Hey there!
I've read the reviews and received the messages. After rereading the fight scenes, I agree—they were definitely anticlimactic and, honestly, kind of boring. One thing is for sure. Sasuke was never meant to seem weak—that's the last thing I wanted. So, I went back, rewrote both fights (Issei/Riser) to make them more engaging and fleshed out. In my opinion, they're far superior now, if you want to-read em'.
/ "Dialogue." /
/ 'Internal Thoughts.' /
/ "Flashback Dialogue." /
The Prince of Devils
Son of Lucifer - The Embodiment of Evil - Crystallization of Malice
Rizevim. Livan. Lucifer.
He sat upon his makeshift throne beneath the Tepes Castle. For years, he had lingered here, residing in the shadows, watching, waiting. In the past, he saw no clear purpose for his existence, no future worth pursuing—until recent discoveries had changed everything.
To his left stood one his personal vanguards, Crom Cruach—the true evil dragon, the black beast, a being of raw darkness. Silent and menacing, his mere presence cast an oppressive weight over the room.
To the devil's right, a man of similar build leaned against the wall. His short green hair barely moved, and his serpent-like hazel eyes flickered with boredom. Restless, he repeatedly banged his head against the stone, desperate to relieve his dissatisfaction with the stillness around him.
Suddenly, a circular light appeared before them.
"A magic circle? Through our barrier?" The green-haired man muttered, his tone half-amused, half-annoyed.
It was true—magic circles could penetrate even the most fortified barriers, but only if the caster possessed the knowledge and skill to manipulate them correctly and know of the destination. For it to show here was a strange the hidden nature of their location, few would even know of such a feat.
"It's Euclid's signature," Crom Cruach observed, his voice a low growl. "Why wouldn't he just walk here?"
Rizevim grinned, his interest piqued.
The circle flared to life, and from its center emerged not Euclid, but a man. A human. He stepped out of the circle with an air of seemingly innocent intent. His jet-black hair framed his face, but the dark eyes glinted with suspicion. His black coat trailed behind him, and in his hand, he gripped a blade that was already unsheathed, its edge sharp.
He carried that permanent scowl on his face. Constantly upset, constantly annoyed, constantly disappointed.
"Sasuke-chan," Rizevim greeted, his tone light and mockingly warm. "It's been some time. What brings you here? Having trouble with your mission?"
Sasuke stood silent, his eyes narrowing as he inspected his blade, the frown on his face deepening. Without a word, he raised the sword, scanning it briefly, and then, with deliberate calm, hurled it straight at the devil.
The room erupted in an instant.
Both dragons leapt into action immediately. Crom Cruach's massive form moved at fast speeds, his hand snapping forward to catch the blade mid-air by its hilt, stopping its deadly trajectory just inches from Rizevim.
"Grendel! Protect the Prince!" Crom barked, his voice a growl of command.
The green-haired man—Grendel, clearly not human—scoffed, cracking his neck with a grin. "Fuck that! I'm going in!"
"You'll do as I tell you!" Crom growled, his aura flaring with dark, oppressive energy. The aura radiated off him in waves, forcing even Grendel, rebellious by nature, to submit. He cursed under his breath but stepped back, eyeing Crom with lingering defiance.
Sasuke did not move. He stood in the exact spot, unfazed, as Crom's fist hovered just before him. His eyes weren't even looking at the dragon, which infuriated the beast. He knew that the devil would not allow things to escalate, and for good reason. Rizevim knew much about Sasuke, but not as much as he would like. And that was precisely how the shinobi intended it to be.
No one wished for the castle to collapse from a fight.
"You can take that back," The Uchiha finally spoke, his voice cold and steady, breaking the silence. "I should've known your gifts would be tainted. It was my fault for trusting them."
The word "trust" held weight, and with Rizevim, that meant one thing, not trusting him.
It was a complex relationship.
Lucifer stood, his expression shifting from casual to flamboyant in an instant. "Gifts?! That was a reward! Don't you remember? You bested Yaegaki-kun in combat!"
Sasuke remembered. When he had first arrived here, still recovering, he had asked for a sword. Whether out of curiosity or for their own amusement, they had offered him to spar with Masaomi Yaegaki—a former dead man slightly older than him, with eyes that burned with vengeful fury. He was also human but had been betrayed by the church for loving a woman he was not supposed to love.
"It tried to kill me," Sasuke said, his voice lowering, "Which means you tried to kill me. Don't think I'll let that slide."
The Super-Devil chuckled, almost gleeful. "Well, duh! Didn't you listen to the warning when we gave it to you?"
He recalled the words that had been spoken when the blade had first been placed in his hands.
"This is a special blade. You must care for it, sharpen it, speak to it. Bond with it. Otherwise… who knows what will happen?"
At the time, Sasuke had dismissed those words as mere symbolism. In the Land of Iron, samurai revered their swords, but to him, a sword was just a tool—a weapon.
"That blade has a soul," Rizevim explained. "An evil dragon's soul." He tossed the sword back at the human, who let it fall to the ground. "Though it's only half its soul—so you've only seen half its power!"
Grendel lowered his head, his voice quiet. "I can hear him. He's pleading. He wants to kill. Poor Yamata-san…"
Rizevim grinned, "The Yamata no Orochi," He elaborated, his voice dripping with amusement. "The Venom Blood Dragon. That sword you have was found in its own corpse, and for fun, we sealed part of its soul inside it. Isn't that hilarious?" The devil laughed, as he always did. "And since you're now among devils, it'll be easier to kill them if you ever need to—since it's also a Holy Sword! Now tell me again, you don't want it?"
The Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi.
The Divine Spiritual Sword.
The Grass-Cutting Sword.
Or as Sasuke knew it, from his world…
The Sword of Kusanagi. It was the same name of the blade Orochimaru had given him, the one he lost fighting Kaguya.
Sasuke's mind wandered in that moment, contemplating the bizarre connections between the shinobi world and this one. There were too many coincidences to ignore, and it felt strange—'Maybe the Otsutsuki did come from her.' He thought, though his gaze shifted back to the blade on the ground.
He inspected the sword again, but the idea of speaking to a weapon? That was something he still struggled to comprehend.
"Bring it with you," Rizevim spoke suddenly, his voice slicing through the human's thoughts. The Uchiha raised his head, narrowing his eyes as he studied the Devil, "There's a very big meeting coming soon," He continued, a grin playing at the corners of his lips. "I want you to attend. She will be there. We will all be there."
The mention of her sparked a flicker of curiosity in the Shinobi's mind, though his expression remained cold and unreadable.
It was late at night, and the devils had regrouped after a grueling battle. Sasuke found himself once again pulled into Rias Gremory's peerage, joining them for yet another fateful encounter—this time against a stray devil that lurked in the shadows, preying on unsuspecting humans. What should have been a straightforward engagement quickly became complicated. Their coordinated attacks, typically executed in decent harmony, were disrupted by an unsettling shift in the team's dynamic.
Kiba was distracted.
As the battle unfolded, Kiba's lapse in attention resulted in a heavy blow to Koneko. Though she had been healed afterward and was now resting, the damage had already been done. It was clear that something was wrong with him.
SLAP
Rias's hand connected with Kiba's face, the sound echoing in the aftermath of the fight. Her eyes blazed with frustration as she berated him, scolding him for his failure in front of everyone. Yuuto accepted it, his expression hardening, but defiance flickered in his eyes as he turned and stormed away. Sasuke observed him, offering a glance laced with a hint of respect. But he knew better than to pry into whatever was troubling the knight. That was his burden to bear.
Issei, ever the optimist, chased after Kiba, calling out in an attempt to console his friend. However, Yuuto shrugged him off, leaving the pawn to return looking defeated.
"I hope he's okay…" Asia muttered, her voice soft with concern.
The pawn nodded, though his expression mirrored her worry. "Yeah… me too."
Rias let out a sigh, her posture easing. "Yuuto is going through something tough, like we all do at times. We just need to be there for him." She then smiled, "But the mission was a success, and Koneko-chan is strong. I know she'll recover. And Sasuke, thank you for your help tonight. We couldn't have done it without you…"
Sasuke didn't respond, knowing they could have managed without him.
Akeno's smile brightened as she teased, "Buchou seems to appreciate Sasuke-kun's efforts more and more these days…"
"I owe him a lot, and you too, Issei," Rias admitted, her voice softer now. Though it had been her pawn who saved her from Riser, the King felt a strong appreciation for them both.
Sasuke glanced at the pawn. It had been the human's idea to use Amaterasu against Riser, but it was Issei who had combined his [BOOST] and [TRANSFER] abilities with the flames, amplifying their speed and power. It was a clever move—one Sasuke hadn't expected.
Perhaps he had underestimated the pawn's potential after all.
Issei chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his head. "Oh, the wedding? That was kind of both our idea..."
Forget that, perhaps his estimation was entirely accurate. Issei knew not to bring him into this.
Sasuke's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing into a sharp, icy glare that cut through Issei's flustered laughter. He hadn't wanted his name mentioned. His classmate knew not to bring him into this.
Issei shrank under the weight of his stare. "R-Right. Sorry."
"You missed the celebrations, Sasuke-kun," Akeno mused, her voice playful. "We all wanted to celebrate with you in our own ways, especially our 'King'."
"It was time for me to go," He replied, dismissing the topic. "Thank your brother for pushing the fight to happen."
The 'King' brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, her expression thoughtful. "Honestly, I thought it was you who would…"
Sasuke shrugged. "I'm human," he said simply. "How would that have looked for his family? Had I embarrassed one of your... Pure-Bloods."
Rias hesitated, then nodded. "Y-You're right. You're quite aware of devil politics—that'll serve you well when you become one."
The deadpan expression was met with amusement from the Queen, who had clearly noticed Rias's persistent attempts to induct him into her peerage. That was the thing about Rias Gremory; she was accustomed to everyone saying yes to her. For someone like him—a human—to refuse her even once added even more mystique and intrigue to the way she looked at him.
She would not take no for an answer.
Life at school had become more interesting, but the institution itself remained the same—mundane and boring. Sasuke excelled in his classes effortlessly, whether it was reading, listening, mathematics, or history. Even when he wasn't paying attention, he absorbed everything.
Word had spread that he was a member of the Occult Research Club, and that shifted perceptions. It made him appear more approachable, and where once rumors had painted him as distant or cold, now there was a sense of intrigue. Perhaps he wasn't so misunderstood after all.
Two boys—one bald and the other wearing glasses—stared at him from across the room. Their scowls were familiar, as if they were annoyed by his presence. They whispered to each other, casting sidelong glances in his direction. Sasuke ignored them but couldn't help noticing Aika Kiryuu, who made it clear she had no fear of him. In fact, she seemed to oddly enjoy his strange, domineering presence, making sly remarks whenever they crossed paths.
The bell rang, signaling the end of another tedious school day. Thank God.
Outside, Sasuke had nearly made his escape when something caught his eye. A group of figures stood out among the students. They wore hoods that did little to conceal their identities. They hadn't noticed him, so he took advantage of the moment to observe. At first, he thought they were devils—after all, this school housed only devils among the supernatural. But a quick assessment told him otherwise.
'Humans.' He realized. But not ordinary ones.
His eyes followed their backs, where a faint glow of bright yellow flickered, barely visible but unmistakable. It was an aura he recognized well—his own sword carried the same glow when unsheathed.
A voice broke through his thoughts. "Holy swords," Sona Sitri said, her tone calm but laced with concern. Sasuke turned slightly, his expression unreadable as she approached, her gaze fixed on the cloaked figures. "What are exorcists doing here?" she asked, her eyes shifting to him. "They aren't supposed to be on my territory. Do you know anything about this?"
Sasuke didn't answer. He didn't know, and even if he did, he still wouldn't have said anything. Silence was often his weapon, and now was no different.
Sona sighed, clearly frustrated but knowing better than to press him for answers. She shifted her focus back to the exorcists, her eyes narrowing as she contemplated their presence.
The Occult Research Club felt quieter than usual when Sasuke walked in, expecting the usual crowd. However, it seemed he had arrived earlier than anticipated; only the King and Queen were present. He could hear the faint sound of water running from the bathroom as Akeno busily set up the room, preparing everything as she usually did.
"Hello," She greeted him with her signature smile. "Sit down. I'll get you some tea."
He obliged, already sensing the inevitable conversation about the visitors to the school. As he took his seat, Akeno handed him a cup, warm steam curling upwards.
"Sometimes, I feel like you only come here for this." She teased lightly.
He took a sip. It was as good as last time—no, even better. The taste evoked a familiar, nostalgic feeling, reminiscent of home and the tea shops he would often stop by along the road.
"You're good at it."
Akeno beamed, "We have some time before Rias is ready. She's meeting with the Student Council President," she explained. "As for Issei, Kiba, and Koneko…"
"What about them?"
"They are later than usual. Rias-sama thinks something strange is going on with them." The Queen replied with a knowing smile. "I'm surprised you're not with them, considering you and Issei have a tendency to plot in the shadows."
Sasuke smirked faintly. "That was him. I had no idea what he was planning until it happened."
Akeno giggled softly. "No need to downplay it. You care. You may not talk much, but your actions speak, and that hasn't gone unnoticed."
"But what about you?" He asked, shifting the conversation. "You seemed content with the way things were going. Did you not want the wedding to be stopped?"
Her smile faltered for a moment, revealing a trace of discomfort. "Ara, no, no, I disliked Riser as much as the next girl," She admitted without hesitation. "It's just… I owe a lot to the Gremory family. I didn't want to be the one to ruin everything, even if it was for the better." The words carried a deeper weight—gratitude and obligation that tied her to her King's family in more ways than one might expect.
"What did they do for you?"
She smirked, her elegantly perfected expression revealing a playful glint in her eyes, "What makes you so curious?"
"I'm not," He replied coolly. "Talking passes the time."
"That it does," She said, taking a sip of his tea. "But talking only works if both of us are speaking." Her eyes lingered on him, and Sasuke lingered back, "Rias made me her Queen, a title I hold dearly. She's my confidant, my best friend, and my King."
"Becoming part of someone's peerage…" His voice trailed off as he thought about it. "Did you die?"
Akeno leaned in closer, her lips just brushing against his ear as she whispered, "I'll answer one of your questions if you answer one of mine."
Sasuke smirked, "... And what could you possibility want to know now? Who taught me how to read? How to swing a sword?"
"Why do your eyes change colors?"
It hadn't been meant as a difficult question, but the longer he remained silent, the more the Queen realized the subject ran deeper than expected.
Luckily, the silence was broken just in time by a sudden pounding at the door.
Never had the Occult Research Club faced such tension, nor had it hosted so many people at once. Rias, flanked by her peerage, stood on one side, while Sona Sitri and her own peerage observed the proceedings from the other. At the center of it all, two members of the church—humans, not angels—sat before them, their presence underscoring the gravity of the situation. The two holy swords placed nearby only added fuel to the impending fire.
Kiba, unable to remain still, fidgeted in his seat, the mere presence of the holy swords clearly unsettling him. Rias, ever calm and composed, addressed the church representatives with her usual diplomatic grace. One of the humans, Xenovia, with her striking blue hair and hazel eyes, radiated authority, while the other, Irina, with brown hair and violet eyes, sat casually in what she believed was enemy territory.
"We come in peace," Irina declared, her voice carrying the weight of her mission. "We are representatives of the Church, seeking six of the nine holy swords that were once in our possession."
"The Excalibur." A voice laced with absolute malice responded. The Knight lowered his eyes at the pair, an intense, ominous glare radiating from him.
Xenovia nodded, "Yes, the Excalibur fragments. We believe the Fallen Angels, or the Grigori, may have taken all of them. And they are closer to us than we think." She unsheathed her weapon, revealing the Holy Sword of Destruction, its blade glowing faintly.
The room fell silent, all eyes on the formidable Holy weapon. Irina, beside her, held the Holy Sword of Mimicry, its complex design hinting at the power it held.
"We do not need the devils involved in this situation," Xenovia added, her words sharp. "It's the Fallen Angels that concern us."
The two 'Kings' visibly bristled at her comment, though Sona maintained her calm exterior. "We would not lower ourselves to deal with Heaven's outcasts." She replied coldly, "Historically, the entire concept of the Fallen Angels is merely a failure on your part. And as we can clearly see, that tradition has not changed."
They did not appreciate the passive-aggressiveness. Irina opened her mouth to respond, but her comrade raised a hand, silently urging her to hold her tongue.
Rias nodded in agreement. "Helping one group of my enemies is not something I'm interested in."
Xenovia smirked, "I agree. Holy swords are a perfect counter to devils, and the Fallen Angels seek to defile anything connected to Heaven. It would be an alliance of disaster, for both of your… people."
The tension mounted, the air thick with unspoken threats. Sasuke, standing silently behind Rias, watched with muted intrigue as the conflict simmered. In his world, conflict was raw and relentless—war, hatred, revenge, and bloodshed formed the foundation of history. This world mirrored his in many ways, only on a grander scale. The difference was the existence of billions of humans, living in relative harmony, largely unaware of the hidden battles waged around them. Perhaps, Sasuke thought, that system was better—a world where the masses were sheltered from the chaos.
"No devil will help either of you," Rias concluded, her voice firm. "We will not intervene." The declaration seemed to ease the mood slightly, though Kiba grumbled quietly to himself. Sona gave Rias an approving nod, acknowledging her diplomatic composure.
"Destroy them, then." A voice called out.
The room seemed to pause, all eyes turning toward him, anticipation hanging in the air. Sasuke's voice, calm yet heavy with cold certainty, cut through the silence. His dark eyes locked onto hers, unwavering, as he walked past the group of devils standing before them, his presence commanding attention without effort.
Irina blinked in confusion. "Destroy... what?"
The Uchiha's gaze lowered to the Excalibur fragments they carried. "You're worried they'll combine the swords to create one powerful weapon?" He tilted his head slightly, his expression slightly amused. "Then destroy the ones you have. That way, they can't be used by anyone. You even brought them here, to this location, making it easier for them. Good job."
It was not an entirely bad idea. However, it did raise the heat in the room once more.
"That's not the same thing!" Irina snapped, her voice rising in protest. "Our Excaliburs are sacred to us! Blessed by Michael-sama himself, who personally entrusted them to OUR envoy. We would never destroy such holy relics."
Xenovia, stepped forward, her face set with determination. "I'm willing to give up this sword to stop what we fear they are planning, even give my life if it comes to that. But until then, these swords stay with us."
Kiba, who had forced himself to stay silent, suddenly couldn't hold back any longer. His voice rang out, loud and sharp, breaking the fragile calm in the room. "Good idea!" He said, standing tall with a newfound resolve. "We will destroy them right here, right now, and deal with the remaining fragments of Excalibur. Hand them over, and I'll take care of the rest."
The tension skyrocketed as those words echoed through the room. His voice, raw with emotion, carried the weight of years spent bitter over the Holy Sword Project and the pain it had caused him. The anger that fueled him was fierce his thirst for vengeance overtaking any sense of caution. In his eyes, this was personal—justice long overdue, no matter the consequences.
"You will do no such thing." Rias stepped forward, her aura commanding the room with undeniable authority. Her green eyes flashed as they locked onto Kiba, her expression stern and unyielding. "This is not how we solve this."
She then shifted her gaze to Irina and Xenovia, her tone colder than before. "For your own safety, you both should leave. Now."
The two church representatives exchanged a glance before standing, recognizing that the hospitality had reached its end. Xenovia's eyes shifted toward the only human in the room affiliated with the supernatural—Sasuke, "Beware of these devils, human. Embrace God instead... and you." She suddenly addressed Asia directly, her words dripping with disdain. "Asia Argento. Never would I have imagined a witch, who was blessed by Kami's power, would become a devil."
The meeting had been relatively peaceful up until that moment. But with a single comment, tension flared. A chair crashed to the floor, and the sharp sound of a teacup shattering echoed through the room. Issei, who had been quiet until now, shot to his feet, anger burning in his eyes. His fists clenched, and his voice trembled.
"It was God's fault she was blessed! And you have the audacity to come in here and look down on her after you cast her aside?!"
Xenovia flinched at Issei's outburst, clearly taken aback. For some reason, she hadn't expected a devil to leap so fiercely to the defense of someone affiliated with the church. Her surprise was evident, but she quickly masked it with a stoic expression, her gaze narrowing as she sized him up, "Casting aside is the punishment. If she wishes to show true mercy and reconciliation, she should have died. Perhaps, by suicide, or by a blade like mine own."
"Some dumb bitch from the church, who doesn't know Asia, telling her to kill herself, is what God stands for? What a stupid God!" His words left the devils in a moment of silent admiration. Even Sasuke could not deny that Issei truly cared for his comrades, and would fight for them in an instant. Whether it was stupidity, or not.
The exorcist's eyes narrowed. "Those are fighting words, demon. If you want to settle this outside, I'll gladly destroy you."
Before Issei could respond, Kiba stepped forward, his voice dark and filled with rage, "No, you won't. I'll be his champion."
It felt like blades had been drawn, but the Uchiha noticed something odd amidst the commotion. He stood quietly, observing the scene, curiosity flickering in his mind. He had already pieced together much about the politics of these factions—the devils, the church, the fallen—but one question still lingered, gnawing at the edges of his thoughts. One that he hadn't bothered to inquire about—until now.
"Let me ask you something." Sasuke suddenly spoke, his tone low but sharp, cutting through the chaos of yelling, barking, and threats like a blade through air. His voice carried such weight that the room fell silent instantly, all eyes turning toward him. "You keep talking about God—how important He is, how reliable, how we should all embrace His way, and receive his forgiveness, even if death is the only acceptable method."
Xenovia shot him a sarcastic glance, her voice dripping with irony. "Very observant. That is the way."
Sasuke lowered his gaze, his expression thoughtful. "How can you say that when… God is dead?"
The silence that followed was deafening, as if the world had frozen in time. Eyes widened, mouths hung open, and the air grew thick with shock and confusion. The words didn't seem to register—they couldn't. It was as though a foreign language had been spoken, both to the members of the church and the devils present.
Sasuke scanned the room, taking in the expressions of those around him. That's when he realized the truth.
They didn't know.
Whoops.
It felt as though this knowledge had been hidden from everyone. No one seemed aware of what he had just said. Sasuke had learned of God's death from Rizevim and Euclid long ago during his initial inquiries about this world. But now, seeing the shock on their faces—even among those deeply entrenched in their beliefs—he was astonished that such a crucial fact had remained a secret.
"…Dead?" Irina's voice broke the silence, her tone disbelieving. "Kami-sama, why is it always the good-looking ones that turn out to be the least intelligent?"
"Don't be ridiculous." Her comrade's voice cut in, firm and dismissive. "These devils may have convinced you that God is dead, but they'll say anything to seduce you. Don't fall for such a pretty face. You're better than that. At least, I hope so."
Akeno's voice chimed in, a teasing lilt in her tone. "Ara ara, in Rias' case, it might be the other way around."
Issei, still furious, roared at the top of his lungs, "Apologize to Asia!"
The room erupted once more into chaos, shouting matches breaking out left and right. It was all noise—endless, pointless noise. Sasuke, his expression unmoved, turned away from the scene. He had no reason to stay any longer.
Without a word, he left the room, feeling no urge to involve himself in the trivialities of their argument.
Sasuke's apartment was quiet, save for the faint hum of modern appliances he barely understood. The place had a traditional feel, like home, but some things, like the television, were odd to him. Reading, fortunately, was a comfort. He held Euclid's book, one of many texts about magic he'd been scannning over. There was so much to learn, so much potential that he could see through his sharingan. Barriers, teleportation, and other abilities caught his interest, particularly since he was curious how this world's magic could be applied to his own techniques.
Sighing, he closed the book and stared at the ceiling. He channeled chakra into his feet—something so simple for a shinobi—but it wasn't the outcome he wanted. Shinobi could walk on walls and water through chakra control, but his goal was different. 'It has to be from the Rinnegan.' He thought. The objective was to learn to fly—whether that meant soaring through the skies or simply floating gracefully in the air. Sasuke recalled how Obito and Madara had flown, but that had come after they received the Sage of Six Paths' power. The Rinnegan was often associated with gravity and telekinesis, suggesting that it might be possible for him now.
He decided to test something else, jumping higher and higher to see if any progress was being made. He focused chakra into his eyes, attempting to manipulate gravity.
SMASH
His head hit the ceiling, and he crashed onto the floor.
KNOCK KNOCK
The human paused, recognizing who it was. He tried to stay quiet and idle, hoping the person would just go away, but the knocking grew more persistent.
He sighed, got up, and opened the door, greeted by the sight of Yuuto Kiba standing there, his expression serious beneath the moonlit sky. Before Sasuke could say anything, Kiba spoke.
"If you wait too long before you strike, your target will vanish..." Kiba muttered, as if trying to justify his hesitation. He dropped lightly onto the railing, his face somber. "Sasuke-kun, I need your help."
Sasuke crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, "And what more can I do for you?"
Kiba hesitated again for a moment before continuing. "I know you're not one of us, but this is personal. I've already disappointed Buchou. I can't go back like this. I need your help with... the Excalibur." He added, "You and Issei-kun helped Rias-sama when she needed it. Though Issei-kun did the fighting, we know it was you who helped him and planned it."
Sasuke was slightly surprised but kept his face expressionless. "It was his idea," he said calmly. "I simply ensured the plan worked. If he hadn't asked, it wouldn't have happened."
Desperation crept into Kiba's tone as he pressed on. "That's why I'm coming to you. I don't want to shame Buchou any more than I already have, but I need to destroy Excalibur. It's for them... for my friends who died."
Sasuke's expression darkened. "Revenge, then?" he asked, his voice tinged with judgment. "Don't bother lying. I can see it in your eyes."
The Knight did not deny it. "I want to destroy Excalibur… but maybe it's more than that. You're right. I need vengeance, I need to—I have to. It's why I'm here. Why I'm alive," he admitted, unsure of himself. It was difficult, but also not difficult. He had always carried this desire, but his King had kept him stable. Now, the opportunity was here, so close, within arm's length. All he had to do was take it.
Sasuke stared at him for a long moment before speaking. His voice was low and measured, offering advice from a place of personal experience. "You'll lose part of yourself in revenge, no doubt. Is that a risk you're willing to take? If you can, then do it—for them, if not for yourself. But if you can't, walk away. I can't make that choice for you."
"I..." replied, his voice weak with uncertainty.
The Uchiha interrupted, shaking his head. "Don't answer now. Think about it carefully. Whatever choice you make, there's no going back."
The outskirts of the city remained unnervingly quiet as the group approached the crumbling structure. The decaying building loomed ahead, its shattered windows and grime-covered walls a stark reminder of how long it had been forgotten. Sasuke led the group, his Rinnegan activated, scanning the strange, wide path ahead. Symbols and ancient runes lined the floor, glowing faintly under his enhanced vision, but none of the others could see the dangers that awaited.
"They went in!" one of the devils called out from ahead, panic rising in his voice.
Yuuto clenched his fists, his frustration boiling over. "What the hell!? I told them to wait while I got backup!" His voice cracked, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. His eyes darkened as his thoughts raced, anger building at the recklessness of the devils who had gone ahead without him.
Issei shook his head. "Idiots. I wanted to go in too, but I didn't want to leave without you. I know how important this is for you, Kiba!" He then turned toward Sasuke, a smirk pulling at his lips. "I knew you would come," he said with a hint of confidence.
Saji, approaching from behind, offered Sasuke an awkward apology. "Sorry about yelling at you last time. The Kaichou made me promise to apologize. I wasn't trying to be rude."
Sasuke's blank stare didn't offer much comfort. "I don't remember you."
Saji deflated instantly. "Saji… Genshirou Saji. Sona's pawn?"
Kiba, still fuming, looked around and muttered, "We should have invited Koneko-chan. She'd be just as reliable as any of us." He glanced at Sasuke. "Sasuke-kun, lead the way!"
Sasuke raised an eyebrow at the sudden expectation. He wasn't one of them—he wasn't a devil, reincarnated, or part of their peerage. But there was an unspoken trust they had in him, a reliance that felt strange yet familiar. He didn't object, though. His experience told him he was more than capable of leading them.
Without a word, he stepped forward, the group following closely behind as they neared the entrance. Inside, the building's corridor was far wider than it appeared from the outside, unnaturally spacious for a decrepit ruin.
Saji, walking beside Issei, asked, "You never told me how you beat Riser. Those flames… are they from your Sacred Gear, or did you suddenly become a magician?"
That moment, the one where he had given Issei a scroll containing his power, suddenly seemed more significant than ever. Perhaps giving Issei access to that jutsu had been a mistake. A very impulsive mistake. Now, seeing the consequences, the decision gnawed at the back of his mind.
Thankfully, Issei looked awkward, clearly not knowing how to answer. He was about to stammer out a reply when the tension in the room shifted again.
As they ran, the one leading them raised his hand, silently signaling the others to stop. There was an object on the ground. One that not his basic sharigan could see it. However, his left eye spotted it, and it appeared ominous enough to steer clear from.
"What is it?" Kiba asked, his voice low, eyes scanning the area for any threats.
From a small, concealed pocket, Sasuke produced a kunai, a tool as familiar to him as breathing. In one fluid motion, he tossed it toward the rune.
"We're just wasting our equipment now?" Issei joked, his usual carefree attitude breaking the tension. "C'mon, let's g—"
FLASH
A blinding light erupted from the rune, filling the air with a burst of light magic. The sheer intensity of it forced everyone to scatter, diving in different directions to avoid the devastating wave of energy that followed. The trap had been triggered, but fortunately, they had maintained enough distance to avoid the worst of it.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he observed the aftermath, the trap dissipating into the air. His quick thinking had saved them from a potential ambush. Without waiting for a word, he turned back to the group, his voice calm and authoritative. "Follow my exact path."
The devils looked at each other, nodding before falling in line behind the leader. They moved carefully, stepping exactly where he had stepped, trusting his keen instincts to guide them through the treacherous ground.
Xenovia's breath came in ragged gasps, her hands trembling as blood dripped from her wounds. The sharp pain gnawing at her body made it difficult to even stand, but she forced herself to stay upright. Her vision swam, her grip on Durandal weak, yet none of it mattered. Her mind remained fixated on a singular purpose. Recover or destroy the fragments of Excalibur. That had always been her mission, her destiny.
But now, something far more important tethered her to life, keeping her from surrendering to the darkness pressing in. Lying motionless on the ground was Irina Shidou, her closest friend, her fellow warrior, unconscious and defenseless. Irina had charged ahead recklessly, falling victim to the enemy's trap, and her holy sword had been stolen. Vasper Galliel, the exiled priest, now stood triumphantly over them, his twisted smile gleaming as he held the stolen blade. He was fusing the Excalibur fragments, intent on completing the weapon they had sworn to stop.
Her mind was torn. She had been prepared to die for the mission, to sacrifice everything to prevent Excalibur's restoration. But she couldn't let Irina die here—not like this, not in some forgotten ruin, as a casualty of their war.
"C'mon, blue-hair-chan! At least put up some fight!" Freed Sellzen's deranged voice echoed across the battlefield, his twisted grin filled with manic glee as he stood beside Irina, ready to strike her down if Xenovia made a move. "I love it when girls like you put up some resistance! Strip naked, and maybe I'll let your friend live."
Freed, once a member of the Church like Xenovia, had become a monster—a madman who reveled in chaos and bloodshed. His unhinged laughter sent waves of fury through Xenovia, but she forced herself to stay calm. She couldn't afford to lose control now.
"It's ready!" Vasper Galliel shouted from across the room. The exiled priest tossed the incomplete Excalibur, fused with four fragments—Mimicry, Transparent, Rapidly, and Nightmare—to Freed. Surrounding him were other lower-ranked exiled priests, assisting in stabilizing the complex magic.
Freed gleefully tossed his light sword aside, eagerly reaching for the newly fused weapon. This was the opportunity Xenovia had been waiting for. As Freed's guard dropped, her body moved on instinct. Despite her pain and exhaustion, she launched forward, every ounce of her remaining strength focused on the attack.
With Excalibur Destruction in hand, the exorcist charged forward. Instead of striking him directly, she used the power sword of the sword and slammed it into the ground. The explosive aura of the blade sent shockwaves across the area knocking both of them back. Freed was thrown off balance, and Xenovia stumbled, barely managing to stay on her feet.
Her eyes darted to Irina, 'I have to reach her!' She rushed over, her muscles screaming in protest, but she forced herself onward. She knelt beside her unconscious friend, desperate to lift her, but her body was too weak. Her knees buckled, and they both collapsed to the ground.
'I can't let her die. Not like this.'
The exorcist struggled to stand, but it was no use. Her body wouldn't cooperate, the tremor affected her head, she may even have a concussion. Freed was already back on his feet, ignoring the pain, a sadistic grin plastered on his face. He raised the incomplete Excalibur, its holy energy crackling in the air as he prepared to strike.
Xenovia's heart pounded in her chest. She couldn't protect Irina. Nor did she fulfill her duty. She had failed.
Freed brought the blade down with a maniacal laugh, and Xenovia closed her eyes, unwilling to face death head-on. Instead, she prayed—a desperate, final plea. If she were to die here, she begged that Irina would wake up and escape. Her lips moved silently, words barely forming in her mind.
Freed's voice taunted her, sharp and mocking. "You think that'll save you now, dumbass? Don't you know God is dead!?" His grin widened, eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. "Fine, if you want to live so badly, I'll kill your friend first!" With a swift motion, he shifted the blade's target toward Irina, poised to strike her down. The world seemed to slow, the moment suspended between life and death.
But the blow never came.
"HUH!?" Freed's voice was filled with confusion and frustration. "Where did she go!? Where did the big-tittied church bitch go!? Did she get up? I didn't see her!"
Xenovia opened her eyes weakly, her vision blurry, but what she saw made her gasp. Irina was gone, no longer beside her. Panic gripped her heart for a moment, fearing her friend had been obliterated somehow. But then she saw him. Standing tall, between her and Freed, was the sole human from earlier. His expression was cold and unreadable, and in his hand was a strange sword that radiated with its own holy energy. He stood in perfect form, his presence commanding as if he had always been part of the battlefield.
Freed glared at Sasuke, his grin fading into a snarl. "Of course! Another girl I won't get to kill because of you, black-haired piece-of-shit prince!"
The Uchiha looked toward the devils, "Deal with the rest." He commanded, and without hesitation, they did so.
"You know, when the boss comes, he'll kill your friends!" The silver-haired swordsman barked, brandishing the massive sword with twisted excitement.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "Who's your boss?"
"Kokabiel-sama! He will reign fire on Heaven and the Underworld!" Freed screamed, his voice tinged with madness. "But you, you're mine!"
With a crazed roar, he lunged at Sasuke, the weight of Excalibur behind him. The sharingan flared, observing every movement, every twitch of muscle. The blade was fast—Excalibur Rapidly—its name fitting as it moved with incredible speed. To the naked eye, it would be difficult to track, but to Sasuke, it was as clear as day. He dodged with ease, not even bothering to block, sidestepping each of the wild swings.
A well-timed parry just between swings allowed a cut to make it through. The exorcist stumbled back, a trickle of blood coming from his shoulder. He licked it and lowered his already crazed eyes.
"Motherf— Transparency!" The man suddenly disappeared, his voice echoing through the battlefield. He had vanished completely from sight.
His opponent stood still, his expression now amused. He allowed Freed the satisfaction of believing he had the upper hand and could not be seen. A moment later, the exorcist reappeared behind him, his sword slicing through the air, aiming to take Sasuke off guard. But as the blade struck, it met nothing but empty air—Sasuke had already moved. In the next instant, his sword slashed across Freed's chest, blood spraying from the deep wound.
Freed stumbled back, his eyes wide in disbelief. "This... motherfucker... blocks bullets, blocks swings at the speed of light, sees the invisible..." He looked at Sasuke with a mixture of fear and rage, trying to figure out what made him different. No Sacred Gear, no obvious power boost. He seemed too normal, yet unstoppable.
"No one can beat their nightmares..." He then muttered, his voice shaking with the realization that Sasuke was stronger than he had anticipated. Desperate, he activated Excalibur Nightmare, knowing this was his last chance. He had to win. If the human fell, the rest of his friends would be easy targets.
As the world shifted, the Uchiha found himself facing an illusion, but it was unlike anything he had expected. Nightmare controlled dreams, illusions, and fears—but what could it possibly show him?
The answer surprised them both.
Perhaps it would be Itachi, as that had always been a constant nightmare growing up. Maybe even Madara, or more likely, Kaguya. The Otsutsuki were to be his biggest challenge when he returned home. Of course, that would be after Naruto was... defeated.
The vision that appeared was... Sasuke himself.
Standing across from him was a version of himself dressed in the attire he wore before being sent to this world. His sword was the one Orochimaru had given him, and his eyes—his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan—burned with the same intensity he had once held before seeking revenge on Itachi.
The realization hit him. This was his nightmare—his past self, the one consumed by vengeance, a version he thought he had left behind. The hollow eyes, the cold fury... they stared back at him.
For a moment, the two clashed, swords ringing out as Sasuke faced the ghost of his past. But even as their blades connected, he saw through it. Whether because of Excalibur's weakened state or the power of his Sharingan and Rinnegan seeing through the illusion, it didn't last long. The illusion displayed good swordsmanship, successfully dodging and even countering. Sasuke aimed his blade at the fake's throat, only to have his sword knocked out of his hand. But that move ended it, with the real Sasuke delivering a punch so powerful that it dispelled the illusion and the power of Nightmare altogether.
Sasuke's gaze hardened. There was no reason to fear his past self.
In a swift move, he charged at Freed, dodging another wild strike before slamming his knee into the human's face. The exorcist's head snapped back, blood flying from his nose as the force of the blow sent him sprawling to the ground. His grip on Excalibur loosened, and the sword tumbled from his grasp.
Freed cursed, grabbing at Sasuke's dropped sword with trembling hands, his eyes filled with manic desperation. "Not over yet... you lackey... you piece of shit lackey!"
He inspected the blade curiously before pointing it at its former user. "This is also a holy sword? What the fuck?" He examined it closely, his lips curling in disgust. "Doesn't look like anything special to me!" Whether he knew his end was near or simply didn't care, Freed charged in headfirst, his reckless nature never wavering.
Sasuke lowered his gaze calmly, his tone warning but cold. "It's never wise to use an enemies weapon."
At this point, the priests had been defeated and the devils watched the exchange.
The exorcist, trained as he was, naturally raised the sword behind his shoulder, ready to strike. There was something unsettling about this fellow human. His entire aura was different from anyone Freed had ever met.
Only one thought came to mind as he observed Sasuke now.
'What the fuck are those eyes?'
The blade in Freed's hands began to shift, its appearance distorting as the sword's head opened, casting an ominous shadow over the battlefield.
Freed stopped, his eyes widening in confusion. His instincts told him something was wrong, and for the first time in his life, he truly hesitated.
From above, a massive serpent descended, its mouth wide open, wrapping itself around the exorcist with terrifying speed. The coils constricted around him, tighter and tighter, while its fangs sank into his neck. Freed's scream was cut short by the sheer force of the serpent's grip. The pain, the suffocating pressure—all hit him at once, an unrelenting force that overwhelmed him completely. The head then receded as it took notice of its previous user, perhaps sensing some instinctual fear of him.
It was a haunting sight. A crazed man meeting his end in a manner as frenzied and chaotic as the life he had lived. The venom took hold, and Freed's body went limp, his eyes glazing over as he succumbed to the brutal attack. The battlefield fell eerily silent, the twisted final act of a man who had never known restraint.
Everyone's attention then shifted to the lone priest remaining, Valper Galilei—who had just witnessed his only reliable ally being devoured by a serpent summoned from Sasuke's blade. The human stood at the front, calm but intense, the very presence of his hand resting on his sword sending a wave of intimidation through the room.
Valper, trembling, backed away, his voice breaking. "No... no..." He repeated in fear as Sasuke took a step forward.
Kiba's voice broke the tension. "It's not him you should be worried about!" He spat, his own blade trembling in his grip. He fixed his gaze on the fallen priest. "Look at me, Valper Galilei! Look at what you did!" The words were filled with raw emotion, his body vibrating with barely contained fury. Issei and Saji exchanged uneasy glances, both disturbed by the intensity radiating from the fellow devil. They knew this was his long-awaited moment of revenge, but the way his anger consumed him was frightening.
The Knight held up a blue crystal, his hands shaking as tears welled in his eyes. Memories of the past—of pain, suffering, and death—rushed to the surface. His voice was barely a whisper, "How many lives were lost for your research? Do you even remember their names?"
Suddenly, an ethereal sight began to unfold before them. Pale spirit-figures, faint and transparent, flickered into view around Kiba. These were the souls, the lost ones, dead figures from his past. The sharingan focused on the bizarre scene, his mind racing.
'Ghosts?' Sasuke asked himself, 'The relationship with death in this world is somehow even stranger than back home.'
For a moment, Yuuto relished the air around him. But soon after, his posture relaxed, and the look in his eyes retained a deep intensity. He towered over Valper, who cowered against the wall, the blade still in the Knight's hands.
"Yuuto! Please, wait!" A voice called out from behind them, filled with concern. They all turned to see someone important in his life—someone who was alive, someone who had saved him. It was his King, his master, Rias Gremory. She stood with Akeno, Koneko, Sona, and Tsubaki, surrounding Valper with expressions that blended horror and empathy.
At the moment Issei took his opportunity to voice his concern, "Kiba, I know this moment is important for you. But, there are other ways... it doesn't have to be you."
Koneko followed, her voice quiet but filled with worry. "Issei-senpai is right. I don't know who you are right now, Yuuto-senpai. This isn't you."
Akeno then spoke softly, "I know you've wanted this revenge since the day you became our Knight. But... there are other ways to make him pay."
The blond glanced around the room, his resolve faltering as he saw the concern etched on their faces. His sword trembled in his hand. "They didn't want me to get revenge," He muttered, his voice weak and almost broken, tears streaming down his face. "But he's too evil. He doesn't deserve to live."
His gaze then flicked to Sasuke, as if silently asking for guidance. There was a strange tendency the shinobi had come to notice—people here often sought his advice. They assumed he had all the answers, even though they had no idea of his past or where he came from. Perhaps, it was his fault. His leadership being realized, and natural instinct they all felt around him.
Sasuke thought back to his own journey, to his own quest for vengeance. In that moment after Itachi died, he had been recovering but felt only emptiness. After learning the truth, he swore vengeance on Konoha, severing all ties with everyone. It was only after seeing his brother once more and meeting the Sage of Six Paths that he realized there was a better path forward.
However, this situation was not nearly complex.
This... this seemed black and white.
Regardless, the Uchiha knew that this was a pivotal moment. He could only give response to the look the devil was giving him,
"It's now or never."
Kiba hesitated, gripping his sword tighter as Sasuke's words from earlier also echoed in his mind. The decision was his. Revenge or restraint. Justice or vengeance.
"You'll lose part of yourself in revenge, no doubt. Is that a risk you're willing to take? If you can, then do it—for them, if not for yourself. But if you can't, walk away. I can't make that choice for you."
Valper Galilei's eyes rolled back.
His head severed from his body.
The silence was suffocating. No one moved, no one spoke. For a long moment, it felt as though time itself had stopped. Sasuke's eyes scanned the group, taking in their expressions—Issei's shock, Rias's conflicted sorrow, Koneko's quiet concern. Akeno's disappointment. None of this was his battle. Slowly, he took a step back, then another, distancing himself from the moment.
He had no desire to get involved any further.
Nestled between worlds.
Where harshness reigned supreme.
The Dimensional Gap.
It stood as a testament to the unforgiving nature of existence, where the very laws of reality bend and warp, creating an environment of ceaseless peril. A reminder of the boundless complexity that lies beyond understanding, where even the most powerful beings tread cautiously.
Within this volatile realm, a sanctuary exists—a floating fortress suspended in the void. Surrounding it was an orb, a purple orb, large enough to completely protect it from the environment it is surroundings.
The flooring and the roof were glass, which gave those inside the uncomfortable opportunity to gaze into this colorful abyss.
A scene unfolded around a large round table that served as the focal point of the chamber. Arrayed around it were seats, each representing a diverse array of powerful beings from across the world who had convened together. Despite their differences in appearance, race, religion, and identity, these entities shared a common purpose.
Discussions of great importance took place, as alliances were forged, secrets exchanged.
Sasuke stood, leaned against the wall. His presence was quiet, and the fact that he was a human made him even more invisible. Beside him loomed Apophis, the evil dragon who stood idle, ready, capable, for anything.
Before both of them sat Rizevim Livan Lucifer, the Super Devil, reclining in his chair with a smug grin that radiated dangerous arrogance. His eyes glinted as they swept across the room, seemingly amused by the collection of powerful beings gathered.
Across from Lucifer, Euclid Lucifuge sat surrounded by his personal vanguards—magicians likely from his faction, Nilrem, their features stern and focused.
Sitting next to him was the vampire lord at the Tepes Castle, Marius. He stared at Sasuke with an annoyed glare, and the human gave him one right back. Standing behind him were two ultimate-class vampires.
Suddenly, in the middle of the gathering, a small figure materialized, stepping through the void like a phantom—Ophis, the Infinite Dragon God. Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he regarded the childlike figure. The being standing before them was one of the most powerful entities in existence, yet here she was, seemingly needing the cooperation of those around her. A peculiar contradiction.
Her soft, almost emotionless voice broke the silence.
"Friends," She began, "Let us conven-"
Her words were silenced as the weight of an enormous being flew around them. They all stared up to see it. The colossal form, the power that could be felt, even within this sanctuary. Its dark-red scales that appeared thicker than any known material.
Great Red.
"Baka Red," Ophis said with irritation, "He must go." She turned her gaze around, staring at the members of her organization.
They all knew not to speak at once, and only when called upon, as if there is one thing the Infinity Dragon-God acknowledged, it was silence. However, when silence can not be achieved, she will at least control the sound.
One truth bound them all together—Power. And Ophis could give it to them.
The Dragon God flew above them. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she appeared satisfied with her friends.
"My Dimensional Gap,"
"My Silence,"
"My Khaos Brigade."
Rising from their seat was a figure that barely resembled a person. The shinobi stared, confused by what he was seeing. The "face" was more of a mask, adorned with strange ornaments beneath a black hood. On the figure's back was a massive scythe, and behind him stood two similar, eerie figures. The strange sight left Sasuke wondering if this being was truly a living being at all.
"Infinite God Ophis," The masculine voice declared. "I, Pluto, representative of the Realm of the Dead, cannot claim membership in your organization. I come merely as an observer, though we appreciate all that you have been doing."
Ophis' impassive smile remained unchanged as she responded, "More friends. Soon." Her tone was soft but assured. "Yes, many of you are not friends, yet, but soon." She gestured toward the hooded figure, her expression unreadable. "You may sit, Pluto."
With a slow, deliberate glance around the room, she seemed to contemplate who should speak next.
Instead, a voice broke the silence, speaking out before being called upon, its tone heavy with disappointment.
"Kokabiel... is dead." The low voice announced.
Murmurs of discussion rippled through the room, though some remained silent. Kokabiel's name was known to all, even to those outside the three major factions. He was ancient—a legendary warrior and a current, or rather former, member of the Grigori.
Sasuke's gaze shifted to the voice. A young man who bore a striking resemblance to Rizevim. It was Vali Lucifer. He had heard of Vali's existence, but he had never seen him in person. The resemblance between grandfather and grandson was undeniable, almost as if they were mirror images of one another. With the older devil simply having facial hair and some wrinkles to distinguish them.
The stare he was giving was received back at him, but not by the devil, but by his two associates standing behind him. Even from this distance, he could tell, 'Yokai.'
One was a youthful man with brown hair and a monkey-like tail, carrying a uniquely designed staff on his back. The other was a woman—taller and older, with black hair—but her eyes were unmistakably similar to Koneko's. There was no denying her lineage as a Nekoshou. She was doing something strange, her nose wrinkling as if trying to catch Sasuke's scent from across the room. He ignored her, assuming she was merely gathering intel on all of them.
Vali leaned back in his chair, casually placing his hand behind his head. "Azazel knew Kokabiel was scheming behind his back and was closing in on him for something. He thought he might've been affiliated with us, but only an idiot would assume someone like him could keep his mouth shut and be part of this organization. Still, the old man is pissed—he thinks the devils killed him."
A voice called out to Vali from across the room, "He died? Where? In the Underworld?"
The Hakuryūkou answered, "In some random-ass human city. Azazel has called for a meeting with the other factions, to avoid war, which I cannot agree to. He wants to make peace but also wants to know what happened to Kokabiel. I could care less, really."
As the conversation continued, Euclid gave Sasuke an amused look, who did not care to give him one back.
"This confirms some of our own reports," A Priest called out, "Rumor has it Michael has left his mighty throne in the Sixth Heaven and has called a number of battalions to join his vanguard. The talks also discuss the human world." He then looked toward another member sitting at the table, "Perhaps our devil friends could shed some light on what is going in the Underworld."
Suddenly, a figure stood up, his palm slamming against the table. A tall, imposing figure rose from his seat. Draped in black armor and a regal purple cape, Shalba Beelzebub strode forward, his presence demanding attention. He was a remnant of the Old-Satan Faction, a group that had once waged war against the current rulers of the underworld.
"We can confirm this on our side as well. Our spies within the usurper's illegitimate government report that Sirzechs Gremory, along with the pretender-Leviathan, are preparing to leave for the human world," The devil mused grimly. "They likely wish for a formal peace treaty as well..."
Beelzebub clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white with tension. "We are going to make our move at this peace treaty," He declared, venom dripping from every word. "If we can wipe out all three of them—Sirzechs, Michael, and Azazel—then the rest will fall in line. True domination can begin." His eyes gleamed with the promise of destruction, as if he could already taste victory. "Vali, with your help and your sacred gear, we could make this an enjoyable and delightful vengeance. One that would have put God to shame."
Vali shrugged nonchalantly. "Perhaps, though it's a pity that God is already dead. I would've liked to take him down myself." His casual arrogance drew smirks from several around the table, amused by his indifference.
"My grandson," Rizevim suddenly spoke, his voice low and mocking, "...is half-human. He doesn't have the stomach for it, just like his father."
The insult struck a nerve. Vali's aura flared instantly, his vanguards tensing in response, ready for a fight. Apophis stepped forward, standing behind Lucifer. Sasuke however, remained idle, not entirely willing to help Rizevim whatsoever.
But before the situation could escalate, Ophis intervened, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
"Friends do not fight," She reminded them softly. No one dared challenge the Ouroboros Dragon.
Reluctantly, Vali backed down, his temper simmering beneath the surface.
"Euclid Lucifuge, then," Shalba interjected, turning his attention to the stoic figure. "You served the original Lucifer—the almighty, the morning star, the one true devil. You must know that your duty is to the true rulers of the underworld!"
Euclid, observing the scene with a calm smile, responded, "Lord Beelzebub-sama, it is true—I serve Lucifer, as many have and still do. But do not be mistaken. I serve Lucifer, not Beelzebub. I cannot participate directly unless ordered to, but I can offer you Nilrem's support—a battalion, perhaps, to lead the vanguard."
Shalba accepted the offer with a curt nod, though disappointment flickered in his eyes, clearly hoping for more. He then looked toward the Super-Devil, "Please, Rizevim, for your sake and ours, for our descendants and our ancestors, reconsider your mentality and fulfill your duty as well." he urged, "My father gave his life for our birthright, and your father would have done the same, had he lived."
There was no response.
"Then…" Shalba began slowly, his voice steady, "if any of you here wish for glory, wealth, and power, I urge you to join us. As the leader of the True-Satan Faction, I promise you will not be ignored. Once the underworld is ours, we will share the spoils of war with you as the blood of the pretenders spills."
The silence that followed the tense exchange signaled the end of the discussion. No one dared to chime in for support, at least not at that moment. Shalba grumbled softly and quietly sat back down.
Ophis, unfazed and still smiling, asked softly, "Anything else, friends?"
A new voice broke the quiet. This time, it was a woman. She had short blonde hair and striking violet eyes. Her attire was unusual, resembling Ophis' in its peculiar, almost costume-like design. "The Hindu God of War, Indra, is recruiting mercenaries and calling his banners for an upcoming war. Many say he plans to seal or outright kill the Hindu God of Destruction, Shiva."
Her name was Walburga, leader of the magician faction known as Hexennacht. She leaned forward slightly, her tone calm yet brimming with confidence. "He personally came to me with an offer to join him—promising knowledge, glory, and far more than what the Old-Satan Faction could ever offer."
A ripple of tension spread through the room. Shalba cursed under his breath, frustration clear in his eyes. It was bad enough that he had to seek help from outsiders, but hearing Indra offering something greater than his faction was a further insult. His pride stung, but he remained silent, unwilling to show his humiliation.
Sasuke remained outwardly indifferent, though the name Indra sent a ripple of recognition through his thoughts. He pretended as if it were a mere coincidence.
Walburga continued with a knowing smirk, "Perhaps our friends in the Human Faction could enlighten us on the matter."
All eyes shifted toward a seemingly silent figure seated in the back. He wore traditional student attire, his black hair neatly combed, and his big blue eyes observed the room with quiet intensity. However, what caught most people's attention were the spears on his back. One of them in particular—a divine weapon, perhaps the strongest blade in existence—radiated a potent holy aura, making some of the devils in the room visibly uneasy.
Standing behind him were two figures. One had spiky brown hair and glasses, while the other was a tall woman with blonde hair, carrying a massive sword on her back.
Cao Cao sighed, his tone laced with arrogance, "...And why would we know this?" His expression was smug as he leaned back in his chair. "Our goal here is to protect humans—all humans—not to involve ourselves in the trivial matters of gods."
A voice interrupted from the other side of the room. It was the monkey Yokai, who laughed mockingly. "I know from my master that you are Indra's vanguard. Lying here is like pissing into the ocean. How's the God of War? Is he interested in joining our welcoming organization?"
Ophis tilted her head, her calm voice cutting through the tension. "Gods are welcome." She said simply, her impassive demeanor unshaken.
The leader of the Human Faction smiled faintly, a touch of mockery in his words. "We've done contracts for him, nothing more. If any of you wish to join him or side with Shiva, you're more than welcome to. We haven't taken a side." His sarcasm was met with irritated glares from several figures around the table. It was clear Cao Cao had no intention of explaining the extent of his relationship with the Hindu God. His refusal only deepened the unease in the room, the air thick with suspicion.
Euclid turned his attention to Ophis, his tone serious. "No one trusts the God of War, and neither should you, Ophis-sama. He is rather... selfish." That word could apply to all of them, but it was evident that Indra, in particular, stood out for his self-serving nature.
The Dragon God smiled, her expression calm as always, "I can trust anyone," She replied, her voice steady. "Because I can destroy anyone."
Sasuke stared at them all, his black eyes looking at every face, if they had a face.
Self-serving liars. Bitter remnants from forgotten wars and lost causes. The old clung to relevance to keep their names alive in history, while the young grasped at ambition to carve their own names into it.
This was their army.
This was his best hope of returning home.
Yet, there was a troubling silence about a certain issue, the very reason for this gathering. It was a grim reality, and he could sense it..
Did anyone here even want to truly fight Great Red?
One person did. One person wanted to remove this red dragon from the Dimensional Gap. One person had a plan. And that one person was the one Sasuke had aligned himself with.
Rizevim rose and levitated to the center of the circle. As the focal point of attention, he addressed them all.
The grin on his face widened as he took command of the center of the room, his voice smooth and persuasive, carrying an unsettling charm. He stood like a shadow, the bright colors of the dimensional gap avoiding him, creating an aura of intrigue.
"You've heard the whispers. Now hear my voice."
"My so-called friends in the Old-Satan Faction will offer you nothing but empty promises of wealth and glory, emerging from a new boring war and a destroyed underworld. My grandson eagerly awaits mercenary contracts and an early death. The Magicians would give us chaos and anarchy masked as freedom. The Hero Faction? They'll allow Indra to pull our strings from the shadows like puppets. And the Grim Reapers? They'll mock us, reveling in our endless struggle, as we tear each other apart for all eternity."
"From me…" He continued, his grin stretching wider, "You shall receive everything you've ever desired—and more."
"Those realms we know all too well. The human world, Heaven, the Underworld, Mount Olympus, Mount Meru, Valhalla…"
"I present to you something entirely different. A new world. A world we can shatter and reshape, become our own Kings, our own Gods. A world we can truly dominate."
"I will grant you…the other world."
The crowd shifted, caught between fascination and doubt. The words were dangerously seductive to this group as they craved visions of power, rebellion, wealth and a world reborn in their image.
Walburga, the leader of the stray magician faction, interjected with skepticism, "What proof do you have that life exists outside our own? A postcard? A picture? Soil samples? How many worlds have you traveled to?"
Rizevim's smile was slow and deliberate, as though he had been waiting for this moment. "Living proof," He declared, his voice laced with triumph. "I have living proof—an individual, much like the ones gathered here. He wishes to go home, and I will grant him that, just as I will grant you all a new destiny."
"Alien." Ophis said with a hint of amusement, her deep eyes glancing at Sasuke, who stood motionless, "... From another world."
Lucifer's eyes gleamed with excitement. "There are multiple worlds, and the one I intend to reshape is within our grasp. We just need to seize it."
The room erupted into murmurs of disbelief and awe. Before the chaos could escalate, a calm yet mocking voice cut through the noise. They all understood the reasons now for his involvement in the organization.
Cao Cao's scorn was evident. "We can not defeat Great Red," He said, his tone bored yet tinged with challenge. "But you're welcome to try and die."
The grin widened even further, an unsettling glint in his eyes. "We can't, no," He agreed. "But I know something that can—a creature once thought to be myth." He produced a chalice, holding it for all to see. Most seemed to recognize it just from the appearance alone, "This Sephiroth Graal you see in my hands has allowed me to speak with and listen to terrifying beings beyond our wildest nightmares. I have heard its pleas, and I know this creature and carve our path forward and beyond."
The room stilled, all eyes on him, waiting for his next words.
"Six… Six… Six…" The devil whispered aloud, savoring the shock that rippled through the audience.
"...Trihexa."
The murmurs returned, louder now, voices of disbelief and fear swirling around at the mention of the mythical beast. They all gave similar expressions and words at first.
"... Is a fairy tale."
"A legend to scare children, nothing more."
"A symbolism from history."
More claims of dismissal arose from skeptics in the audience. The Beast of Apocalypse was said to be the embodiment of pure annihilation and horror. The fact that the devil stood before them, grinning with that maddening look in his eyes, contradicted their skepticism. That glint of insanity only deepened their unease—was it true? Did this monstrous being truly exist?
Rizevim Livan Lucifer's grin never waned.
"No," He said, "Trihexa is real... and I know where to find it."
Another long, LONG chapter, that was not my intention. I think next chapter won't be as crazy, and it will be more character interactions with everyone.
Let me know what you think.