Third Person Point of View
…
Grigori. In the main institute it was like any other day, fallen angels going about their daily lives, humans, devils, angels and other people from factions and pantheons visiting to see the underground tourist resort and the other facilities within the organization.
Grigori recently lost another team as Cao Cao and his team left per Aaron's request to take on a mission in the Phantasma's universe. Tobio Ikuse, aka, Slash Dog was also currently on leave as taking care of his pregnant fiancé was priority to him.
The ones that could defend Grigori were the Cadres/Executives, Raynare, Mittelt, Kalawarna, Meruem, Ezekiel, and Kishku. However, out of those Raynare was out with Team [DxD], Kalawarna was on a mission for Team [DxD] too, Mittelt is still in training, and the various Executives were busy with other jobs.
Leaving a still in training Mittelt, Meruem who watched over her and the two Electa. These two were powerful, yet they were forced to hold back since the innocence lives were priority to Aaron. They were also limited to two places at one, though they did have certain techniques to use if not distracted.
In the Himejima household, Shuri Himejima was fussing over little things as she had been discussing with Akeno, Suzaku, Lavinia and several other girls about their future wedding. At first, they were flustered, but she reassured them that Aaron was fine with this (he vaguely knew) and they went with it.
"Honey, I think you should relax a bit. You've been fussing about this for weeks now," said Baraqiel. He had the day off today, so he decided to stay at home with his wife.
"I have too many to plan! It keeps increasing! I'm thankful that the other families will help me in the future. I just need Grayfia to confirm with the others and I'll be fine! Ah! Sae is also giving birth soon…! Ugh there's so much to do!" said Shuri as she ran around their home.
In another part of Grigori, Tobio Ikuse and Sae Toujou were relaxing in their home as both Gin and Nattsu ran around playing in their home. Today…was like any other day in their home, a relaxing and peaceful one.
The same could be said for Shemhazai and his wife and new born baby. While his job was a bit harder because he was Vice Governor, he enjoyed it. Today he was working from home and was looking after his family.
In one of the training facilities of Grigori, Meruem watched over Mittelt and would occasionally spar with the fallen angel. To the small fallen angel, this was challenging and grueling work. However, she saw progress in her power and techniques, so she welcomed it and also berated herself for not doing this kind of thing from the start.
The various other Cadre and Executives did their work around the organization. Penemue herself was in the library as new books were made by both Azazel and Avezza so she decided to organize them today.
"Ah…so many, those two are way too meticulous," Penemue mumbled to herself as she put another book in a cart. "Ah, Dohnaseek, put those in that one. You can take them to the upper floors," she told him.
"Yes, Penemue-sama," replied the male fallen angel. Dohnaseek had also become stronger, but gaining strength wasn't his priority anymore as he focused on his job and taking care of his current lover.
Ezekiel did his rounds around the organization along with his lover Sofiel. To him, today was like any other day, so he had his guard down slightly.
"Another normal day, huh?" asked Sofiel.
"Yeah. Though I prefer it that way, I mean I like fighting but if I can just chill with you and the other funny guys here, I'd take it," replied Ezekiel as he grinned at her.
"Hey let's go get ice cream," said Sofiel and the two quickly made their way to the underground resort.
Meanwhile, the other Electa was in the prison cells of Grigori as he watched over the exiled clan members and other prisoners that were stationed here. He usually spoke with Atsutarou as the two had the same interests.
"I'm thinking of using my home in two hours so I can visit Shuri," said Atsutarou while reading a book. Kishku was outside his cell as he sat on a chair and also read a book.
"I will keep that in mind, Atsutarou," replied Kishku.
Yes…it was just a normal day. Until it wasn't—a sudden tremor that reverberated through the organization alerted everyone. Kishku immediately stood up, and so did Atsutarou.
"Oi! What's happening?!" he asked.
"…Intruders, stay put—"
"Let me out, I'll use my hour and fight!" he shouted.
"No I can't—?!" Kishku deflected an attack aimed at him using his hands.
A man in a black tight suit grinned at him. Kishku couldn't see his facial features as he wore a mask around his face. "Wow~ so fast. I guess we're not as fast like what Satanael-sama said, huh?"
'Satanael…The Khaos Order…!' Kishku shouted in his mind. He appeared in front of him and punched the mysterious man in the chest. This made him slam into the wall further away, but he sensed more and turned back around.
More assailants appeared and they were using their powers to try to break into the cells.
"Hey fuck you! These need at least a million nuclear attacks to be even dented! You think your shitty attacks are gonna do anything?!" Atsutarou shouted angrily.
"No matter how many you kill, we'll keep coming back, little guardian dog~!" one of the men says with a wicked grin.
Kishku frowned and increased his speed further. He appeared in front of each one, and gently hit all of the men that appeared on the chest—each strike resulted in instantly killing them. This happened at a speed that Atsutarou and the invaders couldn't comprehend.
To Atsutarou, the man said those words to Kishku before he and the others exploded into a large blood splatter. Kishku himself hadn't moved from the spot—or that's what it looked like to Atsutarou. However, Kishku just stood back in the same spot after his attack.
Nevertheless, like the man promised. More and more of them appeared, and they all looked the same and sounded the same.
'Could they be clones? Their clothes are the same and their voices are identical…Satanael has made these hybrids…I wonder how many there are? I can't leave them be, otherwise they could escape. We don't know if they have an item capable of breaking through these…' thought Kishku.
"Oi—what the hell?! How'd you get in here?!" Atsutarou shouted. Kishku immediately appeared in front of his cell and phased through it before killing the man again. "Shit, dude, I think they'll keep on doing that—I think…they're just trying to keep you here!"
Kishku couldn't agree more with Atsutarou's statement as he frowned. "I'll leave the rest to Penemue, Meruem, Tobio Ikuse and Ezekiel then," said Kishku. However, Kishku had a sneaking suspicion that they had similar plans for Ezekiel.
…
Ezekiel crushed another invader's skull as he held Sofiel protectively. "God dammit, fucking shit! I think we jinxed it and you nearly got captured again…will you please let me help train you?!" he asked Sofiel.
"Okay! Fine…! I don't like fighting but I don't want to keep getting kidnapped, dammit!" Sofiel shouted back.
"We're checking the research facilities! If they're targeting the research and new Sacred Gears made here, then we'll fall behind!" shouted Ezekiel as he appeared in one of the research facilities.
He made some hand gestures before he slammed his fingers into Sofiel's back. "This will temporarily push your power to at least God-class, the time limit is 30 minutes. Help me out!"
"Got it!" replied Sofiel. The duo then ran around killing anyone they say that tried to take any documents or equipment from the lab.
"…Kh, where the hell are the other shadows? Also…I can't contact Aaron-sama, shit! Did they do something to block our communications out?!" Ezekiel shouted in frustration.
…
Tobio Ikuse heard a knock on his door after the explosions. He obviously didn't go and open it, he began to chant his Balance Breakers chant, but the doors were suddenly blown off its hinges and he summoned a scythe made of darkness.
Several people dashed into the room as he also dashed to intercept them. Gin also transformed into its adult form and summoned its own blade and stood together with Nattsu to protect Sae and the baby.
Tobio made quick work of the ones that came into their home, but—
"Kekeke, got you~" a voice said behind Sae. As the shadow soldiers in her shadow began to manifest, the man touched Sae and she disappeared.
"Sae!!!" Tobio screamed, but another person also touched him on the shoulder.
"Don't get distracted, Slash Dog-san~" they said in a wicked tone and smiled at them.
Tobio's eyes widen in shock. He tried to swing his scythe at them, but he was too late. He himself also vanished. Both Tobio Ikuse and Sae Toujou were captured. Both Nattsu and Gin also vanished to join their wielders, thankful they still could…
The home that belonged to them—the home that had a calm atmosphere was now silent.
…
Penemue left the library and put a barrier over it. She had tasked Dohnaseek to defend it with the other fallen angels that took refuse there. As she flew around the organization, she saw many other fallen angels defending themselves.
Finally, she arrived by one of the training facilities as she sensed Mittelt's presence there. She burst into the room and immediately fired several light spears that homed into their targets. Meruem and Mittelt had already killed many of them, but Penemue finished them off.
"P-Penemue-sama…!" Mittelt called out to her.
"Meruem-chan, Mittelt, are you two okay?" she asked and they nodded.
However, their relief was short lived as more hybrids created by Satanael appeared and they began dashing around the place, but suddenly a bright light appeared above them, and out came…a fallen angel.
All three of them became confused as they watched this man descend. Meruem used his superior speed and intellect to predict where the hybrids would move next and easily crushed them with a few simple punches. He rejoined Mittelt and Penemue, but even more hybrids appeared out of tears around them.
"It's been too long…my dear Penemue," said the man.
Upon hearing this voice…Penemue's eyes widened in shock and surprise. She couldn't forget that voice even if she lived for a million years. It was someone she used to be close to back while she was still in Heaven.
They were friendly in Heaven and even shared some similar interests. Penemue would call this fallen angel her friend true friend. Even when they fell and joined Grigori they maintained a friendly relationship, but…over time this man changed and Penemue began to avoid him and dislike the person he became.
"Yomiel…?! I thought you were dead! You suddenly disappeared one day!" Penemue shouted.
"Yomiel?" asked Mittelt.
"…Yomiel was the 19th Watcher of the 20 leaders of the 200 fallen angels that are mentioned in an ancient work called the [Book of Enoch]. His name translates to 'Day of God'," explained Meruem.
"…I simply disappeared and bide my time, Penemue. Come…so we can be together. I waited for this day for a long time!" he said and more of the hybrids attacked them.
Penemue created several creatures made of light and unleashed them on the hybrids. Meruem like earlier, used his speed to easily dispatch the invaders, but more teleported in and he continued his assault. Mittelt also joined in and did what she could. Both Penemue and Yomiel stared at each other.
"No," she told him. "I'm fine with where I am, but also, I'm interested in someone."
Yomiel's calm expression instantly vanished as he materialized beside Penemue and tried to grab her arm. However, she backed away—but this was his plan as a grin appeared on his face. Alerted by this, Penemue looked behind her and fired several light spears at the hybrid that tried to grab her.
She killed him, but to her shock another emerged from the dead body and grabbed her arm. "Got you~!" it announced and Penemue vanished.
Yomiel glanced at Meruem and nodded. "We can use something else as leverage to go," he ordered the hybrids and they all quickly converged on Mittelt.
Mittelt tried her best to defend herself, but she was quickly overwhelmed, but Meruem increased his power further and killed them all. He turned his attention to Yomiel and weighed his options, but he quickly came to the conclusion: Getting rid of that fallen angel will end this.
So he dashed towards him, did several thousand feints and tore an arm off. However, as he tore his arm off, he saw him grinning. Meruem turned around and quickly dashed back to Mittelt. But…this was an error on his part. One of the hybrids appeared behind Mittelt and touched her shoulder
"Meruem-sama—" Mittelt vanished with those last words to him. Meruem immediately directed his anger at the fallen angel and punched a hole through his chest, grabbing his heart.
"Where did you take her?" he asked in a frighteningly calm voice.
Yomiel simply smiled at Meruem. "Try again," he told him and he crumbled into dust.
It hit Meruem, the one that came here…was a clone! He gritted his teeth and dashed out of the training room, destroying it in the process. He had no idea what the feelings in him were, but he wanted to get rid of them—so he went on a rampage through Grigori. Anything he considered an enemy died.
…
Shuri and Baraqiel's home suddenly exploded. Baraqiel flew over to his wife and protected her. As he erected a barrier around them, several hybrids appeared and the shadow soldiers came out. They quickly dispatched the enemies, but more kept on appearing, so this went on for several minutes, until—
"…Caught you~!" said one of them behind them. They then touched Shuri and she disappeared.
"Shuri—!" Baraqiel screamed, but another hybrid sliced the arm off that he had used to reach out to Shuri.
"Ugh…!" Baraqiel screamed in pain. The shadow soldiers quickly killed the rest of the hybrids, but like earlier, more and more appeared—like endless bugs.
"Kukuku, that's from the Wizards of Oz, Baraqiel~" said one of the hybrids.
Baraqiel clutched his missing arm and used flames to cauterize the wound to stop it from bleeding. However, he had lost a significant amount of blood in a short time.
'Did that thing accelerate it…? That amount of blood isn't normal…' he thought, but as those thoughts finished, several hybrids appeared around him.
The shadow soldiers quickly killed them too, but a piece of the hybrid touched Baraqiel on the arm and the hybrid that was dying grinned.
"We…were modified a certain way…all we need to do is to touch you—whether we're alive or dead, kukuku…!"
The shadow soldiers looked at Baraqiel in horror and he at them—before he vanished too.
"Mission complete…!" it said before dying.
Grigori…finally fell silent.
…
In a different part of the multiverse…a certain pink-haired woman giggled to herself. In a machine she created, someone had been imprisoned in it.
"I knew you would change sides eventually, Ignia-chan~ but I did wonder when it would happen. You're such a bad boy~," said Lapis.
Lapis had succeeded in her original goal—she had found the False King and absorbed it into her—further increasing her powers. However, she wasn't satisfied with it. Her next moves were to slowly siphon power from the sleeping outer gods. She had found this power out as she moved through the multiverse.
She also found out that her 'mother' had left even more residual power in a hidden part of the multiverse to aid her. Lapis was happy about this as it was the final thing she needed to be able to siphon powers from the sleeping outer gods.
Her targets were Ubbo-Sathla, Tulzscha and D'endrrah. They were the ones she had wanted, and coincidentally the ones her mother, Nyarlathotep had given her after she absorbed more of her powers. Once Lapis siphoned these powers from these outer gods, she would then enter an evolutionary phase. She would turn into a cocoon and wait for her own evolution to be complete. She would then make her way back to the Draconic Deus.
And right now…Lapis was preparing to go into her cocoon. "Fufu, Ignia-chan, I won't be too long so wait for me there, okay? We'll go back to the Draconic Deus together and say hello to daddy together! Ah, I can't wait to see him again~" she said and entered her cocoon.
"…Fuck…shit!" cursed Ignia. He had finally caught up to Lapis at some point. However, once he tried to stop her—he noticed that she had already absorbed Ghidorah into her and had some unknown power.
When they fought, he stood no chance. At first, he thought he did. He simply thought she had just increased her power to match Aaron's Electa, but she was on the verge of breaking through. After he was captured, he was forced to watch her siphon the powers of the three other outer gods that were sleeping.
Ubbo-Sathla, also known as the [Unbegotten Source]. Tulzscha also known as [The Green Flame]. And finally, D'endrrah also known as [The Divinity]. While these weren't direct offspring of Azathoth, Nyarlathotep chose them because when combined, their powers would be enough to create a new outer god…in her mind. She had nothing to back that claim up—but luckily for her, it would work.
'…Dammit, I can't contact father—what the hell did she do to me? I can still use my powers, but she's too powerful for me to break this stupid cage and its bindings!' Ignia started to punch the cage that he was in with his full powers. The multiverse shook, but his attacks did not even make a dent in his cage.
"I feel like a fucking parrot, god dammit Lapis," he grumbled and sat down. "I didn't think I'd be a damn prisoner…shit, I can't do anything…everything I tried was useless. How long is this evolving process going to take?!" he screamed at her but got no response.
"…Shit, fuck…father will be the only one that can match her then—I better hope he doesn't randomly disappear then. His women and Electa won't stand a chance either…" he grumbled again and leaned against his cage.
Ignia didn't like his situation. He liked fighting, while he holds back in certain fights he gets into because he respects certain enemies—the others, who act like lousy arrogant pricks and wannabe anime protagonists he kills them without batting an eye.
…
Jin Skyward's Soliloquy
…
"And that's it…" said Shemhazai.
"I see…thank you, Shemhazai," I told him and thought about what he had just told us. They had used new hybrids that kept on spawning in and had very high speed—it sounded like it was their only strength, pure speed.
It was like a bunch of Flashes just constantly running at you with one goal in mind. To touch you and transport you somewhere…but that 'somewhere', where could it be…?
As the ones in Grigori recounted what had happened, a few people in the room were quite pissed off, to put it bluntly. Akeno didn't hide it; Asia was also angry but she mostly showed it by silently crying. Lavinia was also angry as she had 'that' look, the same with Suzaku, however, she was the 'calmest' out of them as her expression didn't change unlike earlier.
"The first thing we should do is find out where they took them too, unless we find a clue, it'll be impossible to find them," I said to them.
Just then, a magic circle appeared, and two people stepped out of it, Le Fay and Calantha Vordenburg. However, it didn't stop there as a small light left me too and Cúntóir appeared beside me.
"I finished analyzing the crystals," said Cúntóir.
"We found where the last three crystals are, and we found a few people over there too!" shouted Calantha.
Both women stared at each other and they nodded.
"It's in a place called Tech Duinn!" shouted Calantha.
"…Tech Duinn, [The House of Donn] and [The House of the Dark One]. It's the Irish equivalent of the Underworld/Hell. I believe Donn the God of the Dead is from there, otherwise, it's Aed, the Irish God of the Underworld," I told them.
However, I didn't expect them to hide in down there—at my birth country…is this Rizevim's way of mocking me?
"Yes, I also found out that the last three crystals have been moved there, however, they haven't been activated yet, but all four need to be activated in order to attract the Death King here," explained Cúntóir.
"Vali-sama and the rest are there, they're waiting for you to come," added Le Fay.
"…We can talk about details and things like that another time. We have people to rescue, and asses to kick. Time to start our counterattack!" I shouted, and the rest joined in. This time, we're the ones annihilating them.
…
After our strategy meeting concluded, everyone got ready. In around five minutes we would leave. Essentially, my team would go confront Rizevim, Diehauser and whoever else was with them. The rest would pave a path for us, and be the diversionary unit.
The Stahlritter will also join, along with Aurelia, Sharon, Shaula and Selene. The rest of Team [DxD] would also join in the diversionary unit and hunt down anyone else there.
Thanks to the Vali Team, we know that tens of thousands of mass-produced Evil Dragons will be there, completed Battle Gods, Evil Dragon clones, the original Niðhöggr, cryptids, divine beasts and others. Le Fay said she saw some mechanical beings as well as those phantom shadow things.
So I assume that the Evie and Phantasma are also participating in this operation. As to where they would be, I didn't know. Of course, I can assume that the fallen angel faction will also be part of this. I did wonder if Chazaqiel would be part of it? If so, Gabriel will meet her again today, if not then she'll fight her another day…
"Aaron, I will use the sealing technique in that realm. I will have Latia's and Shaula's assistance," Rose said to me as she came over and joined me.
"…Yeah, thanks I appre—" she cut me off by kissing me. This was the first time that Rose had been on the aggressive side.
"We'll get them back," she told me before giving me another peck and leaving.
I watched her leave and sighed. I have to thank Vali for this—his random adventures led to us discovering one of their hideouts. I didn't think they would use my country as one of their hideouts. It was ballsy, I didn't anticipate it, in a way, cliché, but it worked so I guess clichés sometimes work in the end, huh?
My personal team, the ones confronting Rizevim directly are Lavinia, Asia, Danu, Suzaku, Akeno and I. Everyone else that will provide us support—there were more that wanted to join us, but we had to keep our group small.
"Aaron-sama…I wanted to apologize," said Ravel as she came over to me with the help of Grayfia. I forbade her from participating. She just got out of an ordeal and I didn't want to stress her out more, so she's staying here with the Pleiades.
"Ravel…" I reached out and stroked her head. "Rest up, leave this to the rest of Team [DxD], who knows, whatever happens after this…we may need your help more on that."
"…Okay, I will. Please win and get Shuri-sama and Baraqiel-sama as well everyone else," she told us.
"Yeah, we will," I replied before I walked over to Le Fay and Calantha. "I'll help you with teleporting everyone over there, Le Fay."
"Yes, Aaron-sama," she replied and I signaled for everyone to join us in the [Training Facility]. Once in there, we got ready—for this operation. Haru, Yoru and Medusa weren't participating. I wasn't confident enough in them to join this. They were frustrated but accepted my decision in the end.
"Let's go…"
…
Tech Duinn
…
Once we arrived, what was in front of us was anything but 'hell'. The scenery in front of us was more akin to a fantasy setting in a game or novel. There was one main island, it had several pools of water and one giant castle on the left, another on the right and a smaller one to the south of the right one.
Numerous floating islands were located around it, surrounded by lakes and waterfalls that fell from them. There were a lot of trees and large rock formations around the realm. From where we were, we saw that the Vali Team was to the left and they walked over to us.
"We checked the islands discreetly and found that there were enemies everywhere. It doesn't matter when or where we go, we'll be forced to fight our way through," said Vali.
Cúntóir said if I used the powers beyond my current body, I'd suffer damage. I'm fine with that. I didn't know what she meant or how she meant it, but I focused everything in me and located everyone that was missing. As I did, I felt liquid start to leave my eyes. They didn't feel like tears. But…
"W-why are you bleeding through your eyes, nose, and ears?!" Inaie asked in horror.
"…Tobio, Sae, Mittelt are over in the right castle, the smaller one. Baraqiel, Shuri and Penemue are on the left," I told them. They had those barriers around them that prevented me from knowing the attack was happening. I see they engineered it that way, huh? It doesn't matter…I'll keep doing this if I need to.
Cúntóir: Answer: …
[Partner what the hell?! Stop!]
"Let's go," I said and cocked my arm back and punched in front of me—a powerful and enormous shockwave tore across the realm, destroying the mountains, and multiple lakes around the main and middle island.
Everyone behind me screamed in unison, each of the diversionary teams flew away, they know to ask for help if they come across someone or something they couldn't beat. After my attack, hundreds of magic circles began to appear.
Hundreds of thousands of enemies also appeared from them. Eight Battle Gods appeared in the distance. All of them were spread apart, but four were on the main island that my group (Lavinia, Asia, Danu, Suzaku, Akeno and myself) and Meruem's group (Meruem, the new Slash/Dog Team + Raynare).
[Meruem, you take two and I'll take the other two,] I told him.
[Very well,] he responded.
He and I increased our speed and we appeared in front of our targets. These things seemed more alive since both the Battle Gods in front of me grinned and then immediately swung their weapons at me. I blinked which created a powerful shockwave stopping their attack. They were clearly surprised by this and brought my right arm back.
"I don't have time for you…I need to get my parents and Penemue," I told them and punched the Battle God in front of me. The Battle God immediately slammed into the other one and both of them shattered.
Glancing to my side, Meruem also made quick deal with the two Battle Gods as he created a large purple spear and pierced both of them in the chest. He then followed it up by sending a powerful barrage of punches at one Battle God and millions of ki bullets at the other, ending their lives.
Our groups finally split off, my going left, while Meruem's went right.
…
Third Person Point of View
…
Mass-produced Evil Dragons covered the clear clue skies of Tech Duinn. The Sitri group were currently on the main island on top of the giant pool of water. They, like many had gone here to stop the enemies from distracting Aaron and Meruem's group.
Mass-produced clones of Niðhöggr flew around the skies while laughing at Team [DxD].
[Guha! Guhehehehehehe! Come on you weaklings! Come have a taste of [Abyss Rage Dragon]!] multiple clones screamed at them.
Niðhöggr was a black colored Eastern Dragon. He had a large body about 20 meters long and an ocher belly. Despite his snake-like appearance, he had four limbs and four wings. He also had eerily drooling fluids coming from its huge mouth.
Multiple teams of [DxD], were engaged in combat with various creatures that the Khaos Order had summoned—this included strange creatures from the Phantasma, many of them resembling more than one creature.
[Oh! Vritra! You and your host are here, huh?! Even if I'm a clone, I'm stronger than you, you know—]
Saji appeared in front of the Niðhöggr clone and slammed his fist into its stomach slamming him into the lake and creating a large explosion of water and rocks. Niðhöggr came out of the water while laughing and bleeding through the hole Saji had created in his stomach.
[Guehehehehehe! I take it back, your host is powerful! Use your powers, young hatchling! You are worthy!!] he shouted at Saji. Niðhöggr then flew towards Saji and sent a punch to his face, but to his surprise, he was stopped by a barrier.
Momo Hanakai had her hands out and her bracelets were glowing. She had activated her Artificial Sacred Gear [Applause Wall]. It could create barriers from a certain distance away. She had trained quite extensively with it and could create hundreds of thousands of walls that could cover the entirety of the sun.
Saji looked at the clone of Niðhöggr with fury. "You attacked Grigori and kidnapped a lot of people and even killed people in one of the Irish pantheon's realms?! …Aaron-senpai cared about them, you know?! That's unforgivable!!" he screamed as dark purple draconic energy covered both his arms.
Saji slammed his right fist into Niðhöggr's head and it exploded while creating a powerful shockwave that also killed various enemies in front of him! "Don't get in my senpai's way…!" declared Saji as he entered his Balance Breaker [Malebolge Vritra Promotion].
Saji then sent out hundreds of [Absorption Lines] and [Delete Fields] all around the main island, all of them attached to various enemies and then he used their abilities!
He then said through Team [DxD]'s transceivers [I've got them, beat 'em up!] after that, various powerful attacks occurred all over the main island and they saw many of the opponents defeated or killed.
After he saw this, he immediately switched to his [Vritra Promotion] form and a large serpent-like black-colored dragon. Saji then fired several breath attacks using his [Blaze Black Flare] killing even more enemies around them, but more and more kept being teleported in until—
[It's done! The sealing technique should prevent any more conventional means of entering, however, if they use that space-time tearing technique…I can't stop it!] announced Rossweisse through the transceiver.
…
In another part of the realm, Crom Cruach had joined Team [DxD] in this attack and he had found the original Niðhöggr.
[Guhehehehe! So you found me, Boss Crom. Are you here to shake up the alliance?] asked Niðhöggr.
[…I have defected and I'm here to kill you,] said Crom while staring at Niðhöggr.
[Guhehehehe! I thought as much! Fine! I've always wanted to fight you seriously, so this makes it even more! We got more upgrades after all!]
Crom stared at Niðhöggr and remembered the words Aaron left him during their battle strategy. Apparently, Aaron checked his through his shadow's eyes and saw that Niðhöggr had attacked Baraqiel further until his shadows had arrived to stop him. It was only a few seconds, but he had been waiting for them.
Penemue was there to protect Shuri, but Niðhöggr had attacked Baraqiel in that split second before Penemue and the shadow soldiers arrived. Penemue and Shuri knew a bit of healing magic thanks to Aaron teaching them, so they kept Baraqiel from dying.
'Crom, or anyone here. If you find the original Niðhöggr, kill him. Don't show him any mercy.'
Those words left a chill on everyone present, but it ignited Crom's fighting spirit and he would heed the words of their leader. Crom very rarely followed anyone's orders, but Aaron was one of them—one of the reasons was because Asia offered him delicious food—the banana. Second, he held Aaron's power in high regard, and he had sparred with him twice after he joined the team and lost instantly both times.
Crom had faced Aaron in his human form and dragon form. Their first match was in his human form—to Crom Cruach, his human form was his strongest form, while his dragon form…not as much. The fact that he lost in both forms was a shock to him, but also motivated him even more to reach new heights of strength.
Right now, Niðhöggr was nothing but an ant to him. Even more so after being revived—Niðhöggr was an insect back then, and he's an even bigger one now.
[Briiiiing it Boss Croooooooooom!] shouted Niðhöggr as he rushed to Crom.
Crom didn't move and Niðhöggr threw a flurry of punches at him. In Niðhöggr's eyes, it looked like he was hitting Crom Cruach, but in reality, Crom's hands were moving so fast that he was blocking them—Niðhöggr just couldn't comprehend it or follow it. Crom stood there, bored.
[Guhehehe! How was that?!]
Crom looked at Niðhöggr and asked, [Was that it?]
[Huh—?]
Crom cocked his arm back and slammed it into Niðhöggr's chin. The dragon's eyes blanked temporarily as he was launched high up into the air. Crom flew after him and attacked his body in several places. He punched his head, kicked his chin, kicked his stomach, punched and crushed his spine, and used his fire breath to melt his chest, then finally grabbed his wings and snapped them off.
[Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!!] Niðhöggr screamed in pain. With his body half broken, Niðhöggr desperately kept on trying to attack Crom Cruach, but tears streamed down his face as he did so.
Every time Niðhöggr hit Crom, he didn't even try to block it anymore—they were as weak as a human child's punches—they almost tickled him. In a way, Crom could see himself in Niðhöggr, in the context of him fighting Aaron.
'Was this how he felt fighting me? No…his personality isn't like that, he probably just wanted to end it quickly since he had other worries to tend to,' thought Crom Cruach. [Allow me to end you now—there are still four Battle Gods waiting to be destroyed—]
As he finished saying that, two more Battle Gods in the distance fell. Crom felt it—those attacks were…[Power of Destruction]! Crom squinted his eyes at the fallen Battle Gods. [Hmm. I see Rias Gremory more of an opponent than you, weakling.]
[I'm strooooong! Daaaaaaaamiiiiiiit!] shouted Niðhöggr.
Crom Cruach sighed and appeared in front of Niðhöggr. Niðhöggr threw a punch at Crom who caught his hand with his mouth and tore it off causing Niðhöggr to scream in agony again as blood spurted everywhere. Crom followed it up by kicking Niðhöggr between his legs and launching him further into the sky.
Crom Cruach gathered a lot of flames in his mouth and them unleashed them above him! The torrent of flames consumed the sky creating a fiery pillar of flaming destruction. The entire realm was lit up by it, Niðhöggr's screams of anguish were heard throughout the realm.
[Now then…let's see how I fare against a completed Battle God,] he said to himself and grinned.
…
In the right castle, Meruem, the Slash/Dog Team and Raynare were going through the halls of the castle. They came across various enemies to stop them—most of them were Evie and Phantasma soldiers. With the team's combined effort…and Meruem's silent fury, they quickly dispatched them.
Once they arrived in a certain room, they were stopped by several mass-produced dragons, but Meruem quickly killed them and they kept on going. Right now, the only thing in his mind was getting Mittelt, and to see if she was safe.
Again, they came to a room, but…
[Hmm. Team [DxD], this is where your journey ends,] said a Ladon clone.
[…] the clone of Crom Cruach didn't say anything and stared silently at them.
"Seriously? They have clones of Crom? I wonder how shittier he is," asked Kouki.
"Was that really necessary?" asked Natsume. Kouki shrugged at her and she sighed.
"Out of my way," Meruem mumbled and dashed towards the two. Ladon immediately created a barrier, but Meruem shattered it with a single punch.
Crom's clone started a fistfight with him. However, Meruem easily dodged all his attacks and immediately retaliated by punching a hole through the clone. He then expanded his aura and Crom exploded. Meruem then turned his attention to Ladon who looked shocked.
'My barriers can't keep him at bay! I'm dead!' thought the Ladon clone. But before Meruem could get to the Ladon clone, Natsume and Kanami defeated him with a single slash of Kanami's spear and Natsume's light-wind created sword.
"Mittelt is part of the team, and so are Tobio and Sae. We as a team are rescuing them, Meruem," Kanami said and smiled at him.
"You're not alone in this, so let's go kick their asses," added Natsume.
Meruem blankly stared at them for a few seconds before a small smile adorned his face. "…Yes, you are correct. Let's get our teammates back," he replied and they continued on their journey through the castle.
'Comradery…friends…is this what you sought after, father?' thought Meruem as he watched Kanami's and Natsume's back as they ran through several rooms, eventually reaching the top.
"You guys!" shouted Tobio. "We can't get out of this damn cage! I think…it's tied to that guy's life…killing him is the only way," he told them while pointing at their final target.
"M-Meruem-san…" muttered Mittelt as the two of them stared at each other.
In front of all of them was a robotic creature. It was hunched over and had a mix of mechanical parts and bones. Its rib cage was clearly visible and certain bones on its body could be seen, including the skull, legs, and hands. The rest of its body was mechanical and it was painted green. It also had a tail that looked like some kind of wire.
Beside him was…a human. He was a handsome brown-skinned young male in black vestments. He had black hair and glowing purple eyes.
[KKKKKK…targets…confirmed…Pemeodu assault mode, engage,] said the mechanical god before it lunged towards them.
Meruem dashed towards it and their auras collided destroying the upper half of the castle, exposing them all to the outside world.
[Hmm. That thing is one of the [Atrocity Fanatics] of the Evie faction. It's called Pemeodu. I'm a clone of Apophis, one of the Evil Dragons,] said the young man. Apophis was a legendary Evil Dragon also known as the [Eclipse Dragon] and the [Primal Eclipse Dragon].
"…We'll take you on then!" Kanami shouted and summoned her [True Longinus] and activated her Balance Breaker.
[Come, Holy spear and flames wielder!] said Apophis.
Meruem and Pemeodu's fight had left the castle and they were clashing all over the realm of Tech Duinn. Wherever they moved, powerful shockwaves were produced that annihilated their surroundings. Meruem was currently testing the limits of this enemy from another world, and frankly, he was disappointed.
After a few more clashes, they landed on a small island north of the main island. There were several small pools of water there.
[…Current target exceeds power. Final Judgment Mode activating.] Pemeodu's body slowly began to enlarge as more spikes and bones began to protrude out of its body. By Meruem's calculations, it had reached the peak of Dragon God-class, and was barely Universal-class.
"…You…" Meruem dodged an attack made to him and punched the air in front of him damaging Pemeodu's chest area, forcing the mechanical god back.
"…You think you can come into my home and steal someone important to me…? Tobio Ikuse, Sae Toujou and the many that were hurt today—father cherishes them. I'll inflict some of the rage he feels to you, you bug."
Meruem's aura exploded as the entire realm and universe began to shake. Pemeodu took a step back. He retracted his aura and began walking towards Pemeodu.
[Unfathomable! This…this…power is equal to Melvazoa-sama!] It screeched and tried to run away. [Victory cannot be obtained, I must retreat—]
Meruem appeared in front of him and slammed his arm into his face. Pemeodu crashed to the surface of this realm where only water, rocks and dangerous creatures resided. Meruem landed in front of him with a loud boom that shook the realm again.
Meruem dashed towards Pemeodu while destroying the surroundings around them. He stomped on his arm and crushed it. He then grabbed it and tore it off. Pemeodu shrieked in pain, but Meruem didn't stop there as he covered his right arm in his aura and slammed it into Pemeodu's face. The power used wasn't enough to instantly kill him, but enough so that he could slowly pummel him to death.
The only desire Meruem had was to make this thing in front of him suffer, and he would make sure of it.
…
With Kanami's Balance Breaker, many of Apophis' powers became useless—as an Evil Dragon that controlled darkness, he was a master at using it after hundreds of years of training with it. Yet it became useless with Kanami, Natsume, Raynare and Kalawarna's light.
[So this is the power of the current wielder of the [True Longinus]. This Balance Breaker is quite powerful,] he said as he defended himself from Kouki's attack.
"It's quite…a shocker, isn't it?!" Kouki shouted at him while using Byakusa's electricity on him.
"Why are you using puns?!" Natsume and Kalawarna shouted back at him.
"Bro uses them!" he snapped back.
Natsume became even more annoyed and summoned another light-wind sword and sliced off Apophis' arm causing the dragon to groan in pain. "Not at times like this!" she shouted back at Kouki.
In a last-ditch effort, Apophis gathered [Primordial Water] around the destroyed castle. The water was black and was in a huge quantity, it resembled four large waves about to fall on top of them. These waters are deadly as it's capable of dissolving anything that it comes in contact with, powerful enough to wound God-class beings and it is capable of nullifying the effects of Phoenix Tears, which turned black as it lost its function.
[…Such a thing is quite unfair, wielder of the Holy spear,] proclaimed Apophis as he resigned himself to his fate. […Is that what you thought I would say?] He grinned, and multiple magic circles appeared and began to glow all around the team.
"Yes, I did," said Fusae as she waved her wand that she received from Aaron. The magic circles that Apophis produced lost their glow and shattered.
"…Hmm? Isn't that…the magic negation that His Eminence Strada tried to use on Rossweisse-san?" asked Kalawarna.
"It is. I wanted to ask His Eminence Strada about it, but I didn't get a chance. So I approached Jin about it and he taught me it," replied Fusae with a smile.
[…I'm out of options, huh?] lamented the dragon.
"You're damn right!" shouted both sisters as they finished him off like they did the clones earlier. Apophis' body quickly crumbled away and they turned to look at Tobio, Sae and Mittelt—that was when the cage they were held in shattered.
"You're all fine, that's good!" Natsume said as they made their way to the three prisoners.
"…No, I think Sae is—"
"…Uuuuuggghh!!"
"—Gone into labor," said Tobio grimly as he tried to comfort his fiancé.
"Eeeeh?! Shit! We need to…do we have a doctor in the team?!" Kouki shouted in a panic. Just then, Meruem came back and looked at Sae.
"…I can teleport her back to Kuoh, if you can, you will need to rush her to the hospital yourselves," said Meruem. "I do not know where the hospital in Kuoh is, so…"
"It's fine! I'll use Gin to get us there faster, please!" Tobio replied and Meruem nodded.
"I'll come with you, Tobi," said Kouki and Kalawarna agreed with them.
"But—"
"We will be fine, Tobio Ikuse. Take your lover and them and leave this to us," said Meruem. They stared at each other for a few seconds before he agreed.
Kalawarna and Kouki stepped beside Tobio and Sae before Meruem teleported them away while telling Rossweisse about it.
[Very well, I will have one of the Pleiades accompany them too,] replied Rossweisse.
Around the same time, the last two Battle Gods were also toppled down. And in the distance, they saw a majestic jet-black dragon with a black and golden aura surrounding it. It was Crom Cruach's dragon form that resembled a Western Dragon and it had taken down the last two Battle Gods.
"Well, all the Battle Gods have been killed, so much for calling them 'complete'," said Natsume.
"Right? I wonder what the difference was?" asked Kanami.
"It may be because they can use magic. Earlier, I saw some of them creating large magic circles. I, along with Le Fay-san and Rossweisse-san negated them," explained Fusae.
"You did all that, huh?" asked Natsume.
Fusae shook her head. "Shigune left while we fought those two—she helped by sending Poh-kun to bite off large sections of their limbs to encumber their movements and actions."
"Eh? You left, Shigune? I didn't even see you leave," Kanami asked and looked at her.
"Ah, yes I did…" replied Shigune.
"Anyway, let's go get rid of the rest that are here!" Kanami shouted and they quickly left Meruem and Mittelt to themselves.
"Meruem-san—" Mittelt tried to speak to Meruem, but he simply hugged her.
"It was my oversight that you were kidnapped. Because of that…I hope you can forgive me, Mittelt," he told her.
"N-no, if I was just stronger then I wouldn't have been taken!" Mittelt shouted back. "…I just need to get stronger…"
"That takes time…but let's get stronger together," said Meruem.
"…Yes."
"But let's go and help the rest of Team [DxD]. This rescue operation was possible because of them."
"…Yes!"
…
Jin Skyward's Soliloquy
…
I along with my team have been running at a steady pace to reach the top floor of this castle. On the way there, we encountered various enemies from the Khaos Order, but we killed them quickly and moved on.
I also felt the rest of the Battle Gods from earlier be killed. I believe Rias and her team along with Crom Cruach were the ones to kill them. As we passed by a certain level and room of the castle…a broadcast started.
[Good day, members of the Underworld and the supernatural world. I am Diehauser Belial. My whereabouts were previously unknown, but as you can all see, I am currently safe.]
I stopped and so did the rest of my group. Turning my head to the room we just passed, I walked back and saw multiple monitors with Emperor Belial's face on them. Looking closer, it was obvious that this was being broadcasted to everyone, not just the Underworld. He plans on tarnishing the Rating Game and the Old Devils of the Underworld, not to just the devils, but everyone else too.
[Next, I have something which I must tell everyone. That is the darkness of the ever so popular Rating Games.]
"So he plans on exposing them to everyone," said Danu.
[In my generation, like fast-growing plants, talented young devils have appeared one after another, struggling at the forefront of the Rating Games. Ranked second, Roygun Belphegor and ranked third, Bedeze Abaddon have learned from each other that the Game's content is praised by people.]
"Let's move, they can't be too far from here," I told them and we began running at a faster pace. However, we quickly came across some…kind of fallen angel? I thought I had ordered Mīkhā'īl to not participate…
When I used [Observe] on him, he was called Yomiel. I didn't care who he was…!
"Dual–"
"Out of my way!" I shouted and put my hand forward. Before he could react, I had crushed him to death and moved on.
[Having said that, recently I heard some disheartening news. No matter whether it was Roygun, Bedeze, or other contestants, they weren't very outstanding Devils when they were younger. When I first heard about it, I laughed it off; I thought that they were just rumors that had spread due to jealousy towards those who had gained results with their talent.]
Diehauser lowered his voice. […But on a certain day, my cousin Cleria told me that she had obtained some fascinating information related to the Rating Games.]
['Do you know about the [King] piece?' she asked me. Cleria was Rias' predecessor who used to be in charge of her territory. During the era when the Three Factions were hostile to each other, she was the woman who had fallen in love with a human man, and in the end, she was tragically killed by the higher ups of the Underworld.]
[I simply replied 'Ah, that's nothing more than an urban legend'. Those are words I've come to regret. But she continued. 'In the region of Japan that I've been appointed to, Satan Ajuka Beelzebub's hideout is nearby,' she said. It was quite popular among the people close to Ajuka-sama, especially due to his interests over there.]
[However, I admonished her and told her, 'Don't bother the Satans. No matter what, don't carelessly approach that place, alright?'.]
[But having heard stories about contestants and the higher-ups from me since she was young, she was highly interested in it, and began to collect information about it alone. But the more she investigated into it, she eventually came to a dead-end. Cleria believed that there was definitely something big behind all of it,] he said in a sorrowful voice.
[She…just because of some silly little story of mine was killed. Because I have always stayed as the Champion, stayed as the first in the ranking, I was more displeased by the ridiculous accusations that the reporters made about the Rating Game and certain rankers.]
[She knew everything about me, and knew that my strength was genuine. To me, she was a family member more important than anything else…I always regarded her as my own little sister.]
[I came to my own conclusion after doing my own research into it. It was clear to me that Cleria was erased, she was eliminated by the government of the Underworld. However, this wasn't the decision of the current Four Great Satans, but the decision of the old devils.]
[Because these facts were covered up, I didn't know about the truth until recently. I was told that my cousin Cleria had suddenly died. I was suspicious, and in order to find out the truth, I relied on a certain lifeline, and finally learned the truth.]
I believe…it was both. Both because Cleria found out about the [King] piece and threatened to expose the truth of the Rating Games, and the fact that she had fallen in love with a human—especially an exorcist. With both things combined, she was killed off. The lifeline he mentioned was definitely the Khaos Order, perhaps more specifically, Qlippoth.
[To conclude, the [King] piece exists. And in the photos and information that I'm showing everyone now, the ones using this, the ones I mentioned before only gained the strength they have today as a result of using the [King] piece.]
I glanced at a window as I ran, I could see Champion Belial in one of the screens and on the other were various photos of the [King] piece, as well as photos of the ones that used them, Roygun and Bedeze were among them.
Diehauser obtained all of this by cooperating with Rizevim and the Khaos Order. He didn't care if he was arrested afterwards for aiding terrorists. He only wanted one thing, to expose them all for their lies and for the death of his cousin whom he cherished as a little sister.
And because of this...I bet that the current Underworld was in chaos right now. If it came from him, the undisputed Champion of the Rating Games, it would hold a lot more weight and people would be more inclined in believing it.
Diehauser then told them about the specifics of the [King] piece, the things we recently learned about from Ajuka.
I and my group quietly continued to advance through the castle, killing anything in our way. In truth...I supported him doing this, that's why I was slowing down a bit to let him finish his broadcast. Finally, as we were about to reach the final floor and room, the broadcast ended.
When my group stepped into the room, Emperor Belial turned around and looked at me with a sorrowful expression. To his right was some kind of cage…and Shuri, Penemue and an injured Baraqiel were in it.
As soon as they saw us, relief washed over their faces. Shuri even teared up as she held Baraqiel as Penemue kept on healing him. I can only assume that Diehauser used his [Worthless] ability on Penemue any time she tried to break out—those bars, that cage—I could feel it tied to something as well as having anti-magic properties.
"…So, Dual Dragon Emperor. What do you plan to do with me? By revealing the truth to the masses, it'll be enough to condemn those guys. Moreover, there are also matters regarding Agreas, and the match with Riser Phoenix-san."
"Uhuhuhu~ anything is fine in this situation, don't you think?" a very familiar voice said. A silver-haired devil emerged with that annoying grin of his. Beside him was some kind of mechanical being…that thing must be from the Evie.
Upon using [Observe] on it. He was called Raonall and he was part of a group called [Combat Fanatic]. Just like Unguentum when they attacked the Hindu Pantheon.
Raonall's main body was mostly black, however, certain parts were purple like his eyes, a small part of his forehead, and his bottoms. He had two shields. The one on the right was rectangular in shape while the one on the left was circular. In his right hand he carried a weapon that resembled a hammer.
"I am the son of the Original Lucifer, that gives me the right to allow this, no?" he said to him and finally stood beside him.
"…Rizevim-sama…" muttered Diehauser.
Rizevim patted Diehauser on the shoulder and then turned to me. "Yahoo, Jin-chan~ it's me, Rizevim, the real one—in the flesh…I'm personally here to kill you and watch your demise, uhyahyahyahyah~"
"I'm here too, old shit bag," said Vali. We all turned to our side and saw Vali Lucifer there, a furious look on his face.
"The last to show up was my lovely grandson. It looks like every one of tonight's main members have stepped onto the stage, how lovely! Tonight is the night that this universe and the supernatural world lose their beloved Middleman~!" Rizevim said happily.
"Vali—"
"I know. I want him dead and you want to save your surrogate parents and lover. So I'll fight with you, Aniki," he told me.
"Aaaaaaaaah! He calls you 'Aniki'? How adorable! Come now, my cute grandson, call me 'Gran-py!' too!"
"Drop dead," replied Vali. "Enough games!" Vali shouted and entered his [Empireo Juggernaut Overdrive] and flew towards Rizevim.
Vali tried to hit Rizevim, but the old devil jumped around like a little girl playing jump rope and avoided his attacks. This just further pissed off Vali.
Rizevim put his hand out and used his [Sacred Gear Canceler] on Vali—instantly dismissing his armor much to the latter's shock. "Take this~ Super Devil Punch~!" said Rizevim in a sing-song like manner before slamming his fist into Vali's face.
Vali was launched away, but Lavinia moved over to catch him and angrily looked at Rizevim, she then summoned her ice dolls and ordered them to attack him. But like earlier, he simply pointed his fingers at them and they vanished.
'It doesn't matter if I evolved or upgraded them…as long as they're Sacred Gears, he can cancel them any time he wants, huh?' I thought and looked at the others with me.
Akeno and Suzaku launched holy lightning and flames towards them, but this time the Champion, Diehauser Belial put his hand out…and invalidated both of their attacks. Vali who had recovered himself summoned his bat wings and flew right back at Rizevim.
"I'm not done you pile of—agh?!" Vali was again punched by Rizevim after [Worthless] was used on his demonic powers. This was a powerful combination…the [Sacred Gear Canceler] and [Worthless]. Is this one of the reasons he wanted Rizevim by his side?
Akeno and Suzaku appeared beside Rizevim and Diehauser. I see, if magic attacks, abilities and Sacred Gears won't work, then brute forcing it would just do…but as soon as both their fists were about to reach both devils—two shields appeared in front of them, blocking the attacks.
Danu this time created several roots and attacked Raonall, however, just like before, Diehauser's [Worthless] invalidated her attack. They had the perfect defense…but…
"This realm can disappear, it's not needed," I told them—and they increased their punches powers to the point it shattered the shield made by Raonall and their fists slammed into both Diehauser and Rizevim's stomach much to their surprise.
Once that was done, Vali flew back and slammed his knee into Rizevim's neck, but the man wasn't bothered by it. He grabbed Vali's leg and broke it, causing him to scream in pain.
"Vaa-kun!" Lavinia screamed and used magic to attack Rizevim, but Diehauser again invalidated the attacks, and the ice and snow attacks Lavinia fired at the both of them with his [Sacred Gear Canceler].
Vali was punched in the face by Rizevim, and he was thrown back to us. I caught him and healed him up. I put him to the side and held my arm out. "Leave it to me, it won't be quick, cause I'll make 'em pay."
I slowly walked towards them, slowly letting out my animosity. The two of them finally recovered and stood back up.
"Uhyahyahyahyah! Finally, the man of the hour makes his move. What are you going to do? Use your Sacred Gears? Your overwhelming power as an outer god—"
<
I didn't have anything against the Champion, so I glanced at him before backhanding him, making him crash into the wall. I cocked my arm back and sent a punch towards Rizevim, both shields made by Raonall appeared in front of me, but I again destroy it while also applying [Penetrate] to my punch.
After my fist landed in the middle of his chest, he burst into a large amount of blood, but I didn't feel satisfied with that. I wanted this asshole to suffer, and whoever else was responsible for both attacks—he was my prime target, so I instantly brought him back to life.
I again attacked him. A simple kick to the face, obliterating his head, but at the same time, the force I used destroyed everything around us, including the castle's final floor and the surrounding area to my left as the shockwave created by my kick was powerful enough to do that.
Again, I revived him. Rizevim only had a grin on him though. "Uhyahyahyah~! All those nightmares…all those deaths in my dreams…! I am used to death, Jin-chan! You can't traumatize me anymore, uhyahyahyahyah!" he said in joyful glee.
I kicked him again, but not enough to kill him. Raonall caught him and he coughed up blood.
I had been keeping it in since I found out about the attack. I also wanted to lose my cool back there, but I had to be mature—I had to be calm about it. As the leader of Team [DxD] I had to set an example for them and not act rashly or immaturely. But I still understood their anger and frustration when I found out.
It was amplified even more once I saw the amount of death in Ireland. Nessa and her family, Miss Zuzanna and everyone else who lost their lives…everyone in Grigori, Shemhazai, several others, the burden I put on Kishku and Ezekiel and also Baraqiel being injured and Mittelt being kidnapped.
In a way, it was my fault…it was my fault, so…
I looked back at Rizevim before I unleashed everything I had on him. In an instant, an amalgamation of colorful auras engulfed my body and swirled around me. Everything around me started to distort and break.
<
"Uhyahyhayhayah! That's it! That's what an outer god should be, Jin-chan! Uhyahyahyah, that's how it's supposed to be, just like what Phumera and Lapis said. They're the embodiment of chaos and destruction! Let me help you!" he shouted and pointed his hand at me.
Was he planning to use his [Sacred Gear Canceler]? That would be useless, but…some kind of black-yellow light erupted from beneath me and devoured me.
"This is…the Lucifer clan's ability! The [Demonic Brilliance of Evil Light]!" shouted Rizevim as he howled into the sky of Tech Duinn.
My vision of him became covered by my own aura and his [Demonic Brilliance of Evil Light], and eventually I couldn't see anything in front of me.
…
However, soon after his attack vanished, and I retracted my aura, but…
"Where am I…?" It felt like I was back in my dream world, but I certainly wasn't dreaming.
[Everything is for our family] said a voice. I turned to it and my eyes widened. It was a man and a woman along with two older people a man and a woman.
[Yes. I understand, father,] replied the young man.
Beside him…was…a younger version of my mother. She was also bowing towards the older two.
[This business has been in our family for many generations, I trust that my one and only son will successfully inherit it and make it prosper even more, do I make myself clear?] said the older man.
[Of course, father. I have been hard at work all my life. I won't tarnish our name,] replied the man. I think…he was my dad…? He had short black hair, blue eyes and wore a black business suit.
The scene changed to a different place. Neither my dad nor mom looked happy—especially my mom.
[This is an arranged marriage. I hold no romantic affection for you, but you were chosen by my parents, so you must be suitable for me in some capacity. We will try for a child as soon as possible; do I make myself clear?] said my dad sternly.
With a sad and defeated look on her face, my mother nodded. [Yes…of course.]
My mom didn't look happy—so their marriage…like I suspected was an arranged one, huh? No, my dad and mom didn't hide it at all, I think…
The scene changed again and this time—my dad was throwing a bunch of things around their home. He was clearly angry about something.
[I have sacrificed everything in my life! My childhood, my youth, my love life to follow my father's wishes! Yet I cannot fulfill such a trivial and simply one?!] he roared at my mom who recoiled and sadness and disgust.
[Just like I promised him, I made this family business prosper! We are billionaires! The richest in the whole of Europe and Eurasia! I am the 5th richest man in the world! We are widely known throughout the world. If I can't even have a heir, what's the point of anything?! Are you just infertile?!] he screamed and threw the photo of them to the ground.
[…I don't know, we've tried many times but the baby…]
[This is the god damn fifth time!! I had myself tested! It's certainly not me, it has to be you! Did you even go get yourself checked like I told you to?!] he asked angrily. My mom shook her head sadly. [Oh my fucking god! It's a simply test you stupid cow! Once we find out it's you, we can make arrangements. My companies have made advancements to make infertile cows like you fertile, go! Go get that test already!!]
My mom ran out of the room in tears as my own hatred for him grew. I didn't know this part of their history, but seeing it really made me feel very bitter towards him. From the time I knew him…he was mostly indifferent to me—no he just had expectations of me, expectations I didn't care for.
But at the same time, I didn't know what kind of expectations he had from my supposed grandfather, as the man also looked very strict. I doubt my own father had a very happy childhood, perhaps he was also suffering? I didn't know, and I started to wonder if I could meet him somewhere down the line and speak one-on-one to him.
The scene changed again and this time…it was my mom and dad at the doctors.
[Congratulations, Mrs. Toole, you're pregnant,] the doctor told them.
The fact that my dad made was quite obvious. It basically said, 'finally!'. My mom on the other hand seemed very tired and defeated. She simply thanked the doctor and showed him a fake smile.
However, the doctor saw through this, but didn't know if he should say something.
[Aren't you glad, Róisín? We can finally have a baby…] said my dad in a fake happy voice.
[Y-yes dear…I'm glad…] replied my mom.
[Now, Mr. and Mrs. Toole, this new treatment that your company has produced over the last years has had some…controversies, but I'd like to tell you some of the reported findings in them…] said the doctor.
[Hold on a second, doctor. I don't want my wife to hear this. Can we send her out?] he asked. The doctor looked at my mom and then back at my dad and nodded. A nurse came to get her and they left.
I didn't want to hear what they would talk about so I followed my mom. She sat in a lonely white room and felt her belly. [Can I even love you in the future…? I hate that man…I hate that family, and I hate mine…will I ever be happy in this world?] she asked herself in a whisper.
The scene changed again, and this time…my mother was in a hospital room with…a baby in her arms—tears streamed down her face as she cradled what I assumed was me.
[Congratulations, Aden, Róisín. It seems that we have a heir now, a boy on top of that. What's the name you chose for him?] asked a man in professional attire.
Aden Toole—the name of my father…right…that's his name. He looked at the man and then back at mom. [My wife insisted on being able to name the child, so I left it to her,] he answered the man, so everyone turned to my mom.
[…Aaron. That's his name…Aaron Toole…my sweet baby boy…] she muttered and kissed the baby's forehead.
[…You heard her. It's called Aaron,] said my dad.
"Did he really just call me 'it'? Jesus Christ man…" I muttered and frowned at him.
My father and that man along with the rest of the hospital staff left the room. My mom and I were left to ourselves and I watched on.
[…I take back what I said to you a year back…I definitely love you…and I'll do my best to protect you from that man…] she whispered to the baby and gently cradled him.
[Even if the whole world turns their back on you, mommy will be by your side…I promise to do my best for you…] she added and silently cried. Baby me silently stared at him and reached up and touched her face which made my mom cry even more.
I felt my own chest burn as I watched that scene. I didn't remember much, but the sincerity of those words made me believe them and I felt terrible for my own mom just watching all that. She had to endure all of it by herself. Was I even a good son to her growing up? Seeing that…makes me want to go back in time and help her out.
This time, however, the scene changed rapidly—it showed me slowly growing up, and in various points of my previous life, I couldn't keep up with it, until—it all shattered right in front of me.
"This is…oh, the place where Azathoth and Nyarlathotep were before…but where are they?" I asked out loud.
"…They're not here right now," answered a voice. I quickly turned around and saw a woman and I was left stunned and speechless.
She had white hair styled in braided Victorian-fashion. She had kind and gentle emerald eyes, she wore some pearl earrings, some kind of neck accessory with an emerald gem in it. Finally, she wore a dress that looked very lavish.
She resembled my mom. She had the hairstyle, eyes, and even tone of voice, but…the hair color was different.
"Oh my baby!" she said and ran over to me before embracing me.
"…M-mom?" I asked, still unsure.
"Who do you think I would be?!" she pulled away and frowned at me.
"…Nyarlathotep?" I replied and she just glared at me.
"Aaron…no," she said and hugged me again. "Aaaaah…I wanted to meet you again. Azathoth said I'd meet you sooner or later. I guess this is what she meant."
"…I see, that's why I couldn't come here again. Oh, by the way, did you talk to Touji Shidou?" I asked.
"Mmm! I spoke to him about…well, nothing too serious. I asked Azathoth if I could do it, surprisingly, she let me!" she said happily.
"By the way, you're the Dual Dragon Emperor, huh? You even have Shin now, another [Canis Lykaon], hehe," she said and poked my nose.
For some reason, I blushed quite hard. Had she been watching me? For how long? No…it had to have started around Christmas, but she could have been shown my entire journey so far by Azathoth, so she definitely knows more things about me…
"Well…I am. I can't really deny that," I replied.
My mom then had a sad look on her face. "Aaron…we can't speak for too long, so I want to tell you a few things, okay? It looks like your memories of your past are still missing so…I'm limited to telling you about certain things, so listen closely, okay?"
I nodded and she continued. "To start…I want to apologize. I failed you as a mother…your father, and the power people around him and the ones in that giant home of ours in Dublin…I begged him to let us live in Dun Laoghaire, my hometown, so we bought that house and lived there instead."
"…Once your father found out that we had a close bond even as you aged, he tried to tear us apart. He became even more furious once he found out I indulged in your hobbies, but once you…once all of that bullying and out casting happened, he lost all hope for you."
"Even after you went to that institute to get your degree, he didn't care anymore, so he asked me to make a new child and heir for him. I refused, and for the first time in his life, he hit me. Everything else before was just verbal abuse…"
"When I was younger, I couldn't help you that much. I was still quite afraid of him, so I complied with whatever he said like usual. However, as you grew older, I noticed how depressed you started to become, but…that was when I started to actively go against him."
"When he found out you and Aoife started dating, he was on a mission to break you up and tear you apart. But I noticed the positive influence that she had on you, so I did everything in my power to stop it. No matter how little influence I had—I used it all."
"But…he…" she choked up and this time I was the one who hugged her. "He was the one who paid those people to bully you and try to break you and Aoife. He didn't care and wanted Aoife out of your life. Of course, they received a lot of money and they wouldn't refuse that."
"They already hated you—your father only fanned the flames by throwing oil into it, and they just doubled down and became nastier…that was until Aoife died. I would like to say that he had nothing to do with it. However, I had my suspicions that he prevented any information about her cancer from reaching her on time."
"…W-what do you…"
"I'm saying, the tests that she was meant to receive never came on time. Aoife and her parents adored you too. Anyway, when they started having suspicions about her declining health, they began testing to find out why, yet…they never came."
"Every time they tried to ask for them, the doctors, nurses, and staff would always have an excuse. Any time they went to a new one, the same thing would happen until…it was too late. I'm 99% sure your father had something to do with it. His influence on our world was large…it was quite sickening."
"If you think the corruption of the old devils of the Underworld was something…when you remember our old world, and how much your father and grandfather did…you would be sickened. That's all I can say for now. When we meet again, I will tell you more," she said.
"W-wait what? What do you mean—?!"
"I'm going to be reincarnated. I made a deal with Azathoth, that once you find me again after you evolve, I'll regain my memories…and then we'll be together again. So please come find me, okay?" she said and tears fell from her eyes again.
"But I—we just met again; I have to lose you again? What the hell…?"
"Not permanently, it's just temporarily…and please remember what I told you a long time ago…" she said and reached out and held my face before smiling again. "Don't hurt anyone that doesn't deserve it, okay? Kill them with kindness instead, but if you come across someone that is deserving of it—"
"—Then make them suffer," I finished her sentence for her and she giggled. I felt my soul being cleansed by her, just being with her again…calmed me like when I was with the girls.
She smiled at me one last time and kissed me on the forehead. "I don't know how long I have before I get reincarnated, but…I'll be waiting and…everything you've done, be it in this life or your past life, I was and always will be proud of you, Aaron! You're my baby boy, and you always will be, Aaron—mommy will always love you!"
As she said those words…I felt myself be kicked out of that place again. Shit…! I was crying again; I didn't think meeting her again would do this much…
"I'll definitely find you again, mom…and when I do, my new and old family will be complete…!"
…
When I came back to reality, all the animosity I had didn't vanish, but became focused and I had more control over it. I felt myself grin and that confused Rizevim.
"Huh? The hell are you grinning about?" he asked.
[Aaron,] Ophis called out my name.
[You reached it, so sing with us, Aaron,] said Irene.
[Son of Lucifer. Grandfather of the White Dragon Emperor Vali Lucifer. You will be the first guest,] said Ddraig.
"Huh? Guest?" he asked confused and tilted his head. Everyone in the room also became confused.
[Sing it with us, Aaron,] added Ophis.
[That's why I told you to rejoice. Such a chant is not one that you can casually listen to. Make sure you clean out your ears and listen with your heart. If you need to ask why…it's because my Partner is near completion,] explained Ddraig.
[My first friend, the man I love, please show everyone—]
'…Yeah, let's sing it together…' I replied and began to chant, a chant before I fell into a deep slumber.
I quickly entered my [Queen] form and began to chant while putting a hand over my heart.
"The Outer Dragon God dwelling within me, awaken from your dominance—"
My entire body was shrouded in numerous colored auras. The power I felt was coming from something other than my own 'Outer God' part, but from something else beyond it, something more mysterious. I felt excited, but at the same time, Cúntóir's words from a few months ago echoed in my mind.
'Compare it to Midoriya and his use of OFA. His body needed to slowly get used to it, but if he went past a certain threshold, he'd just injure himself. It's times a million for you. You'd just outright die if you tried it.'
If I used the power beyond an Outer God, I would be out of commission.
[The Crimson Heavenly Dragon I possess within me, rise up to become a King and roar—]
Ophis chanted the next line. A jet-black-crimson aura emanated from the gems all over my body at the same time.
[The Jet-Black God of Infinity—]
The jet-black aura and the various others began to merge with my body and armor.
[The Glorious God of Dreams—]
Irene said her line and certain parts of my armor began to turn gold.
"[[Watch over the true forbidden existence we shall become that transcends the boundaries—]]"
The rest of my armor started to change color to a jet-black and the gems around my body flashed then turned crimson red. We recited the last line together.
"[[Thou shall dance within our perfected radiant inferno!]]"
"[[D ∞ D!! D ∞ D D ∞ D!! D ∞ D D ∞ D D ∞ D!!! D ∞ D D ∞ D D ∞ D D ∞ D!!!! D ∞ D D ∞ D D ∞ D D ∞ D D ∞ D!!!!! D ∞ D D ∞ D D ∞ D D ∞ D D ∞ D D ∞ D D ∞ D D ∞ D!!!!!!!!"]]
[[D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D!!!!!!!!!!!!!]]
[Outer Dragon ∞ Full Drive!!!!!]
<
"What the…is this [Juggernaut Drive]?! No…that's…that's not it, what is this?!" Rizevim shouted in horror.
[Hmph. You don't need to know what it is, Son of the Morning Star, for today you will perish,] said Ddraig. [Let's do this…partner!!] Ddraig shouted—almost like he was about to cry.
"[<
Summoning the boosters in my back, I flew towards Rizevim as a look of panic was etched across his face. Raonall created several powerful shields in front of Rizevim and Diehauser who had come regained is consciousness tried to use his [Worthless] on me, but—
[Revoke!]
The power of [Revoke] was also in this form, no—all the other abilities I had were accessible here too.
"What the…my [Worthless] was canceled…?" he asked and fell back on his ass. "…No, I felt my stamina also drain from that…Prince, I can't help you anymore…" the Champion said tiredly.
Rizevim clicked his tongue and aimed his [Sacred Gear Canceler] at me, but—
[Revoke!]
The same thing happened to him and he tried his [Demonic Brilliance of Evil Light] instead, but the same thing happened. My armor used [Revoke] and it was canceled.
"First…is a punch…" I mumbled and punched Rizevim in the gut, making him cough up blood. "Second is a kick." I followed it up by kicking him in between his legs. Rizevim's face paled and he temporarily passed out.
However, he quickly woke up again and jumped back and shook on the spot. "F-fine…you pieces of shit…!" he grinned and brought out Phenex Tears. "I still have these to drag this shit out!"
He used one on himself, but—
[Revoke!]
It didn't heal him. His fury erupted when he heard that announcement from my armor.
"Are you fucking kidding me?!" he summoned his wings and flew towards me instead. I dodged the punch he sent towards me and I returned the punch right back at him and Ddraig announced—
[Demonic Brilliance of Evil Light ability taken!]
[Sacred Gear Canceler ability taken!]
"Wha—damn you, Dual Dragon Emperor!!!" he roared at me. Ddraig and I had taken his two unique abilities. Just like how I took Walburga's Sacred Gear from her…we took these two from him.
Rizevim summoned a large ball of demonic energy and threw it at everyone behind me.
"Just because we're watching doesn't mean we're weak," said Lavinia behind me. I heard the crackle of ice and lightning behind me, and I assumed they had stopped it.
"Damn you! Damn you! Damn you! If that's the case, I'm going to escape!!" he shouted at us and began to laugh. But as he tried to teleport away, it didn't work. "Why won't it work?!"
I arrived in front of him again and punched and kicked him, and then finished it by giving him an upper cut. "Because we already accounted for that and cut it off…" I told him. I punched the air in front of me and slammed Rizevim further into the sky.
I turned back to Vali as the cannons around my armor began to charge. "Vali, he's going to be blasted a certain distance…I won't kill him, I'll let my little brother have the honors."
He stared at me in shock, but quickly grinned. I turned back to Rizevim and fed the cannons more of my power.
"All of you…accompany me till the end."
[[[Of course!]]]
'End it, Aaron,' said Rudra.
<
"[<
"[<
"Blooooooooooooooooooow awaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!" I screamed.
"<<[∞ Blaster !!!!!!]>>"
Along with my voice, a thick and powerful beam of draconic aura with an amalgamation of colors blasted through my four cannons and boomed through the skies of Tech Duinn. All the while Rizevim laughed at his own demise.
"I can't…be defeated…like this…?!" he muttered before being blasted away.
The sky of Tech Duinn had turned into an amalgamation of colors after the attack I used on Rizevim ended. I turned back to Vali—fatigue taking over my entire body. "It's your turn, go finish him off."
"…Thanks," he said and flew away with his [Empireo Juggernaut Overdrive].
I looked back at Raonall and also flicked my wrist. Beneath him, a small magic circle appeared and a large bust of flames devoured him. Once that was done—his melted body remained. 'I nearly forgot about him…well, it doesn't matter…'
[Partner…this is the [True] Diabolos Dragon God, well done. We finally got it,] he said while crying. I also heard Albion doing the same thing.
'Don't cry on me Ddraig, Albion…people would laugh if they heard the two Heavenly Dragons like this,' I told them and began walking towards the cage where Shuri, Baraqiel and Penemue were. The girls also joined me.
…
Vali Lucifer's Soliloquy
…
I followed the trajectory of Rizevim's body and quickly found him—I wasn't the only one there as I saw Azazel had already arrived.
"Uhyahyahyah…my lovely grandson and the Governor Azazel, what an iconic duo," he said with his usual annoying laugh and smirk. He couldn't even move his body anymore.
"Shut your mouth," I told him and stood over him.
"Vali, was this your doing?" Azazel asked me.
"Of course not. Are you trying to start a fight or something?" I asked and glared at him.
He held his hands up and laughed. "I'm joking, I'm joking. I know that an absurd amount of power came from Jin. First the pillar and then whatever that blast was."
"How about one last family hug before you kill me, my dear grandson~?" Rizevim asked with a smirk.
In a different meeting of Team [DxD], Aniki warned us that if we kill Rizevim it might unleash Trihexa onto the world. However, he killed him earlier and revived him, yet nothing happened. Was it because he brought him back to life instantly and the seals were removed? Or was a different person responsible for them?
Whatever the case may be, I can kill him without repercussions. I summoned a magic sword that I found in my journeys. Le Fay had imbued it with powerful magic, along with Calantha and Fusae Hirawa.
"Die…!" I shouted and swung the sword down, cutting his arm off.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!" he screamed and I took pleasure in it.
Slowly, I cut off all his limbs and now the only thing left was his head and torso.
"You're really enjoying this, aren't you?" asked Azazel. "Just end it already!"
"…Tch, fine!" I snapped back and aimed at his neck. I finally brought my sword down on his neck—yet he had an even more crazed look on his face, and he mouthed the words 'I win'.
His head rolled off from his body and I sighed.
"So, we're done—"
Just then…three large pillars erupted from various points in the realm!
[Attention Team [DxD], I had received reports of a giant pillar of light had just erupted from… Thine Ifreann Réimse! Could this be the crystals that Jin and Cúntóir spoke about?! Why did they activate now?!] Rossweisse asked in a panic.
Three…shit so—
"Damn him! Did his death activate those things? Then that means—"
The Death King will be coming here! I was excited and worried. I doubt I would be able to fight that thing—if I couldn't even fight Glenda and that monster when they fused, what good will I be against something that's known to destroy planets casually?!
"Shit, did Jin forget about those?!" asked Azazel
"Probably…you know what that Lucifuge maid said? She said he was just a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. The only thing on his mind during all of it was probably just revenge," I replied.
Suddenly—some kind of magic circle appeared in front of us. From it—
[Hey yoo! Uhyahyahyah~!]
It was Rizevim…
[If this starts playing, I probably died, yaaaay~ clap clap~. Anyway, was it from Sirzechs? Or my adorable grandson, Vali? Well either way it doesn't matter, because once I die, this world—no this universe's destruction is confirmed!]
[Let me explain a few things, ooookaaay~? When I die, those crystals will activate and the Death King will make his way here, wahooo~! Next, it will also tell the rest of the Khaos Order of my death and immediately start our next operation!]
[AKA, complete annihilation of the Draconic Deus! We had already awakened Trihexa a long time ago. We even made smaller and weaker copies of it you know? There are 12 in total. Each one of them can destroy the earth casually, and do a lot of damage to all factions and pantheons.]
[Fufufu, also—with this…Khaos Order…declares war on Team [DxD], the DxD Alliance, all of the pantheons and factions as well as human society! You better bring everyone you can! The Heavenly Dragons, [Joker], Slash Dog, and especially the Dual Dragon Emperor…kuku, if not…we'll win, because of someone~]
[With that said, Great-Amazing-Super-Duper Rizevim iiiisss out~!]
The magic circle finally disappeared. Azazel and I were left dumbfounded.
"Does this mean they'll unleash the original Trihexa, the copies, all of their armies in the Khaos Order, and whatever else they have on us…?! Shit, they're going to attack all the alliances and other factions and the human world! We need to—"
[Azazel!!] Lavinia's voice screamed at him through the transceiver. I could tell that she was distraught. [Come to the castle! Jin…! Jin…!]
"…What?" I asked and looked at Azazel, but his face was already pale.
"Vali let's go!" he screamed at me and I followed after him as he flew away.
What happened…?
…
Jin Skyward's Soliloquy
Earlier
…
As I walked closer to the prison that they were held in, I released my armor and touched the bars and used [Revoke] on them. I then walked over to Baraqiel and healed him. His arm was also restored.
"…Are you okay, dad?" I asked.
"…Now I am, good job," he replied and patted my head.
"Hehe, I did have to save you three," I said and turned around. "Let's go home."
"Hmph! You were so slow, Aaron! I was nearly bored waiting over here!" said Penemue in a fake huff.
"We're all safe now, what a reliable son-in-law~!" mom said gleefully.
"Does this mean we stopped them—" just as Lavinia was about to say that, pillars erupted around the place.
"…Ah…the crystals…they activated," I said and looked at the Champion. "Diehauser, what you did was unforgivable…but I get why you did it."
"Dispose of me as you like. You have the right to do so. I will not resist," he replied.
"…I won't let you die; you have to repent."
He smiled and shook his head. "Letting a man who wishes to die, live, you're much crueler than you let on to be, Jin. But…can you tell me one thing?" he asked.
I nodded.
"I heard rumors that you met with both of Yaegaki-kun and Cleria's souls? H-how were they…?"
I closed my eyes and recalled the memory. I opened them back and looked back at the champion. "She was a very gentle woman; she had a very kind and caring smile. Yaegaki was a lucky man," I told him.
Diehauser closed his eyes and began to cry. "I…see…I can rest now…I truly have lost…"
As I went to speak again, the sky of Tech Duinn was suddenly in my vision. When I tried to look around me, I saw red and black liquid around me.
"Aaron!" everyone screamed. Even the Champion looked worried as they stood over me.
Cúntóir: Answer: This is the price of using that power before you evolved…even if it was a small fraction—it did this much damage, Aaron Toole…
I see…I shakily held my hand out and shouted in my head, 'Attention…all Electa and Shadow soldiers…! In my absence…protect this world—this universe with your lives…!'
As my vision began to blur, I felt all of my shadow soldiers leave my shadow and some Electa leave my ring. I also forced Ddraig and Albion out of my soul.
So this was the price of just a small amount of that power…? As those thoughts echoed in my mind, I heard and saw Lavinia, Akeno, Suzaku, Asia and Danu crying over me. I tried to say something, but nothing came out. Then everything finally faded to black.
…I wonder how the world will be like without me?
A world without the Dual Dragon Emperor.
…
Check the chapter comments to see images of certain characters.