The New Demon King

by kilomarski

This will be a cross over between High School DXD and Misfit of the Demon King Academy. The Story will follow the same path as DXD with alterations. At the moment I plan to only have Anos cross over but if I can find a way to transfer more characters over I will. In this Fanfic Anos will find himself in a new world with a fresh start and deciding on going back or to stay here.

37. Chapter 37

I am back...sorry for the really long wait I had some personal things happen in my life which needed my attention so I couldn't focus on typing. But I saw everyone's comments about the next chapter and I have typing ever since the last chapter. I'm not done with this Fan Fic and I am definitely gonna finish. So thank all of you for your patience and enjoy this chapter. :)

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Chapter 37: The Darkest Day in the Underworld: Part Three: Annihilation...

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After departing from the group Anos and Rin reappeared in what should have been the streets of the City of Lilith.

The once gorgeous city was now reduced to a barren wasteland, the ground then Anos spoke, "Such a horrible scene."

Anos down knelt picking up a teddy bear which most likely belonged to a deceased child, Anos outstretched his senses to search for any survivors but there wasn't a single soul left alive.

That wasn't correct there was one but it wasn't a devil it was a dragon, "So you noticed it as well," commented Rin looking toward the direction of this draconic presence.

"How could I miss it his, residual aura is soaked throughout the land," Anos stood and narrowed his eyes, he hoped he could find some evidence of Mittelt, Koneko, and Ravel's presence but there was still nothing, "Where are you three," thought Anos as he made his way toward the dragon.

Anos walked to the sole presence which almost defiantly was responsible for the destruction here, which sickened him.

It reminded him of the demon villages back in his world that were raised to the ground by humans during the early days of the war.

Rin glanced at Anos, they could have easily teleported to the individual they were making a B-line for.

She just watched Anos take in his surroundings, "I am sure you every dragon who has ever existed…who did this?"

Asked Anos bending down again to move aside some rubble to reveal a family of four hugging each other, they were burnt to a crisp with only their bones remaining.

"I do recognize this power but it wasn't this powerful a few centuries ago," Anos turned his head narrowing his eyes, "Who," Rin knew she wasn't glaring at him but the intent behind his eyes was intense.

"Mr. Black, he is the most powerful Evil Dragon to ever live, he goes by many names but he is most known as Com Cruach," Anos turned back to the family and put the rubble back down.

He recognized that name from the text he read long ago, he was controlled by the evil god Balor but after Balor was killed Com Cruach disappeared and for some reason or another he destroyed an entire city and if he had done something to those three.

His eyes flashed crimson as he slowly stood, "Anos I am sure they are fine," "Let's go," Anos stood and continued to make his way to Com Cruach.

The further they walked the more something boiled inside Anos, he may have only been here seventeen years but this was his home.

He had walked in the City of Lilith numerous times, he could remember all the people who walked the streets and the shops on every corner.

Anos stopped there used to be a playground right here where kids would play but like everything else it was gone, and Anos tightened his fist as a crimson aura formed.

Rin placed her hand on his shoulder and the aura dispersed, Anos let out a deep breath, "Thanks let's keep moving."

The more Anos saw the more something bubbled inside, the more death he saw the more his frustration rose, he had sensed Com Cruach release his aura and could have stopped it.

But he hesitated only for a moment and they moment cost the lives of hundreds, "Anos this isn't your fault," "I appreciate that Rin but it was. I cared so much about concealing myself these people died and even more are dying."

Rin didn't have a response to that and just let Anos continue, "And again I lost something close to me," he was talking about Mittelt, Ravel, and Koneko.

Anos didn't want to believe they were dead and if they were, Rin took a step back and the earth shattered underneath Anos, "Sorry," said Anos glaring at Rin, "No it's fine…I was fond of those three I feel I understand your Anger."

In the distance Anos saw a man sitting in a chair legs crossed eating a muffin, Anos saw the man look up as a smirk formed on his face.

"That's him isn't it," said Anos in a neutral tone calming himself down, no matter the outcome Com Cruach was gonna pay for what he had done, "Yes that's Com Cruach," responded Rin as they stopped ten feet away from the dragon in question.

"Crimson hair, Anos Gremory I presume," "Yes…it is I," said Anos with a shadow cast over his eyes.

"Ohh that is some monstrous blood lust for one of your age," said Com Cruach licking a little bit of muffin crumbs off his lips.

Anos raised his head looking down at Com Cruach who smiled devilishly, "I like that fire in your eyes kid but I doubt you could serve as a dance partner for me."

"Are they dead," there was only one thing on Anos's mind, if they were dead he was going to kill Com Cruach right here without a second thought but if they weren't.

Com Cruach took another bite and then spoke, "Of course, I needed them to get you here," in between Com Cruach speaking Anos sent a mental message to Rin, "Find them," "Certainly," responded Rin.

"Why do you need me here," Com Cruach reached into his pocket pulling out a vile, "I need you to fill this with blood and I will return them."

Com Cruach then tossed the vile and Anos caught it, "Why my blood," Com Cruach shrugged, "I didn't ask," whether a lie or not Anos couldn't tell but it couldn't be anything good.

"I am guessing in exchange for my blood I get them back," Com Cruach nodded, "And don't worry I haven't touched a single finger on their little heads."

Anos narrowed his eyes, if he wanted his attention he didn't have to destroy the entire city, "If you just wanted to my blood why did you destroy the city," Anos was just buying time until Rin located them.

With Infinity Rin could find anything anywhere in seconds so when she reactivated the connection Anos expected her to say she found them, "I can't find them," Rin paused she had peered into every dimension to look for them all except one, "Wait there is one more," it would take a little longer to find them there but not too long.

Ravel opened her eyes after the bright flash and all she saw was a mix of iridescent colors all around plus there was something heavy on her back.

"Could you two Hippos get off me," Ravel then felt something strike her bottom, "That's rude Mittelt is the heaviest here."

"Fuck you cat," "I don't care just get off," they were doing too much talking and not enough getting off her back.

Koneko and Mittelt finally rolled off Ravel who was now able to sit up fully and take in her surroundings, "Okay so where exactly are we?"

Koneko shrugged but Mittelt looked around scrunching her face, "If I'm not mistaken I think we are in the Dimensional Gap, the colors are a giveaway."

"So that guy just transported us here but why," questioned Ravel even further, " I don't know but we should call for help," said Koneko. Koneko tried contacting Rias but no response, Mittelt tried contacting Anos but didn't get one either, and lastly Ravel tried contacting Ruval since he was there with them but like the two before she didn't get a response.

"This bubble must be blocking transmission while also protecting us from the Dimensional Gab," said Ravel knocking the barrier.

"Should we try busting out," asked Koneko but Mittelt shook her head, "I can't use teleportation magic, can one of you," Koneko and Ravel shook their heads.

"Unless we want the Dimensional Gap to kill us then I believe we should just sit tight," answered Mittelt scratching that idea.

"Could your little friend help us," nudged Koneko with her elbow into Mittelt's side, "I doubt she is willing to help and we aren't friends but I can try."

Since the day Death locked her clone away, Mittelt had been visiting her, it was mostly out of pity and she felt a little compelled.

A few days earlier, Mittelt was trying to sleep but she couldn't stop crying and at this point, it was annoying her, Anos shifted in the bed and started a mental conversation with her.

"Trouble sleeping," Mittelt jumped, "Holy shit you scared me but yea I can't stop crying and for I feel so lonely, I think Death's emotions are surfacing again."

"What do you want to do," "I wanna talk to her…I mean she's trapped inside me all alone," "Sounds like you are getting lost in her emotions," laughed Anos mentally.

"Maybe but this is me and I just want to talk to her and maybe that's all she needs," "Do you need help getting inside," "No I think I got it," "Okay if you need anything just let me know."

Anos cut the link and Mittelt entered her mind, she reopened her eyes and looked up to see Death in the position she was always hanging in.

Mittelt coughed to try and grab her attention, "Uhh hey," Death's hollow eyes followed the voice she heard landing on Mittelt.

"It's you, Mittelt if I'm not mistaken..," Death sighed looking away, "What is it now I don't have any other information to give you?"

Mittelt rubbed the back of her head, "Actually I just came to see if you are all right," Death slowly turned her head back to Mittelt, "Why we are supposed to be enemies," Mittelt sat on the floor legs crossed.

"I have a problem with that jerk who locked you in here…you are just a victim of circumstance like me," said Mittelt finishing with a shrug.

"Do you remember what I was like before my memories were taken from me," "We didn't have any real conversations but you did save my life?"

Death tilted her head, "I did why would I do that I feel like letting you die would have been a better outcome for me."

Mittelt opened and then closed her mouth that was true from what she understood the other Death wanted her soul back so why save her?

"You did say you liked your mirror," Mittelt paused it sounded like she knew something, "I thought you lost your memories."

"Call it programming…" Mittelt tilted her head and Death continued, "There have been things engraved on my soul that I just know but I really can't say how I know but I instinctively know that I want you and the other man's soul."

Mittelt nodded which brought another realization, "So you must miss the outside world," Death blinked as she started to tear up, "The outside world."

"You okay," "That just made me feel nostalgic that's all," Mittelt rubbed her chin and raised her hand to the sky earning a stare from Death.

A black orb manifested and inside it started to turn blue as a POV of her walking with her sister Mattelt in heaven.

For the first time in their discussion Death's eyes light up from excitement, and the lonely feeling she was feeling from Death vanished.

Then Mittelt thought that she was doing the same thing as Anos by sharing her memories with Rin, "You seem to be doing better," Mittelt smiled then stood up to leave.

Thanks, was all Mittelt heard before leaving and finally being able to sleep, Mittelt crisscrossed in the barrier as Ravel and Koneko just watched patiently.

Mittelt opened her eyes to see the same darkness but this time there was a small house in it with the lights on.

Over the past few days, she got better at manifesting things in her mind and did this for Death, she didn't know how to remove the chains but altered their appearance to be a house.

It was still the same prison just in the appearance of a house, Mittelt walked inside to see Death sitting on a couch in some pajamas watching her memories on a television.

"Hey Mittelt come to gossip about Anos this time," said Death waving at her without turning around, "I see someone hasn't been paying attention."

"I am not watching everything you are doing-especially since nothing exciting is happening," Mittelt slapped her forehead and changed the channel with a wave of her hand.

Showing her the last few moments before they were teleported to the Dimensional Gap, "Hey I was watching that."

"Can you use your goddess powers and get us out," "Your memory must be jacked up…my other half jacked whatever power she gave me," Death waved her hand and the memory of her other half did just that. "You are useless…and it's even worse that you are wearing my face," "Not by choice I would have you know but I can tell you, this guy here."

The memory changed to show Mr. Black, "Is bad news…so just be patient and hope the rest of your friends are alright."

Mittelt sighed, "Well thanks anyway…and also don't go anywhere I might have more questions," Death flicked off Mittelt before she vanished.

Mittelt reopened her eyes to hear Ravel and Koneko talking but stopped when they saw her move, "She didn't have anything informative for use," Ravel sighed, "let's just hope everyone is all right."

Com Cruach was completely relaxed, he was arguably the third strongest being in existence, he'd never fight Shiva, and he couldn't honestly say if he was stronger or not.

With that being said the boy and maid in front of him weren't a threat to him in the slightest, hence why he was ignoring Anos intense glare.

He was Com Cruach the strongest evil dragon this world had ever known and he was even stronger now after the centuries of training he had done.

Com Cruach was holding all the cards in this altercation and fighting him wouldn't even constitute a stretch, hence why he was so relaxed.

He held those three girls' lifes in the palm of his hand but he didn't have any desire to kill them, this was a busy transaction, and as long as Anos gave what he wanted then he would return them to him safely.

Anos was practically dancing in the palm of his hand at this which is what he thought moments ago.

"I found them they are in the Dimensional Gap," said Rin snapping her eyes open. Ravel, Koneko, and Mittelt appeared behind Rin to their absolute shock.

Ravel hit the ground first as Mittelt landed on her back then Koneko, "Again come on get off," screamed Ravel flailing her arms.

"Come now like I said earlier it's all Mittelt. She eats for two at this point," Mittlet glared at Koneko shoving her off once again.

Anos visibly relaxed as he let out a sigh of relief as he turned around, he walked past Rin placing his hand on her head and rubbing it softly "Thank you."

When Anos removed his hand Rin tapped the spot with her finger as a thin smirk formed on her face, "Anytime."

Anos crouched down in front of the three girls who were too caught up in their arguing to realize they were back until a shadow loomed over them.

Anos then hugged all three of them in a bear hug, Ravel turned red as steam popped from her head, Mittelt was a stuttering messing as her cheeks flushed, and Koneko just purred nuzzling her face in his arms.

"Thank goodness I thought I lost you." The three girls looked into Anos's eyes and for the first time they saw actual worry and relief plastered on Anos's face, Ravel rubbed his head, "Sorry to make you worry," and Koneko did the same to his other side mentally saying the same thing.

Mittelt turned her head away from him with a blush, "Look there isn't a scratch on us, so don't look so worried it's embarrassing."

Com Cruach blinked in surprise, he honestly didn't have any words just moments ago they had been inside the Dimensional Gap but they vanished and appeared in front of him.

The next weirdest part was they teleported no teleported isn't right because there was no magic used.

One moment they weren't here and the next moment they were just here and didn't make any sense.

So all Com Cruach could do and say in response was scratch his head and say, "Huh," with a look of utter surprise and confusion on his face.

"I don't know how they just appeared here but," thought Com Cruach as he slowly stood, "All I need is just one of them," Com Cruach's body vanished as he reappeared behind them hand outstretched to snatch up Mittelt.

But his hand was stopped to even more of his confusion, "My hand, it won't go any more forward, it is like some invisible force was pushing me back."

Com Cruach outstretched his senses and felt small traces of magic encasing all of them in a dome shape, "Wait this magical power," a cold sweat ran down his back as he instinctively froze.

"What intense killing intent but from where," then his eyes slowly locked with almost black-purple glowing draconic eyes that stared back at him.

The draconic eyes held no life but the intent behind them was made all too clear to Com Cruach, his life was currently in this maid's hands.

"What the world…those eyes…that faint magical power…it can't be," he thought as said maid continued to stare at him intensely.

Com Cruach screamed, "What the hell are you doing here Ophis," she was supposed to be missing according to Rizevim for almost two months at this point.

But here she was dressed as a maid, then another question why the heck was she dressed as a maid, so many questions started flooding his mind.

The glowing from Ophis eyes vanished along with the killing intent as a new wave of blood lust washed over him causing him to jump back for the first time in centuries cautiously.

Crimson eyes bore into his very soul, he was tempted to look over at the abomination looking at him but every fiber of his being was telling him not to look over there.

"You looked so prideful earlier," said Anos in a leveled tone, "But now look at you shaking like a coward."

Com Cruach hadn't felt this since his first master Balor was alive but he wasn't the same Dragon back then.

"Coward you say," responded Com Cruach as the terrified look on his vanished being replaced by a predatory smile.

"Do you know who you stand before," Com Cruach flared his golden aura, "I fear no one," screamed Com Cruach staring down Anos, who was standing directly in front of him.

Gone was Com Cruach's calm and composed demeanor as a battle look formed on his face, he was in a crazed state, and the amount of blood lust being flooded at him was overwhelming his senses.

Com Cruach's fight or flight instincts were in full drive and currently, he was in fight mode pushing forward purely on instinct.

Com Cruach threw an earth-shattering punch encasing Anos's entire body in a golden light, Com Cruach drew his fist back but it wouldn't budge.

The light died down from around Anos to reveal he had caught Com Cruach's fist, "Hahaha you caught that but how will you counter this?"

Com Cruach opened his mouth as city-level destroying power formed in Com Cruach's mouth and then he let out a mighty roar, Anos eyes of destruction flashed, and the overwhelmingly powerful blast was obliterated into nothing.

Anos then grabbed Com Cruach by the face shutting his mouth from doing that again, "I have some questions and you are going to answer."

Com Cruach struggled to break free from Anos's vice-like grip but Anos just tightened it slightly cracking Com Cruach's skull, "Never."

Anos narrowed his eyes and Com Cruach gulped laughing maniacally, Anos then slammed Com Cruach's head into the ground with a massive boom.

Com Cruach tried to raise his head but Anos bent down grabbing him by the hair staring directly into his eyes activating the Eyes of Destruction.

"It wasn't a question…now…speak," Anos's glare was intense and for the first time in his long existence he felt true fear.

In all of Com Cruach's long existence, he's never felt true fear, he never felt as if his life was in danger and at this very moment he knew if he didn't speak…if he didn't obey…if he didn't yield then he was a dead man.

Com Cruach opened his bloodied mouth, "Rizevim sent me to collect your blood…" coughed out Com Cruach, "Why…for what purpose," demanded Anos narrowing his eyes viciously.

"I don't know," Anos flared his potent aura, "I swear I don't know I never thought to ask," Com Cruach then remembered something, he didn't know if it was useful but it was something.

"I know he needed it for his experiments and that's all I swear," Anos just stared at Com Cruach for a few seconds.

Com Cruach was frozen stiff, he didn't know if Anos believed him but it was the truth, that was all he knew.

Com Cruach started to wish, he had questioned Rizevim further on what he wanted a simple devil's blood.

But now that he was in front of Anos, "He wants your power," Anos didn't visibly react but that was interesting to hear.

The more Com Cruach thought about it, the more what he just said made sense, this devil was absurdly powerful.

He had thrown two powerful attacks but they were countered easily and even now he couldn't use any magic he didn't understand why but that was the least of his concerns.

His instincts have shifted from fight to flight, with the sole goal of making it out of here alive, Anos dropped Com Cruach and he dropped to the ground head bowed.

Anos then stepped on his head implanting him into the ground, "Please I don't wish to die," "Begging for your life now are we," Com Cruach was going to beg as much as he could but Anos continued.

"No, you are going to die," any hope that Com Cruach's had was quickly extinguished, "But I do need a message delivered to Rizevim.

Tell him once I have dealt with everyone here I am coming for him and then you have my permission to die."

Anos kicked Com Cruach and shoved his hand in his chest sending magic into his soul, and yanked it out seconds later walking away.

Com Cruach cried in pain he felt his very existence being torn apart, the wound wouldn't close no matter how much tried to heal himself.

Anos then turned on his heel back to his companions, Com Cruach was in so much pain that he couldn't even stand as he activated a teleportation circle back to Rizevim's secret base.

"Rin where is he," the only reason Anos let Com Cruach go was so Rin could track him with her power.

"I can not see him," before he teleported Rin was watching him but so she tilted her in confusion when she couldn't see, she also looked in the Dimensional Gap but he was still gone.

"It's fine, he will be dead eventually," Anos had conditional magic on Com Cruach's soul and once he relayed his message to Rizevim, his soul would be obliterated.

Anos looked off in the distance narrowing his eyes, "Now what," asked Ravel dusting herself off, "Ravel and I are going to save Sirzechs," answered Anos.

Roughly around the same time, he looked toward where the Arena was feeling a surge of Ajuka's magic before his magic started dropping at a dangerous rate.

"But you guys go to the arena and help Ajuka he seems to be in trouble," "What's happening at the arena," questioned Ravel again.

All three of them had been trapped in the gap since this all started and didn't know how bad everything was but they made a safe assumption that it was bad since the City of Lilith was reduced to rubble.

Rin and Anos turned around sensing a familiar presence, they didn't notice it earlier because Rin was focused on finding the girls and Anos's sole attention was on interrogating Com Cruach.

Rin bent as an unconscious pale-skinned blonde girl bleeding from her stomach was in her arms seconds later.

Anos narrowed his eyes, "Ley Fay…what are you doing here," she was unconscious so Anos didn't expect an answer but he couldn't help but voice his question.

Then another formed in his mind, if Le Fay was badly injured so where the heck was Arthur, Anos didn't believe Arthur would allow any harm to come to her.

So where was he along with the rest of the Vali group, he didn't sense them nearby so how did Le Fay get here?

Anos then healed her injuries, Le Fay stirred but she didn't wake up but her breathing had turned back to normal, "She should wake soon, and when she does question her about what happened I want to know."

Rin nodded in confirmation and before Anos teleported away to save Sirzechs he addressed Mittelt and Koneko, "Koneko no need to hold back, and Mittelt kill as many enemy devils as you want….kill them all….you both are stronger than you think."

Koneko nodded slamming her fist into her palm and Mittelt started smiling devilishly.

Ravel pointed to herself, "Wait why am I not going with them," "I don't want to expose you to what's happening at the arena.

Those two have already been exposed to that kind of violence but I'm not ready to expose you to that."

Anos didn't leave any room for rebuttal as he outstretched his hand to Ravel, Koneko then pushed Ravel forward, "Don't worry we got this, honestly I'd rather be by Anos's side but I'll let you have this one."

Ravel rolled her eyes, "Doesn't feel like a victory but you guys be careful," "Rest assured little devil, I will be there with them."

Rin then turned her attention to Anos, as things were progressing the supernatural world was on a fast track to learning the true identity of Anos.

So Rin wanted to make sure Anos was ready for the blow black, "Are you ready," it was only three words but the answer would reshape the foundation of the supernatural world, "I have been ready…but I doubt the supernatural world is ready for me."

After that both groups departed, Anos went to help Sirzechs he felt his aura explode but now his magic was all but gone, the remainder went to save Ajuka after Anos felt an explosion of his magic earlier.

Euclid clapped his hands thanks to Ajuka all the transportation circles were gone but reactivating them was a simple choice.

Seconds before he could reactivate the barrier he doges a sword aimed at his neck manifesting a barrier inch from his neck.

"What a pest," Saji a knight of Sirzech's glared at Euclid, "I could say the same for you," Souji jumped back flanked by Sairaorg on his right and Seekvaira's peerage on his left.

Both high-class devils were exhausted even with the help of Ajuka they used a lot of magic, the same could be said for Sirzech's peerage.

They had to work much harder than Sairaorg, Seekvaira's peerage not because they were lacking but because they were also working to push the army back.

Sairaorg and Seekvaira's peerages were the sole reason they weren't completely overrun and could focus more on repelling the enemy.

But now they were faced with a much more difficult enemy, two devil king descendants, and Euclid who was much more trouble.

The remainder of Sirzech's peerage had also made their way to the stage with the unanimous goal of freeing Ajuka from the barrier.

"MacGregor," Souji said addressing the bishop of the peerage, "What kind of barrier is that," MacGregor was a man with black and blond hair wearing a crimson robe, he was a very famous magician capable of using all kinds of magic.

"I don't recognize it but it looks unstable enough that we could leave it alone and it will cancel out on its own but the problem is that it appears to be draining Ajuka's magic and if that persists he could die."

"Master Souji, Sairaorg, and I may be a little drained but we can still fight and we trust leadership up to you," said Seekvaira pushing up her glasses.

"Neither are we," said Parisa floating down with the last two members of the protection detail.

She was also breathing heavily, Parisa had been fighting nearly hundreds of devils on her own, while also trying to protect the populace.

It was a much harder task than at the school when she could just fly in the sky and let loose on the enemy.

This annoyed Parisa more than she wanted to admit, if the angels had cared this much about the people they swore to protect from evil she would still be an angel.

Some hundred years ago Parisa tried to save some humans she was protecting with her comrades at the time but for certain, unfortunate and unforeseen reasons, she couldn't protect them and ended up killing her comrades.

This is how she gained the title, "The Betrayer," but that was a story for another time, "Actually Parisa since King Beelzebub hasn't removed your ranking yet you are the highest-ranking person here, so what are your orders," this was a true statement that no one disagreed with.

Parisa took one look at the group below, she barely had the magical power to defeat at least one of the Devil King Descendants even if she had taken on Euclid, she would have needed help, "Fine I will assume command in the mission to save his Highness."

Paisa then looked at Ajuka's unconscious body inside the barrier that was behind the three invaders and formulated a plan to save him.

They would have to first separate him from those three and figure out a way to break the barrier which should be easier since it's weak from the outside.

"These are some troublesome odds," said Euclid, his words made it seem like they were in a troublesome situation but he didn't sound worried in the slightest.

Euclid took a better look over the group noticing they were trying to hide their fatigue, he even saw the fatigue Parisa was trying to hide and it made him smile at the fact that this battle would be a lot easier than he thought.

Euclid snapped as numerous orange magic circles appeared in the sky and numerous Nilrem magicians started appearing.

"But luckily I do have my private army," a Nilrem then teleported next to Euclid and dropped to a knee, "Protect the barrier," five Nilrem circled the barrier turning from it them encasing themselves in a barrier.

Euclid didn't need to win this fight, he just needed to buy a few minutes to make sure Ajuka died and he would be on his merry little way to find Grayfia.

Euclid addressed both Devil King descendants, "Shalba play with those two peerages, Creuserey help protect the barrier and I will play with Parisa and the Dead King's Peerage."

Sirzech's peerage glared at Euclid, "There isn't a force in this world that can defeat our master," said Saji glaring daggers at Euclid who just spread his arms out wide.

Euclid clutched his stomach trying to contain his laughter, "You people are so delusional, Sirzech's the strongest guy around," Euclid abruptly stopped laughing sending Souji a mocking smile, "There's always a bigger fish."

Parisa heard enough and wasting any more time would further threaten Ajuka's life, Parisa manifested a light spear and flew Euclid but her path was blocked by the Nilrem.

"We won't let you past us," Parisa narrowed her eyes creating five tentacles of light from her back which whipped wildly all around her, "Lady Parisa we will create a hole for you," said one of two reaming soldiers from her protection detail.

They created a barrier around Parisa, which allowed her to fly straight through un impeded but as the soldiers focused on the barrier the Nilrem killed the last two soldiers.

She crashed down to the ground nearly slicing Euclid in half, who just jumped back dodging the attack, "Souji you're with me, and MacGregor you analyze the barrier.

We have to split our manpower so Lord Sairaorg and Lady Seekvaira have your peerages fight the Nilrem army. You two will unfortunately have to fight Shalba on your own."

The situation wasn't ideal and it would have been better if they had more help, Parisa didn't bother waiting for a response as she sent her tentacles into the ground.

Euclid smiled dodging with minimal effort with his hands behind his back.

Souji then sped past Parisa slicing a strand of Euclid's hard, "Tsk I guess you can pass as a barber but nothing more."

"Please your compliments are too kind," said Souji sarcastically, "You could have just said thank you," shrugged Euclid still dodging Parisa's attacks, Parisa didn't stand idly by as Euclid dodged her attacks. Parisa summoned two light daggers dashing at Euclid who just smiled, "Ahhhh…finally getting serious are we."

Mocked Euclid as Parisa and Souji practically danced around him, as dodged and while creating barriers, "You're supposed to be a knight but you move this slow."

Souji narrowed his eyes, "If you think this is my full speed then you have another thing coming," Souji flared his aura moving more than three times faster than earlier.

He sliced through four barriers Euclid erected to stop him, Euclid leaned his body to the left dodging the attack but failed to notice Parisa break through his defense, kicking him in the face.

Euclid slid backward spitting out a tooth and wiping the blood from his nose, "Did you think dodging was going to be enough to defeat us," "Well I'm only trying to stall you but who says I can't at least try to kill one of you."

"To think I will have to fight two children such a waste," Shalba snapped creating a medium-sized magic circle and numerous flies floated out with each of them having a tiny red magic circle hovering in front of them.

"Fire," said Shalba casually disinterested in this fight then thousands of beams of magic fired upon the duo.

Seekvaira erected a barrier, "I wonder how long you can hold up," Shalba flicked his finger and the flies increased their firepower.

"I can't hold this forever," groaned Seekvaira struggling against the onslaught, "Give me a few seconds," said Sairaorg was about to use the technique that Koneko taught him although he was nowhere as good as her at it.

"First I need to manifest my touki cloak," thought Sairaorg commencing the first step then he focused his touki on the right hemisphere of his brain as his cloak exploded further.

To Seekvaira's surprise, Sairaorg's skin turned red as his aura exploded, his veins bulged and his muscles expanded, "Gate of Life," roared Sairaorg as his aura expanded.

When Sairaorg first heard Koneko explaining the technique it seemed far-fetched even more so when she told him she got the idea from a television show.

Sairaorg doubted he could use the technique since it seemed like it relied on magic and he couldn't use magic.

Koneko then told him this technique shouldn't require the use of magic, since it relied on knowledge of how to use touki.

"I believe it's possible since it may not require magic," Koneko and Sairaorg were taking a break after having a slight spar.

"Using Senjutsu requires magic but not Touki it is a life force and everyone has that.

So look at it like this our bodies have limiters that keep us from using our potential and this ties into Touki.

Our bodies can only release enough that our bodies can handle without any damaging effects."

Sairaorg rubbed his chin, it wasn't a bad idea, plus Koneko had already recreated two techniques from the show.

Show if Koneko recreated those then it may be possible for her to create this one, "If we break through those limiters then it should be possible to increase the power of our Touki."

Sairaorg crossed his arms closing his eyes and tilting his head, "I mean you're idea is based on if I am even able to do it right," "Yes if you can pull it off then I know I can too.

After that Sairaorg was able to do it when Anos used blood magic to restrict his body and once he was able to activate it successfully Koneko activated it next in a much shorter time.

Since then he worked on maintaining that state longer but after each time he would get massive headaches, which was the side effect of using this technique.

But the cost was worth the price, his strength increased to three times its original power and he could only imagine what his power would be at the other gates.

Seekvaira looked at Sairaorg in surprise, "Hey, Sairaorg, is that still you," "Yeah I wanted to keep this form secret until the game but this is also a good time to try it out," Sairaorg cracked his neck and knuckles.

Sairaorg lowered his hips as he took in his surroundings, earlier the beams of magic were moving so fast that he could barely follow but now they were moving in slow motion.

Sairaorg smirked if he was this strong he wondered just how powerful Koneko was but he could spar with her later he had a job to do.

Sairaorg sped from behind Seekvaira zipping and dodging the beams of magic from Shalba and the ones he couldn't dodge he shattered them like glass with his fist.

Shalba's eyes went round in surprise, he didn't sense any magic from the kid and yet he was moving so fast, he was like a blur, and in a matter of seconds he was at his face with a fist raised.

"Huh," was all Shalba could respond with before he was sent flying into a wall but Sairaorg wasn't done as he sped after Shalba.

He needed to finish him off as fast as possible, he couldn't stay in this state for long plus once Shalba was dealt with he would have to deal with Creuserey.

"Shalba you're starting to look pitiful should I offer my help," laughed Creuserey standing in front of the barrier protecting it with his hands on his hips.

"As if I would your help to deal with these a devil who can't even use magic," responded Shalba capping his hands together as green liquid shot out.

Sairaorg tried to punch the liquid but the moment he punched it he felt a burning sensation and rolled out of the way of the beam of green liquid.

On contact the beam punctured through his knuckles flowing through past his wrist, the beam would have gone further up but Sairaorg pulled his arm away causing the beam to slice open his hand destroying his middle finger to his thumb.

If things couldn't get even worse for Sairaorg his skin started to turn purple, Sairaorg let out a tsk sound and promptly sliced off the part of his hand that was turning purple.

"Sairaorg allow me," said Seekvaira, her family's bloodline ability was time magic and she could use it in a variety of ways.

A green magic circle appeared over his severed hand as the bleeding slowed to almost a standstill, "I slowed the time of how fast you will bleed out but healing magic would be better."

Sairaorg looked down at his missing hand the bleeding had slowed to a drip-drop, "As if a devil who can't use magic could defeat me," snarled Shalba rubbing the bruise on his cheek.

"You should just drop dead you are an embarrassment to to the original 72 Pillars. I don't want to waste my precious magic on devil trash like yourself," Shalba snapped and a green magic circle appeared manifested in front of him.

Seconds later a four-winged massive bee twice the size of a human male hovered in the air with a stinger the length of a human male.

"Kill that brat I am bored," said Shalba with a wave of his hand, the giant bee pointed its stinger at Sairaorg and started firing them like machine guns.

Sairaorg didn't bother trying to break them and just dodged them, he could tell by just a glance that he could punch them out of his way.

He had an ace up his sleeve but that ace was currently fighting the Nilrem above them, but if things continued as they were he would be calling upon him.

Shalba then turned his attention toward Seekvaira and pointed at her, "Kill that girl," the flies Shalba summoned earlier were waiting for new orders after Sairaorg punched Shalba.

The flies pointed their magic circles at Seekvaira and began firing again, Seekvaira was among the rookies five but she wasn't a front-line fighter more like support and provided battle strategies.

Both of their peerages were holding back the Nilrem so they could focus on their battle against Shalba.

Seekvaira was smart, she was comparable to Sona even smarter depending on the time of day but unlike Sona who had spells to use in combat Seekvaira did not, more of her spells were geared toward support.

At the moment she couldn't help Sairaorg because she was preoccupied with helping herself, "Dam all I can do is slow the spells to nearly a halt but if I lose focus they will come flying at me," thought Seekvaira.

Any spell they came in contact with her barriers would slow down to stop depending on the strength of the spell, the beams of magic weren't packed with a lot of magic but the problem was there were so many of them.

Seekvaira glanced at Sairaorg who was having trouble dodging the stingers being fired at them, some were dodged completely while others left cuts all over his body, she then looked at Shalba.

Thankfully he wasn't paying that much attention to their battle by just leaning on the wall with his arms crossed and eyes closed.

If things continued like this then they were going to fail to save Ajuka, she didn't have a problem with how Parisa split their forces.

If they were to fight without restrictions they would have to send the majority to hold back the Nilrem which left them to fight an Ultimate Class Devil.

But their job wasn't to defeat Shalba, they were just the distraction, Seekvaira and Sairaorg placed their hopes on Parisa, Souji, and MacGregor to defeat Euclid and break the barrier.

Luckily Shalba still didn't show any interest in fighting them personally only leaving the task to his insects, it also didn't help that she had also used a considerable amount of magic to protect the evacuees.

So she couldn't keep up with what she was doing forever, she hoped that they would defeat Euclid quickly but when she looked over those hopes were squashed.

"From what I heard you were the strongest knight of the Underworld but you are so slow," Euclid had Souji by the throat, "Screw you," Euclid tightened his grip.

Euclid looked down at a struggling Parisa who was stuck under his foot, "And you, I heard you were one of the strongest Fallen in the Gregory but you are…" Euclid tilted his head teasing Parisa, "Just so weak."

If Parisa or Souji were at full strength then Euclid would have left the moment they arrived, taking on either one alone would be troublesome but he might have been able to win if he was willing to lay down his life to kill one of them.

But both if them were at their full strength and came at him at the same time then there wouldn't even been time for a scuffle.

Five tentacles made from holy magic shot out of the ground circling him, but before they could pierce his body five red magic circles appeared in front of them detonating and destroying the tentacles.

Euclid pressed his heel deeper into Parisa's chest shattering the ground underneath her, "I didn't have any plans on killing anyone except Ajuka but…."

Euclid tightened his grip around Souji neck.

"You are a servant of that pretender and for that, you must die," said Euclid with venom laced in his voice.

Euclid was moments from snapping his neck but something came crashing down with a sonic boom behind him.

"just some shitty humans are just are bad as shitty devils," the giant bee that was fighting Sairaorg was sent flying backward toward Shalba.

Shalba slowly looked to the left, as his eyes narrowed, the bee was dead with a massive hole in its stomach.

Something came crashing to the ground and killed one of his more powerful insect summons in a single strike, bee had been hit so hard and fast that he didn't even see it come flying at him.

The dust cleared to reveal a small girl with white hair, cat ears, and a tail, "Huh," was all Shalba could muster in response.

"Master Sairaorg are you all right, we are here to help," Sairaorg coughed blood from behind Koneko, "What do you mean we?"

"Well that's unfortunate there aren't any shitty devils here but…" Suddenly crimson lighting came crashing down from the heavens devastating numerous Nilrem instantly.

Sairaorg looked up and was surprised at the devastating light show, Mittelt was laughing manically letting out her chaotic side.

Mittelt floated in the sky hands on her hips, floating between the Nilrem and the three peerages, "Don't worry Mittelt pawn of the Great Prodigy Anos Gremory is here to save you," in one use of Jirasd Mittelt had atomized forty of the hundreds of Nilrem present.

Creuserey was watching everything happening but blinked noticing something odd in the corner of his eye, it was a maid carrying a blonde girl under her right arm.

The odd thing about this situation was that the maid just appeared out of nowhere, "Move Creuserey you are in the way."

Rin lightly shoved Creuserey, well if she had pushed Anos but Creuserey went flying into a wall.

Rin tilted her head looking down at her hand, "I doubt I pushed you that hard."

Rin turned her attention back toward the barrier, with the Nilrem inside looking at her cautiously, Ley Fay groaned but she didn't awaken.

Rin before they even arrived knew exactly where to place Koneko and Mittelt, Rin may have been using a lot of her time viewing Ano's memories and observing him.

Rin has also been observing others specifically the ones who spend most of their time around Anos, like Koneko, Ravel, and Mittelt.

So without being asked Rin knew exactly where to place Mittelt and Koneko on the battlefield, she knew Mittelt was a devil hater so putting her right between their allies and the enemy seemed right.

Mittelt was decently powerful by Rin's standards if Rin had to measure her power she was just as strong as any crow.

Koneko from what she remembered spent a lot of time training with the devil with no magic, so having her help him just seemed right.

Although Rin had put them in battles against foes possibly stronger she had no intention of letting harm come to them again.

Everyone in the arena froze at the three individuals' boisterous arrivals, even Euclid who was usually able to keep a calm composure couldn't help but have a look of surprise on his face.

Creuserey pulled himself out of the rubble, arm completely broken and furious, "Who the hell do you think you are?"

Rin looked from the barrier toward Creuserey who was charging some kind of spell, "Oh yes I did give you that power."

Suddenly Creuserey felt his magical power fluctuate as his reserves dropped drastically as a purple snake slithered out of his chest.

He dropped to his knees at the sudden change in his magical power, the snake made its way to Rin as it slithered up her dress.

"How the hell did you," Creuserey was flabbergasted about how was a devil maid able to take one of Ophis's snakes.

Only Ophis should have the power to give and take her snakes back, Creuserey's eyes widened in realization.

"It's you…isn't it…," Creuserey then stood after getting over the exhaustion, "what the hell are you doing here….Ophis?"

If the arena wasn't silent before, it got even quieter, everyone saw the snake leave Creuserey's body, the majority didn't know what it meant but the few who did knew that without a doubt, that the maid in front of them was indeed the Infinite Dragon God.

Euclid dropped Souji in surprise, "What the heck is Ophis doing here, she's supposed to be missing," and subconsciously removed his foot from Parisa.

Before Ophis removed the barrier she remembered that Anos did say to kill everyone, when he touched her head after finding the girls made her feel something she never felt before, and wanted to replicate that feeling.

So in the hopes of replicating that sensation, she pointed a finger at Creuserey materializing a red orb, "Reversal Red," the red orb shot toward Creuserey and he raised a barrier to defend himself.

Unfortunately for Creuserey, he didn't have nearly the magical power to defend himself as the barrier shattered like glass, and moments later the upper half of his body was destroyed.

Blowing a massive hole in the side of the arena, "I held back considerably again but...," said Ophis opening and closing her hand.

Ophis then placed her hand on the barrier preparing the break it but before she broke the barrier she broadcasted her voice for all to hear, "Everyone not an enemy is under my protection feel free to fight without concern, and remember girls Anos said kill them all."

After hearing that a devious smirk formed on Koneko and Mittelt's faces, Ophis then remembered that she also gave a snake to Shalba and did the same thing she did to Creuserey and took it back but didn't bother killing him since Koneko would accomplish that.

"I didn't realize how powerful the pawn of Lord Anos was," whispered one of Sairaorg peerage members, "If you ask me she looks a little deranged with a smile on her face," said another.

Mittelt was cackling like a villain and if she wasn't a pawn of Anos, they would have thought she was the enemy.

Lighting sparked in her right hand and Jirasd in the other and she released a devastating burst of demonic power, disintegrating even more as even the barriers created by the Nilrem weren't enough to protect them from the power of Jirasd and Mittelt's lighting.

"Is she just a Low-Class Devil," said a member of Sirzech's peerage this time, "She's fighting like someone on our level," said another member.

Shalba glared at Ophis, moments ago he had the power of the previous Devil Kings but now he was at the power, he was before.

But his attention was drawn from Ophis a small little girl came flying at his face with a blue fist, he caught the punch as the earth shattered.

He then felt pain assault his body, no not his body but something deep inside, his soul, "You disgusting little shit," Shalba grabbed Koneko by the throat and broke her neck.

Shalba snickered but blinked in confusion as she turned to smoke, and saw the same cat girl standing in front of Sairaorg.

"How dare a lowly reincarnated devil strike my body," Shalba scoffed, Ophis was one thing but this insect thought she had the right to face him, the devil without magic barely qualified to face him.

Shalba pointed an annoyed finger at Koneko, glaring at her, another green magic circle appeared in front of him.

A giant fly head rose out of the magic circle mouth open wide as it shot out a stream of green acidic liquid at Koneko and would have turned her and Sairaorg into a pile of liquid mush and bones.

But the acid ricochets off the invisible force of Infinity created by Ophis, "Just relax all of us our under the protection of Ophis remember."

Seekvaria's spell wore off but the spells stopped inches from her face, and when she took a step forward the spells of magic moved backward, "So this is the protection Ophis was talking about."

Seekvaria even tried to reach out and touch one of the spells that would have killed her moments earlier but it just floated backwards in response.

Koneko bent her knees and moved faster than even Sairaorg thought she could, Koneko blitzed right past through the acid unimpeded thanks to Ophis as she slammed her fist into the fly shattering its brains everywhere.

Shalba's aggravation grew even further as Koneko looked at him with a cocky smirk, if it wasn't for Ophis he would have killed them by now and could have not wasted his precious magic on these lessor life forms.

The same thought process was running through Euclid's mind, Souji was moments from dying in his grasp but in his shock he let Parisa and Souji get away.

And now none of his spells were reaching the duo, even the two peerages who were on the verge of dying were now just as untouchable as the two in front of him.

Euclid looked at Ophis who was holding some girl analyzing the barrier and shattered it seconds later.

The four Nilrem wouldn't last long, in fact, that didn't last at all as they were obliterated by Ophis instantaneously.

The only thing left between Ophis and Ajuka was the world isolation barrier and that shattered just as fast as the Nilrem were killed, "Dam it all…I need to get out of here," mentally screamed Euclid.

For the moment Ophis seemed preoccupied with checking on Ajuka, while Parisa and Souji were barely standing, "Things don't appear to be in our favor anymore."

A magic circle appeared below Euclid and he promptly took his leave, his soldiers can be replaced along with the two Devil King descendants.

Koneko looked back at Shalba cracking her fingers, "Things aren't looking good for you…your alli is dead and the other has abandoned you."

Shalba's eye twitched this little brat thought she was invincible just and it wasn't by her strength it was power given to her by Ophis.

"You cocky little shit," growled Shalba in disdain, "Take away that invisible barrier are you are no threat," Shalba was right.

In terms of speed, Koneko wasn't faster than Shalba, so he could easily track her movements additionally she was considerably weaker than that magic-less boy.

"You know what this presents the best opportunity to show the fruits of my labor," and without looking away Koneko addressed Ophis, "Can you release your protection."

Ophis paused in the two things she was doing, one was giving Ajuka one of her snakes.

His magic levels were zero and if he wasn't treated now there would be life-threatening consequences.

Giving him one he snakes would replenish his reserves almost instantly saving his life, the other thing she was doing was looking for Euclid.

She had let him go in hopes that he would lead her to where they were hiding but like with Crom Cruach she couldn't find him.

And this awakened something inside her that made her feel uneasy, Ophis herself couldn't describe this feeling but if someone else were to have felt these emotions then it would be described as unease.

But would Ophis be feeling uneasy because of the prospect that she might have failed a request by Anos?

Normally something like this wouldn't have bothered her to this extent because she didn't want Anos to direct her anger toward her.

Ophis didn't think he would kill her but she didn't want to upset him even further by failing a request he asked her to complete, so she continued to search for where Euclid disappeared.

"I can not allow harm to come to you or the Fallen," Ophis may have failed one task but she wasn't going to fail at keeping them safe.

"I want to show off the depth of my training," Koneko wanted to test to see how far her power had grown after facing her sister and not being able to leave a mark on her body to her knowledge.

Ophis stood from her crouching position to look at Koneko and stared at Koneko for a moment not understanding why she felt she wanted to prove herself but decided to let her do what she wanted but would continue to observe closely.

"Fine," Koneko couldn't visibly see the barrier dispel but she knew Ophis wouldn't lie, Shalba smiled, "I'll kill you faster than she can save you."

From above Mittelt hovered in the air, after Euclid left Nilrem stopped teleporting into the arena and cleaned up the remainder of their forces.

With the help of the three peerages, although she did do most of the work, "Need some help there little kitty," for the first time since arriving here Koneko frowned, "The day I take your help is the day you beat me in a fight."

Mittelt humphed, "I hope your arm gets blown off," Sairaorg watched in silence, Koneko was strong in terms of speed he was faster, and in terms of fighting ability, he had an edge over her.

There was one aspect he wasn't a hundred percent on and it was her strength, Koneko always held back, because she never wanted to lose control as her sister did.

So Koneko always held back during their spars, he had only really seen her not hold back when Anos was present and that was rare.

Sairaorg didn't fully understand why she continued to hold back, even though Anos had cast some spell a while ago to suppress her abilities.

"Koneko you are stronger than you let on," Sairaorg and Koneko were sitting on a log in the forest after having a light spar.

Both were sweating but Koneko was sweating more after working out harder, "I don't know what you mean," Koneko played dumb.

Sairaorg was a master combatant and could tell from not just this spar but the others that the little Nekomata was holding back on him.

"I am sure you know about my sister I just don't want to end up like her," Sairaorg knew the story about SSS-ranked stray Devil Kuroka that lost control of power and killed numerous people.

Although he knew the story he didn't think Koneko would fall into the same boat after training with Anos, "And I don't want to hurt my friends, with this power."

Koneko thought back to when she felt when Kuroka released her aura and how nature started to cry out in pain, if that was the cost of Koneko reaching her full potential she didn't want to and would rather want to hold back her power indefinitely until she found a different way to use her power with out hurting others.

As Sairaorg sat there clutching his arm thinking about their conversation, he understood somewhat why Koneko held back her strength, but that's why she was developing new techniques that didn't require her to use Senjutsu or only use it in small amounts.

Koneko took three deep breaths as the literal air around her seemed to grow heavy and then the ground shattered, "Gate of Healing."

Shalba humphed, she was using the technique as that boy, and since he had already seen the speed from the boy, Shalba was confident he could keep up with the increased speed this technique would be afforded her.

Koneko wasn't done as she released the next gate with her skin turning red, "Gate of Life."

"Your friend already tried that move and it didn't work," Shalba smirked, he doubted he could kill Koneko with Ophis standing right there but if he mortally wounded her.

Then even Ophis would have to take time and heal the girl which would give him time to escape, ensuring his survival but then something interesting happened.

"Gate of Pain," Koneko's power exploded even further, Koneko could feel her literal muscles about to burst but she wanted to push herself further.

Shalba frowned somehow he was getting a bad feeling about this little brat she said Gate of Pain and her power rose again.

Unlike the other guy, he could sense unfamiliar magic being emitted from her and it was rising at an alarming rate, "I should end this now and make my escape," Shalba raised his hand.

He was going send a horde of flies, causing as much damage to the girl as possible, "Gate...," started Koneko.

Shalba outstretched his hand toward the little cat girl, "Thousand Fly Horde," cast Shalba as thousands of flies flew out of a single magic circle.

"Of...," continued Koneko, the flies drew near with the sole purpose of causing as much damage to her body as possible before making his escape.

"Limit...," and Koneko's pupil-less eyes shot open as her aura erupted, Koneko's Nekomata features shot from her body along with a new feature, a new tail raising her count to two.

Koneko's claws grew an inch as she got on all fours like a lion ready to pounce on its prey.

As the flies were about to crash into her, Koneko's fist ignited into flames and Ophis raised her hand to protect Koneko.

But slowly dropped it as Koneko incinerated every last fly in a burst of blue flames, Shalba blinked one moment his flies were about to kill the girl, and in the blink of an eye, they were gone.

Koneko arched her back as her claws dug into the ground and she kicked off it in a monstrous burst of speed, Shalba jumped back caught off guard by her burst of speed, which was nothing compared to what he witnessed from Sairaorg.

Shalba barely even saw her come running at her like a high-speed cheetah, Shalba attention was drawn to the teleportation circle he was casting.

By the time he processed what happened, Koneko slammed her fist directly into Shalba's stomach making him throw up his lunch and some blood.

Shalba's body went crashing into the wall again but with much more devastating power, "You piece of shit," his ribs were shattered and his back was broken.

Koneko let out a big breath of steam, this was the first time she tried releasing, "I'm this exhausted from only releasing the Gate of Limit."

Blood then shot from every orphic on her body and she stumbled back but was caught by Ophis.

Ophis then looked over at the broken unconscious Shalba, "You sit tight I will finish this," Ophis raised her hand and blew Shalba away with her red orb.

Mittelt scoffed, "Dam cat always one-upping me," but she was glad she was all right as Ophis started to heal her, while still hovering in the air she felt an explosion of Anos demonic power.

"What the hell is," thought Mittelt then she paused and turned back around in confusion, "Anos presence is over there, so who the hell is releasing this much demonic power."

The more Mittelt focused she realized it wasn't Anos demonic power but only resembled it but there was a very notable difference it had traces of Rias's devil magic.

Minutes Earlier

Grayfia's eyes which were usually calm and composed were hollow she felt empty lost and broken. Grayfia couldn't believe he was gone this felt like a fever dream and wished she could wake up from it.

Athena placed her hand on her shoulder, "I'm sorry Grayfia he's gone," a single tear fell from Grayfia's face it was the first in centuries.

Athena for a second contemplated asking her uncle Hades to bring back his soul but considering Hades hated devils she doubted he would, It was more likely he would turn him into a Grim Reaper.

"And I know you are mourning but we have to go," Artemis pinched Athena and looked at her saying that she could have been a little more sensitive.

Artemis crouched down, "Sorry about that…I know it's a long shot but maybe Hades will give back his soul but there will be a heavy cost if he grants it."

Grayfia blinked away her tears as she remembered Anos could raise the dead, "No Anos can...," but Grayfia abruptly shut her mouth.

Grayfia said it in a whisper but Artemis and Athena heard her clearly, "What can Anos do," Artemis's question wasn't accusing she just didn't understand why she rejected the offer.

Athena raised an eyebrow now that was interesting, Athena knew they were pressed for time but she couldn't help but ask, "What makes you think Anos can help?"

Grayfia just squeezed Sirzechs for comfort, she had slipped up in a moment of weakness and said something she shouldn't have.

Under any other circumstance she wouldn't have slipped up like that, "I..uhhh," was all Grayfia could mutter in response.

Artemis eyes then darted to the left as a piece of rubble shifted causing a miniature rock slide, Athena turned her attention to the same location.

The rocks rolled away to reveal a small black human-sized dome, it then vanished as rubble collapsed from the dome holding it.

Apophis then crawled out coughing blood, he was in his human form the entire right side of his body had been disintegrated to the muscle and bone.

He was slowly regenerating but it was going at a painfully slow rate, he coughed blood, "Outstanding King of devils you nearly killed me."

When Sirzechs had unleashed his final move Apophis had his ultimate defensive ability, Dark Field Barrier, it was the same barrier he cast over Sirzechs.

Apophis can use this barrier to trap enemies like what he did with Sirzechs or encase himself to protect himself.

When Sirzech released Apophis had canceled the barrier and encased himself, Apophis should have been completely safe from the attack.

It was indestructible plus he was stronger now at the level of Ddraig and Albion, he may not have been in their class but he wasn't at their level in their prime.

With that being said when Sirzech's unleashed his final attack Apophis barrier was nearly obliterated.

Half the barrier was gone in an instant and Apophis had nearly lost the entire right side of his body in the process.

Thanks to his regeneration and recasting of the barrier he didn't lose his life but he did suffer a life-threatening wound.

Apophis crawled onto his feet but dropped to a knee as there were no muscles on his legs to support his body but they were growing back.

Athena manifested her spear and Artemis drew her bow, Grayfia was too caught up holding Sirzechs to notice him.

Artemis fired an arrow to test the waters and Apophis, the arrow moved so fast it practically teleported to Apophis's face but he was quick enough to catch it.

"Seems some other pest have arrived but I won't let this opportunity pass me by," Apophis's body vanished Athena thrust her spear forward stabbing Apophis in the hand.

Apophis attempted to punch Sirzech's head to shatter his skull, he wasn't fast enough to stop him from last time but he wasn't going to allow him to recover if he was alive.

"Well that's rude," Apophis looked up locking eyes with Athena, "Focusing on a dead man when there are people who wish to kill you."

A spear of ice exploded from the ground stabbing Apophis through the stomach, an attack of this level wouldn't have even pierced his skin but he wasn't completely healed from his fight with Sirzech.

Apophis looked back to see cold ice-like eyes staring back at him, "I won't let you get away with this," growled Grayfia holding Sirzech close.

Apophis shattered the ice, to counter-attack Artemis sent a knee to his stomach sending him rolling back away.

Athena's spear glowed a golden aura and she threw it at an arc in the sky and it came crashing down on Apophis and exploded in a golden aura.

"It seems you are back," said Athena, Grayfia placed Sirzech's body down and encased his body in ice, as far as she understood Anos didn't need the body of someone to revive them.

Grayfia just encased him in ice just in case it did make a difference but first, she had to kill the one responsible.

"Yes Lady Athena, let us put him down," replied Grayfia in a dry sinister tone, Grayfia was beyond furious and she had one goal in mind tear Apophis to shreds for what he had done.

Artemis and Athena didn't know Sirzechs like Grayfia but it was common knowledge that Sirzechs had a much better reputation than the previous Lucifer.

Sirzechs was known as a very kind a caring person, some called him a pacifist because he always tried to talk things out instead of resorting to violence, which earned him a lot of respect in other mythologies.

Which why Athena and Artemis respected him and the other Devil Kings even though there was a fear of the Shadow.

Grayfia stepped forward with Athena and Artemis by her side, Apophis's body was even more battered and bruised but he wasn't dead.

"Yea let's kill him properly," said Artemis as she manifested a sword with a golden glow along with silver Greek armor manifesting on her body.

Grayfia flew into the sky manifesting four silver magic circles, while Artemis disappeared concealing her presence.

Athena lowered her stance and dashed at Apophis who raised his arm defensively, and with a clean slice, Athena cut off his hand.

Apophis roared in anger as his arm burned, "That sword must be coated in dragon-slaying magic," he thought looking back at Athena.

Apophis started flipping back as spears of ice started raining down from the sky, suddenly an arrow coated in dragon-slaying magic blew a hole in his stomach.

His eyes darted around to try and discern the location of Artemis but his attention is diverted again as a spear comes flying at his face.

Apophis was about to slap the spear away but his body was encased in ice stopping him long enough for the spear to strike him in the heart.

Artemis appeared a few feet above Apophis with her bow drawn fully back with a powerful arrow inside.

Apophis body lay lifeless only held up by the spear Athena threw, Artemis aimed to reduce his entire body to ash with this arrow.

Athena started packing as much divine magic as she could into this one attack, "Now die you accursed dragon."

The arrow came crashing down like a meteor, Grayfia should have been happy she was moments from avenging Sirzechs.

But something felt off this felt too easy, yes Sirzechs had gone full out against but he couldn't have been that drained from his fight with Sirzechs.

Grayfia prayed this would be enough but those prayers were for naught as Apophis eyes snapped open at the last second his arm grew back and he caught the arrow and snapped it in two.

He then pulled the spear out of his chest and dropped it on the ground, the wound closed along with the one in his stomach.

"Took longer than I thought dragon-slaying magic from a god is potent stuff," Apophis was in a bit of a daze when came out of his protective bubble, but there was one thing on his mind destroy Sirzechs.

So when Apophis saw Sirzech's body lying on the ground he instinctually lundged at him.

It also didn't help that he didn't react fast enough to protect himself from Athena's attack, Dragon Slaying magic with the sole purpose of killing Dragons.

The magical property hindered his regeneration, dulled his senses, and weakened him further, to get over its effects he had to cleanse his body of it properly.

It wouldn't have taken as nearly as long if he was at full strength, so he focused more on healing himself.

The attacks from Artemis were also infused with Dragon Slaying magic which made it twice as long to cleanse himself, so he focused harder and made it in the nick of time.

If Athena's arrow had struck it wouldn't have killed him but it would have made healing himself even worse which could have led to his defeat.

Apophis didn't think he needed to use his full power, the two gods were strong and the devil in a maid uniform was powerful for a devil.

With that being said they weren't a threat to him, the only thing that was truly deadly about them was the Dragon Slaying Magic they were using.

Which would given enough time slowly turn the battle in their favor, Apophis hadn't completely recovered but he had more than enough power to deal with them easily.

The only reason why he hadn't killed them yet was because they weren't his target Sirzechs and Anos were, along with killing many devils along the way.

Two of those objectives had been accomplished Apophis had leveled a city so he didn't feel the need to kill any other devils.

Apophis last objective was finding Anos and obtaining his blood by force if necessary, so he didn't have a need or desire to kill them.

Apophis was an evil dragon but unlike Grendel, he didn't find enjoyment in going on rampages slaughtering large groups of people.

Apophis only really accepted this errand because Rizevim asked him to and he would never turn down a request from his highness.

Athena, Artemis, and Grayfia kept pummeling his body with attacks, with a spear and sword Athena blocked his attacks and jabbed him with the spear.

Artemis sliced deep into his skin while dodging his blows and Grayfia pummeled him with spears of ice from above.

Apophis flared his monstrous aura causing the three ladies to either jump or fly back away, "This will be your first and final warning I have other errands to complete and I don't want to waste any more time."

Apophis body was littered with cuts and scapes steam emitted from the wounds as his body reacted to the Dragon Slaying magic.

Apophis eyes narrowed as monstrous levels of killing intent poured from him causing them to back away cautiously, "If you don't I will kill you all without a second thought."

Apophis eyed them dangerously and sensed they weren't going to be backing down, "Fine...then you all can die," Athena raised her shield as she was sent flying away, Grayfia didn't even see what happened but Artemis had really good eyes.

After Apophis had said those final words he ran so fast at Athena, that he practically teleported in front of her, Athena had enough battle instincts to raise her shield.

But she didn't see the attack it was done on pure instinct, Artemis looked on in surprise they had been hitting him with so much Dragon Slaying magic she thought that he was much weaker but this just showed how much he was holding back.

Artemis powered more magic into the knife, the attack was strong enough to slice the arm of a high-level dragon, and she moved so fast that she looked like a blur.

But Apophis was faster, he grabbed Artemis by the wrist and snapped it, Artemis didn't scream but she did follow up with a counter-punching him in the stomach.

Apophis didn't even react, "You're the Great Artemis goddess of hunting and that's the best you can do," Apophis then grabbed Artemis by the throat.

"Don't you dare mock one of The Thirteen...," Apophis then slammed her face into the ground, "Silence," Artemis twitched before her body went limp moments later.

Before Apophis could finish off Artemis, Grayfia summoned a massive Lance of ice at threw it at Apophis but he just outstretched his hand unbothered.

He created a massive black fireball destroying the Lance with ease.

Apophis turned his attention toward Grayfia who had been throwing spears of ice at him but he had been destroying them with fireballs.

Apophis vanished from Grayfia's sight line of sight then she felt something strike her back along with a big snapping sound as she was sent crashing to the ground smacking the earth with a massive boom.

Apophis struck Grayfia so hard that he shattered her spine, Apophis opened and closed his fist tilting his head at Grayfia, "I shattered your back with a single punch," Grayfia tried to stand but she had lost all feeling in her legs.

Apophis opened his mouth and let out a massive roar sending a massive torrent of fire at Grayfia to reduce her to ash.

Grayfia encased herself in a dome of ice but it didn't last more than a few seconds as it started to melt at a rapid rate and then it shattered.

Athena appeared next to Grayfia raising a shield to the sky to save Grayfia, while Artemis appeared behind Apophis both hands clasped together, "I told you not to underestimate one of The Thirteen Olympians," barked Artemis striking him on the top of the head sending him crashing into the ground.

Artemis then kicked off the air toward the ground after Apophis.

Grayfia looked on in surprise at Athena there was a hole in her armor and an even more massive hole in her stomach that reached through the other side.

"My Lady are you all right," if a devil had suffered the same wound they would have died on the spot, Athena coughed blood with a smirk, "This is nothing look I am already healing."

Athena's body started to regenerate as she lowered her shield, "But we should address your injuries, can you walk?"

Grayfia shook her head, "Understood," Athena then performed healing magic, healing Grayfia in a matter of seconds.

While Athena regenerated herself and healed Grayfia, she watched as Apophis and Artemis entered into a destructive fistfight.

Artemis was strong but she was getting overpowered by Apophis, Artemis raised her hands to block a punch but went flying as her arms got blown off as her body was unable to withstand the sheer force of the blow.

Athena drops her shield and catches Artemis, now that Athena was able to get a better look, Artemis's body is a lot more damaged than she thought.

Along with her arms being blown off, Athena surmised that Artemis had broken ribs, a broken jaw, and other broken bones.

Artemis's body then started to regenerate as her eyes shot open, "Crap I can't believe I fainted," Artemis tried to rub her head but realized her arms were missing, "Well that's unfortunate."

Not that they were close together Apophis encased them all in the same black barrier that he trapped Sirzechs in, and then needle-sized water droplets materialized along with spears in the shape of shadows coming out of each of their shadows pointed at their backs.

"Now die," said Apophis turning away from them all to be sure that with this attack they would die quick and painful deaths.

A spear floated above Athena she infused it with enough magic to shatter a city block and she pointed at the barrier, the spear shot forward and it just bounced off falling on the ground.

Grayfia stopped healing herself as Apophis made his way toward Sirzech's body to destroy it before moving on to find Anos.

If Athena couldn't shatter the barrier then there was no hope for them to break free, Grayfia stopped healing herself creating spears of ice.

Artemis stood to her feet materializing a hunter knife in her mouth, while Athena materialized a spear and shield fall three were prepared to fight until their inevitable end.

Apophis closed in on Sirzechs then paused as blood shot out from nose, mouth, ears, and eyes then dropped to a knee, after fighting Sirzechs and nearly dying.

Not to mention the Dragon Slaying Magic Artemis and Athena fought him with was causing severe after-effects, "Dam I need to recuperate but first things first," he finished then stared at Sirzechs.

Apophis stood but this time he was limping instead of walking, he couldn't focus solely on healing himself since those three were trapped in a barrier, along with the through sands of spell he was activating simultaneously to kill them.

Grayfia watched in slow motion as the Shadows shot towards her along with hundreds of the Primordial Water.

Grayfia regretted not being able to save her beloved Sirzechs and just as horrible she hated that she would be leaving her son behind.

But when Grayfia, Artemis, and Athena awaited their inevitable deaths, the barrier shattered, the Primordial Water disintegrated, and the Shadow Spears shattered like glass.

It happened so fast that Athena and Artemis just blinked in surprise, next a large green magic circle appeared below them.

Their injuries were all healed and even their magic reserves were completely replenished in seconds much faster than either Artemis or Athena could accomplish in a single day's rest.

Apophis paused there was a crimson-haired man hunched over Sirzechs's body with a little girl behind him, his hand was outstretched with a crimson magic circle.

"Who is that…I didn't even sense him…actually, how did he get here," Apophis then realized something, "Wait Crimson hair, he must be Anos."

A glass-like orb then appeared in the man's hand and pressed it into the lifeless body of Sirzechs and then whispered something inaudible to Apophis ears.

Apophis's eye went round as he could sense Sirzech's magic replenishing along with the color in his skin.

Alarms started blaring in Apophis's mind, he didn't understand what the boy had just done but he wasn't going to let him finish.

Apophis right-hand turned into draconic claw, "I don't know how he got here but," now that the two gods plus Grayfia were trapped in that barrier of his creation, they were moments from being killed.

"Wait where did he go," Apophis had only blinked and Anos was gone, but the girl was still there but now she was in a barrier along with Sirzechs.

Apophis then felt a dreadful aura behind him as sweat started to pool on his forehead, "I already sent who I figured was your leader back to Rizevim and it only takes one to deliver a message."

Apophis swung his fist but only struck air and also noticed something, Anos holding his severed arm.

It happened so fast that Apophis's body didn't even register the pain, in disbelief he reached for where his hand should have been but all he felt was a cold liquid.

"I expected more, your ally Cram Cruach put up more of a fight but he was lacking in the information department," Anos ignited the arm in crimson flames reducing it to ash, and then pointed at Apophis.

Jirasd shot out from the extended finger engulfing Apophis causing him to scream in agony, "Now talk what does Rizevim want with my blood, and then you have my permission to die," Anos ordered glaring at Apophis.

Anos held no sympathy for Athena or Artemis but the same couldn't be said for Sirzechs, Grayfia, and the other hundred devils that died in this city.

It was taking a lot of restraint not to obliterate Apophis for what he had done to them but he wanted information.

"Please I was just following orders," groaned Apophis in between screams, "You and Cam Cruach must have read from the same script because you sound the same," Anos wanted information and wasn't going to let him die until he obtained said information.

Although there were worse fates Anos could bestow upon his enemies besides death, Anos turned up the intensity of Jirasd, "I didn't ask for your screams I want answers," Apophis screamed ever louder as every fiber of his existence was in pain.

"All I know is that he was testing your blood but for what purpose I do not know."

Dragon Slaying Magic was painful and the Power of Destruction was worse but whatever magic this was, there wasn't even a competition.

Every single cell in his body felt like it was about to be destroyed, although if it was just physical pain he could power through but he felt his very mind on the verge of being eradicated.

Apophis didn't even have the strength nor the power to move only being able to scream, Anos then ceased his onslaught causing Apophis to drop to his knees.

"What made him so interested in my blood," "I think," Anos flared his crimson aura interrupting Apophis, "I care not for what you think only about what you know."

Apophis throat then dried up in the presence of Anos's aura, it was so dense and powerful Apophis nearly died from the shock, his mind was so broken he was on the verge of going insane like Crom Cruach.

Anos jammed his fist into the center of Apophis's chest and pulled out a blue flame, "Hmmm…so this what the souls of others look like in this world," thought Anos.

Anos slowly started to close his hand causing the flame to dimmer and Apophis let out a roar of pain clutching where his heart was.

"Speak," was all Anos said in response to Apophis's cries, "He's been working in his labs trying to create something from your blood but he recently ran out so he wanted us to obtain more," Apophis started crying as he couldn't take the pain any further.

"Please I beg of...you kill me...just make it stop," "Seems having one's soul crushed causes the same effect in this world too, good to know," Anos then extinguished Apophis's soul and the screaming stopped as his body stopped moving with his skin turning grey as all the life was drained.

Grayfia slowly lumbered over to Anos, she saw what had done to Sirzechs, he had placed a source in his body so just maybe.

"Anos is he," "Why don't you go take a look," Anos said nodding toward Sirzechs, Grayfia looked over as the barrier dropped, and Grayfia couldn't hold back her tears.

Sirzechs was sitting up with Ravel's support, Grayfia ran...she ran faster than she ever had in her life, Sirzechs, whose eyes looked hollow looked up to see his vision full of beautiful silver hair.

Grayfia hugged him, burying her face in his chest.

Unlike earlier he was so cold but now he was so warm, "Never again," sniffed Grayfia, "What was that," responded Sirzechs.

Grayfia's face was buried in his chest so he couldn't hear her mumbling, "I said never leave me again or I will make you regret it," Grayfia said glaring up at Sirzechs's, eyes red from crying.

Sirzechs rubbed her head, "I am sorry I made you worry…and I promise to never do it again," Ravel smiled warmly at the couple reunited but looked over at Anos, whose back toward was them.

Anos's attention was now on the two gods in front of him, he had taken the liberty of healing their injuries and replenishing their magic.

But after killing Apophis, Anos turned to see Artemis with her bow shakily pointed at him, with Athena's hand raised trying to stop her but Anos could see the fear plastered on her face too.

Athena also had one hand behind her back possibly holding some type of weapon, "what the hell are you," chirped out Artemis, "You here to kill us too…I'm going down aashhh….easily as him."

She was trembling, knees shaking, and throat drying up, "How can…how can one devil how so much power its… it is just so…impossible…"

Before any person casts a spell there is a spark of magical power indicating their level of power, although if one is good at concealing their magic they can hide this process.

Artemis had felt it all, she didn't know the true depth of his power but the spark of magic she felt from Anos, felt limitless not even taking into account the aura he released.

"Take a second and calm down," cautioned Athena toward Artemis hand tightening around the sword behind her back.

Artemis didn't lower her bow but only drew it back further, "Calm yourself Artemis if he wanted us dead he would have started attacking already."

Artemis sent a half-second look at Athena before looking back at Anos, mentally Anos was analyzing them he didn't have any intention of killing them.

Judging by how they were positioned after destroying the barrier Athena was shielding Grayfia who was injured.

"Thank you for protecting Grayfia," Anos dismissed his rage for the time being and closed his eyes bowing his head to show his thankfulness.

Athena and Artemis blinked in confusion they honestly thought they were about to be killed, the prophecies portrayed him as a monstrous creature and they saw another side of that monster, a gentle giant.

"It's fine…we couldn't just stand by while they were killing innocents although it is unfortunate that we couldn't save the people here."

"No need to blame yourself if I was more proactive I could have stopped all of this but I am correcting that now," "I have a question Anos Gremory," stammered out Athena, Anos inclined his head to the side, "If it's to my knowledge I will answer to the best of my ability."

Athena gulped, she hoped Anos would answer no, to this question but the likelihood of her being right was seeming more possible.

"Are you the Shadow that is prophesied to destroy the world," Anos raised an eyebrow but answered truthfully, or he would have but the seal he placed on Rias's source shattered.

Anos blinked in surprise for the first time in a while, Rias didn't have the power or knowledge to break his seal but as his mind started to race, his attention along with everyone's attention snapped to the right.

Watching a red beam of magic shoot toward the sky, "Rias what in the world is happening over there and how did you awaken your source."

A satisfied chill ran down Grendel's spine, the utter look of despair on Sonia's face made him feel so wonderful.

Earlier

Grendel looked down at his missing arm and he focused his aura as it started to twitch moments later his arm grew back brand new.

Grendel then turned his attention to the two groups running away from him, he pondered rushing over and just killing them but he was eager to drown them in more despair.

Tsubaki had Sona over her shoulder as she ran toward the devil army, Sona had finally stopped screaming but echoes of her screams were destroying her on the inside.

Rias also felt like the worst friend in the world but what could she do, if Serafall, Azazel, and Ruval couldn't defeat Grendel what hope did they have?

Although she knew this it didn't make her feel any better but she could follow through with Serafall's last request and get Sona out of there along with the rest of her peerage.

Rias looked back at Grendel who was growing his arm back undoing the work that Serafall accomplished.

Grendel then got on all fours and started stalking after them with a predatory smirk on his face.

Rias then looked at the army they were running towards but she didn't like the idea of leading an unbeatable enemy to them.

Rias took a look over the group and this scenario felt familiar, her eyes then went wide as she remembered the first day of their training.

When Tannin attacked them they were faced with a similar situation run or fight back but at that time there weren't going to be repercussions if they fought or ran from Tannin.

But this time was different, Rias was balancing a choice, stand and fight or…

"Rias what's the plan Azazel said the dragon was after you will he get distracted by the army if you are his target?"

Rias bit her lip after hearing what Akeno said, that was the other half she was balancing, if she was Grendel's target was there any point in leading the army to them?

Rias didn't answer immediately as she looked over everyone's grin expression, the decision she was pondering would most likely get if not all of them killed.

Rias tried to speak in a steady tone to mask her unease, "Listen up everyone, you guys go on ahead I will fight him…"

Sona blinked away her tears and looked at Rias in surprise which was the unanimous expression by everyone.

"I know this sounds crazy but he is after me and I don't want to," "You can stop it right there President, not a single one of us is leaving you behind.

If you plan on fighting that guy then we all are."

Rias appreciated the sentiment but before she could respond Akeno spoke up again, "You can stop right there," Akeno was glaring at Rias, she couldn't believe Rias would suggest something like that.

"If you are going to fight then we are too," Rias looked over her peerage and they all nodded in agreement.

Rias smiled warmly which only lasted moments as she looked to Tsubaki, "You guys get Sona out of here we will buy you as much time as possible."

Tsubaki didn't like that she had to keep leaving her friends behind, Tsubaki let out a sigh and just nodded.

The rest of Sona's peerage didn't bother responding, they shared Tsubaki's sentiment and didn't like that they had to keep leaving people behind.

Tsubaki ran ahead of Rias and the peerage as they stopped in their tracks, they were down a member but Rias hoped they could buy a few seconds.

Plus if Grendel planned on killing her, he might leave which could save everyone's lives and cost their lives which was still unfortunate.

Rias looked over everyone she expected to see fear but she saw exactly what Azazel saw before coming here the steeled resolve.

And just like with Azazel it didn't make her feel good inside but it did inspire her to carry on despite her reservations about them tagging along.

Rias trusted her right arm forward and issued her orders, "Kiba, Xenovia, Irina, and Issei you four will be our front line," the four stood side by side drawing weapons and boosting power.

"Asia, you heal anyone who gets injured and Gasper when he gets in range freeze him to the best of your abilities," Asia and Gasper stood behind the four trembling trying their best to stay calm, Issei then sent a thumbs up to them with a smile.

"We got this don't you worry I won't let a single thing happen to you guys," declared Issei, "As for me and you Akeno, we are supplying support for the front line," Akeno slammed her fist into her palm smiling, "Till death do us part."

Grendel slowed his approach to them, "I like that look in their eyes," Grendel looked past them toward the one who he wanted to fight most since they all arrived here, "The red-haired one, is the most powerful of the ones I fought so far, such a shame if she fought things might have turned out differently."

Grendel then started salivating, "I can't wait to devour her, this is gonna be fun," Issei promoted himself to queen and then started boosting his power, Xenovia summoned Durandel and coated herself in a golden aura, and Kiba summoned his Holy Devil Sword, and Irina took out her Excalibur Ruler.

"Issei don't forget you have Ascalon," reminded Ddraig, "Right," Issei then summoned Ascalon, "Irina here this should be must better, I'm not much of a swordsman."

Issei tossed the sword and Irina caught it by the hilt, "Thanks," Irina took a small practice swing and lowered her stance.

Without another word spoken they sprinted at Grendel dashing at him, the four of them lunged at Grendel but he dashed passed them, to their bewilderment as they twisted their heads back watching him run past them.

Gasper shrieked as it seemed Grendel was headed right for him and he did attempt several times to freeze him in time but it had no effect on him.

Grendel's monstrous form caused Gasper and Asia to pale in response since they were not front-line fighters.

Luckily Rias and Akeno were behind them to help them out as both girls jumped in front of them, in a fight it was smart to go after the healer.

And with one glance over the group, Grendel must have surmised by where they positioned that one of them must have been the healer.

By how fast Grendel was moving Kiba and the rest wouldn't have made it back in time to help them, so Akeno and Rias had to step in to save them.

Akeno erected a barrier as Rias prepared a blast of the Power of Destruction but there was one thing both girls forgot, Grendel's target was Rias and only Rias.

He was done playing around with his food around him and he was now ready for the main course, the one with the most magical power in this barrier, Rias Gremory.

Grendel slapped Akeno out of the way shattering her weak barrier, Rias fired off a blast of her power but it just pounced off Grendel's scales.

Grendel grabbed Rias's entire body twisting in the air then slamming her into the ground, "Come on little devil show me that hidden power."

Smiled Grendel showing off his monstrous teeth, Rias squirmed in Grendel's grip but couldn't break free.

Grendel tightened his grip and felt something snap, as Rias screamed in pain, "Why are you hiding it…give me a fight."

Grendel suddenly felt four foreign objects strike his back, three of them bounced off his scales but one managed to break through his scales.

Grendel laughed at the pain it hurt much more than when Serafall froze his arm, this pain was unique to Dragon Slaying Magic.

Grendel dropped Rias and turned in delight to face whoever struck him with that Dragon-Slaying Magic.

Behind him was the four he had sped past but his attention was instantly drawn to Irina and the Holy Sword Ascalon.

"You there," pointed Grendel as Irina, "That's Ascalon isn't it?"

Grendel already knew the answer to the question and didn't even bother waiting for a response as he descended upon Irina intending to use her as an appetizer before moving back to his main dish.

"Come at me," Grendel opened his mouth wide swallowing Irina in one bit but thanks to her quick thinking.

She positioned the sword at an angle to keep his mouth open and if he tried to shut it the sword would go straight through his brain possibly killing him.

Grendel roared in pain shaking Irina and the sword out his mouth, "Hahahaha…that was fun let's do it again."

But this time before Grendel could descend upon her again Issei came flying at him punching him in the face, "wait a second this aura," Grendel's eyes shot open at this familiar presence, his eye rolled down at Issei's arm finally noticing the gauntlet.

"It's you Ddraig," roared Grendel in delight, now things were getting fun first Ascalon now Ddraig, things were getting really fun.

Grendel snapped his jaws at Issei but he jumped back dodging his jaws, "Come back here Ddraig I want a rematch."

Suddenly Grendel's vision was engulfed in a golden light as something hard and heavy came crashing down on his neck slamming him into the ground.

"Ohh what this…" cheered Grendel pushing himself off the ground, this holy power wasn't Ascalon but something just as strong and almost as potent as Azazel's power.

"You there," he said staring at Xenovia, "That's Durandel isn't it," Grendel's excitement was booming all these tasty appetizers were exciting him further.

He looked forward to fighting them but what he was going to enjoy most was devouring their flesh, as more drool fell from his mouth.

Akeno helped Rias to her feet, "I'm sorry," started Akeno but Rias shook her head, "Don't apologize," Rias knew Akeno was beating herself up because she couldn't defend one backhanded attack.

"Look we are just trying to buy some time here," the whole purpose of them doing this was to give Sona and the rest time to escape.

Rias right arm and along with some of her ribs were broken, "what I need most is some healing," both girls looked to Asia as she was running toward them with Gasper.

"I got this President," said Asia as she started healing Rias in seconds, "Thanks I am feeling much better," thanks to the training Asia could heal much faster than ever.

The three swordsmen plus Issei surrounded Grendel as he watched curiously, "Well come on them show me what you got before I kill you one by one."

"Issei how many boosts are you at," asked Kiba, "Uhhh…thirty in five seconds," Kiba then looked at Xenovia sending her a silent message and she nodded back.

"Irina you ready," Irina bent her knees, "On your mark," Grendel's eyes turned to Xenovia and Irina sensing an impending attack from them.

Holy power from Ascalon engulfed Irina's body as Xenovia dashed forward toward Grendel, Irina raised the sword above her head and slashed it down at a downward arch.

Unleashing a wave of holy power toward Grendel, the slash of power sped past Xenovia, and Grendel sidestepped the power from Ascalon.

And when he looked back Xenovia had leaped above him with Durandel raised high radiating a powerful holy power.

Grendel had more than enough time to evade the attack but chose to take it head-on by raising his forearm to the sky choosing to block it instead.

Xenovia's blade crashed into Grendel's arm.

Generating a monstrous shock wave of holy power, "Not bad but not on the level of Azazel," Xenovia's neutral expression shifted to have a teasing smirk on her face.

Grendel's senses were telling him to get out of the way but he flung Xenovia away and turned to face this threat.

It was the wave of magic that came from Ascalon moments earlier, it was somehow redirected back at him with greater speed and power packed into it.

Grendel smiled and stretched his arms wide to welcome the attack as his entire body was engulfed in the holy power from Ascalon.

After Grendel had dodged the attack from Irina, Xenovia laughed herself at Grendel to mask their true intentions.

The attack was aimed at Kiba who was directly behind Grendel and then when the attack had passed Grendel Kiba created his Holy Devil Sword.

Which has the power to absorb and double any magic that enters the blade with this ability, Kiba absorbed all the power from Ascalon doubling its power and throwing it back at Grendel with double the effect.

Kiba didn't expect this attack to actually kill or mortally wound Grendel but for it to have virtually no effect was a shock to not just him but everyone.

The flash from the power dispersed to reveal Grendel's body steaming with burn marks but besides those burns, he was unharmed, "Very good you caused me a bit of pain."

Grendel turned his attention to the only one who could have been, "The others may have powerful abilities but you are the most dangerous one here."

It was an instinctual conclusion, the other three were strong but they didn't strike him as leaders but this boy did and as such he must be eliminated first.

Kiba narrowed his eyes, he understood what Grendel's stare meant, he had just moved up to his number two target right behind Rias.

But that realization didn't help him avoid Grendel, as he moved so fast in front of Kiba that it practically looked like he teleported in front of him.

Kiba instinctively jumped back but didn't move fast enough to dodge Grendel stabbing him with his claws, "One down," laughed Grendel lifting him and preparing to swallow him whole.

This plan was foiled as Issei hit Grendel with a Dragon shot to his hand knocking Kiba off his claws as his body fell to the ground with a thud.

Grendel looked over at Issei as he was glaring at him, "His aura is growing," then to his hand, it was trembling slightly from the blast of power Issei released.

"His power exploded that much from me hurting just one of his allies," a devious glint appeared in Grendel's eyes, "Perfect this is going to be fun," thought Grendel.

"Issei calm yourself, your emotions are growing unstable," roared Ddraig mentally to Issei, "How can you say that after what he did to Kiba? First, it was Azazel sensei then Lady Serafall, and now Kiba…I'm…I'm…gonna fucking...fucking kill him…"

Ddraig could feel the power inside Issei starting to boil and if he didn't get his host emotions under control Grendel would be the least of their worries.

"I understand your frustration but remember what Anos taught you about your emotions," Issei blinked away almost all his anger, "Yeah…you're right, unstable emotions lead to mistakes, plus we all knew what we signed up for when we stayed behind."

The power inside Issei had simmered down but if something like what just happened were to happen again Ddraig feared that these voices would start to rise and then at that point, there would be no bringing Issei back.

Grendel paused as something interesting caught his eye, Kiba's motionless body started glowing a green aura with the hole in his stomach shrinking.

"The boy has regenerative abilities, wait a second this magic isn't his own," Grendel sniffed out whose magic it belonged to as he looked over at Asia who was emitting a green aura while she was on her knees praying.

"She is the healer," it is a universal concept to always target the healer in a fight and this same line of thought came across Grendel's mind but his prey was still Rias.

Lightning came crashing down from the heavens as a blast of the Power of Destruction slammed into his chest.

"I won't let you lay a single finger on her," declared Rias already misunderstanding with that predatory glint in his eye which was shared by the collective.

Grendel let out a monstrous roar in satisfaction, "Magnificent that attack was much stronger than the last."

Grendel then started to advance toward Asia unfazed by the lighting and power of destruction, "But not enough I want to feel something more."

Irina and Xenovia jumped in front of Grendel swords raised, "Stay back you monster," Grendel then bent his knees and went into a full-on sprint.

He was done playing around he wanted to fight someone at the level of Azazel and Serafall, the others were fun and had potential but none caught his attention more than Rias.

Her aura was tantalizing he wanted to devour her and savor every bite then maybe after he devoured her Ddraig's host would probably enter an awakening.

"I'm done with the appetizers I'm ready for the main course but first," Xenovia and Irina lunged at Grendel but he just ignored them as he blew past them.

Kiba awoke to the monstrous footsteps but wasn't going to make it in time, Gasper's powers didn't faze Grendel, and Akeno and Rias powers didn't slow him.

"Ddraig power every ounce of whatever I've got into my legs," Issei wasn't able to save Asia before but he was stronger than before, "Copy that but if I do..."

Issei then cut Ddraig off he didn't care about the risk involved he just wanted to be there to help Asia just once.

The first time he wasn't able to save Asia from dying the second time was when Kokabiel did not harm her but if it wasn't for Anos intervening then who knows what would have happened that night.

So this time he wanted to be the hero who would make it at the last second like a hero should, "I don't care about the risk I just need to protect her."

Suddenly all the power Issei had been collecting was transferred into his legs the muscles bulged, and Grendel was seconds from being on top of Asia.

Issei bent his knees and kicked off the ground in a blur moving faster than he ever had in his life.

The world around him blurred as his sole goal illuminated her figure and he ran toward her, everything moved in slow motion.

Asia's face was full of fear which fueled Issei's desire to move even faster to save her from Grendel, "Almost there."

Grendel's claws were inches from Asia's face which would have surely ripped her face off if Issei was seconds slower as he pushed her out of the way.

Then braced himself ready for Grendel to slice him in half but felt a different sensation as Grendel picked him up instead.

"Good you can watch this," Issei blinked at Grendel as continued past Asia and Gasper toward Rias who was caught off guard like the rest expecting him to move toward Asia.

The group momentarily forgot who Grendel's target was again, Rias, "I thought he was targeting Asia our healer," thought Rias but it was too late as Grendel grabbed her in his other hand.

Grendel started laughing and then looked at Issei who was struggling in his claw, "I'm gonna love the look in your eyes."

Akeno paused in her attack as she didn't want to electrocute the both of them, while Kiba, Xenovia, and Irina kept banging their swords against his scales but to no effect that would grab his attention.

While still staring at Issei Grendel started to squeeze but not him, Rias, as she started screaming in pain, "You bastard let her go," roared Issei.

Grendel smiled in delight at Issei's frantic expression, "Stop it you bastard," the three swordsman jumped up to cut off Grendel's wrist to stop him from crushing Rias.

But they still couldn't crack his scales even with Ascalon on their side, Grendel squeezed tighter as there was a crack as Rias spit up blood.

"Stop it let her go," they all screamed, Issei tried to forcibly open his hands but he had used up all his boost and wasn't strong enough.

"Never," snickered Grendel thoroughly enjoying what he was doing, "I said stop you monster," there was another loud crack as Rias body twitched backward with blood shooting out her ears, mouth, and nose.

Grendel squeezed one last time as her back completely fell backwards, and her screaming stopped causing the surrounding area to be disturbingly silent.

Everyone stopped what they were doing as they just stared at Rias unmoving body, Grendel then moved his arm towards his mouth, "Bottoms up."

Issei's eyes went dull as he watched Grendel move Rias towards his mouth, all watched powerless as Grendel opened his mouth, "Seems I broke him."

Grendel sighed he hoped Issei would do something but seems he had broken his mind, Grendel then dropped Issei's body which had grown stiff.

"With that being said your expressions are better," Grendel started shaking Rias body in their faces enjoying their looks of despair, "How would they look if I swallowed her?"

Grendel started cackling and threw her toward his open jaw prepared to enjoy her and their looks of anguish.

The group watched as Rias body was tossed in slow motion toward Grendel's monstrous jaws. "Rias no," they all screamed stretching out their hands to stop Grendel from eating her lifeless body.

"Nooo…I don't want to lose anyone else," thought Kiba, "No please after giving me a place to go I don't want to lose her," thought Xenovia.

"I promised Anos I would protect her in his place, no please someone anyone," thought Irina, "If I could just heal her I know I could bring her back and repay her for saving my life," thought Asia.

"You saved me when I was about to be killed so please someone anyone," thought Kiba.

"Not again I'm about to lose her just like I lost my mother," thought Akeno, Rias was second from being swallowed.

Grendel smiled as his main dish was seconds from being enjoyed but to everyone even his confusion a rope wrapped around her waist pulling her away.

Grendel jaw snapped shut milliseconds later, "Who dares disturb my dinner," roared Grendel.

Rias body was pulled toward Saji catching her glaring at Grendel, "Genshirou Saji, you disgusting bastard."

Saji wasn't alone as the entirety of Sona's peerage was beside him, all glaring at Grendel.

Especially Sona as her eyes were red from all the crying, "Lay her on the ground and be careful there still may be time."

Momo and Reya began healing Rias until they were able to get Asia to Rias, Sona came back to help her friend.

She wasn't going to leave her to die she couldn't do that and this time she didn't have to fight her peers to come as they agreed to help.

Sona's aura flared matching her anger toward Grendel, she was done running even if it meant her death, "First my sister and now my friend I will have your head monster."

None of them had seen this side of Sona and it kind of frightened them a little but most of all it pissed them all, they enjoyed Sona's calm demeanor and neutral expression.

But her neutral face was full of fury and they made them furious at Grendel for what he had done to their President.

Suddenly the air grew heavy causing all to drop to a knee under the enormous pressure being extended to the soldiers fighting as they dropped to the ground.

Ddraig then resounded to everyone on the battlefield, "This Is Ddraig the Heavenly Dragon," all eyes turned to Issei who was now in a standing position as the wind started to swirl around him.

"If you value your life run to far the edges of the barrier."

Inside Issei's mindscape, his mind was racing as he struggled to keep his emotions in check but hundreds of red orbs of light orbited around him.

Ddraig knew what was about to happen as it was a matter of time, throughout the entire battle he had been keeping the voices down but after what Grendel had done.

Issei's rage was fighting back at him and he couldn't hold back Issei's building rage along with the past users attempting to push Issei into the Juggernaut Drive any longer.

Ddraig knew Issei's mind was falling deeper and deeper into despair, so it wouldn't be long until the power was activated.

"I've failed…I…I…wasn't strong enough," mentally screamed Issei hugging himself tightly, "If its power you desire…," "Call upon it," "Yes call."

"Power," thought Issei to himself slowly enticed by the prospect, "The power to destroy," "The power to conquer," "The power to push forward," "The power to take what you…"

one after another the voices started answering Issei's thought.

"If I had power I could've protected Rias…"

Suddenly a memory of Issei came to the forefront of Issei's mind, he and Anos were back in the forest a few days before the rating game.

"Issei answered why did you get so worked up back at the school," both of them were taking a break as Issei sat on the ground while Anos leaned on a tree.

Issei tilted his head at Anos and he elaborated further, "I heard you started a fight but I want to know why you attempted to fight him."

"The guy a prick and ticks me off someone like him doesn't deserve a harem so it pissed me off," Anos sighed "I see I asked a worthless question," "Well I couldn't stand by, and a continue to listen and watch him disrespect Rias anymore."

Anos raised an eyebrow, "As her pawn, it's my job to protect her from ass holes like that even if she is betrothed to them," Anos smirked, "What a faithful servant seems like I can count on you to protect my sister when I'm not around."

At that moment unknown to Issei, Anos's impression of Issei had improved more than he would know,

"Failure…," "Failure…," "Failure…," "Failure…," "Failure…,"

"Failure…," "Failure…," "Failure…," "Failure…," "Failure…," "Failure…," "Failure…," "Failure…."

In response to the memory, all the orbs started echoing the single word, "I'm not I…" "But you can avenge her," "Yes...avenge her,"

"Avenge…" "Avenge…" "Avenge…" "Avenge…" "Avenge…"

Issei's mind had started to fall deeper into despair that he had failed to protect the person he adored the most but with power, he could avenge her.

"I want it," said Issei, "the power to avenge her and make….that…monster suffer," Issei's eyes turned green as the red orbs swirled around him at high speeds.

A spark shone in Grendel's eye, "As for you Grendel…"

The gauntlet started to blink once…twice…a hundred…three hundred…six hundred times even more.

"You have made a grave mistake…" Issei's eyes turned green as a crimson aura started to engulf his body, Grendel smiled cracking his knuckles.

While everyone tried their hardest to flee, this was a form none of Issei's friends had witnessed before.

Friend and foe on the battlefield heeded Ddraig's warning to vacate the area but nowhere in this barrier would be safe from the battle that was about to erupt for what Grendel had done.

"You have made a grave mistake and not even I can stop what's about to ENSUE…."

Roared Ddraig as the unrivaled and unmatched power of the Welsh Dragon emperor was released from inside.

Suddenly little green orbs of light floated out of the Boosted Gear as Issei spoke softly as his power grew with every word.

"I, who am about to awaken…" the earth shook as storm clouds started forming.

"Am the Heavenly Dragon who lost all to the pride of supremacy," Grendel started stretching this was the fight he was waiting for, he could kill Issei before he finished the chant but he wanted a fight to the death.

"I mock at the "infinite," and fret over the dream," Issei's balance breaker materialized over his body as the boost count reached over seven hundred.

"I shall become the Red Dragon of Domination," both peerages had made it a decent distance away but everywhere from where they were Issei's aura didn't feel any different from when they were right next to him.

They looked at the barrier as cracks started forming struggling to keep the power contained, "And I shall sink you to the depths of the crimson purgatory," Issei's body slowly turned into a dragon with bone-crushing claws.

Crimson scales adorned his body matching the ones that once adorned Ddraig's, a long tail shot from his mid-back as wings erupted from his upper back.

"That form of yours is splendid," Grendel started clapping in delight, "Are you still in there boy?"

Grendel tilted his head as Issei just roared in response, "I guess not…no matter this will be amazing."

Both mighty dragons ran a each other, Grendel punched Issei in the stomach with him roaring in pain but sunk his teeth into Grendel's shoulder.

"Ahhh," roared Grendel, "Yes you are a true monster," Grendel then sunk his teeth into Issei's Issei's neck, twisting his body and then slamming him into the ground.

Issei grabbed Grendel's upper and bottom jaw prying it open slowly to Grendel's amazement.

Then kicked off of Issei sending him flying off him crashing into the ground, Grendel turned around to pounce on Issei but Issei was on top of him in moments.

Clasping both his hands together bringing them down upon Grendel's shattering the ground underneath them both further.

"I will make you pay," said Issei in a voice that was a mix of his and Ddraig's, Issei then started pummeling Grendel with hundreds of punches each one growing in strength as he continued to boost his power.

Grendel caught both of Issei's fist one after the other and kicked him off him, "That felt good but you better not be done give me more," rolled over Grendel wiping blood from his face.

Red power started to form in Issei's mouth as his mouth started to open wide, "So a contest of flames," responded Grendel opening his own forming a fireball.

The two powerful blasts of fire collided scorching the earth and generating a massive shock wave of power and destruction.

The two opposing forces push back and forth to overpower the other for a few seconds as Issei starts to win with every boost in power.

Grendel was then overpowered as Issei's crimson blast of power blew through Grendel's power annihilating it.

The blast struck Grendel sending him skidding backward roaring in delight, "This is what I've been waiting for."

Grendel took a step forward trying to push through the blast of power, enjoying the pain he was suffering. "Divide," said Ddraig as a silver light emanated from his wings.

Grendel felt his power drop as Issei's blast intensified sending him further back, "That's Albion power how do you have it," laughed Grendel.

Grendel then raised his claw to shield himself from the blast as they started to burn with an intense heat while he felt his body growing weaker.

"Come on is this best the host of Ddraig can offer," Issei roared even louder to protest as the blast intensified.

Grendel regained his footing taking a step then another as it slowly turned to jog to a run to a full-on sprint pushing through the powerful attack.

It didn't take long for Grendel to regain his previous position and then surpass it as he closed in on Issei unaware that Grendel was closing in on him.

Grendel then punched Issei in his bottom jaw sending the blast upward then grabbing his throat and slamming him into the ground, "Seems you are nothing but a monster now… that's fine I can act like a beast as well."

Grendel then tossed Issei away stopping him from blasting him again, Grendel then got on all fours, extending his wings to make his monstrous form even larger, he then took in a deep breath and let out a mighty roar that shook the earth to match Issei's Ferrel state.

Sona and everyone else watched the two Titans fight in a battle they couldn't hope to jump in, they knew Grendel was strong but to think he was holding back against them this much was outstanding.

Their battle was nothing but a spectacle that shook the earth even the Old Satan Faction who could have left at any moment watched the clash.

The battle hadn't been going on long but in the early stages, it seemed Issei might come out on top but Grendel they were learning just how powerful Grendel was.

The only ones not paying close attention to the battle were both peerages working together to heal Rias motionless body.

But the one using all her focus to save Rias the most because she had the power to was Asia. "Asia you should," "No I got get this just stop the bleeding while I heal her spine," said Asia increasing the power.

Everyone who could use healing magic was trying to stop the bleeding, "There her spine is fixed," Asia then shifted her focus to Rias heart sensing that it was partially crushed.

Asia could feel she wasn't brain dead so there was a chance she wasn't dead yet, "I am moving to her heart and once it's fixed the bleeding will increase until I heal the rest of her organs."

The group nodded and just like Asia said once she healed Rias heart the bleeding increased as she moved from healing her rib to reconstructing her other organs one by one.

"Everyone step back I am going to give her CPR," Rias hadn't regained consciousness after her body was fully healed but she was pale after losing so much blood.

Akeno wanted to step in to give Asia a break, "It's my fault I didn't get out of the way in time," said Asia crying giving Rias CPR.

"Please let me do what I was trained to do," said Asia using CPR in tandem with the sacred gear.

"Please Rias come back to us," whispered Akeno as Asia continued her CPR, it felt like it lasted for an eternity as everyone eagerly waited for her to hopefully pull through.

Just when everyone was moments from giving up Rias arm twitched as she coughed up some drops with her eyes snapping open.

"I'm alive I thought," but she was cut off as Asia pulled her into a hug along with everyone falling on top of her.

For a moment they forgot they were on a battlefield until Rias asked where Issei was noticing he wasn't here.

They looked at the massive dragons fighting each other silently answering the question, "Is that really Issei," as Issei dodged a punch from Grendel swiping him with his tail.

Grendel grabbed the tail from the ground tossing Issei away, "How long have they been fighting," "about ten minutes," answered Sona who looked more annoyed than anything else.

"Sona you're here," said Rias a little surprised Sona was here, "There's nowhere else to go unfortunately and the fighting has stopped well for the time being."

Sona's normally calm way of speaking was gone as she sounded blunt, "So what's the plan, do we sit here and wait for Issei to come out on top or help him out."

Rias turned back to their fight and noticed that it seemed Issei was growing slower, "Is it me or is Issei slowing down."

Ddraig watched the battle silently from inside the sacred gear letting out a puff of smoke, he tried to help Issei in keeping his emotions in check.

But when Issei saw what happened to Rias, Ddraig's voice was drowned out by the vestiges of his past wielder.

This started fueling Issei's emotions driving him to call upon the Juggernaut Drive which drains the user's life force in exchange for ultimate power.

But the longer the user stays in this state they will inevitably die from it being drained, and only after ten minutes Issei was already suffering the effects.

His movements started growing slower as his body was not able to keep up with the power he was releasing.

Ddraig attempted to call out to Issei numerous times but his mind was now lost and succumbed to his overwhelming power.

Besides calling out for Issei there wasn't much he could do besides calling out to him but at this point, Issei was being fueled now by his rage.

"If only Anos was here then this mess would have never happened, how unfortunate and just when you were becoming my favorite host," thought Ddraig watching Issei's final moments.

Grendel started laughing in amusement, "Are you still in there boy, or has your mind been completely lost," Grendel and Issei were in a deadlock.

Their hands were locked together pushing against each other trying to overpower the other, Issei arched his neck back and lunged forward to bite at Grendel.

Grendel dodged to the right, "No answer still huh," "Divide," was the only answer to his question.

But this time Grendel felt less of his strength drain from his body, "Seems you are growing weaker," Issei dropped to a knee losing in the contest of wills, "Don't you dare back down give me more."

Issei's scales started to crack, "Come give me more," Grendel let go of Issei's left hand and then punched him in the chest sending him flying.

Issei struggled to his feet but Grendel was on him in seconds landing directly on his chest, "I'm gonna rip you out of that armor and devour your host Ddraig."

Grendel grabbed Issei's arm and yanked it clean off as Issei roared in pain, and started drinking the blood, "Mmmm this tastes very good, well it would be poor manners to waste the rest of you."

Rias along with everyone else was already on the move the moment Issei was punched away and they had started running faster after Grendel started devouring Issei's body.

Rias still felt weak and was being carried by Akeno as the knights made their way much quicker than the rest of the group to help Issei.

The remaining soldiers had also started their fight as the battle drew to a close, "Come on guys we gotta help Issei," said Kiba moving ahead of the group.

"Go on Kiba no need to pace yourself," said Xenovia of the group Kiba was the fastest of the knights and was pacing himself to match everyone else's speed.

"I'm coming to," said Tomoe, her swordsmanship skills were nearly at the same level as Kiba's as well as her speed.

Kiba nodded and both of them took off past the group, "Any ideas Kiba," asked Tomoe hand on her sword ready to draw it.

Kiba didn't answer and thought for a moment they were moments from arriving to help Issei and Kiba hadn't given it much more thought than grab and run.

"I honestly don't know…Lady Serafall, Azazel, Ruval, and Issei couldn't beat him, so I doubt we can do anything besides acting as a momentary distraction."

Tomoe smirked, "Sounds like a decent plan to me," Kiba nodded and both drew their swords.

Grendel ripped off Issei's leg and started eating it bone and all, "absolutely scrumptious," Grendel could now see Issei's main body after devouring his head part of the torso, the legs, and one arm.

"Maybe I should just move on to the main dish," Grendel then pulled Issei's body out of the corpse, Tomoe and Kiba were a few yards away and wouldn't make it in time.

Rias looked on in horror Issei's bloodied skin was a mix of purple blue and red with the red being more concentrated around the Booster Gear.

His eyes were open but they were rolled to the back of his head, she looked down toward Kiba and Tomoe, they wouldn't make it in time.

"Issei," screamed Rias at the top of her voice, Sona couldn't believe it was happening again.

Rias watched in horror as Grendel tossed Issei into his open mouth watching as it snapped closed with Grendel taking a gulp.

The two groups paused frozen in shock and none more than Rias as she looked on in disbelief at what transpired.

As she fell from Akeno's arms dropping to her knees in a complete daze she couldn't believe or comprehend what just happened.

He was gone just like that the whole event happened in slow motion from her perspective, "He's gone," she said in a disbelieving voice.

Rias felt a stabbing sensation in her heart as her breathing started to race along with feeling light-headed.

She felt sick like she was about to throw up as her stomach started to turn upside down, her vision went blurry as she fell over only staying upright by her hands.

She felt she should have been crying she felt so empty inside that the tears wouldn't flow.

Grendel licked the remainder of Issei's jaw from his mouth as he smiled at all the different faces they were making, half were glaring at him while the others were frozen in shock.

Grendel looked down at the swordsman with the weird sword still charging at him while his partner was frozen.

"I'll kill you bastard…do you hear me," Kiba summoned another sword, "I'll slice open your stomach and drag Issei out of there."

Kiba jumped into the air, "And then I'll dice you into a million pieces," Grendel threw a punch, "I'd like to see you try."

A rope wrapped around Grendel's wrist stopping his punch, "Cut that fucking bastard's arm off Kiba," screamed Saji.

"I won't let you kill another one of my friends," Grendel bit at the rope but it wouldn't snap, and when he realized that wouldn't work he gave the rope a pull and Saji would have gone flying.

If it wasn't for him promoting himself to Rook and Tsubasa helping him out but, this only caused a momentary problem as Grendel just yanked harder.

The rope snapped, and Kiba's swords bounced off Grendel's scales, "You have a nice bark but your bite is to be desired."

Kiba summoned another sword as he got within range of his true objective, summoning his Poison Rapier as it started to grow a green aura.

Grendel's eyes darted toward that Rapier, this smell, felt dangerously familiar, "How did this brat obtain his blood?"

The tip turned a deep crimson as a drop of blood no larger than a raindrop formed, in this moment unknown to Kiba his sword had another aspect that was unknown to him.

The Poison Rapier was matching his desire to kill Grendel and the most effective poison in the world to kill a Dragon was none other than The Snake of Eden.

Kiba launched his sword into Grendel's upper jaw, Grendel loved pain but he wouldn't let that thing's blood come anywhere near him.

Grendel let out a burst of flames reducing the sword to ash but not even his flames could destroy that monster's blood.

The drop of blood flew deep into Grendel's throat and abruptly blood burst from his mouth, eyes, and even nose as he drooped to his hands and knees.

Grendel's throat filled with blood then immediately threw up, "Dam it all, it was just a drop," thought Grendel as he struggled to stay conscious.

"What have you done you dam brat," roared Grendel at Kiba as for the first time today he felt true anger toward someone.

Kiba landed on the ground jumping back not understanding what he even did to cause this reaction.

Kiba watched as Grendel's Scales started to rot with some even falling off his body revealing skin that was a disgusting shade of blue and red.

He didn't understand what caused this reaction and didn't want to let this chance go to waste and that was the same thought process as the group.

Xenovia and Irina sped past Kiba at lighting speed with hate in their eyes, Xenovia twisted in the air aiming for his right wing, with Irina raising her sword above her head as she was bathed in a golden light like a beacon of light.

Grendel could barely see but his dulled senses were telling him an attack was imminent, his head was too foggy for him to formulate complete thoughts as Irina started gathering even larger amounts of magic.

Grendel attempted to fly into the sky but felt something cut straight through his wing as he fell back to the ground.

"My wing has been chopped off but how…it must be his blood," Grendel crashed hard into the ground which caused him more pain.

Grendel blinked his eyes as his vision started to clear only a little revealing Irina engulfed a large amount of holy magic.

Irina slowly lowered her hips and Ascalon as she pointed it directly at him aiming for his heart.

"I don't know what is happening but I won't let the chance Kiba and Xenovia gave me to end him," the power engulfing her body was channeled into Ascalon as it started shining more powerfully.

Irina took off in a golden streak, Grendel could barely perceive Irina speeding at him but had enough self-awareness to raise his hand to block whatever was speeding at him.

"Don't you dare get in our way," Xenovia jumped over Grendel's body stabbing her sword directly into his hand and planting it into the ground.

Grendel was weakened but was still strong enough to throw Xenovia off of him but Irina only needed two seconds to cover the distance.

"Be gone," roared Grendel tossing Xenovia and her sword away but it was too late as it gave Irina the time she needed.

Irina jumped out of the way of his arm leaping straight at his unprotected chest, "This is for Issei," the blade glowed even more brightly reflecting Irina's anger for what he had done.

For the first time, Irina's blade finally pierced deep into Grendel's chest reaching to his heart. Grendel coughed up blood as his heart was run through as a burning agonizing pain reverberated through his body.

Grendel's blood-drenched Irina's body but she wasn't done as pushed the sword deeper with a twisting she was determined to cause as much pain to him as she possibly could.

Ascalon was a sword designed to kill dragons, it was a natural poison and Irina was determined to poison Grendel even more.

Grendel grabbed Irina with his other hand to pull her away but before he did Irina left Ascalon impeded in his chest.

"You dam brat," Irina twisted in the air pulling Exalibur Mimic landing on the ground, Grendel attempted to pull out the sword but the moment he touched it he was burned unable to remove the sword.

Grendel weakened from the poison and the sword couldn't even stand and was only able to muster enough strength to stay on all fours.

"He's been weakened," said Xenovia taking a step next to Irina, "I don't know what did you but we can't let him recover," added Tomoe walking to her opposite side.

She had slowed down to observe the other three launch their attack to not mess up their synchronization and just waited for an opportunity to attack.

"Agreed," started Kiba walking in front of the three of them creating two Holy Devil Swords in both of his hands.

Two fire balls launched overhead of them crashing into Grendel, the group turned around to see Momo and Reya with their hand outstretched towards Grendel with red magic circles hovering in front of them.

In between them was with menacing glare, "Tsubaki get your sacred gear ready," Tsubaki nodded summoning her sacred gear, "Akeno I know you are attending to Rias but we need your help finishing him off."

Akeno was helping Asia heal Rias who by the way was still on her knees still feeling even more lightheaded as the seconds passed and the stabbing sensation in her chest grew with intensity.

Akeno looked over Rias broken form that was staring lifelessly at the ground, Asia was applying healing magic to her head in an attempt to restore her mental state.

But it was surprising that Asia herself wasn't broken like Rias, Akeno could only mentally applaud the girl's mental fortitude as she was on the verge of breaking down.

Akeno looked up at Grendel's burning form, this was their best chance to kill Grendel, Kiba did incredible, and letting this chance go to waste would cost them their lives.

"Asia can you take it from here," "Yes I will take care of her," Asia wiped away a tear and Akeno rubbed her head and then stood.

She let out a breath that trickled with electricity Akeno then extended her wings and took to the skies next to Tsubaki who was hovering over Grendel's burning body.

The fire around Grendel had now stopped burning revealing his singe scales, he was unmoving almost lifeless except that it was his stomach was slowing expanding.

The four knights didn't let another second pass as thunder clouds started to form above them, in a concentrated attack they cut deep into Grendel's weakened form.

Even after the poison, the effects of the sword, and two fire spells his scales were still tough including his hide. But they had noticed that around the areas where his skin was rotting and decaying, it was easier to cut into him Kiba jammed his sword in between Grendel's scales causing the dragon to roar in pain.

Kiba then ran up Grendel's back slicing him open and drawing massive blood, Xenovia went for his other wing slicing it clean off destroying his ability to fly then she went for his heels to cut off his ability to walk.

Due to Grendel being on all fours, Irina couldn't take back Ascalon but decided to zip across his body Excauliber Mimic to cause as much area damage as possible. Finally, Tomoe used the same tactic as Irina but instead of dealing with a large amount of light attacks, he launched more heavy attacks with her katana.

Tomoe brought her right foot back like she was about to lunge at Grendel, she put her Katana in a ready position at her hip and whispered Flash Step.

Tomoe vanished from position and reappeared behind Grendel in the same position but seconds later deep gashes appeared on the right side of Grendel's body.

Thunder clouds started to darken above them with Akeno and Tsubaki at the center.

"Ready," said Akeno as she lifted a finger to the sky, Tsubaki nodded and sent a look to Sona who nodded at her, "Pull away," Sona ordered with a wave of her hand.

The four knights cleared the area as Akeno fired off her but not at Grendel but at Tsubaki's Mirror Alice which then reflected Akenos attack but did not back her but at Grendel with double to power.

The giant lightning bolt came crashing down at Grendel generating an enormous explosion of lightning.

Sona narrowed her eyes Grendel wasn't dead so she didn't understand why he wasn't doing anything to defend himself.

He had been so lively moments ago, "did Kiba and Irina's cause that much damage," after seeing the attacks from Ruval, her sister, and Azazel.

It was ominous to see him not moving even though Irina was wielding the most powerful dragon-slaying weapon in the world.

"No time for such thoughts," she thought with a shake of her head, "I'm going to put your head on a wall bastard."

"All forces commence the attack," at that, one jointly attacked Grendel's body, the knights continued their strikes while Akeno prepared large bolts of lightning in between their attacks.

The two bishops would also attack after pulling in magic from the surrounding environment to empower their spells engulfing his body ball of fire.

This process lasted for five minutes of relentless fighting leaving the group tired from fighting non-stop.

Sona even joined in the attack with the two bishops launching spears of water, the only ones to not join the attack were Saji and Tsubasa since they couldn't use magic or fight with swords so they just waited on the sidelines observing the battle.

Finally, after five minutes of his body being thrashed Grendel started laughing catching all of them by surprise, as his eyes snapped open.

They opened abruptly and Tomoe tripped over herself locking eyes with Grendel with his toothy grin on full display.

"You brats nearly accomplished the impossible," said Grendel as he slowly stood then he threw up a ball of blood bones, and flesh that emanated a venomus red aura.

"Shame now my stomach is empty," the group stared at the mound of flesh in surprise as there was something else inside.

Issei's head poked from the side of the mound of flesh and bones, "Is that," started Kiba as he ran toward the mound of flesh but was intercepted by Xenovia, "Wait thing seems off."

Xenovia was eyeing the ominous aura emanating from it," Took me a minute to purge that substance from my body."

Grendel to get rid of the blood of Samael from his body had shut down all his motor skills, which made it harder because he had to pump his blood manually due to Ascalon.

Speaking of Ascalon Grendel reached into his chest and pulled out his heart all the surrounding blood muscles touching Ascalon.

Grendel threw up gallons of blood in response and then slammed his heart on the ground, the lingering effects of Ascalon would take a minute to disappear.

Which is why he couldn't heal immediately after ripping out his heart but it looked like he was on the verge of death the two peerages couldn't tell.

He looked even more feral than last time as he even seemed a little delirious from the look in his eye.

Grendel let out a thunderous laugh, "to think a bunch of brats could weaken me to this state, I haven't felt like this in ages."

Grendel's large form then shrunk to a more human one but he still had his draconic features but now only stood at six feet and four inches as his body emitted steam.

Sona narrowed her eyes making a few observations, Grendel almost instantly regrew his arm but now he hadn't regrown his heart plus he just shrunk in size.

"Everyone don't be fooled he is still weakened, he hasn't even regrown his heart yet," said Sona pointing at the giant hole.

Grendel snapped his attention toward Sona and beamed at her, "Weakened…who me," Grendel started cracking his fingers as he started licking his lips.

"Whose ready to dance," said Grendel bending his knees while wiggling his fingers and looking between the four knights circling him.

"You seem relaxed for someone with a hole in their chest," growled Xenovia, Grendel laughed in amusement.

"I feel perfectly fine I don't even notice it's gone watch this," Grendel opened his mouth to the sky shooting out a fireball the size of a house.

Kiba not letting this moment pass him by went directly for his neck but to his surprise his sword snapped in half even though he had been charging up for the past five minutes.

"Guys despite the lack of scales his skin is still as tough as diamonds," Kiba jumped back dodging a swipe of Grendel's tail, "You're quick on your feet boy and I do owe you for what you did."

Grendel vanished from Kiba's vision then Kiba flipped in the air as the ground exploded underneath him, "And you have some good senses but how long can you keep that up."

Xenovia appeared right behind Grendel with Durandel raised high to slice him in two but she would have but her momentum was stopped as Grendel caught her sword with his hand only managing to give him a small cut in his palm.

"Don't worry I didn't forget about what you did to my hand," Xenovia tried to pull away but Grendel wasn't going to let her go.

He then threw her at Irina who was going for Ascalon buried inside the mound of flesh, Xenovia crashed into Irina as she was about to pull out the sword.

Tomoe reared herself she didn't know if she could pierce his skin but she wouldn't know for sure unless she tried, "Flash Step," she whispered.

She flashed behind Grendel aiming for his arm Xenovia was able to draw blood maybe due to the power of her sword or due to the fact his other body parts weren't as armored as his vulnerable parts.

At this speed, she was faster than Kiba but she could only move in one direction since she was best at sneak attacks this fighting style suited her best.

But Grendel was faster, Tomoe watched in slow-motion as Grendel's lips curved slowly into a cocky smirk, "Gotta be quicker than that," Grendel leaned out of the way dodging the strike aimed for his arm.

But he wasn't done with her as he slammed his fist into her back causing her to bounce off the ground like a ball.

Grendel then kneed her in the stomach cracking her ribs and snapping her spine sending her flying in the sky.

Grendel bent his knees and jumped after her to punch her in the face, he was stopped as a rope wrapped around his leg stopping his ascent.

He looked down tracing the rope to its origin which was Saji who was pulling him with the help of Tsubasa.

He would have pulled them along but he was struck out of the sky by a torrent of lightning by Akeno slamming him back into the ground saving Tomoe.

Tomoe's unconscious body was caught by Tsubaki who landed on the ground next to Sona, "I heard a snapping sound when I caught her something may be broken."

Sona frowned but she didn't let herself lose control of her emotions but looked to Asia who was healing Rias.

"Asia I know you are healing Rias but Tomoe needs help," Asiai stopped what she was doing a looked over to Tomoe who was struggling to breathe.

"Gasper look over Rias," he nodded and Asia ran over to Tomoe who was placed on the ground by Tsubaki.

"He does appear faster though," said Sona when Tsubaki took a step next to her to watch Akeno continue her onslaught of lighting giving Irina enough time to get Ascalon.

"It also seems like he is unaffected by the power of Ascalon anymore," both girls watched as Akeno's devastating ceased with the church trio encircling him.

"Well he hasn't healed the hole in his chest so he must be suffering some effects," responded Tsubaki as she extended her wings rejoining Akeno in the sky.

Grendel stood cracking his neck, "One down three to go…now whose next," he said looking over the three in front of him.

"The one with Durandel is strong no doubt if her sword connects it could easily slice me in two, the chest-nut haired one and her sword make her my natural enemy but no doubt the most dangerous is their boy and his numerous swords, especially the one that created the monsters blood."

Grendel then smirked as he decided Kiba was next on the chopping block, Kiba in turn sensing that he was next prepared himself.

Good thing he did because Grendel was on him in the blink of an eye, "Of everyone here, you are the most troublesome."

Grendel's palm was inches from Kiba's face as his fingers extended like nails to pop his head like a balloon which would have happened if Xenovia had not been there.

Kiba only suffered a scratch on his forehead as Xenovia severed his arm at the elbow, "I take offense to you turning your back on me."

Grendel unfazed by losing his arm took a deep breath and magic swelled in his throat as it started to expand, "If that's th..e…that…duh."

Grendel's voice was caught off as it started to fill with blood with the silver blade of Ascalon, as Irina stabbed him through the back of his neck, "I won't give you the chance to do that again."

Irina pulled her sword out jumping back as Xenovia was engulfed in a golden light as she held Durandel above her pulsating monstrous golden aura.

Irina and Kiba jumped back away from the powerful holy sword wielder, Xenovia brought down the mighty blade causing the earth itself to shake from the enormous blow.

A powerful shock wave of holy aura caused the peerages to erect barriers unless they wanted to be burned by the holy power.

Xenovia let out a deep sigh of exhaustion she used every ounce of the magic in her body to generate that much power and thanks to Durandel it was increased tenfold.

She planted Durandel into the ground to hold herself up looking at the mile-long and deep fisher she left in the earth.

"Xenovia did you get him," asked Irina and Kiba running up behind her, Xenovia turned around she didn't but if he did survive he should be at death's door.

"I'm not but he may be in this crater," she said looking down, "Look out," screamed Kiba, "Behind you," shouted Irina.

Xenovia turned around but was met face to face with Grendel and blood fishing from her peripheral vision.

She blinked in surprise as he was holding both of her arms one in his mouth and the other in the hand that wasn't missing.

With a mouth full of Grendel dropped both of her arms licking his lips, "That's payback for taking my arm," Grendel then backhanded Xenovia sending her body twisting in the air snapping her neck.

She wore a blank expression on her face because she twisted in air as she had passed out from shock.

Irina stood there frozen watching Xenovia fly in the air, Irina's guard was completely down and Grendel was prepared to take advantage of this.

The whole time Akeno Tsubaki watched from above waiting for an opportunity to support and after Xenovia launched her attack they couldn't see what happened to Grendel due to the dust.

But the moment they did it was already too late as it took less than a second for him to rip her arms and send her flying with a backhand.

Tsubaki took off again to catch Xenovia and Akeno started shooting off lighting attacks to slow down Grendel from harming Irina.

Who was frozen in shock watching Xenovia, Kiba was doing his best to intercept Grendel by also attacking him but he was toying with the both of them.

Easily evaded their attacks even though half his body was burned to a crisp making him resemble a person who had suffered third-degree burns.

"You're fast boy but are you fast enough to stop me," "You stay away from her," screamed Kiba swiping at Grendel's head.

Kiba was running after Irina but he was too slow and frantically screamed out to Irina, "Irina run," "Too late."

Grendel dodged to final lighting bolt and ran his right through Irina's chest crushing her heart, Irina blinked in surprise coughing up blood, "And now I have returned the favor to you next is."

Grendel removed his bloodied arm jumping away from Kiba who tried to cut him but stopped his pursuit to catch Irina, "sorry…Kiba," muttered Irina, "I all…t…m…y," Irina fell limp as her eyes slowly closed.

"Damm you Grendel," roared Kiba glaring daggers at Grendel, who was just licking Irina's blood from his hand while dodging Akeno's attacks so fast it looked like he was teleporting.

"I like that expression on your face," Grendel finished his licking looking at Kiba like his next meal.

Kiba hugged Irina closely as her heart started to slowly reform thanks to Asia who was now healing Tomoe, Xenovia, and now Irina.

Out of the corner of Kiba's eye, Saji and Tsubasa were running over to him to help as he was all on his own on the ground the fight Grendel.

"Are you guys here to help," said Kiba, "Well Tsubasa is, I came to get Irina to Asia and," Saji hardened his stomach as there was a lot of blood and picked up Irina.

"I'm not fast but I should be able to tank at least one punch I hope."

Kiba looked at her hands she was trembling from fear and Kiba couldn't blame her, this whole situation had gone from bad to worse in a matter of minutes.

Grendel was picking them off one by one and at the rate they were dropping it wouldn't be long before all of them were dead.

Asia was healing their wounds but that would only last until her magic ran out plus she had to focus on the ones in critical condition which at the moment was Irina.

Tsubaki also came flying over landing between Kiba who was covered in Irina's blood and Tsubasa, "Tsubasa you may return to Sona's side I will handle this."

"I want to stay and fight…to the last breath at least," Tsubaki bit her limp sending Tsubasa back against Sona's orders was her way of at least leaving someone behind to defend her.

Grendel laughed at their exchange, "Then you will die little girl braver than most," a magic circle appeared on the ground in front of Tsubasa with a Naginata.

Tsubaki grabbed the weapon giving it a twirl, "It would seem our efforts to weaken him have been a fool's errand," "Yes we've damaged him but he hasn't weakened at all," said Kiba rolling his shoulders, "But if I am to die here then I am taking his other arm."

They were about to commence their final attack but Akeno landed in front of them hair standing on end with electricity crackling around her.

"Tsubaki get back I am using it," "But Akeno you haven't been able to," Akeno's aura exploded, "I'm so pissed off right now that I know I can."

Tsubaki stared at her back and could have sworn she saw a spark of crimson lightning for at least a moment.

Tsubaki would have argued further but if Akeno was truly about to use that spell they would only end up getting needlessly hurt just by being close to her.

"Everyone get back," said Tsubaki waving her hands for Kiba and Tsubasa to step back, "You expect me to let Akeno fight him alone," protested Kiba, Akeno flung her hand backward stopping Kiba from coming to her aid.

"Your powers are all we have left to defeat this monster…so let me give you an opening to deal a decisive blow," Kiba was going to protest further Tsubaki pulled his arm with him kicking and screaming.

Akeno was beyond furious with Grendel, she hadn't felt this much hatred since her mother died due to her father not being home.

"That's a good look in your eye half-blood, are you mad…do you wish to kill me," mused Grendel as he casually walked toward her.

"Jirasd, a very powerful and destructive spell of my creation, the spells require extreme focus to wield, and if you lose concentration…"

These were the words from Anos that ran through Akeno's mind after all of the training she did with Anos she failed to learn how to cast the spell herself.

With that being said with Anos help she did learn how to manipulate the spell pretty well, but right now Akeno felt she could use the spell.

Akeno closed her eyes and slapped her hands together looking like she was about to pray, "Are you about to start praying besides him being dead I doubt he would answer to a devil."

Akeno wasn't praying she was trying to get her mind to mimic the sensation she felt anything she used Jirasd with Anos help.

Grendel's danger sense was picking up nothing from Akeno who hadn't moved since she adopted the position she was in now.

She had up there tossing mediocre spells at him for a while so he was curious about what she had planned, she didn't strike him as a physical fighter.

She smelt like a Fallen Angel so he wondered what the blood of a hybrid between the two would taste like.

Akeno was channeling her anger like Anos taught her and let her anger flow like the magic she was channeling.

Akeno felt a spark shoot through her body just like the same she when felt was Anos was helping her.

Akeno slowly pulled her hands apart with a small streak of red lighting about the width and length of a pencil.

Grendel snickered, "You think something that small can hurt me," Akeno smirked then threw the spell at him.

The spell flew slowly wiggling like a snake, Grendel frowned he expected more but he was gravely disappointed.

Grendel slapped the spell away sending it exploding into the ground which should have happened but the moment he touched the spell.

Pain assaulted his body he felt every muscle in his body being electrocuted.

The sensation reverberated throughout his body he fell to his knees from the pain unable to control his muscles, "What the heck did she hit me with."

Grendel started cackling these brats were something else, he was honestly just fooling around with them, he could have killed them from the start but it was more fun to play around like this.

But this was a new pain one he never felt before, "HAHAHAHAHA," bellowed Grendel, "Hit me again," Grendel looked up and Akeno had her arms open wide about to hug him.

Her body was also crackling from the red lighting and she had a pained expression on her face, "Death by suicide huh…well let me lend you a hand."

Grendel shot his arm right through Akeno's chest and she spat up blood and the mysterious lighting stopped.

"How unfortunate I expected the spell to go off even after I killed you guess I acted too hasty," Grendel prepared to remove his arm but was stopped when Akeno's body jolted as she tried to dig her nails deep in his skin.

Before Grendel wasn't sensing any imminent danger to his well-being, killing intent definitely but a danger to his well-being not until now.

Akeno snapped her head up with blood dripping from her mouth as she gave Grendel a wicked smile, "So this is TRUE THUNDER," black lighting reignited from her body much stronger than before.

Akeno's skin turned black with blood shooting from her ears, nose, and eyes as the Jirasd's destructive power continued to increase more than tenfold destorying her body.

"She wants to blow herself with me along with her," thought Grendel in the last few moments before Akeno detonated.

Once again Grendel was caught in another explosion of powerful magic, the giant crimson electric ball.

The electric ball continued to grow in size disintegrating the very ground itself.

After a few seconds the two-story house-sized ball started to shrink in size revealing a large crater in the earth at the center of the crater were Akeno and Grendel.

Akeno's entire body was completely charded and her once beautiful black hair was no more, his clothes were also no more as they were reduced to nothing.

Grendel removed his arm and stumbled backward with remnants of Jirasd still shocking his body, "What the hell was that spell," he thought staring at her burnt body.

"I find it more surprising that you are still alive," he said looking at her stomach still expanding showing she was still breathing.

Grendel limped over to Akeno and stared at her, "I would have preferred to eat you fresh," Grendel then pushed her over, and on contact with the ground parts of her body shattered like rocks on the pavement.

Grendel's breathing was heavy, "It would have been smarter to avoid her attack but my pride wouldn't let me," Ascalon's power was still affecting his ability to heal himself and it was even worse after that girl stabbed from though the throat.

Grendel started coughing up blood and then dropped to a knee, "Seems I have suffered more damage than I previously thought."

Grendel looked up from his kneeling position towards and powerful wave of power and bloodlust unlike anything has felt before.

He looked up to see Kiba, Tsubasa, and Tsubaki glaring at him but they weren't the ones he was sensing.

"Asia is there anything else you can do for them," Asia was fighting back tears, she was running out of magic and Xenovia and Irina were bleeding out in front of her.

Irina's heart was partially reformed and she was manually pumping it with one hand while slowly regrowing it, she had Saji use his sacred gear to stop the bleeding from Xenovia by wrapping it and cutting off the circulation.

With her other hand, she was also healing Xenovia's left missing arm but she didn't have enough magic to heal both just one of them and she didn't have the resolve to let one of them die.

"I am trying but I am running out of magic," then there was Akeno all of them saw her get caught up in the large explosion so it was a guarantee she was injured gravely.

Sona herself didn't feel like she had the right to decide that but there was only one who was a part of Rias peerage.

Before Sona could request for Asia to stop healing Irina in favor of Xenovia she heard yelp in surprise, "Ahh uhhh….Rias I don't think you should stand so abruptly in your state."

"All of this must be a sick joke right...," said Rias in a level tone of voice, "All of this has to be some bad dream, Issei can't be…." Rias as the seal Anos placed on her started to crack.

"It's impossible right…I refuse to accept any of this any longer," Asia momentarily paused in her healing along with everyone staring at her.

Rias chest was burning but her fury outmatched the burning deep in her chest, "I will make you pay," she whispered taking a step forward and the earth cracked.

As the burning sensation started to fade into the distance, the magic circle suppressing Rias power was struggling as Rias emotions kept fueling the power deep inside her.

The burning sensation then made its way across Rias entire body and she started crying tears of blood, "Unforgivable," whispered Rias as her voice sent out a shockwave.

"Gasper get away," screamed Sona, "Saji grab Xenovia and Irina and run as fast as you can."

Sona didn't need to explain as all of them felt it, "I refuse to stand for this," her voice grew generating another shockwave shattering the earth.

"I will rip you limb from…." the shock wave threw them to the ground, " And annihilate you so that NOT EVEN YOUR SOUL REMAINS," screamed Rias as the seal shattered with her source fully awakening.

Rias had finally reached her breaking point with Akeno being the final catalyst and she felt the connection between them slowly disappear due to the evil piece.

Rias aura detonated from her body causing a massive explosion of crimson aura shattering the barrier like glass.

Everyone's vision inside the area was engulfed in a crimson light, Sona looked back watching the wave of power reducing everything to ash speed towards her, "So this is is the end…at least I finally get to see Serafall."

Sona closed her eyes waiting for the inevitable but after a few seconds.

She felt nothing maybe she died so fast that she didn't even feel the pain.

What she did feel was a nice warm sensation enveloping her body, "who knew death felt so warm," Sona slowly opened her eyes looking down at bright silver light from a magic circle.

She could feel her depleted magic reserves refilling along with her exhaustion being restored.

Next to her was Saji blinking in surprise at Xenovia's unconscious body, the reason for his surprise was because her arms were back.

Sona sat up and looked around it wasn't just Saji and Xenovia around her but everyone else and their wounds were completely healed and looked just as surprised as she was.

Even Akeno who was, nothing more than charcoal was now completely restored to her youthful original state, Irina was also completely healed as Asia stopped using her sacred gear.

Now standing Sona could see they weren't the only ones as the remaining forces defending the prison were also underneath the ginormous magic circle healing them all and to the right a few yards away was a giant dome filled with red and purple fog.

Sona turned around and started crying because just a few feet away were the bodies of Falbium, Ruval, Azazel, Issei, and her beloved sister Serafall in pristine condition.

Sona ran over to her sister's body she looked so peaceful but with only a quick look Sona could tell she was still dead.

The same went for Issei but Falbium, Azazel and Ruval were fine since they were breathing unlike the other two.

Kiba looked around confused moments ago he was facing off against…against, Kiba rubbed his head he couldn't remember who or what he was fighting just a few seconds ago.

Asia noticing his confusion walked over to him, "Kiba are you unwell," Kiba shook his it was very strange the more he thought the less he could remember.

It was like there were gaps in his knowledge but about what he couldn't remember.

Kiba looked over to Asia as she was about to start casting a healing spell even though the magic circle below them had already done that.

"I'm fine Asia but do you remember who we were fighting," Asia opened her but a perplexed expression formed on her face as even she struggled to remember as well.

"I…uhhh…I don't know," Kiba rubbed his chin as this was weird maybe this magic circle erased their memories.

Besides the gap in his memories, two more things were plaguing his mind where was Rias, and was that giant dome in front of them?

This phenomenon was not only plaguing them but everyone as well and the current one responsible for the gap in everyone's knowledge was none other than Rias.

Tsubaki stood behind Sona in silence this was the most she could do to console her king as she mourned the loss of her sister.

Tsubaki had her head hung low around and there was the rest of the peerage, they were there to support Sona.

Saji who was standing in the back right of the group noticed two familiar silhouettes talking to a devil soldier out of the corner of his eye.

His head turned and he couldn't believe it.

"Hey is that Master Anos," everyone in their group looked in the same direction as Saji after hearing him say that.

And just like Saji said it was indeed Anos along with his maid Rin, he was checking on the soldiers as a made was toward them.

The expression he wore was one none of them saw on his face, it was worry, his expression seemed neutral but they could see it all clearly in his eyes.

He was talking to one of the last commanders of the forces here and as their conversation ended he made turned to them and walked over.

All of them wore confused faces, what was Anos doing here, and did he get here, "Master Anos you're here," started Tsubaki but looked down at Sona, "but I'm afraid…," she finished looking down at Sona.

Anos took a breath didn't say a word and just walked passed her toward Sona, she didn't even notice him standing behind her until he pulled her into a hug and spoke.

"I'm sorry Sona it seems I got here too late," Anos words were soft and soothing but it made Sona just break done even further.

"Anos she's gone… mah… mah… mah.. she's gone," sobbed Sona, Anos said nothing and just hugged her close.

Her screams shattered his heart and her tears on his body burned more than any fire that has ever burned him.

This feeling was sensation was something he thought he would never feel in this world and it hurt just like it did back home in his world but here and now it hurt even worse.

A shadow was cast over Anos's face and he slowly looked up to Tsubaki and she backed up in fear as a murderous aura radiated from his eyes, "Who did this?"

Tsubaki and the group out of instinct dropped to a knee, "It was…it…was…" Tsubaki paused she ran through her memories trying to remember but she just couldn't.

"Apologies Master Anos I do not know," "Hmmm," was Anos's response and they flinched in fear.

Rin placed a hand on his shoulder and shook her head, seeing that Anos's frustration grew further but his murderous intent vanished.

"Apologies I didn't mean to point my frustration at you," Tsubaki shook her, "No if it wasn't for our weakness then…"

"Stop if your enemy was strong enough to do this then you being alive is a testament to just how strong all of you are."

Anos looked back down at Sona in his arms he didn't want to let her go but there was one more task he needed to accomplish, he needed to save Rias.

"It pains me to say this but Sona I must go," Sona looked up at him with her red eyes , she didn't need to voice her question as Anos understood, "I must save Rias if nothing is done she may lose herself in her power."

Anos and Rin made their way to the barrier that was growing in size, the red and purple smoke was being held back by Rin's power.

The fog wasn't being encased in a barrier although it seemed like it, in actuality the space around the the fog was being shrunk causing the fog the stop in its growing size which should have been the case.

"It's not stopping," said Rin narrowing her eyes, she was increasing the space around the fog it was pushing no better yet it was destroying the space being generated and continuing to grow like a bomb exploding in slow motion.

Anos looked at the ground there watching the fog grow in size, the fog reached a blade of grass and was swallowed by the fog.

Anos blinked, "weird there it was again," "What do you mean," she said looking up at him, "I can't remember what I was looking at."

Seconds after arriving here he felt an odd sensation wash over him but he didn't understand what it was until just now and why no one could remember who it was they were fighting.

Anos even searched through the memories of some of the soldiers but there was nothing it was a blip in all their memories.

Something was erased and Anos bet the cause of this was the fog growing closer toward him, "I understand what's going on now," "Do you know," inquired Rin checking her memories but from what she noted there were no gaps in her knowledge.

"Annihilation that is what this power is," Rin closed her eyes and searched through the memories that she shared with Anos.

In his memories, she saw him reading a book on his bloodline abilities and the variations of destruction they wielded.

Annihilation was one of the strongest abilities that one could awaken from his bloodline, it was the power to erase any and everything in existence from the past, present, and future.

Just like Anos own eyes not much is known about how the power exactly works since all who have ever been on the receiving end of this power were more than likely erased from existence.

The original user of the power died after the power consumed him destroying his body, it is presumed an entire city was erased from existence along with it.

Rin opened her eyes now understanding what this power was, "So if it continues to grow the entire underworld could be erased without a trace."

"Yes and who knows what drastic effects that could cause to this world," added Anos, "So what are you gonna do," asked Rin taking a step backward and the fog grew closer.

"I'm gonna test to see whose power is stronger Chaotic Destruction or Annihilation," Anos took a moment to marvel at this power Rias had awakened as different emotions started to flood his heart and mind.

A sense of pride in his sister that she was this powerful, from what he knew few from his heritage awakened their sources and even few wielded powerful demonic eyes.

There was also a sense of sorrow since Rias could only awaken this if she was on death's door or had gone through a deep psychological change.

But standing here would not solve another problem as Rias power was growing uncontrollably and in this state, Rias own magical power would consume her.

"How long can you hold this," "permanently but I can't stop it from growing," Anos nodded and walked toward the fog.

Rin blinked in surprise surely he didn't mean to walk inside, "Can't you do something from the outside, going inside would be reckless even for you."

"Probably," responded Anos but he didn't stop his advance as he first activated the Eyes of Destruction.

Rin felt something swell deep inside her chest specifically over her heart, she looked down and touched it as her heart rate increased.

This was a new sensation and she didn't like the way it made her feel, "What is this," she looked back up and watched Anos draw closer to the fog as the sensation increased.

Anos stepped inside the fog as it enveloped him completely, Rin watched in silence there was no visual change from the fog.

But there was a mental change as stumbled she back clutching her head, what was her concern over…why was she so worried just moments ago and whose memories were vanishing from her mind?

Something was wrong and she couldn't understand…why was she a maid…why was she even in the underworld?

She didn't understand what was happening but something had gone wrong, Ophis mind tried to fight back against Annihilation erasing **** from her memories.

"Wait what is Annihilation," she thought, "But I know that is what this fog is," Ophis clutched her head she felt like she was missing something.

Ophis purple eyes flashed as she struggled to fight back, she just had to hold out until **** Eyes of Chaotic Destruction defeated Annihilation.

Rin paused staring at the ground, "Wait what are the Eyes of Chaotic Destruction, and who is that ****..."

There was like a fog over her mind she was standing next to someone just moments ago and she couldn't remember who or what they looked like.

"The power of Annihilation had erased someone that must be it but who would foolish enough to fight against such a power," Rin struggled to fight against Annihilation and it started to piss her off.

Before she was worried about **** but **** reckless nature was the cause of this happening to her **** loved a challenge from what she saw of ** during *** memories.

Ophis then started to bleed from her nose, "dammit *n*s hurry up I know you can overcome this…so please come back to me, A…n…o…s."

Suddenly the fog stopped growing as it started to dissipate like it was being blown away by the wind, in the fog Rin could the silhouette of a man.

As the fog cleared further all the memories of him were restored, "You looked worried Rin…" the man smirked at her with his nostalgic cocky smirk.

"Did you truly think being Annihilated would be enough to destroy me from the past, present, and future," said Anos looking back at Rin with a triumphed smirk.

However, his smirk vanished when he turned back around as he finally remembered what the threat here was, staring directly at Grendel in his human for completely healed.

Just like he was before Rias power erased him from existence which was overturned when Anos counteracted Rias power.

For now, it seemed Rias power was back under control but he needed to be sure so he turned his attention toward her but he would repay him for how kindly he treated everyone here.

Grendel started laughing, "I don't know what just happened but it appears as though this is the perfect time to devour you."

Grendel darted at Rias but stopped after only moving an inch as chains started draining his strength and restricting his movements.

He struggled but to no avail no matter how hard he tried to move the chains wouldn't snap as they pulled him down to his knees, "What the hell is this?"

Grendel then saw a red-haired man walking toward Rias with a hand pointed at him, "I'll kill you in a moment be still."

"Red hair he must be Anos Gremory," Grendel started struggling even further to snap the chains but instead of them snapping they tightened even further pulling him to the ground.

"I said be still," at those words Grendel felt overwhelming pressure wash over him that made him freeze, he wasn't frozen because of magic but it was the fear coming from him.

He tried to force his body to move but it wouldn't listen no matter how he wielded it, just breathing felt like it was crossing the line of the order Anos gave.

Only taking a breath when he couldn't hold his breath any longer, he started sweating and shaking in fear hoping and praying he would just leave.

Anos turned his attention back to Rias and attempted to place a seal on Rias's source again but the spell shattered before it could take effect.

"Guess we aren't doing this the easy way," thought Anos, he was only a few feet away from her as he called out, "Rias," she didn't respond and just continued standing there.

Anos then spoke to her mentally, "Rias," her aura spiked growing in response to his voice.

"It's Anos everything is going to be okay," it died down momentarily then started growing again, "It's not," she screamed, "He's dead…Issei's dead."

Rias twisted her head to him revealing rainbow eyes, "Please big brother help me it hurts…please make it stop."

Blood started bursting from every opening on her body, if this were to go on any longer her body would destroy itself.

So to stop this from happening Anos flashes his demonic eyes, to overpower Rias own demonic power again.

"Well, that confirms what this power is," Rias own eyes were reacting to his and they wouldn't be enough to suppress her power completely.

"Sorry Rias I'm going to be a little ruff again," Anos grabbed Rias by her face covering her eyes and activating a magic circle, then activating his Eyes of Chaotic Destruction for a second time.

His aim wasn't to destroy Rias or her newfound power but to do the same thing he did to Rin momentarily suppress her power and then seal her eyes this time instead of trying to seal her source.

Both sibling's eyes fought against each other, Anos flared his power overpowering and overwhelming Rias own power, Rias screamed and Anos mentally apologized.

What he was doing was not what some would call a gentle touch but it was necessary to save her life.

Rias aura started to subside as the seal started to take its effect suppressing her eyes.

Anos removed his hand noticing that his fingertips had cracks forming on them with the tips turning a shade of grey, he smirked considering the circumstances this power may match his own in destructive capability one day.

Rias eyes flickered on and off but they turned back to their natural color, she blinked a few times as her senses came back to her.

Along with the memory of Issei's death at least this time she wasn't crying better blood, Anos knelt to hug Rias to comfort her.

"Don't worry I am going to fix all of this," Rias let out a sniffle confused by what he meant. "But first," Anos then turned his attention back to Grendel, Anos kissed Rias on the head and then made his way to interrogate Grendel.

The chains holding Grendel down yanked him up into the sky stretching him wide, "Of the three of you…you seem like the muscle-brained one but who knows you may know something of value."

Anos made his way to Grendel with measured steps, Grendel started fidgeting, this feeling inside was a feeling he only felt when he was around Crom Cruach.

Grendel started to pull on the chains to run away, his instincts warned him that Rias was dangerous but this devil in front of him was on another level of danger above that of Crom Cruach.

"Get away from me," Grendel roared a blast of fire at Anos turning the ground around him to glass.

"Did I get him," Grendel thought not letting up his attack, "Close," Grendel's mouth slammed shut as his flames started burning the inside of his mouth.

The chains dropped Grendel to the ground and when he looked up Anos was looking down on him with a terrifying presence around him.

Grendel started to slowly crawl backward, "You seemed so arrogant earlier yet now you cower before me."

Grendel's entire demeanor had shifted by the mere presence of Anos, this resembled how he acted after Crom Cruach had beat him half to death.

This was a sensation Grendel rarely if ever felt, fear, the concept he thought was purged from his mind and even after fighting Crom Cruach he held his pride as a dragon.

Fear, the very word and its definition was being engraved to his very soul, he wished he could run and look away but he felt just doing that would kill him even though it was obvious Anos was about to kill him.

But there was one saving grace when he was killed by Anos as long as either his soul or parts of his body remained he could be revived.

"Interesting do all the evil dragons share this same ability," Grendel blinked in surprise, "Yes I am searching your filthy mind but it seems you actually know nothing like the other three. Rizevim is smarter than I took him for."

Now that Grendel remembered he did say earlier that seeing if he knew anything valuable, "But you did share something I didn't know I'll be sure to remember that if I run across Crom Cruach again."

Grendel sniffed the air getting the faint scent of both Crom Cruach and Apophis blood on him, Anos then snapped his fingers destroying Apophis body so that it wouldn't be revived.

The spell on Crom Crunch's soul hadn't detonated yet so he was still alive and would probably be revived sometime after, knowing this left a sour taste in Anos mouth.

Anos pressed his foot harder onto Grendel's snout forcing him deeper into the ground, "You may have some sense of security thinking you will be revived after I kill you but there will be no revives for you this time."

Anos removed his foot and Grendel jumped back, "You're bluffing no one wields such power."

Anos had no desire to explain just looking through his memories was enough to let him know Grendel was nothing but a monster so his words meant nothing to him.

Anos extended his right hand to the side, calling for the blade that was best suited for dealing with monsters like him.

He felt its power the moment he overpowered Rias power and like Grendel it was destroyed but brought back.

The blade came flying at Anos at high speed and caught by the hilt, the blade of Ascalon turned golden changing from its original silver color.

Grendel jumped to his feet surprised, "How are you holding that," Anos didn't respond and casually strode up to Grendel who started taking steps back.

Grendel opened his mouth shooting out a fireball but Anos casually parried it away with a basic upward swipe.

The fireball flew at an arc over Grendel landing behind with exploding in a massive fireball, "I thought you were a dragon who loved the thrill of battle…"

Grendel released a wave of fire toward Anos. Anos just pointed the blade forward splitting the flame, "I see nothing but a coward what happened to your smile when you killed all those devils."

Anos slashed at the flames cutting right through it with a blast of holy power, the blast cut right through cutting deep into Grendel's shoulder.

Grendel stumbled backward felting a burning pain in his leg, "What happened to your smile when you killed those Fallen," Grendel roared, "wasn't it funny devouring those Angels."

Anos stabbed his other leg, and Grendel fell onto his butt screaming in pain, "Wasn't delicious licking their blood off your fingers," Anos stabbed Grendel in the stomach.

Grendel rolled over on his stomach to flee after losing feeling in his leg, "Tell me how amusing was it when you nearly killed Falbium."

Anos stabbed Grendel in the back, "Ahhhhh," cried Grendel, "how funny was it ripping off Azazel's arm?"

Grendel continued to crawl away but there would be no escape, "Tell me what it felt like crushing Ruval over and over again until he could no longer heal himself."

Anos stabbed Grendel through his lung causing Grendel to cough up pools of blood, "You killed my student Issei," Anos pierced his other lung, "You nearly killed my sister," Anos's eyes flashed crimson raising the golden sword above his head.

"Caused pain to so many of my friends and then…" Grendel froze as he just started crying from fear he just started to shake.

"Please…I beg have mercy…please I swear," Anos froze, "Mercy you say," Grendel slowly turned his head around to look at Anos.

But he wished he didn't as the coldness in Anos eyes caused his heart to explode from fear as he spit up blood.

"You dare beg me for mercy after you…"

Grendel's body then started to flow at eye level to Anos, he raised his sword high as it shone with a golden light.

Anos then shoved his hand into Grendel's chest pulling out his soul, "….after you killed Serafall laughing about it…causing un-curable trauma to my betrothed…Sona."

At the same time, Anos crushed his soul and brought the Holy Sword Ascalon down completely obliterating his body not even leaving a spec of his existence.

Grendel's screams were drowned out by the explosion of Holy Power, Anos just stared at the spot where Grendel once was, as his anger was still burning bright.

A hand grabbed his squeezing it slightly, "Anos it's over now," said Ophis looking up at him, Anos took a breath and calmed down as much as he could.

Anos made his way to Rias who just stared at him amazed and confused with so many questions, she couldn't even find the words to voice her confusion.

"I know you have questions but there are other things I need to fix," Rias just nods taking the hand Anos extended.

Ophis then teleports them back to where the unconscious and dead bodies of the ones he saved were.

Tsubaki jumps in surprise at them appearing next to her abruptly after witnessing Anos do something that should be impossible.

Anos made his way over the bodies of Serafall and Issei as everyone just watched him with questions riddled all over their faces.

"Well I guess I'm definitely not hiding anymore," thought Anos as he outstretched both his hands to them.

"Anos what are you planning to do," asked Sona as she continued to hold her sister, "Don't worry I'm bringing them both back."

A green magic circle then appears below Issei and Serafall then Anos says, "Ingall," both devils are engulfed in a green light and it appears the spell the reacted normally.

But then Anos and Ophis narrowed their eyes as they saw a familiar back aura emitting from their bodies.

Serafall's eyes open as her face contorts into a crooked smile, "Mother...we will not fail you."

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End Chapter