hunter, came by with a slash that bounced from the black fur. Akeno called for a new Orochi only for the creature to fall apart when the wolf grew taller.

During all that Ravel was flying away as fast as her wings could carry her while every pour on her body screamed that she was going to die. That the Wolf of Ragnarok was her killer and it was only a matter of time before her demise became fact.

But fortunately for her there were those willing to defy that fate-

[Boost!Boost!Boost!Boost!Boost!Boost!Boost!Boost!]

-Ise more than most as his mana moved around his body in a more smother fashion than before since he could help Ddraig control it. Accumulating a huge amount of energy between his hands and above his chest, the Red Dragon Emperor flew in front of Fenrir before opening his wings and revealing the mass of power.

"DRAGON SHOOOOOOOOOOOT!" Red mana exploded and expanded in size until it fully consumed the Wolf of Ragnarok. He kept pushing more energy, his attack so bright that the brown of the park was replaced with a warm red color.

Then they heard it. "Hahahahahaha! HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Loki's laughter, one full of mockery and dark joy. "Is that all the Red Dragon Emperor can do?! Pathetic!"

Fenrir broke through the attack with a charge that sent Ise flying and led him directly to his newest target. In that moment Ravel knew she was dead because the wolf was advancing too fast and there was nothing she could do to stop him.

Others tried: Kiba's new sword was crushed under the Divine Beast's weight, Akeno's snakes no longer could hold him, Koneko's attacks were deemed so irrelevant the creature didn't even acknowledge her yet and Xenovia was dismissed aside by an accidental kick when she tried attacking from behind.

Ravel's best attempt came last when she channeled as much Fire she could in her wings before throwing them forward. "Wings of Phoenix!" Her feathers flew and some even hit the Wolf of Ragnarok's eyes. "What…"

Despite that Loki's son didn't even bother since her wings didn't carry Kanshou and Bakuya's properties. It was just her demonic energy and that wasn't enough to harm the Wolf of Ragnarok. In fact it wouldn't be enough unless she was at least close to his level or the equivalent to her race.

If she was an Ultimate Class devil then that attack could have made him blink.

Then his sharp eyes wouldn't be locked on her, instilling the sort of paralyzing fear that could only belong to a prey who knew the hunt was over and she was about to become someone's dinner.

"MOVE CHILD!" Baraqiel ordered with all the strength of his lungs as he charged at Fenrir with every bit of power he could muster. A giant lance made of Light, surrounded by a pulsing Holy Lightning, was his weapon of choice. "HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

The attack connected and the Cadre managed to force Fenrir to step back long enough for Ise to tackle Ravel out of the way. Unfortunately for them the Wolf of Ragnarok was growing used to their tricks so not only he had his eyes closed but also his head low. All the attack hit was his forehead which didn't even bleed.

Next the wolf headbutted the weapon away, shattering it and leaving Baraqiel exposed to the giant paw that sent him into the ground.

"Tou-chan!" Akeno called for the man as she felt his mana flicker and grow weaker. Even if he was one of the oldest beings, a Cadre and one of the strongest fallen angels, Fenrir was still leagues ahead of him. "TOU-CHAN!"

Power exploded from Medusa's priestess as fury took hold of her mind. Whatever her grips with her father, he reached out and she was starting to forgive him. Yet reconciliation could never arrive because the Wolf of Ragnarok was on their way and about to kill him. About to kill everyone.

But seeing her father's broken body was the last straw and Akeno roared with a warcry so unlike her that all her teammates and friends couldn't help but stare as her purple wings pulsed in their color as her aura grew taller and taller.

Enough for Fenrir to stop and actually look at her like if he was seeing the ravenhead for the first time. Not as prey either but something else, a threat or competition of some sort that the wolf himself couldn't comprehend.

Because she was a True Hybrid and combined with the power she earned from her goddess, Himejima Akeno finally tapped into her full potential by channeling the power of her bloodline combined with all she learned throughout her life.

Devil magic, magecraft and priestesshood.
Those were the paths which made the bulk of her strongest spells.

And in her fury she broke a wall that surpassed the three of them and reached a power only a True Hybrid could possess; an evolved form of everything her father was with the unlimited potential of Humanity given by her mother.

"OROCHI!" Her aura exploded around her forming several snakes made of purple Lightning. One, two, four, eight of them formed in rapid succession but adrenaline and rage pushed her to subconsciously go further.

All Akeno wanted was to throw her attack at Fenrir which she did with another roar but once unleashed the snakes began connecting and combining into a huge version of themselves.

Or not because instead of their energy fully merging with each other, the snakes' heads remained separated and as the body grew larger so did their necks. Without a shadow of a doubt it was a spell as big as Fenrir had become during the fight, tall enough to leave the planet by accident and easily scratching Loki's half reformed boundary field.

A huge serpent possessing eight heads and eight tails, with a central body so large that it could easily eclipse a football stadium. It also wasn't one of the Phantasmal Beasts in her Noble Gear either. Medusa had used the skins of several famous and mythological snakes to create her Gift but not that one in particular.

Even if he did there was no soul in there for the goddess to command.

More precisely, that particular serpent never would obey her.

For it wasn't just any serpent, it was a dragon, an Evil Dragon who had once claimed part of Japan as his domain and several women to either make them his meal or his brides. But his True Origin even went further than that; a representation of Calamity, a god in many aspects and a terrible one at that.

To invoke her strongest spell, Akeno admittedly used his Legend as inspiration and direction to form those serpents because of the affinity between Medusa and that certain dragon. Her father went through pain, sweat and blood to collect the skins of dozens of other creatures of similar renown.

With all those factors into play it was almost like it was meant to be for the spell to converge into the shape of the creature which inspired it in the first place. To transform from a group of serpents into a single being strong enough that he earned the moniker of Venom Blood Dragon.

His poison was one of the most lethals to the point no moral could challenge him.

Much like Fenrir, he also was an enemy of the gods albeit not a God Slayer.

Yamata no Orochi.

'Wrong color…' Azazel thought in his delirium because instead of purple he slightly recalled Susanoo telling him the dragon was brown like a tree. 'Size 's right… '

Because the beast was fully capable of taking over a river or vale without any trouble other than being too big for them thanks to its huge tails. In fact there were those present who feared Akeno had lost control and was about to crush them.

"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Fairly enough since she did lose some self control, throwing everything she had in a single spell, not caring about the consequences.

The Yamata no Orochi construct dove towards Fenrir who grew to its size to match the serpent. Both were almost destroying all work Loki put into fixing the boundary field and even crushing Medusa's attempts to suppress it.

In that moment both coincidently ended up working in sync with neither willing to risk the aftermath of that attack being seen by the outside world. A good thing they did because the flash, the explosion and the dust that filled the park would have been seen by all of Japan if they hadn't.

Loki chuckled under his breath as he knew his victory was at hand. "A very pretty light show. Fufufu." Shaking his head, he prepared a magic circle in his right hand before swiftly turning around to block a white spear pulsing with energy. "Wouldn't you say, my dear Valkyrie?" Then the light around the spear dimmed and he saw nobody holding the weapon. "What-"
"Oriah!" Rossweisse used a rune on her feet to jump in the middle of the air with four on her back for acceleration for the sake of an uppercut on the silver haired man. Her whole body was covered with runes but the brightest ones were those in the palm of her hands. "Lord Loki," she began while grabbing her arms, allowing the runes on her body to move into his, "in the name of King Balder-"

"What do you think you are doing?" Loki tried to free himself but her grip was brutal and both could feel his arms' bones breaking.

"-of Lord Odin and Asgard, I sentence you to imprisonment! Your Destiny is at hand!"
"These runes! Don't tell me!" A cage with a snake dropping poison in his eyes awaited him. "Fuh, so Balder truly ordered its construction?! Man can't take a jo- Ack!"

Rossweisse's grip grew tighter as more runes appeared around the god. "Freeing Fenrir is the same as killing the king so the punishment fits the crime!" All Valkyries had to learn that spell for that exact occasion. Hers was even more complete thanks to the runes she was using which were the Primal ones she learned from Odin. "Ragnarok won't happen! The Valkyries won't allow it! I won't allow it!"
With a pained expression, the man retorted. "Brave but foolish. My imprisonment and escape also leads to Ragnarok!" He could see her flinch, his aura pushing her magic back. "So you are just leading us down the path to ruin yourself. Let it go, Valkyrie Rossweisse. My son has already conquered the devils, we Asgardians don't need-"
"Silence!" The silver haired woman demanded as the runes around her body grew even brighter before the last of them appeared on Loki's body. "Now be gone! Be gone to the depths of the Earth and wait for the Call that shall never come!"

Loki knew exactly what that meant: a prison far beneath the crust of the Earth where the Sun could never reach and with only a snake for company who would spend years dropping venom in his eyes unless his wife was there to fill up a bowl.

A prison truly capable of trapping him.

Where his Legend ends until Ragnarok begins.

Rossweisse wasn't bluffing either which meant that Balder truly had prepared the place where the Trickster would be locked up until the End of Times. Ironically he should be imprisoned after the murder of Balder himself and a few too many drinks but Baraqiel was right.

The order didn't change the equation and if the Rossweisse succeeded there would be no escape.
Upon hearing the spell, the Aesir struggled as hard as he could but the Valkyrie's grip was ironclad and every tug motivated her to make it stronger. While dealing with Fenrir was still going to be a challenge regardless, once Loki was out of the picture she had faith they could come up with a plan to at least remove him from the city.

"No! No! No! NO! This can't be happening!" Panic grew on the deity's face as he kept trying to use his magic and brute force to free himself only to utterly fail. Soon almost all runes had left the Valkyrie's body and invaded his, ready to seal him in his Destined Prison. "That won't work! You hear me! That won't work! RAGNAROK WILL COME!"

"We won't let it! The Aesir and the Vanir will stop it again! And the Valkyries will make sure you can never, EVER, escape from your cage!" The last of the runes arrived at its destination, the rune for prison shining in his chest.

"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" As Loki screamed, Rossweisse could feel a sense of triumph beat in her chest.

"He is so realistic, isn't he?" Then she heard Loki's voice but not from the screaming Aesir. It was from behind her and a shiver ran through her spine when his chin landed on her shoulder. "A bit more dramatic than I expected but~"

An elbow rested on her other shoulder and her eyes grew wide at the appearance of a third Loki. "It is all in good fun. Isn't it, Valkyrie?"
"Hahahahahahah! You should see your face!" There was nothing she could do as her spell finished and the runes started teleporting the man away. Yet his body began breaking apart into mottes of mana instead of just vanishing.

"Hahahaha! Oh, poor, poor Valkyrie." Rossweisse turned around while the cloud of dust from Akeno's attack began to subside. Then she saw not one or two Lokis but five of the same god. "Did you really think it would be that easy?"
"She did, didn't she?"
"So much for the Old Man's bodyguard."
"Don't blame her. Hardly anyone can compete with our skill."
"She is good enough, I would say."

Snapping herself out of her stupor, Rossweisse raised her arms into a guard while preparing to keep fighting. Unfortunately she doubted Loki was going to give her space to try that spell again. "How?"

The five versions of the Aesir looked at her with bafflement before laughing. "Hahahaha! Did you forget who you are facing?"
"I am Loki, God of Tricksters!"

"Just another great trick from my arsenal." One Loki pointed towards the sky and his boundary field.

Prompting another to say. "Who better to help me to hold my barriers than me-" while also pointing up.
"-myself-" Another Loki reproduced the gesture.

"-and I?" They all began to chuckle as the five of them had their fingers raised and their auras flaring.

'Who? How? Are all of them the real one?' There was no doubt in Rossweisse's mind because she could feel the crushing power of a god coming from all versions of the Trickster Aesir. Worse, without her spear and having revealed the Valkyries' trump card against the god, she suddenly found herself without options. "I still won't-"
All Loki's pointed at her before speaking with a single voice. "No, you won't."
Rossweisse found herself bombarded by dozens of lasers from each Loki.

A rain of death that sent her into the devastated land and kept going until the silver haired maiden was buried into a hole. Then all Lokis moved from their fingers to their hands, charging a far more powerful attack that the bleeding woman couldn't counter.

"Here! A send off worthy of a Valkyrie!" All Aesir of Trickery attacked at once, Rossweisse's aqua eyes only showing horror before she was covered by the bright light of his white as snow mana. The gods chuckled again as all the dust and smoke finally dissipated not only revealing his latest victim state but also the battlefield. "Good job, son. Prodigious work!"
Fenrir howled to the sky with irritation and fury as while some of his fur was burnt because of Akeno's attack it was undeniable that the Wolf of Ragnarok wasn't looking any worse for wear.

Contrary to almost everyone else since the shockwave from the improvised Yamata no Orochi's blast had finished devastating the park and throwing everybody else off their feet. It also buried some of the wounded in the dirt even as others did their best to protect them, like Azazel who also used a hand to try and help Asia sit up after she threw herself on top of him.

"Shit…" The Cadre muttered as the former nun kept using Twilight Healing in his wounds even when she had fallen hard enough to bruise her knees. "This is just…" Medusa also had fallen to the ground because of the impact, giving back the battlefield's control to Loki. "Asia…"

He couldn't even tell her to run, there was nowhere to go and if Fenrir was let loose in Fuyuki then the number of victims would surpass the thousands in less than an hour. In those conditions, they and the city were all under Loki's mercy.

Even Medusa couldn't fight back any longer because her prior opportunity no longer existed. "I can't pierce his boundary field…"
"Loki is one of, if not the most, renowned practitioner of magic in all Asgard after myself." Odin stated factually. A bit too much for the younger deity's tastes. "As things are going… Perhaps there is only one way to win…"
"Shouldn't you have used that sooner then?" Medusa protested in anger but noticed Odin's attention wasn't on her. "What are you planning?" Then he said something that was deeply concerning.
"The conditions aren't ideal but the potential is almost confirmed. I can almost feel it in my bones… If we are desperate enough, why not try something insane anyway."

'He isn't talking about Fenrir or Loki…' Finally following Odin's gaze, Medusa found Liz digging herself off the earth carefully to not harm Shirou any further.

Unlike her many weren't able to get back up, chief of them all Akeno who used every drop of her energy on her last spell. The priestess was completely unconscious and her Noble Gear powered down revealing the wounds she accumulated during the fight.

Baraqiel dragged himself from wherever he was buried leaving a trail of blood as he tried to reach his daughter. "A…ke…no… Shu…ri…"

A few meters from him, Kiba tried to get up only to notice something odd. 'My legs?' Both were broken with a bone poking out of his left leg. Not only that but his foot was turned in the complete wrong direction. 'This isn't… is bad…'

The only reason he wasn't screaming in pain was because he was in shock. Or almost in shock as he still managed to establish some coherent thought as the adrenaline faded. In a few minutes the Knight of Gremory would be crying for the worst pain he ever felt in his life and then some.

If he lived long enough to deal with it.

"Kiba…" Ravel, whose body was still regenerating, tried to reach her fellow Knight. "You're-"

"Don't worry about me-" He fell to his knees after trying to stand up again, blood pouring from everywhere and he barely managed to hold back some tears. Even opening his wings was impossible with his injuries. "Focus on healing…" He took the longest breath he could but his body was starting to feel the damage. "We have- We have…"
"We are going to die, aren't we?" The Daughter of Phenex managed to ask and he didn't know how to answer that.

Because Fenrir was still howling in triumph, it was only a matter of time before he decided to finish them all off. Him or his father who dominated Rossweisse and buried her on the ground in a cascade of energy. And the devils felt that the god wasn't even trying with her or anyone else.

Almost as if letting the Wolf of Ragnarok was but a demonstration of his power and not actually a necessity. Loki managed to carve in them all an impression of invincibility for himself and his son with overwhelming power while barely participating in the fight. All the god did was neutralize a Valkyrie while God Slayer proved himself worthy of the moniker.

Which was how even the Red Dragon Emperor found himself baffled by those events. [I heard Fenrir was strong… just not this strong… If I could just use my full power- If we could…] Lamented Ddraig before cutting off his train of thought. [Sorry Partner. Looks like this is the end.]

Ise held himself to not fall down as Scale Mail fell apart around his body. 'No way… we're losing… to a mutt…' Despite his statement, the Pawn had taken much of the blast and his body just couldn't take anything else. 'Just need to get up. Come on!'

[Heh, I always liked your enthusiasm but you can't keep going like this…] A deep sense of regret poured from his voice. [... I am sorry-]

'Shut up. That wasn't your fault, Ddraig. The two of us… Both of us… we lost our heads there… So it's cool.' Upon receiving only silence, the brown haired man couldn't help but feel his heart break a little. 'Please, Ddraig… Don't leave me alone…'

[Never again, Partner.]

"Ise-senpai…" Koneko's small voice awakened the devil to look down at the little Rook who he had covered with his body. "Are you… Are you alright?"
"Sure… Never better…" Despite his words when he tried to move the Pawn almost fell on his friend, barely stopping himself with an arm. "Shit."
Unfortunately Koneko was the only one he managed to reach before the explosion, the only one he managed to shield. Against Akeno's Holy Lightning his flames were easily put out with only Ddraig's scales mitigating most of the damage. Most but not all since he actually didn't take the attack directly, just its after effects.

Which was why he and Ravel were the most wounded of their friends with Kiba being a close second. They all were too close when the High Priestess unleashed her fury just for it to be crushed by Fenrir. Fortunately the Pawn acted quickly and saved the nekomata from the worst of it.

At the cost of himself. "Senpai, you are about to-"
"I'm fine- This is just a scratch!" Ise tried to get up again only to lose his balance and fall on his left to not crush Koneko. In that moment his helmet cracked open to reveal his face, forehead dripping with blood. "I had worse…"
Technically he wasn't lying but that was another Ise full of life force. The current one just couldn't keep up. His spirit was willing but the flesh had grown too weak even if not frail.

Another howl reminded them all of the threat looming around. [Toujou Koneko, you need to run. To warn the Underworld about what transpired here.]

"I can fight!" The white haired Rook declared while dragging herself to her feet. Thanks to Ise's sacrifice and her natural defenses there was barely a bruise in her body.

[All you are going to accomplish is add another body to Fenrir's body count!] The dragon took a moment to calm himself. [The best you can do is frustrate Loki's plans by warning Sirzechs. He won't let this crime go unpunished.] Koneko understood Ddraig was being realistic but that wasn't what she wanted to hear. [Out of everyone here besides the gods, you are the only one who can move. Fenrir mostly ignored you so far. Go! You must avenge your friends!]

"Stop talking as if everyone is dead!" Koneko shouted back before standing in front of Ise with her arms raised and Ki pulsing.

"Koneko…chan?"
[Stupid girl.]

"Quiet. I won't let Ise die. I won't let anyone die." She began preparing herself for the fight of her life.

Just in time because Loki was losing his patience. "Aren't you hungry, my son?" One of the Aesir asked as the others disappeared from everyone's sight. The Wolf of Ragnarok howled in triumph again and the silver haired man clicked his tongue. "Celebrating is all and good but we are taking too long." He looked at the fallen devils with an evil grin. "So have a meal. Taste their flesh and rejoice the taste of devils! Maybe I will even let you out in the Underworld to play a little."
"You are mad!" Rias shouted while holding an injured and unconscious Gasper. "You are definitely mad! Do you really want a war that much!"
"I won't let it happen!" Xenovia stood up once again with her armor shining as Durandal and Durandina prepared for battle. "I won't allow a selfish god like you to start another war. As my Master's knight and Durandal's Owner, I swear you will be stopped!"
Loki waved her declaration away like an annoying bug. "Two women and nobody else standing. Oh, how I am so scared. Truly, I am shaking in my boots. Fenrir!" The wolf howled again. He clearly wasn't interested in his father. "Tch, stubborn child. Stop wasting time!" With a wave of his hand the wolf's head was shoved to the side by an invisible force before he growled at the Aesir. "Good. Start finishing off those fools! First go for the Heiress of Gremory! A pureblood devil like her will help your palate get used to their taste!"
"You are sick!" Rias tried to stand but her reserves were still depleted so she could do nothing. The only reason she was conscious was because Gasper cushioned her fall and absorbed most of the damage. "I can't believe there can be a god as mad as you. Yes, that is what you are: a Mad God!"

"Hahahahahaha! Then I shall take that Title with pride!" Loki declared bombastically. "I would rather be Asgard's Mad God than allow it to be cowed by other Factions! To allow us to lose our essence! Time to show the other Pantheons that the Aesir are still the Strongest Gods! FENRIR!"
Despite being annoyed, the Wolf of Ragnarok obeyed his father's orders and began making his way towards Rias. "Koneko," Xenovia crossed her swords, "you ready?"
As the only two who could still fight, the answer was obvious. "Yes."
Meanwhile with the gods, Medusa glared at Odin. "If you are going to do something, do it already!"

"It is more complicated than that. While my power could be enough to suppress both Loki and Fenrir, Fate will intervene at my slightest action." The One Eyed God focused on the Goddess of Snakes with an intense stare. "Maybe the conditions aren't perfect but if I can break the bonds of my divinity, if I can ascend into a True God, we may have a chance."
"But for that you need-" Medusa's eyes shifted towards her Champion who was fast approaching on Liz's back. "Don't tell me you-" 'Does he know about Unlimited Blade Works?'
"He is the Mage of Swords, is he not? As a God of Magic and War, we are somewhat compatible. Even if he doesn't have a Reality Marble." Odin's words dispelled her conclusions in an instant yet she couldn't help but feel something was off.

While Medusa struggled with her uneasiness, Fenrir lowered his center of gravity before rushing towards the three women and the unconscious dhampir. "Durandal!"
Xenovia threw herself at the wolf while aiming his eyes with her Noble Phantasm, the energy blade moving straight to stab them. It wasn't enough and the Holy Energy broke just like the Wolf of Ragnarok moved for the kill with his claws. Durandina successfully parried the god slaying 'weapons' but the former Exorcist was flung away for her troubles.

Leaving Fenrir free to eat Rias and Gasper only for Koneko to quickly fly them away. "Koneko-chan, grab Gasper and-"
Before the King could order her to run, the nekomata threw her and the Bishop as far away as she could. With her superior strength she sent them far enough that they landed close to where Luvia was just as she almost returned to Asia and Azazel's side. Her fellow Rook watching them, the younger girl lost all hesitation and turned back to her opponent.

Her predator.

She wouldn't call him anything else, not with her body shaking, the hairs of her neck standing or the extreme need to run away as far as she could. It was so bad she almost forgot how to fly and fell on the ground which resulted in a forced landing.

Didn't change anything, she only wanted to escape but refused to.

"Come on…" Koneko whispered, her heart full of fear. "Come on…" Fearful or not, she wasn't moving. "Come on!" But her words were reaching Fenrir who stopped to stare at the small nekomata as a normal dog would an ant. He tilted his head to the side as the Rook's body pulsed with white Touki. "COME ON AND FIGHT ME YOU STUPID DOG!"

It was as if the world itself fell silent while watching the young woman throw down the gauntlet, her Ki flaring in opposition to Fenrir's superior existence but completely failing to earn a single reaction from the Wolf of Ragnarok.

What got his attention was her shout and attempt of a stand which amused him.

Regardless she was irrelevant so he tried to just walk over her only to find himself punched in the muzzle that did absolutely nothing. Didn't stop Koenko from trying again and again, several kicks and punches trying to push the wolf back with everything she had.

At some point Loki's patience was spent. "Stop playing around with your food and kill the Gremory!"
Feeling another tug on his neck, the wolf's eyes flared with anger as opened his mouth to eat the nekomata. His moves were simple but fast, too fast for Koneko to do anything against him.

"Clarent Radiant Road!"
"Grow and Expand Nyoibo!"

A tidal wave of silver light covered a familiar red staff and both hit the Wolf of Ragnarok square in his chest while a shadow moved at an extreme high speed to grab Koneko and bolt away just as the attacks kept pushing the Divine Beast until he was forced back a couple of steps.

Once he did, the tower of mana broke and the staff retreated for their goal was accomplished. "Shirone!" Kuroka, the Stray Nekomata, hugged her sister so tightly the girl started having problems breathing. "Are you out of your mind?! Attacking a giant dog like that by yourself?! You should have run!"
"What?" Loki was confused and completely caught off guard for the first time since springing his trap.

"Wait, what are you doing here?" Medusa wondered while looking around and identifying two familiar figures approaching them, one with a sword and the other with a staff.

The latter landed in front of the gods with a laugh. "Hahaha! Just doing a friend a favor." Bikou joked honestly.
"... And to charge some debts." Altria observed cautiously before glancing at Odin who didn't look amused at their presence. "Fate is a danger while you are here, Lord Odin. I suggest you retreat."
The Old Man of the North chose to turn around and look for the Mage of Swords only to find him being let down by his maid as a blond young man approached with a red potion on his hand.

"Kakaka! Look at that!" Add, the Mystic Code on Arthur's neck, began to speak as Leysritt watched them with suspicion. "We have already saved you guys enough that we should start a tab!"
Shirou chose to ignore the cube, focusing on the man who looked ready to help him. "Not that I am ungrateful but what are you doing here?"
"Kuroka wanted to cash in her favor and spend some time with her sister." He said, referring to when his group helped against the Red Dragon Emperor. When he touched the redhead's shoulder, Leysritt almost grabbed his arm until she heard, "You are already healing… from a God Slayer… your healing is-"
"Inconsistent and overly conditional. I know." The Mage wasn't about to explain how their arrival technically was responsible for healing him. Or how Altria's presence turned on the Avalon resting in his body. "Either way, we have to get out of here. Fenrir is too dangerous."

Arthur noticed Leysritt looked ready to attack him at the slightest mistake. "Yes, we know. We watched some of the fighting…"

"How long?" While his tone was even, there was annoyance beneath it.
"We thought you had the situation handled… Nobody expected Loki to be so-"
"Who are you?!" Demanded to know the Trickster God who definitely looked more than angry at the new arrivals.

He watched how a nekomata saved another, how two of them managed to repel his son which made the wolf cautions, how a witch flew towards the Valkyrie and teleported her way when he was about to finish her off for good measure because of them and he only found them when she dropped closer to Rias and Gasper.

Then the witch teleported them again when the god threw a blast in their direction only for her older sister to intercept the hit. Fenrir then advanced towards the group but his way was barred by dozens of monkeys jumping around and hitting him with their staves. Even as they died in droves the Aesir recognized a cloning spell when he saw one.

Which only made him more frustrated. "Fenrir! Stop playing around with the monkey and kill the rest! I will take care of this wannabe trickster myself."
"Kakakaka! My gramps would be so mad hearing you say that! My family is proud of being full of tricksters, ya know?"
Rias was confused about everything, not even questioning how Le Fay could teleport them from a point of the battlefield to the next on command or how she always seemed to be carrying every magic potion ever discovered by Man.

No, she instead questioned. "What are you guys doing here?" Mirroring her lover's question.

Le Fay had just shoved something for Asia to help keep her going before saying, "Kuroka wanted to spend some time with her sister."
"And you all just showed up now? What a lucky coincidence." Luvia commented before her eyes grew wide and she threw herself forward. "Look-"
"Down!" Altria came in and cut the god's attack down with her blade. "Damn! Isn't he ready yet?"
"Between Fenrir and Loki, he is going to need a lot of space and time." Le Fay reminded her sister. Everyone turned to the Wolf of Ragnarok who just destroyed several more of Bikou's clones before focusing on them. "Unfortunately, time isn't a luxury we have."

"We also need to get everyone else out of the line of fire." She waited a few more seconds so their friend managed to distract Loki and Fenrir before using mana Burst to dash towards Akeno and Baraqiel's location.

Giving Rias the chance to ask, "Why are you helping us? Really?" The younger Pendragon looked into her eyes. "Luvia is right. It is all too convenient. Are you here really because-
"Because Kuroka loves her sister… and we hope that you will allow them to spend some time together." Le Fay answered honestly. "We know how this all looks and we have been in your city for a while but we just want to help our friend. I promise."
Raising her sword's guard, the older sister added. "I have my own reasons but shall admit that Kuroka's situation is our priority on this occasion."

"That simple, huh…" The Heiress of Gremory could appreciate that reason

"Buchou, I finished healing Rossweisse-san." Asia informed them with concern. "But Azazel-"

"Already said… my wounds aren't normal…"

Altria returned with both Akeno and Barqiel. "We should get you all close to the gods."
"And risk Odin getting in the middle of this?" Luvia questioned immediately. "So long Fenrir is a threat, we should stay away from him. Maybe even give that creature more targets. And if you all have a plan to deal with him how you did the Red Dragon Emperor-"
"Where is Ise-san?" Asia suddenly interrupted her friend, surprising the Rook.

"Too close to the line of fire for me to get him just now. I need a proper distraction." Altria informed calmly while raising Clarent defensively in case Loki decided to attack them again. "Either way, Rias Gremory, I hope after all this you allow us to stay in your city for a while, not for my sake but for my friend's. She really misses her sister." Le Fay threw her own sister a look of skepticism. "What?"

"If we manage to survive, Kuroka can have the whole day with Koneko…" Rias suddenly started as one of the potions the witch gave her dealt with her exhaustion albeit not completely. "Even if she sorta already is…"

The Pendragon sisters turned to see how the older sister embraced the younger while dragging her away from Fenrir. "Onee-chan! Let me go!"
"No way, nyah! You aren't fighting that dog!"
Azazel, who was still far too wounded to do anything, tried to ask. "If you are here… does that mean…"
"Yeah, he is here too." Altria replied with a nod. "In fact, he should be-"
"I, who am about to awaken!"

The countdown for the White Dragon of Supremacy's arrival had begun.

And he was going all out.

…..

Support my work and read two chapters early on:

P a treon

Apprentice of Life or

P a treon . com (slash) ApprenticeofLife

Until next time.