REVIEWS
LimX23: Yeah, I am aware. However, there was little I could do since Chapter 56 was meant to be just an aftermath chapter. I can say that between the Treaty of Kuoh and the next event, which is them going to the Underworld for the Meeting of the Young Devils and the upcoming Rating Game against Sona (Not doing Loki's stuff), there will be shorter chapters, and also a shift in focus. The focus will be shifted away from Issei for a few chapters and follow other characters as well in more depth.
Naruto30: Other plan.
: I do not know who the buffons you are referring to are, but I will assume Shalba and Creusery. And the answer? They know of Rizevin but don't care about him, as if he doesn't care about them. And you are right; Ignium's colonels could probably take him if they all worked together. Must give the man some credit; he's Lucifer's son!
Xerzo LotCN: Thank you for reminding me about the DRAGON QUEEN. I kinda forgot about her for a bit. She is gonna appear in the following chapters.
temp paleoboy : Here ya go!
Walker300: Thank you for understanding! Very true, the nerf is temporary.
ZenithSerac: Dark, and no, the fallen in question is not associated with the Snake of Adam.
As always guys, here is the invite to the Discord: /FVXgdXtMUv
And if you wish to further support me and my works, head to the bottom of this here channel where there will be a Slation (You know what I mean) link.
Also, do not forget that Chapter 58 will be going up for early access on Slation.
"Ugh…" If there were a way to describe the pain in his head, it'd be a whole new word. His head was ringing, and everything just seemed blurry to him. It was hard to breathe, and his entire body ached. Sore and tired, despite sleeping for so long, and his body felt heavy as a rock. Something was wrong; he could feel it, but he didn't know what it was. His senses were slowly coming back to him, and he slowly brought a hand up.
"Issei!" Asia's shout caught his attention immediately, bringing him fully to the world of the living. "You're awake! Leonna! Call the others!"
"At once!" Leonna went away to call everyone else.
"Asia?" Issei called out to her. "What…Happened? Where am I?"
"The Dragon's Fortress, inside your dungeon. You are safe." Asia said, helping him into a standing position and fetching him a glass of water prepared by Leonna beforehand. "Here. Drink."
He took the water with gratitude, feeling the rejuvenating vigor course through him. He then put the glass down, looking at her. "What happened? The last thing I remember was…Ingvild!" He leaped up, but a massive tail pushed him back down. Looking to the side, he saw a relatively large blue dragon standing there.
"What?"
"It's alright. It's Rassei." Asia told him. "And you don't have to worry, Issei. Ingvild is fine."
"How? I saw her! Katerea Leviathan had-"
"Issei!" The door opened, revealing Issei's group along with Rias and her peerage, everyone pouring into the room and going to him. "You're awake!" Ingvild especially hugged him tightly.
"Ingvild? Wait, but how? I saw you! You were- I had…"
"Easy there," Kiba said, going close to him. "You went through a major traumatic event, surviving the Juggernaut Drive."
"Juggernaut Drive?" Issei's eyes widened as his memory returned to him. "Shit! I did it…I went into Juggernaut Drive."
"Nya! That you did! When you saw Katerea killing Ingvild, it pushed you over the edge! I did my best to heal your life while you were unconscious. You should be back where you were before you went into the Juggernaut Drive." Kuroka explained. "But, Issei…There is something you need to know."
"Wait, where are Ddraig and Solomon?" Issei asked, summoning his Boosted Gear. Everyone in the room panicked, and Issei saw why. The gem of the Boosted Gear, which was normally a vibrant green, was dull and gray. Powerless. "What the fuck is this?!"
"Issei, stay calm," Rias stated, going closer. "Azazel and Michael took a look at it while you were unconscious."
"And I can confirm they didn't do anything bad to it." Ddraig suddenly spoke, surprising everyone in the room.
"Ddraig! You're back!" Asia stated.
"Wait, you mean to tell me he didn't speak to you guys while I was out cold?" Issei questioned.
"No. And you were out for two whole weeks, partner."
"Two Weeks?!" Issei gasped in shock.
"The original predictions about when you were going to wake up were sorely miscalculated," Kiba said slowly. "But yes. You were asleep for two weeks."
"Fuck…I don't even remember what happened. Everything has holes in it." Issei said, grabbing his head.
"Your memory will recover with time, but until then, I will explain the current state of the Boosted Gear. And what happened to Solomon…" Ddraig sounded strange as he spoke, and Issei just now took note of it. He sounded weak. Tired. "Partner, Solomon is the one who saved you. I do not know what he did, but he faced the previous wielders and somehow made them unable to impose the curse of the Juggernaut Drive on you. However, in retaliation, they have wrestled the power of the Boosted Gear away from you."
"Wait, you mean to tell me that the previous wielders have-"
"Taken almost all the power of the Boosted Gear, yes. The only things left are the two abilities that let you absorb weapons and change the Gear's form. Everything else, including your Balance Breaker, was taken." Ddraig's news was deeply troubling to Issei.
"Fuck…" His fists tightened, "Where is Solomon now? Surely, he has a way to fix this, right?"
'If he does, I wouldn't know it."
"What do you mean? Where is Solomon?"
"Issei…Solomon is no longer here in your mindscape. When he saved you, I think he sealed himself in the same space as the other wielders. Whatever he is doing, he is doing within the Boosted Gear itself, away from our usual connection. Even now, due to this, I might be able to communicate, but it feels…hard. Like I am pushing against a great wind. It's draining me of energy so fast…Partner, forgive me, but I cannot speak for long periods."
"Ddraig…"
"We do not know if Azazel can fix it, either," Akeno stated. "Despite the leader of the Grigori being arguably the greatest researcher when it comes to Sacred Gears, all he could say is that this state is temporary. He couldn't tell us more."
"Temporary, my ass," Issei swore, feeling rage swelling up inside him. "Whatever is causing this, Solomon must be working to fix it."
"Perhaps," Kiba replied. "But until he is back, along with the power of the Boosted Gear, Issei…What are you going to do?"
"The three leaders have all agreed on a gag order regarding this entire situation," Xenovia stated. "No one who knows of the current state of your Sacred Gear is allowed to share this information at large. For security reasons, that is."
"I can understand that much," Issei admitted, inhaling deeply. "It makes sense. I still have enemies who will want to take advantage of my current state."
"There is no need to worry about it while you are inside the dungeon, Master," Leonna added. "Ever since you were brought in, we doubled the number of troops on every section of the dungeon, and Xantor has been patrolling the perimeter of the Fortress since."
"Thank you, Leonna, but that is not the issue. No, the main problem now is what I will do now." Issei stated. "I am…Frankly put, I am not nearly half as powerful without my Sacred Gear. Without my Boosted Gear, my power is less than what it usually is."
"Nya! That is not true! You still have your arsenal of abilities!" Kuroka argued.
"My sister is right! You can still use the powers of Youkai, Devils, and magic! You are not weak." Koneko added.
"And you have us!" Asia said, gesturing for her dragons to get closer. "They grew in power and size thanks to you, Issei! According to what I learned, they are nearing their teenage years in terms of draconic age."
"I see…" Issei pet one of the dragons. "But I doubt I can keep up with them now."
"Hey, now." Rias caught his attention. "At least you are alive. We all are!"
"Barely," Issei added. "I don't even fully understand what I did to you, Ingvild. How did I bring you back?"
"I am not sure myself. However, when I checked my stat page, I found something interesting. Here." Ingvild brought up her stat page, showing it to Issei, who scrolled through it, eyes fixed, and looked closely to see what was different. And he saw many differences, so he scrolled to the bottom.
Bishop of Hyoudou.
(Mutated)
As the title says, you are the Bishop of Issei Hyoudou, possessing a Mutated Draconic Bishop Piece. This Title grants the [EXP Bonus] and [Draconic Boost] perks, The Draconic Piece Skills, as well as an overall 20% EXP bonus to the wearer, and the ability to equip a different title aside from this one. Due to your piece also being mutated, unpredictable developments might make themselves known with time.
That was the title Ingvild had, which showed the fact she had one of his draconic pieces, but…MUTATED? Unpredictable developments? Issei could barely wrap his head around it. But looking at it, he got another notification.
Note: Mutated Draconic Pieces can only be created with the power of the Juggernaut Drive or a power of equal might. They do not offer any immediate bonuses but instead grant unpredictable ones. In this case, Ingvild Leviathan might see changes to her body, powers, Gear, and possibly even her racial identity. The main bonus of those pieces is the ability to bring the deceased back to life, but due to this, they cannot be removed anymore, becoming bound to the user forever.
"Bound forever?" Issei echoed those words, looking at Ingvild with worry. "Ingvild…"
"I know…I got a similar message explaining things to me. I know one of the things you took pride in, Issei, was the fact you allowed us to leave if we so chose. You gave us freedom. And this takes that freedom away. But I am not sad. Or angry!" Ingvild reassured him. "If anything, I am just…afraid."
"Afraid?"
"I am afraid you will feel guilty. That you will be blaming yourself, Issei, for this." Ingvild replied. "And I was right."
"Ingvild…" Issei's eyes softened. "I didn't mean to worry you or make you feel afraid; I just…I didn't plan for this. I don't know what to do now."
"Nya! I think the answer is more obvious than you know, Issei." Kuroka said, giving subtle hints. "Ingvild, what do you say?"
"I will never leave." She replied, looking at Issei bravely. "Ise, you have given me more than I could ever ask for. You saved me and offered me shelter, love, and comfort, and everyone here is as close as family to me. I could never see myself going elsewhere. Not that I have anywhere else to go. The only relative I had tried to kill me. But you? You gave me so much, and I know that in the future, you will provide me with more. More love and more happiness. Issei…I will never leave your side. I will always be here as your woman."
"Ingvild…" Issei was deeply moved by her words, so much so that he thought for a second he might start crying. However, a smile decorated his face instead. "Then I will take responsibility and ensure you never suffer until death do us part."
"Oh, how romantic!" Akeno commented. "Like a married couple exchanging vows."
"Thank you, everyone, for your support." Issei began getting out of bed slowly and standing up. "I promise to work hard to make up for the loss of my Gear's power."
"Don't go straining yourself now," Rias added. "Take it easy for a while."
"I will." Issei accepted. "Now, I am pretty hungry. Is Blackberry in the kitchen?"
"Always is," Leonna added.
"Let's go eat, then." And with those words said, everyone began to filter out of the room, but Issei lagged behind a bit. He saw several messages from the system in his vision, and he very much knew what those meant. Quests that needed to be collected.
TIME TO HAUL ASS! With a cross-dressing vampire.
Last time you helped Saji, that was good. Now, however, this is more than a favor; this is a responsibility!
Main Objective: Train Gasper until he becomes confident enough to use both his vampiric powers and his Sacred Gear without hesitation! - Complete
Optional Objective: Share your blood with him during training. -Complete
Main Reward: 550K EXP, 20 RP with Gasper Vladi, 5 RP with all members of the Gremory peerage. - Unclaimed
Optional Reward: [Aid to the Blood] Perk, 100K EXP. - Claimed
Failure Penalty: -30 RP with Gasper Vladi and -15 RP with the members of the Gremory Peerage.
Issei didn't hesitate and claimed the reward. EXP was always nice to get. But there were other quests he had to claim.
The Fated Battle
Now that you know where he is, the time for the battle between the two Dragon Emperors is drawing near. Prepare yourself for the fight that lies ahead!
Main Objective: Battle the White Dragon Emperor and either just survive, or win. -Complete
Additional Objective: Raise your STR, DUR, AGI, ACC, and MGI to 100. - Complete
Additional Objective 2: Achieve Level 50 before the fight. - Complete
Quest Time Limit: N/A.
Main Objective Rewards: Removal of the [Lustful Desires] status effect, 500K EXP, 1 New Sacred Gear Skill, 1.2M Y - Unclaimed
Additional Objective Reward: The perk: [Peak Human Body, 2 MAX-L Orbs, 3 Random Reward Boxes, 1 Random EXP box. -Claimed
Additional Objective 2 Reward: ?, 5 Dungeon Seeds. -Unclaimed
Failure Penalty: Possible Death
And claimed.
More EXP, and more.
The status effect, [Lustful Desires, has been removed!
Attention! Due to the current state of your Sacred Gear, the promised skill is being withheld until the Boosted Gear recovers!
"Fuck…" Issei sighed, seeing the negative message. Looks like he has a long way to go before he is back at full strength. But until then…He really was starving! There were other notifications as well, but he will check them out after eating.
"Sir…If I may?" Marakus Aim, one of the five colonels, asked as he entered the office of his General, Ignium, as he was currently receiving a few aiding hands for the whip marks on his back. Namely, two women were applying some lotion on him.
"Come on, Marakus. There is no need for formalities either; you know that." Ignium replied, then signaled to the two women to leave them be. "So, tell me, for what reason do you visit me today? Is it about my little demonstration?"
"No, in fact, I found it deeply inspiring. The way you treated our failures as your own and sought to carry all the punishment really inspired the men. The fact so many joined, resulting in barely five whips for each, was staggering. Ignium, how can you command such respect? It is a feat beyond my understanding." The demon chuckled at the praise of his subordinate.
"I merely spoke out of my heart, Marakus," Ignium replied. "All my words were truth and no less."
"Truth…I was under the impression that the concept of truth and honesty, in general, was something demons did not bother with. Often, for the sake of manipulating humans, didn't you have to lie?" Marakus asked again.
"What curiosity on you, old friend. You never asked me so many questions back when we were fighting under Lucifer's direct orders." Ignium replied.
"I recall, yes. Back then, you were already a feared and respected general of Lucifer's army, and I was merely a Lietanent when we met for the first time." Marakus recalled. "A long time has passed since…"
"And you have endured many scars, old friend," Ignium said with a hint of remorse in his voice. "You were such an eager warrior. You always went head-first into battle and attacked with such bestial ferocity. Now, wherever has that warrior gone?"
"Tired, Ignium. But resting and waiting for your order." Marakus replied, bringing a smile to the demon.
"That is what I like to hear, old friend. Good to know your fire has yet to be put down." Ignium replied. "But I feel like you are not here to reminisce about the glory days. Tell me, Marakus, why are you here?"
"Sir, with all due respect, I have…doubts."
"Doubts?"
"The skull, Sir." Marakus clarified. "The skull of Dracula himself. I understand why you'd recover it, and I know what you might be planning, but is it wise? Vlad the Impaler was no man of Hell. Despite his cruelty and heinous acts, he was always a man of the Heavens. Always faithful, even as a vampire. How can you be sure a man such as him would aid us?"
"Hmm. I can understand your doubts. You do ask me a good question. How do I know Dracula would fight with us…" Ignium leaned on his arm, eyes closed as he left Marakus to wait for his answer for a few seconds. Then, his eyes shot open. "Because he and I both understand the importance of kin."
"Kin?"
"Kin. Marakus, what is our main mission?"
"The preservation and recovery of all 72 Houses, including the Lucifer Six, and even the 7 Cardinal System," Marakus answered swiftly and without flaw, knowing full well the main mission of their organization. "But the Houses under our protection have long since recovered an acceptable number of members."
"Yet, should we let that information be known, what do you think the reaction of the current ruling body of Hell would be?" Ignium asked.
"Panic. Paranoia. War…" Marakus counted. "They'd think we are helping their old enemy revive, so we will try to retake what is ours. But we know better. That is the dream of the Old Satan Faction! We want to simply not let any piece of our kin's culture, blood, and might be lost."
"A wise answer. Indeed, that is our purpose, but at the heart of it, there is the fact we do this for our people. Vlad was no different from what he had done in life before his ascending, as Dracula was also for his people. A cruel and sadistic leader, yet just and fair. To this day, the Romanians hail him as a national hero while the entire world shudders at the deeds such a man was able to perform." Ignium stated. "And I know he won't swallow the way his people have ended."
"So you are aiming to use his sense of duty for his people as leverage to make him fight with us?"
"Fight with us? Oh no, Marakus, you understand this backward." Ignium said.
"We will be fighting with him?" Marakus repeated, this time inverting the sentence in its meaning. "Sir, I am lost."
"Vlad will need an army. We will supply that army." Ignium clarified.
"You'd offer him our full military might? Sir, I know you wish to attack Romania at some point, but why resurrect Vlad, then? We have more than enough might to defeat them!"
"Now!" Ignium shouted. "Now we do. But I know better than to take my chances, Marakus. I don't want to exterminate a country and its people using a nuke. So, Vlad is the best secondary option."
"I didn't realize you have a problem against genocidal attacks, Ignium," Marakus stated with sarcasm, yet the irony of his words was lost to Ignium for a moment.
"Please, who'd stop me from, let's say, killing every single Muslim under the sun?" Such a bold statement took Marakus by surprise. "Oh, you were not serious?"
"Sir! Are you saying you'd truly erase entire communities, ethnic groups, and religions? Should it fancy your whim?" Marakus asked with urgency.
And this time, Ignium replied in kind. "I would. And frankly, you should be asking yourself why I haven't. Humanity is a fucking mess, especially in the Middle East. ISIS, Al-Qaida, Esbolah - Ah! They make me sick! Men with no brains twisting the word of God to justify their violence and lust for power. Had I wanted to, one order would see them all destroyed."
"But then, why don't you order such an attack? There is no such thing as a Geneva Convention to set rules upon us, Sir! The humans have no weapons that can stand up to us, either! We care not for the borders and politics of humans! So what is stopping you, Ignium, from ridding humanity of such a problem?"
"The treadmill work, Marakus. Let's say I do give such an order, and we erase all terrorist groups overnight, along with all branches of Islam that embrace such extremist ideals. Hundreds of thousands deceased, killed by us. What then? Is all instantly better? The region will become more stable and rich, not to mention safer. No…In fact, all I'd do is leave a power gap for the next terrorist group to form out of remnants and future radical extremists. This is the thing with humans: They never learn. Their errors and mistakes are their doom, to be repeated until they finally learn after paying a heavy price. Why should I fix their problems? While we are at it, why not send an army to North Korea? Kill the dynasty of the Kims. Or better yet, sent a squadron of Bruticus golems to stamper out the Cartels, ending the War on Drugs. It would just open the way for the next dictators and leave the ground for new Cartels to rise."
"But surely there is something you can do, Sir! An order you can give!" Marakus pressed on.
"The human problems are not ours to burden ourselves with!" Ignium replied sternly, making Marakus flinch. "But…I'd be lying if I said there are not things even I cannot swallow. I won't fix the issues of humans, but at the very least…I will lend them a helping hand."
"Sir?" Marakus questioned, slightly confused. "Have you-"
"Dispatched spies to occupy the highest offices in the United States? Long before…"
"How deep are we?" Marakus asked.
"Currently, we hold the Prime Minister, over 20% of Congress, 5 Supreme Court Judges and even the First Lady are all our agents," Ignium revealed, staggering Marakus. "However, they are under orders to act and behave naturally. Except for one…I am having them dismantle the USA networks of corruption."
"You are planning on riding the USA of its corruption?" Marakus asked again. "But, how? What is your plan?"
"Quite simple. We have more agents pursuing political careers. In time, the elections will come, and they will have to try and win offices. One by one, I am going to put my agents in strategic positions to dismantle every gang and drug trafficking operation in the USA."
"And the presidency? Surely, that is a prime target position to acquire."
"Sharp, but no. No, the presidency is too obvious. Instead, having the First Lady is enough. I aim to slowly but surely restructure that country. Greed has run its poison in its heart for too long. Worst case scenario, I will need to divide it into multiple, fully independent countries."
"Sir, but the CIA-"
"Won't be a problem." Ignium interrupted Marakus. "I am having each known agent with the access clearance to know about the Supernatural currently under surveillance. If any of them make a move, I will act."
"Right." Marakus shook his head. "I tend to forget, Ignium, how thorough you can be. Forgive my doubts from earlier. They are at ease now, knowing you wouldn't overlook anything important."
"Now, onto something else, Marakus. How are our mothers-to-be?"
"Successfully inseminated, if that is the nature of your question, Sir. We have not only successfully created sperm from the…material you recovered, Sir, but also managed to find willing volunteers to carry the burden, and I am proud to say both mothers are pregnant." Marakus answered, and that pleased Ignium.
"With this, the lineages of Beelzebub and Asmodeus are saved." Ignium sighed. "But, Marakus…I am troubled. What news do you bring me of the Dragon Emperors?"
"It is as we have feared, Sir. The White Dragon Emperor, Vali Lucifer, has joined forces with the Dragon of Infinity, Ophis themselves. He fights under her command in a group named the Khaos Brigade. We have been monitoring them, yes, and were aware of them, but apart from knowing of the magician groups within it and the Old Satan Faction, we had no further knowledge of any other members."
"Who were the others that showed up? I sensed quite a bit of power from them?"
"One is the current Monkey King, a descendant of the Victorious Fighting Buddha himself, Bikou Wukong. The other's name, as we've learned, is Ajay Sutar, a descendant of Bhima. Some kind of Hindu Heracles." Marakus explained, which made Ignium weigh the threat those two presented.
"Their lineages are strong. Very strong." Ignium stated. "So many dark clouds…So much has been resulted from the previous battle."
"Sir, the White Dragon Emperor is especially dangerous. What do you reckon we ought to do about him?" Marakus questioned.
"Do we have his location?"
"We have begun efforts to locate him and his group, but they seem protected by powerful magic, preventing the efforts of even the best of our trackers," Marakus explained. "We have nothing."
"Then, with nothing, we shall proceed to the next operation. How goes the work of my squadron?" Marakus gulped. Ignium's squadron referred to humans he had chosen specifically and reincarnated as devils. Indeed, the Snake of Adam could reincarnate their devils, being able to do so thanks to stealing the secret from Ajuka himself during the days they laid low, infiltrating the various corners of the Underworld.
They not only managed to learn how the process works down to the last detail, but they even managed to synthesize the crystals, assuring them a nigh-endless supply. And Ignium had long since used several such crystals to resurrect many talented humans. Usually, any member of the Snake of Adam only got one shard to recruit a new soul to their ranks, but Ignium was the exception.
"The humans you resurrected…Yes, they had been able to create many weapons, together with Tadeus, and they did manage to create what you asked for." Marakus replied. "A lab-made virus. We also have the cure for it, ready to be released."
"Mortality rate?"
"90% of cases are expected to die, Sir, especially the elderly, the already sick, and even the youngest of children. But, Sir, isn't this too far? Surely, we have the required might to attack the Hindu Pantheon without requiring us to unleash genocide on their population." Marakus stated.
"Marakus…I am not doing this because I want to. I am doing it because it is the best way for us to defeat the Hindus and achieve our goal. Gods draw power from human worship. Many pantheons had been forgotten, and they chose to revive a set number of humans to continue offering worship and maintain their current power. But the Hindu? Their following still grows to this stay while all else stagnates. This is what allows them to have so much power. Without the humans, they'd suffer the fate of all truly forgotten Gods."
"Oblivion," Marakus said quietly.
"Gods that are forgotten are Gods that do not exist." Ignium reminded Marakus. "Many will die in the following months…Innocent souls and guilty ones alike."
"Sir, will they ever recover?" Marakus asked. "This virus…Are we certain it won't spiral out of our control?"
"I was very specific to them when I said I don't want it to mutate, and they assured me they have brought its genome under perfect control. Now, Marakus, go! And prepare the agents! Have then release the virus through the Indian continent in the following 72 hours."
"Yes, Sir."
The Underworld was, as always, as desolated of land, especially if one walked on the no-man's land. Land that has yet to be claimed after the Devil Civil War by any other house. Currently, George is enjoying some respite at a fountain, washing his face. He was hiding in an abandoned small town, abandoned in the wake of heavy fire from one of the fighting sides. He doesn't even know its name!
He was using the place as his hideout. He knew where the last active King Piece was, and he was planning on letting the information reach the right sources, but first, he had his own, more selfish reasons for withholding it. He might be blind, but disability was not helplessness.
And certainly not being unable to tell when someone was trying to sneak up on you. Granted, in this case, the person in question was not sneaking. They were walking directly to him, and he could tell who it was without needing to turn around. "Dan…What a surprise."
"George." Danbooru greeted him. "Good to see you are still doing well. Took me a while to find this place." The man admitted, looking around at the desolate town. "No living souls for days of travel…Makes me wonder how you found this place."
"I asked the right people for a place to hide, and they told me what I wanted to know for the price I paid," George replied. "But how did you find me, friend?"
"I asked the right people, and they told me for a price." An answer that drew a smile from George.
"I'd offer you a drink, but I've yet to check the local bar…if it still stands."
Danbooru raised his hand at that. "No need. I am not here to stay. I am here for information from you, George."
"Information? What could you possibly want to know, Dan?" George finally turned to him, but upon doing so, his eyes widened terribly. What he was seeing…It horrified him. "Danbooru…What have you done!"
"What I need to! I know you learned the location of the last King Piece, George!"
"I believed you gave the one you had away! Or destroyed it! Why…Why are you using it right now?!" George demanded. "Moreover, why are you asking for another one? Danbooru, I do not understand. Why are you using that which we worked so hard to eradicate?"
"You understand me wrongly, George. My intention was never to destroy the King Pieces. At least, not all of them. No, I am in need of their power."
"What in the name of the-...No…No!" George shouted strongly. "Fuck that! Dan, you will explain yourself!"
"I need not explain my actions or motivations to you, George! You knew, from the very moment you joined us, that we all still held secrets from one another! That not everything was said, and that lies were told." Danbooru pointed out. "You knew! Leon, on the other hand, never suspected a thing! He was too foolish to! Yet, he made for a wonderful aid."
"Were we just pieces of a larger puzzle to you?" George asked. "A means to an end? Tools for you to discard when you no longer needed us?"
"No! Mark my words; I am not like the nobility of the devils! I promised the destruction of the Great King's Faction, and I delivered it. I am not a dishonorable man. I uphold my promises."
"But not an honest man." George pointed out, narrowing his eyes at him.
"That goes both ways, George. Why'd you never tell me of your heritage? About your mother!"
"Don't you dare change the subject! That is different - personal! But you? Is the reason you want the King Piece for something greater? Why would you even need two? One alone is already dangerous to use, and two of them would be a one in a thousand odds of survival and nine hundred ninety-nine odds of assured demise!"
"Your worries are baseless," Danbooru replied. "What I do with it, as well as what happens to me when I use it, are none of your concerns!"
"Like hell, they aren't!" George barked back. "Dan, what makes you think I will tell you where to find the final King Piece?"
"You planned to use it as well, didn't you?" Dan said, making George flinch. "Looks like I was right. You are a hypocrite for criticizing my use of a King Piece when you planned to do the same, George!"
"What I am criticizing is the prospect of wielding two at once!" George added. "And I will NOT reveal anything to you!"
Dan sighed. "So, it has come to this, then? You refuse to tell me where I can find the King Piece. And I also refuse to depart here empty-handed." The man began to strip, throwing away his top as he seemed to prepare for battle. Behind himself, George summoned two magical circles, ready to use his magic at a moment's notice. "Peace was never an option."
"For what is worth, Danbooru. It was a pleasure." Without giving him a warning, George fired several volleys of fire at the monk, but Danbooru was ready for this. He stood his ground and simply crossed his arms, summoning his power. A dark-brown aura surrounded him, and almost instantly, his skin seemed to turn to solid rock. George's attacks hit but were ineffective against the monk's defense.
Then, Danbooru leaped at George, who was starting to see strange traces of energy in Danbooru. However, he didn't get to analyze them as Danbooru swung his fist. George reacted quickly, summoning a magical circle with an arrow on it on the ground and stepping on it. Time seemed to slow down for him as he was flung in the direction the arrow was pointing, just in time for Dan's fist to come down and shatter the ground below.
The monk narrowed his eyes at the mage. A battle was now underway. George summoned several arrows all around Dan and used them to blitz around him at sound-breaking speeds, stopping for only a fraction of a second to attack and then blitz again. Danbooru simply tanked the attacks with his body, not giving George even an inch of ground.
Then, after a while, Dan swung his fist, managing to catch George off-guard and strike him square in the stomach. George let out a bile from the impact, but Dan was quick to follow in his attack. He pushed George up and back, then delivered a strong right to the man's chin. George's world was ringing and spinning, but he was capable of once again summoning his magic. But he didn't make himself blitz.
Dan noticed too late that an arrow appeared below him, yanking him and throwing him into one of the ruins, demolishing them with his great mass. This gave George the chance to get up and use some healing magic on himself. However, his respite was brief.
Dan got back up. "GEORGE!" He shouted, then leaped up, the ground below up rousing in a pillar to boost him. George was confused as to what he was planning since he was too far to land close enough for a strike. But then it happened. "Great Quake!" Dan's shouting indicated an attack, and sure enough when his fist touched the ground, a devastating earthquake began to rock the town.
George found himself unable to keep his balance, which was the moment Dan was waiting for. The monk was able to move without flaw or doubt despite the strong earthquake he caused, and once he was close to George, he pulled his fist back, aiming to strike George in the head. But this was not a normal fist.
It quickly became coated in what looked like metal, forcing George to use an ace from his sleeve. "Advorsor!" Upon shouting the spell, a small barrier appeared, and Dan's fist made full contact with it. The barrier was small, only big enough to catch the man's fist. Yet, at the moment of contact, Dan found himself flying back like he was the one punched with his attack!
"What?!" He gasped as he caught himself, finding his footing again as the earthquake died down. "What was that spell?! Tell me!"
"A little something I cooked up," George replied. "The stereotype says us magicians are pretty physically weak. It's not wrong when it comes to the majority. So, for that reason, I learned a few spells and altered a few others. Advorsor was initially an absorption spell meant to absorb the strength behind physical attacks, but I altered it to release that force instantly upon contact as well."
"In essence, you can turn almost any attack of your opponent against them." Dan summarized. "A truly wonderful spell only a real magician worth their salt could design. I praise you, George."
"I don't need your praise." George pointed out, aiming a magical circle at the sky as dark clouds began to gather. Dan noticed this as well. "I need you defeated!"
George brought his hand down, and a bolt of lightning rained down from the sky, striking Dan dead-on. However, George could still see the embers of the man, and sure enough, he was still there, his body covered in a metallic hue. He didn't know what that was, but he didn't desire to take chances. If Danbooru could turn himself into metals to tank attacks, then George would simply outmaneuver him.
Running was always an option.
Multiple arrows appeared on the ground, and George used them to try and blitz beyond Dan. However, as he went, what he feared came to fruition. He saw it. He sensed! Dan's power was skyrocketing. Out of instinct, George brought his spell up again, and Dan hit it, despite the magician's speed.
George held the spell up as much as he could, but something was wrong. Dan was certainly putting all his might into that attack, yet nothing was being reflected! Or was it? Yes…Everything was being bounced back! But it was too much! George couldn't explain where enough might to overpower a spell that absorbs and instantly shoots back one's strikes was coming from! The King Piece alone didn't explain this!
"Aaaaaaahhhhhh. AHHHHHHHHHHH!" With a mighty shout, Dan's fist erupted in white fire, and George was now certain of the man's power. He immediately blitzed back, but as the spell came undone, the might it had absorbed exploded, sending a devastating shockwave that saw George lying on the ground, rolling until he caught himself.
"What am I seeing?!" George asked himself in a panic, looking at Dan with fear etched into his expression. "What have you…No, what HAS been done to you?! Answer me, Dan! In the name of all divinities out there, to all that you still hold sacred! Answer me!"
Dan's body was positively bursting with power. In addition to his skin currently being the same color as steel, white, glowing veins stretched over both of his arms and in one hand, he held a pure white flame. One George knew from his studies. "I should have known you could see it, George. Your eyes might see differently than ours, but you see more than we do."
"Why…Youkai Ki, but also…No…Yao Guai?! Chinese monsters?!" George put it together. "Dan…What have they done to you?"
Dan looked down at his fist, calming himself to make the flame fade. "My master wanted a worthy peerage. To that extent, he has run many illegal modifications on us. Surgeries, based on the writings of an ancient sorceress they once had a contract with, detailing how to transplant body parts from other beings to acquire their power. I do not know what my master put in me, specifically…But I know it gives me power over earth and any metal on earth."
"Such a thing…" George was horrified. "And you still crave more power?! You are as great of an anomaly as the Red Dragon is rumored to be!"
"You don't understand, George. Those modifications are not giving me power. No, they need power to keep going. They are a poison in my flesh, and I am looking for the cure." Dan replied, then began to walk to the magician. "I cannot afford any delays."
"Dan…" George steeled himself for the incoming strike, summoning several layers of his spell before him. "Come!"
Dan balled both of his hands into fists, then rose them up. The veins on his body popped as the power of the King Piece inside him roared, causing his dark-brown aura to erupt. "AHHH!" With a mighty cry, the aura expanded a hundredfold, enveloping even George within it. The magician felt like he was in the heart of an earthquake, as even the air was shaking from the monk's presence alone!
Then, he charged in. Each strike was destroying his barriers, yet they managed to slow him down enough for him to lay another round of arrows and blitz away just in time as Dan reached him. Speed was still his ally. However, once he reached the last one and tried to strike Danbooru from behind with a spell, the monk stomped the ground, causing a large mass of earth to shoot out and hit George's hand.
The spell attack he was preparing flew into the sky.
Dan then turned around sharply, and George put his arms up, catching Dan's strike. Still, it felt like his bones could snap from that strike alone. George went back several meters before stopping just as his back hit a wall.
"No!" He said to himself, realizing he was cornered. Dan came upon him with a punch prepared, which he used to drive George THROUGH the wall. They had now entered an abandoned cinema, a relic the devil society tried to replicate from the humans. George coughed as he got up, his entire body aching from the strike he had just received. His body was shaking.
"I need to escape…" He told himself, trying to use the arrows once again to blitz away from here, but his efforts were interrupted as Dan broke into the building through the wall and locked eyes with George. The monk leaped at him, and despite stepping on the arrow, George failed to escape. Dan kicked him in the chest, sending him once again flying through the building until he went through the screen at the back, ending up in the back. George could feel how his ribs cracked from that strike alone.
"You are quite durable for a magician," Dan commented, drawing closer, then grabbing George by the back of his shirt and throwing him against the wall. He then pushed him by the chest into the wall, pinning him down. "But you can only take so much before you can no longer defend yourself, magician. Now, tell me what I want to know."
"What you want to know…" George said slowly, but then a smile crept on his face. "Is that you have the wrong guy."
"What?" Dan gasped as a magical circle erupted on Geroge's chest, and in the next second, a large explosion engulfed the building, destroying it not only on the inside but also on the outside. The entire building, in ruins as it was, was turned to rubble, together with any nearby building as well. But what just happened?
The answer is simple. It happens when Dan loses sight of George after kicking him onto the screen. George used that chance and not only escaped but also created a double to take his place when Dan was to arrive. He escaped through the back exit while Dan pined his copy to the wall, followed by George detonating it. Currently, the real George Merrygold was on the other side of the street, clutching his side and panting.
But it wasn't over. The same aura erupted from the rubble, and a giant arm made of it rose to the sky. George couldn't see the arm itself, but he saw the energy within it, together with the outline of it. It came down toward George, slamming down on his location, but the magician unfolded his wings. Being a devil hybrid, he just had wings to use for flight. He didn't like using them, but now, they were more than needed.
Dan rose from the rubble as the giant arm crumbled to bits. George narrowed his eyes at him. "Even that couldn't take you out?" He asked, gulping in fear. However, he couldn't linger. If he didn't go on the offensive, he might as well lay down and die! He summoned several arrows, three rows, separated, but all pointing at Dan. The monk found this odd, but then George began launching several attack spells at him.
The arrows were making those spells faster, and they all struck true on Dan's body. But as always, he could tank them all. George knew he had to try harder. And only one option came to mind.
Soul magic.
He had some spells that could be used offensively, but they were a gamble. He hasn't had the time to practice and test them. Not well enough, anyway. Still, the option of NOT using them was out the window. It was do or die. Flapping his wings and summoning arrows all over, George accelerated greatly as he prepared the spell.
"Chaotic, like a cacophonic rhapsody, the soul is free and untamed." George began chanting, his fist starting to glow with a pale blue hue. Dan was trying to keep up with him, but George was moving too fast using his arrows. "Yet, I dare reach and grab it! I dare impose order upon chaos!"
The direction of an arrow changed, and George used it to blitz right into Dan's personal space. He ducked low, and Dan noticed him too late. "Let my fist…Grab the soul and impose its will!" As the chant was completed, George struck Dan in the stomach, and this time, the monk felt it.
"Gah!" Blood came out, pouring from Dan's mouth as he was sent flying back. His ears were ringing, and his vision was blurry, but worst of all, his entire body was in pain. It's not normal physical pain, either. His very soul was bleeding! "You…" He growled at George, who stood there with his fist still enveloped.
"Soul Strike," George said, naming the spell. "A strike delivered to the very soul of the opponent, bypassing all physical defenses."
"I forgot you are skilled in using Soul magic," Dan said, getting up and holding his stomach as his body returned to normal, dropping the metallic armor. "The only magician alive who can understand and interact with the soul. Curses…" Dan tried to take a step, but his knee gave out under him.
"Damage to the soul reflects strongly on the body. Even such a basic strike is more than enough to incapacitate an Ultimate-Class devil. Give up, Dan! Damaging the soul further can come with unrecoverable damage!" George warned him, but Dan was not giving up. He got up, and despite the pain, he once again summoned that dark-brown aura and turned his skin to metal. George clicked his tongue in frustration. "Is what you wish to achieve really that important you'd put your life on the line like this?"
"As I said, George…" Danbooru began, and the aura around him started to gain white accents as well. "You know nothing!" Then it happened. Dan's aura…Disappeared entirely. And with it, so did Dan vanish from Geroge's vision.
"What?!" George gasped, looking around frantically. "Where are you?"
"Right here," Dan said, standing in the same place George could see him last. "I analyzed your spell. You replicate echolocation, combined with magical detection, to send a magical wave that shows you your surrounding area. This wave is sent constantly, at two waves per second, which constantly reveals your surrounding area and those within it. It lets you see the energies within them."
"How could you know such things? I never-"
"No…But I could sense them." Dan confirmed.
"You have the senses of Youkai…" George realized.
"And we spend quite a bit of time together." Dan walked around, circling George. "It took me some time, but I fully analyzed your spell."
"What are you doing now? Why can't I see you anymore?" George asked, trying to use his other senses to pinpoint where Dan was.
"I am now releasing counter-waves, blocking yours," Dan replied. "By doing this, I essentially render myself invisible to you."
"Taking advantage of my disability…How low." George commented.
"Low? Hardly. George, you are a very talented magician. Too gifted to just kill. You have overcome your disability a long time ago, when for others, it'd be a crushing reality to live under. What it did was keep you humble and hard-working, eventually rising above expectations. You never relied on talent for anything, have you? Nor sought pity using your blindness." Dan stated, offering praise to George. "You are a real man."
"I told you before, I don't need your praise, Dan," George said again, trying to find Danbooru still.
"No…You don't. I know. I just wanted to let you know since I am unsure if we will ever meet again."
"Even if you learn where the last King Piece is, that would mean I will know where you are headed. What makes you think I won't follow you?" George asked, and for Danbooru, that was a very good question.
One with a very simple answer.
"Even if we both wielded a King Piece against one another, George…Do you truly believe you could defeat me?" Dan asked.
George swallowed bitterly, unaware that Danbooru…He was right behind him. The magician let his arms drop, and he hung his head low. George knew he couldn't. Even if the scales seemed equal, the difference in power, even at their base, was too great. He was accepting defeat. "No. I couldn't. Not today, and not ever, most likely."
Dan nodded his head, then dropped his trick to hide from George. He walked in front of the magician, and this time, George wasn't fighting back. No, the magician looked defeated. "I will ask again, George. Where is it?"
"The last King Piece…" George said bitterly. However, he knew that there was only one way he'd survive here.
"Tell me."
"From what I learned, it is with the remaining fugitives from the Great King Faction. It's with the Paimon's House head. However, Ajuka Beelzebub is actively hunting them down." George replied. "I do not know where they are hiding. I was still investigating their location."
"I have my sources. Still, tell me, what do you know?"
"They have bunkers on the border with the Norse realm of the dead. Helheim." George stated. "Both in Hell's territory and Helheim's. They are keeping under the radar."
"I see. Indeed, that is a wide border to search." Dan summarized. "Very well." He then turned around, picking up his clothing and getting himself dressed again.
"Wait!" George shouted. "You asked me something, and even if by force, I replied. Now, you tell me something."
"Hm?"
"Tell me, Dan…What are you seeking to achieve? Two King Pieces, the monster parts in your body, you…You are a monster." George said.
"That, George, is none of your concerns," Dan replied coldly. "But, if I am to entertain you, seeing how we will likely never see one another again, then the answer I can give is one: I seek what I desire. And what I desire is to be free from my tainted soul and mind."
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