I don't own anything. All characters and all rights belong to Ichiei Ishibumi*
M for mature topics. No children allowed. *
The Broken Boosted Gear
By Try Another Time
Time seemed to slow down for just a mere few seconds as Tosca and her team moved in unison to engage the enemy team before them. Multiple magic symbols surrounded them as Cao Cao's teammate cast several spells.
Vali smirked as she deciphered the formulas of each spell within a millisecond before she quickly canceled each spell; the magic circles shattered around them as neither was able to activate correctly. "This must be the work of a top-class magician or at least someone who strived to become one. That guy with glasses must be Georg, the missing sacred gear user whom the Alliance has searched for years."
"Then we should go after him and leave the path clear for Tosca. Take him away from here, partner. Is time to hunt." Albion replied as he supported her by controlling the flow of power that her body was containing.
Vali spread her wings before she increased her speed and went after the red-cloaked magician. Georg's eyes showed distress and anger as his spells were countered with such ease.
"Oh no, you won't-" Georg's female teammate didn't get to finish her sentence as she only met an afterimage of Vali, who had already evaded her and grabbed her prey before dragging him away from the area. "Georg!"
Like a white meteor, Vali had disappeared alongside the screaming magician.
"That fool. He allowed himself to be dragged away. Oh well, we still have our remaining-" Cao Cao didn't get to finish as the masked guy on his right dashed away before being followed by Isaiah. "T? Where are you going?"
Cao Cao called out to his ally.
"A sword master requires its own arena to fight," T replied in a cold, mechanical voice that didn't seem natural. He didn't even turn to look at Cao Cao as he dashed away toward the forest.
The spear wielder seemed annoyed as his team of four had just diminished to two members. "Jeanne, don't lose your head. We're on our own." Cao Cao said as he lifted his spear to counter the incoming attack.
Tosca didn't stop charging forward, as her intention was clear, and the incomplete spear rotated faster and faster with each second.
As soon as the tip of Ouros meets the original Longinus, a tremendous shockwave is created as the immediate area is laid to waste due to the immense forces behind each spear.
Jeanne, the remaining ally of Cao Cao, was forced to take several steps back as she couldn't stop shaking. A sword appeared on her right hand before she stabbed it into the ground as a way to stop herself from being blown away. "This can't be real. How is it possible for another spear to match the might of the first Longinus?"
Her eyes grew worry with each second as Cao Cao tried to stand his ground but was slowly pushed back by the inhuman strength of his adversary.
"My, my. I had never expected to face such a challenge when I came to this land. You are making this mission a memorable one." Cao Cao says as he tries to push his opponent back.
But Tosca wasn't giving in as her eyes behind the helmet that covered her face remained cold and determined. "You think this is a joke, don't you? You came to this land and didn't stop to think for one second about what you were doing. You never care to reflect on what your actions meant or the effects they would have on the lives of those who peacefully live in this land. The lives that you took, the homes that you destroyed, you and your allies are nothing more than beasts that deserved to be put down."
Cao Cao grins. "Beasts? I'm a hero. I am a hero of humanity, and if 10 million souls or more need to fall for the sake of getting Earth back for humans, I will continue. Your so-called Alliance took human freedom away. Your so-called goddess now dares to try to vanish us from the planet that belongs to us. My mission is to defeat anything that dares to oppose humanity and its rightful place in the tree. Earth is ours, and we're destined for greatness. Humans will never have to bend to the will of any gods when I'm done."
"Hero? You dared to claim to be a hero?" Tosca questions him as she pushes back. "A hero should be able to see how stupid your claims are. Human Freedom? Freedom to return to an era of chaos and hypocrisy? Do you dare to ignore how many errors humanity has committed while walking alone? How many wars did they start among themselves for stupid ideals? How many genocidal events transpired since humans began to walk alone? A hero wouldn't ignore the past or the present. How many years has it been since a human committed a crime? Since a human killed another? Since a corrupt politician led a nation to their doom? Humanity changed because the Alliance and Gaia interfered, and yes, they lost many freedoms. Still, instead, those who accepted the changes are living far happier lives than those who attached themselves to the past. Those who reject this new era will only gain this so-called freedom away from Earth, for it doesn't belong to them, and it will never be." Tosca changes tactics and searches for an opening before using her tail to attack Cao Cao from the side.
The 'Hero' sees the incoming attacks and jumps out of the way before his body reacts to the incoming danger. His eyes watch as Tosca closes the distance and goes after his head. Cao Cao grins as he twists his body and counters with his own attack blocked by a green barrier.
"A hero should be able to lead people to a better future, yet you're here on an unjust crusade far from humanity. A hero should be able to see that humans aren't the only living beings that deserve respect and life, yet here you are attacking innocents while claiming it to be justified. You're not a hero; you're just a 'boy' seeking acknowledgment from others by playing the paper of a hero. You desire a reason to acknowledge your existence, and you believe that by freeing humanity, your life will have meaning. I will never acknowledge you as a hero; your hands will never truly save anyone, and your actions will let you lose all you care about." With unwavering determination, Tosca tries to pierce Cao Cao's chest with her bladed tail, but at the last moment, someone interferes.
A silver sword flies in and intercepts the attack before shattering into a million pieces as soon as the tail touches it due to the immense force behind it, thus allowing Cao Cao to create some distance between himself and Tosca.
Cao Cao's face looks pale, and his right-hand trembles as it holds the first Longinus. "Thanks for the aid, Jeanne."
Jeanne nodded as her eyes remained fixed on the adversary that almost got her leader killed. "Cao, this is not an easy opponent. Take this seriously, or we both will fall today. That 'girl' is not playing around. She's likely that girl from the reports, the child of the Welsh Dragon."
"Oh, she is that target. Well, this just got a bit more interesting." Cao Cao says as his hand stops trembling. "I always wonder if I would ever get the chance to clash spears with the famous Welsh Dragon. The legendary Dragon, which defy the very gods alongside the Vanishing Dragon, I wonder where is your father little girl? Shouldn't he be here?"
Tosca's eyes glow green with anger as she listens to his words, yet she doesn't move an inch.
"Where is that lizard? It has been a few years without any news. I wonder if he's even alive. Some rumors claim that he fell to Susanoo's sword. Tell me, is your daddy even A-L-I-V-" Cao Cao didn't even get to finish as the ground beneath him ignited. His eyes grew wide with excitement as Tosca's body released enormous green flames in all directions.
*Hiroyuki Sawano-Layers*
"Tease me all you want, but don't you dare imply that my father is dead. My father will never fall." Tosca said as the spear started to consume her flames before increasing its rotation. "You're going to fall by my hands."
Cao Cao didn't smirk or laugh as he felt the increasing killing intent of his adversary. His body screamed at him to run, and so did his mind, but his soul was that of a fool. "Let us dance. Jeanne follow my lead."
The blonde nods as they set out to slay a dragon.
Meanwhile, Isaiah POV.
Isaiah chased his target, which surprisingly had not attacked even once. As he followed, he examined the appearance of this mysterious individual who carried a coffin on his back.
"Is a human, but he's not normal. That thing must weigh more than his own body, and the energy I feel from within is likely from a devil. A devil tool? Why would he have something like it? Also, why was he sending that message while slightly tapping the coffin? I have information, follow me. Can I be even sure about this?" Isaiah questioned his choices as he continued to follow his target while leaving Tosca on her own.
He believed in her abilities and knew she wouldn't fall to Cao Cao, but he was still worried.
"... This is far enough." The mysterious human said as he stopped running before putting his coffin down.
Isaiah also stopped before he pointed his sword at the mysterious individual before him. "Who are you? And why did you communicate with Morse code?"
The young man turns around and removes his mask. His face has a few scars, but it still possesses a beauty that matches the fame of his bloodline.
As soon as he sees his face, Isaiah grows surprised as he notices the resemblance with one of his friends. "Le Fay?"
The young man smiles for a second before returning to a calm expression. "I'm happy to know that my appearance is still recognizable after all this time. How is that sister of mine doing?"
"... Arthur? Wait, what are you doing here? Le Fay said you went missing." Isaiah argues.
Arthur nods. "I would prefer if you call me Tristan, but Arthur is fine for now. She believes that because she lacks knowledge about my mission. I have been behind enemy lines for years. Cao Cao sought to recruit me, and with Ddraig and the other heads, we determined that having someone on the inside was best. Cao Cao and his team don't know that I have been collecting information and leaving it for Yukime to collect. I had a hard time getting away to deliver more news, but I feel it is best to do it now before it is too late." Arthur opens his coffin before he searches for an item.
"A spy? You? It makes sense to use the chance since he sought you out, but still. Behind enemy lines is playing with fire." Isaiah argues as he puts his sword down.
"I know. You saw my face; it has been anything but happy times. I have been close to death's door far too many times to count, but I did what was needed. I started this mission for personal reasons, but I can say that it has grown beyond just my goals." Arthur pulls out a small blue cube from his coffin before presenting it to Isaiah. "Here's all the information I have gathered since the last time. You need to deliver this on time. Qliphoth and the Khaos Brigade had not wasted time in preparing several plans. As we speak, they have started to gather resources and troops for a full-on assault on three fronts."
Isaiah grabs the cube before he turns to Arthur. "Three fronts? What do you mean?"
"They… will go for Shangri La, Shiva's home, and the lower level of the underworld at the same time. The date hasn't been decided, but they are getting ready for it. Indra is actively working with them to take Shiva down." Arthur explains before he grabs his coffin.
"Shit. Give just a second." Isaiah touches his ear. "Raven, can you hear me?"
"Loud and clear. How's your fight?" Raven replies.
"There's no fight. I have information that needs to be delivered right now. Come to my location to grab it from me." Isaiah says.
"Roger," Raven replies before ending the connection.
Isaiah turns to Arthur. "What's the plan now?"
"Me? Going back to Qlipoth and the Brigade. My mission isn't over. I need to confirm a few more things before I escape. You? You need to give me a severe injury that doesn't kill me. Aim for the chest, but be mindful of the attack. I need a reason for departing without being given an order." Arthur says as he points at his chest.
"... You're insane." Isaiah doesn't think twice as he raises his blade once more. "Before I do this. Is there anything you want me to tell Elaine-san or Le Fay?"
"... Tell Elaine that I'm coming home soon. Also, tell the heads that I'm coming for my part of the agreement. This mission is almost over, and I'm not dying until I get my revenge." Arthur's expression was cold as he mentioned his goal.
"... I'll take care of it." Isaiah takes a deep breath as he raises his katana before his body disappears and reappears behind Arthur.
Three seconds go by before several trees are cut into several pieces, and Arthur's chest starts to bleed profusely.
Arthur coughs some blood before he puts his mask on. "Nice cut, Isaiah. I'm happy to know that my 'niece' has such strong allies. Brother was right about you. When we meet again, let's have a proper match. Get back to her as soon as possible. Cao Cao won't go down so easily." Arthur rips a small bracelet around his right wrist before his body is sucked into a black hole.
Isaiah watches as no signs of Arthur are left around. "... Arthur…."
The knight of Rias remains worried about the mysterious brother of Le Fay.
In another area. Vali's POV.
"Let me go!" Georg screamed as he raised his hand and started to release a mysterious purple mist.
"Back away, now!" Albion ordered as he considered the dangers of the mist.
Vali releases him and retreats outside the range of the mist. Her eyes examined the magician, who now levitates thanks to a magical circle.
"Beast. How dare you keep me away from Cao Cao? I don't know how you countered my spells before, but it won't work a second time." Georg says as he creates an array of magic circles that hold sigils from several realms across the tree.
From Nordic, Demonic, and even elemental magic to Fairy magic and other rare types.
Vali whistles after seeing so many kinds in one place. "Look at you; someone hasn't wasted their time around. I wonder how many books you read and study to get to this point. Is impressive."
Georg smirked as he felt proud of his arsenal, but his smile disappeared as the hairs on his neck stood up as if telling him something was wrong. "Die!"
The magic circles activate. An array of spells that ranged from chains that could bind any enemy to projectiles that could pierce almost any armor target Vali.
Vali is surrounded from all sides yet doesn't feel threatened as she remains motionless. "You want to know something? I'm good with my hands and legs." Vali stops the chains with a flick of her fingers. "But I'll admit that my friend and leader has a greater mastery of the art, which involves hand-to-hand combat and monstrous attacks that could eliminate cities. She's a full-fledged dragon, after all, but me? I am more of the support kind and long-range attacks with versatility beyond your imagination."
An enormous magic circle unique to her appears below them. Georg gulps as he senses the difference between powers. His range projectiles vanished as the energy was absorbed by magic circle.
"My mother was a self-taught witch—an impressive one based on the tales of those who got to see her displays of power. I didn't get the chance to learn from her but I did had the ability to learn from the best of the Alliance and that allowed me to develop my own spells and my own magic. I called it "Arcane Dragon Arts." Would you like to know what it does?" Vali asks as she creates a much smaller magic circle at the tip of her finger.
Georg doesn't reply as he feels threatened by her. The magician starts to rerelease the mysterious mist before he is entirely surrounded by it. "Shit, she's playing with me. She's blocking all my spells. That has to be impossible. I need to get away."
"Nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it. Let us show you. Divine Divide: Devil Dragon Crusher." Vali is heard from outside the mist barrier before a devastating attack obliterates everything in its path.
The last thing Georg sees is a blinding light, which, to his surprise, pierces even the ability of his sacred gear.
Georg POV.
The magician opens his eyes once more, barely a minute later only to be horrify by the sight before him. His legs and right arm were nowhere to be found.
"No, no, no, this has to be a joke!" Georg screamed as he tried to drag his body across the ground.
"Why are you running? You shouldn't run away. You came to this land to kill and ravage it like a feral savage with not a single drop of mercy. Tell me, do you recall the faces of the innocent residents of this realm as you use those fancy spells of yours against them? Did you show mercy when they pleaded for their lives?" Vali asks as she buries her right foot on the back of her prey. "Your kind don't deserve mercy."
Georg shrieks in complete fear as he continues to try to get away, but then his mind recalls a particular piece of information. "That white armor. That magic circle. You're… the Lucifer brat! The one that Rizevim and Razevan were looking to capture. How could I forget that? Danmit. A monster born from other monsters!"
Vali's whole world stops moving as she hears those names. "..." She bends down until her clawed hand grabs a hold of Georg's neck. As she raises his body, the helmet around her face disappears only to show an expression that could freeze hell itself. Her eyes were not those of a devil but instead those of a dragon. "Where is their base? Where are those bastards?"
"Vali, don't let it drive your actions." Albion pleaded with Vali as he feared the worst.
Georg grasps for air in fear as Vali increases the strength of her grasp. "You… can't reach them….. They are always…. Moving. Let… me… go… and… I… can….-"
Georg doesn't get to finish as Vali places a hand on top of his head. "I don't negotiate with savages like you. I'm going to take it straight from the source." A new magic circle appears.
"What- Ahhhh!" Georg screams in pain as his mind and brain are forcefully invaded by the spell of Vali. Foam escapes his mouth as blood bursts through every hole in his head.
Just a few moments later, Vali drops the lifeless body of Georg with a cold expression still plastered across her face. "... They…. Are searching for me—those bastards."
"Vali…. You shouldn't seek them. They must want something from you; we both know it doesn't involve making amends for their sins. Let Azazel and Shemhazai take care of this." Albion pleads.
Yet Vali remains silent as she recalls the small pieces she could recall from the spell. "... Let's return to Tosca. We can talk about this after the mission is over."
"... Alright-"
Yet their plans were interrupted by a new power surge they sensed. Vali twists her head around towards the direction of the source. Her instincts go rampant as she feels threatened alongside Albion.
"This has to be a joke. That sort of power could belong to 'Him,' but he's dead." Albion says as he recalls the sight of the one god who shouldn't be alive.
"Tosca… Shit. We need-" Vali stopped herself as her ears detected the peculiar sound of an object breaking the sound barrier several times as it flew past her.
Her eyes could only see it for a few moments, but she noticed the symbol of the Alliance resting on one side of its mechanic body, which pierced the sky with tremendous speed.
Meanwhile, deep under Shangri-La.
Ereshkigal remained calm as she awaited news from her allies. She sat on her small gazebo, overlooking the sealed behemoth they were protecting.
"I pray for their safety, but above all, I hope you won't keep us waiting much longer. It has been rough on all of us. Just how much more we have to wait-" Ereshkigal stopped herself as she noticed how the gigantic incomplete spear buried deep within Ddraig's chest starts to spin once more.
The ground begins to shake as the spear gains momentum before the dragon starts to growl with his eyes closed as his power arises again.
"Ddraig?" Ereshkigal calls out his name.
The dragon extends one of his arms towards the sky as a single name escapes his mouth. "To…sca!"
Was this the time for his return, or was something else taking place?