CLANG!!!
Two swords grinded against each other, causing sparks to fly from the metal. One sword was a large two handed blade, with a sharp metal cross guard and a blade segmented into three parts with three tips. The other, was a dark curved blade with a hooked tip.
Kurozai pushed back against Xenovia, wanting to end this fight here and now, because our of the corner of his eye he could see Issei trying to use the accursed Dress Break on Irina.
Kurozai broke off and spun around to stab at Xenovia, who blocked it with the flat of her sword.
Such an escalation of events… but how did it transpire?
-OVERLORD-
Thirty Minutes Earlier…
Kurozai snored at his desk in the Occult Research Club room. He was exhausted, going on two straight days of no sleep searching the town for Kiba, who had been seemingly avoided him.
Asia covered her king in a light blue blanket and walked back to Issei, who was gaming on his new handheld system he won at the arcade.
"So, why did you call us here Prez?" Issei asked, not taking his eyes off the console, almost done with a boss fight against two frogs in a casino.
Rias stacked some papers to make them even. "I simply wanted some extra backup here, members of the church are coming to speak with me. If Kurozai was awake," Everyone but Issei cast their eyes to the sleeping Overlord, who had somehow began to snore louder. "I would be asking him for any leads on Kiba. But I'll just have to wait for him to wake up."
Issei made a sound of agreement and began to thrash about in his seat. "COME ON!!! IT'S SO CLOSE!" He shouted, having gotten the boss he was fighting into its final stage. "DON'T BLUE BALL ME GAME! JUST- YES!"
Issei got up and began to roar in victory, however Kurozai's helmet knocked him into the floor. Literally, Similarly to an Ostrich, Issei's head was lodged into the ground.The Overlord's head tilted to reveal one glowing purple eye.
Asia and Akeno got up to help Issei get out, while Koneko watched and Rias moved to talk to Kur-
SNORE
Kurozai was back asleep.
Rias could feel the migraine start, and the church hadn't even arrived yet.
-DxD-
As Kurozai slept, he began to have strange and vivid dreams…
He was trudging his way through frozen forests to find a large mead hall.
Then, he was in a large coliseum. Standing at the other end was a man wearing a lion head for a hat with muscles larger than Kurozai was tall.
Next, he stood atop a mountain of corpses in a sandy desert, letting out a might roar of victory.
Then Kurozai bent his knee, as a dark crown was placed on his head as music began to play, signifying a great triumph…
Kurozai groaned in his sleep and woke up… His eyes opening slowly before he locked eyes with the female exorcists from the night before…
-OVERLORD-
As the purple haired teen sat up in his desk, obviously surprised that the Exorcists were here, Xenovia scowled at him… Either this random mortal had dealings with Devils, or he had lied to the them twice over and was one himself.
Xenovia and Irina stiffened as the teen's eyes slowly morphed into a glare.
"Ignore him…" Rias cut through the tension. "He doesn't like being startled when waking up." She explained calmly. "Now then, back to the topic at hand. You want us to stay out of your business, correct?"
Xenovia shook her head and returned her attention to Rias. "Yes, I understand that a holy sword is a destistable thing to Devils, a shard of Excalibur even more so. I just want your confirmation that you will not assist the fallen in this matter, or try and assist us."
Rias nodded, crossing her arms and leaning back on the couch. "Of course, the house of Gremory would never stoop so low as to assist fallen angels, and so long as you don't cause too much trouble, we'll be happy to oblige and stay out of your hair."
The teen grumbled in agreement and laid his head back on the desk, still glaring at the two church members.
"Good. Then we have no further reason to be here." Xenovia stood up, her cloak shifting as she did so.
"Yeah, I was afraid you'd all want to work with the fallen angels." Irina said with a giggle and stood up as well, her cloak bouncing in tune with her chest.
As the two Exorcists began to leave, a certain individual caught their eyes…
Asia Argento.
Xenovia scoffed and glared at the witch. "I suppose it would make sense you of all people would fall in with devils." She spat as though the words were a rotten fruit.
Asia recoiled from the sudden harsh words, not expecting them.
"Oh my God it is you! Your Asia Argento, the nun who became a witch." Irina said with a surprised tone. "The church said that you had the ability to heal evil creatures and that one time you actually used it! Is that true?"
Asia was going to speak, but the purple haired teen stood up from the desk.
"Is this going somewhere?" He asked, his voice low and with warning.
Xenovia blinked, but scowled deeper, if this devil wished to threaten her then she would oblige in full. "Indeed. It is a shame to see her. She was a Saint who fell to becoming a witch surrounded by devil's. Such a sight makes my blood boil."
Issei stepped in front of Asia with a scowl plastered across his face. "Oh yeah? Then what are you gonna do about it?! Asia's done nothing to you!"
"Of course not. Even when she was a Saint, many told stories of the sweet Asia Argento and how she was as gentle as a river stream." Xenovia stated. "However I have a question for you, Heretic."
Asia flinched at the title. She was no heretic, she strived to be the furthest thing from a heretic. Even with her new master, she knew he wouldn't stop her faith.
"Do you still believe in God?"
Asia hesitated at the question, but nodded regardless. "Yes. Yes I do. Even if I didn't want to, I couldn't."
"Then let us save your soul." Xenovia stated and grabbed the hilt of her sword. "And execute y-"
CRASH
Pain… For three seconds that was the only sense that Xenovia could register. Once she regained her senses, she looked up to see what had happened.
The purple haired teen had driven his fist into her stomach and sent her flying into the wall.
Xenovia had to resist the urge to vomit her meager lunch onto the Devil's floor.
Irina finally snapped out of her stunned Stupor and tried to attack the teen, but a simple glare caused her to rethink her actions and back down.
"How dare you." The teen hissed at Xenovia. "How dare you come here, to my town and threaten my general. Because what? She had a falling out with the church? What gives you the right?"
Xenovia slowly recovered from the devistating punch and got to her feet. "What gives a lowly devil like you the right to hurt a member of the Holy Church?!" She yelled, her voice laced with venom. "I'll send you to hell!"
"Who said I was a devil?"
The question made Xenovia pause… Where was this leading?
"No, I'm much, much, much worse than a devil." The teen stated. "Let's try this one last time…" A wave of purple fire crashed over the teen, coating him in a dark armor… "My name is Kurozai Kishi, and I, am The latest Overlord."
Xenovia's eyes widened as she recalled what AGC had told her about the side objective… 'A Third Party…'
The newest Overlord was already here and was assisting devils!
"I was wondering what killed the Fellowship." Xenovia said and got ready to remove the cloth from her blade. "It makes sense now that I think about it. What else would make the Fellowship act if, not a new Overlord."
"Then you should know that Asia Argento is my blue general, and you just made a threat on her life." Kurozai growled. "I don't know much about Church politics, but I know that warrants me kicking your ass till my feet fall off."
"You resort to petty threats, yet I don't see you moving to attack. Funny, I was taught that your kind loved violence."
"The only reason your head is on your shoulders is because I don't want to get yelled at for breaking the room anymore…"
"Then why don't we take this outside Hotshot?" Xenovia asked, unknowingly allowing a dangerous presence to enter her mind and alter it slightly…
"Fine. Two on Two." Kurozai declared. "Let's be civil and have the losing condition be Knock Out."
Issei stepped forward and let his own armor cover him in a flash of yellow light, his scarf trailing in the non-existent wind as he stood next to his Overlord.
"Fine."
-DxD-
Now
Kurozai pulled his sword out of the stab and jumped to the side and buried his fist into Xenovia's lower back, aiming for a kidney. The punch hit, but didn't hit where Kurozai wished. Xenovia grunted and spun around to deliver a kick to Kurozai's helmet, causing him to fall back.
The Overlord rolled out of an over head strike which caused the ground to explode with destructive energy. "Glad to see your Overlordian senses can tell my sword is dangerous. This is the Excalibur: Sword of Destruction." Xenovia explained. "It was the part of the original Excalibur that delivered a devistating blow to the Black Baron."
"Glad to see you know your history." Kurozai growled and got onto his feet. "But how goes the magic training?"
Xenovia tilted her head, confused at the odd question. "Exorcists don't undergo magic training."
"Oh… so you can't stop, THIS?! PYROS" Kurozai threw a ball of fire at Xenovia.
The Exorcist blocked the attack with her blade, but was sent feet over head from another devistating punch, courtesy of Kurozai. He then grabbed the Exorcist by the ankle and slammed her into a tree, then once more. Twice, Thrice, Frice, Kurozai slammed Xenovia into the tree like a dirty rug. The force of the rapid blows gave Xenovia a concussion, but she wasn't down yet.
Kurozai dropped the exorcist and backed away, his sword poised to strike Xenovia, like a serpent to its prey. He crouched low and wrapped his left hand around something, hissing from the pain of just holding it.
"Do all Overlord's rely on cheap tactics, or is it just you?" Xenovia asked and spit out a broken molar.
"You know, I think it's just a me thing. Want to get close to double check?" Kurozai asked with a dark smirk under his helmet.
"Not in your dreams." Xenovia said and stood up and reached for her-
Kurozai was holding two swords now… His own blade and the Excalibur Shard… "Looking for something?"
Xenovia glared at Kurozai, hate filling her eyes. "Yes… I was."
Kurozai scoffed and tossed the blade over. "Found it for ya." He teased and got into another offensive stance.
"Just giving it back like that?" Xenovia asked hesitantly as she picked up the sword. "Is this some sense of honor?"
"Nah." Kurozai said and dashed forward. "It's just no fun kicking your ass if you can't fight back!"
Xenovia got ready to parry a strike, but was caught off guard when Kurozai tripped her and grabbed her by the ankle again, spinning her around for a solid four seconds before throwing her at Irina, who had avoided every attempt of Issei's dress break.
Xenovia was going to stand up, but the tip of Kurozai's sword at her throat made it clear… She had lost.
"Damnable creitin." Xenovia hissed.
"Hey, just be glad it's me and not Issei." Kurozai said with a chuckle. "He's been trying to strip your friend with his ability. So I just saved you both."
Kurozai held his hand out for Xenovia to take. She glared up at him and knocked the hand away. "Your the last person I want help from." Xenovia spat and got to her feet.
"Fine. Be that way." Kurozai chuckled and pulled his hand back, letting his suit vanish into sparks as he backed away from the two.
"Oh cruel fate! How could you make my old friend become a thing worse than a devil!" Irina cried and got up over dramatically.
"Now what is she trying to sa-" Kurozai got ready to defend his generals from an insult.
"How could you make him a PERVERT?!"
"... I like her." Kurozai smirked and crossed his arms. Only to get smacked on the back of the head by Rias. Kurozai grumbled and stood straight once more. "Now then, let this loss be a lesson to you two!" Kurozai declared. "I can stand to listen to a lot of things, but threats against my generals, my family? That I won't stand for. So if I hear you talking shit, next time it won't be a simple sparing match." Kurozai pointed at the two, the outline of his armor fading over him and causing his eyes to glow. "Got it?"
Xenovia spat. "Fine. I'll keep my mouth shut around you."
"Mr. Overlord, would killing Issei due to his unholy transgressions to see naked flesh count?" Irina asked, her tone filled with an extra dramatic flair.
Kurozai's smiled and held a thumbs up. "Nope, kill away!"
Issei yelled at his Overlord as his armor vanished as well. "BOSS WHAT THE HELL?!"
Issei didn't have time to blink before he was ass over head on the ground from a classic Kurozai punch.
"What the hell?! HOW ABOUT WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!" Kurozai began to rant at his subordinate, not noticing the familiar devil entering the clearing behind the Old School Building.
"B-Boss!" Issei stammered out pointing behind Kurozai. "Its Kiba!"
"Ah!" Kurozai froze before a wave of purple fire surrounded him and his eyes burned with the same flames. "DO YOU THINK I'M STUPID OR SOMETHING?! I OUTTA KICK YOUR ASS FOR WHAT YOU DID!"
"Kurozai, don't kill him." Kiba shook his head with a sigh.
"SHUT IT PRETTY BOY WHEN YO-" Kurozai stopped his rant and slowly turned to look at Kiba.
Rias ignored the yelling that proceeded to happen and walked over to the two exorcists. "My apologies for my friend's rash actions." She gave them a light bow as she apologized. "He cares as much for his followers as I do."
"So I've noticed…" Xenovia said and pressed a hand against her bruised cheek…
"Oh!" Asia ran over and summoned her Rings of Twilight healing. "Let me help you." She said and without warning healed the Xenovia of her wounds. The only harm Irina faced was getting knocked out by Xenovia crashing into her.
The blue haired exorcist glared at Asia for a moment before her gaze softened. "Thank you… While this does not make us allies I appreciate the concern." Xenovia stated. "With that, I believe it's time we left… Our superior needs to be informed of who else lives in this town."
Rias nodded. "Of course. But would you mind disclosing which fallen angel stole the blades of Excalibur?"
"...Very well. If only to make sure you stay out of it. The fallen Angel that stole the shards of Excalibur is the Grigori General, Kokabiel."
Rias paled at the name. "Your hunting a leader class Fallen Angel?!" She asked, her voice low as to not catch a certain Overlord's attention.
Said Overlord had returned his attention to Issei, laying into him with nothing more than garbled yells.
"Yes, we know how outlandish it sounds. But we must keep the Excalibur Shards out of the Fallen Angel's hands." Xenovia finished her explanation, and donned her white cloak.
Irina stood up, nursing her side and donned her cloak as well. "There's already been a casualty on the Church's side. A priest who ventured out here to start investigations early."
"I know who killed him."
Kiba pushed past Rias and glared at the two holy sword users. "He was killed by a stray priest named Freed."
The name hummed through the air and straight into Kurozai's ear, who dropped Issei on the ground. "Freed? You mean cowardly run away Freed?!" Kurozai asked, his voice heated at the memory of Freed taunting him when he was shackled to a wall.
"The very same." Kiba confirmed. "He's in league with the fallen angels again, because I fought him two nights ago, and he was holding one of the Excalibur Shards."
Xenovia bristled at the information and nodded. "I see… thank you for this information, but listen to your master and stay out of our affairs." Xenovia warned, sending a glare at Kurozai. "And I would tread lightly Overlord, if you make the wrong move the church will put you down like the rabid animal you are."
Kurozai held up his favorite finger in response. "Trust me I'm not the biggest fan of Fallen Angels, my army excluded." Kurozai stated and lowered his hand. "But if I see one of those holy swords you should know I'm going to take it. Better in the hands you know than the ones you don't."
Xenovia scoffed, turned and walked away. Irina trailing behind her like a lost puppy.
Kurozai nodded as the two left, then focused all of his attention on Kiba.
Kiba balled his fists and started to walk away… but the sound of runnig footsteps caught his ears and he turned just in time to see Kurozai's gauntlet aimed right for his face, wound up for a punch.
"GRIT THOSE GOD DAMN TEETH!" Kurozai yelled and knocked Kiba into a tree.
The tree bent as Kiba crashed into it. The knight touched his upper lip and felt a small trickle of blood leak from his nose.
Rias' aura flared and she was almost ready to kill Kurozai for punching the hell out of Kiba, but a single hand from the knight told her that this was coming, regardless of anyone's feelings.
"I'm not letting you runaway again." Kurozai declared and tied his hair back and got into a fighting stance.
"Didn't think you would." Kiba said and held up his fists.
Kurozai moved first, rushing Kiba and snapping his leg out to kick the knight in the shoulder. Kiba took the blow and grabbed the leg to pull Kurozai into a jab.
Kurozai caught the hit and twisted out of Kiba's catch before planting his foot into Kiba's chest and sending him skidding back.
The two continued their brawl. Blood flying from busted lips, broken noses, even a blackened eye and a knocked out canine.
Neither was going to give up until the other dropped.
Eventually… a body fell to the ground, with a second following.
The best friends huffed through the pain. "You gonna quit being a little bitch and ask for help?" Kurozai asked as he stared up at the orange sky.
"This is my problem Kurozai… not yours." Kiba panted and spat some blood out of his mouth.
"That's bullshit and you know it. The fallen weren't your problem, but I didn't act like five hundred Yen Batman about it…"
"Fuck… you won't drop this will you?"
"Not on my, your or anyone else's life."
Kiba panted for a moment and sighed. "Fine. But you better not slow me down."
Kurozai weakly kicked Kiba. "Watch who your talking to asshole."
The two sat up and gave eachother a nod before leaving quickly, not giving anyone the chance to argue about it.
-OVERLORD-
A day passed since Kurozai and Kiba had run off. In that time, Kiba told Kurozai his story.
How he was one of many child test subjects. How some died due to those horrid experiments… How the others died to help him escape.
Kurozai listened to his tale and when it was over, the two shared a quick embrace. Kurozai offered Kiba a deal that would be on the table whenever he wanted to take it…
Once story time was over, the two returned to hunting down any sign of the Excalibur Shards.
That was until Kurozai got a call on his phone from Issei, telling him to meet up at the park.
-DxD-
Kurozai sat on the edge of the fountain, and Kiba stood next to him as Issei, Koneko, Xenovia and Irina walked up.
"We're here Issei, what do you want?" Kurozai asked and rested his head on his fist, leaning against his knee.
"We want to help."
"Request denied." Kurozai shot it down instantly.
"Why?!"
"It's not my choice. This is Kiba's mission, if he wants help it's his choice." Kurozai explained. "And it's dangerous regardless. We're up against Holy swords. These were made with the express purpose of putting people wearing a gauntlet like mine onto a T-shirt."
Xenovia spoke up. "Not to mention that they are the shards of Excalibur, the strongest holy swords one could wield."
"Exactly." Kurozai nodded. "I won't risk you like that."
Issei growled… Kurozai was putting down his abilities again!
"So turn around and go ho-"
"NO!"
Kurozai glared at Issei. "What was that?"
"I said No! I'm not letting you take this one on by yourself! You kicked Raynare's ass, then you kicked Inferna's ass, and then Riser's too! I'm not letting you treat me like I'm some damn kid!"
Kurozai quirked an eyebrow at the reaction…
"So here's the deal Boss! Your going to accept our help, and your gonna like it!"
"And what if I don't? What will you do then?"
"Then I'll- I'll…" Issei raised both his fists up in a fighting stance. "I'LL KICK YOUR ASS!"
Kurozai smiled at the declaration and stood up. "Good, I was hoping that would be the case." He commended Issei and placed a hand on the general's shoulder. "You got a plan in that head of yours, or are you flying by the seat of your pants?"
"H-Huh?"
"I'm asking if you have a strategy to draw the guys who have the Excalibur Shards out." Kurozai clarified.
"... Well- er… kind of." Issei said sheepishly.
"Kind of a plan is better than no plan." Kurozai said with a smirk.
-OVERLORD-
Kurozai and Xenovia walked alone through the forest… Xenovia had her Excalibur strapped to her back, and Kirozai had his sword strapped to his hip.
"WELL, WELL, WELL, WELL, WELLLL~"
"That didn't take long." Kurozai huffed and turned around, placing a hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Indeed, I'm surprised this plan of his is working…" Xenovia stated and grabbed her Excalibur.
Standing across from them was Freed, walking out of the brush of the forest. "Looky what we got here~ That piece of shit Overlord and a hot babe with an Excalibur! Is it my birthday?"
"Yeah! So why don't you come over here for your presents?" Kurozai taunted as his armor covered him in a second.
"Oh boy! I wonder what you got me?~ Is it your head on a pike?"
"Well I'll tell you one thing, something's going up somewhere."
"Is that anyway to talk to your elders? I'll cut your tongue out with my Excalibur for that!" Freed yelled and rushed forward, his sword thirsting for blood.
"I'd like to see you try!" Kurozai yelled back and met Freed, clashing their swords together.
"Say~ Havent we been here before?" Freed asked as he pushed against Kurozai's blade.
"I think we have, did you ever fix that loose stance?"
Freed's legs closed on reflex, the mere threat of a repeat of the last time he fought the Overlord sending a shiver down his spine. "That was cheating!"
"Cheating? You forget who your fighting don't you? I never fight fair!" Kurozai yelled. "NOW!"
From the brush, Kiba, Irina, Koneko and Issei all ran out and ran straight at Freed.
The stray exorcist tried to run, but Kurozai grabbed him by the neck and held him in place. "You tried that last time!" Kurozai yelled and bashed his helmet against Freed's, breaking his nose.
"GAH! YOU FUCKING ARMORED BASTARD!" Freed hissed, clutching his broken nose. "ANYTIME YOU'RE READY!" he yelled out.
"Oh trust me. IM PLENTY READY TO KICK YOUR ASS!"
Kurozai ran forward and swung his blade down…
Clang!!!
And crashed against another sword.
"You disappoint me Xenovia, Irina… I thought I taught you better…"
"You!" Kurozai hissed.
For the wielder of the sword was none other than the third exorcist, and leader of their expedition.
"Me…" AGC growled out.