"Damn it! There are too many of them!"
Jeanne yelled, her voice hoarse with exertion as she braced herself against a broken wall.
Her armor was cracked, blood running down the side of her face.
She raised her rapier and unleashed a flurry of holy swords, slicing through the incoming swarm of shadows that screeched and dissolved in mid-air.
Her chest rose and fell heavily, her eyes burning with defiance.
A few meters ahead, Siegfried roared as he cleaved through another shadow beast with Gram and Balmung, his Demon Swords crackling with demonic energy.
"I swear I'm gonna skewer every last one of those cultist bastards once we're done with their group project!"
He spat, slicing off a massive tentacle that had tried to coil around his leg.
His coat torn and bloodied, and one of his Twice Critical arms barely clung to his back, but he kept fighting, driven by the same fury and stubbornness that Jeanne shared.
A short distance away, a thunderous crack echoed through the corrupted skies as Arthur dove from above, Boosted Gear at hand.
He plunged his gauntlet deep into the singular, massive eye of a giant shadow cyclops, and with a brutal twist, he ripped the eye out of its skull, causing the massive creature to convulse before collapsing into a twitching, shapeless blob of darkness.
Black ooze sprayed the ground as Arthur landed in a crouch, panting heavily, his hoodie in tainted and his gauntlets stained with black residue.
"God, that was gross…"
He muttered as he wiped his mouth with the back of his arm.
Just then, a clone of Arthur arrived with Excalibur Rapidly at hand.
"The town has been cleared. We've evacuated everyone to the boats at the shore. Its only us left now."
Arthur gave a tired but firm nod.
"Good."
He walked over to the clone, snatched the Excalibur Rapidly from its hands, and summoned his Excalibur Destruction, now dual-wielding both blades in either hand.
"Sieg, Jeanne!"
Arthur called out, his voice cutting across the battlefield like a whip.
"Keep pushing forward, we gotta-"
He was cut off as the earth shuddered beneath their feet.
A horrifying howl split the air as the ruined tower at the heart of the town erupted.
A geyser of writhing darkness shot skyward, spiraling violently, and the shadows churned, howled, and fused into a massive, swirling vortex.
Everyone froze.
Jeanne's eyes widened as she stepped back instinctively, mouth agape.
"…We're too late."
She whispered, her voice trembling.
From within the heart of the vortex… something moved.
Something massive.
A gigantic form began to emerge, seemingly made of shadow, its limbs formless yet solid, constantly shifting and twitching like they couldn't decide on a shape.
Countless eyes blinked open across its surface, each eye a different shape and size, each radiating hatred.
A deep voice resonated from everywhere and nowhere.
"FOR TOO LONG I HAVE BEEN ENSLAVED BY THESE PATHETIC WORMS. FOR TOO LONG HAVE I WATCHED FROM BEYOND MY PRISON. AND NOW THAT I HAVE BEEN FREED. NOW... I SHALL MAKE YOU SUFFER... I SHALL MAKE ALL OF YOU SUFFER... ESPECIALLY GOD!"
Arthur's eyes narrowed as he watched the massive entity take form.
His grip on his holy swords tightened, and six demonic dragon wings unfurled from his back.
"Looks like this party is getting crazier by the second."
He muttered, his voice low.
Ddraig stirred within him.
(Yes, indeed. But remember, Arthur, there is still a chance to stop him. He is still recovering his full strength. If he manifests fully-)
"I know."
Arthur whispered, stepping forward.
His blood was boiling in anticipation as the usual, familiar itch, that unexplainable, chaotic urge to fight something impossibly strong, bubbled beneath his skin like fire.
A grin tugged at his lips.
"…You sure know how to make an entrance, big guy."
He flared his wings and crouched, both Excaliburs glowing, and Boosted Gear beginning its chant.
"Okay then, let's dance!"
[BOOST!]
Everything froze.
Arthur's voice echoed in a casual tone.
"This is me. You're probably wondering how I ended up in this mess, fighting a resurrected god in a ruined island town surrounded by hentai tentacles and the worst weather known to man. Well… it all started a few days ago."
DxD
"Get ready to lose, Pendragon!"
"Lets agree to disagree."
Arthur and Siegfried stood opposite each other, soaked from head to toe, their expressions serious and eyes locked in mutual determination.
Clutching Balmung in one hand and Nothung in the other, Siegfried exhaled a hot breath as he readied his stance again.
Across from him, Arthur stood casually, his red hoodie drenched.
Excalibur Destruction in his right hand, Excalibur Rapidly in his left, and a cocky smirk dancing on his lips.
From the benches off to the side, Jeanne watched the duel with arms crossed, legs swinging idly.
"Oi! Art! Sieg! If either of you lose this round, you're officially gay!"
She shouted, grinning.
The entire world seemed to go silent for a heartbeat.
"What the hell did you just say!?"
Arthur and Siegfried's eyes ignited.
Both charged at each other with renewed fury, blades crackling as they collided with explosive force.
The shockwave shattered the air around them as holy steel clashed against demonic steel.
Their sword strikes came so fast they blurred, and the stone beneath their feet split and shattered with every movement.
Arthur pivoted low, slicing upward with his sword, only to meet Siegfried's downward slash.
Sparks flew as Arthur flipped backward, hurling one sword slash to force Siegfried to dodge.
In that moment, Arthur summoned Excalibur Mimic and clenched in his mouth.
"Oh, you've gotta be-!"
Siegfried barely ducked as Arthur swung his head like a madman, forcing him back with an unorthodox flurry of attacks.
"Are you actually using a sword in your mouth, you schizo!?"
Siegfried shouted as he tried to parry.
Arthur didn't answer.
He dropped to one knee, swiping low.
Siegfried's legs were kicked from beneath him and he slammed into the ground with a splash.
Before he could roll away, Arthur was on him.
*CLACK.*
Excalibur Rapidly and Excalibur Destruction pinned across Siegfried's neck like scissors.
Arthur grinned, and with the sword still in his mouth, he tried to say.
"Mmmph! Wmph mph mouf!"
He pulled the sword from his mouth.
"I win. Looks like you're the gay one."
Siegfried groaned.
"Shut up, you smartass…"
Arthur chuckled as he stored the swords back into him and offered a hand.
Siegfried took it, grumbling as Arthur hauled him back to his feet.
"That's twenty-four wins in a row. You wanna go for twenty-five, Sieg?"
Arthur said smugly.
Siegfried pointed at him with a determined scowl.
"Fuck off. Next time, I'm definitely beating your ass."
They both turned as Jeanne hopped off the bench, stretching her arms.
"Alright ladies, its my turn now, so move over Sieg."
Arthur smirked.
"Try not to lose too fast this time, okay?"
Her glare sharpened into fire.
"Say that again and I'll stab you where the sun doesn't shine."
Arthur only snorted and walked to the center of the field, blades at the ready.
As Jeanne stepped in to face him, Arthur found his mind briefly drifting.
Just two weeks since he'd been roped into this holy madhouse, and somehow he'd ended up forming an unlikely bond with the others.
Jeanne had turned out to be way more friendly than he expected; she was a fierce sparring partner with a good sense of justice and often helped him refine his use of Holy Arts in their downtime.
Siegfried, on the other hand, had become his self-proclaimed rival, always pushing him harder in swordsmanship and complaining about his opponents being so boring before he showed up.
And Dulio… well, he was laid-back, annoyingly cheerful, and absolutely insistent on being his "senpai," though he often annoyed him by dropping by with complaints about the strict rules of the Church and eating his homemade cooking, claiming himself as Arthur's taste tester after discovering that his food is amazing.
But as a fellow Longinus user, he helped Arthur refine his control over the Boosted Gear alongside Ddraig,
His thoughts was interrupted as the training hall's doors opened with a loud creak.
"Yo! Hope I'm not interrupting my most favorite student!"
Dulio's came as he walked into the destroyed arena.
Arthur tilted his head.
"You got a reason for bothering us, Dulio, or did you come to confess your sins and repent?"
Dulio grinned.
"Tempting, but no. I'm here to give you your first mission, newbie."
Arthur's expression brightened as he lowered his sword.
"Finally. I was starting to lose my mind here, just hanging out with these lovestruck idiots."
"HEY!"
Jeanne and Siegfried protested, indignant.
Dulio laughed as he waved them toward the exit.
"Come on, you guys can voice your complaints later, but we've got a serious mission to do."
Arthur sighed, moving his hair with his hand.
"Let me guess… ancient evil waking up, devil worshipping cult, or is it a secret organization hellbent on world domination?"
Dulio shrugged.
"Something like that. Let's just say this one's gonna be a real doozy."
Arthur raised an eyebrow but said nothing as he and the others followed Dulio out of the training halls.
DxD
Dulio stood casually in front of the council, smiling with his usual ease, while Arthur, Jeanne, and Siegfried stood behind him.
Arthur kept his hands in his pockets, Siegfried stood with arms crossed and head tilted, and Jeanne tried her best not to fidget under the cold stares of the council.
"Thanks again for letting the kids join the party. Especially Artsy here, he really needs it."
Dulio said with a grin, gesturing behind him.
Arthur raised an eyebrow at the "Artsy" nickname but said nothing.
The eldest councilman leaned forward with folded hands.
"It may be time for him to prove his worth in God's eyes. We are aware of his capabilities and... this mission will test where his loyalties truly lie."
Arthur felt something cold stir in his chest at those words.
Their tone sounded like they were waiting for him to screw up.
He said nothing, but his eyes flicked to Dulio, who gave no visible reaction, simply listening.
"More importantly, this mission requires the full effort of our elite. Lord Michael himself has sent this request. You are to head to Ireland immediately."
Dulio raised an eyebrow, but kept his tone casual.
"Ireland? How exactly does this involve the Church?"
Another councilman adjusted his spectacles.
"Several exorcists of our order have deserted their ranks and been moving covertly alongside other strays. They've formed an unregistered faction and were last seen converging in Ireland. Their numbers are unknown, and they have taken refuge in one of the ancient Celtic ruins. Your mission is for you, Dulio Gesualdo, and your team, to investigate and determine their allegiance, motives, and whether intervention is necessary."
Arthur blinked.
"Wait… Since when are we a team?"
Siegfried shrugged with a half-smirk.
"I don't know. Guess we are now."
"You are being dispatched as a unit under Dulio's command. If that arrangement proves functional, further joint missions may follow."
One of the elders finished.
Arthur gave a side glance at Dulio, who simply gave his classic two-finger salute.
"Okay. Check the place, beat the bad, and save the day. Got it. Let's move, kids."
As the trio turned to follow Dulio out of the chamber, the head councilman suddenly called out, voice echoing down the hall.
"Pendragon."
Arthur stopped and slowly turned his head.
"Watch yourself out there, boy. And don't bring the Church shame."
The old man said with narrowed eyes.
Arthur's gaze sharpened for a moment.
"Right."
He turned and walked out, the chamber doors closing behind them.
As they strolled down the long corridor toward the heliport, the atmosphere lightened.
"So we're going to the land of rainbows and leprechauns. Say... do you think if we cut one open, they'll spill out lucky charms?"
Siegfried said, nudging Jeanne with his elbow.
Jeanne immediately elbowed him back hard.
"God, you're so insensitive. That's a whole species you're mocking."
"What? I'm just asking."
Siegfried laughed.
Arthur rolled his eyes.
"If we get attacked by a leprechaun, I'm telling them you said that."
Dulio walked ahead, spinning his staff lazily in one hand.
"You ready for the adventure of a lifetime, Arthur?"
Arthur cracked a small smirk.
"Is there gonna be a lot of explosions involved?"
"Hundred percent! Might even destroy a town or two if you're lucky."
Dulio declared.
They soon arrived at the heliport, where a sleek black military-grade helicopter was already prepped and waiting.
A few exorcists stood nearby, saluting Dulio as they approached.
Arthur recalled the first day he stepped foot into this place, how Jeanne and Siegfried got their butts kicked.
Jeanne glared at him now as if reading his thoughts.
"Don't get cocky just because of one lucky shot."
"Oh? I'm pretty sure I mopped the floor with both of you."
Arthur echoed, tilting his head.
Siegfried growled, pointing at him.
"That was a draw, you bastard. Lady Gabriel interrupted us!"
Arthur muttered under his breath, just loud enough for them to hear.
"Sore losers."
Jeanne and Siegfried both stepped toward him, but Dulio quickly waved them toward the chopper.
"Alright, alright, lovebirds, enough drama. We've got bad guys to slap and Irish delicacies to explore."
They climbed aboard, Arthur taking the rear seat as the rotors kicked up wind around them.
As the helicopter lifted off the ground, Arthur leaned his head back and stared at Dulio to ask.
"When the hell did we become a team?"
Next stop: Ireland.
DxD
Hello readers!
I need more Power Stones.
Thank you everyone and see you later!