(Flashback, many years ago, Grigori territory)
"So, how has this world been treating you?" a figure of man with long black hair, pointy ears and five pair of black wings sprout from his back, wearing a black suit, asked without looking at the bald-headed man behind him, as if he could sense the said man's presence from miles away.
"Mm, fine I guess…" the baldy known as Hyoudou Saitama only replied nonchalantly.
The ten-winged fallen angel only raised his eyebrows slightly, not expecting, yet at the same time, could tell that that was definitely the answer that would come from the man beside him.
"I see… Then, what do you think, exactly? About this world… The world where God, our Father, no longer exist?"
Apparently, Saitama was walking around the area around Grigori when he spotted the fallen angel with ten black wings was standing on top of the nearby cliff, looking at the faraway sky of the underworld. Saitama only approached the fallen angel out of boredom.
When he was asked the last question, Saitama only shrugged. "No biggie, actually. I never really believe in god or anything like that, but hearing about the death of God, who people always praise of, is still something you don't hear everyday…"
The fallen angel only chuckled at the answer. After knowing Saitama for quite a while, the fallen should have known that such a human would not be shaken by the fact he just stated through the earlier question.
"Then, what do you think about those who are inhabiting this world?" the fallen angel finally turned to look at Saitama.
"Nothing much, I think… In the end, I still need to do what I used to do from time to time…" Saitama walked to the fallen angel's side.
"A hero, eh?" The fallen angel returned his gaze to the sky. "Still, it's kind of strange for you to work with us, the fallen, who had been known deceiving the humanity you've been fighting for."
"I still have much to learn about this world", Saitama replied. "Your boss is the only one of few people I can ask for information… Besides, to be honest I can't play the hero forever, you know? Someone will have to take my place eventually…" Saitama said as he also gazed at the sky.
"Kukuku… You really are something else, Hyoudou Saitama…" The fallen angel chuckled again. "Everyone else would not put their trust to Azazel, not even a bit."
"Would you?" Saitama asked back. The fallen angel's expression remained unfazed, yet Saitama could notice a wavering feeling within the fallen angel's eyes.
"At first, yes. But now… After everything that had transpired, I can't agree with him anymore…"
Saitama's eyes narrowed at this. "Then what are you gonna do, um…"
"Kokabiel"
"Yes, Kokabiel. What are you gonna do?"
"You should learn to remember people's name properly. Otherwise you'll make enemies out of everyone else in no time", the fallen angel, now known as Kokabiel, the Star of God, replied with a sigh. "Tell me, Saitama… What is the path for humanity to achieve peace? Saving the world?"
Saitama only remained silent at the question, prompting Kokabiel to continue. Honestly for him, when Saitama first became a hero, every trouble, every disaster, every conflict could be solved with his punch. However, now that Kokabiel mentioned, he never really stopped all conflicts for good. All Saitama did was solving a conflict, and remained on stand by until his fist was needed again. He never contemplated how to prevent all those conflicts to re-emerge again for a long run. But he became curious, now that he had a family to care of, which was still felt somewhat out of character for him, he wondered if this world would ever no longer need his power. Everyone live in peace and harmony with so little, if not at all, conflicts.
However, Saitama was not naïve. He knew conflict will always comes up as long as humanity exists. That was why heroes and saviours were born and made from time to time. Even in his homeland, people always applied to be a hero in the association, whether for their personal gain or for a just cause, but because evil and conflicts always there, waiting for someone to solve them one way or another. The only thing he can do is to make sure that those conflicts will not come up as long as possible, and to make sure that its number to be as low as possible. But the question remains, how will he do that?
"There's only one path to peace… their destruction…" Kokabiel said with a smirk on his face.
(End of Flashback)
X
Issei and Irina were roaming around the hall of the mansion they just went in. One could say that the mansion they were exploring now was something out of a horror flick.
"So where's Kiba and Xenovia? Aren't they supposed to be with you?" Issei asked his childhood friend as he looked around the pillars.
"We're split up a moment ago. But I've contacted them to meet up here. They should be here any second from now", Irina replied as she scanned around the walls.
Issei hummed at the answer when he ran his hand on the pillar's surface. However, Issei found that, despite seemed to be abandoned, the interior was not as dirty as he expected.
"Someone's using this place…" Issei commented as he rubbed a speck of dust from one of the pillars.
"How can you tell?" Irina raised her eyebrows at her childhood friend.
"From the amount of dust. Someone had done half-assed job in maintaining this building", Issei said as he blew away the dust from his finger. "They only cleaned it enough to be used, but not for the long run. Whoever owns this place is only using this as a temporary shelter."
"And how do you know about that?" Irina raised one of her eyebrows this time.
"Trust me, my mom had pounded everything into my head when I was learning how to take care of my house since I was eight. She could tell when I didn't put my mind in cleaning up the house."
"Okay…?" Irina reluctantly accepted Issei's logic for the time being. "Then, who do you think is owning this place?"
Issei looked at Irina for a second, "Rather than asking who is owning this place…" then he looked up towards the staircase. "What the hell is that?"
Irina looked up at Issei's direction, she followed the staircase up and the stairs were divided to left and right. Right at the intersection, she saw a monument-like structure. From the size it was big enough for four adult men to carry.
"Indeed, what is that?" Irina asked as she was closing in, followed by Issei by her side.
When they were close enough at the monument, they found runic symbols written across its surface, glowing in blue.
Issei furrowed his eyebrows when his eyes ran through the symbols. Irina also narrowed her eyes as if she noticed something. That monument-like structure was definitely the one that lured them in.
"Irina-chan, are you feeling it?"
"Yes, I am… I sense… Something from this thing. It's not just an ordinary monument", Irina replied as she reached out her hand to touch the surface, but was suddenly held by Issei.
"Wow… Hold it right there, Irina-chan…" Issei said as he grasped Irina's fore-arm with firm, yet gentle hold. "Things usually turn ugly when you touch unknown things out of curiosity. We don't know what this is, after all…"
Irina only snorted at her childhood friend's warning. "Sheesh, Ise-kun… You've watched too much movies", she said with playful smile, but she still conceded as she pulled her hand back.
Issei snorted back at the remark as he eyed Irina sceptically. "Anyway, we might not have much time here. Should we split up, do a quick look around, and meet up here again?" he said as he took a step away towards one of the stairwells.
"No, no…" This time, it was Irina who held Issei's arm, stopping the pawn on his track. "Bad things always happen when people started to split up in places like this one. I'd say we stick together for the time being."
"And you're telling me I watch too much movies… Or is it our little exorcist here got a cold feet?" Issei said with teasing tone and a grin on his face.
"Of course not! I'm a seasoned servant of the Lord too, you know! I've already used to do things like this with Xenovia!" Irina retorted with slightly blushing face.
"And did you always stick with her around when you're in a place like this?" Issei asked with his teasing tone remained present.
"Well… While dangerous, splitting up sometimes can help to speed up our work too!"
"Then why don't you want to split up now?" Issei asked with one of his eyebrows raised up.
"Well… It's with Xenovia back then, but now I'm with you…" Irina muttered around the last part as she fiddled around her fingers.
"What? What are you saying again?" Issei leaned in slightly closer, not being able to hear what Irina said.
"Nothing! Anyway, let's start from that way!" Irina quickly ended the conversation and she pulled Issei around towards one of the stairwells. Issei himself could only blinked as he reluctantly followed behind her.
X
Meanwhile, Rias was on her way to regroup with Akeno and Asia after she gave her instruction towards her servants. It had not been long yet since she gave out the order, so she thought she could meet them if she went to the directions of Hyoudou residence.
Right on her thoughts, just when she took the last turn to Issei's house, she met her queen who was standing in front of the house together with Asia, who was wearing her nun outfit. The former was having an amused smile on her face, while the latter face was somewhat blushing.
"Akeno, Asia", Rias greeted them who turned to their king. "What's the status?"
"My familiar is still searching for Yuuto-kun and the girls from the church. I myself just met Asia-chan not long ago", Akeno said with her smile remained.
Seeing her queen and bishop's expressions, Rias raised an eyebrow. "Um… What happened?"
Asia's blushed deepened, while Akeno giggled in amusement. "Fufufu… Buchou, you should have seen Asia's attire when I came inside the house…"
Rias eyed Asia with calculative look for a second, then she dismissed the thought. "Now's not the time. We have a work to do." Akeno and Asia's expression straightened up at Rias' tone.
Suddenly, a hostile, familiar presence came upon them, making the three devils turned their heads immediately towards the source. Their eyes were met with a familiar white hair and clergy outfit, Freed Sellzen.
As soon as the three devils took their battle positions, Freed held up both of his hands. "Whoa! Whoa! Time out! I'm not here to fight! Not yet, at least…" he said with slightly surprised expression and it soon replaced with a grin.
"I'm here only to accompany my boss to talk to you", the rogue exorcist pointed his thumb upward, and right on cue, Rias, Akeno and Asia felt an overwhelming presence from the sky.
They look upwards, and they saw a figure wearing a formal black suit, raven long hair, and five pairs of jet-black wings sprouting out from his back.
"Greetings, heiress of Gremory. Your crimson hair really reminds me of your brother… Which I despise so much…" The fallen angel said with a smirk on his face. "I'm Kokabiel of Grigori… I'd be lying if I say I'm pleased to be your acquaintance…"
Even Rias could not help but felt nervous. The holy, yet impure aura that flared out from his ten black wings sent chills to her entire body. "Are you the one behind all of this fiasco?" Rias managed to let out those words.
Kokabiel only snorted in amusement. "Why, indeed I am… I'm the one who has stolen three Excalibur swords from the church…"
"And why would you do that, exactly?" Rias said as she tried to keep her composure.
"To save the world…" Kokabiel simply replied.
"Excuse me?" Rias asked with bewildered tone.
"This world…" Kokabiel said as he looked into a distance. "The humans living here don't even realise that they're advancing towards their own end. I'm here to stop it… To achieve peace!"
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm surprised that you managed to recruit someone like Freed Sellzen there to cope up with your… whatever you're doing now", Rias asked with sceptical tone as she sent a quick glance at scowling Freed.
"Oi, oi! Don't get wrong ideas! I don't give a fuck about peace or whatever my boss is plotting, I'm only looking forward to the chaos he's gonna bring out!" Freed pointed at Kokabiel, who was scowling as well.
Rias eyes widened after few seconds. "By chaos… Don't tell me…!"
"Yes, I will start a second war between the heaven and underworld. While there's an option for me to do this with my army alone, but I need a better 'catalyst' to achieve peace. Another great war between three factions would be a good one, don't you think?" Kokabiel smile returned.
"B-but!" Everyone's attention went towards Asia. "But the world is already peaceful, right now! Why wouldn't you just leave it be?" Asia had gathered all of her courage to speak up.
"Little girl…. I'm afraid you've mistaken 'peace' with 'quiet'", Kokabiel said with slightly sympathetic tone.
"I don't understand at all, how can a war lead the world towards your so-called peace?" Rias asked with incredulous tone.
"I'm glad that you asked… Let's talk over my 'evil plan' at your academy, shall we? After all, that school of yours and that little sister of Leviathan has been my choice of the stage to start the war." Kokabiel said before he looked at the rogue priest.
"Freed."
"What?"
"Do you still have them? As you'd like me to keep my word, I'd rather you to keep yours as well."
Freed sighed in slight annoyance, but he smiled nonetheless as he opened his robe, revealing four swords with holy aura radiating from them. "Yeah, yeah, I have them here. Now can we go already? I want to start the fun part!"
The three devils' eyes widened at the swords, especially one of them that looked familiar.
"Those swords… Are they the stolen Excalibur?" Akeno asked.
"Yep, yep!" Freed replied with distorted cheerful grin. "Hahaha! My boss here is really fucked up, no? That's the part of him that made me want to go along with this world peace bullshit in the first place. He even let me to wield these awesome swords! These here are Excalibur Rapidly, Excalibr Nightmare, Excalibur Trasparency, and this one is Excalibur Destruction I managed to get from one of that blue haired girl. I want to have that Excalibur Mimic from the other bitch too, but… Oh well, having to wield these four is already awesome enough for me."
Remembering that her knight was with the exorcist as well, Rias' aura flared up from anger. "You…! What have you done to…!" But her outrage was interrupted by Kokabiel himself.
"No need to worry about those two you think of, Gremory girl… While we managed to get our hands on the Excalibur Destruction, its wielder and your servant managed to get away. They're alive at least… However…" Kokabiel paused for a moment. "Your other servant… As well as the other exorcist girl sent from the Vatican… They're now inside my base of operations. I'll make sure that my subordinates will… attend to them…" Kokabiel smirked as he finished and disappeared in black feathers before Rias could have said anything.
"I'll see you later, bitches!" Freed also disappeared after throwing off his signature flash-bang.
"Ise-san…" Asia said in worried tone, her hands clasped together in prayer.
"Buchou, your orders?" Akeno asked to her king.
Rias closed her eyes in thought. Should she found her pawn first, regroup with everyone else, and charge towards Kokabiel with full power? But that might take too long, considering going inside Kokabiel's base might tantamount to suicide. She also had to look for her knight as well. Or should she focused on Kuoh Academy first?
Rias then summoned a communication link to contact Issei. "Hello? Ise? Can you hear me?" after waiting without answer, "Ise, do you hear me? Answer me!" but still no answer came out. The same things went with her cell-phone as well.
After a moment, Rias closed her eyes for a second before opening them again and addressed her servants. "We'll put our faith in Ise for now. We'll regroup with Koneko, Sona and the others at Kuoh Academy at once!"
"Are you sure about this, Rias?" Akeno could not help but asked back. Despite the grave situation, abandoning her servants was not how Gremory doing things, after all.
"Akeno", Rias said with tone of finality. "Believe me, if not for our current situation, I'd rather to charge towards Kokabiel's base head on and rescue him as soon as possible. But have you forgotten of Ise's power?"
Akeno blinked at Rias' eyes that showed unwavering conviction, then she smiled. "Yes, you're right. We're talking about Ise-kun, after all…"
The two Kuoh great ladies then glanced at Asia, asking of her opinion as well.
"I… I want to help Ise-san too, but… Buchou-san is right. Ise-san will come back to us!" Asia steeled her resolve.
Rias nodded in affirmation. "Very well… Now, let's go!" Then the three devils quickly proceed towards Kuoh Academy.
Few minutes later, Rias, Akeno, Asia and Koneko were regrouped with the student council.
"I understand the situation… First off, we the student council will set up a barrier to supress the damages to areas outside the school. However, if Kokabiel really wants to start a war, he may going to destroy this entire town as well", Sona said with grim tone, Saji and Tsubaki were standing by her side.
"In addition, it's safe to assume that Kokabiel has done with all of his preparation. My familiar has confirmed me the sighting of Kokabiel channeling huge amount of his power on the school ground. It seems that he's now waiting for the time to release it all at once."
"So he really intends to destroy this town to spark a war with the heaven and the rest of underworld… I won't ever let him to harm our territory!" Rias said with resolve in her eyes. "Thank you, Sona… We'll handle the rest from here… Somehow."
"That's recklessly confident from you, Rias…" Sona said as she shifted her glasses. "Your opponent now is practically a monster on a whole different level. Should you seek help from your brother?"
"Come to think of it, you also haven't called for your sister as well…" Rias simply replied.
Sona could not help but felt a bit peeved at this. "My case is different… Your brother loves you, Rias… I still think you should call for him."
"If that's the case, I've already informed Sirzechs-sama about this matter", Akeno spoke up.
Rias widened her eyes in slight betrayal upon her queen's independent action. "Akeno! How could you…!"
"Rias!"
Being called by her name instead of her title, Rias was halted of her words. "I understand that you don't want to stir up trouble for your brother from your family… But admit it, the scope of this matter has far exceeded your ability alone!" Akeno moved closer towards Rias. "Put your pride aside and let's borrow the strength of a demon king!"
Rias wanted to refuse, but she knew herself that her queen had a point. "Fine… I get it", Rias said with tone of resignation. Akeno only smiled in relief at the reply.
"I'm informed that the reinforcement from Sirzechs-sama will come in at least an hour."
"One hour, huh? Alright, I guess we have to be prepared for the school to be destroyed. But I swear in the name of Sitri that I'll hold up the barrier with my servants until the back-up arrives", Sona decided.
Rias nodded at her childhood friend. Then, she proceeded with her own peerage. "Alright, everyone. Our task here is to distract Kokabiel inside the barrier until reinforcements arrives. However, unlike the fight with Riser, this is an all-out war. We'll survive this battle, and we shall return to our daily school life!"
"YES!" All of her peerage shouted in unison.
"Buchou!"
Suddenly, a familiar voice came out and everyone turned their heads to see Yuuto and Xenovia arrived before them.
"Yuuto, you've come back!" Rias said with a relief. "Are you hurt?"
"No, I'm fine. Are we heading there to face Kokabiel?" Yuuto asked and he received a nod from his master.
Rias then turned to Xenovia. "I honestly feel strange asking you this, but are you okay? Can you still fight?"
"I only have a wounded pride here, for letting them to take away my Excalibur…" Xenovia replied begrudgingly, her hands balled into fists. "But I can still fight. I still have another ace up of my sleeve."
"By the way, buchou… Where's Issei-kun?" Yuuto asked after he looked around.
Rias looked downcast for a second before replying. "I… I don't know… The last time I heard he was trapped in the enemy's base along with Irina-san… I couldn't make any contact with him at all. I wish I could've helped him, but I also have to trust him…"
"It's alright, buchou…" Yuuto interrupted. "I understand the situation. If it's Issei-kun, I'm sure he'll be fine and return to us soon enough", Yuuto said with reassuring smile.
"I concede as well", Xenovia followed. "Irina is with him too. If they're alive, they'll find us."
"Knowing Ise-senpai, he's probably fighting his way back here now", Koneko put her two cents.
"Yes, you're right…" Rias agreed. "Now, let's go", Rias said as she walked pass the school gate, followed by the others, including Xenovia.
"Be careful there, Rias…" Sona said in her mind as she watched the back of the Occult Research Club.
X
Meanwhile…
"Thanks for the food…" Issei clasped his hands together as he just finished another canned food and gulped down his can of soft drink. "Man, this emergency rations didn't taste as bad as I thought…"
"Thanks of the food", Irina also followed-suit as she just finished her snack. "Whew… I agree. While it's wrong to eat at times like this, but I guess now I'm now fuelled up", said Irina as she wiped her mouth.
"You need to take it easy, Irina-chan…" Issei said, standing up from his sitting spot. "We didn't waste that much time, it's just a quick snack time. And we're quite famished after all those battle with Freed, no?"
"I guess I'll go along with you for now, Ise-kun…" Irina said, standing up as well. "But don't you think it's strange now? After a while we walked from the stairs, I can't feel anything from outside at all… As if all of our connection with the outside world had been severed or something…" Irina said with weary tone as she looked around.
"You're right…" Issei agreed. "Let's wrap this up and get outta here after we check at the study room you found earlier, shall we?" Issei said as he opened the door. Upon stepping out, Issei was met with a corridor filled with remains of suits of armour sprawled lifelessly on the ground. "Still… What's with those things? After a minute we walked in here, they suddenly attacked us… Good thing they're suck… But can Grigori do something like that? Making an army of hollow armours?"
True to his words, just a while ago, after Issei and Irina had walked pass the stairs leaving the strange-looking monument, they got themselves inside a long corridor with windows at one side and doors at theo other, with minimum lightings on the wall. Just when they took a couple of steps forward, suddenly the suits of armour that were set up across the way moved by their own and attacked them with their swords, spears, halberd etc. Their movements were rather sloppy, considering that Issei and Irina managed to dispatch them without trouble. But they had to admit, everything that had occurred so far were things that usually happened in a horror flick.
The room where Issei and Irina were eating at earlier was some sort of a storage room that Issei found right after Irina found the study room when they were looking around the hallway. The room was filled with weapons, rations, clothes and other necessities. While they did not have much time, Issei's persuasion and Irina's stomach managed to convince her to have at least a quick fill-in before she moved further with the mission.
"I don't know, but spells that can program and move inanimate objects are not uncommon to begin with. Let's go now, we've wasted enough time", Irina said as she proceeded first.
"Yeah, yeah…" Issei followed suit. "Come to think of it, isn't it like old times?" Issei asked, receiving a look from his childhood friend. "Remember, when we're kids? We tended to go around the neighbourhood and playing adventures like this one?" Issei asked with nostalgic smile.
Irina looked up for a second in though before she giggled. "Fufufu… Indeed, just like the old times… Anyway, we're here", Irina replied as she opened the door of their destination.
The study room they intended to look around was quite spacious despite the simplicity, a square-shaped room with two high shelves filled with numerous books and records, a coffee table and set of chairs in the space between the shelves, and at the other side of the room, a desk with a computer set and a window covered by a curtain behind the chair. Surprisingly, unlike the corridor, the lightings in the room was brighter, giving the two childhood friends a better visual.
"Alright, let's do this quick. Irina-chan, you can start with the records, I'll see what I can find in the computer", Issei took an initiative, while Irina quickly obeyed and started to look around the shelves.
Irina took a particular folder that caught her eyes out from the shelve and opened it, while Issei sat on the desk and started to rummage through the keyboards. However, when Irina was about to read the title, Issei suddenly yelled.
"WHAT THE FUCK!?"
Startled out of her wits, Irina snapped her head towards Issei who had his eyes almost popped out from its socket, glued at the computer screen with incredulous expression on his blushing face.
"What? What is it? What happened?" Irina asked wearily.
"There's… There's so much PORN!" Issei replied while gesturing his hands at the screen.
Irina's entire face reddened immediately at the 'p' word. "Por-! W-w-Why are you looking into the private stuff in the first place!?"
"But this isn't private anymore! It's all over the desktop!" Issei almost could not believe his eyes either at the number of the files showed up.
"Rather, why the hell am I still looking at it!?" Issei shouted in his mind, he supposed to have turned off the screen immediately.
[Perhaps you're starting to awaken to your inner desire, partner…] Ddraig voiced his opinion teasingly. [It's totally normal to be into these things at your age…]
"But- but! Look at this! Clockwise rim-job, reverse clockwise rim-job, and… My god (ouch!)… Chicks with dicks!?"
[What! There are no chicks with dicks, only guys with tits!]
"…What?"
[*Cough*… you didn't hear anything]
"Nooo! Stop iiiit! I'll never become a bride if you keep talking about those things!" Irina yelled with her hands covering her ears and her head shaking.
"R-right, sorry!" while Issei did not really get about the bride part, he still knew that he had to stop looking at the porn collections and change the topic. "Err… How's on your side?"
Taking a deep breath, Irina regained her composure before answering. "Well… Here, you should read it too", Irina said as she showed the contents of the folder after Issei came over.
"Holy Sword Project… by Valper Galilei?" Issei read it with slight disbelief. "I thought the church had confiscated all of his research files?"
"Judging from the ink, I guess he managed to make a copy before the church could take the original. Let's look what's inside…" Irina said as she flipped through the pages. After reading them for another while, Irina's eyes widened. "What the…"
X
Kokabiel was sitting on his floating throne above the Kuoh Academy's grounds, watching the battle beneath him. He was disappointed, albeit expecting that the top dog did not come right off the bat, instead their relatives, Rias Gremory and her peerage plus one exorcist from Vatican, came up to challenge him.
However, despite being rookies, Kokabiel admitted that the devils were doing pretty well against his Cerberus while the exorcist chose to remain on stand by while guarding the weaker devil one. He wanted to unleash two at first, but since he knew that there were other two intruders in his base, he decided to deploy just one and kept the other Cerberus for later.
True, Rias, Akeno, Yuuto and Koneko did not have much difficulty in dispatching a Cerberus. However, the tough part came up. Valper Galilei was standing at the middle of the field with a large magic circle written on it. Surrounding him, just above the ground, were the four Excalibur swords.
"It is done…" Valper said as the four Excalibur slowly merging into one single sword. "The ritual to fuse the four holy swords into one is complete", Valper continued his magic at work as the power of the fused holy sword was absorbed into the large magic circle on the ground. "With this spell from Kokabiel, and the power of my new Excalibur as its fuel, this whole city will be levelled in 30 minutes."
Everyone could not help but at least widened their eyes, considering that Excalibur could be said to have one step closer to be fully revived again.
"Hmph… So Valper's research of holy swords had gone this far, huh…?" Kokabiel looked at the new holy sword with passive gaze.
"If you'd like to cancel the activation of this spell… I'm afraid that you'd have to defeat Kokabiel first…" Valper said with a grin.
"30 minutes… Sirzechs-sama's reinforcements won't make it in time!" Akeno exclaimed with horror in her face.
"Kokabiel…" Valper calmly address his 'master'. "Would you mind if Freed to test the power of this new Excalibur?"
Kokabiel looked at Genocide Archbishop for a while, then he closed his eyes and gesturing his hands in permission. He would enjoy every sight he could get his eyes on as much as possible before the war began.
Freed grin maniacally as he stepped down from a tree where he watched everything so far. "My, my… I honestly don't understand what my current boss is thinking… But, but, but! I guess I can enjoy to have an honour to wield such an awesome sword!" Then the rogue exorcist held the new Excalibur with his hands. "Kehehehe… You all devils, I'll butcher you really good into itty, bitty pieces…!"
Seeing Freed moved the new Excalibur freely in his hands, Xenovia stepped up as she looked to Yuuto. "Our alliance is still valid, right? Let's destroy that sword together."
Yuuto raised his eyebrows slightly. "Are you sure?"
"That sword… I can't see it as a holy sword anymore. It's just a corrupted sword with holy aura. If the push come to shove, I'll just have to collect the shards."
Yuuto nodded, but before he engaged Freed, he turned his attention to Valper Galilei. "Valper Galilei…" Yuuto said with hatred in his voice. "I'm a survivor of the holy sword project… No, rather, I was murdered by your project, then reborn as a devil."
"I have a question for you! Why would you do such a thing in the first place?"
Valper only looked at the Gremory knight calmly, then he smiled in recognition. "I see… A survivor of that project, eh? Very well, I guess I can tell you…"
X
Meanwhile, Issei and Irina were reading stacks of folders that sprawled all over the table and the floor, most of folders are the copies of Valper's research of holy swords, particularly about Excalibur.
Issei flipped through pages of the draft in his hands, then he spotted a page that consists picture of children, boys and girls with small profile. All of the pictures of the children were stamped with 'deceased' in red. Issei immediately knew that these children were probably the failed test subjects of the holy swords project.
"Anastasia, Tyler, Erika, Letitia, Cristian, Alec, Malley, Kadan, Gilver, Tosca… Izaiya…?" Issei skimmed the name in his head until he found the last name had a familiar picture. A child with blonde hair and a mole under his left eye, the picture was also stamped as 'deceased' as well.
"How's your end, Ise-kun?" Irina asked as she peaked over, while she still had a folder opened on her hands.
"Does he look familiar to you?" Issei replied as he showed and pointed at the profile 'Izaiya'.
Irina furrowed her eyebrows for a second, then her eyes widened. "That face… Isn't that your knight friend?"
"Yeah. Although the name is different, but I can tell that he's Kiba…" Issei said while nodding.
"And how can you tell? There's a chance that he's just a child with the same face, right?"
"What are the odds? Besides, thinking back of Kiba's background, his current name is not necessarily his original identity, right?" Issei said. "Anyway, how's your side?"
"Here", Irina showed her folders this time. "This is Valper's research log… As well as his journal."
Issei started to scan the file together with Irina. They did not have the luxury to take in every single word, so all they did were skimming through sentences and connecting some key words into information.
My heart danced whenever I listened to those stories of holy swords ever since my younger days…
Then they changed to another sentence.
It was heart-breaking when I found that I could never hold a holy sword, thus I became enamoured with those that could wield them…
However, the number who were gifted to wield a holy sword since birth were scarce, so with all my heart, I indulge myself studying to create one…
Issei and Irina's eyes widened at the next part of the log.
After months since the project had started, experiment XX on subject 0XX code name Izaiya had concluded that a certain gene was required in order to wield the holy sword. Soon enough, another conclusion was reached that while these children did not have enough genes to wield the sword, it is possible to extract the necessary genes, crystalized them, and pass it down to another person, making that person to have enough 'genes' to properly wield Excalibur…
Irina covered her mouth in disbelief. "It can't be… But now I know… The thing that was put inside us during the blessing to wield Excalibur fragments… It was the genes of the failed test subjects? People…?"
"Valper, you old son of a bitch…" Issei said in anger.
X
"Thanks to this, my research was able to make a dramatic leap forward. But those from the church condemned me as a heretic and banished me…" Valper said as he showed the crystalized 'genes' from his research, then he looked hatefully at Xenovia. "When I saw you wielded the Excalibur… It seems Michael has a nerve to use the results of my research, even though Michael himself condemned me…"
"You're telling me, that you slaughtered me and my comrades so you could take our genes!?" Yuuto said gritting his teeth furiously.
"That's correct. In fact, I've used about three crystals on Freed for him to wield the holy sword. The one on my hand is the last one."
"Hyahahaha! Let me tell you that the other test subjects died during the trial of this power, you know? I'm awesome if I say so myself!" Freed commented with hearty laugh.
"You toyed with all of us… Our lives, just to satisfy your own desire! Valpeeeer!" Yuuto screamed as his anger peaked.
"Yes… Yes! While I found that Kokabiel's ploy for his so-called peace was rather foolish, but I'll gladly use this opportunity to show those damn angels and the other idiots who dared to condemn me, the fruits of my research! Soon, I'll create more Excalibur wielders and turn them to go against the heaven!" Valper said with a glee.
"You're insane… All of you…" Rias clenched her fist tightly, as her face also morphed to anger.
"Whatever, I guess I can give these dregs to you. After all, it's just a shadow of what it once was…" Valper replied as he tossed the last crystalized genes to the ground near Yuuto.
The knight slumped to his knees, his sword forgotten, then he slowly picked up the small crystal in front of him. He held it with such gentleness as he knew that the crystal was all that was left of his past comrades.
"Everyone…" Yuuto said with meek voice as tears started to build up in his eyes. "I'm sorry…"
X
Issei and Irina were still stunned about the truth regarding the holy sword project, with the latter took it worse. While Irina wished to use her Excalibur Mimic to fight for the her God and protect His creation and world, gaining a power with sacrifice of people who were killed mercilessly felt horribly strange for her. It was as if she was standing over the corpses of those children who had been subjected for the holy sword project.
While Irina still contemplating about her resolve, Issei caught a sight of a particular book in the shelf. The book looked old, and it did not look like other books with its much smaller size. Rather, the book was more like bunch of notes being compiled into a book. He picked it out, opened it and he ran through the pages as he found that the language written was very old, ancient to be precise. Even his gift of 'language' from his devil-hood could not help him deciphering its enterity.
[Want me to translate it for you?]
Issei looked at his left arm with his eyebrows raised. "Ddraig? You can read this?"
[Of course I can. I'm a heavenly dragon, remember? My body might be no more, but my thousand years of knowledge is still here]
"Then, what is this book all about? I can't really make out what it says…"
[It's a journal…. Kokabiel's diary to be exact. You still want to know what it says?]
"I… don't really like prying into other's privacy, but now's not the time. We may find an alternative to defeat Kokabiel from this."
Ddraig simply hummed in affirmation as Issei scanned through pages just like what he did with Valper's research log, with the dragon translating the words that went through Issei's eyes.
X
Meanwhile, Kokabiel just saw another amusing development. Few moments after the Gremory knight had been mourning for his crystalized comrades, suddenly the crystal in his hands glowed and the knight was enveloped in a blinding light.
However, while everyone else only saw a mass of light enveloping Yuuto, the said knight's view was all white, and his eyes caught the sight of several familiar figures.
"Everyone!"
Yes, all of them are the soul of Yuuto's past comrades that were subjected to holy sword project. Yuuto still remember all of their faces, which while showing regrets, none of their expressions were showing any anger or hatred towards Yuuto. In fact, their gazes were so warm and gentle.
"I… I…" Yuuto could not find any words to say. After stuttering for a second, he finally managed to let out more. "I always… I always kept wondering…." His words were choked by his own tears. "Whether… Whether it is okay for me to be alive…" Yuuto said between his sobs. "There were children who had dreams more than I did… There were children who deserved to live longer than me…! Is it really alright for me living a peaceful life, while all of you're dead saving me?"
The ghosts of the deceased children did not change their warm loving gaze, instead they circled around Yuuto and started to compose a song as beautiful sounds were coming out from their mouths.
While Freed and Valper grimaced in disgust, every devil and Kokabiel were mesmerized by the song.
"Hoo… How interesting… To hear this song after those centuries…" Kokabiel mused.
"Is this… The rumoured sacred song?" Xenovia said as she kept looking at the singing ghost, mesmerized by their voices.
"So warm…" Koneko simply commented.
Rias and Akeno did not say anything as they only listened intently to the sacred song, while Asia clasped her hands in prayer and tears pouring down from her eyes.
"This song… It's so beautiful… I can feel their love and warmth towards Kiba-san…" Asia said.
"E-everyone…" Yuuto said as he felt the warmth around him.
One of the souls, a girl stepped forward and she pulled Yuuto into a hug. "We're fine, now… So please, live on…"
The others also said their parting words of encouragement.
We might not be able to do anything alone…
But when we're together, everything will be fine…
We've accepted our past with the holy sword…
There's nothing for us to fear of any longer…
Even if there is no god watching over us…
Our hearts will always be one…
Yuuto smiled at their words as he felt a huge burden had been lifted up from his shoulders. Then, all the surrounding lights slowly absorbed into him, and the knight's body was radiating with power.
As the wind blew from Yuuto's aura, Rias and the others could feel his power even from their distance. "What happened!? Yuuto!" Rias yelled in worry.
Akeno's eyes widened as she looked at Yuuto's aura. "This power… Could it be…!"
Kokabiel could also feel the spike of Yuuto's aura from his floating throne at the sky. Then, he suddenly remembered some of Azazel's lecture during his Sacred Gear research.
A Sacred Gear will use its owner's thoughts and feelings as nourishment to grow stronger as it progresses. However, there exists an entirely different domain. What the owner's thoughts and feelings violently erupt against the flow of the world, the Sacred Gear will reach its peak. This phenomenon is known as…
"Balance breaker? So that kid finally achieved that stage…" Kokabiel said with somewhat proud smirk.
"Uugh…" A groan was heard from Freed Sellzen. "Can you cut all this creepy orchestra? That song really makes my skin crawl… Just get on with it already and let me cut you into pieces with this super Excalibur-chan!" the stray priest shouted with his sword ready.
However, Yuuto only remained silent and muttered few words after few seconds. "… I will become a sword…" Yuuto said with resolution. "My comrades… My comrades have merged with my spirit. Let's overcome Excalibur together. Our feelings that we couldn't say back then! The wishes that we couldn't fulfil back then! Right now! Right here!" Yuuto thought to himself.
"Yuuto, finish it! Surpass the Excalibur! You are the servant of I, Rias Gremory! My knight will not lose to a mere holy sword!" Rias shouted in encouragement.
"Yuuto-kun, I believe in you!" Akeno followed as well.
"Yuuto-senpai!" Koneko shouted at Yuuto with convictions.
"Kiba-san! Please do your best!" Asia also encouraged the knight as well.
"I shall become a sword for buchou and my comrades! Please respond to my feelings this time! Sword Birth!" Yuuto put all of his power into work.
Then, Yuuto's Sacred Gear and the spirits of his past comrades started to mix. The mixture started to align and form a shape as the demonic power of Sword Birth combining with the holy power of the children's spirits.
Soon, the new sword was completed. Yuuto could feel its sensation. His Sacred Gear, his comrades were telling him that it was sublimation. The sword gave out divine light from its blade and ominous aura from the red inscriptions on the middle of the blade. Holy and demonic aura could be felt radiating from Yuuto's new creation.
"Balance breaker: Sword of the Betrayer… You shall taste the power of this sword that has both holy and demonic powers with your own body!" Yuuto announced as he started to run towards Freed.
Freed's fused Excalibur clashed with Yuuto's holy-demonic sword as soon as they were in range. Thanks to Yuuto's speed from his knight trait, he managed to give the stray exorcist a hard time to grasp his movements. However, being a seasoned fighter from the Vatican, Freed could still keep up with Yuuto's speed and blocked the strikes from the knight. However, every time the blade made a contact, the holy aura that covered Freed's Excalibur was slowly erased by Yuuto's sword.
"Wha…! That sword surpasses my super Excalibur-chan!?" Freed said in surprise when he knew what happened to his weapon.
"If it were the true Excalibur, I would've lost. But that kind of Excalibur won't be able to cut the feelings of me and my comrades!" Yuuto replied as he continued to send relentless strikes towards Freed.
Clicking his tongue, the stray exorcist chose to step up his game as well. Using the power of Excalibur Rapidly and Destruction inside his sword, his movement suddenly became much faster than before and his blows created explosions every time it hit the ground.
However, due to Freed's uncontrolled killing intent, Yuuto had no trouble of reading Freed's movement and easily dodged each of devastating strikes.
"Come on! Why aren't you hitting!? You're supposed to be the unrivalled holy-sword-sama, aren't ya!? Ain't you supposed to have lots of legends of being the ultimate holy sword!?" Freed yelled in agitation.
As the two swordsmen remained on stalemate, Freed decided to use more of the power inside his Excalibur. Suddenly, his blade disappeared, Excalibur Trasparency had been put into work. But Freed's killing intent remained at large, so Yuuto could still tell where the attack would come from.
However, having the destructive power of Excalibur Destruction, Yuuto was forced to dodge, as he could not afford to risk his sword to be broken from the Excalibur's destructive powers. But he knew that he could not win if he just kept dodging.
"Leave it to me!"
Suddenly, Xenovia stepped in as she lounged with her right hand extended into the air. "St. Peter, St. Basil the Great, St. Denis, Holy Mother of Mary… Please hear my voice!" she chanted in prayer.
Then, the space around her right began to distort, revealing a pocket dimension. Xenovia put her hand inside it, then from the pocket she pulled out a sword, a uniquely-shaped broadsword with a blue blade and a golden edge. The sword had a semi-circular guard on the left side of the handle that extended to the bottom just above the pommel, with a small extension on the right side of the handle. Standing from the tip of the blade, the Durandal was slightly taller than the female exorcist, surpassing the latter's height by just a few centimeters.
"In the names of the saints whom reside within this blade, I shall release it… Durandal!"
Everyone, including Kokabiel, widened their eyes in astonishment.
"Durandal!?"
"So you're not the wielder of Excalibur?"
"No, not exactly. I was originally the wielder of Durandal. I was just chosen to wield Excalibur as well. That's all", Xenovia replied as she held her new holy sword with both of her hands.
"Absurd! My research has not reached the stage where Durandal can be wielded!" Valper retorted in disbelief.
"Of course you haven't. Even Vatican can't make an artificial wielder of Durandal."
"Then why!? How can you wield it!?"
"Simple. Because unlike those artificial holy sword wielders, I'm a natural born one."
Valper became speechless at Xenovia's words. He could not believe that he would be seeing face to face with the natural wielder of a holy sword.
CUT IN HALF * AGAIN *