Draconis: Getting started on this immediately so I don't lose my train of thought.
Kenshin: Too late.
Draconis: Fuck you.
Dragon of the Elements
Chapter 77
Dragons of the Past.
Draconis: Begin!
(start)
Outside of the station.
Raynare was standing outside of the station, she had been refused entry to help the Devil's group, she had came out of concern for Issei's and Asia's wellbeings. "Damn it!" She cursed, stomping around.
"Hm? You seem awfully upset girl."
"? !" Raynare rounded to find a large, purple lamia with wild white purple-ish hair and gray horns and a Succubus wearing next to nothing. "Who are you?"
"Oh? This one has no respect either Mother."
"I know Minagi, but you have to remember, we've been gone for years." Alipheese said.
"True." Minagi said.
"Anyway, I am the Primordial Goddess of Darkness, Alipheese Fateburn the First." Alipheese introduced.
Raynare froze for a moment. "Another Primordial? ! What the fuck did I walk into here? !"
"Hahaha, relax. So what seems to be the problem?" Alipheese said.
"That station...someone I care a lot about is in there without access to all their power in a large scale battle." Raynare said.
"Ah so your goal is the same as ours then." Minagi said with a grin.
"You want to go in there too?" Raynare asked.
"Yes, but the barrier repels us. I'm looking it over to warp in despite that." Alipheese said. "I'd rather not alert the powers that be to my presence immediately. You can come with us if you like."
"Really? ! Th-Thanks!" Raynare said.
(break)
With the Kuoh Academy Force
After decimating the magicians, Sona noticed Kenshin and Miyuki were both missing. "Where are your siblings Yukari?"
"Hrm...I'm not entirely sure." Yukari said. "When the ice wall went down, I do recall seeing Kenshin giving chase after a purple haired man. Miyuki was doing the same with a hooded woman following after him."
"Heinrich." Tamamo said with a frown. "I suppose when he saw the magicians losing he cut his losses and took off."
"No, Heinrich didn't look to be in retreat." Yukari said. "He was fighting Kenshin the whole way."
"Well let's get moving." Sona said.
At the same time Kenshin chased down Heinrich, while Miyuki chased down his accomplice. "What's the matter Heinrich? ! Afraid to face me without your friends fighting mine? !"
Heinrich dodged out of the way as Kenshin fired a Katensho at him. "My apologies, but I was asked to escort you to the magician's leader." He countered a second Katensho with a water stream.
"Ha! You and your familiar friend there have to be the most violent escorts ever!" Kenshin said.
"Heh, then you obviously have never met a succubus that doubled as a dominatrix." Heinrich said with a smirk. "Flame Fist!"
"Crushing Flame Profusion!" Kenshin shouts meeting his predecessor's flame covered fist with his own.
"...This guy..." Heinrich thought. "Everything I'm trying he has an answer for."
Heinrich encased his leg in stone and kicked at Kenshin's head. "Earth Guard!" Kenshin shouts.
"Hn? !" Heinrich grunted as Kenshin didn't budge from his attack. Kenshin grabbed Heinrich's leg and slammed him to the ground. Heinrich pulled his other leg back and kicked Kenshin in the face, knocking him back.
At the same time as this, Miyuki batted away several lightning lances with her polearm. "Icaulatio Fulgoris..." Miyuki thought.
Miyuki tossed her polearm upward and drove her elbow forward, meeting the cloaked woman's. "Kakuda Chouchuu..." Miyuki thought.
The woman raised her hand and yellow lightning sparked off her fingers, before it crackled further, forming an ax. "Haa!" Miyuki shouted, countering it with her fist as the woman swung it down. "Dios Tukos! Grh! I'm fighting her aren't I? !"
The four burst into a large, white rectangular room. "Heinrich, you brought company."
"Apologies, I couldn't shake them off." Heinrich said.
"Well it is of little consequence." The man turned to look at Kenshin and Miyuki. Koneko, Ravel, Gasper and Kazumi appeared next to him. "You can have these four back."
"...?" Kenshin narrowed his eyes curiously as the man let the four of them go. He cautiously called them forth with his hand. He was mildly surprised when neither the man, Heinrich nor the cloaked woman did anything to stop them.
"Kenshin-Sama..." Ravel said. "I..."
"Don't, it's OK." Kenshin said with a smile. "You four did what you could and I'm proud of you."
"Thank you Kenshin-Senpai." Koneko nodded.
"Yeah." Kazumi said.
"Gasper, you OK?" Miyuki asked.
"..." Gasper didn't say anything.
"He tried to protect us when we were getting overrun." Kazumi said. "He went into the supercharged vampire state."
"I see." Kenshin nodded.
"My apologies, but I overestimated him it seems. I had my magicians use their fists." The man said.
"Bastard." Kenshin growled.
"Take one step toward him Kenshin and I get serious." Heinrich said taking out his sword.
"Well Heinrich, that would be a delightful change of pace, I was just getting warmed up." Kenshin smirked.
"Krh..." Heinrich growled.
"Sit tight." Miyuki said. "Everyone's on their way." She turned to the woman. "I know who you are already, so ditch the cloak."
"..." The woman threw off her cloak to reveal Negi.
"..." Kenshin glanced toward her for a moment. "Be careful Miyuki."
"I'm the one who trained with her when you vanished Onii-Chan, I know what to expect." Miyuki said.
"I'm just saying, I won't be able to help." Kenshin said.
"Ah ah ah." The man said. "Let's not fight just yet."
"And just who the hell are you anyway?" Kenshin asked with a glare.
"Oh, where are my manners. I am Euclid Lucifuge, the right hand of Lord Rizevim Rivan Lucifer." Euclid introduced, bowing respectfully.
"So you're Rizevim's bitch." Kenshin said.
"!" Euclid's eyes narrowed into a glare for a moment before he closed his eyes with a smirk. "Hahahaha, Rizevim-Sama did warn me that you had quite the smart mouth."
"Lucifuge, are you related to Grayfia?" Miyuki said.
"Grayfia is my elder sister." Euclid said. "We served on the same side during the civil war, until Sirzechs turned her against us."
"Fool. Your sister fell for him." Kenshin said.
"And she betrayed her blood as result. The Lucifuge Clan has always served the Lucifers." Euclid said.
"And she still is." Kenshin said.
"Sirzechs is not a true Lucifer." Euclid said.
"Better than Rizevim, considering Sirzechs handed the poor bastard a heaping helping of defeat." Kenshin goaded.
"Grh!" Euclid growled.
"Euclid calm down, he's just trying to get in your head." Heinrich said.
"I see that." Euclid said. "Still he should learn some respect."
"Oh, then do come over here and try to teach me, though I have to remind you that I was able to go toe to toe with your master. So do so at your own discretion." Kenshin said.
"Kenshin!"
"?" Kenshin turned to find Issei, Sona and the rest rushing toward them.
"You already rescued them?" Sona asked.
"Believe it or not the bastard in the robe over that just handed them over." Kenshin said.
"Negi? !" Yukari said seeing the woman in question standing across from them.
"Hello." Negi droned.
"Shit! I haven't figured out the apparatus yet!" Yukari thought.
"Ah you're all here." Euclid said snapping his fingers. The wall to the right side moves and shifts down. "First off, there were two reasons for this assault. One, the magicians wanted to take stock of you and the higher up in our organization was content to let them do as that wanted, it did give us a chance to organize the mess the Khaos Brigade organization had fallen into. The second reason is this here. This is a factory that we constructed in the Dimensional Gap, this one however is abandoned."
"..." Ravel glanced away from it. "?" She felt Kenshin's hand on her shoulder. "..." She bowed her head, placing her hand over his, squeezing it for comfort.
"Do you all know how Phoenix Tears are made?" Euclid asked. "The purebloods from the House of Phenex enter a special magic circle, with a chalice that has also been through a special ritual and extract their own tear and place it in the chalice and the water inside and the tear become the Phoenix Tears that we know and use for healing. However, it only works if the tear is extract while the mind is empty. Though I've recently found out that if the member of the house of Phenex cares a great deal for someone, their tears will heal them far greater than the ones produced ever could."
Euclid pauses to point at the capsules. "The magicians were making Phoenix Tears from the homunculi we made of High class Phenex clan members. We made several copies of a handful of them. Ah Forbesii, even in betrayal he proves to be useful. However, seeing as the factory was planned to be abandoned, these homunculi have stopped functioning."
"So, you used these copies of Phenex clan members, Ravel's own family to produce Phoenix Tears on the Black Market to acquire your funding." Sona said with a tone of disgust.
"Ah good, you understand." Euclid said. "However, there are limits to copying the traits, even with homunculization and magician's studies. So the last resort was to kidnap an actual Phenex clan member in high standing, which we did today. Though we didn't harm her. We merely took stock of her demonic power to improve the accuracy of our Phoenix Tears."
"It's...so horrible...why...why did you make something like this..." Ravel cried out.
"..." Kenshin embraced her with one arm before glaring at Euclid. "He may not have hurt her physically, but mentally and emotionally..." He thought.
"Now, we have one last demand. We have a friend that has been itching to fight something, and you all would make splendid opponents." Euclid said making a massive, familiar magic circle.
"The Dragon's Gate? !" Sona said.
From out of the Dragon's Gate came a dark green dragon with silver eyes and a body that rivaled Tannin's in size. "Defenders of Kuoh, I'd like you to meet my friend, the Crime Force Dragon, Grendel."
"Grendel!" Vritra shouted in shock.
"Guhahahahahaha!" Grendel laughed. "So we have one of the Heavenly Dragons, Vritra, and Ragnarok huh? ! Excellent! You all will make fine meals for me."
"But how? ! He was killed by the original Beowulf! There was nothing left of him after his tyranny!" Vritra shouts.
"Che, it doesn't matter." Kenshin said. "Euclid! You aren't the only one here with access to a legendary dragon!"
"Yes, but how will you summon her when you're too busy with Heinrich-kun." Euclid said as Heinrich shot toward Kenshin.
"? !" Kenshin defended with Kuroi Jigoku against Heinrich's blade. "Get back!" He said glancing at Ravel and Koneko.
"R-Right!" Koneko said taking Ravel's wrist and pulling her back.
Miyuki dodged a lightning covered fist and was stunned momentarily to see Negi already using the Magia Erebea. "When did she equip the Raiten Taisou? !" Miyuki thought.
"We'll handle Heinrich and Negi! The rest of you take on Grendel!" Kenshin said as he forced his sword down, making Heinrich jump back, to avoid getting knocked over.
"Lightning Sword Flash!" Heinrich shouts.
Kenshin dodged out of the way and blocked with Kuroi Jigoku and his naginata as Heinrich redirected his sword toward him. He threw his arms out knocking Heinrich off balance. "Flash Kill!"
"? !" Heinrich narrowly dodged as Kenshin flashed by him.
"Sorry, I've went a step beyond yours and Shin Tatsu's techniques Heinrich." Kenshin said turning back to him with a smirk.
"Krh..." Heinrich growled.
"Eeeehhhh? ! !" Both men heard Issei shouts.
"Issei what the shit is going on over there? !" Kenshin said.
"It's Ddraig, he's become a baby dragon!" Issei said.
"Excuse me? !" Kenshin blanched before taking a fist to the face from Heinrich.
"Pay attention!" Heinrich shouts.
"Hrm...What I think might have happened is that the mental state of the Sekiryuutei, Ddraig was cornered by Issei's Oppai Dragon and all things related to it." Sona said. "Because he used a large amount of his power resurrecting Issei, he's been sleeping more often, which means his mental state probably reverted to that of a child's."
"Huh, so he reverted back to a child like state from the Oppai related things of Issei's." Sextum noted as she fired off ice spears at Grendel.
"Oppai Dragon?" Heinrich drawled. "What kind of allies are you running with kid?"
"Don't ask..." Kenshin said with an exasperated look.
"Death Sword Chaos Star: Inferno!" Heinrich shouts.
"Ninefold Rakshasa: Asura!" Kenshin shouts countering Heinrich's five slashes with his nine.
"Grh!" Heinrich jumped back with moderately bleeding wounds. "Hrnnn!" Heinrich growled as he forced them to heal.
Meanwhile Miyuki met Negi's lightning covered fist with her own fist, covered in wind. Negi's hand shot forward and gripped Miyuki's wrist and kicked her in the head. "Agh!" She gasped in pain as she was sent flying to the left. .
"..." Negi in a flash took Miyuki's back. "Raika Houken." She said punching at Miyuki's back sending her flying forward. Negi charged forward and rammed her knee into Miyuki's back.
"Raiten Taisou... a Thousand Thunderbolts spell absorbed through Magia Erebea. Upon activation it makes the user a mass of electrically charged particles given form. Making the user as fast as lightning itself." Miyuki thought. "Impossible to defend against, impossible to see coming, impossible to stop."
Miyuki landed on the ground after taking a lightning fast combo from Negi. "You..." Negi droned. "How are you undamaged?"
"Let's just say I've been busy these past few months." Miyuki said with a smirk.
"Hn...that look, it's a look of battle hunger...how odd coming from you, who is at times a pacifist." Negi said.
"What can I say. When faced with the right opponent, the right situation, even I can enjoy a fight." Miyuki said. "Though I have to ask. Why not go into the second phase of that form?"
"Master forbids it..." Negi answered impassively.
"Hn...I see, maybe the Raiten Taisou Two on Negi is too much for Yama to control." Miyuki thought. "Well that makes this easier."
"!" Negi's eyes widened marginally as Miyuki disappeared.
"However, these impossibilities only apply to those who are unaware and unable to take advantage of the first form's weaknesses." Miyuki thought as she swung her polearm down at Negi from behind.
"? !" Negi narrowly dodged out of the way, only for Miyuki to disappear again.
"Weakness Number One. The Raiten Taisou's first form does not give it's user lightning fast mental synapses and sensory, furthermore it only allows for lightning speed during the instant the lightning speed is used. The best way to defend against it, is to allow no chance for the lightning speed to be used." Miyuki thought as she appeared behind Negi again, her fist cloaked in red lightning. She laid this fist into Negi's back"Thunderous Dragon Fist!"
"Grh..." Negi grunted, getting back up to her feet, wiping blood off her chin.
Miyuki called her forward with her finger as if to challenge her to attack, dropping her polearm on the ground. Negi shot forward and attacked Miyuki. "Weakness Number Two. To make up for the mental shortcoming of Weakness One. The user will try to manipulate the air and atmosphere itself to determine their trajectory." Miyuki thought as she redirected each and every one of Negi's lightning fast attacks. "However as a Dragon of the Elements myself...I can feel the air shifting around and predict the attack pattern with Serene Mind. This Weakness is further compounded by the positive streamers that spark to life at the destination point. That when seen...leave them wide open for a counterattack!" She thought, swinging her fist up at the last possible second, knocking Negi into the ceiling.
Negi shot off the ceiling and flew at Miyuki, who disappeared again. "? !" She stopped and looked around.
"I'm sorry Negi...but No." Miyuki said. She ducked under Negi's halberd slash and laid her fist into her friend's chest. "Elemental Spica!"
"Kuah? !" Negi gasped out in pain, getting sent rocketing to the ground.
Miyuki stood over her the next second and put her hand on Negi's back. "Don't move..."
"..." Negi went silent.
"It takes you 43 seconds to assume Raiten Taisou Two, another seventeen make the necessary preparations for before hand...the only way I would be able to counter is with the Vessel of the Elements...but I would be at a supreme disadvantage as the Vessel rends my muscles down with each second it's used. Granted the Raiten Taisou Two uses a great amount of mana, if you drop out of it at the right time, you can still fight. You lost because you underestimated me, Negi..." Miyuki said.
At the same time Kenshin and Heinrich kept trading shot after shot, neither scoring more than a glancing blow on the other. "Heh." Kenshin smirked as he and Heinrich were deadlocked.
(slam!)
Their swords slammed to the ground and they both punched each other in the face. "Gah!"
"Damn, he earned his keep as the Dragon of the Elements of his time!" Kenshin thought. "Even with the Balance Breaker, it's like I'm taking the full brunt of his attacks normally."
"Yes, Heinrich was a fierce warrior...but it's saddening that we have to fight him like this..." Salamander said.
Kenshin shot forward and drove his elbow into Heinrich's chest, however Heinrich returned the favor by cutting a deep gash in Kenshin's arm.
Kenshin spun his naginata around, gathering the elements. "!" Heinrich jumped out of the way, raising his sword skyward.
"!" Kenshin noticed he was gathering wind around his sword. "He's going for that?" He thought.
Kenshin charged Heinrich again, thrusting his naginata at Heinrich only for him to dodge again. "Hmn." Heinrich smirked as earth gathered around his blade.
"? !" Kenshin's eyes widened at this. "You mean to tell me that he can gather the elements for the Quadruple Giga while moving? !" He thought.
"What's the matter Kenshin? You seem shocked." Heinrich said. "Do you not have the concentration required to do this?" He asked as he dodged Kenshin again, water gathering around his blade.
"...Fine then." Kenshin said. "Let's see who's stronger." He shot toward Heinrich again.
"A power struggle is it? ! Hah! Fine then!" Heinrich said as flames flared to life on his blade. "Come!"
"Elemental Cataclysm!" Kenshin shouts thrusting his hand forward upon getting within striking distance of Heinrich.
"Quadruple Giga!" Heinrich shouts slashing his sword down at Kenshin.
(boom!)
"Whoa? !" Kazumi said. "What the hell's going on over there? !"
"A power struggle of two elemental masters." Tamamo said with a furrowed brow.
"My attack is stronger Kenshin!" Heinrich said with a smirk.
"Grh!" Kenshin growled as he started to lose ground to Heinrich. "Shit, if this hits me I'm finished! This attack can and will kill me!"
"Oi, Partner." Yuurei said.
"What?" Kenshin thought. "I'm kind of busy right now!"
"Tell me something real quick...are you moving right now?" Yuurei asked.
"No, what's that got to do with..." Kenshin paused. "Wait...if I'm not moving, I can...Yuurei you goddamn magnificent spiritual bastard!" He thought.
"Heheheheh." Yuurei snickered.
"What? !" Heinrich said as Kenshin's attack started building strength.
"You were a fool to accept a contest of strength with me Heinrich." Kenshin said with a smirk. "You see, because I never let go of my weapon here, it never lost power on the travel toward you. And because I'm technically not moving. I can focus on empowering it!"
"Krh!" Heinrich growled. "You think you're the only one who can do it? !"
"Let's see it then!" Kenshin said as they both built up strength.
(crack!)
"!" Heinrich's eyes widened as his sword began cracking. "Oh no!" He thought.
"Heh, looks like you could use a better weapon!" Kenshin said as he took a step forward. "Elemental Cataclysm!"
"Guoohhhhh! !" Heinrich roared as he was driven backward after his sword broke in half.
"Heh!" Kenshin smirked as the attack went off.
"Hmn..." Heinrich walked out of the dust kicked up from Kenshin's attack, his shirt burned off. "Interesting."
"You're a hardy bastard aren't you?" Kenshin asked with narrowed eyes
"I didn't earn my place in Makai's history for my dashing good looks you know." Heinrich said with a calm smirk.
"A position you said you reject." Kenshin said.
"True." Heinrich shrugged. "Hm?"
"? !" Kenshin glanced over.
"Whoa!" Miyuki said as Negi forced herself upward, grabbing her halberd and throwing it at Asia who looked to be summoning something.
"Asia look out! !" Issei said.
"Haa!" A figure dove in between and knocked it away with a red spear of light.
"? !" Kenshin and Issei looked on in surprise.
"Are you OK Asia?" The female figure said looking back at her with a smile.
"Yes Raynare-San, thank you." Asia said.
"Get over here!" Miyuki said locking Negi in a full nelson.
"This is that same bitch that killed Issei before?" Sextum said glaring over at her.
"And just who the hell are you?" Raynare drawled.
"I'm one of the people who actually cares about him." Sextum said.
"And I don't?" Raynare asked crossing her arms under her chest.
"You killed him so, no." Sextum said.
"I was being forced to by-" Raynare was cut off.
"I heard, but I really don't care!" Sextum said.
"Oh come over here and say that to my face you ice bitch!" Raynare said.
"Hey!" The two turned to see Kenshin glaring at them. "In case you haven't noticed Ice Escort and Stripper Angel, but you have a fucking dragon to deal with! Save your bickering for later!"
"I'm waiting for the Sekiryuutei down there to get suited up anyway." Grendel stated impassively.
"You stay out of this Crime Force Dragon..." Kenshin paused for a moment. "The hell does a Crime Force Dragon even do anyway? ! Are you the leader of some secret dragon mafia or something? !"
"No, but that might have stopped me from getting killed in the past." Grendel mused.
"He's actually also known as the Berserker Dragon of Great Sin." Euclid said.
"That makes more sense Rizevim's Bitch." Kenshin said.
"Kh! Grendel, kill him first!" Euclid said losing his patience.
"Whatever." Grendel said.
"!" Kenshin readied himself for battle when suddenly.
"Please come out, Gigantis Dragon Fafnir!" Asia said.
"? !" Kenshin and Grendel turned to find a large four legged dragon with golden scales appearing over Asia.
"Fafnir? !" Euclid said.
"What is he doing here? I thought he was still tied to Azazel?" Kenshin said.
"He and I are going to try and restore Ddraig's mind." Vritra said through his telepathic link.
"Oh." Kenshin said.
"..." Heinrich crossed his arms, waiting to see how this played out.
"So it's like I heard from Rias, she did make a pact with him." Sona said. "Using the blessing from Ophis at that."
"Wait, don't Kenshin and I have blessings from her now?" Issei said.
"No, and in Kenshin's case, seeing as Ophis always seems to hang around him, like she's possessing him. He seems to have a karma that no God can cure." Sona said. "I mean so do you, but it's less so."
"Yeah that makes sense." Yukari drawled.
"Anyway, with Ophis acting as the mediator, Rias said that Asia made a pact with Fafnir. Fafnir himself is a dragon that has been gathering treasures from all over the world."
"Really? So what did Asia have to give up?" Issei and Raynare asked.
"...Th..That's...a little much for me to say..." Sona said glancing away with an exasperated expression.
"Come on, I gotta know this." Issei said.
"Seriously. Asia doesn't seem like the kind who has a treasure she could casually just hand off."
"...nties..." Sona muttered.
"HUH?" Issei and Raynare said.
"My panties!" Asia shouted out.
"..." Everyone turned to Asia. Euclid's eyebrows were curiously arched upward. Grendel seemed amused. Heinrich and Kenshin both had exasperated expressions on their faces. Yukari was openly facepalming, Miyuki laughed uneasily. Negi, while she couldn't outwardly show it, in her mind was surprised.
"Are you kidding me?" Hikari asked.
"Kenshin..." Heinrich said.
"Yeah...?" Kenshin said.
"We maybe enemies right now, but...respectfully...your allies are fucking weird." Heinrich said, seeing a pair of panties on one of Fafnir's horns.
"Tell me about it." Kenshin said.
"Panties, O-Panties, treasure I have received, happy..." Fafnir said in broken speaking.
"Though I think Azazel gave him proper treasures." Sona said.
"Thank god..." Kenshin and Heinrich groaned.
"A lewd dragon this one is...ufufufufu." Alma giggled.
"I thought my kind was free of stupid stuff like this..." Granberia said holding her head with wide eyes.
"Are you OK Granberia?" Tamamo asked.
"Losing...grip on reality..." Granberia said.
"Fafnir-San, Ddraig-San's mentality is waning, can you help him? !" Asia asked.
"I can..." Fafnir said.
"Then please do so!" Asia said.
"Payment." Fafnir said.
"R-Right." Asia said holding out a pair of blue panties.
"Wh-Whoa whoa whoa! Asia aren't those your favorite pair? !" Xenovia said.
"Yes, but I don't have any choice, we need to help Ddraig-San!"
"Then here, he can have mine!" Xenovia said.
"..." Heinrich's expression just became even more exasperated as he watched.
"You don't wear anything under that battle suit!" Irina reprimanded.
"Then he can have the battle costume!" Xenovia said as she started to strip off the article of clothing.
"Don't want." Fafnir said. "Want the panties of the Panties-Sister."
"Oi! She's not the Panties-Sister!" Issei said.
"Oi! Vritra do something!" Saji said.
"Not my fuckin' problem." Vritra said.
Fafnir ignored Issei and lowered his head to Asia. "F-Fine, here you go..." She said putting the pair of panties on the horn located on his nose.
(sniff...sniff)
"Asia-tan's panties, sniff sniff..." Fafnir said.
"Aaahh, I can't become a bride anymore!" Asia said, thoroughly embarrassed.
"O-panties, treasure I have received, alright...Ddraig. Heal!"
"Uggh..." Vritra said as he and Fafnir extended their auras toward Issei's Boosted Gear.
"Who? Huh? Wha? ! What was I just doing? ! Partner? !" Ddraig said.
"Thank goodness you're back Ddraig! I'll explain later!" Issei said.
"Wha? Fine...hm?" Ddraig took notice of Grendel. "The hell's he doing here? ! He died before I did!"
"Hahahaha, nice to see you too Ddraig! Let's do this!" Grendel said.
"Balance Break!"
"Welsh Dragon! Balance Breaker!"
"?" Kenshin noticed Heinrich was still stunned into exasperation, so he flew up next to Issei. Seeing this, Yukari and Granberia took his place, keeping an eye on Heinrich.
"Hm?" Heinrich said turning his head to find them. "New opponents? Oh well." He said creating a sword of flames and a sword of stone.
"Hahahaha! So Ragnarok and Ddraig are my opponents huh?" Grendel laughed. "Excellent."
"My name's Kenshin and his is Issei you bitch's bitch." Kenshin said.
"Kenshin, Partner. Proceed with caution. He's an Evil Dragon that only thinks of running wild." Ddraig said.
"Yeah Yeah, he's a wild animal that was put down by the first Beowulf. I gathered that much." Kenshin said.
"I changed my mind, I'll handle these two!" Grendel said.
"Leave this to us, OK? !" Issei and Kenshin said.
"Sure, take care of things here, Issei, Kenshin!" Sona said.
"Heh, last time we actually teamed up we were massive dragons that killed the Jabberwocky." Kenshin smirked.
"Yeah, try not to slow me down huh?" Issei said.
"Jet!"
"Touki!"
"That's my line!" Kenshin shouts as they both took off for Grendel who punched at them with one of his gigantic fists. Kenshin grabbed Issei's wrist and spun out of the way, spinning faster and faster as Issei accumulated boosts. Kenshin threw Issei toward Grendel.
"Welsh Dragonic Rook!" Issei called out.
"Change Solid Impact!"
Issei cocked his percussion hammer equipped fist back and laid it into the side of Grendel's face, the hammer falling immediately. Issei reverted his transformation and flew back as Kenshin came flying downward, the elements surrounding his right leg. "Elemental Ax!"
(boom!)
Kenshin jumped back to Issei. "Get ready. No way that did him in."
"Right." Issei said.
Grendel who was nearly knocked onto his back by the attacks stood back up, spitting blue blood out of his mouth. "Ddraig! You're weak now! What gives...and Neo Ragnarok! You might have his abilities, but you have nowhere near the strength he did!"
"Krh!" Kenshin and Issei grunted.
"Partner, let's transform into the True Queen armor. I won't take such insults idly." Ddraig said.
"Oi Partner. I learned something while we were training with the Abyssal Elemental Overdrive." Yuurei said. "While yes it does give you my Holy Cancel ability. You do in fact grow in strength when you use it. It wasn't felt during your battle with Forbesii because of it being your first time using it and bodily exhaustion."
"I see. Well then let's rock." Kenshin said.
"Yeah Ddraig! Let's do it!" Issei said.
"I, who am about to awaken..." Kenshin and Issei both say.
"Am the Sekiryuutei who holds the truth of the King up high..."
"Am the Dragon of the Elements who shall master the powers of Creation and Destruction..."
"Holding the infinite hopes and unbreakable dreams and walking the path of righteousness..."
"I shall stride down the path to peace with the power of my infinite will and unbreakable dream..."
"I will become the Emperor of the Red Dragon..."
"I will become the Abyssal Dragon of the Elements..."
"And I will lead you down the path to Heaven in a deep crimson light! !"
"And I will navigate the Light and the Dark to guide you to your peaceful end! !"
"Cardinal Crimson Full Drive! !"
"Abyssal Elemental Overdrive! !"
"Hn?" Heinrich forced Yukari and Granberia off him and looked up. "So this is what the Shinigami meant..." He thought. "Kenshin was holding back the entire time..." He thought with a scowl."That...Bastard!" He thought, his blades shaking in his hands.
"What the? Crimson and a darker black? ! Hahahaha, you even feel stronger too! Let's do this! !" Grendel said.
"!" Issei's eyes widened as Grendel leaps toward them.
"Fast!" Kenshin said. "I'll go high, you go low!"
"Right!" Issei said as they split up and hit Grendel on the chin and nose respectively.
"Damn, it's like punching a steel wall!" Issei said.
"No kidding!" Kenshin said.
"Grendel has some of the hardest scales among the extinct dragons." Ddraig said. "A half hearted attack, just feeling him out won't damage him."
"Here I come, puny dragons!" Grendel shouts, inhaling a lot of breath.
"Move! I'll handle this!" Kenshin said.
"Right!" Issei said flying up high as Grendel launched a giant fireball at Kenshin. "!" Issei's eyes widen as Grendel went for him immediately.
"Shit!" Kenshin grunted as he noticed this, blocking the fireball.
"Eat this!" Grendel shouts punching Issei.
"! !" Issei was sent flying backward.
"Issei!" Kenshin shouts. "Bastard!" Kenshin slid under the fireball and bounced it at Grendel. "!" However Grendel flew through the smoke from the ensuing explosion and cocked his fist back at Kenshin, calling for his naginata he defended with both it and Kuroi Jigoku. "Urrroooooooo! ! !" Kenshin roared.
"Hahahahahaha! !" Grendel laughed. "You're pretty strong for a puny runt! You can hold back my fist!"
"I'll do more than that! I'll send you back to Hell!" Kenshin shouts.
"Will you now? ! Let's see it then! !" Grendel pulled his fist back and swung his other arm downward, batting Kenshin to the ground.
"Gulah? !" Kenshin spat out blood as he slid across the ground. He sprung back onto his feet and scowled up at Grendel.
"Kenshin!" Yukari said.
"Pay attention! Heinrich's incoming!" Kenshin shouts.
"I got her! Earth Rumbling Decapitation!" Granberia shouts slashing down at Heinrich.
"You really think you can beat me with techniques I perfected Dragonkin?" Heinrich stated with a blithe smirk as he batted Granberia away. "Kenshin! If there's anything left of you after Grendel is finished with you, I'll be sending you to Hell!" Heinrich said pointing his flame sword at him.
"LIKE HELL YOU WILL! !" Yukari roared slashing down at him with Ryuuga covered in flames.
"Oh ho? You get stronger knowing your brother's in danger? Interesting. Let's dance then Tsuki Yukari!" Heinrich smirked.
"Rrrraaaahhhh! !" Yukari roared as her clothes save for those covering her privates were burned away. "Vessel of the Elements! !"
"Oh? The same form that gave Rizevim-Sama trouble..." Euclid said. "How wondrous to see it first hand."
"Kuah!" Heinrich was batted away by Kazeken.
"Granberia, with all due respect, stay out of my way." Yukari said. "I'll handle this myself."
"Very well, but I want a spar in the future." Granberia said stabbing Ares into the ground.
"Gladly." Yukari nodded. "I welcome a strong opponent like yourself."
"Heh." Granberia smirked. "Well, what are you waiting for? Get him!"
"..." Heinrich raised his blades to block Yukari as she slashed down at him, cratering the ground. "I'm pleased. Unlike your ignoble brother, you aren't holding back. Good to know I'm being taken seriously."
"You think Kenshin wasn't taking you seriously? You're a fool Heinrich..." Yukari stabbed Ryuuga forward "Hellfire Flash!"
Meanwhile Grendel stomped down at Kenshin who raised his swords to defend. "Huuuuaaaahhhh! !" Kenshin roared holding Grendel's foot up. "ANY TIME NOW WOULD BE GREAT ISSEI! !"
"Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!"
"Haa!" Issei kicked Grendel in the jaw.
"Haa!" Kenshin shouted throwing Grendel's foot off him. He flew up to Issei and nodded, surrounding his fists in the elements while Issei started gaining boosts.
"Let's rock!" Grendel shouts as he punches at them over and over again.
"Haaaaa! ! !" Issei roared.
"Elemental Spica Barrage! !" Kenshin roared as the two punched against Grendel's fists.
"That actually hurt! Interesting! INTERESTING! ! !" Grendel said with an insane laugh. "Let's see what more you can do! !"
"Che! Kenshin he makes your battle fanaticism seem normal!" Ddraig said.
"Yeah no kidding! It's like he's a masochist!" Kenshin said.
"Well lets see how you react when my target isn't you!" Grendel said breathing six fireballs toward the Kuoh Defense Force.
"No!" Kenshin and Issei shout.
"I won't let you!" Rossweisse said blocking two with her defensive barriers.
"It won't work!" Akeno said taking another two with her Raikouryuu.
"Vanish!" Saji said using Vritra's power.
"Asia-Tan...Protect." Fafnir said helping destroy the last fireball.
"You son of a bitch! !" Kenshin growled.
"This was us against you! ! Why did you attack our comrades!" Issei said.
"Fine then! Let's-!"
Suddenly the white room they were in got darker. "What the?" Kenshin looked around.
"That's enough."
"!"
Sona turned to find Tamamo walking forward with wide eyes. "Tamamo-San, what is it?"
"Mo...ther..." Tamamo said.
The darkness in the room gathered and formed Alipheese who looked up at Grendel. Who in turn looked down at her. "Oi, you naked snake woman, get off the battlefield."
"Hmn..." Alipheese waved her hand outward.
"Guah? !" Grendel was batted to the left by an invisible force.
"What just happened?" Issei said.
"..." Kenshin stared at Alipheese.
"Learn some respect you rat with wings." A second figure joined Alipheese, revealing herself to be Minagi. "You stand in the presence of the Primordial Goddess of Darkness."
"Kh!" Euclid grunted, his eyes narrowing. "This is the woman who held dominion over Ragnarok Kuroshi himself? !"
"Took you a little longer getting in Alipheese-Sama?" Raynare asked.
"A little bit." Alipheese said.
"You bitch!" Grendel said getting back up and flying right at her, exhaling a massive fireball right at Alipheese.
"Mother." Minagi said.
"Stand aside Minagi, I'll handle this personally." Alipheese said moving forward. She stretched both hands outward. "Come to me, Primordial Darkness, and devour...all in my path that seek to do me harm."
Her dark aura stretched forward and formed a dark portal, that the fireball flew into before closing. "Hrn? !" Grendel grunted.
"Thank you for the meal, little dragon." Alipheese said wiping her lip. "I do enjoy a bit of spice every now and again."
"You bitch! I'll crush yo-!"
"GRENDEL STOP!" Euclid ordered.
"What? ! Why? !" Grendel said. "Do you fear this woman? !"
"To be honest, you should too." Alipheese said. "The dragons of this world seem to respect my dear Ragnarok's power, and I was his master."
"..." Heinrich cast away his swords. "Let's go Negi."
"Wha? !" Miyuki said as Negi broke out of her hold and followed after Heinrich.
"Where are you going?" Euclid said.
"You were thinking of throwing us at her so you could escape. Sorry but tangling with the Goddess of my kind wasn't part of the deal, so get bent." Heinrich said as he and Negi vanished.
"Khhh..." Euclid growled.
"Come on, let me at her!" Grendel shouts.
"No, you're still in the process of being tuned Grendel. She would annihilate you." Euclid said.
"Tch. Fine...We'll see each other again." Grendel huffed and disappeared.
"What will you do, little devil?" Alipheese said with a calm smile. "Flee or fight and die?"
"I don't have a deathwish, so I bid you adieu." Euclid said as he warped away.
"..." Kenshin and Issei landed on the ground. "What do we do Kenshin?"
"Stand down." Kenshin said as he walked forward and stabbed his sword in the ground casting off the Abyssal Elemental Overdrive.
Alipheese turned toward him. "Aah, you're the famous Kenshin I've heard so much about."
"So the mother of all youkai has heard of me." Kenshin said. "An honor." He bowed respectfully. "How are you Alipheese-Sama? I trust the trip from Makai was agreeable to you?"
"...Wow, it's odd to see Kenshin be so respectful..." Saji said.
"That's the Dark Goddess." Tamamo said. "He knows not to say the wrong thing to her of all people."
"It was. Though this world is less agreeable to me than back home in Makai." Alipheese said.
"Likely due to the lack of dark mana." Kenshin said. "So what brings you here, if you don't mind me asking?"
"You." Alipheese said with a calm smile.
"...M...Me?" Kenshin said. "That is quite an honor in-" Kenshin was cut off as Alipheese reached over and tipped his head up with her left index finger.
"Hmm..." Alipheese tilted Kenshin's head to the left, then the right, then down. "Take away the cat ears...lengthen and thin the hair a bit and you could pass for Ragnarok." Alipheese said. "You really are his reincarnation."
"..." Kenshin stared at her.
"Well now that I've taken stock of you, I'll be taking my leave." Alipheese said. "Oh, and be prepared. There's no telling if and who Yama will try to resurrect next."
"Mother!" Tamamo said running past Kenshin.
"Hm?" Alipheese turned back around. "Oh! Tamamo I didn't see you back there. I'm sorry. How have you been?" She asked with a smile.
"Mother I..." Tamamo said.
"...It's OK." Alipheese said reaching over and petting Tamamo's head. "Ragnarok was his own man. I had hoped you could deter him, but I'm not angry that you weren't able to." Alipheese said. "Also no one person can hold things together when it comes to a world. So you shouldn't blame yourself for the conflicts that no doubt erupted."
"..." Tamamo bowed her head, saying nothing.
"Now, I'll be going...and Tamamo...from now on, live for yourself." Alipheese said taking her hand away. "Also, Kenshin. If your goal is to obliterate the difference in power between you and Ragnarok, you will need to master Yuurei-Chan's power once it melds with yours. Oh, and before I forget as well, I wanted to thank you personally for freeing me from the Shinigami's scythe"
Alipheese and Minagi disappeared, the latter after blowing a kiss at Kenshin. "So, the Goddess of Darkness was indeed a lamia." Sona said.
"Yeah." Kenshin said.
"Her and the succubus weren't wearing anything, do they have no modesty?" Irina asked.
"They just don't care." Kenshin said.
"It shouldn't really surprise you when it comes to Minagi." Alma said. "She is the Ancestor of the Succubus and Incubus races after all."
"Come on. Let's go." Kenshin said.
(break)
Early the next morning.
"Apparently Issei was using Ascalon the entire time...and Grendel still withstood it." Sona said, speaking with Kenshin.
"That's certainly troubling." Kenshin said.
"Yes." Sona nodded.
"The Abyssal Elemental Overdrive gives me a power boost, but it's like it runs wild. Yuurei says it's because I'm channeling his power as my own." Kenshin said.
"More power means your overall control goes down." Sona said.
"Great." Kenshin drawled. "Well, I got something else to train for."
"Indeed." Sona said with a nod. "Also, I have to organize the damage control for this attack and make sure the magicians are properly dealt with, I would appreciate your help in the matter."
"Sure, just give me a bit.." Kenshin said.
Sona left and Kenshin sat down. Ravel then approached him with a can of tea she had bought from a vending machine, Koneko was also with her. "Thanks." Kenshin said accepting it. "Have a seat." He said patting the spot next to him. "How are you feeling?" He asked.
"Alright for the most part..." Ravel said before hardening her gaze. "I won't forgive them for what they've done."
"Neither will I, so be strong Ravel." Koneko patted Ravel on the back with a smile before leaving.
"As well you shouldn't." Kenshin said.
"I want to tell you something." Ravel said.
"Go ahead." Kenshin said.
"When I was young. I was often told stories of heroes by my butler. It often excited me to hear such tales. I wanted to become someone who could such a person." Ravel said.
"..." Kenshin's face heated up a bit as Ravel looked right at him.
"I got older, and forgot those tales, but...when I saw you fight Onii-Sama. Especially the second time, when your body seemed to be giving out on you. I was amazed that someone who looked to be on the edge of death would get back up, and keep fighting for someone he loved. The dream of my youth started coming back to me...and I researched you. Your fearlessness, your straightforward approach to matters. You might not be as honest with your desires as say Issei-Sama, but you have them and do what it takes to achieve them, even if they often align with anothers. Eventually I know you'll have a dream to call your own. Your passion carries you and inspires others to follow you." Ravel said.
"..." Kenshin stared at her.
"I...wanted to stand beside you, and watch over what shape your dream would take on. It was my selfish desire, and so I came here with this in mind, and I was so happy when I was appointed yours and Issei's manager, and I was elated when Father told me you wanted to keep me on, even after appointing Rasai-San as your adviser...touched when you said how much you valued me."
"..." Kenshin glanced away. "I promised I'd protect you...and quickly that promise was broken."
"But instead of lamenting over it, you and Sona-San organized an effort to rescue all of us immediately, Miyuki-San even said you were willing to risk the Sword of God to keep us safe. I never stopped believing in you, for even a moment." Ravel touched his face, making him look at her as she smiled brightly. "I hope you realize that."
"Ravel..." Kenshin said. "Hmn..that won't happen again, I will get strong enough to ensure it. While I'm doing that, I want you to continue managing Issei and I."
"Of course." Ravel said.
"Now, we have something else we need to do." Kenshin said. "We need to run down those factories they still have running and put them all out of commission."
"Right, I can't, on my pride as a Phenex let that continue without doing anything!" Ravel said before taking out a piece of paper with several magic circles on it. "These circles were on the capsules and devices in that factory. I confirmed them with Koneko-San so there's no mistake."
"Uh huh." Kenshin looked it over. "...I...don't know what I'm looking at."
"Hmhmhm, it's fine, I didn't expect you to." Ravel said. "I've informed the staff at the Underworld and at Heaven about these already. I'm going to send it back home as well. We will be able to glean a lot of information out of these. We will figure out exactly what they're doing with these fake Phoenix Tears."
"Heheheh, go get 'em girl." Kenshin said petting her head with a grin. "Changing the subject, remember what we talked about in the baths?"
"Hm? Well yes..." Ravel trailed off.
"Why don't we do that some time in the next few days?" Kenshin said. "We could both use the time off after all this."
"I-I'd love to!" Ravel said with a blush.
"Ravel! I tried to come as soon as I heard, but I kept getting held up, I brought my whole peerage to help you and...wait? ! It's already over? !"
The two turned to find Raiser with his peerage running up behind him. "Heya Raiser. Fashionably late as always." Kenshin joked. "We already saved the day...er...night...eh whatever." Kenshin said. "Hey Yubelluna." He waved. She waved back in return.
Meanwhile Issei approached Raynare. "Hey." He said.
"Hm?" Raynare turned around. "Oh! I-Issei." She said.
"You actually came to help, I'm surprised." Issei said with a curious look.
"W-Well of course." Raynare said. "I mean..."
"Stop." Issei said.
"What?" Raynare asked.
"...Tell me, I want to hear you say it yourself. That was the first date I had ever taken anyone on...did you really enjoy it or were you just trying to..." Issei trailed off as Raynare smiled.
"Issei, I get your nervousness about the whole thing. I mean I did end up killing you...and I'm really sorry about that..." She said glancing away. "But I could tell it meant a lot to you that day and that's what counts." Raynare said. "When I said that it was a pathetic effort, and it was boring. I was basically trying to save my own neck, by lying about it to make you want to fight me over Kenshin. I mean back then it was no contest, he was stronger than you."
"Yeah." Issei chuckled. "Man, it's weird that I'm able to laugh about that, maybe dying again had something to do with it."
"You died again?" Raynare said with a shocked expression.
"Yeah, Kenshin and I both. I died to Shalba Beelzebub hitting me with an arrow dipped in Samael's blood or something inflicting me with his curse. Kenshin died from holy magic in his blood from being stabbed with the Sword of God." Issei said.
"...Man you two are really unlucky..." Raynare deadpanned.
"Eh, in some cases, yeah." Issei said. "But...you jumped into a situation you had no idea about and protected Asia."
"Well..after you left she chose to hear me out." Raynare said. "That's not a reason for it, I would have anyway, but..."
"I understand...ahh..well if you're serious about this...I guess it'd only be right to give you a chance." Issei said.
"...A..Aaahhh...?" Raynare said staring at him.
"But! If you reveal yourself to be the bitch I think you are, I'll freeze you solid." The two turned to find Sextum walking by.
"What's with her?" Raynare grunted with a sour look after Sextum left.
"She...cares a lot about me." Issei said. "So...why don't we go talk to Kai...err...Sona-San about getting you reenrolled at the Academy?"
"Sure, I'd like that." Raynare said with a smile.
Issei and Raynare walked over to Sona. "Hey Kaichou, could we have her reenrolled?"
"Hm?" Sona turned to them. "...Issei, you do remember who this is right?"
"I know I know, we already hashed it over. I'm giving her a second chance." Issei said.
"Well there's no need to ask. Azazel already asked me to reenroll her." Sona said. "I was just waiting for her to start attending."
"Wha? He never said anything." Raynare asked.
"...Seriously?" Sona deadpanned. "I didn't send the notice because he said he'd tell you."
"Seriously. I was never informed." Raynare said.
"Well...in any case, report to the Academy after the repairs and damage control have been made. You will go under your previous alias of Yuuma Amano." Sona said.
"Alright." Raynare said. "Issei, if it's all the same, I'll stay at my apartment. I wouldn't want to cause any undue stress at your home right now. Besides...it's nice having my own place."
"Eh, that's fine." Issei said.
(break)
Romania.
Azazel, Rias, Kiba and Evangeline rolled in a car down a bumpy mountain road. "My lord Azazel I told you to get something that could go offroad, but nooooo you didn't want to do that." Evangeline grumbled.
"Oh shut up." Azazel said.
"Both of you pipe down." Rias said.
"So, anyway Rias. Are you concerned about the lover you left in Japan?" Azazel said, teasing her about Kenshin.
"I'd be lying if I said no, the girls that love him have quite a daring approach." Rias said.
"So, who else do you think might be having his kid when we get back?" Evangeline asked.
"?" Kiba looked up from the map he was holding. "What? Who Else?"
"Oh right, you don't know." Azazel said as Evangeline's question went unanswered. "Alice-Sama came to Kuoh to tell Kenshin she was pregnant with twins, his twins."
"Huh...no wonder he was in such a shock." Kiba said.
"Anyway, changing subjects, what ended up happening to the Hero Faction. While we were parked..." Rias said.
"For like a fuckin' hour..." Evangeline grumbled.
"Yeah Yeah, I got a call. Supposedly Indra punished all the Longinus users of the Hero Faction. So that means Cao Cao, Georg and Leonardo, before he confiscated the spear and sent the three to Hades." Azazel said.
"Sounds like he's just running damage control to me." Evangeline said.
"No doubt. After we forced Heracles and Jeanne to give up their connections to him, that would have put him in a bad light." Azazel said. "He even trashed Cao Cao for using Medusa's eye as a replacement for the one Kenshin cut out. Saying because it became fatal due to Samael's poison, that he became a clown for it. He also trashed both Kenshin and Issei for trying to be heroes, despite being Devils. "
"Trying? Maybe he should take a trip to Makai, see what they think of the former." Kiba said.
"Please, he's not going to do that." Azazel snorted. "Huh? Hang on, I'm getting another call."
"Ugh!" Evangeline grunted in annoyance.
Azazel stopped the car. "Wha? Kenshin? What's so important that you needed to call? What? Put everyone on the line? Alright! Alright!"
A miniature hologram of Kenshin appeared on the dash. "Kenshin? What is it?" Rias said.
"Sad to say, this isn't a social call." Kenshin said. "I was asked by Sona to deliver this report, and I felt it was only right that you all know first."
"What's up?" Evangeline said.
"Well, yesterday we were attacked by the Khaos Brigade. They penetrated deep, assaulting the Academy itself." Kenshin said.
"What? !" Rias said. "Is everything alright? !"
"Relax, we already settled it." Kenshin said. "However it came with it's own series of headaches."
"What happened?" Kiba asked.
"Well they successfully abducted Koneko, Gasper, Kazumi and Ravel. The only one that took serious damage was Gasper, but he'll be fine with some healing and a few days rest." Kenshin said. "We found out how they were making Phoenix Tears as well."
"How?" Azazel asked.
"Homunculized Phenex Clan members. They wanted Ravel so they could improve their accuracy." Kenshin said.
"What else happened?" Evangeline asked.
"Yama's in league with the Brigade apparently." Kenshin said. "He not only sent Negi at us, but he also resurrected the Second Dragon of the Elements, Heinrich Hein to do his bidding."
"Hrmn..." Azazel said. "That's troubling. Heinrich Hein was a master elementalist, no one knows how strong he really is, other than Alipheese the Eighth whom he killed."
"Miyuki also says Negi's power was restricted so shot in the dark, maybe it's the same with Heinrich?" Kenshin said.
"How was Negi restricted?" Evangeline asked.
"Miyuki said Negi told her she wasn't allowed to use the Raiten Taisou Two." Kenshin said. "Whatever that is..."
"Yeah that'd do it." Evangeline said. "Wait...you don't know what that is? Negi never mentioned it when you were with her?"
"No. The most she used when we sparred was Agilitas Fulminis." Kenshin said. "Anyway...those two aside, we have a bigger problem."
"What?" Azazel said.
"The Khaos Brigade is apparently going around resurrecting the Evil Dragons, with or without Yama's help remains to be seen." Kenshin said. "They've already shown this by pitting the Crime Force Dragon Grendel against us."
"Excuse me? !" Azazel said.
"I'm not kidding, Issei and I were close to getting ragdolled by the fucker until the Dark Goddess herself showed up and drove him off, and this was in the True Queen form and the Abyssal Elemental Overdrive." Kenshin said. "And that bastard Grendel withstood Ascalon multiple times."
"Hrmn..." Azazel grunted.
"There's something else. The right hand of the guy heading up the remnants of the Khaos Brigade showed his face as well. His name is Euclid Lucifuge." Kenshin said.
"Lucifuge?" Rias said.
"Wouldn't that make him your sister in law's brother?" Evangeline asked. "Or at least kin to her?"
"He's her brother. He confirmed it himself." Kenshin said.
"Damn." Azazel said.
"Anyway, don't worry about Kuoh everything's fine we just gotta run damage control and nobody got hurt either. Well...unless you count mine and Issei's pride." Kenshin grumbled. "Fucking Grendel. Also, I haven't told Grayfia yet and the report's yet to be filed. I'd like to tell her myself beforehand."
"Yeah, good idea." Azazel said. "She'll need to be ready to have the council up her ass about this."
"Why would they be?" Rias said.
"It's my understanding that she told everyone he was dead." Kenshin said. "If he's popped back up questions will be asked about whether or not Grayfia lied about the whole thing to keep the heat off his ass."
"Certain clan heads might even claim she's a double agent." Azazel said.
"Ultimately a bunch of ''he said she said'." Kenshin said.
"Simple enough to deal with, just greatly annoying." Evangeline said.
"Alright, that's all I have to report. Safe travels to Transylvania." Kenshin said as his image faded out.
"Hrmn...if he's involved then it's no surprise to me that Kuoh Academy was attacked. Euclid could have found a way to smuggle a contingent in." Azazel said.
"I see...let's keep moving. They might have been caught unaware this time, but Kenshin won't let that happen again, neither will Sona." Rias said.
"Right." Azazel said.
(break)
The next morning.
Speaking of the co-wardens of Kuoh, the male of the two was currently laying in bed at the Sitri heiress' house. The night before, both the Kuroshi lord and the Sitri heiress were in dire need of stress relief after answering numerous questions, most with the same answers over and over again. By the end of it their eyes were bloodshot and both had nearly snapped at Tsubaki and Tamamo respectively by accident.
The two had found an opportunity to slip away unnoticed and went over to the Sitri heiress' house in Kuoh. Kenshin woke up to find Sona absent from the bed. "Where'd she go?" He said getting out of bed and getting dressed. He decided to leave his shirt off for the time being and walked downstairs.
"Hm hmhm hmmmm~"
"?" Kenshin peered into the kitchen to find Sona standing at the counter, humming a tune while decorating a cake. She wore nothing except a frilly pink apron with hearts on it and the panties she wore last night.
She turned her head as Kenshin entered the room "Good morning." She said with a smile.
"Mornin'" Kenshin said stretching his arms.
"Decided to go without a shirt this morning?" Sona asked.
"Decided to try the naked apron?" Kenshin asked.
"...Touche." The two said, laughing.
"Y'know for someone who is usually shy, this is pretty daring of you." Kenshin said crossing his arms with a coy smile. "I like it."
"Hmhmhm, you call me shy, knowing what we did in Safina...and last night as well?" Sona said with a demure smile.
Kenshin approached her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Ah yes, the night in the desert oasis...a very fond memory. Something that can never be taken from you."
"Mhm..." Sona nodded, relaxing against him. "What would you say if I wanted to make another...memory right now?" She said. "I fell asleep during that wonderful massage you were giving me last night after we finished the wine."
"That's how you know you did a good job." Kenshin said. "The one you're massaging is either so relaxed they fall asleep, or so horny they want to fuck you. That said, while I'd love to, I can't. I only have enough time to eat, get dressed, then I have to be out the door on my way to the Gremory Castle to speak with Grayfia."
"I see, unfortunate." Sona said. "Well then, I'll settle for one of these." She said slipping her hand behind Kenshin's head, pulling him into a kiss.
"Mmh..." He slipped his hands under the apron, caressing her breasts. Their tongues working around each other, exploring each other's mouths. "Mmmh...you're getting bolder." He said between kisses.
"I must do what I can." Sona said. The two kissed for a few moments more before moving away. "How about you go get dressed, and I'll bring some of this cake I made to you when you get back."
"Eh, sounds good." Kenshin said. He threw on his shirt which he had set on the back of one of the chairs before warping away.
He appeared at the front door of the Gremory Castle and entered. Venerana was there to greet him. "Oh? Kenshin, you just missed Zeoticus. He was on his way to the council chambers."
"That's fine, I'm not here to see him." Kenshin said. "Is Grayfia in?"
"Grayfia? Hm..." Venerana tapped her index finger against her cheek. "I believe she might be in the garden right now. Is it urgent?"
"Yes, and I'll go see her in the garden myself, if at all possible make sure we're not bothered, please?" Kenshin said.
"Alright, she should be alone at the moment right now anyway." Venerana said.
"Thanks." Kenshin said with a nod before proceeding to the garden.
He saw Grayfia watering the plants. "..." He approached her.
"?" Grayfia turned her head hearing his footsteps. "Oh Kenshin." She said with a smile as she cut off the water. "What is it? Have you come to visit Millicas?"
"No." Kenshin shook his head. "He's probably busy right at this moment anyway."
"Then what brings you here?" Grayfia asked.
"I came to see you." Kenshin said.
"You came to see me?" Grayfia said before smiling in a teasing fashion. "My decision may still be open, but it will not be influenced."
"..." Kenshin cleared his throat. "It's not that either."
"Then what is it? Usually Sirzechs tells me to tell you things, not the other way around." Grayfia said.
Kenshin pulled a folder out of one of his seals. "This is the report on the Kuoh Attack that took place two days ago." Kenshin said holding it out to her.
"...?" Grayfia stared at him curiously as she took the folder. "OK? Somewhat odd to give me of all people this...shouldn't it have hit Sirzechs' desk by now?"
"I'm heading to Lucifer's Castle after you see it." Kenshin said.
"I see..." Grayfia said.
"Something in the report will be of interest to you." Kenshin said. "It's impertinent that you see it before the council does."
"OK." Grayfia said opening the folder. "Surprise attack by rouge magicians, unknown means used to smuggle them in. Ravel Phenex, Koneko Toujou, Gasper Vladi and Kazumi Asakura all abducted in attack. Assistance requested from Grigori and Ajuka Beelzebub to help control the damage caused by normal humans seeing the supernatural up close and personally. Naturally it was granted." Grayfia said.
"Keep going." Kenshin said seeing her look at him.
"..." Grayfia felt a sense of foreboding hearing the seriousness in his tone. "Also involved in the attack were resurrected warriors under the control of the Shinigami and Primordial of Death Yama. Negi Springfield and the Second Dragon of the Elements, Heinrich Hein. The magicians were easily dealt with after the element of surprise had been stripped away from them. The real problems began as the fights against Heinrich, Negi, and the Crime Force Dragon Grendel who had himself been resurrected by...by..." Grayfia's eyes went wide with shock as she looked up at him. "You can't be serious!"
"Seeing your reaction, I wish I weren't. I wish I could just laugh this off as some kind of bad joke, but it's not." Kenshin said closing his eyes. "He confirmed it himself and before you say anything...what advantage does he gain by lying about it, to me? It would make sense if you were on the battlefield with us, but then we wouldn't be having this conversation, you'd already know if he was your little brother or not."
"..." Grayfia closed the folder and handed it back to him, her hands shaking. "All these years I thought he was dead..." She said, a look of conflict on her face.
"I know." Kenshin said. "But he's alive, and still working for Rizevim it seems. I wanted you to be the first to know because this, because we both know what's coming."
"I know." Grayfia nodded. "Thank you."
"..." Kenshin walked up to her and put his hand on her shoulder. "You know where to find me." He said.
"I'll keep that in mind." Grayfia said. "Now, off you go. You've stalled handing the report in long enough."
"Yes." Kenshin said walking past her, leaving the Gremory estate.
He needed to start training again, his battle with Grendel showed him that he was still too weak.
(chapter end)
Draconis: Man I really could not find a good stopping point for this.
Kenshin: I could tell.
Draconis: Anyway, next chapter we start Volume 15, oh and Ravel gets her date with Kenshin. Before you say anything. I'll be covering a date with you and Issei in a couple of chapters as well Kazumi.
Kazumi: Alright. (shrugs)
Alright, sorry if this feels all over the place. See you all next time.
Draconis678 out