/ "Dialogue." /
/ 'Internal Thoughts.' /
/ "Flashback Dialogue." /
XenoviaBestGirl: I will admit, I had forgotten they even mentioned birthdays in the story. My first choice was Christmas, but since they are devils, I did not think that would work.
I started to go back and revise some previous chapters. If they have a name, then that means they were fixed up a bit.
"They are here."
The Hero Faction maintained a unique set of principles. Members were forbidden to breed with non-humans, worship them, or fight on their behalf, unless approved to do so. However, they could conduct business when necessary, often out of mutual interest rather than trust. It was impossible for the leaders Cao Cao or Georg to be everywhere at once. They could not oversee every mission, nor manage every team that goes off into the chaotic world. And now, with so much going on, it was even more difficult to maintain organization among the faction.
On this mission, Connla led his group, accompanied by his comrades Perseus, Marsilio, and Leonardo.
The atmosphere among them was relatively relaxed—far less tense than when dealing with other figures within the Khaos Brigade.
Over the years, an established relationship had been built. There was never bad blood or conflict, despite the two groups harboring strong animosity toward one another. Opposites attracted, and this unholy relationship was undoubtedly unique in this world. Both sides knew the stakes and understood that they needed one another.
A devil faction.
Not just any devils, rather, Old-Devils.
They were not entirely blocked off for one good reason.
History.
Humanity had learned its ability to utilize magic and supernatural arts through demonic energy. That was why so many humans often fought under devils or joined devil peerages to become powerful. Schools of Magical Arts were all derived from contracts made between humans and their evil spirit counterparts. So, because of this misfortune, Cao Cao had allowed temporary access to gain insight from the Old-Satan Faction. It had always been a mutually beneficial relationship, and tonight was thought to be no different.
Connla spoke, "We need more blood. Satan blood." His tone was firm. "It is for our Chaos Break. And with what is about to happen in the Underworld, it would be best to stock up for the inevitable aftermath—and our victory."
He faced a devil dressed in dark robes, who stood with arms crossed and a hood that concealed his face.
The devil nodded slowly, his eyes glinting with hidden intent. "That can be arranged. However, we're looking for something important as well. We don't need money for mercenaries anymore. They will be used today. Now, in fact."
Connla exchanged glances with his comrades before nodding in agreement. "That deal works for us. We'll stay close, but we won't be in the Underworld. Cao Cao is still debating how exactly we'll support the operation. We might cut off reinforcements. Either way, our ultimate goal remains the same—Ophis."
He watched the devils silently acknowledge his statement. They spoke among themselves for some time, nodding toward one another as they huddled together. It was normal for magic circles to spawn at these meetings, often carrying the items both sides sought. Just another way to transport important and vital goods between them.
Just as the human turned his back to discuss their next move, sudden strands of glowing, binding tendrils shot out from the magic-circles like serpents. They were fast—so fast that Perseus and Marsilio barely had time to react before the seals ensnared them, locking their limbs in place.
"What the hell!?" Connla shouted, leaping back in alarm. His eyes widened as he saw his comrades trapped. "What are you doing!?"
The devil smirked darkly. "Making a deal."
A shadow loomed over the group as a figure descended slowly from above, his presence giving an malevolent feeling.
With flowing brown hair and a regal purple cape, the leader of the Old Satan Faction appeared before them.
Shalba Beelzebub. With his eyes burning with fury and reckless ambition.
He declared coldly, "You want more of my blood? Then come get it. The time is now. The deal is now. I have no interest in your money or services. I want something else—something you cannot offer me." His gaze then shifted sharply toward Leonardo. "But you can."
In an instant, Shalba vanished from his spot and reappeared directly in front of the young boy. Leonardo had no time to react. The devil's hand gripped his head tightly and lifted him off the ground like a ragdoll.
"Leonardo!" Connla cried out, panic setting in as he activated his Sacred Gear. His body was then coated in black shadows, his signature power.
But the response was swift and merciless.
The Satan unleashed a barrage of demonic energy—raw, overwhelming power that shattered the human's defenses before he could fully counter. Shadows crumbled under the might, and in moments, he was sent crashing to the ground, coughing up blood as he struggled to move.
"... You liar..." he gasped weakly, glaring up at the devil through blurred vision.
Shalba's expression darkened, his voice cold, "I am no liar. I told you I would take it all. And I will, take it all."
A glow of light conjured around the child.
Leonardo fought, squirmed, and then… pain. His body convulsed as the demonic energy surged through him like a poison, burning away resistance and overwhelming his senses. The seals binding him glowed brighter, tightening, preventing any chance of escape.
The Agreas Dome was perhaps the most serene venue for rating game tournaments in all of the underworld. Even directly outside of it, being on the island, offered a perfect aerial view, high above the clouds, overlooking the entirety of devil society. The dome itself stood as a marvel of technological superiority, far more advanced than the arena in Lilith, the capital. Massive monitors surrounded the space, displaying every conceivable angle of the games, while portable dimensions housed the battles themselves.
No other faction had games like these. Others held tournaments, sure—matches of strength and skill—but none as intricate, intense, or entertaining.
Beings from across worlds, realms, and pantheons had convened on Agreas. Angels, Fallen Angels, Devils, Norse gods, Youkai, Greek Gods, Shinto Gods, Persian Gods, Hindu Gods and countless others stood side by side in harmony.
The invitation list had been extensive, and while the spectacle of a good match drew many, the real purpose lay deeper. The tournament served as a display of unity—a chance to show that these once-warring factions could coexist and forge bonds beyond simple truces. It hoped to bring in many other religions and factions who were skeptical of this thaw in relationships.
There had even been discussions of giving this growing alliance a proper name.
"The Three-Factions Alliance" lacked charm and weight. It needed something shorter, something memorable.
For now, though, it was all about the games.
Just the games.
Uchiha Sasuke walked through the grand halls alone.
There were guards everywhere, which was expected due to the presence of high-ranking figures. Most were devils from House Astaroth, who normally occupied the island, along with those from House Agares, whose territory surrounded it in every direction.
The participants in the tournament had arrived earlier than everyone else, of course, ensuring they were physically and mentally prepared.
Before they parted ways, Rias gave a final speech to her team, thanking them as well as Azazel and himself.
But Akeno, naturally, took it a step further, wrapping her arms around Sasuke in a hug right in front of everyone. He endured it, though the public display of affection unsettled him. He had always found such things difficult in front of others.
His parents had never kissed each other, hugged each other, or even told each other they loved each in the presence of there children.
Sasuke was not entirely like his parents, but, he did believe somewhat in that traditional principal.
Yet, he did not object to it, as she was her own person.
As if to test his patience further, Xenovia snuck in a hug of her own—a bold maneuver. He had glanced at Akeno, expecting some form of protest, one he hoped could be heard by all, but she seemed unfazed.
Yet to him, these moments were becoming all too frequent.
Too. Much. Touching.
Since the human was considered essential to one of the participating peerages, he had been given a private pod overlooking the arena. It wasn't as luxurious as the grand booths reserved for the Satans and other major leaders, but it provided a clear, elevated view—and most importantly, a place where he could be alone.
He spoke low, already irritated, "You have the wrong room."
A woman sat silently by the window, her expression distant and blank as if lost in thought. She had long, flowing blonde hair, striking green eyes, and a figure that would draw the admiration of many. Along with her beauty, there was a quiet elegance in how she carried herself in her solitude.
When no response came, he merely set his sword against the wall and eyed the woman calmly. Eventually, she blinked, and snapped out of her thoughts. Her eyes met his, truly taking him in—his face, his posture, the quiet intensity of his aura. Recognition flashed in her gaze. She had seen him before, in this very city, and knew exactly who he was.
Yes, this was him.
The devil gave a graceful nod, her voice refined and genuine, "Uchiha Sasuke-kun, my name is Latia Astaroth. We met before."
He narrowed his eyes slightly. "... I know." he replied bluntly. "You have the wrong room."
She smiled softly. "Oh, of course, I know. It's rude of me, but I was hoping I might watch these games with you. I didn't mean to intrude. Were you expecting someone else?"
"No," Sasuke said, shaking his head. "I was just hoping to watch them alone."
Latia blushed slightly, her composed demeanor wavering for a moment. "Ah... I see."
When she did not immediately leave, he sighed and walked passed her, taking a seat near the edge of the pod. He rested his elbow on the armrest, gazing out at the arena.
"Do what you want." he muttered.
Her smile returned, a touch brighter this time. "Thank you. Truth be told, I'd rather watch the games with someone who isn't caught up in politics. It's all become too... exhausting. Besides, I'm here to show my support for Rias. I feel most people are betting on Sairaorg, but I'd like to think this venue of yours is for House Gremory. I'm sure you feel the same way, as her... friend."
"Hm."
A fox typically chases prey by using its keen sense of hearing to locate the animal, then stalking close before launching a surprise jump to capture it.
However, this young fox was chasing not prey, but a friend.
The nose flared, as it often did, her golden eyes narrowing as her tails wagged behind her. Even the larger, furry ears twitched, as if sharpening, hoping to hear something. She looked down at the ground as though sensing something that wasn't there. Her gaze traced the air around her, searching for some unseen indication or clue. When she came across the grand staircase, her nose flared once more, and she listened from a distance, staring up, hoping to catch a tone or a particular pitch.
Yes.
Her eyes lit up, and without hesitation, she dashed up the stairs, her senses guiding her with precision. At the top, she faced two pathways—left and right—but ignored both. Instead, she ran straight into the room ahead.
She saw him—expression blank—chatting with an unfamiliar woman, an evil spirit, a devil. But she had learned to respect devils after their assistance in Kyoto.
"Sasuke!"
The Kitsune ran straight toward him, excitement evident. She had clearly insisted on arriving early in hopes of seeing her friend from a few weeks ago. She embraced him—an innocent show of admiration and gentle affection. He reluctantly reciprocated, though the stiffness in his posture made it clear he was uncomfortable.
Too. Much. Touching.
Kunou looked up at him, her eyes and voice soft. "We saw you go," she said. "Even Sun Wukong-sama—he tried to help you as well." She looked down, as though ashamed that they hadn't been able to do more.
He assured her, "I was fine. Where I was sent was nowhere worse than where you had been sent." That seemed to ease her spirits. "I made it back in one piece, and so did you. I never got to tell you before, but good job. That was quite a battle you endured."
She smiled and nodded at him. It was one thing to be praised by your parent, or those who served her at the shrine, but from someone she had truly respected and begun to admired, it was nice to hear.
Suddenly she fidgeted, then grabbed his hand, and gave it a firm bite.
"...What?" Sasuke muttered, raising an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Kunou gave a playful smile. "You lied."
"... About what?"
Her expression softened. "You asked me why would you have wings... but you do. You do have wings. They saved us. You remember, right?"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he searched his memories. He did remember now—the panic she had shown when he flew through the sky, and later, the sight of his Perfect Susanoo soaring through the dimensional gap. Technically, he had lied about it, though he hadn't considered it important at the time. Still, it was a fair point.
A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "...I suppose I do have wings."
Latia stared, one leg over there other, '...Wings?' but she saved the thought for later. Instead, she spoke warmly to the kitsune, "Hello. You must be Lady Kunou. Welcome to Agreas and the Underworld. I presume this is your first time here. If you'd like, you can sit next to me."
Kunou gave her a sharp side-eye, clearly unimpressed. "...No. And my name is just Kunou. My mother is a lady. I'm just a girl."
The devil smiled awkwardly, feeling slightly rebuffed. "Oh... okay."
"Hey, hey! Can I show you something?" Without waiting for a response, she jumped off the seat and balanced herself in the center of the room. She exhaled softly, steadying her focus. Then, without any buildup or momentum, she leapt straight up, flipped gracefully in mid-air, pressed her feet against the ceiling, and stood there—completely balanced.
She smirked, looking down at Sasuke. "See? And with my eyes open this time."
'Is this what Danzo saw?'
He recalled standing on the ceiling himself once, during the... incident, as one might say, at the Five Kage Summit.
But this moment was far more lighthearted—a better memory to think of in the future.
He gave a small smirk. "You'll be a sage in no time."
Suddenly, a stern, low, feminine voice echoed through the room.
"Kunou. I told you never to run off from me."
Kunou flinched, her eyes widening. Her concentration broke, and she fell from the ceiling with a yelp, crashing on the floor.
Lady Yasaka stepped into the room, her presence as imposing as her beauty. There was an aura to her—a radiance, something that lit up the space.
"You know better than to practice acrobatics in the presence of others, especially when we are guests," The Kyuubi continued, her tone firm but not unkind. "Now sit, and look as pristine as you always do when we host others."
Her daughter grumbled and bowed. "Yes, mother." Though, she chose to conveniently sit next to Sasuke rather than near her mother or the devil.
When the Youkai took notice of the two already in the room, she humbly graced herself as she always did. Her eyes were gentle, and her smile was as genuine as one could be. Truth be told, she was just as excited to be here as her daughter. There were many growingly familiar figures to meet, and with her recent joining of this newfound alliance, it was a show of gratitude for the invitation.
The younger Kitsune whispered, "...You're supposed to stand when a lady greets you."
He had never heard that before.
Sasuke, however, stood and awaited Yasaka to come closer—a bit too close, most would say.
Yasaka gave a calm, formal, respectful bow. "My, oh my... I was hoping to meet you here." Her tone was warm, yet teasing. "I must say, having you as an ally is much better than having you as a foe." she added with a sly smile.
"It was chaotic, for both of us."
She chuckled softly but then grew more sincere. "I owe you my appreciation, sir—for saving me and the youkai under my care." She paused, her tone becoming even more genuine. "But most of all, for watching over my daughter. I do not know if you have children of your own, but..." She paused again, emotion rising in her voice. "...There is no greater fear I've known than imagining her not by my side. Never have I experienced such dread, such pain, and such heartbreak."
Sasuke gave a nod. "It wasn't a problem. She was brave. You have every reason to be proud."
"...Yes, I am proud," she said softly. "It's difficult, doing all of this... alone. Knowing someone else could care for her, and hearing her talk endlessly about you, has warmed my heart. You are always welcome in Kyoto. Especially at our shrine. We would be honored to have you visit sometime."
He couldn't help but notice the subtle bounce of her chest as she moved closer—not that he had been looking, but it was impossible not to see. He swallowed quietly, the air suddenly heavy with her calming, yet strangely alluring, aura.
"... I'll remember that. If I ever return to Kyoto."
Yasaka leaned in, lowering her voice so only he could hear her. "Such a handsome young man," she said, her fingers lightly tracing his cheek. "Tell me... Is that ring on your finger meant for... someone... or is it just for show?"
Sasuke's gaze shifted to the ring on his hand. "It's for fighting," he replied, his voice steady but slightly hesitant. "I'm not married."
"Neither am I," Yasaka replied smoothly, "What does it do for you? Cover those eyes?"
There was no surprise that she knew. After all, the two had fought one another in the Dimensional Gap, and he had even carried her out of that cursed place. His dōjutsu had been visible to all. Though he no longer felt the need to hide it all the time, it was more of a convenience issue. The last thing he wanted was people annoying him about why one eye was purple and the other black.
"Yes. It can be a distraction for others."
She smirked. "You shouldn't withdraw it. They are beautiful. They are a part of you. It's you. You don't see me hiding my tails."
When he gave a nod to her words, the Youkai then asked, "...May I see them?"
There was no need to hide it from Yasaka or Kunou. After all, they had already seen both of his eyes. It seemed harmless enough, so his Rinnegan surfaced—though only his left eye revealed its true color.
Of course, the devil in the room, who seemed harmless and irrelevant enough, watched as well.
Yasaka observed him closely, a sly smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "I wonder what else about yourself you're hiding…" she mused softly.
A sudden, loud cough echoed from the side.
Latia Astaroth rose gracefully to her feet, her composed, though a very subtle hint of irritation. "Lady Yasaka, I presume. My name is Latia Astaroth. It is an honor to welcome the Kyuubi and the West Kyoto faction to the Underworld. Please allow my guards to escort you to the Youkai seating area."
Kunou immediately looked up, panic flashing in her eyes. "...I want to stay here!" she blurted.
Her mother gave her a sharp look, one that told her not to raise her voice, to be patient, and to idle.
Yasaka glanced at Sasuke, her smile warm and understanding. "Will you have us, my sir?" she asked gently.
Sasuke wasn't fond of titles like "sir," "sama," or "lord." He had never cared for such formalities. Yet somehow, he didn't mind it coming from Yasaka. Perhaps it was because she was a great parent—someone he could respect—or perhaps it was because she was a youkai. Something about her felt closer to his nature than the devils or fallen angels he had encountered.
It didn't feel ironic, or passive-aggressive, or some way to mock him as some of those who look down on humans would do.
"... Do what you want." he replied with a casual shrug.
Latia's lips suddenly frowned as she watched them both sit across from one another.
The Uchiha suddenly turned to Kunou, "I have something for you."
They watched him, curious as they could be. He didn't seem like the type for gifts. But when he reached into the bag hanging alongside his sword, their attention sharpened.
What he revealed was a scroll—a medium sized, sturdy one. It was an unusual item, especially for a child, but he didn't leave them wondering for long.
Kunou eyed the scroll suspiciously. "...Will it set on fire?" she asked, narrowing her eyes. The Kitsune had not forgotten his prank with the chakra-paper.
Sasuke smirked faintly. "If you can make this combust, I'd be very impressed. But no." He walked over to the table and began unraveling part of it. As the parchment stretched out, intricate letters, symbols, and imprints became visible.
"Can you read?"
She clenched her teeth at him , "Of course I can read! I'm not a baby."
"Good," he replied calmly. "Then this shouldn't be an issue."
He tapped the scroll lightly. "These are writings, tools, and instructions. Explanations, really. It's very basic material for learning about... fire. I've included some notes on water techniques at the end, too. Use that part by the river. Actually, use both by the river, just in case the fire gets out of hand."
Kunou blinked, processing his words. "...Magic?"
Sasuke nodded. "Something similar. Like when I taught you how to walk on water."
She carefully rolled the scroll back up and handed it to her mother.
The young Youkai gave a bow, "...Thank you."
The Kyuubi made glares, lots of sly glares. Thankfully, Latia was good at speaking, or at least good at distracting Yasaka. Sasuke didn't mind her, but the attention was becoming very... obvious. Besides that, it was a peaceful and surprisingly enjoyable experience so far. Things could be much, much worse. He imagined being with the Satans, or a drunk Azazel, or with anyone else, really.
Then, something terrible happened.
A loud, painful, ear-grating, raspy, obnoxious sound echoed throughout the room.
It was the opposite of harmony. It was the opposite of decent melody, decent pitch, decent tone.
But a voice it was.
An elderly man, short, in stature, with a long grey beard that reached his knees.
"My, oh, my! Where is everyone? The youth have no idea of the importance of arriving on time these days! Didn't their elders teach them that being early is being on time?"
The source peaked inside, "... Is this our room?"
Lady Yasaka, in her elegance, stood and bowed before the figure, "My good sir, may I be of assistance?"
The old man squinted, pretending his vision was failing. "Ah, I might need it! This place is a maze!"
Kunou whispered softly, "... Getting old is sad."
Sasuke, however, was not sad, nor even the least bit amused.
Yes, he knew this person.
When the Kyuubi approached him, the Chief God of the Norse, Odin, suddenly off balance, stumbling, his lack of awareness showing. His face pressed against Yasaka's ample and significant chest, causing him to bounce off and recoil back.
The Uchiha could not believe how diabolical he was, to try and actually pretend as if that had been a genuine accident.
"Oh! My mistake, my lady," the God chuckled. "I can't see too well these days."
The Youkai didn't seem to mind, instead smiling softly. "It's quite all right, my lord. Perhaps I can show you to your proper room. I am Yasaka, the Kyuubi from Kyoto. But of course, I've heard of you—God of the North. Your power and wisdom are known far and wide."
Odin chuckled again. "Ah... you're too kind, my Lady. You flatter me, and if you wish, I could show you something else that goes far and wide," he said slyly. "But yes, that would be lovely." He took her hand and allowed her to guide him further into the room. His gaze wandered, eventually landing on Kunou. "My, is this your lovely daughter, I presume? The next nine-tailed fox?"
Before anyone could respond, Sasuke had enough. He gave a very rigorous and loud cough. Not afraid to let his presence be known, nor feeling hesitant in halting a deity's conversation.
That glare on his face would have made Itachi proud.
"Keep your nose where it belongs. You wouldn't want to lose that sense as well."
It was strange to feel such sudden hostility in the air. The God paused, momentarily taken aback. He rubbed his chin with his smug smirk, "My, my... is that you, boy-chan?" He laughed obnoxiously, shaking his head while looking at the Kyuubi, "I agree with your wisdom, Lady Yasaka. Children should stay with their parents when attending events like this. After all, things can get quite dangerous."
The subtle threat was not met with amusement.
Sasuke replied, "Maybe you can preach those words to my parents when I send you to them."
There was a long, dramatic pause.
Latia looked around, her expression horrified, 'What the hell is happening?' she stared the Youkai, but even they seemed perplexed at the rise in tension.
At that moment, his vanguard, Baraqiel, entered the room. The tall, muscular Fallen Angel sighed and spoke.
"Lord Odin-Sama, your viewing area is above with the rest of the deity's."
Odin laughed heartily. "I'm starting to like it here, though. A good mix of beautiful women and simmering children," he said, glancing over his shoulder with a grin. "But no matter. I hear you have someone in the games today, hmm? Your daughter, correct?"
Baraqiel flinched and replied quietly, "Yes. Akeno is participating. She is the Queen of Rias Gremory. I believe you... ran into her before."
'Twice,' Sasuke thought to himself, 'Twice too many.'
The God stroked his beard with amusement. "Ah yes, I do recall the beautiful young woman back in the human world. My memory isn't as bad as some might think." He cast a glance at the Uchiha "I'll be sure to keep a close eye on her when she fights. With my good eye, of course."
His fingers then pressed against the rim of his monocle with a playful glint.
Sasuke's gaze hardened, his scowl at its fullest.
Disciple is a Shinobi's strength.
And no doubt, his strength was tested in this moment.
Odin, however, seemed unfazed, "Ah, young love," he added with his mocked tone. "Always so protective. Quite charming." He chuckled softly, stroking his beard once more. "But don't worry about me, boy-chan. Worry about yourself, and those close to you. Think about what other dumb decisions the rashness of love will bring to you! If you don't, you may end up losing it."
Test, test, test, push, push and more pushing.
It was good Baraqiel escorted him out.
Though he was no doubt angry, those words had some wisdom within them. Love changes people, riles emotions, leads to decision made out of passion, not logic.
Yet, Sasuke knew that already with his own experiences.
Then again, he's never loved in this type of way before.
"Sasuke-chan!"
Oh no...
Oh, no, no...
There three figure who entered now.
Each entirely different from one another.
Serafall Leviathan's voice was not as high-pitched as she often made it out to be, but it was just as bubbly, vibrant, and warm. It echoed through the room with excitement. She was the first Maou to arrive at the event. Her ceremonial attire, though less flamboyant than her usual magical-girl outfit, still radiated charm and grace. Her gaze could not have been happier—this room was the embodiment of everything she wanted.
She greeted the women with a cheerful bow. "Lady Yasaka, Lady Latia, and... Kunou! Beautiful as always! I'm so glad to see you here, especially with our esteemed and most-beloved-human-in-all-of-the-Underworld!"
Great.
Another title.
As if "sir" or "sama" wasn't enough.
Yasaka bowed in return. "Thank you for your warm hospitality. I only regret that I wasn't able to meet you when you visited Kyoto. And yes, we were indeed fortunate that Sasuke was there during that time."
A voice commented on that situation, warm, gentle, and genuine—the opposite of what often came out of Odin's rotten mouth.
Michael, the leader of the Angels, approached with his usual composed expression. Though he frowned slightly, his mood seemed good. "I heard about this. How young devils and our Youkai allies worked together to defeat the Hero Faction." He gave a nod to the Uchiha. "And of course, you were there as well, Sasuke. It's good to see you again. Good to see you building your own path of helping others."
He recalled the words.
"But you are still a human."
It felt like a long time since they had last spoken at Kuoh Academy, during the first Old-Satan Faction attack on the formation of the Three-Faction Alliance. They had a brief conversation then, but one that helped both understand humanity and what it truly meant.
Even now, Sasuke could feel this angel's power. It was odd—completely opposite from Rizevim. While the devil had originally made him uneasy, his body instinctively wanting to tremble, the Seraph had the opposite effect.
Serafall saw his nod and smiled. "So, Sasuke-chan... are we still having dinner sometime? Remember? You promised me. In Kyoto? A perfect opportunity to discuss the issues facing humanity!"
He froze, his mind recalling. Then it hit him—he had agreed to something with her at some point.
What had overcome him to accept that offer?
But he was not afraid.
"... Where again?"
The words were originally supposed to be—"Why again?"—but that was not what had come out.
"At my castle!" She replied eagerly. Then, her voice dropped lower, her eyes narrowing in a playful wink. "Or, if you'd prefer... I could meet you in the Realm Of The Dead."
That tone was lighthearted, teasing as always, but there was something else beneath it—something subtle, hard to define. Was it suspicion? An accusation? A test of some kind? He couldn't quite tell and briefly wondered if he was just overthinking it.
'... Is that some joke!?'
He stared blankly, his eyes not giving away the sudden unease within him.
"You're confusing me. What do you mean?"
A puff of smoke covered the small spark that had ignited from her words.
Sun Wukong stood, his aura calm yet formidable, his smirk wide, and his words convincing. "Hohoho, now, now." He stared at Sasuke, and though the shinobi's face remained as neutral as ever, he knew there was some underlying concern with him. "Levi-chan, do not press the boy. I could be wrong, you know. I was not born a Buddha—I grew into the role. Even an old man like me makes mistakes."
Lady Yasaka gave a respectful nod. "It is hard to imagine the Great Buddha making a mistake. A true inspiration to all Youkai, and to be in your presence once again is an honor."
Serafall shrugged. "It is no matter to me. I like to joke, learn new things, solve mysteries, and, I like to have dinner with my friends. As long as you treat a noble lady right, we will have a grand time learning about one another."
Sasuke smiled, thinking, 'Barely a noble. Barely a lady.' He felt relief at the unexpected save, "... I'll find you at your castle. I'll let your sister know when as well, as I imagine you are busy."
The Leviathan giggled, clearly enjoying herself. "Perfect! I'll be waiting!" She gave a cheerful wave as she headed for the door. "See you soon! Enjoy the games everyone!" With that, she made a dramatic exit, her aura sparkling with playful energy.
Michael gave a nod to all of them as well before leaving.
On cue, the Great Sage himself headed for the door. However, before he left, he huffed once more.
["Boy, can you hear me?"]
Sasuke jolted and looked toward the exit. A sudden, unexpected voice came.
'What the hell is this?'
["I can speak within your mind. Even form this distance. Without fear of others listening. Simple enough?"]
'Leave my mind.' He replied in a hostile tone.
["Do yourself a favor and heed my advice. Remember what happened last time you ignored it? Being sent to the God of Death—I can't imagine that was fun. Yet, here you are, with your soul and body intact. So, I will offer you something. And, if you are unsure of my promises, then ask our mutual friend."]
Mutual friend? He thought for a moment about who that could be. At first, he considered Yasaka, but that didn't make sense. No, instead, another figure popped into his memory. A woman. A nekomata.
'Kuroka?'
["Yes. I did not want to bring her name up in front of the devils, since she is a criminal among them. Ask her about me, or don't. Yet, I wish for you to come to the Mount Mount Huaguo. It is my home. Come, or don't. But if you wish to learn senjutsu, wisdom, and true balance within yourself, then heed my call. You're chakra impresses me. And we will need people like you in the wars to come."]
Before he left, he gave one last message to him.
["And be careful! That devil-chan is being deceitful. You don't even need senjutsu to feel the lies rolling off her tongue!"
Sasuke gave Latia a blank stare.
Believe her, or a God?
Suddenly, the stadium erupted with a roar of support from the crowd. Thousands of voices cheered in excitement, shaking the arena with their energy. Above, hundreds of powerful beings watched, their eyes fixed on the battlefield. On one side stood Rias Gremory, her crimson hair flowing, her peerage standing strong beside her. On the other side, Sairaorg Bael, a towering force of strength, faced them with his own beloved comrades, ready for battle.
The Rating Game had begun.
Sasuke then gripped Kunous, who flinched from his gentle squeeze. Without looking, he whispered into her ear, "Do you remember what happened in Kyoto? When we were attacked?"
She nodded.
His voice dropped cold, even low, though firm with an authoritative tone, "If that happens again. You take your mother. And you leave. Do you understand?"
Kunou tilted her head in confusion, but saw the look on his face, and gave a nod.
Anything could happen.
Latia Astaroth crossed on leg over the other, and took a sip of tea. She stared at the man sitting across from her, his black hair, his blank expression. She had seen his left eye become purple, something she would remember, but it had went back to black to align with his right eye. He was a human, a different race, but she had no qualms about them and was often more open-minded with other groups of people.
She's known many people, usually aristocracy and low-born individuals. That is just how devil society operates. And, she is not someone who judges based off that. But, she was curious.
Since, in her mind, from what she has come to realize is that...
He is...
'Boring?' the heiress questioned.
'Maous. Gods. Ultimate-Class Youkai. Rias…' They all seemed to have some level of interest in him, some even bordering on infatuation. Yet, she couldn't see the reason.
'He might be a traitor. He might not be. He set the Realm of the Dead on fire—if what my uncle told me was true.'
To her, the first impression of Sasuke was... cold. Blunt. Rude, though he didn't seem to be aware of it.
Handsome, yes, but that only went so far. Not every woman was drawn to a man with the emotional capacity of a dragon.
'Him and Euclid Lucifuge? And maybe even Hyoudou Issei involved?' It made less and less sense the more she thought about it.
Perhaps there was much her uncle wasn't telling her. That wouldn't be surprising. He didn't particularly like her—then again, he didn't like anyone. But she still felt she owed him. She was now the heir to House Astaroth, a position she had always wanted.
And yet... Be careful what you wish for had never felt more real.
She could still hear them.
Those screams.
The devils who had been thrown into those strange, black flames.
'He can manipulate those?'
"…What?"
Latia suddenly jolted at his firm tone.
"…What?" she repeated.
"What." Sasuke insisted. "Do you want to ask me something, or are you just nervous?"
She gave him a practiced smile. "I admit, you do make a girl blush, though I'm sure you're well aware of that."
Complimenting his looks was pointless. It wouldn't get a reaction out of him.
"I didn't think you were the nervous type."
The devil smirked, "Now what makes you think that?"
Sasuke deadpanned and eyed her left hand that was resting on arm rest. A jitter? A twitch? Something that has been happening her whole life? No, but it was definitely some sort of reaction. She recoiled her arm back, realizing that her had hand been trembling. It did that, often. Especially when she thought about those other devils, and how they died. Trauma, yes, but no one she could resolve. And there was a fear inside of her. A fear of Ajuka, and also, a potential fear of this human.
However, she composed herself once more, her years of being a socialite kicking in.
Latia gave the Uchiha a smile, "I visited your city recently." she said with a soft tone, "Though, you were not there."
Issei had actually told him about this when he returned. They still had their overall deal—the one they had made when they first really met. The pawn often told him small details, ones that seemed irrelevant, pointless, or sometimes very important. Sasuke knew she had been there, but it didn't seem like a big issue. It sounded plausible; many of these young devils had known each other growing up.
"I was off on my own," Sasuke replied. "Seems I missed the pleasure of your company."
She chuckled softly. "That's fine."
He gave her a blank stare. "What did you even come for? Looking for humans for your peerage?"
Latia sighed, her smile fading as she leaned back in her seat. "To escape. To run." She hesitated for a moment, then continued with a frown. "The Underworld... the politics... it's suffocating." Her voice grew quieter as she added, "I'm betrothed to Riser Phenex now. Do you recall the name? He is the one Rias was almost forced to marry. Until that champion pawn of hers saved her."
Riser.
There was nothing really special or unique about him. He was more a combination of what everything wrong with devil society. Pompous, arrogant, relying too much on his name, on his blood. neither polite nor particularly intelligent. The kind of person who barked loudly and let his birthright do the talking.
Yet, unlike some devils, such as Diodora, Riser's peerage did seem to appreciate and love him.
"Hn." He replied, recalling it all.
"Yes," Latia said, sipping her tea. "You were helping the Sekiryuutei, along with the rest of Rias' peerage. Don't think many of us have forgotten. We girls keep our important chats."
He raised an eyebrow, his voice suddenly low, "...Who else remembers me?"
Latia tensed slightly at his tone. "N-No one. It's just High-Class devil nonsense," she assured him, quickly shifting back to their conversation. She took another sip before continuing, "...To make a long story short, I just needed to vent. To see some women, real women. Not one chained down by marriage. I want out of this engagement, but the pressure is difficult. Things are expected of me. Things are expected of him. It is fate. Do you have similar situations where you're from?"
"Where I am from does not matter," he replied flatly. "As for you... you are just being weak."
The words came out harsher than he had intended.
"Just break it off," Sasuke clarified. "If it is your fate to marry him, then your god—or rather, your Lucifer—I don't even know what you worship. If this is fate, then your fate is cruel. So, break it."
She blinked, "... It's not that simple. In your world I-"
"In my world," he interrupted firmly, "We break our fates. We make our paths. We change the world into what we want it to be. It is there, for anyone. You just have to take it."
Latia smiled, "That is a beautiful world. There are many things devil society is ahead in compared to you humans. However, we are also behind in many other things. So, what do you suggest, might I ask?"
"Do you really want to know?"
She nodded, intrigued.
Sasuke leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper as he came closer to her ear.
"...Just... kill... him."
Her body froze. Her face tensed. She held a cup mid-air, her eyes wide with horror.
An amusing sight.
That was a joke—a half-joke.
He had no hatred for Riser, nor did he expect Latia to do something as drastic as that. But watching her face twist in shock was undeniably entertaining.
Eventually, she seemed to understand his morphed sense of humor. She composed herself, and peacefully exhaled.
"Now, now... If we all solved our problems that easily, no one would ever learn the value of hardship, don't you think?"
The Uchiha shrugged, "I suppose you have a point. Killing can only solve so many external problems. True resolution comes within in." his tone softened, "That was my advice. Did you ever have something else in mind? Or is venting your only strategy?"
Latia tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I either marry someone else... or find a champion willing to defend me against Riser."
"...Your father put you up to this?"
She replied fast, too fast, "No, actually, my-" her voice stopped. And she realized she had made a mistake. This antisocial boy had made her speak without thinking, instead giving a natural response, "...My..." she stuttered, now losing control over the conversation.
"Uncle." Sasuke finished for with a smirk.
A gentle nudge hit him, he looked down at Kunou, who stared with lowered her eyes, "Oi, she wants you to save her. You should do it.'
He looked at Latia, "Is that true?" he asked with grin.
The woman saw his smile.
Ah yes, perhaps that is why her friend as well as the now, the Kyuubi, and others were so focused on him.
Yet she, was not convinced. A pretty face was not something she would fall for.
Before the devil could make an answer, she had been saved.
A massive announcement had just been declared from announcer.
Latia saw his reaction, though, he did not even bother to pay attention until the name, Akeno Himejima had made its way out.
Somewhere in the crowd, Odin was grinning.
And Sasuke knew it.
Through the smoke, Akeno emerged—injured, her clothes torn, exposing more of herself than she likely intended.
The audience whispered and gawked.
The final match battle was not the one most were looking forward to, that had already happened.
Hyoudou Issei and Sairoarg Bael had fought a close match, and had truly rallied the crowd then. Both of them had knocked each other out, which was perhaps the best outcome if you were a viewer. Since at least neither side could claim there strongest piece was superior to one another. Sasuke had caught a glimpse of it, and was always surprised how powerful the pawn had become.
Perhaps, he would have to train him.
To see if the boy who once couldn't throw a punch at one point, could now land a hit on the Uchiha.
For the Uchiha though, this was the faceoff he wanted to see most.
During training, he remembered how Akeno had been defeated against Riser's Queen. Her overwhelming offensive capabilities were impressive, but her fragile defenses had exposed her vulnerabilities—a glass cannon, as some would say.
However, today, she had broken through her limits.
Kuisha Abaddon had shocked the crowd by using House's own unique ability, Hole. The blood-power had absorbed all of Akeno's lightning attacks, condensing them into her sphere of influence. Then, she had turned the entire fight around, unleashing the stolen magic against her opponent. Since the Queen was still a devil, it would hurt her just as much as any other. It had been a devastating counterattack, but the fact that she had not been completely erased by it made one thing clear.
It would not work.
The air then became filled with static. It began to crackle.
Then, in an instant, Akeno's wrath was unleashed. Her holy lightning struck with such speed and power that Kuisha had no chance to react. Hole must have had a weakness. Maybe it couldn't absorb the same attack twice, or maybe Akeno had poured everything she had into this final strike, overwhelming her enemies capacity.
Though, in the end, analysis did not matter. The Abaddon heir had been defeated.
Had this been a real battle, there would have been nothing left.
When the dust cleared, a heavy silence fell over the arena.
The announcer's voice came quiet, as if awaiting something else to happen. Or perhaps he too was struck with awe.
"Gremory's Queen is victorious! House Gremory wins the tournament!"
Then, a sound so vibrant it shook the island.
The crowd erupted, chanting the victor's name.
"Queen Akeno! Queen Akeno!"
She felt flustered by the overwhelming attention. Yet, she did not falter. Instead, she raised a hand and waved to her supporters, acknowledging their cheers. As she turned to face them all, her violet eyes scanned the crowd.
There was certainly someone—one particular person—who had witnessed what was perhaps the proudest moment of her life.
And he was.
Sasuke had watched it all.
He did not clap or shout like the rest, but a small smile curved at his lips. Yes, part of him wished he could have participated, to fight, but he was not a devil. Still, he wanted Akeno to know he was here, that he had seen her victory, and that she deserved all the praise she received.
For a brief moment, he forgot everything—his past, his future, his burdens, his goals. Everything.
In this one moment, all that mattered was that he wanted to see her. She had occupied his entire mind. Even his ambition, had felt overridden now.
Then, without warning… something had come at last.
A shadow spread ominously around Akeno, darkening the roaring stadium. The sun vanished, blocked by something immense—something that, at first glance, seemed like a cloud.
The crowd, too lost in their celebration, didn't notice.
But those who understood the island's workings knew that, by design, clouds were suppressed from rising above a certain point to prevent the light from being blocked.
Unfortunately, this was no cloud.
Being from Kyoto, Kunou had been a somewhat sheltered young girl.
For generations, that was how the Kyuubi had been born, lived, and died. The West Kyoto Faction had historically never taken sides in conflicts, content with holding their territory in the human world. They focused on protecting themselves and their counterparts in the city. But now, they were part of an alliance, shielded by its strength—yet also exposed to horrors beyond anything they had ever known.
Kunou looked up, as did the crowd.
A magic circle had appeared above the stadium, so vast, so dense, that it stretched as wide as the Agreas Dome itself. Never in her life had she seen one so colossal.
Her eyes widened in horror, her mouth open.
What loomed over them was a creature unlike anything anyone had ever witnessed.
A massive fleshy head, grotesque, it resembled that of an octopus. There were tentacles that surrounded its mouth, each one moving as if they could be controlled independently. It had a scaly, rubbery body, that shined from the sunlight. On its limbs, were thick, webbed arms and legs that ended in sharp claws. Spouting from its back, were dragon-like wings that stretched, waving, giving it the possibility to fly, despite its gargantuan form
From its back, it dragon-like wings, stretching and waving, granting it the ability to fly despite its gargantuan size.
Its eyes—crimson and glowing—swept over the crowd, scanning them like small prey.
How tall was this beast?
It did not stand on the island.
No.
It stood on the bottom of the lake, towering to the very height of this floating city.
Without warning, the creature raised its colossal, thick, palm-opened hand.
And then—
It slammed down.
Screams.
Madness.
And more screams.
The monster's colossal strike hit the core of the island, causing a massive downward spiral that the floating city had never felt before. Its trajectory descended, and soon smashed into the lake below, causing the largest splash to ever rise in the Underworld, reaching the clouds themselves.
Kunou barely had time to gasp before she was submerged. Cold water engulfed her, choking her senses. The pressure pressed against her lungs, and her vision blurred and darkened. She squirmed, was disoriented. Her body was stuck, and she worried she might drown in the cold water.
However, just as quickly as the city had been sent down, it was then sent up.
Agreas was a very special island, imbued with very special magic. Instead of sinking, as many feared, it rose back up, lifting from the water and flying back into the sky, returning to where it had originally remained.
Though, with no concern for who was still on it.
Many people, hundreds, had slipped off into the lake, and now, they were being thrown off. The velocity, speed, and pressure from rising so high, so fast, sent many slamming into one another, hitting walls, flying up, and then crashing back down as the surface of the city met them. In an instant, many had died just from the blunt force trauma. It was not as if everyone here knew magic or had defenses. They were here to watch a battle, not be in one.
The Kitsune coughed violently, gasping as water still clung to her throat. Her small body was tossed like a ragdoll, repeatedly slamming into things.
Now, it was like being trampled by a stampede. Breathing became a struggle. Yet her instincts pushed her forward. She clawed at anything nearby, grasping for stability, until her fingers found a metal railing.
She held on tightly, coughing up water.
There were many voices, but she was scared to look at where they came from.
But in the corner of her eye, footsteps were seen. She recognized the sight, and bravely raised her head to look up.
Sasuke walked down, his sword in his left hand. He appeared blank, despite the situation. Kunou felt relieved. He was no doubt the second person she had hoped to see at this moment. Yet, as he came closer, her instincts kicked in. Her nose flared, and her head tilted in confusion.
This did look like him, but it did not smell like him.
Nor was his significant chakra present, and the color of his eyes remained normal.
Also... he was not even wet.
When he appeared above her, she smiled, ignoring her observations.
And when he looked looked down, his sword was raised.
[PIERCE]
Kunou's eyes widened in shock as a sword stabbed through Sasuke's back and out his chest.
His eyes, however, did not widen, nor did he even seem to feel it. Instead, his body fell face down, crashing and rolling.
And then, it dispersed into a shadow, vanishing from sight.
"Are you okay?"
There was much confusion on her face, and apparently within him as well.
Sasuke, the real one, tried to comfort, "It's me." he said gently. "I don't know what that was. I'm here."
Yes, he smelled familiar, and had his colored eyes. This was no doubt him.
Still, she was quiet, trembling from the shock, too shaken to respond.
"Kunou!"
The sweet, firm, concerned voice from her mother. Yasaka had proven why senjutsu was ultimately critical. She could have sensed her daughter and her overwhelming distress from across the arena where she had been thrown off toward.
Sasuke spoke, a very tense and serious tone, "The Maou's may place a barrier to prevent the enemy, as well as everyone else, from escaping. The enemy won't do it themselves because they want people to flee." he paused, and then urgently told the, "You two should leave, now."
There were no more words needed for the Kyuubi to hear. The situation had gone from zero, to a billion in less than five minutes. Yet, there was concern, "I'll have my guards fight on our behalf." While she was no coward, and would like nothing more than to fight, her daughter's safety took absolute precedence. No one would blame her, least of all Sasuke, "... Will you be okay?" she asked, concerned for his well-being, "Maybe you should come with us."
He assured her, "Just go." then, his gazed traced to Kunou, who's head was still reeling, "... I'll be fine. And... I'll see you in Kyoto. I promise."
'That was me!?
What was happening? What was really happening? That was no illusion, that was no clone, that was him. As him as one could try and be. Those black eyes were his, that chakra, though very insignificant, was the same type. Though, that sword, that sword was not the same. And it was in the wrong hand. That was an incomplete version of himself.
But the most troubling thing about it all, was when he... died. He saw a glimpse of a familiar power. One that came from whoever had created this other version of himself.
He had seen it before in Kyoto.
The one who could conjure Antimonsters.
Annihilation Maker.
Leonardo.
The Human Faction.
Who was fighting now, though?
The Old Satan Faction was leading the vanguard. This was their last force, their final stand. Shalba Beelzebub was here somewhere—he knew it—but he didn't know where.
He could see the massive squid-like monsters wreaking havoc. They were strange, their composition seemingly immune to every form of magic. Angels used holy magic, devils cast demonic spells, Valkyries wielded Norse sorcery, and even Greek gods conjured their own arts. Yet none of it seemed to affect the creatures.
Then, more magic circles appeared. Circles of darkness. He recognized the Greek runes—they weren't fighting the monsters. No, they were fighting alongside them.
Where to begin?
Who to help?
Who not to help?
Thankfully, an answer had been given to him.
Far in the distance, he noticed a unique color amid the chaos.
Pink.
Find the Hero Faction. Find the Sacred Gear user. Stop him.
Kill him? Leonardo was a child. Perhaps, that would be too much. A genjutsu might stop him. And then... he can ask him some very important questions.
How does it work? How can he do it?
Can he do more?
He wondered if it was possible...
Maybe not. It would take a lot of focus. A lot of detail. It will definitely not be the same. Those creatures took vast quantities of chakra and had unique features about them. But the idea did cross his mind. He did remember them. There... design. There... attitude. The exact amount each one possessed. How dangerous they could be, individually, as well as... together.
Was it possible to even make them as they had been?
Sasuke stared across the Underworld. From his vantage point, there was no doubt—twelve or thirteen of these strange squid-like beasts loomed in the distance. All of them had emerged from Annihilation Maker, meaning they were likely creatures born from imagination. And they were all durable.
Still, none had been taken down.
Leonardo must have given them special abilities to defend against attacks. He knew that targeting the Rating Game and its diverse crowd meant facing a wide range of powerful opponents, so he had prepared accordingly.
It was pointless to think about that now. What mattered was... stopping these attacks.
"Stop!"
A low-tone, but one filled with genuine concern.
Sasuke had seen it coming and would have easily dodged it. But before he could, a sphere of raging fire struck a collapsing structure beside him. The flames reduced it to ash instantly, dispersing before even getting near him. He hadn't needed the help, but the thought counted.
"You're human, right?" his savior spoke as he approached. "We're evacuating everyone, along with the civilians here. Quick, head south to the Phenex Territory. We're sheltering everyone we can in our castle!"
Sasuke cast a curious gaze at the man before him. A High-Class Devil with rough blonde hair and deep blue eyes. It had been some time since Sasuke had last seen Riser Phenex, but he looked no different than the last time—since the day his engagement party had been crashed.
"I'll pass on the inaction. Don't worry, I'll contribute in my own way. I promise."
Riser tilted his head. "Wait, I remember you from the human world. You helped Rias and her peerage… against me. And against Sairaorg in this game!"
Strangely, he looked star struck, even impressed.
"Sasuke-kun!" he said in a shockingly respectful tone. "Thank God! I was worried there weren't many survivors after the island crashed. I was crushed by Agreas itself, but thankfully, my power kept me alive."
Then, his expression widened in horror.
"Wait! Where's Rias!? Is she alright? I would go look for myself but I was ordered by my father to evacuate as many civilians as possible. They're my priority."
Sasuke shook his head, "... I don't know." he admitted with a frown, "But I'm going to help stop this madness that is rampaging your society." he paused, before adding, "I was standing next to your... betrothed. Latia. I don't think your father would put it by you to go and find her, since, everyone knows how much you love and care for her well-being."
Riser waved it off. "I forgot, Rias is strong. She'll be fine without either of. As for my stuck-up fiancée, she isn't." he muttered in frustration. "She's a stuck up bitch, that's for sure. But you are right. I still have to find her and protect her as well."
"That's the you I remember." The Uchiha said with a smirk, "But I don't understand. You want her for your prestige."
The Devil laughed in disdain, "Me!? Is that she is going around telling people!? It was her uncle, Beelzebub-sama who ordered for to go to my father. He would never refuse a Maou! I was actually going to try and find Hyoudou Issei if he could come and break it off, again, and take her away from me. I hate her. I hate her weird-ass uncle. As for my father, this marriage is an order I will not follow, no matter what happens. I'm going to marry my Queen and elope. I'm not his heir regardless, there's nothing he can take away from me."
Sasuke stared blankly back at Riser, his expression filled with confusion.
["And becareful! That devil-chan is being deceitful. You don't even need senjutsu to feel that rolling off her tongue!"'
It appeared Sun Wukong had been right.
Lightning.
Holy lightning.
There was no nothing else that would have stopped him from finding the Hero Faction, except, her. He had to see Akeno, to make sure she was okay, and hopefully able to be off on her own.
Enemies.
The Old-Satan Faction. They were here, to fight. to die. This was there last stand. If they do not win this battle, all is lost.
Then, came warriors from other factions, other religions, that he did not recognize.
Winged figures that fought with spears and had pitch-black armor.
Shadowy, glowing armored spirits that were also foreign. They used magic, and magic-conjured weapons like polearms, and halberds.
Sasuke set them ablaze with Fire Style, froze them with ice magic, impaled them with his sword, and repeated the process over and over. Yet, their numbers seemed endless.
'These could have been used against Great Red…' he thought, though it didn't matter now. They would never be used in his favor.
'Where is Ophis?' he wondered. He had not seen her in some time and doubted she had condoned this. Normally, she did not mind her factions doing whatever they pleased. Yet, much noise had been made after Kyoto, and she had ordered a consolidation of forces, not an outward attack that would do nothing against the Apocalypse Dragon.
Just before him, a massive thud rang in his chest. His eyes widened, and he held his breath.
Akeno was seen.
Or at least, that's who he thought it must have been. She was sent hurtling toward the ground, crashing, lightning splitting apart as her body slammed into the earth.
He used his left eye to move swiftly, closing the distance. He had to see her, to know. To know if she was alright.
Above, he saw members of a Greek God faction—ones not from the tournament. They were hostile, staring down. Yet, before the Uchiha's eyes, a thunderous roar shook the sky, and bolts of holy lightning struck each target individually. It was a fine display of destruction, disintegrating the enemies and leaving nothing but burned, lifeless corpses.
Or just ash.
"Sasuke...?"
The Uchiha looked over in disappointment.
Baraqiel stood there, not his daughter.
They shared the same power, and had Sasuke analyzed him longer, he would have figured that out before coming over. However, his gut had told him to just act. Of course, he was concerned—there were genuine feelings he had for Akeno, and he did not wish to see her die in an attack as pointless and futile as this one.
"I thought you were someone else," he said to the Fallen Angel in an annoyed tone. "Someone important."
The Cadre frowned. "Wait," he said. "Please, go find Akeno. Ensure her safety. Azazel went east to pursue the Annihilation Maker user. I'm going to back him up."
It was no surprise that Azazel's first instinct was to stop the most immediate, largest threat.
Sasuke countered. "No," he said firmly. "I will go find him. You make sure Akeno is okay." His eyes lowered. "I know how fond you are of your duty, but leave that to me."
He knew a little about the man. Baraqiel loved Azazel, loved his job. He felt he owed the man his life. And because of that, a great tragedy had befallen him and his daughter—one that could never be redeemed.
So, in this moment, the human offered to take on that role, allowing the Fallen Angel to do what was right without hesitation.
No doubt, it was what he truly wanted to do in this chaotic situation.
To find and protect his daughter.
"Good luck..." Baraqiel said softly.
The Governor-General of the fallen angels had led a long and successful life, filled with both triumphs and regrets.
For most of his life, his desires revolved around chasing women and the pleasures that came with it.
And isn't that what life was all about?
That was what had motivated him for generations. However, as he aged, that craving had been satisfied, and his focus shifted toward other important matters. Peace, technology, cooperation, and a deep sense of nihilism. These days, he questioned everything. His worth, his value, his future, his successes, his past and his failures. But one thing remained a constant reminder. A true goal in the back of his mind. To prevent large-scale conflict throughout the world
To prevent war.
War was sad, and now, war was here.
He stared at the crimson sky of the underworld, as red as the blood pouring from his gaping wound.
'Kami-sama… What did you think at the time of your death?'
Kami—the King of Heaven, God Almighty. Azazel's creator, his father. The only parent he ever knew.
'Did you hate me? Did you forgive me? You were the light of this world... the light of my world. Yet, you cast me out. Like I was nothing. Like I meant nothing. I was hurt, Kami-sama. I took my fellow exiles and built something of ourselves. Were you proud of me? You hated us, didn't you? But... you loved us too. I know because I saw it in your eyes when we fought. I'm sorry I wasn't there when you and Lucifer… I'm sorry. Where will I go? Will Hades take my soul? Will I go back to Heaven? Will I go anywhere? I hope you can forgive me. Kami-sama… what was I to you?'
Cao Cao stared down, "It's over, Azazel. Angel, Fallen Angel or Devil, True Longinus pierces all."
The Governor-General slumped against the wall, his body struggling to remain upright. He had been stabbed by the spear—the one true spear, imbued with God's wrath. He felt its power coursing through him as if the Almighty still lived. He could even feel the judgement his creator would often give to those he would fight. A fear some judgement, a parental judgement, one that brought shame.
Siegfried stood beside his leader, tense but eager. "We should go. That bastard Shalba has Leonardo. We need to take him down, maybe make some peace after this. Things are too hot right now."
Cao Cao nodded thoughtfully. "I can feel Indra and Shiva clashing from here. They probably think one of them is involved in this mess. It likely won't escalate too far, but if it does... their power will level the underworld. If one of them starts to lose, we'll have to jump in and back the other."
He turned his gaze back to Azazel, raising the spear for a final blow. He aimed for the heart—quick and painless.
As a child, Azazel had been loved by God. But when he was cast out, he never felt that again. Never did his divine warmness reach his heart, only the coldness of the Underworld.
Throughout his life, it had been like this.
However... something had just occurred in that moment.
It truly felt like it, a rare sense, something he had never experienced.
Was it Divine Intervention?
Where Siegfried had been standing was now replaced by another figure.
A bare hand stopped the spear, gripping its edge even as the simmering holy light began to burn the intruder.
Cao Cao turned, his eyes widening in shock.
Standing before him was a dead man. Or at least one, that should have been dead.
"... Sasuke?"
When he said his name, it felt as if the world had frozen in eternity. Those eyes of his—his strange red and purple eyes—opened wide, as if revealing themselves truly for the first time.
In a strange, foreign twist, crows began to split from his body.
Black and noisy.
[CAW!]
[CAW!]
[CAW!]
[CAW!]
The spearman spun around, startled. Another man stood behind him—someone unfamiliar. This new figure shared the trait of strange, unique eyes. However, he had no purple one, only the same red and black design for both. The pattern in his gaze itself however was different, and he wore a large black coat covered with red clouds.
He recognized that this man strongly resembled Sasuke. Though, he was slightly taller, with an even more ominous look to his stare.
"... Who are you?" Cao Cao asked calmly, though he could not help but feel unease at the way this imposing man stared at him.
Without warning, the hero's body was engulfed in black flames.
Holy energy surged through True Longinus, as if activating on its own, reacting to the fire.
The light novels had "Bandersnatch" attack the underworld in the Demonic Beast Riot. Which were cool, but I prefer Cthulhu's instead.
This will also be a theme now, where I will sort of mix LN volumes, or skip them.
I can spoil, some things if you dare to keep reading... [Latia won't be in the harem. I've decided to limit it to four, with Akeno being the main girl.]
I would also LOVE to remove the spam comments, but this website refuses to allow any changes, whatsoever, (even ones that could solve this issue).
Anyways, let me know what you thought.