The Twin Dragons

by HolyKnightX

The Heavenly Dragons, the Red and White Dragons are destined to fight from generation to generation. Their current hosts: both Issei and Kazuki Hyoudou, were born opposites, with separate interests, goals, and traits find themselves walking different paths, leading to their eventual destined battle.

20. School Battleground Part 1

Welcome to the next chapter of The Twin Dragons, but before starting. Let us answer some reviews:

altajir95: Thanks, and that was a moment that I loved writing this chapter. Kazuki will return the favor at least a thousand times over for what he did, and Ophis was revealed in this chapter.

---

School Battleground Part 1

"Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch," Issei was still groaning thinking back to the moment that he received Rias' punishment for getting involved with the Exorcist Trio despite her warnings. Said punishment included a thousand spankings, all of which came from her demonic power-covered hand. "Buchou, did you have to literally murder my ass?"

Issei whined still feeling the pain from that, but at the moment, she and he were inside of his bedroom prepared to sleep. After returning home, the two found themselves welcomed by Asia who seemed to have prepared their dinner but was expecting Kazuki there too. Neither of them had heard anything from him, but they didn't want to worry Asia. So, the two kept their Excalibur search a secret.

However, even if it remained a secret, Asia went to her and Kazuki's room feeling sad since it meant she'd have to be alone until he returned.

"Well, as a master, I have to discipline my servants when they've done something wrong. And besides, I couldn't let you off since Sona was there too," Rias surmised as she sat in his bed dressed in her sleepwear, which was lingerie. "I have to ensure that I don't look bad in front of another King."

"Well, I looked back being bent over, and snaked in front of my kouhai."

Issei replied nearly not wanting to sit down anymore, but the thought of sitting beside Rias since she was wearing lingerie made it better. And so, he took a seat beside Rias who seemed to be smiling at him as she then placed a hand on his cheek.

"I'm happy that you did end up accepting the punishment. Despite the situation, I think that you do deserve a little reward for it," Rias said smiling seductively as Issei seemed almost like a dog who was preparing to receive their reward from their master. "I wonder what reward I should give you. What do you want, I-s-e?"

"Hehehe, Buchou. Can I…?"

Shiver!

At that moment, Rias and Issei felt a sudden shiver going up against their spine, which originated from right outside their window. Rias was the first person to move as she peered outside where she noticed that Freed was standing out right on the sidewalk as he signaled for them to come outside.

"That priest! Issei, let's go! Inform Asia too, but don't tell her to remain inside for now."

"Right!"

Rias, who changed her outfit using demonic power; and Issei, who ran over toward the other room to inform Asia, prepared themselves for whatever might occur.

---

Both of them ran outside, but Asia remained downstairs peering outside of the house through the window inside of her shared bedroom. All of them were worried as both Goro and Miki were inside of the house asleep in their rooms. Taking that into account, Asia placed a barrier around their bedrooms so nothing would happen to them.

"…Shitty priest!"

Those were the first words that left Issei's mouth as he was prepared to activate his Boosted Gear in a second.

"Yahoo! Ise-kun, it's hasn't been that long since we last saw each other. Did I interrupt, both you and the redhead just now! Were the little devils going to have a good ol' fuck session?! I'm sorry, I'm not that good at reading the mood," Freed commented laughing causing Issei and Rias to narrow those eyes as him before he looked as if to find someone else. "I don't see Asia-chan anywhere, though, I was hoping that I'd get to see her adorable face!"

"What do you want?"

Issei asked before a sudden pressure came down on top, causing them to look up towards the sky overhead.

At that moment, Rias looked up and saw Kokabiel hovering above them wearing a maddening expression on his face as he smirked widely at them.

"…Fallen Angel."

Rias spoke staring straight at him, but there was something about his presence that was much weaker than what she would have done.

"This is our first time meeting, daughter of the Gremory Household. The crimson hair is beautiful. It reminds me of your brother that I hate enough to make me want to vomit."

Kokabiel spoke as he looked down at Rias, who looked as confident as usual.

"Nice to meet you, Kokabiel, one of the Grigori's Cadre," Rias replied folding her arms underneath her bust as an irritated look appeared on her face. "I am, Rias Gremory, so I will add one more thing. Although, we of the House of Gremory are the closest to the Maou, Lucifer, we're also the furthest from him. So, if you're here to discuss politics with me, then it's no use."

Rias knew that shouldn't be the reason he was there considering the situation at the moment, but she was trying to see what that was. From the fact that Kokabiel came to her town, which was under her jurisdiction, and stole a lot of the Church's Excaliburs. It didn't take long for them to realize that there was someone in Kokabiel's arms despite the darkness.

"I didn't come here to discuss politics, but I did bring a gift. So, here!"

Kokabiel without caring tossed the person who he had been carrying, who was soon caught by Issei after figuring out who said person was.

"I-Irina!"

Issei held Irina after realizing that it was her, noticing that her combat outfit was torn in several areas, but not one wound seemed to have been inflicted on her. Despite all his attempts, he couldn't get her to wake up, causing Issei to wonder what Kazuki's reaction to this would be.

"She came into my base. So I gave her a welcome before taking her Excalibur," Kokabiel relied without showing the slightest bit of hesitance at all, causing Issei to realize that Mimic wasn't on her at all. "Well, I couldn't catch the other three who chased after her. But, I did manage to have a run-in with the Hakuryuukou. I can't say I was impressed with him at all."

"Kazuki? What did you do you bastard?!"

Issei reacted after hearing that it looked as if Kazuki fought against Kokabiel for Irina, but there wasn't a sign of him being there. As if reacting to his emotions, Boosted Gear appeared on his left arm as Kokabiel was staring at them with a condensing look.

"Humph, I do wonder what happened to the Hakuryuukou," Kokabiel spoke snidely avoiding the question, but the look Rias was wondering about that since the Cadre seemed annoyed after talking about Kazuki. "But, I wouldn't do something as stupid as talking with a Maou about anything. Well, if I were to rape and kill his little sister, then Sirzechs' anger would be pointed directly at me. Now, that wouldn't be too bad."

Issei and Rias reacted to that for the same reaction as their anger seemed to be raising the more that the Cadre continued talking.

"…So what is your motive for contacting me?"

Rias maintained her emotions despite anger boiling inside of herself.

"I will be rampaging in this town using your base, Kuoh Academy, as the starting point," Kokabiel answered Rias in the most casual manner possible despite how insane his response sounded. "If I were to do that, then even a Maou as docile as Sirzechs would appear, right?"

"If you do something like that, then the Great War between Heaven, Grigori, and the Underworld would restart in this town," Rias slipped and sounded worried realizing what would happen to this town, and the innocent people living here if war restarted. "Are you really planning on doing that?"

"Yes, that's what I'm hoping for," Kokabiel replied almost displaying madness as Asia seemed shaken up at that moment, feeling the killing intent from him. "I thought that Michael would start acting after I stole all the Excaliburs from the various Church. But, then he sent out grunt Exorcists and three holy sword wielders. Talk about boring, I thought that he'd care more about the fact that their secret weapons were stolen. All this peace crap is boring me the more it continues. That's why I'm going to start rampaging in the base belonging to Sirzechs' precious sister. See?! Doesn't that sound like fun!"

Rias could see that there wasn't the slightest bit of logic behind his reasons, and it simply seemed as if Kokabiel started all this just to restart the Great War simply because he was bored.

"…You warmonger."

"Yeah. That's it! I was bored after the war between the Three Faction ended! Azazel and Shemhazai weren't too keen on the idea of starting another war. And instead began collecting boring things like Sacred Gears, and even started some weird research. Something useless like that wouldn't be much use to us, Fallen Angel! Well, it'd be a different story if is anything like the Boosted Gear, or Divine Dividing. Neither of them is something that can be found easily, but both wound up in the same place."

"…Are you guys also after my Sacred Gear?"

"A subordinate of mine was interested in getting the Divine Dividing that weak bodies brother of yours had since it wasn't going to be much of the current host. But, your brother ended up killing him to save that useless nun. I hated the fact that a fallen angel ended up being killed by some lowly human, so I ended up returning the favor," Kokabiel pointed out as Issei felt his anger building up after hearing more and more about what happened. "Well, I'm not really interested in either of them anymore. But, Azazel might be since he likes collecting weird things."

"Answer my question, what happened to my little brother jackass?!"

"If you want to find out then force me to answer you," Kokabiel declared as he turned his attention over towards their school. "I'm planning on starting a battle using the holy swords that we stole, Rias Gremory. This is going to be the perfect starting point of the next Great War! A school where both the Maou's little sisters happen to attend, which must be filled with demonic powers so I can relish in the chaos, It's also the best place to release the real power of Excaliburs! It's a good place for the battlefield."

"Hyahahaha! Isn't my boss the best? His crazy ideas are the best. So I'm also eager to do it. He even gives me treats like this."

Freed declared revealing all the weapons that he had on him.

"I have Excalibur Rapidly, Nightmare, Transparency, and Mimic," Freed declared as he showed off all the various holy swords that he had been given. "I also feel like getting Excalibur Destruction, and Blessing, even those that last one doesn't fit me much. Hyah, am I the first person in the world to have this many Excaliburs at the same time. I also received an element from Old Man Balba that allows me to use them all. Right, now I'm able to wield all of them, you know! I'm invincible! I'm wonderful! I'm the strongest! Hyahahahahahahahaha!"

Freed started exclaiming that out loud letting out a frenzied laugh believing that he was invincible and better than anyone else since he wielded all those Excaliburs.

"Balba's Holy Sword Research is the real deal if it shows thus much result. Truth be told, it seemed suspicious to me when he brought it up to me and wanted to start a war too. But, the results speak for themselves, I guess."

"What are you planning to do with the Excaliburs!?"

Rias losing her patience through the entire situation demanded an answer from the warmonger Cadre.

"Hahaha! Let's have a War! The little sister of Sirzechs Lucifer, Rias Gremory!"

Kokabiel declared heading in the direction of Kuoh Academy without showing signs of answering her this time. It was at the same time, that Freed tossed another object on the ground, which generated a flashing light. Blinded because of it, once their vision recovered, both Kokabiel and Freed were already gone.'

"Ise! We are going to the school!"

Rias declared as she already planned on gathering hers and Sona's peerage for this battle, which would be the fight of their lives.

"Yes!"

Issei strongly replied before looking over to Irina, and already planned on leaving her inside of their home for the time being.

---

"Irina-san?!"

Asia was confused as Irina was brought inside of the home, then inside of her and Kazuki's bedroom, before he placed her on the bed. She moved in to use Twilight Healing on her, but it didn't heal her since her wounds were all healed. However, it did send a warm feeling across her, which was comfortable enough to alleviate almost all the pain, but she was still unconscious.

"Ise-san, did something happen to Kazuki-san?"

Asia asked worried as she finished doing what she could for Irina.

It wasn't odd that she was capable of hearing the entire conversation, meaning that she heard from Kokabiel that he did beat up Kazuki during their confrontation. She was fiddling with her fingers as the concern she felt for him started building up to the point she felt as if she'd cry at any moment.

"…I don't know, Asia-chan."

Issei replied, not knowing what to think at the moment. He knew that Kazuki was a lot tougher than anyone ever thought possible, and he didn't want the thought of his death entering his head. But, it was not knowing what happened that caused him to worry.

[I don't think that you need to be worried about him.]

Ddraig spoke up surprising Issei and Asia.

"What does that mean, Ddraig?"

[The White One, and I continued our rivalry over the course of countless years, even after being sealed in Boosted Gear and Divine Dividing switching from the host after host. So, if he did up going to another host, then I at least would have been able to pick that up. So, at the very least, your brother is still alive.]

Hearing that confirmation from Ddraig was enough to relieve their concern about his potential fate.

"I'm glad," Asia felt a huge weight lift off her shoulders after hearing that Kazuki might still be alive, but she was a little bit worried since neither of them knew his location. "But, where is Kazuki-san? If he's hurt anywhere, then I need to find him!"

"Asia-chan."

Issei looked surprised as those strong words left her mouth, which truly showed how much she cared about him.

"But, we still don't know where he is unless we can somehow track his phone…."

"…base…."

Both of them stopped after hearing a weakened voice, which originated from Irina who appeared to have woken up as she faintly opened her eyes.

"Irina-san?"

"…I tracked…Freed…to an abandoned building…," Irina said as she struggled to lift herself. Despite all of her wounds being healed, it didn't change the fact that she was still tapped out. But, she managed to lift herself as she pointed out the window in another direction. "…it should be…there…."

"Irina-san, you shouldn't strain yourself."

Asia said as she helped Irina up as much as possible after seeing her falter for a bit.

"…Kazu-chan…ended up…getting hurt…because he…tried protecting me," Irina stated as Asia supported her as tears started to stream down her cheeks. "…please…make sure…Kazu-chan…is…safe."

It seemed as if that was the last of Irina's strength as she passed out in Asia's arms, but the nun had managed to put her back on the bed.

"Irina-san," Asia looked down at the passed-out exorcist. And found some kinship in the regards that they shared the same feeling of concern over Kazuki, for who they equally had feelings for. "I'm going to find Kazuki-san."

"What you're going there alone. But, Asia-chan, there could be more people there if it's Kokabiel's base."

"I know, but I cannot leave Kazuki-san there if he's hurt! And Irina-san begged that I go there and make sure he's safe. Kazuki-san once rushed into danger to help me, so I have to return the favor, and help him too!"

Issei was surprised to see Asia, who had acted so docile since the first time that all of them met her, act too strong and determined in this situation. He couldn't blame her since if it was him, then he would rush over there to find Kazuki too, and make sure he's safe too.

"I think that Asia should go find him."

Issei and Asia were surprised to find that Rias was standing in the bedroom, agreeing with her determination, and smiling in her direction.

"Asia, you aren't a part of my group or a devil, so I have no right to tell you whether you can or can't go there. And I think that a woman who's that determined should follow their desires, especially if it's for someone they love."

In response to hearing "love", Asia's cheeks turned red as she started thinking about Kazuki.

"But, Buchou, she'll be alone there."

"No, I won't," Asia said confusing Issei, but stopped as she activated a magic circle that caused Raikou to appear in front of her. After noticing that his master summoned, he, Raikou started flying around before landing into her bosom. "I have Raikou with me, and I have been learning magic. So, I can defend myself."

Issei stared at the blue dragon that Asia managed to form a contract with, but Raikou turned his attention toward him wearing a hostile glare.

"Hey, I'm not Kazuki, so don't even…."

"Gaa."

Raikou opened his mouth and blue lightning seemed to spark from his mouth, threatening to blast him using it.

"No, Raikou. Be nice to Ise-san."

"Kuu."

Raikou turned his head from Issei as if he was acting snidely.

"You little…!"

Issei seemed prepared to fight the baby dragon, but Rias stopped him after grabbing onto his shoulder.

"Don't fight a baby dragon, Issei. Besides, we need to get ourselves prepared to fight against Kokabiel before he does real damage to our town. I already contacted Sona, and her servants, all of them are already ahead of us at the school. Akeno and Koneko will be meeting us there too."

Issei agreed with Rias on that fact since their entire lives were basically in this town, which was the place where he and Kazuki were born, and their parents raised them.

"Right. Asia-chan is careful when you're heading there to that base," Issei said as he stared at Asia who still look as determined as before. "Also, could you tell him if he doesn't rush to that battlefield, then I'm going to tell every single person about his maid fetish."

"…okay."

Asia titled her head confused about that, but she agreed to it either way.

After coming to terms with what their groups would do, all three of them moved on with their own plans after they finished their individual preparations.

---

Outside Kuoh Academy, right near the park, Sona and Saji stood in front of Rias as her peerage still without Kiba gathered before them.

"Rias-senpai, we managed to cover the entire school using a large barrier," Saji informed, but he seemed to be in an odd position due to the fact he'd received the same one-thousand spankings as Issei. "So, unless something disastrous happens, there will be no outside damage caused from the battle."

Rias nodded her head after receiving the status report from Saji, as she could see that there was a barrier placed around the school. But, no one else from Sona's peerage could be seen at the moment since they were likely at their own positions maintaining the barrier.

"Putting a barrier around the school is meant to keep the outside damage to a minimum. But, to tell you the truth, if Kokabiel was serious, not just this school, but the entire region might be annihilated. However, it appears as if Kazuki-kun managed to cut his power down a bit before…," Sona said but found herself stopping thinking about what condition he could be in. "Well, Kokabiel seemed to realize the situation he's in at the moment and is attempting to regain his lost power. My servants have seen him doing just that in the middle of the school grounds. It might be short, but this might be our chance to stop him before his full strength returns."

Their King, Sona stood there wearing her usual calm and composed expression. But, on the inside, she seemed panicked as she heard about the potential threat to the school. However, what had her more worried was the fact that Kazuki was beaten down by Kokabiel. Aside from Rias, and Tsubaki, Kazuki was someone that Sona could have a genuine conversation with, and could almost match her on an intellectual level.

Hearing about the condition that he can be in at the moment was something that shocked her after she received Rias' call about the situation. However, Sona needed to think about this situation at the moment since all their lives were on the line, and she needed to do her duties as a King.

"My servants and I will continue maintaining the barrier placed around the school to reduce the outside damage as much as possible. But, if possible, I would like to minimize the damage to the school too, but in this battle that will be near impossible. However, the opponent is one of the Leaders of Grigori, so we'll need to be prepared to sacrifice a portion of Kuoh Town."

"Thank you, Sona. We will do the rest from here."

Rias replied understanding Sona's concerns, but as the overseer of this town, she will do her best to protect it.

"Rias. Our opponent here is a monster with strength above ours who Kazuki-kun struggled to weaken this much," Sona said with Rias understanding her concerns. "It's still not too late. We should get your Onii-sama…."

"You also didn't call your Onee-sama."

"My Onee-sama is someone who might cause more damage than Kokabiel if she found out about this," Rias was unable to disagree with that response, knowing how Sona's older sister was compared to her older brother. Sona continued with her response. "Your Onii-sama loves you as much as Onee-sama does me. If you contact him, then Sirzechs-sama will move."

"I've already taken the liberty of informing Sirzechs-sama."

Akeno informed her as stood beside Rias, who turned her head around to face Akeno looked angry about that.

"Akeno!"

Rias seemed prepared to criticize Akeno for doing that behind her back.

"Rias, I know that you don't want to cause problems for Sirzechs-sama," Akeno started as she stood right in front of Rias and continued. "It happened in your district. It happened right at your base. And it happened after you already caused trouble for your household. But, this is an entirely different story if the enemy leader appeared in front of you. It is a problem that surpasses the level that you're able to solve alone. Let's borrow the strength of a Maou, your brother."

Rias stopped and stared straight at her Queen, and best friend, it was the first time that either of them had seen Akeno act in this manner against her.

"I got it."

Rias sighed unable to complain anymore.

"Thank you for understanding the situation," Rias had returned to her usual smiley demeanor, staring at Rias and Sona before bowing her head. "Buchou, Sona-sama, Sirzechs-sama's reinforcements will be here in an hour."

"One hour, huh," Rias understood the time limit and smiled as confidently as before. "Alright, then we'll see if we can defeat him in that time."

"In understand," Sona thought about the situation and their time limit to hold off Kokabiel. "In that amount of time, we, the Student Council vow to continue holding up the barrier in the name of the Sitri Household."

"My cute servants and I will be on the offensive. We will go inside the barrier, and draw Kokabiel's attention. This isn't like our previous battle against the Phenex during the Rating Game. At this moment, it will become a battle of life and death! Even so, I will not forgive you all if you die here! We will survive, and continue attending school here like before!"

[Yes!]

Akeno, Issei, and Koneko all strongly replied.

"Well, well, I see that the princess is still as headstrong as before. But, you're still a bit childish."

Rias could hear a familiar, and almost condescending tone coming from behind her, then felt a sudden ringer that traced all the way up her spine.

"Ahhh, you!"

Rias turned around to find Raynare standing behind her looking as casual as before as she sent an almost smug smile at the crimson-haired heiress.

"Yo, Crimson Virgin Princess."

"Aren't you one too?! Little Fallen Bimbo"

Almost the same as before both Raynare and Rias were sending hostile looks at one another, causing sparks to fly between them.

"R-Raynare, where have you been this entire time?"

"You know, as surprising as this might sound to you," Raynare stated as she pointed out herself. "I did have a life of my own before coming here. Besides, if one of our Grigori Leaders starts a ruckus large enough to potentially trigger another war. Then there's dealing with the fact there could be supports of Kokabiel among Grigori, as well as preparing for damage control. So, I didn't really have the time to contact others since I ended up needing to do my best to help with all that."

"So, what're you doing back here?"

Rias asked irritated about how the fallen angel returned to their group.

"Why else? I'm here to help," Raynare replied as the others noted that she was dressed in a black combat outfit, which looked almost like a military outfit. "In my time at Grigori, I might have been forced into some training under one of the leaders to at least prepare for this fight. I'm going to show the results of my training."

"I bet you didn't get any stronger."

Rias said as Raynare found herself standing right in front of her face as their eyes were locked on each other as their respective auras covered them. Before long Raynare stopped as she looked around and couldn't see two of the people she was closest two in this group.

"Uh, where's Kazuki-kun, and Asia-chan?"

Raynare asked ignoring her argument with Rias for the moment.

Almost all of them looked as if there was a pause as even Koneko looked a little nervous at the moment after recalling how she felt after hearing about it.

"Well, this is what happened."

Akeno decided to speak up, finding it difficult to talk to Raynare, a fallen angel for certain reasons, but found that they didn't have much time at the moment. After that, she explained the entire situation that happened, while she was gone starting from the Exorcist Trio, and to that point.

"…I see. So, Kazuki-kun ended up beaten down like that," Raynare looked worried after hearing about what had happened to Kazuki, then hearing that Asia went to find him. "I don't need to be too worried since I know that isn't enough to bring him down. So, let's head out into battle and wait for him to come, and join in."

Raynare started walking off as confidently as before towards the battlefield, where Kokabiel was located. Even if a number of them had personal issues with her, almost all of them could tell that she was worried about Kazuki. If it wasn't for the fact that she needed to be there as a member of Grigori, then she likely would've gone over toward his location. All of them shared the same feeling of needing to handle this situation before anything happened, as well as realizing that Kazuki would return to the fight.

"Hyoudou! I will leave the rest to you."

Saji came up, as both he and Saji ended up giving one another a high five, the two of them almost sharing their recently formed brotherhood.

"I know that, Saji. You should worry about the damages on your ass."

"Don't say that! It feels like it will hurt even more if you say that! How about your ass?"

At the mention of that, Issei and Saji almost felt the residual pain caused by receiving a spanking from both the Kings standing behind them. It wasn't an experience that either of them wanted to endure a second time, so they silently promised themselves never to anger their Kings again.

"Fufufu. Buchou's love certainly hurts. Well, the situation right now is the same as having our asses on fire."

"No, no. I can't laugh at that. So Kiba isn't here yet?"

"Yeah. I believe that he is safe."

"Yeah. I also believe in him as well. Your brother is also going to come back in one piece too."

Saji replied, despite whatever feelings he had or have towards either Kiba or Kazuki, he was worried about their condition and didn't want them to die. Hearing that both the fellow Pawns smirked at each other, before butting their fists together preparing to fulfill their respective missions.

As Issei was leaving to join the others who were heading out into the battlefield, Ddraig could be heard speaking to him inside his head.

[I can sense that you're nervous about this battle.]

"Of course, I am. I'm confident in being able to fight with the others beside me, but we're still fighting against one of the Fallen Angel leaders."

[Leave it to me, partner. Our opponent is Kokabiel. He's not an insufficient opponent. Let's show him the power of one of the Heavenly Dragons, the Sekiryuutei.]

"Right, let's show him the power of the dragon that picked a fight with God of the Four Maou."

---

The Gremory Group joined with Raynare passed through the school gates, and Issei had promoted straight to Queen after gaining Rias' permission. Once their group stepped onto the school ground, they came across an odd sight, which came from the four Excaliburs that were floating around in the air releasing their auras. At the center of the magic circle was Balba, who was controlling the entire process.

"What is this…?"

Issei found himself asking that question confused, but Raynare seemed to have recognized the magic circle.

"It looks almost looks like a magic circle that Azazel-sama once theorized could recombine the broken Excaliburs and return them to their original form."

Raynare replied, surprising the people around her.

"That's right. Although, I don't have the other two, or the last missing Excalibur Ruler. I will still merge these four Excaliburs into a single powerful sword! But, after gaining the other two, I'll combine them into a single form. And after finding Excalibur Ruler, I'll complete the true Excalibur."

Balba replied showing an insane expression.

"Balba. How much longer will it take for the Excaliburs to merge?"

They were surprised after hearing a familiar above them, turning toward it, realizing that Kokabiel was sitting on a floating throne leaking nothing but confidence. The moon was behind him acting as a background giving himself a more ominous feel.

"It won't even take five minutes, Kokabiel."

Balba replied.

"Is that so. I will leave it to you," Kokabiel replied turning his attention over towards the group who had arrived, before soon turning his attention at Raynare. "Oh, Azazel sent his little courier. Is you have a little message to give me?"

"Aside from the fact that Azazel-sama wants you to stop acting childish. He's giving you just one more choice to return, and accept whatever punishment the other leaders decide upon. Azazel-sama realizes that you haven't escalated the situation to the point of being too late to fix it before another war breaks out."

"Well, aside from feeling disappointed that fool Azazel decided to send a fallen angel who hasn't been one for all that long to talk to me," at that comment, Raynare narrowed her eyes as the others wonder what he meant about that comment. "What is Azazel going to do if I don't?"

"Well, you can remain here and wonder whether Vali or Tobio-sama will be coming here to drag you back."

Raynare replied with a little bit of spite behind her words as Kokabiel narrowed his eyes at her, with the others all wondering who those people were.

"Who're they?"

Rias asked.

"Tobio-sama is a Longinus user, which can be considered an existence comparable to a Heavenly Dragon. And Vali is a sacred gear user, which Azazel-sama described as holding the potential to turn his into one comparable to even the Boosted Gear, and Divine Dividing."

Raynare revealed causing them to be concerned about the future since there was a chance that those two might be more of a threat than the person standing before them. And the fact that she revealed this information to them could mean either she trusted them, or even knowing that would mean anything.

"I see that Azazel is prepared to even sent Slash Dog, and his pet after me. Tsk, even the one who has the blood of one of the people I despise," Kokabiel said before turning his attention towards Rias, ignoring Raynare. "So, is Sirzechs or Serafall coming?"

"In the places of Onii-sama and Leviathan-sama, we…."

Kokabiel's face turned sour since it meant that neither of the Maou would be coming yet, causing him to manifest a light spear and tossed it at the school gym.

SWISH! BANNNNNNNNNNNNNNG!

In response to that, the gym exploded leaving behind nothing but rubble in its wake.

"Boring. Well, that's okay. It will be entertaining."

Kokabiel looked displayed and tossing that light spear seemed to have been his manner of venting that out.

Rias narrowed her eyes at the blatant disregard on their end, which was the same for the others, but Issei wore a shocked look on his face.

[Are you scared, partner?]

"Of course, I'm scared. Anyone would get scared after seeing that! He's on an entirely different level."

Issei replied to Ddraig.

[Yeah, he is on a different level from the opponents you've faced thus far. He is strong enough to be recorded in the Bible since ancient times. He is the one who survived the battle against God and the original Four Maou.]

Ddraig replied, causing Issei to wonder if it's possible to win against him.

[If the situation becomes too serious, then I will beat him even if it means turning most of your body into a Dragon. Even if you can't defeat him, I'll give him enough damage to stun him for an hour. You can leave the rest to the Maou when his reinforcements arrive.]

Issei was surprised that the kind of lengths that he needed to at least stun Kokabiel for an hour. Last time, he had used the incomplete Balance Breaker against Riser, but even that didn't last long even if it granting him enough power to match the High-Class Devil. However, afterward, Issei couldn't even activate Boosted Gear for three days after their battle. So, that'd be his last resort.

"Now. I will have you all fight my pets that I brought from hell."

Seeing that their group was prepared for a battle, Kokabiel snapped his fingers causing something to raise from the darkness, accompanied with a rumbling sound. The thing, no things that came from the darkness were eight to ten-meter massive three-headed hounds as their red eyes glittered in the darkness as their mouths opened up.

ROOOOOOOOOOOAR!

Both hounds unleashed a combined roar from their mouths, which shook the ground underneath them.

"Tsk, great he ended up summoning two Cerberus."

Raynare said as she glared at both the three-headed hounds staring in their direction.

"Cerberus."

"It's a famous creature nicknamed the Guard God of Hell," Rias replied to Issei's confusion as she continued. "It's supposed to be guarding the Gates of the Underworld. How dare he bring two to the Human World. We have no other choice but to put it down."

"Yes, Buchou! Let's go, Boosted Gear!"

[Boost!]

Issei activated Boosted Gear, which doubled his powers from the start, appearing prepared for a fight.

"Ise, this time, you'll need to boost up our powers if we stand a chance here."

"So, I'll need to transfer power to you all?"

"Yes, you'll be supporting us in this battle. Since the battle against Riser, you learned that you can build up your power using its doubling abilities, then transfer that power to someone else. So, that will be an important part in the battle here," Rias replied recalling the new power, Transfer, which Issei awakened in the middle of that battle, and the level of effect that it had on Kiba's Sword Birth. "So, in addition to your power-ups, how many times can you transfer your powers to someone else?"

"Right now, with my current stamina, I can transfer three or four times with the maximum boosts," Issei said, but he thought back to the previous battle after he tried fighting against Riser, which made him realize the amount of pain he went through. "No, I might faint after the fourth time, so please think that I can only do it three times."

"I see. So we can't waste it."

Rias realized, causing Issei to wonder if he could start training himself again.

"Akeno!"

"Right, Buchou!"

Both Rias and Akeno spread their devil wings, then flew up into the skies to deal with one of the Cerberus.

"So, do you mind fighting the other one with me?"

"…sure."

Koneko gave an almost emotionless response to Raynare, who didn't think that either of them would ever want to work with her. Hearing that Koneko would work with her on this, she smiled as she spread out her fallen angel's wings, but hers were different from before. Instead of being one pair, there was another set of wings, meaning all her training since the Familiar Forest since paid off.

"Huh, did you gain another set of wings?"

Issei asked surprised as Raynare looked proud of herself.

"Yea, I did train myself harder since before, and received instruction from a leader."

Raynare declared proudly as she summoned a light spear in her hands as she flew towards, avoiding the flames it breathed at her, then tossed the light spear at it. Once it came in contact with its shoulder, the Cerberus let out a pained groan as smoke started coming from the wound. Seeing that the Cerberus was stopped for a moment, Koneko leaped at the three-headed hound, punching it one of its heads. It caused notable damage as its blood spurted out of its mouth.

As another one of its heads went at Koneko, Raynare came in and stabbed it in the forehead using a light sword, causing the Cerberus to yelp from the pain. But, it distracted it long enough for Koneko to punch it in its head as blood spurted out from its mouth. From there, both Koneko and Raynare continued teaming up against the three-headed hound, seeming to have the advantage.

Both Rias and Akeno were fighting against theirs as the King released her demonic blasts, which collided against the Cerberus' flames despite using her inherited Power of Destruction. It was because two of the three heads in that instance combined their fire breaths. Before the third could unleash another one, Akeno brought down a bolt of lightning from the sky above it, showing it.

Issei could see that both the Cerberus were handling the attacks from the woman, as their blood leaked out from their wounds. However, they continued enduring the attacks being released at them.

"Come on, I'm not there yet."

Issei said as he realized that he wasn't charged up yet from the boosts to transfer power to the others.

However, as Issei was waiting to achieve the proper power, he could hear a growling sound coming from behind him. He slowly turned around already knowing that the grows sounded familiar, almost matching these Cerberus' grows after first being summoned. Issei's fears came true as he turned around to find that there was another one that appeared right behind him.

"There's another one!?"

Issei shouted as he started running as the Cerberus pounced at him, knowing as long as he didn't attack or get attacked, the Boosted Gear wouldn't reset.

"Oh, I didn't mention that."

Kokabiel laughed feeling amused about the show that was being put on right in front of him, by the group fighting against his now three Cerberus.

"Asshole!"

Issei called out as he continued running, wondering if he should release the power that he was storing up, seeing as dying would mean they lose their supporter.

"Ise! Just use the boost to increase your powers!"

Even Rias who ordered him not to fight permitted him after seeing that he'd die if he didn't fight back.

"Alright. Let's go, Boosted…."

---

Before Issei could activate Boosted Gear, he realized that the Cerberus at that moment lost one of its heads and one of its legs. It was at such speed that he couldn't follow the attack itself, causing him to wonder if Kiba arrived on the battlefield.

"I have come to back you up."

"Wow, that was a close one."

Appearing beside him with their Excaliburs in their hands were Xenovia and Mariah. Before Issei could even give thanks or call out their names, both the Excaliburs started moving, then started fighting against the Cerberus. At that moment, Xenovia slashed the Cerberus' chest using Destruction, and Mariah slashed out their eyes by using Blessing. Amid the combined attacks from power and speed, smoke started coming from all the wounds as their opponent wasn't able to even counter.

"The strike of Excalibur. It gives critical damage to creatures."

Xenovia declared as she ended the attack by stabbing Destruction deep into the Cerberus' chest, finally causing its life to cease as its body vanished to dust.

"Oh, I see that these exorcists aren't as useless as the rest."

Kokabiel said breathing out impressed about their attacks.

At the same time, Issei looked down as he noticed that Boosted Gear's jewel started flashing as if signaling him about something.

"What's happening?"

[The Boosted Gear is informing you that it has reached the stage where the Cerberus can be defeated if power is transferred to either Rias Gremory or Akeno Himejima.]

Ddraig informed him as Issei looked surprised about that since it was a new function, he wasn't aware of.

[It means that both you and the Boosted Gear are evolving as time passes. It has made what you desire possible since you couldn't tell the difference between you and your opponent's power. Since you awakened it, you weren't aware of how many boosts that you needed to defeat an opponent. But, now Boosted Gear has started answering you.]

Issei was surprised since it was reacting to one of his weak points since he started fighting against opponents far superior to him. But, Rias did mention that Sacred Gears evolved based on their owner's desires, so it wasn't that surprising it reacted like that.

"Buchou! Akeno-san! I have enough power to take down Cerberus!"

Hearing that from him, both came towards him after Akeno attacked the Cerberus using another lightning blast.

"Ise! You increased both the cross and holy water during the battle against Riser, right? So, is it possible for you to increase both of us at the same time!"

"I mean yea, I asked Ddraig about it before the battle started, and he said that around seventy to eighty percent of the boosted power would be transferred."

Issei explained as Rias and Akeno nodded her head at that.

"I think that would be enough."

"Yes. We can do it!"

"Then, let's do it, Boosted Gear!"

Issei placed his hand on both Rias' and Akeno's shoulder, then transferred the power that he had built up since activating Boosted Gear.

[Transfer!]

Heartbeat!

Rias and Akeno felt their heart beat faster, then an enormous amount of power was transferred to them, causing an enormous demonic power to radiate from them. Seeing how much their powers were increased after receiving the transfer, they believed they could handle it.

"Let's go, Akeno!"

Akeno nodded at Rias' daring words as she prepared to unleash the power that was transferred into her.

"Thunder! Resound!"

Akeno called out as she pointed her finger towards the sky, and summoned thunderclouds around her, which had thunder resonating throughout them. The Cerberus could sense that it would be killed if it took on that attack head-on, then started running from Akeno. At that moment, several demonic swords sprouted out from under the Cerberus, piercing its limbs.

"It won't let you escape."

Kiba appeared as he appeared at a distance from the escaping Cerberus.

Flash!

At that moment, Akeno unleashed the lightning strike on the Cerberus, which covered its entire body, covering a portion of the school ground from the light alone. As soon as the attack vanished, there wasn't anything left of the Cerberus, and leaving a sizable crater in the aftermath. At the same time, Raynare and Koneko finished off theirs as a sizable light spear pierced through its body.

"Take this, Kokabiel!"

Rias, using the power transferred to her, unleashed a giant massive of demonic power, her Power of Destruction at Kokabiel. It was ten times bigger than the one that she would have normally released from her hands, causing the people around her to sense the destructive power from it. In response to this, Kokabiel extended his hand as a wild smile appeared on his face.

"Are you kidding me?!"

Issei was shocked as Kokabiel stopped it using one hand, but noticed that he was struggling in holding it back as his hand seemed to be injured. Soon enough, he tossed it aside in another direction in the air before it vanished in thin air.

"I see. Rias Gremory's power would grow this much because of the Sekiryuutei's powers. Interesting. This is very interesting indeed! Kukuku."

Kokabiel laughed widely as he stared at his wounded hand, which was smoking after receiving that attack.

"It's complete."

Balba said causing them to turn their attention to see that the four Excaliburs were fused into a single sword, with a powerful aura radiating from the blade.

"Because of the light created by the Excalibur when it became one, the spells on the ground is also completed. In twenty minutes this entire own will collapse unless Kokabiel is defeated."

Hearing that from Balba caused Rias and the others to become surprised as it meant that even if Sirzechs and all the others arrived in an hour, there wouldn't be anything left. If it was just fighting for an hour, then they would do that most, but in twenty minutes, they became worried.

"Freed!"

Kokabiel snapped his finger, called Freed who had been hiding throughout the entire time.

"What's up, Boss?"

At Feed's question, Kokabiel pointed at the magic circle, where the fused Excalibur was now hovering over as an insane grin could be seen on the former priest's face.

"Use the fused Excalibur, it shall be the last entertainment that these will have before their town is destroyed."

"Yeah yeah. Geez. My Boss sure uses people recklessly," Freed seemed to have complained but smiled as that meant that he could use a new sword. "But, I'm so honored to use this Excalibur-chan, which has become such a super wonderful weapon. Uhehehe! I will just chop some Devils now!"

Freed picked up the fused Excalibur, which was releasing a powerful aura combined from the four others, which was used to create it.

"Rias Gremory's Knight. If cooperation is still valid, let's destroy that Excalibur together."

"Is that okay?"

"Mariah already explained that as long as the core remains, then it's possible to recreate them. Besides, that isn't a holy sword in Freed's hands. An instructor of ours once said that what makes a holy sword, a true holy sword is a person wielding it. In the hands of someone like Freed, it's nothing more than a sword of heresy."

"Xenovia is right. A holy sword is only a holy sword when the person wielding it is fighting to protect others. And not to fulfill their own twisted desires."

"Kukuku…."

In response to their words, Balba seemed to have started laughing as if something was amusing to him. Reacting to that laughter, Kiba and Mariah turned their killing intent towards them.

"Balba Galilei. I am a survivor of the Holy Sword Project that you headed a long time ago. No, I was the person who died at that time, the same as the others, but I survived because I was reincarnated into a devil."

"Hou," Balba seemed to have recalled them after seeing Kiba and Mariah stand beside each other. "Now, I recall it, there were twins who were brought into my project from back then. The older brother possessed Sword Birth, but the younger sister bore the attribute that I had tried to cultivate. Fufufu, it's quite ironic that one twin had the trait to potentially wield demon swords, and the others a trait to wield holy swords. To see you two standing side by side like this must be fate. Unfortunately, a member from the Vatican took her away since I could've got more research from studying her. But, isn't it great that the siblings met each other again."

"Don't you dare talk as if nothing happened that day! You murdered all of our friends, and stole everything, their chance to fulfill the dreams that we all talked about."

"Don't start with that. I received enough so-called criticism from those people before being excommunicated from the Church. It was because of them that I managed to complete my research."

"Complete? What're you talking about," Kiba was confused after hearing that the research was completed since it was because it was they were considered failures that it wasn't completed. "You disposed of us after considering all of us failures."

"I realized that an essential factor is needed to hold and wield holy swords. So, I started researching that using many numerical factors to investigate its capabilities. It was then that I discovered that, unlike your sister, most of the test subjects didn't have enough of the element to wield Excalibur. And I wondered, what would happen if I just took the element out from those who had them, then gathered them into one?"

Realizing what that meant, Xenovia's and Mariah's eyes widened, as well as Kiba who realized what it meant too for their friends despite not having seen it himself.

"Then that means the thing that was put into Irina-chan so that she could use Mimic was that element?"

"And all the other holy sword wielders, when they received a blessing, is…."

"That's right, with this, the holy sword wielder research improved," Balba pulled out a crystal that released a holy aura, but then clenched it in his hands as if from frustration. "Even so, those fools from the Church banished me, then took my research for themselves. That Michael! He made me look like a criminal, but made use of what they learned from me! Well, this is an angel, an Archangel at that. So, even if he took the element from their hosts, he wouldn't go as far as to kill them. That part only would make him more human than me. Kukukuku."

Mariah looked on as anger started building up inside of her.

"Y-You didn't even need to kill them that day! Why did you have to kill everyone if all you needed was to take out their element?! Was all this just because you couldn't use a holy sword, yourself?!"

Mariah found herself shouting, losing her previously shown cheerful demeanor.

"Oh, so you read about me, then…?"

Balba seemed to have had his ego inflated after hearing about that.

"I wanted to learn about the person who took my brother and friends from me," Mariah said as she clenched her fist. "But, then I learned that person was nothing more than some old man living a childish fantasy and taking out all his frustration on innocent children! You're not some great scientist or researcher, you're just some loser who didn't get what he wanted!"

Hearing that comment from Mariah caused Balba to narrow his eyes towards her as she was looking down on all his work and effort.

"…Balba Galilei. How many lives have you sacrificed for your greed and experiments?"

Kiba shared the same feelings as Mariah, who'd understood what the Holy Sword Project truly was. No one from their group could say a single word and instead allowed them to continue speaking.

"Tsk, if that's how you feel, then take this one. It's the last one I made from your friends. " Balba disregarded their comments as he tossed the crystal towards Kiba's feet as if it was nothing more than trash to him. "My research advanced to the point where I can produce those in the right environment. Afterward, I will gather all of the holy swords around the world, and create armies of holy sword wielders. And I will show those fools from Heaven and the Church that my research is superior."

Kiba knelt to the ground as he picked up the crystal from off the ground as Mariah seemed to have been on the brink of tears. They realized the people before them, were nothing but people with selfish desires for starting another war for their own self-centered desires.

"Everyone."

Kiba cried as he held the crystal in his hands, holding it as if it was one of the most precious things in the world as one of his tears fell onto it. Reacting to his emotions, the crystal started letting out a mysterious light before several shapes were beginning to take shape around them. All of them were boys and girls who were unfamiliar to Rias and the others. But, there were familiar to Kiba and Maria who looked around confused.

"Our friends…."

"Everyone…."

"All the various powers presented on the battlefield have made the spirits within the crystal appear."

Akeno, who was more sensitive to things such as this responded as she looked around feeling deep emotions as the situation continued going forward.

"…I always…I always thought about it. It is right that I was the one who survived that day…. There were those at that place with more dreams than me. Some wanted to live more than me. Is it alright that I was the only person who got to have a peaceful life…."

Mariah could see that Kiba was letting out all the emotions that had been accumulated within himself after all this time since the incident took place. It was then one of them, a boy approached them before smiling at them, then spoke to them.

[Don't worry about us anymore. You and Mariah are alive at least.]

Following the boy, all of the boys and girls there starting smiling before singing a song, which was took familiar to Kiba, and Mariah. It was a sacred song that all of them used to sing together whenever sharing their hopes and dreams. Even if the experiments were painful to the point of them wanting to give up, this was the song that all of them sang to make them feel together and connected.

Despite being a sacred song, none of the devils there felt headaches from hearing it, but their emotions seemed to have reached their hearts. Even Xenovia, who has been stoic since she arrived there was able to feel all their emotions at that moment as their feeling caused her to pray.

Hearing it again after all this time, caused tears to stream down Kiba's and Mariah's cheeks.

"I-I had almost forgotten about this song."

Mariah said as she wipes away from the tears that were starting to form.

At that moment, all of their deceased friend's spirits started moving, before gathering around Kiba as the lights all around them got brighter.

[We were no good alone.]

[We didn't have enough elements to wield the holy swords. But….]

[It will be okay if we are together.]

Together all the children started speaking one by one as their feelings were conveyed to them.

[You have to accept the holy sword.]

[It's not scary.]

[Even if God isn't watching.]

[Our hearts are always…]

[ONE.]

The spirits seemed to have extended towards the heavens before turning into a big burst of light that fall on Kiba who closed his eyes.

[Partner. The Knight has reached it.]

"Reached what?"

[Sacred Gears changes and evolves while using the possessor's feelings as its source. But, this is on an entirely different level. When those feelings and wishes cause a dramatic change that alters the flow of the wield itself, it causes the Sacred Gear to reach "that" state. Yes. This is…Balance Breaker.]

Kiba thought about what happened as soon as he escaped from that hellish research laboratory alone, thinking of his friends and sister who he thought he'd never see again. It was that time that he met a crimson-haired high-class devil who found him in the snow. She answered his desire to want to continue living and turned him into a devil using the Knight-piece.

"To live like a devil," Kiba opened his eyes as he stared forward using strong eyes that caused Balba to almost let out a surprised gasp. "That was what my master, and I desired. I thought that it was fine, but I couldn't forget my hatred for Excalibur and my friends' vengeance. No, I could have forgotten about it. None of them desired to have vengeance, they just wanted me to live. But, even then, that alone won't solve anything."

Kiba clenched his fist as he took a step forward, causing Balba to almost instinctively take a step back.

"Balba Galilei. As long as I don't kill you, there will be those who would suffer the same fate as us."

"Hmph. It's been said for a long time that research always comes with…."

"There's nothing noble or advanced about anything that you've done in the past."

Mariah interrupted as she stepped forward too.

"Kibaaaaaaaa! Cut down both Freed and Excalibur," Issei shouted out loud causing Kiba to turn to face him while there were tears in his eyes. "You're the Knight of the Gremory and my comrade! My friend! Fight Kibaaaaaaa! Don't waste their feelings and spirit!"

"Yuuto! Do it! Finish this yourself, surpass Excalibur! You are the servant of I, Rias Gremory! My Knight will never lose to a mere Excalibur!"

"Yuuto-kun! I believe in you!"

"…Yuuto-senpai!"

Kiba heard words of encouragement from Issei, Rias, Akeno, and Koneko, all of whom seemed to have been on the brink of tears after hearing that song.

"Hahaha! Why're you all crying? All because of nothing, but deceased ghost-chans. It's really a nuisance. It's totally the worst. You know I hate that damn song. Just listening to it makes my skin crawl! I don't want to hear it anymore. I'm totally at my limit! I'm going to cut you into pieces and calm myself! With this ultimate Excalibur that has merged 4 of them!"

Of course, someone as demented as Freed wouldn't have been able to understand the meaning of this song, or the emotions behind them. Kiba looked forward and let a breath escape from his mouth as he held out his hand as if he were preparing to pick up a sword.

"…I will become a sword," Kiba said as he started extending his hand towards the sky above him. All the feelings of his friends who merged their spirits with his, he placed all of them into that. "I will become the sword of Buchou and my comrades! Please respond to my feelings now! Sword Birth!"

At that moment, both holy and demonic powers started gathering around his hand almost like a twister amassing at the center of it. It was a phenomenon that caused Balba to look on shocked and Kokabiel looked on wearing an interesting look on his face.

"Oh?"

In his hand, a single sword was created, which contained both those powers letting a sacred and ominous aura all radiate from it, with odd markings running along the blade. Once it was manifested, Kiba grabbed onto it and stood in a prepared stance.

"This is my Balance Breaker, Sword of Betrayer. You shall receive the holy and demonic powers with your own body."

After making that declaration, Kiba rushed at Freed using the enhanced speed provided by his Knight-piece but was blocked by Freed who managed to read it. Kiba's holy-demonic sword and Freed's fused Excalibur clashed against one another wreathed in their own aura. However, despite being the combination of all four Excaliburs, it was having its aura erased by Kiba's sword.

"That sword surpasses the originator of holy swords!?"

Freed spoke in a surprised voice as he was being pushed back by Kiba.

"If that was the true original Excalibur, then I couldn't have won. But, that Excalibur cannot cut the feelings of me and my comrades!"

"Chi!"

Freed clicked his tongue, then moved back from Kiba using the enhanced speed provided by Rapidly, then made the fused Excalibur stretch, and extend over towards Kiba using the same speed. But, despite that, he managed to avoid and/or deflect all the strikes using his holy-demonic sword. It was a combination of his own techniques, speed, and the fact that he could read Freed's killing intent, which practically telegraphed all his attacks.

"Why!? Why isn't it hitting!? You are supposed to be the unrivaled holy sword, aren't you!? Weren't you supposed to have lots of legends of being the ultimate sword!?"

Freed seemed as if he was unable to understand that his fused Excalibur wasn't faring well against Kiba who'd just awakened Balance Breaker.

"Then! Then I have to add this as well!"

At that moment the fused Excalibur's blade vanished since he used Transparency, but Kiba wasn't deterred at all since his killing intent made all his attacks as clear as day. So, he was able to handle all the attacks as sparks of the two blades colliding flew in the air.

"Even if you have the strongest sword in the world. It doesn't matter if you're not trained enough to use it correctly in battle," Mariah said as she held out her hand while approaching the confused Freed. "I came here to settle an incident from the past too."

Mariah at that moment caused the space beside her to distort as she reached her hand inside of it, then started to pull something out from inside of another dimension. She pulled out a sword that appeared to be an elaborate almost angelic-looking knight sword, which gave almost a heavenly presence. After seeing the design of it, Balba and Kokabiel seemed to have become shocked.

"T-That's impossible," Balba didn't appear interested but was completely shocked after seeing that. "I-Is that Almace? But, how're you able to use it? There hasn't been a single person in the entire Church who has been capable of even using it, which was the reason it was stored in Heaven! It was even theorized that the only person who could use it had to have a light attribute closest to an angel in purity."

"I received this holy sword from Gabriel-sama herself. So, here and now, I'll remove the evil from this world. And to ensure that no other child suffers from the same trauma that you put us through!"

And with that strong voice, Mariah charged a Freed who stepped back from Kiba, then blocked Almace's strike in a panic as he glared at her.

"Dammit, I didn't think that I'd meet that bastard's sister. But, don't think that your little shits can beat me. In my hands is the ultimate holy sword!"

Freed declared as he tried kicking at Mariah, but she stepped back avoiding the strike. It wasn't long until Freed's image seemed to have started multiplying around them as an untold number of clones seemed to appear around the battlefield.

"Are these afterimages created from speed?"

Kiba asked holding his holy-demonic sword in his hands prepared from an attack.

"No, these are simply illusions created using Nightmare," Mariah said breathing out unimpressed about his futile attempt at fooling her. "I can sense the killing intent from you. But, I don't like the fact you're using Excalibur in a manner like this. So, I'll end this little childish game. Almace!"

At that moment, there was silence until the people around them could see that wind started gathering around the blade. But, the devils could sense that it wasn't normal wind, since simply being around it felt almost like being in the presence of holy water or cross.

"So, is this Almace's ability?"

Rias asked as she felt the prickling on her skin as the wind was still blowing.

"What is this wind?"

Issei asked feeling this same presence.

"I believe that this is holy wind."

Akeno replied understanding something like this more than anyone there for reasons that she had never wanted to admit out loud.

It wasn't long until Mariah released a burst of wind from Almace around her, which blew apart the illusions that were produced by Freed using Excalibur Nightmare. He himself was also pushed back as he struggled to regain his balance from the sudden burst of wind.

"Argh, what the fuck is going on?!"

"This is how you wield a real holy sword," Xenovia said as she also started to approach him as he was struggling to figure out what was going on. "And Mariah is correct. Without proper training, it's nothing more than a stick that is being wielded by a child. "Saint Peter. Saint Basil the Great. Saint Denis. Holy-mother Mary. Please hear my voice."

Similar to Mariah, the space around her started to distort, then Xenovia reached her hand inside of the space as a hilt was coming out from it.

"In the names of the saints who reside within this blade, I will release it. Durandal!"

Xenovia pulled out a blue unique-shaped single-edged broadsword, which had a golden edge. As soon as it was pulled out from its dimension, it released a powerful aura that surpassed the fused Excalibur and even Almace.

"C-Come on, D-Durandal!"

Balba said as he paled seeing that two girls here wielded two complete holy swords unlike Excalibur, which was a broken sword. Kokabiel himself had recognized Durandal as images from a previous fight against the previous wielder unable to hide his shock after seeing it again.

"You were not the wielder of the Excalibur!?"

Kokabiel asked out loud seeming more surprised than Balba.

"Wrong," Xenovia said as she prepared Durandal in her hands. "Similar to Mariah here, I was chosen to become the wielder of Durandal before being chosen to be the wielder of Excalibur too. And similar to her, I'm not one of the artificial holy sword wielders who received the light element. Thanks to you, I get the chance to wield this child again. Since Durandal is a sword that ravages things beyond what one can imagine, it doesn't listen to me most of the time. So, I keep it inside another dimension, but now I can wield it against that fused Excalibur. So, don't go and die on me in a single strike!"

Xenovia rushed as Freed who seems unable to comprehend anything anymore at this point, as he wanted to just throw a childish tantrum.

"Is this even allowed?! First, a Balance Breaker that surpasses my Excalibur-chan! Second, some sword no one has seen! And now, some super sword that rivals the original! I wish all of you would just fuck off, and die!"

Freed charged as Xenovia as he made his fused Excalibur invisible again, then increased its sword swing using Rapidly. But, she wasn't phased as she swung Durandal in the same direction that she sensed it coming from. In a single move, Durandal shattered the fused Excalibur using a single swing, which generated a hole in the barrier that had surrounded Kuoh Academy.

"So it's just a broken holy sword, huh. It can't even compete with my Durandal."

Xenovia looked bored as she slashed through the fused Excalibur without trying her hardest yet, causing Freed to stare at his now broken sword.

"Are you serious!? Are you really serious!? The legendary Excalibur-chan is shattered into pieces!? Horrible! This is horrible! Kaaaa! Was it wrong to use something that was broken from the start? The shallowness of humans. The foolishness of the Church. I want to grow up while taking a glimpse of it!"

Freed was now losing it as his killing intent started weakening, but Kiba didn't let this chance slip and didn't want to allow him to escape anymore. He charged as Freed who sensed his presence, then attempted to block it using what remained of the fused Excalibur. However, it proved to be a useless attempt as Kiba sliced through it with a single slash from his holy-demonic sword. Freed received a deep wound from his shoulder to his stomach, then fell to the ground as blood leaked from his wound.

"Did you see it? Our powers have surpassed Excalibur."

Kiba uttered as he stared at the holy-demonic sword, which represented his and his friends' spirits.

"Ho…Holy-demonic sword…? Impossible…. The polar opposite of two things cannot merge…."

Balba seemed to have been unable to comprehend what was happening at the moment as he stared at the holy-demonic sword, which truly manifested in Kiba's hand. Seeing him Kiba and Mariah turned around to face him as their swords were prepared to cut down the source of their suffering.

"Balba Galilei. Prepare yourself."

Kiba was the first to speak as he approached Balba, who realized something.

"…I see! I understand now! Holy and demonic," Balba himself looked shocked as he realized it as he continued with his explanation. "It will be an explanation if the beings that represent the two become unbalanced! Then not only the Maou but the God has also…."

Before Balba could finish, Kokabiel pierced him using a light spear in the most casual motion possible.

"Oops," Kokabiel said, neither Kiba nor Mariah needed to confirm his death since it pierced his vital organ. "Balba. You were remarkable and smart for a human. The reason you went up to that conclusion proves that. But, I don't mind whether you are with me or not. I could have done it by myself from the beginning."

Kokabiel sneered as if what he revealed was something that he wanted to do himself without interruption.

"Hahahaha! Kahahahahahahahaha!"

Kokabiel jumped down from his throne, then landed on the ground unleashing pressure from his entire body as everyone there could sense it. Neither of them who knew could tell whether or not he returned to full strength at all since Kazuki divided his powers.

"Hey, Sekiryuutei increase your power, then transfer it to someone else."

Hearing that comment caused Rias to glare at him as if she felt insulted about that comment.

"Are you trying to give us a chance!? Don't mess around!"

Rias replied before feeling someone placing a hand roughly on her shoulders, then she turned around to see that it was Raynare who looked nervous.

"Now isn't the time to be stubborn, Gremory. Don't forget the person standing in front of you is one of the leaders of Grigori who survived the Great War. Riser isn't anywhere in the same league as Kokabiel even when he's holding himself back," Raynare stated as the aura around him further assisted her claim. "Even if all of us teamed up, he could beat all of us. This is nothing but a game for him, we're nothing but insects to him! So, if he gives you the chance to power yourself up, then don't taunt him."

Rias could see that Raynare wasn't doing her usual nonchalant or condensing, but instead the truth which was shown as she herself was shuttering from the pressure.

"Hahahaha, she's right! Everyone in this entire town is nothing, but ants to me that I can squash on a whim. I can simply kill every single one of you, and present your bodies to the Maou after arriving here," Kokabiel declared as a laugh escaped from his mouth while releasing his aura. "Even that Hakuryuukou who Azazel had his hopes for as potentially being one of the most talented was nothing more than an insect I squashed to the ground!"

Hearing that comment caused Kiba, Mariah, and Xenovia all looked surprised as neither of them heard about the situation he was involved in. Issei looked angry after hearing how Kokabiel had referred to his younger brother as his fist was balled up into a fist. Before Issei could take a step forward, Rias grabbed onto his hand, while looking forward at the opponent standing in front of him.

"…Ise. Activate your Sacred Gear, then transfer your power to me."

Rias said as Issei realized that among them, Rias had the highest chance of dealing him damage with her Power of Destruction, which held high damage potential able to erase almost any matter it comes in contact with. Issei was able to tell that she was remaining strong, but even she was feeling the pressure from him.

"Boosted Gear."

[Boost!]

Issei activated Boosted Gear once more, then started waiting as the boosts continued coming every ten seconds.

---

At around the same time, where Kiba awakened Balance Breaker, inside Kokabiel's base, Kazuki found himself opening his eyes. His attention was aimed at the star-filled night sky as he was wondering where he was at that moment. It was then that he realized two things in that instance, both of which caused him a great deal of shock.

First, was that he had been beaten down by Kokabiel, and Irina was taken away by the fallen angel, which was a piece of information was caused him to want to jump up. And second, was that his head wasn't lying down on the ground, and instead on something rather soft.

"You're, awake."

Kazuki turned his attention towards Ophis, who was staring down at him wearing an almost expressionless face.

"…ah, I'm sorry!"

Kazuki was prepared to jump up after realizing that he was currently receiving a lap pillow from someone that he didn't know. Before, he could, even more, a single finger was placed on his forehead stopping him from making a single move. No, literally, Kazuki wasn't able to make a single move at all as he still attempting to get up, but he'd been unable to the entire time.

"W-What's going on right now," Kazuki felt that his mind was in a panic at the moment as he stared at Ophis' own build, which looks the same as any other girl he's met. But, a single slender finger kept him in the same position. "I'm trying my hardest to stand up, but I'm not even able to move a single inch. It's not like she's putting both her hands on me, she's just using a single finger and I can't move."

"Calm down," Ophis spoke to him, not in a demanding tone, but it was soft enough for even him to listen for a bit. "I, heard that you shouldn't move, after waking up like that."

"But, I need to hurry up a girl I care about. And my friends are in danger."

"The girl was delivered to your home. And your friends are still fighting against the crow. One of them unlocked a Balance Breaker. A rather strange one."

Ophis spoke to him almost impassively, but Kazuki could somehow tell that she was telling the truth.

"A Balance Breaker," Kazuki said deciding to stop struggling for the moment, causing Ophis to remove her finger from his forehead. "In our group, and considering the situation, I'd say it's probably, Kiba."

"It's a has holy, and demonic powers. It's the first time this has happened, how odd."

Kazuki continued listening to Ophis talk, while she looked in the same direction as Kuoh Academy as if she could see everything that was happening there. The more that he stared at her face, and after calming down, the more that he could recognize her.

"We've met before," his comment caused Ophis to stare back at him as Kazuki allowed an amused sigh to leave his mouth. "I was in middle school, where met a girl who looked emotionless, and started in a shop that had sold doughnuts. That was you, right?"

"Yes, you remember."

Ophis replied nodded her head looked as impassive as before.

"I never did get your name before, even though I introduced myself."

"Didn't want to," Kazuki laughed at her impressive tone. "But, I am, Ophis."

"Well, then it's nice to see you again, Ophis-san," Kazuki said, finally realizing that all his wounds were healed, in addition to his strong feeling as it if was restored. It felt as if he didn't even battle against a Cadre. "Did you heal me, Ophis-san?"

"Yes, a friend was hurt. So, I healed my friend. You taught me that."

Ophis replied causing him to feel as if God made a miracle at that moment since his life was saved and he could return to the battlefield in top condition.

"Thanks for that, Ophis-san. You wouldn't also be able to tell whether or not I can beat Kokabiel, too?"

Kazuki asked finding no issue asking that question, even if it was the truth he already knew.

"I could kill the crow. But, impossible for you."

"Yea, I thought that. But, that means Ophis-san is rather strong herself."

"I, could wipe out the crow, and this entire region, if you want."

"Please don't."

Kazuki didn't know whether or not Ophis was joking or not since her impassiveness made it almost impossible to read her. But, based on the conversation, she might not be kidding that she could wipe out Kokabiel, as well as a huge portion of the region along with him.

"But, I sensed a power from inside of Kazuki during the battle against the crow," Kazuki almost wanted to laugh after Ophis continued referring to the Fallen Angel leader as a crow. "Odd for a Hakuryuukou, but Kazuki, he fought to protect the girl. That might help trigger it again."

"Power, huh."

Kazuki didn't even think about it since seeing Irina in that state just caused him to snap, then charged at Kokabiel without caring about anything else. But, now that he thought about it, he did release more power than normally in that instance. He was aware that sacred gears grow based on their wielder's desires, and Albion once told him a straightforward person can draw out a dragon's power.

"At that moment, I wasn't thinking of anything aside from saving Iri-chan. But, could it be possible for me to get a Balance Breaker from using that? I already went at Kokabiel with all that I had, and I couldn't do anything against him at all."

As Kazuki was thinking about that, Ophis turned her attention in another direction.

"The healing girl and young dragon is coming here."

"A healing girl, and a dragon. Asia-chan, and Raikou?"

After hearing that Kazuki leaned straight up without Ophis stopping him from doing so, instead, she had stood up to her feet at the same time as him.

"I, need to leave, Kazuki."

"Did you have something to do here?"

"Did. I wanted to see you again."

Kazuki was surprised that she could sound so honest and impassive at the same time, but he didn't doubt Ophis at all. More so, since she did all this for his sake.

"I'll return this favor, Ophis-san."

"Kazuki is my friend. My friend is better than the crow."

Ophis said those last words before causing the space around her to distort before stepping into that distortion as she vanished from sight. It was simple words, but it caused Kazuki to smile at the words. He soon looked down at his clothing to see that he still was dressed in the priest outfit, but the cloak was ruined to the point where he'd be unable to use it anymore.

"Well, the crow did a good job taking care of me," Kazuki said as he tore off the cloak, then started stretching his arms. "So, I think that it's about time I returned the favor."

"Huff huff, Kazuki-san!"

Asia called out as soon as she entered the same room that he was standing in as Raikou as always narrowed his eyes at him. Her teary eyes stared at him after being relieved to see that he was alright at that moment, then she rushed towards him. The moment she reached him, Asia wrapped her arms around his waist as he felt the tears staining his shirt.

"I-I was so worried! I thought that it was going to lose Kazuki-san! I don't want to lose Kazuki-san," Asia cried as her arms around him tighter. "Please don't leave me behind, Kazuki-san!"

"Asia-chan."

Kazuki said as he placed a hand comfortably on her head.

But, his expression turned into concern as he could sense some hostility directed at him, then turned to see that Raikou glaring at him. A bolt of blue lightning was soon fired at him, but Kazuki avoided it at a hairsbreadth.

"Not now, Raikou. I'm trying to calm down your Master."

Kazuki replied not being too mad at the baby dragon, knowing how most male dragons feel about other males. In addition to the fact that Raikou was still, in fact, a baby.

"Gaa."

Raikou turned his head to the wide as if he were looking down on him, but it seemed as if he understood at least that much about the situation. It took almost a minute for Asia to stop crying as she started rubbing her eyes, and stared at him before pouting, surprising him.

"W-What?"

"Ise-san explained to me what happened after Irina-san was brought in our room," Kazuki realized what she had meant about that, and glanced to the side almost ashamed. He didn't think that Asia would find out about what all of them were doing after school. "Kazuki-san, and the others were doing something dangerous, and didn't tell me about it at all."

"Ouch, ouch, ouch, I'm sworry, Ashia-swan."

For someone who fought against powerful people, and took blows from them too, it was somehow just as painful to have his cheek pulled by the blonde nun. She kept "glaring" at him with teary eyes as she continued pinching his cheek, and pouting. At one point, Asia stopped and crossed her arms still looking a little bit mad at Kazuki for not telling him about what they were all doing.

"I'm sorry, that I didn't tell you, Asia-chan. But, I didn't want you getting hurt."

"I've been getting stronger by learning magic so that I could support you as you've supported me. I don't want to wait around and heal your wounds whenever you get hurt," Asia said more emotionally as she uncrossed both of her arms and looked at him. "Please tell me when you're doing anything dangerous next time, Kazuki-san?"

Kazuki looked forward noticing the pleading yet determined look on Asia's face, which caused him to smile, and placed his hand comfortably on her head.

"Fine, I give. Next time, I'll tell Asia-chan next time I do anything dangerous," Kazuki had agreed as he continued to look at her as she looked back, causing her to smile as brightly as possible after hearing those words. "Jeez, I think that look of yours is an unbeatable weapon in itself."

"Hehehe."

Asia smiled after hearing those words from him, then he turned his attention towards the direction of their school, where all their friends were fighting.

"Asia-chan, do you want to go and help our friends?"

Kazuki asked looking at Asia who looked as determined as before.

"Yes," Asia replied without hesitating as she turned her attention towards Raikou who had flown into her arms. "I will summon you next time Raikou."

"Gaa."

After making that sound, and nuzzling against his master's cheek, Raikou was sent back to the familiar forest.

Noticing that Asia was prepared to leave, Kazuki picked her up in his arms, carrying her almost as if she were a princess. In response to this, her cheeks reddened noticing how close the two of them were to one another, then looked straight at him.

"K-Kazuki-san?"

Just as Asia asked that question, Kazuki brought out Divine Dividing, then flew out from the hole Kokabiel made in the roof.

"Well, the fastest way is flying there. I hope that you don't mind going a little fast."

"I don't mind."

Asia replied as she found herself wrapping her arms around Kazuki, and had a small smile.

Seeing that she was fine with it, Kazuki prepared himself to fly straight towards Kuoh Academy using his wings to fly there are fast as possible. As he was heading towards the school, he was looking forward to getting even with the fallen angel who had hurt Irina.

---

A/N: And there goes the next chapter of The Twin Dragons, well, this showed the battle at Kuoh Academy without many things deviating from that much. But, Raynare returned after being MIA throughout the entire situation. And already restarted her little rivalry with Rias, as well as being prepared for a fight now with two pairs of wings instead of one. Mariah released a new holy sword, Almace, which was one of the swords mentioned in the same legend as Durandal, and Hauteclere. But, there's going to be more shown about it as time passes.

Kazuki appears to have awoken and had a conversation with Ophis, who he remembers from his middle school days. But, left at the same time that Asia arrived, with Kazuki looking forward to his rematch with Kokabiel at Kuoh Academy. The next chapter will be the end of this volume before the next one.

Issei's Harem: Rias, Akeno, Koneko, Xenovia, Lucia, Tsubasa, Kiyome, Aika, Elmenhilde, Yasaka, Kunou, Bennia, Roygun, Ingvild.

Kazuki's Harem: Sona, Raynare, Asia, Irina, Lucina, Mariah, Kuroka, Ophis, Rossweisse, Ravel, Le Fay, Gabriel, Jeanne, Lint, Tiamat, Lilith.