High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

[Kiba Side]

Warmth envelops me.

Their feelings flood into me.

I finally understand.

My comrades never wanted vengeance.

They just wanted me to live

"But this can't end here."

No.

I must stop the evil before me, or that tragedy will repeat.

"Balper Galilei, if I don't destroy you, more like me will suffer. That must never happen."

Bathed in gentle light, I forge a sword.

"A tool dares to speak?" Balper sneers. "Freed!"

"Yes, boss!" Freed blocks my path.

"You should've stayed discarded. Sacrifices are part of research," Balper mocks.

You're pure evil.

"Kiba!" Issei shouts. "You know what you must do!"

"Don't waste their souls!"

"Do it, Yuto!" Rias calls. "My knight won't lose to Excalibur!"

"Yuto, we believe in you!" Akeno adds.

"Fight, Yuto-senpai!" Koneko urges.

"Kiba-san!" Asia cries.

I understand now, Issei. What's precious to me

"Ugh, this sappy scene's ruining my skin!" Freed interrupts, raising his sword. "Time to slice you up!"

Freed Selzen, carrying my comrades' souls.

I won't let you misuse them!

"I'll become a sword. Comrades fused with me, let's surpass our unfulfilled wishes!"

Raising my blade, I shout my resolve.

"For Rias and my comrades Sword Birth!"

My sacred gear merges with their souls. Holy and demonic forces blend, forming a sword radiating divine light and sinister aura.

"Sword of Betrayer, wielding holy and demonic power. Face it."

Balper gasps. "A holy-demonic sword? Impossible! Contradictory forces can't coexist!"

Ignoring him, I advance. Xenovia joins me.

"Rias Gremory's knight, still allies?"

"I'd like to think so."

"Then let's destroy that Excalibur."

"You sure?"

"It's no longer a holy sword just a monstrosity."

"Understood."

Xenovia stabs her Excalibur into the ground, raising her hand. "Peter, Basil, Dionysius, Holy Virgin Mary, hear me."

She chants, warping space, and pulls out a sword. "By the saints' names, I release Durandal!"

Durandal? The legendary blade that cuts all.

"Durandal?!" Balper and Kokabiel exclaim.

"My research never reached Durandal's level!" Balper protests.

"Unlike Freed or Irina, I'm a natural," Xenovia says.

A true holy sword wielder, blessed by God.

"Durandal's a tyrant, ignoring me, so I sealed it in another dimension," she explains.

Its aura surpasses Freed's Excalibur.

"Enough with this nonsense!" Freed screams, firing transparent blades.

Xenovia shatters them with one swing. "A broken sword can't match Durandal!"

She charges. Freed dodges with Excalibur's speed.

I flank him. "Your sword won't break our will!"

"You damn devil!" Freed snarls.

Our blades clash, sparks flying. Freed creates clones with Excalibur's illusion power.

"Don't follow with your eyes feel his presence," Issei's advice echoes.

I sense the real Freed. My holy-demonic sword shatters his Excalibur with a brittle clang.

Freed collapses, blood pouring from his shoulder.

"Did you see? Our power surpassed Excalibur," I say, gripping my sword, looking skyward.

[Kiba Side Out]

Kiba shattered Excalibur and defeated Freed. He did it!

Reaching Balance Breaker at this moment?

"That's an irregular Balance Breaker," Ddraig says. "Holy and demonic forces shouldn't mix, as Balper said."

So, Kiba's is rare.

We'll discuss it later. Kiba approaches Balper to finish it.

"Balper Galilei, prepare yourself."

Balper mutters, "If the balance between holy and demonic is disrupted, it explains it. Not just demon kings, but God—"

A massive light spear pierces Balper's chest. He collapses, lifeless.

Kokabiel's doing.

"You were useful, Balper, but I don't need you," Kokabiel mocks, landing.

His pressure intensifies. Rias and Zhuina sweat coldly.

"Playtime's over. I'll face you, Rias Gremory," he says.

"Bring it!" Rias retorts.

"Rias, Akeno, I'll transfer power. Charge your magic to the limit and hit him. We'll make an opening," I say, placing hands on their shoulders.

"Transfer!"

Their auras surge, skin-searing.

"Impressive. Rias and Akeno's specs, amplified by your power," Ddraig notes.

Our king and queen rock!

Kiba, Koneko, and I face Kokabiel.

"Standing beside you, Issei? Didn't expect it," Kiba says.

"You reached Balance Breaker. With training, you'll surpass me. I'll keep up, though," I grin.

"Thanks. I'll aim for you," Kiba smiles.

"Enough chatter," Koneko snaps.

"Right. Kiba, Koneko, buy time for Rias," I say.

They nod. "Let's go!"

I charge Kokabiel, landing a focused punch. He blocks.

"Just you? You can't win," he taunts.

"I'm not alone."

Kiba slashes, but Kokabiel parries with a light sword.

"Holy-demonic sword and Red Dragon Emperor? Fun!" Kokabiel laughs.

Koneko flanks him, fist charged with magic. His wings turn blade-like, aiming for her.

"No you don't!" I shield Koneko, my arm grazed, blood spurting.

"I'm fine," I tell Koneko. Asia's healing aura seals the wound.

Kiba summons another holy-demonic sword, slashing. Kokabiel retreats, a cut on his cheek.

"Now!" Rias shouts.

Rias and Akeno hold massive magic orbs; Xenovia charges Durandal.

We clear out.

"Vanish!" they yell, unleashing destruction, lightning, and holy aura.

The blast engulfs Kokabiel. He grimaces, struggling.

They push harder.

A massive explosion rocks the school.

Rias, Akeno, and Xenovia pant, drained. No more transfers possible.

"Is everyone okay?" I ask.

"Tired, but I'll recover. Kokabiel?" Rias asks.

Smoke clears. Kokabiel emerges, robe torn, bleeding, but barely hurt.

"That could kill a high-class demon! I had to block seriously," he laughs.

"Fine allies you have, Rias Gremory," he says.

"What do you mean?" she asks.

"Red Dragon Emperor, holy sword survivor, Barakiel's daughter what a crew."

"Don't say his name!" Zhuina snaps.

"Barakiel?" I ask Ddraig.

"Fallen Angel leader, master of lightning," Ddraig replies.

Akeno's his daughter?

"Your family loves freaks!" Kokabiel mocks.

"Don't insult Akeno or Rias!" I roar, radiating killing intent.

Xenovia joins me. "You'll face divine judgment!"

We face Kokabiel.

"God? You still believe without one?" he sneers.

"What?!" Xenovia demands.

"Slip of the tongue. But for war, I'll spill it."

A bad feeling hits.

"In the last war, God died with the four demon kings!" Kokabiel laughs.

"What?!" we gasp.

"God… dead?" Xenovia collapses, muttering, "Lies…"

"The war killed all demon kings, most high-class demons, and many angels. All factions hid it to preserve faith," Kokabiel explains.

Asia trembles, fainting. Koneko catches her.

"Michael's managing, keeping the system running for prayers and exorcisms," Kokabiel adds.

"I'll start a war with your heads!" he declares.

For that childish reason, he hurt my friends?

"Enough!" I roar.

A surge of red aura erupts from me, a pillar of light bathing Kuoh Academy in crimson.