DxD - The Last Amagiri

by HolyKnightX

Kensei Amagiri, the surviving heir to the Amagiri Clan, after losing his mother now lives on an island, where he fights for survival with his new friends. Left for dead by the Old Devils and Taro, is found by two legends who'll assist him in taking his fate back into his own hands.

54. Bringers of Despair

Welcome to the next chapter of DxD – The Last Amagiri; but before starting the story. Let's answer some reviews:

altair96: Yeah, those two sure do make the perfect team, creating new vehicles for them to ride around in during missions. A mission from Azazel, most notably, one against a Cadre, sure is quite a request, as well as a conversation between Lingqi and Vali. His ancestor, Itsuki sure was a badass for defeating two hosts of the Heavenly Dragons despite not being a Sacred Gear user himself. No doubt considering the feats his maternal ancestor achieved.

In the end, Kensei did humiliate Kokabiel in the worst manner possible, and in the end, he was sealed within a normal gem for the rest of his life. But, I must mention that was the result of Senjutsu too, considering it can seal souls too. I will continue doing that, and the volume's climax is coming up.

Slimereader11: I'm glad to hear you liked the chapter. And that's Koneko for you, there's going to be far more moments like that in the future.

shephawk: I'm glad to hear that you liked the chapter. No doubt that was the easiest method to solving Kuoh Town's potential destruction using Worthless. And that was a hilarious scene for me to fight because that'd be the reason that you'd expect from Issei, but it's going to be funnier when he meets them.

Guest: That'd be hilarious to see Amaterasu introducing herself to the others like that.

---

Bringers of Despair

On Hagun Island, a previously uninhabited island that Taro Aoyama had turned into the secret location for the ill-famed Gehenna Tournament. A location, where the Human World's infamous underworld came to witness battles between the supernatural, in addition to purchasing special power users for their benefits. However, it was soon demolished by the same captives, who soon formed the Kibou Alliance, and thus became a desolate location.

But, with the appearance of the mysterious man, the Benefactor, three years prior, the desolate location became something that surpassed the original. It could be compared to the Kibou Alliance as a miniature military force of its right, gathering magicians and technicians from different factions, but sharing their ill intent. Roaming their streets were their officers, old and new; most, were among the Black Dragon Alliance under Wu Jun's command.

At the locations built for their pleasure and recreation, varied women were working in such places; most of them were brought in from different places, by those, such as the Black Dragon Alliance. Around their necks, there was a black marking resembling a collar used as a seal that ensured there would be no escaping for them.

At Hagun Island's center, the tower was built to act as the main command center for the new terrorist group, Yami, a meeting was taking place between the main members in-charge. First, in the room, the Benefactor sat there as a holographic projection could be seen in the middle of the desk. At the center, there were the four Old Devils who'd acted alongside the group, being unable to return to the Underworld.

[We've been in contact with our fellow allies in the Underworld. And it looks as if we've been unable to do much there as of late.]

[As you know, some managed to keep their names off the original Gehenna Tournament's records and have been assisting us in building Yami upon the ruins. They're too looking forward to getting revenge on the people who ruined our business.]

Two of the Old Devils said.

"Hmm, yes, I can see why. It's embarrassing getting outsmarted by a couple of kids," the Benefactor stated in a lighthearted tone, but neither of the Old Devils could refute. Under normal circumstances, those who'd spoken to them in such a manner would've been attacked. But, the Benefactor wasn't something any one of them could be capable of doing such a thing to. "Now now, don't look so tense, I'm simply joking. I learned a long time ago that it's impossible to remain angry all the time. And don't worry, the first step of your revenge will be coming up."

[Yes, as things stand now even the Great King Faction can't do anything to their group. Behind their backs are the Norse and Greek Factions. But, you're group, on the other hand….]

"Don't you mean our group? Don't forget, you're group helped me build this entire thing and made it easier for me to make contact with the people I wanted to find. Now, things are prepared to give us all the things that we want to have in the palm of our hands. All that's left is to dismantle the little group that's called themselves the hopeful alliance. And in the end, the 'power' that'll achieve that will be finally prepared," the Benefactor said before noting a light on the desk. "Well, the meeting between our main forces is going to be starting soon."

At that, the Benefactor cut communication with them, then found himself leaning backward, most notably wearing a different outfit meant for a commander, while tailored for combat. Before he could utter a single word, the door leading into the room opened.

"You guys just couldn't wait for me to tell you to enter."

The Benefactor said, not sounding annoyed, and instead amused.

"Don't presume that I need your permission to walk into a room."

A familiar serious and strong tone could be heard as Wu Jun, the leader of the Black Dragon Alliance entered the room and took a seat on the second chair. After he received an offer from and talked to the Benefactor himself, it was too interesting an offer for him to pass out on.

"Yes, yes, I know about your pride and all. But, I'd like you to be as respectful as our knight here."

At the mention of this knight, one adorned an amazing black armor, complete with a helmet, but it looked like it fit his frame, making it easier to move around in. Entering the room, the Black Knight bowed his head, before he took a seat at the third seat beside Jun.

"I'd also rather not be compared to your guard dog here. He's nothing more than an animal that does whatever he's told without a mind of his own."

"…."

Despite being referred to as a 'guard dog', the knight didn't utter a single word and instead waited for the meeting to take place. There were two more people that were required to enter the room before the meeting between them could even start.

"Well, aren't you simply as chipper as usual Mister Great Dragon Conqueror? I doubt that aside from those loyalists of yours, no one would bother being around you for more than an hour. Let alone listening to your constant ravings."

Entering the room next was a green-haired, hazel-eyed young man, who looked to be approaching his twenties, with an outfit similar to the Benefactor, but seemed more tailored for a magician. Taking the fourth seat beside, the Black Knight, while placing his feet on the table, and leaned back in his chair.

"Well, Malik, I see you're in a good mood than usual."

"Heh," the young man now named Malik seemed to laugh and smile as he leaned further back in his chair. "Yeah, I got to test out a new technique and I also had fun with some of the women that our Great Dragon Conqueror brought in. One of them kinda wasn't to my tastes, though I got rid of her afterward. I'm sure you wouldn't mind, Jun."

"It doesn't matter to me. I don't care about the unchosen."

"Right, right, I forgot you don't care about any other woman aside from your wives," Malik stated, returning to his previous position in his seat. "It's kinda a shame, though. I thought that it would've been fun being with the fifth wife that you brought here a couple of days ago. I liked her fiery spirit, she defied you more than the others you'd broken down until the end.

"I didn't break her. I simply taught her what her role was."

"Hahahaha, right, right," Malik looked amused before sending a straight smirk in Jun's direction. "You tried all those attempts to woe her into voluntarily agreeing to be your wife, but none of them worked. So, when all those attempts failed, you did the one thing that'd break a woman's pride. You were bold enough to go and rape her right in front of your men as if it was any other day! Hahaha, I never met someone who'd casually do something like that! Except for your strength and sacred gear, you have zero charm when it comes to women!"

At that, Malik laughed heartily without caring about the others who were inside the room, neither the Benefactor nor the Black Knight seemed to intervene. Both he and Jun soon locked eyes with one another, having obvious tension between them, as the two seemed prepared to fight against each other. An abundance of lightning looked to sparkle around Jun, while space distorted around Malik.

"Come on, let's wait after the meeting before you two try to kill one another."

The Benefactor said, clapping his hands, causing the tension between them to cease, as the two stopped manifesting their powers.

"Right, I'm sure that it'll be a fun fight. And who knows, I might take your seat."

"That'll never happen."

Jun was assured that Malik wasn't a threat to him or his position, because he was much lower than the Black Knight beside him in terms of ranking.

"Nya~ There's so much negative tension in this room~"

Stepping into the meeting room was a dark-skinned, black-haired, gold-eyed nekomata with cat ears and three tails dressed in a casual uniform. After taking a couple of steps, she leaped up without much effort, then landed right in the seat beside Malik. Getting into position, the nekomata sat down with her knees up to her chest, while looking at the people sitting with her.

"And Kurohime. I see that you're the last one here as usual."

"Hehehe~ I was sleeping and thinking about my fellow Nekoshou sister~ We're going to be meeting one of them soon enough right~"

Kurohime said as she leaned back and forth in her seat, smiling.

"Yes, things have progressed well passed the first stage, with the official establishment of Yami. We've accumulated members from different factions, one of them being the Black Dragon Alliance. And the completion of the Mazoku is all but finished at last. So, now I think that it's time that we finally made contact with our rivals," at the Benefactor's comment, the four sitting at the table moved to face him. He leaned forward, holding out his hands, looking forward to the next phase. "Let's show them all the kind of darkness and despair that we'll be covering over their heads. As they'll finally realize the futility of their actions."

Most times, the three aside from the Black Knight would've been the most troublesome for the Benefactor to handle but their talent and potential were worth it. But, this time, the three of them are going to be giving this their fullest attention. All of this was for the goals that the three desired for the future.

---

Earlier in the morning, in Kibou Town, Kensei and Alice were jogging around town since the two had woken up. It was a routine for them, as a means of building up the blonde-haired girl's stamina through all these exercises. Kensei had no trouble doing exercises like this this could be considered a light one for him. Even Alice has gotten used to doing this and didn't complain…at least, not as much as before.

"Alright, let's take a break here."

Kensei said as he and Alice made it to a bench near a park.

"Whew, I would've been good going for a couple more minutes."

"Wow, someone's been more energetic than normal. I remember the last time, you'd used to complain about me wanting you to run for a couple more minutes."

Kensei stated as he and Alice started drinking from the special water prepared in their group courtesy of Abigail, which was better than any sports drink. Once it traveled down their throats, the two started feeling the effects as soon as it was drunken.

"I started feeling much better than I thought possible after drinking that elixir Sun Wukong prepared. Even though I felt as if I'd drunk an entire barrel of alcohol, I felt as if I'd been working out from childhood. I was in the mood to start training alone in my room and did yoga too."

"It's not surprising, considering Sun-sensei's considerable knowledge in all things related to Sennin and Taoism. I doubt there's anything that he doesn't know at this point. Well, it'd be more effective for those who use Ki, but it's efficient for those who don't use it. It removed all the impurities existing in your body, down to the meridians, to strengthen your constitution too. So, for someone who'd been sick most of their life, it does feel like a miracle."

"Yeah, it makes it easier for me to do physical exercises."

Alice replied impassively while raising her arm into the air, showing more energy than usual.

"Well, we've got about two hours before needing to head back, then get prepared for school," Kensei said, after staring at the time on his Oracle Phone. "So, what kind of training do you want to do next, while we're at it?"

"You mind helping me with a couple of stretches? I had some trouble in doing some of the yoga poses that I tried doing alone in my room."

"Sure thing. Let's go and find a place where we can be alone."

"Shall we jog there?"

At Alice's question, Kensei couldn't help laughing to himself as the two started jogging to a secluded area inside the forest near the area.

---

Finding a stable enough location, where people have passed through from time to time, but this time around, not one person passed here. There, Kensei found himself setting up a yoga mat on the ground, as Alice started doing some preparatory stretches. After that, she stood on the mat, while Kensei was standing beside her to help as he'd been requested to.

She first started standing in a straight-up position, then started shifting onto the Dancer Pose, standing right onto her right leg. Going onto the next stop, she raised her left leg and positioned her arms in the right manner. As it finished, she remained in the same position but had some difficulties.

"Alright, holds that for twenty breaths."

"A-Alright."

Alice agreed, then noticed that Kensei moved forward and knelt on the ground.

"Ah."

Alice flinched a bit as she felt Kensei start touching her left leg's muscles from her calves, then began moving them. As his fingers traced across her muscles, he felt the deeper flow of her within the meridians, sending out a warm sensation across her leg muscles. His fingers and hands started tracing upwards, reaching her thighs and other parts this stance trained.

She started moving onto the Triangle Pose, where the same sequence continued, in doing this, she felt a pleasant experience as her muscles were being worked on. During all this, Kensei assisted Alice in the last 11 Yoga poses: ranging from the Warrior Pose III, Plow Pose, Camel Pose, One-legged King Pigeon Pose, One-legged Downwards Facing Pose, Cobra Pose, Extended-side Angel Pose, One-legged Plank Pose, Tree Pose, Standing Forward Bend Pose, and the Spinal Twist Pose.

In all that, Kensei was in a close position to Alice, causing him to feel her breathing and smell the scent that'd come off her womanly body. Doing all that caused him to feel excitement and lust continuing to build up inside of him at the thought of being that close to Alice. But, in doing that, he tried holding himself in an attempt to not do it right then and there in the forest.

"Hah, that was quite the workout. I can feel an amazing feeling spreading across my body during that, feeling your ki being sent directly within me," Alice said, as she started leaning up after that entire exercise, which caused one more feeling to manifest within her. It wasn't all that long as she started tracing her hands across all the parts that Kensei touched using his hands, feeling a tingle across her. "And it got me in the mood too."

"Huh?"

Kensei was almost surprised about the words that left Alice's mouth, not expecting to hear such a thing out of her mouth. Neither was in the right spot for them to do something like that, which wasn't inside of their own home and instead outside in the open. But, if he had to be honest, there wasn't much issue about him not agreeing with it as something like them being seen could be solved.

He witnessed Alice beginning to inch closer and closer to him, the sports bra she wore had put much more of an emphasis on her abundant chest; and the sports shorts, which showed off more of her noticeable butt. She was moving on her four legs, almost as if she were an animal approaching its mate.

"I mean, this…."

Alice leaned forward, pressing her lips against Kensei's lips, feeling a sense of pure lust etching across her mind. In response to this, she and he started getting into a heated kiss as their lips meshed against one other in almost perfect unison and rhythm. There wasn't the slightest bit of dissonance between them, more so because of their kissing experience.

"Nnnn, aaaah."

Alice felt warm as hers and his saliva started mixing too, it started going from a heated kiss into her rubbing his crotch.

"I want to do it outside here in the forest."

"Uh, are you sure?"

Kensei asked, wanting to be sure she wanted to do it right then and there.

"Yes, why not?"

"Alright, sure then," Kensei replied wryly. "Right, I tend to forget, because it rarely comes up. But, Claire is more tactful and cautious about things such as this, while Alice does things more at the moment without thinking about it. Huh, that seems to be something that I should…."

---

Lemon Start!

Before Kensei could finish his thought, Alice was pressing forward without allowing him to utter a single word, sliding a hand in his sports shorts. She felt his member's harness for herself, realizing that he'd become as turned on as she had from their intimate contact. Listening to Kensei's moans as she softly and tenderly rubbed his cock, with the moans continuing to increase. Amid that, Alice leaned forward, then continued kissing him showing all of the lust that'd built up within her.

"Mn…fu…um, nu…ya, mn…chu!"

Alice started letting out several sweet moans during their kiss and found herself pulling his shorts down for that his hardened dick was released from them. After that, she started motioning her hands up and down gently at a pace that caused groans to escape from his mouth. If anything, he had to say that Alice was the best person among all his fiancèes with her hands. She wasn't among them yet, but Yasaka was good at using her hands after he experienced a handjob from her.

"Hah, it's starting to become stickier."

Alice said, feeling his pre-cum leaking out from the tip of his cock, causing it to become slicker.

"Geez, you're becoming more erotic as time passes."

Kensei stated while moaning as Alice kept jerking him off.

"I can't help it, it always feels so great whenever we do it like this."

Alice replied, as she proceeded to start licking his neck, continuing to move her hands up and down, while her fingers started working. She stopped doing all that, then leaned forward so that she could take off her sports bra, releasing her abundant chest, which moved in response to it. After sliding off down his shorts, he'd looked on as she leaned forward; wrapping her breasts around his hardened member.

As kept Kensei sitting there, he proceeded to moan as she moved her breasts up and down, enveloping his dick in great softness. Alice held her breasts together as she continued moving, feeling as his pre-cum started making her breasts much slicker, making it easier to move without difficulties.

"Not that I don't love this, but we can't continue with this as we normally do. If Claire figures out we didn't go to school, because we were preoccupied having sex in the forest. And if that happens, then we're going to receive a bit lecture, and by we, I primarily mean me."

Kensei said as he felt Alice beginning to lick his cock's head, circling it using her tongue. She then started lowering her head downward, causing him to feel the warmness of her interior mouth. Even during these times, it was noted she was becoming more energetic.

"Fine, let's make it quicker."

Alice said, slipping his cock out of her mouth while brushing her hair using her hand.

She stood up from the ground, then walked over to a nearby tree, before leaning against it, while sticking her ass out. At that, she started shaking it right in front of Kensei, in an attempt to entice him, something that worked as it made him want to do it more. Standing up to his feet, he approached Alice, who'd been pointing her ass straight at him and shaking it.

"Aaah~"

Alice moaned as Kensei started kneading her ass roughly, sending a feeling of pleasure through her.

Recalling his own words, he had decided to not waste time, then found himself pulling down her sports shorts and black panties at the same time; bringing them down to her knees. Alice almost felt the anticipation building up within her as Kensei held onto his dick, then started positioning it in front of her entrance. It increased more as she felt a hand placed on her right hip to keep her in position.

"Here is comes."

Alice thought in anticipation, as she felt Kensei's dick beginning to enter her and spread her inner walls, while it'd caused a tingling sensation across her body.

"Ah!"

As it entered her without leaving, as much as an inch, Alice couldn't help letting a pleasurable moan.

At that, Alice almost felt herself coming close to an immediate climax from him putting it in but managed to hold herself back. Kensei could feel that she had been aroused by a decent level, from how wet she felt at this time, it was pleasurable for them both.

Taking the next step in this lovemaking session of theirs, Kensei activated Bouchujutsu, causing Alice to feel her body warm up. It wasn't her forte, but she learned about sensing auras from Kensei and felt hers being stimulated as his ki was sent into her.

"A-Ahh…."

Alice couldn't stop herself from shuttering, her eyes became hazier from pleasure, feeling herself climaxing right at that moment. It felt as if she was being pleasured down to her soul, as she once again felt the stimulation of ki being sent straight into herself. At that, Alice felt her nails clawing into the tree's bark, and her knees started to feel as if they turned to jelly.

"Wow, you came fast from using it."

"I-It s-somehow feels different…."

Alice said, shuttering from the pleasure that'd come from him activating Bouchujutsu.

At that, he pulled his cock somewhat out of her, then reinserted it in a single, strong motion, sending out one big wave of pleasure throughout her. He then started giving Alice what she wanted and proceeded to thrust hard into her repeatedly without ceasing for a moment. In the quiet forest, aside from the sound of the blowing wind, what could be heard was the consistent slapping sounds it generated.

"Hah," Kensei groaned as he continued pushing himself into Alice, who continued moaning as she was being screwed on a tree. During all this, he started feeling there was something different from before as if there some kind of energy was building up between them. "Huh, I started to notice something every time I use Bouchujutsu with Claire and Alice. Each time, I use it, I start to feel energy building up sometimes, but I'd had never put much thought into it."

Going with that feeling, but did not stop his constant thrusts into Alice, who continued moaning at the thrusts into her, feeling another climax. He started noticing there were certain points on Alice's body, where the same kind of energy was focused at.

"Well, might as well go along with it."

At that thought, Kensei found himself lifting Alice's leg, surprising her for a moment, but she'd found herself all but able to keep herself balanced. She started feeling the thrusts more, while the pleasure was increasing more as Kensei started feeling her up.

"…ah…K-Ken…sei…you're…."

Alice almost couldn't finish a single sentence because of the pleasure sent to her head.

It wasn't surprising as Kensei started touching the different places from her legs, waist, ass, and stomach, but going to grope her breasts is what caused the most reaction.

"Kuuuuuh, aaaah."

Alice couldn't stop herself from moaning as she had another climax from having her breasts groped, which caused her body to shutter.

"Based on the fact that energy was collected most there, I'm guessing that her erogenous zone. After I touched those points, it started spreading throughout Alice's body and seemed to gather together," Kensei said, then he'd thought that now would be the best moment to finish things up. "Alright, let's finish this up, Alice."

"Huh?"

Alice almost wasn't able to comprehend what he was saying at that moment.

He slid his cock out of Alice, then turned her around until her back touched the tree and before felt herself being lifted with him holding onto her butt. She felt herself in a surprising position as she almost had no support, but not to the point where she would've fallen. Alice didn't have time to think about it further until Kensei soon inserted his dick once again into Alice.

"Kuh."

Alice groaned at the feeling of herself being filled up again.

As Kensei proceeded on with his previous strong, consistent thrusts, he started feeling pleasure once again and listened to Alice's moans. All the former slapping sounds returned as he wanted to finish things up before either of them was found there. During all this, he started feeling that energy building up between them again, he then felt a familiar presence coming out.

"Is this my Dragon Ki?"

Kensei wondered the reason that his dragon ki started coming out at this moment, but that reveal didn't stop him from continuing to thrust himself into Alice. He felt as if he was reaching his breaking point too, as he started noticing it was the same for her too.

"Kensei…. I'm, I'm going to…. Haah… aaah…. nnn… haah~"

"Kuh!"

At one more thrust, Kensei climaxed as his semen filled up Alice's womb, sending a warm sensation throughout her, while her tongue left her mouth. More than that, he didn't notice this, but his eyes started shining with a blue light. He did, however, notice that she and he seemed to be wrapped in an aura, his being blue, while hers was violet, with hearts shining in her eyes.

Both of them breathed, covered in sweat as the auras started fading, returning to their bodies as the two started to feel more energetic, instead of tired. Not that, this would've been enough to make him exhausted, while Alice could see that his eyes gleamed blue for a moment.

"That was better than usual."

Alice moaned out, as she gave him the brightest smile he'd ever seen from her and leaned in to give one another one more kiss.

---

After some time, and cleaning up whatever mess the two made, the two returned home without missing the usual time the two would have returned. But, on their return, it was almost noticed that something was different between them. Most notable, was Claire who knew Kensei and Alice for much longer, while Minako noticed the same thing too as she knew him too.

Not wasting time, though, the group continued making preparations for going to school, at this time, it'd been just a couple of days since the Kokabiel incident. Their group did receive their reward from Grigori, which was the information the group collected about Sacred Gears and he would arrive again in the future for further help. It wouldn't be all that long until summer vacation started for the group, something that most of them looked forward to for different reasons.

At Kibou Academy, the discussion about future summer plans started being heard between the students who'd wondered what one another would be doing. Inside Class 2-D, where Kensei, Alice, Zane, and Lena were, those discussions could be heard.

"So, are you looking forward to this summer?"

"Of course! We're all heading to this fun beach that our parents managed to reserve for us. It's going to be such a fun time for us."

"We've got this trip planned in America."

"Yeah, there's this fun camp that's going to be going on there. But, we'll have to leave a bit early to make sure we make it on time."

Those were some of the conversations from the students that the four of them heard about the summer plans. In hearing those plans, Kensei, and co. started wondering about their plans too.

"So, what are we doing to be doing for the summer break? I mean, we've been a bit busy as of late with all of the mess happening now."

Kensei pointed out, thinking about the incidents that have been happening as of late.

"You're right. I doubt that those guys are going to give us time off because it's our summer break," Zane said wonderingly while glancing him his laptop. "But, if anything, I think that it'll be good to return home for a little bit. I haven't had a chance to hang around the other members of my household. And the last time, I missed a lot of important events."

"Hm, I haven't been there. But, I think it might be good if I visited the other Dark Elves," Lena surprisingly said in an honest tone. "But, I'll have to make sure that Mister Forgets-A-Lot would be alright without me."

"Well, I could come too. I'm interested in seeing the Dark Elves, who're good at things such as enhancing magic items too. It'll be a fun little trip for both of us, I mean, that's if you don't mind."

Zane wondered out loud as he'd turned to Lena, something that Kensei and Alice did too, in an attempt to gauge her reaction. Her facial expression hadn't changed much, but there was the slightest reaction from her after those reached her ears.

"I don't mind. Just don't do anything to embarrass me."

Lena replied, turning her head over in another direction.

"Alright, then I'll look forward to it."

Zane stated, not noticing that Lena smiled a little bit.

""….""

Kensei and Alice looked on with suspicion in their eyes, during all this, witnessing the lovable moment of Zane and Lena, who returned to their usual demeanor. There were multiple moments between the two of them, but they didn't last for much longer than usual. It made them wonder when the Magician/Inventor and Dark Elf were going to admit their feelings for one another.

The class continued from there until the students started proceeding to the rest of the other lessons. It continued until it was their Lunch Break, where as usual Kensei and his group met inside of the room for the Public Morals Committee. There, aside from the usual members, Alice was sitting inside the room too, eating lunch, while their group started talking.

---

"So, what are we planning on doing for the summer break?"

It was a question that Alice asked them.

"That's still up for debate. I haven't even considered what we can all do together this summer if we all do end up doing anything together. At most, the one thing that comes to mind is going to some beach, because the last summer we went to that fun beach out in Europe."

Claire said, being reminded of that last summer.

Their group did go on different trips to various places because it was within their capabilities, and the group did enjoy themselves to the fullest each time.

"It sounds interesting. I haven't gone to a beach before, aside from passing by one at least, but it's not like I ever enjoyed myself there."

Lingqi stated, not recalling a time when she had fun at a beach because she was ever focused on training to be strong enough to defeat Jun.

Joining the Kibou Alliance, though, Lingqi found herself wanting to have fun with the friends she made here as a member of the Sword Team. It made her recall the words that she'd heard from her grandfather before returning to Huwang Village.

'I know that you're one to take things that are important as seriously as most would. I know that you feel as if it's your duty as an older sister to protect your siblings and everything that you feel if your obligation as the eldest. But, I'd like it if you'd enjoy your life and have fun as much as possible. I know that your father would say the same thing if he saw you too. Don't forget, even tiger cubs have fun. And at this point, compared to your father and me, you're still a tiger cub.'

She could still recall the laughter her grandfather had after saying that.

Lingqi, of course, took those words to heart and realized that he was correct.

"Hmm, if everyone figures out what we'll end up doing. Just come to me, and I'll be sure to schedule it."

Ravel openly declared showing her sheer confidence in being able to act as the team manager in terms of things such as this. Something that caused Kensei to give a cheerful smirk and then started petting the blonde-haired pure-blooded devil on top of her head.

"Sure thing. But, there's still some time before the summer vacation starts, so let's not rush things."

"Ken-chan's right. Besides, we still have the Summer Dance to look forward to!"

Kunou energetically announced, with the others aside from Ravel and Lingqi looking on with excitement within all their eyes. Both the newcomers looked on with confusion, having heard about it before around school, but never anything concrete about what it was.

"Uh, what's the Summer Dance?"

"Before the start of each summer break, Kibou Academy houses a festival in celebration and blessing the school for the coming semester. It's so fun each time, we celebrate it, the teachers and students come together, and all of us sing and dance around a bonfire. And there's something else that's so much fun to watch and experience but I think that the newcomers will have to wait and…."

At that moment, Kunou paused for a moment as she seemed to notice something weird. It caused her to stand to her feet, then walked over to the window in a rush.

"Huh, what's wrong, Kunou-san?"

Claire asked confused, same as the others who'd looked on confused about the reason that she'd done such an odd thing.

"…."

Kunou didn't utter a single word, instead continued looking outside.

Just as Kensei was prepared to ask her what was wrong, he noticed something odd too, and so did Lingqi, who'd worn the same confused look. Noticing their reactions, Alice, Claire, and Ravel looked on unable to tell what they were sensing. But, soon enough, the three of them received their answer, as there was soon an ominous feeling being sent outwards.

"What is that? There's one, no three things out there, but I've never sensed something like this before."

Lingqi asked, not knowing what to make of this ominous presence.

"No, this is familiar. We sensed something like this before."

Kunou stated, recalling that there was one 'thing', in particular, that released this kind of presence.

"Yeah, it's the same as that thing we fought in the Underworld!"

Kensei declared, not knowing the reason that something such as that would be in Kibou Town because it should be impossible.

"Hakki," Ravel called out, recalling the creature that assaulted her home at the Phenex Clan's mansion, but then the others were having. "But, it should be impossible for anything to enter Kibou Town because of the barrier protecting the town from invaders. And none of us were alerted about a breach!"

"Tch, this is bad. Kensei…."

"I've got it! I'll be heading out first! Lingqi and Claire will be heading to the other two places, where those things had appeared too," Kensei seriously said, knowing that the two women were the fastest aside from him. As he gave out instructions, he opened the window so it could be used as an exit. "Kunou, Ravel, go inform the others about this if they don't already know about it! Alice, go home to tell Minako, but contact her first and meet her and Yasaka-san! After that head to the Kibou Alliance building and start gathering people to handle the situation."

[Right!]

Being given their objectives, the group split up to do as they were ordered, while Kensei, Claire, and Lingqi leaped out of the window with discretion. As expected, the three could move at a speed that no normal person could catch with untrained eyes.

---

Meanwhile, in Kibou Town, the people were doing their usual business without expecting anything to be different from before. Multiple people walked the streets, heading from place to place, ranging from malls or stores making different purchases. As a mother and daughter were walking down the street, the daughter was looking anxious for some reason.

"Now don't look like that. It's just going to be a simple shot."

Knowing the reason for her anxiety mood, the mother tried reasoning with her daughter.

"But, Okaa-chan, I don't want a shot. I'll be fine without…cough, cough."

The daughter coughed several times as she and her daughter was reaching the medical center, which was built not that long ago. The mother was surprised to find that the Kibou Alliance was built in a plot that was never used but it turned out into a big success as various things started improving around town.

"I thought that you liked Abigail-san. You said that she was the nicest doctor ever and ever," her mother said in a calming time, something that caused the daughter to look flustered. "Besides, if you don't get this shot, then you'll have to remain home as me and your father go…on a fun…trip."

Her mother paused confused, though fear would soon come too as she was staring at something in the air, that she hadn't witnessed before. She wasn't alone as people, on the streets, on the road, and in the stores started to look on as something descended from the sky. It looked human and it resembled a human shape, but it wasn't in any manner a human. Instead, it was a humanoid covered in a black exoskeleton, with a female shape, looking a lot like a ballerina.

Not one person was able to comprehend what was right in front of them, as the demonic ballerina floated right there in the air before them. For the first time, during the busy daytime, dead silence was around this specific area, then a person among the crowd reacted.

"Aaaaaaah! A monster!"

And it was the signal for the people around them to react in a complete panic as everyone started running from the mysterious creature. Both the mother and daughter were running too, but because of the panicking people, both were accidentally pushed.

"Aie!"

"Okaa-chan!"

The mother screamed as she was knocked to the ground, while the daughter went straight to her worried.

As she did that, the mother started leaning back up with the intent and running with her daughter in her arms but stopped doing anything. She looked forward to finding that the ballerina creature seemed to appear in front of them, leaning forward as if it was curious. Both mother and daughter looked terrified about what was about to happen next as the creature opened its mouth.

"Get away from them!"

From the crowd someone seemed to react to the mother and daughter being potentially assaulted, then it looked to find that there were people who picked up whatever could be used as a weapon. Turning around, it seemed as if it was examining the people around it.

[….]

Once again, the creature opened its mouth as it seemed to start breathing in, but before it could do anything it looked as if it was enveloped in a light sphere. It didn't appear to be its intention as even the creature looked on confused about this. But, then a second later, the sphere looked to have been knocked in another direction far in the air away from the civilians by an apparent blur.

"Is everyone alright?"

Before anyone could question what happened, Abigail, adorned in her doctor's outfit came running in worriedly, while acting oblivious about everything.

"Abigail-san!"

The daughter looked on in tears as she appeared on the scene while being hugged by her mother.

"Oh, it's going to be fine, Aimi-chan."

"Abigail-san, what was that…thing?"

"I don't know," Abigail replied in a convincing tone, before looking around at the people around her. "But, I'm not sure if it's going to come back here! So, please, everyone start hiding in the buildings and don't come out! There is still room at my center, so some of you please come with me!"

[Alright!]

At Abigail's convincing comment, the people started going into hiding, while others followed behind her, so most of them could hide at her medical center. As she was doing that, she did, looked concerned as something such as this entered Kibou Town without them knowing.

"I never thought that something such as this would happen in Kibou Town. This must have something to do with Yami, they're the only people who'd do such a thing. Please, try your hardest to keep people from dying, Kensei, and protect our home."

Abigail prayed, although, she'd already heard about the death of God from Kensei and the others. But, she wants this prayer to be heard, because she loved the people of this town.

---

In another location, inside one of the local parks, there were parents, who held onto their parents, while looking on stunned. In front of them was a slim, humanoid resembling a shark, covered in a faint bluish exoskeleton with its darting around as the people weren't moving. It hadn't moved an inch as the children standing close to it were too stunned to move and start to tear up.

"W-What is that?"

A father asked, looking forward at the creature.

"I-I don't know what it is. B-But, it looks almost like a Samebito."

A mother replied, as she tenderly held her child.

As she mentioned that, the shark-like humanoid, reached its hand out to touch the jungle gym, where some kids were hiding within. Witnessing this scared the children hiding there, while their parents looked on terrified about what'll happen next. Most looked on prepared to run there and grab them as fast as possible, then escape.

[….]

At the slightest gripping of its hand, the shark humanoid bent the metal bars and almost lifted the entire jungle gym. The expressions of every child there became frightened at the thought of the creature near them doing anything to them.

[Kyaaah!]

All the children screamed, becoming more than enough incentive for the parents to move forward in an attempt to save them. Reacting to their movements, the shark humanoid turned towards them as an abundance of water seemed to manifest around them; taking shape as actual sharks that went straight toward them.

As their lives seemed to flash before their eyes, the water sharks blasted apart into simple droplets as all of them harmlessly fell to the ground. Just then, so was the shark humanoid as Claire's angelic drones appeared and sent it backward with multiple light blasts.

Once that happened, Claire landed on top of the jungle gym, then looked down at the hidden children.

"Go to your parents and go home," Claire said, looking down at the children, who nodded their heads, then ran to their parents. She turned to face the parents, who looked on surprised about what happened, and breathed in just before she called out. "Leave here before it comes back!"

[Y-Yes!]

At Claire's shout, the parents with their children went running either back home or farther into hiding from what was about to happen. Seeing as the people left the park, as well as the bystanders, who witnessed the entire thing, a sigh escaped from Claire's mouth.

"I'll contact the others at the Kibou Alliance to take control over the internet and contact in Kibou Town, to ensure none of this gets out. It's hard enough covering up what the sacred gear users from Hikage do use their abilities," Claire said, but she then turned to find that the shark humanoid stood up, as the water seemed to manifest around it. "Attacking parents and children hit a sore part for me. So, get ready to smile, you son of a bitch."

At that, Claire had her angelic drones begin hovering around the shark humanoid, with light emitting and charging to be fired at it. She manifested dual angelic swords in her hands, before rushing forward at the creature herself, starting a battle right then and there.

---

At an Elementary School, there was a bipedal wolf creature walking around in the cafeteria as the children hid in there. All the teachers and faculty had all but informed the other students to escape from the school, because of what they believed was a rabid animal of some kind. But, the workers and students couldn't escape from there as the creature stood there.

It hasn't done much aside from leaving deep slash marks along the walls and floors of the school, then started to slash apart the cafeteria's insides. To the workers there, the police were called, but neither knew what guns will do against this thing. Its elongated claws looked as if it could split apart steel as if it was butter being cut using a heated knife; and an exoskeleton, which could protect it from bullets. For some reason, this creature looked to be more violent, attacking things that weren't moving at all.

But, no one was brave enough to run, let alone run past or near it. All the children hid behind the tables as others hid in the same location as the cafeteria workers. Knowing about the entrance in the back, the workers all tried getting the students out as quietly as possible.

[Oooooooooooohhhh….]

The wolf creature released a deep howl that almost shook the entire cafeteria, causing the children and workers to begin to panic. It felt like a howl reaching the depths of their souls, feeling fear comparable to their nightmares, it caused their silent escape to become a more panicked one.

Having witnessed them beginning to escape, the wolf creature turned around, then went straight forward towards the escaping children and workers. Before it could reach, Lingqi entered the cafeteria, having quickly entered the school, then kicked it into the wall behind it.

"Go now!"

Lingqi called out, standing in front of the creature as it was preparing to stand up again.

Following her advice, the cafeteria workers worked together to collect and escape all the young children, who kept looking back. In witnessing Lingqi standing before the wolf creature that prepared to charge straight for her in retaliation.

[Get em' Onee-chan!]

At the encouragement from the younger children, Lingqi felt herself becoming surprised but then uplifted as soon as she heard their cheers. She turned around, giving them a brave smile, then turned back around and caught its wrist as its claws came close to slashing her. As Lingqi grabbed its wrist using her right arm, she gave it a strong uppercut into the gut sending it upwards.

After that, she slammed it into the ground, causing the cafeteria floor to crack and splinter as it fell. To ensure it'd be possible to escape she kept applying pressure on its wrist to keep it down. Lingqi could feel the strength that was in the creature's possession and realized that a normal person wouldn't be able to hold it down.

"I heard about something like this from Kensei. One of them, was a creature named, Hakki, I think. He also said that it…."

Lingqi said but was interrupted as the wolf creature started moving around, rotating around, forcing her to let go it its wrist. Despite that, she quickly recovered as she landed on the ground, looking to find that the creature got on all fours like an actual wolf. Not having trouble with it, the wolf humanoid propelled itself forward, swiping both claws towards her, while wrapped in an aura.

As she prepared to avoid it, she stopped, sensing that the students were still escaping, realizing it could release a flying slash. To counter it, Lingqi leaped into the air, using both her legs to send both arms downwards, resulting in the attack being redirected downwards. After that, she positioned both of her feet beside the creature's head, then forced it to land on its stomach.

Before it got back up, Lingqi landed on its back, grabbing onto both its arms from behind to ensure that everyone in the cafeteria could escape. As it tried getting back up, she forced her leg onto the creature's lower back, while strengthening her grip on its wrists. It continued struggling to move, but Lingqi continued holding it down until the last worker and student exited the cafeteria.

Just as Lingqi looked relieved as the last student left, the wolf creature opened its mouth and released a massive blast. Because of that, both of them were sent backward, but she soon recovered, landing in a prepared stance, then looked to find that the creature leaped from the ceiling. It unleashed a strong downward swipe, Lingqi blocked it using her wrist, then countered using a straight punch into its mouth.

From that punch, it was sent backward, but again recovered, then spun around and released slashes straight for Lingqi. She channeled her qi and crossed her arms, blocking the slash, not risking it hitting one of the people in the school by accident.

"It's hard. I can't go all out here, and I can't let this creature run while too, because I'll risk bringing down this entire school. And there are still a lot of people who haven't escaped yet. But, it means that I'll just have to break it from the inside out."

Lingqi rationalized, standing in a prepared stance as she and the creature continued fighting, while she had tried to minimize the collateral damage.

---

In the air, the ballerina creature, trapped in the light sphere courtesy of Abigail found itself floating in the air with it maintaining its curious look. It tried escaping from the light, but it seemed too strong for the creature to escape by using normal methods. Because of the sudden impact, the creature had been sent high above Kibou Town, to where there wouldn't be much trouble fighting airborne.

A moment later, Kensei could be seen propelling through it using Tenpo, putting one hand at Kurogane's hilt. He was ticked off that something such as this was happening in his hometown and even innocent people were being involved in all their supernatural business. And more than that, he knew from personal experience that creatures such as this and Hakki were too dangerous.

"There's no way in hell that I'm letting you go berserk here," Kensei said in a strong tone, looking to finish this in a single technique. "Tougen Amagiri-ryuu…."

[…gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!]

At that moment, the ballerina creature breathed and released a sonic scream from its mouth, causing the sphere it was trapped in to be shattered. It didn't stop there, as the sonic scream didn't lose momentum, breaking nearly all the windows in the town underneath to crack or shatter. Even Kensei found himself almost stunned, but he managed to endure it.

"Stop breaking stuff!"

Kensei released a slash from Kurogane, striking its exoskeleton, and pushing the creature backward from the force of that attack. It interrupted the wide-range sonic scream at the creature continued floating in the same position, but prepared another attack. Opening its mouth, the creature releases a sonic shout straight at Kensei, who'd avoided it using Tenpo to alter his course.

As he did that, he turned to find that it came in contact with birds who'd been flying in its mouth, resulting in them having blood escape from all possible exits. To him, it looked as if their internal organs were ruptured, as a result of that attack. He knew that taking a direct hit from that scream wouldn't result in anything good for him, however, his weight compared to the birds' made it difficult to tell how potent it'd be against him.

"Dammit, this one seems to have a more troublesome ability compared to Hakki. It seemed as if he was made for direct combat instead of…whatever the hell I'm looking at."

Kensei said as he continued pressing forward towards the creature in front of him without slowing down, while it proceeded to release sonic blasts at him. He dodged each of the blasts aimed at him without skipping a beat, but the same as Hakki, it seemed to adapt to his movements. It didn't stop him from unleashing his attacks that did land and deal some damage, but its exoskeleton seemed much more troublesome without a definite technique.

"Well, this one is as smart as the last one. It'd use a technique, but I'll need to have an opportunity to land a real strike," as Kensei continued avoiding the attacks aimed at him, he noticed a lot of destruction was being caused where Claire and Lingqi were. He could sense panic originating from the people who were in the same areas as them. "I'll be damned before I let one person here die!"

Deciding not to hold back, Kensei enveloped himself in a dense touki, while sending ki straight into Kurogane, as it almost drank it gluttonously. Going at full speed from the top, he rushed straight for the creature not wasting no time going for a strong attack. Before it could breathe, he released an attack aimed straight for its chest, breaking apart its exoskeleton.

Aside from sending ki straight into it, he added Kyoushinki on top of it, cracking it using a vibration impact, while not giving it time to escape. He continued releasing a non-stop barrage of the same attacks, mixing Sandanzuki on top of it. All the spot he attacked using the vibration-infused attacks, its exoskeleton started crumbling apart at a fast rate.

[….ahh….aaah.]

The ballerina creature seemed to be going on as strong as usual, as if it wasn't attacked, but the cracks around it seemed to start mending themselves.

"I'm not letting you recover!"

Kensei rushed into another attack, but then a sudden burst of killing intent caused him to stop and retreat. He did just that as a massive wave of crimson-and-black flames was sent at him. Despite avoiding it, Kensei felt intense heat from the flame wave, despite him training himself to be resistant to things such as flames.

"I can't have you do that now of all time," a sudden voice caught his attention, one that Kensei was familiar with as he'd heard it from the creature Hakki. "I might have more of them stored back home, but the three here were meant to catch your attention not to be defeated. There's also the fact that I found someone who had managed to make proper adjustments to them."

Kensei turned his head to find that the Benefactor himself was standing on a roof, holding out his hand showing he was responsible for that previous attack. Seeing the perpetrator himself entering his town, and being responsible for sending these creatures caused anger to build up within him.

"You."

Kensei held back his anger so that he wouldn't be dragged into a trap.

"Now now, no need to get all hostile. I didn't know how else to grab your group's attention."

"It's called sending a message, it's easier and doesn't endanger innocent civilians, dickhead."

"Well, that was me sending a message. You know, I'd question where you'd get that mouth from if I didn't already know the answer to that."

Both Kensei and the still hooded Benefactor stared one another down with intense emotions being released from their body. After waving his hand, the ballerina creature, as well as the other two creatures stopped attacking the town, then floated in the air. At the snap of a finger, the creatures were sent elsewhere utilizing a transferal ability no different from what Jason and Mason used.

"Now, I know that you've waited so long to talk to me. So, let's have a chat."

The Benefactor nonchalantly called out to him.

"…?"

Not letting this chance slip, Kensei kicked off the air using Tenpo, landing on the same roof as the Benefactor, he didn't return Kurogane to its sheath. Both the men continued standing on the same roof as people continued to panic, because of the situation. Kensei could hear that the police, ambulances, and firefighters were being sent to handle the damage control. It was a good thing that the Kibou Alliance funded those departments too, making it easier to handle the situation.

"Pft," the Benefactor seemed to almost laugh to himself as he stood there, but it wasn't because of what started to happen. "I'm not laughing at what's happening right now. I practiced this meeting a dozen times in my head all the time since I saw you again during that fight against the Demon Eater, Marko. And now that I'm standing right here, right now, I'm almost drawing a blank."

"Well, how about asking the question of how you got passed the barrier without us knowing? You even brought in those things without us sending them until the last moment."

"Thanks for being so inquisitive, because it gives me time to get my thoughts together. As for the how I'd guess it would be because of this little thing."

Reaching into his pockets, the Benefactor pulled out a small, familiar talisman. It wasn't a normal one, because it resembled the same thing that he'd given out before to Minako, Kunou, and Ravel. It'd let someone come and go into Kibou Town without alarming anyone. But, as he was going to question how he had it, Kensei noticed the talisman looked old and burned a little bit. Aside from that, it looked as if there was an "M" written on the corner.

"…!"

He recognized the name at the corner, but that did nothing aside from fueling a fire that was already going out of control.

"You know, something like this seems like a talisman that a little kid would make, there's some magic knowledge in making it. The barrier used to protect Kibou Town is based on the one that the Amagiri Clan has been utilizing for a long time. But, it's something easy to…oh."

As the Benefactor looked forward, he noticed that Kensei leaped forward, cutting the distance between them in an instant by using Shinsoku. He channeled a good amount of ki into Kurogane, swinging it with strength and speed behind it. In response to this, the Benefactor got into a stance, something that Kensei would compare to a Master moving as fluid as water.

Using his bare hand, the Benefactor moved Kurogane aside by striking at its blunt part, in a manner that Kensei wasn't able to react and alter his path. Because of that, he continued forward without his attack even landing as he landed on the ground.

"Where the hell did you get that?!"

Kensei's question and rage about the fact that the Benefactor held that talisman in his hands, something that had caused him to stare at it for a bit.

"Eh, is it that serious? It's just some dumb, half-assed talisman gifted to someone by some moronic kid," as it so shows that it was nothing more than trash in his eyes, the Benefactor waved it around in his hand, but then started shrugging his shoulder. "But, if you're that mad about it, fine. It's served its purposes."

The same unknown flames as before manifested in the Benefactor's hands and started burning the talisman to ashes, not intending on leaving one trace of it left. As it was being turned to ashes, then sent into the wind, Kensei started having different memories resurfacing. And in that, aside from his voice, two younger, familiar girl voices started being heard in his mind.

'Uh, I don't think that my parents would allow that.'

'Eh, what kind of parents are going to stop their child from having fun?'

'My parents said that if I have time to play, then I have time to train and learn more about magic.'

'Huh, they suck then,' his young voice could be heard in those memories as the recollection of those words entered his mind. After some time, he handed the talisman to the girl. 'Here you go.'

'Huh, what's this?'

'It's a talisman that leads to this super secret playground that Minako and I made a while back. It's located out in the forest near some old place no one uses, but we turned it into a playground. There's this barrier around Kibou Town, and we put up some wards to keep spirits and other bad things from messing it up. So, if you ever feel like playing or running away, then come here.'

'But, what if my parents…."

'If they have anything to say, then I'll take care of it.'

'Hehehe, don't you mean Sakura-san will handle it?'

'Eh, Minako?!'

'Hehehe, you two are funny together, Mina, Ken.'

At the recollection of those memories, Kensei felt himself trembling from the rage building up within him after he'd seen the talisman's destruction.

"I didn't make that for you. So, you had no right destroying that!"

Kensei declared as his touki seemed to react to that anger, causing the roof underneath him to start fracturing as it increased more. It'd reached the point where the Benefactor couldn't help whistling, while he seemed amused about the entire thing.

"Hah, you get this mad about that dumb present of yours being burned to nothing more than ashes. I guess that no matter how much time passes, you're still an emotional kid. No one died, and you're mad. And I burned your dumb present, and you're mad. But, if you're going to get mad about what I've been thus far, then I'd love to see your reaction to what I've got planned."

"Knock it off with the minds games. And just tell me the reason that you're here in the first place."

Kensei demanding started to lose his patients even more and more, almost feeling himself calming down a little bit more, having learned to control himself.

"Hm, it looks as if someone has gone through some personal growth. It's such a shame, I kinda wanted to embarrass you in front of your friends in seeing you go berserk," the Benefactor said, shrugging his shoulders as he showed clear animosity for Kensei. "Well, whatever, I'm sure that you're going to go berserk after hearing the things that I wanted to say. I'm sure that you're curious about what happened to your precious clansman."

"Eh?"

Kensei's anger started building up at the mention of that, something that could be shown in his eyes too.

"I know that you're not that slow on the uptake. I'm sure you would've tormented yourself at the thought of the incident that took your grandfather and clansman from you and your mother all those years ago. Well, you don't know it yet, but I'll just say that it's all, because of…."

Once again, Kensei rushed straight forward toward the Benefactor, preparing to unleash Tsukisasu with the pure intention of killing him. All the anger in his eyes was clear enough that he didn't care about the words that'll come out of his mouth…as he knew the Benefactor was responsible.

"You're never been one for listening to the full detail."

Reacting to that, the Benefactor manifested a fire shield, that was solid instead of shapeless as usual flames are, which defended against the penetrative technique.

"What the hell is up with these flames? They're different from usual flames, they feel stronger than the Phenex's flames, but there's an odd aura being released from them. It feels somewhat familiar to…."

As Kensei was continuing to slash against the flame field, but then there was a sudden forward release of flames that pushed him backward. After being sent flying in the air, he looked to find that his school blazer was caught on fire, forcing him to discard it as it was burned to ashes.

"Such a fast reaction, but don't be worried, I doubt those flames would've incinerated you. But, I don't know about the world-famous idol and Kyoto's Queen."

"What?!"

Kensei asked landing on the ground, to find that the Benefactor was pointing his thumb in another direction.

Turning to see where it was, Kensei was shocked to find that there was a large fireball positioned right above the Amagiri Residence. There, he'd felt Minako, Alice, and Yasaka were still near the house, but it felt as if Zane and the others were approaching the house too. Not wasting time turning to turn to the Benefactor, Kensei propelled himself forward using Tenpo as fast as possible.

"Hm, let me see from this distance, and the speed he's going, it'll take about five to ten seconds to get there. But, it'll take one second for me to do this."

The Benefactor stated, pointing his finger downwards as the fireball was released downwards, causing it to come in contact with the Amagiri Residence. At that, it released a large explosion, emitting an intense heat felt a great distance from the epicenter. Despite being made durable enough to withstand damage from the demonic beings, the house built by the Amagiri Clan was all but reduced to rubble.

---

"Minako! Alice! Yasaka!"

Kensei called out, landing on the ground to find that aside from his residence, the surrounding houses were also caught up in the same disaster.

"Kensei, what happened?!"

Claire worriedly asked as she arrived on the scene alongside Zane, Hisui, and Maria, but the three of them started to leave to handle the situation. He could see that the three entered the surrounding houses to rescue whoever is still inside the homes.

"That Benefactor bastard launched an attack at our house! Where's Lingqi, Ravel, and Kunou?!"

"Lingqi noticed the attack ahead of time, then rushed into one of the houses to save whoever was still inside. After Ravel and Kunou told the others what happened, all of them went to handle the damage control," Claire replied, as Kensei knew that it'd take some time to repair the damages caused here and ensure that the supernatural wasn't revealed. "We'll deal with that later, but, we need to deal with this first!"

"Right!"

Going along with that, Kensei and Claire raised their hands in the air producing an abundance of water in the air, then started scattering them outwards in an attempt to put out the same. However, it looked as if ordinary water was ineffective against these unusual flames.

"Dammit, these flames aren't going out?!"

"I know, I tried adding in Worthless too, but it seems as if these flames have unusual properties."

Claire looked on worriedly as it looked as if the flames will continue burning until the intended targets became ashes. Kensei shared the same feeling, but the two noticed that there was a massive hole made into the building wall, as a round black 'thing' came out and landed right there in front of them. It looked like Alice's monsters had smoke coming from it and seemed damaged from the flames.

It started grumbling, then spat out; Alice, Minako, and Yasaka all looked to the groan after being spat out of the monster's mouth.

"Ugh, I'm never going to do that again."

Minako complained as she dusted herself off.

"It was better than the alternative," Alice said, then started tenderly petting her monster. "But, my poor monster is damaged from the flames. I thought I made him more resistant to flames, but he's burned."

"Hah, but where did those flames come…?"

"You're all alright!"

Kensei called out.

[Ah?!]

All three women were surprised as Kensei wrapped his arms around them, bringing them into a warm hug. He'd shown such an emotional moment, as he looked on the brink of tears too, causing them to feel a different kind of emotion within them too.

"We're fine Kensei-kun. But, I wasn't expecting something such as this to happen."

Yasaka said as Kensei moved back from the three of them, as the two started thinking about what happened just moments before.

"I was in the middle of writing another song, but Yasaka-san and I started feeling that something was happening outside. And then, Alice returned and confirmed that for us, but then just as we were all planning on meeting up with you, this happened," Minako explained but then she on looked more worried than usual as the homes near the Amagiri Residence were all but turned into ashes at this point. "I never thought that anything such as this would happen. We ended up losing our home."

"We'll rebuild it, the most important thing is that you're all safe."

Kensei stated, not minding damages done to the house and was instead glad everyone was safe.

Soon enough, Lingqi, Maria, Zane, and Hisui, sent the people who'd been rescued before their homes could be burned down to the Kibou Alliance building. Landing on the ground beside them, the four allowed a breath to escape from their mouths after all the things they four did in a couple of seconds.

"Hah, I don't think that I've run to different places that fast before."

Maria said, letting out a couple of breaths.

"I almost didn't believe that we were going to make it in time, those flames are seriously dangerous if an ordinary person came in contact with them. I doubt that either one of us would've survived taking on one of those attacks without injuries."

Zane stated, seeing the damage caused by them.

"Tell me about it."

Lingqi said, gaining their attention as her right arm was burned from the flames, it didn't look like normal burns as it was smoking. For her, who'd taken attacks from Kensei, she winced multiple times as she tried raising her right arm that'd been touched by the flames.

"Lingqi, how'd you…?"

Claire asked, surprised that Lingqi was touched by the flames.

"In a nursery, I found a mother who'd been wrapped in there because of the flames, while cradling her baby in an attempt to defend him. I managed to reach them, but the flames would've gotten to them if I hadn't blocked them using my right arm. It would've been worse if I hadn't defended myself using my qi."

Lingqi explained as she had trouble moving around her right arm.

"Here."

Before Lingqi could utter one word, Kensei retrieved one of the Phoenix Tears, then sprinkled it on her right arm, recovering the damages caused. After testing out her hand and arm multiple times, she could see that the tears did their job.

"Thank you, Kensei."

"No problem."

At that, Kensei and Lingqi smirked at one another, but then the entire group started hearing clapping from behind them. Hearing it, the entire group turned around to find that the Benefactor was sitting down on one of the house roofs giving off a casual air.

"Excellent job and coordinating with one another, I mean, you rescued all those people without letting one person die or get burned by my flames. I can tell that you're group is better at working together compared to the one that I formed. I mean, seriously, not one of those guys can exactly do what I request of them."

The Benefactor nonchalantly said, while not seeming to care about his actions.

"You bastard! Is all this just a game to you?!"

Maria was unable to endure hearing his nonchalance about endangering the lives of innocent people.

"Hm, you know if I cared, then I wouldn't have launched that fireball at the house like that," the Benefactor stated in an impassive tone. "I mean, come on, Maria, I thought that you'd be the most rational one between your group of teenager wannabee heroes. Why on earth, would I care about the lives of people I don't even know in the first place? I'm not like your little group, who appears to have made it your business to help the helpless."

"…!"

Maria grit her teeth at the Benefactor's comment, but then he clapped his hands one more time.

"Well, all the Numbers have gathered here, well aside from Abigail, who's tending to the helpless sheep. I might as well introduce the people from my group here."

At the mention of that, the Benefactor's shadow began expanding outwards, causing the group in front of them to sense different strong auras from it. Four people started coming out from the shadows, revealing all their figures across the street, where Kensei and the others stood. It was Jun, the Black Knight, Malik, and Kurohime, who all stood side-by-side with one another.

"…," at the sight of Jun, Lingqi's anger rose to the maximum limit, as her hands tightened; an aura could be seen wrapped around her. "WU JUN!"

No one could blame Lingqi for that reaction as the person she'd been hunting down, who had targeted her father, mother, siblings, and home was standing right there in front of her. Jun looked on without the slightest reaction to Lingqi's expression towards him. It looked as if she was preparing to leap straight towards her, but Lingqi managed to hold herself back, knowing it'd be a foolish task.

"So, I see that young girl from all that time ago has grown into a splendid and beautiful woman. That's perfect for me, since you're right here, then I'll simply return with you and make you mine."

Jun declared, not caring at all about Lingqi's feelings on the matter, something that the women in their group hated, most of all.

"Tsk, you're about Lingqi explained. You have no tact with it comes to women."

Hisui stated, feeling nothing short of annoyance for Wu Jun.

"Heh, she's not wrong, Jun, your little wives have nothing that resembles their original personalities and simply do whatever you ask them to without question," Kurohime added, shrugging her shoulders, her three tails waving and catching their attention. "You should know that aside from your men, no one likes you, because you bring them back prizes as a good well done."

"I don't need my women to have a mind of their own, all I need them to do is what I want them to do. The one thing that I want them to do is to birth strong warriors who'll assist me in the future battle against the gods. Whether they are my sons or daughters, they'll continue to keep our bloodline strong," Jun said in an impassive tone that'd caused the women who were on Kensei's side to feel annoyed, he then turned a serious eye towards Kurohime. "But, I don't want a child who's also a worthless cat."

"Nya, aren't you being too rude? Nekomata and Nekoshou aren't a weak race by any means, isn't that right fellow nekomata sister?"

"Er, I guess," Hisui almost didn't know how to respond as she listened to the tone of the girl before her, who seemed older than her. She wasn't able to get much of an initial sense from her, which meant that her mastery of Senjutsu was better than hers. "So, I'm guessing that the people here are the leaders of your group, Yami, right?"

"That's right," the Benefactor leaped off the roof, then landed in front of the group that he'd brought straight into the once peaceful town. "If the strongest among the Kibou Alliance is called Numbers use Cardinal numbers as a means of assessing your rankings. If our group were to go along with that logic too, then we, the Ordinals will become the downfall of the Numbers."

"The Ordinals, huh?"

"Well, I did use Cardinal numbers in coming up with our group, starting from one, two, and three, because it isn't a direct show or who's stronger in comparison to who. We have various talents or techniques that make us strong as individual people," Zane pointed out, as Maria uttered those words. "But, if we're going along with the concept of the Ordinals, then it'll be first, second, third, and so on."

"That's about what I'd expect from Zane Wayland himself, the genius magician and inventor. I don't know how you remained friends with Kensei for this long."

"One of the reasons I'm friends with Kensei is because he doesn't treat people weaker than him as disposable. It's the reason we came up with the Numbers in the first place."

"Yeah, yeah, he's so righteous and strong for someone who fails when it counts. In our group, we simply build on a simple and rational power scaling with the Ordinals at the reigns of it. I haven't made one baseless promise to the people, who joined Yami. Let alone the poor and helpless people who joined Hikage. I promised them that I'd bring about a chance and grant all their wishes, which was what I did," the Benefactor said, causing Zane, Maria, Hisui, and the others would sense the clear malice directed at Kensei. "I'm sure you've heard the usual baseless promises he's made, ranging from 'I'll protect you', or 'I'll never let anyone hurt you'. Aren't those the same promises that you made to Meiko Himejima?"

"Mei?"

Minako was surprised and confused that he'd even know Meiko, let alone the fact that he'd know anything about the promise that Kensei made to her. At the mention of that, Kensei couldn't help gnashing his teeth together as he continued to look forward.

"The hell would you ever know about the promise that I made with Mei," Kensei said, and then there was just one moment where things started piling up from here. "There's no way in hell that anyone would've been able to hear anything that Minako and I said to her because no one would approach Mei. There's no way that anyone can have the talisman that I gave her. But, there's one person who could've known about that."

"Kensei, you're not…."

Minako seemed to have gotten what Kensei was getting at, but the thought of it wasn't possible.

"Hahahaha, it seems as if someone ruined my big surprise. But, I guess that's my fault for talking so much and all I wanted to do was to see what kind of expression that you'd make," the Benefactor, said as he reached for the hooded cloak he was wearing, then tossed it off of him. "But, there are plenty of big surprises that I have still yet revealed today. And I'm sure that it'll hit deep."

Tossing off the cloak he wore, it was blown off into the wind as it was turned to ashes because of the flames that he released. In front of them, the Benefactor was revealed to be a black-haired, red-eyed handsome young man in his twenties; his black hair had been swept backward, with some strands in the front.

"It can't be, you were still alive."

Minako, who'd shown nothing short of a casual and nonchalant look no matter the situation, almost couldn't even comprehend him being right there.

"Kensei, he's…."

"His name is Arata Himejima, he's Mei's older brother. But, we heard that you died along with her."

"If you believed that, then neither of you have the right to call yourselves my sister's first friends," the Benefactor, who was revealed to be Arata said in a cold tone. Hearing that made the two of them wonder what he meant by that, but that could wait. "But, hey, there's still some more time, and I'll have enough time to throw the truth right in your face. Besides, since the five Ordinals are here, and there are five of you who want a piece of us, then let's turn this into an even five-on-five match."

"We're not going to be fighting you right here. There are innocent people around here."

Claire declared, all but noticing the number of people who'd gathered outside because of the commotion, ranging from the appearance of mysterious monsters and the fire.

"I'm sure that I was clear about the amount that I cared about these people," Arata pointed out, as he raised his hand in the air as the crimson-black flame appeared. "If it's going to be a problem, then I have no trouble turning this entire town into one big hell on earth."

"…!"

If could've been because he wasn't wearing the cloak anymore, but Arata looked on without the slightest reaction in his eyes or face.

"Stop talking to my fiancèe like that, Arata," Kensei said, standing in front of Claire before showing much more of a confident look. "But, she's right that we can't do this here."

"And what? Do you think that we'll leave somewhere else because you want us to?"

"Arata. Your compliance doesn't factor into it," Kensei openly replied and declared. "Zane, did Abigail agree?"

"Yeah. It's prepared."

Zane replied, then a magical marking that seemed to be actual numbers on Kensei's, Zane's, Maria's, and also Hisui's arms. After that, Kensei reached his hand out, grabbing onto Lingqi's wrist, sparking a near-instantaneous reaction from her. In response to all that, the Kibou Alliance building started manifesting a multi-colored light that was invisible to normal people, while a wide magic circle started manifesting underneath it.

Soon enough, there was a brilliant white light that washed over the people who'd be fighting against one another, leaving behind those who weren't.

---

"Well, I must say, this is a surprise."

Once the brilliant light faded, Arata, Jun, the Black Knight, Malik, and Kurohime found themselves in the exact same location as before. But, there wasn't a single person there aside from the four Numbers and Lingqi, whose arm was released by Kensei, who'd done all that to bring her with them. It meant that the location that the group stood in was an artificial dimension.

"Huh, this is a well-made space, I haven't seen something as good as this, aside from our place."

Malik said as if he had decent knowledge in techniques that manipulates space and creates artificial dimensions.

"We thought that there would be a chance that someone would pick a fight here, so we made preparations for that possibly with Ajuka Beelzebub's help. One of the functions of our main office is to generate this dimension so that we can fight without damaging the outside. Of course, it requires approval from the Numbers to be activated," Zane said, showing more pride, but he was worried about what kind of abilities the five in front of him had. "I don't know much about the people standing here aside from Arata Himejima and Wu Jun. Arata, I heard that his clan received blessings from the Shinto Gods, which lets them use flames. But, his are entirely different from normal ones, it could be a mutation or someone else. Jun, on the other hand, is someone who can use lightning because of Thunder Emperor. He also drank a dragon's blood, so there should be some more surprises."

"Because we're in this dimension, that means we can all cut loose here without worrying about the damages. I don't know what happened to you, but whether your Mei's brother or not, you're not getting out of her unscathed."

Kensei stated as he prepared Kurogane.

At that, Zane summoned his dual handguns; Maria manifested a holy sword; Hisui stood in a prepared stance, and Lingqi manifested her Shimon Mouko. All five of them showed a determined expression on their faces as the group faced the opponents they'll be facing. Despite all that, the Ordinals looked as normal as before, while Arata started to scratch his head.

"Heh, that's the burden of being heroes. Not that anyone of us has that limit whether we're here or not," Arata gave a dangerous smirk, manifesting his crimson-black flames. "You said that I wasn't going to get out of this unscathed. I hope that isn't another baseless promise. We all know how the last one turned out."

At that, Jun manifested two thick black-golden gauntlets; the Black Knight armed himself with a black greatsword; Malik released a green aura; and Kurohime dangerously licked her lips, releasing a deep black aura.

Standing in front of one another were the strongest members of the Kibou Alliance and Yami, these ten had an aura wrapped about their bodies, which was much denser than one would expect from them. There wasn't a single sound in the dimension the ten people stood, and then in a single moment, all of them rushed straight for one another without hesitation, releasing their respective powers.

---

A/N: And there goes the next chapter of DxD – The Last Amagiri, well, this was the chapter leading to this volume's true climax. It's getting intense with more revealed about Yami, a terrorist group similar to that of the Khaos Brigade. Like the Kibou Alliance's Numbers, Yami has its five strongest members, who call themselves the Ordinals. After all this time, the Benefactor is later revealed to be Arata Himejima, the older brother of Meiko, who was supposed to be Kensei's second fiancèe.

Aside from Arata and Jun, there are three more people among them, the first a Black Knight, Malik, and a Nekoshou, Kurohime. More information about their characters will be revealed in the future.

Before all that, Kensei and the others were going about their regular activities, but there was some time between him and Alice in the forest. Later, the group started discussing their plans will be as the summer break approaches. In the end, the Ordinals attacked Kibou Town, targeting innocent people, and a confrontation between them.

I said this before in the Twin Dragons, but that one and DxD - Last Amagiri are going to be the last High School DxD stories that I do. My reason being is that it'd be the same are writing up the same scene that happens to come up in them. Because both are going to end up being the last ones that I do, I might end up adding more girls onto their harems.

Kensei's Harem: Alice, Claire, Hisui, Kunou, Yasaka, Lu Lingqi, Sarah, Minako, Koneko, Kuroka, Ravel, Amaterasu, Brynhildr, Rossweisse, Ophis.