Rias, still worried about everything that had happened, activated the magical communication spell, and a hologram of Sona appeared in front of her. She needed to talk to her friend about recent events and share her concerns about Kokabiel. The hologram flickered a few times before:
Sona fully appeared.
"Rias?" Sona's calm voice resonated through the hologram. "Are you okay? You seem tense."
"Sona, we need to talk. A lot has happened... Freed and Valper were trying to complete a dangerous ritual using the Excaliburs, and Kaito acted on his own to stop it. Now, the swords have been destroyed, but Kokabiel is still at large."
There was a brief silence as Sona processed the information, her serious expression reflected in the hologram.
"My Peerage is keeping watch; if he shows up, we'll know."
Rias took a deep breath, feeling a bit relieved by her friend's words.
She knew that in moments like this, she could fully trust Sona to help ensure everyone's safety.
"Thank you, Sona. Knowing that you and your Peerage are watching brings me some peace."
Sona nodded, her gaze firm and determined. "I understand perfectly, Rias. Don't worry, I'm keeping everyone on high alert, and we'll act quickly if there's any suspicious movement from Kokabiel. He won't catch us off guard."
Rias felt calmer with her friend's confidence.
She knew Sona was a talented and extremely careful strategist, which gave her hope that they could face whatever came their way. Rias looked at Sona's hologram and smiled, a sincere smile full of affection.
"I knew I could count on you, Sona. Thank you for always being by my side, even when things get complicated. I don't know what I'd do without your help."
Sona returned the smile, a slight warmth in her voice. "No need to thank me, Rias. We're friends, and you'd do the same for me. We're in this together, and we'll overcome this together."
Rias nodded, feeling stronger. "We will. I'll keep monitoring things here. If anything happens, I'll contact you immediately."
"Do that," Sona replied, her voice firm. "And if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. I'll keep my Peerage ready for anything."
With that, Sona's hologram disappeared with a soft:
beep!
Rias remained silent for a moment, absorbing the conversation. The worry was still there, but now there was a renewed sense of hope. She knew that, with Sona by her side, they stood a real chance of facing Kokabiel and protecting those they loved.
Rias then turned to Akeno. "Akeno, call Xenovia and Irina."
Akeno nodded, standing up and leaving Rias's room.
She walked through the corridors of the Gremory mansion until she reached the room Xenovia and Irina shared. Akeno knocked softly on the door before opening it, finding the two inside.
Knock, knock.
"Xenovia, Irina, Rias needs to talk to you," Akeno said, her voice soft and calm.
The two exorcists looked at each other before nodding and getting up, following Akeno back to Rias's room.
Suddenly, a violent crash shook the entire Gremory mansion.
BOOM!
The ground trembled, and the vibration traveled through the corridors, making windows and doors slam shut.
CRASH!
Rias and Akeno stopped abruptly, their eyes wide with surprise. "What was that?!" Rias exclaimed, feeling her heart race.
Xenovia and Irina tensed as well, their eyes fixed on the direction the sound had come from.
Akeno ran to the nearest window, pulling the curtain aside and looking outside. What she saw made her blood run cold. Huge spheres of light were being launched against the mansion, exploding on impact and destroying parts of the structure.
BOOM! BOOM!
Akeno turned to Rias, her expression alarmed. "It's Kokabiel! He's attacking us!"
Rias's eyes widened, and a mix of anger and fear crossed her face. "Everyone, prepare for battle! We need to protect our home!"
The girls nodded, tension filling the air as they ran through the corridors. Rias led the group to the main hall, where they could clearly see the walls being shaken by Kokabiel's attacks. Flames began to spread throughout the area, and the situation quickly became more dangerous.
CRACK!
A part of the ceiling collapsed, scattering dust and debris across the floor. Irina screamed in fright as Xenovia quickly pulled her away from danger.
"We have to stop this!" Xenovia shouted, gripping her sword tightly.
Rias clenched her fists, feeling determination swell within her. "Akeno, start preparing a barrier! Xenovia, Irina, with me! We need to confront Kokabiel directly!"
Akeno nodded, concentrating her energy as she extended her hands and began chanting a protective spell. An electric aura surrounded her hands as she worked to raise the magical barrier.
Rias, Xenovia, and Irina ran towards the mansion's exit, where they could see Kokabiel hovering above, his black wings spread, a cruel smile on his face as he continued his assault.
"So, you've finally decided to show up, little Devils!" Kokabiel shouted, his voice echoing through the night. "Let's see what you have to offer me!"
Rias felt her anger boil within her. "Kokabiel! We won't let you destroy our home!" She raised her hand, gathering her destructive magic, ready to strike.
ZAAAP!
Xenovia charged forward, wielding her sacred sword, while Irina positioned herself beside her, both ready to face the enemy.
Kokabiel only laughed, flapping his wings and preparing another sphere of light in his hand. "Come then! Show me what you're capable of!"
Suddenly, a magic circle glowed on the ground, and Kaito materialized between the girls and Kokabiel.
SHIIING!
Kaito looked at Kokabiel, his translucent fairy wings manifesting as he stood firmly in front of Rias and the others.
"I arrived just in time, it seems," Kaito said, his voice cold and calculating. "You're not going to destroy anything else, Kokabiel."
"Oh, the little Devil has returned. Do you think you can stop me?" Kokabiel sneered, his black wings beating as he hovered in the air.
Kaito didn't respond. With a firm movement, he raised his hand, and the ring on his finger transformed into the spiritual lance Vendetta. A menacing glow ran along the blade as he prepared for combat.
"You're going to regret attacking a Gremory's home," Rias said, her voice filled with determination as an energy sphere formed in her hand.
Kokabiel only laughed, ignoring the threat. "You really think you can face me? I'll show you the true power of a fallen angel!"
Kokabiel raised his hands, and a dark magic circle began to glow beneath his feet. The ground trembled as the dark energy gathered around him, and, with a fierce shout, he summoned a colossal creature.
"Awaken, Cerberus! Show these Devils true terror!"
ROOOOAR!
The huge three-headed dog emerged from the magic circle, each of its heads letting out a fierce roar that made the ground vibrate. Its red eyes glowed with fury as it snarled at Rias and her group.
"Cerberus..." Rias murmured, feeling a chill run down her spine. "He actually brought that creature here..."
"Rias, focus on the barrier and defense! Xenovia and I will handle this thing! Irina, we need your help too!" Kaito shouted, never taking his eyes off the monster, his wings vibrating as he prepared to advance.
Irina, standing beside Rias, quickly nodded, holding her sword firmly. "I'll help contain this beast. We won't let it advance any further!"
"Understood, Kaito! Akeno, we need to protect the mansion!" Rias ordered, turning her gaze to Akeno, who nodded, concentrating her magic to raise the barrier.
"Understood, Buchou!" Akeno replied, an electric aura surrounding her hands as she continued chanting the protection spell.
Xenovia advanced beside Kaito, while Irina positioned herself next to them, holding her sacred sword firmly. "Let's contain this creature together, Xenovia!" Irina said, exchanging a determined look with her companion.
"Let's finish this quickly." Kaito raised Vendetta, his wings flapping as he launched himself towards Cerberus.
SWISH! CLANG!
He struck a powerful blow with his lance, aiming at the monster's central head. Cerberus roared, dodging the head and trying to bite Kaito with one of its other heads.
SNAP!
Kaito quickly retreated, dodging with agility. Xenovia took advantage of the opening to attack, slashing one of the monster's legs with a swift, precise movement.
SLASH!
Irina followed immediately, striking the other leg of Cerberus, trying to unbalance him.
SWOOSH! CRASH!
Cerberus let out a roar of pain, retreating slightly, but quickly counterattacked, trying to knock Xenovia and Irina down with his remaining paws.
THUD!
Kaito quickly advanced, positioning himself between them and the attack, blocking it with his lance.
CLANG!
"You won't bring us down that easily!" Kaito said, pushing Cerberus's paw away, his expression determined.
Kokabiel, watching from above, laughed loudly. "You're only delaying the inevitable! Cerberus will finish you all, and I'll destroy what's left!"
"Not if you don't survive until then!" Rias shouted, launching a sphere of destructive energy toward Kokabiel, who dodged with an agile movement, his taunting smile remaining on his face.
ZAAAP!
"Do you really think you stand a chance?" Kokabiel taunted, creating a new sphere of light in his hands. "I'll crush each one of you, one by one. Let's see how long you can hold out!"
Kaito turned to Xenovia and Irina, his eyes fixed on theirs. "We need to neutralize Cerberus quickly. I'll try to distract Kokabiel. Hold off this creature until I get back."
Xenovia and Irina nodded, their eyes gleaming with determination. "Understood. Go, Kaito. We'll handle it here!" Xenovia said, while Irina nodded beside her, with a confident smile.
Kaito flapped his wings, rising towards Kokabiel, his expression determined as he prepared to face the fallen angel directly. "Kokabiel, your arrogance will be your downfall!"
Kokabiel just laughed, readying himself to face Kaito, while on the ground, Xenovia, Irina, and Cerberus continued their fierce battle, and Akeno and Rias focused on protecting the mansion and their friends from the chaos unfolding around them.
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