Chapter Text
Alright everyone, time for the Excalibur arc's main event... Kokabiel, Valper, and Freed VS the ORC, MHC, and Student Council! Before we start this chapter, there are two things I'd like to say. First, I wanna thank AzureStoryTeller for giving me my first story recommendation, especially since he did it through my favorite story of his, and the story that inspired this one, "The Will to Endure and Protect" ^^
Seeing that recommendation really helped me notice how far this story has come since I began. There's probably a few of you who remembered how nervous I was at the beginning, and look at me now! I'm fully confident where I'm going with not just this story, but the one I've made for Date A Live, and the possible fanfic ideas that could happen in the future.
Getting back to the actual start notes, I'm sure some of you may have noticed that Issei's starting to have a bit of mysteries linked to him, with a few hints popping up in the process. I'll say now that his importance to the overall scheme of things is starting to show. For one, there's the whole mystery behind how he was able to focus Ascalon's Holy attributes, despite he's never even used such power before.
Before we finally start the chapter, there's a few important things that I'll need to explain. In canon, Vali beat Kokabiel fairly easily, so you might be wondering how things will go because of that. Well, she's definitely at that level of power right now, with Issei only slightly weaker. Because of that, to avoid a one-sided fight, I've had Kokabiel set up something with the Demon Tech he stole to give him an edge.
Right after that, we have Ophis, who made her debut last chapter. This one's more minor, but I figure that I should say it just to avoid any possible misunderstandings as a result of a few people missing that I renamed Kiba and Jeanne's Sacred Gears on purpose. In this story, Ophis is female rather than genderless, and her appearance is the result of her canon ability to take any form. Why I chose the form I did... well, you'll find out this chapter.
Now, let's get this chapter started!
()- Albion Talking
[]- Ddraig Talking
«»- Consciousness of any other Sacred Gear Talking
〖〗 - Voice Speaking through a Magic Circle
「」- Insert Song Beginning, or Ending
【】- Voice made by an Announcement, or through an Announcer
⟨⟩- Custom Spell's Aria Chant
『』 - Electrical Voice or Machine Speaking
Tosca's Sacred Gears
Usually, most people with a Sacred Gear are only born with one, and gaining a second is usually only the result of a theft, someone with a Vritra Gear collecting the other three, or the Incinerate Anthem choosing to inhabit someone who already has a Sacred Gear. However, on rare occasions, someone can be born with two Sacred Gears, and Tosca is one of them.
Her first Sacred Gear is a defense-type Sacred Gear that allowed her to survive the fatal poisoning that would have killed her, but at the cost of being in suspended animation until it realized her body was free of venom. Her defenses can be barriers, shields, or protective auras, but she can't use them all at once, though in exchange, these defenses are difficult to shatter.
As for her second Sacred Gear? It's a weapon-type Sacred Gear that takes the form of a futuristic-looking bow that can create, and fire special arrows that can be guided to hit a target, although doesn't guarantee they'll hit. It also enhances the user's senses, allowing them to see, hear, feel, and etc. to a near-superhuman level, even if they're not actually using the Sacred Gear.
The major downside that comes from having multiple Sacred Gears is that a user can only use one of their Balance Breakers at a time.
Season 2, Excalibur Arc: Chapter 4 - Requiem of the Swordsman
Everyone looked at the beam of light being created by the magic square Valper was creating, signaling the start of Kokabiel's plans to cause a Second Great War.
"That magic square... is he going to destroy the entire school with it?" Asia questioned worriedly.
"It's even worse, Asia... he's only beginning with the Academy, so I'm fairly sure that he'll destroy all of Kuoh Town with that." Le Fay answered, shaking in fear.
"Even worse, he's strong enough that he could do that." Bikou sweated as he gripped his staff tightly.
Vali sweated a bit, soon turning to her follow Devil Heirs.
"Rias, Sona! You need to contact your older siblings immediately!" Vali ordered.
"Huh?" Rias blinked.
"We're on the verge of a possible war breaking out, and the way I see it... right now, we're either forced with a guaranteed destruction of the town that starts a war, or the chance of a war that they could either cause or prevent!" Vali explained.
Sona thought on that, looking at Rias.
"As much as I'd worry of my sister starting a war if anything happened to me, Kokabiel may be too powerful for us to stop. The best we may be able to do is buy them time to make it here." Sona agreed.
"Yeah, I'll have to agree on that." Rias realized, knowing this was bigger than her.
Both of them turned to their Queens, who immediately tried making contact with Yumina, hoping to get in contact with Grayfia.
"Issei, get in contact with Tiamat while I reach out to Fafnir." Vali asked.
"Got it." He replied, forming a magic circle by his ear.
At that moment, Rias took the lead.
"Come on everyone, let's make our way to the school." Rias stated.
As this was happening, Tosca and Vasco were in the town next to Kuoh, being one of the few who could see the magic square's pillar of light.
"Vasco... what is that?" The white-haired girl asked in fear.
"All that can be is trouble, and worse... its where your friends currently are." Vasco answered.
Tosca gasped, shaking a bit.
"Quick, we need to hurry!" Tosca shouted.
Vasco sighed, looking at Tosca, shaking his head to her surprise.
"Sorry, but if I go with you, I fear you'll be too late to make it. So, I'll have to show you the way like this." Vasco apologized, tapping her forehead.
A small magic circle appeared on his finger, making Tosca's eyes widen as she felt the knowledge of where to go flow into her head.
"Huh?" Tosca felt her head.
"I've given you the information you need, now run, and don't stop until you make it. Everything depends on you now." Vasco stated, putting his hand on her shoulders.
Hearing this, Tosca took a deep breath, setting her resolve.
"Mr. Strada, thank you for everything! I promise that I'll make it!" Tosca exclaimed.
And with those words, she instantly began sprinting towards Kuoh, pushing every bit of adrenaline into her legs as she tried to make it there in time.
"Isaiah... Mary... I'm coming!" She promised.
She pushed herself faster, ignoring the searing pain in her muscles as she refused to slow down.
'Dear lord, almighty God, please hear my prayers. I need to make it... I need to give Isaiah my strength somehow! So, I beg you, please give me a way!' Tosca wished with all her heart.
"Your wish shall not go unanswered, dear child." A male voice answered.
At that moment, Tosca suddenly stopped as a cross of light descended from the sky, getting her attention. Appearing right in front of her, she stared at the sight of a figure with a heavenly aura emitting from his body, and blonde hair.
"No way, are you... God?" Tosca breathed in shock, and awe.
The being smiles before he held out his hand, causing a blue crystal to float hers.
Looking at it, Tosca gently embraced the strange gem, and felt something familiar from it, almost like... something was calling her. At that moment, she suddenly saw a familiar face, and gasped as she saw many more.
"Everyone..." She breathed.
"Go young one, your friends are waiting for you. They need you." He smiled before ascending back into the sky.
Tosca reached out to him as he did, seeing him quickly vanish. Once he was gone, she stared at the crystal in her hands, followed by her holding it tightly as she gained a determined look on her face.
"Isaiah, Mary... all of us are coming!" Tosca shouted.
She continued her run, once again pushing everything her body had to reach Kuoh Town in time.
As the three peerages arrive at their school, they notice Fafnir and Tiamat creating a barrier around its entirety, a worried look on their faces.
"Fafnir, Tiamat? Why are you out here?" Vali asked.
"We tried to go after Kokabiel directly, but it looks like he expected us... or he expected you and Vali." Fafnir explained, a slight sigh in his voice.
Tiamat released her blue flames on the barrier, revealing some kind of dragon symbol in response.
"What the!?" Bikou gasped.
Fafnir nodded his head, looking at everyone.
"He must of took the Demon Technology he stole so Valper could turn it into an Anti-Dragon field. We couldn't even get inside." He stated.
"Then, does that mean we're..." Issei wondered.
Deciding to see for himself, the Sekiryuutei tried to walk in... and he succeeded, but his Boosted Gear was glowing like some kind of limiter had been placed on him.
"Good news, looks like it just limits those with Dragon-type Sacred Gears." Issei smiled.
["Based on what I'm seeing, you can't activate your Balance Breaker, so this should only limit you and Vali."]Ddraig remarked.
«"That makes this barrier useless against me, as Saji doesn't have his."»Vritra realized, relishing the loophole in his favor.
Tiamat sighed in relief, before turning to the others.
"For now, we'll make this barrier to limit the battle to the town. Just know it'll probably be useless against whatever risks taking out the town." She explained.
Vali sighed, crossing her arms under her breasts.
"Should have figured... if we beat Kokabiel, then he doesn't get his war. Of course he'd have countermeasures in place." The silver-haired Devil realized.
"Valper's also known for his skills in genetic studies, so I bet he had a hand. He just needs to have his war start, and then he's free to rampage without hesitation." Irina added.
At that moment, Kuroka reappeared from her magic circle, getting everyone's attention as she walked closer.
"Kuroka, how are Valerie and Jeanne doing?" Irina asked.
"They're recovering just fine, and Jeanne's already awake. Though I recommended that she wait around a quarter of an hour before she comes to help us." Kuroka replied.
The golden-orange haired Angel sighed in relief.
"So, how prepared are we for this?" The Black Nekoshou inquired.
Everyone gave worried looks, making the Lucifer Rook sweat a bit.
"Yay..." Kuroka sighed.
Yuuma noticed a magic circle appear by her ear, nodding her head before her eyes widened.
"Bad news everyone, my father says something's attacking Grigori defending itself from some kind of invaders. They can't send even a single Fallen to help us." The Fallen Princess revealed worriedly.
"So, we're down a group of allies already?" Issei remarked worriedly.
Vali looked at her fellow Heiresses, who smiled.
"No worries on our end. Our siblings and their fellow Great Devils are heading over with their peerages, we'll just need to by an hour for their forces to arrive." Rias reassured them.
The silvery-white Lucifer sighed in relief in relief.
"Glad to know we have some form of back up on the way." Vali remarked.
Vali looked at the battlefield they normally called their school.
"Come on, let's give them that hour." She declared.
"Onward to battle!" Issei announced.
Hearing his battle cry, all three groups gave a confident look as they all walked inside, with the two Dragon Kings them luck.
"We better see every one of you still alive when this over!" Tiamat warned.
Once the three peerages walked inside, they began considering their strategy and situation, while all three Pawns stood still for a moment.
"Alright, let's do this." Yuuma breathed.
"Right." Saji agreed.
The two of them and Ruruko got into position, looking at the battlefield they were about to walk onto.
"Promotion, to Queen!" They shouted, briefly creating the illusion of three Queen Pieces.
Issei held up the Boosted Gear.
["BOOST!"]
"I'll play the role of support for this battle, and gather all the Boosts can." Issei stated.
"My Divides are still good, but since only I can use the power from them, I'll be fighting with everyone on the battlefield." Vali added.
Sona nodded, looking at Asia.
"Asia, its best you stay in the back with Irina, as Kokabiel will likely be aware of the dangers that come from your healing powers." Sona suggested.
Irina smiled, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"You can count on me, I'll make sure to keep her safe." Irina promised.
Right at that moment, Shirone's eyes widened as she looked at the battlefield, noticing a magic square form.
"Guys, something's happening outside!" She shouted.
"Huh?" Vali blinked.
Everyone rushed outside, and they saw the magic square in its full glory.
"What is that!?" Issei shouted.
"That would be Valper fusing the four Excaliburs into one, and using it to create a large magic square!" Kokabiel chuckled.
At that moment, everyone turned to see a floating throne where he was sitting.
"So, should I be expecting Sirzechs anytime soon? Perhaps you've called Serafall? Or is the Devil Queen herself going to grace me?" Kokabiel laughed.
Vali gritted her teeth, knowing he was mocking them.
"If you wanted people to come to your party, then you shouldn't have sent out last-minute invitations. All of the Maou will be running late as a consequence." Rias smirked.
Kokabiel was now the one gritting his teeth, throwing a spear of light at them.
Everyone quickly moved out of the way as the spear shot past them, and soon hit the gym, making it explode! It was a sight that caught the former Humans among all three peerages to gasp in horror.
"Ddraig, how much was he even trying with that!?" Issei exclaimed.
["You donotwant me to answer that! Either way, you're looking at someone who survived a war against God and Lucifer, who were actual deities in comparison!]"Ddraig warned.
Issei nodded, holding up his arm.
"Wait, Issei!" Irina shouted.
He turned, seeing Irina throw Excalibur Mimic to him, causing him to look confused.
"Ascalon's only real power is that it's Dragon Slayer, my Excalibur Mimic should do more for you in this kind of situation!" Irina explained.
"Alright, if you say so!" Issei replied.
He swung the blade, morphing it into a shape he was more familiar with.
"Since you came all this way, how about I let you play with my favorite pets?" Kokabiel suggested, snapping his fingers.
On the ground, a flaming hole suddenly formed. It wasn't long before a three-headed dog, a two-headed dog with a skeletal body, and a one-headed dog with dark orange flames across its body began to crawl out of it.
"That's a Cerberus, an Orthrus, and a Barghest... those are all watchdogs belonging to the Demons!" Rias shouted in surprise.
"He even managed to steal all of these!?" Irina questioned worriedly.
Sona prepared her clan's signature power of water.
"Then we'll just have to take them down as well." Sona remarked, removing her glasses.
「 Sonic the Hedgehog: Crisis City 」
At that moment, everyone with Sacred Gears and weapons called them out immediately. With that, the sight of Sona's entire peerage, Issei, Vali, Valerie, and Asia all ready for whatever came their way.
Giving a mighty shout, Vali gave the battle cry that made each peerage rush into action as she took the lead.
"Vanishing Divider!"
A storm of energy blades made of blue light flew out of her magic circle, immediately slamming into the three-headed mutt as it was frozen. Immediately after taking the attack, it released a fiery breath from all three of its jaws.
("REFLECT!")
The flames hit Vali's barrier, and bounced back to start burning the triple headed canine.
"Everyone, give a path for Arthur's sword to purge this monster!" Vali ordered.
"OK!" Yuuma replied for everyone.
Seeing the Knight of Lucifer begin to rush at it, the Cerberus instantly expelled its deadly hellfire in three different directions. While everyone else was dodging the attack, Yuuma instead took the chance to throw some light spears at the beast, making it turn towards her.
Yuuma gasped, and covered herself... only for a barrier to shield her from its flames. The Fallen Angel Princess turned to see Le Fay smiling at her.
"I've got your back." Le Fay said cheerfully.
"Thanks..." Yuuma smiled in relief.
The Cerberus roared before it lunged at Le Fay, who gave a determined look before spinning her wand.
"Restriction Chain!"
Magic circles form, sending out chains that wrapped around the Cerberus' rear legs.
The monstrous canine suddenly fell to the ground, slamming into it hard, injuring its front legs in the process. It tried to get up, but the chains only tightened themselves in response to its struggling.
"Kuroka, Bikou! Give me some Chi and Prana chains!" Le Fay called out.
"Of course." Kuroka giggled.
"You've got it!" Bikou replied with excitement.
The both of them hold out their hands, with Kuroka releasing flaming versions of Le Fay's chains, and Bikou releasing an amplified red aura of the same thing. The extra chains tightened on the other two heads, while Le Fay adjusted the ones she had made to focus on one head.
Swinging his staff around, he shouted loudly, slamming it against the Cerberus' middle head.
"Alright big bro, here's your chance!" Le Fay announced.
"The help is appreciated!" Arthur replied.
Rushing forward, Arthur slashed the monstrosity down the middle, causing its body to divide to glow before it was hit with a purge. Upon seeing his victory, Arthur turned to see the rest of his team gathered around him.
"That's one down, and two to go." Vali smiled.
Sona's group stood before the two-headed skeleton dog, both heads growling at her group.
"Think your tongues can hold that thing down?" Sona asked.
"Give me the right opening, and there's no way it'll get out of Vritra's grip." Saji answered.
The Sitri heiress nodded at that, right as Orthrus rushed towards the group.
"Here it comes!" Tomoe warned, pulling out her sword scabbard.
Without unsheathing her blade, she rushed at the two-headed canine. The skeletal dog tried to bite down on Tomoe, only for her to hold up the scabbard to block it, leaving her open for the second head's attempt to lung at her.
"Applause Wall!"
Two bracelets form on Momo's wrist, sending out rings of light that formed an aura wall, which Orthrus' head crashed into. The monster's head shattered from the impact, but the fragments began to float as it started piecing itself together.
"The rumors are true, an Orthrus' body will piece itself back together unless the bone shards are completely annihilated beforehand." Momo remarked.
"Everyone, ready yourselves to attack the shards after our next blow." Sona alerted her peerage.
As the second head restored itself, it opened its jaw to release a stream of gray-colored flames, prompting Tsubaki to take the front.
"Mirror Alice!"
Manipulating metal particles in the air, a magical mirror formed before taking the hit, and shattering as it sent the flames back at their caster. The Orthrus screamed in pain as the flames razed its body, dealing incredible damage.
"Alright, that's first blood for us" Saji said in awe.
"Time for my attack!" Ruruko replied.
Forming what looked to be aerodynamic greaves with wing decors on her legs, Ruruko immediately zoomed off, catching the skeletal dog's attention as she kept accelerating.
"You can't beat the speed of my Procellarum Phantom!" Ruruko playfully mocked, giving a raspberry as she pulled her eyelid down.
The twin-headed canine growled before roaring, and lunging to bite at her. Unfortunately, the Pawn of Sitri immediately dashed even faster, causing afterimages of herself to confuse the skeletal monster until it was dizzy.
"All yours Tsubasa!" Ruruko shouted.
"Twinkle Aegis!"
A pair of energy shields created by Fairy magic formed in the air, spinning together like a yo-yo before they flew into her hand. As both heads started to regain focus, Tsubasa spun it like a wheel, generating some fire within it.
"Falling Star Crash!"
Launching the yo-yo Sacred Gear towards Orthrus, one of its heads got shattered, and burned some of the fragments before they could return to the beast. Seeing her opening, Sona prepared an attack with her Creation Wave.
"Sona, is that opening good enough?" Tsubasa inquired.
"More than enough." Sona answered.
Swinging out her arm, the water she unleashed gained a will of its own, transforming into a watery serpent creature. The Orthrus felt the snake bite down on its other hand, emitting intense water pressure into the strength of its jaws.
"Saji!" Sona alerted.
Vritra's host nodded at that, making a certain pose.
"Absorption Line!"
"Blaze Black Flare!"
"Delete Field!"
"Shadow Prison!"
All four of the Vritra Gears appeared together, followed by each of them gaining a third eye to represent the three that Vritra himself had.
«"Let us annihilate this being that dared to face us!"»Vritra announced.
Tongues shot out from all four of the Sacred Gears' mouths, latching onto the skeletal canine. As the twin-headed canine struggled, the water serpent immediately tightened its jaws, locking it in place.
"Damn, this thing's resilient!" Saji grunted.
«"It won't be after this."»Vritra smirked.
Suddenly, a surge of black flames burned across the tongues, immediately making the Orthrus roared in agony, blasting its own flames out in a vain attempt that only fueled the dark fire that was consuming it.
"Whoa!" Reya exclaimed.
"The cursed dark flames of Vritra, one of the many powers that this Evil Dragon possess. It's believed they are the only true counter against the divine flames of the Incinerate Anthem... I can't believe we're seeing them in person." Sona stated in awe.
In only a minute or two, the Orthrus was burned into a pile of ash.
"Glad to know such a power is on our side." The Sitri Heiress remarked.
Shirone jumped up, and tossed a few Senjutsu fireballs at the Barghest... which the burning hound simply ran right through! Shirone was immediately forced to give it a drop kick to the face, only for it to it try chomping her whole!
"I... hate... dogs!" Shirone grunted.
She kicked its jaw open, and rolled out as the beast was shaking its head. This gave Akeno an opening to appear behind the disoriented hound.
"I think it wants more!" Akeno shouted.
"Holy Lightning!"
The black mutt roared as the holy energy zapped through it, but it shook the attack off, only to be slammed by a Spiral of Destruction. As the dust cleared, the dog howled loudly, making Rias wince a bit.
"Let's be glad he only got the one Barghest, since this one alone is a lot to handle." Rias remarked.
As this was happening, Issei was charging up more boosts while keeping Valerie, and Asia safe.
["BOOST!"]
"I've gathered a lot of Boosts so far, but I'm gonna need more if I wanna give everyone a power up that's strong enough." Issei grunted, keeping his eye out for any danger.
At that moment, he heard Asia scream.
Turning around, he saw a bunch of cracks in the ground, revealing a bunch of Golems that were generating a random pattern of eerie-sounding beeps. Irina immediately unleashed her Holy Light in the form of a ring, but the Golems simply shrugged it off.
"This could be bad..." Irina realized as she shivered.
"Hold on, I'm on my way!" Issei shouted.
He swung out Excalibur Mimic, causing it to whip a few of the Golems, and change their focus to him. As the Sekiryuutei rushed closer, he saw their arms open to reveal missile launchers.
["Missile launchers? Be careful Issei, these are Gogmagogs!"]Ddraig warned.
"Gogmagogs?" He repeated.
["Golems made by an ancient civilization called the Salathavean Kingdom, with their special ability being able to mimic enemy weaponry, regardless of when it was created."]Ddraig explained.
Issei sweated at that, punching the ground to make it collapse, and trap the nearest Gogmagog inside.
"Don't worry, I'm coming!" Issei called out to them.
「 Insert Song End 」
He rushed towards the two, right as a trio of Gogmagogs prepared to blast them.
"I'm not gonna make it!" Issei screamed.
"Sword Birth!"
A bunch of swords spiked through the Gogmagogs, making them explode. The three all looked as Kiba jumped into view.
"Kiba, you made it." Asia smiled.
"Sorry, but I had to pick up Xenovia." Kiba apologized.
Hearing shouting from above, all four of them quickly ran away as Xenovia slammed Excalibur Destruction into the ground, eliminating all of the Gogmagogs.
Seeing the Barghest fighting against Rias' peerage, Xenovia rushed at the black hound.
"Allow me to tip the odds!" Xenovia offered.
She slashed through the beast, making it meet the same fate that Caliburn had given the Cerberus.
Akeno giggled at that.
"Looks like Kokabiel's little guard dogs have all been put down." Akeno smiled.
["BOOST!"]
Issei saw the gem on his Boosted Gear glow, making him realize he had enough power for everyone.
"Everyone, prepare for a Transfer!" Issei announced.
"Good timing!" Vali smiled.
Holding his arm out, he shouted as he released green beams from the Sacred Gear's gem.
["TRANSFER!"]
When the green light beams hit everyone, they felt their power multiple depending on how many boosts Issei had to lend them, but they were clearly all feeling an incredible boost in power.
"Alright, time to show Kokabiel what we're made of!" Vali exclaimed.
"Guess this won't be as boring as I expected." Kokabiel chuckled.
Hearing a timer go off, Jeanne finally ran out of Vali's house, and sprinted towards the battlefield.
"Alright, no more waiting, they need my help!" Jeanne stated.
Shortly after she began her run, the sudden sound of collapsing got her attention, causing her to slow to a stop as she looked for its source.
Upon getting closer, she saw the person in question was... Tosca!
"Tosca, you're awake!?" Jeanne gasped.
"Is... that you, Mary?" Tosca breathed, looking at her with tears in her eyes.
Jeanne teared up, smiling a bit.
"I can't believe it, you finally woke up... wait, how'd you even-" Jeanne asked, firing off a barrage of questions.
Tosca stopped by holding up the crystal that Michael gave her.
"Please, take me to Isaiah... he needs this!" Tosca begged, unable to run anymore.
"Tosca... don't worry, we'll get it to him, together!" Jeanne smiled.
Pulling her onto her back, the Maiden of Orleans rushed to the battlefield as Tosca held onto her for dear life, drawing out Hauteclere in advance.
'Kiba, we're on our way!' Jeanne thought with resolve.
Vali immediately flew ahead, readying herself in a position to attack the war loving cadre of the Fallen Angels.
"Let's see how you handle this!" She screamed.
"Twilight Wave!"
The waves of twilight fired off against Kokabiel, who simply smirked as he smacked it away, causing it to vaporize the area surrounding the Tennis Court.
'No way, it's still not enough? Even after I've been boosted to this level!?' Vali thought in horror.
Kokabiel laughed at her.
"Was that it, or did you make your attack weaker on purpose?" Kokabiel mocked.
"I hate this guy." Vali quietly grunted.
At that moment, Valper's laughter was heard as the magic square's light focused, causing the pillar of light to vanish.
"Finally, it is complete!" Valper laughed excitedly.
Looking towards the magic square, the sight of a golden sword appeared, showing the fusion of the four Excaliburs into a single blade. In response to its completion, the magic square started to expand.
From a distance, the sight of Ophis watching the battle was seen.
"So, this is what the whiny war brat's doing. Laugh all you want Kokabiel, because I'll be shattering your dreams soon enough." Ophis smirked, acting like there wasn't a possible brink of war on the horizon.
The mysterious white-haired woman vanished, teleporting herself even closer to the battlefield.
The magic square's size began expanded beyond the Dragon King's barrier, making them sweat as their worst fears became a reality.
"Oh no!" Kiba suddenly gasped.
"It went past the barrier, then this is what they'll use to make the town disappear!?" Issei wondered aloud.
Valper cackled at that, looking at the three peerages.
"I'd leave now if I were you, this area will be destroyed in 20 minutes!" Valper warned mockingly.
"20 minutes? Our reinforcements still need another 30... they won't make it in time!" Rias realized in a panic.
Hearing this, Vali immediately aimed at the square.
"Twilight Inversion!"
Vali unleashed the power that Lucifer gave to the Belial Clan through a storm of twilight, but even with all the power she unleashed... the magic square stayed intact shocking everyone over the fact even she wasn't able to stop it.
"No good, this magic square's too embedded with the Excaliburs for me to negate!" Vali shouted, feeling a few beads of sweat trickle down her face.
"Then we just need to destroy it!" Issei exclaimed, readying Excalibur Mimic.
Kokabiel unfolded his wings, rushing towards her.
"Like I'd let you!" He shouted with a confident smirk.
Everyone readied for his charge... only to notice Vali on his back, surprising even the cadre.
"How did you...!" He shouted.
"Don't underestimate us, because we might just surprise you!" Vali screamed.
Kokabiel screamed as the Lucifer Heiress burned two of his wings off through her Ethereal Twilight, completely destroying them as he crashed away onto the ground, with Vali herself flying away before she did the same.
Growling at the silvery-white haired Devil, he held out a light spear towards her, and causing him to forget the others.
"Take this!" Rias shouted.
"Hurry, we can't let this chance slip us by!" Sona requested.
"Hands off my cousin!" Irina announced.
All three of them unleashed all their magic at once, locking Kokabiel in place before Vali joined them.
"Quick, smash that Excalibur before he breaks free! We don't know how long we'll be able to keep Kokabiel at bay!" The silvery-white haired screamed.
Issei nodded, turning his head to the others.
"You heard Vali, it's time to shatter a legendary sword!" He announced.
"Allow me." Kiba replied.
Walking into view, Valper noticed Kiba getting closer to him.
"Valper Galilei, I'm one of the three survivors of the Holy Sword Project, the very children you chose to murder!" Kiba declared, getting Valper's attention.
He gripped his sword tightly, glaring at the madman that had caused him so much suffering.
"I was able to live because I was reborn as a Devil, and now... today's the day I will avenge the death of my comrades!" He announced.
The Knight of Gremory rushed at him, moving so fast that Valper had no chance to react. Just as it looked like he would smash the Fused Excalibur... he was suddenly slammed into the ground by something, catching everyone's attention.
"What was that?" Shirone questioned.
"I... I don't know, even I couldn't see it." Kuroka answered with slight panic.
At that moment, a familiar mutated laughter was heard, making everyone see the now chimeric form of Freed Sellzen, making them all gasp as they were able to recognize enough of him to know he was this monster before them.
"Yuck!" Le Fay winced in disgust.
"Just when you think he can't get any uglier." Bikou stated, his right eye twitching.
Valper chuckled at that.
"Freed, it's time! Use the Excalibur!" He announced.
The chimeric man grabbed the sword, feeling its incredible power flow through his body.
"Oh yeah, who's the volunteer that wants to be on the pointy end of this bad boy first!?" Freed inquired in a mocking tone.
"How about me!?" Xenovia questioned.
The blue-haired Exorcist swung Excalibur Destruction at him, only for him to rush out of view.
"Nice try, but you're too slow to defeat the power of Excalibur Rapidly!" Freed laughed insanely, slashing at Xenovia.
Unfortunately for him, Xenovia simply flipped onto her hands, and then swung her legs to kick the unguarded Freed's giant eye. He held it as the pain forced its eyelids shut, rendered useless for the time being.
"My face! You scum bitch, prepare to face Excalibur Blessing's reckoning!" Freed roared in anger.
Freed's muscle mass swelled larger, and he swung the Fused Excalibur down, creating a wave of holy energy. Xenovia smashed it apart with Excalibur Destruction's power... only to see Freed disappear.
"Oh wait, I meant ExcaliburTransparency!" Freed mocked.
"He can use all their abilities, which means he should also have..." Xenovia realized, sweating a bit.
Freed laughed as he reappeared, with two clones besides him.
"Now... here comes the power of Excalibur Nightmare!" Freed said darkly, smiling as he did.
Xenovia managed to parry each blow, only for fatigue to hit in.
"He's too strong... I won't last at this rate..." Xenovia panted.
At that moment, Kiba started to get back up, knowing Xenovia needed help, and Valper noticed this.
"I'm grateful to you and the others, you taught me what I needed to complete the project!" Valper chuckled, making Kiba's eyes widen.
"Complete it?" Kiba repeated.
"You see, when I was born, I wanted to wield the Excalibur, but I fell into despair because I couldn't. However, I soon realized if I could find a way to make myself capable, that wouldn't be a problem anymore! Studying all of you brats, I found out Holy Swords need the right combination of genes. Once I realized that fact, all I had to do was take out the Holy Sword genes from those who had any them!" Valper revealed with an insane look.
Everyone who was within hearing range showed horror at that, while Kokabiel smirked.
"Then I found a way to combine and crystallize their genes into the right combination, creating a way to give people the power to wield Excalibur! I did find out not everyone could take the genes, and a few died from being unable to take them in, but due to Freed's unique nature as an artificial human created by the Sigurd Institution, I finally managed to achieve the impossible!" Valper announced, holding his hands up.
"The Sigurd Institution... so, Freed's the last of those rogue attempts to make Sigurd's descendant." Xenovia realized, understanding Freed's abnormal insanity.
Freed laughed at that, his insane face widened his one good eye for emphasis.
"Better yet, I was able to take in three crystals, so I'm literally one of a kind!" Freed praised himself while mocking everyone else.
Xenovia gritted her teeth, tightening her sword.
"The act of a true monster! Heaven would never accept the benefits if lives were sacrificed for it, much less the lives of innocent children!" Xenovia stated, wanting to kill Valper where he stood.
Valper laughed at that, looking at Xenovia with a twisted look on his face.
"I wouldn't point that remark at me young lady, the fact you're using a Holy Sword clearly tells me those hypocrites still used my research in some way. Then again, we're talking about God here. Even if he did take genes from his people, he wouldn't kill them, so I guess that makes him more human than I am." Valper replied, a sickening smile on his face.
Kiba growled, getting on his feet as tears filled his eyes.
"And there was no need to kill us either! How could you... how could you!?" Kiba replied, shaking in anger.
The former Archbishop laughed at that.
"Because you were just pieces of research in a top-secret project! Research always requires sacrifices, so those who can't accept that fact will never get anywhere in life." Valper answered, making Kiba tremble in anger.
Hearing this, everyone else looked at him in anger.
"Sacrifices? Sacrifices!? We believed what we were doing was for God, and we bore everything because of that faith, only for you to throw us away... like trash! You sacrificed nothing, and simply say that as your excuse to murder us!" Kiba furiously screamed, tears flooding down his face.
Some of the more sensitive members of the group, like Asia and Le Fay began shedding tears, while the others showed disgust and anger. Vali herself wanted nothing more to punch his teeth out, seeing this man as a Human version of Rizevim.
"Run away!"
"Hurry, save yourself!"
Kiba stared at him, an intense glare on his face.
「 Highschool DxD: Bokutachi no Omai 」
"There were kids who had bigger dreams than me, wanted to live more than me, and that nightmare took all of that away!" He shouted angrily.
He got on his feet, glaring at Valper with intensity that would frighten most people.
So, how many? How many lives did your research cost? How many deaths did it take to satisfy you? How many dreams did you destroy for your own selfishness!?" Kiba demanded.
"Too many!" Jeanne answered.
Kiba turned, seeing his sister with a face he didn't expect.
"Tosca..." He breathed.
At that moment, the white-haired girl tossed the crystal that Michael gave her to him, making Valper's eyes widen as he saw it.
"Impossible, how'd you get that crystal!?" Valper demanded.
"Isaiah, that crystal... use it!" Tosca begged.
Kiba caught the crystal, and the moment he did... it began glowing, making everyone see the silhouettes of people begin to form. As he looked at them, he felt a hand grab his sleeve, making him turn to see... one of his fallen friend's spirits! It didn't take long to see all of them.
"W-what is this!?" Valper said in shock.
"That crystal... it contained the genes he took from our friends, it's the one part of them that's still living on in this world." Tosca smiled as she realized it.
"I don't believe it... everyone." Jeanne gasped as she teared up.
At that moment, the spirits of Kiba's friends began to swirl around him, and then... they spoke together.
"It's OK."
"Let's all gather together!"
"Take us in... it's time!"
"You don't have to be scared, even if there is no God!"
"Though a God may not be watching over us..."
"Our hearts will forever be one!"
Kiba's tears began to flow out, and for the first time in years... he felt closure as he heard the voices of his fallen friends.
"Love, it's the one thing no one in this world can destroy..." Asia realized, making a prayer motion as she teared up.
"I can't stop crying... Kiba, you can't lose to this bastard now!" Issei shouted out as he cried.
At that moment, all of their spirits entered his body, and as they did... rings of light shot from Kiba's body. Issei recognized them from when he activated his Scale Mail for the first time.
"That light, that's his...!" Issei gasped.
["The Knight has peaked."]Ddraig smirked.
As the rings faded, Kiba looked at Valper.
"I finally understand, my friends... they wanted me to live, so part of them could live on in me. That's why I'm alive, because I've inherited their dreams, and now... all that's standing in their way is ending the evil in front of me." Kiba stated, soon forming his sword.
"Help me, Freed!" Valper begged.
The mutant dropped in front him, prepared to take him down, making Valper smirk as he stood safely behind him.
「 Insert Song End 」
At that moment, Kiba held up his sword.
"Dear comrades whose souls have merged with mine, we'll overcome this together. All our dreams that were stifled can now come true!" Kiba chanted as his aura glowed even brighter.
"Balance Breaker: Sword of Betrayer!"
Valper's eyes widened at that, and then everyone saw Kiba's sword emitting not just sacred darkness, but holy light! The two powers merged together, creating a black & white sword with gold trims, with red runes lightning up across the blade's center.
"Angel and Devil powers fused together? That means... he's using aCursed Holy Sword." Sona said in surprise.
"That's impossible, how can such an aberration exist!?" Valper screamed.
Realizing what was happening before her, Xenovia tossed the Excalibur Destruction towards Irina. The golden-orange haired Angel showed surprise as it landed near her.
"Xenovia... are you really going to use it?" Irina realized.
"Talk to me, Knight of Gremory. Are we still fighting on the same side?" Xenovia stated, walking alongside him.
"I'd like to say we are." Kiba confirmed.
"Then let's destroy that Excalibur together." Xenovia decided, shocking him.
"You sure?" Kiba asked.
"That may be a Holy Sword by name, but there's nothing Holy about this fused monstrosity. It's only fair a true Holy Sword stops it." Xenovia answered, soon standing in place.
Holding out her hand, she closed her eyes.
"Oh Peter, oh Basileus, and Dionysus, and the Holy Mother Mary... hear my prayers and lend me your strength!" Xenovia chanted.
A magic circle forms, and Xenovia stuck her hand inside of it.
"In the name of the Saint living within this blade, I hereby release... Durandal!" Xenovia announced.
She pulled out a chained sword, and the binding chains quickly shattered to reveal the Holy Sword to everyone, even Jeanne and Irina showed surprise at the official confirmation of her true Holy Sword.
"My god, she really did inherit it!" Jeanne gasped.
"Amazing..." Irina breathed in awe.
Valper's eyes shook at that.
"That's impossible, my research never went into that blade! No one should be able to wield that blade!" Valper gasped in horror.
"Your research didn't need to, because you were wrong about the church mimicking your research... me, Jeanne, and Irina are all the genuine articles!" Xenovia revealed, smirking to really sink her words in.
Valper's eyes widened at that, starting to shake in fear at the undeniable reality before him.
"I don't believe you!" Freed roared, rushing at them.
Jeanne held out her hand, forming a Holy Sword that began glowing the same way as Kiba's, getting everyone's attention at the sight.
"Just as my brother's sword is the weapon born from the betrayal you gave us, mine is the one that will bring the betrayed salvation from the in that took their lives! Now, you will finally atone for that sin!" Jeanne exclaimed.
"Balance Breaker: Blade of Salvation!"
The same kind of sword appeared in Jeanne's hands as the one she held transformed, but it had a much more angelic frame, and the kanji on the blade was white in color.
"Damn it, another plot twist!?" Freed raged.
Freed screamed as he smashed another holy wave at the quartet, but this time... the blue-haired Exorcist didn't just slash it in an instant, her own holy wave smashed into him! The insane chimera screamed in pain, barely holding up.
"What you have is simply a broken sword, its own power will betray you need it most!" Xenovia announced as she jumped for an overhead strike.
"Damn it... I've decided that I completely despise you!" Freed screamed as he dodged her strike, jumping into the air.
Kiba appeared behind him, catching him off guard.
"The feeling's mutual!" Kiba screamed.
Kiba swung against Freed with quick slashes, putting the chimeric man on the defensive.
"But it wasn't enough to destroy out hope!" Jeanne declared.
The Maiden of Orleans swung her sword alongside her brother, shattering the Fused Excalibur to Freed's horror, making Valper's eyes widen.
"Impossible..." The madman gasped.
"Quick, disengage now!" Irina warned.
Vali threw her attack into the ground, helping the group get away as Kokabiel threw a Holy Spear towards them. The moment Freed landed on the ground, everyone saw the him shake, glaring at everyone with complete fury.
"Impossible, how could I have been taken out by lame Devil scum!? I'll rip you all..." Freed roared angrily.
Suddenly, Freed felt a few slashes form across his body, either being made from the holy and dark elements in the twins' Cursed Holy Swords, and realized what was happening to him. Giving one final scream, his body swelled before exploding into nothingness.
"Yes, do you see Valper?" Kiba questioned.
"Our powers smashed the Excalibur you were so proud of!" Jeanne finished.
"No, this can't be..." Valper whimpered.
He quickly had his eyes widened, making everyone see an arrow of light shoot through him. Shaking for a moment, his body soon dissolved away in light, and everyone saw Tosca had fired the arrow from a bow she was suddenly holding.
"Tosca, where'd you get that?" Jeanne asked in surprise.
"I'm not sure, it just appeared when I wanted him to stop talking." Tosca blushed in embarrassment.
Kokabiel looked at the spot where Valper dissolved.
"Oh, Valper... you really were a talent, but it looks like your efforts worked again you." Kokabiel stated.
Looking at the group, he saw most of them were winded.
"Albion, did we do anything to the magic square? Please tell me that we didn't just waste our time on breaking that Excalibur abomination!" Vali questioned.
("The destruction has been delayed, but not stopped. Good news is it seems the Maou will make it in time.")Albion answered.
Vali nodded, looking at everyone.
"Don't give in guys, Albion says the Maou will make it before the square goes off!" Vali alerted.
It worked, as everyone gave confident looks.
"Vali's right, so let's follow her lead!" Rias agreed, crossing her arms.
"Aura Break!"
Everyone felt Rias' power flare out, while Kokabiel looked interested.
"Perhaps this won't be as boring as I thought, come at me!" Kokabiel demanded, showing am excited grin.
Rias screamed as she fired off all the power she could.
"Issei, give me all the Boosts you have left!" Vali ordered.
"OK!" Issei replied.
["TRANSFER!"]
Vali's eyes flashed as her power multiplied, and charged it all into multiple magic circles around her.
"Albion, go for it!" Vali shouted.
("Understood!")Albion replied.
A blue aura covered Vali, though the Fallen Cadre didn't look worried... until a large number of magic circles appeared around Vali, numbering at around three dozen.
"Vanishing Blazer!"
Beams fired off from each of the magic circles, quickly catching up with Rias' attack, and making both of them slam against Kokabiel, who held out his hands to withstand their combined force. Despite that, it was clear he was struggling, as he didn't just swipe them away this time.
"Yes, this is the kind of power I wanted to face! It's like I'm in combat with Sirzechs this very moment!" Kokabiel cackled in joy.
"Akeno!" Rias shouted, turning to her.
The Gremory Queen rose into the air, charging the powers of her father and mother's heritage together.
"Firebolt Strike!"
Kokabiel saw the fiery lightning blast at him, forcing him to use his eight remaining wings to shield himself.
"You can't defeat me with Baraqiel's power!" Kokabiel mocked.
"Don't you disrespect his name, I won't let anyone insult my father!" Akeno screamed, causing her to generate even more power.
Kokabiel laughed before flaring his wings out, knocking the two heiresses to the ground as their Boosts faded, while Akeno fell near the trees, panting a bit from all the power she just used.
"Balance Breaker: Stake Victim Dragon!"
"Balance Breaker: Sinful Blood Dragon!"
Jeanne's dragon of Holy Swords formed in the sky, with a more demonic version created from Kiba's Cursed Swords forming at its side, being black with red on its body, and having purple eyes.
Both Dragons released their breath attacks at him, while Kokabiel held a hand against both, and formed a Light Spear in his hands.
"Interesting, but let's see how well it handles this!" Kokabiel shouted.
*ROAR*
Both Dragons gave a cry of pain before the spear shattered them apart, causing the blades that made them to rain towards everyone!
"Watch out!" Jeanne panicked.
"I've got it!" Tosca shouted.
She closed her eyes, creating a powerful barrier that protected everyone barrier around everyone, with Momo showing surprise at how much stronger it was than her Applause Wall.
"Come on, we have to... keep holding out." Issei told himself, sweating a bit.
At that moment, Kokabiel's eyes widened as he suddenly got an idea, causing him to laugh. The moment it was heard, everyone had a bad feeling in their guts.
"Why are you laughing?" Issei questioned with a glare.
"Why am I trying to beat you down? I could easily remove the opposition I have before me by crushing your spirits. Hmm... maybe I should do so by revealing the truth about your masters?" Kokabiel answered before sharing his suggestion.
Vali, Yuuma, and Irina's eyes all widened at that, realizing he was serious... and that there was nothing they could do to stop him.
"The... truth about our masters? What is he talking about?" Rias wondered aloud.
"Kokabiel, tell me the truth about our masters is supposed to mean!?" Xenovia demanded.
With that, the cadre revealed the brutal truth.
"Quite simple... what caused the end of the Great War the fact that God and Lucifer were actually killed, and your three friends over there have known this all along!" Kokabiel revealed, pointing at the trio in question.
That one line alone caused everyone to freeze in shock, while the three all looked down in shame at the secret they failed to keep.
"No way, God is... it can't be." Xenovia breathed in horror.
"He's what? The Devil King was... how is that possible? If he died, then Hell's leader should be-" Rias questioned in shock.
"It's true."
Rias turned at Vali, and that's when she saw the Lucifer Heiress' tears... it was true, or the silver-haired Devil wouldn't be crying for the adoptive father she never even met.
"No..." Rias breathed.
Xenovia felt herself collapse onto her feet, struggling to not outright faint.
"I'm honestly surprised no one's realized this by now! Think about it, why would there need to be a system to reincarnate others as Devils or Angels when the two who could easily make them on their own were still around? Without God, there was no way for new Angels to be born, and Lucifer's death meant Lilith couldn't make any new Devils either." Kokabiel explained.
It didn't take long for Rias, and Sona to make the very connection behind the very system they had never questioned.
"How did we never see it?" Sona gasped as it all made sense.
"That's right, but you've seen it now! The Angels, Fallen Angels, Devils, and Demons... all four sides were ruined to the point they had to rely on Humans for them to survive! Their leaders even agreed to seal away this information, so the Humans would keep respecting them, and the mythologies would keep fearing them." Kokabiel confirmed.
"Lies, it's not true." Xenovia gasped, unable to think any longer.
It didn't take long for Tosca and Asia to faint entirely, with Jeanne struggling in the same manner as Xenovia, and the two Devil Heiress to collapse onto their feet.
"Hey, what's wrong with everyone!?" Issei asked worriedly.
"It's a natural reaction to the truth, most are lucky if they're able to think afterwards." Irina explained.
Jeanne panted a bit, realizing something.
"Wait... if God's dead, then who's been answering our prayers?" She questioned.
"You can thank Gabriel for that, she's been running things in God's place. Regardless, the system's nothing like it used to be, so it's not too surprising that the number of God's believers has dropped." Kokabiel revealed.
The Maiden of Orleans gasped, realizing how the crystal Tosca got was even recovered for her to receive in the first place.
"Without those two, the balance between light and darkness is gone. Things like the Balance Breaker, Asia's ability to heal Devils or Demons, and the Longinus? All of them only exist because they died... a giant mess hidden from the public by making it all look real." Yuuma explained, a guilty look on her face.
At that moment, the rogue cadre's face turned into a scowl.
"That's what I hate the most! When they died... it was decided to stop the war! How dare they stop from crushing my enemies just as it was getting fun!? We would have won, and yet that bastard Azazel declared that the Fallen Angels would have another war!" Kokabiel screamed furiously.
Vali glared at him, gritting her teeth.
"Kokabiel... you're no Fallen Angel, your just pure evil!" Vali shouted angrily.
Hearing her remark, the rogue cadre laughed.
"Say all you want, but the war will continue, and I'll do whatever it takes to make it happen!" Kokabiel declared.
"Never! I'm going to stop you right here, and right now!" Vali announced.
Hearing that, Kokabiel laughed at her.
"You, stop me!? That's an interesting imagination you've got there! After all, you're the girl that's still afraid of her grandfather!" He mocked her.
He looked at her... only to feel his eyes widen as he didn't see her eyes wavering. The war crazed Fallen Angel had no idea how wrong his words were, and the Heiress of Lucifer was about to make him realize this.
"You're wrong... I don't care how strong you are, because I will not let you take away everything that I hold dear! The seal in this area might be limiting my ability to use my Balance Breaker, and I might be exhausted, but I will not stand down!" Vali exclaimed, making her promise to beat him.
"Fine, then try taking me down! Maybe you'll learn when you're finally dead!" Kokabiel replied, deciding to humor her.
Vali stared at him, closing her eyes... right as she heard a few voices that made her start to tremble. Realizing what this was, Albion gasped in horror.
("VALI, NO!")
Deep within Vali's mind, the Lucifer heiress felt the voices of her past selves try to overwhelm her.
("Use it... use the Juggernaut Drive!")
("That's all you can do, overcome this bastard with your power. Show them the rage of the Hakuryuukou.")
Vali grunted, shaking her head.
"No, I won't use that cursed power! I won't become... a monster!" Vali refused, struggling against their might.
The grabbed hold of her more.
("You will use it, you must!")
Vali still refused to give in, and seeing this, her past possessors finally took action.
("If you won't use it, then we shall-")
("Try it, and I shall take all of you down myself.")A female voice warned.
All the past possessors suddenly froze in fear, scaring them all away from Vali, and leaving the Lucifer Heiress confused.
"Who said that?" Vali questioned.
("Be the Hakuryuukou we all failed to be. We all fell to the curse of hatred... even me, despite I found love. Don't you hear him calling for you?")She encouraged.
At that moment, Vali turned as she saw Issei's silhouette.
["I believe in you, Vali! No matter what he says... you were the one that made me who I am today! That's why I love you, and that's why I know you can beat him! So, keep your promise to protect me!"] Issei cheered her own.
"Issei..." Vali breathed, tearing up.
"Pathetic, useless brat! Stay down!"
At that moment, Vali was suddenly slammed onto the ground by a giant hand. She looked to see a super-sized version of Rizevim look at her, pining her down as he looked at her with a terrifying smirk.
"As long as I live, you will never escape me, regardless of how much that boy aids you! You're changes of stopping me... arezero!" Rizevim cackled loudly.
Vali closed her eyes, shaking in fear, when suddenly...
["Wrong, because she's not the only here to stop you!"]
At that moment, a hand suddenly put itself on Vali's, making her look to see a silhouette of Issei was the one touching it. Shortly after, the giant Rizevim noticed the rest of her peerage appear to do the same, along with Albion, Lilith, and everyone she had become close to since meeting Issei.
"What is this!?" Rizevim panicked.
Seeing everyone by her side, Issei smiled at her.
["He can't control you anymore, because you won't have to face him alone!"] Issei encouraged her.
"That's right... I'm the Hakuryuukou, the daughter of Lucifer, but more than anything else? I'm the girlfriend of Issei Hyoudou, and I will always fight for him!"
Vali screamed as a white light surrounded her, making Rizevim scream as his body shattered apart.
Kokabiel began laughing, realizing what was happening.
"Yes... fall to the Juggernaut Drive, that alone will cause another war!" Kokabiel cheered.
"The Juggernaut Drive?" Issei repeated.
Ddraig grunted, getting his host's attention, and making him give a worried look.
"Ddraig... what's he talking about?" He asked worriedly.
The Red Dragon didn't immediately answer, but soon gave in, knowing Issei wouldn't forgive himself if something happened to Vali.
["It's the curse between me and Albion's hosts... our full power is given to them, but because they're not meant to have it yet, the cost is your lifespan! Vali might not be in as much danger because of her heritage, but it could still kill her!"]Ddraig explained.
"What... did you just say?" Issei breathed in horror.
The Sekiryuutei turned to Vali, now feeling the very real reality that he might lose her, until... Vali suddenly screamed, releasing an aura that surprised Kokabiel.
"What is this!?" He demanded.
「 High School DxD HERO: Potential Awakened 」
"Albion, get ready... it's time we reach a new level, together!" Vali screamed.
("You... overpowered your predecessors!")Albion gasped.
Following this, Albion felt something as the energies that came from her host's heritage began to flow, making her eyes widen as something within the Divine Dividing began to react.
("Yes, let us defy the path of the Juggernaut Drive, starting here! Let us show the world what the power of the White Dragon Empress and the Heiress of Lucifer can create together!")Albion screamed.
Vali's eyes flashed open, and she kept screaming as managed to form her Scale Mail, causing the dragon crest to form... and then crack as her strength overwhelmed the effects of the Anti-Dragon field!
"That's impossible!" Kokabiel screamed.
"You can do it Vali, I believe in you!" Issei screamed.
Everyone watched as the Hakuryuukou's Scale Mail began to glow, and making Vali's aura explode.
"If my power as the Hakuryuukou isn't enough, and if my power as a Lucifer isn't enough... then I'll create a new power! I won't fall to the path of Supremacy, and I won't fall to the Juggernaut Drive, because I believe in my own strengths!" Vali declared.
At that moment, everyone the Scale Mail release a bright flash.
Once the powerful flash had finally come to an end, and the battlefield was once again visible to everyone... Issei opened his eyes, and gasped at the sight. It wasn't long before everyone else followed.
["I... I don't believe it!"]Ddraig gasped.
Kokabiel soon opened his eyes, and a look of disbelief entered his face as he saw it.
Vali's Scale Mail had turned silver, with the golden areas of her armor having become midnight black in color. Her gem had also changed, no longer being a simple blue color, but a brilliant sapphire! However, the biggest surprise was the scale mail armor's twelve wings!
("This is Diabolus Dragon: Lucifer... our alternative to the Juggernaut Drive!")Albion announced.
Kokabiel felt his confidence draining away, as the two opponents he had feared fighting was the two Dragon Emperors in their Balance Breakers, hence why he made sure to have the Anti-Dragon field render that power useless.
However, right before his very eyes... Vali had completely shattered that limitation, and made herself even stronger!
"N-no way, this is... it c-can't be possible!" Kokabiel stuttered.
He quickly prepared a gigantic holy spear, and threw it at the Lucifer Heiress with a mighty scream. Vali simply held out her hand in response.
("DIVIDE!")
To Kokabiel's surprise, his attack disappeared entirely!
"What!?" Kokabiel gasped.
"That won't work on me as I am now, Kokabiel!" Vali shouted.
Her wings glowed brightly.
("HALF DIMENSION!")
Vali's wings widened, creating an energy ripple that caused Kokabiel to feel his strength being halved.
"My... strength!" Kokabiel wheezed out.
"No way, Vali's actually warping the dimensions around him." Sona realized in surprise.
Vali formed blasters from each other her wings, which all charged draconic power in them.
"Vanishing Booster!"
Kokabiel was immediately struck with all twelve beams, smashing him into the barrier. The Fallen Angel roared in pain, and soon flew into the air, just randomly tossing light spears at the silvery-white haired Devil.
("This fight's ours, now win it!")Albion shouted.
"Light of the Morning Star!"
Vali threw her hands out, releasing orbs of light that moved faster than speeding bullets.
They shot through the spears of light, shredding them apart before they smashed into Kokabiel's stomach. He began falling to the ground, but before he could, Vali grabbed him.
Tossing him into the air, the chest plate on Vali's armor opened up.
"Feel the ultimate power of the Longinus, the power of... a God Slayer!" Vali screamed, making the gem underneath start to glow.
("DIVIDE!") ("DIVIDE!") ("DIVIDE!") ("DIVIDE!") ("DIVIDE!") ("DIVIDE!") ("DIVIDE!") ("DIVIDE!") ("DIVIDE!") ("DIVIDE!") ("DIVIDE!") ("DIVIDE!")
Kokabiel only got weaker as more power was siphoned from him, making his eyes widened.
"This can't be, my war... it can't be stopped! You won't end my ambitions here, you stupid Half-Devil freak!" Kokabiel rage, holding a hand out in defiance.
At that moment, the gem finally charged its full power.
"For my father... for my friends... my peerage... for all Devils, and... for my Issei!" Vali shouted.
"Longinus Smasher!"
A blue beam fired out of the Vali's scale mail, smashing into Kokabiel's body, and making the Fallen Angel cadre scream as the attack overwhelmed every inch of his body. The beam continued until it smashed through the barrier, shattering it into pieces.
「 Insert Song End 」
The moment this was done, everyone cheered as they finally defeated Kokabiel.
"Incredible... that's really something every Longinus can do?" Issei quietly asked.
["That's right, Issei. You're looking at the Light of Longinus itself. With this light alone, a Sacred Gear is guaranteed the potential to become a god slayer."]Ddraig confirmed.
Vali panted for a bit, and then... she collapsed onto her knees, her evolved Scale Mail disappearing as she hit her limit. Issei quickly rushed over to her his girl, and held the exhausted Lucifer in his arms.
Looking at him, she gave a weak smile.
"H-hey, Issei? Didn't you tell me something recently about kissing a Sleeping Beauty?" She joked.
"Yeah, guess I need to wake her again." Issei smiled back.
He hugged her close, and the two shared a deep kiss with each other. Irina sniffled as she rubbed a tear off her eye.
"No doubt about it, those two are made for each other." Irina sniffled.
Unfortunately, right as that was happening, Saji noticed the magic square hadn't disappeared.
"Uh, guys... if Kokabiel's been taken down, why hasn't the magic square disappeared?" He asked worried.
Everyone soon gasped, realizing it really was still present.
Right after that, everyone heard some laughing, and turned as they saw Kokabiel floating in the sky.
He now had a huge burn scar going diagonally across his face, his hair had been burnt to half its original length, and his upper short had been shredded to the point all of his muscles could be seen... yet he was alive.
"No... he survived that!?" Vali gasped.
"I knew that saving a trump card would help! Had I not had it, that attack would have definitely killed me! And now, you're completely out of power!" He laughed.
Issei sweated, though he swore he noticed some kind of magic circle on his hand.
"And now... you're too late! Let the war begin!" Kokabiel screamed.
The three peerages all widened their eyes in horror as the magic circle expanded once more, ready to explode!
"Sorry, but you failed you even began."
Kokabiel's face changed to one of confusion, right as a magic circle flew from the sky, and immediately smashed into the magic square. The cadre's eyes widened in horror as it smashed the square like it was glass.
Everyone gasped at what just happened, while Vali turned to see the magic circle, and smiled upon she saw it.
"No, who... who did this!? Show yourself!" Kokabiel demanded.
"Except I'm not hiding." A female voice answered.
The Fallen Angel turned, but immediately regretted it as he saw Ophis, and uncontrollable fear made him shake in horror.
"T-the Ouroboros Dragon... why are you here!?" He questioned, all his confidence dying.
Issei noticed how scared he was, and was confused, but was distracted by Vali tugging on his shirt sleeve.
"He has reason to be swallowed by his fear. That's Ophis, the Dragon God of Infinity, and the Dragoness of Dragons... the strongest woman in the entire world." Vali explained.
"No way, a Dragon Deity?" Issei gasped.
("That's right, also known as the Ouroboros Dragon, or the True White Dragon God Empress... although I know her under a different name.")Albion confirmed.
Issei blinked, looking at the Divine Dividing.
"And... what would that be?" Issei inquired, feeling a bit nervous.
("My mom.")She answered.
Issei's eyes widened and went white before he screamed in shock, while the others all went silent.
"You caused my daughter and her host a lot of problems, and unfortunately... that means you've also pissed me off. I hope you've made your goodbyes." Ophis answered the cadre, holding her finger out.
Kokabiel screamed, immediately trying to fly away as Ophis tapped the air.
"Infinity Blaster."
A powerful beam with unlimited power shot at Kokabiel, destroying the Fallen Angel before he could even release a scream. Once that was done, she flew over to Yuuma, who shook at the sight of her... only to feel something in her hands.
"Eh?" Yuuma blinked, looking at the disc case in her hands.
"A gift from the Demon Queen, it should help your father out." Ophis explained, rubbing her head.
The fallen Princes blinked in surprise.
"Vali, it's been a while, hasn't it? I'm glad to see you've been taking care of my daughter." Ophis smiled, looking at her old friend.
"Well, I do my best." Vali chuckled, rubbing the back of her head.
"Hold on, are you two friends?" Issei asked.
Vali nodded her head, blushing a bit.
"We met around the beginning of my training journey... and we got so close, she decided to change her appearance off of mine." She admitted.
Issei looked at Ophis, realizing how her bust size, figure, and most of her appearance matched the Lucifer Heiress, which only made Vali's claim of using her form as a basis more valid.
His analyzing of her form was interrupted as Ophis took a look at him, and then cupped her hands on his cheeks.
"Hmm... Great Red was right, you are as interesting as you look." Ophis remarked.
"Great Red?" Issei repeated.
["He's the Dragon God of Dreams, the Apocalypse Dragon, the Dragon of Dragons, and the True Red Dragon Emperor... while also being my father."]Ddraig explained, chuckling a bit.
"You too!?" Issei screamed.
Ophis giggled, lifting his chin with her finger.
"My husband told me he met the Sekiryuutei long ago, and trained him in martial arts. I can see the potential he had in you." She praised.
Issei's eyes widened at that, looking at the Boosted Gear.
["No, me and Albion are not siblings, the whole thing is... complicated. Just know them marrying and us being their children doesn't make us related in any way."]Ddraig clarified, sounding like this reply wasn't a first.
Ophis soon floated into the air.
"Until next time, my friend." Ophis replied, waving goodbye to Vali.
Once she vanished, everyone let out a sigh.
"It's over. Finally, it's really over..." Kiba told himself as he teared up.
"Isaiah." Tosca smiled.
He looked at her, seeing her alongside his older twin.
"Tosca... Big Sis." Kiba smiled.
"I can't believe this is real, but it is... you're really here!" Tosca cried happily.
She ran to Kiba, hugging her close.
He rubbed her head, and at that moment... Jeanne cried before hugging them both.
"Kiba, I'm so sorry! I wanted to tell you, but I felt I didn't have the right! Let me make up for that starting now!" Jeanne apologized, hugging them tighter.
Vali smiled at the sight, seeing the reunion between friends, and siblings.
"Kiba." Rias suddenly stated.
The Knight of Gremory looked at Rias, and the rest of his peerage smiled at him.
"As your master, I've never been happier for you than I am now." Rias smiled.
"Rias... I betrayed the club, and the person who saved my life so long ago. I can't make up for what I've done, so..." Kiba replied.
He was cut off as the Gremory Heiress hugged him close.
"Welcome home, Kiba." Rias replied.
As they all watched this, Irina sniffled a bit, but soon frowned at what she knew would happen when they returned home.
The follow day, the ORC invited the MHC into their room for something, and only Vali seemed to be aware of what was going on.
"Is this some kind of surprise?" Issei asked.
"A little one." Vali said, giggling a bit.
Right as she said that, the door suddenly opened up, making everyone look towards it.
"Hi everyone!"
Issei's eyes widened as he saw the church trio, and Tosca, wearing Kuoh Academy Uniforms!
"Glad you all found us." Rias smiled.
"W-wait a second, the last time this happened was when Asia..." Issei realized, pointing at them.
Rias giggled at that, and Vali quickly followed.
"Everyone, we'd like to introduce you to our newest members." Rias revealed.
To prove it, they all showed their Devil wings, and Irina held up one of Vali's Knight Pieces in her right hand.
"Irina's become my Second Knight, while Jeanne is the same for Rias." Vali explained.
"For Xenovia, and Tosca? They're five and three of my Pawns respectively." Rias smiled.
Irina smiled, and moved behind the others.
"The best part? Now I get to see my cousins, friends, and Issei all the time!" Irina cheered, pulling the new retainers into a hug.
At that exact moment, the others all screamed in pain.
"Huh? What's the matter?" Irina questioned.
"Irina, aren't your forgetting something? Namely... something that my peerage has, but Rias' lacks?" Vali remind her, a sweat drop on her face.
The golden-orange haired Angel gasped, realizing her error.
"Oh, that's right! I forgot Vali's immunity only affects her peerage! My bad." Irina realized before apologizing.
Issei chuckled a bit, looking at them.
"While Tosca's probably the exception, and maybe Jeanne's excuse was to be with her brother... I know that Xenovia and Irina couldn't have simply joined us on the fly. Something happened after you left, didn't it?" Issei realized.
"As much as I hate to admit it, you're right. We're all here because after we brought the Excaliburs back to the church, with the exception of Irina, all of us were... excommunicated." Xenovia revealed.
With the exceptions of Vali and Yuuma, everyone was shocked by that revelation, especially Asia.
"Excommunicated? But why?" Le Fay inquired.
"Believe me, I know it sounds stupid, but Kokabiel's right about the number of believers dropping. Worse, the Angels need it to survive, so any threat to the system that could reduce that faith even further... has to be removed." Irina explained, a sad look on her face.
Those words surprised everyone, and Irina then looked Asia.
"I'm so sorry Asia, but... this is the same reason you had to be kicked out. The Twilight Healing could originally only heal Angels, so healing a Devil could have been viewed as proof that God was dead. The treatment you received was wrong, and I'm sorry we couldn't do more for you." Irina apologized, bowing to her.
At that moment, Asia pet her head, surprising the golden-orange haired Angel.
"Irina, don't feel bad. Even though I'm a Devil now... I've never felt more blessed." Asia reassured her.
"Asia?" Irina blinked in surprise.
"I've met so many people who mean so much to me, made so many wonderful friends at this school, and found a home with them here. I've never been this happy before in my whole life." Asia smiled happily.
Hearing those words, Irina sniffled a bit before rubbing her eyes.
"Asia, you have a forgiving heart. Thank you." Irina smiled back.
Jeanne smiled herself, looking at Xenovia.
"Looks like we have a new beginning, don't we?" Jeanne mentioned happily.
"Yes, it seems that way." Xenovia agreed.
"Dear lord, thank you-"
Both of them hold their heads, feeling their prayers hurt them, making the entire room give a slight chuckle.
"Gee, I wonder where we've seen that before?" Shirone joked with a smile, making Asia laugh in embarrassment.
Rias soon stood up, looking at everyone.
"Everyone, before we start today's club activities, I have an announcement to make." Rias announced.
"Oh?" Vali replied.
Clearing her throat, the redheaded Devil revealed the surprise.
"I'd like to announce that, as of today... Vali's the new head of Kuoh Town." Rias smiled.
The silver-haired Devil froze at that.
"Wait, what!?" Vali screamed in shock, making the building shake.
Well, the status quo has been shaken like a can of soda. Irina's joined as Vali's second Knight, while Jeanne's joined Tosca in being the replacements for Issei in Rias' peerage. Most of all, Sona's line in Chapter 13 about how Vali seems to lead them despite Rias being in charge of Kuoh Town? Yeah, that was actually foreshadowing to her decision to give the position to Vali.
Also, surprise! I gave Vali her Diabolus Dragon transformation early! I know it's actually spelt Diabolos Dragon, but I saw the former "Devils" and not "Devil", so I changed it. The reason why? Well, it has to do with Issei's version of the transformation, and... that's all I can say due to spoilers. For the moment, it's only as powerful as the Emperio Juggernaut Overdrive, but it'll get stronger over time.
The biggest surprise? While me having Ophis change her appearance to have more white had been definitely a clue that I was giving her the title of True White Dragon God Empress, it was also hinting Albion was her mom. Her being a good friend of Vali's also helps explain why they have matching bust size as well. *giggles* Anyways, we're finally finished with the Excalibur arc.
Next up is the Summit arc, which is the last arc before this story can finally start to break off from canon, and truly become its own thing. Before that, I'm letting you all know that there will be a prequel based on Tobio, which will also show how Vali discovered she and Lavinia are Half-Sisters, and another prequel is also set, but this one can't happen until I introduce a pair of important characters that will appear in the Summit arc.
Until next time everyone, and stay awesome! ^^
Vali's Peerage :
King - Valiana Lucifer
Queen - Issei Hyoudou
Bishops - Le Fay Pendragon, Asia Argento
Knights - Arthur Pendragon, Irina Shidou
Rooks - Bikou, Kuroka Toujou (Mutation Piece: x2 Multiplier)
Pawns - Yuuma Amano (x2), Six Unclaimed Pawns
Rias' Peerage :
King - Rias Gremory
Queen - Akeno Himejima
Bishops - Gasper Vladi (Mutated Piece: x4 Multiplier, Sealed), Valerie Tepes (Mutation Piece: x6 Multiplier)
Knights - Kiba Yuuto, Jeanne d'Arc Yuuto
Rooks - Shirone Toujou, Unclaimed Rook
Pawns - Xenovia Quarta (x5), Tosca Shirayumi (x3)
Sona's Peerage :
King - Sona Sitri
Queen - Tsubaki Shinra
Bishops - Momo Hanakai, Reya Kusaka
Knights - Tomoe Meguri, Unclaimed Knight
Rooks - Tsubasa Yura, Unclaimed Rook
Pawns - Saji Genshirou (x4), Ruruko Nimura (x4)
Bust Size of New Female Characters :
None
Brief Summaries of Abilities/Equipment/Terms in Today's Chapter :
【 Creation Wave 】
The special ability of the Sitri Clan. It gives the user mastery over the water element, and related magic, but it shines most in its ability to create sentient water constructs that obey the user's wishes. The water constructs are never pure water, and therefore are most vulnerable to lightning.
Pairings List :
Issei/Vali - Dating
Ddraig/Albion - Married
Tiamat/Fafnir - Married
Ophis/Great Red - Married
Saji/Sona - Master and Retainer
Gasper/Valerie - Best Friends
Kiba/Tosca - Friends
