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
Part A:
The city lay in ruins. The one proud capital of the Alliance was nothing more than a burning mess as a gigantic creature destroyed everything in its path.
Akeno stood frozen at the main entrance as she witnessed the legendary creature her father feared.
"Its eyes were devoid of mercy, my child. In all my life, facing that thing has been and will always be the scariest moment." Baraqiel's words came back to her as she lay frozen in place.
"Hey, fear won't help now." A voice called out to her.
The sound of approaching steps drew her attention, yet she couldn't turn around.
"I get it. That thing is terrific, but fearing it won't help."
The sound of the steps intensified as more people joined the first. With each second, more pairs of steps joined in until she couldn't determine how many people were approaching her.
The beast's head turned towards her, but its eyes weren't focused on her. Instead, they followed what lay behind Akeno.
Akeno listened as many voices shouted with glorious battle cries before they rushed past her and went after the beast.
A hand touched her shoulder, yet Akeno's eyes remained focused on the battle before her. She saw many faces, some of which she recognized, while others felt similar but different from what she knew.
"Fear won't help us. Fear is useless before this beast. Fear will only obstruct our path. Don't fear anything, and embrace your gift. Embrace your nature and its duality. War will be followed by peace, and the tarnished peace shall give birth to war."
The figure walks past her alongside another three. Akeno's eyes start to follow the backs of these four figures, but her eyes are attracted to the one with the blood halo and red-stained black wings.
"Don't fear what you are. Embrace what we are, and you'll be ready one day."
Her black armor followed the pattern of her wings as red stains akin to blood stains covered many parts of the entirety of her armor. Akeno couldn't see her face, but her long black hair resembled hers.
"... Wait!" Akeno reached for the figure, but the 'dream' started crumbling around her until nothing remained.
Real world.
The loud sound of her morning alarm was the first thing that drew her attention as she opened her eyes. The second was the blood halo levitating on top while spinning at high speeds.
No drop fell from the halo, regardless of how fast it moved.
Akeno reached out and tried to vanish the halo, but although its shape was disrupted as soon as her hand moved away, it regained its initial shape without losing a single drop of blood.
As her eyes checked her hand, Akeno noticed the blood didn't stain her hand.
"... This just gets more weird with each second."
Akeno closed her eyes and started to recall when it appeared. The so-called 027-Gremory and 067-Malphas had been a challenging pair that pushed her and Rias to the limit.
Each attack they blocked or dodged held the intent to kill, and the fact that half of Ria's face was profusely bleeding after receiving a direct hit told Akeno that they were in danger.
"That bitch! I won't let it get her way. I'm killing her no matter what!" Akeno remembered Rias' voice as she got up each time and ignored all the blood she was losing.
The determination behind her eyes as she faced an opponent that seemed much stronger than her was outstanding. It almost seemed driven by pure insanity as she got up, regardless of the damage she received.
"... She never stopped or doubted her abilities."
Akeno remembered smiling and feeling confident while at Rias' side. The thrill of the battle wasn't attractive to her, but fighting alongside her rival ignited something deep inside her.
"I…. I never wanted to be left behind by her. She has always been rude yet true to her feelings and our connection. I needed to be as determined as her and then…."
She recalled the sensation. Deep inside her soul, something arose to the surface when she needed it the most.
It felt weird yet warm, like a spark driven by a higher will.
"War and peace go in hand. War can't last forever, and peace can easily be broken. Both shared a connection. Embrace it. Embrace that nature."
A voice akin to her own spoke directly to her mind as the halo took shape.
Her power elevated to new heights as Rias's power did the same, leading to their victory.
Akeno's eyes focused on the palm of her right hand. Tiny red sparks circulated across it.
"...Dad might know what this is. I can't evade this conversation for much longer."
Several minutes later.
Akeno sat on the kitchen table alongside her parents. Her younger brother peacefully slept in the living room while the three of them had this long-coming conversation.
Her hands enclosed a tea cup while she readied herself before speaking. "... Dad, Mom…. Do…. you know what this mysterious power is?"
Baraqiel's eyes remained closed as he reflected upon the question while her mother took a sip of her own tea.
As Shuri placed her tea down, her eyes turned to Baraqiel. "Honey, she wants to know. Even if you're not sure, I think it is best if you tell her. Everyone else left it to us."
Baraqiel nods. "... You've always been special, Akeno. Quick to anger yet holding so much potential and mysterious power that resembled mine while also feeling alien to me or Shuri."
Shuri nods as she recalls the earlier days. "Your power was hard to manage as a baby. You would shoot small sparks in all directions when crying, and it didn't take long before you started to summon tiny familiars."
"Tiny familiars? I don't recall such things." Akeno says.
Baraqiel nods. "You were too young to remember, but unintentionally, your power led to the creation of small, unstable familiars. They only lasted until you stop crying. We didn't know why that happened, but we learned to get used to it. I had questions as a parent, but the answers have evaded me for many years. I had resigned myself to accept it as part of my power influencing yours, but you did not obtain that halo due to my power. That is all yours, and it has been the most significant clue I have ever got. Akeno, have you ever heard about the prophecy regarding the four horsemen?"
Akeno raises an eyebrow. "You always said that the Bible wasn't an accurate resource to study about Paraiso."
Shuri nods. "Like many human books, the book is inaccurate, but some things hold some truth."
Baraqiel opens his eyes as he faces the ceiling. "Back when I and everyone else were mere children in Paraiso, Father taught us many things, from how to use our powers to how we should live our lives. Among the many things he taught us, the original prophecy of the four horsemen was told to us. Around the time, nobody doubted his words, but after we left Paraiso, many of us ignored his words. We sought freedom, and a prophecy about the end of times wasn't something we felt was necessary."
"... What is that prophesy, Dad?" Akeno asks as her interest grows.
"... As the time of judgment comes closer, four shall awaken as the signs of the incoming Apocalypse—the four chosen by nobody but their own awakening. The first will be a horsemen symbolizing the connection between war and peace. The horseman who reigns over decay and rebirth is the second to awaken. The third shall be a horseman who leads to the glory of victory and acceptance of defeat. The final one will walk the fine line between death and life. Their allegiance will be to each other as siblings bound by something beyond blood and the age that shall come after the end. As the four come together, the final judgment shall begin." Baraqiel ends.
"... Wait…. Am I a horseman? You're saying that I'm the first sign of the Apocalypse? And how did he know about this?" Akeno points at herself as she questions the prophecy.
"I don't know how he learned about the prophecy, but it is starting to feel real. It can explain many things, but there's no need to be afraid. Horsemen or not, you're our daughter, no matter what." Shuri says.
"But… a horsemen? I…." Akeno seemed a bit distressed as she tried to understand her position. "Does everyone else know?"
"The prominent members have discussed it with Shiva, but he hasn't confirmed it. He only said to leave alone and let you come to your own answer." Baraqiel answers.
"I'm the one that needs to decide?" Akeno asks.
"A horseman is not a title that can be given. Based on the prophecy, you're the one who shall decide if you are the one. You decide if the title fits you or not, but regardless of the answer, you will remain our daughter." Baraqiel reaches out and holds his hand.
Shuri does the same. "You're our child; no matter your title, you will remain our daughter. We have seen you grow from a mere baby to an amazing teen. Just remember that you're the one who chooses how to use this power."
"Dad, Mom….. I…. I'm afraid of this. Afraid of what this awakening will mean." Akeno admits.
Baraqiel shakes his head. "Fear won't help. We already knew that the end was near. Don't fear this power. That power protected you against the fragment's influence, which puts me at ease. This power shall keep you safe as long as that spear is around. Don't reject it and embrace it." His expression showed his own fears as he recalled the feeling of the fragment's will as it forced his way inside his mind.
"... I'll try. I'll… try to accept it." Akeno said with some doubt in her voice.
An hour later.
"I didn't think you'd come to visit me so directly," Rias admitted, allowing Akeno inside her room.
Akeno entered the massive room only to notice a large painting of a particular dragon hanging on a wall. "... That wasn't there last time I came by."
Rias smirks. "I ordered a while ago, and it just came in. I told them that it needed to catch his presence and beauty in both forms." Rias approaches the painting as she carefully touches it. "I couldn't move my eyes away from him since I met him. The child, the dragon, no matter his appearance, Issei held indescribable sadness behind his eyes when we met, and I couldn't help but want to reach out. I wanted to aid him in any way I could; to me, he is the one person I can't let go."
Akeno could see the pure affection Rias felt for the Welsh Dragon. Like a damsel smitten by love, she cared for the Welsh Dragon like few could claim. "How are you holding after what Tosca said?"
"About Ddraig not being able to hear his voice? That doesn't change anything. Issei and Ddraig were always one being. Since day one, it was always that way. As long as one remains, neither will disappear. Loving the Welsh Dragon involves accepting all parts of him. I'm not letting go of his hand, no matter what." Determination could be seen in Rias's eyes as she faced Akeno.
Akeno softly smiles as she turns her eyes to the painting. "I wonder what he would say to me if I told him that I'm supposed to be the first horseman of the Apocalypse."
Rias raises an eyebrow. "That's why you have this mysterious halo?" Her hand reaches out and starts to play with the halo, leading to similar results. "No stains….. It's such a weird halo."
"My… dad told me about the prophecy the Bible god told his children long ago. If the prophecy is true, it would mean that I'm the first horseman, symbolizing the connection between war and peace." Akeno admits as she continues to observe the painting.
"War and peace…. The duality of opposite sides. It is rather unexpected but not weird. I'm far from average since the incident with my devil piece set, and since day one, you haven't fitted the average Nephilim mold." Rias says. "Are you afraid of this horseman thing?"
"... Maybe… I mean, I feel like I'm some kind of bad omen." Akeno turns to face her.
Rias starts to giggle. "Bad omen? Do you really think those things are real?"
Akeno grows mad at the reaction of her rival. "Is not funny!"
"I know, I know, but come on. Akeno, we're getting ready to face a monster that consumes planets and threatens the tree. Horseman or not, the end is already coming closer with each day." Rias' eyes turn to the painting. "I don't care about omens or prophecies; I only believe in him. I know that if anyone is going to be able to defeat that beast, it is him, and I'm determined to walk the path alongside him. Stop doubting yourself and just put your hopes on him like I do. He hasn't failed once in proving our expectations right." Rias reaches for and touches the small necklace around her neck, which holds two rings. "I know he won't fail, and that is all I need."
Akeno already knew that she couldn't reason with Rias' beliefs, but right now, her words were aiding her in coming to terms with her issue. "... Horseman or not…. If I continue to place my hopes in the Welsh Dragon, everything will be alright…."
The young horseman remained silent alongside her rival as she reflected upon her new title.
Part B.
The loud sound of a hammer hitting burning hot metal echoes across the forge as the master and his single student work together to finish their work.
Isaiah's chest was uncovered just like Hephaestus's, and both faced the intensity of the flames head-on. Each one held their hammers as they carefully delivered hit after hit against the burning metal they worked on.
On the sidelines, a lone master of the blade watched in silence as he admired the dedication of his son/student as Isaiah grasped the teachings of Hephaestus.
The attention with which Isaiah hit the metal was worthy of respect. His eyes carefully analyzed each inch of the blade as his master taught him. There were no distractions or careless swings; each one was precise and precise, with enough strength to shape the metal into the right shape while also not weakening the metal to a point where the blade might break.
With one last hit, Isaiah stops his movements.
Hephaestus looks at him. "You think it is ready?"
Isaiah nods. "The shape is right, and the length meets the requirements. Any more, and the blade might break on us like I did back then."
Hephaestus nods. "Good. You're catching up. Let us stop for now." The god puts his hammer down before his student does the same. "He makes a great student, Okita."
"I know. He is determined to learn the craft which I couldn't even after so many years." Okita admits.
Hephestus shakes his head. "Your talents lay somewhere else while his are drawn to this. Let's speak about that blade of yours, Isaiah. After facing the famous spear that pierced Christ, how do you feel about your blades?"
"32 cracks and 34 chips alongside the blade after the fight. It did well, much better than any previous combat I faced, but I can see that there's a long path ahead. My blade can face him, but it won't finish the job. I also need to put more power into my swings since my opponents seemed to grow tougher to cut down." Isaiah explains before he summons an exact copy of the blade he used in the mission.
Hephaestus holds it and examines it before he passes it on to Okita. "I see what you mean. The blade's edge is impressive, but without a strong swing, it won't cut. Your enemies will grow stronger with each new mission. As the Alliance goes on the offensive, you'll find yourself facing stronger enemies each time. Your attacks need to be able to cut anything and anyone down."
"I know…. If I can't do that, then I won't be able to stand at her side." Isaiah lowers his head as he fears not being enough to support Tosca.
Okita sees Isaiah's expression. While holding the sword, Okita swings it and tries to cut Isaiah in two.
Isaiah reacts unconsciously as his body moves to stop the blade with his hands.
"Look at you. Are you really going to sulk now? Isaiah, you have been fighting for 4 years by her side and never failed. You hold your ground against an enemy that could have eliminated any devil. Be proud of your achievements, and never lower your head. I raised you better, so don't bring shame to yourself or our family. The Welsh Dragon entrusted you with his child, so put everything on the line to secure her safety. If you doubt, you'll lose everything." Okita's eyes flare up as he awaits his son's reaction.
He puts more strength behind the blade, but Isaiah doesn't let the blade move even an inch.
"... I already know it, master. I don't need you to tell me that. I promised not to let go again, and I'm not about to do it now. I will cut anyone that threatens her." Isaiah's eyes turned crimson red as his devil power arose from within.
Hephaestus and Okita watched as the dark aura surrounding Isaiah grew stronger every second while his metallic arm shined.
Okita grins as he pulls the blade back. "Glad to know that you remain true to your beliefs. I won't allow you to go on the next mission if you're not ready for it. You're going to a place I can't reach if you are in danger."
Isaiah raises an eyebrow. "You're worried?"
"I have to be. You will face more challenging missions from now on as the training wheels are being taken away. I must follow my king to any battlefield he walks into while you follow your own path. As a master and your parent I won't deny that I do feel afraid of what awaits you. Especially the next one, rumors about that land don't put me at ease." Okita admits as he returns the blade to his son.
"Nidavellir, the realm of the Dwarves. I don't know a lot about them besides the technology and legendary weapons they had produced throughout the ages." Isaiah says.
Hephaestus caresses his bear as he recalls his own knowledge. "Is not a realm for newbies to explore. Its surface is not viable for life due to the many volcanic gases covering it, yet the underground is a different affair. A complex maze of cave systems that are comparable in size to the largest of continents exists as the home of dwarves and a rather rough array of creatures. Mining operations are crucial to the lifestyle of dwarves with a deep attachment to rare minerals. The rarer the mineral offered will determine how willing a dwarf is to do business. They don't like elves, so it is best not to be seen alongside them. Alcohol is also a good way to gain the trust of dwarven people, but your father is right about something. Nidavellir is no longer stable."
"How so?" Isaiah questions the god.
"After the war, a new faction arose from the leading dwarven family. The brother of the leading chief of the dwarves created his own faction and broke society in half due to a wild idea that he started to follow." Hephaestus snaps his finger, and a flying golem appears while carrying many scrolls.
A single scroll falls from its claws, which Hephaestus catches.
Okita and Isaiah examine the writing alongside the god as he opens the scroll.
"Talus, the Mechanic Heretic, believed that dwarven should discard their weaknesses and embrace the strength of metal. He and his followers had discarded most of their flesh while replacing them with machine parts until they became horrendous visages of pure insanity. They call themselves the kingdom of the mechanical age. They are somewhat secretive and hold complete animosity against their former brethren and anyone who doesn't embrace their teachings. The flesh is weak, and metal should be embraced to be stronger. I heard rumors about them using mysterious methods to create life and horrendous experiments that dwell on the darker side of science." Hephaestus explains.
"... Do you think that they might hold a connection with our enemies?" Isaiah asks.
Hephaestus thinks about it before he answers. "Either one of the two factions could be the target. The Kingdom of the Mechanical Age might be insane, but the Dwarven Unified Clan is not better in some ways. Their hatred for the Elves runs deep as they crave the minerals found within the Elves' home and would do anything to get their hands on them. They are also somewhat obsessive about weapons that they don't know about. If they see a legendary weapon, they will try anything to steal and research it until they figure out how to recreate it. The same happens with items of unknown precedence. If you meet them, don't tell them about your arm or abilities; they might try to capture you, and who knows what they'll do. The same happens with the Kingdom, so be extremely careful."
"I see…. We need to be careful about what we show." Isaiah starts to tap the floor as he thinks about what they should do.
"The final orders haven't been decided yet, but they will likely involve gathering intel and confirming a connection between either faction and our enemies. As we're speaking, a messenger should have reached Asgard with a message that explains the information we have. Asgard won't be happy about one of their allies working in secret with a group that is connected to Loki. We're hoping our message might gain some aid from the Asgardian in confirming these facts." Okita adds.
"What about you and the rest? I get what my team is supposed to do, but I'm curious about the rest of the Alliance." Isaiah asks as he turns to his father.
"We'll be on standby on Alfheim. There was some information about a possible attack against them, so we'll be aiding them. There's also the fact that both realms are close in distance, so if your team needs reinforcements, we'll be able to reach you much faster than if we were here. Still, that doesn't mean we can get you that quickly, so extreme carefulness will be crucial to your mission. You understand this?" Okita asks as he faces Isaiah.
"I know. I will do my best to ensure our entire team returns in one piece." Isaiah affirms with full confidence.
"Good, that's what I want to hear. Don't lose your head, or I'll bring you back to life just to punish your carelessness. No child of mine gets to die before I do. Children should be the ones to bury their fathers and not the other way around." Okita says as he pats Isaih's head.
"That…. Won't make it better for me." Isaiah replies.
"Just let him have this, kid. No father wants to bury their child. I also expect you to take care of Eury." Hephaestus says.
"?" Isaiah turns around to face the god. "Eury-sama is coming along?"
"How else are you planning to traverse those cave systems? She's preparing one of her inventions as we speak. I hope your team enjoys it." Hephaestus says with a proud expression.
His words left Isaiah with many questions, as he had no idea what kind of creation the goddess was preparing.
Meanwhile, Eury's lab.
The goddess grins as she admires her creation. "The Unicorn was only the beginning. If Shiva wants me to go all out, I will create the best ships seen across the tree."
Before her eyes stood a prototype like no other.
A creation that resembled the Unicorn in some ways but at a much smaller scale.
The next generation of ships to traverse the unknown was in the making.